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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

http://www.amazon.com/Wheres-My-Jetpack-Amazing-Science/dp/1596911360/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390882927&sr=1-1&keywords=where%27s+my+jetpack

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

 

 

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.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57389591-78/burton-pole-wrote-expedition.html.csp?page=1

The photograph below was taken crossing Utah Lake.

photo courtesy Burton family/copyright Salt Lake Tribune

" 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.

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.   

Road Bike Party Video

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/

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).

 http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/57337128-223/fat-foods-weight-diet.html.csp

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. 

 

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.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/06/commentary/a-case-for-suffering-the-never-ending-math-equation-that-is-dirty-kanza_289969

 

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.

http://fatpursuit.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Shopping For a Razor

I feel like I should preface this post with a little disclaimer.  This is not a multi-level marketing opportunity.  I will not make a dime from it.  You may reasonably be wondering why I am writing a post on a cycling blog about razors in the first place.  For most cyclists, their biggest shaving challenge is not necessarily their face.  I have always had a casual interest in finding the perfect razor.  A few weeks ago, I read an article in The Washington Post about 800razors.com.  You can read the story here if you are interested: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/entrepreneur-phil-masiello-builds-big-dreams-on-a-razors-edge/2013/11/10/6fe6883e-464e-11e3-a196-3544a03c2351_story.html

     Here is the basic story.  The founder of the company was sick of paying $5 a piece for replacement razor cartridges.  He was convinced that he could offer quality razors directly to the consumer at much lower prices (ten cartridges for $17.99 delivered to your door).  So here's the deal.  The company offers three products; a five-blade razor, a three-blade razor, and a five-blade women's razor.  The first order comes with a free handle.  Shipping is fast and free.  I ordered the three and five-blade models and have been doing a little demo.  These are high quality, ceramic-coated, American made razor blades.  They are at least as good as any other blade I have tried, maybe better.  In my opinion, the head of the five-blade razor is a little too bulky to be ideal for the face, but it's great for your legs.  If you are interested in trying this product, I would recommend the three-blade for your face, the five-blade for your legs.  For that matter, maybe you should try the women's model for your legs.  I'm just not sure I could be comfortable using a pink razor.

http://www.800razors.com/

Cyclingnews.com Readers Vote Horner's Vuelta Win as Top Moment of 2013

You can read the story here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/2013-reader-poll-gallery-horners-vuelta-win-voted-biggest-moment-of-2013/286932

Plus here is a look back at stage 20.

 

 

Decision Time for the Crusher

Registration for the Crusher in The Tushar opens at 7 p.m. on Wednesday January 8^th.  It will fill up fast.  The Crusher is epic, which is shorthand for saying three things:  it is unreasonably difficult, surprisingly painful, and very memorable. 
     The pro video from last year's race is protected by privacy settings that do not allow me to embed it, but you can see it here:
http://tusharcrusher.com/video
 
Image Copyright CyclingUtah.com