tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53057726554578979682011-07-30T17:06:41.806+01:00Certified Bicycle AddictKimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-84883335001793446062009-11-30T19:25:00.006Z2009-12-01T00:05:59.639Z

Just got back from my annual visit to the Gent Six Days and want to keep in the spirit before the trudge of the working week begins again tomorrow!The Danish team of Madison World Champs Alex Rasmussen and Michael Morkov were the winners, in a very close finish, over Iljo Keisse and Roger Kluge. Bruno Risi (retiring after this season) and Franco Marvulli took third. You can see lots of great

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-34129180725233603312009-06-20T20:01:00.004+01:002009-11-30T19:23:01.893Z

I have lots of overdue posts, half-written, queued up to publish. It's this video, though, that I really need to share with you right now.var sid=134;var vid=15580;It made me laugh so hard I nearly peed myself!

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-7208063115550835152009-01-02T21:28:00.000Z2009-01-19T16:08:31.663Z

No, I haven't actually got another bike! But Joop's had a new Chorus 11-speed groupset fitted and I even convinced Warrick to service the hubs on those Eurus wheels and put on new tyres so it looks and feels like a new bike!Between eating and sleeping during the week between Xmas and New Year, I managed to get out for a few 2-3 hour rides and am really pleased with the new Chorus.I especially

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-69424874016880898842008-11-27T19:39:00.014Z2008-11-27T21:52:57.142Z

One of the films I saw at the Bicycle Film Festival last month was Road to Roubaix, a feature film about the 2007 Paris-Roubaix race. But, as any film about this iconic race must, it also features footage of classic editions and plenty of people talking about the emotions and passion the race evokes.The story of my Big Belgian Adventure - a trip to Belgium and France for Spring Classics week

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-76463883258080956332008-11-25T19:25:00.032Z2009-12-04T22:18:51.775Z

While I've nothing to do besides get out for a ride then come back for lunch of leftover turkey and stuffing, I have plenty of time to write up scintillating blog posts.But I'm using that time to watch rubbish on telly instead, so I'll reproduce for you to a bit I wrote about the Ghent Six-Days for londoncyclesport.com: Big Names at the Ghent Six.Or to give it it's proper name, de Zesdaagse

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-31774645658097239802008-10-04T12:48:00.003+01:002008-10-04T13:09:49.524+01:00

Last night, I was out at the Bicycle Film Festival and each film in the programme reminded me of something I've been meaning to post.One of the shorts was a collage of images of Marco Pantani in the 1994 Tour de France, won by my mate, Miguel Indurain:Well, he was my mate for at least the 10 seconds it took Antonio to snap this photo. He'd just crossed the finish line at the Gran Fondo Pinarello

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-11031775692692164922008-09-25T18:19:00.002+01:002008-09-25T18:22:09.882+01:00

Nevermind it's my day off, I've just been to Diss, Norfolk, with Julian to see something really exciting.

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-73552462312498177782008-08-30T22:14:00.006+01:002008-09-25T19:51:51.886+01:00

For the past 5 or 6 months I've been commuting mostly on a Glider Boxercross (one of the pre-production frames which I've customised a bit) running handbuilt wheels shod with Challenge Paris-Roubaix 28mm tubular tyres.That's right, I've been commuting through London on tubs.This has nothing to do with taking a stance in the clinchers vs. tubs debate; I'm not commuting on tubs because I think

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-83081576292626997612008-08-23T20:07:00.006+01:002008-08-23T22:44:20.872+01:00

Although I work in a bike shop and am reasonably capable at the few mechanical tasks I perform on my own bikes, I'd never actually changed my own bartape - until last week.This first end could have been a little tighter, but I did better on the second side.This was the final touch on a bit of a makeover for Jan for the start of the 08-09 'Cross season. In addition to fresh orange tape, he's got

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-40325584977963109662008-08-10T16:40:00.002+01:002008-08-10T18:17:22.512+01:00

And gives me an excuse to drag out this photo of my clubmates Charlie and Peta and me with Nicole at an event in December 2006.God, wasn't I fit and skinny then!What a relief to see over a year's worth of preparation and hard work pay off for Cooke. Although luck always plays a part in road racing, it's reassuring to see effort rewarded with a result.That's one of the things that's always

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-20157085451667796372008-07-22T19:14:00.006+01:002008-08-06T19:36:59.359+01:00

"Hey, London Dynamo!" an Italian voice called out to interrupt my lonely effort into the wind between the second and third climbs of the Medio Fondo Pinarello.A grey-haired rider in the euro-lurid kit of Velo Club G. Bianchini di Trevignano pulled up alongside me, clapped a hand on my shoulder and asked, "Do you know Phil? and Warrick? from Bikepark?""Yes," I answered, "I work with them at

