September Newsletter 2007

Volume 18, No 9

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Table of contents:

Send feedback on newsletter, ThcCrankMail@aol.com

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Join the THC – new registration info!

Tarheel Cyclists Online: http://tarheelcyclists.org= /

Renewal membership online at:

http://www.a= ctivezach.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=3D2065

Please visit the THC website and consider a purchase of the official club jersey. = This is the only authorized distributor of this classic looking jersey. Not a member? Consider joining. If you have any quest= ions, contact: Membership person, ThcCrankMail@aol.com Speaking of membership, the system we use for online registration at Activezach does not handle multiple registrations via one “event”, so we have to cr= eate a new event number for registration periodically. If you encounter an error please let membership person know and they will start the process to create= a new event – or another option is to use a new userid at Activezach. Membership is good for 12 months from when you register; if you register ea= rly we add 12 months to your current expiration. Monthly, the membership depart= ment will send email to expiring members asking them to renew.=

The Tarheel Cyclists offers:
o Semi-Annual meetings / social events
o Annual Club dinner
o Group scheduled rides                                 &nb= sp;
o Web site
o Online Newsletter and email services              &n= bsp;
o Discounts at local bike shops
o Other events and projects in the works
o Racing / time trials / etc.
o Fall & Spring rides             &nb= sp;

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Club Jerseys for <= st1:City w:st=3D"on">Sale

Our new club jerseys have finally arrived! These stylish Louis Garneau pr= o-fit jerseys have a blue body with red raglan sleeves and the THC logo boldly emblazoned on the front and back. Show the cycling world your true colors!

Jerseys are $45 + $5 shipping/handling To purchase jerseys contact Tom Carr, at carr= thomas@aol.com or phone 704-598-5409.

CLUB UPDATE – News from the President

THC Members:

The big event is coming up on September 8, The Tarheel Cyclists Fall Century. Be sure and take part. We’re try= ing something a little different this year. Included with the ride will be a = meal ticket to several of Waxhaw’s restaurants. So, instead of the old B= BQ sandwich, you can go downtown and enjoy a nice meal with your cycling friends. And, if you want to come a little early and help us with the registration, that would be great too.

As we all know, many cyclists h= ang their bikes up after the MS 150 in mid September. Well don’t= fall into that trap. We have a great ride lined up in October to 40 Acre Rock. Check the website for details.

Stop by and say Hi at the Fall Century.

Dwight

Dwight McKnight

President@TarheelCyclists.org

Home: 704-364-0730

Office: 704-759-9950

http://www.tarheelcy= clists.org/RideSeries.htm

2007 Tarheel Ride = Series

The 2007 Tarheel Ride Series is a series i= s open to all area cyclists. Members please join us and bring a guest. =

This year we are offering the series consi= sting of different routes through out the season. These are non-supported, = no charge, show and go rides designed to offer a sampling of some of the best routes around Charlotte.

Following is the schedule for the 2007 ser= ies.

Date	Ride (click to see description and directions)	Captain
August	open
September 9	Fall Century
October	40 Acre Rock Leaves from Cane Creek Park. Details to come.	Dave Ham

RULES TO RIDE BY=
1. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early and be ready to leav= e on time.
2. Make sure your bike is in proper working order.
3. Carry a spare tube, patch kit, pump & water bottle.
4. Practice safety and obey all traffic laws.
5. Wear an approved helmet.
6. Ride leaders are not responsible for riders ahead of the group.

PUT MONEY = IN YOUR POCKET

This year we have an entirely new points system to attract volunteers. It = can very simply PUT MONEY IN YOUR POCKET !

Each job is assigned points from 2 to 12. Some jobs are 30 mins and others are the whole event.

Each point is worth $2.00 toward these rewards:

12 pts Single Ride at 2007 TT event.

13 pts Pass to Awards Banquet

1 point Raffle Ticket for Bike Frame (<= /o:p>

XX points Debit Card (Visa or like) (value de= pends on the number of points) (CASH IN YOUR POCKET )

8 points TT Series Tee shirt.

So if you signed up to ride the full season, you could get your money back if = you elect to cash all your points in at the end of the year toward a debit card= .

Earned Points can be exchanged at ANY time.

Here's some typical volunteer spots that may or may not be currently open:

1 hour of holding riders prior to start 4 points

45 mins of chip collecting at the end of the race<= span class=3DGramE> 3 points

1 hour of Start Line organizer (gets riders in sequence, checks numbers, brie= fs new riders) 6 points

2 hours of Registration assistants (5-7pm) 6 points.

There are NUMEROUS openings and we WILL fit you in so you can ride your time slot= !!

If you are interested in volunteering for one event or several, contact the THC Time Trial Coordinator

Bill Heybruck at heybruck@bellsouth.net

CYCLING NEWS:

Bike shop peddles the cycling lifestyle. 5

Contador rides off into Tour sunset 6

Cycling event raises $692,000 so far 8

Pedal Virginia’s Best Byways! Sunday, September 23, 2007. 9

North/South Carolina Road Race Championship. 11

12-year-old on bike injured in collision with car 12

Encourage bike riders by installing racks at stores. 13

The trials of biking. 14

Taking a tandem tour from shore to shore. 16

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The Lance Armstrong era in cycling is over 18

Heat takes toll on CMPD bike patrol 20

Bicycles welcome in Birkdale Village. 20

Biking to support cancer research. 22

VETRANS DAY BIKE RIDE. 23

Bike shop peddles the cycling lifestyle

Posted on Sun, Jul. 29, 2007
JOHN A. ANDERSON
Have you passed a line of cyclists on one of Waxhaw's beautiful country roa= ds recently?
Noticed anything different? Lately, I've observed three things.

