February 10/09 14:10 pm - Cycling News of the World

Posted by Editoress on 02/10/09
 

The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine. ~John Howard

Canadian Rider Has Made Unorthodox Climb to the Top
Those who have heard the tale of Svein Tuft have wondered, could it possibly be true?

How he dropped out of school in the 10th grade, lured by the freedom of the outdoors. How he evolved into a barrel-chested woodsman with Paul Bunyan biceps. How he ventured, at 18, from his home in Canada into the wilderness on a $40 thrift-shop bike hooked to a homemade trailer.
Read more at NY Times and The Toronto Star


McMaster Engineering Students Invent Collapsible Carrier for Commuter Cyclists
Getting more commuters to cycle to work was the motivation behind the invention of a collapsible bicycle trailer designed by two fifth-year mechanical engineering and management students at McMaster University.
Read more at Exchange and The Hamilton Spectator


Landis, disgraced in France, makes his comeback at Tour of California
Floyd Landis, the Pennsylvania country kid who won the 2006 Tour de France in spectacular fashion, then lost the title on drug charges, returns to racing in the Amgen Tour of California, eager and nervous after a bitter two-year suspension from the sport.

Unlike his former teammate, seven-time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong, who's promoting cancer research in his own comeback, Landis doesn't have grand plans.

He says his quest is simple: happiness.
Read more at The Modesto Bee


Tour of California adds variety to city's sports scene
In just three years, amid an ever-changing sports landscape, the Amgen Tour of California pro cycling race has developed into a signature event for Sacramento.

The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials filled the role commendably in 2000 and 2004, the event's star power and magnitude giving Sacramento a centerpiece in the city's efforts to land major sporting attractions.

With the Trials moving to Eugene, Ore., at least through 2012, the cycling race has evolved into an event Sacramento can build around as it tinkers with its array of sports offerings.

Lance Armstrong's presence in the Amgen field for the prologue, set for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in downtown and midtown Sacramento, has elevated the event's profile even more.
Read more at SacBee.com


Blazin' Saddles: Short back and sides
Cadel Evans must be pleased with his team's season preparations: rather than focus on signing the Australian an able lieutenant to prevent him falling over in the mountains, Silence-Lotto are making sure their riders all get new cutting-edge haircuts.

The Belgian team, sponsored by both the national lottery and a kind of snoring preventative system, are so keen their riders look the part and play the part ahead of the spring classics that they have made an agreement with Belgium's top hairdressing salon 'Le Client'.

According to sporza.be, all the team's riders are being encouraged to drop in for "een moderne snit gratis naar de kapper" - that's a free trendy snip at the barbers to you and me.
Read more at Yahoo UK


Evans rules out racing in Giro
AFTER months of speculation, Australian star Cadel Evans has confirmed he will bypass the Giro d'Italia.

Evans will return to racing later this month in Italy and follow basically the same competition schedule that has worked well for him in the past few years.

He has finished second in the past two Tours de France and winning that race remains his overwhelming priority.
Read more at The Age


Where bikes and streetcar collide
Riding home from her job in Northwest Portland last September, Catherine Halpin was thrown from her bike as she crossed NW 23rd Avenue where the streetcar tracks curve onto Lovejoy.
Read more at BikePortland.org


Cycling inquiry enters final stage
A series of roundtable discussions are taking place across England this month as part of the LGiU’s inquiry into boosting cycling rates.

The inquiry, Active Communities: Cycling to a better quality of life, was launched in December with a call for local authority chief executives and leaders to submit evidence to include their own ideas for encouraging more people to cycle.

More than 30 organisations, including local authorities, their partners and local cycle groups, responded to the call for evidence. The next stage of the inquiry involves roundtables with key players from local partnerships, particularly those from cycling demonstration towns.
Read more at eGov


'Stay away from high-speed roads'
City cyclists are being urged to avoid using roads where the speed limit exceeds 60 km/h, as this increases their chances of being hit by passing motorists, says the City of Cape Town.
Read more at The Star


Apple iPhone and iPod Touch Gets Heart Rate Monitor
iTMP Technology, today announced the commercial launch of SMHEART LINK, a highly-anticipated new technology that is poised to bring unparalleled health and fitness capabilities to Apple iPhone and iPod touch users. For the first time ever, a technology is now available that allows the iPhone to double as a heart monitor and fitness tracking system that actually listens to a person's heart. In addition to the iPhone and iPod touch, SMHEART LINK can be compatible with other smartphones, PCs or other Wi-Fi enabled devices.
Read more at TechFragments.com