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So, a first victory for World Champion Mark Cavendish in Team Sky colours in the 3rd stage of the Tour of Qatar. No doubt many more to come. Tom Boonen retains the race lead. Just found this cycling video on YouTube, hands up if any of what he says sounds like you on a one of those bad days! Just in case you wondered just how your saddle should be set up the UCI have issued a new dictum regarding the "horizontality" of your seat. I was having trouble sleeping...
Cycling: What's It All About?
The things people do for fun are both varied and rewarding. Some people like to read, some go in for watching football matches, some enjoy a potter in the garden, and many like to get out on the hills. Well, I have to say  I enjoy all of the above. But I also get a lot of fun out of cycling. Cycling is often thought of as a bit of a niche sport, not many people do it, fewer still actually do it competitively. Well, how wrong you are. It is, I believe, one of the fastest growing leisure activities in the UK and more and more people are having a go. There are many different ways you can get involved. Kids (of all ages) might well go for mountain biking or BMX. Touring is a fantastic way to explore our countryside from the north of Scotland to England's south coast, or even better the big mountains of France.
With the great Miguel Indurain after La Roue d'Or Alternatively, for something a bit different why not try grass-track riding, or, for some real excitement, riding your local velodrome track. When it comes to track cycling, hot on the back of Team GB's success at the Beijing Olympics we enter 2012, Olympic Year, in good shape with riders capable of medalling in both track AND road disciplines, and with some exciting youngsters challenging the old hands. What price a gold medal for Britain in the blue riband Men's Road Race event? And Team Sky has enjoyed a brilliant second season and must be hoping for even more success in 2012, especially with Mark Cavendish now on board. Over the last few years, the popularity of cycle sportives has grown exponentially. These are semi-competitive day rides which tend to include a few (?) challenging hills such as the Bealach na Ba (Google it!). We even have a classic local sportive right here in Cumbria, the Fred Whitton Challenge, and a real challenge it is too And if you feel  really competitive there is always road racing and time trialling. I have to say I enjoy all of the above. And that really is what cycling is all about. A bit of everything, but most important it's about having fun. As is now customary, I will once again be keeping my customary blow-by-blow blog cum diary through the year. 2011 was certainly an enjoyable cycling year with a silver award in the 2011 Marmotte taking pride of place. Once again the focus for the year will be a major continental event, namely the 2012 Etape du Tour (Acte II), an event that looks as tough as any I have undertaken. This takes me back to the Pyrenees and the 197km parcours includes 4 major climbs, including the Tourmalet. It's going to be tough. Training for it is underway. I also have trips to Mallorca and the Pyrenees to look forward to earlier in the year and will enjoy some varied rides with Helen as we look to follow up last years C2C and Cheshire Cat rides. Yeah, I have to say 2012 promises much.
Hopefully, my website will inspire, motivate or interest you enough to have a go if you don't already. And if you are lucky enough to live in Cumbria
why not try riding some of our wonderful (steep) Lake District hills, or head into the remote and quiet Scottish Borders, or simply stretch your legs along the glorious Solway coast. You too can enjoy scenery like this, whatever the weather!
Join a club Not sure where to start? Are you a club member? If not, why not join your local club? In Cumbria there are a number cycling clubs who will welcome you with open arms. The best place to find your local club is via the British Cycling website, which offers all sorts of useful advice.
This site is a bit of an indulgence but I will make no apologies. I don't think I'm an anorak (better ask my kids about that) and I have purposely tried to avoid the technical jargon which many cyclists seem so keen on using in casual conversation. Feel free to have a wander through the links at the top of the page, hopefully there will be something there of interest. But, if nothing else, get yer bike out and get riding.... today!
Cumbrian Cyclist was last updated: 07 February, 2012 | |
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