BEN ROCKETT WORLD RECORD

27th August 2010 - filed under Giant

Bicycle Chain Rider Breaks World Record

This Morning Ben Rockett rode his Giant Trinity Advanced SL to the end of Britain making a new World Record for Lands End – John O’Groats – Lands End. Ben who has been supported throughout by The Bicycle Chain in Bridgwater arrived back at Lands end early this morning before sunrise to the jubilation of a crowd of supporters who had been following him on his blog and live route tracker since he departed last Saturday.

Ben has ridden a combination of custom built Giant TCR Advanced SL and Giant Trinity Advanced SL during the 1781 mile attempt depending on the daily terrain, as well as using Giant Team Kit supplied by The Bicycle Chain and Giant. He was backed up by a six strong team from different branches of The Bicycle Chain, manning a support vehicle. Riding at least 297 miles each day, Ben underwent such exertion that he even fell asleep in the saddle! He undertook the incredible attempt to raise money for charity Cardiac Risk in The Young.

You can offer Ben some much deserved praise at www.rocckettrides.com.

Congratulations to Ben from everyone here at Giant!

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Menchov TT's to Tour Podium!

31st July 2010 - filed under Giant

Gesink 6th, giving Rabo two top-10s

A brilliant time trial effort in the penultimate stage of the Tour de France lifted Rabobank team leader Denis Menchov onto the final podium in Paris. Joining the Russian near the top of the final standings was teammate Robert Geskink in sixth, making Rabobank the only team to land two top-10 overall finishers.

Menchov and Gesink formed a powerful one-two punch for Rabobank as they endured the Tour’s many challenges including early cobblestone stages in The Netherlands and Belgium, the high peaks of The Alps and Pyrénées, and finally, a tough Stage 19 time trial made even more difficult by strong winds.

The 52-kilometer TT from Bordeaux to Pauillac was especially daunting for the top General Classification riders who started late in the day with crosswinds and headwinds at their highest. Menchov, riding his Giant Trinity Advanced SL TT bike, proved strongest of the top GC men, finishing more than two minutes faster than Spanish rider Samuel Sanchez, who had started the day third overall.

That effort was enough to move Menchov into third overall and earn him his first-ever podium finish at the Tour de France. Afterward, the 32-year-old Russian said he had ridden the best time trial of his life.

Menchov, who won the Giro d’Italia last year and has two wins at the Vuelta a España, is now one of the select riders in the sport to have appeared on the podium in all three grand tours.

Menchov’s teammate Gesink lived up to the challenge of protecting his sixth-place standing during the final time trial. He had earned his high placing with masterful rides in the mountains but said the final TT was his toughest challenge.

“I’ve never been in as much pain in my life,” Gesink told Cyclingnews.com. “I’m super satisfied and super proud with my sixth place. It’s my third grand tour and—looking back—my first full Tour de France.”

In the end, a solid all-around team effort earned the Rabobank squad third place in the team standings. Rabobank was also represented in the final stage in Paris with a fifth-place finish by sprinter Oscar Freire.

With Menchov, Gesink and a host of strong up-and-comers, Rabobank will certainly be the team to watch for the rest of this season and into the future.

BECKINGSALE ALL GEARED UP FOR DALBY

1st July 2010 - filed under Giant

Giant rider returns from Tour l’ain VTT stage win

Oli Beckingsale returns to action in the UK this weekend for Round 4 of the British MTB Series at Dalby Forest in Yorkshire. Winner of Round 1 at Sherwood Pines and Round 3 at Margam Park, Oli arrives hot on the heels of finishing 7th in the Tour l’ain VTT in France.

The UCI class 3 stage race attracted French, Dutch, Belgian and German teams along with Oli making a guest appearance in the Great Britain National Team. Speaking after the race Oli said;

“Day one was a nasty one with a 10km team time trial that climbed a 400m hill … we ended up 5th team but lost time to the other favourites.”

“The next 2 days were good fun and I wish all mountain bike racing was like this. With 50km 1 lap races through proper hills, with no chance to pre-ride you have to just make some mental notes from the map/profile and off you go - which adds to the fun in my book!”

“Over the next 2 days I got stuck in and tried to pull back the time overall. In the end I finished 7th overall and along the way managed to win the 2nd stage and also the green sprints jersey! So not a bad 3 days work.”

This weekend Oli will hope to take advantage of his sprinting prowess as he tackles Dalby which hosted the World Cup earlier this season.

If you want to get involved then this weekend is the perfect opportunity; with Giant demo bikes available from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday and racing taking place on Saturday. To demo the latest Giant off road bikes simply bring along a valid photo id (drivers license or passport) and a bank card, plus a helmet (required to ride).

