I hope everyone in Australia is enjoying the Tour Down Under!  It's been an incredible success this year and it's great to see the big crowds gathering along the race venues.

From the Herald Sun:

...for South Australian sports fans, Australian cycling and the Tour Down Under, it could not have been any more successful.

Another 105,000 people turned out to watch yesterday's fifth stage, at least 10,000 lining both sides of the road several deep at the top of the Old Willunga Hill - a 400m-high, 3km-long torture test that the field was required to tackle twice.

[Lance] Armstrong described the scene as "Tour de France-esque" while Australian Allan Davis, who won the stage and will almost certainly win the Tour, said he had never seen a crowd like it.

Beginning with a massive 138,000 for the race prelude, a street criterium last Sunday night, the Armstrong magnetism has now lured 609,000 people over six days, according to official estimates.

That's already more than the 530,000 the entire race pulled last year and another six-figure top-up is expected for today's finale.

On those numbers it can claim to be among the most popular sports events held in Australia.

I can't find the adjectives to describe this engineering marvel.

2009 Cervelo P4

This looks to be an interesting product:

The bicycle frenzy blog has a review available at this link.

I agree with the reviewer on bicycle frenzy, the design is somewhat crude and could be reshaped to be a little more aero but it's a great concept especially for triathletes who are always looking for some extra space to cram some gels, bars, etc.  The position behind the seat and water bottle is also a good spot to improve aerodynamics vs. the top tube or aerobar mounted carrier systems.

Take a look at the product website at CagePack.com.

Price: US$13.50 for one, US$22.00 for two

There are a lot of great bicycle manufacturers out there and each year it's always exciting to see the new models with their subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) changes in design that seem to stretch toward aerodynamic perfection.

One of my favorite triathlon bikes is the Guru Crono.  Take a look at these pics:





If you're upgrading this year or just planning to try a different machine, you'll want to check out the Guru Crono.

Fabian Cancellara had an expected strong ride on Sunday to win the prologue of the Amgen Tour of California.

Cancellara crossed the line with the winning time on his Cervelo P3C.  The Cervelo time trial and triathlon setup has become one of the most successful and most respected in cycling and triathlon.

Cervelo refers to the P3 as the “Most successful time trial bike on the ProTour circuit” and the “Most successful triathlon bike on the Ironman circuit”

Also from Cervelo's description of the P3C:

"Despite the fact that we supply only one cycling team and a handful of triathletes, the P3C victory list is staggering. Its two world championships and nineteen Ironman victories alone are a record that no other bike can match. No wonder every other bike manufacturer uses the P3C as the reference. In fact, the P3C is so far ahead of its competition that if it was its own brand, it would win the yearly Kona Bike count all by itself, without needing the help of any of the other Cervélo models. To give you an indication of Cervélo’s overall strength in that bike count, all the other models together (but without the P3C) would still be far ahead of the best other bike brand."

"In time trials it’s no different; the P3C is by far the most used TT bike in the world. Why do so many people choose the P3C? The answer is quite simple: the bike works and offers exactly what the rider is looking for. Every detail on this bike is geared towards optimizing your race, from the aerodynamic details to the bottom bracket stiffness for efficient power transfer. Add a low weight and a geometry that puts you in a comfortable, powerful and aerodynamic position, and you have an unbeatable combination."

Click here to take a look at some of the pro triathletes riding for Cervelo...

Need to know how much power (wattage) you'll need to generate to do a big climb in a specific amount of time?  In his blog, Joe Friel discusses a formula that can help:

bike + rider weight (kg) x 9.8 x elevation gain (meters) / time (seconds) = power (watts). Add 10% for rolling and air resistance.

By the way, be sure to subscribe / bookmark Joe Friel's blog when you visit.  His material is always a must read for any serious endurance athlete or coach!

Jobst Brandt: Frequently Asked Questions about Bicycles and Bicycling

I found this site the other day and it has some interesting articles on bike parts, components, repair, physics and performance.

