From Time: 'The appeal of cycling is most
pronounced among the youngest baby boomers (ages 45 to 54), who are
also tackling other vigorous leisure activities including hiking and
running marathons. Such pursuits embody the active later lifestyle that
much of the boomer generation has come to adopt, and which has been
embraced as the ad media's new image of older Americans at leisure.
Certainly, semi-seniors wake up the morning after a vigorous outing
with more aches and pains than they had in their 20s, but the physical
benefits exceed the cost. Regular exercise lowers cholesterol and blood
pressure, keeps weight down and improves mental outlook. This is all
good news.' More
French mountain biker Julien Absalon has been named Cyclist of the Year (2007) by the editors of VeloNews. The cross-country specialist and 2004 Olympic MTB gold medallist "took his second consecutive World Cup title in 2007, winning four of six races" and "also won his fourth-straight world championship, and in doing so bested Henk Djernis' record of three rainbow jerseys". More
Roberto Heras has apparently had enough of pro cycling after serving out a two-year ban for doping. The three-time Spanish Vuelta champion reportedly received team offers but saw no point in signing up as he cannot race with a ProTour team for another two years. More
From The Wall Street Journal: 'Some members of
Congress come to Washington and get in
the fast lane. The 59-year-old Mr. Blumenauer came to Washington and
got in the bike lane. Few members of Congress care more than he does
about cranks and sprockets. Mr. Blumenauer's "obsession with bicycling
borders on the interesting," sniffed TV satirist Stephen Colbert.
"Bikeman," a House colleague from Oregon calls him.
Mr. Blumenauer owns seven bikes. His congressional office is one of the
few -- if not the only one -- that didn't even apply for a parking
permit. On occasion, Mr. Blumenauer has cycled to the White House. On
Mr. Blumenauer's first visit, the Secret Service, more accustomed to
limousines, was flummoxed at the sight of his bike.' More
/ 2008
Trek Portland
The Tomac Carbide XC1 gets high points from the BikeRadar.com team for its "taut, punchy drive and surgical on-trail precision (which) creates exactly the ride character Johnny T made famous". More
