Once again, Utah continues to be a favorite for bicycle industry gatherings. July saw Deer Valley play host to the Bike DealerCamp. The camp was a three day opportunity for bicycle dealers from around the country to meet with manufactures and get a close up look at 2011 product lines. The list of manufacturers on hand was lengthy and included Ridley, Salsa, Scott, Defeet, Fox, SRAM, and BMC among the 50 plus exhibitors.
Several distributors such as Quality Bicycle Products, and Bicycle Technologies International had large display areas touting their brands. Quality Bicycle Products was of particular interest as they are operating a portion of their business out of Clearfield, Utah and will soon open a large facility in Ogden. Their booth prominently displayed an image of that new facility that is coming online in this December.
In recent years, large brands like Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale have established their own private dealer camps and this camp fills a need for focus time on other brands. The venue allows for riding and testing in real world terrain and is a great excuse to escape to the mountains of Utah. The scheduling also dovetails nicely with the Outdoor Retailer show which happened the following week.
Attendees were able to take advantage of the lift served runs at Deer Valley to put the various dirt offerings to the test. As a first timer on the Deer Valley trails it was a blast to bomb the big runs on a long travel DH bike, and then head back up on a super light and fast Cross Country machine.
Road riding loops included short rides around Park City and Deer Valley and larger loops into the surrounding communities of Summit County. The opportunity to try bikes with a variety of frame materials and component groups on great roads was a treat.
The event was such a success that the organizer, Lifeboat Events has already announced that the event will be returning to Deer Valley July 26th-28th 2011. While they would like to grow the number of manufacturers and attendees the overwhelming response has been to keep the event intimate.
To learn more about the event visit www.bikedealercamp.com
USA Cycling nominates 53 to U.S. team for Mountain Bike Worlds
Colorado Springs, Colo. (August 12, 2010) — USA Cycling announced today the 53 athletes nominated to represent the United States at the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, September 1-5.
Seven men and seven women will wear the red, white and blue while competing for world titles in the elite cross country races.
As the reigning national champion, and winner of the 2010 USA Cycling Pro XCT, Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized) earned the only automatic nomination to the elite men’s cross country squad. He’ll be joined on the course by discretionary nominees Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek), Adam Craig (Bend, Ore./Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team) Sam Schultz (Missoula, Mont./Subaru-Trek), Michael Broderick (Chilmark, Mass./Kenda-Seven-NoTubes), Carl Decker (Bend, Ore./Giant), and Spencer Paxson (Seattle, Wash./Team S&M Young Guns).
Three women received automatic nominations to compete in the elite women’s contest in Mont Saint Anne. Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna) earned her nomination by way of winning the national championship cross country race as well as the overall USA Cycling Pro XCT. In addition, the Colorado rider earned a silver medal in the third stop on the World Cup and is currently ranked fifth in the overall World Cup standings. As the highest ranked American woman in the UCI rankings, in sixth-place, Willow Koerber(Durango, Colo./Subaru-Trek) also picked up an automatic nomination to the team. In addition to her UCI ranking, Ms. Koerber met several other qualifications to receive an automatic nomination, including finishing second at the first two World Cups this season and currently sitting in third in the overall World Cup standings. With a fourth-place effort in the fifth stop on the World Cup circuit, Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Planet Bike) also earned an automatic nomination to the team. Gould, Koerber, and Compton will join forces with four discretionary nominees.
Mary McConneloug (Chilmark, Mass./Kenda-Seven-NoTubes), Heather Irmiger (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek), Kelli Emmett(Colorado Springs, Colo./Giant), and Allison Mann (Murietta, Calif./Rock N Road).
Eight U23 athletes and eight junior athletes were also nominated to represent the U.S. in the U23 and junior cross country competitions in Quebec. See below for a complete roster.
As the reigning national champ in the elite men’s downhill discipline, Aaron Gwin (Morongo Valley, Calif./Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team) received the lone automatic nomination to the men’s downhill contingent. In addition to winning the national title, Gwin also met the selection criteria by virtue of his fourth-place effort in the second World Cup and his third-place effort in the third World Cup this season. Gwin will be joined in the elite men’s downhill time test by discretionary nominees Luke Strobel (Issaquah, Wash./Evil Bikes), Kyle Strait (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Logan Binggeli (Saint George, Utah/KHS Bicycles), Tyler Immer (Rancho Murieta, Calif.),Brad Benedict (Auburn/Specialized), and Duncan Riffle (Santa Barbara, Calif./Giant).
Four women will wear the Team USA jersey in the elite women’s downhill contest. The squad will be led by the only automatic nomination, reigning national champion Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash./Transition Racing). Discretionary nominees include Melissa Buhl(Chandler, Ariz./KHS Bicycles), Jacqueline Harmony (Sedona, Ariz./Vixen Racing), and Leigh Donovan (Murietta, Calif./Intense Cycles).
Eight junior riders were nominated to compete in the junior men’s and women’s downhill contests in Mont Saint Anne. Please see below for a complete roster.
In addition to the downhill competitions, the World Championships will also feature elite four-cross competitions for gravity racers. The U.S. squad will be led by automatic nominees and reigning national champions Ross Milan (Arvada, Colo./Yeti-Cycles) and Neven Steinmetz (Boulder, Colo./Ellsworth Bikes). In the men’s contest, Milan will be joined by Barry Nobles (Wetumpka, Ala.), Mitch Ropelato (Ogden, Utah), and Blake Carney (Camarillo, Calif.).
The complete U.S. Team roster is listed below.
For more information about the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, please visit the event’s official website, here.
