Bike Month - pictures

Bike Month comes to a close today.  This year I was able to participate in the Bike Bonanza, and ride in the SL Century. But, I wasn't able to ride along with the Mayors of Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County for the Bike to Work Day. 

I took my camera and walked around downtown for lunch one day.  I had a different post in mind when I took these pictures, but I think that some pictures ofbikes and people riding their bikes on a nice spring day is a better use of the pictures, and a good way to bring Bike Month to a close. 

Mechanized doping

Yes, you saw correctly.  Not only do we have Floyd saying that he has doped his entire career, and willing to come forward with the means he, and - according to him - several others have evaded doping controls. We now have people saying that some riders are motorizing their bikes to get an unfair advantage.  Most of the stories I have heard are the riders will use the bikes in the first part of the race, to save their legs, and then switch out the "assisted" bike claiming a mechanical problem for a traditional bike just in case the bike is scrutinized at the finish. 

The mechanisim in the video appears to be a Gruber Assist.  The video also seems to be pointing a rather accusing finger at Cancellara - even thouth they say that they aren't accusing anyone of using mechanical assistance.  Until they come up with concrete evidence that he has been riding what amounts to a motorbike in the peleton, I'm going to believe that he is innocent.

at 1800£ ($2600) it is a much cheaper means to cheat, especially considering Floyd has said that he spent about $90,000 a year doping.

Sunday funnies

Comics from the early 90's always seemed to have a moral, or a message in them; stay in school, don't do drugs, wear a helmet. I think they were trying to justify their existence in the face of groups that considered them bad for kids. Kind of ironic that Ghost Rider is telling the kid to wear his helmet, when all he has to protect his head(skull) is flames. 

American Flyers Commerative Specialized Tarmac SL3

If you are a cyclist, chances are you have seen the movie, American Flyers, a story about two brothers reconnecting and coming to grips with the illness that took their father, that now threatens one of them (hope I didn't give away too much if you haven't seen it). All set against the backdrop of the 1985 Coors Classic stage race in Colorado.

The uncredited star in the movie is the bicycle they ride in the race, a bright red Specialized Allez.

Flash forward 25 years to the 2010 Tour of California. Team Saxo Bank rolls up to the line on a Specialized Tarmac SL3 painted to commerate the Allez from American Flyers.

Simply, stunningly classic. In a day where it seems that most production frames are painted by someone who is going through a manic phase, and the rule on stickers is there can't be too much, the understated retro-styled graphics and the bright red color really stand out. The American Flyers Commerative Tarmac was the idea of Bobby Julich - one of the most successfull American cyclists in history, and who now works for Team Saxo Bank. Julich was inspired by the movie as a young boy. You can see more pictures of the bikes on RoadBike Action's site, where I borrowed the pictures that I have posted.

It actually gives me an idea for my bike, if I ever decide to paint it.  My frame is an Allez pro (aluminum, not steel, unfortunately)  Maybe when I get tired of the pink, I'll shoot it red, with white graphics. 

Let's hope that the commerative bike makes it to the retail market.

One of the joys of being a Pro cyclist

One of the differences between PRO cyclists and amateur, or recreational cyclists is if the weather is questionable, we have the option of not riding.

Pro's don't get that luxury, they ride no matter what Mother Nature throws at them...

Cadel Evans and Alexandre Vinokourov on Stage 7, Carrara-Montalcino, of the 2010 Giro d'Italia (Picture from http://www.italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/)

Passo di Gavia, 1988 Giro d'Italia (picture from http://www.lagazzettadellabici.blogspot.com/)

The Cannibal on a stamp

If anyone knows anyone in Belgium, Or if I have any readers from Belgium, I would dearly love one of these.

Cranklisted

Voting in the Crank Directory Worldwide Cycling Blog Honors ends Sunday, June 6th. If you haven't already taken the time to go vote, please do so.   http://www.cranklisted.com/

Rush hour in the Netherlands

This is what rush hour looks like when 33% of the population commutes by bike.

Sunday funnies

Caption this! - Video edition

I've been nominated!

Every so often, things happen in our lives that we have no explanation of, or understanding why they do.

Today is one of those examples. My humble little blog has been nomintated.

Darryl at www.lovingthebike.com/ has started the Crank directory. It is a listing of cycling related blogs Worldwide broken down into categorys such as Commuter, Lifestyle. Road, Mountain, Women's, etc...

To start if off, He has a poll for "World Cycling Blog Honors" I am nominated in the Road Cycling category.

