Lance Armstrong’s Return To Cycling May Exclude Tour de France

Lance Armstrong has publicly stated that his return to professional cycling may not include the 2009 Tour de France.  This comes as a big surprise to many of us who have thought that Lance was coming back to cycling for the Tour, alone.  After seven Tour de France victories, a troubling bout with cancer, the launching of an international non-profit organization, and a huge performance enhancing drug outburst in the world of cycling, Lance Armstrong’s return may be for more reasons than to clear his name from any previous allegations of blood doping.  That surprises some, but not all of us.

Lance Armstrong is a competitive machine.  He has been a winner at everything he has done.  7 Tour de France victories should testify to his abilities.  One thing that Lance Armstrong has the uncannny ability of doing, is generating publicity.  I know he says he ‘may’ not ride the Tour, but with all of the previous publicity of his return announcement, it would be awefully hard for him to not show up.

Much of the latest news is coming after Tour organizers have failed to acknowledge that they will allow Lance Armstrong to return to the 2009 Tour de France.  Their indecisiveness has resulted in Lance Armstrong now looking at other options.  This may be a ‘cat and mouse’ game.  We all know that the Tour needs Lance Armstrong WAY more than Lance needs the Tour.  Organizers will be very hard pressed to explain why Lance Armstrong is not riding in 2009  when publicity, revenue, and viewership are placed in question.  Lance Armstrong draws all three, and I am pretty sure he has the upper hand in what is going on here.  Let’s hope that they can all come to some agreement.  I would like to see how he fairs after a couple of years away from the sport.

The Bike That Makes You Go ‘Hmmm’..

Here is an odd looking contraption that has been invented by a resilient Los Angelas inventor.  I am not sure of the purpose of the ride (cycling in tight spaces has been mentioned) but it is definitely interesting.  I am guessing that this contraption gets it’s foundation from the combination of cycling and the pure love of Merry-Go-Rounds.  Who would have put that combination together?  Robert Weschler, of course!

Weschler used the parts of 30 different bicycles to make his dreamland fantasy-go-round for cyclists a reality.  Not only can you sit and spin, but now you can do so at 15 mph. 

Remember when it use to suck when the one person pushing the merry-go-round would run out of steam?  Now you can get those speeds that you craved as a child.  You don’t even have to worry about slipping and taking a steel pole to the groin, anymore.  What could be better than that?

I could put one of these contraptions in the garage, invite all the family children over, and not have to hear from them for hours-=-this sounds like a worthy cause to me.  Sign me up!

Credit for bringing this cycling invention to my attention goes out to the BikingBis blog.  Click HERE to see more photos and information.

Lance Armstrong Comes Out Of Retirement…Then Goes Back In

Update: Lance Armstrong Announces His Return <<<  Click it

Lance Armstrong may have had the fastest comeback/re-retirement party in history.  News started spreading around the online communities today that Lance Armstrong was coming out of retirement to ride in the 2009 Tour de France, as well as four or five other races.  The sources claimed that Lance had signed a deal with cycling powerhouse Astana, but that he was awaiting a more formal announcement.

That formal announcement would come a few hours later.  Astana released a statement saying that they were NOT in talks with Lance Armstrong and that he would not be riding with them in 2009, or any other time for that matter.  Those of us who are fans of Lance Armstrong were quickly brought back to Earth.

Much like other sports in the United States, sometimes ‘feelers’ are thrown out there to see what kind of reaction might take place.  If Lance comes back, it would be a monumental moment in the world of cycling–that is, if he was successful.  On the other hand, if he comes back and places 180th in the Tour de France it could turn into ridicule.  He left the world of professional cycling standing on top of the world.  After he captured his seventh Tour de France victory, Lance stepped off the professional stage to concentrate on his LiveStrong organization.  Many felt that he had nothing left to prove, including Lance.

Lance Armstrong left the sport just as the controversy of performance enhancing drugs took hold.  In the years since his retirement, there have been some very public instances of cyclists getting caught doping.  The sport has tried to clean up it’s act, but it is having a hard time of doing so when some of the top riders in the industry have been caught, suspended, and even banned from the sport they love.

Lance Armstrong was the face of professional cycling.  His seven Tour de France victories only fueled the fire.  Many riders complained that Lance had to have been using performance enhancers to domminate the sport for so long.  This has never been proven or acknowledged by Lance Armstrong.

What would a Lance Armstrong comeback do?