First, the riders are moving along quite smartly, thank you. Second, there isn't a whole lot of body fat riding on those wheels, and third, while bike helmets do a good job of covering up the gray hair, you can spot boomers as often as 20-somethings pedaling away. For all three trends, we can thank Bo= lt Brothers Cycles of Waxhaw.

Will and Mark Bolt opened their bicycle shop in historic downtown Waxhaw in 2004. The brothers were longtime cycling enthusiasts and racers, and they w= ere drawn to Waxhaw by the miles of country lanes for road rides and the trails= of Cane Creek Park for mountain b= iking.

Their first shop was a tiny white cottage near Stewart's Village Gallery. Success drove them to seek larger quarters on East Main Street near the fire stat= ion. Bolt sister Kim helps out on weekends.

I stopped by on a weekday afternoon and was greeted by John Benoit, a master bike mechanic, and Bennet = Sansbury, a Coastal Carolina student and racer who is working at Bolt Brothers for the summer.

I asked John to describe his "typical customer." He said that customer is "someone looking for their first (or second) serious road = or mountain bike. Bolt Brothers carries a wide range of products, with the $5,= 000 Moots bike featured in the window representing the top end. They have a full line of bicycle clothing, parts and accessories and have a repair shop staf= fed with skilled mechanics. I didn't see anything with training wheels.

Bolt Brothers is about much more than selling its customers performance bik= es.

It provides a nucleus for a cycling lifestyle in Union County.

A visit to the Web site www.boltbrotherscycles.com tells us: "Their go= al is to combine the functionality of a shop to meet the needs of the communit= y in a laid back atmosphere where people can come and just hang out."

Bolt Brothers sponsors two cycling teams.

The "B" team is made up of riders who enjoy participating in the three weekly rides that depart from Bolt Brothers. John characterized the "B" team riders as "more social." Typically, a "B" team rider will participate in charity rides, such as "Breakaway to the Beach in September in support of MS," or "= Go for Blood" on Aug. 4 in support of the Union County Red Cross.

I inquired about the average age, and John told me the "B"team ranges from age 13 to 69.

The "A" Team includes the Bolt brothers themselves, John Benoit a= nd several other more serious and accomplished riders, who compete all over the Southeast in both road and mountain bike events. The da= y I dropped by the shop I found cyclists preparing for "ORAM" (Off Ro= ad Assault on Mitchell). This event involves 55 miles of mostly off-road cycling with steep vertical climbs. I felt a lactic acid burn in my thighs = and calves just contemplating it.

The weekly group rides occur in the summer on Thursday evenings at 6:30, Saturday mornings at 8 and Sunday afternoons at 5. Cyclists can choose ride= s of 50, 38 and 25 miles that start and finish at the Bolt Brothers shop.

The group rides typically draw 40-70 riders. John suggests that novices sta= rt out riding with the "B" group. The "A" racers have a tendency to have disappeared the first time you look up from the road.

Evidently, a tradition arose in which riders get their pre-ride coffee at Crossroads Coffee Shop, and then recharge their batteries at Patte's Southsiders, righ= t next door to the bicycle shop.

I stopped in at Southsiders to learn more about= the after-ride replenishment event. Patte Kenned, t= he proprietor, told me she really enjoys having the cyclists come in.

"They're sweaty and thirsty, and I stock up on organic greens for sala= ds and healthy wraps. There are still a few who want a hot dog, which is our specialty. They all are wonderful people," she said.

The same can be said for the Bolt brothers, who have committed themselves to their sport and enabling many others to enjoy cycling on several levels. OUR TOWNS

Drop Me A Line

If you have something to share about Waxhaw, e-mail: John Anderson <= span class=3DSpellE>janderson @charlotteobserver.com I welcome photos (ma= ke sure everyone is clearly identified left to right). Drop them in the mail to 132. S. Main St. Monroe, NC 28112 or e-mail them as a JPEG = file. Be sure to include a daytime phone number. John A.

Anderson

Contador rides off into Tour = sunset
Posted on Mon, Jul. 30, 2007
JOHN LEICESTER

All the right elements were there: The smiling winner in his bright yellow jersey. The fans several rows deep under the majestic t= rees of the Champs-Elysees.
But something seemed broken about the Tour de France on Sunday -- perhaps forever.

Overshadowing the joy of its newest and youngest winner in 10 years -- Albe= rto Contador of Spain, who rode for the American Discovery Channel team -- was ominous talk and questions about the very existence of cycling's premier event:

• How to have faith in the Tour when even its director said the suspi= cion of doping hangs over all riders.

• How much longer fans will remain loyal to a race where cheating has skewed the results for more than a decade?

• How to regard cycling. Is it really still a sport or just drug-fuel= ed entertainment on wheels, where observers think "what's he taking?" not "didn't he ride well?"

That such conversations were taking place the same day the grueling race crowned a champion might have been unfair to Contador<= /span>, 24. But he, like everyone in cycling, has become a victim of a drug problem that burst like a long-neglected boil at this Tour, having been overlooked = for too long.

"Suspicion is everywhere," Tour director Christian Prudhomme said. "We could have doubts about everyone."

If doping didn't win Contador the Tour -- and f= ans will say they have a right to ask -- then it transformed the outcome sufficiently to hand him victory.

Contador seemed destined for the runner-up spot= until the race was hit by a bombshell five days from the finish: the ouster of le= ader Michael Rasmussen. His Rabobank team accused th= e Dane of having lied about his whereabouts before the Tour to evade doping contro= ls.

