Weekly Wednesday Ride from B&L

Our weekly ride continues to grow nicely and today's last day of 2008 was no different. Despite what it looks in the pictures, the morning was brisk with patchy fog that made it feel colder than it is.

I personally had a tough time getting going today and decided to fall back from the group as we reached Rancho Santa Fe. Matt and I rolled through and cut only one little section of the ride, but we spun up the coast to Leucadia and then I turned around.

I think the two days of surfing and riding have taken their toll and I'm a bit fatigued...that and not eating enough!

Tomorrow's ride up Palomar doesn't sound good to me right now...but we'll see how the day develops.

IMBA's new proposed rule needs your online vote

After years of work, IMBA has succeeded in getting the US National
Park Service to propose a change in an outdated rule that so far has
banned access by bikes on most trails in the NPS system. The proposed
new "Rule" will allow Park Superintendents and their staff to decide
which--if any--trails can be accessed by its bike-riding visitors.
The Rule Change does NOT allow bikes in any one Park; it merely
places in the hands of the folks who best know each respective Park
the decision for whether/how to allow bikes.

Even if you're not passionate about trail riding, I hope you will
take a moment and help out the cause. The government is currently
gauging public support for this proposed change. Click on the link
in the email below and register your support for this Rule Change.
It's simple and quick.

http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=_jI2cWiT3WKFkZyhPPmUdw.

CYCLISTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

Bike Writers Collective

CYCLISTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

WHEREAS, cyclists have the right to ride the streets of our communities and this right is formally articulated in the California Vehicle Code; and

WHEREAS, cyclists are considered to be the "indicator species" of a healthy community; and

WHEREAS, cyclists are both environmental and traffic congestion solutions; and

WHEREAS, cyclists are, first and foremost, people - with all of the rights and privileges that come from being members of this great society; and

NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE CYCLING COMMUNITY, do hereby claim the following rights:

1) Cyclists have the right to travel safely and free of fear.

2) Cyclists have the right to equal access to our public streets and to sufficient and significant road space.

3) Cyclists have the right to the full support of educated law enforcement.

4) Cyclists have the right to the full support of our judicial system and the right to expect that those who endanger, injure or kill cyclists be dealt with to the full extent of the law.

5) Cyclists have the right to routine accommodations in all roadway projects and improvements.

6) Cyclists have the right to urban and roadway planning, development and design that enable and support safe cycling.

7) Cyclists have the right to traffic signals, signage and maintenance standards that enable and support safe cycling.

8) Cyclists have the right to be actively engaged as a constituent group in the organization and administration of our communities.

9) Cyclists have the right to full access for themselves and their bicycles on all mass transit with no limitations.

10) Cyclists have the right to end-of-trip amenities that include safe and secure opportunities to park their bicycles.

11) Cyclists have the right to be secure in their persons and property, and be free from unreasonable search and seizure, as guaranteed by the 4th Amendment.

12) Cyclists have the right to peaceably assemble in the public space, as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.

And further, we claim and assert these rights by taking to the streets and riding our bicycles, all in an expression of our inalienable right to ride!

"See you on the Streets!"

Download .pdf and distribute!

The Cyclists' Bill of Rights. |

The Cyclists' Bill of Rights.

All Content © Competitor Group, et al. All Rights Reserved. No content may be used without permission.

Wednesday Ride from B&L

Well, we doubled our population from the first week of this ride to 6! The Christmas Even day ride was a bit chilly but given that it was supposed to rain, who can complain! We had guest riders from Canada and Georgia on the ride. And, I forgot to give out the Capo goodie that I had brought along to give out to a random rider for a random reason at a completely random time. Well, here's looking to next week...and I promise to give out the Capo goodie then. Weather permitting that is!!!

Litespeed Launches First Consumer Rebate Program

SportsOneSource.com - Sporting Goods Business UPDATE

Litespeed Launches First Consumer Rebate Program
SportsOneSource Media Posted: 12/17/2008

In response to a tightening economy, the makers of Litespeed Bicycles are launching the industry’s first ever direct-to-consumer rebate program. Specialty hangtags are being distributed this week to all Litespeed dealers to launch and promote the campaign, in which parent company American Bicycle Group (ABG) will send a rebate check for up to $350 to any consumer who purchases a qualifying Litespeed bicycle frame, frameset or complete bike.

"While our consumers’ strongest relationships are most often with their local bike shop, their personal satisfaction is our constant focus, and we want to do what we can to provide those cyclists relief from a tight economy and say thank you for their purchase," said ABG CEO Peter Hurley.

Direct-to-consumer rebates will be given to individuals who buy a 2008 or 2009 model Litespeed bicycle frame, frameset or complete bike in any of their three technology levels through February 2009. Litespeed models are designated by three levels of technology, which are denoted by a T1, T2 or T3 symbol on each bike.
With the purchase of a Litespeed T1 design, buyers receive a $350 rebate check. With the purchase a T2 design, buyers receive a $300 rebate check. With the purchase of a Litespeed T3 design, buyers receive a $250 rebate check.

"Litespeed truly delivers the best titanium product available. This is because we manipulate our material far more and far better than any other company, in any industry, across the globe,” said Hurley. “We are dedicated to our craft and to the consumers who buy our product, and we want our rebates to go beyond the traditional bike discount or the free t-shirt."

San Diego City Street Division Services - Service Request Form

San Diego City Street Division Services - Service Request Form

This is a page the City of San Diego created for the public to report street areas that need repair.  Great idea....let's see if they actually respond to it. 

But this is a good tool to have if it works.

New Study Reaffirms That Cars Make People Fat

New Study Reaffirms That Cars Make People Fat | Autopia from Wired.com

New Study Reaffirms That Cars Make People Fat
By Dave Demerjian EmailDecember 15, 2008 | 4:00:00 PMCategories: Urban Planning & Development

The correlation between exercise and health certainly isn't new, but it's still startling to be reminded of the role transportation plays in our sedentary lifestyles. Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia, a recent study from the University of Tennessee's David Bassett and John Pucher of Rutgers, shows an irrefutably strong connection between the way a country gets around and the weight of its population.

"Countries with the highest levels of active transportation generally had the lowest obesity rates," the study concludes, defining active transportation as walking, biking, or taking transit. "Walking and bicycling are far more common in European countries than in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Active transportation is inversely related to obesity in these countries."

In the United States, the news is especially bad. Just nine percent of US residents walk to get where they need to go, one percent ride a bike, and two percent take the bus. Our obesity rate, at a whopping 25 to 33 percent, is the highest in the world.

Compare the US numbers with those from a handful of European countries, and the relationship between transportation and health becomes even clearer.

Latvia: 67% of the population uses active transportation, 14% obese
Sweden: 62% active transportation, 9% obese
Netherlands: 52% active transportation, 11% obese
Canada: 19% active transportation, 23% obese
Australia: 14% active transportation, 21% obese
United States: 12% active transportation, <25% obese

On average, European walk 237 miles and cycle 116 miles per year, while their US counterparts walk 87 miles and bike 24. That translates into a fat burn of five to nine pounds per year for Europeans and two pounds for Americans. Looking at it another way, the Swiss walk an average of 9,700 steps per day, compared with 7,200 for the Japanese, and 5,900 for residents of South Carolina, USA. The obesity numbers correlate just as you'd expect.

While it would be easy to simply chalk these numbers up to American laziness and gluttony, it's not that simple. True, Americans drive more – and have been conditioned to do so – but that's in part because they live in a country where homes, workplaces, schools, and shopping are spread out over a wide area. Europeans, on the other hand, are more likely to live in or near a compact city center more conducive to transit and other active transportation forms. And even if Americans wanted to leave their cars in the driveway, there are fewer bike lanes, walking trails, and commuter trains to support alternative transportation.

We should be careful not to make the findings of this report another reason to American bash. Yes, we as a nation need to drive less and hop on a bike once in a while. And yes, there needs to be a cultural shift away from the automobile culture. But the government needs to come to the plate too, but building an infrastructure that supports alternative transportation.

