Category: Blog

  • Good things come

    Good things come

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Good things come and good things go. Sometimes, they come in small packages.  And on occasion they’re so good, that they don’t go away at all; instead, they stand the test of time.  Just like Dr. Alex Moulton’s revolutionary take on the bicycle.  Turning design on it’s head, the inventor introduced small wheels that work…

  • Blue Steel and a Dancing Stag

    Blue Steel and a Dancing Stag

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    Fooled again.  It was with a false sense of security as I rolled into Richmond Park.  The mercury dropped by 5 and it was freezing! All the same, a spellbinding welcome of low mist hovering over frosty meadows, and a glowing sun soon made things right again. That and the fine company: great to see…

  • Broken Seats

    Broken Seats

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Seat comes off.  No broken hearts, thank God.  That could very well have been the result if it had come off mid-descent! Thankfully, Big Chase; Dixon and Matt were able to find all the bits and pieces and put me back on the bike again.  Whilst the fiddly bits were being taken care of, Dixon shared the…

  • Crazy, CX-y, Cool

    Crazy, CX-y, Cool

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    If you can’t get what you want, you might as well build it yourself. It was only a matter of time that Rob would start putting his hand at crafting and brazing his own build.  This is the exquisite result: Sourcing just the right materials and components for the job, he has created the ideal bike for…

  • Ulysses

    Ulysses

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    by

    Ben
    in

    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…

  • Crash

    Crash

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    by

    Ben
    in

    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…

  • AGM

    AGM

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    by

    Ben
    in

    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…

  • Falling Leaves

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    As single-day races go, the Giro di Lombardia comes at a peculiar time of the year.  It hints to a finale of a very long season of cycling: what with 3 scorching summer classics back-to-back, followed by this year’s unprecedented Olympic’s, followed hot on its heels by the world championships, you could ask yourself, is…

  • Amazonia Woman

    Amazonia Woman

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    We’re enjoying a cuppa after Poncherello and Big-Chase have led us on a crazy loop of Hertford, and out of the heath, like a Jaguar, comes a familiar runner who happens to be one of our friendly Baroudeurs… Ed: “Hey Liz, what are you up to?” Liz: “For my next adventure I am heading to the Amazon to run, wade and probably…

  • Britain’s not so secret race

    Britain’s not so secret race

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Earlier this year our good friend and fellow rider, Debbie M. revealed that an extraordinary documentary is being considered for production.  Dubbed ‘Britain’s Secret Race’, it aims to chart the history of what was once popularly known as the ‘Milk Race’, and what we fondly recognise today as the ‘Tour of Britain’ (ToB). What makes this…

  • Kenyan Sporting Dreams

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    In the spirit of being part of what makes champions; be it academic success or gold medal superheroes, I’m making an appeal for a young man called Alex.  It’s his first time in London and I was honoured to be asked to help him around during the start of the Paralympics. As you can imagine…

  • Prelude to a Tour – 2012

    Prelude to a Tour – 2012

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    “Howdy!” comes the warm greeting from the cheery man in flip-flops.  Alex and Rob are beaming as we rendezvous on this fine Friday afternoon.  It’s the start of summer, which must mean a Tour for the Baroudeurs. Try as we may to avoid an exhausting road-trip like last year’s; wouldn’t you know it, we’re off to…

  • Gold

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    I’m on foot and it feels very alien.  My normal mode of transportation is nestling back at home and I’m on my way to pick up a new steed from the master craftsmen – Rob S.  I have great expectations. R.S. recently returned from his epic, and yes it is epic: sailing across the Atlantic,…

  • How to make your super bike even lighter

    How to make your super bike even lighter

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Imagine being able to make your bike lighter and faster.  Simply separate your bike into three parts, or more, and see the kilos fade away!  Disclaimer: however riding a bike in this state, or its individual pieces, is not good for your health, nor is it recommended.  Faster?  In this case, a privilege to ride…

  • Strava Tackle

    Strava Tackle

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    It all began so well, Big Chase (BC) leading out with me on his wheel.  First lap done and we’re going strong.  The Friday sun on our backs and the winds all but gone.  Hello weekend. Second lap to come and we organise ourselves ready for the next jump.  Shooting up the straight, we exchange…

  • Moonstruck London

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    It’s a sunny afternoon and Smithfield’s market is packed, and not because it’s market day either.  The crowds are out in eager anticipation of a racing spectacular imbedded in the heart of the capital, The IG London Nocturne. …enthralling entertainment. Smart organising means that on a Saturday night even non-enthusiasts can’t help but take a…

  • Things we hate about cycling

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    by

    Ben
    in

      First, Stu: people with super expensive bikes- b*stards! not getting 2 lie-ins at the weekend pretending not to be tired on a Sunday afternoon wet feet when it rains getting dropped! punctures headwinds on the way home cycling cliques bonking walking in cleats Next, Ben: getting passed by someone wearing fluoro and trainers. unidentified squeaks,…

  • Meeting Vin Denson

    Meeting Vin Denson

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    by

    Ben
    in

    The B-boys with Vin Denson, team-mate of Anquetil and Simpson, Giro stage winner and one the few British riders (if indeed there are any others) ever to have beaten Eddie Merckx.

  • On Tour – Chalet Tourmalet

    On Tour – Chalet Tourmalet

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    From the outset this was already going to become a herculean effort; what with several people descending onto one obscure location, followed by a quick getaway to Dover and onwards by road to the Pyrenees. This was going to be tight. …she finds hilarious as we’re travelling in such a way. Fortunately, I had been…

  • The Weather Forecast

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    by

    Ben
    in

    …said rain, and rain it did. Aside from which, the ride also began inauspiciously as certain B-boys, extolling a 7am at Richmond start (with the words ‘lie-ins are for losers’) then pulled out last minute! Fortunately, sense prevailed, and 8 o’clock was agreed upon. I had some fun fitting mudguards to the Peregrine to keep me…

  • Disco & DC, Richmond Park, 7.45am, Sunday 20th March

    Disco & DC, Richmond Park, 7.45am, Sunday 20th March

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    by

    Ben
    in

    First day of spring, and the first splashes of summer kit are spotted on the highways and by-ways of west London and Surrey over the weekend.Just the standard 50miles to Box and back, but the promise of longer, lighter, warmer days ahead was putting thoughts of ‘earlier, longer, faster,’ into the minds of these two……