June 2010

Queen of the track Victoria Pendleton is returning to the small screen in a latest advert for Gatorade, the drinks sponsor of British Cycling. The premise of the commercial is a young rider steals her drink and she hops on her bike to chase him down. A great bit of acting from the clearly multi-talented Olympia.

Check out the making of the advert below, which was filmed around the legendary Herne Hill velodrome, Crystal Palace sports centre and Wandsworth.

The Etape is merely weeks away, as is the Marmotte, and across Europe there is a plethora of Gran Fondos to choose from. You just have to get there. If you're going to transport your bike by air, then twenty minutes of packing will give your bike a flighting chance when at the mercy of the airline baggage handlers.

We've put together our guide to packing your bike into a bike box and a bike bag. Click on the images within our blog post to view larger images.

What you need:
1. Foam pipe lagging - get different diameters to suit different tube
2. Bubble wrap - always useful and you can never have too much!
3. Packing or masking tape
4. Allen keys
5. Plastic fork spacers (£1 from Condor)
6. Condor frame spacer (£16.99)

Step 1 - Pedals and the chain
Take off the pedals and remove the wheels from the frame. Put the chain in the outer chainring. This will prevent the teeth cutting through the bottom of the bike bag or getting bent.

Step 2 - Remove the derailleur
Next, remove the rear derailleur using a 5mm Allen key. There is no need to disconnect the cable. Wrap the derailleur in bubble wrap. Condor recommend using the Condor frame spacer (£16.99). This sits in place, holds the chain taught, and will help stop the rear seatstays being pushed together if there is pressure on the rear drop out.

Step 3 - Protect the fork
Insert a frame spacer into the front front. For maximum protection use an old pair of worn out hubs.

Step 4 - Remove the handlebars
If you are packing your bike into a box you will need to remove the handlebars from the fork. Read a little further below about what to do if you are packing into a bag.
Loosen the stem cap bolt and then pull the stem upwards so the stem and handlebars a no longer attached to the bike.

Remember to put the stem cap back into the bike, so you don't leave it behind.

If you are packing your bike into a bike bag you need to turn the bars.
Mark the position/angle of the bar with tape. Put a line on the tape next to the clamp bolts to you can easily align your bars instead of messing around with your position later.
Loosen the front clam bolts and stem clamp bolts too. Keep the forks facing forward and rotate the stem 90 degrees. Then rotate the bars and hook under the top tube. Once the bars are in position lightly tighten the bolts.

Step 5 - Mark the seatpost
Mark the position of the seatpost before removing and wrapping in bubble wrap.

Step 6 - Protect the frame
Use lengths of pipe lagging to protect the frame from chips. Wrap the front forks with bubble wrap and secure with tape.

Step 7a - Secure the wheels for a bike box
Place the frame into the base of the bike box, with the handlebars next to the bike. The cables are still connected so be aware of pulling on the cables or kinking them. Cover the frame with the foam.

Undo the smaller bolt from the skewer. Put the wheel in the arch on the inside of the box. Push the quick release skewer through the hole in the box and tighten with the bolt on the other side of the box. This holds the wheels in securely.

Step 7b - Wheel bags
If you are taking a bag - place the wheels into wheel bags and make sure you remove the skewers and place them in the little pockets.

Other things to consider:

• Don't leave loose items floating around in the bag or box that can chip your frame; use internal pockets or secure items with bubble wrap.
• Keep an eye on the overall weight of your packed bag. If you are going to put energy drinks, shoes and other bulky items in the bike bag, to save space, be aware airlines are clamping down on oversize baggage weights.
• You don't need to deflate your tyres for air travel, as the luggage compartment on planes is pressurised. If your tyres are inflated (even partially) this will act as a buffer on your rims.
• Use zip ties or padlocks to keep prying eyes out of your bag.
• Off to ride a foreign sportive? You probably won't be the only cyclist on your plane, so make sure that your bike bag/box is distinctive so you don't end up with the wrong package.

