"C" is for "Crew"!

Introducing the team, crewing for me for Race Across Italy, which starts in less than 5 days!

Rich Griffiths: ex-Ironman now cyclist, Photographer extraordinaire,  A.K.A. "Tyre Kicker"
"My name's Rich, I'm looking forward to the pasta"

Follow Rich's ace photography work on Instagram, including a series of great photos from this year's Paris-Roubaix!

Chris Chadwick: Crazy driver, pharmacist & aspiring ultra cyclist, A.K.A. "Ferrari"
"I'm Chris. Cycling, adventure, and sleep deprivation enthusiast. At least two of those are true."

Chris has driven the Mongol Rally, cycled many famous Cols, and is currently training for his first 12 hour time trial this year.  Hopefully he'll learn something from Race Across Italy, like what not to do!


Dario Mandir: Chilled Dalmatian cyclist, weather and route expert, and my best friend in Hrvatska A.K.A. "Data"
Dario has hosted me innumerable times in Zadar, on my multitudinous trips to Croatia, and taught me a great deal about route planning and weather data.  He will be playing "base" and maintaining communications with the crew, providing real-time data.

Graham Mearns: ex-Ironman (yes, another!), logistics expert & Crew Chief, A.K.A. "Honcho"

"How do these things happen?  Crew Chief for the Race Across Italy!  Volunteering to stay up all night, drive huge distances, be at the beck and call of a needy cyclist?  All good questions, and I don’t have a one word answer.

I have been “active” all my life, but really got into cycling and IronMan 70.3 triathlon about 11 years ago.  I started by organising a charity ride for 12 cyclists from Zurich Financial Services, UK to Zurich.  We had a great time.  I enjoyed organising it.  We’re all still in touch because we achieved something together.  That turned out to be important for me.

Since 2006 I have cycled from Birmingham to Zurich, completed 10 IronMan 70.3 races, done one full distance IronMan distance and cycled Land’s End to John O’Groats (on my own, but staying with friends every night).

I love organising things.  I love being part of a team.  I love achieving things that are difficult.  So helping Ian with his UltraCycling ticks quite a few boxes.  We’re going to have a great time!"

With Graham's eye for detail I'm confident the crew will keep me alive (!) and going strong - we're all looking forward to competing against strong riders and teams such as twice winner of Race Across Italy winner Omar di Felice, Martin Bergmeister, and Joe Barr in my first supported race!

Follow us (team 6) on live tracking on http://live.tractalis.com/2017/RaceAcrossItaly/default.html - I start at 1200hrs CET (1100hrs GMT), with favourite Omar di Felice setting-off 10 minutes later.

"B" is for "Bikes & sponsors: (5) Recon Cassettes"

Recon Cassettes are a Taiwan-based company specialising in the design and manufacture of the highest quality and lightest cassettes for all drivetrains: Shimano; SRAM; and Campagnolo.

Recon cassettes are often CNC machined from a single piece of alloy. This increases the strength of the cassette compared with the more usual riveted type or mixed metal options that are available.

I have used Recon cassettes for a number of years and I am still impressed by their quality and their sheer beauty.  Thanks to Recon's CEO, Harry Fang, I am honoured and privileged to be able to ride using this not-yet-released high quality steel cassette with specialised treatment - lighter than Shimano Dura Ace, yet even more hard wearing, and the blingiest, especially when combined with a gold Titanium Nitride chain!  Check out the bling!

Bling!

"B" is for "Bikes & sponsors: (4) Tripeak Bearings"

I am excited to announce that bottom brackets and carbon rear derailleur cages with oversize 15 tooth pulleys, equipped with super-smooth ceramic bearings, have been provided by Tripeak!

These are indeed so smooth, and a wonder to behold, that the mechanics at Mitchell's Cycles enjoyed playing with the bearings by giving the pulleys a tiny push, and wondering when they would stop spinning, so long did they keep going!

Tripeak design and manufacture the highest quality bearing components and tools.  Thanks to Pony Ma, the CEO, and Tripeak Bearings for their generous sponsorship - check out the Tripeak website to stay up-to-date with the latest additions!

Happy smooooth racing from Tripeak!

"B" is for "Bikes & sponsors: (3) Mitchell's Cycles / TMC"

Having been a loyal customer for many years and grown to know and value all the staff at Mitchell's Cycles, I am extremely proud to become a member of Team Mitchell Cycles ("TMC").

A traditional bike shop with an eye on the future, I very much enjoy the atmosphere of Mitchell's Cycles, with its great banter, and I greatly appreciate all the skilled mechanical support and servicing provided to me, especially by Dave Webb throughout all my ultra races in 2016, special advice by Steve Mitchell, and the generous sponsorship by the owner, Andy Mitchell.

