Biking Bis - Bicycle Touring and More

Google maps launches route finder for bicyclists

Gene Bisbee — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:11:00 -0800

The long wait is over for bicyclists who want to use Google maps to find the quickest, safest way from Point A to Point B.

Google maps launched a Beta version of its direction finder for bicycle routes on Wednesday. (See the "How to" video on the jump.)

The biking directons release comes in conjuction with the opening day of the National Bike Summit in Washington DC.

Folks who use their bicycles for commuting and running errands have been advocating for Google to add a layer for bicycles to its "Get Directions" function for cars, public transit and walking.

A petition started by Peter Smith at Google Maps 'BikeThere' received more than 50,000 signatures from bicyclists who wanted the service.

Google had hinted that the project was underway back in October 2009 when it announced that it had added 12,000 miles of bike paths ....

More about biking directions at Google maps; win a bicycle

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:19:00 -0800

It's hard to write about the new bicycling tool at Google maps without prefacing the term "bicycle route finder" with such adjectives as "amazing," "cool," or "way cool," but I'll try.

Sweepstakes

First, Google maps made the official announcement of the biking directions tool with a Google Share Your Ride Sweepstakes complete with a $2,500 voucher for American Cyclery. Win by simply posting links your routes to Twitter.

Here's what Google says about the project at The Official Google blog and the Google LatLong blog.....

Reactions to biking directions at Google maps

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Various reactions to the long-awaited announcement regarding biking directions on Google maps:

Andy Clarke, League of American Bicyclists (Google made it "official" during the opening session of LAB's National Bike Summit):

“This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding. We know people want to ride more ...

Universal Sports begins cycling coverage with Tirreno-Adriatico

Gene Bisbee — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:16:00 -0800

Hincapie, Farrar and Cavendish on tap in Italy

Universal Sports kicks off its 2010 pro cycling coverage on Wednesday with Italy's Tirreno-Adriatico, followed up through the season with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana along with other cycling events.

The partnership of NBC Sports and Intermedia Partners says it will offer at least 10 premiere road cycling races this year on its broadcast and online platforms.

All races will be available live online at UniversalSports.com; same-day coverage will be provided on cable at Universal Sports stations in major TV markets. ....

Rack-maker scores New Belgium cruisers contract

Gene Bisbee — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:13:00 -0800

Two things about the front bicycle racks made in a small Fort Collins, Colorado, shop caught the eye of a New Belgium Brewing Co. designer:

-- The racks used beetle-killed wood from Colorado's forests;

-- The racks could hold a case of beer.

So the beer brewery, which supplies cruiser bicycles to charities and its new employees, ordered 2,600 front racks from the shop for its new line of New Belgium 2010 cruisers.

That's a gold strike for Carver Surf Racks owner Orlando Baker ...

2010 Seattle Bike Expo: Same show, new location, web coupon

Gene Bisbee — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:24:00 -0800

See coupon below

This weekend's Seattle Bike Expo, the largest consumer bicycle show in the US, has landed at yet another location this year.

The Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 in Magnolia is the new home for the all-things-bicycling show, open from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Here's a link for easy bicycling and driving directions. Car parking (2,500 capacity) costs $5 and the exhibition hall is about a half-mile walk; a shuttle bus also will run during the show. Secure bike parking is provided by BikeWorks right at the entrance.

From the Eastside, I'll probably head across .....

Leipheimer and Contador crash in Paris-Nice; still in top 10

Gene Bisbee — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:20:00 -0800

After the Paris-Nice peloton battled gusty winds for more than 100 miles, Team Sky's Greg Henderson won the Stage 1 sprint by slipping past Lampre's Grega Bole right at the finish.

Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia) attacked the field with less than a mile to go in Contres, but couldn't sustain the long sprint.

Prologue winner Lars Boom of Rabobank remained in the yellow jersey as Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack) and Alberto Contador (Astana) dropped to 7th and 8th in the overall standings after suffering crashes. They started the day in 3rd and 4th place ....

Murcia ends with Armstrong in 7th; Paris-Nice begins with Leipheimer in 3rd

Gene Bisbee — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:02:00 -0800

Lance Armstrong finished the Vuelta de Murcia on Sunday in 7th place behind winner Frantisek Rabon of HTC-Columbia; Armstrong's plans include adding another race to his Tour de France preparations.

Meanwhile, his Team RadioShack teammate Levi Leipheimer opened the Paris-Nice bike race with a third place finish in the prologue, 6 seconds behind Lars Boom of Rabobank. The race will roll across France through Sunday.

More action unfolds this week as the Tirreno-Adriatico rolls out Wednesday for seven days across Italy. Highlights will be streamed live on the Universal Sports website.

Regarding his 7th place finish, Armstrong told reporters:

"Worried would be too strong of a word. ....

Team Columbia's Rabon leads Murcia; Armstrong climbs to 7th

Gene Bisbee — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:52:00 -0800

HTC-Columbia's Czech time-trial champion Frantisek Rabon won Stage 5 of the Murcia bike race on Saturday and took the overall lead, as Lance Armstrong climbed into 7th place.

The Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia across southern Spain ends Sunday with a 75-mile stage that's expected to end in a mass sprint.

Elsewhere, the week-long Paris-Nice bicycle race starts Sunday in France, and Tirreno-Adriatico rolls out Wednesday for seven days across Italy.

While top racers struggle for top finishes in the Murcia bike race, most eyes are on Armstrong. RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel made headlines ...

Historic Route 66 seeing new life as a bicycle route?

Gene Bisbee — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:04:00 -0800

Travelers driving between Chicago and LA used to get their kicks on Route 66 before it was essentially decommissioned in the 1980s with the emergence of the Interstate Highway system.

Now some surviving portions of the Mother Road in the Midwest have become destinations for bicycle tours while other abandoned stretches are being considered for bicycle trails.

The old highway, which dates back to 1920s, sounds like a great place to travel by bike today -- in places. It wends across the landscape visiting small towns and passing the old-timey car culture claptrap of art-deco-style motels and diners bright with neon.

Elsewhere, of course, it's buried under freeways, becomes part of a frontage road system ....