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Well another year draws to a close, so it’s on with the RCUK Readers awards. Once again we want to make sure we get plenty of nominations and some worthy winners. It’s been a great year for racing and for bikes – We want to know – what was your highlight?
So, without further ado, here are the new categories we’ve come up with, from a list of thousands, well a few we made up anyway. What we’re planning to do now is choose three nominees in each category before we throw the whole thing open to a public vote and hand the winners a, ahem, prestigious RCUK trophy.
And the categories are:
Best Road bike (under £500)
Best Road bike (over £500, but under £2000)
Best Road Bike (pro-level-money-no-object)
Best New Cycling Product Of The Year
Best Clothing Brand or Clothing Item
Best Online Cycling Retailer
Best Shop
Best UK event
RCUK/Editor’s choice:
OK, last year we didn’t offer our own opinion but this year we thought we’d give our choices. Obviously this is stuff that we have used in 2005 and we’ve cheated in a couple of areas because we need to retain our independent and unbiased integrity [we have some? – ed] we’re sure you’ll understand. On the bike front it’s been an excellent year of testing – there are so many good bikes it’s actually harder to find a bad one at the moment, but we have to choose so here’s our take on the market.
Best Road Bike – under £500
Giant OCR
We really liked the OCR1 (actually under £750 – but they are still stunning value) the OCR3 uses the same frame and is well under the £500 mark.
Best Road Bike – £500 to £2000
Omega Alchemy
It just squeezes in, although it’s a frame only package – great titanium bike for a good price.
Best Road Bike – Pro Level (money no object)
Serotta Ottrot
Magic carpet ride and the bike it was hardest to send back. It was also the most expensive. By a long way.
Best New Cycling Product Of The Year
Mavic Ksyrium ES
They haven’t re-invented the wheel here – but with the ES they got pretty close.
Best Clothing Brand or Clothing Item
Specialized BG shoes
The latest ones are so fab we wear them around the office
Best on-line retailer
RCUK classifieds
Our very own second hand section of course! and unlike most cycling media – it’s free!
Best Shop
Carlos cafe – Smithfield market
They do these excellent egg custard tarts and espressos…
Best UK Event
Tour of Britain
Proper racing in the UK – at last! The Revolution 10 also gets an RCUK mention for fast and furious fun.
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Now it’s your turn. All we’re asking you to do now is head to the forum via the thread below to nominate your choices in some or all of the categories. Then in a week’s (or so) time, the real voting will begin…
The (extra special) good news is we have a great prize for when the voting properly begins. We will choose a RCUK member who votes in the poll to win this fabulous 100% wool Continental jersey thanks to Cambrian Tyres, it’s to celebrate their latest tyre launch – The Grand Prix 4000.
They’ll be some runners-up prizes too, oh yes indeed.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous you can always e-mail us your votes here.
