Saturday 28 May 2011

Giro Peekaboo

To be honest I wasn't expecting to see many of these as the Grand Tour doesn't differ much from that offered by the Teams suppliers, unlike Flanders and (especially) Roubaix.

But spotted on the Garmin Team cars I spotted that all the spare bikes had Continental tyres fitted. I didn't get close enough to the actual riders bikes as I was talking to the HTC riders to see if they had been fitted to them.

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Thursday 26 May 2011

HTC at the start of Stage 17

May 25, Stage 17: Feltre - Tirano 230km, Giro d'Italia.

Before the days work had started I had the chance to take a look over the HTC bikes, and as a bonus managed to speak to Marco Pinotti & exchanged a few words with Lars Bak.

What was interesting is that this year the Team is using more HED wheels, albeit with a low key set of graphics. My guess is that they supply the Team but don't financially contribute in a way that warrants big graphics (please HED or HTC put me right is I'm wrong). What was really interesting is that the Teams bikes that where there all were fitted with 25mm Conti Competition tyres. I presume that due to the wider rim track these just work better. I'm sure that the lower resistance is welcome, as well as a little more comfort.

It's not the first time the Team gave used a larger volume tyre for 'normal' racing. Previously they'd used 25mm on their TT bikes, in 2010 at the Tour if California.

From a saddle point if view the riders seem to be able to rude whatever they want from either Fi'zi:k's or Specialized's catalog. This must be great from a riders point of view as they able to find a saddle that will work for them.

The riders spared a few words, which was very kind considering they where just about to have another long day in the saddle. The way that they conduct themselves makes me a bigger fan of the Team, even though they must have been tired after this long and difficult Giro.

Oh, for the record Diego Ulissi (Ita) Lampre - ISD won in a controversial finish, but for me that wasn't the story of the day.

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Sunday 22 May 2011

Unbelievable

As much as the next fan I enjoy watching these epic stages in the Giro, but and there's a but sometimes they are a little unbelievable. Spain seems to have produced a bunch of riders that currently are smashing the Giro to bits, but happen to make it look like a regular Sunday Club run. 

Emf0

Euskaltel-Euskadi have won two stages back to back with riders who to me have popped out of nowhere.  hold my hand up as A. I am no expert and B. I don't really follow the exploits of Grand Tour riders that closely. Well I hope that this Giro doesn't finish under a cloud of questions, but with a rainbow of hope.

 

un·be·liev·a·ble

–adjective

1.
too dubious or improbable to be believed: an unbelievableexcuse.
2.
so remarkable as to strain credulity; extraordinary: theunbelievable fury of the storman unbelievable athlete.

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Saturday 21 May 2011

George, Lance & what next

We've had a few interesting days with first Tyler, and the George talking about the EPO use in USPS while they were both there riding. There are many camps in cycling, Pro Lance, Anti Lance, Anti Drugs and finally the Omertà camp.

I had an interesting discussion with a friend over dinner and we debated at length trying to put the cycling world to right. He argued that racing would be boring and viewers would switch off. My repost was that I thought it'd be more exciting as the collapses could be greater as we are asking the body to do more than it's possible of doing. This was his argument that PED's were not going away as the demands are high on their bodies. The omertà culture lures riders into the belief that they need to do it. I can't imagine the pressures and stresses on the body & mind as I've never raced at that level, many have families and the pressure to perform so that they can provide must be great. I think as fans all we are looking for is belief in their performance rather than the best medical help.

With Contador dominating the Giro and making the hardest stages look easy it promotes more questions than answers. His technique is amazing to watch, so smooth and fluid, a bit like Lance; but I watch it with a sick feeling in my stomach, rather than with jaw dropping awe.

If we come to the table with a child like belief and take Teams like Sky, Garmin Cervélo and HTC on face value what are these Teams doing to enable their riders to even compete in the same races. This isn't something often asked or talked about, but how close to the WADA banned list line do these Teams skirt. They may not want to disclose this as it would give other teams an edge, but in the spirit of openness I think it'd be a big positive to declare how, why and what the Teams are using/doing to help their riders.

Many commentators over the years have said that an amnesty is the only way forward. But I think that's the tip of the ice berg as there seems to be corruption at all levels, and I'm afraid that in the human psyche many will do everything to win, while thankfully there are those that won't and will hold a flag of ethics to ask the questions others dare not.

Having kids changes you, and for me they ask hard questions about the Sport I love All I ask is as they grow is that they have heroes to believe in.

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George, Lance & what next

We've had a few interesting days with first Tyler, and the George talking about the EPO use in USPS while they were both there riding. There are many camps in cycling, Pro Lance, Anti Lance, Anti Drugs and finally the Omertà camp.

