The Importance of Independence
Another late one, I have been a busy little bee! So, I've got over my food issues, a little too much - there's been a lot of cake, cranberry tea and biscuits this last week or so. Good times. Time to knuckle down, though, first race is in a week. A bloody week! To say I'm nervous would be such an understatement it wouldn't even register as a statement at all.
So to take my mind off things, or maybe put them on them even more... I've had a bit of retail therapy. Some of you know I've been long on the hunt for a reasonably priced power tap, mainly to save the sanity of my coach (Jamie at http://www.rpc-cyclecoach.co.uk/ - check them out by the way, they cater for all needs and levels!) - because my heart rate is a little squiggly wiggly. I hear training with power is what all the big boys do nowdays so I've been scrimping and saving in order to buy a tap. What's that then? Well, there are several kinds, the particular one I'll be using is a CycleOps Powertap Pro - which is a hub I've had built into some beautiful new wheels, which is actually the point I'm trying to get to.
So, this all began with a chat with my local bike shop (it's actually 10 miles from my house...they're THAT good). I mentioned I needed a tap, and I'd probably like an excuse to buy some new wheels for racing on. The decision was made that my friendly mechanic Greg at Mosquito (http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/) would find me a set of lightweight, sturdy, wallet-friendly alloys to build around my new training-saving-hub. He did not let me down, the wheels are ready to go. Not only have they been beautifully handcrafted with care and attention by someone who's brimming with passion, but they have been done so for a price I have been unable to match *anywhere* for that spec of wheel (if you're interested they're the Stans Alpha 340's). Now, if that's not service I don't know what is.
So what's this got to do with anything? Yes, I'm bigging-up my bike shop here. You know why? Because I want you all to know why independent bike shops are important.
You could go to Evans, get a scripted service from an Art Student in a promotional t-shirt. You could get the cheapest cleats from this person, but will they advise you on optimal cleat positioning? Do they even know what that is? You could order some pre-built factory wheels on the internet, that untrue after 2 months because a machine just can't perfect such a craft. There are numerous ways of obtaining kit and sometimes the price differences are so variable it's hard to justify certain methods over others. You could make yourself feel important and buy some Carbones from Condor and ask the shopkeep advice on how he grew that wonderful mustache and where about you could buy some similarly thick rimmed non-script glasses from. Will you get an hours worth of geekery, half of which you will only find important when you're in the middle of nowhere, in the rain, five years from now? Will you get a continuous supply of builders tea? Will you get a free bottle? Will you get a seat to chill on while you wait for your bike to be sorted after a rough commute?
I think we all know the answer to these questions.
British Cycling has long been a quintessential part of our culture, and is on the reemergence. From the retro-revolution of small-time steel frame builders, to quaint cycling cafes in villages no-one's heard of. Independent cycling firms are at the core of our velo-culture here and it's vitally important we keep it alive. Without the culture, the banter and the passion shared between us and those people who strive to keep us on the road (be it with coffee or new tubes) what have we to rely on? As much as farmer's markets are part of British food, independent bike shops are a part of our every day lives as cyclists. Whether we're new to the sport, seasoned racers, skint or loaded, we all need a mecca, a church. The bike shop is this safehaven. Please don't overlook it, the more you embrace it the more benefits you'll receive. This is especially important for newbies, there is a wealth of information you can gather, if you build a relationship with your local bike shop you can harvest so much knowledge and help from them - it will be invaluable to you in the future.
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| PowerTap Pro+ |
So to take my mind off things, or maybe put them on them even more... I've had a bit of retail therapy. Some of you know I've been long on the hunt for a reasonably priced power tap, mainly to save the sanity of my coach (Jamie at http://www.rpc-cyclecoach.co.uk/ - check them out by the way, they cater for all needs and levels!) - because my heart rate is a little squiggly wiggly. I hear training with power is what all the big boys do nowdays so I've been scrimping and saving in order to buy a tap. What's that then? Well, there are several kinds, the particular one I'll be using is a CycleOps Powertap Pro - which is a hub I've had built into some beautiful new wheels, which is actually the point I'm trying to get to.
 |
| Aren't they dapper!? |
So what's this got to do with anything? Yes, I'm bigging-up my bike shop here. You know why? Because I want you all to know why independent bike shops are important.
You could go to Evans, get a scripted service from an Art Student in a promotional t-shirt. You could get the cheapest cleats from this person, but will they advise you on optimal cleat positioning? Do they even know what that is? You could order some pre-built factory wheels on the internet, that untrue after 2 months because a machine just can't perfect such a craft. There are numerous ways of obtaining kit and sometimes the price differences are so variable it's hard to justify certain methods over others. You could make yourself feel important and buy some Carbones from Condor and ask the shopkeep advice on how he grew that wonderful mustache and where about you could buy some similarly thick rimmed non-script glasses from. Will you get an hours worth of geekery, half of which you will only find important when you're in the middle of nowhere, in the rain, five years from now? Will you get a continuous supply of builders tea? Will you get a free bottle? Will you get a seat to chill on while you wait for your bike to be sorted after a rough commute?
I think we all know the answer to these questions.
 |
| Mosquito provided us with servicing, parts and goodies as donations to the team when we did the Alpine Challenge for charity! (That's them, on my right shoulder) |
British Cycling has long been a quintessential part of our culture, and is on the reemergence. From the retro-revolution of small-time steel frame builders, to quaint cycling cafes in villages no-one's heard of. Independent cycling firms are at the core of our velo-culture here and it's vitally important we keep it alive. Without the culture, the banter and the passion shared between us and those people who strive to keep us on the road (be it with coffee or new tubes) what have we to rely on? As much as farmer's markets are part of British food, independent bike shops are a part of our every day lives as cyclists. Whether we're new to the sport, seasoned racers, skint or loaded, we all need a mecca, a church. The bike shop is this safehaven. Please don't overlook it, the more you embrace it the more benefits you'll receive. This is especially important for newbies, there is a wealth of information you can gather, if you build a relationship with your local bike shop you can harvest so much knowledge and help from them - it will be invaluable to you in the future.
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