Earlier this year we were warned by the MOD that permission to run future cycling events on Salisbury Plain may not be granted due to the damage being caused to some of the wooded areas on the edge of the Army training area. It seems however that for now we are able to continue as permission to run the Winter Challenge on 3rd January 2010 has just been confirmed*. Some internet forums are questioning the event's existance in the 2010 MTB Calendar but we are proud to confirm IT WILL RUN and that SPAMBikng will once again kick off the new Mountain Biking Year in Wiltshire! * The Challenge will follow a similar format to previous years offering a 50km course for experienced riders (we believe this distance is long enough considering the possible adverse weather conditions), a 35km ride for leisure riders wanting a challenge and a 25km route for less experienced or younger riders. All routes will be based around the best all-weather trails the Plain can offer with a few extra climbs and more technical descents thrown in on the longer courses. Anyone is welcome to take part and any profit made from the event is donated to local charities such as the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes (the charity supporting injured service men and women). Youngsters are also welcome to take part, but we ask that younger riders (from 8 years) are accompanied by an adult at all times and have some experience of off-road riding. Older experienced teens may ride without an adult with consent of a parent. The routes are well marshalled and the event offers full first aid cover on standby. Trade Stands from Bertie Maffoons in Marlborough and Bikes and Boards in Devizes will be in attendance and the event is also supported by Mule Bar. On site catering offering hot and cold drinks and food will be on site from 8am, and volunteers from Dorothy House (local hospice) will be offering tea and cake at the finish line with proceeds supporting their cause. Registration opens at 8am with rides starting from 10 am (mass starts 10 minutes apart for each category). Timelaps will be professionally recording rider's times.

- Coverage has gone LIVE at vt4.be.  Alternative link for this feed here.

- Cyclocross live action returns Sunday with live streaming of the Superprestige Cyclocross at Gavere.

Superprestige Cyclocross - Gavere
Official Website
(Coverage begins at 14:30 CET)
(8:30am U.S. Eastern)
Live video: vt4.be

The NJ Biking, Eating & Drinking Group

I'm sure most of us have a cycling item or two that we don't use, so wrap it up and bring it to the NJ Biking Holiday happy hour! For those of you unfamiliar with the White Elephant gift exchange, read about it [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_elep

Hoboken, NJ 07030 - USA

Friday, December 11 at 6:30 PM

Attending: 7

Details: http://www.meetup.com/bikingsociety/calendar/11862498/

Western Mass Kayakers

Meet at Wilderness Experiences Unlimited in Southwick, MA. Route 10/202. Indoor HEATED pool self rescue lessons with kayak instructor Matt. Bring swimsuit and towel.

Be safe and ready for the spring kayaking season.

This class is a good idea. Lets

West Springfield, MA 01089 - USA

Friday, December 11 at 7:00 PM

Attending: 4

Fee: Price: USD 65.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Western-Mass-Kayakers/calendar/11815622/

Skidaddlers Ski and Sports Club

Come join us for our second annual "New Friend Weekend." The weekend begins at the Skidaddlers Ski Club where we'll have a fun reception with appetizers, music and socializing. On Saturday morning have breakfast with us and then enjoy a day of skiing at

Bartlett, NH 03812 - USA

Friday, December 11 at 7:00 PM

Attending: 9

Fee: Price: USD 50.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/http-www-meetup-com-skidaddlerskiandsportsclub/calendar/11843979/

Casual Adventures

Come join us every Saturday and Sunday at the Ne side of the Palma Sola Causeway for our Kayak Demo days!! You will be launched into Palma Sola with access into Robinson's Preserve. We bring all our boats for you to try Free for the first 1/2 hour and onl

Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 - USA

Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 AM

Fee: Price: USD 10.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/casualadventures/calendar/11824332/

The Ventura County Mountain Bike Trailblazers Group

To All V.C.T.B MTB Members,

Saturday morning at 7:00 AM.

The time has come! Yes, I'm back to ride again after a long time break.... Please join me for a MTB ride at las llajas trail is about +/- 8 miles of fire road, 4 miles up and 4 miles down

Simi Valley, CA 93063 - USA

Saturday, December 12 at 6:00 AM

Details: http://bike.meetup.com/166/calendar/11818467/

Düsseldorf Cycling

Come out and ride with us.

Düsseldorf-Oberkassel
Leostrasse 2
40545 Düsseldorf
www.labici.de
info@labici.de
+492111715423

Düsseldorf - Germany

Saturday, December 12 at 11:00 AM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/gogreen-Cycling/calendar/11817808/

Fortnightly Ride Series with each event offering a choice of 3 to 4 pre marked routes designed for all riders from family groups to those that take their cycling seriously. Route distances range from 12 to 65 miles.

Fortnightly Ride Series with each event offering a choice of 3 to 4 pre marked routes designed for all riders from family groups to those that take their cycling seriously.

