Category: Cycling

iMapMyApp Tracks Your Whole Workout

Whatever mode you plan for your outdoor workout, iMapMy apps tracks it. MapMyFitness apps include iMapMyRun, iMapMyRide and iMapMyWalk. The iPhone programs are part of a partnership between MapMyFitness and Wahoo Fitness. The free apps work with the Fisica ANT+30 pin Sensor Key to track heart rate, which translates into other data. The app uses the GPS technology of the iPhone to record and chart workout route, pace, time, calories burned and heart rate, then saves the data to the MapMyFitness websites, whichever matches your mode of exercise. Continue reading iMapMyApp Tracks Your Whole Workout

ROTOR Bike Components – More Than Meets the Eye as New Co-Sponsor

This week ROTOR Bike Components announced that it will supply both the Geox-TMC Transformer Team and the elite women’s Diadora-Pasta Zara Team. The company will supply both teams with its Q-Rings oval chainrings, 3D cranks, Press-Fit and BB1 bottom brackets as well as chain catchers and seat mast topper.

The ROTOR components have been popular with numerous riders include 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre,and Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana winter Denis Menchov.

For 2011 Geox-TMC Transformer Team and Diadora-Pasta Team will use the innovative equipment.

“We are very pleased to be part of this long-term project,” said Pablo Carrasco, ROTOR President and R&D Director. “The agreement with Fuji and Geox-TMC Transformers will be for the next five years. We are expanding our range of products, with the focus on ROTOR becoming a global company. Fuji is an important part of a truly global corporation as well as a great bike manufacturer with whom to work in achieving our goals for growth.”

ROTOR Bike Components

Ski Helmets Help Reduce Injuries, But Advanced Skiers Still Most Likely to Face Serious Injury

Ski helmets are finally catching on, but like cycling helmets it is only slowly gaining momentum. No doubt many people feel that the white stuff is fluffy and soft and thus not so bad in a fall. The truth is that hard packed snow can be deadly, as can rocks, trees and other obstacles. All this makes a “brain bucket” all the more important to wear.

However, common sense – as in using what’s inside the helmet – can be a key to staying safe. This week The Wall Street Journal noted that shorter skis and helmets have reduced ski injuries, but added that the average number of people who die on the slopes in America has remained about the same. The other disturbing fact is those who are more likely to die are intermediate or advanced skiers, who are often wearing a helmet. Continue reading Ski Helmets Help Reduce Injuries, But Advanced Skiers Still Most Likely to Face Serious Injury

Snow Won’t Stop the Bond Bike

While mountain bikes can handle reasonable amounts the white stuff, usually deep snow means it is time to hit the rollers or exercise bike instead. Two wheels and thick packed snow just don’t mix. But the British Environmental Transport Association (ETA) might have an alternate solution with a special bike kit that utilizes a caterpillar track-driven snow bike.

BikeRadar.com reported that the bike, which was designed as a proof of concept device for the Cycle Show 2010 in London, actually found use following the recent snow fall in Britain last week. The concept converts any existing 26-inch mountain bike (hard tail or full suspension) into a snow bike by replacing the front wheel with a single ski and using a rubber track setup with the rear wheel. This solution allows the rider to retain the use of the gears and rear brake. Super villain and Bond girl not included.

[Via BikeRadar: Taking the ‘Bond bike’ for a spin in the snow]

Quiznos Pro Challenge Announces Five Top Pro Teams for 2011

And now there are five, as in the first five teams to sign on for the inaugural 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge professional cycling race that will host as many as 128 professional cyclists from 15 teams.

Today race organizers officially announced the first five teams, which include Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) pro teams: Team RadioShack (USA), Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy), HTC-Highroad (USA), Slipstream Sports/Garmin-Cervelo (USA), and BMC Racing Team (USA). 

Among the racers that are confirmed include seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, world champion Thor Hushovd and former world champion Cadel Evans; along with team directors Johan Bruyneel and Bob Stapleton. 

“It’s exciting to see that the Quiznos Pro Challenge is already considered one of the most important races in the United States,” said Ellen Kramer, General Manager of the Quiznos Pro Challenge.  “Our goal is to connect new audiences in America with the sport of professional cycling; having several of the premier international teams already signed up is a huge step in that direction.”  Continue reading Quiznos Pro Challenge Announces Five Top Pro Teams for 2011

Training Tech is Key for Pro Cycling

There is no denying that the British take cycling very seriously. Maybe not as much as the French or Spanish in the world of professional cycling, but when it comes to the Olympics, the British have done very well. And much of that begins long before the games begin. With London hosting the summer games in 2012 you know the British are going to try to have a strong showing, and thus they’re pulling out all the stops and taking it to the next level in their preparation.

While there remains strict rules and regulations with the actual equipment used in the Olympics and professional cycling, the real arms race is in technology used for training. British cycling pro athlete Sir Chris Hoy (above, photo: Getty)  is employing new sensors and gear during the pre-season and for his training rides to get him ready for the 2012 Olympics. An article in The Telegraph this week hints at some of these technological advancements and the people behind these innovative training techniques. Continue reading Training Tech is Key for Pro Cycling

Trips for Kids to Take Part in North American Bike Tour

Tour d’Afrique has been known for making some epic rides, with tours in Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. Next year will see a coast to coast ride from Pacific to Atlantic, making it the longest North American tour currently available and the only one that will journey through the United States and Canada. It will also be doing a whole lot of good along the way.

