No Wiggo - GIRO!

Let me take you back to The Tour de France 2012 - Froome riding as a domestique for Wiggins realised that he had stronger legs and jumped off the front to try and go for a stage win. This went against team orders and to be fair he capitulated and continued his role to support Wiggo who was at this point in the red zone. Much was said of this and there were people who openly declared that Froome was the better rider. However Wiggo, although marginaly weaker on the extreme climbs, showed his overall class to blow everyone away on further stages, culminating in the time trial which he took with a raging fist at the line.

Forward nearly a year and Wiggins has decided unilaterally it seems, wants to not only go for the Giro this year, but wants the TDF as well. Its put the cat among the pigeons at Sky, Froome stonewalling any suggestions of a change of leader. I do not envy Brailsford, there's going to be a god almighty row! Champions have to be selfish, but this time I think Wiggins, who is a big officianardo of cycling history and respector of tradition should in this instance stick to original gameplan for the season as did Froome last year.

Only 7 riders have won gthe Giro and TDF in the same year, so its not an easy gig! I'm a massive Wiggo fan, but he's wrong here if he wants to change the teams plans for the season.

Take the Giro Wiggo (Not least because I am going to be at the finish to see you on the podium) and support Froome in the TDF. Make this honorable statement and I think you'll look back in the history books to find you'll not just be there for winning the TDF but being one of the true characters for sticking to your word by helping Froome win it.

Nice attitude

Becky (@BeckyBonsall) tweeted at 8:35 PM on Mon, Apr 29, 2013: Every time I see cyclists on the road I just want to run them over. DO YOU PAY ROAD TAX? No, so get out my fucking way. (https://twitter.com/BeckyBonsall/status/328955797327474688) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

Hangover with ACDC and Chris Froome

After winning the League Cannock RUFC celebrated long and hard last night. Unfortunately the CCCP had a morning ride planned. Something had to give - I had back trouble, couldnt get off it basically - and it resulted in a Red arrows like individual display by Scissorhand John, Happy Moorey and the Yellow Jerkey. 3 miles into my ride I bumped into John who was on his way back home. Moorey who had managed to get out of bed some 45 minutes before me, had set off on his own as well - I had hoped to catch up with him on the ride, but it never happened. No sign of the little Bear, The Axeman, Chesh, Bullshit Dave or new recruit Dufty (The buffet slayer)

Never the less the ride was fantastic, beautiful spring morning, loads of MAMILS out on the road and I had my music through one ear piece to keep me company. I have found that ACDC is probably the best band  to cycle to, although the Pretender by the Foo Fighters takes some beating when you are looking for some impetus up a hill.

Today also saw the climax of the Tour de Romandie - Chris Froome in yellow with just the Time Trial to go. I wasn't confident for him because I had put £20 on him to win last Wednesday and that usually means the kiss of death. My track record over the last month or so includes 3 fallen horses, one cyclist who broke a leg and collar bone, photo finish loss for Sagen on the Milan San Remo and Barcelona to win against Bayern Munich! (They lost 4-0 if you didn't know).

To my surprise Froomie did the business, after a hard fought day yesterday when he needed to go on his own to protect his position after team mates dropped away and the attacks came thick and fast. Spilak eventually took the stage win,  Froome content to let him as the GC contenders had given up the ghost.

This left todays TT which predictably was won by Tony Martin, but Froomie left nothing on the course and managed to take third. He began the stage with a comfortable 47-second advantage over second placed Simon Spilak (Katusha) and  extended his lead. Spilak rode to fifth on the day at 41 seconds to confirm his runner-up finish, 54 seconds down, with Rui Da Costa (Movistar) third. I watched all of this on a dutch internet channel! I'm now fluent!

So I am now celebrating my riches (Odds of 7-20) with a nice bottle of red while watching Toulon against Saracens in the Heineken Cup Semi Final. Going for Toulon myself. Which probably means the entire team will go down with food poisoning at half time. However I have to say, still cant see any Fly Half in the UK who's any better than Jonny Wilkinson.

I'll leave you with an ACDC classic - Its a long way to the top if you want to Rock n Roll baby!

