Lanterne Rouge

Saddle Drunk September 7, 2014

Good day to all of you..i hope you are enjoying this nice weather.

A quick reminder to you all to click on our diary in the home page to check for rides

Once upon a time, I used to be in the armed forces. I may talk about it some day if I ever run out of current stories to tell.. But the main point is that I got to know of this REALLY AWESOME GIRL and she, LEE YN, got married today. I couldn’t be there unfortunately due to one of those weird chinese superstitions that still rule the world these days and I’m upset.

So I need to write, and write the weekend away. Bear with me – for it’s going to be a bumper post!

LEE YN. I was meant to be her bridesmaid today….

This pretty much sums up our r/s. But I still love her all the same.

Anyway! SAT.

The laptop went flat in the last minutes of my trainer session on Thurs;

The phone screen went blank on the way home from dinner yesterday.

The body got jealous that these two precocious toys were allowed their moment of “system down” and decided that it wanted a go at it too.

So that was what happened. I came home from school and promptly concussed in bed for the next 2.5h. It was the sort of dead-to-the-world kind of nap – it was actually rather scary. I remember trying to get myself out of the deep slumber a couple of times but my body was having none of that. The mind didn’t relent; it just wasn’t given a choice.

Anyhow, it was time for a bike ride when I woke up. Yep, it was still only early afternoon as I was out of the house at 5.45am for the lab testing session on a Saturday. All in name of science, or so I try to convince myself, and it just might be better than riding in the cold and dark of yestermorning.

They say no bike is allowed. Too early! ;)

I have 2 offices, as you all know – the study table and the saddle. Today was one of those .ppt days – powerpoint presentation of Microsoft fame and power profile test of Cyclingtraining.cc. I’m a technology Luddite, in all sense of things, and I solemnly swear that no one will ever dispute this. And so, neither appealed to my senses. Let’s leave it as that. I just did what I had to do. It was nasty.

.ppt delivered by Snozza, the evil coach.

Fast forward to today. SUN!

3 bike rides were due today but the tank was empty. Gave up 1; but there were still 2 INTERESTING ONES to come. Let’s talk about the 2nd first (pardon the pun)…

The good man aka founder & chief Sufferlandrian had sent me his latest offering after I had sent him an email that said,

“Love to bike; love to write; love to suffer.

#FOS. Full of style, or full of shit – could work either(both) way(s).

Keen to review “Elements of Style”. Pretty sure I’ll love it, and hate it. But at least, I shouldn’t be dissing it!”

He came back with,

“… You’re #FoC (Full of Class!)

… If you’re able to test out the video, write and publish a review by Monday, we’ll send you a pair of Sufferfest socks…

This film is unlike any other Sufferfest video. If you go into it expecting to Suffer, you’ll be disappointed as that’s not what it’s about...”

I’ll spare you the context of line #1 ‘cos being full-of-class sounds pretty damn good to me. As for #2, I reckon I had to rush this out somehow ‘cos #FoC (free-of-charge) socks couldn’t or rather, shouldn’t be passed up right?!

I didn’t like the sound of the 3rd line though. Where’s the PAIN, AGONY and MISERY? Anyway, it was probably a good thing ‘cos my 1st bike ride of the day – the Kew ITT – threw up another pretty good #FOS. I ended the ride FullofSnort and could barely pedal back home after. I had absolutely nothing left in my legs and didn’t fancy getting onto the trainer again.

So this is where “Elements of Style” should supposedly come into play.

Legs smashed; back slouched; body tensed; pedalling squares yada yada; basically, form is atrocious. Best time to see how this form-fixer video works out!

First up, you need to LOOK stylish. Hence the awesome get-up. Half the battle won and I’m happy to be on the bike again.

Now, we can talk about the real deal. Long story short, time passed way faster than I thought it would.

Carlton Kirby has a voice that hynotises you and makes you do what he says.

The landscape of Wanaka is absolutely stunning and keeps you enthralled.

That said, I think I need to make another date with the video to enjoy the scenery for what it is worth. I found myself trying to stay aware of my body and keep up my form, which meant that I wasn’t able to pay too much notice to the screen. Well, at least not to the awesome backdrop of the video! It should improve with time though, when good form becomes second nature - I’m really interested to see how this improves the power balance in my legs.

Two stand out things for me:

SYSTEMS CHECK!

