Friday, October 31, 2008

On Tap...


In the Mud

In my backyard, two cyclocross events take place this weekend at Veterans Park in Ann Arbor, MI. Both events are sponsored by local bicycle shop, Two Wheel Tango, and Tailwind Enterprises. Racing starts at 10AM.

Two Wheel Tango is having a barbeque to coincide with Veterans Park CX1 on Saturday November 1st. Chow time starts at 11AM by the tennis courts.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cycloross Cup series continues with the Campton Cross in St. Charles, IL on November 2nd.

11/01/2008
Team Polska Cyclocross Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Capcity Cross #5 Uncle Steve's
Marysville, OH
Veterans Park CX 1
Ann Arbor, MI
Chagrin River Cyclocross Challenge
Bainbridge Township, OH

11/02/2008
Gun Club Cyclocross
Miamiville, OH
Convert CX
Ventura, CA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #2 - Candlestick Pt CX
San Francisco, CA
2008 Bike Authority Cyclocross Series # 2
Cleveland, OH
Lenoir Cyclocross
Lenoir, NC
Campton Cross
St. Charles, IL
Veterans Park CX 2
Ann Arbor, MI
Estabrook Park Cyclocross 2008
Milwaukee, WI

For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Up and Over
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

11/08/2008

CICLE Cross
Los Angeles, CA

11/09/2008
Urban Cross at IX 3
Charlottesville, VA
Prostate Cancer Awareness Challenge
Carson, CA
Old Towne Vande-Cross
Moline, IL
Sacramento Cyclocross - November
Sacramento, CA
NCCX #5 Dobson CX Race - State Championship
Dobson, NC
Save Ferris Northbrook Cross
Northbrook, IL
John Bryan Cyclocross Classic
Yellow Springs, OH
Dam Cross
Hanson Dam, CA
Stoughton Viking Cross
Stougthon, WI

Photo: Luke Seemann

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Finish Line

Here at the Triple, we don't step into the political arena [that is the non-cycling related political arena] too often.

But with the finish line of the US Presidential race closing fast, Barack Obama and his supporters have brought us, the cycling community, into the fray with this video.

If you have ever been the front runner and can empathize with this video, I'm sorry. And for those who think that the current front runner in the presidential polls has gotten at all complacent, forget it.

Click on the image to be taken to the video.

McLaughlin Continues Streak, Upshaw Solos at Chicago Cyclocross Cup #5


By Imelda March

A sunny but extremely windy day greeted the riders in the Village of Bartlett, a northwest suburb of the city of Chicago. This was the second year that this race was held in this suburb. The race course was peppered with multiple twists, fast pavement, mud and four barriers. A single barrier greeted the riders moments after the gun, with a 3-barrier combination was strategically placed within yards of the finish line. A twisty section with an up hill combination would lead riders to a sharp left and onto the final straightaway up to the finish line.

Elite Men
Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) added a second victory to his racing resume in as many races. The winner of Chicago Cross Cup #4, McLaughlin took the victory in Barlett in front of Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes), Kevin Klug (Killjoy), Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop), and Christando Lombardo (Verdigris Custom Homes), respectively.

Elite Women
Several powerhouses decided to stay on terra firma rather than get blown away by the strong winds this past weekend. A smallish nine women field started the race and Holly Klug (Killjoy) took the hole shot into the first barrier followed closely by June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes). Immediately after the remount Klug continued her assault on the hill. She went nowhere, however, having fallen victim to a bottom bracket mechanical.

Upshaw easily took over the lead. With her toughest competitor down with a mechanical, Upshaw needed only to battle the high winds over the course to take the solo win.

Leah Sanda (Flatlandia), Jessica Hill (Trails End Cycling), Debbie Pielet (Albertos), and Beth Christiansen (xXx Racing - AthletiCo) rounded out the five deep podium.


Upcoming Events
Racing continues with the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Race #6 on Sunday, November 2 in St Charles, Illinois. Further information about the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Rock Racing’s Sevilla Wins Colombia’s RCN Classic


Cali, Colombia – Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla became the first non-Colombian in 48 years to win the RCN Classic when the Spaniard finished second in Sunday’s final stage individual time trial to secure a 40-second overall victory.

Competing for the “Mayor of Tunja” composite team, Sevilla scored his fifth win of the season and his first in an international stage race since the 2006 Vuelta Ciclista Asturias in Spain.

“I am particularly happy with this win because Colombia is my second home,” Sevilla said. “The people here make me feel very much at home.”

Sevilla took the lead on the opening stage of the nine-day race when his team bested the 13 other squads in the 18-mile (30 km) team time trial. After relinquishing the lead the following day (to teammate Felix Cardenas), Sevilla hovered in the top five of the overall standings until the decisive seventh stage.

In that mountainous, 111-mile (179 km) race, Sevilla finished third, 62 seconds behind stage winner Fernando Camargo (Boyaca Lottery), but 31 seconds ahead of previous race leader Mauricio Ortega (UNE).

“In the final three kilometers, I sensed that the UNE team was not going well so I attacked,” Sevilla said.

Ortega went on to best Sevilla by 13 seconds in the final stage, 21-mile (35 km) time trial to secure second overall. Ortega’s teammate, Juan Carlos Lopez, finished third overall, 2:30 behind.

Previous winners of the RCN Classic include Tour de France mountain king Luis Herrera (1982-84, 1986), Tour de France stage winner Fabio Parra (1987) and Tour de France best young rider Alvaro Mejia (1988, 1989)

Rock Racing scored 45 victories and 100 podium finishes during the 2008 season.

Photo: El Tiempo (Alberto Urrego)

Friday, October 24, 2008

On Tap...


For those in the Chicagoland area, race #5 of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup takes place this weekend in Barlett, IL with the ABD Sunrise Park Cyclocross. The race will be held on an open grass field with several run ups, mutliple sections of pavement, as well as two wooded section. Racing begins at 10AM.

For other cross races in and around you area, review the listings below.

10/25/2008
Whirlybird 'Cross @ Bryn Athyn College
Bryn Athyn, PA
Spooky Cross SoCal Prestige Series #4
Irvine, CA

10/26/2008
City Bikes DCCX 2008
Washington, DC
Homegrown Cyclocross Series
Fresno, CA
VeloTrocadreo Halloween Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Urban Cyclocross Series
Torrence, CA
ABD Sunrise Park Cyclocross
Bartlett, IL
Surf City Cyclocross
Soquel, CA
Hawksnest Crossfest NCCX #3
Seven Devils, NC

For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Up and Coming
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

11/01/2008
Team Polska Cyclocross Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Capcity Cross #5 Uncle Steve's
Marysville, OH
Veterans Park CX 1
Ann Arbor, MI Cyclocross
Chagrin River Cyclocross Challenge
Bainbridge Township, OH

11/02/2008
Gun Club Cyclocross
Miamiville, OH
Convert CX
Ventura, CA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #2-Candlestick Pt CX
San Francisco, CA
2008 Bike Authority Cyclocross Series # 2
Cleveland, OH
Lenoir Cyclocross
Lenoir, NC
Campton Cross
St. Charles, IL
Veterans Park CX 2
Ann Arbor, MI
Estabrook Park Cyclocross 2008
Milwaukee, WI

Catching Up on Interbike
An increased workload at the job that pays the bills, and a bit of burnout from a long season, has cut into my blogging time. Stay tuned for still many stories, reviews, photos and race write-ups from Interbike on the horizon.

Photo: Luke Seemann

Interbike's OutDoor Demo East Has Successful First Year

Retailers and exhibitors pleased with the energy, participation and organization of Interbike's inaugural east coast demo-style even


SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.
- Amid off-road and road demo courses, bicycle manufacturers, retailers and industry groups participated in two days of product demos, clinics and networking during Interbike's first regional demo event, OutDoor Demo East, held October 21-22, 2008, at the Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island.

"In hosting our first regional demo-style event, we had great support from exhibitors and strong attendance from east coast retailers," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike's show director. "Whether I was visiting a seminar, checking the trails or chatting with exhibitors in the expo area, attendees were pleased to see that OutDoor Demo East shared the same energy, festival-type quality and bottom-line value the industry enjoys and appreciates at the OutDoor Demo in Nevada."

Presented by SRAM and Jamis Bicycles, Interbike OutDoor Demo East saw strong attendance from New England and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as retailers from Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin to name a few. Retailers from as far away as California, Florida and Oregon were also in attendance.

"Given the cost and time associated with taking an entire staff to Vegas for Interbike, I was pleased at the opportunity to attend OutDoor Demo East," said Lee Rogers, owner of Philadelphia-based Bicycle Therapy. "It was valuable for the staff to test product and then meet up immediately to share feedback with each other. Between the demos, clinics and industry party, Interbike identified the most important elements of a demo event and created a great package that my entire staff could participate in."

Brad Hill, owner and president of Goodale's Bike Shop in New Hampshire, said his employees came back from OutDoor Demo East with rave reviews.

While only Hill and three of his staff were able to attend the 2008 Interbike Expo and OutDoor Demo events in Las Vegas, he was able to send 16 of his employees to attend OutDoor Demo East.

"Without a demo event local to the east coast, a fair amount of my employees would never be able to attend a trade event," said Hill.

Preliminary figures indicate close to 700 retailers attended the inaugural event. The more than 60 exhibiting company's booths, product displays, demo products and staff stretched across more than 60,000 gross square-feet of exhibit space in Roger Williams Park.

"We saw a lot of dealers we didn't see out west," said Steve Thomas, national sales manager for Jamis Bicycles. "It was good for us to get New England and Mid-Atlantic dealers under our bikes. They are an important market for us and they carry different categories and selections of bikes than western United States retailers do. We also brought our marketing and product development staff to OutDoor Demo East, so they could optain feedback from the attending dealers. It was definitely worth it for us to attend this event."

