That's Sir Hoy to you

British track cyclist and gold-medalist Chris Hoy has been knighted.

AP photo

On test: Revolution Wheelworks REV-50X

One of the perks of being a high-powered bicycle blogger like myself is getting to test equipment. Granted, most of the reviews you see here are things I've purchased with my own money, but in this case a new wheel company, Revolution Wheelworks, sent me a pair of their carbon tubular wheels to test ride during the cyclocross season. Suh-weeet!

The company was founded on the notion that durable, lightweight wheels shouldn't have to cost a fortune. And they back it up with this set of 1380 gram carbon tubulars (actual weight w/ skewers, 20g under the claimed weight). They retail for $900, straight from RW. That's less than half of what you'd pay for similar wheels from the big-name companies.

Here's what they have to say about them:

Developed for cyclocross, the Rev-50Xs are also perfect for powerful road cyclists, offering the same benefits as the Rev50. For cyclocross, this durable wheelset will shed the competition as well as it sheds mud, and they wont get stuck in the muck with their wedge like profile. And like the Rev-50s they offer reliable stopping power, brake-modulation, and durability, due to their basalt-coated braking surface.

So far I have only one race under my belt on them, but they were perfect for the conditions at the Dade City race. I also plan on riding them for training and practice on my 'cross bike — within reason, and not saving them for race day. After all, I want to test their durability, and let's face it, most of us are not in the market for expensive wheels that we can only use a handful of times a year.

Stay tuned, I'll have more to say about these wheels in the coming weeks.

The O'Dea's secrets to mountain bike racing success

Mountain bike stars and husband and wife racers Namrita and Eddie O'Dea will be at the Clearwater Chainwheel Drive on Thursday, Dec. 18 to host a clinic on their secrets to racing success.

Eddie is a former Tampa Bay area racer who thrilled locals for years with his racing skills.  He and Namrita now live in Georgia and are balancing the demands of professional racing with training for and even the promoting of endurance races. The duo travel the US national circuit of 24 hour solo events while dropping in on assorted 100 milers and 12 hour races in between.

Topics will include:

• Off-season base training techniques.
• Nutrition strategy for on and off bike.
• Tips for efficient pit stops and transitions.
• Q&A to answer all your racing questions.

Battles lines drawn again over Friendship Trail Bridge

By Tristan Wheelock and Emily Nipps, Times Staff Writers
In print: Friday, December 12, 2008

GANDY — Community activists and cyclists are looking to gather support for what might be another long battle: reopening the Friendship Trail Bridge.

The bridge was closed last month after engineers discovered that it had dangerously deteriorated with chunks dropping into Tampa Bay.

Since then, local bicyclists, and business owners have felt the pinch.

"A lot of people think it's closed totally," said Bill Robinson, owner of Gandy Bait and Tackle, which has noticed a decline in business. "There's construction on the road and they've taken away some of the parking we used to have. It's a lot of things all at once, that's what's bad."

Read the rest here

Orlando cyclocross pics

Join the First Annual Rudolph’s Reindeer Ride

Suncoast Trail Advisory Group (STAG) invites you to the First Annual Rudolph’s Reindeer Ride Saturday, December 13, 2008

The ride begins at 5 p.m. from Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, SR 54.

This is a Bike Only Event Helmets are mandatory. Bicycle Lights are required. Win prizes and/or gift certificates from a local bike shop for the Best Holiday Decorated Bike Contest.

The ride will start at Suncoast Trailside Bicycles on SR 54 (located in the Super Target Plaza) with one turnaround at Crews Lake Park. Total roundtrip mileage will be approximately 25 miles. Appetizers will be served at Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, and then more food and drink at Crews Lake Park, followed by drinks and desserts back at the bike shop. Rider support ends at 8 p.m.

This is an RSVP event, and riders must respond by December 6th. Pre-registration cost is $20 and includes all food and beverage, and a raffle for prizes/gift certificates. Same day registration will cost $30. Free to children under 12 years of age. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For information contact: Joanne Hurley: 813-558-1117, x12 or email: joanne.hurley@dot.state.fl.us Tina Russo: 813-598-1594 or email: russot@hillsboroughcounty.org Steve Diez: 352-754-4057 or email: stevend@co.hernando.fl.us

FSA 11-speed groupset?

This could be the first look at the next major groupset on the market.

Read more via KnobMag

Memorial ride for Frankie Bentley

My new friend Katherine, whom I met at the Tampa Bay Bike Co-op meeting last night, is organizing a memorial ride for her close friend Frankie who we all know was struck and killed by a car a few weeks ago.

Ride for Awareness!!

• Friday, December 5 at 3:30pm (leave around 4)
• Meet at the Marshall Center Loop at USF Tampa
• Group ride surrounding campus for bike awareness.

I know it's early in the day, but it's best held under daylight, for obvious reasons. Hope you can make it.

It's official: Lance will race the '09 Tour

AUSTIN, Texas -- (AP) Lance Armstrong will ride in the 2009 Tour de France, marking the first time he will compete in that race and the Giro d'Italia in the same year.

"I'm committed to riding for the best guy," Armstrong said Monday, acknowledging the taxing schedule could leave him riding in a supporting role in France. Armstrong's Astana team includes 2007 Tour winner Alberto Contador and is loaded with other talented riders.

"We'll abide by the same code that I do: Cycling is team sport, while we'd all like to win," the seven-time Tour champion told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Tenerife in the Canary Islands where Astana is training.

The 37-year-old Armstrong stunned the cycling world in September, when he announced he was ending his three-year retirement. He's scheduled to return to elite racing Jan. 20 for the Tour Down Under in Australia.

He has dedicated his comeback to raising awareness for his global fight against cancer.

After voicing concerns in recent weeks about his personal safety in France, Armstrong dismissed that issue Monday: "It's not going to keep me from going and doing my job, and it's not going to keep me from spreading my message."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

No hope in sight for Friendship Bridge

Friendship Trail Park Ranger Tom Beams locks the fence in November on the western side of the bridge because it is falling apart and needs costly repairs. The trail between Tampa and St. Petersburg has been used by nearly 600,000 people a year.

Will Van Sant's piece in today's St. Petersburg Times looks at the options Pinellas and Hillborough officials have regarding the bridge, but there is currently no local money available for any action.

Officials believe it would even cost $10 million just to demolish the bridge, and any investment in repairing it would have to be carefully weighed against its future lifespan.

My bet: don't expect anything to happen any time soon. Eventually they will give up, tear it down and hopefully make some room on the new Gandy Bridge for cyclists and walkers.