Would you like to win the same make and model of skinsuit as Australian Jack Bobridge when he set the 4,000 metre Pursuit Record earlier this year?

Yes, made from the same wind tunnel-tested dimple fabric produced by Swiss company Eschler, and usually costing around £350. Try your luck here, but before 26th October!

With the onset of colder weather and the nights drawing in, this could be a good moment to look ahead to next year and put in place some cycling adventures. The Tour de France route was announced (officially) last week so that means that the Etape du Tour, that’s when you can ride an actual tour stage in the company of fellow amateurs, is  also announced.

Like last year, there are two opportunities to ride the Tour route, the first takes place on July 8th in the Alps, and it gives riders the chance to ride stage 11 of the 2012 Tour, four days before the pro riders. As usual, it is a mountain stage with four climbs – I’m not sure if climbs is the right word for these behemoths that regularly figure in cyclists’ dreams and nightmares – this stage includes the legendary Col de la Madeleine at 2,000 metres and its bigger brother  the Col de la Croix de Fer, a mere 67 metres higher.

The second stage, for those who prefer the Pyrenees for their taste of the Tour, starts on July 14th and again offers four mountain peaks. This stage is another collection of dream climbs, with the Col D’Aubisque, the Col de Tourmalat, the Col D’Aspin and the Col de Peyresoude challenging riders along the 197 kilometre route.

From a quick look at the companies promoting the event, it appears that it will cost about £800 for a short break with a guaranteed etape entry. Just add the air fare and you too could be a hero, or at least pretend to be.

Just google Etape du Tour 2012 for more details.

It’s good to see that once again Le Coq Sportif is supplying the official jerseys for this year’s Tour and other ASO events such as Paris-Nice, The Vuelta, Paris Roubaix and the Fleche Wallon. They started supplying the major tours in the 1950s and such riders as Bernard Hinault, Sean Kelly and Jaques Anquetil have all worn them in victory.

They also offer a quite large retro collection of jerseys in the style of 1950s peletons.

Rapha, well-known for their fine and exclusive cycle clothing have just added some new winter clothing to their range. If you’re not familiar with Rapha, they produce aspirational cycle clothing that although understated, is very high quality. Despite being quite a new brand, they produce a range in conjunction with designer, and bike aficionado, Paul Smith and also support two racing teams;  Rapha Condor Sharp and Rapha FOCUS.

New additions include five new long sleeve jerseys, five new shirts for leisure or commuting, two jackets, three winter caps and some shaving cream!

Here is a great post from Wandering Willie Weir, a guy who has been writing about his travels in the American Cycling Association’s blog. His philosophy about bike travel is very accommodating. Click on the links and take a mini adventure, and if you really like it, consider putting Travels with Willie on your Christmas list.

The London Cycling Campaign is pushing forward with its plans to educate lorry drivers, cyclists and freight companies about the dangers that lorries pose on London streets. Support the good work by signing the petition.

And finally,

Here’s a cycling paradise, and it’s just across the sea in Holland.

Arthur Lamy is a freelance writer specialising in cycling: www.arthurthebluebadgeguide.com