By Agence France Presse • Updated: Sep 30th 2010 1:02 PM EDT

Three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, suspended Thursday after failing a dope test, blamed the positive result on contaminated meat, in an emotional protest of his innocence.

Earlier in the day, the UCI announced said that the cycling superstar had been provisionally suspended after a minute trace of clenbuterol, a banned substance, was detected in a urine sample taken from the Spaniard on July 21.

“It’s a case of food contamination to which I was the victim,” Contador, who appeared tense and at times on the verge of tears, told a news conference in a hotel in his hometown of Pinto, outside Madrid.

Contador, who won his third yellow jersey at the end of July’s three-week epic, said he ingested the tiny amount of clenbuterol in meat that he had eaten both the day before and the day of the control.

He said the meat came from Spain, but did not say specifically where it was bought. Contador said he was the only one to have been tested among the riders who ate the meat.

The 27-year-old, one of only a handful of riders to have won the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, said the UCI informed him of the positive test on August 24, and two days later he spoke “at length” with the UCI medical team “about how it all happened.”

“The UCI itself affirmed in front of me that it was a case of food contamination,” he said. “This is a genuine mistake, it’s sad that a sport such as this … is involved in things like this. I think that this will be resolved in a clear way, with the truth up front.”
Trek Travel

The UCI “understands that is a special case, which has to be examined.”

The rider said he was “sad and disappointed, but with my head held high.”

“I have been through this for a month a half, without sleeping,” adding that he had not even told his own family “because I prefer that they don’t suffer and I that I alone suffer.”

A banned substance which can be used to help lose weight and help breathing, clenbuterol is also known to boost performance by helping to increase muscle-to-fat ratios, which is why it is sometimes illegally used by meat producers.

Contador said the tiny amount detected in his body “is completely insignificant” in terms of helping his performance in the Tour.

He said the UCI is in talks with the World Anti Doping Agency “to see if the system can be revised.”
Alberto Contador news conference, Sept. 30, 2010

The UCI said clenbuterol was detected in a urine sample taken from the Spaniard on July 21, during the second rest day in Pau at the foot of the French Pyrenees and four days before he won his third Tour de France title.

The governing body, however, added that only a “very small concentration” of the drug had been found and that the case warranted “further scientific investigation” because the Cologne laboratory that detected the substance is known to be able to detect the tiniest traces of drugs.

“The concentration found by the laboratory was estimated at 50 picograms (50 trillionths of a gram) which is 400 times less (Editor’s Note: The WADA standard is actually 40 times higher than the level detected by the Cologne lab.) than what the antidoping laboratories accredited by WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) must be able to detect,” the UCI said, adding that testing of a second “B” sample taken at the same time confirmed the result.

New York Times
Christian Science Monitor
The Guardian
Wall Street Journal

Where it all began. Late at night you turn the pages on the latest issue. You awake in the morning and check the surf in anticipation. Why? Because the surf is always hammering in your Surfer. Surfer has always had a hand in what matters in surfing. As of late it can be a bit contrived by allowing editorial that provides insights into upcoming movies and having magazine logos added to video content. Edit is edit. Sponsorship is sponsorship. And this should adjust. But the shots are immaculate. Just amazing.

I don’t go far without these three items. When I head out in the morning I make sure I have my Lamy pen, Rhodia pad and Sigg bottle.

Love this pen. The Lamy pico. It has a rounded design and fits neatly in a pocket. Open it up and the pen expands to a comfortable writing size.

These are a bit hard to find but easily purchased online. Rhoida, the stationer known as “Papeteries Verilhac Freres” was founded in Lyon, France in 1932 by two brothers, Henri and Robert Verilhac. They came from a family of paper merchants. The name “Rhodia” comes from the Rhone, a river flowing by Lyon dividing the Alps from the Massif Central. The Rhodia notebook was to become its most famous product. It immediately overshadowed other notebooks of the time because of its quality materials and original design of a scored front cover. The orange cover dates back to the 1930s. It remains unchanged to this day.

And of course water. This one liter Sigg is trendy but bullet proof. Keep it out of the sun and you are golden.

When I travel I love to go to a great store and pickup something nice. I have a great Lamy pen from the UW bookstore outside Seattle. A Black Diamond backpack I picked up after meetings in Boise. Magazines from most every city I have traveled to. So we present some watering holes in Europe to grab a jacket before heading out. Or a place to grab a fresh pair of socks enroute. Enjoy.

Patagonia Dublin



Patagonia Milano

Patagonia Prague

Patagonia Munich

Patagonia Zurich

SCPS #1- Irvine Lake CX
Photo: MRock Photo Group (Socal FLickr Group)
Despite a cool summer in Southern California, the start of the cyclocross season known as a fall sport saw temperatures hitting 99 degrees just in time for the elite races, and it was a hot start to what looks to be another great cyclocross season in Southern California (SoCal). Even with the record temperatures for the first week of racing SoCal did not have everyone sitting indoors as more than 350 riders who showed for some heated cyclocross competition.