Padded bike bags start from £50
Bike boxes start from £199

Call or email us in advance to request old packing material, card or pipe lagging. We don't always have it available, but we are eager to recycle card and plastic to reduce waste.

Adding a twist to tomorrow's HTC Smithfield Nocturne will be the on form Dan Craven. The Namibian will be swapping his full carbon team issue Leggero for a prototype steel frame from Condor.

The steel frame is unlike any others Condor make by hand or for that matter any other on the market. The frame features a 1" 1/8 to 1" 1/2 headtube just like the new technology used on the race proven Condor Leggero.
The frame is made from triple butted steel tubing and features an integrated headset. The frame will use the same Deda full carbon fork as the team issue bike.

Dan explained that he was very intrigued to see how the material would perform in the race on Saturday:
"Having sponsors like Condor gives the team an opportunity to actually have an input into the products; in this instance even a chance to go old school and rediscover steel.

Steel's time in the lime light may have passed a long time ago, but the material still offers many positive qualities and Condor have put together a great piece of tubing for me to test around the Smithfield circuit."
Dan has had the bike since Wednesday and taken it for a spin -

"First impressions have been fantastic and I really look forward to pushing the limits of the bike. At 8.3kg's it might not be a lightweight, but neither is it heavy and considering the stiffness and responsiveness the trade-off should be well worth it.”

Namibian born Dan Craven has pulled out strong performance this season, proving he’s got legs of steel. Craven rode to 2nd at the CiCLE Classic this year after suffering two punctures and making it back to the break. He took victory at the opening round of the Ras in Ireland and solo wins at the Chas Messenger and Shay Elliot road races.

 

Just one week until the Smithfield Nocturne, if you have been before here's what to expect on an evening packed full of racing, fun and cycling activities.

Plus its all FREE

Condor and Love Velo have linked up for an exclusive last minute offer that will prepare you for this year's Etape.

Love Velo are a luxury cycling and luxury escapes provider.

Date: 16-19 June

Ride Routes: Col du Tourmalet, Col du Soulour and Col D’Aubisque amongst others.

Team: An Ironman triathlete will be the ride leader. We have full support vehicle with mechanic and masseuse as well as a chef back at the villa.

Accommodation: Luxury villa with swimming pool, steam room, massage room and huge sun facing terrace.

Price: £680 but Condor customers get an additional 10% discount. When booking quote 'CondorOffer' or enter the code 'CondorOffer' into the discount code field.

What’s Included? Everything except flights, travel insurance and bike hire.

Click here for more information

Following the sudden loss of his mother Bridie Murphy to cancer, Irish based cyclist Dave Murphy decided to do something to raise awareness of cancer by taking on the hardest, longest and most difficult cycling challenge in Ireland; Mizen to Malin Head (625km).

However he has chosen to do it totally FIXED. His weapon of choice - the Condor Lavoro track bike

Leaving at 6am on Friday 28th May Murphy set out from Mizen Head (Cork) on his non-stop solo epic and arrived in Lain Head (Donegal) on Saturday 29th May. It is the first time any cyclist has attempted this distance on a Fixed Wheel Bike.

Dave set up the site FixCancer with its aim to drive attention and resources to educate, check, screen, cure and prevent cancer.

For more on Dave Murphy's epic challenges this year visit http://www.fixcancer.net/

Three Rapha Condor team riders

Three days in the saddle

Three hundred miles

If a one day ride is just not enough of a challenge, the three day Tour of Wessex offers the ultimate gruelling, yet rewarding, sportive experience.

The sportive is notorious for being one of the hardest rides around, sending riders climbing over the ridges and into the valleys of Wessex.  There may be single day events that are tougher than each of the individual stages, but the cumulative effect of three long days in the saddle, and the fact that the hardest is saved for last, makes the Wessex a real test of endurance and recovery.

Click read more to find out about the Tour. Did you ride it? What were your best and worst moments?

For more images from the Tour of Wessex check out the site Flickr.

