Here they come, juddering through the narrow pass between bollards and boutiques. Their bikes rattle on the uneven bricks. Cables slap frames. Disorderly, they jump and jitter as they near the tight bend, gingerly.
Then a shout: “Coming through!” Continue reading
The escarpment rises. The trees close around and above me to form a shaded tunnel. There is only one way to go now and my purpose is clear. My body breathes in the cool, damp air as I start to climb. Roughly surfaced, intermittently steep, the road prevents rhythm. I press harder, but comfort must wait. Continue reading
“I decided not to contest the final sprint and throw myself on to the track instead. A couple of chaps lay down with me, in a platonic kind of way.”
Masters racer Jayne Paine hits the deck at Hillingdon. Read some more of her gems on the Willesden CC website here, here and here.
This gallery contains 5 photos.
A selection of classic Italian racers that were on display in Sigma Sport in Kingston during the 2011 Giro. I love their lean, athletic elegance – if they were people, anthropologists would describe them as ‘gracile’. Modern bikes are more … Continue reading
The 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans has won one Grand Tour outright, won the points jersey in another and held the leader’s jersey in all three; he’s won time trials, a hilly Classic, a Monument, one of the toughest Grand Tour stages in years and several good quality stage races. He’s also twice a winner of the Mountain Bike World Cup and has victories and top threes in a variety of other races. Continue reading
The 2011 Tour de France Lanterne Rouge winner Fabio Sabatini was born on 18 February 1985 in Pescia, in the Italian province of Pestoia. A ‘rouleur-sprinter’, he signed his first professional contract with Milram in 2006 and moved to the Italian Liquigas team in 2009. He’s ridden nine Grand Tours, finishing seven, and has several stage placing to his name. Continue reading
The fixed factor 