2011 archive

Michael Sprick

German cyclist Michael Sprick, center, with friends from Free Spirit Adventures in West Virginia.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/21/michael-sprick/

“Take a Seat: Sharing a Ride Across America” bicycling documentary takes awards

The 10-part cable TV documentary about a bicyclist who shared his tandem with disabled passengers on a cross-country bike trip is getting lots of recognition.

“Take a Seat: Sharing a Ride Across America” won top honors for Universal Sports Network at the CableFax Program Awards in the Best Show or Series – Sports category.

The half-hour series first aired on Universal Sports in April. It recorded the adventures and hardships of Britain's Dominic Gill as he paired up on a tandem with disabled people who undergo various hardships in their lives.

This past summer he set off to Egypt for a “Take a Seat” adventure. (See trailer)..

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/20/take-a-seat-sharing-a-ride-across-america-bicycling-documentary-takes-awards/

Two choices for citizen cyclists at 2012 l'Etape du Tour

Although the 2012 Tour de France includes a prologue and two individual time trials, the 10,000 cycling enthusiasts who take to the l'Etape du Tour will be challenged by two standard road routes.

The two bicycle rides will let citizen cyclists test themselves against the pros on actual routes from that year's Tour de France, albeit on different days.

Tour de France organizers historically chose the mountainous “queen stage” for each year's l'Etape. Last year, they broadened the participation base by announcing a second, less debilitating route.

Unfortunately, the Tour didn't produce route profiles ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/19/two-choices-for-citizen-cyclists-at-2012-letape-du-tour/

2012 Tour de France route; aka Tour de Time Trial

In the immediate slipstream of the 2012 Tour de France route announcement came speculation that the route favors Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador.

Why? They're good all around cyclists who excel in the time trial events, and the 2012 Tour just happens to have three such races-against-the-clock events.

The Tour de France, which rolls out from June 30 to July 22, will open with a prologue and tack on an individual time trial for Stage 9 and another on Stage 19, the penultimate stage. That's 96.1km of time trials, about double …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/19/2012-tour-de-france-route-aka-tour-de-time-trial/

Logo for l'Etape du Tour

Ride associated with Tour de France

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/19/logo-for-letape-du-tour-3/

Logo for l'Etape du Tour

L'Etape du Tour

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/19/logo-for-letape-du-tour-2/

Bicycle travelers honor people who help them down the road

Folks who help lighten the load for traveling bicyclists are recognized in this year's National Bicycle Travel Awards.

The Adventure Cycling Association announced the winners, based on nominations from the bicycling public.

They're people like Donn Olsen, left, who runs a bicycle bunkhouse. And Kevin Cashman, who created Apogee Adventures, an outfit that offers extreme trips for youths.

Jim's Bicycle Shop, owned by Jim Peters, in Cincinnati also received an award for helping cyclists preparing for long-distance travels, and Leslie Wills of Michigan received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her work on the U.S. Bicycle Route System.

“These folks do so much to make America a better, friendlier …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/19/bicycle-travelers-honor-people-who-help-them-down-the-road/

Bunkhouse operator honored

Donn Olson outisde the Dalbo bicycle bunkhouse in Minnesota. Photo courtesy Adventure Cycling Association.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/19/bunkhouse-operator-honored/

Tour de France 2012

Route for 2012 Tour de France.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/19/tour-de-france-2012/

Good day to be a bicyclist in Pacific Northwest

Although I'm often the first to complain about the weather, I'll have to admit this was a good day to be a bicycle rider in the Pacific Northwest.

I came upon more than the usual number of cyclists enjoying the sunny skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s.

The main conversation was the “great weather” and how we …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/10/18/good-day-to-be-a-bicyclist-in-pacific-northwest/