Tinkoff Sticks With Fluro

Tinkoff, as it's now called due to the departure of Saxo-Bank, released their new kit today. Sticking with the fluoro scheme they've become synonymous by minor tweaks adorn the new kit namely the blue of last year has been replaced with a greyish blue I can only describe as a faded denim colour has become the primary colour of the bib shorts. Whereas the jersey design remains largely the same with the addition of Tinkoffs La Dacha logo adorning the front of the Jersey. 

Moving aside from the new kit, it's more the new bike colour scheme that I love. Boring black and yellow have been replaced with the colours of the new team and make for a much more standout bike. 

Alberto Contador 

So in conclusion, aside from their training kit, Tinkoff has a very clean and vibrant design that shouldn't be lost in the peloton. 

The Special "K": Team Katusha 2016 Kit

A complete overhaul is what can only be described of the Team Katusha 2016 Kit. The kit is now predominantly red which accents of white and has done away with the multi-coloured stripes patterning of last year. The giant K which adorns the front and back will ensure that Katusha doesn't get lost amongst another red jerseys.

Katusha in a sense, they have gone back to a much more simple design where less is more, but by all accounts have succeeded in producing a kit which is clean and recognizable. 

Team Katusha 2016

A Timeless Classic: Team Sky Kit 2016

It's the week of new kit releases, and Team Sky were the next to release theirs. In keeping with the black and blue which has been iconic for the multi Tour De France winning team has undergone a few changes. The lighter shade of blue sits better against the black and is my opinion is a wise choice. The coloured striped now adorn the chest along with much more bold and visible sponsor logos which in turn actually complements the kit design. 

                           

Rapha have always nailed the kit design of Team Sky and this new looks is certainly going to be a fan favourite and will be a favourite for years to come.

If there is one criticism I could make its that th back could be quite boring compared to the front. Although there are no pictures it looks like the back may have no design, but I could be wrong

Tinkoff Release New Training Kit

Today Tinkoff released its new training cat that will be used during their preseason training, and my is it ghastly. The new black and white design uses what can only remind me of a collide scope design, very similar to what you may find in spy shots of a prototype car. In cars, the idea is to hide the angles and disguise the overall shape of the car. But on a cyclist? Apart from maybe some weight gains what else could they be hiding? 

Tinkoff 2016 Training Kit

Unfortunately, I have to say I am not a fan of their new training kit and wish they stuck with the camo design from 2015. This kit from a far kind of resembles the Rock Racing kit from yesteryear. The one positive I can take from this is that the Tinkoff team won't be using their new kit for races. Stay tuned for their 2016 racing kit release on December 19 

IAM Cycling Release Cuore 2016 Cycling Kit

IAM Cycling will have a new look going into the 2016 Season. Cuore the makers of the kit stick with the blue, white and red of past seasons but have switched the colours around to have white the dominant jersey colour.

Looking at the kit from a glance it's distinctive and instantly can only be recognised as IAM Cycling which can only be a good thing. I'm glad IAM Cycling and Cuore have continued to use a previous design as the template and made minor changes to the design instead of a complete overhaul like many teams choose to do. 

IAM Cycling 2015

IAM Cycling 2016

Personally, I have always been a fan of the IAM Cycling kit since its inception in 2013 and feel 2016 is a refreshing makeover. 

Food For Thought: Custom Fitted Cycling Kit

There was recently a video posted showing Nairo Quintana being scanned by Endura technicians that will help in making marginal gains by allowing further wind tunnel testing using a manikin of Nairo Quintana. (Video at bottom of post)

This isn't necessarily new as time trial specialists like Tony Martin have had custom fitted skin suits made to improve aerodynamics, but it looks as though Endura are refining the technique by the use of a scanner. But this got me thinking, what if this method was widely available to everyone? 

The idea is simple, as part of a bike fit the bike fitter would scan a customer onto a computer, creating a 3D model. This model would then be sent to Endura or any other participating brand to have custom tailored cycling kit created. Just as an example, Trek's precision fit would be able to integrate this idea into their fit service. Potentially the use of multiple Kinect camera's and some savvy software could make this concept work instead of a costly full body scanner.

This type of service would be very costly so it would only be an option if you're a serious cyclist or enjoy being at the cutting edge technology. But I think as a concept for the future, it could be quite practical for certain bike shops. Think about it, the best bike fit services offer pressure mapping for saddles, pedal analysis, etc. So why not offer custom fitted cycling kit to further optimise a cyclists position and performance on the bike. 

Etixx-Quickstep Release 2016 Kit

Etixx-Quickstep released the team's new look cycling kit ahead of the 2016 season with the help of their new sprinter and German powerhouse Marcel Kittel.

The Vermarc designed kit builds upon last years 2015 design to create what is in my opinion a smarter looking jersey and bib combination. Marcel Kittel described the new kit as " it's very classy and it makes me proud to wear it. Vermarc did a great job designing this jersey and for my part I hope to honour it during the races and take it to the top spot of the podium."

