Velocast Podcasts

If like myself, you would be inclined to turn on the radio to chill out a little rather than the television (such is the majority of dirge that's shown these days) then you may or may not be aware of the excellent series of podcasts from the Velocast crew.

There's a variety of shows available, but my two favorites are the weekly-ish Velocast & Race Radio show, now under the banner of Eurosport. Here the guys (John Galloway & Scott O'Raw) discuss the weekly happenings in the world of pro cycling, covering the major races and general cycling gossip of the week. It also features a brilliant section dedicated to the coverage of the womens professional scene, hosted by the uber knowledgeable Sarah Connolly. Sarah runs the awesome Pro Womens Cycling website, where you can also find a standalone womens cycling podcast. Her knowledge, coverage and general insight honestly puts every other outlet I can think of to shame. Its excellent for those interested in the riders and racers.. so yeah, check it out!
The other show that I have seriously loved is the 'This Week In Cycling History', where each episode looks back at some historic moments and curious stories from the archives of cycling histry, usually tying in with the current race week or thereabouts. Hosted by John Galloway, the show features short stories by Cillian Kelly and then segues into quite a bit of banter around the riders and moments of yesteryear. This is a cracker for easy listening, I often like to zone out listening to an episode on those awful days im forced to take public transport. Anyway, be sure to have a peek around, if your one for radio and conversation I guarantee you will love them. Click the images below for iTunes access or use the above links for direct episode downloads.

MFS T-Shirt

Over here at Bianchista HQ we are HUGE fans of the very awesome Emiliano Granado. One of his projects thats been universally loved by all is the photographic journal getting under the grimy nails of professional bike racing "A Manual For Speed". Taking an intimate and often humorous look inside the nitty gritty background of a pro cycling team.

Anyway, MFS fans can now pre-order a neato neon enhanced t-shirt to show their support for the MFS project. We like our cycling t shirts and we like a healthy dollop of neon-fades so what better than copping this little beauty for $30. Designed by stateside neon-afficianado Mr Hsuper the shirts are on pre-order, looking to ship mid April. Order from the shop here.

TGH

If you arent familiar with Tao Geoghegan Hart, then check out his blog here. At 17, Tao is currently riding on the British Olympic Development Squad, and for Hackney CC. On his blog he journals the highs and lows of racing at such a high level. The guy looks every inch the dapper pro already, and in 2012 rode the espoirs version of Paris-Roubaix.

He's not only every inch the consummate aspiring PRO, but also managing to hold down studies for A levels as well as ripping the legs of racers in the UK and the continent come the weekend. He's a lovely guy too, so check out some of the links below and pull up a seat to what im sure will be a very successful season for Tao on the road. Oh and Tao said I had a nice face so obviously that makes him a TOTAL DUDE.

http://www.rapha.cc/hart-of-hackney

http://www.rapha.cc/hart-of-hackney

http://www.rememberthename.co.uk//tao-geoghegan-hart

http://taogeogheganhart.blogspot.co.uk

#Womens100

You're going to hear quite a bit in the next few months about the new project from Rapha, entitled the Womens 100. This worldwide initiative sees an attempt to get as many women as possible globally to cycle a distance of 100km on July 7th, 2013. What better way to launch that on International Womens Day!

The Rapha Women’s 100 is not a competition to see who is the fastest, slowest or fittest, it is about gathering a worldwide community of women around the world to take part in this shared adventure. Il be lucky enough to be one of 100 women taking to the start line of the Etape du Tour to celebrate, and cant wait to share my journey and hear of others embarking on all manner of challenges to mark the day. The first instalment of my blog can be read over here. 

Rapha are inviting ladies to share stories of training and preparation as well as the lowdown of their 100km come the summer in all manner of social mediums. Firstly, hope on over and join the facebook group to link with training partners in your area and share links and advice.

Use #womens100 while you are training and riding along the way and document your journey via Twitter and Instagram.

