Rock n Roller at Planet X

On Wednesday evening I drove up to the Planet X showroom just outside Rotherham for the team launch of Team Cystic Fibrosis - a charity cycling team also supported by Planet X with Viner bikes for 2015 - riding and racing to help raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in the UK.  A great cause in my opinion! It was also the final of roller racing 'Rock n roller grand final'.

When I arrived there was definitely a buzz with riders excited at seeing and taking home the kit that would be used during the rest of the season.

It’s only the second time I have been to the Sheffield Planet X showroom – back in 2007 during my first year of triathlon I decided to take the plunge and buy my first TT bike and I drove up to Doncaster to try out a Planet X Stealth.  I remember it took me 2 hours to actually find the warehouse/factory – it was hidden at the back of an industrial estate barely distinguishable from other industrial blocks.  The warehouse was full to the brim of ‘stuff’ and I met the legend Ray Eden who helped me out.  Most of my TT PBs and triathlon wins were achieved on the bike I bought that day!

Since then Planet X have moved to Magna Way in Sheffield and could not look much more different to the old warehouse in Doncaster….from the front at least!

There are 2 floors of amazing gear and even a Retul studio so you can get fitted to your bike!  The first time I went I only saw this part of the warehouse which looked very cool!  There is also a fantastic tribute on the wall to Ray who sadly passed away in 2011.

This time I was invited through into the ‘staff area’.  I had no idea that the snazzy showroom was backed by a massive warehouse….I guess this is the ‘engine room’ and what as a consumer we don’t get to see.  This was like stepping back to my first experience in Doncaster!  A lot of gear and a lot of work must go on here!

The first thing I saw was a row of very bright bikes – with name tags on them.  Of course I had to find out which one was mine immediately so I could then look at it like an obsessed person for the rest of the evening, imagining myself racing on it.

I then was introduced to Dave Loughran, Planet X CEO.  Dave is quite a character (see Rouleur article on Dave and Planet X) and we spent some time talking about a place called Boggle Hole.  Apparently a few years ago when Planet X were sponsoring quite a few pro triathletes and UK domestic riders they had a team ride (race) to a Boggle hole – a mere 130 mile ride from Planet X - read about it here. It sounds like the ride was carnage and that some of the UK hard men showed some of the pro triathletes who had flown in from warmer climes; what riding in the UK winter was all about.  For some reason unbeknownst to anyone else; Dave is keen to re-create this ride for all team riders this year – gulp!  He did also let it slip that in 2009 he was actually in the car and not on the bike!

Luckily it seems that Boggle Hole is undergoing refurbishment and won’t be open for a while or at least that is the story we are telling him. 

Before I could take my bike home we were asked for some photos so I changed into the new matching bright kit.  We are certainly going to stand out in the peloton! This was maybe not the best idea as my un-photogenic tendencies are a running joke amongst my friends and family!  My excellent snot and spit producing ability as well as general gurning/grimacing is clear for all to see on most of my racing photos.  I was hoping that with no actual exercise involved that I might be able to manage one decent photo!  I was certainly not going to join in the roller racing going on with the camera man in sight!

My bike and kit are now at home and I am very excited to get the bike ready and on the road.  Overall the evening was a great way not only to get our kit but to see the enthusiasm first hand that Dave and his staff have for cycling and racing in general and the support that they are prepared to give us!  I am really looking forward to a successful season representing Carnac Planet X!


Lou x