Is there something going on in France in July?

You may have heard about this little race that takes place over in Europe that is starting up in a couple of days. It occasionally makes the newspapers, and apparently has gathered somewhat of a following over the few years that it has ran.

Unfortunately you won't read too much about it here on this blog for a few reasons.

• Versus network isn't part of my satellite programming package, so I can't watch it at home.
• I'm pretty sure that my employeer would frown on me watching it at work on the companys dime - instead of being productive.
• there are many other people who will be watching it and who will do a much better job of covering it than I can.

So, to satisfy your Tour de France coverage I would like to make the following suggestions:

• Check out versus.com for their live tour tracker. www.versus.com/shows/tour-de-france/
• Listen to the FredCast's Daily Tour podcast on the following day to get the update on what you may have missed. (Check out episode #160 of the FredCast. David has an excellent primer on the Tour de France, and stage races.)

There are undoubtedly a plethora of blogs, podcasts, and live tour trackers that you can choose from. These are the ones that I am going to follow - as I can. If there is a big story, such as someone actually finding a "motorized" bike, or the majority of the peleton being carted off to jail in handcuffs for doping you can be sure I'll post something about that. Until that happens (let's hope not), enjoy the race and allez!

Specialized unveils new bike - complete with mechanical assistance

Specialized unveiled their 2011 Roubaix SL3, and also showed that they have a sense of humor.

Photo from BikeRadar

The Rubaix SL3 was displayed with an oversized fake Duracell battery attached to the downtube, in reference to the supposed "mechanical doping" by Fabian Cancellara.

It also shows what Specialized thinks about all of this nonsense.  Bravo Specialized!

The importance of maintaining your equipment

I promise that pictures, videos, and a report of the Bike MS ride is coming...

But first, I need to talk about bike maintenance. We all know that we need to take care of our bike: clean and lube the chain, maintain the proper air pressure in the tires, inspect the brake/shifter cables, etc... Like a good little cyclist, I am always on top of that, but I missed something which almost caused a problem on the 2nd day.

After the 100 miles on Saturday, my feet were sore - more specifically, my big toes were really sore. I figured that it wouldn't hurt to move my cleats back a little farther over the balls of my feet before Sunday's 75 miles to see if that helped. Aside from the dirt/clay/mud/gum(gross!) that I had to dig out of all of the recesses of my cleats before I could adjust them, I found that I had ben woefully negligent in monitoring my cleat wear, and that they were well beyond the point of needing replacement.

The old cleats

The new cleats

Yeah, these should have been replaced last year.

Yeah I know. Bad. I think I've been on these cleats about 2 seasons, which is about one more than I should have been on them. After a season of shuffling around on concrete, asphalt, and other cleat non-friendly surfaces, you should replace your cleats. And it's not like they're expensive, my favorite bike shop, SLC Bicycle Co. set me up with a pair for a paltry $15.99.

When your cleats get worn, it can cause problems. Clicking in is more difficult, as well as releasing. You can also have problems with cleat retension - on Sunday, I was riding down one of the steeper hills on the route, going at a fairly good speed when my left foot just lifted off the pedal! No warning, I was unclipped that easy.

So kids, when you are doing your regular maintenance on your bike, don't forget to check your cleats and replace them if they are worn.

BikeMS Utah 2010 teaser

Not quite ready to post my "official" ride report of the BikeMS ride this past weekend.  I will say this, 100 miles on Saturday, and 75 miles on Sunday makes for one sore and tired Kendall on Monday. 

I did have an absolute blast!  I had a great time riding with my good friends David, Donna, their girls, Meghan and Emily, and Meghan's boyfriend Casey.

One picture until I can finish the post which will be up later this week:

Caption this!

I'm off...

Do I have everything? 

Bike - check
Stretchy pants - check
Helmet and shoes - check
everything else - ???

It's only for 3 days.  If I don't have it, I can do without, or go shopping up there. It's not like I'm off to the jungles of Borneo (wouldn't surprise me if they even have a Wal*Mart now).  As long as I have the important stuff.

I decided to leave the computer behind, one less thing to have to deal with.  If there's anything exciting, I'll post updates on my twitter account.  Expect a full ride report once I'm back.

See you on the flip side...

Motivation and Inspiration

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn't matter if you're a lion or a gazelle - when the sun comes up, you better be running.

attributed to Roger Bannister

The above proverb is retold in the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, a truly excellent book on running that I have just started re-reading. When I read it the first time, it motivated me to get up and run - not necessarily an ultramarathon, but to get up and run. I talked about my daughter and I watching American Flyers a couple of weeks ago, and her saying that she wanted to get out on her bike again.

Motivation and inspiration can come from various sources; books, movies, social media sites like twitter and daily mile, podcasts (one that I listen to on a regular basis, and that I enjoy for motivating me is Zen and the Art of Triathlon), cycling and running clubs, even electronic equipment can provide motivation: My Nike+ that I attach to my iPod for running will play a pre-recorded motivational message from a famous celebrity when I reach a certain milestone. Lance Armstrong congratulates me on achieving my farthest distance in a run, and Tiger Woods cheers me on for my fastest mile. Some people find inspiration to excel, or to try something they haven't done before because of the hardships a loved one is going through, or has gone through. They may participate in a charity fundraising ride or event in honor of their loved one as a way to help.

