Fiona goes over to the dark side

First entrant to the photo competition. Fiona writes: Not the best photo! The sun was shining and hence the mud was minimal..u can see how dry and sandy terrain was and the clear view of the south downs in the background. The best bit was tha I could 'parade' my personalised dark Oakley J bones. Much to the envy of my friends.

And the dark side? Is it the lighting, the kit......or is that a mountain bike I see.

Photograph that kit

As the weather gets colder I find myself discovering more and more old bits of Optician Ironman Team and Transitions Swedish Bike Ride team kit.


Along with the commute my kit also gets an outing most weekends. This Sunday son #2 and I took a spin up to the top of Box Hill, nice and early, so we could return to a fry up and the Rugby. The pictures don't really do it justice but you get the basic idea of a sea of mist in the valley with islands of land poking out. Plus the Transitions kit.



As a diversion during the winter interregnum I thought we could have a little SBR kit photographic competition. Where are some of the most extreme, exotic or beautiful, muddy, wet places your kit has been? Send in a photo and I'll put them on the blog.



Winners can claim a slot in the yet-to-be-announced Optician two minute questionnaire inside back page feature.

The chain gang part II

I have come to see chain problems as a bad omen. Shortly after my beloved yellow steel Pearson bike snapped a chain the whole frame gave up the ghost. Last night my blue aluminium Pearson developed chain problems, just a frozen link to start with, but I managed escalate the problem to include not only a chain that was too short but a broken chain tool as well.
There was lots of oil and angst around last night in the Bennett household. I will re-size the chain, or replace it, and hope for the best.

Closed season is upon us

Happy days running in the sun

I was hoping to show off some gruesome pictures of my post operative knee (I had an arthroscopy in early August) but there was very little to see really, just a bit swollen. When the dressing finally came off you could barely see the incisions. Then it was holiday time and now the knee is pretty much back to normal. I'll have to see what the physio says later today.
I am trying my very best not to do too much too soon ( the main problem with this procedure apparently) but with a couple of turbo session under my belt and three good rides and nothing to report, fingers crossed, I think I may be OK. Running and swimming can wait a little longer.

Thoughts can now turn to next year's event and how it might be organised. I have already been contacted by ex members of the original Optician Ironman Team but linking in with a wider industry group proved very successful this year so may be the way to go again in 2012.
The big question of course is the challenge. Flat, hilly, mountainous, a bike ride , triathlon or what???

In the meantime I can rest my knee, I don't think so. The Crawley late summer triathlon is already on the horizon.

Any thoughts for events, team membership or anything else, on an ( electronic) poscard please.

Paris or bust

A great day was had by all in Paris at the weekend. The grandstand view was magnificent although as Sue pointed out the general public did make the place look a little untidy.



We then moved on to our 'Champs' seating to be closer to the action. Great views but there were some annoying
tourists taking pictures of everything.

The guy is yellow passed us a few times, he's pretty good, he should take it up seriously.



Perhaps I'll ask Luca to invite him to the next SBR run.


After the racing the real fun started when we got to rub shoulders with the teams and see the bikes close up.
Back stage the guys were letting off some steam and talking to the fans. Pretty cool given they had just spent 3 weeks riding 2,100 miles. A few of us tested the weight of Thor's bike. The mechanic said Thor touched 123kph coming down an alp. As Lance might say ' Awesome dude'.

A tough tour

If you thought it was bad riding in the Tour; forcing your very soul to the edge of exhaustion and then being knocked off your bike and thrown into a barbed wire fence, run over by a media car and scraped along the tarmac --then think again.
That is but nothing compared to what is happening to my fantasy Tour de France team! I am trailing miserably, my riders are retiring, I replace them and they break their leg and have to retire too. My team lead the race along for 100s of KM and then fade to the back of the bunch.

Let's hope now the Tour has reached the mountains my riders come into their own.

Tailwind into work

Had an absolutely storming ride into work today. When I looked down it read a touch over 40 minutes on my cycle computer, a good five minutes faster than normal.


I had spoken to Fee about her impending trip to the Alpe d'Huez triathlon so was feeling a bit left out of competition so perhaps I was subconsciously put a bit more in? I was convinced it had to be my legs getting race conditioned for a main event (which sadly does not exist this year).
Later I realsied it was a fierce tailwind which I will have to ride into on the way home so by the end of the day I may be glad I don't have to swim in an icy lake, cycle up three mountains then run a half marathon at altitude --good luck Fee!!

