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.

The little things.

I was Flemish last night.

Whilst out last night riding with my buddy i came to the conclusion that I am stupid person.
It was cold as hell and I was only wearing a t-shirt, some 3/4 length shorts, arm warmers and a thin flannel shirt. So while riding along at our 20mph pace trying to keep my cadence high to warm me up i thought to myself "why didn't I prepare"

If you haven't guessed yet, this post is going to be about the little things, the items of clothing we all forget to wear out on rides or just don't buy because we think "i don't actually need those"
Well let me tell you, after last night i am definitely looking into buying the following items:

Arm Warmers
Leg Warmers
Gilet
Long Socks/Socks
Shoe covers
Winter Cap/Cap
&
Gloves

These are now ESSENTIALS.
So check out the list below and maybe buy some things?
Hopefully the selection I've picked is ok for you guys, the price range is varied and so are the styles.

Arm Warmers
Not only are they tight and warm: they look Pro as hell.
Pick some up from:
PBK
Wiggle
Or if you've got luxury in mind check out these
Rapha


Leg Warmers
Again tight, but not too tight because of muscle compression, also very warm and Pro.
Pick some up from:
Ribble
Tredz
Or check these out
Gore

Gilet
Gilets are really handy bits of kit, you can wear them on and off the bike and can buy them almost anywhere depending on how big your budget is and how good you want to look. For example you could buy the Rapha Hi-Vis Gilet which is bright pink and will make you receive some strange looks if you wear it out to town rather than or you could buy the Odlo Flame Gilet which will look good with normal clothing all year round.

Long Socks/Socks
Long socks/socks are a great way of getting an extra layer on your feet and lower leg, I find that with my shoes, the vents in the bottom to keep my feet cool often turn my feet into blocks of ice when out riding without shoe covers on. So the extra layer always helps.
If you're looking for a quick buy check out PBK, they currently have a 3 for £10 deal on their selection of own brand socks.
If you fancy some socks with class check out the beautiful Vulpine Long Socks

Shoe Covers
Shoe covers are Aero, waterproof, toe saving and so Pro!
These will stop your shoes getting soaked, feet becoming frozen and make you look like you know what your doing.
Check them out at Castelli, they have Covers for all your needs and some of the designs are amazing.
There are cheaper alternatives out there but with Castelli you're paying for design and quality.

Winter Cap/Cap
You guys should know by now that when it comes to caps, there's only one company I'll go to, Red Dots Cycling. I would recommend their caps 'til the day i die, the selection is great and all caps are stylish and handmade to the highest quality, and if you cant find what you want...They do custom caps!
However if you fancy blending in with the rest of the peleton you can check out
Castelli
Rapha

Gloves
These to me are probably the most essential kit you need to buy (other than a helmet)
If your hands go cold and numb how are you going to brake? Shift gears? Eat? Or wipe the snot from your nose?

Choosing gloves is hard because everyone has different sized hands and fingers. So you need to try before you buy so you get the best fit. Also, buy more than one pair of gloves, you'll need some for Summer, Winter and rain. Summer gloves should be finger-less, Winter gloves should be Full finger and Rain gloves should be thick (usually neoprene) and waterproof.

Try to buy gloves which have a gel pad as a feature, you'll be surprised how much pain you can be in if you're leaning on the bars all day with out a gel pad to absorb some of the vibrations.
Some gloves do come up your wrist a bit, i guess this is for comfort and is more aero than standard gloves.




Now you've been told!
Go buy some kit, Let me know what you bought or even what you own. Give others some advice and recycle your old kit, give it to someone who might not own a certain bit of kit or pass on the warm items to someone who really needs them.

So you could either be Flemish and fight through the cold, which may affect your health... Or you could take some advice from someone who knows how it feels to freeze.

Stay Flemish (sort of)