If you are a cyclists and have yet to hear about the advocacy group People for Bikes, now is the time to head over to their site and sign the pledge:

"I am for bikes. I'm for long rides and short rides. I'm for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride."

The group's recent collaboration with Ryan Van Duzer and Allen Krughoff (Hardcastle Photography) is a work of satire at its finest. For those of you who are, know of, and/or work or live with a roadie, the video below is sure to make you laugh outright and aloud.

Cycling apparel maker will be the Signature Sponsor of Colorado event

Denver - Continuing a long-running relationship, cycling apparel-maker Primal Wear will increase it's sponsorship and support of the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure events in 2012, according to a new agreement announced today.

New for 2012, Primal will be the Signature Sponsor of the 2012 Tour de Cure Colorado and the official apparel sponsor of the Tour de Cure Southern Colorado and Montana, respectively.

Primal is currently the supplier for all Tour de Cure cycling apparel and the apparel provider for the National Red Rider program, which recognizes riders with diabetes.  Primal is also the preferred custom cycling apparel vendor for all Tour de Cure teams and clubs.

"We are proud to take our involvement with the Tour de Cure and the ADA to the next level." said Dave Edwards, Primal Wear founder and CEO. "Our hope is to help expand the platform of the Association, increase Diabetes awareness nationwide and raise much needed funds for the cause."

In addition to Primal's direct sponsorship, all Tour de Cure teams are eligible for the company's Primal Gives Back program, which donates 15 percent of a team's apparel order back to the event charity, on behalf of the team, to help them meet their fundraising goals.

"We are very excited to have Primal Wear on board as a signature partner," said Kelly Jackson, Tour de Cure Director, Colorado and Montana. "Their commitment to the event through their partnership, apparel and the Gives Back Program brings us that much closer to stopping this disease that affects 316,000 people in Colorado. With diabetes growing at near-epidemic proportions, the support of local businesses like Primal Wear is crucial."

Primal began producing jerseys and accessories for the American Diabetes Association and the Tour de Cure in 2009 and also helped launch and then expand the Association's Red Rider logo and jersey program beginning in 2007 to increase recognition within the events for participants who have diabetes, have a friend or family member with the disease or are strong supporters of the cause but don't have a team of their own.

To find out more about the Tour de Cure and its 80-plus Tour events around the country, go to Tour de Cure website, and for more information on Primal Wear's work with the Tour de Cure, visit the Tour de Cure page at Primal Wear.

Los Angeles – A one-of-a-kind Cannondale SuperSix Hi-Mod bicycle is on the auction block to help further the mission of the Bahati Foundation and its mission to positively affect the lives of inner city and underprivileged youth across the nation.

The carbon fiber frame and fork feature an eclectic, custom paint job by renown graffiti artist Mike Giant. The nearly ready-to-ride bicycle retails for $7,500 and includes a 2012 SRAM Red gruppo, FSA SLK carbon seat post and stem, FSA Wing Pro carbon bars, fi'zi:k Antares saddle and bar tape, and a HED Jet 6 FR carbon clincher wheelset. The bike was built by Geoff Gould, owner of Miles Ahead Cyclery in Tucson.

"We hope this special opportunity helps us raise significant money to continue our mission to supply inner-city kids with health and fitness gear, educational supplies and even musical instruments," Rahsaan Bahati said.

Bids may be placed on eBay, where additional details can be found. The minimum acceptable bid for the bicycle is $7,000. Bidding, which is limited to the continental United States, ends Dec. 15, 2011. A portion of the purchase price may be tax deductible.

Bahati, a professional cyclist since 2001, founded the Bahati Foundation in 2010 to support inner city youth in under-served communities through inspirational speaking engagements and cycling outreach programs. Through grants, scholarships and cycling outreach programs, it empowers children toward higher achievement in education, music and sports. Since its inception, more than 10,000 grade school students across the U.S. have heard Bahati spread his message of inspiration.