We all will occasionally feel overwhelmed, and loose focus on what our goals are. We all occasionally need a motivational boost to dig deeper, or need to find that inspirational message that prompts us to push further than we believe we can.

Who or What inspires and motivates you?

By the way, this is my 500th post.

What is that smell?

This is one of those stories that is part "why didn't someone think of this before" and "you've got to be kidding, it's not April fool's day"

New technology has been developed that lets you know by smell if your helmet needs to be replaced. I'm not refering to that particular "funk" that helmets tend to pick up when they aren't washed regularly, but to when you fall and your helmet strikes the ground.

Helmets can be expensive, We are told to replace our helmets if they are involved in an accident, or are damaged. But if there is no outward indication of damage, that can be a tough judgement call.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Freiburg, Germany  has developed a new technique that uses encapsulated polymer materials or plastics that are filled with odoriferous oils. If your helmet is damaged, the capsules are ruptured producing a noticable stench. The more damage done, the more capsules ruptured, and the worse the stench.

The capsules are added to a polypropylene mass, which is injection-molded to form the final component. In the case of the bicycle helmet, the microcapsules are inserted in a thick foil made of polypropylene, which is fastened to the headgear. A layer of melamine formaldehyde resin encloses the capsules so that they are completely airtight and mechanically sealed.

I wonder how long until we see helmets hit the market with this technology.

Having a good morning.

You ever have one of those days where everything feels right? Yeah, me neither.

Until this morning.

I went to the gym as usual to go running - I am supposed to be training for a triathlon, you know. I didn't expect too much, since my legs were sore, and my left heel was cracked and hurting. I had a backup plan of spending time on the elliptical trainer if my heel proved too much of a problem. I started off with a lap of walking just to get warmed up, and my heel was starting to hurt. The backup plan was looking more and more like it was going to become a reality. I decided to start running to see what happened.

What happened surprised me. Everything felt great. My heel didn't hurt (mainly because I wasn't landing on it when my foot struck the ground) and my legs were feeling really good. I did one lap, two laps, and then three laps. As I was coming around for a fourth lap, I decided to back off a bit, mostly because I have the Bike MS ride coming up this weekend, and I don't want to toast my legs in training before the ride (I would like to be able to do the full 175 this weekend).

I finished the rest of my run alternating 2-3 laps running (sometimes I lost count), and 1 lap walking. When I stopped my iPod with the Nike+ attached, It told me that my mile time was my fastest so far - more than a second faster than my previous. (I'm still slow, but it's still nice for someone to tell you you're fast, plus I'm still fairly new at this "running" thing).

The best part is I felt like I could have kept on running, but I needed to get ready for work.

It kind of puts you in a good mood having a morning like that. Enjoy your day!

Sunday funnies

Caption this!

Or, for the video version...

Trials riding on a carbon road bike.

If anyone tells you that you need a specific bike for a certain type of riding, show them this...

Thoughts on Bike Commuting

I'm thinking about becoming a bike commuter.

Well, more to the point, an multi-modal commuter.

First, I need to explain my situation, and why it has taken me this long to make this decision. I live approximately 43 miles from my place of business. Up till about a year ago, the closest bus service was 18 miles away. Now, there is a bus stop about 5 miles from my house.

You are probably asking yourself, "Why didn't you start taking the bus last year?" Good question. The reason is that UTA, our transit service provider - in their infinite wisdom - decided to set the departure time of the last bus heading towards home at 5:00 pm, the time that majority of people employeed in the US of A get off work. The bus stop is 4 city blocks away from my office, and my employeer is not flexible in the work-schedule area.

Back to our story. Crunching the numbers, it wasn't cost-effective for me to drive to the bus stop, and pay for a monthly bus pass compared to driving to work. After riding on a vanpool that unfortunately disolved because the number of riders dropped below the number required to keep it active, I managed to carpool with a couple of co-workers. I still had to drive the 18 miles to catch the carpool, however, and I had to drive all the way in every other week.

Then my schedule changed.

Starting in July, I will be working 8:00-4:30. Not a huge change, but significant in a couple of ways. First, the co-workers I currently carpool with didn't get the same schedule. One of them is still 8-5, and the other is 9-6:30. I could still carpool with the one, but since he drives a full size blazer, he doesn't like to drive in, so I would probably be driving all the time. I don't like driving. The second significant change is now I am able to catch the bus that leaves downtown at 5:00.

So, there should be nothing stopping me from getting a monthly bus pass, biking the 5 miles to the bus stop closest to my house, riding the bus to work, and reversing the process in the afternoon. I'll save gas, and won't have to drive. I mentioned I don't like driving, right?

Except, I'm training for a triathlon. I can run anywhere, and I'll be biking almost every day. It's just the swimming that will prove to be a problem. The nearest pool is in Lehi. 17 miles away.

Maybe I'll be a bike 3 days a week, and drive to the pool on the other two. The pool is only a mile or so from the bus stop that goes to SLC.

Any thoughts?

Black Hawk, CO bans bicycles.

