tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58280228317786407432024-03-28T20:30:08.611-07:00Richard Elliott's BlogspotRegular blog charting Rich Elliott's progress through the worlds of PC Gaming and Road Cycling.Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-73725057470843314592014-11-27T05:36:00.001-08:002014-11-27T12:17:50.158-08:00Oneplus One Review in some depth<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGqpRSY3e6Rpasc-O85_TnDOLr2t5rHALlWM97SG3IU2ICyXmJ4cPYG5v7QfrctUxFiww1Gzj63E07Z3FPs68D9qd3SxOgdHp1bhwQtPBfp5B2x118QK91OBsXQTuPbP3vvgF19woRjvX/s1600/security+holes+fixed+2.0+darker+font.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGqpRSY3e6Rpasc-O85_TnDOLr2t5rHALlWM97SG3IU2ICyXmJ4cPYG5v7QfrctUxFiww1Gzj63E07Z3FPs68D9qd3SxOgdHp1bhwQtPBfp5B2x118QK91OBsXQTuPbP3vvgF19woRjvX/s1600/security+holes+fixed+2.0+darker+font.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really don't know if this is a genuine Oneplus advert, I wouldn't put it past them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My OPO landed two days ago and in this short period has been
scrutinised. I come into this review with a healthy insight into Android
devices. I have enjoyed the stock Android experience with a Nexus 4 (no longer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> N4) and Nexus 7. I've dabbled with
the Nexus 5, played around with other Android devices and also tinkered with
iPhones. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will be sections of this review that most of you have
read pretty much everywhere. They are the essential, but essentially dull
observations that a review would be incomplete without. I shall mark them
thusly, so you can skip them... In fact I'll get on with the review right now,
starting with some dull remarks......</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>******************************************************************</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull
dull dull dull </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The OPO comes in beautiful packaging. I received a
non-descript bag containing two boxes (charger and phone). The phone is
contained inside a beautiful box which is stored inside a curious cardboard
box. Beneath the phone in a secret compartment is a funky micro-usb and a cool
looking SIM ejection tool that is contained inside a rubber keyring. Both these
are still inside the box, although you will need the SIM ejection tool as the
hole to punch the SIM tray open is deeper than the standard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The phone has a plastic covering which is easy to remove. It
all looks very pro and distinctly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expensive.</i><br />
<br />
It is a 64gb handset with 3gb of RAM, the CPU is a Snapdragon 801 and the GPU an Adreno 330, the ppi pixel density is 401 with a screen resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. And the punchline ..... it costs £274, delivered to your door (or £229 for the 16gb). The main problem has been getting hold of one, as you need an invite. I can explain more about that process another time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>******************************************************************</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Picking up the device I was astonished at its weight, or
lack thereof. The OPO is thin, thinner than I expected even after watching
dozens of videos pre-order. It feels almost empty. It had the unfortunate
effect of rendering my Nexus 4 suddenly bulky and heavy in the way old
technology often appears. It's larger than my N4, I don't know the respective
weights but it felt similar to the sensation when you lift a carbon road bike
.... you don't expect it to be so light.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the size is interesting. My daughter saw the phone and
the first thing she said was "oh my god dad, your phone is so
massive" before she skipped off to take another selfy. My son saw it and
didn't mention the screen once but was clearly impressed. His only negative
remark was that the scrolling through apps was "too fast", I'm not
sure what he was getting at there. It clearly is a large phone but you wouldn't
look at this and think "phablet". It's possibly the largest size a
phone can be without suffering the ignomy of that dubious moniker.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fxUUVCh2i6oIkTjnEj-EJhm5cqCd66U0bDBs-xN6GJ4PrHIopBf_VVr-KGkHAky5r23Rj1yLko7jRRa2lDa4ZptCE0cHVRBfNDblqKJfecsdT3ij7DdOlFJafSD3m8WndoywXkmu70Um/s1600/dscf4048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fxUUVCh2i6oIkTjnEj-EJhm5cqCd66U0bDBs-xN6GJ4PrHIopBf_VVr-KGkHAky5r23Rj1yLko7jRRa2lDa4ZptCE0cHVRBfNDblqKJfecsdT3ij7DdOlFJafSD3m8WndoywXkmu70Um/s1600/dscf4048.jpg" height="515" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Furry Bootay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So it's big and it's thin and light. It's got a furry
bootay, which feels great! It's almost organic, akin to the shaven nostrils of a
pony, without the gusts of breath every few seconds, and the snot, so it's
better than a pony. But, and I'm not talking about the bootay specifically, the
whole phone feels distinctly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unsafe</i>
to hold. I've ordered a (very cool) case for it and I literally can't wait to
wrap the OPO in a more sturdy body. It feels naked, and that isn't always a
good thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Booting up the OPO is kinda quick and unceremonious. I can't
even remember what happens now it's on. I've rebooted several times to try
themes so perhaps it's changed a few times. It's certainly not a long time,
hey, you won't be disappointed by the boot time, let's move on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The OS, Cyanogen, is fantastic. I was vaguely surprised to
see that developer options are off by default, and the repeated tapping is
required to activate, but that's because I've always suckled from the stock
Android teat and I expected this OS to be crazy radical. I thought I'd see
buttons for overclocking and options in Settings for Matrix style green digital
effects. I thought this OS would be g33ky in short. However it's actually a
really sensible riff on the Kitkat theme. Options are more varied because this
phone can do a lot of stuff, but there is absolutely no bloatware. It feels
like an expanded Kitkat universe where the integrity of Android is maintained.
It's a safe place to load up into and I felt instantly relieved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>******************************************************************</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull
dull dull dull </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The screen is 5.5 inches bordered by a 1cm bezel up top and
a larger bezel at the base. The lower bezel contains some hardware navigation
keys which can be disabled in favour of the screen nav keys. I went to screen
nav straight away as I'm a creature of habit. The notification light sits to
the top of the device and speakers unleash sound underneath at the base of the
phone, rather than out of its ass, which the Nexus 4 used to do. No-one likes
that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The headphone jack is on the right of the phone at the top.
I've just been for a bike ride and listened to an audiobook about psychopaths
whilst riding (What's the most deadly kind of road? A Cyclepath! Sorry...
that's punishment for reading the dull stuff). I noticed two things straight
away; the phone fits perfectly into my jacket pocket and the headphone jack is
well placed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The micro USB connector is on the base of the phone in
between the two (not stereo) speakers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>******************************************************************</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How fast is this phone? Well I would say that it feels
instantaneous when whipping around the different screens. It responds like a
kitten looking in a mirror, it's crazy fast. However, it's also dumb like a
kitten at times. You can get this phone to wake by doing several things; and
it's implemented some of these so well that I no longer use the power button to
activate the screen. You can wake the phone by running a verbal "Ok
Google". But this rarely works. I've stopped doing it to showcase the
feature as it always lets me down. But the double tap feature rocks. Seriously,
this may not be original to the One but it's made the feature sublimely useful.
I didn't realise until just last night that you can also turn the phone off by
tapping the very top of the screen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The power button is only used to reboot the phone now. And
that is a good job, because the power and the volume rocker buttons are pretty
lame. They sit close to the shell of the phone and the volume particularly is
hard to operate. You won't intuitively turn volume up or down, your brain will
assign several million cells to finding it, and the positioning your fingers so
that you press directly into the phone. They're not wobbly or loose, but they
feel weak, like they should be treated with care. I wouldn't recommend mashing
the side buttons on your OPO under any circumstances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another gripe that relates to build quality would be the
speakers. Well, that is until I played some music just now.... I shall explain.
That audiobook about sociopaths is quite interesting so I was listening to it
around the house before I went for the bike ride. Whilst playing the book out
loud I noticed that the treble would occasionally rattle the speakers in their
housing. I thought I'd best duplicate this issue before describing it to you
guys, so I put some music on just now. The music played beautifully. Not like a
SONOS sound system, let's be realistic. These are phone speakers, they're not
going to fill Wembley or replace your living room speakers. They're adequately
good, unless you're listening to the occasional audiobook. I would put this
down to build quality as the treble did seem to rattle as if the speakers
weren't solidly fitted in. Once upon a time I was truly excited about the
prospect of owning a Nexus 6, which is another story. However, short version is
that it's too expensive. The main feature I was unrealistically thrilled to own
were the stereo speakers. Well, I don't hear any reviews about people being
reduced to tears of joy over the N6 speakers .... <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">THEY'RE PHONE SPEAKERS GET OVER YOURSELF RICH</i>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Battery life is great. I've not actually been able to test
this properly yet, but already I'm travelling without life support. My ancient
N4 was never far from power. I would travel with a battery pack, used a Qi
charger at work, had a micro SIM charger in my bedroom and on my computer. This
phone however doesn't scream for juice every minute of the day. I won't lie to
you, I'm a fairly heavy user. It's why I think purchasing the Nexus 7 was a
good idea .... I can rest the OPO from time to time. For instance I'm currently
typing this on my N7 (I've got back into bed after that bike ride). A phone that
lasts from waking to the end of the day is an Epic drop in my opinion. I
believe that this will do just that. I might just get it a purple case to befit
its stature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's just gone midday and I pulled the phone off it's
electric juice bottle at 0900hrs. I rode for about an hour listening to an
audiobook and listened to it on speakers for about 20 minutes before that. I've
done a few "ok google" searches and a couple of random searches. It's
on 94%.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However! Oneplus you are forgiven your omission on this
occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>However</u></b>! Don't <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever</i>
make another phone without Qi charging capabilities. Don't you know that even
in this day and age, Qi chargers can practically get you laid? In the office I
work, placing my N4 on its charger pad was like pulling out a wand and making
tea with it (and I don't just mean using it to stir). The astonishment quickly
fades into blank looks and acceptance, but deep down they who bore witness know
you're slightly magic and should be held in higher esteem. C'mon Oneplus, you
are doing your customers a disservice, make the OPT Qi compatible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Themes are perhaps one of the biggest draws of Cyanogen.
Contained within the phone are two themes out of the box, but with some
searching on the play store (just type "CM11") dozens can be found,
many of which are free. Some cost, and that could turn out to be an expensive
hobby, chasing down the perfect theme. I recommend youtube searches for top
themes. I've currently got mine set up with circular icons using "Numix
circle" mixed into the default theme. Goddam it looks good. I could go on,
but this review is turning into my life's work.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl4u3b6Ihk3bqfqNIZzfRC3oTyyjWANoB806zxkIJDRTg0SC2oViAt3OpGIxSTvZeniYjCrxMBPDtmThVjwaGhkRIXp6tBObqW8uJJnecT02iiyKb1Sc7HiRjLTsXtJ6cS7BaUwo4Vb0w/s1600/oneplus-one-themes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl4u3b6Ihk3bqfqNIZzfRC3oTyyjWANoB806zxkIJDRTg0SC2oViAt3OpGIxSTvZeniYjCrxMBPDtmThVjwaGhkRIXp6tBObqW8uJJnecT02iiyKb1Sc7HiRjLTsXtJ6cS7BaUwo4Vb0w/s1600/oneplus-one-themes.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pick a theme, any theme, just watch how much you spend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The camera can be split into two parts, the hardware and the
software. Unlike the iPhone and the Nexus6 and many other Flagship cameras,
this doesn't have optical image stabilisation. This means you'll have to stop
drinking excessively or use a tripod before taking photos in low light. I've
come from an exceptionally average camera, this one is surreal. In good light I
feel I could keep zooming into photos like Dekkard does in Blackrunner. Looking
at the software for these lenses on Youtube I was under the impression that
some features would be gimmicky. It's not the case, the camera app is well
thought out and I found the night mode really allowed a lot of light into the
shot. Yes, the image was noisy and clarity was leached from the image, but not
nearly as badly as I was expecting. I do intend to take "the perfect
photo" with this phone, if I manage it I shall share with you guys. It's
certainly capable of taking that elusive perfect picture.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjy-iFcE_fhq7VIhRQB5IbXDXbFDS_FbZr3a0uM47Sq2TdBfkH9vJ2G8Yc_u4RLB7jcmUuywh3iSuTd2HfY3SO9QIcygBAmA5rDQ67TgUwrimYt7LTbwxcIZkLM-sq9WA_SqnAmOcxGMYy/s1600/IMG_20141125_132328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjy-iFcE_fhq7VIhRQB5IbXDXbFDS_FbZr3a0uM47Sq2TdBfkH9vJ2G8Yc_u4RLB7jcmUuywh3iSuTd2HfY3SO9QIcygBAmA5rDQ67TgUwrimYt7LTbwxcIZkLM-sq9WA_SqnAmOcxGMYy/s1600/IMG_20141125_132328.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faithful colour reproduction, plenty of pixels. A nice shooter in the daytime, and good in low light if you have a tripod.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made the phone faster yesterday by switching from Dalvik
to ART within Developer options. There is a long-winded warning which would
normally send me scurrying back to my safe-haven, but Cyanogen had impressed me
so much I felt secure enough to switch to this experimental runtime. To be
clear, Lollipop runs ART by default. I had ART running on my N4 and it assisted
the battery slightly. ART appears to be implemented well, although I'm sure
that some people will have conflicts with their phone setups. I wouldn't
recommend getting it unless you're prepared for problems. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've only had ART on the phone since last night but I sense
that battery may have been improved and the performance is definitely faster,
which is saying something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I almost forgot to mention this, and in fairness it is the
most important feature in any phone. The call quality! Mine is a
disappointment. I am aware that it's software and I do expect it to improve,
but right now I'm struggling to get a call which sounds right. Most of the time
I get lots of extra background noise that isn't very clear but washes around
whilst I'm trying to talk. I sound different, weird, according to most people I
call. They sound odd. It was better this morning and I'm told it's down to a
lot of factors, including which service provider you use, the handset
configuration. I'm wandering out of my depth here, but I hope to see an
improvement PDQ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Conclusion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Would I do this all again? Would I sell my precious
belongings on eBay in order to get the money to buy a OPO? Would I sit in the
forums for a couple of days before figuring out how to get an invite? Would I
wait for an invite again? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course I would. This phone is amazing! I don't care too
much about the slightly rattly treble, or the substandard call quality. A phone
is so much more than a phone nowadays. This is a device right on the bleeding
edge of technology, at half the price of most similar devices. Yes there are a
few compromises, but Oneplus have done so much right. They're created a
gorgeous looking phone, if a few ponies lose their noses for the sake of a
fuzzy cover, so be it. They've used clever design decisions to present the tech
in a premium package and it works. The phone feels premium.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>******************************************************************</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull dull
dull dull dull </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"But Rich!" I hear from the back of the room...
"What of the yellow banding? The random crashes? What about the dodgy
headphone jack? The other problems I keep reading about on the forums?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me tell you about the yellow banding. There is no yellow
banding on this phone. I expect that many of the issues experienced by the
pioneer consumers who picked this phone up when Oneplus were barely out of
nappies were teething problems. I wouldn't say my phone is perfect, my biggest
issue would be the call quality (which I suspect is software and can be fixed
in time). But the major gripes and the truly worrying issues that plagued the
phone months ago are far fewer today. CyanogenMod 11.0 feels solid. It has
crashed whilst using the camera app, but I'm so used to my Nexus crashing in
Google's camera app I almost expected it to happen. There have been occasional
hiccups, but I've spent the last two days installing many apps, changing themes
and putting it through its paces. It's handled itself well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And lastly, does my flashlight turn on in my pocket? Am I
recording scooter rides with my significant other (Erica Griffin rocks)? Nope,
they appear to have fixed the magical gesture based shortcuts by telling the
phone to run proximity checks before booting up the apps. In other words, if
it's in your pocket then it will detect it's in your pocket and won't start up
the flashlight, or the camera.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>******************************************************************</b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you for making it through to the end of this review.
After receiving my invite I promised to review the OPO, by way of keeping
involved in the community. I'll stay around the forums to see what's new with my phone and
what's fixed and broken this month :) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regards, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rich Elliott (proud new owner of the Oneplus One).</div>
Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-20348608764687182792014-11-21T08:32:00.000-08:002014-11-21T08:35:55.695-08:00Why I won't be buying the Nexus 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://d.christiantoday.com/en/full/18516/nexus-6.jpg?w=720&h=405&l=50&t=40" height="360" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 59px;" width="640" /> </div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
That title hurts. For two years I've been luxuriating in the power and simplicity of my glorious Nexus 4. So impressive is that device that my brother made the transition from iPhone to Android in order to pick up the Nexus 5 a year later. My daughter enjoys using her Nexus 7, another fantastic budget device with a big engine under the sleek black hood.<br />
<br />
And now I'm turning my back on the Nexus line ...<br />
<br /><a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I may have mentioned in my previous blog that I've been saving up for the Motorola Nexus 6 for the last two months. I've sold my watch for £70, a desk for £100, cycling shoes for a poxy £30 (he got a bargain), an Apple Bluetooth Keyboard for £30, a Carom board for £15, a saddle for £30, a padded shirt for £5 (arms were too short anyhow) and a spreadsheet of other items <i>all in order to buy the Nexus 6.</i> I knew it was going to be expensive. I knew it would probably cost £400, maybe even £440.<br />
<br />
And then the bombshell landed. Google were going mainstream. They were pimping out their flagship to the UK market for £500! F@ck ..... that.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry Google, but you've got to hear this. You don't wander the streets of our global civilization peddling your wares like some new drug dealer in town. You don't get us hooked on your brand with budget flagship devices before SCREWING us over later down the line!!!! What the hell were you thinking? You are a very wealthy company. You're ethos behind the Nexus line was laudable and well executed. Yes we compromised on cameras and speakers, but the build quality was above par and the tech was generally superb.<br />
<br />
Releasing the Nexus 6 is a misrepresentation of your brand. You should have gone Project Silver, or called it the Google Phone or something. Calling the new Motorola bohemoth a Nexus 6 has disappointed a loyal and very g33ky following. The size wasn't a particularly major issue to me, it's the sheer expense of <i>one</i> device that turned me off.<br />
<br />
And whilst we're on betrayal, take a look at Motorola and ask yourself Google. Why is your Nexus 6 so slow to make it to the marketplace? What's the big issue with supply and demand? From my armchair, several thousand miles away, it appears that Motorola built you a phone and then started churning out Droid Turbo's as fast as they could. A slightly smaller and equally powerful device with a battery on board that could probably power the Millenium Falcon. Could it be that Motorola are making it difficult for you Google? I'm sure they wouldn't be telling you they're being obstructive and slow in producing your Nexus 6, but if you look at the marketplace right now, they seem to have grabbed a BIG chunk with the Moto X and the Droid Turbo and the Google flagship is a competitor.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to your betrayal of <i>me </i>Google. Let's not forget who you designed these phones for in the first place. Someone in your company noticed that when Google create their developer device with which to test their operating systems on, it could also be released unto the public without the extraneous and expensive frilly bits. The Nexus phones were like racing cars. There was no leather trim, no excess features, fuel economy sucked. The experience was raw naked Android, and they rocketed ahead of the competition for a time.<br />
<br />
This year promised to be a more refined experience. We would be getting some upholstery to cut it with the big boys. The camera would mix it with the best Android can offer (I still think Apple have the edge on photography). The speakers would be dual .... stereo (Oh God I wanted those dual stereo speakers!). Still pure Android with a merest whiff of some good elements from other manufactures devices (kudos to the double tap to wake). And so I waited, selling my precious belongings like a man in a hot air balloon trying desperately to clear an oncoming mountain.<br />
<br />
Well, I cleared the mountain. I actually sold £500 worth of stuff. And all within a week of release. In theory, that release has now been put back to today. However, I don't care. Why not? Because I'm not buying the Goddam Nexus 6. I'm not buying into this shit. Why the hell should I pay that much cash for something so insignificantly better than other devices on the market?<br />
<br />
My Nexus 4 still cooks on gas for daily use. I browse the net, sell stuff on eBay, message on Whatsapp, take photos and connect with my friends and family. The phone is still perfectly adequate. The reason I want to upgrade is because the screen size just isn't <i>productive enough</i> for my requirements. I want to write more and I don't want to squint. My theory is to have a device large enough to use as a tablet, with a great camera, that is a pleasure to use. Now, we all love new stuff and Lollipop is coming in the next few days (today officially, according to the unofficial rumours, but there are no over-excited posts on Android forums proclaiming that Lollipop has arrived). Which got me ruminating. How could I justify spending £500 on a freaking phone?<br />
<br />
The answer was fairly simple, but fraught with risk. I wouldn't buy one device, I'd buy two! For the price of a Nexus 6 I can buy a 2nd Gen Nexus 7 <i>and </i>a Oneplus One!<br />
<br />
Why get the Nexus 7? Simples. It's got a lovely big screen perfectly suited to working on documents (with my bluetooth keyboard) and watching movies in the bedroom ... yes ... movies. And I get the Oneplus One in order to take great photographs and cyanogenmod to <i>play</i> with the OS. Cyanogenmod does something no Nexus has ever been able to do. It allows you to literally reinvent your interface with the OPO. This means your daily driver never gets tired and boring.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" id="irc_mi" src="https://content.oneplus.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/400x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/0/3/03.jpg" style="margin-top: 61px;" width="320" /><br />
<br />
So, after an abortive purchase of a "perfect" Nexus 7 from a guy in the UK over eBay (which was covered in scratches), I was reimbursed and I purchased a refurb model for £100. The refurb came without any manuals but the unit and charger were both brand new. I'm super happy with this purchase. Bearing in mind the Nexus 6 would have cost me £500 I must add that my daughter broke her cheap phone this week. Popping onto eBay I was able to buy her a Nexus 4 (which arrived looking brand new minus a small scratch on the back) for £100.<br />
<br />
So I've got a Nexus 7, my daughter has a Nexus 4 and I am about to order my OnePlus One. Total cost, including cases is £495. Three devices for the price of a Nexus 6! BOOM! What can I say, just because something is branded with your favourite logo it doesn't mean you have to slavishly follow it into uncomfortable territory. Ok, so I'm not turning my back on the Google Nexus line, just the expensive stuff.<br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to my OPO, I shall review it here when it lands. All I need now is an invite...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-70320963014478408322014-10-21T14:28:00.003-07:002014-10-21T14:48:29.107-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>The Nexus 6 Cometh!</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Nexus 6 is practically here! The timing couldn't be better for me; my lovely Nexus 4 has developed a hardware fault within warranty (which means I can replace the handset and give the replacement</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to my wife who hates her Sony Xperia J) and anyway ... i'm <b>way </b>overdue an upgrade. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppH3FtsZF4vwx2LAgkq4h296YuUcWaRJJ45pOguhmte-TkOzEpNz0pAb2DrZuq6gd77sj5-jqyxUjb8pKMNDMi4BP9I92fcDciggNX-1S4vJFGVi0Set3Ea__rwNS_V23odys0Lu7Sz0m/s1600/N6-moreeverything-1600_contentfullwidth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppH3FtsZF4vwx2LAgkq4h296YuUcWaRJJ45pOguhmte-TkOzEpNz0pAb2DrZuq6gd77sj5-jqyxUjb8pKMNDMi4BP9I92fcDciggNX-1S4vJFGVi0Set3Ea__rwNS_V23odys0Lu7Sz0m/s1600/N6-moreeverything-1600_contentfullwidth.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two years ago the choice was simple. The Nexus 4 floated the sea of mobile phones touting big guns and stripped down functionality. It was unchallenged on price, unfettered and oh so exclusive. I've lost count of the number of times people asked me "What phone is that?" That developer phone was my dream device, and still is in 2014 ... until the behemoth Nexus 6 loomed on the horizon. Last year my brother bought the Nexus 5 and I've had a play with it. In my opinion it's the 4 made bigger, beefier and rubbery. The camera is just as fussy, the battery equally leaky, and the google experience pure and generally sublime. I never felt the need to upgrade my 4 last year, my son was accusing it of controlling his life due to the way it plugged into most systems in the house, and that felt reassuring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 6 is a seismic shift for Google. That lumbering corporate beast, which engulfs all before it, has started grazing the same pastures as Apple. After years of evolutionary (but oh so respectful) head bashing, these two entities are set for direct conflict. The primary upshot of this will almost certainly be price point. Google are unleashing a Flagship device for the first time. Until now they've been filtering out developer handsets, reference devices with added panache. The Nexus 4 and 5 were successes, mainly because they were very powerful phones costing less than half the price of an iPhone or any mainstream Flagship device. By releasing the Nexus 6 as direct competition to the iPhone 6+, Google are saying "this is what we can do when we don't pull our punches". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apple lost their mystic hold on design perfection this year. The iPhone 6 phones are beautiful but there are compromises that look jarringly wrong. Mainly I'm talking about the banded antennae, but also the "Droidification" of Apple this year is apparent. The iPhone 5 was a bold design departure for Apple, but clearly it was an Apple product retaining many of the iconic design features. The iPhone 6 and 6+ look more like Android devices with a circular Apple homekey on the front. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apple may lose some customers to the Nexus range this year, but it won't upset the applecart. 2014 is almost over. Apple have had a very successful year. Next year however is when I envisage gorgeous Android devices, and massive issues with pricing for Apple. Next year will see the birth of "Ok Google" to the masses. I've been talking to my phone for 2 years, but recently I've noticed friends and colleagues talking into their devices with more regularity. It's becoming a normal everyday function for everyone. And the power of advertising has never been so blatant. Google have trained their customers to say "ok Google" in public, dozens of times a day! With the unstoppable march of Google I can't see the iPhone coming down in price. More realistically, and this is a big change for Apple in recent years, they will release "budget" handsets. They are missing out on too much of a market not to do this. India craves affordable handsets. With the release of Oneplus One, following on from the early <i>affordable </i>Nexus devices, people are seeing an opportunity to split from their providers and go contract free. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How they implement those will remain to be seen, but I'll go on record and say that they'll never dumb down their cameras within their units. After form factor and iOS, I suspect that camera functionality is a massive priority. At the end of the day, Apple always has been about image. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the emergence of the phablet wars in 2014 consumers are left with some difficult choices. Is a 6" screen really practical as a phone? I don't know the answer to that question yet, I've tried the Note 4 to see if my hand fits around it. I've gone back to the Nexus 6 specs page and drooled for the zillionth time this week. 5.9" AMOLED display, dual speakers and a big battery. Those three features are what sells the phone to me. You know the rest is going to follow. It's going to be powerful, it's going to be smooth. The Gfx processor will be better than ever. Lollipop will be even smoother and more elegant than any previous version. Yes, I'd like to know if it will record slow motion but this isn't a deal breaker. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm excited. I've saved the money by selling all my precious frivolities. I've bailed everything out in order to fill my bank balance with enough cash to click on "preorder" as soon as it Google activate it. And that is quite a lot of cash. Granted, 400 440 quid (i'm fairly confident that will be the price of the 32gig and 64 gig variants) isn't cheap. I had to sell my Festina watch, my Carom board, my Pine corner desk, my spare graphics card, a shirt and a spare pair of cycling shoes in order to be ready for this phone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the biggest worry isn't if it will be everything I've hoped for. I know it will be. I know the screen will be rich and vibrant. The blacks so black and the colours so rich and immersive, almost 3d even. The screen will be a thing of beauty. The construction will be solid and professional looking. The Android experience will be amazing. I even suspect the camera will rock having viewed the recent video from <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/21/7025853/google-nexus-6-hands-on-photos-video-android-phablet" target="_blank">The Verge</a>. I'll be "productive" with this new device in ways I've tried to be with previous devices. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I know why Google have gone supersized. Obviously because everyone else is. But also because of the imminent explosion of Wearable devices. I can see myself buying a smartwatch just so that I don't have to use this device as much. Wearables are very 2015, and with a phone this size you don't want to be pulling it out every two seconds. I will probably get a smart watch in due course so that this phablet can behave more like a portable computer/workstation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What really worries me isn't the specs or the experience. I fear the moment when somebody actually calls me... and I have to use this monster as a phone .... at work. What will I look like? Will people laugh at the man holding a flat black brick to his ear? Will I ever become comfortable with the sheer size of this device? It's my only concern (and I'm 6'2" with big hands). And it's so subjective there is no definitive answer. The design and physical presence of this device aren't yet available. Watching a wooden mockup on YouTube gives me a good idea of the realworld size, but until it's nestled in my mighty paws, I'm going to be in the dark. I'll just have to buy the thing, go to work and wait for a call.... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>In a fit of sentimentality, and laziness, this article was typed on my Nexus 4 via Bluetooth Apple wireless keyboard, in bed. A swansong of retro-productivity.</i></span>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-5466406262687007932014-01-13T01:44:00.002-08:002014-01-13T01:45:29.627-08:00Dragon Ride 2013. Fondo recollections<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkkp1HsE4bXJxu1rH_jraqozODJtm-lidp4FzQUPMJgAA2wuPSK91-3_SueM0rxo8xgHmVSCh8qwM6DdEjyuEyBYydOXogK5NuvGNQno4qdD0f7vG4O2kmNoMplAE4rej3VRNFOnvbhBV/s1600/54589_DRA13_GAG_002133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkkp1HsE4bXJxu1rH_jraqozODJtm-lidp4FzQUPMJgAA2wuPSK91-3_SueM0rxo8xgHmVSCh8qwM6DdEjyuEyBYydOXogK5NuvGNQno4qdD0f7vG4O2kmNoMplAE4rej3VRNFOnvbhBV/s640/54589_DRA13_GAG_002133.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">Dragon Ride 2013. Welsh roads coated in pain.<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Where are you?”</span></em><br />
<div class="itemIntroText" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Five minutes away Neil, chill out.”</span></em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Ok if you’re not here when it starts …. In five minutes … I’m leaving the safety pins under the start flag and going.”</span></em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“But Neil, wouldn’t you like to ride with me and Rob? We’ve just driven hundreds of miles and it only happens once a year…?”</span></em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></em></div>
<a name='more'></a><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></em></div>
