Cavendish a Yorkshire Man?

Mark Cavendish backs Yorkshire's Tour de France bid


Mark Cavendish and Ben Swift are backing Yorkshire's bid to bring the Tour de France to the county in 2016.

Cavendish, who won the green jersey last year for being the Tour's best sprinter, said: "My mum is from Yorkshire so I'm proud to be backing the Yorkshire 2016 bid."
Team Sky team-mate Ben Swift said he would love to see a stage of the race run in his home county. "It would be amazing to be part of the peloton through the Dales," he said.

The first two days of racing, the Grand Depart, are held in a new location outside France every two years.

The Yorkshire Grand Depart has a great ring to it !!!!!!!!!

The Yorkshire Tourism Agency called 'Welcome to Yorkshire' say that the route would take in Leeds, Scarborough, York, Hull, Sheffield and the Yorkshire Dales.

Yorkshire is competing against Barcelona, Venice, Berlin and Scotland for the right to host the 2016 stages. Stages were last held in the UK in 2007 when London and Kent played host.

Cavendish, who has won 20 Tour de France stages, believes the county's natural beauty will prove attractive to the race's organisers.

"The county would provide a stunning backdrop to the Tour as well as a real test for the competitors," he said. "I have fond memories of holidaying in Yorkshire, a lot of my family still live there and it would be fantastic if the world's greatest cycle race could come to Yorkshire."

Swift added: "It's special to say you've raced the Tour de France, I'm proud to be able to say I have. I would love to see the Tour come to my home county, and I hope Welcome to Yorkshire can make it happen in 2016."

More than 185 countries around the world show the Tour de France every year on 92 different television channels with the last hour of every stage broadcast live across western Europe.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, wants the public to back the bid by signing a petition on their Back le Bid website.

"Some may see us as outsiders but we think Yorkshire has a lot to offer, not just our stunning scenery but the passion of our people and the expertise we have in hosting world class sporting events," he said.

Being a Yorkshire man I am totally behind and will do what I can to provide support please visit the
 Back le Bid website. and pledge your support

In the Frame

For those of you that have followed my blog for sometime you would have appreciated that I do like to use my Camera whilst out riding.

Sometimes its a bit tricky to pedal and 'click' at the same time.

I either crash, knock somebody over or take some very average photographs.

I have been looking for some suitable device to assist and to be able to use my video facility on my camera too.
I found a shop on E bay that provides a sturdy and maneuverable device that is perfect for all I need. I can even move the camera around the bike to get some great angles.

I have only used it a few times so far, for mainly Video clips and have attached the results below.

The E bay reference and contact details are:-

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RiderMount?_trksid=p4340.l2563

mailto:colin@RiderMount.com







Its great value !!!!!

I cant wait to try some extreme videos

Inspiration

Today saw me break the 1000 mile mark for the year. Last year I did over 1000 miles in March alone so I am a bit behind both in Mileage and my annual weight loss.
Its a tough time...........The days are now getting longer and excuses shorter.
The usual commutes to work and occasional weekend rides are now replaced by obligatory commute extensions and longer rides at the weekend.

Although the cycle patterns have changed the weather has not - its still cold and icy, with lashings of rain.
Its far more suited to sitting in the lounge bar of your favorite pub than cycling in multiple layers. My legs have only been on show twice !!!!!!!!!

When my alarm goes off at 5am the birds may well be singing, but its still dark and I'm not quite ready for a duet.
The temptation is always to hit the snooze button multiple times, until its impossible to cycle for fear of being late.
When presented with those moments I used to think WWLD (What would Lance Do?)
That would always do the trick and Id be up and away.

Unfortunately my body has become immune to WWLD as some of the answers have become a bit ambiguous.
So I now look for new inspiration and WOW there is a lot of choice out there.

When I first got into cycling there was very little British interest in the Tour de France and I had to look to the track to find my first cycling Hero - Graham Obree 'The Flying Scotsman'.
Who flew around the track in such a position that I felt uncomfortable just watching.
A radical genius and tortured soul. Hero Status 9/10.
Then there was Chris Boardman, a reluctant Hero. His achievements were undeniable but he never really got me excited especially when he could only ever do a few days of the tour before retiring. Hero Status 6/10

After supporting American riders for years along comes Bradley, who I think maybe one of the best all round cyclists this country has ever seen. He has Pace, durability, Stamina and always seems totally relaxed and unfazed.