Contador kissed his yellow jersey on the podium= and thrust his arms ecstatically, with the Arc de Triomphe= in the background. Outside his Discovery Channel team bus, staffers uncorked champagne. His original goal was to take the white jersey as best young rid= er. In the end, he got white and yellow.

His margin of victory -- 23 seconds over Cadel = Evans of Australia -- was the second-narrowest in the Tour's 104-year history, after 2,200 miles through = Britain, B= elgium, Spain and France.

"I think we've seen the future of Spanish cycling and perhaps international cycling," seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong said, referring to Contador, the first Spaniard to wi= n the race since the last of Miguel Indurain's five t= itles in 1995.

Another Discovery rider, Levi Leipheimer of the= United States, finished third, 31 seconds behind, but good enough to join Contador on the podium.

Daniele Bennati of Italy won the 91-mile stage i= n 3 hours, 51 minutes and three seconds.

= Cycling event raises $692,000 so far

More than 1,300 cyclists helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research and programs last weekend during 24 Hours of Booty, the nation's only round-the-clock cycling event for charit= y.Participants pedaled from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday around the three-mile "B= ooty Loop" -- starting and ending at Queens Road West and Wellesley Avenue = in Myers Park.

The event drew people from across the United States of all ages and= skill level.

Some special guests included Queens University of Charlotte President Pamela Davies, Carolina Panthers Mascot Sir Purr and representatives from the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Betty Otter-Nickerson, the foundation's chief operati= ng officer, attended and rode in the event.

When not riding, participants hung out in "Bootyv= ille" (also known as the Queens= University athletic field) for camping, activities and food. More than 150 volunteers helped run the fundraiser. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department representatives were stationed along each intersection on the course.

As of Wednesday, the amount had raised reached $692,000. "The donations keep coming in," said Jennifer Walker, director of client and media relations with My Team of Experts.

Proceeds benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Keep Pounding Fund at = Carolinas Medical Center and the Brain Tumor Fund = for the Carolinas.

To contribute or to learn more: 704-839-6103; www.24hoursofbooty.com.

Pedal Virginia’s Best Byways! Sunday, September 23, 2007

Join the = Blue Ridge Bicycle Club as we pay honor to one of our most distinguished past cl= ub members. Artie Levin, also know as "Mr. Fitness." lived his long = and rich life celebrating the joys of exercise with great zeal, pumping iron un= til his last day at age 82 in 1996. He was a bonafied Roanoke celebrity = as the host and star of the legendary Mr. Fitness television show in the 60's, and= as a columnist for The Roanoke Times & World- News. As founder of the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Artie Levin was later playfully nicknamed the club's "oldest living fossil." He was-and remains-an inspiration to ever= yone he touched.

The Artie is a splendid cycling adventure along pristine rolling valley byw= ays amidst craggy Alleghenies. At the outset, you're handed the key to the Shenandoah Valley's southern gate in historic Buchanan, Virginia. Once through, you're on the way from Botetourt to Rockbridge County, where beauty is common and traffic is rare. Please join us for a spectacular ride.

&q= uot;I want to help men, women and children to enjoy life to its most exciting potential instead of settling for mere existence." - Artie Levin

Ride Options Registration Includes:

The 50 mi= le Short Hills Mountain Loop T-shirt, marked routes with maps, rest stops, pancake

The 70 mi= le Big House / Little House Mountain Loop breakfast, SAG & mechanical support, after ride dinner

The 100 m= ile Goshen Pass Loop = and entertainment. FREE camping at fairgrounds.

Massage avail= able.

Ride Description

Regardles= s of your mileage option-50, 70, or 100-these are rides of exceptional caliber. = All distances are fully sagged with rest/refuel stops at key intervals (3 on the century) with rolling and post ride mechanical support. Despite the mountai= nous nature of the region, the rides cover rolling roads with one significant cl= imb on the century. Remember, never lose sight of the reason for these rides - Enjoyment!

General Ride Information &n= bsp; Ride Contact<= /i>

Start/Finish Point: Historic Buchanan, Virginia &nbs= p; Jeanne Duddy - BRBC Artie Levin Director

Fairgrounds on the James River e-mail: = cajun_diva2004@hotmail.com =

= Date: Sunday September 23, 2007 phone: (540) 344-4803

Registr= ation Opens: 7:00 AM
Start Time:<= /b> 8:00 AM 100 Mile Riders
9:00 AM 50 &am= p; 70 Mile Rider
&nb= sp; Pre-registration: $30 BRBC members How to Register:

(before Sept. 17) $35 Non BR= BC members &nb= sp; Online at www.th= eartie.com or Active.com Or mail
On-= site registration: $40 *Limited To 300 Riders the separate registration form with a = check.

&nb= sp;

   =

North/South Carolina Road Race Championship
September 1, 2007

=

Race begins at = Fork Shoals School.=
This is an Open Race.
Race entry - $30
(No late fees)
Contact – Glenn Thrift at 864-233-2758 or 864-294-3425
e-mail: glenn= .thrift@furman.edu

http://www.nc-scroadrace= championship.com/

12-year-old on bike injured in collision with ca= r 5:32 PM
05:32 PM EDT on Tuesday, August 7, 2007

By WCNC Staff

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. -- A 12-year-old boy on a bicycle has suffered a severe head injury after being hit by a car in Gaston County.

He was taken by ambulance to Gaston Memorial Hospital and then flown from there to Carolinas Medical Center.

The accident happened at the intersection of the Dallas-Bessemer City Freew= ay and Fairview Drive.

The child was traveling east on Fairview Drive, not far from his home, when= he pulled out in front of a truck, according to N.C. Highway Patrol.

