Biking
ArchiveLast spring, I decided to ride my bike to an event in a distant suburb of San Francisco. So I went to the Internets, plugged in my destination and, voila, my journey was charted. Except, it wasn’t. About 15 miles into the ride, I ran into a…
I was lucky enough to race duo with Specialized's rock star, Rebecca Rusch, in Argentina's Tour de la Patagonia, a three-day stage race. This was our first race–and first ride–together. We ended up winning the open women's category and came in 23rd out of…
Lance Armstrong was interviewed by Spanish newspaper El Pais today. In the interview, Armstrong was asked whether or not he could beat Contador in this year's Tour de France, Reuters reports. His reply? “It doesn't look…
Lance Armstrong finished 46th in the first stage of the Tour of Murcia, reports espn.com. Robert Hunter of Garmin-Transitions won the stage, a 103-mile ride around the coastal town of…
It was his first competition in six months, but Alberto Contador has won Portugal's Tour de Algarve. The win is a big moral victory for Contador, whose Team Astana was practically non-existent after Lance Armstrong left and took…
The 25th Honda L.A. Marathon has reached 80% capacity with still over a month until the race begins, states RunnersWeb.com. “The response to our new Stadium…
Cyclist Joe Papp, a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency witness againstFloyd Landis in 2007, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute human growthhormone and another performance-enhancing drug, states the Associated Press story.
I got to catch up with three-time 24-hour solo world champion cyclist Rebecca Rusch, who is in Patagonia, Argentina for winter training. She decided to participate in the Trans Andes stage race and chose…
Freestyle mountain biker Andreu Lacondeguy has just acheived unprecedented amplitude on a 45-feet long speed jump. He got about 35 feet out and 25 feet high from his FMX ramp, which he had hauled to the small village of…
Five Americans represented the U.S. National Team at the final round ofthe UCI Track World Cup in Beijing, January 22-24, reports…
The 2011 Tour de France will begin with a flat stage in the Vendee region on the western coast, states…
Andre Greipel has clinched his second Tour Down Under, reports Bicycling News. Greipel took an early lead in the 2010 Tour, winning the first two stages, and fought off challenges by both Lance Armstrong and Team Sky. Greipel…
Andre Greipel sprinted his way to the leader's jersey in Stage One of the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under. Daily Peloton has the story. Greipel is trying to repeat his 2008 tour victory, in which he won the first stage. …
I'm in Calpe, Spain, with team Astana. We just got back from a training ride with the team (well, we rode with them for an hour then got dropped like a bunch of fat journalists). Also saw the Garmin-Transitions and Quick Step teams out on the road. Popular place for…
Currently in the Madrid airport on my way between the Saxo Bank and Astana training camps. Had a great ride yesterday with the Saxo guys (for an hour, after which they started riding like pros and we journalists all fell off the back). That's me riding next to 2009 Tour…
I was lucky enough to meet Doris Matyasovich–2003 DH Masters World Champ, 17-time Masters National XC Champ, and author of http://cgi.ebay.com/Dont-Tell-Me-I-Cant_W0QQitemZ230423536010QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item35a650218a#ht_500wt_1041 –at the 12 Hours of Temecula. She was racing solo. You might ask why that's…
I'm at the training camp of Saxo Bank, the team of 2009 Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck, in the Canary Islands. We're about to go out for a ride this morning before the winds kick up. We'll be sitting in on a bike-fit session with Schleck this afternoon, then…
Alberto Contador says he's moved on from his dispute with Lance Armstrong over team leadership during the Tour de France, Reuters reports. “I want to think about sport. I'm not interestedin the polemics. For me 2009 is finished. Now…
I got a chance to talk with Damion Hickman, the president of TeamVeloSport/Sho-Air in SoCal. Aside from running the team, Damion also owns his own designstudio and has several cycling clients. Check out his work at damionhickman.com. What was your first job as a designer?It was at GT…
Lance Armstrong said the RadioShack Pro Tour team is taking a “team approach”, reports VeloNews. The nine-member team won't be focused solely on Armstrong's objectives, but will instead try to succeed as a team. Armstrong also said he feels better this December than he did at…
Five years ago, Chad Kagy broke his neck while practicing a double backflip for the Gravity Games. But that didn't stop him: ESPN has a sick video of Kagy completing a double backflip — and this time, he's doing them over a distance of…
BMX was born when some kids somewhere (commonly thought of as SoCal) started racing their modified 20’ Schwinn Stingrays and created a revolution. These kids were jamming through the dirt, heavily influenced by the motocross heroes of the '70s. As for today, well, my buddies–Mario Correa, Neil Adams, Mark Sheetz–and…
