I bet that headline got your attention! I can't claim it though. It appeared over a story in the Daily Mail on 24th February claiming that commuting by bike is one of the main triggers of heart attacks.
Of course it's utter nonsense.
While it's based on a possible interpretation of a report summarizing a group of medical studies, the headline is typical of the modern phenomenon where papers misrepresent scientific results to grab attention. While this might appear to be a relatively trivial complaint, it isn't. This kind of deceit can do untold damage.
In this case the clue to the lie is in the words used in the headline versus those used in the story. The headline shouts out that cycling is the "CAUSE" of heart attacks. But if you read on you'll discover that the actual study concerned the "triggers"of heart attacks. In other words cycling in heavy traffic and polluted air, in a small number of cases, was found to be the possible final trigger that brought on a heart attack in some people who were on the verge of one anyway. It wasn't the cause.
But, having seen the headlines being generated around the world trumpeting the dangers of cycling, one of the reports authors, Prof Tim Nawrot was driven to say: "You can't conclude that from our analysis. The title was wrongly worded. I don't agree that cycling is not good for you. Physical activity is a very good way to prevent chronic diseases."
In fact the report concluded that exposure to traffic, including in a car, exposure to air pollution and physical exertion can trigger heart attacks. Put them together and what is the only possible conclusion? That's right, BIKING KILLS!!!!
Prof Nawrot went on to say that "Air pollution and traffic fumes can make existing heart conditions worse. But if your heart is healthy, there's far more to be gained from cycling or from any other form of outdoor aerobic exercise than sitting at home with the windows closed."
Far from causing heart attacks cycling is one of the best ways of preventing one.
As Ben Goldacre has repeatedly pointed out in his Bad Science column and blog (http://www.badscience.net/), the tabloids, and the Daily Mail in particular, have never been ones to let the truth get in the way of a good science scare. The problem is that these stories do affect behaviour. Remember MMR!
Will the Daily Mail sponsor a study into how many people have heart attacks because they're scared to cycle to work in case they have a heart attack!
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Thursday, 21 April 2011
1906 British Empire Championships
Recently my non-cycling father-in-law arrived at my house with a small green book in his hand . It was given to him by his 80-something neighbour who had found it among her late husbands things and thought I might be interested in it.
She was right!
The green booklet turned out to be the programme for the 1906 British Empire Cycling Championships, held at the Ulster Grounds in Belfast. Immaculately preserved, the programme details a day of events held on Saturday June 30th 1906. Some of the events were Championships, run off for the British Empire Gold Medal, other events were fillers, and were run off, in true amateur style, for all kinds of prizes including watches and tea sets. My favourite is the schoolboys handicap where the prizes include a cricket set and a pen knife!
There are photos of the luminaries of the Irish cycling scene of the time, complete with an impressive array of moustaches. It's a fascinating piece of Irish, and British, cycling history.
If anyone reading this can shed any more light on the events listed, or the people, please do get in touch, or leave a comment below.
She was right!
The green booklet turned out to be the programme for the 1906 British Empire Cycling Championships, held at the Ulster Grounds in Belfast. Immaculately preserved, the programme details a day of events held on Saturday June 30th 1906. Some of the events were Championships, run off for the British Empire Gold Medal, other events were fillers, and were run off, in true amateur style, for all kinds of prizes including watches and tea sets. My favourite is the schoolboys handicap where the prizes include a cricket set and a pen knife!
There are photos of the luminaries of the Irish cycling scene of the time, complete with an impressive array of moustaches. It's a fascinating piece of Irish, and British, cycling history.
If anyone reading this can shed any more light on the events listed, or the people, please do get in touch, or leave a comment below.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Monday, 11 April 2011
Kare Tour De Foothills 2011
The first sportive I did after getting back on the bike was the Kare Tour De Foothills.
Starting and finishing in Naas, the TDF has three routes (100km, 50km and a 20km family spin). The 100km and 50km routes take in the Blessington lakes, with the longer route venturing south to the Glen of Imall this year. As it happens the last two years have seen spectacular Spring sunshine making it a very pleasant day out indeed.
With excellent marshalling, great changing facilities, food stops and lots of smiles, the Kare TDF is a fun event raising money for a very good cause.
I can't make it for three in a row this year but would urge you to get to Naas next Sunday morning (17th April) and give it a go.
Register at http://www.karetourdefoothills.com/
My review of last years event is here.
Starting and finishing in Naas, the TDF has three routes (100km, 50km and a 20km family spin). The 100km and 50km routes take in the Blessington lakes, with the longer route venturing south to the Glen of Imall this year. As it happens the last two years have seen spectacular Spring sunshine making it a very pleasant day out indeed.
With excellent marshalling, great changing facilities, food stops and lots of smiles, the Kare TDF is a fun event raising money for a very good cause.
I can't make it for three in a row this year but would urge you to get to Naas next Sunday morning (17th April) and give it a go.
Register at http://www.karetourdefoothills.com/
My review of last years event is here.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Riding in the wheeltracks of giants
The 14th Sunday of the year is one of the key dates in the cycling calendar. It's the day of, arguably, the toughest one day race in the pro schedule. It's Ronde Van Vlaanderen day.
De Ronde, or Tour of Flanders, is 260 odd kilometers of cobbles, steep climbs, twisting country lanes and pain! The list of winners of the 95 editions reads like a register of hard men. Very few names are on there by fluke. Merckx (of course), Van Looy, Van Steenbergen, Museeuw, Boonen, Cancellara, Devolder, Van Petegem, Raas and Godefroot are just some of the riders who've conquered the "bergs" and "pavé". Even Kelly could only finish second!
Of course, cycling has an advantage over other sports in that it takes place on the open roads so even a legendary "parcours" like Flanders is open to anyone to have a go, at least when the pros aren't using it. So on the day before De Ronde, the organisers put on the biggest cyclo-sportive in Europe and 20,000 odd riders get out into the Flandrian countryside to try to emulate their heroes. It's a bit like opening up Old Trafford or the Bernabeu for a kick about!
This year I was one of them.
The plan was hatched over the winter on the roads of County Dublin. Myself and Stephen decided to make a weekend of it. Fly on Friday, ride on Saturday and then watch the race on Sunday. A perfect cyclists weekend. Even Dad decided to come along for the trip as helper, although really he just wanted a chance to see the Koppenberg up close.
Over the winter,on and off the bike, Flanders became our obsession. Finding steep hills to climb, hoping they were steep enough, and getting our distances up, dominated every weekend ride. Although the opportunity was there to do the full pro route we were realistic enough to opt for the 150km version. That way the distance would be within our grasp, given our limited training time, but we'd still have all of the tough bits to do. As well as on-the-bike training, the email traffic was flying back and forth arranging flights, digs, a car, tyre choice, bike bags and all the other details we needed to cover. There were quite a few YouTube and photo links too. Maybe if we looked at enough pictures of the Muur it mightn't be as hard on the day!
The week leading up to the trip was hectic. Naturally, just when you need your bike in one piece, things start to go wrong. So thanks a million to the boys at The Bike Hub in Howth for pulling out all the stops to source and fit a bottom bracket and headset just on time for me to get the bike shod in it's new pavé-ready tyres and packed away on Thursday night ready for flying on Friday.
Despite nearly missing the flight, we made it to Ninove on Friday evening to pick up our registration packs. Even the day before it was clear this was going to be no small event. The start village was all built up and the town square was full of camper vans all parked up ready for the off from 7am next morning.
We'd planned an early start but our elderly landlady was horrified at the thought of a 6am breakfast so we compromised and settled on 6:30. By 7:15 we were on the road, taking local advice and avoiding the main road to Ninove. As we entered Ninove from a different direction we met the early riders already on the road. Instead of a peloton there was just a constant stream of riders coming from the town, taking the bike lane out towards the country. And when I say constant, I mean constant.
