Cadels Before Schlecks: My Worst Pun To Date and Links

• Taiwanese racer poised to become the first Asian cyclist to win the International Cycling Classic. Feng Chun-kai maintained an insurmountable lead in the 43 year-old Pro-Am series after a week of victories and high placed finishes. Feng's dominance really highlights the still untapped potential for a country like Taiwan to cultivate athletic talent that can compete at the international level. The interest in cycling remains high as recreational riders are becoming more sophisticated and interested in the sport of cycling.

• A pair of cancer survivors tackle Taiwan by bike to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Cycling has become a favorite activity for people dedicated to combating cancer, in part for Lance Armstrong's close association with cancer research and also for the fact that cycling can be an easy and accessible activity for lots of people.

• The Liberty Times reports on Bike Angels, a Taiwanese Lutheran group that will be riding around Taiwan to raise funds for a new orphanage in XiLuo and other projects. You can follow them on Facebook.

• Terry's got some great pics from Saturday's Giant Cup event. Terry placed a respectable 3rd.

World Links:

• A North American look at 10 Great Places for City Cycling.

• Making Cycling More Inclusive: De-gendering the bicycle.

• When art and bicycles collide.

• Los Angeles carries a Big Stick for cyclists. Defending the defenseless.

• Revolutionary inventions for cycling?

• So you think you could be pro. How do you compare?

• Man cuts himself in two through cycling.

Tour de France: An End To 21 Days of Schlecks and Violence

I have to admit I was skeptical. After a couple boring years of the Tour de France and more thrilling Giro contests, I was ready to concede to another yawn fest with predetermined plot lines and preordained royalty. Then the Giro came and it bored me to death. Could Alberto Contador gobble up competition any faster? How many times could he concede the finish line to gift favors? In fact, it may have been his undoing.

The same rabble of favorites were destined to shine at this year's Tour. Contador, the Schleck boys, Ivan Basso, Cadel Evans, Sammy Sanchez, Thor, Cavendish, Ferrar.

Then the opening day of crashes put several of the favorites behind. More crashes depleted the peloton of some of its heavyweights. Team Radioshack was decimated with Chris Horner babbling incoherently after finishing with an obvious concussion in Stage 7. This really opened up the field to see demonstrations of grit, like Johnny Hoogerland's repeated aggression even after tangling his boys in a barbed wire fence and requiring 30 stitches.

Another hero of the race was Tommy Voeckler, the Frenchman from Team Eurocar who fought valiantly to attain and then retain his yellow jersey. It was that heart of a competitor that really came through on Stage 18 as he crossed the finish suffering immeasurably from exhaustion after chasing Andy Schleck's breakaway to hold a mere 15 seconds on Schleck in a futile effort that would see him lose his top spot the following day, which was owned by Alberto Contador. Although Contador's legs gave out on Stage 18, the former (at that time reigning champion) put the remainder of his energy into a Stage 19 stand that possibly out paced the Schlecks and may have given Cadel Evans an edge.

I was hooked early and hooked long. I followed through the middle stages as the leaders sized up the competition and cautiously maintained a pace at the front.

It was truly a grand tour.

TdF Links:

• Cadel me gently. Aussie wins Malliot Jaune in 20th stage ITT heroics. How did he do it?

• WSJ examines why the TdF captivated so many after becoming a bit of a bore in recent years.

• Andy Schleck's Stage 18 Pinache.

• Alberto Contador's fighting spirit wins fans and respect.

• Breaking the Color Barrier. 108 years later, first black man competes in worlds top bicycle race.

• So you think you should be sponsored... How do you stack up against the pros? Maybe that 32kph average over 50k inspires you to think about making a career of cycling. See what the big dogs averaged.

2000 Meters Above Central Taiwan: Climbing The Four Peaks

Feeling A Bit Rough

Saturday, I decided to punish myself for not getting out mid-week for any training rides and so I figured I should take on some of the area's more notorious roads while adding some distance to increase my overall fitness.

