Spinning Wheel Lights Make A Rolling Video Screen

In the darkest corner of the giant Interbike show here at the Sands Convention Center, a small company is showing off the most eye-catching bike lighting system I’ve ever seen -- a bike wheel light that plays full-motion video inside a spinning bicycle wheel.

Monkeylectric, a Bay Area startup, claims to be the first company to use a bank of flashing LEDs to create video using the spin of a bike wheel. Even though I posted about Hokey Spokes about 6 months ago, I've had seen Hokeyspokes for a few years now

Using a bank of battery-powered LEDs mounted to the wheel’s spokes, the system is able to show off cartoonish moving video that’s as bright and colorful as a storefront neon display.
As the wheel spins, the battery-powered LEDs flash on and off, creating the illusion of a man running and jumping; Homer Simpson belching; or a scrolling ticker-tape of words moving across the face of the spinning wheel.

The company currently sells a cool $65 bike-wheel light called the Monkey Light that generates bright neon patterns – but not full-motion video.

On a side note, HokeySpokes cost about half that ($29.95) and have a cleaner design.

The new Monkey Light can be programmed wirelessly and changed on the fly. The video is created on a computer and uploaded to the wheel-mounted Monkey Light. Goldwater says it uses Zigbee, a low-power, low-speed alternative to Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, the system isn’t yet for sale to the public. Xander Hudson, the other co-inventor, says they hope to have a retail version in a few months. For now, the system will be leased for retail and promotional purposes, like conventions and store displays.

Floating Rollers Take Fear Out of Rolling, Something sweet to add to your 'Santa' list

One of the most time-honored challenges for any cyclist is riding a set of rollers through the dead of winter until spring thaw rolls around.

But if Inside Ride has its' way, the days of riding your bike off the rollers and smack into the wall are over.

For about a $1,000, Inside Ride will sell you its E-motion roller system, a cleverly designed set of “floating” rollers that move fore and aft in their frame, allowing the bike and rider a more stable ride than traditional designs. Bikers can throw the bike around as though on the road – sprinting, hammering, no hands even.

“Everyone else restricts you into one spot,” said Troy Tucker, a technical advisor to the company, who rode the rollers while juggling three balls, demonstrating its stability.

“It gives you space to ride,” he added. “It’s a small space, but it let’s you ride your bike.”

Wireless Bike Speaker Beams Tunes From iPod To Handlebars

LAS VEGAS -- If you're into music while riding your bike -- but you're concerned about the safety risk of plugging headphones into your ears -- the iPod-compatible Cy.Fy wireless speaker system might be for you.

Mounted on the handlebars, the $180 Cy.Fy speaker can play tunes from the iPod in your pocket via an included Bluetooth transmitter as you ride your bike.

"Forty miles an hour riding downhill you can hear it," says Mike Michels, vice president of operations at Cy.Fy, which is based in Los Angeles. "If you're riding with a partner, you have to turn it down to talk."

The Cy.Fy is no Bose Surround Sound system though: It was drowned out by the cacophony of the Sands Convention Center. It may, however, perform better in quieter surroundings.
Looking like a streamlined Star Trek prop, the Cy.Fy speaker has rechargeable battery and is water resistant, the company says.

The basic model is compatible with Bluetooth-equipped cell phones and PDAs. A $200 iPod model includes a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the iPod's dock connector.

Interbike's Baddest Bikes: Time's New Road Rocket; The Talk of the Show

LAS VEGAS – French bike giant Time's brand new carbon road rocket, the RXR UL Team, is the talk of the Interbike show.

Cathing the 'Gotta Have One' bug will likely cost you upwards of $15,000, but what do expect for a bike handmade in France?

This state-of-the-art, top-of-the-line RXR UL is equipped with Campagnolo's Super Record 11 groupset.

