Adventure Cycling | Optimal Living
The dates for Trans Alba 2020 have been released, check it out here. I thought it was about time I shared my own journey of the race this year, finishing as first female and second overall. If you're thinking of entering the race this should provide some insight. The start line: 1st July 2019, 8.45am. 39 …
26/05. 00.00 As I was getting ready to leave the warm glow of the Liddesdale Arms I couldn't help but attract some attention from some local lads outside the pub, having a smoke. Contrary to my initial assumption they were actually really friendly, simply curious to know why a female cyclist would be setting off into …
The inaugural edition of All Points North was brilliant, made so by the amount of work organisers Ange and Tori had put in to make it a success. The volunteer support at the start and end was second to none with food and drink aplenty. Before the start nothing was too much trouble while the …
January: Training / Work / Life Balance In advance of the inaugural Trans Alba Race in July, I thought I would write a short blog post about a different aspect of my preparation and general musings each month. First of all.. the TransWhat?. In the words of the organisers: The Trans Alba Race is a …
At 10.15am I found myself being awakened by my phone alarm. I had picked a good spot to nap - a park bench in a carpark by the River Drôme in Saillans. The heat was already picking up but I was thankful for the warmth of the sun after riding through the first night. I …
The Race Across France was quite possibly my most rewarding experience on two wheels yet. I completed the 1050km + 21,800m course in 3 days 11 hours, placing 5th out of 9 starters (2 female, 7 male). The memories are both raw and brilliant but fragmented, as expected when the three days merged into one …
As the Transcontinental Race draws to a close this week the Silk Road Mountain Race and Race Across France will both kick off, keeping the ultra cycling dot-watching community on the edge of their seats for a few more weeks! My good friend Robbie Ferri also sets off on his record breaking mission to cover …
On the face of it the Transcontinental Race is a bike race across a continent, but it has evolved into much more than that. It has spirit and character, an opportunity for adventure and the discovery of new places, the realisation of a new mindset and mental fortitude that we all have an abundance of …
The Transcontinental Race No.5 arrived. The iconic torchlit start was magic, a surreal memory that could have been a dream. Conflicting emotions; sombre, symbolic, excitement, uncertainty. The whole town turned out for the show, flame torches lining the streets and lighting the way. Cobbles. A lap of the town, then up the Muur van Geraardsbergen. …
Training / 'Training' In my preparation for the Transcontinental, I don't have a formal coach or rigid training plan out of choice. Donncha Cuttriss has been great in providing support via email, I've been soaking up his wealth of knowledge and training advice since my decision to race the TCR. At the time of writing, he's holding …