The truck driver does not face any charges.

= Encourage bike riders by installing racks at stores

Now that the city is encouraging us to use bikes for our shorter trips, the store owners, grocers, shopping centers and malls need to install bike rack= s in clearly designated areas. Any encouragement we can get to ride bikes instea= d of driving helps!Joyce = Regan

= The trials of biking
Bicycle treks can be a demanding undertaking

By DICK BUYER, Special to the Times Union
First published: Thursday, August 9, 2007

It was my fifth personal victory, but each year = as Father Time imposes his toll, completing another annual American Diabetic Association's Tour de Cure Bike Trek, has become more demanding.
In June, I finished another bike jaunt (48.9 miles to be exact) ending at t= he Stillwater Center School to help fund diabetes research.

Depending upon one's ability, motivation and quest for achievement, bikers = -- both young and old -- chose to ride distances of 10, 25, 50, 75 or 100 mile= s. Some bikers ride solo, as a couple, others form together as a team, and the event even serves as a family event for = the shorter stretches. The type of bikes used reflect an amazing diversity: old dusted-off garage hermits appearing in public after a long hiatus, mountain, road, hybrid, tandems, recumbent and three wheelers.=

My tradition of masochistic behavior began six years ago as a personal gaun= tlet when I signed up to participate in a 50-plus mile autumn bike trek, sponsor= ed by the American Lung Association.

Over the years, I continued to test myself in other events, managing to navigate distances from 50 to 86. In recent years, my distance goals shorte= ned as prudence displaced the desire for silent celebrity status.

One year, the distance covered exceeded my age then by one year.

Currently, a 50-mile ride forces me to summon up more endurance, determinat= ion and strength as the bearded gent pulverizes his "victims." This y= ear another different set of obstacles surfaced to thwart my goal to finish. It included adjusting to a new bike (24 gears versus 12), a different saddle, a late start and wandering off the route.

Regardless of the multiple physical and technological problems, I pushed on= to cross the finish line. Fund-raising for a deserving cause and chatting with fellow bikers at rest stops tended to banish the negatives.

I arrived at the school at 7 a.m. believing it to be ample time to prepare = for the 8:30 a.m. start. Unfortunately, the 50-milers had departed after I had fortified myself with energy food supplied by ADA sponsors in the cafeteria. There ne= ver seems to be enough time (for me) at the start. Always a= rush.

In addition, I intended to ride with the Bethlehem Stars led by Mary Scott = of Delmar. Thus, it was a 9 a.m. start and a repetition of my previous years' treks, of primarily riding alone, and only occasionally accompanying another biker for a very a brief period. For one reason or another, a solo excursion seems to be typical. Maybe, my incredible speed discourages others. Hah!
This route is an idyllic itinerary, passing the communities of Easton, Northumberland, Fort<= /st1:PlaceType> Edward, Argyle, Clark's Mills, <= st1:City w:st=3D"on">Salem, Greenwich and finally re- crossing the Hudson River to the start at Stillwater. En route, rest stops provide respite to fuel up for the remaining distance. Needing every bit of help, I stopped at every one.

As I recall, within an hour into the pedaling, there is one brutal endless, incline that prompts some bikers to tell themselves, "I don't need this."

"What am I doing here?" or "Never again!" It has an unofficial name like "Killer" or "Unforgiving."

Occasionally, in the past, by sheer effort, I've managed to bike to the top, barely moving in the lowest gear, while traversing, when traffic in both la= nes was absent. Exhausted after reaching the summit, you pedal slowly recovering from the ordeal until you resume normal speed. This year, half way up the slope, I surrendered to fatigue by walking to the summit.

Each year, I am puzzled by an interesting sight on a tributary of the Hudson. A moored s= mall plane can be seen through an opening in the trees. "Who is the owner, = and how is it used?" are questions I ponder.

This year, adapting to a new 24-speed bike compared to a 12-speed one, pose= d a temporary dilemma. The gears are changed by two small plastic tabs on either side of the handlebars. They must be pushed in a certain way to switch gear= s. I often pushed either one incorrectly. No gear change. After trial and error,= the procedure was mastered after pedaling many miles in the wrong gear.

Another irritant was the seat. When I was fitted at a bike shop, the saddle seemed reasonably comfortable. My rear and the seat, however, became perman= ent "enemies" dismissing any possibility of negotiation.

In a more sober note, when I bike alone, the mind engages in abrupt, twists= and turns dwelling briefly on unrelated thoughts. You admire the scenery that m= ight suddenly trigger images of one's past. Problems and concerns may also intru= de, shoving aside the current agenda. It's really a fascinating process in emotional dynamics.

In conclusion, I've successfully tested myself again, made a financial contribution to a worthy cause along with many others, shared some personal reactions and portrayed a sporting venue that might inspire others.

Incidentally, I was the oldest rider at 77 -- the youngest being 6 -- among 1,500 riders.

As the cliche states,"= ;Age is only a number."

Dick Buyer is a freelance writer.

= Taking a tandem tour from shore to shore
Father and son make stop in Tr= oy as they near end of cross-country bike trip

By DAVID FILKINS, Staff writer
Click byline for more stories by writer.
First published: Saturday, August 11, 2007

TROY -- The idea came to Ryan McKee two summers ago, during a bicycle ride = with his family on Prince Edward Island in Canada. It was a passing thought. Yet, despite its magnitude, it seemed possible to Ryan, 13 years old at the time= .
I want to ride my bicycle across the country.

After building up the nerve, the Reading, Mass., resident decided to = do it -- and asked his father, Dan, to join him. They would do it on a tandem bik= e, Ryan figured, just a boy and his dad cruising the open roads.