Mark Cavendish 2015 Etixx Quickstep (left), Marcel Kittel 2016 Etixx-Quickstep 2016 (right)

Gone is the pale blue in favour of a darker blue to match the colours of Quickstep and new Sponsor Lidl. Vermarc has also seen fit to add a bit of pinstriping across the abdomen which I feel is an elegant solution to break up the large blue, black and white colour blocks and provides a better jersey to short transition.

Personally I like this kit, the design is simple yet elegant. It's refreshing to see a kit which is not predominantly black and should be much more recognisable in the peloton next year. 

New Tech: Legend Loop Armband

At last an armband that may fit my legendary skinny arms! The Legend Loop Armband is a new Kickstarter project aimed at the active individual, at first it looks like another armband to hold your phone and, to be honest, you'd be half right. 

But that's where it stops, what sets the Legend Loop Armband is that is compatible with almost any smartphone up to 5.5inches.  You could probably fit an iPhone 6 with a bit of a squeeze, but 5.5 is the max safe size. The slim Legend Arm Loops has a claimed weight of 1.8grams and includes a small pocket for your keys and cash, this is good news for the weight weenies who care about weight. The armband is water resistant so apart from constant showers your phone will survive sweaty gym sessions and outdoor activities.

If you're interested in purchasing the armband has two options, a men's and woman's size that both have a universal fit. If the project is successful you will be looking at January  for delivery. Click here for information on the Legend Loop Armband or to back this project. 

UCI Moving With The Times

It's official, the UCI has allowed the use of disc brakes throughout the racing calendar including major races from the next year 2016. It's been a long term coming with those opposing and others supporting disc brakes. Personally disc brakes in the peloton will be refreshing to see in the peloton and more closely resembles the way trends are moving in the cycling industry.

We're likely to see widespread use during the spring and cobbled classics where rain, mud and wind are common. It's those conditions where disc brakes really come into their own. Some teams were already trialling disc brakes from the back end of the 2015 season and noted increased braking performance in wet weather. 

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX  Disc

Although it's exciting to finally see disc brakes in the pro peloton next year a shadow of doubt still weighs heavily, on the whole, idea. Firstly teams running Campagnolo  are yet to have a disc brake groupset, Campagnolo says they're close to finishing testing their own disc groupset when it will be ready we don't know. But it would have to be before April. Secondly disc brakes present a nightmare for  Mavic neutral vehicles who will need to carry an increased number of wheels, not only just to satisfy riders still using rim brakes but also Shimano and Sram disc equipped wheels.

At the moment, it looks like every world tour team will have a disc equipped bike model at their disposal. Only Scott remain the only brand not to have a disc version of their top end racing models whilst Canyons disc equipped Ultimate CF SLX remains a concept that we're likely to see next year.  

If the 2016 season of testing is successful disc brakes will be allowed in all levels of cycling sport and dare I say become favoured in the pro peloton in years to come. 

Out And Back Again

Hi loyal readers,

After a week long break for thanksgiving I'm back, first new post will be on Wednesday of this week. Be sure to check it out 

Retro Tech: Lotus 110 Sport

Many iconic bikes stand the test of time, one of which is the Mike Burrows-designed Lotus Sport 110. The "Z" frame went against the conventional frames of the era. You'll notice the lack of seat tubes and down tube, the idea being to reduce wind resistance as well as reducing weight at the same time. The Lotus 110 also utilized carbon monocoque technology, still revolutionary for the time. 

1996 Lotus Sport 110

The design of the Lotus Sport 110 is so good it is still wickedly fast compared to today's modern time trial bikes as has inspired similar designs today. Take a look at the Falco time trial bike below. 

Falco V 

It's a wonder why we don't see radical bikes like this today in the pro peloton. Well, the Lotus Sport 110 was arguably one o the bikes that caused the Lugano Charter in 1996 that would set guidelines for future time trial bike designs. The idea was to ensure race wins were decided by physical prowess oppose to technology. As such modern equivalents of the Lotus Sport 110 and the Pinarello Aspide will mainly be seen being used by triathletes instead of the pelotons.

The New Fold: Hummingbird

Ask cyclists in London to name a folding bike brand, most will say Brompton. Now here is a new folding bike that has the potential to be as iconic. The Hummingbird folding bike is a kickstarter project that you can help reach its 50,000 funding goal.

The Hummingbird

An every increasing number of commuters have taken to the bike within London. "They cycle to and from their offices, folding their bikes and getting on the tube or bus along the way." The Hummingbirds goal was to provide a simple solution to the common problems that can arise during an everyday commute. They wanted a to create folding bike with a simple fold, is compact but also lightweight. 

The Hummingbird is claimed to weigh 6.5kg thats a claimed 3kg lighter than its nearest competitor. The Carbon fibre frame backs up this claim  due to its low wieght, strength and comfort aiding abilities. Following onto the fold itself. It couldn't be simpler, rear wheels pivots under the frame, fold handlebar and drop seat post then you're good to go. Although it may not be the smallest bike once folded it will still comfortably fit in any train or tube and be easily carried from platform to platform. 

