The Auburn Century offer some spectacular courses.
photo © AdrianSchneider.com

Pate Gets 3rd, While Vande Velde Slips to 5th Overall After Epic Day
7/20/08 - Just 12 km into today’s stage, Danny Pate jumped in on a four-man breakaway that managed to hold off the wet, crash-weary peloton over the hors categorie Col d’Agnel climb and the steep final category 1 climb to the finish at Prato Nevoso. Pate dug deep today on the first of a series of Alpine stages to stick with and challenge Euskatel climber Egoi Martinez and finished third on the stage. Meanwhile, behind Danny’s drama, the race for the yellow was heating up. Multiple attacks and counters splintered the 10-man group Maillot Jaune in the final kilometers of the finish climb. Christian Vande Velde held his own in the intese battle, finishing tenth on the stage and moving into fifth overall. Today’s events only tightened the race for the yellow with less than 49 seconds separating the top six.

Danny Pate (Garmin-Chipotle) and Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel) were in a long
break that finished about four minutes ahead of the yellow jersey group.
photo © Casey Gibson

Rock Racing’s Hamilton Wins Tour of Qinghai Lake
7/20/08 - Tyler Hamilton delivered Rock Racing its most prestigious victory to date Sunday when he captured the overall title at the Tour of Qinghai Lake in China. Hamilton crossed the finish line with the peloton at the end of a 68-mile (110 km) circuit race through the streets of Xining to secure a 10-second win over Marek Rutkiewicz (Polish National Team). Iranian Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) finished third, 1:08 behind. “It’s a special win for me,” Hamilton told a group of reporters after being congratulated by his Rock Racing teammates. “It’s been a long time. I think most people didn’t think I’d ever reach the highest level (again).” This was Hamilton’s sixth victory in an international stage race, but his first since the Tour de Romandie in 2004. The 37-year-old Marblehead, Mass., native has won more than 30 races since turning professional in 1995. “Seeing pictures of Tyler on the podium in the yellow jersey is simply spectacular and fulfills one of my original goals for this team,” Ball said. “I set out to give guys second chances and Tyler is a perfect example of that. He’s been one of our captains on the road this year, giving his all to help his teammates win. Now it’s his turn to celebrate.”

New Tour leader Frank Schleck (CSC- SaxoBank) and Christian
Vande Velde(Garmin-Chipotle) suffer over the first stage in the Alps.
photo © Casey Gibson

Rock Racing’s Hamilton Has Victory In Sight
7/19/08 - Rock Racing’s Tyler Hamilton is a short circuit race away from earning his first victory in a stage race in four years. Hamilton survived a rather uneventful day in the yellow leader’s jersey Saturday in the penultimate stage of the Tour of Qinghai Lake, finishing in the lead pack of 19 riders at the end of Saturday’s 104-mile (168 km) race. The final stage Sunday is a 61-mile (99 km) circuit race in the city of Xining. Time bonuses up for grabs on three of the 18 laps and at the finish are a concern, Hamilton said. “It’s not over ‘till it’s over,” Hamilton said. “I have a 10-second lead (over Poland’s Marek Rutkiewicz), so really, anything can happen. We’ll just stay on our toes and control the situation, like today.” Saturday’s race was the final mountain stage of the 10-day, 841-mile (1,354 km) event. But two of Hamilton’s chief competitors – Iranian climbers Ahad Kazemi and teammate Ghader Mizbani (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) – were stricken with mild cases of bronchitis overnight. Feeling less than 100 percent, they sought only to keep Kazemi’s lead in the king of the mountains classification. Hamilton won Friday’s Stage 8 in a two-up sprint to move into the overall lead. The Boulder, Colo., resident last won a stage race overall at the Tour de Romandie in 2004.

