One foot in front of the other.
Polar and LOOK, the inventor and leader in clipless pedals, have merged their expertise to introduce the first clipless pedal that measures power output and cadence. Kéo Power is a must-have novelty for the ambitious cyclists who want to reach their maximum potential.
Polar P5 power transmitters and Look Kéo Power pedals comprise together the first-ever power measurement system integrated in the pedals. Easy to attach to cranks and switch between the bikes, each pedal comes with eight embedded gauges for extreme precision in power measurement. The two power transmitters relay the data from the sensors directly to a compatible Polar cycling computer on the bike’s handlebars.
Kéo Power gives instant feedback by measuring accurate power output in watts from both the left and the right pedal separately. By revealing the cyclist’s left/right balance between the legs, the system helps perfect cycling technique. In addition, current and average cadence is essential for those willing to optimize their cycling economy.
The system is compatible with Polar CS600X and CS500 cycling computers and works with any crankset on the market. The CS500 displays power output and cadence, whereas the CS600X reveals the left/right balance and Cycling Efficiency Index as well. The Polar LOOK Kéo Power system will become available in spring 2011.
My Top Ten Tips for Beginner Cyclists
Baker’s Review of the Catlike Whisper Plus
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There are so many tips for beginner cyclists floating around the internet that to cover them all could be a complete website unto itself (and probably is!). This list is the top ten things that I think every beginner cyclist should know (assuming you’ve already got a bike). Please leave your own beginner cyclist tips in the comments!
Again, this list is by no means comprehensive. Please leave your tips in the comments!
Sole Dual Layer Performance Socks
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Sole (AMAZING SOCKS, and sandals….)
Smith Pivlock V90 Max Sunglasses
Smith Pivlock V90 Max with Prescription lenses
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Stuffitts Winner @Ironsunflower!!
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Leave a comment on this post and win a pair of Stuffitts for free! (it takes 2 seconds!!)
Infinit Nutrition (Use code “ironbrandon” for FREE shipping!!)
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New York City Triathlon Results (I’m bib number 4788)
Me on the Official Newton Blog!
Infinit Nutrition (Free shipping with code: ironbrandon)
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Jens Voigt descends the Peyresourde Pass on a loaner bike after a crash shattered his own (Robin Wilmott)
You may remember Jens Voigt from his terrible crash [Video Here] in the 2009 Tour de France which forced him out of the race. Well, on yesterday’s stage it almost happened again. However, broken and bleeding, Voigt pulled it together to stay in the race…on a bike 3 sizes too small!!!
While I am an admitted fan of Google Maps and an avid Apple supporter, I have to admit that Microsoft really stepped up its game when they created Bing Maps. Now, Bill Gates & Co. have given us an application that will give you the dirt on each and every stage of the 2010 Tour de France.
Not only does this app give you the obvious in the form of pretty satellite pictures of the route, but they go several steps further. You can automatically zoom in to both the beginning and end of each stage which will get you a lot closer than sitting in your living room will! You can also see the results of each stage (information for the app data provided by Podium Café)
To see the app in it’s full, yellow jersey wearing glory, click the link here!
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Riedy
mark@trueoverdrive.com
415.302.2923
Lance Armstrong Starts 2010 Tour de France In Specially Designed Giro TT Helmet
New ‘LAX’ helmet designed around Armstrong’s unique body, riding position and 2010 Tour courses by Giro’s Advanced Concepts Group
(Scotts Valley, Calif., July 3rd, 2010)–Giro, the worldwide leader in high-performance protective gear and
equipment for action sports and trusted sponsor to Lance Armstrong for all seven of his record Tour de France
victories, has announced that Armstrong rode today’s Tour de France prologue in a new time trial helmet that was
custom designed around Armstrong’s specific morphology, riding position and the 8.9-kilometer course in
Rotterdam. Code named ‘LAX’, the new helmet will not be sold at retail, but elements of the design will certainly
trickle down to future production time trial helmets.
“Lance always puts 100-percent into the Tour and for this, his last go at it, he asked us to create something ultra special,” said Giro’s Senior Sports Marketing Manager, Chuck Platt. “The LAX was the first major project for our new Advanced Concepts Group and the challenge pushed our team to use new technology and methods in the hope that we could help Lance win his 8th Tour de France.”
The LAX helmet was the subject of a story by Wired Magazine writer Mark McCluskey on the magazine’s website
(http://www.wired.com/playbook/2010/07/armstrong-helmet-exclusive/) today.
Giro went to extreme measures to prepare project LAX for this year’s Tour. Considering the six month development time and Lance’s busy schedule, the Advanced Concepts Group made a laser scan of Armstrong’s torso while tucked in his time trial position, and separately, scanned his head. The data acquired was used to make precision headform and torso models that Giro’s Advanced Concepts Group used to aid development in Armstrong’s absence. The torso model was used in a number of sessions to test as many as 100 prototypes in a variety of wind tunnels.
Giro’s Advanced Concepts Group is based not far from Silicon Valley in the company’s Scotts Valley, California headquarters and includes industrial designers, helmet engineers, product development specialists and test lab staff. The Advanced Concept Group is housed in a new, state of the art facility that encourages innovative design practices and allows for rapid prototyping and on-site testing. The LAX is the first product to come out of the group.
Riding in what he has called his final Tour de France, Armstrong is pursuing a record setting 8th victory and rides for a team sponsored by American electronics retailer RadioShack. The 2,234-mile 2010 Tour de France begins on Saturday, July 3rd in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and ends on Sunday, July 25th in Paris, France. In addition to the race’s Prologue in Rotterdam, the custom LAX helmet will benefit Armstrong in the 52-kilometer individual time trial on the race’s penultimate stage in Bordeaux that many Tour watchers feel could decide the winner of the 93rd running of the lap of France.
