2009 Tour de France

Moving on from the gravitas of my first Pedal Spanner blog, which was universally accepted with silence, a few more upbeat thoughts, about next years Tour.

The route was announced yesterday, and what a mouth-watering prospect it is.

Once I'd dusted down my anorak and digested the facts, it occurred to me that, given the whole of Europe to play with, why this sort of thing hasn't been tried more often.

As far as the route is concerned, these are the highlights:

• A 15km Grand Start time trial in Monaco, partially following the Grand Prix circuit. How good is that! Not a kilo or 3 for the pursuit guys, nor a full on time trial for the specialists, but a true spectacle and should be really special.
• A stage finish in Barcelona. Blimey. I've been following the Tour since I was 13 or so (thanks Alf)! and the one to win for the spinters was always Bordeaux. Think of it as the Wembley of the sprinter's world. But Barça! What a stage to win.
• The route is usually clockwise (Alps first, Pyrenees next) or anti-clockwise. Next year it is a sort of figure of eight. The usual final day procession into Paris, with the Malliot Jeune sipping Champagne within the peloton, is somewhat uncertain. Because on the penultimate day, the riders tackle the mighty Ventoux, absent from the calendar for a few years, and the site of Tommy Simpson's heroic/foolish death in 1967.
• The Team Time Trial returns - again, why has this been dropped for 5 years? So it may not have the spectacle of a Sprint Finish, but it's more interesting than a 200km slog through Flanders.

Add to that the potential return of Lance Armstrong, the subsequent question of who will lead the Astana team, and the report today from Mark Cavendish about winning the Green Jersey, and I must admit I'm quite looking forward to this!

Ghost Bikes

I'll announce my entry to Pedal Spanner with an article you may find somewhat macabre.

The phenomenon of Ghost Bikes came to my attention a week or so ago, by way of a Guardian feature

I was immediately struck by these spectral images, and the lives that had been lost. People like you and I, bikers. Somehow it's harder for me to relate to a car crash victim. Many are innocent of any irresponsibility. Some are caught up in a calamity not of their volition. Others again may be unfortunate victims of mechanical failure. But most in my view were the victims of their own speed.

Whether driving or riding around the country, I have often seen the wilted bunches of flowers pinned by the roadside, where people have lost their lives in cars, and thought it the saddest thing on earth. So often these ad hoc memorials mark where young men died. Having a good time, out for a laugh maybe, carefree.

If I'm driving, these roadside reminders do make a difference, because there is no way I want my life to end in violence, followed by violets. Horrific as the wayside flowers are, I then discovered Ghost Bikes.

Originating in the States, the phenomenon has spread rapidly, and it was the UK sites mentioned which drew me in and made me take notice. Places I have lived in or am living in now, places where family are, places I have cycled through. Some of the Ghost Bikes are tolerated by the authorities, whilst others are dismantled and some vandalized.

They serve as a painful reminder of how vulnerable we are as bikers, constructed and tended with the same care as the flowers by the verge, but more lasting and for me at least, more poignant.

More information and a map of locations are at www.ghostbikes.org

Ride on.

Ride Safe.

BFF London 08 - I wanna ride fixed

This week I have been at the bicycle film festival It was a mixture of watching cool movies, schmoozing and standing around on a street corner in the freezing cold valet parking bikes. All part of CycleSurgery sponsoring the event.

I was really blown away by the popularity of the fixed crowd – commuters and enthusiasts, turning up on their classic Italian frames, Bob Jackson customs or unrecognisable stickered up steeds, covered in gold plated cranks, anodized rims and circa 1970 Campagnolo brakes. It was really making me think of how the mod scene must have been in the 60’s. We were parking up a 300+ bikes for the busy showings and it was awesome looking at the bike porn and chatting away with people about how the scene is developing. Not one person was in a rush, rude and many people donated half full bottles of whiskey, (full & unopened) cans of lager etc for standing out in the cold and watching their bikes…

I watched a film called Fast Friday which looks at the Seattle fixed gear scene and a monthly event ‘Fixed Friday’ it was really inspiring. I don’t think I will be growing a handlebar moustache and riding without a helmet – but I am drawing closer to the point of choosing which SS to buy for the road (to go with the Surly 1x1 mtb when funds become available), and thinking that riding fixed will happen sooner rather than later.

All I ask is for you to come visit me in hospital.

Also watched Waffle bike - worth a look...!