Cycling Moments

Cycling Moments. What kind of cycling moments will this years 2008 Tour de France bring?

Popularity: 5% [?]

Supercharge Your Sprint

By Chris Carmichael    

You see it in small towns and big cities all over the world, from teenagers to 70-year-old men, the twitchiness and sideways glances as the city-limit sprint draws near. Sprinting is one of the primary components of cycling, for racers and recreational riders alike, but it’s often neglected in training programs.

Even Lance had to work on sprinting. When he was a young rider, he had a strong finish–he won his first Tour de France stage in 1993, at age 21, in a sprint from a breakaway group. But when his post-cancer focus shifted to winning the yellow jersey, sprinting took a back seat to climbing and time-trial training, and by 2003 I was worried about his explosive power. During his preparation for the 2004 Tour de France, the sixth he would win, I reintroduced sprint workouts into his training program. There are two primary components to a powerful sprint–acceleration and top-end speed–and after working on both that winter, Lance sprinted to victories in three of the five stages he won in that year’s Tour de France.

But don’t think of sprint training as useful only at the finish line. It’s also critical for bridging gaps, initiating breakaways, attacking on short climbs and accelerating out of turns during criteriums. It can also save your hide: In my 30-plus years on a bike, a quick sprint has saved me from being caught by dogs and hit by drivers running red lights at least as many times as it helped me win races. Here are two simple workouts you can use to power up your sprint.

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Popularity: 6% [?]

Jan Ullrich pays up to end fraud case

Disgraced former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich has paid a “six figure” fine to end a fraud case which has dogged him since July 2006, the public prosecutor in Bonn said Monday.

Prosecutors had accused the 1997 Tour de France winner of taking performance-enhancing drugs, leading under German law to fraud charges against the 34-year-old on the basis he deceived the public, sponsors and his team.

“The Bonn prosecutor has, with the agreement of the seventh Bonn chamber of appeal, decided to lay aside procedures in the case of suspected fraud targeting Jan Ullrich,” the prosecutor’s office said, adding the fine was “in six figures” without elaborating further.

On his website Ullrich said he was happy with the outcome. “The payment of this fine is not a recognition of guilt … it allows (me) to free my family from the pressure surrounding this procedure,” he said.

“I never cheated anyone in my whole career nor did I prejudice anyone. I was always a loyal sportsman, my victories were the result of hard work and passion for my sport,” he insisted.

Ullrich has insisted he did not take banned substances but has paid up a sum reported to be anything between 100,000 and one million euros, a sum reported Saturday by Focus news magazine on its website.

Under German law, Ullrich, who retired early last year, had the option to settle the matter out of court if he paid up and duly did so. German law does not recognise doping as such, hence the charge of fraud.

Despite the denials by the former leader of the T-Mobile team in April last year German officials indicated that DNA tests had suggested blood samples uncovered in the wake of the Puerto investigation in Spain were from the racer. As a result of that investigation T-Mobile sacked Ullrich and he retired in February last year.

The 32-year-old still faces further investigation in Germany and Switzerland in connection with the Spanish affair.

© AFP 2008

Jan Ullrich (AFP/Getty Images)

Popularity: 4% [?]

Ride-Strong.com FREEBIE write up. Infinit Nutrition giveaway.

Pictured above Tyler Ford of Ride-Strong.com cycling blog and Michael Folan of  Infinit Nutrition at the Ironman Arizona expo in Tempe, AZ at Temp Town Lakes.

Michael has been kind to hook up a lucky Ride-Strong.com reader with a FREE custom blend of Infinit Nutrition. Simply comment on this post and we will pick a lucky winner on Wednesday April 16, 2008. The winner will be able to create their own Infinit sports blend, so comment away.

If you are not familiar with Infinit Nutrition you need to take a look. It is a way cool product and concept!

Infinit is a DIFFERENT kind of nutritional drink company, a BETTER sports drink. A custom blended sports drink made simple. There easy-to-use online slider system allows YOU to create a formulated based on YOUR unique needs by adjusting the flavor level, the number of calories per serving, the electrolyte level and even add protein and caffeine.

If you would like to place an order for Infinit Nutrition click on the banner below.

Pictured below the easy to use slider system that allows YOU to create your own sports drink formula.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

Bartlett Lake - One of Phoenix, AZ top bike rides

This weekend is the Ironman Arizona Triathlon in Temp, AZ and I had to run up to Phoenix to meet with some RoadBikeRides.com and Ride-Strong.com advertisers at the Ironman Arizona Expo. I decided to take my bike and make a day out of it. Everyone is always talking about the ride out to Bartlett Lake which I had never done until today. It was challenging but an awesome ride!

