An extraordinary effort of cycling around Australia: Reid Anderton’s record is around Australia in 37 days, 1 hour and 18 minutes is something quite incredible. But that’s not all – check out the rest of his challenges and the wonderful causes that he is making people aware of by clicking here. Congratulations to Reid.
Blog entry courtesy of Luke Humphreys:
An invitation to a memorable night of bikes, photography and beer. All for an inspiring cause.
Dates:
7th of March – An auction of cycling images + rare Team Sky Kask helmet signed by Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish & Luke Rowe.
8th of March – A raffle of cycling products from Oakley, Giro, Rapha, PRO, 5th Floor Dynamo Works and many more.
There is much more to ‘cycling food’ than many sports brand marketers would let us believe. I am a particular fan of pre- and post- ride meals detailed here on The Hungry Cyclist’s page that offer more than a quick fix from a shaken bottle. Here’s one of my favourite recipes at the moment: Tuna Tostadas best eaten as soon as I get through the door, my hands still numb from the ride. Got any recipes you fancy sharing?
My last competitive race was the UMCA 24hour Time Trial in California and since then I’ve been rather uneasy with my bike. Perhaps owing to the cold weather, perhaps to external influences of motivation and interest. But what kick started my cycling enthusiasm was an email from the organisers of Ride UK 24 explaining their plans for two epic events that are taking place across the UK in 2013.
Blinky Blimey look at their progress: Atlantic Row Tracker.
Yesterday evening I was filled with energy whilst hearing first hand about the upcoming adventure of Anna McNuff. Her video below will explain all but needless to say this is going to be something of a big ride! And because it’s by bike, of course we love the idea… Check out her plans at the BigFive-O
Simply because it is a disruption to what’s normal. I like the fact that people get excited when they can’t see the path and instead make their own tracks, taking routes they never would have taken if they could clearly see the road that everybody else takes. I reckon we ought to pretend it’s snowing more often and become a little more adventurous. Why wait for snow to start exploring new routes?!
NB: Not advised for vehicles or if you are near deep ditches.
My good friend Benno Rawlinson is about to set off from Gran Canaria and row across the Atlantic Ocean. He packed his bags which amounted to just this little collection, and then he sets off! He’s really an inspiring person who has achieved a great deal in his life. 
You can follow him and his team as they make their way across the ocean by clicking here. Or you can check out Benno’s and everybody else’s profile by clicking here. They will be rowing non-stop for 30 days in their pursuit of the World Record so keep a keen eye on their tracker for updates.
Benno once said to me: “Dont count the days, make the days count.”
A critical element to top performance is the ability to keep focused when it really matters. Indeed, there are many cases where the most physically capable athlete doesn’t end up victorious because of a glitch in their mental preparation and resilience to pressure. During the course of this post I am going to consider what we mean by ‘Mental Toughness’ and why it is now considered critical to top level performance.
Thanks to Snow and Rock I was fortunate enough to bag a ticket to Ueli Steck’s lecture at the Royal Geographical Society in London last night. It turns out I’d known only a tiny bit of what Ueli has achieved in his time, despite already being in awe of him. For the duration of the lecture I was gripped on every word, as he took listeners through the very ‘ordinary’ nature of how he has become the speed climbing sensation that he is today. Of his climbing he describes his motivation: “You’re progressing on something and that’s what it’s all about. You want to keep moving and having a progress in your life”.
We can’t always choose whether a photo exposes our good side, but seeing as the photographer missed it and I made the event banner, I guess I’d better say a few things about the BikeBath festival for 2013.
Road.cc cover the event here
Tough cycling challenges are growing in popularity and course curators are wracking their brains to bring some of the toughest tests to the public. If you’re up for some excessive climbing, then check out the Cent Cols Challenge by clicking here.
Cycle a Difference is the challenge of a lifetime cycling adventure across northwest and central Vietnam in May 2013. Sponsorship from the ride will support UK led nurse training and life saving equipment. (Event Website)
Now that I’m sat back in the UK, I thought I’d write a little recap of the race over in California.
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| Night before the race. Kit is ready. Food is sorted. Running through final plans. |
Number is on. Car is ready and waiting for the follow. Ben sets off to the start line.
2nd November. 11pm.
5 hours in, another 19 to go.
Nearing the end of the first 121.3 mile loop.
3rd November. 1 am. 17 Hours to go.
On to the 2nd long loop.
3rd November. 2.30am. 15.5 hours to go.
Ben was falling asleep on his bike. We gave him 30 seconds to power nap.
3rd November 11am.
Waiting for Ben to come through on the smaller loop. 15.8miles.
3rd November. 6.04pm
There he is! Ben rockett’s through the final lap. PB on the small loop.
Ben receives his medal from the race organizers.
California here we are
The World Champs are less than 24 hours away.
How to keep up with the pace:
Keep an eye out on www.rockettrides.com for news, posts on Ben’s progress.
Get your tweets @BenRockett, your videos on www.youtube.com/benrockett
The Rockett will saddle up at 6pm on Friday 2nd November.
Please show us you are as geared up as we are by leaving Ben and the team a message on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter
California here we are
The World Champs are less than 24 hours away.
How to keep up with the pace:
Keep an eye out on www.rockettrides.com for news and posts on Ben’s progress.
Get your tweets @BenRockett, your videos on www.youtube.com/benrockett
The Rockett will saddle up at 6pm on Friday 2nd November.
Please show us you are as geared up as we are by leaving Ben and the team a message on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter
We all know that it’s dangerous to ride on the roads with headphones in, but AfterShokz Sport M2 headphones have made it possible to have your music and have your ears wide open to ambient noise, keeping you motivated and entertained by your music, and safe at the same time.
They’ve utilised ‘bone conduction technology’, first developed for use within military operations. Rather than using the ear-drum as the transmitter of the sound waves, AfterShokz technology sends the sounds to the inner ear through the cheekbone. What is more, the sound is not interrupted by wind as it can be with ear-bud or conventional headphone devices making this an ideal system by which to listen to music on the bike.
