Monday, 31 October 2011
Contador Visits Nor-Cal
Giro Champ hosts a "twitter" ride and sits down with ROAD Mag for an interview.
Nick O Pendle Hill Climb
The Nick O Pendle hill climb is a testing climb from the village of Sabden Village up to the moors of Nick O Pendle. The climb averages approx 10%, but at the start there are a few sections of 16%. It has been used several times for the National hill Climb Championship, including 1988 when [...]
Source: http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/timetrials/hill-climbs/nick-o-pendle-hill-climb/
What is my bike worth?
This is a guest post by Going Going Bike Do you know what your bike is worth? It?s not that easy to know and that is why we are now providing a free bicycle valuation service to everyone who visits Going Going Bike. We?ll be totally honest with you and tell you whether your bike [...]
Source: http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/tips/what-is-my-bike-worth/
Cateye INOU
Last month, the editor of our Adventure Cyclist magazine took a look at Cateye's INOU, a GPS enabled camera and video recorder that mounts to your helmet or handlebars. I was a big fan of what he had to say about it, so I decided to borrow it for a few rides, and share some of the actual video that comes out of this little guy.
As I mentioned, this is a GPS enabled camera, and video recorder. That's quite a bit of data to process, all of which is written on a micro SD card. To get that information off the card, and onto your computer, just jump online at http://www.inouatlas.com. From here, you can create a free personal account, and download the INOU Synch application. When you plug the micro SD card into your computer, you can go straight to the INOU Synch application. You can either choose "One Button Upload," which loads the video and data straight to the INOU Atlas page (and a YouTube account if you have one), or you can download it to your computer first for editing.
The GPS tracking feature superimposes your videos and photos onto a Google map, so you can see exactly where the visual media was recorded in a physical realm, in addition to how fast you were traveling at that given moment. This makes for a pretty cool way to share your tour, or every day rides, with your friends and family.
The device accepts up to a 32GB micro SD card, and the pair of AAA batteries can provide up to 2.5 hours of use. If you're on an extended tour, you can upload your data on the fly if you can get to computer and internet access at a hotel or library, and the quick synching process means you won't be spending hours uploading images or video to a media storage site.
If you're wondering about the image quality that this can produce, check out these samples of what I got out of it.
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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
As I mentioned, this is a GPS enabled camera, and video recorder. That's quite a bit of data to process, all of which is written on a micro SD card. To get that information off the card, and onto your computer, just jump online at http://www.inouatlas.com. From here, you can create a free personal account, and download the INOU Synch application. When you plug the micro SD card into your computer, you can go straight to the INOU Synch application. You can either choose "One Button Upload," which loads the video and data straight to the INOU Atlas page (and a YouTube account if you have one), or you can download it to your computer first for editing.
The GPS tracking feature superimposes your videos and photos onto a Google map, so you can see exactly where the visual media was recorded in a physical realm, in addition to how fast you were traveling at that given moment. This makes for a pretty cool way to share your tour, or every day rides, with your friends and family.
The device accepts up to a 32GB micro SD card, and the pair of AAA batteries can provide up to 2.5 hours of use. If you're on an extended tour, you can upload your data on the fly if you can get to computer and internet access at a hotel or library, and the quick synching process means you won't be spending hours uploading images or video to a media storage site.
If you're wondering about the image quality that this can produce, check out these samples of what I got out of it.
--
TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/cateye-inou.html
Cycling community rallies to help injured German bicycle traveler
Bicycle tourist Michael Sprick (red jacket at left) doesn't know it, but he's getting widespread support from fellow bicyclists as he battles for his life in a Virginia hospital bed.The 40-year-old was on a 10-week bicycling ramble down the East Coast on Oct. 8 when he was struck from behind by the driver of a bread truck that swerved off the road.
Today, Sprick is still in a coma and on life support at the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. A chance meeting earlier in his tour at a West Virginia bike store has brought together dozens of bicyclists who are lending support to him and his family through the ordeal.
They're offering help at the Friends of Michael P. Sprick page on Facebook.
"It's kind of like a community, when you travel ...
Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2011/10/21/4923471.html
Snow Day.
The mountains were calling, and I had to go.� Maybe that was it.� Or maybe it was just altitude necessity. Although I wished for an eternal summer, my altitude training was greeted with an early winter storm instead.� Yes.� 8 inches of snow in October.� Who would have thought?� I am not much of a [...]
The Hungry Cyclist Podcast June 2011 - The White Swan, Hunagrian Restaurant, London
H is for Hungary, and for our eighth visit on our tour of London's global cuisine we headed to the White Swan in North London. To listen to what happened plug in your headphones, find a comfy chair and enjoy.
Tour of Pembrokeshire Prologue
A few weeks back, at the Cyclosport party, I met a couple of people who had been mad enough to cycle all the way from Pembrokeshire to London for the occasion. �On a tandem. �Non-stop. �For charity. �Mad, even if it was for a very good cause! �As it turns out, I ended up sitting [...]
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Fumiyuki Beppu Profile
Fumiyuki Beppu (born April 10, 1983 in Kanagawa-ken) is a Japanese professional road racer who started his pro cycling career with the Discovery Channel Team in 2005. Known as Fumy, he is an overall rider for Team RadioShack, starting with the 2010 season.
Beppu started racing bikes when he was only 9-years old, entering local races [...]
Beppu started racing bikes when he was only 9-years old, entering local races [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/fumiyuki-beppu-profile/
The White Swan Hungarian Restaurant - Awarded Hungry Cyclist Wheel of Approval
Words by Al Humphries Even as a rookie in the cut-throat world of restaurant reviewing I could tell that this was not beginning well. The address on the post-it note in my hand matched the empty shell of a property...
Tour Chats
I am going to be on TourChats with Neil Brown and Dan Wuori tonight, 6:00PST! Join there! Special gets are, well, me…and this “Joey” character that had a crazy cyclocross crash… Check out his video HERE. All right, got to get ready for this one! Hope Joey is “ok”. 
Beppu National Japanese Road Champion
Team Radioshack’s Japanese rider Fumiyuki Beppu has just won the Japanese Pro Road Championships in Hachimantai, Japan, just two weeks after winning the Japanese Time Trial Championships This is the second time that Beppu wins this title. First time was in 2006 where he also won the Time Trial Championships.
This year Beppu participated in Giro [...]
This year Beppu participated in Giro [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/beppu-national-japanese-road-champion/
TdF Stage 11 ? Wet, Cold, Dry, Downpour
In the last flat 167.5-km sprinter?s stage before the Tour de France climbs into the Pyr�n�es tomorrow, the cyclists raced mostly southwest from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur, France on a chilly wet day that saw some welcomed caution on slick roads. No serious crashes, no one hurt, just good racing. After only a [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tdf-stage-11-%e2%80%93-wet-cold-dry-downpour/
Possibly Maybe
Somewhere out there is a cyclist who has quite perfectly described how I’m feeling about my cycling at the moment, and it does seem rude to try and better that, especially since I doubt I can. �But it is a beautiful feeling. �(wo)Man and machine working together, in partnership, doing what we were designed to [...]
