Vroomen Launches 2r

February 28, 2013

I don’t usually announce, let alone faun over, new publications (especially if they compete with a Slowtwitcher’s cycling-related eyeball-budget). However, it’s notable and newsworthy that Gerard Vroomen, co-founder of Cervelo, assembler of about half of the current Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda team, founder of Open Cycle, has founded a new magazine for cycling. 2r is an iOS-only magazine, which means I have to read this thing on my iPad. But that’s not all bad, because it gives my tablet utility for something besides Ubersense.

You did not have to read 2r to read Vroomen. He’s a prolific and precisely on-target blogger. He’s got a dry wit that cuts if you’re on the wrong end of it. He wasn’t afraid to essentially say, to one of his own favorite riders, who was at the time the world’s fastest aboard two wheels, that his bike position was fouled up. Yet, when you consider the evidence presented, any reasonable person would have to agree with Vroomen’s assessment.

The first thing you read is the very first issue of 2r is an interview with Greg Lemond. A 45-page book, presented as an interview, by Paul Kimmage. It’s the Lemond I know, to the degree I know him, and it reads like a monumental exhale, where America’s great link to old school bike racing describes 15 years of triumph, difficulty, stress and vindication.

The magazine is free. I don’t know how. No ads. No dues or subscription. Great writing. Download here. It's a defensible reason to spend time away from Slowtwitch. Just not too much time!