Two years and 2,650 miles later, they rolled into Troy Friday morning, stopping for milk = and crepes at Muza, the relatively new Polish-Ameri= can eatery on Fifteenth Street= . The duo could afford to snack on sweets. Their journey is almost over.

It began in late June, when the McKees flew to = Portland, Ore., and had relatives who were driving across the country drop off their Trek T= 2000 tandem bicycle. They dipped the rear wheel in the Pacific Ocean and plan to complete the trip by dipping their front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean, most likely in Gloucester, Mass., sometime Tuesday afternoon.

The journey has produced hundreds of memories, good and bad. Scenery, of course, has been among the positives. Watching the sun come up one side of a valley and go down the other is indescribable, they said.

But it hasn't always been easy. A relative died while they were in Minnesota and th= ey flew home for the funeral. Not wanting to abandon the trip, they rode a bus for = 33 hours to pick up where they left off, traveling through urban centers in New York City, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Chicago along the way.

"We were hoping to avoid those aspects of America," said Dan, 47. =

At least they haven't had many bike problems. Just one = flat tire and a broken hub. Injuries have been limited, too. Dan saw a do= ctor for swollen legs, but it turned out to be nothing serious.

They're making the trip for fun. But what cross-country trek would be compl= ete without a charity? The McKees are riding to pro= mote cancer research and have collected more than $2,000 so far.

They've spent money, too. Dan McKee wouldn't say how much, though he did say the kind of trip they're making is called "credit card cruising" because they're staying at hotels and eating in restaurants instead of camp= ing and carrying food. He quit his job as a physician assistant before the trip began and intends to go back into the field when it's over.

Ryan will have a week off before going back to Reading High for his junior year. He'll do so 10 pounds heavier. He eats more than five meals per day, including two breakfasts, a gallon of milk and a liter of soda for dinner, = but said the weight gain is from building muscle.

"I'd like to think so," he said.

Their next journey is one they're waiting 30 years to embark on -- a cross-country trip on motorcycles.

Filkins can be reached at 454-5456 or by e-mail= at dfilkins@timesunion.com.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The Lance Ar= mstrong era in cycling is over.

Citing fractious leadership in the sport, constant doping allegations and t= he struggles of finding a new sponsor, Armstrong and the owners of his former Discovery Channel team said Friday the squad will disband after this season.

Armstrong said it was the perfect time to go out on top: Discovery's Albert= o Contador of Spain won the team's eighth Tour de France title in nine years last month.

"It's a sad day for cycling. Certainly a sad day for American cycling," Armstrong said. "We're proud of our record."

The decision shuts down the sport's only elite professional team based in t= he United States. Armstrong retired from riding in 2005 but remained a visible co-owner of the team operated by Tailwind Sports.

Discovery announced in February it would not sponsor the team beyond this y= ear. Team General Manager Bill Stapleton acknowledged difficulty securing new sponsorship with the sport under the constant pressure of doping allegation= s.

"It's not an environment right now that's conducive to a lot of investment," Stapleton said, adding the team was in talks with several potential sponsors. "This was a difficult decision, not made any easie= r by our recent Tour de France success."

Armstrong said he believes a sponsor could have been found, but the ownersh= ip group decided now was the time to quit.

Armstrong can turn his attention to his cancer foundation and politics -- h= e is hosting a cancer forum with presidential candidates later this month and is= a key player behind a $3 billion research initiative in Texas -- and team director Johan Bruyneel is retiring.

"This is not about the lack of a sponsor," Armstrong said. "Right now is a good time to step aside."

The team was a dominant force in cycling for nearly a decade.

Armstrong won the first of his record seven consecutive Tour de France titl= es in 1999 racing under the U.S. Postal Service banner. The team built cycling= 's top lineup as Armstrong and his lieutenants powered their way through France and maintained that dominance when Contador won= the Tour and American teammate Levi Leipheimer fini= shed third.

Discovery will still ride in this year's Tour of Spain and the Tour of Missouri, but the shutdown means Contador, Leipheimer and the 25 other riders must find new team= s for 2008.

"They leave with the Discovery stamp," Bruyn= eel said. "I'm sure they will be very wanted."

Contador has been dogged by recent doping allegations, and on Friday denied again taking performance-enhancing drugs = and any involvement in the Operation Puerto investigation.

"I've never committed a doping offense. I've never been involved in any act of doping," Contador said. "My pr= omise against doping is absolute."

Although he never failed a drug test, Armstrong has been forced several tim= es in recent years to deny repeated allegations that he use banned substances during his career.

Discovery also signed top Italian rider Ivan Basso in 2006 but was later fo= rced to drop him when he was caught up in the Spanish blood-doping investigation= .

"We had our share of controversies," Armstrong said before ticking off a list of team victories over the years. "And not one positive (dr= ug) test."

Bruyneel oversaw each of the team's eight Tour victories.

"I'm going to miss the staff, riders and the excitement of the races, = but not all the infighting between the teams. This team has become my family an= d it is very sad to think that we will not be together next season," he sai= d.

Heat takes toll on CMPD bike patrol
08/16/2007 05:04 PM
By: Shawn Flynn
CHARLOTTE -- For Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officers A.J. Dellingham and Charlie Eub= ank, the bicycle is their office, even when the temperatures reach triple digits= .

“It’s been the hottest that I’ve experience in four years= on the bike,” said Dellingham, with CMPD’s bike patrol. “It’s hard, I mean really we don’t stay cool with the = vest on and all the equipment. I think I’ve lost at least two or three pou= nds just from the sweat. When I get home, I take this off, I can take my t-shirt off and when I ring it, water really comes out.”

