November 6/08 1:49 am - Cycling in the Headlines

Posted by Editoress on 11/6/08
 

Routleys in the thick of things
It's a busy fall for Whistler's cycling Routleys, as Will is signing with a new professional road cycling team and Tony is gearing up for the world's hardest mountain bike race.

After the disappointing demise of the highly successful Symmetrics Pro Cycling Team, Will Routley found himself temporarily adrift as he headed down to Australia for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour stage race. But the lack of affiliation didn't last long, as Routley's ride to a ninth-place overall finish among a high-class international field at the Sun Tour led the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team to snap him up.
Read more at Whistler Question


Whistler riders take on La Ruta
Three Whistler riders will be in the field when the annual La Ruta de los Conquistadores mountain bike stage race gets underway on Nov. 12 at Jaco, on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast.

The race ends on Nov. 15 at Bonita Beach on the Caribbean Coast after 376 km of hard riding up and down volcanoes and through the rainforests on a mix of roads, trails, rail beds and other terrain.

Tony Routley will be riding La Ruta for a second time after placing second in his age category last year. Racing for the first time are Mike Charuk, who has been training in Costa Rica for the last few weeks while taking Spanish lessons, and Dr. Cathy Zeglinski.
Read more at Pique


Burrard Bridge bike lane trial is doomed
Former COPE councillor Fred Bass has this to say about Vision Vancouver and COPE's proposal for a one-lane reversible bike-lane trial on the Burrard Bridge: “It won't work.”

Bass, a city councillor from 1999 to 2005, devised a six-month, two-lane trial passed by council in July 2005, before current NPA councillors voted to nix it in December of that year after winning a majority on city council.
Read more at TheStraight.com


Fundraiser for Olympic and Paralympic athletes expected to raise 3 million
Triathlete Simon Whitfield says it's never hard to convince him to be part of the Gold Medal Plates fundraising dinners for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

"Food, wine, wine, free," a grinning Whitfield said.

But the silver medallist from this summer's Beijing Olympics -- and gold medallist eight years earlier in Sydney -- admits there's a more tangible reason why he has wholeheartedly supported the cross-Canada event since it began in 2004.
Read more at Vancouver Sun


Police to Crack Down on Reckless cyclists in Windsor
Reckless cyclists need to stop riding on city sidewalks, and police should be more vigilant about keeping them off, says Ward 3 Coun. Alan Halberstadt.

According to Halberstadt, concerned residents have been sending him e-mails and letters about the subject for years.
Read more at Windsor Star


I'm not playing games with Tour organisers: Armstrong
Lance Armstrong, who claimed he was not playing games with organisers on his Tour de France participation next year, has revealed he will race in some spring classics but not Paris-Roubaix.

The seven-time Tour de France winner announced his comeback to cycling after a three-year hiatus earlier this year but in recent weeks has placed doubts on bidding to win an eighth yellow jersey.
Read more at AFP


Armstrong fears French animosity
Lance Armstrong says he hasn't decided whether he will attempt to win an eighth Tour de France because his safety could be at risk in the race.

Armstrong said his last few Tours "weren't good" and doubts the animosity he has experienced during the race will subside between now and the Tour's start in July.

"I'm at home watching [football], and the trick there is that you're in a stadium and you're sort of protected," Armstrong said. "Cycling's not that way. So if they hate you and you're on the roads and they want you, they can get you."
Read more at Sydney Morning Herald

Video: What's Lance Armstrong Got To Do With It?
Lance Armstrong, unretired cyclist-cum-philanthropist extraordinaire, took the main stage as the dinner keynote. This was the only appearance he agreed to honor after announcing his cycling comeback and his visit was much anticipated. It didn't disappoint.
Read more at informationweek.com


Roche fundraising in aid of cancer research
In recent weeks, cycling legend Stephen Roche has spoken for the first time about his son's battle with a rare form of leukaemia.

Roche, who in 1987 won the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and World Championship, put aside this family trauma to take part in the New York City marathon last Sunday. He was competing in his first marathon as a fundraising project for the foundation of cancer survivor and ex-footballer Geoff Thomas.

"Training for the marathon hurt me, but I know there are people who are hurting even more. I had a choice about whether I ran in the New York Marathon. I am healthy enough to do it and in doing so I can raise funds and awareness for people who are less well off physically and have no choice," said Roche.
Read more at IrishCycling.com


Piepoli demands counter-test
Italian rider Leonardo Piepoli, one of seven to fail drug tests at the Tour de France, has demanded a counter-test, according to the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD).