The Fold

Going into its features, you have the option of either 16in or 20in wheels, a choice of either single-speed or five-speed. The 6.5kg claim is the single-speed, 16in option.  As for colour options, red, yellow and gloss black options, but the natural carbon finish may be too tempting not to choose. But what I really love is the design, it's an eye catching simple design that I can imagine being in any contempory home.

The Hummingbird will set you back between 1750 - 1850 depending on the spec you choose. It sounds like a lot but given that the next best alternative will cost you between 1400 - 1500 and is 3kg heavier the Hummingbird is pretty good value. The hummingbird is asuitable replacement for anyone who already owns a commuting bike but finds it lacking in certain areas or just wants to enjoy cycling.  Plus it's built in Great Britain!

Want to learn more about the Hummingbird? Click here 

Retro Corner: Spinergy Rev X

Starting the first retro corner of the Human Engine, it's the Spinergy Rev-X Wheelset. The 90's was the era where designers were pushing the boundaries of cycling tech and design. The Spinergy Rev X comprised of 8 bladed carbon spokes, carbon fairing and aluminium rim. The wheels were said to be very aerodynamic for that time, however, came with two very big drawbacks. 

Mario Cipollini Using Spinergy Rev X

Firstly they were heavy and lacking lateral stiffness not ideal when accelerating from the peloton or taking on a sprint finish. However, they were still widely used in the pro peloton for a good number of races.

But the real big drawback was they were a safety risk. The carbon spokes were liable to cracking and or breaking in the event of a crash essentially turning the blades into knives capable of cutting flesh. Paulo Bettini is noted to have cut his hand during a crash due to these wheels. 

As such the Spinergy Rex X wheels were banned by the UCI in mass participation races and the wheels slowly died out over time. Funnily you can still find these wheels on eBay and the observant eye may catch a view of a front wheel on a fixie whilst on the road. 

UPDATE

Sorry I haven't been able to blog this week. Wifi has been out but no it's back, so I'm back too

Is The GPS Making Way For The Smartphone?

GPS computers and watches have long been the go-to device for any cyclist and runner for a long time. However since the invention of the smartphone the GPS market has become increasingly more competitive. It's not that GPS' are inferior in any way it's just that now a smartphone can do everything a GPS can. If we factor that the cheapest GPS on the market is no less than $150 at the very basic level. When you compare specs to a smartphone the bang for the buck you get on a smartphone is far greater than that on a GPS. Smart phones have all the capabilities and features of a GPS including being able to display power meter data which until a couple years ago was impossible.

Of course using a smartphone does have disadvantages. Firstly it's battery life, you can expect a smartphone with GPS and Bluetooth on to last up to 4 hours with factors such as screen brightness apps running in the background affecting battery life. A specific GPS can last up to 8 hours, good enough for even the longest of races and sportives.

Secondly its durability, GPS computers and watches are designed to be rugged and as such are highly water resistant if not waterproof and the screen very durable. So remember that your phone will need a phone case and bike mount to be used safely during a ride or a jacket pocket during a run. Or, if you're up to date with technology you'll be using a smart watch or a computer that syncs data from your phone and displays it on the computer so your phone can stay safe in a pocket.

I think for many of us, we're looking more at using our phones to record training data for our rides and runs. That still doesn't remove the need for the sport specific watches and computers, they're still very practical pieces of kit for the weekend warrior to racer an essential.  

The 3D Print Revolution

We all know what it is, and it is coming. 3D printing isn't new, its actually been around for decades now however has been mainly used from medical to industrial purposes. But now slowly bike brands are beginning to EMBRACE 3D printing to produce one-off concept and components. You may recall that the time trial bars on the track bike Sir Bradley Wiggins used for his hour record attempt were 3D printed, or the 3D printed titanium lugs used in the German VRZ 1 frame.

3D Printed Handlebar for Hour Attempt

So what makes 3D printing so useful to the bike market? Put simply we're able to bring a concept or design, created or scanned and process it into a three-dimensional object. 3D printing has yielded some fantastic designs that usually would only be possible through handmade molds and casts. 

DFM01

So why has it only been the past 5 years were 3D printing has started to be used in this industry? Put simply COST. It was very expensive to use a 3D printer. Thanks to technology the process is cheaper and able to produce objects at a higher quality. 


The DFM01 is the world's first 3D printed titanium bike that can be commercially viable. The whole bike weighs a solid 6.8kg with a frame cost of $4800 - $5000 which isn't bad value considering some frames in the market will set you back up to $8000. However it's not all about cost, the genius of Triple Bottom Inc the creators of this bike is that they say "it can be customized for each individual cyclist, taking in account their weight and height as well personal preferences". I can't help but go back to a previous post of mine Your Next Bike Could Be A Custom Build. I change my view on the future. Now I say your next bike will be a custom build and will most likely be 3D printed. 

dfm01 dETAIL

Running vs Cycling

What's quicker? Cycling or running? 

This great video produced by Max Joseph puts running against cycling in a 5.5km commute through the heart of London during rush hour. Watch the video before reading on..

