Jul 31, 2006 · 12:56 PM
The 10th annual Downhill & Messenger challenge is Friday August 4th. This legendary race starts at the Church of Bicycle Jesus and goes somewhere downhill really freakin’ fast. The race should offer all the thrills and spills of Nascar without the internal combustion, of course.
Jul 30, 2006 · 11:30 AM
Reader Brian Langdon sent us Twin Six, who make and sell Alternative Cycling Apparel, including The Cabby that won recently won Bicycling mag’s jersey of the month.
Jul 29, 2006 · 09:27 AM
Added to the list of things I’ve done on a bike is “unplanned ride with Critical Mass.” Pam and I were riding, stopped at an intersection and here comes one big horde of cyclists — it was the last Friday of the month. So, what else to do then join them! It was mostly an orderly ride, lots of mashup bikes, no arrests like the last time, fun, and when they turned left back into the city, we kept going straight and towards home. Later on the bike path, I talked to a commuter that had just given up his car, citing Peak Oil and had also just ridden with Critical Mass. He thought it was great and I thought I wasn’t sure how effective making already angry drivers angrier was.
Jul 29, 2006 · 09:22 AM
A reader submitted Bikely today, a site that “helps cyclists share knowledge of good bicycle routes.” Bonus about bikely is that you can just say, “check bikely!,” when asked repeatedly how to get on the i90 loop.
Jul 28, 2006 · 09:29 AM
I used to hate bike paths. I was a vehicular cyclist, and an adherent of John Forester's Effective Cycling. I used to snicker at people driving to trailheads, $3,000 Serottas strapped to their bumper.
The nearest bike path to my house is poorly implemented, with dozens of industrial pull-outs crossing the path, and some weird traffic rules (including the only intersection of any kind I've ever seen where you have to yield to traffic approaching from behind you). The very existence of said path meant that riders who choose to ride on the wide, smooth, uninterrupted roadway that's immediately adjacent are harrassed by drivers who think they should be on the crappy path.
Then I did a century in Tallahassee, and got to ride the St. Mark's Trail, and a beautiful new trail opened near my parents. Dad invited me to check out the Silver Comet Trail, and it's primo: wide, relatively flat (for Georgia), and 60 miles to the Georgia-Alabama border, where it will soon connect to the 33-mile Chief Ladiga Trail.
A few years ago, between gigs, I started riding the Silver Comet regularly. On Wednesdays, I would do a hard 50-miler, iPod blasting, with the trail to myself once I got 7-10 miles out from the trailhead. My daughter spent a lot of her Burley Piccolo phase on the trail. There's a real sense of freedom and safety that accompanies being separated from the constant interaction with cars and drivers.
So it was a shock to read that a 54-year-old woman riding on the Silver Comet was abducted and murdered Tuesday, and her body found just off the trail on Wednesday. I didn't know Jennifer Ewing, but she'll be missed, as will that sense of safety on the trail.
Police have a suspect in custody, a 43-year-old who was on probation for a 1991 rape. He has yet to be charged but “investigators believe that an arrest is forthcoming.”
Police patrol the trail occasionally in golf carts, and say there have been only 3 crimes reported along the trail since the start of 2005. Nevertheless, they recommend riders couple up, carry cell phones, and exercise caution.
Jul 28, 2006 · 08:31 AM
Writing for the Seattle Weekly, David Neiwert criticizes Seattle for not really being that bike friendly. It’s a good article and I think Seattle simply needs more bike lanes. That’s the difference with Portland, Eugene, and other cities, they’ve got lanes everywhere and even traffic lights for bikes! I’ve found that when I’m in a bike lane, motorist don’t care. Out of a lane and that’s when problems start. And it’s just the fact that Seattle’s inability to make tough decisions results in gridlock. Starting with allowing I5, to cut through the center of town and then ignoring a master plan in the 70s that warned of the traffic gridlock we have now.
