Targets for 2015

The first thing I did on getting back from Croatia was to buy a map of the Pyranees. Cycling in Croatia has given me a taste for long mountain climbs and I’m itching to travel to real mountains in the south of France. I love the climbs of the UK, but a 20 km ascent of the Col du Tormalet is a very different kind of challenge. My physiology is perfectly suited to 20km of uphill. The steeper and longer the better; it seems a shame not to use it.

col-du-tormalet

col du Tourmalet. Photo Will J

In Croatia I climbed 28,000 feet  (8,500m) and only did about 300 miles. By the end of the ‘Croatia training camp’, I felt I could have climbed those 7% mountain roads all day. I did more climbing in the cold weather of Croatia than I did in summer or training for the national hill climb in October.

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Schwalbe Ultremo ZX – Review

In the past I have ridden a couple of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tyre on my my road bike. I had a very good experience using them. This is an updated review which originally appeared on my old blog.

The Ultremo ZX is a slick racing tyre – light, fast, very easy to put on and looks good. Perhaps I had good luck, but I got through 3,000-4,000km without a rear tyre puncture – which is quite unusual for a light racing tyre. But, don’t sue me if you get a few during that distance.  I’ve seen them on sale for as low as £20.99 – at that price it is really very good value for an upcoming summer tyre.

The Ultremoz ZX V-Guard has a weight of  only 195 grams [same weight as previous Schwalbe ZX version] It also has a low rolling resistance.

Grip in the dry is very good. As you expect from any tyre, it performs less well in the wet; so there is a need to be relatively cautious on wet descents. However, I’ve had no major problem with lack of grip. I was using a 23″ tyre. A 25″ might be my preferred choice now.

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I’ve used the tyre on hilly rides across the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Oxfordshire. It performed well on the ascents and descents of Wrynose pass / Hardknott pass – despite roads being wet. Also, these roads were very gritty, rocky and hard work. The tyre was resistant to cuts against these rough road surfaces.

Fitting

I’ve never had a road tyre which fits on so easily. Very easy to work with. The rubber feels quite smooth and supple. Definitely no tyre levers are needed to fit onto the wheel or take off.

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Viva Bellissimo Review

Viva Bellissimo bikes are a combination of European classic design with practical features to make an eye catching commuting bike. They are produced by a Danish firm who have tried to make ‘beautiful bikes for discerning bike riders’. I was inspired to write a review of Viva Bellissimo because they are genuinely eye catching and elegant.

The Viva Bellissimo comes in a variety of options. The first is the Single Speed Bellissimo. The one I tried was this 7 speed Viva Bellissimo. This was good fun to ride. Not quick, and a little heavier than what I’m used to. However, the Viva Bellissimo exudes class. It is well built and catches almost perfect aesthetics. The paint work is excellent, there is a real gleam to the way it looks. Everything else has a classic simplicity to it. For example, the wheels especially.

If you’re looking for a classy commuting bike to really appreciate, you will be happy with the Viva Bellissimo either 1 spd or 7 spd. Just don’t expect it to be quickest off from lights… But, it is a head turner. Even people not into cycling will admire this.

Viva Bellissimo Single Speed

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Viva Bellissimo 1 speed

 

Perhaps it is just the dark blue / white which particularly appeals. However, no matter how pleasing the design, there is much more to a bike. The set up is fairly solid. The frame is Cro-Mo Steel. This gives a forgiving and comfortable ride. Nice touches are the integrated mudguards and chain guard; there is a careful attention to detail. Very useful are the Schwalbe 28 inch tyres with extra puncture protection.

Viva Bellissimo 7 – Women’s (Mixte Damen)

viva-bellissimo-mixte-damen

The women’s version has a step through frame for ease of use.

For those who want gears, the Viva Bellissimo 7 offers 7 speed through a convenient hub gear system (Shimano Nexus).

Notes on the Hub System

  • The hub system is slightly heavier than standard derailluer system.
  • The hub system is easier to maintain and looks much cleaner on the bike.
  • It is easier to change. For example, if you are stuck at lights, you can change gears and it changes straight away – you don’t need to worry about pedalling to put chain in new sprocket.

