NFTO
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The Downings are ambassadors for Le Tour in Yorkshire and were route consultants.-- Dirk Hofman Motorhomes --0
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mfin wrote:Neil Buckley wrote:NFTO not for the ordinary is a clothing company. They spun out of the Shed bike shop in Hereford. NFTO/ Level Peaks Associates are massive companies linked/owned by him, so there is a significant amount of money there. Level Peaks equip a lot of Special Forces units like the SAS around the world and what not.
I don't know about NFTO being 'massive', well, if you look at ntfo.com all you can see are about 6 jackets that are sold through one clothes shop in the town where they are, no way the sales of that stuff could fund a team. It looks very much like NFTO is a brand exercise pretty much solely set up to be more acceptable to the public for use as the brand of a cycling team than the Level Peaks company that supplies military equipment from exactly the same contact address?
Theres more NFTO branded stuff out and I do know Level Peaks is a massive company, most companies like that are that have military contracts, but I do understand that they have a well funded base, all power to them.Helmand Province is such a nice place.....0 -
Mechanism wrote:Their gear isn't very aero
It's bloody expensive though.Helmand Province is such a nice place.....0 -
The bus is going to the Tour stage because its better than everyone taking their own car to watch :roll:
The team & the club are not surprisingly, cycling fans.. and want to watch the tour
The team also went to watch the tour down under. They did 3 weeks in Australia to watch some stages and get some early season training in.0 -
I thought the roads were closed on Holme Moss for a couple of days before, odd choice of place to park if you're just going up to watch, naaa, it's probably just promotion. If it isn't for promotion then someone will see it with noone around it cos they're all off watching. Unless they are going up for a bit of promotion and to tally it with offering a big screen and toilets, like someone said above, if so, cool!0
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To be honest I don't think the team is about promotion (at least not for the main sponsor). As people have pointed out the brand isn't exactly on a big marketing boost - I couldn't find it available anywhere last time I looked. It's a rich bloke chucking money into a sport he enjoys. His Swift bike brand could benefit but nothing else really will. Even The Shed came about by accident, it was used as a way to get team bikes supplied. I can see parallels with Team Sky in that they will perceived as a team with loads of money throwing it around and treading on toes. As for the bus (it's a big Winnebago I think) it will use less space than if they all went in cars instead.0
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£400 for coat. The Rapha haters will have a new target
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Pross wrote:To be honest I don't think the team is about promotion (at least not for the main sponsor). As people have pointed out the brand isn't exactly on a big marketing boost - I couldn't find it available anywhere last time I looked. It's a rich bloke chucking money into a sport he enjoys. His Swift bike brand could benefit but nothing else really will. Even The Shed came about by accident, it was used as a way to get team bikes supplied. I can see parallels with Team Sky in that they will perceived as a team with loads of money throwing it around and treading on toes. As for the bus (it's a big Winnebago I think) it will use less space than if they all went in cars instead.
That's true, but that's sort of assuming that everyone going to watch going to watch on Holme Moss is going to park a vehicle on it, and of course they are not. It will be naff all a % of those watching that do that, so that point is rubbish. It has got to be promotion. Plus, if it wasn't, why mention it in passing that you are taking your bus and putting it on holme moss, you wouldn't even mention you're going.
I do agree on all the brands just being created solely to make the team look a certain way.
Anyway, hopefully they've got their conduct to be a little more acceptable in general now they've invested in higher level riders and raised their profile.0 -
You're honestly saying no-one else will drive up and park on the climb? Have I imagined the thousands of motorhomes you see on the side of every climb of the Tour and all those cars lining the verges? Unless people are prevented from doing so I predict there'll be hundreds / thousands camping on Holme Moss for a few days before the race.0
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That pic makes it look way smaller than it is.. (I drive past it very regularly), it's the size of a bus. It must be if it is used to transport the team surely? If it isn't a bus (of some description) and is just a winnebego and not that big, then the argument that they are all going in it so as to not take separate cars falls flat.
