La Squadra

Lots going off for La Squadra guys in various countries this weekend…

Tony, Keith, Mick, Jon & Rob rode the Etape Caledonia in Scotland yesterday (pic below).

Me, Mamad & Pete Crossland did the Lincoln Grand Prix sportive on Saturday.

Gian finished his 3 week stint on the Dallagio Flintoff Cycle Slam having ridden through parts of Italy, Switzerland & France.

What’s next on people’s cycling calendar?

In other news, congrats to Russ Downing who smashed it to victory at the Lincoln Grand Prix yesterday.

We need one of these!

We smashed it in Italia today. Great effort from everyone…crossed the line as a team.

After slimming down their fixed-gear line in an effort to broaden brand identity beyond the universal fixie scene, Charge has been pushing their latest achievements in cyclocross design.

This is most evident with the line’s crown jewel, the titanium Freezer. This lightweight beast is sold exclusively as a frameset to serve as the backbone for the ultimate cross build. Highlights include a custom-machined headtube for an integrated headset and wishbone seatstays to help absorb canti-brake flex and add mud clearance.

It’s got grunt!

Our 6 week series of La Squadra specific spinning classes is now arranged, and kicks off on Thursday March 1st. Here’re the details:

* Starting Thursday March 1st, weekly through to April 5th.
* Each session starts @ 7:30pm and lasts 1 hour.
* Location is Virgin Active, 300 Broadfield Park, Sheff, S8 0XQ.
* £2.50 per person per session (payable in cash to the instructor before each session).
* You don’t have to be a Virgin Active member to take part.
* Aim to arrive in plenty of time as you’ll need to sign in on reception as a guest member.
* 30 bikes available per week.
* Weekly bookings must be made in advance (see below for how).
* Ask at reception to be directed to where the spinning bikes are (upstairs).
* Full use of Virgin Active’s other facilities after each spinning class.
* You’ll need to bring your own padlock for the changing room lockers.
* Don’t forget a water bottle as the gym gets hot!

To book please text Dave Leggett (the guy who’ll be taking the classes) on 07545 267219. In your text all you need to include is a) your name, and b) “La Squadra”. Dave will then text you back to confirm you’ve got a place for that week. Or you can call Dave to book on to the entire 6 week series.

Places are limited to 30, so please cancel your booking with plenty of advance notice if for whatever reason you need to duck out.

There’re showers and a pool on-site, which obviously can be used after each sesh if you want.

An hour on real bikes is nothing to write home about, however, an hours spinning class definitely puts you through your paces, so turn up prepared to leave tired!!

That’s your lot folks. Only thing left to say is get your place booked fast for the first session on Thursday 1st March.

P.S. These are not the bikes we’ll be using. The ones at the gym are much older!

You weren’t hallucinating Keith!!!

Good ride but the coldest for a long time. Couldn’t take the full distance, but did enjoy the finish in Nonnas. Glad u gents made it back safely.

Here’re your pics.

Matt Rodgers is organising this race again this year…more details below.

Harworth & District CC, in association with Planet X Bikes, are pleased to be promoting the Ray Levers Handicapped Road Race:

Sunday April 8th 2012, Race Starts 10:00AM
Run under the rules of ‘The League International’

Torworth Circuit, Nr Blyth, Notts
Head Quarters, Blyth Cricket Club

7 x 4.7miles laps = 33 Miles
Entry fee £8.00, TLI members only, EOL £15.00

Please send Completed Entry Form and Cheque made payable to Harworth & District CC to:

Matt Rodgers
7 Osborne Road
Sheffield
S11 9AY

Closing date for applications 20th March 2012

Comprehensive list of prizes, including first 3 over the line and individual category prizes:

1st Prize – £80 Planet X Voucher
2nd Prize – £60 Planet X Voucher
3rd Prize – £40 Planet X Voucher
Individual Age Category Prizes – £30 Planet X Voucher
Strictly 1 Person / 1 Prize rule

For further information see www.hdcc.co.uk or http://www.tlicycling.org.uk/EventsCalendar_DetailsPage.aspx?SelectedDate=08/04/2012

Follow Harworth CC on Twitter @HarworthCC

On Tuesday 28th February there’s a Rollerpaluzza night taking place at Nonnas, Sheffield, from 6pm onwards.

In case you’re not already aware of Rollerpaluzza, it’s basically static bikes (fixed front forks, and rears on rollers), with a single speed gear, that you race, full-pelt, against the person next to you. The distance is normally 500 metres, which takes a regular human circa 45 seconds to 1 minute, however, i’ve personally witnessed some killer times at these races, so all bets are on for who takes gold.

If you hadn’t already guessed, it’s a competitive thing, meaning they’ll be heats taking place between 6pm & 9pm, followed by knockouts thereafter.

If you’ve never done this before then DO IT whilst it’s here in Sheffield. So much fun it’ll make you cry (or the sheer pain will)!!!

Tickets per person (competing or spectating…the latter is just as much fun) are £10, and include pasta and a drink. Due to space constraints places are limited, so register for yours now by emailing info@nonnas.co.uk (include full names of all people wanting to reserve tickets). The £10 payment will be taken on the night, on the door.

Places are going fast, so get yours reserved before they all disappear.

At Art Basel, Berlin’s Neugerriemschneider gallery spotlighted Simon Starling’s clever bike concept, called “Carbon (Urban).” The 2006-designed bike features a chainsaw for a chain and comes equipped with chopped wood.