John to leave the Velocast .....

Bollocks...

I'm sorry I can't think of anything more witty to say but these are my first thoughts. I am truly gutted. In a world of American voices the Velocast came out of the wilderness from the country that brought  you the modern bicycle and it seems fit the best Podcast.

Maybe as an industry it's our fault as the old formats of advertizing are fading away as they fail to engage the readers and the smart money should move to the listeners. Maybe they are too ahead of their time as with some good solid advertizing behind them John and Scott could have added a pay check to their already full time status. All I know that is in life we have to make choices and I understand the challenges that have faced John.

What will Scott do. Well although I think that the interllectual banter, with a good mix of pub humour was a great mix between two people who clearly know each other well will be difficult to replecate, unless all of Scott's mates are like John! I hope he continues, but he will lose no respect of mine if he doesn't. Many people spend their whole life trying to do what he (and John) have acheived over the last 18 months, CHAPEAU (that's for Cycling Weekly, as they can't spell it)

Tonight feels like the ens of Seinfeld, or when the Tour finishes and you wonder what the hell you wil do tomorrow. I wish them both the best, and as the road rises up to greet them I hope it is a long and winding road filled with good memories and tales to be told.

I'd like to say thanks, they made me laugh, question the way I think and have kept me company on trips around the country and world, cheers Guys I owe you a beer.

Posted via email from Sprinting for Signs's posterous

The Bicycles are the Music

In the modern day era, the commentator feels the need to talk, here listen to the bicycles telling their own story.

The Question that is always asked

I've worked in the bike industry for a long time and there is one question you are always asked, whether it comes from a colleauge, a supplier or a friend, 'have you been riding much'. The answer can change depending on your level of honesty, but I always think people never truly believe you. The pursuit of being fit is as widely sought after as hitting sales targets, making sure the customer is happy and making sure that the deadlines are met. The problem is, working in the Trade fitness can be a hard thing to keep on top of.

You'd think because you work with bicycles you'd have bags of time to ride. In reality this is never the case. Working in the shop  meant long days, in for 8:30 and leaving at 6:30 meant that by time you were home it left little time to train, as I've worked in all parts of the industry it's the same from all sides. I have employed the services of a coach, mainly to give some focus and to make sure that I'm not hanging out of my arse come time to ride a Sportive.

So my answer to the eternal cycling question 'have you been riding much', well my normal reply is 'No not enough, but is it ever enough' there are of course times when this isn't the case, but usually the person knows that answer before is given, as you actually look like you've been on the bike.