Pedal Dancer®: Cycling Culture

Showing posts with label Cycling Culture. Show all posts

11 December 2014

The day that pro cycling died

December 10, 2014

Yesterday was a tough day personally. Surprisingly I headed into the day holding onto a small morsel of hope that the cycling world could be set back on track, a track which had been anything but straight and narrow for decades. By late morning that hope was dashed, gone with the news that the UCI and License Commission had awarded Team Astana a 2015 WorldTour License.

We can get into talk of probationary periods, legal evidence and rules, but these topics apply only when you are in the meetings and extremely close to the situation (or the bank accounts). It doesn't require too many steps back from the center of the storm to realize that most people were expecting a change to be loudly made. This time we really needed a demonstration of leadership.

In the weeks ahead of the licensing decision by UCI, the media embarked on a heavy campaign - digging through their archives - to write any additional information they had to throw in the incriminating pot of "they did wrong" against Astana. By Tuesday, people held their breath, the hope held dear - UCI has no choice, they must not give Astana the license, it is the only right thing to do.

Apparently in a cheating sport, right has no place.

On Wednesday, December 10th, the international governing body of professional cycling demonstrated, through their timid actions (report), that they have no real power at this point in time to correct the invalidity of the sport of cycling. A license was granted to Astana, a team with five recent positive doping samples from five athletes and a long history of trouble, yet denied to the Europcar team for insufficient financing.

From my view, I can no longer look at any bike race and know the best man will win. Instead I know the best cheater will win. I had hoped that reality would be corrected in the new era of cycling, it will not. It is clear the story of changes in cycling was PR to keep the sponsor dollars flowing and the fans coming (which is what the sponsors want).

It becomes senseless to spend time in the future getting excited about a competition, or promoting an event, when I can only visualize the outcome resembling the last 1 kilometer of the 2012 Olympic road race when the known doper Alexandre Vinokourov effortlessy broke free to win the gold medal with the peloton left staring ahead defenseless. My heart sunk knowing Vinokourov would be Olympic Champion for four years; my heart sinks every time I look at the seven-year gap in the history of the Tour de France; my heart sinks every time I realize a young athlete will be forced to dope to compete.

My mind becomes numb in trying to find some reason to continue to support professional cycling.

Yesterday voices were heard denouncing the UCI's actions, voices were heard commending the outcome, photos were seen of the Astana team celebrating with champagne. But tell me this - what rider wants to compete against a corrupt team, what sponsor wants to give money to either have their brand name tarnished by doping or watch their clean team consistently lose?

Why would any young rider want the shame of declaring he or she is a professional cyclist? Why would any sponsor support a corrupt sport? Why would any fan want to spend their time on the events of a cheating sport? I don't think the UCI fully realizes how many fans finally had enough yesterday and turned their backs on the highest level of professional cycling.

If I were a sponsor, I would immediately redirect my dollars to recreational cycling, to local events, to young junior riders and to the MAMILS of the world. There is no reason not to refocus our attention on the common man who loves riding on two wheels. It is the every day cyclist who is a much more noble cause than a cheating pro.

- - -

I was going to make plans to attend the 2015 Tour de France, I was going to make plans to attend the 2015 World Championships in Richmond, VA, I was going to make plans to attend the 2015 USA Pro Challenge in Colorado - instead I think I will take my own trips in 2015 to ride my own bike and not waste my time on what will be a corrupt outcome in a corrupt sport. I'd rather hang out with my friends and stay healthy.

Any sponsors interested in following the exodus from pro cycling can find the Regular Joe Cyclists out on the road using your products themselves. Come join us for some good honest fun.

We'll be out doing it ourselves. Riding with my brother in the Alps - photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer.

Update 12/16/14: The highly respected voice of America sport - Juliet Macur - has written an honest article about the Steve Johnson finally departing USA Cycling. Executive’s Ride Into Sunset Signals Brighter Day for U.S.A. Cycling, By Juliet Macur for The New York Times.

Related Posts by Pedal Dancer: The structure of cycling in America

Update Feb/March 2015:

UCI requests withdrawal of Astana Pro Team license, By VeloNews
Astana given deadline for licence withdrawal defence By Cycling Weekly
UCI moves to revoke licence of Vincenzo Nibali’s team Astana, By The Guardian
UCI wants Astana team stripped of license, By NBS Sports
Cycling Authority Recommends Withdrawal of Astana Pro Team License, By The Wall Street Journal
Astana talking with lawyers after UCI request licence withdrawal, by CyclingNews

Meanwhile, I did not quite give up, I did spend the recent months updating the Pedal Dancer Guide Pages to:

PRO TEAMS
PRO RIDERS
CALENDAR OF RACES AND EVENTS
TOUR DE FRANCE
SPRING CLASSICS
TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

05 December 2014

The structure of cycling in America

The levels of bike racing in the United States

Recently I attended an annual awards party for local road bike racing in Colorado; dinner was served before presentations and honors were awarded. Across the table from me sat four young, very talented, bike racers who had raced in the Juniors 17-18 year-old category for the past year. For them it was far more than a year, it had been years of racing and friendships formed by being on the same bike team. Even at their young age, I could tell their identity as bike racers had been forged. "What is next for you?" I asked with true interest. "Not sure, we will try to stay involved."

