2013 is here and with it brings the awesome new Fantasy Cycling league brought to you by road.cc.

This year we have a new and improved fantasy game to bring you, the new bit is from me (I’ve given the league a new name) and the road.cc chaps are supplying the excellent, improved game play. For those of you who competed last year the game rules are almost exactly the same but the user interface has been improved with improved visual stats and new achievements to unlock in the Premium section. You can find the full list of rules and regulations here.

As we go to press there are no confirmed prizes for this year’s competition but be assured that it will be worth fighting for at every race this season. I’m hoping to secure some prizes for the Grand Tours as well as the overall so make sure you make those team substitutions in time for the next race/stage.

Although you will be able to join the league at any point in the year, overall scores will only be taken from people competing in all of the NON-premium events. We did have a situation last year where a certain someone (who will remain nameless due to editorial privileges) competed in the extra Premium rounds which skewed the scores slightly. This year the Premium game does actually give you something extra rather than just a few extra races. For a mere £10 (that’s 16 Americani bucks by my quaculations) you get 10 extra races including the early Classic races, Tour of California and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. You also get more stats options for your roster as well as being able to select 2 teams to run side by side, one in the regular LovingTheBike.com league  and the other in a ‘Purist’ league where you keep the same squad throughout the season and are not allowed to make transfers. Please feel free to upgrade to premium and compete with me in every round, the scores will be adjusted accordingly for our own league.

The final thing you need to know is the league details… Head over to road.cc and the LovingTheBike.com league, which can be found with code 76148  if the link doesn’t get you straight there. Ensure you have your account created and first team picked by January 22nd for the start of the Tour Down Under. Although we won’t be reminding you before every competition, when possible, you will get a nudge via the #bikeschool feed on Twitter from myself (@StevieDexter). If you are ever in need of some background information on the races and/or riders my favourite source is steephill.tv. Don’t say I never help!

The best of luck to everyone and please, please don’t beat me!

Stevie

We are already a third of the way through #30daysofbiking and Team #LovingTheBike is ‘performing’ really well. As one of the team Road Captains I thought it would only be proper and correct to sing your praises and try to raise the morale even higher with a run down of some of the last week’s worth of photo’s and comments. (Sorry in advance for the formatting… WordPress!)

Krissy showing everyone you can still participate without even going outside!

Craig Stauffer got arty with the camera... or did he get the settings wrong? The bike is the main thing though

I have to admit that this smiling oaf is my brother, Andy Wynn... 30daying it in the rain

Kayla Beaconsfield, one of the youngest members of Team #LovingTheBike takes a well earned nap

Krissy Nelson started the event off as she meant to go on with a little 17 mile ride before dinner! Good work Krissy

Aaron Madrid chillaxin by the river

Landscapes... always a great Reason2Ride

As someone who also commutes after midnight, I appreciate the night time sights as much as Mark

It's amazing what you can find when out on the bike. Myrna Gatheridge Mibus found... this

Riaan Coetzee found a beauty of a single track that'll make commuting to work much more enjoyable

There has been a 'Treasure Island' feel to many of Laura Losey Faulkner's photo's

Glenn Crosse Sr... I salute you! A fine moustache! Chapeau!

You shouldn't need inspiration during #30daysofbiking but I took a quick peak in 'the bike room' to get the mind in gear

Marty Boyd reconnected with the El Paso Bicycle Club chaingang

What is it about facial hair that makes a man look... erm... Chapeau sir!

Tulips... the national flower of Julie Starling's bike nation

Glenn on the Tour de Cure

When riding your bike becomes too easy... try dragging a huge cannon as well like Riaan

To all of Team #LovingTheBike… keep up the great work. Let’s clock up as many rides as possible and shout about it from the rooftops!

Stevie

As we hurtle through February (seriously…!? Where has the year gone already!?) and head onwards towards what we all hope to be fresh Spring weather followed by a hot dry Summer, competitive thoughts begin to flood the brain.  Whether it be beating your friends up the local climb on a Sunday morning, setting a gold medal time in a sportive or starting your first 100 mile ride…we all get that competitive bug and it’s great to feel part of a team when you are doing it.

[Ed: Please remember when attempting a long distance ride such as a 100 miler, it's the starting that's the hard bit! Getting around and finishing will take care of themselves, your friends will help you, it will be ok. Just make sure you get out there and do it!]

After interviewing Canadian Olympian Lauren Campbell (@gunzycampbell) last week in the first of our 2012 Talks series and seeing the great interaction everyone had with her as #bikeschool professor last week, I realised that 2012 is going to be a competitive year for lots of people.  So what better way of making the most out of 2012′s competitions than in stunning #bikeschool team kit made by Groucho Sports.

The #bikeschool jersey was designed by our very own @BobRidesABike and we want to see these jerseys competing all over the globe.  After all…#bikeschool is all about making WORLD CYCLISTS UNITE. You can pick up your #bikeschool jersey for just $45.95 directly from Groucho Sports and as those that have already purchased will testify, they are superb quality.  Groucho Sports also produce the LovingTheBike jersey and shorts which you can see below.

So if you haven’t added either the #bikeschool inspired jersey or the LovingTheBike team shirt to your collection yet, get with the program and show your support.  We want to see these jerseys at as many events of rides as possible this year and if you start sending in some real corkers, we’ll dedicate a whole page just to your competition photos.  Make sure you let us know how you get on with any challenges you have this year, we are all here to help!

Head over to Groucho Sports and pick up your team gear and let’s see how many points we can score in the Union Bicycliste International!

Stevie