Cyclist Wouter Weylandt Dies In Crash At Giro

By now, many of you have no doubt heard the word that Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt died in a crash at the Giro d'italia yesterday. He was just 26 years old and leaves behind a wife who is pregnant with their first child.

Race officials say that the accident occurred while Weylandt was racing down the Bocco mountain pass at about 72 km/h (45 mph). Apparently his pedal became stuck in a wall that lined the side of the road, sending him hurdling 20 meters to the ground below. The crash left him unconscious and bleeding, while paramedics struggled to assist him on the scene. He was later transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later declared dead.

This is the first time that a rider has died in the 25-year history of the Giro. The tragedy comes on the third stage of the cycling classic, the same stage that Weylandt won last year. The race continues today despite the accident, and Weylandt's teammates on Team Leopard-Trek have elected to continue racing. The riders in the peloton have donned black armbands in remembrance of their fallen comrade as well. The start of todays stage was also neutralized, with all teams riding together for 10km out of respect for the Belgian.

I saw this news later yesterday, but didn't have a chance to report on it until this morning. It is a sad day for fans of cycling and I want to send on my sincere condolences to Wouter's friends and family in their time of grief.

Outside's Cycling Issue 2011

Just in time for the warmer weather of spring, Outside Magazine has released the 2011 edition of their Cycling Issue, which takes a look at the hot new trends in bikes and gear for both on the road and on the trail. And if you're in the market for a new bike, they even off up some great suggestions on what to look for when you head to your favorite bike shop.

Amongst the online articles for this year's Cycling Issue are separate articles on the best new Road, Mountain, and Commuter bikes for 2011. These three articles offer up some very drool worthy rides, to say the least, but they don't come cheap. Outside's road bikes started at $2460 and the mountain bike selections began at $1500. Those prices don't sound like a lot for hardcore riders, but I think the "Cycling Issue" could have used some affordable suggestions for beginners and weekend warriors who don't want to drop a couple of paychecks on a bike they'll every few weeks.

That said, if you are a cyclist who finds riding is just part of your life, you'll be in heaven as you gaze longingly at some of the bikes on display. This is pure bike porn, and each of the mini-reviews that accompany the selections will have you wondering how soon you can upgrade your current ride for something new.

On a personal note, I've been doing a lot of riding myself the past week or so. I've got a bit of a foot injury that is keeping me from running at the moment, so I'm working out on the bike instead. Last week I had four hour-long rides on my road bike and over the weekend I hit the trail on my mountain bike. While I miss the running, at least for now, I'm having a blast battling the Texas winds on two wheels.

Adventurers Complete 1400-mile Tandem Bike Ride From Vancouver to Vegas

Adventurers Dave Cornthwaite and Sebastian Terry, 29 completed a 1400-mile cycling journey this past weekend when they reached Las Vegas on Saturday. The journey began two weeks ago, when the pair set out from Vancouver peddling a tandem bike for roughly 100-miles per day.

For Cornthwaite, this was another leg of his Expedition1000 Adventure Project during which he is traveling the world, making 25 separate journeys of 1000 miles or more, using a non-motorized mode of transportation. He has already completed a 3621 mile journey by skateboard across Australia and another 1540 mile expedition by kayak. The trip was another adventurous experience for Terry as well, who has spent the last two years circling the globe and checking off items from his 100 Things list.

The motivation for this bike ride came when the two men were both invited to take part in a conference on adventurous motivations that was taking place in Vegas. Rather than simply hopping a flight to the city however, they decided to make the trip a bit more interesting and challenging. Neither of the two men had ever ridden a tandem bike before they set out on this journey. 

Through their efforts, Dave and Terry are also hoping to raise as much as $1.5 million for the cancer charities of Camp Quality and CoppaFeel, as well as the African aid organisation, AV Foundation.

Next up for Dave? A 2400-mile journey down the length of the Mississippi River on a stand-up paddle board. If successful, that will set a world's record as well. 

Pole2Pole Update: Heading South And Fighting Frostbite

Last week I posted a story about the launch of the Pole2Pole expedition which will see Swedish explorer Johan Ernst Nilson travel from the North to the South Pole in 12 months time. When I wrote that introductory article I was only able to link out to PR sites from expedition sponsor Audi, but now I have the full website where we can follow Nilson's progress online.

