Cycling World Ireland September 2015 by CPL Media

Cycling

WORLD

IREL AND

COMBINING PASSIONS CYCLING-INSPIRED ARTWORK

Vintage International Classic sportive in Killarney

RUSSIAN 9195 KM CYCLE RACE MONT BLANC The World’s Toughest One Day Bike Event

Titanic Quarter Cycling Club SEPTEMBER 2015 €4.99

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

CONTENTS

TITANIC QUARTER CYCLING CLUB

COMBINING PASSIONS Cycling-inspired artwork

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

VINTAGE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC SPORTIVE IN KILLARNEY

RUSSIAN 9195 KM CYCLE RACE

NEW CYCLE R TAKE TO THE DUBLIN

MONT BLAN The World’s T Day Bike Eve

CONTENTS

@CyclingWorlduk www.cyclingworldmag.co.uk

NEWS SECTION

@cyclingworld_uk

RIDE TO E STREETS OF

NC Toughest One ent

5 Editor’s Letter

6 News 8 Belfast lorry driver course aims to reduce cyclist casualties on roads 12 Social media puts brakes on Carnlough bike theft

IRISH FEATURES

14 Titanic Quarter Cycling Club Vibrant Northern Ireland cycling scene enhanced with region’s newest outfit. 22 Vintage International Classic sportive in Killarney 28 New Cycle Ride to Take to the Streets of Dublin 30 Tour de Leinster September 2015 Cycling legend Sean Kelly launches Down Syndrome Ireland Charity Cycle 33 Will you LooptheLoop? Charity cycle around West Clare’s Loop Head Peninsula 34 Irish Heart Foundation Midlands Tour 36 The Jack & Jill Kilkenny Cycle

TOUR DE LEINSTER SEPTEMBER 2015

PRODUCTS 42 Multi-Functional Headwear from Buff 45 Solid tyre revolution 46 Bike-Eye unique Bike Mirror 49 Cube e-Bikes E-bikes are shedding their chunky image 50 Combining Passions Cycling-inspired artwork

WINTER TRAINING CAMP SPANISH FEATURE

54 Ride like a pro in The Tour of Spain Velofutur urges us to experience the challenge of the east coast Vuelta stages 56 VivaVelotur Director defines “bespoke” 58 Sun Velo Chasing the sun in Mallorca

PASSIONATE ABOUT PEDALING: LIMOUSIN

OVERSEAS FEATURES 60 Russian 9195 km cycle race The world’s longest Ultra-Stage bicycle race 64 Mont Blanc The World’s Toughest One Day Bike Event 71 Passionate About Pedaling: Limousin with Bonkers Frog

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

Editor’s letter September 2015 Going out on a Sunday ride this summer you’d think Ireland is a leading Cycling Nation. You get dizzy constantly giving the customary nod to an oncoming rider. Large groups of ride-buddies come speeding past, often wearing a club kit. A hi-viz donned marshal ushers you around yet another sportive route that you are not actually participating in. All your former football-rugby friends have listened to their knees and evolved to two wheels, now doing battle on Strava. Come Monday morning it’s a different story. You are the only freak employee who rides to work. Every team meeting you pipe up during the AOB; “any chance of showers and some bike storage,” knowing all too well you are destined for another year of baby wipes and grimaces from Facilities for blocking fire exits. Workplace commuting has dropped dramatically: the share of commuters cycling to work was 2.4 per cent at the 2011 census, as opposed to 7.2 per cent recorded in 1986. Although large towns and cities have seen an increase; for example in Dublin up by 26% since 2006; the national picture is disappointing. Real change can only take place when cycling is a used as a means of transport. There are spatial and financial limits to designated cycle routes, though we urge governments to provide more. So much can also be achieved through cycle training for adults as well as children, workplaces facilitating cycling and basic improvements to road surfaces that would benefit all road users. Perceptions also need to be changed. Those who don’t ride often think it is more dangerous that it really is. So how about this month accompanying a friend or colleague to try a daily commute, replacing perceived danger with pleasure.

Happy riding,

David Robert (Editor)

PUBLISHED BY:

Cycling World Limited Myrtle Oast Kemsdale Road, Fostall Faversham, Kent ME13 9JL Tel: 01227 750153 Publisher: Colin Woolley colin@cyclingworldmag.co.uk

EDITORIAL:

Acting Editor: David Robert editor@cyclingworldmag.co.uk Production Manager: Alice Allwright production@cplmedia.co.uk Senior Designer: Ivan Boyanov

ADVERTISING:

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CONTRIBUTORS:

Colin O’Carroll, Brendan Hennessy, Deepa Mann-Kler, Steve Middleton, Steve Harvey, Marcus Leach, Keith Gilks

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COMAG Tavistock Road, West Drayton Middlesex UB7 7QE Front cover painting “UCI Tissot” by Deepa Mann-Kler Although every effort is made to ensure the content of features in Cycling World is accurate and correct, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. No guarantees can be made upon the safe return of any unsolicited copy of photographic images. Thepublisher reserves the right to alter or amend any submitted material that is printed in Cycling World. All material in Cycling World is the copyright of the publisher and any reproduction of said material would require written permission from the publisher. ©Cycling World Limited 2015 ISSN: 0143-0238

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

NEWS Photo Tour of Utah by Jonathon Devich

Ireland’s Matt Brammeier seriously injured in collision with service car in Tour of Utah

Doogan Races Home in Lead Group at Euro Road Championships Donegal Rider in Medal Sprint in First International Championship Road Race

Ireland’s Ciara Doogan produced a fine ride to finish 25th in the Women’s Junior Road Race at the The Irish MTN-Qhubeka rider suffered fracEuropean Road Championships in Tartu on 8 August. tures to his ribs and pelvis while attempting to chase Doogan from Donegal was in the lead group that back to the peloton on a descent when he collided with sprinted in behind gold medal winner Nadia Quagliota service car on Saturday 8 August. to of Italy after 74.4km.The 17-year-old, competing in her first major international road race championships, Thankfully, he has suffered no head, neck or stayed well to the front of the peloton throughout the spinal injuries but he has sustained rib fractures on six laps of a 12.4km that included two short, tough both sides as well as a small pneumothorax. He also climbs of up to 10% gradient. As the sole Irish rephas fractures of the sacral and pelvic bones. Matt is resentative in the race, Doogan watched the tactics unlikely to require surgery but will need some time to played out by the big teams from the Netherlands, recover from his injuries. Belgium and Italy, the latter squad ultimately securing the top two positions. He tweeted Cycling World on 21 August saying “going great thanks, wheelchair went back to wheel Afterwards her coach Frank O’Leary expressed chair shop yesterday :-)” his delight at the strength and resilience shown by the championship novice. Cycling World Ireland wishes Matt a speedy recovery. “Ciara has had a great start to her cycling career at this level with very competitive performances at both track and road European championships. The tour was won by Jo Dombrowski, the Only turned 17, she is showing great potential for the American rider of Team Cannondale-Garmin future.”

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

Kerry Teenager Completes Successful Week at Junior World Track Championships Josie Knight has finished a fine fourth in the 2km Individual Pursuit in the world championships in Astana today. 18-year-old Knight from Dingle, Kerry, was pipped to the bronze medal by Madeleine Park of New Zealand in the third-fourth place ride off. The margin between the pair was a scant .146s after eight laps of the Saryarka velodrome in the Kazakhstan capital.

Sept

Josie Knight has finished ninth in the Women’s Omnium at the World Junior Championships in Astana. The 18-year-old Knight from Dingle, Kerry completed the final day of racing on the Saryarka velodrome with the second half of the Omnium programme ending a busy three days of racing in the Kazakhstan capital. Having won the Race 2 Individual Pursuit on Saturday, Knight started Sunday’s fourth race, the 500m time trial in fifth position. Knight finished 11th in the 500m TT in a time of 37.870s and followed that up with eighth in the fifth race, the Flying Lap time trial in a time of 15.165s.

Vuelta a España 2015 Contenders Chris Froome, the recent Team Sky Tour de France winner, is up against Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde and Fabio Aru at this year’s Vuelta a España, which started on August 22. Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali (Team Astana) was ruled out of the Tour for clinging to his team car in order to return inside the peloton after being involved in a collective crash in stage 2. The 2010 Vuelta champion, was 1:30 behind the peloton 20 km from the finish line but managed to make it back into the bunch nine kilometers later. Bruno Valcic, the president of the race commissaires said “It was a tough decision for the commissaires panel but after looking at the images, it was clear that we had no opportunity to give any other penalty to the rider.” Froome has a solid squad with him, including Geraint Thomas who rode so impressively at the Tour and Irishman Nicholas Roche. If he wins he will become only the third rider in history to win the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana in the same season emulating Jacques Anquetil in 1963 and Bernard Hinault in 1978. The Australian rider Adam Hansen deserves a special mention as has now competed in the last thirteen consecutive Grand Tours, the run starting in the 2011 Vuelta. If he completes he will surpass the record of Bernardo Ruiz, the Spanish rider who also contested twelve consecutive Grands between 1954 and 58.

Dunbar Stars at Under 23 Euro Road Championships Cork Teenager 26th After Two long breakaway Efforts All four Irish competitors finished in the top half of the field in the Men’s Under 23 Road Race in Estonia on 9 August on a day when Cork’s Eddie Dunbar proved to be one of the strongest riders. Dunbar was in two significant breakaway moves, spending several laps out front and the first year senior still had the strength to sprint to the finish in the large group fighting it out for the medals after 161.2km. Dunbar finished 26th behind Slovakia’s Erik Baska in the 45-rider charge for the line while Ryan Mullen, who also finished fourth in the Under 23 Time Trial, was also safely in the main group in 39th position. Daniel Stewart finished two minutes down in 57th place, the Antrim rider having been with the leaders until the final climb of Vanehuise inside the final ten kilometres. Seán McKenna was 79th over the line, 7m11s behind the leaders after spending all but the final lap with the leaders. The final day of racing began with the men’s Junior Road Race over 10 laps of the 12.4km circuit. All three Irish riders finished in the main bunch less than 20 seconds behind the race winner Alan Banaszek of Poland who led in a four-man break. Darragh O’Mahony was classified 63rd with Simon Tuomey 68th and Michael O’Loughlin 73rd at the back of a peloton which just failed to get back on terms with the breakaway riders.

