On the face of it ‘Reinventing the Wheel’ is the paradigm of a redundant endeavour. Taking a three-thousand year old invention – arguably the most important invention in the entire history of mankind’s development – and making it anew would be incredibly difficult to be novel or to be seen as worthwhile. But those particular facts haven’t deterred Sam Pearce from having a go, nor ... Read More
Latest Blog Entries
Tour de France – Rest Day Roundup 2
When I was a kid watching the Tour de France in the late Eighties, my rider allegiances often switched with whichever was my favourite jersey design. I would find myself supporting Renault one year, PDM the next, Z-Peugeot the year after that. As with football a few years earlier (and in the very same way as my young children today) I was something of a ... Read More
‘We Were Fought By Men Very Fast’ & Massif Central Exhibitions
Two small (but perfectly formed) exhibitions are on in East London until the end of the month. Both are worth a visit. If I may be so bold as to suggest an itinerary you might chose to visit the first one, Emily Maye‘s photographic exhibition ‘We were Fought by Men Very Fast’, earlier in the day than the display of Massif Central’s ... Read More
In Memoriam – Fabio Casartelli
Francisco Fabio Casatelli – b. 16.08.1970 – d. 18.07.1995 Died – Stage 15 1995 Tour de France Casartelli’s death on the Col de Portet d’Aspet in 1995 was a defining moment for the question of rider safety within the professional sport. The Olympic road-race champion from 1992, who was riding for the Motorola team, fell descending at speed and hit one of the large concrete blocks that line the edge of the ... Read More
Feliz Cumpleaños – Miguel Indurain
Happy Birthday Big Mig. - 16.07.1964 TdF Winner – 1991, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95 Giro d’Italia Winner – 1992, ’93 World Time Trial Champion – 1995 Hour Record Holder – 1994 Olympic Gold Medallist – Time Trial – 1996 A monster of a man compared to most Grand Tour winners, Miguel ‘Big Mig’ Indurain won five Tours on the bounce, hardly pausing for a breather whilst also collecting 2 Giro d’Italia’s, an Hour Record and an Olympic gold medal ... Read More
Tour de France – Rest Day Roundup 1
The former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson is supposed to have said that ‘A week is a long time in politics.’ The same might very well be said of pro-cycling and it has most certainly been a truism in this incredibly eventful opening phase of this years Tour de France. Just 10 short days ago we watched 198 riders roll out of Leeds and head North into ... Read More
The Bike Show – Summer Cycling Festivals
I’m on The Bike Show this week, talking to host Jack Thurston about the recent summer cycling festivals including L’Eroica Britannia and The Rapha Tempest. You can listen to the episode here: http://thebikeshow.net/rapha-at-10-and-leroica-comes-to-britain/ My thoughts on L’Eroica Britannia are here and I’ll be writing about The Rapha Tempest soon. ... Read More
In Memoriam – Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson – Born Nottinghamshire 30.11.1937 Died – Mont Ventoux. Stage 13 Tour de France – 13.07.1967 Tom Simpson’s death hangs over the Tour de France and British cycling with equally heavy significance. His life and his passing on the baking slopes of Mont Ventoux sums up all that is good and bad about cycling and also highlights the ambiguity that often exists between the two. The sublime talent, the ... Read More
In Memoriam – Francisco Cepeda
Francisco Cepeda Died – Stage 8 Tour de France – 12.07.1935 The first rider to die whilst racing a Tour stage, Cepeda crashed descending the Col du Galibier on Stage 8 from Grenoble to Gap, plunging off a ravine and fracturing his skull.. Reports vary as to whether he died on the way to hospital or a couple of days later. ... Read More
Weapon of Choice – Pinarello Dogma F8 – Test-riding Team Sky’s superbike
So, just how good is a £12,000 bicycle? How much of a difference does all that money make? Last weekend I was given the opportunity to take the brand new Pinarello Dogma F8 – the very same as Team Sky are currently racing (and unfortunately crashing) across Northern France – out for a test ride in the Yorkshire Dales. Despite having a pretty full schedule planned for ... Read More