Semi trailer taken from business

Joe Hix hasn’t figured out why anyone would steal a new semi trailer, but he does know they needed a semi tractor to pull off the weekend heist.
He and his wife were at the business at 2333 Seventh Ave. on Sunday cleaning offices when he noticed tracks going across the grass. At first, the thought someone had driven across the lawn.
“Then I realized something was missing,” Hix said. “It was a brand-new trailer.”
The MAC half round trailer, often used to haul gravel, has a rolling tarp top and can lift up at the front to dump its load, he said. It has an estimated value of $42,000 and was stolen sometime between Friday night and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Hix has talked to people at other businesses in the area, and no one noticed someone pulling away with the trailer. He’s also driven around the area looking for the trailer, hoping someone just moved it as a joke.
Semi trailers have serial numbers that can be tracked when they pass through weigh stations or are stopped, Hix said. He doubts anyone would cut the trailer apart and sell it as scrap metal. It was made out of aluminum, but aluminum prices have been dropping.
He will be investing in pin locks for the rest of the trailers on his lot. That will keep thieves from being able to hook the trailers to a semi tractor.
Hix didn’t buy the locks before because he had never heard of anyone stealing a semi trailer. He and his wife have owned the business for about a year.
“Even one of our longtime salesmen said he’s never seen anything like it,” Hix said.

Man Hit and Killed by Semi Truck

A person is dead after being hit by a semi truck on county road 305 in southern St. Johns County.
It happened at Jen-Sar Farms Wednesday afternoon.
According to St. Johns County Sheriff's officers, the victim, 54-year-old Gerald Jones of East Palatka, worked at Jen-Sar and was helping a coworker hook up and move trailers.
During one of the moves, he got caught between the semi and the trailer while the semi was backing up.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.

All About Dump Truck

Dump trucks or production trucks are those that are used for transporting loose material such as sand, dirt, and gravel for construction. The typical dump truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated open box bed hinged at the rear, with the front being able to be lifted up to allow the contents to fall out on the ground at the site of delivery.
Dump trucks for sale come in many different configurations with each one specified to accomplish a specific task in the construction chain.
Standard dump truck The standard dump truck is a full truck chassis with the dump body mounted onto the frame. The dump body is raised by a hydraulic ram lift that is mounted forward of the front bulkhead, normally between the truck cab and the dump body.
The standard dump truck also has one front axle, and one or more rear axles which normally has dual wheels on each side. The common configurations for standard dump trucks include the six wheeler and ten wheeler.
Transfer dump truck For the amount of noise made when transferring, the transfer dump truck is easy to recognize. It’s a standard dump truck that pulls a separate trailer which can be loaded with sand, asphalt, gravel, dirt, etc. The B box or aggregate container on the trailer is powered by an electric motor and rides on wheels and rolls off of the trailer and into the main dump box. The biggest advantage with this configuration is to maximize payload capacity without having to sacrifice the maneuverability of the short and nimble dump truck standards.
Semi trailer end dump truck The semi end dump truck is a tractor trailer combination where the trailer itself contains the hydraulic hoist. The average semi end dump truck has a 3 axle tractor that pulls a 2 axle semi trailer. The advantage to having a semi end dump truck is rapid unloading.
Semi trailer bottom dump truck A bottom dump truck is a 3 axle tractor that pulls a 2 axle trailer with a clam shell type dump gate in the belly of the trailer. The biggest advantage of a semi bottom dump truck is the ability to lay material in a wind row. This type of truck is also maneuverable in reverse as well, unlike the double and triple trailer configurations.
Double and triple trailer The double and triple bottom dump trucks consist of a 2 axle tractor pulling a semi axle semi trailer and an additional trailer. These types of dump trucks allow the driver to lay material in wind rows without having to leave the cab or stop the truck. The biggest disadvantage is thedifficulty in going in reverse.
Side dump trucks Side dump trucks consist of a 3 axle trailer pulling a 2 axle semi trailer. It offers hydraulic rams that tilt the dump body onto the side, which spills the material to the left or right side of the trailer. The biggest advantages with these types of dump trucks are that they allow rapid unloading and carry more weight than other dump trucks.
In addition to this, side dump trucks are almost impossible to tip over while dumping, unlike the semi end dump trucks which are very prone to being upset or tipped over. The length of these trucks impede maneuverability and limit versatility.
Off road dump trucks Off road trucks resemble heavy construction equipment more than they do highway dump trucks. They are used strictly for off road mining and heavy dirt hauling jobs, such as excavation work. They are very big in size, and perfect for those time when you need to dig out roads and need something to haul the massive amounts of dirt to another location.

Buyers pay more for fewer car plates

Car plate prices rose at auction in Shanghai yesterday despite the slump in auto sales, as a reduced number of plates for sale and the release of customized licenses stimulated market demand.

The average price for a car plate rose to 33,224 yuan, up from 31,788 yuan in September, according to auction organizer, Shanghai International Commodity Co Ltd.

The lowest price rose 3,300 yuan to 32,600 yuan in October compared to the previous month.
The price increase was widely anticipated before auction as the government only put 5,000 car plates up for sale, the smallest quota for the year.

From October, auto buyers have been able to select both English letters and numbers to customize their car plate numbers, thus reducing the interest in pre-issued plates.

"Plate prices climbed in the second hand market before the auction with the highest price surging to 35,000 yuan," said a dealer, surnamed Feng, from Shanghai General Motors.

"But the final increase was less than expected, reflecting the overall weak market demand for plates due to slow vehicle sales," she said.

The number of bidders dropped to 11,882, compared to 13,451 in August and 16,783 for July. Passenger car sales dropped 6.4 percent year-on-year in August.

Go Karts

This article will give an outline of everything about go karts, including - equipment, history, racing, setup styles, specifications, and much more.

Go Karting is a hobby that many of us try when we are young, as it is extremely fun and exhilarating for those under the legal driving age of regular cars. Kart racing is generally the stepping stone for racing other types of cars when a certain level of experience and age has been acquired. The next step after the go kart is things like the V8’s, rally cars and just general race built cars, then the peak is to move into formula 1.

Go karts were originally designed in 1956 in California by a veteran hot rodder Kurtis Kraft, and their popularity quickly spread to other countries around the world and currently has a very large following in Europe.

