Chasing wheels

Urban Cyclocross manifesto

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:36:45 +0000

Off the back of the Rollapaluza Hallowe'en Cross race, the seed of an idea which came up a while back has started germinating: Urban Cyclocross.

So I would like to help get the idea into a reality. I know there's a few London cross riders out there interested and, in theory, it's an ideal city to host an inaugural race.

The problem is finding a suitable venue, or a course in a suitable venue.

Below are some attempts to answer some questions that I think could help define how it works.

What's the relationship between urban and regular cyclocross?

The way I see it urban cross needn't be muddy. The obstacles, not the elements are the challenge.

That's not to say there shouldn't be a complete absence of the elements. There's numerous sandy horse gallops in central London that could make an excellent course feature. Hyde Park's Rotten Row is the most visible example.

But at the other end of the scale some of the big shopping centres have escalators, stairs and swooping walkways that could make for the run-ups and descents on an indoor course.

What sort of obstacles should feature?

Well apart from staircases and steps as obstacles, I think there's plenty of scope to play.

Those big concrete banked gulleys I've seen a few places around London and the old storm drains both appeal for off-camber sections.

The ultimate course would feature a section which involves riding into a pub, through the bar and out again through the beer garden.

There's a fascination with steps. The Duke of York Column and the steps leading to it from The Mall hold a particular appeal.

Much like parkour, it's the environment that should dictate the course. Perhaps Urban CX isn't even about the race but about the course.

Then there's the areas of decay. The old shipyards have almost all been remodelled but there must be disused industrial spaces or infrequently used ones that could host an event. Battersea Power Station seems to host an increasing number of quirky sporting activities.

How would the course be marked?

Like a scent trail, someone would ride ahead and mark with arrows the route to be followed.

Or they would mark "gates" like on a ski course through which riders are expected to pass.

What would it be raced on?

Standard cyclocross bikes, slicks or file tread tyres according to the surface/inclination of the rider

So that's the debate opened and some ideas out there, how do we make it a reality? Your help and ideas to perfect this are more than welcome.

Cyclocross training around Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:37:50 +0000

So I've now got the new Ridley Crossbow set up as close to perfect as I can get, I've got no excuses for not training.

Today I rode a nice loop that I think makes a half decent training ride for cyclocross: Chiswick Bridge to the Wimbledon Windmill and back.

View Chiswick Bridge Wimbledon Windmill in a larger map

There's plenty enough obstacles to practice with in Richmond Park and the sandy tracks and muddy horse trails on Wimbledon Common are great for a workout and getting your handling together. Plus there's enough bits of woodland to practice the more technical stuff as well.

I'm still not entirely clear on where I can and can't ride on the Common but my rule is to show a bit of courtesy where I'm not sure of right of way usually avoids any potential conflicts. That and puffing and wheezing like I'm about to die.

Interesting to note that new crossings specifically for cyclists and horses are almost in place at the Robin Hood Gate junction of the Park and Common.

It's also a route that I'm considering for a Gentlemen's Cyclocross ride. It doesn't feel right for Urban Cyclocross as it's a bit lacking in bricks and mortar. These two are my current obsessions and I know there's some interest for organising something in the latter category in London...

Get yourself and cyclocross on the BBC

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:17:33 +0000

This is a public service broadcasting announcement on behalf of Ken Iino and the London Cyclocross League:

"The BBC would like to do a short feature on Cyclo-Cross for the national weekend news, and we need your help to make it happen.

The film crew and presenter can't film at weekends so instead of a normal league race we're inviting them to a one off mid-week session at Herne Hill on Thursday 5th November from 1pm-4pm.

National champion Jody Crawforth has kindly agreed to come along, but we need riders of all ages and abilities to take part. The afternoon will include a free coaching session with British Cycling coach Bill Wright, and we'll also be putting on a 30 mins mini-race at the end.

This will also be a chance to promote Herne Hill velodrome and help ensure its future, so please do come and have a go if you can.

Filming starts at 1pm on Thursday 5th November and finishes at 4pm. A map of how to get to Herne Hill can be found here - http://tinyurl.com/ylbd9fu

If you think you can come along or if you've any questions please email back - if you can't make it please help by spreading the word.

Cheers

Ken Iino
London Phoenix"

The reporter is, I think, Mike Bushell who bravely takes on just about every sport that people participate in and took on Ventoux last summer. I would love to be there but work schedule doesn't permit. If you can make it, please support it. I say this with a foot in both camps, as someone who loves cyclocross and as a BBC Sport/5 live person.

