Tag: baroudeur

  • Alp d’Huez – Twice As Nice

    Alp d’Huez – Twice As Nice

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    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…

  • First Time Ventoux

    First Time Ventoux

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    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…

  • The Main Event

    The Main Event

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    by

    Lowell
    in

      The first three stages of this year’s TdF took place on the stunning island of Corsica.  Three Baroudeurs were fortunate enough to be there and witness the thrill of the 100th Tour and it’s Grand Depart! So when Glenn, one of our overseas brother’s followed this with a trip to England, we simply had to give him…

  • Riders Of The North

    Riders Of The North

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    No Surrey today. Nor Kent either.  Instead, it’s a 15K warm up to meet Rob and Captain on the foot of Swains Lane, north London.  Even in this sun drenched city, the neighbourhood is still fast asleep.  It must seem quite peculiar for people waking up; drawing their curtains, and being greeted by smiling cyclists as they climb this little-big hill. …

  • In The Air Tonight

    In The Air Tonight

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    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…

  • Cake

    Cake

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    by

    Lowell
    in

      The Goods One good thing about riding all year round, is well, besides riding all year round, is that when the summer comes, it’s certainly been worth it. If the Spring Classics herald a call to cycle, then the sunshine which hopefully follows,  is a call to test oneself and explore new horizons with confidence.  Layers…

  • Bravo Vincenzo!

    Bravo Vincenzo!

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    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…

  • Legends of an Empire

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    “… Not only were they champions (Bartali and Coppi), they were also great men. Why do you think we are still speaking about them? Because they made history. I consider myself lucky because racing with them I could be part of this history. I would have won more without them but it wouldn’t have been…

  • Fade to Pink

    Fade to Pink

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Alex reminds me that this isn’t fast; in fact we’ve gone faster before! Toby smiles; it’s his second weekend out in a row, and I suspect he’s enjoying himself!  We’ve pulled over on Guilford high-street to wait for the rest of the team and are enjoying a pain-au-chocolat in the unusual, yet altogether welcome sun. …

  • Miss World

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    “Ladies and gentlemen, your cyclo-cross women’s world champion…MARIANNE VOS!” MC at the UCI, CX World Championships,  Louisville, Kentucky, USA 2013 Standing out from the crowd She races, not just rides, 12 months of the year.  And each year from 2007 to 2011, she has won silver at the World Road Race Championships; a dedicated expert of Track, Road,…

  • The First of the Mohicans

    The First of the Mohicans

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    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

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    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

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    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…

  • Ronde Van Vlaaderen 100

    Ronde Van Vlaaderen 100

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    This Sunday we witness not only a pre-cursor to the infamous Paris-Roubaix, but see history unfold as well.  For it is the 100th anniversary of the Ronde Van Vlaaderen – the Tour of Flanders. Yes, they ride up the Koppenberg, the picture that takes up much of this page! Classic Royalty As much as the…

  • Blooming Marvellous

    Blooming Marvellous

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Walk with me Every now and again I get a cycling revelation that makes a world of difference, boosting my confidence on the bike and demanding respect for those who choose to give it full welly on the pro-peloton.  This past fortnight is such a moment.   I learn four amazing facts:  firstly, there’s no shame in walking.  At the…

  • Stand up for the Champions

    Stand up for the Champions

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    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

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    by

    Lowell
    in ,

    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…

  • Blue Steel Smash

    Blue Steel Smash

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Richmond – Guilford – Box Hill – Return Until a reasonable write up is penned, we had this little groove happen… No guitar, 2-by-4; JCB; Concords or ‘fish’ were injured in the making of this cycle ride.  Although, pile-drivers and Chinese-burns may have happened away from camera.

  • Love the TDU

    Love the TDU

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    by

    Lowell
    in , ,

      “Let’s go to Adelaide for dad’s birthday” my wife said. I didn’t dismiss the idea completely.  Sure it was going to cost me a silly amount of money to fly myself, wife and 3 kids over to Adelaide, but I had just finished reading the Tour Down Under ride guide and I was sure…

  • Due South

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    by

    Lowell
    in

      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.…

  • All I want for Christmas

    All I want for Christmas

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    by

    Lowell
    in

    Alright, there’s more than just  sunshine we all want this Christmas, but considering the rainfall we’ve had recently it’s a good start.  Baroudeur, Glenn ‘Bond‘ Jeffrey reminds us of the simple pleasures of riding with the sun on your back and the sweet scent of ocean air by your side.  Thanks Glenn, and Happy Christmas…