Rugger roadie weekend

A weekend road warrior report might be a bit of an effort because today happens to be the last day of cannock rugby club's season. Im playing today, which is usually enough to effect my cycling but i do believe we've won the league. So there may be some serious carbing up this evening celebrating in the usual style. There may be gold fish bowls involved!

Froomee still in the zone

Come on me babeee.
Just a little wager on the old boy

The Axeman Returns and Scissor hands tris

After a years absence, the Axeman returned to the CCCP fold with a 25 miler this morning. Thats him blasting across Cannock Chase in the photo above. There were some cobwebs to blow out, but he coped with everything thrown at him. The Yellow Jerkey was the only other CCCP Tarmac Warrior on the weekend run, as Scissor Hand John was doing a debut triathlon, (which he did in a very respectable time),



and the Little Bear was on a photoshoot for "Tread n Shred" Mountain Bike meet, sacrificing his own training for the filthy lucra - click the photo below to see some of his work, good as it is, he's gonna suffer on some of the longer rides if he doesn't get the miles in!



As is Happy Boy Moorey - he's spent the day at his beloved Leicester Tigers with a couple of the most serious, and dangerous drinkers from Cannock Rugby Club, namely Mr Walker and Chink. Legends in their own lifetime for destroying drinking companions and bringing chaos to all around.

New boy Phil Dufty (Pseudonym yet to be decided) had a no show because of a rather heavy social function last night. Chesh got called into work last minute and Angus had previous commitments. We do have however prospective CCCP members in the wings - Jim the Fist has ordered his new B-Twin road bike and will be making his debut in a couple of weeks when he's back on leave. Evo The Bosh is waiting on delivery of a brand new Giant Defy and will be joining us as soon as the wrappings off it. Porter has threatened to return to the sport and Smooth Andy is getting his bike out the garage at some point. So the future of the CCCP seems healthy.

Other info includes Daniel Martin winning the Liege Bastogne Liege in some style, and the Yellow Jerkey continuing a fantastic run of betting form by giving Chris Froome the Kiss of Death by betting on him. This follows Wiggins crashing out of the Giro Trentino with a mechanical after I had a fiver on him.

Awesome digital Mag for you road warriors

http://www.spincyclemag.com/

Just been recommended it and its bang on the button, check it out.

Inspiration for a morning ride!

Having trouble getting out of the pit to do a few miles on the bike?

Let me introduce you to my "Friday Morning Song" concept (FMS).  It started some 17 years ago when I was making a cup of tea first thing in the morning, on a Friday morning about 6am, feeling pretty good about the fact that the weekend was almost there. I put the stereo on full blast to "Leroy Brown" by Frank Senatra  and bounced around the kitchen making the tea in my underpants. I brought said beverages up stairs to be met by my then 3 year old daughter Scarlett who proceeded to dance like a lunatic with me. When the track was finished she calmly went back to bed.

This then became a ritual which continues to this day, some 17 years later! Although my daughters (13 and 20 respectfully) don't get out of bed and dance with me anymore, they do shout from their bedrooms their opinion on the track I pick for that weeks FMS as I walk up the stairs. My wife has long since resigned herself to being woken by the stereo on a Friday morning.

Only one rule on track selection - its has to be up beat, any genre but it needs to make you want to bounce off the walls! I have missed this only once I believe in 17 years, and then I made up for it by having a late night Friday evening song after being down the pub. (Didn't go down well at all)

So if its to get the inspiration for a morning bike ride or just to get in the mood for the weekend, I highly recommend everyone to try the FMS concept just once - face the wrath of your family, partner or neighbor just one time, you may get to like it, in fact you might get them to join in.

And just for reference today's FMS was Fat Boy Slim "The Funk Soul Brother" click through and play loud, preferably while bouncing around the house in your underpants!

Wiggo, use the power of MOD

Looks like Wiggo is going to need some divine intervention if he's going to scrape back 3.19  tomorrow in the final day of the Giro Trentino. Its got a couple of steep climbs but not enough a fear to bring him back to the leader Maxime Bouet, a French rider with AG2Rwho might fancy his chances of securing the win.

So as I contemplate another little wager going down the drain (I bet on Wiggo) I pack my bag at work to wonder home to the hated torture machine that is the Turbo Trainer.

Hoy Hoy!

