bicycling
News
Alberto Contador Stripped of Tour de France Title; Receives Two-Year Suspension for Doping
Spanish racer Alberto Contador has been found guilty of doping by cycling's highest court, which stripped him of his victories at the 2010 Tour de France and 2011 Giro d'Italia and also imposed a two-year suspension on the Saxo Bank rider. The suspension is being applied retroactively however, meaning Contador can race again in August but will still miss the London Olympics and this year's tour de France.
about.com | 06-Feb-2012 21:57
Nothing Sticks to Lance in Investigation
U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte decided on Friday to close the investigation into possible doping by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong without bringing any charges against him. For years, Armstrong has steadfastly denied any use of performance enhancing drugs.
about.com | 04-Feb-2012 12:13
Taking Your Bike on a Plane Trip - What'll It Cost Me?
Taking your bike on a plane trip can be a bit of a headache. You'll need to remove handlebars, seat, pedals and front wheel to make it fit in a shipping case or stout cardboard box. You'll have to check it as baggage and even then get hit with an oversize bag fee. But, if you absolutely need your bike at your destination, and a plane is your only real option for travel, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. In that case, here's a handy chart showing what various airlines charge to bring your bike as checked baggage.
about.com | 31-Jan-2012 21:28
Found This in My Pocket...
So this morning I put on a dress suit for work that I apparently hadn't worn in a while. To my great surprise and pleasure, when I stuck my hand in my pocket, I found (no, not a $20 bill) a nut from a Presta valve along with a cap that goes on an inner tube.
...about.com | 30-Jan-2012 15:04
Bicycling and Running: How Crosstraining Can Help
I just signed myself up for a half-marathon in April.
What was I thinking?
I love riding my bike. All I've done for the past several years is ride my bike. In fact, when I tallied my physical activity for 2012, it looked something like this:
...about.com | 27-Jan-2012 18:24
Review: Arkel's Dolphin 48 Panniers
When planning a bike tour along Missouri's Katy Trail, I looked at a number of different panniers to carry my stuff. I ended up taking up a pair of Arkel's Dolphin 48 panniers, which are billed as fully waterproof bags, and big ones at that, with a capacity of 48 liters/2930 cubic inches for the pair. Arkel is known for its array of well-made products for cyclists, including a number of different bags and packs, such as the Tailrider Trunk Bag. Would the Dolphin live up to the company's reputation? Five days of bike touring and we'd have the answer.
about.com | 24-Jan-2012 03:44
USA Cycling Announces 2012 Schedule of Championship Events
Road racing, track cycling, BMX, mountain biking, collegiate championships and more. USA Cycling sanctions the championship events for all these cycling disciplines and more.
Starting with the cyclocross national championships earlier this month, 17 events in total will provide professional and amateur American cyclists of all ages with opportunities to race for the coveted Stars-and-Stripes jerseys that signify a national championship.
...about.com | 23-Jan-2012 09:13
Grease Monkey: A Cleaner Option for Spray Lubricants
If you've ever used spray lubricant on your bike chain, you know it can be a messy proposition. Not only is overspray on your bike frame and wheels a big problem, the simple fact is that there is a whole lot of waste with it as well. Much of the lubricant simply sails away in the air.
about.com | 19-Jan-2012 16:50
Cyclocross Nationals Elite Race Streaming Live Sunday
This weekend, January 4-8, is the U.S. Cyclocross National Championship takes place in Madison, Wisconsin. The races to determine the Elite champion will be streamed live by USA Cycling on Sunday, January 8th, beginning at noon Central Time (CT). Women's race is at noon; men's race is at 2:15. Coverage begins ten minutes before the race.
about.com | 07-Jan-2012 20:56
Keep Your Feet Warm During Cold Weather Riding
Riding your bike in the winter can be fun - as long as you can keep your feet warm. We've gathered a collection of the techniques that have proven to work best for bikers. Would you consider wrapping your feet in plastic newspaper or shopping bags? It works for some riders! Read the article here: Keep Your Feet Warm During Cold Weather RidingAlso, read tips on what works for your fellow readers: How to Keep Your Feet Toasty on Cool Weather Rides: What Works For You
Related Stories:
- Snow tires on your bike? Studded tires, chains and more to help keep traction.
- Cold Weather Riding Guide
- Secrets to Layering to Help Keep Warm on the Bike
about.com | 31-Dec-2011 22:00
Your Riding Resolutions for 2012
With 2012 upon us, it's a time to look forward and think about what you want to accomplish in the new year.
