Mid-Week Report: The Latest News, Products and Events

Welcome to the September 18th, Mid-Week Report! 

Welcome to the September 18th, Mid-Week Report!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

 

After overcoming a crash in stage one of the Vuelta, Jumbo Visma domestique Tony Martin went down hard a couple weeks later during stage 19. The German suffered lacerations to his face, abdomen and legs and was forced to abandon with two stages left to race. On Tuesday, Martin posted from the road during a ride in preparation for the World Championships.

Vuelta a Espana 2019 – 74th Edition – 19th stage  – Tony Martin (GER – Team Jumbo – Visma)

INSIDE ENVE WITH ZAP

Road Bike Action’s very own, Zap, joined former RBA editor Neil Shirley, and the rest of the Inside Enve crew for an in-depth conversation about his career as a cycling journalist. Visit www.enve.com for more episodes of the Inside Enve podcast.

BIKE TEST: CANNONDALE SYSTEMSIX

OLD NAME WITH A WHOLE NEW GAME

Talk about a do-over; Cannondale’s new SystemSix is a far stretch from the road bike (standard aluminum rear end mated to a carbon front triangle) that initially bore the model name. For all-around road duties, the popular SuperSix EVO became the bike of choice in the Cannondale catalog.

For 2019 Cannondale has rolled out the old name attached to a completely new bike, one that Cannondale elaborately points out in their “white paper” that has been plotted to account for every aspect and direction of wind. This is a ground-up new design that’s delivered a frame with very purposeful angles, curves and shapes.

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BIKE OF THE WEEK: OCOEE BOUNDARY

Ocoee comes to us from the team behind legendary titanium and triathlon brands in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With over 30 years of experience designing bikes, The team felt it was time to blaze a new route.  The Boundary is their gravel offering, with complete bikes starting at $2600 for the Shimano 105 version up to their Shimano Ultegra Di2 model for $3950. For more info head to www.ocoeebikes.com.

PRODUCT TEST: CYCLIQ 

When it comes to maximizing highway safety, being seen has always been an obvious solution. As such, we are at the point where almost everyone knows that daytime running lights help keep everyone safer. Motorized vehicles implemented them as standard equipment years ago, and it seems that every day we see more cyclists running lights as well.

Cycliq is a brand out of Australia that hopes to put cyclists further ahead in the safety debate ahead of our motorized friends with whom we share the road daily.

The Cycliq Fly6 CE and Fly12 CE are bicycle lights that have a built-in camera. While a camera alone doesn’t ensure a safer riding experience, when combined with an LED light that runs any time you ride, it’s a different story. Sure, there are plenty of daytime riding lights out there now and cameras are of abundance, but is it simple? No, you need to find someplace to mount both as they fight for the same space. There is the added weight of having two to four different units and all their mounts on the bike, but maybe the biggest deterrent for many cyclists is the headache of remembering to charge both lights and cameras.

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VAN DER POEL TAKES THE VICTORY AT THE TOUR OF BRITAIN

Tour of Britain 2019 – 16th Edition – 6th stage – Mathieu Van Der Poel (NED – Team Corendon – Circus)

Highly-rated Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel underlined his dominance of the Tour of Britain by winning the eighth and final stage on Saturday to seal his overall victory. The 24-year-old — the junior world road race champion in 2013 — won his second successive stage. Van der Poel edged out compatriot Cees Bol in a sprint finish after 103 miles from Altrincham to Manchester.

Italian Matteo Trentin, who finished second overall, 17 seconds adrift of van der Poel but won the points jersey, finished third in the stage

RACING NEWS

GRAN FONDO SANTA CLARITA SEPTEMBER 28

There is less than a month until the third annual Gran Fondo Santa Clarita presented by Road Bike Action. Set to roll on Saturday September 29th, past editions have included names like, multi-time national champion Daniel Holloway (Team Intelligentsia Coffee), Jessica Cerra (Team Twenty16), Jennifer Tetrick (Team Twenty16) and Jon Hornbeck (Team Holowesko Citadel Racing). A handful of the pro riders will remember much of the Fondo route, since it shares many of the same roads as what the Amgen Tour of California has used. The “Dry Gulch” mixed surface segment used in the past has been paved but is still timed with a prize for the fastest rider over it.