For years, I’ve ridden Lake Washington Blvd mostly car free and and because of I5 traffic, the blvd is a freeway during the day with angry, rushed drivers. To recall what is used to be like, try the City’s Bicycle Saturdays and Sundays where they close the blvd to car traffic and it’s bikes only.
To it’s credit, the City is trying, we’ve just got way more to do; especially, as Neiwert notices, there are so many cyclists on the street.
Jul 28, 2006 · 07:45 AM
By requests, we’ve got 2XLs ordered, have added a Paypal shopping cart to the purchase page, and updated the Amazon product page.
We’re on track to get them on 8/6 and immediately start wearing them!
Jul 27, 2006 · 06:31 PM
A good hard ride with Mike, my training buddy and psychical therapist, snapped me out of my funk over Landis and an impending descent into a Marlon-Brando-in-a-muumuu, beer-drinking fat phase. Like the SI.com reporter Landis spoke to today (also see ongoing coverage from CyclingNews), I want to believe, but I don’t believe anything about professional cycling anymore. From the lab results that get leaked, questionable tests, Jan, Basso, and all of Operation Puerto, there’s nothing that’d surprise me, even if Lance was “el dope.”
What I do believe in is the bike. I remembered that on (and later off!) Mike’s wheel, cresting a hard climb, and a fast descent. Heroes fall, some come back, and the tour will be on again next year. We started Bike Hugger for the passionate cyclist, the culture, and mostly just for the bike and that’s what we’ll continue to focus on. I’ll also have a few beers this fall, just not enough to get fat.
Jul 27, 2006 · 07:54 AM
Following the announcement of a positive test for “an unusual level of testosterone/epitestosterone,” the news has broken (AP, CNN, NPR) that it’s Landis. TDF blog is tracking the story and rounding up the coverage. At last word, Landis was no where to be found.
All I can say is, “say it isn’t so.” And note that a false-positive is the first step in the process. Next is confirming the positive is accurate and then endocrinological examinations to determine if it’s naturally occurring.
Jul 26, 2006 · 01:04 PM
Xtracycle, who make it easy and fun for cyclists to meet all of their transportation needs, are promoting car-free vacations with a contest, tips, and evangelism. The contest is for 2 Xtracycle Free Radicals Hitchless Trailer Kits that’ll turn your bike into a Sport Utility Bike.
One of our Fall projects is the Bike Hugger Super Commuter and we’re going to post all about how we built it with an Xtracycle and Stokemonkey. From there a vacation is sure to follow, but not before we build up the Custom Carbon Davidson race bike.
Jul 25, 2006 · 01:36 PM
As if the promise of SRAM’s new Force group wasn’t enough, they’re shipping it with an 11 x 26! Like Matt Pacocha says in his review of the new group for Velonews, I never understood why gruppo manufactures didn’t ship a gear bigger than a 23 with a 11. SRAM is offering a group that works “as well as anything else out there,” is lighter, less expensive, and has an 11 x 26 for us older riders.
I predict Force is going to be hit and in the peloton there’s already buzz about it being a good working group for crit racing season.
Jul 23, 2006 · 10:11 PM
Possibly the world's biggest rolling party is underway in Iowa, as the 34th annual edition of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa traveled from Sergeant Bluff to Ida Grove on Sunday, the ride's toughest day.
Ridership is limited to 8,500 full-week riders and 1,500 daily riders. This year's ride has gotten some extra attention because some guy who used to race bikes will be riding along on Thursday.
Like the Tour de France, “teams” play an important role in RAGBRAI, providing team buses or trucks to carry bikes for injured, hungover, or exhausted riders; teammates to ride along with on the road, and an infrastructure for the acquisition and transportation of large quantities of beer.
On the Des Moines Register's weblogs, Erin Crawford relays the first legend of RAGBRAI XXXIV (they're numbered like Super Bowls): The story of Kevin Dudak.
Kevin was driving an RV to Iowa from Denver when the bike rack fell off. The driver behind managed to stop, got the bikes off the road, and waited for the RV to turn around to get the bikes. No sign of them.
