What cycling bits did you get?

[Pier]

A new bike (Boardman Team Carbon), a really discounted Biemme jacket, a Decathlon bib shorts (half price) and few other bits

 

[slowmotion]

A long-sleeved merino vest.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hmmm, have just been to test out the new track pump and it doesn't ruddy work. A massive leak from somewhere round the gauge let my tyres down instead.

Quality control Bontrager???

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I have one like that. Holding the dial of the gauge down stops the leaking.

If I'd had it a while I'd tinker with it to see if I could sort the problem. As it's brand new it's warranty!

 

[vickster]

A Rohan merino base layer
Will be getting a couple of Lezyne lights tomorrow when my brother gets here

I also got a nice neck scarf with bikes on it and and 4 pairs of merino socks from my mum which I forgot I had ordered! And I have ordered a garmin 800 with Christmas cash

Now I need to stop shopping!

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Forgot it also got a subscription to Cycling Active magazine, and a coaster

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hmmm, have just been to test out the new track pump and it doesn't ruddy work. A massive leak from somewhere round the gauge let my tyres down instead.

Quality control Bontrager???

Good news, the pump is swapped for one that works. I'm a happy bunny again. The chap in the shop seemed quite surprised at how bad the leak was, so no need to explain further.

 

[youngoldbloke]

'and there might be a copy of 'Bicycling Anthology' to come as well'
In fact I received all 3 volumes of 'Cycling Anthology' from my generous sister and b in law

 

[Robeh]

a track pump....... how did i manage without one.

i had 2 for Xmas..result

 

[mark c]

Crud mudgaurds for the Defy, and some Durano winter tyres and a new multi tool a nice haul from Santa

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Boy Racer is a good book, but it gives the impression/feeling that its trying to be an unemotional documented account of his early years. The problem with this is that Cavendish is emotional and this bring positives and negatives. How these things impact his life, cycling and his action are by large ignored and he appears to be telling the stories he thinks you would want to hear. Its a good read but does not feel like Cavendish was involved in the writing of it.
At speed feels a little more typical Cavendish, he swears in it, faces his emotional side and talks about this without attempting to present an agenda. He is brutally honest to a point where he probably should shut up and talks candidly about his relationship with many people, including the press. Its a really great read and one that I would recommend even though I'm only half way through the book myself (I just can't put it down)

Picked up the book a few days ago and am now 2/3rds of the way through. I like the pace and balls with which it is written - so much so that i find it easy to knock through several chapters without really noticing.

My only criticism would be that he repeats several stories, to the point that i experience strange deja vu. I find myself wondering if i have somehow gone back several pages! He also jumps back and forward a bit erratically but this is more of a niggle than a annoyance.

So far so good.

 

[slowmotion]

I got a Charge Spoon saddle today to replace the Selle X1 instrument of torture that came with my bike two weeks ago. Oh Boy, my bum is grateful after just one five mile trip home. £18.74 well spent. CycleSurgery BTW.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Picked up the book a few days ago and am now 2/3rds of the way through. I like the pace and balls with which it is written - so much so that i find it easy to knock through several chapters without really noticing.

My only criticism would be that he repeats several stories, to the point that i experience strange deja vu. I find myself wondering if i have somehow gone back several pages! He also jumps back and forward a bit erratically but this is more of a niggle than a annoyance.

So far so good.

I think thats pretty fair, I think though they way its written is very Cav like, in the sence where he does what's on his mind at the time and regrets it later on occasion, like the 'V' celebration.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I think thats pretty fair, I think though they way its written is very Cav like, in the sence where he does what's on his mind at the time and regrets it later on occasion, like the 'V' celebration.

Yeh i like to name it 'Cav tourettes'.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I think thats pretty fair, I think though they way its written is very Cav like, in the sence where he does what's on his mind at the time and regrets it later on occasion, like the 'V' celebration.

Finished the book. Was good and a quick read, nothing i wanted to skip over and never lost interest. You can tell he is a massive personality but you can also appreciate why some people don't take to him. He is very attuned to his goals, so much so that you just know that if it's not his way it is the highway. I found it quite intriguing that he was found unworthy of a professional cyclist early in his career when he was tested. All cyclists go through these tests and are nearly all judged with these numbers in mind. Cav though had proved them wrong by simply winning, showing that his will to win and his tactical savvy in the sprint were 2nd to none - test him in a lab though and he will be nothing special. My only other lasting impression was that he is blatantly open to mood swings, he even suggests himself that he has suffered from depression. You can sense this in the way he remembers key moments. He is also very honest, even about his current team! Most people write these sort of things after they leave a team, lol.

As far as the actual writing of the book goes i would say you can tell it was written by a sportsman. It's not bad it's just not great. As i mentioned earlier there are several points with which he repeats whilst telling, almost, the same story twice. This only really caused me to wonder if i had started off again on the wrong page. The other thing, and i see it all too often in biographies, is the amount of typing errors! You would think they would have the books checked over several times to make sure they are correct grammatically and for any typos.

All in all though i'd give the book a 7/10.

Next book i've picked up is Charly Wegelius. I also have Froomes but i just can't find the urge to read that just now. Not sure why i don't take to him.