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Belfast lorry driver course aims to reduce cyclist casualties on roads

he Freight Transport Association (FTA) and walking and cycling charity Sustrans have joined forces to try to improve safety for cyclists on the road. Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and with more bikes than ever on the roads there has been an increase in casualties, particularly involving lorries. Safe Urban Driving is a best practice training programme for HGV drivers and companies, including commercial goods operators, to help prevent collisions with vulnerable road users in an urban environment. The accredited course has been developed by the FTA and Sustrans in conjunction with Cycle Training UK (CTUK), and has received funding through the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Belfast Strategic Partnership. The unique part of the one day course is that drivers get on bikes to experience the road from a cyclist’s perspective. The course was piloted at the end of June with 10 Belfast City Council drivers. There were 59 pedal cyclists seriously injured in 2014 in Northern Ireland, which is 17 more than 2013 and is at the highest level since that of 1995 when 68 were recorded. A total of three cyclists were killed in 2014 – two of whom involved collisions with lorries. Karen Mawhinney, Sustrans Cycling Skills Co-ordinator in Northern Ireland said: “Sustrans is pleased to work with the FTA on a training programme and awareness campaign to ensure both

drivers and cyclists can safely share road space. As the number of cyclists increase, we have seen a rise in casualties, particularly involving lorries.” Sustrans recently worked on a successful initiative with Translink and Travelwise NI, ‘Bus and Bike Travelling in Harmony’ campaign which saw 2,000 bus drivers undertake training on how to better share the road with cyclists. Seamus Leheny, from the FTA, described how in some parts of the UK such as the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme in London, lorry drivers must have taken accredited courses in cyclist awareness in order for their company to operate in the capital. “We represent 14,000 members in the UK who operate over 200,000 commercial goods vehicles which is around half of the UK fleet,” Seamus said. “Our members take road safety awareness very seriously and are working hard to reduce the fatalities involving lorries on the road. We are pleased to work with Sustrans in developing this training course and are delighted at the uptake to date.” As part of the course, a leaflet has been produced highlighting safety tips for both drivers and cyclists which will be available soon from both Sustrans and the FTA websites http://www.sustrans.org.uk and www.fta.co.uk/training

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

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Cycling World Ireland September 2015

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Cycling WORLD

Question: How many times has Chris Froome won the Tour de France? All answers need to be received by Monday 14 Sept 2015. All correct answers will go into a prize draw. Good luck.

25-27 September 2015 Cycling World Magazine is giving away 5 PAIRS OF FREE TICKETS to the show. Just send your answer to the question below with your name, telephone number and email via one the following: Twitter: @CyclingWorlduk Email: editor@cyclingworldmag. co.uk Post: Editor, Cycling World Magazine, Myrtle Oast, Kemsdale Road, Fostal, Faversham, Kent ME13 9JL, United Kingdom

Cycling World Letter Page We are starting a Letter Page so please send your thoughts, feelings, ideas and insights about all things cycling. Letter of the month wins: A Velo Hinge Home Bicycle Storage. It is a foldaway hook that fits most standard road, mountain and kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bikes Send letters to: Email: editor@cyclingworldmag.co.uk Post: Editor, Cycling World Magazine, Myrtle Oast, Kemsdale Road, Fostal, Faversham, Kent ME13 9JL We may edit your letter for brevity and/or clarity. We look forward to hearing from you. Editor

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Social media puts brakes on Carnlough bike theft A Carnlough resident who works for a cycling organisation thanks local community for helping recover her stolen bikes Sustrans’ Active School Travel Officer for the Causeway Coast & Glens work involves encouraging children to walk, scoot and cycle to school, to benefit their health, reduce congestion, and have a positive impact on the environment. Her name is Emma Keenan, a cycling enthusiast who moved from Randalstown to the east Antrim village in March, and brought along her Fuji touring bike, Trek 3 Series Mountain Bike and Raleigh folding bike. However, sometime between the evening of August 4 and the early hours of August 5, the bikes were stolen from Emma’s Herbert Street home. “Three of my bikes and one of my neighbour’s were stolen. I work with schools in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, and from September I will be working in St John’s Primary School in Carnlough, and Cairncastle Primary School. I come and go on my bikes all the time and I had been keeping them in a padlocked shed, but when they were stolen the thieves ripped the wooden panels off to break the lock. The touring bike was insured but it’s the sentimental value. I use the bikes all the time to travel sustainably and try to practise what I preach.” What Emma had not counted on, however, was the widespread social media interest in her plight on the Carnlough community Facebook page. Within hours, her post had been viewed, liked and shared by hundreds of local residents, and three days later her muchloved touring bike and her neighbour’s road bike were found abandoned in a lane. The next day, her Trek mountain bike was found dumped in the old

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

Text edited from Larne Times and Belfast Telegraph

graveyard on Carnlough’s Drumourne Road. “The response from the Carnlough community was amazing,” said Emma. “People were outraged. I think that with people sharing the pictures of the bikes so much on social media it made them too hot to handle as people were looking out for them.” While her Raleigh folding bike is still missing, only a few scratches on the other two bikes testify to the episode. Despite what has happened, Emma says she has no plans to stop cycling around the Carnlough area. “It hasn’t put me off,” she stated. “I would like to thank everybody that has helped me in the community.” Bike theft is becoming a major issue in Northern Ireland. Almost 2,000 bikes have been stolen in Belfast in the past three years; with the average cost of a bike being around £230, this amounts to half-a-million pounds in stolen property. These figures were uncovered by UKIP MLA David McNarry through a Freedom of Information request to the PSNI. There is a virtual epidemic of theft,” he said. “Bicycle theft is a lowrisk, high reward crime. Most bicycle thefts occur in or near the home, the workplace, public places and venues like railway stations and university campuses.” He added, that bike theft has increased by around 80% since 2000.

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Titanic Quarter Cycling Club Vibrant Northern Ireland cycling scene enhanced with region’s newest outfit.

ased in the city’s regenerated dockland Titanic Quarter where the iconic ship was constructed, the area now boasts tourist attractions like Titanic Belfast with its radical ship’s prow profile and star design outline; and the Nomadic, a tender which carried passengers to the ill-fated liner and the last surviving White Star vessel in the world. As well as being steeped in history, the area is also appealing to the contemporaries. The Titanic Quarter studios are where the world smash hit series Game of Thrones is filmed and countless other productions have also been made there. Titanic Quarter was also heavily involved in the Gran Partenza of the Giro d’Italia in 2014 and it was on the crest of this 14

By Colin O’Carroll

wave of bicycling fervour that the idea for Titanic Quarter Cycling Club, dreamt up by a group of friends and colleagues working in and around the area who shared a common love of all things cycling, came to fruition. The Giro had Ireland in a cycling frenzy. People with little or no interest in bikes came out on the streets, pink bicycles appeared at every part of the stages and even the farmers died their sheep pink in tribute to what is one of the world’s great cycling events. Like everyone else I was there and lucky enough to have the course run almost past my front door. I’ll never forget the excitement of my six-year-old daughter who had never seen so

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

many bikes at one time, going so fast. She finished the day saying she was going to be the first girl to win the Giro and was on her bike for days. Who can forget the image of the cavalry charge of horses galloping down a beach keeping pace with the riders, who were gobsmacked

at the scene and could be seen nudging each other to look. The organisers went on to say that it was one of the most welcoming and enthusiastic Giros they had ever encountered. Part of the legacy of that was to light a fire under previously casual cyclists to get more involved in the sport and culture. I’d always cycled - quite keenly and competitively in my younger days in Australia - and up until a few years after moving to Ireland, my bicycle was my main form of transport. In fact I’d shipped my old faithful steely over from Oz rather than be parted from it. A job further away and a need to appear in a suit put the bike in the shed and after a while it made more and more infrequent appearances. It’s a story we all know - the longer the bike sits in the shed the harder it is to get it out and the legs gradually perish along with the tyres.

A challenge to ride to Dublin and back over two days, a distance of 230 miles, got me off the couch and back into the saddle, going from zero miles to completing the ride in eight weeks. I was hooked again and vowed never to allow myself to get so lazy again. My involvement in TQCC came through my brother-in-law Alex, who worked for Titanic Belfast in their marketing department. Philip Corr, TQCC Chairman works for Titanic Quarter, while Julie McCorry, who’s a recognised racer and works for retailer Podium for Sport, also came on board, helping to bring sponsorship and technical support. Andrew Davis who runs the local Mace outlet which also partners the Green Deli got involved early on, and again helped bring sponsorship to the club. James Loughrey took on the thankless task of treasurer while myself and Andy looked after membership and Alex McGreevy crafted the

PR role. Maeve Curran was instrumental in managing the initial phase of social media and website launch. The Dock café – the only honesty café in the world also came on board and let us use their premises as an unofficial clubhouse for which we are very grateful. Local real estate agents Fetherston Clements and Skinny Malinky’s Health Food completed the sponsorship line up. Titanic Belfast? Mobilisation funds were also received from Titanic Quarter and Titanic Foundation Ltd. Over the weeks and months we discussed the idea of a club, coming to the conclusion that the booming area, served by cycle routes from the north, south and east of the city, was an ideal location to bring people from all over this still divided city together. So the idea was born and for the next 14 months or so a small committee of nine worked towards putting all the blocks in place to have a functioning club up and running by the end of 2014,

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

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Cycling World Ireland

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helped along with advice and support from Cycling Ireland. Part of the reason for starting in 2014 was to capitalise on the goodwill legacy of the Giro, using it as a springboard to popularise and publicise the club and garner new members. Practically, it also allowed us uniquely to use a pink band trim on the left sleeves and legs of our club kit, which is a reminder to us and others of where we germinated from, and something we are all very proud of. Once the Giro was over we worked double time to get our ducks in a row and formally launched the club in September, soon gathering a membership by Christmas of around 30 or so. We are now sitting at close to 80 members which is remarkable for a club still in its infancy. Another important step was getting involved with cycling charity CTC. They came to us and put us through a theoretical and practical training course for riding in groups on the road, meaning we are all certified Ride Leaders, the first club in Ireland to do so. This makes us and our charges that much safer on the road. After months of hard work by all and getting all committee members trained on the road - it was finally time to press the pedal. It was not an ideal time to launch and we would have preferred spring, but because of the Giro it had to be 2014. By early 2015 we were really up and running were doing regular weekend club runs plus a weeknight time trial around Titanic Quarter. Members were also encouraged to enter sportives and other events to give the club a presence.

One of the reasons we wanted to start a club from scratch was that we would have a blank canvas as far as club culture went, and were determined to start as we meant to go on. The ethos of the club was to be accessible to cyclists of all abilities, and a strict nonsectarian, non-political, nonracist and sexist policy is applied. We also encourage participation just as much as competition, and the social side is as important as the serious cycling. This year, our first full season as a club, part of the Giro legacy meant we were the hosts for the Gran Fondo legacy event. This was a fantastic day. Around 3,500 cyclist lined up for the ride through the Co Down and the scenic Mourne Mountains with their killer climbs. There were two routes - a 173km lungbuster and a shorter 58km ride. As well as mass participation by club members, TQCC also conceived, funded and delivered the Street velodrome activation in partnership with Sustrans’

‘piccolo fondo’. This was hugely successful and created a really fantastic family atmosphere within the Gran Fondo cycling festivities the day before the main event. Tour, Giro and World Champion legend Stephen Roche and Team Sky rider Richie Porte were the big names on the day and we all crowded around on the start line to get our pictures taken with the stars. As the local club we had the honour of leading the peloton from the start and it was quite a feeling to be at the head of such a field - even if it was only for a few miles before it got serious. The day was a bit cloudy and grey but the closed roads and the crowds who came out to cheer us on were magic and the distance flew under our wheels. It was all over too soon, but the Italian beer on offer back at Titanic went down a dream. To cap off the day Titanic took

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

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Cycling World Ireland September 2015

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the team gold for the short course and also first female rider with our blonde flyer Pam Ayre, which really put us on the map. It was a thrill to be on the podium, getting a medal from my compatriot Richie Porte. The club will have a significant presence at the event next year and 2017 and it is a must for any keen rider. The numbers are expect to almost double for next year. A few weeks ago we hosted a race as part of the Seat Super 7 Criterium Series. While it was a blowy evening the event was still a success with the riders praising the circuit - part of which was actually the very slipway the Titanic was built on. There are few more events towards the end of summer and into autumn where the club will have a presence but one of our last solo events is a parade ride around the city to publicise the club and encourage people to join and even

see us as ‘the’ Belfast city cycling club and take some ownership of the idea and ethos. If every year is as good as this, we’ll be seeing lot more of our members on podiums in the not too distant future. For further information on TQCC, see our facebook and twitter pages or contact club membership officer Colin O’Carroll at colinc@hotmail. com

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Vintage International Classic

sportive in Killarney

Text and photos by Old Velos (unless stated otherwise)

LDVELOS, the Irish vintage cycling enthusiast group, are running the Vintage International Classic sportive and Expo on September 13th in Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland. The event is open to anyone with an interest in cycling but to take part in the ‘Sportive’ a degree of fitness is required. Inspired by the 30th anniversary of the Nissan International Classic and sponsored by Randles Brothers Nissan Dealers in Killarney this event celebrates the golden age of Irish cycling. OLDVELOS Vintage International Classic:

Open to all riders of old steel racing bicycles this event recalls the iconic stage of the ‘Nissan’ race of 1995 that went over some of Kerry’s toughest mountain climbs. This is an opportunity for cyclists to dust down that much loved old bike or acquire the bike they once desired. To really enter into the spirt of the event don’t forget the wool jersey, leather cycling shoes and other gear of the period. The event has two routes of 60 and 75 miles, both taking in stunning scenery of the Kerry Mountains and lakes.