As reported on Bicycle Colorado, Black Hawk, CO has instituted a ban on cycling in their city. The Black Hawk Board of Aldermen has made it clear that they don't want bicyclists or bicycle events in town. The Board approved an ordinance banning bicycle riding on almost every street in Black Hawk. This includes the only paved street (Gregory Street-formerly State Highway 279) connecting the Peak to Peak Highway with the Central City.

I have never been to (or even heard of the bustling metropolis of Black Hawk - pop. 118, the least populous city in Colorado), but through the magic that is Google Street view and Wikipedia, I can take a first hand look at what makes this wide spot in the road so afraid of the scores of cyclists that I am sure are a plague on the residents and visitors to this fair town.

pictures and map courtesy of Google and screen capture.

From what I can see, and from what Wikipedia tells me, the main (only) reason to visit Black Hawk is to give your money to one or more of the 18 casinos that call Black Hawk home - more casinos than Atlantic City (thanks again, Wikipedia).

The City manager is claiming that there isn't enough room on the roads for cars, busses, trucks, and bicycles. Never mind that there has never been a fatality in Black Hawk involving a bicycle. He says that it is a preventative measure. If you are caught by the police, it is a $68 fine.

Groups, such as Bicycle Colorado are pursuing legal action, since Black Hawk is restricting access on a state highway, while groups like Dismount Black Hawk are calling for a boycott of Black Hawk businesses, and a mass bike "walk" through Black Hawk (apparently, it is legal to dismount, and walk your bike through town) to protest this ordinance.

Personally, I wonder if this isn't some sort of publicity stunt. Black Hawk is a fly speck - literally - on the map. The only thing it has going for it is gambling. It's little less than a wide spot on the highway between Denver, and more scenic areas. But this fly speck has the cycling world in an uproar, and has made news worldwide. The ordinance has been on the books since January, but it's only been since spring, when people get out on their bikes that this has exploded.

Tour de Cure - it was a great ride!

Well, another Tour de Cure is in the books. The new route was absolutely stellar. Picturesque and challenging. The weather? Well, at least it didn't rain... It could have been a little warmer. That said, I actually made some good choices on clothing, and I wasn't too hot, or too cold. The wind? The wind was brutal. Gusting, blowing, unrelenting. Only rarely was it a tailwind - where it could be useful. Most of the time it was a full on headwind, making the flats feel like hills, and the hills feel like walls.

After 82 miles of battling the wind (the first 36 miles, I rode with friends and we had a great paceline going. Pacelines are good things!) my rear tire flatted. At this point, I decided that I had enough of battling the wind, and averaging 13.6 mph, and I didn't want to waste a $4 CO2 cartridge only to push through another 18 miles of wind so I caught a ride with one of the support vehicles to the finish line.

Huge, huge thanks have to go out to the staff, committee, and volunteers who put this ride on! They did an incredible job! The course was well marked - if you went off course, it was because you were deliberately trying to get yourself lost. The rest stops were well staffed, and stocked with plenty of food and goodies - the ATK Rocket garden rest stop (by far the coolest place to have a rest stop, just look at the picture) had a volunteer out by the road handing pb&j sandwich quarters to the riders as they came into the rest stop.

This ride has been a mainstay in my season for the past five years. Nothing about this year's ride is going to change that. Everything that was under the ride committee's control was executed perfectly. Things that aren't, i.e. the wind, made it difficult, but not unbearable. I've already booked my hotel room for next year!

some of the 1500+ bags that had to be stuffed the night before.

part of the start/finish village before the ride.

The ATK "rocket garden" very cool place for a rest stop.

the top of "the wall" (that's what I'm calling it.  It felt way steep!) this is the view you are rewarded with after your grueling climb - right before you plummet back down to the valley floor.

Cranklisted - And the winner is...

Not this blog. 

The winner is Cycling Tips out of Austrailia.  A really great cycling blog that has some truly stunning pictures.

picture from Cycling Tips.

They have great coverage of all of the races, and some great content.  Go check them out.  Congrats to Cycling Tips for winning the Cranklisted World Cycling Blog Honors award for 2010 in the Road Cycling category.  Thank you to all of you who voted for my little blog.  I am grateful that I made it to the semi-finals.  Check out http://www.cranklisted.com/ to see the winners in all of the categories, and to find a very comprehensive list of  cycling blogs from around the world.

Food Friday - eating on race day.

Today's Food Friday post isn't about a particular food item, it's more of a cautionary tale.

Tomorrow is the Tour de Cure, a charity ride benefiting the American Diabetes Association. I have done this century for the past 5 years, and look forward to this ride every year. (There is still time to contribute to my cause, if you would like... any amount will be greatly appreciated, and will go towards Diabetes education and research here in Utah. just click on THIS LINK)

My post today isn't about a new food item. In fact, just the opposite.

Race day, or the day of the big century isn't the time to try out new on the bike nutritional items. You don't want to be in the middle of a race, or at mile 60 of a century when you discover that that new gel, nutrition bar, or hydration drink doesn't agree with you. Results could be disastrous.

Use your training rides to see how changes in your on-the-bike eating and hydration will affect you.