Rapha Cross Jersey and Cross 3/4 Bib Shorts reviewed

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:32:03 +0000

I'm a sucker for Rapha gear. There, I admit it, I'm a soft sell. So I put in to get some of their cross gear to review.

Image by LondonCycleSport on Flickr

I've been riding it pretty hard for the last couple of rounds of cyclocross and out training. Simply put I love it. OK I've not had the chance yet to put it through mud and rain properly but I'm fairly certain that the current clement meteorological conditions have nothing to do with the kit.

Cross Jersey

Of the two parts, this was the one I was less sure about. After all, you're meant to wear a skinsuit for cross, aren't you? And it looked a bit lightweight for winter use.

Then I went out training up on Wimbledon Common for a couple of hours and remembered that actually cyclocross gear needs to tread a fine line between keeping you both cool and warm enough to compete.

The material is a lightweight sportwool that I've not had the pleasure of before. It almost looks like a race jersey with that dimply wicking fabric that almost every other jersey on the market seems to be made of.

The accent is definitely on racing compared to say the club/country jerseys or the classic sportwool. Either that or I've developed fat arms and more of a buddha shape.

Can I complain about the colour? My fashionable girlfriend tells me that the matt forest green (Humbrol paint colours are much more fun for reference than boring old Pantone blocks) works for me, but part of me hankers for it to be the classic Rapha monochrome.

As ever, zip pocket=very good idea. The single pocket on the back holds as much as you'll ever need it to during a cross race and can comfortably take a rain jacket and a couple of madeleines for emergencies.

Now here's where I'm going to put to you it's best unwritten use: commuting. Yes, you did read that correctly: commuting.

Lots of us commute relatively short distances in a hurry. We get hot and bothered doing sprint intervals between lights and putting on a thick jersey results in considerably overheating.

Combined with a baselayer, this jersey makes a good compromise for all but the coldest couple of months of the year. the zip pocket offers plenty of space for work pass, house keys and mobile and you can tuck gloves and hat in the other one if needs be.

Image by LondonCycleSport on Flickr

Cross 3/4 Bib Shorts

Ah the trepidation of new shorts from a brand you've never worn before! Will the chamois pad be right for you or will it be about as comfy as a soiled nappy?

In this case, the pad fits like a dream. Great, now I'm locked into a world of expensive shorts *sigh*

It felt bulky in the hand and off the bike but the moment I sat on the saddle it felt absolutely right, and that's the only thing that matters.

Compared to my club shorts and my previous mid-price adventures in lycra, this represents a whole new level of on-bike comfort.

The fabric is a lovely thick lycra that really holds well without being overly clingy. My fat calves are always a challenge for knee warmers and while they felt tight, they didn't bite in. OK, post-race I end up with a distinct pinch line where the gripper is but I've not noticed any discomfort from them as yet.

It's probably been too warm and dry to really figure out how it copes with the heavy-duty wet and mud.

I can confirm at this stage that it's coped perfectly well with me bouncing off loose dirt and grass repeatedly without snagging or tearing. Equally it's washing well which is always an important factor when it comes to kit that is going to need a frequent amount of washing.

Now I'm no good with money, but I reckon that the bundle is a pretty good deal when you consider the hat retails at 35 quid.

The amazing Danny MacAskill amazes in Volkswagen ad

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:19:35 +0000

Ooooh to the eeM to the Gee!

Via Bikeradar

Also available on Vimeo

London League 2009/10, round 6 - Crashingly bad

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:12:06 +0000

My race lasted about as long as it took me to click up a gear and follow Rene's wheel towards the first turn. Then someone failed to negotiate the transition from tarmac to grass, speared into someone's back wheel and they ended up taking me out.

So far so bad. The poor lady who got hit first came off worse. Brand new Condor bike stayed largely undamaged apart from bar tape but her hand went through my front wheel and she cut her index finger badly.

My woes were simple: both wheels trashed to the point of not being rideable: eight or more spokes missing at the front and the back looks like a pringle.

I'm still angry about it because it was the most innocuous part of the course and there was no reason for the accident. That and the fact I currently can't afford to replace the 300 quid of Mavic Kysrium Equipe that are currently beyond useless.

Winter cycling essentials for commuting

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:19:26 +0000

With the cold arriving in London, it looks like autumn has lasted all of a couple of days. London Cyclist Blog has got their winter motivating in motion, so I thought it my civic duty to do likewise.

