Z5 review on RCUK

For those of you who have not seen Dave Arthur's Z5 first ride report, please see attached
I cannot add anything else to this at present, I think he has summarized the points well
It really does feel a special bike - as stiff in the front end as my Z1 but as light and as 'flickable' as the Z4

As soon as I stop lending the demo bikes to customers and get a chance to put some more miles on one I will post my thoughts and photos as well

Parlee website is revamped

Click here to see the new site
Looking good boys!

Alex G's Z5

This is a bike we built up for Alex

Its the first one we did with Campag, and with the introduction of the new Campga BB30 cups it was a piece of cake to build - no different to a Z4
Alex has gone for Super Record and Neutron Ultra wheels. We got a black and white Antares saddle to emphasize the white decals, and also some of the 3T Team contact points (with the red detailing) to being out the subtle red accents of the frame. I love how the wheel decals match the red Parlee on the DT !



As photographed, the bike is 14.2lbs which is quite silly really !

Sunday base ride

This morning the weather was terrible so I took the opportunity to gain brownie points around the house. My reward was that by 11 the sky had turned blue and it was time to ride
I met Brett (like Dean another founding member of the Bespoke Cycing Race Team) and we decided on a 2.5 hr base ride - trying to keep it nice and steady at around 130-140 bpm and not go over that too dramatically on the climbs


Inspired by the challenge of climbing Star Hill in under 4 minutes we decided to see how long it takes when you ride at a steady pace without pushing it. My HR was 140 at the middle of the climb and slowly hit the 150s at the top. It was only when we finished that I looked at my watch and saw it took 5 and half minutes !!
So I need to find 90 secs somewhere. Obviously really pushing it will reduce the time dramatically, but I am still not sure that will account for the 90 seconds. Work to do !

If you look closely you can see Brett coming round the last bend of Star. Its here, on the false flat, that you would have to really dig deep and push it if you were chasing a time. As it was we had the luxury of still spinning to that top. After all, the slower we are now the more impressive our 'improvements' will seem !




Most of the ride was actually below 130, and after yesterdays longish ride it felt nice to be out again and in the sunshine
This has been the best 2 days of riding for a long while, and I feel I have my mojo back
How long it will last is anyones guess !

LSD

Today Dean and I took the the expected good weather to be a signal to make Saturday our long ride instead of the usual Sunday. We went around an area of Kent I have not cycled much in - as far east as Goudhurst
It was a perfect route for this time of year, a few rolling hills to keep it interesting but mainly lots of flat roads where you could keep the effort level high enough to keep warm but not too high where you sweat and then get a chill

All in all it was just under 5hrs door to door - and thus the longest ride for many months
I am sure I will feel it tomorrow

I love an early start, everything has such promise for the ride ahead







This part of Kent is full of wonderful old pubs. I keep on meaning to take my wife their afterwards for Sunday lunch, but by the time I have gotten home all I want to do is fall asleep on the sofa


After I left Dean I had about an hr to get home. On the way I saw these 2 cycists in the distance on a gradual climb. Motivated, I big ringed it up to them and was pleased with how easily I had caught them - I still have it I thought.....
When I passed them I said hello, trying to look as unruffled as possible but my joy turned to embarrassment when I realized they were both in their 60s. If I can ride like that in 30 years I willbe a happy man



By all accounts I should have taken the IF winter bike, but I was desperate to take the Z5 out and the weather was meant to be dry and sunny. What I did not take into account was the state of the roads and this is the result, but I console myself that this is a demo/media bike and journalists will treat it far worse !




In February, I posted a photo of my then 3 month old puppy. Back by popular demand here he is again - dont they grow up fast !

Whats new

I thought I would take some photos of the lovely frames that are currently in the studio awaiting their owners

This is JKs new IF SSR - it has a Tokyo Pearl (white) paint (3/4s) and the back is left as polished steel



The fork is the highlight for me - again its a Pearl white with alot of intricate masking going one, so that the raw carbon comes through in certain areas....



Here are 3 Z5s hanging on the wall - a Small and 2 MLs (one with a smaller HT and one with the extended HT). We are awaiting the build kits for these bikes, but one will be Super Record and pretty tasty indeed !