Must highlight this article about Chris Hoy, the man who after so many years at the top of his sport, 6 time gold medalist and thoroughly nice chap. Retiring today, this BBC article outlines how tough it was at the start of his career when the funding wasn't there and it was a real struggle. Read and wonder here on THIS LINK

Pink! Its my favourite Colour...

... to quote Steve Tyler from Aerosmith.

Its Got 21 stages, its 3405.3 kilometers long, 19,429 meters of elevation and has 6 mountain finishes - Giro D'Italia 2013! Can Ryder Hesjedal defend the Maglia Rosa? It seems pretty open this year to me. I know the machine that is SKY lead by the automaton that is Wiggo are hot favourites, but its not all going their own way; the Classics have been a disappointment, and Wiggo has saddle sores which he's taking antibiotics for. Which might explain the poor start to  the Giro Trentino - 6 minutes down and admitting that he thought about climbing off! At least the Team Time Trial win pulled it back a bit.

Nibali will have something to say about the Maglia Rosa, he usually does, and its usually something inflammatory towards Wiggo. There's no love lost between these two. But what of the others, Maglia Verde (Climbing) or the Maglia Rosso (Points)? Cavendish has got to be the favourite to take Day 1, but can he keep with the pace to consider a points challenge? I don't think his team Omega Pharma-Quickstep are strong enough to keep him at the front. As for the mountains, lets go for Domenico Pozzovivo of AG2R-LA Mondiale - a natural climber who should show the rest a clean pair cleats.

The biggest question is of this years Giro, can the Yellow Jerkey combine a genuine desire to cycle up a few Italian Alpine passes, take in the last 3 days of the race whilst at the same time entertain my accompanying wife who will be more interested in relaxing on the banks of Lake Garda with a glass of wine than following the sweaty Yellow Jerskey about.

Below is the Yellow Jerkey in Paris being welcomed in by his wife Jayne on the final day of the tour de france (just to clarify, I'm not claiming to have been in the TDF, it was a London to Paris Charity Ride 2009 which ended on the last day of the TDF) so she's used to being "on tour" so to speak - cant see any problem then.

Amstel Gold 2013

Amstel Gold:  If anyone needs any indication on how good a gambler I am, I have within the last 12 months betted on, and consequently killed 2 horses, broken a bike rider's leg and relegated a football team. Thomas Voeckler is the latest casualty. If I bet on em, its the kiss of death!
Vasil Kiryienka look like he's been mugged, blood all over the place, Schlek has abandoned, anyone would thing I betted on him! Orica Green Edge moving into the zone. Come on Sagen!

Looks a great race though this year, first time we have really seen the sun!

Brace yourself

Gird your loins, and mount your steeds, for today the cccp gather to do battle against gale force winds and chilling rain. 9.30 start at the railway station. Let loose the dogs of war and tarmac warriors - for wiggo and st george!

Sagan, two weeks running?

Well he won me £25 last week, has Peter Sagan got it in the tank to do it again on Sunday at the Amstel Gold? And if so will he be able to keep his hands to himself?
see what Cycling Weekly have to say. The odds are so short on him - 23-20 last check, probably worth an each way bet on Voeckler or Gilbert both look a good punt.

Anyway weekend warriors, as long as I'm in one piece after playing rugby tomorrow, we're taking out a CCCP virgin on Sunday morning, he's arriving on a hybrid, but we'll be gentle.

The Yellow Jerkey for the Giro

Forget Wiggins for the Giro, This year there is a rumor that the Yellow Jerkey himself will be making an appearance, albeit the last 3 days following it around the mountainous regions of the north and hopefully in Brescia to see the finish. Blagged a couple of days in an apartment on Lake Garda from a good Italian friend, and I intend to be doing a bit of on the spot reporting and taking some shots - CANNOT WAIT, going to awesome.

Wiggins is hot favourite, but he's coming into it with little evidence of "form" unlike 2012. The Italians bemoaned the lack of "romance" about the way he won the TDF last year, hopefully he can get them on side with a show of his new dynamic bursts of speed he's been working on. For the more "romantic" of selections, I'd like to see Vincenzo Nibali win it - on paper and doing the stats, Wiggo should beat him if he's in the same shape as last yeats TDF, but this is Nibali's home patch and the Italian won't roll over easily. Another home choice has got to be Ivan Basso, he reckons he's got another Maglia Rose in him. So who will prevail? the scientific and statistically superior SKY machine or a rider with the passion and desire required to perform against expectations.

