The Hub Blog
Try and keep up will you?
Specialized Red Ticket Promotion
Posted 2012-02-03 16:47:05 +0000
Specialized have introduced a fantastic saving on some of their biggest selling bikes. Welcome to the Red Ticket Promotion. Some of the bikes included are the Secteur, Secteur Sport and Secteur Elite, the Allez, Allez Sport and Allez Elite, the Tarmac, Tarmac Elite and Tarmac Comp, the Myka and Myka Sport Disc, The Hardrock SE and Hardrock Sport Disc, the Camber Comp, Camber Elite and Camber Expert. Remember this promotion is only available in store and not online.
Purist Water Bottles
Posted 2012-01-26 10:55:17 +0000
For over 20 years our goal has been to create the safest water bottles available. Our experience and continual research has allowed us to study all types of material alternatives which could be used in a water bottle and meet our stringent criteria -
Safe
Durable
Flexible
BPA free
100% recyclable
The material which meets all these is food grade LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) #4.
WHAT IS LDPE # 4?
LDPE #4 is one of the safest plastics in use today
It is widely used in packaging that comes into contact with food products, such as the coating for milk cartons, honey and mustard.
HOW DO WE KNOW IT IS SAFE?
Our bottles and caps fully comply with US FDA and all European health standards, California Prop 65 and Japan Food Hygiene regulations
Our water bottles are independently certified by Intertek to ensure they meet both FDA and CE health standards
Our Purist bottles were further certified by the world leader in independent testing SGS, the results showed Purist is 100% safe to use under any conditions.
WHY WE DO NOT USE POLYPROPLENE?
Polypropylene is liable to degrade from exposure to heat and UV radiation such as that present in sunlight
Tupperware is made from polypropylene but it is highly recommended not to place Tupperware in a microwave because the risk of it having the material migrate into the food while it subjected to higher levels of heat
Bottles made of Polypropylene tend to be stiff and user unfriendly
With force, walls could easily be punctured
Bottle walls become semi-pliable when exposed to hot liquids
May retain or convey some odors or tastes
2012 Paralympic Road Cycling coming to Kent
Posted 2012-01-11 17:05:23 +0000
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games confirmed that Brands Hatch, near Sevenoaks will host the Paralympic Road Cycling events for the Paralympic Games.
From 5 to 8 September 2012 riders will race round the circuit at Brands Hatch before heading out onto local roads nearby.
The Paralympic Road Cycling is the biggest Cycling discipline within the London 2012 Games, involving 225 athletes from more than 50 nations.
There will be road races going from 30km to 120km and individual and time trials ranging from 20km to 35km.
A total of 32 events will be run with competitors with a range of disabilities including visual impairments, cerebral palsy and amputations competing on bicycles, tricycles, tandems and hand cycles.
The Paralympics GB Cycling team won 20 medals, including 17 gold, at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 so we are hoping that their success can be replicated at Brands Hatch during the London 2012 Games.
World class sporting events including the Tour de France and World Cup Archery have been successfully hosted in Kent in recent years. With the Paralympic Cycling events coming in September 2012, Kent now has a growing reputation for hosting world level sporting events.
Olympic Hopefuls
Posted 2012-01-11 12:22:43 +0000
Kent Year of sport 2012 was today unvailed to the media at County Hall in Maidstone. Many of kents potential Olympians and paralympians were invited including Dan Pullen who is currently training with the British cycling olympic development squad. We are proud to be supporting Dan with equipment and technical assistance. Both BBC and ITV were covering this event today and should screen on tonights local news programmes. further info on year of sport 2012 can be found at this link: http://www.kentsport.org/london2012/
2 Years Old Today
Posted 2012-01-05 14:32:33 +0000
We are officially 2 years old today. Happy Birthday to us.
New Opening Times
Posted 2011-12-28 11:34:44 +0000
From the begining of 2012 we will be changing our opening times. They will now be as follows:-
Bike Shop
Mon 9.30 – 5.30
Tue – Closed
Wed 9.30 – 5.30
Thurs 9.30 – 5.30
Fri 9.30 – 5.30
Sat 9.30 – 5.30
Sun – Closed
Coffee Shop
Mon – 9.30 – 2.00
Tue – Closed
Wed – 9.30 – 2.00
Thur – 9.30 – 2.00
Fri – 9.30 – 2.00
Sat – 9.30 – 5.30
Sun – Closed
Sale Now On
Posted 2011-12-28 11:27:03 +0000
Our January sale has now started and there are big savings to be had instore, so pop along and have a browse. At least 10% of all products.