I look forward to representing TMC in ultra races, helping to promote Mitchell's Cycles as my Local Bike Shop of choice, and continuing to strengthen our very special relationship.

The Head Mechanic, Dave Webb (left), and myself, outside Mitchell's Cycles.  The Velocite Syn was assembled and tuned by Dave himself.

"B" is for "Bikes & sponsors: (2) Venn Wheels"

Venn Wheels will be providing fast, aero, and strong carbon wheels, as well as other finishing kit such as handlebars, stems, seatposts, and disc brake rotors.

I am lucky that the already super-fast Velocite Syn will be equipped with Venn's cutting-edge Rev 35 TCD 35mm-deep carbon wheels, the disc brake specific model, shod with tubeless tyres.  Previously, Venn have sponsored and provided wheels to the UCI Continental team, Team3M.

The name "Rev" is short for "Revolutionary", as it is manufactured by an accurate, computer-controlled, automated filament-winding process (not by sub-minimum wage human labour) making it much higher quality and stronger, not prone to sudden failures caused by human error.

Currently available in 35mm depth, a 50mm deep Rev 50 wheelset will be available soon - I look forward to trying these!

The Revs are so strong that they are also used offroad as 29er wheels with great success, and I look forward to demonstrating both their speed and strength in all ultra races this year!

"B" is for "Bikes & sponsors: (1) Velocite Bikes"

Velocite Bikes: Ride Velocite, Feel Invincible

I am proud to be sponsored by Velocite Bikes and riding the Velocite Syn (pronounced "Sine") for 2017, the latest design in a long line of beautifully elegant, strong and innovative bikes.  Introduced in 2015 (its patented design features have been copied by other manufacturers), it is the most aerodynamic bike currently in the market, but is also stiff, comfortable, and equipped with disc brakes - it ticked all the boxes for me, which is why I pursued the CEO, Victor Major, for sponsorship.

Velocite's mission is: to make you feel invincible through high performance, high quality, and high value.  The Syn is indeed the fastest bike I've ever ridden and does make me feel invincible with its strong handling and stiff responsiveness.

Established in 2008, Velocite BVBA is based in Flanders, Belgium, and is an active member of the Flanders Bike Valley (which I've had the fortune to visit and see its modern offices and massive wind tunnel).  It has the highest level of in-house expertise in aerodynamic and structural engineering and analysis, a service also provided to many other big industry brands.

Velocite has won many industry awards including: Eurobike Winner; the Taipei Cycle Show; and the Golden Pin Design award.  These awards were justly won and they are proven through the speed, stiffness, strength and comfort of Velocite's framesets.

"B" is for "Bikes & sponsors announcement"

I am delighted to announce the first group of generous sponsors and briefly introduce them: 

Introducing...

Velocite Bikes: providing Fast, Stiff & Comfortable Aero Framesets

Venn Wheels: providing Strong, Aero & Fast Deep Section Carbon Wheels

Mitchell's Cycles / TMC: providing Excellent Servicing, Mechanical Repairs, Bike & Wheel Builds

Tripeak Bearings: providing Super-Smooth Ceramic Bearing Bottom Brackets & Carbon Rear Derailleur cages

Recon Cassettes: providing Super-Light, Beautiful & Durable Cassettes

Torq Fitness: providing Advanced, Scientifically-Driven, Pure, Organic or Fairtrade Nutrition

With support from:

Dash Cycles: uniquely-shaped, comfortable & light saddles.

Thank you to all these sponsors who generously provided equipment to race firstly in the Race Across Italy, then Hard Cro, and the Transcontinental Race.  Further details will follow of what equipment I'll be using!

I am still keen to hear from people who are enthusiastic about cycling, the world of ultra, or simply pushing the limits, and would like to provide support, either in equipment or coverage for race expenses.  If you would like to provide support, I would love to hear from you -  please contact me via Facebook or email: ian.to2k9@googlemail.com.

"B" is for "Bikes & sponsors"

Sneak preview - what is this frameset?

The first round of sponsors will be announced this Sunday!  So far, I have been generously provided with the following bike parts and kit, for ultra racing, which I've been testing for the last week:

1. Aero framesets - Fast, stiff & comfortable
2. Carbon deep section wheels - Strong, aero & fast
3. Ceramic bearing bottom brackets & rear derailleur cages - Super-smooth
4. Cassettes - Superlight & durable
5. Off the bike clothing - Comfortable compression & leisure wear.

Watch this space!

Photography credit & thanks to the super-talented Mr Rich Griffiths A.K.A "r3dfive"

"B" is for "Bus Stop"

When venturing forth on long distance rides, one of the great, versatile shelters which are found in every country, on many roads, is the humble bus stop.

