We’re updating our Friday Roundup with rough news from GT Bikes. Former pro rider and GT Bicycles Digital Marketing Manager Andrew Cho suffered a serious spinal injury out of the blue when a blood vessel burst in his C3 and C4 vertebrae. According to the GoFundMe page, after feeling dizzy and having tingling in his neck and limbs while having dinner with friends, he went home where eventually the ruptured blood vessel constricted his spinal cord, paralyzing him from the neck down. Apparently, he’s starting to make some improvements, but still has a very long road ahead of him. To help offset the cost of medical treatment, loss of work, and other financial burdens, a GoFundMe page has been set up with a goal of raising $75k to start (keep in mind the GoFundMe is in CAD). If you’ve met Andrew, you know that he’s one of the nicest guys and while he’s keeping a positive attitude through all this, he could certainly use our help.
- 8 Lessons on Riding in India with Velocio – When committed cyclist Emma Frame and her husband, Mat moved from New York City to Bangalore, India, she took her love of pedaling with her. The nuanced parts of being a cyclist in India came later. “Riding in India is certainly more challenging than riding in New York (or anywhere in the U.S. for that matter), but it affords us the opportunity to explore parts of the country we wouldn’t otherwise, and to get a slice of rural Indian life that most people we know will never see. One could spend eternity exploring and learning the ins and outs of India, and we’re fortunate to have the fitness (and bikes and kit!) to be able to explore it by bike.” Check out her 8 Lessons for better riding around India’s 3rd most populous city. Yes watching out for monkeys is really one of them. Velocio.cc
Racing coverage & news
- Start the New Year with more cycling on NBC – If your New Year’s resolution is to watch more cycling, then you’re in luck. NBC has you covered with NBC Sports Gold. Get the Cycling Pass for $20 and stream every stage of the Santos Tour Down Under kicking off with the People’s Choice Classic this Sunday at 3:45am EST. They also do on-demand replays if you’d like to keep a more normal schedule. Then stick around the rest of the year for one-day Spring Classics like Paris-Roubaix and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, then the Tour & Vuelta & more. Check out the schedule and buy-in at: NBCsports.com/Gold
- Neko Mulally joins YT Mob DH team – Building out the team American Neko Mulally will join Aaron Gwin and Angel Suarez as the third YT Mob team rider ready to hit the UCI Downhill World Cup circuit. After Gwin’s debut season with YT where he took the overall 2016 World Cup title, the team is filling out. YT-Mob.com
Deals
- Weekend-only ZYM hydration sale – Get a free water-bottle and 20% off Orange until the end of the weekend.When you buy 3 or more ZYM Orange tubes you’ll get a ZYM water-bottle for free plus 20% off over at GoZYM.com, ending Sunday, Jan 15. Use promo code “3dayflash” after you add the Orange. The bottle will automatically be tacked on.
Gear news
- Timbuk2 teams up with NY artist Dave Ortiz for limited-edition pack – To be offered exclusively at their NoHo store (325 Lafayette St @ Bleecker), Timbuk2 will celebrate with a one night only at a special launch party, taking place at the Timbuk2 NoHo Store from 6pm-9pm on Thursday, January 19. Amidst a live DJ, snacks, and libations will be Dave Ortiz himself – giving attendees a rare (and by rare we mean truly just once!) chance to meet Dave, get their limited edition “Ever Upward” Tuck Pack signed, and see a showcase of these one-of-a-kind packs. Find out more details on Timbuk2’s Facebook or over at: Timbuk2.com
- Orange Seal partners with Israeli Pro Continental Team – For 2017 Texas-based sealant company Orange Seal is sponsoring the Israel Cycling Academy, Israel’s first pro cycling team. And this season, they are making the jump from Continental to Pro Continental. That alone is if cool, but with Orange Seal the sponsorship means the first time a tire sealant brand is partnering with a Pro Conti road team that is exclusively riding tubulars. So no they won’t be going tubeless, but adding sealant inside the tubulars for improved security. OrangeSealCycling.com
