As we all know, Mr Landis has failed a wildly inaccurate testosterone test. The testing organization has been quoted in the past that it should no longer be run due to it's interpretation issues. In past years, you were "out of range" if the ratio was 100 to 1, and now it's down to 4 to 1.
From Velonews "Anabolic steroids, of which testosterone is the granddaddy, can have a central nervous system effect," he said. "But anabolic steroids largely work by increasing the capacity for training and increasing the bulk and tolerance of muscles. That isn't going to happen in a few hours." Floyd has been tested many times, and this steroid is not something that you take for a an immediate issue.
His first TV interview on Larry King Live came across as a little weak. The next day he made his innocence statement much more vigorously. If he has cheated, it hurts the sport for all of us. I cannot believe he'd do something so dumb as this. In any case, he should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
SC Riders "Tour de Mammoth"
The trip went well, in spite of only about 25% of the trails being open. There were no major injuries beyond a few crushed egos. I'll just post pictures, as they really tell the story.
Jim in the dirt. We all had a serving of dirt at some point.
Mike- "Jim, let's go! I hope Pret is careful today."
This is what Pret looks like "just" before he hits a stump and endoes. No external injuries observed.
This is Jim in "Rubber-side" down mode. He is flying out of this corner! Notice his suspension is compressed; the article on Brian Lopes's book above tells you why.
We are on the Shuttle, but definitely talkin' trouble for the next run.
Do we have Tour de France-related clothing in?
Whether you say it “Tour de France” or “Tour DAY France”, the answer is “Heck yes”!
From Becky Childs, Asst Bike Clothing Buyer “I think it will be important for you to mention that we are in the top 5 retailers in the country that sell 10//2, TDF, Discovery apparel.” We do a fine job with this merchandise.
Stores with regular TdF Apparel- 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 33, 35, 36, 39, 62
Stores with Team Phonak Apparel- The following Phonak Team cycling apparel will be hitting the floors within the next 10 days to stores 2, 7, 10, 11:
182497 Mns Phonak Team Jersey Retail: $99.99
182498 Mns Phonak Team Bib Retail: $139.99
182500 Mns Phonak Team Sock Retail: $14.99
182502 Mns Phonak Headband Retail: $29.99
Go Floyd, go!
BTW- dates and host cities for the 2007 Amgen Tour of California have been announced. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
From Becky Childs, Asst Bike Clothing Buyer “I think it will be important for you to mention that we are in the top 5 retailers in the country that sell 10//2, TDF, Discovery apparel.” We do a fine job with this merchandise.
Stores with regular TdF Apparel- 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 33, 35, 36, 39, 62
Stores with Team Phonak Apparel- The following Phonak Team cycling apparel will be hitting the floors within the next 10 days to stores 2, 7, 10, 11:
182497 Mns Phonak Team Jersey Retail: $99.99
182498 Mns Phonak Team Bib Retail: $139.99
182500 Mns Phonak Team Sock Retail: $14.99
182502 Mns Phonak Headband Retail: $29.99
Go Floyd, go!
BTW- dates and host cities for the 2007 Amgen Tour of California have been announced. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
Bicycle Tubeless Tire Overview
Tubeless tires have been used on cars since "ancient" times. This tire technology has recently been applied to Mountain bikes, and is being tested for road bikes,
What are the benefits?
The main benefit of a tubeless system is ride quality. By having a thinner tire body (Or just reduced air pressure vs. Tube) against the ground, the tire can deform to the surface easier which results in better traction. In my experience, which was earned by swapping between two bikes/same tread/ tubed vs. tubeless, the tubeless tires gave an easily felt difference in traction. I would definitely recommend it, but only to the right customer as there are some issues. A secondary benefit is the elimination of pinch flats at lower tire pressures. A tubeless tire is rarely lighter than the comparable version. Usually the French mfr rims/tires have the best sealing and function, but not all tread styles are good.
What’s the expense?
The tubeless tire cost jumps by ~50%. This can be a harsh difference, but the tubeless compatible rim is also sold at a premium cost. All of this can be difficult to pay for, especially for such a vague benefit (Before you experience it, that is.).
The alternative to the official “Tubeless” system is a Stan’s Conversion Kit. This system converts many different tires and rims to be tubeless via a latex liquid sealant. Not all rims and not all tires will work in all applications, so new tires may be needed. Retail pricing for the Stan’s kit is approx $50. (There is a DIY system out there, but I coated my garage, car and self when it exploded off the rim. Oh, the rim was also bent, so I cannot recommend it.)