7 Speeds gives much greater range of flexibility. For hilly cities the one speed could be a bit cumbersome when you try to pedal the 12 kg bike up a steep hill. The Viva is designed to be ridden with joy, 7 speed makes this easier to achieve. Also the 7 speed hub system avoids the need for derailleurs and cassette rings, enabling the bike to retain the look of a single speed.

At prices starting from £600 upwards, Viva is not competing on price. But you do get the kind of bike you can become really attached to. It is enjoyable and easy to ride and has great aesthetics to boot. I’m sure this bike would be quite popular on cycle chic photo blogs. Also, Evans sometimes have sales –  and if you buy at right time you may get for under £500. Though unfortunately, Evans Cycles don’t seem to be stocking new model.

I think this is pretty good value for the chic end of the hybrid market.

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Related Bicycles

Cycling in Croatia

I’ve spent the past few days cycling in Croatia, near Dubrovnik. A couple of days were unpleasantly cold – zero degrees and a biting wind. However, there have also been quite a few mild days. The cycling is a big contrast to England. If you avoid the main coastal trunk road, you end up cycling on very quiet, mountain back-roads. It is incredibly hilly, but the views stunning and very little traffic. I haven’t seen anyone else cycling in this part of the world. I saw one category 2 climb had a total of 4 participants on Strava.

On leaving the hotel, my usual route involves climbing 140 metres in the first mile, including some nasty 20% gradients. So much for a gentle warm up. It’s like starting off every ride with a climb up Pea Royd Lane. It’s not the kind of training I usually do at this time of the year. But, despite tired legs, it is great fun. The other day I did 36 miles and managed 1,500 metres of climbing. It’s hillier than the Bristol South megahilly. As usual I’m left wishing for a compact chainset; it is my New Year Resolution to buy one and stop complaining.

But, apart from being slightly over-geared it is a real joy cycling here in Croatia.

I shall just add a few photos which say enough.

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The sea

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Buckden and the foot of Park Rash

In the end, I did a nice steady 60 miles on Christmas Day. It was a rare December day, when the weather was as good as it gets. The early morning sun made the Wharfe Valley look very attractive. It was a steady ride up the dale, with frequent stops to take photos.

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Burnsall bridge

 

After two hours, I got to the foot of Park Rash. I was in two minds whether to climb up to the top. There may have been a good view from top, but after 50 metres, I did a u-turn. – I got some great presents, but all I really wanted for Christmas was a compact chainset. The 39*25 is too high for this time of the year.

Park Rash
Park Rash looming in the distance- not often I do a u-turn at the bottom of a climb.

If I had strained every sinew in the body I could have hauled the winter tank up to the top. But, I didn’t feel like it. It turns out you don’t have to start training for October hill climbs the previous December.

I went as far as Buckden and then, with a tailwind behind me, I picked up the pace for the return leg. I came across another rider, Matt from Baildon. Matt had started even earlier and had been as far as the top of Fleet Moss – impressive for Christmas Day and also proving – there’s always someone who will have done more training than you. But, the sight of a fellow cyclists, seemed to galvanise me into cycling a bit faster . With the wind behind you, it can be a great ride down the valley from Buckden to Burnsall and to Ilkley. There were only a few cars on the road, and the valley flew by.

60 miles and four hours. So no epic training ride, like the vainglorious promises of a few days ago. But, it was a pretty good ride, and back just in time for Christmas dinner.

Photos from Yorkshire Dales

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My Christmas training plan

I’ve heard on the best authority – no less than Sir Bradley Wiggins  – that the key to being the best cyclist is to make sure you do a five hours training season every Christmas Day.

Whilst all your rivals are staying indoors eating mince pies and stuffing their faces with turkey, and sausages wrapped in bacon – you can be out there getting in the base miles. Never forget – that will be 87 rainy and windy miles that you’re competitors have lost to you – forever. Physical gain marginal – psychological advantage – incalculable.

