Health

SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN) Feb 22, 10:16 MT— About 230 multisport event organizers, media, suppliers and retailers gathered here earlier this week for the second annual Triathlon America Conference. The three-day event, which concluded Tuesday, was held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn

BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN) Feb 21, 10:49 MT— Quality Bicycle Products honored an Idaho retailer and a Georgia component maker at its VIP event during last weekend’s Frostbike event here. Scott Fitzgerald, owner of Fitzgerald’s Bicycles in Victor, Idaho, was chosen to receive the Clay Mankin Award. QBP presents the annual honor to a shop owner who makes significant contributions to advance the bicycle industry.

From the latest product news to details of routes and events, our news round-up is a collection of short snippets of information in one handy article.

Today we bring you the limited edition Liquigas Sidi Ergo 3 shoes, Madison Saracen’s new team manager, the latest Nukeproof recruit, developments from the Cornwall Festival of Sport and much more.

Product and team news

New shoes celebrate eight-year Sidi/Liquigas partnership

Sidi have unveiled a fetching limited edition version of their Ergo 3 Carbon shoes in the distinctive green colours of Team Liquigas Cannondale. The Ergo 3 represents the high watermark of Sidi’s current road cycling shoe range, something reflected in the €363 price tag. They will have their own unique number printed on the inside, come packaged in a team colour shoe bag and will be available from the end of April.

Will Longden appointed Madison Saracen DH team manager

Will Longden, the four-time British mountain bike champion, with titles in 4X, downhill and dual slalom, takes the reins of the Madison Saracen Downhill Race Team from Tim Flooks, who has stood aside due to ill-health. Longden will be kept on his toes in 2012, having to juggle the new job with his role as Downhill Co-ordinator at British Cycling and racing duties for Lapierre-Nema.�

Fogelquist joins Nukeproof

Canadian dirt jump star Jack Fogelquist will ride for Nukeproof in 2012. He has used the firm’s components for a number of seasons but this year will be his first as a full factory rider. As well as riding the Snap 4X Pro and Scalp DH bikes, he’ll be involved in the development of new dirt jump and slopestyle frames, which are both at the prototype stage. Among his targets this season are the forthcoming Sea Otter Classic and Crankworx Colorado.

Cornwall Festival of Sport links up with Chain Reaction Cycles

The Cornwall Festival of Sport, a multi-sport summer event which we revealed details of last week, has secured Chain Reaction Cycles as its retail partner. The partnership will see the online retailer providing mechanical support both within the festival village and out on the road, a massage service for weary competitors and a shop for those looking for products at exclusive festival prices.

Routes, racing & rides

Artists given chance to impress at USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Aspiring and established artists are once again invited to enter a nationwide contest to design posters for each of the 12 host cities of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Winners will be selected for all 12 cities, plus a national poster that’ll be seen around the globe. You can enter from today via the race’s Facebook page and have until 16 March to do so. Fans of the page will select their three favourites for each city, plus the ten best national posters, with a panel of judges announcing the winners on 16 April. They’ll receive a cash prize as well as the priceless opportunity to showcase their work during the second edition of the race, won last year by Levi Leipheimer.�

Biking guide unlocks off-road routes in Keswick

Lakeland bike shop Keswick Bikes have just published a leaflet featuring five “do-in-a-day” off-road track and country lane rides that all begin and start in the Lake District town. Routes include The Skiddaw Loop, Lonscale Fell and the Glenderattera Valley, The Borrowdale Bash, The Old Railway Line & Castlerigg Stone Circle and Swinside Circuit, and features comprehensive directions, route difficulty and refreshment locations. To pick up your copy, email kmb@keswickbikes.co.uk.

Below are two job postings for the Hubway bike share program

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Alta Bicycle Share Job Description: Bicycle Rebalancer/Van Driver
New Balance/Hubway‐BOSTON
Overview:
Bicycle sharing is a sustainable, healthy and community‐based transport option that enhances urban livability and mobility. Alta Bicycle Share operates approximately 630 bikes at over 60 stations in the Boston area with expansion to surrounding Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline expected for 2012.
Alta Bicycle Share, on‐the‐ground operators of the New Balance/Hubway bike sharing program, is seeking several results‐oriented, dedicated individuals to assist with bicycle redistribution to all stations.

