World Bicycle Relief in the top 25 philanthropists in the world

The list of the top 25 philanthropists in the world that every year, Barron’s – America’s premier financial magazine – releases is joining the likes of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and former US president Bill Clinton on it this year is FK Day, the man behind World Bicycle Relief.

Barron’s list, made in conjunction with the Global Philanthropy Group, is based on the impact as well as financial clout of its listees, and places are awarded to those who have made a significant and lasting difference to people, the environment or society.

Day placed 12th overall and, according to Barron’s, “At last count, 71,416 of Day's bikes were on the roads and byways of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania, helping 702,080 individuals.”

In Day’s own words: “A bicycle in the US is a recreational vehicle or an alternative form of transportation. In developing countries, a bicycle can mean the difference between getting to school, to a doctor, or making a living or not. Simple, sustainable mobility is one of the most unrecognised tools of development work there is.”
The mission of World Bicycle Relief, founded by the SRAM  Corporation and Trek Bicycles in 2005, is “to provide access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles”. The organisation also trains mechanics to assist in ongoing maintenance.

Behind Day in Barron’s list were Oprah’s Angel Network and Ed Norton. You can see the full list here.

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Bike Mount for iPhone 4

Bike Mount for iPhone 4 was today announced by BioLogic a leader in urban cycling gear.This new version of the Bike Mount is tailored to fit the iPhone 4 and features a number of refinements to get the most out of the latest iPhone’s special features.

“The iPhone, with the various cycling and mapping apps available, makes the perfect cycle computer,” stated Jackson Chen, BioLogic gear guy. “But cycling can be a dirty, muddy, wet and sweaty business and your precious phone needs protection if you want to use it as a cycle computer. The Bike Mount for iPhone 4 lets a rider access all the great features and functions of the iPhone while providing full protection.”

The Bike Mount for iPhone 4 is a fully-enclosed, hard case that is secured with a robust, double-pivot latch. A welded, touch-sensitive membrane on the front allows full use of the iPhone’s applications. Inside the Bike Mount, a soft silicone liner provides a secure fit while providing excellent shock resistance. Integrated RidgeSeal technology forms a tight seal against the elements. A clear lens on the rear allows full use of the camera, even while riding. The membrane-protected window on the front of the case allows use of the front-facing camera and FaceTime. The Bike Mount also includes weather protected ports for headphones and power cable should riders want to access those features.

“Our goal is to get more people cycling as part of their daily transport routine,” continued Chen. “We want to encourage people to ride bikes for their shopping, down to the coffee shop, and even out to bars on a Friday night.


Obviously, iPhones are an integral part of the lives of many people and when we can seamlessly integrate an iPhone onto a bicycle, we hope people will be more likely to ride instead of drive.”

The Bike Mount for iPhone 4 is fully compatible with the BioLogic ReeCharge personal power pack, which can recharge the iPhone while you’re out and about. The Bike Mount for iPhone 4 is available for purchase immediately online and in retail stores in the U.S. and around the world at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of US$64.99.

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Cycling Plus Canyon

The German company Cycling Plus Canyon,an internet-only brand, aren’t terribly familiar outside of mainland Europe. But with a new UK service centre handling customer services, whose bikes are ridden by the ProTour team Omega-Pharma Lotto– will be hoping to change that.

As the name suggests, the new-for-2011 Aeroad has been aerodynamically designed. Compared to the company’s pro-level Ultimate, as used by Lotto, it has 20 percent less frontal area. Its bladed tubes combined with a faired fork crown and 1-1/8 to 1-1/2in head tube certainly tick the right boxes.

The fork has a particularly interesting and innovative feature: the dropouts can be removed and rotated. This enables you to create either a trail ?gure of 39mm or 44mm – or, as Canyon describes it, a bike that’s agile for the road or stable for time trialling.

The model we rode had a high-end spec, with Campagnolo Record 11 handling the whole drivetrain and braking, a bar and stem from the Ritchey WCS stable, and the wheelset is a deep-section pair of Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLs. It’s also available with Campagnolo Super Record or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Dura-Ace or Chorus, so there’s no doubting it’s aimed squarely at the top rider.

The ride is surprisingly compliant, soft even. This would seem to be down to the seatpost – it’s so ?exible you can actually see it move. Canyon claim the composite used to make the post is a combination of carbon and basalt ?bres, but whether it’s because of the composite or the design, the comfort levels are far beyond what you’d expect of an aero road bike of this ilk.

Despite such high levels of comfort, the Aeroad has sharp and nimble handling, climbing with ease, and sprinting and descending con?dently. It’s not quite in the same league as Cube’s Litening Super HPC or Storck’s Absolutist, but neither of those gives you such a comfortable ride.

Up until now, the only real downside with buying a Canyon has been that any issues had to be dealt with by the German head of?ce. It remains an internet-only brand, which Canyon claim helps keep prices low, but the new UK contact means any issues with warranty or advice can be handled straight away. We’re excited by the possibilities.

