Twentynineinches.com is sponsoring a two day, 29 inch love fest next summer for everybody who would like to try 29er demo bikes on the roots and rocks of killer trails in Decorah, Iowa.
Decorah is 150 miles south of Minneapolis; 300 miles west of Chicago; 150 miles west of Madison; and 150 miles from Davenport.
Learn more at twentynineinches.com.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
l337 h4x0r Lance Armstrong pwn3s Andreu's PC
No matter what you might believe regarding Lance Armstrong and his use of banned performance enhancing drugs, this news is too funny for words. Betsy Andreu filed a police report in 2005 after believing somebody hacked into her computer through her AOL account. She says she believes that Lance Armstrong hacked into her computer, as well as the PCs of Lance's ex-wife Kristin and Oakley sports marketing manager Stephanie McIlvain.
Betsy Andreu, wife of former Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu, alleges she overheard Lance Armstrong say that he uses performance enhancing drugs. The computer hacking is part of a concerted effort by Armstrong to conceal evidence of his malfeasance.
Armstrong's reaction: "Oh boy... Just when I thought I had heard it all. What's next? Saddam Hussein's WMD's are out at my ranch in Texas?"
Via Podium Cafe.
Betsy Andreu, wife of former Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu, alleges she overheard Lance Armstrong say that he uses performance enhancing drugs. The computer hacking is part of a concerted effort by Armstrong to conceal evidence of his malfeasance.
Armstrong's reaction: "Oh boy... Just when I thought I had heard it all. What's next? Saddam Hussein's WMD's are out at my ranch in Texas?"
Via Podium Cafe.
Tags: computer+security, hacking, hacker, lance+armstrong, andreu, betsy+andreu, dearborn, michigan, aol, Frankie+Andreu, drugs, sports, doping
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Bianchi theft: Publicity stunt?
Rumor mill: Bianchi heist was hoax; Bianchi brand for sale
Do you remember the one-of-kind Bianchi Armani Haute Couture bicycle that was reportedly stolen in 2005? Freewheel believes this "theft" might have been a publicity stunt. He writesA high-end store such as Emporio Armani has stringent security measures in place. A thief is unlikely to get away with stealing a tie, let alone a bike. In addition, there are countless security cameras in operation at Caesars Palace. There’s no way someone could walk out of there with a bike and not be caught on film. So, where’s the picture of the thief/thieves?Read also Freewheel's followup.
I hereby declare that the Great Armani Bike Burglary is a hoax.
A publicity stunt.
Armani wants you to believe that the Emporio Armani Sportbike is really, really valuable. That the bike is sought after by discriminating thieves.
In reality, the Emporio Armani Sportbike is an overpriced hybrid.
While I'm passing along unsubstantiated rumors about Bianchi, I might as well mention that financially-troubled Cycleurope may consider selling the Bianchi brand. Via Dirt pedaler, which saw it at The BOSS Report.
Coughing on the bus
Photo by Kismet.I don't know how many in my audience regularly ride public transportation, but envision this scenario: You have an annoying dry cough -- you're not really sick enough to stay home from work, your throat is just scratchy and dry. You're riding the bus, train, or trolley to work and you can't control your coughing spams. The passenger sitting next to you kindly offers a throat lozenge.
My question: Do you get offended?
I sat next to the coughing passenger on the bus this morning. Should I carry cough drops with me on the bus and offer them to my seat-mates if they're coughing? Would that be rude?
Please comment and let me know what you think. I might even do the cougher a favor by preventing his ejection from the bus.
Tags: public, transit, public+transit, public+transportation, bus, train, trolley, commute, public+health, health, cough, flu, illness, courtesy
NYPD rewrites parade legislation
In a move designed specifically to stop Critical Mass bicycle rides in New York City, the New York Police Department has crafted new legislation defining a "parade or procession" as consisting of a group of pedestrians or devices "moved by human power," and that these groups must apply for a parade permit. As Streetsblog notes, "So, for the NYPD, thirty cars and trucks clogging up two city blocks is 'traffic.' Thirty bikes rolling freely down those same two city blocks is 'an illegal, un-permitted parade.'"
The public hearing on this new rule was yesterday. The NY Times reports on the rally held by cyclists in front of the Police Department, noting that City Council member Christine Quinn who most supports the new measures didn't bother to show up at the hearing. And the Village Voice asks the important question: Why are the police writing the rules they'll enforce?
The public hearing on this new rule was yesterday. The NY Times reports on the rally held by cyclists in front of the Police Department, noting that City Council member Christine Quinn who most supports the new measures didn't bother to show up at the hearing. And the Village Voice asks the important question: Why are the police writing the rules they'll enforce?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Eurobike USA in Monterey, California
Portland's loss is California's gain: Eurobike's organizers have canceled plans for a 2007 show in Portland, opting instead to signing as a sponsor at the 2007 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California next spring.
Portland may not be completely out of the running, however: Eurobike organizers will be at Sea Otter to meet with industry leaders about a second show, saying they are only "postponing" their plans for a big U.S. show.
It looks to me like Messe Friedrichshafen and Klaus Wellmann tested the waters, saw the underwhelming response, and are now deciding to do some good old-fashioned networking and flesh-pressing. I don't believe they've given up on the idea of a second U.S. bicycle trade show just yet.
More about Eurobike at the Sea Otter Classic:
Portland may not be completely out of the running, however: Eurobike organizers will be at Sea Otter to meet with industry leaders about a second show, saying they are only "postponing" their plans for a big U.S. show.
It looks to me like Messe Friedrichshafen and Klaus Wellmann tested the waters, saw the underwhelming response, and are now deciding to do some good old-fashioned networking and flesh-pressing. I don't believe they've given up on the idea of a second U.S. bicycle trade show just yet.
More about Eurobike at the Sea Otter Classic:
- Biking Bis gives a good roundup of blog reaction.
- Kool Aid: Eurobike bait and switch.
- Dirt Pedaler: Good idea?.
- Spinopsys: Strategic detour.
- BikeBiz: Eurobike shelves US trade show.
- Bike Europe.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Grant Peterson on design and the user experience
I can't believe I've scooped James on this one. Push Button For is a site about interaction design and user experience. They interviewed Rivendell Bicycle Works honcho Grant Petersen. Grant talks about simplicity of design in bicycles and digital cameras, and the influence of racing on bicycle design.
Grant Petersen interview at Push Button For. Also at Chico Gino.
Related:
Grant Petersen interview at Push Button For. Also at Chico Gino.
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