Rock Racing's Oscar Sevilla (far right) set the pace on the
day's only climb on Stage 9 of the Tour of Qinghai Lake.
photo © Mark Gunter

Cavendish Powers to Fourth Stage Win in Tour
7/18/08 - A baking hot day in southern France saw Mark Cavendish scorch to a fourth stage win in the Tour on Friday. Despite temperatures of over thirty degrees centigrade, the Columbia pro powered across the line more than two bike lengths clear of Australian Robbie McEwen and Romain Feillu of France. For the 23-year-old Britain, his stage win in Nimes is his eleventh road win of the season - the same total as he took in the whole of 2007. “I had to do it in two accelerations.” Cavendish confirmed. “First I kicked out with 150 metres to go and then again closer to the line. For sure my first stage win here was my favourite, but this one was the hardest.” Referring to what he learned from his track experience, Cavendish said “When I accelerate out of the pack I can usually hold it all the way to the line. Normally I can keep that distance and that’s what I did today. I don’t do anything special to improve my sprints, except maybe kick out a bit at the end of each training ride.”

Cycling Advocate Dennis Crowley Passes Away
7/18/08 - Dennis Crowley - a bicycling advocate known for his quirky campaign to bring back the 1900 elevated Horace Dobbins Cycleway from Pasadena to Los Angeles - died last weekend. He was 60. Crowley, who lived alone, died of a suspected heart attack at his Pasadena home, friends said. He was remembered as a "visionary" by Tim Brick, who appointed Crowley to a city committee that in 1990 provided Pasadena a blueprint for becoming bicycle-friendly. Please visit CaliforniaCycleways.org for a tribute to Dennis and to leave a message of remembrance. A memorial ride is being planned.
Pasadena Star News Article >
Check here for Memorial Events >

A Specialized/decline Team America lays it down.

Specialized/decline Team America Defends National Championships
7/18/08 - The Specialized/decline Team America crew is headed east to Mount Snow, Vermont this weekend to battle it out against America’s best gravity racing talent for the national championship title.  Comprised of three former national champions, Team America’s Cole Bangert (2007 U.S. National Downhill Champion), Chris Herndon (2007 US National Slalom Champion) and Cody Warren (2005 US National Downhill Champion), along with teammate Curtis Keene and juniors Andy Becker, Neko Mulally, and Logan Mulally will all be in Vermont to try and claim the coveted national title. Unfortunately, 2007 U.S. National Downhill Champion and Team America member, Cole Bangert, will be sidelined for the weekend following a crash in Aspen, Colorado this past weekend that left him with a broken collarbone.  Cole will be on hand throughout the weekend supporting his teammates and acting as the teams ‘secret line finder’ during practice sessions. The team would like to encourage race fans to stop by the pits, say hey to the riders, check out the bikes, and enjoy the weekend as America’s finest compete in Vermont.

Specialized/decline Team America is ready.

Another One Bites the Dust, Ricco Positive
7/17/08 - I wish it wasn't true, but they caught another rider trying to beat the system at the Tour. Italian rider Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval), the winner of two Tour stages this year, has tested positive for EPO. Triki Beltran (Liquigas) and Moises Duenas (Barloworld) were also positive. We will have to wait for the B samples to confirm, but at least the tests are working.

The LA Bicycle Film Festival Sure to Entertain Cyclists July 17 - 20
7/17/08 - The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates the bicycle. They are into all styles of bikes and biking. If you can name it-Tall Bike Jousting, Track Bikes, BMX, Alleycats, Critical Mass, Bike Polo, Cycling to Recumbents- They've probably either ridden or screened it. What better way to celebrate these lifestyles than through art, film, music and performance? The Bicycle Film Festival brings together all aspects of bicycling together to advocate its ability to transport us in many ways. Ultimately the Fest is about having a good time.

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin/Chipotle) takes on the Pyrenees.
photo © Casey Gibson

The Dominguez Hills Crit Kicks Off This Weekend
7/16/08 - Velo Allegro is proud to promote the Dominguez Hills Crit this Sunday on July 20th.  $ 5,000 plus in cash will be awarded to the top finishers and there will be tons of primes for each category.  This is BAR series Race #9, with series point going to the top 20 racers in each category.  If a category is less than half full, double the BAR series points will be awarded!  This popular course will be run in the more challenging counter clockwise direction.  This means racers will have a slight rise between turns 3-4 and will have to battle the headwind in the home stretch! 

