February 2012 archive

Railbike frames

One design of railbikes attaches bicycles to propel the frame along the rails. This one is from RailBikes.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/06/railbike-frames/

Alberto Contador banned in doping case; loses 2010 TdF and Giro titles

Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France and Giro d'Italia titles and banned from competing in any races until August.

The Switzerland-based Court for Arbitration of Sport handed down the two-year ban against Contador for doping with clenbuterol during 2010.

The court didn't believe Contador's claim that, during the latter stages of the 2010 …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/06/alberto-contador-banned-in-doping-case-loses-2010-tdf-and-giro-titles/

Railbikes ride in the tracks of the iron horse

Recently, I discovered the world of railroad velocipedes — bicycles that ride the rails.

What led me there was a TV reality show, “American Pickers.” One of the buyers is Mike Wolfe, a bicycle enthusiast who occasionally dredges up vintage bikes; I guess that's what originally drew my interest.

Recently, he dragged a vintage railroad handcar out of a building. It was a 100-year-old one-person machine used to inspect the railroad tracks.

It occurred to me that this might be a cool way to travel on some abandoned railways that hadn't been converted to rail-to-trail bike paths. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/06/railbikes-ride-in-the-tracks-of-the-iron-horse/

Railbiking

Posing on railbikes in Pellston, Michigan, around the turn of the last century. Photo from AntiqueBicycles.org.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/06/railbiking/

Railroad velocipede

A railroad handcar designed to be used by one person. Photo by Harvey Henkelmann.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/06/railroad-velocipede/

2012 Ride the Rockies bike tour route — Gunnison to Fort Collins

Bicycling enthusiasts on the 27th annual Ride the Rockies bicycle tour will cross five mountain passes on their way from Gunnison to Fort Collins in 2012.

The organizers of the popular event presented by the Denver Post announced this weekend the 442-mile route and seven host cities for the event that draws 2,000 riders in a lottery that leaves others waiting in the wings.

Registration for this year's June 9-15 bicycle tour runs today (Sunday) through Feb. 24. Two thousand bicyclists will be chosen at random in the lottery …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/05/2012-ride-the-rockies-bike-tour-route-gunnison-to-fort-collins/

2012 Ride the Rockies

Six days of bicycling, 5 mountain passes in 27th annual Ride the Rockies bicycle tour in 2012.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/05/2012-ride-the-rockies/

Federal criminal probe against Lance Armstrong closed; USADA still investigating

If you believed in Lance Armstrong through all the mud-slinging, government leaks and “60 Minutes” disclosures, I suppose you feel vindicated today.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles told the Associated Press that they've closed a criminal investigation into doping allegations against the 7-time Tour de France winner.

A statement from the U.S. attorney's office said Armstrong would not be criminally charged, but did not explain why. This is a breaking story as I write this; I expect more explanation will follow at VeloNews or CyclingNews.

Apparently Armstrong isn't free and clear yet, however. US Anti Doping Agency head Travis Tygert said they are still pursuing …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/04/federal-criminal-probe-against-lance-armstrong-closed-usada-still-investigating/

Erin Nelson travels around the world by bicycle

A grab shot from her video

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/03/erin-nelson-travels-around-the-world-by-bicycle/

California teen wants to be youngest solo global bike traveler

While others her age are just getting used to life after high school, Erin Nelson is taking on the world on her bicycle.

At 18, she left her home in Turlock, California, in November 2010 and pedaled across the US, Europe and Asia on an around-the-world bicycle trip that now finds her in China. [See her video below.]

Why an around-the-world bike tour? She wrote an early blog about some many people living lives of contentment:

“I don't want to be happy being content. I want to be happy because I'm making the most out of my short life so when I die I don't have regrets ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/03/california-teen-wants-to-be-youngest-solo-global-bike-traveler/