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One of the most enamoring aspects of cycling is the community that shares the passion centered on the two-wheeled human-powered velocipede. The bike itself has a romantic attraction to it, and once drawn, cyclists become part of a culture rich in tradition, and a society clustered around the simplicity of its universal medium. The bicycle gives us visceral affirmations of our existence, bringing pleasure through contrast with our physical efforts and self-inflicted pain. Without the human element to give life to the machine, the bike is but a tool whose potential awaits.

The newly formed Trek-Livestrong under-23 team held a training camp this past weekend in Austin, Texas. Ian Dille sat down with Taylor Phinney, who at 18 is already one of the world’s best track cyclists and the team’s most recognizable name (other than its director, Axel Merckx). Below are Phinney’s musings on his plans for 2009, joining forces with Lance Armstrong and leaving the Garmin-Chipotle under-23 squad, and how riding the pursuit is akin to stabbing yourself in the legs. Check back in the next couple days for a full writeup on and photo gallery of the Trek-Livestrong team.

Italian track cyclist Annalisa Cucinotta tested positive for an anabolic steroid in December, the Gazzetta dello Sport said on Sunday. According to the sports newspaper, the 22-year-old failed the test after a World Cup event in Cali, Colombia on December 12. Cucinotta becomes the second Italian woman cyclist after ex-road world champion Marta Bastianelli to test for a stimulant. Bastianelli missed the Olympic Games in Beijing in August due to her offense.

Time is running out to bid on a one-of-a-kind piece of cycling memorabilia that will raise money for pro cyclists Ian MacGregor and Timmy Duggan's "Just Go Harder Foundation" that supports youth mentoring and participation. An official Garmin pro-issue jersey featuring the signatures of racers on the 2008 roster of Team Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30 is up for bid on eBay. In addition to Christian Vande Velde's fourth-place finish at the Tour de France, Garmin won the team time trial at the Giro d'Italia and Vande Velde donned the pink jersey.

A select group of the Amgen / Giant Elite Masters Racing team will be riding stages of the Amgen Tour of California in advance of the race to promote awareness and raise money for Amgen's Breakaway From Cancer. Breakaway From Cancer is a complimentary component to Amgen's sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California to increase awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients, from prevention to education, and patient care to advocacy and support.

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Tracey Sparling, a 19-year old student at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, was returning to campus after a lunch-break trip to her apartment. As she approached the red light at an intersection, she slowed, coming to a stop next to the front tire of the cement truck in the lane next to her. When the light changed, the truck driver began to turn right, unaware of the cyclist in his blind spot. Sparling shouted “Hey!” just before she was knocked from her bike and killed. The date was October 11, 2007.

Ritchey Design, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-quality road and mountain bike components, today announced it is working with Plus 3 Network, a beta social networking Web site, to increase awareness and fundraising efforts for the nonprofit organization, Project Rwanda. By selecting Ritchey Design as a sponsor, Plus 3 members can choose to raise money for Project Rwanda with every mile they ride, walk, run or swim. The relationship between Ritchey and Project Rwanda went live on www.plus3network.com on January 7, 2009.

Collegiate Cycling Volunteer Conference Director Volunteer Position/s available: Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference-ACCC (NC, MD, VA, WV, Washington D.C.) (Must be geographically located in the respective region) Volunteer roles:

Dear Explainer,
I’ve been a long-time fan of Jonathan Page. To me, he’s a workingman’s hero, the sort of guy who approaches cycling like a lot of us approach our jobs; he just puts his head down and does what he has to do to get the job done. He works hard and doesn't spend a lot of his time show-boating or boosting his ego. Now I hear that he may be facing a suspension because he missed a doping test.

The problem I have is trying to figure out why he might be suspended by USADA for just missing a test, rather that tripping the dope-meter with a positive result.

ROUTE details ANNOUNCED FOR EXPANDED 2009 Amgen Tour of California PROFESSIONAL CYCLING ROAD RACE Professional Women’s Cycling Race to Return to Santa Rosa During Stage One of the Men’s Race

Over two dozen professional cyclists and Millennium Cycling, LLC are pleased to announce the launch of TwoWheelTales.com, a collection of blogs written by professional cyclists. Our professional cyclists are giving cycling fans frequent doses of the inside scoop—it’s professional cycling “unplugged”!

The SRAM Cycling Fund is awarding a $200,000 grant to the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the second award given out by the advocacy fund the component company set up last year. During the next five years, the fund plans to award $10 million in grants to support cycling advocacy programs around the world that focus on improving bicycling. “It is hard to imagine where mountain biking would be today without IMBA’s trail building and restoration efforts over the last 20 years," said Stan Day, SRAM's president and CEO.

Kellogg to sponsor BISSELL® Pro Cycling Team   The Kellogg Company, the world’s leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, joins the BISSELL Pro Cycling Team as a key sponsor for the 2009 season. Kellogg’s commitment to nutrition and physical fitness is well aligned with the team and the sport of cycling. Alongside Kellogg, the team continues to be supported by longtime key sponsor, Advantage Benefits Group.  

USA Cycling is recognizing 13 regional athlete development programs with $20,000 worth of cash grants through its Centers of Excellence program. Rad Racing of Olympia, Washington, and the Young Medalists of the Lehigh Valley Cycling Club in Pennsylvania received top honors. The award winners were chosen based on organizational criteria and results in developing junior and U23 cycling athletes. Since the program’s inception six years ago, USA Cycling has distributed over $120,000 to grass roots development programs thanks to donations to the Development Foundation.