First 2012 VSF T900 Rohloff leaves shop (20.1.12)
Pic 1 shows updated Rohloff shifter now with white numbering.Pic 2 shows Hebie chainglider chainguard.
Pic 3 shows trademark red (Japanese made bell)and Magura HS 11 brakes.
Pic 4 shows you the fantastic Exal MX19 eyeletted rim.
Pic 5 shows the hydraulic brakes at rim positioning.
Pic shows Judi collecting her bike last weekend
Pic shows Judi collecting her bike last weekend
Pic 7 shows the whole bike in it's glory !! And finally pic 8 the work of art that is a Rohloff gearbox.
The first VSF T900 Rohloff 2012 has just left the shop. A customer from Henley-On-Thames has just become the lucky new owner.
This bike is in the beautiful emerald green colour.
The T900 is probably my favourite bike from the VSF range. I suppose that is for two reasons.
Firstly I have ridden this model much more than any other---it therefore suits one type of cycling that I choose to do---touring in hillyand mountaineous regions but with fairly decent road surfaces.
Secondly it is simply the fantastic quality of all the components and the frame.If you look at the testimonial page you will see at least one customer who feels the same.The Rohloff is the true heart of the machine and all other components such as the magura brakes, the MX19 double walled ,eyeletted rims with stainless spokes,the fantastic hub dynamoed standlight lighting system,tubus rack,sks mudguards,ergon grips,selle royale respiro saddle are all of similar quality..........you get the message ......this is max quality at a brilliant price.
Once you have spent the money you have a world class touring bike.
There are two main differences this year in terms of spec.Firstly the bike is now equipped with Magura HS11 brakes as opposed to HS33 last year. VSF assure me that quality and internal components are exactly the same in both models so the change makes sense for most cyclists as there is now a longer lever which for most will give better braking control.Secondly the Son hub dynamo has now been replaced with shimano model DH-3N80.
This bike is in the beautiful emerald green colour.
Price of bike 2199 euros. Times by 0.9 to get pound price.
Escaping to the mountains of Majorca again (19.1.12)
Pics L>R1 View of mountains from Palma. 2. Great sunset up by lakes. 3 Plaza in Soller.4 One of a trio of walking companions!5 6 7 Sa Calobra. 8 By the tunnel at Puig Major.
Winter can be pretty dismal in the U.K at this time of year so I will be off to Majorca again . I will be spending New Years Eve in the square in Soller ( probably taking part in traditional grape eating festivities !!! ) and then heading off on some of my favourite rides in the western mountains. I plan to take the climb out of Soller up towards Puig Major and up and down Sa Calobra again.
I also intend to head further south to Deia and Valldemossa and several other climbs such as the twisty road up to the Col de Soller and into Bunyola...
I will do a blog on the rides on my return. O.k here goes------
Arrived in Palma on the 30th and sun was shining with blue sky. Wow to think that only hours before I had been in dismal, grey U.K. We had a fantastic lunch by the sea on the south of the Island and then after a great walk to clear the cobwebs. Back to the car to find broken window and rucksack gone. Luckily only cards and incidentals disappeared -----I hope they enjoyed my cheese and pickle sandwiches though !
After a night in Palma which is a lovely place ( when you know where to go ) and feels very safe walking around at night time, headed off to Soller .This was fun because we had left the car to be repaired, so borrowed another friends old Peugeout. If any of you have seen the Bourne Identity it was a bit like that (the Mini scene) !Anyway the old diesel had next to no clutch so we would without a doubt take the tunnel through to Soller and avoid the enjoyable hairpins up and over the col de Soller !Soller is a beautiful old town with cobbled streets linking up beautiful 3 and 4 storey houses with the Plaza in the centre as the main focal point .With it's restored Victorian tram line still transporting people back and forth to the Port of Soller and the backdrop of the mountains on three sides it really is a magical place !!
Once you open the big solid wooden door of my friend's house you are taken aback as these rather austere old houses- which look so unfriendly and cold from the outside- become beautiful and frankly luxurious living quarters. Lovely !
Regarding cycling-------It would have been rude to cycle everyday so I did a full on two days of cycling interspersed with some amazing mountain walks which were just as much fun !!
