Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday Morning Ride
The Saturday morning ride was a great success,
with 15+ riders show up and temperatures in the low 40's!
We ended up doing about 50 miles, no hypothermia, no punctures.
Therefore
there will be a ride
leaving from
Sunday morning
@7:00 AM
Phil Liggett
Just hearing his commentary in the background during the Tour de France, makes watching the Tour all day -(+evening)- long,
for 3 weeks, so much more fun.....
Phil Liggett in the middle
Phil Liggett MBE (born 1943) is a sports journalist and commentator on the Versus (TV channel) and ITV, for the Tour de France and other bike races. He is a former amateur cyclist and received a professional contract in 1967 but instead of turning professional, he saw a future in sports journalism after he wrote a few articles in cycling magazines about races in which he participated.
Liggett initially wrote for Cycling magazine, and moved on to work freelance for The Guardian and The Observer. In 1997 he was appointed Cycle Sport magazine's international editor. Liggett has also written books on cycle racing.
Between 1972 and 1993 Liggett was technical director of the Milk Race. His involvement with organising cycle racing events led to his becoming vice-president of the Association Internationale Organisateurs des Courses Cycliste.
In 1973, age 30, Liggett became the youngest ever UCI international commissaire.
Since that early start he has reported on ten Olympics and 33 Tours. He is usually teamed with Paul Sherwen. He is known for colorful expressions about riders or racing conditions with often literary overtones. A collection of these "Liggettisms" was published in 2005. Liggett's home town is Bebington, Wirral. He now lives in Bayford, Hertfordshire, England.
Liggett has covered other sports including triathlons and ski jumping. Combining this other coverage with his Tour de France work has enabled Liggett to become one of the few sports journalist to work for the American Big Three networks: (ABC, CBS, and NBC).
For ten years to January 2007, Liggett was president of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), Britain's national cyclists' organisation. He was succeeded by Jo Snow, presenter of Channel 4 news.
Liggett has had a long time association with Australian network SBS and covers the Tour de France with Mike Tomalaris, as well as covering other Australian events such as the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under.
He spends most of his leisure time in South Africa where he has a house in the Southern Cape and a game farm near the Kruger National Park.
"Liggettisms"
Ooops, a red light -- but we're all going through anyway as you do in the Tour de France. The Peloton just keeps rolling on.
His legs will be screaming for him to stop!
He's dancing on his pedals in a most immodest way!
He climbs like an angel!
He's wearing the mask of pain.
He's crazy. He's always been crazy. And what on EARTH is he doing?
This is a pedigree group of men, they are holding on by the skin of their shorts.
And who is that in the background? That looks like Stephen Roche! IT LOOKS LIKE STEPHEN ROCHE!
His bike actually weighs less than 1 kg. It's a dream going up the hill, but he'll be blown away going down it.
We now watch the riders make their way up the mountain road, chosen by the road department as the least arduous path. I can tell you right now these riders would disagree with their choice.
Greg Lemond has literally come back from the dead to lead the Tour de France.
Now if I were an Olympic cycling judge—which as it happens I am—I'd say that was all right.
That is twenty-one miles of pure purgatory.
He's really having to dig deeply into the suitcase of courage.
These are the great adventurers of the Tour de France, and the spirit of the race for all to see. Go out and see what you can do.
Paul Sherwen, with this attack the chicken skin is about to fall.
These boys are descending like stones.
The yellow jersey makes you ride like two men.
He's riding like he has four legs.
The big man is in a 'spot of bother' on this climb.
On Lance Armstrong during a time trial: "LOOK, LOOK at that infernal cadence"
On Lance Armstrong during his 7th Tour de France : "The dynamite is lit, and we are waiting for the explosion"
Alexander Vinokourov, the man who refuses to die.
There's Jan Ullrich, turning over those massive gears!
They threw every part of their body at the bike!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday Morning Ride
We are planning on riding, weather permitting,
leaving from Red's
Saturday morning @7:00 AM
Looks like it'll be in the low 40's
with a mild wind out of the North if any.
New Orleans Marathon
The 45th Annual
New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5KSunday, February 1, 2009
New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5KSunday, February 1, 2009
WISHING ALL THE PARTICIPANTS
A GOOD RACE
AND SAFE TRAVEL!!!
Group riding tips
I've been cycling for a number of years, long enough to have encountered a variety of riding situations and to have matured some of my own group riding skills. I know from experience that riding as a newbie in an experienced group can be intimidating. I also know that inexperienced riders can pose a real safety threat within a group. So... I offer these group riding tips that I've picked up along the way, and hope they'll be helpful to others.
Hold your line
No matter how large the group you'll tend to fall into single, double, or perhaps even triple-file lines. It is critically important that you recognize the structure of the group and fall into place accordingly. Cyclists who ride "between the lines" will almost invariably be overlapping their wheels with other riders, and any wheel contact will take both riders down. Maintaining your line becomes especially important as you round corners, as you don't want to cut other riders off in a curve. Perhaps more than anything else, riding safely in a group means riding predictably. If you hear someone behind you yell, "Hold your line!" know that they're doing you a favor, even if it may not sound like one at the time.
Maintain awareness
To move safely within a group you must be constantly aware of the riders around you - ahead, behind, to your left and your right. When I ride solo I always ride with a mirror - I want to know what's coming up behind me. In a group of more than a few riders, however, I find that the mirror only helps on one side, and what I really need to know is who's immediately around me. In this situation glancing over each shoulder can keep you better informed of who's where.
You also want to pay close attention to the rider in front of you. If he or she is riding erratically then you may want a larger gap between you than if the rider's a long-time riding partner.
Announce hazards
When you're in a large pack only the first few riders can see the road. It is more than just a courtesy to point to or call out road hazards such as gravel and potholes. You should also announce when you're overtaking slower riders and if you're braking unexpectedly ("Slowing!"). Good group communication keeps everyone riding safely.
I sometimes call out approaching traffic ("Car back!", or "Car up!") but do so only when it's out of the ordinary, such as a car pulling a wide trailer or a dump truck or the like. Announcing every car causes riders to become desensitized to situations which truly warrant their full attention.
Announce your moves
When you're moving in or out of a line, point to where you're going so that riders behind you know what to expect. This is part of maintaining awareness of the riders around you and riding predictably.
Maintain your pace
When you're drafting you gain about 1% efficiency per mph. You can ride in a group at 22-24mph at about the same effort it would take to ride at 20 mph solo. To ride efficiently the group needs to ride at a steady pace and avoid unnecessary slowdowns. Two common bottlenecks are:
Descending/climbing hills
If you're in the front while descending a hill, you need to remember that if you're coasting then the folks behind you are braking. As you approach the bottom of a hill you should accelerate to maintain your pace as you climb up the other side (otherwise the group will "bunch up" as the faster riders in the back catch up with the slower, climbing riders in front). I'm surprised at how many experienced riders simply don't know how to attack a hill. It's actually easier if you can maintain your momentum by accelerating at the bottom, and it keeps the group from compressing.
At corners
It's only natural to slow as you go around a corner, but this can have a cumulative effect with a large group. The trick here is to cut a line through the turn which the group can follow and then accelerate smoothly as you go out the other side.
One other situation to be aware of is when you get out of the saddle for a climb or sprint. It's easy to slow down slightly as you stand on the pedals, and this can be just enough for the rider behind you to collide with your rear wheel. You should practice accelerating slightly as you come out of the saddle to compensate. Since most riders aren't aware of this, don't feel bad about mentioning it when you see another rider do it.
Take your turn at the front
Remember that drafting is much easier than pulling, and it's common for folks to feel the need to demonstrate their fresh legs when it's their turn to pull. Pay attention to the pace of the paceline. If the group is maintaining, say, 22mph on the flats, then that's the pace you should pull when you're in front. If you do choose to push the pace, try and wait until the prior leader (who's falling to the back of the line) is in line and back up to speed.
The whole idea of the paceline is to share the load up front. If you have more than a few riders then you should limit your pull to a half-mile or so. Don't feel bad about taking a shorter pull if you think most of the group is stronger than yourself.
It's generally considered polite to switch off at the top of a hill. This provides for better visibility to ensure you're clear of traffic, and it lets the next leader start out in more favorable conditions.
Keep your position
This one's a bit of a pet peeve of mine, but some riders feel compelled to sprint every hill regardless of the pace of the rest of the group. These same riders will often then catch their breath on the flats, causing the group to ride faster, and then slower than what they'd otherwise choose. I realize that some riders are going to be stronger climbers than others, but if you have extra energy to burn I suggest you take a longer pull at the front. Otherwise, try and maintain your relative position in the paceline.
Be careful with aerobars
I ride with aerobars because I like having the additional hand positions. However, using the aerobars limits my bike handling; I'm less stable and I can't brake or shift as quickly. When I'm in a group I only use my aerobars if I'm in front pulling the paceline or if I'm in pursuit mode trying to close a gap. There are some folks that feel you should never use aerobars in a group because of the reducing handling.
Recognize when you loose riders off the back
This is especially true when you have a small group. You want to make sure that riders who are dropped don't end up lost. You also want to ensure that they're not having mechanical or physical problems.
