August 2015

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We all love tech. So, here's a tech extravaganza in the GCN Show.
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Eurobike is the biggest bike show in the world. So big, in fact, that we wore out a brand new set of trainers the last time we went. The tech on show there is always excellent, but this year, with some incredible new groupsets from SRAM and Rotor and progress in the form of disc brake semi-legalisation in the pro peloton, it was bound to be even better than usual.

As you'd expect, we have something to say about what was on offer. And, as you'd expect too, we want to hear your thoughts, so let us know down in the comments and don't forget to share this show and tell your friends to subscribe to GCN! (They can do that via this link: 

 ... you should subscribe too if you haven't done so already – it's free!)

Also – a HUGE thanks to our peloton of "Welcome to the GCN Shows" this week. Want to get involved? Of course you do – film a short clip and post it to the social network of your choice using #WelcomeGCN. Drop us a message or a comment to let us know you've posted and we'll do the rest.

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Tech News Extra From Eurobike 2015 | The GCN Show Ep. 138

Does Spartacus have the best custom paint job in the whole peloton?
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Before his untimely exit from the Vuelta A España, we got a chance to talk with Classics King Fabian Cancellara on the thinking behind his customised Trek Domane. Find out his lucky number and why he prefers to run mechanical Dura Ace over electronic - this man is old school!

Music:
Ruckspin/Planas - Warfare (Ruckspin & Planas Remix)

Fabian Cancellara's Trek Domane + Cancellara Interview

It's one of the longest standing rumours or never-used bits of advice in cycling: if you have a flat tyre and no spare inner tubes, you should stuff it with grass. But, does it actually work? And, does it take so long that you should just walk home? We decided to investigate.
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We've both recommended it and un-recommended it. But, in all honesty, we'd never had to do it. So, when Simon said he had a free morning we sent him to the nearest field to find out: can you actually repair a flat tyre by stuffing it with grass?!

Can You Actually Repair A Flat Tyre By Stuffing It With Grass?

3 weeks is a long time to be on the road, so what do the riders take with them? Matt goes through every item that Team Sky's Ian Boswell has in his suitcase for La Vuelta.

There is a lot to take into consideration when packing for a three week jolly around Spain.  Team Sky's Ian Boswell comes very prepared.  Here he shows us all his Rapha goodies, how he organises everything and even some new Oakley glasses which are the latest of Team Sky's marginal gains.

What's In A Pro Cyclist's Suitcase? With Team Sky's Ian Boswell

Racing, and riding, at high elevation is an experience like no other. We asked the pros, and their physiologists, what it's like, and how to prepare.
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Every summer, pro cyclists from Europe and North America gather in Colorado for the USA Pro Challenge, where entire stages are held at or above 10,000 feet elevation. Those who have acclimated hold a clear advantage; those who have not try to hang on as long as they can. We spoke with pro riders, and physiologists, to learn more about what it's like to race at high altitude, and how the average cycling enthusiast can prepare for racing, or just riding, at extreme altitude.

How To Race And Ride At High Altitude

Fabio Aru, 2nd at this years Giro, is Team Astana's leader for the Vuelta.  What does he ride?  Matt Stephens takes a closer look at his Specialized Tarmac SL.

We're fortunate enough to get up close and personal with lots of the pro's bikes, and this time Matt heads over to Astana to take a closer look at Fabio Aru's Specialized Tarmac SL, which comes very close to the UCI's weight limit of 6.8kg.  Taking things to the extreme, Matt even weighs his individual wheels.....

Fabio Aru's Specialized Tarmac

Cycling is, supposedly, all in the legs. But, if we're talking arm strength, how does the pro peloton measure up? Matt got the tape measure out and found out who has the biggest guns in the peloton.
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Cyclists have strong legs, but, do they have strong arms too? Do they even have visible arm muscles? This is an important question, so Matt investigated at the Vuelta. Is John Degenkolb stronger than Peter Sagan? How much stronger is a sprinter than a climber? Check out the video for the answers...

Don't forget to let us know what you think in the comments and share this video!

Guns Of The Peloton – Which Pro Cyclist Has The Strongest Arms? | Vuelta A España 2015

Nearly every pro cyclist has an incredibly smooth pedalling style. But, out of the GCN presenters who is the most pro in this respect? This question called for a GCN presenter challenge.
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A smooth, well developed pedalling style is a hallmark of a professional cyclist. It is possible to win bike races at the highest level without a smooth pedalling style, but, most winners – and most pros – will have a smooth, if not very smooth, pedal stroke.