The year-long journey officially got underway last Tuesday, with Nilson setting off from the North Pole. During this first leg of the journey, he's attempting to kite-ski to Greenland, but according to updates to his blog, things have not been easy thus far. The ice walls that are common in the arctic do not make it easy to use the kites, and dragging the 110 kilo (242 pound) sleds has made for slow going thus far. The Swede has already broken (and repaired!) one of his skis, but is also suffering from frostbite on all ten fingers, although that seems to be a holdover from previous polar expeditions.

Still, Nilson seems determined to forge ahead with his expedition, and upon reaching Greenland he'll transition to dogsleds for a brief run to the northwest coast. From there, he'll sail across the Atlantic to Canada where he'll begin a long bike ride south to Patagonia, eventually reaching Tierra del Fuego. After that, it's back in the sailboat for a jaunt across the Southern Ocean, and then one final leg by kite-ski to the South Pole. When he's done, he'll have traveled more than 28,000km (17,000 miles) in a completely carbon neutral fashion without using any fossil fuels.

Be sure to follow along with Johan's progress on his website and check out the video below for more i

nformation on what he's up to and the polar history that he is paying homage to.

Gear Box: Solite 150 Headlamp

Back in January, when the Winter Outdoor Retailer show was taking place, there was a lot of buzz about a new headlamp from a company called Light & Motion. The headlamp is called the Solite 150, and all of the early previews and reviews raved about what a great product it was, but all I could think was "For $150, it better be a damn good headlamp!" Recently, I got my hands on a unit so I could see first hand if it was worth the hype – and the money!

The first thing I noticed when I took the Solite out of the box was that it certainly lives up to its name. It is indeed very light, weighing in at just 150 grams or about 5.3 ounces. The second thing I noticed when I turned on the light was just how bright it is. At the highest of the three settings, the Solite cranks out 150 lumens, which is very bright in the dark. At that setting, the included rechargeable battery pack is only rated for three hours, so you may want to crank it down to the medium or low settings which offer 75 and 33 lumens respectively. Both were more than adequate for casual around camp and night trail hiking.

Where the highest setting does come in handy however is when riding your bike. Those 150 lumens make it easier to see further down the road, which is useful when traveling at higher speeds, and it ensure that other vehicles will see you as well. The Solite comes with a great, easy to use quick mount for your handlebars, keeping the light locked in place when out for a ride. It is a nice touch that the Solite comes with both a headband and handlebar holder, making it all the more useful For your $150, you're going to want to use it as often as you can.

The Solite does have one issue, and that is its rechargeable batteries.  While they are rated for 40 hours of life on their lowest setting, and my tests seem to bear that out, on an extended trip you'll want some way to charge them, and there is no way to use standard batteries. The light charges via USB, which means you'll have to get creative on how you want to charge while in the backcountry. You could take your laptop with you of course, but that's generally more weight than you'll want to carry, and laptops have their own battery issues. Fortunately for me, I have a Solio Classic solar charger, which collects and stores energy from the sun just for recharging these kinds of devices. It worked well with the Solite, although it did take awhile to charge it up fully. I realize that not everyone has that kind of gear at their disposal, and for them I'd recommend a headlamp from another manufacturer that uses standard batteries. Chances are, you'll find one for less money as well.

On the other hand, if you really demand performance out of your gear, and you're always looking to shave weight off your pack, the Solite is a great choice, even for $150. I also have a feeling that this headlamp will prove very popular with the adventure racing crowd. It is durable, bright, and versatile. Something that the AR crowd is always looking for in their gear.

So? Is it worth the $150 price tag? For the casual hiker/backpacker, I'd say no, there are cheaper alternatives that get the job done for them. But for those that need a little something more than "getting the job done," this is a great piece of kit that will definitely prove itself useful in a wide variety of situations.

Unfortunately for me, I have a penchant for leaving my headlamp in some distant country while I travel. Leaving my Solite behind would hurt. A lot!


MSRP: $150

Pole2Pole Expedition: 12 Month Journey From North to South Pole Begins Today!