Recognize a rotating echelon
Occasionally you may notice a situation where the lead rider in a paceline switches off almost immediately after pulling through. That is, almost as soon as the previous leader falls back, the new leader will likewise pull over and start to fall back. As other riders repeat this sequence, you end up with two parallel pacelines, with the outer line going a little more slowly than the inner line (since the riders in the outer line are all falling back). This is called a 'rotating echelon,' and it allows a group to move very quickly, since any one rider is pulling the line for only a short time. This seems to work best in groups of 10-14 riders and will quickly break down if anyone is unfamiliar with the protocol. If you're in a group that starts an echelon, just do what everyone else seems to be doing and enjoy the fast, steady pace.
Hold your line
No matter how large the group you'll tend to fall into single, double, or perhaps even triple-file lines. It is critically important that you recognize the structure of the group and fall into place accordingly. Cyclists who ride "between the lines" will almost invariably be overlapping their wheels with other riders, and any wheel contact will take both riders down. Maintaining your line becomes especially important as you round corners, as you don't want to cut other riders off in a curve. Perhaps more than anything else, riding safely in a group means riding predictably. If you hear someone behind you yell, "Hold your line!" know that they're doing you a favor, even if it may not sound like one at the time.
Maintain awareness
To move safely within a group you must be constantly aware of the riders around you - ahead, behind, to your left and your right. When I ride solo I always ride with a mirror - I want to know what's coming up behind me. In a group of more than a few riders, however, I find that the mirror only helps on one side, and what I really need to know is who's immediately around me. In this situation glancing over each shoulder can keep you better informed of who's where.
You also want to pay close attention to the rider in front of you. If he or she is riding erratically then you may want a larger gap between you than if the rider's a long-time riding partner.
Announce hazards
When you're in a large pack only the first few riders can see the road. It is more than just a courtesy to point to or call out road hazards such as gravel and potholes. You should also announce when you're overtaking slower riders and if you're braking unexpectedly ("Slowing!"). Good group communication keeps everyone riding safely.
I sometimes call out approaching traffic ("Car back!", or "Car up!") but do so only when it's out of the ordinary, such as a car pulling a wide trailer or a dump truck or the like. Announcing every car causes riders to become desensitized to situations which truly warrant their full attention.
Announce your moves
When you're moving in or out of a line, point to where you're going so that riders behind you know what to expect. This is part of maintaining awareness of the riders around you and riding predictably.
Maintain your pace
When you're drafting you gain about 1% efficiency per mph. You can ride in a group at 22-24mph at about the same effort it would take to ride at 20 mph solo. To ride efficiently the group needs to ride at a steady pace and avoid unnecessary slowdowns. Two common bottlenecks are:
Descending/climbing hills
If you're in the front while descending a hill, you need to remember that if you're coasting then the folks behind you are braking. As you approach the bottom of a hill you should accelerate to maintain your pace as you climb up the other side (otherwise the group will "bunch up" as the faster riders in the back catch up with the slower, climbing riders in front). I'm surprised at how many experienced riders simply don't know how to attack a hill. It's actually easier if you can maintain your momentum by accelerating at the bottom, and it keeps the group from compressing.
At corners
It's only natural to slow as you go around a corner, but this can have a cumulative effect with a large group. The trick here is to cut a line through the turn which the group can follow and then accelerate smoothly as you go out the other side.
One other situation to be aware of is when you get out of the saddle for a climb or sprint. It's easy to slow down slightly as you stand on the pedals, and this can be just enough for the rider behind you to collide with your rear wheel. You should practice accelerating slightly as you come out of the saddle to compensate. Since most riders aren't aware of this, don't feel bad about mentioning it when you see another rider do it.
Take your turn at the front
Remember that drafting is much easier than pulling, and it's common for folks to feel the need to demonstrate their fresh legs when it's their turn to pull. Pay attention to the pace of the paceline. If the group is maintaining, say, 22mph on the flats, then that's the pace you should pull when you're in front. If you do choose to push the pace, try and wait until the prior leader (who's falling to the back of the line) is in line and back up to speed.
The whole idea of the paceline is to share the load up front. If you have more than a few riders then you should limit your pull to a half-mile or so. Don't feel bad about taking a shorter pull if you think most of the group is stronger than yourself.
It's generally considered polite to switch off at the top of a hill. This provides for better visibility to ensure you're clear of traffic, and it lets the next leader start out in more favorable conditions.
Keep your position
This one's a bit of a pet peeve of mine, but some riders feel compelled to sprint every hill regardless of the pace of the rest of the group. These same riders will often then catch their breath on the flats, causing the group to ride faster, and then slower than what they'd otherwise choose. I realize that some riders are going to be stronger climbers than others, but if you have extra energy to burn I suggest you take a longer pull at the front. Otherwise, try and maintain your relative position in the paceline.
Be careful with aerobars
I ride with aerobars because I like having the additional hand positions. However, using the aerobars limits my bike handling; I'm less stable and I can't brake or shift as quickly. When I'm in a group I only use my aerobars if I'm in front pulling the paceline or if I'm in pursuit mode trying to close a gap. There are some folks that feel you should never use aerobars in a group because of the reducing handling.
Recognize when you loose riders off the back
This is especially true when you have a small group. You want to make sure that riders who are dropped don't end up lost. You also want to ensure that they're not having mechanical or physical problems.
Recognize a rotating echelon
Occasionally you may notice a situation where the lead rider in a paceline switches off almost immediately after pulling through. That is, almost as soon as the previous leader falls back, the new leader will likewise pull over and start to fall back. As other riders repeat this sequence, you end up with two parallel pacelines, with the outer line going a little more slowly than the inner line (since the riders in the outer line are all falling back). This is called a 'rotating echelon,' and it allows a group to move very quickly, since any one rider is pulling the line for only a short time. This seems to work best in groups of 10-14 riders and will quickly break down if anyone is unfamiliar with the protocol. If you're in a group that starts an echelon, just do what everyone else seems to be doing and enjoy the fast, steady pace.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Virtual Bike Lane
Here is an extraordinary idea: Use lasers to build a virtual bike lane so that when cycling at night drivers keep their distance.
This concept is generating some excitement on the Internet although the hardware does not yet exist.
For more information, click here.
Cool/Cold Weather Riding
Cycling Gear Necessary For Winter TrainingKeeping you outdoors biking during cold weather is also matter of having the right gear.
It’s not about packing on endless layers, but having gear with the right technology to keep you dry and warm but not over heated.
In the fall season -- when temperatures are cooler (40’s and 50’s) but warm up us as the day progresses requires -- you'll need different gear than the cold temperatures (30’s and below) that remain constant during the typical winter day.
Here’s a basic cycling clothing temperature guide to help you determine what to wear.
What athletes most complain about when cycling in winter weather is cold head, hands, and feet. Following is a checklist of cold weather cycling gear you will want to invest in.
Arm and Leg Warmers During the fall and mild winter temperatures, the arm and leg warmers are helpful because you can pull them off when you warm up. For example, you are doing a 40-mile ride. The arm and leg warmers help during the first hour, but then the temps rise and your body heat increases. So you shed the warmers, and stick them in your jersey pocket or in your saddle bag.
Long-Sleeve Base Layer
The long-sleeve base layer is meant to keep you dry and warm during cold weather cycling training.
Long-Sleeve Jersey Remember, you want your long-sleeve jersey to fit snug so it doesn’t flap in the wind.
Long-Leg Bibs In colder temperatures when warmth is a concern for the duration of your ride, you’ll want to wear cycling bibs with long legs.
The other way to achieve the same effect would be to pull some cold weather tights over bib shorts or cycling shorts.
Vest and Jacket In the fall, wearing a cycling vest to keep your core warm will suffice. As season temperatures drop, you will want to wear a long-sleeve cycling jacket.
Shoe Covers and Booties In the cooler temps of an early morning ride in the fall, you will want to slip shoe covers over the top of your cycling shoes to keep your feet warm. As winter sets in, you will want to begin using shoe booties.
The long-sleeve base layer is meant to keep you dry and warm during cold weather cycling training.
Long-Sleeve Jersey Remember, you want your long-sleeve jersey to fit snug so it doesn’t flap in the wind.
Long-Leg Bibs In colder temperatures when warmth is a concern for the duration of your ride, you’ll want to wear cycling bibs with long legs.
The other way to achieve the same effect would be to pull some cold weather tights over bib shorts or cycling shorts.
Vest and Jacket In the fall, wearing a cycling vest to keep your core warm will suffice. As season temperatures drop, you will want to wear a long-sleeve cycling jacket.
Shoe Covers and Booties In the cooler temps of an early morning ride in the fall, you will want to slip shoe covers over the top of your cycling shoes to keep your feet warm. As winter sets in, you will want to begin using shoe booties.
Gloves If you’re thinking your fingerless warm weather cycling gloves with work; think again. It’s about the fingers! You’ll need winter cycling gloves.