Also, don't treat the rest stops at a fully supported century as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Yes, there is a lot of food on the table, and yes, you did pay your registration fee so you could be "fully supported" but again, you don't want troubles down in the abdominal region later in the ride because your body is trying to digest while also trying to provide the energy to keep the legs spinning.

Enjoy the ride.

Tour of Utah - Teams announced

The Tour of Utah has posted the list of teams invited to this years race:

Adageo Energy
Bahati Foundation
Bissell Pro Cycling
California Giant Cycling
Canyon Bicycles Utah Allstars
Cole Sport
KFAN Elite Composite Team
Exergy
Fly V-Australia
Haggens Berman
Holowesko Partners/Garmin U-23
Jamis/ Sutter Home
Kelly Benefits
Kenda p/b Geargrinder
Livestrong
Rio Grande
Team Type 1
United Healthcare

More information on team rosters as it becomes available

Make a list...

With one of my planned century rides coming up this weekend, and needing to pack for it tonight and tomorrow morning, this post came to mind. Most of us know this, but it doesn't hurt to share and re-hash it.

Take a tip from the big guy who visits good little boy and girl cyclists every December 25th and brings them all of the cycling goodies they asked for: Make a list, and check it twice.

If your race or ride starts around the corner from your house (the Pony Express Century actually does start within a mile from my front door) you probably won't forget something important, and if you do, you can run back home and get it before the race or ride starts. Most of us don't have that luxury, and we will be traveling some distance to the event. Forgetting something like gloves or sunglasses is minor, you can survive without them. Forgetting something critical like shoes, helmet, or a front wheel (it's happened, not to me fortunately) can DNF you before you even start.

Good luck with your races and rides this weekend. Here's to blue skies and clear roads!

Proud parent moment

After posting about Team Saxo Bank's commemorative Tarmac SL3, I decided that I needed to watch American Flyers again. 

My 15-year-old daughter came in, back, up (I really don't know where she was - great parenting, huh?) and sat down to watch it with me.  After it was over, she said "I want to go ride my bike now"

Makes a dad's heart swell.

p.s.  She thought Kevin Costner's porn star mustache was ridiculous too.

Polar and Nike+ introduce Heart Rate Monitor.

Every now and again, I like to pretend that I am a runner. I have even gone so far in maintaining this charade that I purchased a Nike+ system last year to use with my iPod while I run. There's nothing better than a soft, soothing disembodied voice telling you how slow you are going.

Now that same disembodied voice can tell you when you are on the verge of having your heart explode from beating too fast.

Nike+ has partnered with Polar to produce a heart rate monitor strap that will work with the Nike+ system.

The Polar Wearlink+ will seamlessly integrate with your Nike+ system, and allow you to see your BPM on your Nike+ SportBand, or hear spoken feedback on your iPod nano. It is also compatible with other Polar equipment.

The strap is machine-washable, and will be available this month in the US. Retail price is $69.95

Now Nike+ just needs to introduce a system that will work on the bicycle...

Press Release:

POLAR AND NIKE INTRODUCE HEART RATE TRAINING TO MILLIONS OF NIKE+ RUNNERS


Beaverton, Ore. (June 7, 2010) – Nike, Inc (NYSE:NKE) and Polar, the market leader and pioneer in heart rate training technology, have introduced the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+. This new product works with the Nike+ SportBand and the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit, enabling users to run and train with heart rate monitoring for the first time.


This exciting new piece of equipment is worn comfortably round the chest and transmits the user's heart rate wirelessly to their Nike+ iPod Sport Kit or Sportband. It will improve the training experience of Nike+ users helping them to understand how hard they are working in any given run. Users can see their beats per minute while they run with their Nike+ SportBand, or hear spoken feedback of their BPM during their Nike+ iPod workout. And after training, heart rate data can be transferred to the nikeplus.com web service. Users can track how long they ran in their target heart rate zone and see their heart rate progress over time.


The new Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, is also compatible with most Polar training computers (all those using 5 kHz transmission technology). This allows use of both the Nike+ system and a Polar training computer at the same time. The Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, is also compatible with the fifth generation iPod nano and the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit.
The soft textile chest strap seamlessly adapts to the user's body shape, bringing full freedom of movement to the training session. The comfortable textile strap is also machine-washable and with its hook mechanism, the transmitter is just as quick to put on as it is to take off. A user replaceable battery also increases the ease-of-use.


In addition, the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, works with Polar-compatible fitness equipment, including models from all major fitness equipment manufacturers. This enables users wearing the WearLink+ transmitter to see their heart rate on the compatible fitness club equipment as well. The coded transmission ensures that Nike+ devices and Polar training computers pick up the right heart rate signal and not someone else's.


"We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Nike", says Marco Suvilaakso, Group Product Director at Polar. "Polar and Nike are both market leading global sports brands. Nike users around the globe can now benefit for the first time from pioneering Polar heart rate monitoring technology. The new WearLink®+ transmitter Nike+ will make accurate heart rate training available to millions of Nike+ users. It will add a new dimension to their training enabling them to train at the right intensity to achieve their goals. We anticipate this will be a very popular product."


"We are excited to introduce Polar heart rate technology into the Nike+ system so millions of enthusiastic users can take their training and performance to the next level," said Jeff Padovan, president of Polar USA. "Being able to partner with industry leaders like Nike and Apple who share our passion for sports and technology allows us to deliver what the consumer has asked for by providing the best each company has to offer all in one product."


The Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, will be available from June 2010 in the United States, followed by Canada and major EU countries from the beginning of July. On sale through authorized Polar retailers, Nike-owned retail stores and through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, is sold as a Polar accessory set with a user manual. Compatible Polar training computers can be purchased separately.


Notes to Editors
Recommended retail price: $69.95
Compatible Polar training computers:
All Polar training computers utilizing 5 kHz transmission technology, including Polar FT80, FT60, FT40, FT7, FT4, FT2, FT1, RS400, RS300X, RS100, CS400, CS300, CS200 and CS100. Please check the up-to-date list of compatible training computers from the Polar web site.Water resistance of Polar products is tested according to International IEC 60529 IPx7 (1m, 30min, 20°C).Not suitable for bathing or swimming. Protected against wash splashes and raindrops. Do not wash with a pressure washer.Not suitable for swimming. Protected against wash splashes, sweat, raindrops etc. Do not wash with a pressure washer.Suitable for bathing and swimming.Suitable for swimming and snorkeling (without air tanks).


The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.


About Polar
Headquartered in Lake Success, NY, Polar USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Finland-based Polar Electro OY, which invented the first wireless heart rate monitor (HRM) in 1977. Polar now operates internationally in more than 80 countries. Polar heart rate and fitness assessment technology delivers unparalleled insight into the human body from valuable training guidance and feedback, to enabling individuals to improve their fitness level and sports performance. Polar technology is key to the success of leading fitness facilities, athletic teams, corporate wellness facilities, health insurance providers and thousands of physical education programs around the world. Today, Polar training computers are the number one choice among consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.polarusa.com.


About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit http://www.nikebiz.com/.

Interview: David Bernstein of The FredCast

If you do a search in iTunes for cycling podcasts, there are three podcasts that are consistently at the top of the list.  The FredCast, The Spokesmen, and the Daily Tour Podcasts. 

David Bernstein is the creative force behind all three podcasts.

David on the Col de la Madeleine. Credit Lanette Dykman

I had the chance to interview David about what got him into cycling, and how he finds the time to produce the shows. 

How did you get into cycling?

Like most people, I first started riding bikes when I was a little kid. I still remember the day I learned how to ride without training wheels, in fact. My dad and I had been working on my balance for what seems like days, with him holding the back of my seat and running along with me. I just wasn't getting it. Then, one night, I had a dream that my dad let go and I was able to balance and ride away. The next morning, I told my dad about the dream and we went outside and gave it a try. Sure enough, I rode away from him and balanced with ease. At the time I called it my 'dream come true,' but I think it was just about having the confidence that I could do it.

Fast forward to 1988. I had just graduated UC San Diego and was getting ready for law school in a year and for my wedding in a few months. I needed a job. An employment agency directed me to a Japanese trading company and I was hired as a sales representative. As it turned out this company was dealing with the majority of OEM bicycle companies and aftermarket parts distributors worldwide, shipping a huge percentage of Shimano's product. In addition, they owned the Tioga and Shogun brand names.

My first task at the company was to build a bike. I was given a budget and told to write a report about the bike I would build, the components that would go on it, and what alternate components I would use if I had a higher or lower budget. Once my report was approved, I then had the pleasure of buying the parts and building my bike.

After a ride or two on my new mountain bike I was hooked. Since part of my job was to go to the NORBA National mountain bike races on the weekends, I also started racing downhill. A little while later I borrowed a steel road bike prototype that had been built and painted by John Slawta at Land Shark.

I recall that one of my co-workers introduced me to the term 'Fred.'

I stayed at the Japanese trading company for a few years before leaving to start my own independent marketing firm, Competitive Edge Marketing Solutions, assisting primarily Asian manufacturers of bicycles and bike components. Our concept was to assist companies who made excellent products, to create excellent brands. My proudest accomplishment is the creation of Full Speed Ahead (FSA).

Several years later I sold Competitive Edge and left the industry to run my family's manufacturing business.

I continued to ride on and off, but wasn't very passionate.

In 2003 all of that changed when my wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Once her condition was stabilized, I vowed to do more than just give her a weekly injection. I recalled the MS150 events from my time in the bike industry and decided that I would use these events as my way of helping the cause. I bought a Specialized Allez Elite and began training. I'll never forget the first 8 mile training ride. I came home and sprawled on the living room floor, exhausted. My wife thought I was going to die. Despite my poor fitness, I was already hooked on road riding.

A few months later, I completed the MS150 and was among the fastest riders in the group. I was also the number three fundraiser. The rest, as they say, is history. A few months later I completed my first century (The Tour de Palm Springs), the next year I did a century a month, a short time afterward I sold my membership in a flying club and used the money to buy my Colnago C40. And somewhere around that time I started The FredCast Cycling Podcast.

Tell us about The Fredcast. Why did you decide to do a podcast?

I began listening to podcasts back in 2005 after reading articles in the L.A. Times and various other places about this new technology. At first I dismissed it as a fad and then I started listening. I primarily listened to tech podcasts and I distinctly recall listening to the very first episode of This Week in Tech, perhaps the single most popular podcast in history. I went looking for podcasts about cycling, but couldn't find any that spoke to my interests, so I came home and announced to my family that I was going to become a podcaster. They all laughed at me.

