As whimsically articulated in Adventure Time, "Dude, sucking at something is the first step towards sorta being good at something." This light-hearted quote encapsulates the essence of our coaching philosophy. A cyclist's journey, from a novice to a seasoned competitor is a vibrant tapestry woven with numerous experiences, trials, and, above all, errors. At Saddle Up, our ethos is rooted in the understanding that mistakes are not just inevitable but are the crucibles within which growth and mastery are fostered. Our coaching approachxt is tailored to help athletes navigate these inevitable missteps towards achieving their cycling aspirations.Embracing MistakesFear of making mistakes is a common hurdle many face, a barrier that can significantly hamper progress. This fear often stems from a natural desire for perfection or societal pressure to avoid failure. However, in cycling, as in life, making mistakes is a crucial aspect of learning. Its through errors that we receive the most authentic feedback about our strategies, our techniques, and our preparedness. At Saddle Up, we encourage our athletes to view mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth rather than setbacks.Races epitomise the essence of cycling, presenting a formidable arena where skills, strategies, speed and endurance, honed over hours of training, are put to the sternest test. While the margin for error narrows in the competitive field of a race, the lessons embedded in each mistake burgeon in value. The implications of a poorly timed sprint or a misjudged breakaway resonate far beyond the immediate outcome, often spelling the difference between triumph and loss. Yet, regardless of its work, every race is a rich repository of experiences. It's a tapestry of real-time decisions, each laden with a wealth of knowledge ready to be unearthed upon reflection.Our coaching philosophy at Saddle Up transcends the mere preparation of athletes for races. It is about fostering a mindset that seeks to glean insights from every race, comprehend the ramifications of each decision, and evolve with every experience. Common missteps, such as a wrong line taken around a bend, a misjudged pacing strategy during a time trial, or inadequate nutrition and hydration, serve as potent learning moments. These moments shed light on crucial areas needing improvement, helping to demystify the complex dynamics of cycling, underscore the importance of strategic foresight, and emphasise the critical role of a well-fuelled body.Cultivating a Culture of Learning at Saddle UpAt Saddle Up, we foster a culture celebrating learning and growth. Our training programmes are meticulously crafted to challenge and push athletes out of their comfort zones. This nurturing yet challenging environment allows for natural exploration and self-discovery, where missteps are seen as part of the learning curve rather than setbacks. Each error encountered is viewed as a treasure trove of insight, waiting to be dissected and understood. We delve into each error, analyse it, and extract its lesson, ensuring that every misstep is a step towards mastery. Through this process, we aim to transform the apprehension around making mistakes into a constructive understanding, propelling our athletes closer to their cycling ambitions with each training session.

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CyclistA history of Bianchis classic bikesWhat better place to start hunting down forgotten gems than the oldest marque in the game? Founded in Milan by Edoardo Bianchi, the Italian company lays claim to being the longest surviving name in the business, with a heritage dating back to 1885.Over its 133-year history it has won pretty much every race going, with riders such as Fausto Coppi, Felice Gimondi, Marco Pantani, Mario Cipollini and Jan Ullrich.Bianchis pedigree is as rich as its bikes are diverse, so whenCyclistvisited the Bianchi factory on the outskirts of Treviglio in northern Italy, we needed someone who knows their tubing, and luckily we found him: creative director and de facto bike curator Fabio Belotti, an employee of 41 years who has worked on some of Bianchis most famous bikes.Here he talks us through just a small selection of its vast back catalogue, but before he leads us to a secret lock-up in a disused part of the factory, he decides we need a brief history lesson about the one thing that has united the companys bikes through the ages. Well, nearly.Everyone thinks of Bianchi as the Celeste company, but once upon a time our bicycles only came in one colour: black. The first ones we found in Celeste are from 1912.Our legend is that Edoardo Bianchi took inspiration for the Celeste colour from the eyes of Queen Margherita, who he was teaching to ride a bicycle. Over the years the colour has changed from a little more green to a little more blue.In 1990 we created the official pantone CK, and in 2016 I created the slightly more fluorescent CK16. But even though the colour is always changing, for every Bianchi rider it has always been the same. All thanks to Edoardo. Related Posts New Bianchi Specialissima RC is faster and illegally light Lotuss classic bikes pictures All the WorldTour team bikes, tech and kit 2024 Pinarellos classic bikes: Gallery In pictures: Looks classic bikes Colnagos classic bike collection Bianchi: Factory visit Marco Pantani Mega Pro, 1998This is the jewel in the collection Marco