They say water is the key to staying cool. Their breaks are few and far bet= ween, especially when they have to chase after cars to pull them over. They do the job year round.

Water is key to staying safe. “Last = week when it was 104, and you’re riding into the wind and it feels like a = blow dryer, that’s pretty bad,” said Eubank. “But then when it’s in the teens, and your fingers and toes are numb, that’s b= ad as well.”

Temperatures have dropped this week from last week’s record setting numbers, but ozone levels have not. Officials warn to be careful, and be su= re to drink plenty of water.

Bicycles welcome in Birkdale Village
Monday, Aug 20, 2007
ERICA BESHEARS
Signs prohibiting bicycle riding in Birkdale Village have been taken down after= the issue was brought to the attention of the center's managers.
The popular mixed-use development on N.C. 73 in Huntersv= ille is supposed to embrace "new urbanist" principles, such as building housing near shops and promoting alternative f= orms of transportation. It even has bike racks.

So it came as a surprise in recent months when people noticed signs that banned bicycle riding, skateboarding and other activitie= s.

It generated some online talk and e-mails circulated by Martin Zimmerman, the executive director of the bicycling advocacy group B.I.K.E.S. of Charlotte Mecklenburg.

Brenda Murray, general manager of Birkdale Village for Developers Diversified Realty, which bought the center in February, said last week the company does not want to ban cyclists and encourages safe bike riding.

The signs predate her company's ownership, Murray said.

"As long as bicyclists follow the rules of the road," she said, "they will not be stopped or banned at Birkdale= Village."

That said, the center does not want people to ride bikes= on the sidewalks or ride recklessly, Murray said.=

Even if it wanted to, Birkdale Village management would not be ab= le to ban cyclists from the streets.

The internal roads of the shopping center are public streets, and N.C. law allows biking on all public streets except for interstate-style highways.

No Huntersville rules would grant an exception to Birkdale= Village, said Bill = Coxe, Huntersville transportation planner.

"We support bicycling as a most appropriate means of transportation, and encourage everyone to do so -- and to wear their helmets," Coxe said.

Biking to support cancer research<= /span>
08/19/2007 01:57 PM
By: Gretchen Bartelt<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>
Money raised supports the Jimmy V Foundation, which funds cancer research. CARY, N.C. -- More than 300 people showed up in Cary= to take part in the second Jimmy V Foundation and Cary Cycling Celebration to raise money for cancer research.

Participants pedaled 25, 50, 75 or 100 miles throughout = the area, but for some, it’s about much more than just a bike ride. For m= any, they know someone with cancer, or they are fighting it themselves.

“I was in good shape, I ate well,” said brea= st cancer survivor Pat Thomaier. “I was just stunned. My husband and I, you could have knocked us over with a feather.”

Money from this year’s ride will support prostate cancer research being done in the Triangle. More than $25,000 was raised for the Jimmy V Foundation, which started with the dream of Jim Valvano, former NC State basketball coach and award-winning broadcaster as he battled cancer. Since 1993, the foundation has raised more than $60 million for research grants.

VETRANS DAY BIKE RIDE

The Matthews Rotary Cl= ub, in conjunction with Bicycles East of

Matthews, is announcin= g a cool weather ride scheduled to coincide

wi= th the Rotary Club’s Veteran's Day Celebration and Bluegrass Festival on=

Saturday, November 10t= h.

The fully supported ri= de will offer a 30/60 mile option and will start/finish at the Stumptown Park in Historic downtown Matthews. The routes will include the rolling hil= ls of Union = County.

At the finish there wi= ll be food, live music and a festival atmosphere.

This ride is a fund ra= iser for a Veteran’s Children’s Charity.

More details will foll= ow...

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SATURDAY NOV. 10TH

Bicycles East of Matthews        Matthews Rotary

195 N. Trade Street              10545 Northeast Parkway        =

Matthews, NC 28105        =        Matthews, NC 28105

www.bikeseast.com         =       http://www.matthewsrotaryclub.o= rg/

<= /o:p>

_______________________________________= _____________

Race of truth video link

Up and coming rides:

NC Ride Schedule

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sun. 09/02 RETURN OF THE HOT 100, WILMINGTON

Cape= Fear Cyclists<= /o:p>

Patricia Patrick, 4408 Wrightsville Ave, Wimington, NC 28403

(910) 443-8086 • patleep@aol.com

www.capef= earcyclists.org

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sun. 09/02 22ND ANNUAL APPLE COUNTY BICYCLE TOUR, HENDERSONVILLE

Environmental and Conservation Organization=

Mary Jo Padgett, 121 Third Ave. West Suite 4,

Henderson= ville, NC 28792

(828) 692-0385 • eco@eco-wnc.org

www.eco-wnc.org

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Mon. 09/03 DEC FALL CENTURY, JACKSONVILLE

Down East Cyclists

Jeff LeBlanc, 124 Hardesty Loop Rd., Newport,= NC 28570

(252) 723-3298 • ncleblancs@ec.rr.com

http://racerpi= g.tripod.com/

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Wed. 09/05

ENDURANCE MAGAZINE TIME TRIAL SERIES, LOWE'S SPEEDWAY, CONCORD

Carolina<= /st1:place> Cycling Time Trial Association

Bill Wiseman, PO Box 5639, Concord, NC 28027

(704) 795-5313 • info@carolinatt.org

www.carolinatt.= org

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Wed. 09/05 Sat. 09/08

CYCLING = CLIMBING CAMP, ASHEVILLE

Carmichael Training= Systems

22 Fall Pippen Lane #105, Asheville, NC 28803<= /p>
(828) 274-4535 • mgrubic@trainright.com

www.trainright.= com

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Fri. 09/07 Sun. 09/09

MS BIKE = TOUR, NEW BERN

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Le Anne Creech, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 210, Raleigh NC 27609