Team RadioShack in Franco-Belge and Binche
The Team line-up for the next races:
Circuit Franco-Belge (Belgium) 29/9-2/10/11
Riders: Sam Bewley, Ben Hermans, Michal Kwiatkowski, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Gregory Rast, Jesse Sergent & Evgeniy Shalunov
Director: Dirk Demol
Binche-Tournai-Binche (Belgium) 04/10/11
Riders: Manuel Cardoso, Ben Hermans, Robert Hunter, Michal Kwiatkowski, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Jesse Sergent & Evgeniy Shalunov
Director: Dirk Demol
Circuit Franco-Belge (Belgium) 29/9-2/10/11
Riders: Sam Bewley, Ben Hermans, Michal Kwiatkowski, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Gregory Rast, Jesse Sergent & Evgeniy Shalunov
Director: Dirk Demol
Binche-Tournai-Binche (Belgium) 04/10/11
Riders: Manuel Cardoso, Ben Hermans, Robert Hunter, Michal Kwiatkowski, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Jesse Sergent & Evgeniy Shalunov
Director: Dirk Demol
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/team-radioshack-in-franco-belge-and-binche/
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Pan American Freeway Group Ride
There is incredible support here at the Pan American Games Village Guadalajara 2011 and they are welcoming all the athletes with open arms. Although they said it “never” rains here in October, it rained here for 2 weeks solid until today.� Yesterday we rode the trainers in the basement garage of our building.� It was [...]
Source: http://alisonstarnes.com/2011/10/14/pan-american-freeway-group-ride/
Kl�den Takes Stage & Overall Lead in Paris-Nice
Taking advantage of a perfect lead out by Janez Brajkovic, Team RadioShack?s Andreas Kl�den out sprinted Euskaltel?s Olympic Road Champion Samuel Sanchez at the line to take Stage 5 at the mid-point of the 8-day/stage ?Race-to-the-Sun.? The day?s win put Andreas in the leader?s yellow jersey, and in excellent position to be on the podium [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/kloden-takes-stage-overall-lead-in-paris-nice/
NO WEIGH... WEIGH!
Today we welcome Greg Siple -- co-founder of Adventure Cycling and art director -- as a contributor to the blog.
We bicycle tourists are constantly thinking about weight. Every ounce of our bicycle and gear is weight that we need to propel up and over passes and across windswept Midwest prairie under our own power. Nonetheless, in the course of shooting photos of Adventure Cycling's visiting cycle-tourists, I've marveled at the huge loads some riders carry. When I asked how much their rigs weighed, they could only speculate. Were they guessing high or guessing low? I decided to find out.
We bicycle tourists are constantly thinking about weight. Every ounce of our bicycle and gear is weight that we need to propel up and over passes and across windswept Midwest prairie under our own power. Nonetheless, in the course of shooting photos of Adventure Cycling's visiting cycle-tourists, I've marveled at the huge loads some riders carry. When I asked how much their rigs weighed, they could only speculate. Were they guessing high or guessing low? I decided to find out.
This summer, we rigged a scale suspended from the roof of the loading dock in the alley behind the our office. (The loading dock is the 'studio' where I shoot the portraits that are seen in each issue of Adventure Cyclist.) I added a space on the model release questionnaire for the subject to write in a guess at the weight. After the photo was taken the packed bike was wheeled to the scale and the rider faced the truth.
The first weigh was on August 3. Our subject was Andrew Robert McComb, a bike builder and mechanic from Wisconsin. He began his ride in Chicago and was headed to San Francisco by way of Seattle. He guessed 135 pounds and, though it would make absolutely no difference in his progress, was pleasantly surprised to learn that he had only 99 pounds of bike and gear.
Over guessing, as it turned out, was not the rule. Of the seventy-nine bikes we weighed only 26 riders over guessed. Two riders were on the mark with their guess.The remaining 51 were under guessing.
John Colver's 50-pound rig.
Most bikes, 53 of them, fell between 70 and 95 pounds. The lightest rig, at 50 pounds, was ridden by John Colver of Seattle, Washington, (pictured above) whose ambitious ride is in the form of a loop out of Seattle that includes New York, Florida, and California. The 1981 Scottish National Champion said that his packing style was inspired in part by by Coco Chanel who said, "Before leaving the house, a lady should stop, look in the mirror, and remove one piece of jewelry."
Only one tandem rolled into the office since August 3. John Shade and Rachel Siciliano were riding from their home in New York City to Astoria, Oregon. They had a 150 pounds of bike and baggage, which sounds high but average when it's divided between two riders. We had a few trailers that required a decoupling and separate weighs to come up with a total.
Stephen Nordland and his Greenspeed recumbent tricycle.We were certain we had a record for the heaviest rig when we saw Stephen Nordland pull up in front of the office on his heavily laden Greenspeed recumbent tricycle on August 18. If his guess of 113 pounds proved accurate the 'honor' was his. But we were all shocked when the needle on the scale rotated to 162 pounds! He was on his way to South America from his home in Columbus, Ohio, and apparently was carrying equipment to respond to every situation. (He noted that when he began his trip, his own weight was at 190 pounds. Six weeks and a couple thousand miles later it had dropped to 160 pounds. The rigorous work out had put him and his bike and gear in the same weight class.)
But Mr. Nordland's record lasted only 40 days. On September 28, when we thought we had already seen the last of 2011's visitors, Monika Esterman and Robert Spengeler turned up. The Swiss couple were deep into a round-the-world tour. They had already ridden through Europe and Asia and were now tackling the western hemisphere from north to south. I shot the portraits and Monika rolled her bike to the scale. She guessed 100 pounds. But the scale told a different story -- 154 pounds. Then it was Robert's turn. He predicted 99 pounds. But we saw the needle dance to 170 pounds!
We knew that Mr. Spengler's record would hold well into 2012. After all, we were about to enter our dormant period when the temperature begins its plunge and and winter locks us in. Only staff commuter bikes would be filling our bike racks. The next contender for high weight honors would be arriving next May. But then another Swiss rider showed up on October 3.
He was Christian Moser, a 34-year-old software engineer riding from Alaska to Los Angeles, California. It was immediately evident that we had a challenger. The load was considerable. The portrait was taken, the bike moved to the scale and the needle turned to 174 pounds.
Greg Siple watches the dial as Christian Moser, in red striped jersey, and
Adventure Cycling staff member Richard Darne hoist Moser's rig on to the scale.
Adventure Cycling staff member Richard Darne hoist Moser's rig on to the scale.
The weigh project has proven to be much more popular than we expected. After only two weeks of weighing, we knew we were really on to something. News of the scale was carried by the outbound cyclists to the inbound cyclists converging on Missoula. Visitors began asking for a weigh even before asking where the complimentary ice cream was. We'll be giving the scale a rest over the winter but will have it up and ready to go when the first cyclist of 2012 walks in our front door.
Weigh cool!
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GREG SIPLE is our art director and a co-founder of Adventure Cycling Association.
Weigh cool!
