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Showing posts from October 7, 2012

Lance Armstrong's legacy may withstand accusations [CNN]

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The 84 million bright yellow wristbands distributed by Lance Armstrong's cancer charity have become a well-known symbol of strength and perseverance against adversity. "LIVESTRONG," they urge. In the wake of  Wednesday's release of hundreds of pages of evidence  supporting persistent allegations of doping against the legendary cyclist, there's another take on the wristband. Critics have struck out the "V" to make it read what they accuse Armstrong of doing for more than a decade: "LIE STRONG." Still, the flood of less-than-flattering details doesn't seem to be shaking the resolve of fans accustomed to accusations that have swirled for more than a decade, accusations the seven-time winner of cycling's most prestigious event -- the Tour de France -- has resolutely denied. The information released Wednesday by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is part of a report to international cycling officials supporting the organization'

Instead Of Surgery, Man Pedals Off The Pounds [NPR]

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Enlarge Courtesy of Ernest Gagnon Ernest Gagnon weighed 570 pounds before he decided to lose weight by taking up cyclocross racing. Forgoing surgery, Gagnon lost more than 200 pounds and recently competed in his first cyclocross race. October 9, 2012   from  NHPR A lot of Americans are struggling to lose a whole lot of weight, and they try all kinds of crazy things. Ernest Gagnon  — a man from Billerica, Mass. — decided to shed pounds by getting into the often intense, high-adrenaline sport of cyclocross: racing road bikes on obstacle courses. Two years ago, Gagnon tipped the scales at 570 pounds. He was depressed and embarrassed to leave the house. "Being as big as I was, I really felt like I didn't belong anywhere," Gagnon says. "I was stuck in my house for almost 10 years, just going to my work and back." Back then, Gagnon's diabetes was getting more serious. He was losing the circulation to his legs, and his doctors were talking abo

Through the eyes of a city cyclist [Boston Globe]

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ERIK JACOBS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE Globe critic Ty Burr takes the risk to bicycle the city’s streets because the rewards are worth it. It’s still one of the best parts of my day. I’ve been commuting to work by bicycle for 10 years now — not every day and less so as the kids get older and need to be shuttled around more — but as regularly as I can manage. I live in Newton near the Brighton line and work at the Globe offices in Dorchester; my various routes, each around 10 miles, take me along the Charles, or through Allston and downtown, or through Roxbury from Longwood to Savin Hill. It’s hardcore urban bicycling, and I love it. This gets me expressions of both concern and occasionally scorn. And when tragedy occurs, as it did recently to two bicyclists in the Boston area, one killed in a collision with a car, another with a tractor-trailer, people start looking at me like I’m crazy. Why take the risk? How is that fun? Let me tell you. First off, it’s my direct experie

Danville Gravel Road Adventure Ride 09302012

Highlights 5 riders (Bill, Tim, Roger, Doug, Ray) Danville, OH start Lunch in Loudonville at West Main Cafe 46 miles 3661 feet of climbing Route I walked my first hill in a long time. : ( 20+% grade gravel. - Ray Photos from the ride.

Case closed: Armstrong doped [ESPN]

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The word "alleged" should now be dropped from any description of the way doping permeated and enabled Lance Armstrong's cycling career. For most of the past 15 years, no discussion or story about Armstrong was complete without that loaded yet qualified term. Doping allegations dogged him, came to naught, were declared specious and dismissed by him. Yet they continued to multiply, rattling behind him like tin cans tied to the bumper of a luxury car. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's  release of its "reasoned decision"  and staggeringly voluminous supporting documents that resulted in its move to strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and ban him from elite competition for life -- charges he opted not to contest -- changes all that, and rewrites Armstrong's sporting epitaph from alleged to proven user of performance-enhancing drugs and techniques. There is no other logical conclusion. After today, anyone who remains unconvinced simply doesn

LATEST NEWS: GEORGE HINCAPIE COMES CLEAN [RoadBikeAction]

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                                          Today is not an easy day for George Hincapie.                                                              Photo: Bettini     American cyclist George Hincapie admitted to taking banned performance enhancing substances on Wednesday and apologized to teammates and fans while claiming he has ridden clean since 2006. Hincapie's confession came as the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) revealed all of its evidence in the investigation of Lance Armstrong, including testimony from Hincapie and 10 other former Armstrong teammates.    Hincapie was a US Postal Service teammate of Armstrong when the US cycling legend won seven Tour de France titles in a row from 1999 through 2005. USADA stripped Armstrong of those crowns and imposed a life ban upon him in August. USADA sent a report on its findings to the International Cycling Union (UCI) on Wednesday. The UCI could appeal the ban and punishment of Armstrong to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.    Hin

New study details why helmets prevent injury [BikeRadar]

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A new study from Illinois Neurological Institute and Bradley University found what most cyclists probably already knew — bicycle  helmets  are effective to prevent or minimize injury in a crash. Scientists found that helmets can reduce acceleration of the skull in a crash by as much as 87 percent. This study also follows a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that noted that head injuries were the leading cause of death and disability related to bicycle accidents. However, researchers in the INI/BU study also found that children are less likely to wear helmets than adults, with just 15 to 25 percent of youth cyclists donning a helmet in the US. So why aren’t kids wearing helmets? [Keep reading at BikeRadar]

Portlandia Bike Clip - a classic

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Martyn Ashton - Road Bike Party

