Il Campionissimo: Happy bday Fausto Coppi

Angelo Fausto Coppi 'Il Campionissimo'
September 15th, 1919 - 2 January 1960 (aged 40)
Castellania, Italy


*image from smashred via flickr

Voted the most popular Italian sportsman of the twentieth century, Fausto Angelo Coppi was the campionissimo - champion of champions. The greatest cyclist of the immediate post-war years, he was the first man to win cycling's great double, the Tour de France and Tour of Italy in the same year - and he did it twice. 

He achieved mythical status for his crushing solo victories, world titles and world records. But his significance extends far beyond his sport. 

Coppi's scandalous divorce and controversial early death convulsed a conservative, staunchly Roman Catholic Italy in the 1950s. At a time when adultery was still illegal, Coppi and his lover were dragged from their bed in the middle of the night, excommunicated and forced to face a clamorous legal battle. The ramifications of this case are still being felt today. 

In Fallen Angel, acclaimed cycling biographer, William Fotheringham, tells the tragic story of Coppi's life and death - of how a man who became the symbol of a nation's rebirth after the disasters of war died reviled and heartbroken. Told with insight and intelligence, this is a unique portrait of Italy and Italian sport at a time of tumultuous change.
* [Book description] via Fallen Angel: The Passion of Fausto Coppi by William Fotheringham  /amazon.co.uk

*(L) image from _GP_ // (R) image from Genova citta digitale


/Monumento by Paolo A. Bosia

le strade di Fausto Coppi by fdpdesign

Gino Bartali y Fausto Coppi by bilobicles bag

Bartali on the heels of Coppi _ 1949 Tour de France by stronglight:

"I was lucky to quickly find this photo... in this case, I wanted to point out an interesting feature about the cyclists' equipment. In the days before support vehicles were available for an instant wheel change, we see both racers are wearing their necessary spare tubular tires wrapped around their shoulders. 

Coppi's bike has a full sized frame pump mounted above his down tube. Bartali's bike has a short compressed air (CO2) inflater clipped behind his seat tube.If ever needed, that device could have saved precious time compared to a hundred frantic pumpings of the arm during an awkward roadside stop. In any case it could have saved Gino a bit of expended energy during "iI vecchio's" pursuit of the younger Coppi. 

After winning in 1938, fans were thrilled when Gino won again in 1948 - a full decade later. But, alas, Bartali failed to defend his title and Coppi would the win 1949 tour. I wonder whether either rider had suffered a puncture during this race?" by stronglight

Fausto Coppi by ddsiple

coppi-1952 by stonejf

by my friend eric, wouldn't be surprised to see him rocking the same jersey one of these days :)

Fausto Coppi Magazine Cover 1952 by Foto43



Further Reading: See bio info in Cycling Hall of Fame
/All above images shared via CreativeCommons and properly credited+linked to its user.

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Tanti Auguri, Coppi
xxom

cyberchisme

Time for another dose of cyberchisme, your fave bloggie gossip.
xxom
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Where does your (vehicle) rack come from?
Adventure Journal has a recent post about Thule, based out of Seymour, Connecticut. Check it out here: Thule Racks

Bike theft prevention
Bike-theft guru Jenny Oh's post is a must read: Bike Theft Prevention: What Can We Really Do?
Also she had shared this video, got the bike back while seeing this guy riding it:
A cyclist’s dream fulfilled: taking back his stolen bike
And a case o irresponsible teenagers behind the wheel: Milkshake attack on Orange County bicyclist caught on video -"This is not a joke, it's pretty serious." 

Eagle racks: "Carry big and bulky stuff on your bike."
Glen from Redwood City (26mi. south of San Francisco) has shared his invention info.

"This idea came from my high-school daughter, who noted how uncomfortable it is to ride a bike with a heavy backpack. We've invented not just a backpack carrier, but a rack system for your bike, like they have for cars"

indiegogo.com/eagleracks


the busiest line in the city: 38Geary
I believe I had read somewhere that the 38 Geary is the busiest public transportation bus line in the States, can't seem to find that source however.
The 38 is ALWAYS packed, no matter what time of day.
A rare empty scene to see it almost completely empty on this video the Muni Diaries recently shared. Here is the video:


What it’s like when somebody sexually assaults you on the bus
Read on via missionmission

VeloVogue visits Toronto
And meets SF's longtime bloggie friend Xander :)
And since KT knows how to share the eye candy. Check it out here: KT's Hot Dudes in Toronto

/image via KT's Flickr

SF goes Dutch
Marc [amsterdamized.com] gets to meet the SF ladies IRL. So rad.
Calitexican shares: CYLRAB meets Amsterdamize. KT's post: Hello Women of America!
Marc tweets a ton +shares tall SF people sightings here

San Frooklyn
I heard someone rode the San Frooklyn bridge and ended up in the Lower Haight ;)
Had to share this NY event, the graphic is coast-to-coast cute.

