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By David Fiedler, About.com Guide

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Lawmakers Again Target Texting Cyclists

Sunday May 13, 2012

Cell phone Back in February I reported on an effort by an Illinois lawmaker to ban texting by people riding bikes. My comments were something to the effect that while typing with your thumbs while on the bike is not really not a good idea, I didn't really see it as a huge problem, and that you'd think our elected officials would have bigger issues to confront.

However it seems to be more widespread than I first thought and an issue that goes beyond Illinois as evidenced by recent activity in California.

Last week California Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), the same guy who who authored the 2008 California law mandating the use of hands-free technology while driving, has brought the issue up again, this time in a proposed (Senate Bill 1475) that would mean cyclists too would be banned from texting or talking without a headset while on the bike. Bicyclists would be fined $20 for their first offense and $50 thereafter with no additional fees.

What's most interesting to me is that the California Bicycle Coalition has come out in favor of this bill. I spoke with communications director Jim Brown to get more information on why the group is backing the measure.

"The gist of this bill is to raise the penalty for distracted driving generally," said Brown. "It's also an opportunity to include bicyclists as vehicle operators in the legislation as Sen. Simitian previously intended."

Brown continued with an explanation of the specific rationale behind the group's support.

"Any number of studies have shown that "distracted driving" from use of a phone causes cognitive impairment much like being drunk. Bicyclists aren't exempt from distracted driving but differences between them need to be recognized, especially as it pertains to the extent of the potential harm they cause," Brown said. "Penalties should be applied but proportional to the threat Bicyclists aren't typically killing large crowds of people by plowing into them. That's why fines for cell phone use and texting are smaller for cyclists than for operators of motor vehicles, which can cause exponentially more damage."

Question: Have you texted while riding a bike? Do you see this as being a problem? Comment below.

CLIF Mother's Day Giveaway Contest Winners Announced

Wednesday May 9, 2012

Two weeks ago we announced a contest where readers could nominate the active moms in their life for a fabulous giveaway by the CLIF people -- a box of healthy indulgence with the likes of CLIF Bar Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Almond Fudge, MOJO Chocolate Almond Coconut and CRUNCH Chocolate Peanut Butter.

We received some terrific responses, such as the following from Scott in Boise, ID:

My wife deserves the CLIF chocolate because of the emotional strength, physical power, and perseverance she possesses and teaches our children. When our young child died, the simple bicycle saved not only our marriage, but our family as well. This year my wife has worked her way up to a 70.3 Ironman and continues to teach our children nothing is impossible.

There are more fun and inspiring stories about moms getting it done, so follow this link to read this and the other winning entries in the contest.

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Live Webcast with Levi Leipheimer Monday May 7th

Monday May 7, 2012

Levi Leipheimer

Update: if you missed the original webcast when it streamed live, you can check out an archived version of the interview with Levi Leipheimer here.

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This is the original post that appeared Monday, May 7, 2012.

Today you have a chance to join three-time Tour of California champion and Olympic bronze medalist Levi Leipheimer on a 30 minute webcast on Monday, May 7 at 4:30 p.m. EST / 1:30 p.m. PST.

Levi will answer your questions on everything from the Amgen Tour of California to his recent car-bike accident to his Olympic dreams. Tweet your questions through the Twitter hash tag #AskTeamCLIFBar, chat them directly into the webcast or post them directly to CLIF Bar's Facebook page prior to or during the webcast.

To tune into this event go to CLIF Bar's Ustream Page. There is no sign-up process and the webcast is completely open to anybody who wants to watch.

To chat: You can create an Ustream profile or log in via your Twitter account. Twitter hashtag: #AskTeamCLIFBar Bonus: If Levi likes your question, you'll score a signed limited edition Levi poster from CLIF bar.

Cannondale Gets Into the Bike Tour Business

Sunday May 6, 2012

Cannondale logo Everybody knows Cannondale makes high-end bikes. But now they are moving into a slightly different but yet still-related area, having announced a new foray into the world of high-end bike tours.