Triathlon Meetup Group

Hi,

I hope you’re as exited about the new Triathlon Season as I am!

Attend our weekly spin/brick class whether you’re a Triathlete, Duathlete, or Cyclist. This is a great way to train, discuss the sport, and meet new people.

If you’re new to

San Jose, CA 95117 - USA

Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 PM

Details: http://triathlon.meetup.com/142/calendar/11809117/

Indoor Cycling in Ladera Ranch

Join us for an indoor cycling class led by one of the OC's most sought-after spin instructors, Sherri Aubin.

First Meetup is always FREE!

Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 - USA

Thursday, December 10 at 5:30 PM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Indoor-Cycling-in-Ladera-Ranch/calendar/11808650/

The Edmonton Hiking/Walking Meetup Group

The Weekly Thursday Group continues with our Thursday walking group....we will meet at the overflow parking lot across from the Royal Glenora Club at 6.15pm and leave at 6.30pm sharp. The parking lot is right by the river.

We will walk for at least 90

Edmonton, AB T5K 1H8 - Canada

Thursday, December 10 at 6:15 PM

Attending: 1

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Edmonton-Walking-Hiking/calendar/11808593/

ENERGIZED! Outdoor Adventures

[b

Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 - USA

Friday, December 11 at 4:00 PM

Attending: 8

Fee: Price: USD 75.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/ENERGIZED/calendar/11751162/

- The Six Days of Grenoble (track cycling) starts this evening.  We are not aware of any live video streaming for this event, unfortunately.  - Official Website -

- The November issue of Velo Magazine hit newsstands in France yesterday.  It contains more details regarding the selection of Alberto Contador as Velo d'Or winner for the third consecutive year.

November 2009 Velo Magazine, Alberto Contador Velo d'Or issue:
"Armstrong made me popular"

The 2009 Velo d'Or jury was composed of 16 journalists from around the world.  This year, each member of this international jury ranked their top 5 picks for "rider of the year".  A rider earned 5 points for each #1 pick he received, 4 points for each #2 pick he received and so on.  All the points were tallied up and the results were as follows:

1. Alberto Contador - 69 points
2. Mark Cavendish - 49
3. Fabian Cancellara - 32
4. Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck, tie - 22
6. Lance Armstrong - 19
7. Alejandro Valverde - 18
8. Denis Menchov - 6
9. Tom Boonen - 2
10 Thor Hushovd - 1

The jury was made up of Klaus Angermann (Germany, Wiesbadener Kurier), Rupert Guinness (Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald), Michael Kasper (Austria, ORF-Radio), Joel Godaert (Belgium, La Derniere Heure), Hector Urrego (Colombia, Cyclisme RCN), Josu Garai (Spain, Marca), Gilles Simon (France, Velo Magazine), Jeremy Whittle (Great Britain, The Times), Raymond Kerckhoffs (Holland, De Telegraaf), Pier Bergonzi (Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport), Nobuhito Kubo (Japan, Cycle Sport), Marcel Gilles (Luxembourg, RTL), Christophe Wyrzykowski (Poland, Eurosport Polska), Matvey Voznesenski (Russia, Canal Sport), Martin Born (Switzerland, Tages Anzeiger), and John Wilcockson (USA, Velo News).

Of the 16 journalists, 9 had Contador as their #1 pick, 5 had Cavendish as their #1 pick, 1 (Kasper) had Armstrong as his #1 pick, and 1 (Wilcockson) had Cancellara as #1.

Montpellier (cyclingfans.com) - Astana's Alberto Contador, winner of the 2009 Tour de France, has won the prestigious Velo d'Or ("golden bicycle") award for the third time, tying the record of consecutive wins held by Lance Armstrong, overall a 5-time winner.  The award is given annually to the rider considered  to have performed best during the year.  Created by the French Velo Magazine in 1992, the Velo d'Or winner is selected by an international panel of journalists who individually rank their top 3 candidates for the award.  A point system results in an overall score for each rider that was named by journalists, the rider with the most overall points winning the award.  Voting was closed on September 29 meaning that Philippe Gilbert's fantastic run in October was not considered.

Contador flew to Paris this afternoon and was presented his Velo d'Or trophy live on France TV's Stade2 program.  You can watch the award presentation here. (11:01)  During the program, Contador acknowledges that he will need to train hard on cobblestones before the 2010 Tour de France.  When asked when he will make a decision on which team to race for next season, he indicated that a lot will happen in the next week.  He presumably was referring to reports that he would soon meet with Astana officials to learn of their plans for him for 2010.  Contador has long been linked to the Caisse d'Epargne, Garmin-Slipstream and Quick Step teams; Caisse is considered the front runner should the 2009 Tour champion decide to leave Astana.  He became free to leave Astana when the team recently missed an administrative deadline related to its ProTour license registration for the 2010 season.

