Recent comments

Seen the doctor and I'am fine but still up every 2 hours through the nighti Just wondered if it was a common problem with high mileage cycling or is it just me

Could be diabetes or many other conditions.
Solution: ask a doctor not an internet forum.

Yep, tried it once too but the constant swishing of my trousers against bare skin was very distracting. Annoying to be reminded every five seconds you have shaved your legs. So I now trim to a No.1 once a month, same effect just much less hassle.

I can't recommend my Dawes tourer highly enough which I commute on - a triple (giving a good turn of speed downhill), drop handlebars, panniers and mudguards and room for lamps which you'll need (USB rechargeable, nice and bright). Schwalbe tyres are nearly completely puncture-proof (did LeJog and the St David's = Lowestoft East West on mine, not a single puncture on either trip). Also it's heavy, so you'll really appreciate the road bike when you swap back

I've one eye on the following two stages with my transfers, but have a couple of lads who should be mixing it at the finish for a podium spot.

I've not gone for Bouhanni, which may be a mistake as he seems very lively, if still lacking a degree of nous - he definitely wants something out of this tour and a stage win tomorrow would fit the bill. Still, I haven't picked him

Shaving my legs for the 2nd season and yes, it's mainly peer pressure/looking like a cyclist. Shaved legs look better in lycra shorts.

However, about ten days ago I had a crank break and ended up on the tarmac. Luckily i was going uphill and it was a relatively low speed tumble nothing worse than road rash on my leg and arm. It is much easier to deal with cleaning and treating road rash on shaved legs - glad they were smooth.

I done it because the pros do it made no difference at all and will never do it again. I do like to keep the hair short now but never with a razor

Ha, can see I should have explained myself a little more!

Ok. I've only physically got room for 2 bikes. Ultimately, I would like to have a 'good'/summer bike and a 'do-everything-else' bike. Something that will also do light off-road use will keep me going right through winter when my club mates switch to mountain bikes in icy conditions. Would the Tifosi cope with knobbly tires etc?

Hence, while a cheap single-speed did occur to me, it's not moving in the right direction. I'm a freelancer rather than an employee, so no c2w for me (unless anyone knows how to do this as a contractor with your own ltd co.?)

It would be useful to extend the evening commute a couple of times a week, to maybe 30-40 miles.

Mad, bonkers, amazing. As if going uphill (up-mountain) wouldn't be bad enough, I don't think I would fancy being on one of those coming down the other side. Respect.

when pro's are asked reasons range from the practical:
Makes massages and rubbing in creams easier
to the macho:
makes cleaning dried up road rash easier
to the honest:
it just looks better and all pros do it

So here are my picks.

Contador will be smarting from today's second place, so will definitely put his Saxo Bank team on the front in the last 35km to set him up for a win today. He'll want to show SKY that he can compete at next year's tour.

You'll definitely want Simon Clarke in your team, he has a proven history on finished like these, not having him would be throwing points away!

My bet for a podium place is Laurens Ten Dam, those of you who follow him on strava will see that he's put a lot of work in before this tour, but he's yet to get his hands in the air. Expect to see him well up there.