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2012, A Few Changes in Store!

Ceri | 22/02/2012 14:06:44

2012 is an exciting year for so many reasons, with the Olympics and the Queens Diamond Jubilee amongst the main events of the year; there are also a few changes afoot here at Twenty3c.

After spending most of the winter in Spain with his family, Alan has decided to make the move there full time rather than juggling his life between Spain and Milton Keynes, which as you can all imagine is somewhat hectic. We would like to wish Alan the best for the future on behalf of all at Twenty3c and thank him for the positive contribution in establishing and growing us to the position we are in today.

Whilst this has meant we are unable to offer specific bike fitting services we will continue to deliver the same personal service that you have grown accustomed to over the past 3 years within the shop and workshop. Ensuring that the bike you select is the perfect fit- will however still play a key part of the service that we provide, as cyclists we know that getting the setup correct is half the battle, if you are comfortable on the bike everything is so much more fun and that’s what we love about the sport!

There are also quite a few exciting developments at Twenty3c this year, we have added FOCUS bikes to our existing line-up of SCOTT, ORBEA and COLNAGO bikes and to make purchasing your dream bike that little bit easier we now offer a 0% finance option.

On the competitive side we have two road teams this year. Our sponsorship with Twenty3c-Orbea continues into 2012 with a strong squad of 10 riders who will compete at Elite level, we have also added a local race team – Team Twenty3c.co.uk who will compete in road and time trial events across a range of age categories. It will be exciting to watch all the results throughout the season and should keep us busy most weekends!

To keep up with all the latest news follow us on Twitter (@twenty3c) and Facebook (Twenty3c).

We look forward to another exciting season and hope to see you all out on the road soon!

Ceri

Latest News

Paceline – Chamois Butt’r Now in Stock!

Ceri | 20/02/2012 14:09:48

We are always looking for new products to add to our ever increasing range and are pleased to announce we are now stocking Paceline Chamois Butt’r!

Available in two versions – Chamois Butt’r Eurostyle and the Chamois Butt’r Original

What is it?

Paceline Chamois Butt'r  is the number one choice for cyclists who use a skin lubricant and chamois cream to improve riding comfort.

Chamois Butt'r prevents the uncomfortable rubbing and chafing that most cyclists experience when sitting on their saddles. It is a non-greasy skin lubricant that greatly improves comfort while riding and it leaves your skin feeling better after you use it. It will also wash off your skin and your cycling shorts easily with the use of soap and water.

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Turning Twenty3 – Dan Kogan’s Latest Blog

Ceri | 24/01/2012 10:42:15

It may be 2012, but a more poignant number for me, is definitely, twenty three. Both my new age, and my new team. Coincidence I think not!

A new start, a fresh outlook on what I want to aim for and achieve. The year began well, with unusually mild and dry weather (not complaining). I brought in the New Year with a good group of mates, having a BBQ. Normally unheard of in January!

Ready to get the year off to a strong start, I set about a good weeks training. With many of my friends jetting off warmer climates, it was a week training alone. No problem though, as it meant I could ride where I wanted, try some new lanes and had a bit of time to myself to enjoy the winter sunshine.

Discovering new roads, hills and with a good smattering of getting lost, around the testing Hertfordshire roads, meant the miles and the hours flew by. First week into January, 20 hours on the bike clocked up.

The week that followed, I began a 2 week work experience placement. With such a good block done, the week before, I took this week as an easy week. Looking back on it now…I’m glad I did!

It was full on, what with a long commute and packed day at work. Getting up at 6 to jump on the turbo for an hour, was literally all I could fit in. Enjoyable, if not slightly mad.

A few turbo sessions that week later and I was definitely ready to get out of the garage and back on the roads for a weekend of group riding. Saturday and my first group ride of the year. A nice 140km round the lanes of Essex and Hertfordshire, a good group out, with team mate Rhys and “human GPS” Andy, providing the route.

Sunday, more of the same, yet also signalled my first puncture in over a year. Best to get it out the way in January I suppose. Let’s hope the next puncture is just as rare!