Contact Mark Riedy at TRUE Communications for additional information and images of the LAX helmets at
415.302.2923; mark@trueoverdrive.com
About Giro Sport Design
Giro®, based in Scotts Valley, CA, is a worldwide leader in the design, development and marketing of premium,
high-performance protective gear and accessories for action sports and active lifestyles. We are an innovative and
consumer-focused brand, with a mission to create products on the leading edge of inspired design that help you to
look and feel your best.
To me, about three years ago, the Tour de France was just this bike race that took place in France. Lance Armstrong was really the only cyclist I could name off hand. Then I started getting increasingly involved in endurance events, along the way falling in love with Le Tour (and other races as well).
This coming Saturday, July 3, 2010 marks the beginning of this year’s Tour which promises to be one of the most intensely contested races in a long time. One of the main reasons for this is the intense rivalry that developed last year as then Astana teammates Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador exchanged words, looks and mental gamesmanship. Since that time, Lance has walked away from Team Astana to form Team Radio Shack, taking along with him eight out of the nine members of the 2009 Team Astana (the same team that won the team title in the 2009 Tour).
Apart from the most watched rivalry is the the vast field of strong riders with widespread talent and teams that hope to guide their leaders to the podium on the Champs-Élysées. Perhaps the most watched among these riders is the second place finisher in the 2009 Tour, Saxo Bank rider, Andy Schleck who, along with his brother Frank, gave an amazing performance in last year’s Tour and promised to be at the front of the cycling world for many years to come.
If you’re not a fan of cycling because you find it boring or tedious, this year promises to be an incredible race to watch. Whether the Armstrong/Contador rivalry truly plays out or if the real challenge come from one of the new teams hitting the road in this year’s Tour, such as Team BMC or Team Sky, you can be sure that cycling’s best will be throwing down the gauntlet every single day between July 3rd and July25.
You can follow Tour coverage online at: http://letour.fr as well as on Versus. Additionally, Versus will be playing each and every stage live on it’s television channels and replaying it throughout each day. The Tour begins with the Prologue in Rotterdam tomorrow.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has confirmed today that beginning with the 2010 Tour de France, inspections and scanners will be used to be sure that no “illegal devices” are concealed anywhere on or in the bicycle. This comes on the heels of some rather suspicious video evidence was leveled at Fabian Cancellara. Click here to see the post I did about the topic.
Here is the official press release from the UCI:
| Press release – Second day of the UCI Management Committee meeting | |
| Date: | 18.06.2010 |
| Description: | The Management Committee of the International Cycling Union (UCI) met on 17 and 18 June in Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
On the second day of the meeting, the Management Committee awarded the 2011 UCI Cyclo-Cross Masters World Championships to the town of Mol in Belgium. The 2011 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup calendar was also approved. The members of the Management Committee discussed issues concerning equipment used in road competitions and decided that it was necessary to bolster measures that have already been put in place (in particular the visual inspection of bicycles, a procedure that was recently reinforced). As a result, a scanner will be used from the time of the Tour de France. This instrument, recently tested with a successful outcome, will allow an official to detect any illegal devices that may be concealed, for example, in the bicycle frame. The Management Committee also defined the regulations for participation in the 2011 UCI World Calendar events. This formula represents a compromise with the organisers of Monument events. The UCI sincerely regrets that these organisers ultimately rejected the principle of the automatic participation of UCI ProTeams in their events. However, negotiations with the organisers led to an agreement, reached in particular as a result of an increased consideration of teams’ sporting values, one of the organisers’ main requests. The UCI has nevertheless decided to retain the principle it has adopted for its system of awarding UCI ProTour licences. In terms of scheduling, the UCI announces that the list of Professional Continental Teams that have been registered will be published on 20 November each year. If this list leaves some team places yet to be announced, the names of the final teams registered will be communicated on 10 December. The definitive list of teams registered in the second division will be published on this date. |
I won’t say too much about it, but I read the brief response that Outside Magazine put out. For the whole ten seconds it took to read, I kept looking for a, “Hey, we didn’t mean anything by that. Sorry.” But it isn’t there. Oh well.
What’s wrong with this picture? Well, apparently, the saying on the t-shirt is what’s wrong. Yes Lance is 38 years old, and yes, BFD. However, when this photo was taken, that saying was not on Lance’s shirt. In fact, there was nothing on Lance’s shirt. It was just a plain, blue t-shirt.
Up to now, Lance’s history with Outside Magazine seems to have been a very good one with the seven time Tour de France winner appearing on the cover over ten times. But is this possibly the last time? Yesterday afternoon, Lance addressed the photo on his Twitter with the following:
On top of the falsified photo, perhaps Lance is a little less than thrilled about the blurb on his right: “His Age, New Rival, the Latest Scandal. Is This End For Lance?”
Personally, I think it’s not cool to make it appear as though Lance approved of the saying on the shirt (his historically colorful language notwithstanding). I’m also not a huge fan of Photoshopping in general in publishing, but I understand that it’s a part of the game.
What do you think about all this?
Ok, so let’s face it, almost everybody who sees an aero cycling helmet thinks they look a little silly, but secretly harbors a desire to strap one on and see what it can do. I know I did!
Earlier this year, I got my hands on the Advantage 2 from the Giro company. If you’re a cyclist at all, you know Giro as one of the leading helmet manufacturers around. In fact, if you’ve seen any ad with Lance Armstrong in it riding a bike, then you’ve seen him in a Giro (Ionos). The Advantage 2 was my first opportunity to try out a cycling icon and to get under and aero helmet.