Suggestions welcome....

UKs best cycle Cafe?

OK this is what Cycling weekly reckon. Whats you favourite?
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/537785/top-10-british-cycling-cafes.html

Mines the Mess in Brewood

PS Great Win by Sagan today in De Brabantse Piji - just won me £25! BOOM

Scissor Hand John and the Little Bear come out of hibernation

After a winter period spent comfort eating and working on their couch potato figures, Scissor Hand John (he's a hairdresser) and the Little Bear decided to emerge from their holes and participate in a CCCP 30 miler. Sunday morning was a beaut of a day, sun shining and a bright blue sky. Which prompted me to forego the "Max Wall" leggings and don shorts for the first time this year. Light gloves instead of the arctic mitts I'd been wearing for the last few months and a typical short sleeved top with arm warmers topped it off and I was ready for the off.

Scissor Hand John turns up with a spanking new kit, red and black to match his bike, bedecked with spanish decals. "What's that mean then?" I ask "How the f*** do I know, I don't speak spanish" replied  the ever elequent SHJ. "I bought it when I went to Gran Canaria on my mid winter training weekend.". Bloody hell, he's taking it serious this year. He went on to say he's entering his first triathlon next week. The CCCP is not use to this level of dedication, we may need to reconsider his membership if this sort of behaviour continues.

The Little Bear turns up 20 minutes late as usual wrapped up like Kenny from South Park. "You'r gonna freeze to death you idiot" he said "I checked the weather forecast, its 2 degrees this morning tops"

The Little Bear's aero winter gear

We were 10 minutes into the ride before a was regretting my optimistic clothing choice. Feeling in feet had disappeared, hands were the same - wind chill factor had done me again!

All in all though we had a great little ride out, with me feeling the benefits of not having a fag for 2 weeks, and feeling the disadvantage of carrying an extra half a stone in weight - I've been on this bloody "Cave Man" diet for two weeks now and I don't think its gonna last much longer.

The Little Bear did well and John managed to get up hills that he'd previously walked up, so all in all we had a good run, finishing up with a turbo chocolate and mushroom omlette. in the Mess. Incidentally the Mess in Brewood is a small bistro which has now become a mecca for cyclists on a Sunday morning. When we left there was at least 13 lycra clad road warriors drinking coffee and eating cake - highly recommend the place.

Got back home in time for the start of the Paris Roubaix. I am writing this while watching it and drinking a bottle of merlot shouting "come on Phinney you bloody waste of space, where the hell are you." I might ad that I have £10 riding on him at 12-1. I also have £5 on Stannard and £5 on Edvald Boasoan . Anyone who knows my betting prowess knows that this is the kiss of death for these riders. I've just checked the odds and they've all gone to 124-1 with 17 km to go - bloody typical. Cancellara started as a short favourite and wasn't worth a bet, but its fairly obvious that Fabian is going to win it. Thats why I've decided to try and minimise my losses by putting an "in race" bet on Cancellara. Watch this space, Fabian will puncture or fall within the next 5 minutes.

Bernard Hinault one of the sports all time greats described the Paris Roubaix as a race for dick heads, I feel the biggest dick heads are the ones that try and bet on such an unpredictable race such as this.

Come on Fabian, to quote a My Fair Lady line, "Move your bloody arse"

Mud pluggers - How fast are you

This is funny - for all mud pluggers out there -

Snow Angels on Bontragers

Well the Mavic tyres that have served me so well over the last year finally gave up the ghost after a couple of stints on the Turbo trainer. So before heading up to Gods country (The Lake district) to ride Hard Knott Pass I thought I ought to get a new set. The local bike shop didnt have any Mavics so Bontrager R3s were the new acquisition. Everything packed up and ready to roll we set off to sit on the M6 in a traffic jam for 5 hours before we eventually turned off and headed into the hills.

 

Which was where this photo opportunity came up - my bike is actually on the top of my car here!