My idea was to create a podcast that spoke to people like me --- Freds. Up to that point I had only heard the term used in a derogatory manner, but I felt an affinity towards it. When I was in the bike industry and really just a poser, I always had the latest and lightest components and equipment. That experience spoiled me and I have never been able to skimp on my cycling gear, no matter what I had to to get it (see above about selling my flying club membership).

By the time I was ready to start podcasting, I found that although I was a Fred, I wasn't really a poser, I was just a high-end cyclist who spent time and money on my equipment and training. While it is true that several internet dictionaries define a “Fred” as a person who spends a lot of money on his or her bike and clothing (yes, women can be Freds too), but still can’t ride, I tend to disagree. The reason why the so-called “serious” roadies like to disparage us Freds, is because we usually drop the “serious” roadies on the hills or in the town-line sprints. Turns out that lots of those “serious” riders were really posers.

I have been called a Fred time after time, especially by people who see my high-end Italian road bike and all of my cycling gadgets and gizmos. I have always taken the term as one of endearment and not one of scorn, since I usually ride faster than those who call me a Fred and so it has become a badge of honor.

The FredCast is devoted to all those who have ever been called a Fred by so-called “real” cyclists.

I spent weeks and months researching and buying equipment and software, and fine tuning my format before I ever spoke a single word into the mic. In fact, the format of The FredCast hasn't changed that much since day one. I still open and close the same way, and I still cover many of the same topics and issues.

I guess The FredCast hit a chord among other cyclists because it really took off. Today it is still one of the most popular cycling-related podcasts and is in its fifth year of production. I've taken the show on the road to the annual Interbike trade show, the Tour of California, Tour of Utah, and I have done listener tours of the French Alps where I lived the dream of riding many of the most famous climbs in professional cycling including the famed Alpe d'Huez. The show has included an interview with Greg LeMond, Lance Armstrong press conferences, and interviews with some of the most famous names in pro cycling and in the bike industry.

You've been doing the FredCast for three years now, right? Do you have a favorite moment from that time?

Actually, I've been doing The FredCast for almost five years now. The first show came out on December 13, 2005.

It's tough to pick a single favorite moment in time because, thanks to The FredCast, the fans, and the show's subsequent popularity, there have been so many. I hope you indulge me and allow me to give you five.

The first occurred two years ago when I was asked to help judge a contest that was being sponsored by Shimano. I arrived at the booth to meet my fellow judges including my friends Carlton Reid, Tim Jackson, and Donna Tocci, plus Kozo Shimano whom I'd met many years previously. Also among the hosts were Bob Roll and Phil Liggett. When I was introduced to Phil he said, "Oh, you're The FredCast. Well done!" Does it get any better than that?

The next occurred a year later when Lance Armstrong came to Interbike to announce that he was coming out of retirement and returning to professional cycling. As you may remember, he held a press conference that was attended by Greg LeMond. Afterward I had the opportunity to talk with and interview Greg. The interview was an accusation, but the off-mic conversation was fantastic. I remember the day he beat Laurent Fignon in Paris, as I am sure many cycling fans do, and it was great to just be able to talk to this cycling legend.

The fourth favorite moment is actually a collection of moments, each of them occurring when I meet, run into, or receive an email form someone who listens to the show. I am so appreciative of my listeners, and it is great to meet them in person and talk about cycling, life or whatever. The podcast, my Twitter feed and my Facebook page make my listeners much more a part of my life, and vice versa. I never imagined this when I sat down to talk into a mic in my bedroom one night in 2005, but I love the connection between me and the listeners.

And finally, on Episode 1 of The FredCast I took some time to introduce myself and the show. During that introduction I was explaining the meaning of the term Fred and I told the listeners that, "you're never going to see me going up the Alpe d'Huez." I couldn't have been more wrong. In 2008 I had the great pleasure of going to France with listeners and friends to ride some of the most famous climbs of the Tour de France. We rode Col de la Forclaz, Col du Marais, Col de la Croix Fry, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies, Col de la Madeleine, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier (my favorite), and on the last day, we rode Alpe d'Huez. I'll never forget the feeling as we crested each of these famous climbs, nor will I forget reading the road graffiti and the various markers and monuments along the way, but most of all, I will never forget the lump I had in my throat when I reached the top of the Alpe d'Huez. What a thrill! And all because of The FredCast!

Is there someone that you would love to meet and have on the show? You know, that once-in-a-lifetime interview?

Tough question, Kendall! I've had so many great cycling personalities on the show including some of my favorite professional cyclists (e.g. Jens Voigt), cycling heroes (e.g. Greg LeMond, Davis Phinney in a few days), icons of the industry (e.g. Gary Fisher), etc. Last night I interviewed Dan Austin from 88Bikes.org and was so moved by what he is doing for children all around the world. Having these people on my show allows me to bring my enthusiasm for cycling to other like-minded people and that is why I do it.