This trip was not so much about destination, but the journey... er... actually, it was about the roads. It is funny that, as cyclists, we often complain about traffic and reliance on motor vehicles. I know I do. But I can sure figure out how to properly enjoy the roads we've build for them.

Stop to stretch legs

I left Taichung along Dong-shan Rd. through Dakeng to warm up my climbing legs on the Route 129 to Hsin-she. I felt 10 times better than when I did this route a couple of weeks ago.

I then continued on the Route 93 to Chung-ho (Zhong-he) Village and out to the Highway 21 to traverse Baimao Shan. The climbing was steady and had I not had such a full plate for the day, I may have hit it a lot harder.

Highway 21

I sacrificed part of one of the most wonderful descents I have ever ridden to see if I could bring back a couple pictures of the road to explain my fixation with it. Sadly, there are few real vantage points to show it in all its awesomeness.

Straight Away on the Highway 21

At Guoxing I stayed on the Highway 21, which banks left into a short climb and the most rewarding valley. The normal route is to go straight on the Highway 21, which becomes the Route 133 and goes back to the Highway 14 toward Taichung or the Route 136.

National Fruit

The valley ends at a rough climb with a couple grades in the double digits. I was pleased with my progress and I just kept plugging away at the hill.

Looking Down

I always underestimate this climb, and with the sun at its highest point, it was even less comfortable.

Above Puli

I kept focusing on my pedal stroke and looking up ahead. Suddenly, I turned a corner and found myself on top of the 2200ft plateau.

This is one of my favorite areas. The plateau is covered in dark red clay and the farms that spring from that soil. It is truly a sight.

Silly Giant Buddha

The Highway 21 shoots on through a small farming community and then plunges into the Puli Basin. It is easy to bring speeds up into the high 60's on the descent. I passed the Giant Buddha and I am always struck by how many people I have heard who are impressed by such an eyesore. It isn't old, it isn't special and it doesn't really belong when you look at the environment. It is just a gaudy display of a temple's "power".

I finally rolled into Puli, but didn't stay long. My hydration and nutrition plan was working perfectly and I wouldn't need to stop for fuel until the Route 136.

As I headed out of Puli on the Highway 14, the road was like a wind tunnel. All that wind channeled through the mountains made the ride an absolute pain. I pulled my effort back to save my legs for the final climb. I thought I could use the Highway 14 as recovery time.

Route 136

I took on fuel and water at the Hi Life at the base of the Route 136, and then cranked my legs up to speed. The climb is really not so bad for the first two thirds or so, but then the ramps start to indicate a final third of suffering. Surprisingly, I was making pretty good time up the hill. I stopped for a picture of the road, but that was about it. I just kept pushing to the top.

The descent into Taiping was smooth and fast. I was feeling pretty good.

SCORE:

Distance: 140km
Elevation Gain: 2000m/6500ft
Max Speed: 60kph
Max Temp: 40C/104F
Calories Burned: 4714cal

Along 136

Bike route 1134372 - powered by Bikemap

As The World Terns: Dahon Files Suit

A press release from Dahon indicates this sordid family divorce drama which has become nearly Homeric in scale, and which has divided the House of Hon... pitting wife and son against husband and father, is inevitably headed to court where it will be decided by intellectual property lawyers.

It really makes one wonder what is really at the root of all this family in crisis.

Read the entire press release below:

-------------------------------------------------

NEWS RELEASE

Dahon Files Lawsuit Against Former Officers

Lawsuit charges Joshua Hon and Florence Hon for breaching their fiduciary duties as officers of Dahon and unlawfully using company assets, resources and intellectual property to start a competing company

Duarte, California, July 21, 2011 - Dahon North America Inc. (“Dahon”), the world leader in folding bicycles, today announced it has filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against two former officers (Joshua Hon and Florence Hon) and their unlawfully competing businesses (Mobility Holdings, Ltd. and Tern Bicycles).