First, you should know the purpose of an aero helmet. As the name suggests, it helps to make you more aerodynamic and thus, more efficient. On top of that, an aero helmet is, dollar-for-dollar, a MASSIVE savings over other aero components such as wheels. Click here for an article that has a very good breakdown of cost per watt saved.
Now, on to my thoughts on the Giro Advantage 2. Like I said, this was the first aero helmet I’ve gotten the chance to try out. At first, like many athletes, I was a bit concerned about the heat factor. The Advantage 2 doesn’t have the huge amount of vents that an every day cycling helmet has, rather, it has only five vents. These vents are right on the peak of the front of the head and do indeed get all the air. So, what I noticed was that, not only was I cooled enough, but the vent channels running along the inside of the top of the helmet allowed for a small vortex Giro Cycling Helmats, Advantage 2, Aero Helmets, Benefits of and Aerodynamic Cycling Helmetof air (like a mini tornado) at the back of my head that felt like a constant air conditioner. I was completely shocked. This is what the Giro website has to say about venting in the Advantage 2:
Internal Air Channels
By definition, a channel is; a route through which anything passes or progresses. In the case of Giro helmets, we utilize channels on the inner portion of the helmet to move air. These internal channels are carefully crafted and are one of the keys to a well ventilated helmet. When combined with our external vents, they help move hot, stale air across the riders head and force it out the back of the helmet. This is a proprietary Giro technology that we call WindTunnel Ventilation.
On top of the amazing heat dispersion, the Giro did indeed seem to allow me to feel more like I was splitting the air, rather than pushing it out of my way.
Another really great feature of the Advantage 2 is the foresight to put channels in the ear flaps to allow sunglasses to be worn. Not once did any of the glasses that I tried with the helmet feel pushed either down on my face or squeezed in from the stems.
About those ear flaps; I was concerned about comfort due to the fact that my ears stick out a bit more than most. This causes them to feel pinched and generally sore after wearing, say, a swim cap for too long. However, the ear flaps on the Advantage 2 gave my ears plenty of room without being uncomfortable. The one slight detractor I found was hearing. Because of the positioning of the ear flaps, it does make hearing everything you’re use to with nothing but straps on either side of your ear tricky. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like you “can’t hear” it’s just a bit muffled relative to unobstructed hearing. That said, I had zero troubles with that both in workouts (on NYC streets where hearing is VERY important) or in the Ironman Mooseman 70.3.
So, if you’re in the market for things to make you more aerodynamic, rather than dropping $2000 on a new pair of wheels, why not just take $160 and get a helmet that will give you more aerodynamic advantage anyway?! I really like the Advantage 2 and I look forward to trying it out when it get’s truly hot this summer, so be on the lookout for updates.
P.S. Look out for some new helmets from Giro very soon!
http://cmp.ly/2/wbi2vv
Help Support IronBrandon (Thank you!)
Salinas Valley Half Marathon (Win a free entry!)
Infinit Nutrition (Use discount code “ironbrandon” for free shipping!)
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Since I began this site I have tried out quite a few products. These things range from a cold weather headband with headphones built in to tech clothing and everything in between. You’ve probably actually heard me on my show or in posts on the site mentioning these things and what I think of them. However, every now and then, something has a huge impact on me and then I feel it is incumbent upon me to let you know the circumstances of that impact and how greatly I was affected.
This past Sunday during the Ironman Mooseman 70.3 triathlon in New Hampshire, it rained. In
fact, it started raining just before the start of the race and did not stop until I was driving on my way home about 30 miles away from the race. With the skies falling out the way they were, there was no way to avoid being completely soaked through on every inch of your body (at least not without taking the time to put on rain gear). This meant that my feet, the things which would be receiving the most punishment throughout the event, would be completely soaked for about SIX AND A HALF HOURS (including warm-up swim and standing around after the race).
Now, excuse the details, my feet have come to be able to handle a lot of punishment, but almost all of that comes when they’re dry. Once I hit the bike in this race, I was worried about any callouses becoming soft and the skin on my feet breaking down, which would the destroy my ability to run. This, however, never happened.
In my cycling shoes, which are admittedly not the best you can buy, I have Sole Thin Sport Custom Footbeds. These are custom in that you put them in your oven for a couple of minutes and upon taking them out, place them in the shoes you are using them with. they then conform to YOUR foot. During my race, where any wiggle (by way of looseness or stretching from being wet) of my cycling shoes likely would have resulted in skin being worn off my foot and/or blisters, my feet remained cradled and right where they needed to be.
I don’t wear any footbeds, other than what is already in my shoes, when I run. However, I’ll have these footbed in my cycling shoes for a long time to come.
Not only have I tried and approved of the Sole Thin Sport Custom Footbeds, I heartily recommend them.
Continued from: 2010 Ironman Mooseman 70.3: Race Report Part 2 – Race Morning…
Beach starts in triathlon tend to be a full contact affair. This is especially true just behind the front of the pack. If you’ve placed yourself in that spot, there’s a decent chance that you’ll get kicked in the face by the guy in front of you and/or punched in various parts of your body by the guys on either side of you and/or dunked and swum over by the guy behind you who may be faster than you. All accidents, of course.
Since I expect to be one of the faster swimmer in any race I enter, I always place myself at the front of the pack in both water and beach starts. In triathlons I’ve done that have pool swims it is incredibly frustrating to be relegated to swimming behind people who’ve WAY overestimated their speed, and having to pass them. So, for this race I was at the front of the pack when the horn sounded.
