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Chris Boardman is probably Britain’s most succesful cyclist of all time with 3 World Hour Records, an Olympic Gold and holder of the prestiguous yellow jersey in the Tour De France. During his peak Chris was virtually unbeatable in time trials (racing against the clock)

Chris initially rode for one of the UK’s top amateur clubs - The Manchester Wheelers. On the domestic time trial scene he won over 30 national titles including National 10, 25, 50, and National Hill Climb Championships. Only Scotland’s Graham Obree was able to challenge Chris in domestic time trials.

ALthough Chris specialised in time trials he also turned his attention to road racing and also competed in track disciplines, In the 1992 Olympics Chris was a gold medallist in the 4,000 metres pursuit. It was this Gold medal performance that launched Chris into the public light.

In 1993 Chris Boardman broke the World Hour Record. Initially he had been planning to break F. Moser’s mark of 51.1 KM. However Graham Obree managed to beat this record just before Chris’s attempt. However unduanted Chris broke both Moser’s and Obree’s new record setting a mark of 52.2 KM. This led to an unprecendented increase in the World Hour Record. Both Tony Rominger and Miguel Indurain set new records taking the record to 55 KM. Then in Manchester 1996 Chris set a new World Hour adding over 1 KM to the mark set by Tony Rominger. The New World Hour record now stands at 56.375KM - a mark that has not been broken
Chris Boardman’s World Hour Record of 56.375 KM

In this photo Chris is riding a position known as the “Superman ” Position this is because his arms are outstretched. This position is particularly aerodynamic but this shouldn’t detract from the spectacular athletic performance of this record.
Chris Boardman - Tour De France

Chris devoted the last 5 years of his professional career to try and suceed in the Tour De France. Chris experienced mixed fortunes. 3 times he won the opening prologue time trial, enabling him to wear the coverted yellow jersey. However in 1995 Chris crashed in the opening prologue, breaking his ankle and missing most of the rest of the season. He also crashed badly in the 1998 Tour (after winning the prologue. (1998 the year of the Festina crisis)

After he set this remarkable record the UCI decided to change the rules about technology that could be used for setting an hour record. Basically they reverted back to 1970s technology when E.Merckx set the record. Rules included no tribars no disc wheels e.t.c. Chris decided to try and break this record as a final swansong to his professional career.Riding at the Manchester Velodrome (at Sea Level) Chris just managed to break E.Merckx record setting a mark of 49.441

In 1998 Chris Boardman was diagnosed with a form of osteoperosis, making it difficult to train for long periods at high intensity. This needed treatment with drugs prohibited by the UCI therefore Chris decided to retire.

Chris Boardman says he always rode without the use of performance enhancing drugs because he didn’t want to damage his health. Some commentators have suggested this is why he struggled relatively in the Tour when it went into the mountains. Of course this effect is impossible to quantify but Chris always maintained a degree of honesty and integrity when many other professionals resorted to the use of drugs (e.g. Festina team 1998).

Richard Pettinger

For pictures of Chris Boardman cycling see
http://www.richardpettinger.com/cycling/chris_boardman

The 2005 Victory Hammer blows away every competitor on the manufacturing side with a 250mm rear tire for the Victory Hammer. The Victory Hammer has the fattest ever fitted rear tire to be attached to a mass produced motorcycle. It is at least 50mm wider than the competition. It will turn heads.

The Victory Hammer is no doubt an undeniably a motorcycle with attitude. The Victory’s Hammer debuts Victory’s new 100cubic inch 6-speed power train. When you ride the Victory Hammer, you will never mistake it for its smaller Victory siblings: Kingpin, 8-Ball, Vegas. By smaller, I mean smaller engine displacement. I own a Kingpin with the 92 cubic inch engine. I could use the extra boost in power the Hammer provides when hauling a passenger. After all, it’s all about the horsepower.

The Victory Hammer definitely feels different from a traditional cruiser. The Victory Hammer is very balanced and predictable. The Victory Hammer also feels lighter and more balanced than its smaller Victory siblings: Kingpin, 8-Ball, Vegas.

Even if The Victory Hammer’s disposition steers towards the straight-line dragster, there is still enough handling for the twisty turns and high-speed cornering. You won’t keep up with the sport bikes that you once rode, but you won’t lose site of them either.