Interestingly the run was faster. Despite the bike taking an early lead, traffic and stop lights eventually attributed to its loss. An example of the tortoise beating the hare. 

From the video the run was physically more taxing than the cycle and that if the commute had been a longer distance, the likely winner would be the bike. Although the bike would probably the more stressful of the two. 

What would be interesting to see would be a comparison to public transport as well. We're all aware that cycling is one of the fastest forms of transport in London, but how much faster? Or even if this experiment were to be carried out in numerous large cities by other people to determine what is the faster commute, cycling or running.

Top 5 Best Looking 2016 Time Trial/Triathlon Bikes

Time trial and triathlon bikes are all about speed. But that doesn't stop brands coming out with some stunning designs that not only look fast but are pieces of modern art too. In no particular order these are my top 5 best looking 2016 tt / tri bikes.

1. Cube Aerium C:68
Designed via CFD in conjunction with F1 engineers from Swiss Side and Cube's own development team. The Aerium C:68 is certain to stand out thanks to its unique frame design and fitted with Swiss Sides own Hadron 80+ wheelset the C:68 is a stealth speed machine.

Cube Aerium C:68

2.Canyon Speedmax CF SLX

The Canyon Speedmax CF SLX is more function over style. Big on integration like most brands now, the Canyon Speedmax CF SLX is the Swiss army knife of tri and tt bikes. Storage compartments directly in front of the seatpost for essentials as well as further storage for food that Canyon call their "Energy System". The front fairing also doubles up as a aero water bottle. 

Canyon Speedmax CF SLX

3. Scott Plasma 5

With a front end that looks like Knifehead from movie Pacific Rim. The Scott Plasma 5 is an intimidating machine. Aggressive styling make the Plasma 5 a bike you don't want to get caught by on the road.

Knifehead

Scott Plasma 5

4. Argon 18 E-119 Tri+

Smooth Clean lines, the Argon 19 E-119 Tri+ has an elegant design when compared to many modern day rivals. Big on integration like the bikes mentioned previously. Though one of the Argon 18's aesthetic highlights are the position of the rear brake. Conventional in that it is in between the seat stays and seat tube. But the horizontal position in unique to the Argon 18 new tri range. 

Argon 18 E-119 Tri

5.Bianchi Aquila CV

Breaking the rules this bike isn't new, but I couldn't leave it out. Beautiful Italian styling, gave birth to the Bianchi Aquila CV is arguably one of the best looking tt bikes in the market. Natural flowing lines, the Aquila CV looks like its moving when stationary. No storage or detachable fairings for triathlons to ruin the design, this Bianchi Aquila CV is as stylish as it gets. 

Bianchi Aquila CV

Tech worth a mention - See Sense ICON

A safety light that you could see in your local bike store soon is the See Sense ICON. Like many safety lights coming onto the market featuring some form of connectivity via Bluetooth or ant+ to a smartphone or hub this light is bang on trend.  

The See Sense ICON features Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone enabling control of the light settings from your phone as well as download firmware updates and unlock other features yet to be established. 

What really catches my eye is the 'crash alert' feature that sends an alert to a nominated contact. I believe this would be extremely useful for commuters and racers alike as we are not always cycling with a buddy or group. Furthermore a smart Theft Alert is sent to your phone in the event your bike is stolen. Although no one in their right mind would leave lights on their bike unattended its still a nifty idea. Finally the ICON has a feature called the "Intelligent Sensor" that will adjust the brightness and pattern of the light depending on conditions.  

So now to some technical details. The See Sense ICON will put out 95 lumens at the rear and 160 lumens at the front. There is the option to choose the ICON + which will add 30 lumens and 50 lumens over the standard model. The ICON also has an IP67 rating ensuring proper function in the worst weather and a 15hr run time should be more than sufficient for a days riding.

The See Sense ICON is a light, theft alarm and crash sensor in a smart little package. At 94.00 will get you a front and rear set on their funding page which is good value considering what you get as a light set.

More information can be found on their Kickstarter Project See Sense ICON  I would act quick if you want to help fund this product as there's less than three weeks left.

Five tips to make waking up for morning training easier

1. Set multiple alarms
Setting an initial alarm 15-30 minutes earlier before your main alarm allows your body enough time to wake up from your deep sleep state. 

2. Prepare your equipment the night before
There's nothing worse than looking for a piece of clothing or equipment in the morning. By having everything organized from your clothing to your on the go snacks in one area takes the stress out of getting ready.

Furthermore, prepare you breakfast the night before before you go to sleep. By doing this, you save time which means you can set your alarm later. 

3. Wake with the sunrise
It's easier to wake up in the morning with the sun shining into your room. So open those curtains and let the light in.

4. Get to bed early
You need a decent amount of sleep to wake up in the morning, aim for at least 8 hours of sleep. This will help prevent tiredness during training and your day.

5. Have a training goal for the morning. You'll be more motivated to wake up if you have a goal you want to accomplish.

Five cycling events to train for next year

Autumn is here and we all know what that means! It's time to get out the warm gear and start dusting off the turbo trainer.

