The Morning Commute – A Tradition

September 12, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

It’s early. It’s just starting to get light out. There’s still a bit of a nip in the air. You have this feeling of being alive and beating everyone to the day. That is because in fact, you are. And not just alive, but invigorated and motivated to tackle and enjoy the day.

On your morning commute on your bike you pass by the older lady out walking her dog and give a slight “good morning”. You pass the kids waiting for the bus impatiently. You think, “I wish I still had that much energy as soon as I woke up without any coffee!”. You make up for it though with your second cup in your thermos.

The commute’s not too long but long enough to get your heart pumping and your brain rolling on what’s coming up for the day. You pass all the traffic and think “I sure am glad I’m not stuck there with them.” If only more of the world would commute by bike it would make everyone better in so many ways; how you feel during the day, that you’re getting exercise, your not wasting your valuable time staring through a windshield, and perhaps most importantly, you’re not adding to the worlds problems of pollution, over-consumption, and spitting out more CO2 into the atmosphere.

The last few minutes on your morning commute you ease up a little on the pedals to slow your breathing and to start to cool off so you don’t immediately become sweaty as soon as you step inside. You take advantage of that free-flowing, cool air. When you pull up to work you roll right to the front of the building, not having to look for a parking spot. Another sweet advantage especially when parking is bad.

The worst part about your morning commute? It coming to end. But fortunately you have the ride home and then the morning commute again tomorrow.

Let us know in the comments below what your favorite part of the morning commute is. We’d love to hear!

Cycling in Cuba

February 3, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

There is an old saying “a man cannot walk into the same river twice, as both the man and the river have changed.”

My entire adult life I have wanted to go to Cuba to explore the small island nation that had stood up against its mighty neighbour, and won…. forming a very unique place in our world.

I wanted to see how its people live their day to day lives after its well known revolution, and in what state the country was in first hand. With Cuba’s communist ways quickly softening, I felt that the sooner I started this adventure the better. The river that is Cuba is quickly changing and, in upcoming years, that change is sure to be in leaps and bounds.

When a friend asked me if I wanted to join him on a 14 day cycling trip in November to Cuba, I quickly jumped at the chance. This trip would be settling two scores for me.

Number one; I wanted to see Cuba at the ground level. The best way to do this is, of course, by bike.

Number two; after a very busy work year I wanted to escape from society, ever so briefly, and simplify my life to riding a bike, seeing good friends, and relaxing. The trip was shaping up nicely.

I was very curious about the north eastern province of Cuba called Holguin. When I put ‘Cycling in Holguin’ into Google, almost nothing came up. I had no idea about its roads, the people, the terrain,…the best rides. All of these were things that I picked up only after I arrived and was able to talk to people and explore.

There are signs of the revolution all over!

Holguin is the area where Fidel Castro was born in the small town of Brian in 1926 and also where he returned to start the revolution with Che Guevara in the early 50’s. Watching movies such as the ‘Motor Cycle Diaries’ or the two movie series called ‘CHE’ before your visit would add a lot of value to your stay as you explore the area.

The revolutionaries lived in the mountains around Holguin for years gaining strength and attacking the American supported Batista regime before overthrowing the government in 1953. While riding in Cuba one is sure to encounter many monuments commemorating Cuba’s very active history.

This would be an average quality road in Cuba.

As soon as I threw a leg over my bike it became apparent that Cuba has great quality roads….but not many of them! This is an area where most transportation and farming are done with horse and carriage. Dirt roads are the veins of this system. Exploring Cuba is best done on a gravel grinder, or modified cyclocross bike. My race ready, DI2 equipped road bike worked great, but to get to the meat and potatoes of Cuba, you need to access dirt roads. Think 30c tires minimum. I felt like there was a hidden world only accessible through exploring these side roads, and for my next adventure I would be sure to take a different bike.

When riding from the resorts you will find your options are either riding ‘left’ or ‘right’ as an out and back on paved roads. This is where the cross bike comes in handy as there are thousands of roads and mountains to explore in Cuba, BUT most of them aren’t paved. That being said if you are there for a week you won’t get tired of the paved routes.

If you are looking for a guide while in Holguin you will be greeted with very capable locals who tend to hang out in front of the resorts in the mornings. Some will be using bikes from the 70’s that should have been retired in that decade. They most likely will be using running shoes, but don’t let this fool you as they are very very strong riders. Most of the cycling gear Cuban’s use has been given to them by visiting cyclists, so expect to see shoes that don’t fit and parts working together that would make Joe Friel cry. Wheels and tires that are so thread bare that these locals are taking their life in their hands using them.

