Cycling

guest1234567 · 02-19-2008, 11:15 AM

All discussions welcome from competition to rides with the kids.

guest1234567 · 02-19-2008, 11:16 AM

Live coverage of the Amgen Tour of California:

Adobe Tour Tracker

Malkavian · 02-19-2008, 12:38 PM

Oh man... thanks for reminding me. I should get off my lazy ass and finally get that mountain bike.

guest1234567 · 02-19-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malkavian

Oh man... thanks for reminding me. I should get off my lazy ass and finally get that mountain bike.

You could probably get good deals on last years models.

Malkavian · 02-19-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guest1234567

You could probably get good deals on last years models.

I hope so... i wanna get it in winter, when hopefully less people will be looking for them.

guest1234567 · 02-27-2008, 11:13 AM

Is the Tour de France doomed?

Recently the organizers of the Tour (ASO) excluded the Astana team from competing in all of the races they control. They have a case because the team has been possibly the filthiest-dirties drug-doping around for the past two years.

"The entire Astana team quit last year's Tour after Alexandre Vinokourov, a pre-race favorite, tested positive for a blood transfusion following his victory in the 13th stage time trial. Vinokourov's teammate, Andrey Kashechkin, also tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after the Tour." And, in 2006, Astana-Wurth couldn't field the minimum six cyclists required after five riders were implicated in doping - and pulled out on the eve of the Tour.

But this year, they have new riders and new management. The team is nothing like the team of the past. As I said, the ASO may be justified in punishing the team, but I think it has more to do with the fact that the defending champion (Alberto Contador, a Columbian), last years third place finisher (Levi Leipheimer, an American) and the new manager (Johan Bruyneel ) was the same manager from the US Postal / Discovery team dynasties that led Lance Armstrong to his seven victories are on the new team. Also on the team is Andreas Kloden of Germany, the runner-up in 2004 and '06.

Notice the pattern? No French riders. They are so pissed off over there that the French riders have been also-rans, I think that they are doing everything possible to eliminate foreign competion.

And btw, the ASO has banned the Astana team from all of their races, including the upcoming Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Fleche Wallonne, Paris-Tours.

But now comes this news:

Quote:

UCI may shun Paris-Nice in row with ASO
By: Agence France Presse

The war between the UCI and major race organizers took a significant new twist on Monday as world cycling’s governing body warned that it might have nothing to do with Paris-Nice, the European calendar's first major race of the season.

The March 9-16 race is owned by Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), which also runs the Tour de France. Following a long-running dispute and subsequent split between the UCI and major race organizers, ASO aims to run Paris-Nice under the auspices of the French cycling federation (FFC), with backing from the French government.

However, in a letter sent to all teams and officials on Monday, UCI chief Pat McQuaid warned that the race will have no support from the governing body, and suggested that the French Sports Ministry and any teams planning to participate reconsider their positions.

"This measure is utterly irregular and will have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved," McQuaid said. "Under the chosen format the UCI rules do not permit Paris-Nice to be considered an event on the French national calendar. Consequently, if the FFC insists on maintaining this position, the race will take place entirely outside the regulatory and organizational structure of the UCI.

"Responsibility for this breach of the rules would therefore lie in the first place with the FFC, which would be contributing to the organization of a purely private event, with no links to organized sport or to the Olympic movement, of which the UCI is the sole organ of reference for all disciplines of cycling.

"The UCI therefore wishes to make it clear that it will not be involved in any way in the organization of Paris-Nice under the above-mentioned conditions.

"As far as the international federation is concerned, this event will have no classification and no winner, and no points will be awarded for it.

"Moreover, no anti-doping controls will be carried out by the UCI, nor will it be involved in the management of any tests which may be carried out under national law.

"Finally, no international or national commissaires will be authorized to work at the event, which will not be governed by UCI rules.

"The UCI trusts that, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the teams will refuse to take part in Paris-Nice, as, regardless of the sanctions to which they would be subject, such participation would compromise the image and stability of cycling."

Paris-Nice fell victim to similar power struggles last year, when ASO refused to invite former Pro Tour team Unibet.com. An 11th-hour compromise was reached and the peloton set off. However, in the past year relations between ASO and the UCI - already delicate due to disagreements over ProTour issues - have worsened.

Most recently, ASO controversially decided not to invite Astana - a Pro Tour team - to this year's Tour de France on the premise that the doping scandal that led to its exit from the 2007 Tour had done lasting damage to the race's image.

That decision enraged the UCI, which highlighted the fact that other teams - such as French outfit Cofidis - were thrown off the race after a rider tested positive.

McQuaid feels strongly that Astana, which features Tour de France champion Alberto Contador and third-placed Levi Leipheimer, should be allowed to race in July.

The UCI, is the world cycling governing organization.

From their web site:

Quote:

The International Cycling Union (UCI), a non-profit-making organization founded on 14 April 1900, is the association of the National Cycling Federations. Its headquarters are in Aigle, Switzerland.

The aims of the UCI are as follows:

regulating cycling at international level;
promoting cycling in every country throughout the world and at all levels;
organizing the World Championships for all disciplines;
encouraging friendly relations between members of the cycling family;
promoting sporting ethics and fair play;
representing the sport of cycling and defending its interests on national and international bodies;
collaborating with the International Olympic Committee with respect to Olmpic cycling events.
Our mission states that the UCI means to develop and promote all aspects of cycling. This is because cycling is more than just a competitive sport. It is also a leisure activity and an environmentally friendly means of transport.

