Off For The Holidays

Things will be pretty quiet on here for the next 10 days - off to Scottsdale for Christmas.  I am bringing my bike using the BikMD Helium case, watch for a review when I am back.

Have a safe and happy festive season!

Tob

The Dangers of New Car Smell - Just Ask Martin!

Martin Erzinger - the bullsh*t, errrr, plot thickens!

Above is a nice snappy picture of Denver-area wealth fund manager Martin Erzinger.  Back in July Martin was involved in a pretty serious hit and run collision with cyclist Dr Steven Milo.  Long story short, Martin hits Steve. Steve flies off bike and injuries ensue.  Martin leaves the scene.  Steve lays on highway bleeding.  Martin gets picked up in a Pizza Hut parking lot putting his car parts in his trunk while phoning Mercedes for a tow.  Meanwhile, Steve is still bleeding from just about every part of his body a few miles back in the middle of the highway.  Should be a pretty easy case right?!  Wrong. 

The DA enters a redonkulous plea bargain for Martin and the cycling community goes berserk.  You would think that the insanity would end there.  Nope!  New information has come to light that is sure to have cyclists grabbing torches and pitchforks in no time!  Allegedly, Martin suffers from sleep apnea and dozed off - to further compound his issues, he was also getting baked off his new car smell.  Wow, and I thought my 6 year old came up with bad excuses...Be interesting to see how this unfolds!  In the meantime I will be sharpening the tongs on my pitchfork...be safe out there!

Do You Want the Good News Or The Bad News?

Lot's going on in the world of cycling right now. While most teams are getting their first look at new rosters, bikes, and kits, one team might be looking for a new gig.  Rumor has it the major financial backer for  Pegasus Sports has closed the wallet for good - no Continental licence = no dough.  Watch for the riders to start jumping ship.

Hey Pat...pull my finger...

***Update - Pegasus may have a new sponsor - deet's to follow!****

Maybe one or two Pegasus'..Pegasi...Pegagsuses...whatever...can replace Alberto.  UCI president and all around happy Irishman, Pat McQuaid, has said that El Pistolero will have to wait until 2011 before a decision is made.  Great, this means I can split my media time between Prince William getting hitched and Alberto threatening to quit if he is found guilty.  Where is Cipo when you need him...oh wait...Cipo cropped up this last week and he apparently thinks that modern cycling is lacking machismo.  After watching Schlek and Contator hugging their way through the TDF I tend to agree.  We need more gladiators...

 Cipo would have shot for the double leg and finished with the ground and pound... 

On the flip side, Canada's own Team Spidertech Powered By Planet Energy became our nation's first Pro Continental team.  With the Continental status comes the opportunity to race more in Europe which should be a huge benefit to the team.   It has been noted that Spidertech will still be racing at the major North American events such as the Tour of California, Utah , and some of the Canadian ProTeam races. With lot's of young talent and Steve Bauer at the helm, the future looks bright!

Great White Hope!

How about the Luxembourg Cycling project unveiling the team name...Team Leopard?  How about Team Panda or Team Fluffy Duck?  I am relatively new to the cycling game but some of the team names are pretty weak.  Now I get that the team name is reflective of the ownership or major sponsor and Team Leopard comes from the management company run by Bryan Nygaard who initially formed the team but Leopard... really? Next your gonna tell me their kit will be spotted animal prints...

Until next time, stay warm and keep the rubber side down!

I Miss Roenick

I was watching the Oilers play last night and the game goes to a shootout.  Linus Omark, a rookie just called up from the farm team, is the next shooter for Edmonton.  Omark has a reputation as a shootout hot dogger and this is his first NHL shootout attempt.  After a flying false start (officials were not ready) Omark comes with speed, does a mid ice spin-o-rama, fakes a slapper , then puts the puck five hole to win the game.  All in all, very exciting and entertaining for the fans yet all the opposing team could focus on was how disrespectful Omark was with his flashy style.  I give kudos to Omark for trying something different and having the stones to do it - even more so for not apologizing afterwards in post game interviews.  In an age when everyone is afraid of going against the grain for fear of upsetting sponsors or breaking the unwritten rules of their sport, it is refreshing to see a young up and comer bucking the trend and making no apologies.  I am not asking for a league of Avery's (he needs to be tuned in)...but to see some personality out there is great!

On The REALLY Naughty List

Eat Plywood Hipsters!

All I Want For Christmas

Christmas is coming and I have been really good this year!  I have asked Santa for a new bike but I am thinking I may have to bite the bullet as Saint Nick is more likely to bring me a Big Wheel than a carbon fiber rocket.  I made a promise to myself that I would buy a new bike once my odometer hit 5000 km's.  Right now I am at 3641 km's. I figure I can hit 5000 km by spring just in time for the roads to be clean of winter debris and ready for a fresh set of rubber.  My short list is Wilier, Focus, and Colnago but that could very well change as the 2011 bikes are coming to market...decisions, decisions!!

SHATTERED DREAMS - THE CURSE OF SKIN COLORED KITS

It is with a heavy heart that I report my bid for a UCI ProTeam license has been denied.  Maybe it was my lack of sponsors (I don’t have any), or riders (does my 8 year old count?), or talent (definatley none of that!)...regardless of the reason, I am on the outside looking in.  In an effort to make myself feel better I will place the blame on the UCI points system…I have never had any ethics related issues, that has to count for something!

Oh well, I guess it will be me and the boys from Geox-TMC; they have Menchov (09 Giro winner) and Sastre (08 TDF winner) so I guess I can’t feel that bad.  The only way things could get worse for Geox is if they continue the trend of hideous kit courtesy of team management... yes I am talking to you Footon – Servetto.  Apparently they consulted the same designers for A&W...yeesh.

Step Away From The Donut!

Snow is falling and my bike is hiding in the basement.  Just a gentle reminder of how unforgiving lycra can be.  

He Did Not Just Do That?!

Good evening and what can I tell ya...?

In times when most cycling news revolves around Alberto’s “beef” with WADA, Novitzky going postal on Lance; or why Cav is angry/underpaid/underappreciated; it is refreshing to have something positive (other than drug tests) come out.  This weeks’ good news story comes from across the pond courtesy of the worlds best trials rider, Danny MacAskill.  Following up his unbelievable Inspired Bicycles film that initially launched him into the spotlight with 20 million hits on You Tube, Danny brings us his latest release, “Way Back Home”.  The riding in his latest flick is as inspiring and stunning as ever.  MacAskill does things on a bike that are seemingly impossible yet he hops, flips, drops, and rolls with a fluid grace that is mesmerizing.   So thank you Danny, you make me want to get out and ride!