Pennsylvania’s Olympic bicyclists got international attention this week even before Friday’s opening ceremonies. Mike “Meatball” Friedman, a Pittsburgh native, and Bobby Lea, of Topton, arrived at the Beijing airport this week wearing surgical-type masks. The masks, also worn by cyclists Sarah Hammer and Jennie Reed, were worn because they feared the negative affects of the much-discussed air pollution in the Chinese capital.
Their arrival caused a stir, with Chinese Olympic officials being insulted by the cyclists wearing the masks. The four issued a public apology on Wednesday, Velonews reported. The cyclists were among about 200 arriving American athletes. The American delegation numbers nearly 600.
Friedman races for the professional Garmin team. Lea races for the Wayne-based Rite Aid pro team.
Also on Wednesday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Look Cycle USA, today announced a voluntary recall of 40,000 pairs of older model KéO bicycle pedals.
The recall affects the KéO Classic, KéO Sprint, KéO HM and KéO Carbon pedals manufactured between Jan. 2004 and Dec. 2005. Look has received 14 reports of incidents, including seven injuries, resulting from breakage of the steel axle.
The date code for the KéO Classic, Sprint and Carbon pedals is on a dial stamped onto the pedal. The date code for the KéO HM is on the bottom of the pedal, with the letters A through L corresponding to the month, and the numbers 4 and 5 indicating 2004 or 2005.
The pedals, sold at bike shops between Jan. 2004 and July 2007, should be returned to the place of purchase, or contact Look Cycle USA to arrange for shipping and free repair. The company can be contacted at (866) 430-5665 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Pacific time, Monday through Friday, or through the firm’s Web site at www.lookcycle-usa.com, or email the firm at KeoUpgrade@lookcycle-usa.com.
And, also Wednesday, Cyclingnews.com reported an interview with Tyler Hamilton in which Hamilton extends an offer to Lancaster County native Floyd Landis to come race for Rock Racing. Landis’ doping suspension ends Jan. 29. Rock Racing, the U.S. domestic pro team, has packed it roster with former greats who have come back to the sport after being banned from racing.
