The Cycling Thread

[Rick Danger]

Originally Posted by dill99

This is how I get down. FUJI TAHOE 29 in PRO. Everyday in San Fran.

Fuji has been making some great bikes. I remember a friend of mine and his Fuji road bike
back in the late 70's..............

San Francisco ? You get immediate respect !

[Rick Danger]

FYI, outside of New York City (my hometown), San Francisco is my favorite town.

Have one at the Buena Vista on me.....................

[Rick Danger]

Yellow Jersey Cycles - Madison, Wisconsin

http://www.yellowjersey.org/index.html

One of the nation’s leading bicycle shops with full lines of bicycles, frames, apparel, parts, and service. Yellow Jersey was born on April Fool’s Day, 1971.

What's your favorite bike shop ? Feel free to bring it on !

[Rick Danger]

Edmund ("Ned") Overend (born 20 August 1955 in Taipei, Taiwan), the son of a U.S. diplomat, started in mountain biking in the early 1980s. He was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1990 and the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2001. Even though he retired from Pro Mountain biking in 1996, he continued competing in endurance competitions like the XTERRA Triathlon, and regular road triathlons. While in professional mountain biking, Overend earned the nicknames "Deadly Nedly" and "The Lung", because he was very difficult to beat and for his phenonomenal aerobic endurance at altitude (especially so for a man of his age), respectively. He is the current captain of the Specialized Cross Country Team.

Major achievements (incomplete list)

UCI World Mountain Biking Champion (Gold, 1990; Bronze 1991)
NORBA National Mountain Biking Champion (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
NORBA National Point Series Champion (1987)
XTERRA World Champion (1998, 1999, 2nd 1997)
United States National Winter Triathlon Champion (2000)
United States National XTRERRA Series Champion (2001, 2002)
Colorado Road Champion (2004)
Road Apple Rally Champion (2004, 2009)
Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb (1st, 1985-1986; 2nd, 2006; 4th, 2005; 5th, 2008; 2nd, 2010)
Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb (2nd, 2006, 2009)
Teva Mountain Games Hillclimb (1st, 2007)

[from Wikipedia.org]

Interview: Ned Overend, Specialized ambassador
By Gary Boulanger, US editor
Bikeradar.com
Sat 23 Aug 2008

Longevity and loyalty are two words that best describe Ned Overend and his relationship with Specialized Bicycles. The 53-year-old athlete, now referred to as 'Captain', has been involved with them for an impressive 20 years as a racer and a ... well, we'll let him tell you.

Born in Taiwan to an American diplomat, Overend competed in two Ironman triathlons in 1980 and `81 after a decent effort running marathons (personal record: 2:28) before switching to road and mountain bike racing.

Overend won the unofficial mountain bike world championships in 1987, stamping his authority against younger competitors for the next nine years as he won six NORBA National Mountain Biking Championships. It's no wonder he was called 'Deadly Nedly' and 'The Lung' during those years.

Although the 1990 UCI World Mountain Bike cross country champion officially retired from the professional dirt scene in 1996, Overend has curiously not gone away like most retirees. Instead, Overend still races competitively on the road and dirt, just like he's been doing since he caught the two-wheeled bug in the early 1980s after relocating to Durango, Colorado to become a Porsche and Volkswagen mechanic. The father of two has also won several Xterra world championships, road races, and two national cyclo-cross championships.

Now a full-time salaried Specialized employee, Overend, like his industry peer Hans Rey with GT, is involved in a myriad of things for his employer, chief among them being an ambassador for the sport as well as the brand. He is heavily involved with product development, launching new Specialized dealers in the US and abroad, managing the stable of world champion athletes racing for the Morgan Hill, California company, and giving his two cents on product development.

BikeRadar: Tell us about your transition from being a Schwinn-sponsored athlete in the mid 1980s to becoming part of the Specialized family.

Ned Overend: I raced for Schwinn from 1984 - 1987. I was originally brought on by a guy involved with Schwinn's BMX team, and after he left I wasn't all that convinced that Schwinn was committed to mountain bike racing. They thought racing was more of a fad. Then (Specialzied owner) Mike Sinyard and some of his product guys came to Durango and asked me if I'd like to join their team. They talked about bringing me on board to race and help develop products through their racing program. It was a pretty easy decision to make.