Noticing a “RAGBRAI” tag on the bikes, he had a friend Google the unknown acronym. The friend found a former rider, who called RAGBRAI's office, who tracked down Dudak's cell phone number. Next thing you know, he's got his (and his father's) lost bike back.
RAGBRAI blogs:
dmregister.com | Erin Crawford
Wall Street Journal | Ragbrai Journal
gathkinsons.net | Bicycling posts
Allen has promised to post every night from the route.
Jul 23, 2006 · 06:21 AM
The Oregonian reports that a US distributor is bringing Castelli back to the US and this time doing it right. Much like Asso’s struggles in the past, Castelli had the demand but couldn’t fill the orders. The article includes the history of Castelli and how the Portland-based distributor is hoping to evoke memories of the brand. I think it’s great, my favorite winter cycling cap is a windtek Castelli and I cherish it.
Jul 21, 2006 · 01:07 PM
A little Friday afternoon fun:
I've seen a few freestyle/BMX shows, but never anything like this.
Jul 21, 2006 · 07:28 AM
By popular demand, we’ve got shirts being printed and they’ll be available soon. I know I’ve wanted one and will wear it off the bike, at races, events, and everywhere else.
The response to Bike Hugger has been great, better than expected, and we appreciate it. Here’s an example from Winky
I love this — in fact I love it so much I want to buy t shirts. Isn’t that the ultimate show of loving something creative and idealists — turning it into a retail experience.
Considering a retail experience, if the shirts sell well (and I think they will), we’ve got a whole line in mind, as well as schwag. If you’re interested in a shirt, post a comment and we’ll get them to you first.
Going into the Fall and the next cycling season, we’ll sponsor a women’s cycling team and you’ll see us at more events. Look for even more Bike Hugger.
Preorder a Bike Hugger Shirt from our Amazon.com store. They’ll be ready to ship in about 2 weeks.
Jul 20, 2006 · 05:14 PM
During a business commuter train ride to Portland on the Amtrak Cascades, I got to talking with the Conductor and cycling came up. He’d just finished the STP and was, as he said, “hooked.” I told him another great ride is the MS 150 and Courage Classic. We did discuss how he wasn’t really ready for STP, but he knows what to do now!
It was fitting that the conducter was a cyclist as Amtrak is not only cycling friendly, but pro-cycling. They’ve got signs on the trains welcoming bikes, pamphelts, and are actively promoting cycling.
This bike hugger felt right at home and next time I’m bringing my bike.
Jul 19, 2006 · 08:03 PM
I had set a goal last year of riding in the RSVP. That was two days, 188 miles. I accomplished that goal, but friends it was not pretty. I trained from February on, riding 1,700 miles in preparation for that ride.
This year, some friends set a goal of doing the STP in one day. So I’m 50, a bit rotund, and I’ve been “serious” about cycling for one year. Sure! Sign me up!!
Jul 19, 2006 · 05:49 PM
From Gothamist, How to Steal a bike in NYC. Most interesting, is all the comments about how everyone’s bike gets stolen in NYC. Maybe the Neistat Brothers should’ve tried their own Yellow Bike program and observed the response.
Jul 19, 2006 · 05:21 PM
The biggest Tour de France party on the west coast is tonight at Warren G. Magnuson Park. The event is sponsored by Outdoors NW and Raleigh Bicycles and features a mondo outdoor screen, food, beer, and more. And it’s free!
Jul 19, 2006 · 12:04 PM
Found a cool photo gallery via del.icio.us:
This is the way we walk in New York
It's a messenger's-eye view of the Big Apple and bike messenger culture.
One of my favorites:
That's one light bike.