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GREG SIPLE is our art director and a co-founder of Adventure Cycling Association.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/no-weigh-weigh.html
Tour de France 2011, Stage 1 Report
And so it begins, the 98th edition of the greatest show in cycling, a 3,436-km (2135+ mile), 21-stage professional cycling race consuming almost the entire month of July as well as most of the geography of France. That distance is the span from New York to California. The claim is that it is [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tour-de-france-2011-stage-1-report/
The Hungry Cyclist Podcast May 2011 - Tamada Georgian Restaurant, London
This month The Hungry Cyclist Podcast takes us to Tamada, a Georgian restaurant in North London. Plug in your headphones, get comfortable and enjoy the sounds of Georgian cuisine. Find out more about Eating London's World of Food: A to...
Cyclosport Party 2011
There’s a end of season party – I like parties. �Hosted by the sportive website Cyclosport – which I use all the time to plan my events. �It’s in Twickenham – L2P Kevin lives up there, which takes care of somewhere to crash. �What’s more it includes a group ride, food, drink, and Stephen Roche. [...]
The umbrella -- elemental rain protection on a bicycle
No high-tech rain repellent clothing system for this guy. A simple umbrella will do. I passed him on the way back from a bike ride up the Cedar River Trail to enjoy the fall colors, look out for sockeye salmon in the river, and check out the new Cedar to Green River Trail extension.
A guy on Biking Across Kansas ...
Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2011/10/28/4928460.html
Friday, 28 October 2011
Team RadioShack Line-up in Denain and Amstel Gold Race
Team RadioShack Line-up in Denain and Amstel Gold Race
Grand Prix de Denain (France), 14/04/2011
Riders: Sam Bewley, Philip Deignan, Robbie Hunter, Ben King, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Nelson Oliveira & Jesse Sergent
Director: Dirk Demol
Amstel Gold Race (Netherlands), 17/04/2011
Riders: Philip Deignan, Ben Hermans, Markel Irizar, Geoffroy Lequatre, S�rgio Paulinho, Gregory Rast, Jesse Sergent & Haimar Zubeldia
[...]
Grand Prix de Denain (France), 14/04/2011
Riders: Sam Bewley, Philip Deignan, Robbie Hunter, Ben King, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Nelson Oliveira & Jesse Sergent
Director: Dirk Demol
Amstel Gold Race (Netherlands), 17/04/2011
Riders: Philip Deignan, Ben Hermans, Markel Irizar, Geoffroy Lequatre, S�rgio Paulinho, Gregory Rast, Jesse Sergent & Haimar Zubeldia
[...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/team-radioshack-line-up-in-denain-and-amstel-gold-race/
Sebastien Rosseler Wins Overall In De Panne
After riding pretty quietly for the first 3 stages, Team RadioShack?s Sebastien Rosseler (BEL) decided to put the hammer down and ate up the pavement in the afternoon?s individual time trail at the 3 Days of De Panne, beating the field by nearly 14 seconds on the 14.7-kilometer course with a time of 18:31.83. [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/sebastien-rosseler-wins-overall-in-de-panne/
TdF Stage 10 ? Kl�den Well Positioned
A very hilly 158-kilometers (about 100 miles) of warm, humid conditions over 4 categorized climbs saw the peloton working hard today after Monday?s rest day, with the sprinters teams looking to neutralize any breaks to choreograph a bunch sprint finish. And that?s just what happened. It looked like HTC-Highroad?s well-honed sprint train would [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tdf-stage-10-kloden-well-positioned/
Freire Has Stage Victory Invalidated at Basque Tour
Just when you think you?re witnessing one of the least interesting stages of the summer, a 179-kilometer (111-mile) up and down grinder in the Vuelta Ciclista al Pa�s Vasco, with the predictable break away being dangled on a 2-minute string by the big named teams who will inevitably bunch it over the last climb to [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/freire-has-stage-victory-invalidated-at-basque-tour/
TdF Stage 12 ? Kl�den ? Pain and Suffering
To the uninitiated, when enthusiasts talk about how elite cyclists can suffer and push themselves through pain, it?s usually a good thing, a compliment. It often refers to a rider pedaling up a high mountain or a long time trial where the toughest mental competitors drive themselves beyond their physical red zone and can [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tdf-stage-12-kloden-pain-and-suffering/
Possibly Maybe
Somewhere out there is a cyclist who has quite perfectly described how I’m feeling about my cycling at the moment, and it does seem rude to try and better that, especially since I doubt I can. �But it is a beautiful feeling. �(wo)Man and machine working together, in partnership, doing what we were designed to [...]
Cyclists turn out in force once more for the Blackfriars Bridge protest
London Cyclists were once again out in force tonight to protest against the changes to Blackfriars Bridge that will be detrimental to cyclists and pedestrians. TfL has decided in favour of cramming as much motorised traffic over the bridge as humanly possible in an effort to be as green and as popular as possible. It?s [...]
Two choices for citizen cyclists at 2012 l'Etape du Tour
Although the 2012 Tour de France includes a prologue and two individual time trials, the 10,000 cycling enthusiasts who take to the l'Etape du Tour will be challenged by two standard road routes.The two bicycle rides will let citizen cyclists test themselves against the pros on actual routes from that year's Tour de France, albeit on different days.
Tour de France organizers historically chose the mountainous "queen stage" for each year's l'Etape. Last year, they broadened the participation base by announcing a second, less debilitating route.
Unfortunately, the Tour didn't produce route profiles ....
Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2011/10/19/4922255.html
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Contador Visits Nor-Cal
Giro Champ hosts a "twitter" ride and sits down with ROAD Mag for an interview.
Award Winners Announced
We've just announced our 2011 Bicycle Travel Award winners, which include Donn Olson (Dalbo, Minnesota), Kevin Cashman of Apogee Adventures (Brunswick, Maine), Jim Peter and Jim?s Bicycle Shop (Cincinnati, Ohio), and Leslie Wills (Grand Haven, Michigan)."Our awards are an opportunity to recognize some of the amazing people, organizations, and businesses that make a difference for bicycle touring, and cycling in general," said Amy Corbin, awards committee chair. "These folks do so much to make America a better, friendlier, and more connected country."
Donn Olson, recipient of our 2011 June Curry Trail Angel Award, was "really surprised, shocked, and thrilled to get the award." Donn created the "Bicycle Bunkhouse" just off of our Northern Tier route after a chance encounter with some cyclists in 2005. His visitors have grown from an average of 25 touring cyclists (the total he hosted three years ago) to 95 traveling cyclists this season! "It's definitely been growing," said Donn. "It makes me feel good to do something for the folks out on the road." Indeed. This summer Donn hooked up his trailer to rescue a group of cyclists and their bikes stranded by a nasty thunderstorm. As one nominator said, "Donn Olson is the epitome of a gracious host and has made Dalbo a destination that cyclists can look forward to."
The recipient of the 2011 Pacesetter Award is Kevin Cashman of Apogee Adventures. Founded over a decade ago with the goal of creating engaging and challenging tours for high school aged kids, the company now offers dozens of tours around the world. These trips provide youth with experiences that teach them the importance of hard work, persistence, and dedication, as well as shaping how they see themselves in the world. As one nominator, a former participant and leader, noted, "I was impressed with his emphasis on totally supporting the leaders while, at the same time, encouraging the campers to reach their fullest potential."