The first ride was from Soller up to Puig Major so a climb of over 1000 meters over about 10 miles.I have been down this before but never up and it is a super climb with great road surfaces which have even been improved upon since last year (particularly the road from Pollenca up to the Monastery of Luc). From the tunnel I cycled past the lakes and on to the Col de Reis and then of course one of my favourite rides was coming up-------descent to and ascent from Sa Calobra. Fantastic again ------sunshine, blue sky, warm and no other cyclists all day apart from one. Sorry !! ------you should all go !!!
The climb up from Sa Calobra was as usual fantastic------yes the cycling was great but also admiring the engineering feat too.The day was a public holiday so having set off with no drinks -thinking as usual that I could pull in for something en route-there were no cafes or shops open.So apart from a coke at Sa calobra I was pretty parched.Probably because of lack of fluid I found the climb back to the tunnel quite hard and it is always pretty cold up there too--reasonably high. The whizz down to Soller was of course over in a flash and as exhilarating as usual at speeds of 45-65kms/hr.
So cycling day was approx 82 kms and really enjoyable.
Day 2 I decided to cycle south to Deia , Valdemossa with a descent and ascent to and from Bunyolbufar. From there headed back into the hinterland through Esporles to join the main road running from Palma to Soller. This is a long straight road but traffic is generally very sympathetic to cyclists------lets face it in the season lots of money comes to the Island from people like us.
The reason I had come this way was so that I could climb up the Col de Soller which once again I have been down but not up. Lovely hairpins and views back to Palma. Not high at about 565 meters but really pleasant. From the top (Cafe owned by English guy shut too ) fairly rapid descent to Soller.I was feeling really good and had just over 11/2 hours left before agreeing I would be back !! So shot back up to Puig Major and down again. This ride was approx 120kms so a really good days ride .
Hope you enjoyed the read...................
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year......... (22.12.11)
To you all ........ but especially to those fair few regular decent people who have supported my business this year and in previous years.
You will know who you are and I certainly do !! Much appreciated and much more from a human perspective than any financial one!!
Life with the faceless nature of online buying and the ignorance of much of the email communication can be tough for anyone trying to run a business now. It is very much like the Wild West really. Receiving email requests which you try to reply to and then never receive a thankyou even when you have put time and effort in........
After a few of those you think .......why I am I doing this ......and then someone who likes what I do comes in with generous words and a smile and things change for the better......
So once again for those of you who help me like this MANY THANKS !!!
Marmotte looms again. (22.12.11)
Three of us have entered La Marmotte again this year. Purgatory really but has to be done !!
Incredibly all places were taken up within 48hrs of them becoming available .
Well done for Duncan and John for all their planning on this one and for keeping an eye open to make sure we all gained places.
This year we will take our own bikes instead of hiring. I am toying with the idea of doing it on a Dahon Speed Pro TT or Dahon MU EX just to see what it it will be like ...........
Altura Attack jacket. (8.12.11)
Altura Attack jacket in Brown/graphite. Top of the range waterproofing from Altura.Same material as the Attack X which I can vouch for having used it in full rain and hail and kept dry and warm !!
This week only I can buy and sell to you. So maybe one or two will see this and pick up a bargain !
All sizes.
RRP £149
My price. £89.
Brooks saddles (7.12.11)
I keep seeing customers who have bought bikes from me coming back with a Brooks leather saddle transplanted on to the bike.
It must be that they do not realize that I sell them BUT I DO ! and even if the model you require is not in stock ,I can get it in a day.
Price wise it is great these saddles are not raped by internet discount. However if there ever are any offers I will be able to match them.
Further clarification on "The Giant Shop" !! (7.12.11)
Another little bit of clarification !!Most of you who read my articles ( and I am most flattered and astonished at the numbers now of people who do!!) will now realize that the "Giant shop" is not Giant direct but another independent shop namely Cambridge Station Cycles.Giant have paid for the refit with the deal only their bikes are sold in store.
However, many people are still confused .They think that when I say I will order a bike from Giant ,I receive it from the Giant shop in Cambridge !!Incredible ------the fragility of the human mind and the way it works sometimes.
All shops who sell Giant order them from the U.K Giant wholesaler in Leicester.
When a bike is on offer- as long as Giant U.K in Leicester have your size in stock-I will have the bike by 7a.m next day as long as you order from me before 11a.m.
