Tim's Strava Year


2014 was a good year on the bike.
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Kit Care – Re-Waterproofing and Restoring Waterproof Cycling Jackets

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In the 'Kit Care' series I look at how to rejuvenate and re-use well worn kit; saving you valuable money compared to replacing favourite pieces of cycling apparel. In this first post, I consider the frequent question of how to re-waterproof and restore a waterproof cycling jacket.

Waterproof shell jackets using fabrics such as GORE-TEX, Polartec NeoShell, and eVent are designed to last. With proper care and attention there is no reason the waterproofing and performance of a jacket cannot last for many seasons. The key is how to wash and treat these waterproof jackets.

GORE-TEX and other similar waterproof fabrics such as Polartec NeoShell, eVent and Conduit use an advanced waterproof membrane to provide a waterproof and breathable layer within a garment. This fabric is often coated on the outside with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish — to provide the 'beading' of water that you see on the surface of a jacket.

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Review - Thule Evo WingBar Roof Rack and K-Guard Kayak Carrier

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The new year is going to signal the start of many new adventures for me; including a dive into the world of expedition sea kayaking. The change has created a demand for some new transportation kit — the Thule Evo WingBar Roof Rack and Thule K-Guard Kayak Rack are two of those investments…

I have previously reviewed the very well designed Thule ProRide 598 Bike Carrier on the blog, and praised its practical and durable design for transporting bikes on the roof of your car. Ever since owning that bike carrier I have been keen to try one of the innovative T-track slide roof racks from the Swedish brand, to see if they truly deliver on their promised fast access and ease of use when combined with Thule's roof-top rack accessories.

A change of family car meant that a new roof rack was in demand, and so it seemed a logical choice to go for the new Evo WingBar from Thule. The exceptionally strong aluminium bar is super light, but also super strong — easily capable of taking the load of …
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Review - Swrve Cordura Combat Wool Button-Up Casual Shirt

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I rarely wear office shirts these days, but casual shirts are something I still definitely appreciate. The Swrve CORDURA® Combat Wool Button-Up Shirt is a luxurious and smart, yet incredibly practical piece of smart-casual wear, which looks at home both on and off the bike.

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Weekend Watch — 'PEDAL'

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I came across this film earlier this week, and images from it have been flashing through my mind ever since. It makes me long for the open road again—for the escape and adventure.

This week I published a new blog: 'The Expedition Journals' — theexpeditionjournals.com. The sister  site to Life In The Saddle will be dedicated to long-form story telling from my biking, hiking, kayaking and running adventures.

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"Sometimes it breaks me. But mostly, it makes me..."
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Another year comes to a close — months of memories and miles found. I began the year with very few objectives, ideas or motivations; but finished with a ride log that surpasses any of my expectations. Here is a look back at the last twelve months — 12 photos to commemorate another great year in the saddle.

Year End Statistics Numbers are certainly not everything, but they can tell a story. Below are my figures for 2018, as well as a break-down of the bike types ridden. 
My personal record broken this year was for elevation gained – 400,000 metres is the equivalent of climbing to the top of Mount Everest from sea level, more than 45 times — dedication to the #insearchofup motto.
Distance
25,185 kilometres (15,649 miles)

Time
1039 hours 55 minutes

Elevation Gain
403,693 metres (1,324,452 feet)
2018 Bike Distances 9448 km – Gravel/CX Bikes (3T Exploro / Kona P. Jake) 9070 km – Road Bikes (Neil Pryde Bura SL & others)
3870 km – Touring Bikes (Kona Rove Ti) 1593 km – Mountain Bikes (Pivot…
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