3...2...1...Liftoff!

From this point forward please visit www.NashvilleCyclist.com to find the 2010 version of the site and blog. I will no longer be posting blogs to this Blogger account, but it will remain here to remind you to visit me at my flagship site!

January 20th, 2010 was a big day for NashvilleCyclist.com! On that date I presented a new site for 2010, and well, it is kind of a big deal for me.

Much of 2009 was spent mentally preparing to tear down my familiar home and literally starting from scratch. Making that decision was harder than I realized it would be, but once I did I have not looked back. I had a vision of the mansion I wanted to build and set out to make it happen. My hope is this new design wows you right away and makes your jaw drop. The change is quite dramatic and absolutely going in the right direction to meet your needs.

As you look around and see all the unique features added you can surmise this was no easy task. When you hear people say, "oh yeah, you can easily put a site together." Sure you can, if you want a site lacking a dynamic look, interactive features and just plain boring. I desired more than a cookie cutter site off the shelf, and while the programs behind the framework are standard fair I believe you will agree this is unlike other websites out there. The thing is, I am just getting started.

As you look around you will notice some familiarity of content taken from the old site to this one. You will also notice there are several new and updated features included. It was not possible to easily migrate a lot of info from the old site, which means this site lacks the depth of the previous five year old dinosour. As time passes I do hope to bring more older content over, but I am definitely investing much of my time on future content. Afterall, you do want information that is timely and relevant to today.

What am I most excited about? First, the content management system behind it encourages me to work daily on the website. I cannot emphasize enough how this alone is critical to NashvilleCyclist.com's future development. Second, it feels like I received a good scrub down after five years of working the fields; the look sure is easy on the eyes!

Below are a few things that stand out to me:

Diaries - we have a new team!
Interviews - you will enjoy our connections.
Forum - hey, it works!
Front page slideshow - hit the highlight reel!
Race Team Information - the crew in light blue deserve some love!
Coaching articles - it is high time I did this.
Comment abilities - oh Lord, please be nice!
Polls - for a little fun!
Text size adjuster - for you near or far sighted folks.
Sharing capacity - see something you like, pass it on!
Clean link pages - no more of that frameset garbage.
Paid Advertising - everyone has always said I could make money, bring it on!

If there is anything you see that's odd and not working or if there are browser compatibility issues then please visit the Contact Us section. We have worked on the kinks, but our guess is you may encounter some issues. Please be patient with us through this transition, and I can promise you in due time you will be satisfied with our ultimate outcome.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to give props and a huge thank you to Jess Brown of Brown Web Design. Jess is the man with the tool belt who made this site become a reality. I have been impressed with him since our first phone conversation, and he has more than lived up to his end of this endeavor. Investing my resources in Jess was probably one of my smarter decisions in awhile, so if you have web design needs I highly recommend him.

Jess, great work my friend; I truly appreciate your patience and abilities.

NashvilleCyclist.com fans - welcome to 2010 - going forward, to read my site and cycle blog please visit www.NashvilleCyclist.com.

All the best

Tim Hall
owner/publisher
NashvilleCyclist.com

Sponsors Lining Up For 2010

While the management of NashvilleCyclist.com diligently worked on their roster they were also quietly working behind the scenes to nail down sponsors for 2010. The team lost sponsorship prior to the 2009 season, but they recently struck deals to strengthen the team’s presence and ability to compete well into the future.

Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle (MOAB), Blue Competition Cycles, Ligero Wheelworks, and Evans, Jones and Reynolds, P.C. have all joined to support the racing team in its quest to be the premier amateur team in the region. “I am honored these businesses have chosen to invest in NashvilleCyclist.com for 2010. Their willingness to partner with us is a testament to our hard work for the last three years, which is taking us to a level I never imagined. These opportunities are attributed to having such good people representing our team,” states team owner/manager Tim Hall.

The team embraces its official amateur status, but it will not prevent them from presenting themselves as professional as possible. Riders who felt the financial pinch during the 2009 season are energized by these new relationships. “Combine our new roster with the huge opportunities afforded us by our sponsorship relations and I think the 2010 season will put NashvilleCyclist.com on par with any amateur team in the Southeast,” says Category 1 rider Dave Worth.

MOAB is a familiar partner as they have sponsored the summer NashvilleCyclist.com Wednesday night criterium series for the last few years. “It’s another great opportunity for MOAB to support the local cycling community through the NashvilleCyclist.com team. It’s a good fit and win-win relationship for both sides,” says MOAB owner Mark Dement.

The checklist of professional imagery includes competing on the right bicycle and wheels, which is where Blue Competition Cycles out of Norcross, GA and Ligero Wheelworks in Chattanooga fit into the picture. “Blue and Ligero are two outstanding opportunities for us to not only race on high quality equipment, but also to help establish reputable brands here in the Middle Tennessee market,” states Hall.

Until this sponsorship Blue Competition Cycles lacked a presence in Tennessee. “Blue Competition Cycles is very excited to support NashvilleCyclist. We are looking forward to a successful season and developing a relationship with a great organization looking to grow the competitive sport of cycling,” said Blue representative Cleve Blackwell.

While the team has lined up product sponsors for 2010 they are also seeking cash investments into their program. The Nashville law firm Evans, Jones and Reynolds, P.C. was the first to jump on this opportunity. These investments are poured directly into the team’s ability to travel and compete, as well as outfit the team in uniforms filled with sponsor logos.

“We realize the economy is tough, but investing in quality is always a winning bet. We know we can deliver a favorable return through the team and website,” Hall stated. Others have shown serious interest as well, “We have presentation meetings lined up, and with our tiered investment approach there are several valued options to choose from,” Hall added.

Companies or individuals interested in a partnership with the NashvilleCyclist.com racing team are encouraged to contact Tim Hall at info@nashvillecyclist.com or call 615-310-3745.

Learn more about the 2010 team and sponsors by visiting:

NashvilleCyclist.com racing team – www.NashvilleCyclist.com
Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle (MOAB) – www.moabbikes.com
Blue Competition Cycles – www.rideblue.com
Ligero Wheelworks – www.ligerowheels.com
Evans, Jones and Reynolds, P.C. – www.ejrlaw.com

Rattle my cage

The pace is finally slowing down and I'm no longer getting dropped on a daily basis. It's time to rev the engine and keep that throttle steady with the occasional excited burst. We announced our team roster the other day for 2010, and coming later this week we will announce several partnerships we've lined up as well. It's an exciting time to be part of NashvilleCyclist.com, and soon we'll be unveiling a new website everyone will greatly appreciate (me especially!).

With so much going on lately my IE favorites has been piling up to a mountain too difficult to climb. Therefore I deleted a lot of untimely news items, in this post I've sprinkled in a few timeless ones. Let's kick off with a little bit of advocacy news and then have some fun with other worthy news links, some cycling some not cycling.


Bike Walk Tennessee
In case you weren't aware, we now have a state-wide advocacy group tackling issues important to bicyclists and pedestrians across the state. A lot of hard work has gone into putting this together, and I encourage you to provide your support by becoming a member HERE. I will be signing up as an individual on behalf of NashvilleCyclist.com to become part of their "Associate organization." Let's put our collective voices together and help BWT pack a punch!


Share The Road Tennessee - license plates
While we are on the advocacy kick let's get behind this effort too! I'm told pre-paid orders are barely 300 right now, and the deadline is next summer to hit the goal of around 1000 (I think). I helped a few others years ago attempt this same thing but we fell short by about 500 pre-orders. I believe we have the momentum now though, and you'll be seeing more of this on my website soon. The law then required 1000 up front commitments before the state would create the plate, but maybe it's a little less now. Either way, pony up and get behind this effort!