Vintage Expo and Concours d’Elegance Competition. The OLDVELOS vintage expo will be open to the public in Randles Brothers Nissan Dealers Muckross Road, Killarney. Relive your memories of Kelly and Roche and see memorabilia of local heroes Gene Mangan and Paddy O’Callaghan. Appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the old steel frames and see the bikes that would have been regarded as ‘state of the art’ the early days of the RÁS Tailteann in the 1950s or the Nissan International Classic in the 1980s. There will also be some rare and Irish built bikes from down the years such as a little known Gordon from Hillsborough Co Down and Rapperee built in CO Meath. A Concours d’Elegance is also been held for what the judges regard as the best bike on display. The bike may be in original condition or a restored model but must be registered in advance on the website www. oldvelos.com as space is limited. Along with a perpetual trophy the lucky winner will receive an original Nissan International Classic Yellow Jersey.

Find out more Find out all about it and pre-register on our website http:// www.oldvelos.com/ international-classic/

Sean Kelly on the Gap of Dunloe 1986 by Ronan Fox

The Oldvelos Vintage International Classic takes place in Killarney, Co. Kerry on Sunday September 13th 2015. Killarney is one hour from Cork Airport and three hours from Dublin. 22

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

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Cycling World Ireland September 2015

Interview with Brendan Hennessy, Vintage Classic organiser Translated from French sports website ‘Be Celt’ (http://www.be-celt.com)

Can you explain us what “The 30th Anniversary of the Nissan International Classic cycling race” is?

When I was eleven, after watching Sean Kelly ride the Nissan Classic, I sat in my sister’s room and traced the team name SKIL onto a peaked cap. My love for cycle racing was born. Thirty years later I still have my Bianchi of my teenage days, my cycling heroes are still my heroes and I have my cycling friends in Oldvelos to share those memories. The Oldvelos Vintage International Classic remembers the Nissan International Classic held in Ireland in the 1980s. The ‘Nissan’ was a special moment for Irish cycling as it gave the domestic scene an opportunity to welcome and see their cycling heroes, particularly Irish professionals like Kelly, Roche, Early, Kimmage and McCormick but also their international rivals from the Continental peloton. It was also an opportunity for Ireland to showcase its beauty on international TV. Our event in beautiful Kerry on Sunday September 13th not only celebrates the sig-

nificance of the race but also the nostalgia we all have for the Irish glory days. Like other heroic events we want riders to dust down their vintage bikes and find their original clothing. We also want riders to bring their ‘Nissan’ memorabilia for a vintage exhibition. Our route remembers one of the classic Nissan stages through the Kerry Mountains. We will be riding from Killarney through the iconic ‘Gap of Dunloe’ a winding valley road in the Kerry mountains and on over country roads to some more tough climbing over the legendary Bealach Béime (13% or 42×28 all the way!). Then up and around Caragh Lake and back on a good secondary road to Killarney. 75 miles of pure pleasure.

Why this event is very important for Irish cycling?

Cycling Ireland recently produced an infogram about the national membership. It showed that at the height of the

Kelly-Roche era that there were about 2000 members, this number remained the same right through the grand depart in Dublin in 1998. However, since the introduction of a ‘bike to work’ tax-back scheme the numbers have shot up to over 20,000 members. Bike to work schemes have reunited many riders with their love of the bike, but also with their memories of their own glory days. This is the opportunity for them to be teenagers again and to show their love for classic bikes, craftsmanship and true style.

Vintage is popular in Ireland?

Our first vintage cycling event marked the 50th anniversary of Shay Elliott’s three days wearing yellow in the 1963 Tour de France. Elliott is a tragic hero who paved the way for many English speaking riders to join the peloton. In France he will be remembered as a domestique to Anquetil and perhaps also for losing the opportunity to be world cham-

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pion in 1962. Elliott is not universally known in Ireland and our idea was simply to remember him on the types of bikes he would have ridden on his own training grounds in Co. Wicklow. The idea seemed to strike a chord amongst riders.

Oldvelos vintage organise lots events in Ireland; can you tell me more about other events?

Oldvelos is a play on the term “old fellas” and there’s certainly lots of old fellows out there! We are like minded enthusiasts who remember our first bicycles and how they expanded our horizons. Our website www.oldvelos.com is a way to reach cyclists all over the country and we have had cycles and events in five counties over the last two years. The short write-ups by riders on our website gives a real feeling for the shared interested, camaraderie, occasional mishaps and fierce rivalry for our own Concourse d’Elegance trophy.

You have just finished building Stephen Roche’s TI Raleigh. How you find this Bike and will you ride with it during Anniversary of the Nissan International Classic

cycling race. Sadly, the bike is not mine, but it was my honour to restore it for a friend – he’d better ride it in September! As a former bicycle mechanic it surprises me sometimes when people newer to the vintage scene are mystified by the machines’ mechanics. But of course every bike has some little thing that needs a special solution. For the Roche bike which will be used for climbing I found that a 43-50 chainset would accommodate a 14-28 freewheel. These are the special things for me. I’m lucky I have a choice of bikes to ride from the 30s to the 80s, but most likely it will be my 1983 Bianchi Super Leggera that I raced as a teenager. It’s showing its age, but so am I!

Will you go to Europe to discover other L’ Eroica or vintage events?

I’ve been to l’Eroica twice and loved every minute of it. I was so impressed by the riders who rode single speed bikes I just had to build one. I picked up an old English frame and built it up bit by bit. When I tried to discover the builder I couldn’t so I put my own name on it. Lots of people

thought ‘Hennessy’ must be a French builder! Only what was in my bidon was French! My feelings about the European events is mainly jealousy – easy road travel to events, bikes and gear on demand and seemingly guaranteed sunshine. September is usually a great month in Ireland so we can certainly guarantee weather for readers who want to discover us.

Do you think we’ll have L’Eroica in Ireland one day?

This is certainly something we are thinking about. Our events to date have given us great experience and learning. As volunteers we need to be realistic in our expectations but I always say it’s like having a house party, it’s when you hear your guests chatting freely you know it’s a success. I think most riders appreciate the effort of volunteer organisers but know it’s them that make the party.

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

New Cycle Ride to Take to the Streets of Dublin

he inaugural Great Dublin Bike Ride takes place on Sunday 13th September and will be a flagship event in Ireland for the European Week of Sport (713th September). It was launched by Paschal Donohoe, TD, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, working in conjunction with by the Irish Sports Council, Cycling Ireland, Dublin City Council and Healthy Ireland. The event is based on the successful sportive model used internationally, promoting cycling and mass participation.

Two scenic routes (60km and 100km) have been designed for the event with both routes starting and finishing in the heart of Dublin’s Smithfield. Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke said: “I am delighted to welcome the first Great Dublin Bike Ride. This is a great opportunity for cyclists to take in the incredible scenic routes we have in Dublin and be part of a great event which we hope will attract up to 5,000 participants. This is an opportunity to showcase Dublin and our sports facilities.”

in this event and any of the other events planned for our National Week of Physical Activity and Sport in September”. The Great Dublin Bike Ride provides a cross departmental, cross government approach to mass participation and physical activity. Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, TD added: “Cycling is an accessible activity that provides a gateway to healthy living for everyone. Events such as the Bike Ride are essential in supporting Healthy Ireland’s goal of creating an environment where every individual and sector of society can play their part in achieving a healthy Ireland”.

Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride. I have participated in similar events internationally and saw first-hand how successful they can be in increasing participation across all ages and all abilities. I really believe this is a great event to keep everyone active over the summer months and would encourage everyone, whether Minister for Transport, Tourism you are beginner or advanced cyclist to sign up and get involved”. and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, TD, stated: “I am delighted to announce Ambassador for the Bike Ride the launch of the Great Dublin Bike Ride. The event provides a tremendous Ray D’Arcy, commented at the launch: “Cycling is a big passion of mine and opportunity for the people of Dublin to participate in a unique event based I find it a great way to keep active and healthy. This is a great initiative by the on physical activity and community Irish Sports Council and I believe it is engagement. I would encourage as very important we continue to look many people as possible to take part

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

for new ways of getting more people active in sport and physical activity in the county.” The Great Dublin Bike Ride takes place Sunday 13th September 2015 and to register simply click on http://greatdublinbikeride.ie/

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A Safe and Secure Bicycle Storage facility where each bicycle is individually locked and the area is monitored by CCTV Equipment such as a ‘Park Tools’ Bicycle repair stand and a High Pressure track pump Bicycle washing area with water hose Packed lunches for those heading out for the day with the family or as an individual or a group taking in the sights of the area by bicycle Jaccuzzi, Sauna and Steam room to revive aching legs after a long day in the saddle For a full insight into cycling routes of all types and distances based around The Kenmare Bay Hotel and Resort Call today to book your Cycling Holiday with the Kenmare Bay Hotel.