2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships Mont Saint Anne, Quebec September 1-5
Elite Men Cross Country
Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized)**
Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek)
Adam Craig (Bend, Ore./Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team)
Sam Schultz (Missoula, Mont./Subaru-Trek)
Michael Broderick (Chilmark, Mass./Kenda-Seven-NoTubes)
Carl Decker (Bend, Ore./Giant)
Spencer Paxson (Seattle, Wash./Team S&M Young Guns)
Elite Women Cross Country
Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna)**
Willow Koerber (Durango, Colo./Subaru-Trek) **
Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Planet Bike) **
Mary McConneloug (Chilmark, Mass./Kenda-Seven-NoTubes)
Heather Irmiger (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek)
Kelli Emmett (Colorado Springs, Colo./Giant)
Allison Mann (Murietta, Calif./Rock N Road)
U23 Men Cross Country
Tad Elliott (Durango, Colo./Sho-Air-Specialized) **
Rob Squire (Sandy, Utah/Garmin-Felt-Holowesko)
Russell Finsterwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Subaru-Trek)
Stephen Ettinger (Cashmere, Wash./Arlberg Sports)
Jack Hinkens (Edenprairie, Minn./Trek-Co-op)
Mitch Hoke (Colorado Springs, Colo./Tokyo Joe’s)
U23 Women Cross Country
Sage Wilderman (Fraser, Colo./Team Totally Wired)**
Lydia Tanner (San Clemente, Calif./Montana State University)
Junior Men Cross Country
Skyler Truijillo (Fort Collins, Colo.)**
Zach Valdez (Hemet, Calif.)
Seth Kemp (Campobella, S.C.)
Tony Smith (San Rafael, Calif./Whole Athlete)
Will Curtis (San Rafael, Calif./Whole Athlete)
Junior Women Cross Country
Alicia Rose Pastore (Curango, Colo./Rocky Mountain Chocolate)**
Sofia Hamilton (San Anselmo, Calif./Whole Athlete)
Essence Barton (Thousand Oak, Calif.)
Elite Men Downhill
Aaron Gwin (Morongo Valley, Calif./Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team)**
Luke Strobel (Issaquah, Wash./Evil Bikes)
Kyle Strait (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
Logan Binggeli (Saint George, Utah/KHS Bicycles)
Tyler Immer (Rancho Murieta, Calif.)
Brad Benedict (Auburn/Specialized)
Duncan Riffle (Santa Barbara, Calif./Giant)
Rule changes voted in place for upcoming 2010-2011 Cyclo-cross season
Colorado Springs, Colo. (August 12, 2010) — USA Cycling announced today that its Road, Track & Cyclo-cross Board of Trustees has voted in favor of several rule changes for the upcoming cyclo-cross season.
The new rules are in line with the UCI rulebook and will take effect at the beginning of the 2010/2011 cyclo-cross season.The changes accomplish the following three things:
1) Establish rules for cyclo-cross race feeding
2) Change the manner in which lapped riders are handled to enable the use of the 80% rule currently utilized in many mountain bike events, and
3) Modify the rules regarding course obstacles (barrier height, distance between, and total number of obstacles on the course)
A summary of the rule changes is as follows:
Course Design
There are several important changes to course design as outlined below:
The nature of the wooden planks has changed. Instead of having to be 40 cm high, they now can be up to 40 cm high. Also, the distance between the planks is now a range of 4 to 6 meters instead of the prescribed 4 meters.
The number of obstacles has been changed from 6 total obstacles to 6 artificial obstacles. This might make it possible for some courses to have more total obstacles than in the past. However, the limiting factor is that obstacles can still only be 10% of the course, so if you have a 3K circuit, you can only have 300 meters of obstacles.
The ban on artificial sand was removed and replaced with specifications that if you have artificial sand, it must be 40-80 meters long, straight, and have no lip up or down to access it.
Feeding
Feeding is now authorized under select circumstances:
It must be at least 68 degrees
Feeding must take place in the service lane only
It cannot take place in the first two or the last two laps
The penalty for feeding any other place or time is disqualification
Tire Width
The UCI has narrowed the maximum width of a cyclo-cross tire from 35 mm to 33 mm. The intent was to reduce the amount of equipment that many riders feel they must bring in order to be competitive.
This rule does not affect local events as we currently have no rules regarding tire width and the USCF Board of Trustees is not adding any tire width requirement.
Disc Brakes
This also does not affect local events, but the UCI will now allow disc brakes for international events.
Lapped Riders
For the second year in a row, the UCI has changed how lapped riders are handled. They now have two ways to handle it. For domestic events, there are now three methods. The officials will decide what method is being used at each race and communicate that method to the riders.
Lapped riders can be left in the race and may finish on the same lap as the leader.
Lapped riders can be removed at the entrance to the final straight once they have been lapped. Note, sometimes when there are few officials, these same riders are removed at the line, but the UCI requires that no lapped rider ever cross the finish line.
Riders may be withdrawn per the 80% rule. For example, if the first lap took 10 minutes, then 80% of that is 8 minutes. This rule would require that each rider who is more than 8 minutes down every lap would be pulled. Again, this should happen at the entrance to the final straight or some other convenient location.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 66,500+ licensees; 2,200 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,650 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visitwww.usacycling.org.
It’s not obvious to the casual or novice observer, but bicycle racing, especially in stage races such as the Tour of Utah, is very much a team sport and a very cerebral sport that involves constant attention to tactics and strategy. In fact, it’s very rare for a rider to be victorious without the support of a strong team. Even with regard to the legends of the sport, from Coppi and Anquetil, to Merckx, Hinault and LeMond, victory only came in the Grand Tours when they had strong teams to support them. Lance Armstrong’s Tour de France teams were widely hailed as the strongest in the field, and Armstrong often credited his team as the reason he was victorious in his seven Tour triumphs. Race tactics are often built around the team members and their particular strengths as they apply to each stage.