Headwear A helmet liner works well in mildly cold temperatures. Ear covers also serve a similar purpose for people who often feel overheated in the head area but want to avoid cold ears on cold-weather rides. For extreme cold conditions, you will likely want a cycling mask.
Socks Like your hands, your feet are another extremity of your body that is more susceptible to cold temperatures. Having a good pair of winter cycling socks makes a big difference.
Shop at Precision Bikes to find and buy the proper and affordable winter riding gear.
As always, don’t forget your need for hydration and nutrition during cold weather outdoor cycling.
Heck, you might just get into this outdoor winter training to the extent that you might want to take up the sport of winter cycling/triathlon!
Be aware of the fact when "over dressed" the body will have a hard time getting rid of the heat generated by an elevated heart rate; thus risk of "blowing up" at hand.
Socks Like your hands, your feet are another extremity of your body that is more susceptible to cold temperatures. Having a good pair of winter cycling socks makes a big difference.
Shop at Precision Bikes to find and buy the proper and affordable winter riding gear.
As always, don’t forget your need for hydration and nutrition during cold weather outdoor cycling.
Heck, you might just get into this outdoor winter training to the extent that you might want to take up the sport of winter cycling/triathlon!
Be aware of the fact when "over dressed" the body will have a hard time getting rid of the heat generated by an elevated heart rate; thus risk of "blowing up" at hand.
When "under dressed", the cold will motivate you to go harder in order to keep body temperature reasonable...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Find Out Your REAL AGE...
This test is free and only requires you to register with www.realage.com so that they can email you your test results. It compares your 'chronological' age or the age that shows on your birth certificate/drivers licence, to your 'real' age. Your RealAge is the biological age of your body, based on how well you've maintained it.The RealAge Test, a patented, flagship product, is the first measurement standard for healthcare. The test provides medically valid metrics that compare biological versus calendar age, based upon your answers to the test. This health metric has received widespread consumer, medical, and scientific acceptance. RealAge experts developed the unique metric by reviewing 25,000 medical studies, which revealed 125 different factors that can influence rate of aging.
We all know of some factors that have a positive influence on our longevity, such as exercise, healthy nutrition, etc. We also know of some factors that have a negative influence on our longevity, such as high cholesterol, high levels of stress, etc. This test might give you some more insight in what you can do/not do, to improve the quality of your life. When registering with this web site, it'll give you various options, to what degree you'd like to receive future info, if any at all.
R.V.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
New Look vs Old School
Mark Miller's new Look 596 TimeTrial machine complete with PowerTap in full glory!
Ruud Vuijsters' Colnago Master X-Light Molteni at the end of the road!
Garmin - Slipstream Team 2009
Garmin-Slipstream Pro Cycling Team officially announced the 2009 roster today during the team presentation in Boulder, Colorado.For the first time, the team will hit the ProTour circuit with an impressive 29-man squad that includes Olympic, world and national champions.
Most of the 2008 team remains, including stars Christian Vande Velde, David Millar and US national road champion David Zabriskie.
New to the team is Olympic and world champion Bradley Wiggins, a British track star. World track champion in the 4K individual pursuit, team pursuit (world record) and the madison, Wiggins also won Olympic gold medals in the 4K individual pursuit and the team pursuit in Beijing this summer.
Impressive Canadians talents Svein Tuft and Christian Meier join the team for 2009. Despite an unfortunate flat, Tuft managed to take the silver medal in the 2008 world time trial championships in Varese, Italy. Current Canadian national road champion, Meier has been riding for the team as a hard-working stagiaire for the last few months.
Dutch rider Hans Dekkers joins the team as a talented sprinter. After coming back from an early season knee injury, Dekkers beat Tom Boonen to win the Nationale Sluitingprijs this October.
The youngest additions to the team are 20-year-old Australian rider Cameron Meyer and 21-year-old Dutch rider Richard Van Der Velde, both considered up-and-coming all around riders.
Meet Garmin-Slipstream!
Magnus Backstedt, Sweden/Blake Caldwell, USA/Steven Cozza, USA/Tom Danielson, USA/Julian Dean, New Zealand/Hans Dekkers, Holland/Jason Donald, USA/Timmy Duggan, USA/Huub Duyn, Holland/Lucas Euser, USA/Tyler Farrar, USA/Mike Friedman, USA/Will Frischkorn, USA/Ryder Hesjedal, Canada/Trent Lowe, Australia/Martijn Maaskant, Holland/Dan Martin, Ireland/Christian Meier, Canada/Cameron Meyer, Australia/David Millar, United Kingdom/Danny Pate, USA/Kilian Patour, France/Tom Peterson, USA/Chris Sutton, Australia/Svein Tuft, Canada/Richard Van Der Velde, Holland/Christian Vande Velde, USA/Bradley Wiggins, United Kingdom/David Zabriskie, USA
Monday, January 26, 2009
MB Chicot State Park
Full Suspension "All World" Mountain Bike: $3,000 + Admission to Chicot State Park: $2,00
Your wife complaining about where you've been all day: Louis Vuitton
Watching Mark Miller and Eric Bernard fly over their handlebars:
PRICELESS!
Shimano Dura-Ace Part 2 (7900)
Dura-Ace 7900
How does Shimano push the envelope when the cycling community is just getting up to speed with its last Dura-Ace components? Shimano's 7900 begins with a new hollow chainring design with a carbon shifting assist profile. The derailleur cables are tucked into the STI Dual Control lever bodies and their shifting action is double speed. The leverage ratio of the brakes is reconfigured, along with the brakepads, to boost modulation and match wet and dry weather stopping. Carbon fiber replaces aluminum in the rear derailleur's pulley cage, and the world's fastest-shifting front derailleur is reconfigured to eliminate micro adjustments at extreme chain angles. The 2009 topper? An asymmetric chain that is profiled on the inside link plates to better engage the next larger cogs.
Styled like nothing that came before it, Shimano's Dura-Ace 7900 group may well be the "Swiss Watch" of the Dura-Ace legacy. It's mechanical precision is certainly comparable- especially if one has the courage to disassemble the inner workings of its STI dual-action levers-but Shimano's Di2 replaces the complicated mechanical innards of 7900 with simple (and reliable) electronics. Will Di2 overshadow Dura-Ace STI levers like the electronic quartz movement overwhelmed the self-winding mechanical watch?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
TDU Adelaide City Council Circuit, 50mi
After a week of strong sprint finishes at the 2009 Tour Down Under, it was most fitting that the final day played right into the hands of the fast men once again. Liquigas rider Francesco Chicchi roared down the finishing straight and blew past Graeme Brown (Rabobank) to secure the final victory on Sunday’s closed circuit race. Claiming second was Robbie McEwen (Katusha) with Brown in third. After racing in all eleven editions of his national tour, Allan Davis (Quick-Step) at last claimed the overall title in addition to three stages along the way with a margin of 25 seconds over Stuart O’Grady (Saxo Bank), making it two Aussies on the podium after a strong showing all week of the home-country favorites.Riding in mild temperatures on a basically flat circuit, the 122 remaining riders completed the 18 laps in 1 hour 42 minutes. Big crowds greeted the riders for the final day of competition and the peloton did not disappoint those who came for a good show. An early break of 13 riders of course included the week’s grittiest up-and-comer Jack Bobridge (UniSA) and the ever-popular Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank) as well. When their gap went to over one minute, Davis’ Quick-Step team went to the front and drilled awhile to settle the gap at under one minute.
Near the end of the race Team Astana’s Lance Armstrong moved to the front of the chasing peloton and attacked to join the back of the lead group. But soon enough Team Columbia pushed the pace to bring it all together and the stage was set for the final sprint. Brown looked good to take his second stage victory, but Chicchi sprinted up the middle and stole the win in his first victory in Australia.
With the exception of the earlier retirement of Michael Schar, the Team Astana boys in blue came in safely to complete the first Pro Tour race of the season. The team enjoyed their time in Australia and Lance’s much-anticipated comeback race can now be replaced with his next mission, to race the Amgen Tour of California for the first time. “California will be hard,” commented Armstrong. “(There are) longer climbs, steeper climbs, longer stages. Levi (Leipheimer) is clearly focused on it, training with a lot of intensity for the race. He won last year and wants to win again. He will be very, very hard to beat.” Armstrong continued, “We will have a great team there between Levi, Chechu, Popo, Horner, myself and Brajkovic…strong guys.”
On February 1st team camp begins in Santa Rosa, with demanding training rides on tap as the team prepares to begin the full schedule of 2009 races. Thank you for joining us in Australia and see you in California! Congratulations to Allan Davis for his dominating performance in Adelaide.
On February 1st team camp begins in Santa Rosa, with demanding training rides on tap as the team prepares to begin the full schedule of 2009 races. Thank you for joining us in Australia and see you in California! Congratulations to Allan Davis for his dominating performance in Adelaide.
G'day mates.
