In that time they have certainly been at the forefront of bike technology; their fat tube, super stiff, super light aluminium bikes made them the must-have bike for many leisure cyclists. In the early days, the unusually big frame tubes gave the traditionalist an aesthetical hurdle to leap, but a short test ride normally showed what a great product it was.
These days, fat tubes and aluminium are commonplace, especially for budget bikes, and Cannondale have moved onto carbon fibre. However, their position as producers of some of the lightest production bikes in the world remains.
http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/
Just opened in the last week or so is a new Specialised Concept store in the heart of the metropolis at Covent Garden. As the ninth concept store opened in the United Kingdom, it carries the whole range of Specialized product from bikes to accessories, and the Globe range of stylish commuter bikes.
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=395&parent_id=58
Hot in the wheel tracks of Sir Chris Hoy, comes newly honoured Manxman Mark Cavendish who was made an MBE for services to British cycling in the Queen’s birthday honours list. If you can’t wait to see Cavendish add to his Tour de France stage victory total in three weeks time, then see if you can watch some of the national road race championships which are being held in Northumberland on Sunday 26th June.
http://www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk/RoadRaceNationalChampionships.asp?ShowPage=550
Boris Johnson visited the Brompton factory last week during an event to recognise successful businesses outside London’s Square Mile. After a tour around Fuller’s Brewery in Chiswick, Boris rode a Brompton folding bike back to the Brompton factory in the company of Will Butler-Adams, Brompton’s managing director. At the factory, Mayor Boris met Andrew Ritchie, inventor and founder of Brompton Bicycle Limited and was taken on a tour of the facility.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.223835434312353.73328.133884966640734
With the Tour de France only three weeks away, followers of the race might like to buy ‘Tour 2011 – The Essential Race Guide’ now in your favourite newsagent, or here: http://cyclingweekly.ipcshop.co.uk/shop/magazines/tour-magazine
The annual review of Sustran’s routes- the UK charity behind the National Cycle Network-shows that 420 million journeys were taken in 2010 on the network. 40% of all trips were made by women who have used the facility more than before in 2010. A quarter of all trips were for either commuting or work related, and many of these took place on a daily basis.
If the commuting journeys were made by car it would have cost £ 46 million in petrol alone. The amount of carbon dioxide saved was 657,000 tonnes. Aside from this, and the obvious health benefits, and the resultant saving in hospital bills, the 13,000 mile network guarantees safe travel for cyclists.
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/media/news-releases/ncn-usage
Thinking of taking a green holiday? Then look no further than The New Forest. Here are the green options to where to stay, what to do and how to get there: http://www.greentraveller.co.uk/sustainable-tourism-new-forest
June 11 – The day of naked cycle rides all over the place in the United Kingdom. Among the places planned to have a naked bike ride were London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Exeter. They are primarily a protest against cars and the increasing usage of oil, and to promote the benefits of cycling!
And finally,
If you thought that pedestrians who walk in the cycle lane along St.Aubin’s Bay are a problem, then take a look at riding in the bike lanes in New York City.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ
Arthur Lamy is a freelance writer and tourist guide: www.arthurthebluebadgeguide.com