You can visit this link HERE to type in your information, print out the form, write a $35 check, and mail it to the Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation. This foundation has accomplished a lot in a short period of time regarding items such as the Tennessee 3' Law, promoting safety, and through the effort of this license plate. Put your money where your mouth is!


Pedicabs Will Now Be Inspected and Licensed
This is gonna be part of my training plan for 2010 to improve power. Imagine pushing the pedals to move upwards of 500 pounds all day long. Plus, make a little money too? My sprint my suffer but maybe I'll climb a little better!


Our rich cycling culture: Getting to know the pedal pushers
Who is biking and why in the Twin Cities. Here in Nashville we have all those categories too, but we have not gained the respectful notice of motor vehicle drivers, yet. I believe the momentum is on our side when you consider the investments our local government is making to promote healthy lifestyles, connected neighborhoods through greenways and more bike lanes throughout the city. If we continue to give respect we'll continue to get respect with compounding interest, but it starts with us every single time we go out and ride our bikes.


Elite athletes: They're quick, competitive and nearly 40
From Lance Armstrong to Kurt Warner to Dara Torres, you too can become competitive and fit in your late 30s to 40s. The current king still looking for a team in the NHL is Chris Chelios at 47! Hey, I'm doing it too, so anything is possible! I do not subscribe to the 40s is the new 30s or any babble like that, but I do believe we can set out to achieve whatever we put our minds to doing. It's going to require hard work of course, but if you can dream it you can live it.


NewsChannel 5 Tennessee Area Super Resolution Radar
I recommend this radar anytime you're trying to decide whether or not to beat the rain. You can also choose high def TV and also choose to put it in motion.


Bike-Riding Rooster Booted From Miami Beach
Why are they picking on Mr. Clucky? I mean, he's a civilized rooster after all. "The bird's not going to be a witness, sir." Well I'm glad we cleared that up! Look, if I want a rooster on my handlebars, who are you to stop me? You have got to watch this news video about the story and court visit, priceless! I cannot believe they devoted over 3 minutes of news time for this.


Cavendish calls Garmin's team trial trial fixation "disrespectful"
I've been meaning to say this for a long time, couldn't the same thing be said of Columbia-HTC's obsession with the sprint finish?


Danger and Distraction - Tour de France
I love these audio quotes from the riders that challenge their patience during a huge event like the Tour de France. Leave it to Jens Voigt to put things into perspective by talking about spectators along the road; hilarious commentary about kids and people in wheelchairs.


Next year's Twitter? It's Foursquare
Well, maybe, but it's not in Nashville yet. Don't forget to follow NashvilleCyclist.com on Twitter HERE!

2010 Team Roster Finalized

Coming off the heels of its most successful racing season in 2009, the NashvilleCyclist.com racing team has found a way to reload for 2010. The roster for the upcoming season boasts 20 total active racers, up from 12 in 2009. The increase in size is due to the bolstering of its elite category 1/2 and women’s team. “Every year our team becomes filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season. We find a way to add depth and strength, which always motivates a team to race,” says Tim Hall, NashvilleCyclist.com team owner/manager.

The elite squad newcomers are Andy Reardon and John Waggoner, as well as 2009 Category 3 TBRA Road Series Champion Brent Mahan upgrading to round out the team at eight. Coming back for 2010 are team fixtures Jason Guzak, Tim Hall, Patrick Harkins, Shannon Williams and Dave Worth – the 2009 Category 2 TBRA Road Series Champion. “Last year we usually put ourselves in winning situations without the taste of victory, but with our current firepower we may well begin winning those races,” states Hall.

Dave Worth became one of only several riders in Tennessee racing history to win all four state championship jerseys in one season. “The 2010 season for Nashville Cyclist.com is very exciting for me as a racer. Building off of what is arguably our most successful season in 2009 and adding several strong riders, all of whom get along fabulously, is a recipe for a great 2010,” said Worth about the prospects for 2010.

The women’s team lost two riders to transfers, leaving it with just Marsha White, but Hall remained committed to fielding a full squad in 2010. The team adds experience with Alli Greening, Beth Travers and Ginger Wade, along with upcoming talents Roxanne Caruso, Stephanie Maines and Laura Reinert. Hall says of the women, “The ladies are training a lot together and have injected a huge dose of enthusiasm into our program. They can climb, sprint and time-trial, so we have the potential to contend for victory quite often.”

“I am proud and honored to race with NashvilleCyclist.com and the group of women Tim has assembled. I know we are going to have a successful season in 2010,” says Marsha White, a Category 3 racer set to begin her second season with the team.

The team has not determined its race schedule for 2010, but they will place a high priority on events such as Athens Twilight, Downers Grove in Chicago, Masters Nationals in Louisville, the Gateway Cup in St. Louis and defending the various Tennessee state championship jerseys. Hall sums up the philosophy to race at high level regional and national events this way, “Racing against the best competition has been a key element to our team’s development. Those events provide an excellent opportunity to measure ourselves, which inevitably leads to raising personal goals.”

The team will soon announce details regarding sponsors for 2010. NashvilleCyclist.com was self-supported in 2009 due to the loss of sponsorship during the economic downturn, but is firming up solid partnerships for 2010. In summation Tim Hall states, “My goal through all that we do at NashvilleCyclist.com is to provide inspiration to other bicyclists to aim high and take action, be it through our racing, promotions, sponsorships, the website, everything we do.”

To learn more and to keep up with the team’s progress throughout the season please visit www.NashvilleCyclist.com.

Category 1 & Category 2
Jason Guzak
Tim Hall
Patrick Harkins
Brent Mahan
Andy Reardon *
John Waggoner *
Dave Worth
Shannon Williams

Women
Roxanne Caruso *
Alli Greening *
Stephanie Maines *
Laura Reinert *
Beth Travers *
Ginger Wade *
Marsha White

Category 3
Jonathan Craig
Neil Fronheiser
Mathew Meunier *
Jackson Reynolds *
Jason Shields

* denotes new rider for 2010

A Little Revival

I'm sure most of you can relate to this blog's title. We all go through transitional periods in our life when the deck gets reshuffled and an entirely new hand is dealt. More times than not it's others forcing the new hand on you, but if you play your cards right the outcome can be unexpectedly good. For a few months now, probably six or so, I have been experiencing quite a few shufflings leading to big changes. There were so many hitting all at once it felt like snipers taking successful aim on a daily basis, but I had nothing to combat the onslaught due to my confusion. Prioritizing and firing back was difficult to say the least. Thankfully time has passed, some change has come and gone with new directions forged, but a few others are still in the "work-in-process" category.

I learned a long time ago to embrace these moments and find the doors of opportunity they present; had I not my heart and soul would not have been able to survive, nor would I have learned a dang thing. I pray often for wisdom and understanding, and for those prayers to come true the burden of embracing life change is a pre-requisite. I'm not suggesting I embrace it immediately 100% and enjoy it at all times, but I have faith the outcome on the other side will be one eventually leading to success - for myself and all those around me.

"A Little Revival" is the title to a song and album by Radney Foster that has struck a cord with me. It continues to hit me in a way I am unable to fully explain, but I at least began to understand my finger was on a pulse needing to be understood. Had it entered my life at another moment in time I am afraid its impact would not be the same. However, for this moment all I know is it hit me, hard. I listened to it over and over, each time another layer within my mind was peeled back. I'm unable to count all the emotional openings this one song and others on the album has offered. Though I do give them credit for rocketing me on a blazing and energized path to tackle everything in front of me.

"Deep in my soul a little revival.....amen to love."

All this reminds me of my "Born to Shimmer" blog post back in January of 2008 discussing how we all become inspired for change. I add this with "A Little Revival" and well, we can all get these demons off our back.