Should you take a selection of jerseys, helmets, parts, tubes or such as gifts, it is greatly appreciated. Most of the gear is distributed amongst the cycling community to those who need newer parts, or those who it fits best.

I stayed on a resort in the North Eastern part of the island. There is a large concentration of resorts in this area, and if you’re looking for a relaxing cycling trip this is the way to go. It is nice to romanticize about touring from one end of the island to the other while sleeping in a tent, and surviving on nothing but bananas and sugar cane. It’s equally nice knowing that after a long day in 30 degree Celsius heat you will have a shower, a bed, a meal and a place to let loose or even relax for the evening.

The resorts use the ‘star’ system most people are accustomed to. Don’t let a low star rating fool you however. The ‘stars’ system in Holguin Cuba doesn’t seem to indicate quality, but rather what type of trip you want, and amenities offered. Out of the blue I stumbled upon a very small resort which was only rated as 1 star, and was very inexpensive, yet beautiful, quiet and the definition of ‘middle of no-where’. The only prevailing noise was the waves from the beach and the wind in the palm trees. Instead of monstrous buildings, we were greeted with individual cabins that ran along the beach. If you were looking for some time to get away with someone special, and hide from the world I would recommend taking the time to check out locations in relation to the beach, and read forums and reviews. Cuba’s lodgings can be diamonds in the rough, and reward people who put in some work in the form of price, quaintness and beauty.

There are all modes of transport in Cuba, cars, bikes, busses, horses, buggies. Everything is utilized.

Cars and bicycles will forever be fighting for real estate, and one of the most interesting parts about Cuba are the cars. They are mostly made up of Russian era Ladas, with a few 50’s Chevrolets thrown in, and the odd Chinese car whose name no primary english speaker can pronounce.

Diesel is the fuel of Cuba, and as a result expect to be covered in grime after every ride. Because a Lada from the 50’s costs the equivalent of $20 000 CDN, you don’t see many cars on the road. Horse and buggy are the primary source of transportation. Overall, riding 2×2 you generally feel pretty safe as drivers seem accustomed to going around horse and buggies.

As expected, the beaches in Cuba are fantastic. The best ones are always the ‘locals only’ ones. Fortunately they are not hard to find. I would recommend Playa Blanco, which also hosts a monument to Christopher Columbus who landed in the area in 1492. It is worthwhile to relax and take some time in this area. There are a number of great ‘for locals’ restaurants, and also ones which have catered themselves to tourists, but in a charmingly Cuban way. These bear no flash or refinements North Americans are accustomed to, and the payoff is incredibly delicious and fresh fish usually caught hours before the meal.

A menu at a roadside restaurant in Cuba.

There are 2 currencies in Cuba. Any tourist can change their currency for the ‘Convertable” where $1 CDN is worth about .75 CUC. To put this in perspective, 1 CUC is worth about $25 Cuban dollars which can buy a bag of cement. Cubans are loaned their land from the government, but have to build on it if there isn’t a house on it. So $1 CDN is a small fortune to them. Only recently have Cubans been able to spend the ‘Convertable’ currency as freely as the Cuban Dollar.

Be sure to tip often. Although there are very few stores while riding through Cuba, there are often people who will sell you a plantain or banana on the side of the road. Even in November temperatures hover in the 30’s with high humidity. 1CUC for a couple of bananas is a lifesaver to both you and the fellow you bought them from.

Make a point to ride through the smaller towns in Holguin Provence. It’s important to remember that this small country primarily trades with other Spanish speaking countries and was put in a tough spot with the fall of the USSR which was its primary supplier of goods, fuel, farm machinery, and other foods. You get a sense that a lot of farmers were forced to revert back to farming with oxen as regular parts and farm machinery left with the Soviets. As a result some things deemed a necessity by North American standards are either too expensive, have long waits to receive it, or are simply unavailable.

The rides for the most part are largely out and backs. If you wanted to do loops, expect to be in the saddle for over 150 km, unless you have a cross bike and a guide. The mapping system that I have seen only covers the larger arteries of the island.

Internet is sparse in Cuba. At the resorts you can typically buy it for around $2 an hour, but getting the cards to give you access is sometimes difficult. It is important to remember this is not a ‘supply and demand society’. The internet is still a new thing in Cuba and most locals simply don’t have ANY access to it. I’ve been told that some civilians do have it, such as doctors, to keep up with current studies and trends.

