tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46394714761160987642026-10-14T06:23:47.435-07:00Diary of a Wannabe 2nd Cat CyclistThe life cyclist striving to improve his biking performance. I love road cycling and cyclocross and it's time to go up a level.LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-6798991893712438462013-06-09T08:11:00.000-07:002013-06-09T08:11:41.676-07:00Saeco Cannondale Jersey- Best ever cycling kit?
The unmistakeablely brilliant Saeco Cannondale cycling Jersey
The best cycling kit ever- Saeco Cannondale
When I was growing up and watching the Tour De France on the television there was one man who added a degree of panache to the flat stages- Mario Cipollini
Since that period I've always had a love of the Saeco Cannondale kit and recently picked up the above jersey for a bargain on ebay.LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-38786751565037722252012-08-31T13:07:00.001-07:002012-08-31T13:08:05.905-07:00Getting Uncle John ready for the cyclocross season
Some new Decathlon BTwin Micropore Bar tape fitted to match the Uncle John and my red Samcycling Team kit
September in Nottinghamshire means one thing for many
The Start of the Cyclocross Racing Season
We're lucky to have one of the best local cyclocross leagues in the UK with pretty much a race every weekend through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as well as many Lincolnshire cyclo cross LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-83021753479665060792012-06-18T11:27:00.001-07:002012-12-04T12:34:55.714-08:00Lezyne Steel Floor Drive- A new love enters my life
A month ago I was in mourning for my poor Joe Blow. It had lost the will and finally run out of puff.
Since then after much deliberation I have found a new love to enter my life
Lezyne Steel Floor Drive Track Pump- my new baby!
The Lezyne Steel Floor Drive Track Pump is a marvel of engineering and simplicity and has a retro edge to it's styling with an awesome wooden handle.
The amazingly LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-57045900417648730332012-05-21T12:15:00.001-07:002012-05-21T12:52:26.079-07:00The death of Joe Blow
Farewell my old and faithful friend for you have served me well through the last ten years
The death of my Joe Blow Sport Track Pump has hit me badly
You've serviced Peugeot, Ambrosio, Ribble, Langdale, Giant, Planet X and Kinesis bikes in that time and oulived them all. I've relied upon you time and time again. You've hit that magic 120 psi with little excess effort and I've taken you LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0Nottingham, UK52.95477 -1.15808652.878242 -1.3160144999999999 53.031298000000007 -1.0001575tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-28530558701824304682012-05-16T13:21:00.001-07:002012-11-09T12:01:06.674-08:00Mallory Park In The Rain 15.05.2012
Awesome race at Mallory Park in the rain 15.05.2012
Cycling in heavy rain has a marmite effect for many cyclists- you either love it or hate it. Personally as long as I can stay relatively warm I love it- especially as you see other riders' faces drop and become despondant.
The heavens opens prior to racing at Mallory Park last night (15.05.2012) in their newly expanded 2/3/4/W LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire LE9, UK52.601235 -1.32730752.591591 -1.347048 52.610879000000004 -1.307566tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-58683846196401148072012-04-29T08:38:00.000-07:002012-04-29T08:38:40.226-07:00Birmingham CC Circuit Races- 2nd race of the season
Waking up this morning bunged up was never going to be a good sign. The weather reports stating that there was due to be more than a months rain in a single day was also not a good omen either. British weather forecasts are often inaccurate- in this case I would consider that there was two months worth of rain in one day.
Normally I have no issues racing in the rain- in fact I rather like LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0Birmingham Business Park, adj Overflow Car Park, Birmingham, West Midlands B37, UK52.466050361889515 -1.71798706054687552.446703861889517 -1.757469060546875 52.485396861889512 -1.678505060546875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-91380703103040927612012-04-28T07:50:00.000-07:002012-04-28T07:50:28.359-07:00The Best Coffee in The Vale Of Belvoir for Cyclists
While out training we tend to visit quite a few cafes and coffee shops around the areas we ride. A favoured area out to the South East of Nottingham to The Vale Of Belvoir.
The Vale Of Belvoir is a low lying area which is characterised by picturesque villages, a number of Canals and relatively quiet country roads favoured by local cyclists.
Personally the best cafe in The Vale of LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com1Bottesford, Leicestershire NG13, UK52.940232 -0.80288352.930663 -0.822624 52.949801 -0.783142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-21293170965687964022012-04-22T07:39:00.001-07:002012-04-22T07:39:15.692-07:00Can a cyclist use a MacDonalds Drive Thru?
For give me father for I have sinned. And i've sinned on a number of occassions. Yes I have eaten at MacDonalds. I know it's not good for me and I know my 'foodie friends' will likely lower their opinions of me.
