2009 archive

Map of Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail

The 10-mile trail takes bike riders through urban parks and natural areas.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/25/map-of-apple-capital-recreation-loop-trail/

Biking the wild and tame sides of the Wenatchee loop trail

Those of you heading to Wenatchee, Washington, for Saturday's Dam2Dam charity bike ride should consider paying a visit to the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail if you have any extra time.

I explored the trail earlier this month on an overnight camping stay in the Wenatchee area during my bicycle tour from Cle Elum, over Blewett Pass and up the Columbia River. The trail passes through natural wetland settings and urban parkland and offers spectacular mountain views from both sides of the river.

The paved loop is a wonderful 10-mile trail that hugs both shorelines of the Columbia River with bike-only crossings at the north and south end. It's heavily used by commuters and recreational cyclists, and it's also an excellent way for visitors to get a feel for the Columbia River environment. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/25/biking-the-wild-and-tame-sides-of-the-wenatchee-loop-trail/

Cancellara beats the clock at Worlds; Zirbel just misses podium

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara streaked to victory at the UCI World Road Championships on Thursday to regain his individual time trial title.

The 28-year-old previously won the title in 2006 and 2007, but this time he did it among home-country crowds in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Tom Zirbel created some early excitement among US cycling fans as the Clear Lake, Iowa, native lead the ITT bike race going into the final group of favorites. Zirbel, who rides for Bissell pro cycling during the season, ended up finishing just off the podium in fourth place. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/24/cancellara-beats-the-clock-at-worlds-zirbel-just-misses-podium/

Hoping that bike thieves take the bait

My son told me from college earlier this week that some of his buddies saw two guys with a hacksaw trying to steal bikes from a bike rack outside his dorm about noon Sunday.

The guys and gals chased them off and called campus police, who dutifully took a report. All were surprised and amazed by the brazen attempt to steal bikes in broad daylight.

College campuses seem to be frequent targets for bike thieves; lots of bikes left around that are often unlocked or locked with an inexpensive cable lock. At many campuses, bike theft is the most frequent crime reported to police.

Browsing around the Internet, I see that most colleges recommend U-locks over cable locks, which are easily voided by bolt cutters. In fact, the campus police at my son's college sell reduced-rate U-locks to incoming freshmen …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/24/hoping-that-bike-thieves-take-the-bait/

Kristin Armstrong becomes World Champion again;
Bobridge wins for under-23 men

Kristin Armstrong of the US won her second World Championship in the individual time trial on Wednesday, following up on her gold medal performance at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The 36-year-old from Boise scorched the 16.6-mile bike route in 35:26 minutes, beating rival Noemi Cantele of Italy by 55 seconds.

Meanwhile, Australia's Jack Bobridge, a 20-year-old member of the South Australian/AIS bike racing squad, became the under-23 individual time trial champion.

Both individual time trial races are part of the UCI Road World Championships going on through Sunday at Mendrisio, Switzerland. The men's elite cyclists race on Thursday …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/23/kristin-armstrong-becomes-world-champion-again-bobridge-wins-for-under-23-men/

Soaking in sunshine and spectacular views for the equinox

While my bike blogging brethren are working hard down in Las Vegas to cover all the new gear at the Interbike International Trade Expo this week, I'm hanging out here in western Washington close to the home office.

Not that I'm complaining. This was the finest first day of fall I ever remember here, or anywhere else for that matter. Dry, sunny, with highs (so far) in the mid-80s.

When a day like this rolls around, you should make the most of it. I've been wanting to ride my mountain bike over some trails on Rattlesnake Mountain, and today offered the best opportunity. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/22/soaking-in-sunshine-and-spectacular-views-for-the-equinox/

World Bicycle Relief takes bike tour to Africa

Later this fall, 24 people will travel to Africa to ride their bikes in Zambia and South Africa to learn more about what World Bicycle Relief can make possible.

The bike tour, which includes pro cycling team manager Johan Bruyneel, also hopes to raise $1 million toward the efforts to provide tens of thousands of bicycles to people in those countries.

The non-profit was founded in 2005 by the SRAM Corporation and Trek Bicycle to get transportation — bicycles — into coastline communities devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Since then, World Bicycle Relief has expanded its reach to Africa. The group believes that many of the problems on that continent — access to market, education, and health care — are problems of mobility that can be solved by the bicycle. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/22/world-bicycle-relief-takes-bike-tour-to-africa/

Volunteers needed for Washington state bike count

Volunteers are needed at the end of the month to count people bicycling or walking to their destinations in 25 cities across the state of Washington.

The information is being collected to track the state's progress toward its goal of getting more people to commute or run errands by bicycling or walking.

This is the second year that data has been collected. Last year, 130 volunteers made counts at 96 locations during two-hour time blocks in the mornings and evenings in 20 cities.

The busiest location, except for Seattle, was the Sammamish River Trail at North Creek Trail in Bothell …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/22/volunteers-needed-for-washington-state-bike-count/

Where to watch the UCI Road World Championship bike races

Live or same-day coverage of the UCI Road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, will be available on webcasts and cable TV broadcasts from Wednesday through Sunday this week.

The 76th annual event opens with men's and women's individual time trials on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by road races on Saturday and Sunday. The winner wears the stripes of the rainbow jersey, above, in the 2010 cycling season.

The defending champion of the elite men's road race is Italy's Alessandro Ballan. Unfortunately, little was seen of Ballan this year because of illness.

This year's US lineup of pro cyclists includes Garmin-Slipstream's Tom Danielson ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/22/where-to-watch-the-uci-road-world-championship-bike-races/

Rainbow jersey

The rainbow jersey is worn by the winner of the UCI Road World Championships, held in 2009 in Switzerland.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/22/rainbow-jersey/