Mudguards

Wet feet, rainwater splash, grit and sundry other forms of road grim are the constant companions of cyclists between November and April. The single best solution to minimising their effect is a set of full-length mudguards.

They may not be sexy but they massively reduce the amount of damp spraying off the frame and onto the rider. There's plenty of anecdotal evidence that they are a highly effective theft deterrent as well.

Clip-on guards will stop the worst of it hitting your back but as much water hits a rider when deflected off the seat and down tubes. I sometimes think that I probably get as wet from water coming up as down.

Cost: 20 pounds or so, plus a bit of labour if you get your local bike shop to fit them. It's cheaper than a pair of overshoes and not much more than waterproof socks but probably just as effective as either overall.

Gloves

There's plenty of cycle specific ones out there but the best pair of winter gloves I've got are some leather ones from M&S with a fleece lining.

I think they're pretty similar to these leather gloves from M&S

Barring torrential rain or extreme cold, I think leather gloves represent the best value protection versus durability for everyday use and you can wear them other than for cycling.

Hat

Finding the right hat makes a world of difference. It needs to be the right balance between warm and comfortable. For me there's one hat that has been fitting the bill for the last two winters: Rapha's winter hat

Jacket

There is no "right" jacket. Some days you want to go slow and keep warm, others you'll want to scream through the streets with the cold making your eyes stream as you get a good sweat on. Pick your jacket depending on the day and your mood.

Col du Tourmalet celebrates its centenary

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:27:51 +0000

So on Sunday 18 July 2010 9,500 riders will head off from Pau in search of the summit of the Col du Tourmalet, the summit on which the centenary visit to the Pyrenees will focus.

I've gone two years without the Etape, next year I'm very eager to return to the challenge. It's tough looking at the profile, but I don't see how it can be any worse than 2007. Boy are those words going to haunt me.

New shoes: Bont A1 in blue

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:38:00 +0000

I've been lusting after them all year and finally I cracked. In reality it was less a case of cracking and more a case of not being able to turn down a bargain.

Originally I had wanted them in black or white, but why follow the crowd? Yes, the bargain I got in Prologue Bikes played a part but as my girlfriend points out, the blue works well with my club kit.

This means I now have two pairs of shoes: one white, one blue, something to cover every mood and look.

Next on the shopping list: Bont MTB-one shoes for the cyclocross season. It's either them or a pair of Mavic Furys on the wishlist. Then again, it might be worth just settling for something from Specialized as I know they fit, they're well-priced and do the job.

Also to sort out: My Cyclescheme purchase which is going to be a Ridley Crossbow.

London League 2009/10, round 3 - Brutally fun

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:34:24 +0000

So first cyclocross race of the season done and dusted. I'd forgotten just how much it hurts and how much fun it is. That's me on the right, somewhere between complete power failure mid-race and power-slide-gone-wrong fall on the penultimate lap.

It's all done in sharp contrast to road racing in terms of the sense of enjoyment and general good humour.

On Saturday, at Hillingdon, I rode a 4th category road race where a bunch of men all shouted at each other like a bunch of drunks trying to get served at the bar over every perceived infringement.

There was abundant pointless swearing and shouting rather than communication. Far too much "hold your line" from people who don't know what the drops are for - I say this in the context of being someone who doesn't generally do bunch sprints but can take back ten places in a corner by getting on the drops.

On Sunday, at the Gunpowder Park course, the leaders politely called "on your left" or "on your right" as they came bundling past me and almost every rider was looking out for each other and encouraging their fellow competitors.

My race started well, I moved up through traffic until I managed to unclip my left foot on the entrance to the horrid middle section and went backwards to my usual spot.

That middle section remained purgatory for the entire race: grassed-over reclaimed ground that was hard as concrete and as uneven as badly-laid cobbles.

Perhaps my tyre pressures were too high or I'm just rubbish. Either way I could not get going through there and on around lap 5 had a total meltdown, practically grinding to a halt in frustration.

The other sections were plenty of fun and the sort of thing that I really enjoy.

The infield grass and paths around the start/finish were sweeping and fast, allowing me to get up some pace and throw the bike about in the corners. Note to self: long grass makes good alternative to brakes for scrubbing off speed on entrance/exit of corners.

The back section consisted of several off-camber traverses and switchback corners that involved dismounts. I think Luke from Rapha managed to fall off at least three times to my one.

