Ride Stats: April 2013

• April hasn't been a great month for me; I was off the bike for two and a half weeks at the start with a persistent throat infection and sickness. 
• Just two races in April, and two race results that I wasn't overly satisfied with (probably related to the lack of miles and proper training that I've been able to do due to illness).
• Hoping that May and June will be better months. Next race is on the 9th June, got to get my Finals done first before I can start concentrating on racing again.

Race Report: Loughborough Support Road Race - Frustrating...

I travelled to Loughborough this morning to take part in a 54 mile road race run by Loughborough Uni on the same course as the BUCS road race that I competed in last year. This was a Cat 2.3.4. race, whilst the BUCS race was an E.1.2.3. BUCS last year was only my second road race ever, and I was pleased to finish it (only 24 of the 80 starters did!), but with this race being on a circuit that suited me, with a less high-level field, and with a years extra experience, I was hoping for a half decent result. Unfortunately a few things weren't in my favour...

The course comprises of five laps of a fairly exposed and rolling circuit; finishing each lap with an ascent of Harby hill; a long climb that ramps up to a 16 percent gradient at the end. To be honest, it is a very similar circuit to the Milland Hill RR I did a month ago... Tough! Today there was a strong headwind on one side of the box shaped course as well; which further added to the attrition rate (only around 30 of the 80 starters finished).

Firstly, I think I should mention that I haven't been on top form for a while now. I have had to take two weeks off the bike with a throat infection, and have only been back on it in the last five days. Before that, I had to pull out of a circuit race three weeks ago with my first DNF due to sickness (literally). In fact, looking back at my training notes, the last time I felt "good" was the 1st March. Despite this I still thought that I could produce something today... probably was too hopeful in retrospect.


The race started at a decent pace, and I sat towards the front of the peloton. A single man breakaway attempt went off in the first lap; nobody chased, it seemed doomed to fail. The second lap rolled around, and the first ascent of Harby hill that wasn't neutralised spat a fair few riders out the back of the pack. With the single man break still up the road, another two went off the front as well; again nobody followed.

Throughout those first few laps I was active at the front; probably too active, but I was keen to try and pull the breaks back at least, and even tried a few breakaway attempts of my own with a few riders. In retrospect these breakaways were almost always into the headwind, when the pack had slowed down as no one seemed to be working on the front, that was probably a bad idea... none of them worked, and my legs just didn't seem to have the power. Frustration number 1.

That brings me onto my second frustration; nobody was working in the pack! We had one good lap, which I think was lap four of five, when we got within a stones throw of the breakaway (which had now reduced to two), but apart from that there was nobody willing to chase. A select few tried, but it's hard to bring yourself when nobody else is... you just drag the peloton along behind you, tiring yourself out, then watch them come round you at the finish.

As a result, going into the final lap, the breakaway had opened up their gap again. In fact into the final headwind section the peloton's speed was down to 14mph at some points. People would chase little breaks that tried to get away from the main group, but they weren't chasing the real race that was up the road! Perhaps I'm too used to E.1.2. racing now, when almost everyone pulls their weight, but I found it pretty aggravating.

I tried one last ditched breakaway attempt as we approached Harby hill for the final ascent, but being in sight of the peloton the front runners soon caught me. I hung on to finish 11th; an improvement from last year, but not quite the result I was looking for.

What went wrong? Partly it was me, I wasn't strong enough (probably due to the three weeks off) to bridge across to the breakaway or on that final climb. I also probably did too much work on the front in the first few laps; if everyone else is just looking for a free-ride then I probably should have too.

Anyway, sometimes it happens and the break gets lucky because the pack is messing about. I'm looking forward to more E.1.2. races in the summer when people are looking to work, not free-ride in the peloton, hopefully I'll be back on better form by then as well.

11th place gets me a few more points towards my first cat licence, and in retrospect it's probably as good as I could have hoped for with the form I'm in at the moment. It was a welcome break from revision anyway. Bring on the summer.

Hints and Tips: Maintenance: Choosing Your Chainlube

There are a lot of different chain lubes out there; wet lube, dry lube, wax... the list goes on. In this post I look at four different lubes from Weldtite that I use on my bikes, and explain when is the best time to use each one, and what the benefits of each are.


Firstly though, a little bit of advice on how to apply chain lube...

The first step is to make sure your chain is thoroughly dry, and there is no water left on it or inside it. Pro bike mechanics often use their air compressors to dry the chain, but for most of us that is not a luxury we have to hand; a clean rag coated in some water displacer such as TF2 Aerosol Lubricant is just as effective if you wipe the chain over with it.

