Yesterday afternoon we were in a local supermarket when I bumped into a friend of mine who casually enquired if I had been out for a cycle that morning . I often wonder what image non-cyclists have when they ask that question . Of course it is a conversation piece when they know that you…
Recently , a very well accomplished domestic cyclist spent a weekend in Dublin . On the Friday night he partook in a number of sociable beverages with a few esteemed acquaintances . Saturday was spent volunteering his valuable time in the service of the greater good of cycling in Ireland before he retired early after…
Take a look at this tv advert and remember that this guy is riding a fixed wheel bike with no brakes ! [youtube=http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=xh5Pr1k7I34]
Lance Armstrong comes from Austin Texas . The proximity of Texas to the Mexican border means that many Texans have a good grasp of the Spanish language . Lance is no exception . Like many other celebrities when he checks into a hotel he often does so under an assumed name . I can now…
Ish bosh bish . Bosh balla bectallawah bangdankint ! Well , that's what it sounded like to me the other day when a guy walked in to the shop and came up to me at the counter and just started blabbering on in his native tongue as if it were the most natural thing in…
There has been a bit of confusion about how the new scheme will work . Todays' Irish times explains it well - How to claim and what it covers How much is this new incentive going to cost the taxpayer? The Department of Finance estimates it will only cost from €200,000-€400,000 annually depending on…
They're at it again this morning on the radio , recession , recession , recession , we're all doomed . I know that Halloween is next week but they really are getting carried away with all of the ghost stories . There'll be no medical care for the elderly , no teachers in the schools…
Good interview with Nicholas Roche here today : http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=6361
No two days are ever the same when you stand behind the counter of a bike shop . Some day's are filled with tales of the previous weekends epic feats whilst customers admire the latest offering from BMC , Pinarello or Kuota , other days are more general with kids picking out their Santa bikes and…
This summer has been written off to experience regarding time spent on the bike . However , now the winter is here and the chance to start afresh . I can now have a clean slate all over again and begin my training programme afresh . That's the beauty of this time of year ,…
After what has been a fantastic world championship week , yesterday Italys' Alessandro Ballan the UCI ranked number 10 in the world took home the Rainbow jersey . The win was all the more impressive for the way in which he rode through pain barriers to reach the line . On the final climb , having…
In 1987 Stephen Roche wore the green Irish jersey and won the WorldCycling Championships . Twenty one years later his son Nicholas who has just completed a fantastic Tour of Spain will wear the green Irish Jersey at this years world championships in Varese Italy . Stephen Roche 1987 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uCgkpVdt4U] Nicholas Roche 2008 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaV7wbynAC8] Barry…
Have you ever heard a song on the radio and immediately been reminded of being in another place at another time . It happened to me yesterday in the shop . As I was fitting a new rear gear cable into a Pinarello prince Alanis Morrisette came on the radio proclaiming that she had one…
The summer is now over , or as some might say , the milder part of winter has passed . The mornings and evenings are getting shorter by the day and chances are you'll get wet whenever you throw your leg over the saddle . We are now entering the Irish cyclists peak time of…
Today is the first of September . I'm looking out the window at a clear blue sky and the shadow of a beech tree being cast upon the ground by some glorious sunshine . Someone once said that the first two weeks in September is the best time to book your holidays as it is…
Yesterday in Dungarvan County Waterford , for only the second time ever The Sean Kelly Tour took place . There were over two thousand cyclists who took part in the event and without exception everyone had a fantastic day . Ray and I had both vans there doing back up service and were pretty flat out…
Yesterday we were going to my mothers for lunch . Our 3 year old Laura was in one of her non-compliant moods , and was refusing to get dressed so that we could make our way down . The Peppa Pig pyjamas was considered the only appropriate attire for the day and no amount of…
Last week as I watched 'the tour' on Eurosport I found myself nodding in agreement at the television as Kelly described the job of a cycling mechanic as the toughest on the race . The riders have it tough for the duration of the stage , but as soon as they cross the line they…
Long before Lance Armstrong's dominance when the likes of Greg Lemond and the 7-Eleven team came to the tour the TV coverage changed also as it was given the US primetime tv makeover . Here are a few good examples including Roches 1987 tour win . ( look out for a very young current Credit Agricole…
Last Thursday morning I was standing in the shop when an old school friend walked in . He does a lot of running and was in to get a few energy gels . We were chatting or ' shooting the breeze ' as former Discovery team members would say , when he asked me why…