I’ve a huge problem with attention span (P.S. I hated the ITT of the morning very much so). The 9 point body systems check employed throughout the video always seemed to come on at just about the right time when I started to lose my concentration. A quick look at the sliding door aka mirror to check on my posture, a little shake to loosen the body and a renewed focus on the pedalling stroke meant that I was quickly back on track. ALL SYSTEMS GO!

The FOUR Commandments of Standing Climb.

I pride myself as a climber and especially love to climb off-saddle. I don’t want to give anything away from the video, but I was surprised by how much difference following these four pointers made. Let’s just say, my upper body had always been the first to give way when I’m riding off saddle. May this nemesis be a thing of the past!

In short, I say get on this, for it’s the real #sufferfest deal!

Why? I’ve never quite gotten a handle of this whole sufferfest thingamajig. I love it to bits – I use them a little too often (my coach probably hates it for that reason). But are they meant to make time on the trainer less of a suffer? Or are they meant to teach you how to suffer more on the trainer? Let’s leave it as that. I don’t think I can explain myself properly but you probably get the gist. It’s been a long day.

Time for a rest, and another bike ride tmr!

Until next time, do not forget to follow SaddleDrunk in his latest adventure next weekend. A 24 hours challenge London to Paris on a Dahon Foldable bike. SaddleDrunk is raising money for Prostate Cancer UK so you can donate here.You can also buy the special edition t-shirt clicking here.

Intoxicate yourself with the freedom of Cycling.

SD.

"Back2Fitness" Event: Pitshanger Park, Ealing - 31 August 2014

Guest User September 1, 2014

What a great day had by all!

Officially our first outing with our new gazebo, flags, banners & cool kit

In collaboration with "Will to Win" Pitshanger Park & ourselves, we invited a few like minded friends to ensure this long glorious Summer continued for just a little bit longer & to encourage those who have let their fitness program slide some what to get back on the saddle, so to speak, and boy did the Sun do us proud.

Will to Win, Pitshanger Park, Ealing HQ & Coffee House

The others that were part of the "Back2Fitness" event were, Ealing Cycle Campaign, London Bike Hub, VeloMec & Ealing Metropolitan Police Service , W5 Physio . . and finally the Community of Ealing. Our objective was to bring Cycling & Tennis together on one day and to make the local community become aware as to the resources that is on their doorstep via these local businesses & associations.

The lovely boys from London Bike Hub, Ealing Cycle Campaign & Ealing MPS

London Bike Hub provided minor bicycle maintenance & advice, whilst Ealing Cycle Campaign (part of London Cycle Campaign) were there to advise cyclist about group rides, safety & other aspects of cycling. And Ealing MPS were offering free security registration for bicycles. They were all kept busy.

David of VeloMec with Richard of Ealing MPS

VeloMec, deal with full bike maintenance, re-builds, customs builds & cycle-fits. We recently met David on a SaddleDrunk ride-out from PaperBack Coffee in South Ealing Road & we discussed a project we were working on, which was our very our SaddleDrunk bike. David was up for the challenge & the result is a fabulous full carbon bike weighing at 7kg!

Tom of Will to Win had put on free tennis session for the next generation of tennis players. Many young children were having great fun led by two of Will to Win's excellent coaches.

Don't argue with me, that was definitely IN! (where's HawkEye?)

Hundreds of people from the local community turned-up enjoying the pleasant surroundings and the facilities available. Many were surprised that such a park existed on their doorstep together with high quality tennis courts and a coffee house which serves a mean Flat White!.

We met many people, some we knew but many that we didn't and it was a treat meeting & and speaking with them all. It was great to meet Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for Environment & Transport, on his new steed. We look forward to working with the Councillor and other key members of the Ealing Community & Commerce in achieving a safe environment for cyclists as well as encouraging health & fitness in the borough.

David (No2) of VeloMec fitting someone Pride & Joy

We love cycling, we also love running (every Saturday 9am from PaperBack Coffee) but what we love most of all is helping you get fit but if cycling and running "ain't your thang" we can point you in the right direction. We are based in Ealing & we know people who can help you.

We like to thank all of those that took time to set-up their gazebos & share their experience & knowledge, all of the lovely folk of Ealing that came to see us to make worth while but mostly we like to thank Tom Fairhead of Will to Win, Pitshanger Park for allowing us to use make this event happen. Cheers Tom.

