Monthly Archives for June 2011
Condor Acciaio – Gran Corsa Special Edition
What a triumph, probably the loveliest paintjob on a bike iv seen in donkeys. Condor produced a super small limited run of these special steel Acciaio’s for the Gran Corsa challenge. They currently have a couple on display in their shop for us mere mortals to admire. I particularly love the brazed Italian dot on the top tube and the incorporation of their ‘wave’ fork, not to mention them trying something different with an etched headtube design. Bravo ladies & gents of Grays Inn Road, you have pushed the boat out yet again and produced a stunning frame….. Without a doubt my bike of the year.
Cappy
In more ‘cycling paraphernalia recycled’ – check out this beauty from Bluelug….
Saddle Pack
Paul from the excellent ‘Still Searching‘ blog has come up with an ingenious use for those Rapha gear envelopes that orders come in… now that’s a nice way to recycle 😉
Tour Series – Canary Wharf
On Thursday I had the pleasure of heading down to see the finale of the Halfords Tour Series held at the prestigious Canary Wharf area in London. Rapha Condor Sharp took home the coveted title of Best Team Overall, managing to edge away and finish up 5 point in front of second placed Endura Racing. It was an action packed tight 1km course, around the central area of London’s famous financial district, with rain further complication the nights racing by adding that element of danger into the mix. Last years champions Team Motorpoint had the honour of the race winning move, with their strong-legged talent Johnny McEvoy surging ahead in the final moments to power on across the line of second placed finisher Dean Downing, who had worked relentlessly in a break also driven by the absolute monster of power, former roubaix winner Maggy Bagstedt. He literally dieseled away on the front in a scary fashion, and judging by the poor blokes reaction when he crossed the line in fourth place, it was plain for all to see he had literally turned himself inside out for the duration of the race. Such an impressively aggressive performance was truly wicked and exciting to see, and did nothing but endear me even more to the gentle giant of PR. Well done Magnus!
Tour spokesperson Peter Hodges gave us a walk around the sight and a little insight into the background workings of their event. This was really interesting, for example I learnt that Canary Wharf area is actually privately owned and managed, so learned from Peter how this impacted upon the organisation and permits for the race. Peter and the Tour Series team are also the same guys who put on the annual British extravaganza that is the Tour of Britain.
I was allowed to wander into the team area and chat with some riders and take some snaps courtesy of the media pass (many thanks Ryan) so I went and wished good luck to Deano, I knew the guys had had a frustrating latter build up to today with some serious crashed marring their assault on the team points to take the title. It would be very close and I believe they were a mere 5 points in front of close runners Endura prior to the Wharf leg. Deano horsed around with Magnus and posed for some comedy pics, its pretty amazing when the riders are so approachable and good with their fans… I saw numerous riders happily taking the time to pose for photos and just generally chew the fat with racegoers, which gave a nice chilled vibe to the evening.
I had another little poke back in the race HQ whilst waiting for things to kick off, and even had a wee hold of the trophy. I can report that a) its the nearest il ever get to a cycling award and b) it weighs as much as a large dog! I think its made out of cast iron the things is that heavy.
The racing began and was pretty gung-ho from the oputset. A nice break with McEvoy, Maggy and Deano soon managed to build up a pretty decent gap, and as time went on this was held. What impressed me was a Le Col rider who had some trouble (maybe a mechanical) and was spat out the back, only to keep hammering to eventually join on. It was impressive the intensity he maintained to jump on and regroup. There were a couple of riders with mechanicals who took a lap out then bolted straight back into the pack. The speed really was ferocious, and I was unable to get a sharp picture even flashed in sports mode…
Smithfield Nocturne 2011
So I guess by now everyone knows about Alex Dowsett lapp[ing the field in epic full on attack-from-the-gun mode yeah? Well due to being buisy this week I guess I kind of missed the boat on that one 🙂 Once again Smithfields was swarmed by all manner of London based racefans – be they there for the folding bike race, the penny farthing sprint or the host of crits running that day. The place buzzed with excitement and people of all ages hammed it up on the street during a great sunny afternoon, perfect to watch the wheeled go by. Anyway, enjoy some pictures from this years annual instalment of all things twiglight racing (and please ignore the fact I escorted my drunken homeboy home before any actual nightime racing took place!)
Over The Rainbow
RockShox @ Roubaix
Rapha Etape Evening
For those readers who are investing their blood, sweat and tears and taking part in this years installment of the Etape, Rapha are once again running their annual presentation to help prepare riders for a brutal but beautiful cycling experience.
On the 22nd June, Rapha will make available 80 places for each seminar, 2 are available for the two differing routes. After a full reconnaissance of Alpe d’Huez and the Massif Centrale, detailed advice on appropriate tactics, gearing and fuelling for the race will be given by both Rapha staff and also staff from Cyclefit.
Held at the stylish Charlotte Street hotel, the two sessions will be available together for a bargain price of £20, or each route briefing can be purchased separately for a meager £15. Drinks will be served during the interval and I should imagine it would be a great session to meet other folk to form some useful alliances. Here’s the deets >
- The venue is the Charlotte Street Hotel, 15 – 17 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 1RJ [ map ]
- Pre-presentation drinks and canapes will be served at 6.30pm.
- The presentation for Etape I begins at 7.00pm.
- The presentation for Etape II begins at 8.30pm and finishes at 9.30pm.
- There will be an interval with drinks at 8pm.
- Price per session is £15 or £20 for both.