Cavendish Wins Sports Personality of the Year
Posted 2011-12-23 11:31:35 +0000
The Isle of Man cyclist took nearly 50 per cent of the public vote ahead of golfer Darren Clarke and athlete Mo Farah after a year in which he became the first Briton to win the green jersey in the Tour de France and won the road race title at the World Championships.
The success of Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins in the Tour in recent years has increased the profile of the sport massively in Britain, and the 26-year-old described it as a landmark for cycling that he was able to win the award in a non-Olympic year.
Reflecting on the public’s reaction to him, Cavendish said: "It’s been like this in other countries for three years now. I’ve been overseas sports personality in Belgium twice.
“I take it as a positive that people actually know about cycling. Before people might have recognised me in a picture with my helmet and glasses on as that guy who does well in the Tour de France.
“Now there’s a recognition of what we’ve done. That’s what makes me proud, to see cycling in people’s homes. It’s a sport I love, a sport I care about more than anything and the fact more people are interested in it means more than anything to me.”
Ex Demo Electra Sale
Posted 2011-12-02 09:52:59 +0000
We have a limited number of ex demo Electra’s in stock that we’re offering at some fantastic prices. Pop in and see what we’ve got. We’ll have more arriving soon.
Bike & Coffee Shop late night opening
Posted 2011-11-06 21:24:17 +0000
Saturday 26th November will see the Christmas lights in Sandgate being switched on. Here at The Hub, we will be hosting a range of activities on that day and into the evening, from a tea tasting event starting at 2pm, Christmas cup cake decorating for kids, craft activities, a delicious range of Christmas Cup cakes, not to mention some fantastic Christmas stocking fillers all beautifully wrapped. Activites in the village will include a visit from Father Christmas, Carol singers along with many other fun Christmassy activites. Lights being swtiched on around 6pm.. Pop along to the Hub before or after for a warming delux Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and cream.
Tour De France Trip
Posted 2011-11-04 22:36:52 +0000
Right, we’re thinking of doing a nice little trip over to France next year for a road ride and thought it would be lovely to catch a stage finish of the Tour De France while we did it so what we’re proposing to do is catch the train under the Channel and ride to Boulogne to watch the stage finish for day 3 of Le Tour. After that continue the ride to Le Touquet where we’ll stay overnight and then ride back to the tunnel the next day. That’s a rough outline but we’ll ink in the details at a later stage. What we really want to know is how many of you would like to join us. It won’t be that expensive and should take us a couple of days mid week in July next year. So who’s up for it. Just reply to the thread on Facebook and let us know.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
Posted 2011-10-06 12:20:26 +0100
Well Summer finally bowed out in style this weekend, only to be replaced by what could be a classic Autumn. Autumn is a fantastic time of year for cyclists as it allows us to wind down and shift the pace of our cycling from fast to relaxed. It is a great time of year to get out with your riding buddies and just chill the pace and enjoy the countryside you’re riding through. It also allows you to keep the pedals spinning through the off season so that once Spring arrives you’re in a much fitter state than you would normally be.
A Guinness World Record for the Fastest Circumnavigation by Bicycle!
Posted 2011-10-06 10:07:25 +0100
Vin Cox’s record breaking ride on a Genesis Croix de Fer has been featured in the 2012 Guinness Book of World Records.
His mind-blowing 18,226 mile journey took Vin 163 days 6 hours and 58 minutes. The extent of his e fforts shaved over a month off the previous record time of Mark Beaumont, and was also faster than any of the non-ratifi ed efforts of 2009.
The challenge began in February 2010 in temperatures as low as -7C, but temperatures later reached over 50C more in the heat of North Africa. Vin and his trusty Croix de Fer rolled on through India, Asia, Australia, the USA, and returned through Europe. Not only did Vin break the record, he “wanted to have a proper adventure. And be the first record holder who’s visited Africa on the journey too”.