Overall Cuba is a land of contradictions. It is stuck in its adolescence in the world market, but has a very tumultuous history. As its communist ways soften it has shown its defiance to one parent, while building its relationship with the other, and as a result offers a very unique experience. Cuban history is still very much apparent, and easy to find.

In the next 50 years I feel Cuba will become a power house in cycle tourism. However, the raw, true experience that many want to see, will be watered down with each year passing as Cuba grows and evolves.

Roadie Versus Mountain Biker

November 27, 2015 by Wade Shaddy

Cyclists just love bikes, period. It doesn’t matter if one has fat tires, and one has skinny tires. It’s counterproductive to avoid either one. Road biking helps mountain bikers build endurance. Roadies can benefit from the technical skills gained from mountain biking. The sharing of knowledge and skills between both disciplines is beneficial to all cyclists. But what are the differences; they’re all over the place, ranging from fashion to attitude, body shape to grooming, just to name a few.

Fashion Choices

If you’ve spent any time at bike races, bike shows or even watched cycling events on television, you’ve noticed a few basic roadie versus mt. biker fashion differences.

Mountain Biker

Mountain bikers are more extreme than roadies. The baggy shorts and different types of shirts or jerseys — often emblazoned with soda or energy drink logos — characterize mountain biker fashion. Body armor is sometimes present adorning shoulders and knees, and full-face helmets, which are actually more prevalent in downhill.

Road Biker

The typical road cycling enthusiast prefers tight gear. Lycra shorts are a given, with black being the most popular. Baggy shorts are considered flappy, and excessive. Jerseys are cycling specific, more consistent, cut and fit to hug the body. The logos are often based around cycling products and sponsors. More fashion oriented than mountain bikers, roadies prefer designer sunglasses over full-face helmets.

Jerseys

The fashion differences between mountain bikers and roadies is not happenstance. The fact is, mountain bikers don’t need to be as aerodynamic as roadies. If you see a mountain biker wearing a t-shirt instead of a jersey, it’s because they can get away with it.

Road riders spend hours in the saddle, and back pockets on cycling jerseys store enough goods to keep riding. Roadies also need the extra gear; medicinal and spare parts come in handy miles from home. Mountain bikers are fine with any kind of shirt, pockets or not.

The Baggy Shorts

The difference in shorts is somewhat controversial. Some mountain bikers testify that baggy shorts are cooler, and more comfortable. Others say that baggy shorts allow your genitalia to be more free, that the constant restraint from Lycra is uncomfortable, and prevents the necessary adjustment to the family jewels. The constant standing, sitting and swerving of mountain biking requires a more flexible approach. And the fact that baggy shorts typically have numerous pockets is a plus as well.

Lycra Shorts

Lycra shorts have padding. Baggy shorts do not typically have padding. Road riders sit for hours in the same position. The padded front on Lycra shorts cushions the genitalia better. Mountain bikers stand and sit, stand and sit, stand and sit, over and over again. You would think the padding would come in handy, but mountain bikers still prefer the option to allow the family jewels to move around. Mountain bikers swear that baggy shorts are more durable than Lycra, and that snagging a stick with baggy shorts isn’t as likely to tear as Lycra.

To the Contrary

If you’ve watched or participated in any mountain bike races, you’ve probably noticed that some mountain bikers have Lycra on underneath the baggy shorts. Go figure. So maybe all the talk about family jewels is just that, talk, and it’s a fashion thing after all. Personal preference is what it’s all about, you can wear anything you like, but you’re more likely to see mountain bikers wearing Lycra than a roadie wearing baggy shorts.

Cleanliness

Roadies typically prefer clean shaven faces, or neatly trimmed goatees. Mountain bikers just don’t care, and stubble, scraggly beards and long hair is considered normal.

Taste

Taste is a personal thing, it’s just inherent to your nature. But if you’re a mountain biker, you’ll drive four hours to ride for just one hour. Mountain bikers prefer the BBQ to the fancy restaurant, or the movies to the art gallery.

Roadie Attitude

Road cycling is steeped in tradition. Almost every aspect of road cycling from equipment to clothing to hand signals, is governed by rules. Some of them have evolved out of necessity, and some of them are simply tradition for tradition’s sake. But because of all the rigidity in road biking, the roadie is often mis-diagnosed as fastidious, snotty and aloof. The aloof appearance could be a natural expression of the fastidious expression of rules. Roadies may not even acknowledge you, or don’t even appear to know you exist at times.

