September 2010 archive

Across North America by pedal and paddle

A Connecticut man has completed his 4,300-mile journey from near Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine, by canoe and bicycle.

Alexander Martin paddled ashore from the Presumpscot River on Friday, marking the end of a self-propelled adventure that started in April 2009 and continued over three 2-month-long segments.

He accomplished most of the trip in his canoe, paddling some 3,500 miles. Martin added the bicycle to his gear after encountering repeated obstacles in his attempted voyage up the Snake River through Hell's Canyon along the Idaho-Oregon border.

He used that bike, “Taj”, or its replacement, “Taj II”, on portages between waterways as he made his way across the US ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/26/across-north-america-by-pedal-and-paddle/

RAAM champion Jure Robic dies in crash

Jure Robic, the 45-year-old Slovenian who could ride his bicycle across the US faster than anyone, died near his home on Friday while riding his bicycle.

The ultracyclist reportedly was riding down a narrow mountain road when he collided with a car heading the other direction on a curve. He died at the scene.

CyclingNews.com reported that he was training for the Crocodile Trophy mountain bike race coming up in Australia.

Robic's name is well-known in many small towns spread across the heartland of the US. That's where he scorched the highways at the head of the solo field ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/25/raam-champion-jure-robic-dies-in-crash/

Lonely Planet names San Juan Islands among Top 10 cycling routes

A global travel guide operation chose the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound as its sole US destination on its Top 10 cycling routes list.

Considering the scenery, bicycle friendly roads, amenities, and remoteness of the three-island archipeligo, I can see why UK-based The Lonely Planet, in cooperation with BBC Worldwide, would make that choice.

Among other far-flung cycling routes on the list (named fully below) are the Isle of Wight, England; West Coast of Tasmania; and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.

I've visited the three-island chain — San Juan, Lopez and Orca — on a couple of the many charity bike rides that target the islands every year and can understand how they could find their way onto this list. …..

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/23/lonely-planet-names-san-juan-islands-among-top-10-cycling-routes/

Candlelight vigil Friday for Maryland cyclist killed in hit-and-run

While observers wonder how a motorist could have struck a bicyclist on a suburban Maryland road and driven home with the bicycle lodged under the SUV, the victim's mother is planning a candlelight vigil at the scene on Friday.

Natasha Pettigrew, 30, died late Monday night from injuries she suffered when she was struck from behind by a Cadillac Escalade while she was on a training ride at 5:30 a.m. Sunday. Pettigrew was the Green Party candidate for the US Senate seat in Maryland.

The 41-year-old driver of the car told the Maryland State Police that she thought she hit an animal in the roadway. According to Greg Shipley, a Maryland State Police spokesman:

“She had driven to her home and called from her home. The initial indication was that she thought she may have hit a deer or an animal in the roadway. ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/23/candlelight-vigil-friday-for-maryland-cyclist-killed-in-hit-and-run/

Bike lodged under car

Hit and run Cadillac Escalade with bicycle lodged underneath.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/23/bike-lodged-under-car/

Natasha Pettigrew

Struck by hit-and-run driver who dragged her bicycle all the way on Sept. 19, 2010, in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/23/natasha-pettigrew/

Phinney jumps ship; signs 3-year contract at BMC Racing

Fresh from winning the individual time trial at the USA Cycling Pro Championships this weekend, Taylor Phinney says he's joining the BMC Racing Team next season.

That's a surprising turn-around as the 20-year-old has been racing for the Lance Armstrong-owned Under-23 Trek-Livestrong development team that's considered a pipeline for the RadioShack cycling team of Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner, and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/22/phinney-jumps-ship-signs-3-year-contract-at-bmc-racing/

Gary Fisher interviewed on Interbike TV

Makes bikes

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/22/gary-fisher-interviewed-on-interbike-tv/

Can't be at Interbike? Watch it on TV

If you're curious about what's happening at the Interbike International Bicycle Expo in Las Vegas this week but couldn't clear your calendar to make it there in person, you can still check out the highlights on Interbike TV.

Once again the sprawling bike show has its own TV network, featuring interviews with some of the major players in the industry as well as reports on products live from the show floor.[That's Gary Fisher at left]

Launching live Wednesday morning at the Indoor Expo at the Sands Convention Center, the broadcast opened with US Rep. Earl Blumenaur, D-Bicycle Lobby, singing the praises of a $1 billion bicycle industry that keeps some 1 million Americans employed.

The Portland, Ore., congressman also said that US Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/22/cant-be-at-interbike-watch-it-on-tv/

Dutch cyclist nears end of TransAmerica bike tour started in 1976

A Dutch tavern owner is rolling across Missouri this week on his quest to finish a cross-country bicycle tour that was interrupted 34 years ago when he was struck by a car.

Frank van Dijk, 58, called home last Friday to report that he and Ron, a friend who is trailing in a camper, expect to arrive in Eureka, Kansas, by this weekend. That's a week to 10 days ahead of schedule.

The cross-country journey started for Frank in 1976, the year that BikeCentennial (now Adventure Cycling Association) put thousands of bicycle travelers on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail to celebrate the nation's 200th birthday …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/22/dutch-cyclist-nears-end-of-transamerica-bike-tour-started-in-1976/