The emergence of a new style of cycling ‘magazine’ has caused waves of excitement around the community.  Not just for its content and format, but for the writers behind it. 

2r is a new multi-media magazine about cycling available to download monthly and looks to feature some very interesting and inspiring writers as well as beautiful photo essays and in-depth written articles.

2r is a monthly “magazine” about the hidden side of pro cycling; the untold stories, riders before they were stars, the politics that shape this sport. – 2r

It seems Gerard Vroomen has had quite a bit to play in this ‘magazine’ coming to fruition and recently posted basic details of the release on his blog. So too has the superb blogger @inrng who highlighted the inaugural edition on his page, which sparked a very interesting debate between people with two main issues.

The first being the inclusion of legendary cycling commentator and all round wind-up merchant, Paul Kimmage who is set to dig deeper into the endless drama of cycling every month. I’ve long been a fan of Kimmage and think his knowledge of cycling and the inner workings of teams and of course doping is superb and fully support him sharing this knowledge with the public in order to broaden their minds.

The second major talking point is one I do certainly have a problem with and that’s that currently 2r is only available on iPad running iOS 6. I don’t have an iPad… which meant it was going to make writing this review particularly difficult! I contacted some of the writers and to be honest they seemed as bemused as I did as to why the current target audience was so small. All current reviews of 2r state that they will soon be releasing it for other platforms, but this is still no good for you reading this review! It seems like a wonderful concept for a magazine and I’m really looking forward to reading it and in truth I was seriously annoyed when I realised I couldn’t view it.

However, Mr Vroomen tells us that “In issue 1, Paul interviews LeMond about his relationships with Hinault, Fignon and Armstrong. In the 44(!) page interview, they also cover races being sold, cocaine, and awkward dinners (with the chef of Renault and Lance). Boonen revisits his worst loss, Gesink draws his first bike and Nuyens contemplates retirement. To top it off, Cavendish thinks about what he would do as the UCI president. Plus the most beautiful photos from l’Équipe and Sirotti.”

So if you have already read the new 2r, or have been inspired to go and check it out following this completely flawed review (let’s not sugar coat this!) then please do comment below and let us know what you think.  How do you feel about the concept, the writers, it’s availability etc….and maybe you could write the next review after I get fired!

Stevie

The good people at the AMGEN Tour of California have announced a competition to design the jersey that will adorn the leader of the race’s Breakaway From Cancer Most Courageous rider… and you have a competitor to vote for!  VOTE HERE

I took a lot of enjoyment out of designing our Loving The Bike 2012 team kit, and in our opinion it turned out great.  The design process was made easier by knowledge of Photoshop CS5 and new designs for the team kit range are underway.

Very recently I stumbled across this competition to design a jersey for the Pro peloton and just had to have a crack at it. I kept the strong bold colours of the 2012 jersey which show off the ToC and Breakaway from Cancer spirit as well adding in the Breakaway logo in a Garmin-Sharp inspired pattern. I feel it’s striking and would be able to stand out from the crowd.

Although there is a great prize up for grabs to whoever gains the most public votes for their jersey design, I’m unlikely to be able to capitalise on it from this side of the pond and that’s not why I’m doing it. I enjoy designing cycle kits and would be very proud to see this riding the roads of California!

This competition is all based on public opinion so if you like my design, please take a few moments to vote for my jersey and spread the word. You can VOTE HERE for my jersey and design and submit your own here.

If you need a jersey or kit designed… let me know!

Stevie

In a week that has seen the lives of some, and the dreams of many, strewn in tatters across the internet I thought it’d be nice to bring something wonderful to the screens of the loyal readers of LovingTheBike.com.

Martyn Ashton is apparently very well known in the MTB and trials scene and has been a pro for almost 20 years. The skill and finesse that the spot of trials needs can be seen in beautiful detail in the films below. It’s clear it’s not all about the bike… and has a considerable amount to do with the fleshy humanoid atop the steed.