After getting the news, Kevin said, "I am flattered and honored to receive Adventure Cycling?s 2011 Pacesetter Award. Bicycle touring and working with kids are two of my greatest joys, and I feel very lucky to be in a profession that combines the two. The point to point, goal-oriented nature of a bicycle touring trip lends itself well to building confidence and character in our students. Our hope, in addition to developing these qualities, is to inspire a love of bicycling, adventure and travel in our students that stays with them for the rest of their lives."
The recipient of the 2011 Sam Braxton Bike Shop Award is Jim Peters and Jim?s Bicycle Shop in Cincinnati, OH. In addition to being on the front lines of all things cycling in their community, Jim and his staff make it a priority to encourage their customers to become bicycle tourists. By providing guidance and training for new touring cyclists, they create a supportive atmosphere for jumping into bike travel. Plus, they maintain a bank of loaner travel cases and go to great lengths to accommodate special logistical requests. One nominator emphasized that the staff at Jim?s Bicycle Shop truly go out of their way "all to help someone have a great touring experience."
After hearing of winning the award, Jim said, "It is great to be recognized for something we have enjoyed for the past 35 years. Whether it is a trip across Ohio or across the U.S., we will help our customers get there safely and well equipped. We will continue to encourage and assist cycling adventure for many years to come."
The 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Leslie Wills of Grand Haven, Michigan. By volunteering dozens of hours, Leslie made it possible to gain all of the necessary support for the designation of U.S. Bike Route 35 in Michigan. Her countless phone calls, emails, and steadfast attendance at meetings helped to get resolutions of support from 15 local agencies. Adventure Cycling?s Special Projects Director Ginny Sullivan said, "We would not have been able to complete the work in this timeframe without Leslie?s time, energy, and clear devotion to Adventure Cycling and the goals of the U.S. Bicycle Route System project."
Adventure Cycling?s Bicycle Travel Awards program began in 2003 as a way to recognize organizations, individuals, and businesses that are doing extraordinary things in the name of bicycle travel and bike touring.
If you would like to know more about past winners or learn how to submit a nomination for the 2012 awards, visit http://www.adventurecycling.org/awards.
In this photo: Donn Olson holds the sign that greets cyclists on the highway near his house looking for his cyclists' only lodging.
Photo provided by Donn and Sherry Olson
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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is posted by Winona Bateman, Adventure Cycling's media director, and highlights cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) and meet-ups related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Writing a story about bicycle travel or Adventure Cycling Association? You can contact Winona via email: pressATadventurecyclingDOTorg. Visit our media room, view our news releases, or follow us on Twitter.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/award-winners-announced.html
Interbike Roundup Part 4: Apparel
Technical cycling apparel is never mandatory for touring, but it can make the miles go by a little more comfortably. As usual, this year's Interbike show was full of apparel companies showing off a wide range of styles, intended for numerous audiences. Since I prefer to put my money into my bikes and tours, any time I look at clothing I put a strong emphasis on durability. Here are some items that not only function well for touring, but will keep you covered for the long haul.
Showers Pass Portland Jacket: Available in both men's and women's cut, the Portland Jacket is really versatile. The jacket is made of a soft waterproof fabric, and it has zippered pit and sleeve vents for those warm rains. In back, a reflective flap drops down to provide full coverage when you are leaning forward on the bike; it buttons up to look more like a regular jacket for when you're walking around.
Club Ride Apparel: If you're not a fan of tight fitting cycling jerseys, you might want to take a look at what Club Ride has to offer. They use technical fabrics that wick moisture well, but cut them into styles that look pretty casual. I'm a big fan of their western styles, but they also offer more traditional plain and plaid options.
De Marchi: I love the feel of wool, especially as the fall chill sets in. De Marchi has both Merino wool and synthetic blend jerseys in some cool throwback designs. If you're proud of your heritage and want to show it, they have some cool national team jerseys (my favorite being the Belgian national team), along with old cycling team replica jerseys.
Darn Tough Socks: If we're talking about rugged cycling apparel, it would be a shame not to mention Darn Tough of Vermont. Their run/bike series of socks feature reinforced toes and heels, so you won't be blowing them out any time soon. And the 1/4 sock mesh design has a mesh top for good ventilation.
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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
Showers Pass Portland Jacket: Available in both men's and women's cut, the Portland Jacket is really versatile. The jacket is made of a soft waterproof fabric, and it has zippered pit and sleeve vents for those warm rains. In back, a reflective flap drops down to provide full coverage when you are leaning forward on the bike; it buttons up to look more like a regular jacket for when you're walking around.
Club Ride Apparel: If you're not a fan of tight fitting cycling jerseys, you might want to take a look at what Club Ride has to offer. They use technical fabrics that wick moisture well, but cut them into styles that look pretty casual. I'm a big fan of their western styles, but they also offer more traditional plain and plaid options.
De Marchi: I love the feel of wool, especially as the fall chill sets in. De Marchi has both Merino wool and synthetic blend jerseys in some cool throwback designs. If you're proud of your heritage and want to show it, they have some cool national team jerseys (my favorite being the Belgian national team), along with old cycling team replica jerseys.
Darn Tough Socks: If we're talking about rugged cycling apparel, it would be a shame not to mention Darn Tough of Vermont. Their run/bike series of socks feature reinforced toes and heels, so you won't be blowing them out any time soon. And the 1/4 sock mesh design has a mesh top for good ventilation.
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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/interbike-roundup-part-4-apparel.html
Powertap Wheel Systems ? SAVE OVER 30%
Just arrived! A limited stock of Powertap Pro+ complete wheel systems including Joule 2.0 computer and coded heart rate strap. All you need to start training with power. Start you preparation for the 2012 season with the most accurate power training information available.
JUST 6 systems available at this price – �749 – RRP �1080
ORDER NOW
Combine [...]
JUST 6 systems available at this price – �749 – RRP �1080
ORDER NOW
Combine [...]
Source: http://blog.bike-science.com/2011/10/11/powertap-wheel-systems-save-over-30
TdF Stage 10 ? Kl�den Well Positioned
A very hilly 158-kilometers (about 100 miles) of warm, humid conditions over 4 categorized climbs saw the peloton working hard today after Monday?s rest day, with the sprinters teams looking to neutralize any breaks to choreograph a bunch sprint finish. And that?s just what happened. It looked like HTC-Highroad?s well-honed sprint train would [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tdf-stage-10-kloden-well-positioned/
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Team RadioShack Line-up in Denain and Amstel Gold Race
Team RadioShack Line-up in Denain and Amstel Gold Race
Grand Prix de Denain (France), 14/04/2011
Riders: Sam Bewley, Philip Deignan, Robbie Hunter, Ben King, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Nelson Oliveira & Jesse Sergent
Director: Dirk Demol
Amstel Gold Race (Netherlands), 17/04/2011
Riders: Philip Deignan, Ben Hermans, Markel Irizar, Geoffroy Lequatre, S�rgio Paulinho, Gregory Rast, Jesse Sergent & Haimar Zubeldia
[...]