"Three top web-based literary publications (and Tumblr super-users) invite you meet your internet friends in person for chatting, drinking, and dancing to kick off the most bookish week in Brooklyn. Music from DJs Abby Klein and Doc Delay and drink specials enhance the East Coast vs. West Coast faceoff — and everybody wins!Monday 9/17 at 7pm, Public Assembly, 70 N 6th Street, Brooklyn NY. See you there!"More: via BookNews

DVF: Science fiction exists -- Fashion Week from the future with Google glasses
This video includes narration by Dian Von Frusteberg, she is one of my favorite women in business and how she simply envision women surrounded by powerful words. Have fun. Be yourself. Be beautiful.
As women and as humans, it is often easy to be wrapped up in the fast pace of life, and forget to do that. Here is the video, which has made the web-rounds, if you haven't seen it by now:


Speaking of technology, JKL shows it is all in your head

and on similiar tech chisme, Woz (the other Steve founding-father of APPL) does not agree with the Samsung lawsuit 

Interbike: Sept. 19 - Sept 21 in Las Vegas
Who is going? 

/foto from interbike

Catlandia.

Sept. 14-16: GET A CAT OR A DOG, AND A DRINK -- Adoption fees will be waived all weekend.

"The San Francisco SPCA will be hosting the Homecoming 2012 Adoptathon, September 14th - 16th. Adoption fees will be waived all weekend, for all animals. Planned activities include a cocktail party, food truck, an animal behavior workshop, bake sale, and much more. 

KittyFlix.com is donating 100% of its advertising space in the SF Bay Area for the full week leading up to the event." 

Read more info+details here: The SF SPCA's Homecoming Adoptathon weekend includes free food, free drinks, and free adoptions! 

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My BEAUTIFUL black cat Velcro is a big part of my life.
I adopted her almost 4 years ago from the SF SPCA, which brings a smile to my face anytime I hear they are organising or hosting an event. I hope the upcoming adopt-athon this weekend goes great.

Here is their latest video. Bonus kitteh points if you know where the video was shot.


If you did watch the complete video above, the Portlandia-spoof features the gorgeous Cammy. She is a hamm:

Since Cammy is not shy at all, my friend Richie also snapped while we were on the back of the truck drinking coffee (not sure the truck is still there) but this kitteh is an absolute rockstar, roaming the greatest garden in the city:

/foto by Richie

The location where the video was shot is Flora Grubb Gardens, located in the Hunter's Point/Bay View district here in San Francisco.
Coffee and plants, great place to spend time with friends or alone.
I love this spot, and have gone there many times throughout the years with family and many of my good friends, highly recommend it if you have not yet been. There are many previous posts here.
Ample vehicle+bicycle parking as well as the t-line about a block away (3rd street).

Also thought I'd shared this video, so cute. Gets me every time.

How a quick simple 10-second radio announcement inspired this post, is a rather linear sentiment on how making a decision to adopt a pet changes your life. Animals are keen to know when you are feeling like shit or in pain asides many positive perspectives added to one's daily routine.

Loyal loving companions.
Having Velcro around has been a very loving experience, I am very happy I decided to adopt her.
I am an even bigger animal lover than I could ever imagine.



/Velcro. 1st one taken with phone, last 2 with the LX5.

Do you have pets? Have you been to your local shelter lately?
I love my cat. I'm sure she loves me too.
xxom

los events: midnight mystery ride this Saturday 9/15

Saturday at Midnight

"...Bring back the sense of mystery and discovery in urban biking" -Jeff / Mission Bicycle Co.

He adds: And this Saturday we host another ride. When Mission Bicycle hosts this ride, we do it right. Surprises in store.


Ride meets at Midnight outside Mission Bicycle, located at:
766 Valencia Street - btwn 18/19th.
San Francisco, CA 94110

San Francisco through my eyes.

mis ojos + San Francisco + snail mail
I recently made a fresh batch of postcards and mailed them via snail mail +wanted to share some of my hobby/art work with you. The drawings were made from looking at fotos snapped with my mobile phone:

I have liked using black paper as of late, it is fun to pair it up with glitteresque pens +metallic markers.
Quite similar to film, you turn a negative dark paper into positive something.
xxom

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// flickr set // behance set // pinterest

mucha música Monday: la luna

Celebration of the post dedicated to Neil Armstrong: the moon two weeks ago, now en español.
xxom

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Luna card // This is Cape Canaveral(c)1963, written and illustrated by Miroslav Sasek. via wardomatic

Luz de luna /Chavela Vargas
The rough voice of tenderness. Mi querida Chavela, nos vemos al trascender RIP (1919-2012)


Siguiendo la Luna /Los Fabulosos Cadillacs


Hijo de la luna /Mecano


Luna /Enrique Bunbury


El cantar de la luna oscura /Mago de Oz


Flor de luna /Santana


Luna /Zoé
(MTV Unplugged, original here)

fotos with a t-max one hundred.