The run into the water was fairly smooth with the bottom dropping off to swimming depth in probably about ten feet. The pack broke up quickly and myself and a few others pulled away off the front. The swim course itself was a rectangle (see picture) and was protected from and waves kicked up by wind by the shoreline to the East. As we reached the first turn, quite a few waves appeared, I have to assume because we had come around from the lee side of a point of land, and the wind was now kicking up a bit.
At about the halfway point, I noticed that another swimmer from my wave (I could tell from his powder blue cap like mine) and I seemed to be staying right with each other. Shortly after I noticed this, my opponent disappeared and I assumed that I had dropped him. By this time, I had been swimming through swimmers from waves that had gone off ahead of me from about the 1/4 mark on. Every now and then, either I would accidentally run into one of these swimmers or they would run into me. This is when I noticed that someone kept hitting my heels. I snuck a peek back and saw that the swimmer with whom I had been dueling had taken a comfortable spot in my wake and was now drafting along and taking it easy. While drafting is illegal in the bike leg of a triathlon, there is nothing wrong with drafting in the swim. I guess I didn’t mind so much and I wouldn’t have even known the difference if it weren’t for the fact that my heels were getting tapped every thirty seconds or so. Annoying.
The concern I had coming into this race with regards to my neck never really came to fruition. To be honest, I was being a bit conservative (which is evident by my less than stellar time) and definitely felt fatigued in my shoulders more than I usually would, but true pain never affected me.
Swim time: 27:17
Swim pace: 1:25 per 100 meters (boo)
Age Group Place: 5th
Overall Place: 28th
Most of us are aware of the potential dizziness that comes with standing up too fast. I have even fallen over several times because of this. In a triathlon, the same thing takes place. You’ve been swimming for however long, thus you’ve been essentially laying down. All of a sudden, you ask your body to stand up! This problem can be compounded by the fact that your upper body is doing most of the work on the swim and so most of your blood is hanging out there to supply your muscles. Further, if you’re wearing a wetsuit, there is a bit of compression being applied to your lower extremities which keeps your blood even more focused in your upper body. So, when you then stand up to run out of the water, all that blood suddenly drops, and sometimes you do along with it!
As I stood, I was ready for the dizziness and I was not disappointed. Upon exiting the water, there was about a 20 yard (if I remember correctly) run to the wetsuit strippers. This is not some weird, wetsuit fetish exotic dancing area but rather, a group of race volunteers whose job it is to get you out of your wetsuit as fast as possible. All you have to do as a racer is flop on your back on the ground and they will grab your wetsuit and peel it off of you in a flash. The problem with this is the dizziness thing. You’ve just come out of the water, gotten dizzy and then after a few seconds, you throw your body back to being flat again for a few seconds (legs in the air, mind you) and then pop up AGAIN. This makes for a rather world-spinning few minutes.
I made my way into the transition area and found my belongings in fairly short order. By this time, it had been raining for about thirty minutes and everything was wet. I removed my socks from their dry sanctuary inside my cycling shoe, inside that grocery bag I spoke about. Now let me paint you a picture of what I was doing. I was trying not balance on one foot at a time, while my head was spinning, putting dry socks onto wet feet (try putting on sock directly out of the shower some time), while desperately trying not to step into the mud and puddles that now surrounded me. All this time, my head refused to stop spinning. Good times. I eventually got my crap together, even having to literally DUMP water out of my helmet, and was on my way out of transition. Slow.
Transition 1 time: 4:14 (Dear LORD, that’s awful)
To be completely honest, a lot of the bike portion of the race is a blur. It rained the entire time, often very hard. For the beginning six or so miles on the bike, I let my legs warm up well, pushing, but not pushing to the point of exhaustion. At about mile seven or so, the climbing began.
Leading up to this race, I had checked elevation charts and was not prepared for what I encountered. The first, largest and longest of the hills that we encountered was awful. First, we were climbing this hill in the rain, which gave you the appearance in spots of riding upstream in a river with an asphalt bottom. Second, this hill went to gradients of 16% for large sections at a time. To give you an idea of what a 16% grade is, the famous Mont Ventoux in the Tour de France has an average gradient of “only” 8.9%. Many people were forced to walk this hill and I must admit that I glanced at them with envy, but I stayed on my steed.
Several of the descents on the course were long and sweeping and gave you time to rest your legs. Other descents were so dangerous even without the rain that the officials had told us the day before that they would be strictly enforcing a 35 mph speed limit.
Apart from the 16% S.O.B. hill, there were a couple other climbs in excess of 10% as well as some deceptively “flat” sections that seemed to sap energy from the legs. The road conditions were only OK. You were forced to stay constantly aware of the pavement in front of you due to the fact that for 99% of the course there was a large crack (hastily patched but still pitted) meandering across both sides of the road.
Somewhere around halfway through the bike, my Garmin 305 went haywire. I went to take a peek at my heart rate and the screen was flashing from display to display, and not making any sense. I tried to turn it off and couldn’t. So I took it off and put it in my jersey. Now, for the rest of the race, I would have no idea where my pace of my heart rate were. I would be running purely on feel and perceived effort.
The toughest part of this bike course was grinding through it the first time and knowing you had to come back and hit it again. 16%’er and all. My nutrition, which if you know me, you know I have struggled in the past with this, was perfect. I had three hours worth of my “blend” from Infinit Nutrition in my Speedfil and rotated water bottles from aid stations in my one bottle cage. I finished my Infinit blend with about six miles to go on the bike, so, just to be safe, I grabbed a bottle of Gatorade Endurance Formula and dropped a bottle of water into my Speedfil. I also grabbed a banana at some point during the bike (can’t remember when) just because I knew it wouldn’t affect me adversely and it just looked good.