Besides trying product from manufacturers like Cannondale, Felt Bicycles, Fox Racing, Giant, Mavic, Pedro's, Specialized and SRAM, retailers also attended the Super Seminar series hosted by the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) in the Roger Williams Park Casino.

"Holding our East Coast Super Seminars in conjunction with Interbike's OutDoor Demo East was very successful," said Fred Clements, NBDA's executive director. "Dealer participation was incredibly strong with standing room only in all of our seminar sessions. It was great that Interbike and the participating suppliers brought the Demo to east coast dealers, and we look forward to partnering with Interbike next year."

In addition to the NBDA seminars, Fox Racing Shox, Mavic and SRAM also offered technical product clinics to packed audiences during the two-day event.

"Despite very cold weather that affected attendance on the last day of the show, suppliers and retailers seemed to be very pleased with the event," said Tompkins. "We need to get back to the office and discuss how we can make the event better. However, based on the feedback so far, it looks like the industry needs the event, so it will be on the calendar next year."

For more information about Interbike, please visit www.interbike.com.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Snap Judgment - Le Tour 2009 Route


Aesthetically, the route of the 2009 edition of the Grand Boucle is what Keats would have described as "a thing of beauty." The maritime theme employed by the ASO will see the participating riders take in two of the more beautiful European coastal towns, Monaco and Barcelona, early on.

But, the true beauty of any grand tour route unveiling is in the speculation. With only three mountain top finishes, the climbers will need to exercise patience over the three weeks and plan their attacks accordingly. Will they wait until the barren slopes of Mount Ventoux or will they attempt to stamp their names on the Tour earlier at Verbier?

Similarly, the stronger time trialist in the field will have to ride definitively in their discipline knowing that the Ventoux awaits them in the penultimate stage rather than another race of truth. Will they be able to distance themselves from the climbers by then, and how much will their teammates be able to help their cause during the Team Time Trial?

With only one week into the off-season, July can't come soon enough.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

USWCDP Mentor, Dotsie Bausch, Joins Forces with JETCycling


Irvine, CA - Throughout all of 2007, the JETCycling program has had some great success in Southern California. With the backing of the USWCDP, Specialized, and Rock-n-Road Cyclery in Orange County, they have become one of the strongest junior cycling clubs in the area. Their focus has been to build the foundation of junior competitive road cycling, working with juniors between the ages 10 to 18. Their program takes hands on approach to coaching, backed with education and a pillar of ethics for our juniors.

US Women’s Cycling Development Program
(USWCDP) Mentor and Professional Cyclist, Dotsie Bausch, has joined forces with JETCycling to serve as the Vice President of Athletic Development. This is a key role were she will be looking at the overall strategy and development of juniors within the JETCycling program.

Jet Tanner, founder of JETCycling, states, “We are very excited to have this opportunity with Dotsie. She brings an enormous wealth of talent and know how!” This is due in part to the relationship JETCycling has with the USWCDP. “The USWCDP helps provides mentoring to JETCycling and this only enhances our value to our riders,” commented Jet Tanner, “Our partnership with the USWCDP is very important to us. They have a network of talented riders that can mentor and give back to the sport. Our juniors need role models, and we are excited to have Dotsie as part of our team from the USWCDP.”

The USWCDP founder and director Michael Engleman commented by saying, “Dotsie has been a great Mentor to the young USWCDP riders and I know she will be prove to be just as valuable to the athletes at JETCycling.“ Michael added, “JET Tanner has a great program for juniors, and Dotsie is a perfect fit! To be able to present her International experience at the junior level is exactly what is needed to help young cycling talent develop.”

With this new position, Dotsie has her sights set high on helping juniors succeed in cycling, Her main focus is to see JETCycling become a premier program in the US. Dotsie commented, “JETCycling is a program I truly believe in with my heart and soul. It has been such an honor to work with these kids throughout the summer. It is inspirational to me to ride with them. They keep me fresh and on my toes. I really look forward to the future with these budding stars and the JETCycling program. "

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Interbike Expo - LIKEaBIKE

For many parents, the task of teaching their child how to ride a bike can be as daunting as potty training them [but hopefully with less mess]. Bicycles with training wheels have long been the standard, but while training wheels help a child mimic the mechanics of pedaling a bicycle, the extra wheels prevent them from developing what is truly needed to ride a bicycle, a sense of balance.

LIKEaBIKE is marketed as a "unique toy for children between the ages of two and five," but it is also highly beneficial in the development of their motor skills and sense of balance. All 8 models are structurally similar with each featuring a limited steering angle that helps the child right themselves.

LIKEaBIKE also offers several accessories such as a satchel, a pouch, and a wagon [all seen below].






To see LIKEaBIKE in action, play the movie of 4-year old Josef here.

Photos: Leonard Basobas

McLaughlin, Much Sandblast to Victory in Chicago


By Imelda March

Chicago temperatures finally hit the “crispy side” of things this past weekend. With it actually feeling like cross weather had finally arrived, crossers came out fresh and ready to tackle the newly redesigned Carpenter Park course. Jeff Provisor, owner of Main Street Bicycles and race director added two fast paved sections with a u-turn, and multiple twisty areas that kept racers with their thinking helmets on high alert.


This year Provisor combined his efforts with the Village of Carpentersville and created the OktoberCross Festival. Provisor told me that, he had approached the Village of Carpentersville for approval for the cross race at Carpenter Park with the addition of hosting a Beer Garden.

He explains that “I have been jealous of the race vibe they have on the coasts and in Europe, and dreamed of one day making our cross race more of a big community event.

As it turned out, the village was looking to expand its own Fall Festival and asked if we could combine events to create what is now called OktoberCross.”


Elite Men
The battle of the day was between Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) and Ben “where’s my UCI point” Popper (HRS Rock Lobster) who went head-to-head on this flat and somewhat technical course. In the end, Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) put in a surge and took the race. He was followed by Ben “where’s my UCI point” Popper (HRS Rock Lobster) in 2nd, Brian Conant (Pony Shop) in 3rd, Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop) in 4th with Kevin Klug (Killjoy) rounding out the podium.

Top Ten
1 Scott McLaughlin (SRAM Factory Team)
2 Ben Popper (HRS Rock Lobster)
3 Brian Conant (Pony Shop)
4 Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop)
5 Kevin Klug (Killjoy)
6 Christando Lombardo (Verdigris Custom Homes)
7 Matthew Stewart (Bicycle Heaven)
8 Aspen Gorry (Pony Shop)
9 Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes)
10 Brad Zoller (Unattached)

Elite Women
Rebecca Much (xXx Racing/AthletiCo), the current United States U23 TT Champion has been coming out to frolic while she prepares for her road campaign. She took the whole shot, stepped on the gas and kept it in high cruise control to the end. Seconds behind chasing, in 2nd place Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes) and her lethal companion June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes) taking 3rd place, followed by Holly Klug (Killjoy) in fourth place and Leah Sanda (Flatlandia) completes the top five spots.

Top Ten

1 Rebecca Much (xXx Racing Athletico)
2 Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes)
3 June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes)
4 Holly Klug (Killjoy Racing)
5 Leah Sanda (Flatlandia)
6 Jessica Hill (Trails End Cycling)
7 Debbie Pielet (Albertos)
8 Gina Kenny (ABD)
9 Emily Macdonald (xXx Racing Athletico)
10 Beth Christiansen (xXx Racing Athletico)

Upcoming Events
Racing continues with the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Race #5 on Sunday, October 26 in Bartlett, Illinois. Further information about the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com

Photos: Luke Seemann (first); Amy Dykema (second, third)

Prince for a Day

To many, the results of the 102nd Giro di Lombardia were a foregone conclusion.

Italian squad Lampre showed up with their two leading riders, Alessandro Ballan and Damiano Cunego, while the best that the remaining teams could field were a pair of Spaniards, Oscar Friere (Rabobank), a former three time World Champion, and Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi), the reigning Olympic Champion.

But because the latter pair rode for competing teams, neither would figure into the finale. The Lampre duo, on the other hand, followed their script to perfection. Ballan wore out the field by going up the road, while Cunego cleaned up the remnants.

The victory provided Il Piccolo Principe with his third Lombardia crown, which includes back-to-back wins in 2007 and 2008 [his first coming in 2004].

Results
1 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre
2 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana
3 Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d'Epargne
4 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Quick Step
5 Karsten Kroon (Ned) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
6 Mauro Finetto (Ita) CSF Group Navigare
7 Chris Horner (USA) Astana
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
9 Morris Possoni (Ita) Team Columbia
10 Francesco Failli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo

Photo: Getty Images

Friday, October 17, 2008

On Tap...

Lombardia
One of the true monuments of cycling takes place this weekend, the Giro di Lombardia. First run in 1905, the one-day classic traditionally closes the European road cycling season. The picturesque route that passes through Como and features the famous climb towards the cyclists' sanctuary – the Madonna del Ghisallo (below) favors those who can really get up and down.


A quick review of the rosters reveals that most of cycling's heavyweights have already begun their off-season. Lampre's tandem of Damiano Cunego and Alessandro Ballan are the heavy favorites for victory.

Start List

Mud in Your Eye

Cooler temperatures are finally beginning to settle in across the Midwest and cyclocross races now dominate the racing calendar. Consult the listings below to find a race near you.