Swedish explorer Johan Ernst Nilson is about to embark on an epic and ambitious expedition that will see him travel from the North to the South Pole in under 12 months. If that wasn't challenging enough, he'll also be doing it in a carbon neutral manner, making the entire journey without the use of fossil fuels.

The projected is called the Pole2Pole Expedition and it is being sponsored by Audi. The journey officially gets underway today, with Nilson being dropped off at the North Pole, where he'll make the first stage of the journey on skis, heading south to Greenland. Once there, he'll begin the second stage of his journey, which will take him to Thule Airbase, located on the northwest side of the country. He'll make that trip by dogsled. The third stage of the expedition will be an aquatic one, as Nilson will then board a sailboat and cross the Northern Atlantic to Ottawa, Canada. Once there, he'll embark on the longest leg of the trip, during which he'll make his way from Canada to Patagonia on a bicycle. After that, it's back in the sailboat for a quick crossing of the Drake Passage, arriving in Antarctica late in the year, where he'll start the final leg of the journey, kite-sledding to the South Pole.

If all goes as planned, it'll take Nilson less than 12-months to complete the expedition, but it certainly won't be easy. He may be cutting it close on the far end, as we all know that the Antarctic season is quite treacherous after mid-January or so. But that is probably getting well ahead of ourselves, for the moment, he should be concerned with just getting out of the Arctic in one piece.

For their part, Audi is taking an active role in their sponsorship of the expedition. They've helped Nilson design a lightweight, yet durable, sled that he'll be puling behind him in both of the polar regions, and their vehicles are being used by a support team and documentary film crew that are following the explorer on his journey. Nilson will also be stopping at various Audi dealerships along the way to help cover that all important sponsorship.

In order to arrive at the South Pole by April 6, 2012, Nilson is going to have to average roughly 62 miles per day. Obviously that's not out of the question on a bike or kite-skiing, and certainly not in a sailboat. Skiing from the North Pole to Greenland will be the biggest challenge, which he may be finding out at this very moment.

It should be fun to follow along on this expedition. Stay tuned for updates.

Sarah Outen Launches London2London Expedition

Back in December I posted a story about ocean rower Sarah Outen's plans to circumnavigate the globe under her own power. Sarah, who had successfully rowed solo across the Indian Ocean in 2009, had made it known that she would be riding her bike and paddling her way around the planet, an ambitious endeavor to say the least. Last Friday, she kicked off that journey, setting out on what she calls her London2London via The World expedition.

Sarah started this latest adventure by paddling under the London Tower Bridge, which serves as both the starting and finish line. From there, she's now traveling by kayak down the Thames River and then across the English Channel, where she'll get out of the water and hop on her bike. Over the course of the rest of this year, she'll be pedaling across Europe and Asia, where she'll eventually reach the Pacific Ocean. When she does, she'll get back into a boat and row her way across the Northern Pacific to Vancouver. That stage will be followed up with another leg on her bike, which will take her across the U.S. and Canada, eventually ending in New York City, where she'll get in her boat one last time, and row across the Northern Atlantic. If all goes according to plan, she'll be paddling back under the London Tower Bridge sometime in 2013.

It has been an eventful first couple of days for Sarah, mostly due to the media attention surrounding her launch. Examining her expedition tracker however, shows that she has completed the first paddling leg this morning, and has successfully crossed the Channel. She'll now be climbing aboard her bike for the first really long and difficult stage of the trip. It'll be several weeks before she's out of Europe, and once she leaves those friendly confines behind, the real challenges will begin.

You can follow Sarah's progress on her blog, and if you read her updates from the Indian Ocean a few years back, you no doubt recall how interesting her reports can be. I'm sure these updates will be no exception, and I look forward to keeping track of how many Mars bars she consumes along the way. They're her favorite source of fuel on these calorie burning adventures that she keeps finding herself on.

I'll posted updates as Sarah makes progress on what is sure to be a long, yet amazing journey.

8 Month Long, 6 Continent, Cycling Tour Annouced

Are you anticipating a little time off from work in the semi-near future? If so, you may want to sign up for the latest cycling tour announced by Pedalers Pub and Grille, an adventure travel company that specializes in cycling adventures all over the planet. In celebration of their 25th anniversary, the company has announced an epic ride that also comes with an epic price tag.

