Urban hill climb in London

Rollapaluza strayed off their indoor events last week and in honour of the Tdf Col de Tormalet climb had a competition to climb Swains Hill in Highgate, London.

I've done the climbs around Highgate and they are tough and steep. I read that the gradient and switchbacks on the West Hill are the closest you can get in Southern England to the alps but without the distance (climbs in the Alps can go on for 30km) its no real comparison.

The competition was won with an impressive time of 1:32:86 but even more impressive was the 2nd place to a 15yr old.

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Norwegian National Championships

It was the weekend of the annual national championships across Europe and Norway held theirs in my current home Trondheim.

This was a great opportunity to see the likes of Hushovd, Boasson Hagen and Avessen cycle around the roads I know and try and pit myself against their speeds when I'm feeling strong!

The course was 12 laps around west Trondheim between Byåsen and Severresborg. Its a challenging undulating 196kms, which was described as being fit for the worlds, not for the nationals.

What formed a formula 1 circuit, had a climb on Roald Amundsons Vei (about 220mtrs elevation from via 5 to 7), a long straight on Severresborg Vei with lots of road furniture to maneuver (via 7 to 1) and the down Byåsvein.

I decided to place myself at the bottom of Byåsvein where I could see the peleton come towards me at 80 kph, brake into a roundabout and start climbing.

The finish enclosure, at the end of a large climb looked to be a challenge for sprinters after completing 12 laps, and it wasn't set up for a bunch sprint rather a battle of attrition and climbing abilities.

However, football was calling and I retired to the comfort of a television. The last 10k was pretty exciting, Hushovd and Rake broke from the lead group of 11 featuring all the bit names and nobody else went with them. As they hit the bottom slope of the climb Hushovd attacked with no response from Rake he pulled away and held the lead to the finish.

Norwegian Championships Website

Results

Moncler bring out the bikes

Moncler launched their new line Gamme Bleu at the Vigorelli Velodrome in Milan with a very strong cycling theme.

I've seen the rise of retro cycling clothes with online stores like Prendas benefiting from this and now a large high fashion label has picked it up.

Moncler Gamme Bleu Spring/Summer 2011 Runway

I look forward to seeing the collection next year.

Trackbike football?

This is quite unbelievable and no doubt going to storm around the underground scene if it hasn't already.

NIKE TRACKBIKE FOOTBALL (NTF2010) from YUHZIMI on Vimeo.

Cycle lane or cycle pavement.

This article in the papers this weekend opens up a very interesting discussion. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/apr/25/cycle-lane-press-criticism

When you look at the picture here of the lane it does look pretty extreme and as commented most people push their bikes up the hill.

I live in a very hilly city where the council have adopted a very different policy. Cyclists are allowed on the pavement. I've never been a big fan of cycling on the pavement but can see benefits. The roads are not wide enough for a cycle lane. You are not going fast enough to be a nuisance. When you are struggling you do not wobble into passing cars.

It would have been interesting to see what Poole council would have thought about this option.

The first days of spring

The skis have been put away, the snow has melted and the bikes are out of their bike bags. At last, spring is here.

This has been the first year that I have not been able to cycle for the full year. Moving to Norway means that the phrase 'come rain or shine' doesn't apply.

Surrounded by mountain bikes with studded tires and mudguards I've started the commute to work.