The first day riders were met with spitting rain, and by the time they had set out on their bikes, a full downpour ensued, as Rachel, Claire and Tash began to climb through the beautiful Cheddar Gorge the rain began to soak them to the skin. Claire added "we all know what that soggy feeling is like so it wasn't to bad to deal with, we had to keep our pace high to get around the course quickly so not to get cold. Perhaps a high pace is not ideal as we have two days more to ride but you have to strike a balance between being cold and wet for another hour or sore legs at the end of the day.

" A difficult ascent featured later in the ride up to King Alfred's Tower before they rode a final flat 10 miles back to the start and thankfully the rain stopped and the roads began to dry up.

Day two looped out to the coast. The toughest climb comes in the final third of the 120 mile day up Bulbarrow Hill. The climbers are rewarded with terrific scenery across Somerset and they paused at the feed station to catch a breath before heading down a long fast rewarding descent. "The final 40 miles back to the start village would have been easy, but instead we had to get in and drill some through and off riding to beat the headwind that was making the last part of the ride quite a battle." explained Rachel, "however it was in the sun and at least not in the rain."

The sun stayed on the final day but a combination of tired well drilled legs, headwind and mild sunburn meant that the riders felt the slightest of lumps. The worst climb of the Tour was still to come, Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Exmoor. The beacon hung over the riders the whole weekend and perhaps was talked up as some kind of mythical legend steeper and more severe than it really is. But thanks to two days in the saddle it was always going to be tough. Riders had every reason to approach the climb with caution and several participants decided it was too much and a walk up to the peak was easier.

After three days they returned to the guesthouse in quiet village of Castle Cary with tired legs, silver medals and only wanting to eat savoury food for the next week.

What they rode - Condor Leggero's and Specialized Ruby
What they wore - Speciailzed 2D helmets, Speciailzed Womens Pro Shoes, Rapha Condor womens team kit and Rapha Women's Stowaways
What they ate - Everything! Jelly Babies, Fig Rolls, SIS Smart Gels, SIS PSP powder. In the morning they choose porridge with blueberries and in the evening there were plenty of pubs to choose from in the surrounding villages.
Where they stayed - a guest house offering bed and breakfast in the village of Castle Cary, 9 miles from the start in Somerton.

About

The Tour of Wessex is an annual event run by Pendragon Sports. For those of you that want something a little less taxing, you can ride a single stage and chose from distances of 12 miles, 73 miles, 106 miles, 117 miles and 106 miles.
The event has recieved a UCI status and offers feed stations every 25 miles, support vechicles, motorcycle outriders, timing chips, mechanical assistance, food, masseurs at the finish and the girls all agreed it was excellent well organised event.

Fancy the challenge in 2011? Visit the event website for more information

Claire's Ride

Worst moment - Trying to ride into a headwind and knowing there was still 10 more miles to go and getting to a feed station knowing I had 40 miles to ride and not wanting to eat sugary jelly babies.

Best moment - A final fast descent knowing on Day 3 there was only 22 miles to the finish and the massage after a soggy day of riding.

Would you ride it again? - Of course, perfect for training. Not having to plan your route, simply following arrows when your tired is alot easier than having to remember routes.  The organisation is great, having plenty of food, savoury rolls at the feed at lunchtime and timing chips to keep track of my performance is great.

Rachel's Ride

What could be better than 3 days exploring the hills of Wessex!! A full English at the beautiful Georgian farm house we were staying at was 1 such temptation. Even though the rain was pouring on day 1 and we had 100 miles to ride,the Rapha Condor girls put on every item of clothing we had to hand so we could attack the day ahead.

Worst moment - There were up's and downs over the 3 days. I had a chest infection that slowly got worse until day 3 when I could not physically get on my bike and ride!

Best moment - A particular highlight was climbing Cearne Abbas with all my team mates. I was just watching a sea of stowaway jackets ascend to a "Go on Rapha" cheer from the photographer!

Would you ride it again? Next year.... Day 3 is mine!

 

Data from Day 2 iof the Tour of Wessex s below. We used the Garmin Edge 500 to record the ride