what cycling boom?

Sad news – my local bike shop (LBS), 'two wheels good' is closing its crouch end shop. For the last three years its been my saviour. Quite often something happens and i panic (like seriously fret) "my club ride is tomorrow" or "meeting is in town" and i dont have that tool to fix that. On such occasions i visit my lbs. Ive just been in on a typical visit, my single speed threaded headset came lose after hitting a pot hole last nite. i dont have the wrenches to do it myself so popped down the road to have it fixed on the spot. And two weeks ago they fixed a spoke in my winter wheels that broke, again on the spot as i made conversation. Both jobs individually cost less than a pint and a bag of crisps (or coffee and cake is more apt for crouch end) and certainly less than a well own high street cycle chain store. The well own high street cycle chain store in central london charges over twice as much for minor repairs than its same store services in other parts of london and UK. (note: i dont use them i looked online). And charges you £14 it fix a puncture. Now i agree with this one charge as if you're riding a bike you should be able to do that one yourself. but £14 is more than both my lbs service charges together. Now some of you may be thinking thats why they are closing they should charge more, but if you know anything about bikes, they is only so much you can charge for a spanner going clockwise a quarter turn in front of your eyes. Good news is that 'two wheels good' still has its stoke newington shop (please visit). Bad news is i kinda liked those guys, we'd say hello at races or events and i'd tell people at the club to use them. Crouch end has so many cyclists i just dont understand. Bad Bad news is you know the shop will be turned into another cake shop. Crouch end is the cakey-ist place on earth and doesn't even have a cake named after it. To the people of london i ask you to put down your banana loaf and support your lbs.

Roll up Roll up

Tour down under

Problem with following the tour down under is makes this time of the year even worse. Juicy pro bike pics from cycling tips – thank you. Felt F1 equipped with Shimano Di2 and Dura Ace C-50 wheels. This one is Marcel Kittel of Argos-Shimano 2012 steed. Notice the sprint shifter a la campag.

God's own Country

So as you'e heard 2014 edition of the tour will start in Yorkshire, Stage 1: Leeds > Harrogate Stage 2: York > Sheffield and Stage 3 will grace some of my training roads of Epping and Cambridge before finishing in that London. In honour of this and as Marmotte training a couple of us have signed up for the Etape du Dales ride in May. My Yorkshire side of the family are getting very excited and its true those Northerners come from tough stock. Brian Robinson (from Hudderfield) was the first British rider to finish the tour and win a stage in 1958. Riders still say doing the tour takes five years off your life, note pictures above are from 1958 and present day.

i need a cx bike

cheers steve

Hammer I Miss You

Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. (May 1, 1980 – January 13, 2010)

Lovely photography

by Emily Maye