Austin cited cyclists avoid court with defensive cycling course

Cited cyclists avoid court with defensive cycling course - YNN - Your News Now

Biking to obliterate breast cancer: The Texas Mamma Jamma Ride is ready for volunteers and riders -

Biking to obliterate breast cancer: The Texas Mamma Jamma Ride is ready for volunteers and riders

Speak Up Austin: City bike-share program moves forward

Speak Up Austin: City bike-share program moves forward - YNN - Your News Now

Cycling to the 2012 Olympics |

Cycling to venues is much easier than you may think and offers an easy and fun way of getting to your event. You could make a day of it by combining a cycle trip to visitor attractions on the way to or from your event.
We recommend planning your route in advance using the cycle tab on the spectator journey planner and taking a cycle map with you. Maps are available on the venues travel pages, along with links to cycle route information in the area. Select a venue for details 
The Active Travel programme aims to encourage more walking and cycling in the run-up to, during and after the Games, and includes a whole host of events and activities.
Cycle parking
Free, secure, managed cycle parking will be provided at all London 2012 venues.

Opening hours will vary from venue to venue. For details on the location and opening hours of cycle parking, read the venue-specific travel information. Cycle parking at all venues is as accessible as possible and suitable for hand cycles, folding bicycles, recumbent cycles and children’s cycles, as well as standard adult bikes. Cycle locks are not supplied, so please bring one with you.
A list of cycle parking locations in London and Surrey for the road events is also available.

Cycling - 2012 Olympics | London 2012

Olympic Mountain Bike test event hailed a success - London 2012 Olympics

Part of the London Prepares series, the event allowed the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to test key aspects of its operations in preparation for next year’s Games.
The sold-out event attracted 5,000 spectators who watched 82 athletes compete at the Olympic Games Mountain Bike venue.
Reigning Olympic champion Julien Absalon from France led from the start and went on to win the men’s race. Absalon stormed to the finish line a full one minute and 20 seconds ahead of second placed Christoph Sauser from Switzerland, and one minute and 46 seconds ahead of third place rider Austria's Karl Markt.

Olympic Mountain Bike test event hailed a success - London 2012 Olympics

Located in the Essex countryside on land owned by the Salvation Army, Hadleigh Farm is a 550-acre site that features beautiful grassland and woodland. It also includes the surrounding countryside of Hadleigh Castle Country Park.
Hadleigh Farm offers some fantastic terrain for mountain biking, with gradients measuring 70 metres from top to bottom.

The design and build

Construction work began on the London 2012 Mountain Bike course in July 2010 and was completed on time and within budget in March 2011. In total, 500 tonnes of rock and 3,500 tonnes of crushed stone were used in its creation.

The five kilometre circuit is situated on open hillside – a new concept for Mountain Bike events, which are typically held in forested areas.

The course has been specially designed to provide a physical and technical challenge for the world’s leading riders, with plenty of demanding climbs and descents. Specific features include Snake Hill, The Rock Garden and Deane’s Drop. LINK TO COURSE MAP

After the Games

Essex County Council and The Salvation Army are committed to delivering a lasting legacy at Hadleigh Farm following the London 2012 Games.

Legacy proposals are being developed that ensure the needs of both the local community and the wider area are met.

http://www.london2012.com/venue/hadleigh-farm/ 

Salsa Bend 2, On One Mary and Felt Albert handlebars for Single Speed

I have been riding with all three of these bars on my single speed bikes.  The Salsa Bend 2 is a great bar.  I feels good, it's light and manufactured well.  The Felt Albert is another swept bar that doesn't quite give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.  The Felt seems cheap, uncomfortable and swept a little to much.  The Mary bar is the best by far!  The point of the swept bar is too give the single speed rider more control on climbs, a hand position that opens the lungs and it also reduces numbness in the hands. Do Mary!

Update: Although I love the Mary bar for single speed I have just purchased a second Salsa Bend 2 for my geared bike.  

On One : Mary
Meet Mary... Our classic alt-bar. We like to think of it as an extreme sweep riser bar. It's a bit odd, but makes a lot of sense once you give it a go.

