ROCK OF THE SUIR

For those of us who follow professional cycling the chances are we are familiar with the dulcet tones of Sean Kelly, regular co-commentator on eurosport's cycling coverage. A terrific foil to David Harmon, Kelly spices up a long day's commentary with the insights only an ex-pro could provide.

It took me a little while to get used to the Harmon - Kelly combo, brought up as I was on cycling commentary-lite from Phil Liggett  and Paul Sherwen. Now I have seen the light, with Liggett and Sherwen seeming more like the Little and Large of cycling commentary if you like, to Harmon and Kelly's Morecombe and Wise. Nothing inherently wrong with that, I just feel that David Harmon and Sean Kelly come across as less trite, less afraid of judging cycling and cyclists as it really is. Warts and all.

So it was with great pleasure I came across Rapha's piece on Sean Kelly the rider. What a hero he was - a rider to aspire to and to admire. And a real hard man...

So thanks to Ultan Coyle for the treat that can be found over on the Rapha website.

TIMEOUT TUESDAY

The chaps over at Cycle Surgery appear to have a keen sense of timing.


As the Spring weather takes hold and we think about either dusting off our best bike or, like a good friend of mine, building up our new machine for the new cycling season, CS are offering some staggering deals on tools, lubes and cleaning products.


Take the Mucoff Bike Essentials Cleaning Kit for example - down from £24.99 to £14.99. Enough to tempt me into tackling the filthiest of my bikes! Pedros Green Fizz Bio Wash is now only £3.99, down from £7.99 and the excellent GT-85 Teflon Spray Grease is only £2.99 from £4.99. All perfect for knocking your bike up into tip-top shape.


I've had my eye on the Park Tool Tool Roll for a little while and now Cycle Surgery have it for just over £30 from £54.99 it looks very tempting indeed.


And if you really are in the mood for some serious cycle tinkering, the Feedback Bike Repair Stand, which is usually £124.99 is down to £74.99. Perfect for that summer bike build...

RAPHA - SPRING and SUMMER 2012

As I mentioned in my blog last week, Rapha's Spring and Summer range was imminent.


Well, more imminent than I had imagined as within the same day Rapha launched their new range 'look-book' to highlight the key pieces for this year.


Pretty much as expected, with some nice additions to the range and a nod to the London Olympics later in the year.


More on that to come later I'm sure...

TIMEOUT TUESDAY

It's Timeout Tuesday again over at Cycle Surgery.


This week we can grab ourselves up to 40% off selected jackets and jerseys.


There are no stand-out deals, although there is a lot of kit discounted, so you might want to head over there to take a look through.


Be quick though, as this discount applies to kit bought today only...

TIMEOUT TUESDAY

This week Cycle Surgery are offering up to 40% off all SealSkinz gloves, which is apposite given the icy conditions we've been enduring in the UK recently.


I was out over the weekend, picking a line between icy patches, crossing my fingers I would stay upright. 


I did stay upright, but boy those fingers I had crossed were getting cold, and there's little worse on a bike than numb fingers.

So, perhaps it's time to upgrade to a pair of SealSkinz Thermal Gloves, down from £49.99 to £29.99. What price warm hands?


The full range of gloves are discounted for today only, so let your fingers do the walking, right over to the Cycle Surgery website. 

RAPHA - SS12 SNEAK PEEK: ENDLESS SUMMER

It may not feel quite like it, but apparently Spring is heading our way. So, it must be time for Rapha to start their annual Spring - Summer collection tease.


And of course Rapha very rarely disappoint...



All the latest designs, new components and revitalised colourways for Spring Summer 2012 will shortly be revealed. 


To whet our curiosity, Rapha have released some sneak shots of the products that will make spring and summer 2012 a season of endless riding and racing.


And if it isn't obvious from the photography, below are some cryptic descriptions:


• Stay faster and cooler than a cucumber with UCI points in this new colour update.



• Summer road-riding favourite Inspired by a Giro winner who took the yellow jersey from the Normand Gourmand.


• Bowler hats and time trials in the dark, bagpipes and daffodils, all in the weft of a nation.


• The finest tailors, the greatest street food, and 19 World Champions of la strada in one piece of performance roadwear.


• Inhale and exhale in perfect comfort as you ride homeward towards the second planet from the sun.


• No need for hats off even in the hottest battles, Rapha have it covered in weightless abundance.


At a guess, it looks like pro team jersey in yellow/lime, a Felice Gimondi club jersey, a new GB Country Jersey, an Italian Country Jersey,lightweight Jersey in a new colourway and finally a lightweight cycling cap.


I'm looking forward to a jersey commemorating "The Phoenix", if indeed the Felice Gimondi clue proves correct...

BARGAIN HUNT 35

Evans Cycles are offering 15% off when you buy 3 items at the moment.


If you add three clothing items or accessories to your basket just use code CLACC15 at checkout. 


They are also offering a 10% discount for two items of clothing and/or accessories - if you want to take advantage of this use code CLACC10 at the checkout.


Note this offer excludes Endura, Exposure, Garmin, Specialized, Motorola, bikes, components, BMX, GPS and turbo trainers...