New Directions

As usual with this time of the year I 'read' with in interest the various pro Riders tweets and blogs about the forth coming season.
The GreenEDGE Antipodeans, The Brit Pack at TeamSky and the Final chapter of The Armstrong Saga. All enthralling, the later of which must surely have been penned into a screenplay by now. If they want pain Id volunteer as an Extra.

For a cycling blogist I can sometimes get away with reading, being in the arena instead of on the stage. Whether it be for research, amusement or Inspiration, I can still convince myself that it has some preparatory place.

Sadly this process can not offer any cardio vascular improvement, although I do get excited when I read about how well Cav and Bradley are doing. The only singular physical benefit of reading that my imagination could conjure up was the skill in sitting in one position for a long period of time.... doesn't that count as training?

Yeah that it, I have been practising sitting down for long periods of time for a the winter months. So what about the bloging then?

Yeah well .....Ok, I admit it my fingers have been as lazy and as sedentary as my maximus glutimous.

This reading process should not be totally underestimated although as it does herald the start of my own preparations, a seasonal alarm clock If you like, to move me from the public bar over to my handle bars.

A gentle reminder to start shedding those winter pounds that I so greedily added when the days were getting shorter. ......that enough now, get on with it Philip !!!!!!!!

So as Geraint Thomas and Co write about 'Balearic base camps' and 'Canary Island carry ons' and I am shamed into action.

With the temperature gauge hovering over freezing and the sky thick with the threat of snow I determine that its time.

Systematically I pull up my sealz socks and slip on my recently acquired cycling BOOTS.

I say Boots rather than Shoes because these Shimano MW81 Gore-Tex Winter babies are all BOOT.

Their downside is that they are heavier than most TDF Road bikes and restrict any real dynamic movement, as if I was capable right now!!!!!!

The upside is that they do ward off the frostbite and keep your feet as cosy as the Sofa seat in The Corner House Pub.

Remember my play area -Its Patrington - Not Palma, Tickton and not Tenerife.
Whilst the Pros add layers of sun block,I add layers of clothing and Vaseline (That's all together another story)

So again the keyboard sees little tapping, but the pedals some as I try and drag by over inflated torso up even the most benign of gradients.

At the start of each year I curse, and then blog about my curses - My unique power weight ratio This could be compared to our currency exchange rate.

Having hundreds of Lbs gets you nowhere these days.

I do get my Lbs and ££££ mixed up.

This year will be different, I promise myself whilst finishing off that weekend bottle of Red and signing up for the Cheshire Cat at the end of March. After I had paid the entry fee Joanne reminded me about why I had not entered it over the past two years.

'Cant you remember the pain and the nauseous exhaustion four years ago, when you were younger, lighter and fitter?'

Its funny how that sort of pain is very temporary.

Well this year has to be different. As well as the usual challenges Paddy(My Twin) holds a carrott, a golden one. The possibility of taking part in the Waves to Wine (San Fransisco to Napa Valley) in September with proper climbs and a brother with a point to prove.

Its no longer a case of 'It would be nice to be really fit'

I have no Choice.

This Saturday I ventured out. It was -3 degrees, with Ice and a dusting of snow.

At one time Simon reached for a drink to find the contents of his water bottle frozen. It was grim.

We went to the Humber bridge and raced back to avoid the Blizzard that was forecast.

I guess we all have to start somewhere

Baah Humbug

In the lead up to Christmas I seemed to Metamorphosis into a new being - a cross between Mr Scrooge and Victor Meldrew.
Impatience, frustration and temperance now hung from me like a well tailored suit.
Usually such characteristics are watered down by my cycling activity, but with a combination of severe 'Man Flu' and Storm force gales my cycling opportunities have been restricted.

As well as being battered by the elements , the country had a bad head. It was still hungover from a prolonged visit to 'The Public sector Arms'.
Mr Cameron may have provided some paracetamol, but everybody knows they don't work.
To make matters worse the saloon bar was still open and 'the hair of the dog' beckoned.

For my part frugality had already changed from a sub conscious notion, to a way of life.
Bike instead of Car, Jumper instead of Central heating, Water instead of Wine.......(Apart from special days) you get the idea.
In the same vein I had tentatively agreed to a Christmas present embargo.
This was not entirely by choice but by necessity - I was flat broke.
My children laughed when I told them to expect no more than a hug and a Clementine.
However their sense of humour diminished somewhat when I placed some spherical shaped presents under my tree substitute.

My weekly visit to the local outdoor market usually a pleasant experience was toilsome.
The stalls I usually visited to buy fresh fruit and vegetables were replaced by ones selling mobile phone covers. The fish stall was replaced by another selling other items that often find themselves on the seabed
RUBBISH !!!!!!
With my evening meal compromised I now contemplated the alternatives.
'I Pod Covers in an Ambre Solaire Sauce' .................... maybe not.