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Alberto Contador case will not be reached a a verdict before the end of 2010

Alberto Contador case will not be reached a verdict before the end of the 2010 said Pat McQuaid . The UCI president also moved to defend his organisation’s secretive handling of the affair in the weeks before Contador publicly revealed that he had returned an adverse analytical finding for Clenbuterol during the Tour de France.

“The UCI has been criticised because it hasn’t communicated on this matter, but it’s not a classic case of doping,” McQuaid told L’Équipe. “At the end of August, along with WADA, we gave Contador the chance to explain himself. Twenty-four hours later, he told us this story of the contaminated meat. We asked some experts to conduct a study to see if his version is credible. There won’t be a decision before the end of the year.”

McQuaid also claimed that while his personal preference was for life bans for doping offences, such measures would be legally difficult to introduce. The UCI will instead seek the introduction of four-year suspensions for EPO positives.

“I’m in favour of increasing the length of the suspension,” he said. “There should be a four-year ban for those who take EPO. We’re going to propose that soon to the national federations and they will need to be on the same page as us because if we had to keep asking for CAS arbitration, it wouldn’t go ahead.”
However, McQuaid favours more lenient penalties for certain other substances and thus appeared to open the door to a potentially reduced sentence for Contador, should he ultimately be sanctioned in the Clenbuterol affair.

“Light and heavy products should be differentiated,” McQuaid explained. “EPO is serious, that should be a four-year ban. Ventoline, for example, that could be six or nine months.”

McQuaid also told L’Équipe that he is happy to welcome back suspended riders who make a visible effort to atone for their transgressions but admitted that not all returning riders have done so. McQuaid expressed his admiration for Ivan Basso’s comeback from suspension for his involvement in Operacion Puerto (“I was very, very happy for him’”) but was less impressed by Vacansoleil’s recruitment of Riccardo Riccò, who returned from a suspension for CERA use in March 2010.

“I’ll just say that the management of that team have been naïve,” McQuaid said. “If were a director sportif, [Riccardo] Riccò would never come to my team.”

Vacansoleil also signed Ezequiel Mosquera, who returned an adverse analytical finding for Hydroxyethyl starch during the Vuelta a España. The UCI recently awarded the team a ProTeam licence for 2011.
In another doping-related matter, McQuaid commented on the most recent doping investigation in Spain.  "In Spain, they say there aren't problems. It's not a big surprise for me to have seen Dr. Fuentes' name appear in recent days in a case concerning athletics."

Reducing the Giro and the Vuelta?

The UCI has been criticised in some quarters for the emphasis it places on spreading cycling beyond its traditional European boundaries but McQuaid explained that globalising the sport is a necessity and is dictated in part by the wishes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“Cycling’s history was forged in Europe,” McQuaid said. “But it’s equally our duty to look at the world market. It’s not so much looking to make money as remembering that the Olympic Games are essential to our development in the world.

“The IOC carries out detailed studies on every sport. It introduces new disciplines into the Games and states that cycling is not universal. It puts pressure on us so that it will be, and it’s vital to stay part of the Olympic programme.”

McQuaid outlined that the financial aspect of cycling’s globalisation is also an important concern.

“In order to offer a global market to our sponsors, we need races everywhere,” he explained. “It’s true that the Tour of California clashes with the Giro, and I understand that the Grand Tours would like to have full visibility but that’s not always possible.”

McQuaid went on to admit that the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España could ultimately be reduced if cycling’s worldwide expansion continues.

“I think we could reduce the length of the Giro and the Vuelta by a few days,” he said. “The Tour will always last three weeks. We can’t touch the Tour. It’s the biggest race in the world, it’s our shop window."

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Mint-Ease massage cream

The Mint-Ease massage cream presented itself remarkably promptly, both calves becoming stiff and painful following a couple of hilly runs at the weekend.

Mint-Ease is, according to the bumph, suitable for use in self-massage; cometh the hour, cometh the massage cream. It is easy to get out of the tube, a gentle squeeze producing a ready flow of viscous cream-tinted fluid. It is also easy to apply to the skin, a gentle rubbing motion spreading it where required.

According to the pack, the cream is almost exactly 1/3 pure mint oil, which is the active ingredient. It is certainly a highly pungent one, within minutes filling my house with a minty aroma that followed me around for hours. So powerful are the fumes that I found my eyes watering while sat down after treatment.
The effect on the skin is also pronounced. A cool sensation quickly follows application, to be followed in turn by the kind of skin sensation associated with the hotter embrocations. It is certainly pleasant, however, and lasts a good hour or so before diminishing.

On the question of whether the mint oil, or indeed the "skin-friendly cream lotion" that makes up the remainder, actually promotes blood circulation and stimulates lumphatic draining I will remain silent. But in any case a real benefit of a massage cream is that it lubricates the skin, making effective massage easier ( if proper massage without lubrication is even possible) and more comfortable. The aromas and skin warming are surely a pleasant accompaniment and Mint-Ease has both aplenty. And my calves are loosening up nicely, thanks. 
Mint-Ease is available in a 150ml tube for £7.65 from www.mint-ease.co.uk. Mint-Ease roll-on, oil and skin care products are also available.

