On This Day in the Tour…….1986

6th July, 1986

1986 was the year the Americans came to the Tour.  Greg LeMond had been in the race the previous year, helping Bernard Hinault to overall victory, but he’d been part of La Vie Claire, a French team.  In 1986 an American team entered the Tour for the first time, Team 7-Eleven.  (An American also won the Tour for the first time, with Greg LeMond taking the yellow jersey…but that’s a whole other story!)

It hadn’t been easy, to even appear on the start line was something of an achievement.  In the 1980s, teams were invited to race at the behest of the Tour’s organisers, the UCI having little to no power over such matters.  The Tour was proudly European, and some fans were confused as to why Team 7-Eleven had even been invited to attend.  The US President of the time, Reagan, didn’t help the campaign to start the Tour – air strikes against Libya were seen as having the potential to cause unrest, with American citizens bearing the brunt of any anti-American feeling that had been stirred up.  Team 7-Eleven called a halt to their race calendar in the early part of the year, fearing that as an American team and therefore a symbol of the US, the riders might be targets for angry reprisals.

Nevertheless, the US team found itself on the start line of the 1986 Tour, which began in Boulogne-Billancourt with a 4.6km prologue.  The prologue was won by a Frenchman, Thierry Marie.  The race was off to an all-European start.  Stage 2 saw Team 7-Eleven get tactical, when the Canadian rider Steida got into an early break and began chasing time bonuses on the road.  By the end of the day, he had become the first North American to hold the yellow jersey.  Team 7-Eleven’s selection appeared to be justified.

A few hours after being handed the maillot jaune, Team 7-Eleven were handing it back.  Immediately following Stage 2, on the same day, came Stage 3 – a Team Time Trial.  Exhausted from their antics on the road, and perhaps showing their relative inexperience, the American team crashed early on, and then capitulated, dropping Steida in the process – clearly, defending yellow was a new notion.

Not to be downhearted however, Team 7-Eleven were once again on top of the world after Stage 3, a 214km flat stage from Levallois-Perret to Liévan.  Davis Phinney – father of current pro Taylor – was able to get himself into a small breakaway, and rode into the history books as the first ever American to win a road stage of the Tour de France.  (Greg LeMond’s previous stage win had been in a Time Trial).  Phinney was perhaps the last man to realise the significance of his ride however, as he was certain that the break he’d been riding with had failed to catch a solo rider who had gone off the front, and was completely unaware that he was in fact crossing the line as the stage winner.

“It was a gradual uphill finish and I waited and  jumped at about 300 meters to go, which was pretty long. I kind of took everybody by surprise because I was the first one to jump. So, even coming from the back, I got ahead of everybody and then the line just seemed like it took forever to get there…. I was so totally relaxed because we were only racing for second …I just chilled.

“Right as I came across the line, John Wilcockson (cycling journalist) said, ‘You won! That was incredible!’

I said, ‘Yeah, I won the group sprint for second.’

He said, ‘No, you won!’”

#LeTourAtLunchtime, Stage 6

Yesterday I successfully predicted a grand day out for Fabio Aru and Dan Martin, so the pressure is on today!

Check out my triumphant Facebook post following the end of the stage…..definitely not bragging! 😉

Here’s today’s prediction….

Cav’s Catalogue of Unfortunate Events

Following the controversial crash at the end of Stage 4 of the 2017 Tour de France, which ended the involvement of both Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish in this year’s race, Freewheeling looks back at some of Cav’s other race-changing incidents….

1. A Stain on the Jersey

    

    

   

    

   After winning an amazing 6 stages at the 2009 Tour de France, Mark Cavendish left Paris without having secured the prize he most coveted – the green jersey. Despite being on top form, Cav’s designs on the maillot vert came to an abrupt – and controversial – end, when he was disqualified from the Stage 14 results, deemed to have been riding dangerously by steering his rival Thor Hushovd into the barriers.

   Cav complained loudly about his disqualification, believing that Hushovd had not played fair by making an official complaint about the Stage 14 sprint. The dispute between the two riders rumbled on throughout the rest of the Tour, with Cav telling the press “this guy thinks so highly of himself that he thinks I’m trying to cheat to beat him…I said to him ‘you’ve won the green jersey, but that’s always going to have a stain on it’…”

2. Flicking the V in Romandie

    

   

   After Cav’s 6 wins in the ’09 Tour, the lack of the green jersey in Paris started to simmer below the surface for Cav and his team, and they were not ashamed to be vocal about targetting the maillot vert for the 2010 Tour de France.

   Following the usual pattern however, Cav’s path to glory was far from smooth, and his claim on the jersey looked to be on shaky ground from the off. Cavendish contracted a nasty dental infection in the off-season, which impacted upon his ability to train during the winter months, when most pro racers are laying the foundations for the rest of their season. Cav and cohorts were understandably frustrated going into the early season races, concerned about the impact his truncated training period would have upon his Tour de France ambitions. Some sections of the media began questioning Cav’s commitment, and suggestions were circulating that Mark’s volatile emotional responses – to racing, to questions from journalists, to the actions and statements of his rivals – were hampering his ability to reach his undoubted potential.

