Tiny Motor Powers a New Threat to Cycling Races

In an interview on Monday, Varjas said that his crank-assist devices could produce more than 250 watts, the amount of power a professional rider might typically average during a four-hour race. The smaller hub-assist motors, which he makes only for custom orders, typically produce only about 25 watts, he said, and require the rider to be able to maintain a high pedaling rate as is the case with all professionals. Even a 25-watt boost would be significant during a professional race.

.. “If you have this system, you can stay with the group, but nobody hears it, nobody sees it, nobody knows about it,” he said of the devices, which cost 10,000 to 25,000 euros (about $11,300 to about $28,200), depending on features.

.. But he added that he believed that some kinds of carbon fiber, the material used to make pro bikes, could render the technology invisible to the cycling union’s new screening devices.

Warwick girl is youngest to finish grueling Nightmare Tour

Through all the miles – 177 of them – and all the hours – 18 and a half – it never occurred to Abigail Grube to stop.

Grube, 13, had her mind made up. Sure, she got tired after 130 miles, but she wasn’t going to quit.

Grube last month became the youngest rider to complete the Nightmare Tour, the ride around the perimeter of Lancaster County. The ride is billed as the hardest single-day bicycle ride in the region.

“It was a challenge to see if I could do it,” the Warwick Township girl said.