Dubbed the Once In A Lifetime Tour, this new option will send 30 lucky travelers off on an eight month long journey that will cross six continents and nearly 30 countries. The tour will kick-off in June of 2012 with a shakedown cruise in Vermont that will allow riders to get to know one another and get use to the rigors of the ride. From there, it's off to Europe, where they'll take a spin through France, Austria, Italy, and a number of other great cycling destinations. In the weeks that follow, the group will ride through parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America, experiencing some great destinations along the way.

The tour won't come cheap though. If you want to join the fun, you'll need to plunk down $95,000, which includes all of your transportation costs, accommodations, most meals, guides on the trip, and a custom built bike. While nearly $100k for a vacation is a lot of money, you really are getting a lot for what you pay.

For more information on the trip, including a complete list of countries, click here, and for a detailed look at the itinerary, click here.

Specialized and McLaren Introduce Hot New Bike, I Drool Uncontrollably!

Yesterday Specialized and McLaren introduced a new bike that they say is the lightest, fastest, and most aerodynamic road machine ever built. It also happens to be the kind of bike that looks great as well, with speed written all over it.

Constructed from carbon fiber, and designed to take on the winds of the open road, the new Specialized Venge has a carbon fiber frame that weighs in at just 950 grams, or just a shade over 2 pounds. It's origins date back to a rejected design from 2009, which saw the bike company asking the car company, McLaren, to help them improve the design. The results are an 8% increase in speed and better resistance to drag not just from headwinds but also a cross wind as well. Something road cyclists struggle with on a regular basis.

The new bike is already being ridden by a few riders in a race this weekend, and it will be used by Alberto Contador and Mark Cavendish this season. It comes in two models, the S-Works Vernge, which will set you back $4000 for the frame alone, with a ridable version starting at $8700, and the McLaren Venge which starts at $8000 for the frame and will go as high as $15,000 for a complete package.

To find out more about this impressive looking bike, check out this story at The Adventure Journal and the Official Venge page as well.

I want one!

Gear Box: Cycling Gear From Icebreaker

Ahh... spring time. When the flowers are in bloom, the sun begins to warm the earth, and a young man's heart turns to the open road. We may yet be a few days from the first official day of spring, but where I live it is already starting to get warm. And now that we're back to longer days once again, I find my road bike is frequently calling my name, and the urge to pedal has overcome me once again. Fortunately, I have some stylish new gear to hit the road in this spring thanks to a new line of cycling gear from Icebreaker.

For those not familiar with Icebreaker, they're an apparel company that makes incredibly comfortable and good looking clothing for a variety of outdoor pursuits. That gear is made from merino wool, which is light, breathable, natural, and oh-so nice to wear. Last year, at the Summer Outdoor Retailer show, Icebreaker announced that they were getting into the cycling market, with a line of gear for both road and mountain bikers. I had been looking forward to trying out the gear ever since.

Awhile back, Icebreaker was kind enough to send me one of their Circuit Jerseys and a pair of Cadence Shorts to take for a spin. They were also generous enough to share a woman's Rhythm Jersey and a pair of Halo Shorts for my riding partner. The first thing we both noticed about the gear was how stylish and well designed they were. Now, I'm not generally all that fashionable, on or off the bike, but my partner has a sense of style all her own, and what ever she wears has to look good. The Icebreaker designs not only met, but exceeded her high expectations. She was delighted with the way the jersey looked, and was very happy with the shorts as well. Me, I just want it to be functional and comfortable. Needless to say, I was more than satisfied as well.

As you would expect, both the Circuit and Rhythm Jerseys are form fitting to help limit drag and resistance out on the road. They're made of a combination of Icebreaker's patented merino wool and Lycra, which helps them to be more breathable and to dry faster as well. In both regards, I was impressed with the performance of the jersey, as they wick moisture away from the body and keep you dry while riding. They're also just as comfortable when you stop riding, and the quick drying times make them easy to wear while while off the bike as well.