10/18/2008

San Diego Velodrome Cyclocross
San Diego, CA


10/19/2008
Wissahickon Cross
Ludwigs Corner, PA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #1-McLaren Park
San Francisco, CA
Storm the Beach Cyclocross
Fullerton, CA
Carpenter Park Cyclocross
Carpentersville, IL
Cary Cyclocross Race
Cary, NC
Orrville Cross
Orrville, OH


For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Around the Way
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

10/25/2008
Whirlybird 'Cross @ Bryn Athyn College
Bryn Athyn, PA
Spooky Cross SoCal Prestige Series #4
Irvine, CA

10/26/2008
City Bikes DCCX 2008
Washington, DC
Homegrown Cyclocross Series
Fresno, CA
VeloTrocadreo Halloween Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Urban Cyclocross Series
Torrence, CA
ABD Sunrise Park Cyclocross
Bartlett, IL
Surf City Cyclocross
Soquel, CA
Hawksnest Crossfest NCCX #3
Seven Devils, NC

Catching Up on Interbike
All work and no play makes Granny a dull boy. Although the trade show ended three weeks ago, there are still many stories, reviews, photos and race write-ups from Interbike on the horizon.

Team Type 1's Chadwick And Wilson Ignite Action At Sun Tour

Mount Buller, Australia – Team Type 1 lit the fireworks Thursday on the slopes of the finishing climb to Australia's popular ski resort, Mount Buller.

But hopes of making the fourth stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour more decisive fizzled, despite aggressive riding by the team's two general classification hopefuls, Matt Wilson and Glen Chadwick.

"There was almost no action given the potential," Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said. "We're pretty frustrated right now. Chady and Matt had really good stuff today but the race was very conservative and we needed it to be aggressive."

Chadwick attacked with six miles to go in the 71-mile (115 km) race, but double stage winner Matthew Goss (CSC-Saxo Bank) was able to keep the New Zealand Olympian from gaining more than 20 seconds and he was eventually reeled in with less than two miles to go.

Wilson, the race's defending champion, counter-attacked as Chadwick was caught and the lead group detonated. Lars Bak (CSC-Saxo Bank), who had been helping teammate and yellow jersey wearer Stuart O'Grady, still had fresh legs and was able to follow the move.

In the end, Chris Jongewaard (Panasonic) proved to be the sole survivor of a nine-man breakaway that went off early in the race. The Australian finished 45 seconds ahead of Christopher Froome (Barloworld), while Bak finished third to move into the overall lead. Bak's CSC-Saxo Bank teammate, Stuart O'Grady, is in second place, four seconds behind.

Thirteen riders are within a minute of the lead, with Chadwick 37 seconds back (seventh place) and Wilson at 43 seconds (11th place).

"The guys did a great job but we really missed having Chris Jones or Moises Aldape (at this race)," Beamon said. "Not having that third GC rider hurt us today, but I think we still gave it a pretty good go."

Chadwick and Wilson remain within striking distance of the podium with only a time trial Friday and criterium on Saturday still to come.

The out-and-back, rolling time trial through the TarraWarra Estate Winery in the Yarra Valley will no doubt juggle the overall standings. Only conventional ride bikes may be ridden in the 10-mile (16 km) race against the clock.

Wilson needs only to finish the race to win Team Type 1's fourth mountain classification title of the season. Already the KOM winner at the Tour of Ireland in September, he joins Chadwick (Tour of Utah, Tour de Beauce) and Moises Aldape (Cascade Cycling Classic) as title holders of the climbers crown at stage races in 2008.

Thursday's early breakaway group included Team Type 1's Daniel Holt. But after gaining as much as a four-minute lead, the escapees – save for Jongewaard – were pulled back as the race reached the bottom of the finishing climb up Mount Buller.

Cycling Chic

You don't have to go very far on the internet to find out what the world's cycling capital is - Copenhagen.

With extensive and often separated bicycle lanes, it is easy to see why the largest city and the capital of Denmark is considered the most bicycle friendly city in the world.

Copenhagen's bicycle culture is so well-developed that it has given rise to the term "copenhagenize," which refers to the practice of other cities adopting Copenhagen-style bicycle elements and infrastructure.

But perhaps the true beauty of Copenhagen's bicycle culture is its people. Nearly 40% of its population commutes by bicycles on a daily basis, and they do so in style. What Paris is to the fashion industry, Copenhagen is to bicycle culture.

Well known blogs like Copenhagen Cycle Chic, with the great tagline of "Streetstyle and Bicycle Advocacy in High Heels," and its sister site Copenhagenize, have readily taken account of its regular citizens in regular clothes.

And now the mainstream media has finally taken note of Copenhagen's unique street fashion with a photo essay in the current edition of Travel & Leisure.

If you are still unsure of cycling's benefits, you need only look at the effervescent face of 85-year old Great Grandmother Lis Stahl (bottom), who still cycles to the shops every day.

MORE Photos...

Photos: Christian Kerber

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Team Type 1's Wilson Dons Climber’s Jersey At Sun Tour

Marysville, Australia – Team Type 1's Glen Chadwick moved closer to the overall lead on Wednesday's stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour while teammate Matt Wilson (pictured at right) pulled on the green-and-white polka-dot Cyclismo Bendigo King of the Mountains jersey.

Chadwick is seventh, 35 seconds behind overall leader Stuart O'Grady (CSC-Saxo Bank). Meantime, Wilson was the first rider over the top of the Category 1 climb that came 25 miles from the finish of Stage 3 in Marysville. The race's defending champion went on to finish seventh in the 85-mile (137 km) stage – the longest of the seven-day event – and moved into 13th overall.

Baden Cook (Barloworld) was Wednesday’s winner, ahead of Dominique Rollin (Toyota-United Pro Cycling) and Simon Clarke (SouthAustralia.com-AIS). Wilson and Chadwick were part of a 16-rider group that finished in front of a peloton that shattered due to the two's aggressive riding, Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said.

"Matt and Chady looked really solid on the climb today. They took several shots but did not get much cooperation," Beamon said. "Chady went hard at the top with Matt coming around for top points. Unfortunately, 10 kilometers of descent allowed some dropped guys like O'Grady, Rollin and Clarke to get back on."

Wilson now leads the King of the Mountains competition by 16 points over Hugo Sabido (Barloworld). While the 2004 Australian national road champion could become the fourth rider from Team Type 1 to win a climbers competition at a stage race this year, Beamon said Wilson's focus is on winning the race again overall. Only 50 seconds down, he is one of 17 riders within a minute of lead. Last year, he won the race by a scant two seconds.

"Tomorrow the climb is more difficult and the finish is at the top," Beamon said. "Matty is in good shape for the KOM, but we'll be riding for (the) GC."

Thursday's 71-mile (115 km) stage finishes with a leg-breaking 10-mile (16 km) ascent to the summit of Mt. Buller. It is the final rated climb of the race. Friday's stage is an out-and-back, rolling time trial, followed by a criterium Saturday.

Photo: Courtesy Team Type 1

Klug and Dust Climb to Success to Take Chicago Cyclocross Cup #3


By Imelda March

Atypical cyclocross weather once again was around for the Chicago Cyclocross Cup #3 that had enthusiasts travel to Hawthorn Woods, a suburb just outside of the City of Chicago. Sun, warm and temperatures in the high 70s Fahrenheit greeted the racers in this installment.

The race course was not designed for the faint at heart. The hilly course had racers going up and down a toboggan hill multiple times within each race segment, coupled with a muddy section, off camber and fast asphalt sections. Thus, another key ingredient was to have brought some climbing legs and an arsenal of gearing. A twist because flatter courses are more of the norm in Illinois.


Elite Women
Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes) took the women’s division in her first outing this season. She was followed by teammate June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes) and Holly Klug (Killjoy) in third place.

Elite Men
Kevin Klug (Killjoy) brought his top-notch fitness and won. He was followed by Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes) and 3rd place finisher Scott McLaughlin (SRAM).


Upcoming Events
Racing continues with the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Race #4 scheduled for Carpentersville, Illinois on Sunday, October 19. The event dubbed the OktoberCross Festival will feature all day racing, music, food fun rides for the kids and a beer garden. Further information about the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com

Photos: Jef Kao (top); Chicago Cyclocross Cup (middle); Pony Shop – Chicago (bottom)

Friday, October 10, 2008

On Tap...

Bicycle Bailout, er...Rescue? Pork Can Be Good For You.
In a previous post, an agenda item for the 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference is "The U.S. Political Situation - How the new administration will effect the bicycle industry. Updates on DC advocacy efforts."

Well we won't necessarily have to wait till a new administration is installed to know that a bicycle commuter tax credit is now available from the US government because of the enactment of the $700 billion rescue package.

Rep. Earl "Bike Man" Blumenauer of Portland put forth the key piece of legislation last year. In the Bike Commuter Act, section 132(f) of the IRS code of 1986 would be amended to include "bicycles" in the definition of transportation covered by the qualified transportation fringe benefit.

Although Blumenauer may have wanted this legislation to be considered as a stand alone proposal, the Act (as hundreds of others were) was attached to the recent rescue package that was signed into law. Blumenauer did not; however, vote in the affirmative for the overall bill.

So what does this mean for you? Time and money will tell, as commuters may request a credit but the logistics and amount of credit is uncertain at this point.

READ More...

Crossing the Nation
Although a few road races remain on the schedule, the cross season in many areas is already well underway. To participate or to spectate, check out some of the races listed below.


10/07/2008- 10/10/2008
Huntsman World Senior Games-ROAD
St George, UT Hill

10/11/2008
Java Johnny's - Lionhearts Cyclocross
Middletown, OH
Richmond Festival of Cross
Richmond, VA
Iron Cross Lite
Gardners, PA
San Jose Gran Prix-Ed Steffani Memorial
Hellyer Park, CA

10/12/2008
Urban Cyclocross Series
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Bio Wheels/United Dairy Farmers UCI Cyclo Cross
Fairfield, OH
Psycho Cross 2008
Hawthorn Woods, IL

For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Over the Barrier

For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, consult the listings below.

10/18/2008
San Diego Velodrome Cyclocross
San Diego, CA


10/19/2008
Wissahickon Cross
Ludwigs Corner, PA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #1-McLaren Park
San Francisco, CA
Storm the Beach Cyclocross
Fullerton, CA
Carpenter Park Cyclocross
Carpentersville, IL
Cary Cyclocross Race
Cary, NC
Orrville Cross
Orrville, OH


Even more from Interbike
Be on the lookout for more stories, reviews, photos and race write-ups from Interbike in the next few days. Enjoy the weekend!