Report on Scottish Highlands coast to coast ! Day 1 (22.10.11)
O.K I am back and what a trip ! I did manage to cycle across the Highlands from coast to coast in 4 days but it has turned into a Chris route not the official one !I will tell you what happened ! The train ride up to Inverness was long but fine and according to plan. I had booked a room in the Inverness Youth Hostel and rolled up there about 8p.m ish.
It is interesting because Youth Hostels are rapidly losing their appeal for me. They are becoming quite expensive for what they offer these days and I feel that is a real shame. In Inverness for comparison you will pay about £3 more for a really comfortable B & B.
Cycling Day 1
----------------------
Set off at 9a.m from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh on the train with an arrival time of 11.28 a.m. Lovely trip and as you get further west you realize how remote and desolate the Highlands are. Beautiful ! Of course it was raining but I was expecting that. Anyway set off from Kyle of Lochalsh at 11.45 a.m. It immediately started to pour with rain which meant adding overshoes ,hat and outer gloves as it was cold.So I was aiming for Ratagan further to the south west and the official start of the ride. 17 miles later and having passed the tourist castle landmark of Eilean Donnan I reached Ratagan.
The first real climb starts here as you cycle up to 390 metres to a view point from where you can see the fantastic 5 sisters ( well known mountains ) if you look west south west.From here it is downhill along the old military road towards Glenelg. Sounds nice but at between 20-30 mph I was met with the first hailstorm of the day and it was bitterly cold but even worse the feeling of many needles being poked in your face as the hailstones hit.
Glenelg in this weather was not pretty but I reckon it would be magical on a lovely summers day with views over Glenelg Bay to the Isle of Skye.Temperature at this point was running consistently at about 32 degrees F which is 0 degrees C so pretty cold .
The route continues past Eilanreach and Sandaig towards Arnisdale. This was the most brutal weather with hail and snowstorms and streams of hail,water and snow cascading down the roads---- it looked rather like melting ice cream really.It was cold even though the body is creating a great deal of heat with the cycling up and down hills.
O.K Arnisdale was the exciting village as here the route heads pretty much west along Glen Arnisdale and the first mountain pass over to Kinloch Hourn. I knocked on someones door to confirm the route and he told me it was 9 miles to Kinloch Hourn and a further 9 miles to Tomdoun where I knew there was a hotel and I was hoping to stay.But -----he said---- you will have to wade a river. No probs I thought as I had already forded a couple of small streams.
Anyway the offroad track seemed fine until it ramped up into a very steep mountain walk really hard to push a bike with two panniers and impossible to ride. This kept on going until eventually you reach the top and by this time you are in the mountains big time with conditions so wet and boggy it is not really possible to cycle consistently for more than a few yards at a time.Soldiering on and looking at the watch 3 hours time will see real darkness ----- (which if you are outside I always reckon is a good hour after darkness in shops and offices.
So pushing on past two tarns I hear a familiar sound ----- a sharp crack as the rear wheel axle snapped and every revolution of the crank sent the tyre against the frame of the bike.I pushed on gently but realized the very soft alloy of this frame would soon be rubbed away by the harshness of a fully pumped up 2.1 tyre.
At this point I saw the pylons which would signal the river crossing and could clearly see the track enticingly on the other side of the river.The only problem was that this was not a ford. It was ( because of the large amounts of rain ) a full on river. I had said to myself before hand not to dither here because I had to get across. So I didn't ------ straight in trying to use the bike as a prop which worked really well until the middle and then ( thigh deep at this point ) the bike was on it's side trying to pull me down stream with it ! Somehow once beyond the centre of the river things calmed down and managed to get out o.k.
Next thing was realizing there was distance still to go with the broken axle----so bike upside down and replaced the axle ( Yes had thought of bringing a spare one ! ). This was not easy with very limited tools and in the cold but soon on the way again. Not pleasant actually as getting dark and no end to this bleak mountain pass.Needed to force myself to eat and drink liquid here as I knew energy was down. Eating and drinking was what I really did not want to do right now. I also know that these sort of reactions are the first signs of potential onset of hypothermia------ so got the food and drink in !
Anyway reached the shooting lodge at Kinloch Hourn at 6.45 p.m in darkness.I knocked on door to enquire if I could stay anywhere but was rather cooly told the only place to stay was Tomdoun 17 miles away------ and, the guy said ,the first 3 miles are uphill.
