Month: February 2004

Conradski is back in Manchester after half a season in France. Apparently too much shop work in a resort and not enough skiing is just not good enough. I know what he’s saying.

The National Points Series Cross Country and Trek 642 Enduro series dates are almost finalised (the 3rd venue is confirmed yet), but apparently there will be some special guests attending the NPS races this year, all to be revealed very soon. Here are the dates:

April 11 (Easter) Newnham Park, Plymouth Round 1 NPS XC
April 12 Round 1 Trek 6,4,2 Enduro

May 8 Drumlanrig, Scotland Round 2 NPS XC
May 9 Round 2 Trek 6,4,2 Enduro

June 12 Midlands (TBC) Round 3 NPS XC
June 13 Round 3 Trek 6,4,2 Enduro

August 7 Margam Park, Port Talbot Round 4 NPS XC
August 8 Round 4 Trek 6,4,2 Enduro

And after last years top event, the World Cup organisers have enlisted the Glasgow MTB Club to stage the Alpine Bikes sponsored World Cup Chaser race, to be held on Sunday 6th June at Fort William. Last year it was a popular event, which current World Champ Filip Meirhaeghe joined at the last minute. Numbers are limited and entry forms can be had from here. Updates and further information can be found on the official event website.

There isn’t much of a logical pattern to the way I’ve been updating recently. The following story for example is now a few days old:

Jail threat over pedal cycling

Four men face five years in jail if they carry weapons, wear body armour – or even ride a pedal cycle.

The men received anti-social behaviour orders (Asbo) on Wednesday after a police operation against gun and drug crime in Manchester.

That’ll be just down the road from here then. Full story here.

This is a new website that is claiming to be “your online bike guide”, well it’s not mine. Well not yet anyway.

There seem to be loads of people setting up mountain bike websites these days. You have to wonder at what point there can be too many. I have often thought the same about cars, but people still keep on buying them, the numbers grow and the traffic gets worse.

Anyway all these sites have been popping up, people giving their opinions on things and writing in a style that implies an air of knowledge and credibility. Except most of them don’t offer anything on their site that provides any kind of background on which to judge their position with respect to what they’re saying. I reckon you need to know who you’re dealing with, which is why I’ve always had this.

The Thetford Enduro is back on. Sunday 15th February, Mayday Meadow, Thetford Forest. More details over at Flowracing.

This is Chris Garwood’s website, which has a domain name that I’m sure a few others would probably be keen to have. Seems to be based in the East, which is where I’m from, it’s a great place to be but give me Manchester and it’s proximity to great riding areas any day. Sorry, but there’s only so much Thetford can offer.

Easy Rider is a film that caught the essence of the 1960s road trip and inspired many to follow suit. It’s also become a bit of a classic with a cult following. Strange how things like that happen, because there are people who have taken to converting bikes to look like motorbike cruisers.

Some are just monstrous, and completely over-the-top unless you’re into chrome and others have been done with a touch of class, like these from Cooper Custom, I mean check out this bad boy…

If you’ve ever bought an album, be it on cd or vinyl then have a look at this album cover challenge over at the rather nice Meish.

Jo sent me in this video. Those Australians really know how to make an advert. This one’s for beer, check it out.

Mountain Biking Legend and now purveyor of fine frames, John Tomac is clearing out his garage to make way for a private jet and is selling of a lot of mountain bike exotica*. Chipps at Singletrack had the scoop on it and there’s more here. (*this statement is only partially true).

Now then, this is a little report from Cyclingnews about a rider I have a lot of respect for, but one who seems to have some of the worst luck and never has really had the opportunity to fulfil his true potential:

Zülle wants another home tour

Swiss veteran Alex Zülle, who after contemplating retirement in 2003 will continue this season with Phonak Hearing Systems, has declared his ambitions for another victory in his home tour, the Tour de Suisse. Zülle won the event in 2002, but struggled in 2003 amidst a largely lackluster season.

This year, which will most likely be his last as a professional, Zülle wants to perform in the Swiss stage races, while envisioning a support role for new team leader Tyler Hamilton in the Tour de France.

“My main objectives are the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse,” Zülle said. “Another victory in Switzerland would naturally be fantastic.”

With his best years in the Tour de France behind him, Zülle, 35, has indicated he would be content to work for Hamilton and Phonak’s other star arrival, Oscar Sevilla, should his form be good enough to warrant a ride in the Tour.

“Tyler is a classy rider, and has a unique character,” Zülle added. “I see myself as a source of guidance, and also as a helper for the team.”

Hamilton and Zülle that could be an interesting combination. I’m looking forward to following these two this year.

Finally, Britain’s biggest track cycling event of 2004, the UCI World Cup, is coming to the Manchester Velodrome at Easter (9th – 11th April). The meeting is presented by Kellogg’s and features teams from 40 countries with all the principal track stars competing for their places at the World Championships and Olympic Games. For Great Britain, Australia, France, Germany and the others this is the crunch.

Even Mario Cipollini is rumoured to be riding the Individual Pursuit! Seats can be booked by phoning 0871 230 2621 or following this link.

Another month has gone by and I’m spending another sunday in front of a computer. No riding for me. I’m rationalising my kit, getting shot of stuff I’m not using any more and putting it into a special purchase fund and planning some big rides this year.

I checked out Temple of Thee Lemur today for the first time in a while. Not much been happening over there for a while. Except for Urban Sports, which basically serves as evidence of some very bad haircuts.

Lots of people were out last week enjoying the snow, which for some parts of the country will probably be it for the winter. In more Alpine areas, more snow means more fun, like mass start downhill races on bikes…

The Trail Hound is a new website with as the name suggests, details of British bike Trails. There seem to be a few of these sort of sites at the moment, but I don’t know if there’s a huge demand. Any way it’s a good looking site and best of luck. The Cleveland Mud Munchers are a group of riders who can often be found up north on the hills and this is their website.

Cipo reckons the organisers of this years Tour de France should let him and his Domina Vacanze team ride as a kind of lifetime achievement award. Some how I doubt that the argument being made will carry much weight with the French, but for more news on that and other matters road bike related, check out Velo News.