http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ Read all the latest blogs from the Cotswold Outdoor community en-uk Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Cotswold Outdoor community@cotswoldoutdoor.com 60 http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/images/common/rss-image.gif http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/31/motorbike-diaries-dakar-dreams/   ‘Dakar Dreams’ motorbike challenge and TV series Starting on 15th March 2012, Danny John-Jules (the ‘Cat’ from Red Dwarf) and team-mate Graham Hoskins will attempt to follow one of the most iconic of motorbike routes, the 1996 Dakar Rally from Granada to Senegal.  Through the Atlas mountains of Morocco, the deserts of the Western Sahara and the chaos of Mauritania, they will be filming their adventure and raising money for Riders for Health. And jus... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/31/motorbike-diaries-dakar-dreams/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:05:39 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/26/patience-is-a-virtue/     “Don’t shave on race day; you’ll lose all you power!” I was apprehensive about what was to come at the beginning of the weekend. Last year had been good to me and I’d achieved a lot of the things that I wanted, but with a fresh year, new challenges present themselves. You have to constantly push yourself to go that bit better, but you’re always worried that maybe one day it won’t happen. My first race of the year followed a b... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/26/patience-is-a-virtue/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:56:24 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Sarah/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/20/bagging-munros-with-andy-turner-and-stu-mcaleese/ Day One of Course One of the 2012 inaugural Cotswold Winter Skills Course at Plas y Brenin's Scottish base, Alltshellach near Glencoe.  Today saw 25 members of staff summit Stob Dubh on the Buachaille Etive Beag in perfect Scottish winter weather for testing gear - rain, snow and plenty of wind.  Our Mountain Equipment Gore-Tex shells did their job perfectly, keeping us warm and dry whilst learning an array of skills from some of the best mountain guides in the business from Pla... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Sarah/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/20/bagging-munros-with-andy-turner-and-stu-mcaleese/ Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:46:04 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/8/the-12-days-of-crossmax/   The 12 days of Crossmax.. On the 1st day of Crossmax my new loves gave to me Kevlar quick laces with friction free eyelets and a lace pocket for quick trouble free lacing.   On the 2nd day of Crossmax my new loves gave to me  contragrip light and contragrip high abrasion outsoles for superior grip on wet surfaces.   On the 3rd day of Crossmax my new loves gave to me ortholite sock liners and neutral molded eva midsoles for superior comfort and a smoot... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2012/1/8/the-12-days-of-crossmax/ Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:41:18 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2011/12/9/the-human-ice-cube-live-breathesbut-only-just/   Undeterred by my poor time keeping effort the 1st time around (see from Hero to Zero blog) I squared up for my 2nd Solo Adventure Race in the South Pennines, Bacup (said Back Up) with a watch and some steely determination to do better!   Lessons learnt from the last race include the following; Stick to roads and pathways wherever possible, Wear a watch, Don’ t take so many photo’s Don’t stop and talk to people with nice dogs... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2011/12/9/the-human-ice-cube-live-breathesbut-only-just/ Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:33:31 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/30/83025-onwards-and-upwards/ I haven’t kept count of all the hours and miles done in the dark over the years, but it’s safe to say that there have been lots. However it doesn’t seem to matter how many times you train in the same place, on the same lap and through the same sections – there will always be things to trick you and lessons waiting to be learnt. The dark can concentrate you – when you’re focusing on a single beam of light there is only one way forward, but it can also al... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/30/83025-onwards-and-upwards/ Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:49:48 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/27/cotswold-dogs-we-get-out-there/ Up here in the Lake District dogs are a very important part of our lives. They run with us, walk with us, go to the pub with us and a few lucky ones get to work with us. Sky, Jazzy and Charlie have all been become unofficial Cotswold Staff members spending their work days in either the Keswick or Grasmere shops. Well behaved, great lunch time entertainment and part time shop security (if we let them!!) they work hard to earn their biccies. But as with their owners they all need a day ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/27/cotswold-dogs-we-get-out-there/ Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:54:14 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/25/night-ride-time/ Now that the long dark evenings are upon us, it's time to break out the nightriding gear. We're fortunate in that we have the forest trails of http://www.coedllandegla.com/ within a short drive of the store, which is open till 9pm on wednesday evenings, so thats where you'll find the likes of myself, Rich, Andy K and Ally from the store, along with our friends from a local MTB skills company http://www.campbellcoaching.eu This season, i've invested in a new set of lig... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/25/night-ride-time/ Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:34:15 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/18/the-real-peru-and-on-to-countries-12-and-13/ Puno continues to excel.  