(919) 834-0678 • leanne.creech@nct.mnss.org
www.msbike.org<= /p>
------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/08 BUSH COUNTRY METRIC, EAST BEND

Forbush = High School

Jackie Baity, 1525 Falcon Road, East Bend= , NC 27055

(336) 961-4644 • jackie.baity@yadjub.K12.nc.us=

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/08 TARHEEL CYCLISTS FALL CENTURY, CHARLOTTE

Tarheel Cyclists

Dwight Mcknight, 6925 Needham Dr., Charlotte, NC 28270

(704) 759-9950 • President@tarheelcyclists.org=

www.tarhee= lcyclists.org

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/08 TOUR DE TOTS, CONCORD

Carolinas Medical C= enter - Northeast

Timbs Fulghum, 920 Church St. N., Concord, NC 28025

(704) 403-1447 • hfulghum@northeastmedical.org=

ww= w.cmc-northeast.org/TourdeTots

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/15 CYCLOCROSS SKILLS CLINIC, ASHEVILLE

Carmichael Training= Systems

22 Fall Pippen Lane #105, Asheville, NC 28803<= /p>
(828) 274-4535 • mgrubic@trainright.com

www.trainright.= com

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/15 BB&T MS TOUR TO TANGLEWOOD, GREENSBORO

National MS Society

Derrick Huff, 2211 W. Meadowview Road, Suite 30,

Greensbor= o, NC 27407

(336) 299-4136 • derrick.huff@ncc.nmss.org

bikencc.nationalmssociety.org

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sun. 09/16 CITY TO THE SEA BIKE RIDE, JACKSONVILLE

Onslow County Parks & Recreation Department

Carol C. Trott, 1244 Onslo= w Pines Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540

(910) 347-5332 • carol_trott@onslow.nc.us

www.co.on= slow.nc.us/parks

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Fri. 09/21 Sun. 09/23

MOUNTAIN= BIKING SKILLS CAMP, ASHEVILLE

Carmichael Training= Systems

22 Fall Pippen Lane #105, Asheville, NC 28803<= /p>
(828) 274-4535 • mgrubic@trainright.com

www.trainright.= com

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/22 ROLLIN' ROUND TH= E RIVER RIDE, WILLESBORO

Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club

Tim Murphy, 325 E. Magnolia Ro., N. Wilkesboro, NC <= st1:PostalCode w:st=3D"on">28659

(336) 927-3168 • = tim@bmcc.us

www.bmcc.us/rrr= .htm

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/22 TOUR DE TAMMY, GREENSBORO

The Tammy Wilson Foundation

Mike Hudspeth, 1002 Meadiwood St., Greensboro, NC 27409

(336) 345-1260 • mike.hudspeth@guilford-es.com=

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. = 09/22 VALLEY RIVER ROAD RACE, ANDREWS

Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters

Darren Anderson, 75 Mae Johnson Way, Andrews, NC 28901<= /p>
(828) 361-8988 • darrenjamesanderson@gmail.com=

www.swoutfitt= ers.com

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sun. 09/23 LARISSA MOLLES MEMORIAL COTTON COUNTRY CENT= URY, WINTERVILLE

ECVelo

Paul Gares, 1408 Boyd Galloway Rd, Grimesand, NC 27837

(252) 752-5652 • pgares@aol.com

www.cottonco= untry.org

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/29 ASHEBORO'S= ROLLING IN RANDOLPH 25-50-100, ASHEBORO

Ashe= boro Parks & Recreat= ion

Foster Hughes, PO Box 1106, Asheboro, NC 27204

(336) 626-1240 • fhughes@ci.asheboro.nc.us

ww= w.ci.asheboro.nc.us/recreation

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/29 HEART HEALTHY PEDAL PUSH, HIGH POINT

High Point Regional Health System and Carolina Cardiology

Julie Samuels and Alana Holyfield=

(336) 878-6292 • jsamuels@hprhs.com

ww= w.givetohighpointregional.com

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/29 5TH ANNUAL NICKI'S RIDE, GREENSBORO

Paceline Bicycles

Forrest Cox, 3702 Middlebury Way, Greensboro,= NC 27410

(336) 545-0543 • fjjn@triad.rr.com

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sat. 09/29-Sat. 10/06

CYCLE NORTH CAROLINA FALL RIDE, WEST JEFFERSON, ELKIN, GREENSBORO, MEBANE, LOUISBURG<= /st1:City>, ROANOKE RAPIDS, EDETNON, & CURRITUCK /= KNOTTS ISLAND

North Ca= rolina Amateur Sports

Ragan Williams, PO Box 12727, RTP, NC 27709

(919) 361-1133 • cyclenc@ncsports.org

www.cyc= lenorthcarolina.org

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sun. 09/30

INDIVIDU= AL & TEAM TIME TRIAL, JACKSONVILLE<= /st1:place>

Down East Cyclist

Jeff LeBlanc, 124 Hardesty Loop Rd., Newport,= NC 28570

(252) 728-5243 • ncleblancs@ec.rr.com=

= http://downeastcyclingclub.com/wordpress/

------------------------------------------------------= --------------------------

Sun. 09/30 2007 STATE FINALS CYCLING, GARNER

North Carolina Senior Games, Inc.

Brad Allen, North Carolina Senior Games, Inc.

