BikeRumor.com

Funny the disconnect here: Casino Convention Center director needs to fill their calendar, so they send out pamphlets and letters soliciting various groups asking them to consider their location when planning their next group get-together… Sounds like that particular director doesn’t know what the rest of the world is saying about their town. Well, Blackhawk, you’ve lost at least one potential consumer of your goods — The League of American bicyclists. So says Andy Clarke, the president of the organization. They’ll be considering other, more suitable, places for the time being. Um, thanks.

via BikeDenver.

PRESS RELEASE: 88bikes Foundation, a micro-philanthropy project that gives bikes to kids in developing countries, has been selected for sponsorship by expedition gear manufacturer Eddie Bauer/First Ascent through their “Be First” program, which supports groups that “endeavor to accomplish what has never been done, or that otherwise challenge the limits of what is possible, and embody the drive to be first and an untamable spirit of adventure.”

The grant will provide general support to VILLAGES, 88bikes’ fifth and biggest project to date. Taking place June through November 2010, 88bikes is reaching out to children in Africa, Mongolia, Latin America and the United States and on Native American reservations, focusing on small rural locations where their bikes can have a major impact.

“Eddie Bauer’s support is crucial in helping us fulfill our ambitious VILLAGES project during the next several months, and to expand and maintain our programs throughout the world. It’s wonderful to welcome a partner who believes as fervently as we do in the power of getting out there and experiencing life,” said Dan Austin, founder of 88bikes.

Continued Austin, “We were especially touched to hear that the company felt that this was something Eddie Bauer himself would have embraced.”

The goal of the VILLAGES project is to distribute 1,000 new bikes to local children. To date, 697 bikes have been sponsored through donations of $88 per bike. 88bikes also plan to set up four to five bike shop “hubs” serving these rural communities and establish bike shop apprenticeships and workshops for each location.

The project’s next “Moment of Happy”- the event where the children receive their bikes- is taking place in Mongolia in late August. They will be distributing 200-400 bikes to children in rural communities near Arvaikheer.

PRESS RELEASE: The 5th Annual Trek Women Breast Cancer Awareness Ride on October 9th will bring thousands of women – and men – together across the country to have fun, be healthy and raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Registration fees will go toward the 2010 fundraising goal of $150,000, and each rider will receive a special gift bag from Trek Women and their local Trek Retailer to commemorate the day.

Both the 10 and 20-mile rides are casual and family-friendly, making them a perfect outing for anyone who wants to enjoy time riding with friends and family members while raising awareness and money for breast cancer research, treatment and prevention. Many Trek retailers host parties before or after the rides, and a listing of participating dealers and more information can be found at www.trekbikes.com/women/awareness_ride.

“Trek Women is asking for support and commitment from riders across the country to help make this year’s goal a reality,” said Leslie Prevish, Trek Women Brand Manager. “Millions are touched by breast cancer each year, so we’re encouraging folks to ride for themselves, their loved ones and friends to show support and raise money for this important cause.”

Last year, more than 3,500 riders enjoyed BCAR events at 100 Trek retailers nationwide, raising a total of $105,000. Since BCAR started in 2006, more than $233,000 has been raised for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. In 2010, 88 cents of every dollar donated went to research and awareness programs.

Trek Women is a community of riders who engage with the Trek brand through the Trek Women Web site, www.trekbikes.com/trekwomen, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/trekwomen.

(We posted about this before, but just a reminder so you remember to put this event on your calendar…) Check out the website for more information on the Philadelphia Bike Exposition. Held the weekend of Halloween in, appropriately, the gothic looking 23rd Street Armory. There will be exhibitors of artists, bike manufacturers and distributors, panels, bike rides, seminars, swap meet, demos, and a fashion show that could be quite interesting given the date of the show. Sponsored by Bilenky Cycle Works and The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the show is designed as an all-inclusive bike event open to all genres of cycling.

Thanks to Chris at BishopBikes for the tip.