Grand Prix de Denain (France), 14/04/2011
Riders: Sam Bewley, Philip Deignan, Robbie Hunter, Ben King, Geoffroy Lequatre, Robbie McEwen, Nelson Oliveira & Jesse Sergent
Director: Dirk Demol
Amstel Gold Race (Netherlands), 17/04/2011
Riders: Philip Deignan, Ben Hermans, Markel Irizar, Geoffroy Lequatre, S�rgio Paulinho, Gregory Rast, Jesse Sergent & Haimar Zubeldia
[...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/team-radioshack-line-up-in-denain-and-amstel-gold-race/
Interbike Roundup Part 4: Apparel
Technical cycling apparel is never mandatory for touring, but it can make the miles go by a little more comfortably. As usual, this year's Interbike show was full of apparel companies showing off a wide range of styles, intended for numerous audiences. Since I prefer to put my money into my bikes and tours, any time I look at clothing I put a strong emphasis on durability. Here are some items that not only function well for touring, but will keep you covered for the long haul.
Showers Pass Portland Jacket: Available in both men's and women's cut, the Portland Jacket is really versatile. The jacket is made of a soft waterproof fabric, and it has zippered pit and sleeve vents for those warm rains. In back, a reflective flap drops down to provide full coverage when you are leaning forward on the bike; it buttons up to look more like a regular jacket for when you're walking around.
Club Ride Apparel: If you're not a fan of tight fitting cycling jerseys, you might want to take a look at what Club Ride has to offer. They use technical fabrics that wick moisture well, but cut them into styles that look pretty casual. I'm a big fan of their western styles, but they also offer more traditional plain and plaid options.
De Marchi: I love the feel of wool, especially as the fall chill sets in. De Marchi has both Merino wool and synthetic blend jerseys in some cool throwback designs. If you're proud of your heritage and want to show it, they have some cool national team jerseys (my favorite being the Belgian national team), along with old cycling team replica jerseys.
Darn Tough Socks: If we're talking about rugged cycling apparel, it would be a shame not to mention Darn Tough of Vermont. Their run/bike series of socks feature reinforced toes and heels, so you won't be blowing them out any time soon. And the 1/4 sock mesh design has a mesh top for good ventilation.
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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
Showers Pass Portland Jacket: Available in both men's and women's cut, the Portland Jacket is really versatile. The jacket is made of a soft waterproof fabric, and it has zippered pit and sleeve vents for those warm rains. In back, a reflective flap drops down to provide full coverage when you are leaning forward on the bike; it buttons up to look more like a regular jacket for when you're walking around.
Club Ride Apparel: If you're not a fan of tight fitting cycling jerseys, you might want to take a look at what Club Ride has to offer. They use technical fabrics that wick moisture well, but cut them into styles that look pretty casual. I'm a big fan of their western styles, but they also offer more traditional plain and plaid options.
De Marchi: I love the feel of wool, especially as the fall chill sets in. De Marchi has both Merino wool and synthetic blend jerseys in some cool throwback designs. If you're proud of your heritage and want to show it, they have some cool national team jerseys (my favorite being the Belgian national team), along with old cycling team replica jerseys.
Darn Tough Socks: If we're talking about rugged cycling apparel, it would be a shame not to mention Darn Tough of Vermont. Their run/bike series of socks feature reinforced toes and heels, so you won't be blowing them out any time soon. And the 1/4 sock mesh design has a mesh top for good ventilation.
--
TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/interbike-roundup-part-4-apparel.html
Ben Hermans, Top 12 at Brabant Arrow
Team RadioShack?s Ben Hermans (BEL) showed excellent form in Wednesday?s 51st edition of De Brabantse Pijl, one of the Flanders Classics, which kicked off in Leuven, Belgium and finished in Overijse some 201 kilometers (124 miles) away. He missed a move by the eventual winner Philippe Gilbert?s Omega-Lotto team when they pulled hard [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/ben-hermans-top-12-at-brabant-arrow/
The Pan Am Shuffle
What does it look like shuttling 6000 athletes plus 6000 coaches, massage therapists, mechanics, etc., to Guadalajara? Crazy. That?s what. I was shuttled from a plane in Houston to join the most recent arrivals for team processing. All the athletes arrive to Mexico at different times depending on when their competition is, however all must [...]
Source: http://alisonstarnes.com/2011/10/13/the-pan-am-shuffle/
We Build What You Want
Why put up with off the shelf when you can have custom built?
We recently got asked by a client if we could build a fast, light, single speed road bike. Why not? The result…
Planet X SL Pro Carbon Single Speed Custom – “Black Beauty”
Planet X Model B Wheels
Easton Bars
Shimano 105 brakes and chainset
Conti GP4 Seasons [...]
We recently got asked by a client if we could build a fast, light, single speed road bike. Why not? The result…
Planet X SL Pro Carbon Single Speed Custom – “Black Beauty”
Planet X Model B Wheels
Easton Bars
Shimano 105 brakes and chainset
Conti GP4 Seasons [...]
Source: http://blog.bike-science.com/2011/10/12/we-build-what-you-want
TdF Stage 11 ? Wet, Cold, Dry, Downpour
In the last flat 167.5-km sprinter?s stage before the Tour de France climbs into the Pyr�n�es tomorrow, the cyclists raced mostly southwest from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur, France on a chilly wet day that saw some welcomed caution on slick roads. No serious crashes, no one hurt, just good racing. After only a [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tdf-stage-11-%e2%80%93-wet-cold-dry-downpour/
Video: Volta a Catalunya 2011, Stage 4 Summary
This video shows the last few kilometres of stage 4 of Volta a Catalunya 2011 which was won by Team Radioshack rider Manuel Cardoso.
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/video-volta-a-catalunya-2011-stage-4-summary/
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Get your favourite magazine on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch!
You can now get your favourite cycling or mountain biking magazine digitally on iPad or�iPhone through Apple’s newly launched Newsstand application. It works in a similar way to iTunes and iBooks, automatically storing content bought from Apple’s App Store ? in this case magazines and newspapers ? in a single ‘library’. If you’re a subscriber, [...]
Video: Lance Armstrong Talks About the Cuts on Cancer Research
Video from cnsnews.com where Lance Armstrong talks about the cuts on cancer research.
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/video-lance-armstrong-talks-about-the-cuts-on-cancer-research/
Historical bicycle maps of California, circa 1896
This vintage Map of California Roads for Cyclers certainly brings back pleasant memories of bike rides I used to take around the Golden State.The 1896 map is reproduced at the Big Map Blog in minute detail so viewers can zoom in on detailed routes. [See the San Francisco Bay Area below.]
We used to live in the Central Valley, and I see all the way stations from my bike rides during that period -- Modesto, Copperopolis, Chinese Camp, Big Oak Flat, and Angels Camp, among them.
It's interesting to see that all those towns were bicycling destinations long before I ever showed up on two wheels ...
Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2011/10/17/4921078.html
MapMyRIDE Signs Levi Leipheimer
MapMyRIDE Signs Team RadioShack’s Levi Leipheimer as New Product Spokesperson
2011 Tour de Suisse Winner and Team RadioShack Member Will Use MapMyRIDE’s Innovative Web And Mobile Products Over the Course of His Training
MapMyRIDE, the premier provider of Web- and mobile-based training and mapping applications for cyclists, announced today that Levi Leipheimer, current member of the Team [...]