_________________
Top 10 Results
1 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas 1.42.00
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha
3 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank
4 Gregory Henderson (NZl) Team Columbia - High Road
5 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
6 Tom Leezer (Ned) Rabobank
7 Willem Stroetinga (Ned) Team Milram
8 Jacopo Guanieri (Ita) Liquigas
9 Guillaume Blot (Fra) Cofidis
10 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha
3 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank
4 Gregory Henderson (NZl) Team Columbia - High Road
5 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
6 Tom Leezer (Ned) Rabobank
7 Willem Stroetinga (Ned) Team Milram
8 Jacopo Guanieri (Ita) Liquigas
9 Guillaume Blot (Fra) Cofidis
10 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
___________
GC after Stage 6
1 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 19.26.59
2 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.25
3 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.30
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
5 Wesley Sulzberger (Aus) Française Des Jeux 0.37
6 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.38
7 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.39
8 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.40
9 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
10 Mickaël Chérel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
2 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.25
3 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.30
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
5 Wesley Sulzberger (Aus) Française Des Jeux 0.37
6 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.38
7 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.39
8 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.40
9 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
10 Mickaël Chérel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
29 Lance Armstrong (USA) Team Astana
(By Cathy Mehl; Source: www.astana-cyclingteam.com)
Rabobank's cycling team is ready for 2009
Rabo cycling team director Harold Knebel wants his riders to show more determination to win this year.
Even without Thomas Dekker’s fine performances during the classic races, the night’s video presentation of the team’s 2008 highlights, when team RaboBank was introduced, would not have been a short one.
There were wins by Lars Boom and a green jersey and other prestigious triumphs for Spanish sprinter Oscar Freire. The mega-talented Robert Gesink had a brilliant season while Russian Denis Mentsjov came third in the Tour de France after Austrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl tested positive for EPO. “We haven’t done too badly but we’re not there yet,” says Knebel.
With an annual budget of 12 million euros, Rabo is one of the richest teams in professional cycling. But last year it did not have as many wins as it did under the previous team leadership of Jan Raas and Theo de Rooij. Expectations had been running high at the beginning of the year. The team was to be one the best sports teams of the world, up there with the racing team Ferrari, football club Real Madrid, baseball team Boston Red Sox and basketball’s LA Lakers.
More aggressive
The only Dutch international cycling union (UCI) ProTour team also showed a distinct lack of fighting spirit. “We needed to be more aggressive”, Knebel admits. “We showed a lack of initiative although this Tour was one Rabo’s best ever in terms of results. Still, we were less visible.”
The former banker, who stepped into De Rooij’s shoes last year as team manager, knows exactly what to do about it. “We must seize the initiative, attack more.” As an example of what he means, Knebel mentions two races, the Franco-Belge, won by Juan Antonio Flecha, and the Tour of Flanders, in which Sebastian Langeveld dominated.
Knebel denies that the team’s popularity suffered as a result of a number of conflicts during last year’s season. A row with the team’s leaders saw Thomas Dekker drop out for the Tour de France. After seven seasons his contract was annulled and this year “the biggest Rabo talent ever” will ride for the Belgian Silence-Lotto team. Team leader Erik Dekker came in for criticism for not acting decisively enough in an alleged doping case involving his rider namesake. And it also turned out that retired rider Michael Boogerd, after having been one of the team’s best known members for thirteen years, could not be found a job at Rabo. He ended his contract with the sponsor in August last year.
Bigger than ever
Several riders and members of staff complained off the record about the new approach which was established by Rabo in the team after the Rasmussen affair . [Rasmussen repeatedly failed to inform cycling’s drug testing bodies about his whereabouts and, wearing the yellow jersey, was finally forced out of the 2007 Tour de France.]
The 2009 Rabo team is bigger than ever. The professional team consists of 30 riders and the trainee team has 22. Besides experienced foreign riders such as Oscar Freire, Denis Mentsjov, Juan Antonio Flecha and Belgian talent Nick Nuyens, Rabo offers lots of opportunities to young Dutch talent.
Robert Gesink will make his debut in the Tour this year while Bauke Mollema will try his luck in the Spanish Vuelta. Sebastian Langeveld will concentrate on the classic races and Lars Boom is entering the professional league which will also see the return of Kai Reus who was seriously hurt in an accident in 2007. Several times world champion indoor track cycling Theo Bos will make his debut in the trainee team.
Knebel: “We are aiming for a recognisable Dutch image.”
(Published: 6 January 2009; By Maarten Scholten; source: NRC-Handelsblad)
Rabobank has ended their contract with Colnago and will be seen on Giant machines.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
TDU stage 5: Snapper Point to Willunga, 92mi
After a week of sprint victories the road specialists looked to stage five for a chance to salvage a win at the 2009 Tour Down Under. Two times up and over Willunga Hill promised fireworks and the opportunity for climbers to finally shine. And yes, sparks were flying as attacks were the rule of the day, but in the end the peloton was all together in the final 5kms and the stage was set for the sprinters once more. This week no one has been stronger than Australian fast man Allan Davis and with his Quick-Step train motoring for the finish, Davis took his third stage win, this time in front of José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d'Epargne) and Switzerland’s Martin Elmiger (Ag2R). Time bonuses gave Davis an advantage of 25-seconds, making his chances for overall victory look bright indeed.Massive crowds awaited the peloton of 122 riders on Willunga Hill, located some 40km from the finish line. Eight riders had gone away after only 20 minutes of racing and included new talent Jack Bobridge (UniSA) as well as Serguei Klimov (Katusha). Their gap went to three minutes with Quick-Step controlling the pace of the peloton. At the base the first time up, Team Columbia took over the chase with the front group still holding 100 seconds. The peloton split under pressure from Columbia and groups splintered on the climb, while Klimov attacked his group, followed by Bobridge. Team Astana’s Jesus Hernandez was part of the original chasing group, and eventually some 70-riders were all together, including Lance Armstrong and race leader Davis, with the race coming back together on the descent.
The second time over, David Moncoutié (Cofidis) attacked, followed by Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto), Adam Hansen (Columbia) and none other than Armstrong himself, driving the chase with shear determination. Moncoutié managed to hold off the others as groups formed and re-formed near the top of the climb. With only a handful of seconds separating the groups it was a total free-for-all of attacks on the descent to Willunga. Quick-Step kept Davis in the mix and with the climbs behind him the Australian race leader tucked in nicely behind his boys as they pushed the pace to the line. Saxo Bank kept Stuey O’Grady in contention as well, but the sprint belonged to Davis, who captured his third stage win in fine style and all-but-sealed up the win for this year’s race. Second overall is O'Grady and third currently belongs to Gil.
One stage remains with Sunday’s circuit race before the 2009 Tour Down Under is in the books and the Pro Tour season is successfully launched.
_____________
Top 10 Results
1 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 3.28.33
2 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
3 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
5 Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française Des Jeux
6 Laurent Lefèvre (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
7 Wesley Sulzberger (Aus) Française Des Jeux
8 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
9 Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Silence - Lotto
10 Julien El Farès (Fra) Cofidis
2 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
3 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
5 Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française Des Jeux
6 Laurent Lefèvre (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
7 Wesley Sulzberger (Aus) Française Des Jeux
8 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
9 Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Silence - Lotto
10 Julien El Farès (Fra) Cofidis
_____________________
GC after Stage 5
1 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 17.44.59
2 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.25
3 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.30
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
5 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.38
6 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.39
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.40
8 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
9 Mickaël Chérel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
2 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.25
3 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.30
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
5 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.38
6 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.39
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.40
8 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
9 Mickaël Chérel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
How to find a "safe" saddle
Since the late 1990s, saddle design has seen major innovation.A big impetus came from a prominent doctor's contention that sitting on a bike seat might lead to damaged nerves or blood vessels in some men. This risk, plus the occasional bout of temporary genital numbness that many riders experience, put designers into action.
The result is a new generation of saddles with special shapes, padding or cutouts to reduce crotch contact and pressure. As a side benefit, riders have found that they experience fewer saddle sores on these seats.Saddle selection is highly individual. Despite how effective a saddle might look or how highly praised it might be by a riding buddy, there's no guarantee that it will be comfortable for you. You need to ride it to tell.Here are some selection guidelines, followed by two things you must do to further reduce risks and discomforts:
(1) develop a good riding position, and (2) use smart riding techniques.
Saddle Selection Width. Squat and sit on a low stool or curb. What you feel supporting your weight is your ischial tuberosities, the points of the pelvis that are commonly called the "sit bones." These are what should support your weight on a saddle.
A seat that's too narrow will place your weight on the soft tissue between your sit bones -- for men, on the perineum where the penile nerves and blood vessels are located. Women also need to put a high priority on width because, on average, they have wider sit bones than men. Anatomically designed women's saddles are a bit wider in the main sitting area.Curvature. Looked at from the rear at eye level, a seat should be flat or only very slightly domed. A significant curve causes your sit bones to be lower than the saddle's center, contributing to crotch pressure.Dip. Looked at from the side at eye level, a seat should be nearly flat from nose to tail. A slight dip (say six degrees or less) is helpful to give you a feeling for the saddle's center while riding. More dip creates positioning problems. That is, when the nose is set level, the tail sticks up and may be uncomfortable to sit on; when the tail is set level, the nose goes up and exerts pressure right where you don't want it.Padding. Some is good, more is not better. You want enough foam or gel to cushion your sit bones for comfort. Thick padding can actually increase crotch pressure because as your sit bones sink in, this has the effect of making the center press upward.Special sections. These are what set the new generation of saddles apart. These sections range from gel-padded areas, to wedge-shaped cutouts, to holes through the top. Rider reactions to these innovations are all over the board. Do they lessen contact or pressure? No doubt. Do they absolutely, positively prevent numbness or worse problems? No saddle maker can guarantee that. Are they comfortable? It depends on whom you ask. The saddle that one rider swears by will be the same saddle the next rider swear at. There's simply no way of knowing until you ride on a given design. Precision Bikes has several "demo seats" for you to try out or will allow you to return a saddle that you simply can't stand.
