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Bicycling eastern Washington

Fields of wheat in the Payouse country…

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/02/02/bicycling-eastern-washington/

A hard-luck bicycling family history

Bicycling has had fatal consequences for a North Carolina family.

Three members of the Hedrick family have died while riding their bicycles. Now a fourth is hospitalized after being struck by a hit and run driver in the Salisbury area, about halfway between Charlotte and Greensboro.

Tommy Hedrick, 58, is in fair condition in the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after being struck by a light-colored, four-door Malibu or other GM car. Like his father before him …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/02/02/a-hard-luck-bicycling-family-history/

Oh la la! Free bicycle use in Paris

When it comes to using bicycles to solve the problems of traffic congestion, pollution and dependence on foreign oil, I'd say Europeans are on the right track.

While President Bush mentions plans in the State of the Union address to make the US less dependent on foreign oil (without ever mentioning bicycle use), Paris decided to put up to 14,000 free bicycles on the streets by this summer.

The city has chosen a French advertising firm to set up a free bicycle service with between 14,000 and 20,000 bicycles available at more than 1,000 bike stations …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/02/01/oh-la-la-free-bicycle-use-in-paris/

Free bicycles in Lyon

French advertising firm runs free bike concession in Lyon; expands to Paris.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/02/01/free-bicycles-in-lyon/

Mountain bicycling pioneer presumed slain

The person reputed to be the first mountain bike enthusiast in the US has been missing for seven months and is believed to be a victim of murder.

John Finley Scott, 73, is considered one of the earliest mountain bike pioneers by the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, located in Crested Butte, Colorado.

All the way back in 1953, Scott used a Schwinn World diamond frame, balloon tires, flat handlebars, derailleur and cantilever brakes to build his “Woodsie Bike.” That was 20 years before …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/01/31/mountain-bicycling-pioneer-presumed-slain/

No pro bicycle racing for Floyd Landis in 2007

Last year's winner of the Tour of California, Tour de Georgia and Tour de France has pretty much ruled out professional cycling this year, Floyd Landis said in an interview at ESPN.com.

The pokey pace of his doping case means he's written off the 2007 season, even if he's vindicated.

I'm glad Landis has stayed motivated the past few months and held onto the prospect of cycling this year, but it doesn't seem much of a surprise that this case has dragged out so long. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/01/31/no-pro-bicycle-racing-for-floyd-landis-in-2007/

Leipheimer leads Discovery bicycling team at 2007 California tour

American Levi Leipheimer will lead the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling team at the 2007 Amgen Tour of California, Feb. 18-25.

Filling out the Discovery roster at the 2nd annual California tour is Ivan Basso, George Hincapie, Tom Danielson, Tony Cruz, Brian Vandborg, Jason McCartney and Tomas Vaitkus.

Leipheimer (pictured in 2006) is returning to the squad after an absence of several years (he previously rode for the team as US Postal in 2000 and 2001). He most recently rode at leader of Germany's Gerolsteiner squad …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/01/31/leipheimer-leads-discovery-bicycling-team-at-2007-california-tour/

New bicycle route for tragic fund-raiser in South Carolina

Organizers for the 2007 Breakaway to the Beach MS150 bicycle tour are changing the route for the first time in 12 years.

The Breakaway — touted as the largest bicycling event in the Southeast with 2,500 riders — ended tragically last year when 15-year-old Rachel Giblin and her brother, Tommy, were struck by a passing pickup truck pulling a trailer. Rachel died.

Instead of taking a two-day route from Columbia to North Myrtle Beach, this year the Breakaway to the Beach starts, overnights and finishes at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The fund-raiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society is scheduled for Sept. 15-16.

Anne Marie Forbes, president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, told me about the change of plans …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/01/30/new-bicycle-route-for-tragic-fund-raiser-in-south-carolina/

Bike trail in Florida featured by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

The Withlacoochee State Trail's 46-mile length makes it the longest rail-trail in Florida and a great route for bicycling.

Featured as Trail of the Month by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the path runs between Citrus Springs in the north and Trilby in the south in an area generally between Tampa and Orlando.

While the trail is open to all, its path through small towns, ranches and natural areas of the Withlacoochee State Forest means bicyclists have the trail all to themselves for long stretches …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/01/30/bike-trail-in-florida-featured-by-rails-to-trails-conservancy/

Ivan Basso faces old teammates in Tour of California

Italian cyclist Ivan Basso's first race appearance in a Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team jersey will be at the Tour of California, where he'll ride against former teammates on Team CSC.

Basso, who once again is aiming to win the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in the same year, hinted that he'll ride the Tour of California (February 18-25) in support of another Discovery team newcomer, American Levi Leipheimer.

You can be sure that all eyes will be on the 29-year-old from the opening prologue in San Francisco to the finish in Long Beach to determine his level of fitness and how well he gets along with his new team ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2007/01/29/ivan-basso-faces-old-teammates-in-tour-of-california/