ABSA Cape Epic™ – 2010 LAUNCH – London (U.K.)

The ABSA CAPE EPIC 2010 route launch took place in London on the 4th February 2010.

This 2010 route screening was hosted at the Telegraph pub in Putney and arranged by Andrew Clayton from www.pedalstudio.co.uk . The evening attracted a number of enthusiastic London mountain bikers and some of the attendees travelled in from as far out as Birmingham. The evening included presentations from Sandro Morelli (S2-Fitness) on Heart Rate training and from Rob Enslin (AWcycles) on Nutrition.

ABSA Cape Epic - Route Launch 2010 - London - Rob Enslin of AWCycles delivering a talk on Nutrition. Rob finished 11th in the 2005 ABSA Cape Epic - so knows a few tips.

Rob and Sandro are both experts in their field and delivered some very valuable advice. Rob, who is a past competitor of the ABSA Cape Epic and managed an excellent 11th place in 2005, gave some very good practical nutrition tips. The 40 odd riders were then treated to the 15 min ABSA CAPE EPIC 2010 route presentation and were glued to the big screen as the breath taking scenes and tastes of what lies ahead were screened. The tough terrain and steep climbs noted by Dr Evil brought on a few gasps and the Dr Evil 3 second slow motion ‘stare’ drew some good laughs.

Sandro Morelli (Suunto Ambassador) giving 1 2 1 advice after delivering a very informative Heart Rate Training / Coaching talk

The floor opened to a presentation on key points and race tips and a typical day at the Cape Epic was described. This was followed by a number of questions as the evening became more social. It was clear there is a growing core of like minded Mountain Bikers who enjoy stage racing and incorporate annual holidays with a race. These Mountain Bikers are hungry to train together in Wales and next year it seems some pre ABSA Cape Epic training weekends are required to be held in Wales – Afan.

The evening finished off at 10pm and the Telegraph must be commended for looking after our guests so well. The venue is lovely and spacious and the delicious food was very well received. Overall it is a very suitable venue to host a launch especially as it is in close proximity to both the A3 and the overland rail.

All riders were invited to enjoy Spinning sessions at the Pedal Studio to evade the snow and rain scheduled for the next two weeks ahead

Riders socialising after the presentation

Pedal Studio baby - James Edmondson

We have some very exciting Pedal Studio news. We have had our first Pedal Studio Baby ! Congratulations to Gill and her husband. Those of you spinning regularly must have noticed Gill and she kindly wrote a lovely article about being pregnant and spinning in our last news letter. I had to chuckle she was even watching her HR during the delivery – good girl - and had a fantastic delivery...this is from Gill.

Hi Andrew,

I am pleased to announce the arrival of the first Pedal Studio baby! James Edmondson arrived on Tuesday morning at 11.25am, weighing 7lbs 3oz after 30 hours labour!! I think I did 4 Spinning classes last week with my last one on Sunday. So less than 24 hours after my last Spin class, I started contractions and 48 hours later I was a proud (and tired) Mum. Baby is perfect in every way and I'm recovering pretty rapidly which I am sure is down to my staying fit.

Thanks to all at the pedal studio for keeping me sane and fit (by the way, my HR never went higher than 68 throughout ardous labour process much to the amazement of the midwives!!).

I look forward to getting back on my bike and into the Studio though I think it will be a good few weeks still before I can tolerate a bike saddle!!!

Gill

Meet Anna - one of our Pedal Studio Riders

I just wanted to let you know that I've really enjoyed the sessions I've attended so far at Pedal Studio and I'm starting to feel an improvement on the road as well.

On 28th June I took part in the Capital to Coast bike ride, raising funds for the Down's Syndrome Association. 60 miles from London to Hove. It was really great - for once I didn't have to worry about the traffic, the route had some amazing views (and a few hills too!), organisation was great and the road not too crowded, pure enjoyment.

This was probably the most I've ever done on my bike, so I was a bit worried at first, but I managed 4 hours, including some breaks, at a comfortable pace and average heart rate in the green zone. Yes, once you get used to them zones, you can't do without them!

Spin classes have really helped me in achieving that, not only getting fitter but also learning how to control my pace. Setting the goal in turn motivated me to keep going regularly, great combination.