Chain lube should then be applied to the INSIDE of the chain, this way the centrifugal forces of the chain moving round mean the lubricant is moved through the chain to the outside as you pedal (rather than being sprayed off the chain if you put it on the outside). To apply chain lube properly you should apply one small drop to each roller on the chain; ideally setting the bike up in a stand and rotating the cranks as you do this. A chain really is only as strong as its weakest link, and you can be sure that one roller you forget to lube will be the one that rusts up and snaps on you. The procedure is a bit of a faff, but is it worth it to have a smooth running drivechain that will last for a longer period of time.

Choosing your chainlube of choice:

TF2 Extreme Wet Lube
First up the Wet Lube; wet lubes are oil based, so they run inside the chain and help to lubricate all parts of the rollers. The TF2 Extreme Wet Lube is made for seriously tough conditions, it goes on like stringy cheese and sticks to the chain even with hours of water blasting it. I've used the TF2 Extreme lube on long touring trips such as my France and Spain trip, and it has kept my chain running smooth. Wet lube is great for long rides, wet rides and times when lighter lubricants are likely to run thin. Use this when things are going to get tough!

TF2 Plus+ Dry Lube with Teflon
Despite what people often seem to think from the name, dry lube is just at home in the wet. Dry lube uses a waxy Teflon layer that coats the chain as a liquid, then dries in place. This has many advantages; firstly it stays put inside the chain where it really matters, keeping the rollers lubricated even when the lube has washed off the outside of the chain. Dry lube also has the advantage that unlike wet lube it does not attract dust or grit, which can make a nasty grinding paste on a chain. This is a great lube to use in all weather then, especially when there is likely to be grit and dust flying up off the road or trail.

TF2 DryWax with Krytox
Use this if things are really going to get bad. Wax lubricant is made to coat the chain with a thick layer of 'hard' lubricant. Wax lube isn't as light on the chain as oil-based lubes and as a result doesn't provide quite the same level of lubrication and friction reduction. However, when your chain is going to get blasted by hours and hours of abuse this will stay in place. The downside is it can be a bit tricky to get off afterwards (post coming soon on bike and chain cleaning).

TF2 Performance All Weather with Teflon
If the above sounds a bit complicated; with different lubes for all different weather conditions, then there is a solution... the All Weather Lube. This is a mix between and oil based and a wax based lube; it will do the job of both. It doesn't attract as much dust as wet lube, but it doesn't wash off either; it's a great compromise between the two choices, and in reality it's what I use the majority of the time on my bikes.

So there you go, a bit about different chain lubes, and which one to choose when you look out the garage window and see the weather. These four lubes from Weldtite are a great option; they are great value, have easy-to-use nozzles and most importantly they work! Look after your chain... it will last longer and be more efficient for it.

Review: BaileyWorks Digital Super Pro Messenger Bag

The tag line of the BaileyWorks Super Pro Messenger Bag is "Built for Life In The Saddle". Perfect!

BaileyWorks is a US brand, making hand-made bags with quality materials and expert knowledge for 20 years. The Super Pro comes from their Professional range; designed to deal with the rigours of intense everyday use, this is a pack built to last. The Digital Super Pro is an evolution of the Super Pro bag; with a padded laptop sleeve and a shoulder pouch for your smart phone, making it ideal for commuting to the office or university.

The Digital Super Pro feels like a quality bag the moment you pick it up; the hand-made detailing is clear, there is no stitch unchecked, and no material that isn't the highest standard.

The outer shell is made of Cordura, the same fabric found on motorbike skid wear (it's damn tough). The inner is made of Coverlight, a fully waterproof tarpaulin type fabric that ensures water doesn't get into your kit even in the torrential British downpours.

In terms of pockets and storage the Super Pro is well sussed. On the front there are two large pockets with Velcro flaps; one of these houses smaller pockets useful for pens and tools as well, to help keep things organised. The Digital Super Pro also boasts two extra pockets on the front, which I have found are great for stashing a U-lock in, as well as other spare bits.

Inside the bag there are additional side pockets to keep kit organised, and then there is the large padded laptop sleeve which also provides a comfortable bit of back padding when you load the bag up. Then on the shoulder there is the neat phone pouch, which safely keeps your phone close at hand.

A great special feature of the BaileyWorks bags is their 'Split Strap' design; this means you can easily switch the strap to sling over the left or right shoulder. The feature is really neat, and I have found it great switching between the two shoulders, I still haven't decided which is my favourite.

The focus on the smaller details of the Digital Super Pro is clear; there is a large reflective strip on the outer flap and another reflective panel on the base, there a clip for a rear light as well. Features like this further demonstrate that the Super Pro really is designed for everyday use on the bike in town and commuting.

The build quality of the BaileyWorks Digital Super Pro is fantastic, and it performs admirably on the bike. The bag carries your laptop, shopping, clothes and pretty much any other kit in comfort and style. It really is 'Built for Life In The Saddle'!