Photo: T. C. Worley for The New York Times

BPSA Announces Preliminary Agenda for 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference

Montgomeryville, PA - The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA) today announced a preliminary agenda for its 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC) to be held in conjunction with the Sea Otter Classic, April 15-17, 2009, at the Embassy Suites in Seaside, Calif.

"As we nail down the specific topics and agenda items for the BLC, we all have our 'ears to the ground,' so to speak , to be sure we are addressing the most pressing concerns of the industry," said John Nedeau, president of the BPSA and vice president of global sales for SRAM. "At a time when manufacturing costs continue to increase, we want to help the industry grow as a whole whether it's working with local and national lawmakers for more bicycle-friendly legislation, replicating successful bike share programs or supporting the growing number of advocacy groups."

The preliminary agenda/topics for each day are listed below:

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
  • Golf Tournament at the award winning Bayonet Golf Course, Seaside, Calif.
  • Organized rides with industry peers through the Monterey Peninsula
  • Registration/Cocktail reception and presentations, Embassy Suites, Seaside, Calif.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
  • Major cities adopting BIKE SHARING programs with explosive growth, how do we consistently and uniformly address main stream media attention?
  • CPSC Legislation - Do your products comply? Learn how the BPSA is representing the bike industry to that regulatory group
  • BPSA, Bikes Belong, IMBA, LAB, etc. - Which of these organizations are working together and who are we supposed to support?
  • 2009 Brain'y Awards Dinner presentation
Friday, April 17, 2009
  • The U.S. Political Situation - How will a new administration affect our industry? Updates on DC advocacy efforts
  • Group bike ride to the Sea Otter Classic - Ride finishes in a BLC/BPSA attendee and member tent for refreshments
  • BLC at Embassy Suites is completed, but planned BLC attendee networking opportunities live on through the Sea Otter Classic
This year's conference topics will also further expand on 2008 BPSA Research Project - "Opportunities and Challenges in the Bicycle Industry - Strategic Growth, Retail Execution, and Collaboration"- specifically focusing on opportunities to improve industry awareness, distribution and product portfolios.

In addition to research results, panel discussions, breakout groups and networking opportunities, the conference will offer improved bike rides and the industry's most prestigious golf tournament. The BLC will again host the BRAINy awards dinner presentation.

Lifeboat Solutions, an event management, sales and marketing firm focused on the outdoor recreation market, will be managing the registration, logistics and marketing for the conference. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, event agenda or registration for the 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference, please contact Conference Director Lance Camisasca at lance@lifeboatsolutions.com.

Interbike Expo - eBikes

Las Vegas, NV - Frankly, the phenomena of the electric bike, or so-called eBike hybrid because it can be ridden in either motor-assist mode or as a conventional bike, is completely lost on me [then again, as a bike snob the idea of the traditional hybrid, the cross between a road and a mountain bike, was lost on me]. But the numbers are hard to argue, and they are staggering.

According to the Electric Bikes Worldwide Report, 2008 Update, 20.8 million eBikes were sold worldwide in 2007, a total expected to show only modest worldwide growth in 2009 to 21.6 million units. However, eBikes represent the fastest-growing bicycle category within the U.S., Europe and a number of other regions.

For example, U.S. eBike sales are projected to hit 220,000 units in 2009, a two-year increase of 83 percent from 2007 U.S. eBike sales of 120,000 units. Projections for Europe are even more robust, with eBike sales in Europe expected to hit 750,000 units in 2009 a three-fold increase versus 2007 sales of 250,000 eBikes in Europe.

As I walked around the Interbike expo floor, it was difficult not to run into some form of an electronic powered bicycle. Established manufacturers, like Schwinn, which currently boast six models in its electric bicycle line, with the Tailwind expected to arrive in dealer stores in early 2009, and new companies specializing in eBikes were practically around every corner.

We take a look at three companies in this bicycle category, ranging from simple conversion to the scooter like A2B.

Bionx
Bionx (pronounced like bionics) specializes in electric bike motor conversion kits that are manufactured in Quebec, Canada. The kits are reliable, lightweight and offer a range of up to 60 miles to a charge.

"The standard Bionx system includes a control console, a battery and a wheel/motor. The Bionx system can be installed on most bicycles by replacing the rear wheel with the Bionx motor-wheel. The system can be retrofitted on just about any bicycle type: road, mountain, tandem, folding and recumbents."


eZip & iZip
These eBikes powered by Currie Technologies take the prize for attempting to take the stigma out of riding a truly conventional looking bicycle that in actuality is an electric powered one (Again, why?). Their cleverly placed battery, some models have their battery shaped like and embedded in the bike's down tube, can easily be mistaken for rear panniers or the tray of a rear rack.


A2B
The heart of a bicycle. The soul of a scooter. When we spotlighted Ultra Motor's A2B back in August, it was touted as looking "very much like a regular bicycle, except that it has some very heavy-duty looking components." But up close, I can see why their marketers were worried about people confusing it with a scooter. It's sturdy. I can only imagine what it's like to pedal?

"The A2B offers unassisted power on demand for up to 20 miles at a cruising speed of 20mph. Plus, the A2B can be easily upgraded to double its range to 40 miles with the addition of a secondary battery pack and increase its carrying capacity with the addition of baskets and rear carrier bags."


Photos: Leonard Basobas

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Interbike Expo - Foldable Bikes

Las Vegas, NV - Foldable, and therefore portable, bikes have actually been around for quite some time now. Two of the bike companies featured below actually started production in the 1980’s. But unless you worked with, or for that matter are, the stereotypical environmentally conscious, earthy-crunchy, professorial type that sees beauty in functionality, these bikes have gone relatively unnoticed.

That is, until now.

With the growing number of commuters in the United States, these bikes are not only seen as practical but they are starting to become fashionable as well (even US Criterium National Champion, Rahsaan Bahati, has been seen on one). We’ll take a look at two of the original companies, Dahon and Brompton, and also show you a foldable that some might view as a contemporary art piece.

Dahon
It’s been said that “necessity is the mother of invention.” For Dr. David Hon, the solution to weakening the world's dependence on oil was the foldable bike.
The Dahon story begins in 1975. At the time, Dr. David Hon, our founder, was a physicist at Hughes Aircraft Corporation, in California, working on highly classified government research projects.

Brain-storming for solutions to weaken the world's dependence on oil, Dr. Hon ended up going back to his primary mode of transportation in college - the bicycle. Totally clean, and just as important, cheap enough for people around the world to access, Dr. Hon considered the bicycle to be a good candidate as a solution. However, the bicycle as it existed at that time was not without shortcomings. While the bicycle was perfect for short trips, it was not practical for longer trips, for example, if you lived 30 miles from work. The bicycle needed to be improved, transformed, to make it more broadly functional. It needed to integrate more readily with other forms of more environmentally sustainable transport, like trains and subways. Dr. Hon's solution - a portable folding bicycle.
The first Dahon folding bicycle was introduced to worldwide acclaim in 1982. But even though it won award after award, none of big bicycle manufacturing companies were interested in such a revolutionary new idea. On a proverbial "wing and a prayer," Dr. Hon quit his job, gathered $3 million dollars in venture funding, re-located to Taiwan, and built a factory. By 1983, Dahon folding bicycles were rolling off the assembly line. And for lack of deeper vernacular, the rest as they say is history.

Today, the Los Angeles, California based company has factories in Taiwan, Macau, the Czech Republic and China with parts sourced from the leading component manufacturers from around the world.

Dahon's are sold in over 30 countries. In the US alone, Dahon sells 24 different models under four separate categories: Urban Utility, Urban Performance, Road and Mountain.


The full-suspension Jetstream P8

And yes, they fold up quite well

Brompton
Brompton Bicycles was similarly founded in the 1980’s, but on a different coast.
Andrew Ritchie left university in 1968 with a degree in Engineering. He first applied this hard-won knowledge in the nascent field of computing but soon realized he preferred the idea of being self-employed and before long, found himself working as a landscape gardener in London. In 1975, while plying his green trade out of the back of an ancient Morris 1000 van, a chance meeting with a backer of the fledgling Bickerton folding bicycle changed the direction of his career again. Looking at the Bickerton’s design, Ritchie thought he could do better and came up with a fresh approach to the challenge of designing a folding bike.
Several prototypes later, Ritchie emerged from the cramped confines of his bedroom overlooking the Brompton Oratory in South Kensington, London, and thus Brompton Bicycle was born.

All Bromptons are still designed and built in England, in a West London factory to be precise. Brompton is one of only two major frame manufacturers still based in the UK, and they have been in full production since 1988.

And though Andrew Ritchie no longer runs the company, he has continued on as Technical Director. Bromptons are currently sold in 27 export markets.

They come in 3 standard models, M, P, and S, with each offered in a superlight (X) version as well. New f0r 2009 is a beefier hub (not shown).

One of the original Brompton's

Unfolding is as easy as, 1...

...2,

...3! Ready for my quick spin through the expo.

It also fits nicely in a bag.


STRiDA
The STRiDA is a foldable bike that I first saw in a design magazine. Invented in the United Kingdom as an elegant form of transportation, the bike truly rest at that intersection of art meets function.

The flagship single-speed aluminum 5.0 weighs in at 22 lbs. and its drive train consist of a greaseless Kevlar belt that is good for 50,000 miles. The STRiDA is easily foldable (see inset), which makes it ultra portable, and comes 5 different models and in nine different colors.

It is distributed in the United States by Areaware and can be found in bicycle shops, and none-to-surprisingly, in design and art stores near you.


Photo: Leonard Basobas

Friday, October 31, 2008

On Tap...