I didn’t do exactly what I wanted to do on the bike, in terms of speed, but I was consistent and I think that is just as important. I also learned a lot of what I need to do moving forward.
Bike time: 2:57:16
Bike pace: 19 mph
Age Group Place: 44th
Overall Place: 217th
By the time I hit T2, my feet had been soaked for over three and a half hours, but were holding up fine (I actually have a lot to say about my Sole insoles on the bike that I’ll write about later). However, I though it would behoove me to put on dry socks. This was frickin’ stupid. It was still raining and I was still surrounded by mud and puddles. I have no idea why I thought that changing my socks would make a single bit of difference, bu I did anyway, and again, I had a terribly slow transition.
I grabbed all my gear, which wasn’t that much after I got my shoes and dry (dumb, dumb, dumb) socks on. This included my new Fuel Belt H2O, which was holding two bottles of my Infinit blend, each with an hours worth of nutrition. As I ran out of transition, my shoes were wet and muddy within thirty seconds.
Transition 2 time: 3:26 (Oy to the vey)
I was really looking forward to this run. I have been running really well off the bike and I planned to make no exceptions on this run. The course itself was quite beautiful, albeit seen under cloudy skies that were still ridding themselves of any moisture they held, much to our detriment. It was fairly flat to rolling. The biggest obstacle(s) came in the form of a nasty little hill that was about 1/3 of a mile long at about mile 2 or so and again at about mile 8.5.
Because my nutrition and hydration had been so good on the bike, I had to pee almost as soon as I began to run. I waited until the first aid station at mile one and stopped to answer nature’s call. I actually ended up having to pee twice, and it bears mentioning that it went well (it bears mentioning due to my previous experiences during races when I’ve stopped to pee).
The course was two loops of an out and back that had as it’s outside turn around point, about a half mile of dirt (read: mud) road that ended in a cul-de-sac. On this stretch of “road” there were some incredibly nice and supportive volunteers and even a barbershop quartet in one of the driveways serenading the runners as we went by.
I felt great on this run. I did struggle a bit with not being able to tell my pace of heart rate. Because of this, I laid off a little on the third quarter of the run, before picking it back up a bit on the home stretch. I didn’t want to wind up completely gassed for the run in. I passed a lot of people wh had passed me on the bike and that was quite good for my morale. The rain never really let up, but I felt solid nonetheless. I truly think I would have been able to do more on the run had I known where I was in terms of pace.
Run time: 1:35:08 (1/2 marathon PR by 12 seconds)
Run pace: 7:15 per mile
Age Group Place: 22nd
Overall Place: 104th
(more detailed splits to come once they are available)
Overall Time: 5:07:21
Age Group Place: 34th
Overall Place: 132nd
There is some new, carbon fiber hotness about to drop from a new kid on the block. Scottsdale, Arizona based Mach Bikes is just about to launch their new line of TT bikes. Not only is the design and research a thing of beauty, but these rides can be custom painted by Mach rather than having to go one-off. Here are some “mach-ups” (I couldn’t help myself!)
05.28.2010 – Catlike, the Spanish manufacturer of cutting edge cycling helmets, has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Serotta Sport. Starting this July, two Catlike helmet models, which fully comply with US helmet safety standards, will be available at specialty cycling retailers across the country.
“Catlike helmets are widely recognized as the most technologically advanced in the world and they’re worn by some of the biggest names in cycling,” states Serotta Sport president Stan Mavis. “We created Serotta Sport to be a collection of premium cycling brands, which are run by their original founders with a focus on quality and service—Catlike fits the bill perfectly.”
Catlike helmets will be distributed through the existing Serotta dealer network, and online at CompetitiveCyclist.com. The initial Catlike offering in the US will include the Whisper Plus and the Chrono Aero Plus, which are approved by European safety standards and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Serotta Sport plans to expand its Catlike product distribution to include the brand’s premium eyewear and footwear in the near future.
“Here at Catlike we are aware of the demand of our products in the US. We are now stronger than ever to land in such a demanding market,” states Catlike President, Pepe del Ramo. “The Catlike technology and design will be distributed by Serotta Sport, a company that shares our philosophy and dedication to quality.”
Whisper Plus
The Whisper Plus is Catlike’s top-of-the line helmet featuring the latest innovations in lightweight materials, ventilation and safety. Ventilation is efficiently delivered by 39 strategically positioned holes and Dual Flow technology, which links the frontal air intakes to large rear exit vents to create a constant airflow above the rider’s head. Safety is provided via Catlike’s Crash Energy Splitter technology, which effectively distributes crash energy across the entire helmet and allows for a compact, lightweight design. The distinctive look of the Whisper Plus helmet is easily recognizable atop pro riders on the Cervélo Test Team and Euskaltel-Euskadi. MSRP $275
Chrono Aero
The Chrono Aero features an aerodynamic shape and design perfected in wind tunnel testing and proven on the racecourse. The Chrono offers a minimal weight without sacrificing safety, and a shape that dramatically decreases turbulence behind the head of the rider. The Chrono Aero helped deliver Ignatas Konovalovas (Cervélo Test Team) to victory in the final time trial of the Giro d’Italia in 2009. MSPR $300
About Catlike
Catlike was founded 1998 by Spanish pro cyclist Pepe “El Gato” del Ramo, with a focus on quality, innovation and safety. The development team utilizes the latest design technologies to create visually aggressive and functionally designed, world-class performance helmets. Catlike is the official helmet of Team Euskatel Euskadi and the Cervelo Test Team. For more information, visit www.catlike.es.
