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The road season as begun, which means it’s time for Velo’s second annual Personalities Issue.
Andrew Hood opens our March 2013 issue with his lede VeloNote on the shifting balance of national economic power in cycling. As the European economies of traditional cycling nations falter under rising debt and declining revenue, race organizers and team owners are feeling the pinch as well. Meanwhile, the sport is following the money into rapidly expanding markets that are unfamiliar to such a tradition-oriented sport.
Lennard Zinn addresses the science of riding in cold weather in Tech Talk and provides a few suggestions for making your winter saddle time more comfortable.
Meanwhile, in Racing This Month Ryan Newill looks at the start — or lack thereof — of the professional season. With riders pushing off from the line over a six-week period spread across the globe, the pro road season lacks a definitive starting point. But is this really a problem?
Phil Gaimon answers questions on legal drugs and language barriers from fans who Ask(ed) A Pro, while Rory Sutherland contributes his first rider diary on his return to the European professional circuit.
Peter Sagan. He’s the Hulk, the Tourminator, Forrest Gump and several other personalities, all at once. As “The Showman,” the Slovak sensation could fill an entire Personalities Issue himself, but fortunately he’s just one of many in the March issue of Velo.
Canadian Svein Tuft is “The Mountain Man,” with an array of interests outside of the sport that may surprise you. He once even commuted — yes, bike commuted — from his home in the Canadian backcountry to a training camp in California, dog in tow.
Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, “The Anti-Celebrity,” is most at home with his guitars and family and he’s a proven reluctant king. There is, however, much more to this complex man than meets the eye and Velo’s Personalities Issue opens that door.
“The Sage” Brian Holm and “Grizzly Adam” Craig feature as well, while London Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Gould just wants you to heckle her. She has the shirt and the megaphone to prove it. Also, meet the man Taylor Phinney and Ben King, along with countless American under-23s, call “Mom.” Reed McCalvin takes care of up-and-coming U.S. talent racing in Europe, which may come as a surprise given his background.
Dario Pegoretti’s, Bernard Hinault — the list goes on. Pick up the March 2013 issue of Velo to see who else made our list of personalities in cycling.
In VeloLab, the Velo tech crew examines inexpensive ways to improve drivetrain efficiency by testing 30 different chain lubes with the help of an independent lab. The winner, both in efficiency and resiliency in rough conditions isn’t a lube at all, and comes from the local hardware store.
After you read Trevor Connor’s advice on improving your ability to go hard at the end of a long race, Dan Wuori delivers advice from The Lion King on developing your own cycling personality. It’s another classic At The Back and, unusually, offers some practical advice as well.
Pick up your copy of the Velo magazine 2013 Personalities Issue at a bike shop or bookseller near you. Available soon on Apple Newsstand or Zinio.