HyperPower Protocol

I am organizing a power development training protocol to test training
theories using a power meter.

There is some controversy regarding the origins of this protocol, how it
was developed and by whom.

Based on the little bit of research I did, this protocol traces back to
the French national running coach who developed an off-season intensity
training for his athletes, which shifted the quantity-focused training
paradigm popular at that time.

The original protocol used a series of micro intervals that focused on
30 seconds of intensity followed by 30 seconds of rest, which fit into a
macro interval that built based on the duration and profile of the event
athletes were training for.

There have been a number of modifications on this protocol and the one
I'll be testing reduces the micro-interval to 15 seconds on and 15
seconds off.

I am currently searching for a minimum of 4 test subjects who must be
competitive cyclists, solid category 3 or better, and who can commit to
meeting one night a week for 6 weeks.

The location of the test will be at Nytro in Encinitas. The training
protocol will be held from 5 (sharp) till 6:15, out by 6:30 pm on
Wednesday nights.

The subjects will be field tested prior to, 3 weeks into and post the
training protocol to determine their power profiles and to measure
gains. The field test uses Hunter Allen's power test protocol.

An example of what is to be expected may include the following:

1. January 3 or 4th: power test to determine the athlete's power profile based on the power test and assign critical functional power (CFP) level.
   
2. Session one, January 7 at 5pm sharp: macro intervals of 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 20min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 5min at 200% CFP, cool down. Micro intervals will be 15sec on/15sec off at below 50% CFP.
   
3. Session two (one week later): 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 25min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 7.5min at 200% CFP, cool down.
4. Session three (one week later): 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 30min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 5min at 200% CFP, cool down.
5. Power test (January 24/25): during the weekend after the third session do a mid-way power test.
6. session 4: 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 30min @ 150%-175% CFP, rest, 10min at 200% CFP, cool down.
7. Session 5: 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 35min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 10min at 200% CFP, cool down.
8. Session 6: 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 40min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 12.5min at 200% CFP, cool down.
9. Power test (February 14/15): during the weekend after the final session do a power test.

Athletes are encouraged to train "normally" during the week but to treat
the Wednesday afternoon sessions as a target training event, arriving
well rested, hydrated and motivated.

Changes to this protocol may happen based on a number of reasons,
including how an athlete responds.

Athletes are responsible for their own equipment, must own a properly
functioning power meter, indoor trainer, bike and equipment. Athletes
are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs.
Athletes must agree to assign rights to have their personal information,
such as name, date of birth, wight, height and other physiological
information, media including all images, videos and likes, digital,
non-digital and otherwise, to Raceplan.

Protocol begins the first Wednesday of the new year, January 7, 2009,
with the initial power test to be performed on Saturday or Sunday,
January 4, 2009.

Wednesday Morning Rides from B&L

The good folks at B&L Bike and Sport in Solana Beach and I started an alternative Wednesday morning, social but moderately-paced group ride, leaving the shop no later than 8:15 and returning by or around 9:45.

Our goals are 1. to ride!, and 2. to attract others to the ride who want a nice, moderately-paced group ride on Wednesday morning before work. Those who want to ride more have several options that will add more miles during the ride by splitting off or adding more miles after we get to the shop.Today, we covered this route....left B&L by 8:10 and were back at the shop, with coffee in hand, by 9:45:On today's ride were Dan Breyer and Jeff Rowe (both (B&L Managers) and me!

Highlight of today's ride were running into friends Don, Jeff and Randy in The Ranch and Jeff's Banana Peel Yellow Brick Road Shoes that added to the level of visibility and safety for our already safe and highly visible ride!

PEZ Test: Capo Forma's Winter Kit Reviewed!

Pez Cycling review of my employer, Capo Forma.

PezCycling News - What's Cool In Pro Cycling

PEZ Test: Capo Forma's Winter Kit Reviewed!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 3:38:14 AM PT

by Richard Pestes

Regardless of their home base in California’s Bay area, the guys at Capo have created one of the better lines of winter kit available. Using tried and true fabrics for function and durability, and fine tuning their designs and fit to dial up the style, the 2008/09 winter line is their best yet.


Here’s a look at the Capo winter jacket, winter bib shorts, long sleeve jersey, arm & leg warmers, gloves, wool socks – and the funkiest head warmer I’ve seen outside an HR Puffin Stuff episode...





Gary Vasconi and Rob Carbone started Upland Sports Group just about the same time as PEZCycling hit the airwaves – almost 7 years ago. While Euro-designed kit works in Europe, a lot of it doesn’t fly with American consumer tastes, so although they originally planned to import and distribute high-end Italian and European cycling kit to America, they also quietly started an inhouse line called Capoforma to deliver Euro-styled gear made with US-specific designs and sensibility (ie: less gut-cut and no neon - !)


The Capoforma line has been evolving over the past 3 years and really catching on around the country, to the point that Upland Sports is now fully devoted to just one brand – their own. The name was officially shortened to “Capo” for Interbike 2008, but the line has gone the opposite – with a full and robust range of technical cycling kit offered for all seasons.



Interbike 08 saw the Upland Sports’ booth completely devoted to the Capo line.


Most of the line is made in Italy at the reknowned factory of Maglieria MB di Marcello Bergamo north of Milano, because Gary & Rob prefer quality over low price – and that’s exactly what you get with the entire Capo line – high end cycling clothing that is durable, stylish and very functional.

Now let’s get to the Winter line…


DIAVOLO Roubaix Bibshort - US$200, Sizes S - XXL
Let’s start with the bib shorts because nothing can impact your ride quality like a pair of bibs. Even though Capo got the design right a long time ago, they’ve continued to upgrade the chamois with some of the very best available – Gary and Rob recently returned from the world-class Cytech factory in Italy where the main topic of conversation was (you guessed it - )… chamois!





And aside from the chamois, the Diavolo winter bibs are made of all Roubaix 245 gram fleece lined polyester - including the straps and back. So they stretch with you, add extra warmth against the winter chill, feel great against the skin, but breathe enough to help prevent over-heating.

As expected, the legs have the sticky silicon gel gripper to keep ‘em from sliding up.




Cytech’s MLDA (Anatomic – 4 Density) chamois (exclusive to Capo in 2008) is the stuff of smiling cheeks – it has 4 densities of foam, strategically placed on a crescent moon shaped all way stretch elastic interface (that’s a fancy way of saying chamois). EIT features silver ion elastic to prevent bacterial buildup. The all way stretch means it moves with you - not against you – so you get less friction and abrasion in yer privates.

The fabric is custom made in Italy and Gary says it’s a “6 hour chamois – great for long distance rides.”


Milano Hat, Arm & Leg Warmers - US$50 (one size), $40 (s-m, l-xl), $70, (s-m, l-xl)

No self respecting roadie would be without the proper colored arms, legs and head.

The multi-use Milano hat features a SuperRoubaix top for warmth, and stretchy poly band to hold it in place and cover your ears. The top is open, and can be closed with the drawstring, or fully opened and pulled down to cover your neck, mouth and nose – how many cycling caps do that?



The arm and leg warmers are again made in Italy to top quality specs, and built for racers or anyone wanting a full “Euro” look.

The leg warmers come with zipped ankles for easy access, and silicone grippers at the top. I’ll admit to catching a few stares when I stopped into my local bank while heading out on a ride. Those leggers aren’t for everyone, so you gotta be ready to own the room.

Worth noting is the quality sublimation of all the Capo kit. It’s done in the traditional manner (not digital) which allows control over how much ink is used (Capo uses double the amount of many competitors). The upside is colors that don’t fade – even after a few years of use and washing – I know because our PEZ kit is made at the same factory (and same process) – and the colors still look new after 4 years.


DIAVOLO S3 Jacket - US$160.00
The Diavolo S3 jacket gets several upgrades this year – including the rolled brush collar, slimmer cut sleeves for a snugger fit, high reflective piping on the seams, and Super Roubaix cuffs that eliminate gapping at the wrist.