New Balance/Hubway Rebalancer is a part time position. The main responsibilities are to drive our company vans in Boston to help maintain the optimal number of available bikes and docks for our members.

Requirements:
• Must be able to start immediately with the ability to work nights and/or weekends
• Experience driving trucks or large vans in city traffic a must
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record
• Knowledge of Boston geography/street layout
• Basic computer skills

Forecasted Hours are:
Weekday hours are 6am to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 10pm

Responsibilities:
• Work alone or with other Street Team members under the guidance of the Operations Manager and/or Street Team Leader
• Drives a large van to redistribute bikes as required based on real‐time demand data
• Addresses and logs bike status, system events and rebalancing data as instructed
• Evaluates bike condition, and escalates issues, as needed
• Inspects bike stations for safety, operability and cleanliness
• Troubleshoots stations/ensures station operability
• Assists with bike and bike station deployment and re‐deployment
• Works with Customer Service and Bike Maintenance teams to ensure timely and productive workflows
• Uses both utility vehicle and redistribution van to accomplish daily tasks
• Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications:
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalency
• Mechanical and/or electronic aptitude a plus
• Basic computer skills
• Flexible to work various shifts, as assigned.
• Interpersonal skills ‐ must maintain confidentiality, remain open to others’ ideas and exhibit a willingness to try new things
• Adaptability must adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing priorities and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events
• Dependability ‐ must be punctual, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and solicit feedback to improve performance
• Previous experience in delivery driving, mechanical and/or logistics experience is preferred

Job Conditions:
• Bike shop/warehouse conditions
• Job may require travel
• Job may require hours that exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week
• Requires bending, stooping, lifting up to 35 pounds

Compensation begins at $13/hour with the potential to increase to $15/hour after 90 days
Alta Bicycle Share is a drug‐free workplace and an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume to resumes+hubwaystreetteam@altabicycleshare.com

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities in order to meet the ongoing needs of the organization

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Alta Bicycle Share Job Description: Bike Checker
New Balance/Hubway‐BOSTON

Overview:
Bicycle sharing is a sustainable, healthy, and community‐based transport option that enhances urban livability and mobility. New Balance/Hubway currently operates with over 60 stations and 600 bikes in Boston, with system expansion planned in Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline in 2012.

Through contracts with the City Of Boston, Alta Bicycle Share is responsible for all “on the ground” aspects of New Balance/Hubway bike share program, including but not limited to: station and bike building and deployment, station and bike repair and maintenance, and bicycle redistribution. Bike checkers ride between stations to provide on the spot maintenance and technical assistance to help ensure the safe and efficient operation of New Balance/Hubway system.

Availability Requirements:
• Must be able to start immediately
• Flexible availability a plus
• Part time shifts available
• Weekday shifts from 8am – 5pm

Responsibilities:
• Work alone or in a team setting and with Lead Bicycle Mechanic
• Rides a bicycle throughout city to check status and perform routine maintenance on bicycles
• Evaluates bike condition, and escalates issues, as needed
• Inspects bike stations for safety, operability and cleanliness
• Works with Customer Service & Street Team to ensure timely and productive workflows
• Some data entry, for inventory tracking purposes

Qualifications:
• Must be at least 18 years old
• High school diploma or equivalency
• Some bicycle mechanic experience
• Comfort riding a bicycle in city traffic
• Basic knowledge of Boston geography/street layout
• Basic computer skills
• Flexible to work various shifts, as assigned
• Accountability – the individual will be working unsupervised for the majority of the time
• Adaptability ‐ the individual adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events
• Dependability ‐ the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance

