About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

Change your world!

Those lovely people at Sustrans have come up with a great little idea...

"Nearly one in four car journeys are less than two miles, so we're asking you to join with thousands of others and swap just one car trip between 29 June – 4 July 2009."

"Just walk, cycle, use public transport or
car-share instead. Amazingly, if we all take this one easy action, together we'll reduce car traffic by 10% – healthier journeys, cleaner air and quieter streets. Sounds like good car-ma to us."

Click on www.changeyourworld and to sign up.

No bike lanes, no problem

Speaking of bamboo bikes on blogs here's another yawn worthy item! Well I thought it was cool though I doubt it's legality...
The idea is that a rear light/lazer show projects a bike lane around you, "providing drivers with a recognizable boundary they can easily avoid."

Hmmm. 

Like I say I can't see this being legal but there are no signs of it making it into production, yet!

Another day, another bike blog

Not that there's any great need for another high quality quality bike blog written by erudite and knowledgeable cyclists (ahem), but we'll certainly be keeping an eye on the Guardian's new online bike blog and soon to be released podcast.

So far it just looks like mostly rehashed bike blog staples (bamboo bikes? Soo last year), but their general online content is a cut above, so we've high expectations.

The Athertons

Whilst we wait for our weekend reports from the guys who went to the Big Welsh Weekend and the Bikeradar Live event*, the Atherton's are getting some much deserved mainstream coverage in the Guardian today. The video is a pretty good intro to them if you've lived under a rock for the last few years (if so, Peaty's still winning!), or are a recent convert to the sport.

*Preliminary report: Ferdie pulled out after two laps at Margam. His ligament is playing up. Is age catching up with the old boy at last? Is the 'flying goth' finally going to have to hang up his lycra (his bike lycra anyway)? Is it time for him to discover the joys of the recliner? We'll mercilessly laugh at him till he explains further.

Anti bling?

Top marks to Dominic Wilcox for thinking outside the box. He's come up with one of the more novel cycle security solutions ever seen; stick on scratches!
 
The theory goes that passing thieves will think your bike is scratched and old and therefore not worth thieving. Nice idea, but in my experiences bike thieves are just too thick. If it isn't nailed down, they'll pinch it, regardless of value, model or condition. They'll only flog it in the pub for £20 anyway.

But perhaps I'm too cynical and maybe this realy is a good idea, whatever the case, it'll never be a substitute for a good lock. Still, ten out of ten for originality.

We love ITV4.

'Cos they've just confirmed they're showing extensive live coverage and highlights of the Tour de France and Tour of Britain this year.

Roll on the summer.

How to get fit, get a tan and learn two languages in two weeks

We have to give a mention today to Ferdie. In training for Mountain Mayhem, he wanted a jump start on his training and to get down to his racing weight and fitness.

The solution? Cycle to Spain via the French coast, solo, on his new Commencal Supernormal of course! it's obvious really.

Well, no it isn't. For a couple of reasons, we're undecided as to whether we're impressed by his courage or puzzled by his foolishness.

-He doesn't speak a word of French, whilst his Spanish is limited to ordering two beers.
-He isn't taking a tent or enough money for hotels.
-All his luggage, clothes, spares etc fit into one small backpack (the same thing he brings to work everyday).
-No maps.

He promises to be back in work in two weeks.

A few here aren't sure whether or not we'll see him again. Those of us who know Ferd appreciate he's just about insane enough to pull it off.

Good luck Ferdie!

Leave Lance alone!

You heard about Lance Armstrong getting tested on a recent French training run right? Apparently the tester arrived and demanded a variety of bodily products without producing decent proof of ID. Lance goes for a shower, comes back then provides the samples.

The rabid French anti-doping authorities deem this a serious incident, worthy of starting disciplinary positions against him.

It's almost as if their determined to not let Lance compete in the Tour de France - which is in every conceivable sense, crazy.

He's going to draw bigger crowds and more media than the tour (and cycling in general) has had in years, regardless of whether or not he gets wupped by a younger generation.

We're not all Lance fans here, but I think we're all agreed that we wanna see how the guy goes in the Tour.

Wales Rocks

It’s St. David’s day soon, a time to celebrate all things Welsh, all the great things about being Welsh and living in Wales. Believe me there’s a lot to celebrate and I’m not talking Daffodils and leeks here, although they are undeniably lovely, I’m talking about the riding Wales has got to offer.

Whatever kind of cycling floats your boat we’ve got it. You could spend a year out on your road bike and never ride up or down the same quiet brutally steep hill twice. Touring is a delight for the same reason and the fantastic scenery. Of course if you fancy getting a bit more in amongst the scenery then you're spoilt for choice.

Oval, the new circle

Those of you who have been into cycling for 20 years or more may remember (not fondly) the era of the Shimano Bio-pace chainrings. If you're lucky enough to have never heard of them than I'll explain. Basically they were oval chainrings. The idea being that they 'smoothed out' your pedalling to give a smoother 'power stroke'.

It was at best an odd idea  that was thrust upon cyclists for a number of years with ever stranger shaped chainrings from copy cat 'budget' companies. Bio tech, Oval tech, Egg tech and even Square tech were fitted as standard to hundreds of thousands of poor unsuspecting bikes.

Personally I always thought it felt like riding with a rubber chain (ie. horrendous). I always felt pity for the poor pros riding the system to fulfil their sponsorship commitments.

Anyway, almost as quickly as it appeared it thankfully vanished. Gone the way of A.B.S. brakes and suspension cranks (they really did exist and really were as bad as you'd imagine) or so I'd thought.

I recently came across a couple of articles about the 'latest development in chainring technology' Rotor Bikes Q Rings. Hmmm, these look strangely familiar and alarmingly oval...

Oh my god, they're back!

And I'm not talking Mickey mouse tat either. This is lovely looking stuff (through gritted teeth) with gorgeous cranks and bottom bracket. Whats more they're being taken seriously, very seriously. The BMC UK RACING pro team are running the system for the 2009 season and they have been raving about it (but then they are sponsored by them).

Perhaps Rotor have succeeded where the big S failed but I'd be amazed. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole but I'd like to be convinced.

Only time will tell if we're all going to be pedalling about on eggy rings in 18 months time. I just hope that it's not forced on us this time.