Matt, Dan and Simon are a competitive bunch, and the latest firmware update to Garmin's Vector pedals means that we can judge just how smooth their pedalling styles are. So, who would be the most pro – or the smoothest – GCN presenter? Watch this video and find out!

Who's The Most Pro? The GCN Presenter Pedalling Challenge

Wheelsucker! Amateur! Half-wheeler! Cyclists have a rich, storied, range of insults to throw at other cyclists. Here are ten of our favourites. 
Comment with yours!
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Road cycling is a sociable sport – in fact, we'd argue that it's best enjoyed with friends. What that means is that you'll talk with your riding partners, and, at some point, you'll need to insult them too...

Music:
Capsule - Comme Ca
Harry Arnold - Goofy Guitar
Capsule - Parismatic
The Sons Of Bido Lito - Navojoa
Roger Roger - Quick Feet
Dennis Farnon - Funnybone
Che3vy - Praize The Nord
Freeze The Atlantic - This Fight
Pause - Shouts Out
Malcolm Lockyer - A Square Serenade
Max Martin - Barrow Boy

Top 10 Cycling Insults

The Vuelta a España is the third – and least well-known – Grand Tour. Here are ten facts about this great race.
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As the Vuelta has often been off many cycling fans' radar, it's fair to say that there's often an element of the unknown about the race. The climbs, the finishes and the roads aren't regularly seen on television screens, so there just isn't the same level of familiarity that you get when the Tour de France hits the Alps.

So, to de-mystify the race and to add an extra layer of knowledge to your spectating, here are ten obscure, essential and interesting facts about La Vuelta a España.

Watch more:
Our Vuelta a España playlist: 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Vuelta-a-Espana-2009" by NielsB - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vuelta-a-Espana-2009.png#/media/File:Vuelta-a-Espana-2009.png

By NL-HaNA, ANEFO / neg. stroken, 1945-1989, 2.24.01.05, item number 929-7999 [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en

By Nationaal Archief (Voor de start/ Before the beginning) [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

By Unknown (Mondadori Publishers) ([1]) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Bernardo Ruiz
By Joop van Bilsen / Anefo (Nationaal Archief) [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl 

Laurent Jalabert
By Eric HOUDAS (Own work) [GFDL 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0

By Nationaal Archief (Voor de start/ Before the beginning) [see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5

"Gin Puerto de Indias Strawberry" by Gin Premium Puerto de Indias - Gin Puerto de Indias Web. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gin_Puerto_de_Indias_Strawberry.jpg#/media/File:Gin_Puerto_de_Indias_Strawberry.jpg

"Miguel Indurain" by Darz Mol - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Miguel_Indurain.jpg#/media/File:Miguel_Indurain.jpg

Top 10 Vuelta A España Facts – Things You Didn't Know About The Vuelta

You've seen GCN's first look at the new, wireless SRAM Red eTap groupset, but how does it actually perform on the road?
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In this video, Si heads out with a group of journalists to put it to the test. With a unique new system for changing gears, SRAM Red eTap looked very intriguing when we recently got a first look.  Well now we've been able to try it out on the open road. Find out in this video what Si, and pro rider Loren Rowney think about the groupset, as they take a ride around the beautiful roads of Schweinfurt, Germany.

We talk lever ergonomics, shifting performance and try out key shifts like when sprinting or dropping from the big ring when climbing. 

For a more detailed look at the tech behind this, make sure you check out or first look video: 

NEW SRAM Red eTap Wireless Groupset – GCN's First Ride

SRAM have lifted the lid on their groundbreaking new wireless groupset. It's called SRAM Red eTap and Si Richardson talks us through the details.
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It was all the way back in May of 2014 when Tom Last first spotted an electronic SRAM Groupset at the Tour of California.

SRAM have spent the following 15 months refining this revolutionary completely wireless groupset.  Well now, it's finished, and Si Richardson was the lucky person from GCN to take a first look, and bring you all the details.

The derailleurs communicate with the shifters using 128 Bit AES encryption. All components therefore need their own batteries but SRAM have designed them to be easily removable. 

The method of shifting has also changed, with each hand responsible for either shifting up or down the cassette, and when both levers are pressed simultaneously the front derailleur is activated. 

For Si's impressions on his first ride, watch this video: 

August 2015

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