So I got a phone call yesterday asking if I wanted to go to Switzerland to take photos of Fabian Cancellara. So here I am in a hotel room in Zurich the next day. I flew out of London City Airport for a change (seriously impressive view on take off). I mentioned this on Twitter and found two new followers in the form of a young Polish airline fanatic, and London City Airport themselves. Steady on there, you're an airport, not Kim Jong-Il.

I set off early tomorrow to Fabian's home town of Bern to take some photographs. Shame, as this hotel is super-posh!

Lombardia, Welding and Darth Photographer

Darth Photographer

It's been a busy month. Two shoots stand out as being of note. Firstly, I spent the day with Cervelo Test Team behind the scenes on their last ever race before they disbanded for good, secondly was shooting Pat Joscelyne of Ison Distribution making his own custom frame at Downlands Cycles in Canterbury. Hence the photo you see above. Pat was making a lugged MTB frame using fillet brazing, rather than the traditional welding we all know and love. The first shoot was for Pro Cycling Magazine, the second for What Mountain Bike. Sadly, you'll have to wait to see the photos in the respective magazines, but till then, have a story about shooting Lombardy.

I flew out to Milan's Linate airport from Gatwick on the Friday afternoon. Once at the hotel, I met up with Pro Cycling's representatives Pierre Carrey, Shane Stokes, Steve Farrand and fellow photographer Jesse Wild, who was out to shoot some cover portraits for the next issue. Much fun was had chasing down the Liquigas team hotel, then, after a rather nice dinner at a posh golf club/hotel, it was time for bed with an early start in the morning.

I shot the team at breakfast, then getting ready for the race and heading out for the race. Cervelo were good enough to grant me total, unfettered acces for the whole day, so I travelled on the team bus to the race, taking candid behind the scenes reportage shots. I was even allowed to sit in on their last team briefing, something of a privelege.

After a brief detour to the Madonna Del Ghisallo, we headed to the finish line. This was where I found out that the vast majority of the team had already quit the race. They were not alone. Conditions were so appalling (wet, windy, and very very cold) that just over 30 of the 180 riders actually finished. Xavier Tondo, the team's protected rider was one of them, and looked particularly bedraggled when he found his way back to the bus. After this, it was time for everyone to say their goodbyes.

It was weird to be in this situation, some of the conversations that were had in front of me would have been golddust for cycling journos. But when it came down to it, these guys had been through an awful lot. Luckily, 90% of the guys have new jobs for next season, but there's still that 10%. Good luck, lads.

Look out for the full, uncensored (and therefore far more interesting) story in next month's Pro Cycling, along with a load of photos I'm particularly proud of. Big thanks go out to Geert Broekhuizen, Cervelo's press officer.

Tour of Britain Stage 8

So a couple of weeks ago I went to Stage 8 of the Tour of Britain. Not as a photographer for once, but as a punter. I looked incredibly pro - my bag contained my camera with one lens, a jumper for when it got a bit chillier, and 6 cans of beer. I only took a camera just in case I saw something that leapt out at me. And, sure enough, I only took a single photo. Just the one. And that's it up there. Stage winner Greipel leading Bradley Wiggins through the docklands with Canary Wharf in the background.

Sometimes, they come to you...

Meet Nathaniel. Nathaniel is a gardener. He was sent to come and fix my fence this afternoon - couldn't resist getting a few shots so I asked him. Totally game for it - cracking bloke.

The set up is a 60" brolly on camera left, a 5 degree grid behind and camera right all shot wide open at 2.8 with flashes right near the bottom of the power scale. He's coming back to finish the fence tomorrow, and would you believe it, wants to shoot some more.

Boneshaker

The new issue of Boneshaker Magazine is out in the shops now featuring an article on Brixton Cycles shot and written by yours truly. Go to their website www.boneshakermag.com and see where you can pick it up from. This is a great little magazine, I'd really recommend it.

The Metropolitan Police do eat well...

Mmm, lamb pasta bake and blackcurrent cheesecake. Tomorrow I go on patrol with the London Metropolitan Police cycle cops. Bring it.

Goodbye Servais Knaven

Two posts, one day. I wanted to get this online, as Servais Knaven recently rode his last race before retiring. I shot portraits of Servais at the Milram team hotel in Italy just before the Eroica last year. I have to say that Servais is one of the most affable and easy to get on with pro cyclists I've ever shot - a truly nice bloke.

And here he is in his finest moment: 2001 Paris-Roubaix. A proper one, with mud rather than dust.

