out of the left-field

National Trophy Shrewsbury

2012-01-16T04:19:00.001-08:00

nat_trophy_series_seniors-42, originally uploaded by britishcycling.org.uk photos.

Race organising, followed by Christmas meant pretty much a 3 week lay off over the festive period. I did the London League event at Footscray on the 27th but was still in a food and alcohol induced stupure so when a plastic bag wrapped itself in my cassette it was pretty much game over.

Then came the Nat Champs. I had been hoping for a mudfest like Bradford to turn it all upside down for the roadmen. No such luck. It was basically a bone-dry motorway -hardly my forte at the best of times. I think Phil Glo and I crept in within the 'top' 50 but we were lapped as the leaders came through for their the bell.

Now I find there's nothing like doing badly to motivate you to do well and I managed a really good 2 sessions of Tabarta intervals during the week, prior to the final round of the National Trophy series up in Shrewsbury. It was -2deg when we pre-rode the course at 9am and everything was frozen solid. All hell broke loose in the womens race and Paul and I had to run back to the cars and get brushes and buckets etc to service the pits. Lots of people had left their jetwahes at home with a view to it being bone-dry and frozen but the course turned into a bit of a claggy mess. Boom tore a rear mech off on her bell lap and slipped back to 8th or so.

Following a terrible night's sleep in the Premier Inn and a 6-part Apocalipse-themed nightmare (sleep, bad dream, wake up, return to bad dream and repeat) I was feeling pretty sluggish, not to mention cold and uninspired. I struggled to get warmed up but sat on the turbo anyway, only to get freezing as soon as I rode to the start. Cruising up and down the start only served to cool me down further! However, I got a strong start and never looked back! By the end of the start loop I was still with Darren Barclay and Sylvain Garde. It was only on the open grass stretch that I lost a few places to them. However, Darren only took just under 2mins out of me and at one point I had Sylv firmly in my sights.

The ViCiOUS pit machine went into overdrive churning out bike change after bike change and shouting abuse/encouragement. The wooded section made up about half the course and for once, speed came easily to me and I was able to ride the muddy trails right on the ragged edge of control. That said I can hardly move for having banged my shoulders and knees on immobile trees. I have long wanted, and in fact made it my aim for 2012 to complete a National Trophy without getting lapped -I really feel this is the threshold between being a bonafide part of the race and an 'also-ran'.

A combination of beating guys I don't normally come close to, seeing guys like Darren just up ahead and constant updates from the pits spurred me to ride out of my skin and as time ticked away, it began to dawn on me that I may make it without getting caught. Olympic mountain biker Liam Kileen had ridden away from Crawforth, Oldham and Nick Craig but I had the wind in my sails and was riding out of my skin. I had hoped for a top 30 inside of 2012 so to finish 26th and pick up 5 points is a real nice way to end round off the season. Big thanks to the ViCiOUS cohorts for use of Rhino-shod wheels and some sterling jetwash efforts, and jump-starting the car as the sun set over a still frozen Shrewsbury Sports Centre.

ViCiOUS London League Herne Hill

2011-12-19T08:51:00.000-08:00

As I write this, it's pissing with rain outside and it's freezing cold. This time last year we had to cancel because of the snow, but yesterday was the most glorious of winter days, cold, frosty and clear. In fact the sun shone bright until it set.

I wanted to try and create as much of a carnival atmos as possible. Some stuff didn't come to fruition and some did. The coffee van was a no-show, but the brass ensemble was, as was Geoff Waugh's drum kit, set up next to the wall ride. MC Boom was in fine form with a portable PA. The money pit didn't really work as intended as it centered around an icy puddle. This idea morphed somewhat into the vouchers and Curly Wurly's being handed up to riders as they passed. This was a blinding success, even if the commissaire did complain as it was technically 'feeding' -good one!

Another highlight was Waters' commentary resulting in one of the kids calling him an idiot...genius.

I think maybe all great evens walk a fine line between success and failure and boy did we flirt with disaster yesterday. A victim of our own success saw a queue for sign on which didn't actually die down until the start itself -we ran out of numbers and change. 150 riders is more than I've had, ever. Riders were forced to re-start the race after a minor disaster with the course marking on the first lap. There was a huge log-jam of riders who had to queue for the singletrack on the first lap.

Gem Atkinson came and took a bunch of photos which look great -you can see more of them here.

My thanks have to go to everyone who helped put the event on, to everyone who contributed to the great atmos, to all the riders for braving the cold and the chaos without complaining. Paul and Delia for their course building on Saturday and for Paul's ViCiOUS cookies and flapjacks. Dirty Bird for making a stack of cake and 400 badges. Laura MKWD for making and bringing cakes -all the above realy helped us with the old change situation. To the brass ensemble for their Christmas Carols and to Warhead for his sterling drumming and to Stu at Madison for the prizes which we wrapped up as Xmas presents -Taylor says his prize was the best he's ever received; nice to do something a bit different I think. We gave away a mix of Giro Merino hats/socks/gloves, lights, Pearl Izumi toe covers, Rapha Embro and Elite bottles. Better to get a little bundle of stuff than some small cash prize I think.

Same time next year...?

Nice vid of Bradford mudfest

2011-12-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Bradford National Trophy

2011-12-12T02:00:00.001-08:00

A funny thing happens when you get a good result in bad conditions. Coming from a mountain bike background I was always used to mud, grit and rain, so when I first encountered it in a road race (I remember my eyes filling up with water) around Eastway, I felt relatively mentally comfortable -relative to those around me it seemed.

Next thing I know is that everytime it rains, I'm on an up because I know everyone else is on a downer and I find myself willing it to rain! Some years ago now, I got my first single-figure result in a London League and a wise old friend said "So what have we learnt today? You need it to be muddy and hard!"

I've been doing Bikram Hot Yoga, an introductory deal which was 'go as many times as you like in 20days'. I thought I was going to die in the first one but it turns out I'm quite the yoga-bunny...

We'd been fervently watching the weather forecasts for Bradford all week, plus getting weather reports from my friends who we would be staying with. Stormy was the overriding impression we were getting. The mudbank descent was obviously in place -following 1million youtube hits, there's no way BC were missing out on that. Added to whichm it was more tricky this year -steeper with a tighter bend.

I got a good start, instantly snatching back about 20 places in the first few corners and staying away from trouble -apologies to the guy who I smacked on the arm but it was either that or you were going to plough into me. Some rider from Vanilla Bikes divebombed past me and promptly hit the deck leaving me noweher to go. As soon as I tried to get round him I went down too. Dammit, all that good work wasted and I was stone-cold last.

My bike clogged instantly and I had a handful of mud as well. We all descended on the pits at the first opportunity, a barrage of clogged bikes form Darren Barclay, Andy, Paul then me. Paul's pedal had broken so he was on Delia's bike, like a spider on a golf ball!

nat_series_bradford_seniors-99, originally uploaded by britishcycling.org.uk photos.

From then on, it was a case of head down and get on with it. I quickly started picking riders off, including Endura pro Rob Partridge. I got up to James Dalton of Evans who has been going well this year and been staying ahead of getting lapped. I could even see Andy a few turns ahead with Andrew Nicolls behind him. These guys are consistently together so there's no way they were both just going badly... I couldn't understand it, I didn't feel like I was going any faster or riding any better. That said, I am technically good -there, I said it! I can back that up though, I had one silly off at the beginning but rode the mud bank with no drama and stayed upright on everything else with minimal fuss.

pic by Bruce Rollinson

It turns out 3 people said, "Ben looks a bit leaner/toned..." so this Yoga mallarky must be alright. I don't feel noticably better form it, but I am a touch lighter. I certainly haven't been doing any different training, if anything, less. Maybe a combination of that and the bad conditions gave me the platform to achieve my best ever result at a National Trophy. 34th, that's only 4 places outside the points. I desperately want to do one where I don't get lapped, and one day get inside the top 30. Finally I can see some progress though, it's taking longer before I get caught, and for the first time, I can see progress in results.

A massive morale boost..

FMB

2011-12-08T02:17:00.001-08:00

I just got back my Rhino treads after giving them to my mate Phil who's dad was hand-couriering a batch load of our treads to FMB for glueing onto their legendary carcasses.

Not that there's been any real need for mud tyres down south, to date -but Bradford National Trophy this weekend mght change that!

All of this is very much on the rebound from the heartbreak of trying to eek more than 1 season out of a pair of Dugasts. At approximately £70 per tub, even with thorough Aquasealing, fastidious cleaning and drying and careful warm storage, my sidewalls disitegrated to the point that I could reach in and touch the inner tube by the end.