The 2010-11 SoCalCross Prestige Series continues to grow with over 20 races from San Diego to San Luis Obispo this season and so many exciting stories to unfold.
The Series has grown 300% over the past four seasons and in part the women of the sport the largest growing categories. In years past most of the women’s events meshed with men’s fields which either created some conflicts with riders finishing their races early or some aggressive passes from men. However, with some changes and restructuring of race categories this summer the Series has created a structure that allows the women’s fields to race together without the company of men. The response was positive from the women on course and showed some of the best women’s racing in Southern California as the ladies had the stage to put on their own show.

Elite Women:
It was a close battle at the beginning of the race as pro mountain biker Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road Cyclery) introduced herself to the women in her first year of cyclocross by taking the hole-shot. But, coming out of the barriers the field was lined up and Amanda Shaper of the newly formed SDG Factory team took the lead until an unfortunate crash put her out of the running. From this point it was Mann all the way. Dorothy Wong (TEAM SoCalCross) was in hot pursuit of Mann with the rest of the field but once Mann saw her time to break she attacked and continued to open her lead, lap after lap, for her first cross race and victory of the season. Ultimately, the chase group separated and the battle for second was exciting as Wong and Shaper went back and forth chasing Mann. In the end it was Shaper with second, Wong third, Jill Sisamis (Team Duke) fourth, and Rebecca Siegel (TEAM SoCalCross) to round out the top five.

Elite Men:
The pace was set by Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) and Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road Cyclery) as the two ripped off from the start to lead out the race. The field stayed together tightly through the first two laps and then began to break apart. Once, the lead group separated it was Taberlay with Gary Douville (Platinum), Dana Weber (Trek), Gritters, Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/B&L), and John Behrens (Bailey Bikes). But, even this pack did not last long. After a few more laps with the heat, crashes, and water feeds riders were slowing on course. Taberlay attacked and took a lead that separated him from the group and he kept the gas on all the way until the end. While, the chase group duked it out for second place. Eventually, it was Weber who attacked on a pit entry that Prenzlow took to gap the group into three riders. By the end it was Taberlay to take the win, Weber in second, Gritters who fought his way back after some crashes and bike troubles for third, and Douville in Fourth. Prenzlow who was just off the back of the group finished fifth to round out the top five with small gaps him to top of the podium spots. It was Behrens alone in sixth. Fritz Bottger seventh and teammate Eric Christenson (SDG Factory) eighth for the final podium spots.

The hot start to the beginning of the cross season was fantastic and required a lot of sacrifice and help that Dorothy Wong was very thankful to receive from her club team and many other local riders. The racing was exciting and obviously dominated by the strongest mountain bikers in Southern California.

Stay tuned for next weekend as SoCalCross brings back UCI racing to Southern California with UCI Kross-toberfest Weekend presented by Focus Bicycles. The two-day festival will bring a wide variety of bicycle events including a velo swap meet, Route 66 Custom Bike Show, a mountain bike ride for kids hosted by Pasadena MTB Club and IMBA. A women’s road ride around Puddingstone Reservoir hosted by the Women’s Cycling Challenge, themed Meet Up Ride… Route 66 from Santa Monica and San Dimas. A Saturday Night Krosstober-fest Haus Party hosted by Mafia Racing, Attack Cycles and Ritte Racing and of course two full days of cyclocross racing action from Junior to World Class riders such as Danish National Champion Joachim Parbo (Leopard Cycles), Chris Jones and Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus), Molly Cameron (Portland Bicycles), Adam McGrath (Feedback Sports/Van Dessel), Chris Shepard (Rocky Mtn. Cycles), Nor Cal’s Barbara Howe (Ibis Cycles) and Sarah Kerlin (HRS/Rock Lobster), So Cal’s Kendall and Alexis Ryan (Team SoCalCross), Allison Mann (Rock N Road). Temperatures are predicted to cool off but the racing will continue to heat up!

For more information about the Series and the UCI Kross-toberfest Weekend go to:
www.socalcross.org

so i have watched a few surf films in my life. and videos. dozens. searching for tom curren. momentum 1. focus. bunyip dreaming. chocolate barrels and liquid trips. all brilliant in their own way. some with a story line. mostly not. primarily not. in fact a few played with story lines and they blew up. endless summer stands the test of time for surfing and story. a plot that thickens with time.

but i present to you modern collective. mind blowing. think momentum 1. you were hanging out on a pink thruster and then you saw kelly, shane, rob, the malloys. and blamo you were awakened. down went the surf wax and out you paddled into the summer froth for a few lippers.

View the trailer here: SurferMag Trailer of Modern Collective.

