This weekend there will be plenty of bike racing to watch: The Vuelta a Espana starts on Saturday, the USA Pro Challenge is on Sunday and now the Pro Criterium from Grand Rapids, MI.

Watch the 2011 Pro Criterium National Championship live online!
www.usacycling.org
Can’t make it to Grand Rapids this year? You can still watch the nation’s best crit racers compete for the coveted Stars-and-Stripes jersey at the 2011 USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championship!

Pro Crit Nationals will be streaming live online on Saturday, August 20, at 11:45 a.m. EDT.

El Paso Bicycle Club Ride
B/IG group – The BIG Century
Description:     100 miles of pure cycling fun starts at 6 am Artcraft and Upper Valley riding to Ft Seldon NM. You must have prequalified with the 63 or 80 mile ride beforehand. Absolutely no riders will be allowed to join the group mid distance for the safety and fairness to all who have trained for this ride. Pls arrive 15-30 mins before take off time. Margaret O’kelley 915-588-3825

A new pedal manufacturer arrives: Garmin. Will the pedals take you home if you lose your way?

Garmin Brings Power to the People with Vector
from garmin.com

Vector Once you start using a power meter and seeing the benefits of power-based data, you quickly realize that you want power from every ride that you do – on every bike, from every event. The data becomes so valuable to you, that a ride without power is almost a ride that didn’t happen. And so, most cyclists are suddenly wrestling – struggling – with how to get power on every one of their bikes and from every type of riding situation. That is why we bring you Vector. …

Finally there is an affordable Garmin bike computer if $149 is your definition of affordable.

Garmin Edge 200 Cycling GPS Lets You Review, Relive and Plan
from garmin.com

Edge200 – It is an all too familiar situation when you get home from a bike ride and wonder aloud, “I am exhausted, exactly how far did I just go?” or: “I was flying down that hill, I swear I must have been going 30 mph!” Well, now we give you an affordable solution to know those answers during and after your ride. …

When I was riding a bicycle as a young boy my hometown required a license for bicycles. I do not remember how strictly this was enforced though.

Seen at shop: old bicycle license
by bikedenton

The idea of bicycle licensing comes up cyclically, and I won’t go into the details, because it’s been well covered here, here, here, etc. But it was kinda fun to see a relic of the past on this bicycle that somehow…

You can get some bike clothes and not pay any sales tax this weekend.

Back-to-school shoppers get ready to save on annual sales tax holiday
by Fort Worth Star Telegram
… leather goods other than belts and apparel; athletic pads; personal flotation devices; rented clothing; safety clothing and glasses; and bicycle, cleated and golf shoes. Have more to add? News tip? Tell us By Scott Nishimura Texas’ annual sales tax …

KRTS, Livestrong Foundation sponsoring Marfa 100 cycling event
MARFA – Marfa Public Radio (KRTS/93.5 FM) and the Livestrong Foundation welcome riders to the second annual Marfa 100 on Sept. 10.

This 62-mile/100K charitable cycling event will benefit the ongoing fight against cancer and contribute to the cultural enrichment of far West Texas.

The Marfa 100 course will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Capri Events Center on U.S. Hwy. 90. From there, the ride proceed will proceed west through Marfa and then turn south on Ranch Road 2810. Riders will go about 30 miles to the turnaround point/hospitality station, then back to the Capri along the same route. …

Memorial Park Criterium #11 2011
by Ken         Texas Racing Life
So, TOTALLY different strategy carried out at the crit.  Most of the year, I had been racing aggressively for fitness, getting in breakaways, and spending a lot of time in the wind.  This strategy was working.  I was gaining fitness and still having fun. Admittedly, this is not the best way to get results.  Last night I made a decision that I wanted some SWAG, so I went for the primes. …