22 minutes of bike-y goodness

Truthfully, the bike-y world is just not as exciting as the running world. But Run-ny Friday is never going happen. A nice mix this week...some bikey stories, then some running stories, with some tri gear too...read on...

**** I've included links for the following paragraph but please dont read them, you'll only get depressed. For clarity's sake, i've made them very small links.****

Paris-Nice (7 day race) is going on as we speak (Friday is day 5). Pretty big race in the pro cycling world. Now, there was some huge drama here after the organizers of the race (also the organizers of the TDF) decided to not invite UCI teams like Astana to the Paris-Nice race. Then since that was breaking UCI rules (all ProTour teams are supposed to be invited to the elite races), UCI pulled their race licence, the ASO went to French Cycling Federation to get a license, then UCI warned that any team that competed at Paris-Nice (now an unsanctioned event) would get fined and any rider would get suspended for 6 months (including the Olympics and World Championships), so some riders dropped out, but most teams basically called their bluff, etc. Blah blah blah - too many beaurocrats flapping their gums. Why did I even type those last sentences? To date, no fines or suspensions. Pro cycling is such a stupid sport sometimes. And nothing really exciting has happened so far in this race, except Cadel Evans did win the race up Mount Ventoux on Thursday.

Much more fun is watching our Edmonton buddy Tich (Paul Tichelaar to non-Bikey followers) and his buddy Simon Whitfield decided to do a cool little video of them riding in Sedona, Arizona. Tough life, especially as some parts of our province are getting snow this fine morn. Plus it's got some cool music.



Cycling awareness is something that we all agree should be more mainstream. The London transportation department has come up with a cool little game/video that you all can play here. For those of you who don't play games, you can at least read the cycling safety advice they provide.

Cool product of the week: i finally found one that piqued my interest. They're called ActiveSpokes, and they are basically sliding weights that shift the apparent rim weight depending on whether you're ascending or descending a hill. I was a little skeptical at first, and I'm still not real sure of how they work, but the concept makes sense, and the editorials on the site appear legit. Hmmm...only $99?

2 big-ish stories regarding the little Canadian company that could, Cervelo! I think it would be fair to say that Cervelo's have done well with their sponsorship of the CSC pro cycling team. However, next year, there will be no CSC team. CSC has decided to end their sponsorship (what exactly is CSC? Anyone?) and therefore the Riis team needs a major sponsor. Who knows what role Cervelo will play with the new sponsor.

Second, the internet is alive with rumors of a new Cervelo tri bike called, of course, the P4C. Some of the forum posts I've heard that this is still vaporware, and a new bike might not be out til next year as a 2010 model. Who knows, but I'm sure lots of P3C's will be available for cheap as lightly used options.

2 marathon updates - both with potential Beijing implications. Paula Radcliffe has a toe injury, and is OUT of the London Marathon. Too bad, she's an amazing runner and always goes all out. She does entertain the viewers by going out harder and just obliterating those who try to stay with her.

Bigger news that Radcliffe (hard to believe) has to do with the current men's world record holder Haile Gebrselassie. Last week, he announced he would not run the marathon in Beijing because the pollution levels are off-the-chart, and they make his asthma symptoms worse. Fair enough. His plans instead have him trying win his 3rd Olympic Gold Medal in the 10,000m. However, here is a comment on the strength of the Ethiopia 10,000m team. In addition to reigning Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele and silver medallist Sileshi Sihine, Gebrselassie will be facing a battle against a host of up and coming young runners including All-African Games 10,000m silver medallist Tadesse Tola and Abebe Dinkessa, a runner with a 10,000m personal best of 26:30 (courtesy of iaaf.org). Wow. For the record, Canada will have ZERO runners qualify for the 10,000m.

However, Geb might have changed his mind a bit as the news of his decision shocked the running world. He now says he might run the Olympic marathon if they move the race to the morning and run it outside of the city of Beijing. Well, since the race was already scheduled to start at 730 am local, i guess he only needs one more thing. So we'll see what happens. Hopefully he ends up on the start line...i'll keep you posted.

Whohoo...gear time. For those of you who love new tri gear, and especially for those of you who don't read Inside Triathlon, this year they did publish an online Buyer's Guide. So click away at this year's best Swim/Bike/Run products. A few new toys never hurt anyone...

Last thing this week...the fine folks at ProBikeKit.com have added 2 new things to their vast repertoire of bike products. For those PBK virgins out there, they are based in the UK, but with unbelievable low prices on bike parts, free (and fast) shipping, they are a valuable resource when you need to pick up some inexpensive (sometimes half off the Canadian price) tires or tubes, this place rocks. Anyhow, they do have the new-for-2008 Michelin Pro Race 3 tires right now (for $39 or so) and some great prices on Craft running and triathlon clothing. Check it out. Thank me later.

Phew...big bike-y in the books. See you next Friday...