The collar is a tall 5cm plus the rolled brush which extends it another cm – resulting in a soft fuzzie against your sensitive neck (chafed necks just ain’t cool). The sleeves are longer than a lot of jackets to accommodate a true cycling position and maintain the coverage at the wrists, and the cuffs hold the sleeves in place, while allowing winter gloves to fit over without bunching, but stretch easily to fit over snugger fitting gloves.

The jacket’s front panel is Windtex 350 gram, it’s water proof and windproof. The shoulders, sleeves and back are Capo’s winter Quattro fabric- they’re lighter, and sans membrane to maximize breathability.

The combo of fabrics result in a lightweight jacket that handles a variety of cool temps, and can be warn simply over a base layer, or over a base and long sleeve jersey for full warmth (my preferred combo for days around 5-8C degrees (40-50F). It feels great, moves with the rider, and reacts well to temp changes. I do think the jacket could stand to benefit by extending use of the Windtex 350 to the shoulders and sleeves, as I noticed cold air getting through three layers on a ride in 7C degrees.





Notice the photo at the top of this story – me in the full kit – you can see how much the piping is reflecting the camera flash – and that’s shot with a pocket sized Canon SD1000, flash on from about 10 feet away. The piping on the seams looks really invisible to the naked eye, but brightens up like a 14year old seeing his first Playboy when the light hits.




There’s plenty of useable cargo space in back – deep pockets you can still reach while riding.




The jacket also boasts a robust two way lockable zip – it’s 6mm wide and fully hidden. The lock actually works to keep the bottom closed, but opens easily when you want to cool off, or access the pockets of your base-layer jersey. It also snaps downflat so there’s no flapping to annoy you or your ride partners. The wider 6mm version is just a lot easier to use when riding with gloved hands, and less prone to snagging and jamming on the seams like a 4mm version does.


DIAVOLO Tuscan LongSleeve Jersey- US$110.00
The long sleeve jersey – maybe the most versatile weapon in a cycling fashionista’s wardrobe – wear it on its own, over a base layer, under a jacket – it fits in anywhere.



The Diavolo Tuscan Long Sleeve is the same cut as the S3 jacket, but with slightly different materials. It’s full fleece lined polyester, no Windtex in front, so it’s lighter and more breathable than the jacket. Like the jacket, the sleeves have been lengthened for the US market, and tapered from last year’s version, so if you’re looking for that Jerry Seinfeld ‘puffy shirt’ look, please move along.

The zip is one way, but still 6mm, and the 3cm collar is not quite as high as the jacket, and there’s still 3 full sized pockets in back.


DIAVOLO Lightweight WindVest- US$130.00



I wore this vest over a short sleeve jersey and base layer for my ride over the Passo Gavia at the 2006 Giro. It worked.
Light enough to stow in a jersey pocket, but hearty enough to shut out the wind on cool days – vented in back with a two way zip – an essential item.


Windglove- US$55.00
Nothing spoils a winter ride faster than cold fingers… unless it’s cold toes. I’m happy to report that Capo’s winter gloves, wool socks and booties pour the coals on this department.



Seriously – the winter gloves are the most versatile I’ve used – the Windtex material keeps fingers toasty but never sweaty across a huge range of temps from Fall, to Winter, and well into Spring. Its waterproof membrane does the job in rain as well, and although Gary tells me some seepage can occur through the seams, I’ve yet to see it, and my hands are always warm (unless the day calls for double layers).

The long gauntlet opens with Velcro to cover most (all) jacket cuffs, and Capo added rubber grip to the middle and index finger (after my own feedback last year!) so levers don’t slip, and cleaning your tire while riding doesn’t chafe the fabric. They also fit snug, so operating levers, zippers, and computers is no problem.



The stretchable Windtex does the same for the toes as the gloves for your hands, and am happy to ride into my 3rd winter with them. They pull on easily but fit snugly over the shoes, securing in back with a beefy zip and Velcro at the ankle. I like to pull my lycra shoe covers over top, to complete my full PEZ look, but you can wear ‘em with or without – your choice!



Euro Winter Wool Sock- $16.00



Completing the trifecta of warm extremities are Capo’s winter wool socks –available in light and heavy versions. Both feature padded footbeds, are made of soft merino wool in Italy, and are equally suited to keeping your feet warm on and off the bike. If you don’t know the comfort of good wool socks, you should, and at only $16 – you’d be nuts not too.





Finally – with the full Diavolo line dialed in the ‘looks’ department, there’s almost no need to rush through winter just so you can wear the summer kit…


• See the website: UplandSG.com
• Buy it at: RACycles.com
• Buy it at: CompetitiveCyclist.com

2009 Tour of California route

VeloNews | 2009 Tour of California route unveiled | The Journal of Competitive Cycling.

Organizers of the Amgen Tour of California have released details of the 2009 route, a nine-day, 750-mile course that will travel almost the entire length of California, from Sacramento to Escondido. This year's race is one day and about 100 miles longer than the 2008 route.
The route of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.
The route of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.
Photo: courtesy Amgen Tour of California

This year the race will also feature a $15,000 women's criterium, run in conjunction with stage 1 in Santa Rosa.

The February 14-22 race will include a number of new host cities for starts and departures. New cities include Davis, Santa Cruz, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido.

The race will once again feature the important 15-mile Solvang time trial on stage 6. It was in Solvang last year that Levi Leipheimer wrapped up his overall victory, after taking the lead thanks to a stage 3 breakaway with Rabobank's Robert Gesink.

The race opens with a three-mile prologue in Sacramento, followed by a new difficult 108-mile stage 1, from Davis to Santa Rosa.

Stage 2, from Sausalito to Santa Cruz, will pass over the Golden Gate Bridge, a first for the race.
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Stage 3, from San Jose to Modesto, includes the tough Sierra Road climb as well as Patterson Pass.

The route also will include a new hilly stage 4 from Merced to Clovis.

Stage 5 is a 130-mile epic from Visalia to Paso Robles.

After the stage 6 time trial, stage 7 is a tough stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, finishing with circuits near the Rose Bowl.

The race concludes with a 97-mile point-to-point stage from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido, in San Diego County — new territory for the race. The final stage includes the 12-mile Palomar Mountain climb.

A press release with route details is here. Check back to VeloNews.com soon for a complete report on the new route.

Boulder business tests for athletic gene

Boulder business tests for athletic genes : County News : Boulder Daily Camera

At age 3, Iddrisu Alidu enjoys soccer, basketball, swimming and bicycling, and that’s all the information his mother needs to keep her son active in sports.

But some parents want more information about what sports their children are genetically suited for, and a Boulder company on Monday began offering families the chance to find out.

For $149, Atlas Sports Genetics, 2845 29th St., will send a genetic sample taken from inside a child’s cheek to a laboratory in Australia. There, technicians will analyze the ACTN3 gene, which has been linked to athletic performance.

Families can order the testing kit on the company’s Web site, www.atlasgene.com. After swabbing the inside of their child’s cheek, parents send the sample back to the Boulder office to be processed and delivered overseas, said Kevin Reilly, president and co-owner of Atlas.

In about two weeks, Atlas presents customers with a certificate indicating whether their child is a genetic fit for strength and power sports, endurance athletics or a combination of the two.

“A lot of times, people pick their sports based on influence from their parents, or they might do football or soccer if friends are doing that,” Reilly said.

Children can work toward success in any sport they choose, he said. “But if they’re better suited for something ... that’s good information to have.”

The New York Times on Sunday published a story about Atlas and its genetic test. Reilly said his company made testing kits available to the public Monday, and about 60 families so far have placed orders.

Experts, parents and coaches have both praised and criticized the test. Some support it as a tool to help children excel in sports. Others reject it as “irrelevant” and unethical, or they say one gene doesn’t provide enough information about a person to determine athletic performance.

Reilly said the genetic test should be used in conjunction with other athletic tools and training. Knowing a person’s strength at a young age can help develop skills early, he said.

For instance, gymnasts often peak at a young age.