By contrast, the FMB carcass features presealed sidewalls which are then sandwiched between 2 basetapes per tyre which should (hopefully) go someway to preventing the rot as it always starts at the basetape. Twinning this with my 24mm carbon rims means that theere is no canvas exposed and I may even experiment with running some kind of sealant from the sidewall onto what would otherwise form the braking surface -which is redundant on my disc bike.

South East & Eastern Regional Champs

2011-12-05T01:24:00.001-08:00

Pic by Phil Jones bluetrainatlondon.

Regional Champs:

Women:
ViCiOUS 1-2
1.Delia
2.Boom

Vets:

2.ViCiOUS Kev

Seniors:
9th.Paul Sheers
11th.Me

Spent most of the race on my ownchasing the group of 3 that included ViCiOUS Paul, Phil Glo and Jules Birkes of VCL. I got to within 10secs of them at one point but slipped back on the last 2 laps.
Again, another mostly bone-dry race on Tracer tubs with no hint of a bike change on the horizon.

A shame that so few Seniors turned up on the day. It made a(nother) rather lonely race for me and also means the (tenuously) Cat A event get relegated to Cat B points so I finished just outside...

ViCiOUS VELO CX Race!!

2011-12-02T06:11:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year again and I'm running my 7th cyclocross race in 2 weekend's time. What with the weather being the way it has been, I can't see it snowing again (famous last words) -let alone being cancelled because of it.

This year is being run under the auspices of ViCiOUS VELO which means I have many more pairs of hands to help out, plus aload more creative input!

MC Boom will be commentating along with Waters. Bianchista will be doing a photo story, Warhead will be breaking out his mini drum kit and various family members with comprise the Christmas brass band!

Prizes are coming from Madison and maybe a local butcher, ahead of Christmas dinner... Bean About Town will be bringing their vintage Citroen Espresso van to keep everyone fuelled throughout the day.

Plans are being hatched for some beer hot-laps after the race-proper i.e. 8 starters down a beer, do a lap and the first 4 go through to the next round... or some such.

Come on down and support the racing, why not give it a crack, anyone can enter on any bike, that's the beauty of it. If you're not a BCF member then you pay a £3 surcharge on the day but that's it, blammo! See you there...

Derby Trophy

2011-11-28T03:48:00.001-08:00

derby_seniors-63, originally uploaded by britishcycling.org.uk photos.

Getting better. best ride of the Trophy season thus far, if not ever. Only finished 53rd, but held off getting lapped til halfway round the bell lap. Made myself puke a bit at the end as well. Waters finished just oustide top 40 and even Hammond could only manage 25th-ish, but he did flip on his head though...

Trophy 3 Southampton

2011-11-14T07:12:00.001-08:00

Purgatory from start to finish. Gridded last, worked my way up past about 5 people to 41st before the Belgians caught me at about 43mins.

On the plus side, Boom led out the womens race ahead of Lucy Garner, though this took its' toll and she slipped back a bit. it did however, make it ultra hard for eveyone else and allowed Delia Badass to capitalise and ride to a strong 4th place. This takes her to 3rd overall! Further up the Senior race, Andy took a tumble on the last lap and Paul who had been on his wheel all race slipped into 30th place and thus, into the points and onto the table.

Goddam, I can't even get inside the top 40, I rode with an average heart rate of 198bpm, so it's not like I wasn't trying....

MR2 Pen and Pad

2011-11-03T08:20:00.001-07:00

it's lonely at the back...

2011-10-31T04:47:00.001-07:00

britishcycling.org.uk photos.

...of the National Trophies. Still, I keep plugging away for the Lanterne Rouge.

On a more positive note:

ViCiOUS Velo Mohawks can be sponsored here: http://giveincelebration.cancerresearchuk.org/0000864

Cycling Weekly Cover

2011-10-27T04:37:00.000-07:00

Sugru

2011-10-26T01:14:00.001-07:00

Came acoss this stuff the other week and knew straight away I had to get some. Sugru comes in little sachets and is soft an maleable like Plastecine but cures over night and sets firm.

It says on the packet that it sticks to Aluminium, Steel, Ceramics, Glass, Wood and some fabrics + Plastics. So many things I own were great but the corner broke off, or the clip snapped or the whole thing could just do with tweaking -you know, just that bit where you grab it...?

My first foray is a broken car key.

Their website is fun, and has loads of examples of 'hacks' and repairs uploaded by fans!
www.sugru.com

Rollapaluza Muddy Hell & Rapha Supercross Ally Pally

2011-10-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

In retrospect, perhaps Howling Jimmy Jefferson the Spirit of Jazz and leading exponent of Voodoo Scat was a little too far to the left of the field, especially as the fancy dress prize went to Mr Blobby (fair play though).

I got a front row gridding but slipped my pedal when the gun went. Some big fella bumped me as he passed and then the next thing I know, someone else has slammed me from behind and we're all going down. When I finally got up, my bars and saddle were twisted, my STI's bashed round and the valve torn from my front tyre.

I got on Boom's bike and rode the rest of the race simply for the photo opportunities. A downside of putting digital chips on the bike is that it doesn't account for bike changes, so that's it, no result, not even a mention.

Hauled our sorry asses up to Ally Pally on Sunday for the grand-finale of the Rapha Supercross. Took the coconut shy, which has been one of the most unexpected successes ever -I swear, if it all goes down the pan I'm taking it on the road!

Again, it was roastingly hot. Almost everyone who had raced the night before had had a terrible night's sleep and all felt hungover. ViCiOUS VELO were the guest team in the Elite race and I knew exactly how my race was going to pan-out as soon as I looked at the course. A purgatorial grind all the way up to the summit, topped with a flight of stairs then wind your way back down and go again. All time would be won or lost on this climb. As we waited for our team intro from Anthony McCrossnan, Andy turned to the rest of us and said "How the f%&# did we end up doing this??"

In the end, Andy's 4th place from the night before started to take its' toll and thugh he rode back up to me after rolling his tub, he dropped off the pace a bit as Birdy and I had a last lap tustle. I think then, we probably occupied the last 4 spots in the race....pleased with that! That said, Kev did really well and finished ahead of all of us.

Pic by Mark Phillips

Rapha Supercross

2011-10-19T05:26:00.001-07:00

IMG_6833, originally uploaded by Hanglebads / Jo Allen.

This is one of my favourite images from the Rapha Supercross in Windermere. It was a great event in a magical setting, though my race wasn't so great after lining up at the front only to have 4 rows of people file in front. Hey-ho, I rode up from about 100th to 19th out of 150 finishers so I can't be too disappointed.

First race in the mud on the disc bike -by the time I had to do a bike change, the girls had changed 3 or 4 times already...

As if my race on Saturday wasn't chaotic enough, on Sunday we put up a coconut shy and at 50p for 3 throws, it was literally nuts! In the end, I very nearly missed my start, lining up and still putting my gloves on as the comm was saying "everyone okay...? -GO"

Pic by Neil Hendry

Oh well, managed 19th on Sunday as well which again, wan't too disappointing. I felt I went well enough and had a race-long battle with a massive unit of a guy who eventually pipped me by about a rim's depth in the final sprint -caught by Cheryl King

This weekend is another double with Muddy Hell on Saturday and then ViCiOUS is the guest team in the Elite/Invitation race at the final Supercross at Ally Pally. 2 aims here: 1. Fancy dress prize on Saturday night and 2. not finish last on Sunday. There, I said it...

Cycle Show 2011

2011-10-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

I think it's fair to say that the prospect of a move to the NEC in Birmingham scared of some exhibitors, but I have to say that the number of people attending the show was nothing short of staggering.

We worked our fingers to the bone to get everything ready in time. It doesn't get any easier, ever, it just gets less panic-enducing with experience.

The positivity from members of the public and from inside the trade and press was almost overwhelming. A touching moment when Monty came to visit the stand on the Friday and was a bit emotional at seeing everything. People travelled the length and bredth of the country to get there -some specifically to see the Condor bikes.

Amongst other things, this is what they saw:

Super Acciaio.

To quote the American fella on the stand next door, "I'm super excited abut this". It's been 2yrs in development is officially badass. People make race bikes, people make steel bikes. Some people make pseudo race bikes from steel but none has a 1.5" tapered head tube, a monsterous bi-oval down tube, custom rolled top tube and a press-fit BB30 bottom bracket.

