GRANFONDO LA MONT BLANC

Nick named "La Granfondo on top of Europe's Roof" will be held again this year in the stunning surrounding of the Mont Blanc,in Courmayeur.

The event will be held on the 26th of June 2016 and thousands of riders will attend this astonishing Granfondo.

The rides available caters for everyone,from novice to expert.There will be plenty of climbing,plenty of elevation gain.The feed stations manned by the friendly local people will be able to provide local delicacies given you the boost to ride those mountains. 

You can reach the event from various airports, Geneva,Turin,Milan. Transfers could be arranged via private  buses or car hires.

Accommodations can cater for every needs, from apartments to 5 star hotel,Cycling and golf could also be combined.A little tour to the Mont Blanc,horse riding,relaxing at the SPA and food & wine tasting are a great combination for an amazing weekend.

Check this video to feel the immense of this location. 

We can help in arranging your weekend away in the top of Europe. Packages can be provided,for more info email us store@saddledrunk.com.

Otherwise you can find the registration link by clicking here .

Profile of the long distance. 

The SaddleDrunk Team will be there,you can also be there in sharing great emotions with us.

SD TEAM

Scottish Borders visit to Peebles Cycling Club.

Few weeks ago the SD Team was hosted in the Scottish Border region by a lovely couples. Kevin & Trish.

My visit was aimed to explore the lovely area and to meet the amazing Peebles Cycling Club during their annual Hill Climb Race.

On Saturday morning a couple of us from the SaddleDrunk Team flew to Edinburgh. We directed ourselves South, about 1 hour drive in the astonishingsceneries to reach a little place called Broughton.

The cottage was hidden deeply into the nature, the only sound waves were from the dogs welcoming us and the essence of the flowers was blown toward us  by the a gentle breeze.

After a nice quick homemade soup and a bacon batty,we hit the road.Within few minutes I was stunned by the lovely roads and all the surrounding factors.

KC & PJ decided to take us to do the Talla an amazing place not far from their location. For them it was just an everyday ride. Talla had an interesting sign at the start, 20% advisory road sign. WOW,it was a nice tasty climb with a 39-23 was nice to challenge for 2.5km. 

After reaching the top,we stop to wait for the boys at the back and a couple of panoramic shots.

We, then carried on and to be honest with you, there are not enough words to describe the scenery and the peace that this location was sending to us "Concrete Jungle Residents".

Kevin pointing the North Star.

If you have never been to Peebles you should consider it. Not far from Edinburgh & the airport you can enjoy great time with the family but also do some road biking and MTB at the nearby Glentrees Forest home of various MTB champions.

A Social Gathering after the Hill Climb,before the social ride.

The following it was the time for the Annual Social Hill Climb for PCC. This Time Trial Climb Race was before a Sunday Social Ride.

It was beautiful to sit in the pack with the club members to listen their stories and experiences on the 2 wheels.

The SD team is pleased to announced that we are now one of the 2 kit suppliers for Peebles Cycling Club.

The Short Sleeves Jersey

PCC organise various sportive around the area,therefore you should look into this for 2016 season to take part.

Love the roads,BE SAFE,BE SEEN.

Ciao from the SD Team.

Testing Oakley Sunglasses & Prizm Lenses

Nearly 6 weeks ago I was approached by Oakley Sunglasses through a SaddleDrunker (James M.).

They invited me to road test the Jawbreaker & Radar models, this was before the public launch.

I felt really pleased to have given the chance to try those before hitting the shops but due work commitment I could test them.

Uranium Collection Prizm Road Radar 

Finally I met with Geoffrey in Regent Parks to have as we say a "Meeting on Wheels". Geoffrey is the European Operation Co-ordinator for Oakley, where he explains to me everything about the 3 models he had with him for me to try.

Nothing to say that the first impact I had with the glasses were just fantastic.

Jawbreaker with Prizm Road

We then set off with the Jawbreaker Prizm Road Lenses, the same as Mark Cavendish. The Frame of the Jawbreaker gives you an extra protection compare to glasses with the only top frame,which personally I prefer. Another point at first wearing  in my disadvantage was the width of my view was restricted on the side by a big piece of plastic where there is the big O.

