The Nearly New Cyclist Diary 2016: Revolution / Inspiration
Visitors to the site over the last couple of days will be aware that Conquista was present at the Manchester round of the UK's Revolution Series. Even the buzz of the National Cycling Centre couldn't completely remove the whiff of the school sports day that always seems to hang over Revolution events, but I still had a great time, and even took some photos. This was a great learning experience, as long as you think it's great to learn that velodrome light sucks. At least I have a better idea what I'll be dealing with next time (if there is a next time).
The event was also noteworthy for a few other things.
1. This was Cav's first outing since inking a new contract with Dimension Data. After all those years with Specialized, it was strange to see him warming up on a Cervélo . . .
2. I also discovered my favourite cycling sponsor of all time. How can a business fail with a name like "SPORT GRUB"?
3. Other media outlets invariably bring you photos of Robert Förstemann's preposterous thighs. Yawn. However, readers may be interested to know that they (and indeed all the other parts of his extraordinary anatomy - he's basically 5'6" cubed) are so vast that he regularly snaps seat posts, explaining this unusual little extra bit of support . . .
All this is tremendously inspiring, so I've been living the dream myself - that is, I've been on the turbo in the garage. The scene this evening:
The bike's under there somewhere. Still, I don't care: it may be a long way from the National Cycling Centre to my garage, but at least Cav and I have this in common: neither of us has mastered the rollers yet . . .
Also in Blog
Most Liveable Place Part 7: Two Years On, But What Has Changed?
It feels to us like Liverpool is a city at a crossroads. The worst pedestrian and cyclist road safety track record in the country. Deprived neighbourhoods with chronic health issues and low car ownership. Offered millions of pounds of central government funding for local transport development, the city has elected to remove an important active travel corridor prior to the publication of a review into its effectiveness. The actions of a local councillor, praised by the City Mayor, could lead to a huge reduction in local transport funding that will set the city back years. We look back at the last two years, the impact of Covid, and ask is this the end of the road for a co-ordinated active travel plan for Liverpool?
Most Liveable Place: Part 6 - Boss City ≠ Belter Neighbourhoods
Liverpool is boss. But not always. But it could be. Richard J. Dunning elaborates...
Known Unknowns: Part 10
The difficulties of Cav To The Tour
Mark Cavendish’s welcome return to victory has led to calls for the Briton to be selected for the Tour de France, including the #CavToTheTour push on Twitter. There is a considerable emotional appeal to him taking part, but is it practical?