Go The Distance

3 March, 2016 By Administrator in Sports & Fitness Comments Off

There is nowhere better than the saddle of a bike to do some serious thinking. On my recent trip down under I got to thinking about the fact that good old fashioned ‘miles’ is a pretty inaccurate way of describing how tough a day’s riding will be. Some factors, such as headwinds, are very hard to take into account but the most obvious other variable is the amount of climb. Surely, I thought, it would be possible to come up with a fairly simple equation that combines distance ridden with climb to give a unit of measure that allows comparison of rides in all terrains.

Ladies and Gentlemen (drum roll), I give you…… the Terrain Adjusted Mile (or TAM).

To calculate TAMs you start with the distance to be ridden and add (or subtract) miles according to the actual climb against a ‘normal’ value. This ‘normal’ value, and how you convert any shortfall/excess into miles is bound to be contentious but I reckon the following works for me:

‘Normal’ climb is 50 feet per mile. The adjustment is 1 mile per 150 feet (either plus or minus). Here is how a 100 mile ride looks, based on 6 different amounts of climb:

Miles ridden	100	100	100	100	100	100
Feet climbed	1000	2000	3000	4000	5000	6000
Standard climb	4000	4000	4000	4000	4000	4000
Difference	-3000	-2000	-1000	0	1000	2000
Mileage adjustment	-20	-13	-7	0	7	13

TAMs	80	87	93	100	107	113

Or, to put it another way: A 100 mile ride with 3000 feet of climb is the same as a 50 mile ride with 9500 feet of climb.

I’m going to try this out on the next trip (Camino and Portugal) – I’ll work out each day in TAMs and see how this compares with a subjective ‘how hard was that ride?’ test.

2000 Miles

29 February, 2016 By Administrator in Sports & Fitness Comments Off

So, our exploration of Australia‘s bottom right corner is complete. It had been my intention to provide an update once we got to Melbourne but, to be quite honest, we were just too busy having a good time!

It has been a challenging trip but this was largely a problem of our own making: We set ourselves an 80 miles/day target and ended up doing several considerably longer days and we were hauling all our own gear. Despite this we had the time of our lives! The coastal route offers a great variety of scenery, ranging from ‘pleasant’ to stunning, the roads are mostly cycle-friendly, Sydney and Melbourne are world-class cities and the Australians are friendly and welcoming. Oh yes, and the weather is brilliant. Accommodation along the route was plentiful, available and inexpensive and we ate like kings. There can be little better than a double lamb shank after a hard day’s ride.

We ended up with 2100 miles on the clock, which was done over 25 riding days. Our longest day was an eye-watering 117 miles and our shortest was about 60. Our hottest day reached 40 degrees and the coolest started at about 12. The task now is to package some (or maybe even all) of the route for a magical Bike Adventures trip in 2017. See you there.

If you would like to see our tan lines, Chris and I will be leading the Camino and Portugal trips in late April/Early May – it isn’t too late to join us!

I’ve just turned 40 – I’ve discovered Lycra – what’s to do….. GET ON YOUR BIKE!

8 July, 2015 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays Comments Off

It’s that time in one’s life when it feels like the good years are behind you, but the great ones are ahead. You need a challenge, something to show yourself that you’ve still got what it takes to bring muscle power and will power together. But you also want to give back to the world around you.

A charity bike challenge is just what you need.

If you are reading this, the chances are you own a bike, love to get on your bike and relish the idea of a challenge on your bike!

One of the most popular challenges for most people looking to do a charity bike ride is the Land’s End to John O’Groats – otherwise known as the LEJOG (or JOGLE if you want to do it in reverse – cycling backwards is not a requirement!)

It’s not a challenge to be sniffed at – it’s a trip that takes in just over 1000 miles of some of the most beautiful countryside of the British Isles. You will cycle through North Cornwall, cross the River Severn, taking in the scenic views of Herefordshire, and on into Northern England and up to the Scottish Border. Pass through the hills of Southern Uplands, and, if you have the energy to lift your hands off your bars, wave to ‘Nessie’ as you near your final destination – John O’Groats. Phew! But it’s not all in one go; at the end of each day there is a bed and a hot meal waiting for you.

So you may not complete the trip in 44 hours, 4 mins and 20 secs as done by Gethin Butler in 2001 but by riding with Bike Adventures you will be in very safe and experienced hands. Our trip durations range from 9 days for very experienced cyclists, through 15 days to a more leisurely 21 days for those with time to relax and enjoy the beautiful British scenery.

Bike Adventures have been running the LEJOG tour for over 14 years and can help you every step of the way in getting your charity challenge off to a racing start. From the initial advice about training plans and the best way to go about fundraising, to having the best tour guides in the business, we are there to assist you.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present and no present like time, so ‘Get on Your Bike’, choose your charity and tick the LEJOG challenge off your bucket list: https://www.bikeadventures.co.uk/bike-tours/road-cycling-lands-end-to-john-o-groats/

Cycling Holidays for 2016

14 April, 2015 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays Comments Off

It may seem as if we are only in the early stages of 2015, but thinking about your adventures for next year can be great planning. If you’re already thinking about your cycling holidays and like to plan ahead then read on….

