Ozzie NL

Came across this old thread and thought it worthwhile to comment. I have had nothing but awesome service from Richard at Customized Cycling Solutions. He is an elite rider himself and really knows what works and what doesn't based on his experience. They have assisted me afterhours as well as on Sundays and on several occassions I have gone past to pick up some tubes and other consumables when Richard is not there and the guys simply write it down and emailed me the invoice later in the week. He has also offerd me his carbon deep section wheels to try for a week without any buying pressure. My rule is that the bikeshop guy needs to know more than me and Richard way outstrips any knowledge I might acquire in the next decenia or two. Even better is that he actually talks you through the process so you always come out more knowledgeable than you went. Grinds, squaks and other niggles on the bike (both road and MTB) that other reputable shops could not find, Richard made them all go away.

Also read the climb over holidays and have to say I like Froomie less after doing so. He cleary deserves a lot of respect for the early part of his career when the deck was heavily stacked against him and he pulled through to where he is now on pure character BUT.......he now seems to be a bit of a primadona who dislikes having to get bottles for the car when all team members have ridden themselves into oblivion and had to drop away. Also feel he comes across as a bit of a cry baby in term of bilharsia. Now saying that is not a serious disease but feel he refers to it just a tad too often. Two more things that struck me from the book: 1) How honest he is about the tension with Wiggo. Would have thought he would stick closer to the team partyline (especially being the protocol respecting St Johns boy that he is) 2) How brutal the sport is in terms of salary negotiations. If you do not perform you can expect your salary to be halved. Try that in the corporate world PS similarly if you do not happen to find a team. Johnny Hoogeland (he from barbed wire fame) was riding last year in Italy for €4300/month. Even down in SA we pay people more for looking pretty in an office chair 8h/week)

Must be right as he is either the only hardman or madmad without gloves

After how many beers???

Wow that is TdF stage ascent in half the distance. Gonna have to call you MENEER!!!!

For real? If so where??

Rumour has it he went back to SBR looking for those legs again last weekend (and rode there from Northcliff)

Might get put on the cross for this but to me the most important part of kit is the extent to which it stands out in the peloton. In that sense always thought the Italians are getting it right in lumo yellow and green (e specially when riding one of those blindingly bright Cipollinis .

Sorry but you have just proved the point i made in brackets. No point sticking your head up your own backside and live on planet perfect. That galaxy is just too far from the real world

I agree with the principle. In every sport (or other activity) where the difference between being in our out is very big and if you’re are out you're basically toast, there is a big incentive to cheat and we should assume a material number of people are willing to go that route. Do think cycling is specifically susceptible as it is an extreme endurance sport where the benefits of PED are materially more pronounced (vs something like ping pong)

Let me emphasise upfront that I do not condone any PED in sport (to prevent getting burned down to the laces before I even start) But….. I do understand how these young athletes get to the point where they step over the line, especially in cycling. They often have set themselves the target of becoming a professional cyclist at a young age and have sacrificed a lot (including an education) in order to get to the point of neo prof. Once there, they get by on a meagre salary (av salary in the TdF is €70k, this includes the top guys and a neo prof remuneration is unlikely to be north of €40k/annum) just to follow their dream. With cycling being where it is in terms of sponsorships, they also end up competing against seasoned professionals for team spots (and the team are using this competition to drive costs, i.e. salaries down). Lastly, I have been told that in total there are around only 2000 people (men and women) cycling professionally so the margin for error is razor thin So in essence we have a huge number of athletes competing for a very small number of team spots with the income gap between making a team or not being binary (as opposed to say soccer where one can make a decent living in the Russian second division if you do not make it in any of the big leagues). Can thus see the huge temptation is stepping over the line just to make sure you keep the dream alive (especially if you are not one of the 0.1% top gifted individuals).

Do not think that is right. If I am not mstaken they have a large business in Iran. ............not sure cycling is well watched there though

Naah is fine. Weather looks great for tomorrow. No warm kit required at all......well maybe some armwarmers at the start but they wil come off quickly Mooi ry allemaal

Yip, parking off right next to you. Nothing like sipping an ice cold beer whilst watching a sufferfest. Would like to see Gesink get a bit of glory

SLIGHTLY off topic??? Do not want to see what hapenes when you take a serious detour

Def tripple X rating!!!!

Used to being operative phrase Tried paying with Amex Sat and had to default to Mc

I like to think of the Cradle as a “No blame Zone" and direct all frustrations towards my pedals rather than others. Works for me

Association with LA in my mind does not impact brand negatively. LA approached EVERYTHING (yes that part too) scientifically and as a result I reckon Trek is way up there in terms of product design and quality

No where near you, just jealous as it must be an awesome place to ride

Agree 100%. Think it is time Woggo gets off the tampon routine and grow back the balls he once had. No place for diva's in the peloton. Besides you cannot expect the team to bury themselves for a big girls blouse

If this is Wiggo sulking it is not a great advertisement for him. The OGE boys will def not condone that behaviour (especially at the price tag he carries). He shoudl think thwice about playig this game: From a team perspective it is a buyers market at the moment. Just ask Thomas de Gendt who took a 80% paycut just to stay in the peleton after Vacansoleil closed shop

Only saw this thread after starting a new one with same title, exkuus tog Either way same point stands: WTF is up with Wiggo? Gone completely AWOL..... simply lack om motivation? If so not the best way to show character for future employer!!

Hard to match the thrilling finale of the Dauphine but there are some big names riding around Der Sweiz: Sagan, Mollema, Spartacus and Schleck is showing his face at the front of the bunch. Wiggo seems to have gone completely AWOL..... simply lack om motivation? If so not the best way to show character for future employer??

Have to say that Froome's performance in the Dauphine today does give him some right to influence team choices He klapped gat today despite Richie bonking halfway up the last climb