Category Archives for training

A Few Good Rolls

And its back in business. Neglecting the bike over the first few months of 2012 in order to complete a charity half marathon, these past few weeks its been ‘All about the bike’ again. And what a welcome return it was! I enjoyed a handful of really good riding, catching up with friends and feeling a world more comfortable pushing it, thanks in no small part to going and getting my feet sorted out at Cyclefit. 

 A nice hilly tarmac chase in Surrey to ease me back in the game with the sartorial guru 
We took an undiscovered turning and found a peach of a climb on a SMCC roll
Which then turned into a sick 2k bridleway/gravel track. Perfect for a Flanders day ride!
At the weekend I rode my 3rd HOTN with Rowlandi. Great fun, read about it here
And i spent some time sucking this guys wheel in RePk apres work – I dont actually know him but he looked pretty damned pro. So thanks for the cheeky draft I was getting 😉

High5 Bargain

Discount Supplements has currently got a great offer on High5 Race Faster nutrition boxes, for the wallet friendly price of £4.49. The box contains 2 x Isogels, 4 x Energygels, 3 x EnergySource drink sachets, 1 x 4:1 Energysource and 1x Energysource Extreme. More than enough for a couple of rides or so. Scoop here

Custom Garmin Mounts

Noticed a couple of custom Garmin computer mounts floating around the web, offering a PRO way to display your Garmin (and actually bringing it a little more in line with a natural viewing angle). First up is the offering from American based high-end boutique Above Category. Offering a pre order to be available shortly, these babies are priced at $40… would be awesome to see a euro-importer for those of us not wishing to be screwed by HMRC charges!

Next up is an offering supposedly from Quarq, the outfit known for their power meter cranks. I cant seem to find any info on weights or price for this unit, other than a small press release here, but looks to be a very well executed design…

Spring Training Playlist

A spring training spotify playlist. Let the weather go crazy, but like the wheels, let the beats roll….

The Healer – Erykah Badu
Love Me Like This (Nonsense Dub) – Floating Points
Cook, Clean, Pay The Rent (New House Version) – Teebs
Lost Where I Belong (Flying Lotus Remix) – Andreya Triana
Face Up (To Your Sensibilities) – Roof Light
Groove Me – Maximum Balloon ft Theophilus London
Seventy Six ( Sepalcure Remix) – Jack Dixon
Left Behind – Behling & Simpson
Ritual Union (Maya Jane Coles Remix) – Little Dragon
The Drop (Duke Dumont Remix) – LA Riots
LOST – Greenville massive

A Running Interlude

Apologies for breaking normal wheel-based service here on bianchista, just wanted to give a quick mention to a challenge il be undertaking in March. As some of you know, as well as ramping up my riding these past few months, iv been doing quite a bit of pounding the tarmac with my feet, with the aim of completing the 2012 bath half marathon in aid of a very worthy cause, Parkinsons UK. 

Dad & I shortly after our first 5k parkrun – shattered!
In New Zealand when away on assignment I became the butt of many jokes, after appearing very fit, I was literally in pieces after a tiny 2k run! I walked like John Wayne and could only manage a shuffle along the floor for days after. However, sticking with the suffering and forcing myself to run, i have slowly been able to increase my mileage and hopefully pitch myself to rise to the occasion of a suitably epic challenge for a complete novice runner like myself. 
Never employ the services of your mother as official race photographer
My dad and I have trained religiously (I ran into work on new years day in the pouring rain, rocky eat your heart out!) for what we believe to be a really worthwhile cause, and something very close to our hearts (my grandfather is a parkinsons sufferer). 
Getting to meet & run with Mo Farah recently and get some tips! (avoid fried food mainly!)
If any readers feel like chipping a pound my way to sponsor what I can assure you will be a gruelling physical and mental test (sadly my body is used to years of cycling and it growing to hate me, the pressure im putting on it by taking up running!) then it would mean so much, not only to me and my old man, but to anyone touched by Parkinsons. I also promise that if we reach our really modest target of £200 we will sign up and run a marathon! so think of it as an investment into my pain and discomfort!
Chilling with Mo
Please head over to my just giving page, and throw a loose coin my way. No worries if not, even an encouraging message via twitter would be awesome! Thanks so much and again, apologies for this non cycling interlude… I assure you normal service will now resume!

http://www.justgiving.com/GemandSteve
http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

Winter Rider

On a quick blast to Richmond Park a couple of weeks ago I caught the wheel of Dr J > I thoroughly enjoyed the chilly but brisk lap we shared, catching up as we turned the pedals. Winter Jerseys at the ready (in 2010 navy obv), the icy air and sparsely decorated trees provided a beautiful backdrop to some hazily lit steady winter riding. Beats the turbo anyday!