I also appreciated the large cargo pockets on the back of the Circuit Jersey as well. While I keep my water bottles in frame-mounted cages on my bike, those pockets are great for storing an energy bar and a cell phone. The zippered rear pocket is also much appreciated, as it is a great place to keep your keys, wallet, or other items you don't want to lose. One thing is clear, Icebreaker put a lot of thought into the design elements of their cycling gear.

Of course, every cyclist knows that while a jersey is important to your comfort out on the road, and it doesn't hurt that it looks good too, it is your riding shorts that make all the difference in the enjoyment of your ride. Much like their jerseys, the Icebreaker cycling shorts don't disappoint either, with plenty of comfort as well. Like all cycling shorts, the Cadence are very form fitting, and yet they are not at all restrictive to your movement. They come with a built in chamois pad that is large and super-comfy. In fact, I have to say that these just might be the most comfortable cycling shorts I've ever worn, and they're perfect for those first few rides of the year. You know, the ones that leave you a little more saddle-sore while you get back into cycling shape.

After spending a few days on the road with this gear, it is clear that Icebreaker really does have a hit on their hands. Both the shorts and jerseys that my riding partner and I test were incredibly comfortable, especially in the cooler (and windier!) temps of the early part of the year. The GT Bike line of gear definitely gets an enthusiastic thumbs up from both of us, and we're now looking forward to trying out Icebreaker's mountain bike line as well. This is a very impressive entry into the cycling market, and a welcome one to be sure. If you're looking for some great spring cycling gear, then look no further than the Icebreaker line. I think you'll be as impressed as I am. Excellent gear for your long rides.

MSRP: Circuit Jersey $140; Rhythm Jersey $130; Cadence and Halo Shorts $160

Check out other Icebreaker gear at TravelCountry.com

Crazy Downhill Urban Bike Race Caught On Helmet Cam

One of my compatriots over at Gadling posted this video yesterday and I just hat to share it here too. It shows an insane downhill bike race held in Chile each year. Known as the The Valparaiso Cerro Abajo Race, it run through the streets of Valparaiso and incorporates jumps, ramps, sidewalks, and much more.

The whole thing is caught on helmet cam, which only adds to the craziness, as people cheer the rider on all the way to the end. My favorite moment? When the dog walks out right in front of the rider. Don't worry, the pooch is fine, but it had to be pretty scary to see a German Shepard become part of the course! Wow!



VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo.

Doping Charges Against Contador Dropped, He's Free To Race

In other cycling news, doping charges against Alberto Contador have been dropped and he is now free to race in the Tour of Algarve which began today. His one year ban from the sport is lifted and he'll continue to be regarded as the 2010 Tour de France winner as well.

As you no doubt recall, Contador tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol while riding in the the Tour last year. He claimed that he picked up the trace amounts from eating tainted meat. The drug is sometimes used, illegally, in bulking up cattle before they are sold to stock houses. The meat in question was brought to France, from Spain, by a team chef on one of the rest days last year. 

The Royal Spanish Cycling Federation investigated the positive test and issued the ban a few weeks back, allowing Contador time to respond to the ruling and present evidence of his innocence. At the time of the initial ban, the RSCF said they felt that Contador might indeed have taken the substance accidentally, but they had to ban him none the less. It is unclear if the rider presented such evidence or if the RSCF simply elected to reverse their decision. 

Contador isn't completely out of the woods yet, as the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the World Anti-Doping Agency could still challenge the decision. The UCI says they'll take up to 30 days to review the case and ask for a ban on an appeal.

For his part, Contador has always maintained his innocence and says he is relieved to have this all behind him so he can get on with racing. But fans of the sport aren't necessarily in his corner. According to this story at VeloNews, while Alberto is getting plenty of support in his home country of Spain, officials in other countries are dismayed by the ruling, calling in unprecedented and wondering as to the cause of the sudden change in direction. Speculation is that there was pressure on the RSCF to change their ruling to protect a popular athlete in their country and that Contador received special treatment for what would otherwise have meant an automatic ban from the sport.

Something tells me we haven't heard the last of this, but for now, Contador will ride. 

Lance Armstrong Retires - Again!