Storyline: A collective of six surfers set out on a voyage to alter one’s perception of modern day surfing. Forget pre-dawn charging. Forget golden lighting. Forget glassy waters. They ignore perfect point breaks in favor of chunky onshore wedges. This is about high performance, state of the art, modern as hell…Onshore=keepers. Follow these vogue individuals and obtain a candid look at what a session is actually like with the world’s best. The future has already happened you will just be watching the replay. Starring Dane Reynolds, Dion Agius, Yadin Nicol, Mitch Coleborn, Dusty Payne and Jordy Smith. Directed By Kai Neville. Produced by: Poor Specimen Productions.

As It Happens from renan ozturk on Vimeo.

Ever wonder what it takes to put together our expedition dispatches? This video is about just that and a First Ascent in the Himalaya for good measure. This runs about 15 minutes, so grab a drink and enjoy.

More info at: http://camp4collective.com/?p=30

Andy B
outsideallday.com

The 25 (Essential) Books for the Well-Read Explorer
By Brad Wieners

Hey, we’re with you. Given half a chance, we’d much rather hit the road than the armchair. Nothing can replace the intensity of authentic experience. Yet experience needs shape and wisdom—and behind every great adventure are the stories that inspired it. We read before we go; and after we arrive, free and clear in far-flung terrain and edgy places, we invariably find echoes of the voices that led us there. The following list is devoted to books that offer the truest inspiration, the deepest reflection, the strongest provocation. These are books that seize imaginations and rattle sedentary lives.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

It’s a good list!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Speed. The essence of riding waves. There is no one magical secret to moving on a wave, but to extract as much speed as humanly possible from a wave depends on your knowledge of key elements such as equipment, your body, and the wave itself. Without a little help from everyone else, you could spend a long time trying to work it out yourself.

In all forms of knowledge, people have passed down information from one generation to the next, and now, with technological advances, information gets spread to everyone at the speed of light. If Jordy does a rodeo at Macaroni’s you can bet you’re gonna see it on YouTube in a day or two. That doesn’t mean you’ll be able to do it, but you can see it nonetheless. With that, advancements in surfing speed up for the average person. You could say that surfing progresses because of all the different approaches and ideas that guys have on a wave, relative to their abilities.

But although each person’s ideas are totally unique, there are basic positions that everyone uses to get from point A to point B. To break down the elements that go into maneuvers, you have to look at what you are dealing with. Boards and waves will change constantly, but the positions of the body are the one thing you are totally in control of at all times. Each movement of the body will have an effect on the other, and then on the board, and ultimately on the wave.
- Kelly Slater, SurferMag.com

Surfing with Slater feature

Tracing the Edge – A 10 part video series featuring Gerry Lopez, Colin Haley & Krissy Moehl.

Our legends. Our heroes. Our rising stars. It’s easy to consider them super human, but dig behind all the tubes ridden, summits climbed and miles run, there are very human stories. Shot on location in the Pacific Northwest and abroad, we present a new video series tracing the careers of three Patagonia ambassadors – surfer/snowboarder Gerry Lopez, alpinist Colin Haley and ultrarunner Krissy Moehl.

Click below to start watching:
http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=55194&ln=303

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Growing up among the 1,341 people in Taylorsville, Miss., Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell probably didn’t encounter the best coaches or the greatest competition. Which probably helped him reach the NFL. Studies show that small towns are better breeding grounds for athletes than cities, and sports psychologists are using these data to question our ideas about talent development.

Only one-in-four Americans come from towns of fewer than 50,000 people, but nearly half of NFL players and PGA golfers do, according to two recent studies. The small-town figures for golf and baseball are just under 40%. The studies use 1980 Census figures because they most closely represented the birth year of pro athletes.

A co-author of the studies, Queen’s University’s Jean Côté, attributed the small-town overrepresentation to a number of factors. These include the accessibility of sports role models in little towns, the cultural values placed on sport (think “Hoosiers”), and even the “big fish little pond” effect, which can be a positive reinforcer for young athletes. Dr. Côté also argues that, despite the prevailing notion that kids need to specialize early and immerse themselves in 10,000 hours of repetitive training, small-town athletes excel precisely because they spend more time playing outside of schools and leagues.

“In bigger cities, youth sport is overorganized and overcoached,” Dr. Côté says.

Dr. Côté admits that potential superstars eventually have to move to get superior training, but specialization before age 13 or 14 is more likely to produce a tired-out teen than a Tiger Woods, he says.

Then there’s what might be called the boredom factor. As Jason Campbell once said, in Taylorsville, “you have nothing else to do but sit outside and throw a football at trees.
—Austin Kelley, WSJ.com

See what’s new with Patagonia Surf in their paper-free presentation. Lots of good info about their redesigned Regulator® Wetsuits, a crazy-fun new hybrid shortboard from Fletcher Chouinard Designs and all the clothing and gear you’ll need for a winter’s worth of waves.

Launch the Fall 2010 Patagonia Online Surf Catalog