Bike Hugger 

Wig, tights, fake fruit and a chicken in a bike basket; yep, this cyclist loves a parade.

Uploaded by delikz | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

The AP reports from the Aspen Ideas Festival and a panel about social media with Lance Armstrong, Doug Ulman, and others

The use of social media has helped build the Livestrong Foundation into a powerhouse, but, more important, it’s helped individual cancer victims realize they have an “army” standing by to help, founder Lance Armstrong said Saturday at the Aspen Ideas Festival. “When I was diagnosed, I went down to the bookstore to figure out what cancer is all about,” Armstrong said, referring to the discovery in 1996 that he had testicular cancer at age 25. Now, people who are diagnosed have a wealth of information at their fingertips via the Internet. They also have multiple forums, like Livestrong’s Twitter account and Facebook page, where they can share their fears, seek support and solicit advice.

via m.apnews.com

A couple years ago, Livestrong CEO Doug Ullman joined me for a Core Conversation at SXSW and talked about using Social Media for change. Here’s an audio recording Doug and I made just before the talk. It was released on the SXSW Play app.

Doug told me how Livestrong started as a bike ride and grew with wristbands and Twitter.

The panel covered more topics and Lance added, “Today it’s not a crooked line. It’s a straight line to the people,” referring to messaging with social media and also the dangers for public figures.

Niners and downhill aren’t our thing or beat, but I was impressed with Acros Sport and anybody that takes on Shimano and SRAM. Also German precision.

Also see the headsets and bottom brackets.

When we were in Berlin last year, I noticed they had stainless steel garbage cans machined with the same precision. It’s their thing. I even added those to a presentation I do about design.

I asked other media there how Acros worked? They all said, “great.” The market for their equipment is a mountain biker who wants better than XTR.

Next week I’m in Monterey, CA for the Specialized 2012 Global Product Launch and going to cover, road, urban, and cross. Also focusing on interviewing the designers and people that make the bikes. Of course, we’ll tweet it live, with photos on Flickr, and follow-on blog posts.

Are there questions you’d like to ask the crew at Specialized? The Tricross, Venge, Globes are on the ride list. I’m also going to try a 29er (in full body armor, with the brakes on the whole time).

What would you like us to cover?