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Since the injury, it’s been a funny few months. This week I’ve been cycling in the 20 degree sunshine – the first time I’ve been able to go out wear wearing just shorts and a jersey. But that wasn’t the case just a few weeks ago. After this winter’s harsh barrage of cold fronts, I’d decided to embrace my inner Belgian and go out whatever the weather: ‘no excuses now’, I told myself after investing in appropriate wet/cold weather clothing. Sure enough, my new-found mantra was recited one morning in March, where the weather forecast told me it was going to be 0 degrees outside, with light drizzle. ‘Not a patch on those poor suckers in Milan-San Remo’, was my response. Turns out I was quite, quite wrong.

There exists a strange micro-climate where London is always a few degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside. People have told me this is because of pollution, whether it is or not is another matter. So the zero degrees forecast turned into -3 in the Surrey countryside where I was riding, and as could be expected, the ‘light drizzle’ turned into ‘full on blizzard’.

Where normally I wouldn’t dare go out in these conditions, dry weather over the preceding week had meant that the roads were bone dry, and ice not as much of a worry. I’d gone out fully prepared, but despite riding with two pairs of socks as well as heavy-duty neoprene overshoes, I couldn’t feel my feet 20 miles in to my planned 100. When the snow started settling in the creases of my winter jacket, I started to think that maybe these conditions weren’t the best. When it settled in all the vents in my helmet, I wasn’t entirely sure about doing the full 100 miles I had planned. When I lost the feeling in my hands, I decided I was catching the train home.

Upon getting home, I lay in a hot bath while my feet slowly and painfully regained their feeling. I then got dressed, put a snowboard jacket on, and got into bed. I lay there shivering for an hour. I believe that could have been hypothermia…

So what a surprise it was when a couple of weeks later, I found myself at the Gypsy Hill Tavern in Crystal Palace, heart of the South London Alps, lining up for the annual London Classic. Tag-lined ‘An Urban Cycling Adventure’, this ride takes the idea of a sportive (although without the timing), and transposes it to the heart of London, taking in as many of the city’s cobbled backstreets as possible. From there it’s into the forementioned ‘South London Alps’, with some not inconsiderable 20% inclines to be taken in. The ride finishes up in the pub, with Paris-Roubaix on the big screen, and a barbecue outside.

A classic in London… (Tom took the picture…)

This was taken as an opportunity to test the rigidity of my long-term training bike, on-loan from Boardman. When I first got on it back in January, the power transfer and harshness of the ride took me by surprise. I wasn’t entirely sure how it’d cope with Wapping’s harsh cobbled streets – it’s hardly what it was built for. But I was pleasantly surprised. While I’d hardly be using it to ride the Arenberg Forest anytime soon, it was by no means the juddering hell I was expecting. Each ‘sector’ was treated with a full on acceleration, and at no point did I feel the stiffness of the frame was affecting me. Great stuff!

Now that the weather’s turned, the four 40 mile training rides a week have been replaced with three 40 milers, and one 80 miler, with the distance of the big ride increasing every week. Last week, however, I found myself leaving the house three hours late. I had to cut short the planned 100 miles down to 80 again, but to make up for this, I’d decided to absolutely hammer it: go full speed until I blow, but complete the ride no matter what condition I was in. To my surprise, I managed a 20mph average speed over the 80 miles, with 1400 meters of climbing.

I never thought I’d say this, but this training lark is great fun!

Tom is riding a Boardman SLR 9.0, courtesy of Boardman Bikes

Find out more about trips to La Marmotte by clicking here

For more information on the Dragon Ride click here

Check out the new Fox Rampage Pro Carbon helmet and Shimano Saint chainguide in 360 degree goodness.

Find out more in MBUK 291, on sale 31st May.

Last summer, Antimedia spent four weeks building two lines in Lofoten, Norway, with the goal of “capturing world-class riding in the untouched and unique nature around Lofoten”. We reckon they achieved it!

Lines of Lofoten – a five-episode web-series – will be released shortly, in the meantime, check out the highlight clip below.

Lines of Lofoten from ANTIMEDIA on Vimeo.

Rough Ride Guide, the people behind the pull-out route maps and the Big Ride features in MBUK, have organised two events for this summer.

The first is the Chilterns Challenge, a 10km to 100km signed route throughout the Chilterns on 15 June. There are shorter route options and a family route available too.