The engine in go karts is what separates them from their younger cousin, the soapbox car which is what the younger kids generally have a lot of fun with. There are many different sizes and types of engines which can push the go kart to quite incredible speeds for its small size. A 100cc formula A kart with a 2 stroke engine and overall weight of 150kg’s including the driver can reach a dizzying speed of 85mph (140km/h) and can accelerate from 0-60mph in under 4.5 seconds. A 125cc kart can do 0-60 in just a fraction over 3 seconds and reaches top speeds of 115mph (185km/h)!

Components
Chassis
The chassis in a go kart is made of steel tubing and has to be quite flexible because there is no suspension in karts because of the lack of space and weight reduction needs.

Engine
2 Stroke – These engines were originally extracted from motorcycles, but because of the increasing popularity of go karts, specialized manufacturers of kart only engines have emerged, creating even more specific engines to power the karts.

4 Stroke – These engines are usually the same as those used in lawn mowers, with air cooling. They generally provide between 5 and 20 horse power, however there are some specialized 4 stroke engines for karting that create between 15 and 40 horse power and around 11,000rmp.

Tires
The tires on go karts are commonly made of the same materials as the tires on normal race cars, and go karts use different tires for different track conditions, however they are a lot smaller because of the low profile of the kart, and are still quite wide to enhance grip and control on the track at high speeds.

So as you can see, go karts are a very enjoyable hobby, but can also be taken as far as the enthusiast wishes, with racing and modifications. It seems very simple to the unaware spectator, but is actually quite complex when research is taken to a deeper level.

Dump Truck News

Dump Truck Flips Over on 290


Motorists driving Westbound along the 290 on Saturday afternoon had to deal with some major delays.

A dump truck loaded with hot asphalt flipped over on its side blocking the left and center lanes.

The accident happened around 3:11pm at the Niagara Falls Boulevard exit.

Amherst Police say the driver of the truck went off the road, hit the guard rail and then overcorrected causing the truck to flip.

The driver, 52-year-old Russell Cirino of Cheektowaga, was taken to the ECMC Trauma Center for observation.

A female driving behind the truck reported the windshield was blown out and damage to the hood of her car from the flying debris. She was not hurt.

NITTEC reported delays from the 990 to Niagara Falls Boulevard.

The two far left lanes were blocked for more than two hours as crews worked to clean up the debris.

The cause of the accident is still unknown.

Abs takes on Go Karting for Sportsround

What's Kart Racing

Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motor sport with simple, small four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits. Karting is commonly perceived as the stepping stone to the higher and more expensive ranks of motorsports.

Another week, another challenge! This week it was Go Karting, but with a bit of a difference.
I found myself teamed up with fellow Sportsround presenter Sonali.
I'd seen her in action out in Beijing at the Olympics and knew she would be fiercely competitive - perfect! However she wasn't to be my teammate, but my opponent.
Our coach for the day was a young talented driver called Callum. He had huge ambitions of following the likes of Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, who both started their careers on the Go Kart track.

Tough work
Sonali and I were going to have to race each other at the end of the day, so Callum was very helpful and took us through some of the basics. Braking, accelerating and finding the right 'racing line' - the quickest route around the course.
It was a lot to think about! The best thing we could do was to get out on the track and put what we'd learnt into practice.
The track was massive - even at top speed it took me a whole minute to do one lap.

Skidding
I definitely struggled in and out of the corners too, as my kart was skidding all over the shop.
The main reason for this was that I was carrying too much speed into the turns, so the back end of my cart was sliding out. It's a great sensation and I felt like a stunt man in some sort of action movie. However it is the slowest way to get around the course - and today was all about SPEED!!!
On the straight the karts were super fast. I'd say my top speed was about 25/30 miles per hour. It doesn't sound a lot, but because the kart is so low to the ground it feels like you're doing 100 miles per hour.
It was clear after our practice session that Sonali was having a few problems handling the corners as well, although she was a lot quicker on the straights, because she was a lot lighter than me.

Floodlights
Then Sonali told me that we would actually be racing under floodlights. I've got to say I was really excited about the sound of this and the extra challenge it would provide. It would be just like this year's Singapore Grand Prix!
In the daylight I was following the black rubber marks left on the track by other drivers' wheels. Under the floodlights, these were hardly visible. Still, having adjusted to our new set of conditions, we were ready to rumble.

Race on!
Sonali was on pole position and I started a bit further back, just off her left shoulder. The lights turned from red to green and we were off.
I was hot on Sonali's heels and trying to put as much pressure on her as possible. On hairpin number three she buckled and skidded off onto the grass, I saw my opportunity and hit the accelerator and whizzed past her on the inside.
Being one of the most competitive people in the world I decided to really go for it! I wanted to win big!
My corner taking was way better than in practice and I was absolutely flying around the track.
I ended up crossing the line a solid 43 seconds ahead of Sonali. I've got to say though; Sonali put in a brilliant final few laps. It was only the fact that she had skidded off onto the grass a couple of times that made it such a big gap.

Well chuffed!
Still I was chuffed with my efforts and I totally loved the whole experience. The extra tuition Callum gave me completely changed my style of driving as well as my approach to Go Karting.
After a lengthy victory lap, saluting the massive crowd (six or seven dirty, tired mechanics desperate for their beds, as it was almost 10:30pm!) I was presented with a trophy, which is now sitting pretty on my mantelpiece. I'm actually considering buying a trophy cabinet!

Soaring Gas Prices Change Global Personal Transport Market

Soaring crude oil prices have driven gasoline prices at the pumps to record levels, to over US$4 per gallon in August stateside, the world`s biggest car market. Coupled with the fallout from the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the U.S., record gasoline prices in North America and elsewhere are rattling the global auto market. Reports are that Americans are gradually forsaking gas-guzzling pickups and sport utility vehicles (SUV) for more gas-efficient options, with compacts and mid-sized cars rolling out showrooms only a few days after being trucked to dealerships. And hybrids as the Toyota Prius are fast becoming fixtures on highways, when only a decade ago gas-and electric engines were mostly science fiction.

American car sales for 2008 is expected to slow to a 15-year low; while American makes continue to lose market share to the Asian rivals, which are known for being more fuel efficient.

Toyota has recently toppled GM, formerly the biggest carmaker globally, in volume sold, as well as outdoing Ford to become the best selling car brand in the U.S. The Japanese car giant continues to strengthen its appeal by further leveraging the success of its Prius hybrid, applying the same technology to its high-end Lexus LS600H to expand its client base for hybrids.

Electric Bikes

Besides opting for more fuel-efficient cars, global consumers are also turning to two-wheeled electric bikes as a main transportation tool, which not only helps to save considerable fuel outlay, but also effectively meets stricter environmental protection standards worldwide.