Jul 19, 2006 · 08:52 AM
When my husband and I were transplanted here nearly two years ago, I quickly discovered the cult that are STPers and knew that I just had to join. Despite many years on the bike, I hadn’t yet completed a full century (though I’ve come darn close) and longed for the challenge of a double-century. Unfortunately, while on one of my first rides following some intense spring marathon training, I suffered a broken collarbone from a fall. With just over seven weeks before STP, I was uncertain whether I would make the ride at all, and knew that my whole training plan was scrapped. At best I would be riding as a relatively seasoned cyclist with the training of a complete couch potato. With two weeks to go, I could reach my handlebars without too much pain and managed a quick 35-mile spin around town. That was enough for me, I was in.
Jul 18, 2006 · 07:36 PM
Frank detailed the teamwork in today’s tour stage on the Tour de France blog. I get asked that question frequently and how exactly does a team work together? If you didn’t get to watch it, check Frank’s post and the full report from Cyclingnews. That was the best example I’ve ever seen of riders sacrificing themselves, giving up their bikes, water bottles, and giving everything they’ve got for their leaders.
Jul 17, 2006 · 10:43 AM
Late-night ride attracts thousands
At 1:30 Sunday morning, 9,000 cyclists set out on Chicago's annual Long After Twilight Ends (LATE) ride, a 25-mile circuit ride that starts and ends at Buckingham Fountain, and takes in northside neighborhoods and the Chicago Lakefront Path.
Here's the only Flickr photo I could find; anyone seen any others?
Update: Here's the L.A.T.E. Ride's official site, and here's a post from someone who rode this year's.
Jul 15, 2006 · 07:04 AM
John Calnan and Kelli Currie are out riding the STP right now and when they get done are going to post about the event, how they did, and more. Both have been posting on their personal blogs: Off to Portland, Sleep eludes me.
Also see Do the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride and Portland Anyone?
While John and Kelli pedal those miles, I’ll be racing with the boys in the Skagit Flats in a Kermesse style race, which is a fast circuit.
Jul 14, 2006 · 02:29 PM
Seattle to Portland, the biggest cycling event of the year in the Pacific Northwest is this weekend and we’ve got STP bloggers on board. They’ll start posting soon and I’ll introduce them over the weekend.
Jul 14, 2006 · 06:35 AM
With Landis in yellow, as exciting as that is, I wanted to note that Leipheimer’s ride was equally impressive. All that the tour is was expressed in his ride yesterday. Redeeming oneself after a bad day, gritting your teeth, and riding into glory is done in races everywhere. All the greats have done it and even the not so great. Be it in the tour, your local team ride, or event, getting dropped and coming back another day is part of cycling and fuels this sport.
I agree with Julich who thinks that Leipheimer can top 5 and we may even see 2 Americans on the podium this year.
Jul 13, 2006 · 01:14 PM
Daniel Coyle will be live on Gather.com on Thursday, July 13, 2006, from 2-4pm ET to discuss Floyd Landis in yellow, his recent feature articles about Floyd in the NYTimes and Outside Magazine, and his bestselling book, Lance Armstrong’s War
Jul 13, 2006 · 07:20 AM
Cyclists from all over Ireland are converging this weekend to spin around the Great Western Lakes. The event is open to all, at all skill levels and fun levels.
Jul 13, 2006 · 06:32 AM
The massive mountain stage is on at the Tour de France and it’s hard and confusing. Without a patron, or boss, this year like Lance it’s a free for all and the tactics we’ve seen before (driving the pace and riding your rivals into the ground) aren’t the same. On the Tour de France blog, Frank Steele (a fellow bike hugger) and his readers are trying to make sense of it. Even us veteran fans are puzzled. A leader should emerge today or at least, you’d think one would!
Jul 10, 2006 · 09:41 PM
About 1/2 way through our honeymoon/cycling trip across Southeast Alaska a couple years ago, I spotted an espresso ahead sign and was like what! It had been days since I’d had good coffee and I mean Seattle-style, dark muddy, depth-charge-in-your-gut espresso and rode 26 miles, ticking off each mile, and noting each sign to get a cup. And it was really good, best cup ever actually.