Pantanis double-Grand Tour-winning bicycle from the 1998 season, when he won the Giro dItalia and the Tour de France, says Belotti. The model is the Mega Pro, made from Dedacciai 7000-series aluminium.The frame weighed 850g, which was incredibly light back then, and would have been quite dangerous for many riders but not for Marco, who was only around 50kg when he was with us and riding for Mercatone Uno.It had Campagnolo Shamal wheels, some of the very first deep-section wheels, all in aluminium. Just look at the spokes! Twelve at the front and 16 at the rear crazy! And the gears. Nine speed, 12-21 cassette and a 53/39 chainset. Marco was incredible.The Mercatone team colour was yellow. I remember one of their designers came up with a kit that was yellow with brown and green, but it was not so nice, so I combined a different tone of yellow and put it with Celeste.At the beginning people said, Oh wow, that is terrible! but when Marco started winning on it everyone loved it. Marco once said these were his favourite colours. We make our carbon Specialissima in this colour now to celebrate this. I am hoping Selle Italia will do a remake of the Il Pirata saddle too one day.Disc Brake Chrono Prototype, 1996Ithink this is possibly the first ever disc brake road bike,predating disc brakes on mountain bikes even. The calliperswere made for us by Formula, with hydraulic pistons pulled by normal cables. Look at these rotors 125mm, tiny! Its funny,the front wheel has so many spokes but has been radially laced, which is a very bad idea for the twisting forces of disc brakes.We made this bike for the Russian rider, Evgeni Berzin. It is Columbus Hyperion titanium, and the big tubes have been bentfrom sheet metal and seam-welded. The idea of the Pantani chrono bike started here.We made a lot of prototypes for Berzin he was a great innovator. But at the time, when Grand Tours were obsessed by mountains, this bike was too heavy for him, so I think he never raced it.Thats a shame as I think it is beautiful. The shape is fantastic. You see that line around the wheel? The curve goes down under the bottom bracket like a spoiler. You could not do this now because of the UCI rules, but back then it was the most excitingtime for designers. We could make our fantasy a reality.Mario Cipollini Time-Trial, 2005This was for Marios last Grand Tour before he retired. So itwas not his last race really he went over to America and rode exhibitions and then came back to Europe, then he retired [only to un-retire for a few months in 2008 with Rock Racing].This bike has only been ridden once, for the prologue. It was an evening stage, and Mario you know he is crazy had this fluorescent skinsuit made with these silver veins on it and all his race wins written down the legs, so to match I designed the paint for this bike: fantastic pinkwith luminous white veins that glowed in the dark.This was for Marios last Grand Tour before he retired. So itwas not his last race really he went over to America and rode exhibitions and then came back to Europe, then he retired [only to un-retire for a few months in 2008 with Rock Racing].This bike has only been ridden once, for the prologue. It was an evening stage, and Mario you know he is crazy had this fluorescent skinsuit made with these silver veins on it and all his race wins written down the legs, so to match I designed the paint for this bike: fantastic pinkwith luminous white veins that glowed in the dark.Mario is a really big guy, so the frame is very long, but he was super-flexible too, so it is still a very low position. The tubing is aluminium, drawn and made for us by Deda. The fork is from Oval, and it has slits in the legs for aerodynamics. The bars are ITM [although a careful look reveals some cunningly placed black electrical tape], the groupset is of course Super Record and the wheels are Campagnolo also.The rear wheel is a Campagnolo Ghibli, which was the first lenticular disc wheel when it came out in 1983. He also rode a Bora wheel that night, but not this one. This one is newer.Bianchi C4, 1986The C4 company was started by an ex-R&D employee from Bianchi, and it made these bikes for us, which were among the first carbon fibre monocoque bikes in the world. It is incredible without the seat tube. The production run was very small, as you might think, but they were raced. This one belonged to Moreno Argetin, who rode for the Sommontana-Bianchi team.The concept was aero, but at the time only Formula 1 teams went to the wind-tunnels, so really this is made by, lets say, intuition and sensation.We made the top silicone grommet over the seatpost as underneath it is not so nice there is a big hole in the frame either side of the seatpost but this is so the seatpost can tilt forwards or back, which is done by screwing the two horizontal bolts, so the effective seat tube angle can be changed.The Ambrosio wheels and specially shaped Campagnolo water bottle show more aero thinking. The water bottle is very beautiful,but it is so hard to remove from the cage!Once again this design was soon banned by the UCI, and C4 no longer makes frames anyway it now specialises in spear guns for scuba diving, and flippers.Bianchi Steel Road Bike, circa 1951Ithink this is in original condition, and is from around 1951. You can tell because it has the rod lever shifting system but also hasa bolt mount for a rear derailleur, which became more popular