Check out these forks after one winters commute and not too much cleaning..

Sometimes you can be wrong about things.

About a year or so ago I was in a product information talk at the importers. During the talk a pair of waterproof shorts were produced. I looked at these and thought to myself , ‘what would I want waterproof shorts for?. “What’s wrong with a mudguard?” “Surely they’d be uncomfortable….can’t see me selling those”

Fastforward to November 2008. I brought some of the Endura Superlite Waterproof shorts into the shop because some customers expressed an intrest. Hanging on the slatwall I took a closer look. Maybe I should have  a try. Heavy rain one evening drew my attention to the shorts again. I slipped them on and they were comfortable….I’d have a try.

Right from the off the shorts did excactly what they say they would do. Two waterproof pockets kept my phone and keys in place and dry. Drawstring closure kept them in place. Velcro tapes on the lower leg kept the wind from accessing the legholes and blowing them up like a balloon. Reflective strips were placed at strategicly for optimum brightness and stretchy fabric on the bottom stopped them from slipping around on the saddle.

Back from a couple of hours in the saddle and my rear was dry as a bone. Happy days…no need for a rear mudguard now. Tights and shorts are easier cleaned…..and I have learnt I can be wrong.

Check details out here Endura Superlite Waterproof Shorts

Most Wednesdays involve a bike ride combined with a coffee/scone stop. Today was a little different as I gave up the run to travel to one of Great Britain’s largest bicycle parts and bicycle distributors warehouse in London. They were showcasing the 2009 ranges from Shimano, Bell, Giro, Ridgeback, Genesis, Pro, Continental, Garmin, Light & Motion etc.

The morning started early. Up at 4.30 a.m. it was a quick dash to the airport and wait for lift off at 6.20 a.m.  and everything went to plan arriving in London Luton at 7.30 a.m. A short drive through dense traffic and 27 miles later I was in Milton Keynes home of Madison.

Madison’s distribution centre is 75,000 sq ft or massive. A quick look round and it was time for a cuppa and a big chocolate cookie. Time to visit the stands again and check out the latest gram saving products.

DT Swiss had a beautiful rear road bike wheel (the RRC 1250) with a 33mm carbon clincher  rim. Weighting in at funny enough 1250 grms it’s pretty light and great value at £1565.95

Wheels Manufacturing of Colorado were showing off their clever small parts and repair solutions. Highlight here was the Emergency Hanger Tool. Ever have a rear gear hanger brake on you when your miles from nowhere? Here’s a get you home solution. A neat multitool with a gear universal hanger included. The hanger fits onto your wheel sqewer and ‘bobs you uncle’ . Fit the gear mech on and ride home. Check it out here Emergency Hanger Tool. RRP. £26.42

New from Park Tool is the BTR-1.  A tool roll to get you out of trouble should your bike break down miles from home. Included is a tyre boot, gluless patches, pump, tyre levers and an i-beam folding tool. Available at the end of April for the small sum of £53.82.

Blackburn came up with some lovely new micro pumps. The Airstik SL weighs in at an impressive 59grms. By using the whole pump inners as a chamber they have been able to increase output by by a claimed 37%. Best of all the pump is very small and beautifully formed. Just have a look here…

Blackburn Airstik SL

Shimano showcased their updated groupsets for 2009. Top of the range roadie groupset Dura Ace,  had a pair of deep section carbon tubular wheelset weighing in at 1467grms. On the other side the mountain bikers top notch groupset XTR get new Scanadium alloy rimmed wheels WH-M975 to reduce their weight to a claimed 1525grms. Using a new spoke pattern Shimano have been able to increase latteral stiffness.

For more on Shimano check out Shimano.com.

Time came for a guided tour of the distribution centre to see how orders are compiled and dispatched.

Madison main building

Inside the building, masses of racking held thousands of boxes of parts and accessories. A cyclists dream. Everything  from a cable end to a saddle was ready for dispatch. If I had a penny for each box in that warehouse…..I’d have a lot of pennies.

A small section of products

Operators on forklifts pick the orders and bring them to a packing station.

Livestrong Helmets.....Giro have teamed up with Lance Armstrong to produce the new Livestrong helmet range. Top of the range retailing for £159.99

Shoes, shoes,shoes

Madison commuter clothing. Waterproofs, windproofs and warmers.