Darren Lill on his way to winning the Mt. Nebo stage in the 2009 Tour of Utah.
Jesse Anthony winning stage 1 of the 2011 Tour of Utah. Photo: Cottonsoxphotography.com
A professional cycling team can include twenty- five or more riders depending upon its budget and the number of events that the team chooses to contest during the season. At times, there may be races scheduled simultaneously and far apart, and the team must divide its members to assemble a group that it feels will have the best chance for success in each event. Larger, more prestigious races are given highest priority, but even in those cases, the race’s terrain, the competing teams and each rider’s fitness level at the lime must be factored into who is chosen to compete
Most stage races will specify that each team enter a group of eight to twelve riders. The directors of the team must decide which combination of its riders will provide the best chance for victory. This may precipitate the appointment of a team leader for the race, and the remainder of the teammates are selected with regard to their abilities to assist that leader to the overall win. At times, this structure means that strong riders are left out of the final team selection. For instance, a team leader who is very strong in circuit or criterium races (multiple lap events usually contested on relatively flat courses) may not be selected for a race like the Tour of Utah, which has several very hard mountain climbs. Or more likely, the team will bring its leader to the race, but will relegate him to the role of super domestique in support of a stronger-climbing team member.
Teams with little chance for overall victory in a stage race may treat the event as a group of one-day races and appoint a leader for each day’s course based upon the particular rider’s abilities in that stage. On flatter stages, the climbers on the team may be directed to work for the sprinters, only to have the roles reversed on the mountain stages. These teams are racing for daily stage wins, with no real priority placed on the overall victory for a single member of the team.
“Ninety percent of this game is mental, the other half is physical” Yogi Berra
It’s a rolling chess match each day. Lets say that a team decides to go for the stage win on a particular day, and the course is hilly and long. Early in the stage, the director may order a rider who is more suited to a different type of terrain or distance to make an attack. This places the other teams in a defensive posture. Should they send riders up the road to chase the attacker, or will he falter along the course? If the opposing teams choose not to chase, and the attacking rider remains away for the entire day, they’ve given the lead to an opponent. If they choose to chase the attacker, they risk pulling his teammates along, allowing them to conserve energy. Once the attack is caught, one of the attacker’s teammates, still relatively fresh from riding in the protection of the pack, is sure to launch his own counter attack. Now the decision process begins anew for the rival teams in the peloton. This method may be carried out several times in a single stage as riders attack in succession, forcing the other teams to use precious energy chasing, or “covering” the attacks. All of this is done with the goal of delivering your strongest rider on the day to the finish line; or near it, in a fresh state compared to the other contenders. The leader has been protected and can now contest a sprint finish or perhaps even launch a late attack for the win, with an advantage over his rivals who are fatigued from the effort of repeated chases throughout the day.
Some riders may be ordered to simply cover every attack throughout a race. They may sacrifice their own chances by using their energy in order to cover attacks from the other teams, ensuring that no rivals get away for an uncontested victory. Another reason to send teammates out ahead is to have them along the road should the peloton accelerate or if perhaps a small group breaks away. The team with the most riders present in any group usually has an advantage, so ‘picking up” riders during the race becomes the payoff to having them chase attacks or participate in them early, often having them available later to protect the team leader as the race approaches the finish.
Occasionally an attack is purely a bluff. A rider may put in a very hard attack, causing rivals to react and chase or participate in the break, using valuable energy while under the impression that everyone in the group is willing to work hard for a successful breakaway and a chance at the stage win. Suddenly the instigator of the attack may ‘sit up’ and stop working, having fulfilled his mission of tiring riders from the other teams or drawing out the chasers in order to expose a rival’s strategy for that day. This is always a factor in the decision whether to chase a particular attacker or not. An experienced and savvy rider or team manager will be knowledgeable of his opponents in order to better determine which breaks to follow and which rivals are capable to make the break succeed. It’s a terrible miscue for a team to miss a decisive break, or to have no riders in a strong break because those teams are now forced to chase the breakaway, again expending the cyclists most valuable currency — energy.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Why work with your opponents in the breakaway? The answer is simple. There is strength in numbers, or more accurately, there is speed in numbers. A single rider usually has a very small chance of succeeding in a solo breakaway. The workload on a single rider pedaling into the wind is about 30% greater than that of a rider drafting behind another. With more than one rider in a breakaway, the workload can be shared as the riders alternate ‘taking pulls’ at the front, allowing the others in the breakaway group to conserve energy by drafting. This advantage increases with more riders in the group. The reason behind working with an opponent in a breakaway is self preservation; ensuring that you will arrive at the finish as strong as possible. Your opponent will also arrive as strong as possible, so the chance for victory is greater for each rider On the other hand, riders who do not work together use much more energy, and are usually caught by the peloton, losing any chance for victory.
Another important strategy employed by teams who have a rider in a breakaway is blocking. Often, a team that has a strong rider up the road will assemble at or near the front of the peloton and deliberately ride at a slower pace than normal with the intention of disrupting the field’s coherence and speed, giving the breakaway a larger time gap, or lead, on the chasing group. Opposing riders must negotiate around the blocking riders to increase the speed of the chase. This can happen over and over throughout portions of the stage, resulting in a bit of disarray and inefficient energy usage, causing the speed to fluctuate as chasers accelerate and blockers decelerate. All of this benefits the breakaway riders.