    

   The press were keen to focus on what some saw as a question mark over his form, given Cav’s inability to defend his Milan-San Remo title in March 2010. His rocky relationship with team mate and fellow sprinter, Andre Greipel, was generating the column inches which, in a perfect world, would have been filled with a host of early season wins. Cav felt that the media had failed to understand the nuances of pro racing and the impact his dental problems had had upon his training and early races. All these ingredients were swirling around in the pot when Cavendish was selected by his team HTC-Columbia for the Tour de Romandie, a stage race in late April.

   Storming to a typically impressive sprint victory in Stage 2 in Switzerland, as he crossed the line in Fribourg, Cav flicked the V sign, the gesture clearly aimed at his critics in the media. In case anyone was confused, Cav told the post-stage press conference that he wanted “to send a message to commentators and journalists who don’t know jack shit about cycling”.

   Cav raced Stage 3 – a time trial in which he finished 139^th, however HTC-Columbia pulled him from the race soon after, citing “inappropriate actions” when flicking the V in Fribourg. Cav was forced to make a public apology, “I did want to make a statement to my critics but realise that making rude gestures on the finish line is not the best way to do that”.

3. Ragin’ Renshaw

   

   Following his expulsion from the Tour de Romandie at the end of April 2010, Cavendish remained undeterred in his green jersey ambitions. The HTC-Columbia team had perfected the art of the lead-out, with the Aussie Mark Renshaw as the last link in the chain, the man to take Cav up the final few metres towards the finish line before swinging away and allowing Cav to leap from his slipstream and dart towards the line with his incredible power and natural sprinting ability. HTC-Columbia’s lead-out was the envy of every sprinter in the peloton, a well-oiled-and-well-drilled machine, with tactical prowess and the ability to accurately read race situations before allowing Cav to power to the line with a frightening acceleration. Going into the 2010 Tour de France, you’d have been mad to suggest that the maillot vert had a destination other than the Manxman from HTC-Columbia.

   If you listen to Cav’s post-race interviews, you’ll notice something – a sentiment that he’ll repeat no matter the outcome of the stage. Mark Cavendish will always thank his entire team for their role in delivering him to the line, their individual roles as crucial as Cav’s sprinting skill. So it was a bit of a concern (to say the least) when Renshaw was expelled from the 2010 Tour de France after a headbutting incident during a bunch sprint to the finish of Stage 11 in Bourg-les-Valence.

   Renshaw was leading Cav to the finishing metres of Stage 11; the HTC-Columbia train having worked to perfection. Other teams had tried to match HTC-Columbia’s organisation, and everything was set up for an exciting bunch sprint. The Garmin- Transitions team were working for their sprinter Tyler Farrar, who had his lead-out man, New Zealander Julian Dean, ride up alongside Renshaw as the riders hit the 400m to go mark. In the frantic and frenetic final moments of the finishing straight, Renshaw headbutted Julian Dean – not once, not twice, but three times, before cutting into Farrar’s race line, impeding his sprint. “He carried on after (the headbutting incident) and came across Tyler’s line and stopped Tyler from possibly winning the stage” Dean said after Renshaw’s disqualification. “It’s dangerous behaviour, and what we do is already dangerous anyway…if there had been a crash it would have caused some guys serious damage”.

   Despite the antics in the bunch, Cav took the stage victory, with Renshaw’s result immediately declassified. Race officials reviewed the footage of the final 400 metres, and deemed Renshaw’s actions unacceptable. “We have decided to throw him off the race” stated race official Jean-Francois Pescheux. “This is a bike race, not a gladiator’s arena”.

 

Photo credits: Top – Getty/Tour of California, Stain on the Jersey – Telegraph, Flicking the V – Telegraph, Ragin’ Renshaw – Eurosport/ASO

Spain, Salads, and Steve Cummings – On the Start Line with Pete Kibble

Last year, we caught up with the U23 rider Pete Kibble just as he was preparing for the next stage of his career, having signed on with the development team Zappi Pro Cycling. After his first six months with the team, we caught up with Pete to hear how he’s been getting along – and to find out what it feels like to be on the start line at the National Championships with Cav and Steve Cummings!

Freewheeling – Hi Pete, when we last spoke, you were just about to join the Zappi Pro team.  What have you been up to since then?

Pete Kibble – I started off the year in Calle, Spain, with pre season training, then we headed across to Italy for our racing campaign, which consists of mostly UCI 1.2 level events and Italian nationals. I’ve also been back home for a stretch focusing on the national road and TT championships.

 

F – What is the average day like with the  Zappi Pro team?

PK-  Well this isn’t the average day for cyclists, but it’s our routine. At 8am I get up then go and weigh-in in front of Flavio (Ed – Flavio Zappi, Italian ex professional cyclist who formed Zappi Pro as a development team for young riders in 2009). Then we go for a 30 minute pre-breakfast walk, before coming back to have breakfast. Afterwards we have a few hours before our ride where I usually try and sneak a coffee and wifi access. We then go out and do whatever training ride we have planned. When we come back we have a salad – that is exactly the same every day, no exceptions! After lunch we have an afternoon nap, then a few hours to ourselves. We have dinner at 6:30 which we prepare and make each day, then we have to be in bed by 10. Not the most glamorous life I know!