“Though my bike was obviously a laden touring bike, people I met on the way couldn’t believe how light it was and how little I needed to carry on such a long trip – I could travel light and compact only because my equipment was so good.” – Vin Cox, 2011
Book Club
Posted 2011-10-03 13:38:11 +0100
Here at The Hub we have a monthly book club. Our book for this coming month is Room by Emma Donoghue. If you fancy coming along to the next meeting it’ll be at 7pm on 30th Oct. Everyone welcome.
BMX Race News
Posted 2011-10-01 13:43:16 +0100
Bmx race news: Phil (see pic) (The Hub’s mechanic and Factory Haro BMX racer) returned from the British Championships held over last weekend with a great 3rd place finish. He was also presented with his 6th place trophy from the National Series which has seen 12 rounds of tough but great racing. In 2 weeks time the Southern Championships take place at the new Cyclopark near Gravesend in Kent and it is hoped Phil will come away with another good result…..
Random Post*
Posted 2011-10-01 13:17:06 +0100
It was fantastic today to see that Shinichi Ito riding in the Japanese round of the MotoGP championship on board a retro liveried RC212V. Does this remind anyone of the old RC30 colours or is it just me.
- normal bicycle related posts will resume shortly.
Genesis Equilibrium
Posted 2011-09-30 11:23:51 +0100
Here at The Hub we love our steel framed bikes and as such we love our Genesis bikes. I’ve just built this cheeky little number which had it’s first outing yesterday and this morning. Couple of little tweeks but I have to say it rides beautifuly.
Sunny Sandgate
Posted 2011-09-30 10:58:55 +0100
Beautifuly unseasonal weather lets us enjoy the ride to work even more in the mornings. It’s lovely riding along the seafront, everyone says hello and good morning and you arrive at work recharged and ready for the day.
Specialized and McLaren Applied Technologies Extends Partnership for Breakthrough Cycling Technology
Posted 2011-09-30 10:04:27 +0100
When Specialized set out to create the fastest road racing bicycle in the world, the company invested more than a year in creating an all-new platform. To provide the final carbon layup optimisation, Specialized collaborated with engineering, design and fabrication expertise normally reserved for the fastest cars in the world: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 race cars. The culmination of the effort was the fastest road bike in the world, the ‘S-Works + McLaren Venge’. In its racing debut, a development prototype of the Venge won the longest professional one-day race Milan-San Remo and, more recently, it was piloted by Mark Cavendish to win the World Road Race Championships-validating the bike’s unprecedented combination of aerodynamics, light-weight and extreme pedalling efficiency.
Building on the success of the S-Works + McLaren Venge, Specialized has entered into a long-term relationship with McLaren Applied Technologies. The partnership will focus exclusively on breakthrough products and technologies that provide true performance benefits to cyclists and capitalise on both organisations’ considerable technical expertise. While the specific projects will remain classified, Specialized and McLaren will each bring all of their respective resources and experience to bear on the projects, and undertake projects prioritised by their potential impact on the rider’s performance, including bikes, equipment and cumulative rider performance on and off the bike.
“McLaren’s computing systems and proficiency in carbon technology is extraordinary.” said Specialized Chief Product Officer, Eric Edgecumbe. “The opportunity to splice McLaren and Specialized’s DNA to produce game-changing cycling experiences for riders is unprecedented and hugely exciting.”
Geoff McGrath, Managing Director of McLaren Applied Technologies said of the deal, “We are delighted to have extended our relationship with Specialized. This is a great example of a long term partnership with a like-‐minded company to provide breakthroughs in performance and to create enduring competitive advantage.”
About Specialized:
Specialized was founded in 1974 by riders for riders. We focus on improving everyone’s ride by delivering technically advanced cycling products with true performance benefits. Born in Northern California, Specialized now connects with cyclists all over the world.
New Hub Cycle Shop Website
Posted 2011-09-27 22:36:32 +0100
Well it’s been being planned for a while now but at last it’s here. Our previous site was great, but we needed a site that allowed us to display a lot more information about our products and allow for a greater deal of customer interaction. We hope you like what you see. It will be evolving over the coming weeks so keep checking back as we’ll update this blog often and be adding new products all the time.