Your biological passport please

Here is a link to an explanation of the biological passport system; just in time for the grand tour season.

From the article:
"The passport program may,or may not,be the be-all-end-all means by which the sport can monitor and control doping in the peloton,but it's surely one of the most effective tools available."

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/05/explainer/your-passport-please_114527
(copy & paste above URL into browser to see article)

TOSRV

Most of the A-Team heads off to Havana, GA this Friday for back-to-back century rides on Saturday and Sunday or as the ride is known -TOSRV

The past two years the ride departed from this double century format and because of that change ridership has plummeted. Now reverting back to the old format it looks like just over 200, not counting walk ups, will participate this weekend. The good news is that the weather will be spectacular with sunny skies and highs in the low 80's.

Ride on A-Team!

Cycling Photos

Love Graham Watson's stuff - check out his work form Milan-San Remo

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/03/photos/graham-watson-the-101st-edition-of-milan-san-remo_108696

Milan-San Remo...going to the dogs

Check out this video from MSR...

http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.740986

A-Teamers getting into full swing (ride)

The A-Team Jacksonville was seen spinning it up this weekend on the roads of North/Central Florida. Saturday’s Velo Brew B ride witnessed 80% of the A-Teamers working on their cycling conditioning preparing for the rapidly advancing double century – TOSRV in April. The highlight of the ride was the A-Teamers improvising the route to take advantage of a rest stop at Starbucks. Four grown men in spandex and cycling cleats sipping espresso provided the Starbucks onlookers with plenty of entertainment.

Sunday, a glorious sunny crisp day, I rode the “hills” of Clermont, Fl spinning up all the central Florida classics including Buckhill, Citrus Hill and good ole Sugarloaf. Clermont is an A-Team favorite destination – all I can say about the ride is “love those wheels!”

Not certain where the rest of the team rode on Sunday, probably the WGV for most and I’m guessing Mr. Sluder was participating in some single track action?

Other Pro cycling news - Levi Leipheimer took 3^rd in the Paris-Nice prologue last night – Holly was excited.  Upon doing some research on Levi’s Gran Fondo in October, Holly realized Levi will be riding with us, sort of, during the Gran Fondo.

Cycling – one of the planet’s greatest sports

Ride Safe!

Tour of New York

Pro cycling adds another multi-stage race...

TOUR OF NEW YORK SET FOR 6 DAYS OF RACING

Interview with Christian Vande Velde

Nice interview with Christian Vande Velde - hope he stays healthy this year and makes the podium at the TDF

http://tinyurl.com/ya28yb4

LeMond and Trek reach an accord

Sadly, it doesn't increase the value of used LeMond bikes in the marketplace.

http://redkiteprayer.com/?p=1783

Velo Brew Jacksonville

Velo Brew is one of the Florida cycling Teams profiled in Florida Racing Magazine - check it out

Contador says he's better

Alberto Contador told a Spanish newspaper that he hadn't reached his peak implying he will be better,  Bruyneel says Lance is stronger...this July should be a great TDF as these two settle it on the road. Look for Lance to try & shove Contador in a ditch during the TDF.

Contador says he's better

Tour Down Under

Andre' Greipel takes the overall win - Hincapie was 15th. Well done mate!

How they roll

Way cool video from Northern California training ride.

The Shack

Team Radio Shack's Web page is now officially up and running.

Relief for Haiti

A fellow cycling icon, Lance Armstrong, once said "it's not all about the bike." 

Click on this link for ways to send relief to Haiti earthquake victims

Levi's Gran Fondo

VeloNews video with Levi describing the Gran Fondo...9,000 feet of climbing

2010 Versus TV Schedule for Cycling

Versus 2010 TV Cycling Schedule

Peter's next wheelset

Here is a cool review by Serotta Forum regular Charles Manantan on the newest offering from American Classic.

Testing

This is a test of the Twitter feed.

Now back to your regularly scheduled time-wasting.

The Tour trip, then and now

How time flies.

When I went in 2003, the cost of the 10-day Paris-to-Marseilles trip was about $3K with Custom Getaways. Now, because it is the "official U.S. Tour travel company," the cost for the 10-day trip is ... $9K. (Of course, they are probably staying in better hotels and have helicopter transfers.)

But here's the thing: Those people who shell out the $9K won't have as much fun as we did.

Florida Racing Magazine

The latest issue of Florida Racing Magazine is on line.

Inside check out Gourmet Travel for TourDe France tour packages - I like the Alps venture, climb Apl Duez and there is the tour "from Pyrenees to Paris" - climb Tourmalet!

Check out the ad for Tour of Bahamas - sounds warm, I'm all for warm.

If you ride with your wife, don't miss the article "riding with your wife, universal truths." (Applies to your girlfriend, boyfriend, etc)

PK