Did you see Valverde descending off the Tourmalet? Probably the scariest but most enjoyable part of road riding. Better than mountain biking maybe even better than skiing. The speed is so high and the risks even greater. When you see a car or motor bike you know that in a split second you’ll roast ‘em…
South Down’s Way. Did it defeat us?
We failed. The target was 9 hours and we did 10, 10:02:44 to be precise. That was 36 minutes better than last year but not good enough. Instead of three weeks to think about this one I had twelve months so I should have got it right. The training went alright despite the constant tyre/tube…
Preparation is key
Preparation also leads to paranoia. Last year I more or less decided to ride the South Downs Way with three weeks notice. All I did by way of preparation was to ride flat out to the Lewes A27 crossing a few times and gave up biscuits, beer and crisps. This year I have had twelve…
It’s all getting very tech – but its still fun!
Riding a bike has never been so complicated, numbers, lengths, watts per kilo, technique…. However, getting on your bike is really all about fun and feeling fit or; that you are getting fitter. Everyone has their own way of getting the fun out of their bikes. I love the tech! I have always been fascinated…
The real thing
For a while now we have been riding around the deserted streets of Worthing on a Tuesday evening. Over the winter it kept the legs going fast and provided some endurance interval work for the rest of the time. It was (is) a jolly. Lots of banter and few new misses and, with the exception…
Suffering on a Whyte 29C
I suffered today. No complaints, just not much fun. I’d had a good road ride on Friday and always planned to ride in the dirt today. The forecast was for rain at ten and it duly delivered, bang on time. I was actually looking forward to the rain as I have an Endura MTR Emergency…
Santa Cruz Solo and Steyning fun
I should ride more! The mantra of many. We all want to ride but there are so many reasons for not doing so. Can I blame work? Is that fair? Whatever, my super form of the winter is fading. I need some serious road miles. This weekend, after doing several bike fits and the Paris-Roubaix…
Are mass rides good for cycling?
Mass cycling can be a good thing or it can raise problems. I love that fact that when a sportive goes off the mass of riders can actually “claim back” their space that is usually denied them when riding alone or in small groups. It reminds drivers and the population at large that there are…
The essential tips issue
Here are a few thoughts based on Sunday’s ride. It started icy and I was really nervous slipping and sliding everywhere. I finally went down, bringing down my mate too on a quiet road in Portslade. Heading north towards and along Twineham Lane we kept hitting ice in the shade. By the time that we…
Enjoying the weather
The Weather is always a hot topic for debate in Britain. In fact in normal weather times it is often the way that people greet each other and converse. Perhaps it is because it is ever changing that Brits tend to adopt a glass half full, pessimistic approach to its vagaries. No one says that…
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