Specification

• 37mm rise (measured centre to centre)
• 645mm width
• 22.2mm outside diameter (MTB levers fit fine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salsa : Bend 2 Bar

• Available in both 17- or 23-degree back-sweep for a more natural hand position
• Bar sweeps forward, then back, to preserve stem length
• 5-degree upsweep allows adjustment to suit personal preference
• Bar can be flip-flopped to run up or down
• 7050-T76 alloy
• 31.8 clamp
• 710 width center-to-center
• Double-butted
• Graduated ends for easy trimming
• Bead-blast Black finish
• 17-degree = 297 grams, 23-degree = 309 grams

Felt : Albert

Lance Armstrong July 22 update:

Does anybody really care?

 Daily News:

With Lance Armstrong on the offensive, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is in the fight for its life 

RGI.com
USADA files motion to dismiss Lance Armstrong lawsuit | Reno Gazette-Journal | rgj.com

Austin American Statesman:
'Loyal' Hincapie's testimony could be damaging to Armstrong

Omaha.com:
 Ken Herman: Armstrong hoping to avoid his must-see TV moment

You Big Dummy! - Reviews

Fred Sandford style! Picking junk was never so easy.  Carry all of your stuff on the Surly Big Dummy!  Listed below are a few reviews for the curious.  It's a bit on the expensive side but it is a great utilitarian bike.

Reviews:
Bike Snob NYC

Bicycle Sport Shop

www.bikeradar.com

www.cogandchain.com

Smoking - Vintage from Kevin Dillard « Bike Blog NYC

I saw these on www.bikeblognyc.com and I had to repost.  As the only smoker that I ride with I felt that we must stick together.  I often get the stink eye from the other riders but I don't care or make fun of them in their stretchy unicorn suits (at least not in front them :) ).

It's good to see that some people still have the sense of humor and individualism that bike riding embodies. Check out Bike Blog NYC.

Vintage from Kevin Dillard « Bike Blog NYC

Sasquatch rest stop and exercise.

Even aliens need pets.

Occasionally they let Sasquatch, Bigfoot, Yowie, Skunk Ape, Yeti, Swamp Ape, Devil Monkey, Momo or whatever they call him out to go pee.  He also gets some much needed exercise on his steel single speed bike!  Squatchwatch.com has a unified theory of Cryptozoology.   This theory is simple.  Bigfoot, Chupacabra, Springheel Jack, Shadow People, Mothman, Hopkinsville Goblin, Sirians are controlled or created by extraterrestrials or some would say demons. 

www.squatchwatch.com

Lance Armstrong - Friendly Fred or Just a Big Jerk?

Hmm... Not sure what to think about the Austin rider.  Jerk or not?  Time will tell. He has never failed a drug test.  I have heard many stories from around Austin that he is not the most friendly Fred but he has still won 7 Tours.  People will always gun for #1.  Like him or not where is the evidence?  I wish I had 1/4 his cycling talent but cheaters are as low as it gets. I remember two things that my dad told me.  Don't ever be "I could have been" and "Cheaters only cheat themselves".  I believe Lance is one of the greatest cyclist of all times.  I hope he did it with his on own force of will and not a strange brew of who knows what.

3 former associates of Lance Armstrong get lifetime bans from USADA (AP)

Ogre riding a Karate Monkey thinking about a 1x1

I have owned a 1x1 and a Karate Monkey.  They are both outstanding bikes.  I am now going to set my eyes on an Ogre.  Do you want to commute, camp, trail ride, pull a trailer or go single speed.  Steele Rigid is the way to go!  Don't let these wimps who can't ride a trail without suspension fill you full of crap.  You can ride a rigid bike almost anywhere you can ride a full suspension and have a fraction of the maintenance and initial cost.  Riding rigid will improve your bike handling skills and make you a better all around rider.  I have just about forsaken the geared bikes and converted to all rigid speed speed.    

If you don't want to go totaly single speed maybe the dingle cog is for you.

