adidas Evil Eye half rim on test

I sight never seen before, Chris Bennett on a mountain bike. The event was the launch of the adidas Evil Eye half rim and the venue Cannock Chase. If there was ever a day designed to test out active prescription eyewear this day was it.
the morning started with the rain pouring down. While the party huddled inside out of the rain the product was presented and a talk given on vision in mountain biking.
Both were interesting and whetted the apetite for what was to follow.
As we headed out on the bikes the weather monetarily cleared up to be followed by colder air and bright sun.
After lunch an elite group of riders headed back out to the Follow the Dog trail and driving snow. Along with the variable light conditions the lenses had to cope with mud, steam and snow. They performed very well and the products tested, only prototypes, did very well. I was wearing a prescription insert behind the lenses that did trap a little moisture but all in all the ventillation system seemed to work quite well. During the heaviest of the snow I had to wipe the lens of flakes and mud but the proof of the pudding was that the product stayed on all the way round.
The mountain biking itself was pretty much a new experience for me. The hired bike was a natty looking Orange five, in bright green, and the suspension seemed to soak up everything the terrain could throw at it.
There were a couple of points along the trail I thought: surely you can't cycle down that, but you could and mostly, I did.
The day remained largely injury free. I had a bit of a tangle with a branch lying along the side of the path that grabbed my shin and I also whacked into a tree hard enough to slightly wind myself but all in all an enjoyable day was had by all.
All good for the road fitness. If only it would stop snowing.

Molloy puts Conte in yellow

Just as Cervelo and Garmin have coalesced behind Tyler Farrar so the forces of the Optician and Transitions cycling teams have come together to support Luca Conte at the 2011 Vatternrundan.
Fiona Molloy has joined the SBR team for an undisclosed transfer fee believed to contain several figures. Molloy, a former national standard hockey player, is a veteran of many Ironman 70.3 events, European world championship duathlons, The Ironman UK and numerous smaller triathlons and bike races.
The Optician Team manager said. 'SBR have poached a prodigious talent. She's the woman to get Conte into a striking position but taking a podium place will be down to his lightning acceleration.'

Ice rider

Had a fun ride into work this morning. Opted for the mountain bike and did as much cross country as possible. The roads were very quiet so no too bad.Off road was a different matter. The snow clung to the wheels and with the depth anything upto a foot it was hard going. Really looking forward to the night ride home. Sorry about the lack of photos but every time I get my Blackberry out the screen is steamed up and photos unusable.
Biggest excitement was getting attacked by a dog in Epsom. Those crazy poodles.

Be careful what you wish for

After last Friday's light-hearted post about snow the south east finally got some. Well I say some, I mean lots. The fact that it is mixed with cold weather also means the whole place has ground top a halt. Luckily Optician went to press just as the worse of the weather hit. the only problem was getting home.
Meedless to say the Sunday North Downs ride looks in doubt.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It's getting cold out there so if you are heading out this weekend be sure to stay safe.
I've suggested that we take a weather reading on the Evans ride of dec 5 just in case the cold snap is still around. I know the route and it can get pretty icy.
I'm all for year round cycling but discretion is the better part of valour and all that.
As I have booked a slot on the mountain bike based Adidas frame launch on December 16in Cannock Chase it might be a good opportunity to get out and try a bit of mountain biking. I'll have to ask Luca for tips.

Beware holes in the road

I've been enjoying the ride to and from work recently thanks to some road works. Just down the road from me some utility work has escalated to the point where the works have closed the road. Not much fun for car drivers but great for cyclists as it empties the route either side.
It's simple just slip inside the barrier and pick your way through.
This week I had an interesting schedule. Cycle to work, leave bike at work to visit optical client, Tuesday train up to London for the FMO, back to work end of day cycle home.
As the nights are dark it's not too easy to see what is going on so as I reached the roadworks I trained my super light ( Cateye Tripleshot) onto the road to see what was going on. I stopped double quick when a 6ft deep trench right across the road loomed into view. Luckily the metal plate meant to cover the hole hadn't been dislodged completely so I just needed to make a sharp turn.
I shall be even more wary of roadsigns in the future.
Be careful out there.

Bike in the wars 2 and Matt

Here's a report from Matt Dorling on his recent rude introduction with the tarmac.
Out for an early evening ride a couple of weeks ago, all was going well. It had been a couple of weeks since I’d had time to do a harder or longer session on the bike so on the last 10 minutes home decided to push on as I want to be at least able to keep up with the group when we go to Sweden next year!! On the last couple of miles to home there is a lovely smooth piece of road where I rode close to maximum effort just to finish off the ride.
As I merrily panted along lady luck decided to make things interesting! A car coming the other way clipped the side of a rock bigger than my fist and sent it flying across the tarmac just as I was riding by, hitting my front wheel knocking the bike from under me and sending me crashing to the ground( I was doing about 27mph at the time). Sitting on the ground dazed I was trying to work out why I went from happily rding along to now sitting in the road with lots of pain. Luckily a number of people in cars following stopped, wrapped me up in jackets and sent for the ambulance, as well as helping me phone my wife. Off to the hospital I went, having an excellent experience on the pain relief gas enroute, to be informed that I was now the proud owner of a broken collar bone and that riding my bike is out for 6-8 weeks.

So in summary I have now had confirmed:
1) There are more decent people out there that are willing to help a stranger than I thought.
2) Wearing a helmet on a bike is a must. If I had not been things could have been very different. (see pic)
3) Carbon replacement pieces for bikes are expensive.
4) My Oakley Transitions will never be the same again. (see pic)
5) Carrying a mobile phone “just in case” is a must.
6) I’m a very poor patient, and spend most evening’s trying to come up with ways that I could ride my indoor trainer whilst my arm is in a sling.

I'm sure you will join me in wishing Matt a swift recovery. Be careful out there.