New Year and Stuff.

So, here it is. The New Year.

Happy New Year to you, I wish you all the best for the coming 365 days.

I’ve got quite a few plans for this year, most of which are cycling, education and fitness related. Maybe a little bit of self improvement too?!

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my blog/s. Without seeing the hits on my posts I’m really doing this for nothing, it would look like I’m only typing to clear my head. However the stats show me that people from all corners of the world have read and continue to read my blog/s.

To start…

The year just passed.

If you’ve read my blog throughout the past year you’ll know that a lot has happened to me, some good and some bad. I did a lot for myself last year and really just started to understand who I am and what I’m doing here on this planet. I did quite a few things I’d never really do, I regretted some of the decisions I made but I also took opportunities I would never take too!

Everything I did has helped me to become who I am now and has helped me in planning a future based around the things I love.

The year ahead.

This year I aim to give you as much information as possible about what I’m doing, Training, Food, Music, Races… blah blah… And in return I’d like to hear back from you. Does anything I write about offend you? Motivate you? Even interest you? Let me know so I can improve what you see.

I have a secret plan for this year. I can’t tell you what it is obviously but I’m sure as the years comes to a close you’ll guess and maybe even understand what’s happening. Everything I do this year is working towards the secret… Dun dun dun…

You can follow me on…

Twitter; @Irideroad

Facebook; RideWithI

Instagram; @irideroad

Stay Flemish,

Orca Out.

IRIDEROAD presents How To Be A Roadie Part 1

We all want to know, so here are some quick tips.

Start watching every race. Even if you're at work.

Always talk about races, riders & new tech and clothing.

 Buy a bike which costs more than a family car, the reason for this is to prove how dedicated to cycling you are and to give you bragging rights.

"Hey man, how much did that cost? £800? Pffft. Look at this! £13,000 beauty!"

Go out and buy all the best equipment. Helmet, Shoes, Garmin, Bib Shorts, Bib Tights, Jerseys, Rain Jackets, Gilets, Glasses, Shoe covers, Long Socks, Ankle Socks, Base Layers and Gloves. You must spend a minimum of£1000 on this. You know why? Because next season you're going to throw it all away and buy the new stuff anyway!

Shave your legs!

Tell everyone you know that you shave your legs!

"Don't tell anyone but... I shaved my legs..."

Try at least 6 different diets. Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, High Carb, Low Carb...

Talk about how you could have been Pro...

"I was offered a slot on ---- Team, but i have a family now and don't want to be away from them"

Start looking for group rides on Saturday evenings.

Turn up at a Sunday ride. Even if you know nobody. Continue to speed off all day and say stuff like...

"Come on! My Son is faster than you"

"Looks like you should have had a banana instead of that cake at the last stop"

"This is my Recovery day and I'm still faster than you guys"

"Have I seen you before? Oh Yeah! You're the guy I dropped half an hour ago"

Start hanging out at Coffee Shops and shun others who don't.

Start ignoring people riding bikes cheaper than yours.

"You are not worthy!"

Ignore all Mountain Bike riders. They're stupid.

Always wave at other Road bike users, unless they're Hipsters riding Fixed.

"If you don't ride with drop bars... We can't be friends"

Never let anyone else ride your bike. She's precious.

Even when you're not riding, wear something which shows you'e a cyclist, be it a T-Shirt, Cuffed Socks or just your ICE Band.

Talk about all your KOMs on Strava.

"I'm so fast man, just check my Strava"

Never tell your partner how much you spent on bike parts/clothing this month.

Pass off brands like Fox and Red Bull, you'd rather have Vulpine and a refreshing homemade smoothie.

"Gives you wings? Yeah right! More like gives you the shits"

Say no to drugs! You don't want to be Lance of your Sunday group ride.

"No, the only Belgian Mix I want is a selection of beers"

Stop at red lights, we need to end that stereotype.

"We all know its Hipsters and Mountain Bike riders, us Roadies are good guys"

Ride between 9pm and 3am, there's no traffic and it shows dedication.


Expect more. Want to add a tip? Let me know on...

Facebook/ridewithi
Twitter: @irideroad
Instagram: irideroad

R to the V-V, P to the R & C to the Obbles

Hey!

Its been a while, lacking motivation the last few days, but lets see if this makes up for your lack of reading material....

#RVV
I'm sure you know by now the great Tour of Flanders happened back on Sunday. I only managed to catch the last 70km but what I saw was amazing!
The Breakaway disintegrated down to two riders, who fought all the way to the end Stjin Vandenbergh of Omega-Pharma QuickStep and Gerg Van Avermaet of BMC. They lead for quiet a while until Fabian Cancellara of Trek and Sep Vanmarcke of Belkin joined them, where the group then rode to the finish attacking each other numerous times but to no reward until finally in the last meters Cancellara sprinted to the finish line ahead of the others.


How sick are these?!

Whilst browsing on the Specialized website a few days ago looking for the perfect custom S-Works frame i spotted an article celebrating their 40th Anniversary. In this interactive article i found these awesome 1988 Specialized Shoes click the link to see them.

Paris-Roubaix this Sunday

If you didn't know by now, Paris-Roubaix will shortly be upon us, and as always I shall be watching with high hopes that my main man Tom Boonen wins his 5th P-R, breaking the record he already shares with the great (and my 2nd favorite rider of all time) Roger De Vlaeminck.
Tom and Roger's record is likely to have another member to share the glory of 4 wins this year in the shape of Fabian Cancellara, winner of this years Tour of Flanders. Fabian is probably the favorite to win after his performance at RVV, if he uses strategies like he did on Sunday he could pull it off, but with Boonen right behind him.

Boonen did not enter the race last year because of a fractured rib, which in a way gave Fabian no excuse not to win as the number one contender for the race win was absent. Boonen will be riding with team mates who will be supporting him so there should be no excuse for not winning/being top 3. However, both Boonen and Cancellara both won in solo efforts from 50km out, so they're capable of going it alone, now that would be something special (we can only hope something that awesome would happen)

So in preparation im going to be wearing my P-R Cap from Red Dots Cycling all day and drinking some fine French beers, I hope you enjoy the race and your favorite rider wins... (It'll be Boonen though so bet on him to save disappointment)

Well I'll be back on Sunday after shouting at the TV, I hope you all enjoy the race and ride lot. Weather looks like it might be good, no excuses...

Stay Flemish!

JC

Keep in touch...
Facebook: /ridewithi
Twitter: IRideRoad
Instagram: irideroad