BaileyWorks bags are available worldwide through select distributors. The UK distributor is Urban Hunter in Brighton.

Review: Arkel Waterproof Saddle Bag

When you go touring you soon realise that quality kit is a real asset. You put your bike, your apparel and your accessories through many hours and miles of continuous service, and you need them to perform well every moment. On my 2011 France and Spain tour a better saddle bag was one thing that I found myself longing for; something with a higher capacity, and more importantly waterproofing... soggy tools are never a good idea.

I started doing a bit of research into high quality touring kit and came across Arkel; a Canadian based brand who are renowned for their products the "other side of the pond". Interested to see the quality of their kit first hand I decided that their saddle bag was a great place to start.

Whoever designed the Arkel Waterproof Saddle Bag had an incredible ability to think outside the box; this really is one of the most innovative and practical products that I have come across...

Using technology that has been around for years in waterproof bags, the Arkel saddle bag uses a small roll-top closure bag to stash your tools and belonging in, then carries it in a compressible strap-fitted outer (see large photo below).

The mini waterproof bag, much like its far larger predecessors is 100% waterproof; there is nothing that is going to get through this. In addition though, it is also incredibly practical; depending on what you store in your saddle bag, the small waterproof sack provides a versatile and convenient grab-bag. For example, if you are nipping into the shop and need to take your cash and phone with you, problem solved! It's a good size as well; for example it's big enough to fit two tubes in, a Crank Brothers M19, tyre levers, puncture repair kit and have room to spare.

The mini waterproof bag fits neatly into the protective outer casing, which mounts to the saddle and seatpost with strong Velcro straps. The outer doubles up not just as a protective holder, but also a compression device, which compacts the saddle bag down to minimise space depending on how full you have filled it; you simply tighten up the straps and reduce the bulk, neat!

The design has many other great features as well, that overcome problems often found with traditional saddlebags. Firstly, because the outer carrier remains attached to the saddle, there is less chance of wearing out straps and clips with continuous removal of the bag. Secondly, because roll top bags have no zipper, there is no risk of you overfilling the pack and then ripping the zip apart as you try to do it up in anger after a puncture episode.

It's not just the innovative, classy design that has impressed me with the Arkel pack though; the build quality is outstanding, with strong webbing straps and stitching, and great details like the reflective light loop. This is clearly a saddle bag that has been designed with many many miles of service in mind, it is really built to last.

Finding bits of cycling kit that buck the norm is always exciting, and this saddlebag is certainly one of those. The introduction to the Arkel brand has made me keen to see more of their products and eager to go touring again. There's no doubt this kit is built for practicality and miles of great cycling.

Published: Issue 3 of Spin Cycle Mag - 'Wiggo's World'

In my second article for Spin Cycle Magazine I talk about the tactics and emotions of the peloton.
The full issue can be downloaded for FREE at www.spincyclemag.com

Review: Phew Cycling Arm Warmers

Phew CC are an interesting new UK brand producing some cool and distinctive products. A few weeks ago I reviewed their Early Winter Gloves and was thoroughly impressed by the quality and value of the long finger springtime gloves.

With the weather warming up a bit I've also been putting a pair of their classy arm warmers to the test, and they've been performing well.

These arm warmers have been designed to overcome many of the faults that people often find with warmers... They are longer to overcome the problem of 'the uncomfortable gap', they are closer fitting than most arm warmers so don't slip down, and they look pretty cool too with their classy detailing.

The warmers are slightly thinner than other warmers I have tested, however, this is no bad thing; the super-Roubaix lycra's soft lining and close fitting cut mean they seem to keep you just as warm. The thinner cut also means that they are more flexible and less bulky when you want to take them off and store them in your pocket as the sun comes up whilst you are out riding.

These warmers are a great bit of kit, and they are made even better by the great price of £17.99 direct from Phew.cc. They are well made, well designed and perform admirably; a perfect bit of Spring cycling kit as the weather warms up!

Review: Santini 365 Transparent Jacket

Start road racing in the UK Springtime, you soon realise that a clear race cape is a vital piece of clothing to have in your kit bag. Spring time downpours and low temperatures are a dangerous mix, and as you need to show your team colours and the race number pinned to your jersey when you race, an opaque rain jacket is not an option.


The 365 Transparent Rain Jacket from Santini is a great race cape; comfortable, close fitting and made to a high standard. With the inclement weather that has been hitting the UK over the last few weeks I've been putting it through its paces...

The jacket is made of the breathable, wind-proof and water-resistant Windtex fabric that is often found on winter jackets. Compared to cheaper race capes that feel rather like a plastic bag, the Windtex fabric makes the 365 jacket feel like a quality and far nicer piece of kit.