Troupe Racing's Race Report - Rim Nordic # 2
7/16/08 - This weekend marked the second race in the Rim Nordic. The course was set in the same area as the first race this past June, but do due rain the night before course conditions were supreme. The weather was ideal, with temperatures in the mid to high 70’s. The course ran on many of the same trails as the first race, but this time the distance was a little shorter at 7 miles with around 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Troupe was well represented at the event with 4 riders in the sport class and our new junior rider Calvin joining us for his first cross country race. The sport class was set to do 2 laps today and the beginners were on course for one lap. I [editor's note - Damon] was on the front of the line racing is the sport single speed class. The pack went out all bunched together and by the time we hit the first climb I was in 4th. The racing was tight and didn’t leave room for error by the time they got to the end of the hike a bike (for single speeders) I moved into 3rd. Lap one was finishing and 2nd place was in site. With the two of us together, the other rider missed a turn and I was able to pass and was trying to maintain the position. Lap 2 was coming to an end and with a quarter mile to go my chain popped off. I jumped off and fixed it, but there wasn’t enough time to catch back up and finished 3rd. As for the rest of the Troupe riders Tim and Ben had solid races in the 35-39 sport class with Tim finishing 6th and Ben 10th. Monica raced in the 30-34 Sport Class taking 3nd and Calvin our guest rider finishing 5th in the 16 and under class. Next race for the Rim Nordic Series is on July 27th. This will be another big race, as it's part of the SoCal points series. Should be great, and we'll be ready for another battle at our favorite course! Troupe Racing >

The Troupe Racing riders tore it up at Rim Nordic #2.

Vande Velde Inspires at the Tour
7/15/08 - A leaner and lighter Christian Vande Velde (Garmin/Chipotle) is having a dream Tour so far after ten grueling days in the saddle. Today was the toughest stage so far taking the riders over two hors category climbs including the steep and spectator filled Tourmalet and Hautacam climbs. Christian's new role as a team leader seems to be suiting him well with him finishing just 2:17 back from Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Scott) and in the same group as new Tour leader Cadel Evans. Going into this Tour, I didn't really have a favorite GC rider that inspired me to cheer for them, but now I'm rooting for Christian to keep climbing up the podium steps and hopefully make it to Paris in Yellow. The Argyle is even starting to grow on me a little.

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin/Chipotle) talks to the media at Stage 10.
photo © Casey Gibson

Driver Charged in Mandeville Canyon Road Rage Incident
7/14/08 - Brentwood Doctor, Christopher Thomas Thompson, 59, was charged with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury in connection with the July 4 crash that injured fellow cyclists and racers, Ron Peterson and Christian Stoehr. Thompson was investigated earlier this year in another case of road rage against bicycles, the Los Angeles Police Department said. LAPD Capt. William Eaton described the March collision as a "road rage incident with two cyclists" that had "strong similarities" to the July crash.  Thompson, who is free on $30,000 bail, is to be arraigned Aug. 1 at the airport branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Times reported. If found guilty on all counts, he could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison. This incident has received massive media attention, that includes the local news, KFI talk radio and LA Times. Hopefully, this media coverage will make drivers more aware of cyclists rights and our safety.

Daniel Ramsey (TIME Pro Cycling) on his way to victory
on the demanding course at the inaugural Aliso Viejo Grand Prix.
photo © Surf-Shot.com

Tonights Town Meeting on "Road Rage Against Cyclists" is Canceled
7/14/08 - Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents the area, had called a meeting for residents, cyclists, traffic engineers and police to discuss the issues and to reinforce the idea that "cyclists have the right to travel safely and free of fear." The meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight, however it has been canceled. Instead, Rosendahl said he would convene a task force of representatives of the three Mandeville Canyon homeowners associations, the four cycling clubs that regularly train there, the Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and his staff. The group will develop proposals to address issues of safety, personal and public rights, and civic responsibility – among both cyclists and residents of Mandeville Canyon. Rosendahl said he hoped the more global issues of road-sharing between cyclists and motorists throughout Los Angeles would get a more thorough airing in a more appropriate, citywide venue. He noted he and several colleagues last week introduced a motion endorsing the Cyclists' Bill of Rights."When the Transportation Committee and the City Council take up that issue, I think it will be an exceptional opportunity to begin a citywide education campaign about the rights of cyclists and the need for everyone to share the road. We're all stuck in gridlock in Los Angeles, and we need to voice our frustration at the lack of a sensible transit system, and not at each other. Rosendahl said he also welcomes any feedback.