Finally, be sure to get yourself over to the Strava page and sign up, its a fun way to tot up the mileage and earn a badge upon completion of the challenge. Fear not if you don't have a garmin or other gps advice, as Strava offer a wicked free smartphone app to track your rides. Working towards collecting those "Queen of the Mountain" crowns is a fun and addictive way to rack up the training hours.

To celebrate today's launch there is a 48 hour sale on some wicked ladies essentials over at the webstore, head on over to grab a silly-priced bargain to ensure your training begins with style! 

www.rapha.cc/womens100

Facebook Event  

Strava Challenge Page 

Back To Earth

Apologies all for the lack of updates on this wee blog over the last few weeks. Life has indeed traversed its way through a fantastically busy period, crowned in no minor  fashion by a week of pure indulgent riding on the most incredible beautiful and brutal terrain in Italy. I took a over a week truly offline in every sense, enjoying the sensations of pushing myself and doing little other than riding my bike in the beautiful sunshine with some amazing company. Anyway! I am indeed sadly back from the bubble of breathtaking beauty and standing with a firm foothold back in blighty. Check back throughout this coming week to see some reviews trickling their way onto blog from Capo, Rapha and Condor to name but a few, and perhaps even a sneaky pic from the land of Italia. Vai Vai Vai! 

Bespokery

This past weekend I visited the very lovely 'Bespoked' handmade bicycle show in Bristol. Making a day of it I set out with a very good chum for a wonderfully sunny daytrip, taking an early morning train out from London. The exhibition showcased some great UK framebuilders complimented by different stands encompassing the many different spheres of the current cycling scene. 
There's no denying that cycling has become more popular than ever, with many different builders popping up over the last couple of years. One only has to browse the internet for proof of such a burgeoning scene, and on a daily basis im consistently amazed at some of the beautiful and lust-worthy bikes and kit popping up all over the place. Bespoked, making its maiden voyage into the world of bike lust with a roaring success of a show last year, returned bigger and better, with a whole host of exhibitors showcasing some delish bikes & fodder.

First to greet visitors at the top of the entrance staircase was a collection of extremely anticipated builds. This year marks the efforts of Rapha to globalize their unique 'Continental' programme, and at Bespoked were 4 of the frames to be used in the UK continental rides. Ricky Feathers bike, that Max Leonard will throw his legs over for the uk rides also won the 'Best Road Bike' category for the show, and its really not hard to see why! Lush detailing, and as you'd expect from the Perrn St mob, that timeless black with a dash of pink componentry.

The three other frames garnered much attention, with Donhou building a disc braked steel beauty, complete with wound up forks, Brian Rourke crafting a beautifully proportioned frame for the towering rider Graham, (and curiously unlike most large frame sized it actually looks fabulous) and the Robin Mather displayed, with its funky decal. 

The UK continental project will see six talented riders undertake a series of quintessential rides across the British isles, documenting the landscape and weather fluctuations of our country in the typically rapha-esque aesthetic. Watch their website for more information as the rides are undertaken.

James points out that only one bike used any pink on the framework, in a small and eloquent tribute to a sufferer of breast cancer. Unfortunately I blurred the detailing of this meaningful gesture.

The Brian Rourke stand contained a lot of lovely frames, and their race ready beast built up was one mean machine! My friend James is collecting his custom rourke this weekend, and having kept us in the dark for 6 months about the colour scheme, we couldn't help but wonder if his frame was sat perched upon the wall, staring back at us.

The show had loads of race bikes built using steel, it seems the material has truly made a resurgence, and some of the builds were light indeed.

It was also great to meet Richard, the man behind the Urban Hunter webstore. Iv always been a fan of their, as they seem to stock some really cute trinkets and lines that are exclusive to them (I think they are the only people to be punting those super euro Salice glasses). 

They had some nice things on display at their stand, with some nice racey Italian bits to some serious courier bags for the fixie dudes.

Rowland and I had our hearts stolen by a custom brand called Legend, creating by the man who was the brains behind the Viner bikes. I lusted after a scarlet matted carbon peach, whereas Si fell for a cheeky Ti number...