Seven time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, was confirmed by Team Radio Shack to be one of the riders the team will field at this year’s Tour of Luxembourg. From Lance’s official twitter:
UCI Press Release, May 25 2010
Floyd Landis’s accusations: clarifications from the UCI
Due to the controversy following the statements made by Floyd Landis, the International Cycling Union wishes to stress that none of the tests revealed the presence of EPO in the samples taken from riders at the 2001 Tour of Switzerland. The UCI has all the documentation to prove this fact.
Between 2001 and 2003, only the Paris, Lausanne, Cologne, Barcelona and Madrid laboratories, commissioned by the UCI, detected the presence of EPO in the samples that had been entrusted to them for analysis. During this period, the first laboratory carried out three positive analyses for EPO, the second 18 and the three last laboratories one each. None of the samples concerned had been taken at the 2001 Tour of Switzerland.
The International Olympic Committee received a copy of all the reports for the positive analyses mentioned above. Furthermore, in 2001, all the analysis reports carried out at the Tour of Switzerland were sent to Swiss Olympic.
Since 1st January 2004, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) receives a copy of any analysis reports which show an abnormal result. WADA has not reported any abnormal analyses from any of its accredited laboratories that have not been duly dealt with by the UCI.
The UCI wishes to reassert the total transparency of its anti-doping testing and categorically rejects any suspicion in relation to the concealment of results from parties involved in this field.
UCI Press Service
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“Until a test says otherwise, I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt,”…”There’s always going to be talk about people using, but it’s just a lot of talk. I don’t get into the speculation.”…“Some people think that 90% of the (running) competition is dirty. To me, that’s basically like throwing in the towel because when you start thinking that, you start thinking they are superhumans.”
Oy to the vey! On the Versus website, Neil Browne writes that he spoke to disgraced cyclist, Floyd Landis this morning. This comes on the heels of an article in the Wall Street Journal which points to several high profile cyclists, including Lance Armstrong, as well as team managers as dopers. The article also reveals Landis’s new admission that he was indeed doping during his reign in the upper echelons of professional cycling.
To read Browne’s article, click HERE
Alleged doping cyclist, Floyd Landis, can now remove the “alleged” part of that title. In Thursday’s Wall Street Journal, it was revealed that Landis sent emails to several cycling officials, including members of USA Cycling and the International Cycling Union (UCI), as well as sponsors.
In these emails, not only does Landis admit to being guilty of doping, but he also points fingers at several of the sport’s stars, including George Hincapie, Dave Zabriskie, Levi Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong. Landis also alleges that team officials, including Team Radio Shack‘s team manager, Johan Bruyneel, tolerated and in some cases encouraged doping.
Here is the link to the original WSJ article: [LINK]
Additional articles:
New York Times: Landis, Admitting Doping, Accuses Top U.S. Cyclists
BBC Sport: Floyd Landis admits to doping throughout his career
Associated Press: Landis admits doping and fingers Armstrong
Carl Lewis to Run the Houston Marathon
Triathlete Attacked by Alligator
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Salinas Valley Half Marathon ($5 off with discount code: “IronBrandon”!!)
Pittsburgh Marathon Bomb Scare
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April 28, 2010 (Steamboat Springs, Colo.)
Honey Stinger, the manufacturer of honey-based nutritional foods, announces a partnership with professional cyclist Lance Armstrong. In addition to future product development and endorsement of Honey Stinger energy gels, bars and organic chews, Armstrong becomes part of the ownership team in the Steamboat Springs-based company.
“I first tried Honey Stinger products during a mountain bike race in Colorado,” says Armstrong. “I was impressed with the great taste and energy they provided. Honey Stinger works for me in training and racing because you want to eat them and they work. I like the whole team – they understand what athletes need and they’re great to work with. I’m excited to be part of the Stinger team and work with them on expanding the products and business.
Armstrong first met Len Zanni, Honey Stinger’s marketing director, when they teamed up to race the 12 Hours of Snowmass mountain bike race outside Aspen in 2008. The foundation for a new business partnership was hatched over the course of long bike rides and get-togethers with company leaders.
Bill Gamber, an athlete/ entrepreneur, teamed up with his father William, a honey industry veteran, Bob Stahl, a food product developer, and John Miller, a professional beekeeper, to found Honey Stinger in 2002. Today, the company produces over 20 honey-based energy products that are distributed internationally at specialty sporting goods retailers and natural food grocers.
“We’re thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to work with an athlete of Lance’s stature. Beyond his athletic achievements, Lance is an inspiration and a leader in the fight against cancer,” states Bill Gamber. “Our relationship with Lance comes at a time when Honey Stinger is riding a wave of momentum and this partnership is a major step for our brand.”
About Honey Stinger Located in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Honey Stinger makes convenient, nutritious and great tasting honey-based foods including energy bars, gels and organic chews. Honey Stinger fuels some of the county’s top cyclists, runners, triathletes and teams including Tinker Juarez, Jeremiah Bishop, Katie Compton, the Giant Mountain Bike team and the Trek Livestrong U23 cycling team. The Colorado Office of Economic Development recently honored Honey Stinger as one of 50 “Colorado Companies to Watch.” Honey Stinger products are available at specialty sporting goods retailers, natural food grocers and www.honeystinger.com.
