Entries Tagged 'The Racing Line' ↓

Youngest Tour Rider Remounts After Harrowing Fall…

John-Lee Augustyn, the youngest rider of the 2008 Tour de France was the first rider of Stage 16 to reach the teardrop summit of the Col de la Bonette.
Check out his spectacular crash on the descent…

http://www.cycleto.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=412

John-Lee will be looking for a new sponsor since South Africa’s Barloworld (an industrial group representing Caterpillar, Avis and other activities in SA) has decided to withdraw from cycling following the admission of Spaniard Moises Duenas Nevad to doping during the TDF.
Here’s a little Wiki bio on John-Lee Augustyn…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John-Lee_Augustyn

17th Juillet, LAVELANET, France (AP) - Saunier-Duval team withdraws from Tour de France after Riccardo Ricco tests positive for EPO.

Who Made the Grade? Cobra’s strike on Super-Besse…
Italy’s Riccardo Ricco (nicknamed Cobra) made good on his Pre-Tour promise of a stage win on Thursday as the TdF (Tour de France) wound its’ way through the Massif Centrale to a mountain top finish at Super-Besse.
The stage was very spirited as teams attempt to control the front while individual riders try to slip-off to gain time and glory for themselves.
A couple of things have stood out thus far in this year’s edition of the TdF…

• The rivalry among the French-based teams is fierce this year. Sylvain Chavenel and Thomas Voekeler in particular have pushed the KOM (King of the Mountains) point’s competition and apply a certain pressure, (team sponsors television exposure) to other rival French squads.

• The beautiful countryside of Brittany. Brittany is the home of Tour de France king, Bernard Hinault who I am sure had a hand in selecting this year’s route that passes through the small villages and hamlets between the Seine and Loire rivers.

• Kim Kirchen may be a new Grand Tour threat. Team Columbia’s Kirchen has had a good season and his star is rising. We’ll see what happens when the race gets to the more major climbing stages

• All things American. Team Garmin-Slipstream, Team Columbia-High Road, Christian Vandevelde, George Hincapie, Bob Roll, Felt Bikes, and Cannondale bikes show that the Americans remain in the mix of today’s peloton. How about a stage win team America?
• Lots of spills in the feed zone and other. That should calm down heading into next week.

Stay tuned in for more. The Tour de France never dissappoints.

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Here are the directions for this week’s Week SMR…

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/287607126608

OK, we’re headed back to a route everyone seemed to enjoy last year. The group will first head over the Carey Ave Bridge, through Plymouth, to Rt 29. We’ll turn off Rt. 29 @ Chase Rd. to Chase Corners, across Dallas, then finally down 8th Street heading back to the city.

Distance will be a little more than 35 miles. 7:30 start time.

The Time is Now 10 o’clock. Do You Know Where Your Bicycle is?

Kryptonite, who pioneered better bike security with its U-lock, has compiled a list of the worst US cities for bicycle theft. Leading this list according to Kryptonite is Philadelphia.

1. Philadelphia, PA
2. Chicago, IL
3. New York City, NY
4. San Francisco, CA
5. Tucson, AZ (tie)
Portland, OR (tie)
7. Denver, CO
8. New Haven, CT
9. Cambridge, MA
10. Austin, TX

“When we did the compilation, there wasn’t even a city close to Philly,” stated Donna Tocci, Kryptonite’s marketing manager,“Not even close.”

According to Tocci Kryptonite compiles the information from various sources. In addition to police statistics, the company uses information from college campuses, visits to bike shops, and data from their own customer service department.

Looking 20 Years Back; Hampsten Sleighs the Gavia…
The 1980’s were the coming of age for American cycling. Greg Lemond, impressive victories at the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA, and the American-based 7-Eleven team brought US cycling respect that it had lacked from the Europeans.

On June 5th 1988, 7-Eleven’s Andy Hampsten pulled off a stunning ride on Stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia to what many consider the toughest day in the history of the Grand Tours. Hampsten rode onto the narrow dirt covered mountain passes of the Dolomites and then left his nearest competitors on a treacherous snow-covered descent into the tiny Italian village of Santa Caterina.

Hampsten credits the preparation of his team manager, (7-11 had purchased ski wear that morning to keep their cyclists warm) and the hard work of his fellow riders for the eventual win.

His victory of the Giro d’Italia is considered one the finest achievements in US cycling history.
Today, Andy is a much sought out speaker on his recollections of that most memorable day in 1988.

SMR Stage 8: 05/31/2008; 7:30AM Start Time this Week!…
Note; Rain cancels ride!

This week the Saturday Morning Ride will incorporate two loops. First, we’ll do the usual by riding up along the river to West Pittston, over the Ft. Jenkins Bridge, turn onto Parsonage, left at Stevenson, another left onto Rt.11. The longer ride will be making a right off Rt.11 and continue to ride toward Coxton, then wind our way back to the city.