Theirs seems a fragile age of talent on the brink of waste. If they want more, these young men must be both judged and proven good enough to follow a selective path to national and international development. In addition they must completely devote themselves - and thereby their families - to the job of becoming a pro rider. A job which entails mandatory team contracts year after year, sacrifice, discipline and focus.

Their other possibility is heading to university, where few (but some) schools offer collegiate cycling teams. Only twenty-one colleges sustain official cycling teams across our nation. The remaining young riders have the option to compete in local bike races against grown men who have two or three $10,000 bikes each with excess money for gadgets and personal coaches. Their youthful identity and potential shelved through college, career building and a growing family, they wait to pounce on their big identity comeback as a local amateur hero, consuming their family weekends and holidays to attend bike races.

For some, this is enough, but for others, life begins or is altered at age 17.

How many of us want to be judged at age seventeen? How many of us were that solid at such a young age that talent, awareness, determination, tough mind, tougher body, money, support, means, guidance, opportunity and a good coach all aligned to make dreams happen? That is why continuing support of age 17 to 23 (U23, under age 23) programs are critical in the formation of a good racer.

I have a dear friend who - although he came from impeccable cycling genes - did not begin bike racing until age 24. Within a few stellar years he earned his place on an American Continental team. Although his ability is impressively strong, the sacrifices he has made for his love of bike racing are both scary and admirable.

Not every young bike racer is so lucky or so daring. The organizational structure of cycling in America is critical in building a strong foundation for the sport for all ages, but for the rider age 17 to 23 - sponsorship, anti-doping, good equipment, proper physical training, respectful coaching, team unity and recognition of hard work is vital.

So much must fall in place for the potential of an athlete to be realized.

I think running might be a much easier sport to pursue. Cycling is not easy: it is not consistently available throughout our nation and it receives little overall attention, with less money. Yet I couldn't help but watch the 2014 Tour de France in admiration and wonder "Who is in charge of junior/U-23 development in France (and Belgium), because they appear to be doing a lot of things right?" No matter the nationality - young fresh talent might just save this sport in crisis.

How bike racing works in America (facts)

2,700+ bike clubs and teams, high school teams, adjunct junior teams (find a club)
57 Junior only bike clubs and teams
11 honored centers of excellence Junior and Under-23 development teams
21 Collegiate Varsity (and emerging varsity) teams
34 local bike racing associations (state or regional)
7 USA sport committees (BMX, Collegiate, Cyclo, Mountain Bike, Pro, Road, and Track)
1 American governing body - USA Cycling
1 International governing body - Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

This is a long list of organizations, we can be quick tp realize this much bureaucracy teeters on really good people doing a really good job, or bad people doing a lousy job and messing it all up. Sadly, sport can shred the potential in good individuals through poor administration.

In 2013, leadership at the top level of UCI changed hands to British citizen Brian Cookson (Cookson presents re-worked cycling reforms to race organisers By CyclingNews). Improvements to the organization have been quick, slow, controversial and ongoing; so much more needs to be done. Major personnel changes also took place at USA Cycling in 2014, even more changes can be expected there through 2015. Changes are needed all around to manage growth in the lower ranks and recession in the upper ranks, plus dismal reputation of the sport.

Update 12/09/14: Steve Johnson to step down as CEO of USA Cycling, by Cycling News
Update 12/16/14: The highly respected voice of America sport - Juliet Macur - has written an honest article about Steve Johnson finally departing USA Cycling. Executive’s Ride Into Sunset Signals Brighter Day for U.S.A. Cycling, By Juliet Macur for The New York Times.

History of USA Cycling's name

1921 - The Amateur Bicycle League of America
1975 - United States Cycling Federation (USCF)
1995 - USA Cycling (USAC)

Programs and events nationwide to create better bike racers or more cyclists

Cycling Advocacy Organizations
USA Cycling certified coaching program
Bike club clinics and training rides
Local bike racing associations' development camps & seminars
Local amateur, collegiate, regional, and national racing calendar and events
Over 3,000 USA Cycling sanctioned events a year
National Collegiate events and Regional Collegiate Conferences
National Championships (annual)
World Championships (annual)
Olympics

Tremendous growth in bike racing was realized over the past five years in both the upper age-ranges (35+ to 55+) and the junior programs. Youthful discovery in sport often takes a planned course through junior development to pro level racing, but there is no one way to achieve success in cycling. Much of it has to do with getting that lucky break or getting along with people. And spending a lot of time racing in the saddle.