For more information, contact:
Mike McCormack, Backbone Media
mikemac@backbonemedia.net
970.963.4873 ext. 123
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Ok, I couldn’t pass up this hilarious bit of juvenile humor! Pearl Izumi and the founders of DZ-Nuts bring you the new 4d chamois. Now, excuse me while I giggle…
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 13 /PRNewswire
Polar (www.polarusa.com), the leader in heart rate monitoring and fitness assessment technology, today announced the launch of the CS500 – a new cycling computer that is the first in the market to offer rocker switch operation and a sleek, extra-large display screen. The CS500 is also compatible with the wireless Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D., which provides the rider with cycling power, enabling the highest level of professional training.
Event riders have long desired cycling computers with simpler button-pushing and a display screen with large, easy-to read digits – especially at high speeds. The CS500 meets these demands with two exclusive design features. First, with an extra-large and aerodynamic display – the CS500 offers outstanding visibility, and allows more information to be viewed on the screen, creating a data-rich, cycling computer. Second, the diamond-shaped handlebar unit sits on a pivoting, two-way rocker switch. When cyclists want to change the screen to view different data, they no longer have to take their hands off the bars – they simply use their thumb to lightly tap the left or right side of the CS500, and the screen instantly flips to reveal a different set of performance data. With this unique design, cyclists can better concentrate on their ride.
“With the CS500, Polar is revolutionizing the way cyclists view, track and monitor their data,” said Jeff Padovan, President of Polar USA. “From design to functionality, cyclists can train at a higher level with features including the industry’s first two-way rocker switch that allows users to easily view data and rich feedback such as speed, cadence and power. Additionally, the option to add accessories separately gives the cyclist the flexibility to customize their training based on their changing needs.”
Designed with competitive riders in mind, the CS500 combines the precise and leading Polar heart rate technology with advanced cycling features. The CS500 tracks speed, distance, cadence, heart rate, calories burned, incline, altitude, ascent and descent and temperature. Up to four different data points can be displayed on the extra-large screen and using the auto-lap splits feature, miles automatically roll-over and cyclists can see a snapshot of their data per lap. To simplify training at the right level and help cyclists get a better workout, the exclusive Polar OwnZone® feature provides a personalized, target heart rate recommendation on how hard to ride.
When paired with the Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D., a separate accessory, the CS500 can track high-level cycling data such as power output. With power meter compatibility – available at an affordable price – the CS500 can evolve with a cyclist, as they become more advanced and their training needs expand.
The CS500 syncs with polarpersonaltrainer.com, which is a free, online training journal, where cyclists can easily set goals, track progress, analyze results and challenge friends to a common goal. After a workout, data is uploaded to the site via the DataLink, a new wireless communication device from Polar, which includes Mac compatibility. The DataLink plugs into the USB port on a computer, and automatically detects the CS500 in the room, instantly uploading new workout files to a user’s personal profile. In conjunction with the CS500, polarpersonaltrainer.com has been redesigned with new, cycling-specific features, such as “Training Load,” which helps cyclists make smarter decisions by interpreting how hard a specific workout was, and advising when you have recovered from the previous workouts.
Utilizing Polar W.I.N.D. technology, the CS500 eliminates the issue of data drop-outs or cross-talk between cycling computers, as the powerful, 2.4 GHz transmission signal ensures disturbance-free training. The new Dual Lock Bike Mount, made of reinforced composite metal, guarantees sturdy, rock-solid attachment to the bike, making it ideal for both road and mountain biking. The CS500 can easily be customized and used on up to three different bikes, and also features a “Drink Reminder,” prompting cyclists when hydration is needed during a ride.
To see a video of the CS500 in action and its unique functionalities, visit the Polar USA YouTube Channel.
The CS500 is available as a base set, or bundled with a cadence sensor. The base set includes the handlebar unit, WearLink W.I.N.D. fabric chest strap, CS speed sensor W.I.N.D., and Dual Lock Bike Mount, and is available for a suggested price of $319.95. The CS500 cadence set is available for a suggested price of $359.95. The Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. is available as a separate accessory for a suggested price of $359.95. The DataLink is also available as an accessory, for a suggested price of $54.95. All products are available online or at specialty stores.
From the New York Post
By LACHLAN CARTWRIGHT and BILL SANDERSON
A helmet may not be enough to protect cyclists from Google Maps’ latest feature.
The search engine rolled out a “bicycling directions” option yesterday that is filled with potentially fatal flaws, including routes that cut across Central Park’s treacherous tranverse roads and steer cyclists to truck-riddled thoroughfares.
A Post reporter rented a bike on the Hudson River Greenway at 42nd Street and plotted a course to Hunter College — and quickly discovered the hard way that Google has a lot to learn about the streets of New York.
After a traffic-snarled ride up Eighth Avenue, our intrepid cyclist was sent on a semi-circle around Columbus Circle, and soon found himself holding up a line of 15 angry motorists — many leaning on their horns — on the narrow and frightening 65th Street Transverse, which does not have a bike lane.
Google overlooked the far safer Park Drive that loops through the park.
In Brooklyn, Google steers cyclists into the path of anti-bike Hasidic Jews by designating Bedford Avenue between Division and Flushing avenues in Williamsburg as a legitimate bike route. The city sandblasted away that street’s bike lane last year after protests.
Google mappers owned up to the woes. “The team does know about some of the problems in New York,” said spokeswoman Elaine Filadelfo.
There were more problems with the parks.
Inside Central Park, Google shows The Mall and some footpaths south of 72nd Street as bike paths — although park rules make them definitely off-limits.
“The parks are one of the things we need to work on,” Filadelfo admitted. “We don’t have great data for them.”
Among the other problems: Google directs New Jersey-bound cyclists over the north path of the George Washington Bridge, even though the bridge’s official bike path is on the south side.