SYM Corporation, a major motorcycle producer in Taiwan, added a new production line to its factory in Fujian Province on the southeastern coast of China in July to turn out electric bikes-aiming to sell several thousands units per month in the initial stage. The company is optimistic about the outlook of electric bikes both in the domestic and international markets. "Many big cities in China ban gas-powered scooters from entry, but not electric bikes for they don`t emit pollution," says the company.

SYM is also engaged in a cross-border cooperation project with Taiwan`s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to develop the RoboScooter, a foldable electric bike scheduled to be formally debut in the latter half of 2009.

Most Active in Taiwan

Meanwhile, the Ideal Group, a major bicycle producer in Taiwan, began partnering with Boston-headquartered Honeywell in March to jointly develop heavy-duty electric bikes. According to the group, the popularity of two-wheeled vehicles has expanded considerably-policemen patrol on electric bikes, factory workers deliver goods on electric bikes, and passengers with luggage also use them to travel through airports.

Being upbeat about the market outlook, the Ideal Group has engaged in more than 10 electric bike projects with various partners from either Taiwan or abroad. The CYCLEUROPE project involves a Swedish partner which is planning to present an electric bike as a gift to the King of Sweden in celebration of the country`s 100th anniversary later this year.

As the most active electric bike producer in Taiwan, the Ideal Group sees steady growth in orders for its electric bikes and may see a doubling of its annual sales of such green bikes this year.

The Ideal Group observes Europe and China as currently the world`s two largest markets of electric bikes, with orders from these two areas growing steadily over the past few years; while orders from European buyers during the first half of this year have surged partly thanks to the sharp appreciation of the euro.

Different Preferences

European buyers generally prefer bicycles with electric-power backup, which enables conventional pedaling on flat terrain but switching to motor drive as necessary. In contrast, buyers in China tend to order fully-electric bikes as a speedier alternative, with few Chinese wishing to pedal electric bikes.

The growing electric bike market is generating higher demand for batteries used on such vehicles. Welldone Company, a pioneer of battery energy for light electric vehicles (LEV) and scooters in Taiwan, tied up in late July with Japan`s Toshiba to jointly develop the world`s first lithium battery for electric bikes. The company has also worked on several other battery projects with Taiwan and foreign partners, aiming to build batteries for various electric bikes.

Bicycles Suggested

The popularity of traditional bicycles remain unchanged as it is still the greenest solution for personal mobility. Some EU (European Union) governments subsidize as incentive for people to purchase bicycles as their major daily commuter. Holland has long set up a pedal-and-park bike sharing system for urban commuters. The Parisian authorities have also purchased a thousand bicycles for free urban commuting in a similar setup: bikes are parked in popular spots city-wide so the public can easily share the vehicles.

Global warming and rising fuel prices are likely having positive impacts on global demand for bicycles-with Giant, Taiwan`s leading bicycle producer, reporting sizably more orders this year. "Our production lines are fully booked this year, even during the second quarter, traditionally a low season," says Giant, which predicts that annual sales in 2008 could jump at least 30%.

Few can argue that bicycles may be the greenest personal transport, which burns no fossil fuel except stored calories, hence emitting zero pollution. Such timeless eco-friendly merits enable the bicycle to literally change the transportation landscape-an increasing number of cities worldwide have built special bicycle paths.

Merida, another major bicycle producer in Taiwan, is also seeing rapid growth in orders this year. "The world is just beginning to be lapped by the bike-crazy wave," says a senior executive at the company. "The length of this wave will stretch for at least 10 years," he adds. The executive also believes that the rising demand for bicycles is also driven by the global pursuit for recreation. For many people, especially in areas within proximity to nature, bicycles are not only commuters but also a relaxing way to explore outdoors.

What's a "Dump Truck"

A dump truck or called production truck is a truck used for transporting loose material (such as sand, gravel, or dirt) for construction. A typical dump truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated open-box bed hinged at the rear, the front of which can be lifted up to allow the contents to be deposited on the ground behind the truck at the site of delivery. In the UK the term applies to off-road construction plant only, and the road vehicle is known as a tipper or tipper lorry.

A news for dump truck
September 20, 2008
AUGUSTA, Ga.---A dump truck driver swerved to miss a car that pulled out in front of the truck, and ended up flipping the truck onto its side. It happened on Rosier Road and Sutton Place.
The truck hit the curb, sending it over onto its side and spilling some of the gravel it was carrying. Fortunately, workers were on hand to clean up the mess.

Choosing The Best Mobility Scooter For Your Needs

A loss of mobility doesn't have to mean a loss of freedom. With the extensive range of mobility scooters available you can find one to get you around the house, to work or wherever you need to go.

Taking a look at the vast choices of mobility scooters available on the market today, you can be sure that there is one out there suitable to your needs. For example, some scooters are made to transport you over a variety of terrains, at speeds of up to 15 mph while others can make hairpin turns allowing you to maneuver the inside of your home. This is great news for someone who doesn’t suffer from paralysis but does suffer from a mobility related disability.

A Basic Primer on the Different Types of Scooters on the Market

There are travel scooters designed to be portable and lightweight. This is the type to buy if you are a traveler and need a scooter that you can fold-up or disassemble easily to load into the trunk of your car. Travel scooters also tend to be the least expensive for a basic model but additional features will equal a higher priced model.

For versatility, the regular 3 wheel scooter is great because you can use it pretty comfortably both indoors and outdoors. This machine generally has a good turning radius, which is especially important for maneuvering around furniture and objects inside the house. If the primary use for your scooter is outside, you should consider a 4 wheeled scooter, which is more stable.

Stability with 4 Wheels

The next scooter type, the 4 wheel, doesn’t have as excellent a turning radius of the travel scooter or the 3 wheel mobility scooter, but as mentioned above, it offers more stability. This larger machine scores higher marks in durability, too. If you need a stable scooter to navigate rugged terrain (and to use mostly outdoors), the 4 wheel scooter is your best choice. Another advantage is that these scooters tend to go the fastest and have the longest battery range. Some other features to consider if you plan to use the scooter outside to also have a master key lock, reflectors, a horn, a locking seat and an automatic circuit breaker to cut off all power so that the automatic braking system will bring the scooter to a stop in case of an electrical problem

Once you’ve determined the type of scooter that best meets your needs, it’s time to do some research on brands, models and a reliable dealer. Factors that will affect your decision will be the price, range, comfort and weight capacity. Of course, there are other factors that you may want to consider when deciding on a scooter, so be sure to list out everything that concerns you.

