Paris Roubaix, Cancellara and Sportives

I haven't been to see Roubaix live in ages, yet much of that day from when I last saw it is still clear in my mind. I can remember what I had for breakfast, how cold it was standing by the Roadside and how fast the riders are over the cobbles. I'd made the decision after Flanders this year that I wouldn't be back to watch it in 2011. I've managed it for the last three years, and to be honest it will be strange not watching the Ronde in Flanders. But I knew I had to visit the Queen again, she was calling loud and clear and both races are Super Special.

With the rumours that have been flying around and the now recent announcement that ASO would be holding a Sportive version for amateurs the day before. Unlike Flanders where having 17,000 people trample over the bergs before the Pro's is likely to do little damage, but may actually help clear the course, the same can't be said for Roubaix. I wonder if it may make the Stones worse. Details are sketchy at best, so we really don't know how much it'll cost or how many people will be able to enter. We do know that it will be 135km in length and the date is the 9th of April.

So I'd like to take part, and I'm sure I won't be alone in thinking that it'll be a great day, but I expect it to be tough. Unlike the June version run off every two years, the one the ASO are proposing will get the full Pro effect being the day before. I love Pave, and the more I ride it the better I get. So if I get in this will represent my first goal this year, and the training will have to start, or I'll never get fit in time. I've just watched these excellent videos from Michael at the www.theroaddiaries.com and it makes me want to have a go at it even more. I am sure it'll be a big challenge, and if the weather is shit a big ask. But it really appeals and I'm hoping to gather a little Team of people so we can ride can tackle the pave together. If I can't get in, I'll be hitting Belgium instead.

The race winning bike, although I'm unlikely to use a Specialized but I love the idea of using Sram, Zipp and FMB tubs. Not afraid of carbon on the cobbles as I won't be hitting then at 50 kmph+.

I'll be happy to finish, much in the same way I was chuffed to finish my first Flanders. Goals and going for a good time can happen on the second edition!

 

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Untitled

Thjs is the third in the series of Epic Races this year. I am sure that many of you have your own selection but for me it was K-B-K, Giro d'Italia Stage 7 and Giro di Lombardia. Funny that two of my favourite races lacked the Epic status, although both the Ronde and Roubaix will be remembered as a time when Spartacus struck a blow with the red hammer.

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Giro di Lombardi, the Race of the Falling Leaves

Two Countries say more to me about the passion, pain, beauty and horror of racing and they are Belgium and Italy. This beautiful short film captures it, the Classical soft music dulling the pain quicker than a dose of morphine. Defining Epic can be hard, watching unfold in front of you is much easier, and when asked you can say or that Race was Epic.

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Giro di Lombardi, the Race of the Falling Leaves

Two Countries say more to me about the passion, pain, beauty and horror of racing and they are Belgium and Italy. This beautiful short film captures it, the Classical soft music dulling the pain quicker than a dose of morphine. Defining Epic can be hard, watching unfold in front of you is much easier, and when asked you can say or that Race was Epic.

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Giro d'Italia Tappa 7, 2010

This Stage will be talked about for years to come.We have had some really truly epic racing this year, and this is probably the best of the lot. Every rider was a winner on that day, to finish was an achievement. I've found a load of videos of the day, sit back with a good glass of red and enjoy.

<div style="background:#000000;width:540px;height:334px"></div><div style="font-size:12px;">Cadel Evans Wins Muddy Giro Stage 7 - from Universal Sports - The funniest home videos are here</div>

 

 

 

 

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BNM Ride & why I need to get fit

See and download the full gallery on posterous

It's all about numbers today

Trip distance = 84.76 km
Trip time = 3:26:47
Avg Speed = 24:59 km
Max Speed = 72:72 km
Avg Cad = 60
Trip climb = 1087 metres

And that Ladies & Gentlemen is why I need to get fit.

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Rolf and Brian

The real stars of the Chasing Legends Film talk Socks

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Giro di Lombardia 2010 - Final kilometers

> This Giro di Lombardia will go down in history, it was epic with > only 34 finishers out of 195 starters. It was also special in that > Phillippe Gilbert not only won for a second time but in the style he > did it in will go down in history. Having complained about > wheelsuckers recently he silenced those who scoffed at his comments.
>
> There currently is no Leeuw van Vlanderen, but ironically this > Belgian Walloon shows a spirit which is akin to those riders that > have bore that title before.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch? > v=TpRNg8bIzIE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
>
>
>

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Chasing Legends - Trailer

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Adam Blythe, British Rider of the year?

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/MG_sportnieuws/MG_wielrennen/1.882344#

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Catford Hill Climb Video 2010

Great Video, hope there's a longer one to come.

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Catford Hill Climb Video 2010

Great video, hope there's a longer one to come.

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Hill Climb ~ a photo journal

Paul Sanders (know as @Wiggys on twitter) sent me some snaps he took today at the Catford (don't think they are from the Bec as well) Hill Climb. Although there is a National Champs winning this is like winning a Monument in Road cycling. The event is one of the oldest in the World and keeps a fantastic mix of being an event for all abilities with Pro's and Amateurs alike lining up to try and get the best time. I haven't been to a Hill Climb in ages and so seeing these pictures makes me want to catch some action, in this oh so short season.

