Eddy Merckx's Hour Record Attempt

Below is a section of movie footage taken from the legendary cycling movie La course en tête. This particular snippet of the movie focuses on Merckx's hour record attempt in Mexico City on 25th October, 1972.

Eddy Merckx's Hour Record from John Prolly on Vimeo.

Danny MacAskill In The New York Times

Photo: Jayne Emsley

MacAskill's tricks include a back flip using a tree, and he has jumped fences and walls and leapt onto a roof. Click here to read a recent article in the New York Times about Scotland's stunt rider supremo, Danny MacAskill.

If you still haven't seen the video that made MacAskill famous you can see it here.

Cubo - Futurism

Natalyia Goncharova - The Cyclist. (1913)

Umberto Boccioni - Dynamism of a Cyclist. (1913)

Seen here.

Something Different

Art work from Michael Delucia.

Froehliche Weihnachten from Hameln in Germany.

Lots of snow here. Not sure how I'm going to be able to go running. Bamby on ice comes to mind.

Switchblades & Bianchi's

Bicycle gangsters..ready to sabotage..Switchblades&Bianchi's

Bicycle Thugs

Mister Senatori keeps it real.

Base, How Low Can You Go?

Without trying to get all Joe Friel on you I've been thinking about the phrase train slow race fast. I've heard it many times before but it is only now after running for many years that I've actually started to think about what I think it really means.

To me train slow race fast is essentially referring to the benefits base training can bring to an athlete who trains base correctly. Base training should be the first step in any athletes training program. It provides us with the foundation from which we can hone and fine turn speed and technique. This is certainly true for those of us with an interest in running and cycling. For the moment though I'm going to talk about base training from a running perspective.

I've decided to run another marathon in July 2010 so the next few months provides me with an excellent opportunity to work extensively on base. The last time I ran a marathon I really only payed lip service to the term base training and know it is one of the reasons why I didn't run as fast as I had wanted.

I started making an effort with my base training on last weekends long run. All it really means is that, for me, I stay within the 130 to 140 bpm range or zone 3 according to my Polar device. The reality of this is that I have to run slowly, resisting the urge to speed up when I feel really good or when others are overtaking me. It's easier said than done and takes a little concentration. I tend to focus on finding a good breathing rhythm. It's also a good opportunity to work on one's form.

As I progress with my base training I should start seeing my heart rate dropping a little when running at the same pace as I'm running today. For example, if my heart rate today is 135bpm at a 5:30 minute per km pace, in theory, if I continue training at the same rate in a couple of weeks my heart rate may drop to say 132bpm running the same speed.

Hopefully by spring time and just prior to starting my marathon training in earnest I should see a decent drop in heart rate at slower speeds. This will be the broad base from which I can launch into working the higher zones and the lung busting joys of interval and hill workouts.

Come marathon day I would like to think I'll be able to run at the pace I want without blowing up with 10km to go as I did in Berlin the year before last. I may well adopt this approach to my cycle training soon too especially once Santa has dropped off the Garmin Edge 305.

Risk Assessment

The temperature here in London has dropped over the past few days to wintry levels and with this has come the appearance of ice on the roads. I typically leave my flat in East London between 7.30am and 7.45am every morning to head off to work. It's a time when the ice that formed the night before hasn't had any chance to thaw.

For the past few days the temperature must have been lurking just above freezing as I set off for work, since I hadn't seen any ice. Yesterday however, I saw and experienced the first signs of the slippery stuff. I say experienced because as I made a slight turn whilst applying a little power at the same time I felt my rear wheel slip. It was only a small slip but was enough to remind me to beware.

This morning there was yet more ice on the roads. Actually the ice was confined to the quieter roads where salt hadn't been scattered the previous night. The first 10 minutes of my daily commute is made up of riding through the quieter roads. Usually it's a nice easy start to my ride but this morning I was immediately on high alert. I could hear the subtle crack of thinly layered ice as I gingerly rode, ever so slowly, along the rink like roads. I quickly made a decision to seek sanctuary on the busier roads knowing there would be less chance of ice. I was right, relieved I picked up speed and made my way along with the familiar throng of traffic.

Cycling along the ice covered roads on my 23mm wide tyres this morning wasn't pleasant. I didn't feel in control and was aware that at any moment I might end up on my arse. Fortunately I didn't but I was on the limit in terms of the amount of risk I was willing to take. I'm pretty sure I won't be riding on the road this weekend especially not the country lanes I usually frequent. Come Monday morning I'll assess the situation again. If it's colder than today I'll take the train to work.

It's nearly time to pull out the rollers!

Dutch Masters

Seen here.

Vuelta a España 2010 Route Map

It snowed here in London yesterday and more snow is due over the next couple of days. This will probably mean the Capital coming to a stand still and maybe me working from home instead of going into the office. Hurray!

