2011 archive

Andre Greipel

Andre Greipel wins for Omega Pharma

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/12/andre-greipel-3/

Long-distance bicycle tour resumes after 25-year interruption

Three friends whose bicycle tour around the U.S. ended 25 years ago in a life-threatening crash will return to the road this month to complete their 8,141-mile journey.

The western New York trio plan to resume their bike tour from the scene of the crash in Seguin, Texas, on July 29 and finish the final 2,500 miles to Buffalo, N.Y., by the end of August.

It reminds me of Dutch bicyclist Frank van Dijk who returned to the U.S. last fall to complete his TransAmerica bicycle tour 34 years after it was interrupted by a collision with a car in Eureka, Kansas.

Having a bicycle-trip-of-a-lifetime cut short by a car crash must leave people with a severe sense of unfinished business ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/11/long-distance-bicycle-tour-resumes-after-25-year-interruption/

Lead changes at Tour de France as crash carnage continues;
Zabriskie, Vinokourov, Van den Broeck among victims

Update: Frenchman Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), left, earned the yellow jersey of the Tour de France on Sunday after surviving in a long breakaway that itself was not immune from a series of crashes that injured cyclists, causing at least five to abandon the race.

The Stage 9 victory went to Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank), another member of the 3-man breakaway.

That break comprised 5 cyclists — Voeckler, Sanchez, Sandy Casar (FDJ), Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky) and Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoliel) — when the most bizarre crash of the race occurred …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/10/lead-changes-at-tour-de-france-as-crash-carnage-continueszabriskie-vinokourov-van-den-broeck-among-victims/

Thomas Voeckler

Takes yellow jersey in breakaway on Stage 9

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/10/thomas-voeckler-2/

Tejay van Garderen

Native of Tacoma wins most aggressive award at Tour de France, Stage 8

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/09/tejay-van-garderen-2/

Rui Costa

Movistar cyclist wins first Tour de France victory

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/09/rui-costa/

Clear skies for 200-mile Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride

Some 10,000 cyclists of all ages and sizes took off under sunny skies for the 32nd Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic on Saturday.

It's only fitting these cyclists were blessed with good weather after so many trained for this day through spring weather that's been wetter and colder than normal.

Last year the oldest cyclist was 87 and the youngest was 1 year, 22 months. Although the official stats for 2011 haven't been posted, I'm betting that Coal, at left, might be the only dog making the trip.

His owners, first-time STPers, built a comfy, carpeted platform for him inside the Burley trailer, but Coal didn't like being cooped up. He left Seward Park on foot. I hope he chooses to hop in for ride …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/09/clear-skies-for-200-mile-seattle-to-portland-stp-bike-ride/

Three remarkable feats highlight Stage 8

A trio of sterling performances marked Stage 8 of the Tour de France on Saturday, the first day the peloton has battled in the mountains this year.

Let's start with Portugal's Rui Costa (Movistar), left. He joined a breakaway less than two miles into the 118-mile lumpy route from Aigurande and survived to the mountain-top finish at Super Besse-Sancy for his first Tour de France stage win.

After dropping his three companions in the breakaway on the final climb, Costa outlasted Phillippe Gilbert (Omega) …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/09/three-remarkable-feats-highlight-stage-8/

US cyclist Chris Horner is out of Tour de France

American cyclist Chris Horner did not start Stage 8 of the Tour de France on Saturday after spending the night in the hospital after his Friday bicycle crash.

The 39-year-old RadioShack team member from Bend, Oregon, was being held for observation after the crash because he suffered a concussion and was clearly disoriented after he was the last bicyclist to cross the finish line.

Team manager Johan Bruyneel left the following message ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/09/us-cyclist-chris-horner-is-out-of-tour-de-france/

Stage 8: The climbing begins; view of Col de la Croix


Col de la Croix Saint-Robert

Many cyclists in the Tour de France peloton must be slightly relieved that the crowded, lowland farm roads are behind them as they attack some hills in Stage 8.

The 117-mile (189km) stage from Aigurande to Super-Besse Sancy is an ever-climbing route into the Massif Central.

It includes two Category 4 climbs, a Category 2 climb at Col de la Croix Saint-Robert and a Category 3 summit finish ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/07/09/stage-8-the-climbing-begins-view-of-col-de-la-croix/