Interbike's Baddest Bikes: Independent Fabrication's Cherry Road Bike

LAS VEGAS -- Independent Fabrication's high-end XS road bike is a wonder of titanium, carbon fiber and of all things -- cherry wood.

The XS features titanium lugs, carbon fiber tubes with a cherry wood finish.

Everything IF does is custom, so plan on laying down around $10,000 to $12,000

Interbike's Baddest Bikes: The Bike Batman Would Ride, Ceepo's Viper

LAS VEGAS – The Japanese aerodynamic specialist Ceepo said to hell with UCI rules when it designed and built this new Viper triathlon speed machine.

"If Batman rode a bike, this is the bike he would ride," said the gentleman manning Ceepo's booth.

Ceepo claims the carbon frame is the one of the thinnest in production, at only 26mm in the thickest spot of the down tube -- in reckless violation of UCI regulations.

Slice through the wind on the way home from the bike shop for a mere $8,000.

Interbike's Baddest Bikes: Delta 7's Ascend Latticework Carbon Roadie

Delta 7 Sports' Ascend road bike has definitely caught the bicycles fans' eyes at this year's Interbike 2008 because its distinctive wicker-basket carbon frame.

The bike's frame weighs just 1.8lbs! Thinner than the soup at the Riviera and more see-through than Casino odds, the Ascend's frame is a lattice of carbon fiber that Delta claims is ten times stronger than steel (by weight).

About the price, it will costs you about $12,000.

Polygon Bike Has Integrated iPod Charger

I don't know what to say about the Polygon Bike, a concept that has an iPod-compatible charger powered by yourself. On one side, the bike-dock combo is just way too much. On the other, it may be actually useful for those days that you forget to charge it at home. The bike also has other useful features.

• I like the fact that you can see the screen of the player at a glance.
• The controls are located on the handle, so you don't have to fiddle with any remote or touch the device.
• The earphones plug is also conveniently located in a position that won't interfere with your handling and cycling.
• And finally, the integrated locking mechanism is a good addition.

What do you think? Would you buy a bike with an integrated dock? [Tuvie]

Tell Me What Your Coffee Is…

…and I’ll tell you who you will vote for President.

Amazing how we can use various things to predict future events, isn’t it?

BIGresearch conducted a survey recently. The idea was to see if you can tell which presidential candidate a person prefers based on which coffee they like better.

And the choices are:

President:
a. Barack Obama
b. John McCain

Coffee:
a. McDonald’s
b. Starbucks

So what were their findings? People who drink Starbucks more prefer Barack Obama while people who drink McDonald’s more prefer John McCain.

Read more about this survey and it's results at one of the better 'Java Blogs' - Brewed-Coffee.com

NY State Senator to Cyclist He Almost Hit: "You F***ing A**hole"

Colin Beavan, better known as No Impact Man, was almost crushed by a Mercedes while biking in New York City. At the last minute he knocked on the window of the car (maybe a bit too rash IMHO) to alert the driver of his presence.

The driver wasn't very happy and some swearing ensued (more details about the verbal exchange after the jump), but the twist of the story is that behind the wheel was NY state senator Jeff Klein. Now Colin has written an open letter to the senator asking him to meet with him and the New York City Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, the person that advocates for bikers and pedestrians.

"Since the Senator has now had first hand experience, we'd like to talk to him about policies that would help keep bikes and cars from tangling with each other."

You should read what the 'unhonorable' Senator had to say...

Via Treehugger.com

18 Coffee Trees per person? I could not live with that few...

20 Million -- That's how many families (about 60 to 80 million people) depend on coffee for their income. After oil, coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world.

100 -- That's how many coffee beans it takes to make one cup of coffee on average.

4,000 -- One coffee tree yields about 4,000 beans per year on average.

18 -- If you drink 2 cups of coffee a day, you will need 18 coffee trees devoted just to you. And it takes 5 years before a tree is fully mature and productive.