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-67047945821836665422008-06-09T19:48:00.026+01:002008-08-06T18:38:10.152+01:00

Now I know why the pros fit cantis for Paris-Roubaix if there's even the slightest rumour of a hint of a chance of rain.This is the cantilever brakes on Roger Hammond's Giant lined up against the team bus before the start of P-R 2008, which, contrary to all forecasts, were rendered unnecessary by the warm and dry weather. I didn't take a picture of Fabian Cancellara's modified Speedplay pedals;

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-14482607397502761322008-04-29T18:29:00.006+01:002008-05-10T17:01:28.234+01:00

Apropos, but nonetheless another interruption to my Big Belgian Adventure story, I have news of my second second-place finish in two weeks.The East Midlands International CiCLE Classic (Rutland-Melton) race is often referred to as England's own Hell of the North. In addition to the usual roads and lanes, the course of this UCI 1.2 race also visits narrow, broken, and rutted farm tracks. Although

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-17609394676222531462008-04-23T18:38:00.008+01:002008-05-08T18:29:23.284+01:00

I've often wondered what it would be like to live local to say, the Tour of Flanders route, or Mont Ventoux. Would you meet up for your Sunday club run and ask, "So everyone: first sprint at the top of the Koppenberg?" or "Climb the Giant, as usual?" I'm pretty sure that is indeed what it would be like. On the London Dynamo Sunday rides into the Surrey Hills, we seek out every cruel hump of earth

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-82384065231483724492008-04-20T21:27:00.004+01:002008-04-21T19:34:00.998+01:00

At this time of year in this part of Belgium and France, you can't swing a bidon without hitting a pro rider. And that's even without them inviting you 'round to their hotel to meet them for a ride.Two of the members of our group didn't have bikes with them but were keen fans and autograph hunters. On the Saturday, while the rest of us were doing the Tour of Flanders ride, they went to Bruges

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-50022697136131230972008-04-20T02:04:00.006+01:002008-04-20T16:04:08.963+01:00

I'm interrupting coverage of my Big Belgian Adventure to bring news of results from a race to nowhere.Sorry if this post turns out incomprehensible; I'm a bit squiffy from post-event drinks and addled from the effort of racing to second place in the Women's team event of the Rapha Rollapaluza International Series (Stage.1# London) Roller Race.I qualified second-fastest over 500m with a time of

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-91302179612778089662008-04-17T20:24:00.008+01:002008-08-06T19:25:20.830+01:00

I love watching race DVD's, but I'm often in two minds about watching races live:You spend ages waiting by the side of the roadfor the race to approachand it seems that regardless of whether you have a front row viewor notthe riders pass far too quicklyto pick out individuals or make sense of what's going on.And then just when you think you've found the perfect race viewing spot at the exit of

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-17460261039825900822008-04-16T20:03:00.012+01:002008-10-05T03:18:09.478+01:00

Ever since travelling to the Gent 6-Day last November, I've come over all Belgian. That accounts for my having taken up cyclocross last winter as well as for all the frietjes and strong beer I've been consuming since then.All the guys in the shop are planning to ride the 2008 Etape du Tour - 165 km through the Pyrenees from Pau to Hautacam, including the 17 km, average 7.5% gradient climb over

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-6331318282575670792008-03-08T20:48:00.005Z2008-03-09T14:31:31.109Z

I hate removing and fitting tyres; it hurts my orchid-petal-like delicate ladies' hands.The last time I got a puncture, all I had to hand were long-valve inner tubes and consequently have been riding around with practically a couple of inches of valve sticking out of my front Neutron rim. It has no performance implications, it just looks stupid, unnecessary, not at all pro. But I wasn't prepared

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-24721978164801847582008-03-08T12:39:00.007Z2008-03-08T14:37:32.314Z

Every cyclist has one - a drawer or a shelf or, for some, a whole cupboard wherein lurk: 1) those parts and pieces that come with new bike bits which aren't immediately useful but must be saved! and 2) old parts and pieces off existing bikes that have been upgraded but which are still in good nick and might just be of use to someone again one day. These are solid pieces of metal, rubber, and

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-76503146979462391332008-02-24T18:15:00.005Z2008-02-24T21:47:55.294Z

Some of the serious racing cyclists I know can provide a pedalstroke-by-pedalstroke commentary on the races they've done. I, however, am only ever left with a hazy impressionistic view. Today's race was hard and fast and I loved it.To be fair, I can recall a few specific moments:1. The start. Someone set off like a bat out of hell. They were dropped on the 2nd lap.2. Finding my groove. It was a