<div class="itemFullText" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Beneath this conversation, and wrapped around it like a Boa Constrictor, was fear and barely concealed panic, caused by the imminent start of the 2013 <a href="http://humanrace.co.uk/events/cycling/dragon-ride" style="border: 0px; color: #009900; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_self" title="Wiggle Dragon Ride event page"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wiggle Dragon Ride</strong></a> which we were riding for the third time in four years.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You may wonder how a bike ride can cause such dread …. The Gran Fondo is 210km (over 130miles) in length. This distance is hard to imagine riding on a bike, So let me try and explain…</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Imagine being sat on a bike for 8 or 9 hours, your butt planted on a thin strip of plastic. After a short while, you’ll feel discomfort. Get out of the saddle if it makes you feel any better, but your legs will start burning after a few minutes so choose whichever position is less painful. Now get your heart rate up to an average of 150bpm for the entire duration. 150bpm was my average for this year, I’m guessing that would be catagorised as “frenetic exercise”… and then sustain that for longer than the final season of “Breaking Bad”.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Now turn up the heat. Crank it up to somewhere between comfortable and scorchio. You can add some sunburn this year. Then mix in some disconcerting leg twinges; They make your muscle and sinew feel like rope, being pulled on by imps. If you’re uninitiated, you can add full blown leg cramps, and they literally disable you. Dozens of riders litter the Dragon every year massaging their legs in tortured consternation.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On top of this, sprinkle some rather excessive dehydration. I’m going to assume you are sensible and stop at every rest stop on the route and partake of the refreshments. Even so, you’ll resemble Spongebob Squarepants in a desert after the ride is done. From a personal perspective, I’m going to throw in numbness to the nether-regions this year, a numbness that lasted until the next day… and pain when urinating.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It’s fair to say there’s also a dash of danger to squeeze over the top; Riding down mountain sides at 40+mph is never going to be “safe”, and this year was no exception. I went past three riders who were lying on the road holding their bloody faces together, dazed, pale and completely unable to finish. I must add that they were in each case being attended to by other riders, all of whom appeared to know exactly what to do whilst waiting for the ambulance. In each case the crash had occurred on a bend on a fast part of a mountain descent. Marshalls can marshall, and rules can be explicit, but humans will be humans. There will be crashes on mountain descents, it’s a risk you take when you enroll for these events with thousands of other enthusiastic amateurs.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I’m not finished…. Take that 210km and add some elevation. This year the organisers went with three major ascents (four if you count the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-LT6vsZL9eU" style="border: 0px; color: #009900; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Devil's Elbow Climb Video"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Devil’s Elbow</strong></a> … but I’ll come onto that). There is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=77dHTnj1Jw0" style="border: 0px; color: #009900; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Black Mountain Climb Video"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Black Mountain</strong></a> to begin with; a seemingly endless grind through bleakly impressive topography. A mountain that silences all who ride it.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Then put the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i4JI5ycYU4o" style="border: 0px; color: #009900; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Bwich Climb Video"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bwlch</strong></a> and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hw2HVQLEG_Q" style="border: 0px; color: #009900; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Rhigos Climb Video"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rhigos</strong></a> in there, the trademark ascents of the Dragon. Climbs generally amplify whatever pain a rider has at the bottom. Listen carefully and there is more than a funereal silence; the slopes are filled with the hitching sound of tortured chests and the occasional death rattle.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Then throw in the Devils Elbow. Here the organisers dispense with the trademark 6% mountains that people flock to climb and out of sheer “assassin-like” temperament, throw in a wall of pain with a photographer at the top to capture whatever rictus of strained agony your skull displays. To make sure riders don’t “slack”, they made this a timed climb.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Due to attending a wedding the day before, Rob and I were travelling from the South East of England and had got up at 0230hrs in order to make <strong style="border: 0px; color: #009900; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://humanrace.co.uk/venues/margam-country-park-events" style="border: 0px; color: #009900; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_self" title="Margam events">Port Talbot</a> </strong>in Wales for the 0730hrs start. Neil on the other hand had travelled from the Midlands and had arrived at 0530hrs, giving him ample time to worry. I’m sure if you were to read his article on the event you would see that he was very organised and realise I’m the gibbering idiot, unfortunately for him he doesn’t write articles, so take it from me …. Neil was a panicking mess.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">To make matters worse, when we arrived and rolled the 100 metres over towards him at the Start/Finish line, Rob got a puncture. This didn’t bode well for the remaining two hundred and ten thousand metres in front of us. Neil stripped the wheel and had it repaired in less than five minutes whilst Rob went to find a track pump from one of the stalls (triggering his helmet timing chip as he walked beside the starting line). Whilst we watched Neil fixing the tyre with frenzied efficiency, the first block of riders departed, and the second. We mustered with the third block, considerably flustered.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And that is how our third Dragon Ride began. Normally we’re late and start near to the back of an impossibly long, CGI-esque queue. This year the organisers staggered the departure times, giving each rider a recommended slot. It meant no queuing, a massive improvement on previous years.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Having projected an optimistic finishing time when I enrolled on the website, we found ourselves with a herd of T-Rex’s; riders with enormous legs and tiny arms. The pace was ferocious and the conversation non-existent. However, climbing up our first serious climb it became apparent that the best rider in our bunch was a tiny woman who’s chiselled calf muscles and diminutive dimensions resulted in excellent power to weight ratios. She started to drop our group.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On the descents my [excessive] weight assisted in regaining our position in this depleted group, as we scrambled back onto her wheel. But after several miles of climbing we had to slacken the pace slightly and she slowly, inexorably, disappeared up a mountain, never to be seen again.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">My main aim this year was to make Rob suffer and to take Neil down on the timed ascents. I’m not sure if this is how everyone motivates themselves, but I find great strength in seeking to DESTROY!!! Rob is a super-fit martial artist. He doesn’t carry excess weight and he knows how to shut down pain. However, his legs haven’t got the cycling miles in them, and his aim was always to finish the ride and stay with us for as long as possible.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNXGh2sT850ybIP76Hipv13cQIDJppDJ4d5LkkETQiIFHgxJOChlQa7MvfvQPFvWQrqfVw0TAqUtbpxeTvWMD75fdH2pecSoFpzeUddh5TAN-jE7C_pGEFnbgWh8Z_WxHIA1U1zlx0tO2/s1600/54588_DRA13_GAG_002161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNXGh2sT850ybIP76Hipv13cQIDJppDJ4d5LkkETQiIFHgxJOChlQa7MvfvQPFvWQrqfVw0TAqUtbpxeTvWMD75fdH2pecSoFpzeUddh5TAN-jE7C_pGEFnbgWh8Z_WxHIA1U1zlx0tO2/s400/54588_DRA13_GAG_002161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #666666; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rob channels every spare process into ignoring pain. Does it hurt ninja-boy?</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Neil on the other hand rides 40 miles a day on his commute. He’s as thin as a Crystal Meth addict (let’s not stray from Breaking Bad for too long) and he wants to make me suffer. I know this because we’re friends, and I know how he thinks. I want him to cry tears of blood when he sees my padded ass powering away from him. He wants me to climb off my bike, a broken man, snot bubbling out of my nose. If asked, he would deny this primordial urge to destroy me. But I know. I know…</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We arrived at the Devil’s Elbow in good spirits, completely unaware of the nature of the climb. The Dragon is typically all about long drags and the Devil isn’t. We soon realised this when the road appeared to disappear from view, only to find it had doubled back on itself and was much, much higher than expected. The gradient ramped massively and the riders in front appeared to have hit a wall of treacle. I noticed that Rob was suffering as we went through the timed start, so I decided to put the hammer down. That’s a relative term, it was a felt-coated hammer inside a piano that I put down, but still I made some distance on Neil and Rob, and neither showed any interest in catching me.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This was a massive mistake for Neil as clearly I would relive this climb with him dozens of times over beer, and regale him with tales of my brilliance, again and again. He must have sensed this because when I looked over my shoulder down the hill, a small black and white dot was climbing past the other riders. When he’s tired Neil rides like a geriatric chicken, pecking at the road, his head bobbing up and down listlessly. When I looked back all I could see was his shiny, sweaty eyeballs, staring at me, his head locked. He reduced the gap with about 100 metres of the climb remaining.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Unfortunately for Neil, he’d spent every ounce of strength catching me and so I opened up the gap at the summit, claiming a rather hollow 2 second lead on him. He’d neutralised the climb with that come-back, and my victory was tarnished as a result. He would pay.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J-ojN13xifD_A657CH2n33x8lA0_lUuROEetupi1wGZz22FLfPfQG-baRU0rZkFL_ywpnnRlg8vwuuorAPLxYMQfcDOBUjAfZzM1CdHAm6bOuor3WAG46HU25ARJlGh_dSkJ-xaw2kFV/s1600/54589_DRA13_ROK_001634_download_Download+Time+Photo_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J-ojN13xifD_A657CH2n33x8lA0_lUuROEetupi1wGZz22FLfPfQG-baRU0rZkFL_ywpnnRlg8vwuuorAPLxYMQfcDOBUjAfZzM1CdHAm6bOuor3WAG46HU25ARJlGh_dSkJ-xaw2kFV/s400/54589_DRA13_ROK_001634_download_Download+Time+Photo_21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">After my initial burst, Neil (in black and white) managed to close the gap up the Devil’s Elbow</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The Rhigos is where the final battle took place. By now Rob was in his own reality, far from the Dragon. He’d crawled inside his head and taken up residence away from all the hurt, his legs on auto-spin. We left him at the bottom of the Rhigos, climbing at his own pace, and unleashed everything at each other. You would never confuse the ensuing battle with a couple of pro-riders going head to head. We are middle-aged mamil’s, not superhuman freaks of nature. However, it was close, and we both wanted victory so badly it was emotional. We rode the mountain side by side, nudging the pace up from time to time. Sweat pouring from our noses we pushed each other further than I think I’ve ever been pushed. We took the battle right to the top, and with metres to go realised that neither of us would give in. We rode the summit together and for once this felt good.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARYecqIM5oATHSi6nZgyw5EF1XXhTR19A2x0DWM9fetLhtsvLdtB8V33LBzPbcNteDpxHCvoSsKDTC393pqxL3ZHHxBq7VpJaoxWV-W54hM4p9SlMaeL9UrdhTxCgoMLtsbPKa1ls8cc1/s1600/54589_DRA13_THH_004966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARYecqIM5oATHSi6nZgyw5EF1XXhTR19A2x0DWM9fetLhtsvLdtB8V33LBzPbcNteDpxHCvoSsKDTC393pqxL3ZHHxBq7VpJaoxWV-W54hM4p9SlMaeL9UrdhTxCgoMLtsbPKa1ls8cc1/s400/54589_DRA13_THH_004966.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Break damn you! BREAK!!!</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 13px;">Rob reached us moments later, his Dragon ride a total success. We finished the final 15 miles at a relatively fast pace. The organisers know how much that 15 mile steady descent is loved by the riders and along with the Bwlch and the Rhigos it’s a permanent feature of the Dragon Ride.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcodhdTv9B6alf7drPHZBoYdQTKZEepeRLV5_6fGmbNAByG5I6VQJ-yvpRH5csWZ5O-lsAXaM1zNAbnKS8vXZmiKLUghNL2WlQLvmLA3N2IAKgqDQKmU8JN98i0Th0XwJzsaKx-dErnD2a/s1600/54588_DRA13_WJC_000552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcodhdTv9B6alf7drPHZBoYdQTKZEepeRLV5_6fGmbNAByG5I6VQJ-yvpRH5csWZ5O-lsAXaM1zNAbnKS8vXZmiKLUghNL2WlQLvmLA3N2IAKgqDQKmU8JN98i0Th0XwJzsaKx-dErnD2a/s400/54588_DRA13_WJC_000552.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">For every hour of pain there's a moment where you look around and enjoy the scenery.<br /></span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This year I am coming back on my own, having signed up to attempt the Devil Dragon, a mere 300km of pain. Neil is competing in a run on that date and Rob just laughed. I’ve never ridden anything near as long, it’s genuinely daunting.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNV7GVSCj830UE1NWU0kP_ex-yKqOOLaslmqNvCZMOP8R-NF6t3S-BEyYq-YWqBnk-gIKMWOv6LoCbEjlNUL8UXnfycozKmOPB2RMUteuDdY8RDxnjTpRwld3IqTergmKwBN4q6HKgZDd/s1600/dragon+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNV7GVSCj830UE1NWU0kP_ex-yKqOOLaslmqNvCZMOP8R-NF6t3S-BEyYq-YWqBnk-gIKMWOv6LoCbEjlNUL8UXnfycozKmOPB2RMUteuDdY8RDxnjTpRwld3IqTergmKwBN4q6HKgZDd/s640/dragon+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">An example of the body saying one thing and Rob’s eyes saying something completely different</span></strong>.</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="fontdefault" style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-91521847181418481252012-10-05T01:54:00.000-07:002012-10-09T00:34:22.171-07:00Are cheap chinese carbon frames worth the gamble?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxXcpkowb4H3sm52maMiyCBpc5DSnxyh1mKYx_3AIrrzhbTLKCmRxHlYRux0YpxNraffAyKWAgOEy3s8-ya_Y0yW7tqyceqq8FCFTQTE1giEaaycR5Og-2N6iyI81MnTqII1sFKdudvCH/s1600/darth+road+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxXcpkowb4H3sm52maMiyCBpc5DSnxyh1mKYx_3AIrrzhbTLKCmRxHlYRux0YpxNraffAyKWAgOEy3s8-ya_Y0yW7tqyceqq8FCFTQTE1giEaaycR5Og-2N6iyI81MnTqII1sFKdudvCH/s640/darth+road+bike.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just don't tell Darth about the bits Malone did</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After four years and more than twenty thousand miles of cycling, I have decided to retire my trusty Trek 1.7. It has served me well, and will continue to trundle me through Warwickshire when the weather is sufficiently crap. But for sunnier and grander occasions, I want a bike that rides like it's just stolen something (lawsuit pending from Lance's soundbite department ... hopefully he's too busy).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a name='more'></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've spoken to a number of cyclists over the years who wax lyrical about their bike collections. When I started riding, the thought of having more than one bike seemed overly extravagent. But after seeing the pride of my fleet (of one) take on the british weather, all year round, I started to think seriously about getting another bike.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aS9jHtUVaEhvFWk4yLLE_jfzEvY6mgOFse-7iRQhVOCC_tClm4xZzorHDBImULqaAKdGGu7szY0424TgSocXlkwCm3IzWjG_NZhtbtFgP5B9gdt-lcI-1x9P7Z6llzy22ej-H-FT6RTC/s1600/IMAG0996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aS9jHtUVaEhvFWk4yLLE_jfzEvY6mgOFse-7iRQhVOCC_tClm4xZzorHDBImULqaAKdGGu7szY0424TgSocXlkwCm3IzWjG_NZhtbtFgP5B9gdt-lcI-1x9P7Z6llzy22ej-H-FT6RTC/s640/IMAG0996.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultegra groupset. Schwalbe Ultremo tyres. Intrepid wheels. What could go wrong?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eventually I got a Charge Plug (fixie) for riding to work. It helped the Trek keep her looks for another year or two. But after another couple of harsh winters, she was starting to really show her age.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And my eye started to wander. Our long-distance relationship has been kinder to me than her. With each passing mile I tone up whilst she gets a bit .... looser in places, creakier and crankier. The demands for replacement parts is steady and continuous. But however I try to stem the ageing process, there's no escaping the fact my beautiful Trek has seen better days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3q4nGXKNpGmcYxxtXhzog5oDgM3yzp-Dto3ZTfx3mXpICw3qEc5obR8Q0jrfNgbFz1cXt1WinfUeMhZISP4wb83E08bmjPEWntnKmjjjH1k7jJSNDiS7z3Cvt76JuG5yak0tiswp4J8Ss/s1600/p77.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3q4nGXKNpGmcYxxtXhzog5oDgM3yzp-Dto3ZTfx3mXpICw3qEc5obR8Q0jrfNgbFz1cXt1WinfUeMhZISP4wb83E08bmjPEWntnKmjjjH1k7jJSNDiS7z3Cvt76JuG5yak0tiswp4J8Ss/s400/p77.jpeg" width="290" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Trek's <em>better days</em> included modelling</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After long consideration I decided to go for a "<em>cheap chinese carbon frame</em>" (<em>CCCF</em> for short). My reasons were simple enough. I don't have enough money to go out and purchase a brand new, Ultegra-equipped, branded carbon bike. I also had enough contacts to facilitate the building of a bike. I know a bit about building bits of bikes, and Steve Malone (aka "The Terminator" from previous articles) knows the rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As luck would have it, and this is the main reason I went ahead with the purchase, Steve had already bought and built up his own <em>CCCF</em>. I hadn't seen it, but he was happy with it and had ridden 800 miles without any structural issues. These were powerful words of reassurance as internet forums are dotted with plackard-bearing doomsayers citing 3rd party stories of broken bikes and maimed riders. I wasn't really concerned about these negative forum comments as none appeared to have evidence of an actual bike <em>actually</em> breaking. Steve on the other hand owns a <em>CCCF </em>and is a happy customer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Steve is currently not in tip-top shape and at the time I emailed him was unable to move. However, he did reply with the following.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello Mate,<br /><br />I am unable to move at present but Mrs M has perched the laptop on my chest so I can have a look though the web for some bits for you.<br /><br />My frame only goes to a 58 maximum. The larger sizes are here<br /><br />http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12k-Full-Carbon-Racing-Bike-Frame-Front-Fork-58cm-1-/310376208302?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4843dd17ae<br /><br />or here: http://outdoor-bicycle.en.alibaba.com/productgrouplist-211905475/Carbon_road_racing_frame.html#products<br /><br />or here: http://flyxii.com/products_1.asp?menuid=308&id=479<br /><br />They had to mould my 58 by request but once they have the mould they keep on selling the size so it does not cost more. You can try mine for size? They will prob make you a 60.<br /><br />Best way to spec is open these all up and compare the prices in baskets:<br /><br />http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/<br /><br />http://www.merlincycles.com/?fn=category&categoryId=76&page=2<br /><br />http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/<br /><br />http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/<br /><br />http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a15983/racing-5-black.html?lg=en<br /><br />Don't forget the little things like barrel adjusters etc... You will need in-line cable adjusters for internal cables. I have a lot of that sort of stuff here so can sell it to you cheaper than these dudes. <br /><br />Campag lasts longest and you can replace small parts cheaply instead of entire units. Hoods are meant to be best, I don't like thumb shift, make sure you get campy wheels or compatible hub. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shimano is heaviest but takes least maintenance. Fairly reliable, easy to get parts and interchanges with most other brands. Sram is lightest and cheapest but takes most fettling to keep it sweet and wears out in shitty weather. Sram do make best cranks and the BB's last longer than Shimano. Shimano and sram mix except for rear mechs and shifters, campy is exclusive. Don't rule out Microshift as up and coming, their top end stuff is strong and light, works with Shimano. <br /><br />wheel guys: http://cycletaiwan.com/<br /><br />http://www.cycledivision.co.uk/product-info.php?pid23.html"</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As usual, the information he provided set me some tracks upon which to travel. The issue with 58cm or 60cm had been rattling around in my head from the moment I decided to buy another bike. My Trek is 60cm and I am 6'2" in old money. After years on the Trek I was coming round to the idea of a smaller frame as I <em>felt</em> I could fit on one. That's as scientific as it got. Naturally I wanted to ride the smallest frame possible to shave grams off the overall weight. It's easier to do that than eat less pies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided on a Flyxii frame with a large headtube in 58cm. I did ask Flyxii to build a 60cm frame but they clearly don't see a market for that frame size. So if you're particularly larger than me, expect to pay for the custom build, if they consider it worthwhile going any bigger than 58cm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I placed the order and on a whim ordered some very shiny one-piece carbon handlebars for around £80. I checked with Flyxii and they promised that they would send a headset free with the frame. They also confirmed that the seat post clamp doesn't come with the bike and would need adding to the order. I added it to the order and sat at the living room window, waiting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ten days later the box arrived from China looking undamaged and remarkably compact. Looking at it I was dubious that it contained a frame, fork and handlebars. Not only did it look too thin, It felt empty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I opened each seal meticulously, cutting through the tape with a steady hand. Peeling the lid open as cautiously as Indiana Jones examining booby-trapped treasure, I found the contents were indeed all present and very carbon (click </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbxyf3XbFuk&feature=g-upl" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for the painstaking process)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQOiZsZ4bPCrC_CJfTHIfqjtQsA2DvhLBLDytDGvjtz_DoHoo6IfpoDziEMKQFgjFavImYBZujuPuw_1bWGd626hxLK64_dppnw2EALAbykM57IUowZC8-pBvJgVuEhR0Kk6T1KqlnZYN/s1600/IMAG0951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQOiZsZ4bPCrC_CJfTHIfqjtQsA2DvhLBLDytDGvjtz_DoHoo6IfpoDziEMKQFgjFavImYBZujuPuw_1bWGd626hxLK64_dppnw2EALAbykM57IUowZC8-pBvJgVuEhR0Kk6T1KqlnZYN/s640/IMAG0951.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Chinarello" frame and forks </span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My first impression of the frame was mixed. Lifting it out of the box I was immediately impressed by the weightlessness of the components. The giveaway sign is a too-rapid lifting of the arm. All my family did the same, lifting it up faster than they expected to, followed by widened eyes and gasps of appreciation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The second impression was that the frame was visibly cross-hatched with trademark "carbon" patterning. I didn't expect this as I had paid an extra 20 dollars to have the frame painted matte-black. I had expected a solid dusty black colour without the criss-cross markings. However, I spoke with Steve about this later and he confirmed that this is how matte-black looks on Flyxii carbon. I still prefer it over the glossy look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last thing I noticed, and it struck me hard as I wasn't expecting it, was the uneven layering of the "raw" carbon. Whilst the finish was smooth, and from three metres away the frame looks flawless, on closer inspection it looks patched. I guess it was my lack of knowledge about the formative process behind carbon frames which left me feeling a bit let-down. Having thought about it, I imagine all carbon frames look like this before they're liveried up with glossy paint-jobs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The finish is distinctly patchy where the layering process mismatches the minute cross-hatching. That said, if you don't want this effect, then go for a glossy finish. Retrospectively, I would still order matte, it looks so "stealth".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And so I set about pretending to build the bike. Steve wasn't available for a few days due to not being able to move very well and getting married. But my other items, such as a complete Ultegra groupset (lurking in a big box) were sat in the back room waiting to be opened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I haven't built a complete bike before and at this juncture I can only stress that you need someone to help you if you haven't either. It's all well and good starting the build, but finishing it will require more skill and finesse than high hopes and good intentions can provide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But as no one shouted "STOP YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!" I felt obliged to start trying to build the entire bike. And so the first thing I absolutely needed to do was go to my local bike shop, Mike Vaughan Cycles. The reason for this emergency visit was my lack of tool (or suitable household item) for knocking the first bearing onto the fork. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wasn't to know this, but the bearing that sits on the fork, doesn't sit there. It is hammered in, quite brutally (considering what we are dealing with) using a long tube that sits over the steerer tube and onto the bearing. This allows for the application of even amounts of pressure, forcing the bearing to sit snugly on the fork. You cannot push the bearing on with your hand, I tried. How you get one off I may never know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I went into Mikes shop and spoke with Brian. I did find when unboxing the frame that spacers don't come with it. So I asked for spacers and also asked if "ahem" they had a tool for knocking bearings onto forks. Brian popped out back with the fork, handed it to a mechanic. Three violent clangs later he emerged with the fork, bearing mounted proudly on the steerer tube.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I examined his selection of spacers and came away with three matching carbon fibre ones, adding up to more than ten quid. I returned home with all the items I would need to build the headset. Having googled this a bit, I also knew that the steerer tube would need to be measured for correct height before I would cut it, perfectly evenly, at the point where the headset would sit. I am pleased to say that having measured the spacers on my trek, and allowing for the smaller frame size, I went into this part of the build with my eyes open.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know my limitations, and after putting the bearings into the integrated cups both below and above the front of the frame, and sliding the fork into place, I stopped and made a call.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfSJQVQCNfpSO9mWbttNYzwRwfdXbmMzN5B6b9K0EXKsOzcnOSKK-HvA8IrtTfc6CcdsEs8wZRhWSQG9WhHeh9Pzto-LAkcPrs3JudSF9A4RyfJqgZO8hqm7BBNXhuNMZWMucFPt7F_Vq/s1600/IMAG0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfSJQVQCNfpSO9mWbttNYzwRwfdXbmMzN5B6b9K0EXKsOzcnOSKK-HvA8IrtTfc6CcdsEs8wZRhWSQG9WhHeh9Pzto-LAkcPrs3JudSF9A4RyfJqgZO8hqm7BBNXhuNMZWMucFPt7F_Vq/s400/IMAG0948.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <em>functional</em> headset comes free with the frame and forks, if you ask for it.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfATG4_nxeCi-hD20fe3QSzSRFlBQEMrlPvOwNIyYTM39nzgIxKfr3sHcbOBbxbBD2EymEQDhMGsf6HVl2aZrMX_LrabT-rvh41GWv6W0fPTYYrwmg71RWz2Cd47IL4fR72nUaZzyGgFM/s1600/DSCF3779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfATG4_nxeCi-hD20fe3QSzSRFlBQEMrlPvOwNIyYTM39nzgIxKfr3sHcbOBbxbBD2EymEQDhMGsf6HVl2aZrMX_LrabT-rvh41GWv6W0fPTYYrwmg71RWz2Cd47IL4fR72nUaZzyGgFM/s400/DSCF3779.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The seatpost clamp however, doesn't come for free. Make sure you order one or have one ready.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ted is my father-in-law. And whilst emasculating me on a daily basis with feats of DIY brilliance, he is the perfect person for asking to cut a steerer tube "flatly". He came over straight away with a hacksaw and some sandpaper. We measured, allowing 4mm of clearance from the top of the handlebars to the intended height of the steerer tube. This lack of height can appear counter-intuitive, but it allows the headset to pull the bearings upwards, resulting in a smooth and fluid headset.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After measuring twice he cut once. The cut was perfect, and after five minutes of gentle sanding the steerer tube was no longer two inches too long for my bike. After he put the sandpaper down I started breathing again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZipu5-5hOeW9VI2aPsfvJsVFd519hI9PnYUE8zjpagrY3KD-20y57zT2NvGJcPfoCAW-4RTJHpMrrFNUVWv3OKWXt810dc6_FPyVtvn_gAM-ySqHp1ratdSfHRQwV6WXY9lCinjp34b_T/s1600/IMAG0952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZipu5-5hOeW9VI2aPsfvJsVFd519hI9PnYUE8zjpagrY3KD-20y57zT2NvGJcPfoCAW-4RTJHpMrrFNUVWv3OKWXt810dc6_FPyVtvn_gAM-ySqHp1ratdSfHRQwV6WXY9lCinjp34b_T/s400/IMAG0952.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cutting bits off your new bike isn't a comfortable experience. Luckily I had a Ted.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With the wheels provisionally attached and the headset in place, it was beginning to look like a space-age concept bike. It was getting late, but I still had some skills and unused tools at my disposal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BYeFurI_eOWcrSjyOkP1CE2JwqIacJmMTFZaEi7X-9DNCqwZ4myo2_dUeVX1dz1hVgYsWQ_Bv4bDE5m3NcnizSUAz8PtiQmGUNRpC9XdIzi2fwdVjBvS7dsdImFqht9hMMaqcahz75rF/s1600/IMAG0954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BYeFurI_eOWcrSjyOkP1CE2JwqIacJmMTFZaEi7X-9DNCqwZ4myo2_dUeVX1dz1hVgYsWQ_Bv4bDE5m3NcnizSUAz8PtiQmGUNRpC9XdIzi2fwdVjBvS7dsdImFqht9hMMaqcahz75rF/s400/IMAG0954.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Without tyres,saddle and a groupset the bike is rather .. naked</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I dug into the big box of Ultegra yummies and located the bottom bracket. Having borrowed the BB tool from my mate Neil, I slid the lubed-up tubular component into place and prayed it would fit. Remarkably, the screwing action on both sides felt like fitting an airlock. It fit perfectly and tightened up without undue persuasion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk0Wr2Em7zeOjPDJj-iUubOwONk0qd1FoUnyFQEfibTj6ChVbZx28bKtX3LHf9kqMJYBcGNWviDUg43gxonCq-p7GzTwUsgxeyWz-5HDBkCtdjRA7018Af8FvrDnVzy4gzos3HeqXLBfi/s1600/DSCF3783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk0Wr2Em7zeOjPDJj-iUubOwONk0qd1FoUnyFQEfibTj6ChVbZx28bKtX3LHf9kqMJYBcGNWviDUg43gxonCq-p7GzTwUsgxeyWz-5HDBkCtdjRA7018Af8FvrDnVzy4gzos3HeqXLBfi/s400/DSCF3783.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Easy to fit, satisfying to behold. Sofa is photoshopped. I did this in the garage, naturally.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Filled with confidence I set about fitting the handlebars and brake/gear levers. Again, this process was a flawless victory .... right up to the point where I destroyed the carbon handlebars. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And here is my first cautionary tale to the uninitiated reader: Doing stuff yourself for the first time usually results in things breaking. Sometimes it's a handlebar, sometimes it's a condom. What I did wrong, and I'm fairly sure I broke these bars, was I lubed up the steerer tube. Being used to dealing with aluminium bike parts, I thought you lubed everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think the two carbon surfaces were so smooth that the lube created a micro ice-rink between them. As a result the handlebars were never going to clamp on. Furthermore, because both surfaces were carbon, the application of lubrication was really irrelevant; neither surface will ever corrode so a protective coating is pointless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRxYrSIM3fsa5KOHB0ifv6WEhcmeCZJzIOelC_hTDvg6Nd-3YQLXNfzRbAO2FPrUy8nBIg-E8g28YwBPcKvraLIMsSLNe2qEQEkp7N6LZjyJnld0mlKiFGNBP5PmAPm_I-fpKjQIk0dcc/s1600/IMAG0967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRxYrSIM3fsa5KOHB0ifv6WEhcmeCZJzIOelC_hTDvg6Nd-3YQLXNfzRbAO2FPrUy8nBIg-E8g28YwBPcKvraLIMsSLNe2qEQEkp7N6LZjyJnld0mlKiFGNBP5PmAPm_I-fpKjQIk0dcc/s400/IMAG0967.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear God what have I done!</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After about an hour of staring blankly/disbelievingly/forlornly/dispairingly/angrily/sadly (it was a long hour) at the two bolt craters I had created from over-tightening, I took the bars off and set about disassembling my Trek. Leaving it barless, levers hanging limp over the front wheel I returned to my creation like an agitated Frankenstein.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-qeBFir7heEKRh4ktSuKiECpCpQ2vw6wq4rnG3UMvPVjFnKHPnARxlgX311GAOu6zn3O3V-5Mb-tY1mhxh7kJHBJEACUbRKwcwzv-kSo1pRlgYLVa_Fi5yzaMXQoPnHPb0gqHTq03EJp/s1600/IMAG0949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-qeBFir7heEKRh4ktSuKiECpCpQ2vw6wq4rnG3UMvPVjFnKHPnARxlgX311GAOu6zn3O3V-5Mb-tY1mhxh7kJHBJEACUbRKwcwzv-kSo1pRlgYLVa_Fi5yzaMXQoPnHPb0gqHTq03EJp/s400/IMAG0949.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some may say that the destruction of that bar tape was an act of kindness. But it's Lizard Skin and it felt <em>great</em>.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Familiar with my old bars, this time they held firmly and the bike started taking shape. Out came the front and back brakes. Out came the allen key. I must say that they weren't difficult to screw on. Calibrating them however isn't such a walk in the park. The rear d<span class="st">erailleur was fantastically easy to screw on but then came the front derailleur.</span></span><br />
