Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Hover Bikes and Laser Lights: The Sci-fi Future of Cycling. CNN
You may have already seen photos and videos of the Aeroflex Hover Bike. If not here is your chance. This is not a Star Wars Speeder Bike yet, but hey, it flies.
As a child of the sixties, I grew up with the expectation of a future in which we would live in domed cities and travel in flying cars. Think of the Jetsons. If you are wondering what happened, here is the book that tells the story: Where's My Jetpack? : A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future that Never Arrived
You might also be interested to read the recent CNN story which recaps a number of high tech innovations in cycling including the Hover Bike and a bicycle that uses electricity to generate oxygen from an onboard water tank.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/tech/innovation/hover-bikes-and-laser-lights/index.html?iref=allsearch
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Daniel Burton of Utah Sets Record Cycling to South Pole
Here is the short version of the story. This guy reached middle age out-of-shape, had an epiphany, started cycling, got fit, and bought a bike shop. Then he suffered like a dog for 50 days to ride to the South Pole on a fat bike dragging two cargo sleds. You can read the full story here.
The photograph below was taken crossing Utah Lake.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
" If there are bikes in hell, then this is the road we'll be riding into eternal damnation."
From A Guide to the Crusher in the Tushars by “Grizzly” Adam Lisonbee
http://grizzlyadam.net/2012/04/2012-crusher-guide.html
It’s the middle of January. With roughly half the winter behind us and half remaining, it is a time that lends itself to a little reflection. During the winter, I realize that I have a finite number of really good years on the bike remaining (the same holds true for you regardless of your age) and it makes me appreciate the great season that we had last year more than ever. For now, it has been a long time since the roads have really been rideable (although they are improving) and I can barely force myself to get on the rollers. So, I feel pretty fortunate to have gotten in a decent number of days running and skate skiing. But even when I have not been on the bike much, it does not mean I am not thinking about it. With the recent registration, the Crusher has been on my mind lately. If you have an interest in the Crusher, you may have already read Grizzly Adam’s Crusher guide. If not, I think you will enjoy it.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
US Cross Season Wrap-Up
One of the topics that I have touched on briefly in this blog is the difference between cyclocross racing in the United States, particularly in the Western US, and European cyclocross where the sport was born. I was pretty interested to read Matthew Beaudin’s commentary in VeloNews today (Notes from the Scrum: American cyclocross a brand all its own). I think others may find it interesting as well. http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/01/commentary/notes-from-the-scrum-american-cyclocross-a-brand-all-its-own_313562 He notes that cyclocross in Belgium is an enormously popular spectator sport with a handful of participants and legions of fans. In contrast American cyclocross is largely a participant sport with large numbers of amateur racers and usually a very modest number of spectators.
As many of you are aware, the US National Championships were held this past weekend in Boulder Colorado on a course that would not seem out of place in Idaho or Utah. USA Cycling streamed six hours of coverage of the men’s and women’s championships on Sunday as well as additional coverage of the U-23 race on Saturday. I have to admit that I have not watched the entire six hours, but I have skimmed some highlights. Here is the complete coverage.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Burke Swindlehurst's 3 Secrets to Climbing (Losing Weight Ain't One)
Burke Swindlehurst (grand poobah of the Crusher in the Tushar) shares some sweet tips about how to improve your climbing here:http://firstendurance.com/2014/01/07/3-secrets-for-improving-your-climbing-without-losing-weight/
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
The Nine Foods That Are Making You Fat. NEJM
A couple of years ago, The New England Journal of Medicine published a study which looked at the foods most commonly linked to obesity. You can read a good recap of the study in the Salt Lake Tribune (includes a link to the original study).
photo copyright Getty Images
Here is the list of the nine foods:
1. Potato Chips
2. Diet Soda
3. Foods containing corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup
4. Red and processed meats
5. Low fat junk food
6. Diet Microwave Meals
7. Pasta
8. Cereal
9. Booze
I don't feel too bad about some of these things like diet microwave meals. As far as I am aware, I have never eaten a microwave meal, diet or otherwise. If I could wish one thing off the list, it would be diet soda since I would rather drink Diet Coke than breathe air. The fact that diet soda is not really that great for you is hardly newsworthy. In spite of what the other kids in high school cross country told you, carbonated beverages do not affect your "wind", but there are any number of other reasons to avoid them, regular or diet..Except in a race when they hand you a cold can of Coca Cola. You earned that one.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Dates Announced for Bear Lake Century and Monster Cross
Century Ride: June 21, 2014
Monster Cross: September 20, 2014
More information here: http://bearlakemonsterride.com/monster-cross/
The Best of Velo 2013. the Never-Ending Math Equation
Photo copyright Eric Benjamin/Velonews.com
This story of the Dirty Kanza was featured in the year end round-up of the best of VeloNews. If you have not had a chance to read it, I think it will resonate with anyone who has spent a long miserable day on a bike.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Jay P's Winter Fat Bike Race
200 K Is a seriously long way to ride a bike in snow. Here is a link to the Backyard Fat Pursuit Blog as well as a video.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)