Privacy Policy - Symphony Cycling

symphony cycling
on Instagram

symphonycycling

View

Jul 16

Day 4. And we were straight on to the first climb of the day from the hotel. The mighty Galibier, from the Télégraphe side, was one of the climbs I was most looking forward to in the hotel trip and I wasn't going to miss out on that. The first few pedal strokes were a bit nervy, wondering whether I would have a good amount of strength back in the legs following a recovery day, and i was quickly feeling great on the bike. I had been a bit slow out of the hotel and had couple of Km's to catch up to some of the group ahead. Keen not to blow myself out to early, I steady paced them back, reaching them just before the real switch backs start. We rolled up the climb at a very steady pace, knowing we had a full day ahead of us, and it felt well within my comfort zone. Reaching the top of the Galibier, even if not in a rapid time felt like a real accomplishment, something I'll never forget.
a 25km descent down to Briançon followed, on which I left the group behind, hitting around 85kph at points. It's a beautiful flowing descent in most parts and for someone that likes the speed it was a great point to really feel in tune with the bike, again something I'll never forget.
I arrived at the first cafe stop in Briançon around 15mins ahead of the group, so I managed to get a good seat at the table.
From here we would be heading up the Col de I'izoard, another icon. Heading up here I realised that the bumps down the previous descent had shaken my gears out of alignment, so a few moody stops were needed to sort them out. The heat was starting to hit again as were the butterflies who seemed to flock to you as you went up. Again I took the climb at a steady pace, keen not to repeat the same heat stroke from a couple days prior. Lunch awaited at the summit, and then the descent, and this would be where it would all go wrong.
After a few of the initial switchbacks at the top of the descent it would open up into a few more flowing corners, and coming into one I saw a few stones close to the apex, I moved to avoid these, but clearly missed one of the smaller ones, and my front tyre blew out travelling at around 55kpm. One of the pics tells the rest of the story... To be continued.

symphonycycling

View

Jul 15

Day 3. Unfortunately for me started at about 1am in the morning, when the effects of heat stroke hit me hard. Starting with a period of vomiting for around 4 hours followed by a feeling of complete exhaustion and cold shakes. I knew pretty quickly that I wasn't going to be on the bike for this day, which was gutting as the day would take in one of the climbs I really had my heart set on, the Col de I'Iseran.
Starting from our hotel, the team had around 30km steady uphill drag to Val-d'Isère where the climb would start proper. From that point it's not one of the steepest climbs, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful, with views all the way down the valley past Val-d. I had a bit more time to appreciate the views on that day than previously. I was also privileged enough to see some of the @jumbovisma_road guys on what was presumably a training ride, absolutely flying down the descent.
What follows from the Iseran should have been a long steady descent down the valley headed to the Col du Télegraphe (with a few lumps on the way), but instead the guys were met with a strong headwind that turned the 40 of kilometer descent into a real leg sapper. Not what you want before you get to the last climb of the day. Despite this though I was still wishing that I was in the saddle rather than in the support van, ultimately though it was the right choice.
This day would really stretch everyone out on the road, with the front riders hitting the base of the Télégraphe an hour or so ahead of the back, and for those at the back it would end up being a long day in the saddle, some 12 hours. But if there is one thing that can be said about the @cureparkinsons Raid Alpine team, they are an incredibly strong minded and persistent bunch. The last riders made it to the top of the Télé at around 8pm at night
Thankfully they only had a short descent down the hotel, dinner and a comfy bed. Which was very much needed as the day we faced the mighty Col du Galibier. One that I was very much not going to miss out on, as I was feeling well recovered and itching to take on the climb which for me was the main icon of the trip.