For more information about the British Mountain Bike Series visit britishxc.com.

King Completes Green World on Wheels Tour

21st June 2010 - filed under Giant

Giant founder rides cycling-friendly nation of The Netherlands

Giant Chairman King Liu has completed his June 14-19 Green World on Wheels cycling tour through The Netherlands. The founder of Giant rode more than 500 kilometers through eight different cities to gain firsthand experience riding in one the most cycling friendly nations in the world.

In recent years King has completed several tours around the world to share his passion for cycling and to learn new ways to make Taiwan, home to Giant headquarters, more conducive to healthy, safe cycling.

In The Netherlands, King visited several Giant retail stores and led different groups of riders. He experienced the impressive infrastructure that has earned The Netherlands a reputation for being a forward-thinking nation when it comes to cycling. King was joined by Taiwanese entrepreneurs one day, and highlights included riding purpose-built cycling routes and visiting attractions including a bicycling museum.

When the tour was complete, King used four words to sum up the experience:

Safe: Separate lanes for bicycles protect cyclists from motorized traffic.
Clean: With separate cycling routes, riders are less exposed to exhaust from motorized vehicles.
Beautiful: During his tour, King experienced scenic landscapes, castles and other sites.
Friendly: The extensive, easy-to-use network of cycling routes makes riding easier. Traffic planning and flow, including stoplights and intersections, is engineered with cyclists in mind.

It is King’s hope that his Green World on Wheels Tour will open up communication with The Netherlands as Taiwan continues to improve its own cycling infrastructure. The tour introduced King, his fellow riders, and the media to some great examples of how to improve cycling opportunities for all levels of riders. Now, King and Giant, the company he founded, look forward to continuing to push Taiwan to become its own cycling paradise.

GIANT BACK LEXUS GREAT BRITISH BIKE RIDE

20th June 2010 - filed under Giant

Giant Support Rugby Legend Richard Hill’s September Charity Ride

The ‘Great British Bike Ride’ in September 2010 will be the first in a series of annual events which aim to raise £1.5 Million for charity over the next 5 years. This year, the event will support ‘Help for Heroes', the RFU Injured Players Foundation and the RPA Benevolent Fund.

The ride from Lands End to London will follow carefully planned scenic routes through the West Country, all participants will enjoy traditional rugby hospitality for the overnight stops at rugby club based, tented villages in Tavistock, Yeovil & Winchester. The finish will be a grand reception at Twickenham Stadium to coincide with the London ‘Double Header' involving Harlequins, London Irish, Saracens & London Wasps. 200 competitors will ride the 4 day event with up to 100 ‘stage' riders participating on a daily basis.

Richard Hill MBE, Saracens, England and Lions Legend and new Worcester Head Coach will be cycling and supporting the event throughout. Following extensive knee surgery, Richard is keen to regain his former levels of fitness and said "I am delighted to be involved with this tremendous initiative to raise funds for ‘HELP for HEROES' & Injured Players. Like rugby union, the Great British Bike Ride is about challenge, competition and enjoyment; for me, to assist with such a worthwhile cause is truly a privilege."

The event is planned to grow over the next three to five years with the inclusion of additional regions, additional sports and additional charities, culminating in a 'Great British' event with a grand total of 5000 participants.

Giant UK Director Ian Beasant said “Giant’s recent involvement with Laurence Dallaglio’s Sport’s Relief ride proved a real success; we were equally keen to support the Great British Bike Ride. Cycling and rugby go hand in hand, with many players seeing the low impact fitness benefits of riding a bike; this event will be a celebration of both rugby and cycling and all for a fantastic cause.”

For further details of the event visit greatbritishbikeride.com

DOUBLE PODIUM FOR GIANT RIDERS

14th June 2010 - filed under Giant

Helen Jenkins Hy-Vee bronze & Marc Jenkins Windsor Silver

This weekend saw two Giant riders make podiums; Helen Jenkins took bronze at the Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon Elite Cup in Des Moines, Iowa, meanwhile husband Marc Jenkins took Silver at the 2010 Windsor Triathlon.

Helen took bronze in Hy-Vee finishing in 1:59:51 behind Australian’s Emma Snowsill, the race winner and Emma Moffatt.  Americans Sarah McLarty and Hayley Peirsol exited the swim a minute ahead of the chasing group, holding them off throughout the bike with the gap closing to 40 seconds.  Jenkins formed part of the chase group that caught the lead pair during the run before Snowsill managed to make the decisive move having fought back hard, finishing in 1:59:35.