<span class="st" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span class="st" style="font-family: inherit;">This was my moment of terror. Allen key in hand, derraileur in the other, I moved in on the frame... Only to find I needed a clamp. Ultegra doesnt provide the clamp in its groupset as some frames are already fitted with an integrated fixing point. Another trip to Mike Vaughan's later I returned with an "M-Part Components" clamp, which conveniently matches the same branded spacers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXJXlTvwNVETW-uUk3R0Y2wevSv2fO8Ls1kZKbSCymieMSdFXlPqdQGNS5PKsT8SXW5gtt1APpoT4uQ3CEQtGoaxuzB2za3HWF8mZ-Hkawhme8MCsc451_DbJLhIFTVRi5rxCV2fL7klz/s1600/IMAG0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXJXlTvwNVETW-uUk3R0Y2wevSv2fO8Ls1kZKbSCymieMSdFXlPqdQGNS5PKsT8SXW5gtt1APpoT4uQ3CEQtGoaxuzB2za3HWF8mZ-Hkawhme8MCsc451_DbJLhIFTVRi5rxCV2fL7klz/s400/IMAG0966.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Around this point, with wires dangling, I realised I'd used up my limited abilities. Time to visit Steve.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having crushed my handlebars I wasn't in a mood for more wanton destruction. In fact I got as far as gripping the clamp to the frame to stop it sliding down before I backed off and put everything away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's worth noting at this point that the seatpost I had bought for this bike was too small for this frame. I was going on measurements from my Trek, when I should have simply looked at the Flyxii schematic and ordered the corresponding size. Thus began my seatpost debacle which trundles along this entire story practically unnoticed until the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arriving at Steve's the next day I had the opportunity to check out his fully built <i>CCCF</i>. Although the frame is more aggressive in geometry than mine, the two bikes share a lot of similar features. My Intrepid wheels are a deeper rim than his and were purchased mainly because they were on offer from £400 down to £200. His groupset is SRAM and the seatpost elongated for aero goodness. Mine looks definitely more sportive-orientated, which is the kind of bike I wanted. His looks like it was created for racing on weekdays and time-trials at the weekend (with aero bars fitted). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUGdbsi5PDNLkctzXzFFy7LYbAuCFv-YBM2DKfSg3dBxviwqDP79YcLzTG7JxIAI0hF2SsetltgV2KG0spyCbZV9ucN7vA84WPCZMSvfHG00KYds4JNfZx5t764TxweVl-jatsSAYM7s/s1600/IMAG0975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUGdbsi5PDNLkctzXzFFy7LYbAuCFv-YBM2DKfSg3dBxviwqDP79YcLzTG7JxIAI0hF2SsetltgV2KG0spyCbZV9ucN7vA84WPCZMSvfHG00KYds4JNfZx5t764TxweVl-jatsSAYM7s/s400/IMAG0975.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With holes in the frame for Di2, Steve's frame is capable of housing some seriously gucci kit.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">For the next few hours I looked on as he went about feeding cables into housings and trimming the gears. It started taking shape very quickly. Being something of a Valhalla for bike bits, he dug out a spare seatpost which fits my frame. He fitted it and measured me against the bike. This was the first time I would find out if 58cm frame would fit me, and the pressure was mounting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tUudHcbPSY1cSyofEEXcx7xP431Mi1J9TwAt_IjLCcKA2wHUa3hKlTNjwax5s1OLcFWWQyndmN3DNZ4N7_Q9wKhoepTKfFzTrMmdvk7ZCS9GXCiDzFCZz4jW1ZCTzy-8jVx34DZok_08/s1600/IMAG0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tUudHcbPSY1cSyofEEXcx7xP431Mi1J9TwAt_IjLCcKA2wHUa3hKlTNjwax5s1OLcFWWQyndmN3DNZ4N7_Q9wKhoepTKfFzTrMmdvk7ZCS9GXCiDzFCZz4jW1ZCTzy-8jVx34DZok_08/s400/IMAG0977.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saddle to pedal, the distance worked out to be a perfect fit!</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He showed me a useful way to guage the correct amount of force to use when tightening the front derraileur; using one finger he tightened the allen key until the pressure of the fit stopped the finger from tightening any more. The front derraileur hasn't moved since.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After he'd removed his seatpost I left and put the bike back in the back room (a temporary luxury accomodation) to await the arrival of the Wiggle seatpost. It was wednesday and I was riding the 100mile </span><a href="http://www.shakespeare100.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stratford Sportive</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> on sunday. I was beginning to worry about delivery. Contacting Wiggle I discovered the item wasn't even in stock! Cancelling the order I switched to ChainReactionCycles and hastily selected a very funky mountain bike Race Face </span><a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=59302" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">seat post</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> which was on offer at £25 down from £85. I wanted a rock steady seat post and at 16 stone it's probably not such a silly idea to buy Mtb equipment (when it's this light and funky). I chose next day delivery on wednesday night, so expected the delivery to land on friday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Come friday I sat at the window (again), this time dressed in lycra, helmet on, waiting for the seatpost to arrive. I waited all day and nothing came. Panic was beginning to set in. The next day I was doing a car boot sale with the kids and would be out of the house most of the day. My window of opportunity to test-ride the bike was disappearing. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I got back to the house on saturday afternoon to find the parcel had been delivered next door. A hastily polite conversation later I was in possession of a funky looking box.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIygatag52Bs7qlGLBfowziNUPoTEF6hF34gk8ypJHWbW9KeoEf-jBA0kLxl1l1_HVivo4-w2cyjOSwSJejQIccW2kvmrPSvJ6dAzkp_Njpfvp8I7ncGSx9mWIDaiN5PKHQ-yB5L-foHM/s1600/IMAG0992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIygatag52Bs7qlGLBfowziNUPoTEF6hF34gk8ypJHWbW9KeoEf-jBA0kLxl1l1_HVivo4-w2cyjOSwSJejQIccW2kvmrPSvJ6dAzkp_Njpfvp8I7ncGSx9mWIDaiN5PKHQ-yB5L-foHM/s400/IMAG0992.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Race Face Turbine seatpost. A very fine piece of equipment.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EJ0rErSIqxlgym6XV0n9N3wBf7hU5XNLIkGkXl6af2iHZ1oMQVo8lrCN5TqG9rGWPzrYpAcug3Z1VcYVfVDu2WF36xlmpoqFu6HboSxJfNr2iPfEei4fRqoJH5HrBbfALcwjozLSQVA4/s1600/IMAG1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EJ0rErSIqxlgym6XV0n9N3wBf7hU5XNLIkGkXl6af2iHZ1oMQVo8lrCN5TqG9rGWPzrYpAcug3Z1VcYVfVDu2WF36xlmpoqFu6HboSxJfNr2iPfEei4fRqoJH5HrBbfALcwjozLSQVA4/s400/IMAG1000.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It comes in any colour, as long as it's black.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With committments coming out of my ears, I could only fit the post to make sure it was the right size. It slid in like it grew there. I hopped on and rode it up and down the road a couple of times unable to do any more with it until the 100 mile ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next day I met up with Neil and we made for Stratford. At the Park and Ride, it was clear that this event was now beginning to explode in popularity, riders were all over the place, smearing baby bottom butter into crevices, urinating into bushes, fitting heart rate monitors to hairy chests and tinkering with their machines. We got changed in the car and minutes later were riding our last sportive of 2012.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My first impression of the bike was its rigidity. Every pedal stroke seemed to impart maximum power down the cranks into the wheels. There is no percievable flex and the Schwalbe tires glide over the road surface with minimal resistance. The gentle hum of the aero wheels was the only sound from the bike, which considering this was its first outing, was most fortunate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As usual I pushed the pace up to the leading group whilst Neil sat behind saving himself for the other 99 miles (his work always seems to come in the last 20 miles). After a couple more miles I noticed a minute clicking noise from the front derailleur and adjusted the setting with my in-line barrel adjuster whilst rolling. The adjustment was too generous and a short time later when changing from small to big ring, my chain popped off the outer ring. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another 10 miles later whilst waving at a crowd on the roadside, I hit a small bump in the road and heard a horrific cracking noise from the frame. At least that was my perception. After a few more metres I realised the seatpost had slipped down an inch, due to my newly found softly softly approach when tightening stuff. The noise had been the seatpost sliding into the frame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The skipped chain had left us in no mans land between grounps. But the readjustment of the seatpost resulted in Mike Vaughan's group of cheerful riders passing us. I usually ride with MV, but today I'd arranged to ride with Neil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We caught up with them and settled into their brisk pace. They had started a few minutes after us so the pace was around the same as our original speed. We travelled another 15 miles drafting each other and calling out potholes etc. The bike was settling in. Cables had stretched and I was now having to change up two gears and then drop it down one to get it whirring smoothly, but I'd expected this at the start. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Around bends I found the bike reliable and rapid. Descents were even more noticeable. Neil said at the end of the ride that where I usually drop back on my Trek, I was whizzing off down downhill with more speed. This is down to confidence in the machine, and confidence arises from stability. The bike is very good at speed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the first feed stop Neil was itching to get moving again. He is in the best form of his life and he wanted to show it. We left the Mike Vaughan crew purchasing food and slinked off towards Saintbury hill. Once again between groups I suggested we up the pace until we found somewhere to shelter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We found a group about 10 miles before Saintbury hill and nestled in. However the pace wasn't really fast enough and by the time we got to Saintbury we were about 20 metres ahead of a group of 10 skinny looking people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Neil is good on climbs, particularly this year. I'm not so impressive. With a group behind us and Neil to my side I could see me coming out of this climb behind everyone. However, the lightness of the bike and the rigid frame was helping me match Neil's output. The heart rate monitor on the newly purchased Garmin (my first SatNav cycle computer) was beginning to spike.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkN7fhR-eJ_Kpff1EMwjSBkhzXuuYzitCMSpTzJkczCC5Cu1zwgk2eWbtwWPaKglBoZd52rD5vDBZRT-dPboxmL21dGiKiOEp0ZvbvGAf4KIgKhw4kqHlrj9-D_2Tk_oXggCn3vKSSD3F/s1600/IMAG0986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkN7fhR-eJ_Kpff1EMwjSBkhzXuuYzitCMSpTzJkczCC5Cu1zwgk2eWbtwWPaKglBoZd52rD5vDBZRT-dPboxmL21dGiKiOEp0ZvbvGAf4KIgKhw4kqHlrj9-D_2Tk_oXggCn3vKSSD3F/s400/IMAG0986.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My theoretical maximum heart rate of 181 turned out to be my maximum heart rate on Saintbury.</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As usual, big climbs generate a silence interspersed with panting. Looking back I could see the group were actually falling behind. Neil was within a metre of me and I didn't even feel like I was dying. My heart rate indicated I hadn't got anything extra to give on certain parts of the climb, but it dropped steadily to a respectable 160bpm when the gradient fell off slightly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That was the penultimate test of this bike. We finished the sportive in a very commendable top 20'ish position. Neil dragged my (relatively) unfit ass around the last 30 miles of the course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTNxilCtYvWeF95g5n3Rp51iOcFrNMAN_JUZegiR-L_Rx7UfdTEnAzUhqbWypZGee40jGGBVhRvUerMPCOai9mWvnrBAuDDnkw38zCEjyY8Bz7WavZCh-XNaIdo9t9_pqcW8n64G7smVI/s1600/DSCF3795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTNxilCtYvWeF95g5n3Rp51iOcFrNMAN_JUZegiR-L_Rx7UfdTEnAzUhqbWypZGee40jGGBVhRvUerMPCOai9mWvnrBAuDDnkw38zCEjyY8Bz7WavZCh-XNaIdo9t9_pqcW8n64G7smVI/s640/DSCF3795.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the inline barrel adjusters. A feature I particularly like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The final test had to wait until yesterday, hence the 2 weeks time lapse since the Stratford 100 .... I had to pedal in anger .... And the only way for me to do that properly is to join the Mike Vaughan crew on a tuesday and thursday evening for the bash.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd ridden tuesday but nearly crashed on the final sprint. This had happened because my new pedals and old cleats didn't fit each other perfectly. They had been fine for gentler rides, but the sprint finish has me pounding the pedals at maximum effort. Whilst doing about 25 miles an hour at the bottom of a sharp finishing hill, my right foot popped out of the pedal. I wobbled precariously for a moment but kept the bike from crashing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday, new cleats fitted, I rode again. This time the 30 miles was much more gentle and I could feel power in my legs as we approached the finish. There are some very good riders in the crew but the two to watch yesterday were Mark and Jack. Both of these riders have destroyed me time and again this year. My lull in training for the first half of the year has left me with a lot of work to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The final sprint was typically explosive, with 5 riders hitting the bottom of the sharp climb into Kenilworth at maximum effort. The sprint is up a steep hill and lasts approximatley 100 metres. It's short enough for speeds of 20+mph to be maintained.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As we hit the bottom Mark and Jack scythed past me on both sides. I took the prompt and got my arse out of the saddle and slammed my feet against the pedals. The power transfer was immediate. Acceleration palpable as I caught Jack's wheel and found myself jostling for position up the left side of the road as we rocketed up the hill. Such was the power and the lightness of the bike, my front end kept rising off the floor. This isn't a sensation I'm familiar with on the Trek and I realised that my sprinting position would have to change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jack found himself boxed in with Mark in front and me beside him. I crept past young Jack as a result of this and finished the sprint within touching distance of Mark. This is by far the best result all year for me. The bike had passed its final test with flying colours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Total Cost</span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Inline Cable Tensioners £7.99</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Raceface Turbine Seatpost £24.99</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">x2 Schwalbe Ultremo ZLX Folding Road Tyre 700 x 23c Black £60</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lizard Skins Carbon Patches and Chainstay protector £10</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lizard Skins Handlebar Tape £25</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Flyxii Frame, Forks, Headset, Seatpost Clamp, Matte Black Paintjob £253</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Flyxii Handlebars £72 (not used but included in final tally)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">M Components Spacers and Clamp £20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shimano Ultegra Groupset £552</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Intrepid RC38 Alloy Clincher Wheelset £200</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saddle already owned</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Total cost of this bike build = £1225</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Total Satisfaction</span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></u></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Total!</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In less than five years the "stealth" bike may be too much of a common sight. Already, riding this one out on its first and only 2012 sportive, I saw three other stealthy unmarked black <em>CCCF</em>'s which shared a lot of features with my own. The wheels were the only things that really set them apart. When they become "too" common, I shall have to indulge in some dramatic decals, or buy a glossy frame. But not for quite some time....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbZ_98i94UkrChCUWxfjHXLzPT-9n6Ivwx4ZA7Id0PK3aUM9B0niZR6BeC8vU5UgA5rP6tqtwWns5fTxX-vy-OuEQn8N7P0EqkrfMdV7OR3W0qDVg-caSjPIsUhDWT8W4lgi_mOD8deg2/s1600/DSCF3807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbZ_98i94UkrChCUWxfjHXLzPT-9n6Ivwx4ZA7Id0PK3aUM9B0niZR6BeC8vU5UgA5rP6tqtwWns5fTxX-vy-OuEQn8N7P0EqkrfMdV7OR3W0qDVg-caSjPIsUhDWT8W4lgi_mOD8deg2/s640/DSCF3807.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stealthy, fast, rigid and rapid acceleration. My perfect machine.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com81tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-45354253525719022142012-09-27T10:58:00.000-07:002012-09-27T12:32:19.449-07:00£40 Bicycle Workstand ReviewContinuing in this months assault on decadence, I scrape a few pennies together and buy a brand new <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOME-BIKE-CYCLE-MECHANIC-REPAIR-STAND-BICYCLE-WORKSTAND-WORK-STAND-NEW-BOXED-/330741124582?pt=UK_Spots_Leisure_Cycling_Tools_RepairKits&hash=item4d01b50de6" target="_blank">workstand off EBay</a>. Purchased with a view to future bike builds, there's plenty of product testing to be done cleaning up my Flyxii and reassembling the Trek.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbstLujm2zmp0faqfjpZ9txI30iqg7ngPmiro3e8F9HE-lqN2YAuYTneN_CTBnHQ4PBcH9yAyS_4lqCIx1lWWZecTragmb5h843uCqy61NmZnO1cPAbeBvnt87ykAR619PKa1Sr9VvLhHL/s1600/IMAG1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbstLujm2zmp0faqfjpZ9txI30iqg7ngPmiro3e8F9HE-lqN2YAuYTneN_CTBnHQ4PBcH9yAyS_4lqCIx1lWWZecTragmb5h843uCqy61NmZnO1cPAbeBvnt87ykAR619PKa1Sr9VvLhHL/s640/IMAG1095.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pop outside for a long stand me old mukka"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Park Tool do a workstand which sells in the region of £80 and £90. This appears to be lowest price range for the bigger companies (X-Tools and Park both sell workstands at around £90 with more complex models climbing into the hundreds). Since building [most of] my bike I've been hankering after a third arm. A quick trawl through EBay yielded positive results. There is now a crop of cheap alternatives available, all of which look reassuringly solid. They all weigh in around £30 - £40 and come with a variety solutions for holding a bike above the ground whilst you safely work on it.<br />
<br />
One of the products I researched was sold with a magnetic tray, which clinched the deal. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7-tHXkyGLvt3LbfYJMhImAkhCVVESnzcetwh8O9PDMP8fmhGO7a6RPGqx-0W-i5Ajl-MUtADuEbI67vAiQU12p1xhuWSVrGnU8wFqkUBpf7Y9RFI45Nr0zh_owYiYN826HPqN4yM6W3S/s1600/IMAG1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7-tHXkyGLvt3LbfYJMhImAkhCVVESnzcetwh8O9PDMP8fmhGO7a6RPGqx-0W-i5Ajl-MUtADuEbI67vAiQU12p1xhuWSVrGnU8wFqkUBpf7Y9RFI45Nr0zh_owYiYN826HPqN4yM6W3S/s640/IMAG1094.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lightly magnetic tray is solid metal and a decent size.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I ordered it on tuesday and it arrived today (thursday), well packaged in a carboard box and bubblewrap. Opening the box up I didn't feel the need to root around for instructions (I can't say if it actually comes with any) as the setup is elementary. the base tripod can be spread out for a wide stable anchor point. The pole coming out of the tripod is secured by the black plastic screw you can see above the tray. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SWtgUmkwOnFihto3-OwLqn8fEFW9JCjw9x9USl-DDJrA_p96AmmuM6FDyy49gLtMF35xV6sGM8es6FMHzm-DFU1B23UzUy0WyIeexpsGkuwf1Dh06XNztbXSrsOhhmLg4BkjA5FKi8Vr/s1600/IMAG1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SWtgUmkwOnFihto3-OwLqn8fEFW9JCjw9x9USl-DDJrA_p96AmmuM6FDyy49gLtMF35xV6sGM8es6FMHzm-DFU1B23UzUy0WyIeexpsGkuwf1Dh06XNztbXSrsOhhmLg4BkjA5FKi8Vr/s640/IMAG1093.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very simple design.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The horizontal bar slides into its housing point and is again secured by a similar screw. The fixing point where bike frame slots onto the workstand is rubberised and soft enough to assuage the fears of most mechanics. However, like most mechanics I know, the additional rag between clamp and frame provides maximum peace of mind.<br />
<br />
All the fixing points are robust and built to cope with moderate abuse. Because some of the components are plastic, I wouldn't suggest this workstand be used in a bike shop, or by a drunk. But the average cyclist who approaches their bike with a degree of reverence shouldn't have a problem. <br />
<br />
I gave my Flyxii a good clean today and took a pedal off whilst it dangled precariously above the ground. After getting used to how tight I needed to screw the horizontal bar into the housing I easily secured the bike whilst being able to fiddle to my hearts content. I also found that the base was best positioned with one of the arms stretching out under the bike to prevent it toppling if knocked (but that is common sense). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7s28ss_BT5kwiwrsNZsJZuuuPb8Xf-AYvdRa2Nj2t5zebcOmyPJZ942-CvJk5eLLGcnis2UUFH-CWo3489_go0P_fajfFyAHVlaA3OM2M55KQCp47IFaz-ecDnzmAfTiZpxcM8BJ0Mne/s1600/IMAG1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7s28ss_BT5kwiwrsNZsJZuuuPb8Xf-AYvdRa2Nj2t5zebcOmyPJZ942-CvJk5eLLGcnis2UUFH-CWo3489_go0P_fajfFyAHVlaA3OM2M55KQCp47IFaz-ecDnzmAfTiZpxcM8BJ0Mne/s640/IMAG1080.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safe as houses. I wouldn't suggest trying to mount it in this position however.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcXUrUj236mgDG8sF4UglbhoDx7-TtoHQslgh1CY1mt_-cl1tizhN_zQYvlZOVFWrs7hHj0HO27T_9rbnSmq4JP_LrofiOAMfE_Oj__obdwf8DKZCKhcso8mxW9gYhQ9ybGYeXERIqBdF/s1600/IMAG1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcXUrUj236mgDG8sF4UglbhoDx7-TtoHQslgh1CY1mt_-cl1tizhN_zQYvlZOVFWrs7hHj0HO27T_9rbnSmq4JP_LrofiOAMfE_Oj__obdwf8DKZCKhcso8mxW9gYhQ9ybGYeXERIqBdF/s640/IMAG1089.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raising the old girl to head height revealed a plethora of cosmetic aberrations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the Trek I found I was able to alter the height of the stand, pull up a chair, and scratch away at some persistent gummy marks that had been dirtying the forks for years. Being able to position the bike and not work hunched up allowed me to spend time on mundane tasks I'd have put off in the past. As a result, the Trek now looks almost young again.<br />
<br />
At approximately half the price of the big boys, this stand from <a href="http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/rutlandleisureoutlet/" target="_blank">Rutland Leisure Outlet</a> (via EBay) has already shown itself to be a solid and worthy contender. Whether it "stands" the test of time (I'm too witty for my own good!) remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
Incidentally, thanks to this purchase I was also able to send a video to Wiggle demonstrating the problem with my brand new Scwalbe Ultremo Tyre. The tyre has an unusual bulge in it which I wouldn't expect in a top quality race tyre. You can see the bulge <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyb-defbFtQ&feature=plcp" target="_blank">here</a> and if you think the wheel is buckled, look <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-xxPOVR6gY&feature=plcp" target="_blank">here</a>. I'm waiting on the reply from Wiggle but expect to return it ASAP. <br />
<br />
</div>
Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-87218648790500879342012-09-20T00:14:00.000-07:002012-09-24T03:52:25.574-07:00Steve Malone's take on Cheap Chinese Carbon builds<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs1ORWLCqUeYfBxvRDFz2F5oamLzRqpeEVpVm_X8v6A6VJmNRt9VT2dMVhD66-qUB3TGs4wBTHXXcG2CvhwH3b4X3GW5KfpZ7iLHQo_-jXkUTrirui9e-qOvFuQsyrmS4XtyFm_g6YsJ6/s1600/284178_10150240716918107_672048106_7606977_2105814_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs1ORWLCqUeYfBxvRDFz2F5oamLzRqpeEVpVm_X8v6A6VJmNRt9VT2dMVhD66-qUB3TGs4wBTHXXcG2CvhwH3b4X3GW5KfpZ7iLHQo_-jXkUTrirui9e-qOvFuQsyrmS4XtyFm_g6YsJ6/s640/284178_10150240716918107_672048106_7606977_2105814_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insane in the membrane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
In this article, Steve Malone explains how he went from a Stig lookalike to a "skinny" road rider. He also describes his experiences with his first ever Cheap Chinese Carbon Frame bike build.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Having been a committed XC, then enduro
and downhill mountain biker for 15 years I am prepared to admit that I viewed
roadies with some suspicion and a hint of fear. The shaved legs and lycra
confused me (my legs never got infected by hairs despite being almost
constantly wounded). Numerous visits to Alpe D'huez and Le Deux Alpes, Morzine
etc over a six year period to ride the Mega, Mountain of Hell, Vijaunay Enduro
etc did bring me into close proximity of the 'thin people' but we tended to
view each other from afar in a North and South Korean Border Guard fashion. We
were definitely the South. The closest I ever got was having to ride up the 21
hairpins on an 18kg mountain bike with 2.5" tyres, I did not see the
appeal. </span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
In 2011 I made my usual drive to Morzine after riding the Mega at Alpe D Huez.
In the van, amongst the big bikes, sat a Boardman Team Pro, purchased on the
Ride to Work scheme as a commuter and as way to get some miles in without
driving for hours to get to some good trails. I had hidden it in a box to make
sure no one saw and had covered exactly 0 miles. Morzine in 2011 became famous
for it's Somme like 'vibe'. Not a hail of constant terror or gas but very wet,
muddy, cold and populated by lots of spaced out looking pissed off people in
similar Fox uniforms. After destroying 4 sets of brake pads and a set of
bearings in 3 days, with all of my kit basically destroyed I pumped up the
tyres out my Boardman. Heading out from Morzine to Avioraz in a piss pot
helmet, massive downhill SPD clogs, baggy shorts and an Aldi XC top, I began to
break down barriers between North and South. The thin people talked to me about
'The Tour' (it took me a while to catch on to this one), on the famous climb to
Avioraz I thought my computer was broken as it said 12mph, on an 8% hill.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I'd never had a bike computer on a mountain bike (if you can check your speed
your going too slow) and became a bit obsessed. After deciding road cycling was
easy, I smugly cruised up the climb enjoying the novelty of 'scenery' and then
got overtaken by a 75 year old French Goat Man on a bike he got for his 21st
birthday. I managed 104 miles in 2 different countries that day, but; I needed
a lighter bike. A year later, converted almost totally to 'the road' and even
wearing lycra I sold the Boardman and began my mission. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I have always built my own bikes. My first few were shelf bikes but I soon
became hooked on self builds. Often cheaper (despite what they tell you) and I
get a bike exactly how I want it. My new road bike would be self built and
simply must be carbon because the media says so. I have ridden Chinese Ti 29er
frames and some carbon XC bikes in the past, frankly, they all feel the same as
the main brands to me. I know reviewers go on about the spring of steel, the
snap (literally) of alloy, lightness of carbon etc but they pay the bills
supporting an industry which relies on income like any other. I'm only 75kg and
have never suffered with frame flex or felt a frame to be 'harsh', that's the
joy of tyres forks elbows and knees. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
I looked East, researched the 3 main frame manufacturers, sent a few e mails
and decided on Flyxii. I made the decision based on reviews and price. The lack
of shipping costs brings them in way below E Bay and the other big two
factories. Having chosen the new aero frame from their site I noticed
they only went up to 56cm compact (so actual 50). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The aero post meant getting a
longer post would be tricky and the 56, although long enough, was not tall
enough. A quick e mail to the firm regarding seat post sizing was quickly
replied to with an offer of a custom 58cm frame. Apparently they were due to
lay up a new batch and could adjust the jig for me. Happy days. They sent me a
schematic which looked spot on. Order placed I hit the web for the rest of my
bits. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglu0kfZKrHYqcmWEvj-wJdBd_QKxYRLj8AjOjuezjnJoitRyG3cq8PrXZVbSVgrKb0_jhN1j0xpqnOVl8LXEIa3U_8aNs-rQ8k3j-F33rls7pzsZg8JDoCa47KLb10dIRJT8_Eo5Rtwwt/s1600/DSCF7528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglu0kfZKrHYqcmWEvj-wJdBd_QKxYRLj8AjOjuezjnJoitRyG3cq8PrXZVbSVgrKb0_jhN1j0xpqnOVl8LXEIa3U_8aNs-rQ8k3j-F33rls7pzsZg8JDoCa47KLb10dIRJT8_Eo5Rtwwt/s400/DSCF7528.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aero smoothness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Ribble, Merlin, Bike DE and Planet X were hammered (E Bay was
consistently more expensive), Novatech in Taiwan agreed to send me some 1400gm
a pair hoops for not much money. Ultegra drive except for the lighter SRAM OEM
(same weight as Force) cranks (I don't like the fact that a bent or dead big
ring means whole new crank set on Shimano builds). SRAM brakes as they are the
best, some bars form my shed and fishing kit from the above shops saw the
entire build come in at £907.35. It took me about 4 hours to build and an hour
to set up.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsGgvqCSj1qsnliHxEPJROC_U6s810H2eCOf5zRYsIRBLaC1HS7Uw0wZjQSJSOrVVYwO1KkXmxHQj581Mj5efek5UphIHFf3GARSh_DZ0w32VqkqOSelJrve6m37E3apskMm8uE_ErV-4/s1600/DSCF7529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsGgvqCSj1qsnliHxEPJROC_U6s810H2eCOf5zRYsIRBLaC1HS7Uw0wZjQSJSOrVVYwO1KkXmxHQj581Mj5efek5UphIHFf3GARSh_DZ0w32VqkqOSelJrve6m37E3apskMm8uE_ErV-4/s400/DSCF7529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a brand new carbon machine there isn't really a cheaper option</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The bike: It's excellent, my scales tell me 7.23kg, handles well, the factory
got my semi TT 74.5 deg seat angle just right (I do the occasional triathlon).
It looks industrial in matt black, the carbon lay up is very visible up close
but at least I know it's wrapped up thick at the seat and head tubes. I went
for a 53 / 39 with 11-25 set up and find it no worries. It wound up the Long
Mynd (2.2k at 20%) without much fuss and handles well up to the 51.2mph I have
achieved thus far. No speed wobble or weave and solid cornering. Twitchier than
the Boardman but that's the race oriented geo and shorter head tube. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvhbyGRrwIUygYzKYh5mJDGcv5oInm7VdKeZc7vOtN3mhpgzK0gMa-_z-bvNuqwtZSoNAOHjt4seXGISElflibcHhFFnn3frerULQaW4vu37J7VvIf8SvF6cnh4GNOVjyMF6hJplPhDFd/s1600/DSCF7530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvhbyGRrwIUygYzKYh5mJDGcv5oInm7VdKeZc7vOtN3mhpgzK0gMa-_z-bvNuqwtZSoNAOHjt4seXGISElflibcHhFFnn3frerULQaW4vu37J7VvIf8SvF6cnh4GNOVjyMF6hJplPhDFd/s400/DSCF7530.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His and hers carbon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you have the time and patience or a good mechanic at your shop I would not
hesitate to recommend the Chinese frames as a basis for a self build.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e68vVGibBuDzvDUt4Jv8iWJ8mgMTxOCRXZXzbx2Jsqd_usOfPLLK5ZlqQBDaq9LdFEyYxODwuacAb0sAZRZhpjBzcNgiZGmt1dnEPvvJ0nMIiPjzBXEWDSmgH69M3arMNMkWb3PtPrkr/s1600/DSCF7527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e68vVGibBuDzvDUt4Jv8iWJ8mgMTxOCRXZXzbx2Jsqd_usOfPLLK5ZlqQBDaq9LdFEyYxODwuacAb0sAZRZhpjBzcNgiZGmt1dnEPvvJ0nMIiPjzBXEWDSmgH69M3arMNMkWb3PtPrkr/s640/DSCF7527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tidied up with new aero bars fitted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-66106524093471483022012-09-07T05:59:00.000-07:002012-09-07T06:38:22.945-07:00Coming Soon. Is it a good idea to buy carbon directly from China?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BYeFurI_eOWcrSjyOkP1CE2JwqIacJmMTFZaEi7X-9DNCqwZ4myo2_dUeVX1dz1hVgYsWQ_Bv4bDE5m3NcnizSUAz8PtiQmGUNRpC9XdIzi2fwdVjBvS7dsdImFqht9hMMaqcahz75rF/s1600/IMAG0954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BYeFurI_eOWcrSjyOkP1CE2JwqIacJmMTFZaEi7X-9DNCqwZ4myo2_dUeVX1dz1hVgYsWQ_Bv4bDE5m3NcnizSUAz8PtiQmGUNRpC9XdIzi2fwdVjBvS7dsdImFqht9hMMaqcahz75rF/s640/IMAG0954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flyxii Frame. Flyxii Bars. Undamaged cardboard box. But will they work?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We've all heard about them, and some of us have been tempted by the promise of cheap carbon with no apparent shortcomings. But are the new crop of Chinese factory outlets selling carbon bike products worth the gamble?<br />
<br />
I have almost completed my journey from placing orders with <a href="http://flyxii.com/home.asp" target="_blank">Flyxii</a> to placing my bum on the finished bike. In fact, the only thing i'm waiting for right now is a seatpost ... from the UK!<br />
<br />
When I've had time to ride the bike, I shall write a detailed article on just how good or bad the experience was.<br />
<br />
Watch this space....Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-80933566523514111112012-08-29T04:44:00.000-07:002012-09-07T05:59:37.554-07:00Fatal1ty Interview 2012<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1AljPUuMbqzABi3XQ5uXE4AMcF093rrRVg-8krUya_9NToSx6dINt6wLmuWNsW-hvPpFBjijb9-xqk0pR8vyIoSJlkuo0Eaqs4jBF7kmbBsm4uD9Ae17jEVriVjgA3rzRO7f4scIO70S/s1600/fatal1ty-press1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1AljPUuMbqzABi3XQ5uXE4AMcF093rrRVg-8krUya_9NToSx6dINt6wLmuWNsW-hvPpFBjijb9-xqk0pR8vyIoSJlkuo0Eaqs4jBF7kmbBsm4uD9Ae17jEVriVjgA3rzRO7f4scIO70S/s640/fatal1ty-press1.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Whilst posing for his Press photo, Fatal1ty continued to frag n00bs with his spare hand</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When the E-Sports scene was emerging from the primordial soup of freshly
drawn 3D, I was head admin at ESReality.com and found myself covering
perhaps the most exciting time in E<strong>-</strong>Sports. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> During this frenetic period there emerged a handful of players who
transformed the FPS genre into an art-form. They gathered fans as their
"demos" went viral through the online gaming community. As the
fan-base grew, the handful of players found themselves presented with
sponsorship deals.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> First there was the unbeaten, Ferrari winning legend that is
Thresh. His impact on a largely HPB * scene was seismic. Never before had a
gamer been spoken about in playgrounds, offices and pubs with such awe.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> And then, in 1999 came Fatal1ty. Effectively surfing in on the
first E-Sports wave, Fatal1ty shafted his way through the Quake3 crowd with
brutal efficiency. Totalling over $500,000 in prize money, he has reigned
victorious in a staggering 5 different games. Holding titles in Doom 3, Alien
vs. Predator 2, Unreal Tournament 2003, Quake III and Painkiller, he is
unmatched.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>What's the big deal? How hard can it be to shoot and move?</u></div>
<u><br /></u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RxVmWaprNDY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><em>Check this movie out for frags ...</em></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CWKQnp4pgtE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And this for silky moves</em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clearly I spent too much time covering this guy when I was writing for ESReality as my 2 year old son used to point at Quake TV and say "It's Fwatality!" The simple fact is that Jonathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel is an awesome sight to behold when packing a virtual gun. Years later, I can remember with unusual clarity his most audacious moves and his poised, snake-like aggression. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">He remains the benchmark by whom all else gets compared to. Even Cooller ...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>Rich Elliott.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Do you</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> ever sneak onto
Quake Live under an alias? What do you make of the way it's regenerated Q3 to a
large degree?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>Jonathan Wendel. </em>Thank you first for the
intro. I'm honored your two year old son was trying to say my nickname at two
years old. As for hopping on with a fake nickname, not so much. I
usually logon with my real nickname and play a ton of Clan Arena and FFA.
Quake Live has been great for bringing a lot of old school quakers back
in the scene even if it was for casual or competitive play.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">If they did Quake 5,
would you like it to be more like Quake World?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I enjoyed PainkilleR
because it was so much like QuakeWorld, fast and action packed with acrobatic
fighting. I believe the railgun really slowed down the game. The
faster the game, the more excitement and more of the raw skill comes out.
Hit and run tactics became very boring, so if Quake 5 was like
QuakeWorld, that would be amazing!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I check out your FB
activity and notice you're generally hopping from city to city still. Are
you competing as much now?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I'm traveling a lot
promoting Fatal1ty Gaming Gear around the globe with my licensed partners.
I do a lot of exhibition / show matches with gamers while I'm on tour.
My mission has really moved towards more of the business end to help
gamers improve their gaming experiences through products I've developed with the
dedication and knowledge I've learned through competing in the battlefield over
the last two decades. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">How healthy is
International Pro-Gaming compared to 10 years ago?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I feel its doing
extremely well. The games today are being played in tons of different
ways compared to how tournaments were back then. Today, gamers are
finding multiple ways to make money around gaming, either through sponsors,
tournaments or streaming. It's great to see the gamer regaining their own
identity instead of just being a player on a team.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You hold the world
record for killing the most people in an hour (April 2009). What will you say
when this is read back to you at the Pearly Gates of Heaven?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I did what I had to
do. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Is there money to be
made with ESports right now? (for the aspiring gamer)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>ESports is just like real
sports. Only the best will really thrive, and only the hardest working
and dedicated ones will find their way. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Who is the most
interesting gamer out there and can you tell us why?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I'm always a fan of a
gamer who puts it all on the line. I find that every gamer is
interesting, because they all have their own unique story to tell how they did
it, and how they got to the top. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What game are you
utterly rubbish at?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>If I had to say a game
I'm really bad at, its definitely any kind of Karaoke game. There is
nothing that is going to help me sing better, so forget about me hitting any of
the notes. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/9VCXnh_fpPs/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9VCXnh_fpPs&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9VCXnh_fpPs&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Fatal1ty vs AIM Quakecon 2002. Check out his Comeback from 8-0 at approximately 6 mins.</em></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As graphics become more
complex and picmip_16** becomes a thing of the past, what kind of game do you
think will pull in the big audiences for E-Sports in the West?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>Right now I really enjoy
playing Battlefield 3! Game is amazing, because you have jet airplane dog
fighting, tanks vs tanks and infantry vs infantry. Then after all of
that, all three of those aspects of the game interact with each other!
It's almost as if you have 3 games all built into one. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Conventional Dual
competitions have dominated the prize purses since gaming went Pro. Can you see
team games superseding them in the future?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I believe they already
have. The big money has really fallen to the side for duel competitions
and now it’s all about team games.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">PC Gamer <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">UK</st1:country></st1:place> recently reviewed Battlefield 3 and gave it 80% ....
I was so pissed at them <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/dear-pc-gamer.html" target="_blank">I wrote them a letter</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> . What would you score
BF3?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>BF3 is as good as it gets
for that type of game! There is nothing else like it, and you’re getting
to experience so many different types of gameplay, from ground units, to
vehicles, to air units! It's amazing how they found a way to interlace
all of them together and make the game look drop dead stunning at the same
time! Love it!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I noticed your brother
plays BF3. Is this a game you unwind with, or is it something you take
seriously?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I take everything seriously.
