not a fairy tale

It is a tough old business this cycling lark with few if any fairy tale endings. David Millar's last season has been a bit of a mixed bag. Early season promise celebrated with racing fancy shoes. In the middle dropped from Team Garmin for Tour de France and valiant but ultimately unsuccessful efforts in the Commonwealth Games Time Trial and Road Race. So good to hear that he starts the Vuelta in Spain today and you would want to wish him well. That's the word on the streets of Glasgow.

Lest we forget

Today marks the 100th Anniversary since Britain joined World War 1. Private John Parr  joined his local regiment, the Middlesex, he became a reconnaissance cyclist, trained to ride ahead to retrieve information quickly for commanding officers. He is believed to be the first British soldier to lose his life in World War One, however this may not be the case:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28442670

Lest we forget

The big G

Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 - Men's Road Race 

 

The last words to David Millar:

The world is a pretty cynical place, professional sport as well. It's just part of it, but these games fortunately are a fairly cynicism free environment. This has a lot to do with the fact that you have such a diverse group of people. You are competing with people who have full time jobs, for whom this is a once in a lifetime experience. It's very humbling and it brings you back down to Earth and reminds you of just how lucky you are.

Stay upright

just because...

Look Mum, no Hans

So far, the travels of this guffer have resulted in very little time in the saddle. Thankfully, a recent work trip to Copenhagen provided the opportunity to explore the city from the perfect spot, a bike saddle. 

The original plan was to post a series of 'just because' pics, but the sheer amount of bike paraphernalia quickly put an end to that plan. Oh, there was also a short trip over the bridge to visit Malmo, Sweden.

chain guard fetish in Malmo. The salads from the shop in the background are delicious

Cykelköket in Malmo is a do-it-yourself-shop where you can fix your bike or build a new from their store of old frames.

and you can accessories to your heart's content

The King of Trackstands

The shop was closed, but will certainly be visited when I return

you can't beat a nice bit of external butting

thinking a load of guff

Looking back over some old posts you could be forgiven for thinking that we should re-title our blog grumpy riders talk guff about the weather. And in our defence it is a subject that is never far from the riders' thoughts since we need to think ahead when getting out on those roads. Today however proved to be one of those perfect sunny days that have you thinking, this is why I ride. Crisp blue skies, bright sunshine and even a hint of heat taking the temperature to a toasty 13 degrees. In the circumstances a long is an obligation and on the route south and towards Stewarton there was the reward of views to the southern uplands before turning for home and the delight of Ben Lomond and Arrochar Alps beyond all with a dusting of snow. Smiles all round. A definite sense that spring is on the way. There have been a couple of hints with the pre spring classics and then Milan - San Remo with the sight of Cancellara out-sprinting Cavendish. The Classics just around the corner might just be time to put the turbo away stop the thinking and the talking and get out there and enjoy.

Plans afoot

Guff towers has been quiet of late, but a few guffers are finding fun on shank's pony. Running along local paths and mountain bike routes (roots) certainly makes you view the landscape from a different perspective. The only issue is when you return home, check the strava feed and realise that you are quicker running than cycling! That last statement provides an insight to the amount of time spent in the saddle.

Thankfully, 2014 saddle time is now underway, but has a somewhat vacant feel due to the lack of key dates in the diary. However, there are a few plans - one which will include the The West Highland Way; another tackles a road route that climbs over the famous Bealach na Bà and there is a possibility of another trip to Morzine for some epic mountain biking, this will hopefully offer a chance to catch Le Tour.

One major event that is a favourite of cyclesguff may see this guffer cheering from afar. The 33éme Paris-Roubaix Cyclotourisme takes place on the 8th June. During at a recent Whisky and Cheese guffers get together there was talk of a cycleguff entry. I know that my bike is up to the task, as for me... 

On the subject of bikes, cyclesguff pedalled along to attend the Ben Wilson talk at the Lighthouse. Ben's talk was part of feral studio a Glasgow School of Art, School of Design initiative. A theme that ran through Ben's talk was the rise in bike culture; he's probably too humble to admit this, but he's played an integral part. His energy for designing, engineering, fabrication, playing and the enjoyment of watching others experience his work is infectious. So let's allow his work to do the talking. The rush to buy oxy acetylene torches and place orders with Ceeway is underway.

 Stay upright