Saddle Selection Width. Squat and sit on a low stool or curb. What you feel supporting your weight is your ischial tuberosities, the points of the pelvis that are commonly called the "sit bones." These are what should support your weight on a saddle.
A seat that's too narrow will place your weight on the soft tissue between your sit bones -- for men, on the perineum where the penile nerves and blood vessels are located. Women also need to put a high priority on width because, on average, they have wider sit bones than men. Anatomically designed women's saddles are a bit wider in the main sitting area.Curvature. Looked at from the rear at eye level, a seat should be flat or only very slightly domed. A significant curve causes your sit bones to be lower than the saddle's center, contributing to crotch pressure.Dip. Looked at from the side at eye level, a seat should be nearly flat from nose to tail. A slight dip (say six degrees or less) is helpful to give you a feeling for the saddle's center while riding. More dip creates positioning problems. That is, when the nose is set level, the tail sticks up and may be uncomfortable to sit on; when the tail is set level, the nose goes up and exerts pressure right where you don't want it.Padding. Some is good, more is not better. You want enough foam or gel to cushion your sit bones for comfort. Thick padding can actually increase crotch pressure because as your sit bones sink in, this has the effect of making the center press upward.Special sections. These are what set the new generation of saddles apart. These sections range from gel-padded areas, to wedge-shaped cutouts, to holes through the top. Rider reactions to these innovations are all over the board. Do they lessen contact or pressure? No doubt. Do they absolutely, positively prevent numbness or worse problems? No saddle maker can guarantee that. Are they comfortable? It depends on whom you ask. The saddle that one rider swears by will be the same saddle the next rider swear at. There's simply no way of knowing until you ride on a given design. Precision Bikes has several "demo seats" for you to try out or will allow you to return a saddle that you simply can't stand.
Of course, don't stop at the saddle. Go though all of the steps to get an overall well-balanced riding position. If your saddle position is right but your handlebar position isn't, you still might run into problems.
TIP! For many guys, a saddle that's slightly off center (compared to the top tube) feels more comfortable. If the nose keeps pressing you in the wrong spot, try a bit of left or right angle. According to Andy Pruitt, Ed.D., who has refined the positions of many top cyclists, the right approach is always to make the bike fit your body instead of making your body fit the bike.
Riding Techniques The rule is simple: Don't sit statically in one place for more than a few minutes. When you keep moving on the saddle, as well as on and off the saddle, you avoid constant pressure and compression. Blood keeps circulating, nerve transmissions keep flowing, and the risk of numbness is greatly reduced.This is pretty easy to do off-road, where terrain changes and keep your crotch from locking into a set position. It's harder on a road bike unless you cultivate some good habits.For example, get out of the saddle for at least part of every hill. Stand when exiting every turn or any other time you need to accelerate. Even just a few seconds is helpful when repeated often. On a ride in flat terrain, shift to a higher gear so you can stand and pedal out of the saddle for at least 30 seconds every 20 minutes. When sitting, keep your butt far enough back for your sit bones to be supported by the seat's wide rear section. Beware of the tendency to creep forward onto the nose and dwell there, especially when pushing hard or riding in a low position.
Riding Techniques The rule is simple: Don't sit statically in one place for more than a few minutes. When you keep moving on the saddle, as well as on and off the saddle, you avoid constant pressure and compression. Blood keeps circulating, nerve transmissions keep flowing, and the risk of numbness is greatly reduced.This is pretty easy to do off-road, where terrain changes and keep your crotch from locking into a set position. It's harder on a road bike unless you cultivate some good habits.For example, get out of the saddle for at least part of every hill. Stand when exiting every turn or any other time you need to accelerate. Even just a few seconds is helpful when repeated often. On a ride in flat terrain, shift to a higher gear so you can stand and pedal out of the saddle for at least 30 seconds every 20 minutes. When sitting, keep your butt far enough back for your sit bones to be supported by the seat's wide rear section. Beware of the tendency to creep forward onto the nose and dwell there, especially when pushing hard or riding in a low position.
Other Pointers If you use an aero bar, you'll tend to lock into a low, forward position for minutes on end. It's a nuisance, and it takes effort, to break this position to stand. But it's risky if you don't. Also, try to stay back on the wide area of the saddle. Tilting the nose down 1 or 2 degrees can reduce crotch pressure, but more will tend to make you slide forward onto the skinny nose.Ride like a jockey when you come to anything rough. By leveling the pedals, flexing your knees and holding your butt an inch above the saddle, you'll avoid impacts that can cause bruising and pain. A shock-absorbing seatpost is another way to reduce the risk, but don't let it lull you into remaining seated all the time. Carry stuff on your bike, not on your body. This isn't always possible, but realize that when you ride with a backpack, fanny pack or hydration system, you are adding weight to your seat. This makes a wide, supportive saddle even more important. The same goes if you're overweight.Be smart when riding indoors. With no terrain changes or other natural opportunities to move your butt, you need to invent some. Pedal out of the saddle for one minute in every five. Consciously move to a different sitting area every couple of minutes. Keep sessions short and varied rather than long and steady. Using bigger gears lightens saddle pressure because your feet must push harder.Wear high-quality, lightly padded cycling shorts. These, plus a skin lubricant such as Chamois Butt'r, increase comfort and reduce the risk of developing raw or tender spots. These can stop you from shifting position to all parts of your crotch and the saddle.
Friday, January 23, 2009
TDU Stage 4: Burnside Village to Angaston, 89mi
Australian sprinter Allan Davis (Quick-Step) tightened his grip on the 11th Tour Down Under by sealing another stage win and retaining the leader’s jersey for a third day. Following just behind was yesterday’s stage winner Graeme Brown (Rabobank) and a new face on the podium, Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d’Epargne) for third. Team Astana riders came in safe and sound after yesterday’s ride took Michael Schär out of the race with a calf injury which has been successfully repaired.After Wednesday’s suffer-fest in hot, windy conditions, the peloton of 124 decided to take it a little easier in preparation for Saturday’s ride to Willunga. While it was still windy on course the temperatures were cooler and riders took a more leisure but nervous approach to the stage, conserving energy before Saturday’s anticipated action. A break of three riders went away just after the neutral start and stayed away for the majority of the stage. In the break were Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R), Andoni Lafuente (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Travis Meyer (UniSA). Working well together right from the start, the trio steadily built a gap that eventually went to more than nine minutes. In the peloton it was Robbie McEwen’s Katusha team that drove the pace to ensure a catch when the time was right. After 90km of racing the gap was down to a more manageable 3.25 with the flat terrain giving a sure advantage to the chasing peloton.
On the final climb Lafuente was dropped but Efimkin and Meyer continued their quest. Many riders suffered on the climb and were quickly knocked out the back of the main field. In the last 15km more attacks went off the front and held for a few minutes but the tailwind continued to push the fast-moving peloton. At 10km to go Efimkin attacked Meyer, hoping to make a solo ride to the finish in Angaston, but tired legs prevailed and at 13km remaining the peloton was all together and a bunch sprint was promised.
Rabobank and Katusha remained at the front but Quick-Step soon took over and launched the popular Davis for the line.
On the final climb Lafuente was dropped but Efimkin and Meyer continued their quest. Many riders suffered on the climb and were quickly knocked out the back of the main field. In the last 15km more attacks went off the front and held for a few minutes but the tailwind continued to push the fast-moving peloton. At 10km to go Efimkin attacked Meyer, hoping to make a solo ride to the finish in Angaston, but tired legs prevailed and at 13km remaining the peloton was all together and a bunch sprint was promised.
Rabobank and Katusha remained at the front but Quick-Step soon took over and launched the popular Davis for the line.
______________
Top 10 Results
1 Allan Davis (Quick Step) 3.29.35
2 Graeme Brown (Rabobank)
3 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
4 Stuart O'Grady (Team Saxo Bank)
5 Mark Renshaw (Team Columbia - High Road)
6 Tom Leezer (Rabobank)
7 Davide Viganò (Fuji-Servetto)
8 Jussi Veikkanen (Française Des Jeux)
9 Robbie McEwen (Team Katusha)
10 Sébastien Hinault (AG2R La Mondiale)
2 Graeme Brown (Rabobank)
3 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
4 Stuart O'Grady (Team Saxo Bank)
5 Mark Renshaw (Team Columbia - High Road)
6 Tom Leezer (Rabobank)
7 Davide Viganò (Fuji-Servetto)
8 Jussi Veikkanen (Française Des Jeux)
9 Robbie McEwen (Team Katusha)
10 Sébastien Hinault (AG2R La Mondiale)
_______
GC after Stage 4
1 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 14.16.36
2 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank 0.04
3 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.15
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale 0.24
5 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.26
6 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.28
7 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.29
8 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.30
9 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
10 Mickaël Chérel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
2 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank 0.04
3 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.15
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale 0.24
5 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.26
6 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.28
7 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.29
8 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.30
9 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
10 Mickaël Chérel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
IRONDOG
First seen in Japan!Soon to be seen at Precision Bikes.