Getting Around

If you are using your scooter inside your house but have uneven surfaces, such as a transition between two rooms, you will need a small threshold ramp. Portable scooter ramps come in a number of different types to handle a variety of situations such as getting up sidewalks, curbs or a few steps.

What About Transporting Your Scooter

If you plan on traveling by vehicle with your mobility scooter (other than a travel scooter) you will need to use either a lift or carrier. The carrier usually resides outside your van, and it is designed to transport your scooter where you need to go. Lifts and carriers can weigh between 75 and 200 pounds so you should confirm that your vehicle can handle the weight of passengers, the scooter carrier and the scooter before installation.

Philly teen guilty of killing boy for dirt bike

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia teenager was convicted of first-degree murder Tuesday for killing a 16-year-old boy to steal his dirt bike.

The verdict against Eric Smith, 18, carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison with no parole. He is to be formally sentenced Oct. 24 for killing Luis Navarro last year.
"He's lucky — he deserves more than that because I will never see my son again," said the victim's father, also named Luis Navarro. "At least his family can go visit him, wherever he's at."
Navarro's parents had given him the $3,000 motorbike a week before the killing for his birthday, prosecutors said.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer C. Selber said Smith bragged to friends that he had killed someone on the trails in Tacony Creek Park.
Defense lawyer Daniel A. Rendine told jurors that they couldn't be sure Smith killed Navarro because the evidence was statements given by Smith's friends. Rendine said detectives lied to those friends, telling each that Smith had tried to blame him.

Dump Truck

A dump truck or production truck is a truck used for transporting loose material (such as sand, gravel, or dirt) for construction. A typical dump truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated open-box bed hinged at the rear, the front of which can be lifted up to allow the contents to be deposited on the ground behind the truck at the site of delivery. In the UK the term applies to off-road construction plant only, and the road vehicle is known as a tipper or tipper lorry.

Dump trucks are one of the largest road vehicles and are obviously needed to carry dirt, debris etc from one place to another. They are essential for sanitation companies, landscape companies, construction businesses and so on. Since the dump trucks offer multiple functions, they are pricey. Hence, dump truck financing is often called for.

There are various types of dump trucks. Articulated dump trucks help in transporting stones, gravel and other building material from one location to another. They can carry loads and dump them in any place required. The articulated dump truck has some special features like strong design and ability to work on all terrains. Due to the specialized nature, they cost high and articulated dump truck financing is the best option to acquire them.

Off road dump truck is yet another type which is important in mining work. It can carry heavy loads like rocks and dump them wherever they are needed. They are rugged and strong and their tires are larger than a person. They are indispensable for pulling and dumping heavy dirt and rocks. They are extremely expensive and so the companies look for dump truck financing to get them.

Super dump truck helps in carrying heavy loads to the maximum of 32 tons. This truck has longer distance between its rear and front axles in order to spread out the total weight. It is bigger in size and is useful in various operations. However it is quite pricey and dump truck financing is one of the best options to avail it.

Mining truck is another type of dump truck which is highly useful in mining industry. It can haul heavy loads and dump them wherever required. It is strong and rugged and the size of its tire is bigger than that of a human being. Since it has strong design that carries any heavy loads, the cost of mining truck is more. Hence many businesses often find dump truck financing profitable.

Side dump truck performs the same function of carrying loose material and dumping them anywhere required. However it can dump the loads at the right or left side. It is highly useful in transporting sands, gravel and other heavy dirt materials. It has a strong design and helps in saving time in the process of unloading. Its high cost requires dump truck financing from any of the reliable financing companies.

Transfer dump trucks are useful in transferring loads. They have certain advanced features of maneuverability and extra payloads. Due to their specialized nature, they are extremely expensive. Hence many companies prefer dump truck financing to acquire them.

Since dump trucks do not play a direct role in generating revenues, many companies consider seeking the help of financing companies to acquire them. The reliable financing companies have experience in truck financing and so they can understand the need of dump trucks by companies. Hence they provide financial assistance without any tedious procedures. A simple application form is enough to get approval for the required amount. Normally the financing companies directly finance the vendor specified by the companies. The companies can then repay the amount in easy monthly installments.

Man hurt in ATV accident

It took several hours Sunday for East County Fire & Rescue personnel and two Camas Fire District paramedics to rescue a man badly injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident in far east Clark County.

A rescue team responded about 2:30 p.m. when a man in his 50s reportedly rolled his ATV on a narrow trail and tumbled about 150 feet down a steep cliff.

The incident occurred 10 to 11 miles by trail from the Jones Creek Campground, which lies a few miles east of Livingston Mountain. Rescue workers had to abandon vehicles and hike the last two miles to reach the victim.

The man, whose identity was unavailable, had suffered traumatic chest and torso injuries, said Nancy Hoober, East County Fire & Rescue spokeswoman.

Hindered by heavy rain showers and poor radio communication in the rugged terrain, rescuers rigged a Stokes-type basket stretcher and rope system to extract the man, whose condition had been stabilized.

Upon observers’ suggestion, the gurney was secured to an ATV and routed east to a more convenient road entering from Skamania County.

The man was transported by ambulance to Southwest Washington Medical Center.

The victim was safely removed by 6 p.m., Hoober said. Seven East County Fire & Rescue firefighter-EMTs joined the effort, she said.

Mountain Bike Skill

Everyone enjoy an exciting sport of mountain biking, before you ride a mountain bike,you should know some basic skills.

First Things First - Get a Helmet

Tt's simple, Get a helmet and wear it.
Modern helmets are comfortable, stylish and every mountain biker wears one. You can go to your local bike shop and they will be happy to help you pick one out that suits your needs and budget.

Some other safety equipment and accessories that I recommend are cycling gloves (I prefer the full finger style), some sort of hydration system (either a water bottle or a hydration backpack), eye protection or sunglasses, bike shorts with extra padding where it counts, sunscreen, and a shirt made from quick drying material.

Continue through the following exercises.

Pedal Play

Pedal Play - Get Used to Your Pedals
Practice removing your foot from the pedal. Do this first while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Then move on to releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around. Beginners with toe clip and clipless type pedals will want to spend a little more time here.

Sit and Spin For Proper Fit and Position


Sit on your bike and pedal around.
Your arms should remain slightly bent.
Your seat height should be adjusted so your leg is about 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of every pedal stroke.
Keep your body loose and relaxed.
There is never a situation when you should have your knees or elbows locked.

