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Ultimate bicycle ride in the snow – human-powered Iditarod

You snow-cycling enthusiasts probably already know about this, but the Iditarod Trail Invitational starts this Sunday.

Billed as the world's longest human-powered race, the event starts in Anchorage and follows the famous Iditarod sled dog race course across a frozen landscape to either McGrath — 350 miles, or Nome — 1,110 miles.

Of the 46 entrants, 12 are going by bicycle to McGrath and 10 are riding their bikes to Nome. The rest are hiking or skiing …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/21/ultimate-bicycle-ride-in-the-snow-human-powered-iditarod/

Iditarod bicycle

Photo by Graeme Warren at flickr.com

Bike used by Carl Hutchins to set Iditarod record in 2005.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/21/iditarod-bicycle/

Levi Leipheimer

He's all smiles on the podium after Stage 3. Tour of California photo at flickr.com

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/21/levi-leipheimer-5/

Leipheimer back in the golden jersey; Gesink wins Stage 3

American Levi Leipheimer won back the Amgen Tour of California's golden leader's jersey on Wednesday in his battle to defend his title from 2007.

At the finish line in San Jose, Leipheimer thanked stage winner Robert Gesink for his success, as the Rabobank cyclist helped Astana's Leipheimer hold off the peloton in the final miles after the grueling summit of Sierra Road.

Their cooperation ensured that Team CSC's Fabian Cancellara did not take back the leader's jersey on a day the peloton struggled up the beyond-category climb of Mount Hamilton, followed by the 1st-category Sierra Road…

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/20/leipheimer-back-in-the-golden-jersey-gesink-wins-stage-3/

Water Wealth Contentment Health (and for one morning) Cycling

Without a doubt, Modesto has never hosted so many elite pro cyclists as are showing up to roll out Wednesday morning for Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California.

The Central Valley town used to be my home for about 10 years beginning in the mid-1980s. During that time Nelson Vails was the only prominent cyclist to ride within sight of the arch emblazoned with the slogan “Water Wealth Contentment Health.”

Vails wasn't, or isn't, a household name for many. I had seen Vails win a silver medal in the individual sprint at the velodrome at the '84 Summer Games in Los Angeles. He also had small role in that atrocity, Quicksilver

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/20/water-wealth-contentment-health-and-for-one-morning-cycling/

Modesto Arch

You probably can't read it, but it says Water Wealth Contentment Health. The Tour of California peloton was to spin beneath it for Stage 3.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/20/modesto-arch/

Hit-and-run victim and her bike dragged out of road

If you're bicycling around Pierce County in Washington state, keep an eye open for a maroon Mercedes Benz with some body damage and try to get a plate number.

The car's driver is the latest weasel to hit someone, move the bike and/or victim, then take off. And there's a $1,000 reward offered.

The 67-year-old bicycle rider was struck at the intersection of Ramsdell Street and Contra Costa Avenue in Fircrest about 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning. A streak of blood at the scene indicates someone from the car dragged the victim and her bike to the curb…

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/20/hit-and-run-victim-and-her-bike-dragged-out-of-road/

Tyler Farrar

Slipstream cyclist got yellow jersey after Stage 2 of 2008 Tour of California. Tyler Farrar is a Wenatchee native and Seattle cyclist. Tour of California photo at flickr.com

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/19/tyler-farrar/

Tom Boonen wins Stage 2 in Sacramento; Seattle's Farrar in yellow

Belgium's one-day race specialist Tom Boonen (left) took the final sprint in Sacramento on Tuesday, as Slipstream's Tyler Farrar (right) of Seattle stepped into the overall lead of the Amgen Tour of California.

The Stage 2 win marked the first in the US for Boonen, the leader of the QuickStep team. The 27-year-old is among the winningest riders in the peloton, with stage wins at the Tour de France and many of the spring classics trophies on his mantel.

The third cyclist across the line was a blast from the past, Mario Cipollini, who returned to pro cycling after two years of retirement. You gotta tip your helmet to the 40-year-old Rock Racing sprinter, who obviously did more than sit around cafes drinking wine the past two years.

Farrar's climb into the overall lead is a real bonus for the 23-year-old Wenatchee native and a credit to the Slipstream team…

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/19/tom-boonen-wins-stage-2-in-sacramento-seattles-farrar-in-yellow/

Vegan cyclists stick with bamboo bikes

Calfee Designs is supplying its bamboo bikes to a California-based bicycle racing team composed exclusively of vegans.

OrganicAthlete launched its cycling team in 2007 and five of its athletes will be riding the bamboo bikes this year.

Although he experimented with bamboo about 10 years ago, Craig Calfee has been building the bamboo bikes at his Santa Cruz County shop for three or four years. The bamboo tubing is bound with a hemp-fiber wrap that helps create a green, renewable bicycle…

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/02/19/vegan-cyclists-stick-with-bamboo-bikes/