One night we are all celebrating the founding of the city and the next night is Halloween and the town is out again en masse dressed as Devils, Angels, Witches, Warlocks and a host of other creatures.  As young as 2 or 3, as old as the Policemen who are on duty in full uniform but with a werewolf’s head every-one is joining in the party.   Even the dogs have little red horns on!   The people of Puno certainly know how to throw a pa... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/18/the-real-peru-and-on-to-countries-12-and-13/ Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:04:35 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/16/83024-giant-killing/ Sometimes it’s not about who you beat, it’s how you beat them. Stanmer Park in Brighton was the arena that we did battle in for round eight of the London League! I listened out for my name as all the fast riders were called up to the grid, but once three rows were full I’d either missed my shout or it hadn’t been called. So stuck way back in the pack was where I found myself. I shook my team-mate’s hand and put my race face on. First objective would be the ra... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/16/83024-giant-killing/ Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:23:06 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/11/83002-83vlutionblg-bigrednocturn/ THURSDAY NIGHT saw the 1st 83VØLUTION Night ride, with four of us meeting (eventually) at various locations around Bedgebury for a night of muddy singletrack and even muddier bridleways!   Jonny and I met up just before Eight pm and hightailed it through Bedgebury on the main fire road to catch up Alaric and Emily, before we promptly lost Em on the first bridleway! So we doubled back, found her (or maybe she found us) and started again. The thick Wealden clay was proving ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/11/83002-83vlutionblg-bigrednocturn/ Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:06:28 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/10/83001-83vlutionblg-littlered/ RIDE 83.001 LITTLERED SATURDAY saw the 2nd 83VØLUTION ride, with four of us once again meeting at Bedgebury for a morning of singletrack and mud!   November had brought with it some rain, but the trails were holding up very nicely and were still quite fast if you could find the grip. We met up and checked bikes over at ten am (I mentioned the lack of grip, before everyone hastily let some of the air out of their tyres!), and then headed off up Windmill hill, for our u... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/10/83001-83vlutionblg-littlered/ Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:47:40 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/7/from-hero-to-zeroin-6-hours/ My first solo Adventure Race started at stupid o’clock in the morning (4am) and ended at 9pm. It was the Haglofs Open 5 series (note the 5 – it’s key to the story) I’ve done Adventure Racing before – as part of a mixed pairs or women’s pairs but never solo. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and felt like a true Hero as I strode off into the Shropshire Hills, clad in lycra, map in hand and clock ticking (forgot my watch so set my phone alarm ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/rachel/blogs/index.cfm/2011/11/7/from-hero-to-zeroin-6-hours/ Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:49:24 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/28/lord-of-sipan-museum-or-a-beer-at-the-pool-and-a-chinese/ Lord of Sipan Museum or a beer at the pool and a Chinese?   Our departure from Quito is a bit fragmented.   Alvares Barba BMW have two of our bikes and are working furiously on them.    Repairing one with some minor crash damage and also sorting a recurring flat battery problem on another.   So the rest of the group set off south while these riders hang back for a day to get the bikes finished.   However within a couple of hours another rider m... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/28/lord-of-sipan-museum-or-a-beer-at-the-pool-and-a-chinese/ Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:22:38 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/26/11022-danger-is-the-spice-of-life/ 11.022 – “Danger is the spice of Life”[1]   Ten days ago I was lucky enough to spend some time with a few of old friends one of whom had suffered a nasty crash a while ago whilst out riding. After many months spent in rehabilitation he was left in a wheelchair and with limited speech, both of which continue to slowly recover. This prompted one of my other friends to ask me if I thought what I did was dangerous, a question I’ve been asked many times before.  ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/26/11022-danger-is-the-spice-of-life/ Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:08:28 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Matt-F/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/19/springsummer-2012-photoshoot-update-2/   Our second part of the shoot for SS12 catalogue takes us to Cornwall to shoot our sea cliff climbing shots, some buffs and a couple of scrambling cover options.   Day  1 Set out from our base in St Ives to bosigran to reccy the sea cliff climbing locations but far too much sea mist so went on to sennen cove near lands end, struggled with heavy mists and fog (this is a summer shoot?!) the locals call it damping and sure enough all the rocks a bit wet so the climbing mod... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Matt-F/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/19/springsummer-2012-photoshoot-update-2/ Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:05:59 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/12/11021-dog-day/ This blog entry is dedicated to the dogs of our world, for no creature on earth seems to have such a strong affinity for the front wheel of a push bike as does man’s-best-friend.   