Category: Uncategorized

Friday roundup

Tour of Ireland - Stage One

Don’t forget, the Tour of Utah finished up this Sunday. Check here for a list of resources.

The three day Tour of Ireland started today. Steephill.TV Tour of Ireland dashboard. The photo is Brit Russell Downing of CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta winning Stage 1 of the Tour of Ireland.

How many Snickers bars are contained in the energy of a 70 mph SUV crash? The answer may surprise you. Hint: It’s about the same as contained in a leisurely 10 mile bike ride.

Because I love all things Specialized, I point you to this post on Zertz, “the miracle elasto polymer made with meteorite dust and the molecular essence of hybrid rubber plants grown in secret silos miles beneath the surface of the Earth.”

iPhone app as a virtual bike fitting tool.

Bike scrounging tips.

The high cost of no bicycle parking.

Cops who drive dangerously.

Bike Forums Norcal Gang.

I’m seeing links to this bike ballet video everywhere. Ditto this 3 wheeled camper bicycle. I used to draw pictures of stuff like that when I was a kid in the 70s.

1001 uses for old inner tubes.

Top 20 green colleges.

Huff: Health care debate and teen obesity.

US Bike Route System grants.

Soho Bike NYC

The purple babydoll dress probably caught the Sartorialist’s eye, but we know he also likes bicycles just like we do. BSNYC recently mocked people who lock their bikes to construction scaffolding, but he mocks everybody so judge for yourself if it’s a good idea or not.

Babydoll dress bicycle

At The Sartorialist, everybody comments on how they love how the flip flops and her toenails match her dress. I love how the rusty rims match the copper frame color that matches the rider’s auburn hair. That front basket rocks, too.

See the original over at Sartorialist: On the Street….Soho Bike, NYC.

I HAS SOCIAL MEDIA MAD SKILLZ

This blog post is my application to join the Specialized Trail Crew.

I debated with myself for about, oh, 8 seconds, because having use of an AWESOME 2010 Stumpjumper FSR from Specialized along with gear and FREE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRIPS might have an impact on my journalistic integrity and the trust you, my readers, have in me to provide truthful, unbiased information about bicycles and related products.

But I’m better than that. There’s absolutely no way that a major bike company could effectively bribe me. But that’s because Specialized already knows they have the best bicycles in the business. Since that’s the truth, I can’t lie can when I write product reviews that highlight the many superlative qualities of everything in Specialized’s product line.

I know this because the Local Bike Shops I buy from are Scotts Valley Cycle Sport in Scotts Valley and The Spokesman in Santa Cruz — both of them Specialized dealers. I tell everybody I know to go to those shops.

When I ride, it’s often in my Specialized gear — I have Specialized shorts, jerseys, helmet, gloves, shoes and socks. I even make the extra effort to get those rare Specialized water bottles.

I think Specialized road bikes are so awesome I even hit steep, sandy singletrack on my Specialized Roubaix.

Specialized Trail Crew

Specialized Trail Crew

The Roubaix tackles dirt, roots, logs and rocks with perfection, of course, but I believe Specialized transcends perfection with the 2010 Stumpjumper FSR, especially on the sandy trails of the Santa Cruz Mountains. I’d love the opportunity to test that belief.

There was that one alleged incident with me and Specialized on April 1, 2008, but that really wasn’t me, honest! It was an imposter, somebody who tried to sully my good name!

I’m influential all over the Web 2.0 Internets — 1,800 followers on Twitter, hundreds of friends on Facebook, thousands of views on my YouTube account, thousands of views every day on my Flickr photos, thousands of visitors to my blog everday — I’m there and I’m active. I’m also on Plus 3 Network. I’ve even joined the most awesomely outstanding social networking site out there, which is the Specialized Riders Club.

I’m an influencer in the meatworld too — people ask me what kind of bike they should buy, and I always tell them to look at Specialized and nothing else!

I have a sneaking suspicion that at least one or two of the group trail rides will be right here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and I’m already right here so Specialized won’t have to pay for my travel to those trails! Nisene Marks, Soquel, Wilder, UCSC, Henry Cowell and Big Basin — I already know and enjoy those locations!

Catching up

Road Bike Across Kansas is a new blog geared to beginners. The blog author, Jackie, is new to cycling and says she absolutely loves it. “It’s a really intimidating sport,” she tells me, “so I am trying to cover the basics, including definitions and basic information about finding a great bike shop, choosing a bike, encouragement to get out and ride, as well as talking about my journey toward doing Bike Across Kansas in 2011.” Check out Jackie’s Kansas cycling blog and say hello when you have a chance.

Global Agent for Change: Riding to break the cycle looking for tour support drivers. Deadline September 1 2009.

Robin Williams talked about his heart surgery and cycling on Conan Obrien. H/T.

The Bike List is a very nicely done website to help consumers choose a bike and then find a UK dealer who sells the bike.

San Jose Bike Plan — public comment taken until August 27.

Chicks on Bikes <-- Not what you might think! Santa Cruz riding for rights.

L’Eroica Boulder scheduled for October 4. For you perverts, “L’Eroica” is Italian for “The Hero.” It’s a bike ride.

Neat photo essay: Biking Through Colombia.

CC: Strangers working together.

Dahon folder with iPhone charger.

Pearl Izumi tries viral marketing – Ban The Speed Shop.

Road rage = "terroristic threat"

Minnesota Statute 609.713 defines a “Terroristic Threat” as threatening violence with the purpose to terrorize another person. After Mitchel Pieper of Burnsville, MN, tried to run over a bicyclist with his pickup truck and then came at the cyclist with an ax, Peiper was charged with making “terroristic threats” (a felony) against the cyclist.

What’s your opinion? Props to the Dakota County Attorney for getting serious about assault? Or is this felony charge an example of cheapening the word “terrorism,” as security expert Bruce Schneier believes?