Life In The Saddle

'Running' perhaps isn't the only adjective that should be used to describe taking on last weekend's OMM in the Galloway Mountains, Scotland. You should also add 'Climbing', 'Scrambling', 'Hiking' and most definitely 'Bog Bashing' to the list; it is a running orienteering event of pretty extreme proportions... Friday saw us drive from Portsmouth to the Galloway peninsula in South West Scotland; a casual 15 hour journey by minibus. We picked up my running partner Ben in Penrith enroute, and completed our four man team from Wiggle. Welcomed at midnight by the cheery OMM team, we settled down for a few hours sleep, not sure what to anticipate from the next day's race. The OMM is a running orienteering event series, with events in the U.K., France and even Japan. The events all hold the same format: on the start line, teams are given a list of checkpoints out in the mountain wilderness - each one is worth a different number of 'p...

Last year, I wrote a post on Cross Country Ride: 'My Every Ride Carry' ; featuring all the kit that comes with me on a weekend trail outing. In this post, I turn to the tarmac, and what I would take with me on a weekend endurance road ride, or middle-distance event. Wearable kit: Kask Infinity Helmet POC Do Blade AVIP Sunglasses GripGrab Cycling Cap GripGrab Windster Gloves GripGrab HiVis HeadGlove GripGrab HiVis Thermo Overshoes These products have fast become my favourite kit accessories for autumn/springtime rides. The Kask Infinity helmet does a fantastic job of providing an enhanced shield from the cold. The POC Do Blade AVIP sunglasses, are perfect for giving added wind protection for your eyes, whilst their lenses are suitable for bright sunshine and dull days (Review of the POC Do Blade AVIP Glasses ). Then, the GripGrab Windster Gloves, Hammerhead Overshoes , HiVis HeadGlove and GripGrab Cycling Cap , are ideal for shielding your vulnerable extremit...

Earlier in the year, I reviewed the STEALTH Hydration Mix and Energy Gels , from UK brand Secret Training . They proved to be great products, which followed my line of thought on effective sports nutrition; using primarily natural ingredients, and a reduced quantity of refined sugar. The latest addition to Dr. Tim Lawson's Secret Training line-up, is the STEALTH Whey Protein Drink Mix. Similar to the Hydration Mix and Energy Gels, its ingredients are focussed on simple, effective nutrition and hydration. Each 33 gram serving of the drink mix contains 20 grams of protein, around 10 grams of carbohydrates, and trace amounts of fat. In addition, each pack also contains an impressive electrolyte blend, as well as vitamins such as zinc, magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. Flavouring comes from dried real fruit powders, and both the cherry and banana flavours I tried had a great natural smell and taste. The thinking behind the Whey Protein Drink Mix, is that in the recovery phas...

Last year, I reviewed the Secret Training Race Day Care Kit , and I was taken by how much time and consideration had gone into the design and contents of the compact little bag. Since then, I've used the kit for almost every race that I've attended; and it's clear that Dr. Tim Lawson, the designer of the product and founder of Secret Training, knows exactly what is needed for a day on a bike in variable UK conditions. Dr. Tim Lawson was one of the founders of Science in Sport, and has been a nutrition coach to many professional riders to date. Having left SiS several years ago, it was only a matter of time before he again utilised his high-end scientific skills in nutrition to launch some new products. It's because of this great scientific footing, that I've been very interested to try the STEALTH range from Secret Training, ever since it was released earlier in the year. Here's what I thought of it… Secret Training STEALTH Hydration Drink Mix I...

Considering cyclists tend to be gear fanatics, we are surprisingly often a bunch that are hard to find good gifts for. We only want the latest, the greatest, that  saddle, that frame; if it's not the right one, then it's probably not going to make your best bike. For that reason, it's always great to find products that really are great gift ideas for cyclists; products which you could give to any two-wheeled enthusiast, and it would bring a smile to their face. I reckon that the Secret Training Race Day Personal Care Kit is one of those... Secret Training might seem an odd name for a company that currently provides predominately care products, but it has an interesting background. Founded by Tim Lawson, a European Track Cycling Champ and highly accomplished cyclocross racer, it is designed to give you the edge in tough race conditions. Tim Lawson explains the ethos behind 'Secret Training' very well on his blog: ... " Tips and advice (from coaches) ...