Is Cheaper Better?

With ECFA signed, the boat loads of money should be arriving at the docks any minute. An article in Bicycle Retailer paints a pretty rosy picture of the situation.

"The agreement appears to have little if any impact on pricing for bicycles made for overseas consumption in the U.S., Europe or other nations—at least for now. Currently, Taiwan-made parts shipped to China for assembly on exports arrive through a duty free zone.

Pat Cunnane, president and CEO of Advanced Sports Inc, said the company and its manufacturing partner, Ideal Bike Corporation with facilities in Taiwan and China, could benefit from the sweeping trade agreement. “It will bring down costs of bikes in China that are made in Taiwan and it makes it easier for Taiwanese companies to sell in China,” he said.

Bonnie Tu, Giant Manufacturing’s chief financial officer, told the Financial Times the agreement could help the company better manage its production. Giant has factories in Taiwan and China. Giant builds its high-end bikes, particularly carbon fiber, in Taiwan. Lesser value models are made in China.

“If there is no tax issue, we can really integrate our factories and shuffle production as we like,” Tu said. “China’s economy of scale for high-end bicycles could be really big,” she added.

Cunnane said the future impact of the trade agreement doesn’t appear to offer either nation a major competitive advantage in the bicycle market. But the continued thaw in relations between the island nation of 23 million and its much larger rival is significant."

On a news report tonight, bicycle retailers were interviewed and mentioned they would now be free to sell more bicycles that are made in China. The average price is estimated to drop by at least NT3000 for the Chinese models. This is excellent for the large manufacturers like Giant, but it puts greater pressure on the smaller shops to provide value. No wonder King Liu has gotten so cozy with Ma.

The news report estimated ECFA costing 150,000 jobs.

Chasing The Malliot Jaune

Ok! The TdF kicks off with the Prologue Saturday night (Taiwan Time).

How can you watch the action?

Some tips HERE!

Memorial: R.I.P. Jiang Wei-jing [江瑋菁]

Taichung's cycling community lost a young, talented rider last week. Ms. Jiang Wei-jing died from injuries sustained during a contact crash in the Federation Stage 6- YunLin Road Race on June 20 .

I did not know Ms. Jiang personally and so I am a little cautious about writing this, but as a fellow cyclist and Taichung resident I can't help but feel saddened that another good, passionate rider and person is now gone and my heart goes out to those who did know her. These things always ripple through our ranks.

As members of a greater community of cyclists I hope we can lookout for ourselves and for others when we are out on the roads.

As human beings we are inherently fragile in this world and with a little determination and a bicycle, we are capable of doing some incredible things. We can propel ourselves to some amazing speeds and climb to some of the highest points, but we are still weak in the greater scheme of things.

Please ride safely and wear your helmet at all times. Please!

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A Facebook Memorial Page has been established for Ms. Jiang here

Bike Humor

It has been a pretty serious week. Thankfully a reader was kind enough to send in a little cycling humor to lighten the mood. A little humor can go a long way. Thanks S-S!


Pig! Pig!
The other day on a ride, I was speeding down a narrow, twisting, mountain road. Then along comes a woman who was driving very slowly uphill toward me, honking her horn and shouting at me.

"PIG! PIG!!" she yelled. "PIG! PIG!!"

So I flipped her the finger and shouted back some things I dare not repeat as I buzzed by her.

Still thinking about this awful woman and her shouting, I turned the corner and promptly collided with a pig.



A Nerd and His New Bike
A nerd was walking down the sidewalk one day when his friend, another nerd, rode up on an incredible shiny new bicycle.

The first nerd was stunned by his friend's sweet ride and asked, "WOW! Where did you get such a nice bike?"

The second nerd replied, "Well, yesterday I was walking home, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up to me on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, 'Take what you want!'"

The second nerd nodded approvingly, "Good choice. The clothes probably wouldn't have fit."



A Cyclist in Heaven
A very devout cyclist dies and goes to heaven. Saint Peter meets him at the gate. First thing the cyclist askes is if there are bicycles in heaven.

"Sure," says St. Peter, "let me show you," and he leads the guy into the finest Velodrome you can imagine.

"This is great," the cyclist says.

"It certainly is," says St. Peter. "You will have a custom bike and the best cycling clothes you've ever seen, and your personal masseuse will always be available."

As they speak a blur streaks by them on the boards riding a gold plated Cinelli.

"Wow!" the cyclist exclaims. "That guy was so fast that can only be Eddy Merckx!"

"No," says St. Peter, "that was God, he only thinks he's Eddy Merckx".



Problem Dog
"I've really had it with my dog," said the first guy to his neighbor. "He'll chase anyone on a bicycle"

"Hmmm, that is a problem," said the neighbor. "What are you thinking of doing about it?"

"Guess the only answer is to confiscate his bike!"



A Tough Climb on a Tandem
Jack and Jill have just climbed Le Alp de Huez, one of the steepest peaks in the Alps on their tandem.

"Phew, that was a tough climb" said Jack, leaning over, breathing hard. "That climb was so hard, and we were going so slow, I thought we were never going to make it."

"Yeah, good thing I kept the brakes on," said Jill, "or we'd have slid all the way back down!"

2010 Fu Gong Mtb/Downhill/Freestyle Championships Round 2

Tour de France Preview

The 2010 Tour de France, which is arguably the greatest of the Monument races in cycling, is set to get under way on July 3 for the 8.9km Prologue in Rotterdam.

The Tour is always fun to watch, but this year will be extra special as it is the last that will combine two elements people love to hate-- France and Lance Armstrong.

After this year's stellar Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France will have a lot to live up to. The route and teams are in place and a year had passed to let the bad blood fester in the media. Floyd Landis and Fabien Cancellara have added a couple twists to the mix with allegations of blood and bike doping.

Here are a few of the teams and riders to watch out for:

Team Astana will be back with defending champion, Alberto Contador, who will try to assert his dominance over the peloton after an ugly, and very public spat with former teammate and rival, Lance Armstrong. Contador will have some capable back up with ex-doper Alexandre Vinokourov, who is back from a 2 year suspension. He just reminds me of Drago from Rocky IV.

Quick Step will be riding without the master sprinter and leader, Tom Boonen. After a couple seasons of personal and health issues, he has developed a severe case of tendonitis and again must sit out another race.

Team Sky will be coming into the Tour headed by Bradley Wiggins, who looks more at home as the guitarist from a 70's British rock band. Sky has been looking strong this year.

HTC-Columbia will see if Mark Cavendish can sprint his way to win the Green Jersey for points; a prize he barely lost to Cervelo's Thor Hushovd.

Team Saxo Bank will again field the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank, who will decide which of them has the legs to compete for the GC. Last year they finished 2nd and 5th respectively. Frank Schleck demolished the competition in Time Trials this year as well and that could play a factor.

The Cervelo Test Team will have Carlos Sastre battling for the GC, with Thor Hushovd along side.

Liquigas has the formerly suspended doper, Ivan Basso, up front to make an attempt to follow his Giro win with the TdF. Vincenzo Nibali will be waiting in the wings if Basso falters.

Team BMC has again pinned their hopes on Cadel Evans, who is hungry and due for a major tour victory, especially after a 5th place finish in the Giro. The climbing duel between he and Bosso during the Giro was spectacular. Cadel and George Hincapie are the Chicago Cubs of cycling.

Team Rabobank has Denis Menchov, who might be a dark horse favorite to win this year. He is a skilled climber and has won two Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain) titles, one Giro, and has placed 4th, 5th and 11th at the Tour de France in the GC category.

Team Radioshack, which was established by Lance Armstrong after his bitter public feud with Astana captain, Alberto Contador, is stacked with talent to carry Armstrong's ancient 38yo. legs to the finish line. Aside from the legendary Armstrong, Radioshack will feature 2 time runner-up Andreas Kloden and the Armstrong's capable wingman and confidant, Levi Leipheimer, who is ready to leave Armstrong's shadow after one final Tour. Armstrong finished second in this year's Tour of Switzerland, which is a warm up to the TdF.

I am sure there are several I missed, but that leaves plenty of room for debate.

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Here is the link to the official TdF Website for updates and Webcasts.

VeloNews has some great route profiles here.

Bicycle Video Fails

We often like to record our cycling exploits, or at least wish we has a camera crew following us on our best rides, but in making a visual record we also face the risk of capturing our cycling failures for posterity.