Category: Features
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Bertie in Pink
Image by BennitoPhoto We often look forwards to the months of July and August for the summer cycling action, but we would go amiss without the one in June, the Giro d’Italia. And if the Classics hadn’t stirred you already, then this was the Grand-Tour (GT) to rally the fans. It’s true; the outcome may…
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Faster! Faster!
How can I get faster? This is a general topic for discussion whenever a group of cyclists get together, and this is true of any conversation held on our club rides out to the countryside. Various topics are discussed first, like circling the drain, with an inevitable ending point – how can I get faster?…
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What makes a Classic, a Classic?
The Family Baroudeur at Roubaix – images by Rob ‘Crazy Legs’ and Denis ‘The Gunner’ It’s that time of year again! The Monuments are rolling by this spring. E3, done, Gent-Wevelgem, completed, Sanremo, sorted. Flanders, fulfilled. What could possibly wrap up the Classics Season in style? Pars-Roubaix, naturally. Last week I was asked why did I…
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Fla-Fla-Flanders
Time Travel is possible in Flanders – Image, courtesy of ‘CyclinginFlanders’ 19 Climbs on Cobbles. 264KM and it loops back! Lost in the thrill of it all; one can easily get carried away with arguably the most popular/greatest one day race of them all, ‘The Tour of Flanders’. Better known in the region and amongst hardy…
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Milano Sanremo 2015
Milano-Sanremo 1992, Sean Kelly nips Moreno Argentin to the line The Risk of Being Alive One day it’s cold, dark and wet. You wake up the next day, and it’s the same. In fact it goes on like this week after week, and month after month. You risk it and go out for a ride…
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Is the answer right under our feet?
Underground? Overground? Wombling free! Today, the Guardian online came with an appealing proposal that is fast gaining momentum: the future of London cycling and pedestrian travel to appear on the Underline! Star Trek never had it so good, and for many Londoners, I don’t think we saw this coming either. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting thought…
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Gimme hope Joanna
The bicycle make me happy, that I get on school fast, and I go home faster, and I clean, and I can do my homework’s and I can do everything. So, explains the young boy called Simphiwe in the video. He is a delighted lad, having received a new bicycle from the cycling charity, Qhubeka. Put your…
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BBR Information
Fact 1: Riding with a club is more fun than riding alone. Fact 2: We are not Gorilla’s. The Winter is! Fact 3: We wish we could do this more often… What’s this all about? Don’t let riding alone drive you up the wall. Come and join us on a Baroudeur Big Ride (BBR). The BBR…
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ArtCrank in London
By far one of the most compelling bike exhibitions of the year was displayed by ArtCrank in London. I dare you to play their video and find one picture that doesn’t make you want to ride your bike! Back by popular demand Running since 2007 and exhibiting work of artists, from both hear and across the Atlantic, not…
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Magic Mike
World Champion – yes, you can believe the hype Michał Kwiatkowski. More than any exotic mountain pass, or desirable location, is a name that challenges everyone; from cycling pundit to racing fan alike – we’re all trying to do him proud and pronounce his name correctly. Although, it’s not Michal’s name that is causing all the…
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French Class – Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Pauline, celebrating with her team, and styling it with French-tricolour socks Lessons in the art of becoming Women’s World Champion! Who was my favourite to win the Women’s Elite Road Race Championships in Ponferrada last weekend? Marianne Vos, straight up! Ask any Baroudeur, and Vos was, and is the favourite. After all, she is twice the previous…
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A Jersey Is Born
“Here’s a quick story about the development of the SBCC jersey design and a book review all rolled into one!” – Singapore Baroudeurs, Glenn Jeffries. London to Singapore Shortly after returning from a ride and uploading to Strava, it became apparent to Disco that the random group of riders in Singapore with whom he had…
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The Talented Mr. Talansky
Old Skool vs. Neo Skool Could it have been the skiers on the mountain that inspired Andrew Talansky to knock seconds off ‘Bertie’ Contador? Perhaps not. Last year it was the veterans sweeping the GC board: Chris Horner immediately comes to mind, as the most mature rider to win a Grand Tour at the youthful…
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Giving Life The Full Windsor
It’s hot and sticky. No, it’s not the weather, it’s the tea! Having something to look forward to is all that’s needed to get you on the bike. And there’s nothing as good as riding with friends and knowing that at your destination there’s a sweet treat offered at a welcoming place. Windsor is…
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Hello Paul Smith
Looking for something to do over the Easter holidays? Whether it’s a bright sunny day by the river, or a rainy Sunday afternoon, London’s Design Museum is a great place to hang out and imagine. So when we heard that ‘Hello My Name Is Paul Smith’ is still running, we leave our bikes behind for the day,…
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Benjamin Brutalis
Intervals. The idea is to ride at 80% for 40 seconds. Then 20 seconds off. 10 times. For 3 sets. Oh, and there’s sprint intervals if you want to mix it up too: roll down, race up, repeat! That’s the idea. Crazy as it sounds it is very rewarding, just not right now. Rupert…
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The Armstrong Lie – A Review
Welcome to the party: We were there, in 2009, on Mount Ventoux. It was the penultimate stage of the Tour de France (Tdf). This was the day Lance Armstrong had to go all out to secure a spot on the podium. It wasn’t what he’d planned for his come back, but it was good…
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You Me Bike Ride Now
Quite simply, the sweetest five words you could say to a cyclist. Add a few more people to this and it becomes a party well worth celebrating. Welcome to a ride with the Baroudeurs! Please note, the rides are currently only for Road Cycling. Like all good parties, there are some basic ground rules for group riding…
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WHY THE BIKE HATE?
We all know the premise: angry drivers honking, passing aggressively close, shouting from rolled down windows and worse, often with no apparent cause. The defining feature of these encounters is the face looking out from the car wearing a twisted mask of hate. Why? What’s happening? True, some cyclists are d*cks, Cyclists are just people…
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Singapore Slingers
Call it spontaneity, or a moment of madness; whatever it was, I take a plane to Singapore (SG). Without the bike. Ever since meeting Glenn, the latest member of the Baroudeurs team, I’ve been wanting to go riding around Singapore, Baroudeur style! Perhaps what attracts me is a change to heat, the combination of…
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First Time Ventoux
Today is the one we’ve been waiting for: Stage 15 of the 100th Tour! For the London Baroudeurs it is part of the race we have been quietly anticipating. Nearly 5 years ago an intrepid band of brothers set out to southern France in search for this infamous mountain. Tales of Tom Simpson, and of…