Anne and I eschewed the Fun Club’s ride in lieu of sleeping in on Sunday morning.  Later, we rode together in the Park, for the first time in two weeks.  We got 16 miles.  In the afternoon we drove over to Webster Groves to watch the bicycling races going on there.

We arrived in time to watch the women’s race.  It was hot, with 98 degrees and a 104 heat index.  Our friend Susan was in the race.  She finished, but did not podium.  We also saw some other spectator friends and Team Kaldis members.

As part of the run up to next weekend’s kickoff of this year’s Tour de France, NPR had an article about bike doping.  This article is a step away from the more typical drugs related version of this story.  Normally, it is the bicycle rider that is enhanced.  According to this article it is the bicycle that is doped.

The NPR article interviews the editor of Bicycling Magazine.  She mentioned the Gruber Assist, as a possible bike doping devices.  Their website features the following YouTube product advertisement and part two.

Gruber promotional material promises no more red faces from “unhealthy” over-exertion.  The motor is designed to slide into the bottom of the seat post tube.  Included with the kit is a special bottom bracket that meshes the motor with the pedals.  Gruber also refers to their product as being silent.

Gruber promises 200 watts of power for at least an hour.  The average recreational cyclist generates 100 watts.  Lance Armstrong climbing the Alps generated 400 watts.  Tour de France officials are on alert for these devices, so you could never win a stage with this device on your bike, but since the Tour runs 23 days, you could buy an on the bike rest day with one.  Pundits have paraphrased the old Clairol commercials, with the wag, only your wrench (mechanic) knows for sure.