In the Mud

In my backyard, two cyclocross events take place this weekend at Veterans Park in Ann Arbor, MI. Both events are sponsored by local bicycle shop, Two Wheel Tango, and Tailwind Enterprises. Racing starts at 10AM.

Two Wheel Tango is having a barbeque to coincide with Veterans Park CX1 on Saturday November 1st. Chow time starts at 11AM by the tennis courts.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cycloross Cup series continues with the Campton Cross in St. Charles, IL on November 2nd.

11/01/2008
Team Polska Cyclocross Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Capcity Cross #5 Uncle Steve's
Marysville, OH
Veterans Park CX 1
Ann Arbor, MI
Chagrin River Cyclocross Challenge
Bainbridge Township, OH

11/02/2008
Gun Club Cyclocross
Miamiville, OH
Convert CX
Ventura, CA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #2 - Candlestick Pt CX
San Francisco, CA
2008 Bike Authority Cyclocross Series # 2
Cleveland, OH
Lenoir Cyclocross
Lenoir, NC
Campton Cross
St. Charles, IL
Veterans Park CX 2
Ann Arbor, MI
Estabrook Park Cyclocross 2008
Milwaukee, WI

For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Up and Over
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

11/08/2008

CICLE Cross
Los Angeles, CA

11/09/2008
Urban Cross at IX 3
Charlottesville, VA
Prostate Cancer Awareness Challenge
Carson, CA
Old Towne Vande-Cross
Moline, IL
Sacramento Cyclocross - November
Sacramento, CA
NCCX #5 Dobson CX Race - State Championship
Dobson, NC
Save Ferris Northbrook Cross
Northbrook, IL
John Bryan Cyclocross Classic
Yellow Springs, OH
Dam Cross
Hanson Dam, CA
Stoughton Viking Cross
Stougthon, WI

Photo: Luke Seemann

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Finish Line

Here at the Triple, we don't step into the political arena [that is the non-cycling related political arena] too often.

But with the finish line of the US Presidential race closing fast, Barack Obama and his supporters have brought us, the cycling community, into the fray with this video.

If you have ever been the front runner and can empathize with this video, I'm sorry. And for those who think that the current front runner in the presidential polls has gotten at all complacent, forget it.

Click on the image to be taken to the video.

McLaughlin Continues Streak, Upshaw Solos at Chicago Cyclocross Cup #5


By Imelda March

A sunny but extremely windy day greeted the riders in the Village of Bartlett, a northwest suburb of the city of Chicago. This was the second year that this race was held in this suburb. The race course was peppered with multiple twists, fast pavement, mud and four barriers. A single barrier greeted the riders moments after the gun, with a 3-barrier combination was strategically placed within yards of the finish line. A twisty section with an up hill combination would lead riders to a sharp left and onto the final straightaway up to the finish line.

Elite Men
Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) added a second victory to his racing resume in as many races. The winner of Chicago Cross Cup #4, McLaughlin took the victory in Barlett in front of Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes), Kevin Klug (Killjoy), Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop), and Christando Lombardo (Verdigris Custom Homes), respectively.

Elite Women
Several powerhouses decided to stay on terra firma rather than get blown away by the strong winds this past weekend. A smallish nine women field started the race and Holly Klug (Killjoy) took the hole shot into the first barrier followed closely by June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes). Immediately after the remount Klug continued her assault on the hill. She went nowhere, however, having fallen victim to a bottom bracket mechanical.

Upshaw easily took over the lead. With her toughest competitor down with a mechanical, Upshaw needed only to battle the high winds over the course to take the solo win.

Leah Sanda (Flatlandia), Jessica Hill (Trails End Cycling), Debbie Pielet (Albertos), and Beth Christiansen (xXx Racing - AthletiCo) rounded out the five deep podium.


Upcoming Events
Racing continues with the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Race #6 on Sunday, November 2 in St Charles, Illinois. Further information about the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Rock Racing’s Sevilla Wins Colombia’s RCN Classic


Cali, Colombia – Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla became the first non-Colombian in 48 years to win the RCN Classic when the Spaniard finished second in Sunday’s final stage individual time trial to secure a 40-second overall victory.

Competing for the “Mayor of Tunja” composite team, Sevilla scored his fifth win of the season and his first in an international stage race since the 2006 Vuelta Ciclista Asturias in Spain.

“I am particularly happy with this win because Colombia is my second home,” Sevilla said. “The people here make me feel very much at home.”

Sevilla took the lead on the opening stage of the nine-day race when his team bested the 13 other squads in the 18-mile (30 km) team time trial. After relinquishing the lead the following day (to teammate Felix Cardenas), Sevilla hovered in the top five of the overall standings until the decisive seventh stage.

In that mountainous, 111-mile (179 km) race, Sevilla finished third, 62 seconds behind stage winner Fernando Camargo (Boyaca Lottery), but 31 seconds ahead of previous race leader Mauricio Ortega (UNE).

“In the final three kilometers, I sensed that the UNE team was not going well so I attacked,” Sevilla said.

Ortega went on to best Sevilla by 13 seconds in the final stage, 21-mile (35 km) time trial to secure second overall. Ortega’s teammate, Juan Carlos Lopez, finished third overall, 2:30 behind.

Previous winners of the RCN Classic include Tour de France mountain king Luis Herrera (1982-84, 1986), Tour de France stage winner Fabio Parra (1987) and Tour de France best young rider Alvaro Mejia (1988, 1989)

Rock Racing scored 45 victories and 100 podium finishes during the 2008 season.

Photo: El Tiempo (Alberto Urrego)

Friday, October 24, 2008

On Tap...


For those in the Chicagoland area, race #5 of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup takes place this weekend in Barlett, IL with the ABD Sunrise Park Cyclocross. The race will be held on an open grass field with several run ups, mutliple sections of pavement, as well as two wooded section. Racing begins at 10AM.

For other cross races in and around you area, review the listings below.

10/25/2008
Whirlybird 'Cross @ Bryn Athyn College
Bryn Athyn, PA
Spooky Cross SoCal Prestige Series #4
Irvine, CA

10/26/2008
City Bikes DCCX 2008
Washington, DC
Homegrown Cyclocross Series
Fresno, CA
VeloTrocadreo Halloween Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Urban Cyclocross Series
Torrence, CA
ABD Sunrise Park Cyclocross
Bartlett, IL
Surf City Cyclocross
Soquel, CA
Hawksnest Crossfest NCCX #3
Seven Devils, NC

For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Up and Coming
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

11/01/2008
Team Polska Cyclocross Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Capcity Cross #5 Uncle Steve's
Marysville, OH
Veterans Park CX 1
Ann Arbor, MI Cyclocross
Chagrin River Cyclocross Challenge
Bainbridge Township, OH

11/02/2008
Gun Club Cyclocross
Miamiville, OH
Convert CX
Ventura, CA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #2-Candlestick Pt CX
San Francisco, CA
2008 Bike Authority Cyclocross Series # 2
Cleveland, OH
Lenoir Cyclocross
Lenoir, NC
Campton Cross
St. Charles, IL
Veterans Park CX 2
Ann Arbor, MI
Estabrook Park Cyclocross 2008
Milwaukee, WI

Catching Up on Interbike
An increased workload at the job that pays the bills, and a bit of burnout from a long season, has cut into my blogging time. Stay tuned for still many stories, reviews, photos and race write-ups from Interbike on the horizon.

Photo: Luke Seemann

Interbike's OutDoor Demo East Has Successful First Year

Retailers and exhibitors pleased with the energy, participation and organization of Interbike's inaugural east coast demo-style even


SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.
- Amid off-road and road demo courses, bicycle manufacturers, retailers and industry groups participated in two days of product demos, clinics and networking during Interbike's first regional demo event, OutDoor Demo East, held October 21-22, 2008, at the Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island.

"In hosting our first regional demo-style event, we had great support from exhibitors and strong attendance from east coast retailers," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike's show director. "Whether I was visiting a seminar, checking the trails or chatting with exhibitors in the expo area, attendees were pleased to see that OutDoor Demo East shared the same energy, festival-type quality and bottom-line value the industry enjoys and appreciates at the OutDoor Demo in Nevada."

Presented by SRAM and Jamis Bicycles, Interbike OutDoor Demo East saw strong attendance from New England and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as retailers from Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin to name a few. Retailers from as far away as California, Florida and Oregon were also in attendance.

"Given the cost and time associated with taking an entire staff to Vegas for Interbike, I was pleased at the opportunity to attend OutDoor Demo East," said Lee Rogers, owner of Philadelphia-based Bicycle Therapy. "It was valuable for the staff to test product and then meet up immediately to share feedback with each other. Between the demos, clinics and industry party, Interbike identified the most important elements of a demo event and created a great package that my entire staff could participate in."

Brad Hill, owner and president of Goodale's Bike Shop in New Hampshire, said his employees came back from OutDoor Demo East with rave reviews.

While only Hill and three of his staff were able to attend the 2008 Interbike Expo and OutDoor Demo events in Las Vegas, he was able to send 16 of his employees to attend OutDoor Demo East.

"Without a demo event local to the east coast, a fair amount of my employees would never be able to attend a trade event," said Hill.

Preliminary figures indicate close to 700 retailers attended the inaugural event. The more than 60 exhibiting company's booths, product displays, demo products and staff stretched across more than 60,000 gross square-feet of exhibit space in Roger Williams Park.

"We saw a lot of dealers we didn't see out west," said Steve Thomas, national sales manager for Jamis Bicycles. "It was good for us to get New England and Mid-Atlantic dealers under our bikes. They are an important market for us and they carry different categories and selections of bikes than western United States retailers do. We also brought our marketing and product development staff to OutDoor Demo East, so they could optain feedback from the attending dealers. It was definitely worth it for us to attend this event."

