The German Team Sparkasse UCI Continental cycling team has once again received in an invitation to the Tour of Missouri for 2008. The title sponsor of Team Sparkasse is Sparkassen, a German bank. Their motto is that Sparkassen is good for Germany.

The U.S. squads announced for the 2008 Tour of Missouri include Garmin-Chipotle, Columbia, Toyota-United, HealthNet presented by Maxxis, BMC, Rock Racing, Bissell, Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light, Jelly Belly, and Kelly Benefits Strategies-Medifast. Rounding out North American teams will be Mexico’s Tecos and Symmetrics from Canada. Besides Sparkasse, Europe will be represented through Rabobank (Netherlands) and Liquigas (Italy).

Somebody more clever than me can do something with the rhyme Sparkasse and Liquigas.

The seven day stage race begins September 8 in St. Joseph, Missouri and will conclude September 14 with a 75 mile race on a 14 mile circuit across downtown St. Louis.

I was talking with Russ Roca last night for an article I wrote for Momentum Magazine. Russ is the eco friendly bicycling photographer who uses a cargo bike and trailer to haul his photo gear around the Los Angeles area. You might know him from Bike Commuters, his personal blog or his Flickr stream.

Russ Roca bikes in Portland, Oregon. Photo used by permission.

Russ lives in Long Beach, California (south of L.A.) He’s visited Portland, OR several times, and I was a little bummed to learn that Russ and his girlfriend plan to move from California to Portland this spring. The “bike friendliness” of Portland has a lot to do with their decision. Russ tells me that the cycling environment in Portland is “vastly more appealing” than southern California. When comparing his cycling experiences in Portland versus southern California, Russ describes cycling in L.A. with words like “warrior,” “draining,” “struggle” and “thick skin.”

This Wall Street Journal article describes cycling in L.A. as “Risking Life and Limb.” Reporter Rhonda Rundle writes about several new bike commuters who encounter motorist harassment, poor road conditions, and drunk drivers. C.I.C.L.E.‘s bike riding safety workshops are mentioned in the article, but bike commuting in the L.A. area still comes across as something only for the foolhardy or brave.

There’s an online poll to accompany to the Wall Street Journal article, asking the question “Is bicycling a realistic commuting option for you?”

How about you? Is cycling relaxing for you in spite of the traffic? Or is it something you feel you must do? Do you enjoy biking, or do you grin and bear it?

Props to Jack in St. Louis and Alison for the Wall Street Journal links.

I have always had an affinity for all things counter-culture and rebellious.

I would watch James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause” with awe. The way he could put on his red jacket and scare the “squares” with his lawlessness has always been intriguing to me.

I bought an old and loud car, tried to race around, but instead of scaring elderly women I was waved to and given the thumbs up by people on the street.

I like motorcycles, too. I liked to read and watch shows about gangs like the Hell’s Angels, seeing parents hide their kids’ eyes from the outlaws in odd clothes as they turn the towns upside down speeding through the streets on their evil machines. I even bought a motorcycle, a real loud Harley-Davidson with a crazy paint job and load exhaust.

Once again I failed in my rebellious ways. I was waved to even more, no matter how loud my bike was. I couldn’t even get any attention from the law. I never received a single traffic ticket for loud pipes or otherwise on that motorcycle. It’s locked up in my shed.

I thought my dreams of being a real, scary rebel were over until I really crossed the line: I started riding a bicycle.

Read the full guest editorial at the Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa. Via Warren T.

Some bizarre comparison between Colnago bicycles and Angelina Jolie.

Oversized hula hoop dance performances and handlebar tape.

Michael Green (of the Bike Blog) got quoted in an article about bike security. Michael’s bike was stolen when he let a total stranger try the bike out.

Chicago requires city car registration for residents. Car owners purchase a windshield sticker to prove registration. The 2008/2009 design features a “Share the Road” message. Cool, huh?

Have a wonderful weekend, all!