Job Conditions:
• Bike shop/warehouse conditions
• Job may require travel
• Job may require hours that exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week
• Requires bending, stooping, lifting up to 35 pounds Compensation begins at $13/hour. Alta Bicycle Share is a drug‐free workplace and an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply:

Submit a cover letter and resume to:
resumes+hubwaystreetteam@altabicycleshare.com@altabicycleshare.com

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities in order to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

NEW YORK, NY (BRAIN) Feb 6, 12:55 MT— Nielsen Holdings, which runs the well-known television traffic survey as well as the bike trade show Interbike, is reporting a revenue increase of 8 percent for 2011. Of special interest to the bike and sports industry, Nielsen’s expo division grew by 7 percent in 2011 and a healthy 17 percent in the final quarter of the year. Nielsen, traded on New York Stock Exchange as NLSN, also owns the Outdoor Retailer trade shows and about 25 other shows

By Nicole Formosa TORRANCE, CA—Similar to many small startups, Niner Bikes co-founder Chris Sugai squeezed everything he had to get his new company off the ground in 2005. Through personal capital, investments from friends and family, and two minority investors he concocted a recipe that carried him through the initial growth phases. But as the 29er movement caught on and sales took off, it became clear he would need more cash to mature

By Nicole Formosa TORRANCE, CA—Similar to many small startups, Niner Bikes co-founder Chris Sugai squeezed everything he had to get his new company off the ground in 2005. Through personal capital, investments from friends and family, and two minority investors he concocted a recipe that carried him through the initial growth phases. But as the 29er movement caught on and sales took off, it became clear he would need more cash to mature.

HONG KONG (BRAIN) Jan 26, 16:21 MT— Pryde Group, the parent company of Neil Pryde bikes, announced this week its acquisition of Imagine Surf, a player in the stand-up-paddle industry. The two companies had been working together over the past 18 months with Pryde Group eventually taking over distribution for the much smaller Southern California-based Imagine

Ultimately a good public transportation system is good for cyclists, so even if you ride your bike every single day all year long you should fight to keep the MBTA system healthy. Here are some emails from local groups working on this issue.

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Livable Streets

Buying a 10kg (22lb) mountain bike instead of an 11kg (24.2lb) one will cost you £2.48 per gram saved, according to the Environmental Transport Association. To put that in some sort of perspective, that’s over five times more expensive than the price of scrap silver.

The ETA looked at online mountain bike prices last month and says it found that a 10kg mountain bike cost £2,483 more than one weighing 11kg on average.

Weight loss on heavier bikes was much more reasonable ETA says; a bike weighing 13kg over one of 14kg cost £736 more on average, while buying a mountain bike with a weight of 12kg would cost an additional £656 on average. Definitely a case of diminishing returns as you go lighter.

Bikeradar’s own quick web survey based on published weights and full RRPs of roadbikes on www.chainreactioncycles.com gave the following results:

Price gaps between the average prices, from low to high weight, were £1265, £1701 and £672, suggesting you are paying most dearly if you want to break the 8kg barrier and there being least difference between 9kg+ bikes and 8kg+ bikes.

While ETA say that weight is only one factor potential bike buyers look at, they were quite clear that finding out the weight of any given bike is a lottery as relatively few manufacturers publish bike weights.

Indeed, ETA single out Cannondale’s statement on Evans’ website to highlight the difficulty of finding out accurate weights and the pitfalls inherent in relying on manufacturers’ quoted figures;

“WEIGHT: Don’t see a weight listed for this bike? Wondering why that is? Well, we used to list our weights based upon medium or 56cm frame and err on the side of caution when we know there will be variances due to welds, paint thicknesses, etc. But some of our competitors are weighing their small or extra small frames and rounding down. Then you’re left wondering what’s going on and making important buying decisions based upon faulty information. That’s not right. So because weight is too important to you as a consumer, we encourage a healthy bit of scepticism over published weights. Go to your local dealer, see it, feel it, weigh it and test ride it for yourself. We’re that confident. You should be, too.”

Note, BikeRadar’s own bike reviews have weight as tested listed in the full specification on the right.