Storm the Bastille is On - City Hall at Noon!
7/13/08 - From Stephen Box ~ On Monday, July 14, we ride from REDquarters (Santa Monica & Vermont Red Line Station) at 11:00 to the South Lawn of City Hall for a noon rally. We've got a Bastillion ideas on ways to make this a GREAT City but we're gonna start with the Cyclists' Bill of Rights and we're gonna call on our City Leadership to join us in making this a GREAT City with GREAT Streets! (6,500 miles of roadway, all of it rideable!). The SavingLAProject (S.L.A.P.) is a coalition of people and organizations committed to making LA a truly GREAT City.

Come out and and Storm the Bastille.
Photo Courtesy midnightridazz.com

Bahati, Magnell Win Two in a Row at SuperWeek
7/13/08 - For the second straight night, Rock Racing was unbeatable in a criterium at the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic. This time it was Rahsaan Bahati who did the honors, winning the St. Francis Hospital Blue Island ProAm Saturday in Blue Island, Ill. In Friday night’s opener to the 17-day race series, Rock Racing’s Sterling Magnell won in the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic in Chicago. Magnell finished third in Blue Island to easily retain the yellow jersey of overall race leader. And once again, Rock Racing did not let its lack of numbers stand in the way of an impressive performance. Bahati, Magnell and Justin Williams were up against a full squad fielded by Kelly Benefit Strategies presented by Medifast – considered to be one of the premier criterium racing teams in the country – and a Colombian national team loaded with track pursuit specialists. “Fortunately, Justin rode really, really strongly tonight,” Bahati said. “He saved us from a lot of work so we could be fresh at the end.” “Usually I like racing to the corner because I’m good at bike handling,” Bahati said. “But on this course you could come out of the corner sixth or seventh and take your time because it was so long to the finish.”

Team Type 1's Moises Aldape captured the fifth stage of the Bend Memorial
Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic Saturday at the Mount Bachelor Ski Resort.
photo © Kurt Jambretz

Cavendish and Ciolek Clinch First and Second for Columbia
7/12/08 - A torrential downpour could not stop Briton Mark Cavendish from clinching a powerful bunch sprint win in the Tour de France on Saturday, with Team Columbia team-mate Gerald Ciolek in second. For the 23-year-old Cavendish, his Toulouse stage win was his second victory in five days racing on the Tour, his ninth of the season and the 20th on the road in just 18 months as a professional. “Just like a few days ago, I came from a long way back again at the finish, but I had the strength to take it all the way to the line which is what mattered.” Cavendish said afterwards. “I was three places behind Gerald at one point but then I was able to get past the three of me before Gerald made his final acceleration which got me ahead. And then I gave it 100 percent.” “The finish was perfect for us, taking first and second. It was all really beautiful.”

Manuel "Triki" Beltran Tests Positive for EPO at the Tour de France
7/12/08 - It only took a week before they caught some joker at the Tour de France for a positive drug test. In this case, Triki Beltran, was not so tricky and got popped for EPO. "When are these idiots going to learn that it's over?" Pat McQuaid, chief of the International Cycling Union, told The Associated Press by telephone. "They continue to think that they can beat the system. They're wrong. The system is catching up all the time". I echo Mr. McQuaid's sentiments and am dumbfounded that the doping continues after all the sport has been through. Unfortunately, there will always be someone, like Triki, that tries to beat the system. The bad news is, there could be more positive tests to follow, since other cyclists with "suspicious" parameters from the pre-Tour tests also have been targeted for testing. Let's hope I'm wrong.