Meanwhile Marc Jenkins, racing for Team TBC-Sports Aid took Silver at the 2010 Nokia Windsor Triathlon; finishing in 1:52:03 behind new team mate Steve Worthington who won with a career best and will be riding Giant TCR Advanced this season. Marc now sits in 3rd position in the British Triathlon Super Series with 106 points. Speaking immediately after the race Marc said;

“"I was happy with my race, I swam really well, so that was the main thing.. Steve ran fantastic and I couldn't run with him.”

Meanwhile fellow Team TBC-Sports Aid rider Lois Rosindale, who will also be riding Giant this season won silver in the women’s race.

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GIANT RACE IN TO MOUNTAIN MAYHEM

5th June 2010 - filed under Giant

Tech support for Giant riders in 2010

Ever-present since the dawn of Mountain Mayhem, Giant have confirmed their presence at this years event, offering free technical support and goodie bags for all Giant riders.

For free advice, technical race support and fitting of components purchased from Back On Track Bikes & Swinnerton’s Cycles at the event; simply head over to the Giant stand with your Giant bike and you’ll also receive a free goodie bag (subject to availability).

So if you’re tackling the 24-hour mountain bike course or challenging yourself to the sportive we’ll be on hand to help everyone ride Giant and have a great Mountain Mayhem in 2010.

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“GREEN WORLD ON WHEELS” AIMS TO IMPROVE THE CYCLING WORLD

4th June 2010 - filed under Giant

Giant founder King Liu will again show his passion for cycling with a ride through the bicycle-friendly nation of The Netherlands

Friday 4th June, 2010 — Giant Bicycles founder King Liu is set to embark on his latest cycling journey, Green World on Wheels, June 14th-19th in The Netherlands. Over a six-day period, King will complete a 500km ride through the nation recently honoured as “Cycling Paradise.”

After completing the challenges of the Tour de Taiwan in 2007 and Ride Like King from Beijing to Shanghai in 2009, King realised his actions not only fulfilled a personal dream but also made Giant’s home nation, Taiwan, more conductive to cycling.

Green World on Wheels aims to spread the message of using bicycles to protect the environment and improve health. Donations from powerful supporters are funding the expense of the trip. In addition, government officials from the Taiwan Ministry of Transportation and Communication have been invited to participate and study the cycling infrastructure of The Netherlands to help Taiwan improve its own cycling environment and take the next steps to become a “Cycling Island.”

In The Netherlands, more than 27 percent of journeys are completed by bicycle. In Amsterdam, the rate is even higher, at 37 percent. The nation is known for having one of the most cycling-friendly infrastructures in the world. During his ride, King will lead groups of cyclists through five of the most cycling-friendly cities to experience riding in The Netherlands.

Bringing together government officials and the general public, through King’s passion for cycling, Green World on Wheels hopes to inspire people and educate them on the ways cycling can improve both the environment and personal well-being.

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ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL LAUNCHED

19th April 2010 - filed under Giant

Oli Beckingsale carves racing line on The ‘Monkey Trail’

The West Midlands ultimate mountain bike trail – The ‘Monkey Trail’, was unveiled at the Forestry Commission’s Cannock Forest near Rugeley this weekend.

Giant’s Commonwealth Silver Medalist and Olympian rider Oli Beckingsale cut the ribbon and led the first riders out on the new red grade mountain bike trail, which has been designed as a technical route for expert cyclists, starting and finishing at the Birches Valley Forest Centre.

The new ‘Monkey Trail’ is part of a £200,000 project supported by Giant to improve the visitor facilities at Cannock Forest, which includes eight kilometres of new singletrack and some new look features added to existing routes. Cross-country, downhill, and family cycle trails ranging from 1 – 10 miles have all benefited from the revamp and were re-launched on the day with a variety of skills sessions aimed at riders of all abilities. In addition riders were able to test Giant’s Anthem X and Anthem X W demo bikes – the ultimate tool for tackling the challenging terrain.

Birches Valley Forest Centre is already the starting point for the popular ‘Follow the Dog’ technical route. The seven-mile, single-track trail, which was created by Chase Trails as the West Midlands’ first dedicated Cross Country MTB trail, was also upgraded as part of the changes. Now linked together, ‘Follow The Dog’ and the new ‘Monkey Trail’, provide 24 kilometres of the West Midlands’ finest bike trail.

The ‘Monkey Trail’ features some short sharp climbs and long flowing descents, with some extremely tight twists and turns along the way, new features include lung-busting climbing turns, berms, rooty drops and lots of narrow flowing singletrack. The trail is built from locally sourced stone and natural features are beginning to merge into the trail so within a few months it will look as though the trail has always been there.

Wider changes and improvements to existing trails will help more people of all ages and abilities get active and develop a healthier lifestyle. There is an easy green route for families and beginners through to blue and red courses for cycling enthusiasts.