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Rampage: Kurt Sorge's winning run

Stevenage giant cycle lane creates pedestrian confusion [BBC]

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The lane markings are forcing pedestrians to keep to the small walkways, resident Neil Brinkworth said A new cycle lane that dominates a bridge in Hertfordshire is causing confusion for pedestrians who are staying on the narrow edges. The bridge over Fairlands Way, Stevenage, was resurfaced by the county council's highways unit last month. Resident Neil Brinkworth said he was "astonished" at the council's work, saying "it's crazy watching everybody blindly obeying the lanes". The council said the new lines met "current codes and standards". Mr Brinkworth, who crosses the bridge two to three times a week, said: "It's making everybody go down the edge of the bridge. [Keep reading at BBC]

Mandatory Life Jacket Advertisement [video]

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How to Shop by Bicycle [Momentum Mag]

Guest post by Duncan Hurd, managing editor of Momentum Mag Some days, I like to do the impossible. Or, that is, I like to do something that many people believe is impossible. I prefer to shop by bike. My partner and I picked up this habit after we first started biking together. On the way home from a ride, we’d stop in at the butcher’s shop or pick up some take-out for dinner. At first, we’d hang bags from our handlebars, but we knew this was putting our purchases at risk as they swayed or bounced off our front wheels. Sometimes my partner’s purse was large enough for a few items, but we soon had the urge to carry more with us, without having to take transit or resort to borrowing a car. When it comes to shopping by bike, we are not alone. Studies in  Toronto, ON  and  Portland, OR  have shown that people who shop by bike often spend more money per month than those who drive. It may be because we don’t have to worry about car payments, insurance, parking or gas shrinking our m

Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII [Autoblog]

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In the midst of economic turmoil in  Europe , more Italians are turning to bikes as their preferred mode of transportation. Such is the bicycle's popularity in Italy that purchases of the pedal-powered two wheelers have eclipsed automobile sales for the first time since World War II. According to  The Christian Science Monitor , last year 1.75 million bikes were sold in Italy, compared to 1.748 million motor vehicles. Contributing to this trend are rising fuel prices and hefty costs associated with keeping a car on the road. Gas prices  recently hit  €2 a liter ($9.50 a gallon), and the average cost of ownership is estimated at around €7,0000 ($9,000) a year. There is also the sheer congestion associated with driving in many parts of Italy. Narrow roads and a high level of automobile ownership (6 in 10 own cars, one of the highest rates in the world), have made for cramped streets in many Italian cities. The author of the report notes that a several-mile journey in the heart of R

Nicki Bluhm and Tim Bluhm - Stick With Me - Duets (2011)

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Mungo Jerry " Push Bike Song "

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Bam: This is what happens when your tire is too close to the exhaust.

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iON by ZEAL - googles with built in video camera

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NEW  The iON by ZEAL is born out of the need to continually evolve and lead the industry through technology that does more than just exist, it redefines how you see the mountain. FEATURES Goggle Features >> Anti-Fog Infused Lens Process >> Impact Resistant Frame Technology >> High Density Lens Technology >> 100% UV Protection >> Helmet Compatible >> Dual Strap Adjustments >> Optimum™ Lens Camera Features >> Captures 1080p & 720p HD quality video >> Shoots 8 megapixel HD photos >> 170-degree wide angle camera lens >> Camera automatically adjusts for light levels and has infinity focus >> Utilizes an in-goggle viewfinder >> Controlled by glove-ready buttons on the side of the frame >> Rechargeable lithium-ion battery has a three-hour run time, depending on usage >> Easily integrates with all social media outlets to share your memories

Safety of biking hasn’t changed, only our realization on what it takes to improve safety [GRID Chicago]

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This photo exhibits many risks we take because of our current and unchanging designs, a potential dooring scene similar to that which led to the death of  Neill Townsend on Friday . Photo by Mike Travis.  I hate car-centric design. I equate it with theft. It takes away space for efficient and free modes of travel and reduces the quality of air and aural serenity, not to mention the danger to those within and without a car. Improving bike infrastructure is secondary in making a bike culture: the most important task is to highlight the irresponsibility, risk, damage, inefficiency, and death that Chicago’s car culture brings to the city. Mary Schmich, a Chicago Tribune columnist,  asks in the headline of her column today , “Is biking less safe, or does it just seem so?” Data is missing so we cannot answer this question empirically; there’s data for reported crashes, but no information on how many people are cycling and for how many miles. Mary describes her experience biking thi

Fatality Tracker: Cyclist avoids dooring and falls under wheels of semi truck [GRID Chicago]

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2012 Chicago fatality stats*: Pedestrian: 21 (9 have been hit-and-run crashes) Pedalcyclist: 5  (1 is a hit-and-run crash) Transit: 7 The Chicago Tribune reports: A bicyclist was struck and killed by a semi truck on the Near North Side this morning, apparently when he swerved to avoid an open car door, authorities said. Police at the scene said the accident happened just before 9 a.m. on Wells Street in front of Walter Payton High School, just north of Oak Street. The bicyclist was in the southbound lane and turned suddently to avoid an open car door and fell underneath the front wheels of the truck’s flat-bed trailer, police said. As of 10:20 a.m., rescue crews were still working to remove the body. The bicycle lay near cars parked along the curb. The victim is male, but no other information was available. [Keep reading at GRID Chicago] 

Hellion First Ramp [video]

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