O.K I didn't fancy this next stage 17 miles in complete darkness in the remote Highlands --- but if you have to do it you have to do it !! Downed a packet of fruit pastilles and felt reenergized after a few minutes. After the uphill slog the run to Tomdoun was almost out of body. Second wind kicked in and at one point I came across 5 Highland cattle in the road, then a stag with antlers and finally a deer who scuttled out of the undergrowth and ran in front of me for half a mile or so. I felt like a skilled herdsman !!
Arrive at Tomdoun hotel at 8.45 p.m and that was welcome !!! They even produced a lovely casserole for me which I washed down with a couple of pints of McEwans.It felt great to be the only customer in this lovely hotel.
So that was day one !!!
Scottish Highlands . Day 2. (22.10.11)
Pics show bike in garage at Fort Augustus
Town is Fort Augustus with Caledonian Canal.Two other shots are on the way
to Inverness.
Great breakfast at Tomdoun Hotel. Nice table for one don't you all think ! Set off about 9a.m with aim of heading to Fort Augustus and then over the Corrieyairack pass towards Glenfeshie. O.K Chris in your dreams !! At this point I really thought this possible ! I think myself as physically invincible you see !!!
Tough ride through wet forest tracks to Invergarry. From here fantastic flat run up the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus. All going well. weather at this point closing in again with heavy rain. Right lets get up the Corrieyairack pass which at 2550 ft is the highest point on the ride.Started heading up and at a steep section familiar rub as tyre hits frame. This time axle no. 2 has bent under pressure.
Rethink time. Quick look at map says only thing is cycle back along Loch Ness to Inverness to pick up new axle and move from there. But first down to local garage in Fort Augustus to hopefully scrounge some proper tools and cobble the axle somehow. The guys in the garage were great and lent me the tools I needed to do as best I could with axle n0.2.When I said I would try the pass again they told me there was 2foot of snow up there and that if I tried going up there at this time of day they would physically not let me do it. O.K point taken. back to Inverness but not before a really bad lunch of coke, cake ,crisps , biscuits and coffee. Don't copy that !
The climb up on the B road out of Fort Augustus is long and quite steep reaching to about 300 metres. Then a great run (34miles or so back to Inverness ) This is when I found out how much better value the B&B's were . So had a really comfy night even though the following morning the lady asked me which bed I had slept in. I replied ---the one by the window--- to which she retorted---I had not made that one up-there were no sheets on the bed !! I was comfy anyway.
Scottish Highlands . Day 3. (22.10.11)
Pics show me at Carrbridge
arriving at Kingussie
and stopping to look at Dunkeld Cathedral.
Today was unplanned really. I had not expected to be back in Inverness. But I was and therefore had to make the most of it. I then realized I could still achieve my goal of cycling coast to coast across the Highlands. There is a Sustrans route 7 which appeared to follow the course of the A9 south towards Perth. I decided to take this initially as far as Carrbridge . From there I could decide whether to carry on to Tomintoul and join up with the original route or continue on route 7.
The ride along route 7 was an eye opener because the tracks or old roads creating the sustrans route were very much traffic free and I would really recommend it to you as a lovely ride. It was very hilly but although cold the rain held off !
At Carrbridge it was around 0 degrees C and I decided to head down to Aviemore and then onto Kingussie. I had never been to Aviemore before and now was a good opportunity to have a quick look. The mountains surrounding the town were covered in snow already and it looked truly wintery there !
I pushed on to Kingussie in the rain by this time. Rain turned to snow as I arrived in Kingussie and was told it was approx 45 miles to Pitlochry.
At least I thought this would be a good 100 plus mile ride to make up for the fact I was not climbing up the mountains but cruising through them.As I passed through Blair Atholl and Blair Castle it was getting dark and after one more final climb ---the Killiecrankie pass ---I was in Pitlochry where I found yet another lovely B & B.
It had actually been quite a hard day. The Garmin had recorded over 100 miles --I would estimate 107 as I kept forgetting to turn it on, 6286' height gain and 6192 calories burnt on the ride. Average temp. had been 36.1 F just above freezing !!
Scottish Highlands . Day 4. (21.10.11)
Pic 1 show typical Sustrans signage on their paths (really excellent).
Pics 2 and 6 are of the Staion Hotel,Carnoustie. The only way I could wheel the bike was with tyre off-it was so buckled---as you can imagine from looking at pic 3.