The Victory Hammer has seen spiked interest at the various motorcycle shows. While other manufacturers are offering more of the same, Victory comes out with a motorcycle that gets everyone saying, “Wow, what is that and when can I get one.” Now that The Victory Hammer is arriving at your local Victory dealership, hurry up and see one because they are selling faster than imagined. There are not even any bikes in the shops for demo rides.

You may be looking at the fat 250mm rear tire and wonder, “For whom did Victory build the Hammer?” What was their target consumer? Was it the chopper show watchers? Maybe? It is my opinion that the target consumer for the badass Victory Hammer is the experienced rider, someone that owns, or has owned, sport bikes. These are riders that have reached the stage where they do not require going quite so fast or having the desire to be stuck in the racer’s crouch position.

Some basic Hammer specifications: The Hammer has a 5-gallon fuel tank. Cruising at approximately 70mph, this bike averages 40MPG. 100 cubic inch displacement, 50-degree V-Twin, 76 rear-whell hp and 86 foot-pounds torque. Frame has been narrowed for cornering clearance. Six-speed transmission, with the sixth gear being for overdrive. The Hammer has new primary gears, pump drive, and a new cam drive.

Someone at Victory should get a raise, because the concept to production of the Victory Hammer is a real winner.

Impressions from new Victory Hammer owners:
I will say the Hammer is, in my opinion, one of the coolest looking production bikes on the market. As far as the rear tire being the largest in the production industry, I believe it is. But the Rocket III comes close with a 240mm. The Hammer is not the best handling bike made, but it does handle well. It’s not the fastest, but it is fast. It’s not the most comfortable, but it is comfortable. But after riding for 75 miles today, and having to head home because of the incoming rains, I just can’t get the grin off my face. It’s just plain cool. It’s like a super-sexy woman. It has great curves, big jugs, a nice a$$, and real attitude.

Contributing author to Cycle Solutions. http://www.CycleSolutions.net
http://www.CycleSolutions.net

The Moab mountain biking scene in southeast Utah, is often referred to in pilgrimage terms. However, maybe “Mecca” doesn’t quite cut it, as this area is definitely a place to visit much more regularly than once or twice in a lifetime!

You will find an overwhelming number of possibilities for tours, outings and trips. A thorough search on the Internet is necessary, before deciding what area of Moab mountain biking you want to concentrate on.

An important aspect of your research and planning is to make sure what level of experience is needed on the Moab mountain biking trips you plan to do. Not everyone will be comfortable with the technical challenges some of these rides present.

Moab mountain biking offers something for everyone, and with the amazing red rock formations, desert conditions and nature park areas, the scenery is breath-taking enough to make any outing worth your while!

One of the easier introductory rides as far as Moab mountain biking is concerned, is the Courthouse Loop which overlooks part of the Arches National Park. This ride is excellent for families with younger children.

A moderately easy ride is the Klondike Bluffs Trail. It is suitable if you’re new to Moab mountain biking, but it helps to be reasonably fit for this 9.6 mile trip!

This trail will take you past prehistoric dinosaur footprints, and offer you an excellent overlook on the Arches National Park.

Take your Moab mountain biking up a notch in terms of difficulty by going for Bartlett Wash, an intermediate-difficulty ride of 4 miles. There is no clearly marked trail, so you will end up picking your way up sandstone ledges, and play around on an amazing open slickrock area.

Because the slickrock area is so tempting, it is always advisable to bring a repair kit, a pump, and extra tubes, as you will invariably be trying out some jumps and other tricks…

The White Rim trail in the Moab mountain biking area is known for its beauty, and also for its exhilarating biking terrain. The trail circles the area between the Colorado and Green Rivers. It offers some of Canyonland’s most spectacular views.

Then there is the Maze in Canyonlands National Park. It takes you past prehistoric Native American petroglyphs. Stop whenever you like and view incredible scenery over a 4-day trip.

On to the Amassa Back trail which ascends from the Colorado River west of Moab, and climbs up onto rocks surrounded on three sides by the Colorado. This 10 mile trail - with a vertical climb of 1050 feet - is definitely for advanced bikers!

The Moab mountain biking area offers many other rides, such as Flat Pass, Onion Creek, Hidden Canyon, Porcupine Rim and much more.

You will be sure to visit again, once you’ve acquired a taste for Moab mountain biking!

For more information visit Best-Mountain-Biking.com

Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web.

Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.