Well that's cool, great you say, but how does all this affect you? Here are some changes I am committed to living out.....

First, I am not seeking re-election as the Road Director for the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association (TBRA) in 2010. I have held this position for two full road racing seasons and have enjoyed volunteering on behalf of competitive racing in Tennessee. However, for the next couple of years I am unable to devote the necessary time to this very time consuming role. I will of course continue to stay plugged into the racing scene through my own promotions as well as through leading two separate TBRA clubs. The annual TBRA assembly meeting is Sunday, December 6th at Cumberland University. The elections for all TBRA positions will take place at that time, and I encourage you to take part and get involved in this volunteer organization.

Second, I have stepped up my commitment to the NashvilleCyclist.com racing team for 2010 and beyond. Not that I wasn't committed before, but our program has been in need of me stepping up to meet our current needs. We have reloaded our roster for next season, both at the elite level and especially within our women's program. Next season will mark our fourth year of existence, and we have reached a level of success and impact that myself and others never really dreamed would happen. However, here we are, and it is important to respect it and develop it to the fullest extent possible. Expect to see a press release within the next few days regarding this excitement!

Third, soon you can expect to see a major overhaul of the NashvilleCyclist.com website. I am very excited about this redesign and upgrade! When I began in the spring of 2004 the technology behind the site was sufficient, but the current structure makes it nearly impossible to achieve goals in a 2010 web environment. I realized over a year ago how this was limiting my ability to achieve my website goals, so at that time I began researching and getting questions answered to do something about it. It's no coincidence that my updates on the site began to trail off at that time.

It took over a year for me to get comfortable with actually scrapping what I've built and starting over, but this also gave me time to save in order to make the appropriate financial investment. I will be deleting what's not working or relevant and building upon what works. Plus, I will explore new ideas I feel will bring you back every day. This redesign will no doubt be a tremendous amount of work. In the end I believe we'll all benefit as it will encourage me to tackle the site's content on a more regular basis moving forward.

Fourth, I believe these next ten years of my life will be the most important ever, more so than any of the 40 I've lived thus far. You may perceive my commitment as having been good, but I've known for quite some time I have either been holding back or distracted by other endeavors not bearing sufficient fruit. Considering all that has transpired and the revelations I've begrudgingly stumbled into lately, the time has come to zero in and focus on just a few incredibly important endeavors. I have enjoyed a few of my side opportunities, but without question they have held me back.

One thought continues to stick in my head, "All chips in."

You can expect to hear more from me about this mentality. Suffice it to say I have grown weary of hearing my friends remark, "you're busy and involved in so many things, I don't know how you do it all." It's not a badge I am proud to wear to be honest because I have not been pleased with my results. I have given some to a lot and achieved some good things, but I am devoted to giving a lot to a little to see what I can really accomplish. I never was a singles hitter, gap shots and home runs were more my strengths. It's high time I play to my strengths.

Yes, all chips in my friends.

Fort Lewis College - Opposed to aero ban

The opposition to the aero equipment ban by USA Cycling in collegiate cycling is growing. My colleague Matt Shriver from the collegiate cycling powerhouse Fort Lewis College has weighed in, and he offers up some brilliant insight. I know of more coaches who will be coming out against the ban in the near future, and if they are willing I'll be posting their response here as well.

I will say I am a little surprised that Lees-McRae College has come out in favor of the rule change, though I do respect Coach Luke Winger's decision. Luke believes it's a good thing, and a few individual riders have come out and said they agree as well. By the same token quite a few individual riders are completely against this ban.

We shall see in the coming months if our concerns will be heard and action taken to reverse this terrible rule. If you want to share your thoughts then please contact the USA Cycling Collegiate Board of Trustees. The names and email addresses of the five members are listed within that link. I highly encourage you to make your voices heard, and of course your voice would likely carry more weight if you were either involved in collegiate cycling now or will be in the near future.

Below is the letter from Coach Matt Shriver of Fort Lewis College:

Dear Collegiate Cycling Board of Trustees & whom it may concern,

I would like to take a moment to express my thoughts specifically on the Rule 7-Aero Equipment change. Although I believe the intentions appear to be good, I feel that this will hurt collegiate cycling rather than help it grow and provide development opportunities. The rule change is bad overall and will bring the level of competition down in collegiate cycling. This rule change is also in conflict with the Collegiate Cycling Mission Statement. Collegiate cycling has been a large contributor to developing talented riders that are also educated and I see this rule change as large step in the wrong direction when developing student athletes.

My experience with collegiate cycling and at Fort Lewis College has been lengthy. I attended Fort Lewis College while pursing my own professional racing career and education. I have been involved with collegiate cycling for nearly a decade now and recently became the Interim Director/Head Coach at Fort Lewis College. Fort Lewis College has long been a model program in collegiate cycling. I have seen this program go from a little Division two program to one of the best Division One programs in the country. We compete in all collegiate disciplines at the collegiate level and our goal is to provide every opportunity to any student that wants to get involved in cycling and develop.

Developmental programs have continually been cut across the country, especially in the mountain bike discipline. Many developing riders and sponsors see collegiate cycling as one of the last and best lines of development and as a launching pad to a cycling career. This rule does not provide new and developing riders a fair introduction to cycling if they are not given the chance to race in similar conditions as elite level racing. Eliminating the use of advanced equipment robs many riders the learning experience needed to compete in non-collegiate events. The sooner we can get riders on the equipment that is used in Elite racing, the faster they will develop into great cyclists. By implementing this rule, it takes out a necessary skill that is needed to compete at the elite level in cycling.

I also fear that this lowers the bar so to speak in collegiate cycling. This makes collegiate cycling look extremely amateur. The Team Time Trial is a unique event and one that should involve specialized equipment. Looking at this from an industry sponsors view and it takes away from their exposure of supporting a program. We want industry sponsors to continue to support collegiate cycling. Removing aero equipment will harm those sponsors' investments. The team time trial will not get as much press because it will be very amateur looking. I really believe that this will be an issue, speaking from experience with current Fort Lewis College sponsors. They like to see the Team Time Trial teams on their TT bikes, helmets and other equipment. Since most riders don't have TT bikes, we have generated funds over the years to provide our 4 men and 4 women with bikes to use at National events. The team time trial is the one event where we can get the majority of riders on sponsors products. This looks great for the sponsors and great for the program. The riders look professional, feel professional and enjoy racing on equipment similar to what they will race on outside of collegiate. It helps keep the industry interested in supporting development programs at the collegiate level. It is up to the program and management, weather students or staff to seek sponsorships and resources for time trialing.
Again I see another direct conflict with section (b) of the mission statement of collegiate cycling. The mission is to enable elite riders to pursue an education while benefiting from development programs. My fear is that this rule will affect the number of elite riders that want to race at the elite level and pursue a cycling career while attending school. This rule will put any elite rider that attends school at a disadvantage to those that don't attend school. Fort Lewis College has a rich history of attracting this type of elite rider and developing them into professionals. We do not want to lose appeal to interested riders that want an education but also to race at a high level. I think many will opt to not go to school because they are being robbed the opportunity of developing as a time trailer. Racing a time trial on a road bike is entirely different on a time trial bike. It takes allot of training in the time trial position on a time trial bike to get good at this and it really is an art. Removing advanced time trial equipment puts a collegiate rider at a huge disadvantage when they go on to compete at the elite level in non-collegiate events.