2011 Tour de Suisse Winner and Team RadioShack Member Will Use MapMyRIDE’s Innovative Web And Mobile Products Over the Course of His Training
MapMyRIDE, the premier provider of Web- and mobile-based training and mapping applications for cyclists, announced today that Levi Leipheimer, current member of the Team [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/mapmyride-signs-levi-leipheimer/
Tribute to Wouter Weylandt (#108), 1984-2011
I’m sure many of you have heard the news regarding the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt of Leopard-Trek last week during the third stage of the Giro d?Italia, after he crashed during a mountain descent. The funeral was this week.
This horribly sad event has really given me pause, but also a deeper understanding and [...]
This horribly sad event has really given me pause, but also a deeper understanding and [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tribute-to-wouter-weylandt-108-1984-2011/
Young Team Radioshack Fans
Keegan (6) and Quinn (2) Barry from El Dorado Hills, CA cheer on team RadioShack at the finishing circuit of Stage 2 Amgen Tour of California in Sacramento. The Barry family made a weekend out of the planned TOC?s festivities by heading up to Lake Tahoe to take in Stage 1 and the start [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/young-team-radioshack-fans/
Fewer Cars = Safer Routes to School
Late last summer I read about a Tennessee mother who was threatened with arrest for letting her 10-year-old daughter bicycle a mile to school. "The officer informed me that in his 'judgment' it was unsafe for my daughter to ride her bike to school," Teresa Tryon is quoted as saying, at the Bike Walk Tennessee website.This blew mind at first; I bicycled a mile to school myself when I was that age. But then I began wondering about the nature of the road the young girl was riding on. My cycling to school took place in the early 1960s in a small Iowa town, a time and place where things were a lot slower and less clogged with cars than they are now.
However, I sincerely believe that even ? or especially ? in the 21st century every kid in America should have a safe route for walking or bicycling to school. That's why I found it very rewarding on Friday, October 14, to take part in an early morning ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new pathway in Driggs, Idaho.
Tim Adams, executive director of Teton Valley Trails and Pathways, did the ribbon-snipping. My wife Nancy and I and another volunteer served as guards at the three street crossings between Driggs City Park, where the ceremony was held, and Driggs Elementary School, helping the group of young cyclists and pedestrians navigate their way safely. Ironically, the most obvious danger for the kids riding bikes over that half mile was the traffic congestion at the school itself; all the cars and trucks driven by mothers and fathers and grandparents, delivering their kids safely to the front door.
Later we helped Tim run various classes through some bicycle safety training.You can get more information and inspiration at the website of the
National Center for Safe Routes to School.
Photos by Michael McCoy.
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BIKING WITHOUT BORDERS is posted every Monday by Michael McCoy, Adventure Cycling?s media specialist, and highlights a little bit of this or a little bit of that ? just about anything, as long as it?s related to traveling by bicycle. Mac also compiles the organization's twice-monthly e-newsletter Bike Bits, which goes free-of-charge to more than 42,000 readers worldwide.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/fewer-cars-safer-routes-to-school.html
Monday, 24 October 2011
I is for Iran - Eating London A to Z Video Post
We ventured west this week, to Olympia, in order to try the Iranian restaurant, Mohsen. Here is what we found.
Radioshack, Trek & Nissan, Sponsors Two More Years
Here is a bit of great news to the fans of Team Radioshack. Johan Bruyneel has just released the following message on his blog.
“Even before the Tour has started, I have some great newsfor you. RadioShack, Nissan and Trek have all renewed their sponsorships for 2 additional years! The riders and staff are extremely grateful [...]
“Even before the Tour has started, I have some great newsfor you. RadioShack, Nissan and Trek have all renewed their sponsorships for 2 additional years! The riders and staff are extremely grateful [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/radioshack-trek-nissan-sponsors-two-more-years/
Hortobagyi Husos Palacsinta (meaty Hungarian pancakes)
Hungarians are a proud people and nothing seems to excite their dignity more than food. Meeting peter, a Hungarian restaurateur at his part time home The White Swan in Golders Green, I began to understand why. For Hungarians food is...
Kl�den Ignites Another Fire in Trentino
No matter how many times I write it this spring, I’ll never tire of typing the name Kl�den and the word ?WIN? in the same sentence! Team RadioShack’s 35-year old German wonder bested another field of quality contenders in the opening 13.4-kilometer Time Trial of the Giro del Trentino today, clocking 15:24 on the [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/kloden-ignites-another-fire-in-trentino/
New York-New England Medley
Have you ever thought about "deep travel" or ridden the "most popular rail-trail in America?" How about traveling by bike from Harlem to Prospect Park and DUMBO via the Brooklyn Bridge? I had the chance to do this and much more while traveling through New England and New York City to meet members and advocates this past week. It was truly awesome to see how much bike-friendly activity is happening in the Northeast. Here are a few impressions and inspirations:Deep Travel: I got together with an old friend, Tony Hiss, for breakfast near Greenwich Village and discussed his new book, In Motion: The Experience of Travel. Tony is a former writer for the New Yorker magazine and wrote this compelling volume about how travel -- whether epic or from your front door -- taps a unique and ingrained way of thinking in humans. Tony and I talked about how his ideas mesh perfectly with the way bicycle travel stimulates new ways of thinking (and occasional hallucinations). I recommend it!
Four Great (and Very Different) Rides: All four rides were a matter of serendipity -- on borrowed bikes in unique places. On a single speed loaner, I enjoyed the multitude of new bike facilities in Brooklyn and Manhattan, ranging from DUMBO (not the elephant -- rather the district Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) to Wall Street to Harlem. You could do a great multi-day bike vacation in NYC today (plus the commuting seemed cool, and only getting better). In Lexington, MA, I joined Adventure Cycling supporter Tom Fortmann, one of the three principals who created the 11 mile Minuteman Commuter Trail linking Bedford, MA, and Cambridge, MA. It's a great urban ride and a tribute to 17 years of tenacious work by Tom and many other citizens and public officials, working collaboratively. Down in South Wakefield, RI, I rode with my close friend (and Adventure Cycling member), Michael Mutschler, on a new, short, and critical trail link from the town to the Atlantic Ocean. It now opens the way for thousands of people (including families) to enjoy a safe, enjoyable bike tour to Naragansett Bay -- and it's a reminder that the smallest transportation link can sometimes have the greatest impact. Finally, on our last day, we enjoyed a perfect New England countryside loop, thanks to Adventure Cycling supporter Clyde Kessel of Carlisle, MA, (who I met last year on the Columbia Gorge as we both rode to the Pacific on the Lewis & Clark Trail). It was perfect in that we experienced sumptuously hilly terrain and all 16 types of New England weather (except snow), plus rainbows, apples, pumpkins, curvy roads, and stone walls. After seven days of planes, trains, and automobiles, 45 miles on a bike was bliss.