“So our ability to identify kids for certain sports younger and younger is important,” he said.

And getting children into a sport for which they’re naturally gifted can keep them from becoming frustrated by a game that “they don’t have the best chance or ability to do.”

Researcher: Test results ‘not particularly relevant’

The genetic link to elite athletic performance was brought to light in a 2003 study published in Australia. The study analyzed the DNA of 429 elite athletes, specifically looking at the ACTN3 gene, which has different variants to either instruct the body to produce a specific muscle protein or prevent production of that protein.

People with the R variant of ACTN3 were found to have muscles capable of forceful and quick movements used in speed and power sports. People with the X variant of the gene — which prevents production of the protein — were found to be good endurance athletes.

Carl Foster, co-author of the study and director of the human performance lab at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, said a single gene doesn’t make up a person’s athletic prowess. That’s why knowledge about ACTN3 alone won’t help a person identify his or her best sport, Foster said.

“It’s not just the chance that you get one gene,” he said. “You have to get a lot of them.”

Foster said he doesn’t doubt the Australian lab can correctly identify certain variants of ACTN3 in athletes.

“But the quality of the information they give back to children is not particularly relevant,” he said.

An Olympic long jumper from Spain proved the ACTN3 research inconsistent when his test results showed no copies of the R variant that normally would be linked to success in his sport, Foster said. That proves environment, training and luck also play a role in a person’s athletic success, he said.

Exposing children to as many activities as possible is the way to find their best sport, Foster said.

Coaching to the gene

Reilly and a partner entered the talent-identification business nearly a year and a half ago.

Focus groups of parents expressed interest in genetic testing, and Reilly said his company thought it would be a “nice supplement” to its other athletic-aptitude tests.

As a weight-lifting coach, Reilly said, he would have loved to have genetic information at his disposal.

“A lot of coaches spend time with kids they like — the coachable ones,” he said. “But they are not always the ones that are the most talented.”

Peter Ambrose, director of coaching for Boulder Indoor Soccer, said he doesn’t think a genetic test would alter his coaching.

“Maybe I’m old-school, but I’m just not ready to limit it to one component as to whether a person is going to be successful in soccer,” Ambrose said. “I think you have the ability to become whatever athlete you want to become.”

Ambrose said he believes there’s “some validity to what they’re doing” and is interested in learning about the genes of some of his athletes.

“But I think it’s too little information to decide too much information,” he said.

‘Michael Jordan never had that done’

While watching her 3-year-old son run circles around a soccer field, Joanna Alidu, of Louisville, said Monday that she thinks children need to feel free to do what they love without feeling pressure to excel in something a test identified as their strength.

Athletes for decades have gravitated toward their best sports without using a test, she said.

“Michael Jordan never had that done, I’m sure,” she said.

Reilly said his organization means only to open doors for young athletes, not close them.

“We don’t want to limit people,” he said. “We want to expand people’s horizons.”

Technorati Tags: athletics genetics talent identification

Short Killer

One of the biggest destroyers of cycling shorts is the infamous velcro used to tie the saddle bag to the seat post. If you've ridden long enough you have undoubtedly ruined a perfect pair of shorts when it rubbed on the edge of the "male" side of the Velcro, fraying the inside of your shorts to look like a cotton ball.

Well, a quick and simple way to avoid this is to either use a saddle bag that doesn't use velcro or find an alternate place to affix your bag. I've been riding for years with my saddle bag tied just above my rear break with no problems...no bag falling off....no squeezing of the brakes since I go under it, etc.

This can be done with pretty much most frames, but some frame/saddle bag combos just won't work. Experiment and you'll find whether it works for you. Definitely a quick and easy way to avoid ruining your expensive shorts.

Felt F2 with '08 Dura Ace demo and review

I had the opportunity and pleasure of test riding the Felt F2 frame with the 2008 Shimano Dura Ace today with our friend Q who is the demo guy at Felt.

This is the same bike that the Chipolte/H3O team is riding and racing on.

I personally enjoyed riding the Felt F2 with the new, 2008, fresh off the press, not yet available to shops Dura Ace 10 speed. The set up was the most responsive bike I've ever ridden. The Felt, uhum, felt responsive to every one of my moves.... I sprinted, torqued it, climbed in the saddle, climbed out of the saddle, time trialed, cornered...did it all. And it took it like a champ.

JT pointed out that the headset felt straight and stiff....and I agree with him and I like it! It reminded me of riding on a track bike. I like that!

The Shimano groupo was responsive and I liked the ergonomics of the hoods. Some folks felt that it stretched them out too much...and I can see that... but for me, they felt great. My hands were relaxed and I felt I had the right control at all times, including while climbing. The shifting was super crisp and responsive.

All together...I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Poor Man's Wind Tunnel Power Test

I ran the Poor Man's Wind Tunnel Power Test today at Fiesta Island in San Diego with one of my cycling friends, Pete Riley, who is one heck of an athlete and a senior scientist at SAIC. Pete has his own blog, in which he journals tests of a modified bike that puts him in the "Superman" position. Pete's goal is to try and break the course record at Fiesta, or at least come close to it. He's fit, has a solid training and is taking steps to ensure he is as aerodynamic as possible for his quest.

There will be more on this test in future blog. For now, I just wanted to share some of the pictures and video from today's trial.

Armstrong to Buy Stake in SRAM

SportsOneSource.com - Sporting Goods Business UPDATE

Armstrong to Buy Stake in SRAM
SportsOneSource Media Posted: 9/25/2008
Lance Armstrong is switching his allegiance from Shimano to SRAM in a big way, according to various media reports. Armstrong announced Wednesday that he would compete in the 2009 Tour de France with Kazakhstan-based Team Astana, which uses SRAM components. Armstrong has traditionaly raced with components from SRAM's Japanese competitor Shimano.

Also, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Armstrong is investing several million in SRAM alongside Lehman Brothers Merchant Bank. Armstrong will use SRAM components in all his races and serve as a technical advisor to SRAM, according to the report.

The newspaper reported that as many as 20 private equity firms competed to buy a stake in the Chicago company. Lehman got the inside track when one of its bankers met Armstrong at a Rolling Stones concert in Rome in 2007. The banker later asked Armstrong to help evaluate SRAM and then invited him to invest along side Lehman. The paper estimated Lehman paid $200 million for its 40% stake in SRAM, which was looking for a strategic partner to take on Shimano globally.

Team Astana's Alberto Contador and Team Saunier Duval-Scott's Riccardo Ricco placed first and second in the Tour of Italy earlier this year. Both teams rode with SRAM's Gruppo RED - the first component family to weigh less than 2,000 grams. Armstrong's return to the sport, however, is expected to generate much more interest not only in the Tour de France but road cycling in general.

A seven-time Tour de France champion, Armstrong has helped raise an estimated $260 million to fund cancer research despite allegations he has used performance enhancing drugs.

Related Links:

* SRAM and Jarden Insist Lehman Bankruptcy Won’t Slow Them Down
* Trek Counter Sues LeMond to Terminate Licensing Agreement

gadgets worth noting from Eurobike

Finally....a took worth purchasing!

Batman saddle? wow...my junk hurts jut looking at this.

no words needed

Backcountry's cycling-focused sites

SportsOneSource.com - Sporting Goods Business UPDATE

Backcountry.com to Launch More Bike Sites
SportsOneSource Media Posted: 9/18/2008

Backcountry.com will drill further into bicycle territory next spring by launching two new high-end, bike-specific web sites and a "one deal at a time," or ODAT site.

ADVERTISEMENT The SGB Question

Backcountry.com's future bike lineup will include a new site focusing on the premium high-end road market, and another focusing on the premium high-end mountain-bike market. In addition, Backcountry.com will launch a One Deal at a Time (ODAT)-style close-out site for the road market, while repositioning Chainlove.com to focus on moving close-out mountain bike gear.

Backcountry.com's Bike Merchandise Division Manager, John Thomas, said that it was Backcountry.com's customers and the overwhelming success of bike products in the Backcountry.com mix that gave them the opportunity to expand their bike retail channels. Traffic to the company's chainlove.com website launched in June hit 1 million unique visits in its first month.

