Life In The Saddle

2012 Totals Total Hours Riding Time:  632 Total Miles: 10,568 Average Heart Rate: 144bpm Average Speed (On-Road): 19mph Average Cadence: 85rpm Average Weight: 70.9kgs Race Statistics Total Races Completed: 15 Criteriums: 9 Road Races:  4 Mountain Bike: 2 Races Won: 4 Podium Places: 6 Races Finished in Top 10%: 9 Notable Statistics: Best Finish:  Seven Hills Killer Mtb Event :   1st  out of 171 starters Longest Ride: 130 Miles, 8.2hrs Riding Time ( Isle of Wight to Exeter ) Worst Conditions: Rapha Festive 500  (Floods, Rain and Gales) Highest Heart Rate:  196 bpm  Cricklade Kermesse (2nd KOM) Best Riding Weekend: Mtb Marathon Weekend Ruthin Most Punctures in One Ride: 3 Total Number of Crashes: 2 Worst Race Performance: BUCS Hill Climb Total Commuting Bike Hours: 49 Most Expensive Purchase:   Custom Built Wheelset Best Race Winnings: Mio Cyclo 305HC Computer

The biggest month this year in terms of hours, and coincidently exactly the same mileage as July, tying it at the top in terms of the largest mileage. Helped by the Rapha Festive 500  December has been a big month on the bike, which considering the conditions has been very satisfying. Rain and Wind, Floods and Landslides; there has been a fair few obstacles to getting the miles in, but I'm pleased to say the Christmas indulgences have been reasonably balanced by base mile training. Happy New Year!

"Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure.  Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”  Helen Keller ,  The Open Door The Rapha Festive 500...500 Kilometres in the week from Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve. Challenge accepted. I can't ride on the afternoon of the 28th through to the evening of the 30th. That means I've got five days (including Christmas Day) to ride 500kms. This blog will follow my rides on the Isle of Wight for the 500 - Rain, Floods, Wind and Mud. I'll try and document each day with a photo, a short blog or poem. Good luck if you are partaking in the challenge too! Ride 1 (24/12/2012) - 'Floods, Rain, Wind and Pain'       107.9 Km        1,091m Elevation Climbed        03:53:34 Moving Time        2,605 Calories        Strava: Li...

Back when I used to row, MaxiMuscle supplements were what I always lusted after; although a bit out of my price range back then, my team-mates whole-heartedly advocated the use of ProGain, ProMax and Viper as a vital part of their training regime. I used to have to settle for MyProtein or Holland & Barrett, which I assure you don't really sit in the same league. MaxiFuel had rather slipped my mind in terms of cycling nutrition though; I'm not sure why, I knew how well the stuff should work, but I have always been swayed by Science In Sport or High5. Last month though, I had the opportunity to try some of the MaxiFuel products, and I have to say I've been very impressed. For the cyclist or triathlete out there, MaxiFuel do four principle products that will help your performance: ViperBoost Energy Bars, RecoverMax Protein Shakes, ViperActive Energy Gels and ViperActive Drink. These were the products that I have been testing over the last month. Below I'...

Think back to when you were at school...that familiar smell of Deep Heat in the changing rooms before a sports match, and Deep Freeze afterwards (or the screams from the ice baths); using heat and ice on sore or damaged muscles is nothing new in sports science. However, it's not something I've ever been that taken with; it works, but I've never liked the idea of spraying my legs with chemicals. Finding out about  Natural Hero Muscle Rubs was therefore a welcome discovery! With almost 100% natural ingredients, the efficacy of these rubs come from natural sources, as does the scent, feel and ethos of the product. Natural Hero produce two great products: the Hot Ginger Muscle Rub and the Cool Peppermint Muscle Spritz. I've given both a good bit of testing over the last week or so, and both seem to work very effectively, smell natural and feel great. It's a fantastic approach to sports medicine, and certainly the route that I'll be heading down for muscle rec...