Donors ... Far, Wide, and of All Ages: I traveled with our new development director, Amanda Lipsey, and we met with a host of generous people giving anywhere from $500 to $33,000. As we described what Adventure Cycling does with their dollar support -- inspiring and empowering people to travel by bike -- they generally increased their gifts. (And it should be noted, these donors give more than just money -- we had a great brunch with Joe Golden, who had urged us to do a tour on our new Sierra Cascades Bicycle Route -- the result ... we're doing it and Joe is signed up for this epic tour!) I was hugely inspired by a couple of younger donors, in their early 30s, who gave "stretch" gifts and expressed their love for bike travel. Steve Leibman described his recent 40 mile bike overnight with his 4 year old son, who rode a Wee Hoo trailer (that's endurance!). Noah Lansner, a recently appointed principal at a Brooklyn Prep High School, has already cycled twice across the country and is dreaming of trips he can do soon with his nearly two-year old daughter (we told him about our growing Bike Overnights website, with great family trip ideas).
Advancing Bicycle Tourism: In New York, I had the pleasure of checking in with Paul White and Noah Budnick, the leaders of Transportation Alternatives, NYC's top cycling and walking advocates. We brainstormed about how we could get an economic study of bike tourism and travel in New York State, similar to the powerful study in Wisconsin (pdf), which demonstrated that bike tourism generates $1 billion a year. (I'll also be talking with leaders in California about something like this next month at the California Bike Summit.) In addition, I checked in with my Arlington, MA-based friend and colleague Lauren Hefferon, who owns the touring company Ciclismo Classico, about working together to get more tour operators to next year's National Bike Summit to advocate for better biking. Lauren has been a real leader in trying to boost the prominence of bike travel in the travel industry. Maybe we can get an economic study going in Massachusetts too!
Linking Trails, Routes, and Places: Finally, I kept seeing evidence that the bike renaissance is booming in the Northeast, including loads of new bike facilities in big cities (like NYC and Boston) and small cities (like Wakefield and Barrington, RI). I was really excited to meet with local advocates regarding the Northern Strand rail-trail through the northern suburbs of Boston, a critical link in the East Coast Greenway and ultimately the U.S. Bicycle Route System. Like the Minuteman trail, it's taken nearly two decades to reach the first groundbreaking (in late October) -- but it's coming soon, along with many more improvements for biking in New England and beyond.
Photo Captions: at top, Jim (right) and Michael Mutschler at the Atlantic Ocean in Rhode Island; in the middle, on the Minuteman Trail with (l to r) Marc Mastrolia, Tom Fortmann, Amanda Lipsey, Jim, and Lauren Hefferon; at the bottom, the inimitable Brooklyn Bridge, Jim's gateway across the East River. Photos courtesy of Jim Sayer and Transportation Alternatives.
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JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/new-york-new-england-medley.html
Giving life to old photos
“A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.” – American author Eudora Welty, 1909-2001 Jim’s Bike Blog hasn’t getting a lot of my attention of late. For that, my apologies. My excuse is that I’ve been distracted by another … Continue reading 
Source: http://jimsbikeblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/giving-life-to-old-photos/
Hortobagyi Husos Palacsinta (meaty Hungarian pancakes)
Hungarians are a proud people and nothing seems to excite their dignity more than food. Meeting peter, a Hungarian restaurateur at his part time home The White Swan in Golders Green, I began to understand why. For Hungarians food is...
Sunday, 23 October 2011
S�bastien Rosseler Wins Three-Day Race of De Panne-Koksijde
Press Release, 31st March 2011: Team RadioShack?s S�bastien Rosseler powered to the victory in the second part of the third stage of the Three-Day Race of De Panne-Koksijde (Belgium), an individual time trial in De Panne over 14.7km/9.2mi. The Belgian rider completed the course in 18:31:83 with an average speed of 47.6 k/h. [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/sebastien-rosseler-wins-three-day-race-of-de-panne-koksijde/
Tour de France?Without Lance
A few years ago the Tour de France experienced a time of transition. For seven years Lance Armstrong stood on the podium wearing the yellow jersey. When he announced his retirement we all new things would change. Americans loved being represented by such a dominant champion.
The years between his retirement and comeback were interesting. We [...]
The years between his retirement and comeback were interesting. We [...]
Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tour-de-france-without-lance/
Spring Has Sprung in Burgundy
The villages of the Cote d?Or are eerily quiet in late April. Cats sleep in sharp late morning shadows; tree blossoms scatter and mix with dust disturbed by gusts of wind channeled through narrow streets. Lazy silences are broken only...
Interbike Roundup Part 3: Racks
In my last post, I ran through some panniers we saw at the Interbike show, so it seems fitting to follow that up with a few racks. If you've been thinking about outfitting your bike with new front and/or rear racks, here's some cool stuff that's available.
Tubus: Totally specializing in racks, Tubus has a lot of options to choose from to fit your front and rear rack needs. The Cargo rear rack is their best seller, and well suited to fully-loaded touring, with an 88-pound carrying capacity and available for both 26" and 28" wheels. The weight-conscious rider will appreciate their titanium racks, highlighted by the 535-gram Logo Titan, which still manages to boast a 66-pound carrying capacity, and is also available for 26" and 28" wheels.
Salsa: Looking at front racks, Salsa's Down Under Rack is a great lowrider option available in either black or silver. The aluminum rack is pretty straightforward, and has a recommended maximum capacity of 33 pounds. It can also be used in conjunction with Salsa's randonneur Minimalist rack if you want add a top deck.
Portland Design Works (PDW): The Payload rack from PDW has the look of a light duty grocery-getter rack, but is rated to 77 pounds of carrying capacity, which is more than enough for a thoroughly stocked tour. The steel tubes have a pretty modern look to them, and include some nice loops down low to hook your panniers to.
Photos by Josh Tack
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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
Tubus: Totally specializing in racks, Tubus has a lot of options to choose from to fit your front and rear rack needs. The Cargo rear rack is their best seller, and well suited to fully-loaded touring, with an 88-pound carrying capacity and available for both 26" and 28" wheels. The weight-conscious rider will appreciate their titanium racks, highlighted by the 535-gram Logo Titan, which still manages to boast a 66-pound carrying capacity, and is also available for 26" and 28" wheels.
Salsa: Looking at front racks, Salsa's Down Under Rack is a great lowrider option available in either black or silver. The aluminum rack is pretty straightforward, and has a recommended maximum capacity of 33 pounds. It can also be used in conjunction with Salsa's randonneur Minimalist rack if you want add a top deck.
Portland Design Works (PDW): The Payload rack from PDW has the look of a light duty grocery-getter rack, but is rated to 77 pounds of carrying capacity, which is more than enough for a thoroughly stocked tour. The steel tubes have a pretty modern look to them, and include some nice loops down low to hook your panniers to.
Photos by Josh Tack
--
TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/interbike-roundup-part-3-racks.html
H is for Hungary - Eating London A to Z Video Post
Peter, an unlikely-looking gastronome was a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and generous guide into Hungarian cuisine. H is for Hungary: an A to Z of World Foods of London from Alastair Humphreys on Vimeo.