I am deeply honored (and slightly confused) to have made it to the top 5 blogs in this extensive list.

Again, I don't ask much from you, dear readers, but if you could do me one small favor... Please vote for me! Go to www.cranklisted.com/ and cast your vote. Also vote in the other categories. In the lifestyle category, I would suggest voting for Elden at Fat Cyclist.

I guess since I am now a "nominated blog", I need to step up the quality of the posts.

Tell your friends.

National Bike to Work day

Today is National Bike to Work day. If you are able to, give the car the day off, and take the bike. 

I believe in Floyd?

You know the scene in the Wizard of Oz where Toto pulls back the curtain to reveal that the Great and Powerful Oz is just a sham? A con man who was deceiving the people?

In the cycling world, a version of that happened today.

Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his Tour de France win in 2006 because he failed a doping test, and who mounted an unprecedented and epic campaign and court battle to proclaim his innocence - which he ultimately lost has purportedly sent emails to the New York Times finally confessing to his doping. Not only that, but emails also contain information on how he did it, and along with saying that doping is widespread throughout the professional ranks, some of the biggest names in cycling are implicated: Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Dave Zabriskie, and Johan Bruneel.

I'm not going to post a link, do a google search on Floyd Landis, you'll find plenty of links.

The articles do say that the emails have not been verified, but they are reasonably certain that they are genuine. In an exclusive interview with Neil Browne on the Versus website, Landis confirmed the email was genuine, but stated that it was leaked by unknown sources.

More than any other cyclist caught doping, Landis polarized fans. Maybe it was because of the lengths and expense he went to in proclaiming his innocence. Many believed in the system and immediately wrote him off as a doper and a cheat. Others believed the claims he made that the system was flawed, and saw the obvious breaches in testing protocol that he tried to use in his case against WADA and the UCI as evidence that maybe he didn't do it.

I was in the latter group. I believed in Floyd. I believed in his claims that the system was out to get him. I was genuinely excited last year to find that he was going to race in the Tour of Utah, and was happy that I was able to get a picture with Floyd.

It's going to be interesting to see aftermath if this bombshell he dropped proves to be true.

Dear Floyd,


Can I have the last four years of beliving you didn't cheat back?


Signed, a former fan

Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence...

Tonight we number many but ride as one

In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons

With helmets on tight and heads down low,

We ride in silence, cautious and slow

The wheels start spinning in the lead pack

But tonight we ride and no one attacks

The dark sunglasses cover our tears

Remembering those we held so dear

Tonight's ride is to make others aware

The road is there for all to share

To those not with us or by our side,

May God be your partner on your final ride

- Mike Murgas

Tonight at 7:00 pm is the Ride of Silence.  Join cyclists at hundreds of locations worldwide in a silent, slow-paced (12 mph) ride as we ride to honor those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

To find an organized ride near you, check here.  If there is not a ride in your area, consider organizing your own. You can find information on how to organize one here.

Remember, we are doing this to:
•To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
•To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
•To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

Ride report: Cycle Salt Lake Century

Yesterday was the first long ride of the year for me. Heck, it was the first century I've done since 2008.

Instead of boring you with a travelogue of the entire ride, I'll just hit some of the highlights.

• Helping with registration was fun.
• But, that meant that my day had to start at 4:30.
• I didn't hit the course until 8:30
• The weather couldn't have been more perfect.
• The first half of the ride, I was feeling strong, and riding great.
• Some of the course markers had been destroyed by the rain the day before, so there were a couple of places were we weren't sure which way to go, and a couple of places where we didn't go the right way.
• The course is mostly flat.
• Lunch was great! You can't go wrong with make-your-own sandwiches and chips.
• I was feeling good, and going strong until about mile 50.
• Right around mile 50, my lower back started hurting.
• About mile 50 is when we headed out the causeway to Antelope Island.
• The causeway is 7.5 miles of completely flat road across the GSL

• There is always a headwind blowing along the causeway.  I averaged 12 mph all the way to the island.
• Instead of turning around at the marina and heading back, the course took us on a 6 mile loop on the west side of the island. 
• I contimplated turning around, but stuck it out and rode around the island.
• Ibuprofen will help a sore back.  Somewhat.
• The only buffalo I saw on the island was fiberglass.