It's stiff, and it's bombproof and it's going to retail for £1199. In a market saturated by carbon, this is just the thing for a racer such as myself who might only ever spend this racing "career" doing Tuesday night chippers. It is aimed squarely at the racers. It's a bike which is only going to get better with age -the more scrapes and dings the better! That said, I did a 75mile open road race on it, and the build pictured is 17lbs on the nose so I'm sure we'll see a few winging their way off the L'Etape next summer.

More on bikeradar and roadcc

Terra-X Disc Proto.

There were 2 of these at the show, mine with cable-operated Tiagra discs and a second on the USE stand with the same finishing kit and wheels but with the prototype USE cable to hydraulic converter, running into the new jewel-like XTR 985 calipers.

The system is and in-line affair which then wraps under the bartape, unlike the Heath Robinson style linkage systems which we've seen up til now.

The frameset will not retail as a disc-specific set up. The demand just isn't there for disc-specific just yet. For now, it'll be disc and canti compatible. Pic from road.cc

Doppio

2011-09-26T04:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the final round of the Inverse Series at Hillingdon. 37miles plus a 16 mile ride there, plus approx 7miles afterwards in a 2/3 Cat race which averaged in excess of 45kph was my leg-loosener for Sunday's Eastern League Cross up in Chelmsford. When it came to the crunch I faded a bit on the final lap and got 12th on the line. I only really went because we had a pre-paid entry following the previous rounds' cancellation but was happy to remain upright and finish after my callamitous previous 2 rounds...

Following 4 days abstenace from beer, I was raring to go by the time the cross came round on Sunday. Man alive was it hot?! Boom won her race convincingly with over 1.5mins lead. In compliance with UCI rules, as it was over 20deg, we were allowed drinks during the race. I took a reasonable start and as people started to fall by the wayside for various reasons, found myself riding for 8th or thereabouts. Waters rolled a tub and then rode up to me, just to ping off the back and have to ride up again. I started to blow at about 40mins and cracked shortly after that.

Wow, what a crack. A tingling sensation in my arms and legs, goose pimples and hairs standing on end, freezing cold despite the heat, legs like jelly and funny vision meant the last few laps took an eternity as I grovelled towards the flag.

On the plus side, I have the speed. I just realized my bike will be on display at the Cycle show this weekand I was planning to race the London League at Herne Hill next Sunday which means I have to build my other bike and glue the tubs in two evenings between now and then. Not the end of the world, just not ideal.

Another plus side is racing as part of a team again. At one point there was a line of 4 Vicious riders going full-bore. Matt Hints turned in a blinder to finish 9th, catching me on the penultimate lap.Vicious Kev was fastest Vet and also 4th overall with Waters coming in 7th, me a lowly 14th and Paul S a couple of places behind.

I'm off to Birmingham for the show tomorrow so a week off the bike and on my feet beckons...funtimes.

Bikey weekend

2011-09-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

A couple too many Belgian beers on Friday left me feeling a little less than fresh on Saturday morning but I sometimes find I go pretty well with the old furry-tongue feeling. Hog Hill was bone dry when we got there in time for the Eastern League's Vet's/Women's race. Boom won the women's race with a comfortable buffer, despite a last lap puncture.

My race saw me involved in a race-long battle with the guys in 8th 9th and 11th with me in 10th. In the end 8th rode away from us but blew up on the last lap with us breathing down his neck on the finish line as 3 of us sprinted for 9th. Again I blew pretty hard at 40mins but managed to maintain some pace til the end. In the end I went so hard I threw up on my bike just after the finish line! It left me feeling pretty rough all of Saturday night, but seeing as I struggled to push deep all of last season I'm happy to have rediscovered the capacity to go that hard. My weight has fallen and I was closing people down on all the long climbs but just lacked the power on the flat sections.

Photo by John Mullineaux of londoncyclesport.com

Sunday had the London League pencilled in the calendar, also at Hog Hill and we were planning a double header weekend but last minute tickets into the VIP Hospitality on the final stage of the Tour of Britain took priority. We watched most of the ITT from the central reservation outside Horse Guards and then caught the Crit from inside the Skoda enclosure where we had a very nice lunch and hung out with a giant fluffy yeti.

Yesterday, Monday we boosted down to Southampton, the home of Garmin UK to join them on their Ride-Out. This basically involves 500 dealer, prize winners and journos hob-nobbing with Garmin Cervelo riders, trying some hardware and then smashing seven shades of shit out of each other over a 25mile course.
We rode the route at a reasonable lick, got some good training in on some real nice roads and rode the last third or so with Roger Hammond.

Joey's Okay!

2011-09-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

How the flip does he go so high?? I'm not so sure Joey is okay...

Gear up

2011-09-14T04:13:00.000-07:00

I've been gearing-up. On the work-front we're gearing up for the Cycle Show at the end of this month up at NEC. It's always a panic enducing period during which I find it impossible to think further than getting everything ready, delivered and bolted down to the stand -not to mention making the stand...

Got some genuinely exciting things to show off at the show this year and I was heartened by my trip to this year's Eurobike which showed that we are either on the right track or ahead of the pack.Part of the process has involved the testing of new products and among other things I have been riding the new disc-equipped cross bike. For us, disc-specific such as the one I'm riding doesn't make much commercial sense so the production frameset has both fittings.

At the end of last season I made a promise to myself that I would get on top of my equipment for 2011/12 and this is what I'm looking at:

Bike 1: Terra-X Prototype Disc-Specific, 135mm rear d/o
-Wheels, 38mm deep, CX specific proto carbon tub rims (24mm wide) currently Specialized Tracer tubs will switch to Dugast Rhino when back from re-carcassing by FMB
-Shimano (XT) 29er wheels with Challenge Fango clinchers
-Shimano D/A 7800 Groupset with Tiagra cable discs
-Currently Pro Vibe finishing kit but swapping to USE for Cycle Show

Bike 2: Terra-X Canti/Disc 132.5mm d/o
-Wheels, 48mm deep carbon rims with Specialized Tracer tubs and Mavic Ksyrium SL with Specialized Tubs
-Shimano D/A 7800 Groupset
-Pro Vibe finishing kit from bike 1
-Proto Condor canti's

The disc bike is truly excellent. Not that I got any anyway but the set up completely eliminates fork judder. This is a combination of the ultra stiff 1.5" lower bearing and the fact there is no cable stretch under braking. For me it also eliminates any worry in my head about the need to constantly check my speed way ahead of corners (this will really come into its own in the mud) not to mention being physically easier to brake. They feel great too -how often do you squeeze the brakes on a CX bike and think "Ooh, that feels good..." -not very often is the answer. I'm sure that its performance in mud will only be better.

Got me a bigger car as well, following a winter of not being able to use the MR2 due to snow etc. It's been a summer of motoring stress but (without wanting to jynx it) it's all set and good as new.

My season is planned and though it's all UK based I may chop some out as I'd like to head over and do a couple of events in Belgium. Currently I've got speed but no stamina. On Sunday I got myself up into 10th place at half distance but blew spectacularly at about 40mins and had to creep round the last 3 laps, losing 7 or 8 places in the process. I'm not worried, one thing I've learnt over the last few years is it's all about balance, and it's a long old season -I've got somewhere in the region of 24 races pencilled in. I'd rather start slower now, make it through the show without burning out and getting ill, and still be going come Feb.

Der Kaiser

2011-08-15T09:19:00.001-07:00

Graham Briggs' National Champs Condor Leggero

2011-08-08T02:10:00.000-07:00

I think I speak for us all when I say that I couldn't have been happier for someone to win the Crit Champs last weekend than Brigga. The next hurdle was that Brigga rides a 46cm frame and I don't think we ever had any painted up in the white colourway.

Some hasty phone calls were made and as we were in Italy last week, we were able to bring the (only just dry) frame back with us on Thursday night. First thing Friday morning and my little vinyl cutting machine is working overtime as I try and replicate elements of the team design in National Champ colours, in time to post the frame, customised Giro Aeon and Haviks up to Brigga for him to build it and race the Preston GP resplendant in his new skinsuit.

Testing testing...

2011-07-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Photos by John Mx of londoncyclesport.com

Condor Crank T-Shirt

2011-07-07T05:28:00.001-07:00

Available in Red or Navy here

Licking my wounds

2011-07-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Tumble taken at Hillingdon on Saturday. Last reading from Garmin was 27mph.

Aeon: totalled.
Factors: Scuffed and RH Buckle broken.
Rapha Gloves: Busted up.
RC Skinsuit: Busted open.
New Giro White socks: Bloodied.