The fabric performs admirably out on the road as well; when you start to put the effort in the jacket gives an impressive amount of breathability, aided very well by the mesh upper back and vent that help to circulate air around your shoulders.

The jacket is well fitted and there is a fair bit of stretch in the fabric to allow freedom of movement, without it flapping too much in the wind. It is often worth sizing up in Santini products; the jacket I have is a size large and is close fitting (I normally wear a medium).

The quality and performance of the fabric and the detailing in terms of the back vent, elasticated collar and strong zip make the 365 a great jacket. Investing in a good clear race cape is money well spent, and this one from Santini is a prime example; when you are battling the elements in the peloton this season you will be thoroughly grateful for it.

The Santini 365 Transparent Jacket is available from many online retailers in the UK, and has an RRP of £83, though you can often find it far cheaper in the sales.

Review: Café du Cycliste Yolande Long Sleeve Jersey

Café du Cycliste is a French brand based in the Côte d'Azur; their performance range comprises an extremely high quality selection of cycling apparel with a unique and classic style. The Yolande is the long sleeve jersey in the performance range; made of merino Tecnowool, it is designed to keep you in comfort through the Autumn, Winter and Spring months of riding.

The thing that strikes you about the Yolande straight away is the attention to detail; this has to be one of the most carefully thought out pieces of clothing around.

Let's start at the top... the collar has a classy button-up tab for added warmth, it has reflective detailing on the back of the neck and even a headphone clip for those that ride with music.

The shoulders of the jersey have quilted padding for extra protection and durability. The full length front zipper has a suede baffle for keeping out the chill, and this is complemented by the classic elbow patches that make the Yolande appear and feel like a jersey that will have a long life.

That's not the end of the clever design though; subtle reflective detailing on the sleeve and rear pockets increases the visibility dramatically in the low light conditions of Spring and Autumn evenings. Then the pockets themselves... the three traditional pockets have some cool modifications; one additional zippered pocket is added for valuables, then inside the central pocket there is an elasticated pump pocket. You can't beat that for design detail!

Out on the road the Yolande continues to look and feel like a classy piece of kit. Its tailored cut and soft merino fibres mean it keeps you warm and comfortable in cold conditions, yet has great temperature management properties when the weather warms up, or the going gets tough. Another distinctive feature of the jersey is the lycra integrated sleeve loop; I haven't seen this on a jersey before, but it is surprisingly effective at stopping the sleeves riding up and keeping your wrists and hands warm.

The Yolande jersey then is the epitome of quality and design detail. It has traditional styling that challenges the best, it has quality that will keep you in comfort for many seasons, and it has an attention to detail that is second to none. It is something quite different from the norm, and the Café du Cycliste brand promises a whole complement of similarly distinctive and classic products; its a range well worth checking out.

Shop the full Café du Cycliste range HERE (Link)

Race Report: Mountbatten DNF

If you live in the South of England and looked out the window yesterday evening, you'd probably think that that you would be mad to get on a bike and race. Thinking of getting on a bike and racing in that weather when you didn't feel 100% was another kind of mad... idiotic might be a better word.

Anyway that's what I did last night at Portsmouth Mountbatten Track. I rode to the ferry, not feeling great. I got on the ferry soaked. I got even more soaked cycling to the track, then I sat around in the track room wondering what I was doing and thinking that I probably shouldn't race as I didn't feel great.

But I did... and unsurprisingly felt like a bag of spanners. There was nothing there. No power. No strength. Just a high heart rate and a disturbing amount of vomit in my mouth. My legs were like blocks of lead. I haven't been feeling great for a few days; with an eye infection and a sore chest, I didn't feel particularly ill, just drained like my body was trying to fight something off.

A week or so ago at Mountbatten in the same race with more riders, I had sat comfortably in the bunch and been in the breakaway. Yesterday I was struggling to hold the wheels. After a group of five went off the front and got a lap up, and then another group of several riders went I began to lose heart. I couldn't get in the breaks. I didn't have the power. Now the top ten places and all the points were essentially taken I saw little point in continuing to hammer myself into the ground and making myself even more ill. I pulled up, got off the track, and rode to the ferry. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour. I'm taking a few days off the bike to recover from this underlying illness; hopefully to come back stronger in a week or so.

Weekend Watch: Milan-San Remo Tribute by Vittoria

Review: Bagaboo Custom Workhorse Messenger Bag

To say that my Bagaboo Messenger Bag makes me smile whenever I wear it, is probably a good place to start this review...

Bagaboo is a Hungarian brand, which can be bought direct from the manufacturer at Bagaboo.hu or from select UK distributors. It makes both fully prepared off-the-shelf bags; including messenger bags, rucksacks and shoulder bags; but more excitingly it also makes fully customizable bags which can be tailored in almost every aspect to your desired specification.