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Tour de Leinster September 2015 Cycling legend Sean Kelly launches Down Syndrome Ireland Charity Cycle

ormer professional Irish cyclist Sean Kelly and Roz Purcell, model and cycling enthusiast, have launched this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity cycle Tour de Leinster in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. The charity is calling on cyclists to saddle up for the Tour de Leinster charity challenge which begins on 24th September and continues over four days until the 27th September. This year marks the second year of the charity cycle which will see cycling legend Sean Kelly join participants for the challenging event which takes in a 600km route through some of the most beautiful scenery of the 12 counties of Leinster. Starting in Dublin city, the route takes the cyclists on a quick visit to Naas before crossing the Wicklow Gap and heading south through Arklow, Gorey and on to Wexford. Day 2 sees cyclist taking on the epic Mount Leinster and visiting counties Kilkenny, Carlow and 30

on to Portlaoise. Day 3 sees the challenge of the Slieve Bloom Mountains followed by a loop through Tullamore, Athlone, Edgeworthstown and on to Mullingar. On the final day the route continues to the Hill of Tara, across to Drogheda and down the coast to Howth Hill where the cycle finishes. Based on the hugely successful Tour de Munster event, which has raised more than â&#x201A;Ź1.25 million since 2010, for Down Syndrome Ireland Munster branches, Tour de Leinster will raise much-

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

needed funds for the Leinster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland. Speaking about the event, Pat Clarke, CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland said: “The funds raised from Tour De Leinster will make all the difference to the lives of people with Down syndrome in Leinster, as well as their families, by providing vital services and facilities in each county. Last year was the inaugural year of the event and we raised €100,000 which went

towards supporting local services across Leinster. This year our aim is to raise €150,000 for essential services delivered on the ground at local level such as Home Teacher programmes; Speech and language therapy; Early Development Groups and Adult literacy programmes.” Pat Clarke continued, “Our goal in Down Syndrome Ireland is to assist children born with Down syndrome to be as independent as possible. To achieve this, it is imperative that when they are young they have access to speech

therapy and occupational therapy and as they grow we want to help them with other areas of their lives such as independent living and employment opportunities. The objective is to ensure that each individual is developed to his/her full potential and to help people with Down syndrome make their own futures as bright and independent as possible. This all requires a lot of funding however, and through the Tour de Leinster cyclists, more young people with Down syndrome will be helped in a practical way.” Down Syndrome Ireland receive little government funding and have to independently fundraise 90% of the €2.4 million required annually to run their services. All services at local level are run on a voluntary basis by parents. All funds raised by participating Tour De Leinster cyclists and sponsors will be used for the maximum benefit of DSI members and will make a difference to over 1,000 families in Leinster. For up to date information and developments on the Tour please log onto www. tourdeleinster.ie or you can follow the Tour on twitter @TourdeLeinster For further information on Down Syndrome Ireland please see www.downsyndrome.ie

Tour de Leinster Route: Day 1: Circa 160km Dublin - Naas – Blessington – Laragh – Arklow - Gorey - Wexford Day 2: Circa 140Km Wexford – Enniscorthy – Bunclody – Mount Leinster – Gowran – Carlow - Portlaoise Day 3: Circa 157km Portlaoise – Mountrath – Tullamore - Athlone – Edgeworthstown - Mullingar Day 4: Circa 150km Mullingar – Ballivor - Trim-Hill of Tara – Duleek – Drogheda – Bettystown – Laytown – Malahide – Portmarnock – Howth - FINISH at Howth Hill.

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

WILL YOU

LOOPTHELOOP?

ow in its 28th year, cyclists are being encouraged to take part in the West Clare Cycling Club Loop Head Charity Cycle- known as the Loop the Loop on Sept 26. The event raises much needed funds to support local hospice services in the mid-West and national end-of-life initiatives, this year supporting Cahercalla Nursing Home & Hospice in Ennis and the Irish Hospice Foundation.

special when we are helping to raise funds for such great causes. We are hoping that the 28th LooptheLoop will be the best yet.” An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has given his full support to event. The journey resonates personally for An Taoiseach as his maternal grandfather James John McGinley was the principal keeper at Loop Head from January 1933 until October 1934.

On Saturday, September 26th, participants will set out on the stunning 130km route from Kilrush around the famous Loop Head peninsula. They will take in the picturesque Shannon estuary and the majestic, rugged Atlantic coastline whilst also visiting the famous lighthouse. The Loop Head Lighthouse is the centre piece of the cycle. It remains in the care of an attendant, and was opened to the public in 2011.

An Taoiseach stated: “Loop Head and the lighthouse have a particularly special meaning for me and my family because my grandfather was the lighthouse keeper there some 80 years ago. But I think Loop Head promises a special memory for anyone who visits because it is a place of such extraordinary beauty. I would like to encourage people to participate in this cycle to experience the stunning landscape while raising money for really important charities.”

Event organiser, Noel Gavin said: “Cycling is in the DNA of the Irish and there is no better place to take part in this great sport than Clare. It makes it even more

Registration, which is priced at €40 is now open. To do so, and find out more about the LooptheLoop event, please log on to www. looptheloop.ie

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

IRISH HEART FOUNDATION MIDLANDS TOUR

under his belt. The Irish Heart Foundation’s Midlands Tour with Sean Kelly offers three events on 4th October catering for advanced, intermediate and leisure cyclists starting with the 120k Kelly Slieve Bloom at 8.15am, the 80k Kelly Cut at 9am and the 12k Kelly Family Spin at 11am.

rish cycling legend Sean Kelly is on the attack against stroke and heart disease with the launch of the third Irish Heart Foundation Midlands Tour. Getting to the heart of the matter and the heart of the country, cycling enthusiasts are invited to sign up for the Midlands Tour on the 4th October 2015 to cycle with the former professional road racer. Keen to encourage more people to get active for their hearts and join him in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Sean Kelly said: “I’m delighted to support the Irish Heart Foundation’s third Tour of the Midlands and I hope plenty of people will join me to support the work of our national heart and stroke charity. There is hardly a family in the country that has not been touched by heart disease and stroke and we all know someone who has been affected by it. By taking part in the Midlands Tour we can get our own hearts pumping and support those whose hearts cannot work as well.” One of the most successful road cyclists of the 1980s, Sean Kelly competed in 193 professional races in total with nine monument classic wins

Enda Kennedy, Events Manager with the Irish Heart Foundation and Midlands Tour who started the event in 2013, offered handy tips for participants. He said: “As the saying goes, safety comes first, and all cyclists must wear a helmet for the Midlands Tour and are encouraged to wear bright colours for visibility. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves for extra grip on the handlebars. To keep your energy up alongside Sean Kelly, make sure you have a good breakfast like porridge or wholewheat cereal and bring snacks to keep you going throughout the day like fruit, nuts and cereal bars. A water-bottle is a must and it’s important to drink before you’re thirsty, so sip regularly throughout the cycle.” This Irish Heart Foundation event will be fully marshalled with plenty of support along the route in case of a breakdown. Participants can also enjoy a food stop at Kinnity and enjoy much needed refreshments after the event. Tea and Coffee will also be served at registration. Once you register you will have the chance to fundraise and receive a commemorative cycling jersey designed by Sean Kelly himself. Sign up for the Irish Heart Foundation’s Midlands Tour with Sean Kelly before 27th September. For more information about the event see www.irishheart.ie or call Enda on 016685001.

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

CWM_IE_2.pdf

2015-08-06

09:27:06

www.irishheart.ie

The Irish Heart Foundation presents

THE TOUR OF THE MIDLANDS 2015 WITH SEAN KELLY CMY

Charity No: CHY5507

Sunday 4th October 2014

Join champion cyclist Sean Kelly on a tour of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation 120km / 80km challenge or 12km family cycle Start Location: Tullamore County Offaly Registration cost: 120/80km Early bird (June – August): €30; September: €40. 12km family cycle (€5). Closing date 27th September 2015

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The Jack & Jill Kilkenny Cycle

he fourth annual Jack & Jill Kilkenny cycle is rolling out on Saturday 12th September and the well-known children’s charity is calling on participants to register now, with a fundraising target of €155 (which includes the registration fee of €55 per person). This year the Jack & Jill Kilkenny Cycle is starting and finishing from the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, with 3 route options for all cycling levels - 55km, 100km and 130km (taking in Mount Leinster). As always, the cycle is professionally-organised with back up vehicles and mechanical support, refreshment stations en route and a stop off midway for lunch. After the cycle Jack & Jill will host a BBQ dinner at the 4 star Newpark Hotel. 36

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

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Cycling World Ireland September 2015

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The Jack & Jill Foundation is an Irish children’s charity set up in 1997 by Jonathan Irwin and his wife, Senator Mary Ann O’Brien (founder Lily O’Brien’s Chocolate) based on their own experience caring for their son Jack at home until he passed away in December 1997 aged 22 months. Over the past 18 years, Jack & Jill has supported over 1,900 children (from birth to 4 years old) with brain damage who suffer severe intellectual and physical trauma, including 40 families in Kilkenny, 31 in Carlow, 62 in Waterford, 105 in Kildare and 462 in Dublin. The Foundation also provides end of life care for all children who require it from birth to 4 years of age. The nationwide service includes home visits and care, advice, information, lobbying and bereavement

support, with the Foundation providing funding for up to 64 hours of home nursing care per month at a cost of up to €1024 per family and up to 80 hours per month for end of life care. With less than 20% of its funding coming from the State, the Jack & Jill Foundation relies on the generosity of the public and fundraising events like the Jack & Jill Kilkenny Cycle to keep going.

To register: https://www.jackandjill.ie/event/jack-jill-kilkenny-cycle-2015/ September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

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ORDER FORM Post the completed form to Cycling World Magazine subscriptions, Myrtle Oast, Kemsdale Road, Fostall, Faversham, Kent, ME13 9JL.

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Cycling World Ireland September 2015

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MULTI-FUNCTIONAL HEADWEAR FROM BUFF

erform at your best, whatever the weather, with the new stylish Autumn/Winter 2015 performance sports hat collection from BUFF®, the original multifunctional headwear brand.

Renowned globally for protecting fitness enthusiasts and sports professionals against the elements, BUFF®, a family run business has now expanded its legendary neckwear range to include a collection of technologically-advanced performance hats. Catering for any sporting activity, BUFF®’s new collection incorporates the most innovative design technologies and has been created using the brand’s unique seamless manufacturing process for enhanced comfort and quality, ensuring that you perform at your best, even in the most extreme weather conditions.

Whatever your chosen sport or activity, the range has the following range of design categories to choose from: • Windproof/Perform. The most technical hats in the range, with a choice of three windproof fabrics: Windstopper, Ketten or XDCS, to ensure maximum protection against wind and extreme cold temperatures. • Microfiber. The most versatile and lightweight design, inspired by the original seamless tubular BUFF® design for excellent breathability and temperature control. Available in one or two layers, and in a reversible design. • Merino Wool. A natural, softer design, ideal for low to medium intensity activities and made from 100% pure Merino Wool offering odour prevention properties. Available in one or two layers, as well as a thermal option. • Polar Fleece. A warm, lightweight and soft design, perfect for the winter months and extreme cold conditions. The Polar Fleece fabrics offer excellent breathability, whilst maintaining body temperature and combatting heat loss. Available in the Polar Fleece, Microfiber and Polar Fleece and Thermal.

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

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September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Find your Funkier stockist at- www.bob-elliot.co.uk or contact us belowsales@bob-elliot.co.uk, TEL- 01772459887 Cycling World Ireland September 2015

Solid tyre revolution

annus offers a tyre for every cyclist. An allround tyre for all types of terrain or road, a road tyre for long distance training, and a small tyre for small bikes that rides perfectly.

Tannus Tyres is a Korean company which makes tyres that never go flat so that all cyclists enjoy safer rides. It strives for technological development to relieve the inconvenience caused by punctures. Applied with cutting edge Aither technology, Tannus Tyres never go flat and are made in diverse and clear colours. They are distinctly different from any of the anti-puncture tyres of the past and are secured with great driving function, comfort, lightness, safety and durability. The various colours are another result of the use of the advanced materials, and cyclists are able to enjoy the choice of colours that contrast with the mundane shades of most rubber tyres.

What about grip? Tannus Tyres are the only Tyres in WORLD safety certified by TÜV Rheinland (Germany). That not only means they are completely safe regarding to punctures but also to grip capabilities in wet and dry. Rolling resistance? Tannus Tyres stay solid at 100psi equivalent all of their guaranteed lifetime. 100% of the time you are riding at peak performance. No compromise. They roll exactly like your air-filled tyres.