If they are all travelling together and aren't taking separate vehicles (highly sensible), then why not park somewhere off the route and ride bikes up there, or walk if it's only a mile or two?? Clearly their facilities will be able to carry them a bike each as well as their beer and fags for the day, ruck sack each and a training bike, job done.
If it's a case of 'nah, we've got a bus lets all go up to the best bit of the route and pitch up camp' then I really hope that watching cycling isn't a popular with national express staff cos things might get a little over cramped if loads of them start having the same idea... But seriously, if every cycling club in the country took a bus the same as that up there (as would be their right by the logic applied by some above), it would be absolute carnage (probably will be anyway)..
Loads will drive up there yes, and loads (substantially more) will walk or cycle up there.. Hopefully most of those that do drive will apply the common sense to not bring a vehicle with 10-15 people in it, that has the footprint of a vehicle that can carry 40 odd..0 -
Also, to get anything up there at all (let alone something of that size) its likely that you'd have to go up there and park at least day before if not earlier..
Unless they are all kipping in the bus for a couple of nights (don't forget they'd have to stay up there a good while after it's gone through before they can get out), the only scenario that seems realistic to me, is that someone (on the payroll, probably the driver?) will stay with the bus and everyone else will stay in a hotel and ride bikes up there on the day.. If this is the case there is no need for the bus to be there taking up any room at all.
Of course it is possible that the bus will be completely out of the way - no problem, or they will provide some kind of amenities, toilets, tv screens etc which would also be fine..0 -
People follow the Tour for 3 weeks in large camper vans. Granted not many are that size but there are hundreds of them lining any decent sized climb on the route. Why are some of you so intent on making a big issue of it? If they aren't parked at the side of the road then someone else will be in the gap they leave. Anyone who has been on Caerphilly Mountain the last few years at the Tour of Britain (and I suspect pretty much every other decent vantage point) will have seen that people park up on any available space they can find so why would it be any different on a second cat climb in the world's biggest race? Also, why would the people on board travel down and sleep in a hotel? The whole point of a Winnibago is that you sleep in it. I suspect they'll park it up and then ride out to see the Saturday stage then sleep in it overnight. It's what I'd do if I had a suitable vehicle.
This is starting to sound like a few people with an agenda.0 -
All part of the sport's atmosphere.0 -
Nah, no agenda here, all good :-)0
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Neil Buckley wrote:Mechanism wrote:Their gear isn't very aero
It's bloody expensive though.
I can honestly say the pants are worth it.
Didn't know he owned Level Peaks, the P Mag contract must of paid for this season. Was wondering the same as must about how NFTO could fund it, but level peaks on the other handeating parmos since 1981
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
Cervelo P5 EPS
www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=130387990 -
Cal_Stewart wrote:Neil Buckley wrote:Mechanism wrote:Their gear isn't very aero
It's bloody expensive though.
I can honestly say the pants are worth it.
Didn't know he owned Level Peaks, the P Mag contract must have paid for this season. Was wondering the same as must about how NFTO could fund it, but level peaks on the other hand
What's P Mag?
Edit: http://www.levelpeaks.com/products/pmag-25-lr-sr-gen-m3-window-7-62x51-magazine
So it's not just military clothing then0 -
mfin wrote:Cal_Stewart wrote:
I can honestly say the pants are worth it.
Didn't know he owned Level Peaks, the P Mag contract must have paid for this season. Was wondering the same as must about how NFTO could fund it, but level peaks on the other hand
What's P Mag?
Edit: http://www.levelpeaks.com/products/pmag-25-lr-sr-gen-m3-window-7-62x51-magazine
So it's not just military clothing then
And to think some people were uncomfortable with Contador's 'El Pistolero' salute* and Paolini's 'Full Metal Jacket'-inspired camo helmet.