Firstly, the looks... I chose the internal tarpaulin, Cordura outer and trim to match my team colours; dark blue and yellow. I reckon it is a pretty damn good looking pack; fitting in well when I go to events, whilst also being a practical and classy colour scheme.

Second I customized a few other features; I had additional reflective strips added (see the large photo below), Airflow back padding for added comfort and I had an internal zippered pocket added for valuables.
You can take the customisation even further if you want to; with hidden pockets, preference of which side the shoulder strap is on, and you can even add a padded laptop sleeve and a U-lock holder!

The build quality of the bag is quite frankly outstanding; this pack really is a Workhorse through and through. The Cordura outer is robust and waterproof, the tarpaulin that lines the bag is the same as you find on commercial HGVs and adds a second waterproof layer, whilst also being incredibly strong.

Even without the customisations the Workhorse Messenger has plenty of class features; a zippered front pocket, pen pouches, then several large internal mesh pockets to hold large items and help to organise your kit. There is no risk of even the most organised traveller not having enough storage options.

The thing that really sets the Bagaboo Workhorse apart from its counterparts it the strap design though. The main shoulder strap is beautifully padded with thick 15mm foam. The straps are made of seatbelt material, so they are pretty indestructible and nice and wide. The Workhorse also has a secondary shoulder strap; a very welcomed feature that is superb for carrying heavier loads in comfort.

In addition to the two shoulder straps there are two side compression straps, which make the bag more comfortable when it is not fully loaded, as well as a few other neat features like a reflective patch on the base of the bag, and a light attachment.

I honestly cannot fault the Workhorse; the build quality is outstanding, the features well thought-out and incredibly customizable to the extent that I cannot imagine anyone will be left unsatisfied. This really is a bag to be used all day, every day; in comfort, style and safety.

Review: OKO Tyre Sealant and Tubes

Tyre sealant always brings an interesting debate among cyclists; some love it, some not so much. In my mind, if it helps to overcome punctures, it is a welcome addition to any tyre on a training or commuting bike, where a bit of weight addition is no bad thing. 

In addition, for mountain bikers, tubeless tyres are making a real impact. I run tubeless on my Whippet and it is such a great set-up; eliminating pinch flats, and pretty much eliminating normal punctures too. One of the keys to a good tubeless set-up is the sealant. 

OKO know a thing or two about tyre sealant; in fact they were the inventors of tyre sealant way back in 1978. In the last couple of years they have made a push into the bicycle segment and with some great new products. Most people that run sealant in their tyres have heard of Stan's or Slime; OKO has advantages over both of these that I discuss below. I've had the OKO Puncture-Free and X-treme Sealants on test on all four of my bikes over the last month, they're performing well...

OKO sealant can be applied to almost any tyre set-up; it comes in a variety of bottle sizes, these can be used to dispense sealant directly into tubeless systems. It also comes in pre-filled inner tubes for mountain bike sizes; additionally there's a patented syringe that you can purchase that screws onto the valve so you can apply the sealant to any Schrader or screw-out Presta valve tube (which is how I applied the sealant into my road bike tubes).  

Puncture-Free is designed to be an all purpose sealant; cheaper than Slime and just as effective. I've been using Puncture-Free in both the pre-filled tubes on my commuter bike and on my training road bike wheel-sets through the use of the syringe injector. To ensure that I gave it a good test I put an old worn out set of tyres on one wheelset, tyres that I would be bound to get a puncture with. I didn't. Enough said.

The X-treme Sealant is designed for cross-country and downhill mountain biking; applied to tubed set-ups it is designed to be especially resilient to snake-bite slit punctures, which is an impressive claim for a sealant. I must admit that I haven't tested this context of the sealant as my mountain bike runs a tubeless system. However, in the tubeless system it is highly effective (no punctures at all despite running over glass and many many thorns). 

The X-treme Sealant (along with Puncture-Free) have the great virtue that unlike latex based sealants (such as Stan's), they are not latex based but rather water soluble. The result is that firstly they are a lot cleaner and easier to wash out of a tyre, they also don't damage your rims. More importantly in my mind though, they don't dry out! That means no more latex balls inside your tubeless system; the sealant really is a fit-and-forget solution. Admittedly after a month of testing I cannot fully confirm this non-solidifying quality, but certainly this sealant is a lot more pleasant to handle than latex ones, and it is clear that it is a water-soluble solution.

People may complain that sealant adds weight, and affects the feel of the bike; that may be the case in some scenarios, but on a training bike, commuting bike or even a race bike sealant has many virtues. A puncture can ruin a ride, a commute, and can certainly ruin a race; the OKO sealant works effectively at eliminating punctures in all the formats that I have used it throughout the test period. You can't ask for much better than that.

