Bad Chip Seal on an Iconic Route

Cyclists face a lot of nemeses on the road, from rumble strips to distracted drivers. Another one is bad chip seal. As a periodic driver (and friend of quite a few road engineers), I know the value of this aggregate material and process for covering and preserving roadways -- but only when it's done right. And in California, we have a classic example of when it's done wrong. On a beautiful and important 25+ mile stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway(PCH), between Cambria and Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) resurfaced the roadway with big, chunky aggregate (including 3/8" to 1/2" pieces). This causes lots of problems for cyclists; it creates an unstable surface (especially for skinny-tire bikes), masks potholes and other hazards, and results in big piles of the aggregate taking over the shoulder, which forces cyclists into the travel lane. Already, one cyclist has been taken down by this poorly done chip seal, and has suffered a broken hip.

As someone who has ridden the entire Pacific Coast route with my family, and who knows how important the PCH is to locals and to riders worldwide (including as part of Adventure Cycling's most popular route, the Pacific Coast), I am disappointed by Caltrans' erroneous decision to use the larger aggregate. Caltrans can act today to fix this by re-doing the chip seal with smaller aggregate that is cycling-friendly. Along with our California friends, Adventure Cycling has protested to Caltrans, and you can too, through this petition. Even if you don't live in California, it's worth letting Caltrans know how important this route is to cyclists everywhere. Sign the petition today -- and thanks for your interest and help.

Photos: Imagine trying to ride your road bike on this huge chip seal aggregate! Photos by Mike Evans.

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JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.


Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2013/01/bad-chip-seal-on-iconic-route.html

cycling training camps

Tour de France?Without Lance

A few years ago the Tour de France experienced a time of transition. For seven years Lance Armstrong stood on the podium wearing the yellow jersey. When he announced his retirement we all new things would change. Americans loved being represented by such a dominant champion. The years between his retirement and comeback were interesting. [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tour-de-france-without-lance/

cycling training plans

TdF Stage 15 ? Sprinters Rule

Covering 193 kilometers, or 120 miles of pedaling in today?s 15th stage, the Tour revisited 2 cities in the southwest of France that it?s come through many times in the past, Limoux at the start and Montpellier at the finish. Montpellier near the Mediterranean shore holds fond memories for the 2 Robbies on Team RadioShack [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tdf-stage-15-sprinters-rule/

cycling holidays uk

Here?s what the future of cycling in London looks like

Last week, cycle campaigners up and down the UK, choked on their morning cup of coffee, in sheer shock, as TfL revealed their plans for extending Cycle Superhighway 2. The plans provide a glimpse in to the future of cycling in London. A future that cycle campaigners have been screaming for. It has to be [...]

The post Here’s what the future of cycling in London looks like appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

Source: http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/heres-what-the-future-of-cycling-in-london-looks-like/

winter cycling gear

Stories in the Snow, Winter Travel


Although the cold demands respect, I love nothing more than to muck about, marveling at the beauty of winter and finding stories in the snow. My partner Bill loves identifying bicycle tracks, and as he shouts out the treads, I try to learn the difference between the Escalator, the Larry, the Big Fat Larry, the Nate, etc. But I always fall short, distracted by a fresh mouse or ermine track, a glimpse into the lives of the forest dwellers. Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or snow biking, it doesn't really matter, with all the different tracks to see, it's high drama out there!

Larry tracks above, I think.
Also, as Bill speeds ahead down the trail, I have no problem slowing down to see what all the going's about. There?s really nothing like a fresh layer of fluff to enliven the snowy expanse. Once you?re comfortable identifying the foot-steppers, its even more fun to piece together the different journey in  the snow in front of you, which tree was climbed, why the 90 degree turn, or a beeline for the ridge?

You can see the touch-down of the wings in the photo above, where the squirrel tracks suddenly end. Sometimes the tracks aren't as delicate or as intriguing ...
 


I came upon the scene in this photo, Bill was fine, some of the extra fluff cushioned his landing, and a small rib in the road caused the careening of the bike. A crash complete with helmet imprints and foot steps leading away from the scene.



I hope you can get out to enjoy the winter, set some fresh tracks and discover the wonder.  Also, check out some options for trips with Adventure Cycling Association. We're setting some new tracks with a few brand-new tours:

Southern Sampler - May 11 - 22
Bar Harbor, Maine Inn to Inn - June 8 - 15

Also, grab some friends and check out some high adventure on some of these tours:

Sierra Cascades - May 25 - July 30
Freedom Flyer - June 26 - July 4

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ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team -- Mo, Paul, Madeline, and Arlen -- tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's tours Department. Check out our 2013 Tours!


Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2013/01/stories-in-snow-winter-travel.html

cycling exercise

Urban Assault Rides taking the year off; bicycle obstacle race to return in 2014

All good things must end, or go on hiatus, and so it is for the Urban Assault Rides sponsored by New Belgium Brewery. The obstacle-course/scavenger-hunt-style bicycling event that visits 10 cities every year has been put on hold, organizers say, while they use 2013 for a "planning and development" year. "Now that we look to the future, we see that the Urban Assault Ride is poised for a rebirth. Our goal is for the UAR to be known as ...

Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/2013/01/24/urban-assault-rides-taking-the-year-off-bicycle-obstacle-race-to-return-in-2014/

le tour de france

Bicycle-oriented brewery in Ballard is still seeking ?backers?

Bicycles and micro-brewed beer seem to go together. There’s more to both than first meets the eye.

So it’s pleasant news that a micro brewery and tasting room — Peddler Brewing Co. — is set to open in Ballard.

Of course there are other bars and micro-breweries that enjoy a bicycling clientele in the Seattle …

Continue reading »

Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/2013/01/17/bicycle-oriented-brewery-in-ballard-is-still-seeking-backers/

cycling in london

Recap: Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen)

Hills are bad enough, Pave is not a preferred surface for cycling. Put the two together and you have a punishing prospect for a cycle race. And so it is with the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Thrills, spills leg-pain, guts and all out exhaustion are guaranteed in every running of this World Pro Tour race. Falling [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/recap-tour-of-flanders-ronde-van-vlaanderen/

tour de france route