Giant UK Marketing Manger Collette Clensy said;

“The Monkey Trail adds a whole new dimension to the facilities at Cannock – now it’s become a real destination for mountain bikers who will be amazed at the new route and the riding on offer.”

She continued;

“It was fantastic to see cyclists of all ages and abilities enjoying a healthy and fun day out; the improved technical routes for more experienced riders means the centre truly shares Giant’s vision of offering something for all.”

Speaking before the event, Jason Maclean, Environment Manager for the Forestry Commission at Cannock, said:

“After three years of intensive planning, designing and building we’re delighted to be launching the newest and biggest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the West Midlands.

“This new trail has been designed to be sustainable and have minimal environmental impact, whilst allowing thousands of mountain bikers and forest visitors to develop their cycling skills or simply go out and have fun.”

The Chase Trails Volunteer Group, a local group of mountain bikers, steered the project into action giving up countless weekends to plan and design sections of trail and contributing numerous hours of work into painstakingly building many sections of the new trail by hand. They organised ‘Big Build Days’ to encourage the wider community to help out with trail building enlisting help from external supporters such RAF Stafford.

Rob Lamb from Chase Trails, said:

"Completion of the ‘Monkey Trail’ represents a huge milestone in the progression of Chase Trails. This is the second trail we’ve developed and will offer riders a technical step up from our earlier work.

“Working with a great team of partners has been critical to the success of the project and we couldn't have achieved without the ongoing help of our volunteers. We’re extremely lucky to have the regular support of a highly committed team of volunteers who have put completion of the trail ahead of everything else including their own valuable riding time.

“We’ve met an almost countless number of new volunteers through our regular Big Build Days and to all these people we owe a great debt of thanks.”

Anyone interested in supporting the project or joining the Chase Trails volunteer group should visit chasetrails.co.uk.

Large sections of the trail has also been built by specialist trail builders Clixby’s, from Oakamoor in Staffordshire, who previously constructed singletrack mountain bike trails for the Forestry Commission at Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire, Whinlatter Forest in Cumbria and the descent line at Stainburn, near Leeds.

Hugh Clixby from trail builders Clixby’s, said:

“Over the past 15 months we’ve built almost 10km of trails. We’ve built some lovely sweet flowing singletrack, technical short sharp climbs, fast flowing bermy descents and a couple of black technical features which wouldn’t be out of place on the world cup course at Dalby.

“I hope the ‘Monkey Trail’ provides riders with a worthwhile challenge, but most of all, loads and loads of fun. I have certainly enjoyed riding the trail as we have been building it and working alongside all the volunteers at Chase Trails.”

Bike hire facilities, maps and information are available from Swinnerton Cycles Forest Centre. For more information or to hire a bike visit bikechase.co.uk. For more information about recreational facilities at Cannock Forest and other Forestry Commission woodlands around the West Midlands visit forestry.gov.uk/westmidlands and forestry.gov.uk/cannockforest.

ENGLAND RUGBY SUPERSTAR'S GIANT TWICKENHAM RETURN

24th March 2010 - filed under Giant

Dallaglio returns to the home of English rugby

The Giant Store - Twickenham recently took a very special delivery from England Rugby Union superstar Lawrence Dallaglio. The famous face returned his custom designed Giant Defy Advanced road bicycle recently used to complete the Cycle Slam challenge in aid of Sport Relief and the newly formed Dallaglio Foundation.

The specillay designed Giant Defy Advanced bike bearing the iconic No. 8 carried the England superstar on his gruelling 2888km journey between each of the Six Nations stadiums. The team of Cycle Slam riders left Rome on 12th February in unexpected snow; the first seen there for more than 25 years! Dallaglio navigated the team through Northern Italy and Southern France before arriving at the Stade de France in Paris on 22nd February.

The cyclists were delighted to hit familiar turf two days later as they embarked on the stretch to Twickenham, navigating the roads of Southern England. At Twickenham Stadium they were greeted by HRH Prince Harry who had arrived to offer the ride his full support. They then continued onto the Millennium Stadium, Croke Park and finally Murrayfield on 12th March.

“I’ve ridden a fair few Giants now and they’re all pretty awesome,” said Lawrence, “but this one is the best of the lot. If you’re going to be riding a bike constantly for a month, you want something that’s going to be light, fast, comfortable and reliable. The Defy and I were inseparable eight hours a day for four weeks, so we know each other pretty well now!”

The ride has raised nearly £1 million already, with all proceeds split equally between Sport Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation, whose beneficiaries include Cancer Research, DebRA, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Help for Heroes and the RPA Benevolent Fund.

To learn more about the incredible journey and to make a donation, please visit dallagliocycleslam.com