Shifting Gears - Learning How and When to Shift
Get comfortable with shifting the gears on your bike.
Higher gears are harder to pedal and will go faster while lower gears are easier to pedal and help you get up hills.
Next, try to get used to what gears you need to be in to comfortably go up different pitched hills.
As the hills get steeper,
it is best to shift before you get to the hill rather than while you are on the hill.

Stand and Coast - Get to Your Correct Body Position
Spend some time coasting while standing on your pedals without sitting on the seat. Keep your arms bent and don’t lock your knees, put your pedals at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions (horizontal). Next, experiment with shifting your body towards the rear of the bike.
You will want to be in this rear shifted standing position when you coast over obstacles or when the trail gets rough. You should be standing on your pedals with your knees bent and your seat should be between your legs. This is your primary standing position.

Pedal Up - Learn to Pedal While Standing
Get comfortable with pedaling while standing on your bike.
Lift yourself off the seat, stand on your pedals and
crank them around.
Try this in higher gears on the flat and
in lower gears on the hills.

Down a Curb - Do the Drop

Find a curb where you can easily get to the upper level.

Practice standing and coasting straight off the curb from the upper level to
the lower level at a moderate speed.

Stay in position and absorb the drop with your arms and legs.
Try this at different speeds until it becomes comfortable.

Up a Curb - Get Over It

Approach straight at a curb in your primary standing position from the lower level at a slow to moderate speed. Shortly before you reach the curb push down towards the handlebars to get some spring from the front tire and then quickly push your body up from your hands and pull the handlebars up lifting the front wheel up just in time to reach the upper level of the curb. Next, quickly lighten your weight on the pedals if you can and allow the rear wheel to come up to the top of the curb. Absorb any bump with your legs and continue on forward.

BICYCLE MOTO CROSS - BMX

BMX (Bicycle Motocross) is a form of cycling on specially designed bicycles which usually have 20 inch wheels. The sport includes racing on earthen tracks, known as BMX racing, as well as the performance of tricks on the bikes, called Freestyle BMX.

In 2008, BMX racing will enter the Olympics for the first time in Beijing.

BMX Race Men
BMX Race Women
Venue: Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
Location: Laoshan, Shijingshan District, Beijing
Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue:
A general view of Laoshan BMX venue
A general view

The curved track

BMX cyclist tests the track

China: Olympics Bike Hack

Photo Courtesy Xinhuanet

I kinda like the Olympics. Enjoyment of the Olympics started to go downhill for me when the basketball “Dream Team” was formed. Professional athletes already have enough fame and money if you ask me, why not let some amateurs get some attention for two weeks every four years?

I was super stoked when NYC did not get the 2012 Olympics. NYC is crazy enough as it is and I can’t imagine hundreds of more thousands of people descending on NYC for two weeks in the middle of a hot, dank month in the summer.

You always end up hearing stories about how excited local denizens get when their city is chosen to host the games. One Beijing cyclist decided to hack his bike to show his enthusiasm for the upcoming Olympics. Via the blog Asian Pop With YeinJee comes this exuberant hacker. I’m not sure I’d be super excited about that top middle ring.

Liu Xiang: Unbearable pain forced me out

BEIJING — Liu Xiang, China's great hope for track glory at the Beijing Games, said he was sorry for his dramatic withdrawal from the Olympics but that he had no choice because pain from a foot injury became unbearable.

There's so many people concerned about me and who support me. I feel very sorry. But there's really nothing I could do," a downcast, disconsolate Liu told China Central Television in an interview aired Tuesday.

A day earlier, Liu withdrew from his heat in the 110-meter hurdles, shocking and disappointing millions of Chinese who wanted to see him defend his Olympic title at home.

Liu appeared pale and tired, wearing a plain white T-shirt rather than the flashy red that has characterized the uniform of China's athletes at the games. A drop of perspiration clung to the corner of his left eyebrow as he spoke in a steady voice inside what appeared to be a white tent.

The official Xinhua News Agency said CCTV recorded the interview Monday night and showed parts of it Tuesday for the first time.

Electric bikes gain speed

The Associated Press
Published: Friday, August 15, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.

NEW YORK — When Honora Wolfe and her husband moved to the outskirts of Boulder, Colo., she wanted an environmentally friendly way to commute to her job as a bookshop owner in the city.

Wolfe, 60, found her solution about a month ago: an electric bicycle. It gets her to work quickly, is easy on her arthritis and is better for the environment.

“I’m not out to win any races,” she said. “I want to get a little fresh air and exercise, and cut my carbon footprint, and spend less money on gas.”

The surging cost of gasoline and a desire for a greener commute are turning more people to electric bikes as an unconventional form of transportation. They function like a typical two-wheeler but with a battery-powered assist, and bike dealers, riders and experts say they are flying off the racks.

Official sales figures are hard to pin down, but the Gluskin-Townley Group, which does market research for the National Bicycle Dealers Association, estimates 10,000 electric bikes were sold in the U.S. in 2007, up from 6,000 in 2006.

Bert Cebular, who owns the electric bike and scooter dealership NYCeWheels in New York, said his sales are up about 50 percent so far this year over last. Amazon.com Inc. says sales of electric bikes surged more than 6,000 percent in July from a year earlier, in part because of its expanded offerings.

“The electric bikes are the next big thing,” said Frank Jamerson, a former General Motors Corp. executive turned electric vehicle guru.

They’re even more popular in Europe, where Sophie Nenner, who opened a Paris bike store in 2005, says motorists boxed in by traffic jams are looking for an alternative for short journeys that doesn’t involve navigating overcrowded transport systems.

Industry associations estimate 89,000 electric bikes were sold in the Netherlands last year, while 60,000 power-assisted bikes were sold in Germany.

The principle behind electric bikes is akin to that behind hybrid cars: Combine the conventional technology — in this case, old-fashioned pedaling — with a battery-powered motor.

The net result is a vehicle that rides a bit like a scooter, with some legwork required. Most models have a motorcycle-like throttle that gives a boost while going up hills or accelerating from a stop. On some models, the motor kicks in automatically and adjusts its torque based on how hard the rider pedals.

Although regulations vary by state, federal law classifies electric bikes as bicycles, and no license or registration is required as long as they don’t go faster than 20 mph and their power doesn’t exceed 750 watts.

Price largely determines weight, quality and battery type. A few hundred dollars gets you an IZIP mountain bike from Amazon with a heavy lead-acid battery. For $1,400, you can buy a 250-watt folding bike powered by a more-powerful, longer-lasting nickel-metal hydride battery like those in a camera or a Toyota Prius. At the high end, $2,525 buys an extra-light 350-watt model sporting a lightweight lithium-ion battery similar to a laptop’s.