A 12-rider breakaway that included Rock Racing's Santiago Botero
(third from left) figured prominently in the opening stage of the
Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic. photo © Kurt Jambretz

Ben Brooks's Condition Stablizes After Accident at Cascade Classic
7/12/08 - Ben Brooks was conscious and breathing on his own Friday night, a marked improvement for the Team Type 1 rider who was critically hurt in a crash on Wednesday's opening stage of the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic. "Ben still has a long ways to go, but he is making great progress," Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said. Brooks was traveling at more than 30 miles an hour when his front wheel got caught in a cattle guard that crossed the race course. The 29-year-old was thrown from his bike and knocked unconscious for several minutes. Beamon said the outpouring of support Brooks and his wife, Rachael, have received from the cycling community, people with diabetes around the world and Team Type 1 sponsor representatives has been incredible. Persons wishing to send messages to Brooks through Team Type 1 can do so by e-mail or leaving a comment on the Team Type 1 blog.

Amber Neben Selected to Olympic Team along with Remaining Athletes
7/11/08 - USA Cycling announced its three remaining nominees to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. After naming 21 of the 24 cyclists that will compete in Beijing on July 1, USA Cycling today confirmed road cyclists Amber Neben (Irvine) and Christine Thorburn (Sunnyvale) and mountain biker Mary McConneloug (Chilmark, Mass.) to the squad that will represent the United States in China next month. All three athletes earned discretionary selections and were nominated to the Olympic Team by a nine-person selection committee according to USA Cycling’s Principles of Discretion. Heading to her first Olympic Games, Neben will contest the mass start road race alongside Thorburn and Kristin Armstrong. Currently ranked ninth in the world, Neben is one of the most decorated American cyclists on the international circuit. Over the course of the last three years, she’s either won or placed in most major UCI races across Europe. Her list of accomplishments include overall victories in the 2005 and 2006 Tour de l’Aude and the 2007 Route de France Feminin, as well as a second-place finish in the 2007 Thuringen Rundfahrt der Frauen. Neben also earned back-to-back bronze medals at the 2006 and 2007 USA Cycling Elite Road National Championships, finished third overall at the 2007 Giro di San Marino and placed fourth at the 2007 Fleche Wallonne World Cup. As discretionary selections, both Thorburn and Neben were nominated to the squad based on their capability to medal in their respective events or otherwise enhance team performance to create a medal capable environment.

Johan Bruyneel Book Tour
7/10/08 - Lucky for race fans, Johan Bruyneel has some free time on his hands this July, since he's not busy leading a winning team at the Tour de France. As the director for all seven of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France wins in the years 1999-2005 and again in 2007 when Alberto Contador took his first win, Johan has the inside track on what it takes to set goals and then go after them. More than a mere autobiography, Johan's new book, "We Might As Well Win", takes readers inside the car and on the road, where he shares his unique relationship with Lance, how he first spotted the talented Alberto Contador and his winning formula. If you are in the San Diego area, he will be having a book signing at the San Diego Trek Bicycle Shop on Saturday, July 12th at 3:00 PM. His full schedule and more info can be found at johanbruyneel.com.

Beijing-Bound Botero Rocks Opening Stage Of Cascade Classic
7/10/08 - Rock Racing’s Santiago Botero may have his sights set on next month’s Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, but his focus Wednesday was on winning in Bend, Ore. Botero averaged more than 29 miles per hour (46.6 kph) as he soloed to victory in the 83-mile (133.5 km) Prineville Road Race that finished with a challenging ascent to Pilot Butte State Park. “I’m feeling good, but I’m not 100 percent on form right now,” Botero said. “But we executed good team tactics today and I’m very happy.” Botero was the driving force of a 12-man breakaway that enjoyed up to a two-minute lead before it disintegrated when the former world time trial champion accelerated up the final climb. Botero finished six seconds ahead of Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United Pro Cycling) and 20 seconds ahead of third-place finisher Jeff Louder (BMC). Levi Leipheimer (Astana), the reigning U.S. national road race champion, finished fifth, 25 seconds behind, while Botero’s teammate, Cesar Grajales, placed seventh on the day to help Rock Racing to second place on the team classification. “Obviously I would like to hold onto the lead, but there are a lot of strong teams here,” Botero said. “Our team has a lot of young riders so it’s going to be difficult. But Rock Racing will  be trying to cover all the breakaways and just take it day by day.”

