Archived posts for September 2011
La Vuelta a Espana
Stage 19
La Vuelta returns to the Basque Country after 33 years with a stage finish in Bilbao. With the start in Cantabria, Noja, which also debuts this year as stage start, the day with begin quieter than the previous ones, the sprinters will have suffer a little if they want to contest the impending arrival on the streets of Bilbao.
Fans awaiting the cyclists on the streets of Bilbao will be able to enjoy viewing the peloton twice before the finish line. Between one and other, Alto El Vivero will add a bit of spice to the race.
Route
La Vuelta a Espana
Stage 18
Cantabria hosts the second mountain stage in the home stretch of La Vuelta 2011. The peloton will have to overcome up to four mountain passes in a very demanding stage bringing them to the town of Noja, included for the first time in the course of the race.
The mountain passes, already known among the peloton of La Vuelta, are distributed across almost 170 kilometres. These include the other side of Alisas which the cyclists already climbed in the previous stage before arriving at Cabarga Pea.
Route
Web Oficial de la Vuelta a Espana.
Posted by: simon on Thursday, September 8th, 2011 posted in: NewsLa Vuelta a Espana
Bodegas Faustino, in the Alava region of La Rioja, will mark the start of the stage that last year sealed the fate of Igor Anton in La Vuelta when a fall at the start of the climb to Cabarga Pea made him drop out of the race.
The winding route of the stage, with a single category 3 mountain pass in the first half, may lead to a dangerous breakaway that the teams that are already taking positions for the general classification will have to watch for. The second half is more complicated with two mountain passes, Sa and Alisa. In addition the Pea Cabarga finish will force cyclists to save some energy, since the final climb is about six kilometres and has an average gradient of nearly 10%, with ramps that reach as high as 18%.
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Brooks Saddle Bags
When looking for that something that has quality, function and good looks the handsome D-Shaped Tool Bag is just that.
With its two part unique tool bag system (the outer stays attached to the saddle and the inner can be completely removed) the D-Shaped Tool Bag is an essential bit of kit.
Posted by: simon on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 posted in: Shop
Toe Clip or Not Toe Clip that is the question……..
But if you decide to use a Toe clips and you have chosen your pedals then take a gander at Brooks Classic Toe Clips made out of durable chromed steel……even suitable for modern single speeds Ehh Dan!
Under Pressure!
Topeak Pumps are excellent quality mini pumps for on the move with smart heads and up to 140 psi.
featured bellow is the Mini DX which is ideal for mountain or road.
Mini DX
Or the Peakini for MTB up to 120psi.
Peakini II
they have just arrived in store. (believe me I know I spent a morning tagging and hanging!)
Posted by: simon on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 posted in: ShopLa Vuelta a Espana
Stage 16
After a well-deserved rest day and leaving the mountains of Asturias behind, a completely flat new transition day with favour the sprinters to move form the back of the pack to the front and contest for the finish line in Haro. This is the second time in the history of the race that this La Rioja town hosts a stage finish. This forst was in 1966 when Francisco Gabica took his first win.
Villa Romana La Olmeda, in Pedrosa de la Vega (Palencia), one of the most important archaeological sites from Roman times, will receive the cyclists who have endured two tough weeks of competition since the start in Benidorm.
Route
Posted by: simon on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 posted in: News
La Vuelta a Espana
Stage 15
La Vuelta and Angliru. The legendary colossus in Asturias returns to La Vuelta after a two-year hiatus. After being included only four climbs, Alto de Angliru has become part of the history and legend of the race.
The cyclists will arrive after two gruelling days on the mountain, which will make the ramps even harder. The stage is much shorter than in 2008 and will include climbs to Tenebrero (category 2) and Cordal (category 1). The twisting but not excessively tough climb up to the category 1 mountain pass with give second leaders a chance to be seen before beginning the ascent to Angliru.
Route
Web Oficial de la Vuelta a Espana.
Posted by: simon on Monday, September 5th, 2011 posted in: NewsLa Vuelta a Espana
Stage 14
Second unprecedented mountain top finish of the 66th edition of La Vuelta. After an easy first half of the stage, from the start in Astorga to the beginning of the first mountain climb, the second half looks very challenging with a category 2 mountain pass, la Ventana, and a category 1, San Lorenzo. Both are very tough, especially the decline, which will prepare the peloton for the climb to La Farrapona, this edition’s first finish in Asturias.
The end of the stage is another long climb. The twenty kilometres of La Farrapona, although not very demanding except at the end, will make a dent in those still in the race. Another great opportunity for climbers.
Route
Web Oficial de la Vuelta a Espana.
Posted by: simon on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 posted in: NewsLa Vuelta a Espana
Stage 13
La Vuelta 2011 enters the Los Ancares region for the first time in one of the most complicated stages of the whole edition.
With an unprecedented start in the town of Sarria and a finish in Ponferrada, this will be the sixth time that the capital of El Bierzo hosts the race. With only 150 km, this stage is sure to impress everyone.
Three category 3 mountain passes, two in the first thirty kilometres, will prepare the peloton for the two mammoth climbs of the day. Folgueriras of Aigas is shaping up as another of the great legends in the history of La Vuelta: the Puerto de Ancares mountain pass.
After the summit there is a fast decline with some climbs, including the last category 3 mountain pass, Ocero, already known in the race, levaing 20 km to the finish line.
Route
Web Oficial de la Vuelta a Espana.
Posted by: simon on Friday, September 2nd, 2011 posted in: News