Now I'm a salaried employee with Specialized; I work a variety of different areas with the company. I have input on how products evolve, and am heavily involved with product testing. I help explain new products to the media, and launching the products to dealers. We brought six hundred US and three hundred international dealers to Colorado to introduce them to our 2009 line. I'm on my way to Tokyo to help launch our new line to a hundred of our dealers there.

I help Specialized in its advocacy efforts both in Washington DC and here in Colorado. I also work closely with our marketing department in negotiating contracts with our teams and riders. I'm hands-on with Christoph (Sauser), Liam (Killeen), two of our mountain bike stars. I also manage contracts with Conrad Stoltz and Chris McCormack, our multi-sport athletes.

You and GT's Hans Rey are the two longest-standing ambassadors for your bike company sponsors. To what do you attribute your tenure with Specialized?

Staying interested in a job is a challenge. My role at Specialized has really evolved over the years; road is huge right now. Ours is a very competitive industry, and there are several categories growing all at once for the first time in years. Twenty-six inch mountain bikes have always done well for us, and now there's 29ers. I'm one of Specialized's biggest 29er advocates.

For me, one of the best things about working for Specialized are the challenges. One thing Mike (Sinyard) has done well is acquiring some incredible talent in product development, engineering, and marketing. This is one of the main reasons I've stuck with Specialized so long. I love variety, and I don't have time to race too much as in the past, so I've kept myself from burning out. One thing I really like is not having the pressure anymore to win races.

How do you choose the events you race these days?

I cross-check my travel schedule. There's always something going on in California and Colorado, where much of my travels take me. I have a nose for finding events.

How has age changed the way you train?

I've realized I have to train less. I ride 10 - 12 hours a week. I'm travelling a lot these days, so I have to fit that in. I believe in riding hard, with intensity. As one gets older, one has to allow time for recovery. I'd love to do a three-hour mountain bike ride today, but my schedule won't allow it. Nutrition also plays an important part in my routine.

To what extent do you watch what you eat?

I'm pretty lucky; I have a great metabolism. I make sure I get fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, plenty of protein. Post-ride and post-race nutrition, along with proper hydration, has been the key for me. The more intense I train the more careful I am about what I eat.

What gets you more fired up, dirt or road?

A combination of the two, actually. This is what keeps me fresh. I really enjoy cyclo-cross as well. Mountain biking on singletrack is always an amazing experience for me.

You've certainly kept your competitive fires burning. Does your son Rhyler carry that same passion for two wheels?

He loves to ride, and he rides a lot. He doesn't have my same passion for racing, though. To him all the preparation with downhilling is too much of a hassle. He just loves to ride.

You've obviously spent gobs of time in the saddle. In your opinion, what have been some of the better innovations since you've been racing? Could be road or mountain or both.

Innovation happened slowly. I'm reminded of the biggest leap in technology when I ride the latest full suspension mountain bikes. They're so efficient and light! Today's full-suspension bikes weigh less than the cross-country rigid bikes I was racing in the 1980s. Clipless pedals and indexed shifting are important, but full suspension tops them all.

Which bike do you choose for more casual rides?

This past year has been so busy for me, so I really don't get to ride casually much. I've been working on the Epic, and before that it was the Stumpjumper. I'm focused on helping to develop our suspension platform, so saddle time is usually more concentrated on the job at hand versus just cruising around.

Even though you've most famously associated with Specialized, some may be surprised that you're also part owner of Bouré Bicycle Clothing. How long have you and Drew Bourey been working together? Tell us about how the relationship started and how the company is doing today.

Since 1982 or so. I got involved in 1992, and Bouré is a small company, but that's how we like it. All our stuff is made in Durango, although we outsource our sublimated products. We focus on quality for the enthusiasts.

Living the good life in Colorado

Tell us about Durango's bike culture and why you've chosen to live there so long.

Durango's an amazing town for cyclists. Road, mountain, cyclo-cross. I moved there before I really got into cycling. It was for rock climbing originally. Our Tuesday night road rides are loaded with pros from several different teams, including BMC, Kelly Benefits, Jittery Joe's, HealthNet, Colavita; picture these guys doing their Tuesday night hammer session in their full team kit! Bob Roll lives here and rides when he's in town as well. There are plenty of local races to keep people happy.

