Stories from Chasing Wheels
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Stage 17 of Tour de France 2010 - How tough?
Chasing Wheels &bull Jul 22, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. Filming is also part of why I took so long as I had… Full Story »
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Etape du Tour 2010: Pau to Tourmalet in which time slips away from me
Chasing Wheels &bull Jul 20, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. Good" had stopped happening some time ago, somewhere along the valley floor, as I emerged from a series of tunnels that offered brief respite from the heat of the afternoon sun. Like walking into a hammam, it hit me again and the strength faded from my legs as I slid back through the group at 13kmh. There had been a point somewhere in the day when my optimism had me swearing I could… Full Story »
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I'm riding for Roy Kinnear House
Chasing Wheels &bull Jul 9, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. It's seems it's all the rage these days to say you're riding for someone or something. There's even people riding just for the fun of it in among those riding for everything from cancer to a free lunch. I've ummed and ahhed about it, shuffled from foot to foot awkwardly and can't avoid the fact that I'd like to do something useful with riding the Etape du Tour. And that something is raising… Full Story »
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Etape du Tour survival: Preparing your head
Chasing Wheels &bull Jul 6, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. Nothing to do with your choice of mandatory helmet (Giro Prolight is my current choice) but with the art of mentally preparing yourself for the event. It's as important as your physical fitness to get your positive, winning attitude right and to know how to cope with the challenge. Don't panic. Be meticulous in your preparation and making sure you have everything before you leave your hotel. If you lay it all out… Full Story »
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Etape du Tour survival: Food and drink
Chasing Wheels &bull Jun 30, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. I'm no nutritionist but one thing I know is that lots of people get it wrong. And it's just as easy to eat and drink too much as it is to take on too little. Cyclefit have a great guide to the Etape which features some very informed stuff from Darren Barclay who is a nutrition expert and a pretty handy bike rider to boot. I thoroughly recommend you download the PDF. We… Full Story »
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Topics:
- Barloworld
- bicycle
- Giro
- ride
- USE
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Etape du Tour survival: Your clothing and kit
Chasing Wheels &bull Jun 20, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. Shorts are a deeply personal affair for numerous reasons including their contents and their fit. What works for me won't necessarily work for you because my sit bones and thighs aren't yours. What does generally hold true is that this is an item which rewards a bit of extra spending. If you are someone who finds a cheap pair of shorts that fits like a second skin and gives you the padding and… Full Story »
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The surface and the sensation of Richmond Park ruined
Chasing Wheels &bull May 24, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. You have to take advantage of the hot days when they come. So after work I rushed home to get changed and head out for three… Full Story »
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Waterbottle and cycling cap by Marc Jacobs
Chasing Wheels &bull May 15, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. The last few spring/summer collections have seen bike accessories becoming increasingly common in mainstream fashion. This season Marc Jacobs is on the case with a range of caps and waterbottles available in… Full Story »
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Crystal Palace Tuesday night races, my first experience
Chasing Wheels &bull May 5, 2010You hope to get lucky in a bunch gallop and probably spend most of the race waiting for the three laps to go board. It's all good stuff and if you attack enough it amounts to a decent workout. It's a bit like waiting for Bon Jovi to play Livin' On A Prayer. The hill… Full Story »
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Topics:
- Hope
- Look
- Preti Mangimi
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All hail Dario Pegoretti, master craftsman
Chasing Wheels &bull May 5, 2010The journal of Alex Murray, one of Britain's least competitive cyclists. From commuting and racing around London to cyclosportives across Europe. May contain kit reviews and advice. Matt is still waiting on his Marcelo (I forget whether it was that… Full Story »
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Topics:
- Pegoretti