Lake Orion, MI – A BMC Racing Team jersey signed by all nine members of the squad of Tour de France winner Cadel Evans has led to a $1,500 donation to the Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association (MiSCA).

Former West Michigan resident Brent Bookwalter, a rider on the BMC Racing Team's Tour de France team, orchestrated the fundraiser of the autographed jersey, which ended up in the hands of an anonymous donor.

"Without the guidance, encouragement and opportunities afforded to me by people across the state of Michigan, I would not be where I am today," Bookwalter said. "MiSCA is doing a fantastic job of doing the same for today's young bike riders in the state and have had exciting success in only their second year. It's an honor being part of their effort to give kids access to the sport we all love and enjoy."

MiSCA founder Steve Kinley said the $1,500 donation will be put to good use for the organization he founded last year to create interest in cycling among children in Michigan.

"Our mission isn't just about racing," Kinley said. "We're trying to get clubs going in the schools, through bike shops, whoever wants to get students started on bikes and away from the video games."

In just one year's time, the program for students in grades six through 12 has grown from four clubs to 12, comprising nearly 100 students. Kinley said a portion of the money will help expand the new "Mountain Kids" program.

"We have a trailer with 15 mountain bikes that we take around to various organizations and events to help get kids give the sport a try," Kinley said. "Many of our programs involve underprivileged youth who they may not ordinarily get the opportunity to experience mountain biking."

Before joining the BMC Racing Team in 2008, Bookwalter competed in mountain biking and road cycling at Lees-McRae College, winning nine collegiate national titles. His professional career highlights include a third-place finish in the prologue of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and runner-up in the Stage 1 time trial of the 2010 Giro d'Italia.

For the second consecutive year, Meredith Miller and her teammate, Teal Stetson-Lee, have raced in pink from head-to-toe during October to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Along with the raising awareness, Meredith is once again raising funds to support Hope Lives! The Lydia Dody Breast Cancer Foundation, a Fort Collins based non-profit, which provides local breast cancer patients with complementary care and lifestyle support during their cancer treatment.

Do not miss out and buy your tickets to the Pink! Online raffle which ends today, October 21st.

Raffle prizes include:
Thule - Crossover 87L Rolling Duffle (MSRP $299.99)
Kinetic - Road Machine Trainer, Riser Ring, Trainer Floor Mat, Wired Power Computer (MSRP $541.96)
Strava - Garmin Edge 500 + 1 Year Strava Premium Subscription (MSRP $278)
Specialized - Roval Pave SL Wheelset, 4 Tracer Pro Clincher Tires, 5 Rolls of Bar Tape (MSRP $750)
California Giant - "Pretty in Pink" jersey (not available for purchase)

Get one raffle ticket for $5 or five raffle tickets for $20.

100% of the proceeds from the online raffle benefit Hope Lives!

Each tickets equals one entry -- multiple entries are encouraged! BikeReg will randomly generate our raffle winners at 9AM on Saturday, October 22. I will contact the winners via email and announce names + prizes on Meredith's website. Prizes will ship the first week of October. Contact me with questions using the “Contact Event” link above.

This online raffle is held in conjunction with the Pretty in Pink silent auction and dinner and Stomach of Anger "Pretty in Mud" t-shirt sales.

Meredith and Teal extend their unending gratitude to everyone who has been part of Pretty in Pink this month. Meredith has been overwhelmed with support from product donors, the Fort Collins cycling community and all of you. Every dollar makes a difference to Hope Lives!

Photo: Dave McElwaine/Trail Watch

Prescott, Arizona – Responding to the rapid extinction of basic bicycle parts, One Street, an international bicycle advocacy nonprofit, has launched One Street Components. This new components arm of the organization has become necessary as One Street’s Social Bike Business program provides durable transportation bikes to impoverished people in communities around the world. Each local program starts by refurbishing used bikes as they move toward manufacturing their own steel frames, forks and racks. This local manufacturing will be necessary as the bike industry no longer produces quality, affordable transportation bikes. But an alarming pattern has been hindering even the refurbishing stage.