Pic 4 is of the Discovery at Dundee and pic 5 is of me outside Dunkeld Cathedral !
Waking up after yesterday's ride I felt pretty shattered to be honest. I had another fantastic breakfast at the B&B and was soon on my way. I had no idea to be honest where I would end up at the end of the day.Montrose would be ideal as that is where I was supposed to finish if I had taken the official route. However I figured anywhere on the east coast would be a good result as it would still be a Highlands coast to coast ride!
So I was heading for Perth still on Sustrans route 7. the ride was very pleasant ---cold but clear weather and gently rolling landscape, becoming really pretty as you join and cycle along paths by the river Tay.
So I was heading for Perth still on Sustrans route 7. the ride was very pleasant ---cold but clear weather and gently rolling landscape, becoming really pretty as you join and cycle along paths by the river Tay.
The riverside path leads you into Dunkeld and initially you are confronted by the huge Dunkeld Cathedral which really stands out because of it's size and it also has original beautiful lead guttering and downpipes!!
From Dunkeld to Perth was more of the same really ---undulating pleasant landscape but just clocking up the miles to be honest. Approaching Perth the route joins the river Tay again and runs into the pretty city through beautiful parkland with many office workers all out for lunchtime strolls .Time for lunch here and I found a lovely but simple little cafe where I filled up like a dustbin again ---as one does on these rides !
Next stop or next port of call -Dundee. Very steep climb east out of Perth but really enjoyed that. For a few miles up and down hilly terrain and raining now. Hard work and cold now but great really.Suprisingly a few miles west of Dundee the landscape changes completely and there is mile after mile of really flat land . Obviously great farming terrain and the Garmin was for once showing a straight flat line for elevation !
As you approach Dundee the cycle path takes you round the south side along the Firth of Tay and past Scott's famous ship The Discovery and then past the oldest floating warship left in our country- The Unicorn. Huge amount of waterfront development taking place around Dundee--enjoyed seeing it although somewhat briefly !!
Hammering along now towards Broughton Ferry --really pretty old Victorian seaside town just on the eastern outskirts of Dundee. At this point one could say the east coast had been reached --hooray-- but I was just getting my second wind as late afternoon approached and as I started to head north east I was starting to feel the wind on my back. So let's push on.
The eastern coast of Scotland at this point is beautiful. Mile after mile of sandy beach and sand dunes. Really lovely with a special atmosphere.Starting to get dark as I sailed past Carnoustie Golf Course but I had lights ---lets keep going.
Suddenly as I approached a gate to cross the railway line and luckily moving slowly ---Bang---. O.K what now-- wheel is out of true so broken spoke I thought. No probs I had spokes so 15 mins later I would be on my way again. However as I turned the bike over to check which spokes had gone I discovered the wheel had exploded (the rim had split) so game over on this trip !!
Thankfully the Station Inn at Carnoustie was close so I walked the bike there- struck a good deal for B&B and had a lovely meal and relaxing evening before catching the train back to Cambridge the next morning.
Amusingly enough---if I had been continuing it would have been fine as the hotel chef had seen a cheap mountain bike in a skip near his home and would have been willing to bring it in for me---so I would have been on the move again with no probs.Today's distance 70 miles.
Great fun travelling like this !!
Next trip looming ! (13.10.11)
Life is too short so the next trip looms ahead of me.
This time Coast to Coast across the Scottish Highlands.Trip will go from Kyle of Lochalsh near the Isle of Skye to Montrose on the East coast.
This is an off road trip predominantly and is often voted as one of the best rides in the U.K. So very hard to resist particularly at this time of year when there will be no midges and even more importantly next to no people !!
Distance is approx 250 miles and I am giving myself 4 days to complete it. That seems like a long time when you think that staying on the road is an easy 2 day journey. However there are some serious off road climbs such as the Corriey-Airack Pass and Mt . Keen to cope with so 4 days will be pushing it ---I imagine !!Maybe it will be no problem ---I will let you know !
So anyway from Cambridge train journey up to Inverness arriving 8 p.m.Next morning train journey from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh.
Should set off towards Ratagan about 11.30 a.m on Monday morning and then we are off.
Promise I will give a report on this ride once back !!