Fort William Downhill World Cup

Back in June, myself and my good friend Stu embarked on a roadtrip up to the Fort William downhill world cup to take some photos. It was an epic drive, leaving london in the early evening, camping on the shores of Loch Lomond when we arrived there at 5:30am in the morning, then heading up to the race.

As I'm a bit of a masochist, and wasn't too fussed with shooting loads of different angles, I decided to lug the big guns (studio strobes to the uninitiated. Big heavy buggers they are) around the hill. Big thanks for Stu for helping carrying the batteries around - owe you big time.This was for no other reason than just to get something different. Here's the shots, hope you like them.

When it rains it pours

Me. Shredding the gnar on a big bike.

Wow, the last two weeks have been a bit on the hectic side. I've been mountain biking in London, Birmingham, North Wales and Lancashire for MBR as well as shooting cycle superhighways in London, a mini-shoot for Health and Fitness for Cyclists, and countless other jibs and jabs all over the place. Have some photos of people standing in while I was setting up some shots.

Crystal Palace

For the first time in my career, I went and photographed an amateur event. The reasoning was simple: the weather was beautiful and I had a choice of either sitting on my backside drinking beer in my garden or sitting on my backside taking photos of bike racing. As you can see, I chose the latter. I enjoyed myself so much, you'll definitely be seeing me back there again sometime.

Smithfield Nocturne

Saturday saw the Smithfield Nocturne coming to central London once again, and once again there was a great night of bike racing. I wasn't shooting for anything in particular, and so didn't shoot the women's race or any of the support races – opting instead to have a beer and be a spectator, which doesn't happen often enough when you turn up with a camera in your hand. It was great to just sit back with some friends and watch a race for once.

Come the elite criterium, though, that changed. Two flashes were set up on a particularly tight corner and I spent the hour or so of the race sat on the cold hard concrete peering through the gaps in the barrier with a fisheye lens. The results are pretty different to everyone else's shots from the night, so I hope you enjoy them. Here's the slideshow.

Scotland the Brave!

Loch Lomond at dawn, from where we were camping

I've just got home from the World Cup downhill at Fort William, where I was shooting photos for, well, pretty much anyone who needs them. It was one hell of an adventure. First up was the night drive, aiming to get as far as we could before conking out. Initially aiming for Newcastle, we ended up carrying straight on and got as far as Loch Lomond, where we were lucky enough to witness sunrise, as you can see from the photo above. There's been no manipulation on that photo apart from a bit of contrast. Stunning.

From there we carried on the drive up to Fort William, where we walked the course and then set up camp for the night. Now, I know Scotland has midges, but I had absolutely no idea it was anything as bad as it would be – it was like a biblical plague! Luckily, there was a Buff given away in the press pack. This was used as a makeshift ninja mask along with a hood and a cap. I thought I was being clever, turns out that the midges were cleverer. At one point I looked down and there must have been around 20 of the buggers sat on just on one of my hands.

Sunday was spent shooting. I lugged the big guns down the hill, set up on some corners and shot away, happily killing the ambient light. Another photographer commented to Stu, my assistant for the day (or as he prefers to be called, my 'flash bitch') 'That's a little overkill isn't it?' No. No it wasn't overkill!

That night we ended up sleeping in a treehouse on a Buddhist retreat in a small village near Lockerbie. It was one of those 'friend of a friend' kind of deals. Thanks to Joe, Andy, and Tom's parents who were kind enough to invite us and let us sleep in that amazing place. Photos were taken on the holga of the retreat itself to use up some film that I shot during the race itself.

A great weekend. Hopefully I'll stop itching at some point in the near future…

Stu: 'Take a photo of me on the start gate. It's as close as I'll ever get to riding down one of these things!'

Gent-Wevelgem Offcuts

The July issue of Cycle Sport is now on the shelves at newsagents around the country. Included in the magazine is the Ghent-Wevelgem feature I shot back in March, be sure to go out there and buy it. Being just a short 4-pager, however, there are plenty of photos that didn't make it into print, so here they are. Enjoy!

Old man, look at my life…

So I turned 30 this weekend, and this is a gift from the inimitable Rich Baybutt (and Stu, mustn't forget that). I'm sure everyone who sees this will wonder why the hairy hell I have a picture of myself riding a dragon on my wall, but sod them. Who needs reasons when you can ride a frickin dragon! Awesome birthday, cheers guys.

The Brixton Saga Continues…

I'm finally tying up the loose ends on the Brixton Bikes project. Above you can see my incredibly technical and difficult-to-work out setup for the shot of Stockwell legend Billy. See if you can work out what I did there… Although the final shot was a little tweaked as I used an ND filter so I could shoot at f2.8 in the evening sunshine for a little DOF on the council estate in the background. Why shoot him in the skatepark? Because the shop is right next to it and sells stuff to cater for any skater or BMXer who may find themselves in difficulty.