This wall has the metal bikes, so with the SSR is a lovely Ti Cross bike and a Steel Crown jewel in a lovely candy Apple red.The red is quite subtle inside, but the metallic really pops in the sunlight

Saturday ride in Kent

I took the opportunity of a 3 hour respite from the rain to go for a ride on a route I have not done in a while
When its summer, we are on our carbon wonder bikes, I am 10lbs lighter and 40 watts fitter this ride can be an attack-fest
Now it was just an achievement to get to the top of these hills !

We start by taking the country lanes around Farnborugh that lead to Biggin hill. Here there is a very cool replica of a RAF Hurricane that was used in WWII





This is Pligrims way - if you are feeling fit you can absolutely smash it along here and not see a car for miles



Triathlon anyone?



This was definitely a day for the winter bike, with 25mm tyres and full mud guards. The only problem was whenever it went uphill (and this here is 15%) I felt like a bag of cement...



The classic 2 hills of the area are Toys and Ide. You can climb both from either side and they meet at the top, so if you are feeling frisky you can make patterns of 8 as you did your hill work


This is the reward you get from the South side of Ide - in the distance is Bough Beech nature reserve



This is the last climb of the day - Star Hill



I swear the photo does not do it justice - for some reason I seem to find this hill far worse than 'harder' hills in the area. some of the racing snakes do hill repeats up Star - the most I have done is 3 before I gave up. To me the whole idea of climbing quickly is to get to the top so its over (and your friends are still suffering) - I cannot seem to push as hard if I know I am just going to do it again !

Ideas for 2010 Team kit

Here is the latest proposal for the new club kit that I am trying to get designed
Your thoughts, as always, are strongly welcomed

Black shorts are a must (I have seen too many Euro horror shows) but can't decide on the black or the white top
Ideally would get both for the 'home and away' look, but given I have never done a clothing range before, and have no idea on sizing demand etc it may be safe to do one colour now and then another in the future?
Or like the Cervelo TT, have black now and then bring out the white one for a summer special.....

Decisions !

Sunday ride

Despite my best intentions, this was not a day to take out the Z5. For one thing I have 23mm racing tyres on it and would have punctured within 5 minutes
So I decided to take out the old faithful, my Kent Eriksen fixed
It can look gorgeous when its wearing its summer finest, though at present its slightly less glamarous but infinitely more practice
with the addition of a proper frame pump, some good lights and some 25mm Panaracer tyres that ride like cement but have been puncture proof for 2 winter seasons now




The old adage that 2 hours on a fixie is the same as 3 hrs may be debated by some, but I am a convert. There is nothing better than going out on a bike with no electronic gadgets, HRMs, speedometers etc
Just ride on feel....
A fixe is great for building leg strength on decent 5% gradient climbs, and is also perfect for improving that most intangible of goals: Souplesse
Now Bartoli I may not be, but when you get into a groove and everything seems to click, there is a wonderful mechanical simplicity about fixed gear riding.
Even better is when you come home and you can throw some water over your bike, give it a quick clean and you are done. No mechs to worry about
A Ti fixed gear bike is an indulgence, but if you do treat yourself it will become your 'go to bike' far more often than you think
And when the weather improves and the main cycling season starts you can look forward to getting back on that carbon wonderbike that you have pampered all winter !

Z5 in the flesh

This weekend I have the Z5 all to myself. Dave Arthur from RCUK was demo'ing it over the last 2 weeks and returned it on Thursday. So I thought I would take this opportunity to put some decent miles on it over the weekend.
First impressions are great- I knew it would climb well but what is really noticeable is how stiff and planted it feels in the front end
More thoughts to come

Busy, busy, busy

Its been a very good last 10 days or so
As I used to say in my old job, we have a full pipeline
Now its been great that we are getting the Z5s that people have pre-ordered.
Its been an even split between SRAM Red and Campy Record/SR so far
Not much takers for DA 7900, though two people may be getting Di2 (with some gentle encouragement from me!)

Brian also came down from Scotland to do a final fitting on his Parlee TT bike, and Hugo also did a fitting for a TT bike
Pics to come soon

High Res Z5 Photo

As promised on my newletter, here is a high res photos of the new Z5. However it really does look even better in the flesh so come over and have a look !

Ride of the falling leaves...