We parked up about a kilometer out, got our bikes ready, changed our clothes, prepared our ride food and even had time to take a few photos, and still the stream of riders continued past. A quick spin to the start village to make sure our timing chips crossed the start line and we joined the stream, off into the morning sun, nerves tingling with excitement at the challenges to come.
The first few km were pretty uneventful over gently rolling country lanes, through still sleeping Flemish hamlets, but it wasn't long before we rounded a corner and hit the first section of cobbles in or around Zottegem.
Wow, what a wake-up call! There we were, ambling along in the morning sun and now, all of a sudden, we're hanging on as our bikes try to shake loose beneath us. I'd, of course, read all of the advice on how to ride the stones, but nothing prepares you for that moment. The extra effort required to just keep moving, the concentration to make sure you apply the right technique, the fear that you, or someone around you, will make a mistake and the sheer rush of it all just wash over you. And then the road was smooth again. You could feel the adrenaline coursing through the group as we all tried to settle back into a normal rhythm back on the concrete and asphalt.
Shortly after we were on the first of the 13 categorized "bergs", or hills, for which De Ronde is famous. On our 150km route that was the non-cobbled Rekeleberg. To be honest, on fresh legs it was pretty easy really. A handful of short ramps up through a village and out across a ploughed field and that was it. I happened to find myself alongside a Swords CC rider, Dermot Moyne, I recognised from my racing days so I ended up not even really noticing the climb as we chatted about mutual friends.
The Rekeleberg was quickly followed by the equally smooth Kaperij, certainly steeper but again not too hard and over before you knew it. At the top a motorbike came up from behind to pass us. Seeing the TV cameraman hanging off the back of it really brought home that this was no ordinary Saturday ride.
Down a sweeping main road and we arrived in Ronse, scene of the World Championships in 1988, and the first food stop. What a site. It looked like an army of ants swarming in and out, carrying away bananas and waffles and energy bars. For us it was a chance to shed some layers to Dad, waiting patiently for us, to ensure we weren't oveerheated on the toughest section to come.
Through Ronse and we hit the next climb, the Kruisberg. No sooner had I assured Stephen that there were no cobbles on this one than it made a liar of me. Around a left hand bend the surface changed and we were on our first ever cobbled berg. If the first set of flat cobbles was a wake up call then this one was a big slap! Climbing any hill is tough but when the surface is determined to drain any momentum you might have it's tougher still. All you can do is grip the bars and keep grinding the pedals.
Coming out onto the spectator lined main road at the top was a big thrill. Now I was in Flanders! But any exhilaration was short-lived because we knew the next hills on the list were the famous, and feared, Paterberg and Koppenberg. Both of them hit over 20% in places and both are cobbled. The Paterberg is the (relatively) smoother of the two but what it lacks in roughness it makes up for in steepness. The Koppenberg is just rough, in every sense of the word.
The approach to the Paterberg is down a narrow, sweeping descent to a sharp right hander and then you gasp. I'd seen plenty of photos and videos of this climb but the sheer wall of people rising up before me really did take my breath away. The Flanders sportive is famous for crowds on the climbs but this was something else. And then there's the gradient!
I got a decent way up before the severity of the slope and the crowd just made it impossible to move forward. It was time to join the many, many walkers. But not normal walking. Cycling shoes on steep cobbles have about the same degree of grip as slippers on an ice rink. Think climbing up a childrens slide in your stocking feet pushing a bike with one hand and trying to hold on to a barrier with the other and you're getting close to what it felt like. As the gradient eased a bit the bottleneck decreased and I was able to get back on and ride the last part of the climb. Even better Stephen was at the top with his camera so as far as the photos go, I rode the Paterberg!
The Koppenberg was even worse. This time the traffic jam started before we even reached the climb. There was a 50m queue of riders in the tiny village of Melden, patiently waiting the chance to get around the corner and onto the most famous of them all.
Once again I got a respectable distance up before the lane narrowed and the number of walkers in front made my slow progress impossible. Some of the fitter riders had the lungs to shout and bully their way through, and the legs to handle the changes in speed required for that, but I didn't. Once I slowed there was no going on at that part of the hill. But, after slipping my way up a bit in the mud on the edge of the cobbles, the crowd soon thinned and I was back on, cresting the Koppenberg on two wheels as nature intended.
The curved descent back to the main road was one of the highlights of the day for me. The sight of one long line of riders snaking down the side of a hedge-less Flandrian hill in the spring sunshine was one of those images you just wish you had a camera ready to capture.
Next up was the Steenbeekdries, a long, wide, gentle-ish cobbled slope but not too difficult, followed by the first real cobbled descent of the day. If you think riding the pavé on the flat is bone-shaking, wait until you try descending on them! Not to mention the hairpin bend over a level crossing at the bottom.
A couple of km further on was the Taaienberg, steep and cobbled but ridden in the gutter, just like the pros, then the Eikenberg, not so steep but the longest cobbled climb of them all. I'm sure I'm not the only one who plays races in my mind when training alone but one of the joys of riding such a famous course is that at points along the way reminders from real races past are everywhere. As I climbed the Eikenberg the race in my head was De Ronde of two or three years ago when David Millar and Stijn Devolder stormed up the very same road.
Over the top of the Eikenberg there was a sign saying it'd be another 14km to the next climb, the Molenberg. What it didn't mention was that the best part of a third of that was cobbled. By the time we reached the bottom of the climb we'd been well and truly shaken.
Just like the Paterberg and the Koppenberg, the Molenberg is short, steep and rough. It starts through a very pretty hamlet then turns steeply up to the right before a straight, but very badly broken up, ramp. As we got to the corner a rider in front lost it and went down. Stephen managed to get around on the left but I had no way through on the right. Another walk to the top! Coming up to the summit the road was completely blocked by riders entering a marquee for what we all thought was an official water stop. In fact it was a private affair, cashing in on the hot day by selling very small bottles of water for €2 apiece!
Onwards we rode, over many more cobbles and up the Leberg and Tenbosse, into a very welcome food and drink stop. I've never enjoyed a handful of orange segments so much in my life. And I was going to need them. We were now on the road to Geraardsbergen and the biggest climb of them all. The iconic Muur De Grammont has been a decisive point of the race on many occassions. We'd been talking about this one for months, looking at YouTube videos trying to anticipate what it would feel like after more than 70 miles of riding. We found out soon enough.
As you approach the sharp left hander at the bottom of the climb you can see the walls of the houses opposite sloping up. Even before the bend it was clear this is steeper than it looks on the telly. Turning the corner confirmed that fear. Instead of the expected gentle slope through the town we were looking straight up a steep narrow street. All you could do was shift down and keep the legs going. As we rode on up, past cheering onlookers, the concrete turned to cobbles and the crowd thickened. On a bit further and we were in the park leading up to the famous chapel at the top. This is where I realised why this hill influences the race so much. It's ferocious. I had to do the steepest ramp on foot and I can't even claim to have been blocked. Quite simply the Muur defeated my tired legs.
Once it'd levelled out a little a very nice man gave me a push start and I was riding again. I may have had to walk a bit but I did get to experience the thrill of rounding the last left hander and seeing the domed chapel coming into view.
Now there was just one more climb to go. The cobbled Bosberg always looks relatively flat on TV but with so many miles in your legs it definitely isn't. I was determined to ride this one and thankfully managed it so was able to crest the top with a smile on my face. Barring a disaster we were sure to finish now.
A tailwind all the way to the finish was the icing on the cake. We flew the last 10 miles in the company of a group of very nice people from Clitheroe Bike Club in Lancashire but made a point of riding the familiar finishing straight, all set up for the pros next day, side by side. We'd done a lot of miles to prepare for this moment and it was great to cross that line together. It'd be churlish to say which front wheel crossed first!