 

F –  Sounds pretty good to me! How many races have you competed since joining the team?

PK – I can’t remember how many races I’ve competed in off the top of my head, but it’s a fair few and mostly UCIs in Italy. These races are so hard it’s even an achievement to finish – there are around 200 starters in each race, and usually only 30-50 finish.

 

F – Wow, that sounds pretty hardcore! Speaking of hardcore, you achieved excellent results at the Nationals on the Isle of Man.  What was the experience like?

PK–  It was a great experience, and so cool to be lined up with the likes of Cav and Steve Cummings. I really enjoyed the race even though it was pretty brutal –  the experience of racing around the famous Isle of Man TT circuit was something else (be it a lot slower than the likes of Guy Martin)!

 

F – There was some confusion towards the end of the National Road Race, with riders being pulled from the course.  Are you able to shed some light on what happened and how it affected the U23 riders?

PK–  There was a rule that if the leaders gained over 8 minutes on another group, that group would get pulled out the race. Our group was second on the road, and didn’t get any time checks or warning of when we were going to get pulled until we were black flagged. This meant that a lot of us –  and a large contingent of U23s –  didn’t have the chance to compete for 3rd place in the U23 race.

 

F – What a shame! It sounds like a great experience overall though! How has working with the Zappi team changed your riding, both in terms of physically being on the bike, and your mindset?

PK –  I’d say I’m a pretty single minded individual, and know where my strengths lie so I don’t feel the team has changed me much as a rider. I definitely feel it has changed my mindset though, I’ve been learning lots about continental racing. I’d also say that on the downside I’ve become a bit over obsessive with my weight when I’m away.

 

F – What are your long and short term goals in cycling? 

PK – My long term goal is to become a pro cyclist and race Grand Tours. My short term goal is to progress into a bigger U23 development team within the next 2 years.

F -What do you hope to achieve next season?

PK – Next season’s goals will be to build upon the learning curve of this test and try to gain some good results.

 

F – Since we last spoke you’ve started to write a blog, which has been a great read and such a good way to keep people updated. How have you found writing about cycling?

PK –  I’ve quite enjoyed writing the blog as it’s nice to have somewhere to record my memories. I also think my family and friends find it interesting to see what I’m up to when I’m away.

F -Top tip for the Tour?!

PK –  I think Richie Porte has a great chance this year. But as a Welshman seeing Geraint’s success,  I’d love to see him go all the way to Paris!

F – We think Porte has the legs for it this year too! Thanks so much for your time and good luck for the rest of your season – we can’t wait until the day we see you racing on the Champs- Elysees!

To keep up with Pete’s European exploits, check out his blog here

For more information on Zappi Pro Cycling, please visit the website

Who are….Wanty-Groupe Gobert?

Of the four wildcard entries into the 2017 Tour de France, only one comes from outside of France.  The Wanty-Groupe Gobert team is based in Belgium, and makes its Grand Tour debut in the 104th edition of the Tour de France.

Vital Stats

• Wanty-Groupe Gobert was founded in 2008 as the Continental level team Willems Verandas.  The team took on its current name in 2014.

 

• The team currently rides at Pro Continental level, and were the only Pro Continental team to win a WorldTour one day race in 2016, with Enrico Gasparotto’s victory in the Amstel Gold Race.

 

• Wanty-Groupe Gobert have never ridden a Grand Tour, and each of the 9 selected riders is making his Tour debut.

 

• The Tour team features: Frederik Backaert, Thomas Degand, Guillaume Martin, Marco Minnaard, Yoann Offredo, Andrea Pasqualon, Dion Smith, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck, Pieter Vanspeybrouck.

Stage 2 Spoils

With todays stage finishing in Belgium, it seems fitting that a Belgian team ended the day as leaders of the team classification.  Yoann Offredo was awarded the Most Combative Rider after his excellent ride in the two-man breakaway, which he rode with Cannondale-Drapac’s Taylor Phinney.  “I studied the race book and immediately saw that an escape would leave early.  When the break was formed, I wondered why I was in front.  It was raining the whole day, but the feeling was good…some talked about a breakaway for publicity but that was not my main goal.  In my mind there was something else.  The stage victory.”  Unfortunately for Offredo, the peloton caught the break with 1k to go.

Speaking of Offredo’s ride, directeur sportif Hilaire Van der Schueren said “I am more than satisfied.  This is the scenario we dreamed of! I saw the sponsors in tears…such days are not common”.

Only two days in to the 2017 Tour and Wanty-Groupe Gobert already have much to be proud of!

 

Mountain Bikes, Mud and Mid Wales – Welcome to the World of the ‘Dirty Weekend’!

Photographs courtesy of Clive Powell.