Kent. The Garden of England. Autumn has finally brought her orange tones to the warm vineyards and patchwork fields of this busy corner of our island, but the late summer sun still held its firm grip. The ban on handing up drinks had once again been relaxed due to the balmy temperatures that settled upon ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/12/11021-dog-day/ Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:36:05 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/5/trans-americas-blog/ Country, Country, Country   The smaller states of Central America seem to come in a quick succession of borders and changing landscapes.     As we cross into Guatemala we are confronted with steep green clad cliffs and escarpments with trees hanging onto the rocks and onto life in the most precarious ways. We are running valleys from the border that for almost a hundred miles leave us awestruck with the sheerness of the sides of the mountains. This is underlined when we ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/5/trans-americas-blog/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:51:14 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/5/11020-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat/     Meeting up with friends on a Sunday night often means that sooner or later I’m asked how I’d faired in the race I’ve done earlier that day. I do my best to explain what racing in the scorching heat for an hour at full pace with no water feels like, but I always find it difficult to tell the story to my non-racing friends. There are always subtle intricacies that are impossible to explain. This week they looked at me trying to take it all in, before one asked, &l... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/10/5/11020-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:50:56 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Matt-F/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/30/photoshoot-update/   Just a quick review of what we’ve been up to up in the lakes shooting for our spring summer catalogue.   At the moment I’m standing on a jetty at Derwent Water.     We’re just shooting some of the lifestyle shots, in a small wooden rowing boat, which we have hired out from the marina down here. That’s been our day so far.   Day 1,    We travelled up to the lakes, and got straight into the shoot, because the light was so ama... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Matt-F/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/30/photoshoot-update/ Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:28:57 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/28/11019-time-to-get-cross/ 11.019 – Time to get Cross   Cross. Maximum heart rate, basic rigid framed road bike, partly off road, partly hard pack gravel, throw in a load mud, some knobbly tyres, cantilever brakes and lots of mud and chill for one hour. You’re probably thinking that it sounds awful – you’re right.   What happened to the Summer? It feels like read more...   THE.ÆIGHT.BICYCLE.CØMPANY proudly use Kona™ Framesets, Fox™ Suspension, Rohloff&t... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/28/11019-time-to-get-cross/ Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:04:30 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/21/11018r-race-day/  ...Three of us were instantly in a cross country race up the first section of gravel that led to the singletrack as Mister Webb disappeared into the night. He was off to set a 39:29 which would be the fastest lap of the night – Mark Goodman (Weldtite) set the second fastest time with myself 19 seconds down in third place on the track (second in my category). The pace was amazingly high for an enduro and with hind sight it was interesting to see that Luke Morris (Salsa) set a 45:58 on... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/21/11018r-race-day/ Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:38:43 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/16/11018e-ight-days-a-week-gluttony/   If you’re going on a long car journey, you need enough fuel, so if you’re going to ride your bike a long way you’ll need a full tank too. Luckily, just like cars, you can store this fuel in your body until you need it rather than having to eat too much whilst you’re racing.   You should have a good base fitness from the summer season of racing and you should have been eating the right stuff for months now if you race a lot. Even if you don’t, you shou... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/16/11018e-ight-days-a-week-gluttony/ Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:53:26 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/15/11018d-ight-days-a-week-time-to-stretch-those-legs/ Okay, so the plan is written, the bike is ready and your kit is packed – time for a day off right? Kind of!...   If you’re used to riding lots of miles each week you’re probably getting itchy feet by now, but fear not today is the day to go out and have some fun. It doesn’t really matter where you ride as long as you love it. The plan is to be out for as long or as short as you like, just don’t overdo it. The point of a good taper is to rest and recuperate so... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/15/11018d-ight-days-a-week-time-to-stretch-those-legs/ Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:21:11 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/14/11018c-ight-days-a-week-always-keep-your-shoes-clean/ Yesterday was all about the bike and how important it is to have it ready ahead of race day. The same goes for clothing, if it’s dirty or wet the evening before a race guess what, it won’t be ready for race day. So buy a separate duffle, just for racing and ideally have a set of clothes that stay in that bag waiting for the big day. If your budget won’t stretch to that, have a list of stuff that you use for racing and keep it in the bag that you’ll take with you. With a f... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/14/11018c-ight-days-a-week-always-keep-your-shoes-clean/ Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:13:13 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Russ/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/13/gravity-enduro-round-5-afan-valley/ Gravity Enduro round 5 Afan Forest   This is the final event in the 5 stage series, and as per the previous 3 rounds that I made it to this one is also looking like a wet and wild weekend.   