Its been a while since I went out on my own for a Sunday ride and I could not have picked a better day to end my famine...
It was one of those days that starts off very cold and you start to panic that you have not got enough clothes, but then the sun starts to rise and all is right with the world....



The above photo is my tribute to the last classic of the yr -the Ride of the falling Leaves. I spent a week in Como 3 yrs ago and would love to go back.
Notice the Parlee Z1 in full winter mode - Ambrosio tubs, proper pump etc
I was so inspired by Philipe Gilbert that I attempted to bomb down every descent I could. That lasted all of 30 seconds as I realized the roads were too wet for my skill level....







This photo is of Knatts Valley - its at the start of my ride and is a lovely warm up - you can take it easy or start to hammer it on the gradual climb depending on your mood (and fitness level). I was dismayed to see that my HR was at least 10 beats higher than it should be, but i really should not be surprised as work post Cycle Show has been very busy. In a way its actually gratifying to see that you really have to earn your fitness on the bike and cannot take it for granted - you put the miles in and you will be rewarded. Skimp on your training and you cannot bluff it as soon as the road points upwards !

So the headline statistics of the ride - 50 odd miles in just under 3 hrs are not earth shattering. But as a reminder of the simple joys of riding your bike on quite roads all by yourself without a care in the world this ride was wonderful.
Heres to a long, dry autumn!

Yes another CCC photo

One of the funny things of the show was seeing the amount of people come up to Brett and be in awe of his (increasingly tall) stories of CCC daring do....
He is already planning to do the event in 2010 so I need to find my excuses soon....

Cycle Show thank you's

Thanks to all who came to the booth and said hello - nice to see so many familiar faces
Like a proud father (!) I was also really pleased to hear such universally positive feedback for the new Parlee Z5
I also agree it looks far better in the flesh, the photos dont do it justice
A bold and exciting step forward for Parlee !

London Cycle Show

Currently at the London Cycle Show - we are on stand E1a so please come and say hello.
Yesterday was the first public day and was manic - could not believe how many people took a day off of work !

What was really nice to hear was the amount of people who said the main reason for coming to the show was to see our stand in general and the new Parlee Z5 in particular
People even walked up to the booth and introduced themselves to me saying they had heard lots of nice things about Bespoke.....wonderful stuff. My wife is ensuring I dont get an even bigger ego than I currently have !

Saturday and Sunday will be crazy busy - lots of serious interest combined with loads of kids fueled on coke an chocolate trying to see how many fingerprints they can leave on bikes !

CCC

Dave Arthur, who has just come back from this epic ride sent me this wonderful read

"Was the inaugural Cent Cols Challenge, a 10-day sportive around the Alps and Pyrenees, the hardest thing I’ve ever done, you may ask. Yes, absolutely without a doubt.

I’ve never done anything as hard, as punishing, as brutal, before. My body was pushed to the absolute limit. The mind too was challenged each and every day, with each stage serving up a five star menu of cols, many steeped in professional cycle racing legend.

The entire event was the brainchild of Phil Deeker, who to celebrate his 50th birthday got on his bicycle and rode 300 cols in 26 days. A feat of unimaginable daring. So naturally he decided to offer a slimmed down event to allow others to share in the experience that he himself enjoyed.

And so, on the 14th September 2009, 40 riders rolled out of a small hotel car park under the slowly rising sun, against a brilliant blue sky, and embarked on what for many would be the ride of their lifetime. There were many highs and lows along the way, broken bikes, injured bodies, creaking Campagnolo bottom brackets, bad wind, smelly shorts and socks. But there were also lots of smiles, laughs, a great deal of team morale, camaraderie, friendships, gentlemanly riding, support and a huge sense of achievement. Whether you were the first in the hotel bar or the last.

And quite incredibly, 10 days later nearly all those who started crossed the finish line. Yes, some were sidelined completely due to injury, some went home. But many found the strength to get back on their bikes once their knees had rested. And I say chapeau to every rider who faced their own struggles and personal demons to get through. I faced my own obstacles, but with the support of the many riders around and the deep desire to just finish, no matter at what costs, I battled through.

But every single person came away a different person. Stronger, wiser and happier. 106 cols the richer. For those who took part there are many memories to savour, but we’ve all shared in something special. Just d5on’t ask me if I’ll be doing it again, but if you get the chance to do it, I highly recommend it. You’ll never look back.

