Mike Burrows

'Imagine a bike that could be assembled and disabled with one tool, there's only one type of fastener used on the entire bike....?' I can't remember his exact words, but an aspect of conversation went something along those lines. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mike Burrows in the mid nineties. I was a nervous and naive student, plucked up the courage and gave him a ring. He was incredibly generous with his time and I ended up with so many insights and words of wisdom.  

A visit to his workshop to see and hear his process and approach must have been a privilege, this link to the cyclist magazine is well worth a read 

https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/10866/mike-burrows-bike-designer-profile

When you look at what he's achieved, it's not just the design of an iconic bike that is better known and attributed to the car manufacturer Lotus than him, it is also the compact frames, incredibly smart components and utility bikes that demonstrate that he was a master of his craft. It's also the details and elegance of his products that are a joy to behold, this pic from an early Windcheetah explains why.

Thanks Mike

Femmestastic!

The first guff post in sometime and what a post to make. Mother, World Champion and now the 1st ever winner of Paris-Roubaix Femmes

You showed us all how to stay upright today Lizzie!

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 History, statistics, emotions and a very healthy dose of green. Thank you Mark!

time flies

Thinking of the title of this post, I decided to look up the history of the idiom. It dates back to something 18oatcake, but there is a reference of a similar phrase penned by Shakespeare “the swiftest hours, as they flew”.
 

A recent work/holiday trip across the pond to Sunny California in July did provide time to capture some interesting images and speak with equally interesting folk.

Marin Museum of Bicycling - is well worth a visit

Jet-lag is no problem when riding Tamarancho hours after landing...

do you remember these droppers?

A very rare beast, Alta Cycles are no longer in production. This is the actual bike used for filming the MASHSF films. 

One of the nicer looking ebike hire/rentals

cyclesguff at Apple, Union Square San Francisco

This bus had been shipped from the Netherlands for 2 month tour...I'm wondering where it is now

Turn12 Bar & Grill in Monterey is well worth a visit

There is one really skilled Scotsman in this pic

Those Scots get everywhere....Robert Louis Stevenson's former lodging in Monterey

Surly ebike - proto or home build?

 

What a collection of old skool metal.! I met these dudes outside Work Horse Cvcles in Monterey

Perfect for Santa Barbara

Paul Sherwen

Saddened to hear the news of Paul Sherwen. I grew up listening to and watching Paul and Phil commenting on the Channel 4 coverage of the TDF.

I had the opportunity to meet Paul and Phil many, many years ago. They were both very generous with their time and signed my autograph book. It was an amazing experience for a young lad with an unhealthy obsession for cycling.  

Thanks for the memories and the introduction to the wonderful sport of cycling.

Wherever you are Paul, Stay Upright

Traction

It's currently raining, well let's say it is chucking it doon! A most unwelcome contrast to the wonderful crisp autumnal day that was enjoyed yesterday. During yesterday's ride I was contemplating tyres and what to fit for winter. It was at this point that I started to notice my thoughts wondering off to yet more reviewing of online reviews. Time would also be allocated to discussing the pros, cons and of course, price. For some reason, possibly due to a memory of Sean Kelly describing his most cherished Paris Roubaix win, the picture below was recalled from my memory banks.  

Note the cable routing, some fancy gear integration going on

The picture above is in stark contrast to the levels of diversification and marketing hype that we are currently experiencing in so many fields of life. I don't think I'm alone in these thoughts. And it wouldn't be too ridiculous of me to state that we are living in unprecedented times of constant product launches and the associated sense of flux. Welcome to Generation Beta. The online assault of mass consumerism has well and truly taken over. The Guffers can't complain too much. Where would this outlet be if it wasn't for the tools and technologies that we now take for granted? 

The image in question is from the 1984 Paris Roubaix. Judging from the rather lovely BMW moto, the notion that you must have all terrain tyres to ride on cobbles covered in mud and plough the edges of fields, had really yet to take a grip of the motorcycling world. BMW launched their Gelände/Straße range to the public in 1980. Hubert Auriol and his BMW R80G/S won that other famous and brutally challenging race that used to start from Paris in 1981. 

He did Stay upright

The rider of that moto and pillion had a level of skill and balance that most of us can only dream about. Cor Vos, the Dutch Photographer responsible for the shot isn't any different. The photographers were shooting on film. No immediate opportunity to review images on a digital screen or viewfinder. The positivity of the commissioning picture editors who believed in their skill. And, understood their ability to catch images that show the raw pain, emotion and eventual glory of the riders would be proven when the negatives arrived. What was the choice of tyres, gears, rim width, frame compliance, bar drop etc for the riders in the peloton? It's very evident that it was limited. 

The riders on the velos had their moment in glory. Alas, that wasn't to be found sprinting for the win in the velodrome at Roubaix. Sean Kelly won his first Paris Roubaix that year. If it was Alain Bondue or Gregor Braun, we may be listening to either of their voices and thoughts being beamed through multiple digital communication protocols. 

Stay upright

just because...

Spotting this rig earlier today brought back memories. It didn't take long to spot the Columbus SLX sticker, a dream machine for a pre-teen in the mid Eighties.

There is probably some reference on this blog to my proper first road bike. It was lovely deep blue Cougar Columbus SL. The frame size followed the parent logic of buy a larger frame and he will grow into it. I never did quite make it to over 6ft!  

Stay upright