Most models can go at least 20 miles before plugging in to recharge. Although the cost of electricity can vary, fully recharging the battery on a typical model costs less than a dime.

Jamerson, the former GM executive who has become a staunch advocate for electric transportation, believes this is only the beginning for electric bikes.

“The public at large needs to understand that it is the right thing to do to move to electric transportation, and electric bikes and electric scooters will allow you to do that, to get that familiarity,” he said.

Electric motorcycles and scooters

Electric motorcycles and scooters are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion.

Generally, the source of power for the electric motor has been batteries, but development in fuel cell technology has created several prototypes.

Advantages and disadvantages

Electric motorcycles and scooters are rising in popularity because of higher gasoline prices. Battery technology is gradually improving making this form of transportation more practical.

Advantages of electric over gasoline power:
1.The fuel costs for electric power are approximately 25% the cost of gasoline power (US, mid-2008; see Electric car, "Running costs" for the calculation)
2. Nearly silent.

3.Environmental friendly (no exhausted gases at point of use)
4.Using grid power to charge batteries causes less pollution than gasoline scooters; the amount of emissions caused depends on the sources of the electricity used.

5.No trips needed to a gas station-- can be recharged at home.

6. Lower maintenance costs and fewer maintenance activities; for example, there is no need to change the oil. 7.Can be ridden indoors.

Disadvantages:
1.Up front costs are higher than for a comparable gasoline powered motorcycle or scooter.

2.Shorter range before refueling.

3.Longer "fill up" or recharge time.

4.Lower maximum speed at similar price points.

5.Electric power outlets are often not conveniently located near streets or driveways. It is often difficult or impossible to bring the battery into an apartment, for example, for recharging.

6.Battery capacity can be as low as 20% on a cold winter day with -20 °C (lead battery)

Fans take victory ride with Kristin Armstrong

Lt. Gov. Jim Risch declared the day 'Kristin Armstrong Day'

Less than one week ago, Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong was racing outside Beijing, winning the women's time trial more than 24 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.

Saturday, her victorious ride through Downtown Boise was more leisurely, but had an intensity all its own. This time, admirers, not competitors, were the ones trying to stick close.

Gold medal tucked into the back pocket of her cycling jersey, riding the same bike on which she won the time trial, she led a throng of thousands - the mayor's office estimated 1,700 bikes and many more people - on a ride from the Downtown Boise YMCA to the steps of City Hall.

Among the riders were 8-year-old Caleesta Carpenter, a slip of a girl in a silver helmet and Hello Kitty T-shirt, and her dad Jacob.

"I have two daughters and have raised them on my own," said Jacob Carpenter. "Armstrong is the kind of role model I want them to have."

The girls want to be bike racers, and Caleesta is already talking about training.

"That will mean riding my bike in the park. A lot," she said.

At City Hall, Armstrong received many honors, including the Key to the City from Mayor Dave Bieter, who asked her to autograph the back fender of the red '69 Schwinn he rides to work. She obliged.

"I'll never wash this bike again," quipped the mayor.

Lt. Gov. Jim Risch was also on hand and formally proclaimed Aug. 16, 2008, "Kristin Armstrong Day" across Idaho.

Standing in for the ticker tape of a traditional hero's parade were some 500 white T-shirts given to the crowd, emblazoned with a photo of Armstrong biting the edge of her medal.

That medal is the first Olympic gold brought home by a Boisean.

But Armstrong's long history in town, as a triathlete and a teacher at the Y before she became an Olympian, meant that the celebration had an unassuming, hometown character - one that might be harder to come by in another kind of city or around another kind of athlete.

United Dairymen of Idaho, one of Armstrong's sponsors, was handing out chocolate milk, after all. It is Armstrong's favorite recovery drink.

Armstrong said her fellow world-class riders often ask her why she lives in Boise.

"It's my little secret. But if they were here today, they'd know why," she said. "I know I would have gotten support coming home with a medal or not."

Emily VanSickle, 9, and her mom, Sandra, rode their bikes to the Y Saturday.

Emily was one of the lucky 500 who got a T-shirt, and she put it on immediately. Her history with Armstrong goes way back, to when Armstrong taught her to swim.

When Emily heard Armstrong had won the time trial, her reaction was, "Hey, isn't that Kristy from the Y?"

Emily, who likes to study history in school, had no idea that her old teacher was such a serious athlete.

She just remembers that Armstrong was fun - a teacher who brought a giant floating ball to the pool on the last day of class and challenged Emily to jump on top.

She didn't quite make it - but she tried.

Anna Webb: 377-6431

Cycling Mountain Bike

List of Events
On the program of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, Beijing 2008
Mountain Bike

• cross-country Men
• cross-country Women

Athlete numbers:
30 women and 50 men will be competing in Mountain Biking at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Mountain Bike:
Each athlete who meets the selection criteria in an individual event qualifies his/her NOC for a place in this event. Within the target athlete number of 500 athletes, all of the athletes who have qualified and whose participation in one of the cycling disciplines has been confirmed will have the right to enter other cycling events provided that the limits for participation per NOC and per event are not exceeded.

QUALIFICATION TIMELINE - Mountain Bike
8 – 11 March 2007
Continental championships, America, Villa la Angostura (ARG)
23 – 25 March 2007
Continental championships, Oceania, Thredbo NSW (AUS)
28 – 29 July 2007
Continental championships, Africa, Windhoek (NAM)
2 – 6 August 2007
Continental championships, Asia, Zaarour (LIB)
15 November 2007
Deadline for the submission of requests for TripartiteCommission Invitation places by all NOCs
31 December 2007
UCI ranking by nation
11 January 2008
Confirmation by the UCI to the NOCs of the number ofqualifications obtained
20 June 2008
Confirmation from the NOCs to the UCI that they will be taking up the places obtained
7 July 2008
Reallocation of unused places by the UCI as TripartiteCommission invitations and reserve places
23 July 2008
Deadline for the Beijing 2008 Organising Committee to receive entry forms submitted by the NOCs

Phelps wins 10th, 11th golds of Olympic career

2008-08-13 11:04:47 GMT2008-08-13 19:04:47 (Beijing Time) from SINA.com

BEIJING - For Michael Phelps, it's not enough to just set a new standard. He has to demolish the old one. Winningest Olympian ever? He's two golds past that already and not finished yet, just over halfway to his goal of breaking Mark Spitz's record seven in a single Olympics.