I also see this rule change as a direct conflict with section (c.) of the collegiate cycling mission. The mission mentions providing growth and leadership opportunities for scholar athletes both on and off the bike. This rule change is punishing to programs that have taken a progressive approach to solving the economical challenges of funding a team. There are creative ways to provide time trial equipment to the team members through sponsorship and community resources. A priority of collegiate cycling is education and educating the student athletes in how to build and manage a program is also important. The programs that are successful are programs that get students involved in a marketing strategy to market the program, finding sponsorship dollars and equipment for the members. Fort Lewis College Cycling is successful due to the involvement of the team members in raising funds, searching for sponsorships, being involved with the cycling community, and college faculty/staff. Developing these relationships with the community and within the industry is part of developing educated cyclists. Fort Lewis College has been a model program for more than 10 years. However, we also still have to beg borrow and steal from our friends and community cycling groups. But through our relationships that we have developed, people have no problem loaning out their gear to us because we are involved in the cycling community. This rule change robs the student athlete of the chance to get involved in growing a program. The rule allows programs to settle for mediocrity rather than striving to provide resources for the members.

I don't think that a fair attempt to reach all cycling programs for feedback was made. The meetings were scheduled at odd times at a National Championship event. I was fortunate enough to attend and represent Fort Lewis College at this past season's road nationals, and I can honestly say that it wasn't well attended and it wasn't a fair representation of the schools that compete. Most that attended seemed to be Board of Trustee's members and I felt that the decision was already made, leaving the argument unproductive. The attendance wasn't because of lack of interest, but lack of teams staff to attend. There was no repeated email correspondence that I can recall. The large response we are seeing today reflects the lack of communication on USAC's and the NCCA's part with the cycling programs.

This rule change has opened a very large can of worms. Where does this rule stop? Is there a ban on Aero Equipment for Track riders as well? The same argument can be made about the Downhill discipline in Mountain Biking. Not every rider or program can afford a Downhill bike. Will they be required to race on a Cross Country bike? Who is going to enforce these rules and where does it stop? Is a time trial bike with drop bars legal? I can guarantee you that riders will show up with a time trial bike with drop bars on it and ride on the tops of the bars without extensions.

Again I would like to state that I think the intentions of this rule were good in seeking to keep some sort of level playing field, but I don't feel it is necessary at this level of athletics. The goal is to develop future educated professional cyclists while providing a fun collegiate experience. We want to keep it fun and enjoyable for everyone, including the elite level riders. This rule will exclude time trial specialists and elite riders from racing at the collegiate level. This argument seems to be bickering about the haves and have-nots, an that is a terrible approach for being productive. I think the solution is not arguing about economics but becoming creative in finding ways to fund programs. Keep raising the bar in collegiate cycling and enticing communities and industry sponsors to get involved. Getting the students involved in finding those resources and keeping collegiate cycling as close to elite level cycling is what I see as being most important in maintaining the prestige of college racing and continuing development.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my response. I only want what is best for the sport of cycling to continue healthy growth. Up to this point, I think that Collegiate Cycling was headed in the right direction. Please consider reversing this rule before the 2010 season. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.

Sincerely,

Matt Shriver
Fort Lewis College Cycling
Interim Director /Head Coach

p.s. - this was posted with Matt Shriver's permission.

Collegiate Cycling - TT aero rule changes

Hello all

Below is an important message I sent to the members of the USA Cycling Collegiate Cycling board of trustees. I also sent this to other coaches and leaders associated with collegiate cycling. If you are a collegiate cyclist now, have aspirations of becoming a collegiate cyclist or are a parent of a Junior rider you will want to weigh in on this issue. You may disagree with me, that's ok, but it is important that everyone's voice is heard.

There has been a rule change for 2010 that will ban aero bars, TT bikes, disc wheels and helmets at the collegiate level. The rule will force collegiate riders to race their regular road bikes for the ITT and TTT disciplines. The TTT is a highly coveted jersey within the collegiate road national championship. The TTT would not go away of course, but these rule changes will greatly impact the future of collegiate cycling.

Please read my message below:

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts with you on the new rule changes to be implemented for collegiate cycling in 2010. I have copied others on this email for the sake of efficiency, and because I personally know most of the people listed or know they are passionate about collegiate cycling. I also know that most of you are familiar with one another on some level. Therefore, please take this with the respect I am intending, and know that I am only speaking on behalf of my university.

I am the full-time cycling coach at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN. We compete in both mountain and road, but our main strength is as a road racing program. The TTT discipline is one we spend a lot of time and energy trying to become our best. While we are well funded to kit out, feed, travel and compete in full schedules each semester, we are not funded to provide or invest in bicycles or most other equipment pieces. I do have some team TT helmets and team disc wheels I use specifically for my Men A team. Aside from that my kids are all responsible for buying what they need to compete through our shop sponsor.

In my professional opinion the new rules affecting the elimination of all aero equipment are bad and do not help to strengthen collegiate cycling and its legitimacy. The growth at this level has been tremendous in the last 5 years with an even more promising future, but these new rules are troubling. Below I have listed my primary concerns and points of objection.

1 - This rule is directly opposed to USAC's stated goal and mission of winning Olympic medals. The rule change will negatively affect rider development and hamper a rider’s opportunity to get stronger in the TT discipline. Collegiate cycling is now one of the most promising avenues to identify talent for the national team, but this rule will stamp out that opportunity. For riders identified through the Junior program who have the possibility of joining the national team, if they attend college how does this rule help them or USAC achieve their goals? More and more collegiate riders are being signed by domestic professional teams with more racing with our national team. Brent Bookwalter, Mara Abbott and Tom Danielson are just a few good examples of former collegiate riders racing at Worlds for Team USA.

2 - This rule contradicts 3 out of the 4 stated goals and mission of collegiate cycling. The rule is not welcoming, it does not foster development, and robs talented time trial riders the opportunity of leadership challenges and learning experiences. All team camaraderie, team building and individual disciplined character traits are enhanced through the use of advanced racing equipment. Simply put, having the right equipment pushes every to become their very best, and I know as a coach that without it there will be missed opportunities to teach.

3 - All bars are armrests, and as such all riders will now get into the aero position without armrest support. This means riders will now have less control of their bicycles, and they will have difficulty in applying the brakes as necessary. This is especially dangerous in a TTT, and it could be argued in court this is now a liability issue because USAC won't allow the most logical of safety measures; brakes, as it does elsewhere. This is a leap for sure. However, if it can thought of, it can be argued, with the potential of a jury agreeing. USAC has always focused a lot of attention on safety, rightly so, but this rule change will put riders at risk.

4 – I feel the rules discussion was not out in the open and light of day as has been projected by USA Cycling. More could have been done to solicit feedback from coaches and team leaders from across the country. Were all 15 varsity funded collegiate programs contacted for their thoughts? I know I was not contacted, and we have been on the map for about 5 years now. While this topic may have been discussed at nationals it does not provide those unable to attend nationals to have their voices heard either. Moreover, for those of us at nationals our main priority is attending to our kids, and this means the only other meeting we have time to fit in our schedules is the team/riders meeting each night. Sometimes we are not even able to attend those.

5 - This rule isolates collegiate cycling away from all of the rest of the cycling world. With this logic, why not implement it at the Junior level as well? Of course taking aero equipment away from Juniors is a ridiculous idea, and if so then it's just as ridiculous for collegiate riders. Many developing Juniors are using collegiate cycling as a platform to reach the next level nationally or internationally, so it would make sense that collegiate cycling would want to promote that growth, not hinder it.

6 - If costs are such a big concern then USAC should do more to subsidize or offset the costs for collegiate riders. TT equipment is a small percentage when compared to the total cost structure of travel, hotels, food, entry fees, etc. on a weekly basis to compete within a conference schedule. Moreover, as stated above, my kids are buying their own equipment already because they are committed to racing non-collegiate USAC events.