I had an interesting discussion with a friend over dinner and we debated at length trying to put the cycling world to right. He argued that racing would be boring and viewers would switch off. My repost was that I thought it'd be more exciting as the collapses could be greater as we are asking the body to do more than it's possible of doing. This was his argument that PED's were not going away as the demands are high on their bodies. The omertà culture lures riders into the belief that they need to do it. I can't imagine the pressures and stresses on the body & mind as I've never raced at that level, many have families and the pressure to perform so that they can provide must be great. I think as fans all we are looking for is belief in their performance rather than the best medical help.

With Contador dominating the Giro and making the hardest stages look easy it promotes more questions than answers. His technique is amazing to watch, so smooth and fluid, a bit like Lance; but I watch it with a sick feeling in my stomach, rather than with jaw dropping awe.

If we come to the table with a child like belief and take Teams like Sky, Garmin Cervélo and HTC on face value what are these Teams doing to enable their riders to even compete in the same races. This isn't something often asked or talked about, but how close to the WADA banned list line do these Teams skirt. They may not want to disclose this as it would give other teams an edge, but in the spirit of openness I think it'd be a big positive to declare how, why and what the Teams are using/doing to help their riders.

Many commentators over the years have said that an amnesty is the only way forward. But I think that's the tip of the ice berg as there seems to be corruption at all levels, and I'm afraid that in the human psyche many will do everything to win, while thankfully there are those that won't and will hold a flag of ethics to ask the questions others dare not.

Having kids changes you, and for me they ask hard questions about the Sport I love All I ask is as they grow is that they have heroes to believe in.

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Wednesday 18 May 2011

Paris Roubaix - the kit Part 2 ~ Shorts

As anyone who has read any of my posts they will have realised that I'm a big fan of a few brands so I had to think about which shorts I was going to use. From Castelli I'd been using the Sopasso tight in winter with the excellent Progetto X2 pad, which for me is the best two piece pad on the Market. The problem was I hadn't had the the chance to pick up a pair of the Free (it's a model type) bibs as yet (but have since the ride).

So I went down the tried and tested route of Assos. I've ridden various versions of their shorts and I've never felt short changed in the comfort department. So out I pulled my S13 shorts (S5 pad). It would be the first time I'd have ridden Assos over the pavé as I've tended to use a Roubaix (brushed) short for the extra warmth on those cold April days. This year with projected temperatures of 22*c I went for a summer weight option and would have to man up for when it was colder at the start.

So as a well used product I was really impressed that I had no bruising or sores afterwards. It felt like a normal ride, the excellent Assos/Cytec pad doing it's job without missing a beat. These are the reasons you pay more for your shorts, an average of 85 revolutions a minute, 5,100 in a hour and a total of 28,050 across the duration of the ride means the fabric and pad needs to be of a high quality, and thankfully it is.

The downer I normally ride with a really small seatpack, enough for 1 tube, tyre levers and a micro tool. But as part of the start list I had to use a larger Velcro mounted pack to hold the four recommended tubes. I was gutted to find out at one of the stops that it'd worn a hole in one side of my shorts!! In disgust I emptied my pack and packed my pockets and threw away the offending seatpack, never to be seen again. Gutted to ruin an expensive pair of shorts I'm hoping that Assos may be able to fix them, we'll see but I'm sure it's worth asking & I hope the cost isn't too much.

But all in all the legendary comfort prevailed again and apart from the incident mentioned I couldn't be any happier.

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Words from friends from Woulter's Funeral

Beautiful words from two friends. Speaking to people and listening to everything that has been said about Wouter over the last week NOBODY has a bad word for him. I met him very briefly once at the Quick Step Team launch in 2010. He was the embodiment of 'EURO'. I've been touched by Jon Cannings words about his friend on the work blog and in private. The loss felt by his friends is a massive void that will never be filled. RIP Wouter Weylandt, I'm proud to be part of the community that has shown you deep respect, but like all we wish you where here.

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Saturday 14 May 2011

Velogames - After Week one.

Rank   Team Directeur Score
1 la luce solare Snedz2 1410
2 Tricolour Express Sprinting4Signs 1363
3 team pedalphil mary (bootyhouse) 1342
4 funknbikes chris duncan 1301
5 Giro Dream Team Pedalingtheroad 1095
6 GREYHOUNDS Erik Krueger 1035
7 AC Milho Ricardo Martins 923
8 SQUADRA Notorius BIG Ears 907
9 Pompom-tastic @CleoPompom 822
10 Undy Wheelers David Lewis 739
11 galactichitchhikers ata 716
12 Not sure why I`m here really The Monuments 705
13 Clean-ish Dreamer 673
14 Teamskyfans Dave Marsdin 670
15 TBags Bitches Teresa 645

 

Somehow I'm up to second in my own league, but I think it may be short lived. With Snedz2 (not sure that is) and mary (bootyhouse) in third these are the standings at the close of week 1.

