Tag: fast
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Lance Man Standing
Southern France, Thursday 23 July, 2009. Stu spreads a local map on the dinner table and invites us to share in his revelation: that we could actually fit in an extra stage of the Tour de France, in addition to the penultimate stage on top of Mount Ventoux. That’s two stages of Le Tour in…
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Falling Leaves
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…
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It’s not all about cycling
This morning reminded me that what we do is not all about cycling. Yes, we get together and we ride. And more often than not, we ride a lot and dare I say it, we have craaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy fun! But it’s not always on a bike. Some of my favourite moments are sitting on top of…
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Amazonia Woman
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…
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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…
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Glen ‘CHRONOS’ Thomson
What is your name? Glen What do you do when you’re not riding a bike? Look at bikes on the internet, advise others to look at and buy bikes from the internet; this does not pay very well so as a side-line I offer young people advice and guidance What bicycles do you own and,…
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How to make your super bike even lighter
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…
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Things we hate about cycling
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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…