By Jeremy Dunn • 8th November 2011 • Posted in Women
Two weeks ago in Boulder, Colorado the Women's categories were just as hotly contested as the men, especially since they have to work a little harder for their prize money (the second day's cash for the ladies was boosted by the days wine sales, but only for the ladies.) These races in Boulder (Colorado Classic & the Boulder Cup) were also the entrance onto the US Racing scene for our lady in the candystriped Team Rapha-FOCUS kit — Julie Krasniak. Julie had the chance to meet and match her competition a week earlier in the Czech Republic at the World Cup in Tabor.
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By Guest Author • 25th October 2011 • Posted in Women
Photo: Ben Ingham
WORDS: Cindy Lewellen
“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”
— Henry David Thoreau
I recently read in a research study that “even seasoned female riders feel uneasy going on long solo rides for fear of getting lost.” This finding bewildered me for two reasons. One, it implied ‘getting lost’ was always a negative. And two, given this was one of several reasons why women choose not to ride alone, it suggested most women feel riding solo is inherently unsafe or risky, or worse, unenjoyable.
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By Collyn Ahart • 29th September 2011 • Posted in Women
Photos by Frank van der Sman
Crossing over: Some things I've learnt about cyclocross
Your legs are no longer your own. They belong to your bike and subsequent bruising will happen accordingly. It was around my fifth attempt to unclip my right foot when I suddenly remembered what it felt like to not know how to ride a bicycle. The handlebars spun around and I could feel my centre of gravity shift uncomfortably underneath me, the grass rising to meet my elbow in slow motion.
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By Guest Author • 14th July 2011 • Posted in Women
Courtesy of Rouleur magazine
Words: Ian Cleverly | Photos: Gerard Brown
While the world’s cycling fans have spent the past week poring over galleries of gruesome post-crash photographs and watching endless re-runs of Johnny Hoogerland’s stomach-churning catapult into a barbed-wire fence, some of us have been hard at work in parts of Europe with decidedly dodgy wi-fi connections and were unable to join in the traditional Tour de France opening week carnage and its attendant rubbernecking.
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By Gem Atkinson • 29th June 2011 • Posted in Women
Photo by Sam Bagnall
Upon entering the centre of Manchester Velodrome, I was instantly overwhelmed at the size of this venue. A true pantheon of greats, the track marks the home training ground for Team GB, arguably the most accomplished and driven track cycling team in the world. Two hours of a very different type of bicycle adventure lay ahead for me, having travelled with a group of friends to play in the gladiatorial playground of riders such as Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and many more.
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By Guest Author • 22nd June 2011 • Posted in Women
WORDS: Collyn Ahart
Of course I’d overrun the corner. Zoolander couldn’t turn left. I clearly couldn’t turn right. This seemed an absurdity. My first 21 years were spent turning right, but in the short course of 7 years living on GMT, I’d managed to reverse my spatial hazard zone and couldn’t cut a righty to save my soul.
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By Gem Atkinson • 7th June 2011 • Posted in Women
The term lanterne rouge is a famous part of racing folklore. The rider who completes the race yet finishes in dead last on GC is awarded the title ‘lanterne rouge’ and in turn is lauded and celebrated for having the tenacity to hang on within the time limit and cross the finish line each day.
Wim Vansevenant held the coveted title for an astounding three years, finishing the Tour in last place in 2006, 2007 and 2008. He battled to hold on to the grupetto’s wheel in the mountain, and served as a trusty workhorse on the flat stages chasing down breaks all day to aid Robbie McEwan. Almost at the line, around 15km left he would allow himself to be shot out the back of the peloton, relishing the small losses he would accumulate to cement his lowly position on the classification.
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