By the way I am going on a retro bike. It is a Cannondale from the late 1980's. It is quick and comfortable for me and light . It is great to pull a bike from mothballing into action !!
No suspension and aluminium forks so I will be well pounded at the end !!
Giro Prolight helmets. (19.9.11)
If you want a top end lightweight helmet at great price take a look in my reviews section as at the moment I am selling the Giro Prolight at £85. They retail at £149.99 and the only negative reports about these helmets is the high price. So now there are no negatives.
As usual these offers will go so if you want one let me know.
I can advise you on these as I am currently using one. Fantastic !!
Blog on the coast to coast ride ! (8.9.11)
At last trying to settle down and write the blog on the Coast to Coast ride we did with the VSF bikes last week. Wow it already seems like a lifetime away !
As I explained we were cycling east to west from Robin Hoods Bay to St Bees. Slightly unusual yes as it was into the prevailing westerley winds. But it meant finishing on some superb climbs in the Lake District.
I was really keen to try the T900 with 14 speed Rohloff gearbox and see how it would perform in hilly areas with full pack. I was not disappointed !! Infact can't wait for the next trip.Throughout the journey the bike performed perfectly. The twist grip gearchange is positive and never once did I miss a gear-----gear adjustments are really a thing of the past with the Rohloff.On undulating terrain as for example between Osmotherley on the western edge of the North York Moors to Kirkby Stephen in the Dales you keep the pace up beautifully with constant positive shifting.Hills do not defeat the Rohloff as it coped admirably with 33% gradients in the North York Moors.However these gradients mean that with full gear in panniers you need to be standing and over the bars to prevent the front wheel continually lifting.
I was really impressed by the handling of the bike on fast descents .From the top of the Hardknott pass down into Eskdale is a long and steep ( and really enjoyable ) descent. I was expecting some front end wobble at speed but the bike was steadfast and solid all the way down. Braking with the hydraulic Magura HS 33 system was sure and solid.
Some people have commented on the fact that lighting systems add unecessary weight to the bike but on a trip like this it really is great to have the Son front hub dynamo putting out tremendous lighting through the 60 lux front B&M Lumotec and fantastically bright rear led (both with standlights ). The front led has a senso mode so that when dark enough the light comes on automatically. Brilliant.Especially when cycling back from the pub in an area one is not familiar with !
I will tell you what is also great about the VSF bikes ----- a really solid comprehensive stand which is incredibly useful when you have heavy panniers on the rear rack.
The fully enclosed chainguard is also really great as you don't need to worry about oil on the trousers at all !
The tubus cargo as you would expect from the world's best was faultless as I knew it would be !
I always say the T900 is a top touring bike mainly for road use and I stand by this ,but it also performed brilliantly on rougher tracks such as the Cinder Track from Scarborough to Robin Hoods Bay and on some wetter and stickier terrain by Ravenscale.
So much for the bike. Now I am sure you would all like a quick resume of the journey with it. !!
I will carry on hopefully tomorrow with that -------
Coast to Coast. (26.8.11)
O.K. Having sold quite a few rohloffs this year time to try for myself. We will be cycling coast to coast next week on two VSF Fahrrads. (The Majorca theme continues as I will be joined from a friend from Palma ). The models will be T900 with Rohloff and T400 derailleur geared .
Route will be East to West as I am in love with the Lake District more than ever and am willing to sacrifice potential wind in the face for the thought of Kirkstone Pass and then the Wrynose and Hardknott Pass towards the end of the ride.I was on the Kirkstone 3 weeks ago but in a vehicle --- as my eldest daughter had asked if we could do High Street. (She liked the idea as we all did that they used to race horses up there in years gone by).
I have been using the Rohloff a lot lately and although I love riding high end racing bikes I am also really enjoying the Rohloff--- You can keep a great pace up --- it rolls ( actually no pun intended !! )really easily and you know that to be honest you can get up any hill. It is also a work of art which is not just being looked at but is also helping to keep you fitter.
You see having come back from France and seeing guys in their 60's- late 70's looking amazingly strong and fit and performing as they look ,there really can be no better aim in life than to work your body hard as it naturally should be !!
I will let you know how we get on and more importantly how the bikes perform !!