in the early 1950s. The tubing is possibly Reynolds, and almost every partis made by Bianchi, even casting our own lugs.I love the gear system [a Campagnolo single-lever Paris-Roubaix derailleur] it was crazy. There are teeth on the ends of the hubs, which meshed with teeth on the inside of the dropout.To change gear you turned the lever on the seatstay, which twisted a rod that undid the quick release and moved the derailleur to select a gear, but to make the chain change sprocket you had to pedal backwards at the same time!The chain tension either pulled the wheel forward [bigger sprockets] or gravity rolled it backward [smaller sprocket] along the dropout track. Then you retightened the lever. Brilliant, but just crazy. Especially when you think there was no asphalt in those days. We can say this was one of the first gravel bikes, I think.Military Folder, circa 1940These were produced between about 1930 and 1950, and we can say they were the first fold-up, full-suspension bikes. At the rear there is a coil shock on the top of the seatstays, and there is a steel plate that flexes like a spring where the chainstays meet the bottom bracket.The front has pivots at the fork dropouts and little suspension shocks with oil damping on either of the fork legs. It still works fine even now!These were Italian military issue, so there are rifle mounts onthe top tube and a rack for the soldiers equipment. Everything had to be very reliable, so the grips are wooden and the tyres, made by Pirelli, are solid.However if you were a captain you got pneumatic tyres and more gears. The front and rear wheels are interchangeable. The whole bike folded up there are hinges in the top tube so it could be carried on the back.It must have been hard because these things weighed about 35kg. It was a very successful product, though we made around 50,000, which helped to keep Bianchi going during the Second World War.Johan Museeuw Paris-Roubaix, 1994We used to be able to design all kinds of things [before the UCI tightened its rules on bike design in the late 1990s], so for Paris-Roubaix we made this one-off bike for Johan.It has the Roubaix RockShox suspension fork on the front, and a full suspension at the rear as well. It looks very big, but it only produced a small amount of travel, maybe 30mm. We had to use an XTR mountain bike cantilever brake from Shimano on the back because there was nothing to bolt a road calliper to. The rear triangle is steel,the rest is Columbus Altec aluminium.I remember the weather was awful, and I think Museeuw punctured in the final breakaway. Then when he tried to uncliphis foot got stuck in his Diadora pedals and he became so angry he threw the bike down and changed to a different bike for the rest ofthe race [Museeuw finished 13th].He very much liked the bike in testing, but in the race it was a different story. This bike was nevera production bike, but really that is because of rule changes andthe cost, which was about 15,000.Marco Pantani Time-Trial, 1998Another bike from the House of Pantani. We have many! He was a rider that changed everything to the millimetre, and we would end up building so many frames for him 40 in a season and so we ended up with quite a lot. He used this one in the Giro and the Tour in his double season.As you can see the geometry is incredible. The front wheel is 26-inch, the rear normal, to achieve the very aero position. The seat tube was cut precisely to his measurements, and the head tube is less than 90mm.We developed the bars with ITM and they are welded directly onto the crown of the fork, meaning his hands were sometimes below the top of the tyre [and still well below the headset when on the bar extensions].We shaped the tubes like aeroplane wings, but even at this time it was all theory and sensation. There were no CFD computer programs to help us.The tyres are 19mm. Sometimes Marco rode 21mm, but that was it. Even on his road bike he always preferred 19mm tyres. Its crazy when you think about it now.Magnus Backstedt Paris-Roubaix, 2004This is the actual bike Magnus Backstedt won Paris-Roubaix on in 2004. It might look quite normal but it is actually made from special titanium by Bianchi, with the Dedacciai sticker because officially they were the sponsors. He loved this bike, and he loved titanium. We made him many titanium bikes for different teams.The material was very good for being light, strong and tough. It needed to be, as Backstedt was a huge man, so he needed a 63cm frame.To keep such large triangles stiff we used a bi-ovalised down tube, where there is a horizontal oval cross-section at the bottom bracket and a vertical oval at the head tube, and we filled the frame with special foam to reinforce it but stay light.The foam starts as liquid and was pumped into the bottom of the seat tube, then the frame was put on a vibrating table to shake the bubbles out before the foam hardened. Some of Pantanis bikes had this too it really worked. You can see the dents in the top tube, but he rode it like that.This article was originally published in 2020. Related Posts New Bianchi Specialissima RC is faster and illegally light Lotuss classic bikes pictures All the WorldTour team bikes, tech and kit 2024 Pinarellos classic bikes: Gallery In pictures: Looks classic bikes Colnagos classic bike collection Bianchi: Factory visit The post A history of Bianchis classic bikes appeared first on Cyclist.