I have also heard this Christmas Day theory previously expounded by no less a cyclist than- a certain Mr Lance Armstrong – who to his name holds the impressive palmeres of – 3rd Overall in the Tour of Sweden (1993) and 1996 winner of La Flèche Wallonne.

For those who may have forgotten who Lance Armstrong is – he has apparently taken up golf because he’s attracted by golf’s code of honour and sportsmanship. The ironic thing is that apparently in the UK – golf membership is in free fall because all the former golfers are taking up cycling. Cycling is the new golf according to the BBC.

MAMILs and WAMILS will one day rule the world – except not quite, because a good MAMIL will not be out cycling on Christmas Day, he will be too busy unwrapping his – Rapha festive neoprene lined, vintage cycling, limited edition, cotton cap.  No need to go cycling, as long as you have the gear.

Anyway, back to my Christmas Day, six and a half hour, smash it up all the hills in the Yorkshire Dales. I hope there’s a super strong tailwind on Christmas – because it will make my up coming seven hour training session even more epic, and into the bargain I’ll be able to pick up a hat full of KOM segments – if that isn’t the Christmas spirit I don’t know what is. And one thing I’ve learnt from 15 years of cycling – it’s never too early to start training for the British hill climb season in October.

Today, I didn’t go out at all, and I feel suitably guilty, depressed and convinced of a useless up-coming season. I spent all day waiting for the weather forecast of 6mm of rain to appear. It never did. I was lulled in to a false sense of security that the weather would be too bad for cycling today. I couldn’t work out if I was happy – that the weather wasn’t quite as miserable it was supposed to be. Instead I went to Bradford – (which isn’t necessarily the most obvious cure for when you feel at a lost end.)

This is Bradford
This is Bradford City Centre. They conveniently created a big lake to cycle through should you be dissappointed it’s not as wet as it was supposed to be.

But, even Bradford has the capacity to surprise.

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Slow improvements in fitness

At this time of the year cycling takes a bit of a backseat, but I’m still able to clock up quite a few winter miles. Every mile helping to boost that very long term project of improved fitness for 2015. If you’re wanting a quick fitness fix and noticeable improvements in form, winter miles are a very hard and slow way of going about it. Every time I go out, there is part of me which thinks – it wouldn’t really matter if you missed today. But, then there is the other part of me which thinks, if I do 50 miles today, perhaps that will knock 2 seconds off a 100 mile time trial time in July.

burnsall

Fortunately, I would be out cycling even if I never planned to race in 2015. I’m happy to clock up the miles for the sake of cycling – rather than as a means to an end. Today was a steady 60 miles towards Kilnsey Crag and Littondale; in terms of enjoyment it was one of the best rides of the year. I could get used to being a cycle tourist. Perhaps I could grow a beard and get a touring bike with proper mudguards – not these lightweight, aerodynamic, clip on ‘I’m a racer at heart’ type mudguards jobs.

beard

The weather is remarkably good for December in Yorkshire. Just 6 degrees, but warm enough to make it pleasant; and dry. Of course – when I say dry – I mean the absence of rain. There’s still enough water on the road to get soaked through – especially when you leave your front clip on mudguards in Oxford.

kilsney-bike

I arrived in Yorkshire with minimal packing. I didn’t pack any cycling energy bars, so have been relying on ‘normal’ food that you might find in the kitchen. It’s amazing that, to cycle, you don’t actually have to spend a small fortune on proprietary cycling bars. I found a honey sandwich was enough to get from Bursnall to Halton Gill. Yes, it made me feel like a real cycling tourist to be eating kit-kats and honey sandwiches.

 

For mid-winter, I’m in pretty good shape. I managed close to 900 miles in November. The hours spent is even more impressive. If I spent that time on a time trial bike on the A50, I could have done twice the mileage. I have an old saying ‘Yorkshire winter miles count double.’ Because it can all be painfully slow at this time of the year. But today I managed to keep a reasonably impressive average speed; and as the light began to fade, I upped the effort to get back before it was really dark. Four hours on the road, 60 miles on the log.