OKO sealant is available from select distributors, which can be found at OKO.com

Review: Torm Cycling B1 Base Layer and Arm Warmers

Torm Cycling is a small Kent based company that produces some very high quality garments using SmartWool technology. Their products adopt a classic look and style, much like (dare I say it) Rapha; yet Torm Cycling has retained the much needed focus on making their products affordable, as well as comfortable and high-performing. As a result their range stands out as a great value, British-made offering, with some stunning pieces of apparel for all seasons.

With Spring upon us, a good base layer and a set of arm-warmers are two vital pieces of kit to add to your arsenal. They will provide you with comfort, warmth and adaptability to the changing seasons and temperatures. Over the last month I have been testing out the B1 Base Layer and Arm Warmers from Torm Cycling, and have been incredibly pleased with the products.

The B1 Base Layer
The B1 Base Layer uses Torm's signature SmartWool technology; a 60:40 mix of merino wool and polyester. The material is designed to offer warmth, whilst also providing great wicking capabilities for moisture management.

The first thing I noticed slipping the B1 out of its packaging was the attention to detail in the design; the contrasting classic colours and strong looking stitching and embroidered logo give a real sense of quality, especially for a base layer that costs less that £30.

Slipping it on, the feeling of quality continues; the thickness is ideal for Autumn/Spring cycling, and the SmartWool material feels soft and subtle to the touch. The cut is anatomical, with a drop rear hem, and a comfortable amount of cling. You could already feel that this product was going to perform well and keep you warm.

Out on the road, the good impressions continued. The B1 was warm, soft, and largely unnoticeable due its flat-locked seams and tailored cut. The thing that you did notice was the ability that the layer had at keeping you feeling dry and temperate in even the most challenging circumstances; sprint to the top of that hill and be in no fear of freezing sweat chilling your body on the descent the other side. The SmartWool fabric then seems to hold many of the qualities of merino wool, but with a reduced price tag.

The value, looks, feel and quality of this product really set it apart from any comparable competition in the base layer market at this time of year.

Torm Arm Warmers
Arm warmers are such a versatile piece of kit; roll them down when you get too hot, roll them up for the descents  slip them on for the cold morning commute, stuff them in your bag for the warm afternoon ride home. I've got quite a few pairs now in my cupboard, and they all get plenty of use.

These classically styled Roubaix lycra warmers from Torm are some of the best that I've tried. They come in two sizes and the Size 1 (S/M) that I have fit me perfectly (I'm normally a medium in most garments); they grip well and are soft to the touch.

Merino arm warmers are good for wearing under jackets for extra warmth, but the choice of Roubaix lycra for these warmers is a wise one I think; it provides better wind cheating capabilities and is slightly water resistant as well. The quality of Torm products is found here too; the seams look strong and the colours haven't faded in the wash. Overall, another great piece of classic kit that will be ideal for the Spring weather that is hopefully here to stay.

Take a look at Torm's jerseys as well if you want some more classic styling and strong performing apparel.
The Torm range is available direct from Torm.cc.

Review: Solo Cycle Clothing

Solo is a New Zealand based brand, available in the UK direct from Solocc.com or from select retailers. Their range of high quality jerseys, shorts, jackets and accessories is beautifully designed and made; over the last month I've been testing out a few of their products in the UK "Spring" weather, and have been very taken with the designs and quality.

The Solo Retro-Tech Winter Jersey

The Winter Jersey from Solo is designed to be a versatile, warm and luxurious top. It certainly fits those criteria well; made of a close fitting, fleece backed thermal fabric it is beautifully warm, and has been my top of choice on many occasions this spring.

The jersey's 'Retro' label alludes to the subtle classy touches on the jersey; the striped track-top style collar and cuffs, and the red zip baffle. The close fitting silhouette is perfectly tailored to a cyclist's physique, and the stretchy fabric means it is comfortable even when pushing it hard.

The design details are what set the Solo kit apart from others; one of the features that I really like about the Winter Jersey is the pockets. There are three deep rear pockets, made of a strong reinforced material; this is a great feature, winter rides are when you stuff your pockets full of food, tools, a rain cape and spares, and it's great to have the confidence that the jersey will hold it all securely. There are two zippered pockets as well; one waterproof one on the back and one discrete fabric one on the side of the jersey; the waterproof pocket is pure genius, perfect for keeping your valuables dry in an unexpected spring shower. I have found the small zippered side pocket surprisingly useful as well; great for putting light but valuable objects in, with the assurance that they are safe.

The Winter Jersey is a great bit of kit then; built to last and designed with functionality and style in abundance. It will keep you warm and comfortable on your spring rides for certain, and will carry all your riding essentials securely for those sunny, if slightly chilly miles that compose our spring time climate. 