This week the Tour d’Afrique Foundation announced that it is planning its first ever North American bike tour, and that it has partnered with the national bike charity Trips For Kids to raise money and awareness about these efforts. Trips for Kids is a nonprofit organization with 69 chapters operating in the United States, Canada and Israel, with a goal of bringing the world of cycling to at-risk youth through mountain bike rides and Earn-a-Bike programs. In 2011 the Tour d’Afrique Foundation will take part in the North American Epic Bike Tour help the group with visits numerous chapters including TFK Yarmount, Nova Scotia; TKF Chicago Voyaters; TFK Pontiac, Michigan; TFK Marin, San Francisco; and TFK Tallahassee, Florida.

The tour will visit each chapter along the 8,000 km (4,971 mile) route from San Francisco to St. John’s in Newfoundland. Along the way the group will make donations and help raise awareness about the work being done by Trips for Kids. Continue reading Trips for Kids to Take Part in North American Bike Tour

Luxembourg Pro Cycling Get Crafty With Apparel

Andy and Frank Schleck, along with Fabian Cancellara, Jakob Fuglsang, Jens Voigt and Stuart O’Grady will be looking crafty this summer as they take to the roads of France and beyond. As part of the new Luxembourg Pro Cycling project they’ll be deck out in Craft Performance Apparel reports Velonation.

The apparel company will work with the team in 2011 and beyond, and offer riders the sleek clothing that it has developed for skiing and speed-skating. For the Schlecks as well as Cancellara it won’t be much of a change as they wore Craft attire with Saxo Bank as well.

Craft is the latest sponsor to join the new Luxembourg squad, as equipment suppliers Trek and Mercedes were previously on board. Now all that’s left is to see the actual uniform take shape.

[Via Velonation: Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project to use Craft Performance Apparel clothing]

Get Your Energy From the Lab

When one thinks of a “lab” you probably think of white rats and mad scientists, but the folks at D3 Multisport aren’t looking to become super villains. Instead they may be looking to create super athletes with their D3 Energy Lab in Boulder, Colorado. The company opened its world-class facility for indoor cycling and training late last month.

And while Boulder and the surrounding area are great for training, this facility will feature state-of-the-art indoor cycling equipment to provide riders with significant benefits in a short amount of time, and more importantly no matter what the weather. Continue reading Get Your Energy From the Lab

LIVESTRONG and Johnson Health Tech Offer Special-Edition Indoor Training Cycle

You can show your determination and support the cause while spinning through the winter season come January. That’s when LIVESTRONG Fitness and Johnson Health Tech will release the LS281C, a special-edition indoor training cycle that honors the 28 million people living with cancer today.

The indoor training bike retails for $1,699, and LIVESTRONG Fitness plans to release a total of 500, each individually numbered, and with each sale $1,000 will be donated to LIVESTRONG.

“This cycle honors those who courageously live with cancer on a daily basis,” said Mike Olson, Executive Vice President of Retail for Johnson Health Tech NA. “We are honored and humbled to support such an important foundation, whose mission is not only to inspire and empower cancer survivors, but to take preventative steps through education and an active lifestyle. We’ve put the same passion and excellence into our line of LIVESTRONG Fitness equipment, allowing people to take responsibility for their own health and join the fight against a disease that is sometimes preventable.” Continue reading LIVESTRONG and Johnson Health Tech Offer Special-Edition Indoor Training Cycle

Park Your Bike up a Pole

It’s often difficult to find a bike rack. And when you do, your bike still takes up valuable space on the sidewalk. A German hobby supply company has the answer for you. A stand that raises the bicycle up a lamp post or other pole. So far, this is strictly a DIY project, but this company, Conrad, has the supplies and instructions for you to make your own. Check out how the mechanism works, and how it’s put together (in German).

[via Cyclelicious]

SAUR-SOJASUN Team to Use ROTOR Components

The Continental SAUR SOJASUN Team will be riding with ROTOR Bike Components for 2011 it has been announced. These include the company’s unique and innovative components including the Q-Ring oval chainrings, 3D+ cranks and BB30 bottom brackets, as well as chain-catchers and race-plate holders.

The revolutionary shaped Q-Rings have the promise of increasing power by maximizing the use of efficient zones of the pedaling stroke and reducing the intensity of the “dead spot” zones, while helping reduce joint and tendon loadings. The 3D+ cranks are 100 percent compatible with any BB30 or Class BAS threaded frame on the market.

ROTOR will be sharing the sponsorship with French bike manufacturer TIME. “France is one of our leading markets, in which we have quite a number of fans and high customer fidelity, so we want to thank them for this support by sponsoring one of the country’s leading teams,” said  Ignacio Estellés, ROTOR CEO, during the contract signature in Rennes. “A strong professional team, well placed in the 2010 UCI rankings – above some ProTour teams – is a new proving ground for our technologies, increasing the brand´s fame and customer’s confidence in our products.”

ROTOR Official Website