Lance Armstrong has moved on to what he calls Retirement 2.0, officially announcing that he is stepping away from competitive cycling, this time for good. Armstrong road in his final race last month when he raced in the Tour Down Under, held annually in Australia. He finished 65th in his last hurray on the bike.

The rider's legacy is of course well known. He battled back from cancer to not only ride again, but win an unprecedented seven straight Tour de France titles before going into retirement 1.0 back in 2005. In 2009 he came back out of retirement and has ridden well in a number of events, including Le Tour, but has never been as competitive as he was back in his prime. His career was also dogged by allegations of performance enhancing drug use, and although he has been tested hundreds of times, he has never tested positive for anything.

The announcement of his second retirement comes as no surprise. We always knew that Lance was committed to ride in the Tour Down Under again this year, but he also has said that he is finished with the Tour de France as well. It was just a matter of time before he made it official once again. He'll now go on to focus on his Livestrong charitable foundation and other business ventures, while also preparing to face a possible Grand Jury investigating his use performance enhancing drugs while riding competitively.

Lance has always been a great ambassador for the sport, especially here in the U.S. where the majority of sports fans don't care about cycling when he isn't riding. Ratings numbers for the Tour de France with, and without him, have shown this to be true. Hopefully the general public will get past that and support a sport that has fantastic athletes and plenty of high drama, even when Lance isn't riding.

Contador Maintains Innocence, Says He'll Fight Suspension

Yesterday I wrote a piece about Alberto Contador's being stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title and his  suspension from competitive cycling for one year. In that story I wrote that Contador would be holding a press conference today and that he had ten days to provide any evidence that could possibly impact the ruling on his ability to compete. In typical Contador fashion, at that press conference he wasn't silent on the matter and has vowed to fight the suspension.

The whole controversy started in August when one of Contador's doping control samples tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned substance that can be used for muscle building that can also provide some short term, competitive advantages for riders. That alone would normally mean that a positive test would result in a suspension, but the drug is also used, illegally I might add, to build bulk in cattle. Contador has maintained all along that he tested positive due to eating tainted meat that was brought by a team chef from Spain on one of the rest days during the Tour, and it is quite possible that that is what happened. Trace elements of the drug can be passed into the human body from meat that has been enhanced through its use, and if that is the case, then Contador is a victim of the system, as he has said.

The Spanish cycling federation seems to acknowledge that that might be the case as well, since they offered him a one year ban and not two, which has become the standard. They seem to recognize that it is possible that the clenbuterol was passed on to the pro cyclist from something he ate, but they're also in a position that it might not matter. Contador did test positive for a banned substance, and they only have his word that he didn't take it directly for competitive reason. It puts them in a difficult position of trying to rule on the matter in a fair way, but one that is consistent with existing anti-doping policy.

So? What are your thoughts on the matter? What do you think the cycling federations should do in a case such as this one? Clearly the substance is in Contador's body, but how it got there remains a mystery. Should there be a zero tolerance rule or are there gray areas? How do those gray areas get defined?

This isn't an easy thing to rule on. On the one hand, I'm of the mind that he tested positive and that you can't take any chances. The ban needs to apply. But on the other, I'm sympathetic to the possibility that he may have picked up the drug through other means. There is no real way to be sure if Contador was cheating or not, and unfortunately that probably means you need to take the hard line on the matter.

Disagree? Than how would you rule?

Another Black Eye For Cycling, Contador Banned, Stripped of Tour Title!

Here we go again!

It seems pro cycling still has a long way to go in cleaning up its image and its riders. The big news today is that three time defending Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has been stripped of his 2010 title and suspended from the sport for one year after he tested positive for a banned substance last year.

Contador tested positive for a weight loss/muscle building drug called clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour, but has maintained that he picked it up through bad meat that he ate while competing. The drug is sometimes used in cattle to help with the growth process. Velo News reports that the drug can "have short-term stimulant effects, including increasing aerobic capacity, blood pressure and alertness," as well. Contador now has ten  days to present any counter arguments, or he must sit out of the sport for one year. He intends to hold a press conference tomorrow to discuss the situation. He continues to maintain his innocence.