The UCI has ordered Astana to produce a formal bank guarantee in 24 hours before the team can be approved for ProTour status for the next year, VeloNews reports. Astana has already missed the October 20…
I have an old Cannondale mountain bike that I purchased in 1996 or '97. The F500 is an aluminum fre that I think would make a great bike if I overhaul all of the components, including an upgrade to nine-speed. Where do I start in choosing my drivetrain, other components, and re-outfitting my fre? Gary Austin, TX
The roster for Team RadioShack, finalized by manager Johan Bruyneel, was announced today and will include seven-time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong among its 26 riders coming from 16 different countries. “It is a well balanced…
The International Cycling Union will deliver a proposal to the International Olympic Committee that looks to create a gender balanced track race program for the 2012 London Olympics. The new program will give equal gold medal opportunities to both men and women. The Beijing Olympics held seven track events for…
Athletes caught doping in Austria could be charged with fraud and face up to ten years in prison, the AP reports. Previously, possessing and selling drugs was a criminal offense, but the actual use of the drugs was not. Austria recently put forth this…
My racing partner and I, Mario Correa, placed second at the 24 Hours of Moab this year. It was a tough course–the first six miles served up some rocky terrain, so it was game on right away. Because we were going to do a lot…
Katie Compton, who currently rides for Planet Bike, crushed at the first round of the Cyclocross World Cup in Treviso, Italy, catapulting her to the commanding lead position in the latest UCI Cyclocross rankings, with 420 points, followed by Daphny van den Brand (280 points) and Chistel Ferrier-Bruneau (240…
Spanish cyclist Alberto Fernandez has been suspended for testing positive for EPO, an endurance-boosting hormone, reports Yahoo! Sports. It is said that Fernandez was targeted for further testing because of suspicious results from samples for his biological passport. It is unknown whether further…
I caught up with Breckenridge native Josh (“Toast”) Tostado after his 24 Hours of Moab National Championship Men's Solo title win. Racing is nothing new to this guy; whether in snow or dirt, Toast knows how to have a good time, even after visiting those dark places in the mind…
The UCI has come out with a 12-page response against the French anti-doping agency's earlier claim that Astana received special treatment in doping tests during this year's Tour de France. According to…
Lance Armstrong will race in the 2010 Tour of California, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. It will be his second consecutive race there; this time, as part of his newly…
UCI regulations introduced in July outlining a model ProTour team contract could affect which team Alberto Contador will ride for in the near future. Astana has missed the contract deadline for Contador, which leaves the Spaniard a…
My racing partner, Mario Correa, and I did the 24 Hours of Moab Championship Race. This venue is always full of surprises. Being so late in the year had its effects on me, no doubt, and I remembered the few times I did Moab previously: think beers and s'mores. This…
Alberto Contador and his team, Astana, are now ranked number one in the UCI world standings, VeloNews reports. Contador has 527 points, followed by Alejandro Valverde with 483 points and Samuel Sánchez with 357 points. Astana has 1,100 points,…
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme unveiled the route for next year's Tour in Paris today. The 2,237-mile race will start in the dutch city of Rotterdam and wind through Belgium before taking a clockwise loop around Paris. The route includes six mountain stages, with three of those…
Organizers of the Tour de France unveiled the course for 2010 today, revealing that cyclists will be crossing the Pyrenees Mountains in next year's race, according to the Associated Press. Both Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador were present at the ceremony. The route planned for…
Prosecutors in Paris have launched a preliminary investigation into several teams who raced in the 2009 Tour de France after finding suspicious medical material, according to the BBC. The teams involved have not been named. The preliminary investigation, which is required by French law to determine…
USA Cycling reports that the 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Championships as well as 24 Hours of Moab are expected to draw more than 4,000 athletes, support crew and spectators to Utah this coming weekend (Oct. 10-11). Beyond the $24,000…
Lance Armstrong has signed a three-year agreement with Michelob ULTRA to become the beer's new spokesperson, according to VeloNews. Armstrong will appear in two new commercials for the company that are scheduled to air in 2010, and will also be a part of their new product packaging.