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New partnership between Cyfac and Columbus

The launch of a new partnership between Cyfac International and the renowned tubing supplier,Columbus (Gruppo Spa) of Italy. Columbus has supplied Cyfac with various frame tubing
and raw materials for nearly 30 years while Cyfac has collaborated extensively on tubing design and
frame prototypes with the iconic brand. The two companies enjoy a historically vibrant relationship
and embark upon a new venture to supply Columbus carbon framesets finished by Cyfac.

Cyfac will conduct last-step quality control and frame completion as well as paint all of Columbus’
carbon frames in stock and color-option iterations. Columbus chose Cyfac for its extensive framebuilding
savoir-faire and reputation for quality and authenticity. The Columbus carbon frames carry
the storied, SL, SLX, and Genius model names. Each frame is designed in Italy and will feature a
“Finished by Cyfac” moniker as a symbol of quality and distinction. The frame offering will not
compete with Cyfac’s own product line and Cyfac dealers have the opportunity to offer the two lines
together.

Cyfac will distribute the frames in the French market with select international markets likely to follow.
Cyfac is currently accepting orders for delivery in early Spring 2011.

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Indoor Cycling Trainer for the Winter

The small amount of time we had in the early evening to squeeze in a ride has vanished has the Winter  arrived  for most of us.Not only is it darker earlier, but winter storms, rain, snow, and sleet will keep a lot of us off the roads this winter. Cyclists are then faced with two options. Either enjoy the “off-season”, losing all the fitness they’ve built up over the summer,or turn to an indoor trainer.

This guide will help you decide on which trainer will best fit your needs.

A couple of key factors you should be concerned with when selecting a trainer:

First, noise level. Even though some indoor trainers are advertised or reviewed as quiet, they all make noise. If you can, try out whichever indoor trainer you’re considering at your local bike shop if possible before purchasing. Your level of tolerable noise may be quite different than the next persons. Remember, a loud trainer may be more hassle than it’s worth and you may end up not wanting to spend much time on it.

Second, how does the trainer feel? The goal is to feel like you’re riding on the road as much as possible. If a trainer doesn’t feel like riding on the road, reminding you of how great it is to cycle, will you use it very much? Chances are no.

As appealing as low cost trainers may be, you should keep those two points in mind when setting out to purchase a trainer. Trainer nirvana is had when you find a trainer that fits your budget, is bearable decibel wise, and reminds you of how great it is to ride your bike. All while helping you stay fit and ready for the upcoming season.

There are generally three types of trainers – wind, magnetic, and fluid. Let’s go over some of their features and drawbacks.


Wind

The wind trainer is generally the least expensive of the three types of trainers. It’s both an effective and economical way to get started indoors. The downside though is that they’re also typically the loudest. With wind trainers the resistance comes from a flywheel fan that spins up as you spin the cranks. Though it’ll get you spinning indoors, it won’t feel very authentic. Though high on the value scale, the noise and less than stellar road feel keep us from recommending this type of trainer. Unless of course, it’s this or not riding, in which case, we say go for it.


Magnetic

The Mag trainer is the next step up from the wind trainer. Much quieter than a wind trainer, magnetic trainers get their resistance from magnets instead of a fan working against the wind. Mag trainers are considered linear in their resistance level. Meaning the resistance is steady and you could get on one and pedal up to 35-40mph without any change in resistance. Though, some well-engineered mag trainers will give you a varied workout by having some sort of ability to change the resistance, either a dial near the rear or a remote adjustment dial that can be fitted to your handlebar.

Magnetic Bicycling Indoor Trainers we’ve reviewed -
Blackburn Trakstand Mag Pro Review
Minoura VFS G Pro Review


Fluid

Fluid trainers are considered the quietest of the three types, but are the most expensive as well. Fluid trainers are considered progressive resistance, the faster you go, the higher the resistance becomes. It’s great for interval workouts because of this. A fluid trainer uses a synthetic silicone liquid that is resistant to heat, so that it’s viscosity is consistent throughout the lifetime of the trainer. Combined with a beefy flywheel, the fluid trainer also recreates the most realistic road feel of all three types.

Fluid Bicycling Indoor Trainers we’ve reviewed -
Elite Fluid Primo Pro Review
Blackburn Trakstand Fluid Pro Review

Ahem… There’s also rollers.
Rollers are great for working on balance and will help greatly with your bike handling skills, but the major drawback is that the most rollers do not offer any resistance. You could buy an aftermarket resistance unit, Cycleops offers one, but unlike the other types, your bike is not stationary and this type of indoor trainer is tricky to use for most.

Hopefully this quick guide offered some assistance and consumer knowledge to you. No matter which type you buy, the most important thing is to use your trainer. The trainer is a very useful tool in these winter months to help maintain your fitness and help you hit the road spinning when spring comes around.
Here are a two videos we did with Karl of Silicon Valley Cycling Center on a range of Indoor Trainers you may want to consider…

Trainers Part 1/2

Trainers Part 2/2


As always, you can also check out fellow RoadBikeReview Community Member’s Trainer Reviews –
RoadBikeReview User Posted Trainer Reviews


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