In Part 2 of our Mid Wales series, we talk to Clive Powell of Clive Powell Mountain Bikes based in Rhayader.  Clive runs a bike shop offering rentals and a fantastic restaurant, perfect for hungry riders coming in after a long day in the saddle on one of the legendary ‘Dirty Weekends’ also on offer. The food is sourced locally and cooked by Francine, who also stocks up the support vehicle on nice days to assist with feeding the Dirty Weekenders mid ride! We stopped by for a chat with the man himself…..

Hi Clive, your cycle shop has gone from strength to strength and has become a real hot-spot for cyclists of all persuasions! What kicked it all off for you?

I started my business in 1985 when I was 30 years old. At that time, I was working as a professional ski instructor in the winters, and filling in with building trade work in the summers. I had just given up my hobby of motocross racing, and was looking for something to replace the excitement and adrenalin that I used to get on race days. After a couple of years, I discovered mountain biking and I was immediately hooked. I took to it like a duck to water; the motocross gave me the technical skills, my taste for extreme physical effort gave me the desire, and I could see a way that I could earn a living in the summer working outdoors in the hills of Mid Wales.

I bought some bikes and started off by doing half day guided mountain bike rides. From that pilot scheme I progressed to my legendary Dirty Weekends (fully packaged mountain bike weekends), eventually opening a shop in 1994 to support my activities. I got deeply involved in the sport, racing in mountain biking, cycle cross and a local Hilly Time Trial series which I organize myself. I have a few Welsh titles to my name, and hold some Hilly Time Trial records. Even though bad health meant that I was unable to ride my bike for 8 years, I still now participate in cyclocross races, and the Hilly Time Trial series.

Clive’s shop in Rhayader – home to bikes, cakes, and the legendary Dirty Weekend!

Wow, that’s impressive! Here at Freewheeling, Mid Wales is the place to be.  Not only is it such a beautiful landscape, but it offers something for everyone in terms of cycle sport.  You seem to offer something for everyone too – tell us a bit about what it’s like to work (and play!) in such an inspiring place…

Currently my business is mostly shop-based. We sell bikes, we rent bikes, we repair bikes, and of course we ride bikes. On the bike I deliver road safety training in primary schools in Powys, and I am a coach for the Bulls Cycling Club based in Builth Wells. Apart from the Hilly Time Trials, I also run some winter mountain bike events. I am really lucky to live in an area that is so good for cycling; not just the fantastic backcountry biking on the bridleways and byways over the hills of Mid Wales, but also the endless opportunities for scenic and almost deserted roads. Even families can find places to ride – for example the Elan Valley Trail – a 9-mile traffic free route built on an old railway and running alongside the reservoirs of the Elan Valley.

Our shop caters for all riders, not just the hard-as-old-boots backcountry riders, but also beginners and occasional riders, plus families, tourists, and of course riders who mostly get their adrenalin kicks at trail centres. We stock a wide range of models, mostly from Giant, but will also be taking on another exciting brand in the near future. We also have a fleet of hardtails for rent, plus hybrids for the Elan Valley Trail, and some electric bikes.
The most popular service that we provide is the repair service. Our mechanic Neil, knows his stuff, is very thorough, and always has time for a good humoured chat with the customers.
What is the area like for…

 …Mountain Biking?

We have a number of routes off-road that are iconic and well known to the MTB fraternity, particularly the old school riders who were exploring the hills on bikes before the advent of trail centres. Mention the Golf Links or the Miner’s Trail to any grey haired mountain biker and watch their eyes light up! All of the routes around here are interestingly technical without being scary or dangerous. And the mud is mostly peaty, which is kind to your bike, and doesn’t stick to your tyres like the proverbial.
Roadies find this a fantastic area to ride in with no less than 7 different roads leading away from Rhayader, and circular routes of as small as 7 miles. Mid Wales is, of course well known for it’s more epic routes such as the Devil’s Staircase and the Trans Cambrian. So, something for everyone on 2 wheels.

…Cyclocross?

The Welsh Cyclocross League has gone from strength to strength in recent years with up to 300 riders turning up to race every Sunday from Mid September to Christmas. The youngest riders catered for are the under 8s, and the oldest are the over 60s. Anyone who wants to give it a go can turn up and ride. A mountain bike will do, and entries are as little as £10 for an adult plus £3 for a day license. Events are held at different venues every week. Cyclocross is a great way to get into cycle racing. It is safe, but exciting and can be very technical.

Most local bikers are just that:- bikers! they don’t categorize themselves as mountain bikers, roadies or whatever. Most of them do road, MTB, cross, time trials and have a stable of bikes. I mean, why limit yourself!

People who may be unfamiliar with the area managed to catch a glimpse of Rhayader and surrounding area this year on the Tour of Britain TV coverage. What was it like seeing the action live?

The stage through Wales was the hardest of the whole race, finishing at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells. It made a superb venue, with space for an exciting sprint finish, parking for spectators, trade stands, food, and a range of activities.

First thing in the morning I rode in a sportive. I couldn’t believe just how excited I felt to finish on the actual finish-line of the Tour of Britain, and couldn’t resist doing a sprint for the final 100 metres! In between that and the race arriving, I delivered some mini sessions of road safety training to schoolchildren from the surrounding area, and got to watch the race come in from the roof of the Hospitality Suite. The sun shone and it was one of the most exciting days of the year for me.