Besides trying product from manufacturers like Cannondale, Felt Bicycles, Fox Racing, Giant, Mavic, Pedro's, Specialized and SRAM, retailers also attended the Super Seminar series hosted by the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) in the Roger Williams Park Casino.

"Holding our East Coast Super Seminars in conjunction with Interbike's OutDoor Demo East was very successful," said Fred Clements, NBDA's executive director. "Dealer participation was incredibly strong with standing room only in all of our seminar sessions. It was great that Interbike and the participating suppliers brought the Demo to east coast dealers, and we look forward to partnering with Interbike next year."

In addition to the NBDA seminars, Fox Racing Shox, Mavic and SRAM also offered technical product clinics to packed audiences during the two-day event.

"Despite very cold weather that affected attendance on the last day of the show, suppliers and retailers seemed to be very pleased with the event," said Tompkins. "We need to get back to the office and discuss how we can make the event better. However, based on the feedback so far, it looks like the industry needs the event, so it will be on the calendar next year."

For more information about Interbike, please visit www.interbike.com.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Snap Judgment - Le Tour 2009 Route


Aesthetically, the route of the 2009 edition of the Grand Boucle is what Keats would have described as "a thing of beauty." The maritime theme employed by the ASO will see the participating riders take in two of the more beautiful European coastal towns, Monaco and Barcelona, early on.

But, the true beauty of any grand tour route unveiling is in the speculation. With only three mountain top finishes, the climbers will need to exercise patience over the three weeks and plan their attacks accordingly. Will they wait until the barren slopes of Mount Ventoux or will they attempt to stamp their names on the Tour earlier at Verbier?

Similarly, the stronger time trialist in the field will have to ride definitively in their discipline knowing that the Ventoux awaits them in the penultimate stage rather than another race of truth. Will they be able to distance themselves from the climbers by then, and how much will their teammates be able to help their cause during the Team Time Trial?

With only one week into the off-season, July can't come soon enough.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

USWCDP Mentor, Dotsie Bausch, Joins Forces with JETCycling


Irvine, CA - Throughout all of 2007, the JETCycling program has had some great success in Southern California. With the backing of the USWCDP, Specialized, and Rock-n-Road Cyclery in Orange County, they have become one of the strongest junior cycling clubs in the area. Their focus has been to build the foundation of junior competitive road cycling, working with juniors between the ages 10 to 18. Their program takes hands on approach to coaching, backed with education and a pillar of ethics for our juniors.

US Women’s Cycling Development Program
(USWCDP) Mentor and Professional Cyclist, Dotsie Bausch, has joined forces with JETCycling to serve as the Vice President of Athletic Development. This is a key role were she will be looking at the overall strategy and development of juniors within the JETCycling program.

Jet Tanner, founder of JETCycling, states, “We are very excited to have this opportunity with Dotsie. She brings an enormous wealth of talent and know how!” This is due in part to the relationship JETCycling has with the USWCDP. “The USWCDP helps provides mentoring to JETCycling and this only enhances our value to our riders,” commented Jet Tanner, “Our partnership with the USWCDP is very important to us. They have a network of talented riders that can mentor and give back to the sport. Our juniors need role models, and we are excited to have Dotsie as part of our team from the USWCDP.”

The USWCDP founder and director Michael Engleman commented by saying, “Dotsie has been a great Mentor to the young USWCDP riders and I know she will be prove to be just as valuable to the athletes at JETCycling.“ Michael added, “JET Tanner has a great program for juniors, and Dotsie is a perfect fit! To be able to present her International experience at the junior level is exactly what is needed to help young cycling talent develop.”

With this new position, Dotsie has her sights set high on helping juniors succeed in cycling, Her main focus is to see JETCycling become a premier program in the US. Dotsie commented, “JETCycling is a program I truly believe in with my heart and soul. It has been such an honor to work with these kids throughout the summer. It is inspirational to me to ride with them. They keep me fresh and on my toes. I really look forward to the future with these budding stars and the JETCycling program. "

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Interbike Expo - LIKEaBIKE

For many parents, the task of teaching their child how to ride a bike can be as daunting as potty training them [but hopefully with less mess]. Bicycles with training wheels have long been the standard, but while training wheels help a child mimic the mechanics of pedaling a bicycle, the extra wheels prevent them from developing what is truly needed to ride a bicycle, a sense of balance.

LIKEaBIKE is marketed as a "unique toy for children between the ages of two and five," but it is also highly beneficial in the development of their motor skills and sense of balance. All 8 models are structurally similar with each featuring a limited steering angle that helps the child right themselves.

LIKEaBIKE also offers several accessories such as a satchel, a pouch, and a wagon [all seen below].






To see LIKEaBIKE in action, play the movie of 4-year old Josef here.

Photos: Leonard Basobas

McLaughlin, Much Sandblast to Victory in Chicago


By Imelda March

Chicago temperatures finally hit the “crispy side” of things this past weekend. With it actually feeling like cross weather had finally arrived, crossers came out fresh and ready to tackle the newly redesigned Carpenter Park course. Jeff Provisor, owner of Main Street Bicycles and race director added two fast paved sections with a u-turn, and multiple twisty areas that kept racers with their thinking helmets on high alert.


This year Provisor combined his efforts with the Village of Carpentersville and created the OktoberCross Festival. Provisor told me that, he had approached the Village of Carpentersville for approval for the cross race at Carpenter Park with the addition of hosting a Beer Garden.

He explains that “I have been jealous of the race vibe they have on the coasts and in Europe, and dreamed of one day making our cross race more of a big community event.

As it turned out, the village was looking to expand its own Fall Festival and asked if we could combine events to create what is now called OktoberCross.”


Elite Men
The battle of the day was between Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) and Ben “where’s my UCI point” Popper (HRS Rock Lobster) who went head-to-head on this flat and somewhat technical course. In the end, Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) put in a surge and took the race. He was followed by Ben “where’s my UCI point” Popper (HRS Rock Lobster) in 2nd, Brian Conant (Pony Shop) in 3rd, Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop) in 4th with Kevin Klug (Killjoy) rounding out the podium.

Top Ten
1 Scott McLaughlin (SRAM Factory Team)
2 Ben Popper (HRS Rock Lobster)
3 Brian Conant (Pony Shop)
4 Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop)
5 Kevin Klug (Killjoy)
6 Christando Lombardo (Verdigris Custom Homes)
7 Matthew Stewart (Bicycle Heaven)
8 Aspen Gorry (Pony Shop)
9 Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes)
10 Brad Zoller (Unattached)

Elite Women
Rebecca Much (xXx Racing/AthletiCo), the current United States U23 TT Champion has been coming out to frolic while she prepares for her road campaign. She took the whole shot, stepped on the gas and kept it in high cruise control to the end. Seconds behind chasing, in 2nd place Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes) and her lethal companion June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes) taking 3rd place, followed by Holly Klug (Killjoy) in fourth place and Leah Sanda (Flatlandia) completes the top five spots.

Top Ten

1 Rebecca Much (xXx Racing Athletico)
2 Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes)
3 June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes)
4 Holly Klug (Killjoy Racing)
5 Leah Sanda (Flatlandia)
6 Jessica Hill (Trails End Cycling)
7 Debbie Pielet (Albertos)
8 Gina Kenny (ABD)
9 Emily Macdonald (xXx Racing Athletico)
10 Beth Christiansen (xXx Racing Athletico)

Upcoming Events
Racing continues with the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Race #5 on Sunday, October 26 in Bartlett, Illinois. Further information about the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com

Photos: Luke Seemann (first); Amy Dykema (second, third)

Prince for a Day

To many, the results of the 102nd Giro di Lombardia were a foregone conclusion.

Italian squad Lampre showed up with their two leading riders, Alessandro Ballan and Damiano Cunego, while the best that the remaining teams could field were a pair of Spaniards, Oscar Friere (Rabobank), a former three time World Champion, and Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi), the reigning Olympic Champion.

But because the latter pair rode for competing teams, neither would figure into the finale. The Lampre duo, on the other hand, followed their script to perfection. Ballan wore out the field by going up the road, while Cunego cleaned up the remnants.

The victory provided Il Piccolo Principe with his third Lombardia crown, which includes back-to-back wins in 2007 and 2008 [his first coming in 2004].

Results
1 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre
2 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana
3 Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d'Epargne
4 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Quick Step
5 Karsten Kroon (Ned) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
6 Mauro Finetto (Ita) CSF Group Navigare
7 Chris Horner (USA) Astana
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
9 Morris Possoni (Ita) Team Columbia
10 Francesco Failli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo

Photo: Getty Images

Friday, October 17, 2008

On Tap...

Lombardia
One of the true monuments of cycling takes place this weekend, the Giro di Lombardia. First run in 1905, the one-day classic traditionally closes the European road cycling season. The picturesque route that passes through Como and features the famous climb towards the cyclists' sanctuary – the Madonna del Ghisallo (below) favors those who can really get up and down.


A quick review of the rosters reveals that most of cycling's heavyweights have already begun their off-season. Lampre's tandem of Damiano Cunego and Alessandro Ballan are the heavy favorites for victory.

Start List

Mud in Your Eye

Cooler temperatures are finally beginning to settle in across the Midwest and cyclocross races now dominate the racing calendar. Consult the listings below to find a race near you.

10/18/2008

San Diego Velodrome Cyclocross
San Diego, CA


10/19/2008
Wissahickon Cross
Ludwigs Corner, PA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #1-McLaren Park
San Francisco, CA
Storm the Beach Cyclocross
Fullerton, CA
Carpenter Park Cyclocross
Carpentersville, IL
Cary Cyclocross Race
Cary, NC
Orrville Cross
Orrville, OH


For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Around the Way
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

10/25/2008
Whirlybird 'Cross @ Bryn Athyn College
Bryn Athyn, PA
Spooky Cross SoCal Prestige Series #4
Irvine, CA

10/26/2008
City Bikes DCCX 2008
Washington, DC
Homegrown Cyclocross Series
Fresno, CA
VeloTrocadreo Halloween Classic
Milwaukee, WI
Urban Cyclocross Series
Torrence, CA
ABD Sunrise Park Cyclocross
Bartlett, IL
Surf City Cyclocross
Soquel, CA
Hawksnest Crossfest NCCX #3
Seven Devils, NC

Catching Up on Interbike
All work and no play makes Granny a dull boy. Although the trade show ended three weeks ago, there are still many stories, reviews, photos and race write-ups from Interbike on the horizon.

