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MTB Vs Snow

EpicTV

EpicTVCyclo’s friends over at EpicTV thought we might like to share this with you. What happens when you hit snowy slopes on an MTB? Pretty much what you’d expect…

 

Once there is snow on the ground most people pack their mountain bikes away for a few weeks. Most people… Embracing the British winter friends Sam Flanagan, Joe Flanagan, Ali Parkin, and Toby Pantling set off into the Scottish Highlands to look for snow-covered trails in the stunning Cairngorms National Park. Arriving just after a huge storm that left most of the country covered in a blanket of snow the boys remained undeterred and wasted no time getting down to business. They made the most out of the conditions they had, blasting some huge turns that looked more like ski turns than MTB turns, and even hit a few jumps.

 

More on EpicTV at epictv.com

 

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2XU Launch #HeartNotHype

#HeartNotHype

#HeartNotHypeCompression apparel specialists 2XU have launched its first international brand campaign #HeartNotHype.

 

The new campaign is designed to highlight how compression supports the heart. By heightening circulation and venous blood flow to the heart, compression garments, say 2XU, ‘enable athletes to train smarter, perform stronger and recover faster.’ The campaign launched on February 24, includes the Heart film featuring elite athletes training across multiple sports – see the video below…

 

2XU Co-Founder and Sales & Marketing Director, Aidan Clarke comments: ‘Heart Not Hype is the first truly global brand campaign we have embarked on, and provides us with the opportunity to connect with new and existing consumers on an emotional and functional level, driving relevance and bonding. This powerful, innovative campaign demonstrates our position as leader in compression apparel, supporting the key driver of human performance – the heart.’

 

2XU are also offering the chance to win a place at the ultimate performance training camp in California – details and entry here.

 

To learn more about the #HeartNotHype campaign see 2xu.com/heart

 

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Chain Reaction Join Cyclofanatic

Chain Reaction

Chain ReactionThe world’s largest bike store, Chain Reaction Cycles, has teamed up with Cyclofanatic Events to support the 2015 Meon Valley Riser and New Forest Rattler sportives.

 

These two popular events, which have been running since 2009, have become firm favourites in many riders’ calendars and offer two completely different cycle challenges. The Meon Valley Riser, which will take place on Sunday March 29, takes in some of the toughest climbs in Hampshire, making it a great way to test your early season fitness. The New Forest Rattler on the other hand is a quick, fast-paced ride with minimal hills, but stunning scenery, taking riders on a magnificent loop of the New Forest National Park.

 

Event Director, Lee Reynolds said: ‘We’re very excited about this partnership! We’ve worked hard to provide our riders with a different event experience by providing breakfast and lunch as part of the entry fee; offering camping at The New Forest Rattler; and we’ve also become well known for the welcoming and friendly feel at our events – making our rides great for first timers and seasoned sportivers alike. Having Chain Reaction Cycles on-board will help to further enhance the level of service that we offer, and provide our entrants with lots of great offers and prizes.’

 

Cyclofanatic are giving away three OneTen clothing bundles – Chain Reaction Cycles’ new, innovative house brand which distils decades of research into garments that are engineered to perform under the most demanding of conditions. To be in with a chance of winning one these bundles simply register your place on the Meon Valley Riser at cyclofanatic.co.uk before Friday March 6. The three lucky winners will be announced soon after.

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Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Events 2015

Pilgrims Hospices Cycle

Pilgrims Hospices CycleOur friends at Pilgrims Hospices have announced the details of this year’s fundraising rides. It’s the fifth year for the events which last year raised a staggering £125,000. Open to anyone who: ‘likes a personal challenge and a healthy day out’, rides costs just £25 per person if you register online before Tuesday April 28.

 

First up is the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge on May 3 with a choice of 45, 48, 78 & 100mile routes. Routes will take in the hospices in Canterbury, Ashford and Margate. Cyclists can start and finish at the hospice of their choice can enjoy great refreshment stops and even get a finisher’s medal.

 

Secondly from Pilgrims Hospices is Divas on Wheels (July 5) a women’s only ride with a choice of 25 or 50mile routes. The start point will be at Biketart, a retailer outside Canterbury and Bike Heroes will be on hand to escort riders and help with maintenance. Once again there will be refreshment stops and ‘Divas Village’ at the finish will be offering massage, helmet hair remedy, BBQ, music and raffles with great prizes. They are hoping to improve on the 260 participants from last year and all finisher’s will get a medal and goody bag.

 

Further details of the Pilgrims Hospices events at pilgrimshospices.org

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Olympic Stars Confirmed for Revolution Series London

Revolution Series London

Revolution Series LondonLee Valley VeloPark in London will host Round 5 of the Revolution Series on February 27/28 and is set to feature one of the strongest line-ups of elite cyclists since the 2012 Olympics. Those confirmed include gold medalists Laura Trott, Ed Clancy and Peter Kennaugh.

