Testing Oakley Sunglasses & Prizm Lenses

Nearly 6 weeks ago I was approached by Oakley Sunglasses through a SaddleDrunker (James M.).

They invited me to road test the Jawbreaker & Radar models, this was before the public launch.

I felt really pleased to have given the chance to try those before hitting the shops but due work commitment I could test them.

Uranium Collection Prizm Road Radar 

Finally I met with Geoffrey in Regent Parks to have as we say a "Meeting on Wheels". Geoffrey is the European Operation Co-ordinator for Oakley, where he explains to me everything about the 3 models he had with him for me to try.

Nothing to say that the first impact I had with the glasses were just fantastic.

Jawbreaker with Prizm Road

We then set off with the Jawbreaker Prizm Road Lenses, the same as Mark Cavendish. The Frame of the Jawbreaker gives you an extra protection compare to glasses with the only top frame,which personally I prefer. Another point at first wearing  in my disadvantage was the width of my view was restricted on the side by a big piece of plastic where there is the big O.

After few minutes of riding, my visual perception drastically improved making the test ride more enjoyable. The lenses were really amazing bringing light to my ride and making a crystal clear view of my surroundings.

Jawbreaker with Prizm Trail

Next on the cards to try was my favourite model of sunglasses, the "Radar". The lenses were the same but the frame completely different. The Radar Frame is not bulky as the Jawbreaker, it is stylish & skinny. The combination of colour also sits very well to be seen during the hours of darkness. A good selling point is the reasonable price.

The last to try was the Jawbreaker with Prizm Trail Lenses built for Mountain Biking. Which I believe it is not still available in the market at the moment but it will be soon. 

The frame was as the Jawbreaker but those lenses made such a big difference. Those, I would say that they could be ideal for the British weather during cloudy & grey skies. They enhanced the lights and with sunset settling down my vision was perfect.I had the feeling I was riding in a sunny country during lunch time.

My test time was up, Geoffrey & I had to returned to our loved ones. It was nice meeting Geoffrey, and we (SaddleDrunkers) will be able to meet him again @ Oakley HQ to work together for a SD Special Edition Oakley Sunglasses.

More info to follow. Please get in touch if you like to visit Oakley HQ during our visit.

Thank You Oakley & Geoffrey & James.

Ride Safe, Share the Road.

SD.

SD Official Cycling kit supplier of Neil Bikes Back's Charity

SaddleDrunk Team is pleased to announce the collaboration with Solent Cycles to design and produce the cycling kit for "The Neil Bike Back" charity ride.

The SD team met with the Director of Solent Cycles,Mike Paget to listen about the amazing project of Neil. We then returned to our HQ to get the ball rolling.

As usual ,the SD team worked hard to produce a perfect design which covered all minimal details and requirements of the various sponsors. The results of this hard team work will be transferred to  high end quality kit,all "MADE IN ITALY" by "HAND" to fulfil Mike & Neil expectations.

We are looking forward to delivery our products to Mike & Neil in the next few weeks.

Please help Neil to raise money for Harbour Cancer Support on this link.

Thank you everyone for you help.

SD Team.

London 2 Paris 24 hours Challenge Kit review

Stuart has volunteered to provide us as with a review from various kit given by our sponsors.

Achille's Draw of the event

Lezyne Lights SuperDrive XL:

When putting kit together and upgrading/ buying various parts for your bike,  lights are something of an after thought. We would much rather have better gears,  wheels and frame then to spend money on a decent set of lights.  This was my view before I was given a set of Lezyne lights for our trip, I must say they have changed my opinion.
It wasn't until the night slowly crept in on us that we benefitted from the most powerful lights I have seen on a bike.  With three of us cycling tightly together on long , dark winding roads our bodies and minds began to feel tired. Our decision making and cycling technique began to waver and I believe our safety would of been compromised had it not been for the illumination that these lights provided us.  
At one point I was leading the group and had slowed down to let the other two catch up,  as they approached from around a corner I found it hard to distinguish if it was a car or my team coming towards me such was the brightness from the lights.  The back light also gave drivers approaching considerable warning of our presence and this safety bubble of light that Lezyne had created kept us peddling in confidence all the way to Newhaven.  
If you're planning an endurance trip or commute on busy roads then I would recommend switching your old lights off and upgrading to Lezyne.  Think about your safety. Thanks to Rory from Upgrade Bikes UK distributor for Lezyne.

WTB Volt  Pro Saddle :

I switched my saddle to a WTB for our trip.  This saddle gave me ultimate comfort and support and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone looking to replace or upgrade their current saddle.  I was riding a Boardman mountain bike my team mates were on a road bike and Dahon foldable and all used the same WTB saddle.  We were all comfortable and we're able to cover some serious mileage over two days without feeling the dreaded saddle sore setting in. 
Very good saddle. Very good value.

WTB Volt Pro Saddle

WTB Saddle Tech

Biotex High Performance Underwear:

The Italian company BIOTEX provided us our clothing for the ride  and I cannot fault the products. I wore a sleeveless base layer top which prevented wind at the front and the vents at back allowed body heat to escape.  This prevented me from overheating as the ride progressed.  The start of the day was cold and chilly and by the end our ride the sun was beating down.  At no point did I feel too hot or too cold and this speaks volumes for the craft and attention to detail that BIOTEX put into their products. I also used arm and leg warmers which gave me the flexibility during the ride as to when to use them. As soon as the sun came up I could remove them in under a minute without the need to change bib completely. 
Other products of theirs I used was the neoprene overshoes and a wind/rain protection jacket. As someone who feels the cold in the toes the covers offered extreme protection from the wind and my feet were kept warm.  The Jacket went on as day turned into night and kept the cold night chill away from our bodies perfectly.  Another really good point about this top is how tightly it packs down into your kit bag.  For something that can be folded up into the size of your hand and is light as a feather it offers really good protection against wind and rain.  Anyone thinking of buying  lightweight, stylish jacket need to look at BIOTEX via the SaddleDrunk online store.