As for me, I’ve no perfected the thousand yard stare…"

Custom wheels - hard man style...

Ellis is getting a winter bike built up - a lovely Kent Eriksen with full mud guards etc
That will arrive soon, in the meantime his custom wheels are ready and would be fit to grace Flanders and Paris-Roubaix
With consultation from Rob the wheelbuilding guru, Ellis has gone for the legendary combo of Ambrosio rims, Campy Record hubs, DT Comp spokes (3 cross) and 27mm Vittoria Pave Tubs
They look absolutely wonderful, are bombproof and the 27mm tyres will give a wonderful blend of traction, ride comfort and puncture resistance
Makes you wish for the weather to turn nasty !!

Bespoke Cycling at the London Cycle Show

For those who missed my group email - we will be on stand E1a
Please come and say hello and check out the new bikes !

Well done Brett and to all the other CCC riders

What can I say apart from Chapeau
Sounds an immense event, one that pushed body and mind to places they really did not want to go to!
I can't wait to read your ride report (hint hint)

Kent Eriksen Cross Bike

This Cross bike was built up for Hugo this summer, and was designed to be able to compete in dedicated cross races (London Cross League), some epic events (3 Peaks Challenge) and fast winter training rides. A pretty tall list - but I think its fair to say Kent has designed a bike that is up to the challenge.

So far ride reports have been wonderfully positive - and with the bike proving so versatile it really is a keeper....
Hugo went to town on the build - Campy groupset, Kent Eriksen Ti Seatpost, Reynolds Cross fork and hand-built wheels

I see lots of carbon wonder-bikes, so many that I am getting harder and harder to impress....
But then something like this comes along and is excuted so well that all you can do is sit back and admire it

Parlee TT bike (custom Paint)

Look at this beauty

The paint colour is Land Rover's 'Stornaway Grey' with blood red decals
When the bike was being painted Tom was very excited and said I would be blown away by how it 'popped' in the light. And true enough it looks superb, and I wish Mr Stromsoe many successful rides and races on his new Race Steed

Parlee Z2 with waxed finish

This stealth bomber was picked up by its lukcy owner on Saturday
It is a custom Z2 with the waxed finish and a BB30 crank with SRAM Red
The wheels are the lovely Edge 38mm tubs
One of the lightest builds we have done in a while !

New IF Ti CJ

Phil is one of my very best customers and a true IF fanatic
This is his beautiful new Ti Crown Jewel
Its raw Ti with baby blue panels
The gruppo is Super Recordm wheels are Neutron Ultras and contact points are Deda Campione bars and Thomson stem and post
Add in some Brooks leather bar tape and you have a stealthly, classy bike for life
Enjoy!

Eurobike

Weds 9th Sept
Eurobike….. New Parlee Z5 launched – a lighter, stiffer model than the Z4. BB30, tapered fork so should be a wonderful climbing bike and perfect for sportives. What I am most excited about is the sizing – 5 sizes and 2 head tubes options equals 10 sizes, so it will be a bike fitters dream!

Sportives are sore!

Sunday 13th Sept
Did my first sportive for a while – the Circuit of Kent. Rode with Dean who has become a bit of an animal. I forgot who variable your efforts on road rides can be – a TT is all about constant efforts, whilst this was 250 watts on the flat, 0 downhill and 400 uphill. Legs feel sore now!

Riding for the fun of it...

One of the joys of being inbetween events (in my case my next big event is in November) is the fact that you can just ride your bike for fun, with little stress or worries that you are hitting your training goals.
Too often we worry about HR and watts, sometimes its nice to get out with some friends and ride your bike....
So ride for 3 hrs somewhere new, leave the speedometer at home and admire the views!

Holidays

Two weeks of bliss in August
Went down to see the parents and spent 14 days doing very little!
You would think the summer would be busy for a bike shop - maybe others, but for me its always the early part of the summer which is manic as people get ready for the big events. After that its nice and quiet and then it all kicks off again around the trade show season

Ironman Roth...

Sunday 12th July
Ironman Roth – what an amazing day! The whole town makes you feel super welcome. The swim was easy, the bike is fast (4hrs 48) and the run is flat. Did 9hrs 24 – need to improve the run if I am to break the magical 9hr barrier. This was the first IM distance on the Parlee TT – in love!!