Dahon sued Joshua Hon and Florence Hon for wrongfully seizing control over Dahon’s Taiwan subsidiary (Dahon and Hon Industrial Labs, Ltd.) and related Dahon intellectual property, including the Biologic brand and the dahon.com website, and for using those assets and property to unfairly compete with Dahon. In addition, since Joshua Hon and Florence Hon started competing with Dahon while officers and employees of Dahon, they have acted in breach of their fiduciary duties owed to Dahon and to Dahon’s shareholders.

Dahon welcomes lawful competition in the marketplace. However, as alleged in Dahon’s complaint, the actions of these former officers are unlawful, and their refusal to cease their unlawful behavior has necessitated the instant lawsuit.

A number of false, misleading and self-incriminating comments regarding their departure from Dahon have been made public by Joshua Hon and Florence Hon. In particular, Dahon disputes allegations that any entity other than itself has ownership of intellectual property rights, copyrights, trademarks and patents relating to the Dahon brand and Dahon branded products. Also, statements by these former officers that they continue to represent Dahon either individually or through their fictitious company “Dahon Global” are simply untrue. “It is one thing to make unsubstantiated claims on the internet and through alternate channels, but it is another to provide documented evidence and make statements in a court of law under oath" said Dr. David Hon, CEO of Dahon.

Dahon pioneered the market for the modern folding bicycle more than 30 years ago and is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of folding bicycles. Dahon’s technologies, which include over 220 patents, form part of the industry standard for folding bicycles the world over. Dahon remains a strong and successful company today, and boasts more than 1,000 employees internationally, including a team of over 70 engineers. Perpetual innovation and reinvention continue to be the guiding principles that customers have come to know and expect from the Dahon brand.

# # #

Details regarding the lawsuit are available online at www.pacer.gov and at
http://vyew.com/502951/Dahon_vs_Tern.

All inquiries regarding Dahon’s lawsuit should be directed to

Call & Jensen
610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 700
Newport Beach, California 92660

Tel: (949) 717-3000
Email: vchristenson@calljensen.com

All general press inquiries regarding Dahon should be directed to

International
Patrick Fischer
Tel: +49-6032-3459-18
Email: patrick.fischer@itms.com

USA
Steve Cuomo
Tel: +1-203-246-4470
Email: cuomo@snet.net

Tour de France Stage 18: The Decider (My TdF Movie Ending)

I have been up watching the Tour de France online from one of the feeds at Steephill (look at the bottom for feeds) and with the extra help of the TdF Live Blogging from Cycling News.

I have to say, this is the best contest since Lance left the scene, and maybe even better without such a dominant force.

The race has entered its third and final act with several lethal threats still lurking at the top of the GC leader board.

Tommy Voeckler of Team Eurocar is still sitting on top with the yellow jersey. He is losing time little by little like a deflating balloon. He has led a valiant effort with pinache, but it may not be enough.

Australia's Cadel Evans is sitting in second. His style and ugly mug may be a turn-off for some, but he is looking flawless and strong after last year's curse of the Rainbow Jersey.

The Schleck boys from Team Leppard (I know) are sitting in third and fourth. Frank Schleck is 1:22 out, but he can't Time Trial. Little brother Andy is 2:36 out and he can climb and Time trial, but he is upset about the descents... boo hoo. They both seem apprehensive to go it alone without support. Neither has won the TdF, but Andy came in second last year after a dropped chain that allowed Alberto Contador to get away for a win.

Samuel Sanchez, the Spanish rider from Euskaltel in in fifth, and last year's winner Alberto Contador of Saxo Bank is in sixth 3:15 out of first-- a gap that can be overcome on a good breakaway, climb or descent.

Who to pull for tonight?

I think from the Hollywood standpoint it looks like this:

• Contador has got a couple big victories already. I'd like to see him as the Sports Movie Bad Guy this time around. The Drago from Rocky IV... The "Shoot" from Vision Quest.... The Italian team in Breaking Away... the Cobra Khans in Karate Kid... the Russians in that Red Dawn on Ice about the American hockey victory. You get the picture. Contador can play that guy. He can be a threat to the very end, but I don't want him to win it. It'd make a bad ending for my TdF movie. Sanchez would make a great toady for AC. Scheming Spaniards stroking their long mustaches and contemplating the plunder of innocents on their galleons in their puffy shirts.