Arriving a the event base on Friday afternoon I was greeted by a typical welsh valleys scene, heavy mist over the tress and wet sodden ground under foot.   Arriving early on the Friday the course was yet to be marked so I joined a couple of fellow riders (who had managed to track down... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Russ/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/13/gravity-enduro-round-5-afan-valley/ Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:57:43 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/13/11018b-ight-days-a-week-tuesday/   So the time for panic is over! The thing is, at this point, you can only make certain adjustments anyway. You should concern yourself with the set-up of the bike, eating the right food, preparing the right food and getting as much rest as possible.   A couple of short fast training sessions could be good, or maybe one longer slower paced one, but it’s far too late to make any big changes now so your normal routine has to go on the shelf. Pros call this the taper and although... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/13/11018b-ight-days-a-week-tuesday/ Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:40:14 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/12/11018a-ight-days-a-week-604800-seconds/   One week to go before that big race. It’s a landmark in time when you’re preparing for something that you care about, something that scares you, something new or a mixture of the three. There’s no going back, but it’s also too late to make any massive changes and this only adds to the tension. This is the time that shows up any true racer against a rank amateur.   There’s nothing wrong with being an amateur, but this is the moment at which the pro rel... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/12/11018a-ight-days-a-week-604800-seconds/ Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:38:13 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/1/dawn-2-dusk-race-report/   For years I have been dreaming of doing the “Dawn 2 Dusk Motorcycle Enduro Race” but as with most enduro events you need a lightweight off-road bike under 450cc. Sadly I can’t afford 2 bikes, so I had to content myself just green laning on my larger KTM LC4 640 Adventure, which also doubles as my ride to work each day.   Then I heard that this year they were doing a Big Bike Rally! The full 24 hours was not permitted due to the size and danger of using s... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/9/1/dawn-2-dusk-race-report/ Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:50:46 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/24/race-numbers/ I now have my race numbers for the Dawn 2 Dusk! I'm 707, I hope it’s a lucky number! Looking at the racer I have found out I will be racing Patsy Quick! Patsy you may of seen in the TV show, Race to Dakar. She was the first British woman to ever finish the Dakar Rally! Also I'll be racing a friend who I met at a few of the Touratech events, and a big Cotswold Outdoor customer Chris Cork. I'm excited and pretty worried! My bike now has refurbished forks and new tyres go on Friday! ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/24/race-numbers/ Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:44:20 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Craig/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/22/triathlons-and-more/ After competing in my first marathon this year, the next logical step was to do my first triathlon!   This was again a decision made after another beer fulled night and one I regretted making the next morning. I had never swam in open water (let alone swam a mile), I had only ridden my new road bike 2 or 3 times and I hadn't been doing any road running but I didn't let that put me off! Me and my friends made the long journey from Glasgow down to London to stay in arguably the worst hotel... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Craig/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/22/triathlons-and-more/ Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:43:27 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/20/competition-preparations/ This time next week I’ll be at a massive and muddy (and probably muddy) forest in Wales, doing my last preparations for the 10 hours night time motorcycle endure race. The Dawn 2 Dusk is the hardest motorcycle enduro race in the UK and attracts the best riders from all over the world, including many Dakar Rally legends. Racers in the past include Charley Boorman ( Star of “Long Way Round” “Long Way Down” “Race To Dakar” and the “By any Means&rdquo... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/thornback/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/20/competition-preparations/ Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:02:12 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/10/ironman-uk-2011-race-day/ And here we are – RACE DAY!!!   Very early start this morning, 3.00am in fact, so I can get a bowl of porridge down me with enough time to digest before the swim – we need to be in the water by 5.545am!   I don’t really remember a lot about the drive across to Bolton, fortunately I wasn’t driving, and we were soon at the swim start, strolling up the road with my white “dry” bag in hand, wondering why I was doing this. The closer I got to the star... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/10/ironman-uk-2011-race-day/ Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:15:49 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/6/ironmanuk-2011-the-day-before/     Finally! The day before the ironman. Today is full of prep for the event, sorting kit, registering, race briefing etc so a tentatively early start.   It’s only a 50 minute drive to Leigh sports village where we need to register and pick up our race numbers, timing chips – buy a good luck ironman hoody – eye up other people’s bikes, that sort of thing.   This part is crucial. We are given three bags. The white on is for changing into our... