Life In The Saddle

Before the true challenge commences, a teaser was required. Something to warm the legs, and remind my body and mind of what it is like to ride on Dolomite mountains roads.  Time to take photos, and spin the legs; before the long and difficult days begin. A misty mountain dawn I wake from a good night's sleep, and open the shutters to reveal a mist-shrouded mountain landscape.  " The mountains are calling, and I must go. " Breakfast at the Ustaria Posta Hotel is a beautiful combination of Italian and Austrian inspiration; the mix that makes South Tyrolean cuisine so special, in my opinion. Kit preparation follows: today's line-up comes from Mavic , with their special edition Izoard kit. It seems appropriate, given a spectacular day on the mountain the day before, watching La Course and the Tour de France. Today's route card shows my planned ride over Furcia, Cortina and Valparolo. A misty dawn on the Dolomites Breakfast reading at Ustaria Posta ...

The Neil Pryde Bura SL is made to climb. The super lightweight 750 gram frame delivers that golden balance of being stiff and strong in the fore-triangle and bottom bracket; yet surprisingly forgiving on the rear seatstays, to aid long ride comfort. This season, I have two fairly mammoth climbing challenges: my #EquinoxEversting and the '5 Maratonas Challenge' . Ahead of the first of these, later this month, I wanted to share my current build set-up on the Neil Pryde Bura SL. Bike Specification: Frameset:   Neil Pryde Bura SL (56cm) Bike weight: 7.3kg Wheelset: Mavic R SYS SLR Wheels Groupset: Campagnolo Record (mechanical) Crankset: Rotor 3D24 52-34T Cassette size: Campagnolo Chorus 12-29 Handlebars: Fi'zi:k Cyrano R3 42cm Bar Tape: Lizard Skins DSP 1.8mm Handlebar Tape Stem: Fi'zi:k Cyrano R1 120mm Seatpost: Fi'zi:k Cyrano R3 Saddle: Fi'zi:k Arione VS with K:IUM rails Tyres: Mavic Pedals: Shimano Dura Ace 9000 Bottle Cages...

Everest stands at 8,848 metres above sea level. The highest mountain peak, and one of the greatest climbing challenges on earth. 'Everesting' is a concept dreamed up by an Australian club Hells 500 , and the rules are pretty simple: climb the same route, descend the same route; until your cumulative elevation gain is equivalent to the height of Everest. The idea of a riding an 'Everesting' found its way onto my Bucket List  a while back. As someone that uses the #insearchofup hashtag a lot, it seemed a fitting masochistic challenge. This year, I've decided to tick it off. For a good cause - The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust The date chosen for my Everesting actually sits almost exactly mid-way between the two equinoxes, close to the summer solstice. The 'Equinox' side of the challenge has a deeper meaning though; my hope is that through raising sponsorship, the challenge will help to support an Isle of Wight based charity, which tries to provide...