Jul 09, 2006 · 02:48 PM
It was a perfect day for a ride and I rode with Pam to the REI Seattle Women’s CycleFest. Bike Hugger was there with Union Bay Cycling, Wines of Washington Cycling Team to promote the sport to women, give out schwag, and meet all the cyclists.
If we met you there, hello! And thanks for visiting our blog.
Jul 09, 2006 · 08:41 AM
Hugh Forrest, of SXSW fame, tipped us to Kenny Souza: Natural Power. I couldn’t think of a better documentary topic, what those racers put their bodies through is incredible (including riding through sleep-deprived hallucinations), and the documentary will capture, “the sacrifice, discipline and focus needed to undertake such an amazing journey.”
Highlights from the blog include Bob Roll and Ned Overend encouraging Kenny along the route.
Also see my post on “another fine day for riding” in Austin during SXSW earlier this year.
Jul 09, 2006 · 08:38 AM
As Frank announced, I’m guest posting on the Tour de France Blog for a few days. Frank is attending a funeral, spending time with his family, and I’m going take a pull for him.
Jul 08, 2006 · 01:09 PM
Just checked the NYTimes interactive TDF feature and it’s very whiz bangy, even more whizzy than the “ticker” from Velonews. Live commentary, standings, profiles, and more.
Jul 08, 2006 · 07:34 AM
Our photostream has been updated with “along the way” photos from the bike path, doctor’s office, and around town.
Note the photostream requires iPhoto or an RSS reader.
Jul 07, 2006 · 01:45 PM
Cycling across the U.S.A | Touring Hardin
Bill Cook is a retired journalist doing an Adventure Cycling route across the USA (looks like their 30th Anniversary Premium Supported trip). Adventure Cycling got started back in the '70s, and was called Bikecentennial when it helped create the TransAmerica Trail. Thousands of riders (galleries: Richard Rathe, general) toured the country for the US Bicentennial in 1976.
Adventure Cycling is celebrating their 30th birthday, and there's still time to make one of the organization's Birthday Bashes, in Boulder August 12th.
Cook is about one-fourth of the way, near the Little Big Horn in Montana, and blogging the whole trip for McClatchey Newspapers. He's a recumbent hugger, and has a company, Barcroft Cycles, that designs and builds 'bents, including the Dakota model he's riding to Washington, DC. The trip was marred June 25th, when one of the party was killed in a car-bike accident in Washington state. Yesterday was a much better day: “one of those perfect days: Lovely weather, a nice tailwind, remote empty country, a long downhill run and a short riding day.”
All we can hope for.
Jul 07, 2006 · 08:38 AM
Celebrating it’s 66th year, Redmond Derby Days is this weekend. Outside of Portland, Redmond is the most cycling friendly town and they’ve got a whole festival centered around a bike race. Between heats, you can also enjoy music, parades, and more.
Jul 07, 2006 · 07:05 AM
Becky, an Outreach Specialist for REI Kennewick, reports outstanding results for their Commute Challenge with nearly 3K miles logged from 50 riders. That’s impressive and adds to a record-breaking bike month this year.
Seeing all those commuters during Bike Month in Seattle is what partly inspired Bike Hugger.
Jul 06, 2006 · 03:44 PM
Following up on the Critical Mass arrest last week in Seattle, Robert L. Jamieson Jr, a Seattle PI columnists finds fault with both the police and Critical Mass. Having spent time in the clink for bike v. car road rage, I can tell you that getting angry with drivers is just not worth it. While part of our bloggy mission here at Bike Hugger is to promote cycling and be advocates, getting angry just “mucks up the message.” For more on the incident and opinions see
Jul 06, 2006 · 02:19 PM
A Tri-Cities cyclist was seriously injured when he hit an empty concrete turtle intended to hold a traffic bollard. The bollards have not yet been installed. As the Tri City Herald reports, the cyclist, Matt Moeller, “suffered shattered bones and a collapsed lung.”