We are all in for innovative exercise programs and we'd like to start our dog-pedalling class, once spring comes around.
It'll be a 3-level program,
where dogs will be trained all the way to an IRONDOG distance level.
(thanks Jamie)
TDU Stage 3 Unley to Victor Harbor, 84mi
After days of being in the mix but falling short each time, Rabobank’s Graeme Brown finally scored a sprint win in the third stage of the 11th Tour Down Under. Second place went to race leader Allan Davis (Quick-Step) and third to Stuart O’Grady (Saxo Bank), making for an all-Australian podium. Davis retained his leader’s jersey for the second day in a row. Unfortunately Team Astana's Michael Schär and Chechu Rubiera were involved in mid-race crashes with Michael taken to the hospital for evaluation. After an 11AM roll-out with an initial 10km neutral zone, the attacks came fast and furious, including a short-lived effort by Schär that was quickly brought back. Eventually a group of 16 went away that included Lance Armstrong and Jesus Hernandez, as well as O’Grady. Working well together, the group developed a decent gap of almost two minutes, but behind them crashes were taking a toll on the peloton, knocking out defending champion Andre Greipel and Schär, among others. Luckily Rubiera was able to continue and rode in with the grupetto.
The Armstrong group put in a big effort to stay away but Team Columbia and Rabobank put men on the front and brought them back with 35km left to race. With plenty of real estate still ahead before hitting the line at Victor Harbor, more and more attacks were put in with Quick-Step also playing a role in the peloton. Glenn d’Hollander (Silence-Lotto) had attacked as the catch was made and Cameron Meyer (Garmin) made good time in bridging to him, but with less than 10 kilometers to go the peloton was all together and the stage was set for a bunch sprint.
Rabobank and Team Columbia went head to head, with Davis figuring in the mix as well, but it was Brown who had the legs and secured the win on the line.
"I felt alright," said Lance after the stage, speaking about the windy conditions and his time in the break. "I don't have that high-end intensity yet, that hasn't been part of my training, but you had to be strong just to be in the group." Speaking of his request for a media helicopter to move away from the group, Lance laughed and said, "When it's that windy the last thing you need is a big wind machine on top of you! It was swirling so much, it just wasn't safe. And with the deep dish rims and some of the little guys...the next stop for them was New Zealand!"
Crash Update: Michael has suffered superficial road rash and bruises, plus a cut on the outside of his calf. Also the saphenus nerve is cut. This is a superficial sensitory nerve with no motor function. The doctors are looking into suturing it. Chechu hurt his left shoulder and arm, plus has a shoulder bruise and road rash on his arm.
The Armstrong group put in a big effort to stay away but Team Columbia and Rabobank put men on the front and brought them back with 35km left to race. With plenty of real estate still ahead before hitting the line at Victor Harbor, more and more attacks were put in with Quick-Step also playing a role in the peloton. Glenn d’Hollander (Silence-Lotto) had attacked as the catch was made and Cameron Meyer (Garmin) made good time in bridging to him, but with less than 10 kilometers to go the peloton was all together and the stage was set for a bunch sprint.
Rabobank and Team Columbia went head to head, with Davis figuring in the mix as well, but it was Brown who had the legs and secured the win on the line.
"I felt alright," said Lance after the stage, speaking about the windy conditions and his time in the break. "I don't have that high-end intensity yet, that hasn't been part of my training, but you had to be strong just to be in the group." Speaking of his request for a media helicopter to move away from the group, Lance laughed and said, "When it's that windy the last thing you need is a big wind machine on top of you! It was swirling so much, it just wasn't safe. And with the deep dish rims and some of the little guys...the next stop for them was New Zealand!"
Crash Update: Michael has suffered superficial road rash and bruises, plus a cut on the outside of his calf. Also the saphenus nerve is cut. This is a superficial sensitory nerve with no motor function. The doctors are looking into suturing it. Chechu hurt his left shoulder and arm, plus has a shoulder bruise and road rash on his arm.
_____________________________________
Top 10 Stage 3
1 Graeme Brown (Rabobank) 3.15.35
2 Allan Davis (Quick Step)
3 Stuart O'Grady (Team Saxo Bank)
4 Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
5 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - High Road)
6 Martin Elmiger (AG2R La Mondiale)
7 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
8 Alexandre Pichot (Bbox Bouygues Telecom)
9 Mauro Santambrogio (Lampre - N.G.C)
10 Mickaël Chérel (Française Des Jeux)
2 Allan Davis (Quick Step)
3 Stuart O'Grady (Team Saxo Bank)
4 Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
5 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - High Road)
6 Martin Elmiger (AG2R La Mondiale)
7 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
8 Alexandre Pichot (Bbox Bouygues Telecom)
9 Mauro Santambrogio (Lampre - N.G.C)
10 Mickaël Chérel (Française Des Jeux)
_______________
GC after stage 3
1 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 10.47.11
2 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank
3 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.05
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale 0.14
5 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.18
6 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.19
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.20
8 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
10 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
2 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank
3 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.05
4 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale 0.14
5 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road 0.18
6 Matthew Wilson (Aus) UniSA 0.19
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.20
8 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
10 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
How to deal with 'bad' dogs
Dog attacks are high on the list of cycling fears. Maybe you can’t stop Fang from giving chase, but you can outsmart him if you know how dogs think—assuming that stinkin’ mutt even has a brain!Know dog psychology. The majority of dogs who chase cyclists are merely defending their territory. When you pedal off the section of road that they consider their turf, you no longer pose a threat to their ancestral instincts and they lose interest. Incidentally, this is why you’ll rarely be chased by a dog you encounter way out in the boonies. He’s not on his turf so he couldn’t care less about you.
Know dog tactics. Dogs want to attack from the rear, coming up from the hindquarter. Even one who sits up in his yard ahead of you may wait till you pass before giving chase. You can use this to your advantage in the next tip because it gives you a head start.
Sprint! You often can outsprint Fido when he’s more interested in fooling around than in actually attacking. You can tell his intent by how hard he’s running and his expression. An easy gait with woofing and ears and tail up, no problem. A full-out sprint with ears back, tail down and teeth out, problem. Still, the territorial gene can save you. If the road is flat or downhill, stand up and sprint to get past the dog’s invisible boundary.
Guard your front wheel. When a dog sees you coming, he might make a beeline for your bike, then attempt to turn up beside you. The danger here is that his poor little paws will skid on the pavement and he’ll plow into your wheels. If he hits the front one, you’ll crash. Sprint so that you move forward faster than he expects, and give him a margin for error by steering farther into the road—if traffic permits!
SCREAM! Most dogs know what happens when a human is angry with them. A sudden shout of “No!” or “Git!” or “Stay!” will surprise Fluffy and probably make him hesitate for just the second you need to take the advantage. If he’s hard of hearing, raise your hand threateningly as if it contains a rock. Outlaw mutts usually have had experience with bad things flying at them when a human makes a throwing gesture.
Play douse the Doberman. If you see big, fast Prince up ahead and know that he sees you, sprinting might not work. Especially if the road is tilting up. Take out your water bottle. Just having it in your hand may make him stay away. If he does come near you, give him a faceful and a loud yell. This distraction will slow him down, though he may come back for more. Just don’t distract yourself and ride off the road.
Some riders swear by Halt pepper spray that they clip to their handlebar. This stuff works great—if you hit your target. That’s a big if when you and Spot are going different speeds, the air is moving, and you’re trying to stay on the road. Pepper spray stings a dog’s eyes, nose and mouth, but it doesn’t cause lasting damage. It also works on human attackers, but that’s a different story.
Give up and get off. If nothing works and Toodles has the upper hand, dismount quickly and hold your bike between you and those sharp teeth. Swing it like a weapon if necessary, and start calling for help. Someone may eventually come out of a house and yell, “Oh, he won’t hurt you!”
Call the cops. If you are attacked and bitten, report it to the county sheriff or other authority immediately. Include the location, a description of the dog and the owner’s name and address if you know them. Get medical attention without delay. If the dog was rabid, you are at risk of serious illness or even death. Demand proof of rabies vaccination or insist to authorities that the dog be quarantined.