If I'm playing a game, I want to dominate it! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I will always have a
soft spot for Q2DM1 and most of Quake 3. What were your best games and maps
over the years and why?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>Original Tourney4 was an
awesome map with the floor damage! Loved that map!!! Thought it was
so intriguing and surprisingly sneaky for being such a wide open
ranged map.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What was the best dual
you have ever played?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>World Tour Finals against
voO. With so much on the line and coming from the lower bracket, I feel I
came up clutch when it mattered the most. I remember a specific fight in
the 3rd match on Psycho when we were tied 4-4 going into overtime, and I landed
7 shots in a row with vo0 hitting 0 and effectively taking control of the OT
and winning that match which took me onto winning the $150,000 just one map
later on my favorite map Meatless.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em></em></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> What was your most important match ever?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I feel winning the Unreal
Tournament 2003 on MTV True Life really put me on the map. If I didn't
win that, I feel a lot of things could have been different for me in the
mainstream light. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What's your Fave I-Pad
App?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>Need for Speed: Hot
Pursuit <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thresh has his config
buried in the code of Quake2, just type "Exec thresh.cfg" and
apparently it will load up. Apart from having your name on inside a good
percentage of computers in the world, have you been buried into the code of any
games?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>iD software has always
told me they would do that for me, but I've never really followed it up.
After QuakeCON 1999, DieharD (friend of mine) got his config buried into
the q3test for winning their first tournament.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I have a Fatal1ty
motherboard which I broke when I dropped it. Do I send it back to you?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>Haha. No you would not be
sending it back to me. You would be dealing with my licensed partner
directly for situations like this.</span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thresh once said of you
(in an ESR interview) ... "Fatal1ty plays a more methodical, running
patterns type game, whereas I played a more thinking, strategic style
game"... He also spoke about his slower, strategic style of play. Is it
possible that such gameplay could withstand the ferociously fluid style most
Pro-Gamers employ today? I'll cut to the chase ... do you think you would have
beaten Thresh if you were both at the peak of your powers?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I feel I played the game
however it needed to be played to win the game. If a certain pattern was
100% effective, why not use it? As gamers got more complex to read and
play against, I had to change my game to win the match. The game over the
years has changed so much, so no one style is bullet-proof. Playing all
the different games I've played, each game had a different way to play them,
and if you tried to employ a q3 tactic in PainkilleR, it was impossible to win!
I tried it, didn't work. I had to become more aggressive and more
fierce with decisions and movement to bring the fight to me. I even had
to change to no accel to play the game at optimal settings. As for the
match between Thresh and me, we will never know. Thresh was a great
player and I much enjoyed watching him when I was 15-16 years old. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Have you got advice for
the aspiring Pro-Gamer? Are there pitfalls now that didn't exist 10 years ago? </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>Being good, isn't good
enough. You need the full package to really take gaming to its limits.
Focus on being very well rounded in a lot of categories, not only in
gaming. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">ESReality has remained
faithful to the hardest of hardcore gaming. Do you still drop by to see what's
going on within the forums?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I have always been a fan
of reading ESR. I remember the first invitational I was invited to that
ESR put on in Sweden, and it was a blast. ESR has definitely been a home
for me for a long time to visit and check to see what’s going on. Reading
comments on here has always been entertaining.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Are you a Cycling Gamer?</span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>I use to ride bikes a lot
when I was younger, but I'm nowhere near your level in cycling as I've seen
photos of you tearing up the roadway.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>RE.</em><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lastly Johnathan, before
the ESR crowd rip me apart for kissing ass .... Is it fair to say that Cooller
is better at Quake III than you? ...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>JW. </em></span>Cooller is cool, but not
that cool ;) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
14 years ago, standing on a Q2DM6, I met a guy called <a href="http://runawaybrainz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Koogar</a>. We formed a clan called Mistermen and took it to the top five in the UK for Quake 3. I even got to travel to London and play against a German team called Unmatched. It was then that I realised there was a gulf between "good" and "professional" (when they beat us 200+ - 0). In this ferociously competitive world, Fatal1ty has made his indelible mark on history. As to whether he is resigned to being a part of history and nothing more, that's one question left hanging in the breeze.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">* HPB = High Ping Bastard
(Someone with a modem connection). The moniker implied sporadic "laggy" ping. An LPB was the name for someone (who was winning) with a good connection.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">** r_picmip 16 was a setting
in Quake III which enabled the gamer to strip the game of any extraneous
detail. It looked like lego and was thought to improve your gameplay by
minimising "distractions".</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-22802452380931458252012-04-02T03:05:00.000-07:002012-04-03T15:42:45.855-07:00Breaking EvensHaving spent the first Sportive of 2011 dragging myself up the daunting slopes on the Dragon Ride in Wales, I decided to iron out the bumps for my next big event. To this end I searched for route profiles that didn't look like a cardiogram of a twenty stone smoker running for the chippy before it closes. Eventually I found what I was looking for. Flat out in the Fens looks refreshingly uniform on the profile. In fact, short of riding on a frozen lake, this route is about as flat as you can get in the UK.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoe629EBuOshnypL6cwstB6PmD6ZQqbCWKhCr6bj_YTVLoxJS5U_pMwGKnyI6RJ2McYkYol2LttlLBujEBIkmBxo8sV-UjLwuUq5A0XiCYoikwXodyqsI9PDQTco_P13ZRg2J0inHonIh/s1600/DSC_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoe629EBuOshnypL6cwstB6PmD6ZQqbCWKhCr6bj_YTVLoxJS5U_pMwGKnyI6RJ2McYkYol2LttlLBujEBIkmBxo8sV-UjLwuUq5A0XiCYoikwXodyqsI9PDQTco_P13ZRg2J0inHonIh/s640/DSC_3457.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Having gained a bit of a belly over the last 12 months, I couldn't wait to level the playing field (so to speak) and ride a route that my frame is suited to. I have never been able to ride over 20mph for a 100miles, and this would be my goal. I chose the 112mile route and on Sunday 26th June I woke at 0400hrs and set off to Peterborough with my friend Neil. The plan was simple; I would share the pain with Neil until his body disintegrated, then I would tow his shattered husk to the finish. It's a plan we have used on a number of occasions.<br />
<br />
We arrived at Peterborough Regional College just after 0700hours, the official start time, and made our way to the line for around 0720hours. Although several hundred cyclists had already departed there was still a large bunch waiting with us whilst the official read out the rules of the day. Soon we were waved off down the road and Neil pushed the pace to the front of the group.<br />
<br />
After a few minutes of travelling through Peterborough we found ourselves entering the Fens. With fresh legs and a generous breeze, I upped the pace and we zipped along beside the picturesque waterways at around 23-24mph. Our group soon thinned and we were left with a guy who had ridden "The Long One" the day before (129 miles out of Goodwood) and was attempting the 154 mile Fens route. Hats off to him! Also we had a portly fifty year old man who looked like he should have been watching TV with a beer.<br />
<br />
After another ten miles we had picked up some other riders as we trickled past and our train had grown to about ten riders in length. Of the ten riders, mostly men in their twenties and thirties, it was the fifty year old with the belly who kept taking turns from me and Neil at the front.<br />
<br />
I would be tempted to say that the Fens are beautiful, as we were riding on a cloudy and warm summer morning. The roads are fringed with untamed wilderness, grasses and flowers bursting with life. But mentioning this to Neil, he noted that commuting during the winter on these roads would be hellish. He has a point. Whilst they are stunning, the roads are almost completely lacking any shelter. Hedgerows are few and far between. Houses look lonely and slightly out of place in the Fens (for a Midlander anyway), exposed as they are from all angles. I thought about this place in the winter, with the colours drained away from the land and the elements attacking relentlessly, and realised I probably wouldn't be able commute through the colder months out here.<br />
<br />
As the miles ticked by, our pace slowly began to fall. Our initial burst of speed for the first twenty miles was settling down to 21-22mph until we hit the first rest stop. After a very short and functional conversation with the fifty year old ("Come with us, you take turns on the front!"), the three of us left together for the next stage of the journey, after replenishing drinks and gels.<br />
<br />
For the next thirty miles we stayed together, steadily accumulating another string of stragglers as we pushed slowly onwards. Sadly, it was at this point we lost contact with the older companion. At about 70miles there is a "hill" which climbs for a total of thirty metres (hardly the Bwlch). The slope is long and the gradient barely more than 4%. But after so many miles at such a pace, it was enough to fracture our group into pieces leaving Neil and me to push on alone.<br />
<br />
After the second and final feed station, we had around 42 miles remaining. This final leg of the journey was beginning to concern me. I was starting to worry that my legs wouldn't be able to keep this pace going much longer. I desperately wanted to break the 20mph barrier and with the feed stops added on, our margin for error was dropping by the mile.<br />
<br />
If the first two stages of the journey had been hard, this final leg was triple the pain of both combined. Looking at Neil it was clear that he was close to complete melt-down. His eyes were beginning to lose focus and salt was drying over his face. He looked listless and pained, at the same time. In fact, he looked exactly like he looks every time we get to around 80 or 90 miles. He locked onto my back wheel and we trundled onwards, keeping the pace just over 20mph.<br />
<br />
In order to build some energy reserves up (and to keep Neil pushing onwards), we started to piggy-back the groups we overtook; Rather than riding straight past them, we would bridge the gap between groups and then rest at the back for a few minutes. This proved to be a very good way of regaining some strength. For twenty miles we hopped from pack to pack, steadily making headway.<br />
<br />
Eventually, at around the 90 mile mark we reached a group of three riders who took some catching. We nestled in at the back and when I looked at Neil to see if he was ready to go, he shook his head and smiled grimly. "That's it for me, I'm staying with this lot." Fair enough. Little did I know I would be seeing him again in less than thirty minutes.<br />
<br />
I bade him farewell and rode off, pushing my pace slightly higher in order to make some headway on them. I charged forwards a couple of hundred metres down the road before swinging over a bridge and 90 degrees to the right. At that point I found myself on a long straight road. Now, I've been on long straight roads before, but they have never been this hellishly flat. This road was like a line on a snooker table. The natural curve of the horizon meant the road had no visible ending. The sun had come out and the Fens was blasted by the hottest temperatures of the year. To compound this, a gentle but persistent headwind pushed against me.<br />
<br />
No hedgerows, hardly any houses, few cars and very little wild-life. Just small dots that turned into exhausted cyclists as I struggled onwards, passing them with almost geological slowness. After five miles on this road, I looked over my shoulder. Down the arrow-straight tarmac, just two hundred metres behind me was Neil and his group.<br />
<br />
Another couple of miles later, still fighting the wind and the heat, my right calf muscle started to cramp up. Like the breakaway groups on the Tour de France, caught at the end of the race, I gave up and let the group catch me. I had almost exhausted myself for no gain whatsoever. I hid at the back, sheltering from the wind and let my imaginary power-bar build itself back up.<br />
<br />
Shortly afterwards Neil was hit by cramp, and then another rider in the group pulled over to the side of the road, clutching a leg. I stuck with the remaining two riders. With ten miles to go until the finish I overtook them, telling them I would probably see them again in ten minutes. Fortunately the road finally forked and our direction changed.<br />
<br />
The last 10 miles were essentially a race against the clock. I performed some very basic maths (which took a long time) and came to the conclusion that if I turned myself inside-out, I might still break even. The headwind had dropped my pace down to 19-20mph and my strength was all but gone. By getting out of my saddle and stamping the pedals I found I could raise my pace temporarily, by pedalling normally after this effort I could keep the speed from falling too quickly. By doing this I bled the last of my reserves from my legs.<br />
<br />
I completed the 112 miles in 5:30:52, which worked out as 20.3mph. Neil finished 5:40:21, just ten minutes behind and averaging a fraction under 20mph. Later that day I nearly puked out of the car window on our way home. Neil felt pains all over his body for the rest of the week. I can only put this down to the effort we put into this event. We both agreed that neither could have given any more than we put into that Sportive. We literally finished on empty. After riding the Fens, I have learnt a valuable lesson; I genuinely believed "flat" meant "easy". I stand corrected.Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-14325412760052811832012-03-30T02:58:00.000-07:002012-04-03T15:41:38.669-07:00My First Winter<div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsL5ZOUKjKb59qZfjfxVUS1CNc-HlzN0PgO3ripFiaESWy_f-ZPAwck3eFzC5DXWBRfndk7X2s6bjJAOEBiNI3z4aqncRjivoxYsofwR0BEhXCZNIShLb1GkxC8TyP_VfOFY9H71ClMif/s1600/RE+7-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsL5ZOUKjKb59qZfjfxVUS1CNc-HlzN0PgO3ripFiaESWy_f-ZPAwck3eFzC5DXWBRfndk7X2s6bjJAOEBiNI3z4aqncRjivoxYsofwR0BEhXCZNIShLb1GkxC8TyP_VfOFY9H71ClMif/s640/RE+7-2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This morning I rode past a rabbit which was standing in the middle of a frost-laced A- road, staring blankly at the oncoming traffic. I didn't stop, I was far too cold and if I had stopped I would have felt like an idiot. The rabbit was probably suffering the effects of mixomatosis, but to all intents and purposes the little grey bag of fluffy bones looked frozen and suicidal. Standing there with a vacuum chill sucking the air out of its lungs, cars thundering past on both sides, staring fixedly along the white lines, the rabbit looked how part of me felt. This was my first experience of Winter on a bike, and it has left me uncomfortably numb.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
My first real foray into proper Winter cycling was in November 2009. I went out with Leamington Wheelers one week and then bumped into my local Kenilworth Wheelers the following week. I was just finishing a fifty mile ride with a friend when the impressively drilled Kenilworth Wheelers came past us, a blurred fusion of flesh and metal. Six of them, all sporting modified extra-long mudguards (Duct tape and bits of plastic in the main), whirred past us. We decided to try and keep up with them and they kindly let us piggyback the remaining twelve miles. It was very pleasant drafting a bike with mudguards that actually stop the muddy spray from blinding you. It was also an education to see them warning each other of hazards with hand movements and loud shouts, switching the front two slots with clockwork efficiency. It was also an eye-opener to see six cyclists powering through the inclement weather conditions on their "Winter Rides". I learned a lot about club etiquette that day, and also realised that cycle clubs may be nice in the Summer, but through the crueller months they are a major motivator.<br />
<br />
Charting the seasons by the farmers fields, Warwickshire and the surrounding counties started to look barren towards the middle of November. Harvest was gathered, ploughing was completed and seeding had left a thin green blanket of shoots over some fields. As I continued to put in my base miles, it became apparent that my bike was beginning to suffer. After each ride the urge to clean my bike was still present, but the thought of standing outside with a hose and a bucket seemed less than remotely appealing. So the bike stayed mucky for a little longer. During rides I became accustomed to hearing creaks and groans where before there was only a mechanic purr. The weekly deep-clean turned into a bi-monthly affair. And it wasn't long after this apathetic approach that my first spoke sheared off. This was followed the next week with another sheared spoke on the same wheel. A few days later, after getting these repaired at my LBS, the third spoke went and in a fit of consternation, I emailed customer support at Trek.<br />
<br />
<br />
They got back to me promptly and after hearing the circumstances, agreed to replace the rear wheel for me. I'm new to the customer support in the cycling world, but Trek left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. My LBS also helped out by liaising further with Trek for me, even though I got the bike from a shop some miles away. The new wheel was with me before the end of the next week and I vowed to keep tabs on my spokes in future, purchasing an inexpensive spoke tightener for good measure. I'm not totally blaming my reduced cleaning regime, but I would probably have noticed a loose spoke if I was cleaning the components more frequently.<br />
<br />
It was late December when frost started to cover all of the roads on my way to work. I was forced to stop riding for a few days and instantly felt the calories coagulating around my midriff as I gorged on lard-based Christmas products. I haven't got a Turbo Trainer, mainly because I only have one road bike and don't want to keep swapping it on and off. So, on the 30th of December, as soon as the sun peeked out and the roads began to sweat, I met up with my friend Neil and we struck out for some distant hills.<br />
<br />
We took the bikes along forty miles of familiar and enjoyable roads, taking in Stratford-Upon-Avon as the crowds braved the cold and thronged to the sales. Spinning out towards the village of Kineton, we aimed the bikes towards Sunrise Hill. This is a decent sized 16% incline, the steeper approach to Edge Hill. It has a delightful sign at the bottom suggesting that cyclists should dismount. We kept the pace to an acceptable post-Christmas trundle and grinned at our own stupidity as the temperature dropped to zero. We were about a mile from Sunrise Hill that I noticed my rear tyre was looking podgy at the bottom. I ignored it, attributing the bulge to my overindulgence. However, when the road levelled out and I started to spin faster I noticed my arse was bouncing the wheel rims into the road. I had a slow-puncture that was now ... flat.<br />
<br />
We stopped outside Redwings Horse Sanctuary and I started to operate on the rear wheel. The problem was my clothing was only suitable for shielding me from the wind and keeping my body-temperature floating around "acceptable" levels whilst pedalling vigorously. Now that we had stopped and I had taken my big gloves off, the cold wet metal of the wheel on my hands and the wind were having a dramatic effect. My motor skills were rapidly deteriorating and my hands were very quickly rendered almost useless. The tyre levers started pinging off the wheel with machinegun rapidity as I struggled against the elements and my mannequin fingers. I watched a disaster movie recently where traumatic weather conditions caused the air to supercool in a matter of seconds, turning some poor actors into instant popsicles. The scene stuck in my mind for some reason.<br />
<br />
Eventually I replaced the tyre and grabbed a CO2 canister from my saddle pouch. The canister was a recent purchase and it was only in the arctic conditions that I discovered it had no screw top with which to attach to my valve. Stupidly I had purchased the wrong canisters. Neil had a threaded one in his pouch and gave it to me. I then promptly burst the freshly prepared inner tube, which must have been pinched against the rim of the wheel due to my clumsiness. With the deflation of my spare came a morbid realisation. I was forty miles from home, shivering with the cold, in cleats and wearing tights. Luckily I had my phone secreted about my person and so I phoned my wife. She was in the shower (my 9 year old son told me). It took me a while to speak the right words, but eventually I stuttered to her my request for a lift. Even more luckily, Redwings has a nice warm cafe and Neil kindly gave me his emergency tenner. The majority of our journey had been along country roads devoid of civilisation. For me to get a flat less than fifty metres from a cafe was like a pinch on the backside by Lady Luck. I hobbled into the warmth and ordered a hot chocolate and coffee cake. Neil cycled off home hoping to avoid a flat. Less than an hour later my Father-in-law picked me and the bike up in his nice warm car. Thanks Ted.<br />
<br />
The cold stayed in my bones for much of the day. The lesson of that journey has stayed with me longer. I was not adequately prepared and it almost cost me dearly. My first act upon returning home was to go and get some puncture resistant tyres from my LBS. The salesman informed me that farmers were cutting their hedges at this time of year and the resulting thorns on the roads were causing lots of problems for cyclists. I took his word for it at the time, but when I rode past the rabbit with the thousand yard stare, I also noticed the perfectly trimmed hedgerow down the side of the road. I ♥ my LBS, it's like an Oracle sitting atop a conveniently low placed mountain-top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp20HbOhkoxyWh9hIZJbP3WsTTqcvrVnio0PRAksnlRKbNvGF3a5Zni2T_jq_l3k5Bn5axA1V-X6-r8HGcEiiXCIsQVeg5_Bd5nNgEBXpRlib-4R2RDY00yecDBlgOzkf9s4GeU7tYZx7/s1600/RE+1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp20HbOhkoxyWh9hIZJbP3WsTTqcvrVnio0PRAksnlRKbNvGF3a5Zni2T_jq_l3k5Bn5axA1V-X6-r8HGcEiiXCIsQVeg5_Bd5nNgEBXpRlib-4R2RDY00yecDBlgOzkf9s4GeU7tYZx7/s640/RE+1-2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
So why am I cycling in the cold and the dark and the wet? Why do I bother taking the bike out when bitter winds are making my eyes water and my ears freeze? Good question really. I suppose one reason is the physical benefits I am receiving by putting in this level of commitment. There's also the financial burden of paying for a bike I vowed to ride all year round instead of getting a second car. But the main purpose for putting in the miles is because I'm loving it.<br />
<br />
Just because I love it doesn't mean that I don't occasionally get bored. I firmly believe that a goal makes for more relevant and purposeful exercise, and also keeps the enthusiasm up during more inclement periods of weather. I've also realised that cycling isn't just about the exercise, but equally important is the bike maintenance. For Christmas I got a big bucket of bike cleaning products from my telepathic wife. I spent the next day making the bike look like new. It now purrs once more. I realise now that the creaks and groans were mainly the loose/dying spokes on the rear wheel. I've come out of this harsh season a wiser man and once my festive waistline subsides, I'm certain I shall ride faster than ever come the Summer.<br />
<br />
<br />
03/01/09 </div>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-90460886957472997252012-03-07T10:22:00.000-08:002012-04-03T15:41:02.632-07:00The Shakespeare 100 mile Sportive 2011<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaiwH2bBE-08UBQqccy_645HTzdJcAV3zFdwgFDKJ_QNrsl0L4eboOVkR_MkcyUE0wKj-MwHNnp1fesBbUOHC0iFQWdRk2LPPTxHCFtkk8KBxGUAPnrqpp7C-wzSFA6axcmDwTwvyyhO1/s1600/Mammatus-storm-clouds_San-Antonio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaiwH2bBE-08UBQqccy_645HTzdJcAV3zFdwgFDKJ_QNrsl0L4eboOVkR_MkcyUE0wKj-MwHNnp1fesBbUOHC0iFQWdRk2LPPTxHCFtkk8KBxGUAPnrqpp7C-wzSFA6axcmDwTwvyyhO1/s640/Mammatus-storm-clouds_San-Antonio.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds on the day foretold the approach of strange weather...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><u>Sunday 11th September 2011</u></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two days before the Shakespeare 100, the weather forecast
had settled on torrential rain around the county of Warwickshire. On top of
that, meteorologists were predicting Hurricane Katia would start sweeping
across the UK on the same day. In a typically chipper text, my friend Mark
advised me to bring along "arm warmers and base layer". I was
thinking more along the lines of an extra duvet and a good sleep in. However,
with my first proper competition on the horizon I had no choice but to endure 100
miles of whatever the Gods could throw at me.</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday morning arrived with little more than shafts of
bright sunlight through the bedroom blinds. Looking out onto the world that
morning, I felt sure that at least we would start the ride dry. The clouds were
the only thing that looked out of place. Although distant and cheerfully white,
they towered into the hemisphere as if squeezed and shaped by an enormous hand.
Having flown into the UK a couple of weeks previously, these clouds looked so
unlike the lazy gray blanket this country is so often covered in. These new
formations wouldn't have looked out of place in a Cecil B. De Mille production.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I assembled my three gels, two bananas, a couple of Kendal
mint cakes (a sugary gift from my wife) and a heady concoction of syrup, honey,
yoghurt and coffee powder which I like to gulp down in the final twenty miles. I
filled two large bottles, necked a couple of Ibuprofen, smeared some Baby
Bottom Butter on my butt (pretty sure it's not made of babies bottoms) and
triple checked my equipment. I then grabbed my bike and carefully squeezed it
into the back of the car. My wife got ready without washing her hair, and even
"flung some clothes on" as opposed to carefully selecting and
composing what she would be wearing for some of the day. All of which meant we
arrived on time. She drove me the 20 miles to the start/finish and left me to
compose myself minutes before the start.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's getting easier, the composing thing. I'm into my third
year of cycling and the legs know what to expect. The start wasn't
nerve-wracking any more, as I now know that the testing begins nearer the end,
or in this case at the bottom of Saintbury Hill. We left in a fairly large pack
at the front of a larger queue. Our pack seemed to consist of fairly fit riders
and the pace gradually increased as we rolled out of Stratford into the lush
greenery surrounding it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For ten miles we kept together, two or three riders taking
the hit at the front of the pack. Although we were beginning to nudge into a
competitive pace the group held strong. I took some turns at the front, turning
the screw slightly to see who would stay with me. The pack held nicely. My
first hiccup was a tight bend into a steep climb which went on further than I
expected. Sitting in the big ring and pushing a fairly high gear, I elected to
try and power my way up the slope and found myself overtaken by riders on both
sides. A miscalculation which proved to be rather inelegant if nothing else. We
quickly reformed on the downhill except for one rider who had taken it upon
himself to ride like the wind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you want to learn how efficient a pack of cyclists are
compared to a lone wolf, simply try to out-ride a pack on your own. This
cyclist expended a good deal more energy whilst the pack conferred and decided
to steadily reel him back in. Over five miles the group trickled fresh riders
to the front whilst the distant cyclist slowly bled energy onto the road,
eventually succumbing to our slightly quicker pace. It was a fairly pointless
exercise, unless exercise was his aim.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After about twenty miles the inevitable question fired
around the group. "Are you doing the 100km or the 100 miles?" It
transpired that most of the group were actually riding the 100km, which meant
the few 100 mile riders had been given a handy pace-boost by the other riders.
Having not spent time studying where the route actually split I found a rider
doing the 100 miles and decided to ride with him when he turned off. My water
supplies were good at thirty miles and I still had 2 gels and some Kendal mint
cake. It transpired that I completely forgot about my special blend and it
travelled the 100 miles slowly warming in my pocket.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the first rest stop came at around 33 miles I decided
to bypass it and pick up refreshments at the 66 mile stop. I peeled off with
just one other rider, leaving the multitude to resupply. We rode on alone ahead
of everyone else, which I have to say felt very good. The roads were fairly
flat at this stage and we got chatting. In fact we got chatting so much that we
must have missed an arrow because we ended up rejoining the route having ridden
an extra 2 miles. Luckily my companion knew his way around and we rejoined the
route just as three riders from our bunch pelted past us at a junction. We
caught up with the trio at a set of traffic lights moments later.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These three riders we'd caught up with were formidable. Two
big men and one hill climber, they pushed a pace that forced me into the red.
After only 5 miles I realised that there was no way I could do my bit on the
front of this chain gang and I let them go. However, I'd lost my companion by trying to keep up with these three, leaving me all alone.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They ploughed on into a rather
aggressive headwind and I set about recouping my energy. Because of the
headwind and the long roads I watched the trio split again as one of the big
riders fell off the back. Tantalisingly, he was only a couple of hundred metres
away and I knew that combining forces would ultimately assist the both of us. I
increased my output marginally and pushed towards him through the gusts of
wind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I could see the rider in black slowly getting bigger and
bigger as I pushed the big gears. Eventually, thanks to a poorly placed arrow,
he almost missed a turn and had to almost stop before turning down the correct road.
I caught up with him and said hello. He had big calves, that was my first
impression. Cyclists are a bit like dogs in this respect. The first thing I do
when I come across another cyclist is check their legs out. This guy's calves
were disproportionately big. Normally I see big legs and assume that I will
dump them on a climb, but this guy had just ridden into the wind better than me
and was clearly in good shape. I concluded that when Saintbury hill arrived, we
would be best served to stick together. He seemed to have come to the same
conclusion. We chatted as best we could before deciding to chain gang it in an
attempt to catch the other two.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the next junction the routes split and the two riders in
front peeled off down the 100km route leaving the two of us in joint 1st for the 100 mile ride (both of us rather surprised to be in this position). But the worst
was just ahead. At the 50 mile mark we hit Saintbury Hill. This hill features
regularly in the UK national hill climb championship and is respected for its uneven
gradients, winding route and false summits. Saintbury may not be a mountain,
but it is not to be taken lightly by even the lightest and fittest of cyclists.
The only positive observation we could make was that we were in front and could
afford to lose time on the climb, which was just as well. We both exposed our Achilles
heels as the gradient swept upwards. Steadily, with grit and determination I struggled
upwards keeping the other guy just within reach. As we crested the true summit
I looked behind and was relieved to see no-one else yet in sight. Little did I
know, but down the hill just behind one bend, a single cyclist was tapping his
way towards us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Slurping our bottles and sucking gels we headed towards
Chipping Campden, a picturesque Cotswold town situated a
stones-throw from Saintbury. We didn't stop to sight-see and I was also glad
that this year no-one had switched the arrows around (leading to riders looping
around the village before coming back to the same spot). We pushed onwards,
taking equal turns at the front.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the 66 mile rest stop we dismounted. I filled my bottles
and bought a roll and a cake from the shop. As I
worked my way through my Ham roll, standing near to the road, I caught my first
glimpse of the 3rd position cyclist as he bobbed past into first place, shouting
out his rider number to a marshal. The marshal trotted past us to the desk and
said, "Looks like you two are now second and third!" Rather amazed
that the rider hadn't stopped to resupply we got back on our bikes and set off
a few minutes behind him. After a couple of miles we caught sight of him and
settled ourselves down. We started to notice that his slight build meant he was
pulling away from us on the inclines, but we were catching him on the flats and
the down hills. It took us about 5 more miles, but we eventually caught up with
him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is an uneasy alliance between cyclists, based purely
on the advantages of working as a team. Although a Sportive is not a race, and
at no point that day did any of us actually "race", it was gratifying
to note that where I finished around 14th last year, I was doing even better
this year. The alliance began as an informal interview as we started testing
the new guy. Gently picking up the pace on flats and then dropping off the
front in order to make it clear we wanted him to work, we soon realised this rider
was both equal in ability and keen to help our micro-collective. He was clearly
doing the same to us and eventually, once satisfied, we formed an unspoken pact
and started to pull as one. We had formed a proper trio at around 75 miles,
which is also when the towering cloud formations parked themselves overhead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can't remember exactly when it happened, but all of a
sudden we found ourselves subjected to ferocious winds. Instead of riding the
flats at approximately 20mph, we were down to 13mph with the front rider only
doing a minute of solo effort before being swapped out. The headwind was
ferocious, requiring just as much effort as a steep hill. But when we changed
direction the situation became hazardous; being sheltered in the main by
hedgerows, whenever we rode past an opening into a field we were hit by a
side-blast of wind. Very similar in effect (I should imagine) to riding behind
a jumbo jet preparing for take-off, the force would cause our bikes to slew
across the road. We trundled grimly onwards as I started to consider leaving
the two other riders and dropping off the back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fortunately, in the final ten miles we were rewarded with a
change of wind direction and our journey to the start/finish became <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relatively</i> pain-free. The three of us
pushed the pace towards the end with a magnificent tail-wind, but worked together instead of ruining a good
spot of teamwork with a sprint finish. We rolled over the finish line in around
5 hours 45 minutes, all of us exhausted. As far as I know, our third man had
ridden the entire distance on just two bottles (I know he didn't stop at 66
miles!) which almost defies belief. I had drunk around 5 bottles worth of
fluids by the end of the ride and even then I was urinating off the dehydration
chart later in the day. How he kept going I shall never know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, the final 3 miles is a haphazard mish-mash of
industrial estates and busy roads leading us back to the start at the Park and
Ride. Strangely, although we were cycling through the scenic town of Stratford
Upon Avon, the return journey is much removed from the historic tourist trail.