While that’s a serious accident, that turtle is nothing compared to the exposed tracks, potholes (I don’t think there are any potholes in the Tri-Cities), homeless people, drunken mariners fans, drunken seahawks fans, car doors, sheer density of traffic, suv drivers, concrete cracks, and more in larger urban areas like Seattle. It’s always best to ride with situational awareness, as I call it, to be very aware of your surroundings and that angry driver trying to park in your lane.
My wife endoed on exposed railroad track once, sliding into a curb with her head, and spent a day in the emergency room dazed and confused. Her helmet saved her life and I watched it all happen. I’m sure Matt freaked everyone out that was with him, including himself!
“Montana Mike” Robinson has been updating the Chinook Cycle Club with reports on Matt’s status and it’s great to hear he’s “up and walking. They have elected not to do surgery as all the broken “stuff” is in place and the ball and sockets appear OK also.”
See this post from stokediam about a cyclist that hit a real turtle and broke his collarbone.
Jul 06, 2006 · 01:38 PM
Reader Terri Saul sent us a page of her bike art that’s about the love of bicycles and cycling. My fav, which is sold, is Left of Sun Head South.
Jul 06, 2006 · 06:36 AM
Cyclingpeaks is offering a live view of SRM data during each stage and posting the entire file afterwards. That’s cool and also depressing to see such low heart rates! That’s my heart rate during a casual riding to meet the team!
Polar is also transmitting data during the stage, OLN alternates between the two, but I haven’t seen Polar files live. They do have a S725X Tour Edition and a new partnership with Adidas.
The Live Update Window from Velonews offers, standings, jerseys, a google map and is perfect for following le Tour at work.
Jul 05, 2006 · 07:08 PM
In a Q/A with the Seattle PI Business Section, REI’s CEO says, “Bikes are going bonkers for us. About half our bikes are our own brand, Novara, which is a great value.” Not only are Novara’s great value, but a great cycling brand. While Novara has been around for years, they’re certainly not just a house brand. I first noticed their cycling enthusiasm when I saw a Novara Merlino Wool Jersey and thought, “whoever brought that to market loves and knows bikes.” And they do, check the photos in their catalog (PDF 5.8M) to see how much.
Jul 05, 2006 · 06:03 PM
Performance Bicycles (a Bike Hugger affiliate) shops are having a Seattle to Portland 15% off in-store sale for Washington and Oregon and are open 24 hours on the eve of STP. That’s an additional 15% of the lowest marked price on anything and runs from July 12th to the 16th. A great time to stock up on the bars, powders, tubes and, as noted to Howard who just rode the rockies, chamois creme!
Jul 05, 2006 · 05:46 PM
Man, I just dig being able to turn on OLN and see the Tour every 2 hours. I’ll even watch a stage a few times, to catch something I missed, or just relish in the coverage, realizing I won’t see it again for another year. Seeing those marvelous graphical maps, I forgive OLN for gutting the Giro and Vuelta coverage. A few notes on this year’s coverage
Considering that we’ll see the same commercials 10 million times before the end of the tour, I already can’t stand that Flowmax one. Flowmax should be the name of a carburetor and sorry, but guys are just never that happy together, in a convertible, hair blowing in their faces, singing hits from the 80s, happy that their piss flows. I also don’t care if Saab was born from jet engineers because none of them are around anymore, Saab is a division of GM (not Boeing), and Subaru makes some of their cars.
I love those Michelob commercials and think that if they can put an SRM on a bike and transmit the data that they could put a camera on a bike and capture a sprint from a rider’s view.
Jul 05, 2006 · 09:27 AM
Just turned on a new whitelisting feature for comments. We’re moderating all comments on Bike Hugger to prevent spam and we’re now “trusting” commenters and adding them to a whitelist. If you’ve been added to the list, your comment will go live immediately and not sit in the queue.