With all but a few sportive's and gran fondos left on the calendar it's time to start looking at the year ahead and map out some goals to hit next year. So here are my top five road events you could train for next year!

1. Conquer an Everest
Okay so not technically an event but a challenge none the less. Everesting has exploded onto the cycling scene and is gaining popularity across the globe. The idea is simple, pick a hill and ride up and down that hill until you've cycled the height of Mt. Everest. Given that the rides can average between 300km - 500km and easily last over 15hrs in the saddle with minimum breaks. With it's high failure rate, this is a challenge not to be taken lightly. 
Website: Everesting.cc

2. L'Etape du tour
Hugely popular, follow the Tour De France route of the professionals. Do the whole 2 weeks or take part in a few stages. This event is hugely popular so get in your entry before it's too late.  
Website: L'Etape Du Tour

3. Milan San Remo Sportive
This historical route of 294km takes place on June 5th and covers virtually the same route as the professionals. Not only is distance a challenge the route includes short punchy climbs such as the Poggio, Cipressa and Passo Del Turchino. Be sure to get those hill reps in.
Website: Milan San Remo

4. 24hr Relay Race
There's nothing more rewarding than completely a challenge as a team or with a bunch of mates. Nor is there many events where you can cycle throughout the night. Even if you don't take this event to seriously, the atmosphere during the event is enough to make you sign up again after taking part once. Do your research and you'll find qualifying races that if successful you could be riding the Nurburgring Ring for free later in the year.
Website: Rad Am Ring

5. Gran Fondo New York - Mont. Ventoux
This particular gran fondo started this June this year and is part of the Gran Fondo New York World Series. 130km taking in three categorized climbs before finishing on the summit of Mont Ventoux. The distance of the route gives an indication of how tough the route really is as it is shorter than most gran fondos and sportives you'll come across. This definitely is not a gran fondo for beginners. 
Website: GFNY Mont Ventoux

Peter Sagan and the curse of the rainbow jersey

The Rainbow jersey is known for two things, being world champion in the professional sport of cycling and the curse that comes with it. Yes the rainbow jersey curse known for the rider to have a lackluster season be it through injury, illness or failure to win races. There are a few exceptions to the curse such as Merckx, Lemond, Hinault and Cavendish who had a successful year in the rainbow jersey.

World Champion stripes and medal

Over the past couple years Sagan has been the "nearly man", getting string of podiums but unable to put together a performance that would see him win stages of grand tours and one day classics. But despite his near misses it's his consistency that stands him out to others. Consistently on the podium or thereabouts, his consistency is most evident in the Tour De France having won the green jersey for the past four years.

Peter Sagan has become a victim of his own talent, his exploits since 2010 has made him a danger man for breakaways, that no one wants to work with him coming into the finish which has mainly resulted in podiums in previous years. His 2015 year however, has been on the up, his most notable wins the overall in the Tour of California,  the points classification in the Tour. Sagan has learned to race more tactically than rely purely on his own ability. I believe his race craft really came to the for in the Tour of California where excellent pacing on the final summit sealed his overall win by a mere 1 second. Next year he will be closely marked again by his competition which will be nothing new to him, however he may feel the added pressure of the rainbow jersey on his shoulders which may well indeed affect his state of mind going into races he's marked as a favorite for. Personally I don't think pressure phases Sagan, he's had pressure from commentators, writers and even his own team boss Tinkoff to win more races and land his first classics monument ever since he turned pro. If anything the rainbow jersey will spur Sagan onto greater wins such as the elusive classics and victories in the grand tours.

Peter Sagan doing his Wolf of Wall Street impression

6 Week Schedule: Week 4

This week there's not much to report so this post is relatively short compared to my previous posts. 

The only thing left is to continue completing the intervals before doing a full 5K without any rests two weeks from now. With two more weeks to go the kilometers having been steadily increasing, to finally doing a 5K last week. 

With Autumn drawing near and temperatures lowering, it's getting easier to run harder and longer as heat is less of a factor, only issue is later sunrises and chilly mornings make me want to sleep in!

What a World Championships!

The course that looked to be a sprinters course turned out to suit the classics rider due to the cobbled hills and short but punchy climbs that made a spring board for attacks in the final closing kilometers from the finish. 

Exciting races from the U23, Junior and women's races all set the scene for the Men's race where Peer Sagan took arguably the greatest win of his career so far by becoming the next wearer of the Rainbow Jersey.

Full race report can be found here provided by UCI: http://www.uci.ch/road/news/article/sagan-wins-the-uci-world-road-race-title-with-late-solo-attack/

Peter Sagan 2015 Elite Road World Champion

My personal favorite race would be the Mens U23 race. The final lap that was effected by rain made more an exciting racing on the cobbled sections where in the final selection was decided after a crash on the cobbled Libby Hill after a decisive attack  by two young Frenchmen  Ledanois and Turgis. Ledanois would go on to win in fine solo style and Turgis the final podium.