Opportunities for select individuals only and Teams

USA Cycling National Development Program
USA Cycling Regional and National Talent ID Camps
USA Cycling Juniors international racing camps and trips
USA Cycling European resident programs for Americans (men and women)
USA Cycling U23 Mens Team and Womens Team (roster)
National Teams
3 UCI America based Women's Teams- Road
9 UCI America based Continental Teams - Road (mens)
3 UCI America based Professional Continental Teams - Road (mens)
3 UCI America based WorldTour Pro Teams - Road (mens)

By the time a Junior/U23 makes it through selection and development, there are not too many team options available to him (and less to her). It is also known that with the restructuring of the UCI into 2016, there will be even fewer WorldTour Pro Teams. Below is a list of Pro Teams, some are in the process of reorganization, signing riders, and applying for licensing (exact team structure and sponsorship for 2015 is not fully known at this time).

American UCI Road Teams

UCI Mens WorldTour Pro Teams: (3 of 18 total teams worldwide)
BMC Racing Team
Team Cannondale-Garmin
Trek Factory Racing

UCI Mens Professional Continental Teams: (3 of 19 total teams worldwide)
Colombia (South America)
Team Novo Nordisk
UnitedHealthcare

UCI Mens Road Continental Teams: (23 of 141 total teams worldwide)

United States:
Airgas-Safeway
Astellas Cycling Team
Axeon Cycling Team
Champion System-Stan's NoTubes
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
IRT Racing
Jamis-Hagens Berman
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
Lupus Racing Team
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Team SmartStop

Domincan Republic:
Inteja-MMR Dominican Cycling Team (DOM)

South America:
Buenos Aires Privincia
Incycle Cannondale
Funvic Sao Jose Dos Campos
Orgullo Antioquendo
San Luis Somos Todos
Sendicato de Empleados Publicos de San Juan
Start - Massi Cycling Team
Team Ecuador

Canada:
Garneau Quebecor
H&R Block Pro Cycling (U23 Development)
Silber Pro Cycling

UCI Womens Teams: (7 of 37 total teams worldwide)
Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team (South America)
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b/ The Happy Tooth (USA)
Team Tibco - SVB (USA)
Twenty 16 p/b/ Sho-Air (USA)
United Healthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA)
Xirayas de San Luis (South America)

View all teams listed at: Pro Cycling Stats Teams
View 2015 team rider transfer list at Cycling Fever or Pro Cycling Stats Transfers

UCI Mens Domestic Elite Teams - American (24 teams) (2014, 2015 teams in approval process)

Athlete Octane Cycling
Bissell-ABG-Giant
Breakawaybikes.com-Vie13 p/b Felt Bicycles
California Giant/Specialized
Canyon Bicycles - Shimano
CRCA/Blue Ribbon - Pennell Venture Partners
CRCA/Lupus Racing Team
Credité Velo - Trek
Ego p/b Sammy's Bikes
Elbowz Racing
Gateway Harley-Davidson/Trek
GIANT Regional ON-ROAD Team
Hagens Berman U-23 Cycling
Horizon Organic / Einstein Bros. Cycling
KHS-Maxxis p/b JAKROO
Kelly Benefit Strategies Elite
Live Well p/b Bountiful Bicycle
Pioneer Mortgage Funding p/b Yourkey.com
Revolution Cycle/Twin 6
SeaSucker/Guttenplan Coaching
Stan's NoTubes p/b Proferrin Elite Cycling
Team Metra / Cycles 54
Team Rio Grande
Van Dessel Factory Team

UCI Womens Domestic Elite Teams - American (17 teams) (2014, 2015 teams in approval process)

Cloud Racing p/b Ride 2 Recovery
Colavita-Fine Cooking
CRCA/CityMD Racing
CRCA/Stan's NoTubes p/b enduranceWERX
DNA Cycling p/b K4
FCS|Zngine p/b Mr. Restore
Fearless Femme
Garneau Factory Team
Guru Cycles p/b Haute Wheels Racing
PainPathways Women's Cycling
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling
Pinnacle-Reactor p/b JL Velo
Pioneer Mortgage Funding p/b YourKey.com
Team Belladium
Tennessee Women's Cycling Project
TWENTY16 Pro Cycling
Vanderkitten

NRC (National Racing Calendar) -
NCC (National Criterium Calendar) -
Pedal Dancer 2015 Colorado Bike Race Calendar

Did you know?

Every state in the United States but Oregon, South Dakota, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Alaska (and Wyoming I was just informed) have state cycling associations associated with USA Cycling? Oregon operates its own independent Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA).
Over 76,000 citizens hold USA Cycling racing licenses.
Tejay van Garderen, Timmy Duggan, Danny Summerhill, Ted King, Michael Creed, Danny Pate, Nate Brown, Kiel Reijnen, Chris Butler, Ryan Eastman, Taylor Phinney and many more top level pro cyclists started in junior clubs or through USA Cycling U-23 programs.

If your child is interested in getting into the sport of cycling - USA Cycling offers this Athlete Development Pathway guide. If your child is a girl - start lobbying now for equal pay in cycling. If your child is interested in running - buy him or her a good pair of running shoes, open the front door, and go for a run together.