Not around these parts, it going to take more like 90 tree for the Caffeinated Cyclist's daily habit

Read more at Treehugger.com. But ignore the heresy about giving up the coffee habit to live a 'greener' life

Cordarounds Bike-to-Work pants with reflective Teflon cuff

Here is another design idea that I bet will not go anywhere, unless you have more money than sense... Wait a minute there are plenty of those around, Buy Stock Now! Personally I can make you the same thing for $20, and still make a profit. Start ordering for Christmas now...

Cordarounds newest khakis, called the "Bike to Work" pants, have a clever secret: the rolled up cuff exposes a reflective strip for added safety and Teflon for resistance to scuffs and chain grabs.
They're $95 a pair because that's how Cordarounds makes their money: prices.

Bike to Work pants product page [Cordarounds.com]

Via Boing Boing Gadgets

Engineered Wood : The Renovo Bicycle

One of the best cases I've seen for the use of wood in structural applications is put forth by Renovo Hardwood Bicycles of Portland, Oregon.

Wanting to separate away the wrong, yet common perception that perhaps cheap quality consumer woods might be used on their frames, they say :

"Consumer wood products are not engineered for light weight and high performance, nor are they joined, fastened or finished to endure challenging outdoor conditions and high loads, so knowledge of wood based on commonplace wood products is no more relevant to a Renovo frame than it is to other high-tech, all-wood structures like: a 350' laminated wood bridge in Norway, the magnificent 154' wood yacht Scheherazade, and the Falco all-wood 200 mph airplanes. These modern engineered applications of wood are designed to last a lifetime in highly stressed, adverse conditions."

Yes that's right. Some of the most marvelous designs out there incorporate the tried and true strength and toughness of engineered wood such as the following :

Building an eye-catching yet strong bicycle frame out of Douglas Fir might be now easy task for the family run company, but all that colorful background experience from engineering lighting fixtures to building composite kit airplanes and other wood products might help. Besides, Mr. Wheeler was always a bike nut since college days.

The bike has a relatively non-aggressive and comfortable frame weighing anywhere from 3.5 to 4 pounds. All the wood is bought kiln dried through vendors with the appropriate moisture content and then cut/machined with their aresenal of high tech saws and CNC machines.

For additional FAQ's about hardwood usage in bicycles, you can visit Renovo's website here "Wood, Seriously"

Great Bicycling Charities You Might Have Never Heard Of...

Pedals for Progress is putting used bikes to good use. Instead of letting them pile up in landfills, they are collecting used bicycles and donating them to their partner charities in over 29 countries.

Link: www.p4p.org

Obama campaign panders to anyone and everyone

Not that I trying to pass along ANY political advice, nor am I am not trying to add any new riders to the Obama train, but I thought that the Obama campaign's idea to milk more campaign money out of the average American was definitely cyclist-centric...



A website called DemocraticStuff.com is selling what they call “Special Interest” buttons, allowing for Obama supporters to express their individuality and their support for Obama with a single $1 pin.

There are buttons for scuba divers, trekkies, chefs, banjo players, mathematicians, DJs, and almost anything else you can think of - including, of course, cyclists.

Collapsibe Bicycle concept negates the need for parking

When Blair Hasty designed the Collapsible Bicycle concept, he did so with a purpose. He intended the cycle to be a vehicle for daily transportation.

The design allows the rider to lean against the body, as the pedals are located behind the rider and the weight transfers from lower back to the pelvic region. With a large included storage bag that is used for storing cargo during the commute and can be expanded to hold the collapsed bike afterwards. Since the cycle is also collapsible, one may not need to park it anywhere at all, you could just take it right inside your office, cabin or your bedroom.

A really interesting design that lets you stay green, get some exercise and also limit problems like parking etc.