Death by a thousand pedal strokes

This was written by Bespoke Cycling Team Rider Dean Hudson and is a wonderul account of his Marmotte adventure. A must read for anyone who either done it or is looking to do a future edition

Actually, death by about 35,000 peddle strokes. It was hotter than a hot thing in a hot place on a hot day and I knew I was in trouble when I was passed on the first climb by a guy with one leg - chapeau to the guy but he could have waited a bit longer than 15 minutes before he went past. I was then humbled when i passed a guy with one arm and one leg - unbelievable courage. The weather was brutal, the Alpe was murderous and i started to suffer from heat exhaustion about 1/3rd of the way up it and had to dig deep - well that is the point really isn't it? Er, no.

So here is how it went.

Randall drove me down to 1km from the start and i unloaded the bike, put on the shoes and cleared my head. Trouble was the only phrase i could think of was "oh cr8p, this is going to be hot and i don't do hot".

I was lucky enough to start in the front pen of 400 riders with last year's top guys, the top female finishers from last year and a few old guys who clearly have worked hard for that status over their racing careers. It was a real buzz and i got to listen to the out of tune band a lot closer than in 2007 when i was in the usual pen for nos. 401-2000. That was cool for a guy newish to the sport. We set off with pace car, outriders with sirens, all very grand. Then i was engulfed by wave after wave of crazy men who were clearly taking their riding tips from Mark Cavendish as the pen behind was also let go. At 32mph i consider not many people should be overtaking me on the flat. I had to check my tyres were pumped up as people went screaming by. The front group was gone already and i settled in, dodging idiots all over the place, watching left and right behind, avoiding road islands ahead and trying to remember that this was going to be a long day - it was 7.05am and it was 19c already.

Then came the most memorable sight. As we went through Allemont the road zigs and zags up to the top of the dam. In the dim light you could see 400 riders ahead and the front group already clear and out of their saddles as they charged up the zig and then the zag. That was when i knew this was a great event. These weren't good UK riders out doing a hard 5 hour sportive, this was a real race for places with guys who only wanted to do well and make a name for themselves. There were then of course the guys like me who wanted to see what we could do in unfamiliar terrain and climates.

My concentration was only broken by the wailing of a crazy American called Randall who was parked up at the top of the dam. Yes, in amongst the polite clapping of the locals that had turned out, and even a couple of construction guys who seemed to be lost, there was the obligatory American letting rip with words of encouragement and telling me to shift butt. He also made it clear to the guys drafting me that they were pond scum and should get the hell out of there. That was also cool.

I trundled up the Glandon. For sheer length it is a climb you need to be careful on. People often say that you don't need to worry about this one - that may be right for the next level up from me but if you are targeting 7 1/2 to 8 hours, you had better pay attention or it will come back to haunt you. 1hr 48 over the top, fill a water bottle and ready for the descent. That put me 765th.

The descent is steep, twisty and can be scary as the road is narrow and the margin for error is small at such speeds. I passed one guy who had a broken collarbone or arm and was in a bad way. His bike was over the side. It took about 10 mins to safely pass the police car that was pacing us and that cost me a little time but allowed me to settle. This thing takes 30 mins to get down and you need to really concentrate as the surface can be bad on the inside of corners.

Next job was to find a train heading to the telegraph. I couldn't find one until i looked behind me and found my passengers right there - fancy that. I hauled us up to the next group down the road and drifted to the back. About 50 of us hit the Telegraph together and by now it was getting hot. Just over 3 hours in now and the tarmac was radiating heat that it hadn't lost from the hot day yesterday. Hit an ok rhythm and settled in. I yo-yo'd backwards and forwards with a lady with a full Cervelo kit and bike who was really pounding the peddles. We passed lots of people as the Glandon came back to haunt them. The pre summit drinks stop was not there and there was only a hose at the top. I came over the top in 513th place. I rode on knowing there was one in Valloire, the hottest place on earth.