Mountain Biker Attitude

Mountain bikers seem to actually enjoy what they’re doing. The vocabulary and persona of the mountain biker has a decidedly more modern, western vibe than the roadie’s old-world, European sensibility. Mountain bikers refer to a ride as, “gnarly,” “flowing,” “cool” or “nasty.” They get “stoked.”

The cleanliness of the roadie is the complete opposite of the mt. biker. They’re not afraid to get splattered with mud, and go out of their way to find it. Serious roadies won’t be caught with so much as a speck on their bikes. Mountain bikes are often so caked with debris that you can’t even recognize a derailleur from a stick. Mountain bikers are more inclusive to strangers and may mingle with roadies.

Body Shapes

If unadorned by tell-tale clothing, body shapes can also be a dead give-away. Roadies are typically lean and skinny. Mountain bikers are husky. The constant mashing of uphill climbs makes mountain biker calves bulge. The constant pedaling of road biking makes for longer calves.

Over the Bars Scars

Look for scars from surgery on mountain bikers, who tend to break bones more often. Road rash scars are typically more prevalent on roadies.

Just Get Out There

Cycling is a lifestyle that shouldn’t be isolated into camps. If you love two wheels, there’s something in there for both disciplines. Unfortunately it’s like politics. You come down on one side depending on your upbringing. But there’s no reason to stay there. Get out there and enjoy them both.

Descending Maui’s Haleakala at Sunrise

October 13, 2015 by Lee Agur

I’ve fulfilled one of my dream trips of a lifetime: cycling down Maui’s Haleakala Volcano. And to make the trip even more memorable and special, I did this adventure trek at sunrise!

Arriving Before Sunrise:

I joined a group of thrill seekers with Cruiser Phil’s Volcano Riders for this unique, exhilarating experience. We were driven (at 2:15 am!) to their shop, where we were given a continental breakfast, including some black Hawaiian coffee to wake us up, while the bikes were loaded into a trailer, and then we were driven in a van, with the loaded trailer, all the way to the summit of Haleakala via the steep, winding, twisting mountain road. We arrived at our destination in the dark, so there was very little use of looking at ‘the scenery’ on this ascent, and we assembled at the summit by 5 am, in anticipation of that day’s scheduled 5:40 am sunrise.

“Haleakala” means “House of the Sun”, and I find it difficult to find the right words to convey to you the special feeling that I had to be on that summit, at a height of over 10,000 feet, in the stark blackness of the night – and then to witness those first rays of light in the sky as the sun was about to emerge – and then to see the sudden bursting forth of that bright yellow ball of light! It was awesome!

Descending Maui's Haleakala at Sunrise — At the Summit of Haleakala before descending!

Let There Be Light:

I was soon able to take photos deep into the volcano, for it was as if a vast number of stadium lights had suddenly been switched on – and it was, indeed, bright! In just a few minutes of actual elapsed time, it felt as if I had gone from night time to noon!

Baby, It’s Cold Outside:

Standing on Haleakala’s summit, in the wee hours of the morning, brought to light another reality of the situation: it was windy and cold! We were bundled up in vests, weather-proof parkas, and gloves, and we needed all of these items. However, as time passed, and we began our descent by bike, it was certainly necessary to stop and strip layers of clothing along the way. By the time we reached our destination far below, we were actually sweating! Yes, it’s quite an extreme temperature change!

A Controlled Descent:

Our cycling leader was Jay, and he led the way down. No one was allowed to pass him, and this controlled our speed. He used hand signals so that we knew when we had to cling to the edge of the road (because of approaching traffic) and when we could use the centre of the road, too (because the road was then clear, and it was certainly safer on those sharp curves). He had us ride in single file, and he had us stop for several photo ops (another way to control our speed). Our driver, Josh, followed us down in the van, and these two were in constant radio contact (for greater safety). At each stop, we could go to the van and retrieve our cameras, but we weren’t allowed to carry them during the actual descent (yet another safety precaution).

An older couple followed the cycling group down the mountain, as passengers in the van with Josh, and they were able to get a photo of me on the actual descent. Riding right behind me was their grandson! This couple (from Oregon) had decided that they’d reward each of their grandchildren, upon graduation, with a week’s vacation in Maui, and this particular grandson had specifically requested to “bike down the volcano” – so here he was!

Several companies offer escorted tours by bike down Haleakala. Cruiser Phil’s is one of these, and they’ll provide round trip transportation from your condo or hotel, good bikes (with lowered seats ,for greater stability), and other top equipment, including warm clothes, gloves, and full face helmets. You may feel as if you’re dressed for a space shuttle when you begin your two-wheeled descent!