People close by to me smiled and engaged with one another.
'Have you got it all done yet?' seemed to be the most common phrase, where the act of Christmas shopping seemed to be treated with the same gravity as some 12th Century Church restoration.
Although I took no offence at this festive foreplay, I had questions.
Why should it be done in the middle of an over populated market walkway, directly in front of my path, and with the offending persons usually larger than your average Christmas Tree.

When I got home my twin brother Paddy called from Houston and he too was full of Christmas Cheer!!!

I tried to appear interested as he told me about the US Mules taking part in a jingle ride. Apparently they hold an organised ride around parts of Houston where they decorate their bikes. They then ride in an illuminated procession, singing carols, and spreading goodwill. Nice.

Usually I would have embraced such a venture and would have been excited for him, but I was as flat as a deflated tyre on the homeward stretch.
Sensing my ambivalent attitude he asked me how I was? This is not always the smartest question to ask. I grant you that most people say 'I'm fine' or 'Great thank you' even if their world is falling apart. But very occasionally somebody answers truthfully.

I started with the Clementine story and an hour later finished with ................'And the weather has been so rubbish my pedals have not turned once!!!!' I think my long suffering brother was finally pleased to put the phone down.

Later that day I received an E Mail from him. It read 'I loved the Clementine story so much that I want you to be able to buy some more' I have cabled you a surprise.

Although the weather was still rubbish, and my man flu went on and on and on........the Christmas present embargo was called off and the clementines were returned to the fruit bowl.

When I wrote to Santa earlier in the year I asked that the letter be directed to Rapha

with the hope of getting some new cycling apparel.

For those of you who have never heard of Rapha sending my wish list to them is the equivalent of sending a whiskey connoisseur to Scotland.

You can get Scotch anywhere but if you want quality there is only ever one place.

Happy New Year

By the time I get to Phoenix

After hearing about our American exploits one of our premier Anglo Mules 'Bobby', decided that he wanted to experience some of it and did some 'Muling' in Arizona at the end of November.

Being Scottish he was even able to find a sympathetic town called 'Scottsdale' which was 'newer than than a single Malt'. Whilst out for a ride he came across a film crew who were by a lake making a film about trout fishing.

Now Bobby knows a thing or two about this subject matter and decided that he would share it.

Within the time it takes for a pedal to rotate the Camera was nicely focused on his 'Travels with my Mule shirt' (And him) where Bobby imparted his own experiences.

Although this started with Fishing, he soon skillfully diverted the interviewer to cooking fish - Scotland - Mountains - Cycling and finally 'THE MULES'.

Continuity was never his strong point.

Anyway it was all broadcast on the local news- Well done Bobby

Strict Liability

I have recently had a few near misses with vehicles whilst commuting to and from work and as those journeys are now in darkness I feel more Vulnerable.
In reality I am probably easier to see illuminated than I am mixed together in an assortment of other roadside furniture.
Recently a driver pulled right out in front of me and then proceeded to get as close to the kerb as possible to shut off my obvious escape route.
With the bike skills of Danny MacAskill I bunny hopped the verge and onto safety


Unfortunately for the driver his progress was hampered at a T Junction ahead where he had to stop for other cars ( apparently they cause more damage than cycles)


When I got alongside him he would not engage my glance, not until I started hammering my fist on his window and his kids started pointing. Slightly embarrassed he summoned up a coy shrug of the shoulders and a tepid 'sorry' appeared on the surface of his mouth.
I instinctively gestured with a V sign moving it towards my eyes as if to outline his deficiency, and mouthed back. Unfortunately my reply was audible and was a non intended insult to people who are visually impaired. As he turned red with embarrassment and his children's jaws dropped I think I got my message home.
One of the problems in this Country is that the traffic laws do not really cater for cycle users.
I mean that in both ways.
To protect them and to protect other road users from them.
In Holland and other European Countries there is strict Liability when it comes to collisions.
What a great deterrent, especially when you consider that the biggest excuse for people not commuting by bike is that they worry about being hit by a car.


Even in America the law states that you have to provide a specified distance.
I don't mind Sharing !!!

On the subject of Safety apparently wearing helmets can be 'more dangerous'
Research suggests that cyclists who wear protective helmets are more likely to be knocked down by passing vehicles.
The study from Bath University found drivers tend to pass closer when overtaking cyclists wearing helmets than those who are bare-headed.
Dr Ian Walker was struck by a bus and a lorry during the experiment. He was wearing a helmet both times.

But the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said tests have shown helmets protect against injuries. I can certainly vouch for that having tragically witnessed an horrific accident with one of our Femules Karen. Her helmet use undoubtedly saved her life.

To carry out the research, Dr Walker used a bike fitted with a computer and an ultrasonic distance sensor to find drivers were twice as likely to get close to the bicycle, at an average of 8.5cm, when he wore a helmet.

The experiment, which recorded 2,500 overtaking motorists in Salisbury and Bristol, was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Dr Walker, a traffic psychologist from the University's Department of Psychology, said: "This study shows that when drivers overtake a cyclist, the margin for error they leave is affected by the cyclist's appearance.

