Mice, Mike Burrows and Chris Boardman (in 1992)!

15 miles cycling all over London on my road bike starting with a trip to Bike Fix to have the correct NCyoPlus fitted to the bike.  

Whilst the light was being fitted I started looking at the amazing and unusual bikes around me - including the one above my head which has a right fork only (as opposed to yesterday's Lefty) and it had been designed by a certain  Mike Burrows

The conversation then moved on to Chris Boardman and we watched this  Awesome stuff!  So exciting! And he is wearing blue shoes!

What Chris Boardman has done and continues to do for cycling is incredible.   If I could say one thing to him it would be Thank you - for bringing the greatest sport to the masses - whether it's pootling about with friends or chasing down trophies.  Every aspect of cycling seems to be on his radar - from road planning to designing a bike that I, for one, have more fun riding than I ever imagined.   

Mice Gets Wet! 11 miles across to East London,

An appointment in the City allowed me to bring my road bike. Cycling on the Boardman is such a different experience to the Brommie! Thank you Sir Chris - I love my road bike!  Into a headwind at 20mph no problem! (Maybe it was a tailwind!) I whooshed along the Embankment, tweaking the handlebars with no effort, cutting my route as though it was a knife making effortless steering.  I saw 24mph at one point - I must learn how to use the Cateye so it gives me all the stats.

I took a diversion to Spitalfields which I had confused with Smithfields (D'oh) to see how Pelotonco.cc is coming along.  I met them at Spin London and they are about to open a cafe at 4 Market Street.  Hopefully their doors will be open within the week - am much looking forward to it! 

Spitalfields is a bit modern!  Just eastside from Liverpool Street Station. I rather liked it and will definitely be back.  There are lots of one way streets so I got a bit lost.  I did find Petticoat Lane though!

 I also found the sort of notice that certain night time cyclists I know might approve of...!

 

A trip up a cul-de-sac led me to Swift Cycles.  The bicycles were shiny, bright and sparkling.  

I was particularly attracted to these two! Oh how I would love to have wheels like that!  

Not likely to happen but I can dream - and avoid a cross wind which would put me on the pavement!

Swift Cycles are about to increase their stock (which was practically albeit temporarily at nil!) of womenswear - focussing on Castelli.  They are going to have a bit of Assos and this really made me realise the gap in the market that fortunately Velovixen is filling.   

In terms of clothes or rather "what to wear on a bicycle" manufacturing the technical fabrics exist - close fitting, breathable polyesters and merino. But the cycling shops on the high street just don't seem to understand the issue and the designs of the finished garments are so disappointing. Leggings are not flattering!  The so called Ladies Tops from the major brands - Endura, Altura and Pearl Isumo all seem to have ridiculous squiggles and go faster stripes (as if!) on them that shriek "I'm a Cyclist" rather than being a performance top that happens to be worn by someone riding a bicycle.  Grrrr!

Now that Levis and H&M are at least giving it a go even if it's just menswear hopefully things will improve.  I notice that Evans now has a Casual Clothing section online which is a step in the right direction although I don't exactly see myself wearing a hoodie anytime soon!

I do keep my eye on non cycling shops for above-the-knee length skirts and sleeveless dresses in Lycra and cotton t-shirt fabric which at least allow me to mix and match.

It may be a bit extreme but just imagine if one of the high street brands like M&S met Altura or Pearl Izumi.  Or Max Mara met Assos. Or Castelli met Velovixen alongside one of their designers.   If only I could draw...  

 In the meantime I shall ride my bicycle! 

Mice knows it's all about the bike then it's about the Wardrobe

The Brommie training continued with a speedy trip to the Barbican of 5.77 miles in 35 minutes with a max speed of 20.1 - huzzahhh - on the flat!  Then a further 19.84 miles in 2hrs 6 with a max speed of 24.3 (although a hill helped that!) as I went home via North London.

Cycling is indeed all about the bike. Is it safe? Is there the correct amount of air in the tyres? Do the brakes work? Is the chain rust free? 

But after that ......... it's all about feeling like you look a million dollars.  Focussing my mind is the Brompton World Championships a definite two-fold (hahaha!) affair.  It is after all, a race, so speed is of the essence. 

Starting with baselayers, my online research for all things Merino led me yesterday to Icebreaker who have started increasing their range - shorts, dresses and hoodies. As I don't shop online this meant a trip to Central London.  I like to see pieces first, try them on, check the fit and the size, see how they look.  On top of which staying in waiting for deliveries or queuing at the post office clutching While You Were Out cards does not appeal to me - I'd prefer to be riding my bike!

I headed to Snow and Rock in Covent Garden who apparently have the largest selection of Icebreaker merino in Europe   It's a pity they display it in such a way that you have to pick up each hanger to see the item - like being in C&A. The prices however do not reflect C&A in any shape or form....

Sadly, for me, the designs are a little too much reminiscent of the 70s. Not the sort of sharp chic I was looking for.  And dresses in merino at £145 can be beaten by dresses in Lycra from M&S for well over a quarter of the price.  Icebreaker baselayers however are second to none - although not available in Europe's largest selection as you need to be in a cycling shop for that. D'oh!  Painful!

Today however was a totally different ballgame.  A real treat!

My continual search to find wardrobe pieces that combine super cycling comfort with uber style reached new heights today thanks to Velovixen - a partnership formed on two wheels - by cyclists for cyclists!  A husband and wife team who having genuinely cycled the length of America have now set up this brilliant online business sourcing - handpicking - pieces that aren't just fundamentally brilliant for cycling but that still look fabulous when you are not on the bike. Genius!  

Although they are an online business, it is possible to meet them by appointment which worked perfectly for me.   A really fascinating time hearing about their story, seeing their collection and admiring the imminent ride Philip is about to start - the entire Tour de France prior to the Pros in July.  I also saw the Thorn bike that Philip rode around America.  It has been designed to separate into two parts to help traveling by plane.  Their cycling story really is incredible.

Whilst the mainstream cycle shops like Evans Cycles and Cycle Surgery are a one stop shop for all things bicycle - great for getting started - Velovixen are a cut above the rest as their cycling knowledge combined with being independent means they can choose their suppliers as they find and engage new designers and pieces. Pushing boundaries in terms of technology and design.  Perfect!

I really loved their collection - sassy, great quality and they stock Vulpine which really is merino for cyclists! 

They also have a range of reflective items that are not the normal tabards - but are smaller and yet still as visible. And because they are dealing directly with designers they can feed back ideas and comments.  Velovixen are definitely being bookmarked as one of my favourites. What a find! Their story is worth a read in itself.  

I am still not out of the woods yet tho! The main worry for me in the Brompton World Championships is the dress code.  Err - jacket and tie??!! For everyone?? I am a girl! The team tie has been ordered but I have yet to work out how to wear it and what to wear with it.  I don't wear ties - not least because I don't look or sing like either Bonnie Tyler or Lulu! Will think on!!  And I shall keep my eye on Velovixen