Author: Ben
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The Tour of Ayrshire, Part 1
space “But I would walk 500 miles (and I would walk 500 more) Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles To fall down at your door – Da da da da (da da da da) Da da da da (da da da da) Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle…
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Herts for Heroes
The team and the results A Favourite Test “North. Swains?” is Baroudeurs shorthand for a 90km route out of North West London via the infamous Swains Lane and interminable A1000 out onto the country lanes of Hertfordshire. It involves the kind of punchy, gnarly mixed profile riding that belies its modest miles and makes this…
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Annual Awards 2015
The annual LBCC awards are an exclusive and glamorous event at the best of times – how much more so, when hosted by the Olympic Velodrome and preceded by flying laps as a warm up act. The prize categories are already well-established (though subject to amendment without notice) and the system of nomination is as…
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Welcome to the Pleasuredome…
Annual Awards 2015. This year’s London Baroudeurs’ Annual Awards were held in the hallowed ground of London’s Olympic Velodrome.
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No BSBS: the LBS for me
A few years ago, after a another depressing experience at a well-known high-street bike supermarket franchise outlet, I realised that there were a set of behaviours typical to salesmen in bike shops of this type that were consistent and predictable enough to be considered a Syndrome; specifically, Bike Shop Bloke Syndrome (BSBS). The defining signs…
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O Man, it’s Merckx!
London Baroudeurs recently found themselves guests of the august and venerable Anglo-Omani Society, in a grand townhouse just off London’s Piccadilly. We were there to learn about the 2016 Tour of Oman from its General Director of Information and External Relations, Mr Saif Subaa Al Rashidi; and to meet the Belgian friend he’d brought along. O Man,…
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Becks ‘Staffie’ Martin
Name: Becks Martin Do you have a cycling name? If so, who gave it to you and why? The Staffie – because I own a beautiful one, and was born there. What do you do when you’re not riding a bike? I run as much as I can, and care for the health of animals.…
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CalBisc 100
“Life’s great pleasures often come in twos…” Life’s great pleasures often come in twos: tea and biscuits, fish and chips, strawberries and cream. Sadly, none of these favourites have been particularly easy to stuff into a cyclist’s jersey pocket, neither have they a reputation of being exactly performance enhancing. Until now! CalBisc 100 is a…
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Baroudeurs’ Big Ride – La Primavera
The Baroudeurs’ monthly Big Ride, March edition, was sunny and warm. Not wet, windy or cold. No biblical floods, mud bespattered faces, frozen feet. Warm. The roads were dry and bright with sun. Summer jerseys were worn, with shorts. Life was suddenly very sweet, and in one of those oh so rare cosmic alignments, all…
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Super Steel
This lovely film from Rapha showcases the work of Dario Pegoretti, TIG weld pioneer and builder of bikes for Marco Pantani and Big Mig amongst others…
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Ulysses
It little profits that an idle king, By this still hearth, among these barren crags, Match’d with an aged wife, I mete and dole Unequal laws unto a savage race, That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me. I cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees: all times I…
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Glenn, Baroudeur, Singapore
First real ride as a Baroudeur & already tarnishing the cc’s name! Thought we’d head into Gardens By The Bay for a coffee. Unbeknown to me, you can’t ride your bike around there! I was chased around by a local woman wielding her camera tripod at me (and I quote) for “breaking the law!” Not…
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Crash
It is a sad truth, known to everyone who watches the Tour de France each year, that occasionally, despite the best will in the world, riders fall off. When this happens, there are unavoidable consequences. These may take the form of injuries and wounds. Sometimes, these are sufficient to force the rider to abandon the…
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AGM
Not for us the stuffy boardroom, the pitiful sandwiches and corporate backstabbing of the boardroom, no the 2012 Baroudeurs AGM took place in more conducive style at the one-trick menu, french (Italian) maid served, queue round the corner, license to print money, second helpings deliciousness that is Relais de Venise in Marylebone. The nearest we…
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Glen ‘CHRONOS’ Thomson
What is your name? Glen What do you do when you’re not riding a bike? Look at bikes on the internet, advise others to look at and buy bikes from the internet; this does not pay very well so as a side-line I offer young people advice and guidance What bicycles do you own and,…
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Ben ‘Captain’ Ackland
Name: Ben Ackland Do you have a cycling name? If so, who gave it to you and why? Captain, on account of my nautical beard, I assume. You’ll have to ask Lowell… What do you do when you’re not riding a bike? I’m a father and a teacher. What bicycles do you own and, importantly,…