The Verdict:

The bike trip is very well organized and quite safe – if you follow the leader’s instructions. However, not everyone always does, and there have been some very serious accidents, even deaths. After all, you’re basically going down a treacherous mountain road, for about 40 kilometres, with more than 30 very sharp, challenging hairpin turns – some without protective guardrails. I loved it!

For More Information: www.cruiserphil.com; toll free phone: 1-877-764-2453

Haleakala Bike Climb – An Epic Journey

October 3, 2015 by Lee Agur

The Haleakala bike climb is coined as “the longest paved climb in the world” and worthy of anyone’s bucket list. I know it was one of mine.

The reality of the climb did not really register until we had a chance to drive the entire road which seemed to go on forever, even in a car.

Haleakala Stats

Elevation of Haleakala: 3055 metres (10,023 feet)
Length of Climb: 57km (35.5 miles)
Average Grade: 5.4%
Corners: Too many
Overall Feel Of Grade: Never too steep, just very consistent the entire way
Haleakala Meaning: House of the Sun
Duration of Climb: 2.5 hours – 10 hours (Out of 1756 cyclists the average rider took 5 hours)
Temperature at the Top – Cold

The Climb

So what is climbing Haleakala really like? Well, its a grind, not in the typical sense though, Haleakala is just a nice steady 5-6% climb the entire way, there is no one location that is steep or hard. The culmination of the entire climb is difficult, it is a test of endurance.

The Route

The most common place to begin the climb is in Paia, at sea level. Make sure to touch the ocean before you begin! Start up Baldwin Ave and head to Makawao, there you just keep heading straight through the town and Baldwin Ave turns in to Olinda Road.

The first turn is at 13km (8 miles) take a right onto Hanamo Road, after 2km (1.2 miles) you will join up with State Highway 377 – also known as Haleakala Highway – take a left. (It will be the obvious uphill choice). Follow Haleakala Highway for 8km (4.9 miles) then make sure to read the obvious signage to make the left turn onto Crater Road. Follow Crater Road for 34 km and you are done! Easy right?

Stage 1

I consider stage 1 the first 23km all the way to Crater Road. If you are attempting Haleakala then stage 1 should feel like a breeze, almost like a warm up to the climb. This is the easiest stage, not only because it is the start, but because it has the lowest average grade at 4.3%.

Stage 2

Stage 2 is from the start of Crater Road to the Visitor Centre located at 2130 m (7000 feet) nearly 40km (25 miles) into the ride.

This is where it starts to get real! I ended up pulling chute on my first attempt at the 6000 foot (1828 metre) marker as I wasn’t feeling yoo hot, it didn’t help that I had broken my collar bone a week and a half before, but it was more of a stomach issue.

Stage 2 is the steepest section of the climb averaging 6.3% and you should start to feel the legs tire, combined with the dropping temperature as you climb. Hopefully, you brought an jacket, because it is about to get chilly. The climb starts to morph from a beautiful green tropical paradise to more of a desolate lunar experience.

Stage 3

Stage 3 is from the visitor centre to the top of the House of the Sun.

That 8000 foot marker is where I felt the culmination of tired, cold and food deprived. Another factor was that I really started to notice the thin air. There were sections where I felt like I should have been going 20km/hr and I would look down… 12km/hr! What??? I thought I was in beast mode, decidedly not.

You may start cursing, but before you know it you will be at 9000 feet. Then joy comes because who couldn’t make it another 1000 vertical feet? Before you know what happens you are at looking at the sign “Elev. 10,000 feet” then it is right into the parking lot, where you will notice a side walk up to the true summit.

“Excuse me, sorry,” as you pass the pedestrians to the top who are all staring in bewilderment and treating you like an absolute rockstar. You made it, now hoist that bike over your head and take a picture at the top.

Take a while at the top, enjoy the scenery, get some food, then grab your gloves and any warm gear you hopefully brought with you and start the long epic bike ride down Haleakala.

Mistakes to Avoid While Climbing Haleakala

Temperature at the Top of Haleakala

The temperature drops 3 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation gain, meaning that it will generally drop 30 degrees Fahrenheit from the bottom to the top. The average temperature at the bottom of Haleakala is between 78 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit (25 – 30 degrees Celsius). The average temperature at the top of Haleakala is a bit unpredictable and can range from anywhere below freezing to as high as 60°F (15°C)

So what does this mean for a cyclist? Be prepared for cold weather! How much fun would it be to get to 8000-9000 feet and have to turn around because you are freezing! (Think about the descent)

Endurance and Patience

It’s a long freaking climb. There are no truly steep parts, but it is a relentless steady climb. There are almost no flats or downhills at all. Think of the first stage as a warm up, take your time, it is not a race and remember that there is some really thin air up there to add an extra little challenge. First time focus on completion, and if you are lucky enough (crazy enough) to do it again, then focus on time.