The Spaniard now joins disgraced rider Floyd Landis as the only Tour de France champions to ever be stripped of their titles. Landis lost his crown following the 2006 race after testing positive for very high levels of testosterone in his blood. The 2010 Tour will now be awarded to Andy Schleck, who is a great competitor on the course, but certainly doesn't want to win a TdF title in this fashion.

Guilty or not, Contador's suspension is yet another incident for a sport that has struggled to be taken seriously in recent years. When the winners of the sport's biggest event are continually under scrutiny, and getting stripped of their titles, it really does make the general public wonder what is going on. Add to the fact that cycling's biggest name, Lance Armstrong, continues to be under investigation for alleged doping while winning his seven straight Tour titles, and you can see why many fans are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the sport.

If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that I'm a very big fan of pro cycling. I think that the riders are supreme athletes and aren't given as much respect as they deserve – at least not here in the U.S. It pains me to read these stories and to see the sport continually beaten and battered in the court of public opinion. I'll continue to follow cycling and watch the Tour de France each year, but it is becoming harder and harder to defend the riders, who seem to always be looking for new and creative ways to cheat. I'm not sure the sport will ever be completely clean, but I do hope that moving forward we can finally start to get past these drug scandals and focus on the amazing races and riders that compete in them.

Low2High: Africa Expedition Underway

A unique expedition got underway last week in Africa when Brit Kyle Henning set off on his bike from the shores of Lake Assal near Djibouti, Ethiopia. That region has the distinction of being the lowest spot on the continent, falling 155 meters (508 feet) below sea level. From there, Kyle will ride his bike to Tanzania, covering about 3000km (1864 miles), where he'll then proceed to climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa at 5892 meters (19,340 feet).

Henning has dubbed his journey fittingly enough Low2High: Africa, and he has undertaken this excursion to raise funds for the New Day Children's Center, located in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Kyle hopes to raise £2,500 (roughly $4000) for the center to help meet the needs of some of the children there. He has just finished a two year stint in the Peace Corps, where he helped to improve the HIV/AIDS Services Network in the city, but he hasn't finished helping out just yet.

Already ten days into his ride, Kyle has posted a rather large update to his blog to help keep everyone informed of how the journey is going so far. He has also spoken with ExWeb, who have posted a nice interview with him as well. Henning tells ExWeb that he is "having the time of my life" on this expedition and that he is glad that he has taken on the challenge.

This seems like another fantastic adventure. As I mentioned a few days back, traveling through Africa on a bike sounds like a great way to explore the continent. Getting to visit it's lowest and highest points along the way, is an amazing bonus. Hopefully Kyle is successful in his venture, both for himself and the children he is trying to help back in Bahir Dar.

To donate to Kyle's cause, go to his fund raising page here. As of this writing, he has raised about £888.13, so he is well on his way towards his goal, with a bit to go yet.

2011 Tour d'Afrique Underway

I'm not sure how I missed this one, but one of my favorite annual events got underway last week when the 2011 Tour d'Afrique launched from Cairo, Egypt. For those who aren't familiar with the Tour, it is a four month long bicycle ride that runs the length of Africa, north to south, ending in Cape Town, South Africa. it is also both an adventure travel opportunity and a race as well.

Over the course of the four months, the participants in the Tour d'Afrique spend 95 days riding with 23 rest days built into the schedule as well. There are also two days of travel by ferry, bringing the total time on the road to about 120 days. During that period, the riders pass through ten different countries, and glide past some of the most amazing settings on the continent, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Masai Steppe, Kilimanjaro, Victoria Falls, and so much more.

The Tour d'Afrique seems, to me, like the the ultimate way to explore Africa. On the back of a bike you are exposed to so much of the culture and landscapes of the place, and it seems like it would really give you the opportunity to take in the setting at a perfect pace. Most of us can't escape our work for four months however, so the Tour can also be broken down into smaller segments, 18 days in length, that allow for riders to join the event for preset sections of the route that offers smaller doses of the over all adventure. If you're interested in doing that, you can see the various stages by clicking here.

As I mentioned, the Tour d'Afrique is a race as well as a cycling tour of the continent. There are some riders in the event who ride for the competition as well, dashing for the finish line each day to pick up precious seconds on their competitors. While most of the riders are content to enjoy one of the most unique ways to see Africa, a few form a peloton of shorts that work towards becoming the fastest riders to reach Cape Town. But on an epic ride like this, I say "Why rush?"