#cycling #biketrip #cyclingalps #cureforparkinsons

symphonycycling

View

Jul 14

Day 2 of @cureparkinsons Raid Alpine challenge, setting off from La Clusaz, was going to be one of the toughest of the whole trip, despite being the shortest distance. First up was the Col des Aravis, another gentle climb not going above 7% it was a great way to get the legs back underneath us and start to feel strong again. This was followed by a fairly long and in sections technical descent, but made all the nicer with all the painted road decorations from previous TDF's still about visible. This led us straight into the Saises, not much to report on this one as frankly I don't really remember much of it, probably because of what was still to come has now blanketed it from my memory. This being the Col du Pre, which would be a right bastard. Only 12km long, but at an average of 8%, with the final 6km not dropping below 9% and with pinches of 16%. We took this climb on in the hottest part of the day, at about 34 degrees and to say this was tough was a real understatement. Keeping hydrated on this one was a real challenge, and seeing the Col sign was probably the most relieved I've ever felt on the bike. Lunch was our reward with some beautiful views over a reservoir. Unfortunately the final climb of the day was also visible from the lunch stop, reminding us all the day was not done.
That final climb being the Cormet de Roselend, In theory an easier climb than the Pré, but with that already in our heavy legs and the day not getting any cooler, this would feel like a long heavy slog at the limit.
All that followed this summit was another technical 20km descent down to our overnight hotel, one that real concentration would be needed, not easy for our heat soaked brains.
Unfortunately that night I would get hit by a bout of sunstroke causing vomiting for most of the night...
#cycling #cyclingalps #bikelife #cyclingculture

symphonycycling

View

Jul 14

Last week I embarked on my first adventure cycling in the Alps, as part of the @cureparkinsons Raid Alpine challenge, riding from Geneva to Nice across 6 days.
Day 1 saw us depart from Geneva in the morning and almost immediately start hitting the Cols, with the Col de Moises first up. This climb was just a small taste of what was to come, and a welcome way to build into the day.
After a short coffee stop and descent, we were quickly into the second climb of the day, the Col de la Ramaz. This would be the first taste of a real test. A 13.4km climb at an average of 7%, with the steepest pinches at 15%. This wouldn't be the toughest part of the climb though, instead it would be something that would follow us everyday, the heat. With temperatures hitting over 30 degrees, even at altitude, it would really sap the energy. Nonetheless we made it over the top of the Ramaz in time for our first lunch stop. A welcome break for all of us and a moment to grab some shade and top back up the sun cream, replacing what had been washed off by all the sweat.
After lunch we had a several Km descent taking us down to Clauses, effectively the base of the final climb of the day, the Col de la Colombiere, which is a bit of a beast, particularly if you've already taken on two long climbs already.
The Colombiere is a 17.3km climb, averaging 6.5%, which on the face of it doesn't seem so bad, but with the final 7km not dropping below 8%, and only getting steeper in the final Km's, averaging 10 and 11%, it would turn out to be a real challenge and create some big gaps in the group. It's mentally quite a punishing climb as well, offering sight of the top with 4km to go, but with the road rearing up ahead you know the hardest is still to come.
Hitting the top of the Colombiere was an incredible feeling, not only because this meantthe punishment was over for the day, but also it demonstrated to myself that I could take on these climbs and complete them well. Not bad for a Londoner whose longest training climbs were only a few hundred meters long.
With only a short descent to the hotel, day 2 was already calling.
#cycling #bike #colclimbing #bikelife #cyclinglife #cyclingalps

symphonycycling

View

Jul 2

Not a bad way to spend the last day before heading out to Geneva. Getting the bike ready to take on 6 days of mountains whilst watching the first road stage of the 2022 @letourdefrance
So far the grand depart in Denmark has not disappointed.
#tdf2022 #letour #tourdefrance #bikelife #cyclingculture

symphonycycling

View

Jun 29

This Sunday me and my pink baby will be heading out to Geneva to take part in the Cure for Parkinson's Raid Alpine ride from Geneva to Nice. Over 6 days the route takes in some of the iconic climbs of the Alps, including the Galibier, Télégraphe and Col d'Izoard to name drop a few, and totalling over 21,000 meters of elevation gained.
It's always been a dream of mine to cycle in the Alps, but it will be all the more pleasurable doing it for a fantastic cause. None the less it will be my first experience in some proper mountains and the prospect seems to get more daunting the closer they get 😬!
Any support or donations for the Cure for Parkinson's charity is massively appreciated, please follow the link in this post. Alternatively there is a just giving link in my bio.
Wish me luck!
#cycling #fundraising #cyclinglife #bikelife #cyclinglifestyle #cureforparkinsons

symphonycycling

View

Jun 22

Adam with his new Orro Terra C GRX800 for some seriously hot and dusty trail action right now. It's also got a wicked paint job,.not that you can really appreciate it in this pic.