"Initially we were unsure of how bike would perform," said Thomas. "But our bike push really tapped into a pent-up demand for middle to high-end, full MSRP product offerings. Sales and conversion were both higher than expected and Chainlove.com had the fastest rate of adoption that we've had for any of our other category-specific sites. Yeah, we noticed."

Thomas attributes the company's success in the bike market to the same focus that took Backcountry.com from a $2,000 start-up investment to $200 million in annual sales in just 10 years: customer service, product selection and superior content. Plus, the bike lines have benefited from the support of forward-thinking bike brands looking for a dynamic web presence, such as Titus, Intense, and Litespeed, Shimano, Mavic, Fox, and Giro/Bell. Backcountry.com currently carries more than 130 bike brands.

Backcountry.com will leverage the same customer-centric programs in the bike market as they have in their other categories, including their money back guarantee, same day shipping, 24 hour in-house live chat and phone support and a 240,000 square foot warehouse stocked with technical gear and experts. All of this infrastructure is unmatched in the bike industry.

But Thomas admits that they are far from being embraced by the industry.

"In the bike industry, we're hearing a lot of the same reluctance from vendors that we heard from outdoor brands when we started in business: We'll lose our dealers, bastardize our brand, kill customer service … but show me an example--in any industry--of a leading brand going online and losing sales overall. Furthermore, relative to other consumer markets, the sporting goods category is still early in the curve of online shopping adoption. The online channel is only going to grow. The customers want you to be online."

Thomas said he understands some of the push-back he's been getting. "The industry has a bad taste in its mouth because selling bikes online has been price driven. We will change that."

Brand names and associated URLs for the sites have not been finalized, but Backcountry.com will support this expansion with a variety of marketing initiatives in 2009 to support the industry and build brand-name awareness within the market. Backcountry.com's bike buying team will be out in force at Interbike.

Vanity? "Helmet hair" puts women off cycling

'Helmet hair' puts women off cycling - This Britain, UK - The Independent

'Helmet hair' puts women off cycling

PA
Friday, 19 September 2008

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Women are three times less likely to cycle than men because they are put off by "helmet hair" and getting sweaty, a survey said today.

Despite the golden heroics in Beijing by the British female cycling team, 64 per cent of women said they never cycle, according to an online survey commissioned by Cycling England.

Citing the reasons for avoiding cycling, 58 per cent said they would not want to arrive at work sweaty, and one in four (27 per cent) were too worried about helmets ruining their hair to risk a ride in the saddle.

Almost one in five (19 per cent) of women even said they could not risk colleagues catching them without their make-up on.

And the miserable British summers might also be putting off the 50 per cent of women who said they will not cycle for fear of getting wet in the rain.

Women were also concerned about safety with 53 per cent citing it as an issue, and 42 per cent said they lacked confidence in their own road skills to navigate the UK's congested roads.

Only 2 per cent of women said they cycled everyday.

But Cycling England blamed women's "perceived affect of cycling on appearance" for their lack of enthusiasm for pedal power.

In fact, women were three times more likely to cycle indoors on exercise bikes than outdoors on the open road.

However, the survey results might surprise British cycling pursuit gold medalist Rebecca Romero who proved cycling can be glamorous by posing nude in a recent advert for a sports energy drink.

Fellow Olympic cycling gold medalist Victoria Pendleton also cast aside her clothes for a cheeky cover shoot for the Observer Sports Monthly magazine.

Glamorous celebrities, like Agnes Deyn and Elle Macpherson, have been snapped in the saddle recently; but even the fashionistas have failed to awaken a high-street passion for tight, luminous Lycra.

Phillip Darnton, chairman of Cycling England, said: "It's very worrying that we have such a gender imbalance when it comes to cycling in this country.

"Women, and in particular mums, have a key role to play in encouraging greater take up of cycling in general - so it's vital we get more women on their bikes."

Keen-cyclist Emma Osborne, from Exeter, is running a campaign called Beauty and the Bike to encourage more women to take up cycling.

She said: "Cycling from A to B doesn't have to mean you arrive dishevelled at your destination. You can take it at your own pace without having to work up a sweat or don Lycra cycling wear.

"Women who cycle regularly look and feel great, and with increasing numbers of celebrity female cyclists looking chic on a bike, we hope more women will feel inspired to take to their bike."

Cycling England was established in 2005 by the Department for Transport to encourage more people to cycle.

Chronic Fatigue Part 5

It's been a while since I wrote about my battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This is symbolic because my progress has been the same...very slow, very methodical. Some weeks I feel as though I'm making huge gains, other weeks I just want to crawl back into my cave and sleep.

As I mentioned before, the worst part of CFS for me is not so much the actual fatigue but my inability to absorb life's little challenges. At times, it feels as though I'm caged in a small box with really loud, obnoxious music blasting at me. And, all I want to do is just run away.... Totally a fight or flight scenario.

I'm not to blame or make excuses, but I do believe my battle with CFS contributed to my being let go from my last job and my break-up with the person I was dating. Again, inability to manage life's little challenges and inability to give and take with life.

The good news is that I am getting better. I believe napping, good food, supplementation and liquid DHEA to help stabalize hormone and thyroid levels have helped me tremendously.

I've gotten to the point where I can actually exercise 5-6 days out of the week, while still keeping my intensity low. A typical week includes 3-4 bike rides, 2-3 short runs (no more than 50 minutes), at least one surf session and a couple of core strength activities. Oh, and I recently bagan playing tennis again a couple of times a week and that's been good for my mind and emotions. So, in addition to the naps and nutrition, mixing it up has also been important.

I recently began volunteering some time with the Challenged Athletes Foundation and am serving as a group leader on Sunday rides. It feels great to give back, especially for such a worthy organization.

Follow the link on CAF to find out more about this organization.

Okay, that's it for now. Thanks for reading!

Chris Horner Gives Fallen Rider (and bike) a 2k Ride to the Finish

The Everyday Athlete » Blog Archive » Chris Horner Gives Fallen Rider (and bike) a 2k Ride to the Finish

Saturday, July 12th, 2008...4:20 pm
Chris Horner Gives Fallen Rider (and bike) a 2k Ride to the Finish

The leaders had already come through when a moto approached me and said, "Get your camera ready - one hell of a shot is coming your way"

I readied.

30 seconds later, the form of a rider appeared up the road. Wait. A rider? Two riders? What the hell is that thing? As the form approached, I began to realize that Chris Horner was actually giving someone a ride on the back of his bike. Uphill. To the finish. After busting ass to help Levi for 70 some-odd miles.

And, wait. What IS that? Is the guy carrying his bike?

Yes. Yes he is.


He came across the line to huge applause.

Incredible!!

Apparently, Billy Demong from Team American R.A.D.D./AGEL crashed with 2k to go, bike and body completely thrashed, and Horner stopped and said, "Hey dude, get on." and then rode them both up the hill to the finish.

Gas prices & bikes

no words needed.

Naked bike ride: Boulder, Co

Not much needed to be said about this post:

Chronic Fatigue part 4

It’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog with regards to my battle with chronic fatigue.  It’s been nearly 3 months since my diagnosis, which included confirmation via specific blood tests that looked for antibodies of the Epstein Barr virus and the Cytomaglo Virus, both of which I tested positive for. And, while the general fatigue continues, I’m starting to notice that my recovery from working out is starting to improve some.

 

I’ve learned that CFS affects people differently and the best way I can describe it for me is the feeling of being stuffed in a very small box with the loudest hard rock metal music that you can’t stand blaring at you for hours.  The feeling is that I just want to escape.  This is when the chronic fatigue is at its worst.  So for me, it’s not so much the fatigue rather the inability to absorb life’s little challenges that’s been challenging -- although some morning it was painful crawling out of bed and some afternoons I just wanted to crawl under my desk and go to sleep.

