G!RO CYCLES ULTRA DISTANCE CYCLING WEEKEND
GOING THE DISTANCE
GOING THE DISTANCEG!RO CYCLES of Esher, Surrey hosted a weekend long event celebrating all things endurance cycling. The primary focus being the Trans Continental Race, insightful stories and expert advice were shared by previous participants regaling both the highs and the lows. Brand representatives from Apidura, Sportful and Curve Cycling were on hand to answer product related questions; making the connection between man rider and machine.
Sunday was an opportunity for customers and friends of G!RO CYCLES to ride with Kristof Allegaert; a former winner of the Trans Continental and this is where this photographic story begins. (Photo credit: Taylor Tulip-Close)
PRE RIDE BRIEF
Giro Cycles is located on Portsmouth Road, the main thoroughfare for any city (read London) based cyclist and an ideal access point to the Surrey Hills. A "rolling route" of 100km mapped by Matthew Falconer, a venerable GPS of the road less travelled would allow all those in attendance, the opportunity to chat to Kristof on relatively traffic free roads.
HIDDEN GEMS OF SURREY
As a man who spends as much time studying maps as he does riding the roads depicted on them, Kristof is someone who values a little local knowledge and insight. A seemingly dead end road which would normally lead to a U-turn, transpired to be an access point to Denbies Vineyard and the perfect back drop to a wonderful pedal through the Surrey lanes.
Why so serious? A photographer laying in the middle of the road and directly in your path perhaps?
Squad Goals! G!RO Prestige in full force and looking sharp!
Ever the thoughtful and considerate cyclist. Kristof checks to make sure everyone is "on" and safe.
Kristof has been known to go "left" when all other cyclists go "right". Sportful well represented. Kristof chose the R and D Cima kit, well suited for the hot weather on Sundays's ride.
ALL SMILES
All the serious pre conceptions of a man driven to ride his bike thousands of km's couldn't be more different from the reality. Kristof Allegaert is possibly the nicest guy in the world of cycling, modest to a fault and generous with his time and advice; as anyone who attended Sunday's event will attest. To confirm Kristof is an absolute machine on the bike.
A multi winner of the TCR, Red Bull Siberian Challenge.... he has an uncanny way of making the impressive endurance feats, seem very normal and matter of fact. It's worth noting that Kristof rode his bike from his home in Kortrijk, Belgium to Esher, UK and while I'm unsure of the exact route, a quick look on google maps would suggest he rode at least 370KM (and the same on the way home!)
"So long Taylor!!"
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It’s always been about the ride.
From a young age, cycling has been part of my life. My grandad cycled the track at Herne Hill during the ’40s, which is also where I saw Bradley Wiggins race for the first time.