Late at night, or even during the day, these marvellous monuments of civilisation (even though they're obviously not designed for use by cyclists) can be used by your weary, pedal-sore self for:

• Sleeping - bus stops usually have a roof and are sometimes closed on three-and-a-bit sides, with a bench, which means that you can safely sleep sheltered from the rain and wind, and raised off the cold ground
• Eating - a nice relaxing sit-down and munch away
• Cooking - if you're touring, stoves can be sheltered from the wind
• Changing - sheltered from the rain and wind, you can change into dry, warm clothes
• Toilet stops - with a spare plastic bag, some toilet paper and/or baby wipes, a number two can be comfortably performed in privacy - do clean-up after yourself!

When you're tired enough, a bus stop can look like a five star hotel.  Ultra - you're doing it right.

Catch some Zzzzzs - goodnight!  Even if it's daytime...

"A" is for "Aero"

2017 is All About Aero!  The dream is bike, wheels, and kit, all of it slipping smoothly through the air in the pursuit of going faster for longer.

As with every ultra race, this year's Transcontinental Race has plenty of flat sections (think of flat-as-a-pancake-Slavonia in the Hard Cro route, a candidate to rival the pancake flatness of Kansas), which is a bit disappointing, as I love mountains and climbing.  Also, Croatia won't feature in this year's TCR route (booo hissssss), unless you get really lost...

Weight is always a consideration, but the aerodynamic drag created by rider and bike consumes more power, even on uphill sections.  There are plenty of good, informative videos by Fastfitnesstips on YouTube, Specialized, as well as many other scientific studies (not GCN, bless 'em).

I'll make some compromises on the optimal aerodynamics, such as disc brakes and drop bars, but these will be (typically) very much about safety (eg: fast mountain descents - you'll kill your hands on TT bull horn bars, and probably kill yourself if it's wet and you have rim brakes and carbon wheels) and comfort over huge ultra distances, rather than pure speed.

All About Aero!  Watch this space for the unveiling of the aero setup...

Flatness of pancakes versus Slavonia versus Kansas - discuss...

"A" is for "Adventures in 2017"

Firstly, a belated happy new year to you all!  Secondly, apologies.  I haven't written for a number of months and realise that I've left my blog to rot.  Being back in the UK during November and December was a depressing time, what with dark days, dreadful weather, dirty, wet, muddy, icy roads, news of our awful UK motorists running-over cyclists and friends reminding me about my own traumatic experiences, the mental torture of turbo training indoors, and not wanting to write about the adventures I'd recently had and wanting to be out riding in those places, rather than in the UK, writing about them and not being able to ride.  In my defence, I did confess to being a cyclist, and not a blogger/author or photographer!

The new year and January is definitely looking up, with the days growing longer and warmer, a number of sponsors pledging their support for various things (I'll make an announcement in February) and providing new sexy bits of kit, feeling closer to race dates including acceptance to the Transcontinental Race (2017 is the 5th edition ), new adventures (I've already spent two weeks in Croatia and am currently writing this in Tenerife) on new roads in new countries and meeting new people.

At the moment, my planned race schedule for 2017 is:

• April 29th - "Race Across Italy" - 800km with a support crew
• June 19th - "Hard Cro" - 1,400km around the four corners of Croatia
• July 28th - "The Transcontinental Race" (5th Edition) - 4,000km around Europe, from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Romania, to Meteora, in Greece
• August onwards - who knows!

Leaving 2016 in the past, I promise to write a short piece, every week, on an interesting and amusing topic (hopefully you'll think so) rather than thrash-out a blow-by-blow War And Peace account, which I've read a few of (past editions of the Transcontinental Race resulted in a glut of mind-numbing accounts in this style - maybe I was also guilty of this), starting with A, and cycling through to Z.

For 2017, I wish you all good fitness, fortune and new adventures!  Be fast, stay safe :-)

I've climbed Teide, on Tenerife, five times, whose peak is 3,718m.  Many more climbs to tick-off the bucket list!

Imminent Balkan Adventure (& Happy Birthday to Me!)

So, today’s my birthday.  Another year older, but any the wiser?  Certainly the last year has been an absolutely fascinating experience.  A summary of the year will follow at some point…



Happy birthday to me! A biscuit-like cake, made by my girls :-) 10 out of 10 for effort, 2 out of 10 for height!

My dearest Sarah, seeing me getting stressed and frustrated at work, a million miles away from these experiences, my dearest, has booked me a flight to Dubrovnik for my birthday.