Who is the right customer?
A customer that actively trains to race, or wants something to add to his $3000+ bike. Regardless of the system, they require a higher mechanical knowledge so it limits the pool of possible customers.
What Maintenance is needed?
MTB Tubeless tires must be mounted and removed without tools, or the special bead-sealing layer can be harmed. The Stan’s System latex sealant does dry out over time, and must be renewed approximately every three weeks. If a Tubeless tire gets a puncture, the patching process can be more difficult due to coatings inside the casing. In use, a regular tube can be placed in a Tubeless/Stan’s tire if a sealing failure occurs.
Recommendations-
I really have enjoyed the performance of Tubeless and Stan’s equipped tires. I would definitely recommend it to the right person. An official Tubeless tire with a sealant is a very good product if durability is the goal. You must keep up on the air pressure issues, and make sure the sealant does not dry out. DO NOT attempt to make a “tubeless” system without the Stan’s Rim Strips, but at that point you may want to just go for the whole kit. A home-brewed sealant worked nice for me, but I would likely have had better results if I’d used the Stan’s Sealant.
Use the "good" stuff, it's worth it!
What are the benefits?
The main benefit of a tubeless system is ride quality. By having a thinner tire body (Or just reduced air pressure vs. Tube) against the ground, the tire can deform to the surface easier which results in better traction. In my experience, which was earned by swapping between two bikes/same tread/ tubed vs. tubeless, the tubeless tires gave an easily felt difference in traction. I would definitely recommend it, but only to the right customer as there are some issues. A secondary benefit is the elimination of pinch flats at lower tire pressures. A tubeless tire is rarely lighter than the comparable version. Usually the French mfr rims/tires have the best sealing and function, but not all tread styles are good.
What’s the expense?
The tubeless tire cost jumps by ~50%. This can be a harsh difference, but the tubeless compatible rim is also sold at a premium cost. All of this can be difficult to pay for, especially for such a vague benefit (Before you experience it, that is.).
The alternative to the official “Tubeless” system is a Stan’s Conversion Kit. This system converts many different tires and rims to be tubeless via a latex liquid sealant. Not all rims and not all tires will work in all applications, so new tires may be needed. Retail pricing for the Stan’s kit is approx $50. (There is a DIY system out there, but I coated my garage, car and self when it exploded off the rim. Oh, the rim was also bent, so I cannot recommend it.)
Who is the right customer?
A customer that actively trains to race, or wants something to add to his $3000+ bike. Regardless of the system, they require a higher mechanical knowledge so it limits the pool of possible customers.
What Maintenance is needed?
MTB Tubeless tires must be mounted and removed without tools, or the special bead-sealing layer can be harmed. The Stan’s System latex sealant does dry out over time, and must be renewed approximately every three weeks. If a Tubeless tire gets a puncture, the patching process can be more difficult due to coatings inside the casing. In use, a regular tube can be placed in a Tubeless/Stan’s tire if a sealing failure occurs.
Recommendations-
I really have enjoyed the performance of Tubeless and Stan’s equipped tires. I would definitely recommend it to the right person. An official Tubeless tire with a sealant is a very good product if durability is the goal. You must keep up on the air pressure issues, and make sure the sealant does not dry out. DO NOT attempt to make a “tubeless” system without the Stan’s Rim Strips, but at that point you may want to just go for the whole kit. A home-brewed sealant worked nice for me, but I would likely have had better results if I’d used the Stan’s Sealant.
Use the "good" stuff, it's worth it!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Mammoth Mountain Ride Update
Good news, it's still on!
The weather looks good, although I have a little allergy to biking in snow. http://www.mammothmountain.com/cams/index.cfm?cam=main
The rumor is that the trails will be very good in the time we'll be there. I'm definitely bringing some fleece, I wonder if my crash armor will fit over it.
It sounds like everyone's got their bikes ready to go. We'll still be available by phone up there, but may avoid work-related things a bit. It's a vacation!
See you there!
The weather looks good, although I have a little allergy to biking in snow. http://www.mammothmountain.com/cams/index.cfm?cam=main
The rumor is that the trails will be very good in the time we'll be there. I'm definitely bringing some fleece, I wonder if my crash armor will fit over it.
It sounds like everyone's got their bikes ready to go. We'll still be available by phone up there, but may avoid work-related things a bit. It's a vacation!
See you there!
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