New Year's Resolution

I am sure, along with millions of others tonight, I will be making some new year's resolutions, some of which I hope I will keep and others which I probably will not. 

Three years ago I made a new year's resolution to get my lardy ass into gear and get myself fit. I didn't want to be a fat 50 year old. So, as you may have read in my other blogs, I took up cycling and it became part of my life. Against the protestations of my wife and family I commuted into work whenever I could (in most cases this worked out three or four times a week, therefore averaging 60 to 80 miles a week, 100 miles if I managed all five days). This, along with training for a London to Paris Charity ride, got me as fit as I had been in many years. I lost shedloads of weight and felt so much healthier all round.

Now, as I write this blog on New Year's Eve 2014, I have plunged into new levels of unfitness, so much so that I do not want to step on the bathroom scales (at least while I am wearing anything that might add to the weight!) and I dread to try on my 34" waist suit trousers that I have just taken to the cleaners as a delay tactic. I don't want to shave off my beard incase my double chin is just too horrific. Yes I know it's vain but I never said I wasn't!

"So what went wrong, Paul?" I hear you say. "You were so svelte and so fit just two years ago. How can you have let it all go?" I made up the question (especially the word svelte, to try to give me something to go for!). But yes I fear I have 'let it all go' and I am wracked with self-loathing and regret for doing so. And now I need to do something about it. Either that or my wardrobe of 'slim fit' shirts (that I was so delighted to be told by the staff member in Charles Tyrwhitt I qualified for) will be consigned to the charity shop - and that I cannot afford.

But it's easy to 'let it all go'. It is amazing how quickly you can lose fitness and put on weight. 

It all started during my last few weeks (or was it months?) where I was unhappy in my job, and it was simply easier to catch public transport than to cycle into work. And probably because I was fed up I'd have a cheeky beer in the evening, or maybe a glass or two of wine, not to mention the crisps and sweets to munch on or maybe some popcorn (it's healthy isn't it!). 

Then I went on holiday for two weeks in October and did very little but eat and drink  - I am sure I'd read somewhere that the Mediterranean diet was good for me!! 

Then, when I got back, to work my employer had moved office to central London (from Vauxhall) and the route seemed so complicated and congested so I got my 'feet under the desk' for a bit before I half-heartedly cycled in half a dozen times. Then finally I changed job to work for the British Red Cross, who are based near Moorgate. Again I waited to get my 'feet under the desk' for a couple of weeks (you know, find out where the showers are, where I can store my clothes, etc.) so I think I've cycled about 8 times in all in two months - it is quite a trek at 14 miles each way. Then it was the Christmas party season, the roads were icy or wet and there was no 'reason' to cycle. 

The rest is history. But I am now back where I started three years ago. At least it feels that way, but I would like to think I could still cycle back from the bike shop without getting out of breath! I thinkI am still a bit fitter and I think my cardio vascular system is in better nick. But heh the ride to work next week will be the test.

So, when you are making your resolutions tonight, send me some positive energy and help me out a bit to achieve my goal to get fit again. I don't want to be Chris Froome I just want to avoid the dreaded 'middle age spread' that my parents used to complain about.  I promise if you do so that I will get back to writing the inspiring and motivating 'The Blogging Cyclist' and 'The Charity Coach' Blogs that you tell me you like!

Have a wonderful 2015, and get out there on your bikes soon.

Five reasons to be proud to wear lycra

There is a division amongst the cycling community about many issues, the most controversial of which is whether to wear a helmet. (Don't get me started on that one! Another blog maybe?) But the second one is about wearing proper cycling clothing AKA lycra. Never has a sport been so ridiculed as is cycling for its correct apparel. Why is this, I wondered?

Now a hipster cycling along Stoke Newington High Street in their skinny jeans, one leg rolled up chain-side, does probably not need to wear lycra even if they had the remotest desire to do so. A quick hop between a bar and a cafe just does not require a change of clothes. Nor the commuter cycling between Brixton and the City on the Cycle Superhighway, or the middle class shopper popping to the shops with a basket on the front of their Pashley.

But I would argue that for the serious cyclist, and I don't just mean roadies, wearing the 'proper' clothing is pretty much essential. And for me a pair of trendy jeans with roll up reflective parts or a suit jacket with reversible reflective lapels just does not do the job!  They may look cool but they must be really uncomfortable, at least for a serious distance (say an 8-10 mile commute or a recreational ride of a similar or longer distance).

So let's work on the basis here that I am talking about padded shorts or bib shorts and a proper cycling jersey (either merino wool or most probably lycra). What is so wrong about these items of clothing that cause so much mirth amongst non-cyclist office workers and so much hatred from white van drivers? (BTW I am the first to admit that I chuckle every time I put on a pair of bib shorts and see myself in the mirror looking like a 1970s wrestler!) Why should I not be allowed to wear the correct clothing for my sport of choice? Why do cycling trendies hate lycra so much? Well I don't know the answer to these questions, but here's why you should wear lycra and be proud!

Comfort
Once you have done the walk of shame from the loo/ changing room to your desk, collected your possessions and walked out to the bike rack, once you get on your bike this clothing is the most comfortable and practical for the task at hand. No seams to chafe, no lumps or bumps, no flys, no buttons, just smooth lycra! Nothing loose to flap in the wind, nothing to get caught in your chain. What's not to like?

