Reflective jackets as well as lights on bikes ensure cyclists are seen at night

I notice that as the weather gets cooler and the nights draw in, there are a lot fewer cyclists around.

I can understand that: summer cyclists probably dislike the cold and feel unsafe riding around in the dark.

There is also another phenomenon out there at present which is very likely to cull a number of cyclists, possibly permanently, and that is the few halfwits who try to cycle around in the dark without any lights.

I’ve seen increasing numbers of them lately. I know there is always a chance of forgetting your lights, having your lights stolen or having your batteries run flat, but should that allow you to ride amongst the lorries and cars?

I like the way that these riders pedal furiously along in the hope that they will outpace the cars behind them. What’s the problem with pushing at the side of the road ?

I think that a modest set of lights is about £15, your friends would probably spend more on a bouquet of flowers or some grapes when they visit you in hospital; that is if you survive the impact.

Braking News

Brompton designer wins the Prince Phillip Designers Prize
Hurrah for Andrew Ritchie, designer of that London cycle commuter staple – The Brompton folding bike. Andrew Ritchie created his first prototypes in his bedroom, which overlooked the Brompton Oratory.  The first models of the now ubiquitous Brompton weighed 15 kilos and would set you back £200. In 2009, the S2L-X weighs less than 10 kilos, and costs a whisker over £1000.

Over 30 years of constant improvement have gone into the bikes that we see today. Brompton have always progressed at a measured pace without abandoning any of their values, so a very worthy winner.

Retro saddle revival
As I mentioned last week, retro is on trend and most switched-on wholesalers are returning to products that they sold years ago. One of these is the Selle Italia Turbo saddle, an icon of a saddle that was popular in the Eighties, and one that graced the bikes of many top riders such as Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

2010 Tour de France route announced
Next year’s Tour looks like being a classic. As predicted by the pundits, the Pyrenees will play a significant part in deciding who will win. Particularly as the 13 Pyrenean climbs come in the third, and last, week of the event.

Before the riders arrive at the first Pyrenean stage, they will have faced windy stages in Holland(the Tour starts in Rotterdam) and cobblestones, in fact the greatest length of cobbles since the 1983 tour.

There are six mountain stages, with three mountain top finishes, and this year no team time trial. The only races against the clock are the prologue time trial on the first day, around Rotterdam, and a long 51 kilometre time trial on the penultimate day. As was the case this year, an individual time trial on the day before the finish can really upset the status quo.

On the face of it, the 2010 Tour looks like a climber’s benefit, but what did the 2009 Tour top three think?

At the presentation of next year’s route were Alberto Contador, the 2009 winner of the Tour; Lance Armstrong  the 2009 runner-up and Andy Schleck who came third.

Contador, a renowned climber, said: “I actually think this is a better course for me than in 2009. There are more mountains, and finishing with the Tourmalet is super for me.”

Lance Armstrong, who will be almost 39 by the time the race starts and isn’t noted for his climbing abilities:  ‘That last time trial the day before Paris is going to be decisive.’

Andy Schleck, probably summed up what most people were thinking when he said: ‘The mountains are full of long and tough stages and the Col du Tourmalet and Marie-Blanque stage is going to be hard, the race is going to be decided in the mountains.’

And finally,
All lovers of indoor sporting endeavour will be delighted to know that games developer Bigben has created an exercise bike which is compatible with Nintendo’s Wii system. Cyberbike for Wii should be in the shops in January.

• Arthur Lamy is the manager of Boudins for Bikes, in Sand Street, and author of Jersey Cycles. He has spent 15 years as a tourist guide and writer, and is also a keen photographer. More information can be found on his website: www.arthurlamy.com