“When we launched our Social Bike Business program back in 2007 we knew we’d eventually be helping our local partners manufacture their own frames, forks and racks,” said Sue Knaup, One Street’s executive director. “But we never dreamed the bike industry would actually stop producing the basic parts necessary to build a quality, affordable transportation bike.”

One Street has partnered with the Ecosa Institute in Prescott, Arizona to design their first, top priority component—durable, repairable, recyclable and affordable shift lever sets. Such basic shift lever sets are no longer available in the U.S. and are vanishing in countries around the world. Ecosa Institute’s design students, some at the Masters level, will tackle the project this fall. Just a few of the criteria they will follow include using very few parts and ensuring that most parts can be replaced with common items. For instance, the top cap could be replaced with a bottle cap or the original aluminum lever could be replaced with carved bone or hardwood.

In order to fund this new components program, One Street has developed a capital campaign that includes sponsorship benefits and donor recognition. Sponsors and donors interested in assisting with this innovative effort to design and produce bike parts for the needs of impoverished people can find details and a sponsorship form on the One Street Components page on the One Street website under Services & Programs.

One Street serves leaders of organizations in communities around the world who are working to increase bicycling. Through on-call support, resources development and in-person workshops, One Street coaches these leaders in organization development and campaign planning to ensure their efforts for bicycling cause significant change.

The Ecosa Institute advocates a radical departure from the traditional approach to teaching design. Instead, they work to restore health to the natural environment, and thus the human environment, through education in design.

All Proceeds From Each Millennium Promise and Spokes of Change Shirt to Benefit the Work of Millennium Promise

New York, NY – Millennium Promise, the leading international nonprofit organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge today unveiled designs for bicycle-themed apparel created by Tommy Hilfiger. There are two specific designs that promote Millennium Promise and a special program tied to the race called “Spokes of Change”. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge will donate all proceeds from the sale of these shirts to Millennium Promise.

Hilfiger, who last year was named a Millennium Promise MDG Global Leader, has donated his resources to design these two specially designed shirts to benefit Millennium Promise. Merchandise will be sold online at http://shop.usaprocyclingchallenge.com and during the USA Pro Cycling Challenge August 22- 28.

This summer’s showing of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, known as America’s Pro Tour, will feature 128 of the world’s top professional cyclists and is slated to be one of the largest professional cycling events in the United States. In May, the race announced the donation of the presenting sponsorship to Millennium Promise, marking the first time a charity has received sponsorship rights in a professional sporting event in the United States. All proceeds raised from the sale of the merchandise will directly benefit Millennium Promise.

“We are thrilled that Tommy Hilfiger and his extraordinary creative team are bringing their eminent talents to this exciting event,” said Millennium Promise CEO John W. McArthur. “This inaugural American race is a rare opportunity for leaders from sport, fashion, business and media to ‘break from the pack’ in pioneering new forms of collaboration to help end extreme poverty.”

“I have been honored to work with Millennium Promise on initiatives to eradicate extreme poverty," said Tommy Hilfiger, Millennium Promise MDG Global Leader. "By donating and raising funds for the Millennium Village Project in Ruhiira, Uganda, we have been able to really make a difference in the lives of over 50,000 people. Buying the apparel for the USA Cycling Challenge is another way to support the Millennium Promise organization, which empowers people in areas of extreme poverty to become sustainable, for generations to come.”

“The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is dedicated to using this international cycling competition to help promote the goals of Millennium Promise to end extreme poverty in our lifetime,” said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. “The merchandise will give people across the globe the opportunity to showcase their commitment to the cause.”

