Tag: thankful
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100 Things to do when it’s raining
– Ride a century around Regent’s Park. The outer-circle of this Royal Park is said to be 2.8 miles. Even on busy workdays, it’s still possible to put down some decent mileage in the quiet season. Supposedly 19 laps will get you a simulated ride to Brighton; just without the worry of a…
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Cross, but not angry birds
It’s September. The leaves are brown, whilst the mud underneath is soaked like a squishy upside-down cake. So what do you do? As for Ben and Jude, they successfully introduce what their rugged bikes to what they were created for – off-off-road cycling! …
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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…
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The Main Event
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…
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Riders Of The North
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. …
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In The Air Tonight
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…
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Cake
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…
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Fade to Pink
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. …
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The First of the Mohicans
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, …
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I ♡ RBX
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…
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You got something to say
It’s now more popular than ever to ride a bike. A pleasing phenomenon not just occurring in our country lanes, but in our bustling high streets too. A walk down Oxford Street and you’ll see push-bikes everywhere: on the roads and in fashion stores as well. It’s the all new handbag, and smart-phone for the…
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Vorsprung…The Invisible Helmet
Yes, you know how this one should go: ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’, the German phrase popularised by the Audi car manufacturer. It can be roughly translated into English as ‘progress through technology’. Although, a more literal translation would be ‘advancement through technology’. So far it seems, there is no single English word which is an exact rendering of ‘vorsprung’; ‘to leap ahead’ comes…
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Crash
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…
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Baroudeur Big Ride – October 2012
The clocks are going back an hour to mark the return of Greenwich Mean Time. Everyone is excited, including the news-readers, as most people in the UK have an extra hour in bed! That is, everyone except me. The Baroudeur Big Ride returns, and despite the nippy weather, the ride is always much fun. I…
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AGM
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…
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Ride of the Falling Leaves
Taking on the Ride Of The Falling Leaves (ROTFL) is an ever popular event that takes in some of the best Kent has on offer. It commences a week on from the legendary ‘Giro di Lombardia’ of northern Italy. This British escapade is a tribute to that ride. Organised by the friendly parish of the…
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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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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…
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Strava Tackle
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…