Via Automotto.org

If you want to carry all your family, children and pets or anything else that you would wish to in one single vehicle, you must try the WorkCycles/Bak

If you want to carry all your family, children and pets or anything else that you would wish to in one single vehicle, you must try the WorkCycles/Bakfiets Cargobike Extra Long. The vehicle offers room for 12 children in the box and also one more in the child seat on the rear carrier, if there are so many kids around you. The original design by Maarten Van Andel was criticized for being too long and when he made it shorter, the people liked the longer one better and hence the vehicle has come a full circle. The WorkCycles/Bakfiets Cargobike Extra Long measures 6 meters and thieves cannot easily walk away with it. The pricing is not known yet and it should be available next summer.

Via: Bakfiets-En-Meer

Clocks and bottle openers built using recycled bike parts

Ever wondered what could turn out of a dysfunctional old bicycle? A lot of things, apparently.

The guys at Resource Revival have taken it to be their quest to recycle old bicycle parts in to cool and kick-ass products like clocks, bottle openers and the like. The products would make any bike lover turn euphoric. The clocks especially look good and if you are planning to buy that boring old digital clock, chuck the plan and get something creative instead!

These guys also welcome your trashy run down bicycle resting in your attic as a donation to make cooler products, of course.

Via Coolbuzz.org

Volvo Gravity Car: Not quite 'Human Powered', but still a good design...

Volvo's Extreme Gravity Car is a radical styling exercise for the company. Volvo, more commonly associated with high quality, if somewhat bland cars has produced some interesting concepts over the recent years.

Volvo's gravity car has no propulsion mechanism whatsoever except for the pull of gravity, and the car is constructed from lightweight materials such as aluminium, carbon-fibre and fibreglass giving it an anorexic weight of 37 lbs (15 kgs). Every inch of the racer has been optimised for aerodynamic performance, and to decrease rolling resistance the two main wheels are in-line - at the extreme front and back of the vehicle.

The rider lies face down inside cramped bodywork with their head just behind the front wheel, steering is controlled by handlebars attached directly to the front axle, and braking is done by a trigger on the left handlebar.

Volvo's gravity car can reach 35 mph within 100m, and tops out at around 40 mph.

Via Diseno-art.com

Finally! A 'Green' Hummer: A pedal powered SUV!

In my entire lifetime, never have I seen an SUV with such simple and hassle free functions. Let’s welcome the newest and wackiest vehicle that helps us get close, as close as one can get, with Mother Nature! No gas tank to fill and refill, no greenhouse gasses pouring from the exhaust pipe, no honking, no technical jargons. Just pure unadulterated fun of being one with nature is what you get with this 5-seater.

So hop on, because this is one ride you don’t want to miss.

This human powered multi-bicycle vehicle is capable of carrying 5 people as fast as humanly possible, currently 14.8 mph.

A great USB device for your coffee as the days turn cooler...

As most 'caffeineophiles' have discovered, a cold cup of coffee, just doesn't make the grade... As we move from summer into the cooler days of fall, you might find yourself needing this little UBS device. Don’t you just hate it when you have to get up over and over again just to heat up your coffee?

Yeah, its one of my least favorite things to do and that’s why this USB Coffee Boiler called "Heat Me" makes so much sense. The universality of the USB connection allows you to redirect power into a mini heating rod that can simply be dipped into the coffee mug to get toasty warm beverages without ever leaving the chair!

Of course it would a be lot more easier to simply bring a coffee maker or a microwave oven to your workstation, but then again it won't really allow you to neglect work and watch the coffee heat away will it?

Nude bicyclist not breaking law, cops say...

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland police dispatchers have been flooded with phone calls about a woman rollerblading and riding her bike nude along Portland's waterfront. But she's not actually breaking the law.

In Oregon, occasional nude bike rides draw police only for crowd control and shows featuring live sex acts are protected as free speech.

In an exclusive interview with KGW, Gennifer Moss, aka Earth Friend Gen, said she's trying to draw attention so she can spread the message of peace.