#cycling #gravelcycling #cyclinglife
#cyclinglifestyle #bikelife #graveladventure #bikeshop #cyclinglondon

symphonycycling

View

Jun 9

I've been riding with the Fi'zi:k Antares Versus Evo Adaptive for a little over a year now, and apart from being a bit of a mouthful to say, It is one of the most comfortable saddles I've ever ridden with. Safe to say I'm not going to change it anytime soon, I personally love the versatility of the saddle, as it allows me to shift my weight and adopt different positions depending on how aggressive or relaxed I want to be and constantly feel supported.

But saddles can be a very personal/individual thing As with riding positions, the type of saddle best for you is influenced heavily by your body's physiology and morphology, and the best way to find what works for you is to simply try different styles of saddle out.
To help you do so I offer a saddle fitting service, giving you the opportunity to try many different saddle types out and really narrow down what saddle you are suited to, without having to spend your own money on trial and error, leaving a cupboard full of unused saddles.

Get in touch and I'll be happy to talk more about the saddle and our fitting services.

#bikefitting #bikelife #saddle #saddlefitting #cyclinglifestyle #cyclinglife #bike #cycling

symphonycycling

View

Jun 9

symphonycycling

View

Jun 1

Just a few pics from Ride London on Sunday. I'm not the best at taking pics whilst on the bike, so they're a bit limited. But such a great ride as always.
🙌@aymericam for sharing the tractor duties with me

symphonycycling

View

Apr 29

Iittle bit of @campagnolosrl loving today on this Bianchi Superleggera with super record groupset. Cleaned and disinfected ready for its trip to Australia and it's date with Aussie customs.

#bike #bikeservice #bikecleaning #superbike #bianchi #campagnolo

symphonycycling

View

Apr 21

The only place you can find the much loved @neonvelobrand Mint green long sleeve Jersey still in stock. Sizes 3x small and 1 X medium.
The weather may be changing but don't miss out on one of these beauties before they're gone!

#cyclingstyle #cyclinglifestyle #cyclingapparel #lookgoodridegood
#islington

symphonycycling

View

Apr 16

1st ride with the @blackcyclistsnetwork crew and what a great ride it was. Fantastic bunch of people, who were all super welcoming, can't recommend enough. I Forgot how much fun laying down some power in a group can be, plus breaking some PR's round regent is always good. Not had that many achievements on single ride for a while... Let's just not talk about how it ended 😂🫣.
Also the AVG power tells lies, I forgot to turn off Strava once we'd stopped...
#cycling #cyclinglife
#cycletogether #cyclingculture #bikelife #cyclinglove #cyclinglondon

symphonycycling

View

Apr 8

Mike's new bike.

Always lovely to see a smile that big. Summer adventures on the trails await!

Bike: 3T Exploro Pro/Team edition Ekar 1x13 - Desert Sage

#bike #bicycle #newbike #newbikeday #gravelcycling #gravelbike #adventurecycling #bikelife #cyclinglife #islington

symphonycycling

View

Mar 26

Is it really a first bike if it isn't called Falcon Scorch with flames down the side...
#firstbike

symphonycycling

View

Mar 19

On gorgeous days like these it's time to get the sunnies back out for your rides, and you can't beat performance eyewear from @albaoptics . The Stratos and the Delta, which one are you? Check them out in store.
Stratos is first pic.

#cyclinglifestyle #cyclingeyewear #cyclingstyle #bikelife #islington

symphonycycling

View

Mar 3

Ready for your next adventure?
We currently have two @3tbike Exploro Racemax's Ekar 1x13 in stock in frame sizes 54 and 58.
Where could this take you?
#bike #gravelbike #gravelcycling #graveladventure #gravelride #islington #bikelife #cyclinglifestyle #cyclingculture

symphonycycling

View

Mar 3

Who doesn't love a good colour grad, and one you can buy! We are currently running the @neonvelobrand sample sale, don't miss out before it's all gone.
#cycling #cyclinglifestyle #cyclingstyle #bikelife #cyclingculture #islington

symphonycycling

View

Feb 26

Suns out for opening weekend of the Belgian classics! Who else is watching Omloop Het Nieuwsblad after their morning ride?

#bikelife #cyclinglife #cyclingculture #bikeshop #cycling #bike

symphonycycling

View

Feb 24

Symphony Cycling

24 Arlington Way, Angel, London, EC1R 1UY
+44 7930099143
[email protected]