 From the Surly website. - -

Dingle Cogs are part of a different concept for fixed-gear drivetrains. Having two cogs on the back means you have more options for gear changes when the conditions demand it. For instance, say you want to ride your off-road fixie from your house to the trailhead, but your gear combo is either too high for the dirt or too low for the road. With a 17/19t Dingle on the back, pick two chainrings that are 2 teeth apart, like a 44t and a 42t. When you change from the outer (44:17t) gear combo to the inner (42:19t), you’ll have a much better off-road gear and your wheel position will not change. This maintains effective chainstay length so you won’t have to worry about having too much or too little chain length to accommodate the gear change. The Dingle (the word derives from from dual and single) works great in hilly terrain both on or off-road. Like our cassette and track cogs, these are made from machined, heattreated and chrome plated SCM415 CroMoly steel, so they are tough and long lasting. They’re available in 3/32" (narrow chain) tooth width 17/19t, 17/20t or 17/21t combinations. We recommend using 9-speed chains only. You can thread it onto any standard ISO threaded (1.375x24tpi) fixed gear hub and it takes up the same 7.4mm threads as a standard fixie cog. We recommend using a wider lockring (like our improved track lockring) to assure you can get a lockring tool onto it.


 From the Surly website. - -

Meet Ogre, Troll’s bigger-wheel brother. Troll and Ogre offer the same ability to accommodate a wide array of drivetrains, brakes, and cargo-hauling accessories. The main difference is that Ogre runs on 29" wheels, the Troll on 26".

Built of 4130 CroMoly steel and based on the tried-and-true geometry of our venerable Karate Monkey, Ogre is designed to be a platform for exploration, commuting, trailer-pulling, on-road and off-road touring, and just riding along. Both frames feature gusseted sloping toptubes, Surly Trip Guides for running full shift and brake housing, mounts for linear-pull and disc brakes, and ample room between the stays for high-volume rubber…up to about 2.5".

Ogre comes with our suspension-corrected (80mm) fork. It features mid-blade eyelets and low-blade barrel bosses for mounting front racks. We provide canti pivots and disc brake mounts, so you can choose a system that best suits your stopping needs. And it’s specifically designed to allow the use of a fender, disc brake, and front rack at the same time. Yep, you read that right.

Like the fork, the rear end allows all-at-once rack, fender and disc compatibility. Spaced for 135mm hubs, the ‘dropouts’ are just like Troll’s…rear load horizontals with a derailleur hanger, slotted disc brake mounts, M10 x 1mm threaded holes for mounting Surly Bill & Ted trailer-connecting hardware (or B.O.B. Nutz), and a dedicated anchoring point for a Rohloff OEM2 axle plate. We designed a ton of versatility into these framesets because we want you to build up a Troll or Ogre the way it will best serve you. Framesets and complete bikes are available in sizes 16, 18, 20, 22 and supergiant 24". Tall folks, we got your back.

The complete bike parts spec is durable and sensible…just the sort of value you expect from a Surly. If you’re like us, your bike needs will likely change by the day, week, month or year. Ride it to the office during the day, rip some local single-track after work, use it to tote crates of freakishly-large tubers next weekend, and tour that stretch of off-the-beaten-path double-track next month. With Ogre (and Troll), you can do that.  

Funny Crazy Insomniac Blondes from the South

My business partner found this picture and facebook page and I had to share it!!  Crazy blondes and beer are always welcome in Central Texas!

Funny Crazy Insomniac Blondes from the South

Fred's Bike: Wallpaper - Backgrounds

In my spare time fiddle around with paint and I use these as backgrounds for my PC and some of my servers.  Some them make good wallpaper for my iphone. Check out the links below for more backgrounds, original art and wallpapers.

More here!!
Fred's Original Art
or
Fred's Bike: Wallpaper - Backgrounds

Tres Burritos Ride in Central Texas

Tres Burritos Ride | Presented by Bicycle Sport Shop

Downhill like a Unicorn on my Surly

After several fast runs downhill on my Surly 1x1 and Karate Monkey I was inspired to create these pictures.

      As one rider put it "It is composed primarily of unicorn tears, sasquatch hair, chupacabra venom, and pixie dust, it is pure MAGICAL CREATURE!"

Chuy's bike art

This piece of bike art was handing on the wall at the Chuy's on Barton Springs in Austin. After a mongo burrito I went on a 12.5 mile trail ride on the greenbelt. Not sure if the 850 calories burned equaled the Tex-mex lunch.

Naked and sweaty: World Naked Bike Ride streaks through Austin - 2012-Jun-09

I like Wonder Woman but not butt crack guy!  I know this is Austin but do we really need to see some buck naked dude riding down the street on a bike.  Please take your naked butt and go to Hippie Hollow.  More Wonder Women!  Wonder Woman for Mayor of Austin!