So, how do teams prevent rivals from attacking? Strong teams will ‘ride tempo’ or set a fast pace at the front of the peloton by sending several of its riders to the head of the group. These riders will work almost like a small breakaway, alternating pulls at the front to remain as strong as possible, while setting a very fast pace to discourage anyone from instigating an attack, or actually setting such a fast pace to make it impossible for one rider to accelerate from the group. Riding tempo is often done to bring the peloton near the finish line in tact. This protects the sprinters from late attacks so they can initiate their sprints and contest for the win. A team will also ride tempo at times to bring its climbers to the bottom of a climb with no breakaway ahead that would force them to chase on the mountain.
All of this chasing, attacking and tempo riding is usually done by the team’s designated domestiques, or servants. A domestique may be asked to absolutely spend himself during a race by doing whatever is required to offer his team leader the best chance for victory. This duty may find a domestique in front of the field in a breakaway, sometimes even winning a stage one day, but the next day he may be deliberately falling behind the peloton to ride alongside the team car in order to pick up food and drinks for teammates in the group. The team crew riding in the car will hand as much food and as many water bottles as possible to the domestique, who will carry the bottles in his jersey pockets and stuffed inside his jersey, wherever possible until be has enough for the team. Then he must accelerate up to the peloton ahead and work his way through the pack, handing food and bottles to his mates. Many times a domestique will be directed to ride alongside or in front of the team leader in order to protect him from the wind, or any mishaps or time loss from mechanical issues. Should the leader suffer a puncture or mechanical issue, the domestique will give him his own wheel, sometimes his entire bike, so the leader does not have to wait for the team car and lose valuable time. The domestique will wait for the team car with the damaged wheel or bike, only to have to chase back into the group and resume his role once given his replacement.
This rolling chess match is compounded by the fact that each team in the race is plotting and strategizing to implement these tactics, and the foundation of it all for team managers is to remain flexible. The day’s plan may change completely if a particular team has planned to launch an attack at the 50 mile mark for instance, only to have another team launch its own attack at the 45 mile mark. Now, it’s time for Plan B, or C, or D. As you watch the Tour of Utah, try to spot these tactics as they are played out during each day’s stage. The race will usually determine the strongest teams and the overall contenders: and the victory will result from a combination of rider ability coupled with the execution of the best race strategy. And the winner will likely give the credit for the victory to his team.
The Tour of Utah traveling by the Utah State Capitol in the 2013 edition. Photo by Dave Iltis
Attack v. to accelerate from the front of a pack or peloton in order to create distance between yourself and the rest of the field.
n. reference to an effort put forth. ‘The two-man attack stayed off the front until the finish.”
Bacon n. scabs that form on a rider’s body as road rash heals. “Dude, crispy bacon. You’re healing nicely, I see.’
Blocking v. to move to the front of the pack and slow down in order to help a teammate who has attacked, usually done by several teammates of the attacking rider(s). Note: intentional weaving or other dangerous methods of blocking rivals is punishable by being ridden into the ditch followed by name-calling.
Brakes unknown, but we think that’s how it’s spelled.
Breakaway n. successful attack that maintains its lead on the peloton to the finish. A strong breakaway that is caught by the pack just before the finish is called a good effort, but exhausts you and leaves you weary, as opposed to a winning breakaway, which makes you feel great!
Bridge v. rider or group of riders attempting to accelerate away from one group in order to catch up with another group riding ahead.
Broom Wagon n. support vehicle in a race that follows the last rider or group of riders on the course; vehicle that sweeps-up abandoned riders.
Cashed adj. bonked, hammered; knackered, battered, rolled under, screwed, tired, fatigued. ‘Dude, I’m cashed, where’s the feed zone and the broom wagon?” Chamois n. padding in shorts that hopefully prevents saddle sores, originally made from goatskin. Now made from various high tech moisture wicking man-made materials, thank goodness.
Chase n. pretty much everyone behind the leader is in the chase, but it usually refers to those working the hardest to catch riders who are up the road. v. to ride like crazy trying to catch up with a rider ahead of you. Can be used together in the same sentence, usually in response to your team director, “I chased as hard as I could, but no one else in the chase would do squat.”
Commissaire n, referee of the race. A race may have several of these in order to ensure that all competitors comply with the rules of the sport. The head commissaire is usually found standing through the open sunroof of a race vehicle, yelling or pointing. Or both.
Crayon v, “art” of painting the road with one’s skin, clothing, tires etc. during a crash. If you crayon with your skin, you’ll surely form bacon in a few days.
Dance on the Pedals v. refers to the way great climbers seem to be weightless as they bounce up the hills on their bikes. Also referred to as ‘running up a hill with a bike underneath you.”
Death March n. ride or race that causes you to explore the dark corners of your constitution, a long ride that finds you cashed with many miles still to ride. Also called a Three Hour Tour (ref Gilligan’s Island) or the Deer Valley to Sundance stage of the Tour of Utah.
Directeur Sportif n. race team manager, the Boss. Not to be confused with the sponsors – who are the Real Boss.
Domestique n. servant. A team member who must sacrifice his own ambition to help the designated team leader in a particular race by riding tempo, blocking, offering his water bottle, a wheel and sometimes his whole bike if it prevents the leader losing time.
Draft v. to ride in the protected slipstream of a rider directly in front. Or behind a team car if the commissaire is not around.
Dropped v. result of failure to maintain the speed of the riders in your pack. The faster riders drop the slower riders. Also known as being “off the back”.
Echelon n. a paceline that’s gone a bit wonky as a result of a crosswind. Instead of a single file line following the direction of the road, the echelon is a diagonal line across the road wherein riders shield themselves from a crosswind beside the next rider.