Before they were famous

Just in case anyone starts getting big headed on the back of this week's report in Optician....I happened across
some old photos during our office move.

First international man of mystery Mr Newth at the Cafe Royale with Marylin...










But best of all the Godfather with his entourage of lovelies.........

Fee's Vatternrundan race report

300Km ….. what? In a day?


Apprehensive but excited at 2am as we cycled passed the beautiful freezing cold lake, personally I was thankful it wasn’t a triathlon and hence relieved at not donning the wetsuit and jumping in!!

The carnival type atmosphere accompanied with music, cycle lights and reflectors created a unique start to any race. Paul appeared particularly nervous as not all the team had made to the start yet (10mins to go!) … he was a Greyhound waiting to be released from its trap! I wasn’t nervous as initially I was just hoping to complete the ride in one piece. We all started together with smiles and best wishes all round.

Very quickly Chris, Paul and I formed a group , we were joined by an elderly gentleman and his son and then suddenly we thumped along at tremendous speeds (considering how far we had to go!). Chris said ‘ I think we could be going too fast’ ? the road was smooth flat and more importantly ‘pot hole free’ and I said ‘this is amazing’ but also thought…….here we go!

Before we knew it Chris and I were having meat balls and mash with ‘ketch up’ and errr ‘cranberry sauce’ (?) at the breakfast stop. After downing a pint of milk we decided not to wait in the toilet Queue and pop into a bush later in the ride. We’d made great progress and I saw a look through Chris’s Transitions eyewear and soon we were back in the saddle.

We spotted an SBR Transitions jersey and some red tyres on a felt bike, it was Paul again, he was going to take the next stop for more water. Chris and I pressed on to the 150km point where the running clock recorded 5hours 2mins (inc approx 20min?stop) and I knew from that point forward we were on a mission!

We didn’t stop again until Kronenburg ( Karlsborg I think -Ed) where I wasn’t keen to stop but it was wise for water replenishment! There only appeared to be cinnamon buns and coffee that you could stand a spoon in. stupidly I donated mine to Chris whom had already downed one coffee. After a quick pee we were back on the road, Chris was possessed by caffeine??!! ….Chasing down Tandems and almost Fartlek type training whilst I maintained a steady speed taking a look and reflecting on Lake Vattern’s breath-taking scenery after having stiffened slightly post rest stop.

The last 100km was on the cards and I stupidly said ‘Its just a Saturday morning ride to go now….as we were about to find out though ……..this was the unknown section (we had not even ridden 200km before let alone another 100km!) We joined Pelotons’ and created our own. We saw frightening sights: Wheel to wheel collisions’ , people sleeping next to the bikes by the roadside but I thought it was an hallucination
……..300km in a day ….err actually 10hrs 10mins…who’d have thought it!

when I saw the priest on the side of the road and I was told by my new Peloton buddy that he was praying for us !!
In turn Chris and I appeared to feel the effect of only 4-5hours sleep in two days plus the 250km already covered. My back and shoulders ached, my knee had swollen and my arms and hands were numb with pins and needles…. I took an anti-inflam and caffeine gel which kicked my mind back into focus. I thought cramp may loom soon and I copied another rider whom ate an electrolyte tab neat. The way forward now was to stay with the group or I feared the ride (err Race??) would be over. The Transition SBR riders in question (chris and I ) and to our amazement still took the front of the peloton, although Chris spoke to me a couple of times, I saw his lips move but bizarrely I didn’t know what he was saying. A few Km left to go and in knew that staying in the group was survival. At times we still travelled +/- 24mph, I wasn’t sure where Chris was, in front or behind? I passed a Pink Brompton (one of those city fold up bikes with small wheels) and wondered if I was hallucinating again!

I could hear crowds, cheering, unclipping of cleats and beeps as timing chips registered over the mat , we’d finished!! (well I had …Chris came in 10minutes later) as he fell off the pack trying to unwrap his energy bar!
………it just shows you the difference of staying with the pack and riding alone. I asked him if he wanted me to open all his energy bars before the beginning of the next race ;-)

Keep your eyes on the road

Suffered a salutory lesson this morning on the ride into work.