Auction of Autographed Jerseys to Benefit Davis Phinney Foundation

DENVER – The USA Pro Cycling Challenge unveiled the race jerseys for the inaugural professional cycling competition set to take place August 22-28. Jerseys will be awarded daily to top athletes in various standings including the leader, sprinter, and climber. In addition, the best young rider as well as the rider who tackles the course with the most tenacity and aggression will be presented with jerseys commemorating their accomplishments.

In a special tribute to Davis Phinney, the first American to win a stage at the Tour de France and the last reigning champion of the Coors Classic, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is sponsoring an auction of one of each of these jerseys. These jerseys are autographed by professional riders including Davis Phinney, Ron Kiefel and Dale Stetina, and will be posted on CharityBuzz.com through August 2, 2011. All proceeds from this auction will benefit the Davis Phinney Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides information, inspiration and tools to help people with Parkinson’s disease to live well today.

Sports apparel company Pearl Izumi, which has also joined the race as an official partner, will produce the jerseys to be presented to riders who display exceptional skill in each stage of the race in the following categories:

2011 Quiznos Leader Jersey
The Quiznos Leader Jersey is awarded to the rider with the least amount of cumulative elapsed time over the duration of the race. Depending on each day’s results, the rider wearing the Leader Jersey can change from stage to stage. Because the overall winner is based on lowest cumulative time, it is possible for a rider to win the Quiznos Leader Jersey without winning a daily stage. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge maintains tradition with the coloring of the jersey but draws from the flag of other classic racing sports by transforming the jersey into a checkered yellow print.


2011 Smashburger Sprint Jersey
The Sprinter jersey is awarded to the rider that accumulates the most bonus points, which are given based on sprint line performances as well as finishing the stage in the top 15 places. Cyclists who specialize in bursts of power and speed, or consistently finish near the top of each stage, will have the best chance to wear this respected green jersey. For a twist on the traditional color, this green jersey is streamlined with stripes, symbolic of the speed and power required of sprinters.


2011 Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge features the most demanding mountain terrain in professional cycling, reaching heights more than two miles in elevation. The cyclist who proves to be the strongest climber through steep grades at designated King of the Mountain (KOM) locations will collect points toward earning the climber jersey. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge’s red version of the KOM jersey is a modern twist on the classic polka dot jersey worn by climbers in the Tour de France.


2011 Sheets Best Young Rider Jersey
Come August, a plethora of young talent will take to the roads to tackle the USA Pro Cycling Challenge route. These up-and-comers will compete for the distinction of wearing the blue Best Young Rider jersey, which will be awarded to the rider under 23 years old that has the least amount of elapsed time over the entire race to date.



2011 Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey
Each stage of the competition will present countless obstacles for the cyclists. The rider who best asserts himself in the peloton and tackles the challenges of the day will be awarded the orange Most Aggressive Rider jersey.

“In creating each of these jerseys, we valued the time-honored traditions of the world tours while providing modern twists to make them unique to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge,” said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. “While it is impossible to predict who might be wearing them come August, we look forward to rewarding riders for their hard work and witnessing them pull on the jerseys for the first time.”

Atlanta, GA — On Monday, May 16th at the Amgen Tour of California pro cycling race, Shad Ireland, triathlete, dialysis patient and the first kidney patient to ever successfully complete Ironman triathlon, will “Take on the Tour,” launching a 24-month athletic endeavor to conquer the sport of cycling and raise awareness for kidney disease.

Ireland, best known for his epic 4,700 mile ride across the U.S. in 2009 to bring attention to those with kidney failure, plans to ride multiple stages of several of the world’s toughest cycling races and compete in the Lanai Hawaii Triathlon, the Orange County Triathlon and the New York City Marathon, all in an effort to spread the message of healthcare and prevention, and raise awareness of the over 27 million Americans suffering from kidney disease.