All told, the entire ride covers approximately 11,700 km (7270 miles). The riders average about 123km (77 miles) per day, with some days being long and others shorter depending on how demanding the terrain is. Either way, it is one big adventure and remains on my life list of things to do. Maybe in 2012!

Cycling Silk: Following in Marco Polo's Footsteps to Promote Conservation

Americans Kate Harris and Melissa Yule have just set off on an epic cycling adventure. The two young women are currently in Turkey where they put the final touches on their plans to ride their bikes the length of the ancient Silk Road last week, finally hitting the road on Friday. While that, in and of itself, is quite the adventurous pursuit, the ladies have bigger plans in mind as well, as they hope to use their ride to promote the importance of conservation in a series of Trans-Boundary Protection Areas (TBPA) along their route.

Kate and Melissa have have named their expedition Cycling Silk, and you can find plenty of info about their plans and their cause on their website. The duo expect that it will take them a full year to complete the 10,000 mile ride, and while they have mapped out an intended route, they say that the exact details are in flux, and will evolve while they ride, due to changing political climate in some countries. The ride is also a bit of a science project, as the girls hope to research the impact of TBPA's on the surrounding areas and get a grasp of what the locals think about the concept as well.

The term Trans-Boundary Protection Area refers to a region that straddles the border of two international borders and is managed cooperatively between the nations involved. These regions are sometimes called "peace parks" and generally present some unique challenges, but great opportunities for opening dialogs and relations between countries. An example of such a place is Big Bend National Park here in the U.S. with one side managed by the American government, and the other side of the border controlled by the Mexican government. That example is a work in progress, but attempts are being made to make it more of a reality.

On this ride, Kate and Melissa will pass through six TBPA's while also promoting the growing clean water crisis that is becoming an issue across the planet and the impact of global climate change on the environment. You can follow the progress of these two adventurous women on their Facebook page and through their Twitter feed.

Climbing (and Descending) The Passo dello Stelvio on a Breakless Fixie

The Passo dello Stelvio is one of the highest paved mountain passes in all of Europe. Located in the Italian Alps, it is a popular challenge for cyclists to climb, and then fly down the 2770 meter (9088 feet) route. This morning, the Adventure Journal posted a fantastic video of rider Patrick Seabase taking on the pass and in grand style. Seabase went up, and down, the mountain on a fixed gear bike that didn't have any breaks. Quite an accomplishment really, and while watching the video, you can almost feel your legs muscles aching on the climb, and your heart pounding on the descent. Oh, and the scenery is pretty spectacular too! Enjoy!



SEABASE vs STELVIO from YUHZIMI Ltd. on Vimeo.

Sarah Outen Announces Human Powered Circumnavigation Attempt

You all remember Sarah Outen right? She's the 25-year old British woman we followed closely as she rowed solo across the Indian Ocean last year, becoming the first woman, and the youngest person to accomplish that feat. After taking some time off for much deserved rest and recuperation, Sarah is now ready to clue us all in on her next expedition, which is even more ambitious than her ocean row.

Sarah has announced that beginning April 1st, 2011, she will be embarking on a new expedition dubbed London2London, during which she will attempt to circumnavigate the globe completely under her own power. That means rowing the oceans and biking the continents, in what she estimates to be a 2.5 year endeavor to circle the planet.

Her route will naturally begin and end in London of course. She'll start off by kayaking down the Thames and across the Channel to France. From there, she'll get on her bike and head east, crossing Europe and Asia, eventually arriving on the Russian East Coast. After that, it's back in the kayak for a little jaunt to Japan, where she plans to spend some time before embarking on a solo row across the Northern Pacific Ocean, which she hopes to begin in the spring of 2012. Arriving in Vancouver, she'll begin another bike leg, crossing through Canada and the U.S. before arriving in Nova Scotia, where she'll get in her row boat one more time for a solo row across the North Atlantic.

You've got to hand it to the girl, she sure has ambition. You can read more about Sarah's plans in this interview over at WideWorld. Also, be sure to check out the video below so you can listen and watch Sarah announce her plans in person.