“Race Across the Sky,” a documentary about this year's Leadville Trail 100, will premiere October 22. The event will feature a panel discussion with Lance Armstrong, his coach Chris Carmichael, and Dave Wiens, among others. Click…
Maybe. Denver will be the first city in the U.S. to launch a Paris-style bike-sharing program. A $50 annual membership gets you free use of bikes at drop-off stations around the city. Minneapolis, Boston, and Miami to follow. Huffington Post has the full story here. —John Bradley…
The easiest way to build fun and adventure into every day? Lose the car keys and ride your bike to work—and everywhere else. Herein you’ll find the knowledge, tips, bicycles, duds, and gear to pull it off in style. Saddle up!
I want to upgrade my 1994 Kona Hei Hei 1994 (Titanium fre). I would like to convert to disc brakes on the front with new suspension forks and upgrade the canti to v-brake on the rear. Is this possible? What make/model would you recommend buying groupset wise, wheels, forks, etc., to keep the bike light but the cost of the upgrade low? Catherine Macclesfield, UK
This is very cool. The video needs to be edited down to about 25 percent of its current length. But the contest and the result are great. (Found via Lance Armstrong's Twitter feed) —John Bradley Twitter: johnwbradley…
The Single Speed World Championships is the wildest mountain-bike on earth, where Halloween comes early and sobriety is akin to doping. To infiltrate this derailleurless debacle, we would need a thoroughly mediocre racer who could stomach the sight of way too much beer-addled flesh and report back. So, naturally, we recruited Bike Snob NYC.
Paris is romantic, cultured, and sophisticated—and teeming with rollerblading fanatics? An investigation into France's most mysterious obsession.
Before the seven Tour victories and the yellow bracelets. Before Sheryl Crow, the bestselling books, and the doping allegations. Before the comeback, there was a comeback. Ten years ago this month, Lance Armstrong was a little-known cancer survivor who showed up at the Tour de France. And no one had any idea what would happen next.
In July, one of the deepest Tour de France fields in years will see several riders not named Lance staking their claim for yellow. Here are the ones to watch.
Exclusive galleries from two new books by Jan Heine: "The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles" and "The Competition Bicycle."
On a vintage steed, over vertiginous hills of white gravel, suitcase overloaded with courage, BUCKY McMAHON battles through Italy's infamous Eroica—a grueling, 127-mile "period cyclotouristic rally"—in hopes of dying just this side of glory
In the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 31-year-old Asheville, North Carolina-based mountain biker Willow Koerber was among the country's best shots at a medal. But after ranking sixth in the World Cup, and first among Americans, in 2007, she went into an inexplicable slump early last year and failed to make the team. This summer, look for the Subaru/Gary F
He's got seven yellow jerseys. He's not getting paid. He's 37 years old. So why is Lance Armstrong racing again? Because he still has something to prove—and nothing else hurts so good.
Bike-friendly Congressman Earl Blumenauer talks to Outside’s Matthew Fishbane.
But heroin, meth, and thuggery are. Can skate pioneer and Dogtown legend Jay Adams set himself straight?
