Category: Blog

  • Life before Strava – did it even happen?

    Life before Strava – did it even happen?

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    Gone riding and loving it. The conversation revolved around replacing a bike computer.   There were the helpful tips and advice you would hope for.  Much later in the same conversation, a comment was made along the lines of “I don’t need another piece of equipment that tells me that I belong to a cool cycling…

  • It never happened

    It never happened

    Ouch!  That’s gonna hurt.  John pulls over and discovers he’s lost metres, forgot to record them, on his bike computer.  The disaster isn’t physical; it’s virtual. Justified Self It’s something that happens often and isn’t confined to cycling only.  Debbie recently acquired a Garmin which she used on the Berlin Skate marathon.  The monitoring chip distributed…

  • Missing Vincenzo

    Missing Vincenzo

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    The Women’s Tour of Britain is currently touring the nation with the top 2 riders being Italian: 1. Rossella Ratto (Ita/Estado de MexicoFaren) 3 hrs 02 mins 02 seconds 2. Susanna Zorzi (Ita/Astana) same time 3. Marianne Vos (Ned/Rabo-Liv) +6″ Unfortunately, this thrilling race is bound to be overshadowed by the Giro d’Italia, which will…

  • The Big Baroudeur Rides Again

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    The Baroudeur Big Ride, is our friendly-paced club ride from London to Surrey.  It’s a great way to explore and see what you can achieve on a bike with other people, and there’s cake on top of Box Hill too!   It’s all happening this Sunday (9 March), Richmond Park, by the Roehampton Gate Cafe at…

  • Crash Bang Wallop

    Crash Bang Wallop

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      It’s simply unavoidable, riding a bike is both a pleasure and a potential risk.  At one point or another you’re going to be in an accident.  Hopefully it won’t be too bad, but when you happen upon a road accident, it’s worth thinking about what to do next. Dave, does what he does best…

  • Velocio, The Wise Cyclist

    Velocio, The Wise Cyclist

      Paul de Vivie, also known as the writer ‘Velocio’, was an outspoken advocate of the geared-bicycle we all know and love today.  Velocio, was also a French cycling evangelist who often penned his beautiful rides, and his wise words continue to encourage us with our early-morning-weekday stints on the push-bike. Tingling from top to…

  • Baroudeurs aren’t always liked

    Baroudeurs aren’t always liked

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    “Baroudeurs aren’t always liked.  ‘Again!’ the peloton says to itself when they attack.  It is the Baroudeur who hand out the leg ache.  Deadly accelerations are their standard. There is no set format for a Baroudeur.  Neither a true sprinter, nor a true climber, nor exactly a rouleur, the Baroudeur is all those at once.…

  • Champion of Cows

    Champion of Cows

    Jude – Oxford – Cows – London With determination and sheer ‘Ox-Power’, our Jude, at the mighty age of 8 years, rides from the university city of Oxford, to the very centre of our fine capital in London.  A total 62 miles! Early on a sleepy Sunday morning our hero climbs upon the statue of…

  • Cross, but not angry birds

    Cross, but not angry birds

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    It’s September.  The leaves are brown, whilst the mud underneath is soaked like a squishy upside-down cake.  So what do you do?   As for Ben and Jude, they successfully introduce what their rugged bikes to what they were created for – off-off-road cycling!                      …

  • Bon Anniversaire Le Tour!

    Bon Anniversaire Le Tour!

    Le Tour on the big screen, friends and barbecue.  What more could you ask for? The climax to the 100th Tour de France would end for the pros in Parisian twilight.  As for us, it is to be a celebration at London’s ‘Look Mum No Hands’ cycling cafe. We almost, almost, almost get side tracked with…

  • Alp d’Huez – Twice As Nice

    Alp d’Huez – Twice As Nice

    Today sees the Tour take onone of the most majestic mountains in the Alps, le Alp d’Huez.  This alone should get cyclists excited. For organisers, ASO, to plan a double bonananza; now that’s got to be a recipe for something extraordinary.  We hope. Yesterday’s Time-Trial proved that there’s still a lot to play for.  No one seems…

  • In The Air Tonight

    In The Air Tonight

    Only Moments To Go It’s just gone midnight and to quote Phil Collins, “I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord!” He may not have been singing about the Tour, but it sure is what I’m thinking right now, and I know I’m not alone. With only a few hours to go…

  • Bravo Vincenzo!

    Bravo Vincenzo!

    A man in comes into shot and my better-half announces it’s “Nibbles!”  Yes, the champion of the Giro, Vincenzo Nibali is affectionately called Nibbles in this household. Sun, rain, ice and more dopage; we’ve had it all.  And yet Nibali has held onto the Maglia Rosa and even championed on to win the penultimate stage…

  • The First of the Mohicans

    The First of the Mohicans

    Are you ready for your SHAVE? ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ Copyright © 2009 by Morgan Creek Films. All Rights Reserved. Agreed, there are far more important things that need our attention right now, both around the world and closer to home.  However, with the season heating up,  and less accessories needed for a ride, …

  • I ♡ RBX

    I ♡ RBX

    It’s official.  I’ve got post-Roubaix Blues.  And it’s clear, that I’m not the only one.  As there’s still many film reels, or in this case gigs of content to go through before making a final-cut, this short video taken by Denis Yeo might serve as a little memory-treat from our extraordinary weekend: Obviously things are…

  • Yes-terday

    Knight Riders Again  Today it feels like Spring:  the temperature is reading double-figures and besides the occasional down-pour, there are moments of sunshine.  Even Craig, on his Classic Challenge is smiling at the end of a hard day’s ride.  Yet, it was only last month when five of us attempted a cycle to Bournemouth.  It…

  • Stand up for the Champions

    Stand up for the Champions

    Let’s eat It’s Friday night and my better-half is on an African-tip.  (I am told) We have three options: a gig on the South-Bank is out of the running, as its too cold and far to appreciate; option two, is a stage-production of forbidden attraction in the time of Apartheid – interesting, but perhaps a little…

  • Red and Black

    Red and Black

    Red and Black – they are our colours. In the run-up to the Spring Classics, where 10 Baroudeurs will attempt the Paris-Roubaix Challenge on April 6, and with all the dark-hard winter riding we have shared, why not have a good cheery song to whistle to?! ‘Red and Black – The London Baroudeurs Version’ is inspired by…

  • Due South

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      It’s February. It’s deep winter and it’s dark.  Even bike shows with shiny new gizmos and everything disc-brakey, or electrically controlled aren’t enough to light up the long nights.  Sometimes the best thing we can do as cyclists is ride through it, rest well, and be with the people we care about the most.…

  • What’s in a Name?

    What’s in a Name?

    Names have a purpose.  As a parent, the decision to name your child can be fairly straightforward, or pretty hairy.  A family tradition or even a chance to start anew with a fresh beginning.  It’s like working on a clear canvas; having the opportunity to have fun and create.  Although, being overly creative with a name…

  • SPOTY – Gotta Love Ya!

    SPOTY – Gotta Love Ya!

    Each year the sporting community comes together to celebrate their achievements through the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) .  With an unforgettable season in cycling, it seemed the only event that could possibly compete against a second consecutive win in the awards would be the unprecedented success of the London 2012 Olympics.    Winners:…