Personally, I don't have an overall mileage goal that I need to achieve. My plan is to simply continue to ride my bike any time I can, and to look for ways to do that. For me, possibilities are on my commute to work; doing errands around town; going on longer weekend rides with my friends or casual rides with my wife and kids.
...about.com | 29-Dec-2011 10:48
4,155 Reasons to Ride Your Bike
Looking for yet another reason to ride a bike? CNBC reports that the typical American household will have spent $4,155 on gasoline this past year, 8.4% of their income. That's the highest chunk of the household budget in 30 years spent simply to fill up at the gas station, due primarily to a combination of stagnant wages and record high ($3.50/gal average)
about.com | 28-Dec-2011 10:29
Increasing Your Visibility on the Bike
Let me preface this piece by saying that I hate any discussion that implies that cycling is a scary or dangerous activity. Sure there are inherent risks, as in any thing in life we do, but I believe that 1) bicycling is far safer than perceived by non-cyclists or beginners, and 2) that any small risk is far outweighed by the many benefits of cycling.
...about.com | 27-Dec-2011 11:39
How Much Riding Will You Do Over the Holidays?
With Christmas and the New Year's holidays being celebrated in many parts of the world, many of our normal routines go right out the window with some time off from work and perhaps travel to see family. So I've got a question for you: is this a good time for you to get some miles on the bike - maybe even more that normal?
about.com | 21-Dec-2011 18:34
Book Review: Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail
When cyclists think of crossing the country on bike, perhaps one of the major east-west touring routes comes to mind first. However, it would be a big mistake to overlook the Mississippi River Trail, a marked bike route that follows the historic river on its 2,000 mile course from the river's headwaters are found in northern Minnesota all the way down to where it enters the Gulf of Mexico at the southernmost point in Louisiana.
about.com | 16-Dec-2011 01:02
Single-day Epic Rides
I recently received the following email from a reader named Jacob:
...Hi Dave! I want to try the following 1 day endurance ride as a challenge to myself. It is approx. 180 miles (290 km) from San Jose to Newcastle, California. Here a link to the route. http://g.co/maps/hvsgd Any thoughts on this?
about.com | 12-Dec-2011 08:11
Rook Wallet by Chrome Bags
You may be already familiar with Chrome Bags, based in San Francisco. Makers of messenger bags and clothing including some pretty excellent knickers, Chrome is known for extraordinarily durable products built to handle the daily grind of rugged urban riding.
about.com | 30-Nov-2011 08:59
German Artist Creates 5.6m tall "Christmas Bike"
German artist Didi Senft is probably most recognizable as the devil who appears alongside the road to "encourage" the riders in each stage of the Tour de France. He's also an inventor though too, with over 100 different types of bikes to his credit. Senft's most recent creation, unveiled just this past weekend, is a "Christmas bike". Made from 12 different ladders, it stands over 20 feet tall and features more than 3,000 lights and a number of small Christmas figures incorporated throughout. On its debut public trip, Senft rode it around town with his grandchildren perched on top, shouting holiday greetings the whole while.
about.com | 29-Nov-2011 14:27
Holiday Gift Guide for Cyclists
Today is known as "Cyber Monday," where everybody goes back to work and spends the day surfing the Internet, the first day in a long holiday season where absolutely nothing gets done in the workplace. And we are here to help by offering you some lists of our favorite gifts for cyclists. Whether you are buying for yourself or another, there is plenty to like. We tested all of them, and you'll find them both useful and fun, and a hit with even the most finicky recipient on your list.- Best Gifts for Cyclists - 2011
- Best Gifts Under $25
- More Gift Choices for Cyclists
- Best Gifts for the Tour de France Fan
- Readers' Favorites - Gift Choices for Cyclists
about.com | 28-Nov-2011 11:37
The Nutcracker Suite - Performed Using Bike Parts!
Here's something cool to get you in the holiday spirit. Specialized has created a cyclist's version of the Nutcracker Suite, comprised entirely of sounds created with different bike parts, including:
- Spokes being plucked
- Shifters clicking
- Freewheels spinning
- Pedals being clipped into and out of
- Caliper and disc brakes working
about.com | 28-Nov-2011 10:40
What's the highest speed you've ever reached on a bike?