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/6/ironmanuk-2011-the-day-before/ Sat, 06 Aug 2011 10:08:47 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Paul/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/2/montane-lakeland-50-last-post/ Sat at home after driving back from the Lakes feeling super stoked after completing the Lakeland 50 in 13hrs 24mins. Very sore and very tired but with a nice buzz running through me. The race set up was fantastic and we even were treated to an opening address by fell running legend Joss Naylor. The weather was far too hot and winning times in the 50 miler were slower than last year, but still very impressive with the winner posting a time of 8hrs 18mins.     http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Paul/blogs/index.cfm/2011/8/2/montane-lakeland-50-last-post/ Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:12:50 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/28/ironman-two-days-left/ Whilst trawling the internet, i found an amazing piece of advice on a triathlon website   "TREAT the race like one big training session ......... one thing I have learned is that folk faff and faff like no-ones business, tinkering with bikes, tweaking stuff and yet the same people jumped on that same bike and rode 100miles a few weeks before without a single care in the world.... Its dead easy ..... Swim in your wetsuit and get changed for a bike ride .... enjoy the bike ride, take enough... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/28/ironman-two-days-left/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:55:23 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/27/11015-trials-and-tribulations/ Trial [noun] 1. the act of trying, testing, or putting to the proof. 2. test; proof. Tribulation [noun] 1. a cause of distress 2. a state of suffering   So, for starters it’s a Twenty Four Hour Race – 12 noon on Saturday to 12 noon on Sunday. It takes in a technical 9 mile course with loads of climbing. There are seven other 24 hour races going on at the same time on the same course, as well as several ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/27/11015-trials-and-tribulations/ Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:40:01 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/27/ironman-uk-2011-3-days-to-go/ Wow, how has it come around that quick? This Sunday at 6am - I’ll be taking my first swim stroke of a 2.5 mile swim, followed by 110 miles on the bike, then a 26.2 mile run. Weather forecast is dry and sunny, which is nice, but maxing out at 20 degC, which is a tad warmer than i was hoping. hey ho, the laps on the deck 1 running track on the cruise down to the canaries paid off after all There are two feed stations on the ride and four on the run leg, so i should be ok for fluids, just nee... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Stu/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/27/ironman-uk-2011-3-days-to-go/ Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:01:06 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/20/11014-four-three-two/     The third round of the Bedgebury “Summer” (ahem) Short Course XC Series took place on Saturday. Most lists of things-to-do-on-rainy-days don’t include bike races, but I love it when the weathers not to rosy so Saturday had just about everything I look for in a bike race! Here’s how it went…   Patchy sun woke me up at 8am and turned into light rain after breakfast. A couple of costume changes, as the rain grew stronger, preceded the ride up... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/20/11014-four-three-two/ Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:56:01 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Russ/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/19/gravity-enduro-rd-3/ Gravity Enduro Rd 3 Innerleithan The series is starting to settle in to a bit of a routine, there are a number of things you can guarantee that are going to happen at the event. 1. It will rain, and more like monsoon rain than a light shower. 2. I will not be able to decide on what tyres to use and spend the whole weekend discussing choosing the wrong tyre. 3 There will be midges and fly’s, midges that creep up and suddenly you’re covered in crawling bugs and fly’s that tuck... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Russ/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/19/gravity-enduro-rd-3/ Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:14:45 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Craig/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/11/mont-blanc-marathon/ Around Christmas time last year one of my friends convinced me, after quite a few drinks, to enter the Marathon Du Mont Blanc. I enetered the race with no previous marathon experience and no real running competition experience, I usually just run for the fun of it. I knew it was ages away, 6 months to be exact so assumed I would be ready for it when the time rolled around. 6 months flew past! I managed a few runs but nothing that I could call proper marathon training and to make matters worse I ... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Craig/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/11/mont-blanc-marathon/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:27:43 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/ben-c/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/6/what-happens-at-a-cotswold-tent-show/ The weekender   2011 saw the first of Tunbridge Well’s first tent show. It was quite exciting thought, of seeing all of the range up and tripping over guy ropes, rather then looking at them in catalogues and online. Its important to actually see the tent erect when shopping for a family tent or technical tent, you wouldn’t buy a house online without looking at it first, so why do so for a tent?   The tent show weekend was dawning closer and closer, and there was more w... