Lines

There are people who understand lines. There are people who make lines into something that is beautiful. And, there are people who see the brilliance and want others to appreciate it. The wonderful and colourful collaboration between rapha and Ridley Scott Associates incorporates a 'variety' of lines. Dario Pegoretti was one of the best. If you have yet to see it, pour a Grapa and enjoy.

Wherever you are Dario, stay upright

Treacherous conditions suit Trentin

In an epic of display of how to Stay Upright, Italy's Matteo Trentin has won the 2018 European Road Race Championship in Glasgow.

With an air temp hovering around 14c, an unforgiving and undulating course of sodden road surfaces, tight bends and directional changes, the greasy conditions were far from ideal. The riders provided a stunning spectacle of riding technique and bravery. The pace, motion and noise of a peleton hurtling through a city in these conditions is a visceral experience. 

Towards the end of the race, isolated dry sections started to appear but riders faces covered in grime from their multiple tours of Glasgow told the real story. It was a tough and treacherous day to be in the saddle. 

Well done to all involved with the Euro 2018 Championships.

Stay upright

 

 

ReunionCI

The guffers are looking forward to catching up and watching the European 2018 Road Race championships in Glasgow tomorrow. I doesn't seem like 4 years have passed since Big G won the Commonwealth games:

http://cyclesguff.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-big-g.html

It's maybe time for Glasgow to consider putting in a bid to the UCI with the aim of hosting the Worlds. The City Circuit and TT circuit appear to have been well received. Even Chris Boardman was making comments about the spectacular scenery and roads North of Glasgow. He's spent enough time around the Globe to pass judgement. The opportunity to expand the City Circuit and take in climbs like the Crow Road, Tap o'the World, Tak me doon and even stretching it out to the Duke's Pass would make for a very challenging course. The aerial footage alone would be worth viewing. 

Stay upright

V for Victor

The 2018 European Championships are well under way and my local village turned out in force to support the Mens Time Trial. Victory was for Victor Campenaerts, an incredible time of 54:3:78 for the 45.7km course. Those of us that know these lumpy roads will appreciate how fast that time is. There are going to be a few disgruntled local Strava KOM heroes out there. The roads have even been improved thanks to surfacing work. Overall, they are still in pretty bad shape and a repair carried out 3 minutes prior to the riders arriving isn't ideal. 

BBC presenter Hazel Irvine mentioned that Strathblane should receive a Gold medal for turn out! Kudos should also go to Sean Botha and his recent Blane Valley Bikes launch. More can be found at https://bvbikes.co.uk/

Next stop is the Road Race on Sunday. It's a pity that the route is laps of Glasgow City Centre. Cyclesguff plus others have discussed the possibility of the route making more of TT circuit and exploring more of the stunning scenery and routes outside of Glasgow and finishing with a few laps of the City Centre circuit. Then again, that would no doubt require an army of pothole and road repair fixers...

Stay upright

Time Loop

There's a loop that I often ride if time is not on my side. The terrain and surface varies from blacktop, disused railway lines, parts of the West Highland Way, the John Muir Way, singletrack, forest roads and Ford crossings. 380m of elevation gain in a loop of 26k isn't huge but there are some fairly short, steep ascents to contend with. This route is also a gauge for how dry it is. There's a singletrack section that always has puddles of mud with large stones under the surface patiently waiting to catch the unwary peddler. The other night was different, the incredible dry spell and high temperatures has resulted in scorched trails that have to be ridden to be experienced. Rooster tails of dust have replaced mud splattered bike, bodies and clothing. 

The Bokeh has not been ridden for a few weeks. I've been waiting on new disc pads and the Stache was the go to ride.  Thoughts focusing on changing my mud tyres for something more suitable for bone dry trails are all too common. The problem is limited time, and I'd rather just get out and ride my bike instead of swapping treads. I really should do it soon. The Stache on Minions in these conditions is a drifting, dusty steam roller. It also requires new BB bearings. 

With new pads fitted to the Bokeh. The all too common reviewers buzzwords of feel, modulation and power are back in abundance. If anyone is interested, an upgrade from the original SRAM Force Hydro R pads to Swissstop sintered has been money well spent. 

Stay upright

Scots Dialect

Shand Cycles have certainly raised the cycling community's awareness of Scots Dialect through the names of their frames. It's great to see them being recognised for their work and quality on bikerumour.  The bikes look even better in the flesh.

Stay upright

just because....

Oakley Filter of the Blane Valley