Ever gone fast on a bike? Maybe 25 mph (40 km/h)? Sure. Most cyclists can hit that for brief periods just by pedaling on flat ground. How about really fast, in the range of 35-40 mph (60 km/h)? That can happen going down steep hills. Have you ever hit those scary fast, if-you-wreck-you're-a-goner speeds, say 50 mph (80 km) or more? What's the top speed you've ever reached on a bike?
about.com | 22-Nov-2011 08:40
Review: GoPro HD Hero Helmet Camera
When you're looking for a helmet camera, there are a lot of choices on the market. We had the opportunity to recently check out the GoPro HD Hero Helmet Camera, one of the leading cameras on the market today.
about.com | 09-Nov-2011 15:39
Prep Your Bike For Winter Storage
When putting up your bike for the winter, there are several things you want to do to store it properly. Taking these smart and easy steps will help prevent deterioration from disuse and also ensures that your bike will be ready to ride when it's time to take it out next spring.
...about.com | 01-Nov-2011 01:01
Cranksgiving 2011 - Bike Ride/Food Drive
Cranksgiving rides are happening this month, and chances are there is one near you. What is Cranksgiving? Originally started by bike messengers in NYC, Cranksgiving is a combination bike ride/food drive, with all proceeds--whether in food collected or money raised--generally going to local food pantries.
about.com | 29-Oct-2011 16:51
Getting Started in Cyclocross
Fall is a transition time for competitive cyclists. Road racing is winding down, but that doesn't mean you have to hang up the bike for the winter. With the growing popularity of cyclocross, if you want to still compete, there are plenty of chances to get out in the mud and the cold and have a ball in the process.
about.com | 23-Oct-2011 02:02
French Fixie Fanatics
A recent article in The New York Times discussed how fixed-gear bicycles are now all the rage in Paris.
Though the bikes have been popular for years in New York, San Francisco and London, it's only lately that they've caught on in the French capital, says author Scott Sayare:
...about.com | 18-Oct-2011 22:45
Levi's Releases Special Version of 511 Skinny Jean for Cyclists
Skinny jeans are all the rage these days. Those low-riding, tight-fitting jeans are what you need if you're going to be in fashion, and Levi's 511 version is right at the leading edge.
about.com | 11-Oct-2011 02:01
Selling Used Bike Parts on the Internet: Somebody Wants Your Stuff
Over time, as you upgrade the components on your bike, you'll find yourself with old parts that you need to clear out. The good news is that there is a brisk market out there for used bike parts, and with just a bit of effort it's easy to turn those old pieces and extra items that are now just sitting idle around your garage into cash.
about.com | 06-Oct-2011 09:33
Tracking Your Heart Rate in Spin Classes for Focused Training
Recently contributor Kimberly Hellyar had a terrific article about using Spin Classes as a means to get in some excellent interval training, particularly during the off-season.
Kim's newest article is on how a person can more effectively develop cardiovascular endurance through use of a heart rate monitor to track how hard they are working in these indoor cycling sessions, (commonly known as "spinning").
...about.com | 30-Sep-2011 09:50
Goodbye, Traditional Diamond-Shaped Bike Frame
Guess it was only a matter of time that we'd be saying farewell to the good-old diamond-shaped bike frame, which has been the standard, well, basically since bikes were invented.
The makers of the Tortola RoundTail road frame have taken a different approach, ditching those angles and boring straight lines for a whole new take on bike frames, basically taking the back half of the bike frame and transforming it into two large, shock dampening circles.
...about.com | 28-Sep-2011 10:04
HeadsUp: The Anti Smashing-Into-Garage Warning Device
This is great. After Tom Rieber drove his car (with bike on top) straight into his garage, causing thousands of dollars of damage, he figured there had to be a way to prevent such accidents in the future. This incident was the inspiration for the HeadsUp System, which he created to prevent fellow outdoor enthusiasts from making the same mistake.
about.com | 21-Sep-2011 16:26
Schwinn Brings Back Classic Sting-Ray Bike
Schwinn announced recently the reintroducti0n of the Schwinn Sting-Ray, first launched in 1963, and perhaps THE classic American bike. Only 900 of the special limited edition Schwinn Sting-Rays will be available for sale in four unique colors: Apple Krate, Orange Krate, Lemon Peeler, and Grey Ghost. And to celebrate the launch, Schwinn is offering Facebook fans a chance to win a Schwinn Sting-Ray of their own by voting for their favorite Schwinn Sting-Ray color on Facebook.
about.com | 14-Sep-2011 02:02
Using Spin Classes for Interval Training
You know what interval training is, right? Going like gang-busters for a specific amount of time, really pushing up the old heart rate just about to the red line, then backing off for another period for rest and recovery. Then rinse and repeat. The idea is to build your endurance so you can go at top effort for a longer period of time.
about.com | 08-Sep-2011 09:39
Arkel Tailrider Bag Review
Bike bags were invented when cyclists riding high-wheel bikes in the 19th century looked for a way to carry a six-pack on their way to watch the Sunday football games on TV at a friend's house. Ok, so that's a joke. Bike bags were actually created by Leonardo da Vinci, who needed to tote his laptop with him to work.
