Bicycle Retailer: If what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, then Bike Magazine may have a second wind after all. Here’s the optimistic outlook. The potential darker truth: Print publishing is getting hammered, and magazines are downsizing to almost nothing or going out of business altogether. Let’s hope for the best with the Bike Mag folks!

Lance is pleased with his comeback from surgery so far and still on track to “appear at the starting line” at next week’s Giro d’Italia. How far beyond the starting line he gets is anyone’s guess, but a ceremonial appearance is better than none! The main goal is to keep from reinjuring his shoulder so he can point to the Tour.

Am sorry to hear from David Hiller at Seattle’s Cascade Bicycle Club that the 3-feet-please law died in the Senate transportation committee earlier this month. Colorado fared better and things are going down to the wire in Oregon. More wins than losses these days, though, and that means progress.

Wishing Lance all the best at Gila, but is it a warmup for Giro or…? Nothing much has been said recently about Lance competing in Italy and the Giro starts a week from Saturday. My best wild guess: Teammate Levi was sent out to consult with Lance, get a read on Lance’s conditioning, mindset, etc., and report back to Team Astana director Johan Bruyneel. Lance is probably all systems go but it may not be his decision to make. A ceremonial appearance may be the best compromise. I must say it’s remarkable that Lance is back racing already, albeit a bit risky if he’s truly counting on doing the Giro. Best of luck!

Good to be back!