Cycling Passion

Ocaña vs Merckx, 1971 Tour de France

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date December 5, 2012
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Luis Ocaña vs Eddy Merckx, 1971 Tour de France

1971 Tour de France was a scene of an epic Luis Ocaña vs Eddy Merckx battle. Eventually, the tour was a great tragedy for Luis Ocaña, who won the Tour de France in 1973 and the Vuelta a España in 1970.

Eddy Merckx won Tour de France in 1969 and 1970, and it looked like he was well on the way to his hat trick. Pre-race predictions were certain that if he would not become ill or crash, Merckx would be the winner, and was speculating whether he would be able to lead the race from start to end. But Luis Ocaña of Spain had something to say about this matter.

Tags Unforgettable Moments of Cycling

Cycling Tourism

Cycling tour in Italy

In May 2011, I and two friends went to Riccione, Italy, for a cycling training tour. Riccione is a touristic town near the Adriatic coast, south of the Rimini.

Special Bicycles Bicycles and Equipment Cycling and Music, Cinema, Art

Sedona Istanbul

Sedona Istanbul is a concept road bike produced by Turkish bicycle manufacturer Sedona. Artworks on the frame are drawn by Aydan Çelik, a friend of mine.

The artworks on the frame are some historical and cultural details of Istanbul: buildings, boats, bridges, etc.

Tags Istanbul

Hors Catégorie Races

Road Cycling in Istanbul

A group ride — Various research studies have indicated that engaging in cardiovascular exercise regularly can significantly improve one's brain functioning by improving memory and enhancing concentration among other brain functions. This is because cardiovascular exercises increase blood flow into the brain, therefore, ensuring that the brain has an adequate supply of oxygen for its optimal functioning. You can incorporate cycling as your preferred form of cardiovascular exercise. Other studies have linked cycling with rebuilding the hippocampus brain cells which begin to deteriorate at the age of 30.

More than a year ago, I wrote another article also titled “Road cycling in Istanbul” for the site for-cycling.com. Some good people reached me using the contact info in the article. Some others asked me some questions about cycling in Istanbul and I tried to guide them.

So I decided to write another article, and include it some frequently asked questions, and some photos of me and my friends.

Tags Istanbul, Tour of Turkey

Cycling Records Bicycles and Equipment History and Legends Hour Record Special Bicycles

Graeme Obree’s first test run with “the Beastie” – the land speed record vehicle

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date November 21, 2012
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Graeme Obree, "Beastie" — Graeme Obree with one of the earlier prototypes of the "Beastie"

Graeme Obree (see notes 1), “The Flying Scotsman” is working on a plan to attempt the human-powered land speed record in a machine of his own design for a while. Last week, he tested the vehicle, “Beastie”, in preparation to break the human-powered land speed record.

On the development of a shell for “the Beastie” (see notes 2), Obree has been working with a team of Product Design Engineering students at the Glasgow School of Art. He did his first test run in the Beastie last week, on Thursday 15th November at Machrihanish airport in Scotland. A photographer from the website Humans Invent, Camille McMillan was there to take photos. There’s an article on the Humans Invent website about the test.

Tags The Flying Scotsman

History and Legends Cyclists and Teams Tour de France

Marco Pantani’s used Tour de France bikes sold at auction

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date November 21, 2012
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Two bicycles used by Marco Pantani in the Tour de France sold for 13,000 and 8,000 Euro at an auction in Italy. 1998 bike sold for 13,000 Euro (Pantani won Tour de France in 1998).

The auction was in Ravenna on November 17th and according to reports in the Italian press, one hundred Pantani fans attended an auction.

Tags Jan Ullrich, Tour de France 1998, Wilier Triestina

Cycling and Music, Cinema, Art Races

The Last Kilometer, a cycling documentary

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date November 16, 2012
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The Last Kilometer (L’Ultimo Chilometro) is a documentary film featuring Davide Rebellin and Ignazio Moser (son of legendary Italian cyclist Francesco Moser).

Gianni Mura (a famous Italian journalist) and Didi Senft (Tour de France devil) are the other main characters in the movie.

Tags Francesco Moser

Races History and Legends Tour de France

Missing the Tour de France Start

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date November 15, 2012
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Pedro Delgado, the defending champion, missed his start time with 2:40 at the prologue at the start of the 1989 Tour de France. Delgado covered the distance only 14 seconds slower than Erik Breukink, the stage winner. But adding the 2 minutes and 40 seconds at his time, he became the only defending champion to begin the race in last place, 2:54 behind Breukink.

Greg LeMond surprised by placing fourth in the opening prologue. Laurent Fignon was second, Sean Kelly third with all three finishing six seconds behind the winner on the day, Erik Breukink. Delgado ended the first day of the race placed last of the 198 riders.

Tags Erik Breukink, Laurent Fignon, Pedro Delgado, Sean Kelly, Tour de France 1989, Unforgettable Moments of Cycling

Cycling and Music, Cinema, Art

SRAM pArt Project – Amazing Sculptures Made of Bicycle Parts

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date November 15, 2012
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SRAM pART Project - Free Wheeling by Lewis Tardy — Artist: Lewis Tardy - tardysculpture.com Materials: SRAM parts, steel bicycle parts, surgical devices, aluminum
Dimensions: 20'' w x 17'' d x 21'' h Statement: Freewheeling captures the empowerment, freedom, and joy of cycling. Born in Kalamazoo Michigan, Lewis Tardy spent his youth exploring all things mechanical. During that time, he also was discovering his creative passion. In 1985 while working as an assistant in a sculpture studio, the two interests fused. The combination of found steel materials coupled with a mixture of commentaries including levity, strength, and sexuality result in this unique expression of Tardy's vision. Significant inspiration comes from shapes and designs discovered within the found parts and materials, which takes shape in human and animal subjects alike. On many occasions, a single shape or part will inspire and become the building block of a whole Idea. Lewis Tardy's sculptures are included in corporate and private collections across many countries of the world.

SRAM pART Project New York City debuts on November 29, 2012, in New York, with twice as many artists and a whole new way to transform bicycle parts into art.

History and Legends Races Tour de France

Eight Seconds: The Narrowest Winning Margin in Tour de France History

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date November 13, 2012
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Eight seconds: Greg Lemond, 1989 Tour de France (cropped) — Greg LeMond is flying to the victory, Tour de France 1989, stage 21.

The 1989 edition of Tour de France was won by Greg LeMond with the narrowest margin in its history: eight seconds. It was LeMond’s second Tour victory.

Before the final stage of the 1989 Tour de France, Frenchman Laurent Fignon (Système U) was 50 seconds ahead of American Greg LeMond (ADR). Fignon took the yellow jersey from LeMond after the Alpe d’Huez stage, thanks to a withering attack by Gert-Jan Theunisse, Fignon was able to rid himself of LeMond on the ascent.

Tags Laurent Fignon, Pedro Delgado, Tour de France 1989, Unforgettable Moments of Cycling