The Tour de Suisse is one of the most important stage-races in the year. It is the final big test before the Tour de France and a few of the Tour's stars race in Switzerland; an eight-day race that features plenty mountains, time-trials and a few days for the classics specialists.In this article you...

We woke this morning to find all 14 of our Ribble Endurance SLR bikes stolen from our mechanics van. We are hoping to find a solution to enable us to start in Wrexham today. Stolen from Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Whitchurch, Shropshire. pic.twitter.com/XWogWGZ8CG Lifeplus Wahoo (@LifeplusWahoo) June 7, 2024 The Lifeplus Wahoo team []The post British pro team cleared out of 14 bikes in robbery at Tour of Britain appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Allene,The last few weeks have been so hectic, they almost feel like a blur There has been a lot of networking, traveling, and program planning for the next couple of months. Here are some highlights:Presented a Bill at our State Capitol for a Specialty License Platethat will read 3 for cyclists While this is just the first step of a long process, we hope that bringing the message on the road to remind drivers of the law is a step in the right direction. As I told the Transportation Committee: Traffic violence is becoming the norm and we need to do something about it.Presented at the Lafayette Pedestrian & Bicycle Committeeand had the pleasure to bond with the folks from Bike Lafayette and bike around some of their newly developed infrastructure.Attended the first meeting as part of the Development and Enhancement Advisory Committee for DOTDs State Wide Transportation Plan that will influence the next 30 years.Attended the National Bike Summitand lobbied at Capitol Hill for Complete Streets and easier access to funds that will help improve our States infrastructure.Completed the Executive Director Intensiveoffered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation!Im sure Im missing a lot, but I didnt want to let too much time go by before writing to you.We have some really exciting events planned ahead, and want to make sure you have them bookmarked in your calendar:BIKE Talks Where Ya Riding?This installment of BIKE Talks will help you discover new biking adventures in the area, and also give you an opportunity to share your favorite rides and ride-tips! Whether you want to go on a family bike ride in your local park, learn how to gravel ride, or train for a long race, this event will be perfect for you! Our panelists include: Elyse Bejasa (Heat Index), Adam Lownik (Westbank Gravel Club), and Townsend Myers (Semi-Toucg Cyclin Club). To learn more and to RSVP,click here.This event is the perfect launch for our BIKE MONTH celebration in May!Ride to RememberRegistration is now open for the inaugural Ride to Rememberevent hosted by Metairie Cemetery in partnership with Bike Easy . On Sunday, May 19, teh biking community is invited to participate in leisurely community bike rides through the historic cemetery in celebration of National Bicycle Safety Month. The free, family-friendly event will include bike safety information and demonstrations from Bike Easy, and Metairie Cemetery will hold a brief memorial ceremony to honor the lives of people killed while riding their bikes. Family, friends, and colleagues of those lost in fatal crashes are invited to join, and anyone who wants to partake of this special event.And Before your Fall schedule books up:This years Bicycle Second Line Celebration will be our biggest to date! We will begin and end at The Broadside, and our After Party will include Bands, Artists, Silent Auction and More! Help us celebrate our 21 years making bicycling easy, safe, and fun for everyone in Greater New Orleans. Save the Date: Saturday, October 19th from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm!You can also find us at:Covington Youth Wellness Fair at the Covington Trailhead Saturday March 30th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pmSpring Into Action at Audubon Luisiana Nature Center Saturday March 30th from 8:30 am to 3:30 pmBike Valet at Wednesday at the Square Every Wednesday until May 1stRubarb Fundraise at Happyland Saturday, April 13th from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pmSmart Biking at the Bike Easy Office FREE Bike Safety Class Saturday, April 20th To learn more and to RSVP,click hereEarth Week Sustainability Fair at Loyola University Monday, April 22nd from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pmCelebrate Trails Day at the Tammany Trace Saturday, April 27th

