For those of you who cross-train on road bikes...a pretty cool newsletter circulates via E-mail from Road Bike Rider. Today's e-letter had some cool stuff in it like:

"Maybe Bikes & Booze Do Mix

If you enjoy a post-ride beer you may be increasing the heart-healthy benefits of cycling. A study in Denmark has found that drinking alcohol in moderation seems to have benefits similar to exercise. This research, reported in Time's Feb. 4 issue, is significant in that it was conducted on 12,000 people over a 20-year period. It was found that exercise and drinking alcohol each had an independent beneficial effect on the heart.....check the article here...

Also in this issue....

Trek Recalls MT220 Girls Bicycle

Trek bicycle recall: Trek terms it a "small number" but other reports say 49,000 bikes are affected. They're cheap and made for young girls, so you're not riding one but you may know a kid who is...."

alot of other good info in the e-letter.

Gary

Cannondale has been aquired by Dorel....check out a blurb from Yahoo....

"MONTREAL, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Dorel Industries Ltd. (TSX: DII.A - News, DII.B - News) today announced it has acquired the Cannondale Bicycle Corporation, a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high-end bicycles. Headquartered in Bethel, Connecticut, Cannondale has facilities in Bedford, Pennsylvania as well as offices in Canada, Switzerland, Holland, Japan, and Australia. Widely regarded as the bike industry's leading innovator, Cannondale's handcrafted bicycles have won numerous design awards and are sold in over 70 countries. The purchase also includes Sugoi Performance Apparel. Sugoi products are used worldwide by runners, cyclists, triathletes and fitness enthusiasts who demand the best apparel available."....

Ok...it's been awhile since the Chef landed a recipe out here...so here it goes....

With dried porcini available...one can enjoy a pasta dish from Biba Caggiano's "Biba's Taste of Italy" 1 oz dried porcini 4-5oz fresh mixed mushrooms, diced. 1/2 can cup of extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced fine. 2 tsp's parsely, chopped. 1 Cup dry white wine 1/3 cup yellow onion, minced fine. 3 oz pancetta or bacon, minced fine 2 Cup Italian Tomatoes (canned is ok) 1 lb dried egg pasta Salt and Pepper to taste Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Soak mushrooms in 2 cups lukewarm water for 20 minutes, drain and reserve liquid. Rinse and chop Porcini, strain reserved liquid into bowl. Heat 1/2 the oil in large skillet over high heat, add mushrooms in small batches and cook until lightly golden. Return all to pan with Porcini, garlic and parsely, stir a bit and transfer to a bowl. Reheat skillet, deglaze with 1/2 cup white wine. When wine has almost evaporated, add contents of mushrooms and set aside. Heat remaining oil in medium saucepan over medium heat, add shallots and Pancetta, cook 5-6 minutes while stirring, until lightly golden. Add remaining wine and cook until almost dry. Add tomatoes and 1 cup of the reserved Porcini liquid, simmer uncovered until sauce has medium consistency (about 15 minutes) Season to taste with salt, add the mushrooms and simmer about 10 minutes. Taste, adjust seasoning and remove from heat. Meanwhile, boil pasta just to al dente, drain and place in warm bowl or return to pot. Add 1/2 the ragu, stir well, adding more sauce if needed. Serve with Grated Pamigiano-Reggiano and bust out your favorite red to "warsh" it down!

Hello All,

I have very exciting news - the new Tour de Rock Registration and Online Fundraising page is officially up and running!

Please click on the below link for details about the 5th Annual CARTI Tour de Rock. I will also send out an e-newsletter on February 15th announcing that registration is officially open to all past Tour de Rock participants. Should you need assistance building your own personal webpage for the online fundraising portion, we will have directions at our February 12th meeting and I am more than happy to come and walk you through the process.

Please register now and begin raising money for CARTI thru our first ever Pledge-a-thon! Have a great day!

Register for Tour de Rock

Jamie Brainard
Special Events Coordinator
CARTI Foundation
Direct: 501-296-3202
Fax: 501-660-7603