It small dampener on an otherwise perfect day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he Shakespeare 100 is a
showcase to the beauty of Central England. We had ridden out of Warwickshire
into the borders of Gloucestershire, up Saintbury Hill and back again via
Oxfordshire. The ride had passed through sleepy Cotswold villages and coasted
across some stunning panoramic views as
we pushed ourselves onwards. A great day and a rewarding time across the
finish. Just don't mention the wind!</span></div>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-75730980351859323932012-02-18T02:51:00.001-08:002012-02-18T07:13:25.518-08:00Site Summary - Alive for 3 Months .. and counting!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNzCuxUcsq5DPfQKQvEsJQpx1tNS6I4NlY35FcR7fNtWYhN7s1wB6zlfF9mY_TNTdM9bse7CNa4d7y5U1Pr2buBaJEyUYzpT4gogPrbyw71XuH9o2cRyZ6bP8VTa_Dch8myuW6_pspKCU/s1600/_D702297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNzCuxUcsq5DPfQKQvEsJQpx1tNS6I4NlY35FcR7fNtWYhN7s1wB6zlfF9mY_TNTdM9bse7CNa4d7y5U1Pr2buBaJEyUYzpT4gogPrbyw71XuH9o2cRyZ6bP8VTa_Dch8myuW6_pspKCU/s640/_D702297.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How to convert a back room into a (very cramped) studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm approaching the 3 month mark at <em>thegamingcyclist</em> and have uploaded a bunch of articles. It's a good time to "signpost" the newly arrived reader. <br />
<br />
This blog came about as a way of storing my articles somewhere I wouldn't lose them (including my Freelance submissions). It was started the same week my friend Rupert Hirst started his blog based on the premise <a href="http://runawaybrainz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"If I can't buy, borrow or find something then I guess I will just have to make it!".</a> I've found Blogging to be quite good fun, so I've continued updating regularly.<br />
<br />
Here is a summary of <em>thegamingcyclist </em>so far ...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<strong><u>Dragon Ride Preparation (featured weekly on the Dragon Ride Facebook and Twitter sites)</u></strong><br />
<br />
The Wiggle Dragon Ride has become the UK round of the UCI Golden Bike World Series, which is a big deal (to people involved in the UCI Golden Bike Series I suspect). To me this means nothing. The fact it's the hardest Dragon in history, with 3350m of climbing over 206km means I will have to prepare like a ninja warrior in order to survive the ordeal.<br />
<br />
From the beginning of 2012 I have been charting my weekly exploits as I work (rather hard) towards slimming down and becoming slightly better than "Mostly Harmless".<br />
<br />
The six weeks can be found at ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations.html" target="_blank">Week 1</a><br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations-week-2.html" target="_blank">Week 2</a><br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations-week-3.html" target="_blank">Week 3</a><br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations-week-4.html" target="_blank">Week 4</a><br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/02/dragon-2012-preparations-week-5.html" target="_blank">Week 5</a><br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/02/dragon-2012-preparations-week-6.html" target="_blank">Week 6</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>3 Stone in 3 Months</u></strong><br />
<br />
So far I've managed to lose a stone in a month, and I'm feeling a lot stronger on the bike. I know I can trim down because I've done it before. When I got into cycling I managed to drop 3 Stone in 3 Months, trimming down from a portly 18 stone to 15 stone by riding ... lots. I wrote about the whole "getting into biking" experience and submitted it to Cycling Active in 2009. They decided to make it a feature article and I ended up with photographers coming to the house and taking action shots on the road. <br />
<br />
You can read the long, unedited (self-absorbed) version here...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/02/three-stone-in-three-months.html" target="_blank">3 Stone in 3 Months</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>How to ride 100 miles at 20mph</u></strong><br />
<br />
For the more serious cyclist you can read about how I managed to ride over 20mph for more than a 100 miles. I would say that most people can ride at this pace, as long as you plan well and follow a few simple tips along the way. Oh, and make sure you're riding a flat route, it will help (but it doesn't help as much as you would like to think). You can read about that here ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/breaking-evens.html" target="_blank">Breaking Evens</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>World of Warcraft, "The Attack of the Noob"</u></strong><br />
Before I got into cycling, I spent a lot of time playing and writing about First Person Shooters. I was Head Admin for ESReality during the emergence of E-Sports and covered competitions between Fatal1ty and other gamers that most of the readers here won't have heard of. Fatal1ty is the only gamer in the Western Hemisphere who has succeeded in transcending the E-Sports scene and has become a brand name. You will find his name inside a lot of high-spec home computers, emblazoned on Motherboards.<br />
<br />
After leaving ESReality to work freelance for the Global Gaming League I started a series of articles on World of Warcraft. If you've heard of "WoW" but never played it, then now is your chance to find out what you're missing. The first of these can be read at ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/02/undead-chronicles-attack-of-noob.html" target="_blank">Attack of the Noob</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>An open letter to PC Gamer about their review score of Battlefield 3 (from a grumpy old man)</u></strong><br />
<br />
Recently, I've been cycling more than gaming. However, there is one PC game that deserves some of my attention, and that's Battlefield 3. PC Gamer gave the game a review score of 80%, which in my opinion is heresy! I wrote a letter to PC Gamer to which they replied by emailing me "You're clearly a great writer, would you like to write for us?" I replied "That's great, yes please, what would you like me to write?!" ... They never got back in touch, which I thought was rather rude. You can read the letter here ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/dear-pc-gamer.html" target="_blank">Dear PC Gamer</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Dragon Ride articles featured in Cycling Weekly</u></strong><br />
<br />
For the hill-climbing cyclists reading this blog, or for those curious about the Dragon Ride, you can read my Cycling Weekly articles on the 2010 and 2011 ride here and here ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/verenti-dragon-ride-2010.html" target="_blank">Verenti Dragon Ride 2010</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/12/dragon-ride-2011.html" target="_blank">Wiggle Dragon Ride 2011</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Shakespeare 100</u></strong><br />
<br />
And for anyone local to where I live, the Stratford 100 Sportive 2011 article is here ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/shakespeare-100-mile-sportive.html" target="_blank">Shakespeare 100</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Riding a fixed gear bike (featured in Cycling Active)</u></strong><br />
<br />
If you're interested in what a Fixie is like to ride, you can read my Cycling Active article here ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/12/wear-right-gear-and-cold-mornings-can.html" target="_blank">Fixed Ambitions</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Warwickshire Hill Climb Championship</u></strong><br />
<br />
I ride with <a href="http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mike Vaughan Cycles</a>, who are a brilliant bunch of riders to chew up the miles with. Having been drawn into their world, I found myself going along to the Warwickshire qualifier for the National Hill Climb Championship. Matt Clinton, former National Hill Climb Champion rides with Mike Vaughan, and he went along as well. You can read about it here ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/warwickshire-hill-climb-championship.html" target="_blank">Warwickshire Hill Climb Championship 2011</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>My First Winter (featured in Cycling Active)</u></strong><br />
<br />
If you want to know what it's like to ride through the winter, then this may be the article for you. I think its a good read and worth a look if you have 20 minutes to kill.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-first-winter.html" target="_blank">My first Winter</a><br />
<br />
<br />
And that just about wraps things up. There are a few more articles dotted around the blog, which can be found by hitting the label buttons just underneath the title banner. Which leaves me with nothing more to say than welcome, and please support me by clicking on the sponsors if you like the blog!Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-87801376666603517062012-02-13T10:53:00.000-08:002012-02-13T10:53:26.281-08:00Dragon 2012 Preparations. Week 6 <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-ZXeyEjY6Ed5IR2Na6FdqP8LDWkDcsipO2f8-JTuyLxoTlWkc2he-TW3jOcNbs75GesT2caV-2lO-_uNAyYRqr-nA_nBLLnSx2tGwnFBkqQ_9S8GdeKjO-qXjaUFq48bSf8r5GLFIiA3/s1600/shape_shifting_robots_new_scientist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-ZXeyEjY6Ed5IR2Na6FdqP8LDWkDcsipO2f8-JTuyLxoTlWkc2he-TW3jOcNbs75GesT2caV-2lO-_uNAyYRqr-nA_nBLLnSx2tGwnFBkqQ_9S8GdeKjO-qXjaUFq48bSf8r5GLFIiA3/s640/shape_shifting_robots_new_scientist.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This week, more advice from the T-1000 Terminator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's back to the grindstone this week with a temperatures diving beneath zero throughout the country. It's also been another school day with Steve "T-1000" Malone giving me advice on how to use three white bags of powder efficiently...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Because I slacked off last week, I decided to run into work and back. I mentioned a few weeks ago that knee pain had flared up towards the end of such a run, and this time it started snarling after 10 minutes of running.<br />
<br />
Instead of slowing, which is fairly impossible at my speed, I decided to continue running at a regular pace. The pain is in my right knee and feels dull when running. It subsided a little after the run, but lurked for another day or two before almost disappearing. The pain isn't crippling, and as such I am considering another run to work in a couple of days.<br />
<br />
If anyone reading this knows how to fix knee pain, or to manage it effectively with certain exercises, please get in touch, or post in the comments below (posting as anonymous lets you comment without logging in).<br />
<br />
I spoke to a colleague at work and he spoke with great authority and told me that stretching before a run will help immeasurably. I will take his word for it and do some lunges and squats etc before running on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Last Tuesday I rode 50 miles in minus 2 degrees. Basing my training around Steve Malone's previous advice...<br />
<br />
"<em><span style="font-family: Consolas Italic;"> - Long cardio session (jogging, rowing etc) sessions at no more than 60% of
max heart rate (you can count 1-20 without taking a breath whilst training).
These sets are best done hungry / before breakfast. The body presumes nothing
is trying to eat you and you are jogging from cave to cave. It only burns
visceral fat from the body and leaves your trygliceride alone in case something
tries to kill you on the way. Best done hungry as the body has no choice to
cheat, you will have no tri glyceride in your blood. Needs to be hour plus to
really work."</span></em><br />
<br />
I did the ride without eating breakfast and only took a banana and a couple of bottles of "Zero" on the ride with me. I ate the banana at around 35 miles and at the 40 mile mark realised my remaining bottle was beginning to freeze up (see photo). I wore a couple of base layers and a fairly large waterproof/windproof jacket. It was <em>just</em> enough to keep me warm. I'm still keeping it in the little ring and spinning frenziedly downhill. The weight is certainly coming off. I'm going to weigh myself at the end of the month next, in order to keep the suspense at a fever-pitch (I can imagine a few readers will have jumped out of their bedroom windows in sheer suicidal frustration at this point).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O_bpYx5kQTlJMxA5VNLYGNYozfLKBUIfVMhGvYcvwNJFnZ_fnInF3y8r0ocaW7XlkGoGiaG-l6Ya-huquHQ6IDpuRksY-69AQdPSDAD_ZAXYln0-XtP_XIqhBmx54HQwG1MTchqtSkba/s1600/IMAG0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O_bpYx5kQTlJMxA5VNLYGNYozfLKBUIfVMhGvYcvwNJFnZ_fnInF3y8r0ocaW7XlkGoGiaG-l6Ya-huquHQ6IDpuRksY-69AQdPSDAD_ZAXYln0-XtP_XIqhBmx54HQwG1MTchqtSkba/s640/IMAG0394.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How to make your own Slush Puppy ... Ride 50 miles in sub-zero conditions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Because I spent the week working with the T-1000 I asked for some more niblets of advice. He recommended I purchase some powdered products, and because his word is the Logos, I immediately spent a lot of money on Oats, Protein and Dextrose.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately they arrived on the day of my return from the 50 mile bike ride and I was rather bloody hungry. I opened the protein and couldn't find a scoop, so I ladled half a pint's worth into a pint glass.<br />
<br />
The next day I found out that I'd got the mix completely wrong, so I asked Steve to write me some advice. Again, he insists he's no professional, so please take the following words with a pinch of salt...<br />
<br />
<em>There should be a scoop in the bag? The scoop is '1 serving'. 1 serving of the powder is about 25gms</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> of actual protein, the rest of it is amino acids which you need to convert protein into the good stuff. There is only about 100kcal</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> in a scoop so don't worry too much.</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>Pre ride or good 45 min plus before weights take - 1 level scoop of each powder with good bolt of water - Do you have a shaker for mixing?</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>Post ride - 1.5 scoop protein (with milk not water - casein</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> slows down the release, you can only absorb 25gm</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> an hour) and heaped scoop dextrose level scoop oats.</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>During - 750ml</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> bottle with 1/2 protein and 1 scoop dextrose will keep you trucking.</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>Protein - repairs damage and develops muscle growth - 2/3 scoops a day will make a big difference to training. </em><br />
<em></em> <br />
<em>Dextrose - fast burning low calorie carbohydrate (it's just corn sugar) - is used quickly by the body as a fuel source, prevents any protein being used up as energy and promotes fast recovery - Only use this immediately</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> before, during or straight after.</em><br />
<em></em> <br />
<em>Oats - very slow burning carb</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em>, keeps you fueled</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> and prevents dips and highs which lead to eating too much after training.</em><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yt-_wEOL3lXf-QOmrss1O0E_9-xjSI8_67O_Kgg-XJJrvsN7tahTP5xwm-gSPXhZZARc-BcvIF_1eOJeptfX9J7fodsW3oc9wXrbHqZBiPVm_rQvtOJXODS_71DSB1dzGCGUoFTXq7Ne/s1600/IMAG0395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yt-_wEOL3lXf-QOmrss1O0E_9-xjSI8_67O_Kgg-XJJrvsN7tahTP5xwm-gSPXhZZARc-BcvIF_1eOJeptfX9J7fodsW3oc9wXrbHqZBiPVm_rQvtOJXODS_71DSB1dzGCGUoFTXq7Ne/s640/IMAG0395.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oats, Whey and Dextrose. Everything a growing Terminator needs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<em>If you are using weights and doing some good miles prob</em><a href="" target="_blank"></a><em> best to judge your weight loss by tape measure and not scales. I can get heavier and thinner if that makes sense?</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>The "1 of each scoop" shake is only about 320kcal (about 25 mins at 18mph - ish) so don't worry too much. You should notice the dextrose effects on your output and energy levels, particularly if you have it in a bottle on the bike. Dextrose is strange in that it's basically bad, but it's the cleanest form of bad and is actually very good in that its positive effects allow you to go harder for longer, far outweighing any negatives - you take on 100kcal but your output increases by 250kcals in total...</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>The oats are excellent at making you feel fuller for longer and avoiding any of your expensive protein being taken as energy when the dextrose gets burned up quickly.</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>Best way to imagine is : Input "1 of each scoop" drink - pedal - expend energy and damage muscle fibres - require energy now and repair matter now - body uses dextrose and protein - dextrose runs out but intestines start to break down the long chain oats and convert - body continues to fill blood with glucose - feel stronger - ride harder, faster,further etc... </em><br />
<br />
<em>End ride - dextrose and oats all gone, protein still knocking about a bit and doing it's best to repair 'tears' - have another shake - body refills glucose levels and continues to burn it during repair - dextrose runs out again but oats start being broken down so you don't 'spike' (that feeling where you want to eat 3 star bars). Protein mixed with milk drip feeds into system and is used for repair - legs hurt less next day - train more.</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<em>Simple....</em><br />
<br />
See you next week!Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-38858074003785497782012-02-06T14:09:00.000-08:002012-02-07T09:53:56.291-08:00Dragon 2012 Preparations. Week 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8ghsvP9bbT-ZTfAF5HQovaFnMmKyNX-sqiVheNR3DqUXf8rdmcCnl3O9MECXd2e3A1z_QMtV4sTCgFavNZ3cB6KUMwh3pRPV9G8ipLOsBxROhOl-VJnuPs0AIhtYzzZDSL066Lp3efmy/s1600/lard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8ghsvP9bbT-ZTfAF5HQovaFnMmKyNX-sqiVheNR3DqUXf8rdmcCnl3O9MECXd2e3A1z_QMtV4sTCgFavNZ3cB6KUMwh3pRPV9G8ipLOsBxROhOl-VJnuPs0AIhtYzzZDSL066Lp3efmy/s400/lard.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This week I've mostly been eating Lard...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Ok, I'm supposed to be charting my progress towards amazing fitness and supreme cycling ability. But after a month of abstinance and constant exercise I've needed to loosen the belt buckle and chuck a few pies down the hatch ... repeatedly ... to excess if I was being frank.<br />
<br />
This week won't go down as my most inspirational, and I'm struggling at this point to really find a positive point. What I can say is this ... tomorrow will be back to good old fashioned pain and suffering. <br />
<br />
I really don't want to dwell on this week, I'm not even going to weigh myself as I suspect I've done myself some serious damage on the belly front. What I don't need to do is despair.<br />
<br />
What I should be focussing on this week is the progress I've made over 4 long weeks of hard graft...<br />
<br />
In the first week I laid out my mission. The 2012 Dragon Ride will require a svelt mountain goat of a rider to complete it in a respectable time, in order to become this trim creature I have set myself a goal of losing at least a couple of stone before the big race (Sportive! Not race .. Sportive!). <br />
<br />
To this end I began a gruelling campaign of tortuous exercise. You can read about Week 1 <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations.html#more" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
In the second week I became insanely motivated. It's fair to say that during my second week I did more exercise than I have ever done in that space of time. I ran to work and back more than once! Just one return journey totals half a marathon and I only started properly running this year! Read about that insane week <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations-week-2.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
After such a gruelling update, I throttled back during week 3 and spoke a bit about the Apps I use to aid my exercise goals. It's hard doing a weekly update without falling back on a "Hungry Caterpillar" approach of .... "On monday I ate a leaf. On Tuesday I ate a cucumber ...." Read about week 3 <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations-week-3.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
And then I come to the moment of clarity. A week in time whereby everything fell into place. If there was one week you decided to read about, then this would be it. This week would take the Pepsi challenge with any other week of your choosing. It would probably fit quite tidily into a Gospel it was that important ... so long as the gospel was about cycling and not too religious. You can read about week 4 <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations-week-4.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The most interesting thing about the week 4 article is actually the advice given to me by a T-1000 Terminator. A guy so fit he is even more powerful and more dangerous than a Vegan.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the most amazing thing about the month of January is actually nothing to do with exercise. It's not even giving up smoking, which I managed to give up on New Years Eve. That pales into insignificance next to my main achievement.<br />
<br />
The real revelation is that for the first time since having a hairy chest, I've managed a whole month without alcohol. Believe me, that is bordering on an achievement greater than any of Hercules' 12 so-called "labours". <br />
<br />
If you've been working hard through January, take it from me .... have a break. See you next week for more pain!<br />
<br />Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-14562475976269940642012-02-06T13:25:00.000-08:002012-02-06T14:14:33.584-08:00Undead Chronicles: Attack of the Noob<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_YiJAqIDVzoRXBWEOOD2Xs1FgmWc0ZK7yOkArpFNxVJdRrE-7znAMiovJY1sBIdRbsowApwmkBGA_gj54pAjejPupS5X9GwYjFG2mzQL7A6pnxBvdzR8VrnLKAzdqxGhQFdlItVIwLRY/s1600/world_of_warcraft_screenshot_d835033e_515c_810c_4d7b_ae74426f0b8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_YiJAqIDVzoRXBWEOOD2Xs1FgmWc0ZK7yOkArpFNxVJdRrE-7znAMiovJY1sBIdRbsowApwmkBGA_gj54pAjejPupS5X9GwYjFG2mzQL7A6pnxBvdzR8VrnLKAzdqxGhQFdlItVIwLRY/s640/world_of_warcraft_screenshot_d835033e_515c_810c_4d7b_ae74426f0b8b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the World ....... of Warcraft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Several years ago I wrote for Global Gaming League, a website covering the world of Online Gaming. During my time there I wrote a series of articles about World of Warcraft. <br />
<br />
I'm sure you've all heard about WoW, but few of you will have actually played it. If you were ever curious, then please read on. The following article charts my first Undead moments in the worlds biggest Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game (MMPORG for short)... <br />
<br />
OMG ... It was 6 Years ago!! ...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<em>I’m tired. I’m so tired my head feels numb. I lost any direct link with my emotions days ago, I can only presume they’re simmering away on my mental back-burners. I haven’t felt this way in a long time. Since the early days of Quake3 to be precise.</em>All those years ago I found myself in the eye of the storm; clanned up, pulling a sicky to plan an important match. Not to play it, just to organize my team and get the tactics right. I spent a lot of those days arguing with my wife about how much I play on the computer, snapping at my colleagues because my brain couldn’t take the lack of sleep. I never wanted to go back to that state. It hurt. <br />
<br />
Obviously, only a fool would entrench themselves so deeply in a hobby or pursuit without some kind of reward. My pay-off was the competition. The never-ending, ferocious conflict between myself and other human beings. I found myself snared by the Quake physics, the beautiful graphics and my spiraling ability. As victory became easier, so the addiction escalated. Eventually, I became so constantly tired, my real life was becoming too difficult to manage. Fatigue only abated when online. Real-life choices and decisions were onerous and lacked the adrenaline kick my body twitched for. I was fading from reality. <br />
<br />
My skill had plateaued beneath the realm of the Gods. I took stock and vowed never to clan up again. The running of my clan (Mistermen) was passed over to Echinus and I stood on the sidelines watching it flourish. And then years before its sequel, the Mistermen stopped playing Quake3. Nothing more than an IRC channel marked our presence. I went my own way and rarely visited the channel. <br />
<br />
Upon receiving this latest assignment, I decided that some help would be a good idea. I revisited the Mistermen channel and asked for some volunteers. Echinus (Chris), Karis (Rob) and Koogawooga (Koogar) took up the challenge. We sorted a Teamspeak server out and arranged to meet later in the evening. After three hours of installation and downloading of patches, I was ready to be born into the world of WoW. After several days of deliberation, I decided upon an Undead Warrior as my character. The aesthetic choices are basic but functional, and I opted for a bright-eyed female with nice legs, except for the knees and elbows, where the flesh had rotted off.<br />
<br />
I popped into existence inside a tomb near the village of Deathknell. Although septic and decayed, I felt like a newborn fawn, coated in gelatinous goo. Unfortunately, the mysterious mechanics of the MMORPG failed to unfold before my eyes. Having bound the movement keys to my familiar ASDF, I decided that enlightenment might be achieved through exploration, and so I moved out of the dark burial area and walked into the wide world of Azeroth. <br />
<br />
The homelands of the Undead are dimly lit and offer little in the way of reassurance to the inexperienced. Walking out into a graveyard I followed the path down the hill to the nearby village. Deathknell is the first port of call for all undead newborns. It is a small collection of buildings on the fringes of Tirisfal Glades (the name of my homeland). Ringed by large hills, I soon found the area to be a well insulated incubator for the quivering newbie like myself. I could hear Koogar slurping tea over Teamspeak so I said “Hi”. <br />
<br />
“Rich, if you’re at Deathknell, stay there, I’ll take a shortcut through this forest and find you.” He replied. <br />
<br />
“Shit I’ve been killed.” He added. Which did nothing for my confidence in the slightest. <br />
<br />
It would seem that death is a mere hiccup for players in WoW, as five minutes later Koogar met me near the village hut, fully Undead. We danced and clapped hands, blew kisses and flirted with each other ... as you do. Koog informed me that an NPC over by the village hall was dishing out quests. I know that quests are the way to level up (I’m not that ignorant) and decided to go speak to him shortly. Being level 4, Koog was sufficiently powerful to venture onto more challenging missions. He bade me farewell and wandered off down a dimly lit path into a hostile looking forest. His figure slowly disappeared into the darkness. I felt remarkably alone considering the groups of NPC’s milling around me. Even the preoccupied Players gave me no solace. To them I was an insect, a level one midge. This sensation of Level aloofness was palpable. At this stage in the game it’s simply a struggle for strength. No-one wants to be a level 1-5 character. They’re too weak, too limiting and no use to anyone. Thusly, everyone is rushing around, either striding through the levels with single-minded diligence or flitting through the village looking for Trainers, Traders and new quests. Completely new to this kind of thing, I stood and stared at the strange and wonderful creatures passing through Deathknell. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjzVqhFBJw3jtadpU45h9E_8a1yFruREuEvH1LmCosgMMrDO4-YzSfOP07xqTV67V14V6MMJsqtTpDhWpCRYqA3FhwoU1S4EvLo8BEpxNRfiD2__IFR9rzv4uZ-AycdS7n7FjW0eTUry7/s1600/WoWScrnShot_120510_193848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjzVqhFBJw3jtadpU45h9E_8a1yFruREuEvH1LmCosgMMrDO4-YzSfOP07xqTV67V14V6MMJsqtTpDhWpCRYqA3FhwoU1S4EvLo8BEpxNRfiD2__IFR9rzv4uZ-AycdS7n7FjW0eTUry7/s640/WoWScrnShot_120510_193848.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's the matter. Feeling Chicken?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Plucking up the courage I approached the aforementioned NPC and clicked the interaction button. I was politely told to go and kill 12 Rattlecage Skeletons, and then return to Shadow Priest Sarvis in Deathknell when I was done. Flummoxed, but making the assumption that a Rattlecage Skeleton was going to be skeletal in appearance, I set forth on my first quest. Filled with the enthusiasm of a young and putrefying warrior, I left the lights of the village behind me and walked into the dusk. <br />
<br />
After a few minutes of safe path-stalking, I spotted a tall skeleton wandering around in the woods north of Deathknell. It wasn’t alone out there. I could see Mindless Zombies, Wretched Zombies, Scavengers and Duskbats all patrolling the area. A path is always a good indicator of safety, and I was untroubled, standing and staring into the sea of dark green foliage as the creatures moved back and forth. Combat is obviously the make or break section of a game so heavily fight-orientated, and I decided that now was the time to test the system. <br />
<br />
Knife in hand I strode purposefully towards the Rattlecage Skeleton. As I approached, it uttered a dry groan and ran at me. Using my considerable Quake skills, I strafed left, swiped at the Skeleton with my blade and inflicted 5 damage. A hit! The Skeleton swung for me and I jumped. The swipe cut through the air. I countered with a cutting blow aimed for its head. The creature sustained more damage as I danced around it like Muhammed Ali. My next jump was mis-timed and the creature nicked me on the arm. I checked my health bar and was reassured to see it had barely taken 10% off my total health. I crouched, slashed and struck leg-bone. The creature wailed and slowly collapsed in on itself to the sound of clattering bones. I looked around the wood to see if anyone had witnessed my l33t skillz. There was a Priest to the East that seemed to have paused in his spell-casting to monitor my funky moves. I clapped and cheered, then broke into a dance. The Priest turned away from me and continued on his way. <br />
<br />
“Koog, I just totally took out a Rattlecage Skeleton!” I informed my Yorkshire friend. <br />
<br />
“I’ll come find you.” He replied. An invitation popped up on-screen to be added to Koogawooga’s party. I clicked ok. On the map a small gold dot appeared, indicating his position. Emboldened by my obvious WoW talents, I selected a distant Rattlecage Skeleton and approached him, dagger at the ready. Whilst approaching the Skeleton, I walked close to a Scavenger. It looks like a wolf, and I would have cut it down, but I was on a mission. The Scavenger howled at me as I walked within a few metres of its position. The bloody thing started to run at me. I started strafe jumping deeper into the forest, noting that strafe jumping doesn’t work in WoW but continuing regardless. The Scavenger lunged at me and took a chunk out of my back. I started panicking. <br />
<br />
“Koog, hurry up. Need help now.” I ran past a Duskbat, which screamed and started pursuing alongside the Scavenger. I realized I was still approaching the Skeleton, and too late tried to change direction. A furry flurry of teeth and nails rippled behind me like an unfriendly cloak. The dry cough suggested that the Skeleton was also now about to attack me. I turned on my pursuing enemies and jumped sideways. My blade cut through the air and missed them both by a fraction. <br />
<br />
“Ok, I’m seconds away. Don’t die.” Koog added helpfully. The Scavenger nipped at me, dishing out a chunk of damage. The Skeleton, now at my rear, swiped at me. I ducked, but the blow must have clipped my shoulder. My health, now at about 60% was starting to worry me. I strafed once more to the left, getting all my enemies to my front and then crouched and struck the Duskbat on it’s nose. Perfectly timed, the blade cut into it causing 7 damage. <br />
<br />
“Ok, I can see you. Rich, what are you doing?” Enquired Koogar. <br />
<br />
“Fucking dying. Help me out!” I lost my cool, because even with my Quake skills I was sensing imminent death. <br />
<br />
“Rich, <i>it’s not Quake.</i> Ducking and moving around doesn’t help. You don’t have to aim, just select a target and click.” <br />
<br />
Oh. <br />
<br />
The Rattlecage Skeleton struck me a final time and I fell to the ground, dead. <br />
<br />
“Shit I’m dead. What now?” I felt angry for being so stupid. Koogar suggested I walk back to my corpse as a ghost, and I dutifully trudged through the black-and-white ghost world with red cheeks and a hunger for revenge. <br />
<br />
“I’ll help you out if you get in trouble this time. Just don’t go pulling other creatures.” I grunted and resurrected my corpse. Thirty minutes later, with the occasional intervention from Koog, I had my 12 Rattlecage Skeleton kills. I had also leveled up twice and was more familiar with the combat system. As long as the enemy was selected and was standing in front of you, the battle was won mathematically. There was no skill to combat, or rather, the skill lay in other aspects of the combat (which I discovered later in the week). We walked back onto the path and up the hill into Deathknell. I paused as a level 1 warrior strode down the hill and passed us. Bless. So much to learn. I shook myself out of this fond reverie and chased after Koog. We had a quest to cash in, and, um, lots of important things to do that I wasn’t exactly sure about. Being level 3 carries so much responsibility.Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-79658712180137798592012-02-02T00:49:00.000-08:002012-02-02T02:26:34.526-08:00Three Stone in Three Months<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxMs9FSEztdUyOM3wf4OXZFF-gFgy429Y12wuK1fC9YDPIQAj3CF971_-HYhPt2FaTttK_CKyXuR2cUX46ywUdERAlz3jqOiEB__4q0MkNUd-nN_vEO-AQIiJItki533JZF27K4YtuSp8/s1600/p74.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxMs9FSEztdUyOM3wf4OXZFF-gFgy429Y12wuK1fC9YDPIQAj3CF971_-HYhPt2FaTttK_CKyXuR2cUX46ywUdERAlz3jqOiEB__4q0MkNUd-nN_vEO-AQIiJItki533JZF27K4YtuSp8/s640/p74.jpeg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really need to airbrush a chin into this photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Three years ago I decided to get fit by riding a bicycle. It was so successful, that whilst on holiday in Cornwall, I typed about it. I sent it to Cycling Active as that was the magazine I had purchased from the Service Station. They liked it and trimmed it down to a bite-sized weight loss article. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This is the full, unedited version.</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you like reading on the loo, make sure you need a really big poo before starting this one ....</i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This is not a guide on how to lose three stone in three months. It is more of a chronological account of how much fun it was to lose the weight and discover the bike.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Allow
me to introduce myself. My name is Richard Elliott, known at work as “Chewey”.
I'm guessing this is partly due to my six feet and three inches. I have a very
addictive personality. I drink too much, smoke too much, and generally get
addicted to stuff too much. For over a decade my vice has been online gaming.
The years of inactivity, junk food, late-night snacks and gallons of beer have
turned my once lean form into a shabby, overweight, unattractive mass of
blubber. On the 1<sup>st</sup> of May 2009 I weighed 18 stone. For my height
and build this is clinically obese.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
I decided to change my lifestyle. Firstly the gaming had to stop. What had once
been a pursuit of first-person-shooter skills in games like Quake3 and
Counterstrike had transformed into a constant grind through the silken, sticky
web of World of Warcraft. That game had snared me for over three years and the
only way I was going to stop was to go cold turkey. I selected the Warcraft
folder in my hard-drive and permanently deleted it. The game takes almost a day
to re-install, which prevented me from succumbing to any moments of weakness .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There
was no doubt in my mind that my new pursuit had to be healthy. At 36 years old
the abuse I had subjected my body to was beginning to manifest itself in aches
and pains. The gym isn't practical where I live (there are none close enough),
the Wii-fit is embarrassing (the console is in my living room, overlooking a
busy road) and I find running both slightly painful and boring. So the only
other sensible option in my mind was to take up cycling. Primarily I knew that
I could start biking to work again; the summer was approaching fast and my
mindset was for once aligned with good intentions. Really aligned. It is worth
noting that I felt totally ready for a change. This wasn't a whim, it felt more
like a fundamental reshuffle of my priorities, and fitness was in the
ascendency.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So I
resurrected the mountain bike from the back of the garage. The frame is too
small for me, but the bike was on offer at the time of purchase. I felt that I
had a bargain and asked to shop to fit me with road tyres. The salesman boosted
the seat for me to compensate for the small frame. That was six years ago and
although it has seen some action, the periods of gathering moss have been more
typical. The bike has spent more than one winter at the end of the garden
subjected to the elements since its purchase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">All
things considered, it had fared rather well. The seat-post had rusted in its
highest position. The gears worked and the brakes weren't broke but broke when
squeezed, as they should. The whole thing creaked like an ancient rusty ocean
liner when under way, but with a liberal application of purple teflon lube from
“Go Outdoors” the bike was gliding over the tarmac like a large ungainly
missile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For
the next two weeks I rode the 6 miles into work, timing my progress. The
journey became a race against my personal best, and soon I discovered how
adverse wind conditions can cripple even the most willing legs. Arriving at
work I would get changed in the shower room, thankful for a relatively well
equipped changing area. My pants, socks and ironed shirt would come out of the
rucksack and my cycle shoes sit on top of my locker for the rest of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For
this first two weeks, I rode the crest of my wave of enthusiasm and dieted. I
purchased bottled water and took it to work with me, drinking even more water
than the recommended daily amount. My diet consisted of a lot of Greek salads,
chicken breast and rice. I cut out snacking and alcohol and got some earlier
nights. By the end of the first two weeks in May I had lost almost a stone.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Encouraged
by this positive start I started going out on my rest days, cycling twenty or
thirty miles. My favourite trip was a country road to Stratford Upon Avon which
winds along farms and fields. The route introduced me to some small but challenging
hills. I realised that due to my weight and relatively poor fitness levels,
hills are </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">very</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> hard. Arriving in </span><st1:city style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stratford</st1:place></st1:city><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
I would park up beside the Royal Shakespeare Company and flop on the grass and
watch the inside of my glasses steam up. The 30 mile journey was ridden in the
same fashion as my rides to work; at about 80-90% effort levels. The big tyres
continued to roll along smoothly, but I was beginning to notice that these
longer rides were giving me back-pain. As the weather wasn't exactly sunny, I
wore my Helly Hanson jacket and sweat profusely inside it. This helped
encourage the detoxification process but introduced me to the world of constant
washing. My wife walked into the kitchen that month and found me with my hands
inside the washing machine. She nearly fainted.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d8RznywGGecJIJXr7977IGzOEzWCvaJHLG8aCEQXFMb8DofziVS59BYbPpr6zMoL37m0v2CpKW_8a7_OdL2kxHl7jCYttuiZdYh1Pbg8K8UqSKKA9Im9idiC2H7rqMR1WknTbEp5PLJF/s1600/p78.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d8RznywGGecJIJXr7977IGzOEzWCvaJHLG8aCEQXFMb8DofziVS59BYbPpr6zMoL37m0v2CpKW_8a7_OdL2kxHl7jCYttuiZdYh1Pbg8K8UqSKKA9Im9idiC2H7rqMR1WknTbEp5PLJF/s640/p78.jpeg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm those jeans are beginning to fit me again....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Towards
the end of the first two weeks, I decided to ride to Evesham. This entailed
tacking on a further thirty four miles to my thirty mile <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stratford</st1:place></st1:city> trip making it a respectful sixty
four mile round-trip. One sunny morning, an hour after dropping the kids off at
school, I got on my mountain bike and set off. Using my work rucksack, I
stocked up on snacks and cruised along safe in the knowledge that every
eventuality was catered for with my puncture repair kit, mobile phone and bike
lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Stratford</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> was a breeze. My
legs felt strong and the bike was bouncing along the roads nicely. I stopped
for ten minutes to snack on a banana and drink some water then picked up the
exit road on the far side of unexplored <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stratford</st1:place></st1:city>,
riding past Anne Hathaways Cottage and some rather nice houses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It
was a mile out of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stratford</st1:place></st1:city>
that I saw my first real hill. This slumbering giant was a straight stretch of
road climbing for approximately a kilometre into the blue. I found myself
grinning at the prospect and pushed down on the pedals. Many minutes later,
sweat literally pouring over my nose, I crested the hill and felt a stirring
respect for the challenge of climbing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
got back into <st1:place w:st="on">Kenilworth</st1:place> at 3:25pm, five
minutes short of the school run. I rode into the school playground at 3:30 just
as my daughter came filing out of her class and my son meandered his way out of
the other exit. The trip had taken me more than 5 hours and thirty minutes.