Jonathan Cantwell (Jittery Joes) celebrated a little too early at the
Paramount Crit. Unfortunately, Rahsaan Bahati (Rock) rained on his parade.
photo © KennyBZ.com

Sponsorship Needed for Junior Track National Championships
7/9/08 - The Junior Track National Championships, which is being held August 14-17, is seeking sponsorship and donations. Interested parties with either sponsorship or tax deductible donations can reach Momentum Cycling or contact [email protected].

Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Road National Championships
7/9/08 - The US Elite, U23, and Junior National Road Cycling Championships in Orange County is also in need of sponsorship help.  There is wide variety of sponsorship opportunities at very reasonable pricing.   If you would like to market you company to a national audience, this is the perfect venue to do so with 5 venues.  They are anticipating over 2000 participants, and over 25,000 people over the week long Championships from August 5th to the 10th of 2008.  If you would like more information please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.  They desperately need your support and help for this National Championship.

Cavendish Hits the Jackpot In the Tour de France
7/9/08 - Team Columbia’s Mark Cavendish blasted to a first stage win in the Tour de France on Wednesday’s stage from Cholet to Chateauroux. The 23-year-old Briton finished over a bike length ahead of three-times World Champion Oscar Freire of Spain, with German Erik Zabel in third. In a remarkable year so far for Team Columbia, Cavendish win is the  46th of 2008 for the men’s team. “This is far and away the biggest win of my career.” Cavendish said afterwards. “Everyone knows what the Tour is, when you’re a kid you watch it on tv, you dream of being there. I’ve always known how important the Tour is.” Strongly supported by all eight Columbia team-mates in the frantic finale, Cavendish said their hard work “shows just how self-sacrificing they are. They did everything they could do to help me there, and I had to do my best to pay them back and win. They’ve worked with total commitment all week. Today we had to top the podium. I couldn’t really come away without the victory.” Although Olympic ambitions are high on Cavendish’s list of priorities this year, he is adamant that he has no plans to abandon. “I want to go all the way to Paris. To plan to do otherwise would be disrespectful to the organisers, my team, the other riders and the race.” Discussing the team’s role in the finale, Cavendish said that German team-mate Gerald Ciolek “led me out from 600 metres. That’s a long way to go in the headwind, but you saw how fast he went past the other guys.”

The Aliso Viejo Grand Prix of Cycling
7/8/08 - On Saturday, July 12 starting at 9:30 am the best racers in Southern California will take to the streets in what is sure to become a staple on every racer's calendar. There are great views from the entire course, not that the racers will have much time to take in the views on the 1.3 mile circuit. With a short “stair-step” climb over smooth bricks and plenty of room to recover, this event promises to be an exciting one for both racers and spectators alike. There will be an Expo area, and a free kids race at 5:40 pm proceeding the days final event, the Men’s Pro Race. Come watch as the regions best racers take on the brick roads of Southern Orange County. race info >

Frischkorn Gets 2nd for Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O in Stage 3 at Tour
7/7/08 - After more than 200 K of riding off the front with three others, Will Frischkorn (Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O) still had enough punch to battle for a heroic 2nd place in today’s wet, hard stage! Like Danny Pate yesterday, Will was first the rider to attack, making his move in the first kilometer. One Italian and two French riders quickly joined Will and the four worked up a gap on the peloton that eventually peaked at 13’. Will continued to animate the break and stayed on the attacks and counterattacks that pushed him to the limit during the final battle to the finish. His efforts earned him the Most Aggressive jersey awarded by a jury of journalists and distinguished people.