Engine n. the rider. Some riders are big engines; others are bigger ones.
Feed Zone n. area designated along the racecourse where it is acceptable for support crews to hand food and drinks to riders as they pass by. Sometimes the feed zone is relegated as neutral and no riders may attack there, but even if not officially deemed so, cycling etiquette maintains that no one attack near the feed zone. Don’t do it, it’s bad juju.
Forcing the Pace v. to ride at the front of the pack at a high speed so that other riders cannot launch an attack. Usually done by the strongest team to control the race. Also known as the act of “riding tempo’.
Fred n. person who spends a lot of money on equipment, but still can’t ride. Too much ‘show” and not enough “go”. Also called a Wanker, Barney or Waif (as in supermodel).
General Classification n. overall standings of a stage race based upon the accumulated times of the riders after each stage. Rider with lowest total time leads. For street cred, just say “GC”.
Hanging On v. last thing a cashed rider does before being dropped. Also called hanging in or dangling.
Hook v. act of placing your elbow in front of the shoulder or arm of the rider next to you during a sprint. It gives you an edge and it really dulls his.
Involuntary Dismount n. to crash, to chunder, to eat it, to have a yard sale.
Kermesse n. race that usually takes place on a course of three to ten kilometers with riders racing several laps. In the States, we call it a circuit race.
Lantern Rouge n. red light on a train’s caboose, or the last placed rider in a stage race.
Laughing Group n. group of slow riders left behind on a climbing stage. Earned its name by the riders telling jokes and funny stories while riding to the finish at a comfortable pace. Known as the autobus in France and the grupetto in Italy.
Moto n. race official who rides a motorcycle in order to keep an eye out for rider safety and infractions along the road during the race. Also relays information and time splits to the riders.
Musette n. shoulder bag containing food and drink handed up to riders in the feed zone.
On the Rivet n. at full speed. Originated from the days when saddles were leather skins attached to steel rails by large rivets front and rear. To be ‘on the rivet’ meant that a rider was on the nose of the saddle, on the rivet, and going like stink.
Paceline n. single file line of riders, each taking turns ‘pulling” at the front at a fast pace, then peeling off to float back to the rear of the paceline. The paceline allows a group to share the workload of riding into the wind, so that the others can draft and recover before pulling again.
Palmares n. list of results and awards won during a racer’s career. The great Eddy Merckx owns the most impressive palmares, with 525 race wins, approximately 33% of races entered. The great Lance Armstrong has 35.
Peloton n. a pack or group containing the largest number of riders along the racecourse.
Prang v. to bend, dent, gouge, scrape or otherwise damage bike or body during an involuntary dismount.
Prime (say preem) n. mid-race sprint for prizes, points, or time bonuses.
Rolling Closure n. type of traffic control used in most stage races wherein a group of escort vehicles form a caravan in front of and behind the race along the road to ensure safety for the racers while affecting automobile traffic as little as possible.
Rookie Mark n. grease mark in the shape of a chain ring appearing on the rear of a rider’s leg. Arrive for several group rides with this mark and earn your Fred status. Sometimes called ‘Cat 5 mark”.
Schwag n. free stuff handed out by manufacturers and sponsors at bike shows, races and events. The amount of schwag one gathers is usually inverse to the amount of shame one has.
Sitting in v. failure to take your pull in a paceline. Sometimes necessary because a rider is cashed and cannot generate the energy to pull at the front of the group, and sometimes a parasitic method of saving energy to launch an attack or sprint for the finish line. Racing etiquette strongly discourages the latter.
Snap adj. fast twitch muscular speed used to accelerate quickly. ‘Dude, I’m knackered, I have no snap.” Information usually followed by an attack from rivals.
Spin adi. type of pedaling style employing a smooth, high cadence in lower gears. It’s not easy, but the ability to spin effectively will conserve energy while creating speed. Ref: Lance Armstrong, who taught Alberto Contador a little too well.
Stage Race n. multi day race incorporating several types of races into a group contested by a large peloton of riders. The rider who finishes with the lowest accumulated time after completion of all of the stages is victorious. Also known as the Tour of Utah, among others in France and Italy.
Time Trial n. type of race in which individuals or teams race the same course separately, while being timed. Usually held on out-and-back or loop courses, riders leave at specified intervals, with the fastest time winning. Also known as The Race of Truth.
Tubular n. type of lightweight tire with the tube enclosed in the tire casing, which is stitched along the inside. Preferred by most racers for their light weight and low rolling resistance, tubulars are glued to the rims with high strength cement specifically made for the job. Also called “sewups’.
Mancebo Signs with Canyon Bicycles for Tour of Utah
Press Release:
Salt Lake City, August 11, 2010 — The evolution of the Canyon Bicycles Racing Team continues with the addition of Spanish cycling star Francisco Mancebo for the upcoming Tour of Utah. Mancebo, the defending champion, gives the Canyon squad strong general classification hopes and bolsters the team’s goal of a solid team classification finish. The grueling stage race runs August 17-22.
Mancebo, who reached the podium of the Vuelta a España twice and placed in the top 10 of the Tour de France five times, will lead Canyon’s GC hopes along with current and multi-time U.S. Elite National Champion Mike Olheiser. The two newcomers will be supported by Utah State Champion Dave Harward, David Brockbank, Bradley Gehrig, Tyler Riedesel, Mike Sohm and Zachary Tittensor.