After few minutes of riding, my visual perception drastically improved making the test ride more enjoyable. The lenses were really amazing bringing light to my ride and making a crystal clear view of my surroundings.

Jawbreaker with Prizm Trail

Next on the cards to try was my favourite model of sunglasses, the "Radar". The lenses were the same but the frame completely different. The Radar Frame is not bulky as the Jawbreaker, it is stylish & skinny. The combination of colour also sits very well to be seen during the hours of darkness. A good selling point is the reasonable price.

The last to try was the Jawbreaker with Prizm Trail Lenses built for Mountain Biking. Which I believe it is not still available in the market at the moment but it will be soon. 

The frame was as the Jawbreaker but those lenses made such a big difference. Those, I would say that they could be ideal for the British weather during cloudy & grey skies. They enhanced the lights and with sunset settling down my vision was perfect.I had the feeling I was riding in a sunny country during lunch time.

My test time was up, Geoffrey & I had to returned to our loved ones. It was nice meeting Geoffrey, and we (SaddleDrunkers) will be able to meet him again @ Oakley HQ to work together for a SD Special Edition Oakley Sunglasses.

More info to follow. Please get in touch if you like to visit Oakley HQ during our visit.

Thank You Oakley & Geoffrey & James.

Ride Safe, Share the Road.

SD.

A visit to one of our Sponsors.

The SaddleDrunk Team (minus Carlos) flew out to Scotland to visit one of the Team sponsors last Friday.

Part of our principles at SaddleDrunk is to meet the people behind the team. These people matter a lot to the SD Team enabling us to achieve great results. These are the sponsors.

We traveled to the Moorlands to arrive at  Charlie Mils Coffee Roasting House. The drive was just flabbergasting by the scenery.

While I was driving, I hoped that I could rivet on the bike, this was due to the great presence of hills. The element of the weather made it even juicer. 

After my brain was blown away by the beauty of the location, the staff at CMCRH provided astonishing hospitality. We were welcomed with copious variety of Home-Made Scottish delicacies.  We were left speechless by X Y & Z stories about the history behind CMCRH. We felt intoxicated by the joy to being part of their lives.

Coffee Master P working on a Rocket Espresso Machine.

We sat on the coffee beans bags to taste the various blends available from the TIP TOP to the KOM. Just a full on initiation of a pleasant tachycardia (heart rate that exceed normal range).

Loads of ideas and projects erupted from this coffee scented atmosphere. The freedom of cycling was streaming along our veins letting us to feel SaddleDrunk. 

We emphasize the simplicity and the purity of the CMCRH coffee. We will now always look forward to drinking their coffee blends during our daily routines, meetings, parties & gatherings.

You can purchase their coffee via this link.

The SD team would like to personally say thank you for hosting us.

You will be able to admire some photos of the trip in our gallery.

Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter.

SD.

Latest media release from WTB.

As UK and Italy ambassador for WTB and Freedom, SaddleDrunk is please to announce the following:

WTB and Freedom Merge to Form Wilderness Trail & Freedom

MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – April 1, 2014 – Long standing mountain bike brand Wilderness Trail Bikes, known throughout the industry as WTB, announced today that it will be merging with its urban counterpart, Freedom.  Effective immediately, the two separate brands will form one, Wilderness Trail & Freedom, rebranded as WTF.

“We’ve asked for WTF for quite some time now,” elaborated Justin Kirkwood, WTF’s creative director.  “The ThickSlick tire’s overwhelming success is irrefutable.  Now under one roof, WTF will offer a staggering portfolio.  From 16 versions of the WTF ThickSlick to 11 different WTF Vigilantes spanning 26, 27.5, and 29”, WTF has augmented its reach.  The future is bright for WTF.”

All existing WTB and Freedom products will immediately transition to WTF products.  Tires will clearly display WTF lettering on sidewalls and saddles will also broadcast the new WTF acronym.  The wolf head logo will stay while the lettering will change to appropriately display the new brand, WTF.

About WTF

Founded in 1982, WTF was formed in the birthplace of mountain biking to design better bicycle products.  Through durable, affordable, and effective bicycle products as well as countless hours spent advocating on cycling’s behalf, WTF continues to promote bicycle usage as the way of the future.

Have a good day and Let's get SaddleDrunk.

SD