I suppose instead of a single person, I would love to spend a week (or three, hint hint!) with a single professional cycling team. I'd like to spend time with the riders, coaches, bus drivers, mechanics, soigneurs, and everyone involved with the team. I'd like to bring insight to the listeners into what the word 'team' actually means and how it isn't just about the guy atop the podium.

You also produce another podcast, The Spokesmen. How did that come about?

The Spokesmen is modeled after a technology podcast called This Week in Tech (TWiT). I've been a listener since its very first show. TWiT is a roundtable podcast that is produced and hosted by Leo Laporte who some may know from The Screen Savers on TechTV or from his nationally syndicated Tech Guy radio program on the weekends. Leo envisioned a roundtable podcast that not only brought together people who had interesting and insightful comments, but who also were involved in social media (podcasts, blogs, etc.) and who could help promote each other's shows and blogs.

You'll recall that I started The FredCast because I noticed a dearth of cycling podcasts that interested me as a fan and as a cyclist. I wanted to support other podcasters and bloggers the way that Leo was and I wanted to cross-promote our shows and cross-pollinate our listeners and readers. And that is why I started The Spokesmen Cycling Roundtable Podcast on August 20, 2006.

Honestly, where do you find the time to produce two podcasts?

I get the time question quite a bit and, quite frankly, I'm never sure where I find the time. I am a husband and father. I run a business. I am also a cyclist who needs to train. And I occasionally need some sleep. I know, go figure.

But seriously, I just budget my time really well - usually. Recording The FredCast certainly takes a decent amount of time, but what takes the most time is researching, staying abreast of the news, testing products, answering emails, post-produciton, etc. There's nothing that can slow me down more than finding that I have 2,000+ stories waiting to be read in my RSS newsreader. My family and my day job always come first, and I am unapologetic about those priorities. I occasionally get angry emails when I go too long between shows, but I truly believe that most of my listeners understand these priorities. I frequently sacrifice sleep and training in favor of the show, but it would be irresponsible for me to ever sacrifice my job or my family.

Because I need to juggle my time and since I travel so much for business, I have recorded from some very interesting places. I've recorded in hotels all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Germany, France and Holland.

Here's a secret I don't think I've ever told: When I interviewed Dr. Allen Lim during last year's Tour de France, I was sitting in the back seat of my rental car in Minneapolis, using WiFi from a nearby Chik-Fil-A, talking to him over Skype, with my microphone stuck on the headrest of the passenger seat in front of me. There he was at some swanky French hotel, and here I was sweating in the back of a car in Minnesota. I couldn't turn on the A/C or open a window because the noise would have come through on the recording. See how I sacrifice for the show?!?

 People seriously get mad at you for having a life outside of the podcast?!?

I know, right? You wouldn't believe the angry emails I've received when I have had to take a longer break between shows.

One last question. What can we look forward to from The FredCast and The Spokesmen in the future?

Well, July is coming so you can certainly expect my usual coverage of the Tour de France on The FredCast. This coming September I am hoping to be doing more video segments for InterbikeTV like I did last year. I have lots of plans and dreams for The FredCast, but whether those come true or not will depend on sponsorship and other financial support. Keep your fingers crossed.

As for The Spokesmen, I am hoping to find the time to do the show on a more regular basis. It is clear that we have a loyal following, but I know that they are frustrated with our infrequent updates. All of our busy schedules as well as the time zone differences make scheduling recording sessions very interesting.

Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with me about your great podcasts. I hope we can look forward to being entertained by you, and the Spokesmen for years to come.

It has been my pleasure! Thank YOU for taking the time to do this interview.

It has been a great pleasure talking to David.  Please check out his great podcasts:  The FredCast, The Spokesmen, and his Daily Tour podcast that he does for the Tour of California and the Tour de France. All of them are available for subscription and download from iTunes.

Last day to vote for Cranklisted World Cycling Blog Honors

Today is the last day to vote in the Cranklisted World Cycling Blog Honors.  If you haven't yet, please go and vote. Results will be posted on Friday, June 11th.

http://www.cranklisted.com/

Caption this - Video edition!

Food Friday - Primal Strips

Food is one of those things that we associate memories and feelings with. In fact, it is one of the more powerful memory triggers. A smell, or taste of a particular food can open up a floodgate of memories.

When I was a kid, my parents and I would make frequent trips from our house in Salt Lake City up to Pocatello, ID to visit my grandparents. Now, this was back before I-15 was completed, so to get from point A to point B, you would travel on I-15 until you got to Tremonton, then take the rural highway until just this side of the UT/ID border, where the road would connect back up to the freeway.

Somewhere along that stretch of rural highway, there was a small town called Plymouth. In that town, there was a small service station (remember those?) called Lamb's Service. Every time we went to Idaho, I would make my parents stop there and buy me a beef stick and a chocolate milk. I considered that the best treat ever! I wouldn't get candy or soda, it was always a beef stick and a chocolate milk. I don't remember why we stopped there that first time. Probably because I had to pee (micro-bladder), and after that, it just became a regular part of the trip.

Since that time, the freeway has been completed, and completely bypasses Plymouth, and Lamb's Service. I would be surprised if it survived very long after that. I still think about those times as we drive past that area.

Okay, that was a nice little trip down memory lane. And you are probably wondering why I took you on that trip today.