- - - -

Here is a photo I took in 2011 of local Colorado junior wonder Gage Hecht. Two weeks ago Gage won the Mens Juniors 2014-2015 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium. Watching his growth through the junior programs has been amazing.

USA Cycling race report... "American Gage Hecht (Parker, Colo./Alpha Bicycle Company/Visit Subaru). The 16-year-old Hecht beat out three Belgian favorites for the win, crossing the line seven seconds ahead of second-place finisher."

A young 13-year old Gage Hecht in 2011 spending his weekends doing what he loves (with his parents always nearby). Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

20 February 2012

A handmade Pegoretti bike

The true art of frame building

A handmade custom Italian road bike is a wonderful thing. The other day I was fortunate to see and touch a Dario Pegoretti handmade Italian steel bike. This bike was so special it had it's own hand-painted finish. I was told these bikes can take more than 6 months (the website says up to 24 months) to receive after ordering. The frame geometry is built to spec according to the rider's measurements, and although a customer may request a color scheme, no other exact details may be requested. Dario Pegoretti is a true artist, and artists are not told how to create their next masterpieces. The Studio asks simply, "Please don’t ask for a reproduction of a Ciavete paint scheme you’ve previously seen, as the idea behind Ciavete is for each frame to be a unique work displaying Dario’s aesthetic creativity.

Can you imagine placing your order and waiting to see the one-of-a-kind bike that arrives on your doorstep? I can tell you, this beauty was worth waiting for, I could see the iridescent gold paint sparkle and the individual paint strokes of the artist's hand. Photos do not do this masterpiece justice - it was spectacular!

A Dario Pegoretti work of art click any images to enlarge (please!).

©Photo by PedalDancer

About the bike builder

Dario Pegoretti is considered one of the best modern frame builders in the World. He is 55 years old and lives in the town of Caldonazzo, outside of Trento, in the Dolomites, Italy. He is considered both a master frame builder and an artist. In an interview with Cycle Exif Pegoretti explained he takes inspiration for his paint designs from 60's street art. He added, "The paint sequence is primer, base coat, clear coat. But for many of my ‘WILD’ paint schemes I use piece of newspaper, powder, water color, coffee grain as i feel myself on that day."

Pegoretti was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, but still builds the bike frames (update: he announced in November 2012 he would stop selling the bike frames in Italy). The studio produces approximately 600 frames a year. Prices range from $2000-$5000. Pegoretti has created bikes for champion riders including Stephen Roche, Marco Cipollini and five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain. Watch a sample of the Frame of Mind video featuring Dario Pegoretti. Images below by © Nadav Kander.

Dario Pegoretti

Inside the frame builder's shop

The Pegoretti workshop in Italy

Pegoretti uses only steel and aluminum to build his frames, you may choose from the Responsorium, Big Leg Emma (named after Frank Zappa), Marcelo (named after Thelonius Monk), Duende, Luigino, Love #3, and 8:30. See images of more Pegoretti bikes. In November 2012, Dario Pegoretti decided to stop selling his amazing one of a kind artwork on bikes. You might be able to find a dealer with stock - search for a dealer in the USA.

Rapha made this Pegoretti inspired pink club jersey.

Rapha's Pegoretti bike jersey

14 February 2012

Love Friends and Bikes

Happy Valentine's Day

I'm taking a moment to appreciate a day focused on Love. And on how the love of anyone and anything seems to multiply and grow turning into unexpected joys. Give a little - get a lot.

My niece Kristina and I have now made our plans to meet up first in Florence, Italy, and then travel back to Belgium together for the 2012 Paris-Roubaix in April. We are both so excited and will of course be photographing and writing about our adventures as fans at the race. I have made all of our plans to France for the 2012 Tour de France in July, all that remains is some hard training. Tonight I'm having dinner and a Nuggets basketball game with Dash, my old friend I traveled to France with years ago and another friend, it should be fun to talk about past present and future with two friends who enjoy humor, travel, bikes and big mountains.

Meanwhile Paddy Sweeney has saved me a room at his cycling lodge in the Pyrenees in July, and I am looking forward to seeing his wife Olive and their son Sean again. Two other friends, Courtenay and Tom, whom I met at the 2011 USA Pro Challenge, will also be returning to France for the 2012 Tour de France, there is a good chance we'll meet up on the Col de Peyresourde for one of the stages. I also look forward to meeting Peter Thomson and his lucky clan of cyclists with Thomson Bike Tours during one of his tours to the Tour de France.

I wish my brother Michael would join us in France but he is so busy traveling (Africa, China, Japan) it is hard for him to squeeze in another trip to ride. I am looking forward to meeting up with Mike N. from Phoenix again this year at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado, (I met Mike at the 2011 USA Pro Challenge), we already have plans to stay at his friend Brian's house in Telluride during this years race, before making our way to camp overnight on Independence Pass.

