HARO BIKES

I was distraught at being forced to admit that the reason I was unable to go out with Cairngorm Cycling Club on Thursday night was because I had to go to Debenhams to pick up some new curtains. My confession was extracted by Bianchi man (aka Ian Kenneth) well known in cycling circles for being in touch with his colour co-ordinated side. To make matters worse, Ian managed to persuade me of the wisdom of choosing your soft furnishing colour scheme to match your bike and thus it was that we now have red, white and black curtains to complement my Raleigh Carbon Race

As can be seen elsewhere on the website Mikes Bikes welcomes Jonny Barr to the team as a free lance mechanic following several years working as a cycle mechanic in Chamonix specialising in MTB

Jonny also runs his own mountain biking guide company - 'Hanging out Access Ltd' - and he can use his experience of over nine years of freeriding in the Chamonix valley and three years in the Highlands to introduce riders to local trails away from the tourist tracks. If you want to push your limits or simply enjoy some outstanding scenery, contact Jonny via Mikes Bikes. In addition to his cycling skills Jonny is in much demand as a language consultant and has helped to compile this introductory guide to the language of mountain biking

Screaming the gnarl - riding your mountain bike

Shredding the rad - riding your mountain bike

Bombing the switchback - riding your mountain bike

Thrashing the single track - riding your mountain bike

Railing the berms - riding your mountain bike

Also new to the team this month are Neil Convery who has joined us to do Saturday work ahead of his work experience placement from Kingussie High School and Sally who brings her considerable skills as a make up consultant to the sales team. You wouldn't want to spend a fortune on Rapha gear and then discover your eye shadow clashed with your cycle top, would you?

This month's top product is Knog Frogs - if you're cool you'll know what they are already, if you're ice cool you'll already have a set (isn't that right, Rob?) If you don't know what I'm talking about, get down to Mikes Bikes and join the cognoscenti for pocket money prices...

Top trails since the last blog ...

1. Stuff in and around Feshiebridge, see Mike or Jonny for details, my local knowledge extends to following the wheel in front of me

2. Red Rocks at Learnie - Wolftrax' northern cousin, well worth a visit for some variety, catering for everyone from green trails to black

and of course

3. Wolftrax itself, curiously deserted anytime we visit in the evening, which is a shame because it means that only the Mikes Bikes M-Trax posse witnessed Bruce's bail at the top of Airs Rock as he tested a shop Raleigh AT40 last Wednesday...

and finally... do you remember the Raleigh owning doctor from "Rotarian Redemption"?

http://www.aviemorebikes.co.uk/bikes/rotarian-redemption.html

well, things are progressing smoothly - she's agreed to come with me for a week's cycling in Provence and another ascent of Mt Ventoux next month. The flights are booked!