In Septemebr we ran a competition in conjunction with 220 Triathlon magazine to win a full days coaching with GB Elite Triathlete Stuart Hayes.

The day was incredible to say the least! Following an early start (7am) the itinery set out by Stu pre-competition went smoothly and the two winners took a huge amount from the day. They’ve written up a small piece that sums up their days.

Congratulations to both Ian Gould and Jane McMenemy!

Ian:

My initial reaction was ‘why is Wiggle calling me?’ But to be told I could be spending a day’s training with Stuart Hayes soon got my attention. I accepted before I’d even checked I could get to Loughborough in two days time or get the time off work. Checking the competition and being reminded that there was a Wiggle voucher and Focus goodie bag included was the icing on the cake!
I was greeted at the hotel by Matt from Wiggle with a meal and conversation about everything from Internet mail order to triathlon before getting my head down ready for the seven AM start.
Next morning we met Stu, his manager Richard and the other competition winners at Loughborough University where we were to based for the day. After introductions we got straight into a thirty minute run which took us round parts of the LU campus and fields used by Paula Radcliffe for training.
This was followed by breakfast with interesting insights into triathlon and outrageous stories about the build up to the Beijing Olympics!
Next was a swim session in the LU fifty-metre pool including swim sets with pull buoy and kick board where I picked up some good tips concerning my stroke. Top tip: Take enough caffeine before the swim so that you’re buzzing when the gun goes off.
We went back to the hotel for lunch and were joined by James (editor of Triathlon 220). Talk got round to other people in the GB team, strengths, weaknesses, rivalries; Stu made a call on his mobile to see if any of the others were available to join us!
In the afternoon we cycled a 32 mile loop of Loughborough countryside including some intervals and pace line work, followed by a thirty minute run off the bike. I don’t think Stu broke into a sweat, whereas I felt like I had just got out of the shower.
The day finished with a meal in the company of Michelle Dillon with yet more great stories and triathlon tips.
Many thanks to Wiggle and 220 for a great day in the company of great people

Jane:

A Wiggle competition flashes up on the screen. An email from them that may not result in spending a load of cash on more gear in some irresistible offer. Fantastic! The prize, a day triathlon training with Stuart Hayes at Loughborough. Even better. Well, I won’t win that; some gear would be nice though. I’m not really a triathlete but I’ve done a triathlon, more than one actually. That counts doesn’t it? I even know the answer to the competition question without Google. Stuart Hayes. Won the London triathlon in 2005. Saw him do it. E-mail fired off and forgotten about weeks ago.

I was on my bike when the first call from Wiggle came through and by the time I got round to realising what I’d won I was with my visiting sister touring round Buckingham Palace, wondering if I’d be thrown out for using my mobile, but increasingly concerned that Wiggle would find another winner if I didn’t make contact soon. 2 days later I was driving up the M1 not quite knowing what to expect. Slightly nervous of a day with intense, focused, necessarily self-absorbed athletes. Would my questions be too amateur? How many minutes of the bike ride would I last before being dropped…?! Meeting Matt from Wiggle at the Travel Inn reassured me - he was relaxed and entertaining and would be the perfect host. The only bad (but somehow unsurprising) news - an early start.

The next morning I met Ian the other winner and we were off to Loughborough university to meet Stuart. Much taller than I thought, slim, friendly and laid back. This was going to be fine! My dodgy hamstring meant I skipped the warm up run for coffee and muffins and by the time the others got back, the caffeine had kicked in and I was ready for the training. My background is in swimming so arriving at the pool and watching some of the elite swimmers training was the first bonus. How do they make it look so easy. We were in next - the luxury of swimming in a couple of lanes to ourselves in a clean pool - not used to that as a Londoner! Got some great tips from Stu on triathlon swimming and drafting and in no time we’d been swimming for over an hour. By this time everyone was firing questions and sponging in all the information we could. Lots more questions over lunch, all patiently answered, nutrition, core training, tactics, lots of race stories and dodgy anecdotes - will any of us forget the Beijing tales… ? Stuart Hayes tells a very good story. Let’s say no more!