Team Type 1's Chadwick And Wilson Ignite Action At Sun Tour

Mount Buller, Australia – Team Type 1 lit the fireworks Thursday on the slopes of the finishing climb to Australia's popular ski resort, Mount Buller.

But hopes of making the fourth stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour more decisive fizzled, despite aggressive riding by the team's two general classification hopefuls, Matt Wilson and Glen Chadwick.

"There was almost no action given the potential," Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said. "We're pretty frustrated right now. Chady and Matt had really good stuff today but the race was very conservative and we needed it to be aggressive."

Chadwick attacked with six miles to go in the 71-mile (115 km) race, but double stage winner Matthew Goss (CSC-Saxo Bank) was able to keep the New Zealand Olympian from gaining more than 20 seconds and he was eventually reeled in with less than two miles to go.

Wilson, the race's defending champion, counter-attacked as Chadwick was caught and the lead group detonated. Lars Bak (CSC-Saxo Bank), who had been helping teammate and yellow jersey wearer Stuart O'Grady, still had fresh legs and was able to follow the move.

In the end, Chris Jongewaard (Panasonic) proved to be the sole survivor of a nine-man breakaway that went off early in the race. The Australian finished 45 seconds ahead of Christopher Froome (Barloworld), while Bak finished third to move into the overall lead. Bak's CSC-Saxo Bank teammate, Stuart O'Grady, is in second place, four seconds behind.

Thirteen riders are within a minute of the lead, with Chadwick 37 seconds back (seventh place) and Wilson at 43 seconds (11th place).

"The guys did a great job but we really missed having Chris Jones or Moises Aldape (at this race)," Beamon said. "Not having that third GC rider hurt us today, but I think we still gave it a pretty good go."

Chadwick and Wilson remain within striking distance of the podium with only a time trial Friday and criterium on Saturday still to come.

The out-and-back, rolling time trial through the TarraWarra Estate Winery in the Yarra Valley will no doubt juggle the overall standings. Only conventional ride bikes may be ridden in the 10-mile (16 km) race against the clock.

Wilson needs only to finish the race to win Team Type 1's fourth mountain classification title of the season. Already the KOM winner at the Tour of Ireland in September, he joins Chadwick (Tour of Utah, Tour de Beauce) and Moises Aldape (Cascade Cycling Classic) as title holders of the climbers crown at stage races in 2008.

Thursday's early breakaway group included Team Type 1's Daniel Holt. But after gaining as much as a four-minute lead, the escapees – save for Jongewaard – were pulled back as the race reached the bottom of the finishing climb up Mount Buller.

Cycling Chic

You don't have to go very far on the internet to find out what the world's cycling capital is - Copenhagen.

With extensive and often separated bicycle lanes, it is easy to see why the largest city and the capital of Denmark is considered the most bicycle friendly city in the world.

Copenhagen's bicycle culture is so well-developed that it has given rise to the term "copenhagenize," which refers to the practice of other cities adopting Copenhagen-style bicycle elements and infrastructure.

But perhaps the true beauty of Copenhagen's bicycle culture is its people. Nearly 40% of its population commutes by bicycles on a daily basis, and they do so in style. What Paris is to the fashion industry, Copenhagen is to bicycle culture.

Well known blogs like Copenhagen Cycle Chic, with the great tagline of "Streetstyle and Bicycle Advocacy in High Heels," and its sister site Copenhagenize, have readily taken account of its regular citizens in regular clothes.

And now the mainstream media has finally taken note of Copenhagen's unique street fashion with a photo essay in the current edition of Travel & Leisure.

If you are still unsure of cycling's benefits, you need only look at the effervescent face of 85-year old Great Grandmother Lis Stahl (bottom), who still cycles to the shops every day.

MORE Photos...

Photos: Christian Kerber

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Team Type 1's Wilson Dons Climber’s Jersey At Sun Tour

Marysville, Australia – Team Type 1's Glen Chadwick moved closer to the overall lead on Wednesday's stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour while teammate Matt Wilson (pictured at right) pulled on the green-and-white polka-dot Cyclismo Bendigo King of the Mountains jersey.

Chadwick is seventh, 35 seconds behind overall leader Stuart O'Grady (CSC-Saxo Bank). Meantime, Wilson was the first rider over the top of the Category 1 climb that came 25 miles from the finish of Stage 3 in Marysville. The race's defending champion went on to finish seventh in the 85-mile (137 km) stage – the longest of the seven-day event – and moved into 13th overall.

Baden Cook (Barloworld) was Wednesday’s winner, ahead of Dominique Rollin (Toyota-United Pro Cycling) and Simon Clarke (SouthAustralia.com-AIS). Wilson and Chadwick were part of a 16-rider group that finished in front of a peloton that shattered due to the two's aggressive riding, Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said.

"Matt and Chady looked really solid on the climb today. They took several shots but did not get much cooperation," Beamon said. "Chady went hard at the top with Matt coming around for top points. Unfortunately, 10 kilometers of descent allowed some dropped guys like O'Grady, Rollin and Clarke to get back on."

Wilson now leads the King of the Mountains competition by 16 points over Hugo Sabido (Barloworld). While the 2004 Australian national road champion could become the fourth rider from Team Type 1 to win a climbers competition at a stage race this year, Beamon said Wilson's focus is on winning the race again overall. Only 50 seconds down, he is one of 17 riders within a minute of lead. Last year, he won the race by a scant two seconds.

"Tomorrow the climb is more difficult and the finish is at the top," Beamon said. "Matty is in good shape for the KOM, but we'll be riding for (the) GC."

Thursday's 71-mile (115 km) stage finishes with a leg-breaking 10-mile (16 km) ascent to the summit of Mt. Buller. It is the final rated climb of the race. Friday's stage is an out-and-back, rolling time trial, followed by a criterium Saturday.

Photo: Courtesy Team Type 1

Klug and Dust Climb to Success to Take Chicago Cyclocross Cup #3


By Imelda March

Atypical cyclocross weather once again was around for the Chicago Cyclocross Cup #3 that had enthusiasts travel to Hawthorn Woods, a suburb just outside of the City of Chicago. Sun, warm and temperatures in the high 70s Fahrenheit greeted the racers in this installment.

The race course was not designed for the faint at heart. The hilly course had racers going up and down a toboggan hill multiple times within each race segment, coupled with a muddy section, off camber and fast asphalt sections. Thus, another key ingredient was to have brought some climbing legs and an arsenal of gearing. A twist because flatter courses are more of the norm in Illinois.


Elite Women
Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes) took the women’s division in her first outing this season. She was followed by teammate June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes) and Holly Klug (Killjoy) in third place.

Elite Men
Kevin Klug (Killjoy) brought his top-notch fitness and won. He was followed by Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes) and 3rd place finisher Scott McLaughlin (SRAM).


Upcoming Events
Racing continues with the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Race #4 scheduled for Carpentersville, Illinois on Sunday, October 19. The event dubbed the OktoberCross Festival will feature all day racing, music, food fun rides for the kids and a beer garden. Further information about the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com

Photos: Jef Kao (top); Chicago Cyclocross Cup (middle); Pony Shop – Chicago (bottom)

Friday, October 10, 2008

On Tap...

Bicycle Bailout, er...Rescue? Pork Can Be Good For You.
In a previous post, an agenda item for the 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference is "The U.S. Political Situation - How the new administration will effect the bicycle industry. Updates on DC advocacy efforts."

Well we won't necessarily have to wait till a new administration is installed to know that a bicycle commuter tax credit is now available from the US government because of the enactment of the $700 billion rescue package.

Rep. Earl "Bike Man" Blumenauer of Portland put forth the key piece of legislation last year. In the Bike Commuter Act, section 132(f) of the IRS code of 1986 would be amended to include "bicycles" in the definition of transportation covered by the qualified transportation fringe benefit.

Although Blumenauer may have wanted this legislation to be considered as a stand alone proposal, the Act (as hundreds of others were) was attached to the recent rescue package that was signed into law. Blumenauer did not; however, vote in the affirmative for the overall bill.

So what does this mean for you? Time and money will tell, as commuters may request a credit but the logistics and amount of credit is uncertain at this point.

READ More...

Crossing the Nation
Although a few road races remain on the schedule, the cross season in many areas is already well underway. To participate or to spectate, check out some of the races listed below.


10/07/2008- 10/10/2008
Huntsman World Senior Games-ROAD
St George, UT Hill

10/11/2008
Java Johnny's - Lionhearts Cyclocross
Middletown, OH
Richmond Festival of Cross
Richmond, VA
Iron Cross Lite
Gardners, PA
San Jose Gran Prix-Ed Steffani Memorial
Hellyer Park, CA

10/12/2008
Urban Cyclocross Series
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Bio Wheels/United Dairy Farmers UCI Cyclo Cross
Fairfield, OH
Psycho Cross 2008
Hawthorn Woods, IL

For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to Truesport.com.


Over the Barrier

For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, consult the listings below.

10/18/2008
San Diego Velodrome Cyclocross
San Diego, CA


10/19/2008
Wissahickon Cross
Ludwigs Corner, PA
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #1-McLaren Park
San Francisco, CA
Storm the Beach Cyclocross
Fullerton, CA
Carpenter Park Cyclocross
Carpentersville, IL
Cary Cyclocross Race
Cary, NC
Orrville Cross
Orrville, OH


Even more from Interbike
Be on the lookout for more stories, reviews, photos and race write-ups from Interbike in the next few days. Enjoy the weekend!