The Solo Retro Cap
Cycling caps are such a simple item of cycling clothing, but when the manufacturer gets them right there is something very pleasing about it; so much so that many of us will just have one turn-to cap that tops all others even when it is old and worn.

The Retro Cap from Solo is definitely a great cap; it fits perfectly, it has the right sized peak, it hasn't shrunk after washing it (it is best to hand wash your caps in warm water to avoid damaging the peak). It also matches my team kit!

That's pretty much all the boxes ticked that I can think of!

The cap comes in four great classic colour schemes, so hopefully you too can find one that fits your team kit.







The Solo Winter Beanie
Early mornings out on the bike are still cold, and wearing a fleecy beanie under your helmet is a sure-fire way to conserve vital body heat and stay comfortable. The Solo Winter Beanie is a great cap for this purpose.

The fleece backed thermal fabric is lightweight enough that it fits under a helmet comfortably, yet is very effective at keeping you warm. Unlike a skull cap the beanie has the traditional fold-back design; the result is that the front area covering your forehead is effectively double-cuffed and so has added warmth and protection from the wind. In my opinion this is what really sets this cap apart from similar skull caps.

The Beanie is beautifully made, highly breathable and when it does get a bit moist, it is machine washable. It's a great accessory for the winter and spring, and well worth investing in to keep your head warm.



Solo Luxury Socks
A good pair of cycling socks is much like a good cycling cap; hard to find, but once you do, you sure know it.

Pull on these socks from Solo and I'm pretty certain you will know you've found a good'un. They are indeed luxuriously thick, soft and well made; with a ribbed ankle cuff, a breathable mesh upper and reinforced toes and heel; they are built to last, and keep you in comfort throughout their long life.

The socks come in a twin pack with a black pair and a white pair; so you don't have to worry about wearing white socks out in the rain and finding that they are grey when you return. At £21 the pack presents fantastic value in my opinion; you can be sure that these socks will carry on going strong all season long.

Solo Merino Wool Baselayers

Merino base layers are quite likely my favourite piece of cycling kit; they are warm when you want them to be, cool when you start to heat up, and if they are a good quality one they will last for a long long time. 

Solo's merino wool baselayers are definitely a class act; they come in both a sleeveless and short sleeved version, and are made to the highest level. Perhaps it's no surprise that the New Zealanders have selected the best quality merino for these vests; after all it is on the New Zealand hills that many of the world's merino rams graze. One thing is for sure, these are the best quality merino that you'll find; they are soft, strong and subtle. A good test of the quality of merino is how well it washes; the Solo merino hasn't thinned, bobbled or shrunk with many 30'C machine washes.

Get some merino base layers this spring and you'll be thanking yourself throughout the year. There is nothing else quite like them. 

All of the Solo CC kit that I have reviewed shows some fundamental qualities; these products are designed by cyclists, for cyclists; the result is luxurious, robust and beautifully tailored kit, well worth investing in.

Solo Cycle Clothing is available in the UK through Wiggle Bike Shop (Link)

Review: BikeParka Bicycle Cover

A bike cover is a useful piece of kit for commuters and tourers; keeping your bike dry and clean will avoid component damage, keep your saddle dry and hide your bike away from prying eyes.

On my touring trip to France and Spain a bike cover would have been a useful addition to my pannier bags. Although we were lucky with avoiding rain showers for the majority of the trip, early morning mountain dew and even the slightest bit of rain during the night soon ingresses into components and encourages rust and damage.

This lightweight bike cover from BikeParka is an ideal solution. It comes in a neat stuff sack that has Velcro straps so you can secure it to the frame for easy transportation. Fitting it over the bike is simple and quick; with an elasticated bottom and a drawstring on the top ensuring a secure fit.

The model I have been testing is the Urban model; which has a neat Velcro opening near the bottom bracket, allowing you to put a lock through the bike cover; a great idea for commuters that need to lock their bike up to a rack or post.

The BikeParka comes in a wide range of colours; I opted for the discrete black, as a means of hiding my bike when I wild-camp on touring trips, but you can also get pink, blue and grey options - something for everyone!

If you are looking to protect your bike from the elements whilst you are camping, at work or just nipping to the shops the BikeParka is a neat bit of kit then. Keep your precious machine safe and dry; it will thank you for it.

Available from Wiggle Bike Shop (Link)

Review: Weldtite TF2 Lithium Grease and PURE Grease

How much can you say about grease? If it works it stays put in your bearings, it continues to lubricate moving parts even when blasted with water and grit, and it keeps water out of vital components to ensure that your machine carries on running smoothly.

