March 18/10 14:00 pm - Cycling (in the) News

Posted by Editoress on 03/18/10
 

The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist


The Greatest one
There’s home-ice advantage, and then there’s having your home just metres from the ice. A year and a half ago, Clara Hughes, one of Canada’s most decorated Olympians, rented an apartment with her husband a short walk from the Richmond speed skating oval. The move let her train on the very ice she would race on during the Olympics, while providing her with all the creature comforts of home-her own bed, her own kitchen, and more importantly, her own espresso machine. It worked. In the final race of her long and shining career, a beaming Hughes took home the bronze in the 5,000-m race.
McLeans


Bixi bike rental system not ready until May
Montreal cycling enthusiasts took to the streets this week as unusually mild weather enveloped the island.

But no one will be able to use the Bixi bicycle rental system until May 1 because of the sheer work required to install it, city officials said.
CBC


Brakes on Olympic cycling through Hampstead Heath
The route for the road cycling races - originally planned to go from Regent's Park up to Hampstead Heath - is to be switched to outside London.

Sources at the 2012 organising committee and Camden Council confirmed the news to the Ham&High this week although the committee refused to officially confirm the news until a "final decision" is made.
Ham & High


Sir Chris Hoy has 10th world title in his sights
After missing last year's World Championships in Poland because of injury, Sir Chris Hoy returns in Copenhagen knowing he could become the first British rider to win 10 rainbow jerseys on the track.
Cycling Weekly


Lance Armstrong attacks radio host who urged running over cyclists
Lance Armstrong has laid into an American radio host who claimed live on air that motorists should run cyclists down. Armstrong branded ESPN's Tony Kornheiser a "complete f-ing idiot" on his Twitter page, saying the comments were "Disgusting, ignorant" and "foolish".
Guardian


Cipollini lays down challenge for Armstrong
Mario Cipollini wants to see Lance Armstrong do more than just use the Milan-San Remo race to get in shape for the Tour de France.

The retired sprint specialist told the ANSA news agency on Thursday that “it would be great if he attacks 60 miles from the finish and throws the race into chaos. It would be fun.”
Yahoo


French doping adviser sentenced to prison
A French medical adviser accused of inciting cyclists to cheat with drugs has been sentenced to a year in prison by a Paris appeals court.

Bernard Sainz was convicted on charges of “incitement to doping” and illegally practicing medicine in 1998 and 1999-during and after the 1998 Festina affair at the Tour de France in which police found a stash of performance-enhancing drugs in a team car, plunging the race into crisis.
Yahoo


Rolling From S.F. to L.A. on Seatless Bicycle Even Stupider Than it Looks
Stand up young man! California laws encourage seatless cycling, discourage seated kind.

What could possibly be more inane than a publicity stunt in which an ultra-marathon runner rides from San Francisco to LA on a bicycle with no seat?

How about California state legislation passed especially to enable this sort of thing.
SF Weekly


The great myth of the evil bicycle seat
I’ve been logging a lot of miles on my bicycle over the past few weeks to get ready for my first race of this year’s triathlon season in Clermont. This has given me ample opportunity to ponder the many truths and myths about the piece of sports equipment with the worst reputation, the bicycle seat.
Palm Beach Post


Japan launches sustainable bike scheme
Japan has trumped both Paris and London with the green credentials of its new environmentally-friendly bike rental scheme.

The bike hire facility has been made available at two railway stations in Tokyo where travellers will have access to 100 Sanyo Eneloop bicycles.

But the scheme's ingenuity comes from its sustainability.
Energy Saving Trust


New motorists' organisation claims "cycling is for poor people"
A stream on the social networking site Twitter is urging Britain’s drivers to “Drive More. Drive faster,” claims that “cycling is for poor people” and calls for farmers’ fields to be paved over to turn them into car parks and thereby solve the country’s parking problems.
Road.cc


Motoring Organisation Urges Cyclists to Claim their Lane
A national motoring organisation is urging cyclists to "claim their lane" rather than staying in the gutter when approaching a junction or parked cars.

Duncan Pickering, cycling development manager at the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), said: "There has been some debate as to whether cyclists should stick to the kerb or push out into the road when riding in built-up areas.

"Our advice to cyclists, based on a comprehensive study, is to stay near to the kerb on long even stretches, but to assert yourself when approaching a junction, pushing out into the road and putting yourself in the direct view of drivers.
Community News Wire


Cyclists are not road tax dodgers
A new campaign aims to dispel the myth that cyclists have no rights on the road by reminding drivers of the non-existence of road tax
Guardian


Barclays Wealth announces Isle of Man Commonwealth Youth Games sponsorship
Barclays Wealth is delighted to announce its sponsorship in support of the 2011 Isle of Man Commonwealth Youth Games. The £20,000 sponsorship will help to stage the biggest multi-sport event that has ever been held in the Isle of Man.

The games, taking place from 7-13 September 2011, will be hosted at various sporting venues across the Island staging rugby 7’s, boxing, athletics, cycling, gymnastics, swimming and badminton for over 1000 competitors from around the Commonwealth.
IFC