breakingFree

The 10 Places You Must Cycle Before You Die

OTAGO PENINSULA, NEW ZEALAND

With the first half decidedly laid-back and the second portion anything but, the mix of scenery and sweat make this one of the best one-day rides in the country. Starting from university-town Dunedin you soon shed the trappings of the city and succumb to the lure of the open road. The serpentine route twists pleasantly along the shore, providing tremendous ocean views, and the terrain is made for cycling. Then suddenly there's a sharp turn to the right and you're gaining altitude like a climbing fighter-jet. Get ready for steep climbs, fast descents and the odd albatross to keep you company.

FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA, ITALY

By cycling the often overlooked, yet spectacular, far reaches of the northeast corner of Italy, you have the opportunity to intimately discover this earthy region. Along roads that make for easy pedalling, Slovenian farmers tend their fields in the strong sun, rows of vines cling to voluptuous hill country, and you smell the freshly tilled earth and feel the wind cool the sweat from your face. Then in the evenings, relax in a piazza to sample the region's famous white wines and join the laidback locals for a chat. The route's icing on the cake is the final scenic jaunt down the Istrian coast.

ISLE OF WIGHT, ENGLAND

The Isle of Wight is a cycling paradise that is home to some of the UK's most varied terrain: lush velvet hills rolling into the sea, narrow lanes through tidy hedgerows, deep and mysterious green gullies, and the island's most striking feature, the ridge of white chalk cliffs stretching across its breadth. Although cyclists have been enjoying its outdoor pleasures for decades now, it's only been in recent years that Wight has started to attract young and trendy Londoners looking for a romantic weekend by the sea with a buzz – which gastropubs, slick hotels and a calendar full of festivals now provide.

CAPE BRETON ISLAND, CANADA

This justifiably renowned cycling route is best-known for the scenery – breathtaking rocky coastlines, the crystal clear Bras d'Or inland sea and the soaring ridges of the Cape Breton Highlands – especially in their autumn colours. But adventure-seekers will also be satisfied as gently rolling hills become invigorating mountains with some tough climbs and heart-thumping descents. Combined with local wildlife (such as beavers, moose and deer), quaint fishing villages, an intriguing Gaelic culture grown from French-Scottish roots and plenty of fresh ocean breezes, Cape Breton is the whole package.

WEST COAST TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

By right, Tasmania should be too small to have huge pockets of wilderness, but untouched and untamed lands stretch along its fierce west coast. Cycling land this wild should not come easily and it doesn't, with the hill climbs queuing one after the other – you will notice them but not as much as the scenery, which takes in Tasmania's most famous mountain (Cradle Mountain), its cutest coastal town (Strahan), its highest waterfall (Montezuma Falls) and its most beautiful lake (Lake St Clair), all on highways that feel at times like back roads.

LUBERON AND MONT VENTOUX, FRANCE

Tackling hilly Luberon with a touring load might seem crazy, but several hundred kilometres of well-signed bike paths render it very enjoyable, as do ancient Roman ruins, medieval chateaux and ambrosial wines. This sun-drenched corner of Provence is a mix of manicured vineyards and ancient villages tumbling haphazardly down rocky slopes. Cool pine forests and blue fields of lavender stretch away on either side of the road. But the real goal here is legendary Mont Ventoux, scene of several Tour de France dramas, dominating the landscape and silently luring cyclist-pilgrims to its summit.

SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WASHINGTON, USA

The ferry conveying you and your trusty steed from Seattle or Anacortes weaves its way calmly, the perfect introduction to the slow, peaceful character of these islands. Awaiting you are forested shorelines, secluded coves, bucolic vistas and quiet roads. The three largest islands, Lopez, Orcas and San Juan, each have their own distinctive charm, with historic sites and art galleries. The terrain is hilly, but each can be cycled in a day, including plenty of time to watch for seals, otters, sea lions and the odd orca, or black-tailed deer and eagles further inland.

COUNTY CLARE, IRELAND

Beginning in fertile lowlands flanking the Shannon estuary, this route rolls past golden-sand beaches to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher facing the Atlantic. Next come the music hotbed towns of Milltown Malbay and Doolin, where you enter a pub only if you're in for the long haul – leaving before the last song is sung seems a monstrous breach of etiquette. From here progress to the relentlessly grey, yet captivating, limestone expanse of the Burren, reminiscent of a lunar landscape. Then take a sojourn into Yeats' country before sauntering back in a loop through CountyClare's gentle patchwork countryside.

LA FAROLA, CUBA

Fascinating Cuba is a delight at helmet level. Try the spectacular 9km descent along the La Farola highway, from the crest of the Baracoa Mountains down to the south coast. The highway clings to cliffs hung in tropical vegetation, with guard rails protecting you from drop-to-nowhere gorges, before sweeping from one giant limestone ledge to the next, each turn providing a closer vista of wild open ocean. Built by the Revolutionary government, this magnificent mountain highway is an irresistible challenge for cyclists. Traditionally, the first stage of the Vuelta Ciclista Cuba (Cuba's answer to the Tour de France) is run over this route.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY 1, VIETNAM

This iconic road runs the length of the narrow country from north to south. It is the most popular cycling route in Vietnam, a long but immensely rewarding trip along the best parts of Vietnam's coastline. The route has some reasonable hills, climaxing in the mighty Hai Van Pass (496m) – with a breathtaking descent as pine-clad mountains loom to the west and the South China Sea vanishes into the east. Take the time along the way to gaze at networks of lush rice fields blanketing the hidden valleys below; fish, snorkel or dive the turquoise waters of the coast; and soak up the atmosphere of delightful rural hamlets.