Bike: DA carbon rear wheel a bit buckled
Rear mech hanger bent.
Sti hoods torn.

Flesh wounds to:

Face (nose/cheek/lip)
Shoulder/back.
Hip.
Elbow.
Forearm.
Right hand.
Left thumb (incl shaving off half my thumbnail)
Right knee -inc the burn from velodrome which had JUST healed.
Lower leg.
Ankles both.

Bi-Lams

2011-07-01T01:41:00.001-07:00

Bi-Lamination is a technique invented after the war when lugs were difficult to get hold of due to a shortage in raw materials. Modified and hand-cut lugwork was often the hallmark or distinguishing feature of a particular builder's work, so in a bid to embelish a 'plain' fillet-brazed frame, builders like Harry Rensch of Paris came up with an alternative.

The level of work required to employ this technique makes it prohibitively expensive and too labour-intensive for production on anything bigger than one-off production. I like it however, as it combines the detail you get with lugs, with the aesthetic beauty of a smooth fillet.

French National Road Race

2011-06-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

It must have been the hottest day of the year so far -even in Boulogne... I used to take an annual trip to do a particular Randonee with the Southern Velo as a youngster and it's always fun to revisit places huh? Waters was taking snaps so we jumped in the car with, and boosted over, leaving Dulwich at 05:30 yesterday. Early starts like this are always alot easier to palette when it's already light -we even managed to get back in the (almost) light.

Even once we got there and sat drinking our curious 'grande espresso' the cloud was still coming halfway down the cathedral tower and these were pretty much the conditions that the riders were experiencing as they rolled away, embarking upon their 250km, 6hr ordeal.

Once into Bologne itself, the peloton took on 13, 13km Kermesse-style laps of what was THE single most brutal road course I've ever seen. Uber-steep hills, twisting descents and tricky town centre sectors combined with 32deg heat later in the afternoon to take its' toll on riders almost straight away.

I've never been to watch a stage of Le Tour (apart from Le Grand Depart) but this was quite unlike anything in the UK. I have been around many a premier calendar over here, but man those guys are pro! The level of kit and backup surrounding the riders was matched in every way by the level of support from the French locals.

I came away with a discarded bidon, handed to me by a soigneur, and a crispy sunburn. Funtimes.

Bianchista: Condor Acciaio - Gran Corsa Special Edition

2011-06-24T04:35:00.000-07:00

Bianchista: Condor Acciaio - Gran Corsa Special Edition: "What a triumph, probably the loveliest paintjob on a bike iv seen in donkeys. Condor produced a super small limited run of these special st..."

Hungarian Drag Racing

2011-06-21T04:29:00.000-07:00

Wait til 1min40secs, flames.

Kunmadaras 2011. - A GYORSULÁSI VERSENYEK HAZÁJA - XPROVID Films. from XPROVID Films. on Vimeo.

Hovis Gold Hill Honk

2011-06-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

The Hovis Gold Hill Honk was run in conjunction with the Gold Hill Shootout urban downhill earlier in the day. The hill climb took place up Gold Hill, the cobbled climb in Shaftesbury where the famous Hovis television advert was filmed in the 70s. The climb itself is not long, but the second half is Victorian cobbled and incredibly steep.

On a day where it was pouring with rain, over 50 starters lined up to take part in a competition. Our aim was to win 52 loaves of Hovis.

We weren't allowed on the course prior to our runs, so local knowledge was a definite advantage. With zero chance of a warm up, and no practice runs, all I had to rely on was walking down, then back up the course. With the previous night's Nocturne still in my legs I didn't feel great as I got given the 30 seconds to go, not to mention the rain. Not knowing how to pace myself I held back a touch on the lower tarmac section and then tried to be as smooth as possible over the cobbles. I've ridden a lot of cobbles before but in trying to climb a 1 in 4 section it was nigh on impossible to point the bike in the right direction! Everything was bouncing everywhere and it was all I could do to steer myself up into the corner, missing the gulley which I'd seen someone come a cropper on, and then up the alleyway to the finish line.

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself perched joint first after my first run and the top 13 were then offered the chance to go again with the best time counting. Jimmy from MuleBar had provided the prizes, had sorted my entry and was on hand taking photos and uploading to their blog. We both wanted better shots so I had to go again.

Another soaking on the descent to the start dashed any hopes of getting or staying warmed up. With the benefit of hindsight, I gave it everything I had from the gun and within 10 seconds was starting to struggle as I hit the cobbles. Once again, everything bounced everywhere and I struggled for traction as my wheels lost contact with the ground. I felt rougher up the pave and tried not to stall but keep the power down until the end.

In the end, two local riders pipped me. Second place got me by 0.4sec and the winner by 2 clear seconds. This is my second 3rd this year in short hill climb events and with that in mind I seem to have found my niche....

Images from Joolze Dymond

Video of the climb from the Morvelo Blog

Giro Aeon RCS

2011-06-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

With minutes to spare before the start on Saturday night, a marshall came running over with a new Giro Aeon for me. Stu was on the other side of the course from me as I stood in my kit with shoes but no socks and no helmet, so the helpful fellow in hi-viz ferried it over.

I wasn't expecting to get my grubby mitts on a team edition Aeon so it was a fantastic bonus to be given it! It is PHENOMINAL... I have an Ionos, an dAtmos and a Pro-Lite and this is far and away the best yet. It feels like a Pro-Lite but more comfy and looks infinitely better in my opinion. That might also be to do with the fact that it's in Rapha Condor Sharp colours, albeit black and white...

Smithfield Nocturne 2011

2011-06-13T02:11:00.001-07:00

Smithfield Nocturne 2011 (31 of 143), originally uploaded by bluetrainatlondon.

Saturday's Nocturne was predictably unpredictable. I didn't ride with my Garmin but from feel I can tell my HR didn't drop much below 200bpm all night. I got caught behind the split when Germain went down and I had to chase back onto the lead group. This put me too far in the red and I tailed off, to be caught by the chase group where I stayed for the duration.

I like the graphics on these bikes

2011-06-07T07:43:00.001-07:00

Save The Herne Hill Velodrome Cap

2011-05-25T04:12:00.000-07:00

I did my first cyclocross race at Herne Hill Velodrome, longer ago than I care to remember and I've spent many happy hours since, racing, training and falling off (both on and off the track).

Many more Condor riders and ex-Condor riders have graced the tarmac surface; Dave Bonner raced against Tommy Simpson and more recently Chris Newton and Bradley Wiggins have both raced the famous Good Friday Meeting in World Champ colours, boasting a host of olympic medals.
I've done a number of caps recently but it turns out this one led to us having possibly the most hits to the Condor site in one day! They're available to buy from Condor Cycles on Gray's Inn Rd with a donation from the proceeds going to the trust.

Cycling Plus

2011-05-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

This is Geoff Waugh's photo of Boom and I riding the first section of Pave in Roubaix.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Rapha Condor Sharp team edition Giro Factor shoe

2011-05-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

I'm currently rockin a sample pair of these rather natty team edition shoes. I actually made some design suggestions at the time, but this is what was settled upon.
They look much better in the flesh than the proposed artwork. Interestingly, they're very much stiffer than my top of the line Shimano Custom-Mould road shoes.

Lincoln Grand Prix, Rapha Condor Sharp

2011-05-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

Lincoln GP 2011 - Rapha Condor Sharp - Chasing the Team from Condor Cycles on Vimeo.

We followed the riders and staff from the Rapha Condor Sharp team over the weekend of the 2011 Lincoln Grand Prix, from the pre-race team talks and training rides to the race itself.

We didn't win, but we went down fighting.

This short documentary highlights another classic British race. It is the second in the series. The first, from the Tesco CiCLE Classic, can be found here http://www.vimeo.com/22579610.

Team: www.raphacondor.cc/

Race: www.lincolngrandprix.org.uk/

Condor: www.condorcycles.com/

Andy Waterman: http://andywaterman.blogspot.com/

RCS at Rutland Cicle Classic

2011-04-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Spent the weekend up in Melton Mowbray for the Cicle Classic road race. A small group of us rode elements of the course in a 60m route on the Saturday in glorious conditions. Sammy had 4 punctures and we did a shoot afterwards with Andy for Cycling Active.

On race day we chased the race as it takes in a number of laps of different circuits in a clover-leaf fashion. This is Andy's film, a tester for when we repeat the exercise at the prestigiouhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifs Lincoln Grand Prix in 2 weeks. We now know more about what we need to plan for when doing this kind of thing so we'll be seasoned pro's.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Also, you can do anything if you have a Hi-Viz vest on!