Photo: T. C. Worley for The New York Times

BPSA Announces Preliminary Agenda for 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference

Montgomeryville, PA - The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA) today announced a preliminary agenda for its 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC) to be held in conjunction with the Sea Otter Classic, April 15-17, 2009, at the Embassy Suites in Seaside, Calif.

"As we nail down the specific topics and agenda items for the BLC, we all have our 'ears to the ground,' so to speak , to be sure we are addressing the most pressing concerns of the industry," said John Nedeau, president of the BPSA and vice president of global sales for SRAM. "At a time when manufacturing costs continue to increase, we want to help the industry grow as a whole whether it's working with local and national lawmakers for more bicycle-friendly legislation, replicating successful bike share programs or supporting the growing number of advocacy groups."

The preliminary agenda/topics for each day are listed below:

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
  • Golf Tournament at the award winning Bayonet Golf Course, Seaside, Calif.
  • Organized rides with industry peers through the Monterey Peninsula
  • Registration/Cocktail reception and presentations, Embassy Suites, Seaside, Calif.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
  • Major cities adopting BIKE SHARING programs with explosive growth, how do we consistently and uniformly address main stream media attention?
  • CPSC Legislation - Do your products comply? Learn how the BPSA is representing the bike industry to that regulatory group
  • BPSA, Bikes Belong, IMBA, LAB, etc. - Which of these organizations are working together and who are we supposed to support?
  • 2009 Brain'y Awards Dinner presentation
Friday, April 17, 2009
  • The U.S. Political Situation - How will a new administration affect our industry? Updates on DC advocacy efforts
  • Group bike ride to the Sea Otter Classic - Ride finishes in a BLC/BPSA attendee and member tent for refreshments
  • BLC at Embassy Suites is completed, but planned BLC attendee networking opportunities live on through the Sea Otter Classic
This year's conference topics will also further expand on 2008 BPSA Research Project - "Opportunities and Challenges in the Bicycle Industry - Strategic Growth, Retail Execution, and Collaboration"- specifically focusing on opportunities to improve industry awareness, distribution and product portfolios.

In addition to research results, panel discussions, breakout groups and networking opportunities, the conference will offer improved bike rides and the industry's most prestigious golf tournament. The BLC will again host the BRAINy awards dinner presentation.

Lifeboat Solutions, an event management, sales and marketing firm focused on the outdoor recreation market, will be managing the registration, logistics and marketing for the conference. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, event agenda or registration for the 2009 Bicycle Leadership Conference, please contact Conference Director Lance Camisasca at lance@lifeboatsolutions.com.

Interbike Expo - eBikes

Las Vegas, NV - Frankly, the phenomena of the electric bike, or so-called eBike hybrid because it can be ridden in either motor-assist mode or as a conventional bike, is completely lost on me [then again, as a bike snob the idea of the traditional hybrid, the cross between a road and a mountain bike, was lost on me]. But the numbers are hard to argue, and they are staggering.

According to the Electric Bikes Worldwide Report, 2008 Update, 20.8 million eBikes were sold worldwide in 2007, a total expected to show only modest worldwide growth in 2009 to 21.6 million units. However, eBikes represent the fastest-growing bicycle category within the U.S., Europe and a number of other regions.

For example, U.S. eBike sales are projected to hit 220,000 units in 2009, a two-year increase of 83 percent from 2007 U.S. eBike sales of 120,000 units. Projections for Europe are even more robust, with eBike sales in Europe expected to hit 750,000 units in 2009 a three-fold increase versus 2007 sales of 250,000 eBikes in Europe.

As I walked around the Interbike expo floor, it was difficult not to run into some form of an electronic powered bicycle. Established manufacturers, like Schwinn, which currently boast six models in its electric bicycle line, with the Tailwind expected to arrive in dealer stores in early 2009, and new companies specializing in eBikes were practically around every corner.

We take a look at three companies in this bicycle category, ranging from simple conversion to the scooter like A2B.

Bionx
Bionx (pronounced like bionics) specializes in electric bike motor conversion kits that are manufactured in Quebec, Canada. The kits are reliable, lightweight and offer a range of up to 60 miles to a charge.

"The standard Bionx system includes a control console, a battery and a wheel/motor. The Bionx system can be installed on most bicycles by replacing the rear wheel with the Bionx motor-wheel. The system can be retrofitted on just about any bicycle type: road, mountain, tandem, folding and recumbents."


eZip & iZip
These eBikes powered by Currie Technologies take the prize for attempting to take the stigma out of riding a truly conventional looking bicycle that in actuality is an electric powered one (Again, why?). Their cleverly placed battery, some models have their battery shaped like and embedded in the bike's down tube, can easily be mistaken for rear panniers or the tray of a rear rack.


A2B
The heart of a bicycle. The soul of a scooter. When we spotlighted Ultra Motor's A2B back in August, it was touted as looking "very much like a regular bicycle, except that it has some very heavy-duty looking components." But up close, I can see why their marketers were worried about people confusing it with a scooter. It's sturdy. I can only imagine what it's like to pedal?

"The A2B offers unassisted power on demand for up to 20 miles at a cruising speed of 20mph. Plus, the A2B can be easily upgraded to double its range to 40 miles with the addition of a secondary battery pack and increase its carrying capacity with the addition of baskets and rear carrier bags."


Photos: Leonard Basobas

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Interbike Expo - Foldable Bikes

Las Vegas, NV - Foldable, and therefore portable, bikes have actually been around for quite some time now. Two of the bike companies featured below actually started production in the 1980’s. But unless you worked with, or for that matter are, the stereotypical environmentally conscious, earthy-crunchy, professorial type that sees beauty in functionality, these bikes have gone relatively unnoticed.

That is, until now.

With the growing number of commuters in the United States, these bikes are not only seen as practical but they are starting to become fashionable as well (even US Criterium National Champion, Rahsaan Bahati, has been seen on one). We’ll take a look at two of the original companies, Dahon and Brompton, and also show you a foldable that some might view as a contemporary art piece.

Dahon
It’s been said that “necessity is the mother of invention.” For Dr. David Hon, the solution to weakening the world's dependence on oil was the foldable bike.
The Dahon story begins in 1975. At the time, Dr. David Hon, our founder, was a physicist at Hughes Aircraft Corporation, in California, working on highly classified government research projects.

Brain-storming for solutions to weaken the world's dependence on oil, Dr. Hon ended up going back to his primary mode of transportation in college - the bicycle. Totally clean, and just as important, cheap enough for people around the world to access, Dr. Hon considered the bicycle to be a good candidate as a solution. However, the bicycle as it existed at that time was not without shortcomings. While the bicycle was perfect for short trips, it was not practical for longer trips, for example, if you lived 30 miles from work. The bicycle needed to be improved, transformed, to make it more broadly functional. It needed to integrate more readily with other forms of more environmentally sustainable transport, like trains and subways. Dr. Hon's solution - a portable folding bicycle.
The first Dahon folding bicycle was introduced to worldwide acclaim in 1982. But even though it won award after award, none of big bicycle manufacturing companies were interested in such a revolutionary new idea. On a proverbial "wing and a prayer," Dr. Hon quit his job, gathered $3 million dollars in venture funding, re-located to Taiwan, and built a factory. By 1983, Dahon folding bicycles were rolling off the assembly line. And for lack of deeper vernacular, the rest as they say is history.

Today, the Los Angeles, California based company has factories in Taiwan, Macau, the Czech Republic and China with parts sourced from the leading component manufacturers from around the world.

Dahon's are sold in over 30 countries. In the US alone, Dahon sells 24 different models under four separate categories: Urban Utility, Urban Performance, Road and Mountain.


The full-suspension Jetstream P8

And yes, they fold up quite well

Brompton
Brompton Bicycles was similarly founded in the 1980’s, but on a different coast.
Andrew Ritchie left university in 1968 with a degree in Engineering. He first applied this hard-won knowledge in the nascent field of computing but soon realized he preferred the idea of being self-employed and before long, found himself working as a landscape gardener in London. In 1975, while plying his green trade out of the back of an ancient Morris 1000 van, a chance meeting with a backer of the fledgling Bickerton folding bicycle changed the direction of his career again. Looking at the Bickerton’s design, Ritchie thought he could do better and came up with a fresh approach to the challenge of designing a folding bike.
Several prototypes later, Ritchie emerged from the cramped confines of his bedroom overlooking the Brompton Oratory in South Kensington, London, and thus Brompton Bicycle was born.

All Bromptons are still designed and built in England, in a West London factory to be precise. Brompton is one of only two major frame manufacturers still based in the UK, and they have been in full production since 1988.

And though Andrew Ritchie no longer runs the company, he has continued on as Technical Director. Bromptons are currently sold in 27 export markets.

They come in 3 standard models, M, P, and S, with each offered in a superlight (X) version as well. New f0r 2009 is a beefier hub (not shown).

One of the original Brompton's

Unfolding is as easy as, 1...

...2,

...3! Ready for my quick spin through the expo.

It also fits nicely in a bag.


STRiDA
The STRiDA is a foldable bike that I first saw in a design magazine. Invented in the United Kingdom as an elegant form of transportation, the bike truly rest at that intersection of art meets function.

The flagship single-speed aluminum 5.0 weighs in at 22 lbs. and its drive train consist of a greaseless Kevlar belt that is good for 50,000 miles. The STRiDA is easily foldable (see inset), which makes it ultra portable, and comes 5 different models and in nine different colors.

It is distributed in the United States by Areaware and can be found in bicycle shops, and none-to-surprisingly, in design and art stores near you.


Photo: Leonard Basobas