Friday File: Maurizio Call Home, Classic Competitor, Thunder Striking, Chain Cleaner, Presta Fall Cycling Cap & Europcar: Driving On Up.

Before cell phones...
Fondriest calling home on a mobile phone in 1993.

photo Yuzuru Sunada

Friday File...

The cell phone; like it or leave it... it's here to stay.

I never did like it but it's a necessary evil to have with me especially on my rides. Back in the day, the mobile phone looked more like a heavy piece of military equipment that mostly business folks had. A rare site.

Here's a fun photo of Maurizio Fondriest calling home on what could be the Mototorla International mobile phone in 1993.

Hi-tech...

1992 Motorola

International 3200

13 solid seasons about to end for Flecha...

Getting a stage victory would be a apropos way of finishing!

photos Graham Watson

Is it me or has the cycling season gone too long?

I'm not too excited of the Tour of Beijing but two of my favorite riders are there making a mark... Thor Hushovd winning the first stage and Juan Antonio Flecha riding his last race before going to Maui for vacation. 

If Flecha can win a stage that would be apropos - for him and for Vacancesoleil also 'retiring' at the end of this season. 

The God of Thunder finding excellent late season form.

Classic Competitor...

Flecha was a fierce classic rider with numerous top-ten finishes. Here

is the Arrow in the 2013 E3 Harelbeke

Thunder striking...

Stage 1:

1. Thor Hushovd (BMC) 4:20:34

2. Luka Mezgec (Argos) :00

3. Nikolas Maes (Omega) :00

22. Dominque Rollin (FDJ) :00

30. J. A. Flecha (Vacansoleil) :00

 Thor hammering it up!

Driving on up...

Time for the Worldtour stage me thinks!

via Europcar Cycling

Good news from Team Europcar...

Jean-René Bernaudeau and his staff have secured a second title sponsor, Harmonie Mutuelle. Now this supports the team for their recent bid for WorldTour status. With WorldTour teams; Euskatel and Vacancsoleil disbanding, it seems a natural progression for Europcar to drive in to WorldTour status.

In praise for simple design...

MEC chain cleaner

photo Cycling Art

Cleaning a dirty chain is always a chore. My 4-year old chain cleaner broke, a plastic bit broke off so off I went to replace it with another one. MEC is one of our local shops that I support and their inexpensive and effective chain cleaner works for me. Riding in Fall brings cooler temperatures and addition of more muck and this chain cleaner with the appropriate chain cleaner liquid works damn well. Bring on the muck!

The Presta Fall Cycling Cap...

Presta Fall Cycling Cap

photo Red Dots Cycling

Presta Fall 100% Wool Cycling Cap: 'Keeping the warmth on your cold pressurized rides!'

Have a good Friday ride...

Julien, Sean & John.