While waiting at some traffic lights I noticed a women in a Range Rover engrossed in her texting. The lights changed and the van in front of me pulled away, I pulled away and looked across to see if she had noticed the lights change -- she hadn't. Ha ha, I thought typical 4x4 driver on the phone.
I looked round just in time (not) to notice that the van in fron of me had slammed its brakes on so I slammed into the back of it, chin first.
The impact was hard enough to bend my brakes and handlebars and lock the brakes but not loud enough, apparently, for the van driver to notice and he sped off while I nursed my sore chin and got my bike back in working order. Thanks Interior Design. The rest of the cars manoeuvered around me but a girl crossing the road took the time to ask me if I was OK.

Self inflicted that one, but I think I have to take responsibility for it. No major damage obvious but my jaw is a bit on the sore side.
Today's lesson - don't be a smug git, just watch the road.

Swede sucess

The bikes are packed, flights taken and embrocation thoroughly rubbed in. The Vatternrundan has been completed by the Transitions Swedish Bike Ride team and everyone finished safe and sound.
Over 22,000 people attempted the 300Km epic but many hundreds didn't complete. The SBR team was not among them.
Among the finishers are Darren,Sue and Luca pictured above. Despite their cheery expressions this is at the end of their race. Although they didn't register the best time they are the core of the team completing the whole 300km together. There were other team members finishing before and after with times ranging from 10hrs 10 to more than 16 hours but the race was not about times. It was about endurance, comradeship and enjoying the beautiful Swedish countryside.
There were a few thrills and spills along the way. Most of the team avoided crashing although Darren and Luca did get tangled up in one incident.
Despite torrential rain the day before, and after, the ride day was fine and not too hot making for perfect conditions.
The team is still collecting for Vision Aid Overseas so click on to the just giving link to make a donation
A great day was had by all.

Four Yorkshiremen with tired legs

Here's Luca looking like he is emerging from the sea. In fact he's just cycled coast to coast and is posing at Robin Hood's Bay.

Luca wrote:
Hi all, just unpacking my MTB and re-packing the road bike today. Not been out since the MK run in the rain...but it was good prep. I got rained on everyday while doing the C2C...not much fun scrambling up Black Sail Pass with a bike on my shoulders in howling wind and hail in the cloud. Fun going down to though :) ...and Walna Scar and Garburn Pass...etc etc.
This is his arrival either before or after (not sure) a pint and Fish'n'Chips.
The SBR team is all getting a bit 'Four Yorkshiremen' at the moment with emails pinging around all trying to outdo each other with tales of efforts and injury. I think Luca has the best excuse for tiredness.
As for me......... well I'm off to see the physio about my knee MRI this afternoon.

Remember that's 300kms

The SBR team has had its first casualty. Pavel, recently elevated to the illustrious heights of Transitions senior management, has had to withdraw. In a sad note to the team Pavel said:
Dear courageous SBR team,
I hope that you are all in great shapes for the Big Day … at least following the email correspondence, it looked like everybody is in a tough preparation J …
Unfortunately, after healthy evaluation of my both legs and number of hours spent in saddle this year (0), I have to withdraw from the challenge … 300K is 300 K, no way to cheat. I hope that when the things calm down a bit in my new job here in Germany, I’ll join for an other ride (or race).
In any case, I wish you all great fun, great ride, great times (for the competitive once J) … and soareless morning after.

Enjoy !!

All my regards from Germany …

Perhaps I chose the right time to trade up?

Over the long weekend I ventured out with son#2 for a Monday morning ride to keep the legs turning ahead of Sweden. I was one my swanky new bike and he was on my old best bike. On the final climb home he complained that the back wheel had skipped out and sure enough when we got home the wheel was lodged in the back brakes thanks to a distinct bend. I had a bit of a tinker and trued it up a bit but concluded it was one for the bike shop.
The mechanic down at Pearsons confirmed that ( although I had done a good job of straightening it out) the wheel was going to be tricky to handle as the spoke nipples were seized. This meant when they were tightened they could ping back and slacken off again. Not something you would want happening on a 300km ride.
And the moral of today's story is: If there is anything you have concerns about on your bike perhaps it's best to start thinking about it now!!

Damn you John Ketley

Having ignored the weathermen for so long (due to their inability to predict the weather) I made the decision to cycle to work yesterday. Coming in was great, the 'old' bike is now my Pearson Aluminium Audax which, until recently, had been my good bike, so I am flying.

