A new challenge has been set

I almost called this blog.. On the raod to Sweden.. but thought the big bike theme might be easier to find.

Followers of this blog will know that I rode the Halvvattern with a team from transitions this summer.
This 150km ride is the little sister of the Vatternrundan, a 300km ride around lake Vattern in Motala, Sewden.
This year an optical team lead by Transitions will ride the Vatternrundan. The Optician team has also been looking for a new challnge is 2011 and it has been decided that the vatternrundan will be that challenge.
Over the coming weeks and months this blog will chart the training of the two teams On the road to Sweden.

Wow it's cold out there

Winter has arrived with a bang.
The first job of the week was hunting down a bale of straw after seeing the weather forecast and panicking. I hadn't given the weather much thought so ended up having to buy one from the local kid's farm.
The damage was £7 for a single bale, unbelieveable, but supply and demand and all that. I also didn't want to lose my banana trees and tree fern to a nasty frost which we duly had.....
which brings me on to the cycle into work for the last few days.
It's amazing how quickly you forget what feeling cold means. Monday was cold, Wednesday was freezing and Thursday aching fingers and toes time. It could be worse of course. Tuesday I had to go up to London on the train for a frame launch. The train was over half an hour late...I know which mode of transport I prefer.

Vatternrundan is beginning to shape up

Just a few weeks ago the idea of competing in any kind of event for 2011 seemed little more than a 50-50 chance. After the Monaco half Ironman in 2007, the UK half IM in 2008, The full IM in 2009 and the Alpe d'Huez triathlon in 2010 these old bones ( especially my left knee) were aching.
A few emails and a meal with the team later and it's all systems go.
Next year the plan is for an Optician team to ride the Vatternrundan in Sweden. The 300km ride around lake Vattern is known to some after the coverage of this summer's halvvattern (150km) in the Magazine and on the website.
The Vatternrundan is the big brother of the 'Halv' and at 300km is not to be sneezed at.
The big question now is how fast will we ride it?
Last year I tagged onto a Bianchi team very much like the one above. This stands out as one of the cycling highlights of my life. For the best part of a hour I felt like an elite cyclist, cruising past an amateur field of riders at an impressive pace. My average speed leapt from around 15mph to close on 30mph -- for a few exhillarating miles at least. I didn't take my turn on the front but I kept out of their way on changes and made sure I thanked the chaps afterwards.
So far for 2011 Fiona, Lyndon and Nigel have thrown their hats into the ring. Will anyone else join us?

Swede charity

There is a bit of momentum gathering for the 2011 Optician challenge. After an Ironman and the Alpe d'Huez tri where do you go?
Sweden of course for the 300km Vatternrundan. This is arguably the biggest participation cycling event in the world and will see lots of people cycle 300km around lake Vattern in Motala. The team is being built as we speak so any opticians out there with a bike and a leather undercarriage put your hands up for consideration.