ryder on stage 14

well . . . .

avid readers of "cycles" will know that for me the cycling never actually stops. in fact this has been the best back-to-back year of riding i can ever remember as i managed to cycle right through the winter and so carry a seamless experience from last summer in my legs and head that i hope will help me on my planned big journey this summer.

more about that another time.

meanwhile, i bought another bike while i was in quebec a month or so ago. i was riding with a friend through the hills and valleys there and we passed a coffee shop that also seemed to sell bikes. so we agreed that on our way back we'd stop in for pastries and coffee and cast an eye on the merchandise. 

well, i didn't get a coffee or a pastry but i did ride out on this:

this bike gets me to and from school and if plans work out, will get me and my gear 

back from quebec city this summer.

the ride there i will be on my roadbike.

 i was out for a ride up to lakefield yesterday.

the wind was a bit raw in places and was not at all kind in its in-my-face atttitude, so there was no letting up on the push push push that goes with a headwind.

 

which was fine because life is not always about tailwinds. 

more often it's about the beauty all around you. 

on the rollers!

I scouted out a couple of classic bike films for those of you who succumbed to the weather and planted your road bike on a trainer.

The first is the Classic Paris-Roubaix film shot in 1976 "A Sunday in Hell". Lots of classic footage and intimacy with the riders.
Next up the 1974 Giro featuring Eddy Merckx. 'Nuff said!! "Eddy Merckx: The Greatest Show on Earth"
Following the Eddy Merckx groove - a documentary on the Man and his legend. "Tour de France Legends: Eddy Merckx"

The 1965 Tour de France is the subject of an outstanding documentary that has no commentary - a visual feast!

Here's Part One of "Pour le Maillot Jaune"
Here's Part Two.

and here's Part Three.

While not about racing, my fave bicycle movie of all time is "The Bicycle Thief". Get a box of Kleeenex or wear a long-sleeved shirt for wiping on the fly.
Here's Part One
and here's Part Two
and here's Part Three
and here's Part Four
here's Part Five
and . . . here's Part Six

A treasure trove of very recent bike shorts is surfacing . . . top of my favourites from the current crop is this one profiling bike builder josh hadar.

Adrenaline junkies should check this one out.