Cycle hire availability across London shown on a cool new site.

Thanks to the data released by Transport For London on the locations of the Cycle Scheme docks and bike movements, one clever developer has built this website that gives real-time updates on bicycle availability.

Looking for a bike? Red denotes bike stands that are full. Looking to drop a bike off? Dark blue/purple denotes bike stands that are empty, with the various shades in between indicating degrees of fullness.

The map’s fully scaleable, and there’s a newsfeed ticker, and the blue and red dots are curiously soothing. Mobile phone applications - the logical useful step - may be on their way.

Press Release - August 24, 2010  – Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa today joined cyclists and city officials to unveil the City’s winning bicycle safety awareness slogan and poster.  The poster slogan “Give Me 3” encourages drivers to maintain a 3-foot passing distance when passing bicycles.   “California law currently requires drivers to give a ‘safe passing’ distance, but drivers may not know what safe means. 3-feet is a safe passing distance and will help keep bicyclists out of the door zone,” said Mayor Villaraigosa.

Click ‘more’ to view the rest of the press release.

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Nice idea this.  New site www.bikeshd.co.uk is a handy way to see second-hand bikes on sale. It aggregates bike sales from Gumtree and other sites, and displays each as an image tiled in a wall on its front page.

It’s easy to see what’s what and also allows you to search by price. However, the site’s founders also see it as a tool for retrieving stolen bikes. Gumtree in particular is notorious as being a shifting ground for hot property so, if your bike has been nicked, Bikeshd.co.uk gives you an easy way to scan all the used bikes currently on sale, to see if yours is there.

Janeen McRae is riding the TransAmerica Trail, some 4,262 miles, to raise money for her Livestrong team, Team Fatty. A lot of people are trying to raise money for Cancer through cycling, what makes her journey unique is that her bike will be the one tweeting along her journey. Developed by the crew at Breakfast, “the advertising company of the future”, sensors on her bike will record various statistics such as speed, pedal rotation, grade, even temperature and humidity and send the information to the company’s computer servers–based on the stats, a prewritten tweet is sent out. McRae can also send out spontaneous tweets via a connection on her handlebar. Check out the whole story on Tonic.

This past weekend the Tahoe area Team LUNA Chix hosted a women’s mountain biking clinic with former World Champion mountain biker Marla Streb. All proceeds from the cost of the clinic went to the Breast Cancer Fund, a charity supported by LUNA bar and all of the LUNA Chix teams. Click ‘more’ for more info and the press release.

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Bike Pure and Bio Racer have teamed up with three time Tour de France winner and former World Champion Greg Lemond to auction off a specially commissioned signed Bike Pure jersey for charity.

Bio Racer produced only two copies of the jersey, complete with World Championship bands on the sleeves and Greg Lemond’s name on the reverse. Bike Pure presented one set of the clothing to Lemond when they met in July and we are giving you the chance to get hold of the only remaining signed jersey.

Lemond is a cycling legend, with three Tour de France titles and a World Championship victory to his name throughout a prestigious career. Lemond is an avid anti-doping campaigner and a strong supporter of the Bike Pure organization. Bike Pure’s Myles McCorry said, “Bike Pure are very excited to have such a rare cycling jersey up for grabs and money raised will go to a worthwhile cause.”

“We are honored to have Greg Lemond’s support as we effectively have shared principles in our outlook on anti-doping. We applaud Greg’s honesty and virtue toward a more secure future for out sport.” McCorry added.

Speaking to Bike Pure this week, Greg lemond added, “I am proud to partner with Bike Pure and believe in their strong code of ethics. I hope that more cycling sponsors adopt Bike Pure’s important commitment to protecting the lives and integrity of our sport.”

Onimpex, Bio Racer’s UK distributor produce the Bike Pure range of clothing and also endorse Bike Pure’s philosophy, “Bioracer produces clothing for some of the greatest riders in the peloton but it is a huge pleasure and an honour to produce this special jersey for Greg Lemond, on of the legends of the Tour de France.”

