Previous Posts

  • Tour de Suisse June 2, 2021Teocalli3211

    Tour de Suisse picks now open.

    Start list can be found here.

    Continue reading →
  • Criterium du Dauphine May 26, 2021Teocalli3184

    Photo by Criterium du Dauphine

    Well, the OTR League rolls onwards with the Criterium du Dauphine.

    Details to be updated!

     

    Continue reading →
  • Some lovin’ for my Felt FC May 24, 2021chuckp4714
    IMG_3993.jpgIMG_3990.jpg

    My Felt FC was semi-permanently mounted on my KICKR over the winter and into the spring. Any outdoor rides were on my Colnago. Decided my Felt needed some lovin’. Replaced the Ultegra 6800 RD with a new Ultegra 8000 RX clutch RD. Not because I necessarily need the clutch mechanism, but my 6800 RD was a short cage and I really needed a medium/long cage for my set up (50/34 with 11-30). I was able to buy the RX for a lot cheaper (~$80 USD) than a regular Ultegra RD (~$120). Don’t ask me why since MSRP on both is about the same. Put on a shiny new KMC bling Mr. T gold chain. Interestingly, when I took the old chain off (~5000 miles) and put the new chain next to it, there was hardly any difference, i.e., very little chain stretch. And it was time to refresh my #realmenridepink #realmenwearkpink bar tape. Got out for a fairly brisk paced rouleur ride on Saturday. 65 miles with not quite 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Had almost forgotten what a sweet ride my Felt FC is.

    Continue reading →
  • Vuelta a Burgos Feminas May 16, 2021Teocalli4707

    Vuelta a Burgos Feminas is the first stage race of two in this year’s Women’s WorldTour.

    The race is a four day stage race in Spain. The route incorporates six categorised climbs throughout the four days of racing with a mountaintop finish at the end of stage 4 finale at Lagunas de Neila.

    The 4 stages are –

    • Stage 1: Villadiego to Sargentes de la Lora, 100km
    • Stage 2: Pedrosa de Valdeporres to Villarcayo, 97km
    • Stage 3: Medina de Pomar-Ojo Guareña, 115.4km
    • Stage 4: Quintanar de la Sierra to Lagunas de Neila, 121.6km

    Team details can be found here (hopefully).

    Continue reading →
  • Giro d’Italia April 28, 2021Teocalli3141

    So we enter into the first of the 2021Grand Tours with the Giro d’Italia.

    Continue reading →
  • Eschborn Frankfurt April 26, 2021Teocalli4692
  • Liege Bastogne Liege 2021 April 21, 2021Teocalli4669

    La Doyenne the 106th edition of Liège–Bastogne–Liège takes place this Sunday. The route is 259 kilometres from Liège heading in the general direction of Bastogne before taking a U-turn back to Liège via some of the toughest climbs in the Ardennes.  The final climb is the short pitch up Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons before the downhill finale into Liège.

    Last year’s winner was Roglic followed by Hirschi and Pogacar.

    Mens start list can be found here.

    For the Femmes this will be the 5th edition.  The 141 Km route runs from Bastogne to Liège taking in seven climbs.  As for the men the finish is over Côte de La-Roche-aux-Faucons before the final run into Liege.

    Deignan won last year with Brown second and van Dijk in third place.

    Femmes start list can be found here.

     

    Continue reading →
  • La Fleche Wallonne 2021 April 19, 2021Teocalli4656

    Wednesday sees the 85h Edition of La Flèche Wallonne.  Encompassing a number of hills through the Ardennes the route covers 192 kilometres with the finish at the Mur de Huy, a 1.3 kilometres climb at 9.6%.

    Marc Hirschi is the current title holder having outsprinted Benoît Cosnefroy and Michael Woods to the line last year.

    Rider details for the Men’s event can be found here.

    For the Femmes this will be the 24th edition. The course is 126 kilometres and includes seven climbs through the Ardennes before the steep finish at the Mur de Huy.

    Anna van der Breggen holds a record, having won the last six editions. Cecilie Uttrup Ludiwg and Demi Vollering completed last year’s podium.

    Rider details for the Femme’s event can be found here.

    Continue reading →
  • New Book Publications via James Spackman April 14, 2021Teocalli4635

    Many thanks to James (aka BlackpoolTower) for the following.

    End to End by Paul Jones was published last week and has been attracting excellent reviews. Its topic is the history of the Land’s End to John O’Groats cycling record, from the mad buggers who did it on penny farthings to the inconceivably fast current record holders with their pointy hats and disc wheels.

    Far from a straightforward sporting history, this book delves deep into the culture and emotional landscape of cycling. Paul Jones himself did the trip, to interview riders (including Janet Tebbutt who still lives on the route and will sit out in all weathers to alert riders to that easily missed left turn near Bristol) and understand it for himself. What results is unexpectedly moving as well as insightful.

    Details via ukbookshop.

     

     

    Far from a straightforward sporting history, this book delves deep into the culture and emotional landscape of cycling. Paul Jones himself did the trip, to interview riders (including Janet Tebbutt who still lives on the route and will sit out in all weathers to alert riders to that easily missed left turn near Bristol) and understand it for himself. What results is unexpectedly moving as well as insightful.

    This book explores the highs and lows of being a self-started team (initially based in student digs) taking on the world, and offers valuable lessons for reverse-engineering any big goal, to find success even when you’re starting with limited resources. As Dan says, “knowledge beats talent”. Out in May.

    Details via ukbookshop.

     

     

    War on Wheels is Justin McCurry’s story of Japanese Keirin (pronounced KAY-rin, dontchaknow?). A sport which, despite now being in the Olympics, has surprising origins. In fact it started as a way for the postwar Japanese government to raise tax money on betting, and to promote cycling as a byproduct. Now it generates billions of dollars in bets and a vast amount of tax. The riders, even the rich ones, have to live in dorms with the windows blacked out and no electronic devices when they’re at race meetings, and rigorous customs and etiquette govern the sport. It’s an insight into blue collar Japan like you’ve never read and a sporting history unlike any other.

    Details via ukbookshop.

    Continue reading →
  • #steelisreal April 14, 2021chuckp4626

    Rolling on the new Pirelli P ZERO Race clinchers (with Tubolito inner tubes) on my Hollands.

    Continue reading →
Menu