 

I’ve kept up with my medication, 8 weeks of a low-grade antibiotic, vitamins and clean eating – limited sugars, coffee and things that feed Candida.  I also started napping frequently and my afternoon cat naps really, truly helped a lot.  It took me a couple of weeks to get used to them and now I can’t live without them, which can pose a problem when having to deal with real life.

 

I also discovered that the main trigger of fatigue for me is dehydration.  Meaning that I have to be ultra-sensitive to make sure I don’t dehydrate too much else it will take me days to recover.  Dehydration, I’ve found, leads to other things and my body just suffers as a result.  So, I’m always drinking water and always looking for ways to keep myself over-hydrated.

 

CFS has been challenging for me, not just physically, but also emotionally.  For an athlete who is used to going and achieving, it’s hard not to have motivation and energy to do one tenth of what I used to do.  CFS has also impacted my work and my relationships.  I don’t want to blame this all on CFS, but in less than a month I lost my job and my girlfriend broke up with me.  Yeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh CFS!!!

 

The last thing I’ll share today is that apparently the majority of people have these viruses in their bodies.  These viruses live dormant in and around our livers and only come out when we are immune suppressed.  Suppression of our immune system is caused, in my case, by a lot of emotional stress and physical challenges.  The basic things that your grandparents told you…eat well, sleep well, be wholesome with your approach to life is very true.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Kam

 

 

 

And the first ride...is a group ride.

IBR in Boulder - Island Boy Racing

Friday morning, left Roger's casa at about 8 to meet Kurt at Amante in north Boulder by 8:45. The man has not changed a bit...still looks the same and he's still wired up like he's stuck his tongue in the outlet.



I was nicely reminded how much of a cycling town this place is as I saw dozens of cyclist riding around. Once in a while you'd see a pro jersey, such as the Slipstream team and what not. This is the place to be and ride if you love cycling!

Larry (my friend and old riding partner) and one of Kurt's friends (Jen) met us at Amante and we rolled up to the Bus Stop to meet up with a group of triathletes, including Matt Reed (US champion and Olympic hopeful, his wife Kelly and a contingent of Aussie female triathletes who were all hammerheads!



We were supposed to ride a semi flat route called Fruit Loops but ended up climbing up and over Old Stage (one of the steeper hills in Boulder and the major climb of the Boulder Peak triathlon, also known as the hill where Davis Phiney used to climb and do sprints on).

The tri girls soon pulled away...I think perhaps some sort of the female competitive thing...and I found myself climbing with Larry and Matt with Jen a sizable distance behind us.

At the top of the hill, Larry and I looped back and picked Jen up while Matt continued down the back side of the hill. By the time Larry, Jen and I made it to the bottom of the descent, the group including the girls and Luoni, had already taken off. So we rode up left hand canyon (about a 7 mile gradual climb) to the town of Jamestown, turned around and came back down.


We chose a different route and climbed up Lee Hill, another steep but shorter hill, and descended back towards Amante on the other side of the mountain.

Needless to say, the scenery was amazing...very much like riding in a post card. This is a picture of Jen riding in front of her favorite view, including a ranch house and 4 horses (that are not in the picture.)


And, one of Larry and me on the same spot.


Larry, Jen and I had coffee and chai at the Spruce Cafe, then I headed off to Vecchio's bike shot to say hi to Peter (owner) and buy a tire. It was good to see Pete and we talked a bit about riding in Boulder versus San Diego, the war, military, etc.

I shot an email to Kurt telling him what we did. We may hook up later tonight or he may come to "my" outing -- group of us are meeting at 5 pm on Saturday at a local park with food and games and what not.

It feels really good to be here!

First day in Boulder -- hike and eat!

IBR in Boulder - Island Boy Racing

Friday was consumed by getting re-acclimated to Boulder. A short run and followed by a hike with my buddy Roger and his dog Thunder in the mountains was just what the doctor ordered. The air, in addition to being thin like MJ's receding hairline, is also very clean (unlike MJ) and it feels good to fill the lungs with it. Coming out of spring, everything is super deep green and the colors magically match against the deep blue sky. Boulder's been unusually windy this spring and summer, which makes riding a bit challenging but keeps the air nice and clean.



Had a low-key dinner party at night at Roger's house with good friends Larry and Charlie, put the bike together and got ready to meet Luoni in the morning for a cruise ride.

What's it like to ride in Boulder, Co.

IBR in Boulder - Island Boy Racing

Not that you should care but I thought I'd share riding news from Boulder! I'm hoping to hook up with Kurt Luoni this weekend but he's got some 1/2 Ironman tri in a couple of weeks and says he needs to do 3-4 20min efforts instead of ride tempo endurance with me and my friends. cool!

My buddy Roger is outfitted nicely with the IBR kit I got for him...thank you Pedro and we'll be riding in style on Friday and Saturday. I'm sure we'll get a lot of looks cuz nobody's seen our kits here.

Sat across Ted Nuegent yesterday at the commuter airport. He was flying out to Bakersfield for a show after playing at the House of Blues for the troops in San Diego on Tuesday night. Very interesting, articulate man who's deeply passionate about the American way of life, hunting, our troops and the benefits of animal protein. I didn't want to impose too much on his good nature to ask for a picture. But, he did get a chuckle when I shared with him that the TSA geniuses thought he's George Thorogood. Doh!

Okay, it's super windy here in Boulder so no riding today, but will put in a hike through the local trails.

Saturday is the epic ride from Boulder to Lyons, up Peak to Peak Hwy. to Ward, and back down to Boulder via James Town....about 4-5 hours and 6,000+ ft of climbing up to just under 11,000 feet in elevation at the highest. anybody got extra oxygen?

Stay tuned for photos and much more!

Out.

Story on Mark Abramson, USAC President and former RAAM team mate

www.cyclingnews.com - the world centre of cycling

USAC president: The era of the collegian
The new board president of USA Cycling, Mark Abramson
Photo ©: USA Cycling (Click for larger image)

In March the USA Cycling board of directors elected its vice president, Mark Abramson, to succeed the term-limited Jim Ochowicz as president of the board. The new president comes from the ranks of collegiate cycling (NCCA), one of the five discipline associations, and is the first NCCA member to hold this position. Abramson spoke with Cyclingnews' North American Editor Mark Zalewski about where he plans on taking the board in his term.

If one had to title the new USA Cycling board president Mark Abramson's upcoming term in office, it would be 'the era of the collegian'. This is because Abramson sits on the board of directors as the sole representative of the National Collegiate Cycling Association (NCCA). Collegiate cycling is where he was first exposed to bicycle racing and it is the vehicle that brought him up the ranks of USA Cycling.

"I became involved with racing in 1995," said Abramson. "I started mountain bike racing at Tufts University. Eastern Massachusetts is not exactly mountainous but we have surprisingly good singletrack." Abramson, 33 (but in true USAC fashion said, "Racing age, 34!") is a Boston native and currently resides in Cambridge running a software development company. "I grew up in Wayland in the suburbs of Boston. Boston has a great cycling community, but certainly a tight-knit racing community as well."

Abramson continued his involvement with cycling in the collegiate ranks, both in racing itself and then promoting after graduation. "I was involved in collegiate cycling as a rider and then within the team when we hosted an eastern championships in 1996 - I was the promoter of that event. Then I became more involved with the eastern conference, and after I graduated I took over as assistant conference director and then conference director."

At this point collegiate cycling was not a full association within the governing body. Abramson continued increasing his involvement within the sub-discipline by expanding his work beyond New England and pushing for inclusion at the top level. "I became involved with collegiate cycling at the national level with the NCCA committee. We then worked to add ourselves as a full USA Cycling association, and became part of the board of trustees and got a seat on the board of directors. I served on the NCCA committee and became a trustee and then director.

"I've always considered myself a cyclist, but collegiate cycling was my introduction to the competitive side of the sport. I started off mountain bike racing but then I got bit by the road bug. That became my primary focus, though I did run the Boston Cyclocross Association for a number of years. We promoted a number of races in New England, so that was another outlet."

Continue to the full feature.

The best joke ever....