Most of all have fun and an epic journey. It will not be one to forget!

Why You Should Be Excited About the Cycling World Championships Coming to the U.S.

September 26, 2015 by Adam Farabaugh

The Road Cycling World Championships happen once a year, most of the time, in Europe. The World Championships are like the Olympics where countries send their best riders as opposed to them racing for their normal trade teams. This brings an Olympic like quality event dedicated just to road cycling that is attended by the very best. The multitude of events also brings an Olympic feel where there is more than just one event to check out and watch unlike that of the Tour de France or other big races.

Cycling in Europe is something that is ingrained in the culture, particularly in some places such as Belgium or Holland. In these countries, many of the fans and spectators aren’t actually cyclists themselves whereas in the US, many people that attend the big races are into cycling one way or another. The number of high level races in North America has been steadily increasing over the years as has the size of the sport in general. Events like the World Championships in Richmond are not only huge for the sport in general in the country, but also huge in the fact that it is helping to further grow cycling in the culture.

Second Time in History

This is only the second time in history that the Road Cycling World Championships have been hosted by the United States. The first time was in 1986 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Canada hosted Worlds twice; once in 1974 in Montreal and again in 2003 in Hamilton, Ontario, so the highest level events have been few and far between in North America. In 2013, the US hosted the Cyclocross World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky which was the first time that the event was held outside of Europe.

Home Field Advantage

Along with the World Championships mostly being held in Europe, the majority of the top level professional races are also held in Europe. This creates a home field advantage for the majority of the peloton which are from Europe. Even though most pro’s that are foreign to Europe reside there during the season, racing in a foreign country with foreign food, and a foreign language no matter how seasoned, will never feel like the comforts of home.

Travel and time zone differences also add up to another hurdle that “Euro’s” always complain of when coming to the States or Canada. North American riders now have that advantage, particularly the ones living close by to Richmond. Along with that, normally when racing in a foreign country, cheers are in foreign languages and normally for the local teams and riders. This time in Richmond, all those fans and cheers will be for American riders which gives that little bit of an extra push and motivation.

Benefits to a Cycling Culture

Cycling is engrained into European culture for a number of reasons. The history of the racing there along with how often there are races to watch and see in person are the big two. This gets a large number of people as well as kids exposed to the sport to have the chance to get into it.

Cycling is something that kids can do in many European countries as a sport just like Little League Baseball or Soccer. With such a high level cycling event in Richmond, you can bet that in the coming months and years, cycling will see a rise in the area. Not only in riding as a sport, but commuting and riding for leisure as well.

In many places around the US, cycling is not seen as a sport or as a way to get around. This will extend past Richmond as well with media coverage being highlighted across the country. The more that high level cycling events are held on TV, the higher the number of people watching the sport and in turn hopefully become inspired by what they see, particularly it not being a sport held off in some foreign country but right here in the United States.

The Thrilling Events in Person and on TV

Seeing any professional event in person is like none other. In cycling, you can’t compare the wind, noise, and rush of a peloton passing by along with its entourage of vehicles. Fortunately if you can’t make it to Richmond, watching on TV can still be great as you can see the entire race as opposed to only seeing it go by in one location. You also get the benefit of getting play-by-play commentary especially if you don’t always know what’s going on.

Team Time Trial

The team time trial is a race against the clock that is competed by trade teams oddly enough. It is a newer event that has only been around in its current form since 2012. Before 1995 however it was competed by nations but was done away with.

Time Trial

The individual race against the clock is also exciting to watch particularly if you have a certain rider or riders you are cheering for. Despite the bit less excitement than the team time trial or the road race, you have the chance to see each rider individually over the course of several hours as opposed to just seeing the riders go by in more of a blur.

Road

The road events are the feature races of the World Championships. They are classified into a number of categories with Men’s and Women’s, along with classifications of Elite, Under 23, and Junior. The feature event is the Men’s Elite which is held on the last day of the week-long event. In any World Championship the course is made to showcase a challenging and exciting course not only to race but also to watch. In Richmond they have done an incredible job of this including a twisty, cobbled climb up through Libby Park that will not only be interesting for the riders to ride but also to watch.