Slipped my chainring coming in to Valloire and allowed some of the people to pass me again that i had painstakingly passed on the ascent. Annoying. Then the painful 8% climb out of Valliore that everyone forgets about. Went past the same people again. Got to the feed station and dunked my legs under the hosepipe. It was really hot. Filled 2 water bottles and was off again. I could see Ms Cervelo in the distance. This was now getting hard. Pace was down, HR up and heat beginning to tell. Along the valley floor it is open to the sun nearly all day, the rocks reflect the heat at you and flippin' horse flies appear from nowhere and bug the cr8p out of you. Along the valley floor to the right hand turn - more water, this time on my head. Got told off by the marshall - whatever. It was becoming all about me now. I had done this before and i knew a good time was going to come at a big personal cost. Up I went. Power good, head ok, slowly catching people but i knew i was on the edge. I passed Ms Cervelo, who looked like she was either (a) knackered, or (b) taking photos for the album. I put my money on (a) as it made me feel better. HR creeping in to the high 160s. I could back down now or go for broke. Yup, like a bad poker player i went all-in with no hand hoping that the guy sitting opposite couldn't see the terror behind my dark glasses. Power began to drop but i was still passing people. Finally hit the top in 477th place. Gel and slug of water, gillet on and down i went. I carried an extra bottle up to save not having to stop as it was cold the day before and i didn't want to lock up. It was hot today though. I didn't even need arm warmers.

I did the descent the day before to get it back in my head. That was worthwhile. I flew down. I caught a fast group and then we got caught by some guys who started an hour later so were on for 6.30 or top 30. I tucked in as we piled it on through the dark tunnels that no-one could see anything in and for the first time i felt like i was cutting it with some of the bigger boys. You can tell a really good rider from a good one when you look at their shape and form. These guys were 10 to 15 years younger than me and very good. I had fun.

It takes about 1hr 10 to get to the bottom of the Alpe and I caught the train the whole way. I drank 1litre of fluids on the way down and took down another gel. As i stepped off the train they continued up the Alpe and i ran for a hose pipe and stuck it on my head. Did I tell you yet that it was quite hot? 1 bottle of cold water, 1 bottle of energy drink and electrolyte. One for the head and one for the mouth, i just had to remember which bottle.

I set off again, up the short road to that little white line across the road that marks the start of the Alpe. I hate that line. Turned left and up i went. Power ok, feeling ok. 10mins in, ok. 20mins in. hmmm. Goosebumps and clammy skin. Not good. 30mins in and can't get HR below 171. Definitely not good. Had to think quick. Time now not important as i had only felt like this once before and it is not a good memory. Jumped off the bike and took down some fluids and hosed myself down with the water in my bottle. HR dropped immediately. Yup, i was starting to get heat exhaustion was my best guess. I had 40 mins min left and for the first time i thought about a DNF. Climbed back on and tried to back down the effort but at 10% gradients that is easier said than done. Still couldn't get the HR below 170. Rode for another 10 mins and then went under a standing hose pipe. Went on for another 10mins and HR was now 175 at 210w. Started to get a bit sketchy and concentration became hard. But there was no FW was i getting off the bike again. i knew i could do 175 for 20 mins if i needed to so i got myself together, rode even slower and started to wonder why i was such a dipstick for doing these things. By the time i got about half way through the possible answers i was 4km from the top. Headwind - what, you are kidding me. Yup, you can keep your cooling breeze now thanks, i need some speed. Up i went, resisting the temptation to stop again. I put on a sprint for the crowds - they gave a great cheer as i blasted over the top on the drops (I suspect it looked a little less spectacular from the their point of view) - and overtook about 10 guys. Everyone was dead on their feet. Guys were even unclipping with 500m to go.

Finished in 7:46:24. Rank 458 out of 5295. Climbed the Alpe in 1:12:54, or 422nd fastest - not sure how that works given the mess i was in.

Was it worth it? This was a lesson in suffering for a ranking number on a spreadsheet that no-one will be able to find again in a year from now apart from me. I targeted 7:45 so job done. Huge improvement on 2007 so job done. Of course it was worth it, what else let's you know that you can still be a little different and that we don't all have to strive for mediocrity. My kids ask how my racing was and want to race as well and be healthy. What better example can i be for them?

Big Cowman done - now we rest

Sunday 28th June
Big Cowman Half Further tweaking of the TT position on the new Parlee TT. Its getting better, now the taper for Roth…..

Florida here I come

Sunday 14th June
IM Uk 70.3 I knew the bike was tough – no idea about the run though! That was tough…. I came 7th in AG and qualified for the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Fl. At last something to look forward to this November!