“ This study suggests wearing a helmet might make a collision more likely ”
Dr Ian Walker
"By leaving the cyclist less room, drivers reduce the safety margin that cyclists need to deal with obstacles in the road, such as drain covers and potholes, as well as the margin for error in their own judgements.

"We know helmets are useful in low-speed falls, and so definitely good for children, but whether they offer any real protection to somebody struck by a car is very controversial.

"Either way, this study suggests wearing a helmet might make a collision more likely in the first place," he added.

Dr Walker thinks the reason drivers give less room to cyclists wearing helmets is because they see them as "Lycra-clad street warriors" and believe they are more predictable than those without.
He suggests different types of road users need to understand each other.
"Most adult cyclists know what it is like to drive a car, but relatively few motorists ride bicycles in traffic, and so don't know the issues cyclists face.

"There should definitely be more information on the needs of other road users when people learn to drive and practical experience would be even better."
Wig wearing
To test another theory, Dr Walker donned a long wig to see whether there was any difference in passing distance when drivers thought they were overtaking what appeared to be a female cyclist.

While wearing the wig, drivers gave him an average of 14cm more space when passing.
In future research, Dr Walker hopes to discover whether this was because female riders are seen as less predictable than male riders or because women are not seen riding bicycles as often as men on the UK's roads.

However, a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents insisted: "We wouldn't recommend that people stop wearing helmets because of this research. Helmets have been shown to reduce the likelihood of head and brain injuries in a crash.

"[The research] highlights a gain in vulnerability of cyclists on our roads and drivers of all types need to take more care when around them."

Story from BBC NEWS:

And Finally I have recently been using a Trion Z magnetic and Ionic bracelet as its all the rave in the sports world at the moment. AS I am currently on a diet and increasing my training I am feeling fitter and leaner each day with far more energy.

Is my bracelet responsible in some way? I don't Know

Will I remove it, NO WAY !!!!!!

New Girl on the Bike

We are all used to see Victoria Pendleton climbing up rostrums to collect shinny Medals but training needs Finance!!!!

I think when her manager said you need some more sponsorship to get some 'bread' in she took it too literarly.

here she is climbing Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK.

BRINGING HOME THE BREAD and the GONGS.

Well done Vicky we are all routing for You

Cavendish comes home

At last the speculation is over

British cycling star Mark Cavendish has announced he will be joining Team Sky for the start of next season.
Cavendish won the green jersey as the 2011 Tour de France's best sprinter and then added the world road race title.
"I'm confident that we can achieve success and my aim is to win stages and the green jersey at the Tour de France," he told Sky Sports News.
Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford added: "What excites me is the attitude he brings to the teams he rides for."
One of Cavendish's wingmen, Austrian Bernhard Eisel, will also join Team Sky next season.
Cavendish, 26, is rated as one of the greatest-ever sprinters in the sport's history.
He won five stages at this year's Tour de France with HTC-Highroad to take his tally to 20 in total, claiming the prestigious Maillot Vert - awarded to the best sprinter -for the first time in his career.

Then in September, the Isle of Man cyclist became Britain's first male world road race champion for 46 years when his eight-man GB team helped him to victory over the 266km course in Denmark.
Cavendish has also secured a further 10 Grand Tour stage victories in his career, as well as the overall points title at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana.

CAVENDISH'S CAREER
Wins gold in the madison at the track cycling world championships in Los Angeles in March 2005.
Secures Melbourne Commonwealth Games scratch gold medal for the Isle of Man in March 2006.
Takes madison gold in track cycling world championships in Manchester alongside Bradley Wiggins in March 2008.
In July 2008, he wins four stages of the Tour de France but, a month later, fails to win an Olympic medal
Becomes only the second Briton after Robert Millar to win stages in all three grand tours after success on stage 12 of Vuelta a Espana in September 2010.
Awarded MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours in June 2011.
Wins final stage in Paris to make certain of the green jersey at 2011 Tour de France and take total stage victories tally to 20.
In September, he wins gold medal at the Road World Championships.

His future had been subject of speculation since August when HTC-Highroad stated that it would fold at the end of the 2011 season after failing to find a sponsor.
Team Sky's lead rider Bradley Wiggins hailed his compatriot's decision to join the Manchester-based outfit.
"I think I speak for everyone in the squad when I say that we're all delighted to have Cav joining us at Team Sky," he added.
"He is the best sprinter in the world and has an energy and passion for cycling that is infectious. We have enjoyed a fantastic second season and Mark's signing is another statement of our intent for next year and beyond."
Team-mate Geraint Thomas said Cavendish will enjoy a smooth transfer.
"In many ways it's like he's coming home - the team has a number of riders and support staff that he grew up with and it won't take him any time to settle in," said Thomas.
"I think everyone saw that when we helped him to victory for Great Britain at the Worlds, and we are all looking forward to helping him deliver more wins for Team Sky."

Team Sky began competition in January 2010 and is led by Brailsford, who is British Cycling's performance director. Brailsford stated in 2009 that his aim was to have a British winner of the Tour de France by 2014.