Read more

Ian Hibell, Famed Adventure Cyclist and Author, Killed After Collision With Car In Greece

Ian Hibell spent the last 40 years of his life touring the world on bicycle.  Between 1971 and 1973, Ian Hibell would become the official bearer of the title “first person to complete a Trans-Americas expedition by land.”   He started off at Cape Horn and finished his bike ride in Alaska three years later.  He would later write a book, “Into The Remote Places”, that would explore this journey, as well as many others he had completed along the way.

On August 23rd, 2008, while touring on bike in Greece, Ian Hibell was tragically killed after a collision with a vehicle.  This sad ending to a life of discovery comes at a time when Ian Hibell’s story is looked upon as inspiration for those adventurous spirits that followed and continue to follow his journeys.

Along with Ian’s “Trans-America’s” expedition, he also made a valiant journey from Europe to the Cape of Good Hope–proving that once again he was up for a challenge.

After Ian’s book was published he began speaking to audiences in the United States and Great Britain..even lecturing an audience at Yale University.  He was able to reach out and touch many lives that, at that time, would probably have never thought about venturing out.

Through all of the fame, Ian never lost site of his goals.  He never lived a lavish life of luxury, but his life was lived, lavished in adventure.  At one point, Ian even designed and used front and back luggage racks, rather than buy them new.  He was known to do this with much of his gear, as much out of necessity or need in those wild areas of the world that he ventured.

The driver who hit Ian Hibell on August 23rd has not been found.  He left the scene of an accident that truly took away one of adventuring’s greats.  He will be missed by his family, friends, and those he met in his travels and speeches, as well as the hundreds of thousands that continue to read and discover his story.

sources:  BikeBiz, EcoVelo, and Wikipedia

Lance Armstrong Enters Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race

The mountain biking world has been put on notice–Lance Armstrong has entered and is training for the Leadville 100.   The seven-time Tour de France champion has signed up to compete in one of the world’s highest and toughest mountain bike races.  Lance’s entry in to the realm of Mountain Bike racing could be cause for concern to the other 1,000 entrants.

Lance Armstrong hasn’t raced professionally since his last Tour de France win in 2005.  He abruptly retired after taking home his 7th Tour de France victory.  In recent years, Lance Armstrong has been concentrating on running his LiveStrong foundation for cancer research and has ventured a time or two to the New York City marathon.

Hearing that Lance is actually training for this event, makes one think that he is going in to win-something he knows a lot about.  I can’t speak for everyone, but I know I will be glad to see him competing again-

Win or not, just having Lance Armstrong enter the event will bring much attention to the mountain biking world.

Lance will be competing against mountain biking Hall of Fame inductee Dave Weins, who has won the Leadville 100  5 times and now holds the race speed record.  You might remember Weins for sucessfully beating out 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis, who raced in the 2007 Leadville 100 after being banned from the Tour de France for doping in 2006.

Maybe seeing a fellow Tour de France champion go down in flames, sparked the interest in Armstrong.  It shoul;d be noted that Lance did enter last years event, but due to conflicting schedules was unable to make the race.  It is not known if Floyd Landis will be returning to the Leadville 100 this year, or not.  He placed second in last years race, but that would add a bit more competition for Lance, as well.

Fat Cyclist: When All You Need Is A Little Laughter

Fat Cyclist.com has got to be one of the most entertaining biking blogs that I have ever read.  The title draws you in with brief images of fat people in spandex chugging up a big hill.  Luckily that image isn’t part of the program (yet).

Fat Cyclist.com does put a funny spin on the world of cycling.  Perhaps it’s popularity derives from the normal biker–sure we would all love to be a Lance Armstrong, but in reality most of us are just normal individuals who love to bike.  Fat Cyclist pertains to that crowd.  My crowd.

I started reading this blog yesterday and before I knew it I had spent the better part of two hours laughing.  I was able to dig in a bit and see just what makes the Fat Cyclist tick.  It is definitely the humor, mixed in with a good dose of reality.

Elden, who runs the Fat Cyclist blog, is anything but fat.  His blog’s name does come from an experience of wanting to lose some weight, where Elden thought if he posted his daily weight to the world via his blog, perhaps he could use it for inspiration.  Instead his blog has become quite popular in cycling circles.  Much of that can be attributed to the humorous spin on cycling that Elden has.

Check out The Next Big Thing In Sport’s Nutrition and his latest, The Bike Limiter, for a taste of the humor dished out.  You will quickly see why this has become one of my new daily digs.