Here are Phips' images

Cobbles

2011-04-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

Roubaix has held a special place in my heart since I raced my MTB there in the Paris Roubaix VTT in 2000 and '02. Back then, 5 stages held over 2 days and 280km attracted some of the best MTBers in the world on the same weekend as the Queen of the Classics.

I think the second time I did it, it rained and was gruesome. Snippets of it stick in my mind: racing through towns in a 400-strong MTB peleton with Bart Brentjens at the helm which was the first time I really experienced the Belgian passion for spectating. Being reduced to actual tears of frustration trying to wrestle with the Carrefore De L'Arbre in the cold and wet. Passing Jody Crawforth's feet as he lay unconscious in a bush on a canal path. Being in the famous Roubaix Velodrome as Museuw crossed the line pointing to his knee. Being hoisted (as the smallest) up a lamp post to nick the Paris Roubaix '1km to go' sign which now hangs aloft above a friend's stairs. Sitting at dinner opposite Bart B and Rune Hoydal (sic?).

I've since been back to do the bi-annual sportive and smahes myself into a state of paralysis over 190km. Last weekend we got to go back and do the ASO Paris Roubaix Challenge which, at 130km was less of a 'challenge' but I was keen to arrive back in a fit state to train and race straight away so I wasn't unhappy about the cut distance.

The sun shone (we got burnt) and we cruised round with minimal fuss. No dramas. I've raced there twice and smashed 27 setcors so didn't feel the need to kill it; just enjoy the day. I imparted much wisdom to those new to the pave about what to do to their bikes and what to take and promptly disposed of my own advice and left my bike as it was when I got it out on Friday morning... I recently got hold of some new hoops for some of the preparation rides, but more on that later.

Some pics of the big boys when we were getting frazzled on the Carrefore De L'Arbre.

New Catalogue

2011-04-18T03:05:00.000-07:00

Lots of graft, some cracking photos and many, many revisions.

Paris Roubaix in Slow-mo

2011-04-12T04:28:00.000-07:00

Virgin Atlantic Livery Timelapse

2011-04-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

Metallic paint on engines and fin. Sick.

Virgin Atlantic New Livery Time-Lapse from Vivid Photo Visual on Vimeo.

Presso

2011-03-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

My brother and I were talking through the possibilities of streamlining our lives to the extend whereby all appliances you own are either hand or USB powered only...

For the last year I've been using a Handpresso for all my coffee needs but following a replacement pump internal I'm wary of using it for every coffe I make at home.

I recently got given a Presso espresso maker. I've still got a lot of experimenting to do in order to attain that all illusive 'perfect' shot. The makers don't really endorse any tips or tricks other than the straight-forward method plus all the usual warming and grinding and tamping advice.

R&D decals

2011-03-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

From now on, all prototypes will come with this new stealth graphic scheme on.

Red Bulletin

2011-03-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

Found myself in Red Bulletin.

like george the tortoise

2011-03-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

It's only a number of days til the clocks change -for the better, and I can not wait!

I feel a bit like when they used to get George the tortoise out of his cardboard box in the Blue Peter airing cupboard at the end of winter.

What I've been doing:

A bike catalogue.

A week's snowboarding in Les Arcs.

Some longer running (home from work =6.5m)

Easing into a bit of 3rd Cat crit racing.

Amassing the parts for my disc-specific cross prototype.

Got a bigger car.

Got an entry into Paris-Roubaix Challenge.

....things are looking up!

Red Bull Hill Chasers: The highlights

2011-02-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

Shame that most of the Condor has been cut out, along with me dispatching Fleeman but you do get to see Akrigg smack his hand on the camera AND just how close that round was... Gets my heartrate up just watching it!

Red Bull Hill Chasers 2011

2011-02-01T01:30:00.001-08:00

Red Bull Hill Chasers 2011, originally uploaded by RomanSkyva.Com.

I was only down as a reserve but at about 10am on the day, I found out I was in as 2 riders had pulled out through illness -only I was ill too, with a lingering chest infection.

Park St in Bristol saw a 200m uphill drag, dual eliminator-style from a proper BMX start-gate. Pairing was pulled form a hat and Boom went up against Chris Metcalf, winner of the Rollapaluza Urban Hill Climb and a handy cross rider to boot -no shame in losing to a rider of that calibre, especially as he went on to take top honours in the evenings proceedings.

On my practice run the MC said "That has to be the best looking bike out there" and his comrade said "AND the best looking guy!" ha ha.

My first bout was against Superted James who 'stripped' his sprocket before he touched tarmac.

Next was Mongoose rider Chris Akrigg, winner of the Cobble Wobble and Red Bull London Mini Drome. Chris had set out to win all the Red Bull events and was largely local favourite. Riding some kind of hybrid trials bike with slicks he was so quick out of the gate that I thought it was all over there and then! As we ascended I started to catch him as he reached terminal velocity and I continued to accelerate. He got a second-wind after the final chicane and I just rolled him on the line.

Following that I was pitched against Raleigh team leader and National Hill Climb champion Dan Fleeman. So convinced was I that I was going out, that I didn't even remove my training top -it was pretty bloody cold. In the gates I even mentioned to him that I had a stitch! I noticed he was in the big ring while I was in the small -definately going out. The organisers had spelt my name wrong and as we waited the MC hollered "Will Superior live up to his name??" Urgh..

Down went the gate and my tub hit Tarmac first so I thought, 'huh, game on then'. Gave it some beans and never saw him again, just put my head down and went straight up the middle, fully expecting him to come tear-arsing past me, but, nothing. "SUPERIOR REIGNS SUPREME!!!" Shouts the MC....

My next run saw me swiftly dispatched as I had nothing left in the tank, my legs were wobbly and I had nothing left to give. As I rode down the centre of the run, i heard "Superior will now fight it out for the Bronze bike". As I got to the bottom they told me "You have to go again in 2 minutes. Boom forced me on my rollers and I tried to turn my legs. A commotion in the rider's compound as my competitor ran to be sick. "He's thrown in the towel" I heard and thought I could relax.
Next thing is a Red Bull dude with a radio saying to me "Scratch that, you're going anyway". Knowing my man had been throwing up I thought I might be able to take it easy but goddamn, I was only just half-wheeling him. Head down keep it going, it's just like a single Tabarta interval -8 of them will put you on the floor and I'm only on my fifth.

I was unable to oblige the MC's with any words after my final run and as Chris battled it out for his win, I was aware that my legs were continually buckling under my own weight but, within 5 minutes I was under the Red Bull finish arch with my grubby mitts oin my shiney new custom Bronze Charge Plug! I've never received so much attention before, pats on the back, congratulations from the public, people coming up and taking my photo.

It's rare that I get to bask in any kind of glory but every now and then, you do an event which is awesome and you do well and everyone takes you photo and you dine off it for a year and it makes everything worthwhile!

Brilliant

2011-01-27T06:45:00.001-08:00

National Trophy Round 6, Rutland Water

2011-01-17T04:48:00.001-08:00

National Trophy Round 6, Rutland Water, originally uploaded by Dave Haygarth.

Dave Haygarth's image.

That's it, cyclocross for 2010/11; done. I may do the final London League in Feb because it's at the velodrome but just for fun.

Dave's photo shows me just after it started raining in yesterday's final round of the National Trophy at Rutland Water and shortly after I went body-surfing along the course.

Wallpaper Design Awards 2011

2011-01-13T01:49:00.000-08:00

The Condor World Series bikes were shortlisted for Wallpaper* Magazine's 'Best Life Enhancement Product'. Sadly, we didn't make it any further but in the end we did lose out to the Apple iPad. Still the bikes are featured in the magazine under 'Best Ride' and really nicely shot.

They asked to have them on display at the awards which was nice too.

Hung out with real-life designers: uber-trendy, like hipsters but more hardcore fashion...

Best use of materials: Tom Dixon Copper Brompton and Shoes.

Nat Champs Video from British Cycling

2011-01-11T02:53:00.001-08:00

2011 National Cyclo-Cross Championships - Senior Men from British Cycling on Vimeo.

Nothing to do with anything really...

2011-01-10T08:50:00.000-08:00

RIOT RACING "Rage at the River" from VITA BREVIS FILMS on Vimeo.

National Championships 2011

2011-01-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

Dragged my food-baby round the National Champs in Derby yesterday. A not necessarily technical but difficult course seemed to stitch-up a few faster riders who I suddenly found myself overhauling as they sturggled to get to grips with the boggy/slippery conditions.