7 - Having a TT bike as a separate piece of equipment gives riders flexibility and confidence in knowing it's a dedicated piece of equipment. In other words, if they suffer a crash to their road bikes and damage it beyond raceability then they still have their TT bike to compete on.

8 – Collegiate cycling already has difficulty in getting kids to commit to racing the collegiate season on top of the non-collegiate opportunities. All these kids are going to attend college anyway, somewhere, whether or not they have a program to join. For those schools with a club or varsity team it will be more difficult to convince a good rider to join because they will have these limitations in competition. This was a concern already, and it will be an even bigger obstacle with this new rule.

9 - At least USAC did not use the "competitive balance" argument (or so I’m led to believe), as the strong men/women of TT will still be winning TTTs. With that thought in mind, those athletes who are strong in the TT have and will continue to invest in equipment to compete in what they are good at in non-collegiate events. This means a lot of valuable equipment will go unused competitively for five months every year. This is terrible for development, and may encourage a rider to avoid collegiate. In the long run it may mean that riders will not invest in equipment because it cannot be used in collegiate, thereby robbing USAC and coaches the opportunity to identify talented riders. In the end it can hamper USAC's ability to win gold medals.

10 – In the end my customers are my athletes, and your customers are your licensed members. All of us should listen to them more and do our best to put a smile on their face. This decision does not put a smile on any of our customer’s faces. I will be encouraging collegiate licensed riders to speak up to have their voices heard, regardless of where they stand on the issue. If USAC desires to have their finger on the pulse of collegiate cycling, then have its members vote on the issue.

In my view, this rule sets collegiate cycling back 15 to 20 years. If it remains then it will certainly negatively impact the sport in areas we can currently see, but more damaging will be unintended consequences we cannot see. The collateral damage will leave everyone saddened and a lesser athlete developed because of it. I’m sure there are even more concerns I am unaware of as I sit from my perspective.

I sincerely appreciate your time and dedication to our sport. None of us would be involved if we did not have a passion for it, and guys like me would not respond at length if we did not care. I hope you will reconsider this rule and reverse your decision for 2010 and beyond.

Respectfully

Tim Hall
Cycling Coach
Cumberland University
thall@cumberland.edu
615-310-3745

So do you believe me now?

First off, tomorrow on July 8th is Race #2 of the NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Race Series. Be There or Get Slower! See www.NashvilleCyclist.com for a flyer and series details.

Cyclingfans.com
For those of you at work, or worse like me without cable, you can check out this link with various online options for LIVE video/audio of the Tour de France. The options vary each day, but you do get to hear Phil and Paul on most of them. I had to listen to a Russian feed for awhile today before an English version came online, but now I'm listening to Italian. I really should touch up on my foreign languages.

Team leadership still an issue at Astana
I am assuming these reports are real regarding the lack of understanding and communications between Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel about Astana's protected rider at the Tour. We are still very early in the Tour with a lot to play out before the real drama begins. After a few mountain stages the clouds will clear as the cream will rise to the top.

Either there is real confusion or lack of emphasis on one rider or the Astana team is sly like a fox. Part of me believes they are just as good tacticians off the bike as they are on the bike. I'm certainly a big believer that you never state your game plan to your rivals if it's not necessary, and with all the bullets Astana has why would you? However, is Alberto Contador on board and trusting that he's the #1 rider? My gut tells me he's not in a comfortable position, especially after reading his quote in the link below.

Was Armstrong just riding smart, or.....
I'm with Armstrong on this one, it doesn't take rocket scientist smarts to be attentive towards the front. Every bike racer has been through this exact scenario with or without harsh cross-winds. Once the split in the field happened it's definitely the responsibility of unrepresented teams to chase, primarily sprinter teams for this stage if they wanted a shot at beating Mark Cavendish. Most GC hopefuls were caught behind as well, but evidently didn't feel that losing nearly a minute to Armstrong is a huge loss. Let's see if they feel that way after the TTT. Hats off to Columbia/HTC for having their entire team of nine guys in the split. I loved George Hincapie's post-race comments criticizing other teams for not taking a leadership role at the front prior to the split. Astana may have the overall strongest nine riders in the race, but this day's outcome shows some are missing a little wit about them.

Teams go in inverse order of team ranking
Today's TTT has different rules regarding the finishing time than in the past few years. I read in Velonews' live rolling text coverage yesterday that actual finishing times of the team will be used this year and not some mathematical equation to limit losses. In other words, a team's final time will be what they actually earn. I never liked the previous confusing rule, so this is a welcome relief back to sanity in my book.

Toronto bike maker has a lot riding on the big race
Wow, almost a grass roots approach to creating a high profile professional cycling team. I agree, you give the riders the opportunity to help shape the team culture and you'll be happy and proud to be a part of it. It certainly helps if you produce a bike that's respected and in high demand!

Team directors oppose the Tour's two-day radio ban
Stage 10 and Stage 13 are scheduled to be radio free days in the Tour's peloton. Stage 10 is Bastille Day and ideal for the sprinters while Stage 13 is a mountainous challenge with five categorized climbs. It's debatable whether or not this is a good idea or will actually add a positive dynamic to the race outcome. As long as riders are getting time checks from the motorcycles then they'll at least know time gaps on a regular basis, which in my view is a more critical piece of information that affects the outcome.

So why are team directors and many racers raising questions to the logic behind this addition to the Tour this year? Based upon what I've read that angle stems from a director informing riders about traffic obstacles and/or general course descriptions that are just ahead. I believe it to be a valid point and now part of the professional culture that's a generally accepted practice. Moreover, the safety aspect trumps the need to believe you're adding a "tactics" feature by banning radios for a couple of days. Whether you have radios or not there are tactics, and no matter what there will be vicious attacking at the start of every stage before a breakaway is formed; with or without radios. Again, with time checks from the moto the peloton will respond accordingly.

I'll give an example at the local level where a radio would have been beneficial. This past week the Masters Nationals road race in Louisville was on a very technical and twisty 5 mile loop in Cherokee Park. Imagine Percy Warner Park with better pavement and slightly wider roads, and of course very limited visibility ahead. I pre-rode the course three times the day before and twice the day of my race, but I talked to a LOT of guys who didn't at all. I thought they were crazy for not doing so, but they wrongly listened to officials at start/finish who told them they couldn't ride the course. They could on the areas not around start/finish without any trouble, and since there was only one race on the course at a time it meant you could easily get out of the way of the race caravan coming through.

There were several sharp turns and chicanes that helped knowing in advance. In our pack of 100 riders I had the comfort of knowing the course, which greatly reduced my nervousness in that pack at 30+ mph. Other guys weren't so comfortable and had great difficulty handling their bikes throughout the course. Sure, after a couple of laps you should have the course seared into your mind, but imagine having someone talking in your ear describing what you're about to encounter? Even after a few laps the intensity of the event can prevent you from thinking clearly and losing focus, so having a reminder chirping in your ear could easily help prevent an unnecessary accident. Yes, I did see one horrific crash involving two guys on one of the most dangerous curves.

Now imagine being in a race like the Tour de France with 180+ riders, 25-40mph, narrow roads, and having very little knowledge of what's ahead. Not having radios may not fall into the "unsafe" category, but having them would ensure the likelihood of a safer ride. Especially in those last 10k of a sprint finish. What's more, riders and commentators both have mentioned how the traffic designs in Europe have changed dramatically to include much more traffic islands and obstacles to slow down motor vehicle traffic. You can read the race bible all you want to get familiar, but in the heat of the moment your ability to recall important info you read isn't so good. Moreover, not every detail of the course is included in the race bible.