But a question arose today in that
Can a cyclist use a MacDonalds Drive Thru?
I have to admit that yes- I have personally gone through MacDonald's Drive Thru on my bike inLiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com1MacDonalds, 542 Valley Rd, Nottingham NG5, UK52.980276269967092 -1.17416381835937552.970715269967094 -1.193904818359375 52.98983726996709 -1.154422818359375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-83360614004113615802012-04-14T08:49:00.001-07:002012-04-19T13:54:21.953-07:00Victoria Park Crits- First race of the season report
Thats's my first race of the 2012 cycling season done. Just finished The Victoria Park Crits down at Leamington Spa- my first race in Samcycling.com Race Team kit and C Originals SV888 helmet
Myself in Samcycling.com Team Kit and C Originals SV888 Helmet, plus riding my Planet X RT 57
The Victoria Park Crits are a fantastic series of short races around Victoria Park on a 800 meter long non LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32, UK52.287599 -1.53448452.277886 -1.554225 52.297312 -1.514743tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-55789420951726026922012-04-02T10:49:00.002-07:002012-04-02T12:31:45.517-07:00Decathlon BTwin Bottle cages- time to take them back for a refund!
A review of the Decathlon BTwin 5 Water Bottle Holder
BTwin Bottle Holder on Planet X RT 57
I have to admit that despite the numerous pieces of carbon bicycle exotica i've owned over the years I have never actually owned a carbon fibre bottle cage. For their use I cannot see the logic in spending such a large amount of money so here's a short review of the product.
Decathlon BTwin LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-3837894701348036502012-03-28T12:40:00.000-07:002012-12-04T12:40:35.361-08:00Planet X RT 57 Bike Problems after a month of use
I previously showed a selection of images of my new Planet X RT-57 and after a months worth of riding I thought it's be a good time to take you through a few negatives to bear in mind if you're considering buying a Planet X Bike and looking for reviews and feedback
Planet X RT 57 Review and Problems
Planet X RT 57 Bike Problems (A review)
I found that when I collected the bike LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-29594634786513361712012-03-19T13:05:00.001-07:002012-05-22T14:11:57.733-07:00Something for a change- A week skiing in Arinsal, Andorra
While the racing season has started in the UK it's a very long season if you're wanting to race all the way through to September. Therefore I couldn't pass up on an opportunity to do something different which has some potential to help my cycling while getting a winter break too.
Atop the Pic Negre, Arinsal Andorra at the Gondola which links Arinsal with Pal.
Last week I headed off toLiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0AD400 Arinsal, Andorra42.5720694 1.483908942.5662229 1.4740384000000002 42.577915899999994 1.4937794tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-771334019792512652012-02-29T10:18:00.001-08:002012-02-29T10:18:42.128-08:00February's Training: Aiming for that 2nd Cat Racing License
My plan from January's update on my training status was to start building up the muscular endurance and training volume. I had a fairly steady January and here's my update from February.
February 2012 Training Diary
1. Day off
2. Steady turbo trainer session working on endurance and muscular endurance. Following a ten minute warm up I performed 30 minutes in 52*21 at a cadence of aroundLiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0Nottingham, UK52.95477 -1.15808652.878242 -1.3160144999999999 53.031298000000007 -1.0001575tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-48668268653834005012012-02-26T10:39:00.000-08:002012-04-16T10:35:46.182-07:00Newfield Dairy Ice Cream Parlour and Cafe, Hockerton- A great cafe for cyclists in Nottinghamshire
Cycling and coffee go hand in hand. There's an importance on the social side of cycling and most cyclists love to stop for coffee and cake or breakfast. Here's a little review of Newfield Dairy Ice Cream Parlour and Cafe.
Newfield Dairy Cafe Sign
There's a new cafe on the scene for in Nottinghamshire at Newfield Dairy on the outskirts of Southwell in Nottinghamshire. The cafe only opened LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0Newfield Dairy Ice Cream Parlour and Cafe,Caunton Rd, Nottinghamshire, UK53.110617262598531 -0.9189033508300781253.101086262598528 -0.93864435083007813 53.120148262598534 -0.89916235083007812tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-34340548483688906642012-02-20T10:53:00.002-08:002012-04-02T05:04:18.680-07:00New pedals for the new bike; Ritchey WCS Echelon V2 (Keo alternative)
A new bike like my Planet X RT-57 really deserves a new set of pedals to go with it so here's a review of Ritchey's WCS Peloton Pedals which now adorn my new stead. If you're reading this asking the question
"Are Ritchey WCS Echelon V2 Road Pedals compatible with Look Keo Pedals"
Then the answer is all below
I've used Look Keo pedals for a number of years and all of my other bikes have LookLiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-47887803154619925602012-02-11T08:10:00.000-08:002012-02-25T09:51:52.475-08:00The new bike is here- Planet X RT-57 with Sram Red
After a trip up to Rotherham I now have my new bike ready for the 2012 racing season. A new Planet X RT-57
Here are a few images on arrival. More to follow and a full review on the rt-57 coming in future,
As I hope you can see from the photos this bike looks fantastic and should be a fantastic race bike.