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Monday 9 May 2011

Wouter Weylandt RIP.

It's difficult to describe the numbness of hearing about a cyclist dying in a tragic accident. I struggle to find any words today to convey what I'm feeling.

I feel deep sorrow for his family & friends.

As a mark of respect I'd suggest that on your big ride this weekend you wear some White over socks. It's just a simple way to show we care, no matter if we knew him or not.

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Saturday 7 May 2011

The Giro, 2011

The first of the Grand Tours starts today and it looks set to be a batle of riders, Teams and shady Dr's. What with the shadow over Contador still not resolved, plus recent doping investigations in Italy we are faced with many questions about the legitimate performances of some riders.

Giro_2011_2685562_155359--620x300

LeMond said that with clean riding we would see dramatic racing, collaspes and the Jerseys change hands on many occasions (parapharsed). When this happens in a race it creates tension, drama and the belief amongst the riders that their day may come. It's going to be difficult to call on who will win, but you'd be a fool to rule out Bert as he's so consistent, and even if he's not on special orange juice or Spanish beef I suspect he is still above the rest. Looking at recent research it seems that the efects of doping last much longer than the window originally thought. A rider training prepared, but racing clean would have a major advantage as he's been able to go deeper and the muscles have been trained to go further into the red. Muscle memory seems to last for a long time, take a look at people who haven't ridden for 10-20 years then start again. I don't confess to being an expert, but the body is a very complicated thing and we seem to find out more and more as time goes by.

Peter Stetina - Garmin's quiver is full! (photo GWatson)

Recent editions have been more exciting than the Tour, with the lead changing hands many times and the introduction of slightly crazy stages making the TV spectacle something to behold. The Tour organisers picked up on this last year by adding parts of the Liegé and Roubaix routes. It created drama, changed the race and some riders cast out names to the organisers like it was the 1920's all over again.

I think that of recent that Grand Tours have lost their focus as it seems to be about the best climber that wins. In years gone past the riders who won Grand Tours would be the Best All Rounders, I miss those days. I expect a 'Questionable' rider to win, I don't think that this Grand Tour is a great advocate for clean cycling, but like drivers rubber necking a car crash no doubt we will all tune in each day to watch the drama unfold.

275-pic110431428
http://www.flickr.com/photos/slipstreamsports/5675628937/

 

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Thursday 5 May 2011

Sportique Shaving Oil

P3182

Last Eurobike I was lucky enough to bump into Jan who is the founder of the company. After exchanging greetings I waxed lyrical about the Century Ride Cream and a few other products. He asked me to wait a second and then came back with a bag of products from their wider range to try.

So it's only recently I've started to use this as I've been using another product from their range. I tried the oil on the face and found it good on it's own. Much better results were obtained when combined with Sportique shaving cream. A really close shave indeed.

But the place I love using it is when I'm shaving my legs. Smooth legs are a dead Cert, with the only negative compared to foam or cream is that it isn't as easily seen to where you've been. The oil leaves the skin conditioned and not dry. It's a great product and much better than oils that I've used in the past like King of Shaves. Why, well the formula doesn't clog the razor blades, but the hairs pass through with each area shaved.

I'm not sure if C3 Products bring this into the country, how much it is or anything. Seeing how little you need & how much others cost I reckon it could be £10, but it'd be well spent if you shave a lot, and in particular your legs.

www.c3products.com

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Tuesday 3 May 2011

This Week's Peekaboo

So this weeks peekaboo comes from my time at Paris Roubaix. So often we see tyres switched out and for good reason as many brands don't produce a dedicated tyre and generally nothing bigger than a 25mm (notable exceptions go to Continental & Vittoria).

So this spot is connected to the tyres in that its a pair of hubs from French wheel manufacturer Corima. They look like a well disguised set of Shimano hubs from the end cap which seals off the bearings. Hey I could be wrong, but it looks like the Osaka boys got the nod when extra toughness was required for the big stones on the Astana machines.

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Sunday 1 May 2011

April km total

P3167

So another consistent month with a final total of 795 km ridden. This month I took a week off and spent many days watching the bike gather dust. It was ok though as I spent some quality time with the family.

I'm going to start keeping a more detailed notes of the rides with Average Speed, Top Speed and Average Cadence all being recorded as it'll give me a good gauge of improving fitness over different distances.

So as I've built a new commuter bike I'm going to be adding a computer so I can keep my data up to date no matter what I'm riding.

So here's to more kilometres in May and the ongoing pursuit of better fitness and improved tan lines.

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