Free Republic

Construction on a bike highway — hoped to connect communities to make high-speed, emissions-free commuting possible — is underway in Germany. But with funding in question, will this bikers’ dream still come true? […] The cost-benefit relation presented by the RVR is optimistic: Benefits equal nearly five times more than costs. Figures indicate the bike autobahn would save €11.5 million yearly on medical expenses due to the health benefits of greater physical activity and reduced pollution, while it would also save €6.3 million through prevented accidents. But money is lacking to complete the project, estimated at €184 million. For the...

What you’ll see: An early spring has transformed Henry W. Coe State Park into one of the best parks for mountain biking anywhere in America. At 87,000 acres, it’s the largest state park in Northern California. A 250-mile network of ranch roads and trails — including my favorite, the ride from Hunting Hollow to Kelly Lake — makes it a cyclist’s paradise. Location: Henry Coe is in remote Santa Clara County, surrounded by Morgan Hill (access to park headquarters), Gilroy (access to Hunting Hollow) and Bell Station (during special events, access to Dowdy Creek entrance and Orestimba Wilderness). Bike to...

Police have apologized to a one-armed man in Cologne after fining him €25 for only having one hand brake on his bicycle. Bogdan Ionescu from Cologne modified his bicycle so that he could drive it safely using his one hand. But he was stopped at the end of March by a policeman who told him the bike was illegal according to German road safety laws. The bike had no right-hand brake and so was not roadworthy, the officer told him, and handed him a €25 fine. Now, after the cyclist's plight caught the attention of local and national media on...

This helmet-cam video shows some insane riding that will make you feel like you are right there with this guy. This is sure to keep your adrenaline pumping just by watching it. WATCH VIDEO AT LINK

As high school seniors get set to walk commencement, toilets are exploding, lockers are getting graffitied and doors are getting super-glued. The vandalism is part of the tradition known as senior pranks. But a decision by Kenowa Hills seniors to do something a lot less harmful has drawn the ire of their principal. The plan was to hold a bike parade as a nice, non-destructive, healthy senior prank. Seniors called police for an escort, and even called Walker's mayor, who rode in the parade. "Police escort, with the mayor, who brought us donuts. ...The mayor brought us donuts..." said a...

Seven-time Tour winner being investigated for possible fraud, doping NEW YORK - The Daily News is reporting Lance Armstrong has hired a criminal defense attorney to represent him in the federal investigation for possible fraud and doping violations by the seven-time Tour de France winner and his cycling teammates.

Texas Governor Rick Perry broke his collarbone on Tuesday evening, his press office said in a statement. "At approximately 7:30 pm tonight Gov. Perry broke his right collarbone and received a minor abrasion to his right elbow due to a mountain biking accident near his residence," a written statement read. The governor was taken to the emergency room at Seton Medical Center in Austin where he is currently being treated and is scheduled to be released later tonight. No other information concerning the circumstances of the accident was immediately available.

Have any of you ever bicycled or walked across America? It is something I've been thinking about for several years. If you have done this, would be interested in reading about your experiences. Routes you took (or avoided), mistakes made, lessons learned, planning, did you carry a firearm, memorable experiences, how long did it take, etc. ..... any aspect that you'd like to comment on.

DANA POINT, Calif. A San Juan Capistrano woman whose blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when her BMW veered off a Dana Point road early Monday and fatally struck a man on a bicycle was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, authorities said. Michelle Stearns, 26, was arrested at the scene of the roughly 1:55 a.m. accident along Del Obispo Street near Quail Run, Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said. Stearns was driving north on Del Obispo when she lost control of the car, went over the curb, hit a traffic sign and struck...

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong admitted in 1996 he took banned drugs including EPO when he was receiving cancer treatment, according to a Friday report in the French daily LeMonde. "According to new testimonies gathered from October 2005 to January 2006 by a court in Dallas, the seven-time Tour de France winner told a Indiana University Hospital doctor on October 28, 1996 he had taken performance-enhancing drugs," Le Monde said.

The President and the first lady spent the weekend in Washington today they attended church and the President also went mountain biking at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. Yesterday Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Chile for talks and to attend Chile's new President Michelle Bachelet inauguration ceremony, today she left for Indonesia. Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

Londoners are climbing onto bikes and scooters in growing numbers, choosing to brave snarled traffic with little more than a helmet rather than ride Underground trains and buses after two rounds of attacks. Cruising London on two wheels is not for the faint of heart: buses bear down on bikers, taxis cut off riders. So the increase in bicycle and scooter sales — and the number of people walking to work — may be a sign of how seriously the transit bombings have shaken the British capital. Bike retailers reported an almost 400 percent increase in sales July 7, the...

Something to Yak About: Kerry Camp Backspins From Petty Bicycle RemarkTalk about just plain petty. Upon hearing that President Bush took a spill while mountain biking in Texas, John Kerry asked a bunch or reporters with TV cameras whirring, “Did the training wheels fall off?” Now, Kerry campaign flack Stephanie Cutter is back-spinning, telling The Washington Times that the smarmy wisecrack was supposed to be off-the-record. For those who missed the initial incident, the president’s mishap took place near the end of a 17-mile mountain bike ride around his ranch Saturday. He’s okay. Did Kerry Want Convention Nomination Before Declining...

President fell off bike today... Kerry told reporters in front of cameras, 'Did the training wheels fall off?'... Reporters are debating whether to treat it is as on or off the record... Developing...

From avoiding crashes to suffering from dehydration to driving up to an epic victory atop Luz-Ardiden to riding 33+ mph in the pouring rain - it all paid off today as Lance and Team USPS presented by Berry Floor drove the 148 men left in the peloton home to Paris. There was plenty of early-on celebrating as the parade of riders rolled steadily through the French countryside. This, after a high-speed train transfer following yesterday's amazing TT battle in Nantes. No surprises whatsoever - the main men enjoyed the day, the sprinters battled in the 2 intermediate sprints, and...

- Mount Everest in Nepal and the frigid expanses of Alaska coaxed two Modesto, Calif. men out of their comfort zones this year. For attorney Michael Land, it was a huge leap. His trek in late fall to base camp of the world's highest mountain marked the first time he'd ever been in a sleeping bag or spent the night in a tent. Vance Roget's move was more incremental. The rehabilitation physician has completed feats most of us only dream of: 43 marathons and three ultraruns (any distance farther than a 26.2-mile marathon). He's done five "Death Rides," a 135-mile...