"Peace begins with ourselves, our minds, spirit, hearts and souls, and our bodies are an integral part of ourselves and I was created in God's creation and no part of me is obscene," she explained.

Via KGW.com - Portland, Ore.

Bear vs. Bike: Cyclist Hits 300-Pound Black Bear!

Everyone knows that riding around in urban areas has it's dangers: car, trucks, potholes and such. But in more rural places, there are other dangers. As 57-year-old Jim Litz, a science teacher in Missoula, Montana, learned this when he t-boned a black bear while riding his bike to work.

He was traveling about 25 mph when he came upon a rise and spotted a black bear about 10 feet in front of him. “I didn't have time to respond. I never even hit my brakes,” Litz said.

He tumbled over his handlebars, planting his helmeted head on the bruin's back, and man and beast went cartwheeling down the road. The bear rolled over Litz's head, and its mass cracked his helmet. As the duo toppled over one another, the bear clawed at Litz's cycling jacket, scratching his flesh from shoulder to buttocks before scampering up a hill above the road, where it stopped and whined

Via Treehugger.com

Yahoo! Tricks Out Flickr Bikes with Cameras and Solar Panels

In an effort to promote its purple side, Yahoo! has launched a whole campaign around its signature color. But it has also included a touch of green with a set of solar-powered bikes that photograph the riders' journeys and upload images to Flickr wirelessly. Taking a good look at the bikes, you just might be able to DIY one for yourself.

The company has tricked out some cool purple bikes with cameras that take a photo every 60 seconds and uploads them to Flickr. This way, the riders tell their unique story as they pedal. The green touch is that the cameras are charged by three solar panels. It can be plugged in during dreary days, but for the most part, you can be charging your camera while you ride in the sunshine. More...

A-Bike - Ultra Small Folding Bike for Commuters

Sir Clive's A-Bike measures only 67 x30 x 15cm. It weighs in at only 12-pounds and can be folded up within a mere 20 seconds. It is a super-light bicycle, you can easily take it to the bus and subway. Check out more see this adorable A-bike.

Bi-Cycle

A fun bicycle, and a new way to ride the tandem bicycle. A unique tandem bicycle, Bi-Cycle allows both riders to contribute equally to the riding experience. Since both riders can steer and pedal at the same time, riding this bike demands a trust bond between the riders.

Zigo Leader Carrier Bicycle

The Zigo($995) is a modular bicycle that allows you to carry a couple of kids in the ChildPod up front, which makes it easier to keep an eye on them while you're riding. It features the LeaderLink System allows the Leader to uncouple in 30 seconds or less, transforming it into the separate elements, Zigo ChildPod and Zigo Cycle. A multi-fun bicycle!

It’s Bad for Ya by George Carlin

Enjoy one last round of comic gold from the late great George Carlin on It's Bad for Ya ($14).

As an audio recording of Carlin's 14th and final HBO comedy special, It's Bad for Ya covers ground both new and old, including the advantages of being old, and our bizarre preoccupation with bullshit.

For those of you who want the full experience, the entire show will be available on DVD this fall.

Have you seen Dave Zabriskie’s Nuts yet??!!??

Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m not talking about Dave Zabriskie’s gonads. I’m talking about Dave Zabriskie’s new chamois cream: DZNuts.

If you've been riding more than a few monts, you're no doubt acquainted with the nasty chaffing that can occur during even the easiest ride. DZ-NUTS ($22) is a high viscosity chamois cream that features green tea, evodia and masterwort designed to prevent friction in 'unfortunate places'.

If you know anything at all about Dave Z the you will know that he is quite the jokester, and has a great (or twisted) sense of humor, and he continues with that humor on his products

Dave hits us over the head with the 'taint' gag on the product box:

"Proper MAINTAINTANANCE of the perineal area is essential during high level training and racing. Nothing can ruin stage race success faster than an infected saddle sore."

It’s a good thing he bolded "taint," made it all caps, and put it in red, or I might’ve missed it.

