Category — Biking

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”
Sherlock Holmes author, Arthur Conan Doyle, Scientific American, 1896

“I used to work in a bank when I was younger and to me it doesn’t matter whether it’s raining or the sun is shining or whatever: as long as I’m riding a bike I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
Pro racer Mark Cavendish, after the second of his four stage wins in the 2008 Tour de France.

“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.”
H.G. Wells

“I live and breathe bike transportation. Does that make me a granola-crunching, world-saving utopian? Actually, my riding has a lot to do with what’s good for me. Riding makes me healthy. It saves me time. It makes me feel good and gives me energy to do more in life. Of course, getting around by bike is a green thing to do. And altruism does have its rewards. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind saving the world. Makes one want to crunch some granola.”
US bike builder Joe Breeze, VeloNews, 2005

I found these great qoutes compiled here, where if you choose you can read many more.

I swiped this off of the BikeMag site from an article about the 2008 Interbike currently happening in Las Vegas, NV.

This cable stay kicks ass and I was wondering if anyone had any idea what bike it is on, who makes it or more importantly where I can get some for my bike???? UPDATE: So this off of the Ibis Hakkalugi (sound it out) and the part is called the Hand Job!! Buy the way it was also produced as a bottle opener. Just another one of the many reasons that I wish I was at the expo.

For those that are unaware of the Interbike, it is an annual event that displays the most cutting edge fringe cycling gear, from bikes to gussets and everything in between. An to make it even more interesting, world renowned innovators like this guy (picture below), are there to trip you out with their vision and style.

WHO IS THIS GUY???

Make no mistake about it the Interbike expo is a cyclists version of the Trekky conventions JuiceBox digs. There is no other show like it and every one should try to make it out to the show at least once.

Plus being in Vegas means you can hit up the killer single track at the world famous BootLeg Canyon. And then blast the casinos for nickle slots and free drinks!! Unfortunately as of the last time I was there the days of the $2.99 steak and lobster dinners are long gone.

Lance Armstrong is coming out of retirement in 2009. Motivated by a second place finish to Dave Weins at the Leadville 100- a brutal 100 mile round trip Mountain Bike race above 10,000 feet with 14,000′ of elevation gain.

According to the press release on livestrong.com, Armstrong will use his return to increase worldwide cancer awareness.

The real question is does he still have the right stuff? Chris Carmichael recently said that after Lance’s 2nd place finish to in the Leadville 100 Lance was reborn, re motivated and mentally as intense as he was in 1999. Which as we all know was the beginning of his remarkable 7 year in a row winning streak in the Tour!

The issue is that Lance is a bit older now and we all assume he has been riding but it is difficult for any one to get into shape for the Tour, but I suppose if any one can Lance Armstrong would be the one.

Although Lance’s victories have been over shadowed by rumors of doping and other vicious attacks he has never tested positive and perhaps the most difficult thing for people to swallow is that he not only beat cancer but rose to the top of the road cycling world and held the title for so long. Let us not forget that Lance is a great force in the fight against cancer and that with his popularity and fame he has risen awareness of little yellow bracelets…I mean cancer.

Rarely do we have such a public figure go through so much and be challenged as relentlessly and still maintain on the top of his game. I personally think he is a remarkable athlete and a true champion.

Lance has not oficially joined any team for the 2009 Tour and I wonder if there will be a dedicated Livestrong team representing in the Tour de France this year???

Great new sticker!

Rarely do I find a sticker that jumps out as something I would stick on something I want to keep around.

Often my worthless stickers end up on my friends possessions! However yesterday I was given this sticker and am quite pleased with it. Now the question, do I put it on my rig, bike, water bottle or on a buddies stuff?

Thoughts?

These days as the almighty dollar thins and we find it difficult to make ends meet often we allow the great causes that we support to go by the way side. I just wanted to make sure that we outdoors lovers not allow some great protectors of the things we love to go un-aided.

Keep in mind there are a ton of great causes out there eager for your support, give wisely and keep these organizations going. If you have any recommendations feel free to let us know!

I.M.B.A. International Mountain Bicycling Association

Access Fund Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the climbing environment

A.H.S. American Hiking Society

Microbreweries List of local breweries near you!

It seems like when ever I look around for news concerning the outdoors all to often the news hangs like a black cloud. All doom and gloom with no real fun or encouraging news.

So today I was quite pleased to hear about a group called Pedals for Progress.

If you want to read about a great program that has handed out over 115,000 bikes around the world check out their site!!!

What’s more is they are also helping develop non profit repair shops to aid in maintaining the bike so the new owners have a way to keep their bikes dialed in as well as adding to the local economic base.

Good work Pedals for Progress!!!!