It’s coming. The suffering is around the corner and I cannot wait. The 2010 leg of the annual alpine adventure for the SFRT begins next week in Annecy, France.
This year I feel I am slightly better prepared, although more mentally than physically. We also have more members that now make up the 2010 Spinwell Factory Racing Team which obviously means more fun… Oh and more slaps for the person at the back of the bunch, now he won’t be 3rd, but 5th! Shit.
Cret de Chatillon – I am coming for you.
Gotta’ love American commentary!
When French cyclist Louison Bobet won the Tour de France in 1953, 1954, and 1955 he became the first rider to win the event three consecutive times. His victories came through sheer hard work and determination.
I heard about the Bobet brothers whilst reading an excerpt out of Jean Bobet’s book ‘Tomorrow we ride’ in Rouleur magazine. Promtly after putting the magazine down I went online and bought the book.
Not being a big reader ( you can probably tell this by my mediocre use of the English language ) I read a little bit of it, put it down and forgot about it as it lay under my bed for a few months.
I went on holiday a couple weeks back and needing something to read and not wanting to splash cash on throw away comics, I reached under my bed for the unfinished book.
Now I am no book critic so I won’t even try to ‘review’ it but I can truly say that this book is great, it’s written beatifully by Jean the English scholar and for me specifically it holds my attention, something most books cannot do. So if you are looking for some letter forms to wrap your brain matter around, look no further.
You can also find a great write up on Louison Bobet’s racing career over at DM’s blog.
Great snap! Seen here.
Her name is Arina Romanova, a friend of my good friend Keiran and she was taking her first bike ride in London whilst on Holiday from Latvija when she was was struck by a taxi cab.
She has been in hospital for nearly two weeks now and I hope to God that she is going to be alright.
My love and wishes go out to you Arina, your family and your friends.
Yes, Jeremy* you did it! Can’t believe you smashed out a five hour ride on it though, you must be Loco!
The Duell still looking good and might I say I am glad (although it is not mine anymore) that you did it this way and not that way…. am I Jealous? Of course not. Well maybe a little bit.
Lovely shot Atticus, thanks for sending it over. The Very Well T is still looking great as ever!
The man named Atticus also has a good online presence, peep his Tumblr here and his Flickr spot here.
Sorry about the lack of posts of late friends, I am on my hols… back next week and hopefully I shall bring some sun back with me!
There is a great interview with Fritz Fleck over at Speedbicycles.
Fritz Fleck born in Germany in 1928. A technical designer and manufacturer who made ( probably ) the first titanium road and track bike frames, under the Flema brand (FLeck, MAnnheim).
Flema Campionissimo, Germany, 1972.
More photos of this magnicent beast… Here.
The nineteenth issue of Rouleur, published in July of 2010, includes 148 pages with an exclusive look at some of the best racing photography ever taken in Britain; an interview with living legend Bernard Hinault; the second part of our series on the life of a young aspiring rider – as well as images from world-renowned photographer Nadav Kander. The photography in this issue was taken by Gerard Brown, Taz Darling, Ben Ingham and Nadav Kander.
Another great issue it seems.
Grab.
Rapha and RSA Films present three short films inspired by the people, places and stories of road racing. Johan Museeuw, Sean Kelly and Dario Pegoretti are celebrated in three cinematic portraits exploring the passion, history and drama of the sport.
Based on a trio of story-labels originally found inside the Rapha Club Jerseys, each film brings a new translation: The intense dreamscape of Nick Livesey’s ode to Johan Museeuw, Adrian Moat’s tale of discovery inspired by Sean Kelly and Ben Ingham’s intimate view of Dario Pegoretti in his workshop, all powerful representations of three distinct icons of road racing.
On consecutive Fridays (starting next Friday 13 August) Rapha will be presenting ONE-TIME ONLY screenings of the full-length versions of the films right here on the Rapha website in HD. Do not miss them. Trailers for the features are now online.
Truly awesome and inspiring work. Go peep.
The night riders are back in town! Britain’s brightest and best cycle race gets back on the road in Newport, Shropshire, on Saturday September 4th. It’s the return of the original and best floodlit bike race in the country.
About 14,000 spectators have lined the barriers for previous versions of the race. It evolved from the classic Davies & Jeggo Motors Road Race, which brought all the top professionals to Newport for two decades. It was the British professional championship in its final three years as a long-distance event before promoter Michael Jeggo hit on the idea of putting it on as a Nocturne.
The riders snake through the little market town under a combination of streetlights and industrial floodlighting brought in especially for the occasion. They power up the cobbled St Mary’s Street each lap, cheered by the most-knowledgeable crowd in cycling.
Gutted I am, I’d love to reach this but I can’t as I’ll probably be in France again for the annual alpine adventure with the Spinwell Factory racing team.
Never mind, I should be back in time to catch stage three of the ToB. Better than nothing I suppose.
Thanks Carl for the linkywinky.
When cycling my 12 mile cycle path route to work on my BMX overtaken by mountain bike’s, racers and folding bikes, I dreamed of owning an old school Hutch pro racer cruiser with skinny wheels and hard set gearing. The opportunity never arose, but I did end up getting a Freeagent cruiser set-up with skinnys and good gearing it was a gorgeous fast, bike. But after trying a mix of old and new cruisers, every cruiser I rode felt wrong, the top tubes too short, the chainstays too long, the bikes felt stodgy, with thick unnecessarily clumpy dirt tyres, but worst of all, they were difficult to manual or slow.
So I designed the Swift and thanks to Mark Noble at Deluxe on help with tried and tested quality manufacturing, the frame became a reality.
The swift rides with modern BMX geometry. So your body retains the same agile body position, to the floor, to your bars, to your rear axle as a modern BMX. With the added benefits of larger faster sleeker wheels.
The Swift also comes with limited edition graphics designed by type design legend Seb Lester.
Seb’s type design can be found everywhere, Intel logo found inside your PC, the New YorkTimes, GQ magazine.
Sebs client list is a who’s who of dream clients, and he’s recent breakout into type illustration has instantly created waves. Each letter is custom drawn for the Swift graphics.
Sh*t looks tight. Wish I had room ( money ) for another bike and especially another bike that looks like this!
More info over at Emer Bicycles.
Shouts to Lee for the heads up.
Absolute repost but still an amazing clip.
Thought I’d post it as the Spinwell projects No.3 has now come to end with the last bunch of musettes off to the post office yesterday.
This clip, as reminded by Gareth Davies puts into perspective the use and beauty of the small, simple cotton bag.
Thanks again to everyone who bought a musette and hold tight for Project No.4.
Quite possibly the best wine label in the world.
Fixed gears and quiffs. Megalolz.