Tour organizers will feel some kind of dumb if any rider is seriously injured due to the lack of communication about the course layout. I for one don't believe riders need the radios for strategy, but for safety I do believe they are useful tools. I would not expect there to be any increased accidents because these guys are professionals, the best bike handlers in the world, but at the same time I'm sure they'll be a little bit more cautious. I'll tell you this, on that mountain stage it could get really interesting because riders won't get updates on where their teammates are on the mountain slopes, ie think Astana!

Lastly, how many times have you been to a race where afterwards you say, "Unbelievable, it sure would have been nice and smart to have that turn or obstacle pointed out more clearly! It's a wonder one of us wasn't killed. Man, that promoter is an idiot!" Yeah, I know.

Hope that can't be lost

Happy 4th of July and Independence Day from NashvilleCyclist.com!

Vino' says he will be on Astana ... or heads will roll
Oh, this is rich. On the eve of the Tour de France no less. Who needs another doping story when you've got Vinokourov running his mouth, but then again it appears true if L'Equipe is right.

Kazakh coup to oust Armstrong and Bruyneel from Team Astana?
Vinokourov essentially led the downfall of Team Astana and now he believes it should be returned to him? Without Bruyneel this team would have disappeared never to be heard from again. He's helped bring them to prominence and dominance with Alberto Contador, so why in the world would the Kazakh Cycling Federation want to bring back a doper who has never won a grand tour? Maybe this does play out in Vinokourov's favor, but it would be unwise for Contador to part ways with Bruyneel.

Video: Tennessee State Criterium Championship Bike Races
A cool news video from the racing action on Signal Mountain.

Is Your Ab Workout Hurting Your Back?
Yes, yes it can. This is a good start for you to read to better understand the core, which is not your six pack. Moreover, combine a strong core with neutrally aligned hips and pelvis and you will see increased power in your legs!

Ex-champ Giove hit with drug charges
Here's one for you, how many quarter bags can a world champion mountain biker stuff in her car before getting caught by the cops? We now know the answer. I'm thinking Giove may have been smoking some of the inventory when she decided on that hair style.

Triathlete admits bribe attempt to lab
Maybe I should start a legal section on the blog in order to provide more in depth opinion. $25,900 is a lot of money, but I'm guessing the low-ball bribe is what got her caught. If you're wanting to get away with it then you're going to have to pay full retail plus at least a 20% tip.

Team directors oppose the Tour's two-day radio ban
This topic is causing quite a stir amongst riders and team managers. It's understandable it would create frustration when you look at all the advances that have been made in the sport. Why have radios been singled out? I can think of a lot more "throwback" ideas to implement if the Tour wants to make it more interesting, but to choose one that could compromise the safety of riders is stupid.

50th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic - Results
Tennessee native Nathan Brown won the juniors first stage TT in this classic event up in the northeast, and still holds on to the GC spot after stage two on Friday. This would be another big feather in Nathan's cap if he can pull off the overall win after having won the Edgar Soto Memorial Classic Juniors road race back in May. Keep an eye on him!

Clinton Fractures Elbow, Will Undergo Surgery
She'll be fine, I mean come on, she only broke one elbow. Tell her to call me when she breaks them both at the same time! (NC.com has personal experience in the matter)

Hydroxycut - the danger of weight-loss supplements
The short answer is to stay away from products like this and follow the section "a better approach to weight loss." A magic pill or special potion is not the answer, but instead eating smaller portions of fruits and vegetables more regularly.

Benefits of Biking to Work Keep Adding Up
It seems that everyone is looking for a way to capitalize on the stimulus bill, but I like Roger Crawford's money saving approaches better. Not only that, but he also could get rid of the Hydroxycut because his rides to work helped him lose 30 pounds! Aside from the health benefits and cost savings there are a lot of other good tips within the article if you're considering commuting to work by bike. The only thing left out in the equation is the increased productivity at work because of your increased energy levels!

Billy Mays - Did Head Injury Turn Deadly?
I was a bit stunned to read this on the heels of Michael Jackson passing away. It got me to thinking about cyclists who crash and hit their head. All too often we get back up and think nothing of it, but I believe we should pay closer attention to our bodies and not hesitate to take emergency precautions. After a bike crash, if at any point you notice something isn't right then get checked out immediately. Also, if you're the friend of someone and notice red flag head health issues then do your friend a favor and force them to get medical attention.

Emotional Support Leads To Sporting Success
We cannot do it alone. Share your athletic goals with family and friends so they understand your priorities. As they learn how important your goals are to you then they'll become more invested and hopefully willing to provide the support you need. However, if you never share your dreams then it'll be a seed that never grows.

Offbeat iReports: Your fun and amazing photos
Go to photo #3 to see a unique finish line banner.

Did You See That?
Elle Macpherson is leading our next BToGS ride.

Women’s Bike Blogs
I stumbled across this the other day and thought it was pretty cool. There are more and more women hopping on a bike and blogging about it. Now if we can just get them to start racing!

Smoopy's Vintage Bicycles
Wow, a pretty cool place to check out in Woodbury, TN.

Whatever You're Doing

Congratulations to all TBRA Road Series Criterium State Champions from the races this past Sunday at Signal Mountain! Tennessee residents were going for the glory of the gold medal and state champion jerseys in the criterium discipline. Without a doubt they had to earn it as the course naturally selected the super strong from the rest of the pack. Many fields were shattering from the fast pace. I saw some amazing crit riders being slapped around on the short difficult climb, and I'll be honest, it certainly had my anxiety up before our Pro1/2 event. It was a day when the smallest of gaps were costly and potentially leaving you OTB!

Selfish excitement includes the NashvilleCyclist.com racing team holding on to the Category 2 jersey and adding the Category 3 jersey to our list of accomplishments; congratulations to Dave Worth (Cat 2) and Brent Mahan (Cat 3) for their beast like skills on the bike!

Music City Triathlon & Coliseum Criterium - 7/26
I have received a few emails about these events since both are to take place at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans, on the same day! I was ahead of the curve and secured a meeting with all of the parties involved, just yesterday in fact, and we worked out the details so nobody is stepping on one another. While there will not be any conflicts regarding the courses for both events we do suspect there will be a lot of people in the area, which could add some confusion, albeit exciting confusion with so many athletes and spectators present.

I will post map information and details for criterium racers very soon. It will be important to know where to park and where you can warm-up because some of the roads around the stadium will be in use for the triathlon. Some of those areas will be blocked for traffic, which I think is great for safety for their event. Personally, I am very excited the Music City Triathlon will be next to our race since it will give both groups a chance to see each other in action!

Feud Sends Cycling World Spinning
I look forward to a day when Armstrong and Lemond are only talked about when it comes to racing accomplishments and not their legal or personal issues. There are aspects to both men that are admirable and worthy of emulating, but then there are other public characteristics that I simply wish would disappear. If it were an Etch-A-Sketch I'd shake it and have them start all over.

Tour de France to conduct extensive doping tests
To target 50 specific riders more than others for testing seems too discriminating. If some have already raised suspicion then let's address it now. Why wait and allow it to blow up during the Tour? Moreover, I think it's appropriate to force the UCI to play their cards and not hang this suspicious 50 over the heads of the entire peloton. I am all for privacy but I also value transparency, so address the 50 one-on-one and let's move on.

Report: Sosa tested positive in 2003
Sammy Sosa's name is apparently one of the 104 names on the list of baseball players who supposedly failed a drug test. This list also has Alex Rodriguez on it, who quickly admitted it, but one can only speculate who else may be on this list. The lawyers and/or people responsible for providing this information should be held accountable. Transparency is only fair when everyone involved agreed to such parameters, but when everyone involved in the testing process has agreed to keep the information sealed then it must remain sealed. It is despicable to me that anyone involved would "out" any player, no matter if they did test positive.