 

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The final Tour of Flanders 1999

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Sean Kelly talks about AN Post

Sean talks about AN Post team. I had the pleasure to spend a day with the Team back in April. They where so welcoming and even though they are a smaller team the level of proffesionalism was excellent to watch. Rambo is on the team and serves as a fantastic mentor to the young riders, showing what hard work and determination can do for you.

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Sean Kellys Winter Training advice'

you might need to watch it a couple of times to get your ear around it.

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Suits you Sir .... well, maybe not

A friend said to me this week, "oh I don't think your bike suits you, I don't think it suits your personality."

It got me thinking, how often to we take into consideration our personality when buying or building a bike. Of course we do take into account fit, contact points and price. More often or not I am sure that Pro Team status rider used machines play heavily on the mind. I'm pretty sure that's why I wanted a Cervelo.

The other popular determining factor is doubt reviews and reputation built around them. I've been lurred in by that before myself, sometimes it's been great and at other times a complete nightmare. Part of that goes down to the quality of the testing and writing with some writers I take their word like the fifth Gospel while others I disgard quicker than a JW leaflet.

Trying to buy one bike to reflect a personality, could be as hard as trying to have one bike. Well for me it would as I have a complicated and deep one which only parts surface in areas of my life, some things I just keep for me, my family and closest friends. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

So to the bikes, I'll lament over the choice which reflect elements of my personality, some are already on my bikes. I've always liked a mix of good design and funtionality on all my machines, so it brings me nicely to a list of parts that over the years meet these requirements. The hardest choice will be the Frame and Fork.

Drive Chain ~ I have no real love for Campag as a whole and can't get on with how the shifter works. But one quality I've always enjoyed about the Campa stuff is that much of it is completely re-buildable. Thankfully so is SRAM, so if I was building a new machine, I'd swing to those guys. Although I'd likely make one omission, the cranks. This is not founded on a performance viewpoint (I have a set of Red cranks on one bike) but an asthetic one. I don't like how the crank is made around the pedal area, it's kind of ugly, all that excess material compared to a Shimano alloy crank.

Pedals ~ how could I think of anything other than my beloved Speedplay. The truth is, I can't. I love most things about the pedals and I am prepared to live with the bits that annoy me. I'm sure one day something out there will tempt me to try something, but currently that pedal isn't on my radar.

Cockpit ~ this is another one born from experience. It has to be 3T, a mix of good design, solid engineering and a simple choice of best, better and OMG is a great format. I've bought into the Best level, with a smidgen of Better. The OMG range, well the price scares me off and I'm no weight weenie.

Saddle ~ two brands, both Italian, would be my choice of perch. Fi'zi:k and Selle San Marco. Fi'zi:k is a brand I have a long history with, both as a rider and on a business level. Having ridden their saddles since '98 I know their product well. Two models stand out for me with the Arione and Aliante being my go to saddles. Although different in shape both provide hours of comfort. The Aliante is my current favourite, but I'd love to try the A0 as it would seem to combine the best elements of both products. From San Marco it is the Regal and the Regale these are the ones which I've had some great adventures on and gain the most comfort and support from. The final decision would no doubt be due to what looked right, agt least having three to choose from shouldn't present too much of a problem.

The finishing touches, well there are a couple of brands I really like in part of their quality. Cinelli, Bike Ribbon and Lizard Skins all produce excellent bar tape. Normally my bikes get the Cinelli treatment, but the others have all graced my bike and all three last ages and have the right amount of stretch when fitting.

Tyres currently gracing the bikes are Vittoria and Vredestein and both seem to have most options covered. I'm always open to try new stuff as you can always be surprised in how those companies relook at what they are doing every 12-18 months.

So to the big question then, what frame. My frame who made the comment thought I should ride Ti or Steel, and to a point he's right, although many of those bikes lack the direct input I like from a bike and feel like accelarating in a desil car. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, and these are the brands which I like.

For Titanium, I'll probably go with the American builders and two spring to mind. One is already well known in Moots and the other is Crisp. Moots is based in the States and I've had chance to ride a couple of their bikes, and the new

 

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Ruben Molini Interview At The world Cycling Championships Geelong

Dave is travelling again, this time he's in Oz for the Worlds. If you've never catched Dave's video diaries before you should, information & comedy genius all rolled into one.

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This is great bike handling

Watch the second clip and it shows how fast he was going. 

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UCI - Men's Road World Championships - Geelong (Final Kilometers)

Thank God for the Benelux region. Enjoy the last 5km of the Worlds. Congratulations to Thor, such a nice bloke, and now with big shoes to fill after Cadel's awesome year showing the Rainbow bands off and doing them proud with such amazing grit & determination.

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Thor Hushovd: "Ik ben sprakeloos (Engels) ~ post race interview

http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.876246

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Laatste kilometer van het WK wielrennen ~ the Final Kilometre in the Worlds 2010

http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.876214

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