Cycling

Carousel short title: Trek 8.6 DS Price: £1000.00 Gallery Image Reference: Trek DS8.6 - riding 1 Gallery Reference: Trek 8.6 DS 2013 The Trek 8.6 DS ia an interesting blend of ideals both on the road and off - It's competent and comfortable in most scenarios but with some compromises. Road.cc verdict: Competent and comfortable both on the road and off but with some compromises Road.cc rating: 6 Weight: 12610g Contact: www.trekbikes.com/uk/en read more

I could really use a nice large bag like this for summer. Hauling gear cycling/camping gear, picking up and delivering parts, carrying beer and inflatable rafts to the park… the options are endless. Has anyone gotten in on the pre-release of the Seagull Bags Crit Duffle? Not a lot of info, but I saw a few shots of it over at Pedal Consumption and liked what I saw. Here is what Seagull Bags had to say about it: - Black and Red hotness, more pics on our facebook or instagram @seagullbags - Made of X-Pac and Ballistic Nylon, perfect balance of burly and lightweight - Cinch-top access on top, and HUGE zippered flap on side that allows you to completely open the bag and stand on while changing shoes. - With 2 big flat pockets, and extra gear loops for wheels this is the most versatile duffle on the market. - Super comfy ergo-straps that are removable for duffle use - doubled webbing and waterproof zippers throughout - Special PRE-RELEASE price of $275 - Contact info@seagullbags for ordering info.

Lefevere wanted Belgian to be on the start in Corsica

Here is a funny short from the guys over at PDW.  I’m sure we’ll be seeing some great new products from them soon. I bet Ryan is still enjoying his fenders up there in Alaska, but down here its almost summer! By the way, it looks like you guys are having fun standing around down there in PDX, we’re riding bikes up here in Seattle, swing by anytime if you want to join!

Promising climber skips Adelaide Tour ahead of 2.HC

Now for the 9th year in a row, Magura has descended upon the breathtaking red rock trails known...

Steve Tilfordhttp://stevetilford.comI really enjoyed that piece about the retirement of Levithe whole cheating thing intrigues mefunny... I had my share of "fun" in collegebut never considered a performance enhancing drug other than Viagranot cause I need itbut considered it for sportokay... Viagra did not exist until long after I graduated collegethe point is I partied... but I did not cheatin college we made a promise not to drink the night before a soccer gameit was Division III and we were a losing teamheck, it was a party schoolwhich has me thinking I may not have broken that promise on every eve of a gamebut I can remember playing a tournament at Christopher Newport where I broke curfew to attend a college party on the beachwhich was funny... as the guys on the bleachers heckling me the whole game were therewe had a few beers and a laughjust like the game the day prior... we lost... but it was not the beersactually everyone was given a pass to drinkthe coaches respected that we drove a long way and that we were totally out matchedwe were a losing Div Three team playing a bunch of Div One teamswe got smokedbut I played my heart outsorry... got off topicwhile in Colorado I met a guy who was an ex-proa professional cyclist in the era of Lance ArmstrongDoping at its Peakthe science of cycling at its worstthis guy told me all sorts of storiesstories that did not put him in a good lightthe whole thing intrigues meno... I was never that good at soccerbut I was a very effective defenderplaying Newport News they had this guy working to set his school's records for goals scoredI went man to man on himheld him scorelessgo get your record on another daythat was a fun day of soccer... even if we did loseI played my heart out... I may have lost... hopefully I won some respectnot necessarily for skill... but for effort... it was games like that where I tried to play like the score was ZERO ZERO

Recovering from Hesjedal's withdrawal, anti-biotics and soap

When you think of great cycling cities around the world Thailand’s Chiang Mai probably doesn’t spring to mind. But, as local resident Steve Thomas writes, Chiang Mai has become something of an eastern cycling epicenter in recent years. Steve rides behind the bamboo curtain to show us why, sharing some of his favourite photos of Chiang Mai’s cycling culture along the way. Compared to western cities Chiang Mai is quite small, although it is fast expanding. With a population of roughly 150,000 Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand. It was once the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom of northern Thailand and the city earned the nickname the “Rose of the North” from its beautiful surroundings and cooler climate (compared to Bangkok at least). The city lies in a long, flat valley which has jungle-lined mountains on either side. These mountains actually top out at more that 2,500 meters in places, something visitors don’t often anticipate, as Thailand is seen as a beach and island destination. What’s more, these mountains have sweet and twisty roads dangled all over them — perfect for epic bike rides. During the past few years Chiang Mai has developed a thriving cycling culture, with the emergence of numerous local clubs, teams and several homegrown events. It’s got its fair share of ex-pat riders too. The region’s great riding, mostly favourable climate and relatively cheap living costs have also made it a popular training destination for teams from all over Asia. Champion System, Baku, Giant Asia, RTS, Seoul Cycling, OCBC and the Malaysian national team all spend good chunks of their pre- and mid-season training time based here. Between November and February there will almost certainly be one or two Continental teams, and possibly even a national team (usually the Malaysian) training out of Chiang Mai. Earlier this year Orica-GreenEDGE pro Christian Meier did a stint of training around town and was amazed at how tough the climbing was and just how big the local scene is. “I stayed in Asia after the Japan Cup, and rode in the Philippines and places before getting here. I was really surprised at the strength of the local scene – I was not expecting to see bunches of young guys riding on top-end Cervelos.” After scoring some local road rash on a ride to Pai Meier also paid respects to the regional climbs. “The roads are tough, and unpredictable in places – I definitely wish I’d had a compact setup. I had a 26-tooth sprocket, but it just wasn’t enough.” Without a doubt Chiang Mai has become the Asian equivalent of Girona, Nice, or Lucca, only with weather that’s generally better. The local road scene may be fairly new, but it’s certainly thriving. A British ex-pat who’s now living in Chiang Mai told me: “When I came here a few years back it was quite a small local scene, but it’s really grown. There are lots of junior groups out on the road being coached every day, and a whole bunch of ex-pats too – there are 2-3 group rides each day.” Thailand has a strong and vibrant cycling culture, and the north is definitely the heartland of road riding and racing. Chiang Mai has the largest cycling population, but nearby Chiang Rai and Phayao also have smaller but thriving cycling scenes. Most of Thailand’s top riders come from this northern region, including Puchong Sai-Udomsin and Prajak Mahawong. There are several local races throughout the year and a couple of small stage races too, although these often have a new name and new format each year due, in part, to stifling regional bureaucracy. Each year there are several mass start hill climb races which attract hundreds of locals and foreign riders who are training in the region. The climb to Doi Inthanon (February) is the biggest, with the Doi Suthep climb and Doi Tung (near Chiang Rai) running close behind. There are also regular King’s Cup national series races in the area. But it’s not just road

Measures in place to ensure rider safety in Patrick Jonker TTT