www.richiescycling.co.uk

Okay it's been a long time since my last update, and much has happened in the world of RichiesCycling.

I've participated in my 2nd MTB race and it was disastrous. I think I really need to stick to road riding, or at the very most enter the 'fun category' in any future races. The photo looks good though, huh?

We've had one of our RAAM team bikes stolen from our secure shipping container lock up. A work colleague had his MTB stolen from his garden shed one night last week, and a couple of days after getting it replaced on the insurance, the buggers broke back in and tried to steal that too! Fortunately he had the sense to lock it up within the shed, so they took off with one of his sons bikes. When they came back a third time, yes you are reading this correctly, third time, probably with the right tools to get the replacement MTB, they were caught and arrested.
Also a friend of mine was given a job in Guildford's newest cycle store, only to be told after two days that he was no longer required as they have up to 60 more applicants to try out... is this fair, does it make sense?

Unfortunately as far as the thefts go, this is what all of us cyclists are up against in this day & age and very seldom do the perpetrators of these crimes ever get brought to task, thanks to our inept legal system and police forces. Sorry I digress!!

On February 1st my new cycling website should (fingers crossed) go live. www.richiescycling.co.uk will advertise what I and a few of my cycling fraternity friends are able to offer. This of course includes servicing, maintenance and repair, but it now includes event support, training days and packages, bespoke trips and an online shop. There is much work to be done, and it will be quite some considerable time before the full shop facility is completed and published.
This blog will end and all it's content transferred to the a new blog within the new site. So I'll still be able to bore you all, and you'll still be able to look up some of the old blog write ups.

Most importantly of all, if you require new cycling apparel, parts, tools and accessories then ask at www.richiescycling.co.uk before popping down to your local bike shop.
See ya soon.

Richie's 1st Mtb Race

Well I did it, Round 1 Brass Monkey's at Porridge Pot Hill, Deepcut.
A cold and frozen day was waiting for us. Fortunately there was nothing falling from the sky to make it worse. The ground was hard and this made for some interesting riding!

As this was my first race, I knew not what to expect....... except that I'd be very knackered around 2 hours after the start, that is if I lasted that long!!

Well I did last it, it was hard and at times during the race I wanted to give up, and I was only doing the 2 hour event. I put my hands up to those that did the 4 hour event.

Okay, I came 41st out of around 80 or so. I was pleased with this for my first attempt. I know where my weaknesses are now... mountain biking!!
I intend on taking some instruction for my downhill techniques etc, and hopefully I can improve on my finish position for Round 3 in January.

Toodle Loo.

Richie & Mountain Biking...

Now that the weather has closed in and it's not so much fun out there on the road,  Richie is now participating in some MTB events!

I must be mad because this really is not my bag. I've had my arm twisted by my good friend and cycle services colleague Kelvin Norton. He is good on a MTB and he's raced before, so I'm learning the ropes from him.

We recently completed a 47km MTB Sportive where we came around 70th out of 300 finishers, not bad for first attempt.

On the 28th November I'll be riding a 2hr endurance race in the 'Veteran Male' catergory of the Merida Brass Monkeys  www.meridabrassmonkeys.com
It won't be easy, these events attract a lot of very good capable riders. Am I one of them, not entirely sure, but as always I'll have a go!

Don't worry all my 'Roadie' friends, I am NOT converted and never will be, this is just a way of getting my cycling drug in the winter months.
See you all soon.

The Great Cycle Helmet Debate

The Great Cycle Helmet Debate

Those who have already read my previous blog updates will all be familiar with the story of John Bush and his spill on the way to Paris.  His helmet saved him from further serious injury, and I trust that he has now made a full recovery.

My recommendation that ALL cyclists should wear helmets was further endorsed when three weeks ago I took a charity group for some group cycle training in the famous Richmond Park. I had spent around an hour explaining bike set up, nutrition, basic bike maintenance and rider safety. I always use this time to emphasize the need to wear a helmet (the organization that I do a lot of work for, won’t allow anyone to ride without one), and I use previous situations such as John as an indicator as to what a helmet can do for you.

Five minutes later we were on our bikes, five more and we had a female rider off the bike and drifting in & out of consciousness on the Richmond Park tarmac!

You could not have written the script!!!

Anyway, some immediate first aid and an emergency ambulance and she was safely on her way to Kingston hospital.

A big thanks to the riders from London Dynamo cycling club who stopped and assisted me with the incident.

The outcome, the helmet DEFINITELY SAVED HER FROM FURTHER SERIOUS INJURY , there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever. The helmet did its job, and it was destroyed in the process. There were cracks all the way along the poly inner on the side of impact.

I’m so sorry that I cannot recall this young lady’s name, but she was released from hospital later that same day after xrays etc.

So, the debate......

.............................Cycle helmets or not?

YOU KNOW WHATS RIGHT!

Bye.