The team at Bike Adventures have been out around the world trying out new routes, testing out the beds in the new accommodation and seeing the beer and wine are up to scratch. Now this is a not as much fun as you might think, it is a role we take very seriously – at the end of a long days cycling the last thing you need is a warm beer and a dodgy B&B. The route itself also takes careful consideration, much exploration and often hours extra in the saddle to find that glorious country road with a shady avenue of trees or a slight detour to fit in a valley view that will give you a memory and photo that takes you back there for years to come.

Some of the many things though that make our holidays special is the other riders, friends for life are made, the tour guides who have an insatiable passion for cycling and sharing this with their fellow guests and the people you meet on the way – when we stop for refreshments or to bed down you can be sure we have picked that spot because of the great hospitality and shared love of the local countryside – we meet many characters along the way. Some of our routes may have been running for more than 10 years and the team still enjoy riding them now more than ever.

The popular routes do become favourites and are often on a ‘must do’ list of classics for a lot of riders, if you missed out on your bucket list tour this year or the date clashed with Auntie Clair’s wedding then no worries, drop your details into our email list box on the left and be the first to set eyes on the cycling holiday calendar.

Coast to coast holidays: the Bike Adventures way

12 March, 2015 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays Comments Off

Group of people on their bikes about to start their coast to coast holiday As a small island, the UK provides the perfect backdrop for coast to coast holidays (C2C) as well as ‘end to ends’. Many cyclists are keen to tick each of these challenges off their bucket lists; here at Bike Adventures we were left unsatisfied by the trips published in the guidebooks so came up with our own.

We felt that existing routes were too short and repetitive, and they didn’t make the most of the beautiful scenery that England has to offer. Our own unique routes are the result of our discord and will take you (and your bike!) from the East coast of England to the West coast.

Our main coast to coast holiday route covers just over 360 miles and, depending on the tour you select, can take anything from 5 to 14 days! We wanted cyclists to be able to truly experience the diverse nature of the English landscape so we have carefully devised routes that meander through beautiful villages, follow the shimmering canals and experience the undulations of the countryside in one tour. There really is no better way to experience this landscape than on a bike!

Our main C2C trip begins in Lowestoft on the North Sea coast, the most easterly point in the UK. From there we head inland and travel through pretty villages and past canals and windmills into Cambridgeshire. Where possible, we try to avoid major roads and towns with safety in mind – this brings the added benefit of time and space to fully appreciate the scenery with its changing aspects depending on the weather.

Cyclist riding through green English countryside during a coast to coast holiday We then weave our way through central England’s rugged countryside where you’ll notice the route becoming increasing hilly as we approach Northamptonshire. If you are an inexperienced rider but the coast to coast is on your wish list, do make sure that you have prepared for the hills you’ll encounter – our guides will also be there for moral and material support all the way.

The route takes you through Shakespeare’s birthplace in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon and then into the north of Worcester. As we approach Herefordshire and cross the border into Wales, the riding gets a little more challenging but the stunning scenery you’ll encounter will more than make up for it.

Our end point, St David’s Head, juts out into the Irish Sea and is considered the most western point in the UK. The small town of St David’s, with its dramatic coastline and spectacular sea views has been a major place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages and is a fitting place to end our trip. Raising a glass at the end of the tour is exhilarating – another achievement in the bag, lifelong friends made and legs like jelly, what more could you want from a cycling holiday?

If you would like to tackle our coast to coast route, take a look at the range of tours we have to offer. Our tour guides are knowledgeable and have an infectious enthusiasm that fills every trip with fun and adventure.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your cycling holiday in more detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Lands End to John O’Groats: What’s it all about?

23 February, 2015 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays Comments Off

For many people completing the famous route from Lands End to John O’Groats, also known as LEJOG, is a lifelong ambition. Riding from the very southwest of the country to the tip in the northeast is an incredible achievement, but it certainly isn’t a challenge to be taken lightly.

The acclaimed journey dates back to the 1870s when two brothers walked the distance! However, the route didn’t become a well traversed one until the 1960s. Since then, completing the ‘End to End’ has become a challenge that many people want to complete.

The traditional distance by road is 874 miles and takes most cyclists 10-14 days, however there isn’t an official route to follow so the ‘End to End’ distance can vary. At Bike Adventures, our tours tend to be just over 1000 miles, where possible we try to avoid major roads and traffic. This gives you the chance to truly experience and appreciate the beauty that can be found in the English countryside.

The fastest time recorded on a conventional bicycle was set in 2001 by Gethin Butler, who completed the distance in just 44 hours, 4 minutes and 20 seconds. Don’t worry, our tours give you a little more time to travel from end to end! Depending on your own personal preferences and level of experience, you can choose to complete the distance in as little as 9 days, or if you’d prefer to take a more scenic route, you can ride it in a leisurely 26 days.

The trip traditionally begins in Lands End because it gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the winds that predominantly travel from the south-west of the UK. If you’re lucky, you could be flying all the way to John O’Groats! However, you can do it all in reverse and tackle the steep inclines found in Devon and Cornwall at the end of the trip, when you’ll probably find that your fitness has improved too by then.

