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.

Easy reading for a sunny coffee..

The first week of January has gone.

During celebrations chats with friends and family loads of ideas,resolutions has been said,over said 1000 times. This is amazing.But have you actually started.

I hope so.If not just start now,it is never too late and make sure you keep rolling.My motto is "just keep rolling".One day you will stop forever,and there will be no going back. Just do it, small or big workouts,exercises, rides does not matter. Be constant,do not feel peer pressured by others.Be you.Let's yourself set the targets,don't follow others.I am not teaching you rocket science,but those are basics, that sometimes we forget.

During this time of the year sales for memberships in gyms,clubs,teams,classes rises above the sky. Again on this, think twice.Make your money going further.Think about the nice weather,the cold weather,all the factors that can happen during 365 days. Remember #outsideisfree , be #SaddleDrunk, intoxicated with the freedom of cycling.

If you are lucky enough to be selected you might join the Rapha Cycling Club, for £ 200 a year to get you a coffee and a cap.Not bad deal.

If you join our club for only £ 36 a year you get more than a coffee.Join our rides,free gifts and more.For more info email us at store@saddledrunk.com .

We,at SaddleDrunk are taking booking for a long weekend of cycling in the Italian Apennines,in the area of Marco Pantani's training land to take part in a Granfondo and degustate some of the local delicacies. The date for it is 26 of April 2015.

We are also planning another ride to Paris for the summer period open to everyone willing to take up this challenge.

For more info about the little trips feel free to get in touch.

Look out for more info for the Racing team.

Be safe in the road.

Have a good weekend.

SD Team.

Taiwan KOM Challenge 2014 Press Release

Now is the time of the year, to register for the amazing KOM Challenge 2014 which will be held in November.I will not be attending the event this year,but I highly recommend to do it.

Please read the review from last year here.

Climbing Experience to the Extreme

Official Press Release for the TAIWAN KOM CHALLENGE 2014

Brought to you by the Taiwan Travel Bureau & the Taiwan Cyclist Federation

Event Date & Time: November 15th 2014

Total Prize Money: $2,410,000 (New Taiwan dollars, equivalent to over $80,000 US)

Statement:

One Million New Taiwan Dollars for Overall Men’s Winner, Increased Prizes for the Women’s Race, and New Anti-Doping Policy Introduced 

The Taiwan Travel Bureau in association with the Taiwan Cyclist Federation is proud to announce the details of the eagerly anticipated 2014 Taiwan KOM Challenge.

They are also thrilled to announce the participation of the 2009 women’s Tour de France winner and four-time British champion Emma Pooley in the 2014 event.

This year’s race sees a massive increase in the prize money on offer and a zero tolerance drug policy introduced, the first of its kind in Asia.

Now in its third year, the Taiwan KOM Challenge has established itself as Asia’s premier hill climb event and as the toughest of its kind in the world. The 105km route travels from the eastern coastal town of Hualien, starting at sea level, and rises along its route to the roof of Taiwan, up on HeHuan Mountain at 3,375 meters.

The course takes the participants up at an average 7% through the breathtaking Taroko Gorge to the 97km point at Dayuling, and then rises up over its remaining kilometers to a maximum incline of 27%, averaging at 17% for the final 8 kilometers. 

The mountain dwarfs anything that North America and Europe have to offer, making the Taiwan KOM Challenge truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, oxygen-depleted air and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment wait to greet those who finish the ride within the 6 and a half hour time limit. Last year’s winner Rhaim Emami of Iran completed the race in an astonishing 3 hours and 26 seconds from the official timed start, which begins after the 18km of neutralised riding.

In the past professional riders of the caliber of Jeremy Roy of Francaise des Jeux, Anthony Charteau of Europcar and Tiffany Cromwell of Specialized-lululemon have taken part in the event, a tradition which continues this year with the participation of Giro d’Italia Femminile KOM winner Emma Pooley. The organisers are also in talks with other top professionals, the details of which will be released later. 

Prize money this year will total to 2,410,000 New Taiwan dollars ($80,000US), with NT$1,000,000 (US$33,376) going to the overall winner of the men’s event. Cash prizes will go down to the 6th rider over the line, with NT$1,750,000 in total available for the men.

Recognizing the growing interest on the women’s side of the sport and eager to encourage more women to ride the Taiwan KOM Challenge, the TTB and the TCF are offering NT$200,000 ($6,675US) for the first female rider over the line. Similar to the men, cash prizes are available to the top 6 riders. In total there will be NT$440,000 ($15,000US) on offer for the women’s race. 

After much discussion, the organisers of the Taiwan KOM Challenge 2014 have decided to implement drug testing for the top 6 riders and reserve the right to randomly test any other participant.

Furthermore, any rider with a previous record of doping will not be allowed to compete in the race. This decision was not taken lightly and is one that the Taiwan Cyclist Federation feels reflects the current climate in world cycling and is one that will encourage fairness. 

The testing will be carried out by the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee and the tests will be analysed at a laboratory in Japan. 

Registration for the event officially opens on the 15th of September, and can be accessed at http://www.taiwankom.org/.

Press and online media enquiries can be sent to leerodgers202@gmail.com.

Links to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65_ncpaYnvg (KOM video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c5M_Nw5A0w (Charteau interview)

Have fun and get SaddleDrunk