The plan is to ditch my disposable cardboard bike box, at Dubrovnik airport, ride into Montenegro, around Kotor bay to Tivat, stay the night in a swanky (but cheap) four star hotel, then ride to Žabljak, deep within in Montenegro’s mountainous Durmitor National Park.  Another night’s stay in a luxurious (but cheap – see the theme?) four star hotel, then off to Mostar, in Bosnia, negotiating the tricky border crossings - there are very few for international travellers, far more for smugglers over gravel roads, so I’m told!

After a day of rest and visiting Mostar’s iconic medieval architecture (tips please!), I’ll be returning to Croatia to ride to Knin where I’ll meet my good friend Dario, from where we’ll ride together over Velebit to Senj, and finally to Zadar, along the coastal road, from where I’ll fly back to the UK.



The iconic medieval bridge of Mostar, destroyed during but restored after the war

I’m really looking forward to:

·         The adventure of new roads (hopefully all smooth and puncture-free), beautiful scenery (expect photos of mountains, sea, rivers and lakes), new countries and things to see

·         Meeting-up with friends along the route - I'm planning to use Garmin LiveTrack for people to be able to see in real time where I am

·         The weather: 25(ish) degrees Celsius and sunny (did you know that Mr Celsius, a Swede, originally had 0 degrees as boiling and 100 degrees as freezing?) 

·         Not working - anyone else want to join me in this sentiment??



Good Croatian friends

Wonderful country, wonderful people



Knin Castle - a great day out for the family

Velebit - beautiful mountains with a view of the blue Adriatic sea

I’m not looking forward to:

·         The Bike-Separation Anxiety, when the box disappears into the depths of an airport's gaping maw

·         Packs of wild dogs - pepper spray isn't legal in the UK, so I'll try to source some abroad...

·         Missing my family

·         Returning to the contrasting UK’s sucky weather and darkening days, with all the consequences of needing to train on the turbo, spiked tyres for ice, multiple layers to stave off the cold (and getting that "Michelin Man" look).

Time to pull out your best sprint - just hope it's not uphill

Believe it or not, the UK's roads really suck bad

 

 

 

 

As seems usual, nowadays, I’m also feeling somewhat apprehensive over the sheer amount of climbing needed over the first few days.  Feeling anxious seems weird when I think about this year’s distances and amount of climbing…

Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes, birthday greetings and cards!



Game of Pain. Hill Climbs - Polar Opposite to Ultra Cycling

Hill Climbs - what are they?  Very, very short, individual time trials, uphill.  Hill Climb season starts at the end of August and lasts through to the National Hill Climb championships, at the end of October.  Usually steep hills are picked as the torture devices.  Horrendous, horrifically painful anaerobic efforts lasting between 90 seconds to 5 minutes, for the fastest riders.

My hurty face, hurty legs, hurty everything.

Today, I rode out to watch the Walbury Hill Climb, to cheer on a couple of guys I'd met at last year's hill climbs, just as a spectator simply because of the time needed to recover from this year's three consecutive ultra events, going on holiday with the family, with not enough time to train, not to mention getting a bit fat, piling on 7kg since Hard Cro!  Last year I managed 6th at 4 mins 35s, only 36s behind the winner, Tejvan Pettinger!  I console myself with the fact that Tejvan is a former National Champion and weighed about 15kg less than me, not to mention an excellent cyclist, prolific hill climb winner, holding the Walbury record at just under 3 mins 56.  Excuses excuses...

Tejvan, today, looking smooth

But just not powerful enough?

Today's weather was a moody grey, with a strong south-westerly wind which would provide a head or crosswind for the Hill Climbers, cloudy and threatening rain.  Indeed, it had rained heavily overnight and the road was still damp in places.  Over a hundred riders were participating in this event, well-organised again, with a smattering of enthusiastic spectators lining the road.  I was glad to be spectating rather than self-administering torture today!

Cheesy grins all round!

I was watching for Angus Fisk (Oxford University CC) and James Scrivener (Reading CC), both of whom put in great performances. Angus came 5th @ 4:25, looking like he was about to die before the top of the hill but beating his previous time by almost 2 seconds, despite going too hard at the start and this being his first hill climb of the season, and James @ 5:03, who looked very cool and reckoned there was still a bit more in the tank.


Up up up!

Almost there...

 

James Scrivener looking very cool

Too hard at the start!

It hurts!

Weaving across the road a bit!



 

I understand that Tejvan is carrying an injury, so isn't on top form - for now.  Even so, he managed an excellent 4:07, third place, behind the impressive winner Isaac Mundy @ 4:03, averaging 512W!  I look forward to seeing what happens at the National Hill Climb championships, especially with the top three.  Well done to everyone who took part and gave it "some beans"!  Photos of other riders will follow in another post.

It never stops hurting - you just go faster!



Isaac Mundy powering his way to victory