What's this all about?
This website contains all my cycling stuff - bikes I own, kit I've tried and use, trips, events and training I do. The main focus is now on the blog and the gallery plus any videos that I take. It dates from 2010 when I started cycling after finishing my previous passion of racing sports motor bikes. Some of the material is a bit dated and some periods of time are blank, but I've left much of it in for completeness.
Long Term Goal
Writing this at the end of August 2023. My long term goal (see below) was the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Glasgow. That is now receding into the rear view mirror and it will be time soon to set a new mid/long term goal. Maybe it will be the next Super-Worlds in 2027 or maybe it will be something closer to home.
In February 2019 the UCI announced that from 2023, every 4th year all their World Championship cycling events would be held at the same place in the same week. The inaugural event in 2023 would be in Glasgow and wider Scotland. The announcement is here
This was particularly exciting to me as one of the events incuded is the World Gran Fondo Championships which was an event that I was hoping to qualify for (and did in fact qualify) at that time in 2019. The announcement meant that in 2023 the Gran Fondo would be happening at the same time and place as the professional World Championships with all the great World Tour riders and I really fancied being a part of that. So my long term target became clear......
Qualify for and "be competitive" at the 2023 World Gran Fondo Championships in 2023.
Long Term Goal
Writing this at the end of August 2023. My long term goal (see below) was the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Glasgow. That is now receding into the rear view mirror and it will be time soon to set a new mid/long term goal. Maybe it will be the next Super-Worlds in 2027 or maybe it will be something closer to home.
In February 2019 the UCI announced that from 2023, every 4th year all their World Championship cycling events would be held at the same place in the same week. The inaugural event in 2023 would be in Glasgow and wider Scotland. The announcement is here
This was particularly exciting to me as one of the events incuded is the World Gran Fondo Championships which was an event that I was hoping to qualify for (and did in fact qualify) at that time in 2019. The announcement meant that in 2023 the Gran Fondo would be happening at the same time and place as the professional World Championships with all the great World Tour riders and I really fancied being a part of that. So my long term target became clear......
Qualify for and "be competitive" at the 2023 World Gran Fondo Championships in 2023.
Old, Old News
Prudential RideLondon 2015 and Woolly Mamil Racing
I haven't had the official response yet, but the entry website showed my entry as being approved for the 2015 RideLondon. Great, that will give me some motivation to get training more.
I've also just done the first and third of the 4 race Woolly Mamil series. Details in the blog and hopefully a few more races to go this year.
I haven't had the official response yet, but the entry website showed my entry as being approved for the 2015 RideLondon. Great, that will give me some motivation to get training more.
I've also just done the first and third of the 4 race Woolly Mamil series. Details in the blog and hopefully a few more races to go this year.
Prudential RideLondon 2014
After being unsuccessful in the ballot, I've got a charity place and will be riding on behalf of WaterAid - Best get some miles in then.
http://my.wateraidfundraising.org.uk/PersonalPage.aspx?registrationID=456911&langPref=en-CA
After being unsuccessful in the ballot, I've got a charity place and will be riding on behalf of WaterAid - Best get some miles in then.
http://my.wateraidfundraising.org.uk/PersonalPage.aspx?registrationID=456911&langPref=en-CA
First Race
On 18th January 2014 I completed my first race, the Cat 4 at Stourport Cycle Track. As expected, I didn't trouble the scorers but enjoyed myself and know what I have to do next time :) Details in Blog.
On 18th January 2014 I completed my first race, the Cat 4 at Stourport Cycle Track. As expected, I didn't trouble the scorers but enjoyed myself and know what I have to do next time :) Details in Blog.
RideLondon-Surrey 100
On Sunday 4th August 2013, I was one of the 15,051 finishers of the inaugural Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. My time was 4hrs 49:00 mins at an average of 20.6mph. Details in the Blog, pics in the gallery.
On Sunday 4th August 2013, I was one of the 15,051 finishers of the inaugural Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. My time was 4hrs 49:00 mins at an average of 20.6mph. Details in the Blog, pics in the gallery.
First 300k
This weekend (20th April 2013) Paul and I did our first ever 300k - the Heart of England Audax starting in Cirencester. It was a lovely sunny day and we completed it fine. Full write up in the blog.
Longest Ride
On Saturday 12th January 2013, I did my longest ever ride - by 3 miles :) Older brother Paul and I did the Marlborough Connection Permanent Audax. www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/NW04
We covered 128.3miles, in "interesting" conditions. - details in the Blog.
We covered 128.3miles, in "interesting" conditions. - details in the Blog.
2012 Hills Tour
October 2012. This year Ian, Paul and I decided to head for the hills. Instead of a "Tour" we lined up a series of great hill mini rides. We took in great climbs in South Wales - then Mid Wales. Next came the Cymru Etape, a tough closed road 92 mile sportive. We finished off by riding a modified version of the Fred Whitton sportive over 2 days followed by a day planned to take us over several hills near the Trough of Bowland taking in watching part of the Tour of Britain.
As usual, things didn't go quite according to plan - see the blog and gallery for details.
As usual, things didn't go quite according to plan - see the blog and gallery for details.
First 200k
19th November 2011. Today the three Brothers Grimm (Ian, Paul and Martin) did their longest ever rides - completing a 200km circuit from Ian's house in Gloucester. Details in the blog.
Rugby RCC Open 10 Mile TT - My First Award!
7th August 2011. I came 55th of 96 finishers in the Rugby RCC Open 10 mile TT on 30th July - in a time of 24:24, beating my PB by 1:08 minutes. This followed beating my PB by 49 seconds the previous Wednesday at at the Wrekinsport club TT.
This put me as best improvement on LTS (PB) in the field and I have now received my first - and probably only- cycling award - the princely sum of £15.
16th May 2011. Ian and I made the local press! Following Wendy being very "persistent" the local Courier had us as front page news for our Land's End to John O'Groats trip.
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This is the full article. Click on the photo to be taken to our LEJoG website and Blog. It's a good read honest!