Seven-times winner of the Tour de France Lance Armstrong (third from right) took an American broadcaster to task for his comments about cyclists (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Hey! Two comments on the blog last week – so someone must read it.

Too bad it was the usual cyclist/driver hate mail, but it does have some way to go before it reaches the heights of the battle of words that erupted after American radio presenter Tony Kornheiser, who hosts a show on ESPN 980, said: ‘They all wear … my God … with the little water bottle in the back and the stupid hats and their shiny shorts,’.  He added: ‘They are the same disgusting poseurs that in the middle of a snowstorm come out with cross-country skiing on your block. Run ‘em down.’

One of the first to rise to the bait was Lance Armstrong, who described Kornheiser as ‘a f-king idiot,’ on his Twitter page. They have since shared opinions on a radio show, and Kornheiser has apologised for his comments. They now seem to be the best of friends.

One has to wonder why there is such passionate dislike between some sectors of the road-using community. Surely if more people cycled, those remaining in their cars would have more car parking spaces, more of our diminishing fossil fuel reserves and more spaces in the hospital when they finally succumb to the diseases brought on by inactivity. That is, of course, if the place hasn’t already been filled up with the victims of Tony Kornheiser’s advice!

Braking News

Is that an iPhone?

Software developers have produced an app that directs you to the closest London Hire Bike Scheme docking station. Although it’s still in the beta stage, the new application is months ahead of the scheme’s summer start up date. This app joins a pile of others that includes a cycle computer; a GPS; a means of working out gear ratios; and one that works out calories burned, money saved and carbon offset.

Obree Inducted

Sportscotland has inducted ‘The Flying Scotsman’, cyclist Graeme Obree into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame. Obree shot into the limelight when he broke the World Hour Record on a home-made bike, which used parts from a washing machine.

Obree joins the ranks of the late TT motorcycle racer Steve Hislop and three-time World Indoor Bowls Champion, Richard Corsie.

Increase cycling eightfold says Britain’s Chief Medical Officer

Sir Liam Donaldson, Britain’s chief medical officer has called for an eight-fold increase in cycling to combat rising levels of obesity. He said that, in addition to lowering carbon dioxide emissions by almost half, it would reduce the numbers of people who suffer from heart disease, diabetes, strokes, dementia and depression.

In his annual report, he said that a public health time bomb was created by designing towns and cities around motor cars. Read Sir Liam Donaldson’s report: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/AnnualReports/DH_113912

Sprint Bonuses

• Goldsmiths College are on the lookout for a Boris Johnson lookalike for a short play that they are making. They plan to re-enact Boris’ heroic exploits when he chased a gang of girl muggers.
• The ExCel Exhibition Centre sounds like the place to be next January; not only is the new London Bike Show taking place there, but the Outdoors Show and the London International Boat Show are taking place there at the same time. One ticket will gain entry to all three shows.
• Former Beautiful South and Housemartins star; Paul Heaton , is promoting his new solo album by a pedal powered tour around England. He’ll be playing at 16 traditional English pubs during May on his ‘Pedals and Beer Pumps’ tour.
• Track rider and national cycling icon, Sir Chris Hoy, goes to the World Track Championships in Copenhagen this week. If he wins any one of the three events that he’s taking part in, he’ll become the first British rider to win 10 world titles on the track.
• At the beginning of April, the Agewell Project in the London boroughs of Camden and Westminister will be offering free bike checks, refreshments and information in an effort to encourage more ‘Over 50s’ to cycle. Support is coming from the cycle trade’s BikeHub development fund.
• The first American Brompton folding bike championships come to Fairmount Park in Philadelphia at the end of March. These races, in the true spirit of folding bike users, are contested by riders wearing business suits.

And Finally,

If, over the past few months, you’ve found it cold when out cycling, spare a thought for Phile Hofstetter, who recently won the 1100 mile Iditarod Trail Invitation Race. This event s billed as the world’s ‘longest winter ultra race across frozen Alaska’, had seen 45 brave souls set out, either by bike or on foot to cover a 350 mile or 1100 mile course. Hofstetter completed the long course in 17 days, nine hours, 30 minutes, about two days slower than the all-time record. Check this out for challenging terrain: http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/alaska_ultra_home_page.html

Arthur Lamy is a freelance tourist guide and writer. www.arthurlamy.com