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/ben-c/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/6/what-happens-at-a-cotswold-tent-show/ Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:28:44 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/tom-hecht/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/6/cotswold-race-team-report-moel-siabod-fell-race/   I spent most of Saturday morning preparing myself sunbathing in the glorious North Wales sunshine! The infamous Moel Siabod Fell Race - 'run' alongside the Capel Curig Show (fête) was to start at 2pm that afternoon.   I'd asked the Cotswold Outdoor Race Team if they'd like to sponsor me and let me wear the Race Team bib for the race, which they kindly did. Thus, equipped with a long-sleeved (!) branded top, I set out to the start to meet Fred, M... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/tom-hecht/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/6/cotswold-race-team-report-moel-siabod-fell-race/ Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:44:37 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/mike-b/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/2/expedition-skills-training-peak-district-20-22-june-2011/ I have recently returned from Expedition Skills Training in the Hope Valley in the Peak District. The idea of this training was to give first hand experience of what a customer heading off on expedition, be it Duke of Edinburgh, World Challenge or any other challenge where you carry your life on your back! Also, we were to be introduced to the new Goretex Active Shell fabric and given training by Berghaus' on some of their new products and innovations. I trundled off to the Peak Dis... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/mike-b/blogs/index.cfm/2011/7/2/expedition-skills-training-peak-district-20-22-june-2011/ Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:22:12 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/22/11013-pt3-a-week-of-mayhem/   Pt.3 – All day and all of the night …and so it begins! I awoke at nine and immediately focused on the two most important things in my world for the next 27 hours – tyres and food! It had rained for most of Friday and we’d decided a practice lap would therefore be more trouble than it was worth. No point trashing the bike before the race even begins and also I knew there would be a lot of bottlenecks on the first lap and so the pace would be low enough to get use... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/22/11013-pt3-a-week-of-mayhem/ Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:24:44 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/claireparsons/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/18/now-were-open/   After an exciting couple of weeks of training and shopfitting, I feel the new team at Bridgemere have really bonded and everything is coming along nicely in the new store. We are lucky enough to have a team of staff from varied backgrounds; everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and enjoys different activities. We've had our ups & downs over the past couple of weeks, but I'm so proud of the whole team for their efforts. Our first week of training w... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/claireparsons/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/18/now-were-open/ Sat, 18 Jun 2011 19:18:22 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/17/11013-pt2-a-week-of-mayhem/ Blearily I open one eye and I realise where I am. I can’t hear any rain on the flysheet, but the miles and miles of tape that mark out the course (and the spectator/camping areas) are clapping in the wind making it sound like I’m perched on to top of a Himalayan mountain top with only prayer flags for company. In actual fact there are around a thousand eager mountain bikers dotted around the campsite already and that figure is expected to increase by six or seven times by this evenin... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/17/11013-pt2-a-week-of-mayhem/ Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:04:30 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Russ/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/14/kielder-gravity-enduro-/ Kielder Gravity Enduro This was the 2nd event in a series of 5, the first event at Ae was now all over and a bit of a blur. I'd managed to scrape a reasonable result of a pretty difficult course. The event at Kielder was looking however like it might be a bit better, the course was going to be less extreme and the weather couldn't get any worse than Ae. Arriving late friday night we were met by an army of beekeepers?.....oh..... not beekeepers just campers protecting themselvs from t... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Russ/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/14/kielder-gravity-enduro-/ Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:06:02 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/13/11013-pt1-a-week-of-mayhem/ Pt.1 – Getting the miles in (and the cakes) It feels like I haven’t stopped this year – 12 races doesn’t really sound like much, but we’re not even at midsummer’s yet, which means I’ve been racing two weekends out of every four so far. Therefore my 13th race of the year will not only be the halfway point, but also the most epic race of the season. In the first part of my “week of Mayhem” I look at just how to prepare for said “Mayhem&r... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/the8rac3r/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/13/11013-pt1-a-week-of-mayhem/ Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:52:01 GMT http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Paul/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/11/lakeland-50-last-recce-update/ Last update before the race:   Grabbed the chance of heading to the Lakes on Sunday 29th May to run my last recce before the race weekend at the end of July. The leg from Howtown on the North Eastern shore of Ullswater was 17miles South passed Haweswater reservoir and finally to Kentmere. Thats the last recce before the race and I reckon I have the route all sussed so come race day I should not have to consult the map too much which should save a little time . Next blog wil... http://community.cotswoldoutdoor.com/users/Paul/blogs/index.cfm/2011/6/11/lakeland-50-last-recce-update/ Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:24:42 GMT