Clubs are where bike riders are born and matured. Clubs organise races. Clubs keep our sport flowing, happy, provide a voice and are the social blood of our wonderful sport. Some amazing Volunteers are always there for clubs. For years and years, tirelessly giving everything to their...
I have a problem with poetry. More than a niggle, more than an itch, less than an allergy. I don’t hate poetry, I feel obligated in a search for wisdom, to read the writings of these seditious people. The readings developed from the desire to...
I am officially allergic to bullsh1t marketing claims, aimed at the wealthy novice and insecure cyclists. The X Time Machine text has my head in a swirl. Same b8llox from X this morning as well. Both claiming to be the 'benchmark for time-trial bikes' ...
In June 1941, Hitler stood in front of his dark Generals and ordered the opening of a second front and attacked the Soviet Union. At first, the German forces made rapid progress and his orders seemed a good idea. But the cold winters ahead and...
Two hairpins on I try to change up a gear but the lever movement is met with a dead stop and no click, I look down and the chain rides forlornly next to the spokes. My knees shake at the top of each rev like...
Espoir Education Program Imagine you have aerobic talent and a nice collection of junior trophies sitting proud on the shelf beside the TV. You are committed, and not overly fussed on...
Last winter, we began the hunt for a base layer that performed in the cold; after our own polyester offering, we decided, was rubbish. That, and two other man-made layers I owned, left me feeling cold and clammy even after stopping at traffic lights. I...
A whispered code of behaviour helps our community pedal in rotund, harmony together. Not just an arbitrary set of rigid rules concerning the proper dress for racing, but bike protocol, to put order to all cycling-good-manners. Customs introduced, to combat the reality that some cyclists...
For sure I can remember the race like it was yesterdays. We had left Armentières with a good steak and BigPlate was feeling much strength. He said over breakfast how his father had taken many German shrapnel in the fields near here during ze war. So today...
The public hold us cyclists, on a pedestal. They gasp wide-eyed at tales of the hilly hundred miler or the chain gang tapping of 120kms on Sunday morning in a pleasant three and a half hours. “You went how far!” thinks the general public with...