A few fun reads are:
Headwinds, Crosswinds and Tailwinds
Why do cyclists shave their legs
Cycling Myths

A recent Trek press release describes the new Astana team and its former Discovery Channel team connections:

Dec 12, 2007 (Waterloo, WI) – Trek Bicycle Corporation today announced that the Astana Cycling Team has chosen Trek to be the official team bike supplier for the 2008 season and beyond. Starting on January 1, 2008, Team Astana will rely on the proven technology of Trek OCLV Carbon to provide them with the lightest, fastest, and best handling bikes in the pro peloton. Riders like defending Tour de France Champion Alberto Contador and U.S. Road Champion Levi Leipheimer will count on the cutting-edge technology and superior ride characteristics of the all-new Madone for all-around workhorse duties in the most demanding races on the professional calendar. For time trial events, Astana riders will race against the clock aboard the fastest bike on the circuit, the wind-cheating Equinox TTX.

“We’re excited to be part of the new Astana and to continue racing at the sport’s highest level,” noted Trek President John Burke. “What counts here is having the best riders on the best bikes. We have faith in Johan [Bruyneel] and we’re fired up about working with riders like Levi and Alberto.”

Trek’s presence in the pro peloton was recently put into question when Tailwind Sports, the parent company for the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team—the team Trek has sponsored for the last ten years—announced that it would disband the team after the 2007 season. But when team director Johan Bruyneel announced his decision to take over direction of the Astana Team beginning in 2008—bringing with him ’07 TdF podium finishers Contador and Leipheimer—the decision to join Bruyneel at Astana was a natural one.

“When we learned that the Discovery Team was dissolving after the 2007 season, we knew that we wanted to stay in the pro peloton,” noted Scott Daubert, Trek’s Road Bike Brand Manager. “But we didn’t want to jump into just any team; we wanted to make sure any future sponsorships would be the right move for Trek, even if that meant sitting out the 2008 season. When Johan approached us about a possible move to Astana, we realized that the opportunity to continue working with him was too good to pass up. It’s no secret that we’ve enjoyed tremendous success with Johan over the past decade, and he’s demonstrated time and time again that he’s one of the savviest tacticians in professional cycling. We’re excited to be able to continue building on what has to date been a very fruitful partnership. The chance to continue working with riders like Contador and Leipheimer and now Chris Horner is an added bonus.” 

For his part, Bruyneel is excited to enter the second phase of his team management career, welcoming the challenges and opportunities associated with taking over the Astana team.

“It was not an easy decision to return to cycling after my retirement announcement in August,” Bruyneel said when Astana officially announced his appointment as general manager. “However, in my new role with Astana I have found new challenges and I am excited to help the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation grow the sport in the country.”

Bruyneel continued, “Under my guidance, the Team will strictly abide by the UCI Pro Team Code of Conduct, as well as any and all anti-doping measures agreed to by the UCI or the Team’s Union. Additionally, the Astana Team has taken further measures by subscribing to the anti-doping program developed by Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard and utilized by Team CSC in 2007. The Damsgaard anti-doping system is currently the most effective and comprehensive program available.”

When it came to finding a bike sponsor for the new Astana, the choice was a clear one for Bruyneel. “I didn’t go to anyone else for bikes in 2008,” noted Bruyneel about his decision to approach Trek. “Trek is the only company that can support our program. I know this from the success we have had together. There are lots of details in running a team and knowing that the bikes will be good every time we race tells me that I made the right choice.”

The riders look forward to competing on Trek bikes, too. “Obviously Trek knows what they are doing.  Look at the races they have won,” voiced 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador. “I’m happy to stay on a Trek to defend my Tour title.”

2007 Tour de France podium finisher Levi Leipheimer echoed Bruyneel and Contador’s sentiments: “I’m very happy to have Trek as the sponsor of the new Astana team. Trek was an integral part of my success during 2007. The new Madone has all the elements I look for in a high-performance bike; it’s light, stiff, and looks awesome. Most importantly, I know I can trust its reliability."