Mike writes every so often to make me laugh and tell me how nice the weather is down in Arizona and how they are in their prime bike racing season this time of year. His writing seems to correspond with our biggest winter snow storms. It always makes me want to load up my car and head south to the warm sunshine. Bicycling.com recently wrote a story about cycling in the Arizona area: A Desert Oasis: Phoenix, AZ. A nice thing to think about when it is a chilly 38°F outside here in Colorado.

The other week Mike N. wrote to tell me that Chad Beyer, who grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and rode for Team BMC last year, was busy winning local races with his new Competitive Cyclist racing team. Along with Laura Somak, another fan who attended the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado last year with Mike, and competed in the same bike event as Beyer did that day. Here is Laura winning her Cat 3/4 womens race during the recent Bike Haus Crit.

Laura Somak, a cycling fan, winning races in Arizona

I also have an interview to write up with Peter Thomson of Thomson Bike Tours, we had a great conversation recently and I look forward to sharing with you some of his well earned insight about cycling in Europe. There is always more to look forward to and more to learn in this great sport of cycling.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone, I hope you enjoy your day with those you love. Or if they are far from you - you could opt for sending a nice greeting card - bicycle themed of course.

“To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.”

26 January 2012

Recommended Viewing: Boulder Culture

Poking fun at the cyclist's culture

A friend recently sent me this video, that was promoted to the world on January 22nd, I watched it and immediately thought, where can I sign up to become a "runner," or a "swimmer" or just about any other title given to an athlete, for I realized I spent the last decade either saying or listening to the entire content of this video. Oh the life of a "cyclist."

This video was made in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder has a distinct fit in culture expected of their cyclists. Our local news site 303Cycling.com recently reported that Boulder is ranked as the #1 bicycle city in the United States. I suppose with cultural impact, often comes spirited character. Boulder is home to many students on bicycles, commuters on bicycles, professional cyclists in training, home of team Garmin-Baracuda, and way too many serious amateur cyclists. This is real life in Boulder, Colorado. Enjoy the laugh!

Hmm, I might want to return to being a "Skier"(video)

07 January 2012

05 December 2011

01 December 2011

1st Snowstorm of December

A few opinions on a snowy night

I told myself that upon arrival of the next big snow storm into Denver I would finally change my bloggola over to Word Press. Well, said snowstorm is piling up outside at this very minute, but instead of making major blog-altering changes, this evening I have my thoughts on varied tiny topics. Number one is that VeloNews reported today that Wayne Stetina (the main-man behind Shimano USA) "has actually been using 12-32 cassettes with 53-39 chainrings on his Di2 bike." A 32, I would like a 32. It would go well with this Climb France T-shirt for $10 I noticed today while online Christmas shopping.

I also noticed that of all the Christmas gift suggestions being published recently for cyclists, none of the stuff interests me at all, except for maybe the iphone case with a beer opener. Although I am thinking it is so gosh darn cool, it is probably not limited to cyclists only. I might make my own list of gifts for the traveling cyclist. I have also been thinking about posting pictures from various stages I photographed in 2011 but never had time to post in real time. I probably should get to that before 2012, but tonight I am not in the mood to mark photographs with tiny ©s.

Which reminds me, I read the list of best cycling blogs published today by Outside Magazine, and thought hey, Bangable Dudes in Cycling got 4th? What, 4th for stealing other people's photographs and taking the bangable concept that existed in other cultural sites before them (Bangable Dudes in History)? We can't all write like that, because some of our mothers read our blogs (Hi Mom!). Besides they came on the scene well after my 15,000+ views and counting legs glorious legs and my 30,000 views - The Men of the Peloton posts which seems quite the coincidence, I am thinking.

I do agree with Otuside Magazine's choice of BSNY, a great blog. But what, no inclusion of I am Ted King - come on, he is the real deal in blogging. Also no Cycling Tips, no Pedaling The Road, no Twisted Spoke, or Continuation of Chaotic Joy (now renamed "On the Road"). Opinion is not everything! I say experience, knowledge and teaching or exposing me to something new, or making me laugh, through fun interesting insight goes a long way in my book.

The strongest opinion I did have today was that someone should have, by now, published an actual map of the 2012 Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen). I would like to start making some plans to see the Spring Classics in Belgium come April. Do you know how long it would take me to plot this file (RVV 2012 Elite Men Roadmap) on my very large foldable Michelin map or on Map My Ride? Too long. It is times like this, when I realize how dependent I have become on Steephill.TV. Why wasn't Steephill.TV on the list of best blogs? He is an incredible resource for cycling fans - oh again, he doesn't give opinions!

Meanwhile the snow continues to softly fall outside, as I look over to see my crystal wine glass filled with a nice velvety red glistening under the candlelight. Tonight there will be no major reshuffling of Pedal Dancer, it is time to peacefully enjoy the first big snowfall of December and reopen a new book I started last night titled Unbroken. So far, it is excellent reading - in my opinion.

