1. France Possibly the worlds most beautiful country, of which the Tour de France makes fantastic use. From the Alps to the Pyraness, from Gap to Bordeaux, from the Sunflower fields to the dry dusty villages that would be missed with a blink of an eye, everything I love most about Europe can be delivered… Continue reading 10 things to miss about the Tour de France
Category: Cycling
A vote on Europe is the last thing we need
When it comes to ideas and interests in life, my teenage years seem have been the most formative, as they probably were with most people. During the 80s along with my brother and two friends I started riding my racing bike seriously, and with that came the obsessing over continental cycle racing. Not only was… Continue reading A vote on Europe is the last thing we need
Hell on Wheels
This is fantastic film, probably the best sporting film I’ve seen. It follows the Telekom team, focusing mostly on Erik Zabel and Rolf Aldag, through the 2003 Tour de France. It’s not so much about the 2003 Tour as a race, more about how the Telekom team, riders and staff cope with demands and pressures… Continue reading Hell on Wheels
Rapha, I just want to spend money.
As a bloke I don’t indulge in retail therapy that much, I like to buy clothes, books, gadgets and the occasional set of lego, but I’m not over the top with buying for the sake of it. I usually buy stuff that sells itself, which usually means branded products that I like and actually need.… Continue reading Rapha, I just want to spend money.
Are off the peg bikes really any good?
I brought a bike a few months ago on the Ride to Work Scheme, a Fuji Cross 3.0 in black and green. A new bike, as exiting now as it was when I woke up on my birthday to find a glossy white five speed racer at the end of my bed. Happy days. Buying… Continue reading Are off the peg bikes really any good?
Hinault and Lemond
I was looking around online earlier and came across this great picture of Bernard Hinault and Greg Lemond settling their differences at the top of Alpe d’Huez during the 1986 Tour de France. It’s a defining moment in Tour history, a truly inspiring image and a tribute to the sportsmanship of both riders. The two… Continue reading Hinault and Lemond
London cyclist #1: The city accountant
He’ll probably get off the train at Cannon Street or London Bridge. Along with his important AACCA documentation, his work clothes and sensible shoes will be tucked inside a cheap Fitness First day bag strapped to his back. On alighting the train he will go about unpacking his Brompton folding bike, tugging and screwing at… Continue reading London cyclist #1: The city accountant
London cyclists
What is it about London cyclists? In the space of about six months they’ve morphed from a few people commuting to work into a whole army of renegade road users battling for survival. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good for air quality and general congestion, but does it really have to be quite so aggressive?… Continue reading London cyclists
The origional Peugeot cycling shirt
The first cycling shirt I ever had was the back and white Peugeot strip from in the early eighties, I must have been about 10 or 11 at the time and it was probably a Christmas present from Mum and Dad. I remember clearly that just like the shirt worn by the French professional team,… Continue reading The origional Peugeot cycling shirt