Even adding on thirty minutes for breaks, I didn't waste my time working out
the average speed. That trip had been all about chewing up some miles. However,
the disconcerting thing about this trip had been the back pain. I had expected
some pain but wasn't prepared for the overwhelming discomfort that the ride caused
me. Towards the final stages of the journey my breathing was hitching because
of the back pain. I surmised that the small MTB frame size was slowly crippling
me. My cyclist friend had also informed me that I would inevitably suffer back
pain in the first few months of riding because of the bent-over position. I
hoped his theory was truer than mine as there was a light at the end of his
tunnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After
the Evesham bike ride I started stepping up the frequency of my rides. I
continued to do the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stratford</st1:place></st1:city>
circuit, but would go before work as well as cycling to work. My average daily
miles went from twelve to forty. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Arriving
at work during the third week of cycling I was called into the Sergeants office
by my portly Inspector. “Chewey, we're worried about you, sit down.” He
invited; the attentions of busy Sergeants shifting from paperwork to the entertainment which was no doubt about to follow. I sat down....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Everything
alright at home?” He enquired whilst four or five Sergeants looked on. “Very
well thanks sir.” I dutifully replied. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Then
are you well? Have you got some kind of wasting illness?” he enquired, drily. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Sir,
I'll have you know that Chewey has taken to riding his bicycle everywhere,
except at work.” interjected my Sergeant, no stranger to sarcastic remarks. I
stayed seated whilst compliments dripping in sarcasm rippled around the office,
waiting patiently for the focus to shift onto someone else before I scuttled out.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
comments became a daily occurrence as more weight dropped off my frame. Rather
embarrassingly, that week I received a phone call from the local Indian
Takeaway on my works mobile. They were phoning to make sure I was well as they
hadn't seen me for a long time. I Reassured the owner of the curry house that my
diet would end soon, bizarrely whilst taking a statement for a burglary.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It
was at this time in my blossoming cycling career that my old school friend Neil
suggested we ride one hundred miles in a day, for the hell of it. Obviously
such a bold plan was going to take preparation, so we slated the ride for the
beginning of August. Like myself, Neil rides on an old MTB with road tyres, but
he uses cleats whilst I never have. Conversation had often turned to the
relative merits of our bikes versus the slender road racing bikes, and we both
believed unequivocally that our bikes were near-perfect machines, slightly
slower downhill but more fun. Neil cycles twenty miles to work and back two or
three times a week. He has been doing this for a year and as a result he is
rather thin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">One
day after the conversation with Neil my brother Rob, phoned to tell me that he
had bought a Trek 2000 racer costing considerably more than a thousand pounds.
He also informed me that he wanted to come on our hundred mile bike ride in
August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
phoned Neil in a quandary. If Robert was coming along on a racer, me and Neil
would get our asses handed to us on a plate. This could not happen. He was
younger but hadn't been putting any miles in. I didn't want to be beaten by a
machine. The conversation took less than a minute before we both decided to buy
racers on our respective Cycle to Work schemes. He phoned me later in the day to inform me
that his work didn't do a scheme. I was sympathetic, listening with one ear
whilst scribbling down makes and models of bikes. My work did a scheme and the
process takes approximately a month. This didn't figure into my equation. It
was late May and I wanted the bike for at least a couple of months before the
big ride in order to get used to it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
soon learned that there was a lot of “stuff” to consider when buying a bike. I
wanted to know what frame size I would need and a myriad of other burning
questions. I hopped onto Skype and buzzed Koogar. Koog is the fourth
participant of our bi-annual geekends (as my Sergeant calls them when I book
the time off work to link up computers and play games). He lives in <st1:place w:st="on">Yorkshire</st1:place> on the side of a vertical hill. He has mentioned
that in the past, before Quake and Counterstrike and World of Warcraft, that he
used to cycle. The image of Koog cycling is not hard to conjure. He is six foot
five inches tall and stick thin. He looks like a cyclist. But having spent
entire geekends in his smoky company on dozens of occasions, I was curious how
he would transport the iron-lung which he would need to tow for any bike ride. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Koog
sparked up a fag to consider my questions whilst putting the other one out.
After about an hour, following the various hyperlinks he spammed at me, I
started to whittle away my choice of bikes. The 2009 series of Trek bikes were
my focal point, mainly due to their attractive looks. Initially I scoured the
net for reviews on the 1.2 which is the entry level racing bike. But as my
enthusiasm grew, so did my proposed budget. I went to my local bike shop, which
I had discovered from the internet was my “LBS” and took the 1.2 out for a
ride. The frame was 60cm and I spun it around the block. This wasn't
particularly fruitful as the ride was over before it had begun, but it did make
me realise that my MTB was far too small for my height.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
decided to order the Trek 1.7. It is a beautiful looking bike and has a Shimano
105 groupset, carbon front forks and a carbon seatpost. I also ordered pedals
with MTB cleats because I actually own a pair of cycling shoes which I had used
as trainers for three years (I didn't even realise when I bought them that they
could be fitted with cleats). I now know why they weren't the most comfortable
pair of trainers in the world. The order went in and I waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Three
days later the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:place></st1:city>
bike shop that was able to supply me with a Trek 1.7 phoned me up. The bike was
in store and ready for collection. This presented me with a problem as the voucher
wouldn't be ready for another two weeks or so. And so I took the train to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:place></st1:city> and purchased
the bike on my credit card, assured that when the voucher arrived the store
would refund my credit card. I had pre-arranged with the shop to fit Continental
tyres onto the bike which were made to withstand punctures. Arriving at the
shop I was taken to the bike. Trying to look as calm as possible I beheld the
splendour of my Trek 1.7c (c = compact front chainring = double chainring with
a slightly better ratio for hills than the normal double).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
bike was fitted with the sinister black Continentals and the black/grey
Bontrager tyres were squeezed into my rucksack. The shop assistant was kind
enough to fit cleats onto my old cycle trainers and we then took the bike
outside to see if I could actually pedal it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My
plan was bold. The shop is situated in the centre of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:place></st1:city> approximately forty miles from my
home. I intended to ride it back home using cleats for the first time, without
a map or any other navigational tool. The shop assistant didn't appear
impressed, but I guess he rides into the shop every day. After the brief but
successful trip around the block, I bade him farewell and pedalled away from the
city centre following his sketchy directions. The shiny new bike sliced along
the tarmac like a razor. Compared to my MTB the sensation of speed and agility
were palpable. The bike responded instantly to even the smallest movement and
the frame size allowed me to grip the top of the levers without any discomfort
to my back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMih27EEJShb6OqDSby7j7tnY87OEx-QkdsOah7sGXJd5tIOBeJMlpcvRddx1U7M_WtXYrB7YgyqdoGYzIHyovowYHKxqd7Ni-gSHikmqA5ix7KXBem7BUlcHDxAjxcj-_yyEQ_t1DkKp/s1600/DSC_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMih27EEJShb6OqDSby7j7tnY87OEx-QkdsOah7sGXJd5tIOBeJMlpcvRddx1U7M_WtXYrB7YgyqdoGYzIHyovowYHKxqd7Ni-gSHikmqA5ix7KXBem7BUlcHDxAjxcj-_yyEQ_t1DkKp/s640/DSC_2970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Having
learnt through experience and observation to be aggressive with my signalling
and positioning on the road, the trip home went well. Once again, I returned
just in time for the school run and walked the bike into the playground,
tapping my cleats gingerly over the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
kids were suitably impressed by the shiny new red and white racer and they
fussed over it as we walked the ¾ mile trip home. The noise of the cleats
tapping on the pavement alerted one of three dawdling schoolboys as we
approached from behind. The boy turned around to see who was approaching and I
saw him do a double-take at the racer. He then said to his two friends, “Look
out, you're about to get run over, by a ...” He paused to find the right descriptive
term. “A really thin bike.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What
followed was three weeks of serious cycling. After buying a track pump I
discovered that my first journey had been on tyres inflated to 60psi. I pumped
them up to 120psi and soon discovered that they need pumping every few days. On
the amount of miles I was doing a week, the tyres were bleeding approximately
10psi every week. This prompted a quick trip to my LBS to check if I had slow
punctures but was reassured that it was perfectly natural. I spent a further
£100 on essential accessories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My
best purchases so far are a funky “One Less Car” long sleeved cycle top, a
couple of CO2 cylinders and a valve. The CO2 and valve squeezes into my tiny
saddle bag and will theoretically pump up a racer tyre without any problem. The
saddle bag also contains an inner tube, tyre irons and a very gucci multi-tool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Neil
had <em>created</em> a Cycle to Work scheme at his place of work in order to get his
bike ordered. He had also chosen a Trek but was going for the 1.5. However, as
he discovered it would be inferior to mine, he ordered a 1.7. Following my lead
he also purchased it on the day of its arrival using his credit card. We have
both since been reimbursed on our cards and experienced no problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Preparations
for the hundred mile cycle were well under way. Neil started cycling to work
most days, clocking up between 160 and 200 miles cycling a week. I supplemented
my paltry twelve miles commute with heftier rides. A thirty mile spin was now a
relaxing jaunt. More challenging rides were fifty, sixty and seventy five miles
long. Having not put any recovery time since starting cycling on the first of
May, my quads alternated between feeling slightly bruised or painfully
shredded. However, I was keeping pace with Neils daily commute. Rob on the
other hand, living in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>,
was finding “leisure” rides a pain in the ass. He bought himself a MTB and
commuted five miles to work on it, fearing his racer would be stolen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">By
mid-July Koog started building himself a bike from scratch and I raced Neil
over a five mile stretch. Koogs bike started taking shape quite quickly and it
was soon clear that it would exceed ours for features. His shrewd Ebay
purchases also meant he was getting the bike at a similar price to our tax free
schemes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Towards
the end of June I reached fifteen stone. The veins in my forearms were visible
for the first time ... ever. My quads were beginning to look supercharged. My
man-boobs were melted away and my love handles had fallen off. I wasn't looking
twenty again, but I was certainly looking good for my age. Around this time,
one night after a long ride, my son flopped onto the sofa beside me and lay his
head against my chest. There was an audible knock of bone on bone. He sat up
and prodded my ribs before saying “You were much more comfortable when you were
podgy.” I took it as a compliment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Besides
looking healthier, I also felt better. The dieting had stopped towards the end
of May as I found out that I could eat anything without worrying about gaining
weight. My local curry house were much relieved to receive me back into their
customer base. I could also drink anything, so the alcohol intake started to
climb again. I started taking vitamins in the morning and protein shakes before
rides. My aim was to narrow the gap between Neil and myself, to give him a run
for his money on the big day. We had discussed the ride on numerous occasions
and had agreed that it wouldn't be one big race. However, having been glued to
the Tour De France this year, we were going to have a king of the hill competition
and a sprint to the finish. The hill in question would be Edge Hill. Any
cyclist in Warwickshire will concur that this is a slope worthy of respect. The
sprint finish would be on the same slope Neil had destroyed me on earlier in
the month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I managed
to go out for a cycle with a guy from work, Colin. Initially I was reluctant to
follow his route as I doubted it could match mine for variety or vista. After
forty miles through new countryside I was revitalised. It made me realise how
entrenched I had become with my thirty mile spins around <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Stratford</st1:place></st1:city>. Colins route also included two
steep descents where for the first time on a bike I travelled in excess of
forty miles an hour. After a rather rapid run through beautiful countryside I
asked him if he usually cycled at such speeds. He conceded that some of the
ride had been a bit slower than what he was used to. I invited him on the
hundred mile trip in August thinking he would easily be able to keep up with
the pace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Less
than a week away from the big ride, I went out at six thirty in the morning,
spinning variations off my new route. Speeding round a bend in the road I came
across a car and a van stationary in the middle of the road. In between the two
vehicles, lying in a twisted mess on the floor was a deer. The occupants of the
white van, two hefty builders, were out of their van standing over the creature
looking bewildered. The two vehicles had come across the deer only moments
after it had been struck by an unknown car. Neither of the parked vehicles was
damaged in any way and the young woman in the car soon drove off obviously
relieved an idiot had taken control. The deers head was lolling as it tried to
raise itself up from the road like an animatronic facsimile of itself. None of
its legs seemed to move intentionally, they just twitched. Blood was oozing
from under its misshapen body. I asked the two builders for a hammer and
decided to drag the deer to the verge before we were all converted into
roadkill. I Inadvertently covering my gloves in deer blood as I took hold of
the head and the body and pulled it across the tarmac onto the grass. One of
the builders came back from the van with a normal shaped hammer and asked me if
I wanted a bigger one. I realised at this point that my enthusiastic intervention
had been ill-advised. I had no idea how to kill a creature any bigger than a
moth and no longer relished the prospect of learning. The deer was obviously
dying and needed to be put out of its misery. Because of my alert state, I also
had two sleepy builders looking to me for guidance. I thought about asking them
for a blow-torch and a pair of pliers, bizarrely referencing a distant film in
my head. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Instead
of opting for the bigger hammer, I walked back to the deer, hammer in hand, and
started practising the motion of crushing a section of its skull that looked
the thinnest. Whilst doing this I realised that a successful execution would
require breaking through the skull and mashing the brains. This would involve a
lot of force and would be incredibly messy. I started to feel out of my depth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And
so, instead of brutally caving in the skull of the dying animal, pathetically,
I donked it on the head with enough force to give it a headache. Ignoring the
irony of my actions, I then turned to the builders and explained with some
authority that the legs were now twitching because the nerves were sending
messages after death. I washed the blood off my hands and gloves with some of
their drinking water and rode off feeling like I had been tested by Nature and
found to be lacking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When
I got home and explained to my wife what had happened she informed me that I
should have cut its throat with a blade as she had seen it done. I was also
advised by another friend to cut through its spinal cord. This sounds more
surgical than the throat cutting which wouldn't work for me. Koog suggested I
sharpen my seat-post at the base so that I will always be prepared. Answers on
a postcard please. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">With
the big ride days away, I tried to rest my body. Earlier in the week I had been
to Tenby with my wife and kids. This was bike-free and so my legs were mending.
The Saturday before the Tuesday ride I vowed only to ride to work and back, but
ended up taking an hour long detour. My legs felt great so I rested on the
Sunday in order to keep them in good condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcnZRVRphyVhx7E29uGvO_UNTLW0bzVpM0-t4lw2AvSjaPIYA1yeP9eqJ61vAi0Yk-AM0x0rOrGYCoOCSC_oEXJ8nuLFHiIVbKIlh7v_kYcuKh6jL_fEEBhCqX2yAjji74OuyMJwl_WGF/s1600/DSC_3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcnZRVRphyVhx7E29uGvO_UNTLW0bzVpM0-t4lw2AvSjaPIYA1yeP9eqJ61vAi0Yk-AM0x0rOrGYCoOCSC_oEXJ8nuLFHiIVbKIlh7v_kYcuKh6jL_fEEBhCqX2yAjji74OuyMJwl_WGF/s640/DSC_3064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">On Monday
night Rob came up from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
with his bike in the back of the car. Because the weather was undecided we
elected to coat the chains in the morning with the most wet lube. We
then had a barbeque and proceeded to get drunk. We probably consumed over 3000
calories each that night, which I haven’t seen recommended anywhere, but it’s
what we always do when we meet up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">On Tuesday
morning, I awoke to the sound of rain on the window. Depressingly the skies
were an ugly grey colour in every direction. Our plan for a sunny August ride
was washed out. Nevertheless, annual leave and petrol money don't grow on trees
so we got our bike kit on and Rob literally drowned the chainsets with wet lube
(which I believe flies in the face of the convention of "dabbing" it
on, but I still maintain it protected the chain well). My wife made us a large
fried breakfast which I ate regardless of feeling full.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Once
Neil had arrived and got his gear on we set off for a five mile jaunt to pick
up Colin, making <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warwick</st1:place></st1:city>
town centre our joint starting point. Neils pace was worryingly quick. After
meeting up we set off on the big ride at 1003hours. For the first hour the rain
slackened and wasn’t soaking through our clothing. Rob, Neil and myself jostled
positions pushing the pace a little, testing one another. Colin on the other
hand stayed out of the preliminary hastiness, going slow and steady. With
myself and Neil spinning up the speed and Colin maintaining a steady sixteen
miles an hour we soon found the need to slow down and wait. Rob tended to
shuttle between the front and back of the invisible bungee cord attaching the
four of us whilst myself and Neil pushed each other at the front. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
weeks of hard practice had paid off; my legs felt superb and as we approached
the first real hill of the day I decided to push it to the top. Not really
caring about beating anyone, I hit the easier lower slope at pace, pushing away
from Rob and Neil and testing my body against the hill.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My
legs held very well as the gradient increased and the bike felt smooth and
solid underneath me. Standing off the seat I really started to force it up the
steeper section, a ¾ kilometre slog. Looking over my shoulder I was vaguely
annoyed to see Neil hadn't taken up the challenge and was cruising steadily up
the hill with Rob. Arriving at the top I had time to assess my chances on Edge
Hill, about 10 miles away. For the first time since I started riding the racer
I had a ray of hope that I would be able to totally ass-whip Neil on a hill
climb. We're not competitive … we just don't like being beaten by one-another. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Three
or four minutes later Neil and Rob crested the hill. Another few minutes after
that Colin arrived. After a brief break I decided to formally throw down the
gauntlet and told Neil that he was going to be crucified on Edge Hill and that
it <i>was</i> officially a race between <i>me</i> and <i>him</i>. Neil didn't
argue, he was feeling as fit as I was. Considering the difference in weight (I
am at least two stone portlier) I didn't deserve to feel as cocky as I did.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
battle of Edge Hill in 1642 was the first pitched battle of the first English
Civil War. The fighting actually took place between Edge Hill and Kineton. Edge
Hill is the backdrop to a milestone in local history and is visible for a mile
or two as you approach from Kineton. The relatively flat Warwickshire
countryside hiccups beneath thick woodland and the challenge is born. It has
two steep approaches and one shallow. We were going for the 14% incline which I
have only done once before. The hill is long enough to require sustained effort
and steep enough to punish the smallest errors of judgement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As
the hill started to develop beneath us Rob said “Good Luck” and left us to it.
For the first time on the ride, about twenty miles in, Neil and myself started putting
some serious effort in. Having watched Bradley Wiggins going up Mont Ventoux
this year I was filled with ideas above my station. Neil wasn't making the
climb easy, pulling on his bars using his upper body to increase his lower body
strength. The pace refused to slacken below 7mph and before I knew it, the
point arrived where Neil was beginning to nose in front, as I suspected he
would. As the hill became sheltered in trees and the rain started to drip
through in big drops, I got out of the saddle and pushed the bike more than
ever before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Neil
upset me by keeping pace, wheel for wheel. This continued for about a hundred
metres. I was back in the saddle after gaining some precious speed. Having
watched endless late-night You-tube footage of the infamous Armstrong, I knew
how impressive it is to see someone get out the saddle repeatedly, pushing the
pace more and more. Psychologically this approach to hill climbing is very
powerful. My version of this aggressive style of climb lacked any pace, but the
theory remained in tact. I was hoping to show Neil I had plenty of energy left
and make him feel his own reserves drip away onto the tarmac. I got out of the
saddle again with relative ease and increased the pace by less than one mile an
hour. Hardly Contador I know. However, for the first time on the climb, my
wheel started nudging ahead. Neil slackened off the pace a few moments later
and quickly dropped behind by twenty metres. I kept checking behind and he
didn't disappoint. With the top in sight he turned on the afterburner and
picked the pace up to 8mph. I could feel the twenty metres being eaten away. My
legs still had enough to keep him away and they responded, albeit like lead
ingots. I could feel my power being used up like an arcade-machine power bar,
but knew the bar would top back up nicely when the hill was over. We stayed at
twenty metres apart until I hit the junction at the top of the hill. Wearily we
congratulated one another and waited a rather long time for Rob and Colin to
come into sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
ride then settled into five mile hikes before our group reformed in the rain,
usually at the top of a hill. We decided to head for Hook Norton (because we’ve
all tasted the beer) and angled off in that general direction (we didn't plan a
detailed route, in fact we didn't plan any route beyond Edge Hill). We
meandered steadily along country lanes rarely needing to use any major roads.
The drizzle persisted and by the time we approached Hook Norton, it was
beginning to pour down. My new shoes were drenched and my beautiful red and
white Trek was covered in mud and crap. Under all this the mechanism itself was
purring along nicely with a greasy metallic fluidity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
one-stop shop at Hook Norton was then subjected to thirsty and hungry cyclists
attempting to buy the most nutritious fodder to replenish their energy. I
bought a pack of Banbury cakes that I didn't actually open, just ended up carrying
in my back pocket for fifty miles. I also bought two cans of Red Bull that I
put in my sons water bottle. The bottle has a built in straw. I discovered
twenty miles later that all the Red Bull had fizzed up the straw and out of the
bottle leaving me with an empty bottle. I bought a banana, which as most cyclists
will attest, did what it doesn't say on the wrapper and filled me up nicely. I
also bought a couple of cold sausage rolls and yoghurt bars which went down
very well with the rain. All told, there is definitely room for improvement on
my next culinary roadside feast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We
were approximately four hours into the ride and the mood was damp but buoyant.
We were miles from home without any chance of quitting and even though there
were frustrations, we were all glad to stop for food and a rest. We were half-way
through the journey and although our time sucked, we felt we had broken the
back of the cycling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My
brother, whilst unused to cycling, was doing a sound job of keeping up with
Neil and myself on the flats, it was just the hills where his speed would drain
away. Neil was frustrated because of having to stop every few miles and Colin
wasn't having the best of days because he was aware that he was slowing the
group. Later in the day he stated that he simply couldn't get his legs to go
faster than sixteen miles an hour on the flats. I remember riding with him the
month previously and he was a lot quicker, so I'm guessing he overworked
himself prior to the big day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
rest of the road trip passed by in a steady procession of junctions and hilltop
stops. Our return journey took us through Banbury and onto the top of Edge Hill
for the run back into Kineton and <st1:place w:st="on">Leamington</st1:place>.
It was at this point that Rob decided to make his mark on the day. Being
competitive and familiar with bettering me and Neil at everything physical, he
chose the steepest downhill of the day and turned up the wattage. Now at this
point in the ride I was with Colin at the back. I saw Rob and Neil start their
descent about fifty metres ahead of me. I then waited a few moments for Colin
and we freewheeled down the wet road with a hairpin bend halfway down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
applied the brakes for most of the trip because I like breathing and life in
general. Even so, I went fast and felt like an idiot for pushing it regardless
of the slippery surface. When I got to the bottom of the hill and the road
straightened up ahead of me I could see Neil about half a mile ahead. I was
instantly concerned that Rob had ruined the ride by killing himself. Rob wasn't
visible on any of the road as it snaked to the horizon and Neil had descended
with him. I shouted at Neil but he couldn't hear me. It took me a few minutes
before I was close enough for him to hear me. He slowed down and I asked him
where Rob was. He pointed ahead. I was relieved but gobsmacked. The idiot had pushed
it down Edge Hill as hard as he could in the wet. Until this morning he had
never even seen the hill before. The lack of a Rob-shaped-hole in the hedgerow
and any cows standing behind the hedgerows is a triumph of bravado over reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When
we finally caught up with him he showed us his new top speed ... 46.4mph. Two
mph faster than my fastest. I'm guessing his normal chainring as opposed to our
compacts had helped achieve this top speed, but I grudgingly admit they had
also impaired him up the hills. So Rob took the top speed of the day, which
left only the final race to the finish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As
we approached the homesteads, Colin started to up his pace minutely. This was a
great boost for the group as we could spin up to more enjoyable speeds for
longer. But tiredness was setting in. As we reached a junction near to <st1:place w:st="on">Leamington</st1:place>, Colin struggled to get out of his cleat and
fell to the road. He recovered before injuring himself, but the right lever was
damaged. The casing was cracked beyond repair and the lever hanging askew.
Whilst still functional he replaced it later in the month to the staggering cost
of £150. The fall triggered a wave of tiredness from us all and the end of the
ride became more desirable than ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Aches
and pains had been relatively small considering. I had handed out moderate
doses of Ibuprofen to those who needed it at the halfway mark, and necked some
myself. The final few miles ended up taking us through Leamington and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warwick</st1:place></st1:city> in the rain, in
heavy traffic. After a day of quiet country roads I actually enjoyed the
challenge, but feelings were mixed. We wove through to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warwick</st1:place></st1:city> town centre and the 100 mile ride
ended. The group separated, Colin wove his weary way home and the three of us
struck out for <st1:place w:st="on">Kenilworth</st1:place>. There had been talk
at the beginning of the day that we would race the final stretch, but I wasn’t
going to pursue this due to tiredness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We
arrowed through <st1:city w:st="on">Warwick</st1:city>, past the Saxon Mill pub
and into Leek Wooton, a leafy village a mile from <st1:place w:st="on">Kenilworth</st1:place>.
As the slope into Leek Wooton started hitting the quads, Neil pulled alongside
me and said, “Come on then.” Indicating his wish for retribution. I asked him
if Rob was near, to which he replied, “Rob said to race ahead. He said his legs
haven’t got anything else left for racing.” And so I accepted the return
gauntlet and shot off up the hill into <st1:place w:st="on">Kenilworth</st1:place>.
My plan was to break him as soon as possible, gain sufficient distance and hold
it for the remaining couple of miles. I stepped up the cadence, feeling the
lactic acid burn in my legs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Gaining
the crest I turned my aching body to look behind me and actually shouted at
Neil in annoyance. He was sitting on my back wheel casually slipstreaming me up
the hill. I dropped the pace back a bit hoping for him to overtake, but with
such a relatively small distance remaining he was happy to sit in my sizeable
shadow. As we approached the Jet garage roundabout, traffic forced me to stop.
Neil found a safe gap to take the road ahead and accelerated away. It wasn’t enough
for him to pull away from me, so he inadvertently ended up towing me for the
final mile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The finishing
stretch of road where the duel would take place was the same long stretching
incline I had ridden against Neil and lost some weeks previously. The slope is
shallow but taxing and gets steeper towards the top. We decided to approach the
hill side by side and then the race turned into a gunfight at the ok corral. We
both knew how much energy we had in reserve, but didn’t want to use it too
early in case the other had more. We also knew without speaking that the race
would start and end with a bursting sprint up the hill; there would be no
second stage, or pause for breath. It was simply a case of waiting for one of
us to start the sprint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
got lucky. I dropped down three gears in less than a second and as soon as the
clunking sound stopped I was out of the saddle and sprinting. Neil responded
instantly but I get the impression he stayed in the same gear. Now a lot is
said about cadence versus pounding the harder gears. And I found a new level of
cadence in that sprint. If we were fitter then Neil would have taken the slope,
but my weak legs were able to spin up the hill with a much faster burst of
acceleration due to the easier gear. The explosive start killed Neil. He lagged
behind and stayed that way to the top of the hill.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We
coasted down the hill to my house and unclipped. My kids were delirious with
excitement about how well Uncle Rob had done, being a firm favourite. I
informed them that he had taken the fastest downhill speed and they immediately
hailed him as the overall winner. Rob pulled up minutes later and was showered
with compliments and praise.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And that’s
how the ride ended. After another 30 mile ride out through the countryside the
next day, I went on holiday to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cornwall</st1:place></st1:city>
with the family and without the bike. Whilst drinking in a pub in beautiful Cadgwith
Cove we were joined at our table by a nice couple, Dom and Becky. After a
couple of minutes of polite conversation Dom mentioned his “bikes” in
conversation. Ten minutes later he was telling me how to apply Vaseline to the
seat grips under my saddle, such is the intimate nature of my new addiction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">And
so I turn a full circle, from geeky computer gamer to geeky cyclist. I know
that a paradigm shift has altered my lifestyle. Also, as a result, my nine year
old son is desperate to cycle more (we’re getting him a kids racer for Xmas), and
surprisingly, my wife has announced that she will be getting herself a decent
racer on the Cycle to Work scheme. She wants to wear short red lycra hot-pants,
which is very good news. I’ve decided I will practice my slipstreaming with her
when she starts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Next
year we travel to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
on the bikes. Theoretically it will be Richenda, Neil, Rob, Koog, and myself.
My kids will travel in my in-laws camper van, and my son will be deployed
towards the end of rides. My father-in-law retires next year and they have
promised to be our support vehicle for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>! We are aiming for Mont
Ventoux. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Rob
plans on losing about 19 pounds in weight. He weighed his bike and found it
weighed 19 pounds. His plan is to ride a bike which essentially weighs nothing.
Neil texted me whilst I was on holiday to say that he had ridden 200 miles in a
week. Koog has finished his bike and is now contemplating fitting an ashtray to the handlebars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
have come back from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cornwall</st1:place></st1:city>
feeling desperate for a ride (so to speak). I did 86 miles on my first day
back. We had no food in the house and I went out with 2 bottles of water and a
packet of glucose tablets. I bonked at about 65miles and now I can barely walk.
