Meet #TeamSkoda for RideLondon
When I saw the bombardment of tweets about those that had been lucky enough to get a place in this year’s RideLondon, I realised I was missing out on something. At the time, I was living in Amsterdam. I didn’t know where I was going to be come August 2013, and I hadn’t really grasped just what RideLondon was at the point of the application deadline back in August 2012. As more and more friends around me started to brag about their place, I was... Read More
Giro d’Italia 2013 Preview
Arguably the most spectacular and visually stimulating of the three Grand Tours the 96th edition of the Giro d’Italia has been described as a hybrid route which transcends the boundaries between a wholly climbers race and a TT specialist’s. Last year’s Giro was perhaps the most stimulating of all Grand Tours with a surprise but worthy winner in Ryder Hesjedal and this year’s looks to emulate that with a dramatic race from Naples to Brescia... Read More
The London Bike Show 2013
I was delighted to receive two tickets to the London Bike Show last weekend and rather gutted to find out I couldn’t go. As an ex-pro who still cycles every day, my Dad was of course, more than happy to pop along. Here’s Tony’s account of the bike show on Saturday… ***** The moment I stepped off the Docklands Light Railway on Saturday morning I knew it was going to be busy. The snow that had fallen copiously in... Read More
The Physiology of Pro Cyclists – Massive Lungs
As an asthma sufferer, albeit one who hasn’t had many problems in the last 8 years or so, I recently had a routine check up at the local GP practice. Taking a peak expiratory flow test, I recorded a breath volume – essentially a derivative of lung capacity – about 1/3 below that of the average 18 year old of my height. A peak expiratory flow (PEF) test is undertaken on a peak flow meter, with a sliding dial which moves further up... Read More
Ned Boulting – Talks Doping and Team Sky
Ned Boulting ©Rob (AKA Your Funny Uncle) Download: 2012-11-01T15_24_17-07_00.mp3 // Click play button to listen. Interview with Ned Boulting at Revolution Oct 27th at Manchester Velodrome. An very honest and open interview. Related links: Ned Boulting Signed Book Competition Ned Boulting “How I Won The Yellow Jumper” Cycling Shorts Book Review Willy... Read More
An Open Letter
As soon as Lizzy Armistead crossed the line to take silver in an exciting finish to the Women’s Olympic Road Race (more exciting that the men’s may I add!), she didn’t jump at the opportunity to gush about a life-achievement, but to express the disappointing reality at lack of support in women’s cycling to an international audience. She wasn’t only standing on the podium to collect her medal, but to represent a sport... Read More
Book Review: Racing Through the Dark – The Fall and Rise of David Millar
Racing Through the Dark The Fall and Rise of David Millar by David Millar I have read many autobiographies about cyclists over the years, but none of them can be compared to this magnificent book by David Millar. The story can be read on two levels. The first is the most obvious one: a review of one of the most important and decisive periods in contemporary cycling: the end of the nineties and the beginning of the 21st century (the controversial... Read More
Book Review: “How I Won The Yellow Jumper” by Ned Boulting
For any fans of the Tour de France, who watch the ITV4 programme avidly during July, you will no doubt know the dulcet tones of Ned Boulting. He has become synonymous with the ITV4 programme, where he interviews the likes of Mark Cavendish post race, or whoever is currently sitting on top of the GC on that particular day. I was looking forward to reading Ned’s book, as I thought it would be interesting to hear what non-cyclists think of the... Read More
Mark Cavendish & Juan Antonio Flecha Q&A
For the launch of the new partnership between the heavyweights that are Team Sky and Jaguar, Cycling Shorts was very kindly asked by Jaguar to provide questions to put to the Team Sky riders, we only knew in advance that Cav would definitely be there so we supplied an array of questions for him and a hefty selection for each of the other Sky cyclists and management. On the day it turned out Juan Antonio Flecha and Mark Cavendish would represent the... Read More
What’s in a team name?
Team IG-Sigma Sport Presentation 2012 - Image ©Copyright Team IG-Sigma Sport Team Sigmasport-Specialized of 2011 has become Team IG-Sigmasport of 2012, to most this is a name change and not much else but in reality it’s a lot more than that, it’s a new direction and a great new opportunity but it’s also a great reflection on the direction cycling is taking in the UK at the moment. The last two years has seen a lot of development within the... Read More