Kevin Ledanois beats Simone Consonni to the line

What the next Wolf of Wall Street Should Buy

Mr Wall Street don't buy a car, buy a bike! Unlike sports cars where the car does all the talking. The bike is slowly becoming the new toy for the modern wealthy businessman. Where a car is all shout. The bike is more subtle in the way it announces itself to public, only the initiated will recognise and appreciate what the bike is. Not so much a means of transport put a piece of possibly hand crafted design made by artisans. Where a car comes with keys, a bike comes with the cycling specific kit that can be unforgivably revealing. The kit should be like a well fitted and follow cycling rules 14 and 27 (Black shorts and sock length not exceeding the bottom of your calf. NO ANKLE SOCKS). 

The fact of the matter is, anyone can be seen in a sports car, a bike on the other hand...You must "Look the part" too, simply having the bike doesn't cut it. With a bike the rider exposed for all to see, where as a car there's safety knowing that there's a barrier between driver and the outside world. So work on those cycling tan lines to show you've been putting in the miles.

Car manufacturers now collaborate with bike manufacturers to create expensive limited run of mill bikes. Audi is the latest of car manufacturers to release there own special edition bike which will set you back a cool $19,500 but you better be quick as they're only producing 50. Audi not your cup of tea? Then maybe a Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mclaren or Caterham will be more to your taste? Or you could be a coniseur and choose an Italian marquis such as Formgili.

Finally if you're worried about exclusivity. Ask yourself how many Audi R8's have you seen on the road compared to an Audi Bike? The answer speaks for itself. 

HUD's Coming into Cycling

Wearable technology has never really advanced when compared to other sports such as running or swimming. Many can argue what's the need when you have a bike to mount all your gadgets. That in itself can be a safety issue where from time time we'd take our eyes off the road to read our GPS losing focus on traffic, pedestrians and road furniture. I, myself am guilty of this and I'm sure yourself have done it whether you care to admit it or not. 

So from trolling through tech from this years Inter-Bike show I was pleasantly surprised to come across a new product to new brands Everysight and Kopin. Both companies had there own sunglasses with built in HUD's. Now bare in mind this concept isn't new, Recon released there own a couple years back but it never caught on. Mainly due to the weight and shear bulk and lack of peripheral vision it provided. 

The idea of both is to have less bulky far more streamlined design than that of the Recon Jet that would essentially replace your current GPS and possibly feature connectivity to your phone and sensors. No prices yet on either as they're still in pre-production phase but they wouldn't be cheap. 

It still remains to be seen whether HUD's will gain traction in the cycling world as GPS computers already offer so much data in a neat little package, however these companies feel there is potential for a growing market and I agree that there is. 

There will still be issues that will need to be addressed before such as battery life, as well as the option of interchangeable lenses. Assuming the lenses won't be interchangeable since the Recon Jet lenses are not. I feel the lens would at least need to be photocramic to be practical as an everyday item. Personally I've always used a dark lens for bright light whatever the weather apart from night time of course so a non interchangeable lens would not really bother me. At the moment I can really see HUD's gaining popularity for Time Trials, triathlons and track races where a TT helmet with a HUD integrated into the visor would allow the rider to constantly have access to their power output without having to adjust their head position. But in either case I would want this type of wearable technology on my Christmas wishlist in the future.

6 Week Schedule - Week 3

It's hard to believe it's already been 3 weeks, I'm half way into the training plan and the improvements are showing The gradual increase in running duration has really helped with conditioning my body to run faster and longer. It's much for effective than what I did previously wherein I would 5k as fast as possible with no real training structure involved.

The route I run is for the best part of the word hilly so getting my breathing nailed was a big bonus. My breathing has definitely improved. I will mention that I started using PowerBreathe which has really helped strengthen my diaphragm and and increased my lung capacity.

I find running less of a chore now, but more of an enjoyment. Although I'm still to do a full 5k run I'm getting closer week by week. This week I averaged 4km per run and I'm fairly confident next week I'll be hitting the 5km distance and the remaining 2 weeks I'll mainly be focusing on increasing my speed.

What's your dream bike?

If you're a cyclist you can probably relate to what I am about to post. We all have an idea of our dream. That given if money were no object it would be the bike we'd want more than any other.. I've been thinking about this lately and want to share what my ultimate bike build would be. My build compared to some will be fairly modern in its spec, but that's the thing, your ultimate machine doesn't have to revolve around a classic frame, it can be anything you want. So lets get started.

For starters the frame would be a 2008 Cannondale Caad9, hand built in america it was designed in a time where comfort still didn't factor into the Caad design philosophy. A Caad9 is also the first road bike I ever owned and thus has a special place in my heart as bikes go and so far no other bike I have ridden has been similar to the characteristics of the Caad9. Livery would be the team colors of the 2008 Liquigas Cannondale team

My own bike with Alloy Ritchey WCS

Finishing kit would be full Ritchey carbon WCS. No other brand in my mind is suited better to this frame. Everything apart from the saddle would be full carbon Ritchey WCS including the fork. I was never a fan of the stock fork that came with the Caad9. Wheel would of course be also from Ritchey in the form of the WCS Apex 46mm clinchers, a good all-round wheel-set. Finishing with American Speedplay Zero Pedals in Lime Green Making a change from Ritchey. Tires would be the current Michelin Pro4's 23mm.

