Sequins of events

Guff towers has been pretty hectic of late....highlights of the TdF, one lucky guffer going to watch the TdF, a trip to the big smoke for the NESTA Hands off my Bike awards and not much time to ride bikes..... So, this somewhat disjointed post will hopefully keep things ticking over.

I've been hard pressed to find a replacement for my well traveled (abused) Ortlieb Sling-it courier bag. It's looking a little ragged around the edges, but to be honest, this just adds to the appeal. If I was to replace it, something from Trakke would be high on the list. OK, the price point is on the high side - then again so are a number of inferior products that rely on a well oiled marketing machine to keep the customers coming. The price point almost becomes an insignificance when you see the time, devotion and effort that goes into the production. Add to that, the responsible approach that Trakke apply to dealing with and creating a relationship with suppliers and you have a great product. For those of us that enjoy a healthy pleasure in seeing a passion develop into a business, generating a range a products and gaining a worldwide reputation in the process, please go along The exhibition at the lighthouse for some tonic.

always good to see a lefty

You won't see many sequins on their range of kit, but a well considered dose of Harris Tweed on the Mule bag will keep those in the know happy. 

The exhibition also has an example of Uula Jero's wonderful bikes  (sorry I lost the pic!). However, all is not lost as here's a pic of something that is also of interest. 

We covered one of their bikes sometime back.

A wee trip to big smoke earlier in the month included a stay at the wonderfully appointed easyhotel, I even had a window. Thankfully, good coffee and grub could be found just across the road at Look Mum no hands!  Little did I know that the Rich Mitch exhibition outside in the court yard would present an image that would make a gambling man loose a few quid on how many stage wins.

can't remember where this was taken, but it was close by

 
And finally, lets not forget customer service;  in an age of faceless web transactions it's a pleasure to receive a wee call with an update - to Ann at Endura, cyclesguff salutes you.

Stay upright

the mountain goes...

With the cycling season now at full speed and for those glued to the Tour you may have noticed the array of National Championship jerseys on the roads of Corsica and Nice. The date is now pretty much standardised to the weekend before the Tour so allowing national champions to show off there newly won jerseys should they dare to race 6 days before the Grand Depart. For those of us mere mortals who have to wait in line for our club and team kit we might wonder how the clothing sponsors cope with that short lead in. Still in what was a test event for the commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2014 the city was closed by a swathe of cycling that cut across the city centre from Glasgow Green to the West End. With a fair wheen of top notch riders out there it seemed only right and respectful to go out and witness the spectacle. The start was pretty busy and full of the cycling glitterati including the legendary Brian Palmer. Both the women and the men’s races followed a similar pattern. The elite of the elite women came to the front after 3 laps and stayed there slowly but surely distancing everyone else. In the men an outrageously fast first lap laid the foundations of a cut and by lap three the 6 remaining riders were the ones left to ride out for the win. What a thrill to see this in our own city and to have another chance in 2014. Lizzy Armitsted placed herself to the front for the whole race, took the initiative on the return from the west end and soloed to a fine win. Mark Cavendish glued himself to David Millar's wheel for the dizzying series of laps and after some skirmishes on the final nippy wee hills on lap proved himself a worthy champion when he sprinted home for the win.

tight corner ahead

very tight

'me and cav had an agreement'

'me and davy didn't really talk beforehand'

admiring glances all round

tough at the top

mine-field

I'm wondering how many times Orica Greenedge bus will be typed in.........

Road Rash

Not surprisingly, the level of interest in kit and spec of bikes leading up to le Tour has resulted in the usual frenzy of marketing and hype. It seems that we can't get enough of those expertly applied 'prototype' stickers crying out for attention and fighting for the limelight in the comics and web. This guffers go to Tour knowledge bank - Cycling weekly Tour edition isn't any different. Add to that, the recent news of the big players investing in their own wind tunnels and links with experts from other, but related industries will no doubt result in even more aerowave frenzy leading up to and during Le Tour. 

All of this got me thinking.....what will the probike spec be for this weekend's British Road Racing championship in Glasgow? Well, I would suggest that 36h rims (something like an open pro that benefits from a touch of flex and compliance) and 28c section tyres would be a good start. It's fair to say that the route has benefited from some road repairs, but in places, it's still pretty rough - the hell of the west! It will be interesting to see what plans and road repairs the council has in place for the next big road event in 2014. Just watch this space, the six year long Glasgow Council Tax freeze will come to an end.

The route/course has also created a fair amount of discussion and in some quarters, discontent. For those that feel a mega crit is not doing service to the riders, spectators and showing the wonderful countryside that surrounds Glasgow, cyclesguff would like to suggest visiting the carpark on the Crow Rd on the 22nd June. The Robert Millar sportive will be passing by, here's a description from the organiser's site:

152KM OR 74KM OF THE FINEST SCOTTISH ROAD RIDING
The Robert Millar Sportive features some of the best climbs in Central Scotland including the ‘Tak Ma Doon’ and the ‘Crow Road’

This will undoubtedly be one of the classic Sportives on the UK calendar. We have selected a route taking riders through the beautiful scenery of the Trossachs National Park whilst also tackling many of the roads Robert trained on when he was a member of The Glasgow Wheelers including some of the most challenging climbs in central Scotland, the ‘Tak Ma Doon’, ‘Top of the World’ and ‘The Crow Road’. This is a beautiful route starting and finishing in the village of Fintry, travelling through Stirlingshire, negotiating the private road around Loch Katrine and climbing over the Crow Road and Kilsyth Hills for the 95 mile event. We think this is destined to become one of the best sportives in the UK and will be a test for the best. This is fitting in that it celebrates a legend that is Robert Millar whose feats as a cyclist inspired many of the cyclists now competing at international, world and professional level.

Prior to this weekend's champs, a few of modern day pro's may even be spotted training on those roads paying tribute and wishing for the same success that Robert Millar had in 1995.

Stay upright and let's hope for some fantastic racing

not going out

ouch

As we may have said before those commitments and injury things have limited the Guff outings so far this year. Also it won't have escaped the attention of those watching the Classics last month that Spring has come very late to Europe. Not been much fun weather wise in these parts recently or at the Giro for that matter. Indoor training is the activity to turn to it seems but something tells me that it is possible to overdo the turbo stuff. Time for a new tyre me thinks. Better still, time for some fresh air.

double ouch

the mountain comes...

Well a few short sharp climbs actually. It's been a bit quiet in the world of Guff of late. Injury, family commitments and one of our number distracted by running that resulted in a 3.08 time in the Paris Marathon. (not bad for a mere distraction surely)
Anyway to get to the point because we are clearly rusty in the posting expertise too it is more than just a pleasure to report that the British National Road Race Championships will be running in Glasgow this summer. 23 June to be precise and the route runs past the Guff door. A reward, no matter how undeserved for waiting around for cycling to come to us.

Grasstrack

If previous Red Bull events are anything to go by, fun and games will no doubt be the order of the day.

Stay upright