Cycling uphill

Chiltern cycle festival – Penn house hill climb

July 13, 2015July 12, 2015 by tejvan

After the national 100 mile TT last week, it was – in the words of Monty Python – time for something completely different. A short hill climb held in the setting of Penn House estate near Amersham, as part of the Chiltern Cycle Festival. Not only a hill climb, but three rounds, with a head to head to decide ‘King of the Chilterns’

I arrived early to have a look around the Chiltern cycle festival and a few of the sportive riders making their way back from their ride around the the Chilterns. There were lots of interesting cycle stores and displays, with retro looking bikes and clothing definitely in vogue. There were quite a few cyclists kitted out in their finest wool and Alpaca jerseys and shorts. You can say what you like about retro cycling – but it is very aesthetically pleasing. It seemed a good atmosphere and was a nice place to hold a cycling festival. Lots of children and families enjoying cycling, which is good to see.

However, in this sedate, relaxed atmosphere of vintage bicycles and L’Eroica sportives – I felt somewhat out of place with a modern bling, blong, low weight carbon fibre bike – electronic gear shifters and one piece lycra skin suit. At least, I wasn’t wearing a pointy time trial helmet, that would have been too much…

Selling Trek Equinox SSL

July 11, 2015July 11, 2015 by tejvan

I’m selling my Trek Equinox TT bike. Size XL (60cm)

Came 3rd in National 100, 2014 so quite fast.

Frame has a few minor scratches and chipping of paint. But, never involved in crash.

Groupset was Shimano Dura Ace 10sp, though now has ultegra rear dereailleur.

Crankset is currently Shimano Sora, though I still have original Dura Ace crankset (with 54/39 chainrings) you can fit. As it comes with bike.

Trek Equinox at Ebay

Also Selling on e-bay

I always wanted to cycle uphill

July 10, 2015 by tejvan

June was a very disciplined month, with around 1,300 miles on the bike. It was geared to long-distance time trial training, lots of fast miles on a TT bike – The disciplined training even meant avoiding steep hills (the shame…) and knocking out hundreds of miles at 20mph+ It’s all very well, but now, the national 100 is over – there is a certain freedom; it marks the end of the long-distance time trial season, and leaves me slightly bereft of imminent targets. The next big thing on the horizon is really the last weekend in October 2015…

With nothing to target or taper for, it’s time to get the new Emonda out of the bike shed and head into the Chilterns for some gloriously unstructured hill climb training, up as many steep hills as possible – trying to make up for all that TT nonsense of looking for long, straight, flat roads. I shall have to buy this mug or get it for a birthday present (hint, hint …)

From 100 climbs shop.

Kings of the Road – Review

July 7, 2015 by tejvan

Kings of the Road – A journey into the heart of British Cycling – Robert Dineen

Kings of the Road – is a look at some of the characters which helped to form British Cycling in the post-war period, but who have largely remained relatively unknown to the wider public – and even to hardcore cyclists themselves.

The author has chosen to interview quite a motley collection of characters, I don’t know whether it was a conscious choice or not – but the cyclists involved, invariably seem best be described as ‘outsiders’ – people who did things in their own way and didn’t necessarily get on with the authorities as best they might.

Some of these relatively unknown riders, will be quite well known to the timetrialling community – Beryl Burton and Alf Engers are the Queen and King of British time trialling in the golden age of the sport. Their names stand out in the list of past winners because they are the kind of rider and character who really left their mark on the sport, giving a glamour rarely associated with timetrailling.

Certainly they deserve their own chapter; it was particularly interesting to read the interview with the mercurial Alf Engers – who even now after all these years – has a certain mystique – the rebel without a cause who drilled holes in his handlebars and more importantly bestrode the Blue Ribbon event – the 25 mile TT championships like a timetrialling colossus. He also reduced the 25 mile TT record to unheard of levels. (49.24 in pre tribar days)

Another rider who had only briefly flitted across my radar was Colin Sturgees. The super-talented youngster who used to beat Chris Boardman in the individual pursuit. One went on to Olympic gold and British cycling ubiquity, Sturgees path took another, more tortuous and winding road; illustrating the fine line between success and failure – especially in such an ephemeral sport as cycling.

