Come for the trade show, stay for the Gran Fondo – and do some good in the process. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) announced that this Saturday’s RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo Pinarello Presented by Vector Media will welcome more than 560 cyclists from more than 30 states as part of its efforts to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The cyclists, who prepared for the race through the organization’s Team In Training program, will join more than 1,000 other cyclists registered to participate in the event. Continue reading 2012 Viva Bike Vegas to Support Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training
Category: Cycling
KineticShift Goes to Interbike 2012
To say that this week is “bike week” is surely an understatement. Today kicks off the Outdoor Demo Days in Boulder City where dozens of bicycle companies offer a chance for attendees to test the latest bikes and gear, while Wednesday is the kick off of Interbike, followed by the 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Grand Fondo on Saturdya.
Check back all week as we’ll be reporting from Las Vegas. Let the good times roll!
Weekend Reading List (9.15.2012): The Ending Summer, Cycling Apps, Shoe Tests, US Army and NFL Team Up
The Ending Summer
From Surf Magazine: Summer’s End
They say Labor Day marks the end of the summer, and what better way to end it then with a sizable south swell tearing through California.
Continue reading Weekend Reading List (9.15.2012): The Ending Summer, Cycling Apps, Shoe Tests, US Army and NFL Team Up
Interbike Made in America: Ultralite Pedals Almost Like Pedaless
We’ve heard of clipless pedals, but the Ultralite pedal system from Ultralite Sports of Colorado almost seems like they forgot the pedals. At first glance this sort of looks like the deck of a flat pedal just broke off. But actually nothing has broken off. Instead the company has created what truly promises to be the lightest clipless pedals ever made. With pedals and cleats these weigh just 112 grams. As the photo above shows it is basically just a single barrel with absolutely no “platform.” Continue reading Interbike Made in America: Ultralite Pedals Almost Like Pedaless
Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Fit Wet Seems All Wet to Us
httpv://youtu.be/Ae9Lihg6XMA
Maybe we’re missing something here with the Fit Wet? A bike jacuzzi is what this essentially is, and the makers claim that it “combines the effects of biking, water resistance, & jets to improve results 10 times faster than an average bike.” It also costs $18,000, which seems just a little high to use for such exercise equipment. It also essentially means that the water is dumped out after each ride, which seems like a huge waste as well. At least it is made in Florida!
We’ll see if we can get some answers as the company will reportedly be doing demos at the Health + Fitness Business Expo taking place in conjunction with next week’s Interbike trade show. Until then this one seems all wet!
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for missing the mark in health related products.
Louis Garneau On Course With New 2SL Shoes
We’ve heard the expression “if the shoe fits,” but what if you want to do more than just make it fit? What if you want the perfect fit? Louis Garneau has the answer with its new Course 2SL line of cycling footwear, which provides perfect fit, increased comfort, reduced weight and improved power transfer.
The shoes offer interchangeable insoles, with options to block ventilation in colder weather while offering improved airflow in the warmer weather. The multi-vent system helps take air in through vents in the side of the out and evacuates the air through another vent in the sole at the heel to ensure perfect comfort. Continue reading Louis Garneau On Course With New 2SL Shoes
Interbike 2012: Polaris to Debut Bike with EVantage
At next week’s bike show it might be time that the electric motors get running. Electric bikes certainly play a larger than usual role at the show, and Polaris Industries has announced that it has a partnership with EVantage to introduce a new line. This is reportedly a big move in major e-bikes more mainstream.
“The Polaris name has always been synonymous with superior design and quality, and these electric bicycles are no exception,” says EVantage President Brandon Kaplan. “Each and every detail was crafted with the consumer in mind, which stays true to Polaris’ inherent need to provide usable and applicable products to their customers. These electric bikes are an expansion of this brand, with its great history, while also paving a way toward new trends in transportation.” Key features after the jump
Interbike: Cardo Systems BK-1 Demos in the Desert
We first heard about Cardo Systems and their BK-1 helmet-mounted communications and entertainment system for cyclists back in March. The system lets cyclists – or anyone – communicate via Bluetooth for up to a 1,600 foot range. That means those conversations on the road can happen even when cyclists are single-file, or not one right behind the other. Continue reading Interbike: Cardo Systems BK-1 Demos in the Desert
Wipe for Charity
Having some hand wipes on a bike ride are a good idea, especially if you need to change a tire, do a little repair or just need to clean some sweat from your arms and face.
This week we heard about the Globalbike wipes from Athletix Products that are part of the Globalbike charity. Basically the company offers the wipes for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to organizations in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa to provide bikes to people who will use them for transportation. The wipes are reportedly available in three versions, including a hand & tool version that is rougher on one side to help get the grease off the tools and body. The wipes will be available directly from Athletix Products this fall.
Athletix Products Official Website
Globalbike Official Website
[Via BikeRumor: Globalbike Charity Wipes by Athletix Products]
National Bike Challenge Answered
The League of American Bicyclists, Endomondo and Bikes Belong announced this week that more than 30,000 Americans took part in the 2012 National Bike Challenge, with a collective journey of more than 12 million miles that spanned all 40 states.
The initiative encouraged new cyclists to start riding, challenged current bicyclists to ride more and showcased the tremendous health and financial benefits of bicycling.
“The Challenge has given us just a tiny glimpse of the remarkable potential of bicycling to address major social and environmental issues — in a fun and engaging way,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “Every one of the 30,000 participants deserves recognition for the miles they contributed to the impressive grand total — and we look forward to seeing everyone in the saddle for next year’s challenge!”
In addition to encouraging individual riders, more than 9,000 workplaces participated in the Challenge, using the initiative as a free, fun wellness tool for employees. The winners in the workplace categories (based on number of employees) included IBM, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Trek Bicycle Corp, Shimano, Toole Design Group, Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and BikeArlington.
Congrats to all those that took part, and congrats to the League of American Bicyclists, Endomondo and Bikes Belong for offering this challenge! List of winners after the jump
Interbike: Put a (Foot)Brake on It
Bicycle shoes are great for riding a bike. Clipping into the pedals provides better use of the pedal stroke, and actually helps make for a more stable ride. But walking around in cycling shoes is hardly fun. And sometimes after a long time on the bike it is nice to get out of the shoes. Of course bare feet aren’t going to work but the Footbrake will have you covered. This is a foldable sandal like shoe that can tuck in a cycling jersey pocket and be there when you need it.
Sounds like a plan to us!
Bike Storage Options Save Space
Ever since we had to find a way to store five bikes in a New York City apartment – and still have living space for ourselves – we keep an eye out for new ways to store bikes. Now that we’re in a house we have a little more space, but still like to keep our growing fleet of two-wheeled cycles neat and manageable. Apartment Therapy has a round-up of 10 solutions that hang on the wall, ceiling, or just help your bike stand on the floor without risking a fall every time you walk by. Check out some of the options they’ve found. How do you keep your bikes out of the way?
[via Apartment Therapy: Park It: Small Space Bike Solutions]
Vienna is Velo-City
Oh Vienna… Only Vienna, only Vienna, just you alone. The Austrian capital city seems to have inspired numerous songs – from Ultravox to Falco to even Long Island resident Billy Joel. But in 2013 the city that was known for musicians – FYI: Mozart moved there but wasn’t actually born there – could become a Velo-City. While it might not rival Amsterdam as Europe’s most bicycle-friendly city, the Velo-City Conference, organized by the European Cyclists’ Federation, will hold its annual event in Vienna next June. Continue reading Vienna is Velo-City