(* which I always took as more of a wild west/gaucho thing than military-insipred)0 -
I think Paolini's one was possibly because he was riding for a Russian team when the Russians were busy invading the Ukraine. Probably wouldn't have got too much attention otherwise.0
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1 million P/E Mags over 4 years. Level Peaks being Magpuls UK distributor stand to make a bit.eating parmos since 1981
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
Cervelo P5 EPS
www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=130387990 -
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There the cheap trs as welleating parmos since 1981
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
Cervelo P5 EPS
www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=130387990 -
That's a lot of mags. Didn't know we used magpul gear.Cal_Stewart wrote:1 million P/E Mags over 4 years. Level Peaks being Magpuls UK distributor stand to make a bit.0 -
Wow, its ruthless in 'ere aint it! Get the knives out!
Think of this for a moment...
You have a dream, and then find yourself able to make that dream come true...what would you do???
Probably make that dream become a reality I would suggest.
Please come and ask, when you see any of the riders, how it feels to be in the club. In fact why not ask John yourself, he doesn't bite!
Theres a buzz, an excitement, a motivation that provides pride to wear the club kit.
Someone will always find the negatives and remember them. Its human nature to not remember the positives. What about all those sponsored riders, both Junior girls, boys and Pro level...giving them a chance like no other offered to them to shine themselves in the cycling world.
NFTO Race Club - Non Pro level with a racing heart beat.
NFTO Pro Cycling - Early days of a Pro team...
Hell, why not come join the club - https://www.facebook.com/nftorace
To finish a certain race in Paris...now thats some dream!0 -
sportvan wrote:
That looks like something that could get robbed any second on the way to the bank..0 -
Jedi Si wrote:Wow, its ruthless in 'ere aint it! Get the knives out!
Think of this for a moment...
You have a dream, and then find yourself able to make that dream come true...what would you do???
Probably make that dream become a reality I would suggest.
Please come and ask, when you see any of the riders, how it feels to be in the club. In fact why not ask John yourself, he doesn't bite!
Theres a buzz, an excitement, a motivation that provides pride to wear the club kit.
Someone will always find the negatives and remember them. Its human nature to not remember the positives. What about all those sponsored riders, both Junior girls, boys and Pro level...giving them a chance like no other offered to them to shine themselves in the cycling world.
NFTO Race Club - Non Pro level with a racing heart beat.
NFTO Pro Cycling - Early days of a Pro team...
Hell, why not come join the club - https://www.facebook.com/nftorace
To finish a certain race in Paris...now thats some dream!
Well said. I think most of those making negative comments had no idea of the money NFTO have put into the junior RST racing team or sponsoring the Junior Tour of Wales (which has a fantastic list of riders on past podiums and is a real showcase for future talent). Either that or it just doesn't sit with their 'Mr Moneybags throwing his cash and weight around' view that they have formed without, in most cases, having even met the man.0 -
Pross wrote:Well said. I think most of those making negative comments had no idea of the money NFTO have put into the junior RST racing team or sponsoring the Junior Tour of Wales (which has a fantastic list of riders on past podiums and is a real showcase for future talent). Either that or it just doesn't sit with their 'Mr Moneybags throwing his cash and weight around' view that they have formed without, in most cases, having even met the man.
Sponsoring little kids, how nice. But remind us from what industry does the money come from ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtfOOpCW_00"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
Jedi Si wrote:Wow, its ruthless in 'ere aint it! Get the knives out!
Think of this for a moment...
You have a dream, and then find yourself able to make that dream come true...what would you do???
Probably make that dream become a reality I would suggest.
Please come and ask, when you see any of the riders, how it feels to be in the club. In fact why not ask John yourself, he doesn't bite!
Theres a buzz, an excitement, a motivation that provides pride to wear the club kit.
Someone will always find the negatives and remember them. Its human nature to not remember the positives. What about all those sponsored riders, both Junior girls, boys and Pro level...giving them a chance like no other offered to them to shine themselves in the cycling world.
NFTO Race Club - Non Pro level with a racing heart beat.
NFTO Pro Cycling - Early days of a Pro team...
Hell, why not come join the club - https://www.facebook.com/nftorace
To finish a certain race in Paris...now thats some dream!
So no denial that your backed by Soldier J's blood money then? Think of this for a moment...no matter how much of his filthy money is invested in cycling it won't change the fact it's from the arms trade and the killing of, often innocent, people.
Shame on you.
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