This is a picture of Jeremy Hunt Team Sky. We've been training together in Spain. Its hard work he is strong but we get on well and it helps to take your mind off the miles when you can chat easily. There are not so many cars on the roads here so we rarely need to single out and let them past. Its so easy to train here. The motivation it takes to do each hour is at least half of what it would be to do the same miles in the UK. Such a pleasure. I honestly appreciate every day I get to ride, and without rubbing it in to all those who don't have the time to train this much, but I am glad this is part of my job and I'm not sitting at a computer all day in an office!! I am very intentional about making the most if it while it lasts and I can ride to a good standard.

Another thing I have been noticing is the laid back approach to riding here. In London I get up early every morning and head out in a bit of a rush to get back in time to fit everything else I have to do into each day. Here, we get up about 08:30 - 09:00 and leave the house at 10:00 - 10:30. Partly because the temperature is very cold at night, 5-6C and it warms up as the sun comes up to about 16-17C in the afternoon. Also there is always dew and water on the roads till about 11:00 - 11:30 and that is dangerous, means you often go down the descents at the same speed you went up them because roads here are very slippery when wet! Any way its been a pleasure not to feel rushed every day even though I am still productive everyday after training. But I think that is just the London way... rush rush rush!!!

Will try and take some better pictures and make some regular posts. Till then ride safe.

Y

Snow!!

This was a ride I did with a good friend Rich Mardle (in photo) to Box hill and back in the snow on the MTB's. We made it a 100km 5h00 effort. From Esher you can do basically half off road to Box Hill and back and this was one of many little foot paths that was 6inches deep in snow. A really beautiful ride.

This was an advert that recently featured in the Christmas edition of Rouleur magazine. A little background on the add. I was trying to design an image that showed something extra about what we are trying to achieve, from my self personally, the values of the company and everything to do with the product and the business. I went for a shot off road on Dartmoore up a very steep path but on a road bike with slick tires. This was to represent that we should not settle for other peoples limits. A version of 'Impossible is nothing' type message, as the path is totally impassable on a Mountain bike let a lone a road bike. Then I wanted to use some text with depth and meaning of its own. This is the first half of a Shakespeare quote that I really like. "Boldness has genius magic and power." I love it and it perfectly represents my attitude when I consider what I can achieve. Lastly we added a little post production on the lighting to give it that moody serious look. I feel serious about my job as director because I want to succeed and deliver a quality product with a quality service. Nothing less will do. I hope you like it.

Le Col has been seen in the equine world. That is not what it was designed for but apparently it doubles very well as a riding jacket.

A recent trip to the studio, these shots have normally been edited so as I am no longer in them but here is a look at the way they start out with the ugly bloke still there. This is really quite special stuff and I am very proud to be wearing it. Lots of developments and refinements mean it has progressed since last year. Available to buy in selected shops and on line at www.lecol.net

Here is a photo of me getting beaten by a 15 year old. Not something I am proud of but then I was not even second as the 15 year old in question also beat the every other top british based pro in the country including defending Champ, Dan Fleeman, Ex National champ Kristian House so did a pretty good job of the 2min climb! The sorry thing was this was my last race for the season.

Its that time again and the Brighton Big Dog has come round again. Its a race I did last year and was a real pleasure to do something different while still getting a good ride in. I like the endurance style MTB races as opposed to the more conventional shorter disciplines. I'm getting older now and it takes me longer to get going. Here's a shot from last years event.