Also, wish me well as it's my 30th birthday. Piss up planned for the weekend, existential crisis next week, and putting on three stone for the week after.

Stay tuned for some as-yet unseen portraits of 2001 Paris-Roubaix winner Servais Knaven. Without a doubt, the nicest professional cyclist I've ever met.

Join me…

Yup, I've gone joined the digital age and signed up to vacuous social networking phenomenon Twitter. I did it on Friday, and so far tweets have included such incisive and informative photographic subjects as Twitter spammers, suggesting that someone start a bike magazine called 'Bike Curious', and well, very little else. Give me a break, I've only just started this… Follow me at www.twitter.com/tomsimpsonphoto.

The Brixton Bikes shoot is going well, with what should hopefully be the last three days of shooting this week today, Wednesday and Friday. Until then, have this little offcut. As much as I love the shot, it doesn't fit the tone of the rest of the shots and the article that goes with it.

Brixton Cycles' very own Maggie.

MBR June Cover

MBR Magazine's June issue just hit the shelves with a cover photo shot by yours truly. The shoot was in the southern end of Surrey at a top secret location, and (GEEK OUT ALERT) shot with 3 lights, 2 AB400s with 11" reflectors at camera left and camera right, and one on-camera SB28 for fill (OK, GEEK OUT OVER). As is always the way, of an all-day shoot, it was the third frame I shot that was the one that was used.



Also in this issue is their First Look article on the Genesis iOiD, a hardtail offering with an internally geared hub. This was shot not far from MBR Towers in Croydon, and, since it was cropped a bit in the review itself, here it is in all its uncropped glory.

Away from the off-road world of mountain bikes, the ongoing project with the good people at Brixton Bikes is going well, with 4 of the 7 employees having sat in front of the camera.

If it's not raining, get out on your bike. I don't care if you have a job, that's no excuse. Oh, and don't forget to vote tomorrow.

Boneshakers and Brixton

My equipment taking up all the space in the office in Brixton Bikes

New project on the go over here. This time I'm shooting a portrait project on the good people at Brixton Cycles for the new bike magazine coming out of Bristol called Boneshaker.

Brixton Bikes, for those of you that don't know, is a workers co-operative, started in the early '80s when Red Ken was handing out grants for such things. The result isn't the traditional bike shop, with every employee an equal in the business. Look out for this in the next issue. Distro for it hasn't been totally sorted out yet, but those of you in London will be able to pick it up at Magma Books in Covent Garden. Keep an eye out for it though, it's a great read and looks awesome.

Currently listening to Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry, totally without irony.

Utter lunacy

I was watching one of the first BMX videos I ever bought the other day and noticed that something as simple as a 360 tyretap and an x-up were usable clips in those days. Then I see something like that. Bloody hell, I'll just be sticking to the race track these days, I think…

Phone photos

Been a fun couple of weeks. First up, there were a couple of shoots for the June issue of MBR: a First Ride article for the Genesis IOID bike, a fancy looking hardtail with an internal geared hub, then there was a cover shoot with MBR Art Ed, Mr Ben Smith doing the riding (don't worry, my head swelled up a bit, but it's all gone down now). It'll all get posted up as soon as it's gone to press.

Then Saturday was spent in the pub watching Paris-Roubaix. Awesome display of total domination from Fabian Cancellara (who you'll also be glad to hear is a top bloke off the bike), but let's face it, we all knew it was over when he rode off the front making everyone else look like a bunch of Sunday afternoon chippers riding a sportive – didn't make for the thrilling race that the Boonen/Pozzato face-off last year did. But yes, you read that right: I watched it in the pub! In England! This was all thanks to the organisers of the London Classic sportive, with the Alma in Crystal Palace hosting the finish with the race on the big screen. Big thanks to all involved in that, even if I didn't do the ride and made the awful faux-pas of turning up on a BMX.

Cycling! In the pub! On the big screen!

Speaking of BMX, it's quite hard to get your tax return done when the weather's so good and Stockwell looks like this…


Finally, you'll be able to see my photos from Ghent-Wevelgem in the next issue of Cycle Sport. As soon as that hits the shelves, check back for the out-takes.

Paris-Roubaix 2009

With the 2010 edition of Paris-Roubaix lurking around the corner this weekend, I thought it'd be about time I posted the complete edit of shots from last year's race. These appeared in Cycle Sport the month after the race. All were shot on a Noblex 135u swivel lens panoramic on a combination of Kodak TMAX 200, 400 and 3200 iso film.