Jul 05, 2006 · 04:49 AM
After Byron's Commuter Challenge post on Monday, it was funny to see an answer from the commuters Tuesday, on the BBC website, no less:
BBC NEWS | Magazine | Cycle warriors
It's by a London commuter who has ditched the Tube in favor of cycling since the July 7 terrorist attacks in London.
He outlines the standard complaints (rude drivers, parked cars, “the thwack of a poorly-applied England flag as a car overtakes”) and cops to occasional misbehavior by riders, before blowing the lid off the “Great Race.”
The small number of cyclists who are in the know duel with great nonchalance and no acknowledgement of their opponent. The trick is to cycle at maximum speed until the point of overtaking, and then sit back in the saddle as you pass, looking straight ahead as if the mere breeze is carrying you forward.I even have a scoring system which gives double marks for passing anyone wearing Lycra. Overtaking a bike courier would theoretically score five, but I have never done it.
I'm pretty comfortable at the back of the pack, but even I would get demoralized if I was passed by a guy in a suit on a mountain bike.
Best reader reply is from “Simon:” “The first rule of The Great Race is that you never mention The Great Race.”
Jul 03, 2006 · 08:30 AM
This time of year, with le Tour on, STP coming up, and the nice weather, more commuters and enthusiasts are out riding. I call it the commuter challenge when seemingly passive, recreational/commuting cyclists don’t like to be passed or chase you down, pass you, and want to compete across the bridge, up the hill, and down the bike path.
I think it’s the natural competitive spirit we all have, the bike brings it out, and it’s intensified when I’m kitted up in team gear. No team gear and the commuters don’t seem to care, but with the kit on it’s commuter challenge time. Pam reports the same thing when she rides into work and we’ve both decided to just sit on when a commuter challenge goes down, let that commuter pull you home or to work, and enjoy the ride.
Jul 02, 2006 · 06:04 AM
Looking for more news about the le Tour scandal on BBC Sport, I found that British Cycling has launched Everyday Cycling, a “brand new initiative that aims to appeal to the broad spectrum of leisure cyclists, from commuters and family cyclists through to mountain bikers and sportive riders.” Sounds just like Bike Hugger! In the states, we’ve got the League of American Cyclists “working for a bicycle friendly america” and in Seattle the Cascade Bicycle Club that do an amazing amount of work including the Seattle to Portland ride.
Also see Cycling for Health, a program sponsored by Group Health to get people out on their bikes hopefully everyday.
Jul 01, 2006 · 07:53 AM
While the scandal, drama, accusations and denials continue, the Tour de France goes on. Yesterday, Black Friday as it’s being called, I wasn’t even sure if I’d want to watch the race or care anymore. I was that stunned, as everyone else was. Alas, CNN is covering it now on cable, NPR has ran multiple features, and more updates have been published from the NYTimes and Cyclingnews.
Despite all the bad news, the good news is that OLN has upgraded their studios, graphics, and overall coverage to look more like ESPN2 than Waynes World and Americans could sweep the podium. Without the big names, the race is wide open and TDFblog will cover all the action, including the Americans, in detail.
I’m often asked about how stage races like the Tour work and explain that cycling is very much a team sport. You can think of like a football team, with the goal of moving the ball down the field, toward the end zone. A cycling team’s goal is to get their leader to the end of the race, with the lowest expired time, which puts him at the top of the General Classification (GC) and in the yellow jersey.
A team consists of stars and domestiques. Domestiques are the worker bees of a team, responsible for looking after the team leader and the other stars. The stars are climbers, sprinters, or ride for GC, like Lance did. In the Tour, the leader is a well-rounded rider that can climb and time trial. The team’s main purpose is to protect the leader, so he saves all of his energy to attack an opponent in the mountains and be fresh for the time trials.
The Tour is like a chess game, with many strategies being played out. It’s also a big show, the superbowl for the rest of the world. At times riders will breakaway and the peloton (group of cyclists) doesn’t chase them. This is because those riders are not a threat to the GC, are out there getting TV exposure, and going for a sprint or stage win.