De Ronde is one of the sports five Monuments. I've watched it countless times on TV and had schoolboy dreams of riding away from the rest on the Muur. So it really was nothing short of a lifelong ambition to ride it's roads. It was every bit as hard as I expected, and more. The hills were steeper and the cobbles rougher than I thought and I suffered a bit in the unseasonal heat, but I really can rank it as one of my favourite days on a bike. If there's one lesson I have learned it's not to base my expectations on watching the pros on TV. They really do make it look easy.
Next year I'll know better.
De Ronde, or Tour of Flanders, is 260 odd kilometers of cobbles, steep climbs, twisting country lanes and pain! The list of winners of the 95 editions reads like a register of hard men. Very few names are on there by fluke. Merckx (of course), Van Looy, Van Steenbergen, Museeuw, Boonen, Cancellara, Devolder, Van Petegem, Raas and Godefroot are just some of the riders who've conquered the "bergs" and "pavé". Even Kelly could only finish second!
Of course, cycling has an advantage over other sports in that it takes place on the open roads so even a legendary "parcours" like Flanders is open to anyone to have a go, at least when the pros aren't using it. So on the day before De Ronde, the organisers put on the biggest cyclo-sportive in Europe and 20,000 odd riders get out into the Flandrian countryside to try to emulate their heroes. It's a bit like opening up Old Trafford or the Bernabeu for a kick about!
This year I was one of them.
The plan was hatched over the winter on the roads of County Dublin. Myself and Stephen decided to make a weekend of it. Fly on Friday, ride on Saturday and then watch the race on Sunday. A perfect cyclists weekend. Even Dad decided to come along for the trip as helper, although really he just wanted a chance to see the Koppenberg up close.
Over the winter,on and off the bike, Flanders became our obsession. Finding steep hills to climb, hoping they were steep enough, and getting our distances up, dominated every weekend ride. Although the opportunity was there to do the full pro route we were realistic enough to opt for the 150km version. That way the distance would be within our grasp, given our limited training time, but we'd still have all of the tough bits to do. As well as on-the-bike training, the email traffic was flying back and forth arranging flights, digs, a car, tyre choice, bike bags and all the other details we needed to cover. There were quite a few YouTube and photo links too. Maybe if we looked at enough pictures of the Muur it mightn't be as hard on the day!
The week leading up to the trip was hectic. Naturally, just when you need your bike in one piece, things start to go wrong. So thanks a million to the boys at The Bike Hub in Howth for pulling out all the stops to source and fit a bottom bracket and headset just on time for me to get the bike shod in it's new pavé-ready tyres and packed away on Thursday night ready for flying on Friday.
Despite nearly missing the flight, we made it to Ninove on Friday evening to pick up our registration packs. Even the day before it was clear this was going to be no small event. The start village was all built up and the town square was full of camper vans all parked up ready for the off from 7am next morning.
We'd planned an early start but our elderly landlady was horrified at the thought of a 6am breakfast so we compromised and settled on 6:30. By 7:15 we were on the road, taking local advice and avoiding the main road to Ninove. As we entered Ninove from a different direction we met the early riders already on the road. Instead of a peloton there was just a constant stream of riders coming from the town, taking the bike lane out towards the country. And when I say constant, I mean constant.
 |
| Stephen surveys the river of bikes coming from Ninove. |
We parked up about a kilometer out, got our bikes ready, changed our clothes, prepared our ride food and even had time to take a few photos, and still the stream of riders continued past. A quick spin to the start village to make sure our timing chips crossed the start line and we joined the stream, off into the morning sun, nerves tingling with excitement at the challenges to come.
The first few km were pretty uneventful over gently rolling country lanes, through still sleeping Flemish hamlets, but it wasn't long before we rounded a corner and hit the first section of cobbles in or around Zottegem.
Wow, what a wake-up call! There we were, ambling along in the morning sun and now, all of a sudden, we're hanging on as our bikes try to shake loose beneath us. I'd, of course, read all of the advice on how to ride the stones, but nothing prepares you for that moment. The extra effort required to just keep moving, the concentration to make sure you apply the right technique, the fear that you, or someone around you, will make a mistake and the sheer rush of it all just wash over you. And then the road was smooth again. You could feel the adrenaline coursing through the group as we all tried to settle back into a normal rhythm back on the concrete and asphalt.
Shortly after we were on the first of the 13 categorized "bergs", or hills, for which De Ronde is famous. On our 150km route that was the non-cobbled Rekeleberg. To be honest, on fresh legs it was pretty easy really. A handful of short ramps up through a village and out across a ploughed field and that was it. I happened to find myself alongside a Swords CC rider, Dermot Moyne, I recognised from my racing days so I ended up not even really noticing the climb as we chatted about mutual friends.
The Rekeleberg was quickly followed by the equally smooth Kaperij, certainly steeper but again not too hard and over before you knew it. At the top a motorbike came up from behind to pass us. Seeing the TV cameraman hanging off the back of it really brought home that this was no ordinary Saturday ride.
Down a sweeping main road and we arrived in Ronse, scene of the World Championships in 1988, and the first food stop. What a site. It looked like an army of ants swarming in and out, carrying away bananas and waffles and energy bars. For us it was a chance to shed some layers to Dad, waiting patiently for us, to ensure we weren't oveerheated on the toughest section to come.
 |
| Anyone got a waffle? |
 |
| Orwell Wheelers on tour |
Through Ronse and we hit the next climb, the Kruisberg. No sooner had I assured Stephen that there were no cobbles on this one than it made a liar of me. Around a left hand bend the surface changed and we were on our first ever cobbled berg. If the first set of flat cobbles was a wake up call then this one was a big slap! Climbing any hill is tough but when the surface is determined to drain any momentum you might have it's tougher still. All you can do is grip the bars and keep grinding the pedals.
Coming out onto the spectator lined main road at the top was a big thrill. Now I was in Flanders! But any exhilaration was short-lived because we knew the next hills on the list were the famous, and feared, Paterberg and Koppenberg. Both of them hit over 20% in places and both are cobbled. The Paterberg is the (relatively) smoother of the two but what it lacks in roughness it makes up for in steepness. The Koppenberg is just rough, in every sense of the word.
The approach to the Paterberg is down a narrow, sweeping descent to a sharp right hander and then you gasp. I'd seen plenty of photos and videos of this climb but the sheer wall of people rising up before me really did take my breath away. The Flanders sportive is famous for crowds on the climbs but this was something else. And then there's the gradient!
 |
| The Paterberg |
I got a decent way up before the severity of the slope and the crowd just made it impossible to move forward. It was time to join the many, many walkers. But not normal walking. Cycling shoes on steep cobbles have about the same degree of grip as slippers on an ice rink. Think climbing up a childrens slide in your stocking feet pushing a bike with one hand and trying to hold on to a barrier with the other and you're getting close to what it felt like. As the gradient eased a bit the bottleneck decreased and I was able to get back on and ride the last part of the climb. Even better Stephen was at the top with his camera so as far as the photos go, I rode the Paterberg!
 |
| Some walked all the way up. |
The Koppenberg was even worse. This time the traffic jam started before we even reached the climb. There was a 50m queue of riders in the tiny village of Melden, patiently waiting the chance to get around the corner and onto the most famous of them all.
 |
| Queuing to ride the Koppenberg |
 |
| I'll take the 11.6% please. |
 |
| How did he get through? |
Once again I got a respectable distance up before the lane narrowed and the number of walkers in front made my slow progress impossible. Some of the fitter riders had the lungs to shout and bully their way through, and the legs to handle the changes in speed required for that, but I didn't. Once I slowed there was no going on at that part of the hill. But, after slipping my way up a bit in the mud on the edge of the cobbles, the crowd soon thinned and I was back on, cresting the Koppenberg on two wheels as nature intended.
 |
| The top of the Koppenberg is "en fete" ahead of the upcoming race. |
The curved descent back to the main road was one of the highlights of the day for me. The sight of one long line of riders snaking down the side of a hedge-less Flandrian hill in the spring sunshine was one of those images you just wish you had a camera ready to capture.
