Wheels that I regularly use:
Edco
Wheels recommended on the Singletrack world forum by forumites:
https://www.blueflowwheels.com
Category: bikes
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Merlin Cycles
Large online retailers that have generally provided a good service.
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SJS
Legendary suppliers of those bits no one else ever has. Online.
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Evo Cycles
Online retailers that have generally provided a good service.
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Banchory cycles
My local. Very good.
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Spa Cycles
These are large online retailers that have generally provided a good service.
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Wheel builders and bike shops
Good wheels make a good ride. Good bike shops provide good advice!
Local
- Bachory cycles
Online
These are large online retailers that have generally provided a good service.
Wheels
- https://www.justridingalong.com/
- Edco
Places to try (as recommended on Singletrack):
- https://siltmtb.com/
- https://www.blueflowwheels.com
- https://bikewheelsdirect.com/
- https://www.stradawheels.co.uk/
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The hell of the north
Commentating on live bike racing is a dangerous business
Is commenting in a foreign language a hindrance or a help? Watching the first womens Paris Roubaix is an amazing historic moment. That it is being broadcast is good, though perhaps if they had chosen to make a feed available for the whole race that would do even more to promote womens racing. As always with cycling coverage the Eurosport team is a diversity of nations and that includes the Dutch presenter Iris Slappendel on the moto who gloriously described her experience in a live segment with the words “I’m shitting my pants”.
Now let’s be honest no native English speaker is going to come out with such a succinct and honest assessment of what it’s like to be in the race. And this is often the case that in our own language we instinctively censor ourselves. While in another tongue we feel far more comfortable about simple trying to express what we feel.
So here is to all of our fantastic cycling commentators, communicating with us honestly in a mass of languages.
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Grace and dignity
Grace and dignity
For anyone looking in on cycling there are multiple obsessions that must appear odd. Perhaps one of the oddest is that around socks. The sports governing body (the UCI) goes so far as to mandate length. While roadies would never dream of wearing socks that did not compliment their kit.
But even socks have a role in the very human stories that lie at the heart of cycling. At the world champs in Belgium we were privileged to witness a fantastic win by the Italian Elisa Balsamo. While simultaneously sharing the pain of Marianne Vos who was denied the victory.
It is the small acts that make the real heroes. David Miller observed on the Never Strays Far podcast that it was just such an act by Vos that illustrates the depth of character of our greatest heroes.
While waiting to be presented on the podium Vos reportedly bent down and straightened Balsamo’s socks ensuring that she looked her best for the assembled crowds and photographers that would capture the moment in perpetuity.
Balsamo deserved her win. But Vos, who moments earlier had been visibly distraught at her loss, through a small act of courage showed why she is such a respected rider, ensuring the dignity of another.
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Two big names retire from racing
As the World Championships get into full swing Tony Martin, the German time trial specialist, has announced his retirement from racing.
He is the second big name, big character rider to announce their retirement in recent weeks. “Crosswinds” Dan (Martin) announced his retirement on the eve of the Tour of Britain.
Typically it would be easy to describe the pair as stalwarts of the peloton. But they were far more then that.
Tony is completing his racing carer at Jumbo Visma were he changed his role from time trial specialist to that of reliable, level headed domestique. He was also something of an elder of the peloton.
In comments to the press over the weekend he flagged his disappointment that rider safety had not substantially moved on over the last decade.
Tony Martin has yet to indicate whether he intends to remain within the world of cycling.
Like Tony Martin, Crosswinds Dan has been one of those riders who has achieved plenty on the road. Throughout his career it has been a privilege go and go again. His stage six win on the Muur de Bretagne of the 2018 Tour De France is one of my all time favourites (not least because I had sloped off to watch the stage on TV).
Dan has continued to ride in a lead role for Israel Start up Nation. He is one of the great characters of the peloton, renowned in part for his “moaning” though given his success it seems this pessimistic blanket covers a heart that beats with optimism.