Now we switch from American to Italian. Bar tape and saddle would be provided by fizik, the Arione (carbon braided) and microtex tape both in metallic blue same as what Liquigas Cannondale Used.

Finally the groupset, harking back to what Liquigas Cannondale were using. The groupset would be Campagnolo Super Record Anniversary edition. The matte finish of the carbon would complement the Ritchey Components nicely. I also prefer the ergonomic and shifting performance. So it's not all about cosmetics. Why not go electronic you may ask? Simply put the Caad9 isn't electronic compatible.  And on a final note brakes would be the Zero Gravity Gravitas Sl, I saw these years ago and have wanted a set ever since. 

Now I'd like to note, I still own the Cannondale Liquigas Caad9 as described above but not at the high spec described. So in a way I'm halfway to having my dream bike.  

So what would your dream bike be? 

6 - Week Schedule: Week 2

Another week down and feeling good. Week to was more about increasing running time as oppose to the previous week were emphasis was on getting the body used to high intensity running.

The week began with 3 minute run intervals and by the end I was doing 5 minute intervals. Pacing was crucial as the idea of intervals isn't go as heard as possible and struggle to complete the full time but to run a pace you can maintain for the duration. I found that out on Monday where I pushed too hard on the first 2 intervals. If you use a heart rate monitor I would recommend working out your functional threshold and using that as your guide for pacing as I found this helped me in pacing.

Furthermore since I started core exercise last week it has become easier to maintain form whilst running, simple exercises such as the plank twice a day has made a difference to me. So if you want to run more, brace your core.

Saturday was the highlight of my week, running or cycling in the rain has a certain charm to me wherein I enjoy it. Call me weird but that's just me. If you run in the rain you're hardcore. Period.

Are mechanical groupsets slowly dying?

One of the main talking points of Euro-bike this years was Sram's eTAP groupset. The wireless 11-speed groupset is the latest is electronic gearing and potentially will set the trend for other manufacturers to follow. As well as Sram, FSA (Full Speed Ahead) had their own wireless groupset on show, be it still only in prototype stage. But in a nutshell both systems utilize wireless shifting via encrypted wireless signals. No new Di2 system for Shimano this year however I'd probably expect to see something next year to compete with Sram. 

2016 Sram eTap

It won't be long till we see automatic shifting being released as this would probably be the next logical step after wireless. Baron Biosystems have been toying with this idea with their Bio Shift automated shifting system using wattage to determine the best gear to maintain a consistent power output. The great thing about their system is that you can still manually shift if you want to, so in a sense its similar to a semi-automatic car. What Baron Biosystems is doing here definitely gives us an idea of what we have to look forward to in the future.

Another groupset also on display was from Rotor in the form of the Rotor Uno. Produced in collaboration with Magura they have gone against the current trend of going electronic but opted for a hydraulic system that we could see in the peloton next year. Pictures have emerged of the drivetrain already on the bike of an MTN-Quebeka rider during a training ride. In my opinion this is more an evolution on mechanical gearing as hydraulic does not have the disadvantage of cable friction which to many can affect shifting performance. Whether this advantage will outweigh the potential nightmare of set-up or servicing remains to be seen. In this sense for the commuter sticking with reliable mechanical drivetrains is more practical and possibly cheaper too. I believe its to early to say if hydraulic shifting will catch on, we'll have to wait till probably next year in that respect to see if there's a future for hydraulic systems. 

So given the examples mentioned, I do certainly feel mechanical groupsets will slowly die out. At the moment a Sram eTap groupset will set you back the best part of $3,000 and Shimano's cheapest electronic groupset around $1,200. However given the constant advancements in technology it would be no surprise that manufacturing costs would decrease allowing the likes of Shimano or even Campagnolo to provide much more affordable versions aimed at the mass market. 

I feel that many cyclists have come around to the idea that electronic has a practical place to the everyday cyclist, even I was a skeptic when Shimano released its first electronic groupset believing like most it wasn't necessary. Although now I'm a supporter of electronic groupsets and now believe if you're in the market for a new high end road bike or hybrid it may be worth considering purchasing a bike with an electronic system. 

Train without a coach?

Following up one a good point made this week in regards to using a coach when taking doing a training program to avoid injury, improve performance and prevent bad habits. To make this post simpler to follow I'll focus on running and cycling as the sports to use as examples.

Those that take up sport to improve fitness or have a casual goal they wish to achieve. Hiring a coach just may not be practical or feasible for them. Myself I started my training schedule to get back into running. Those looking to take up a training program without the use of a coach and are following a plan made online or self made listening to your body is vital to make the most of your training. 