Next up was the Steenbeekdries, a long, wide, gentle-ish cobbled slope but not too difficult, followed by the first real cobbled descent of the day. If you think riding the pavé on the flat is bone-shaking, wait until you try descending on them! Not to mention the hairpin bend over a level crossing at the bottom.
 |
| Starting down the Steenbeekdries |
A couple of km further on was the Taaienberg, steep and cobbled but ridden in the gutter, just like the pros, then the Eikenberg, not so steep but the longest cobbled climb of them all. I'm sure I'm not the only one who plays races in my mind when training alone but one of the joys of riding such a famous course is that at points along the way reminders from real races past are everywhere. As I climbed the Eikenberg the race in my head was De Ronde of two or three years ago when David Millar and Stijn Devolder stormed up the very same road.
Over the top of the Eikenberg there was a sign saying it'd be another 14km to the next climb, the Molenberg. What it didn't mention was that the best part of a third of that was cobbled. By the time we reached the bottom of the climb we'd been well and truly shaken.
 |
| Molenberg |
Just like the Paterberg and the Koppenberg, the Molenberg is short, steep and rough. It starts through a very pretty hamlet then turns steeply up to the right before a straight, but very badly broken up, ramp. As we got to the corner a rider in front lost it and went down. Stephen managed to get around on the left but I had no way through on the right. Another walk to the top! Coming up to the summit the road was completely blocked by riders entering a marquee for what we all thought was an official water stop. In fact it was a private affair, cashing in on the hot day by selling very small bottles of water for €2 apiece!
 |
| Wind turbines, Flemish style. |
Onwards we rode, over many more cobbles and up the Leberg and Tenbosse, into a very welcome food and drink stop. I've never enjoyed a handful of orange segments so much in my life. And I was going to need them. We were now on the road to Geraardsbergen and the biggest climb of them all. The iconic Muur De Grammont has been a decisive point of the race on many occassions. We'd been talking about this one for months, looking at YouTube videos trying to anticipate what it would feel like after more than 70 miles of riding. We found out soon enough.
As you approach the sharp left hander at the bottom of the climb you can see the walls of the houses opposite sloping up. Even before the bend it was clear this is steeper than it looks on the telly. Turning the corner confirmed that fear. Instead of the expected gentle slope through the town we were looking straight up a steep narrow street. All you could do was shift down and keep the legs going. As we rode on up, past cheering onlookers, the concrete turned to cobbles and the crowd thickened. On a bit further and we were in the park leading up to the famous chapel at the top. This is where I realised why this hill influences the race so much. It's ferocious. I had to do the steepest ramp on foot and I can't even claim to have been blocked. Quite simply the Muur defeated my tired legs.
Once it'd levelled out a little a very nice man gave me a push start and I was riding again. I may have had to walk a bit but I did get to experience the thrill of rounding the last left hander and seeing the domed chapel coming into view.
Now there was just one more climb to go. The cobbled Bosberg always looks relatively flat on TV but with so many miles in your legs it definitely isn't. I was determined to ride this one and thankfully managed it so was able to crest the top with a smile on my face. Barring a disaster we were sure to finish now.
A tailwind all the way to the finish was the icing on the cake. We flew the last 10 miles in the company of a group of very nice people from Clitheroe Bike Club in Lancashire but made a point of riding the familiar finishing straight, all set up for the pros next day, side by side. We'd done a lot of miles to prepare for this moment and it was great to cross that line together. It'd be churlish to say which front wheel crossed first!
De Ronde is one of the sports five Monuments. I've watched it countless times on TV and had schoolboy dreams of riding away from the rest on the Muur. So it really was nothing short of a lifelong ambition to ride it's roads. It was every bit as hard as I expected, and more. The hills were steeper and the cobbles rougher than I thought and I suffered a bit in the unseasonal heat, but I really can rank it as one of my favourite days on a bike. If there's one lesson I have learned it's not to base my expectations on watching the pros on TV. They really do make it look easy.
Next year I'll know better.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Graeme Obree IS a legend
Today I listened to a great interview with one of the unsung heroes of our sport, Graeme Obree of Scotland. Over the years this man went from the relative anonymity of the Scottish Time Trial scene to reach the very top of the sport before descending to a well publicised battle with depression.
Throughout his career he was a maverick figure, often portrayed as an eccentric inventor of crazy bikes who took on the powers that be, and lost. However, the interview I heard today exposes an ordinary guy with an extraordinary take on the world.
In a revealing kitchen table conversation with the Scottish cyclists behind the Velo Club Don Logan podcast, Obree candidly explains the drive behind his success, how he invented his famous "washing machine" bike, his views on the UCI and some very revealing insights into the doping scene.
What struck me most was Obree's explanation of the psychology behind his many championships and records. Obree claims he never competed against any other rider. Instead he only ever competed against himself. Maybe unsurprisingly, given his later personal struggles, the biggest motivation for him was his fear of failure. In fact, he says he felt guilty that he had to beat riders who had worked as hard as him to get to the top, but that he "needed" it more. His description of how he forced himself through the pain of the hour records is fascinating.
He is also very magnanimous about the UCI officials who seemingly arbitrarily changed the rules almost overnight in an apparent bid to thwart his World Championship ambitions. Rather than throw his toys out of the pram and take to the courts, as might be expected these days, Obree simply adapted to the new rules, invented another world beating position and went on to take the Rainbow jersey the following year.
If you haven't read his book, "The Flying Scotsman", or seen the movie of the same name, do so as soon as possible. In the meantime have a listen to this great podcast.
Listen Here or you can subscribe to the Velo Club Don Logan podcast via iTunes.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Response to Grischa Niermanns Open Letter re the ban on Race Radios
Rabobank rider, Grischa Niermann has been very vocal over the last while in protesting the CI's ban on race radios, which apparently has the bulk of the most experienced riders in the world quaking in their boots with fear for their lives.
Among his stunts was the, admittedly amusing, wearing of an aerial on his helmet which you can see below. Although you would wonder how safe that would be if someone crashed into him!
He' also issued an open letter to the UCI on the subject. Here is my open reply to that:
Grischa
While I appreciate your concern about the UCI ban on race radios, which I support by the way, I do think that there is an element of unreality about the passion with which certain riders, yourself included, are reacting to the issue.
While you have every right to state your experienced opinion I don't think it reflects well on your profession that you all can get so excited and angry on this issue but have remained relatively passive when it comes to the real problem facing the sport, doping.
Where are the open letters condemning the return of Di Luca to the peloton? When did the riders threaten to strike at a race Ricco was due to ride in? Why are the peloton and the AIGCP not organising to insist that Contador is treated in the same way as Li Fuyu?
My feeling is that professional riders have a duty to protect the sport that pays their salaries. And it needs protection from a lot bigger threats than the lack of radios.
Regards, etc
Among his stunts was the, admittedly amusing, wearing of an aerial on his helmet which you can see below. Although you would wonder how safe that would be if someone crashed into him!
He' also issued an open letter to the UCI on the subject. Here is my open reply to that:
Grischa
While I appreciate your concern about the UCI ban on race radios, which I support by the way, I do think that there is an element of unreality about the passion with which certain riders, yourself included, are reacting to the issue.
While you have every right to state your experienced opinion I don't think it reflects well on your profession that you all can get so excited and angry on this issue but have remained relatively passive when it comes to the real problem facing the sport, doping.
Where are the open letters condemning the return of Di Luca to the peloton? When did the riders threaten to strike at a race Ricco was due to ride in? Why are the peloton and the AIGCP not organising to insist that Contador is treated in the same way as Li Fuyu?
My feeling is that professional riders have a duty to protect the sport that pays their salaries. And it needs protection from a lot bigger threats than the lack of radios.