I was curious what happens when one “bonks”, now I know. My ass hurts, my feet
feel like they’ve been compressed onto hot coals and my back aches. My quads
are ripped and super-achey. The feeling is superb. I am still 15 stone and plan
on giving up alcohol and smoking in order to put all my addictions in one
basket. Next come charity rides and a Sportive. However, until then I’ve got another
stone or two to lose. Fortunately, I know I won’t have to try hard to lose it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-60555778494534237032012-01-30T10:54:00.000-08:002012-02-02T00:40:26.486-08:00Dragon 2012 Preparations. Week 4<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKC1gSGfDMftZ8AKMSCIxvjW65n1YxAg7qiwoveJkDcy93_YTKqzQHBRfYfu8xkE0N8_f0J72z0D9VuJ_tVcQ4T0srLokNGUblru-WRisQV53wQVv8XXYRrL2W8r22ADnHt-lb1Mymgnt/s1600/IMAG0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKC1gSGfDMftZ8AKMSCIxvjW65n1YxAg7qiwoveJkDcy93_YTKqzQHBRfYfu8xkE0N8_f0J72z0D9VuJ_tVcQ4T0srLokNGUblru-WRisQV53wQVv8XXYRrL2W8r22ADnHt-lb1Mymgnt/s640/IMAG0370.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than a stone lost in 4 weeks! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>EPIPHANY</u></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 19px;">An </span><b style="line-height: 19px;">epiphany</b><span style="line-height: 19px;"> (from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Ancient Greek">ancient Greek</a><span style="line-height: 19px;"> ἐπιφάνεια, </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">epiphaneia</span><span style="line-height: 19px;">, "manifestation, striking appearance") is the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. The term is used in either a </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Philosophical">philosophical</a><span style="line-height: 19px;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literal_and_figurative_language" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Literal and figurative language">literal</a><span style="line-height: 19px;"> sense to signify that the claimant has "found the last piece of the puzzle and now sees the whole picture,"</span></i>
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's fair to say that after 4 weeks of hard exercise and sporadic dieting, I have finally discovered how to lose weight! On top of that, I've had wisdom imparted to me from a T-1000 Terminator .....</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week I've managed to lose over half a stone. The reason behind this sudden and fairly dramatic dip in weight is due to exercise. The thing is, I've been exercising all month but struggled to drop a fraction of the pounds. In fact, in the <a href="http://www.thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/dragon-2012-preparations-week-2.html" target="_blank">second week</a> I did probably twice as much exercise as I did this week, but lost only a portion of the weight.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This discovery is dependant mainly upon my own ignorance; rather than unearthing some exotic weight-loss secret. Lets face it, the answers are all out there. There's little we don't know about exercise as a species. It's just as individuals we sometimes fail to see the bigger picture.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've failed to comprehend the concept of effective training for weight loss. I blame <a href="http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mike Vaughan</a>. The eponymous cycle shop man has been informally training me up through 2011. On our regular Mike Vaughan rides, he will offer the occasional piece of advice. The Warwickshire Countryside is rolling and rarely hilly. Responding to my constant attempts to become faster and stronger, Mike has been pushing me to hit every slope in the big ring.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have become faster and stronger. I even started gaining comments from some of the other riders for my big diesel engine approach to cycling, as I started taking longer pulls at the front. It's a reputation I was proud of, so I kept hitting the hills in the big ring, slowly grinding harder and harder gears on my cassette. As I became faster and stronger, I became bigger. My quads are sizeable as a result. They're not <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=chris+hoy+quads&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=902&bih=639&tbm=isch&tbnid=6Hb89L_TVHz-LM:&imgrefurl=http://in2triathlon.blogspot.com/2011/01/power-training.html&docid=O3HDk3B7t8I-WM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsFx0eWL8xFrVIY92l56yphFbfAC5GdhYS0V4xDkSUWEcIRLDhJ2YuhSQEdkvJLPWsEQGf232SeR76__XxTcJaJFVkFiW_Aeg1Q69K3c0FrarI3TiSlfjsrc6ercqR7idFH2BSzOPSV-T/s1600/Chris%25252BHoy%25252Blegs.jpg&w=709&h=1068&ei=498mT5f9IcWC8gPEt8S5Bw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=455&vpy=117&dur=2121&hovh=276&hovw=183&tx=91&ty=127&sig=107913955161422051071&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=100&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0" target="_blank">Chris Hoy</a> quads, but for a 3rd year cyclist, they're pretty sizeable.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem with this style of cycling is that it's no good for weight loss. Mike was advising me based on my request for <i><u style="font-weight: bold;">MORE POWER!!!!!</u> </i>However, as I bulked up my legs, so I bulked up my belly. I wasn't so much working my cardio as overpowering my legs with turtuous revolutions. The body wasn't efficiently burning fat.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week I decided to ride a longer way to work. Instead of powering through the country lanes I decided to have a go at spinning in the little ring. Keeping away from the big ring forced me to ride at a cadence above my normal "comfortable" rate. After a few minutes I found my legs responding well to the low power/high activity. Although travelling slower, I was sweating profusely but far less exerted than I am when forcing the massive gears on the bike up hills. It made for an enjoyable ride with the benefits soaking through every layer of clothing.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I got to work feeling totally elated and looking like I'd climbed out of a swimming pool. I have discovered what I've been doing wrong these last few months. I shall resume the big ring cycling when my weight is down to acceptable levels. But in the future I'll be mindful to mix it up a bit every week.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot emphasise the difference this has had on my weight loss. I'm hoping the pipe dream of 2 stone in 2 months is now attainable.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further to my cardio discovery, I've been chatting to an all-round good bloke at work. Described by some of his colleagues as "freakishly fit", I asked Steve Malone if he had any diet tips. On top of being very, very fit, he's also rather well schooled in the arts of dietary science. With his proviso that what you are about to read isn't written by a professional....here are his tips which can lead to effective weight loss. Knowledge as they say, is a dangerous thing .... See you next week!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rich,</span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Food is in 3 basic types with loads of sub groups..</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carbs 4kcal / gm</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Protein 4kcal/ gm</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fat 7kcal/gm</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Carbs</b>: (sugars, wheats, oats etc) are stored in the blood as tri-glyceride, a fast burning energy source used for running away from tigers etc back in the day. This sits in the blood stream and powers the muscles when required. It's an efficient energy source. The average male has about 30-40 minutes worth at any one time, the body releases it at a fairly steady rate. It is made in the guts buy absorbing and converting carbohydrate. Simple carbs are converted quicker as they have shorter chains, complex carbs take longer as they are longer and more erm - complex. Simple carbs are ace just before or during training if you want endurance and power, they will be used up without being stored as fat whenever you are at 65% + max heart rate if eaten any time 20 minutes before end of session...</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Complex carbs are good for after training as they provide a long energy release for repair of muscle damage and stop you gorging on the crap food that intense exercise makes you crave. In gereral, avoid simple carbs (sugar, white pasta, white rice, crisps etc) unless it's just before a training session lasting more than 30 minutes. Complex carbs will make you feel fuller for longer and are less likely to be converted into fat.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tri-glyceride is turned into lipid (fat) if is is not used up as energy, this is why it's best to avoid any carbs a few hours before sleeping.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sugar is a carb and is evil, worse than fat and one of the only carbs to be converted 100% to visceral fat (belly fat). Only use just before or during more intense sets.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Protein </b>- Is the don, can be converted to a quick energy source and cannot be converted to fat, gets turned into other handy stuff by kidneys or passed out in wee. Protein is the only energy source which can be used to repair damaged muscle into an improved state (stronger and more dense muscle). Always try to get 20-30gms in after a session (1 x tin tuna, 1 x chicken breast. soy milk, almonds (no other nuts), pint skimmed milk etc). Repairs muscle damage, absorbs lipid cells (fat) left over from unused energy release at end of session and makes you feel artificially full for long time as it has amino acids in it, these are just as long as complex carbs but do not get turned into triglyceride, they just allow the protein cells to patch up micro tears in muscle. there is nothing bad about protein, aim for 1 - 1.5 gms a day when training.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Muscle burns twice as many kcals per hour at rest than fat. it is heavier so your belt is a better indicator than scales.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fat </b>- Is not all bad.. Saturated fat will kill you fairly quick, the general rule is fat that is liquid at room temp (olive oils, yoghurt, the stuff that can be pressed from almonds etc) is 'good fat'. It is a slow energy source and can not be converted into visceral fat (the stuff around your waist). Saturated fat (chocolate, chips, the white stuff on meats, crisps etc) can not be converted to energy from the blood stream unless you have fasted for about 3 days and have no protein, no complex fat or triglyceride. The visceral fat on the body can be converted into energy as below....</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 - Long cardio session (jogging, rowing etc) sessions at no more than 60% of max heart rate (you can count 1-20 without taking a breath whilst training). These sets are best done hungry / before breakfast. The body presumes nothing is trying to eat you and you are jogging from cave to cave. It only burns visceral fat from the body and leaves your trygliceride alone in case something tries to kill you on the way. Best done hungry as the body has no choice to cheat, you will have no tri glyceride in your blood. Needs to be hour plus to really work.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 - Intervals - These are hard.. they shock the body into dumping your trygliceride reserve very quickly, if you feel giddy doing them you are probably not dying, it's adrenaline being released to double your glucose burning rate, you will notice you get very hot so have some water / a fan, this is literally 'burning'.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">An example for a run - 5 mins warm up, slightly faster than walking, 2 mins steady jog, like set 1 - 30 seconds flat out - 2 mins steady - 30 secs flat out - etc... There are loads of mixtures to this, called threshold training, consists of longer harder max effort sets with shorter but much easier rests - 2 mins walking - 1 min flat out etc..</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 - Burst training - flat out to failure (can't go on) rest for 3 mins, repeat 5 times. Will feel too short but causes 'afterburn' - Your body will keep burning energy for hours afterwards.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 - Slow/Sprint training - Do an hour at just harder than easy pace (count 1-15 with no breath) then 20 mins plus 15% of easy pace, this burns visceral fat and causes the body to keep burning it once you have finished, the hour just over easy will burn all your triglyceride in combination with fat stores, the end bit forces the body to burn fat.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Core training -</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sit ups etc do the beach muscles but there is a slab of muscle behind those which is much stronger. Planks and anything which invloves holding your body straight using the core is better for stability and strength.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Swiss balls are good, check the web for 1000's of exercises on those.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Steve</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-33878938480309486202012-01-22T03:36:00.000-08:002012-02-03T03:31:20.855-08:00Dragon 2012 Preparations. Week 3<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3VzHM6Bm2yHdV2fmIHiL6jzgP2Q7z4sIhy5AoI7VNnK5a0kef35hb-TsjH_-uN2udPSdbqscW9F1aNLzmpQGpvwPBwds7FZCy36WUR0_o5zYNwlWSnhbCUSFzi_8lyaDc90svk9FAsul/s1600/IMAG0361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3VzHM6Bm2yHdV2fmIHiL6jzgP2Q7z4sIhy5AoI7VNnK5a0kef35hb-TsjH_-uN2udPSdbqscW9F1aNLzmpQGpvwPBwds7FZCy36WUR0_o5zYNwlWSnhbCUSFzi_8lyaDc90svk9FAsul/s640/IMAG0361.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If veggies be the food of love, jog on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Having spent the previous week exercising to the point of exhaustion, this week I have been taking it relatively easy. Which gives me a little time to tell you about some gadgets I use whilst training...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><strong><u><span style="background-color: white;"></span></u></strong><strong><u>A Less Sweaty Week</u></strong><br />
<br />
Firstly, this is what I've been up to in the sweat department last week...<br />
<br />
On Monday I ran for an hour in the evening with Kirk, but after the previous week of excess, we both realised we needed a rest. On Tues and Wed I did nothing. On Thursday I ran into work and back (total of 13 miles), and on Friday I ran into work. As I got near to the Police Station, my right knee twinged in a slightly painful way and I ended up walking the last few metres.<br />
<br />
I've not run since, and drove into work for the first time this year yesterday, but that was because I woke up rather late. My knee is a concern. Now I've stopped running, there is no pain, or any twinge so i'm hoping it will be good to run on again in a few days. I won't rush to try. In the meanwhile I shall cycle.<br />
<br />
As you can see from the grainy photograph above, I have endeavoured to become a healthy eater. I can tell you that whilst most of those items have been eaten this week, so have a lot of other less healthy items. <br />
<br />
I have devoured two donuts, 5 white Choc Chip Cookies, 1/2 a bag of Popcorn (whilst watching the very impressive War Horse at the Cinema) and a plethora of fairly greasy products from Morrisons. Which really means I have to diet. <br />
<br />
Although I've given up drinking alcohol this year, it would seem that I need to do more in order to lose weight. I genuinely thought that giving up the beer and the snacks would have the same effect as popping a balloon.<br />
<br />
However, this week I've actually gained weight, but I am certainly not any fatter. I can feel at the side of my stomach the beginnings of hard muscle under thinning layers of lard. In fairness to myself, this week has still be a fairly active one, and I am pretty sure that I've gained muscle mass from running. As a result, whilst I'm heavier I feel fitter than I've felt in a very long time. <br />
<br />
With this positive mindset I shall be turning my focus from running to cycling. I have no muscle to gain from cycling, having done it repetitively for several years, so any steady exercise on a bike will be promote weight-loss.<br />
<br />
I mentioned last week that I've been using a couple of Apps to assist my endeavours. They are:-<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Myfitnesspal</u></strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/" target="_blank">Myfitnesspal</a> is a calorie counter which most of you will be familiar with. It does the same job as the <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/" target="_blank">Livestrong</a> Ipod app, but I'm an Android user and find FitnessPal more accessible. For those of you who haven't used a calorie counter App, then it would be best described as an electronic journal charting your daily calorie consumtion, offset by your daily exercise (calories burned). You simply input the food you've eaten, which is usually on the database, set the amount and watch your daily calorie allowance drop by the amount you've just entered.<br />
<br />
By offsetting this with exercise you can add calories on to your daily allowance by recording exactly the kind of exercise you've just done, and for how long. However, I'm beginning to learn that in order to lose weight, the aim isn't to eat your daily allowance! On a couple of occasions I've finished the day with in excess of 1000 calories remaining (after running to work and back), but generally I hover around the daily limit.<br />
<br />
Sensible choices can be made to reduce your intake, one of the most effective is simply by reducing portion sizes. A colleague at work started doing this at work a couple of years ago, and ended up slimming down from 18 stone to 12 stone in less than a year. All he did was put his food on smaller plates!<br />
<br />
I will be ramping up my attentions to this App next week, as I've developed more than enough muscle to be getting along with for now. I just need to burn off the stomach fat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>MapMyRide</u></strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/" target="_blank">MapMyRide</a> is a very useful App for ... erm ... mapping your ride. My phone will last around 5 hours with GPS activated, which is enough to complete almost any training ride. I simply boot up the GPS, load MapMyRide. The App will faithfully record your ride for on a detailed map and will also show you your average speed and average pace. The App will show you the gradient in side profile which is a useful touch along with the facility to pause your progress if you stop for any reason.<br />
<br />
Because I ride to work along the same route every day, I decided to employ this App to spark my competitive edge. Generally speaking, if I have this App running, I'm getting to work as fast as I bloody well can. In that sense, it makes for a brilliant motivator. <br />
<br />
I've yet to find a way of importing the routes into Navigon, my SatNav App. If anyone knows if it's possible to do this I would be very grateful to hear how. I would love to be able to retrace my recent 65mile cycle by Navigon piping instructions into my ears via my headphones.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>My Weight</u></strong><br />
<br />
This month I am a disappointing 16 stone. However, I feel really strong and believe I'm fitter than I've been in a really long time. Naturally, to complete the Dragon in a quick time, I need to be a lot leaner. This will come with time. <br />
<br />
<strong><u>Next Week</u></strong><br />
<br />
After a fairly sedentary week gaining leg muscle and eating half of Morrisons Supermarket, the time is rapidly approaching for me to actually diet as well as sweat. I am cautious, but I hope to start this dieting today. Whether I have the will-power to maintain this remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
My rest days fall on school days this week, which means for 3 whole days I can hit the road whilst the children are at school. I will need to make the most of these three days and cycle at least two of them, one being a substantial 50+ mile ride.<br />
<br />
Because I'm feeling rested and strong, I think it's time to ride my 20 mile loop around Kenilworth. My best time around this hilly ride is approximately 20mph (calculated in my head before I had a funky phone) in favourable conditions. I shall see how I fare.<br />
<br />
There are two Sportives fast approaching. The first is the Phile Cooke Challenge on the 19th of February and the <a href="http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mike Vaughan</a> 69'er on March the 11th. Mike Vaughan Cycles are who I ride with regularly through the lighter months and this is highly anticipated fixture. Both these rides are 69 mile rides through rolling countryside. Both are fraught with early-season muddy lanes, but both are excellent training rides. They will be my short-term preparation goals and I will gear my training towards this middle-distance riding. <br />
<br />
As the Dragon gets closer I will start riding further, hillier routes. Ultimately I will be riding around 100 miles out towards Gloucestershire, where I will climb Saintbury Hill (read all about that one <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/warwickshire-hill-climb-championship.html" target="_blank">here</a> ) and a plethora of other bastard slopes, culminating on a hill with no name ... that makes Saintbury look like a speed-bump. But that will be in April/May time when I can actually climb big hills.<br />
<br />
<br />Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-66362129045463652232012-01-16T14:48:00.000-08:002012-01-19T13:13:12.670-08:00Dragon 2012 Preparations. Week 2<span lang="EN-GB"><em>This last week has proven to be my hardest period of prolonged exercise, ever.</em> </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB">The Wiggle Dragon Ride may be months away, but I have a gut I need to bust. The last two Dragons were hard, this one is going to make them seem like a quick cycle to work. To survive 2012, you need to be fit. To do it fast, you also need to be pretty bloody thin.</span><br />
<br />
Rather than easing myself into the newly discovered world of running, I have been typically male, and pushed myself hard .... even harder than when I first took up cycling. This is partly because Ive actually broken through the pain barrier.<br />
Running has always been an uncomfortable experience and an extreme test of my cardiovascular capabilities. It is now almost, erm, enjoyable. My breathing has settled down into level, easy breaths. My legs feel stronger and generally my body has been giving me a big "thumbs up" to push it a little further. So I've put my running shoes on and started pushing it. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tgr-rz7v26aLRrS90JnbMmaP03x2DBkFZfbn7Dq_XbL_9U_IeESO9zXyxDFxniciYyRJWZxZB_pHSFCAMBvim28AkkaiF96sBDkIr1suZb9V3UicFTsbZVIRH-wk6p8Oanu2nz3K3bxx/s1600/runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tgr-rz7v26aLRrS90JnbMmaP03x2DBkFZfbn7Dq_XbL_9U_IeESO9zXyxDFxniciYyRJWZxZB_pHSFCAMBvim28AkkaiF96sBDkIr1suZb9V3UicFTsbZVIRH-wk6p8Oanu2nz3K3bxx/s640/runner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A runner, running.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<strong><u>The Week in miles</u></strong><br />
<br />
To show you just how extreme this week has been, here's a snapshot of my week in miles....<br />
<br />
On Monday I rode 65.60miles in 3 hours and 50 minutes. I then fell asleep on my bed for an hour before the school run. In the evening I ran two miles with my wife. <br />
<br />
On Tuesday I ran 6.54 miles to work, and then ran home again. This totals a half marathon, completed with a back-pack. Due to overtime at work, I end up running home at 0300hours arriving home at 0355hours, knackered.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday I cycled 6.54 miles to work as fast as I could, and cycled back again around midnight.<br />
<br />
On Thursday I ran into work again along the same route. That day I bought some boxes of painkillers as my knees start to feel a little uncomfortable. Then I ran home again forgetting to take any of the Ibuprofen. I got home utterly knackered.<br />
<br />
On Friday I rode into work as fast as possible and cycled home in much the same way. My knees seem to be ok, even after yesterdays long run.<br />
<br />
On Saturday I rode into work and then cycled 10.66 miles as fast as I could to my friends house, where I didn't drink alcohol all night! <br />
<br />
On Sunday I rode into work from Neil's as fast as I could. My "fast" pace is usually around twenty mph but after a week of this level of exercise all I could manage "in the red" was an aerage of 16.5 mph. I then cycled home and ran for a whole hour with my mate Kirk later in the evening.<br />
<br />
I keep looking at this list and find it mildly amazing that I'm writing about me. Being around 16 and 1/2 stone two weeks ago, I'm not really a perfect running design. To say I'm happy with my efforts this week would be a mammoth understatement.<br />
<br />
It's safe to say that this amount of exercise is going to have an effect on the body. My hope was for the effect to be purely weight loss, however I have since discovered that by pushing myself hard for the shorter cycle rides, and by managing a decent 17.09mph average over 65 solo miles, I have gained leg muscle. Normally I would be happy with bigger legs, but when I need to lose weight, I initially felt like I'd wasted time bulking up by targeting the wrong type of exercise. <br />
<br />
However, being a philosophical man, I have tried to see it as a benefit ..... The way I see it, if you put the same engine in a bigger car, you're going to burn fuel faster. Effectively I'm asking my heart and lungs to power a bigger machine. If my muscles are larger then I'm needing more calories to fuel them! This means I'm losing weight easier now than I was last week. That's grounded in Science <em>I just made up</em>, so please take it with a pinch of salt.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Running Man</u></strong><br />
<br />
The running has been my biggest eye-opener this week. Whereas I've always viewed it as a tortuous, masochistic pursuit; a last-chance saloon for the ballooning armchair athlete, I now see it for what it really is....<br />
<br />
I see there being two stages to running. Everyone who has been for a run has experienced the first stage; This is the stage where the runner knows nothing but pain and suffering. Having got off the sofa and put on a pair of trainers, the new runner will discover how hard it is to actually keep pounding the pavement. Strains, muscle aches, leg pains, chest burn, breathlessness, stiffness and a myriad of other discomforts litter the near future for any new runner. It's not surprising most get changed back into their PJ bottoms and slump back onto the sofa.<br />
<br />
Most people never get past this stage. Most people think that running <em>is</em> this stage. However, persevere and you get through the pain barrier into the second stage; This is where I am right now. Instead of fearing the jog, I yearn for a quick 30 minutes or even an hour of trotting steadily around my home town. The aches and pains of muscle creation are gone. I have become a runner (of sorts) and it will take a few weeks, maybe months to lapse back into stage one.<br />
<br />
I'm overweight but with years of cycling, I'm relatively fit. Even with my weight exceeding 100kg, the transformation from stage one to stage two has taken me less than a month. I would estimate that it took about 7 runs over a month to create a pair of running legs. Now they will function for an hour on the road, without stopping! Beyond that, I just don't know.<br />
<br />
If you don't run, then be prepared to battle through the first stage. If you persevere, It's an excellent way to exercise for relatively short periods of time and get very fit quickly. Just make sure you get some decent <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-lose-2-stone-in-2-months-week-1.html" target="_blank">shoes</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>My Weight</u></strong><br />
<br />
At the beginning of 2012, just 2 weeks ago I was slightly over 16 and a 1/2 stone in weight. Today I weigh 15 and 3/4 stone. I am happy with this progress. I'm on target for losing more than 2 stone in 2 months (which is my goal). After the first week where I lost almost 1/2 a stone in weight, it's clear that my weight loss is slowing slightly. I'm not concerned, I've not even considered dieting yet, so there's plenty of scope for improvement.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WIjU8lSeY6kQIt_aMQTCeUH50Miyu0IsUV5TwpBGlhiAg16vDXXy8PfUY7NqacPArmmRscNpUYajbpeo5GjsDCDWX4zbGCet8zRsONmMds9MJroFC77hoGGVo152SnM2Tf4gDmO0SfQt/s1600/IMAG0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WIjU8lSeY6kQIt_aMQTCeUH50Miyu0IsUV5TwpBGlhiAg16vDXXy8PfUY7NqacPArmmRscNpUYajbpeo5GjsDCDWX4zbGCet8zRsONmMds9MJroFC77hoGGVo152SnM2Tf4gDmO0SfQt/s640/IMAG0356.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next week I aim to be significantly under 100kg - A mighty milestone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong><u>The coming week</u></strong><br />
<br />
On average I spent approximately 2 hours each day sweating. I can't keep that kind of exercise up indefinitely, it's just not reasonable to expect my body not to fall apart. Because of all this hard work I've concluded that this coming week I need rest. Bearing in mind I cycle to work and back, resting isn't exactly complete inactivity. I plan on throttling back on the hours per day in lycra.<br />
<br />
I'm not fighting some kind of crazed exercise addiction (I may be talking to myself here so feel free to skip a few lines); the volume of work I've done this week has been pleasurable and although extreme, it's been planned. Now I will tackle the excess weight through sensible diet for at least a few days. My body and mind need to recouperate.<br />
<br />
So my plan for the week is much less dictatorial. I will be guided by my Apps (more of that next week) and will attempt the hardest task of them all .... eating less. It is probably worth noting that through all this exercise I've been eating foolishly; One night at work ... clearly showing off ... I ate 4 donuts one after the other. I didn't even bite the last one, I just chucked it all in! In fairness, I work in a Police Station, where donut abuse is mandatory ..... that is .... until now *SOB*Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-47987898757911151112012-01-09T07:07:00.000-08:002012-01-17T02:10:37.379-08:00Wiggle Dragon Ride 2011<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEpk1tLUAFx4c02Bb1DzyrDyQWz32vxLKN2Bquay8uIxKufIlst759t3p-Whz5HzASIsD2_W0eacCURr2QZ7i0aht0wLWSWsDzygNjx1QmBzeT6pHBTBTbV4w_0dUDu5JHFplEVOEQuD6/s1600/0115A-DR24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEpk1tLUAFx4c02Bb1DzyrDyQWz32vxLKN2Bquay8uIxKufIlst759t3p-Whz5HzASIsD2_W0eacCURr2QZ7i0aht0wLWSWsDzygNjx1QmBzeT6pHBTBTbV4w_0dUDu5JHFplEVOEQuD6/s640/0115A-DR24.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"I am so cold... I am so cold... I am so cold..."
Amazing really, after cycling for almost 3 years, I could get it so wrong....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having chosen to wear a short sleeved jersey and bib-shorts for the Dragon Ride
2011, I was ill prepared for the downpour of rain half-way round the 200km
route. I rode for several kilometres along downhill roads chanting this
miserable mantra, interspersed with the occasional "F" word when the
pace quickened and the temperature dropped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">A year on from my first Dragon, I was returning stronger but
slightly chubby (as my son would say). A curious combination which left a lot
of question marks over how I would fare against those pesky mountains. Last
year I had accelerated away from my brother Rob and my friend Neil up the first
big ascent, leaving them to ride the remaining<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>140km on their own. I finished in just under seven hours and was treated
to hollow, murderous looks from the pair of them as they crossed the finish
line forty minutes later. "We said we would stick together..." Is one
accusation I remember brushing off with a heroic laugh. I was thinking to
myself, "Well you should have stuck with me then."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year we were doing it again, but Neil is getting old
and frail, rapidly approaching the twilight of his life at 40, and wanted to do
the middle distance ride. Which left me and Rob both resplendent in our late
30's to try and stick together. Upon arriving at the Pencoed start/finish line
(40 minutes earlier than last year), we were treated to the first real spectacle
of the day. We were confronted by the biggest queue I think I have ever seen in
real life. It was like a special effects trick, where a section of crowd is
filmed and then reproduced over and over again. There was a wide, sinuous
ribbon of gaily coloured, grim looking cyclists stretching away from the start
for over a mile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like many in the queue, I had arrived hoping that the
weather would stay cool but dry. We made our way to the back of the queue and
with dog-like curiosity I checked out the thousands of bikes and calf muscles
as we rode along. I was surprised to see a familiar bike in all that mass of
metal and carbon, but Rob Penn's famous racer (It's All About The Bike) with
its blue and orange frame totally stuck out in the crowd as did Rob with his
big pearlescent smile. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It took over 90 minutes to get to the start line and by that
time most of the riders were actually shivering. So when we were counted off
the starting grid it came as no great surprise that everyone tore off down the
road like we were taking part in a 30mile club ride, desperate to warm up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This first stage of the Dragon is new to 2011 and takes the
event towards the seaside for the first time. It also keeps riders away from
any big inclines until well after the first feed station. And so the stage
became a 30 mile race, flying over gently undulating country lanes. I hastily
picked out the quicker bunch of riders (who are easy to spot, they tend to be
at the front) and lead Neil and Rob into the shelter of the fastest part of a
large pack, which soon separated from our main bunch up the first hill. We
found ourselves flying across Wales at well over 20mph, nestled safely in a
group of a rapid riders. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It nearly went pear-shaped at this point as our fast group
was joined by an even faster group of club riders, who flew past us three of
four mph faster. I made a snap decision and decided to jump on the back of
their train, just as (I found out later) Rob and Neil were "relaxing"
in the back of our group, unable to see my move. Because of the speed and the
extra effort I was putting in, I didn't check behind me for some miles, and
then it was too late as they were nowhere to be seen. I felt disheartened as I
knew this group I was with were going to leave me like roadkill at the bottom
of any mountain. To cement this suspicion we hit a steep gradient just as I
took my first and only turn at the front of the group; I found the climb very
taxing and the group flowed around me, someone making a broken robot sound (I
can demonstrate in person) as they tippy-tapped past. I kept on the back of the
group but realised this wasn't where I belonged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Regardless, we were still flying towards the first feed
station and the weather was fine. The coastal portion of this ride was
interesting, it felt as if the Dragon had left its natural habitat. This was no
bad thing, it made for very fast and enjoyable riding along different terrain.
But like Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings, the Bwlch was ever-present,
lurking over the horizon. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We reached the first feed station and I already knew this
group wouldn't be stopping; they didn't seem like the kind of riders who
stopped for anything short of a heart attack. So I pulled into the first feed
station wondering whether I would be ploughing past riders on my own for the
next 90 miles. It wasn't an appealing prospect after doing just that last year.
But then Rob and Neil pulled into the feed station, less than 2 minutes after
my arrival. They had thought of trying to catch my group, but the tight roads
and larger, slower groups were making overtaking quite dangerous, and so Rob had
decided to (successfully) increase the tempo of his group. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAlIP_Gj1gwQl2VBxs1v24N2F8fvKRte668tj1-IpamZKXbIQFoW8e5an-3Hne7UUG6msqEdP09J59JsxF2kFwc1sl2DdiKaIkPR5Vq-qxUzWLWAjqpJivxkFTB7x-QUsGwhwd7SVK1i2/s1600/0938-DR37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAlIP_Gj1gwQl2VBxs1v24N2F8fvKRte668tj1-IpamZKXbIQFoW8e5an-3Hne7UUG6msqEdP09J59JsxF2kFwc1sl2DdiKaIkPR5Vq-qxUzWLWAjqpJivxkFTB7x-QUsGwhwd7SVK1i2/s640/0938-DR37.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob's buckled wheel made for interesting descents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were three amigos once again, this time without a larger
group to hide in. After a potentially dangerous Mario Kart moment where I
accidentally stored my banana in between my number and my pocket and it landed
on the road a mile later, we started stage 2 almost as quickly as stage 1. As
we journeyed away from the sea and into the valleys, I started to wonder where
the 3000metres of climbing was going to be squeezed in. We had ridden around 50
miles and barely hit more than a hillock. It was then that we hit the bottom of
the Bwlch.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drinking from a water bottle up a mountain is important, but
like last year, I found that sipping from the souls of struggling cyclists is
even more refreshing. Slowly but surely we threaded our way up the Bwlch,
overhauling hundreds of riders by virtue of the thousands that started before
us. Like everyone else on the mountain, we rode silently upwards, saving breath
for the pedals alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">About halfway Neil called to us and waved, cheerfully
bidding us farewell before slowing his pace. Rob and myself rode on without
him. At the time I thought he would regret it, but I was proven wrong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Feed station 2 was at the top of the Bwlch and was sorely
needed. Rob's rear wheel had developed a bad buckle and needed some attention.
Whilst he set about tweaking the spokes for the 40mph+ descents, I fetched
bottles and cakes. A rider at the cake table was asking for energy bars and the
Welsh volunteer was informing him in cheerful musical Welsh "I don't know
about energy bars, but there are lots of cakes here" gesturing to the
mountain of apple pies in between the two men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The cyclist repeated his question several times in some way trying to
convey the concept of an energy bar in case there was some kind of
communication breakdown and I saw the volunteer innocently point at the bananas
("they come in wrappers if you want wrappers" - presumably). I
recalled last year where the Dragon had supplied energy gels and I had greedily
gobbled up too many and given myself an upset stomach. I wasn't missing that. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will however recommend the bags of white powder I brought
along for the ride! Now, I don't subscribe to doping, but some legal chemical
assistance can prove invaluable. After suffering from cramp deep in my quads
last year, I pushed the boat out last week and spent a few quid on a bottle of
powdered electrolyte energy fuel. This I poured into my water bottles from my
pre-measured bags at each feed stop. Not one twinge of cramp the whole way
round. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">From
the beginning of that climb to the next feed station is where the organisers
had hidden most of the climbing. Before climbing the Rhigos I noticed Rob
Penn's bike lying on a grass verge as we zoomed past. He emerged from the
hedgerow, rearranging his lycra shorts. For some reason I thought this would be
a great time to be sociable and shouted "Hi Rob!" As we rolled past.
