In conversation with Julian Bray, a journalist and rider with the Rapha Condor team. Julian came to competitive cycling after falling in love with the continental tradition of the cyclosportive: mass-participation road races of historic or cultural significance, such as the annual Etape du Tour and the Gran Fondo Campagnolo. We discuss the appeal of cyclosportives, the practical issues of how to rider one and Julian gives his impression of the London-Canterbury ‘British Etape’ cyclosportive and his all-time Top 5 events. Also in the show a chance to win one of three copies of a new DVD about the route of the 2007 Etape and two tickets to a talk at London’s Design Museum by the curator of a new exhibition about fixed wheel bicycles.
More cyclosportive resources:
Cyclosport (UK) - Set up by sportive rider Mark Harding for UK riders
Cyclosport (France) - French site with dates, results and articles
The French cycling federation’s Trophee d’Or series index
La Gazzetta della Sport’s sportive series, including Milan-San Remo and Lombardy
Sport Communication - the classic French ‘Grand Trophee’ series including La Marmotte
Velo 101 - Top French cycling site
Downloads: MP3 (128 kbs) — MP3 (64kbs) — Ogg Vorbis —
5 responses so far ↓
1 Mark Harding // Jul 3, 2007 at 8:14 am
Thanks http://www.thebikeshow.net and especially my good friend Julian Bray at Rapha Condor.
I will reciprocate a link to your excellent article, so that our 6000+ members will have the opportunity to listen in for the future.
2 Jack // Jul 3, 2007 at 9:45 am
Thanks, Mark. I think I’m ready for my first cyclosportive!
3 Markus Neuert // Jul 3, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Hi Jack,
great show as always, with excellent insights from Julian Bray. I hope your competition winning listeners enjoy the L’Etape Preview DVD.
We’ve made your show available on the Cyclefilm site. Keep up the good work.
We shall get a few copies of the official British Cyclosportive DVD to you once finished. It’s hosted by triple World Track Champion Victoria Pendleton.
4 Gunnar B // Aug 17, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Great show, great cycling stories and great music! Could you please tell me the name of the French song you played at the start of this show? I loved it!
5 Jack // Aug 17, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Gunnar,
Its ‘Poupée de cire, poupée de son’ by the wonderful and lovely France Gall.
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