The Champagne Bottle Across the Hull

Many adventures start rather auspiciously, by accident, or sometimes by divine providence.

In my lifetime, I’ve had the privilege to travel the world for my work, a pursuit which has taken me to the four corners of our small globe.  Those excursions have afforded me the opportunity to see events in a different light, especially when it comes to freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom to pursue my calling.

However, some of the nations I’ve visited haven’t granted the same courtesies to their very own constituents. Many have had their rights trampled at the expense of the greater good. After countless years of watching in frustration, it was time to say, “enough is enough.”

That same freedom I described above with regard to individual liberties also occurs when I unplug, throw on some lycra, and hit the open road. The sense of exhilaration when you are in the saddle is the purest form of expression of those ideals, and my adventures have allowed me to pursue exploration on two wheels – sometimes successfully, sometimes unsuccessfully. In many cases these journeys have allowed me to rub shoulders with competitive cyclists, and provided me with an educated outsider’s view of the sport.

Cyclismas is my gift back to the realm of ProCycling. This site is an extension of my beliefs of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Cycling has lost that freedom and in many respects lost its way, digressing into a morass of public relations sound bites, competing politics, and ultimate control of a sport for certain elements that circulate near or at the top of this sport.

You’ll find here what I and our editors hope to be a motley collection of intelligent misfits – some who write as themselves, and others who write via a nom de plume. Many of these individuals have become known in the cycling industry due to their unwavering pursuit of what the truth is – not what is popular opinion, nor what is the safe response.

You will also find that our editorial policy shall remain separate from any advertising opportunities that may be presented. Our advertisers must understand that sometimes dialogue and controversy for the right reasons are more important than preserving a false ideal for profit-driven motives.

We hope you enjoy the journey and actively participate in our fun.