Regards, etc
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Doping Directeurs
At a time when our beloved sport seems to have some sort of self destruct mechanism inbuilt, those of us who want to see the back of the dopers, and the never ending stories about the dopers, are growing more and more frustrated by the inconsistencies we see everywhere we look.
We read every day of teams that seem to go out of their way to hire the worst of the worst (step forward Astana, Vacansoleil, Androni Giocattoli and Christina Watches). Do they really believe that no publicity is bad publicity? We see federations that profess to be doing everything they can to clean up the sport and yet they can't bring themselves to apply the rules to the biggest names/earners. And we see teams falling over themselves to proclaim their zero tolerance strategies, while at the same time their management teams are packed with ex dopers.
I hadn't though much about the last issue until I read recently that the erstwhile Saxo Bank, and now Team Leopard, DS, Kim Andersen, was handed a life ban for repeated doping in 1987. On reading up more about his case I then discovered that, having wriggled out of the life ban on a technicality, he was subsequently caught again, in 1992. On that occassion he suffered no more than being fired from his team!
I have mulled over this article for a while, trying to decide what angle to take and how I can express my absolute frustration that a man with a history like that can not only still be working in the sport but is in fact leading the biggest team on the planet and is poised to bask in all of the reflected glory that will bring.
I can't find the words so I've decided to let the facts speak for themselves. With a bit of googling I've put together a list that I think stands as an indictment of the UCI strategy of hammering (some) riders while those who pull the strings escape the scrutiny they might deserve.
So, for the sake of transparency, here is a list of current WorldTour team staff who have been tested positive or admitted doping during their riding careers.
Euskaltel - Euskadi:
Igor GONZALEZ DE GALDEANO ARANZABAL (General Manager), six-month ban for Salbutamol in the 2002 Tour de France and 2002 Midi Libre. This was a ban in France only. The UCI reckoned he had a medical cert so didn't ban him, even though reports at the time suggested he exceeded the allowed dose. Also implicated in Puerto affair.
Alvaro GONZALEZ DE GALDEANO ARANZABAL (Team Manager), served a 7 month suspension for Nandrolone in 2000.
HTC-Highroad:
Rolf ALDAG (General Manager), admitted using EPO from 1995 to 1999
Brian HOLM (Team Manager), admitted using EPO twice in 1996 at Team Telekom
Pro Team Astana:
Laurenzo LAPAGE (Ass. Team Manager), disqualified and fined for a positive test for Ephedrine at the 2002 Ghent Six. Claimed it was contained in a food supplement.
Quickstep Cycling Team:
Marco VELO (Team Manager), disqualified from the 2001 Italian National Time Trial Championships for a Lidocaine positive
Saxo Bank Sungard:
Bjarne RIIS (Team Manager), admitted using EPO, growth hormone and cortisone for five years, from 1993 to 1998, including when he "won" the 1996 Tour
Fabrizio GUIDI (Ass. Team Manager), tested positive for EPO at the 2005 HEWCyclassics but his B sample was negative so he was cleared.
Sky Procycling:
Sean YATES (Team Manager) reportedly tested positive in 1989 at the Torhout-Werchter stage race. I can't find out the substance or what his sanction was, if any.
Team Leopard-Trek:
Kim ANDERSEN (Team Manager), as above given a lifetime ban after the 1987 Tour de Limousin later reduced. Positive again in 1992.
I have found references to several others. As these are only allegations or reports of investigations underway it's not appropriate to mention them here.
Sources: The Internet Anti-Doping Database, BBC, Cycling News, Le Soir
We read every day of teams that seem to go out of their way to hire the worst of the worst (step forward Astana, Vacansoleil, Androni Giocattoli and Christina Watches). Do they really believe that no publicity is bad publicity? We see federations that profess to be doing everything they can to clean up the sport and yet they can't bring themselves to apply the rules to the biggest names/earners. And we see teams falling over themselves to proclaim their zero tolerance strategies, while at the same time their management teams are packed with ex dopers.
I hadn't though much about the last issue until I read recently that the erstwhile Saxo Bank, and now Team Leopard, DS, Kim Andersen, was handed a life ban for repeated doping in 1987. On reading up more about his case I then discovered that, having wriggled out of the life ban on a technicality, he was subsequently caught again, in 1992. On that occassion he suffered no more than being fired from his team!
I have mulled over this article for a while, trying to decide what angle to take and how I can express my absolute frustration that a man with a history like that can not only still be working in the sport but is in fact leading the biggest team on the planet and is poised to bask in all of the reflected glory that will bring.
I can't find the words so I've decided to let the facts speak for themselves. With a bit of googling I've put together a list that I think stands as an indictment of the UCI strategy of hammering (some) riders while those who pull the strings escape the scrutiny they might deserve.
So, for the sake of transparency, here is a list of current WorldTour team staff who have been tested positive or admitted doping during their riding careers.
Euskaltel - Euskadi:
Igor GONZALEZ DE GALDEANO ARANZABAL (General Manager), six-month ban for Salbutamol in the 2002 Tour de France and 2002 Midi Libre. This was a ban in France only. The UCI reckoned he had a medical cert so didn't ban him, even though reports at the time suggested he exceeded the allowed dose. Also implicated in Puerto affair.
Alvaro GONZALEZ DE GALDEANO ARANZABAL (Team Manager), served a 7 month suspension for Nandrolone in 2000.
HTC-Highroad:
Rolf ALDAG (General Manager), admitted using EPO from 1995 to 1999
Brian HOLM (Team Manager), admitted using EPO twice in 1996 at Team Telekom
Pro Team Astana:
Laurenzo LAPAGE (Ass. Team Manager), disqualified and fined for a positive test for Ephedrine at the 2002 Ghent Six. Claimed it was contained in a food supplement.
Quickstep Cycling Team:
Marco VELO (Team Manager), disqualified from the 2001 Italian National Time Trial Championships for a Lidocaine positive
Saxo Bank Sungard:
Bjarne RIIS (Team Manager), admitted using EPO, growth hormone and cortisone for five years, from 1993 to 1998, including when he "won" the 1996 Tour
Fabrizio GUIDI (Ass. Team Manager), tested positive for EPO at the 2005 HEWCyclassics but his B sample was negative so he was cleared.
Sky Procycling:
Sean YATES (Team Manager) reportedly tested positive in 1989 at the Torhout-Werchter stage race. I can't find out the substance or what his sanction was, if any.
Team Leopard-Trek:
Kim ANDERSEN (Team Manager), as above given a lifetime ban after the 1987 Tour de Limousin later reduced. Positive again in 1992.
I have found references to several others. As these are only allegations or reports of investigations underway it's not appropriate to mention them here.
Sources: The Internet Anti-Doping Database, BBC, Cycling News, Le Soir
Hole!!!
One of the best parts about being a cyclist is the unspoken solidarity that has always existed among riders. From the friendly wave as you pass in the opposite direction to grouping up if heading the same way, there's an understanding that we all suffer the same pain and the same dangers and, equally, we all enjoy the same freedom and fitness benefits.
That's why what happened to me yesterday is both annoying and disappointing.
I was coming home via Malahide and came up behind a Swords CC rider at a set of lights. I acknowledged him and made the usual friendly remark on what a nice morning it was. His stilted reply made it clear he wasn't interested in chatting. Fair enough.
He went ahead of me but at pretty much my pace so I was able to get in behind him. I'd had a hard enough spin so was very grateful for a bit of a tow around the coast. He was aware I was there but obviously wasn't interested in any interaction, or sharing the pace. It also became quite clear he wasn't going to make any concession to my being there which meant several times I had to take action to prevent touching wheels when he changed pace, got out of the saddle or swerved a bit.
Coming through Portmarnock we stopped at lights. Again, not so much as a nod when I came alongside him. Then, approaching the roundabout for Baldoyle, he gave a sudden swerve and I just got a bief glimpse of the pothole as I hit it full on.