The whole ride was pretty undramatic. I would like to say the roads were exceptionally quiet – they were in places, though in recent years I’ve noticed a big increase in Yodel and white vans, making frantic last minute Christmas deliveries. I know the convenience of internet delivery is very useful, but for the cyclist trying to enjoy quiet roads, it’s not the best development.

Still that’s the only complaint. Mostly it was enjoying the Yorkshire Dales scenery and clocking all those all important miles for the winter mileage saving bank. If I get to 700 miles by the 25th, I might give myself Christmas Day off.

A few more photos

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Littondale

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Rainbow over Grassington

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Low level sun near Grassington.

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Kilnsey Crag with mud on the road.

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Cyclist magazine – up, up, up

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Before the national hill climb championship, the Cyclist magazine commissioned me to write an article on the national hill climb championship. The article is published in this months edition (Jan 2015), which came out recently. – There are some good photos of the hill climb championship too.

If you’re looking for some more in-depth articles on cycling, it’s worth checking out the Cyclist Mag. It’s mainly pro-cycling, but hopefully, the essentially amateur hill climb championship makes an interesting counterpoint to the other road racing.

Talking of hill climbs check out this video by Thom Heald featuring Bristol South CC rising hill climb star Robert Borek. Robert is one of the many new converts to the discipline of hill climbs, and in this video he talks about his enthusiasm for the strange attraction of riding fixed gear bikes up steep hills.
 

Up Up Up from Thom Heald on Vimeo.

Hill climbing is a niche within a niche. It was one of the original tests of a cyclists skill, the proving ground before time-trials and road races. Now somewhat forgotten, a hardcore band of thin-limbed riders spend their Autumn sacrificing beer and cake for a shot at amateur bike racing glory.

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Clif shot energy gels and bloks

clif-shot-gel

A few weeks ago, I was sent some Clif shot bloks – energy chews and Clif Shot energy gels for review.

At this time of the year, I don’t use many gels and energy bloks. But, on a four hour plus ride, you can burn up pretty much anything so I took some ‘bloks’ along as well. I have also used them quite a bit over in the US; in America the brand seems quite widespread and were often most common gel on sale in local bike shops. Perhaps the American roots explains the American spelling of ‘blocks’ I used the blocks and gels on some interval training sessions back in August.

clif-shot-bloks

Anyway, the energy chews make a change from your typical energy powder and energy gels. It is satisfying to have something to chew. They are quite easy to eat on the move and taste quite nice. The packaging is easy to manage, even with thick winter gloves, which is a bonus. You can just squeeze the tubes up the plastic packaging until it pops out.

The nutrition information is pretty much what you would expect from an energy gel. 80g of carbohydrate per 100g. 50% of the carbohydrate is carb which sugars, the rest is maltodextrin. There’s nothing surplus to carbohydrate – zero protein, fat and fibre. Just a touch of salt – potassium citrate. Quite simple.

6 pieces in a 60 gram pack give

  • Energy 192 kcal
  • Protein 0g
  • carb 48g
  • of which sugars – 24g
  • fat – 0g
  • Fibre – 0g

With condensed energy, it is advised to take water with them. I don’t often take too much gels in winter, preferring to work on the fat burning capacity. But cycling up to Aynho junction last Monday, just 3 pieces was sufficient to give a good sugar boost to the system. You could feel it right away.

clif-shot-gel

The energy gels are very similar – same carbohydrate content. Ingredients based on maltodextrin, can syrup and water. Some come as double expresso, which gives a whopping 100 mg of caffeine – far too much for my taste.  There is also gels with single caffeine shots or without.

The consistency is quite thick. You obviously need to take water with them. But, taste quite pleasant. Though when it comes to gels I’m not overly fussed about taste. Some people speak highly of the ‘Razz’ flavour. But, I’m always dubious about eating something as exotic as ‘Razz’ flavour. I prefer the chocolate.

Clif bar shot gels at Wiggle – 24*34g – £26.49

Two days in Yorkshire

In case you are wondering what Christmas present to buy your family member who is a keen cyclist, I’m sure this book would be much appreciated and go down very well…

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200 photos of the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

Two days in Yorkshire at Amazon.co.uk (£35!)