Blogs

For those of you that keep a close eye on all things sport you might have seen a worrying trend in the last few months - early death in young athletes.

There have been two high profile deaths in athletics over the last month or so. Firstly, 26 year old Rene Herms died of a 'heart related' illness http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=48890.html. Then only yesterday it was announced that another 26 year old athlete Kamila Skolimowska has also passed away http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=49374.html. She 'collapsed' which can normally be construed as heart failure.

Lying in bed enjoying those few minutes after the alarm has gone off but before actually getting up, right arm dangling off the edge, scruffling the top of the cats head while she's marthering for food.

Thinking about the ride for the day.

Has anyone noticed the latest Diet Coke advert with the Welsh singing strumpet Duffy 'borrowing' a single speed bicycle to nip to the shop for a can of pop before her gig? Now, am I just getting excited about seeing a girl on a bike (I would have been more excited if she was riding fixed) or are advertising honcho's seeing single speed bikes as the coolest thing to travel about on? Does this mean we are heading towards a large mainstream trend? I hope not because after every fad comes the back lash.

Just been writing up the BMC SLC01 Pro Machine that's just in, and it got me all angry about carbon stems again. Not because it has one – sensibly BMC spec the EA90 – but just because they exist, really. Why do they exist? The EA90 and EC90 are a good case in point. The EA90 is an excellent stem. The EC90, which is £100 dearer and 5g heavier, is average at best. Why even bother?

Is it me or are all of the world's cycling stars crashing at the moment?

First it was Downhill Diva Rachel Atherton http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7843559.stm

Then Sir Chris decided that he needed to spice things up a bit in Copenhagen http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/7891088.stm

Big Tex hit the deck (well a motor bike) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/7894564.stm

AND NOW he rides in to Levi!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/7896327.stm

Looking for something cheap and different to do in East London this Saturday night? How about generating the electricity for the party? This is a night out where you have to pedal dynamo's to power up the room! Here is the blurb lifted from their website:

Due to adverse weather and economic conditions there's going to be a power cut at Speaker Palace on Sat 21st . The Party starts at 9pm with the launch of our Bike generator system that will keep live bands and Dj's electrified and going into the night. As usual You will need a torch and some stamina - Human Dynamos only!

Billed as the Valentine's Kamasutracat was the first alleycat messenger bike race of the year, Probably. Ok, it isn't purely for couriers but more of a turn up and take part and more importantly money raised went towards the London Courier Emergency Fund. An Alley cat race is basically a point to point orienteering race across town and a lot of fun to boot. It was supposed to Start from Tour de Ville, Lamb Lane E8 at 1pm, but with a low initial turn out and a lot of dithering and chatting and perving over some very nice bicycle bits we were finally ready to race.

So got round to booking my entry and Eurostar ticket in the last couple of daysfor the Flanders sportif. Worried about my fitness, 140km is a long way in early April but plan to enjoy it. And the beer and frites while watching the pro's on Sunday.

Surprised at the entry fee of just 14 euro's, would be a lot more in the UK.

Shimano were giving out their press pics on these natty 1GB memory sticks. Who wants mine? Be the envy of your cycling buddies with your Shimano branded storage. Maybe. it comes in a little presentation box so you could even give it to a mate as a present and claim it cost you money,

Simply comment on this post and you're in the bag. This compo closes Friday, I guess. The judge's decision is etc and so on. I've taken all the Shimano pics off...

Strange things seen on a ride.

#1 - Lingertree