The weekend was a mix of riding a 10 mile TT, organising a race, and being glad I don’t organise or ride the Giro d’Italia. Saturday was a 10 mile TT in Leighton Buzzard on a little known F12/10 course. I did 20.42 which is quite good for a single carriageway. A good little course, [...]
Race against Time – Obree vs Boardman
A review of The Race against time – Obree, Boardman and the quest to be the fastest man on two wheels by Edward Pickering. This is one of the best cycling books I’ve read for quite a long time. I really enjoyed reading it. It’s pacey, interesting, amusing and based on two giants of British [...]
Thoughts on the Giro
I enjoyed watching Bradley Wiggins the Tour de France in 2012, but I’m enjoying his more difficult Giro just as much. Maybe because I can empathise with the difficulties of racing downhill and being 4th, when you want to be 1st. It’s not all about winning… It was great to see Uran go on the [...]
Charlotteville CC 50 mile TT
Sunday was a 50 mile TT on the Bentley course (H50/8). Not a bad day, apart from a tough headwind and being quite cold. The start was pretty tough. Uphill into the headwind. It’s easy to overcook it as you try to maintain a seemingly respectable speed into very difficult conditions. The course is made [...]
Buxton MTT video (trailer)
I thought this video by Bhima Bowden was great. (The Snow was from the 2012 edition). You might spot me at some points. Related Buxton MTT results My blog on Buxton MTT
Alex Dowsett and racing in the rain
Just a few quick thoughts on the Giro d’Italia and racing in the rain. On Friday I saw Bradley Wiggins struggling on the descents. After crashing on a slippery descent, he took it gingerly down the remainder of the last climb losing over a minute to the leading contenders. As the cliche goes, it’s all [...]
Good and bad days
A few weeks ago I wrote about one of those hard rides where everything seems hard work, slow legs, permanent headwind, relieved to get home – The opposite of a float day. By stark contrast, last week was that rare combination of good weather and good form, where every ride felt reasonably good. Because the [...]
Buxton MTT 2013
Last year, the Buxton MTT was run against a backdrop of quite impressive looking snowdrifts. This year, the original date was cancelled due to even heavier snow, but fortunately was rearranged to this May bank holiday. After all the snow cancellation, it was typical the event would be run under balmy conditions, 17 degrees and [...]
Cycling C to B with Jon Schubert
At local time trials, I’ve raced quite a few times against Jon Schubert of High Wycombe CC. Earlier this year I was intrigued to hear him talking about an expedition to cycle 13,000 miles across Europe and Asia to raise money for charity and to have the experience of a lifetime. It sounds a great [...]
The Rules of Cycling – Velominati Review
I haven’t reviewed many products this year, but I was pleased to receive through the post an advanced copy of ‘The Rules – The way of the cycling disciple‘ by Velominati. It gave me a lot of food for thought. I enjoyed reading it, and I also enjoyed critiquing it. The problem is that a [...]
Beacon RC Little Mountain Time Trial
Beacon RC Little Mountain time trial is a classic hilly time trial run since 1948. It is a race with a great tradition and challenging hilly terrain. There is a lot of effort and enthusiasm put into the organisation and promotion so it’s good to see it rewarded with a big field of over 100 [...]