Three routes are available to choose from: the 100-mile Fondo and 60-mile Medio, which both offer individual rider timing. There is also a 20-mile “Family” route that uses many of the family-friendly, car-free paseos that wind their way through Santa Clarita.

The event benefits the Davis Phinney Foundation which was founded to help people living with Parkinson’s disease live well today. The day promises to be a very special day helping raise support funds and awareness for one of the United States’ original cycling heroes, Davis Phinney.

Website: www.granfondosantaclarita.com

SANTA BARBARA 100 OCTOBER 19

Santa Barbara features plenty of architecture in California’s iconic Spanish mission style.

Ride Santa Barbara 100 takes place in one of the most beautiful locations for cycling in the United States, from sandy shores to the foothills to the iconic climb on Gibraltar Road. Register before 9/20 with promo code RBA15 for 15% OFF!
Four great courses for riders of all levels including:
100 mile + Gibraltar Challenge Time Trial
100 km + Gibraltar Challenge Time Trial
100 km Coastal Ride
34 mile Fun Ride
Website: www.RideSB100.com

 

BIKE THE COAST SAN DIEGO NOVEMBER 1

Take in the breathtaking views of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar! Everything starts and finishes on the beach at the spectacular venue of the Oceanside Pier with food, beer, music, expo shopping and fun. If you’re looking to take your family on an active family vacation or are looking for unique bike tour, considering joining us in Oceanside for this fun ride that’s appropriate for all skill levels from individuals to competitive groups to families, this ride is inclusive to all.

Website: www.bikethecoastsd.com

SAGAN GRAN ROADIE-OH NOVEMBER 8-10

For the first time in Southern California, fans and avid cyclists will get the opportunity to hang out with, ride alongside or get a signed jersey from the most popular cyclist on the planet, Peter Sagan. The Southern California Sagan Fondo, the Gran Roadie-Oh version, will actually be a three-day collection of different ways to get to know Peter Sagan on the heels of his recording-breaking seventh Green Jersey victory at the Tour de France. The festivities will run November 8 to November 10, 2019.

EVENT FEATURES – Courses: 150K, 100K, 50K
  • 7:00 am roll-out from North City with CHP leading
  • Controlled Roads for the leaders throughout
  • Chip Timed Routes
  • Timed King & Queen of the Sprint sectors
  • On-course mechanic support
  • SAG Vehicles
  • Hundreds of enthusiastic Volunteers
  • Unparalleled Finish Celebration at North City with the streets shut down to traffic
  • Post Event Feast at Urge Gastropub
  • Live Music
  • Challenged Athletes Beer and Wine Garden
  • Unique 750ml Beer Bottle trophies for finishers
  • Event Tee-shirts for participants
  • Opportunity to buy signature event kits from Sportful, plus other merchandise items
  • Course safety provided by SD Police, CHP, Sheriffs, Traffic Control and Course Marshals!

Register here: www.roadieoh.com

THE RIFT ICELAND JULY 25 2020

The Rift is a gravel race through the dark lava fields in the highlands of Iceland – taking place on the tectonic split between North America and Eurasia. An ever-growing battlefield that grows an inch every year.

The battlefield sculpted by volcanic eruptions is vast, rugged and unpredictable – making the Rift a challenge of endurance, mental fortitude and most likely the bare elements. And in the end – a gravel battle between the continents!

The course starts out of a small town along the southern coast called Hvolsvöllur. This incredible shoreline stretches from the greater Reykjavík area in the west to the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the east. It is lined with countless natural wonders such as cascading waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers and volcanos – circumnavigating one of the most active volcanos on the island, Hekla.