 

Created in 2003 by FACE Partnership and the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, the Revolution Series is now established as the leading elite track cycling league in the world. The series is a UCI (International Cycling Union) event, with points available for riders to qualify for the UCI World Cup and World Track Championships.The majority of riders will be fresh from competing at the UCI Track World Championship in Paris, which takes place this weekend. So fans could be watching new World Champions fighting for vital UCI points in a packed event schedule including international Madison and Derny races.

 

The elite women’s Derny Race features Laura Trott who comments: ‘The only time I’ve raced a Derny was back in 2010, and I became National Champion, so I’ve got a pretty good record so far! It’ll be nice to do something a bit different, and with the insane atmosphere that there always is in London, I’m hoping to continue my 100% record.’

 

On Saturday, February 28 Dame Sarah Storey will attempt to break the women’s UCI Hour Record with UCI President, Brian Cookson, there to witness the first ever women’s Hour attempt following rule changes last year. Jack Bobridge, who tried, and failed, to take the men’s record of 51.850km from Matthias Brändle’s in January, said of Storey’s attempt, ‘It’s one of the hardest challenges that a cyclist can take on, and the most surreal strain you’ll ever put your body through in the saddle… Sarah’s one of the world’s top riders and I wish her the best of luck for a great ride.’

 

Tickets for round 5 of the Revolution Series can be purchased at cyclingrevolution.com or by calling See Tickets on 0844 854 2016.

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Dennis Sets the One-Hour Record

rohan_dennisAs the number of riders committing to attempt the one-hour record grows, 24-year-old Rohan Dennis has become the latest – and the first Australian – to claim glory. Dennis, a member of the BMC road team, and a silver medalist at the 2012 Olympic Team Pursuit and 2011 Team Track Pursuit World Champion set a distance of 52.491km beating the 51.852km set by Austrian Matthias Braendle last October.

 

Commenting on his success the Adelaide rider said: ‘There was a lot of pain, I couldn’t really enjoy it too much to be honest, I knew it was 208 laps and when I went past 208 it was just go as hard as you can… It’s a great event and hopefully that record stands for a little while.’ Confidence in that record having any longevity may however be precarious as a queue of new challengers – including Fabian Cancellara, Tony Martin, Alex Dowsett and even Bradley Wiggins – await their turn.

 

Dennis’s successful attempt at the one-hour record took place at the Velodrome Suisse in Grenchen; the 250m track, constructed from the highest quality, slow-growing Siberian spruce, is considered the fastest in Europe.

 

Previous record holders in the event, first staged in 1893, include cycling giants Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Chris Boardman and, of course, Eddy Merckx. Merckx called his hour record attempt in 1972 as: ‘The hardest ride I have ever done.’

 

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USN to Partner Matrix Fitness

Matrix Fitness

Matrix FitnessMatrix Fitness pro cycling have entered into a new partnership with USN – Ultimate Sports Nutrition – one of the market leading nutrition brands. The Matrix Fitness team will start their season in March in Belgium before a short training camp in France and some more racing there ahead of Gent-Wevelgem.

 

Team manager, Stefan Wyman, commented on the USN partnership: ‘The transition to a profession team brings with it greater demands on both the riders and supplements. Our season will be longer, the races harder, and the training and camps will be more intense. Our partnership with USN will give us an opportunity to make this jump as smoothly as possible… We are in the process of rolling out our Sports Science Strategy, which we hope will be one of the key factors in our pathway to the top of the sport over the coming years. We’re working with some experts in each catergory to ensure our riders have the best possible opportunity to succeed. We see USN as central to this strategy and as such hope we have a long term relationship with them.’

 

usnManaging director of USN, Jason Oakley adds, ‘We’re delighted to be supporting Matrix Fitness Pro Cycling team, as they reach new heights, we’ll endeavour to provide them with only the best supplementation and expert advice. We’re excited to start this fantastic new partnership in 2015 and we hope to help the Matrix Fitness team achieve the success they’re aiming for.’

 

Furtherdetails on USN at usn.co.uk and on Matrix Fitness at matrixfitness.co.uk

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Wheel Pioneer Steve Hed Dies

steve_hed_cycloSteve Hed, the early pioneer of carbon fiber and aerodynamics in wheel design, has died at the age of 59. He was at the vanguard of wheel design, developing carbon fiber disc wheels and carbon fiber tri-spoke wheels and patenting the ‘toroidal’ rim design that still remains popular today.

 

It was his attention to detail when it came to wheel performance in wind that brought Hed to the attention of many pro riders including Lance Armstrong who consulted with him for many years and helped raise the profile of the nascent company. Armstrong tweeted on the news: ‘Shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Hed. I loved him dearly as did everyone who ever met him. We’ll all miss him.’

 

He clashed frequently with his many competitors – his innovations and strong-headed opinions often feeling at odds with the general trends – but his reliability as a designer and success as an independent businessman meant he was always greatly admired.

 

Chad Moore, Mavic’s director of marketing, comments: ‘Calling Steve Hed an icon in cycling innovation would be an understatement. He consistently set benchmarks that drove all of us to build better products. We will miss his passion and his presence and send our best wishes and deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans.’

 

Image © HED Cycling.