WADA, CAS, Fahey, "Penis" Pound and the the rest of them should realize that this witch hunt is costing the sport. Get a clue you so called administrators of the sport. Move on.....


Anti-doping agency to seek court costs from Landis | Sports | Reuters

MONTREAL (Reuters) - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Monday it may seek $1.3 million in court costs from disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis if the cyclist fails to win his appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The new chairman of WADA John Fahey discussed the possibility of recovering court costs after chairing his first major meetings at the doping agency's Montreal headquarters last weekend.

Fahey's predecessor Dick Pound has been critical of the International Cycling Union's unwillingness to contribute financially to the court costs that Fahey said stood at around $1.3 million.

We need to rally around this again to preserve San Onofre State Park

Not surprising that saving the camp grounds is an ongoing battle.  This is the latest update.

 

The call-to-action is simple:

1.      Go here: http://ga1.org/campaign/Secretary_Commerce

 

2.      Fill out the form that populates a plea-letter with your vitals and sends it to Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez

 

3.      Pass this on to your people so we can continue to fight this thing

 

The TCA has asked the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to override the California

Coastal Commission's NO vote regarding the Foothill-South Toll Road.

Remember that the Foothill-South Toll Road was soundly rejected by the

California Coastal Commission for its serious and unmitigable effects on the

environment.

 

In a shocking testament to the TCA's consistent and repeated failure to

address the public's concerns regarding this toll road, they have urged the

Department of Commerce to deny the public an opportunity to participate in a

hearing on the appeal.

 

This project, if allowed, would be the first time in California that a local

agency could take state parkland for its own infrastructure use, setting a

dangerous precedent and putting all our state parks at risk.  According to

the California State Parks Foundation the Foothill-South Toll Road will

destroy nearly 60% of San Onofre State Park, California's 6th most popular

state park, causing the likely abandonment of the San Mateo Campground, and

harming the water quality of Southern California's last pristine watershed.

 

San Onofre State Beach is far away from Washington D.C.!  U.S. Secretary of

Commerce Carlos Gutierrez is hearing from special interest groups and the

TCA's lobbyists.  Now he needs to hear from you.

 

The TCA would have us believe that a toll road through our state park is the

only solution to our traffic problems.  This is a false choice presented by

a single-purpose agency. Send a message to Commerce Secretary Gutierrez

asking him to review the TCA's appeal based on facts.

 

Visit http://ga1.org/campaign/Secretary_Commerce today!

 

Thank you!

Robin Everett

Conservation Organizer

Sierra Club

Friends of the Foothills

949-361-7534

949-338-5356 cell

949-361-6623 fax

League Announces the Latest BFC Designations

League of American Bicyclists * Press Releases

League Announces the Latest BFC Designations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Nesper
League of American Bicyclists
202-822-1333
bill@bikeleague.org

Washington, D.C.—May 1 , 2008—Today, eleven communities were honored with the League of American Bicyclists prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation and eleven communities renewed their designation. “This round brings into focus both the geographic and demographic diversity of designated communities,” League President Andy Clarke said. “These are all cities that are realizing the potential of bicycling to address the challenges of climate change, traffic congestion, rising obesity rates, and soaring fuel prices.”

The Bicycle Friendly Community program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life and transportation network. These new winners bring the total number of current Bicycle Friendly Communities to 84, stretching across 31 states. The League awards this four-year designation to communities that have made impressive, measurable efforts to integrate bicyclists into the community. There are four levels—platinum, gold, silver and bronze—awarded twice each year.

The new Bicycle Friendly Communities are:

Silver
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Durango, Colo.
Minneapolis, Minn.

Bronze
Arcata, Calif.
Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Charlotte, N.C.
Charlottesville, Va.
Coeur d'Alene, Id
Oxford, Miss.
Port Townsend, Wash.
Sitka, AK.

Eleven communities renewed their designation at the same level, with one exceptional standout, Portland, Oregon, which moved up from gold to platinum. These communities are:

Platinum
Portland, Ore.

Gold
Madison, Wis.
Tucson/East Pima Region, Ariz.

Silver
Bellingham, Wash.
Missoula, Mont.

Bronze
Albuquerque, N.M.
Ashland, Ore.
Gilbert, Ariz.
Longmont, Colo.
South Sioux City, Neb.
Sunnyvale, Calif.

This designation is one with real meaning—it is difficult to earn and important to renew. In addition to the winning communities, 16 additional communities applied in this round but did not reach. Since the program’s inception in 2003, 212 communities have applied and 84 current have a bronze or higher designation. Ten communities were given honorable mentions as well.

It is important to recognize communities as they begin to build bicycle friendliness into their network. But a designation only goes to communities with established records in two or more of the five categories which are known as the Five E’s:
Education: Does the community have systems in place to train children and adult cyclists?
Engineering: Are bicyclists included in the city’s transportation plan?
Enforcement: Do police officers understand and enforce bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities?
Encouragement: Does the community participate in Bike Month, offer bike rodeos, host community bike rides, or otherwise encourage cycling?
Evaluation: Does the community have methods in place to ensure their bicyclist programs are making a difference?

The honorable mentions for this round are:

Cleveland, OH
Flint, Mich.
Morgan Hill, Calif.
New Haven, Conn.
New Orleans, La.
Northampton, Mass.
Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.
Roanoke, Va.
Sarasota County, Fla.
Venice, Fla.

About the BFC Program
The BFC program was initiated in 2003 and has received applications from more than 213 communities. Currently 84 cities and counties are designated Bicycle Friendly Communities. The program is generously supported by Trek Bicycles and Bikes Belong. Applicants complete a detailed on-line form with numerous questions in five key areas: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation/planning. Local cyclists, national experts, and League staff review the applications. For the complete list of Bicycle Friendly Communities and more information on the program visit http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/communities/.

League of American Bicyclists Names Portland, Ore. a "Platinum" Level Bicycle Friendly Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Nesper
League of American Bicyclists
202-822-1333
bill@bikeleague.org

Washington, D.C.—April 29, 2008—The League of American Bicyclists congratulates Portland, Ore. on achieving platinum Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) status – Portland is the first large city in the United States to gain the designation and joins Davis, Calif as the only other platinum BFC in the country.

More than 200 communities have applied for BFC recognition since 2003, and 84 currently have a bronze or higher designation. An announcement of additional designations from the most recent round of applications is scheduled for release Thursday, May 1, to mark the first day of National Bike Month.

Portland’s BFC award is recognition of the incredible progress the community has made to encourage more people to bicycle and to ride safely. “When Portland received the gold award in 2003”, said Andy Clarke, President of the League, “We challenged the community to increase ridership to get to platinum. Bold leadership, community-wide involvement, and a lot of hard work has resulted in a 144% increase in bicycle use since the 2000 Census – impressive results by any standard.”

“We are honored that the League has recognized Portland’s work to become a better, safer place for people to bicycle”, said Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, who has spearheaded the initiative to achieve platinum status. “This is integral to our broader vision of Portland as a world-class, sustainable, and economically vibrant city that attracts families and businesses because of the quality of life on offer to all. Bicycling helps us achieve all that and more. We are not content to rest on our laurels. Platinum status is just the beginning and we realize that the eyes of the nation are now upon us to keep pedaling forward!”

BFC reviewers noted that Portland has coupled modest but smart investments in infrastructure, with outstanding education, promotion and encouragement activities to make bicycling a practical and safe option for many more Portlanders than ever before. Education and enforcement programs are now helping drivers and pedestrians interact more safely and predictably with the increasing numbers of cyclists on the road.