07 October 2011

Pedal Dancer around the world

Danseur de pédale autour du monde

Pedal Dancer
Danseur de pédale - in French

Ballerino del pedale - in Italian

Pedal-Tänzer - in German

De Danser van het pedaal - in Dutch
Pedal også - in Danish

Dançarino do pedal - in Portuguese
Bailarín de Pedal - in Spanish

ペダルのダンサ - in Japanese
Балерина Педали - in Russian
Pedál tanečnice - in Czech
ถีบตัวยง - in Thai
Ποδόπληκτρο τον - in Greek

27 September 2011

Hero

In Sport, in life

“Hero: someone we admire. Someone we look up to. Someone who gives us hope. Not a myth, or an icon, or a legend- someone solid, genuine and real. An ordinary person who does extraordinary things. A hero picks us up when we are down. Believes in us before we believe in ourselves. Inspires us to expand and embrace what’s possible. Helps us realize that we can be heroes, too.”

We all (should) have our heroes. Think about it. In sport, in life - who are yours?

George Hincapie - is one of mine

13 September 2011

Interbike here I come

Las Vegas baby!

Awesome. Whenever I feel the need for thousands of square feet of indoor air conditioning, really bright carpeting, elevators that are spaced 2 miles apart, the sound of slot machines, and $24 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets, I go to Vegas. Actually, usually I drive through Las Vegas in route from Colorado to the beautiful shores of California, but this time I am, with intent, hopping a plane directly to Las Vegas International Airport.

When I pass through an airport, I typically glance over at the passengers waiting at the gate labeled Las Vegas, and wonder why anyone would want to go to Vegas. But this week I will be one of those people at the gate. I won't be the only one. From all over this great country, bikes and bike folk converge at the Las Vegas strip annually for one big cycling industry extravaganza. This is my kind of party. Interbike.

Talking bikes all day long, watching Cross Vegas at night, and getting up and doing the same thing all over again. This is the time of year between the Grand Tours, when we await Worlds, when cyclocross is just peeping it's head up from a long summer's nap, when pro contracts are being settled, and next year's equipment and sponsors are sorted out. Although many of the local bike shops already know the gear they will be carrying for the year, Interbike allows the manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to come together as one big happy bike talking community.

What is Interbike? North America's largest bicycle trade event and show. The website states that Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,100 cycling-related brands and close to 24,000 total attendees annually. Held annually a few weeks after Eurobike, the first Interbike convention was held in 1982 in Las Vegas. They have since tried other venues including Reno, Anaheim, Philadelphia, but returned to Las Vegas in the 1990s in an odd combination of very fit people descending on the city of excess.

Interbike in the 1980s, sort of resembled a science fair

Interbike in 2010 - look how this event has grown

Where & When is Interbike? Sands Expo Center (behind the Venetian Hotel), Las Vegas, Nevada USA, annually in September. This year the outdoor demo took place September 12-13, 2011. The Indoor exhibit is September 14-16, 2011.

The Outdoor demo days allow attendees to play and ride the new products

What is the purpose? This might be an individual answer. I like seeing segments of the industry I would not normally see, BMX for example. Also urban bikes, mountain bikes, new product launches, many of the advocacy organizations. I like to touch and hold the products in my hands. I like to see the quality side-by-side for comparison. And of course as a traveling road cyclist I have my favorite manufacturers. I can also look at and touch those gorgeous bikes the pros ride without someone expecting me to buy one.

I enjoy running into people I know. I haven't been back to Interbike in awhile. It will be good to be in the middle of it again. There are also a few celebs that show up; one of my biggest regrets is that I never got to see Mario Cipollini compete at a race, and I missed him at Interbike in 2006.

Mario

Who goes to Interbike? Manufacturer, service, and advocacy groups have personnel manning the booths to answer questions and sell sell sell. Bicycle shops (on the block and online) show up to see the products. Friends greet old and meet new friends. People maintain connections. The Interbike tradeshow is not open to the general public, you would need to be affiliated with a business to attend, and be classified as an exhibitor, attendee, advocate, or media.

Why am I going? Why I am media. I was approved for a media badge to cover the event. I am attending to report on the event and the products specific to the road cyclist, traveler, and professional cycling fan.

My focus:

The top of the line equipment the pros will be riding in 2012
Cycling notables in attendance
Cross Vegas - cyclocross race and riders
The new line of cyclosportif / century bike frames by various manufacturers
Wheels and tire combo for big mountain pass riding and event rides
Saddles
Pedals
Travel cases and bike racks
Rain jackets and apparel
Publications and maps
To report on the experience of being at Interbike
to find the elusive Specialized Tarmac SL4

Cross Vegas
Watch the live coverage of the race online: Can't join the biggest cross race in America in person? Tune into http://cxmagazine.com for more live coverage of CrossVegas.
Race time schedule:
7:45pm Wheelers and Dealers
8:00pm Elite Women
9:10pm Elite Men
Last year a Frenchmen won the Mens Elite race!

