There are many recurring conversations in road cycling. Leg shaving. Tyre choice. PEDs and TUEs. Gear ratios. Coffee preference. The list goes on. But one of the more common conversations I’ve heard a fair bit over the years goes along the lines of this: “Yeah, I’d love to race, but it’s way too dangerous. I’d … More The great danger myth
There’s a saying in cycling that says something along the lines of “racing is the best form of training.” Whilst perhaps not entirely accurate, it’s entirely possible in Sydney for the next 5 months or so to ride 300km+ a week doing nothing more than racing crits. Last night marked the start of Penrith CC’s … More Who needs training?
I’ve had plenty of races cancelled because of rain, but never one because of the wind. Until this week. Despite the clearest of blue skies Mother Nature had been blowing ferociously all day. Keen to race, I’d been thinking of echelons and wondering which wheels to use. In the end it was a decision I didn’t … More Well, blow me
If you’d told me four years ago I’d be able to stay comfortably within a bunch averaging over 40km/h in a 45-minute race, and even take a turn on the front, I’d have thought you’d been sipping from the blue grease tube. But that’s exactly what happened last night at Eastern Creek Dragway, my first … More On the limit, or are you?
Cycling is a resilient beast. Despite a never-ending paceline of controversy and muck raking at the elite level, you just need to look around to see the sport is booming in Australia at a grass roots level. Bikes sales are off the scale. Riders of all ages can be seen pounding the pedals pretty much … More Join the club
It pays to pay attention when racing, and not just for safety reasons. A clubmate of mine won a pretty big race this morning in rather extraordinary fashion; so extraordinary, in fact, plenty in the field of 30-odd riders didn’t even realise he was off the front until the post-race presentation! With two 5km laps … More The vanishing
“You know what I’m most proud of today? Doing no work.” A clubmate who shall remain nameless after making the top 10 in a 60km race at Penrith Regatta Centre. At least he’s honest.
I saw something while out racing yesterday that made me smile. The venue was Landsdowne Park in Sydney’s south west, a purpose-built criterium circuit that I’ve always been rather fond of. The hosts of yesterday’s race, Waratahs Masters Cycling Club, have been criticised at this same venue in the past due, somewhat ironically, to their … More Drawing a line
Landsdowne is one of those polarising criterium circuits. Like me, plenty of Sydney riders love it. But plenty of others avoid it like a Lampre jersey. We’ll get to why in a moment. But first let’s look at the basics of this tailor-made cycling course, just a stone’s throw from Dunc Gray Velodrome in Sydney’s … More CIRCUIT REVIEW: Landsdowne Park
“Pedro, it’s better to lose with honour, than to win with none.” My pop, in the 1980s. I’ve never forgotten that. Especially as I don’t win very often!
Carbon Addiction 