I used Boom's Terra-X as my spare bike while Team Barnes got stuck in with the jetwash. I am happy to say that I think we've created a real kick-ass bike there. As soon as I was on it, I didn't want to swap back to my Prototype as it is lighter, stiffer and more responsive. It goes up the climbs faster and goes round the corners better as well -what more could you ask for.

In the grand scheme of things it was another anonymous ride but it was better than I was expecting given my season, or lack thereof. I managed to hold-off getting caught until the bell lap and beat a few guys who have been beating me for the last few months. I even finished 2 places up on last year (not that that means anything) and out of 82 starters, 59 finished and I was 42nd.

Go On Nick Craig!

2011-01-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

Boom made me do this in preparation for both Saturday's and Sunday's National Champs -she made me do it...

Last yr Nick rode both the Vet's race on Saturday then gave the lead Elite's a run for their money on the Sunday, sombrero!

I Get Cross: Swaines x Ventoux - Rapha 500

2011-01-07T01:18:00.000-08:00

I Get Cross: Swaines x Ventoux - Rapha 500

Foxhall Stadium Eastern League Video

2011-01-07T01:09:00.000-08:00

Resolutions

2011-01-06T07:31:00.000-08:00

Oh man, carrying a food-baby here! 4kg's heavier than when I called a halt to racing proceedings in Nov. That leaves me pretty slow now and the best I could manage at Sunday's Eastern League was 16th, back amongst the Elite Vets. I'm done worrying about it now, and having canned a pretty useless season where I failed to even get inside the top 10, I just want to focus on the year ahead.

Fairly generic New Year's Resolution is to be a better Cyclocross rider. That gives me 8 months to get on track for the start of the 2011/12 season. This is not difficult, just be competitive (always inside top 10 though I really should be knocking on top 5) at league level, and get inside the points at National Trophy.

What to do differently:

Core strength. You need core strength. It helps you maintain a better position when you're on your bike and helps prevent injuries (particularly if you are well stretched). It also helps to stop muscle imbalance -cyclists tend to end up with developed leg muscles but neglect everything else and this ended up giving me Sciatica.

2 bikes, for many of us, this was the plan for this year but we needed to get the product right instead of rushing it so we missed this season.

Bigger car. Volvo estate. When I bought my beloved MR2 I had unrestricted access to a work van so space was never an issue. Times and priorities change and being rubbish at 'cross makes me unhappy -not that a different car will change that but it all helps.

Balance -most important. I love my job but it can be demanding at times. I love racing and training which can also be demanding and I also love beer. Two's company but three's a crowd. I ain't giving up beer but finding a balance of all things is something I've overlooked in the last few years when I've had a natural tendancy to do all of the above to excess, the net result was a downwards spiral which led to me grinding to a shuddering halt -unable to race or recover, sleep well, or get up & then keep my eyes open at work...

Basically, all my equipment, riding and training will, from now on be geared towards the next 'cross season, because nothing else flicks my switch just like it.

There! I said it.

Note to self....

2010-12-23T05:26:00.001-08:00

....must draw more

Snow joke!

2010-12-22T02:36:00.000-08:00

Went out with Vicious Velo at the weekend after cancelling my race due to the weather. 2.5hrs to Shirley Hills and back, 16m in total! Massively hard work in the deep snow, and trails which would otherwise be dispatched without blinking become difficult to tackle owing to a complete lack of brakes, traction and an inability to clip back into your pedals.

National Trophy Bradford

2010-12-15T02:27:00.000-08:00

Did a totally anonymous, uneventful ride at the weekend's National Trophy in Bradford.
I set out with the intention of riding within myself to limit the amount of debt I would otherwise put my body into, which would then hamper my performance. However, the ground which started out as frozen hard, had had the Vets, Women , Youth and Junior races on it so by the time we got to racing at 2pm it had turned into a real slog!

Again, I was better than those around me on the tricky technical stuff, but the month off left me unable to compete when it came to any climbs and the back markers would overtake me.

Somehow I finished one place up on last year's placing. 45th instead of 46th, hardly anything to get excited about but I was far from last. Oh, and I rode 'the' descent without any trauma, straight down the mddle, dunno what all the fuss was about.

Be there or be square...

2010-12-14T07:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is snow forecast, again! With the wind chill, the temperature is set to feel like it's -3.

Mule Bar will be there to give away either bars or gels for to riders as they sign on.

Contingency plans are being hatched to best work around the inhospitable temperatures so we can all be in and out without catching frostbite.......again.

SINCLAIR X-1

2010-12-09T02:05:00.000-08:00

Despite all the obvious flaws, I always quite wanted a C5. Gotta say, this doesn't hold quite the same attraction but if at first you don't succeed....

* The X-1 electric vehicle can drive 10 miles for just £0.10p (based on an average weight passenger using pedal assistance)

* It requires no fuel, just a lightweight rechargeable battery pack (24v Lithium Polymer pack supplied, secondary pack available as an option at extra cost of £50)

* A super efficient MCR pancake motor is linked to rear wheel by fixed gear drive chain (motor rated at 190 watts, wheel size: 16") -similar to the motor that powers a floppy disc-drive.

* Front and rear disc brakes provide 100% stopping power

* Adjustable suede covered handlebars to suit any position

* Waterproof Acrylic bubble protects driver and includes integral roll cage frame bonded to monocoque chassis

* Reclining nylon seat - highly comfortable on long or short journeys.

* Superlight construction using carbon fibre lower shell and steel chassis (weight: 30 kilos)

* Requires no driving license, insurance or road tax to be road legal (insurance recommended, subject to territory)

* Strong visibility to other road users such as cars and lorries (built in front and rear lights aid visibility)

* Can be driven in UK by anyone over age of 14 (including on cycle paths)

* X-1 dimensions: 209x140x69cm

* From RSP £595

* If you live in UK and work in the UK you may qualify to purchase the X-1 with a price reduction of up to 50% via Government run, cycle to work scheme

http://www.sinclairzx.com/index2.html

Morph Vs. Banksy

2010-12-09T01:16:00.000-08:00

Crime-fighting

2010-12-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

This is the sight that greeted me as I passed the train station by my house last night.

Two rudeboys kicking the shit out of a poor hybrid, attached by a cable lock. How often have we all ridden or walked passed something and not got involved only to get home and wish we'd said something.

Now they were kids, but both considerably bigger than me which is not difficult, and as I stood there resplendant in my pink Atmos, I did wonder whether their big brothers were lying in wait behind the station.

We eyeballed each other for a bit while they did their best at looking all innocent. Eventually I broke the stalemate by taking my bag off and going for my phone. So insensed was I, that I was genuinely going to whistle up the fuzz on their punk-asses.

With that, they did their best to look nonchelant, kissed their teef at me and moped off on their stolen hybrids into (rather excitingly) my estate, oh joy.

There ends my tale, though I did check on my way to the shops and the bike was still there 20mins later. Relatively unheroic stuff but at least I slept well, knowing I'd at least done it and the little shits didn't get someone's bike. Ha!

Framed

2010-12-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

Beautifully shot, I think.

FRAMED-Andi Wittmann Rider profile from Felix Urbauer on Vimeo.

Chris King Espresso Tamper

2010-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Not sure how I feel about this. My initial reaction is to want one, but is that just because it is to do with coffee and has Chris King etched onto it...? Maybe I'd rather have a tamper that doesn't look like a bicycle headset, albeit a Chris King.

I'm surprised there isn't anything nicer from the likes of Alessi, along the line of the Apostrophe Orange Peeler

chrisking.com

Captured by Geoff, as the sun dipped...

2010-12-06T03:23:00.001-08:00

gwp-101205-0039, originally uploaded by wideopenwaugh.

...and I struggled with where to begin getting undressed from my muddy kit.

South East & Eastern Regional Champs

2010-12-06T02:52:00.000-08:00

Having pre-entered, I preferred to turn up and enjoy riding yesterday, rather than sit at home and miss out on all the fun. Conditions could have been amazing but in the end, a thaw, some rain and 200 riders turned it predictably, into a slog.

Image by John Mullineaux of cross-crazy.com

I had a game plan. Start conservatively and ride into the hour, maybe pick some people off if I get the chance. I slipped all the way back to about 18th at one point but then I started to find my legs.

Image by John Mullineaux of cross-crazy.com

The long slippery descents also played into my hands and I was able to make up swathes of time over less technical riders -especially as guys in front started to tire a bit.

I rode home in 13th place. Nothing to write home about, indeed 3 places down on my result last year but considering I've had a month off riding and am not training at all, I feel a bit more positive.