After lunch and all kitted up in our new Focus gear the ride began, joined now by James from 220. Gently undulating ride for a couple of hours says Stu. We wend our way out of Loughborough and are soon in beautiful countryside… and heading up an endless hill. Not that gently undulating in my view! Stuart has yet to break sweat or raise his heart rate so far today. Anyway, the pace is fine and we’re all chatting and Stu faces yet more grilling on bikes, interval training, turbo sets, wheels. Even through a bit of drizzle it’s great to be outside in the fresh air on a Thursday afternoon. The office seems many moons away. On return Ian and Stu head off for a run off the bike set and I head to the union with Matt. It smells of students i.e. alcohol. Fresher’s night last night lingering on - so not everyone here is an elite athlete!

Off next to a country pub. Will Clarke runs by… probably his first training of the day - not an early starter by all accounts. Michelle Dillon and her friend Sarah join us for the meal. They’re witty, engaging, down to earth and full of life, just what we need as the long ride and early start begin to take its toll. More stories and tips from Michelle who’s soon off to Oz, delicious food and then only the M1 to face for the drive back.

Really inspiring day, an amazing opportunity and lovely people… I can’t stop talking about it… I may even have to enter another triathlon.

Sarah Burl from Essex!

At the end August (doesn’t that seem a lifetime away?!) we launched a competition for the chance to win a Full 2007 Shimano XT groupset worth around £500 - includes front and rear mech, crank, cassette, v-brakes, levers, shifters and chain.
To enter you needed to answer the following question:

Why do you think you deserve to win this groupset?

We had literally thousands of entrants and we picked Sarah to be our winner. She was one of the very few that didn’t actually want the prize for herself. Coupled together with a great story and some nice photos I thought Sarah and her freinds are very worthy winners.

Here’s Sarah’s entry:

I think I deserve to win the Shimano XT Comp set because I would like to donate it to one of the Gambian Cycling team that we are trying to support in a country that does not support sports and makes it very difficult to both race and acquire new gear. My husband and I try our best to support a time trial every two months and try to put bikes together to help these guys, but most of the time these guys are riding bikes that can not be repaired as they can not get the spare parts. This Shimano XT groupset will go a long way in helping one of the team perform better and hopefully do better in the next Commonwealth games.

I enclose some photos of the team.

Sarah

 

 

so again congratulations to Sarah who has kindly offered to do a small write-up for the bloggle when the team receive the parts out in Gambia. Hopefully there will be more of these great photos as well!

Then you will want to consider the 2007 Focus Izalco Expert. All carbon frame and fork, Campagnolo Chorus groupset, Mavic Ksyrium wheels, Truvativ Carbon chainset and all weighing in at 7.6kg!

The BikeRadar boys have been riding one and yesterday they published their glowing review up on their site, here’s a quick extract;

“It’s hard to pigeonhole a bike like the Izalco Expert but if forced we’d class it as a fast all day bike and a perfect choice for the competitive Sportive rider wanting a mix of comfort and speed

The 2007 Izalco Expert is a genuine bargain but by no means cheap. It delivers a quality ride and performs like a thoroughbred, holding it’s own alongside bikes costing a lot more. For the price the ride and quality was a genuine revelation.

At no point does the Izalco Expert pretend to be a bike it’s not. Many rivals at this price point fall into the trap of overdressing with faux race components in an attempt to notch themselves up a level. Component trickery is thankfully absent here. It is all very well thought out and it all works.

It you want a well priced performance road bike then look no further.”

Read the full review on BikeRadar now!

 We have good stock levels of all sizes from XS to XXL and it now has 24% of the price taking it from £1,899.99 down to £1,449.99, which is an absolute steal -it was a bargain before we reduced it!