Elden’s penchant for humor also comes with a serious side.  His wife is currently undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer.  Eldon takes us through this process with some sense of grace.  I know I wouldn’t be reacting the same way, but Eldon does share even the smallest of details.  It is a rare combination to make people laugh and smile, as well as teach them about something as worthy as breast cancer and the treatment process of said cancer.  He educates, he informs, and he makes us think and laugh.

One of the privileges of Fat Cyclist and being in the cycling community is that Eldon actually has a voice.  He has decided to use that voice to help with the treatment of his wife’s terrible disease by designing and selling a “Fat Cyclist” jersey on his sight.  Proceeds go towards his wife’s medical bills.  Not only can you feel good about helping with such a personal cause, but you also get a cool piece of schwag to show your support for Eldon and his wife.  I do have to say they are quite stylish and a very hot item around cycling circles.  Last year’s jersey quickly sold out.

Go check out Eldon’s (or ‘Fatty’ as he is commonly known as) Fat Cyclist blog.  If you don’t trust me that it is funny, then make sure your first stop is his post, The Day I Hated Brad.  It is hilarious and I am sure all of us have a “brad” in our own lives.  Don’t believe me?  Go read it.  You’ll soon find out that you know one.

I have added Fat Cyclist to my right sidebar under ‘biking blogs’.  I thought that if I wanted to read it everyday, then you might too.  I have also added a link to another biking blog–Epic Riding.  I haven’t had a chance to dig in to that one yet, but when I do, I am sure you will hear about it.  Go check them both out, they are both nice reads.  By the way, Eldon, I wish your wife (and you) well as you continue the fight.

By the way, if you would like to help Eldon’s cause, click the jersey photo at the top of this post.  I have conveniently linked this to the Fat Cyclist gear catalog so you can browse all the cool wear.  I particularly like the socks and the Fat Cyclist T-Shirt.  You could really make a statement at your local McDonald’s!

The Race Across America Starts Today

The 2008 Race Across America starts today.  For those of you that may not be familiar with this race, it is a grueling 3,000 mile road bike race from sunny Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland.  The race continues 24 hours a day for 12 days straight, with no time for rest, or no stages, as in the Tour de France.  All riders continue at their own will, rest when they want, but any rest will surely be cause for concern as other riders are always pedaling on.

The route covers 3,000 miles across 14 separate states with an elevation gain of 100,000 Ft. over the length of the course.  Solo racers can cover this ground in 9 to 12 days, covering 250 to 350 miles per day.  Teams can get it done a bit quicker as they rotate riders, often covering the 3,000 mile span in 6 to 9 days, with an average of 350 to 500 miles pedaled per day.

From the Race Across America website:

The Race Across America is one of the most respected and longest running annual endurance events holding legendary stature the world over. It is one of the pinnacles of sporting accomplishment, globally seen as the highest rung of the ultra-endurance sports ladder. Since 1982, RAAM has a rich and storied history standing as a monument to human endeavors.

The Race Across America is an event so staggering that merely to finish is, for most, the accomplishment of a lifetime. RAAM inspires everyone that it touches. A monumental race contested with the utmost of sportsmanship and zeal. Truly, RAAM is larger than life. A breeding ground for champions, a testing ground for elite riders and a shining example of the strength of human spirit.

The Race Across America is not only a test of strength, stamina, and determination, but also a test of mental aptitude and will power.  The athletes who compete in the Race Across America range in age from 18 to over 70 and involve Pro powerhouse teams and amateurs alike.  Most are like you and I, trying to finish one of the greatest tests of endurance in the world.  Just finishing is a prize worthy of praise.

I don’t have the space to go in to a team by team rundown on this site, but for all 21 PAGES worth of active participants this year, you can click this LINK to learn more about who is participating.  I will also try to offer up few updates as I get them.  Check out the Race Across America website for some more cool information including the 26 year history of this event.  The Adventurist wishes all the competitors well.

Cycling the Lewis and Clark Trail

For those of you that look for high adventure and a trip of some length,  you might just take an interest in following the Lewis and Clark Bicycling Trail.

The trail was created to celebrate the Corps of Discovery’s 1804-1806 historic route that Lewis and Clark travelled themselves.  You will begin in Hartford, Illinois and finish 3,600 miles later in Williston, North Dakota.

The Trail, as mapped, includes 7 different parts of the famed Lewis and Clark trail going to Washington State.  You will then follow the Yellowstone River in a return journey to North Dakota following Clark’s 1806 eastbound return path.

Each section of this trail has been mapped out for the adventure cycling afficianado and is available for download at the Adventure Cycling Association website.