He would score 10/10 but being a Liverpool FC football fan I do have concerns about his mental health. Hero Score 9/10
Cav the boy Racer. World road Champion - Don't you just love him.

People say he is arrogant - not me. Every time a microphone is put in front of him he shows remarkable humility and always credits his team for any of his personal achievements. He is fast and very passionate. Hero Status 10/10

In the UK we have two brothers who can swim, cycle, and run pretty much faster than everyone in the world - The Brownlee brothers. They are from Yorkshire too - Where else. Hero Status 9/10
Vicky Pendalton has been the pin up girl of women's cycling for years now. You are now more likely to see her in a glamour magazine than on a cycle. Whilst the cameras have been focused on her, another star has emerged. - Joanna Rowsell
Joanna Rowsell is the new women's cycling sensation and pursuit champion and she has the attitude that makes hero makers purr.

Having lost all of her hair through Alopecia many young girls would avoided the public performance - Not Joanna -the 23 year old has used her condition to spur herself on and to draw the Camera away from the glamour to what really matters - The cycling. To see her ride is truly a thing of beauty. Hero Status 10/10

Last August Karen my friend, and wife of one of my closest friends had a tragic cycling accident in Texas whilst preparing for the annual Hotter than Hell ride. She had to be air lifted to Houston Memorial Hospital with a serious head injury. Her recovery has been slow and frustrating and she is still not well enough to return to work. This week she has an eye operation to try and help speed up her recovery. Myself and all of the Mules wish her well. If ever I needed an inspiration of courage and guts Karen provides it daily. Hero Status 10/10.

Paddy my twin brother has been the driving force behind the Travels with my Mule cycling team (The Mules) in the USA and whatever the weather he is out there, bullying, coaxing, encouraging, supporting. Whatever it takes to get folks cycling and smiling.

He would be the first to admit that his own personal fitness and weight have hindered his own aspirations and he has sometimes struggled to overcome this.

Not this year though.!!!!!!!

This year he is an inspiration. Fitter, lighter and stronger and starting to look like a cyclist rather than a cycle enthusiast. Hero Status 11/10

The snooze button is no Option

Mule Song

I heard this song by Kate Rusby and decided to adapt the lyrics to become our MULE Anthem

Ride the Road - (Inspired from Kate Rusby Song adapted by Philip Shrimpton)

Think not of casting off your dreams
when the road goes on forever
all is not just as it seems
we will ride this road together

All the way through wind and rain
I'll turn my pedals, no mind the pain
wheel by wheel across the land
we'll ride the road together

Think not of failing, carry on
when the road goes on forever
count down the miles, see them gone
we'll ride the road together

All the way through wind and rain
I'll turn my pedals, no mind the pain
wheel by wheel across the land
we'll ride the road together

Think not of stopping keep your pride
when the road goes on forever
keep your mules close by your side
we'll ride the road together

All the way through wind and rain
I'll turn my pedals, no mind the pain
wheel by wheel across the land
we'll ride the road together

Think not of hills and mountains high
when the road goes on forever
we'll lift our hands up to the sky
we ride the road together

All the way through wind and rain
I'll turn my pedals, no mind the pain
wheel by wheel across the land
we'll ride the road together

Red, White and Bike

Last July the Anglo Mules cycled non stop for 24 Hours to raise Money for Help For Heroes - A British Charity set up to help servicemen and women and their families who have been affected by the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Whilst we were doing this are American Mules were undertaking a more modest, but by no means less Important challenge which slipped under the blog Radar.
They took part in an endurance ride to raise money for 'Red, White and Bike' an American Charity that focuses on the children of American service men and women.
RedWhiteandBike is dedicated to recognizing their incredible sacrifice that is too often overlooked. They do so through providing a special gift of a world-class bicycle for these little heroes, the young sons and daughters of Americas Purple Heart recipients.