The landscape was breathtaking, traveling over mountain passes that only 48 hours earlier were 12 ft deep in snow we stopped periodically to soak up the view. We eventually arrived in Ravenglass a sleepy little fishing village which boasts the fantastic Pennington Hotel - A hostel of some repute among the few who know about it. This little village is one of my favourite place on the planet, the locals are friendly, the food fantastic and while you are there, the rest of the world seems to be "on pause".

  

To cut a long story short we got there, pigged out, I mean carbed up, shipped a bottle of wine and had an early night in preparation for the big climb over Hard Knott Pass.

A gloriously bright morning that had a bit of a nip in the air set the tone, while I changed tyres in the car park. Ready to roll, I bid my wife farewell and told her I'd meet her in Eskdale once I return from my epic climb. (Jayne was going up the valley on the Lall Ratty, The Ravenglass Eskdale steam railway)

Without sounding over emotional, I have never felt so overjoyed about cycling. The scenery was something to behold; the mountains had their "caps on" (as my grandad used to say when the snow was still visible on the peaks) and spring had truly sprung. I cycled up the valley with the biggest grin on my face, it was truly inspirational. I had to stop a couple of times just to embrace the moment. The only downer was (and I dont know if I was imagining this) the Bontrager tyres seemed a little 'slower' than my old Mavics. Do they really make any difference? It seemed so to me.

Shortly before this photo came a "Road closed" sign. As you can see the road looked fine so I ignored it. Some miles onward, at the foot of Hard Knott Pass I came across another "Road closed" sign shown below, which I feel I should have taken a bit more notice of. Take a look at the gradient % on the road sign!

Taking note of the warning, but ignoring it non the less, I continued up the rapidly steepening road to be greeted by some pretty impressive snow drifts - I couldn't resist taking a snap to give some indication of the severity of the weather in this region within the last few days.

About half a mile up the pass I saw two touring cyclists wearing hiking boots walking down the slope. This coincided with me having to traverse a small patch of snow. Queue my first mishap. Back wheel spins, I no longer have forward momentum, I am now on my arse. 

"You've no chance of getting over the pass on your bike mate" commented one of the tourists. "We've walked down 90% of it, its just to dangerous - further up, there's absolutely no tarmac to see, just virgin snow" We chatted for a while and I pondered the worth of this attempted climb. After my pondering I attempted to get back on my bike to continue onwards and upwards - not easy when you're on a 25-30% slope. 

Hopping along trying to get my cleats in, I almost came a cropper again. In the end I pushed it forward until there was a lull in the viciousness of the gradient. And I'm back in the game! Not for long unfortunately, another encounter with a small patch of snow which stretched across the width of the tarmac and another date with the dirt!

Another 10 minutes of my now well practiced "One legged cyclist" impression and I managed to get the bloody bike moving. With a bit of momentum and strategic guidance around snow patches I started to make a bit of headway until I saw before me the end of tarmac and the beginning of a never ending snow field. This was no time for subtlety - I stood on the peddles and gave it everything I had in the vain hope that I could plow through the white stuff and perhaps find a bit of tarmac at the next bend. I last about 6ft into the snow before falling side ways and rolling on to my back laughing at the absurdity of my efforts. As I lay their looking into the blue sky above, cackling like a lunatic, I instinctively started waving my arms and legs around to create a "Snow Angel" - in hind sight, I am so pleased that all of this took place in the middle of no where with no witnesses, well no living witnesses, not now anyway....

The view back down the pass when I finally gave up

The view back UP the pass when I capitulated

Wet through, with a broken helmet, and bruised pride, I made my way back down the pass - walking! When it was safe to cycle I immediately suffered a puncture - 1 year without one with my Mavics, and first ride out, the Bontrager springs a leak - is this inherent?  Quick fix on the side of the road, roll down into the Eskdale valley and before you know it I'm supping chocolate in the Boot Inn with my better half.

I raced the Ratty back to Ravenglass and beat it quite handsomely, but those Bontragers still seem a bit sluggish - in summary a bit like myself, slow and prone to letting out air!

Cold, wet and failed

Fantastic days cycling, in fact I would go so far to say that it was the most enjoyable and invigorating time I've ever had on a bike. Really looking forward to doing it again later in the year as a CCCP event, anyone wanna come along?