So if you have a few months to kill and are looking for a grand adventure of historical proportions, then why not check out the Lewis and Clark trail?

This Week in Adventure Sports Weekly–08/22/07

The new issue of Adventure Sports Weekly has been released.  One thing I truly do like about this new magazine is that it is so varied…there is something there for everyone.

This week, Adventure Sports Weekly takes us to the XTERRA Mountain Championships Off-road Triathalon–one of the biggest events of it’s kind in the world.  There were roughly 600 participants at this years event, which is also a qualifier for the World Championships held in Hawaii–this is a pretty good read and involves a first-person account of the event from one of it’s participants..Jeff Harrison.

Next we get an inside look at the youngest PRO Skater in the world, Nyjah Houston.  At 11 years old, he already is riding on the Pro Circuit and has all the usual sponsors to foot the bill.  Many of you will probably recognize Nyjah from the recent X Games–his waist-length dreads are hard to miss.  Greg Baerg from Lat34 fame is credited with the article–and actually had a chance to speak with the young Nyjah about his future and his present..quite entertaining and I am sure we will be hearing much, much more out of this youngster in the years to come.

Next up comes Adventure Sports Weekly’s Climbing Editor Patrick Welsh.  His weekly column dealing with his personal climbing experience–He is a climbing expert working with Black Diamond, has become an Adventure Sports Weekly staple and highly entertaining at that.

This week’s column, “Hanging by a Thread“, takes a look at the unpredictable nature of climbing…His title says it all.  Scary, but many of us know where he is coming from.

Probably the most entertaining piece in this weeks issue happens to cover a sport that gets little coverage in the press…haha…The Roller Derby!

Some of us who grew up in the late 80’s and early 90’s may remember the Roller Derby being on TV weekly.  That was the hayday..but this sport has started a new growth spurt in recent times.

This article comes to us from Jen Phillon, a member of the Death Dealers Roller Derby team and gives an account of a recent night at the Derby and the amazing comeback that ensued.  Great Piece that brought back alot of fun memmories.

Overall, I think this may be the strongest issue I have read to date.  Covers a lot of different things.  As I have mentioned earlier, I am in the process of writing some material myself for Adventure Sports Weekly..so we can all look forward to that in the future…Go check it out and tell me what you think.

Biking Across America with Steve Slovacek and Matt Purdy–The Interview

I recently had the opportunity to introduce all of you to a couple of guys biking their way across the States, Steve Slovacek and Matt Purdy.  They began in New Jersey…and unfortunately due to mitigating circumstances in Pittsburgh, had to split up on their journey…but they are both continuing on..seperate but with one goal in mind:  reaching the West Coast.

With Steve sitting in Chicago a couple of days ago and Matt crossing the great state of Ohio, I have been able to get in touch with both and they have granted me this special interview.

This should clue everyone in on not only what it takes to partake of such an adventure, but also a bit of what can be expected. 

The Adventurist will be posting regular updates on both of their progress on this grand adventure every three to five days, but until that next update, let’s see what these two have to say.  Steve Slovacek’s Comments will be in Blue, while Matt’s is in Purple.  Hope you all enjoy.

Biking Across America

The Steve Slovacek and Matt Purdy Interview

 

First off guys, Welcome to The Adventurist!  About a week or so ago I ran across a site talking about your current project of bicycling across the United States.  I think all of us would like to know how one comes up with this sort of crazy project.  How did this all get started?

I honestly can’t remember what the exact impetus was for this trip… or even the moment that the decision was made to do so. But I’m sure it was shortly after discovering the rich online community that has developed around these adventures. Knowing that a loose infrastructure is already in place makes this sort of thing seem so much less crazy. And also… Once you start to consider the idea, you start noticing other people who are doing the same thing, and start hearing stories of others who have already done the same thing…. It develops a momentum of its own.

I’ve wanted to travel across the country by bicycle since college, but I didn’t  feel confident enough to do it. I’ve been commuting by bike in Chicago for the past couple of years, so I felt ready about this time last summer. I chose the Northern Tier because it covered the portion of the country that I’m most unfamiliar with. That and I also thought the scenery would be the best, especially going through Montana. I thought it might be a good idea to find someone to ride with and I found a post that Steve made on Crazy Guy On A Bike looking to ride with someone along the Northern Tier for the most part. I responded and we worked out the dates. The prospect of riding in New York City was exciting to me.

What did your families think? Read more

Filed Under Biking, Biking Across America, Cycling, Matt Purdy, New Jersey, Ohio, Pitsburgh, Steve Slovocek |  

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