SKINS Challenge - Hill Stage

Brixton to Brighton (detour)

This ride is part of 3 challenges to test SKINS C400 bib shorts, Cycle Pro Short Sleeve Jersey and C400 compression baselayer. Not that we wouldn't have done the rides anyway - we now had a perfect excuse to be doing rides every weekend ;)

...what a wonderful evening, Jorrin, Deuan and myself decided to go for a ride just after work. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and we were all excited to be doing this ride on a Friday evening rather than our usual early start Saturdays/ Sundays. I started my journey in Brixton after some nice pizza in the new pizzeria just in Brixton Village market, where I also fitted the heart rate monitor. A very unusual feeling to have this strap around the chest but also interesting seeing my heart rate go up and down. I also set my personal parameters to measure calorie burn.

A short while later, I met with Deuan, steady cycle companion and superb action film maker, at Fat Boys cafe in Croydon. We really wanted to go with Jorrin but after 20min waiting we decided to leave without him, knowing he's going to catch up little later. We got to Farthing Downs after battling through Friday's traffic, then came the call from Jorrin saying he is "3 minutes" away (thats Jorrin's way of saying I'll catch up with you in 15min or so). We used the opportunity to enjoy the view and take some pictures. At quarter to 6pm it was still really hot and the sun blasting. We continued our journey south...

We were met by Jorrin (15min after phone call), exchanged excuses for being late, marvelled at Jorrin's new wheels and pedalled through ever so stunning countryside, up and down the hills going to Brighton. We made a few stops at a petrol station and a pub to fill up on water, get some nuts 'n raisins and bananas. Luckily I had a few things in my backpack which were going to come in handy: extra pair of shorts/ shirt (from work), hair clippers, some cycle bottles, tools and unidentified stuff... things one takes on such trips...


The SKINS bib shorts amd cycle shirt are the most high-tech kit I've ever worn on and I was excited to see how it performs during the 75miles ride. I know that "good things aren't cheap and cheap things aren't good." For the LEJOG ride I invested in a good cycle short (Assos) and was already positively surprised with the enhanced riding comfort, compared to regular shorts (£50 or less...).



Zooming along the country lanes, overtaking one another, pushing it hard was fantastic. We really enjoyed being on our bikes. It was a very strange feeling to be riding into the evening rather than into the day. As it got darker we pedalled harder. Todays challenge was an extra 12 miles to take the total journey close to 75miles.

The SKINS C400 bib shorts surprised on the upside. Never did I have to adjust the shorts or padding (none of the usual pulling, lifting ;) The whole journey felt really pleasant being able to just sit in the saddle and ride, pushing ourselves harder than on last rides with fewer brakes.all solved with a pair of scissors though. My Assos bib shorts bought for the LEJOG ride were very good, especially at reduced price (from £120 to £75), but I still had to adjust the padding, and pulling them in place once ever so often. None of that stuff with the SKINS bib shorts. They stayed in place and were very comfortable throughout.

The Cycle Pro Short Sleeve Jersey already had a few trial runs in the city and it really felt great - it actually felt like it wasn't there at all, keeping me dry and comfortable whilst the shirt got soaked. I only noticed it after a while, stopping/ starting at traffic lights because a little plastic patch, at the bottom by the zip, stuck out and poked me...


We got to Brighton just after 9pm, went to the beach front, had a quick drink and got back to London by train. We all agreed that this has to be repeated and that its a much better use of everyone's time that being in the pub on Friday - which is nice but it just doesn't give the same feeling of having cycled from London to Brighton....

STATS:

Ride distance: 115Km (72miles)
Time (incl. stops): 4:45 h:min
Av. Speed: 24km/h
Max speed: 65km/h
Av. heart rate: 145 BPM
Max heart rate (MHR): 192 BPM
BPM% MHR: 76
KCAL: 3100

(london to brighton - yes its generally a bit hilly...)

Please check out the Blog from fellow cyclist Quentin - "Leading The Tour" in 2010, cycling all stages of the Tour de France - just a week early ;)

click here to get to his Blog (or click on his pic)!!!


He's on an amazing journey and I am kind of envious that he's out there battling the elements and being able to cycle through France's stunning scenery, taking on huge mountains, passing Lavender fields, and just being on the road....