Trek Travel will also partner with the Astana team, offering behind the scenes access to the team.  This exclusive access to the world’s most successful stage racing team continues to set Trek Travel apart in the active travel industry.

Riders will be introduced to the new Astana team bikes at December’s orientation camp in Valencia, Spain. Riders will be fully outfitted in time for January’s New Mexico training camp.

The team’s first race aboard Trek bicycles will be Australia’s Tour Down Under, which races from January 22-27, 2008.

About Trek Bicycles:

Headquartered in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek Bicycle Corporation is a global leader in bicycle design and manufacturing. From the original hand-built steel touring frames introduced in 1976 to the revolutionary OCLV carbon fiber first introduced in 1992, Trek’s passion for innovation, quality, and performance leads the industry with next-generation technology and thinking. With an unprecedented eight Tour de France titles in the last nine years, six straight 24-hour World Solo Mountain Bike Championships, and countless other professional wins, Trek enjoys a rich tradition of victory in the world’s premier cycling events. Today, with a broad range of bicycles and cycling products under the Trek, Gary Fisher, LeMond, Bontrager, and Klein brand names, Trek continues to pursue new ways to bring the joy of cycling to all people.

About Astana:

Established in 2006 under the auspices of the Cycling Federation of Kazakhstan, and sponsored by a consortium of major Kazakh industries, the Astana Cycling Team was created as a vehicle to spark the interests and foster the development of Kazakhstan’s young riders. Named for the new capital of the Independent Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, which means “capital city”, ensures that the best and brightest riders in Kazakhstan have an opportunity to compete at the sport’s highest level. Success for Astana is not only a source of national pride for the Kazakh people, but also gives inspiration to nearly 6,000 young Kazakhs enrolled at 14 government-sponsored training centers. Astana operates under the direction of the team’s general manager, Johan Bruyneel, the director sportif for eight of the last nine Tour de France champions.

More here from VeloNews...

The Freakonomics blog posted an interesting article today on bicycling safety:

Per kilometer, cyclists are 12 times more likely than car drivers to suffer a fatal accident, according to Rutgers University urban planner John Pucher and Lewis Dijkstra of the European Commission (the same study found traveling by foot to be 23 times more dangerous than driving, per kilometer). To put this finding in perspective, there were 785 bicycling fatalities on American roadways in 2005, compared to 4,881 pedestrian and 43,443 automotive fatalities that same year.

On the other hand, a Danish study found that people who do not bike to work suffer a 39 percent higher mortality rate than those who do. So, assuming you can avoid a fatal accident on the road, biking to work may actually help you live longer.

Although we reap the health benefits of an active cycling lifestyle, it's also important to always be safe when on the roadways.  Always wear a helmet, obey traffic laws, remain alert and aware and try to ride routes that are safe and accommodating for cyclists.

Check out the entire blog post here.  There's some pretty interesting links and info...

Boulder, CO, USA - August 31, 2007 - VeloPress is pleased to announce the publication of a legal reference book for cyclists by attorney Bob Mionske. Bicycling & the Law: Your Rights as a Cyclist is designed to be the primary resource for cyclists to consult when confronted with a legal question.  The book is now available from VeloGear.com and in bookstores and bike shops.  Bicycling & the Law includes a foreword by Lance Armstrong that details a frightening experience with cyclist harassment.  The book has been endorsed by George Hincapie, Bobby Julich, Chris Carmichael, and many cycling advocacy organizations (see below).

Many of America's 9 million avid cyclists are confronted with confusing questions about traffic law, cyclist harassment, product liability, theft, and insurance contracts every year. Bicycling & the Law provides readers with the knowledge to avoid many legal problems and informs them of their rights, their responsibilities, and their recourse if they are confronted with a legal problem.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, more than 9 million cyclists describe themselves as "active cyclists"-weekend riders, off-road riders, commuters, and amateur and professional athletes-who face the daily challenges of commuting in traffic, overenthusiastic dogs, road hazards, traffic codes, harassment, road rage, bicycle theft, group rides, and property damage. This book is for them.