So a good couple of rides and back straight back to the commuting, fitting in turbo sessions and a final weeks work experience. A full on two weeks came to an end and although I really enjoyed the work, I had a new found respect for people who have such a long commute, a full day’s work and are still able to train and compete at a high level!

Weekend, another solid one. Two wind swept, group rides, both over 4hrs. It may have been kite flying conditions, but with a top group of guys to train with, plenty of banter and Andy’s ever amazing “local knowledge of lanes” it was another good block, ready to prepare us for the 2012 season.

So what’s next? Well first and foremost continue to get the miles in and with such a pleasant winter, lots of people to ride with, this is not hard to do. Before long it will be time to jet off for the team’s training camp in Majorca. Twenty3c’s first big get together and a sign the season is nearly upon us. I for one can’t wait!

Dan K – Twenty3c-Orbea

Latest News

New Opening Hours!

Ceri | 20/01/2012 13:33:16

As some of you may have noticed we have made a few changes to our opening hours. These changes are effective from Monday 23rd January.

The biggest change is on Wednesday’s where we will now be opening at 12pm!

Our New Opening Hours –

Monday 9.00 – 5.30

Tuesday 9.00 – 5.30

Wednesday 12.00 – 5.30

Thursday 9.00 – 5.30

Friday 9.00 – 5.30

Saturday 9.00 – 5.00

Sunday – Closed

Latest News

Sidas Customised Footbeds Offer!

Ceri | 19/01/2012 11:34:28

For one day only we are offering customised Sidas Footbeds for just £60, that’s a 25% saving!

Saturday 25^th February 1pm – 5pm

What are they?

Sidas insoles are designed to give ultimate foot and ankle alignment.  Giving your foot a comfortable stable platform, which will provide correct knee alignment and power transfer throughout the pedal stroke.

Will I benefit from them?

Sidas insoles are fully customised for you. They are used to offer improved arch support as well as improving comfort, reducing foot pain & blisters.

Call us on 01908 260322 to book your appointment today!

*Payment in full is required upon booking. Footbeds for more than one pair of shoes are available; just let us know when you are booking!

Latest News

Christmas Opening Hours

Ceri | 12/12/2011 17:22:31

It’s that time of year again and we will once again be closing between Christmas and New Year to take some well deserved holidays and recharge for 2012!

Our Opening (or closing!) times over Christmas are as follows -

Christmas Eve – 8.30 – 2.00

Christmas Day – January 3rd – CLOSED

Wednesday 4th January – Normal Hours – 8.30 – 5.30

Website – Our online shop will still be accepting orders but we will not be dispatching any orders until Wednesday 4th January.  We would like to thank you all for making 2011 a great year and we hope 2012 will be even better!

Have a great Christmas and we will see you in the New Year!

Latest News

Dan Kogan Blog – Back into the swing of things!

Ceri | 12/12/2011 15:51:30

Now seems a pretty good time of the year to write my first blog entry, so here goes.

After a long season racing in South Brittany in France, I was experiencing two things: One, relief, I was now able to speak English whenever I wanted and secondly, an incredible tiredness.

What most riders find as the last few races roll to an end is the body and mind start to lag. This was definitely the case for me. After being away from home for 9 months I was looking forward to seeing friends and family again and having a good rest.

Back in UK and I won’t lie, even feeling tired,  I did a couple of rides, one on the mountain bike over Epping Forest and the other out to Writtle on the road bike. This was completely for social reasons as I was able to ride with friends, have a nice cake and sit in the barmy, hot October sunshine!

So, content and now ready for a break I slipped effortlessly into a month of “normal” person activities. This included the grandparent visits, lots of socialising and a bit of clubbing. The main aim of this time away from the bike was to let the body and mind have a well needed rest. So of course that meant I also spent a lot of time lounging about!

After a couple of weeks, where I was literally a tired, energyless, shell of a rider I started to feel more human. By the last week of my break the inevitable happened. I started getting itchy feet (not literally) I was climbing the walls and ready to get back to exercise. This was a good sign as it showed I was ready to roll again!

