veloman

Blimey - so they have ! My source has given me duff gen ! He also told me that Cav was getting one of those road-going McClaren thingies to replace his Audi R8. He damn well deserves it though.

I think he will be (just an opinion) and as far as I know part of the deal is to swap from Pinarello to Specialized next season so I can't see him leaving after one season. Whether is has been a good move for him, so far, is certainly a good question. Not too many teams could afford him.

Perfect example of oxymoron !

OK :oops:

Stunning I'd say ! Rather looks like Cav is 'resigned', if that is the word, to playing second fiddle to Bradley Wiggins. But with Cav's ability you wouldn't bet against him (quote - Ron Saunders ) Incidentally, I see S.I.S. (Science in Sport) have an ad on this site - that's good stuff - if you see a poor old bloke in one of their training tops riding round, that could be me !

I think a number of people on here are completely wrong about these fine bankers (who have definitely NOT contributed to the financial mess we seem to be in), we need their "Invisible Earnings" to support Britains flourishing manufacturing industry. What we really need to concentrate on are the teachers - they are the real cause of our economic woes !

You are right I'm afraid but make that 40 years. You may have heard of English cyclist Tommy Simpson who died during The Tour in the 60's through amphets -Tonodron I think. Amphets were 'de rigeur' on the Continent where cycling was much bigger than it was here. I stopped riding in the 60's and when I came back to it in the mid 80's, although amphets were still about, things seemed to have moved on to HGH (inspired to some extent by the "Easty Beastys" of East Germany). HGH has a proper medical application - I believe it is used to treat 'Dwarfism'. Epo has a number of medical uses today with carrying blood round the body and increasing Red Blood Corpuscles (summat like that anyway). I think it has to be administered by drip feed and if you get it wrong turns your blood to jam. As far as I know the domestic scene is pretty drug free.

Only concurring with above comments; absolute tragedy. RIP Wife and self were just commenting yesterday on the number of sons of famous fathers in cricket which you don't tend to get in football. This was because Peter Willey's son was playing for Northants on the TV. At the moment there is Jonnie Bairstow and of course Stuart Broad. I remember Tom Maynard's Dad, Matthew (of Glamorgan I think) playing for England. All very sad.

According to various media reports Michael 'pipsqeak' Gove has been meddling in the Leveson Inquiry and upset Lord Leveson. On the BBC News this morning the reporter claimed that Gove used to work for The Sunday Times - which is owned by Murdoch ! How far do these evil tentacles reach.

Certainly a great innovator; his use of tri-bars when he beat Fignon in the last Stage of the Tour changed time-trialling for ever. re. Lance; don't forget that he was World Champ (Oslo) in 1993 - I had a pic of him winning on my office wall. I don't know if it relevant to point-out that, IIRC, there were no tests for EPO until a bit later than that. He would, I THINK, have been given EPO quite legally during his treatment for cancer.

Ah yes; you mean the French !

Yep you are right I think. Sorry for my bit in this. Can it be done easily ?

and you are right I'm afraid :oops: If I race next year, the missus said I could have a new bike (likely to be the last one I buy). Of the 2 frames I looked at (Cervelo and LaPierre) both had got Shimano stickers already on them !! Back to Lance. I know we have discussed this before and I've no idea if he was a 'charger' or not - he did alter his body shape dramatically but who knows. What he did do was raise the profile of the sport and if that means drivers take a bit more notice of all VTers(and others) who ride bikes then that can only be good.

The only crime Lance has been found guilty of is being the first winner of The Tour de France to use Shimano !

Aye - that was the thinking for some time. But that seems to have changed - poss because of improved stiffness etc in frames. I am 5'8" ish and when I had hand made frames (Brian Rourke at Stoke on Trent) he measured me for a 21.5" frame (about 51cm). My current Pinarello is 50cm (C - C) and seems ok - just the legs that are no good ! PS - Orange are nice aren't they.

OK Trent - well you are getting a lot of good advice here. Perhaps if you want to buy new, look at Wiggle, Chain Reaction and Evans - see what takes your eye and put it up here for discussion. As was said earlier second/hand is a great option 'cos you are likely to get a higher spec groupset and, apart from chain and cassette, the kit usually lasts a good while. So you could look on Ebay. Only other info is how tall are you (feet/inches !!) as you want as small a frame as you can, without having too much seatpin sticking out. You don't go near Tamworth do you as I have a mate with a shop there who is a big Villa supporter - ex National track sprinter too.

Excellent Valhalla ! Cycling is non-weightbearing ,as you probably know, so not easier than running but better on the joints etc. Trent - am in thought mode so will let you know. There is an Evans in Notts I think and they can be competitive but it can depend on how knowledgeable the sales person is. Biggest problem (IMO) is a shop will sell you what they have in as opposed to what is right for you- particularly re. frame size. Don't forget that saddle height can be adjusted easily but with todays 'a-head' steerers (the new word for stem!) there is not so much latitude for adjustment. Don' know Notts very well - only pass through it to race near Tuxford or Newark. (and went to Notts Co. to see Villa win promtion from old Third Div. !! 3 - 0)

First question would be mountain bike or road bike. Next, approximate budget Where are you based Trent ? PM me if you like.

Well it can happen but only happened to me once on my 'winter bike' so it took a fair bit of punishment. Are they Mavic rims ? Disc or caliper brakes?

Very sad - a cracking author; even our 'A' Level English teacher advised us to read him - along with John Wyndham.* In modern times perhaps only William Gibson compares (personal opinion only). * better than some of the tripe we had to read !

Hmm. I can see the similarity between Boycott and Pieterson in that they both have fairly big egos. But.. although not a huge Boycott fan, KP hasn't faced the pace attacks that Boycott did and Boycott did get good scores against those attacks. However, to those of a certain age, Boycott's attitude will always be encapsulated in his running-out of Derek Randall. I heard David Gower,duing the last Test, refer to Boycott's running between the wickets as "egocentric" - quite strong to be said on air. I am not a Pieterson fan (FWIW) and think his move from Hampshire to Surrey "to be nearer London" just about sums him up.

Well if any of you do ever get to meet The Queen here are some helpful tips:- do not call her 'Miss', 'Chief' or 'You there' Try to avoid the words, 'blimey', 'sod it', 'piss artist' 'come again?' or 'masturbation'. Don't tell her that she doesnt look at all like she does on the stamps. Hope that helps.

Any cricket fans have an opinion on Kevin Pieterson (sp) ? Doesn't wasn't to play 40 over or T20 for Engalnd but seems happy to play in the IPL. Does this reflect badly on the man or is he just making as much money as possible while he can ? PS - he did insult Nick Knight - formerly of WARWICKSHIRE !!!

Well we are still undefeated and back on top of County Championship ! This could be a very interesting season. Wonder if Jim Troughton's place is safe tho' - he seems to be in a bad run of form - but Warks keep on winning ! Any thoughts Bears fans ?