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/764755545481
Length of ride approx. 37.52 miles. Shorter and longer options too.

Mark your calendar for a special night of Bluegrass music at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe next Saturday May 24th. The Punch Brothers will perform featuring Chris Thile, formally of Nickel Creek, along with a group of extraordinary accompanying musicians. Show starts at 8:30pm.

Will the reader please to cast his eye over the following lines, and see if he can discover anything harmful in them?
Conductor, when you receive a fare,
Punch in the presence of the passenjare!
A blue trip slip for an eight-cent fare,
A buff trip slip for a six-cent fare,
A pink trip slip for a three-cent fare,
Punch in the presence of the passenjare!

-Excerpt from a Mark Twain short story “Punch, Brothers, Punch”

Interesting Giro d’Italia Tidbits…

My favorite Grand Tour is the Giro d’ Italia which runs this year from May 10th until June 1st. So far we’ve see an American leader in Christian Vande Velde, a spill which has sidelined Christian’s team mate, David Zabriskie, and the last minute inclusion of a stacked Astana squadra.

The beautiful Italian countryside, the mountain passes which can challenge rider’s with wintry conditions, and the Tifosi make the Giro an awesome event . (Tifosi is a word somewhat exclusive to the Italians loosely translated as a fanatical sports supportor, or super-fan).

Here are some things to know if you intend to join the Giro’s Tifosi…

• The Maglia Rosa, or pink leader’s jersey is pink because Italy’s main sporting newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, the originator of the Giro, prints its newspaper on pink paper stock.

• In 1924, Giro organizer’s allowed a woman, Alfonsia Morini Strada, to compete which caused a sensation in Italy. Alfonsia completed that year’s Giro defeating two men. Ironically, Strada, Alfonsia’s last name, means Road in Italian.

• American Andy Hampsten won the Giro in blizzard conditions in 1988. (Andy’s 1988 signed 7-11 jersey will be on display @ A-Town after the ride).

• The greatest Giro winner’s are Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, & of course Eddy Merckx. In his day, (1926-1929) Alfredo Binda was so daunting that the Giro organizers asked that he not compete in the 1930 edition of the great race. Binda was paid the same amount as the eventual winner’s first place winnings to sit the race out.

SMR Stage 6: 05/17/2008 Coxton River Loop w/return…

We’ll first head North along the river to West Pittston, cross the Susquehanna to Pittston. The group then turn left off Rt.11, and complete the Coxton-Ransom loop. The ride will return via Susquehanna Ave. and back to the city via the Wyoming Valley Levee-Trail System.
We need to keep it moving on this route, a flat 34.99 miles. There will be longer options for those interested.
Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/plains/707810876631
Start time; 8:00am sharp!

SMR Stage 5: 05/10/2007 Lance Armstrong Foundation Ride; We Challenge the Bull…
The legs are getting stronger. Our intensity builds.

Join us this Saturday May 10th as we join the LIVESTRONG Army with a ride to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.
Donations to the Lance Armstrong Foundation are appreciated but not required. All participants are encouraged to wear something yellow.
LIVESTRONG wristbands will be given out as long as supplies last.

The SMR this week will cruise some of our favorite roads to Nanticoke, then cross the Susquehanna to challenge the Bull!

We’ll ride up Plymouth’s Bull Run and traverse along the top of the Valley to Luzerne where we will return to the city through Kingston. Longer, harder options for those looking for more…

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/182428949325

8:00am Sharp Start Time!

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Speaking of Bull Run-

The Agritubel Professional Cycling Team’s primary sponsor, Agritubel, is a manufacturer of stockades or runs for livestock. Agritubel’s Website is one of the freakiest sites you’ll find.Alongside products for the farming community are pictures and an icon of the cycling squad.
http://www.agritubel.com/en/maj-e/c2a1i818b1/agritubel.htm

I guess the handlebars on the Agritubel team’s time trail bikes are real cowhorns!

***

Wilkes-Barre Great 100 Newspaper Clipping, Circa 1970’s…

37 years ago , June 20th 1971 to be exact, Wyoming Valley hosted its first 100 mile ride. The event was called the Gibbons Great 100 and it began from Kirby Park. The course was epic as it traversed several of the routes that we commonly use today, (Moconauqua, Coxton) and was considered one of the best biking challenges in the East for its time.
The start location of the event changed a couple of times and finally fizzled in the mid-nineties. In the future, I’ll have more on this and maybe interview a couple of people still around from the early days of this Great event!

Thank you, Tom W. for a copy of the clipping!-tj

Unity is Strength. Knowledge is Power. Attitude is Everything.
Join us on Saturday May 10th as we join the LIVESTRONG Army with a ride that day to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.
Donations to the Lance Armstrong Foundation are appreciated but not required. All participants are encouraged to wear something yellow.
LIVESTRONG wristbands will be given out as long as supplies last.