Biotex Vest

Thickslick Tyres by Freedom Bicycle:

Free from puncture

Freedom provided some great tyres. The thick slick compound it has great rolling capabilities make any road condition smoother, any holes like a flat oil sea and mainly free from puncture.

I definitely recommend to any of you riding across damaged road, or surfaces.They have an amazing grip on wet also.

Nonno Pippo:

When Stef informed me that his father in law was joining us on the ride I was a little intrigued to say the least.  'Would a sixty two year old slow us down in some way?' Was my initial ignorant view.  
Firstly after meeting this quiet unassuming man I realised it would be a pleasure to ride with him and was excited to see how he would cope with the demands of the trip. 
I cursed myself time and time again during the ride that I even doubted his fitness and ability.  As the night set in on our way to Newhaven it was then I began to fully admire the technique and level that Nonno could deliver.  
His cadence was constant and he gently pulled away time and time again.  
At one point I was struggling to keep up, with one turn of the head Nonno realised  my breathing and posture was in decline so gently eased off the throttle to accommodate my needs.  
He could of gone on several times in the trip and probably enjoyed the speed more but he put the needs of the team first and I feel honoured to have been able to peddle alongside him for a couple of days.  
Top man.

Stewart Ramsay from W5 Physio:

Not enough words to describe the great, astonishing and efficient post ride massage.

He came out in the morning from London. He waited for us at the Eiffel Tower. Then he came to the hotel to give all of us the massage. Just speechless. Flabbergasted by his great character. 

Then he whisked away back to London. Thank you very much.

All SaddleDrunk team and riders are really thankful to those who supported us and sponsored us for this epic ride.

Many Thanks

My First Closed Circuit Race Imperial Winter Series (Hillingdon) 2013/2014 Round 7

It has been a long time that I had something pestering me, and it was taking part in a Closed Circuit Cycling Race. Lucky enough, not far from me there is the famous Hillingdon Circuit. After acquiring the full racing license, I have decided to enter for the Imperial Winter Series 2013/2014 at Race 7th. The series is organised by Imperial Racing Team were you could admire great expertise in managing the event, thanks to Richard and Lucy and the rest of the team behind the scenes.

I was pleased to go because the weather is still surprising us with beautiful sunny skies and warm temperature.Funny enough it was not just my idea, but other maybe 170 rider thought the same,where as per routine the organisers had to consider a waiting list.

Overview of the circuit and the "Commissaire" box.

We started with a nice warm up for few laps before getting to the start grid,the field of riders was quite big including about 10 novices(like me) doing the first race on closed circuit.Richard, from Imperial Cycles gave us including the ladies a race briefing reminding all the rider the correct procedures to enjoy the race.I could see that some teams like London Dynamos,Kingston Wheelers,Twickenham Cycling Club and many more placed their rider at the front of the grid,obviously due to team tactics.

For me being a novice I decided to start at 3/4 down the grid to understand more the race,the techniques and tactics of the race.A guy next to me before starting he advise me to get at the front of the pack as soon as possible.

Start of the race.

Off we go. We started the race and the pace picked up very quickly, the wind was with us in some part of the circuit,so for most of the laps was sprint and relax. The sprinting at the front was the concept of breaking away for the teams to see who probably was up for the game,but being my first race I did not know if it was an usual standard technique.

After few laps I could see that I was confident with the speed,an average of 41km/h and everything else around during the first part of the race.I decided to go at the front with some others,I stayed there for a little while until I felt a big slap in the face by the wind during a turn,making me losing speed and position within the peloton.Obviously was a bad move,but I was able to rejoin the peloton without losing drastically a position and the drag.

Fighting at the front.

Well, the race was going to be come to an end where some rider pulled out of the peloton because the speed increased even more, and everyone was fighting to go to the front for the last final 5 laps.Therefore I have decided to attack and go at the front again, within the peloton you could smell burning rubber from the brakes,people going off line not supposed to do that.

6 laps to go and everyone was hungry for the front, I was overtaking to the right and I could feel hands or handlebar of my left bum cheek.More and more it was becoming like a rugby scrum on two wheels. Without realising I found myself with the front pack but with wrong positioning causing me to go on the grass once and shortly after that for the second time,which for me meant game over, as I lost speed to rejoin the peloton already ahead like a bullet train.

I was able to finish the race with a little group of other riders,that were left behind from the peloton during the race.

As per my first race, I was pleased and enjoy it so much, I have learned the lessons and few tactics for the next race.The result of the race I think I was not last but at the back, which make me work more on improvements for the next.

There were definite a lot of riders being SaddleDrunk.You can see the race graph on http://connect.garmin.com/activity/428100746 .

Thank you until the next time.Just Keep SaddleDrunk.

CYCLIST LEGS: SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE?

Tiffany signing my leg.

Before departing for my recent Journey the KOM TAiwan Challenge 2013,I have decided to shave only one leg.

The reason behind was that I wanted to try the new born baby feel in my legs.

At first when I was shaving with the razor,I thought it was going to be ok,but afterward I was not happy at all for it.

My legs during the event obviously were noticed, people wanted to take photos of them because they seemed really strange.

My legs.

Therefore I will give a full explanation of the reason why I did this on a later date.But now please fill in the survey that I have created regarding the cyclist legs.

https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/E6BVBz

Thank You