Tag: chic

  • Britain’s not so secret race

    Britain’s not so secret race

    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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    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…

  • Hi Galibier!

    Hi Galibier!

    RS and Big Chase showing how to get down on Col du G.      

  • Prelude to a Tour – 2012

    Prelude to a Tour – 2012

    “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

    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,…

  • Moonstruck London

    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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      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,…

  • Condor Bivio-X

    Condor Bivio-X

    Sparkler The Roubaix Challenge is less than a month a way and a lone Baroudeur has been invited to give it a go.  Surely the Captain will be packing the quintessential arm/knee warmers combo, a wooly hat and some beefy tyres for the cobbles, but what to ride?  Answer: The Condor Bivio-X. Get ‘ard as…

  • On Tour – Chalet Tourmalet

    On Tour – Chalet Tourmalet

    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…

  • Riding in the shadows of Legends

    Riding in the shadows of Legends

    space Headliners Only en velo do you get to score at Wembley, headline Glastonbury or walk on the moon. The velodrome at Herne Hill, South London is 120 years old this year and in its day was a cycling equivalent of Wembley, hosting the 1948 Olympics and cycling legends like Jacques Anquetil, Fausto Coppi and…

  • The Price of a Bike

    The Price of a Bike

    Let me explain. It’s a racing bike* It’s built from very lightweight steel, alloy or carbon fibre and is extremely stiff – through the middle, down the frame – so there’s no flex. On bikes that are not designed to go very fast, there is always flex, on all but the strongest of mountain bikes. This…

  • Dixon steps up for the B boys

    Dixon steps up for the B boys

    I think I finished in the top 20. It was really windy and you got hammered if you weren’t nestled in the bunch, even at the edge of the peleton was like trying twice as hard. The 50 minutes went quickly, especially as I had no computer and didnt know how long had elapsed. With…