The strong westerly helped but by yesterday afternoon it was like a monsoon and I got a right soaking. The funniest part was getting back into my home village where the road is being repaired. In preparation for the new surface the workmen had gaffer taped up all of the drains which had turned the road into a swimming pool. great fun, if a little wet
My shoes were still wet this morning so they are on the radiator drying.


I had a real shock this morning when I got the bike out of the shed and looked at the chain.
. It's a good reminder that not a lot of water can play havoc with your bike to get that machine oiled before Sweden.

All fingers and thumbs

I'm back on the old bike today after Monday's epic ride on the swanky new Pearson Palace. Changing back to campag gears from the Palace's SRAM set up is really weird, there's nothing for my thumbs to do. I also moved my seat forward without moving it up so I feel like I'm riding a kid's bike. Ah well it's all good miles.

The flat earth society

It seemed like such a good idea.
Find a bit of the UK that's nice and flat, like Sweden, and do a nice long training ride in readiness for the Vatternrundan in June. The prospect of riding on a nice flat route was appealing after the undulations of the London to Brighton --how wrong we were.
Sue, Paul, Luca, Matt were chatting to a Swedish photographer from the Vatt's PR office when I pulled into the car park of the Holiday Inn, Newport Pagnell. The journey up to Junct 14 of the M1 had been a roadwork nightmare, but with the sun shining and the ground dry a good day on the bike seemed preordained.


It wasn't until I got out of the car that I realised how the wind can whistle across the flat expanses of Beds and Herts. As I changed into my final bits of cycling kit I had to keep an eye on the bike which looked as though it could be dislodged from its position by the wind at any moment. I took comfort that this was because my new carbon fibre machine was so light -- a transparent dillusion.
Undetermined after a photocall and a chat we were off.
The 90 mile route took in the collection of beautiful little villages nestled between the fields in the area bounded by Bedford and Northampton. The route zigzagged its way through the countryside out towards East Anglia. Never spending too much time in any one direction saved us from the worse of the wind and despite a dead-end detour, up a shockingly poor road to what looked a disused RAF base, all went well. I had my suspicions that this was a ruse by Matt to seek out some old WWII aircraft stationed there.
The detour added 5 miles to the route but more significantly gave a us a taste of what riding into the teeth of the wind was like. Clearly we had been assisted by nature to this point in the route, a sitiuation that would shortly change as we headed back home.
By the lunchstop (it was 3 O'clock) next to the water at Harold a more serious tone on the remaining third of the mileage was being taken. (NB Let's get organised for Sweden.)
Food was devoured, water bottles were filled and potions mixed.
As the route went on we made some feeble attempts at riding as a group. This was both good practice but also a practical attempt to to shield Sue from the wind which was getting stronger by the minute. At times this group approach seemed to work well and gave us an idea of the discipline that will be needed if we adopt this strategy for Sweden. At lunch we chatted about possible plans for the Vatt and agreed in principle, if not detail, the need for a bit of organisation.
Back on the road; by 5.00ish it was all going a bit Pete Tong. The wind was up, we were on the biggest, businest roads of the day, during rush hour, and it had started to rain.
I was particularly distressed as this was the first time my nice new bike had got wet, something I had been trying to avoid. Having said that it was necessary experience and I was very happy with the bike. The daftest comment of the day came from Paul who remarked on the onset of rain. 'It won't make any difference':It did.
I was not happy with the weather. I very quickly got cold and my hands rapidly fell into a white-knuckled torpor that only the car heater could wake them from.
However, the worsening condition actually seemed to gee the group on and the speed appeared to rise as the desire to a: get out of the rain and wind, and b: get back to the warmth of our cars, set in.
Barely had the rain permeated every last inch of our freezing bodies than we were back in the car park of Newport Pagnell's finest low-cost corporate dormitory.
In all 95 miles covered in a moving time of six and half hours. Not the best stats but frankly, on a day like that, who cares.
What it did test was everyone's mettle to stay in the saddle for a full day in some pretty poor conditions.
(Thought for the day)
It also reminded us that as a group we can perform better than we can as a group of individuals, but we will have to get orgainsed if we want to see those benefits.