We took that little trip because of the product that I am reviewing today - Primal Strips.

Primal Strips make meatless jerky strips that are vegan, high energy, high protein, low fat, cholesterol free, non GMO and really, really tasty. They are available in 6 flavors: Thai Peanut, Mesquite Lime, Teriyaki, Hot & Spicy, Hickory Smoked and Texas BBQ.

I found these in my local health foods store and thought I would give them a try. The first thing I noticed was the texture. They aren't as tough and chewy as beef jerky, but the texture is startlingly spot-on, almost to the point that I had to look at the package to make sure that I didn't read it wrong, and I was eating real beef jerky. Like I said before, they are really tasty. The flavors are distinct, but not overpowering. If you didn't look at the package, it would be hard to tell if you were eating a Primal Strip, or jerky.

Since this is a cycling-related blog, I probably should tie this review to cycling. Out on the bicycle, it's not uncommon to be surrounded by sweet foods. From the hydration drinks, to the gels, and the majority of the foods at the rest stop if you are on a supported ride. After so many hours, you get downright sick of all the sweetness, and crave something salty and savory. Each Primal Strip has at least 6g of protein and 7g of carbs, plus around 300mg of sodium to replace what you've been sweating out - perfect for a late-in-the-ride snack!

There are a couple of drawbacks to Primal Strips if you are eating them on the bike, some of the flavors are a little oily, and the packaging can be difficult to open while riding. But they are perfect to eat during a rest stop.

I've found them at several of my local health foods stores for around $1.10 to $1.30. I love them! Go try some for yourself! More information can be found at http://www.primalspiritfoods.com/

How not to train...

It's the first week in June...

Next Saturday, I am riding in a charity century.

Two weeks after that, I have another charity ride. This time, 170 miles over two days.

A month after that, I am racing in my first Olympic-distance triathlon.

Two weeks later, it's a sprint-distince tri

And, I'm sure that there's some ride or race that I'm forgetting about.

Not the busiest schedule, but still quite a few things coming up. You would think that I'm getting up every morning to train, and squeezing in long rides on the weekends to get ready for the upcomming events. You would think that, but you would be wrong. I "should" be training, but I'm not. I haven't swam laps in a pool since November, and I haven't slipped on the running shoes since then either. I've also been neglecting the bike recently.

I don't really have an excuse.

I need to change that. I need to go to the pool this weekend and renew my membership. Pull the bike off the trainer, put on the strechy pants, and get outside for some much-needed skinny-tire time. I need to plug the Nike+ into the iPod, slip on the running shoes, and hit the running trails around the neighborhood.

I'm not going into any of these events with the notion that I am going to place, but it would be nice not to cross the finish line dead last, sucking wind. 

I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle

Five students of a Zen master was back from the market on their bicycles. As they dismounted, their master asked : Why are you riding your bicycles?"
Each of them came up with different answers to their master's query.
The first student said "It is the bicycle that is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that my back has escaped the pain of bearing the weight"
The master was glad and said : " You are a smart boy. When you become old you will be saved of a hunch back unlike me"
The second student had a different answer. " I love to have my eyes over the trees and the sprawling fields as I go riding"
The teacher commended : "You have your eyes open and you see the world"
The third disciple came up with yet a different answer : " When I ride I am content to chant 'nam myoho renge kyo'"
The master spoke words of appreciation " Your mind will roll with ease like a newly trued wheel"
The fourth disciple said : "Riding my bicycle in live in perfect harmony of things"
The pleased master said " You are actually riding the golden path of non-harming or non violence"
The fifth student said " I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle"
The master walked up to him and sat at his feet and said "I am your disciple!"


-author unknown

With all of the stories going on about doping - both of the cyclist, through Floyd's emails, and the bicycle, with the Gruber Assist - the world of cycling is being shaken fairly hard. If the accusations prove to be true, Professional cycling is in for a upset that that could potentially be the end of Professional cycling as we know it.

Cycling, however, will survive.

The vast majority of us don't have a racing license, and have never lined up at a starting line at a UCI sanctioned race, let alone the local Thursday evening criterium. We ride our bicycles to the store for groceries. We commute to work by bicycle to save gas. We ride for the environment. We go on long rides on weekends with our local club. We ride by ourselves. We participate in charity rides to raise money for causes that we hold dear. We ride in the park with our kids. We sneak in short rides during the week because we don't want to take away from the precious little time we have with our families. We ride as a way to deal with stresses in our lives. We ride because going fast down a hill is the closest we will ever be to truly flying like the birds. We ride to loose weight. We ride to test ourselves. We ride to test our limits, and push ourselves beyond them. We ride as an escape. We ride for the companionship of friends. We ride for the solitude, to be alone with our thoughts. We ride across the country. We ride around the block. We ride to live. We live to ride.

We don't do these things because of some Pro, we do this because we love to ride.

Don't get me wrong. It is sad and disappointing when your favorite Pro cyclist is caught doping, but you're not going to sell your bicycle if it happens. You'll get back on the bicycle, and ride.

"I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle"

Cycling in Salt Lake City

Found this video on the Salt Lake City Visitors and Convention Bureau's YouTube channel.  Some nice imagery of spring cycling in Salt Lake City.