Road Rage Motorist VS. Cyclists on Mandeville Canyon Road
By Stephen Box - LAist
7/7/08 - On July 4th, about 300 cyclists gathered at the Manhattan Beach Starbucks for a Holiday Ride to the top of Mandeville Canyon Road in Brentwood. The Holiday Ride is a regular event that takes place 5-6 times a year drawing cyclists from all over the greater LA area. Mandeville Canyon, off Sunset Blvd., is a steep and challenging ride and the crowd quickly thinned out with some cyclists racing to the top while others rode socially, catching up with old friends and savoring the journey. On the descent, a cyclist in the back fell, breaking his collarbone and injuring himself seriously enough to require medical attention and a ride to the hospital in an ambulance. Christian Stoehr, 29, and Ron Peterson, 40, stayed behind until the ambulance arrived and then they began their descent down the hill. Christian Stoehr recounts "We were riding downhill at approximately 30 mph when a car came up behind us, must have been doing 50 mph, and the driver started honking at us. We moved to the right in single file within seconds and the motorist pulled along Ron and started screaming at him. He then pulled in front of us with 3-5 feet to spare and slammed on his brakes, giving us no time to stop. I swerved and almost made it, clipping the car and flying through the air and landing in the street. Ron had no room to move and he went straight into the back of the car, putting his face through the back window." more >

Take Your Fitness to the Next Level with a Metabolic Assessment
7/7/08 - The Claremont Club is offering a series of tests that will help you take your cycling and fitness to the next level at an affordable price. Available Tests:
* Max VO2 Test (Maximum Exercise test) - $ 135.  This gets you your VO2max number and so called Anaerobic and Aerobic thresholds heart rates.  It will also tell you how many calories you're burning at various hear rates.
* Submax Exercise Test - $110.  This gets you the same as the VO2max test but without the VO2max number.
* Resting Metabolic Test (Metabolic Test) - $ 85.  This basically tells you the minimum number of calories you need daily.  This test is more for people trying to lose weight.

In addition to the costs for the tests there is an approximate $45 cost for the mask that is worn during all of the tests.  It is the persons to keep and can be reused as often as needed for more tests. These tests are done on treadmills for runners or club exercise bikes for cyclists. If a cyclist has a wind trainer and either a power meter or a set up for measuring speed off the rear wheel they can use that set up so that they will be a little more comfortable and able to push themselves more easily. more info >

Brooke Miller gives a victory salute at the Manhattan Beach GP.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Amgen-Giant Elite Masters Racing Team Dominates at Masters Nats
7/6/08 - Amgen-Giant Masters has 6 victories so far, with numerous top fives at the Masters National Championships in Louisville, Ky. Thurlow Rogers won the 45-49 Road Race and Time Trial, Kent "Bostasaurus" Bostick won the 55-59 Time Trial and Road Race, while Wayne Stetina picked up the title in the 55-59 Criterium and Rich Meeker won the 45-49 Criterium. In a generous display of teamwork during the 45-49 Road Race, Thurlow stopped before crossing the finish line after being off the front solo in an effort to allow one of his teammates to win, if they were in contention. article >

Thurlow Rogers (Amgen/Giant) stops at the finish line before crossing
and looks for a teammate to give the National Road Race Championship title to.
© 2008 - Craig Dooley, Kentucky Backroads Photography

So Cal's New Masters Road and Crit National Champions
7/5/08 - Day four of the 2008 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships closed out the road race competitions as three more individual champions were crowned and several tandem pairs came away with Stars-and-Stripes jerseys. So Cal riders, Thurlow Rogers (Simi Valley / Amgen Giant Masters) captured a national title in the 50-mile men’s 45-49 race and Jill Gass and Sonia Ross of (Santa Barbara / Kalyra/Bella Nova) won the Championship in the mixed 70+ tandem category. Some of the nation’s top amateur road cyclists celebrated the Fourth of July on Friday by racing to national criterium titles as the 2008 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships continued at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Four women claimed Stars-and-Stripes jerseys in the discipline of criterium racing. In the first race of the day, Betsy Galenti (Pomona / SC Velo-InCycle) claimed a national title in the 30-34 age group by winning a four-up sprint after 25 miles of racing. Besty also won the Best All Around Rider for the 30-34 age group by placing 4th in the time trial, 3rd in the road race, and 1st in the criterium.

Betsy Galenti (SC Velo/ InCycle) won the Women's Master 30-34 Criterium,
with Heather Rose (Banning's Bike/Ducati) placing 4th.
photo © Demi Hechanova

Team Columbia Has a New Kit Too
7/4/08 - Not to be out done by Garmin-Chipotle H3O, Team Columbia (formerly High Road) will be sporting a new kit at the Tour too. Lots of blue in the peloton.