I'm out of practice when it comes to dismounts but my remounts aren't too bad which allowed me to past a few people who were struggling to get going again.

I did come a cropper on the penultimate lap when I ambitiously tried to powerslide one downhill corner and lost the back end. Knocked my bars out a bit and I seem to have done some minor damage to my left-hand shifter. Mostly dented dignity and bruised hip.

Unlike Rene who managed to break his seatpin bolt before the race and had to borrow one. He still beat me by at least a lap. I finished 2 laps down on the winner which isn't bad - usually I aim to finish within 3 laps of them, so that counts as good going.

The great thing about cross is that everyone mucks in, there's plenty of kids events and it doesn't hurt too much when you fall off. Had next weekend's not been cancelled, I'd be looking forward to it already. Instead I've got to try and keep in shape for two weeks for the next opportunity.

Does sexism in cycling still exist?

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:17:53 +0000

Last week, during the World Championships, Sky News ran the news package below, about the Call For Sexual Equality In Sport, based on the news that the UCI is to insist on parity between men's and women's events at London 2012.

Brendan Gallagher in The Telegraph has a good overview: Read London 2012: Victoria Pendleton to be given chance of triple Olympic cycling gold

Today Lizzie Armitstead signed for Cervelo Test Team for the next two seasons. She's currently the most promising British woman riding and joins Emma Pooley at a team with a good pedigree. As Stage Hopper points out on twitter:

"It was only 4 years or so back that Nicole Cooke was questioned for joining the same team (when they were called Univega ProCycling)"

"Thanks to her efforts they topped the world rankings in both the seasons she was there laying the foundation for the Cervelo we see today."

More's the pity that they couldn't keep Cooke, but it's not like they've gone wanting. A glance at the season's results has them and Columbia-HTC as placing riders in the front group of almost every race of note this season, be it for stages or overall.

I have to say I feel sorry for Nicole Cooke whose season as World and Olympic champion has been more cursed than most.

Setting up Vision 1 Racing was an ambitious project, more so given the lack of a headline sponsor from the outset. But you don't do a unique double like hers without pushing outside your comfort zone and being ambitious in your goals.

It clearly seems to have taken its toll on her racing form which hardly seems surprising now. It can't be easy trying to get a team off the ground with the weight of expectation entirely on your own shoulders?

Increasingly I've been questioning the levels of equality in the British side of the sport, especially given the establishment of Team Sky. Here's what the press release said about its aims:

Team Sky will aim to:

Create the first British winner of the Tour de France, within five years.

Inspire people of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes, through the team's positive profile, attitude and success.

Add further support to competitive cycling in Great Britain.

OK, aim number one is the shoot for the stars headline, but the other two are the meat of what this about, right?

I don't see any support for women's cycle sport in anything announced to date.

Could an Olympic and World Champion not be an inspiration to the roughly 50% of the population who are female? Or the hugely personable Pooley and Armitstead?

Or the countless other young talents who are apparently having to make their own way along the road while their male counterparts can see a clear transition from U23/Espoirs to the seniors, potentially on a British team? where's that path for the women?

I'm not trying to start a fight here, I just think that this is a really important part of the strategy that is missing. And I've yet to hear it properly addressed.

Let's dispatch a few of the obvious get-outs:

No one else is doing it - you mean apart from Columbia-HTC and Cervelo Test Team. British Cycling managed to come up with a deal to run Halfords Bikehut to ensure Nicole Cooke's double in 2008.

There's not the depth of talent there - Italy's women looked pretty deep on talent, likewise The Netherlands and GB isn't short either with Cooke/Pooley/Armitstead. And if you're going to develop the talent, as GB have done, where are they meant to go?

There's seems to be an increasingly long list of British women coming through with serious talent and no English-speaking team to go into. Rosters aren't big, 13 seems about average, and the pool is getting big enough to support another team.

They race a busy calendar but at half the size of the men's team, the costs are lower. Plus economies of scale mean that run in the same setup they can use many of the same resources.

So anyone got any answers, or am I going to have to go out and get them myself?

Tunes to ride to: Autumn classics

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:20:46 +0000

There's definitely a chill in the air and the leaves have started to turn. I've put the road bike away and the 'cross bike is in the hallway.

It's a bit dusty as the damp hasn't set in yet - I took it out for a bit of deer dodging in Richmond Park last week.