The Cannondale tours (done in conjunction with DuVine Adventures) are planned around major bike races in the U.S. and Europe and promise to offer participants "insider's access" to these events. The first event is June 6-11, 2012 with a trip to the French Alps and the Criterium du Dauphine. Beyond that are other races where Cannondale athletes are competing, including the Italian Dolomites (July 1-6), USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado (August 22-27), La Vuelta Espana (week-long event, exact September dates TBD), World Championships in Kona (October 10-15), and the Tuscany Challenge (October 14-20).

After a day of riding pro courses (using provided Cannondale SuperSix bikes) participants get even more pro treatment with a post ride massage and all the comforts of luxury travel, gourmet cuisine and world class wines.

"Cannondale Tours is for cyclists that want to challenge themselves by riding world-famous routes, led by professional, experienced guides, while being truly immersed in a region's culture. Guests will bike hard, eat and drink well, and sleep in style," said Bob Burbank, Global General Manager, Cannondale.

For more information on Cannondale Tours, visit cannondale.com/tours Tours may be considered pricey ($5,495 for the June tour in France, double occupancy) but hey, if you've got money and love cycling, why not do it right?

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Cannondale Tours will begin June 6-11, 2012 with a trip to the French Alps and the Criterium du Dauphine. All tours give guests insider's access to major races and events where Cannondale athletes will be competing, including the Italian Dolomites (July 1-6), USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado (August 22-27), La Vuelta Espana (8 days/7 nights), World Championships in Kona (October 10-15), and the Tuscany Challenge (October 14-20).

For more information on Cannondale Tours, visit http://www.cannondale.com/tours

NYC Philanthropist Gives $40 Million For New Indoor Track in Brooklyn

Thursday May 3, 2012

Not many people know that one of the primary uses of the original Madison Square Garden in New York City was for bike racing. It hosted spectacular events with thousands of spectators thronging to competitions that often lasted for days. Racers like Major Taylor (a true pioneer along the lines of Jackie Robinson) were as big a celebrity as they came and fans of that day followed cycling results with as much passion and fervor as any sports fan of the present.

Now a major New York philanthropist named Joshua Rechnitz is aiming to bring back those glorious days of cycling's yesteryear with a $40 million gift to the New York parks system to build a velodrome (bicycle racing stadium) in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

In addition to the sloped 200-meter bike track, the massive field house (115,000 square feet) will contain as many as 2,500 seats for spectators and a 22,000-square-foot infield that can be used for other sports, including basketball, tennis, volleyball and gymnastics.

Track cycling (and bike racing generally) is much bigger in Europe; cyclists in New York and beyond are thrilled and hopeful that the Rechnitz gift will spur growth and interest in it here.

Links:

Solving Handlebar Fit Problems with an Adjustable Stem

Monday April 30, 2012

You may recall that last week I went out bike shopping for my daughter. She's tall, but not quite fully grown. So, in the course of trying to find a deal on a kid's bike for her I came across pretty much the perfect bike for her, a Marin Lucas Valley. The price was right and I knew it would be good for her in the long run as she grew into it.

The only problem was that right now it's just a bit too "long" for her. She felt stretched out and the flat handlebars were a different experience from her previous hybrid/comfort bike. So what to do? The answer was to install an adjustable stem, which would solve the only aspect of this bike that wasn't ideal for her.

If you've got a similar situation with your bike where your handlebars are either a touch too far out in front of you, or else maybe sit lower than you'd prefer, then an easy swap out of the your stem-- the little connector between your handlebars and fork/steerer tube-- can likely improve the situation.

Article: Solve Handlebar Fit Problems with an Adjustable Stem

Mother's Day Reader Giveaway from CLIF

Friday April 27, 2012

CLIF bar chocolate brownie Some think doing a century ride is exhausting. Sure, it's a challenge, but nothing compared to the feats of endurance the mothers in our lives do in keeping up with housework, kids, work and (gasp) some semblance of a personal life.

With Mother's Day coming up, CLIF wants to give a pair of lucky mothers the chocolate she's dreaming of -- a healthy indulgence that rewards and complements her active life.

Two lucky readers will win a box of CLIF Bar chocolaty favorites, like CLIF Bar Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Almond Fudge, MOJO Chocolate Almond Coconut and CRUNCH Chocolate Peanut Butter.

All you have to do is send me a nomination (50 words or less) about the active, bike-riding mother in your life describing what she does and why she should be the one to receive one of these boxes of CLIF chocolately awesomeness.