California dreamin'

I love cycling but even I have to admit that, at times, it's not the greatest spectator sport in the world. The recent tour of California has provided a little diversion and a bit of diversity. I was really looking forward to the mountain stages at the start but unfortunately the weather put paid to that. Too much snow.
Sadly much of the first stage was a pan-flat, dead straight run into Sacremento. The great thing about the Americans is their love of kit so I found myself looking at the bikes, bike mounted cameras and of course the eyewear.
As ever, especially in the US, Oakley was out in force. According to some cycling websites Oakley was at lake Tahoe showing off new colours and looking after the teams.There was certainly a Sky black and blue which, while not idential to the team's, it good enough for fans.


Bike Radar also reported that Oakley was launching a new 'Echelon' collection. On its website it said the "Echelon was aimed at road riders, with purpose-built lens tints, including a Ruby Iridium-coated VR50 photochromic option for heightened contrast of typical road features and better usability in varying conditions. "On the road, this is a good lens on days that may start early with zero light or rain that may have changing conditions throughout the day," Blick told BikeRadar.



"The riders are claiming to have better vision under the lower light conditions as if you're in a clear lens. For a guy like Swifty who won in them today, they worked in both sun and rain. It's a lens a rider can depend on to get the job done with the signature Oakley Iridium 'pop', and the rider can leave the eyewear on his face without taking it on and off under changing light conditions."

Transitions would be proud. It looks a bit like the up and coming FastJacket.
PS thanks Bike Radar.

Big hearted Optician magazine kicks off fundraising

Optician has thrown £100 into the Vision Aid Overseas fund to start off the Swedish Bike Ride team's fundraising efforts.

Down to the coast before breakfast

With the 300kms of the Vatternrundan looming I thought it would be a good idea to give the bike a run out first.
So I set the alarm for 6.00am on Sunday to be up an out at first light. It was already light at 6.00am so a bowl of porridge later,a banana and some flapjack packed into my pockets off I went.
I had decided I would head for Worthing straight down the A24 nice and early before the traffic got too busy and then come back across the downs. I was surprisingly chilly and I was pleased to have worn my overshoes, armwarmers and the nice yellow Transitions gilet. This approach might be worth thinking about for Sweden given the start is at 2.00am.
I took it fairly easy, although I have to admit draughting a TT comeptitor near Horsham and a couple of men in lycra towards littlehampton. They passed me as I was going up hill so decided to stay with them, they then immediately stopped for a rest.

I headed for Worthing town centre and sat on a bench overlooking the sea while I age a peanut butter sandwich. Very pleasant it was too just watching the world go by. This what you look like when you try and take your own picture while eating a peanut beutter sandwich.


As I sat down I had 2hr and 7mins on the Garmin which I had strapped to my handlebars, it works really well as a speedo cum heartrate monitor.


I had looked at the map and decided to head east along the coast and then head north across the downs toward Steyning. This road proved a real treat. It was steep to start with but came out on top of the downs with fabulous sea views to the south and beautiful countryside to the north. The descent was pretty hairy but a little wiggle across the A281 meant more quiet country roads until the A24 at the junction with the A272.
Back on the A24 life wasn't so nice. The traffic had got a bit heavier and FAST, very fast. By the time I got back to Surrey hills I could feel the miles in my legs but I felt good (apart from a slight pain in the neck) and the bike felt good too, the Palace has passed the test so I won't be going back for a refit.
Once back home I plugged in the Garmin to look at the stats to see what I had done.


I was pretty pleased with the speed of the return leg given the headwind and the slightly longer distance.
A lot more climbing than Sweden but still, at 80 miles, a lot shorter!

Bennett increases carbon footprint

Here is the new mean machine, I managed to remember to take a quick picture before leaving for work. After weeks of hoping for rain ( for the garden) I am now hoping it doesn't rain as I wouldn't want my nice new bike to get all wet.
The next job is to start the fundraising effort so I have put a piece in Optician to gee my readers up.

I used the picture from the foot of Ditchling Beacon plus the words below.