“The team has taken on a new dimension with the addition of Mancebo,” says Mike Pratt, team director and owner of Canyon Bicycles. “Mancebo is excited to have the opportunity to defend his Tour of Utah title as well as ride for the Canyon Bicycles team. We are super-motivated to help him out with that, and our elite riders — as well as the on-form Olheiser, who won four national championships in 2010 — will support him to the fullest in his quest to win a second straight Tour of Utah title.”
The Canyon Bicycles team continues to climb the cycling ranks with additions like Mancebo and Olheiser for the Tour of Utah along with the ongoing commitment to its successful elite squad.
“The Canyon Bicycles team is in its third Tour of Utah and has grown every year, in the amount of support we provide, as well as the ability to be competitive at a high level in NRC races,” Pratt says. “We are confident our team can deliver the support necessary to compete at this level.”
Canyon Bicycles is a Utah-based, full-service bike shop with locations in Draper and South Jordan. The team rides Specialized SL3 bicycles equipped with SRAM group sets, Easton wheels and components, Vittoria tires and uses First Endurance nutrition products.
Levi Leipheimer (Radio Shack) in the 2010 Tour of Utah Prologue. He finished 10th.
Levi Leipheimer to Race in Tour of Utah
SALT LAKE CITY – August 4, 2010 – The 2010 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah presented by Zions Bank is pleased to announce that Levi Leipheimer will race in the Tour taking place August 17-22. Leipheimer will race solo, not assigned to a team. He recently placed 13th overall in the 2010 Tour de France.
“Not only am I personally excited to have Levi participate to the race, but on behalf of the Tour of Utah, we look forward to welcoming him to our great state,” said President, Steve Miller. “Racers of Levi’s caliber enhance the competition on the course and his participation speaks volumes about the professionalism and reputation of the Tour of Utah. We have captured the attention of the best cyclists in the world and we plan to make sure their experience here is a good one.”
Leipheimer began his cycling career in 1987. His major results include: 1st overall in the 2009 Tour of California (winner of Stage 6 time trial), the 2008 Tour of California (winning the Stage 5 time trial), 2nd overall in the 2008 Vuelta a España (winning two stages), 1st overall in the 2007 Tour of California (winning the Prologue and Stage 5 time trials), 1st overall in the 2006 Dauphiné Libéré, 1st overall in the 2005 Deutschland Tour, 3rd overall in the 2001 Vuelta a España, and four top-ten finishes in the Tour de France general classification, including 3rd overall in 2007. Leipheimer won the 2007 USA road championship, 1:11 seconds ahead of Discovery teammate and defending champion George Hincapie. He also won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the road time trial.
In 2009, he founded and led the King Ridge Gran Fondo, a recreational benefit bicycle ride based in Santa Rosa, California. The ride takes place in October of each year with approximately 6,000 participants.
Leipheimer lives in Santa Rosa, California with his wife Odessa Gunn, though during the cycling season he primarily lives in Gerona, Spain.
The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah is a six-day, professional bicycle road race along the Rocky Mountain’s Wasatch Range through some of Utah’s most beautiful and challenging terrain. Spanning 325 miles and nearly 30,000 feet of climbing, the Tour of Utah will attract 19 professional cycling teams totaling 144 cyclists competing for a cash/prize purse of $45,000.
More than 30,000 spectators are expected to line the racecourse and attend the festivals in Ogden, Park City, Provo, Salt Lake City and Tooele.
For more information about the Tour of Utah, please visit www.tourofutah.com.
About the 2010 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah
Deemed “America’s Toughest Stage Race,” the 2010 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah presented by Zions Bank, is a six-day, six-stage, 325-mile professional bicycle road race with nearly 30,000 feet of climbing. The race takes place August 17-22, 2010 along the Rocky Mountain’s Wasatch Range through some of Utah’s most beautiful and challenging terrain. The Tour will attract 19 professional cycling teams totaling 144 cyclists competing for a cash/prize purse of $45,000. The 2010 Tour of Utah will be accompanied by a colorful, rolling festival celebration that will take place at the finish line. More than 30,000 spectators are expected to line the racecourse and attend the festivals in Ogden, Park City, Provo, Salt Lake City and Tooele, and 60,000-plus race fans are expected to follow online.
Our August 2010 issue is now available as a PDF (6.7 mb download) – Tour of Utah Guide, Bikepacking Tips, Alleycat racing, Fezzari Profile, Nicole Evans and Nicky Wangsgard Profiles, Mid-Foot Cleat Position, Solitude MTB Race, Art of Cycling, Once Upon a Chariot Review, Bike Crashes on Rural Highways report, Horribly Hilly Hundreds Essay, Brian Head’s Scout Camp Loop, Jeff Louder Interview, Results, Commuter Column, Mechanics Corner, Calendar and More!
New:The ads in the pdf are now hyperlinks – click on them to go to the advertiser’s webpage.
Pick up a copy at your favorite bike shop or other location today.
Injured Veterans to Ride 325 Miles From Wyoming to Colorado
07.28.10
Cheyene, WY
Ride 2 Recovery to Raise Funds to Support Cycling Programs for the Nation’s Veterans
Military Veterans, Including More Than 50 From Colorado, to Participate
More than 100 injured veterans will set off on Saturday, July 31, on the Ride 2 Recovery Rocky Mountain Challenge sponsored by UnitedHealthcare, a six-day, 325-mile ride from Cheyenne to Fort Carson, Colo.
The Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Rocky Mountain Challenge raises funds for R2R indoor Spinning(R) Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at military and Veterans Affairs locations around the United States, aiding injured veterans’ rehabilitation and recovery efforts.