So here's a few tracks which make autumn riding a pleasure

Fashionable gear: adidas by Stella McCartney does cycling

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:16:01 +0000

Featured in her latest collection of adidas by Stella McCartney, due to hit stores in spring/summer 2010, is cycling gear.

Notes to other cycling clothing retailers

This is how you make cycling attractive to women. Well-cut, attractive clothing that isn't just "shrink'n'pink".
If you are selling clothing, strong, considered photography works. It's clothing, not a physics experiment.
adidas are coming back to the market and are serious about it.

The mitts and cap both show signs that Stella has understood the sport and the style of clothing. It's definitely Spring/Summer gear and the monochrome palette never fails.

The jersey and shorts similarly show touches that are "heritage". The mid-thigh length of the shorts harks back to the era before "mo' fabric, mo' sponsors" became the norm. And the jersey, with its understated zebra print takes the Acqua e Sapone/Domina Vacanza kit of Mario Cipollini and brings it to a level which everyday cyclists can get away with.

Now that is what I call fashion forward.

There's also triathlon gear which is, according to Grazia is "the next big thing among sporty types". Here's the quote from Stella:

"This collection continues to be a great success, and I'm very excited to introduce Triathlon and Cycling as new categories. I'm always trying to push myself and this new collection has everything you need in sports today: it is sleek, stylish and super sporty! Technically, both new sports are exciting, they are very personal yet still competitive, and they combine both a city and country experience which is very important to me."

A great weekend for cycling in London

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:09:23 +0000

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year for cycling in London and this weekend promises to be a particularly fine one.

First, there's the finale of the Tour of Britain on Saturday.

It's running along the same Embankment course as last year but sensibly finishes on Whitehall instead of the riverside, making for a much better spectacle and better viewing for the fans.

Then on Sunday it's the snappily titled Mayor of London's Skyride which follows a similar route along the Embankment from St James and includes a loop into the city via St Paul's.

It's the only chance you'll get to enjoy the sights and company of friends and family on closed roads this year. The very antithesis of a race, despite the best efforts of some, it's a proper cycling event.

With Sky's money most definitely on the table, there's also bound to be plenty of the GB Olympic team in attendance, and I'd hazard that some of Team Sky's new signings will hang around after the Tour of Britain to meet the public.

Incidentally, we haven't heard what bikes they'll be riding next year, or seen anything about the kit design. The rumours seem to be that:

The kit will be adidas branded, if not necessarily manufactured by them. That would tally with them looking for a way back into the market, although no indication if it'll be Mavic making their stuff again.
Pinarello will supply the bikes. Would fit with the Sky need to have an Italian angle for their market there. Although I'm not clear why they'd want to fork out for another team when they're essentially a high end specialist.
Alternatively Giant seem to be in the frame, which would fit better given the breadth of the bikes in their range.

And where will I be this weekend? Newcastle Upon Tyne. Don't ask.

The hubris of dopers: can it be stopped?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:08:38 +0000

The most compelling reason riders dope is that they don't think they'll get caught. It's nothing to do with the winning, it's all about the perceived risk of sanction.

Joe Lindsey expounded on this in the Boulder Report: Read "Can Black Swans Stop Doping?"

Of course he was talking about Danilo Di Luca getting busted. It's notable that the noises he's been making in his defence are all about calling into question the testing.

Compared to Mikel Astarloza's defence, that's seems pretty coherent. Astarloza is saying that he came up positive for EPO because he had been training in an hyperbaric tent. You can read more on cyclingnews.com

Let's put aside that hyperbaric tents are pretty borderline and are banned in some countries as doping. I'm stuck at how an hyperbaric tent can produce exogenous EPO.

Meanwhile teams that sign dopers, have dopers on their books. Ceramica Flaminia are supposed to have signed Riccardo Ricco for his return. Anyone surprised then that one of their riders got his collar felt?

Read "Biondo suspended after positive EPO test, UCI says" - Velonews

And while we're over on Velonews, it's always nice to see that the glories of doping in national colours hasn't disappeared in the years since the Soviet Bloc dissolved and the Italians applied "can't beat them, join them" logic. Actually, the record suggests that the Italians didn't need any outside encouragement to get pricky with the needles.

Read "Ukrainians arrested at Tour de l'Avenir" - Velonews

Yes, you read that right. These guys aren't even old enough to vote in some cases but they are having to deal with the pressure to dope. It's easy to see why cycling fans anonymous quit.