The goal of Tannus Tyres is to make changes to the world from a small aspect. In order to do this we are continuously challenging for technological innovation with great passion, and are moving ahead step by step.

What you need Conventional tyres and tubes, 2 Tyres, 4 Tubes, 2 Rim Tapes, Pump, Tools, Bag = 1275g VS Tannus Tyres 700 x23 come only in one variant, and many colours. Weigh 380g each. • no Rim Tape, nope don't need it • Tubes? Nope. We go solid. • Pump? Nah. No air guys. • Spares? What? • Tools? Ehm. Sell them. • Bag? Well put the snacks there, 100g Let’s round that up, 2 Tyres and a bag = 860g

September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

Bike-Eye unique Bike Mirror

s you know, there are lots of bike mirrors to choose from, but Bike-Eye® is different. Unlike conventional mirrors Bike-Eye® is mounted against the cycle’s head and down tube, keeping it out of harm’s way and virtually free from vibration. The high quality silvered mirror gives an excellent crystal clear long distance rear view and avoids the need for the rider to constantly turn to check what’s going on behind. This is a major boost to safety for riders who find it difficult to turn while maintaining a straight course, a fantastic awareness aid for the regular commuter, leisure rider and the serious cyclists who like to keep their heads down when training or competing. Bike-Eye® will enable you to be more aware of traffic approaching from the rear but cannot replace a final look over the shoulder to confirm when it is safe to move out or to turn.

How it works Bike-Eye® gives a rear view through the correctly angled mirror under the rider’s leg, along the line of the frame, therefore it's important a clear unrestricted viewing pathway must be maintained. Bike-Eye®'s strategic positioning on the frame reduces the risk of knock damage or snagging and gives the mirror a virtually vibration free clear crisp image and can easily be adjusted for different riding positions. Please be aware that Bike-Eye® recommends that you should only adjust your mirror's position when you are stationary. 46

Cycling World Ireland September 2015

How it fits Carefully designed for most applications Bike-Eye® is fixed to the head and down tube in seconds using Ty-RAP ties, a quick simple frame friendly system that fits a large range of frame shapes and sizes and is easily adapted for right or left use.

What's it made of? Highly durable, Bike-Eye® is constructed in ABS plastic and nylon. A high quality silvered mirror is used for clarity. The whole assembly only weighs approx. 60g.

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September 2015 Cycling World Ireland

E-Bikes: more power, longer lasting and safer than ever

-bikes are on the rise. With the latest developments they have become more powerful, longerlasting and safer than ever. More importantly, e-bikes are shedding their chunky image and now come in sleek designs and fashionable colours. CUBE e-bikes are innovative, safe and fit for all types of riders. The especially developed frame construction features a down tube specifically formed for the Bosch mid-range engineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

known for its safety and reliability. The frame allows for a very low position of the engine, creating an extremely low center of gravity whilst achieving a super rigid bottom bracket area. Ideal for commuters, who need confident and agile riding within unpredictable city traffic.

mains socket. For the touring and travelling models CUBE has developed an integrated carrier, which is one with the frame, as opposed to traditional carriers that are mounted on. This makes the carrier stronger and more reliable.

In addition to the The Bosch engine wide range of commuter and boasts a long battery life touring e-bikes, CUBE offers making it fit for touring fun and adventurous hybrid cyclists. The support from mountain bikes. The fullthe engine will help you carry suspension bikes will take heavy loads and face tiring any thrill seeker uphill before conditions, such as uphill testing their technical skills climbs or strong headwinds. downhill, whereas the hard When the battery tail e-mountain bikes enable does finally run fun loving trail riders to ride low, charging it is as far as the trails take them. simple, all it takes For each rider, man or is plugging the woman, CUBE has developed battery into a different frame geometries for optimal riding positions and a number of programs, to adjust the mode of the Bosch Drive unit. In combination with above mentioned details every rider will find a CUBE e-bike to match their preference.

Cycling World September 2015

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September 2015 Cycling World

Liege Baston Liege

Cycling World September 2015

Combining Passions Cycling-inspired artwork

eepa Mann-Kler is a self-taught artist, originally from Leicester who is now based in a small, sleepy village in Killyleagh, County Down on the shores of Strangford Lough. As a child she borrowed a Raleigh bike from a friend and taught herself to ride by pushing off from the entry way between terraced housing. However it was nine years later in 1987 that she bought her first bike, frame colour orange, 3 gears, made from the heaviest iron imaginable, from Camden Market for £60. Over the next four years in London she was inseparable from her bike. Then in 2002 she bought a Specialised Crossroads and her old faithful was dispatched to Africa. You will now see Deepa cycling around County Down at least three times a week. After a successful career, Deepa took a break in 2007 from working as Deputy Director for the Equality Commission Northern Ireland and she taught herself to paint. She has combined her passion for cycling and painting to produce a range of cycling-inspired artwork. She normally works in oils on canvas but has extended her medium to include neon, photography and drawing. Coming from a background in equality she has consciously priced her prints to make them accessible to as many people as possible at just £25. Her first road cycling themed exhibition “Kings of the Road” took place in 2009 and was uniquely exhibited at the finish stage of each day’s racing in the Tour of Ireland. Since then she has continued to expand the range and subject of her work which now includes Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, Mark Cavendish, Marco Pantani, Fausto Coppi and Miguel Indurain. Her most popular print is of the one day monument Liege-Bastogne-Liege and features the Cote du St Roche, Houffalize, Belgium. It is one of the oldest classic races, beginning in 1892 to publicise the newspaper L'Expresse, and forms one of the five monuments of road cycle racing. In 2011, she was commissioned by the President of the Union Cycliste Internationale in Switzerland, Pat McQuaid, to paint a gift for their main sponsor, Tissot watches. In 2014, the Giro D’Italia came to Northern Ireland and her exhibition “The Art of Cycling” at the Titanic in Belfast was a sellout success. In May 2015 she featured on the BBC1 television programme “Something To Ride Home About” hosted by actor and comedian Michael Smiley, where she was interviewed and filmed talking about her cycling art and her life in Northern Ireland. Following on from the huge success of the Giro d'Italia another major cycling legacy event, the Gran Fondo Sportive, took place on the 21 June 2015 in Northern Ireland. It was a closed road sportive which gave cyclists the opportunity to ride with previous champions of the Giro and over 3000 riders took part. Deepa was artist in residence for the event. Cycling World is proud to feature her work and offer you the chance of winning an original print of Sir Bradley Wiggins – see page 16 .You can see and buy her cycle prints at www.cycleprints.co.uk

Sean Kelly September 2015 Cycling World

Cycling World September 2015 Rainy Day (aka Jurgen Vanden Broeck)

Pantani September 2015 Cycling World

Ride like a pro in The Tour of Spain Velofutur urges us to experience the challenge of the east coast Vuelta stages Velofutur Cycling Pro Travel offers high quality cycling holidays and training camps in the Costa Blanca and Costa del Azahar in the Valencian coast, in close proximity to the finish of stages 9 and 10 of the 2015 Vuelta a España. We offer different packages that will suit your preferences and budgets, from flexible low cost trips to full cycle training camps run by ex-professional cyclists and experts to help you perform better. Our low cost trips include booking at our arranged hotels, transfers to and from the airport, bike hire delivered to your hotel if you prefer not to take your bike with you, and support in any contingency you may have. Our training camps comprise of flexible trips where we provide transfers, full board accommodation and van-supported rides with feed stations as well as full training camps run by coaches who will undertake a specific study (such as a fitness test, nutrition study or bike fit using the latest technology) included in the price. Our hotels are located in the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Azahar on the Valencian coast. These areas offer excellent weather all year long and where most of the professional teams travel for their winter training camps. The area’s profile allows you to ride from 0m to over 1,000m in the same day, training hard in the mountains while staying by our seaside provided accommodation. Many of our mountain training rides also cross National Parks with amazing scenery and views. Well-known climbs are regularly on the menu, such as Aitana, Cumbre del Sol, Eslida or Xorret de Cati, which have all featured prominently in the Vuelta a España. We recently rode the trip to Cumbres del Sol, a 1st category climb where the finish of Stage 9 of the Vuelta a España 2015 is located. We enjoyed the challenging gradients of this climb, but also

Cycling World September 2015

the magnificent views of this mountain surrounded by valleys on one side and the Mediterranean sea on the other, with the typical “white house” towns that populate this area and the food, with seafood and paellas all too appetizing. Cumbres del Sol is located within a training cycle ride from our Benidorm hotel, and this climb will feature in our cycle training camps organised in the Alicante area. Our second hotel is located in the town of Alcossebre, in close proximity to the finish of stage 10 of the Vuelta a España 2015, which includes excellent quality roads with little traffic, flat and hilly areas to ride in a very friendly area that will make you feel welcomed by the locals. The Castellon area is more rural and less busy with tourism and provides a great option for a more relaxed cycling trip. In Velofutur Cycling Pro Travel you will be staying in places that have been carefully selected so you can enjoy cycling but also have time for non-cycling activities, such as sunbathing on sandy beaches and tasting local tapas.

Join us at www.velofuturcyclingpro.com to check all we can provide for you in our amazing deals.

We take E-bikes seriously, and so should you Provision of cycling holidays and training camps in the Costa Blanca and Costa del Azahar in Spain. Choose your preferred option from our packages and ride surrounded by an amazing cycling culture, food and weather.

Visit us at www.velofuturcyclingpro.com Email: enquiries@velofuturcyclingpro.com

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CYCLE 54 MILES from London to Brighton

on Sunday 6th September in support of the Brain and Spine Foundation! Be it on a tandem, a race bike or even a chopper, from novices to experienced riders – everyone is welcome. The There are 350 different conditions of the brain and spine and together they affect more than 10 million people in the UK. The Brain and Spine Foundation exists to give support and provide information.

Minimum sponsorship: £100

Registration fee: £40

Includes a fantastic (highly praised) buffet lunch at the halfway point

Call Katherine on: 020 7793 5913 Email: katherine.hannah@brainandspine.org.uk Web: www.brainandspine.org.uk

September 2015 Cycling World

Viva Velo: Director Dyll Davies talks “bespoke” The increasing popularity of cycling as a sport in recent years has seen a number of companies springing up offering tours, training camps and trips to cater for the growing demands of enthusiasts to ride the toughest, remotest and most exotic roads in the world. We talked to Dyll Davies, Director of new kid on the block Viva Velo, about why he has thrown himself into this increasingly busy marketplace. So the obvious question: Why another cycle tour company? DD: Well, it all started when I was looking for something for myself and a few friends to do as a pre-season warm-up in Mallorca. There are quite a lot of companies out there – but none of them really offered quite what we were after. You basically had two types of tour – the full-on, bootcampstyle training camp for events like the Etape for the serious rider; or the hugely expensive, all-mod-cons version for those who like a fluffy towel in their bathroom. The former can seem very intimidating to a recent convert to cycling; the latter is simply beyond most people’s pockets. We felt we could do something better and cheaper.

Better and cheaper – that’s quite a claim? DD: Obviously we like to think we are highly competitive – but that’s not our major differentiator at Viva Velo. We believe we can provide the comfort and quality you’d expect at the higher end of the market, but at a reasonable price; and in a relaxed environment, that encourages all levels of cyclists to maybe push their boundaries a little. We’re looking to provide something different for the ‘weekend warrior’ – to take them out of their comfort zone if you like, but without sacrificing their home comforts. To make them feel they ‘can do’, and to feel like a pro – at least while they are with us at Viva Velo.

