Cracking video of Rollapaluza racing à la française plus dates for National Series 2012

We’re big fans of Rollapaluza here at road.cc – Big Dave has even won a trophy at one of its events – so when they flagged up what they said was one of the nicest videos they’d ever seen of cyclists going head to head on their static rigs, we just had to take a look.

And they’re right, it’s a short but superb video that also introduces us to a French clothing and accessories brand, Ravito, that has some cracking looking and eclectic gear on offer, as well as a venue called Véloscope at L’Isle-Jourdain near Toulouse that includes its very own mini velodrome, called The Ring.

It was Ravito that put the video together, which also features some of its striking clothing as well as accessories including cycling-themed jewellery and crockery – the latter has gone straight onto our wish-list.

RAVITO ROULEAUX SPRINT from RAVITO on Vimeo.

Meanwhile, back in the UK, Rollapaluza’s National Series is back for a third year in the annual quest to find Britain’s ‘King of Spin’ and ‘Queen of Cadence,’ with heats beginning in Leeds on 7 February. The competition on the rigs will, as usual, be accompanied by DJs providing the soundtrack and, of course, beer will also be on offer.

There’s a minimum of £240 of prizes up for grabs at each heat – details below – with items donated by local and regional bike shops, while winners of the season finale on Good Friday at the Half Moon in London’s Herne Hill, timed to coincide with the local velodrome’s annual meet, stand to win “big cash prizes.”

All heats start at 6pm with knockouts and finals from 9pm, with entry costing a fiver at most venues other than Sheffield, where the £10 fee also gets you a drink and pasta, Glasgow, where both entry and racing are free, and Eastbourne, where entry is free but it costs £5 to race.

Rollapaluza National Series 2012

February 7 – Leeds
The New Conservatory, Albion Place
Prizes from The Edinburgh Bike Co-op

February 8 – London
Look Mum No Hands, 49 Old St.
Prizes from Bon Velo

February 15 – Bristol
Mud Dock, 40 The Grove.
Prizes from Mud Dock

February 23 – Birmingham
Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick St.
Prizes from Red Kite Cycles

February 24 – Eastbourne
Bibendum, 1 Grange Rd.
Prizes from The TriStore

February 28 – Sheffield
Nonnas, 535-541 Ecclesall Rd.
Prizes from The Edinburgh Bike Co-op

February 29 – Manchester
Antwerp Mansion, Kent Rd West.
Prizes from The Edinburgh Bike Co-op

March 1 – Glasgow
Dales Cycles, 150 Dobbie’s Loan.
Prizes from Dales Cycles

April 6 – Grand Finale, London
The Half Moon, 10 Half Moon Lane
Big Cash Prizes from Rollapaluza.

Full details of the Rollapaluza National Series 2012 can be found on the Rollapaluza website, as well as on its Facebook page.