The weather doesn't always lend itself to cycling outdoors, but if one likes living in the mountains, Nordic skiing is wonderful in these parts. The athletic health of Durango is very vibrant.

Who's your best friend?

Definitely my wife Pam. We've been together 27 years, and we've been through a lot. We have two kids, and she's used to my travel schedule. She's always had her own life and her own identity, which is important. She's a nurse, and she likes to travel, but selectively. She doesn't need to be wrapped up entirely in my life.

[otiscleotus]

Most of you are far more serious about cycling than I am. My device is an about 15 year old mountain Trek, I had to have it in storage about half that time so it isn't high milage (got it when I sold my classic hot rod back then).

I wish I would've gotten more of a hybrid with some higher gears. After nearly getting picked off by a school crossing guard driving off to wherever they go to and a police/prison guard woman on the same day while I was in crosswalks with the light I pretty much relegated my rides to the Erie Canal towpath. While that makes for a scenic safe ride the lack of hills means no need for low gears while with the nice surface I could go a lot faster and farther for extended periods with higher gears than the 15-20 mph I can get out of the current sprockets.

[Rick Danger]

Originally Posted by otiscleotus

Most of you are far more serious about cycling than I am.

Going 15-20 mph on a fifteen year old Trek MTB ? You sound pretty serious to me !

My road bike is more than fifteen years old. But I "upgeared" it myself years ago by swapping the original 40-52 tooth chainrings and going to 42-53T rings. You could probably do the same with minimal cost and effort. Replacing the cogs is more involved, but depending on how much wear is on them they may need replacing anyway.

Also, consider going to a lighter set of wheels, higher pressure tires, or both.

I also hear you considering your encounters with your local traffic. Around here there's a decided lack of bike lanes. Worst still, you may get a bike lane for a mile or two and then it just stops, and some of these streets don't even have shoulders. That's one reason why I do a lot of night riding, sometimes after midnight. The roads are pretty much mine at that hour.

Like I said at the beginning of this thread, there are no snobs here. Welcome, make yourself right at home !

[DEB JORDAN FAN]

A Few Pics Of My Favourite Cycling Team.

[Rick Danger]

Gotta love the custom jerseys, the custom chairs, the team car..........

[Rick Danger]

BikeRadar.com
News
Thu 11 Nov 2010, 11:52 am UTC

Contador happy as case moves forward
By AFP

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who is provisionally suspended following a positive test for clenbuterol, said Wednesday he was happy his case is finally being handled by the Spanish cycling federation (RFEC).

"I'm happy that the case is being handled by the federation because that means we can now move forward," said Contador, who faces a ban from the sport as well as giving up his 2010 yellow jersey.

Contador has claimed his positive result for trace amounts of the banned weight loss/muscle-building drug, following a test on the Tour de France in July, was down to eating contaminated meat - although skeptics suggest he may have inadvertently put clenbuterol back into his system through an illicit and performance-enhancing blood transfusion.

Earlier Wednesday a report in AS sports daily claimed the RFEC would take "at least two months" to decide whether it would sanction Contador or not.

The final decision of the RFEC's Competition Committee on the Spanish rider "will not be known before two months," the federation's chief, Juan Carlos Castano, said.

"Everything depends on arguments that Contador will present and the checks that the Competition Committee will seek from neutral experts to look into the veracity of the evidence presented," AS said.

Under the anti-doping rules of world cycling's governing body, the UCI (International Cycling Union), the RFEC has a maximum of one month to deliver its decision.

The UCI "sets a rule of a one-month deadline to take a decision in doping cases ... but under Spanish anti-doping rules, which is what will be followed, the authorised period is three months," AS said.

Provisionally suspended by the UCI, Contador's future is hanging in the balance. If suspended for two years, he has threatened to quit the sport.

Contador, who also won the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009, in August signed a two-year contract with the Saxo Bank team.

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, runner-up behind the Spaniard in the last two editions of the race, has recently quit Saxo Bank and set up a new team with his brother Frank and many other members of the Danish outfit.

© AFP 2010

[Rick Danger]

Stop laughing.

For a lot of years I avoided the idea of me taking yoga classes. First it was a sexism thing ("Ahh..., it's only a chick thing"). Then I was concerned that I couldn't possibly twist myself into a pretzel.

