facepalm Archives - Tailwind Coaching

Specialized, (Cafe) Roubaix,and Lawsuits

Unless you've been under a rock, you'll probably know that this past weekend has been a bad one for Specialized. Earlier this year, Specialized issued an ultimatum to the owner of a small Cochran (Alberta, Canada) bicycle shop by the name of Cafe Roubaix. Their letter stated that his shop is infringing on their trademark on the name "Roubaix." The claim is that common passers by would associate the name on the sign with Specialized and more specifically, the Roubaix model.

After this news broke, and with Specialized's history of playing the legal bully, the community sprang into action. Particularly the online community, who have been pointing out (in no uncertain terms) that they are disgusted with Specialized's legal tactics. But what is the story behind the Roubaix trademark and why is this making such a dramatic news story?

Click through for further discussion of why this may be the last straw for Specialized.

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Tags: facepalm, internet|

UCI Confirms Lance Armstrong Ban

As of 7:05 this morning, Lance Armstrong is officially done with cycling.

According to Pat McQuaid: “We will not appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and will recognise the sanction that USADA gave. The UCI will ban Lance Armstrong from cycling and strip him of his 7 Tour de France titles. Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling.”

[Updated 1t 7:05 a.m. ET] The International Cycling Union has stripped Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles. “This is not the first time cycling has reached a crossroads and has had to begin anew. … It will do so again with vigor,” International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid says.

His reputation already in tatters after a lifetime ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Lance Armstrong finds out Monday whether he will be scrubbed from the record books for the seven feats that made him a cycling legend.

So an era of cycling has been wiped clean from the stain that has persisted upon it for so long.

While I'd like to write a book on this today, I just can't. I need to digest everything and I'll return with my opinion on the whole charade in the coming week (since quite a few of you have been asking my opinion on the matter.)

Tags: facepalm|

Facepalm Files: The Defiled Dean

I'm all for self expression, and I'm all for people riding their bikes. If people need some kind of eccentric bike to motivate them to get out and pedal, then good for them.

Sometimes though, the power of the internet drops something into our lap that defies convention and circumvents all common sense.

The “FacePalm Files” chronicles these tales.

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Tags: facepalm, internet, road bike|

Facepalm Files: The Sad Scott

I'm all for self expression, and I'm all for people riding their bikes. If people need some kind of eccentric bike to motivate them to get out and pedal, then good for them.

Sometimes though, the power of the internet drops something into our lap that defies convention and circumvents all common sense.

The “FacePalm Files” chronicles these tales.

(more…)

Tags: facepalm, internet, road bike|

How to Survive a Charity Ride

Charity rides can be a minefield for new riders and veterans alike. You'll see all kinds at charity events, from the racers out for an "easy" training day to families with small kids doing "long" 10 mile rides. After spending countless miles pedaling through group rides, races, charity rides and solo training rides, I've come to a few conclusions about what to do and what NOT to do on those benefit rides.

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Tags: facepalm, Motivation|