2007 Focus Izalco Expert >>

Fresh off the back of finishing 10th at the weekend in the BG Triathlon World Cup in Rhodes, Focus sponsored triathlete and Corus Elite Series title holder Stuart Hayes will be at Cycle 2007 this weekend at the Focus stand.  He’ll be there to meet and greet fans and answer questions from aspiring triathletes and (if anyone is like me) fans of the sport that don’t quite have the physical and mental strength of a world class triathlete!

Stu Hayes has been riding a 2007 Izalco Extreme during his very successful first season with Focus and has asked to ride the new 2008 Izalco Extreme next season too, which is even lighter than before with a new high module, uni-directional full carbon frame, fork and integrated seat post, Lightweight carbon wheels and Shimano Dura Ace components.  It will be on display at the stand along with around 20 other new 2008 Focus bikes.

Also I’d like to say a massive WELL DONE to Andrea Whitcombe who ran an amazing race in the ladies event and powered home to 2nd place! After the last 2 races I know Andrea will be extremely happy with such a great podium finish and hopefully I’ll be posting another online diary entry from her shortly!

In case you missed it you can now read last weeks email which contains info on the new Focus 2008 bikes we have on site and how you can get to see them first hand this weekend! Read it now>

There will be much more to come from the 2008 Focus bikes on the bloggle over the next few weeks so keep checking back!

They’re back! Gore RideOn Cables - simply the best cables out there and they last for years. Super-tough, these all-weather extremely durable cables will not let you down and leave you stranded.

If you thought types of cable won’t make much difference to your riding you are wrong!

They are mighty feature packed;

• - Fibre optic technology
• - 100% corrosion resistant
• - 25% lighter
• - long life maintenance-free
• - less shifting effort
• - stainless inner wire
• - PTFE liner reduces friction

Good quality gear cables will have a dramatic effect on the feel and function of your drivetrain. Fully sealed systems are particularly good for MTBs used off-road as they prevent the ingress of water.

GORE™ RideOn® cable systems provide the lowest friction over time for quick, precise shifting and smooth easy braking.

They offer great value for money, years later they are still as ultra responsive as they were on day one. Once you have made the switch you will never look back - one of the riders in our office has had the same set on his bike for 7 years and they are still going strong!

For years, cyclists of all types have struggled with the problematic nature of friction within their cable systems, leading to sluggish, inexact or unpredictable performance. In answer to these challenges, RideOn® Bicycle Cable Systems were introduced to cycling at the 1993 Fat Tire Festival in Colorado, becoming the first high performance cable systems for cyclists. In 2003, Gore stopped selling cables commercially, but relentless requests from customers for RideOn® Bicycle Cables prompted Gore to look at the popular product line once again.

Equipped with a re-designed and re-engineered RideOn® cable featuring the latest Gore coating technology, Gore is unleashing the new and improved GORE™ RideOn® Cable Systems to the cycling world. The patented cable coating technology introduced with the Cable Systems significantly lowers friction, producing quick, precise and predictable movements. Tested for friction and durability, the GORE™ RideOn® Cable Systems are available in two types for any type of riding. Whether it’s a winding road or rocky trail, they were designed to battle the elements and win.

They are available in 2 versions, so which one is right for you? 

Low Friction system

You typically ride on paved surfaces, are road racing or touring.
 
High-performance cable system that replaces galvanized, other coated and stainless steel cables. Patented cable coating technology designed for low friction and durability. Works with most brakes or shifters on most bikes.   
 
- Coated cables
- Cable housing
- Crimp caps
- Ferrules

Sealed low friction system

You typically ride on non-paved surfaces, off-road riding, exposed to mud, dirt, salt air or weather.

Completely protected from the elements by continuous liner and GRUB™ Seals. Patented cable coating technology designed for low friction and durability. Works with most brakes or shifters on most bikes.  

System includes

- Coated cables
- Continuous liner
- Cable housing
- Grub™ seals
- Crimp caps
- Ferrules

Comparative performance

GORE™ RideOn® Cable Systems demonstrated significantly lower friction than competitive cables for the duration of the test.

Cable sets start at £29.99 including free delivery but don’t forget if you buy both the Brake and Derailleur Cable Sets you will qualify for the 10% off £50 special offer and they will be even better value for money!