We're thrilled to explore the introduction of a novel, potent Circuit Training session at Saddle Up Cycling. Crafted to fortify your cycling performance by enhancing strength, power, and core stability, this workout is a fusion of endurance and muscular development. We are currently looking at options to introduce this session in November 2023 at least once a week over the winter period. Most likely around Hackney or Islington. Please contact us to express interest. What to ExpectCircuit training, birthed in the early 1950s by R.E. Morgan and G.T. Anderson at the University of Leeds, marries high-intensity aerobics and resistance training to concoct a comprehensive workout that fortifies both muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance, navigating through a sequence of exercises with minimal rest in between.The marriage of circuit training and cycling, especially during the off-season, is anchored in:Maintaining Cardiovascular Fitness: Keeping the heart and lungs in peak condition without extensive rides.Muscular Endurance: Enhancing stamina across all muscle groups, not just those predominantly used in cycling.Injury Prevention: Strengthening the entire body to safeguard against injuries.Enhancing Core Stability: A solid core equals improved stability and power on the bike.Metabolic Uplift: Varied, high-intensity exercises keep metabolic rates high, aiding in managing body composition throughout the off-season.Designed with cyclists in mind, this session is also open to anyone seeking a holistic workout, ensuring we cater to varying fitness and experience levels. Throughout the entire session, expect an atmosphere of encouragement and motivation. The instructor will ensure participants maintain proper form and make any necessary adjustments, while also fostering a positive and inclusive environment. With exercises specifically chosen to enhance cycling performance, both recreational and competitive cyclists will find value, achieving a full-body workout that is not just beneficial, but also engaging and varied, thanks to the circuit format. Whether youre looking to enhance your cycling capabilities or simply want a robust, well-rounded workout, this circuit training session aims to deliver on all fronts.Arrival and Introduction Upon arrival, participants will be welcomed and provided with an overview of the circuit training session. This is an opportunity to highlight the session's objectives and benefits, notably how it is specifically curated to bolster cycling performance by enhancing strength, power, core stability, and cardiovascular endurance. It will also be a time to address any initial queries and ensure everyone is comfortable and prepared to commence.Understanding the ExercisesBefore diving into the physical aspects, participants will be guided through demonstrations of each exercise, ensuring everyone is familiar with the correct form, and understands the progression and regression options available. This segment is crucial to ensure safety and efficacy, offering participants a clear insight into what each station will entail and how to adjust the exercises to match their individual fitness levels.Warming Up the BodyThe warm-up is pivotal to prime the body for the intense work ahead. The session initiates with a pulse-raiser, involving activities like jogging, jumps, and floor touches to elevate heart rates and boost circulation to the muscles. Following this, dynamic stretches will be employed to enhance flexibility and prepare the muscles for the exercises ahead.The Circuit Participants will immerse themselves in the heart of the circuit training, navigating through the ten carefully designed stations that challenge various physical aspects relevant to cycling. Each station lasts for 60 seconds, whereupon a transition to the next occurs. At the end of the round there is the option of a quick rest, or going straight into rounds 2 and 3. Participants can anticipate experiencing exercises that will elevate their heart rates, followed by others that bring it down slightly, ensuring a balanced yet intensive workout.Cooling Down Post-circuit, its time to cool down and allow the heart rate to gradually decrease. Gentle stretches will be incorporated to help alleviate potential muscle tightness and promote recovery, ensuring participants leave feeling accomplished yet not overly fatigued.Example ExcercisesThere will be 10 individual excercises incorporating Bodyweight, Weights, Benches, Boxes, and even Agility Ladders. Here are a few as an example:Plyo Box Box JumpsTask: Execute box jumps, ensuring a soft landing on top of the box.Focus: Power development in the legs.Regression: Step-ups.Progression: Add a tuck jump at the top.Slam Ball SquatsTask: Holding the slam ball at chest level, participants will perform squats. Focus: Quadriceps and Glutes.Regression: Bodyweight Squats.Progression: Incorporating a lift and slam action with the ball after each squat.Body Weight PlankTask: Maintain a plank position.Focus: Core Stability.Regression: Kneeling Plank.Progression: Plank with alternate leg lifts.What to BringExercise equipment will be supplied, so all you really need to bring to the session is yourself, a positive attitude and the following:Suitable Gym Attire - T-Shirt, Shorts/Leggings, you could even wear your cycling kit.Suitable Shoes - Maybe leave the cycling cleats at the doorWater Bottle - Maybe even consider some electrolytes or carb mix.Towel - You will get sweaty!Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR Q) - This is a quick consent form, needed for insurance purposes. It will be emailed to you before the session starts.

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