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-26491935661012441122008-02-17T16:04:00.003Z2008-05-05T14:54:28.520+01:00

My very first cycle race ever was in February 2006, one of the Surrey League beginners' races promoted by London Dynamo at the MOD Chertsey/Qinetiq test track. Every year, the Surrey League racing season begins with these 2 weekends of racing where, alongside the main E123 handicap race, they run a beginners' 4th Cat. race and a race for 3rd and 4th Cat. women. Two years ago, the women didn't

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-20163443922861050412007-10-30T12:21:00.016Z2008-02-14T21:03:02.380Z

Just getting to the starting line of this race was an achievement for me! I had an off-road experience just getting to the place from the train station. Not really sure of where the race venue was, I decided to abandon my soggy paper map and instead followed the signs to the Penshurst Country Park when I came upon them. This took me along a dirt path, very steep in places, through brambles and

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-10654983889269577692007-10-22T20:13:00.000+01:002008-02-10T19:39:26.557Z

This weekend's "London" Cyclocross League race was in Lydden, near Dover - it would've been 3 hours travelling each way and I was all prepared to do it --- until the alarm went off Sunday morning and I realised that if I didn't race I could save myself 50 quid (train fare & entry fee) and get some housework done.Manchmal muss es sein.

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-91335695055527606612007-10-15T20:54:00.000+01:002007-10-28T19:50:19.474Z

After a week off, I returned to another school playing field course where once again I had a great result! i.e. I didn't crash and I didn't come last!There were 2 really steep sections that I walked up - including one not long after a section of planks where it was pretty difficult to get any momentum to tackle it after remounting. I took that part as a "break" and most laps stopped at the top to

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-77771752385939265192007-10-09T18:55:00.000+01:002008-02-10T19:38:22.588Z

Working in a bike shop, I feel it behoves me to at least have a go at all forms of cycling. That's the main reason why I've taken up 'cross this year, and last weekend, since I wasn't working and the National Track Champs were on, I went up to Manchester to watch the racing on Saturday and then do a taster session on the track on Sunday. This was my first time ever riding a fixed gear bike, let

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-61132482579806989652007-10-01T10:50:00.000+01:002007-10-28T20:09:36.704Z

There was no London Cross League race this weekend so I thought I'd take the opportunity to show my face at my club's Saturday morning ride - the Park Ride - but to ride Jan (that's what I call my 'cross bike) around the off-road paths around the park to get in some off-road training. I know the roads of Richmond Park well, but it's a completely different ride on the paths. I did one complete lap

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-50750792176365794842007-09-23T17:22:00.000+01:002007-10-16T21:13:25.721+01:00

This week I did crash and I did come last.Cyclocross course design seems to me a peculiar expression of sadism, with sharp turns on steep banks being particularly powerful fetishes. On today's course at Hillingdon there were 3 sections that I found impassable on the bike.1. A very steep descent ending with a dead turn right onto a steep climb. I was afraid of twisting an ankle just walking down.2

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-63467206572742397472007-09-20T20:19:00.000+01:002007-09-20T22:18:02.800+01:00

I didn't crash and I didn't come last! - A great result from my first ever cyclocross race. (Although it was touch and go on both counts at times.)A very civilised 13:00 start time meant I was able to have a lie-in and a leisurely cup of coffee before realising that I had to shift if I wasn't going to miss the last possible train that would get me to the race venue on time. As I sat studying my

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-37931689579195355242007-09-08T17:11:00.000+01:002007-09-13T22:43:08.329+01:00

No, not race results! I rode off-road for the very first time ever last weekend!Last year I bought a little steel cross frame, put mudguards on it and put it into service as a winter training bike. (Since it weighs about 2kg more than my racing bike, and had 25mm tyres, I christened it Jan - my big, fat, winter bike.) Now I've taken the mudguards off and put even bigger, fatter, knobbly tyres on

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-78740119447310313742007-08-13T21:41:00.000+01:002007-08-13T22:22:57.009+01:00

It's a well-known fact that I love my bikes - but not quite in this way! (And I feel compelled to point out that her saddle's too high.)Sometime soon I'll get 'round to posting pictures and vital statistics of my lovely boys.

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305772655457897968.post-1687223612092831112007-07-30T22:34:00.000+01:002007-08-13T22:13:48.435+01:00

Sunday, 29 July 2007. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.While my Cyclefit colleague, Warrick Spence, topped the podium in the invitational E/1/2 event at the Sutton Town Centre races, I ended up as the last listed finisher in the Women's race.Typical performances from both of us.At our respective mid-week races, Warrick once again had to muster some post-race energy to climb up

Kimberly Kabatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03947362084717828348noreply@blogger.com0