World records? In a sport measured down to the hundredths for a reason, Phelps sets a pace to crush one of them by more than four seconds.

Even when his goggles malfunctioned during the first race of a golden morning in China, the gangly, 23-year-old American squinted through water-filled lenses on the way to, yes, a world record. Of course, he was none too happy to beat it by only six-hundredths.

So un-Phelps-like.

"In the circumstances, not too bad I guess," he said with a shrug. "I know I can go faster."

No wonder his competitors realize they're merely swimming for second.

Monumental challenges for mere mortals seem almost inconsequential to Phelps.

"He is just a normal person, but maybe from a different planet," said Russia's Alexander Sukhorukov, fresh off a thrashing by the Phelps-led Americans but still good enough to have a silver around his neck.

On Wednesday, Phelps swam into history as the winningest Olympic athlete ever with his 10th and 11th career gold medals — and five world records in five events at the Beijing Games.

A day after etching his name alongside Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis with gold No. 9, Phelps set a standard all his own when he won the 200-meter butterfly. An hour later, he swam the leadoff of a runaway victory by the U.S. 800 freestyle relay team, which shattered the old world mark in becoming the first team to break the 7-minute barrier.

Seemingly impervious to fatigue, he set a blistering pace of 1 minute, 43.31 seconds that got the Americans rolling toward a winning time of 6:58.56.

"Come on! Come on!" he screamed at teammates Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay.

The previous record of 7:03.24 was set by the Americans at last year's world championships. Russia took the silver, more than five seconds behind the Americans, who mainly had to make sure they didn't get in the water too soon. Australia won the bronze.

"Safe start! Safe start!" Phelps yelled at Berens before he dove in.

After a six-gold performance at the 2004 Athens Games, Phelps needed only five days in Beijing to surpass Spitz, Lewis, Soviet gymnast Larysa Latynina and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi as the winningest Olympian ever.
"I'm almost at a loss for words," Phelps said. "Growing up I always wanted to be an Olympian. Now to be the most decorated Olympian of all time, it just sounds weird saying. It started setting in a little bit after the butterfly. I was just trying to focus on my next race, but I just kept thinking, `Wow, greatest Olympian of all time.' It's a pretty cool title. I'm definitely honored."

Phelps has three more chances to stretch his lead before he leaves China. He'll swim in the 200 individual medley, 100 fly and 400 medley relay.

"There is still something left in the tank," Phelps said. "I've got three races left, so there had better be something left in the tank."

In his signature stroke, the butterfly, Phelps was second at the first flip, then pushed it into another gear, his long arms gobbling up huge chunks of water as he literally sailed along atop the surface. He finished in 1:52.03, breaking his mark of 1:52.09 from the 2007 worlds.

Phelps barely smiled as he looked at the board, breathing heavily and hanging on the lane rope. Hungary's Laszlo Cseh really pushed it at the end, but settled for silver in 1:52.70. Japan's Takeshi Matsuda took the bronze in 1:52.97.

Phelps rubbed his eyes and said climbing from the pool, "I can't see anything." A pair of leaky goggles kept him from even seeing the wall as he touched.

"My goggles kept filling up with water during the race," Phelps said. "I wanted 1:51 or better."

Still, he had two more golds and two more records before lunchtime, leaving him just three wins away from beating Spitz's record in the 1972 Munich Games.

"There is nobody in our sport that can win like he wins," U.S. head coach Eddie Reese said. "He is not just winning, he is crunching world records."

British swimmer Simon Burnett provided his theory to Reese when they ran into each other in the cafeteria.
"He was saying to me, 'I think I've figured out Michael Phelps. He is not from another planet; he is from the future. His father made him and made a time machine. Sixty years from now he is an average swimmer, but he has come back here to mop up.'"

Phelps is also keeping pace with Spitz on the record front. Spitz set world standards in all his wins at Munich; Phelps is now 5-for-5 in China.

"I'm pumped about our relay," Phelps said. "It's the most fun thing to be in a team environment and be part of a relay. It's cool when you get four Americans who all swim well together. Everyone has to play their part or it's just not going to happen. We've been lucky that we've been able to do that."

The Americans are sure lucky to have Phelps, who is already recognized as the greatest swimmer ever — sorry, Mark — and plans to keep competing at least through the 2012 London Games.

After another trip to the medals podium, he flipped his flowers to mother Debbie, tears pouring down her face as she proudly watched from a front-row seat with her two daughters.

Everyone wanted to get a look at history, including the U.S. men's basketball team. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were among those cheering on Phelps from poolside seats. James posed for pictures with Phelps' mom.

Three worlds records fell before Phelps even walked on deck the first time. By the end of the morning, six new marks were set. It was impossible to win gold without putting up the fastest time in history.

So much for concerns that morning finals would hurt the competition.

In the semifinals of the 100 free, Australia's Eamon Sullivan and France's Alain Bernard played takeaway with the record Sullivan set two days earlier.

In the first heat, Bernard won in 47.20 to knock down Sullivan's mark of 47.24 from the leadoff leg of the memorable 400 free relay. That record lasted all of two minutes. Sullivan won the second heat in 47.05, setting up a thrilling showdown in Thursday's final.

"Records don't mean much," Sullivan said. "They don't win medals at the end of the day, unfortunately. But it gives me confidence that I can swim my own race under pressure."

American Jason Lezak, who chased down Bernard in the relay, advanced to the final with the sixth-best time, 47.98. The other U.S. swimmer, Garrett Weber-Gale, failed to advance.

Then it was Federica Pellegrini's turn in the women's 200 free. The Italian broke the mark she set a day earlier in the semifinals, winning gold in 1:54.82. The old record was 1:55.45.

Sara Isakovic of Slovenia claimed the bronze in 1:54.97, and China's Pang Jiaying thrilled the home fans by passing Katie Hoff on the final lap to take bronze in 1:55.05.

Hoff's disappointing day wasn't done.

In the 200 individual medley, she again finished in the first spot that doesn't give a medal. Australia's Stephanie Rice completed her IM sweep with another world record, her time of 2:08.45 erasing the mark of 2:08.92 set at the Australian trials in March.

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe took the silver in 2:08.59, also below the previous world record. Natalie Coughlin of the U.S. won the bronze in 2:10.34, her third medal of the games, beating Hoff by 34-hundredths of a second.
"It's a big surprise for me," said Coughlin, who only began swimming the IM a few months ago. "Any medal in an event that is not on your (regular) program is great."