Saddle up: Transitions is leading an 11-strong group of cyclists from optics on a 300km Swedish Bike Ride in a bid to raise £5,000 for Vision Aid Overseas. The Motala-based ride is claimed to be the biggest bicycle event in the world. Over the space of a week in June, 30,000 people take part in cycle events centred around Lake Vattern. In preparation for the event the team recently rode from London to Brighton and back. The team is made up of Sue Cockayne of Leightons, Andrew Spiers from David Clulow, optometrist Fiona Molloy, Mark Harris of Vision Express, Essilor’s Darren Newth, Paul Maxwell from Hoya and Optician editor Chris Bennett. Transitions has four riders in the squad: Luca Conte, Matt Dorling, Kristen Manor and Pavel Prokopec. The team is hoping to complete a good part of the 300km ride together, with some of the faster riders then breaking away to finish in under 12 hours. To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/vao300km

Don't ya just love Babelfish

Any xenophobia is purely accidental.



I was perusing the internet for more information on the Vatt and came across the press release below. As well as including a bit from a Mr Luca Conte, 42 ( oh yeah), from London, the translation is absolutely hilarious. Apparently Mr Conte brought a group last year for the half distance and is attempting the 300km distance because they had all asked if we could not do the full distance.

From there down the press release gets a little crazy.

Personally I'm looking forward to the refreshments which include 160,000 Bunsens.The release goes on to say that these will help the Cyclists in the three events cannabis CompleteCare Their challenge Safely.



Monday 4 April 2011
The world's largest organized bicycle ride, Vätternrundan, starting and finishing in Motala, Sweden, will take place on June 17th-18th, for the 46th consecutive year. The World's Largest Organized bicycle ride, cycling, starting and finishing in Motala, Sweden, Will Take Place on June 17th-18th, for the 46th Consecutive Year.
The main event, which runs for 300 km around the scenic Lake Vättern, is fully booked with 22,000 cyclists for the full distance, although places are still available for the half-distance Halvvättern and the 100 km ladies' event Tjejvättern. The Main Event, Which runs for 300 km around the scenic Lake water, ice Fully booked with 22.000 Cyclists for the full distance, although places ARE still available for the half-distance Halvvättern & the 100 km ladies' event Tjejvättern. Over 30,000 cyclists will participate in the three events combined. Over 30.000 Cyclists Will Participate in The Three Events Combined.

This year sees the highest number of participants ever, as the number of starting slots for the 300 km run has been increased. This Year Sees The Highest Number of Participants ever, as the number of starting slots for the 300 km run Has Been Increased. Beginning at 19.30 hrs on Friday the 17th of June, groups of 60-70 cyclists are dispatched every other minute throughout the night, until 06.00 hrs on Saturday morning. Beginning at 19:30 hrs on Friday the 17th of June, groups of 60-70 Cyclists ARE dispatched everythin Other minute throughout the night, Until 06:00 hrs on Thursday morning. Most cyclists finish in less than 12 hours, although anything between 8 and 20 hours is considered normal. Most Cyclists finish in Less Than 12 Hours, although anything Between 8 and 20 hours ice Considered normal.

“The three events attract recreational cyclists from all over the world and of widely varying ability, from the novice to the seasoned pro. "The three events Attract Recreational Cyclists from all over the world and of widely Varying portability, from the novice to the seasoned pro. But whatever the level of cycling experience, a healthy stamina is required to complete Vätternrundan and we recommend that participants complete at least 1,000 km in pre-season training for the full distance. But whatever the level of cycling experience, a Healthy stamina is required to complete in cycling and we recommend That Participants complete at least, 1.000 km in pre-season training for the full distance. The 300 km route can be very demanding, so for less experienced cyclists we recommend the shorter Halvvättern and Tjejvättern events,” says Eva-Lena Frick, general manager of Vätternrundan. The 300 km route Can Be very demanding, so for Less Experienced Cyclists we recommend The Short Halvvättern and Tjejvättern events, "says Eva-Lena Frick, general manager of Comfort Bike.

This year sees a record number of participants from overseas, 4,548. This Year Sees a Record Number of Participants from overseas, 4.548. One of the fastest growing groups is the one from the United Kingdom, which has increased by 16% to 228 participants this year. One of the fastest growing groups is the one from the United Kingdom, Which Increased speed by 16% to 228 Participants this year. However the largest single increase is noted by Italy with 28 cyclists this year, compared to just one in the previous year. However the the Largest Single Increase ice noted by Italy with 28 Cyclists this year, compared to just one in the previous year.