“You go ahead and get this race out of your system,’ my wife told me. ‘But I don’t want to get a call from Butte saying your butt’s bleeding.”
Team Slipstream thinks it can save cycling with a drug-testing program unlike anything else in sports. I wasn't so sure—until I wound up living with their team captain at the Tour of California. Pass the remote.
Flatten your bike tire on a thorn and you can patch the inner tube or swap in a new one—no problem. Damage the tire itself (say, by tearing your sidewall on a sharp rock)—much bigger problem. Here's a quick field solution to keep you on the roll.
I'd like to get a bike to ride the Katy trail. I'm nearly 60 and haven't ridden a bike in years. Should I get a mountain bike or a hybrid? And do you have any suggestions for gear? Phyllis Rolla, Missouri
How badly do professional cyclists want to compete in the fast and fabled pelotons of Europe? So badly that even riders without a prayer of winning big still roll with drugs, lies, and mortal danger. It's a life that can ruin more than a career. Just ask Joe Papp, an ex-pro who lives the doper's nightmare.
A maverick fashion mogul has assembled a team of cycling's most infamous riders. And wait till you hear how he plans to save the sport.
I'm in the military and will be stationed in Aviano, Italy, in June. I would like to purchase a road bike in Italy for half ironman and ironman triathlons. How do I find a reputable bike shop abroad, and what manufacturer would you recommend? Michael San Antonio, Texas
What are the advantages of a full suspension bike versus a hardtail? I bike on trails and roads. Jake Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I’m a year-round bike commuter and errand runner (this summer I made a tank of gas last four months). However, the arrival of my son has altered my lifestyle. How old does he have to be before he can ride in a trailer? And which trailer do you recommend? I'd like it to convert to a stroller relatively easily. Also, we’d like a double in case we are lucky enough to adopt a second child. Either that or just to accommodate enough groceries. Karin Mountain View, California
I ride in the land of skinny tires and shiny legs. Unfortunately, my skinny tires are shouldering the load of a 220-pound guy and have more than their share of flats. A friend suggested buying a CO2 inflator to speed up tube changes. What should I look for? And can you overinflate a tube to the point you blow out the sidewall of a tire? Larry Long Beach, California
Here, read the winning essay from Outside's Seven Cycles contest as well as the four other finalists
I'm a 57-year-old female cyclist who likes long day rides and touring. I have always enjoyed a quick, responsive bike, but I'm now experiencing arthritis and neck pain with the current, fairly extreme, bike configurations. I guess I need a new bike. What type should I buy?
I just starting to mountain bike, and I have no idea how to find the right bike for me. I don’t do hardcore trails, and I know that I want a hardtail. I have been looking at Marin bikes such as the Palisades and Juniper, but my preferred price is around $550. Have any suggestions? John Auburn, Alabama
Ever since a friend of mine announced that he and his wife wanted to do the next Paris-Brest-Paris bike race (in four years), I have been bitten by the bug and have decided to do it, too. I will be training a lot at night and will need a lighting system. What do you suggest? Gary Denver, Colorado
A nail recently tore a one-inch hole in my nice new Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor bib shorts. The tear is just to the right of center; not on a se. Are these things repairable?
I recently purchased a 1970s Ghisallo ten-speed bike. What can you tell me about this brand? Bob Lebanon, New Jersey
Italy’s Wilier Triestina rose to prominence by making bikes for winners of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the years immediately after World War II. In recent decades, Wilier has continued to make pro-level bikes for European riders. Now the legendary brand is crossing the pond with…
I've decided to do the Lotoja Classic this year, a 206-mile ride from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I've done several century rides and the distance doesn't intimidate me (although it probably should), but the elevation does. I live at sea level and there are several climbs over 7,000 feet. How can I best train for the altitude while living at sea level? Thanks!
In our July 2007 Tour de France special, “Stage Fright” we featured a series of stateside rides that mimic those on Le Tour. Here see maps of those rides by clicking on the links below.