Also listed are the men's "lube 'em or lose 'em" t-shirt or the women's "official applicator" t-shirt

Making Cotton Candy Using a Bicycle

Who says you need to have a fancy carnival-worthy setup to make cotton candy? In China, they make cotton candy using a simple bike. There's propane underneath the apparatus, heating up the sugar, but then it's all spun around and stretched out by simple pedal power.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like they figured out a way to make funnel cakes or sausage with onions and peppers using only a bike, so you might still need to go to a fair to get those.

Via Gizmodo.com

Republican National Convention Promotes Cycling?!?!

From recent news it does appear that the RNC is one upping the DNC with an, ahem, in your face display of cycling advocacy. As is clear from this picture from the front page of CNN (full story here), police officers, on bikes, are arresting people.

The Officers have their helmets and gloves on, setting a great example of safe riding for the youngsters out there. Not only that, one officer seems to be giving out free pepper spray as well.

Okay, so while it’s not really clear what party affiliation the officers actually have, it’s good too see some visual evidence of the usefulness of bikes in every day life.

David Zabriskie Makes It Three Straight At USA Cycling Pro Time Trial Champion

For the third year in a row, David Zabriskie proved his talents as the American super hero of time trials by winning this year's US Pro individual time trial. This will mark his fourth title as US national time trial champion with his first win coming in 2004.

Zabriskie who rides on the outstanding Garmin-Chipotle Pro Cycling Team remains the only athlete to win a USA Cycling professional time trial championship after successfully defending his national title on Saturday, Aug. 30th, 2008 - his third straight since the event’s inception in 2006 and his fourth overall

The ride marked a huge comeback for David who had only competed in two races since his back injury during stage 2 of the Giro d’Italia before today’s ride.

Zabriskie edged runner-up Tom Zirbel (Boulder, Colo./Bissell) by just five seconds to maintain his monopoly on the stars-and-stripes jersey, completing the 33.4-kilometer course in 40 minutes, 39.40 seconds. Zabriskie’s Garmin-Chipotle teammate, Christian Vande Velde (Boulder, Colo.), took home the bronze medal, finishing 10 seconds off the pace.

Fresh off a 12th-place finish in the time trial at the Olympic Games in Beijing, Zabriskie once again illustrated his reputation as the fastest American in the individual race against the clock. Remarkably, his 2008 title comes only three months after fracturing a vertebrae in a crash at the Giro d’Italia last May.

Rock Racing's Tyler Hamilton Wins U.S. National Title In Photo Finish.

Greenville, S.C. — Rock Racing’s “Fast Freddie” Rodriguez predicted it. Tyler Hamilton made it happen. But ultimately it took a photo to decide it.Hamilton edged Blake Caldwell (Garmin-Chipotle presented by H3O) by two-thousandths of a second Sunday at the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship.

The thrilling finish capped the 115-mile (185 km) race that earned the 37-year-old his first national title to go along with the Olympic gold medal he won at the individual time trial in Athens in 2004.
“This was all about redemption for Tyler,” Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball said. “Winning the most prestigious one-day race in the U.S. almost a year to the day after he pretty much retired was what this team is all about – giving guys second chances.” More...

Tricycle Lamn Mower

The Tricycle Lamn Mower design by ATYPYK.

Let your child busy on sundays. It is just concept now, a good idea! Let the youngsters use all that energy for something useful

Lance Armstrong confirms his comeback to cycling in 2009...

Through an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has confirmed that he will return to professional cycling in 2009 to compete in the Tour de France, As quoted from the interview:

I am happy to announce that after talking with my children, my family and my closest friends, I have decided to return to professional cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden. This year alone, nearly eight million people will die of cancer worldwide. Millions more will suffer in isolation, victims not only of the disease but of social stigma. After the passage of Proposition 15 in Texas, a $3 billion investment in the fight against cancer which is helping to make this disease part of the national dialogue in America, it is now time to address cancer on a global level.