Technical reports from Interbike - being written as you read this post, and added throughout the week, please check these media sources:

BikeRumors.com
VeloNews Tech reports

Bike Radar Gear reports

Cycling News Tech reports

Singletrack.com bike tech

Dirtragmag.com

Check back to see what I learn at Interbike that will inspire occasional posts throughout the coming months to add to my usual information lists of which riders are on which ProTeams, and what bikes they are riding, and jerseys they are wearing, and pedals they are pedaling. Vegas here I come!

06 September 2011

Cyclist - a poem

I pump the tires.
Place the bottles where they belong.
Hear the click of my right shoe. Half a pedal stroke, a second click. I'm off.
The cool air flows over my arms. I am moving.
The first minutes offer a snapshot of what my ride will be. The first gear chosen tells me how my legs will feel.
I find my spot on the saddle and fix my gaze forward.
My mind clears and I settle into a rhythm. In the same moment a flash of confusion tells me I've just begun, I've ridden for hours, it is time to stop, I want more. This is experience talking.
I've ridden a bike a lot. My body remembers ever mile as one.
It is a knowing comfort on a bike, a place to feel at home.
The notion of a new mile covered, a new corner turned, has me longing for more.
I turn the Pedals. I am a road cyclist.
With a long way to go.

~ poem by Karen Eileen Rakestraw (Pedal Dancer)

north on Hwy 131, Colorado. Image by PedalDancer.com

One day after the Labor Day holiday, and Fall has come to the Rocky Mountains, our weather has changed. I want to hold onto Summer.

09 June 2011

Social Graces

An opinion about social media

I have been strapped into this seat holding my breath not knowing exactly where this journey would lead. Most of the time we get to choose are destination, sometimes we hold on for dear life, thinking we got on this plane so we might as well ride it out. That is sort of how I felt about social media. Then I realized, I can get off this ride anytime I want, pick a different plane, or change my desired destination.

How many years have we all been doing this now? I think we have reached the point where we should have discovered what works and what doesn't work. Hopefully we have learned from the mistakes of others, perhaps had our own disappointments, or have found what works for us as individuals, found our niche so to say. I am really hoping we are ready for advancement.

I have watched the self-destruction of some, and sensed when others were spiraling out of control. Social Media doesn't always feel good to me, but I do have a choice. I am one who believes that we are heading toward a period in time when orators will be admired and respected. Those who have original thought and can speak to the masses with eloquent understanding. I think we are passing through a phase when we craved to be seen and heard and be noticed as individuals, branding ourselves and speaking up. We have already started down our next path of revolution, a period during which we will want to experience validation and summation of our voices into one great big I am part of a bigger movement. I belong.

This is the potential of Social Media. For now it is a work in progress, and we are going through growing pains. I am noticing a growing tendency for out-right disrespect in twitter battles, and rapid comments on forums without taking even a moment to pause over the facts. Social Media is not an excuse to mouth off to another person in the name of trying to be cool and make your mark. If you wouldn't do so in the work place or at a community meeting or with your grandparents, it may not be acceptable etiquette in the arena of Social Media. The I, I, I phase needs to evolve into I belong, and to do that we need to get along.

It is clear that Social Media was designed as a modern live scrapbook of sorts, then people realized you could make a lot of money promoting stuff, and self. The social mores of communicating on Social Media is a cross between pub mentality and business protocol. This is where is gets sticky with ego/alter-ego or workplace/off-workplace personalities. Attempts to merge the two, where delineation is beneficial, have caused embarrassing mistakes. It is worth the time to pause and decipher when to use what in which context.

I call for social graces. Those skills used to interact politely in social situations. Just because you cannot see someone doesn't let you off the hook to behave respectfully. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I say freedom of expression is dandy, but think before you speak (or tweet or FB), it may be best left private. Sometimes it really is better just to go out for a pint with a mate, or sit on a patio sipping a glass of wine, and vent your opinion or private dalliances to someone who knows you well.

I blog because it is a creative outlet for me. I have no delusions of grandeur. I like photography and I like writing and I like cycling. I also like the ocean and kayaking and gardening and a good beer from Belgium, but you may not. We each have our likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and opinions. Too many times I think yuck, I wasted my time reading that bitter uninformed diatribe. But the point is not that I agree or disagree, I just want to hear an original thought stated well and with grace. Think of the song don't bring me down wait, maybe I mean this one don't let me down.

Some quotes to think over - you know, to form your own opinion

It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it. ~Aristotle

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do. ~ Dale Carnegie

Men are not disturbed by things, but the view they take of things. ~ Epictetus (55-135 A.D.)

People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid. ~ Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)

If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished? ~ Mevlana Rumi

Try to leave a person feeling better about themselves ~ PedalDancer

21 April 2011

Pedal Dancer's 10-point plan

PedalDancer's letter from a fan

Lately everyone has their ideas about how to improve the sport of cycling with various 10-point plans (by Jonathan Vaughters). I thought for fun, I would formulate my own 10-point plan from the fans perspective. First let me say that there is a reason why our broadcast coverage of the Olympic games continues to be 50% sports, 30% personal stories of the athletes, and 20% images and activities in the Olympic host city. People and place sell sport.

