BUCS Hill Climb 2011

Hill Climbs are an odd form of bike racing to say the least - 5 or so minutes of excruciating effort, followed by the feeling that your head is going to explode at the end and the very real prospect of being sick.

It seems like even more of an odd past-time when you travel a good 2 hours or so to get to the start line.

But that is what we did for the British Universities and Colleges Hill Climb Championships today. A long drive to the Peak District to climb the 'legendary' Curbar Gap.

It is a short sharp climb, averaging 7.2% for its 2.25km length.

At the event there were 150 Male Participants and 37 Females - a good turn out by any standards, and with some pretty strong riders in the field in both the male and female categories.

Arriving at the local pub (the race base) at about 1130 the seven of us from Warwick had start times spread between 1230 and 1500, so there was plenty of time to prepare (remove bottle cages, saddle bags and any other excess weight!) - especially for me as I didn't start till 1448.

I rode the course before the first starters and came to the conclusion that "yes, it was steep, and yes it was short, and yes it was going to hurt - a lot!" (no surprises there I guess - it is a UK climb!).

When it finally came to my start I gunned it off the line - perhaps too hard, but I knew that my power at the moment isn't great so I needed to use it while I could, then push through with my better aerobic fitness.
It was 6:07 mins of very high heart rates, panting and a continued repetition of "shut up legs" *in Jens Voigt's voice* in my head.

I was pretty happy with 6:07 - it put me securely in the top ten with a joint seventh result - can't ask much better than that for my first ever hill climb.

Perhaps with a bit more specific hill training, some lighter wheels and a bit more experience of hill climbs, I might reach the podium next year - it was only 20 seconds away! For certain I will be back, it was well worth the few hours in the minibus. It seems much like rowing, the sport of hill climbing suits my masochistic nature - I'll be on the look out for a few to do at home when I am back over the Christmas period!
Bring on the burn!

Full Results List (downloads Excel file)

Review: Chiba Drystar Gloves

On my touring trip to France and Spain we encountered some pretty hairy Alpine and Pyrenean descents, most notably the Col d'Aubisque. The freezing fog meant with just long fingered mountain bike gloves on, my hands practically froze to the brake levers! I've had the same experience at home though, on long winter rides; cold wet hands are both uncomfortable and pretty dangerous.
As a result of this experience, and in foresight of my daily commute to Uni throughout the winter I decided a worthwhile investment would be a pair of fully wind-proof, waterproof cycling gloves.

As always the criteria were good quality at a reasonable price. After scouring bike forums for reviews and advice, I came to the conclusion that the Chiba Drystar Gloves looked like a good bet at around £25.

On the road/trail:
Over the last week or so the dramatic temperature drop has allowed me to put the Chibas into action. I'm pleased to say they are doing well. They appeared a bit bulky when they first came out of the box, but they are in fact very subtle and easy to use, even with road bike brake/gear levers.
They certainly keep your hands toasty and dry as well, allowing the sweat to get out through the breathable membrane when you do really put the effort in and your hands overheat! Good breath-ability has the added benefit that the gloves actually dry out properly when they are washed as well.
The build quality seems to live up to its German reputation; with stronger materials used on the palms and finger tips that get the most wear, and a useful adjustable cuff so they can be worn with a variety of sleeve types. In terms of durability I also have confidence from the fact that my touring gloves were Chiba as well, and they still looked like new at the end of 1400miles and many washes in French rivers, so I have strong hopes for the Drystars too.

What more is there to say? These gloves do everything that a pair of £40 Gore Bike Wear ones would, or dare I say it a £140 Assos combo, but at a (very small) fraction of the price! I would recommend them to anyone looking for a good pair of winter training gloves or commuting gloves. They might be a bit bulky for racing, but then not many of us race in the depths of winter...thankfully!

Look after your hands this winter...it makes it surprisingly more comfortable when you do.


