Orangeman Triathlon

Title: Orangeman Triathlon
Location: Dana Point
Link out: Click here
Description: Doheny State Beach – bike through the cities of Dana Point & San Juan Capistrano towards the turnaround that sits near the top of the majestic Ortega Highway..(SR-74) will be closed in both directions from 7:30am to 12:15pm.

Start Time: 05:00
Date: 2012-9-23
End Time: 16:45

We asked the organizers if it would be possible for locals to ride Ortega before the event like from 6 to 7am, and the response is no you may not. In fact, according to the organizers,” The CHP is aware that anyone not wearing an event sanctioned bib number/timing chip will be cited. In summary, this is theft and as much as we love cyclists, it would be a better idea for them to form a relay team and pay registrations fees like all the other participants. ”

In addition, early riders wishing to use the San Juan Creek Bike Trail are advised  from the Details page:
10. The bike course has been designed for your safety and enjoyment. The San Juan Creek Bike Trail will be staffed with trained volunteers to discourage general public use and encourage safe cycling. Ortega Highway (SR-74) will be closed in both directions from 7:30am to 12:15pm. <our emphasis>

Make your ride plans accordingly. Del Obispo can be used if you don’t mind a little street traffic to get to and from Dana Point.

The Orangeman Triathlon supports two charities that will benefit from this event; the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County (Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Murrieta).

Good Luck to all the racers!

The Tax on Winning and a Bikelane – opinion

Recently much has been made of the fact that the US is about the only country in the world to tax its athletes at the London Olympics should they have the luck, skill, and where-with-all to stand on the finishers podium to receive their due in front of their peers. Not only will the athletes be taxed on the prize money that accompanies the medal, they will also be taxed on the metal content of the medal itself!

The following table is provided as an illustration:

Winners Tax Table (amount per medal)

Winners Tax Table (amount per medal)

Is this really a problem? Apparently some people think so, as we discover that this last Wednesday, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a bill  that would exempt U.S. Olympic medal winners from paying the IRS tax on the medals they win and the cash payments that come with them.

Thinking that this all has to be some urban legend, we did some fact- checking over at Snopes and learn that just as there is a price for freedom, there is a price for winning. Who knew?

Currently the US is #2 in the Women’s team pursuit qualifying round just a few short seconds behind the  women of Great Britain and just barely ahead of Australians, while Kristen Armstrong took gold in the Women’s time trials, her final ride before retiring . It’s too bad that Amber Neben finished 7th. Do you really think thoughts of possible tax burdens hinder their performance?

We hope Dotsie Bausch and her team mates Sarah Hammer, Lauren Tamayo, and Jennie Reed, hold off Australia and upset Great Britain in the finals tomorrow. Live action commentary and complete race results are available at cyclingnews.com.

If Dotsie podiums, perhaps we could hold a bake sale or something in Irvine if the tax burden is too much for her to bear alone.

And speaking of Irvine, we received word of a bike lane closure 8/7/12 from 9am to 3pm on the southbound side of Carlson Ave. between Michelson Dr. and Palatine, so be careful in that area next Tuesday.

Update 8/5/12

They Did IT!

Lauren Tamayo, Sarah Hammer, Dotsie Bausch and Jennie Reed

The US women held off Australia and won Silver with a 3:19.727 time! Fantastic!

Great Britain won Gold with a World Record 3:14.051 time, and the Canadians overcame the Australians for bronze with 3:17.915 compared to the Aussies 3:18.096

Since the US wasn’t really expected to be in the finals, the 2nd place finish is huge. Hear from Dotse, “”We wanted it more, these last two days,” Bausch said, holding her silver medal. “We fought every pedal stroke, every lap, every second. I really believe we wanted it more. It’s pretty wild to think of the deep richness of the track programs in New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain, and it’s just been us four and Ben [Sharp, the USA Cycling endurance coach], and we got the silver.”

Lauren (who has been racing track since she was 12), then announced she is retiring from track to set her sights on road. Watch out Kristin and Amber.

Well Done! What an awesome performance! Now, what kind of cookies do you like?

RAAM 2013 Anyone?

Registration for the 2013 Race Across AMerica opens August 1st.

The race will start in Oceanside on these dates:

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 – RAAM Solo Women and RAAM 60+ Solo Men,
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 –  RAAM Solo Men and all RAW racers, and
Saturday, June 8, 2013  – RAAM Teams.

Orange County is home to many RAAM volunteers and racers, who will be next to take the challenge?