From Midtown to Yankee Stadium, Google Maps sends cyclists up Central Park West and then on a hazardous 30-block stretch of Frederick Douglass Boulevard to the Macombs Dam Bridge.
A safer pick would have been up St. Nicholas Avenue and eventually over the Madison Avenue Bridge.
Bike advocates like Google’s effort, and say it will help recreational cyclists find safe paths.
“The fact that Google is taking it on brings it to millions of mobile devices and computers,” said Wiley Norvell of Transportation Alternatives. “We’re enthusiastic.”
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Nytro Complete Triathlon Package
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This morning I was greeted by a surprise package, which I love! It was a new Giro Advantage 2 aero helmet as well as a pair of Giro Havic 2 Compact sunglasses! I cannot wait to get both of these out on the road to put them and myself through the necessary paces. However, with a storm that many are calling “a storm of historical proportions” bearing down on the Northeast for the next several days, that may have to wait a bit!
I will take a second to do some first impressions though.
Advantage 2: It just looks fast! Feels lighter on my head than I would have thought. As with all aero
helmets, heat is a concern, but the extensive venting and channeled air flow seems that it might really keep that in check. Glasses fit extremely well with the helmet on with no pinching or cramming at all!
Havic 2 Compact: Light! These glasses felt like they would have been insecure on my face, but once on they felt like they were part of me. Fantastic visibility (for being in a office!) with no sight line obstruction. Again, the compatibility with this helmet is a fantastic argument for sticking to a brand where things are designed specifically to work with each other. Bravo Giro!
Yep, I'm a dork.
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From Triathlete Magazine
After challenging each other to a time trial through twitter while the two were training separately in Kona, Lance Armstrong and Chris Lieto finally met up today on Lieto’s last day on the island. The pair named it the “Twitter Time Trial” and according to Armstrong he beat Lieto by 15 seconds. Armstrong also joked that the two may be battling on the Queen K in a real race again some time in the next couple of years. See the video below for more.
Before the race:
After the race:
Life Time Fitness has set a world record for the largest static cycling class in history, recognized by the Guinness World Records. It was recognized for its “Ride of a Lifetime” stationary cycle ride that went on for two hours despite the 20-43 degree weather. Life Time’s chairman, chief executive officer and president Bahram Akradi and the company’s DJ Roberto Costa, lead the class of more than 600 participants in the largest static cycling class to secure their spot in the records. The class was held at the Houstin CityCentre. The company previously held the record for its 418 strong class on March 23, 2009 at the Life Time Fitness center in Plano, Texas. The record was broken on September 18, 2009 by a 450 cyclist strong class in Galway, Ireland.
Life Time Fitness, Inc. operates multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort and spa centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS brand. It designs, develops and operates its own centers. As of February 27, 2009, the Company operated 83 centers primarily in suburban locations in 18 states and 22 major markets. Most Life Time Fitness centers offer access around-the-clock, seven days a week to a selection of premium amenities and services, including more than 400 pieces of cardiovascular and resistance equipment and free-weights. Amenities generally include multiple group fitness studios with free classes, a team of certified personal trainers and programming, educational seminars and fitness assessments, a selection of adult and youth programs and activities, athletic events, cycle theatres, rock climbing walls, multiple basketball courts, squash and/or racquetball courts, Pilates and yoga studios, and dry saunas, among others.
By Bertrand Boucey - Reuters2/15/2010
PARIS (Reuters) – A French judge has issued an international arrest warrant against American rider Floyd Landis for suspected hacking into an anti-doping laboratory computer, French anti-doping agency head Pierre Bordry told Reuters on Monday.
In an interview, Bordy said the judge Thomas Cassuto believed Landis, whose 2006 Tour de France title was stripped after he failed a dope test, wanted to prove the laboratory where his samples were tested was wrong.
“French judge Cassuto from the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Nanterre informed us that he had issued an international arrest warrant on January 28 against Floyd Landis, who tested positive for banned testosterone during the 2006 Tour de France, after our laboratory computer system was hacked,” Bordry said.
“He was summoned by the judge, he didn’t come so he’s now under an international arrest warrant.”
The French anti-doping agency launched legal action against unnamed persons after they found their laboratory computer system had been hacked into in September 2006.
Landis, the first rider to be stripped of a Tour victory, has continually denied any wrongdoing but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected his assertion that his positive test was due to procedural mistakes by the laboratory.
Landis, 34, said last year after his two-year ban ended that he was trying to decide whether to follow fellow-American Lance Armstrong’s example and ride again in the Tour de France.
“It seems that (Landis) made all he could to enter into our computer system to try to prove the laboratory was wrong. He showed many documents he got by hacking to numerous sporting instances,” Bordry said. “The judge traced a network of hackers back to the ringleader.”
Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am an opera singer living and trying to make it in New York City. This site and podcast follow my adventures on the way to competing in and training for all kinds of endurance events, especially triathlon and running. Click the "About Me" tab for more info!
Who: This contest is open to anyone and everyone in the U.S. and Canada (also APO)! Tell your friends!
What: Stuffitts! I have spoken about these simple yet awesome shoe savers in the past. Click here to read more about them. I cannot say enough how great they are!
When: Starting NOW! This is an ongoing contest that will be every month, or until every person on the planet has nice, fresh smelling shoes!
Why: Because Stuffitts are awesome! The folks at Stuffitts are being SUPER generous and I also want to give you guys something that I think is a great addition to any athletes arsenal!
How: On the last podcast episode post of each month (example: Episode 99 on June 28 HERE) entrants should leave a comment (however long you'd like). On the following week's show (the first show of each month) I will draw, by random number generator, one winner! That's it!
Good luck!
