| Who is the Team leader? |
| bikes | |||
| Thursday, 16 July 2009 10:24 | |||
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Armstrong, Contador, Astana Team leader, Tour de France, Bradley Wiggins, David Millar, Team Garmin, Mark Cavendish, Barry Hoban, Raleigh, Dawes, Merida, Ridley, Team Katusha, Outland clipless pedals
What's going on in the bike world this week? Well, there's a wee bike race in France that's fuelling discussion at Mike's Bikes - who is the Astana team leader, Armstrong or Contador? Its causing almost as much controversy as the question of who is in charge at Mike's Bikes - Mike or Jenny!  Thanks to Scott, Jenny's brother, for forwarding the above photo from this year's Tour showing Lance Armstrong third from the right of the three Astana riders at the head of the peloton. British interest is higher than ever before with Bradley Wiggins riding for David Millar's Team Garmin occupying 5th position in the General Category and carrying Mike's hopes for a top three position overall. Mark Cavendish has just equalled Barry Hoban's British record of 8 stage wins in the TDF and no one would bet against him taking exclusive ownership of the record by the time this year's race finishes on the Champs d'Elysee. If the coverage on itv4 has whetted your appetite for discovering your inner road racer we have a number of road bikes in stock that could get you started. Both Raleigh and Dawes are offering entry level bikes with lightweight frames and 14 speed Shimano gears at £299.99   Merida's introductory offering is the Road Race 750 at £449.99 which features 18 speed STi gears in a Sunrace groupset. The paint job is sharp and (in common with the Raleigh 100) is reminiscent of much more expensive Raleigh bikes and Ridley bikes as ridden by Team Katusha in the Tour.
 I managed to get out on a trip round the Ross shire roads on Saturday with a couple of friends up from Glasgow. The bed man was on his usual medium weight package (heavyweight body + lightweight bike), I was on my Raleigh Carbon Race and Dr. Fit was on my winter bike fitted with flat pedals. Over the course of 45 miles it became evident that cycling is a sport that allows you to buy performance. Through the judicious use of clipless road pedals the two fat men in Lycra were able to cope with the superior effort and talent of Dr. Fit. That and the fact that the medical curriculum clearly doesn't cover gear changing... Mike's Bikes have Outland Clipless Road Pedals back in stock at £31.99 but they are flying out the door faster than the bed man's considerable momentum carries him down steep hills. It seems a small price to pay to keep up with the big boys...
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