Taking the weekend warrior where they’ve never been before. Where is that? DD: To a place both literally and metaphorically! Seriously though, because I am one of those late converts to cycling, I can personally remember how intimidating it can feel to ride in a group of people you don’t know for the first time, or ride up your first Grand Col. Which is why we’ve come up with the idea of a ‘Cycling Passport’, where essentially you track your progress from first group ride, through maybe a first charity event like a London to Paris, and on to your first big event like the Marmotte – and much, much more.’

Cycling World September 2015

How does the passport idea work? DD: You get stamps for each milestone you pass, so you’re tracking your progress – but more to the point, you get loyalty points that you can redeem against future trips. It may sound a bit nerdy but it’s great to be able to see where you’ve been and how far you have come on your cycling journey – AND save money too.

So what comes next? DD: ‘As a first step, I’d urge anyone out there who is reading this article and thinking about maybe doing a first training camp, to look at our Mallorca trips next April. It’s a great place to start. Sunshine and cycling. They won’t be disappointed!’

Viva Velo is currently offering an allexpenses trip to join one of their Mallorca pre-season camps in April 2016. For more details see their website at www.vivavelo.uk, or simply scan the QR code below.

Bespoke Cycle Tours www.vivavelo.uk 020 7598 9273

September 2015 Cycling World

Mallorca Feature

Chasing the sunshine cycling in Mallorca with SunVelo S

unVelo are leaders in cycling holidays and training camps based in the north of Mallorca in Playa de Muro, a thriving cycling community in the spring and autumn seasons giving the area the name of “Mallorca’s bike mile”. SunVelo, one of the few ABTA member cycling businesses that offer full financial security for holiday bookings, use two adjacent premium 4 star resort style hotels situated within 200 meters of the popular Playa de Muro beach and back onto the stunning S’Albufera nature reserve. All rooms have a spacious apartment style layout and the vast buffet breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurants will never leave you going hungry, catering for all diets and tastes.

SunVelo prides itself on focusing on an individual’s cycling objectives, offering a variety of different daily expert-led guided rides for all levels of cyclist from novice to serious competitive racer. Alastair Irvine; multiple Commonwealth Games medallist and former professional racer heads the riding programme with an expert team - all of which are either qualified cycling coaches or CTC/Skyride nationally certified group ride leaders that have vast knowledge of group cycling and the little-known roads and routes on the island. You have the opportunity and flexibility to pick any level of group you want to ride with on any day depending on how you feel or the route you prefer to tackle. Most that come out to ride with SunVelo enjoy the convenience of hiring a full carbon bike for the duration of their stay, that are available onsite with full bike set up and professional mechanic support. So there’s no need to go through the hassle and cost of flying out your own. Most cyclists stay for the week, running weekend to weekend, however flexible arrival and departure packages are available with a minimum four-night stay, arriving and departing on any day. While there are numerous options available for cycling in Mallorca, SunVelo is one company that seems to be getting it right with a good mix of perfect location, quality hotels and expert ride leaders. All levels of groups have equal priority and importance and SunVelo is

Cycling World September 2015

not just focusing on those wanting to train for events or a racing season; a “touring cyclist” gets as much attention and support as someone preparing to ride the Etape. This seems to be echoed by the loyal SunVelo customer base, many of whom return year after year and in the company’s 2015 feedback survey results; 100% of those that completed the survey stated they are happy to recommend SunVelo to friends and fellow cyclists. SunVelo is supported by sister company Sunsport Coaching that provides a sports lab set up for full metabolic fitness assessment and VO2 max testing. As well as offering full spring and autumn seasons, SunVelo also acts as the leading UK tour operator for the popular Mallorca 312 and 167 sportives taking place on the last weekend of April each year. For more information about SunVelo holidays and training camps in Mallorca email: enquiries@sunvelo.com or view information on their website: www.sunvelo.com

September 2015 Cycling World

Russian 9195 km cycle race Report of the world's longest Ultra-Stage bicycle race

By Steve Middleton, photos Denis Klero, Pavel Sukhorukov and Janus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool

The Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme 2015, has taken 10 international athletes 23 days, 9195km to finally reach its climax and the finish line, at an average speed 30 Km/h. The Russian team of Mikhail Ignatyev and Ivan Kovalev won the race in the duo category, while Belgium Kristof Allegaert was the winner among solo riders. Extremes of heat, cold, strong head and tail winds, heavy showers, thunder and lightning, huge insects, night rides, 1300+km individual stages, varying climates and time zones that’s just half the list of challenges the cyclists had to battle during those 23 days on the roads from Moscow to Vladivostok. “If you compare my world tour with the Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme I’d say that the race was much tougher,” said the only female athlete and a Guinness World Record holder for circling the globe by bike, Paola Gianotti. “You have to keep up the pace, overcome the difficulties and manage without sleep. That’s a truly extreme challenge and I feel it in every inch of my body.”

format for me. Different stages, different physical conditions for the competitors and a lot of awful roads made this race a real challenge. I love my bike and it’s a part of me, but there were moments when the thought of getting back on the bike made me want to scream,” commented the Russian duo team winner. In the solo category 41-year old Kistof Allegaert stormed to triumph. “Frankly I’m surprised,” said the Belgian, “I thoroughly prepared for the race but didn’t expect to win. It was an exciting and challenging race. I’m sure there will be plenty of riders wanting to compete in the Red Bull TransSiberian Extreme next year.”

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited “It was hard even for the local landmass. During the race, Russian riders,” said the 2004 men’s the athletes passed 7 time zones, 4 track cycling points race gold medalist, climate zones and crossed the border Mikhail Ignatyev. “This was an unusual from Europe into Asia. 60

Cycling World September 2015

OVERALL RESULTS

Extract from race diary: Plymouth Plumber wins stage 2

Solo Teams Kristof Allegaert (BEL) 318:57:30 Eduard Fuchs (AUT) 331:52:13 Steve Harvey (UK) 337:35:49 Denis Madjara (RUS) 399:11:43 Duo Teams Mikhail Ignatyev/Ivan Kovalev (RUS) 282:16:23 Thomas John/Johannes Rosenberger (DEU) 283:41:51 Paola Gianotti/Paolo Aste (ITA) 286:6:46

Second Stage Results: 1. Steve Harvey (Great Britain) 38:41:25 2. Kristof Allegaert (Belgium) 39:38:06 3. Denis Madjara (Russia) 43:40:00

This cycle race across Siberia, has now completed the second stage of the race, a mind-blowing 1094km one of the longest stages of the race, from Kostroma – Perm that’s nearly X5 longer than the longest stage in the Tour de France. Cycling for two days and a night solid and that’s only part of the 9195Km race from Moscow to Vladivostok. British rider Steve Harvey has now taken the lead, after the second stage of the race after arriving at the `day-night-day stage finish line after 38h and 41min. Austrian Fuchs was unlucky and rode into one of the ditches – as a result a knee injury and a ripped tyre. The three duo teams dominated the first two stages as expected. The Russian duo team of Ivan Kovalev and Mikhail Ignateyev won in a touch under nine hours 14 minutes Germans Johannes Rosenberger and Thomas John with Italians Paolo Aste and female team-mate Paola Gianotti rounding out the top three. The night ride was a tough challenge for all the riders. The Russian team switched riders every two hours, the Germans and the Italians - every three. The potholestrewn roads around the city of Kirov gave the riders a few problems, however the average speed for the second stage was impressive 32 kph.

Steve Harvey, a plumber from Plymouth, wins stage 2 September 2015 Cycling World

Cycling World Editor talks to Steve Harvey, the Plymouth plumber third place overall 1.What made you enter such a gruelling race? I find there is something very unique about racing for weeks at a time and still being able to push my body 20 days plus after the race has begun. I felt this race would enable me to test myself against the very best cyclists in the world and Ultra Endurance races are something that I am very passionate about. 2.How did you train for the event? I like quality over quantity with my training. I was fortunate enough to go to Tenerife to spend some time training in the mountains which was amazing. I put in 500 miles a week physically for 12 months during my training. The mental aspect of Ultra Endurance races is huge which is an asset to me as I am a very focused and positive athlete. 3.Tell us a bit about the bike you used. I raced on a Specialized Venge Expert which was provided to me for the race by a local bike shop Certini, it was incredible, very fast on the flat, very aerodynamic and also good in the mountains. Using their Body Geometry Fitting service it enabled the connection to the bike to be in perfect harmony with me. 4. What was the biggest high of the event? Paul Bruck and his team with Red Bull have started something incredible with The Red Bull Trans Siberian Event. One specific moment for me was when all the athletes got to attend the Moscow Olympic Training facility upon arrival to undergo many tests and analysis where I learned much more about the genetic make-up of my body which was fascinating. Where possible we were treated to 5 star hotels and paraded like celebrities before the start of every stage which was overwhelming. A more personal moment for me was that I celebrated my birthday during the event, when the clock struck midnight we were in the middle of a mega distance stage; you can’t put into words the camaraderie between everyone during the race, but Eduard Fuchs (Austrian rider, 2nd place overall) and the crews made it a memorable birthday. Also having seen a beautiful sun rise and sun set together that day I commented on it to Eduard to which he responded “Romantic!” He could only speak a little English but we always managed to have comical exchange. For me though there is no one moment more than another with ultra racing, it's a lot of very special moments combined into one big unforgettable life experience. 5. What was the greatest low of the event and how did you get through? As a solo competitor I had to race hard enough and get sufficient rest for the next day, but not so hard that I completely

Cycling World September 2015

deplete myself which is more difficult during the longer distance stages. After 4 days of racing my body is used to the level of demands I am putting on it and as I find my rhythm it becomes a little easier. However the levels of fatigue increase, so balancing my fatigue levels and rate of perceived excursion is quite an art form. I remember during the longest stage of the race after cycling approximately 1100 km we still had 300 km until the finish, we were now up against extreme head wind and I physically felt like Mother Nature was adding to the challenges during this stage. The attacks were the toughest; they usually came hundreds of km into a race so you had to always be ready. This was incredibly tough as the Duo Teams would change every hour which meant fresh legs would now be heading an attack. Having my dad there as part of my support crew was extremely important and special for me. There are some great moments captured by the media crew of me and my dad. Pictures of memories I will always be grateful for. 6.What’s your next cycling challenge? Thanks to Mark Mears Associates I was able to have a sports therapist, Nikki Greening, on my crew for the event, which I feel played a vital part in me returning from the race free from injury. Although I am still very fatigued and have been sleeping a lot, a week after the race I was back on the bike. Recovery is going well and I will be thinking about my next event over the next few weeks. I want to break the 100 mile speed world record in the Velodrome so that is something I am hoping to do next. Also I want to compete in the Decaman USA in California. This is ten times the distance of an ironman contest; continuously competing a 24 mile swim, 1120 mile Cycle and 262 mile run. I also would like to return to Russia and win The Red Bull Trans Siberian Extreme 2016. Cycling World wishes Steve success in all his future events and looks forward to hearing about them.

