It's Mine! No, It's Mine!

While teams were riding their legs off and racing there hearts out at Milan-San Remo, the race radio fuelled debate between the UCI and the teams was getting nasty.
UCI's Open Letter to Pro Riders Regarding Radio Ban

According to this letter from UCI President Pat McQuaid, when riders were surveyed in 2009, only one in four responded and was evenly split between those for and against banning two-way race radios. It goes on to question why the riders' opinions "suddenly" changed and if they were being pressured to change their stance. I find it interesting that McQuaid is criticizing riders for caving in to the wishes of their sport directors, when he admits earlier in this same letter to caving to pressure from television networks.

And now, news comes down the pipe that some teams are thinking of leaving the UCI and starting their own cycling league.
Eleven Major Teams Considering Plans to Break Away from the UCI

The teams are, understandably, keeping mum about a possible break. This whole fight is about so much more than two-way radios, it's about control. The UCI controls every single aspect of the sport: Who can ride, what teams get licensed to race, the race calendar, doping regulations and consequences, what equipment is legal, the list goes on. The riders themselves have very little say in how the sport is governed and run from day-to-day. Perhaps one good thing to come out of this whole thing will be more input from the riders on the sport that they give the best years of their lives to.

Is there no way these people can share a sandbox?

Until next time, ride long and keep the rubber-side down.

International Women's Day, Biker Style

Today is International Women's Day, a day to honor and celebrate the social, political, and economic achievements by women. So, in the spirit of celebrating women's achievements, here are a couple articles from Cyclingnews.com regarding the current state of the women's professional peloton and what can be done to improve it.

Five Ways to Improve Womens Cycling

Top Five Influential Women in Cycling

Top Five Rides of 2011

Let's go, ladies!

Until next time, ride long and keep the rubber-side down.

Mais amor, menos motor

That's Portuguese, it means "More love, less motor".
Car Runs over Critical Mass Cyclists in Brazil
Driver Plows Through Dozens of Cyclists in Brazil
I don't understand how intentionally running down cyclists is self-defense, or how it's supposed to teach anyone anything. A bicycle is a means of transportation for millions (if not billions) of people around the world. There's no way in h*ll drivers, however maniacal, will frighten people off their bikes.

Go Critical Mass!

Until next time, ride long and keep the rubber-side down.

Anyone Found A Parking Spot?

So, you think there are a lot of bicycle commuters in your town? How about this photo taken of a bicycle parking corral in Ghent, Belgium?

What I want to know is how does anyone find their ride? It's not like you can punch a button on your key-fob and your bike will meep-meep.

Until next time, ride long and keep the rubber-side down.