Koksijde + Trophy

2010-11-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

An interesting mix of doing alot yet having not much to write. As everyone did, I jumped in a car and motored over to Koksijde, Belgium to enjoy the atmos of the UCI World Cup there. I got togged-up proper and barely noticed the cold. Favourite thing was that a 200ml bottle of Coke was the same price as a whole bottle of 8.8% Duvel!

Sunday morning was another early one with a trip down to Southampton for the National Trophy. We parked up next to the start which was nice. The ground was frozen solid for Boom's race and she did an absolutely blistering ride to take 5th place -even throwing a little collapse into the mix at the end. By my race the ground had got a little more slippery. I've just taken a month almost completely off. No stress to my body what so ever and following training on Wed, this was my first ride in anger.

I got a strong start but in the bottle-neck, some chump couldn't deal with riding in a straight line and shoved me into the tape and i got my front wheel caught behind a stake. I lost about 15 places getting it unhooked. They were only places I'd have lost anyway and pretty quick i was right at the back. I plodded on and caught a couple of riders, plus a few people had some mishaps. I got lapped at about 43mins which wasn't tooo bad. I was last finisher.

I plan to carry on racing, just cos I feel left out when I don't, but really the last 6 months has placed stresses on my body from all directions which have left me basically in no shape to combine work, training/racing and having a social life. Doctors can find nothing wrong which is reassuring and an appointment with the Tropical Disease Hospital should assertain whether I returned from the Epic with any little friends...

Introducing

2010-11-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

Last week I went to see Introducing play DJ Shadow's seminal album 'Entroducing' at Koko in Camden. Never been there before but it's an awesome venue and the band were pretty amazing.

The Sunday before that I went to see Cinematic Orchestra play live at the Royal Albert Hall with a huge string section.

Not bad for one week I reckon.

Next level shit..

2010-11-25T06:11:00.000-08:00

Kev's video of Ipswich National Trophy

2010-11-25T04:14:00.000-08:00

You can see me at the beginning trailing woefully off the back of the bunch. I think this is the worst I've ever done in any race of any level and it heralded nearly a full month off the bike. I went training last night which was the irst time I've ridden a bike in anger since this video and i felt surprisingly good. It took me a while to settle into it and I started to fade during the final 'race' but someone commented that it was the strongest they'd seen me going in that session. Hopefully this weekend's Trophy at Southampton will make up for all my racing up to this point...

National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Round 2 - Ipswich from Kevin Knox on Vimeo.

www.marathonmtb.com

2010-11-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

This is my buddy Mike's new website http://www.marathonmtb.com/ It's a comprehensive site with news, tech, interviews etc all geared (as the name would suggest) around Marathon MTBing.

Mike is addicted to MTB Marathon events, only without the slow diesel engine that sometimes accompanies that speciality. He has been known to turn his hand to a bit 'cross and even a bit of crit racing from time to time. Given his propensity for taking off and hitting up several eastern european multi day stage races, he has seen or experienced every physiological side affect of the sport. For me it's like seeing a doctor but with a proper viewpoint of where I'm coming from -whatever you've got, he's either had it, known someone who's had it or seen something worse; never fails to make me feel reassured!

That's Mike behind me in the Mule Bar kit.

Given my current stage of overtrainedness (i'm at the end of my 3rd wk off the bike) I am thoroughly enjoying Mike's blogs on his experiences of this, though unfortunately his solutions generally involve coffee, which I've knocked on the head for a while (killer)...

There's even a pic of me on the most recent entry.

World Series

2010-11-18T04:58:00.000-08:00

This is one of the first things I did from scratch. The brief was that the design had to reflect the bikes that the brand used to produce in the 80's and be in each of the different World Champ colours. In fact, some of those 80's designs are still used for custom paint-jobs now. Panelling has long been a common theme and when going through archived pics of old Condors, I happened across the old style oval panels.

Painting the frames white allows us to print decal kits in different colours. I was keen for the colour in the panel to be metallic but wasn't sure how some of the colours would come out i.e.yellow, which turns out to be my favourite...

The rosette frame badge is a redesign of a Condor badge which used to go at the top of the fork legs.

Each bike also comes with a commemorative booklet which was a real fiddle to do as I've never done anything with a Gold Foil before but I think everyone is pleased with the end result.

Middle 2 photos by Andy Waterman

andy waterman: pics and bikes: Double whammy

2010-11-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

andy waterman: pics and bikes: Double whammy: "It looks like I've got the cover of tomorrow's Cycling Weekly magazine. I did the shoot back in February or March with Ben Spurrier and Clai..."

Dynohub

2010-11-08T03:45:00.000-08:00

Dunno if this works yet, but I'm gonna build it into my sister's shopping bike! Got give it by Paddy the winow cleaner in Kingsotn who used to ride to Brighton and back with it on his fixed bike in the 50's. Double hard.

burnt...?

2010-11-08T03:13:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed a thinning of positive race reports of late. This is owing mainly to a thinning of positive results....

Below is my training/race log. Pink is training or racing and black is time off the bike. Green however, is a note reprisenting a bad race.

Since the beginning of this cross season, I've got progressively slower. I'm now into my second week completely off the bike. Doctor diagnoses nothing wrong and blood tests show up no illness so I can only conclude that I am overtrained or under-rested.

From Wikipedia:

Overtraining may be accompanied by one or more organs concomitant symptoms:

Persistent muscle soreness (Delayed onset muscle soreness) -check.
Persistent fatigue -check.
Elevated resting heart rate -check.
Reduced heart rate variability *
Increased susceptibility to infections 2 x chest infections in 6 months
Increased incidence of injuries
Irritability -always
Depression
Mental breakdown -not quite
[edit] Effects
Physiological

Lymphocytopenia[5]
Excessive weight loss
Excessive loss of body fat
Increased resting heart rate -check.
Decreased muscular strength -check.
Increased submaximal heart rate -check
Inability to complete workouts -check.
Chronic muscle soreness -check.
Fatigue -check.
Increased incidence of injury
Depressed immune system -check.
Absence of menstruation -check.
Frequent minor infections/colds
Insomnia -check.
Heart Palpitations -check.
Lower Testosterone Levels -dunno
Higher Cortisol Levels -dunno

Psychological
Depression
Loss of appetite
Irritability -check.
Loss of motivation -check.
Loss of enthusiasm -check.
Loss of competitive drive -check.

Performance
Early onset of fatigue -check.
Decreased aerobic capacity -check.
Poor physical performance -check.
Inability to complete workouts -check.
Delayed recovery -check.

* I just took purchase of an interesting iPhone App called ithlete. Using a retrofittable dongle, it receives from any analogue HRM strap (Polar, Garmin etc). You breath in then out and it measures your HR Variability. From this, it then gives you a traffic light style indication of your bodies ability to train -Green = good to train hard, Amber = adjust your training accordingly, Red = Do Not Train. Just waiting on my dongle to arrive...

andy waterman: pics and bikes: Rollapaluza Halloween Cyclocross Video

2010-11-05T02:33:00.000-07:00

andy waterman: pics and bikes: Rollapaluza Halloween Cyclocross Video

Simon Scarsbrook's shot

2010-11-04T04:38:00.001-07:00

IMG_1940, originally uploaded by sim_scars.

Tim Knoll BMX

2010-11-04T04:12:00.001-07:00

Tim Knoll BMX from tim knoll on Vimeo.

Yuebi Yang's shot

2010-11-03T09:14:00.001-07:00

Ben Spurrier - Yuebi Yang, originally uploaded by britishcycling.org.uk photos.

pretty haps with this one!

Rollapaluza Muddy Hell

2010-11-01T05:37:00.001-07:00

Condor's Ben Spurrier, originally uploaded by markdphillips.

I am the self-proclaimed king of fancy dress but have a rule about using any outfit twice. However, my Where The Wild Things Are outfit only got used in France over New Year so no one in the UK got to see it and appreciate all my hard needlework.

That's right, stitched it myself I did. It's got a hood with pointy ears, a tail which drags along the ground a pocket and pit-vents.

You only need to look at my face in Phips' pic to get an idea of what it was like to race in this outfit. I wanted to be sick from the beginning of the second lap!

S-Works Shoes

2010-10-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

Modifying my Specialized Pro MTB shoes in Cape Town to improve ventilation kind of rendered them a bit inappropriate for UK/winter use. Plus, it turns out that cutting large holes in the tongue also affects support a bit.

