I just read a race report blog with 11, eleven, individual, full-stopped reasons, why a performance wasn’t at the optimum. (11, not inclusive of the opening adjectives describing the wind as “strong” and the course as “rolley” as these can be considered pre-existing conditions) We are reading...
It was the best of days, it was the worst of days. Sitting with most of my gear on, waiting for the second pot of coffee to empty and the rain to stop. Three times I made it to the front door, worn cleats snapping...
They came at me along the road like bridesmaids at a farmer’s wedding. Equally spaced to the horizon by winter madness. The club run exploded, their kit admitted that they were still 30km from home. I drove on in the opposite direction, the gaps became less...
I was born under a tree. A yearning, handsome chestnut, whose drip, drip, was my father, and lack of investment in rural infrastructure, was my mother. A loose stone created my tiny face in poorly repaired tar, in 2011. After the hard winter of 2012,...
As we bounced out of the bar, I nearly held the door long enough for the waiter who couldn't see me earlier. Off home and happy after a typical cyclists night out: 3 pints, until drowning in aspiration talk of the coming season or long stories...
I have two rules for bike racing. 1.White socks 2 Don’t pack. Both of which I have broken, and each time, a little bit of my soul dies. I have quit races. Sat on roadsides busted by laps or poor preparation and it is pointless. Watching the clouds and...
My dissertation is as follows: 1, A cyclist must hold a club license for 2 years before they graduate to open races; gaining knowledge and experience of bunch racing. 2, A4 races must finish on a hill. Next....
Preface: If my bike has 57 centre to centre top tube with 73/72.5 angles, I use a 120mm stem. As the current head tube was taller, I swapped for a Deda 120- 'cause they are actually 126mm and I'm dialed back in. I feel comfortable...
If blessed to live on a mountain or burdened to live beside a wife beater with a boy band of Alsatians- the bike is Escape route 1. I addressed a bit of cycling gear yesterday to be sent out to a guy living in a major...
20km to go and I reach around and slap the right hand, rear pocket and feel only me. Not too many left in the bunch. I'm swinging last man and hanging. Reach around with the left hand, hoping. 30 years of racing and I never...