USA Cycling just awarded CSU Fort Collins the 2008 National Championships for collegiate cycling. Mark your calendars, May 9th - 11th will see the a series of races among the best of the best: Road, Criterium, Time Trial and Team Time Trial. This is a great opportunity to see national racing at it’s finest, and it’s also a good thing for Colorado, which is quickly becoming the most active state for cycling. BikeDenver will have more information on potential group ride up to the race or carpooling options as the event draws near.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Specialized Bicycle Helmets

Units: About 3,000

Manufacturer: Specialized Bicycles, of Morgan Hill, Calif.

Hazard: The helmets fail testing required under CPSC’s safety standard for bicycle helmets. This can pose a head injury hazard to riders in a fall.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Specialized helmets, model 2D. Model “2D” is printed on the sides of the helmet in the rear. The helmets were sold for men and women in matte black, white, silver, blue, pink, and team colors.

Sold by: Specialized through its authorized retailers and online stores between July 2007 and October 2007 for about $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled helmet immediately and return it to an Authorized Specialized Retailer to receive a free replacement or a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Specialized toll-free at (877) 808-8154 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.specialized.com

Mmm, coffee! Coffee and bikes just go together, and here’s a taste test of some various bike-related coffees. Maybe it’s a bit late to get a pound in your stocking for this holiday, but it’s not too late to start 2008 on a caffeinated note…

I normally don’t do polemics, but my blood is about to boil in watching our not so good friend in the House of Representatives, John Boehner, trash the Bike Commuter Act (which was successfully stripped out of the transportation bill). Here, watch for yourself:

What Boehner doesn’t mention is that right now, drivers get a deduction of up to $2580 per year, funded by you, the taxpayer, so that they can park their cars at work. In that context, a $240 per year deduction for people who choose to bike not only seems like the least we could do, IT STILL SEEMS GROSSLY UNFAIR. My favorite quote, “this isn’t going to solve our energy crisis…” Great point John, so why do anything at all? If the opposite of Pro is Con, then is Congress the opposite of Progress? I think in John Boehner’s case, Yes.

Here’s a story about a man who quit drinking, bought a bike and turned his life around. Who needs medication when you have a bicycle?

For any sarcastic young cranks in need of shopping guidance, BikeSnobNYC has kindly put together a gift idea list for cyclists of every stripe.  My pick, the 3 million candlepower hand-held light for commuter cyclists, share the road =)

One of the best (winter) commercials ever…I wish there were more like this.

Watch and listen.