The Weighty Issue

“The UCI (International Cycling Union) wishes to recall that the real meaning of cycle sport is to bring riders together to compete on an equal footing and thereby decide which of them is physically the best.”

And so in 2000, the UCI mandated that the bicycles used in UCI events should not weight below 14.96 lbs or 6.8kg. The reason was safety as the UCI believed that a bicycle under 14.96lbs would explode when ridden. As to the number of 14.96lbs, they would not let us in on their computations.

Just before 2000, the cycling industry was awash with exciting new bicycle materials like titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, and to a certain degree, scandium. The UCI felt that if the technology wasn’t reined in, it would lead to disparity in equipment and eventually performances between the well funded teams and those teetering above the poverty line. Remember that pro cycling is not the NBA, where everybody gets a share at least part of the league revenues.

Before 1990, steel frames were de rigueur and a high end steel bike then weight around 22lbs. The price of a steel frame, irregardless of brand, was basically the same so what could be used by Greg Lemond could easily be used by a lower rung team. But as technology moved forward, lighter, stronger and pricier frames came to the fore.

And pro cycling is stuck in this archaic rule with no end in sight. It became so ridiculous that in 2003, 2-time Giro d’Italia champion Gilberto Simoni had to put weights on his Cannondale just to pass the minimum weght rule! What’s funny is that you can own and ride a pimped up 13-pounder but Lance Armstrong can’t use it in the Tour. As early as 2004, Scott, a US bicycle frame maker, had vouched for the safety of its sub-800gm frame, first at that time. Cannondale even had a “Legalize my Cannondale” protest. Both companies believed that the UCI is hindering the progress in bicycle technology.

But not everyone in the industry agrees. Ernesto Colnago, the most revered bicycle manufacturer, seemed to agree with the UCI when he refused to join to make a light bicycle frame. In fact, he said that he would never make a lightweight frame because it would put the rider in danger.

Nine years later, the 14.96 rule still stands. There still is no recorded incident where a rider crashed because of frame failure. And the bicycle industry has stopped fighting for the reduction of the weight limit. To put the weight issue in perspective, check this out: 2 gallons of water weight more than a UCI approved bicycle.

National Football League no more!

The NFL is dead in this part of the world. BALLS picked up the slack last year but this year, nada! For whatever reason, BALLS has stopped carrying NFL games. But I’m glad though that they are showing real sports events instead, like the world cheerleading contest or something. Really! I hope fly-fishing is next!

Athletes behaving badly

Serena Williams and Roger Federer had lapses in judgment last week. I say it’s time we let it go…I think it’s ridiculous to say that Manny Pacquiao was juiced when he beat Ricky Hatton. I say it’s more ridiculous to say that Pacman should be tested now. I say that it is most ridiculous that some people would believe what trash comes out from the oral cavity of Floyd Mayweather Sr. had to say after saying Hatton would beat Pacquiao. What investigation? In case you don’t know, FMS trained the Brit…… Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Cory Aquino, Patrick Swayze – people who were a part of me, of growing up, who passed away this year. -  THE FREEMAN