Everything I keep missing

A lot of nothing has been going on lately for me when it comes to cycling. My attention and focus has been elsewhere as I have finally taken just a little bit of time off the bike.

I recently attended the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association annual meeting between the TBRA board and club members to hold elections, cover some items, and to put together the 2009 racing season. The election news item can be read HERE as yours truly is once again the Road Director for 2009. Stay tuned to TBRA's website for the tentative racing schedule to be posted soon. There are a few new races for next year, and a couple of tweaks that should really excite everyone.

Time to move on.....

Before Hustling to Finish, Relaxed Is a Good Way to Start
Maybe this is why I haven't blogged in awhile. I have too much built up tension in my IE favorites to write about and I feel like, "what's the point?" Now I'm facing a relevancy issue; one, the site in general, and two, the news item I'm going to write about. Oh well, I'll relax my facial muscles, focus my breathing and type away.

First, to help me relax I've been doing a lot of this, seriously.....All About Fishing


East Tennessee Junior Cycling Team Wants to Go All the Way
I love reading about Jessica's ambition up in Bristol. Dream big, really really big!

ESPN.com's exclusive interview with Lance Armstrong
I'm impressed that Bonnie D. Ford asked some good tough questions that are on the minds of a lot of people. Am I the only one struggling to envision a happy ending with his latest adventure? I want the guy to succeed, but now more than ever I sense he's trying to force a huge square peg into a small round hole. Times have changed, but has he sufficiently changed with them?

Ride the tightrope
This is my new off season training to work on handling skills.....

Bike Idiot
.....while this is not part of my plan.

Did you know? Chicago 2016
How awesome would that be? Elite and USPRO crit nationals typically are held in the middle of August in Downers Grove, which is near Chicago. I wonder if the two events would coincide?

Blood-boosting drug a threat to cycling's Olympic future
News like this is a cold shower on the excitement of a possible Chicago 2016. To the IOC Vice-President who suggests pausing cycling due to doping - are you also willing to suspend track and field too? I'm speculating here, but I would bet a lot more Olympic athletes in track and field are getting busted for doping than Olympic cyclists.

Cyclists caught doping face 4-year ban next season
To make cycling even tougher there's this on the horizon for 2009. I sat through a USADA presentation a few weeks ago at the Olympic Training Center. They are tightening the reigns and only have plans to make it more difficult for athletes. Four year suspensions are reserved for "aggravating circumstances", but aren't all cycling doping offenses portrayed in that light? They're all aggravating!

Tractor Supply tops estimates
Believe it or not there are a few companies still making a profit. Same store sales up considerably.

Obama Presidency: Stricter on Trade
The Outdoor Industry Association sees tougher global trade policies on the horizon, but does note that Obama has promised to invest more in cycling and pedestrian projects.

Bicycle Retailer - Earnings/Financial Reports
Headlines are pretty rosey at this time.

Suppliers Rally Retailers, But Caution Reigns
Trek and Specialized have solid balance sheets and appear to be able to supply their retailers. I saw another report that Cannondale has a huge backlog of orders as well. In today's economy business owners are leaning heavily on all stakeholders. All it takes is one or two hiccups from a major vendor to have a seriously negative impact at the retail level. This is good news for now, but I'll keep an eye on this in the coming months.

Exxon Mobil: Biggest profit in history
This was a complete shock when you heard about this I'm sure. Shell is up 22% too.

With Free Bikes, Challenging Car Culture on Campus
Brilliant idea! More college presidents should offer this to full-time students. Though the kids are mistaken if they're getting them for free. Just because there's not a line item on their tuition bill that says "bike" you can rest assured that cost has been factored into the overall cost structure by the school. Regardless, it's a smart move and one that ought to take hold at more universities.

Commentary: A letter to the losers
This opinion comes from Donna Brazile of CNN, a Democratic strategist. If you have ever been on the losing end of a hard fought endeavor, one you poured your heart and soul into, then you owe it to yourself to read her recommendations on bouncing back. I believe even those who are victorious want their defeated foes to get up off the mat and fight back when it's time. I know I do. It is in our spirit as Americans to live on and fight another day.