If the same dog accosts you every time you ride the road, report this to the authorities, too. You have a right to use public roadways free from fear for your life, liberty and pursuit of cycling happiness. Keep following up with calls to make sure steps are taken to put PupPup on a rope.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
TDU Stage 2 Hahndorf to Stirling, 90 Miles
Tour Down UnderFine racing continues from the 2009 Tour Down Under as stage two from Hahndorf to Stirling was contested in front of a huge crowd estimated at 90,000. Slightly cooler temperatures greeted the peloton of NUMBER as many riders took their chances to score a win today. But in the final bunch sprint it was Aussie rider Allan Davis (Quick-Step) who had the most punch in his legs as he took the victory over Graeme Brown (Rabobank) and Martin Elmiger (Ag2R). Davis moved into the overall race leader as well and wears the leader’s jersey heading into Thursday’s stage three from Unley to Victor Harbor. Post-race Team Astana's Michael Schar said, "Today was a great day for the team. I think we did a nice job. I felt good and did an attack of my own, but then the motor turned over." Michael uses most of his energy protecting Lance Armstrong during the stage and brings good form.
Early attacks were quickly nullified until an acceptable trio of riders went up the road and were allowed to develop a gap of almost 5 minutes that held strong throughout much of the stage. Included in the breakaway were Guillaum Blot (Cofidis), Markel Irizor (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Aussie rider Aaron Kemps (UniSA). The team of race leader Andre Greipel (Columbia) stayed in the front to keep an eye on the time gap.
On the first of two descents into Stirling New Zealand rider Julien Dean (Garmin) attacked the peloton and quickly joined forces with the front three, adding new firepower to the breakaway. With Dean in the mix the peloton showed renewed interest in making sure they reeled back the escapees with Columbia sending Bernhard Eisel to drive the peloton hard for 50km, eventually bringing it all together on the final circuit into Stirling.
Another attack was put in by none other than Team Astana’s Lance Armstrong who went away for a short test-ride with yesterday’s local hero Jack Bobridge (UniSA). The seven-time Tour de France winner had spoken previously of wanting to test himself on a stage and today’s climb offered up just enough challenge to satisfy any questions he might still have about his level of fitness. Attack-after-attack followed in the closing kilometers, but the watchful teams of the sprinters took turns guarding the front and shutting down the efforts of those trying to sneak away. Katusha took over from Columbia, perhaps hoping Robbie McEwen had another win in his legs, but it was not to be in stage two. As the peloton raced to the finish line Columbia looked to once again have control but not for long, as Quick-Step put their powerful train in position and launched Davis for the win.
On the first of two descents into Stirling New Zealand rider Julien Dean (Garmin) attacked the peloton and quickly joined forces with the front three, adding new firepower to the breakaway. With Dean in the mix the peloton showed renewed interest in making sure they reeled back the escapees with Columbia sending Bernhard Eisel to drive the peloton hard for 50km, eventually bringing it all together on the final circuit into Stirling.
Another attack was put in by none other than Team Astana’s Lance Armstrong who went away for a short test-ride with yesterday’s local hero Jack Bobridge (UniSA). The seven-time Tour de France winner had spoken previously of wanting to test himself on a stage and today’s climb offered up just enough challenge to satisfy any questions he might still have about his level of fitness. Attack-after-attack followed in the closing kilometers, but the watchful teams of the sprinters took turns guarding the front and shutting down the efforts of those trying to sneak away. Katusha took over from Columbia, perhaps hoping Robbie McEwen had another win in his legs, but it was not to be in stage two. As the peloton raced to the finish line Columbia looked to once again have control but not for long, as Quick-Step put their powerful train in position and launched Davis for the win.
__________________________________
Top 10 stage 2
1 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 3.46.25 (38,424 km/h)
2 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank
3 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale 0.02
4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
5 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - High Road 0.04
6 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse D'Epargne
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C
8 Tom Leezer (Ned) Rabobank 9 Mickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis
10 André Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road
2 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank
3 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale 0.02
4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
5 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - High Road 0.04
6 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse D'Epargne
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C
8 Tom Leezer (Ned) Rabobank 9 Mickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis
10 André Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road
_______________________________
GC after stage 2
1 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 7.31.42
2 André Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road 0.03
3 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank 0.04
4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.08
5 Baden Cooke (Aus) UniSA
6 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.14
8 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse D'Epargne
9 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
2 André Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road 0.03
3 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank 0.04
4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.08
5 Baden Cooke (Aus) UniSA
6 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C 0.14
8 José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse D'Epargne
9 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française Des Jeux
10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
(by Cathy Mehl, source: http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/)
Shimano Dura-Ace
Dura-Ace was always Shimano's attempt to make a top of the line parts group, but it was not really successful until 1984.In 1984, Shimano introduced Dura-Ace S.I.S. (Shimano Indexing System) the first successful indexed-shifting system. It was a 6-speed system with indexed shifters mounted on the down tube.
As with any new product, once it was in regular use, minor problems came to light, and they were rectified in later versions. One of the risks of buying into a brand new system is that you are, to some extent, a guinea pig. All of the compatibility problems associated with older Dura-Ace parts result from genuine improvements that Shimano made after the original introduction.
Since the original Dura-Ace was represented as the top-of-the-line possible with 1984 technology, Shimano had a bit of a problem explaining changes in compatibility. They didn't want to obsolete earlier Dura-Ace versions and leave their customers stuck with orphaned equipment, but they also wanted to keep improving their products.
The marketing department tried to pass off the differences as signs of Dura-Ace's higher quality vis-a-vis the lower priced systems.
Dura-Ace went through multiple generations, from 6-speed, through 7-speed and 8-speed through the 1996 model year.
1997 was a very big year for Dura-Ace. The system went to 9 speeds, and that was the most publicised change. In addition, however, the entire Dura-Ace system was re-designed and made to be inter-compatible with other Shimano components.
Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 / 7900
Three key words have emerged as the theme for the DURA-ACE system:
Dura-Ace went through multiple generations, from 6-speed, through 7-speed and 8-speed through the 1996 model year.
1997 was a very big year for Dura-Ace. The system went to 9 speeds, and that was the most publicised change. In addition, however, the entire Dura-Ace system was re-designed and made to be inter-compatible with other Shimano components.
Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 / 7900
Three key words have emerged as the theme for the DURA-ACE system:
Speed, Smooth and Strength.
Speed and Smooth result in effortless shifting, improved braking operation, enhanced ergonomics and an attractive feeling and design. Strength is focused on the critical need for lightweight without sacrificing rigidity, durability or precision. "100% Power Transmission" is the goal pursued by the fusion of these three concepts.
Speed and Smooth result in effortless shifting, improved braking operation, enhanced ergonomics and an attractive feeling and design. Strength is focused on the critical need for lightweight without sacrificing rigidity, durability or precision. "100% Power Transmission" is the goal pursued by the fusion of these three concepts.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
How to solve the painful "HOT FOOT"
In cycling, it’s known as “hot foot” -- a burning pain in the ball of the foot, perhaps radiating toward the toes. Severe cases feel like some sadistic demon is applying a blowtorch.Hot foot occurs most often on long rides. It may develop sooner or more intensely on hilly courses because climbs cause greater pedaling pressure. The pain results when nerves are squeezed between the heads of each foot’s five long metatarsal bones. These heads are in the wide part of the foot (the “ball”) just behind the toes.
Feet always swell on long rides (more so in hot weather), causing pressure inside shoes that normally fit fine.
“Hot foot” is actually a misnomer. It’s not heat but rather pressure on nerves that causes the burning sensation. You’ll sometimes see riders squirting water on their pups in a vain attempt to put out the fire.
Besides tight shoes, another risk factor is small pedals, especially if you have large feet. Small pedal surfaces concentrate pressure on the ball of the foot instead of spreading it the way a larger pedal will. If your cycling shoes have flexible soles like most mountain bike shoes, they’ll be less able to diffuse pressure.
Adjust shoe straps. It’s the top strap nearest your ankle that stops your feet from slopping around in your shoes. Tighten it as much as necessary, but keep the strap nearest your toes loose for maximum room.
Use thinner insoles and/or socks. This will give your feet more room to swell without restriction, especially helpful if your shoes are borderline snug.
Re-focus the pressure. Many riders solve hot foot by moving their cleats to the rear by as much as 8 mm. Long-distance enthusiast may go back as far as the cleat slots allow. They might even drill new rearward holes. After using this remedy, lower your saddle by the same amount if you moved your cleats backward 2-4 mm. If more than 4 mm, lower the saddle about half the amount. So, if your cleats go back 1 cm, put the saddle down 5 mm.
Add metatarsal buttons. These foam domes are placed on insoles (or are built into them) just behind the ball of the foot. They spread the metatarsal bones so the nerves running between them aren’t pinched by pressure or swelling. You can find these products in the foot-care section of drug stores.
Switch to larger pedals, for the reason mentioned above.
Buy new shoes. Look for a model with a wider-and-higher toe box, a stiffer sole and an anatomical footbed with a metatarsal button. One model that meets these specs is the Specialized BG, with versions for road and off-road.
Purchase custom orthotics. These plastic footbeds are supplied by podiatrists or sports medicine clinics. Among their biomechanical benefits are built-in metatarsal buttons. Be certain the practitioner understands you're a cyclist, because orthotics for runners are not what you need. Cycling is a forefoot activity, not a heel-strike activity.