The event has a relaxed informal feel, and there’ll be plenty of cake and free tea and coffee, as well as bike goodies to buy. Entry is £15.

The second is a Welsh Coast to Coast supported group ride from Conwy to Port Talbot that takes place from 29 July to 3 August.

The route is the same one as Rough Ride Guide main man Max Darkins rode in MBUK 278. It’s 330km long and includes 13,000m of climbing.

Guides, luggage transfer, food and accommodation will be provided over this six-day adventure. This one costs £395 per rider.

Find out more about both these events at RoughRideGuide.co.uk.

 
This Is Peaty: Season 2, episode 1

Nicolas Vouilloz – The relentless pursuit of balance

Danny MacAskill’s Imaginate

This one’s a bit older, but we still like it!
Neil Donoghue – Bronson Play

Neil Donoghue – Bronson Play from Laurence Crossman-Emms on Vimeo.

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Something achievable…

Elan Valley MTB Challenge 23 June, Rhayader, Mid Wales
www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/92267/The-Elan-Valley-Challenge
The Elan Valley is well known for exciting natural terrain but rarely used for events, so we think this occasion will be a big hit.

A great blend of scenery, first class riding and some tough terrain that could be the perfect event to get your summer going. Distances available include 30, 50 and 82km. The long route takes in some classics such as Strata Florida, while the shorter route options remain within the Elan Valley itself.

Reasonable entry fees and good facilities mean this would be a great way to see a new riding area.

British XC Series Rd 4 7 July, Margam Park, South Wales
www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/85095/BC-National-Cross-Country-MTB-Series-Round-4
Don’t be afraid of cross-country racing – it might be the only mountain bike event at the Olympics, but even at a national level it’s still accessible to all levels of riders.

Serious racers will need a British Cycling racing licence, but if you just want to dip your toe in then enter the Open category, which is open to all abilities.

Round four is at Margam Park, which is a classic venue and with a new World Cup course being finished shortly, it promises to offer a fun and challenging all-weather route.

Another excellent reason to head there is the brilliant kids races on offer. Ages 12-plus can race on the main course while younger riders get a separate shorter lap.

A bit more of a challenge…

Wiggle Mountain Mayhem 15 June, Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire
www.wigglemountainmayhem.com
The biggest 24-hour event in the UK is now into its 16th year and moving to a brand new venue. It’s open to teams of four, five or 10 – and solo riders if you want to really challenge yourself.

Mountain Mayhem has a proven reputation for creating a great atmosphere while offering a course that’s accessible for all riding abilities. The course length is usually around 12 to 15km and teams race in relay format, with one person on the course at a time.

Get together with your riding buddies and have fun or push yourselves against some quick competition, the choice is yours!

Mondraker Gravity Rally 6 and 7 July, Porlock, Exmoor
www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/85097/Mondraker-Gravity-Mountain-Bike-Rally
Back for 2013, the Gravity Rally is once again being held on Exmoor. It offers a relaxed atmosphere with a nod towards actually enjoying an enduro event! That isn’t to say it won’t be a proper race – or that riding down some of Exmoor’s biggest descents won’t be challenging.

Held over two days, with five timed sections, each downhill and the sections in-between being very relaxed, there’ll be no need to rush.

The next day the emphasis will be on kicking back in the scenic surroundings. Competition is not ignored though, with electronic-chip timing and a prize raffle.

Rat Race: The Crossing 12 to 14 July, North England (starting in Whitehaven)
www.ratracecrossing.com
The newest offering from experienced event organisers, Rat Race Adventure Sports, is the opportunity to ride coast to coast in North England.

Covering 165 miles and crossing three national parks, The Crossing route is designed to pass through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors in three days. It will feature a variety of terrains and, as you’d expect, a lot off-road riding.

You don’t need a full-face helmet and body armour for this event, but you will need to be comfortable on off-road terrain and be ready for all conditions.

Riders can expect to be well looked after, with camping locations sorted, massages available each night, food provided, showers, bike washes and all the logistics in place to take the hassle out of a point-to-point ride. Bus transfers are also available and all your luggage will be transported onwards each day.

Cardinham Woods in Bodmin, Cornwall, have some brand new trails, which have opened in time for summer. They’re looking good to us!

Cornwall’s newest trail center ridin by the westcoastmountainbiking.com crew