A very hilly Sportive - the bay dash

Wirral Mamils entered the bay dash sportive on Sunday. 62 miles of Cumbrian hell on a warm day ensured the cycling tan began to take hold, so no swimming until it fades again. The sportive takes riders around some stunning countryside and quaint Cumbrian Villages. Merge that with some of the steepest hills nature can create without defying the laws of gravity; including a 23% descent around hairpin bends on a road suitable for cyclocross. Mix into this good company including people we met on the road, a puncture, no wind, warm weather and, for me, the new orbea, and a level stretch paced at 25 mph and it was a great experience.
That said, we did find a few faults with the organisation, stops in the wrong places-just before a climb frustrates, no drinks at the end, though they did have a stall nearby. Overall a typical mamil day, amused by the fact our bikes cost more than any of our cars, the thought that we could now keep up with any professional rider and trying to convince each other our legs don't hurt and we could have done another 25, kidding no-one but we won't challenge each other.
Next is the Wirral bikeathon, then the hope 100, a real challenge. After that who knows...up for suggestions



Cycling weekly recently ran a survey to find the average cyclist of 2011. It's always interesting to see how you fit into the statistics of your favourite hobby but ultimately - it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it. I intend to keep going until I'm way beyond average (I have to I just bought a new bike, more on it later).
Anyway some fun facts

84% MALE - Me
41yrs 4 months used to be me
height 5ft 10 nearly me
waist 33.3" - part of my waist is
Average spend on bikes £1,070 a year Ha- every two months maybe
number of bikes 2-3 I have 6 of my own, don't know why but need another one
Weight 12-5lbs no comment
Time riding 15 years - not even close
hours riding per week 8 - about right
50% have raced - me too
miles per week 105 - I do a fair few more
Only half have ridden a sportive, I've done two and a few more booked
81% use energy drinks quite right
70% have a turbo trainer but 10% don't use it - I love them and have two
57% have a heart rate monitor, I wouldn't move without one

other than that hardly any one is happy with their weight and time trial times for the 10 vary between 19-19 and 50-12 so give it a go.

There we go, the average cyclist, wonder if we can find one or do we all sit outside average? I hope so.... Ignore the stats and happy cycling

My bike is a toilet

I have mentioned in a couple of postings the Orbea Orca I have ordered which should have arrived last week. Then airbus stepped in and bought up all the carbon fibre available from the company that supply Orbea. So my bike is a toilet somewhere overhead. Two good things though - first of all it will only be about another three weeks..so six weeks in total, excellent timings for a bike built to my specification and much better than the times offered by many of the Italian manufacturers. Even better than settling for what is available in the shop. Secondly - Orbea have refused to compromise on the quality of carbon fibre and buy from elsewhere..even if it costs customers, very reassuring.

So while I am waiting I found this on the Internet http://www.twitvid.com/4JOWR It's Samuel Sanchez and worth a look. My personal view...if he had worked hard up the hill the motorbike wouldn't have been close on the downhill. Perhaps if he joins us for a Vita ride he can pick up a few tips....

Neil Pryde - Go Ride

Years ago I was addicted windsurfing. Neil Pryde were the ultimate in wind surfing equipment particularly in the design and quality of their sails. They recently surveyed their customers to find out more about their lifestyle. Surprisingly it would appear that a high percentage of windsurfers love race bikes too. Neil Pryde have subsequently taken years of knowledge about wind dynamics and turned it to race bike technology. Ratings in the press have been exceptional but, what do they know?
The bikes come in a range of colours and, I'm told, you will shortly be able to opt for custom colours. There are also a range of group sets but, for more on that, speak to your dealer.

I took out the diablo and boy was it a devil of a ride!

The first thing you notice is the quality of the finish and quality of the build, exceptional and something some of the Italian frame designers could learn from. The headset is a huge affair and the bike tends to push you forward over the bars in a sprinters position so the headset strength will be reassuring for you future Cavendish's out there.

These are the specifications of the bike I rode;

Frame: C6.7 high-modulus unidirectional carbon fibre full-monocoque

Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 6700

Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium SL

Seatpost: FSA Team Issue 27.2mm

Stem: OS-150 Carbon, 6° 31.8mm

Bars: Wing Pro Compact, 31.8mm

Seat: Selle Italia SL Kit Carbonio, w/ Vanox tube

Tyres: ATOM COMP, 700x23c

Weight: 7.25kg

The gears were positive and quick with no slippage, the wheels light and well balanced, no skimming the brakes when sprinting. The frame is very stiff and notice the weight, you don't get much lighter for this money. I only went on a short ride and found myself forward on the bike ready to sprint, urged on almost by the bike wanting to leap forward. When I did sprint it flew. This is a bike for the hard core racer, ideally suited to criteriums or short evening races on closed circuits when the action is non-stop and the sprinter is king. If you want a bit more comfort during longer rides consider the other Pryde the Alize, still  a racer but looks a touch more forgiving,(I've yet to ride it)

These are the first two offerings from Neil Pryde, their aero knowledge has transferred well and I look forward to future offerings. For now though a Matt black diablo with matching wheels is on the shopping list or it's my birthday in May if anyone is wondering what to buy me.................. 



http://www.neilprydebikes.com/usd/?country_id=US



Cav crashes in tour of Qatar

Mark Cavendish managed to crash in the opening stage of the tour of Qatar today. The stage was a fast and furious 2km prologue around the famous culture city. A combination of high winds, sand and slippy paving stones mixed with narrow lanes excessive road furniture linked to the Manx missiles win at all costs attitude left him lying in the road with injuries to his left leg. It shows how 'on the edge' these guys ride.