 

Events like the Tour of Britain, London 2012, and the Grand Depart of Le Tour in Yorkshire has really given British cycling a boost in recent years.  Have you noticed the sport growing in popularity?

Road racing, and the success of the British riders has done a lot for the sport in this country. It is difficult to assess how much has been due to our athletes, but I do now see kids bringing road bikes to school, and the number of women on the line at this year’s cyclocross races has more than doubled.
What is your favourite piece of cycling kit?

My favourite piece of kit is my cyclocross bike, which I built in 2002 and still race on now. It fits me like a glove and goes around corners like it’s on rails. Even if I get myself a more up to date bike sometime, I will still keep my trusty crosser.
Finally, describe your ideal day on a bike in Mid Wales…

My ideal day on a bike locally is to compete in the Around the Dams time trial. It is a 17-mile course starting off with a 100ft climb the top of the mountain, followed by a winding route through the Elan Valley with no less than 9 technical corners. It is a proper test of bike riding ability, and riders come from all over to take part. There is always a great atmosphere and everyone gathers back at the shop afterwards for the results and coffee and home made cake.
Thanks so much Clive, see you out-and-about on those trails soon no doubt!

 

To learn more, check out Clive’s website here http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/

Keep up to date with all the Mid Wales fun, events and amazing photographs on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ClivePowellBikes/

Freewheeling Logo Launch!

Freewheeling is moving up in the world – we now have an official logo! 

Back in October I got the colouring pens out one evening after a ride in Mid Wales. I was rather limited in terms of materials, however I sketched out a simple ‘F’ design, shaped to resemble drop handlebars and backed with part of a chain set.  I happened to have a few gel pens to hand, enough to add some simple rainbow bands to match the World Champion’s jersey.

The ‘F’ would be the main Freewheeling logo, however I did have a go at coming up with a design for the whole word. Unfortunately I ran out of space and got as far as ‘Freewheelin’, but the general idea was there for me to complete when I had more of my art materials with me.

 

My first attempt at the main Freewheeling logo, using limited equipment in the hills of Mid Wales!

The two attempted designs were not too bad, but I felt they needed tarting up a bit. I wanted to keep the personal feel of the hand-drawn logos, but they definitely needed to look a bit neater for a start…..

Running out of space…a few initial ideas

That’s when I remembered the creative talents of Tom from Hafod Hardware, whom I interviewed for the article on the winners of Powys County Council’s ToB window display competition…

I contacted Tom and sent him my hand drawn attempts, explaining where I had been going with the full length version, although I’d missed my mark a little! Tom, being the creative and talented guy that he is, cleaned up and digitised my designs, and I was so pleased with the results! (My versions on the left, Tom’s smart digital clean-ups on the right)

My attempt at the Freewheeling logo, using limited materials in the hills of Mid Wales

Tom’s smart digital version!

Running out of space…a few initial ideas

So here we are….Introducing your Freewheeling OFFICAL logos!

Tom’s smart digital version!

Thanks so much to Tom, these look great. Don’t forget to check out the Hafod Hardware website, where Tom has a Design tab showcasing some of the other logos and flyers he’s produced in the past. I’m sure he’d be only too happy to help anyone else out with a bit of creative artwork if you need him!

– Emily, Editor of Freewheeling

Welsh Winners! Hafod Hardware in Rhayader scoop Tour of Britain window display competition

All images courtesy of Hafod Hardware.

In the first of our special series on cycling in Mid Wales, we caught up with the winners of Powys County Council’s Tour of Britain shop window competition – Hafod Hardware in Rhayader.

Congratulation on winning the Powys County Council window display award, it really was well deserved. Where did you get the items which were on display?

Firstly I’d like to say thank you for giving us the chance to talk about our shop and its window display. We take great pride in presenting our business to the highest calibre and when we heard about the competition for the Tour of Britain window displays, we knew we had to try and do something special. Immediately, my Grandfather, Alan Lewis, recommended that he should go over to the National Cycle Museum in Llandrindod to view the possibility of us borrowing one of the bikes to use in the display. Freda Davies at the museum was more than obliging and allowed us to borrow a limited edition Gold Plated 1987 Raleigh bike. This was to be the centre-piece in our display. They also lent us two cycling shirts that were worn and signed by previous competitors.

Items on loan from the National Cycle Museum in Llandrindod Wells included past race jerseys and a limited edition Raleigh Centenary bicycle.

What was your personal favourite display item and why?

One of our favourite items in the display was the map of Wales. We cut a silhouette of Wales out of a sheet of ply wood and marked out the route of the Tour of Britain using pins and twine, kind of like the sort of thing you would see in old war movies. It would have been easy to print off an ordnance survey map and mark it out, but we wanted to keep the old style look to it and pay homage to the history of the race.

Hand crafted route map of Stage 4. “We wanted to keep the old style look and pay homage to the history of the race.”

How did the display come together? 

One of the first things we did was look around the shop and think ‘What items that we stock can we use and are relevant?’.