Malkavian · 02-27-2008, 02:29 PM

Lol, saw your comment on the other thread...

Anyway, i got myself GT Avalanche 2.0 (w/ disc brakes). From what i understand, a decent entry level mountain bike. Pretty cheap too... Only $600, which is good, since i just spent $1000 fixing power steering on my car this weekend.

I have no clue what are the 'good' specs for a bike, , except that the fork is important. But my friend approved, she has GT Aggressor, so that's good enough for me.

Now i wish i knew how turn the damn thing without falling off. By the balance of forces, it feels like you should be leaning into the turn, but i either under or overshoot.

guest1234567 · 02-27-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malkavian

Lol, saw your comment on the other thread...

Anyway, i got myself GT Avalanche 2.0 (w/ disc brakes). From what i understand, a decent entry level mountain bike. Pretty cheap too... Only $600, which is good, since i just spent $1000 fixing power steering on my car this weekend.

I have no clue what are the 'good' specs for a bike, , except that the fork is important. But my friend approved, she has GT Aggressor, so that's good enough for me.

Now i wish i knew how turn the damn thing without falling off. By the balance of forces, it feels like you should be leaning into the turn, but i either under or overshoot.

A cursory glance at reviews says you got a good starter bike and a good price, especially for having disc brakes. You'll get the hang of it. You should have seen me when I tried using SPD clips on my road bike. I had to make sure to try to disengage with my right foot to wait at a stop sign/light. I didn't always accomplish what I wanted to do, so at least I didn't fall into traffic on my left.

Are you planning on using it on trails?

I have two bikes, I have my commuter bike which I use quite often

Novara Transfer Bike from REI.com

and a touring bike, which I should start using again on the weekends (that way I can get some peace and quiet

).

It's a 10 year old version of this bike:

Novara Randonee Bike from REI.com

Malkavian · 02-27-2008, 03:25 PM

Cool bikes... I've heard about those clips. Those are for more experienced riders... If i can't get my foot off a pedal quickly, i'll literally fall to the ground lol. Without the clips, i can jump off in time.

Yes, that bike is for trails. I live a few min away from forest preserve, and they have nice sandy roads there. Good place to start. They also have a real moderate/high difficulty trail. They added a 10ft drop last year. On a bunch of sharp rock. Ouch!

Also, this bike has fixable fork. For offroad, it can move, but if you fix it, it'll become a decent on road bike. So i'll probably use it to ride to work in summer... unless i go back to my lab. That ride is much longer.

BleedingPinky · 02-28-2008, 03:58 AM

I like that Novara, looks very neat. I have a Peugeot Explorer 30, bought it around 93, still in mint condition after all these years. Not too much a fancy hi-tech mountain bike, but it still does the job. Sometimes I wish it had a good ol´banana seat though.

02-19-2008, 11:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
guest1234567 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,693 Thanks: 15 Thanked 52 Times in 36 Posts	Cycling All discussions welcome from competition to rides with the kids.
	Top

02-19-2008, 11:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
guest1234567 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,693 Thanks: 15 Thanked 52 Times in 36 Posts	Live coverage of the Amgen Tour of California: Adobe Tour Tracker
	Top

02-19-2008, 12:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Malkavian Illegal Trash Container Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Resting in Peace Posts: 4,168 My Mood: Thanks: 177 Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts	Oh man... thanks for reminding me. I should get off my lazy ass and finally get that mountain bike. __________________ Woof!
	Top

02-27-2008, 02:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Malkavian Illegal Trash Container Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Resting in Peace Posts: 4,168 My Mood: Thanks: 177 Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts	Lol, saw your comment on the other thread... Anyway, i got myself GT Avalanche 2.0 (w/ disc brakes). From what i understand, a decent entry level mountain bike. Pretty cheap too... Only $600, which is good, since i just spent $1000 fixing power steering on my car this weekend. I have no clue what are the 'good' specs for a bike, , except that the fork is important. But my friend approved, she has GT Aggressor, so that's good enough for me. Now i wish i knew how turn the damn thing without falling off. By the balance of forces, it feels like you should be leaning into the turn, but i either under or overshoot. __________________ Woof!
	Top

02-27-2008, 03:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Malkavian Illegal Trash Container Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Resting in Peace Posts: 4,168 My Mood: Thanks: 177 Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts	Cool bikes... I've heard about those clips. Those are for more experienced riders... If i can't get my foot off a pedal quickly, i'll literally fall to the ground lol. Without the clips, i can jump off in time. Yes, that bike is for trails. I live a few min away from forest preserve, and they have nice sandy roads there. Good place to start. They also have a real moderate/high difficulty trail. They added a 10ft drop last year. On a bunch of sharp rock. Ouch! Also, this bike has fixable fork. For offroad, it can move, but if you fix it, it'll become a decent on road bike. So i'll probably use it to ride to work in summer... unless i go back to my lab. That ride is much longer. __________________ Woof!
	Top

02-28-2008, 03:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
BleedingPinky Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sevilla Posts: 685 My Mood: Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I like that Novara, looks very neat. I have a Peugeot Explorer 30, bought it around 93, still in mint condition after all these years. Not too much a fancy hi-tech mountain bike, but it still does the job. Sometimes I wish it had a good ol´banana seat though.
	Top

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode