Kendal Mint Co. Team KMC

 

I am pleased to officially announce that I have been chosen to be an athlete for Kendal Mint Co.’s TEAM KMC. I am really pleased to have been chosen to help represent this company especially as their products I already use and have done for some time. Not only is it a an honour to be chosen it is a great year for our partnership. 2021 marks the 20th Anniversary of my spinal surgery and I aim to honour this by, as always taking part in exciting, new and diverse challenges. kendalmint.co.uk are promoting athletes of all levels to challenge themselves with a #myeverest challenge, honouring the first ever climb of said mountain which was fuelled by the famous mint cake. Whatever your Everest may be, go for it and check out others too by visiting the website and following them and myself on social media. Asa Team KMC athlete I also get a 10% discount which you can use. 

 Just follow the link HERE then add thelonebiker10 at checkout for the discount!

Keep following and remember to keep climbing your own #myeverest !

Wahoo Kickr Core Review

 I bought a new wahoo Kickr Core. Check out the video below for a review on my experiences so far

2020 Statistics

 So 2020 came to an end and I ended up doing my biggest mileage in a calendar year to date and included finally managing the Rapha Festive 500 (thanks to zwift and the purchase of a Wahoo Kickr, which i will review soon) so here is the stats in gif form!

New Giant Contend AR 1 2021

So on an impulse I bought another Giant. Check out the full details at the link below and in my initial video review.

Giant Contend AR 1 2021

 

Summer became Autumn became Winter

200km Day 

 So July became August and then Autumn came along with plenty of miles under the belt. Alas they didn't as I was hoping include miles of smiles in Mallorca with covid claiming my holiday as another casualty and although much cycling was done in July the weather was wet and left a lot to be desired at times. However there were many opportunities to continue riding my new Giant TCR and getting in one or two cracking rides. I managed another 200km day on a fine hot day which was epic to say the least. I wanted to find the Paisely end of the cycle track that heads past Loch Winnoch. I made my way there via, Strathaven and East Kilbride, Pollok and then into Paisley itself where I quickly spotted the Blue sign directing me onto the track. It was pleasant and easy to follow with only one diversion on to the road and back half a mile later (where the police were investigating a murder!) before it joined with the section I was most familiar with. After continuing to Kilbirnie I made the decision to take a moor road to Largs which I have done in another direction before, before heading south down the coast and heading back across the Fairlie Moor road. I highly recommend this tough climb from Hunterston as you are rewarded with stunning views of the firth of Clyde and a long descent back to Dalry. I made my way through Kilwinning to Irvine then along the coast Barassie for a much needed refuel at my parents house. I then took the cycle track along to Prestwick airport before heading home via, Tarbolton, Mauchline and Dungavel. This was a spectacular day out owing to the weather, lack of wind and the distance but also because I never felt like the tank was empty. Especially good as I am considering an attempt at the NC500 next summer so to be able to pump out 200km and have something left feels good. This route could be shortened slightly to include a surprisingly large amount of cycle track. There can be a bit of snobbiness about using track from some cycling corners but on a big day when youre not pushing particularly fast they can be a relaxing experience, especially of in a group of 2 or 3.

 

Galloway Hills 

 I also completed my now annual loop through Galloway to Newton Stewart and back from Dalmellington. This route is always spectacular with climbs of Largs Hill, Tairlaw, the road to Glentrool and the Queensway but also remarkably car free for a such a scenic route. I did it anti clockwise this year and the only complaint I would have is the small road I take from Glentrool to Newton Stewart down the left side of the river wasn’t in as great nick as its been before but it was another great day on the bike. Covid was still making it trickier to refuel as the Forestry Commission cafes at Glentrool and Clatteringshaws remained closed but Newton Stewart has a garage that I regularly use to fill the water bottles and I continued to rely on gels for longer rides this year with the café options close to zero. The road has been resurfaced on the long descent back into Dalmellington so the final 10 miles were a joy and just after Casphairn I also beat an electric cyclist up the climb!

   

 Autumn Smiles 

 My October holidays usually see the last rides of the “good” bike before it goes away for the winter and avoids the dreaded salty grit. With a good weather window of sunshine and little wind I decided to try for a (possibly) last century ride of the year. I headed to Dalmellington first (via an alternate route to normal owing to road closures) then across to Straiton. I had bailed at an attempt to cycle to Girvan in the summer as I came across a road resurfacing in operation so returned to test out the new road and try it out. As it headed to the coast it was mostly downhill and with the exception of a stop to rescue a stunned blue tit on the road I sailed there with ease. On the outskirts of Girvan I then headed along the A77. Although the coastal views are nice this is a busy section of road and wasn’t the most pleasant so I was pleased to see the turn off for Turnberry which took me off the main road and past President Trumps other Whitehouse. I followed the coastal route through all the coastal towns before turning for home at Irvine and finishing the day as the sun was setting on both the day and on a good 6 months of riding on the new bike.

 

Lockdown Long Ones

In the last month of lockdown I managed 2 extensive 100 mile+ tests of the new TCR, both heading in completely different directions on cracking days weather wise.

HEADING SOUTH

The first headed in to South Ayrshire then along the coast and into the Ayrshire alps where i took on Glenalla, Nic o the Balloch and the Tairlaw before climbing from Straiton over to Dalmellington over Largs hill.
The weather was roasting, which I would choose anyday but during lockdown it becomes a harder proposition for refueling. the usuall wee cafe stops were all closed but petrol stations remain open and a good source of finding water and fuel so the back pockets were filled with snacks to sustain.
I have been refueling recently with Kendal Mint Cake Co gels and energy drink which I have really enjoyed and find they are very easy on the stomach. Pockets full of these and easy carry refill drinks sachets made the lack of cafe stops not a problem.
The scenery of the Ayrshire coast and its alps can be spectacular and I soaked it all in especially as the ride was the furthest I'd been from home in 10 weeks and great day to give blue its first big test and with new mavic Kysrium Elite S wheels.
The day was finished with a great southerly tailwind which blew me all the way home.

HEADING NORTH

The second of my centuries took me north. The last time I tried the cycle to Greenock was just before the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. The route north goes under the flight path to Glasgow Airport and on my previous run plane after plane arrived over headfrom all over the world for the games where as this time the skies were nothing but quiet blue.
The route around Inverclyde draws a circle around the Clyde Murshiel Regional Park skirting Bridge of Weir on the west side before arriving above Greenock to some spectacular views of the Trossachs over the Firth of Clyde.

The route steeply drops into Greenock before rising steeply outwards into the regional park along the Old Largs Road.......to Largs, through some stunning moorland.
A 10km descent takes you down to the coast. I battled a southerly all the way back down to Troon before I headed back home with the days climbing behind me.

Two centruy rides and the new bike gets pass marks. Heres to more in July!

New Giant Advanced 1TCR