The glamorous Rice, wearing big green earrings that matched her country's colors, added to her victory in the 400 IM.

Then there's Hoff, who looked to be one of the big stories of the game when she qualified in five individual events — the same number as Phelps.

The 19-year-old, who says Phelps is like a big brother, has yet to match his success in the water. In her first two races, Hoff settled for a bronze and a silver, which look pretty good after Wednesday. Now, she's got only one more event — the 800 free — to win an individual gold.

"I went out there and I raced tough and that's all I can do," Hoff said. "It was definitely a tough day, but I think I handled it pretty well."

An inspiring Olympic story came to an end in the semifinals of the 200 breaststroke.

Eric Shanteau, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer just before the U.S. Olympic trials and put off surgery until after the games, failed to advance to the final.

He finished sixth in his semifinal heat and 10th overall, 13-hundredths of a second out of the last spot into the final.

Japan's Kosuke Kitajima, trying for his second straight sweep of the breaststroke events, cruised along as the top qualifier at 2:08.61. He already won the 100 with a world record after taking both golds in Athens four years ago.

2008 Beijing Olympic - Spain talks tough after Olympic embarrassment

Spanish sport officials have called on Maria Isabel Moreno to name and shame her doping products supplier after the rider became the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' first doping positive yesterday. Spanish sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky pledged to find and prosecute those involved in doping at a press conference in Beijing, China.

"We are going to hunt down these shameless people who harm our athletes," Lissavetzky said. "We are going to clamp down totally and will take the toughest action."

Spain Minister of sports Jaime Lissavetzky,
President of the Spanish Olympic Committee Photo ©: AFP

Spain Minister of sports Jaime Lissavetzky
reacts during a press conference Photo ©: AFP

Moreno was tested only hours after arriving in Beijing on July 31, and returned to Spain later that evening after telling her Spanish team she was suffering from an anxiety attack. The cyclist had been slated to contest both the women's road race and tomorrow's time trial.

"She was quite different after being tested," Spanish Cycling Federation secretary general Eugenio Bermúdez said. "She was crying all the time and she insisted she wanted to go home."

Moreno's non-negative caps off a month of highs and lows for Spanish cycling. While the nation's athletes have claimed both the Olympic Games men's road race victory and won the Tour de France, it has had to contend with the positive tests from Manuel Beltrán and Moisés Dueñas at the Tour and now Moreno's Olympic Games positive.

"I ask you Maribel, looking you in the eyes, 'who gave you the substance and where did you buy it?'," Lissavetzky said.

Spain launched one of the largest doping investigations in international sport, name Operación Puerto, in 2006 but the investigation has been shrouded in controversy. Only three cyclists – Ivan Basso, Michele Scarponi, and Jörg Jaksche – have been handed suspensions following the investigation, despite a long list of athletes being connected with the investigation.

The investigation had been shelved in 2007 by Judge Antonio Serrano, but pressure from world sporting authorities forced the re-opening of the case in February. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) attempted to have the blood bags connected to the investigation turned over to it in April, however Serrano wouldn't share evidence with the private body, as he's not required to under European Union laws.

Cycling Out Of The Olympics?
CyclingNews and most news sources around the globe are picking up on comments recently made by WADA chief Fahey, who noted that along with weightlifting, cycling could see its head on the chopping block and out of future Olympic Games. From the Associated Press (but pulled from CNews): "Some sports such as weightlifting have a pretty bad record and that is demonstrated time and again with numerous athletes from that sport. I think weightlifting understands, as cycling understands, that there is a huge risk for both those sports if the cheating is continued and continued to be exposed. There is no sport that anybody can suggest is doping free. But there are some sports that have had a history, and I would suggest there's a level or a culture [of doping] that has developed in some of those sports."Moreno's positive sure is a good step in the right direction! If anything else goes awry for the bike world in Beijing, it'll take an act of awful cheating from the track and fielders et al to deflect attention. How sad.

Spanish basketball team poses for offensive picture in 2008 Beijing Olympic

Spain's Olympic basketball team in 2008 Beijing Olympic posed for an advertisement prior to the Games which appears to show all its players slanting their eyes, a move that could offend its Olympic hosts in Beijing. The ads, for a Spanish courier company, appeared in the Spanish-language newspaper La Marca.

As the uproar over the picture has grown today, more information about the advertising shot has come to light. The New York Times reports that Spain's basketball team is sponsored by Li-Ning Footwear, a Chinese company founded by Li Ning, the final torchbearer who was hoisted along the top of Beijing National Stadium during the Olympic Opening Ceremony finale. The ad reportedly references the Spanish team recently extending their contract with the footwear giant for another four years.

The Spanish-language paper El Mundo has a piece debating whether the ad was racist that basically calls out the British press for trying to smear Spain's good name. But they miss the point. Whether the picture was made in good fun is irrelevant. It was a ridiculous idea that was bound to upset a lot of people.

It's baffling that nobody involved in the picture -- from the photographers to the players -- even seemed to consider that this ad would be looked at negatively. Did it not occur to somebody that it might not be a good idea to mock an entire continent before the world's largest athletic competition that, by the way, happens to take place on that continent. Were they not aware of an invention called "the Internet" that allows pictures taken in Spain to be transmitted all over the world for the eyes of everyone?

And now that the inevitable controversy has hit, they're still defending themselves when a simple, "the ad was in poor taste, we apologize" would have sufficed. This story would be slowing down if the Spanish Basketball team had apologized immediately. Now it's just picking up steam.

The Organization of Chinese-Americans has released multiple statements condemning the picture. George Wu, deputy director of the group, said, "it is unfortunate that this type of imagery would rear its head during something that is supposed to be a time of world unity." Response in Beijing has been muted so far.

Madrid is thought to be one of the frontrunners to land the 2016 Summer Games (the site will be announced next year). Could this controversy hurt Spain's chances of landing another Olympics?

Interestingly, the Spanish basketball team took on China tonight, winning 85-75 in overtime. No word on whether Pau Gasol was on the receiving end of any elbows from Yao Ming. The Chinese crowd did have a message for the Spaniards though, booing vigorously during the game.

What is a "Pocket Bike"?

A pocket bike is a two wheeled motorized device that has a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and that is not designated or manufactured for highway use. Pocket bikes do not include an off-highway motorcycle as defined in section 436 of the Vehicle Code.

Pocket bikes are thrilling, exciting, and a tons of fun when ridden safely, but they are also motorized, high speed racing vehicles. Just like any other sport, there are precautions that everyone should follow to ensure they are having fun and being safe!