Big Twin Cycling

Chicago by Bike

Chicago? The Windy City right? Well not many people know that it isn’t called that because of the breezes that blow in off of lake Michigan but the long winded politicians arguing over the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1890. This is good news for cyclists, as Chicago’s lake front bike path provides one of the most enjoyable and easy rides on a flat terrain with absolutely no cars. You can start your journey by renting a bicycle at Millennium Park More

Green more important than yellow at Le Tour?

For those unaccustomed to cycling, it is in fact a team sport. Lance didn’t win them all on his own, he had a team of crack domestiques (essentially riders who bust a gut for their team leader’s chances at overall victory) to help him through the mountains and lead him on his way to becoming the face of everything (including the amazing new garmin running watch I have bought).

Each team has a leader, more often than not, their rider More

Better off Bikeless?

Writing about cycling is pretty easy when you have a bike. To be fair, you can still follow the sport, and keep up to date with the latest makes and models from the top manufacturers, but for me there is something about actually being on a bike that inspires me, and makes me want to write.

So, when my bike was stolen recently, it rather sapped my source of inspiration. Somehow riding the train is less fulfilling than cycling, and More

Cycle Show 2010 London

Whether you are an expert bike rider or a budding beginner, the Cycle Show 2010 is the place to be if you have an interest in biking. The UK’s leading cycle show takes place in London’s Earls Court, between the 8^th and 10^th October, 2010.

The Cycle Show 2010 will feature a variety of experts on biking, who will deliver seminars and workshops for everyone with an interest in biking as well as a few cycle celebrities. As More

Get on your bike

Commuting in London is supposed to be stressful. Everyone’s got somewhere to be, but no-one ever wants to have to travel to get there. No matter what form of transport you use, there’s always something to stress you out. Too slow, too crowded, too long in coming, too much stopping and starting. Too unreliable.

The answer to this stress? Ride a bike. You are (mostly) in control of your destiny and, as often as not, it is quicker to cycle More

Wrong’n!

So much is wrong with the world, isn’t it? It’s really quite hard to pick out individual things to have a go at. One thing I can pick out is short pockets in trousers. Have you ever heard of anything so stupid as that? I doubt it! It’s almost as stupid as girls’ clothes with no pockets (dumb but understandable) and elephants genetically engineered to have small ears. Just what were the manufacturers of my cargo trousers thinking when they More

Cycle Fashion Victims

I am not going to pull any punches with this article, and allow me to begin here with this statement: cycle clips are nerdy, unforgivable, and a crime against humanity when worn by all but the fittest of most delectable babes. When I see someone wearing cycle clips I want to stop them, shake them, and scream in their face to take them off at once and burn them. It drives me crazy! The worst thing is that usually, nine More

Brits Struggle In Andalucia

Britain’s top road cyclists, Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, have found it tough going in the Tour of Andalucia this week. Whilst still early in the season, and with both cyclists focusing firmly on this Summer’s Tour de France, expectations were high for Wiggins and Cavendish going into the event. With both cyclists finding themselves ensconced within the tours mid-order they will now be viewing the event as fitness training ahead of tougher tests to come.

The Tour of Andalucia More

More Magic In Marseilles For Team Sky

British cyclist Steve Cummings impressed onlookers by taking fourth place for Team Sky in the hotly contested GP Cyclist la Marseillaise today.

The impressive performance by Cummings and his team-mates continues the triumphant start to the season that the fledgling Team Sky have made. It comes hot on the wheels of Sky cyclist Greg Henderson winning the Cancer Council Helpline Classic in Adelaide, and an overall second place for Henderson in the five stage Tour Down Under.

The Marseille race More

Am I A Trainer Snob?

I like nice clothes. It’s not a crime. Unless you steal them. Which I don’t.

I find spending more money on high quality clothes tends to be an investment because they last longer and I embrace that concept by wearing things to the bitter end. This inevitable demise came to my trainers the other day as I discovered a hole had worn through the sole, so I embarked upon a footwear based journey of self discovery.

Shopping is hard. Especially for someone as analytical as myself, there’s a lot of variables when choosing footwear. Different occasions , weather conditions, clothing combinations all need consideration and let’s not forget hypothetical scenarios… what if I have to jump a pool of acid, Climb a lamppost or kick a hedgehog? (NB. I would only kick a hedgehog if it would save human lives) What about the supermarket? I could slip on some grapes, a can of beans could fall on my foot… arrghhhh!?! Choice paralysis!

Shops came and went, I covered great distances and the daylight dwindled. As I was trudging back to the bus stop, defeated, I saw a generic shoe megastore was still open. I ventured in… What delight, thousand of shoes, all utterly sh*t! My options diminished in seconds, if only I’d thought of going to rubbish shoe shops earlier! The only remotely suitable shoes were some bland airwalks reduced to £9.99, we have a winner. Suddenly, I realised that my requirements aren’t that common, I don’t want people to think my shoes are good, being ‘on trend ’ is pretty shameful in my eyes.

So why, given my general misanthropy, was I reluctant to wear these shoes? I don’t care what people think of me, so am I really a trainer snob devoid of rationality?

‘‘No!’’ I declared defiantly as I headed to the tills.

On my way home I pondered what was distressing me, ‘It can’t be just because they were cheap, I’m not that shallow’. Admittedly, no self respecting skater would wear them- but I haven’t skated in years. Here’s my conclusion, at some point in my youth, the brand had sold out in my mind and now (for me) they represented style over substance, perception over function and ironically that’s what was frustrating me.

Needless to say, when I got home I ‘debranded’ my shoes and they do the job just fine.

Am I a trainer snob? Perhaps a bit… but at least I’m not paying for it.

Finally, I need to congratulate myself. I have just bought the nicest asics running shoes that I have ever owned. LA Marathon, here I come! Maybe I am a trainer snob…