Cycling in Copenhagen Vs London
I have a question can London really be ever, a commuter friendly city for cyclist? After watching the video of cyclist commuting on the streets of Copenhagen streets, it becomes clear why cycling commuting works in Copenhagen. It?s a culture it a way of life. Every need of cyclists has been considered, cycling is for all skills levels in Copenhagen some as young as 4 years old are riding to school, you have 50% of women cycling and even the motorist have a better understanding of cycling as they would have being cycling from a very young age themselves. ?It just great I am totally sold? Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cyclingchatcouk/~3/q3XYJ8-5vWY/
Training Periods
The idea of a training periods is to vary the intensity and duration of your training in weekly and monthly intervals. For example, in a week one, you may have your highest mileage week of the month. Then a relatively light week, before increasing mileage for the next two months. Then at the start of [...]
Source: http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/cycling/training-periods/
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Levi?s GF
And by GF, I don’t in fact mean girlfriend, he is married to the beautiful Odessa Gunn, I do mean the Gran Fondo… Where do I start with Levi’s Gran Fondo?� It was riding in the heart of Northern California, a cycling mecca.� I loved it.� I had been doing quite a bit of solitude [...]
Sacrifices for Cycling
Cycling has many great stories of sacrifice. – 1951 Tour de France, the Dutch cyclist Wim van Est was wearing the yellow jersey when he punctured and got dropped. Trying to frantically catch up on the stage leaders, he mistimed a bend and plunged off a ravine on the descent of the Col d’Aubisque. [...]
Source: http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/cycling/sacrifices-for-cycling/
Cycling community rallies to help injured German bicycle traveler
Bicycle tourist Michael Sprick (red jacket at left) doesn't know it, but he's getting widespread support from fellow bicyclists as he battles for his life in a Virginia hospital bed.The 40-year-old was on a 10-week bicycling ramble down the East Coast on Oct. 8 when he was struck from behind by the driver of a bread truck that swerved off the road.
Today, Sprick is still in a coma and on life support at the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. A chance meeting earlier in his tour at a West Virginia bike store has brought together dozens of bicyclists who are lending support to him and his family through the ordeal.
They're offering help at the Friends of Michael P. Sprick page on Facebook.
"It's kind of like a community, when you travel ...
Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2011/10/21/4923471.html
New York-New England Medley
Have you ever thought about "deep travel" or ridden the "most popular rail-trail in America?" How about traveling by bike from Harlem to Prospect Park and DUMBO via the Brooklyn Bridge? I had the chance to do this and much more while traveling through New England and New York City to meet members and advocates this past week. It was truly awesome to see how much bike-friendly activity is happening in the Northeast. Here are a few impressions and inspirations:Deep Travel: I got together with an old friend, Tony Hiss, for breakfast near Greenwich Village and discussed his new book, In Motion: The Experience of Travel. Tony is a former writer for the New Yorker magazine and wrote this compelling volume about how travel -- whether epic or from your front door -- taps a unique and ingrained way of thinking in humans. Tony and I talked about how his ideas mesh perfectly with the way bicycle travel stimulates new ways of thinking (and occasional hallucinations). I recommend it!
Four Great (and Very Different) Rides: All four rides were a matter of serendipity -- on borrowed bikes in unique places. On a single speed loaner, I enjoyed the multitude of new bike facilities in Brooklyn and Manhattan, ranging from DUMBO (not the elephant -- rather the district Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) to Wall Street to Harlem. You could do a great multi-day bike vacation in NYC today (plus the commuting seemed cool, and only getting better). In Lexington, MA, I joined Adventure Cycling supporter Tom Fortmann, one of the three principals who created the 11 mile Minuteman Commuter Trail linking Bedford, MA, and Cambridge, MA. It's a great urban ride and a tribute to 17 years of tenacious work by Tom and many other citizens and public officials, working collaboratively. Down in South Wakefield, RI, I rode with my close friend (and Adventure Cycling member), Michael Mutschler, on a new, short, and critical trail link from the town to the Atlantic Ocean. It now opens the way for thousands of people (including families) to enjoy a safe, enjoyable bike tour to Naragansett Bay -- and it's a reminder that the smallest transportation link can sometimes have the greatest impact. Finally, on our last day, we enjoyed a perfect New England countryside loop, thanks to Adventure Cycling supporter Clyde Kessel of Carlisle, MA, (who I met last year on the Columbia Gorge as we both rode to the Pacific on the Lewis & Clark Trail). It was perfect in that we experienced sumptuously hilly terrain and all 16 types of New England weather (except snow), plus rainbows, apples, pumpkins, curvy roads, and stone walls. After seven days of planes, trains, and automobiles, 45 miles on a bike was bliss.
Donors ... Far, Wide, and of All Ages: I traveled with our new development director, Amanda Lipsey, and we met with a host of generous people giving anywhere from $500 to $33,000. As we described what Adventure Cycling does with their dollar support -- inspiring and empowering people to travel by bike -- they generally increased their gifts. (And it should be noted, these donors give more than just money -- we had a great brunch with Joe Golden, who had urged us to do a tour on our new Sierra Cascades Bicycle Route -- the result ... we're doing it and Joe is signed up for this epic tour!) I was hugely inspired by a couple of younger donors, in their early 30s, who gave "stretch" gifts and expressed their love for bike travel. Steve Leibman described his recent 40 mile bike overnight with his 4 year old son, who rode a Wee Hoo trailer (that's endurance!). Noah Lansner, a recently appointed principal at a Brooklyn Prep High School, has already cycled twice across the country and is dreaming of trips he can do soon with his nearly two-year old daughter (we told him about our growing Bike Overnights website, with great family trip ideas).
Advancing Bicycle Tourism: In New York, I had the pleasure of checking in with Paul White and Noah Budnick, the leaders of Transportation Alternatives, NYC's top cycling and walking advocates. We brainstormed about how we could get an economic study of bike tourism and travel in New York State, similar to the powerful study in Wisconsin (pdf), which demonstrated that bike tourism generates $1 billion a year. (I'll also be talking with leaders in California about something like this next month at the California Bike Summit.) In addition, I checked in with my Arlington, MA-based friend and colleague Lauren Hefferon, who owns the touring company Ciclismo Classico, about working together to get more tour operators to next year's National Bike Summit to advocate for better biking. Lauren has been a real leader in trying to boost the prominence of bike travel in the travel industry. Maybe we can get an economic study going in Massachusetts too!
Linking Trails, Routes, and Places: Finally, I kept seeing evidence that the bike renaissance is booming in the Northeast, including loads of new bike facilities in big cities (like NYC and Boston) and small cities (like Wakefield and Barrington, RI). I was really excited to meet with local advocates regarding the Northern Strand rail-trail through the northern suburbs of Boston, a critical link in the East Coast Greenway and ultimately the U.S. Bicycle Route System. Like the Minuteman trail, it's taken nearly two decades to reach the first groundbreaking (in late October) -- but it's coming soon, along with many more improvements for biking in New England and beyond.
Photo Captions: at top, Jim (right) and Michael Mutschler at the Atlantic Ocean in Rhode Island; in the middle, on the Minuteman Trail with (l to r) Marc Mastrolia, Tom Fortmann, Amanda Lipsey, Jim, and Lauren Hefferon; at the bottom, the inimitable Brooklyn Bridge, Jim's gateway across the East River. Photos courtesy of Jim Sayer and Transportation Alternatives.
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JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/new-york-new-england-medley.html
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