Placebo.

It's a shame someone has to buy into being cool or shout about the latest and greatest things they have bought to be appreciated by their peers. I'm not sure where I'm going with this train of thought, perhaps it's just an observation.

Why do I want it to be muddy again?

'appen as maybe

Taking time off training

+1
A Sunday lunch of fish finger sandwich and Duval.
"the legs were very good today"
Belgian top 7.


-1
Missing a Sunday ride. Think that should change.
Kevin Pauwel's red legwarmers.
Plans need to be made.

Follow the leader.

Have It.

Nice words.

Well written.

Do I need to know.

There are some people in this world that you can actually have a conversation with. One where it doesn't feel scripted and you respond to what you hear instead of what you have been thinking while the other person is talking. Mostly people want to talk to you or at you. Blasting you with their knowledge, perhaps not even caring if you're listening. The subject matter will be something they think they know a lot about even if most of what they are dishing out is regurgitated opinion.

Nothing else matters. I held my Godson in my arms last night and thought of nothing else other than him. I think children have a very healthy way of making everything else in you life insignificant.

Excellent choice in music

Say What?

I've heard so many of these but still so funny.

Run up.

I held my tongue.

The subject of style keeps cropping up in my life recently, in everything from cycling to our wedding. I have a few thoughts I would like to write down on the matter.
For me style is not just about looking good but more about the attitude and appearance an individual has almost without choice. In simple terms;
Your 'style' is who you are when no-one is looking.
Being stylish is a compliment but an almost unachievable goal to those who chase it. When it comes to clothing it's very easy to make a fool of yourself by trying to be something you're not in an effort to impress.
I had my first suit fitting earlier in the week for what I will wear on my wedding day. The only other time I have been measured for something was my Bob Jackson, so I was interested how a tailor would differ to a frame builder. As it turns out they are more similar than first thought, my point of view is I want to trust that this person knows his craft, so while I have an outline of what I want I'm prepared to be guided to the best outcome. This worked perfectly with the bike and I have a feeling it will for the suit too. By allowing the 'crafsman' to be in charge they do it their way rather than fitting their way to your demands - the simple way to get what you want is to choose the maker who produces the goods you like the best. No point going to Mercian and asking for a Brian Rourke or going Saville Row and wanting mass-production.
It's not a case of high quality or brand names being the best either. The phrase "fit for purpose" rings true - you shouldn't get married in a hoody or wear the 'Sunday Best' for washing up.
If style is being yourself then this also raises the problem of punching above your weight. This one is more obvious in material possessions rather than clothing. The ill-advised sports car or the bike scared to be ridden in case it get's dirty or scratched. In my circle of friends we all do (and always have liked) to have 'nice' things and it's good to have people around you who share similar ideals. But most important of all is to have folks near at hand to remind you of who you really are, mostly this is done by friendly ribbing. If this banter has no ill effect and the decision was quick and felt right - it's usually right, fitting as it were.
I experienced this first hand a couple of times this week. Once when I opened the box revealing my new 'disco slippers' aka cycling shoes and then later the same day when guiding a customer through speccing his custom build on one of our Condor touring bikes. In the latter, I was the playing the trusted expert who was being allowed to do his job to provide the best possible service, while the customer added the personal touches to make it exactly like he had imagined. We both walked away happy.

Agreed.

More wise words.

On the inside.

Building.

It seems like everything is an advert these days, or people are talking as if their only aim is to sell/endorse/big up a product or company.
A shame but not something to dwell on. In the shop we've had a couple of down to earth days - busy but quiet enough to think. One of the benefits of working in a bike shop is the lunch time service on your own bike. For me today it was tyre swap, new brake pads and a quick fettle for the cross bike.
We don't get paid the most, don't have a lot of holidays and we have no ladder to climb but being a bike mechanic is the best job I've had. We get to create, solve problems, see things from the inside and trade price usually beats any 'online' best deals. Knowing what works and what is just hype is the first step to stepping off the 'consumer super highway'.

This is here.

Rollins was on fire last night - he hardly stopped for breath in two and half hours, keeping everyone in the audience hanging on every word. Nothing was off limits, Black Flag, his constant touring and the inability to say no all got the treatment. It was massively motivating and thought-provoking.
It ended a really busy day that included wedding plans, talking suits and probably a quick trip to London in the near future.

Love the speed of this and the tease of one of my favourite songs going.

This reminds me of growing up.

Nationals.

Nys riding away from everyone in the mud again and Aurelien Duval playing it smart to win in France.
Boom wins again - can he win a Classic this year? I think so.

Looks like Ian Field won over here so the National Champion skinsuit with be getting a bit more 'euro' action next season.

Tickets in hand.

It's not always the one's who are talking the most that you should listen to.

PEZ: OK, but after all the mud, how do you keep your gear and kit so clean?

BW It only looks clean from afar! If you hold it up to the light, it’s not that clean at all!

Panning.

Mud.

Fresh start.