N.B. Chiba Gloves come up small - order the next size up to what you normally would. I am normally a medium and when my touring gloves came through I had to cut holes in between the fingers to stop them from slicing open my hands. These Winter Gloves are a size Large and seem to fit well. :-)

Hints and Tips: Clever Commuting

In my second year at University, campus accommodation was not an option, so I moved into a great student house in Leamington Spa. Every day now I commute the 8 miles to and fro from Uni and have to say it is actually a very enjoyable experience.

It's not the first time I've been a member of the 'commuting club', back when I was working in London I used to commute from London Bridge out to the office at Heathrow (18 miles) and back three days a week. Then this summer I commuted from home to my work place at a sailing club about 6 miles away. However, it's the first time that I really feel I've got the commuting malarkey sussed; this blog post explains why: my tips and tricks for a good/safe and enjoyable commute.

The Bike

I've commuted by road bike and mountain bike and here is what I reckon is the perfect recipe for a good commuting bike:

1. Type: For me the mountain bike wins every time when you are commuting - it's more comfortable, more robust and you can put a rack on the back without it feeling like the whole bike is flexing to it's elastic limit when you get out of the saddle
2. Age: Old (and non-flashy) - when it is being used day-in-day-out it gets some serious wear, there is no point in trashing your best bike. It is also less likely to get stolen if it only looks like it's worth <£100.
3. Gears: If you are commuting a relatively flat section of road, then I highly recommend a single speed conversion (or even fixed). I've converted one of my bikes to single speed using old chains and a broken up cassette (for the cog and spacers). It costs me next to nothing - when you wear one ring out, just find another old cassette and chain in the depths of the garage and put them on. It's a lot less to go wrong as well: no sticky cables, damaged derailluers or tricky cleaning. All in all, a lot simpler and a lot easier.
4. Tyres: Use a semi-slick tyre. It is a lot safer in the winter when there is a bit of mud on the roads, but still fast and not too noisy. It also means that you can venture off-road and onto cycle paths without any problem (a great way to avoid traffic during rush hour).
5. Brakes: I'm still in two minds about this one; a V-brake is cheaper to replace the pads and easier to adjust, but a hydraulic disk is better in the wet and has more stopping power. If you've got hydraulics I would recommend using them, otherwise rim brakes are fine.

The Kit

1. Don't skimp on your commuting kit - you are going to be wearing it probably more than any of your other kit, so it may as well be comfortable. Get a decent, high-vis jacket and some good leggings and gloves for the cold winter days.
2. Baggy can be better - When I'm commuting  I now wear three quarter length baggy mountain bike shorts - they help to keep the rain off when it does rain, are far harder wearing on the backside than padded tights and quite importantly you feel less a bit less obvious walking around uni/work.
3. Don't wear boxers!  - OK, so this is something you find out early on when you are wearing padded bib shorts; you don't want to wear boxers because they are unnecessary and cause some serious chaffage. However, when I started commuting I was tempted to wear them to try and avoid getting too much kit dirty, and kidded myself that just an hour was not enough time to be painful. Inevitably though I got saddle sores. So wear some padded liner shorts instead; they are cheap and far more comfortable (and normally come with mtb baggy shorts when you buy them).
4. Get a rack and you'll never go back! - I've tried commuting with a rucksack, and yes there are some merits to it. But as my earlier review of my pannier set highlighted, it is so much more comfortable to have a rack and panniers - you don't get the sweaty back effect, or risk damaging your back and shoulders from the extra weight.
5. SPDs are still the best shoes to wear for commuting in my opinion. It is tempting to use flat pedals and trainers when you know you are only on the bike for 30mins or so each way. But SPDs are still more comfortable and safer: they can be worn with overshoes in the winter to keep the rain and cold out, and are actually easier to get your foot out of than pedals with straps; crucial for those moments when the car in front decides that he needs to slam on his brakes to avoid the pheasant that has taken a morning suicide-stroll into the road. Another benefit is that thieves are less likely to take a bike with SPDs - their chavy trainers aren't so comfortable to ride away in when they only have an SPD spring to push down on!

