About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

Lemond vs Lance

Guess everyone knows about Greg Lemond getting involved in the Armstrong media Q+A. It did seem like a pretty odd thing to do.

The Lance fans in the office (pretty much everyone else to be honest), wanted me to post some kind of Lemond kook rebuttal. The 'guys a jealous, over the hill nutjob who is still clinging to the coat tails of someone elses limelight' kind of rebuttal.

Well, I dunno about that. Lemond won a few tours himself, had a pretty big setback himself (he was shot) and was something of a genetic freak too (biggest ever V02 recorded as opposed to Lance's whale heart).

I don't really know about Lemond or his reasons for probing Lance Armstrong's past, all I know is that I remain to be convinced about his transparency (particularly in 1999, when the rest of the peloton was riding on a lot more than Gatorade and energy bars). He might have been tested a lot, but there are still a lot of question marks over the testing process, even now. I might not remember Merckx or Indurain, but I remember Ricco telling the world he'd doped frequently and with impunity before he was finally caught.

So pending the rebuke from the boss (an unabashed Lance fanboy), read this Drunkcyclist post and keep an open mind.

Still, can't wait to see the old fella race...

Posted by the office cycnic

Commencal Meta 6 Numero 2

I hate French MTB specialists Commencal.

Certainly not because they're French, mes amis, but because they've sent us this: a  box-fresh Commencal Meta 6 Numero 2. Every one of my household bills has gone up this year and my VISA card already needs corrective surgery but damn I want to buy one.

I love working in a sports industry as you can meet great people and are surrounded by product you can relate to - I've a dream job for some guys out there. But there's a rub - you constantly want the latest, the lightest, the fastest, the newest... Even when there's nothing wrong with your old. You find yourself constantly immersed in cool, shiny product to die for. There's at least five 2009 models I want. No, make that NEED, damn it! Right now this new Commencal bike tops the list.

Posted by Nick

Eurobike!

Some delegates from Tredz were at Eurobike recently to check out all the latest in Carbon fibre tricycles and shaft driven recumbents. With over 900 companies showing there was a LOT to see.

Our boys also got invited* to the Scott 50th birthday party. Free beers and burgers and an Elvis tribute band (how else to celebrate?). There was also a presentation for Thomas Frischknecht who has retired from competitive racing. He got given a Custom Carbon Scott Scale with all his winning results etched into the top tube. Very, very cool.
Also had the opportunity to hang out with other members of the Swiss power team, including some Olympic medal winners. Not you average Friday night…

*Totally gatecrashed

Road World Championships

A chance for the British team to transfer some of their track dominance to the road, the World Championships in Varese will be under way by time of publication - with Nicola Cooke, Emma Pooley and Sharon Laws (who just bought some MTB shoes from us!), competing today in the Elite womens time trial.

The Beeb is showing the Elite races live via their red button service, whilst you can find the route map and topgraphy on this PDF.

The rest of the Brits and their scheduled appearance...

Lance Armstrong talks...

Online Surveys & Market Research

Langster Monaco

The first Langster Monaco came in and was duly snapped up by Chris 'Wow' Hughes. One of our resident expert/geeks; Chris is notorious for offering to buy every slightly exotic bike that comes through our doors for repair, so it's no suprise that he fought off the stiff competition for the first Langster Monaco...

Free Scott bike...

Magazines!

'Scott Inside' is a magazine from Scott bikes that, as you might be able to guess, gives you a look into the world of the constantly innovative Swiss company. Interviews, photoshoots, bikes that you'd have to sell your first born to be able to afford, all of this and more.

Seriously, unlike most company mags it's a good read and offers something different to the usual back slap company line you'd expect.

Usually you wouldn't be able to get one of these very easily, but our boss is a dab hand at getting free stuff - so with a surplus of copies we're offering them to you. First come, first served, send a SAE to our Swansea bike store with a stamp value of £1.40 and we'll post you the magazine back. Make sure the envelope is big enough to fit an A4 magazine or you'll be getting it folded, sans glossy cover.

Mudflap

Gus, our unrivalled bike shop manager, former cycling weight loss supremo (you'll be glad to hear he's back on 4 tablespoons of sugar with his tea) and all round family man took his kids for a spin round the 'other' Afan last week. The side of Afan that IS suitable for tag a longs.

Singletrackless it might be, but the family routes are still an awesome way to spend the day. Amazing surroundings and a great workout. Especially if you've got a tag a long and child attatched to you.

Or as Gus put it: his 'mudflap'.

Cyclocross Season!

Its getting colder, damper and, well, a bit grim outside. That can only mean one thing... Time to ride circles in the mud round a squalid field till, exhausted you fall off. Hopefully past the finishing line.

Yup Cyclecross season is here!

For a good intro to this slightly sado-masochistic entry to a sport that is already chock full of self harmers checkout the Crosstube website for a good selection of videos. 

There are some very good reasons why Cyclocross is getting more and more popular each year. For a start its the perfect way to keep fit in the off season. Then there's the fun (seriously). The mass start and more party atmos at the events means that even if you've finished 50th, you've enjoyed beating 51st. Getting a real sense of achievement as you finish and winning your own personal battles.

For those looking to get into this sport, the best place to start is the British Cycling website. If you're looking for a bike; the Kona Jake the Snake, Giant TCX or the Specialized Tricross are some of the best around at the moment.

Photo courtesy of North West Cyclocross Association

Victoria Pendleton

British cycling star Victoria Pendleton unleashed some home truths in her recent Times interview.

Anyone who has to share the road with cars frequently, whether your average commuter or your world class sprinter will share her concerns:

"...the abuse I get from drivers ... 'Get of the effing road', and 'Buy an effing car', are typical. I'm usually dressed in the Team GB kit, but drivers take no notice of that.”

“It does my head in that people have no regard for my safety. If someone cuts me up, I will sometimes catch up and have a go at them. It's not like their journeys are so important. They're usually off to the shops to waste some more money. Honestly, what's a few seconds in their pointless life for the sake of not killing me?”

It's great to hear a high profile cyclist talking out like this. Here's hoping it got the drivers who enjoyed her spectacular performance at the Olympics, to think before putting a life in danger to get home in time for Eastenders.