Thursday, December 14, 2006

German Bike Master 2007 starts with a sunny race!

The German Bike Master adds an additional race to its shedule, in Cyprus!
With this sunny addition there are now six races:
25.02.2007 Zypern
27.05.2007 RadSport-Festival Garmisch-Partenkirchen
24.06.2007 Spessart Bike Marathon (Frammersbach)
08.07.2007 Bike Marathon Bald Wildbad
11.+12.08.2007 Sigma Sport BM Neustadt a.d.W.
07.10.2006 ALB-GOLD TrophyMünsingen, Schw.

FICC riders have in the past taken part in some of these races and are looking forward to do the same in 2007.

For more information check http://www.germanbikemasters.de/
where you can check rules and regulation, including the offer to enrol for ALL six events for only EUR 160

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Bicycle Racing Terminology

For those looking for the right term in English...


Breakaway. One or more riders who sprint away from the peloton in an effort to build a lead. Competing riders in a breakaway will often form uneasy alliances, working together and drafting to increase or maintain their lead. Those alliances break down, though, as they approach the finish. A team leader in a breakaway with multiple teammates has a decided advantage over a rider who has no support.
Bridge. A rider or riders who sprint away from the main group of riders, or peloton, and catch the breakaway.
Broom Wagon. The vehicle that follows the race, picking up racers who have to abandon the race.
Circuit Race. A multiple-lap race around a course of 2 miles or more. Circuit races are great crowd pleasers. The final stage of the 2007 Tour of California is a circuit race. If you're in or near Long Beach, CA on the 25th, don't miss it!
Clincher. A traditional bicycle tire that is mounted on a rim with a wire or kevlar bead. Clinchers are easy to replace or repair, but they and their rims tend to weigh more than a tubular.
Disc Wheel. A bicycle wheel with covers or a solid disc, rather than open spokes. Disc wheels are very aerodynamic, but heavy, and can turn into a sail in a strong crosswind.
Domestique. A rider whose main job is to help the team leader win the day's stage, or the entire race. A domestique may pull the leader up to a breakaway, or pace them up a steep climb. If a team leader gets a flat, a domestique may even be called upon to give up their front or rear wheel and wait for the team mechanic, saving the leader precious seconds.
Drafting. One or more riders ride single file behind another rider, taking advantage of that rider's slipstream. By doing so the rider behind has less of a headwind and gets a breather. In a crosswind, riders may ride in a diagonal line, instead. Drafting is the lynchpin of most bicycle racing tactics. See also paceline.
Jump. The first acceleration in a sprint.
King of the Mountains. The KOM is the fastest climber in the overall standings. King of the Mountain is awarded to the racer who has the best total time to the many KOM sprints in the Tour. Look for the KOM jersey in the race.
Lead Out. A racer's teammate(s) form a paceline in front of the leader, pulling hard for the finish. The supporting cast pulls off one at a time, leaving the leader rested and fast for the last sprint. Leadouts typically happen right before the finish line or sprint.
Paceline. A formation of two or more riders who are drafting. Typically, racers take turns doing the hard work at the front of the line.
Peloton. The main group of racers. With its dozens of colorful jerseys, maneuvering for position and breakneck speeds, the peloton can be quite a site. Also called the pack.
Schwag. The free stuff competitors get when they race. May include water bottles, jerseys, food, or more expensive toys.
Sprint. A quick scramble for the finish line or a mid-race king of the mountain or other competition. A professional road race sprint is fast, furious and tactical. Watch for riders to jockey for the second or third spot, or organize leadouts by their teammates.
Squirrel. A small rodent, but also a rider who is erratic and 'squirrely' when riding in a group.
Stage Race. A race comprised of multiple one-day races, or stages. The Tour of California is a stage race.
Technical. A descent or other portion of a race that is twisty, steep or otherwise challenging from the point of view of bike handling.
Time Trial. Often called the Race of Truth, a time trial pits a rider or a team against the clock. Individual time trials are grueling affairs, with each rider expending maximum effort.
Tubular. A high-performance racing tire with the inner tube sewn inside the tire. The tire is then glued to a low-profile rim. Tubulars offer weight and strength advantages, but are hard to fix and maintain. Plus a bad gluing job can mean a tire failure in a sharp turn, and an ugly crash. Also called sew-ups.
Wheelsucker. A somewhat dated term for someone who, while riding in a paceline, doesn't take a turn at the front of the line. These days they get called lots of other names. None are printable here...

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Hessen Cup termine 2007

RTF and Radmarathon lovers, please see below the dates of the 2007 Hessen Cup events.

28. Mai
RSV Oppershofen
17. Juni
RC Hattersheim
24. Juni
RVW Gambach
08. Juli
RSC Grünberg
22. Juli
RVG Hungen
18. Aug
RSV Bad Hersfeld
26. Aug
RC Langenselbold
02. Sept
wirdnoch bekannt gegeben – muss noch bestätigt werden

Hamburg opens on 23 January 2007

The registrations for Germany's biggest one-day race, the Vatenfall Cyclassics, opens on 23 January at 12:00 CET. When the event will actually take place is still uncertain. The link to the organisation can be found on the right-hand side.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Eppstain MTB loop


For the last 3 years the taunustrails has been one of the nicest event in the area. However, there are plenty more rides around Eppstain. A nice loop was designed last week end by FICC riders around the Kaisertemple. While the road stops at the temple, with the MTB you can still climb to the top of the hill and descend off road, with a couple of variants. This should suit experienced and less experienced riders. This loop measured approx 6km with approx 300hm, with the longer climb to the temple followed by a shorter but steeper one off-road later on, providing the perfect winter work out.