Technical fabrics
Cycling clothing is made to cycle in, just like running clothing is made to run in. They are ergonomically designed, e.g. long at the back, and made of technical fabrics. When you sweat the sweat comes to the surface and dries, keeping you warm. If it rains the fabric dries quickly. If you do get soaked on the way to work they are easier to dry before your commute home. I see too many people cycling in a sopping wet cotton tee shirt and wonder how they ever get that dry. It is so much more hygienic and as long as you are clean and so is your clothing you will not smell.

Padding
Now padded shorts take a while (like 5 minutes!) to get used to. When you first put them on it feels a bit like a nappy. But when you sit on your saddle and ride it just makes sense. All of your vital areas are protected. I personally cannot see how people cannot wear them for cycling any real distance, no matter how good their saddle. And no, padded shorts don't have to mean camel toe!

Convenient
You can wash your lycra overnight and it will be dry for the morning. Because it is so lightweight, you can easily carry a spare set of clothing if you are going to get wet and won't have the chance to dry out.

Makes you go faster
Wearing lycra makes you go faster. Now I can't prove this but I know it! Not only are you more aerodynamic, but there is something psychological about it! Because you are wearing sporty clothing you cycle faster. After all you would not want the hipster, the shopper or the commuter in a suit to overtake you would you!!

Why three bikes are better than one!

I suppose as a relative newcomer to the world of cycling (I have only been seriously cycling since May 2011) you could put my enthusiasm for riding bikes down to novelty. Whenever you take on a new hobby, it is easy to come a bit obsessed and I suppose I have done that with golf in the past. There was a time when nothing would get in the way of a round of golf, nor from constantly searching ebay and golf shops for the next item of equipment! I still love golf but I am not playing as often as I was, I almost never buy new equipment and I don't like playing in bad weather.

Is this down to my new obsession for cycling? Well possibly but I don't think so. There is time in my life for both interests as well as my need to spend quality time with my wife, family and friends. But there is something different about cycling. I am beyond the stage of wanting to constantly buy new clothing and equipment. I simply don't have any more drawer space for cycle jerseys, bib shorts or waterproofs. I normally delete the daily emails from Wiggle, Evans, Edinburgh Bicycles, Planet X and all the rest as I have neither the time nor money to look at them. I even read my Cycling Active magazine with less eagerness than I used to, because apart from upgrading my lights in the autumn, there is not really anything I need.

But nothing will stop me being excited every time I open my bike shed and seeing my three bikes safely locked up and ready to ride! I use my bikes mainly for commuting these days, although I do have the occasional weekend or weekday pleasure ride if I have the time. I have no plans to take up cycle racing (too old!), no plans to join a cycle club (don't like cliques!) or to do anything but the occasional sportive (Note to self: see if I can get a place on Ride London 2014) but I just love the flexibility I have with three different types of bike. I always joke to my wife about getting a fourth, as I don't own a proper off-road bike, but I am only half joking. There is room in my shed!

But why do I need three bikes? Or to re-ask the question at the top of this blog, why are three bikes better than one? The simple answer to the first question is I don't need three bikes, I have three bikes because I can. But the answer to the second question is more straightforward. Having three different bikes gives me flexibility, even if I use them all for commuting. It is ideal to have a choice of bikes for different uses and conditions and if one bike needs fixing I will aways have an alternative.

Bike 1 is a Specialized Sirrus hybrid. It is the basic model, and it was my first 'born again cyclist' bike. I bought it when I had no idea that this was going to become a passion and obsession. It is black, has mudguards and a bell. It is not exciting. But it is great for wet days when I need more grip on the roads, if I want to ride through the park on my way to work and it is comfortable and sturdy without being too heavy. It is a triple speed so I have a range of gears, so if I do want to go up some hills or get some speed on the downhill I can. It is great for winter riding, but I don't use it in the summer.

Bike 2 is my road bike. It is a Ridley EOS upper-entry level model that cost me about £900 two years ago. It is the bike I used to do my London to Paris ride last year and I use it it for longer rides and to commute to work when I want to go fast or when it is windy and I need to be lower. It has an alloy frame with carbon forks, and I have upgraded the wheels to Mavic OpenPro with 105 hubs. I have no intention of buying a carbon frame bike at the moment, and I love this bike. It is light and nimble, and the frame is great quality, and the full Tiagra gear and brake set does the job.

Bike 3 is a single speed/ fixie although I never use it on fixed gear. I bought it new on ebay and it is a limited edition Chrome-Moly Specialized Langster in a chrome finish. I have taken off the track-style drops and fitted flat bars, which give me a far more comfortable riding position. I changed the saddle initially for a Selle Rolls vintage style mount, but it was too hard so I have instead fitted a Charge Spoon saddle which I also have on my Ridley road bike. It is super-comfortable. I love this bike because it looks great (even with raceblade mudguards which I take off when it's dry), and I do not have to worry about gears or maintenance. A single speed for commuting is ideal and it keeps me fitter, because I have to stay in the same gear for hills! I bought this bike initially as a bit of a fashion thing (at my age!!), but it is now my favourite bike for commuting and popping to the shops. It is a just a great bike. I love overtaking the roadies on it too, as it has great acceleration. It makes me feel young!

So that is why I have three bikes. I am not a show-off nor particularly materialistic. It just makes sense!

Let me know what you think!