Safety

1. Like a Christmas Tree! - Proper lighting and visibility are key when you are commuting in the dark. Reflectors aren't cool, it's the first thing that most serious cyclists do when they buy a new bike is take off the tacky reflectors that have to be fitted to meet UK bike regulations. However on a commuting bike you are not trying to be the height of fashion - so pile them back on. I have three back reflectors and two front ones on my commuting bike - they increase your visibility and act as a good emergency feature if your lights run out. In terms of lights, you can again go nuts with numbers; but if you get a decent set of LED ones then they are visible enough, at least for well-lit streets. I use the Cateye commuter combothat is about £30 for front and rear; it's light, compact, but has a serious visibility punch when on flashing mode. I also have an Alpkit GammaHeadtorch to strap to my helmet to light the way (rather than increase visibility) when I am going down unlit roads.

2. Street lights are your friend - When you are selecting your route think about lighting - my route to Uni takes my through a town, where traffic can be a bit of a problem, but the fact that it is lit for 90% of the time by street lights dramatically increases your visibility and safety.
3. Listen to yourself - It might seem obvious, but if you're feeling run-down or ill then don't get on the bike, get on the bus! Not only is a bike ride likely to wear you out more and make you feel more groggy, it is also unsafe to ride when you are not yourself - your reaction times are slowed and you are likely to be more wound up - putting yourself and other road users in danger.

A lot of the above probably seems like common sense, but it's that kind of thing that is important when you're commuting. The most crucial things are to be safe, be comfortable and enjoy it! 

Commuting by bike is a great way to keep fit, clear your head and get the hours in on the bike.

There are bound to be tough days, but try and look on the bright side - "Better a bad day on the bike, than a good day on the motorway!"

Possible Route For Viking Tour

View Larger Map

Hints and Tips: A Beginner's Guide To Wild-Camping

My recent touring trip to France and Spain would not have been possible both financially and logistically if it was not for Wild-Camping. Firstly, we could not have afforded to stay in camp-sites or B&Bs for the whole three weeks we were away. Secondly, by restricting yourself to certain end points each day, you eliminate the fantastic ability to simply cycle until your legs feel like they are about to fall off and then set up camp (hence a few of our planned "60mile" days turned into century days!).

So what is Wild-Camping?
Quite simply it is pitching up your tent in a secluded-as-possible spot; often in woodland or farmland at the end of a long hard day in the saddle.

Why do it? Here are my 'Top Five Reasons to Wild-Camp':

1. Cost - most campsites in Europe work out about 6 Euros a night each; this adds up for a student over a 3 week tour.
2. Logistics - You can stop when and were you want (within reason) and don't have to worry about needing to get to a certain point each day if you are feeling tired (or energetic).
3. Peace - There are no screaming children or noisy parties when you are camped in a secluded field - allowing you to get a good nights sleep after a hard day.
4. Sights - We stayed in some of the most beautiful places, with the most spectacular views - something  you don't often get in a campsite.
5. Excitement - After the initial trepidation you feel about where you are going to camp that night, and the ill-found belief that you will be thrown off by an angry farmer with a gun, it becomes quite exciting not knowing; and provides even more of a feeling of elation when you finally pitch up in a great spot at the end of the day.

Top Tips for Wild Camping:

