More and more products are being added to the Mec’Azur store. Each item is generally-speaking a “one-off”. They are usually vintage stock, hard to find, and in great condition – if not NOS (New Old Stock).
The Mec’Azur collection extends beyond what you see in the online store. We have many many spare parts, from Zeus front mechs, to Stronglight headset lockrings. If you are in need of any spare part, no matter what size, or maybe something to complete a bicycle, from the finest vintage rebuilds to your winter hack bike, then we hope to be able to help you. Just drop us a line (use the contact form on the “contact us” page) and we’ll get back to you with availabilty and pricing.
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Now available! We’ve sourced some of the finest vintage jerseys and these are now available in the Mec’Azur online store.
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A few changes are afoot here at Mec’Azur. We’re busy pulling together some updated website pages and we’ve added some new products to the Shop – be sure to check those out. If you can’t find what you are after, just email us – we’ve got a far more extensive collection than can yet be covered here (although we are working on that too!)
For now, I’ll leave you with just a small snapshot of some great vintage photos we’ve unearthed.
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Great Road Climbs – Published by Rapha Racing
This idea came to me as I was riding a climb known as La Madone d’Utelle. Thinking of the words Graeme Fife had penned for the series of books, and particularly of this relatively unknown climb in the arriere-pays of the Cote d’Azur, I wondered how the term “coffee table” book became applied to the now 3-strong series of book.
I suggest that a far more inspiring place for the books is in your toilet room. Since when did you ever leave a book on your coffee table and actually read it? I can assure you that most Coffee Table books lie unread, or even worse, covered by another Coffee Table book. Yet, by putting such an inspiring read in your toilet room, you can spend time on your throne and imagine that you are King of the Mountain. Guests can also peruse the book and wonder at Pete Drinkells photography without feeling rude for ignoring the pre- or post- lunch conversation.
So, while you’ve been reading Great Road Climbs of the Southern Alps, book a trip with Cycle Cote d’Azur and you too can experience the magic from your saddle, rather than the seat of your throne.
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To all IRONMAN France competitors – We have teamed up with official IRONMAN travel operator – Nirvana Europe – to bring you the best bike mechanics services pre- and post- race. We’ll have a limited number of supplies and spares available, but if you need anything – try and tell us in advance! – info@mecazur.fr
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Our first collaboration ride with Cycle Cote d’Azur was ridden at the weekend. See the photos on our Facebook page – don’t forget to “Like” and “Share”
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Time for a little mechanics. We’ve been playing about with wheel combinations recently. Having been inspired by clients wheels – Campagnolo Bora’s, Enve Smarts and more, its time to shift a little weight from the Mec’Azur rolling stock. In the age of “marginal gains”, every gram saved could help us take back those Strava KOM’s around the Cote d’Azur..
We’re massive fans of the Schwalbe Ultremo DD (double defense) and have been using a set of the 25c’s for (too many) months. Now that its time to replace them, we’ve chosen a pair of 23c’s. The test will be rolling resistance, cornering stability and above all, puncture protection. With a fresh set of tyres, a new set of Continental Supersonic inner tubes have been used. Lighter weight inner tubes are only worthwhile if they remain as puncture resistant as their heavier-weight counterparts.
With the changes, a full 100g has been knocked off the rock-steady wheelset of Shimano Dura Ace Carbon 1380.
We’ll report back soon with the results of the experiment – are the 23c tyres noticably different to the 25c? Are the lightweight tubes worthwhile? Did the KOM’s get taken back?..
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In association with Cycle Cote d’Azur we’ve put together the Brevet des Grimpeurs series of rides. Across four months this summer, you’ll be able to experience the ultimate in challenging rides, while taking in the best roads and scenery the Alpes-Maritimes has to offer. Places on these rides are extremely limited. Book now as weekend packages with Hotel Clair, Nice or for residents of the Cote d’Azur, book the ride-only option.
Contact claire@cyclecotedazur.com or info@mecazur.fr for more information on each of the rides and to book!
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Spring has well and truely sprung! Its been a busy few weeks here at Mec’Azur. We’ve been busy servicing bikes from both locals to the Cote d’Azur and visitors. Many people are also preparing for Ironman Nice – places for bike builds and airport collection are limited – so please book early!
Meanwhile, we’ve been on the roads watching Paris-Nice, Milano-San Remo and riding the Charly Berard sportive right here from Nice. A great event, why not add it to your calendar for 2013? You could even tie it in to a trip to Corsica for Criterium International – for 2013 this event will be key as it uses roads that will feature in the first 3 stages of the Tour de France.
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We’ve a great collection of vintage parts from toe clips to pumps, chainsets to rear mechs and everything inbetween. We’ll be posting our entire inventory on this site. If you’re after a vintage part or spare why not drop us a line – info@mecazur.fr – and see if we have it?