...about.com | 01-Sep-2011 02:01
Win "Ultimate Road Trip" from New Belgium's Urban Assault Ride
New Belgium's Urban Assault Ride is a funky bike scavenger hunt where teams hits checkpoints all around town, completing crazy obstacles at each spot. A big party follows with beer, music and more bike shenanigans.
about.com | 26-Aug-2011 11:32
Las Vegas Public Employees Use Electric Bikes for Short Trips Around Town
If you've ever been to Las Vegas, you know traffic congestion can be a big problem. The Strip is clogged, of course, with tourist traffic crawling back and forth between the casinos but the area's highways are generally a mess, too, thanks to the high growth rates the area has seen over the past two decades, some of the highest in the county.
about.com | 20-Aug-2011 11:29
Bike Riding in Portland, Oregon - A Cyclist's Dream
Portland, Oregon consistently ranks among the best cities in the United States for cyclists. It has bike culture, infrastructure that supports cycling and even an attitude among non-cyclists of recognition and support for their being co-owners of space on the street.
about.com | 13-Aug-2011 22:20
Mucho Hilarity With Bike Lanes and Parked Cars
Bike lanes create a happy space for many cyclists when riding in traffic. However, there are occasional conflicts with people who park in the bike lane or otherwise impede the ability of bikers to utilize these spaces.
about.com | 04-Aug-2011 16:52
12g vs 16g CO2 cartridges
So we talked in an earlier post about CO2 cartridges -- what they are and why you would use them. But did you know that CO2 cartridges come in different sizes? They do, and that means a real difference in how much inflation you get.
about.com | 29-Jul-2011 17:19
Adventure Cycling Seeks Nominees for 2011 Bicycle Travel Awards
Who is your bike-travel hero? Nominations are now open for Adventure Cycling Association's 7th annual Bicycle Travel Awards. Celebrating the heroes of bicycle travel in the U.S., Adventure Cycling's awards include the Pacesetter Bicycle Travel Award, June Curry Trail Angel Award, Sam Braxton Bike Shop Award, and the Adventure Cycling Volunteer of the Year Award.
about.com | 21-Jul-2011 15:08
Bike Tour Packing List
If you're going out on a bike tour, a basic list of items to bring is a valuable tool when you are first planning your trip. It's a place to start thinking about what to pack, and helps you assess what you already have and what you still need to acquire. It also -- and this is important too -- can tell you what NOT to bring, helping you keep your load as light as possible. Plus it'll serve as a handy checklist, allowing you to check off items as they go into your pack.
...about.com | 13-Jul-2011 23:29
Hidden Hazard: How a Bike Seat Bag Can Ruin Your Shorts
There's one spot on your bike that many cyclists overlook as a potential place that can rub and damage your bike shorts. That's the Velcro closure on your bike seat bag, specifically the one that secures your seat bag to your seat post.
about.com | 03-Jul-2011 13:23
Want to Be Happier?
Want to be happier? Be in better shape? Have more money? Just ride a bike.
In case you need any additional inspiration or explanation, just check out this terrific animated video, "Riding With Sophie" with that exact message. Just two minutes long, from the Cascade Bicycle Club of Seattle, Washington.
...about.com | 27-Jun-2011 20:01
Bike Commuting Growing - Even Among Criminals
A lone female robber stole an undisclosed amount of cash ...
about.com | 19-Jun-2011 22:44
Bike Riding in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida
When people think of the popular vacation spots like Destin and Fort Walton Beach along the Florida panhandle, white sand beaches and clear blue-green water are what often comes to mind first. It's true that the beaches are great and that you can have a lot of fun there.
about.com | 09-Jun-2011 11:09
Review: Wahoo Fitness Wireless Heart Rate Sensor and Speed/Cadence Monitor for your iPhone
For measuring your general level of fitness and tracking the effectiveness of your workouts, a heart rate monitor is an effective tool. Likewise, a speed/cadence monitor (what is pedal cadence?) offers immediate feedback about your performance on the bike.
about.com | 31-May-2011 02:01