It’s been a long time since I’ve updated my blog on Fairfax but I just wrote a fun post this morning. It’s about the “not so elusive” MAMIL – Middle Aged Man In Lycra phenominon.
I first heard the MAMIL term in this BBC article. Hilarious! I’m quickly approaching “middle age” and not that far off being a MAMIL myself…
Anyway, have a read over at one of the fairfax online newspapers if you’re interested in this new species of athlete. I’m sure someone will take it the wrong way and be offended…
SMH, The Age, Brisbane Times, WA Today
It’s a sad day for cycling as Laurent Fignon passes away at the young age of 50. This news that I woke up to stopped me in my tracks. Nothing else in cycling seems important today.
[click to read more…]
Photo courtesy of Fyxomatosis. Check out his gallery from the Dirty Deeds CX racing last Sunday
This winter we’ve seen clubs from all over Australia host a number of cyclocross events. These are well organised, sanctioned and legitimate races with up to 100 people racing each event. Brunswick Cycling Club in Melbourne, Illawarra CC in Wollongong, and and Ipswich CC in Brisbane are the clubs I’m aware of getting their hands dirty with cyclocross. Even the state cycling bodies have given their support for these events which is great to see.
I remember in the late 90′s when cyclocross was first getting started in Canada. It was when mountain biking was at its height and organisers were encouraging everyone with a bike to come along and give it a go. After a while a “Cross Bike Only” category was established and by the time we knew it things had taken off. We had a provincial series, a National Championship, and riders were even starting to go over to Europe to have a crack.
[click to read more…]
I have to admit that at this point in the season I usually only a have limited interest in La Vuelta a España. Of course I’ll glance by the results first in the morning but I don’t get too emotionally involved or sleep deprived like I would with the Giro or the TdF. However, I’m excited to pay close attention this year as quite a few Aussies are competing as well as a lot of other big names are looking for a final crack. We won’t be talking about every stage of the Vuelta here but I’ll be posting photos and thoughts when things get interesting. To kick it off here are a few interesting facts about the Vuelta by Jamie Jowett.
[click to read more…]
I can’t speak for everyone but I’m certainly feeling a vibe of grumpiness among Melbournians. This winter has been absolutely shocking and I think everybody is over it. I hope someone out there is benefitting from all this rain.
I haven’t been on my bike for many days and I need a bit of inspiration from cyclists living in other places. This is why I’ve decided to hold the 2nd annual What You Missed This Morning (WYMTM) photo competition. I don’t have much to give away for prizes at the moment, but I’ll ask the site sponsors if they have anything they’re keen to throw in. For now, what I have on offer for the Grand Prize is my last SHUT UP LEGS t-shirt.
[click to read more…]
Photo by James Broadway
A reader who left a comment yesterday gave me a good idea for a post. He wanted to know what I’m thinking during a race. It’s a good question because I clearly remember a time when I was doing absolutely nothing during a race except for holding on for dear life. No thinking whatsoever. I was just making up the numbers. However, the beauty of bike racing is that it’s a thinking man’s game. Once you progress and stop worrying about the physical aspect it’s a very tactical sport.
Let me present some scenarios during a typical road race and what I’d be thinking during it. Note, this is very different from how I’d approach a criterium. Also note that this fictitious scenario puts me in top form and in a winning position (unlike my Tour of Geelong where I got absolutely shelled). Keep in mind that this demonstrates my particular racing style which is highly dependant on my strengths and weaknesses. It will be much different than that of a pure sprinter, a climber or a Jens Voigt.
[click to read more…]
Update: There was a media conference call with Shayne Bannan (AIS Cycling Head Coach and National Performance Director) at 4pm today where he explains the rational for the selection of each individual. Quite interesting. It’ll answer most of your questions on rider selection.
Listen to the call here (11mins) 
A few notes about some of the riders selection choices if you don’t want to listen:
- Cookie: Selected as a workhorse for first 200km and isn’t expected to finish. He’s done that job well in the Ardennes Classics (which the course in Geelong resembles) for SaxoBank. Wasn’t selected for his results this year.
- Haussler: Wasn’t selected because he doesn’t have the form right now. His knee is healing well, but doesn’t have the racing in his legs and would be too much of a gamble at this point.
- Sulzberger: His work up front for 2.5 laps to bring back the break in Mendrisio last year was well recognized and will be valuable.
- Robbie: If he was on the team he’d be put in a leaders spot. They didn’t feel that he’d be able to be a work horse and didn’t think he’d be able to make it to the finish.
[click to read more…]
Every year after the Tour de France the PRO team transfer talk fires up and speculation runs rampid. UCI regulations forbid teams and riders to discuss transfers until September 1. Rule 2.15.125 states “Riders and UCI ProTeams may not, before 1 September, reveal that they are involved in negotiations about renewal of their contracts or transfers.” I don’t know why they even bother with this silly rule because we already have it all figured out. The only rule everyone should obey is CT 2.4.12: “never believe anything you hear until after September“.
Below Jamie Jowett cuts to the chase, gives us his TIPS, and tells us everything we need to know.
[click to read more…]
If you didn’t make it to Ausbike on the weekend you really missed out. If you’re like me and love looking at all the different gadgets and product lines available in Australia you would have been a kid in a candy store. It was one massive bikeshop all under one roof.
If you’re a newcomer to road cycling and were looking for a new bike I can see how you would walk out of the expo as confused as ever. There were thousands of bikes on display and each guy standing at his booth will tell you all about the specs differentiate his bike from the rest.
Making and selling bikes must be a tough business to be in. The UCI has ambiguous but strict guidelines for the specifications that need to be adhered to with bike design and construction. Therefore it’s difficult for bike manufacturers to push the limits and truly get creative with bike design (if it’s to be considered legal in sanctioned races). From what I understand, working with the UCI is a nightmare for bike builders.
[click to read more…]
Photo by Stefan Rohner – Pyrenees, Shot on iPhone with the “hipstamatic” app.