Never mind about the gloomy weather here in the UK. The Vuelta organises bring thoughts of summer sun by recently announcing the route for the 2010 Vuelta a España which celebrates it's 75th anniversary with a night time team time trial!

The 75th Vuelta a España runs from 28th August 28th to 19th September 2010. For more information click lavuelta.com.

Tête de la Course

More excellent designs from Richard Mitchelson.

Bicycle Chain Cufflinks

I just spotted these Dura-Ace style bicycle chain cufflinks on Twitter. A good look for the smartly dressed cyclist me thinks. For more details click here.

Cycle Rage: Tyranny On Two Wheels

Click here to read Matt Rudd's article for the Timesonline about an increase in agressive cycling in the UK. It's certainly an emotive subject here in London as I'm sure it is in most big cities around the world with a cycling culture. I'm not going to comment on the article now (I will come back to this subject at a later date, once I've had time to properly formulate my thoughts and opinions) but do recommend giving it a read.

Cycling Home From Siberia

In September 2004 Rob Lilwall set off on a truly epic cycling adventure that would see him cycle all the way home to London from Siberia. The only thing is he didn't take the direct route home, instead choosing to cycle through Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Tibet, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Europe. He finally arrived home 3 years later in October 2007. Cycling Home From Siberia is Lilwall's story of that 3 year journey across the globe on 2 wheels.

Lilwall's intention had been to make his journey with his good friend Alistair Humphreys but having spent only a relatively short time together in Siberia they decided to part company in Japan due to differences in opinion on the route each wanted to take home. Humphrey's was already a hardened cyclist/traveller/adventurer by the time Lilwall joined him in Siberia to start their trip and understandably wanted to take the more direct route home. The book also depicts an equally understandable strain in their relationship as the months of cycling through Siberia's winter with temperatures dropping to as low as -40c took its toll.

The remainder of Lilwall's journey was essentially a solo effort although he did meet many people along the way including his future wife! After depending on Humphrey's experience and confidence Lilwall had to fend for himself and in doing so developed and improved many of the characteristics he had so admired in Humphrey's.

Lilwall's travels were far from easy and although he became very fit through cycling many kilometres for days at a time he did have to battle his way through some very tough natural obstacles. The mountains and rain forests of Papua New Guinea and the high peaks and cold of the Himalayas instantly spring to mind.

It wasn't only natural obstacles Lilwall had to overcome, whether the potential for danger was in his mind or real there were many occasions when he lived day to day in fear that something bad might happen to him. Again Papua New Guinea springs to mind as does Afghanistan. Having said that Lilwall left me with an overriding feeling that generally speaking the people that he met were good people with good intentions. In fact it was in many of the poorest country's or those perceived by the western media to be most dangerous were the friendliness and generosity of the people was most apparent. He would frequently be invited to stay with poor families who would feed him and give him a warm place to sleep for the night. Lilwall ponders whether the generosity he experienced was in part due to the harshness of some of the environments he travelled through. Unfortunately I couldn't imagine the same kind of generosity being displayed on such a regular basis in my own rich modern society/country. Maybe Lilwall would agree.

I've been a big fan of travel writing books for many years now and can safely say Cycling Home From Siberia is one of the better books I've read within the travel writing genre. It was a page turner from start to finish. I'm not a particularly quick reader but I can tell I've really enjoyed a book when it only takes my a week to finish it which this book did. Cycling enthusiasts with an interest in travel and adventure will especially enjoy this book. It's an inspiring read too. I'm already fantasising about packing in my job and setting off on an international tour my bicycle!

Cycling Home From Siberia is published by Hodder & Stoughton and can be purchased at www.cyclinghomefromsiberia.com.

7-Eleven Team 1986

The 7-Eleven Cycling Team was originally formed as an amateur team in 1981. In 1985 the men's team changed to professional status. One year later the team rode in the Tour de France for the first time and in doing so became the first American team with predominantly North American riders to enter the race. They were pioneers racing the toughest bike race in the world against European competition who generally didn't take them seriously.

Although their highest placed rider, Bob Roll, finished in only 63rd place the team did have a stage winner with Davis Phinney taking the 3rd stage. This success was to pave the way for many further successes, including Andy Hampsten's 1988 Giro d'Italia win.

The fascinating footage below is a profile of the 7-Eleven Cycling Team and their participation in their first Tour which was won overall by Greg LeMond riding for French team La Vie Claire.

Twin Six Santa Bike T-Shirt

With December now here Twin Six have created this very festive Santa Bike T-Shirt. It will make for an ideal gift and a good alternative to novelty socks. Apparently they're a very limited edition so you'll need to get in there quick if you want one!

The Santa Bike T-Shirt costs £21.95 plus worldwide shipping and can be purchased from Urban Hunter.biz.