James at Specialized was kind enough to send me a pair of spanking new S-Works kicks. The fit is vastly improved, as is support which comes in the form of two Boa systems and one strap. I've got Boa's on my snowboard boots and have been keen to get try them out on cycling shoes.

Only down-side is that Specialized don't employ the use of the same kind of 'Cat's Tongue' technology in the heel cup. Also, there is no 'Custom Fit' BUT they are a sort of pseudo Patent white, making them easier to clean, BLAMMO!

Eastern League Dartford

2010-10-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Simply because it was about a third of the distance of the London League. It's a well organised league with good prize money and they split the racing up which is nice -much less crowded.

Front row gridding was nice and I rolled away in a good position but progressively lost places from there on. Seems to be bad race after bad race at the moment. Came in in 12th place yesterday, the kind of result I was fighting for 5yrs ago. Legs just feel exhausted whenever I try and race. Am training well so I assume/hope it'll just pass.

Waters slipped to 4th after getting tangled in course tape.

Boom got some nice shots on her iPod-phone, after missing out on the win to Susan Wood (basically by chasing a man dressed in the same kit)...

I stink

2010-10-25T06:14:00.001-07:00

Basically I stink, sorry to everyone, I can't help but smell

Cycling in the Netherlands in the 1950s

2010-10-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

Massively enjoy the trailers for carrying kids, early on.

50's 'cross

2010-10-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

Commissaire Kelvin found this video of some hardcore 50's, what looks like northern 'cross.

Some amazing styles and bikes.
I feel soft.

Kevin's Trophy vid

2010-10-18T05:39:00.001-07:00

Andy in Abergavenny from Kevin Knox on Vimeo.

DVS/CADENCE ROAD TO FAST FRIDAY

2010-10-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

DVS//CADNC ROAD TO FAST FRIDAY from AMBUSHE on Vimeo.

kickin' it native

2010-10-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Back in March, when we rolled into Cape Town prior to the start of the Cape Epic, all the talk was of equipment. Tyre choice, bike set-up, hydration and nutrition etc etc... The moment the conversation turned to chamois creme, our hosts scoffed at our Assos, dragged us by the scruff of the necks down to the local bike shop and thrust a sizable tub of Udder Cream in our hands. £5 for a massive tub!

First dip is like applying window putty but I left it in my tent during the day (40deg +) and when I came back, it was practically throbbing with heat. It then retained it's heat for the next 8 days... 6 months on and I've barely scraped the surface. I should point out that it's far, far better than anything else I've used in all my years.

Save The Velodrome

2010-10-11T03:10:00.000-07:00

Velodrome from Nick Turpin on Vimeo.

Spotted myself in here at 1:08

http://www.savethevelodrome.com/

British Cycling National Trophy 2010 Round 1

2010-10-11T02:11:00.001-07:00

British Cycling National Trophy 2010 Round 1, originally uploaded by Dave Haygarth.

I never banked on the first round of the National Trophy going particularly well as it always falls on the Sunday of the London Cycle Show. At the end of a long, long week of stand building, awards-ceremonies, drinks, late nights and standing talking to people for a week doesn't exactly make for fresh legs.

We found an amazing B&B near Abergavenny to stay in and had "The biggest sausage you've ever seen" in Ye Olde Pandy Inn.

I normally get gridded at the back at this level of racing so I knew I had to get as good a start as possible. I did actually move up which helped when there was a large crash at the front which took out Nick Craig and Olly Beckinsale.

However, this effort put me straight into the red and with heavy 'show-legs' it took me another 10mins or so to recover a bit, but by then the damage is done and the bulk of the field is already up the road...

I trudged on and picked off a few people. Others crashed out ahead of me and DNF'd but i finally got caught by Paul Oldham and Jody at 45mins. I've done worse, especially on this weekend of the year, but I am being beaten by guys i should ordinarilly be riding away from.

Still, it's not like I don't know what needs doing but in the words of Bruce Lee: "Knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do."

Proto Cross Bike

2010-09-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

In less than a week the new cross bikes will be on display for all to see, at the London show and I've been racing on the prototype version since the summer.

Shown (albeit in lo-res and with old graphics) here is the proto which sits somewhere in between the Terra-X and the lower Bivio-X. Where this is made from Dedacciai Force Curvo (named after the proprietry curved top tube on both bikes which gives more room for, and is really comfortable for shouldering) which is a 7000 series Alu, the Terra will have EM2 seat and down tubes.

The Bivio will have bottle bosses, rack and mudguard mounts and the Terra will have none. The Bivio will have internal rear brake cable routing but external gear cables where the Terra will have full internal, fully guided cables. The Bivio will be 1-1/8" aheadset top and bottom, Terra will be 1.5" at the bottom.

Condor x Cadence x Fast Friday x DVS

2010-09-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Ain't braggin' but i've had a pair of these DVS Milan CTC's since my birthday in March when my buddy Stu hooked-a-brother-up. It was through Stu and his time at the now defunct UK distributer that we were introduced to Dustin Klein who set up Cadence Clothing and was also responsible for the original Fast Friday and consequently the seminal film Mash.

Without being pidgeon-holed by any 'fixie' tags, the shoes are based around a DVS skate shoe but are 'geared' towards cycling. The attention to detail is as you would expect from any Cadence product. Obviously there is a stiffer Last so that the sole of your foot doesn't flex in a way that it shouldn't. The laces are protected from abrasion from the toe-clip by being threaded through the tongue and there are subtle but effective reflective tabs (the FF logo on the heel of each shoe).

Dustin is running another Fast Friday event tomorrow in San Fransisco and the winner will walk away with a one-off, Dustin-from-Cadence-designed Condor Classico singlespeed frame and this is it.

Bike Shelf

2010-09-22T02:17:00.000-07:00

Bicycles and furniture design -what's not to like...

Knife & Saw.

Garmin Ride Out

2010-09-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

6:45am meet at Dave's house down the road felt proper wintery for the first time. Loaded up and drove across to pick up the Pheasant from darkest Sutton. Much grumbling from him before navigating us cross-country along a route which neither Dave nor I would ever be able to retrace on a map and before we knew it, we were half way down the M3, nearly at our destination -the New Forest.

The purpose of the Garmin Ride Out was to preview and test out the new Edge 800 over a 20mile road loop with members of the Garmin Transitions pro road team. Fresh off the back of the Tour Of Britain, the 6 man squad looked somewhat shell-shocked at the 260 blood-thirsty members of the general public who were champing at the bit to sock-it to the pro's.

Anyway, the ride turned predictably into some kind of 4th Cat World Champs with choppers shoaling past us as Dave & I tried to hold a civilised conversation with one of the riders.

Dave had an 800 on his bike and was suitably impressed, while Ellis and I were disappointed to find that we both immediately tried 'swooshing' the screen like an iPhone -not a function on the 800.

There are no additional functions to the Edge 800 over a 705 but the software is better so it is faster and the mapping is eon's better. The touch-screen is larger and although it feels a bit 'clunky' (compared to a smartphone) the interface is relatively intuative.

The Pheasant and Dave will be aquiring a unit for their upcoming tour of the South West of England for which, despite much badgering, I will not be joining them...

Red Bull Road Rage

2010-09-15T01:51:00.000-07:00

want...to...do.

http://www.redbull.de/cs/Satellite/de_DE/Gallery/Red-Bull-Road-Rage-021242784906487

that is all.

Tub repair

2010-09-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

Take one punctured tub.

Make surigical incisions and drag out latex inner tube and find hole -in this case, entry and exit wounds...

Repair as normal -two patches needed for this badboy.

Take one roll of tub thread and a needle with a reaaaly big eye.

Differing techniques used for this bit. I use a pair of pliers.

Again, not sure what's best to use for gluing the base-tape. I used an Epoxy Resin.

2 down.

2010-09-02T02:38:00.000-07:00

With legs still heavy from Monday's festivities we headed to the second of VCL's Late Summer Cross races at Herne Hill.

The ground that we chewed up in the attrocious conditions of last week had dried and firmed. Instead of being fanst-flowing, the grass section round the track centre was for most, absolute purgatory.

I had nothing to give and ran out of talent with a lap to go which saw me go into a corner waaay too hot. I noticed on my way in this morning that under heavy braking the front was snatching. I think this may have contributed to the front wheel disappearing from under me at the top of the drop-in. Ground-sky-ground-sky-bike! Somehow landed on my feet but managed to bash and scrape every body part on the way down... Had to take a moment before straightneing my bars and limping to the finish.

Waters bounced back from his 2nd place on Monday to take another 2nd place last night behind Jules Birkes of VCL. Hat!