Cycling Show - NEC, Birmingham....

According to the advertising blurb, this year's Cycle Show at the NEC was the biggest yet - it has expanded into a new hall and every inch of the floor plan is full. That may well be - but I have to admit we didn't notice - I've just read that since getting back home!  However we did notice how many bike companies there seem to be all of a sudden - take out the established brands, Specialised, Giant, Cannondale etc - who for some reason weren't displaying and there seems a plethora of 'new brands' - Rocky Mountain, Electra, Beacon, Marin, Mondraker, Marzochi, Greenover, Haibike, KTM,  Reece, Silverfish, Storch, Valke, Aguesport, Dassi, Kinesis, Reid, Starley, Yellow - and probably more.... Good to see that the industry is thriving and new companies are springing up.

Bradley Wiggins's Time Trial Bike

We went through the usual ritual - a bucket list based on an imaginary lottery win. £25,000 was the figure we had to spend - and with Bradley Wiggins World Championship Time trial bike available from Pinnarello for £14,000 it was clear we needed to adjust the figures - £35,000 would be reasonable - even then there would have to be some difficult compromises!

All in all its an enjoyable way to spend a few hours accumulating a bag full of leaflets, magazines and brochures to pad out the recycling bin sometime next week. But it was good to spot Jens Voight doing his bit on the Trek stand and no doubt basking in the deserved glory of the new world record holder for 'the hour'.

See you all next year.