Thanks for the love Ealing & until next time "Cycle Safe"

Stefano & Panayiotis XX

Our weekly appointment from Down Under

Saddle Drunk September 1, 2014

Hi all,I hope you had a good weekend,and plenty of riding,

Serene Lee again is keeping us company from Down Under.Here it is her weekly report.

First up folks, sorry to disappoint but it’s important for me to make this clarification…

I’m NOT a pro rider. I’m your everyday common folk – the wannabe full-time cyclist but the real-life full-time research student. Yep, it’s a rather practical world out there.

Secondly, I love green. My dad says emerald is my lucky stone; apple green my lucky colour. I’ve always been put in the green house (pardon the pun) at school. Did I say my school colours – for the best 6 years of school life - were green too? I’m a proud Rafflesian. It also just happens to be Oakley’s 30th anniversary for their performance eyewear this year and their celebratory Heritage collection has a lot of green in them (N.B. I love the retro look too but we’ll get onto that in another post).

Anyway, I had been bugging Joey, my superstar from Oakley Singapore, for a pair of green lenses to go with my shades. She finally relented and sent me some Jade Iridium ones (along with those aforementioned goodies). I collected and snapped them on, before leaving for a club race 30 minutes later.

Well, I won the race rather unexpectedly. 1st female; 3rd overall (among the men). FLAT and WINDY course, doing my fair share of work in the paceline, frisky in the moves that went off the front and in contention for a podium in the reduced bunch sprint. Rest assured it is nothing characteristic of my racing style. I guess GREEN makes everything happen. Or maybe it’s the 2x aspiration of my heel and 3weeks worth of antibiotics. Whatever.

I also collected my trophy for my 1st placed female finish earlier on in the month. It happened to be my national day that day so HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!

On a side note, it turned out that my awesome ride drove me into an automatic car-wash pre-race. It was claustrophobic and induced a lot of adrenaline in me, which could partly explain the unfathomable of the race, but I guess it was green too. Maybe I should add that to my pre-race routine.

The fog that once shrouded and clouded my mind;

The crossroads that I stood upon;

Gave way to a semblance of rainbow and butterflies.

Literally, and figuratively.

Melbourne weather can be so unpredictable.

The grandeur of promise always supersedes its actual delivery.

Word of advice or rather, note to self: Never forget the power of sufficiency.

And so, I’ve decided to continue being a nerd for a little while more and march on at school. It is probably a good idea when spew worthy efforts of 3mins on/off can throw up these amount of words.

Training and Studying great combination for top results

Mind you, SUFFERFEST was playing right in front of me but I don’t think I heard/saw anything. It merely masked the whir of my Lemond and my gasps for air. I was hyperventilating throughout the session and only realised that when my neighbour popped his head into the balcony and tried to get my attention. He was concerned that I was about to pop dead and die. It seemed just about right as I not only had the usual pedalling muscles’ cramps post-ergo session; but also facial cramps to go along. #nextlevelhurt

The art of juggling had better improve or else, they might all land on the ground like a pile of poo. That’ll hurt – just like these things do.

This makes everything worth the while though.

My lucky charm SaddleDrunk T-shirt finally arrived

Thank you very much Serene.Until next time all over the world just get SaddleDrunk.

From Australia, Serene Lee Pro Rider talks to us about cycling

Saddle Drunk August 25, 2014

I met Serene Lee, last year at the Taiwan KOM challenge and it was a pleasure talking to her and riding with her. She is a promising rider and a great climber with strong legs. Hopefully we will see her soon in Europe.

I have personally asked her to tell us about road race cycling down under.

There’s this thing called writer’s block; and something called verbal diarrhoea. I’m just about to unleash some of the latter because by a cruel turn of fate, I’ve to be off my bike on an uncharacteristically sunny, wintry (going-to-be-spring) weekend. You know that feeling? It stinks like a pile of poo.

There’s this powerful drug that WADA cannot, and will never be able to, ban – road cycling. I can go on and on about its beauty and the benefits that it extols, particularly to my being, but I will save this for another time. Anyway, if you’re reading this, you probably are reasonably clued up.

Long story short, I’ve been intoxicated and probably should’ve been stopped by the police at the roadblock just off the street. It’s early morning on Saturday after all. SADDLE DRUNK. Or rather, not allowed to be saddle drunk and suffering unexplainably (according to the “mortal” souls) from withdrawal symptoms.

