10,000-strong ride down under

The kiwis know all about extreme sports, being the inventors of jumping off bridges for fun, rolling down hills in inflatable balls, etc. When they get on their bikes, the extremities come in two forms. First, the hills: an unfeasibly large part of New Zealand is outrageously hilly. To someone like me, used to the relatively gentle rolling slopes of Northumberland, it might as well be the Pyrenees. Second, the sheer numbers of people riding them. Yesterday's Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge course profile (go on, check the link) is fairly typical of the sort of terrain you need to traverse round these parts. How many countries in the world would find that sort of event attracting over ten thousand riders of all ages, let alone find enough combatants keen enough to contest the four-lap, 640km super-enduro version? Answers on a postage stamp...

Break the Cycle

A bit of light entertainment for POETS day? Nah.. what with the weekend looming, you need inspriation to get out on the bike and show it what it was made for. A new film about Irish downhill cycling called Break the Cycle is just about ready for release, and BikeMagic have been sent a trailer. Have to say, it looks like a very cool film indeed... enjoy :)

Cervelo frameset for... how much?!

Cervelo Soloist Team frame at the bargain price of £750...

...that's £250 off the r.r.p!

Versatile as well as affordable, this is an awesome frame. The Soloist can climb, descend, sprint, and of course is ideal for breakaways. On top of that it morphs into a part-time TT/Tri bike... this has to be the most affordable way to ride what the pros ride: Team CSC used this frameset throughout their Spring campaign in the run-up to Carlos Sastre's victory in the Tour de France. You get Wolf CL carbon forks and a Cervelo Aero 2-position carbon seat post in with the price... amazing value for money, it's no wonder it earned such glowing reviews. Just give us a call and we'll find you the ideal finishing kit, tailored to your needs & set up to perfection.

Beltran and Kohl get two-year bans

News that Lance's old team mate Manuel Beltran has been banned from cycling in France for two years, following his positive EPO test in this year's Tour is no surprise.

Dodgy Austrian climbing sensation Bernhard Kohl also getting banned is more interesting: for refusing to shop his suppliers in last year's Tour de France, apparently, despite claiming only yesterday he would spill the beans in return for a shorter ban. You might be forgiven for thinking someone with more to lose had made him a better offer; we couldn't possibly comment...

Giant Jumps Down in Price

The stunning 2008 Giant STP 0 has dropped to £499...

Another mad November special: this month only we're handing out across-the-range savings on all remaining '08 STP jump bikes, from the amazing "zero" (pictured) through to the popular entry-level STP 2 – reduced to just £250! All STP frames feature ALUXX SL butted alloy tuned for minimal weight and maximum strength – perfect for the backyard dirt jumps, downtown skateparks or bombing around campus. Check 'em out... (this has been one of our best-selling ranges this year and we only have a few left, so hurry!)

Armstrong recycled

Alpe D'huez, 2001 [photo: Ricadus]

He might have retired three years ago vowing never to return, but it now seems Lance is definitely back to prove the finger-wagging dope-accusers wrong. The French, of course, are less than happy. Could it be that he really did manage to win seven consecutive Tours de France without ever testing positive for anything other than raw aggression? Our Gallic chums think not, harping on again about the 2005 controversy surrounding his first Tour victory in '99.

No wonder they hate him there. It's not just the fact that he went on to win it another six times and still never tested positive, it's the thought that he might win it yet again at the age of 37, after three years out of the saddle, while posting up his blood tests daily on the internet. It's all in a great interview he just did with the Guardian.

And he's not just doing the usual crit warm-up either. Check out his training schedule, he's even doing the Giro. For a guy with nothing to prove, you better believe he's setting out to shut up all remaining critics, once and for all.

Chapeaux!

Fit BMX

Heads up: the last batch of Fit BMX arrived today! These things are literally flying out the door so don't hang around, get one ordered before they all head south for the winter – check out the website for models in stock...

...and get riding!

Triathlon events diary

The northern pulse boys have got the most up to date calender for up and coming events...
Take time to study it, set your goals and get out there and do some bloody training...

November specials

Commencal Supreme 6.2 NOW £1099.
SAVE £600. Off The full list price of £1699
''The quality frame on this beauty is the reason to buy it.''

With the adjustable head angle feature....Sharp handling or Lazy, you choose.
Frame: New Supreme frame, Fox Float R high volume rear shock
Fork: Marzocchi All Mountain 4 160mm / 20mm axle
Speed: 27 speed, Deore [f], SRAM X7 [r]
Shifter: SRAM SX5
Wheels: Sun Single Track rims, Maxxis High Roller tyres
Brakes: Avid Juicy 3 disc brakes
Crankset: Truvativ Ruktion + Howitzer BB
Extra features: SDG Bel Air saddle, Adjustable seatpost, High oversize 6061 handlebars, CNC oversize stem

TRIATHLON EVENTS CALENDER

Up and coming triathlon events, calender coming soon, get up to date start your training early.......

FOXES REUNITE,,,CALLING ALL FOXES

This coming thursday THERE WILL BE A NIGHT RIDE...Get in touch
i'll be waiting
''Fox Leader''