• The Schlecks have the brotherly love thing going on, but they way they are doing it is pissing me off. The only way to find redemption is for one brother to sacrifice himself for the other in a selfless act of pain or danger. It taps into the whole Jesus thing of self sacrifice that Americans dig on. Maybe a biblical parallel on the scale of The Grapes of Wrath.

• Voeckler can't win. He has held the yellow jersey for too long and if he went ahead an won, it would be anticlimactic. Besides, he has a name most English speakers can't pronounce and he is too... European.

• Basso would just be camera fodder and maybe the surprise friend at the end who enables the good guy, who isn't sure where Basso's loyalties lie, to pull out the win is a surprising act of cross-team cooperation. He is also tainted by doping and can only be the seemingly morally ambiguous Han Solo who has a little heart... not the pure-hearted Luke Skywalker.

• Danielson would be a dark horse only because he's an American. Go America, yeah! Whoo! Home of the free land of the brave.

• I think Cadel is the better hero with all the adversity he has faced amid so much promise. He is the mountain biker who overcomes switching to the road after being told he can't do it... rises, falls... and rises again. Besides, he's a native English speaker and the hero must speak English.

Sunday on the Route 130 in Miaoli

Joe and Michael Near Summit

Although I was feeling tired from my Saturday ride, I thought it would be a good idea to really make the legs work this weekend and take a casual yet demanding ride up the Route 130 in Miaoli.

I was happy to meet up with Michael Turton and Joe Lee for a day of cruising the roads between Taichung and the Sanyi area of southern Miaoli County. I have been meaning to ride with Joe for a good long while as he is such a great athlete. Unfortunately, he has been working through sports related injuries as vexing as mine. It was good to have him along.

This is a route I have done numerous times, but I never get tired of it. I also wanted to do more climbing.

Cycling For All Ages

We coasted out to Juolan at Taichung's northernmost edge and then flew along the Highway 3 to the Route 130 turn off not far past the Liyu Reservoir.

That is not the race director's car

The climb opens with a steep set of curves and then mellows... only just a little. My legs felt better than they had in weeks. Joe, Michael ad myself pushed our way up through the orchards and jungle.

Joe at the posing place

The views from the road were just spectacularly clear.

Red Plum Slushee

We stopped at the Mile High Cafe for a little refreshment and a chat with the charming wait staff.

View

All too soon it was time to continue the climb.

Michael puts the hammer down

The clouds on the horizon spelled trouble, so we made quick work of the rest of the hill and flew down the other side... a sensation that could only be described as "grounded flight."

Joe gets another view

Me

As we neared the Longtan Broken Bridge, it was clear the rain would soon be upon us. And just as I had predicted, the rains hit at about 2:00pm. It wasn't too bad and came in waves.

We fought our way back against wind and rain into Fengyuan and Taichung. By the time I reached the Taichung city limits, the heavens opened up in a torrent that would have made my shower-head jealous. I was completely soaked, so I soldiered on home in the fiercest downpour I have ridded through in a good long while.

Just before arriving at my front gate, the clouds opened to let beams of white sunlight through and call off the showers. Ahhhh... Taiwanese summers!

Ominous Warnings

Quick Morning over Bagua Shan.

Looking at the mountains from Wuer

This week has been a bit tricky with the weather. As many of you already know, during the summer the weather can be completely unpredictable in Taiwan. What may start out as a hot, sunny day, can quickly turn into rivers from the sky. I recall a 200k ride I did last year that looked so promising, until the puffy white clouds turned menacingly grey and then dumped enough water on me to drown my ipod.