I am pleased to report that Rob looked as thought-disordered and haggard as the
rest of us, his thousand-yard stare unbroken by my fleeting greeting.</span></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rain held off long enough to allow us a fast descent off
Rhigos, which has to be the best stretch of road to descend on in the whole
route. The Dragon has a lot of very exciting descents, but the visibility and
gentle curvature of the road down the Rhigos is a joy to ride. But once that
was done the heavens opened. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Inadequately dressed as we were,
the rain actually turned the Dragon Ride on its head; When the climb out of
Neath arrived it was pouring down, and due to this I was bitterly cold. The
climb slowed us down and warmed us up, which is just what we needed. It was
still hard, but at least there was solace to be found on the incline. </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">However, upon reaching the top
of the hill, the dangers of going downhill in the rain made themselves
abundantly clear. When riding a bike with contact surfaces to the road smaller
than a postage stamp, braking has to be done carefully in the best of
conditions. But with the roads slick and greasy and some descents so steep it
was barely possible to stop the bike from gaining speed, riding became a study
in self-preservation and careful bike handling. </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">The increased downhill speed
also increased the blast of rain, cooling us rapidly as we whipped along the
flats and painstakingly braked down the slopes. Some riders, most likely the
ones who have not fallen and injured themselves before, rode downhill as if the
Dragon was a closed road event, which sent chills down my spine as I watched
them hurtle past driveways and blind junctions.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzi4xFlhcsXb7WukCZpddr-peXrn0aYMAHJV1e0y539yov4oSI0JB3rwaMJ6aOZPriQ3AYsUTL8sffPxZbCJtsA_DbIDrEYD3JTIyWD2dPrY_snEOh62EZagawuu9yj99lt5l3A1L7RgN/s1600/DSCN1964_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzi4xFlhcsXb7WukCZpddr-peXrn0aYMAHJV1e0y539yov4oSI0JB3rwaMJ6aOZPriQ3AYsUTL8sffPxZbCJtsA_DbIDrEYD3JTIyWD2dPrY_snEOh62EZagawuu9yj99lt5l3A1L7RgN/s640/DSCN1964_1717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil had been making good use of the several hours he had waiting for us to get back...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And so I found myself repeating
my mantra of misery whilst we flew along towards our second and final Bwlch
ascent. We climbed inside ourselves, barely experiencing anything more than
pain and weariness, reminding each other to drink as it is easy to forget when in
the rain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">After more ascents on drying
roads, we finally hit the 10km to go marker and decided to dump our remaining
energy into attacking the rest of the course with everything we had left. We
rode well and managed to complete the final time check only 3 minutes behind
the fastest recorded rider on this section! The finish line surprised me, when
riding through I found I was welling up! The sustained effort and sense of achievement was such that it had reduced me to tears. It was the best and hardest
sportive I have ever taken part in.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-21081319159225551992012-01-08T13:49:00.000-08:002012-01-17T06:14:23.722-08:00Dragon 2012 Preparations. Week 1.<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">My series of articles titled "H<a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-lose-2-stone-in-2-months.html" target="_blank">ow to lose 2 stone in 2 months</a>" failed ... dismally.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">In December 2011 I wrote weekly blogs about my attempts to lose weight in preparation for the <a href="http://www.wiggledragonride.com/" target="_blank">2012 Dragon Ride</a>. Instead of losing weight, I ended up gaining 1/2 a stone over Christmas. Clearly I was doing something very wrong.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwVz53I4VDQtp1xTpOePiXXXidzYG05xXvxE2jp4F-vyfnPjHozF1FeAAQ5wbJpxorR9rkKa0xCzv2chyL50UnnQVYZbO5wqrVXKshOdXf68_DHRbxmxjDl4INC3s0BhyphenhyphenpCUtu48Acpmk/s1600/IMAG0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwVz53I4VDQtp1xTpOePiXXXidzYG05xXvxE2jp4F-vyfnPjHozF1FeAAQ5wbJpxorR9rkKa0xCzv2chyL50UnnQVYZbO5wqrVXKshOdXf68_DHRbxmxjDl4INC3s0BhyphenhyphenpCUtu48Acpmk/s640/IMAG0305.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate you so much it hurts Wii.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">I now weigh approximately 16 and 1/2 stone. However, I've got a secret weapon: It's January, and this is the beginning of my last full year in my thirties. If there's a better reason to see what my body can do before it hits the slippery slope into old age, I'm buggered if I can think of it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">My first problem is my weight. I am 2 and a 1/2 stone overweight, which in cycling terms means I've eaten a whole road bike, the saddle pack, and the bottles. On top of that I've eaten my cycle shoes and lycra clothing. This means that when I lose the weight, it will be the equivalent of cycling on a bike weighing nothing, with a team car handing me bottles when I'm thirsty .... butt naked .... with my feet superglued to the pedals. Ok, the last two points aren't particularly attractive, but the others have a lot going for them. Screw Carbon; far too heavy. My Trek 1.7 aluminium road bike will be rendered effectively weightless. I can't wait.</span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><a name='more'></a></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">In order for me to become this specimen of athletic prowess, I have had to embrace 2012 with more than the usual gusto. Waking on January 1st in a fog of inebriated optimism, I vowed to myself that 2012 will be my year for physical achievement.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVl4rRxE3smHDFv9dcLB6xoXOC_2eECUzjVPbV25HO1Eegq05GXvSTt5YRRZrwFxBM7fxFFepGsZwGSo_cbACdBWikeWbyktSE4ldM0_Kmaz1aJzK3l7BPYGDnUe_g5HimECkYCN_SUhp1/s1600/IMAG0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVl4rRxE3smHDFv9dcLB6xoXOC_2eECUzjVPbV25HO1Eegq05GXvSTt5YRRZrwFxBM7fxFFepGsZwGSo_cbACdBWikeWbyktSE4ldM0_Kmaz1aJzK3l7BPYGDnUe_g5HimECkYCN_SUhp1/s640/IMAG0308.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 1st 2012. Oops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">To that end I have taken some radical steps. Firstly, I've given up smoking. After a few months of toying with giving up, I've gone cold turkey and stopped. Just like that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Secondly, and by far the most significantly, I've given up alcohol. Completely. Not an easy decision to make, and definitely not an easy one to sustain. I'm going to be battling more than hills this year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Thirdly, I've decided to cut down significantly on bread and chocolate. These two quick-fix dietary landmines are all too prevelant in my life: We have a cupboard loaded with chocolates for the kids school lunches, and a permanently full bread bin beneath it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Fourthly, I'm embracing running. And I'll come on to this a little later, you will see that at least I'm through the initial pain barrier.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Fifthly, I'll be riding further distances on the bike. I don't expect to start out riding 100 milers, but I expect to complete one 100 mile ride before the end of February.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">The 2012 Dragon Ride will be my major Sportive in 2012. It won't be my only Sportive, but I regard the Dragon as the definitive Sportive. On June the 10th I will be undertaking my third and easily my hardest Gran Fondo. </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">I rode in <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/verenti-dragon-ride-2010.html" target="_blank">2010</a> and <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/12/dragon-ride-2011.html" target="_blank">2011</a> (read my Cycling Weekly article on the 2010 event <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2012/01/verenti-dragon-ride-2010.html" target="_blank">here</a> and the 2011 Dragon <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/12/dragon-ride-2011.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and I know how punishing the Welsh Mountains can be, particularly to the big of belly. I'm a "Big Unit" and in order for me to do well in June, I will have to drop at least 2 1/2 stone <em>and</em> maintain my power.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">It's now a week into 2012 and the plan is going well. Possibly due to the bloated effect of too much booze and food, I've shed more than a few pounds in just 7 days. Here is how I did it:-</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong>Day one</strong> - Hungover, useless, dead to the world. I thought about running and stayed on the sofa. In the evening I pushed out a grand total of 40 situps. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong>Day two</strong> - Feeling better I donned my new trainers and jogged for an amazing 32 minutes! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong>Day three</strong> - I cycled to work (as usual). Twelve miles in total, 25 mins either way. This is something my body is so used to, it barely registers as exercise even though I always push myself. It's only when I don't cycle to work that I notice how much effect it has on my weight. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong>Day four</strong> - Emboldened by my 32 minute jog I decided to run into work! It took me 58 minutes to complete and my legs were aching for the rest of the day. Having not really thought it through, a colleague kindly drove me home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong>Day five</strong> - Another cycle to work, which was a great relief after the mammoth run. The legs still ache but not as bad as I thought they might.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong>Day six</strong> - I commuted to work by bike and then met up in the evening with a friend and jogged a further 4.5 miles! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><strong>Day seven</strong> - I went into rest days and ran 3.5 miles with Kirk in the evening. Amazingly the legs felt fresh. It would appear I've broken through the pain barrier.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Without actually counting any calories through the week, looking at the list of exercises above, it's fairly clear I am going to lose some weight. I was hopeful that I would break through the 1/4 of a stone in a week barrier that eluded me last month. So I stepped on the Wii Balance Board and took a deep breath.....</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmE1wEZCoOZqHOPWqWFULuELn9WUKgfT3Ht41a1izQcN4MKUeYuRsZCpQzXSb9FPw7D4leedrGIkNJBhiaTtgIUjGEIUlOXyUXffizzpsAvMz0iw3qsOyJ76SXWixVZTS3Ejqon_E7Skt/s1600/IMAG0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmE1wEZCoOZqHOPWqWFULuELn9WUKgfT3Ht41a1izQcN4MKUeYuRsZCpQzXSb9FPw7D4leedrGIkNJBhiaTtgIUjGEIUlOXyUXffizzpsAvMz0iw3qsOyJ76SXWixVZTS3Ejqon_E7Skt/s640/IMAG0340.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost 1/2 a stone in a week. Go me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had managed to drop around 3kg in a week, courtesy of fairly extreme exercising and no alcohol. On top of that I didn't smoke and barely touched chocolate and bread. I also aimed to stop eating after 7pm, which I've not been great at, but much better than any day in 2011.<br />
<br />
Week 1 of my new and improved Dragon Ride Preparation couldn't have started better. I'm reluctant to title this blog "how to lose 2 stone in 2 months" because the last one didn't go well at all.<br />
<br />
This time I shall update my blog weekly for the first two months and then review my progress on the 1st of March. I need to lose 2 and 1/2 stone, but whether it happens in the first two months will remain to be seen. The goal will be to exercise comfortably, not to sustain injury, and to keep it fresh and interesting.<br />
<br />
Jogging with Kirk is a great bonus as we tend to compete with each other. And because we're jogging late into the evening, it doesn't impact heavily on family time.<br />
<br />
My wife has bought a nice pair of running shoes and went out a couple of nights ago, on her own. She has promised to run with me once she finds her feet, so to speak.<br />
<br />
Next week, I shall focus mainly on the running, as I plan to run to work and back on at least one occasion. Whether this happens depends on how good my legs feel through the week. One definite goal is to cycle at least 50 miles on my day off, tomorrow. I shall update you at the end of the week.Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-5990577821279767572012-01-01T00:54:00.000-08:002012-01-10T01:32:17.250-08:00Verenti Dragon Ride 2010<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"So, we'll stick together as a trio for ninety miles
and after that it's a free-for-all, yeah?" This was the agreement laid down by
myself to my brother and my friend Neil prior to the Dragon Ride in Wales. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkDgIv9hf5obunBuCX_Bbur6eV6rmFBA1xmNRajyrXWn4LyieUpIrN9V83X_-2NbbzCgCol0Szhlnm9f2yscFfF06NyK4zODRiXd_QhNH3Ch0SYvU4tR5homKto3FlvskhXjpasjmIeOU/s1600/DSC02337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkDgIv9hf5obunBuCX_Bbur6eV6rmFBA1xmNRajyrXWn4LyieUpIrN9V83X_-2NbbzCgCol0Szhlnm9f2yscFfF06NyK4zODRiXd_QhNH3Ch0SYvU4tR5homKto3FlvskhXjpasjmIeOU/s640/DSC02337.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About ten minutes after finishing the ride, Neil and Rob weren't feeling the love for their betrayer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We signed up to the 2010 Verenti Dragon Ride on midnight of
boxing day 2009. Such is the popularity of this sportive, voted "UK's most
popular Sportive" for a second year running, that the tickets were sold
out in hours. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then, between Christmas and June 2011, we started to train for the biggest
ride of our lives; 190km of mountain climbs, 117miles of Welsh pain.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I forgot to bring my shoe covers and rode the Dragon with
food bags on my feet. The day had been forecast rain, and thankfully the
forecast proved inaccurate. In fact it went from overcast to brilliant sunshine
later in the day. Erring on the side of caution, with our waterproof jackets
tucked into our shirt pockets, we queued on the Pencoed Start/Finish stretch of
road waiting for our block of 100 riders to be released at the 2 minute
intervals. We had arrived late, starting towards the back of the whole queue. The
ride started with a blast of music from the tanoy system and we were off,
spinning along the first (and practically last) stretch of flat road. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It wasn't until after 60km that we rode upwards into the
Brecon Beacons, exposed to gusts of wind, climbing steadily upwards into raw
Welsh countryside. This part of the ride taught me a lot about riding in
groups, and proved to be the breaking of our trio. We span away from the first
feed station down the mighty Rhigos Mountain as a strong group, powering down the
steady gradients as a unit. Coincidentally, as we reached the foot of the
Beacons we found ourselves with three of our local club riders, the Kenilworth
Wheelers, and a rag-tag peleton of a dozen other cyclists. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The incline up the Beacons, like nearly all of the Dragon
Ride slopes, is relentlessly moderate. Having spent my adult life in the
Midlands, where speed-bumps are classified as hills, the Welsh mountains were
like nothing I have ever, ever experienced. Over the next few kilometres the
pace remained harsh as we pushed upwards, passing riders almost constantly. The
group worked well together, indicating with left arm behind backs when
overtaking (very funky). The most notable feature of this first big effort was
the absence of noise. Apart from the occasional click of gears, and drone of
wind, the mountainside was eerily quiet considering the number of people on it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ascent started to take its toll and the peleton thinned
out, stretching to breaking point along the exposed hills. At some point, and
without a fuss, the peleton broke. My occasional shouts for my brother went
unanswered and snatching a look behind, all I could see was Neil panting and
staring into infinity and glimpses of a couple of other riders dressed totally
different to Rob. I was also slipping behind the Wheelers and was becoming more
and more exposed to the hilltop wind. With about fifty metres to cross, I
decided to bridge the gap. I spent the next five minutes clawing back precious
metres until eventually, covered in sweat, I found the sanctuary of the group,
dipped my head and relaxed. After fighting through a wall of wind I found
myself suddenly swept along with relative ease.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This group picked up speed as the ascent levelled out and we
traversed the Beacons, our numbers minimising the effect of the wind. This was
the most exposed part of the whole Dragon Ride and I had managed to tuck myself
in at a very fortunate time. Later, Neil explained that he had noticed too late
that I had moved up to the Wheelers. He had fought across half a kilometre on
his own and got within twenty metres of rejoining us before cramp hit his legs
badly. His ride was then punctuated for hours with intermittent bouts of debilitating
cramps, preventing him from turning the pedals for minutes at a time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so I lost Neil and Rob. And I found myself descending
the Beacons with three other riders who all wanted to get down as fast as
possible. We formed an impromptu chain-gang and built speed rapidly down the
hill. The effect was so exhilarating that I found myself pushing the pace every
rotation, taking the front by using the slipstream of another. The descent
lasted minutes and I didn't really notice that my exertions were exceeding my
uphill efforts, adrenaline dampening the inevitable aches and pains. At the
bottom, after nearly crashing into the guy in front due to a late signpost
spotting/hasty braking error, we turned into another hill climb. At this point
I got the payback and was struck with cramp deep in my right thigh. The descent
had gained us about 20 seconds on the Wheelers, and as I found myself unable to
pedal, they all streamed past looking very refreshed. It took a couple of
minutes to get moving again and a further five minutes to chew on a flapjack
Neil had made. Nice flapjack, impossible to eat when cycling. The cramp faded
as I fed and watered myself as quickly as I could. But the group was gone and I
limped the remaining uphill kilometres to the second feed station.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By this point the Dragon Ride experience was something of a
lesson in pain-management. But now the 190km distance became a big feature in
my mind. My brain was kind to me and did some rationalising. It told me that I
had done half the distance and only had two 30 mile rides left to do (I am old
and work in miles). This positive outlook squashed the fears and I continued
onwards without ever being daunted by the distance again. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having pushed very hard over the Brecon Beacons in the
second quarter of the ride, I was feeling the physical effects. The realisation
was settling in that I was only half-way round and more than half-exhausted.
The second feed station is situated on the half-way point and having greedily eaten
four free gels at the first feed station, my stomach was in knots (not to put
too fine a point on it). I decided to revert to natures finest, the humble
banana. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like any food, Gels are to be taken in moderation, and are
best trialled before an enormous ride. I knew that I had to keep on taking food
and liquid so I settled for water and fruit. I later found out that the Gels
and powders for drinks were in short supply, so not only had I upset my
stomach, I had deprived others of Gels</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Neil, Rob and myself had agreed to wait at the feed stations
for one-another, but I hadn't expected to be the guy in the front. So I groped
around in my conscience for a scrap of decency, and coming up empty handed I
got on my bike and left the feed station. For the next ten kilometres I
regained my strength by dropping the pace slightly. Behind me I could imagine
Neil and Rob getting stronger and stronger, and this pushed me onwards. By
leaving the feed station quickly I had gained a few precious minutes on them
and I knew that if I was going to flaunt the unwritten rules, then I had to
flaunt them as sensationally as possible. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sensation arrived in the form of a man. And
sensationally, he was called Toks. He came along just as I was finding my legs
again. I had climbed a particularly steep hill with a group of five T-Rex's*, when
Toks came past at a rate of knots. I followed him and undoubtedly finished
several hundred places faster as a result of that one decision. Toks went past
the group as if he was late for something and I latched onto his back wheel,
feeling my energy levels top up as we sipped from the exhausted souls of the
dozens of riders we flew past. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a few kilometres of tailing him, I knew it was time to give back
a bit and volunteered to take the front. I pounded into the headwind, pushing
hard. Mercifully Toks called to me and told me not to kill myself and I knocked
it back a notch. This was the fastest part of the Dragon Ride for me. We stayed
together for more than forty kilometres and kept a pace I didn't believe I was
capable of. We would swap every kilometre or so, sharing the front and
recovering at the back. Toks is obviously an experienced cyclist, careful to
obey the rules of the road, but rapid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was once again shown how these rides can be dramatically affected by other
riders. There are three choices I made on the Dragon Ride that gained me about
an hour and following Toks was the most significant. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After an age of flying along the roads of Wales, I lost him
near the bottom of the steep climb out of Neath, half a mile from the third and
final feed station. The climb was tough and the day was really heating up. The
separation happened in a second, and there was nothing I could do to regain it.
Every time I tried to give more effort, I could feel the spectre of leg cramp
stretch inside my leg. He was still in a rush and although I started pulling
him back towards the feed station, he didn't even stop to fill his bottles.
Mildly amazed, I pulled over and guzzled water and bananas, wandering if I
would find his withered husk half way up a mountain.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The final quarter of the Dragon was entirely mental, like
Toks had said before he mentally flew past the final feed station. To put a
large emphasis on this, the course revisits the mighty Bwlch. If the Dragon is
typified by long steady killer ascents, the Bwlch is the godfather of all of
them. Rather than the first Bwlch ascent, this climb starts at the bottom and
climbs entirely to the top in one long sitting. With no punctuation, just a
road and never-ending mountain, this was truly a test of spirit. I saw one guy
get off his bike and climb the metal barrier before collapsing on the edge of a
steep drop. I thought to myself that perhaps he was having a heart attack, but
like every other rider on that hill, I kept climbing. He may have been having
a heart attack, but at least his climb was over, lucky bastard.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barring injury or personal tribulation, this ascent is the
hardest of the lot. Ask any rider of the 2010 Dragon and they will recall the
breeze at the top of the Bwlch as you curve around to the left. That breeze was
better than a pint of lager on a hot day. I powered up the Bwlch at approximately
9mph, steadily passing the ribbon of riders. Later that evening back on the
campsite, I spoke to a nice Welsh chap who had ridden the Dragon as well. He
was 43 years old and had confided the night before that he was something of a
runner. He did the entire Dragon in just over 6 hours and powered up the Bwlch between
14 and 15 mph! By my calculations I had bumped into one of the top 25 cyclists
on the Dragon, and he took up cycling a year ago.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After climbing the Bwlch you are treated to an enormous
descent down to a shortish sharpish hill and then another enormous descent to
the finish. Coming down the Bwlch I realised for the first time that I was
almost on target for a sub-seven hour finish. Without Toks I wasn't as sharp,
but I kept pushing through the remaining kilometres and as I raced down the
mountain in the bright sunlight, I kept glancing at my clock trying to do the
maths in my head. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rush to the finish was fast. However, speed is relative,
and I later found that Toks had gained about 25 minutes on me in the last
stage, which leaves me thinking he probably climbed the Bwlch between 12 and 14
mph. I went through the finish line in 6:58:31 and collected my goody bag with
an enormous grin plastered to my face. For me the Dragon Ride was a revelation.
For the last 12 months, cycling has been a mainly solitary trek along 6500
miles of road. I've trimmed down and gained strength. The sportive showed me
just how much I had come along in this time. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No serious injuries were reported this year. The marshals
were mostly in the right places and were very helpful. I wasn't aware that Gels
and powders were going to be rationed, and looking back I guess it's
inevitable; if expensive items are being given away, people get greedy (ahem).
I am sure that asking riders to ration the Gels at all the feed stations would
help prevent this problem. I would also like to see the organisers make sure
the riders know which way their route is when the road is being used for more
than one route. At one point I wasn't 100% sure I was going the right way for a
mile or two. But for a ride that takes in 190km, my overall opinion is the
organisers ran an exceptionally good event. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rob and Neil came in less than an hour later. Neil had
nursed his cramped legs for more than a 1/4 of the entire race. By starting
near the back of the race, we all spent most of the ride passing other riders.
They did the last 30 miles in a much faster time. I know that Neil is itching
to attack another sportive to bury some demons. Having spoken, their
experiences are totally different to mine, with their own high and low points.
But we all agree that come 2011, we'll be coming back to beautiful Wales to
beat our previous times on the Verenti Dragon Ride. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">* according to my friend who used to work in a cycle shop, a
T-Rex is a customer who walks into the shop on enormous legs, with feeble arms
that only seem capable of grasping food.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-20843147267096331422011-12-12T06:49:00.000-08:002012-01-09T13:53:56.548-08:00Fixed Ambitions<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBylkuguJF01C9oXzbZzYlm3vf6WinmoVgd-6eBVeDUy14BSnWYRgQDbpT2OrK0MWSfTj9qfFNEn5WBNsb9fD4osnkMQU_riMxmfJG5l-zOkV7mmg23p2Xq9VcM7M5XrU_kghkly_qT19A/s1600/S0070584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBylkuguJF01C9oXzbZzYlm3vf6WinmoVgd-6eBVeDUy14BSnWYRgQDbpT2OrK0MWSfTj9qfFNEn5WBNsb9fD4osnkMQU_riMxmfJG5l-zOkV7mmg23p2Xq9VcM7M5XrU_kghkly_qT19A/s640/S0070584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wear the right gear and cold mornings can be a pleasure to ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">R</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">iding to work on a
bicycle through the warmer months is a healthy and enjoyable way to travel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You tend to arrive at your desk smelling
fragrant (if your work has shower facilities) and feeling wide awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a well paced commute also justifies the
odd dietary breach...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, once the
clocks change, the warmth bleeds away and the light fades. The fields become
barren and colours congeal into greys and browns. And you get to work rattling
with images of potholes looming out of the dark, cars kicking grit off the
road, arctic winds and slushy puddles. But all these brutal experiences are
tempered by the grim satisfaction that you’re as hard as nails.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Unfortunately, as I
discovered two winters ago, my delicate road bike isn’t as hard as me. Components
that clicked and whirred with the love of lubrication through the warmer months
became neglected in the darker, colder months.</span> <span lang="EN-US">Quite
frankly, I didn't fancy standing in the freezing cold scrubbing chains and
cogs.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Without trying very hard, I
managed to destroy a lot of the bike's moving parts that winter. It was a
costly lesson. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the Autumn of 2010 I
got my hands on a fixed wheel commuter. The Charge “Plug” was my choice mainly due
to its distinctive appearance. I commuted on it through the hardest winter in
recent memory. The bike was ridden on country lanes and city roads, mainly in
the dark. Over five months I rode eleven miles into work and back;
approximately 400 miles a month, clocking up 2000 miles in total. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I received the Plug in
bits and had the option with its “flip flop” rear wheel to try riding it in its
freewheel capacity. A little nervous of the Fixie experience, I decided to try
the bike out like this first. Less than five minutes on the road like this made
me realise a fundamental lesson. I had very quickly discovered that riding a
fixed gear bike with a freewheel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>cassette is pointless; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it's like
fitting tyres to a Sherman Tank. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgeDF1zrD4N0YA3Hy8XL0udsRr2HcOOXE2KdbBJ6J91Bvx9puGEN4bIeJtJpGip6IRPuJ-Pb_-a0DrgBOzntFZ4zMCGWmAS22WkCsT801tvkonbQZrdiEjj5iT1tZ7ZgWDV7qcTb-17RK/s1600/S0210684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgeDF1zrD4N0YA3Hy8XL0udsRr2HcOOXE2KdbBJ6J91Bvx9puGEN4bIeJtJpGip6IRPuJ-Pb_-a0DrgBOzntFZ4zMCGWmAS22WkCsT801tvkonbQZrdiEjj5iT1tZ7ZgWDV7qcTb-17RK/s640/S0210684.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never ... Stop ... Pedalling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back home, I
flip-flopped the wheel onto its fixed cog. This time, I barely made it off the
drive before experiencing the true nature of the Fixie. Completely unaccustomed
to powering a crank that is directly connected to the movement of the rear
wheel, I instantly found my legs wanting to freewheel. I was fighting the
pedals as they rotated under the power of the rear wheel, . Nervously I set off
down the road, this time aware that the bike was truly fixed. About thirty
minutes of riding later, I was becoming a lot more relaxed with the Plug,
cruising down the road on this handsome shiny bike. It’s bigger tyres were still
smooth enough to purr quickly over the road. The geometry of the frame, whilst
more upright than my road bike is sufficiently rakish to enable me a sensation
of speed as my legs [constantly] powered the pedals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Less than an hour into
my maiden voyage I experienced my first big mistake. I was on the approach to a
roundabout when I discovered that muscle memory and the urge to freewheel activates
as soon as your guard is dropped. Unlike the approach to Give Way junction
where you are generally expect to stop, it is preferable to carry your momentum
through a roundabout and so cyclists like to freewheel towards them, looking
for gaps in traffic as they approach. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And this is what I did,
I stopped pedalling. Never stop pedalling. The propulsion of a fixed wheel bike
is a fusion of metal and flesh, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at all
times</i>. Because of the speed I was travelling at, my legs had no opportunity
to buckle or bend. The momentum of the bike and my body weight forced the
pedals to continue their revolutions as if I wasn’t there. As a result, my arse
flew upwards out of the saddle (connected of course to my straight leg, which
still thought it should be freewheeling), to the highest pedal-stroke, and dragged
me back down onto the saddle with equal force before repeating this without a
pause. It did this about six times in three seconds whilst I frantically tried
to apply brakes and throw my feet off the pedals!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only did this
experience make me feel like an idiot, it reinforced upon me the intrinsic
connection between a fixed gear bike and the human pedalling it. It is
fundamentally different to a "normal" bike. Not only with the
constant pedalling; whereas geared bikes use smaller and larger cogs to enable
easier pedalling up and down hills, a fixed gear bike uses one gear and demands
greater efforts from the rider, both up and down those hills. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like to say
that this was the first and last time I was almost spat out by my bike, but
over the next <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>few weeks I found new and
more interesting ways in which to almost kill myself. It got to the point where
I started wandering if the Plug had been made from the parts of James Dean’s car,
the Lil’ Bastard. But in moments of clarity I realised that it wasn’t the case;
on each mishap I had only myself to blame. I started to become one with the
bike. But as my confidence grew, it was soon the dangers of high speed
pedalling that made themselves known to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I first encountered
this going down a nice big hill. As you can imagine, travelling downhill will
result in you gaining speed. Because a Fixie needs to be pedalled at all times,
you either have to start applying pressure on the pedals...in the other
direction, to slow the bike down or you slow your descent with the brakes ...
whilst still pedalling. This can often be happening at over twenty five miles per
hour. If the bike happens to go over a small bump, or you lose focus for a
fraction of a second, the upward motion of the crank will literally throw your
foot off a normal pedal. I can assure you that it is impossible to put your
foot back onto the pedal whilst travelling at high speeds. This means the other
foot can’t pedal properly and is also thrown off, leaving you with your legs
akimbo, trying not to make contact with the impromptu food processor whirring away
beneath your crotch. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may think that I
didn’t like riding a fixie, but you’d be wrong. The thing is, I needed to tame it.
Or rather, I needed to program my brain to ride it properly. After two months
of my arse bumping out of the saddle and my legs flying off the pedals, I started
to master the finer points of riding this kind of bike. Then I took the final
step and became at one with the Plug... Whilst gently whispering sweet nothings
and blowing softly across the handlebars, I removed the normal pedals from the
frisky beast and with great trepidation, attached my road bike pedals. This may
seem a little suicidal, but once I got past the “clipped in to a death machine”
paranoia, I found that the cleats allow you to pedal with greater ease, and
quicker too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was this leap of
faith that resulting in the taming of the Plug. After clipping into the pedals
I became a Fixed Wheel aficionado. Because you are literally connected to the
machine, it no longer throws you off the pedals. Counter-intuitively, cleats were
the deal-clincher.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found the Plug to be
heavy considering its minimalist approach to components, but still relatively
fast given its upright seating position and wider tyres. I enjoyed the
pseudo-hoods on the Plug and found myself switching naturally between the top
bar and the horns as I would on a road bike. The Plug soaks up road damage comfortably,
mainly through the tyres. But bumps are always going to be traumatic on a Fixie,
due to the way they jar the rhythm of pedalling, that’s just the way it is. But
the actual impact is dealt with well and the bike rides comfortably, but
responsively. It’s well balanced. Through all the miles and potholes, it didn’t
puncture once. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only major issue I
have with a fixed wheel bike for commuting is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if</i> it had punctured, I would have had to remove the rear wheel with
spanners in order to get do a roadside replacement of the inner-tube. This
means carrying heavier tools every trip, and messing with bolts and such,
possibly in the dark. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That aside,
maintenance is where a fixed gear bike comes into its own ... the Plug didn’t
require any expensive intervention. This bike was ridden hard; I cleaned it
twice and oiled it when I remembered to (which wasn’t very often). The bike was
intentionally abused, there's no point testing a winter hack on a velodrome...
It had to put up with a stupidly hard winter and some dreadful road surfaces.
Although hitting a pothole on a fixie isn’t remotely enjoyable to the rider,
the bike didn’t falter once.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Should you buy a fixed
wheel bike, you may find, like I did, that your muscles develop in order to
compensate for lack of gears. In other words, they will grow because they have
to. I haven’t been able to run tests this winter on my power output, but I know
I have considerably stronger legs than I did this time last year. The effort
involved in riding a Fixie is therefore something you become accustomed to, as
your legs rise to the challenge. However, there is always a limit on the type
of hills you can tackle without gears, so I advise carefully planning your
routes around steep hills, not up them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So if your legs get
bigger, do you get faster and can you ride longer? I hoped that riding a Fixie
through the winter would yield improvements through the sportive season. That time
of year is approaching and after 5 months of riding the Plug I’m back on the
road bike. This year I completed my first serious group ride, managing 69
rather muddy miles at just over 20mph! Last year, my average in a group was around
the 19mph mark, generally in better conditions. For this reason, but mainly to
save my beautiful road bike from unnecessary damage, Fixed gear commuting is
now a permanent fixture for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828022831778640743.post-73573649332314570742011-12-11T06:08:00.001-08:002011-12-12T06:57:43.049-08:00How to Lose 2 Stone in 2 months. Week 2Two <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-lose-2-stone-in-2-months.html" target="_blank">weeks ago</a> I set myself the target of losing 2 Stone in 2 months. <a href="http://thegamingcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-lose-2-stone-in-2-months-week-1.html" target="_blank">Last week</a> I completed the first weekly update. I managed to lose just under a kilogram in weight.<br />
<br />
This week my goals were:-<br />
<br />
1. Give up lunch club.<br />
2. Run at least 3 times this week.<br />
3. Eat
sensibly.<br />
4. Drink no alcohol whatsoever.<br />
5. Cycle extra miles on the way
to work for at least 2 shifts.<br />
6. Do 100 sit-ups every day (by way of
punishment for my terrible performance in week 1)<br />
<br />
This is how I got on .......<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Giving up lunch club proved to be quite easy, once I got used to being ostracised from the other members. However, I can't actually say I've replaced the big batches and pork pies with healthier fodder. But, being an optimistic kind of guy, I'm seeing this as an opportunity rather than a failing.<br />
<br />
The lack of diet is a good thing because I clearly have scope for quicker weight loss in the remaining 6 weeks if I stray from my goal.... and I do appear to be straying. In theory, the first two weeks should be the time for shedding the "watery" weight from my system. But being a fairly active bloke, I guess there wasn't much to get rid of (I always cycle to work and back, which is about 50 miles a week). What I have to get rid of is fat....purest, gloopiest fat.<br />
<br />
Having aimed to run at least 3 times this week, I'm pleased to say I will have run 4 times (after tonight). My first run was on Monday morning, prior to an extended bike ride into work. On Tuesday I ran a bit further and managed another hour-long ride into work.<br />
<br />
By Wednesday my legs were aching a touch. Since running with the new trainers, my legs are suffering less. Instead of the crippling pains of the past, my legs feel like they would after a really tough bike ride ... in other words they feel healthy achey, not broken and twisted. This isn't a small psychological boost, it's a dramatic change that has affected my opinion of running. Instead of dreading jogging, I'm actually looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
I ran last night for 35 minutes and plan on going out late tonight with a running friend for the same distance. He's rather athletic so I expect we shall finish the run a bit quicker.<br />
<br />
Cycling isn't going to get me down to target weight, mainly because of my other commitments. Running on the other hand is proving to be very helpful indeed.<br />
<br />
At my present rate of weight loss, I shall lose 1.5 Stone in 2 months. This isn't acceptable. I can't change the Blog title now, there's at least 3 people in the world who would notice!<br />
<br />
So I've got to get a little more extreme. So far, apart from the occasional raised eyebrow at work when I mention my exercise regime, there's nothing really exceptional about my weekly exercises. This will have to change. Christmas is coming and I envisage alcohol intake to only increase over at least 4 of the remaining 6 weeks. I will have to bite the bullet and consider dieting.<br />
<br />
I don't diet well. I've never lost weight through diet. I've lost a lot of weight before, but this was during the brighter months, and achieved through [frankly] excessive cycling. I love food. Genetically I am as far removed from the Anoxeria as possible. In fact, when I get hungry I almost panic. I have a Caveman fear of hunger. Millions of years ago hunger would have been a constant threat and a short step from death. In order to survive, Cavemen and Caveladies would feel a sense of unease when their stomach's rumbled. This would grow into a gnawing panic if the hunger wasn't tackled quickly. The Cavefolk with the most developed early-warning system would inevitably thrive. Millions of years ago fussy eaters tended to become food for less fussy creatures.<br />
<br />
I have this panic gene, unfortunately in a world where junk food is always less than a minute's walk away. Whenever I feel hungry I <em>need</em> to eat. As you can imagine, I'm naturally more inclined to get fat than waste away.<br />
<br />
The thought of dieting is alien to me. I will struggle with this more than excerising. However, without a few sensible restrictions here and there, I'll fail to meet my target. I'm not talking about Christian Bale approach to diet (he consumed 120 calories a day in order to get his <a href="http://stronglifts.com/gain-muscle-christian-bale-dark-knight-batman/" target="_blank">look</a> for <em>The Machinist</em>). I'm thinking a moderately healthy approach that will leave me managably peckish, rather than ravenous. I lost just over a kilogram in weight this week, showing that my minor alterations from week 1 are taking effect. A small dietary alteration with an increased exercise regime should do the job.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xybuQGpeExUNn-7W4iOgL_ommgfY8WFQPEnzfgJaKyBSA8qRLGPz3WiYYn-ZjdZJhx_ZqTQQ0moi3nIqEBlEf220XlmpnYIo6VJzKCRb2sGkiMGgyZtyRJ3TdXp0JGuV1yxDVrB8ZMen/s1600/weight+loss+week+2+comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xybuQGpeExUNn-7W4iOgL_ommgfY8WFQPEnzfgJaKyBSA8qRLGPz3WiYYn-ZjdZJhx_ZqTQQ0moi3nIqEBlEf220XlmpnYIo6VJzKCRb2sGkiMGgyZtyRJ3TdXp0JGuV1yxDVrB8ZMen/s640/weight+loss+week+2+comparison.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Losing approx 1/3 of a stone in two weeks isn't going to cut it. In a fortnight I need to weigh 15 stone to get on track.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've failed this week on alcohol consumption. Giving myself a goal of zero alcohol was perhaps a little optimistic, even for me. I've breached on two occasions (friday and saturday night). On both breaches I ate around 1000 calories of junk, as I always do when drunk. Every sober night I ate a healthy dinner and went to bed without snacking. Clearly this effects my target more than anything else. It will need addressing .... but probably not this week.<br />
<br />
Predictably, my sit-ups are sporadic and I only managed about 300 in total this week.<br />
<br />
What I like about goals is that if there's enough of them, you can break a few without ruining the overall target. Keeping my eye on the prize, the goals for next week are:-<br />
<br />
1. Run at least 5 times through the week.<br />
2. Cycle at least 40 miles on both Monday and Tuesday (my days off).<br />
3. Eat Sensibly .... This may require some guidelines next week!<br />
4. Drink alcohol on one night only.<br />
5. Cycle extra miles to work on 2 of the 3 late shifts.<br />
6. Do 100 sit-ups every day.<br />
<br />
Looking out of the rain-streaked window I'm not particularly looking forward to completing the outdoor activities. But I'm nothing if not determined!<br />
<br />Rich Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179851191287525988noreply@blogger.com10