The T900 will be for sale at a good price after the ride . If you are interested let me know (58cms)
Just back from viewing the 2012 VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur range. (14.8.11)
We have just come back from viewing the new VSF Fahrrad Manufaktur range for 2012.It was a great trip not least because we combined it as a very much toned down stag do ( Dad me and James).It is rare we all 3 get away together on trips so as James is getting married next weekend it seemed a perfect time.
We arrived in Oldenburg just as people were going to work, about 9a.m ,ready for a full day of looking at and trying out the new range.
This year there are quite a few changes but the quality remains the same. To me the bikes are even more beautiful !
Time allowing I will let you know - model by model - about any revisions for the coming year and also tell you about the new models which are being added !
Our rides from the shop. (14.7.11)
Quick update on our rides out from the shop.Things have been going well and we ride out on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6.30p.m.
The aim is still to have the slower ride on Tuesday and the faster ride on Thursday.However the way things are going we are looking to have two groups going out on Tuesday both a slower and a quicker group.
So if you are just getting up to fitness or even just starting to ride seriously then join us on Tuesdays. The nights are already drawing in so do not hesitate !!
I have posted some pics of our ride tonight .We were all very pleased as we managed an average of 22 mph over the 40 miles.
La Marmotte (Photos to come ) (4.7.11)
Hello.We are just back from completing La marmotte which as you all know is the legendary sportif in the French Alps. Here is a quick resumee of what happened !!
This trip had been planned several months ago by Duncan and we had trained pretty hard from the winter on with this objective in mind. Our training was not terribly specific though because there is hardly a hill around Cambridge let alone a mountain ! However Duncan pushed me very hard around the undulating terrain towards Haverhill and Saffron Walden and as the time approached we had clocked up some trips close to the mileage of La marmotte (108miles ) if not meters of climbing (plus 5000m ).
Anyway a week before we were due to leave real bad luck struck as Duncan came off his bike and badly broke his collar bone. Stalwart and all round good chap he is as he insisted on coming out as support for me as I attempted the ride.Thankyou again Duncan as it was much appreciated !
We flew from Stansted to Lyon and hired a car then driving to Alpe D' Huez where we had booked an apartment for 3 nights.We arrived after an easy journey and booked in and collected the bike for the ride.
5.30 the following morning Duncan managed to persuade me to eat porridge and raisins before starting the 10 mile descent to the 7 a.m start at Bourg D'Oisans.Wow that was really cold ! You do need a wind cheater to do that and ideally full finger gloves.The light jacket worked well for me as I was able later to tuck it away in a pocket of my cycling shirt.
I was due to leave around 7 a.m with a number in the early thousands.Soon we were off and as I expected there were people flying past as if it was as a sprint.I refused to be drawn as I had no idea what to expect later in the day !! You cruise for a few miles on a lovely straight flat road and then turn right on the D526 heading up towards the Col du Glandon. This is a pretty , pretty route and early in the morning so no real heat. It is a long steady climb but one is still thinking this is fine, what is all the fuss about, as you look down on emerald coloured alpine lakes and cruise through little alpine villages with people already sitting out enjoying their coffee.
Anyway soon the Glandon arrives and at 1924 metres is the first of the four mountains under the belt.There is also a feed station here and it was really well stocked too.There are bananas cut in half, buckets full of juicy orange segments, cakes , sweets, water (of course), ham rolls !!From the top of the Glandon the route heads N N east on the D927. There were at least two ambulances stationed at the top of this descent but after the initial steep hairpins the descent is just fantastic.Fast and sweeping and very long.Magic in fact and before long you find yourself in St- etienne - de - Cuinnes.
From here the route heads south east along a reasonably busy main road ( D1006 ) and you start to realize what you are up against as it is getting hotter and this road is hard work to be honest.You also need to be sensible and when you find yourself with a group behind you and no one in front make changes pretty quick and get right behind someone else ! Anyway as you enter St Jeanne de Maurienne and head south west to start the 7-8 mile climb up to the top of the Col du Telegraphe (peak no. two ) you are really in a ride.That is if you are a normal person as I am ! I found the Telegraphe really hard work. This is a personal thing on my particular ride. You may find it fine as I did the Glandon. The sun was getting stronger and although not a really long climb it is really quite steep and I would say pretty relentless.
The top of the Telegraphe arrives at last and this is where I missed Duncan because he would not have let me stop and we would have rolled over the top and recovered on the descent to the beautiful village of Valloire. But riding on my own I had a fairly long rest here- I have to admit to feeling quite tired !!
