The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Off to the Cycling Show at the NEC tomorrow, anyone else going?

If its anything like the motor bike shows, it might be the first & last time, but I'll give it a go

[pookie]

have fun..! hope they have the non alcoholic beer tent up muchas pintus drinkus

Aldi bike stuff in today.. their lobster winter gloves look good.. and as always gt85 for £1.99!!

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Usual shout out for Aldi cycling stuff next week.

But there's a few new items, which could cross over into motorcycling too, such as the waterproof socks & neck warmer. Doubt the socks are going to AS good as pukka Sealskinz, but knowing Aldi stuff its going to be ok.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuy...-25-september/

3 Merino Base Layers, 2 Jackets, 2 Jerseys, 3 pairs of socks for around £100, that's the winter gear sorted! I wouldn't bother with their tights though...

[pookie]

also grab a copy of the mirror today for £5 off a £40 spend --valid for a week

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by pookie

also grab a copy of the mirror today for £5 off a £40 spend --valid for a week

Good point!

[Littlepeahead]

We've got our Sports Writing Festival going on at Lord's again this October and of the four days Sunday's theme is cycling so some of you might fancy coming along. Full details can be found on the website and tickets go on sale on 1st October.

Also I'd really like your help and advice on the best places to post this up to promote it so if you have any bright ideas on cycling forums and websites that might add a link for me could you send me a PM please! Thanks.

http://www.londonsportswritingfestival.com/

Here's a quick preview:

SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER 2014

11:00-12:00: BIKE FIT: OPTIMISE YOUR BIKE POSITION WITH PHIL BURT

The last day of the Festival is devoted to cycling. We start with an unmissable opportunity to meet Phil Burt, Head Physiotherapist at British Cycling and Team Sky Consultant. This is your chance to hear from the expert on how to maximise your bike position, performance and avoid injury. Phil’s book, Bike Fit, just published, will prove to be an invaluable resource for all cyclists, whether professional or keen amateurs.

12:30-13:30: THE CYCLING ANTHOLOGY

Professional cycling is a rich, dynamic and often controversial sport that lends itself to great writing. Some of the most famous and illustrious races were founded by newspapermen and The Cycling Anthology continues this tradition by bringing together the best in the business. Join the contributors of the most recent volume, Ellis Bacon and Lionel Birnie, as they talk about this year’s competitions including the Tour de France, Vuelta and Giro. Between them, these writers have covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have even ridden the Tour. Here, their work is showcased together in an unmissable event.

14:00-15:00: BLOWING THE LID ON LANCE ARMSTRONG AND CYCLING’S DOPING CULTURE

Thought you’ve heard everything you need to hear on this subject? Think again Emma O’Reilly was the soigneur (masseur) to Lance Armstrong and so witnessed first-hand the scandal that surrounded him. Today, she has rebuilt the relationship. In her recently published book, which has attracted widespread praise from a cycling community already overrun with memoirs, Emma talks about the labour of the soigneur which is exhausting and frenetic. Hosted by Jeremy Whittle, this event will be insightful, and will offer an opportunity to re-evaluate one of the most explosive moments in cycling history.

15:30-16:30: THE RACE AGAINST THE STASI

Amidst the cynicism and justifications comes this heartbreaking memoir of how one of the world’s most talented cyclists risked it all for love. Dieter Wiedemann looked set to rule the world in 1960. He was the pin-up for socialism in his native East Germany, a podium finisher in The Peace Race (the equivalent of the Tour). But it all changed when, in 1964, he was selected as part of the qualifying team for the Tokyo Olympics. Dieter seized the moment and defected to the West. Whist he fulfilled his lifetime ambition of racing in the Tour de France, the Stasi sought to repatriate him. The family he had left behind him would go on to suffer years of interrogation and fear. This is his story, told by Herbie Sykes. Join Dieter and Herbie, as they talk to The Guardian’s Richard Williams about how the sacrifices he made continued to have repercussions for decades.

17:00-18:00: A CLEAN BREAK

Christophe Bassons is a former professional cyclist. His career was a successful one albeit never in the full glare of the media. That all changed when, in 1998, the Festina doping scandal broke and Bassons shot to fame as one of the handful of clean riders in the peloton – and as the only professional who dared to speak openly about the topic. Join him in conversation with Daniel Friebe as Bassons’ talks about how his decision saw an end to a promising career and a life in exile. The event will be hosted by Jeremy Whittle.

18:30-19:30: THE BREAKAWAY

A retirement statement from a sports star rarely causes a flicker, but Nicole Cooke went out as she rode her bike: giving it her all. Nicole took aim. The only rider ever to have become World and Olympic champion in the same year, and the first British cyclist to have been ranked World No.1, but as a woman in a man’s sport, her exploits gained little recognition and brought no riches. Like many of her male counterparts, she too had ridden through this dark period for the sport when drug-taking was everywhere. Nicole Cooke spoke up for those who had taken a very different path to. In her frank and outspoken autobiography, Cooke reveals the real story behind British cycling’s rise to global dominance. With a child’s dreams of success, she left home at 18 to pursue her goals in Italy. Broken contracts, unpaid wages, a horrendous injury and drugs cheats were just some of the challenges she faced, even before she lined up to take on her opponents. The Breakaway is a book that will inspire and challenge. Nicole will be joined on stage by Brendan Gallagher.

20:00-21:00: RIDING THE GRAND TOURS

A triumphant end to our Festival as cycling’s own Tim Moore, Max Leonard and Richard Moore close the weekend with a look at Riding the Tour. This event will be hosted by Sky’s Orla Chennaoui.

[Dipper]

Link posted to our local FB group page.

[pookie]

cycling forums like singletrackworld / bikeradar

http://lcc.org.uk/pages/forum
http://road.cc/forums/roadcc-bike
http://www.ctc.org.uk/

maybe contact http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/ as they have a list of local clubs by region

[Brettus]

I'm just gonna leave this here:

[Brettus]

Actually I'm back already.
I'm debating the idea of swapping to clipless peals (why the hell are they called clipless when they are the ones with the clips on?!)
and so far I'm liking the virtues of these ones:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m424-spd-pedals/
and probably a pair of these or something like:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mt34...g-cycle-shoes/


I'm happy doing the stuff I do at the moment, 13 mile laps on flat paved ground. I'm not sure they'll make much difference to me but I won't know without trying. I'm pretty confident I'll ride with the proper shoes 99% of the time but I still like the option of using them regardless of shoes.


Thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!


Must go, off to try a lap this evening, wind doesn't look favourable but it won't beat me.