The thing with coming off a long break is that fitness drops considerably. I knew that the first few rides back were going to be painful and at crawling pace but I was just so happy to get back doing what I liked…riding my bike. The main area I needed to keep an eye on is not jumping back into it too hard. This meant I started light and over the weeks built up slowly.

A weekend mountain biking with friends, a few café rides and a couple of sessions in the gym meant I was getting fit again, without having to think of it as training. Easy and relaxed and with unseasonably good weather this was a great few weeks.

Coming into December and rides began getting a little longer, but still no mammoth expeditions quite yet! The pace is still steady and the cafes are still present on the ride, but with good weather and a great group of guys to train with the miles and weeks seem to fly by.

Returning back from France, I’d lost a lot of weight (nearly 6kg) and although have put a bit on (3kg) I am still not carrying enough reserves for a cold winter. This is why I need to be especially careful in the coming weeks and through winter to make sure I continue to put on weight and muscle, which I had lost.

So that is a whirlwind run through of what I have been up to since returning from France. What’s in store next you may ask!? Well over the next few weeks, up to the New Year, I will continue to gradually increase time spent on the bike and coming into the New Year will start adding a bit more intensity, ready to get me prepared for my 2012 of racing. Season may still be a few months away but I can’t wait!

Dan.

Latest News

0% Finance Now Available In Store!

Ceri | 28/11/2011 11:03:34

We now offer a 0% finance option to help you buy the bike you have always wanted, by spreading the cost with a finance package tailored to your individual needs.

0% finance options are available over 6, 12 & 18 month terms.

What do I do next?

It’s simple! Come into the shop and select the bike and accessories of your choice.

We will complete the application and pending approval you could be leaving the shop the same day with your new bike and accessories.

What will I need for my application?

You will need two forms of identification, passport, driving licence & utility bill (less than 3 months old).

Credit card for the 10% deposit (this must be the applicants own card registered to your current address)

If you require any more information call Ceri at the shop on 01908 260322 or email us.

Subject to status, Terms and conditions apply, Minimum age 18yrs, UK residents only.

Moneyway is a trading name of Secure Trust Bank PLC. Registered in England and Wales 541132. Registered office: One Arleston Way, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LH. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and licensed by the Office of Fair Trading under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate consumer credit

Latest News

Twenty3c-Orbea – 3 more signings completes 2012 roster!

Ceri | 09/11/2011 13:09:26

To complete the line up for the 2012 season the team are keeping with the philosophy of helping develop the young and promising riders predominantly from the Eastern Region. The team are pleased to announce the signings of James Jackson, Clem Berrill and Rhys Howells. All three riders have impressed this season and reached a point where their abilities and ambitions have seen them start to tackle the Premier Calendar events. Next year will allow them to continue this development and start to gain success at this next level.

James Jackson came back to the sport in 2011 after having two years out and showed the potential he has by picking up 5 wins in his comeback season including the Eastern Region Crit Champs. A rider with a recognised fast finish and true potential. It is hoped that James will continue his impressive return to the sport and use this ability to win some bigger races, which we know he is capable of.    

Both Clem Berrill and Rhys Howells join the team from the successful Hackney CC, a club that has a depth of young talent and has quickly become a hotbed for developing and encouraging young riders from this part of the region. Both Clem and Rhys have only been racing for two years and in this time they have both become accomplished riders with ambitions to develop further within the sport. Rhys picked up two wins during the 2011 season and his strong riding on the flat will be an asset to the team. Clem has proved to be one of the best young riders in the Eastern Region throughout the 2011 season and his attacking style brought him to the attention of the team. We believe they both have a lot to offer the team and Twenty3c-Orbea would like to give them the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions.

Full Line-Up

Lewis Atkins

Clem Berrill

Rhys Howells

James Jackson

Dan Kogan

Andy Lyons

Dean Shannon

Wojciech Szlachta

Latest News

Gift Vouchers – Available Online

Ceri | 08/11/2011 11:49:41

We are pleased to announce that you can now purchase Gift Vouchers online, (Just in time for Christmas)!

So don’t forget to let your family know when you write your Christmas list…

The Gift vouchers are available in £10, £25 and £50.

To buy a voucher now click here