“Take on the Tour” will launch at the Amgen Tour of California, where the indefatigable Ireland will ride Stages 2, 4, and 6, following dialysis treatments the night before each stage. Riding solo, the pro athlete will take the road at 1AM PT on Monday, May 16 for the 133 mile ride from Squaw Valley to Sacramento. He will also cycle 82 miles from Livermore to San Jose on Wednesday, May 18 and participate in the amateur time trial in Solvang on Friday, May 20.

A dialysis patient since the age of 10 and living with no kidneys, Ireland is a passionate advocate for kidney disease prevention through exercise and healthy living. His mission is to educate and inspire others to exercise as a way to prevent kidney disease as well as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, which are the leading causes of the disease.

“For me, the Tour of California is not about winning stages or a single race,” said Ireland. “It’s about reaching the over 27 million Americans who suffer from kidney disease and to show that no matter what your challenge, no matter what your disease, you can lead a productive life. As a dialysis patient with no kidneys, many people would say riding in the Tour of California is impossible. I’m out to prove that even with this disease, there are no limitations.”

For more about the “Take On the Tour” initiative, or to donate to the Shad Ireland Foundation or to follow Shad during the Tour of California, please visit www.takeonthetour.com. To get more immediate information about kidney disease and its prevention, also visit www.ultracare-dialysis.org.

Study First Step in Filling Research Void for Athletes With Diabetes

Atlanta, GA – In a first step to fill a major void in diabetes sports research, global sports organization Team Type 1, the official parent company of the Team Type 1-sanofi aventis professional men’s cycling team, will launch a clinical study at the Amgen Tour of California. The pioneering study conducted by the TT1 Diabetes Sports Research Institute, will assess blood glucose levels of elite cyclists - both with and without diabetes - with a goal of identifying optimal levels for peak athletic performance. The study will be led by Institute Medical Director, Juan P. Frias, M.D. Dr. Frias is affiliated with the University of California San Diego Department of Medicine, and is the former Chief Medical Officer of Johnson & Johnson, Diabetes Care.

“While there have been several athletes with type 1 diabetes who have competed and succeeded at the professional and Olympic levels, there is very little published clinical data related to optimization of athletic performance in persons with type 1 diabetes,” says Dr. Frias. “We strongly believe our efforts will play an important role in expanding research in this field and in helping other athletes with diabetes manage their glucose to perform safely and optimally.”

Throughout the eight stages of the Tour, which includes grueling climbs and hundreds of miles of racing from Lake Tahoe to Thousand Oaks, Team Type 1-sanofi-aventis athletes who have volunteered to take part in the study will wear continuous glucose monitors, while meters on their bikes measure parameters such as speed, power and energy expenditure.

The study will continue at other cycling events throughout the racing season including the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado from August 22-28. Additionally, a controlled laboratory component is planned in collaboration with the San Diego State University School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences.

For Team Type 1 CEO and Founder, Phil Southerland, the study represents a monumental leap forward in the organization’s mission to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.

“Diabetes has never held us back,” says Southerland, “We’re paving the road and establishing guidelines for diabetes and exercise so that parents of diabetic kids never have to worry about their children’s safety, and athletes with diabetes have a blueprint for success. We want to be the #1 resource in the world for diabetes and sports.”

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at seven months old, Southerland’s mother was told he would either be blind or dead by the age of 25. At 29, he is alive and thriving, and is a global diabetes ambassador educating patients and medical professionals throughout the world on what is possible with good control.

His memoir, “Not Dead Yet: My Race Against Disease From Diagnosis to Dominance” hits bookshelves on Tuesday, May 10. The first two chapters can be previewed at: www.teamtype1.org/book.

Based in Atlanta, GA, Team Type 1 began as a grassroots initiative to motivate people to take control of their diabetes using cycling as a platform. It grew to become a world-class athletic program for athletes with diabetes, including a professional men's cycling team, poised to compete at the 2012 Tour de France. Today, it is a global sports organization changing the lives of people with diabetes around the world through racing, groundbreaking research, international outreach and philanthropic initiatives in developing countries.