Watch his video announcement HERE...

I really could not believe this news when I first heard it, but today's interview confirms that he will try for an eighth Tour title - at age 37.

Photos from Vanity Fair and Elizabeth Kreutz.

Di-Cycle: A Bike That Travels Over Land and Water

Right off the bat the Di-Cycle design is eye-catching. Imagine the looks you would get pedaling this down the road, smashing into cars and bumping old ladies off the sidewalk.

Now imagine the looks you would get when you turn sharply toward the neighborhood pool, ride in and mow down all of the swimmers flailing around in the water trying desperately to escape. Apparently that pleasant dream is possible with this bizarre looking contraption.

Unfortunately, you are going to have to rein in your bicycle blood lust for now. The Di-Cycle is only in the design phase at the moment.

Via Gizmodo.com

Cycling Quote of the Week...

I thought I might start passing along some great cycling quotes, so a this will be the first of what will be regular weekly posts that will do just that...

When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle. ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

7 time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong to return for '09 Tour?! Does he plan to make it 8?

Lance Armstrong will end his retirement and hopes to compete in the 2009 Tour de France, according to a Velonews cycling journal report.

The 36-year-old seven-time Tour de France champion will compete in five road races with the Astana team in 2009, the cycling journal VeloNews reported on its Web site Monday, citing anonymous sources.

Armstrong's manager Mark Higgins did not immediately respond to a voice mail left by The Associated Press.
The move would reunite Armstrong with Johan Bruyneel, now the team director for Astana.

VeloNews reported Armstrong also will compete in the Amgen Tour of California, Paris-Nice, the Tour de Georgia and the Dauphine-Libere.

The Astana team, however, was not allowed to compete in this year's Tour after Alexandre Vinokourov was kicked out of the 2007 Tour for testing positive and the team quit the race.

VeloNews, which said Vanity Fair will publish an extensive article detailing Armstrong's comeback, said the cyclist will race for no salary or bonuses and post his internally tested blood work online.

Sunday Streets: Thousands of San Franciscans Gather on the City's Busy Waterfront

Last Sunday (aug 31st, 2008) morning thousands of San Franciscans converged on a four and a half mile strip of waterfront roadway. No, they weren't protesting. Instead they were celebrating the first ever Sunday Streets, an initiative dreamed up by Mayor Gavin Newsom. The event closed a roadway running from Chinatown to Bayview, both areas of the city with minimal open space. Along the strip people stopped to hop in on a yoga class, learn salsa dancing, and even jump rope.

Via Treehungger.com

Trek's sweet new belt-driven bicycle...

Trek District

Designed for navigating the urban jungle, the Trek District ($930; November 2008) is a great way to get from your flat to your office. Sporting a super-quiet belt drive that requires no lubrication and doesn't wear out, an Alpha Black Aluminum frame, alloy cartridge bearing hubs and alloy rims, Race Lite tires and a Race seat from Bontrager, and Trek's Urban handlebars, the District is up to your daily commute — no matter what district you're in.

Via Uncrate

Say Goodbye to Bike Chains; Say Hello to Belt Drives

Via Gizmodo.com

Bikes with chains may be becoming an endangered species. Belt-driven bikes, which were introduced by boutique bike makers a couple of years ago, are just starting to hit the mainstream. Trek has introduced two new urban bikes for 2009 with belt drives rather than chains, and they look pretty sweet.

The benefit to a belt drive system over a chain and shifters system is that it won't stretch and break over time like a chain, weighs significantly less, stays clean (and keeps your cuffs clean) and is quiet. The downside? It's more expensive. The two bikes Trek has unveiled, the District and the Soho, will run you $930 and $990, respectively. But as with all new tech, the prices are always highest right when it starts hitting the mainstream. Look for bikes with belt drives to start coming from many more big bike companies for much less in the coming years. [Trek]