If you are looking for a scenic but challenging ride in Scottsdale, AZ then check out the ride to Bartlett Lake.  It is one of the top 10 rides in Phoenix, AZ. Pictured above and below Bartlett Lake as you descent down towards the lake and the turn around point.

This is an out an back ride with tons of climbing. If you do the whole ride there is 4,794 feet of climbing. Check out the profile below to get an idea of the ride. You can start anywhere along the route if you want to decrease the mileage.

For ride and map details on the Bartlett Lake Road Bike Ride check out RoadBikeRides.com by Clicking Here.

As always RideStrong™!

http://www.roadbikerides.com/ride/view/bartlett_lake/189

Popularity: 7% [?]

How is the economy affecting your spending on cycling products?

How is the economy affecting your spending on cycling products this year?

Please take a second to cast your vote on the poll below or even comment on the post.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Popularity: 6% [?]

Garmin Edge 605

Suggested retail price: $400
Source:  bike shops, catalogs
Size: 2×4.3×1 in. (5.1×10.9×2.5 cm) WxHxD
Weight:  3.7 oz. (104.9 g)
Battery: rechargeable li-polymer (15 hours)
Features: wireless, programmable, water resistant, 5 to 122F ( -15 to 50C) operating temperature
GARMIN EDGE 605 GPS
Garmin Edge 705 With Heart

HOT!

• high-resolution color display

• moving map display

• no wires

• keep a detailed training log without writing a thing

not!

• lacks heart rate

• GPS altimeter, not barometric

• detailed maps costs around $140 

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Popularity: 16% [?]

10 Recommend Cycling Books

Just got done reading Training and Racing with a Power Meter by Hunter Allen and thought it was excellent. I have been training with a Power Tap power meter for the last couple of years and wanted to better understand how to train and race with power. If you train with a power meter I would highly recommend the book.

Below is a list of good cycling reads that are not in any particular order.

1. Training and Racing with a Power Meter by Hunter Allen

2. The Cyclist’s Training Bible by Joe Friel

3. It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back by Lance Armstrong

4. Positively False: The Real Story of How I Won the Tour de France By Floyd Landis

5. Bicycling and the Law: Your Rights as a Cyclist By Bob Mionske

6. Paris-Roubaix: A Journey Through Hell By Philippe Bouvet, Pierre Callewaert, Jean-Luc Gatellier, Laget Serge

7. Marco Pantani: The Legend of a Tragic Champion From VeloPress

8. Every Second Counts by Lance Armstrong

9. Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance (2nd Edition) By Lennard Zinn

10. Base Building for Cyclists: A New Foundation for Endurance and Performance By Thomas Chapple

Popularity: 10% [?]

Trek v. Greg LeMond

Trek filed a complaint against  Greg Lemond in the Western District of Wisconsin today, requesting declaratory relief that (i) it has not breached the “best efforts clause” of the LeMond/Trek Licensing Agreement and (ii) Trek has a right to terminate the agreement.

The basic allegation is that LeMond’s comments about Lance has hurt both the LeMond and the Trek brand and thus LeMond has breached his obligation to “render his services hereunder in a professional and conscientious manner.”  Trek is hoping to get out of the licensing agreement, which was set to run through 2010.

There are other allegations that LeMond was taking advantage of the employee discounts, but obviously that’s not the real fireworks here.

Link Here

Popularity: 11% [?]

Ride-Strong Hits 500 RSS Subscribers $100 Cash Winner

On Monday April 7, 2008 Ride-Strong.com just hit 500 RSS subscribers and we want to thank our readers for being active on the cycling blog. As a way to show some love, we are giving away $100 bucks to a lucky winner of the post below.

www.ride-strong.com/who-wants-100-cash-subscribe-to-ride-strong-feed-contest

The lucky winner who commented on the above post is Bradly Fletchall of Bicycle Frenzy pictured to the left. We will be cutting Bradly a check for $100. Bradly is having an RSS feed giveaway on his site as well. Check out www.bicyclefrenzy.com/232/win-cool-stuff-from-bicyclefrenzy  for details.

We have some cool giveaways to come so keep checking back to the Ride-Strong.com cycling blog.

As you can see blow Ride-Strong.com hit 500 RSS subscribers which means only 500 more subscribers until the Colnago bike giveaway. Will you be the lucky winner? Spread the word.

As always be safe on the road and RIDESTRONG!

Popularity: 9% [?]