Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Wednesday 28 May 2014

Jim's charity Loire Source to Atlantic bike ride postponed until September.

Esme Morris-Macintyre, who died of a brain tumour 
in July 2013 aged 18

Very reluctantly we decided today to postpone my charity ride down the Loire from the source to the sea from June until September. This is largely due to the catastrophic failure of the bike rack supplied by Volkswagen on our return from France on 8th April. See here.

Ironically no sooner had I announced my intended charity ride than my Scott Scale 35 bike was wrenched by high wind from the bike rack while travelling on the A16 towards Calais breaking the back window of our car at the same time. 

I took to Evans in Clapham, London. They initially thought it could be repaired and ordered in the necessary parts, some taking two to three weeks to arrive. Unfortunately once they started to repair the bike they discovered that the carbon frame was cracked. This meant a new bike – we are still talking to Volkswagen about the warranty...

Due to the uncertainty over whether I would have a bike and various work commitments, we just haven't had time to do the proper planning, although I have done a considerable amount of training... 

Therefore we have decided that I will do the ride in September – still to raise money for teenage cancer charities but to look to combine this with vintage time. I will start from the source of the Loire in the week beginning 15th September after the 2014 edition of Bourgueillothérapie – 13th and 14th September, where this year one of my shirts will be included in the charity auction. 

 The bike rack that failed


The new Scott Hardtail Scale 720 

 Jim starting the cycle track from 
Calvine to Dalwhinnie – Route 7
 

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Keep us informed, Jim. Good luck !

Luc Charlier said...

Jim, if VW fails to respond to your warranty claims, why don't you tackle the bike's manufacturer? Surely, a Scott should be able to endure a minor tumble on the tarmac. In France, they call that surface ... Macadam !

Jim's Loire said...

Luc. No bike is designed to fly off a roof rack at 80 mph. Not surprising that the frame was damaged.

Jim's Loire said...

Merci Michel. Will certainly keep you informed of my plans. Jim

Luc Charlier said...

Uuh, Jim. My previous comment was intended as a joke ....