Piepoli, one of four who tested positive for a new strain of a banned blood booster EPO called CERA, will be controlled in the coming weeks AFLD said, without giving further details.
Read more at Sydney Morning Herald


Book - Heroes, Villains and Velodromes: Chris Hoy and Britain's Track Cycling Revolution
As Chris Hoy thundered round the track to another victory in Beijing, BBC commentator Hugh Porter enthused about Richard Moore's book, Heroes, Villains & Velodromes. "It's an excellent read, I couldn't put it down," said Porter.

People with no previous interest in cycling suddenly became avid fans, dropping everything mid-morning to see gold after gold by the all-conquering British cyclists.

So how did Britain suddenly become the pre-eminent world force in track cycling? How could Chris Hoy, this unassuming lad from Edinburgh, come from nowhere at the age of 32 to become the first Briton in 100 years to win three gold medals in a single Olympics?
scotsman.com


Bettini recovers after six-day horror crash
Two-time world cycling champion Paolo Bettini had a miraculous escape from serious injury in his farewell appearance at a six-day indoor meeting in Milan.

Bettini was taken to hospital in a neck brace after a high-speed fall when Ukrainian rider Yaroslav Popovych crashed in front of him.

The Italian star hit Popovych and then his head slammed against the protective barrier, breaking his helmet apart.

"The fall was terrible and I have no recollection of a few crucial minutes," he told Associated Press.
Read more at CNN


iPhone apps: Cychosis, Cycling Journal
Cychosis ($5) is a cycling journal that allows users to quickly record rides, filter rides and view summary statistics over those rides and keep track of the total mileage. Users also are given the option to set goals and track their progress against them.
Read more at MACNN


A spin class that will rock your socks off
Instructor Ben Spooner leads a pack of enthusiastic participants through this ride, which includes everything from imaginary screaming straightaways to tough mountain passes. It's an all-out bike trip, skipping only those places where you get to coast downhill.

Throw into this mix of sweat, screaming quads and pounding heart rates, the music of Metallica, Iron Maiden, In Flames, Strapping Young Lads and Testament, and you have a one-of-a-kind fitness adventure.
Read more at Calgary Herald


Think before biking this winter
It takes preparation to make it through the cold and dark
Adam Bee prides himself on an automobile-free commute to work on South Bend city streets all of last winter. He biked instead.

Bee and some hardy cyclists say winter cycling can be done safely in the cold, dark months — as long as you employ the right mindset, riding behavior, clothing and equipment. They admit it may not be for everyone.

Maybe you started biking this summer to save money, stay fit or save the environment. How much longer will you stick with it?Some quit when streets are icy, though wet leaves can be just as slick.
Read more at southbendtribune.com


Cycling Around Paris On A Velib'
I am a newcomer to Paris. When I first arrived, I was excited at the thought of ditching my car keys for the many greener options that Paris has to offer. Before moving here, I had never heard of the magical invention called the velib' (from "velo libre," free bike). I hear that the velib' has been around for a few years now, but being a citizen of the world, I applaud Paris (and Lyon) on their green efforts. Here is a system where people can take a bicycle from one location and deposit it at a different location in Paris 30 minutes later.
Read more at Orato


Exploding bike lock: Interesting concept, questionable execution
As an avid cyclist, my biggest concern about riding my bike in New York City isn't king-size potholes, wayward pedestrians, or even the hordes of aggressive cabbies itching to smash me into gray matter, but rather the constant fear of getting my bike stolen. I've been a victim of bike theft in the past, and it literally feels like the loss of a limb (not good), so I'm constantly researching new ways to deter thieves from snatching up my precious Surly Cross-Check. Whether it's making my bike ugly with stickers or carrying around extra locks in my bag, there's only so much you can do, because if a thief wants what you got, they're gonna get it no matter what.

Michael Lambourn gives cyclists one more bullet in the barrel with his SmartLock design. It's a cable lock with colored liquid inside that explodes everywhere if the lock is cut.
Read more at CNET News


Lessons in cycle safety for lorry (trnsport)and bus drivers
LORRY and bus drivers working for a London council are to receive training in cycling road safety in a bid to prevent road deaths.

Drivers of refuse vehicles, school buses and other HGVs in Lambeth will have classroom lesssons and practical on-road training to highlight the dangers of cyclists caught in lorries' blind spots.

Signs on the back of Lambeth's fleet of vehicles are also being installed, warning cyclists of the dangers of cycling on the left side of a lorry or bus.
Read more at Evening Standard