Myself and fellow Cycle Sport photographer Richard Baybutt stayed in St Quentin and caught the race three times. The first at the first cobbled sector just outside the village of Inchy, then at the infamous Arenberg forest and then legging it to the finish at the Roubaix velodrome (where, we realised that the race was following the motorway, what with all the cars hitting the hazards and either stopping in their tracks to watch or pulling over to the hard shoulder).

Last year's was a blinder, let's hope that the Boonen/Cancellara rematch makes for as good a race this time round.

The peloton chases the break at the first section of cobbles near Inchy.

Marcus Burghardt poses for a photographer in the Roubaix velodrome.

Tom Boonen and Sylvain Chavanel being interviewed for television before mounting the podium.

TV cameramen check their footage at the finish.

Joost Posthuma leads the break at the first sector.

Sylvain Chavanel interviewed by the press shortly after finishing.

Another Quick Step rider is collared by the Belgian cycling media.

Photographer Rich Baybutt goes native and watches the race from the motorway. When in Rome…

Andrei Thcmil looking less than amused at a persistent journalist.

A policeman surveys the crowds at the Roubaix velodrome.

Photographers await the arrival of the winner. Don't worry, mate, things can't be that bad…

Photographers throng to the finish as Tom Boonen wins his third Roubaix ahead of Filippo Pozzato.

Thor Hushovd finishes in pain after taking a spanking courtesy of Roubaix's cobbles.

A rider from the BMC team is treated for a knee injury as the photographers/ghouls look on.

A fan watches the peloton pass at the Inchy sector.

Ghent-Wevelgem

Yup, actually made it over to a race this year! Who'd have thought it. As yet, the photos don't have a home, but I should find out where you'll be able to see them shortly. However, such is the etiquette of these things, I can't show you the photos. Apart from that one above, which won't be making its way into print.

The trip itself was remarkably quick, easy and cheap, making it a prime race for British fans to go and see. With the ferry costing a mere £30, and only £60 spent of petrol, this is really worth a visit. Granted, it's no Roubaix or Flanders, but watching a bike race is better than not watching a bike race, and the atmosphere in the bars that line the Kemmelberg make it worth your while (although word from the rest of the new climbs is that you may as well not bother watching from there. You'd probably be on your own).

I'd wondered why I'd not seen scenic photos of the Kemmelberg before, and now I know: because it's bloody difficult to photograph properly. Your average photographer on a motorbike would have to park the bike, hop over a fence and elbow a few disgruntled spectators out the way to get a shot worth taking. So of course that's exactly what I did. Who needs accreditation?

As soon as the article's in print, you'll be able to see the offcuts right here. Hope you enjoy the print version, and hopefully you enjoyed the race itself.

Oh, ok then, pretty sure this won't make it into print. Have a photo of a spectator's chihuahua.

Cobbles, baby!

Well stone the bloody crows, looks like I might be going to some kind of bike race or something. As much as I wouldn't like to jinx, it, I'm banking on the fact I won't have any visa issues trying to cross the border into Belgium. That being said, I could still get a lemon from the hire car place and end up staring in panic and confusion at a smoking engine somewhere near Dunkirk: every silver lining has a cloud, after all.

This last week has been both action and vomit-packed. I woke up bright and early on Monday morning at 3:45am to drive to Bristol, where I was assisting photographer Conor Masterson on a shoot for the Fire Service. Initially all went well, we witnessed the firefighter training, got to have a go in a hovercraft in Weston Supermare and even ate a roast beef dinner with the firefighters on nightwatch in Bristol Temple Meads firestation (they even got called out during the meal, of course it was abandon food, straight down the polls and into the fire engine. Not before the plates had been put in the oven to keep warm, though).

Then things went a bit tits up. After meeting up with my erstwhile university housemate Chris Hawkes for a curry, I was struck down with a rather nasty dose of food poisoning halfway through the 5-day shoot. Somehow I soldiered on (although there were a few instances of abandoning ship to go have a lie-down). If anyone wants to go for a curry in Bristol, please, for all that's good and holy, avoid this place I know it looks swanky and with reasonable prices, but trying saying that with a mouthful of puke and bumfull of evil. Not happening.

We have three projects on the go at the moment, Ghent-Wevelgem/Kemmelberg this weekend, the ongoing Pie and Mash project, and finally a shoot about a certain local bike shop which will feature in the soon-to-be-released Boneshaker online zine.

The last shot in the Pie and Mash series, taken at F.Cooke's in Broadway Market, Hackney