I struggle with understanding how a lawyer can offer information about court sealed documents to a reporter. What is with all these people hiding behind their information? These people, for whatever personal goals they have, want to see the athletes harmed with the release of the information. Why else? They certainly don't gain notoriety by remaining anonymous. If your only power in life are these moments then you have your priorities horribly upside down. I cannot put into words why this irritates me so, but it does. If I am unable to release information due to privacy laws or a legal constraint then I do not release it. It really is a simple concept.

Which brings me back to those 50 cyclists. In my view they are following through on their end of the bargain, but those involved with implementation and policing the testing arena are performing dishonorable acts by sharing sensitive personal information. So far none of these 50 have been "outed", but the story is still being played out. How or why athletes are not winning cases in court with verdicts against the transgressors is baffling to me. By no means do I condone the actions of athletes who dope and fail a test, but that information should be guarded and made public only at the appropriately legal moment.

Lance Armstrong fan faked cancer to marry girlfriend
Did this guy get his idea from the Seinfeld episode? I think we all have a little Walter Mitty in us on occasion, but this is going a way too far. There's even more to it than faking an illness, and I'd argue it could be considered diabolical to those directly affected.

Lance Armstrong pic gets a Seabiscuit boost
It looks like a film is back on with Matt Damon even mentioned as a potential lead.

House OKs $4 billion 'clunker' bill
I won't get started on all the bailouts and government takeovers, but if there can be a bill like this then why not a bill that allows for a trade-in of a ragged bicycle?!

Breathing new life into old bikes
Since we don't have a clunker bill for bicycles then maybe take your bike to this guy, or you can check out your local option at Halcyon Bike Shop off 12 South!

Police issuing kids ice cream 'tickets' for bike helmet safety
Get those clunker bikes off the road, provide more helmets, and don't forget to add investments into the free ice cream program. Oh yes!

Not-So-Naked Bike Ride
No Nashville, do not get any ideas. Though I do have some tight boxer briefs and a cool Indiana Jones hat ready if it happens!

PoBronson.com
If you're a fan of his writing like I am then his upcoming book release should excite you! Bronson's publisher Twelve Publishers has an interesting business philosophy and several other books that appear worthy of buying.

Tour de France for the jailed
This photo is classic!

Drunken driver gets 5 years for vehicular manslaughter
It's not often we hear about a vehicle driver getting prison time for killing a bicyclist, but this tragedy goes beyond our imagination.

Cyclingnews.com launches brand new look
This has caused quite a stir in the online cycling news world. They still have a long way to go before streamlining the content into an easy to read form, but this is definitely more polished and professional. However, we cycling fans drive a site's readership based on the content and not its level of slickness.

Having said all that, yours truly is seeking to overhaul NashvilleCyclist.com. Stay tuned!

You and I collide

As you can tell from the website I have been quite busy putting together several events for your racing pleasure. Getting all the paperwork completed and making decisions on how to structure an event is more mentally consuming than anything else. Frankly it's easy work I believe, but every promoter over thinks details before settling on final decisions. There are many considerations when making those decisions, and while I'm usually a quick decision maker it's still a situation where one must analyze all associated risks.

What do you have to look forward to? For starters, there's the criterium series starting up on Wednesday, July 1st. I fully expect every racer in Nashville to attend to begin the hunt for the championship title belt! I think it's worth noting how the criterium series fills the racing calendar gap during the months of July and August. As I stated previously, having the chance to race locally so often should save everyone a ton of time and resources! Moreover, there's no better training than actual racing.

I want to highlight the crit series sponsors for 2009 because they are some of the driving forces making it feasible to happen. Smoothie King of Belle Meade, Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle (MOAB), and Gran Fondo Bicycles are the local businesses involved for 2009. Please support these businesses and let them know how much you appreciate their support of the criterium race series!


Smoothie King of Belle Meade

Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle

Gran Fondo Bicycles

As if that's not enough there is the Tennessee State Individual Time Trial in Lebanon on Saturday, July 25th. The following day, July 26th, there is the NashvilleCyclist.com Coliseum Criterium in downtown Nashville at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans. This full weekend of racing should encourage crit riders to also do the TT as well as TT specialists to do the crit! The flyers for all three events are located on the main website of NashvilleCyclist.com.

I never dreamed back when NashvilleCyclist.com was hatched in 2004 that I would be so involved in race promotion. I saw an opportunity to offer relevant bicycling information online while also helping to pull a fragmented community together. I recall the first meeting I ever sat through involving myself and many others to organize a race, and I remember feeling like it was overwhelming with such huge personal risk. Nowadays it's not so overwhelming, quite easy really, but the risk is still there. Either way, it is very rewarding to be able to contribute and offer these racing opportunities.

With all those public announcements out of the way it's time to clean out the IE favorites folder.....

The Ocean Cycling World of Yvon Le Caer
Just when you think you've seen and heard it all. Imagine you're on a relaxing vacation cruise, not even thinking about the bike, and you look over the deck to see some dude pounding the pedals!

French prisoners get their own Tour de France
By now you may have heard about this, but leave it to the French to allow criminals race a Tour while not inviting suspected dopers. I am curious as to how those guys will be able to finish a single stage, much less a whole Tour. Have they all been doing some serious endurance training leading up to this?

How Green Is Your Morning Coffee?
For the record, The Breakaway Blend is 100% Organic and Fair Trade certified.

Dumb

Do you want to know what it's like to be involved in a crash? Here's a bird's eye view!

Two cyclists killed near Tulsa
This could happen to any of us on a group training ride. It's another reason why there is greater safety in numbers, and why I stress solid re-groupings after critical junctures on a ride. There's no way we can eliminate all the risk of course, but who knows, maybe a larger pack is easier for a drunk driver to notice and avoid.

Miss Martha’s Ice Cream Crankin’

I am really bummed to be missing this awesome event! I'll be in Chattanooga for the State Criterium Championship instead. It's a tough choice between the state jersey or delicious homemade ice cream. Oh the sacrifices I make for this sport!

Dean appoints pedestrian coordinator

Wow, the date on this news item is proof I'm woefully behind. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is on the right track with his walk and bike initiatives, which are capitalizing on his predecessor's achievements. Yet, still so much more to be accomplished.

TwoWheelTales.com
A one stop shop of blogs from professional cyclists in the US. It's a great mix of names you'll recognize while also hosting quite a few up and comers like Nick Frey, Mara Abbott and Colin Cares.

Slowertraffickeepright.com
The same could be said for a group training ride!

Cycling Enters the Electronic Age
Personally, I am not ready to make this transition even if I could afford the huge cost increase. I disagree with Bill Stapleton's comment that most high end bikes will have this within three years or less. Unless if he considers just professional teams riding "high end" bikes because they'll be the ones sponsored by Shimano and their Di2 product. In other words, it'll be provided for free as part of their sponsorship package.

Jeremy Powers, talent scout

This is a cool story about how he came across a strong talent on the bike. I think we have all had moments on various rides where we thought, "who in the world was that?" Those are great opportunities to follow up, keep tabs, and maybe even help further their development like Powers is doing.

Hulu - Cyclysm Sundays
Imagine my excitement when I stumbled across this link, only to find the videos dated and not full of current race action. Grrr, uh, oh well, kind of like my blog postings huh?! Unlike Hulu I will do better!

Dirt Sweat & Gears - Photos
Some locals get face time on CyclingNews at the muddy event!