Versus.com To Offer Live Streaming of Tour de France For Stages 1 & 2
7/4/08 - Versus.com, the official Tour de France website in the United States, will offer live streaming of the race from 6:30-8:30 a.m. ET for Stage 1 on Saturday, July 5, and from 7:00-8:30 a.m. ET for Stage 2 on Sunday, July 6. Televised coverage of the Tour de France on VERSUS will start at 8:30 a.m. ET both days. TdF TV Schedule >

The Health Net and Rock train drill it with one to go at the Manhattan Beach GP.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

New Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O Kits Unveiled in France
7/3/08 - Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O greeted a huge crowd at today’s Tour de France team presentation in Brest, France to unveil their new kit, complete with a Chipotle burrito in the back pocket.

Cannondale Sports Group Pledges $200,000 to Bikes Belong
7/2/08 - During the recent Bikes Belong board meeting, Cannondale Sports Group (CSG) President and CEO Jeff Frehner pledged an additional $200,000 to support Bikes Belong and its mission to get more people riding bicycles more often. This contribution will be an annual donation of up to $200,000—in addition to membership dues—that will begin in July 2008. It is another step in CSG’s commitment to strengthen the bicycling community through advocacy. "We are very grateful for this additional donation from Cannondale Sports Group, which will be managed by our Bikes Belong Foundation,” said Tim Blumenthal, Bikes Belong Executive Director. “It will fund two innovative, timely projects.” A total of $125,000 will help Bikes Belong work with its national non-profit partners to enhance the crucial efforts of state and city bicycle advocacy groups. The remaining $75,000 will back a new Bicycle Facility Design Standards Project that will help professional transportation planners and engineers build seamless, convenient, and appealing cycling routes. “It is important for us to support programs that are helping to make bicycling a bigger part of our daily lives,” said Frehner. “When we work with and contribute to organizations like Bikes Belong and their partners, we are helping to make the cycling environment better for all bicycle riders.” CSG has made a commitment to support bicycle advocacy by maintaining current efforts and further developing new partnerships.  The $200,000 pledge comes just weeks after CSG announced that Cannondale Bicycles would renew memberships in Bikes Belong and IMBA.

Rock Racing's Rahsaan Bahati celebrated his sixth victory of the
season with his victory at the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix.
photo © veroimage.com

USA Cycling announces '08 US Olympic Team, includes So Cal Athletes
7/1/08 - USA Cycling announced today 21 of its 24 nominees to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, including all 16 men’s athletes across the disciplines of road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking and bicycle motocross (BMX). Additionally, USA Cycling formally announced five automatic women’s nominees across the four Olympic disciplines of cycling. Of the 21 athletes named on Tuesday, 12 earned automatic nominations under USA Cycling’s Olympic selection procedures, while nine additional athletes were nominated to the Olympic Team by a nine-person selection committee according to USA Cycling’s Principles of Discretion. Congratulations to So Cal's Michael Blatchford, Adam Duvendeck and Sarah Hammer who will compete in the Olympics on the track and Mike Day in BMX. more >

SoCal Riders Claim National Time Trial Titles at Masters Nationals
7/1/08 - The 2008 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships began Monday in Louisville, Ky. as amateur cyclists age 30 and up contested the time trial event. Nineteen individual Stars-and-Stripes jerseys and 11 tandem national titles were claimed in the race against the clock on the opening day of competition, kicking off a week’s worth of national championship races in time trial, road race and criterium events. Competing over a distance of 38 kilometers on a flat to rolling course, 1984 U.S. Olympic Team member Thurlow Rogers (Simi Valley) added a men’s 45-49 national time trial title to his resume when he posted a winning time of 49:50.3 – a mark fast enough to best all riders ten years his junior by nearly a minute. In the only other men’s category contesting the 38-kilometer course, Kenny Fuller (Corona del Mar) earned a national title in the men’s 60-64 category with a winning time of 52:55.1. Competing over a distance of 20 kilometers, Butch Richardson (San Diego) won the men’s 65-69 age group in 30:10.2. The elite mixed team of Dotsie and Kirk Bausch (Irvine) clocked a 52:55.8 to earn a national title. results >