The Arrow is the Perfect Race…
Tucked in between last week’s Amstel Gold and this Sunday’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege single-day classic is another race held on Wednesday that is described as the prefect race by many. Why? The Flèche Wallonne, or Arrow of Wallonne, is contested on a course whose profile mimics the teeth of a saw blade. The hills, or cotes are spaced just right for a spirited competition of about 125 miles. That’s a long race for our standards, but a preferred distance for a pro.

Most famous of the climbs is the Muur de Huy, or Wall of Huy, which is climbed 3 times on the finishing circuit-Whew! (I have included two pictures of the wall so you can get an idea of its difficulty, a 9.3% gradient).

Here are the results from Wednesday’s Fleche Wallonne…
1 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team High Road
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto, @ .01sec.
3 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre, @ .02 sec.
4 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
5 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank
6 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner

SMR Stage 3: Roads of Nanticoke w/Up River Return

The Saturday Morning Ride is headed south this week. Join us as we wind our way down the W. Kirmar Parkway, Vandermark St., Newport, and into Nanticoke. We’ll cross the river, head north on Rt.11, and return to the city.

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/430129424
Start time; 8:00am sharp!

Springtime Waffle Sandwich; Devolder & Boonen…

The Belgian tandem of Stijn Devolder and former World Champion Tom Boonen from team Quickstep have been raging this spring.

Devolder, formally of team Discovery, prevailed with a stunning solo ride with 25km (15.5mi) remaining to clinch a prestigious win at the Tour of Flanders. The pair rode a tactically perfect race challenging America’s chosen classics’ rider, George Hincapie.

Boonen then went on the following week to win over formidable spring classic rivals Fabian Cancellara and Alessandro Ballan at Paris-Roubaix. The race finished with the three riders entering the Roubaix Velodrome after 295.5km (183.6mi.) to contest the exciting finish.

Oops!

In a somewhat embarrassing moment in front of his countryman at Wednesday’s Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen, Boonen raises his hands in victory only to realize that team Highroad’s excellent young sprinter, Mark Cavendish, has just swooped in for the win.

SMR Stage 2: 04/19/2008 Ride; Duryea Loop…

New Feature!

We’re headed to Duryea this week. The ride has been listed on Map My Ride.com. Use this link, then go to notes for a ride cue sheet. There are several other interesting options like ride elevation. Tell us what you think-
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/350112821

Little Rock’s American Princes will appear next Wednesday April 23^rd at Test Pattern 334 Adams Avenue Scranton. Show starts @ 7:00pm

http://216.69.135.140/MP3Players/AmericanPrinces/OtherPeople/Wimpy2.html

 SRAM ‘Red’ Component Group

This is the analogy that company founder Stan Day makes when he describes SRAM’s design and performance philosophy during an interview for an article in BusinesWeek magazine.  

The story gives us a glimpse into the successful rise of the American-based SRAM bicycle components firm.

Day’s analogy continues as he draws the comparison of Shimano, SRAM’s largest competitor as being Lexus, and the oldest road bike component manufacturer, Campagnolo, as the Ferrari of the bike industry.

I am impressed by SRAM’s rise through innovation and acquisition during the past 20 years to the point where they truly can say that SRAM rivals bicycle behemoth Shimano. I do not agree with Day’s comparison though.

SRAM may be more of a General Motors, or more accurately Chevrolet. They now serve all sectors of the marketplace. From the $69.00 special found at Target, to the sleek bikes riden in the professional ranks by the Astana Team.

By creating the new ‘Red’ component group SRAM has delivered a package much like a Corvette; an American super-car with edgy design and performance that took on the world.

We are a big fan of SRAM mountain bike componets. The verdict is still out as it pertains to SRAM road bike components. After two years with lower-grade road parts from SRAM, (Rival & Force) we’re still waiting for our first SRAM kit sale. Meanwhile most of our complete bikes spec’d with Shimano, and many of our custom bike builds are equipped with Campagnolo. 

Both Shimano and Campagnolo are going through final testing of electronic road components which should land in bicycle showrooms on 2009 bikes.

A SRAM-equipped win in the Tour de France could change it all!

Did you know that no bike ridden by a winner of the Tour de France was equipped with Shimano until Lance Armstrong’s first win in 1999?

Here’s a link to the BusinesWeek article…  

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/feb2008/sb20080229_583446.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_small+business

Update: (03/19/2008) The ASO, which governs the Tour de France and many of the ‘Spring Classics’ has decided to not allow the Astana team to compete in the 2008 TdF. Astana  sponsors last years 1st & 3rd place riders; Alberto Contador and Levi Liephiemer.

Attention!

All professional cyclists with sullied, tarnished reputations please check in with Michael Ball of Rock & Republic racing before returning to your sport!

http://boulderreport.bicycling.com/2008/01/rocky-road-for.html