Bike pumps, water bottles, sunglasses and head torches we all ‘musts’ and we had a few Union Jack flags lying around from our V-E Day window display. Less was more was our motto for this, and we didn’t want to take too much focus away from the bike. Just a few accessories were enough.

How did customers react – did you have many people chatting to you about the display?

Our customers loved it! As soon as we put photos up on social media, we had a wonderful reaction. Many people didn’t realise the race was taking place until they saw our window display. Many people popped their heads into the shop just to say how much they liked the display and a few even asked how much we wanted for the BIKE!

“A few people even asked how much we wanted for the bike!”

Are you a cyclist yourself?

I do the odd bit of cycling up the Elan Valley which is one of the most beautiful places in Britain. We are very lucky to have it on our doorstep and it is  never taken for granted. My bike seems to have the most use though as a means of emergency transport. I am also a retained fire fighter for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, so when my alerter goes, it’s straight on the bike and down the station as quick as possible.

Did any of the other businesses in town mark the race in any way?

Quite a few different businesses in town got involved in the competition in one way or another. The town set up a business group last year and the competition was advertised through the Business Group to encourage more people to take part. Our local arts organisation CARAD made a fantastic arts installation in the town and that also won the first prize in their category.

Did you manage to see the riders coming through the town?

Personally, I had to stay in the shop during the race, but that allowed for my Grandparents to go and watch the race. They took pictures and videos so I was able to get a feel of what was going on afterwards.

Stage 4 of the 2016 Tour of Britain saw the riders cycle through Rhayader on their way to Builth Wells and the Royal Welsh Showground.

 

What was the atmosphere like in the build up to the event, and how did the residents and businesses owners in Rhayader feel to have riders like Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish visiting the area – if very briefly knowing the speeds they reach?!

It’s always a spectacle. The town turns out in their crowds to support the riders and it brings a lot of people from the outskirts into the town for the day.

You’re obviously very creative as all your window displays are fantastic – how did you apply your creative talents to the Tour of Britain display? (for example, I noticed the excellent use of photoshop for Team Hafod – loved it!)

Over the last few years we have had a bit of fun creating images using photoshop for different occasions such as Christmas, the Olympics and seasonal offers. It sparks a bit of interest on social media, and makes a few people smile who see the images in our shop window.

Team Hafod on the road!

What does the local area have to offer cyclists who might want to pay a visit after the Tour of Britain?

Rhayader and The Elan Valley really is a cyclist’s paradise. The landscape makes for outstanding scenery and the amenities in the town offer everything you need. We have a fantastic cycle shop called ‘Clive Powell’s Mountain Bikes’ which offer guided cycle excursions, and the number  of pubs and accommodation providers in town make for a cracking cycling break in Mid-Wales.

Can you explain a little of the history of your shop, and your role – both the creative side with local posters, logos and flyers as well as the hardware shop side of things?

Hafod Hardware first opened it’s doors in 1895. Built specifically as and Ironmongers you can tell straight away the shop would be had pressed to trade as anything but. The shop was owned and run by a gentleman called R.D. Ryder, who was a cousin for my Grandfather, for the majority of its time. My Grandparents, Alan and Pauline Lewis, then bought the business in 1999, reverting it back into the family.  I started working in the shop in 2009 after studying Art and Design in Newport University. My first task was to set up an online presence for the shop, creating a website and social media pages. I think in this day and age this is a must as it allows you to reach far more customers and makes marketing to the masses much more manageable. The quieter winter months also allow for me to incorporate my art projects into the business. This season our series of vintage style tourism poster have sold particularly well and we are getting more requests for other local town and villages by the day. As well as being your local DIY store we now offer a range of original pieces from other local partners. We sell ornate pieces from the local forge as well as walking boots from another local trader. Working alongside other local businesses is becoming a great way for smaller towns to market themselves and work together in a time of austerity. We want to be at the forefront of that idea and set a precedence. We will always hold true to the nature of our business whilst being forward thinking in how we can diversify in a changing market.

 

Alan and Pauline Lewis with Tom Jones of Hafod Hardware take on Open All Hours!

Don’t forget to visit  www.hafodhardware.com and www.facebook.com/hafodhardware to check out more from Tom, Alan and Pauline!

Find out more about the National Cycle Museum here – www.cyclemuseum.org.uk – we’ll be featuring the museum soon as part of our Mid Wales series.

Clive Powell Cycles can be found here http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/

From Rhigos to Roubaix – Looking to 2017 with U23 rider Pete Kibble

Here at Freewheeling we love seeing the up-and-coming riders progressing through the ranks and taking big wins. This year Pete Kibble, riding in the Welsh team jersey, won a fantastic second stage of the Junior Tour of Wales atop Rhigos mountain after a gruelling route packed with climbs and traditional Welsh weather! To make it all the sweeter, it just happened to be his last stage race on UK soil as a junior. Next season, Kibble will be riding with Zappi Pro Cycling at U23 level, after recently signing a new contract. We caught up with Pete to hear all about his hopes for the 2017 season and beyond….

Congratulation on signing with Zappi Pro Cycling! How did that come about?