All too soon it was time to gather up my belongings and head for the airport. As the man says time flies when your having fun. A quick taxi journey and it was back to Luton airport for 7.20p.m. On the go for quite a few hours now and felling drained. What could pick me up? Coffee and a ……..

A lovely site.

One short flight and a short drive saw me home with my prize. 19hrs on the go but enjoyed the lot. Exhausted but happy to see new product for the shop. Best of all another chance  to get up close and personal with these buddies………………..

mmmmmmmmmm doughnuts

The things you do for love!

Three charity cycle ride events have been organized for May and September in aid of Marie Curie cancer care with routes to suit all levels of rider (families, novices and advanced) up to 50km.

So take note of the dates and help if you can.

Craigavon Cycle Ride

Saturday May 9th, 2009

Downpatrick, South Down Cycle Ride

Saturday September 19 , 2009

Limavady Cycle Ride

Saturday September 26, 2009

visit the website click here….www.mariecurie.org.uk/cycling

Just a mile or two into the ride you can feel the change in temperature from last week. Almost tropical.

I think I may have put too much clothes on an start to slow cook in my jacket.

On the trails the conditions were drying out giving a little more speed.

At just 6 1/2 miles we had an unexpected pitstop. Number 10′s front wheel was flat.

No problems to this seasoned ride, out came a new tube, tyre levers and co2 canister.

Tyre off, checked for thorns, glass etc. New tube and…………

Hey presto! Tyre inflated and ready to ride. (He’d get a job with a formula one team)

Hopped on the bike , pedalled 2-3 metres and ground to a hault.

”Guess what? ”  he said.

“What ?” was the reply.

“I’ve  a puncture …..in the rear wheel”  “and I’ve only brought one tube”.

Lesson . Always , always carry two tubes. You never know when you’ll need them.

Once again a speedy tube change and we were off again.

Up hill and down dale brought us down to a place the warmer weather hadn’t got to and straight into sloppy sticky goo. Just like it should be. Like riding through treacle.

Up and down a few more hills just to torcher the non food shy riders and back unto level ground again.

Onwards and upwards along the pathway and toward home.

Just to put the final knife in and twist it, the speed dial was cranked up by No. 10 followed by another 2 whippets, and for the final few miles it was ‘eyeballs out’.

And so to the end of another off road evening of pain and adventure.

Knackered!

Another Wednesday and another bun run.

Approximately 18 riders turned out for the fun

Taking the traditional route from Dunmurry the group make its way to Lisburn for 9.30 ish.

Then it’s onto the Moira road heading for Moira funny enough. Up Moira hill, straight on to Lurgan and then left toward Bleary.

So far everybody has been riding steady with only one or two people in “the lounge”

From Bleary we headed as normal over the Ballymore Road to Tandragee, home of Tayto crisps. The smell of cooking crisps is simply wonderful.

Down the hill in Tandragee and up the drag to Poyntz Pass.

Here the group split, some wanting a little more miles going to Loughbrickland, the rest along the towpath toward Scarva.

From Scarva to Gilford a nice pace with a smaller group of 4 riders.

Tea stop next.  Gilberry Fayre to be exact. It’s just one of those places having a magnetic pull to me. (tea and buns)

Something to celebrate today, not one but two birthdays…Homers and Bungee. Neither would give away their real age.

Out came the birthday chocolate cake and of course it would be rude to refuse!

All good things must come to and end and then it was back onto two wheels and heading for home via Donacloney, Magheralin, Moira and a steady run into Lisburn.

Not a bad way to spend the morning.

Some have succumbed to having babies and others to the cinema and a beer.
Weather was kind, warmish and not too breezy.

Trails were a little easier to ride now the snow has gone.

Illuminating the way were the excellent hope vision 4 led lights, one of the best lights I have used, 1 light & motion solo
and a cateye triple shot led headlight.

All went well, no mechanical problems and all home safely.

Lacking in confidence, uncertain intraffic, unsure of the rules of the road. You need Tri Cycle.

Have a look at their website  www.tricycle.org.uk or email info@tricycle.org.uk

A fabulous coastal ride from Belfast to Coleraine with the most spectuacular views Antrim has to offer.

more details at www.action.org.uk/finn_maccool