Hola all.
Loaded the 35mm camera with a roll of t-max 100 / 36 exposure expired film (apr.2006) a few weekends ago. Mi friend Muffin and I walked throughout a few neighborhoods of the city +just got the prints back from Photoworks, couldn't wait to share some.
The t-max is "The world's finest grained 100-speedblack-and-white film." -[Kodak]

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These were just quick snaps taken with mi mobile phone of the matte photos themselves (HTC Evo).
Have a grand weekend.
xxom

International fog [via Twitter share]

So refreshing. Drizzle feels like San Francisco summer fog. -- Sense the City (@senseberlin)

remix #3 where is your: mind

where is your: mind? from meligrosa on 8tracks Radio.

1. Static Mind /Girl in a Coma
2. Supermental /Suede
3. Transmission /Joy Division
4. Mirando a las Muchacas /Mexican Institute of Sound
5. Astro Boy /Blonde Redhead
6. Where is my Mind /Pixies
7. Sunday Morning /Velvet Underground

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xxom

Los events: September

Friday, September 7th
4-9PM at The Rock Steady (San Pablo and 18th) Oakland, Calif.
FB event page here
-via the fireflyexpress

Sale through September 15th
Box Dog Bikes is having a sale. More info here


Friday, September 7th
7-8PM
131 A Precita Ave San Francisco, CA 94110
"Guerrilla gardening is gardening on land that the gardeners do not have legal right to use, often an abandoned site or area not cared for by anyone. That being said, we are going to start this out with realistic goals.We are going to plan to plant 1 or a couple of abandoned street/sidewalk planter boxes..." read more on FB invite: here
via SFbikecavalry



Saturday, September 8th
5-9PM | 395 Valencia St. (near 15th)
Nooworks Presents Barbara Moreno aka Lady Love
-via the gorgeous Gwen | nooworks.com



Saturday, September 15th
9-noon
Several location throughout SF, San Mateo, Pacifica and Marin. 
Check site for further details and links, more info here: California Coastal Cleanup Day 9/2012

Past Coastal Cleanup Day data tells us that most (between 60–80 percent) of the debris on our beaches and shorelines comes from inland sources, traveling through storm drains or creeks out to the beaches and ocean. Rain or even something as simple as hosing down a sidewalk, can wash cigarette butts, bits of Styrofoam, pesticides, and oil into the storm drains and out to the ocean. Please take responsibility for making sure trash goes where it belongs.

© California Coastal Cleanup Day 2011 by Parks Conservancy, on Flickr


Saturday, September 15th



Thursday, September 20th
ConVerge at YBCA Grand Lobby
Lady Stardust and Gem&Bolt
Free | 4PM-8PM
More info: ybca.org/converge

Thursday, September 27th  
15 Years of TransForming the Bay Area and California
Tickets are just $15 in advance and include birthday cake, beer, wine, and appetizers.
Tickets will be $20 after September 20th. This event is likely to sell out, so get your tickets now!
TRANSFORM: 15 Years event page 

VISION: "...When you take a moment to imagine what our lives will be like 10, 20, or 50 years from now, you might end up feeling hopeless - or eager for what the future will bring. At TransForm, we think great things are possible in the Bay Area and beyond." Learn more about them here.

via One of the blog's long-time fave readers in the EastBay -DavidJ

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And remember, got event/info happening around town or cyberworld: bikesandthecity -at gmail

ok that is all for now

xxom

Don't stop me now: Freddie for a day

Freddy Mercury
Farrokh Bulsara was born in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
September 5th, 1946 - November 24, 1991 (Age 45).
Mercury was a Parsi born in Zanzibar and grew up there and in India until his mid-teens. [wikipedia]

/all images via tumblr search

2011 Sept. 5th Google video:




Fighting AIDS worldwide
mercuryphoenixtrust.com

"The Mercury Phoenix Trust was founded in 1992 by Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor and Queen manager Jim Beach to help distribute money raised from the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS awareness. Since then, the Trust has raised over $15 million to help in the fight against AIDS worldwide."
-via technorati.com

For those of you with an iOS device, there is an app to 'stache yourself: Freddie for day app

And the angry birds post again, too awesome:




/Freddy Mercury Memorial by izahorsky, on Flickr

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Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity.

xxom