We were paraded like celebrities before the start of every stage

Having my dad there as part of my support crew was extremely important Athletes undergo many tests and analysis

Irish Cycle Holidays with a difference

he Irish Centre for Cycling can offer you just that. Based in Malahide, Dublin, Ireland. They are based just 10 minutes

from Dublin airport, meaning you can reach them in a couple of hours from the UK

Whether it’s a family cycle or a full on

road bike experience you are looking for, Irish Centre for Cycling has a wide range of bikes to cater for the various styles of cyclist. They also have an interesting range of tours starting from €22 per person, from cycling a section of the Giro D’Italia to cycling the length of Dublin Bay on a bike and returning by boat. For more details, check out the website www.IrishCentreforCycling.ie.

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September 2015 Cycling World

64 6 4Cycling World September 2015

Mont Blanc The World’s Toughest One Day Bike Event

by Marcus Leach, photos James Mitchell

It’s quarter to five in the morning and a veil of darkness hangs over Les Saisies. A feeling of nervous excitement fills the night sky as the 422 entrants for the 2015 Tour du Mont Blanc count down the final minutes until the start of ‘the world’s toughest one day bike event’. I wait patiently, a calm exterior hiding my true feelings of fear and anxiety. The excitement I had experienced in the final few days leading up to the event had been dispelled the night before at the Velocamp Performance Cycling pre-ride briefing. I always knew it was going to be tough: 330km with 8000m of ascent on a route that makes its way through three countries speaks for itself, but hearing detailed descriptions of each of the eight climbs brought about a sense of worry. And now, with moments to go until the start, I struggled to contain those feelings. ‘Cinq, quatre, trois, deux, un, balade’. As the MC counted down those final five seconds my feelings shifted from nervousness and fear into excitement and adrenalin. Suddenly the tension I

had felt for the past twelve hours melted away as I clipped my shoes into the pedals of my bike and rolled across the start line. There was no more waiting, no more time to wonder ‘what if ’, just an open road ahead and one question to answer, a question that has been going through my head for days on end: ‘can I do it?’ Given I had only been cycling seriously for six months this was a very valid question. It’s a question that has been a part of my life for many years, it’s the question that drives me to find challenges that will push me to, and past, my limits. The next eighteen hours of cycling, if I kept to my planned timings, would certainly push me to my limits, and they would give me the definitive answer. For a ride that boasts eight thousands metres of ascent, the opening stages are deceptively easy, lulling you into a false sense of security with forty kilometres of predominately downhill riding. I soon realised that the reason for this is so that the ride can then end with one final climb. However, September 2015 Cycling World

any thoughts of that were a long way off, with three hors category and three first category climbs to negotiate first, more than enough to keep my mind occupied for the foreseeable future.

over me as I crested the top of the climb, soon to be replaced by the sobering thought that I was not even half way, in terms of distance or ascent. I consoled myself with the thought of the forty kilometres of descent that lay ahead, but not before a much needed refuel of sandwiches and brioche buns.

As a long snake of riders stretched out across the Chamonix valley, Mont Blanc came into view for the first time, dominating an impressive skyline of jagged peaks with its sheer size. It would remain the backdrop to much of the day’s riding, a constant reminder of the scale of the landscape we were in. Climbs of the Vaudagne, Col des Montets and Col des Forclaz would, in normal circumstances, be deemed fairly challenging. Yet these were not normal circumstances and they were simply the prelude to far greater climbs.

Following an exhilarating descent came a long, hot slog through the Aosta valley, all the while knowing that another hors category climb lay in wait. This time it was the Petit St Bernard, which was anything but petit. At the final feed station before taking on the climb I made a few quick calculations and realised I would have to up my speed in order to make it down to Bourg St Maurice before the final cut-off time.

It was on the slopes of the Champex, against a backdrop of incessant rain,that the serious climbing began. A touch over 12km long, and gaining over 1000 metres in height, it’s a brute of a climb that winds its way up through thick forest towards a beautiful alpine lake. What the climb lacks in length it more than makes up for in steepness, with several sections rearing up to 11% gradient. My sole focus was on keeping a steady rhythm going, knowing that this was only the first of several big climbs.

Taking on a 23km hors category climb at a steady pace is tough enough, especially off the back off Grand St Bernard, but to do so pushing to make up time makes it brutal to say the least. I hit the bottom of the climb as fast as I could, knowing that a support car was waiting 10km up the road. It was all or nothing from now on in. The road snaked up the mountain in a seemingly never-ending series of short switchbacks. A lone rider in the distance became my target as I fought to maintain a speed of 15km/h.

The Champex was tough, but it was nothing compared to the Grand St Bernard, a climb that most certainly lives up to its name. From the moment the road begins to increase in gradient at the foot of the valley the climb doesn’t relent for a full thirty kilometres. And what’s more, just as you think you have broken the back of it, emerging from the avalanche tunnel with seven kilometres to go, it ramps up to 9% as the final seven kilometres push you to the limit. I stole a glance towards the summit, high up in the distance, trying to work out where the road went. It soon became clear as I noticed a series of vicious switchbacks that picked their way through the rocky mountain.

I began to play a game in my head to take my mind off the pain in my legs, counting down the metres until I would reach La Thuile and a moment’s respite before pushing on to the summit. This was it, it was all down to making it over this climb. I was in the zone and knew I had to keep my assault on the mountain going. The difference being that the gradient was now beginning to increase even more as the road cut high up into the mountain.

Ever since I first saw the Tour de France as a young boy I had wanted to know what it was like to take on such epic climbs, and now here I was finally getting my chance. Riding out of the saddle I simply focused on making each corner, breaking the goal down into smaller sections, focusing on every turn of the pedals as I edged my way closer to the summit. A massive sense of relief washed 66 6 6Cycling World September 2015

The next thirteen kilometres were sheer hell. My legs burnt as the lactic acid started to sting my muscles, my body screaming at me to slow down. But my mind took over, urging me to keep going and not relent, my heart pounding in my chest. I kept thinking every corner would be the last, but the road kept on going, pushing me closer and closer to my limit. I cursed the mountain, and in return it kept getting steeper. I was at my limit, close to quitting when I finally saw the summit and the support cars waiting for me. As exhausted as I felt I knew there were two more big climbs to go before the finish line, the first of which was a third consecutive hors category effort. For the first time since setting off

#SpainInDetail

6th floor, 64 North Row W1K 7DE London www.spain.info/en_GB/ Tel.: +44 02073172011

September 2015 Cycling World

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Cycling World September 2015

from Les Saisies my mind began to question if my body could follow where it would lead. Arriving in Bourg St Maurice my body was at its limit, my eyes welled with tears at the thought that I might not have the energy to keep going. I had poured my heart and soul into this and, for the first time since setting out on this journey, it dawned on me that it might not finish how I had always pictured. I slumped into a chair, scoffing biscuits and chocolate, desperately trying to boost my energy levels as an almighty thunderstorm broke out, lightening flashing across the skyline. Truth be told I felt utterly spent, but I had come too far to not keep going. I climbed back on to my bike, my mind defying what my body felt, and set off once more. The road leading out of bourg St Maurice and onto the Cormet de Roselend wasn’t that steep, but within a hundred metres I knew that it was over, my legs simply couldn’t turn the pedals anymore. I turned around and rolled back to where the support cars were, tears rolling down my face as it began to hit me that wasn’t going to achieve my goal. Not this time anyway. Whilst I never took it for granted that I would finish I also didn’t for one minute imagine it would end as it did, on the side of a nondescript road in Bourg St Maurice with a thunder storm raging overhead. ‘Marcus rode the Tour du Mont Blanc with Velocamp Performance Touring. Visit www. velocamps.com for more information.’

You can follow Marcus on Twitter @marcusleachfood

September 2015 Cycling World

Passionate About Limousin Keith Gilks discovers Limousin Photo credits Katherine Gilks, Simon Thompson

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Pedalling: The smell of freshly baked croissants seeped into my room, awakening my senses to the wonderful wall of sound coming from the dawn chorus and shards of bright sunlight flooding in from the traditional french farmhouse windows.

didn’t need any further encouragement to don my cycling attire and start the week exploring the majestic countryside of Limousin, south west France. France is one of my favourite countries to cycle in; the quiet smooth roads, the uncut verges full of wild flowers and wildlife, the respectful motorists, varied topography and of course the cafe culture, make it an idyllic place to explore by bike. Each region has its own character and I had been looking forward to discover the area known as ‘Hidden France’ for some time. I was due a break from training and the cycle events I’ve experienced this year, but at the same time I did not want to lose my hard earned fitness. However due to my busy schedule I hadn’t had the time to do all the ground work to ensure a safe and productive visit. I needed help! Bonkersfrog was recommended to me, and certainly the details on their website fitted the bill. Andy and Cris who had founded the company ten years ago, provide cycling breaks as well as training weeks for both leisure and club cyclists as well as athletes. The husband and wife team supply all that is needed for a safe, social and enjoyable stay based in the hamlet of Marsat, within the department of Creuse, approximately one hour from the small provincial airport at Limoges.

Packages include; transfers, full board, hire of bikes, (you can also bring your own), and supported guided rides. I contacted Andy and choose a week where I and my daughter would fit in with other guests wanting a laid back week discovering the delights of the area, cycling both on and off road. Katherine and I had met our fellow guests; Colin, Jules, Simon and Tessa, over the welcome BBQ. Andy and Cris had worked their magic when arranging the bookings and had ensured the group were all on the ‘same page’ both in cycling terms but also in matching personalities. Over the glorious home cooked food and the odd glass of wine, we were soon chatting and laughing together as if we had known each other for years. All the signs indicated the week was going to produce laughs and bigger waist lines! Fuelled by a substantial breakfast, involving the consumption of the source of the aroma mentioned earlier, we set out on mountain bikes along trails (chemins) and quiet back roads towards the Etang de Landes nature reserve; the only natural lake in the area. (The area is known as the ‘region of a thousand lakes’). The gravel tracks and dirt roads were a great introduction for Katherine to the delights of off road cycling. I love road biking but off road you really feel part of the environment.

September 2015 Cycling World

We cycled past the most beautiful fauna typical of the region; in the undisturbed hedgerows Red Campion, Greater Stitchwort, Purple Toothwort, Wood Anemone, Lady’s Smock and Lesser Periwinkle were in abundance. Stopping at the small market town of Gouzon for a quick caffeine boost, gave us an opportunity to get to know each other further. Colin and Jules were on their fifth visit, Simon and Tessa on their second. I was curious to find out what attracted the couples to return. Colin gave a nice compliment to the Bonkersfrog team ‘ We feel it is like visiting friends that happen to take us on bikes rides’. Tessa and Simon stated how unusual it was for them to revisit an area or reuse the same company, but found Andy and Cris so helpful,

Cycling World September 2015

friendly and accommodating, that together with the wonderful supported rides, they found the whole experience so relaxing they had no hesitation to return and intend on doing so again. Etang de Landes is a twitcher’s paradise. Around the wooded lake are quirky hides, providing both a viewing platform and relief from the midday sun. Looking across the still lake, reflecting perfectly the sky above, a grebe was spotted fishing for its lunch. Luckily ours was provided and sitting beside the lake we tucked into the fresh baguettes with gusto. However we were not on our own, as only inches in front of us emerged a couple of lizards, common to the area. This delighted Katherine, who appeared to take more photos of the lizards than of the scenery or cycling. Andy chatted to us throughout the ride, and impressed me by giving excellent off - road riding advice to Katherine, improving her skills and confidence. He also explained how he and Cris provide a broad range of holidays or training camps, to cater for all cyclists. “In fact we even provide cycling holidays for non cyclists!’ This I could believe, with Andy’s and Cris’ enthusiasm, positive attitude and ‘bed side manner’, customers with little confidence riding a bike would blossom under their wings. Indeed I witnessed this later in the week when Andy encouraged Katherine to try a road bike. With his soft friendly Kent accent, Katherine trusted his instructions and within minutes was loving the ease and speed a road bike can offer. Refuelled we headed back on tracks across small divided ancient fields and through sleepy little villages on virtually traffic free roads. Back at base we soaked up the sun over tea and cake, whilst Cris prepared the evening meal. Cris ensures all needs are catered for, from vegetarian, to gluten and nut free diets. And so Day One set the scene for the remainder of the week; hearty breakfast, great rides, coffee stops, lunch, back in time to relax, then a great homemade meal in the evening sitting around the kitchen table.