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FRIDAY FEATURE
Each week, here on the Mec’Azur blog, on a Friday (to be precise!) we’ll be featuring a short interview with riders and staff who work in the professional ranks of cycling and live on the Cote d’Azur (Alpes-Maritimes).
Our first feature is with Amael Moinard of BMC Racing:
We caught up with Amael last week, having seen him putting in the winter miles.
Mec’Azur : Amael, you were born on the northern coast of France in Cherbourg, what brought you to the Mediterranean coast?
Amael : I decided to leave my Normandy in order to find better training conditions – like nice weather, mountain roads, an international community. I’m really happy to be here now and pretty sure it’s a key to be at a high level for a long time
Mec’Azur : Your 2011 season with BMC was very successful, a number of new teammates for 2012 live on the Cote d’Azur (Gilbert, Hushovd). Have you been training with them already?
Amael : I haven’t been training with them already. I live in Saint Jeannet, and I need around 1H to reach Monaco by bike. Also, it means that I need to go by Nice each time. And I really like my training routes around Vence, Tourettes Levens…
Mec’Azur: Do you have goals for the 2012 season? Are you looking to repeat your 2010 Paris-Nice success or will you be a key domestique again?
Amael: I failed this year on several races where I could do something for myself. I don’t know why, but I was so much better as a domestic. But I’m still looking forward in being really strong in the first part of the next season, like in Paris Nice for example. Then I will a domestic for the Classics and Stage races.
Mec’Azur: Back to the Cote d’Azur – do you have set training routes, or do you like to mix it up with coastal
and hilly rides?
Amael: During winter, until Paris Nice, I train near Eze, La Turbie. Then I prefer to go to the hills above Nice, in the Esterel, and of course around Vence, which is close to my home.
Mec’Azur: What is your favourite climb on the Cote d’Azur?
Amael: I really like the Col de Vence. I climb it about 3 times a week during the season. Specially when I need to work on treshold
Mec’Azur: And favourite descent?
Amael: I like to descend from Gillette to the Var Valley
Mec’Azur: and finally, recommend us a great coffee stop!
Amael: I like to change, but with my training friends, Tristan Valentin and Geoffroy Lequatre, we like to
stop in a bakery in Tourrettes sur Loup to avoid bonking before being back at home.
Thanks again for your time, Amael. Hope the training goes well and 2012 is another successful
season. See you out on the road again soon.
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OFF-SEASON
Despite the fact that we’re still getting in plenty of km’s here on the Cote d’Azur, as you can tell by recent posts, its the “off-season”. Take that to mean “off-road”. Be it cyclocross or mountainbiking it’s always good to mix up the disciplines. Better bike handling, a refresh and more core strength are great reasons why a little ‘dirt never hurt’.
We were recently sent some great shots from Christchurch, New Zealand of some indoor dirtjumps. The rider is Andrew Costain and the photographer Lee Howel.
We’re off to race some cyclocross this weeking in Biot and have a little side project on the World Cup downhill course at Cap d’Ail on the bubble – keep your eyes peeled for that..
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As we mentioned previously, cyclocross is a blast. At Ally Pally, Wig Worland was also on-hand to shoot some ace photos.
Its definitely worth noting, that Wig is a staff photographer now at the most excellent Rouleur. You can see his work in the most recent issue (26) at French tyre manufacturers Hutchinson. Talking of France, it was Wig who was commissioned by Rapha to document the journey to, and the journey of, Paris-Brest-Paris 2011.
From the first qualifier – The Poor Student, all the way to the finish in Paris, Wig was there capturing the moments. I’ve shown a few below and you can see more in the Rapha Audax Diaries – The Dean, The Brian Chapman, PBP. The finest selection of photos have been chosen by Wig and Rouleur for the 2011 Rouleur Annual, which I’ve been reliably informed, will be ready in time for your Christmas Stocking.
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Racing cyclocross is always a blast. Even more so, with an event so well run as the Rapha Supercross.
Three rounds, with the finale in London at Alexandra Palace. A great (not too technical) course, to punish you for an hour. Top photographer – Geoff Waugh was on hand to snap some photos.
I also bumped into Geoff on Alpe d’Huez while he was recording this piece for BBC Radio 4. From that trip to the Alpe, thewarhead published a book called “Runners” depicting in polaroid format the crazy folk who come to the Tour de France each year and give it colour and life.
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Recently here at Mec’Azur we did a bike build for Cafe du Cycliste. A Neil Pryde diablo in matte black (on the button!) with SRAM gruppo and Easton wheels. We also turned up some ace Brooks finishing kit – look out for the photos!
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