Features

Paris - Brest - Paris 2007

Club member Svilen Marinov rode the legendary Paris-Brest-Paris randonée, from the French capital to the western point of Britanny and back, stopping only to eat or take the odd nap. A real test of the mind as well as the body, he's written an account of his marathon ride.

The Marmotte 2007

The hardest ride in the world? Perhaps but the Marmotte cyclosportif is a great day out and for Dominic Baker, it was "without a doubt, the best day I have ever had on the bike". Dominic has written an account of his ride, click here to read more.

Gezza's Journal

New member Gerry Rosen has joined the club with infectious enthusiasm that makes our Adam Currie or Lawrence Smith look halfhearted. As he'll remind you, he's a "big boned" London cabbie but he's also got the cycling bug, keep an eye out for the Kingston Wheelers car stickers in the back of his cab. For part his journal, click here.

The Cape Epic

The world's biggest and best mountainbike race is held in South Africa. A week long adventure that sees amateurs race alongside World Cup stars and it's a challenge for all. Andrew LeCordeur and James Beaumont tell the tale of the 2007 Cape Epic. Also, if you're planning to ride want some ideas on what to pack, how to train, click here.

La Marmotte

A Marmotte is a small furry animal that lives in the Alps. Ben Cousins and James Beaumont explain why La Marmotte isn't as cute as it sounds.

L'Etape du Tour

Andy Lack describes his Etape du Tour

L'Ardecheoise 2006

10 members went to ride the 2006 Ardecheoise.

Ironman Switzerland - Zurich, June 2006

Like many in the club, Ian Collins has a background in triathlon. Having tackled the cycling challenges of the Ardechoise and the Marmotte, he realised that he wanted to put this endurance into a new challenge...

Ventoux Three: becoming a Mont Ventoux Cinglé

Mont Ventoux is a legendary place for cycling. There are three roads leading up to the summit of the mountain in Provence. Climbing to the summit can be an achievement, but what about tackling all three routes in one ride? Those who complete this route get a medal and join the "Club of Mont Ventoux Madmen". Click here to read more about the three ascents and what it's like to ride them all together.

Sean Yates Training Day

Ex-pro and current Discovery Team Directeur Sportif, Sean Yates, is offering half day rides (plus a pub lunch) and Kingston Wheelers Andy Lack and Ian Beston joined him on 8 June for what turned out to be one of the best days of the summer so far. Click here to read more.

La Limousine Cyclosportif

Club member James Beaumont rode the "La Limousine" cyclosportif in France. Held on the first Saturday of June each year, it's one the premier cyclosportif events on the French calendar and attracts 1,800 riders. You get a 160km ride with many climbs and plenty of twisting forest roads: a tough event. Click here to read more.

Fred Whitton Challenge

Danny Conway rode the Fred Whitton Challenge. It's certainly a challenge: 110 miles around the Lake District, including the 30% gradient of Hardknott Pass, which comes after 100 miles of gruelling terrain. Read more about the Fred Whitton Challenge.

Majorca

Club members Thorsten Klassen and Will Meers both met up by accident on the Spanish island of Majorca. They were there, along with many others, to escape the cold Northern European winter and to find some new roads for training. Read more about the Majorcan training camp.

Dragon Ride

Gafyn MacMillan goes back home to Wales to ride part of the route of the Dragon Ride cyclosportif.

Mythical Mountains

Stewie Martin and Ben Cousins rode some of the sport's Mythical Mountains and tell their account of several days spent riding in the Alps, including the unpaved Col de Finestre in Italy, as well as Mont Ventoux.

"Probably the best and worst day of my life on a bike"

Ian Collins and Ian Beston rode the Marmotte cyclosportif: the hardest cyclosportif around.

Superbe L'Ardéchoise

Amongst the 14,000 cyclists riding the Ardéchoise cyclosportif were eight Kingston Wheelers.

Stage racing in France

Stage racing doesn't just mean the Tour de France and other big pro races. There are some good events in the UK and some even better ones in France. A team of six went to France to ride the brilliant Tour des Vallees de la Côte D’Azur.

Les 1000 Bosses

Ian Collins builds up to the Ardéchoise and the Marmotte cyclosportif by riding the 1000 Bosses cyclosportif. Meaning the "1000 hills", the ride is just one of the many cyclosportifs on the French calendar and Ian describes what's on offer in France as well as the ride itself.

Tour of Flanders 2005

Heading to Belgium once again, Narayan Peralta recounts the club's trip to ride the Ronde Van Vlaanderen randonnee and then see the pros in action the following day.

2004 Etape du Tour

Nine members of the club rode the 238km Etape du Tour together. Graham Sheridan and James Beaumont share some thoughts on the event.

My first time trial

Ex-triathlete Ian Collins describes his first race against the clock.

My first road race

Gafyn MacMillan recounts his first road race.

My first cyclosportif

James Beaumont describes his first cyclosportif abroad in France.

Riding abroad Part I

James Beaumont took his bike to the Caribbean: Cycling in Guadeloupe

Riding abroad Part II

Ex-pat Ian Collins is now based in Geneva. Living close to the Jura and the Alps, Ian has recently ridden some of the sports most notorious moutains and also recounts his other rides in Geneva and elsewhere:
- Mont Ventoux
- Alpe d'Huez
- Geneva: riding indoors
- Geneva: riding the local hills
- Geneva: Sunday rides with the locals
- Geneva: 110 mile training rides around Lake Geneva
- Spain: pre-season training camp

Tour of Flanders 2004

Narayan Peralta tells all from the Wheelers' trip to Belgium to see the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.