Here are my 10 ideas about what Cycling Fans like. If we can provide more of this, then it makes sense that there will be more of us -

1. Atmosphere
After all we are talking entertainment. We come to relax and have fun, to enjoy the pageantry and excitement. To be around other people enjoying themselves as much as we are. Fans are pretty hardy, we don't need much, but we also don't like being shut out. Be careful of an overuse of VIP blockades.
2. Character
Fans like to see the struggle, the battle, rivalry, disappointment, and emotion! We like to know something about the athlete, hear their voices, know a little about their background, what motivates them, how hard they have worked. We appreciate rider interaction. We want more charisma and excitement for the sport from all involved.

Riders signing fan autographs: Alessandro Petacchi, David Zabriski, Mark Cavendish, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, David Zabriskie. All Photos by PedalDancer.com

3. Place
Fans are proud of our hometowns and are curious about other places. We like to see how others live. The Grand Tours are unique because they link entire communities together in one long race crossing regions and borders. All fans understand local and national pride, this includes scenery, culture, language, tradition, and food! Armchair sports fans like to imagine being there. Tell us more about the places.
4. Team
In what other sport is the winner an individual on a team? This is somewhat unique to cycling and should be emphasized. Nothing appears more powerful than a team time trial, we want more. We want more team pictures together and more talk about how important the team members are to the winner.
5. Winners and losers
Don't stop the coverage once the racers are over the finish line. Fans like to see both the winners and the losers. Seeing Nick Nuyen's family at the finish of Tour of Flanders was wonderful. Fans like seeing wives, parents and family members share in the celebration. We like seeing the reactions of the losers, so keep the cameras rolling.
6. Organizers & Sponsors
We like the people who do the hard work. The people who are making these events happen for the athletes are the event organizers. Without their hard work in securing sponsors and road safety and team arrangements and bringing in revenue to local towns, the riders would have no place to race. We are there to see the riders. We also know to be grateful to the people who pay, so we don't mind hearing more about the sponsors.
7. Machines & Technology
It makes sense that if we like fast cars, we would like fast bikes. The equipment used by the professional cyclist is very impressive. Emphasize the speed and engineering of the bikes, and talk money. Fans like to know how much things cost. Car racing is the #1 sport in America for a reason - big money, big sponsors. Fast racing. We also think that new technology should be utilized whenever possible, but the real focus of the fan is the athlete.
8. Schwag
Fans like tshirts, and hats, and pins, and flags, but mostly we like free giveaways. The fans at the Tour de France go crazy over the trinkets thrown to them by the caravan. We especially like team memorabilia or items with team or event logos. Give us more opportunity to buy, and offer simple free stuff as a thanks for coming out.
9. Rules
The more we know, the more we enjoy. We like to understand the rules of engagement. Even if they give cycling more broadcasting time on TV, if the home spectator does not understand what they are watching, they will change the channel by the third commercial, thinking I watched some of that there cycling today on TV, bunch of guys who all looked the same, not much going on. Provide more education and explanation to create more fans.
10. Cycling!
We are no fools. Fans know that all in life is not fair; there are cheaters. We are not really that shocked when a cheater is discovered, so why are you? However once a cheater always a cheater, and we'd rather not have to continue to hear about them, no matter how much of a talent they are. There are so many other athletes worth our attention. We do want all athletes to be treated the same, preferential treatment is not respectful. A bit of ignorance is bliss for the fan, so we would like other professionals to consistently enforce the rules and handle the messy details. We'd like to focus on the fun part of the sport.

Summary
If we want to grow the sport of cycling in America we must reach out to the people, this means everyone. The Tour of California is an example where the organizers have done a great job of making the race fun to attend by creating a good atmosphere for fans. I appreciate the information they offer the fan on their website, but we need even more. More information about how to get to the race, ways of enjoying the race, what to expect at the race, and who will be racing. Also offer a basic introduction for beginner fans. Create involvement and excitement, emphasize the experience for the fan, emphasize the international field of athletes. Expose the fans to the Sponsors, and the Sponsors will return.

Here is another idea: consider a Tifosi Zone (fan pit). An area that is not the $500 VIP area, but is also not free. Perhaps a $50.00 area where fans can stand, pay to enjoy a beer, purchase fan apparel, play trivia, get some freebies. Cover the area in sponsor banners and information. Different from the vendor area, this would be an area on the race route. I think it might be a popular more hip social alternative.

Remember the fan is there to have a good time, cheer on their favorites, and watch some fast bike racing! We know the racers are racing for glory, but also for our entertainment. The sponsors are competing for our dollar. The fan matters. The sport of cycling is awesome, and I hope more people will come to enjoy it.

PEDAL DANCER GUIDE PAGES