Sidetrack

The BBC news said (amongst other things) that the budget would prove expensive for smokers, drinker and motorists. The best solution? Get a bike! (you knew that was coming right?). Give up the fags, drink less booze, buy less fuel and get out on your bike. Yeah drive a 3.5L V8 gas guzzling Landy if that’s your bag but commute on your bike when you can – balance it out. I get fed up feeling like I must ‘go green’ overnight but it isn’t practical for everyone to give up their cars tomorrow, if you ride your bike to work or to the shops once a week then it’s a start – and you’ll feel better physically and financially. Rant over.

Click on the picture for a few more shots…

We were so impressed with the recon job done on these PACE Air Force forks that we thought we should tell you all about it.

These beauties belong to Mr John Walker and are usually attached to his 1996 Bontrager Race Light which is currently in the workshop for some TLC (thats Tighten, Lube & Clean!). Since Pace forks were bought by DT Swiss they no longer service any models older than 2003 – a shame I know especially since (in my opinion) they are one of the limited brands that has a heritage that should be shouted about. Anyway, one man’s loss is another’s gain and that man is Tim Price who is now servicing the older stuff. He is based in Pickering, North Yorkshire, and be contacted on 01751 476815. Thanks Tim.

2007 ended in style when an interesting pair of recumbents came into the workshop for customers Dave and Helen Hart. Specially ordered from ICE (Inspired Cycle Engineering), the ‘Trice T’ models are an ultra-comfortable touring recumbent trike with rear suspension and the ability to fold up and fit in the boot!  As with all build-ups we have to test them (you’d expect nothing less!) and we were really impressed with how well they handle and as you can imagine they are also super comfortable with the laid back riding position. 

Check out the ICE website for pricing and parts.  This is Dave and Helen showing us how it’s done. 

Many thanks to them for their patience whilst sourcing the bikes and accessories, we wish them many happy miles of cycling. Click on any of the images for more pictures.

£50 million is up for grabs from the Big Lottery Fund and it could be invested in cycling and walking across the UK but only if you really want it.

Sustrans needs you to vote for Connect2 , one of four projects competing on ITV1 in the Big Lottery Fund’s: The People’s £50 Million Contest with the winner decided by public vote. Online voting will open on 26th November at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk and telephone voting takes place over the weekend 7th-10th December.

Do one of the following today so that they can remind you how and when to vote.

• Text CONNECT2 to 80010
• Complete the online form at www.sustransconnect2.org.uk (also has more information about the projects) or
• Call 0845 058 1373 to leave your contact details.

Go on then…..

Spent last weekend in the Scottish borders with a bunch of mates doing what we do best – breaking stuff!  We stayed here at the Criffel Inn and would recommend it to anyone (including families) who want to explore the 7Staines.  Great digs and food and the owners are bikers too so they understood our strange ways (mostly pre-ride fettling in the car park).  The photo above shows young Jim on the left, Andy Moore in the middle and Craig Tabiner on the right, check out more photo’s from the trip by clicking on the pic or just go there yourself.

Follow this link for information on ‘local boy done good’ story, Martin Ogden.  Also known as ‘Oggy’ he’s won a bunch of races and can drink a steaming hot brew in double quick time.  Vicebikes (here) and Oggy have been in cahoots over a beautiful 4X/free-ride signature stem which is available from the store at £50.  Phone for more details/availability.

The Moulton has arrived in the workshop for a strip down and an assessment of the integrity of the frame. I’m not yet sure it’s good enough to save so the project might stop before it really gets started. The plan is to replace all the 1960’s components with new shiny ones. The old stuff is going in the bin, unless a committed collector of all things Moulton wants them?

Feel free to email with any suggestions about which ’shiny bits’ we should consider using. The (very) basic plan is to build new 16″ wheels using a Nexus 8 speed hub with coaster brake on the back, and either a hub brake or Dura Ace calliper on the front. Another option is to braze on some disc mounts. Other than that, we’ll just suck it and see.

There are more pictures in the Flickr Set

Follow the link below to the online (.pdf) copy of the new 2008 catalogue.*  Bikes should be arriving in store before the end of September.  Please email for prices.  The few 2006/2007 bikes we have left will be going into sale as soon as we have new models to replace them so watch this space if you want to grab a bargain. 

*Firth Cycles will not be held responsible for any electrical malfunctions resulting from drooling into your keyboard.

>Bianchi 2008 Catalogue<

Ever wondered who the patron saint of cyclists is?  Wonder no more, it’s this lady right here:

The Madonna del Ghisallo.  This is an extract from ‘The Tablet’, 14th July 2007.

“According to legend, the medieval Count Ghisallo was attacked by bandits while travelling near the village of Magreglio in Lombardy, northern Italy, when he spotted an image of the Virgin Mary in a roadside shrine and ran towards it.  He was miraculously saved from the robbers and, as the story spread, the Madonna del Ghisallo became known as the patroness of local travellers.  A chapel in her honour was built at the top of a steep hill overlooking Lake Como, and quickly became popular with cyclists who would stop to rest and say a prayer at the shrine.  In 1949, Pope Pius XII declared the Madonna del Ghisallo the patroness of cyclists.  The chapel itself has become equal part religious shrine and cycling museum filled with artefacts and photos connected to the sport, including the leader jerseys won by past winners of the Tour de France and its Italian counterpart, the Giro d’Italia.”

Now you know.

This 700c wheel (more photos here) has been given life using spare parts lying around in the workshop.  The hub is a Shimano Deore LX 36 hole in black laced onto a black Rigida SX 100 rim (36 hole – obviously).  Finished off with DT Swiss double butted spokes (2.0/1.8/2.0) with silver brass 12mm nipples.  Laced using a 2 cross pattern making it nice and strong yet lightweight and it also includes the Firth Cycles signature gold nipple.  This wheel and any other you might want building is for sale, please e-mail for details/prices.