But a few years ago the fitness center at the job was offering a free yoga class. Since I was studying for my black belt (still laughing ?) and training three to five times a week, I thought maybe yoga could give me an extra "edge".

I was very surprised to learn that yoga not only promotes flexibility, but strength, balance, concentration, and breath control, as well as being totally relaxing. Aside from helping my performance I credit yoga with saving me from injury on a number of occasions. You also learn that while you may not ever be able to execute the postures to 100% perfection, a quality instructor will have intermediate positions that anyone can attain regardless of age, fitness level, etc. It's not about competing with the guy or gal next to you, but finding a personal regimen that benefits you.

Give this small introduction a try:

Yoga for Cyclists: 3 Poses You Should Practice
By Claire Petretti
For Active.com
http://www.active.com/mindandbody/ar...d-Practice.htm


Many of my yoga students are cyclists who practice yoga to alleviate muscle tightness from logging long hours in the saddle. A yoga practice focused on flexibility, core strength and balance can be a perfect cross-training workout for the avid cyclist.

Competitive triathlete Molly McCorkle used to suffer pain in her lower back and hips when she took long rides training for half-Ironman triathlons. "Over the years, I have experienced injuries while training but since I began yoga, I
have noticed that I am more flexible and less injury-prone," McCorkle said. "The core strength, focus and balance from practicing yoga have brought my cycling to a higher level. Also, the visualization aspect has really allowed me to focus on the task at hand and block out any negative thoughts while I'm climbing during a difficult ride."

In cycling, the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips never rest. As a result, riders often have overdeveloped quadriceps and tight hamstrings, which can pull the hips out of alignment. Also, a cyclist's spine is constantly flexed forward. If proper form isn't maintained, it can result in muscle pain and strain in the back and shoulders. Yoga helps ease the tightness, creating core strength, and aligning the spine.

Cycling requires not only physical strength, but also intense focus and concentration to succeed on the road. The attention to breath and mind-body connection in yoga can be employed by the cyclist while riding to maintain mental clarity and calmness.

Try these three poses before or after your next ride.

Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch or Pyramid)



This pose is excellent for promoting balance and opening up tight hamstrings and the illiotibial bands.

Stand in Mountain pose with your feet together. Step your left foot back about three feet and angle the back foot out slightly. Keep both hips facing front and square your hips. Draw your hands behind your back, bend your arms and clasp your elbows. Inhale as you look up. Open your chest and exhale. Hinging from the hips, keep your spine long as you fold forward over your straight right leg. To modify, slightly bend the front leg, working toward straightening it eventually. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on second side.

Dolphin Pose



This pose is excellent for opening up the chest, shoulders and the hamstrings. It also mirrors the proper upper body alignment for cyclists.

Start on your hands and knees, with your knees directly beneath the hips and hands slightly in front of your shoulders. Exhale and tuck your toes under, pressing your tailbone toward the sky. Keep your knees slightly bent to start. Press your heels toward the ground. It is okay if they don't reach it. Lower down onto your forearms, with your elbows directly beneath your shoulders. Broaden your shoulder blades away from each other. Breathe deeply and hold for one to two minutes.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)



This pose is a great counter-pose for your upper body positioning while on your bike. It will open up the front of your body and strengthen your spine.

Start on your back with your knees bent. Position your feet about six inches away from your hips. Make sure that your feet are pointing straight ahead. Inhale and press your feet into the floor and lift your pelvis up as high as you can comfortably. Slide your shoulders underneath you, clasping the hands. Breathe evenly. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Slowly lower down, one vertebra at a time.

Claire Petretti is a RYT yoga instructor, NASM certified personal trainer, certified Pilates teacher and freelance writer residing in San Diego, California. In addition to training clients privately, she teaches at Sculpt Fusion Yoga, Frogs and CorePower Yoga. You can learn more about Claire and yoga at www.oceansoulyoga.com.

Here are some other resources around the Internet:

Training: Yoga for Cyclists
By Ainslie MacEachran
http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=16694

Yoga for Cyclists
By Ann Pizer
http://yoga.about.com/b/2010/07/06/y...cyclists-2.htm

Wheel of Yoga for Cyclists: Pre- & Post-Ride Practices (DVD)
David Moreno
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Yoga-Cyc.../dp/B003RWSC5S

Be safe out there..................