Interbike 2005 was my second time to adventure into the enormous world of all things cycling. Walking onto the floor of the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas that housed Interbike, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with the industry side of things that support our beloved sport of cycling. Not being a techie myself, I decided to cruise the floor at Interbike and compose a list of my favorite top ten things at the 2005 show. I was determined to include something more than cute athletes in lycra. So here we go with the official list of My Favorite Things at Interbike 2005:

#10 SweetskinZ (www.sweetskinz.com) SweetskinZ are the manufacturers for multi-graphic-reflective tires and I was pleasantly surprised at how cool these tires looked. The overwhelming smell of rubber was a bit much for me, but the pile of tires was grand. Various patterns such as Bengal, Tribe, Red Dragon and Hot Rod adorn these tires made primarily for BMX, MTB and Cruiser bikes. However, the company is in the process of developing tires for 700C Road, Downhill and Freestyle BMX. With a theme of "Colors by day. Reflect at Night" these tires are not only artistic and creative, they add to the safety of riding as well. I think they should make 'em for the European peloton too. Maybe pink Flamingo feathers for T-Mobile.

SweetskinZ

#9 Mike and the Bike (www.MikeandtheBike.com) This children's book, written by Michael Ward, illustrated by Bob Thomson and narrated on CD by Phil Liggett, is a simple tale that takes a look at the freedoms and responsibilities that come with riding a bike. It reminds all of us of the first time we felt the freedom a bike offered. Michael, Bob and Phil were on hand giving out the book for free and willingly autographing their product. On the CD you not only get the Voice of Cycling to narrate the story, but you also get original music by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Ward. Think of the little ones near and dear to you and expose them to the world of the bike. Buy this book!

Thomson, Ward and Liggett

#8 Moot's Slider Dropout Option (www.moots.com) As I've said before, I am not a technical writer, but when I saw this devise I had to put it on my list of too cool things at Interbike. This Slider Dropout was developed to offer an alternative to conventional chain tensioning devices while using a standard bottom bracket shell. It provides an easy, straight forward way to adjust the chain. I kept thinking to myself, "Hmmm, I could handle that!" Moots also produced a catalog this year that offers a departure from the current slick, shiny brochures that are prevalent everywhere. Moots asked for customers to submit photos and testimonials, and they turned these into a beautifully illustrated product catalog that looks a little timeless. Plus at their booth, Moots was handing out band-aids with little bicycle-riding alligators on them--no one else had that marketing gimmick going for them. " Moots." Even the name is fun to say.

Slider Drop-out Option

#7 Bicycle Radio (www.bicycleradio.com) Every Wednesday night live from Phoenix, Arizona, Sean Mellor and friends broadcast an entire hour on the radio discussing, you guessed it, cycling! Wednesday night they broadcast live from Interbike, chatting with Erik Saunders, Steve Madden of Bicycling Magazine, and others. This radio show tries to bring you up to date on news in the cycling world as well as live interviews with cyclists, directors, authors, etc. So you say you don't live in Phoenix? No problem, because Bicycle Radio is available live from their website every Wednesday evening. And special hint: if you call in during the show, you can win some major schwag! Support this show, folks. They are on the right track to spreading the word about the great sport of cycling.

Erik Saunders and Sean Mellor for Bicycle Radio

#6 Serotta Bike Fit System (www.Serotta.com) Serotta wants to make a bike that fits YOU! By using this expanding bike frame, they measure you in all the normal ways, but they also talk to you about previous injuries, riding history, goals and dreams as they develop an entire cycling experience for you. And this blue frame hanging on the wall...I love it. I want it.