Getting a ride with Zappi’s came from having a conversation with Flavio Zappi at the Ras de Cymru in Wales. We kept in touch since then and he asked if I would like a ride in the summer. It was a hard decision as I also had an offer from a UK team but I weighed it up and felt as though I would develop more by racing on the Continent in tougher UCI races. It’s the entire lifestyle I’m looking at, living abroad, learning to speak Italian; not just the racing.

What was the highlight of your 2016 season?

The highlight of my year was winning the Junior Tour of Wales Stage 2 up Rhigos mountain, definitely. This was my first real big win and to do it on home soil, at my favourite race, just topped it off. I had a few other highlights but this race really topped it off for me.

‘This was my first real big win…at my favourite race’ – Kibble wins on Rhigos Mountain, Stage 2 of the Junior Tour of Wales 2016. Photo Credit: Huw Fairclough

How have you changed as a rider over the last 12 months? Was there anything specific that you were working to improve?

I wouldn’t say I have changed as a rider style-wise over the last 12 months, but I have progressed tactically, learning how to race better. I would say my biggest improvement came in TT’s this year, knocking my PB down from a 20:40 to a 19:15 and placing highly in most open TT’s I did.

What are your hopes for the 2017 season?

My aims for the upcoming season are to continue learning, and to put in place the building blocks of experience for my career. It will be a big learning curve and the racing will be a whole new experience. It’s also a big step up into U23s, but I aim to get some top 20 results once I get into the style of racing.

‘I don’t use power meters at the moment – I just go on feel and heart rate’ Photo courtesy of Pete Kibble.

Describe your riding style – do you go for sprint wins, TTs, mountain stages or GC?

My style is definitely suited to racing for GC. I’m a good climber and I like tough terrain. I haven’t got a great sprint so I like races where the terrain dictates the way in which the race will be won. I also like time trials and I do a lot of them.

Which do you prefer, one-day races or stage races?

I definitely prefer stage racing to one day races as it suits my style of riding a lot more; it’s about being consistent which I feel is a strength of mine. One day races are usually decided in a sprint which isn’t my forte.

Who is your favourite rider in the current pro peloton?

My favourite rider has to be Tom Boonen – he’s just uber cool and is an incredible tactician. I mean it takes a hell of a rider to win Paris Roubaix 4 times!

Which cyclist would you say has inspired you the most?

Most inspirational cyclist for me has be Chris Froome. He seems like the most unlikely person to win the Tour de France looking at his background and where he’s come from. He just lets his legs do the talking and has become incredibly successful, winning the Tour 3 times which is phenomenal.

Did you manage to get to the road-side to watch any of the Tour of Britain stages this year?

I watched this year’s Tour of Britain in the Cotswolds on Dursley hill. It was great to see so many spectators and people really embracing the race.

We notice that you’ve started a blog – how are you finding the writing and blogging side of things?

I enjoy writing the blog as it’s something new. It’s good to do as a distraction from training, it will get a lot better when I’m away racing during the season when I have so many new experiences to write about!

What is your favourite bit of cycle kit – what could you not ride without?

My favourite piece of cycling kit has to be Oakleys – I have quite a few pairs. Probably too many…

Stephen Roche feels that race radios and power meters are making racing less exciting, what do you think about such new technology?

With regards to Stephen Roche’s views, I can understand where he’s coming from as there is a lot of data that affects the way races are won – riders become very calculated. In that respect it definitely could be more exciting without the use of so much technology. However there are a lot of plus points with regards to rider safety with the use of radios. Power meters are a really good training tool, and I don’t think a lot of riders will take a lot of notice of their figures during a race. Personally I don’t use power at the moment I just go on feel and heart rate.

Sagan will be riding in the Rainbow stripes for another year after his win in Doha. If you could only win ONE of cycling’s most prestigious jerseys, which one would you choose and why?

My favourite jersey to win would have to be the yellow at the Tour de France. It’s the most prestigious race in cycling and it’s such a large human endeavour to win it. It takes so much to get a result at the Tour de France as it’s 3 weeks of full on racing, and there are so many variables you have to be such a rounded rider and have fantastic support to succeed.

Good luck Pete – we wish you all the best!

Caps Not Hats -Breaking Rule #22 With Walz Caps

Here at Freewheeling, we have a bit of a confession to make…a shocking revelation in fact. So here goes, I’ll share it with you. I, your cycle correspondent of the blogosphere, regularly break The Rules. Specifically, Rule #22 – Cycling Caps are for Cycling. This obviously means I’ll never be accepted as a true member of the Velominati, but that’s the price you pay when you love a good cap. Caps Not Hats indeed.

If it’s a stylish cap you’re after, then look no further than Walz Caps. Handmade in the USA, Walz have a cap to suit everyone, from woollen tweed, perfect for that Eroica ride, to the ‘Map Caps’ range, where you can show off your allegiance to a host of American states or European cycling hot-beds like Belgium or Italy.  And if that hasn’t piqued your interest how about this – that cap you’ve created in your imagination, that design you’ve been doodling in your mind’s eye? Well Walz have it ready to send to you – just log on to http://www.walzcaps.com, click ‘Custom Caps’, and get creating. Yep, that’s right – you can create your very own one-off cycling cap. What could be better than that?