Equally news worthy, well known Wirral Mamil Ade (pictured) tried to wheelie over a small puddle today and knew he was in trouble when he realised his feet were higher than his head. Landing on his back, in true nautical language, he said 'it smarted a bit', still like Cav he remounted (that's were the similarities to Cav end) and finished the ride. He now has to complete his cycling proficiency test before he's allowed out on his bike again.

It's as easy as riding a bike - isn't it?

Have you heard of the Race across America? It is one of the greatest challenges in the cycling world. To me it is all the more extraordinary as it is not a  race just for professionals but a race to be entered professionally by amateurs as well. Let me tell you about it....

Race Across America (RAAM) is one the most respected and longest running endurance sports events in the world. It is seen as a pinnacle of athletic achievement not only in cycling circles but the greater sporting community as well.RAAM has a rich and storied history.  In 1982 four individuals raced from the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles to the Empire State Building in New York City.  Covered by national television, the race captivated the public’s imagination. Teams were added in 1994 and quickly became the most popular and fastest growing segment of the race.  The 2011 race will be the 30^th edition of RAAM.

There is no other race in the world like RAAM. The Race inspires every one who has been a part of it - racer, crew, staff and fans alike.  RAAM is the true test of speed, endurance, strength and camaraderie, the ideal combination of work and fun!  There is no race that matches the distance, terrain and weather, no other event that tests a team’s spirit from beginning to end.It begins in Oceanside, California and   Finishes in Annapolis, Maryland covering 3000 miles and170,000 feet of climbing it crosses 12 states, passes through 88 counties and 350 communities

This Ain’t No Tour

RAAM is a race!  But unlike the three great European Grand Tours (Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and Giro de Italia), RAAM is not a stage race.  RAAM is one continual stage, similar to a time trial.  Once the clock starts it does not stop until the finish line.  RAAM is about 30% longer than the Tour de France.  Moreover, racers must complete the distance in roughly half the time allowed for the Tour.

More importantly, RAAM is not limited to professional cyclists.  RAAM is open to professional and amateur athletes alike.  While solo racers must qualify to compete, anyone may organize a team and race.  Team racers have a maximum of nine days and most finish in about seven and a half days.  Teams will ride 350-500 miles a day, racing non-stop.  Solo racers have a maximum of 12 days to complete the race, with the fastest finishing in just over eight days.  Solo racers will ride 250-350 miles a day, balancing speed and the need for sleep.

Fancy it? If you do I would imagine you have some miles in your legs already or a plan to prepare. Wirral Mamils for example have a number of goals this season. Complete the circle of hope 100 sportive climbing to the highest village in Wales being one of them, a coast to coast ride another. This is in preparation for a Lands End o John O'Groats next year. Very specific goals intended to build strength, stamina and speed.

Imagine my shock then when I watched a program this week end about a 53 year old musician who decided to compete in the RAAM. Why the shock? He hated riding a bike and only started riding four months before. (Although he was reasonably fit). He was lucky to train with and try to win a place with the RAF team, winners of the RAAM team competition twice. He was,at the time, completing 10 mile time trials in 33 minutes but on a closed road. There was no doubting his commitment 5 hours a day on a turbo trainer at 25mph. The problem as many will know, the turbo ain't the road and it doesn't teach you bike handling skills.

What happened in the end? Well, if you have watched x factor, Britain/America's got talent you will know the early programs have two types of contestants, the one's who deserve to go through and those who are deluded, yes they are funny and make great entertainment, but someone needs to tell them 'you will never be a star, get real'. That's what should have happened with this man. Get real and work your way up to such a race. In the end he went to America with the RAF but was averaging 12-14 mph and falling off at least twice a day in training (see riding a bike isn't as easy as riding a bike). He was dropped from the team in the end and the program ended with him claiming he could have completed the race and laughing at the RAF for ONLY coming third and averaging 20 mph, pretty good to my mind. Well done the RAF and I suggest the rock star sticks to music or  goes for a 100 sportive! Makes me wonder about the goal for 2012.......... anyone fancy a team entry?

On another note did you see the helmet cameras being used by cyclists to record traffic in case of an accident. Great idea but I must add it could make some great mountain bike footage or perhaps even some of your own race recording, available from Argos apparently for a good price, if you get one can I borrow it please?

Contador 'meats' his fate.

Some time ago Alberto Contodor tested positively for the performance enhancing drug Clenbutrenol. The winner (his third) of the tour De France's epic battle with Andy Schleck (a title he has now quite rightly lost) claimed he had eaten contaminated meat. A claim that was proved to be untrue.

Contodor has just received a 12 month ban demonstrating he has doped. The length of the ban though is concerning. Doping carries a mandatory 2 year ban not one. One year bans just haven't been given out before. So, why twelve months. Is it to encourage an appeal, if so he has ten days to lodge one, if he does, will it continue beyond July to allow to race for his fourth title? There are still likely to be chapters left in this tale. Contador has always said he will give up cycling if he is found guilty. This to me just sounds like a naughty child trying to get out of trouble. He has a press conference tomorrow so perhaps we will learn more. It won't be easy though... it is a zero tolerance approach to doping. If it is in your system, no matter how minute, it is up to the athlete to prove they are not guilt of knowingly using the drug.

Where does this leave other riders? Well hopefully turning down any drug offered to them and competing on their own merits. Armstrong is still facing indictment after the admissions of Landis and claims that Armstrong personally gave him drugs. The difference for him is that, as he was sponsored by US Postal he faces charges of defrauding the US government. A more substantial charge than Contodor's.

My argument though remains the same. If Contodor has been convicted with so small an amount of the drug in his body that some scientists say the test should not be valid surely Armstrong, as the most tested athlete on the planet and the extraordinary lengths the French went to to find traces of drugs in his blood (often over years),  would have been caught during his tours. If you want to know more on my opinion read the blog 'cold case detectives' from late last year. For now let's see what happens tomorrow.