I knew straight away, from the sound of both wheels hittig, that this wasn't good and, sure enough, quickly felt rim on tarmac. Not just one, but both tyres were flattened!
That was annoying enough. Two punctures, 6km from home, is not what you need. But what really got my goat was the behaviour of my "companion". No shouted warning of the pothole, no hand down to his side to indicate which side it was on and not even a look back to see what had happened. I might be being unfair on that last one but I can't imagine he didn't hear the unmistakable sound of the impacts and he couldn't have missed my shouted, expletive-laden reaction.
Maybe my standards are too high but, to my mind, the unwritten code of the road dictates you look out for your fellow rider, whether you know them or not. We've all heard that crunching sound and felt the air rush from under us. We've all had to change a tube/tyre on the roadside with wet, cold and filthy hands. And, I thought, we all know that it's just the right thing to do to help each other out.
So my blood was boiling at the sight of Mr Swords riding off into the sun without a thought or a care for a fellow rider left marooned.
To make matters worse, I quickly discovered that one of the two tubes I had with me was also punctured! (Note to self: swap punctured tubes as soon as possible when you get home, no matter how tired you are, so as not to forget before the next ride). As I stood waiting for my lift to come and rescue me, it was a salutory experience to find that my friend wasn't alone in not caring. At least twenty riders, singly and in groups, passed me and only one, yes ONE!, stopped to see if I needed help.
So this is an appeal to all who ride the roads. If someone is riding behind you, whether you want them there or not, the least you can do is warn them of upcoming hazards, the same as you would if you were in a group. Plus, if you see a rider stopped with a problem, please check they are OK. It might cost you a few minutes, or a donation of a tube, but remember, it could be you someday.
That's why what happened to me yesterday is both annoying and disappointing.
I was coming home via Malahide and came up behind a Swords CC rider at a set of lights. I acknowledged him and made the usual friendly remark on what a nice morning it was. His stilted reply made it clear he wasn't interested in chatting. Fair enough.
He went ahead of me but at pretty much my pace so I was able to get in behind him. I'd had a hard enough spin so was very grateful for a bit of a tow around the coast. He was aware I was there but obviously wasn't interested in any interaction, or sharing the pace. It also became quite clear he wasn't going to make any concession to my being there which meant several times I had to take action to prevent touching wheels when he changed pace, got out of the saddle or swerved a bit.
Coming through Portmarnock we stopped at lights. Again, not so much as a nod when I came alongside him. Then, approaching the roundabout for Baldoyle, he gave a sudden swerve and I just got a bief glimpse of the pothole as I hit it full on.
I knew straight away, from the sound of both wheels hittig, that this wasn't good and, sure enough, quickly felt rim on tarmac. Not just one, but both tyres were flattened!
That was annoying enough. Two punctures, 6km from home, is not what you need. But what really got my goat was the behaviour of my "companion". No shouted warning of the pothole, no hand down to his side to indicate which side it was on and not even a look back to see what had happened. I might be being unfair on that last one but I can't imagine he didn't hear the unmistakable sound of the impacts and he couldn't have missed my shouted, expletive-laden reaction.
Maybe my standards are too high but, to my mind, the unwritten code of the road dictates you look out for your fellow rider, whether you know them or not. We've all heard that crunching sound and felt the air rush from under us. We've all had to change a tube/tyre on the roadside with wet, cold and filthy hands. And, I thought, we all know that it's just the right thing to do to help each other out.
So my blood was boiling at the sight of Mr Swords riding off into the sun without a thought or a care for a fellow rider left marooned.
To make matters worse, I quickly discovered that one of the two tubes I had with me was also punctured! (Note to self: swap punctured tubes as soon as possible when you get home, no matter how tired you are, so as not to forget before the next ride). As I stood waiting for my lift to come and rescue me, it was a salutory experience to find that my friend wasn't alone in not caring. At least twenty riders, singly and in groups, passed me and only one, yes ONE!, stopped to see if I needed help.
So this is an appeal to all who ride the roads. If someone is riding behind you, whether you want them there or not, the least you can do is warn them of upcoming hazards, the same as you would if you were in a group. Plus, if you see a rider stopped with a problem, please check they are OK. It might cost you a few minutes, or a donation of a tube, but remember, it could be you someday.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Kelly the Cannibal - Spring Classics 1984
In recent years a couple of (very) hard men in the peloton, particularly Fabian Cancellara and Phillipe Gilbert, have hinted at their ambitions to win at San Remo, Roubaix and Liege. In general such claims are met with, at best, scepticism on the part of the cycling press. Received wisdom these days is that the rider who can win Milan - San Remo might just have a chance on the cobbles of Paris - Roubaix but not a hope over the hills of Liege - Bastogne - Liege.
In that light the spring of 1984 was remarkable. Ireland's Sean Kelly narrowly missed out at the finish of La Primevera on the Via Roma, leading the bunch in behind lone escapee Francesco Moser, but he bounced back from that defeat to dominate at The Hell of the North and then, in a cool display of tactical patience, out sprinted a very elite group in La Doyenne.
What makes 1984 historic is the fact that, apart from Kelly himself, who won all three races again, not a single rider has managed to bag wins at Roubaix AND at Liege, let alone in the same season.
He really was King Kelly
In that light the spring of 1984 was remarkable. Ireland's Sean Kelly narrowly missed out at the finish of La Primevera on the Via Roma, leading the bunch in behind lone escapee Francesco Moser, but he bounced back from that defeat to dominate at The Hell of the North and then, in a cool display of tactical patience, out sprinted a very elite group in La Doyenne.
What makes 1984 historic is the fact that, apart from Kelly himself, who won all three races again, not a single rider has managed to bag wins at Roubaix AND at Liege, let alone in the same season.
He really was King Kelly
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Does anyone care about bike thieves?
Did you ever have a bike stolen and get the impression no-one really cares! Here's two movies about bike thieves from the States that'll do nothing to change your mind!
Friday, 21 January 2011
Kimmage lays into Lance on Dutch TV
The main narrative on this is in Dutch but most of the interviews are in English. As usual, Paul K doesn't mince his words.
If Pat McQuaid reckons Contador has "tainted" cycling (see here) it ain't nothing compared to what'll hit the fan if Jeff Novitsky can prove anything on Larry Hamstring.
If Pat McQuaid reckons Contador has "tainted" cycling (see here) it ain't nothing compared to what'll hit the fan if Jeff Novitsky can prove anything on Larry Hamstring.
Thursday, 30 December 2010
2010 Review of the Cycling Year
Last year I marked the turn of the decade with what I called the first, maybe annual, but definitely not prestigious Muse-ette Awards. The fact I'm doing another edition this year means at least the annual bit is now true!
If 2009 was what I called "a good year for the bike world" then 2010 has turned out a bit differently. It started out well, had a great middle and a pretty good end, racing-wise, but unfortunately the whole year has been tarnished, like so many before it, by the spectre of doping. Yet again we've had to witness great races nullified by positive tests or besmirched by unworthy, unrepentant cheats.
But enough ranting. Here, in no particular order, are the 2010 Muse-ette Awards:
Best Stage Race: Naturally one thinks of the Grand Tours when looking for a candidate for the best stage race but this year, despite all of them being up there among the most compelling races ever, all three have had shadows cast over them. First there was the tarnished figure of Basso taking pink in Italy, then Beef-gate, then not one but two high profile positives from the Vuelta. So this year I've decided to give the award to what (I hope) is most likely the cleanest, purest stage race around, the Junior Tour of Ireland. For over thirty years this great race has been a nursery for future champions and it deserves all the recognition that can be bestowed on it. Perhaps more than ever this year when it survived through the hard work and perseverance of a dedicated team, despite the loss of it's title sponsor.