Other highlights from the 27-page application included:

• Portland’s bikeway network includes 270 miles of on-street bike lanes, bike boulevards, and paved trails; another 6 miles of singletrack and 40 miles of mountain bike accessible trail offer mountain biking opportunities in city parks.
• A city ordinance requires bike parking in new development and redevelopment projects; another provides a huge incentive for developers to provide showers and locker rooms
• Six bike corrals have been installed, each replacing one on-street car parking space with 12 bicycle spaces
• 400 bikeway destination signs have been installed (with 400 to come) on the bikeway network
• More than 1,000 traffic offenders (including cyclists) have been through a two-hour “Share the Road” Safety Class
• More than 400 bicycle light sets are distributed annually to low-income bicyclists by the city, Tri-Met (the transit agency) and the Community Cycling Center.
• 2,250 elementary students annually receive a 10-hour bicycle safety course as part of a larger Safer Routes to School initiative. The course is delivered by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and has helped increase bicycling to school by 5% in just one school year.
• The city distributes 35,000 citywide bicycle maps and another 35,000 local area maps. The citywide map is also reproduced in the Portland phone book.
• More than 9,100 people participated in the 2007 Bicycle Commuter Challenge, including 1,700 first-time bike commuters
• A Tri-Met survey found that three-fifths of area employment sites provide bike parking and ten percent offer incentives to employees who bicycle.
• 20,000 participants in the Providence Bridge Pedal make Portland home to the second largest community bike ride in the United States (after Bike New York)
• 2,000 hardy riders fill the annual Worst Day of the Year ride in early February
• The Bicycle Transportation Alliance boasts 3,000 members in the city and is just one of many advocacy and riding groups that organize thousands of rides, events and bicycling activities year-round
• Creation of the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovations at Portland State University will help ensure technology transfer and much-needed research into innovative ways to encourage bicycling
• The city boasts 40 bike shops and more than 150 bicycle-related businesses that provide thousands of green-collar jobs and with an economic benefit of more than $65 million (2005)

“Portland has had the courage to lead, to innovate, and to pursue a vision of their community that emphasizes choice, equity and quality of life,” continued Clarke. “The job isn’t done, however. Platinum status isn’t forever, and it carries with it the responsibility of setting a high standard for other communities to follow. We recognize that compared to other world class cities for cycling, Portland still has a long way to go.”

Among the recommendations made by the League to the City to maintain their platinum status are:

• Ensure better access to city parks and recreation areas for off-road riding
• Strengthen ties to the police and enforcement community to ensure motorists and cyclists are following the rules of the road
• Increase investments in the city’s bikeway network, particularly bike boulevards and signature projects that overcome major barriers, to open up the city to cyclists of all abilities
• Continue to innovate and demonstrate leadership with projects such as the new bike boxes, colored bike lanes, and Sunday Parkways program

About the BFC Program & the League
The BFC program was initiated in 2003 and has received applications from more than 213 communities. Currently 84 cities and counties are designated Bicycle Friendly Communities. The program is generously supported by Trek Bicycle Corporation and Bikes Belong. Applicants complete a detailed on-line form with numerous questions in five key areas: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation/planning. Local cyclists, national experts, and League staff review the applications.

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of 57 million American cyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org or www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.

Pro cyclist: caught between a rock and a hard place....

Petacchi is suspended for using Slabutamol a drug used to treat bronchitis. My first gut reaction when I read the headline is that "here goes another doped up pro cyclist...." and "...when is all this catching/doping cycle going to end?...."

Then I gave Petacchi the benefit of the doubt and said "what if this guys is really sick and needs to get better so he can race the Giro and fulfill his duties as a professional athlete?"

I mean, I certainly have taken modern medicine to help me recover from illness so I can get to work, so why can't Petacchi or the thousands of other professional athletes?

But, where is the fine line between an athlete taking advantage of modern medicine to recover from an illness and those who abuse the system to gain training and/or racing advantage?

I supposed we rely on the medical industry--having doctors diagnose and vouch for ill athletes--to make sure athletes are taking medicine for the right reasons. But doctors have also been known to abuse the trust we give their station...the stories of team doctors "forcing" "vitamins" down the throats of pro athletes in a common one.

So, how do we connect the dots and clean things up? Or, can we? One thing's for sure...the cycle of mistrust is intricately wide and deep. It's hard to have hope for this sport with no real solutions in place. The war against drugs is rampant and if governments can't effectively gain ground against deeply entrenched drug circles, what chance do niche governing bodies have?

For one, I think this forces cyclist-enthusiasts to re-focus their love inward towards what they love about the sport for themselves and by themselves.



CAS suspends Petacchi

By Charles Pelkey
Posted May. 6, 2008


The International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, (CAS) ruled Tuesday that Italian sprint star Alessandro Petacchi will be ineligible to compete until August 31, because of a doping case stemming from last year's Giro d'Italia.

The 34-year-old Petacchi tested positive for the drug Salbutamol in May after one of his five wins in last year's Giro. The Milram sprinter was originally cleared of the charge by the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) last July, which found that Petacchi overused his inhaler after the stage and may have accidentally swallowed some of the drug in the process. However, the the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) argued that since the level of the drug exceeded permitted levels, Petacchi should still be suspended and appealed the FCI ruling to CAS.

While noting that Petacchi may well have accidentally inhaled too much of the bronchodilator and bore "no significant fault or negligence," the CAS panel, nonetheless, suspended him for a year, but declined to impose a full two-year penalty.

"In order to establish no fault or negligence an athlete has to show that he used 'utmost caution,' the panel concluded. "Even on his own account, Mr. Petacchi took more than the authorized dose. He cannot establish that he used utmost caution."

"CAS has ruled that Alessandro Petacchi is ineligible to compete for a period of one year, less two months already served," the court noted in its decision. "Therefore, the period of ineligibility will run from 1 November, 2007, to 31 August, 2008."
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The court also ruled that all of Petacchi's results from the 2007 Giro should be scratched from the record books.

"All competitive results obtained by Alessandro Petacchi during the 2007 Giro d'Italia shall be disqualified with all of the resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes," the court ruled. "Alessandro Petacchi can retain all other competitive results between 23 May 2007 and 31 October 2007, but all competitive results obtained after 31 October 2007, and during the period of ineligibility will be disqualified."

The ruling also negates the results of Petacchi's two stage victories at the recent Tour of Turkey.

Petacchi was accused of doping after a urine sample he gave at Pinerolo on May 23, 2007, the third of his five stage wins in last year's Giro, showed an unusually high level of Salbutamol, a substance primarily used to treat asthma.

Salbutamol is banned, but riders suffering from asthma are allowed restricted use of the drug if they have a medical certificate.

Petacchi has such a certificate ─ a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) ─ having suffered from asthma for many years. The World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list notes, however, that riders whose urine samples show a concentration of Salbutamol greater than 1000 nanograms per milliliter must prove that the elevated level is a result of normal therapeutic use. If a rider with a TUE produces a level lower than 1000 ng/mL the burden of proof falls to anti-doping authorities, if they wish to show a violation.

Studies have shown that in addition to aiding in the treatment of asthma, Salbutamol can be used to increase an athlete's anaerobic power. According to study results, peak power appeared significantly earlier and was noticeably increased after Salbutamol use.

Petacchi produced a level higher than the upper limit and was required to show that he did not take the drug orally or inject it and that his use of the inhaler was in keeping with its normal therapeutic use. Last year, the FCI ruled that Petacchi and his attorneys had met that standard of proof. A CAS panel, however, disagreed and ordered Petacchi’s suspension until August 31.

Despite the ruling, the panel did not accuse Petacchi of cheating.

"The panel is satisfied that Mr. Petacchi is not a cheat," the decision noted, "and that the adverse analytical finding in this case is the result of Mr. Petacchi simply, and possibly accidentally, taking too much Salbutamol on the day of the test, but that the overdose was not taken with the intention of enhancing his performance. Indeed, it would be an unusual way of attempting to enhance performance to take the prohibited substance after the particular event had concluded."

"In the circumstances, the panel is satisfied that Mr. Petacchi bears no significant fault or negligence ... therefore the panel can reduce the period of ineligibility."

The most significant impact of the ruling will come in July. Petacchi had already announced that he would not take part in this year’s Giro d’Italia, because he is suffering from bronchitis. He had, however, planned to participate in the Tour de France.

Since CAS is the sporting world’s highest court, Petacchi has no more options to appeal the decision.