The bicycle has been around for what… 200 years or so, plus or minus a few depending on what you read? Basically the only thing that has
changed since its original conception is the addition of a propulsion system. It’s so simple; a couple wheels attached to a frame in a way that allows one wheel to steer the bike left or right and one that is connected to a drive train and makes the bike move. Such a simple concept that even a child can make it work and even after years of neglect, a long forgotten owner can throw a leg over it and make it come to life without a second thought. Yet every year, around this time, hundreds of retailers, builders, and inventors come together at INTERBIKE in Las Vegas to show the world they have a better mouse trap. Lance was not there this year but Eddy was there… do you remember Eddy Merckx? Lance Armstrong may have beaten Merckx’s five Tour de France wins but in no way could he claim to dominate the sport like “The Cannibal” did in the 1970′s. Few riders today race more than 100 days a year, Merckx averaged 140 races per year between 1969 and 1973.
The theme of the show is always the same — make bicycling more fun, more safe and more affordable……Ok, the affordable part could be argued – what can’t be argued, is the fact that the bicycle is here to stay and despite a shaky economy, it is rolling straight and true.
Simplicity seems to be the trend for the coming year with a big showing of single speeds and fixed gear bicycles at the show. Put one tick in the plus column for affordable. Tired of the chain marks on your leg or clothes? Belt drives look to be gaining ground and look very promising and worry free. My wife thinks I have enough bikes….But Retrotec showed off their three speed fixie (is that legal??) and if it came in a belt drive model, I might have some ‘splaining to do, as Ricky would say.
Clothing. I’m not talking kits, I’m talking ‘clothing to commute to work in’ or ‘ride to town in with shoes to match and actually walk around in instead of skate through the office on’ are also due to be a hit next year. But please keep some quarters around for a shower, just in case. If you are a bike commuter, you’ll also be happy to know there are plenty of racks, paniers and bags to carry anything from a surf board to a laptop to the office, maybe even for the same job.
And how can any bike expo be complete without a showing of the latest space age material molded into something that looks to hover over two wheels and doesn’t need pedals it looks so fast? Yes, there were plenty of those and they certainly deserve their just attention but they are not the only wonders of the expo.
The gadgets and gizmos like Pedros’ multi-tool skewer or King Cages’ top cap mounted bottle cage or even Camelbak’s water bladder in a jersey, are always fun to see. Shoot, I can never find my Allen wrenches on the work bench, I’d hate to lose my skewer too! Catching my eye and attention the most had to be the Bontrager rim clothes hanger. What a great way to recycle those worn out rims! Use them to hang up your worn out clothes/kits!
Don’t worry if you didn’t get to see the Expo in person, all these products will soon be at a local shop near you….OK, maybe not the clothes hanger!
Steve Lacey
Speaking of winning, did you happen to see the results of the 
Beyond the outpouring of support for Stuart, still more evidence that Fort Collins is a thriving bicycle community lies in the numbers we were able to post during our Bike to Work day — 5,175 participants, 25,463 miles ridden, 1669 work sites, 28 breakfast stations……wait, 28 breakfast stations?? If that doesn’t show community support for bicycling, I don’t know what does! Some of the businesses receiving top honors were REI, The Neenan Company, and you guessed it the New Belgium Brewing Company. The Neenan Company had a whopping 97% participation – way to go Neenan! 
Finally, a safety reminder — report any close calls while riding your bike in Fort Collins due to a road hazard or motor vehicle at the following site– 
Wow! What a start to this year’s 
How can Fort Collins compete with such a race? 
It’s official; the training season has officially begun. Whether you’re getting ready for your first race, your first organized ride or your first 50 – 100 mile ride, following a training program can make your end goal seem like a walk in the park. The phrase “work smarter, not harder” may not have been coined on a bike seat, but it certainly should be stamped on one. If you’re like me, you ride your bike because you like to ride your bike; racing and other milestone rides are bonuses. But these days time is money, so spending quality time on your bike is a must while working towards your goal, even if it means staying off your bike. WHAT? Stay off your bike to be more proficient on your bike? That’s right! Countless hours on the bike can actually do more harm than good. Following a training program helps you think about the rest needed to repair and build muscles damaged by training. It also helps you make the best use of your time.
generic training plans for most riders and rides like 
So,
o check this guy out. While his team made some calls, Lance thought he might freshen up a bit and hopped into the shower. If you don’t know, that is a big NO NO in the world of drug testing. You must not leave the sight of the tester after the request for a sample has been made and certainly not to go take a shower, especially in Europe. Just kidding Yann! Since announcing his return to cycling Lance has been tested 24 times each without incident, or is it indecent exposure? This little slip may be just what the Tour De France race organizers need to keep Lance from becoming an eight time Tour winner or even help Levi or Alberto win the Tour for Team Astana. By the way, Lance was in our own back yard recently, in Steamboat, and gave a video update of his recovery and his brush with the AFLD. Sounds like the training is going well and we’ll be able to see him in the Tour of Italy or Tour de Italia May 9 – 31