• Heading back out the causeway was much better.  (tailwinds are good things.)
• I didn't stop back at the lunch stop after coming back from the island because I wouldn't want to get back on the bike.
• My back was still hurting.
• I did stop at the last rest stop, and I almost didn't want to get back up and finish the ride.
• I did finish the ride, but my tank was completely empty for the last 17 miles.
• I saw several people riding back to do a double century as I was coming in. I was jealous because there is no way that I could be doing that right now.
• I finished the ride with an average speed of 15 mph.
• I did finish!
• Nothing tastes better after a long ride than a lime popcicle.
• I went home, and took a couple of muscle relaxants for my lower back, and was sound asleep on the couch by 7:00PM.
• I'll be back on the bike tomorrow.

Food Friday: Nuun product review

I need to make a correction to one of my previous Food Friday posts. I was talking about adding some salt to energy drinks, I made a mistake calling them energy drinks, I should have called them sports drinks, or - to make it roll of the tongue a little more awkwardly - electrolyte replacement drinks. Energy drinks bring to mind those cans you buy at the convenience store that have enough caffeine and other stuff to keep an elephant awake for days.

Excuse me miss, there seems to be a mistake. I believe I ordered the large cappuccino. Hello?!

Today we have a product review.

The main problem I have with most sports drinks is how sweet they are. They taste great when you are first starting out, but after mile 70 or so, the sickly sweetness is almost overpowering and you can hardly choke it down - let alone keep it down.

Nuun to the rescue!

Nuun makes an electrolyte replacement tab you add to your bottle of water. It's sugar-free, and has a light, refreshing taste that you won't be sick of down the road. Each tab has 360 mg of sodium to replace what you have been sweating out for the past several miles. Nuun comes in several flavors: Orange-Ginger, Tri-Berry, Banana, Kona Cola, Citrus fruit, Lemon+Lime. They also sell mixed tubes of mixed fruit (Lemon+Lime, Citrus, Tri-Berry) and tropical mix (Orange-Ginger, Lemon+Lime, Banana). Each tube contains 12 tabs - enough for 1.5 gallons of water. To use it, just drop one tab in your water bottle, wait 2 minutes, drink and stay hydrated.

I was skeptical at first. I have tried other "add-ins" that are supposed to enhance your water, and found that they tasted absolutely nasty. Nuun is different. I've only tried the Orange-Ginger, Banana and Tri-Berry but they taste really good (especially the Banana - my favorite so-far). Part of the sodium is in the form of sodium-bicarbonate, so they fizz (kind of like Alka-seltzer) when you drop it into your bottle. This can be a fun feature if you are using one of the Camelback Podium bottles, as the release of the gas from the bicarbonate will build up and cause the leak proof valve to sputter and squeak as it tries to escape.

The flavor is distinct, but subtle. It doesn't overpower, and doesn't develop that sickly-sweet nastiness. the fizzing is much milder than that from your typical carbonated soda, and I actually found it refreshing.

I have heard of people mixing flavors by breaking tabs in half and combining them (like Lemon+lime Kola). Haven't tried that yet, but I plan on giving that a try once I get more Nuun.

Overall impressions: Nuun rocks! I have a century ride coming up tomorrow, and I plan to have Nuun in both bottles.

You can find Nuun at almost every bike shop on the planet - at least at every one in my little corner of the world (according to a friend in Florida, no bike shops have it, or have ever heard of it down there). Or you can order it online directly from http://www.nuun.com/. the cost is around $6 for a tube of 12 tabs, which will fill 12 bottles.

Will bike for food.

The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen  has come up with an idea to encourage it's guests to be more physically active and environmentally conscious.

The 366 room hotel. located only a few minutes from the center of the Danish capital has installed two exercise bikes hooked up to generators. Any hotel guest is invited to get on the bike and pedal. Once they produce 10 watt-hours of electricity, they are given a voucher for a complimentary meal at the hotel's restaurant or lobby bar valued at about 240 Danish crowns ($44)

The bikes are equipped with an iPhone that guests can use to monitor how much electricity they are producing. The plan is to have the bikes up for a year from April 19, with the plan to possibly expand it to more Crowne Plaza hotels

"Anyone producing 10 watt hours of electricity or more for the hotel will be given a locally produced complimentary meal encouraging guests to not only get fit but also reduce their carbon footprint and save electricity and money," the hotel said in a statement

This is more of a gimmick than anything, 10 watt-hours is only enough electricity to power a 100 watt light bulb for 6 minutes, and the hotel - one of the greenest hotels in the country already has a solar-panel array on the roof producing more electricity than the hotel needs. But, it is a good gimmick. The hotel figures that a guest spinning at 30 km/h (18 miles/hr) for 60 minutes would generate 100 watt-hours of electricity. I wouldn't mind seeing something like that in some hotels here in the US. I'd happily spin away for my dinner.