Alberto Contador wins the 2009 Velo d'Or (France 2)
Click image to watch the program. (11:01)

France TV also played a video document with highlights of Contador's 2009 season, including his bonk at Paris-Nice while wearing the leader jersey, and his career which has included an inspiring return from a near fatal accident.  You can watch this program here. (03:33)

Alberto Contador, season and career highlights (France 2)
Click image to watch the program. (03:33)

A Velo d'Or is also given annually to the top French rider as picked by a panel of French journalists.  Track star Gregory Bauge won the 2009 award.

 

Follow cyclingfans on Twitter and never miss a race. Cyclingfans.com: The #1 destination on the internet for live race coverage.

 

- Tour of Poland Stage 1 LIVE video via TVP 1 here.

- The Trofeo Matteotti has ended.

- On now: Trofeo Matteotti (Italy) playing via Rai Sport here.  (Thanks, Bernie)

- Tour of Poland Stage 1 LIVE ticker here (auto-translated here).

 

Follow cyclingfans on Twitter and never miss a race. Cyclingfans.com: The #1 destination on the internet for live race coverage.

 

- Note:  High resolution versions of all photos can be viewed by clicking the "high resolution" link under each photo.

2010 Giro d'Italia Route Presentation:  Riders, team managers, sponsors and the media gathered in Milan.
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti for cyclingfans.com

More photos below

read more

- The 2010 Giro d'Italia Route was presented earlier today.  You'll find stage details, profiles, and videos at the Giro official site here.

2010 Giro d'Italia map

photo Copyright © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti for cyclingfans.com

- More live feeds to come if available...

(Rai3)
Alternative
Alternative 2

Official Site Live Feed
 

The 2010 Giro d'Italia Route Presentation is today and Italy's Rai3 will be showing the event live beginning at or shortly after 16:30 CET (10:30am U.S. Eastern) and there will be live streaming video; we will list options for watching on the internet before the event begins.  - Giro d'Italia Official Website -

New England Over 40 Hiking Group

Distance: 2.9 miles round trip
Time: 3 hours

Take a break from your frantic holiday shopping. Mt. Watatic in nearby Ashburnham, Mass. beckons. Watatic’s 1,832 Ft. Get some exercise. Enjoy some fine views. And still have time to swi

Ashburnham, MA 01430 - USA

Saturday, December 12 at 9:00 AM

Attending: 30

Details: http://www.meetup.com/New-England-Over-40-Hiking-Group/calendar/11665760/

The Action Arrows 100 Starts and finishes in the impressive grounds of Waddesdon Manor Nr Aylesbury. This circular ride has been cleverly designed to take in some of the impressive Rothschild's properties in the region. The Action Arrows offers a very challenging route through the picturesque counties of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. This is the last Take Action ride of the season, so be sure to join us. If you are a seasoned cyclist or a recreational rider the Action Arrows 100 ride has been designed to make sure you have the perfect day in the saddle. The Action Arrows 100 is fully supported with great route signing, marshals, bike mechanics, back up vehicles, regular drink points and a fantastic lunch stop.

The Finn MacCool 100 is a limited entry ride so if you want to experience this fully supported 100-miler then you will have to book you place in the saddle early. This popular ride, now in its third year takes in some of the stunning coastline of Northern Ireland. The Finn MacCool is a giant of a ride and takes in the beautiful glens of Antrim and the famous Causeway coastline. If you are a seasoned cyclist or a recreational rider the Finn MacCool ride has been designed to make sure you have the perfect day in the saddle. The Finn MacCool is fully supported with great route signing, marshals, bike mechanics, back up vehicles, regular drink points and a fantastic lunch stop.

The Essex 100 will see over 500 riders taking on the twisting and turning route out of Chelmsford. Predominantly routed on through the flatlands of Essex there are still a number of great inclines that will present you with some challenges. Alongside our classic 100-mile route The Essex 100 will also offer a brand new 100km distance. If you are a seasoned cyclist or a recreational rider the Essex 100 ride has been designed to make sure you have the perfect day in the saddle. The Essex 100 is fully supported with great route signing, marshals, bike mechanics, back up vehicles, regular drink points and a fantastic lunch stop.

The Action 100 is one of our classic rides and currently the only point to point route we offer. Now in its 28th year the Action 100 offers a tough undulating route of just over 100-miles. With over 600 riders taking on the original Action ride this event has a great party atmosphere. Action 100 riders can choose to start in Bristol or Bath, the ride ends in Kingston-on-Thames Return travel for you and your bike is available. If you are a seasoned cyclist or a recreational rider the Action 100 ride has been designed to make sure you have the perfect day in the saddle. The Action 100 is fully supported with great route signing, marshals, bike mechanics, back up vehicles, regular drink points and a fantastic lunch stop.

Big photos from today's race around Lake Como. The last classic of the year.

The last big race of the year so don't miss it. Giro di Lombardia preview and live video with results, photos, highlights after the race

The official route, the six mountain stage profiles and a comparison to previous years. Also, Etape du Tour 2010 info.