Bob Mionske makes the law both entertaining and understandable to the non-lawyer, while presenting an accurate and thorough explanation of the laws governing bicycles and bicycling. Bicycling & the Law is the definitive resource answering those questions and the only book of its kind on the market.

Bob Mionske is a Doctor of Law with a private practice that focuses on issues confronting cyclists.  He writes a popular column for VeloNews.com called "Legally Speaking with Bob Mionske." Mionske took fourth place in the 1988 Olympic Games cycling road race and was the 1990 U.S. National Road Race Champion. Mionske's legal practice is based in Portland, Oregon.

Praise for Bicycling & the Law:

This book should be read, digested, and practiced by cyclists and motorists alike. It should be a part of driver education and bicycle safety programs. Bicycling & the Law has one further, rare quality: it is eminently-and delightfully-readable.
Rep. James L. Oberstar (MN)
Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Cycling can be a tough job, whether you're riding to work or training for a race. Bob Mionske sets the record straight on cyclists' rights. If you love to ride, you should know what's in this book.
George Hincapie
Discovery Channel Cycling Team

Bob Mionske's superb Bicycling & the Law has filled a critical gap on our bookshelf, synthesizing essential information on the legal rights and responsibilities of cyclists into a coherent, comprehensive, and engaging volume. Anyone who rides a bicycle in the United States, whether commuter, roadie, tourist, messenger, or joy rider, should have a copy of this book at hand. It works beautifully as both a reference and a very readable narrative-pick it up anytime for fascinating tales of bicycle code and culture, and zoom in on the specifics and particulars as you need them.
Andy Thornley
Program Director, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Knowing the rules is a key to safe bicycling. Bob Mionske sheds light on our complex legal system and arms bicyclists with the knowledge to make smart decisions to protect their rights.
Dan Grunig
Executive Director, Bicycle Colorado

Big gains require real effort, and Bob Mionske has done the heavy lifting for all cyclists. Bicycling & the Law is a huge step forward for our rights on the road. In fact, everyone who rides should have a copy of this book.
Chris Carmichael
Carmichael Training Systems

Bob Mionske's book should be a must read for all cyclists to educate and inform them on their rights and responsibilities. We all hope that accidents won't happen to us, but common sense, common courtesy, and safe riding procedures are things we should all understand and follow. Cyclists should never leave the house without a rain jacket, a frame pump, a spare tire, and basic knowledge of this book.
Bobby Julich
Olympic medalist, Team CSC cycling team

Bicycling & the Law will promote cycling as a fun and affordable means of transportation and help create healthier, more livable cities. Mionske sets a positive example for both cyclists and drivers on how to share the road.
Dorcas Adkins
Director of Education Programs, Washington Area Bicyclist Association

What an exciting book to read for all cyclists. The information here will only enhance your riding as you will be aware of your rights as a legal road user. It is a must read.
Bill Lazenby
Co-President, Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

Anyone who has ever spent much time riding on the road knows how vulnerable it can feel to be a cyclist sharing the roads with cars, SUV's and trucks. This book is a fantastic resource to arm cyclists with basic information that will both educate and empower them.
Brad Tucker
ColoBikeLaw.com

A comprehensive and up-to-date guide to virtually all aspects of the legal system as they affect bicycling. Although directed at cyclists, this volume is also an important reference for law enforcement officers, attorneys, and judges.
Paul Schimek
Bicycle Transportation Institute

Everyone from the serious cyclist to the person thinking about dusting off the long-neglected bike in the garage will benefit from reading this book. Cycling instructors, avid riders, beginning cyclists, bike messengers, parents concerned about the perceived dangers of cycling for their children, those who are charged with providing suitable accommodations for cyclists, those charged with protecting the rights of cyclists, should at least scan Mionske's book.
Bob Chauncey, PhD
National Center for Bicycling & Walking