It’s exciting when any bike race comes to your town or country but when it’s the World Championships it’s very exciting. The best in the world will be there and American’s and Canadians alike have great shots at doing well in all events. The scope of an event this large will have a profound impact on the local community as well as cycling across the country as cycling continues to become more mainstream. Wherever you are, check it out, and get others interested as well, even if they’re not cyclists. It’s a pretty cool race and sport after all.

More information about the Road Cycling World Championships can be found on: www.richmond2015.com

How To Convince Your Friends To Cycle

September 18, 2015 by U.M.

When you love cycling, the best feeling you can have is when you convince your friends to take up cycling. People take up cycling for many different reasons be it exercise, transportation, or spending more time with their kids. When your friends asks you for your advice about any of these topics and you respond with cycling as the answer, make sure you provide a good answer in order to convince them.

Exercise

If you have a friend who wants to get in shape, lose weight, or simply get a little more active suggest cycling as a good solution. Cycling burns calories, builds muscles, teaches you about your heart rate and breathing, and keeps you active. Take your friend out for their first few bike rides and show them how to pick good routes that will challenge them, how long they should cycle, and what to bring with them on a long ride so they don’t get in trouble in an emergency.

Cycling with your friend for those first few days will give your friend the opportunity to ask questions and get more comfortable with cycling as a whole. Also, tell them about your own triumphs and failures. This will give them the confidence to stick with it later on when they face a challenge.

Transportation

If your friend lives in a large city and is complaining about transportation costs and problems, encourage them to take up cycling as a means of transportation. Cycling saves you money on gas, bus fares, parking meters, and vehicle upkeep. If you have a friend who is environmentally conscience, let them know that cycling is the mode of transportation that causes the least amount of pollution. They’ll likely already know this but encouraging more cycling can hardly go amiss!

Family Time

For friends that have young children, a common quandary is how to spend more time together that doesn’t involve the television. For those friends, cycling is a wonderful answer that you give your friend. Not only are there bike seats and trailers for children too young to bike, but biking as a family is a wonderful way to get the kids outside and exercising in an increasingly sedentary world.

Taking the kids for a bike ride keeps everyone active and exploring the community for new routes and things to see. Families can bike to the movies, library, or playgrounds and parks, something the children will all love. This makes exercise seem more fun and gives them an incentive to keep biking.

Convincing your friends to cycle shouldn’t be too hard if they’re open to change in their lives. Pamphlets or website links to bike clubs and cycling blogs will further encourage them, and you, to learn everything you need to know about cycling. The more facts you’re able to give, the more convincing you’ll be.

The Rise Of Indoor Cycling

September 17, 2015 by U.M.

Indoor cycling, often referred to as spinning, is a worldwide exercise phenomenon. Today it is one of the most popular group classes in fitness clubs and gyms around the world, attracting millions of people each year. Indoor cycling is a favorite of many fitness gurus and outdoor cyclists who use it to stay in shape during the off-season, too.

The Very Beginning

Indoor cycling began where a lot of great things seem to begin: a garage. Johnny Goldberg, a South African immigrant living in California, was a fitness instructor, endurance cyclists, and a competitor in cross-country and ultra-marathon races. He recognized a need for training indoors and subsequently thought of a way in which to replicate road cycling in his garage. He used his new indoor training regimen to break a record when he biked across Arizona (544 miles) non-stop for over 29 hours.

A year after breaking this record he started the first indoor cycling class in Santa Monica. His classes were open to large groups and focused on heart rate training, motivation, and breathing exercises. His new class used stationary bikes with sophisticated ergonomics and geometry to closely resemble a racing bike. With the help of a fellow cyclist, John Baudhuin, they installed 150 of these stationary bikes in several different gyms and fitness centers.

The Rolling Stone

In 1993, Rolling Stone magazine reported that indoor cycling was the ‘hot’ new fitness regimen not only for cyclists in their off-season, but for the general public as well. This led to a whole new market of people who could use indoor cycling to get in shape and stay in shape.

1994: A Big Year

Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. was found by Goldberg and Baudhuin in 1994 with the idea that the start-up company would further develop indoor cycling as a valid fitness regimen. This was when they also trademarked the word Spinning. Business boomed and stationary bikes began pouring out of manufacturers and into fitness centers everywhere.

By the following year, Mad Dogg developed a teacher’s certification program for people looking to teach Spin classes. That program is now the standard for indoor cycling certification and education around the world.