CTS FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN GRAN FONDO

The city of Solvang, California will be the presenting sponsor for the third annual CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo cycling event. The event, to be held November 8-9, 2019, is produced by coaching company CTS and is anticipated to bring more than 800 cyclists and families to Solvang for festivities on Friday night and the gran fondo and finish line-party on Saturday.

As a result of the presenting sponsorship, the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo will move its packet pickup and start/finish to downtown Solvang from Santa Ynez. Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley have a long history with national and international-level cycling events, including stages of the Amgen Tour of California. The area is also known worldwide as an ideal location for pre-season training camps for professional cycling teams.

“CTS has been hosting cycling camps in and around Solvang for 20 years, and my personal history with the area goes back further to 7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team training camps in the 1980s,” said CTS Founder and CEO, Chris Carmichael. “We established a year-round training facility in the Santa Ynez Valley nearly 10 years ago and I am honored to have the support of the city of Solvang and the community in this wonderful valley.”

Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint added, “The Santa Ynez Valley is a premier cycling destination and we welcome the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo to Solvang.”

Kirk Nordgren, Event Director and General Manager of the nearby CTS training facility, said, “We’re proud to partner with the City of Solvang and local companies to create an event that’s great for cyclists and beneficial for the whole community.”

The economic benefit of bringing the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo to Solvang was a priority for Solvang City Council member Chris Djernaes. He said, “Cycling is good for business. The event helps establish Solvang as a destination for cycling tourism, and our city will continue to reap the economic benefits throughout the year as cyclists return to visit our beautiful valley.”

About the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo

On Friday afternoon and evening, riders will arrive in Solvang for packet pickup and the public is encouraged to participate in a cycling festival with activities for kids and families. Amateur cyclists participating in the event will all start together on Saturday morning and choose from four marked routes (100, 64, 44, and 31 miles) through the Santa Ynez Valley. The longer three routes feature an ascent of Figueroa Mountain, and all routes feature Ballard Canyon Road made famous to cyclists by the Amgen Tour of California. With the exception of the Start/Finish area, the course will be open to car traffic throughout the event. Riders will be supported on course with feed stations and mobile mechanics, and will return to Solvang for a finish line party with live music and locally sourced food and beer.

Website: www.trainright.com/granfondo

LANCE ARMSTRONG TO RIDE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE GREENVILLE

Hincapie Sportswear received confirmation on Monday that cyclist Lance Armstrong will ride in Gran Fondo Hincapie-Greenville. Armstrong, a former teammate of George Hincapie’s, partner at NEXT VENTŪRES, founder of WEDŪ, and host of “THEMOVE” and “The Forward” podcasts, will join George Hincapie for the ride.He also plans to air “THEMOVE” podcast while there.

“I’m excited to come to the ride,” says Armstrong. “We aired ‘THEMOVE’ at Gran Fondo Hincapie-Fort Worth, and it was a lot of fun to interact with the crowd there.”

George and Lance

“We’re thrilled to have Lance with us for another fondo,” says George Hincapie. “His presence in Fort Worth really helped to take the event up a notch. And everyone had a blast watching the podcast.”

The original Gran Fondo Hincapie, located in Greenville, SC, and now in its seventh year, has topped charts and received stellar reviews, acclaimed for the cycling celebrities in attendance, as well as the careful attention to safety, on-site viewing screens, course and segment timing, live tracking and streaming, live bands at the rest stops, and free family festival.

Also attending is three-time world champion Michael Rogers! He joins the list of cycling greats in attendance, including George Hincapie, Christian Vande Velde, Bobby Julich, , Justin Williams, Santiago Botero, and Victor Hugo Pena.

Website: www.hincapie.com/granfondo

2020 DIRTY KANZA REGISTRATION DETAILS

2020, here we come! Mark you calendars for the 15th annual Garmin Dirty Kanza on May 30, 2020. Thank you for making this year’s race one of the best ever.

The random selection process for the 2020 race will open on January 6 through January 19. Selections will then be made on or before January 27.

MORE INFO

Is there an awesome event happening closer to you? Send a link to [email protected]

 

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