#5 Fi'zi:k Integrated Clip System (www.fizik.com) Fi'zi:k has made a cool clip option on several of their saddles that allows their small bag to clip under the seat for a secure fit that keeps the bag from banging around and scratching up your paint job. Plus it looks great because the materials match and the bag is a perfect size to fit up under the seat to hold a few tools, money, nutrition bar, etc. The best thing about visiting the Fi'zi:k booth has to be meeting up with Suzette Ayotte. Working for the company for many years, Suzette knows all things pertaining to saddles. In her spare time Suzette uses her vast network of cycling contacts to raise money for worthy causes, most notably the Davis Phinney Foundation (www.davisphinney.com) At a recent fund raiser in San Francisco, Suzette pulled out all the stops and brought in a collection of cycling memorabilia and items that raised over $25K for DPF. During the fund raiser in San Francisco, Suzette commented that no one turned her down when she asked for an auction item, and once you meet her, you'll be charmed by her easy style and friendly way. Since Fi'zi:k makes saddles for many national champions, including the ones for the United States and Italy, Suzette had several on display, as well as a glass display case of saddles from previous generations of cycling.

Fi'zi:k Integrated Clip System

Suzette of Fi'zi:k and Steve Hampsten

#4 Floyd Landis (www.floydlandis.com) Another cool thing to see on the first day of Interbike was the incredibly long line winding through the aisles of the show waiting to see Floyd. A bonus cool thing was to finally reach the front of that line where Floyd was signing posters and realize he was willing to chat with you! Step right up, talk with a pro...cool! Looking relaxed, happy, healthy and in a jovial mood, Landis took time to say a few words with everyone that came up to him and to smile pretty for all the photos being snapped of him. I found him to be personable and friendly, even after hours of signing his name! The word that came to mind: Genuine.

Landis had a long line of fans at his booth

Floyd, the man

#3 Tyler Hamilton's Mt. Washington Hill Climb Bicycle (www.parleecycles.com) Made by Parlee just for Tyler, this beautiful ride was on display at their booth. I had to pick it up and truthfully I've never felt a race bike this light, as it weighs in at under twelve pounds. This gorgeous bike was ridden by Hamilton several months ago as he raced up the Hill to take first place. Engraved with the word Believe on the top tube, and The Tyler Hamilton Foundation on the bottom tube, the Parlee rep told me he wasn't sure what they would be doing with this bike when it was no longer on display, but might offer it for auction for Tyler's Foundation. It's a beauty.

TH Bike used for Mt. Washington Hill Climb

#2 Tournesol Leger Carbone (www.cycletournesol.com) If you subscribe to the theory of "What's old is New again" then this bike would certainly catch your eye. A carbon bike with hand-built wheels and silver in abundance, this bike looks timeless, while offering all the comforts of current lightweight materials. I had the pleasure of touring Interbike with the builder and designer of this bike, Steve Hampsten and Douglas Brooks and will have a closer look in a future article at the development and philosophy of this new offering in the cycling world. A look at this one and I was reminded of being a kid again, riding my bike to the park to play. This is destined to be a classic.

Tournesol Leger Carbone

Handlebar setup on the Tournesol

#1 Eddy Merckx (www.merckx.com) What can I say? The greatest cyclist ever sat in the booth for his bicycles and signed and signed and signed! The line was lonnnnnng but Eddy was patient and kind and everyone that waited got their poster. Mine will be framed, that's for sure. On Thursday evening at the Tourneau Time Dome in Ceasar's Palace, Frankie Andreu interviewed the great Merckx and much to the delight of the crowd, Eddy willingly recounted stories from his glorious cycling days and gave his opinions on the state of cycling in Belgium, his views on the ProTour, his opinion on Armstrong's retirement...you name it and Eddy spoke about it. Seeing this interview was worth the entire trip to Interbike. All the hours of driving, all the money spent eating (and drinking) and sleeping---EDDY MERCKX!!! I sat right up front and enjoyed the interview immensely. A perfect ending to Interbike 2005.

Eddy Merckx, the #1 coolest thing about Interbike

(1B: I picked up this little jersey from a new manufacturer on the cycling scene, Champion System (www.champ-sys.com) and had to put it on my kitten--you see, his name is Eddy Merckx!)