Biking Bis - Bicycle Touring and More

Cyclist killed in TOSRV bike ride in Ohio

Gene Bisbee — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:08:20 -0700

A cyclist in Ohio's Tour of the Scioto River Valley bike tour was killed Sunday when he was struck from behind by a motorist while returning to Columbus. Identified as William Crowley, 57, of Northfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, he is the first traffic-related fatality in the history of the tour.

The TOSRV is one of the oldest bike tours in the US, celebrating its 47th anniversary this year. Started as a father-son bike ride in 1962, the classic bike tour draws some 2,800 bicyclists for the 105-mile bike ride to Portsmouth on Saturday, followed by the return to Columbus on the Sunday.

The Ohio State Patrol reported that Crowley was hit by the car while riding north in the right lane of US 23 near Piketon at about 7:50 a.m., about 18 miles north of Portsmouth...

Zabriskie crashes out in Stage 2; Slipstream loses Giro's pink jersey

Gene Bisbee — Sun, 11 May 2008 08:59:14 -0700

Just when things were beginning to look really good for Slipstream-Chipotle at the Giro d'Italia, David Zabriskie crashed on Sunday when his bicycle tangled with Alberto Contador's and he was rushed away by ambulance.

An update by Slipstream's directeur sportif Jonathan Vaughters reported that the cyclist from Salt Lake City injured his back in the crash but was able to move his legs. They'll know more when the X-rays come back.

The accident happened along some railroad tracks about 40 miles from the finish, according to CyclingNews. Slipstream, who was defending the pink leader's jersey worn by Christian Vande Velde, and Contador's Astana team were at the head of the peloton chasing down an early breakaway. Contador was able to stay in the race. ...

Who is this Christian Vande Velde?

Gene Bisbee — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I love it when the unsung, work-a-day athlete suddenly scores it big in any sport. That happened Saturday when Christian Vande Velde earned the maglia rosa at the 2008 Giro d'Italia.

Ever since I started this bicycling blog in 2005, the name Christian Vande Velde has come up repeatedly among US cyclists competing in elite competitions in Europe and the US.

But he never made the headlines. Ever since turning pro in 1998, the native of Lemont, Illinois, has been the guy delivering water bottles to Lance Armstrong, or helping pace Carlos Sastre or Frank Schleck over mountain passes.

Now, at 31, he ends up leading the surviving five cyclists in the Slipstream-Chipotle pack in the team time trial at the Giro d'Italia and wins the race. What's more, it's the first stage, so he earns the maglia rosa, the pink jersey. Further, he becomes the only US cyclist since Andy Hampsten in 1988 to do so. ...

Slipstream wins Team Time Trial at Giro; Vande Velde in pink

Gene Bisbee — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:48:43 -0700

Vande Velde at TDG

The US-based Slipstream-Chipotle put Christian Vande Velde in the lead of the 2008 Giro d'Italia on Saturday by winning the opening team time trial.

It marks the first time in 20 years that an American has worn the leader's pink jersey at the Giro.

The Slipstream squad gained the lead after finishing the 14.6-mile course around Palermo on the island of Sicily in 26:32. Of the teams that followed, High Road and Team CSC each finished 6 seconds off the pace.

Slipstream members David Zabriskie (US) and David Millar (UK) set a torrid pace for the team ...

Mellow Johnny's -- Lance Armstrong proprietor

Gene Bisbee — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:00:00 -0700

When rookie downtown shopowner Lance Armstrong opens the doors to Mellow Johnny's in Austin today, it will probably mark the biggest grand opening for a bike shop in the history of cycling. At least in this country.

The 18,000-square-foot shop at Fourth and Nueces is located a block from the Lance Armstrong Bikeway that will roll through town. Armstrong originally touted it as a store for bike commuters, but it will stock bikes and gear for everyone.

Armstrong, who wrote about his recovery from cancer in "It's Not About the Bike," told VeloNews:

"It’s more than a place to buy a bike. I want it to be a place where cyclists of all levels come in and are encouraged, inspired, and motivated to make cycling a daily part of life. And of course—a place where racers and enthusiasts can get the best equipment, service, and know-how to go faster—or farther—on their bikes." ...

Daily outrage: Car passes cyclists, then slams on brakes

Gene Bisbee — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:41:18 -0700

Today's "daily outrage" comes from Australia, where several cyclists in a pack of 50 slammed into the back of a car after the driver passed the group then stopped abruptly.

The hit-and-run driver later called a talk show to give his version.

Among those in the bunch cycling in Sydney were Olympic cyclists Ben Kersten, Michelle Ferris, Matthew White, Kevin Nichols and daughter Kate Nichols, who was injured in the 2005 car vs. bicycle crash in Germany that claimed the life of Amy Gillett and injured other members of the Australian cycling team ...

Ride a car-free Lake Washington Boulevard in Seattle

Gene Bisbee — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:11:33 -0700

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Bicycle Saturdays and Sundays on Lake Washington Boulevard in Seattle.

From about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 10 weekend days this spring and summer, city crews will close off a four-mile section of Lake Washington Boulevard between Mount Baker Beach and Seward Park to vehicular traffic.

This makes for a flat, winding ride along a two-lane, lakeside road that is ideal for families. It's also a portion of road to throw in for a longer weekend ride. There's also a two-mile loop around Seward Park, which juts into Lake Washington...

Watching the 2008 Giro d'Italia

Gene Bisbee — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:16:37 -0700

Once again, you'll be able to bring live action from the 2008 Giro d'Italia right to your home or office computer with video streaming or text updates.

The Versus cable network is offering a live video feed from the bike race across Italy via Cycling.tv. The $29.99 offer includes the live feed and daily highlights, as well as this year's Milan-San Remo and Tirreno Adriatico. Sign up at the Versus-Cycling.tv Giro package site.

The one catch is that the offer doesn't include any Sunday stages, as they will be televised by Versus on cable during Cyclysm Sundays. Dates and times for Giro coverage on Cyclysm Sundays: 4 p.m. May 11, May 18 and May 25 and 3 p.m. on June 1 (all times are ET....

Washington Parks maps released by Adventure Cycling

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:50:13 -0700

North Cascade Highway

Rumors about the excellent bicycle touring opportunities in my big back yard, the Pacific Northwest, will be confirmed by the latest set of maps published by the Adventure Cycling Association.

The Washington Parks bicycle route is an 870-mile double loop within easy access from Seattle. One loop takes in the Olympic Peninsula in the west. The other climbs over and around the soaring Cascades in the east.

The routes take in three national parks -- Olympic, Mt. Rainier, and North Cascade -- along with wild ocean views, tranquil islands, steep mountain passes, and orchards and vineyards. ...

Hincapie says he'll race Tour of Missouri in September

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:09:08 -0700

Although it's only May, George Hincapie says he'll defend his title in the upcoming Tour of Missouri scheduled Sept. 8-14.

Hincapie won the inaugural Missouri stage bike race last year as a member of the Discovery Channel pro cycling team. He's now a member of Team High Road, officially registered in San Luis Obispo, California.

Hincapie recently finished the Tour of Georgia, where High Road teammate Kanstantin Sivtsov won the race with a decisive attack on Brasstown Bald ....