Show Me Up, Show You Up
I love reading Doug Glanville's op-extra pieces in the NY Times. This one brings back a lot of memories, and he's speaking the truth - an unwritten rule in baseball about showing one another up. Glanville uses some basic ones to illustrate the point, but the situations are endless as to how someone can show disrespect either to a player or the game itself. He's dead on right, players and managers do not forget, ever. Just when you least expect it your comeuppance will arrive, usually at the most inopportune time. I remember my first professional manager saying after a game late in the season, when presumably we would not see that player again, "I have his name written down in my book. Sooner or later I'll get him back for that." I cannot recall what the guy did, but knowing that manager I'm certain he meant what he said.

I could offer up a bunch of cycling examples where this same rule could (should?) apply. I'm not sure cycling is ready for such unwritten rules though. Moreover, I'm not sure what would be an appropriate response. It certainly does not involve physical retaliation, but I'm creative enough to think of something that would get the point across. Surprisingly, more often than not I see these situations happen between teammates instead of people on different teams. My personal rule is you should always respect your competition, respect your teammate, and avoid saying or doing anything that's going to negatively impact the moment. Easier said than done of course, but if you give respect then you earn respect.

NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Race Series 2009

We are proud to announce the NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Race Series is officially back! Nashville's fastest bicycle races will continue for a fifth straight season in 2009 at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans.

Agreements were recently finalized between the Tennessee Titans, NashvilleCyclist.com and associated sponsors that will allow for the race to begin on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009. It has taken a lot of discussions, meetings, number crunching, compromising, hand wringing and most of all patience to get the criterium series back on track. For 2009 we have nine races planned on every Wednesday in July through August.

It is our hope this news will send a much needed positive jolt into the bicycling community since many were quite disappointed at the possibility of no race series. We believe this is an exciting moment for the entire bicycling community of Middle Tennessee. The event had previously been taken off life support and left for dead, but a miraculous turn of events developed to assure its continuation. Countless racers, enthusiasts and fans have enjoyed the Wednesday night series since the summer of 2005. The 2008 series garnered over 750 in total participants alone, which is obviously a difficult thing to walk away and give up on.

We came to an ugly fork in the road back in the winter that appeared to derail and end the popular series. Due to many administrative changes affecting the various authorities involved with the LP Field/Titans facilities it meant the stadium would not be economically feasible as a race venue. The details of why or how we overcame obstacles is not a matter for public consumption, but it is important everyone give thanks to the Tennessee Titans organization for their willingness to make sacrifices in order for this series to work. In other words, I encourage you to let the Tennessee Titans know you appreciate their generosity towards the bicycling community!

When you read the flyer you will notice several big changes from past years. Instead of detailing all those changes here you can read them from the flyer posted HERE. The changes you see were absolute requirements in order for the series to be viable. It was either institute changes to the entry fee and payouts or not race at all. Yes, we could have dropped the payouts, but that would defeat other goals we seek to accomplish. Even if we did drop the payouts the entry fee would not decrease by much at all. We understand there potentially could be some financial disappointment, but allow us to remind you:
1 - It's still cheap!
2 - It's local and convenient!
3 - You save on gas, hotel and food!
4 - July & August lack nearby race dates in Tennesse!
5 - You want to stand on the top of the podium wearing the title belt or tiara!

Since we put it that way how can you resist? We thought so!

One other change this year will be the enforcement of potential rain outs. If the promoter feels the weather is going to greatly negatively impact the event then that night's race will be cancelled. A severely low turnout cannot be afforded, ie if you play you pay, and the numbers must work week-to-week for this to be feasible. The promoter will keep a close eye on the forecast and rain clouds throughout each Wednesday leading up to the 5:45 PM start time. Rain outs will try and be communicated by 5:00 PM, but we reserve the right to make a decision later. As you know rain storms are unpredictable and blow through quickly in Middle Tennessee. Rain out information will be communicated and posted through the NashvilleCyclist.com Twitter account, which you can follow HERE.

We will be honest, we are going out on a limb here. You can probably deduce from the flyer and this news item that this event takes jumping through some serious financial hoops. However, it is our hope you will continue to support the series by showing up each and every week. We realize it requires a deep commitment and sacrifice on your part, but realize it is a shared experience that none of have the luxury of avoiding if we want the series to continue.

When we began NashvilleCyclist.com over five years ago we were at the forefront of creating shared experiences through our passion for the bicycle. For most of us that passion is what we think about when we wake up, and the last thing we think about before falling asleep. We say let's continue to build that passion, let's continue our shared experience, and let's continue to express ourselves athletically for all of Nashville to see!

Now, let's see some bike racing!!!

Backwards to Forwards

Ride of Silence Nashville
Another Ride of Silence Nashville is in the history books, and it was another huge success! Slightly over 100 riders attended the solemn event to honor cyclists injured or killed while riding their bikes. We also had NBC's WSMV Channel 4 there reporting for their 10pm and morning newscast. It's awesome to see cycling get this greatly needed exposure. It can be strange to ride along so slow without saying a word, but I didn't hear a peep out of anyone behind me. We had riders of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Young, old, fast and slow, everyone was represented. Go ahead and plan to attend the event in 2010, and this time I challenge everyone to bring at least one friend with them that didn't attend in 2009. Let's set a goal to reach 200 riders!

Giro d'Italia, or Giro d'America?
I think this compare and contrast is pretty funny. I don't agree with Caple's overall GC though!

Giro d' Italia - LIVE video
In case you are unaware you can watch the Giro live online at UniversalSports.com. They are about to do battle in the mountains for the final week of the Tour. Can Levi pull it off or will Menchov or Di Luca end up with pink?

Bodybuilders flee drug testers; event canceled
Not even one stayed to take the victory solo? I'm not sure it was even an option, but it sure would have made a big positive statement if just one bodybuilder could have tested clean to win alone. A nice model to point to and aspire to be had it happened, but is that even possible in the bodybuilding arena?

Ted King reflects on collegiate cycling
As a collegiate cycling coach I loved reading this article. It's important that young juniors and their parents realize that collegiate cycling is an option for their future. The sports is bigger at the college level than you think, and USA Cycling along with other key universities are placing great emphasis on its development. At road nationals a few weeks ago Mara Abbott of Columbia-High Road spoke at the awards banquet, and I'd give anything to have that speech on video or audio. Mara led Whitman College to multiple national championships and had many individual jerseys herself. If we could bottle her passion for collegiate cycling then many more kids would go that route.

BMC's wild Roubaix wildcard ride
Speaking of collegiate riders racing professionally, check out Brent Bookwalter with BMC and his Paris-Roubaix experience. Brent raced for and graduated from Lees-McRae College in North Carolina where he won well over 10 individual national championship jerseys. It was just a couple of years ago he was terrorizing the SECCC Conference. Congrats to Brent for finishing the race coming in 88th!

Interview: TIBCO’s Kat Carroll
Nashville's own Katharine Carroll fills you in on what it's like to be a professional bike racer and US National team member. I think Kat is due for a NashvilleCyclist.com diary post!

Seven Cups of Coffee a Day May Lead to Hallucinations
I swear I haven't been hearing voices.

Beware the perils of caffeine withdrawal
What a vicious cycle I have created for myself! Then again, I haven't tried something so crazy as not drinking several cups of The Breakaway Blend everyday! Because if I were to not drink my fair share in the morning then I'd better have one of these twelve amusing excuses for being late to work lined up.

It’s Time to Make a Coffee Run
Alright, I better find my triple shot espresso before today's criterium!

Cyclists at risk for bone loss
This is a good reason for everyone to get into the weight room for some strength training. Not only does weight training help promote strong bones, but it also helps to prevent injury. To add on to this study, I have read recent information that indicates the bone density of cyclists should be looked at in their arms and legs, not just their spine.