Their thought process is simple - Kids love bikes!
They provide a quality bike that has been selected by the child and customized to tell the story about the service of their parent. This gift will provide the child much pleasure while reminding others of their parent’s service and love of country; this is a very unique way to say “thanks”.

The bikes are purchased purely by donations from fund raising.
As well as the obvious appreciation I feel that there are other issues here that are so positive.

In a time when most children find entertainment through staring at screens for hours whilst pressing buttons with their fingers and thumbs. Where childhood obesity levels are higher than they have ever been in history - anything that encourages exercise that is also environmentally friendly ticks all my boxes.

Great idea Red, White and Bike !!!!!!!
If you want to help out or donate click the link below
RedwhiteandBike

Other News
Inspired by our liking of all things Rapha we now have some new Mule Jerseys which are modeled by our US Mules below. A must for any cool mule !

New Directions

As usual with this time of the year I 'read' with in interest the various pro Riders tweets and blogs about the forth coming season.
The GreenEDGE Antipodeans, The Brit Pack at TeamSky and the Final chapter of The Armstrong Saga. All enthralling, the later of which must surely have been penned into a screenplay by now. If they want pain Id volunteer as an Extra.

For a cycling blogist I can sometimes get away with reading, being in the arena instead of on the stage. Whether it be for research, amusement or Inspiration, I can still convince myself that it has some preparatory place.

Sadly this process can not offer any cardio vascular improvement, although I do get excited when I read about how well Cav and Bradley are doing. The only singular physical benefit of reading that my imagination could conjure up was the skill in sitting in one position for a long period of time.... doesn't that count as training?

Yeah that it, I have been practising sitting down for long periods of time for a the winter months. So what about the bloging then?

Yeah well .....Ok, I admit it my fingers have been as lazy and as sedentary as my maximus glutimous.

This reading process should not be totally underestimated although as it does herald the start of my own preparations, a seasonal alarm clock If you like, to move me from the public bar over to my handle bars.

A gentle reminder to start shedding those winter pounds that I so greedily added when the days were getting shorter. ......that enough now, get on with it Philip !!!!!!!!

So as Geraint Thomas and Co write about 'Balearic base camps' and 'Canary Island carry ons' and I am shamed into action.

With the temperature gauge hovering over freezing and the sky thick with the threat of snow I determine that its time.

Systematically I pull up my sealz socks and slip on my recently acquired cycling BOOTS.

I say Boots rather than Shoes because these Shimano MW81 Gore-Tex Winter babies are all BOOT.

Their downside is that they are heavier than most TDF Road bikes and restrict any real dynamic movement, as if I was capable right now!!!!!!

The upside is that they do ward off the frostbite and keep your feet as cosy as the Sofa seat in The Corner House Pub.

Remember my play area -Its Patrington - Not Palma, Tickton and not Tenerife.
Whilst the Pros add layers of sun block,I add layers of clothing and Vaseline (That's all together another story)

So again the keyboard sees little tapping, but the pedals some as I try and drag by over inflated torso up even the most benign of gradients.

At the start of each year I curse, and then blog about my curses - My unique power weight ratio This could be compared to our currency exchange rate.

Having hundreds of Lbs gets you nowhere these days.

I do get my Lbs and ££££ mixed up.

This year will be different, I promise myself whilst finishing off that weekend bottle of Red and signing up for the Cheshire Cat at the end of March. After I had paid the entry fee Joanne reminded me about why I had not entered it over the past two years.

'Cant you remember the pain and the nauseous exhaustion four years ago, when you were younger, lighter and fitter?'

Its funny how that sort of pain is very temporary.

Well this year has to be different. As well as the usual challenges Paddy(My Twin) holds a carrott, a golden one. The possibility of taking part in the Waves to Wine (San Fransisco to Napa Valley) in September with proper climbs and a brother with a point to prove.

Its no longer a case of 'It would be nice to be really fit'

I have no Choice.

This Saturday I ventured out. It was -3 degrees, with Ice and a dusting of snow.

At one time Simon reached for a drink to find the contents of his water bottle frozen. It was grim.

We went to the Humber bridge and raced back to avoid the Blizzard that was forecast.

I guess we all have to start somewhere