Buy Gore RideOn Cables now >>

I’ve put together a few answers to your FAQ’s about the current Royal Mail Strike action to put your minds at ease and ensure that you get your next wiggle order without delay! 

When is the strike action? 

The proposed Royal Mail Strike action will affect orders sent via Royal Mail between now and Wednesday 10th October. There is also likely to be a back log until the end of that week.

What do I do if need my order delivered urgently?

If you need you order quickly select Priority Despatch at the checkout. We will despatch the items that we have in stock straight away. Any other items will follow when they arrive with us. During the current Royal Mail strike action, all Priority Despatch orders will be shipped via City Link and will not be affected. This is the best way to guarantee quick delivery of your items.

But what if I want to use wiggle’s Free Delivery?

If you select free delivery and your order is over £25 during the current Royal Mail strike action your order will be despatched via City Link and will not be affected. However these orders will be processed after Priority Despatch orders.

If you select Free Delivery and your order total is below £25 your order may be delayed. We’re sorry but unfortunately we can’t get any information from the Royal Mail about the length of any delay although, we think it is likely to be a few days. If you want to receive your order without any delay, either make sure the order total is over £25 or select Priority Despatch.

So in summary, all orders over £25 will be sent via City Link and will not be affected by any Royal Mail strike action!

At wiggle we have one of most comprehensive collections of Shimano products online, with over 700 different cycle parts and accessories to choose from. To help you find your ideal Shimano bike part upgrade, from this vast selection, we have created 22 scaled-down Shimano pages. Now you can jump straight to the category you are after, whether it’s some new Shimano XTR, a few Shimano Dura Ace components or you’re not decided on a groupset yet and want to just browse through Shimano rear mechs. It’s all listed below and we have many more range pages still to come!

Models

• • Shimano Dura Ace
• • Shimano Ultegra
• • Shimano Nexave
• • Shimano LX
• • Shimano XT
• • Shimano XT 2008
• • Shimano Nexus
• • Shimano Saint
• • Shimano Deore
• • Shimano Sora
• • Shimano Tiagra
• • Shimano XTR
• • Shimano Ultegra SL

Components

• • Shimano Cycle Shoes
• • Shimano Bottom Brackets & Chainsets
• • Shimano Brakes
• • Shimano Chainrings, Cassettes & Freewheels
• • Shimano Computer
• • Shimano Hubs
• • Shimano Pedals
• • Shimano Wheels
• • Shimano Gears
• • Shimano Chains
• • Shimano Front Derailleurs
• • Shimano Rear Derailleurs

We’ve also added this handy page so you can look at all the products recently added to wiggle, it changes daily, and more often than not hourly too! It’s a good one for your favourites!

3 time world Cyclo-Cross Champion Hanka Kupfernagel can now add an Elite World Time Trial Champions gold medal to her trophy cabinet after she rode her Focus TT bike to victory at the Road World Champs in front of her home crowd in Germany.

Focus sponsored rider Kupfernagel raced through the course at an average speed of 43.43 km/h setting a time of 34mins 43.8 secs  on the 25.1km course which ended up 23.47 seconds faster than USA rider Kristin Armstrong who took silver.

“It is almost impossible to describe how I am feeling at the moment. I am not just happy, but really more than that. I am still not able to realise that I have the jersey on me right now.”

“Before the last block started I was sitting there for more than one hour. This was difficult because you are watching everybody go all the time. I was happy with my result at that point because I knew I gave it 100 percent and, thinking about it after the race, I didn’t know where I could have gone faster. But the best riders started much later and then you have to wait another thirty or forty minutes. This was more exciting than the race!”

“Of course it is something very special when you win in your country. I have perhaps not been riding as well on the road as I was before, because I was focusing everything on cyclo-cross as it has become very important to me.
“But cyclo-cross has been very good preparation for this time trial, because the course was very good for me. There were downhills with a lot of bends, and also climbing, so it was something like a cyclo-cross circuit.”