The bicycle ride will begin Saturday, July 31, at 9:30 a.m. with the riders leading the parade at Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo, and ending Thursday, Aug. 5, at Fort Carson. The ride will cross some of the best cycling roads in the United States, including the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs and Fort Carson’s Iron Horse Park.
“Ride 2 Recovery Rocky Mountain Challenge helps support important health programs for men and women who served our country, so we are honored to be able to serve them through this sponsorship,” said Beth Soberg, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. “ Exercise and rehabilitation services are critically important to help injured veterans live healthy lifestyles.”
The United Service Organizations (USO) will support the daily rest stops with the USO Canteen. The American Legion Riders will provide a motorcycle escort during the event, and the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary will sponsor dinners and community events during the ride. Other highlights along the route include welcome parades and community events sponsored by the USO and the American Legion Family.
Notable participants and speakers include: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter; business leader Pete Coors; Lt. Col. Patricia Collins; retired Sgt. 1st Class Georg-Andreas Pogany of Denver; Ride 2 Recovery spokesman Nathan Hunt; and actor Mike Vogel ( Miami Medical, Cloverfield ).
Schools, community groups and the public are encouraged to gather along the daily routes to recognize the sacrifices of all veterans and support the riders. The event ride guide is available online at http://www.ride2recovery.com/images/stories/RMC%20Ride%20Guide%202010.pdf
To find out more or to sign up for an upcoming ride, visit www.ride2recovery.com.
About R2R
Ride 2 Recovery improves the health and wellness of injured veterans through cycling. Cycling is an important part of the recovery process because it is an activity that almost all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate, and it helps to speed up the rehabilitation process.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealthcare.com) provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services to individuals, public sector employers and businesses of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of approximately 25 million individual consumers, contracting directly with more than 600,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals to offer them broad, convenient access to services nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.
Increased interest from international and returning exhibitors results in
demand for more booth space
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. –- June 28, 2010 – With just under three months until Interbike’s International Bicycle Expo 2010, Interbike today announced net-sold, square-feet exhibit space at the Sands Convention and Expo Center has surpassed the 2009 show, with only limited amount of exhibit space still available.
Exhibitors from Europe, China and Taiwan have shown increased interest in Interbike’s marketplace necessitating the expansion of all of the show’s international pavilions for 2010. In addition, the show is welcoming the return of several significant domestic brands to the expo.
“As with any trade event, Interbike has been part of the normal ebb and flow of the bike industry’s business needs, marketing plans and the economy,” said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. “As this year’s floorplan suggests, Interbike continues to be an important business destination on the industry calendar, and has only become a stronger venue for domestic and international brands and retailers to gather.”
All of the International Pavilions have increased their booths for Interbike 2010. The China, Italy, Japan and Taiwan areas will each have a larger presence on the show floor, featuring more international manufacturers from their respective countries.
Additionally, the rapidly diminishing available booth space at Interbike 2010 is in part due to key manufacturers, including Advanced Sports, Shimano, Specialized and SRAM, upsizing their displays.
Several brands such as Santa Cruz, Swobo, and Castelli are returning to Interbike in 2010 following time away from the show to propel their marketing and sales objectives into 2011.
“While we are still huge fans of the OutDoor Demo, indoors is really the best venue for the social part of the business,” said Scott Turner of Santa Cruz Bicycles. “What we missed while being away from the indoor Interbike for the last few years is the ability to see all our dealers, industry partners and media friends in one place at one time. We’re excited to have the three extra days in a more relaxed atmosphere to talk about bikes. We are also bringing Swobo brand along with us this year, so there’s a lot to talk about!”
In addition to its comprehensive exhibitor list, Interbike continues to meet the needs of the industry by providing open lounges, fashion shows, indoor electric bike demo track, a variety of seminars and a highly effective venue for conducting business in the bike industry.
“The convenience of convening the industry at one time and in one place is unbeatable,” Tompkins said. “Interbike will always be a cost effective and straightforward business solution for the industry.”
For more information on procuring a booth at Interbike 2010, please contact sales manager Andria Klinger at 949.226.5745 or [email protected].
About Interbike
Interbike (a business unit of Nielsen Expositions, the parent company of the Outdoor Retailer (OR), Action Sports Retailer (ASR), Health+Fitness Business, and Fly Fishing Retailer trade shows) is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. Producers of the OutDoor Demo and Interbike International Bicycle Expo, Interbike is the leading bicycle industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,100 cycling-related brands and close to 23,000 total attendees annually.
The Interbike 2010 trade-only events begin with OutDoor Demo (September 20-21, 2010 in Boulder City), followed by the Interbike Expo, September 22-24 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
IMBA TRAILBUILDING SCHOOL
Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Coming to Town
Saturday, July 31
9AM to 4PM
Historic Miner’s Hospital
1345 Park Ave., Park City, UT
Help Mountain Trails Foundation create new mountain biking trails, improve your favorite local trails, learn trailbuilding techniques, meet other trail lovers, HAVE FUN!
This free, 1-day school teaches IMBA’s trailbuilding philosophies and trains local volunteers and land managers on how to build and maintain sustainable singletrack. The school involves three hours in the classroom followed by a half day in the field doing hands-on trailwork and field instruction. Lunch will be provided. For more information and to register contact Rick at [email protected] Space is limited so register early! Or visit mountaintrails.org
New position will strengthen Trips for Kids’ international presence, allowing the organization to serve thousands more deserving kids around the world
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – July 20, 2010 – Trips for Kids (TFK) has created a new executive director position to oversee its international programming and develop its strategic alliances on an international level, and is seeking qualified candidates.
