2006 archive

Mom and pop frame makers future of US bicycle industry?

Schwinn, Murray, Huffy … the names of bicycle manufacturers that have closed factories in the US and moved overseas goes on and on.

Even Wisconsin-based Trek makes about 80% of its bicycles abroad, mainly in Asia. In all, only 1% of the bicycles sold in the US are made here. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/29/mom-and-pop-frame-makers-future-of-us-bicycle-industry-2/

Rescue

Bicycle tourists spend part their time riding on the edge. I’m not just talking about the edge of the road, but the edge of their limits for physical and mental stress. Veer over the edge, and there can be a crash. End of tour.

That’s especially true for the so-called self-contained cycling tourists. No sag wagons. No mechanics. No large group for support. And, in the “old days,” no cell phones. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/28/rescue-2/

It's 3, not 2, US cyclists in the 2006 Vuelta a Espana

Check out the standings in the Vuelta a Espana, and you'll find three US cyclists competing — Tom Danielson (Discovery), Chris Horner and Freddie Rodriguez (Davitamon-Lotto) — not just Danielson and Horner like I reported Friday.

Thanks to Frank Steele at Tour de France blog 2006 for pointing out that error. The official Vuelta a Espana website still lists Mario Aerts and Christophe Brandt on the Davitamon roster, but they've been replaced by Rodriguez and Pieter Mertens …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/26/its-3-not-2-us-cyclists-in-the-2006-vuelta-a-espana/

Vuelta a Espana 2006 logo

aka Tour of Spain

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/26/vuelta-a-espana-2006-logo/

Two American cyclists in 2006 Vuelta a Espana

(Update: “It's 3, not 2, US cyclists in the 2006 Vuelta”)
The
Vuelta a Espana begins Saturday with a 4 1/2-mile team time trial around the city of Malaga. The final three-week European classic bike race of the year ends September 17 in Madrid.

The race features 21 teams and 209 cyclists, including just two Americans. Chris Horner is riding for Davitamon Lotto, and Tom Danielson competes as the team leader for the Discovery Channel team.

Why so few Americans …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/25/two-american-cyclists-in-2006-vuelta-a-espana/

Illegal immigrants racing across border on bicycles

Border Patrol agents call it el Tour de Los Estados Unidos. The winners of this Tour gain illegal entry into the US from Mexico on bicycles they use to cross the border.

The rundown bikes cost $20 to $25 each. They run the gamut from mountain bikes to Chinese models with wing handlebars. The reflectors are removed; one bike was painted camouflage green, while others are spray painted black.

The immigrants ride the bikes at night on hiking trails or unused desert roads. The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, right, is a favorite route.

“Usually you hear what sounds like off-road truck tires coming toward you down the road 'cuz there's so many of them” …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/25/illegal-immigrants-racing-across-border-on-bicycles/

Discarded bikes near border

Illegal immigrants are using bikes to cross the border into the US. Here, discarded bicycles with plastic water jugs are left along a trail at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona. Photo from Cryptome.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/25/discarded-bikes-near-border/

Abandoned bicycle in desert

An abandoned bicycle in Arizona desert near Mexico border. Illegal immigrants are using bicycles to cross border into the US, the US Border Patrol says. Picture from Desert Invasion website.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/25/abandoned-bicycle-in-desert/

Bicycling deaths rose 8% in 2005; alcohol involved in more fatalities

Did it seem that you read more about bicycling deaths last year? That's because you did.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported this week that 784 “pedalcyclists” died in traffic accidents in 2005; that's an increase of 57 deaths over 2004.

While overall highway fatalities rose 1.4% in 2005 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/24/bicycling-deaths-rose-8-in-2005-alcohol-involved-in-more-fatalities/

2 die in police-charity bicycle ride in Indiana

Police across Indiana are mourning two cyclists killed on a cross-state bicycle charity ride to raise money for fallen comrades.

State Police Lt. Gary Dudley, 52, left, and former Lake County Police Chief Gary Martin, 63, right, were killed in the collision as they rode their bicycles on Tuesday. A third cyclist, retired Indianapolis Police Officer Spencer Moore, was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/08/24/2-die-in-police-charity-bicycle-ride-in-indiana/