I've had these two grease products on review from Weldtite: The TF2 Lithium Grease and the PURE Grease. Both seem to be very effective and tick all the categories listed above.

The Pure Grease is made from sustainable ingredients from natural and renewable sources - Eco-friendly! Cyclists of all people should know the importance of protecting the environment that we ride in, so making that little effort with the maintenance products you buy is a good step.

Putting them to use... I've serviced various parts in my winter training bike with both these greases over the last month, and I've been very satisfied with how they've performed. The PURE Grease is a bit more liquid, ideal for smearing on threads and to use as a water displacer. The TF2 Lithium Grease is a thicker and more synthetic product; making it ideal for bearings and high speed parts, where you demand a grease that will stay put even with high temperatures and a lot of motion. Both products are great value as well, coming in around £6 for a 100 gram tub. 

Not a lot more to say about these really... They work well... Give them a try!

Review: CherryActive, BlueberryActive & BeetActive Juices

CherryActive is a UK based brand, which started in 2005 to provide both sports people and the general public with the natural benefits of cherry juice. The anti-oxidant properties, melatonin content and anthocyanins found in cherries have been shown to benefit recovery for sports people; as well as being beneficial for joint care, sleep and protection from 'free radicals' which may contribute to cancer and heart disease.

The product comes in a concentrated juice, that can be added to water, yoghurt or smoothies. It provides a convenient and tasty way to get some natural goodness.

In the last year the company has grown their range to include BlueberryActive and BeetActive, two juices that are also renowned for their anti-oxidant properties and beneficial effects for athletes. I've sampled each of the three concentrates and they are a convenient and pretty yummy way to get your antioxidants.


The Benefits:
These are just a few of the natural benefits of these juice concentrates:

• Recovery: The products are said to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation.
• Free Radicals: The added anti-oxidant intake helps to reduce damage from "oxidative stress" (free radical damage)
• Melatonin: this naturally occurring ingredient is shown to improve sleep quality (a key component of recovery)
• Anthocyanins: these reduce inflammation in joints and help to keep uric acid levels at a healthy level
• Betalains and Nitrates: these two ingredients found in Beetroot juice have been shown in a study at the University of Exeter to improve cycling performance and power output. 
• Quercetin: this is found in abundance in Blueberries and is proven to help boost your immune system dramatically

The Products:

The concentrates are all easy to drink when diluted in 500ml of water, and the Cherry and Blueberry concentrates are very nice mixed in natural yoghurt as a recovery snack. 

All the concentrates keep well when put in the fridge, and provide a very convenient way to have one of your five-a-day, with particular added benefits.

In terms of effectiveness, it can be hard for an individual to determine the efficacy of such a product when there are so many other variables to control for in training and health. However, the benefits of these juices has been scientifically proven multiple times in laboratory conditions, and you will frequently find them in the kitchens of pro-team chefs, as well as in the kit bags of many GB professional athletes that are supported by the CherryActive brand. For me the products are tasty and I have certainly seemed to have a reduced level of inflammation since I started using them.

For those with an active lifestyle, the CherryActive range is a tasty and natural way to boost your diet.  

Review: Colomba Italian Tricolor Jersey

Colomba is a small UK firm producing a select range of Sportwool products; a clever blend of 52% merino wool coupled with polyester fabrics to increase durability.

The short sleeved Italian Tricolor jersey is a beautifully made, heavy weight, short sleeve jersey; ideal to be coupled with arm warmers and a base layer for spring time riding.

The Tricolor jersey has a classic quality about it; the embroidered logo, heavy stitching and relatively relaxed cut make it look and feel like a jersey from a by-gone age. Yet its Sportwool construction gives you great comfort and climate control.

There are three deep rear pockets, and one smaller zipped pocket, with a classy hooped zip. These little touches make it something a bit different from the norm. The jersey really does have a retro feel to it, almost like you are back in the 1950s with Fausto Coppi riding alongside you; it's certainly a different class to the thin lycra jerseys that are found in the peloton today.

The Colomba Tricolor jersey is quite unique then, a classic jersey with a truly traditional look and feel.

 

Ride Stats: March 2013

Pretty happy with the numbers for March, worth explaining a few things:

• The number of hours is lower than January and February as I have now started to move away from base mile training, towards shorter more specific sessions working on power and hill climbing.
• This also means that the number of miles is lower than January or February
• Because I'm back on the Isle of Wight I've also been doing several off-road rides a week, which are lower mileage and have a lower average speed. This brings the average speed down compared to previous months when I have been using the mountain bike less.
• The thing that has made March a satisfying month more than these stats however, is the race results which can be seen in the tab at the top of the blog. I've got 31 points on my BC licence in the three races that I have done so far this year. This secures my second category licence and bodes well for a good summer of racing. Looking forward to it.