“Like Bioracer and Bike Pure, Greg’s commitment to racing to win but racing clean is known throughout the world and this unique jersey is the perfect symbol of commitment to honest athleticism. “

The jersey is up for charity auction on Ebay and will end at 21:09 (GMT) on Sunday 29th August 2010. Please view it here.

Just got this in from League of American Bicyclists, who have a letter generator on their website here that helps you craft a quick email letter to your state officials.  Here’s the issue:

PRESS RELEASE: Last week, Congress passed a jobs bill that contains a $2.2 billion rescission of transportation funds from state DOTs. In many states, the DOT will likely target bike funding programs to send those dollars back to Washington — unless local advocates speak up and make sure that doesn’t happen.

States must report which program funds are affected by August 25 and the law gives officials maximum flexibility to choose which unobligated balance of funds are rescinded. So we need you to rally the members of Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance and take action this week!

Funds may be rescinded from the following programs:
• Transportation Enhancements
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
• Recreational Trails
• State Planning and Research
• Surface Transportation Program
• Metropolitan Planning

The US DOT is urging state DOTs to reach out to stakeholders, which makes this a perfect opportunity to request a meeting to discuss the value of bicycle and pedestrian projects. One request we have of state DOTs is that they follow the “proportionality clause” of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 – this ensures that cuts be made equitably across programs. Be prepared to argue the cost effectiveness and value of these projects. If possible, bring a list of projects that need funding.

As important, make sure your governor gets a flood of calls and e-mails. Alert your members to tell your governor: Don’t let the state DOT disproportionately cut funding for Transportation Enhancements, recreational trails, and bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Let them know we’re paying attention!

Please take a moment to review the attached table, which shows rescissions by state, and mobilize the members of Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance to keep important funding from slipping away!

If you choose, please feel free to cut and paste or modify this draft alert below.

Thank you for your prompt action,

Jeffrey Miller, President/CEO, Alliance for Biking & Walking

Recently Sierra Club member Oliver Bock decided he was going to ride his E-Bike across the US with a few friends in an effort to promote clean and alternative sources of energy. The ride started out in woodside, California and culminated in Washington D.C. where Bock and company met with his Congressional Representative. Brian F., with the Sierra club recently had a chance to sit down and interview Bock about his journey.  It is a pretty fascinating story and definitely worth a read.

Catch the interview after the break.

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What makes a trail epic? In the case of the Edge Trail pictured above in Fruita Colorado, the tenacious climbs, technical descents, and the fact that you have to rappel down a waterfall guarantee it’s qualification.

Think your local trail qualifies? Looking for some recognition for your local trail builders? Well, now is your chance to nominate your favorite trail online to be selected by IMBA staff. The winning trails will be classified the 2010 Epic Mountain bike rides, and will be announced in the fall issue of IMBA’s quarterly print newsletter, IMBA Trail News.

Epic rides evolve over time — IMBA needs your help in maintaining and improving our online Epic resources. If you’ve ridden one of the Epics recently and feel that the ride information needs to be improved or expanded, please send an e-mail to info@imba.com with “epics” in the subject line. Many of the ride descriptions currently lack GPS mapping or trailhead latitude/longitude coordinates. Photos and updated logistical information for the rides would also be greatly appreciated.

SOBI, short for “SOcial BIcycle” is a new take on bike sharing programs that lets a city implement a far reaching program without the usual infrastructure, special bicycles, etc.

The brainchild of Ryan Rzepecki, SOBI works by attaching a mobile/GPS unit and special locking system to any bike, then letting users borrow and return the bike from anywhere they find it and anywhere they need to drop it off.  Because the bikes are equipped with GPS, they can communicate their position and let users find and unlock them using a mobile phone.

SOBI is set to go live with a test in New York City this fall. They’re in the running for a Pepsi Refresh grant (click that link to vote for them) and you can Like them on Facebook if you dig the idea and want to keep up.