Tour Down Under Stage 1 recap
Tuesday was the official start of the Pro Tour season as the peloton of 133 riders rolled out of Norwood, South Australia in Stage One of the 2009 Tour Down Under. Sunny skies and boiling hot temperatures set the stage for the sprinters to make their mark on the season opener. Last year’s defending champion did just that as Team Columbia’s Andre Greipel bore down on the finish line in a strong sprint to grab the win over Aussie contenders Stuart O’Grady (Saxo Bank) and Baden Cooke (UniSA). Team Astana’s Lance Armstrong was well-tended to throughout the day and all the boys in blue made it safely to Mawson Lakes at the end of the day, stage one tucked into the books.After a roll-out at 11AM, Silence-Lotto rider Olivier Kaisen and Spaniard Andoni Lafuente (Euskaltel Euskadi) put in an early attack that saw them gain more than a six minute advantage over the peloton. Not willing to let them get too far ahead, the sprinters’ teams of Columbia and Katusha kept a careful watch on the two out front and controlled the speed of the peloton to ensure a timely catch, first bringing back Lafuente while Kaisen remained at large. But local rider and recent U23 Australian National Road champion Jack Bobridge (UniSA) tried to outfox them all by bridging across to Kaisen with 10km left to race. Once he made the catch he simply motored on by, making a big solo effort in front of his home crowd.
However as the peloton approached the 7km/4mi mark Bobridge’s time off the front was finished and the peloton was all together as they roared into the finish area. Team Columbia took tight control of the front, followed closely by Rabobank and Liquigas. After Sunday’s efforts to stay in front saw Columbia wash away in the closing kilometers, they were able to hold a tighter rein on Tuesday’s approach with Greipel scoring his first win of the season.
Wednesday’s stage Two to Stirling offers up more South Australian flatlands but should be somewhat more challenging with 19 short, nasty climbs along the way to split things up on the run to the line. Johan is Twittering from the car so be sure to follow his on-the-spot race commentating!
___________________
Top Ten Finish STAGE 1
1 Andre Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road 3.45.27
2 Baden Cooke (Aus) UniSA
3 Stuart O'grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
4 Robbie Mcewen (Aus) Team Katusha
5 Jacopo Guanieri (Ita) Liquigas
6 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
7 Willem Stroetinga (Ned) Team Milram
8 Timothy Gudsell (NZl) Francaise Des Jeux
9 Luca Barla (Ita) Team Milram
10 Andrea Grendene (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C
2 Baden Cooke (Aus) UniSA
3 Stuart O'grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
4 Robbie Mcewen (Aus) Team Katusha
5 Jacopo Guanieri (Ita) Liquigas
6 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
7 Willem Stroetinga (Ned) Team Milram
8 Timothy Gudsell (NZl) Francaise Des Jeux
9 Luca Barla (Ita) Team Milram
10 Andrea Grendene (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C
____________________
GC after stage 1
1 Andre Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road 3.45.16
2 Baden Cooke (Aus) UniSA 0.05
3 Olivier Kaisen (Bel) Silence - Lotto
4 Stuart O'grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.07
5 Andoni Lafuente (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
6 William Walker (Aus) Fuji-Servetto 0.10
7 Robbie Mcewen (Aus) Team Katusha 0.11
8 Jacopo Guanieri (Ita) Liquigas
9 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
10 Willem Stroetinga (Ned) Team Milram
2 Baden Cooke (Aus) UniSA 0.05
3 Olivier Kaisen (Bel) Silence - Lotto
4 Stuart O'grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0.07
5 Andoni Lafuente (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
6 William Walker (Aus) Fuji-Servetto 0.10
7 Robbie Mcewen (Aus) Team Katusha 0.11
8 Jacopo Guanieri (Ita) Liquigas
9 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
10 Willem Stroetinga (Ned) Team Milram
Colnago Classic Corner
Ernesto Colnago's craft still evident todayColnago. Is there anyone who loves racing bicycles out there who has not said at one time or another, "Some day I'm gonna get a Colnago."?
Every time one of the major magazines in cycling conducts a poll of the most sought after bike, Colnago seems to win. It is rivalled only by Bianchi in associations with professional racing, and has more victories in racing than any other bicycle.
Colnagos are loved by the "classic" bike crowd and by the "latest and greatest" crowd. Even those who are turned off by the "decor" (as Colnago calls it) of the recent models with several different colors blended in swirls, stripes and swoops, can find beauty in the bike itself. And much of that beauty comes from the fact that Colnagos have always been great riding bikes.
Ernesto Colnago's bicycle company was created in 1953, in Cambiago, just outside Milan. He was born into a farming family, but always knew that the bicycle was his passion.
After manipulating his birth document to show age nineteen, instead of the correct age fourteen, Ernesto took an apprentice position in the Gloria bicycle factory. From this acorn grew a small one room shop where he did repair work to local riders' equipment on the side.
He attempted a career as a professional racer, but a collision with a post during a sprint resulted in a terribly broken fibula, and from then, he was forced to follow his talents and interests in the equipment instead of racing.
Taking the logical step, Ernesto became a race mechanic, eventually working his way into a position under the master Faliero Masi. This position was invaluable to his growth in the profession.
And his opportunism, visibility and outspoken demeanor gained him more notoriety. All of these attributes were duly noted by the young Colnago himself, and he was not ashamed to squeeze himself into post-race photos, awards ceremonies and interviews. He knew that to be successful, the cycling world must recognize him, and that for years to come, those photos and quotations would be of great use in marketing his products.
Ernesto's notoriety gained him a position with the powerful Molteni team in the sixties as head mechanic, and supplier of the team's equipment. It was a match made in heaven, for Molteni would soon enlist an up and coming superstar named Eddy Merckx. Molteni was a sausage company, and its team bikes were painted sausage brown with the sponsor's name on them, as was the tradition at the time, so the builder of team bikes was always a mystery.
Colnago was not beyond solving the mystery of Molteni's bike builder for anyone who cared to listen. Another great marketing move for the young entrepreneur. Many frame builders' legends grew out of this era when stories could abound almost unchecked as to the builder of great champions' bikes, but Ernesto was quick to set the record straight that he was the builder of the Molteni bikes.
In fact, several builders take credit for the construction of the great Merckx's frames, from the Belgian firm Helyett to Colnago to Masi, and DeRosa. Probably, they were all participants at one time or another.
It is known; however, that the current trademark Gilco tubing used by Colnago, in which the main tubes are sort of diamond-shaped instead of round resulted from Merckx's opinion that Colnago's frames did not descend well. Comparing them to DeRosa's, Merckx felt the Colnago to be too flexible.
Upon hearing this, Ernesto set about remedying the problem, even though it was the only complaint he had heard regarding his frames' performance.
But if Eddy Merckx feels your bike is too flexible, you should heed the advice and make changes. Colnago did not want to add weight to the bike design he had worked hard to lighten, so he decided to increase the torsional rigidity without adding weight.
With some work using an ordinary shop mandrel on normal round tubes, he flattened all four sides of the tubes to decrease flexibility under pedalling forces, and unknowingly produced his future trademark.
For many years now, Columbus has drawn the diamond-shaped tubes to Colnago's specification, and two decades of racing have proven the merits of the idea. The resulting frame is light, stiff and offers a compliant ride quality, all of the attributes of a great race bike.
Colnago is now seen as the leader of great Italian builders, even though his factory is larger and output has steadily increased over the years.
Always consumed with producing the best product, Colnago has ventured into territories that no other "old school" framebuilders would go. His series of carbon fiber bikes are considered to be among the best. Titanium was a medium of construction that Ernesto was eager to try, albeit with his own style in creating the Bititan, which had two smaller sized downtubes instead of the traditional one large tube. This was done so that the tubes could intersect the bottom bracket as far toward the side as possible to reduce bottom bracket sway, because it was felt that titanium was too flexible. This design has now given way to an oversized and oval downtube, as the process of drawing the tubing has allowed.
The only real negative in the history of Colnago frames was a slew of "counterfeit" Colnagos that showed up in the early eighties. Basically water pipe frames with Colnago decals. These frames were breaking all too often to be Colnagos, and the mystery was solved. Since the discovery of these, there have been no Colnago decals, and all those fancy colors and graphics that you see are painted onto the frame. Once again, Ernesto found a great and creative solution to a challenge.
Ernesto Colnago is happy to wear the mantle of master of the great class of builders, and will only really acknowledge equal status to Ugo DeRosa on the platform. Insisting that all others merely copy his frames and innovations, Colnago will dismiss any comparisons other than to DeRosa.
One need only look at the results of races over the past three decades to find the source of pride for Ernesto, as his bikes have been ridden to victory in every tour, classic, world record, olympics , track and cyclocross venue. Even today, Colnagos grace seemingly every magazine cover as riders are continuing to win on these fine machines.
Ernesto's never decreasing energy and passion for his craft shows in the finished product and in the fact that your Colnago is built no differently and by the same workers who built bikes for Mapei, Rabobank and even the Pope!
By: Greg Overton, uploaded from: http://www.cyclingutah.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