It’s awesome seeing someone able to do these tricks on a £10,000 carbon road bike and also goes to show just how robust a modern road bike it. These videos have been making their way around via social media in the last week, but feast your eyes again on the pure, unadulterated skill of Mr Ashton… just please don’t try this at home!

When I heard the news of Lance Armstrong getting stripped of his titles and being banned from cycling last night, my heart sank.  Sure I’m a fan of this incredible cycling legend and was saddened for him, but my thoughts were more directed towards what this was going to do for the sport of cycling.

I felt as if the USADA had just shot cycling in the head, and they had pushed back all the progress this sport has ever made.  Then it hit me.  Politics and Authoritative organizations can play their games and try to flex their muscles, but they can’t change the reality of a situation.

If  Lance Armstrong wouldn’t have won those 7 Tour de France titles, some other doped up cyclist would have.

Yeah, you can dislike me for saying that….but it’s the truth.  Unfortunately we’re in a day and time where the World’s top athletes use enhancements to become the best.  If Lance was the only cyclist using anything during his reign, then I’m pretty sure he would have won by far greater margins than he did.

Obviously someone at the USADA has a personal vendetta against Lance Armstrong, and it really sucks that something like that has to be the reason he was made an example of.

Love him or hate him, Lance has done amazing things for our beloved sport and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason that at least some of you are riding a bike today. He may have been stripped of his titles and used as a punching bag by the USADA, but I’m going to continue looking up to him and remembering all the good things he has done.

This is some of the biggest news to ever hit the cycling world, and over the next few days you’ll be reading countless articles and opinions.  I personally had to go on record as saying that the USADA sucks, and I’m simply just going to ignore what just went down last night.  I’m not going to dwell on it, get frustrated, or try to make sense of it all.

I’m going to ride my bike, believe in Lance, and Enjoy my Ride.

Ironically, I might not be able to ride in the LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin this year…it will be the first time I’ve missed it in a long, long time.  But I do feel that YOU need to take part in this fantastic event, and here are 8 reasons why.

Be sure to check out reason number 8 which includes your chance to win a Team LIVESTRONG jersey, Mellow Johnny’s Jersey, or Team  cycling cap.

LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin - Sunday October 21, 2012

Register right now: Click to REGISTER

I wish I could just tell the world to stop.  Grab hold of the Government and tell them to wise up and focus on humanity.  Tap into the bank accounts of the overly wealthy and use it for something important.  Find out if the pharmaceutical world really does have the cure.

Is it just me or is our society actually being torn apart by cancer?  There are a lot of illnesses out there, but no other has become such a major topic and no other has affected so many people.  It’s on a rampage.

It’s one of those things where it just needs to be fixed before we move on to the next thing.  Forget about inventing something new.  Forget about what you’re going to make for supper.  Forget about how much tax that person owes the Government.  Get this thing fixed.  Get it fixed now.

There are Billions of dollars being raised to find a cure.  Either find it or find out what is causing this thing to develop.  If it were up to me, I would stop the world for a few days and have us all focus on nothing other than a cure.  Imagine that.  If the people from Extreme Home Makeover can band hundreds of people together to build a dream home in seven days….maybe cancer can be cured if society spent seven days focusing on nothing else.

Maybe I’m foolish to think my thoughts….I’m not sure.  We’re doing pretty good at raising money and awareness.  What I’m asking for is the next step.  Taking this thing up about 28 Million levels.  Stop the world for seven days.  Focus on one thing.  Let’s all help Make it Happen.  Cure cancer.

While we wait for this dream scenario to take place, I definitely want to pay tribute to incredible organizations like Livestrong, the Pablove Foundation, Susan G Komen, the American and Canadian Cancer Societies, and all the other great organizations out there.   A big shout out as well to my friend Rik who puts in hours upon hours in his role as a paediatric cancer researcher for CRTC.  You’re one amazing guy, and we thank you for all the hard work you put in.