“We have come a long way as an organization since our inception in 1988. Our dream is that one day Trips for Kids will be as large as The Boys and Girls Clubs of America,” said Marilyn Price, Trips for Kids founding director. “We are looking forward to bringing on an international executive director that will take our mission to the next level.”
The new TFK international executive director will be responsible for increasing the number of TFK chapters in the United States and overseas, generating program funding, expanding ties with international bicycling and recreational industries, forming critical alliances with other national youth organizations and increasing public awareness of Trips for Kids’ programs to get more low-income, at-risk children on mountain bike rides.
Qualified candidates should submit their cover letters and resumes to Shaugn Stanley, lead advisor and TFK Marin board member, at [email protected]. No telephone inquiries please.
TFK is an international non-profit organization that takes underserved youth on mountain bike adventures, teaching them personal responsibility, achievement and environmental awareness. There are now 69 chapters in the United States, Canada and Israel. More than 65,000 disadvantaged young people have participated in TFK’s day-long cycling adventures.
For more information on Trips for Kids, please visit www.tripsforkids.org or call Marilyn Price at 415.458.2986.
About Trips for Kids
Trips for Kids (www.tripsforkids.org) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization based in Marin County, California. With 65-plus chapters operating in the United States, Canada and Israel, Trips for Kids opens the world of cycling to at-risk youth through mountain bike rides and Earn-A-Bike programs. Trips for Kids started in 1988 as a grass roots effort by avid mountain biker, environmentalist and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee Marilyn Price to provide inner-city youth a way to enjoy the outdoors and gain much-needed life skills.
Fueled by success in the San Francisco Bay Area, the national organization was launched in 1999 with the expanded mission to open as many chapters as possible in order to provide kids with lessons in personal responsibility, achievement and environmental awareness through the development of practical skills and the simple act of having fun through mountain biking.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Chopper-style bicycles
Units: About 725 units: Red Star 100, Skulls 285 and Cannibal Chopper 340
Importer: Nirve Sports Ltd., of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Hazard: The bicycle stem on the handlebars can crack and cause the rider to lose control, posing a risk of serious fall and injury.
Incidents/Injuries: Nirve Sports has received reports of cracked handlebar stems, which all occurred during assembly of the bicycle. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves three models: Red Star, Skulls and Cannibal chopper-style bicycles with the model names printed on the chain guard. Red Star has a black finish; Skulls bear a skull graphic and come in grey and black; and Cannibal bears a dragon graphic and comes in a black finish. Serial numbers are located on the bottom of the bicycle between the pedals. The recall involves the following models, SKUs and Serial Numbers:
Name of Model SKU# Serial Number Ranges
Red Star 3421 L8E0600576-L8E0600675
Skulls 3433 L9E0200751-L9E0200810
L9E0201891-L9E0201900
L9E0201966-L9E0201972
L9E0400061-L9E0400120
L9E0500226-L9E0500285
L9E0700641-L9E0700700
L9E0701241-L9E0701255
L9E0701301-L9E0701315
Cannibal 3434 L080405181-L080405240
L8E0901311-L8E0901370
L9E0300491-L9E0300560
L9E0202337-L9E0202344
L9E0400196-L9E0400255
L9E0601206-L9E0601265
L9E0602346-L9E0602365
Sold by: Nirve Sports showroom, online and authorized dealers nationwide from December 2008 through April 2009 for about $300 to $600.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding the bicycles and return them to the place of purchase for free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Nirve Sports toll-free at (888) 296-4783 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.nirve.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: 2009 Felt model B12, B16 and S32 road bicycles
Units: About 2,100 bicycles
Importer: Felt Bicycles, of Irvine, Calif.
Manufacturer: ADK Technology Limited of China
Hazard: The bicycle’s fork steer tube can break, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer injuries.
Incidents/Injuries: Felt Bicycles has received seven reports of the bicycle forks breaking. Minor injuries, including bumps and bruises were reported in one of the incidents.
Description: The recall includes all 2009 Felt model B12, B16 and S32 road bicycles.
2009 B12 – These bicycles are gloss silver/carbon and have carbon fiber frames with carbon fiber forks with aluminum steer tubes.
2009 B16 – These bicycles are matte black/red and have carbon fiber frames with carbon fiber forks with aluminum steer tubes.
2009 S32 – These bicycles are available in gloss white/red and have aluminum frames with carbon fiber forks with aluminum steer tubes.
Sold at: Bicycle specialty stores nationwide from October 2008 through May 2010 for between about $2,300 and $3,100 per bicycle.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles and contact your local Felt Bicycles dealer to receive a free inspection and repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Felt Bicycles toll-free at (866) 433-5887 or (866) 4-FELT-US, or visit the firm’s website at www.feltracing.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010
Release #10-290
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: 2010 26” Epic and 26” Era Bicycles
Units: About 1,350
Importer: Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., of Morgan Hill, Calif.
Hazard: The shock absorber mount can break and the shock absorber can make contact with the wheel spokes, posing a fall hazard to the rider.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves alloy seat stays on the following 2010 Specialized 26” Era and 26” Epic bicycles: 2010 Epic Marathon Carbon, 2010 Epic Marathon Frame, 2010 Epic Expert Carbon, 2010 Epic Expert, 2010 Epic Comp Carbon, 2010 Epic Comp, 2010 Era FSR Expert Carb, 2010 Era FSR Expert and 2010 Era FSR Comp.
Sold by: Authorized dealers nationwide from September 2009 through October 2009 for between $2,000 through $5,500.
Manufactured in: Taiwan
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding these bicycles and contact a Specialized dealer for a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Specialized toll-free at (877) 808-8154 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s web site at www.specialized.com