In taking on this big, bold challenge, you’ll be following in the cycle tracks of former England Rugby Captain – Lewis Moody and Olympian – James Cracknell. The route has also been tackled by David Walliams, Jimmy Carr, Fearne Cotton, Miranda Hart, and other celebrities as part of a team relay to raise money for charity.

If you fancy getting on your bike and riding from one end of the country to the other, get in touch with our knowledgeable team and we can help you to achieve your goal.

Simply the Best

5 October, 2014 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays, Sports & Fitness Comments Off

‎Although this is my first time riding the whole route I have ridden the stretch from SF before, with Nobby some 7 years ago. On that ride the Big Sur stretch was a bit of a trial – thanks to a cock-up on the daily mileage estimate a day that should have been a testing 110 miles ended up as a ball-breaking 130.

So today’s 94 miles should have been a walk in the park……but it wasn’t. It was hilly (as in chuffing) and hot (90’s)‎. Having said this………I was magnificent. Actually I was just adequate but that IS pretty magnificent these days. We were all done by 3:45 and never has a jump in the pool and a cold beer been more welcome.

Big Sur IS stunning! If you don’t have a Mustang then a bike is a pretty cool second choice if transport.

Off to find a head-sized steak now.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

Drive

4 October, 2014 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays, Sports & Fitness Comments Off

A bit of an odd day today…..our first for some time without any encounter with the emergency services.

We had a laughably short day because of a problem with availability of our target hotel. On this bit of coast (Big Sur) accommodation at sensible prices is hard to find so we have had to stop short by 25 miles. This gave us less than 30 today but will require, gulp, 94 tomorrow. To make matters worse they will be hilly. Bigger gulp.

We left Marina for the short cycle path ride to Monteray where we wasted time on the wharf watching sea lions and pelicants before riding ’17 Mile Drive’ to Carel. This scenic route follows the headland from Monteray to Carmel past Pebble Beach golf course and some of the most gob-smacking real estate you could imagine. ‘That’s a big hotel’ said one of the group. ‘Yes it is’ I replied, ‘but it is actually a p‎rivate house’.

With the combination of perfect weather, spectacular views and outrageous wealth it is one of the coolest 17 miles you can ride bar none.

We are now in Carmel where Clint Eastwood was once mayor. It is swanky and VERY expensive but quite fun.With such a short day we were done by lunchtime and we are wasting the afternoon by the pool. Although quite relaxed I ‎can’t help the occasional worry about how 94 hilly miles in 100 degrees is going to feel. Final gulp.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

Surfin Bird

3 October, 2014 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays, Sports & Fitness Comments Off

Today’ PS – don’t worry, nothing is on fire, just enjoying the sights!

We popped down to the beach to watch the whales and dolphins (of which there were lots) – not photos of them but a few more ‘general smugness’ shots.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

The Best Of The Police

2 October, 2014 By 7pxadmin in Road Cycling Holidays, Sports & Fitness Comments Off

‎….or the continuing adventures with Merica’s Emergency Services.

Fire

It seems that the hotel was not actually on fire. I hope you will understand and forgive my false assumption when I tell you that, as we sat on our balcony, there arrived not one but TWO fire engines, an ambulance and the Sheriff. So what ‎triggered the arrival of every vehicle equipped with flashing lights in a 50 mile radius? Unexploded bomb? Nope. Terrorist cell? Not even close.

A bloke who had cycled to the bar had fallen off in the car park. He didn’t actually even appear hurt but, having turned out, every bloke in a uniform want‎ed a crack at him and he was taken off on a trolley under protest.

The Bike Song

Today is national Ride To Work day in Merica. Well, all except one old (and possibly pissed) old lady for whom it was Try And Kill A Cyclist day. She swerved across the road a couple of times before clipping one our riders and knocking her off. Here we go again…..Hello 911?…..yes it is me again, we need some more help…..no, not the helicopter this time, just the police.

A California Highway Patrolman was soon on-scene, though disappointingly it wasn’t Erik Estrada (is he dead?). Our rider was OK – a few cuts and bruises and very badly shaken – but, again, the cop took our situation very seriously, filled out lots of forms and promised to shoot the old lady should they happen to find her.‎ Having taken a peak in the patrol car he was remarkably well equipped for shooting old ladies with LOTS of very big guns!

Hotter Than July

Yes, technically an album title ‎but who gives a rats?

Today the temperature hit 109…..that is almost 43 in Roman Catholic! It was hot! If the great plains are the breadbasket of the US then we are riding through the salad bowl and vegetable drawer. Today we passed the artichoke capital of the world….impressed huh? We are now in Marina and ready to start our assault on Big Sur.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

cycling tours

Go The Distance

2000 Miles

I’ve just turned 40 – I’ve discovered Lycra – what’s to do….. GET ON YOUR BIKE!

Cycling Holidays for 2016

Coast to coast holidays: the Bike Adventures way

Lands End to John O’Groats: What’s it all about?

Simply the Best

Drive

Surfin Bird

The Best Of The Police

Fire

The Bike Song

Hotter Than July

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