BikeRumor.com

Yessss.

Washington DC has become the first US city to roll out a comprehensive bike-sharing program.  Subscribers simply swipe a card to borrow a bike.  The program costs only $40 annually and is targeted to residents and commuters, not tourists, with most racks near bus and rail stops.  An online map shows rack locations, available bikes and the number of empty slots for returns.

SmartBike, as the program is called, is part of a 20-year deal between DC and ClearChannel (perhaps the mega-corp isn’t all bad after all…now if only they could improve their music selections) that requires the company to renovate city bus shelters and implement and maintain the bike sharing program.  In exchange, ClearChannel gets advertising space in the shelters.  For now, all bike sharing revenues go to the city.

SmartBike riders must be at least 18 and are limited to three hour joyrides, but a second bike can be checked out as soon as the first one is returned.  The program is modeled on Paris’ “Velib” program, which started in 2007 and already has 16,000 bikes and 200,000 subscribers.  DC is starting with 100 bikes, but hopefully it’ll expand quickly, and to other cities.  Full story from LA Times here.

26 West Mountain Bike Park kicks it off (officially) with a Grand Opening this Saturday, August 23.  From their website:

“The Southeast’s only lift-assisted Mountain Bike Park! Only 25 miles north ofAsheville, NC, 26 West Mountain Bike Park is located just off Interstate 26 West at Breakaway Village in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Trails are designed for everyone from beginner, intermediate to expert. Hardtail, short and long-travel dual suspension bike rentals and lessons are available onsite.  Bring your bike or rent ours, either way you’ll enjoy a day of quick chair-lift rides to the top for a day full of descending!”

Read more for helmet-cam trail footage and park hours, etc.

(more…)

The Fool’s Gold 100 (and 50) went off perfectly in Dahlonega, GA, this past weekend.  Shown above is the start of the 50 miler, which had close to 200 participants.  Total participation jumped from 120 last year to 300.  Those numbers, combined with the plethora of flyers for other ultra-endurance events stuck on our windshield is proof that riders continue to shift toward longer distance races.  If the Fool’s Gold is indicative of these events, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular:  Kegs, live music, lots of activities, on-site industry support…oh, and some great riding. Not to mention, we totally lucked out with cool weather for the whole day!

More pics and recap after the break…

(more…)

Nike has repurposed an old-school amphibious truck to promote its 6.0 skate shoes…but since it has some BMX stuff, we’ll post it.  It’s got a skate ramp at the back and rails along the sides to grind on, as well as its own wakeboard water tower and racks for BMX bicycles and surfboards. After riding, there’s a barbecue grill, sleep-in camper shell, sound sound systems and more.

Check out more pics when you read more…

(more…)

Not much needs to be said…just watch.

If you want to see more pics, check out the Loqu blog.

Registration is open for the Swank 65 on Active.com.  The race is a 65k (42 mile) romp through the Pisgah National Forest on a combo of mining roads, singletrack, monster climbs and “hell raising” descents.

Todd Branham, race promoter, also puts on the ORAMM (Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell) every year.  I’ve participated in that event once and will say that it was well organized with great post-race burritos and drinks.  Get more info on this event here.

According to this post on AutoBlogGreen, US sales of electric bikes almost doubled to reach 10,000 in 2007. Amazon.com is reporting a whopping 6,000 percent increase this summer from a year ago.

Quoted from their post: “In Europe, where bicycle culture has traditionally been pretty strong, demand for battery-powered rides is also on the rise. France matched America’s pace in 2007 with 10,000. And while sales in Germany reached 60,000 last year, they expect to double that number this year. As you might imagine, the Netherlands had no problem representin’ with 89,000 in 2007 and will likely reach 121,000 by the end of this year.”

More bikes…yes, that’s good.  But what’s particularly encouraging about this article is that it’s posted on an Automobile blog site!

Dreams on Wheels, the Danish bicycle exposition had some cool bikes in a show “motivated by how a ‘cyclocentric’ approach to urban development can stimulate sustainable civic behaviour, the exhibition promotes cycling in a broader cultural context.”

Check out this cool chainless “shaft drive” bike and other pics (like a three-seater) at Barista’s blog, or visit the official Dreams on Wheels website.

Download a free full version of Dave Mirra 2: Freestyle BMX for XBOX at Total Gamers Downloads.

We haven’t tried it, we don’t know if it’s legal, but if you want to give it a whirl, you can compete as your own character or ride one of the pros.  You can even choose your own sponsors, design your parks and race in a variety of challenges.  Your mission?  Unseat Mirra as the king of the ramps (or streets, or where ever else you ride in the game).

Nike has launched four styles of the Dunk BMX shoes to coincide with the introduction of BMX as an Olympic sport.  They retail for about $100.  The blue/white/black with red laces design is the artwork of none other than BMX pioneer (legend, superstar…take your pick) Bob Haro.

The laces are a kevlar composite with metal eyelets for durability, and lace pockets and velcro ankle strap keep everything in place.  All are SPD compatible.  Available now at the NIKE store.

Now that you’re commuting to work like everyone else (yay!), you need to protect your quick release goodies from evil-doers.

Pinhead Components has just the stuff for you. Using one key, you can protect your wheels, seat and even your fork and stem. It’s actually a pretty ingenious system, and you can register your key so you’ll get a replacement if you ever lose your original. Click on the pic for a larger image.

CyclingNews.com just wrapped up a test of Northwave’s top-of-the-line Aerlite S.B.S. road shoes, which feature a new, full-carbon sole (versus the previous carbon/titanium), massive ventilation efforts and a wooden arch support.  The Aerlite S.B.S. comes with their Anatomic Pro footbed, which is a thermoformed and bonded wooden insole that supposedly helps with heat regulation (wood doesn’t really hold/conduct heat…unless it’s burning, I suppose) and via holes and air channels that work in concert with the vents in front of and behind the cleat mounts.

Additionally, the insoles have a special “island” area, as Northwave calls it, that is supposed to dampen vibration before it reaches your feet.  Besides looking cool, the massive side mesh areas help vent heat and perspiration so that they actually are cool.  MSRP is around $320, but street price is $199 to $259.

The Pacific Coast Triathlon to happen in July 2009, despite a Newport Beach City Council policy that doesn’t allow such events between Memorial Day and Labor Day for fear of excessive traffic congestion.

The event is intended by USAT to be a national qualifying event for triathletes attempting to compete at the world championships in Australia later in 2009, but the championship’s date shift from November to September made a special exception necessary.  Fortunately for those looking to qualify, tourism economics beats potential traffic jams.  Hey, the road’s will be closed for the race anyway, so what’s the big deal?

Ironman will adopt the “age up” rule starting in 2009 to establish consistency among Ironman events worldwide, according to Ironman officials.

Starting in 2009, the Ford Ironman World Championship and all qualifying events will implement both the International Triathlon Federation and USA Triathlon’s Age Group Competition rule, which states that “All age group athletes must participate and compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31 of the year of the event.”

“We are adopting the rule to provide consistency internationally,” says Ben Fertic, the president of Ironman. “Our adoption of the ITU’s “Age Up” rule will establish a common thread and consistency among Ironman events around the globe.”

The adoption of the rule will also ensure that athletes will compete in the same age category throughout any given race year.