Pursuing a higher education has always been a legitimate reason to keep riding my bike. Racing it, gives me even more legitimacy to ride my bike for obscene hours. Or so I think at least. I’ve come a long way, in all sense of things. I’m 26 this year and pursuing my Honours (research) in sports and exercise science. Actually, I was about to type, pursuing my studies in all aspects of cycling. That’s the plan anyway – to do my PhD studies on female elite cyclists. There’s a whole host of things that I’ve dabbled with, cannot wait to validate with scientific research and seek solutions for. The paucity of scientific data on female elite athletes is rather in-your-face alarming and I hope to shed some light in that regard. I’ll come back to this next time since I’ve digressed again.

By a long way, I meant that I flew from Singapore to Melbourne at a whim. One Facebook conversation and ten days later, I found myself staying in Melbourne for the past nine months. That’s me the past few years – doing things uncharacteristically me. So I got lucky with the Holden team (thank you!), managed to find my way into Victoria University and convinced my parents that Melbourne is the place to be for this year. It almost sounds like an amazing, dream-come-through journey right? Yes, and no. It’s been a physical, mental and emotional roller coaster ride that I really could do without in my life. I think.

For a good example, let’s just start with this weekend. I had to make the decision to miss a race for school. You know, that shit moment when life gets in the way?! I’ve just come off a 25-h training week despite it being lab-testing week for my research studies. I’ve just come off a 3-week training block, off a pretty good performance at a flat and windy NRS race (not quite my thing with my physique) and off a 7-day antibiotic course prior to that race. Before that, it had been on/off for a good 4 to 6 weeks due to a whole host of bad luck – when it rains, it pours. In my case, it storms, floods and overflows the banks. I lost the big chunk of goodness I gained over the first half of the year (I was the fittest I had ever been in April/May this year) and I was just about getting this back….

So I was struggling the first few days of this week trying to recover from the big bout of effort and doubted (rather incessantly) about my ability to pull it off in the race over the weekend. Snozza, my amazing coach from cyclingtraining.cc., dealt with me admirably and convinced me that the legs would come good on Friday. It did, but I was riding (and weeping) on the trainer as I contemplated the “what-ifs”. I was meant to be unleashing those pistons at the morning TT and afternoon kermesse. I had left my team one down – I’m sorry teamies.

It was blood, sweat and tears literally. I had decided to re-visit the doctor to look at my recurrent inflamed heel. It got bad again over the week, probably because the immune system was down and my tired body was rebelling. On that note, I was definitely fit to race however angry the heel was. I was pretty sure it was nothing that sinister; or rather I didn’t want to think it was. The doctor prescribed me antibiotics (again!) and sent me off elsewhere for ultrasound.

I managed an appointment almost immediately (too soon that I was almost too scared to turn up) and the radiologist gave me a good scare when he told me to keep lying there while he got a doctor to come and see me. Those were a long couple of minutes as I thought he wanted to say that my ankle needed to be chopped off! Apparently it was just protocol, my Achilles tendon was intact and that consulting doctor said he would report to my GP about the ultrasound. Basically 2 options here: for antibiotics to clear the infection and inflammation or to consider aspirating the internal blister/bursa whatever. You know, the last time I had to pull out of a stage race to be sent to a small community hospital in the suburbs, I had asked the doctor to just burst the damned thing and drain the pus. She didn’t, and wouldn’t. No one had relented since then. I’m hoping I get lucky this Monday with my GP – it’s going to take a ballsy doctor to do it but I figure it’s the quickest way to relieve my grief and I can’t do it on my own. I would have a long while back, if I had found a way around it.

Anyway, that consulting doctor advised me to stay off cycling and anything strenuous for that matter, to give my heel a chance to heal. Pun intended. However, being a road racer – illogical sometimes – I had convinced Snozza that I could still ride my bike over the weekend. Maybe just not racing the criterium he had wanted me to enter, as I probably could not deal with excessive heel rub with the off-saddle efforts, but definitely big, long, aerobic rides in this awesome weather. Heart over head?!

An assessment of my heel last night gave me a shock. I wondered how I had put my foot into my cycling shoes. It was pig trotter-ish. An overnight sleep confirmed that trying to ride my bike through this was rather stupid. So I’m looking for an outlet to vent my frustrations as the emotional turmoil ebbs and flows. One moment, I can see the positivity in things and the next; I wallow into a bout of self-pity.

Acceptance;

Contentment;

Enlightment.