A Riverbed in the South of France

A Field in the Alps

A Forest in the North of France

• Don't Worry! - The first night we wild camped in Spain we were paranoid as hell. First there was the elderly man that we thought was going to turf us off, but actually turned out to just want a friendly chat. Then there was the tractor, who we hid from for a good few minutes, before realizing he wasn't coming to bulldoze our camp-site, but rather cut the grass in the adjacent field. Inevitably everyone is a bit paranoid at first, but just don't worry so much. The one time we really thought we were going to be thrown off the farmer turned out to be a very nice guy, and very jovial. If you do get approached, just be friendly, emphasise that you will not make any mess and that you will be gone early in the morning.
• Start Looking Early - At the end of a long day in the saddle the last thing that you want is a struggle to find a camp-site. After about 6pm, and after we had met our target distance we started looking for a camp-site. The few times we left it a bit late it just caused unwanted stress and anxiety. Just remember - there is pretty much always somewhere you can pitch up a tent.
• Expect the Unexpected - One of the most comic moments of our trip was in the South of France when we camped next to Lac Olonzac. We spotted an oasis of green at one end of the lake and pitched our tents up in what seemed like a pretty arid area. Then after finding a small metal object in the ground our worst fears were confirmed when a dog walker came over to our camp and warn us is broken English that "Er..there are..how do you say..sprinklers?" "Sprinklers?!" "Er...yes..they go off at 3am!". Sure enough when they did go off it sounded like someone firing a machine gun at our tent; we eventually managed to stop ourselves getting absolutely saturated by placing our cooking pan with a rock on top over the 'Rainbow Maker 2000'. So expect the unexpected - things will happen - just laugh them off!
• Be Tidy - Following on from my earlier point - farmers and landowners are normally fine with it, as long as you don't leave a mess. Keep your camp-site tidy at all times, then if they do approach you there is more chance of them believing you when you say you will not make a mess.
• Find a River (or Ocean) - After spending a few days in the South of France in 35'C heat. A wash is a real blessing. I reckon this is one of the main reasons that people are put off wild-camping: smelly kit and smelly bodies. We learnt fairly early on that a fast flowing river was a major plus to a camp-site. Have a look on your map towards the end of the day and try and spot a secluded area with a river, it is actually fairly easy (especially in Alpine areas), aim for that and often the dividends pay well.
• Be Flexible - On our last day in France we encountered a downpour at the end of the day. It was full on torrential rain - we had to settle for a camp-site that was rather visible from a lane and a house, and quickly throw the tent up to stop us getting hypothermia. As usual no one bothered us - the usual barking dogs that you hear all over France were there, but we got a pretty good nights sleep. Sometimes that ideal camp-site isn't going to materialise in a hurry - don't be afraid to settle for second-best. 

I hope you've found this post interesting, and it will inspire you to get out there and do a bit of Wild-Camping. There are so many great places to pitch-up out there, it is a shame if people don't take advantage of them. 

Remember - Stay Calm, Be Friendly and Don't Worry. We weren't thrown off a single camping site the whole trip, and I have heard similar experiences from many tourers - keep yourself tucked away and the chances are you won't get more than a field mouse or squirrel bothering you all night.  :-)

Lac Olonzac

An Autumn Heatwave and New Training Plans

Saturday brought a change of surroundings and a change in routine as I headed back to University and to the new house in Leamington Spa. The change seemed odd for a number of reasons; firstly, and rather expectedly was the shock of routine. I've been away since mid-June, and although I had a good few weeks working on the Isle of Wight and continuously slaughtering myself on the bike in France and Spain, it certainly hasn't seemed like "work" or any routine of sorts.
Secondly is the weather. On Saturday it hit 30'C in Leamington; the hottest ever recorded on an October day on record! It seemed odd coming back in the middle of the "Indian Summer" when last year my arrival at Warwick was accompanied with torrential rain.

The change of location brings with it a change in training on the bike as well. Every day I'll be cycling the 8 mile to and from University, and hopefully trying to build a bit of training into that time as well. This morning I managed to get out for a good 90min ride on the familiar rolling hills of Warwickshire, before a quick lunch, then a cycle into Uni.

Highlights of the next few months include the BUCS Hill Climb championships at the end of October, as well as the BUCS Track Championships in November.
There is also a Triathlon Club trip to the Velodrome in Newport in November which should be great fun as always.
Apart from that I'll be squeezing in training around my studies and trying to get out for a decent length ride at the weekend. Preparing myself for the onslaught of academic work that is about to come my way is slightly daunting, but I'm sure everything will fall into place as things become more settled - bring it on I say! :-)