Clips, Links, Videos... and cyclocross disc brakes

Team Neko took a little tour out to the Huisun Leisure Forest Park, a route I detailed a bit a few weeks ago.

I also had the pleasure of joining T-Mosaic Bikes for their Moon Festival BBQ. It had all the makings of a great party... including the guy who obviously missed the course in college on the effects of Scotch whiskey on the human mouth and body.

In other goings on...

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Taiwan Links:

With the anniversary of ECFA coming in the midst of an election year, it is not surprising to see the big industrialists out trumpeting the benefits of such a trade deal with China.

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The start of the Free Trade Agreement between Taiwan and China which will become fully operational after Chinese New Year will grant Taiwan’s bicycle industry free access to the Chinese market. The big 3 Taiwanese bicycle manufacturers, Giant, Merida, and Ideal Bikes, are actively investing in the mainland market.

“Our future lies in China and one of our goals is to develop this rapidly expanding market”, said Tony Lo, CEO of Giant Global Group at the press conference hosted by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) at last week’s Eurobike show. “The best platform to build up this emerging market is the Taipei Cycle Show which is taking place from March 7 – 10, 2012,” said Lo.

Sadly, the economic boon promised to Taiwanese has been anything but, while the social and political price appears to be staggeringly high. Much of the problem is that ECFA is not entirely driven my economics, but by Chinese racialists and their nationalist ideologues. Many of the "ripe" numbers have been provided by the Chinese side.

Taiwan's big three manufacturers are rushing into China hot and heavy... while other manufacturers are quietly retreating from rising costs and strong-arm government moves to commandeer private enterprises.

Also:

• NTU President calls for improved bicycle parking.

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Information:

Jean from this great blog... and this one... would like to remind TIC readers to become a part of the greater global conversation on cycling by contributing and participating in discussions in the lead up to the Velo-city Global Conference for 2012.

Why should cyclists in Taiwan be concerned about other cycling communities or contribute information and experience to a conference that will be held in North America?

The answer is simple. Taiwan is a part of a larger global community of cycling and there is very little known about Taiwanese cycling outside the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, Taiwan's government seems keen on building bicycle infrastructure and has routinely sent staff and representatives on research junkets to find out how other countries are building and fostering their different cycling cultures. Often Taiwan's representatives haven't a clue what we want or need. It would be great if they could hear it from some other "authority" who may know a little more about our resources and our challenges.

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In Other News:

• At last... the disc brake cyclocross bike is back in a big way. I was way ahead of my time.

• Poor bike path design kills? In Taiwan I am aware of cases of riders being seriously injured by bad designs. Tort Law good... Tort Law bad.

• Cycling's Wonder Woman withdraws from Worlds after EPO allegations. Just when I was thinking I could still get sponsored for the pro ranks at 37... sheesh! Another rock star dream dies. Oh... and she's French.

• Cyclists don't do it on the first date. Help change a negative stereotype.

• New York's Bike Visionary.

• What do you get when you cross a large predatory cat with the name brand of shut-in geekdom? Answer

• Timor cycling for peace.

• Teenage female cyclists embark on a scandalous multi-day bike tour... in 1940.

• Using your Garmin as a forensics tool to fill missing time.

• The Economist waxes on safety.

December News Cycles: Laterally Stiff... Yet Vertically Compliant

At Alishan

*photo courtesy of Michael Turton

Local News:

• Primavera does Yangming Shan.
• Terry does Taichung Bike Week.
• The Talented Steven Ripley tours the Giant Factory for the Winnipeg Sun. Despite the regurgitation of prepackaged government tropes and the repeated and imaginary construct of China's history, which has apparently grown to 8000 years and may soon reach the pliocene before the decade is out, Ripley gives us a nice little blurb on the Giant production line.
• Taiwan Focus gives us an update on the well financed Taiwanese couple circling the globe and spreading ROC mythologies.
• Mark Blacknell descends Taroko. One of my favorite biking locations.
• Bev Cycles through Taiwanese bike factories.
• Taiwanese company produces the first carbon fiber roof rack for bicycles that promises to be laterally stiff... yet vertically compliant.

International News (I wish I still had the I.N.sweatshirt)

• Beijing's Town Bike: Chinese forsake their bikes for four wheeled representations of status and wealth... leading to clogged cities and even more air pollution in Beijing. What happened to the bicycle infrastructure? The government is now offering up public bicycles.
• John Roberts writes his decision on choosing a bike. That would be John C. Roberts and he makes a lot of good points. Having just sent a few people out looking for bikes I want to underscore a couple points. If the salesperson doesn't seem interested in listening... leave. A salesperson should be like a good doctor by listening to the customer and then finding a suitable solution. Many salespeople simply want to move the stock they are being asked to move. Others simply want to move customers to higher ticket items, but often a lower-end starter leads to endless upgrades. Purpose and fit do not seem to matter to many on the sales floor. If they don't want to listen... don't stay.
• The UCI, the governing body for professional cycling, have announced their intended reach beyond the bike to govern clothing and products. This has major implications as amateur cyclists (and marketers) often follow the pros and this decision may impact many clothing and product manufacturers as average consumers rush to get (look) "certified". Anyone remember the rush to get "ISO 9002... Certifahhhd"?
• Say it loud... I bike and I'm proud! College students defy authority in protest against cyclist crackdown.
• Team Schleck of Luxembourg will follow Apple naming protocol to become "Team Leopard", also known as build ASFS2011.
• Commute Racing: When you just need to put the smack-down on somebody before going to the office and jockeying to hold the hat for your boss.