Naked and sweaty: World Naked Bike Ride streaks through Austin - 2012-Jun-09 - CultureMap Austin

Strava or MapMyFitness?

I like Strava better!  What do you like?

AUSTIN, TX (BRAIN) Thursday July 5 2012 11:28 AM MT—MapMyFitness has arranged for an additional $3 million in financing, the social fitness app maker announced Thursday. The company also said its membership has surpassed 10 million.

The additional financing is from Square 1 Bank.

The new financing comes on top of $9 million Series B funding from Austin Ventures, Milestone Ventures, Competitor Group, Inc. and The Running Specialty Group, LLC, announced earlier in the year.

The company said it would use the funding to "to advance its leadership position in the global online and mobile fitness application markets and further develop its offerings."

The company said it has doubled revenue each of the past four years and is projected to nearly triple its revenue in 2012.
 

Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

Cycling in Austin on Fred's Bike

AUSTIN, Texas—The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is bringing doping charges against seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, questioning his victories in those storied cycling races. Armstrong, who retired from cycling last year, could face a lifetime ban from the sport if he is found to have used performance-enhancing drugs. The story was first reported Wednesday by the Washington Post. The charges from USADA come just months after federal prosecutors closed a two-year criminal investigation of Armstrong without indicting him.
Armstrong maintained his innocence, saying: “I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one.”

Read more: Photos: Lance Armstrong Charged By U.S. Anti-Doping Agency | Denver Post Photos, Video http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/06/photos-lance-armstrong-charged-by-u-s-anti-doping-agency/37586/#ixzz1zosBOapR
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

Joel wins on a $2 bike

"We looked around for three days to get decent bikes, but could only find battered old mountain bikes that cost us $2 to hire. They seemed to weigh about 100kg, the gears didn't work properly and the chain slipped occasionally, so the ride leg was a challenge in itself."

Joel wins on a $2 bike | Sport | NT News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au

SRAM unveil XX1 11-speed groupset

Isn't this getting to be a little too much?   Where is it going to stop?  I think there should be 5 chain rings and 15 cogs.  Just image 75 gear combinations! 

SRAM unveil XX1 11-speed groupset – Bike Magic

Mountain bike group trying to sell fairy tale to C’ville board

This person is a fool.  I'm sure she would rather spend tax payers money to accomplish nothing.  Let let these bikers have a go at it.  What's it going cost?  Nothing!  This park is full of drug dealers and thugs!  It's like she is saying that mountain bikers are worst than thug crimimals! 

Mountain bike group trying to sell fairy tale to C’ville board - Aurora Beacon News

Trials bike at Emma Long City Park

Ryan Albert - above.  Dirt Derby Promoter

It was raining, muggy and an ill fated ride at Emma Long Park yesterday.  A.J. flatted out, Ryan lost his phone and I was shown to be extremely out of shape.  There a was a bit of fun after the ride.  We met several trials bike riders.  They were gracious enough to let us ride their 2 stroke rock crawling beasts.  One of the guys had this cool trials bicycle in the back of his truck.  I'm kicking myself for not getting pics of the other bikes.   

            
                  A.J. Camp owner of The Peddler Bike Shop

If you are in Central Austin and need a great bike shop.  Go to The Peddler!  They are super cool and they even make a Fred (the white socks kind) like me feel comfortable.  The prices on service are great and they are very knowledgeable.   If you have an extra buck throw it in the jar for the beer fund!


Directions to The Peddler:
They are located at 51st and Duval. 5015 Duval ST. is the address. (FROM I-H 35 NORTHBOUND) exit Airport Blvd. and turn left heading north, continue north to light at 51st. Make a left heading west on 51st. They are about three blocks ahead on the left. (FROM I-H35 SOUTHBOUND) exit 51st. Make a right traveling west on 51st. Cross over Airport Blvd. continuing west on 51st. Then they are about three blocks ahead on the left. (FROM MOPAC EXPRESSWAY) Exit on RR 2222 and travel east to Lamar blvd. Turn right heading south on Lamar. Continue south to light at 51st. Make a left onto 51st traveling east. Continue east on 51st approximately 1/2 mile and they are on the right.