Team RadioShack Line-up in Paris-Roubaix 2011

Paris-Roubaix (France), 10/04/11 This Sunday one of the toughest spring classics, Paris-Roubaix, will see the riders go through 27 cobbled sectors. According to the weather reports, it will be a dry day like last year, which means less danger in the cobbled areas. Team Radioshack Line-up Riders: Fumiyuki Beppu, Ben King, Robbie McEwen, Nélson Oliveira, [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/team-radioshack-line-up-in-paris-roubaix-2011/

cycling events 2010

Tour De Wallonie ? Team Radioshack Bounces Back

After facing a great many challenges during the Tour de France earlier this month, Team Radioshack (RSH) needed to demonstrate they could still field a squad ready and able to compete at the front of the peloton. The team did just that in the five stage Tour De Wallonie, which concluded today in Thuin, Belgium. [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tour-de-wallonie-team-radioshack-bounces-back/

cycling trips

Riding the Rhine River Bicycle Route

I've talked to many Adventure Cycling members who rhapsodize about riding in Europe, including self-guided tours, where a tour company sets up your route and all your logistics (including luggage transport) and all you have to do is ride. I've done every other kind of tour option besides this one so I was excited to get the opportunity to try out a 4-day journey on the Rhine River Bicycle Route, in this case from Cologne to Karlsruhe, all in Germany. The total trip amounted to about 330 kilometers, or just over 200 miles of mostly flat terrain.

The trip was arranged for me (and full disclosure, paid for) by a consortium of 18 government agencies from four countries who are working to improve and brand the Rhine River route as a global cycling destination. I wanted to try it, both because I'm always up for a good bike ride and I wanted to get a closer look at the development and marketing of an iconic cycle route. For Adventure Cycling, this is an important perspective as we develop more of our own cycling routes and help develop official U.S. Bicycle Routes. One other reason is that I was in the neighborhood, just having participated in the first-ever conference on European Bicycle Tourism.


So what was it like? Here's the good, the not-so-good, and the Ortlieb. Mostly, it was awesome. The 200+ miles I traveled went through some beautiful areas, including gorgeous vineyards and rolling countryside. Even better were the very cool cities and towns, so compact, welcoming and colorful. The people were friendly and the late September/early October weather was perfect, with 60-70 degree days and mostly blue skies, with a little river fog in the morning. I was generally able to stay on the route while enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of the area. There were also many accommodation choices from neatly maintained private campgrounds to 1- to 5-star hotels. Unlike big parts of the U.S., the area is so settled that you don't have to carry much gear because there will always be a shop or restaurant right around the corner, though on Sundays, most of those shops are closed.

What was the not so good? It really depends on your taste, but if you are not keen on riding flat terrain, this may not be for you. But adjacent to the route, there are plenty of quiet paths and roads up into the hillsides, with spectacular views. In the lovely town of Rudescheim am Rhein, there are paved public walkways and bikeways that rise up 1,000 feet to stunning vistas of vineyards, the river, and a huge swath of Germany and France. Another heads-up: You will periodically navigate away from the river and around some major industrial sites -- but these are only occasional and to me, they were part of the route's attraction. Seeing not only beautiful countryside and interesting towns, but also real life, and industry of all kinds is important as it has been part of life on the Rhine for centuries.

Really, the only problem I encountered was that the signage sometimes lost me, and it wasn't just a language issue. The coordinator for the route development project, Melanie Vidin, had alerted me to this issue and told me that they will be revising the signage in a major way next year. So that's good news for folks wanting to experience this always-stimulating route.

Finally, the Ortlieb. In the U.S., you see a McDonald's every few miles. In Germany, you see Ortlieb panniers everywhere! (Of course, I had one for my everyday stuff.) As a veteran bike traveler, it was so wonderful to see so many bikes with such high quality panniers. It was also wonderful to see so many people riding on this route, from seniors down to little kids, for multi-day trips and day rides. If Adventure Cycling and our partners can even come close to this type of popularity on our routes or on U.S. Bicycle Routes, we will have done something magical.

For more information on the Rhine River Bicycle Route, which travels from the Netherlands to Switzerland and also happens to be Route #15 in the EuroVelo continental cycling network, visit the Rhine River route's webpage.  Auf Wiedershen!

Top photo: Early morning fog on the Rhine River not far from Rudescheim am Rhein; middle photo: Jim with dreams of a riverfront castle and vineyard, in the background.; bottom photo: Sample signage along the route, which is due for an upgrade in 2013.

--

JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.


Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/10/riding-rhine-river-bicycle-route.html

cycling events 2010

Routes & Mapping Comes to Portland Oregon!

If you live in the Portland, Oregon vicinity consider yourself invited to an Adventure Cycling Regional Gathering on Tuesday, October 16th -- members and non-members alike are welcome to attend this event.

Most of the Routes & Mapping staff -- namely Routes & Mapping Director Carla Majernik, and GIS Specialists and Cartographers Nathan Taylor and Melissa Thompson -- will be on hand to talk what else? Routes and maps! [Unfortunately, I will be tied up with NACIS board (North American Cartographic Information Society) business that evening and unable to attend.]

Specifically they plan to share a little history, an overview of our mapmaking process and an inside peek at our newest route in development -- Bicycle Route 66 -- including a look at what it's like to research a route on the road.

I hope you can join them for the evening. It is being held at the downtown Bike Gallery location (1001 SW 10th Ave.) from 6 PM to 8 PM. Come chat with fellow cyclists and meet the staff.

Please RSVP to Beth Peterson at infoATadventurecyclingDOTorg or 800-755-2453 if you think you'll drop by.

--

GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures, and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/10/routes-mapping-comes-to-portland-oregon.html

cycling trips

Cross purposes!

In lots of ways, a cyclocross bike makes the perfect bike-to-work purchase.  Comfortable and stable, with clearance for mudguards, sensible gearing, high volume tyres and drop handlebars, it will serve you well on the daily commute and the odd blast on a local bridleway. If you are one of the many riders who have taken [...]

Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2012/10/08/cross-purposes/

2011 tour de france

Recap at The Giro?s Halfway Point

Today marked the 10th stage of this year?s 3,525 kilometer (2190+ mile), 21-stage Giro d?Italia. Some of the great racing so far will not soon be forgotten, but unfortunately this year?s 94th edition of the race may be most remembered for the horrible tragedy that befell one of its up-and-coming stars on Monday?s stage 3. [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/recap-at-the-giro%e2%80%99s-halfway-point/

padded cycling shorts

Reynolds Carbon Wheel Upgrades ? Available Now

We’ve been thinking long and hard about the best possible brand of wheels to offer as upgrades on our RANGE OF BIKES. After much head scratching and fondling of sexy carbon products, we’re confident in having made a great decision. REYNOLDS CARBON WHEELS are now available as upgrade options on all bikes. From our assessment, [...]

Source: http://blog.bike-science.com/2012/10/15/reynolds-carbon-wheel-upgrades-available-now

cycling training

Podium girl, or more?

What was I doing on the podium in Colorado? Was I a podium girl?  No.  I will call it a presenter.  I was able to work with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge for Exergy Development Group.  One of my jobs entailed presenting the leader’s jersey. Believe me, I prefer to be 0n the podium for winning bike races…but…this isn’t so bad, is it? My days included riding most of the courses with the Carmichael Training System group, and then quickly transitioning to the hospitality tent and then on to the...

Source: http://alisonstarnes.com/podium-girl-or-more/

cycling events 2010