Best Stage in a Grand Tour: I know I'm kind of contradicting what I said above but, despite the later problems, there were some epic individual stages this year. For me this one has to go to stage 7 of the Giro to Montalcino. It was like going back in time to the early days of the sport seeing Cadel et al, caked in mud, battling it out, without the interference of team instructions, over the Strada Bianche. Honourable Mention: In a similar vein stage 3 of Le Tour to Arenberg was an epic, dusty, dramatic day with winners and losers galore. That particular day was personally special seeing as I was actually there, standing for the first time on those hallowed pavé.
Best One Day Race: Tour of Flanders. Who wasn't awestruck by the sight of Cancellara and Boonen simply riding away from the rest on the Molenberg, 40k plus out from the finish? And then, in a straight head to head battle up the Muur, Spartacus simply powered away from a helpless Tom to take a great victory. Honourable Mention: Tour of Lombardy, where Gilbert left the rest for dead in appalling conditions before having time to point out the number one on his bike with over 1km to go.
Best Finish: Cadel Evans at Huy. In a year when he did the Rainbow Jersey proud, the highlight for me was the sight of Cuddles powering up the Mur De Huy to win the Fleche Wallone. Sheer determination oozing from his every muscle, he left Contador and the rest for dead.
Best Irish Rider: Tough one to call this year, so I'm going to bottle it and give the award jointly to the pedalling cousins, Nico Roche and Dan Martin. Nico for his magnificent Tour and Vuelta rides and Dan for his wins in Poland and Japan. Honourable Mentions: Matt Brammeier for taking on the big boys to nab the Irish title and then turning it into a contract with HTC and Orla Hendron, our latest World Champion after taking the Masters Points race.
Best Young Rider: Felix English I know it's a bit churlish of me, but for an 18 year old to take on Sir Chris and win, even if His Knightship was looking the other way, deserves a pat on the back!
Best Celebration: Michael Matthews. It's always great to see raw joy on the line but when it's a 20 year old after just bagging a World title in his home country it gladdens the heart even more.
Most Embarrassing Result of the Year: For the second year running this gong goes to Piti Valverde for winning the Tour De Romandie when the dogs on the street knew he was about to be banned, finally, for the Puerto goings on. (Dis)Honourable Mention: Who among you wasn't sickened at the sight of Vino crossing the line at Liege. And then he rubbed it in with his half-hearted "apology". Eugh!!
The George Lee What Was I Thinking Award: Lance Armstrong, for what might turn out to be the most ill-advised ego trip, sorry I meant comeback, in the history of sport if Floyd Landis has his way. BTW Lance, posting snide tweets about Jeff Novitsky using your One Ball pseudonym isn't really helping you much.
The Tiger Woods Award for Most Stage Managed, But Still Really Awkward, Press Conference: Alberto Contador for the double whammy of p***ing off the cycling world and the entire Spanish beef industry in one fell swoop. If it all turns out to be true he can reel off as many "zero, zero, zero"'s as he likes, his credibility will still be in the gutter. But then again he wriggled out of Puerto so who knows how it'll all end.
The Thierry Henry Cheat of the Year Award: Another joint award goes to Alberto Contador who should have had the fish and Ezequiel Mosquera for ruining a great Vuelta. (Dis)Honourable Mention: Vania Rossi, the Szczepaniak brothers, Bernucci, Frei, Li Fuyu, Bosisio, Pellizotti, Prado, Valjavec, Larpe, De Bonis, Caucchioli, Serrano, Axelsson, Staite, Sentjens. Sevilla, Dapena, Benta, Colo, the Rui Costa brothers, etc, etc.
The Grassy Knoll Award for Most Ridiculous Conspiracy Theory: Davide Cassani for triggering the "Cancellara used an engine" stories on Italian TV. For the UCI to actually start checking bikes for engines while simultaneously not getting around to telling the world that the Tour winner had tested positive for angel dust just compounds the silliness.
The No News is Bad News Award: Yet another joint award (I'm really indecisive tonight!) goes to Vancansoliel and Christina Watches for proving that some sponsors do see a value in the column inches the cheats generate. The employers of Ricco and Rasmussen respectively must be hoping that a Festina-style sales jump happens to them too.
The UCI Award for Making It Up As You Go Along: UCI for making it up as they go along. When is a Pro Tour not a Pro Tour?
Because it's my blog I'm adding two new awards this year.
The first is the My Best Day on a Bike This Year Award which goes to the 15th August. That was the day I rode the Inishowen 100, a day of blistering sunshine, beautiful scenery, tough climbs and good legs. It doesn't get much better.
The second is the My Worst Day on a Bike This Year Award which goes to the 27th August. That was the day a Golden Retriever called Max decided to run across the road just as I was passing. He didn't use the Green Cross Code and I ended up with a broken pelvis.
Finally, 2010 has seen the passing of some true cycling greats:
JJ McCormack, 84, Multiple Irish Champion, Administrator and Race Organiser but most of all one of the biggest, most respected, characters the sport has seen and a great friend.
David Hourigan, 38, Manx International winner and former Irish international, found dead in a hotel in Thailand.
Laurent Fignon, 50, Not just the guy who lost the Tour by 8 seconds, but the guy who won it spectacularly on his first two attempts. Succumbed to cancer on 31st August.
Joe Daly, 89, Dundrum bike shop owner and passionate supporter of the sport for many, many years.
Franco Ballerini, 45, Twice Paris Roubaix winner and Italian national coach, tragically killed in a rallying accident in February.
Txema Gonzalez, 43, Team Sky soigneur struck down by a mystery virus during the Vuelta.
Fortunato Bernardi, Rosario Perri, Francesco Stranges, Vinicio Pottin, Giovanni Cannizzaro, Pasquale De Luca and Domenico Palazzo, from 35 to 58, a group of Italian clubmates from Lamezia Terme mown down in early December by a 21 year old driver who was allegedly under the influence of marijuana.
Armando Borrajo, 34, Former Argentinian National Champion took his own life on December 18th, shortly after he was allegedly kidnapped for a short period.
Aldo Sassi, 51, legendary Italian coach, famous for vowing to only work with dope free riders, who raised eyebrows by agreeing to take on both Basso and Ricco was lost to a brain tumour in December.
Jure Robic , 45, five times Race Across America winner killed in a collision with a car on a fast descent in his native Slovenia in September
May they, and all other cyclists lost this year, rest in peace.
Finally, once again, thank you for reading the muse-ette in 2010. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and many enjoyable miles in 2011.
If 2009 was what I called "a good year for the bike world" then 2010 has turned out a bit differently. It started out well, had a great middle and a pretty good end, racing-wise, but unfortunately the whole year has been tarnished, like so many before it, by the spectre of doping. Yet again we've had to witness great races nullified by positive tests or besmirched by unworthy, unrepentant cheats.
But enough ranting. Here, in no particular order, are the 2010 Muse-ette Awards:
Best Stage Race: Naturally one thinks of the Grand Tours when looking for a candidate for the best stage race but this year, despite all of them being up there among the most compelling races ever, all three have had shadows cast over them. First there was the tarnished figure of Basso taking pink in Italy, then Beef-gate, then not one but two high profile positives from the Vuelta. So this year I've decided to give the award to what (I hope) is most likely the cleanest, purest stage race around, the Junior Tour of Ireland. For over thirty years this great race has been a nursery for future champions and it deserves all the recognition that can be bestowed on it. Perhaps more than ever this year when it survived through the hard work and perseverance of a dedicated team, despite the loss of it's title sponsor.
Best Stage in a Grand Tour: I know I'm kind of contradicting what I said above but, despite the later problems, there were some epic individual stages this year. For me this one has to go to stage 7 of the Giro to Montalcino. It was like going back in time to the early days of the sport seeing Cadel et al, caked in mud, battling it out, without the interference of team instructions, over the Strada Bianche. Honourable Mention: In a similar vein stage 3 of Le Tour to Arenberg was an epic, dusty, dramatic day with winners and losers galore. That particular day was personally special seeing as I was actually there, standing for the first time on those hallowed pavé.