One of the 2010 participants who has signed up again for this year is Luca Conte, 42, from London. One of the 2010 Participants WHO HAS Signed up again for this year is Luca Conte, 42, from London. Last year, he took part in Halvvättern. Last year, he Took part in Halvvättern. This year he is going for the full 300 km. This year he is going for the full 300.
“We took out a group of customers from the UK as a corporate event and they all enjoyed it so much that they asked if we couldn't do the full distance this year. "We Took out a group of customers from the UK as a corporate events and Do They all enjoyed it so much That Do They Asked If We Could not do the full distance this year. The event was just so well organized and we were having a wonderful time with great spirit and camaraderie as we cycled through lovely countryside,” says Conte. The event was just so well Organized and We Were Having a wonderful time with great spirit and camaraderie as we cycled through lovely countryside, "says Conte.

Vätternrundan starts and finishes in Motala at the north-eastern end of Lake Vätttern. Comfort Bike starts and finishes in Motala at the north-eastern end of Lake lake. Nine combined food stops and support stations assist cyclists along the route, with support vehicles picking up riders stranded between stations. Nine Combined food stops and support station assistant Cyclists along the route, with support vehicles picking up riders stranded Between station. The main food stop is in Jönköping after 105 km, where 29,000 portions of sausage and mash will be served. The main food stop is the University after 105 km, där 29.000 portion of sausage and mash Will Be Served. Another stop to look forward to is at 174 km in Hjo, where 13,000 portions of lasagne are available. Another stop to look forward to ice at 174 km in Hjo, där 13.000 portion of lasagna ARE available. Other en-route refreshments include 160,000 buns, 1,200 kilos of coffee and 25,000 litres of energy drink. Other en-route refreshments include 160 000 Bunsen, 1.200 kilo of coffee and 25.000 liters of energy drink. 4,000 volunteers help ensure that all 30,000 cyclists in the three events can complete their challenge safely. 4.000 volunteers help Ensure are thats all 30.000 Cyclists in the three events cannabis CompleteCare Their challenge Safely.
Cyclists wishing to participate in any of the 2011 events should contact the organisers at info@vatternrundan.se . Cyclists Wishing to Participate in Any of the 2011 Events Should contact the Organisers at info@vatternrundan.se .

Fit for a king?

There are so many things wrong with that title. After a long period of over indulgence I'm not feeling too fit and I'm definitely not a king.
What I do have is a Palace!

After my run in with a pothole in Epsom ( see earlier post) I decided enough was enough and the Editor of Optician deserved a decent bike.

So I went to my local bike shop and splashed out on a Pearson Palace. It is even better than the picture shows as I had my Mavic Ksyrium wheels put on it. With 300km in Sweden looming with the rest of the Transitions' team I think I need all the help I can get.

Early indications are good although on my major ride of the weekend my middle son snaffled the Palalce and I had to make do with my blue Pearson Audax.
The youngster still couldn't beat the old man though. He even wanted to switch bikes towards the end of the ride as we had a massive hill approaching and I 'had more gears'.

I also managed a quick cycle up Box Hill while Kate Middleton was becoming the Duchess of Cambridge. The roads were clear, the sky blue and the bike carbon. It doesn't get any better than that.
One amusing recreation of history was on the royal wedding day. Back when Charles and Di got married I decided I couldn't face hours of royal telly so I got on my bike and cycled around the lanes that crisscross the Tiverton canal.
I obviously wasn't a boy scout ( perhaps youthful optimism) but I didn't have a puncture kit with me and yes,..... I got a puncture.
Pushing the bike home wasn't too bad, the roads were quiet and I could listen to the birds and still avoid the wedding. But then, as I crossed the canal at Halberton I could hear the roar of the crowd. Just on the other side was a guy in a deckchair, sat in a layby outside his caravan watching the royal wedding. Obviously an early adopter of mobile technology.

Hanging by a thread

Shortly after the L2B ride I thought it was about time I gave my bike a bit of a once over (before the new bike arrives!!). During the ride I had noticed that I couldn't change into the easiest gear but, as there were no significant climbs on the ride it hadn't bothered me too much.

Imagine my surprise when I looked at the gear cable.


This is a timely reminder to keep an eye on your bike.
Remember safety is no accident.

Box Hill to Brighton

The SBR team really began to feel like a proper team as its members drew up one by one into the car park of the Burford bridge Hotel at the foot of Box Hill.

The setting for the first training ride of 2011 for the team shifted from Hampton Court after it was decided it may be a little traffic heavy so close to London.

