Rich Carter Blog: My Thoughts Continued
My decision to visit the cycle show in London last weekend turned out to be a good one. Although many of the exhibitors looked tired from shows in Germany and Las Vegas, much of the product on show looked fresh and exciting. Appearances from Alberto Contador. Eddy Merckx and Magnus Backstead added to the excitement on the day that I visited. The current Tour de France champion looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights, surrounded by a large crowd of media and members of the public all trying to get a “piece” of the diminutive Spaniard. By comparison the 5 times tour winner Merckx looked to be taking it all in his stride. I do end up feeling sorry for these poor guys paraded by sponsors like performing animals. Obviously they are entitled to their “moneys worth” of publicity, but there has to be a better way I think.
I recently had the good fortune to be part of a “sponsors” ride. I had a ball riding in my local area alongside professional cyclists. The problem was that most of the 100 or so lucky riders and media taking part wanted to talk to one particular individual. I couldn’t blame him for looking a bit “grumpy” and harassed. He’s a professional athlete not a dancing bear. Again, there has to be a better way!
Back at the show, I had a great time chatting with the guys on the Wiggle stand about the exciting year ahead as part of Team Kiron. I also managed to catch up with Lou Lousadi who’s the superb organiser of the now titled KironDragon ride. I’m really looking forward to a duel with the Rhigos on my Rhigos in June.
In the pro peleton it’s been a fantastic 7 days for Silence Lotto’s Phillipe Gilbert. After victories in Paris-Tours and Giro Lombardia, the Belgian has really turned a season round for a team that couldn’t “buy” a victory in the spring. Now they have 2 classics wins and the Rainbow Jersey. I’m particularly pleased for Gilbert.
He appears to be a really nice guy and his attacking style is always entertaining. Now that all the racing is over for the 2009 season, the teams for 2010 will start to take shape. There’s a couple of new teams in the pro tour next year. Team RadioShack and Lance Armstrong will definitely cause the biggest “stir”. I’ve mentioned Team Sky before, but it will be great to have a British based team to follow next year.
Autumn is well and truly here. Fortunately the weather has not been too bad. I’ve learned a couple of valuable lessons this week though. Firstly, the importance of performing a pre-ride check of your bike. The lack of which came back to haunt a friend of mine whilst we were out riding last weekend. After 2 hours of riding he looked very fatigued. I had begun to worry about his ability to make it home and offered to swap his steel frame winter hack bike for my carbon steed. As I took his bike to carry on I could barely roll it. It turned out that his rear brake had been rubbing against the rim most of the way! No wonder the poor guy was struggling.
The second lesson learned was the importance of having good lights whilst riding in the dark. I’ve started going out for a regular evening ride and having the Exposure Maxx Joystick has been a “god send”. It’s nice to get onto the quiet roads of the New Forest to avoid the traffic, but with the quieter roads comes other hazards. Lack of street lighting coupled with the Forest wildlife certainly keeps you “on your toes”. Mrs Carter is a tad apprehensive about me riding in the dark. With a good friendly, even paced group though it’s been really enjoyable.
Next week I’ll be returning to see my nutritionist. I’ve mixed emotions about it as I know that I’ve neglected some of the good habits I had established earlier this year and slipped back into some of the bad ones. On a positive note I know that with regular visits to see her I can get back on track. I find it hard, especially at this time of year to adhere to a sensible diet. Mrs Carter’s cooking is legendary and with plenty of cracking looking cakes and biscuits around the house temptation is never far away. The trouble will be trying to haul those muffins up the Bwlch, Rhigos, Glandon, Telegraphe and Alpe D’Huez next year. Moderation is apparently the key! I’ll let you know how I get on.