My best guess was that it would be wise to start out early and do a ride up and around Bagua Shan, the big hill that separates Taichung from the Changhua plain. I figured with winds coming from the south, a nice lateral route with some climbing would be nice. Furthermore, there are lots of escape routes if it looks like the weather might deteriorate.

Team Radio Shack's Last Tour Contender?

I left through the Nantun Dist. and took the bridge near the HSR station to cross into Changhua. Blue skies, puffy clouds. It was a magnificent morning. I tagged along with a small group of riders until we could circumvent the road construction on the Highway 74 that goes directly over Bagua Shan, and then I hung a left on Highway 14 toward Fenyuan.

Looking Good This Fine Morning

Fenyuan is really an interesting town. I highly recommend a photo-ride through there on any weekend morning. Everyone is hanging out on the street.

Beautiful Downtown Fenyuan

I made a strategic error and assumed I would have gotten food earlier, so I stopped in Fenyuan for coffee, rice dumplings and a sport drink to fuel my climb and the rest of my ride.

Dacun Below (Grape Country)

I took Zhong Shan Rd. to the 139 which runs along the top of the hill in a sort of undulating series of short climbs and drops. The high winds made the view from the top nearly free of the usual haze.

I kept a nervous watch over my shoulder at all times to make sure I wouldn't be caught by a surprise thunderstorm, but the only clouds were a few cotton balls snuggling up against the mountains and some wisps of white toward Douliu far below.

Then, no more than 15 minutes after I took these pictures, I looked up to see a huge cloud bank covering southern Changhua in a dark mist. I checked the mountains and the clouds had burst through the Central Mountain Range and were closing fast.

I bailed out on part of Yuanshui Rd. for a roaring descent off the hill to join up with the Route 137.

Posing With Pineapples

I pounded away under the shadow of grey clouds to get home before the skies opened up. I normally don't mind the rain, but I just got my new wheels on Thursday and I am really not ready to risk getting water and dirt in the bearings yet. Let them be new for a while longer.

I reached the Highway 74 again and decided to climb it rather than go around through Changhua City. My climbing felt a bit better and I made good time up to the top. Then I was ready for the descent. My Garmin had me at 69kph, but I felt so stable I had plenty of time to enjoy my ride.

Before long I was back home and the clouds were soon covering Taichung again. Within an hour the rain opened up and washed all of central Taiwan. It didn't last, so hopefully things will be clearing up and I can get a few more rides in.

It was just a nice little morning ride.

New Fulcrum Racing 1 Alloy Wheels... real nice!

Also:

Check out Muse of Taichung and his narrative from the epic Tour of Taichung.

HTC Taiwan's Team of the Tour?

Here is a video put together by Taiwan's HTC corporation to help celebrate the Tour de France and possibly to highlight their sponsorship of one of the top teams. It is easy to forget that HTC-Highroad, the team of 3 stage winner and master sprinter Mark Cavendish, is a Taiwanese sponsored team. With products like the HTC Flyer, which in too big to compete with the iphone and too small to compete with an ipad, they'll need all the advertising they can get.

Also:

• New Tang Dynasty TV (The Falun Gong TV Station) ran a report on Jack Becker's trip to Taiwan. The report (in Chinese) takes some liberties with the facts and uses the visit to presume Taiwan's bicycle infrastructure is now considered to be "world class". Looking for the validation.

• Check out The Muse of Taichung and his incredible route to tour Taichung.

Weather Notes:

Sadly, we have seen a week of tantalizingly beautiful mornings punctuated by evening rain beginning about an hour before most people are off work. Not ideal for weekday rides.

A typhoon is scheduled to rumble around out in the Pacific... close enough to send more nasty weather our way.

and

A reminder for all you planning long rides when there is a break in the weather: Summer means a steady wind from southern Taiwan will make riding south a virtual Hell. Plan accordingly. This situation should last until December.

Other News:

Seven Estonians have been freed in Lebanon.

Closing the gender gap in cycling.

Prevent skin cancer from cycling.

Levis Cycling Line? Maybe not for the humid Taiwanese summers.

Is the TdF crash crazy?