Managed to push on again but don't think the descent is as giving and long as that from the Glandon.You will find some relief with a shortish descent but then a lovely easy ride through the fantastic summer and winter sports haven which is Valloire and then on to the very gentle start of the ride towards the Galibier. As you come out of Valloire you can replenish your supplies at feed station number two.
Do not be fooled by the early gentle ascent towards the Galibier but do admire the magnificent mountain scenery which opens out before you. The scale is truly vast and the opportunity for fantastic alpine walking here is mouth watering. ( I hope to be back for that ! ).The ascent of the Galibier is a long one (I think around 10-12 miles) and at Plan Lachat the incline really ramps up and stays ramped up until the summit. It is a tough ascent and this is where I first saw people walking with their bikes or taking well deserved rests !!Luckily I managed to make it without a rest but I was not quick.I had decided at this stage that completing the ride was the most important thing this year and I still had no idea what still lay ahead, but of course the thought of the Alpe D ' Huez is ever present !! Eventually the summit of the Col du Galibier is reached and what fantastic views.The Galibier truly deserves it's rating as" well worth the journey "(by whatever means ).All sorts are up there not only cyclists but my prize for the day must go to the petite French woman we had seen at the Telegraphe for the way she managed the Galibier hairpins on her bright red Ducati 749 !!
One of the best parts of the ride now comes as it is pretty much all down hill now for about 30 miles and the base of the Alpe D ' Huez. The hairpins on the way down are mouth watering I absolutely loved the ride. The climbs are worth it for the awesome fast descents !! On the way back to Bourg you travel through many tunnels but they are fine .I was apprehensive before hand thinking they may be like the one on the way down from Cape Formentor in Majorca,but they are no problem as well lit and wide. Do not forget to look up to your left as you get closer to the turn for Les Deux Alpes as there are some fantastic glaciers up there.
Soon you are approaching Bourg D'oisans and the final feed station before the last ascent.I thought I would have another rest here which made Duncan chuckle afterwards.I had an idea what lay ahead as we had driven up the 21 hairpins of the Alpe D' Huez the previous day and after about 15 mins I made myself mount the bike once again !! As you come out of Bourg you turn left and then you see it----- the road ramps up and then stays ramped up for the next 10 miles and 21 hairpins. This really is a hard ascent and I have no idea how these athletes manage it in under 40 mins. Quite sometime later I reached the top having staved off a tennis ball cramp in the left hamstring.
Job eventually done .However Duncan had been waiting at the finish line for me coming in at around 8hrs 30 mins onwards. Lets just say he was waiting a bit longer than that ( enough time to get sunburnt ) !Any way although not gold I did manage silver which I was very pleased with !
If Duncan decides to drag me out there next year I know it will be much more painful as I won't be allowed to stop !!
Words of advice if I may.
You can do this ride if you are reasonably fit.It is in no way beyond the abilities of most people who excercise.Admittedly to achieve a gold medal time or better is really hard work- no doubt-but as a fantastic ride at your own pace give it a go !! You will really enjoy it and have lasting memories of a brilliant day out.
On your first ride you can not know what to expect and nor can you truly comprehend the scale of the ride.Therefore I think that unless you are super strong and fit (and I know many of you are)aim to complete it the first year and go for a time the second year !!
But do it as you will never regret it.Good luck.
As for Duncan and myself the Dolomites are beckoning and so is 200 miles in the day and so is the highest Alpine road and so is the ------------- !!
More VSF Fahrrad news.The T models continued. (7.6.11)
O.K so we move on from the T100 and T200 .The T300 remains much the same with standard colour schemes red, black and steel blue.
The T400 as the well known travel bike has colour changes too.The nexus 8 speed and Alivio model is standard in black and chilli.The Rohloff version is slate or steel blue.
Last years SLX version which proved incredibly popular as always is now running on Shimano XT and comes as standard in ebony black or milk white.Both the Rohloff and XT versions are sporting Tubus front low riders as standard and for the first time come with bottle holders fitted.
The next new "fill in" model is the T500 which is running on Shimano SLX and magura HS 11 brakes.This equipment places it firmly between the T300 and 700 meaning there is not such a large price difference between the two.
Pics above show the T400 Rohloff vesion and to the right the T400 XT version.