Blogs

Here's a nice bit of custom carbon riding to work kit, It's Levi Leipheimer's 'rain bike' fully kitted out with SRAM Red, disc brakes and mudguards pictured on a a US commuting website. Mind you, it's a rather different sort of commute when your ride to work is your work … anyway check it out

Sun on your face - purple haze

Is there anything better than riding with golden sunlight on your face? Sunglasses on, cotton cap, no coat and a single speed without guards. How long can it last?

Recently I have fitted Halo Twin rail, courier tyres (700c x 24) in ecclesiastical purple; they are super grippy in the wet and very fast in the dry. So far, a confidence inspiring tyre.

It wasn't me that started it I promise you. Some guy in our club (well he isn't in our club anymore but that is a different story) went to Germany on business and whilst he was there he found a bike shop.

The shop had its own amateur cycling team and they had some jerseys in stock. He bought one and then wore it at our next ride. It was enchanting to see a bloke from Peterborough riding around the fens in a jersey with loads of exotic sounding sponsors on it. Most of them were probably sore bum creams or something, but the challenge was out there and I wanted to take it up.

Over the last year I have been stung by a wasp, have fallen in a canal, slid on ice 20 yards down a main road beneath my beloved road bike and have been threatened by 2 lorry drivers.

But, would I have it any other way? Absolutely not!

Couple of interesting cycling-related articles from this weekend's papers. Observer Money managed to yoke a mention of Sustrans's new Bicyclebelles scheme to a longer piece on cycle insurance.

They be a breedin' fast down my way... These, yes, this many within ten yards of each other!

Already reported them to www.fillthathole.org.uk if you spot any do the same.

Went mountain biking in Wales this weekend wih friends. Rode the trails at Llandegla and Penmachno which were fun. I like natural trails but booking a weekend with friends just getting on with it is useful when it could be cold.

But the weather was nice and warm, 54km on Saturday and about 40km on Sunday. Couple of pints of Guinness and watching the Republic win at Rugby on Saturday night.

Will go to bed tired and happy tonight.

British professional cycling entered a new era this week (no, not Tony Gibb's haircut and the Plowman Craven team launch!!) when "Team Sky" was launched.

The principle being to take the winning formula of "Team GB", mainly on the track, and turn it into a road based squad capable of winning the Tour de France.

The national newspapers were mentioning names such as Steve Cummings and Bradley Wiggins coming in to lead the team, but Dave Brailsford (Team GB Performance Director) was a bit more coy mentioning the possibility of continental based pros being part of the roster.

Excellent sequence of pics of Lance Armstrong "dealing" with the man from UCI doping control… at least I think that's who he is, he certainly looks like he's got the official uniform and UCI issue sampling equipment.

It's that worrying time of year when legs can finally be stripped of their Winter's bib-long cocoon and have to emerge blinking into the harsh bright sunlight and gentle hopeful warmth.

Blinking and pale.