Chris suggested the new start and organised a 20 mile loop for the beginning of the ride to add to the 45 miles yet to come. The rest of the route had been studiously plumbed into Matt's Garmin Edge.
After many photographs, many trips to the toilet and a fair bit of fettling (as Luca might say) we were off. Chris' route took the group on an non-road, flat route along a cycle path by the A24 to ease everyone into the feel of the bike before heading off through Leatherhead, Cobham and a little bit of Surrey countryside and then up on to Ranmore.
By this point Paul could no longer contain his nervous energy and, in pursuit of some leisure cyclists, disappeared off into the distance. He missed the next turn forcing yet another stop. Luckily a phone call and a few directions later and we agreed to meet back at the Burford Bridge and the ride continued.
The more restrained members of the group took the superfast descent back to the end of the loop to say a quick hello to Rebecca before heading on the route proper.
Chris chose Box Hill as a start point as it is due to be used in the Olympic road race and he though it might make a nice backdrop for some photos. He utterly refutes the idea that it just happens to be close to where he lives.
As it turned out the group, Paul Maxwell-like, were racing through the countryside barely stopping to look at the view, let alone stop for pics. The ride was on.
Despite our Garmined ride the technology was not behaving itself and this quick breakaway broke the link between Lindsay and his son Martin. This lead to a split in the group that would never heal. The advance party sped on as Lindsay and Martin took a worng turn. After a few phone calls Lindsay and Martin were eventually joined by Luca who lead them back on course, some way behind the leading pack.
The rest of the group ploughed on, again in a rather stop go fashion, through the countryside. The most notable point in the ride was Ditchling Beacon. This had loomed large in the minds' of the riders and the reality didn't disappoint.
After 60-odd miles in the saddle the climb was pretty taxing. Matt had obvioulsy been saving up all of his strength for the climb and clearly thought this, and his swanky new bike, would see him to the top first. He hit the bottom of the climb with gusto but was soon in trouble.
Sadly he had peaked too early and blew up towards the summit.

The climb was worth the views at the top and the cycling effort became easier. The rest of the ride downhill all the way, in the best possible sense, as the team coasted into Brighton and to the quirky welcome of the My Hotel. A quick shower break and few beers in the bar later and the stories started to flow.
Dinner provided more opportunity for the tales to grow and the story of Lindsay, Luca and Martin's day to unfold. Jamie Oliver's Italian also provided a great meal to replace all of those lost calories. Ready for the return leg.


Scroll down for more photos

Full UV protection

I thought it was about time I had at least one photo (come on other team members)of the new kit on the site so here I am in the 2011 version of the Transitions Team jersey.
I've started wearing the kit to commute into work and as I was leaving home this morning I thought I may as well grab a picture.

It wasn't until I saw the result that I realised why I get so many funny looks when I'm on the bike.
What's Chris wearing today:

Lycra 3/4 length bibshorts naturally, Transitions top, Rudy Project Rydons with drivewear lenses ( it may be getting dark on the way home).
But it doesn't stop there.

My wife has started to insist I wear a helmet when I'm cycling. After many years of never wearing one the whole Ironman experience has sort of got me into the habit. What I can't get out of the habit of is wearing a cap when its so sunny. There is nothing to beat a cycling cap to keep the sun out of your eyes. This is even more pronounced early in the year when the sun is so low and I'm travelleing east in the Morning and west in the evening.
The full ensemble looks a bit over the top but it works.

Breaking news

Not a good weekend bike-wise. The first catastrophe happened on the cycle home on Friday night. I hit a pothole, manhole cover combo in Epsom.

It might not look like much ( it was difficult to get close as it's in the middle of a junction) but it was enough to shatter the bottom of the frame and break off the drop out and derailleur hanger from my beloved yellow Pearson bike.




I'm temporarily back on the fixed for commuting but I feel a trip to the bike shop coming on if son No 2 and I are going to make any more Sunday morning jaunts.

The second was slightly more self inflicted. While surveying the damage on the Pearson and readying the fixed to ride I noticed a rather incontinent pigeon sitting in the tree above me. I decided to shift it by lobbing a stone up into the tree. The stone sailed into the air, hit a branch, was deflected sideways and came crashing down straight through the prespex roof on my bike shed. I only put the perspex roof on about three months ago and a very good job I made of it too.
Some may say it's Karma.