4603 = Western Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27606

(919) 851-5456 • www.ncseniorgames.org

Other Ride Schedule

<= /o:p>

Sponsors, associations and advertisers:

<= ![endif]>South Park Cycles

CTTC

<= /p>
=

Leadership

THC 2007 Club Officers

Name=

E-mail

Phone

President

Dwight McKnight

President@= TarheelCyclists.org

704-364-0730

Vice President

Stan Tunnel

VPresiden= t@TarheelCyclists.org

704-847-1073

Treasurer

Tom Carr

Treasurer@= TarheelCyclists.org

704-598-5409

Secretary

Joy Marshall

Secretary@= TarheelCyclists.org

704-383-7427

Committees/Volunteers

Bicycling Advocacy

Chuck Cocke

chuckcocke@eart= hlink.net

704-348-1214

Membership

MrEd

TheCran= kMail@TarheelCyclists.org

704-510-1754

Newsletter Editor

MrEd

TheCran= kMail@TarheelCyclists.org

704-510-1754

Public Relations

Dwight McKnight

President@= TarheelCyclists.org

704-364-0730

Racing Committee

--open--

Ride Coordinator

--open--

Social Committee

Donna McLain

djmclain@email.u= ncc.edu

704-595-9424

Time-trial Coordinator

Tom Carr

President@= TarheelCyclists.org

704-598-5409

Web Site Manager

Gerry Tarney

WebAdmin@Ta= rheelCyclists.org

704-287-5925

Web Site Assistant

Chuck Cocke

chuckcocke@eart= hlink.net

704-348-1214

If you have an interest in filling any of th= e OPEN spots,
please contact any officer at their email address.

Junk for sale:

Sell your bike junk here, send email with description and contact information to

ThcCrankMail@aol.com

<= span style=3D'font-size:13.5pt'>2003 LiteSpeed Tusany road bike
From: Jeff McBride North Carolina 8/8/2007 9:56:22 AM
57 cm 2003 LiteSpeed Tuscany road bike. New (less than a year) Ultegra 10 speed drive train components including shifters and brake calipers. New IS Cane Creek headset. new FSA Wing Pro aluminum bars with FSA= stem. New bar tape. New 12x27 cassette and Connex 10-speed chain. NEVER crashed. Bike had o= lder 9-speed group and was upgraded early last fall but ridden very little this season. pedals (KEO sprint) and saddle (Speciali= zed Avatar) are options in the sale depending on the price. New Michelin Krylion Carbon tires. asking $2000 obo

mcbridej@charter.net

Weekly Ride List – semi accurate

South Charlotte area:

Sat., 7:30 am. 35 miles-Med-Fast., Bikes East, Call the shop at 704-814-7433 with questions

Wed., 1:00 pm <= span class=3DGramE>Dean & DeLucca at Stonecrest Shopping= Center, 2 hours Med. Fast, Jim Reav= is 704-408-1510

Central Charlotte area:

Tues/Thurs: 4= :12 am, Fast, 27 mls. Show and Go from the Dowd YMCA back parking lot; Sonna 704-541-1634. Sonna will not ride in the cold or chance of rain, check with= her on that. If you like to get dropped, this is the ride for you.

Mint Hill:=

Sat, Mint Hil= l Park, Med, 40-50+ mls. Show and Go located on Hwy. 218 in Mint Hill, route sheets are avail. on = THC web site; Steve Overstreet 704-596-5696,   supervia@bellsouth.net <= /span>

(8 is summer, 9 is fall and 10am is winter hours ̵= 1; write Steve to confirm)

Send us updated ride info --------à&n= bsp; thccrankmail@aol.com

Or perhaps if y= ou know a ride is no longer held, drop me a line… please.

Bicycle Commuter Support Group

<= br> Year round: 2nd F= riday of the month, 7:00 - 8:00 AM (approx.) at Reid's, 7th Street

May-Oct: 4th Wednesday of the month, 5:00 - 7:00 PM (approx; drop in anytim= e); Brixx, 6th St.

In the spring of 2000, I was riding my bicycle home from work one day when another bike commuter caught up with me. We rode together for a few blocks talking. He gave me his business card and mentioned he was trying to put together an email list of bicycle commuters. I called him and had him add my name to the list. That other commuter was John Cock. John had built a list = of bicycle commuters and he proceeded to send out an email inviting bicycle commuters to get together on a Friday morning in May, before work, at Reid's Grocery in Seventh Street<= /st1:address> Station downtown. There were about five or six people who gathered that fir= st time for a meeting of what has become a kind of informal bicycle commuter "support group". As of August 2002 there are over 115 bicycle commuters on the list, and even in the colder months we have had as many as= ten folks show up between 7:00 and 8:00 AM at Reid's. Now, all year round, we gather in the morning on the second Friday of the month at Reid's downtown.= In the warmer months, we get together the fourth Wednesday afternoon of each m= onth at Brixx in Seventh Street= Station downtown.

The get-togethers provide an opportunity to share route information, storie= s, and experiences. Anyone who commutes by bicycle or is thinking about commut= ing by bicycle is invited to join us. If you would like to be added to the email list, send an email to Alan Hunt at alanhunt@carolina.rr.com or John Cock at jcock@ci.charlotte.nc.us. Please put BIKE COMMUTER LIST in the subject line (This is not necessary, but it is helpful).

If you need more information about the group or about bicycle commuting, fe= el free to contact Alan or John at the e-mail addresses above or John by phone= at 704-336-8309 (day).

The Tarheel Cyclist= s

A non-profit, all volu= nteer organization

<= span style=3D'color:black'>PO Box 35392

Charlotte, NC 2823= 5