We spoke to Matt, Customs and Wholesale Director of Walz Caps to find out all about the Classic American Cap…Read the interview below!

Describe your role in the company…Currently, my role is Customs/Wholesale Director, which involves inside sales, production, and design.

 

How did the company start, and what was the vision for Walz in the beginning?  The company officially began in 2005 as Walz Caps.  Unofficially, it began with the owner’s aunt, Jackie Walz, who used to sew up welding caps for her husband and his co-workers.  One day a friend and cyclist, saw the caps and asked if she would tweak the design a bit and make something more cycling-specific for him.  She did, and did it so well that word began to spread, and the demand for her “cycling” caps grew.  Her nephew and now the owner of the company, saw that she needed help and offered to purchase the cycling side of the operation from here, and decided to name the company in her honor…Walz Caps was born.

 

Your designs manage to be both fresh, new and exciting, yet fit in with the stylish side of the cycling tradition, how does Walz manage to blend both these features in to the designs?  While we are continually striving to come up with bold, fresh, and exciting designs, we always keep in mind the tradition and heritage that is the foundation for the sport of cycling, and particularly the role that cycling caps have played in that.  Some caps, such as our classic cottons and our ever-popular wools, don’t need to be flashy…they speak for themselves.

 

Where does the inspiration for the Walz designs come from?  It’s truly a team effort.  Anyone and everyone within the company is always welcome to throw new ideas out there.  Some stick, some don’t, but no one person is in charge of product development, it’s a company-wide collaboration.  We also receive numerous ideas from our customers, some of which have ignited the creative spark that’s needed to come up some great designs throughout the years.

 

How do you source the right fabrics?  We work to locate suppliers we believe are the best at what they do.  Our caps begin as raw material, and if that material isn’t the best, there’s no way our caps can be.  And as a company who prides itself on making everything in-house, by hand, and 100% made in the US, we seek vendors and suppliers who are located and manufacture in the US as well.  That’s extremely important to us, and we’ve been pleased over the years to hear how important that is to a large portion of our customer base.

 

Describe the Walz ethos and aesthetic….Pride in what we do at all levels.  The moment an individual visits our site, contacts us by phone or email, or stops in to pay us a visit, our goal is to make sure that their experience with us is nothing short of exceptional.  Of course that experience applies to our products, after all, that’s why people contact us in the first place, but as cliche as it sounds, it’s the relationships that we build over the years that matter most to us.  Nothing makes our day more than hearing from our customers how satisfied they’ve been with not only our caps, but our service.  We want people to feel as though they belong to the Walz family, that they’re a part of what we’re doing. 

 

How are the caps made and how long does it take to make one?  Our caps start out as a roll of material.  From there, they’re cut by hand, sewn by hand, QC’d by hand, boxed and shipped by hand.  As you’ve noticed, I’m stressing the fact that every single cap we make is carefully crafted by actual people who specialize in their roles here.  If I had to put a time on how long it takes to make a single cap from cutting, sewing, and passing QC, all uninterrupted of course!…10 minutes.  

 

The ability for customers to design their own caps is really unique. Do you ever come across some really ‘out there’ customer designs? Similarly, have there ever been any ideas, either customer-designed or Walz designed, that just haven’t worked in practice?  I couldn’t list all of those in this interview, and keep it PG-rated at the same time!  Most of our customers designs are incredible, and there have been many that have caused some envy with our designers.  We always make any design that a customers wants, but we do provide input when we believe that a design may not provide the end result a customer is seeking.

 

Have there been any ideas that haven’t worked in practice?  I’ve never kept track, but many for sure.  Personally, I don’t believe that there’s such thing as a bad design, some just work better than others, and more often than not, you don’t really know until you have an actual physical sample in-hand.  We’ve created designs that look absolutely beautiful on a monitor, look great after they’ve been printed, and then look nothing like what we were expecting.  If it didn’t work, take notes of what needs to be altered, and try it again, and keep trying until you get what you’re after.

 

Do you have a favourite Walz design?  I have many.  My personal favorite is the “Triple Cubed”.  In the spirit of full disclosure, I “almost” designed it, but it’s not so much the design that I love, but rather how the design came to be.  Long story short, I was attempting to create a certain look I had in mind, hit a wrong button in Illustrator, the design went haywire on the screen, I couldn’t recover the original, and after staring at my screen in frustration for awhile, all of a sudden I saw something in that mistake that looked incredible, so I let go and let the cap design itself.  I was a bit nervous when it went live on the site, but as it turns out I wasn’t the only one who found the cap to be good looking;)

 

What can Walz fans look forward to in the future?  We just launched a new line of caps, a total makeover of our older line.  Our entire line of wool cycling caps now feature a fully lined interior, as well as our entire line of Velo/City caps.  Our recently launched Build-a-Cap program has been so well received that every day is a challenge to keep up with the demand.  And as always, new designs are in the works, that’s something that will never change around here.

 

Thanks for taking an interest in what we’re doing, we truly appreciate it!