Best One Day Race: Tour of Flanders. Who wasn't awestruck by the sight of Cancellara and Boonen simply riding away from the rest on the Molenberg, 40k plus out from the finish? And then, in a straight head to head battle up the Muur, Spartacus simply powered away from a helpless Tom to take a great victory. Honourable Mention: Tour of Lombardy, where Gilbert left the rest for dead in appalling conditions before having time to point out the number one on his bike with over 1km to go.
Best Finish: Cadel Evans at Huy. In a year when he did the Rainbow Jersey proud, the highlight for me was the sight of Cuddles powering up the Mur De Huy to win the Fleche Wallone. Sheer determination oozing from his every muscle, he left Contador and the rest for dead.
Best Irish Rider: Tough one to call this year, so I'm going to bottle it and give the award jointly to the pedalling cousins, Nico Roche and Dan Martin. Nico for his magnificent Tour and Vuelta rides and Dan for his wins in Poland and Japan. Honourable Mentions: Matt Brammeier for taking on the big boys to nab the Irish title and then turning it into a contract with HTC and Orla Hendron, our latest World Champion after taking the Masters Points race.
Best Young Rider: Felix English I know it's a bit churlish of me, but for an 18 year old to take on Sir Chris and win, even if His Knightship was looking the other way, deserves a pat on the back!
Best Celebration: Michael Matthews. It's always great to see raw joy on the line but when it's a 20 year old after just bagging a World title in his home country it gladdens the heart even more.
Most Embarrassing Result of the Year: For the second year running this gong goes to Piti Valverde for winning the Tour De Romandie when the dogs on the street knew he was about to be banned, finally, for the Puerto goings on. (Dis)Honourable Mention: Who among you wasn't sickened at the sight of Vino crossing the line at Liege. And then he rubbed it in with his half-hearted "apology". Eugh!!
The George Lee What Was I Thinking Award: Lance Armstrong, for what might turn out to be the most ill-advised ego trip, sorry I meant comeback, in the history of sport if Floyd Landis has his way. BTW Lance, posting snide tweets about Jeff Novitsky using your One Ball pseudonym isn't really helping you much.
The Tiger Woods Award for Most Stage Managed, But Still Really Awkward, Press Conference: Alberto Contador for the double whammy of p***ing off the cycling world and the entire Spanish beef industry in one fell swoop. If it all turns out to be true he can reel off as many "zero, zero, zero"'s as he likes, his credibility will still be in the gutter. But then again he wriggled out of Puerto so who knows how it'll all end.
The Thierry Henry Cheat of the Year Award: Another joint award goes to Alberto Contador who should have had the fish and Ezequiel Mosquera for ruining a great Vuelta. (Dis)Honourable Mention: Vania Rossi, the Szczepaniak brothers, Bernucci, Frei, Li Fuyu, Bosisio, Pellizotti, Prado, Valjavec, Larpe, De Bonis, Caucchioli, Serrano, Axelsson, Staite, Sentjens. Sevilla, Dapena, Benta, Colo, the Rui Costa brothers, etc, etc.
The Grassy Knoll Award for Most Ridiculous Conspiracy Theory: Davide Cassani for triggering the "Cancellara used an engine" stories on Italian TV. For the UCI to actually start checking bikes for engines while simultaneously not getting around to telling the world that the Tour winner had tested positive for angel dust just compounds the silliness.
The No News is Bad News Award: Yet another joint award (I'm really indecisive tonight!) goes to Vancansoliel and Christina Watches for proving that some sponsors do see a value in the column inches the cheats generate. The employers of Ricco and Rasmussen respectively must be hoping that a Festina-style sales jump happens to them too.
The UCI Award for Making It Up As You Go Along: UCI for making it up as they go along. When is a Pro Tour not a Pro Tour?
Because it's my blog I'm adding two new awards this year.
The first is the My Best Day on a Bike This Year Award which goes to the 15th August. That was the day I rode the Inishowen 100, a day of blistering sunshine, beautiful scenery, tough climbs and good legs. It doesn't get much better.
The second is the My Worst Day on a Bike This Year Award which goes to the 27th August. That was the day a Golden Retriever called Max decided to run across the road just as I was passing. He didn't use the Green Cross Code and I ended up with a broken pelvis.
Finally, 2010 has seen the passing of some true cycling greats:
JJ McCormack, 84, Multiple Irish Champion, Administrator and Race Organiser but most of all one of the biggest, most respected, characters the sport has seen and a great friend.
David Hourigan, 38, Manx International winner and former Irish international, found dead in a hotel in Thailand.
Laurent Fignon, 50, Not just the guy who lost the Tour by 8 seconds, but the guy who won it spectacularly on his first two attempts. Succumbed to cancer on 31st August.
Joe Daly, 89, Dundrum bike shop owner and passionate supporter of the sport for many, many years.
Franco Ballerini, 45, Twice Paris Roubaix winner and Italian national coach, tragically killed in a rallying accident in February.
Txema Gonzalez, 43, Team Sky soigneur struck down by a mystery virus during the Vuelta.
Fortunato Bernardi, Rosario Perri, Francesco Stranges, Vinicio Pottin, Giovanni Cannizzaro, Pasquale De Luca and Domenico Palazzo, from 35 to 58, a group of Italian clubmates from Lamezia Terme mown down in early December by a 21 year old driver who was allegedly under the influence of marijuana.
Armando Borrajo, 34, Former Argentinian National Champion took his own life on December 18th, shortly after he was allegedly kidnapped for a short period.
Aldo Sassi, 51, legendary Italian coach, famous for vowing to only work with dope free riders, who raised eyebrows by agreeing to take on both Basso and Ricco was lost to a brain tumour in December.
Jure Robic , 45, five times Race Across America winner killed in a collision with a car on a fast descent in his native Slovenia in September
May they, and all other cyclists lost this year, rest in peace.
Finally, once again, thank you for reading the muse-ette in 2010. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and many enjoyable miles in 2011.
Saturday, 18 December 2010
How to beat the snow
You have to love this cheap and simple technique for making your bike snow-ready, from the Dutch Bike Co guys in Seattle. Cable ties as snow tyres! Brilliant!
Full instructions are on their blog:
http://www.dutchbikeco.com/_blog/Dutch_Bike_Co_Weblog/post/Seattle_Snowpocalypse/
Full instructions are on their blog:
http://www.dutchbikeco.com/_blog/Dutch_Bike_Co_Weblog/post/Seattle_Snowpocalypse/
Sunday, 5 December 2010
It's Cross Time
It's always hard to find anything to write about at this time of year, and now is no different. Outside is covered in snow so I can't tell you about my training rides, there's no pro racing so I can't write about that and the Contador "did he, didn't he" debate is going nowhere fast.
So this week, as I was slipping to the shops on my mountain bike, I got thinking about cyclo-cross, an often forgotten aspect of our beloved sport. I have to admit cross was never really my thing. I can't quite put my finger on what it was about the cold, muddy, technical, fast, lung busting efforts involved that I never quite mastered! The post Christmas novelty event run by my club, Eagle CRC, was as far as my cross career went. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate this most spectator friendly event.
And some people take it very seriously, especially the Americans and the Belgians. So here's two YouTube clips that'll take you into their world. Keep and eye out for Sven Nys bunny hopping the ditch - wow!
So this week, as I was slipping to the shops on my mountain bike, I got thinking about cyclo-cross, an often forgotten aspect of our beloved sport. I have to admit cross was never really my thing. I can't quite put my finger on what it was about the cold, muddy, technical, fast, lung busting efforts involved that I never quite mastered! The post Christmas novelty event run by my club, Eagle CRC, was as far as my cross career went. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate this most spectator friendly event.
And some people take it very seriously, especially the Americans and the Belgians. So here's two YouTube clips that'll take you into their world. Keep and eye out for Sven Nys bunny hopping the ditch - wow!
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