Modern Spinning

Today, there are five stationary bikes produced by Mad Dogg and their affiliate, the Spinning program, for use in gyms and fitness centers. Another six models are produced for in-home use from this provider. There are many other brands that offer these types of bicycles as well. Then there are lines of spinning gear, accessories, DVDs, and full classes and programs for people to choose from. Millions of people use indoor cycling to get in shape while avid amateur and professional cyclists use indoor cycling to maintain their fitness in the off-season or when the weather prohibits outdoor riding.

Indoor cycling was designed to help athletes in the sport of cycling keep training no matter what. Cyclists could build an indoor training regimen and use it to break records and meet goals just as Johnny Goldberg did in Arizona. However, the benefits of indoor cycling are so numerous and so enticing that indoor cycling spread to the general population as a fitness and exercise routine.

Cycling Races – Level Up Your Cycling Fan-ness

November 6, 2014 by Aaron Robson

Cycling Races

In July, as the Tour de France hits TV screens across the country, it seems like everyone in America is a fan of cycling. Even without the appeal of Lance and his American domination of the race, the coverage here creates countless new fans of the sport as they watch the best cyclists in the world duke it out on the roads of France. But if you want to up your cycling game, there is a whole lot more to the world of professional cycling than just the Tour. Here is a list of the next biggest events in cycling to fulfill your endless need for cycling!

The Spring Classics

The classics are the first major events on the professional cycling calendar, and offer some of the most exciting racing. There are 8 races, 5 of which are often referred to as ‘Monuments’, due to their historical prestige. Each race is a long one-day race, taking anywhere from 5-8 hours to complete. Milan-San Remo is the first race, and also the longest at almost 300 km. Since it is so early in the season, it often puts riders through some crazy spring weather. Next up are the Cobbled Classics, headlined by the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix – a series of races on the punishing cobbled roads of northern France and Belgium. The Spring Classics finish off with the Ardennes races; most notably Liege-Bastonge-Liege, a grueling race famous for its short, very steep climbs that pile up in the closing kilometers of the race.

Giro d’Italia

The Giro is the first of the three ‘Grand Tours’ – the longest and arguably most prestigious races in cycling. The climbs featured are often much steeper than those in the Tour, and especially in recent years, organizers have displayed a willingness to experiment with radical routes to give spectators an exciting race. The roads in the Italian Alps and the Dolomites are generally narrower and of poorer quality than those featured in the Tour, which can make for some interesting mountain descents. Weather often plays a big part in the mountains too – most famously in 1988, when Andy Hampsten rode through a blizzard over the highest pass in the race to take the leader’s jersey. Given the willlingness of the Giro to add new and exciting elements, it is surely a race to watch in the future.

Vuelta a Espana

The last of the grand tours, the Vuelta has been overshadowed recently by the Tour and the Giro, but organizers have been working hard to change this. As with the Giro, they have taken to adding more and more extreme climbs to shake up the race and inject excitment. It is also a race to watch for up and coming stars, since many riders who have already competed in the Tour or the Giro do not compete. Chris Froome, winner of the 2013 Tour de France first burst onto the cycling scene at the Vuelta. Last year, there was particular interest from North America, as Chris Horner rode to a surprising victory, becoming the first American to win the race, and also the oldest Grand Tour winner, at the age of 41.

World Championships

Held near the end of the road biking season, the UCI Road World Championships determine the best road cyclist in the world, and the right to wear the famous rainbow jersey in the upcoming racing season. The location and course of the race changes from year to year, which makes this race the most unpredicatable of the major cycling races. Depending on the course, the race might end up in a mass sprint, a long breakaway, or be decided by punishing climbs. The race is also traditonally a circuit race, which is great for spectators, as they get the chance to see their favorite riders multiple times in the race.

Cyclocross

If eight months of cycling isn’t enough for you, then cyclocross is there to fill the gap. Starting early in the year, it is a great appetizer to get your cycling enthusiam going after the down months of November and December. Cyclocross races are a hybrid between mountain biking and road racing – the bikes used resemble modified road bikes, but the race courses tackle dirt, grass, sand and mud in a circuit-style race. Races are often close and exciting, and full of spills and impressive bike handling ability.

Hopefully I’ve given you enough here to keep your appetite for cycling whetted year round. Coverage of these races used to be very hard to find, but with the surge in popularity of various streaming video services, a quick Google search will often point you to live coverage of all of these races. Just remember to get on your bike and imitate what you’ve just been glued to a computer screen watching for hours!