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On Day Two we exchanged our mountain steeds for road bikes. Andy and Cris have a large fleet of bikes including mountain, hybrids and road. They also supply helmets and back packs and even have gloves should anyone forget to bring their own. I was given a Trek 1.1. Alpha. The bike was well maintained and rode like new. The day’s ride was going to be a 69 km loop to Les Trois Lacs with a couple of challenges; climbing up into Anzeme and for the more adventurous, swimming in the River Creuse. At the first coffee stop of the day, I made a little faux pas and ordered a cafe negro instead of cafe noir. Immediately the Madame thought I was Italian and sweetly apologised for not speaking the language. Whereas my ‘so called new found friends’ immediately thought I was an idiot and latched on to teasing me about the mistake. This was to last all week! It was obvious, that although it was only day two, the gloves were off and polite conversation was a thing of the past. With caffeine flowing through our veins we swept past meadow after meadow, and through quaint quintessential french hamlets, villages and a charming chateaux all in the beautiful sunshine. It didn’t take us long before we descended a lovely

twisty section winding its way down to the the River Creuse. Seasoned cyclists will know that however lovely downhill sections are, there is always a price to pay. The bill came sooner than any of us expected. We crossed an ancient stone bridge, turned to the right and the road went up. And boy did it go up. High above us was the church of Anzeme sitting beside a road that appeared to be on a separate route to the one we were on. Slowly it dawned on us; Anzeme was our destination, and the steep road we were grinding up in bottom gear would somehow meet the impressive church and the high road above. With gentle encouragement from Andy and each other, the first challenge was completed and we caught our breath at the top of the climb whilst taking in the splendid view of the valley beneath us. “ Right, down to the lake for lunch and a swim” enthused Andy. Bizarrely, although Andy clearly said ‘down’ to the lake, it involved going uphill! However we were soon speeding down to the car park at Les Trois Lacs, all thinking “Its going to be tough going back up after lunch!” We had the beach to ourselves (it was still the ‘off season’), which enhanced our time by the water with only the sounds of nature around us.

Cycling World September 2015

It turned out that only Katherine and I had remembered to bring our swimming gear (or was that by design!). Tentatively we entered the flowing river. Amazingly the water was not as cold as we had expected. In fact in the shallow areas it even felt warm. Swimming in a river in rural France was a magical experience. From the water we observed buzzards flying overhead, smaller birds flying into the woodland on the far bank, heard the water lapping on the shore and around us, and felt the sun on our backs. Simply wonderful. Walking back to our bikes, Andy and Cris bumped into the owner of the only cafe in the park. He very kindly offered to open up just for us. An offer we could not refuse. Out came coffees, ice cream, and apple tart. Our lunch stop had seamlessly developed into a traditional French two hour lunch break, an experience we all enjoyed immensely. We were in danger of turning into francophiles, if we weren’t already. It was still late spring so it came as no surprise when the weather broke on Day Three. The temperature dropped and showers were forecast. Andy decided a mountain bike trip around and through the forest at Ajain was the order of the day. Bikes were loaded on the trailer, and we set off for the small market town. Everyone gave a hand unloading the trailer and we were soon introduced again to the saddles we met on the first day. Andy’s and Cris’ local knowledge was evident as we shot down a small road and was almost instantly on a dirt and gravel track heading for the forest. The province has given it’s name to the distinctive golden red breed of Limousin cattle, and as we bumped and rattled our way to the forest, we passed a mixed herd quietly grazing. Incredibly Limousin cattle may be as old as the European continent itself. Cave drawings of cattle resembling the modern day Limousin have been found in the Lascaux Cave near Montignac. The

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drawings are estimated to be 16,000 years old. The other prominent breed seen in the mixed herd and often seen in herds of their own were Charolais, originally from the Charolais area around Charolles, in Burgundy. Both breeds are farmed for their meat. Yet another challenge was handed down once we entered the wooded play ground. A steep gully was to be traversed. Those with superior off road skills than me, did it with relative ease, either way, we all had smiles on our faces. Dashing about the forest and dirt tracks was great fun, I was almost converted from being a roadie, and when we stopped for a breather the smell of the pine and the sound of birds singing in the quiet forest was breathtaking. It was very soothing to the soul. I had been looking forward to Day Four ever since Andy had informed us lunch was to be at Gueret (via Saint Feyre), and we had the option of eating at a restaurant renown for it’s pizzas. I love the pizzas with the egg in the centre, which seems to be a particular french twist and I was looking forward to sampling its delights again. We reached Saint Feyre in need of coffee but unfortunately the usual coffee stop was closed. We needed a scout to find a watering hole, Simon rose to the challenge and started cycling around the town like some crazed stray dog looking for his next meal. I would have loved to of helped but Andy was informing me of the 1000 kms of numbered and marked off road cycle routes in the Monts de Gureret. Laminated guides detailing the sign posted routes are available from Tourist Information Centres. Our conversation was interrupted by Simon’s shout; he had found a hotel willing to serve coffee to slightly damp cyclists. Result! After our caffeine fix we soon entered Gureret via back roads. Andy informed us of the communication ariel located on the Monts de Gureret where there is a Category One climb up to mast via the Col de Maupuy. Andy threw down the gauntlet for us to have a go at the two and half mile ascent. A rush of blood went to my head and I thought “What the heck, I’ll give it a go”. The group wished me luck as they started to coast down to the restaurant, I turn left and started climbing. According to Strava the Col has an average of 7%, but as you leave the main road to go to the mast the road kicks up to around

12%. My heart was beating so hard it felt like it was trying to break out my chest. Motivation is the key to any climb, for some it is simply to get to the top, for others to do it in the quickest time. For me it was pizza. I knew the quicker I got the job done, the sooner I could order my favourite eggy pizza. I stopped on the crest, and whipped out my camera for a selfie, which is harder than you think, hence having in my private collection photos of a concrete communication building and the top of someone’s head with thinning hair. I then sped down the mountain to join the others and the food of my dreams. Andy greeted me outside the restaurant and informed me my lunch had been ordered. For the second time that day my heart tried to leave my body, this time it was via my mouth. What had they ordered? As I approached my seat I gave a whoop of delight. In front of me was exactly what I wanted, one huge pizza with an egg in the centre. The guys had picked up on my culinary tastes and guessed what I wanted. What a team!

Cycling World September 2015

There was the normal offer to take the van home, which we took a few miles later when the weather closed in. As usual we all looked forward to the evening meal, not just because of the high quality delicious meals that Cris provided, but also for the social element. All members of the group were of the same age, apart from Katherine who at 18 years old was younger than the rest of us by at least 20 years. However this gave us an golden opportunity to educate her in social history, specifically growing up in the 1970s. We reminisced over TV programmes, cartoons, films, food, sweets, cars, and music. Colin, Jules, Simon and Tessa were like human encyclopaedias when it came to remembering characters and actors’ names. The few times their memories failed, another creation of our generation, the internet, came to our rescue. Katherine was caught yawning a couple of times, which we put down to the exercise and country air she experienced throughout the week. Surely it couldn’t have been anything else!

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I’m glad to say the weather started to pick up on Day Five for our trip to Boussac. This time, if the simple joy of riding through the picturesque tranquil countryside wasn’t enough, then cake at Boussac and the opportunity to overcome your fears whilst swinging from tree to tree at one of France’s answers to ‘Go Ape’, was there to tempt us. The cakes from the patisserie at Boussac were to die for. The cream in the strawberry eclair tasted like nothing I have experienced in England. I’m sure it also helped us to conquer the climb to the restaurant and rope climbing centre above the town. Katherine and I couldn’t resist the challenge of the ‘Go Ape’ course high in the trees. Although it was only the two of us swinging around like chimps, team work came into play with the rest of the group giving encouragement and at times instructions to us, especially when we both became stuck! We has a great time ‘playing on the ropes’ as Andy referred to it, and the group enjoyed Katherine’s fits of laughter, witnessing her father getting in a right tangle when mistakingly taking the most difficult route. Tired, we all took the bus home. It was the chef ’s night off, and although we would all miss her cooking we were looking forward to sampling the food at a french restaurant. The table was booked at Le Moulin de Breuil, which sat on the River Creuse. It was a sublime setting, and sitting outside in the mystical light provided by the evening sun, it was easy to understand why impressionist painters such as Monet chose the Limousin to create some of their best works. For three months Claude Monet lived in the village of Fresselines, close to the town of Crozant, and produced his first impressionist paintings, inspired by the light and landscape of the Creuse. Limoges provides another connection to the impressionist movement; Renoir was born there and several of his works are exhibited in the Museum de

L’Eveche. Conversation flowed as easily as the wine, over the exquisite perfectly cooked meals, which reminded us that the area is also known for it’s traditional cuisine. Finally our last day of cycling arrived. One last carbohydrate laden breakfast and we were off to Aubusson. Cycling through a tiny village called La Tour, we discovered the remains of a tower (clue was in the title) from the tenth century. We took a few minutes soaking in the atmosphere of the one thousand year old site, trying to imagine what the area would have looked like when the motte and bailey was in use. The coffee stop was at a charming cafe/come butchers called Cafe Charcuterie. The business has been in the elderly Madame’s family for years, and there was a steady stream of people either coming in for a drink and a chat or for provisions. The scene was a stark contrast to the quiet almost deserted villages we had been cycling through all week. There had been no reports of mass evacuation of rural France, so I can only presume the fact that Limousin is the second least populated region in France is true. (Only Corsica has fewer residents). We climbed up to St. Martial le Mont for lunch, a lovely spot with marvellous views . The route then followed the River Creuse along its banks and thus the cycling was easy into Aubusson. After a little break the group decided to cycle back, however Katherine and I had a little mystery shopping to do before the holiday came to an end. The group knew we had slipped into the local patisserie to sample the sausage rolls. (I’m happy to report the rolls were the best we have ever had, filled with minced meat flavoured with herbs and garlic). But what will come as a surprise to them is that we also sampled a couple of cakes

to compare with the ones from Boussac; a caramel eclair and a mille-feuille pastry. All in the interests of science of course. The cakes were gorgeous but we came to the conclusion the ones from Boussac were slightly better. We left the town reflecting on our week in Limousin; the sights we had seen, the cuisine, the new friends we had made. It is easy to end an article by saying we would definitely return, but the fact is Limousin is perfect cycling country and Andy and Cris are perfect hosts. In any case we need to return to continue the research, and it would great to meet up with our new friends again. We are definitely going back.

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