Article found at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100414/od_nm/us_hotel_electricity

It is so on...

My 15-year-old daughter just texted me saying that she's knocked 2 minutes off of her indoor mile. I guess they make them run track for gym at her high school.

I text her back saying that's great and she is probably faster than me in the run, but I can crush her on the bike.

I guess some explaining is in order here.

Last August, my daughter participated in her first sprint triathlon, she did this for her personal progress portion of the Young Women medallion from our church. I sat on the sidelines, cheering her on, the whole time kicking myself for not signing up to race with her. I participated in my firs triathlon later on in November.

Both of us are signed up for the Bountiful Triathlon on August 14th this year.

The text-smack talk continues: "You're hilarious. I'm young and stretchy. I could come close to beating you"

Sounds like a challenge. Oh, it is so on....

Thank a Cyclist

Next time you are driving your car down a paved road, thank a cyclist: The League of American Wheelmen (later changed to the League of American Bicyclists)  were the prominent advocacy group behind the Good Roads Movement  back in the 1880's - long before the advent or popularity of the automobile.

Next time you get on an airplane bound for far-off destinations, thank a cyclist: Orville and Wilbur Wright opened a bicycle repair shop in 1892, and later the Wright Cycle Company began manufacturing their own brand of bicycle

So, next time you are getting frustrated because a cyclist in the lane in front of you is adding less than 10 seconds to your commute, just think what travel would have been like if it wasn't for a cyclist.

Sunday funnies - Ain't it the truth edition.

Frazz strip from yesterday.  Once again, Jef has hit the nail squarely on the head.

Caption this! - Video edition

Food Friday: Almonds

Okay, I'm going to get this out of my system right now. Also, I apologize, and will try to never let it happen again.

I'm nuts for almonds.

Sorry about that, but it's true. Almonds are my favorite nuts right now.

Almonds are high in carbs, and dietary fiber. They are also a rich source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats (the good fat). (for more information on the health benefits, go check out the Wikipedia article.

What started my recent infatuation with almonds was a jar of almond butter that we picked up. I like peanut butter, but I can either take it or leave it. Almond butter is another story entirely. I'll frequently pack my lunch for the day with an AB&J sandwich on Dave's Killer Bread (can you say yummy? I knew you could)

One of my favorite post-ride snacks is to take a whole grain tortilla (I like La Tortilla Factory high fiber tortillas), slather it with some almond butter. sprinkle a small amount of brown sugar (this is the important step, don't skip it!) and roll it up around a banana. Heaven!

Just recently I discovered raw almonds, and they are my new favorite. If you are used to eating roasted, smoked, salted almonds, you may be surprised at the slightly sweet taste raw almonds have. Go get some now!

There's no free lunch

so... yesterday I overheard a conversation between my boss and a couple of ladies I work with (that's what I do at work, just listen in on conversations. It's much better than actually having to be involved in them myself). She was telling them about a place that she goes to at lunch that has a machine you sit(?) on and it gives you a full workout in only 4 minutes.

4 minutes?

Really?

I'm of the belief that there's no free lunch, and you get out of something what you put into it. I can't imagine you would get much out of a 4 minute workout session.

I didn't ask any questions (eavesdropping, remember?) but she was ranting and raving about this place. She was saying how invigorating it was, and how good she feels after her "session". And it's only $35 a month for all of that!

Am I wrong? Can you get a good workout in only 4 minutes a day? I am a firm believer in high-intensity interval training (see my post about The Sufferfest), but how much high-intensity interval training can you get in only 4 minutes? And $35/month? It's $40/month at my local rec center for my entire family, and that gives me access to the pool, weight room, exercise bikes and treadmills. It just smacks me of being similar to all of those "weight loss" commercials you see on TV - "just take this one pill a day and watch the pounds fall off"

Now, not to be rude, but "fit" is not a word that you would use in describing my boss - unless "having a" was directly proceeding it.

What do you think?

Speaking of working out... it's about 3 months until Spudman, and I'm starting my triathlon training.  I'll be putting more than 4 minutes a day into preparing for my first Olympic-distance triathlon.

A surprising supporter

Cycling has a very surprising supporter, the AAA. 

Yes, the American Automobile Association is encouraging all motorists to respectfully share the road with cyclists.

In recognition of National Bike Month, AAA reminds both motorists and cyclists to be vigilant about sharing the road and the to exercise caution year round.