National 100 mile TT 2015

July 6, 2015July 5, 2015 by tejvan

Today was national 100 mile time trial championship, held in Raglan, Wales. The course was mostly on the A40 dual carriageway, but with a bit of quieter back-roads to help relieve the monotony of the A40. It was fairly flat 2,990ft /900m of climbing over 100 miles. Overall, quite a good championship course. With mostly good weather, it produced some quite quick times.

The women’s winner was newly crowned BTTC champion Hayley Simmonds (Team Velosport). The men’s winner was Charles Taylor (South Pennine CC) 3.32 – just 15 seconds ahead of BBAR champion Adam Topham (High Wycombe). I was 7th in 3.39.50

Training

After finishing 3rd last year, I’ve trained quite hard for the national 100 this year and training has gone well. Last week, was quite busy with 3 big races. After flopping (relatively) at BDCA 50, it’s been a quiet week of tapering.

Racing

Firstly, it was nice to do a 100 mile TT which doesn’t start at silly o’clock for a change. It was 9.10am when I set off. The first 6 miles were on a quiet backroad. A nice place to cycle – though a bit bumpy, and I nearly lost handlebar mounted water bottle. Then it was onto 24 mile laps of the A40. This included about 3 miles of quite backroads, the rest on the A40. I enjoyed the backroads the most – a change to get away from the traffic, and also a more sporting feel, some ups and downs and fast turns. More fun than just blasting along a straight road. Because of the laps, there were quite a few riders on the course, so frequent overtaking. Up to 60 miles, it was all going to plan. After 70 miles, the power started to fade – it wasn’t as good a ride as ECCA 100, where I could lift the tempo in last 20 miles.

Next time you’re stuck in a traffic jam

July 3, 2015 by tejvan

Next time you’re stuck in a traffic jam.

It’s no surprise people choose their cars. It’s safer than cycling or walking (though less than coach or train). But, importantly – it’s much cheaper than the train or bus.

Congestion on the UK roads have been estimated to cost up to £20 billion a year – and that’s before costs of pollution, costs of accidents e.t.c. But, congestion will continue to get worse. The recent temporary decline in car use, is almost certain to be reversed as we see rising population, falling petrol prices, economic recovery and a fall in the relative cost of motoring.

Training in Yorkshire Dales

July 3, 2015 by tejvan

Last week was quite interesting 3 races – (ECCA 100, BTTC 29 miles, and BDCA 50) First two races were good, third quite a bit of tiredness. I’m taking it a bit easier this week. Hopefully, it’s a bit of tapering for national 100.

This means just a few steady rides from Menston to Buckden and back. The B-road from Bolton Abbey, Grassington to Buckden is a great cycling road. Not too busy, and very scenic. There are plenty of climbs around this part of the world – if you take a detour off this road. But, if there’s one thing I know about tapering is that it’s probably best to avoid taking your time trial bike up Park Rash at full pelt.

Betting on the prologue and yellow

July 3, 2015 by tejvan

It’s always a funny week – the week before the Tour de France. There’s no cycle races on TV, just a week of speculation, talk and bog-standard questions and answers with the riders.

I’m not a betting man, but if I was. I think the Tour Prologue would be a good bet.

I’d put a few quid on:

Tom Dumoulin (7/2) – Dumoulin has tremendous power and one of the best time trial positions I’ve seen. This is the best odds I’ve seen.

Alex Dowsett (33/1) – An outside bet for the prologue. Unfortunately, I don’t think he will make it, though I would still rate his chances at better than 33/1. The prologue is actually a short time trial – close to the 10 mile TT – where Alex holds Comp record at 17.20 – a time even Bradley Wiggins couldn’t beat on a windy day on the V718.

Geraint Thomas (50/1) Again, deep down, I can’t see Thomas at the top of podium come the end of the race. You can guarantee Thomas will be there or there-abouts. The strength of Thomas is that he is an excellent all-rounder – but just not quite the out and out short distance time trial specialist.

Bookies for prologue at Cycling Weekly

Otley Cycle Race 2015

July 2, 2015 by tejvan

I went to watch last night’s Otley Cycle Race

Alistair Slater (An Post).

British National road champs 2015

June 29, 2015June 29, 2015 by tejvan

After a hard couple of days racing, it was nice to be able to put the feet up and watch other people suffering for a change. This year’s road race was held on the roads of the Lincoln Grand Prix – featuring the infamous cobbled climb of Michaelgate. Just two minutes long, the climb may not seem too much on itself, but ridden nine times with many miles in the legs, the cobbled climb is guaranteed to break up a race and create an intriguing race.