Send these nominations to me at bicycling.guide@about.com along with your name and a mailing address to where the packet should be sent if you're the winner.

Contest open to U.S. residents only. Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Friday, May 4th. Winners will be contacted ASAP to (hopefully) ensure delivery by Mother's Day.

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New Belgium's 2012 Series of Urban Assault Rides

Tuesday April 24, 2012

Dave Fiedler urban assault ride new belgium big wheel After successful events so far in Tucson, AZ; Richmond, VA; and Charlotte, NC, the New Belgium series of Urban Assault Rides continues with another seven dates between now and the end of August, mostly in the midwest and western sections of the U.S.

I took part in one last summer and let me tell you, it was a blast, even worth the rusty bolts I got on my cleats when I jumped into a swimming pool with my bike shoes on.

If you aren't familiar with these awesome bike parties, it can be described as an event that is

20% bike race
20% zany obstacle course
20% beer
20% cool people and bike culture and
20% music and other creative fun.

Here is how New Belgium Brewery describes their philosophy about bikes, and what really drives the event:

We think beer and bikes go together like peanut butter and jelly. We think that it's just as easy to grab our bike locks on the way out the front door as it is to grab our car keys. We don't think it's possible to be too old to ride big wheels. We think a sumo costume or angel wings are just as suitable as riding gear as bib shorts or arm warmers. We think the streets are more fun when there are more people out on bikes.

If you want to find out more, check out the Urban Assault Ride website. The UAR is open to anybody seven years old and up. Team divisions include coed, male, female and family. Prizes are awards to the top three teams in each division. Each event is capped at 1500 riders and multiple sellouts are expected in 2012.

Here are the upcoming dates:

Saint Louis: 6/3
Minneapolis: 6/10
Austin: 6/24
Fort Collins: 7/15
Denver: 7/22
Des Moines: 8/12
Chicago: 8/19

Related articles:

Katy Trail Ride Report, Day 3

Friday April 20, 2012

Last May I took a five-day bike trip with a couple buddies across the state of Missouri on the Katy Trail, a 240-mile former rail-to-trail conversion, the longest in the United States.

Today we're posting the account of the third day of the trip, which included some clueless tourists, a flat tire, an outlaw run through a train tunnel and a big pants-busting Mexican dinner. These come from a journal I kept to document the details of the trip. It was fun and generally uneventful, but like most adventures of any sort had its crazy moments.

Here's hoping you enjoy it and maybe find some inspiration in it for your own trip.

Latest installment: Katy Trail Trip Report - Day 3

Earlier episodes:

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Indiana University "Little 500" bike races this weekend

Tuesday April 17, 2012

breaking away movie Indiana University's "Little 500" bike race was made famous outside the Hoosier State in the movie "Breaking Away" which was released -- can you believe it? -- over thirty years ago. The film--probably the best cycling film of all time--was nominated for five Academy Awards, including best picture and best director and ultimately took home the Oscar for best original screenplay.

In the movie, the local guys (known as "cutters" because their dads all worked in the local quarry) crash the race and end up in glorious victory, showing the snobby college kids that they've got nothing on the blue-collar locals.

Thought Dennis Quaid is now pushing sixty and may be getting a bit long in the tooth compared to his younger days, the IU Little 500 bike race is still going strong. Though it's 60 years old as well it has evolved into a month's worth of activities tied into the largest collegiate bike racing event in the United States. Over 25,000 spectators pack Bill Armstrong Stadium to cheer on the four-person teams--formed mainly from the fraternities and sororities on campus--as they race around a quarter-mile track. Proceeds benefit IU student scholarships, with more than $35,000 being awarded in 2008.

This year, the women's race is Friday, April 20th at 7:00 p.m. The men follow on Saturday, April 22th at 2:00 p.m.

The bikes used in the race are certainly not your usual high tech racing bikes. They are identical, single-gear (46x18), coaster brake racing bicycles with 700c wheels, 28mm tires and flat rubber pedals -- no cleats or toe clips. This ties back to the AMF Roadmaster bikes, originally designated as the sole bicycle type used in the event. Men and women's bikes are identical; the only difference being frame size.

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