2009 archive

World Bicycle Relief bike tour in November

World Bicycle Relief and cycling legend Johann Bruyneel in partnership with World Vision and Trek Travel Bike Tours, are hosting an event this November in Africa with the goal to raise $1,000,000 to help make a significant breakthrough on awareness of and solutions to the problems of mobility in rural Africa. Details at World Bicycle …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/21/world-bicycle-relief-bike-tour-in-november/

Great Allegheny Passage loses “ambassador” Maynard Sembower

It has been a sad few days along the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail between Cumberland and Pittsburgh.

Maynard Sembower, the man known locally as the “trail ambassador extraordinaire” and “number one volunteer”, passed away last Wednesday at age 100.

Those who have bicycled the GAP might remember him as the man who staffed the visitor's center at the Rockwood trailhead in the summer. He'd dispense information about lodging, camping and other services in high country of the bike trail, as well as share the local lore.

He became so well known along the Somerset County section of the bike trail that the office was renamed the Sembower Visitor Center …..

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/20/great-allegheny-passage-loses-ambassador-maynard-sembower/

Maynard Sembower with visitor sign

Maynard Sembower was honored for his work on the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail by having the Rockwood visitor center named for him. From the Somerset County Rails-to-Trails Association.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/20/maynard-sembower-with-visitor-sign/

Garmin scores again at Vuelta; Valverde's got it in the bag

While Spain's Alejandro Valverde is coasting to his first Grand Tour championship at the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday, Garmin-Slipstream's David Millar won the individual time trial in Toledo on Saturday.

It marked US-based Garmin's third stage victory in this Vuelta. First was Wenatchee, Washington's Tyler Farrar charging to a sprint win in Caravaca de la Cruz on Stage 11, then British Columbia's Ryder Hesjedal's survival in a breakaway to take the mountaintop finish in Alto de Velefique on Stage 12.

Except for the 2008 team time trial at the Giro d'Italia, this was the first Grand Tour victory for Great Britain's Millar since the 2006 Vuelta. Hats off to him….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/20/garmin-scores-again-at-vuelta-valverdes-got-it-in-the-bag/

James Bowthorpe sets record for around the world by bike — 175 days

When James Bowthorpe (left) arrives in London on his belt-driven Santos Travelmaster bike on Saturday, he'll set a new world record — around the world by bike in 175 days.

Last year Scotsman Mark Beaumont set the record for bicycling around the world in 194 days. Who would have guessed that mark would be broken the following year?

With one day to go, the 31-year-old Londoner has traveled 17,877 miles (and counting) on his unsupported bike tour — 103 miles a day.

That's an amazing feat considering not just the bad weather, terrain and illness he had to deal with crossing four continents, but also the time spent at border crossings and taking care of other essentials. …….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/18/james-bowthorpe-sets-record-for-around-the-world-by-bike-175-days/

James Bowthorpe on the road

A photo from James Bowthorpe's GlobeCycle at flickr.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/18/james-bowthorpe-on-the-road/

Recumbent bike speed records set in Nevada desert

Canadian cyclist Sam Whittingham broke his own record at the World Human Powered Speed Challenge in Battle Mountain, Nevada, this week.

Riding the Tempest Varna recumbent bike, Whittingham sped along at 82.438 mph over a 200 meter distance. That tops last year's record of 82.33 mph. [That's Whittingham in the video at left setting the 2008 record at Battle Mountain last year.]

Meanwhile, Barbara Buatois of France pedaled the Diablo III Varna to 72.534 mph to set the women's speed record ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/18/recumbent-bike-speed-records-set-in-nevada-desert/

Valverde still leads Vuelta with 3 stages left; Danielson drops out

Irishman Phil Deignan won Stage 18 of the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday as the Grand Tour winds down to Sunday's finish in Madrid with Alejandro Valverde still leading.

Cervelo team member Deignan attacked a 16-man breakaway to just barely beat Roman Kreuziger of Liquigas. Valverde (Caisse Epargne) maintained his 32-second lead over Robert Gesink of Rabobank.

Meanwhile, US cyclist Tom Danielson's Vuelta ended as he abandoned during the 116-mile stage to Avila …..

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/17/valverde-still-leads-vuelta-with-3-stages-left-danielson-drops-out/

Federal funding for bike trails threatened
Good news – amendments fail

Update via Virginia Bikes:

“From Andy Clarke (Bikeleague) on the TE vote: 'Phew. Coburn lost but only 39-59.' “

What is John McCain's and Tom Coburn's beef with bicycling?

The two Republican senators from Arizona and Oklahoma have offered amendments that would remove funding for transportation enhancements — such as bike and pedestrian facilities — from the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/16/federal-funding-for-bike-trails-threatenedgood-news-amendments-fail/

Vuelta a Espana — Danielson “laughs” at stomach flu

Even the official website of the Vuelta a Espana couldn't hype the action on Tuesday's Stage 16:

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“The 170 kilometres between Córdoba and Puertollano were without a doubt the most uneventful ones of the Vuelta. Right at the start, the compact peloton climbed up Alto de los Villares, and as soon as they went over the top, Andalucía-CajaSur rider Jesús Rosendo attacked.

“And that was the story for the next 150 kilometres.”

Columbia's Andre Greipel won the stage, his third in this Vuelta ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2009/09/15/vuelta-a-espana-danielson-laughs-at-stomach-flu/