When starting its very easy to develop bad habits quickly, we tend to focus more on completing the days goal of distance, speed etc. But we don't focus on our technique or what we're doing whilst training.  To help prevent bad habits you have to be actively aware and be aware of what you're doing and actively work on improving problem areas. 

Take me for example and my posture. Whilst running. First week I realized I'd slouch whilst running. So next run I actively focused on improving that area by keeping my shoulders back and relaxed and so on.. If I were to not try to improve my posture my technique would be terrible and I would be developing a bad habit right now. I had self diagnosed a problem and focused on rectifying it. Now there is a difference between self diagnosing effectively and making a problem worse. Someone who can self diagnose knows their body and can workout what changes need to be made to negate injury and improve technique. 

In today's digital world so much information is available to us in the form of "How to" videos and do it yourself websites that can be very effective to improve technique and prevent bad habits in the long run. 

For example someone who finds their right knee moves out at the top of their pedal stroke can get on you tube and search "How asses knee tracking for cycling" and be greeted with useful videos. This is here is where someone could make the problem worse or fix the problem, a good example of self diagnosis in this case would be opening up the hip angle by raising the handlebars or reducing the length of the stem.

Remember what you read or see on the internet may be good advise for some people but may not be good for yourself. I usually find reading books on bio mechanics and training helps me understand if or when I get discomfort whilst running what the cause could be and how to fix it. 

Coaches can take the information you give them and use it to make adjustments on your technique and if need be, your training plan. For example you can describe outer knee pain, and the coach can assess your stride or pedal stroke to help determine what the cause could be and what the solution could be.  

One thing you can also get from proper coaching is diet/nutrition. Again what we read on see on the TV or internet wont apply to everybody and since nutrition is important in performance having proper coaching in this area is highly recommended. 

On a last note anyone seeking to improve on current performance, training for a event or have a pre-existing injury you want to avoid I highly recommend hiring a coach. There's only so far you can go by watching videos, reading websites until you no longer can progress in your given sport.The great thing about having a coach is your given guidance to ensure you can meet your goals. They can track your progress, make adjustments to your training plan to create a constant platform to improve. By having a coach you'll feel safer in the knowledge that your training plan is specifically designed for you and your goals.

Remember many athletes train without a coach and get by just fine on their own. To help your training you may decide to run with a friend or a group, this can also help in realize bad habits that form in your technique and also provide motivation. 

Whats your opinion?

Why not Lycra..?

If you're starting out in cycling you'll most certainly hit the point where someone will say something along the lines "You need to buy a pair of padded shorts" followed by the familiar reply "I'll never wear Lycra". Of course further down the line you end up buying a pair to save your arse from the punishment of the scantily padded narrow cushion of what we call a saddle. 

In my opinion Lycra is something that should be embraced rather than shunned. You wouldn't run with dress shoes on. Or swim wearing a t-shirt and shorts? No, you'd buy the proper kit that's made for purpose and same goes for cycling gear. 

So why don't more people invest in Lycra when the first start out? I think part of it is an image issue, cycling shorts in particular can be quite revealing that would make most people uncomfortable to be seen in. There's also the "Borat" image that comes with bibs. Note: Never wear bib shorts on its own.  But once you're on the bike no one really cares. 

As for jerseys, there's so much variety you can choose the type of fit, aero, fitted and casual as examples. Design to has changed where you can buy a classic/retro jersey worn with black shorts say "Yes I enjoy cycling". Cycling kit is so much more a fashion statement than a decade ago where it was mainly function over style. Take Paul Smith for example designing the classification jerseys for the tour of Qatar earlier this year. Even H&M had there own cycling range at one point and Rapha have perfectly matched fashion and functionality that you wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen wearing. 

A year or two back fluro was fashionable

So as much has cycling gear has become more fashionable it will always have that stigma will new cyclists and only makes sense as an investment a little further into the future. Yes you can also buy more casual cycling gear that's not made of lycra. I didn't touch on this because no-one I've come across has looked down at buying that type of gear unless you follow the Velominati. (Refer to rule 18 of the Velominati Rules of the Road).

6-Week schedule: Week 1

Week One of my simple 6-week program is over, in total this week I've run 12km which in my opinion isn't bad for someone starting out. These runs we broken down into interval sessions which gradually increased in duration and distance. 1min run x 1min jog repeated 10 times and 2min run x 4min jog repeated 5 times.

For my first week back to doing physical activity I think I did pretty well. The first two days were quite gruelling, I struggled to get my breathing under control and got stitches that were a constant discomfort. However once I got the breathing under control it started to become easier. A short sharp breathe in activating the diaphragm then a forceful breath out.

One thing I had not forgotten from the first time I started running after cycling is how weak my upper body was. Since running is a more dynamic motion to cycling I came to realise that my muscles particular in my back need to be improved.  I found that I'm struggling to maintain form and often have the habit of hunching over. I make myself aware trying to keep a straight back, shoulders back and down and relaxed looking straight ahead as I run. Since I will start doing strengths exercises starting next week I'm confident as my conditioning increases it'll be easier to maintain my form longer during my runs.