Fantastic looking Planet X RT 57 with Sram Red Group
This bike looks fantastic LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-68313859879863330962012-02-06T10:37:00.000-08:002012-03-09T11:50:29.798-08:00Looking for a dofollow cycling blog?
Look no further
Diary of a wannabe second cat cyclist is a dofollow blog so if you're looking for backlinks for a sports or cycling related blog.
Do follow blogs can help improve your google pagerank through creating backlinks to your specific blog or website so feel free to have a read of some of the blog posts here and why not comment?
Good luck in raising your google pagerank through do LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-41684183355865935152012-02-03T13:34:00.000-08:002012-02-03T13:41:01.986-08:00January 2012- My Cycling Training Diary (Honest)
Training for a cyclist starts to get serious when January hits so I've decided to publish my honest training diary from January.
January for me is base training and subsequently reflects that emphasis. In the past I've often been hit down by viruses around January/ February time so I'm taking a slightly different approach this year to ensure I do not perform too much riding too early in the LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0Nottingham, UK52.95477 -1.15808652.878242 -1.3160144999999999 53.031298000000007 -1.0001575tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-54580289881989422212012-01-28T11:04:00.000-08:002012-01-28T11:04:04.606-08:00Riding Rollers is really affecting my muscles
Having spent a lot of time recently riding rollers I've started to realise that they really are developing my pedal stroke
What I've learnt- My pedal action is weak over the top half of the pedalling action.
Previously my pedal stroke was weak on the initial activation phase of the power phase. Ranging from 12 to 3 on the clock face.
How I know this- I'm finding a lot of extra effect LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-55386161300048920372012-01-11T10:36:00.000-08:002012-01-11T10:36:22.667-08:00I'll be riding for the Samcycling Race Team in 2012
Way back last year I was offered the opportunity to ride for a new team due to set up within the East Midlands for 2012 through the Internet cycling retailer Samcycling.
The team will feature 5 riders initially and is a great step forward for myself and has given me renewed emphasis to progress within my cycling.
The Team will be sponsored by
Samcycling.com
Oxyburn Base layers (part of LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-43745822530737601342012-01-03T13:06:00.000-08:002012-12-04T12:46:43.942-08:00Why all cyclists should use a set of rollers
I got myself a set of rollers a couple of years ago and have to admit I've hardly used them up until this winter. Having had 18 months away from serious cycling I needed something to help me work on my pedalling technique and I've found the rollers are fantastic for just that
I've found that the key benefits of using a set of rollers are
Improved balance whilst cycling.
Improved pedal strokeLiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-52148358085492435522011-12-28T14:30:00.000-08:002011-12-28T06:16:53.176-08:00Christmas Training 2011
Christmas Eve 24th December 2011
61 miles (98km) averaging 18.2 mph
Steady ride initially over flat terrain however including the local climb of Harby Hill before a 5 mile section along the drag strip that is Harby Straight with local club Mapperley CC. Sections on Harby straight of around 30 mph/ 48 km/h despite the road being pretty flat.
Mapperley CC stopped for a Cafe stop however I LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-86150021877560335722011-12-23T13:46:00.000-08:002011-12-23T13:47:39.997-08:00Winter Training Up to Christmas 2011
Christmas means many things to alot of people
Personally it means a period of at least a week off work and therefore the opportunity to get some quality time on the bike
Having started to pick up the training somewhat over
Throughout December training and riding has looked something like this
Monday's- Day off/ Gym session for core stability and muscular endurance (25+ reps)
Tuesday's-LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4639471476116098764.post-52022455077618046872011-12-22T03:52:00.000-08:002011-12-22T03:52:00.081-08:002011- a bad year personally cycling wise
After a year off racing in 2011 I feel that it's now time to concentrate, focus and achieve something on the bike in 2012
2011 was a poor year for me on the bike however I had other things to focus throughout the year and managed to stay relatively fit without having a level of racing fitness.
I climbed Jebel Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in October
Scaled Ben Nevis- the highest LiamHallamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700946167253493076noreply@blogger.com0