The Failure of the UCI

The sport of cycling is beautiful, millions of people partake in this activity for both recreational and competitive purposes.  Cycling is growing at an exponential rate throughout the world, with bikes more often then not outselling cars each year.   The technology behind cycling has also improved dramatically and the sport is becoming more and more mainstream.  Everything appears to be on the up and up for cycling, and yet it is being held back by its governing body, the UCI.  Yes as ridiculous as it sounds, the cycling community is in agreement about the fact that the people who run this sport, the ones who should be trying to improve it are inherently limiting the potential of cycling.  They have imposed so many rules that it appears that they are attempting to push people away from the sport.  For example, there are now regulations as to the width manufacturers are allowed to make their wheels, laws on the geometry of bikes and a weight limit which professionals bikes are not allowed to go under.  If I would say so myself, they are preventing technological improvement.  How is it that in every other sport in the world improvement is considered a beneficial thing, however in this sport it is being shunned by the UCI.  This has all been brought to a head in recent weeks, after the UCI banned the Australia shoe company, Bont, from releasing their new aerodynamic shoe.  I thought this was a joke when I first heard about it, but discovered after doing a bit of background research that was indeed true.  The UCI stopped the manufacturing of this product because it went against their law on unfair performance assistance.  Great, well this just proves that the UCI is indeed trying to stop technological advancement.  In fact through this decision the UCI would have us believe that they would prefer if riders were still riding on steel frames, with only 1 gear and no helmets.  It is sad that the UCI seems to have its mind firmly set on ruining cycling instead of improving it, as the sports growth is undeniable and if the governing body were to support and nurture this growth it would be in the best interests of everybody.  Pat McQuaid and all those who work for the UCI please get your act together, and stop penalysing manufacturers and companies who are only trying to promote cycling, and start focusing on more important things, such as doing your job correctly and standing by those in the sport.   

Wouter Weylandt Crash

Just a short post to commemorate and honor Wouter Weylandt, a 26 year old Belgian cyclist who died in a crash on the descent of the Passo del Bocco in stage 3 of this years Giro. The autopsy has revealed that he died on impact from a fractured skull and experienced no pain. Although I never knew him personally the loss of his life left me gutted when I first found out, and the sick feeling has followed me ever since. It is such a tragedy for someone so young, talented and brave to die under these circumstances, especially when he left a pregnant wife. His death was a reminder of the inherent dangers present in the sport of cycling. The way in which Wouter Waylandts passing has united the cycling community has been remarkable. Forums have been abuzz with tributes to the man, and homages throughout the world are being made. You only had to watch stage 4 today to appreciate the outpouring of grief and respect from the peloton, as they neautralized the stage, took 10 minute turns in sharing the lead, had a 1 minute silence, and left his team, Leapard Trek and best friend, Tyler Farrar, to cross the line out in front of the peloton. Lets ensure that this commemoration of Wouters life continues and that his death is not forgotten. Always stay focussed on the road, and never take unnecessary risks. In order to honour Wouter Weylandts life I for one will be wearing a black armband at my Saturday race on the Gold Coast. I would encourage others to do this to show your support for his family, friends and team, and above all to honor the life of a courageous person who lived his dream. Please support this worthy cause at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100957283328806
From the cycling community, rest in peace, Wouter, your life will never be forgotten and you died doing the thing you loved. I will leave you now with the words of Jack London.

I would rather be ashes than dust!

I would rather that my spark should burn out

in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom

of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The function of man is to live, not to exist.

I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.

I shall use my time.

1984-2011

Gold Coast Cycle Training Club

Woke up this morning to beautiful blue skies and perfect weather for cycling.  I had a choice between going for a long ride up to the mountains, or a practice crit race at the Luke Harrop Cycling circuit which is 5km from my house.  I decided to do the race, to see what the Gold Coast Cycle Training Club is all about.  In the end i was very glad I went.  Its a very well run race, which has a good community feel about it.  There is no prize money as it is a practice race, but this doesn't stop everyone from pushing it to the limit.  I went in A grade, where the majority of the riders are elite triathletes.  As a result they all had tri bars which only served to increase the pace. In the end we flew around the track, and after taking a few turns I simply tried to hold on for the rest of the race.   It was a 50 minute plus 3 lap race, and after only 15 minutes I was in the red zone, just focusing on the wheel infront.  Unlike the usual Sunday races at Luke Harrop the course includes a u turn, and it reconfirmed how hard they make the race.  Everytime u come out of it  there is a full on sprint, and many times I was dropped and had to fight to get back on the group. Whats more the u turn came up every km, which made the race even harder.  We averaged over 40km/h for the race which is very impressive when the u turn is taken into account.  The pace was unrelenting and as a result no one attacked, it was like being in a team time trial.  I amazingly survived until the end without getting dropped, which I was proud of.  For those who live on the Gold Coast I would highly recommend checking out the gold coast cycling training club website at http://www.gcctc.com.au/ and coming to some races.  They are extremely tough and good training, and have a friendly feel to it.  I am very glad i went this morning and know that I will race here more often.