"It’s important for motorists to remember that cyclists are granted the same rights and are expected to obey the same laws as they are,” said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs for the AAA New Jersey Automobile Club. “AAA appreciates the continued efforts of stakeholders and transportation officials towards making road safer for motorists and cyclists alike.”

The AAA is also urging motorists to exercise exceptional caution when approaching bicyclists with whom they share the road and offers the following tips:

• Allow three feet of passing space between your car and the cyclist. Tailgating or honking can startle or fluster a bicyclist, causing them to swerve further into the driving lane.
• Be patient. Remember, cyclists are moving under their own power and can’t be expected to go the same speed as cars.
• Pay special attention to blind spots. Due to their size and location of bike lanes, bikes can often get lost in a car’s blind spot, so double check before changing lanes, making right-hand turns or before opening your car door on the traffic side when parked.
• Be attentive on side streets and in neighborhoods. Children are especially at risk in residential areas. Follow the posted speed limit, avoid driver distraction and always be aware of your surroundings. Be particularly cautious when backing out of a driveway and onto the street.

It's nice to see an organization such as the AAA noticing that we are out there on our bicycles, and that our numbers are growing steadily.  I hope that they continue to spread this message to their members, even after Bike month is over.

from an article in NJToday.net

25 Fittest Cities in America

Men's Fitness magazine has published their list of the 25 Fittest Cities in America.  Not to spoil the surprise, I'll start at the bottom of the list. 

25. Pittsburgh, PA
24. Nashville-Davidson, TN
23. Tampa, FL
22. Fresno, CA
21. Atlanta, GA
20. Oakland, CA
19. Sacramento, CA
18. Washington, DC
17. Austin, TX
16. St. Louis, MO
15. Cleveland, OH
14. Boston, MA
13. Tucson, AZ
12. San Francisco, CA
11. Milwaukee, WI
10. Virginia Beach, VA
9. Omaha, NE
8. Seattle, WA
7. Honolulu, HI
6. Portland, OR
5. Albuquerque, NM
4. Denver, CO
3. Minneapolis, MN
2. Colorado Springs, CO

And the number one fittest city, acording to Men's Fitness....  Drum roll please....

1. Salt Lake City, UT  (my home town, btw...)

The reasons they gave in the article for their decision:

• Approximately 29 percent of Salt Lake City residents exercise with dumbbells. That's 123 percent more than average and the highest rate in our survey.
• A whopping 32.8 percent of Salt Lake City residents run or jog — highest in our survey.
• Residents of Salt Lake City are 363 percent more likely than average to play racquetball, the highest rate in our survey.

Only a couple of the top ten mentioned anything about cycling or mountain biking as a reason for their inclusion in the list, but if you compare this list to the top cycling cities, I'm sure you'll see a similarity.  They may not be in the same location, (Bicycling Magazine recently named Minneapolis as the best cycling city) but they are all up there near the top.  I wonder if that is just a coincidence? 

I won't go through the 25 fattest cities, but hitting the bottom of the barrel, is Miami, FL. (which coincidentally has been named as one of the worst cities for cycling by several lists)

Way to go SLC!!!

Spudman!

After reading the title, some of you may be wondering what this post is about.  You may think that I picked up my subscription to Spudman magazine,

"The Voice of the Potato Industry"

While it does look like a compelling read, sadly that is not the case.  What the title is referring to is the Burley Lions Club Spudman Triathlon.

everything is blurrier in Idaho - seriously, I could only find this one logo for the Spudman Tri online.

Thanks to a friend (Thanks, Steve) who works for one of the sponsors of the Spudman Tri, I was able to get into it even though registration was closed. 

So, I have an Olympic-distance triathlon coming up in slightly less than 3 months time.  Probably should put down the diet-coke, and start training. 

Seriously, with only 3 months until the race there are a few things that I need to do.

1. Hotel room - this is a popular race.  We checked a few of the hotels to see if we could get a room... no vacancy.  Fortunately, Kelly has family living in the Burley area.  Hope they don't mind having a houseguest for an evening? 
2. Wetsuit - I went down to PowerTri to rent a wetsuit. This was the first time that I have tried on a wetsuit.   That was an interesting sensation, being encased in a rubber suit from my wrists to my ankles.  I felt like a sausage. 
3. Training - I haven't been near a swimming pool to swim laps since last November, and haven't ran since then either.  I need to get going. 

I'm sure that there are many other things I need to do in the next three months, I just can't think of them right now.

Oh, and another note.  I'll be doing this triathlon on a completely plant-based diet.  Go vegan!

Finally, the difference is explained.

Thanks to David over at the FredCast for finding this great comic strip.

Caption this!