And thanks again for the recommendations - I did a session with Pat Leahy and had a chat with him about training. While I'm not sure if I'll be able to train with them regularly, I'm thinking about doing the Vo2max test to finally know for sure where the different zones really are, really interesting stuff.

Cheers
Anna

ps. I really recommend this ride - registrations for 2010 are already open: www.capitaltocoast.org.uk

Aileen Anderson – Semi Pro MTB rider writes exclusively for Pedal Studio

Aileen is going to be a regular contributor to the blog so watch out for her posts in the next couple of weeks...check out her impressive ride record below


Mountain Bike/Off Road Duathlon/Triathlon Racing Results:

2009: Xterra Italy 31 May 2009 (7th in category) Qualification for World Championships, Maui 3h35:13
2009: Mudman spring: March 09: 7.5km/15km/7.5km (1st female; 7th overall) - 2h07:41
2009: Monsterman Duathlon 3: 4 miles / 12 miles / 4 miles (1st female) - 2h20:35
2009: Ice man: February 09: 10km/15km/5km Run (2nd female; 14th overall) - 01h54:08
2008: Monsterman Duathlon 1: 4 miles / 12 miles / 4 miles (1st female) - 2h23:19
2008 : Mudman winter : November 08: 7.5km/15km/7.5km (1st female; 22nd overall - 02h11:45
2008: Cheakamus Challenge, BC, Canada (70km) (5th female; 2nd in age cat) - 4h50
2008: 24 Hours of Hell in Paradise, Hawaii (lap race) (1st female (solo rider) - 12 laps
2008: Sabaru Sani To C (3 day stage race 70km a day) (5th in mixed team cat) - 11h22
2008: Stellenbosch Mountain Bike Challenge 2008 (66km) (13th female) - 04h05:16
2008: Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna MTB (85km) (8th female; 104 overall) - 03h53:01
2008: K-Way Krakadouw MTB Classic (80km) (54th overall) - 04h10:30
2008: Robertson Winery MTB Challenge (42km) (1st female; 24th overall) - 02h45:05
2008: X-Roads Sprint Triathlon (4th female) - 1h20:08
2007: Animal Hell and Back (2 day stage race) (70th overall; 5th female) - 6h48
2007: Ceres Eselfontein MTB 70km (4th female) - 4h32
2007: Gravity Festival 30km (2nd Female; 13th overall) - 1h26
2007: Stellenbosch MTB Challenge (3rd Female) - 3h53
2007: Dewdale Classic 50km (3rd female) - 2h20
2007: Knysna 85km MTB (11th female) - 4h01
2007: Absa Hex Valley Autumn Splendor 55km (2nd female) - 2h31
2007: Krakadouw 80km (3rd female)
2007: Cape Epic 2007: 8 day stage race (10th mixed; 89th overall) - 45h37
2006: GM 180 Cederberg Challenge 3-day stage race (201km) (3rd mixed team) - 10h13
2006:Lourensford Mountain Bike Classic (56km) (2nd female) - 3h48
2006: Porcupine Ride Franschoek challenge (40 km) (2nd female) - 2h28
2006: Karoo to Coast (100km) (7th female, 4th in age cat) - 4h14
2006: Anatomic Mast Challenge (11km climb) (Fastest female rider) - 00h58
2006: Stellenbosch mountain bike race (55km) (3rd female, 2nd in age cat) - 3h18
2006: Mount Rozier Challenge (80km) (2nd female, 1st in age cat) - 4h36
2006: Cape Epic 2006 (Official finishers)

Adventure racing results

2008: Overall series winners: Quantum Adventures Sprint Series (1st overall female team)
2008: Quantum Adventures Sprint Race 3 (Team BMC) (1st female; 12th overall) - 2h08:00
2008: Swazi-Extreme 250km Adventure Race(Team event) DNF: navigation error
2008: Quantum Adventures Sprint Race 2 (Team BMC) (1st female; 13th overall) - 2h04:50
2008: Quantum Adventures Sprint Race 1 (Team BMC) (1st female; 12th overall) - 2h01:06
2008: Gravity Festival Adventure Race (Team BMC) (1st Mixed Team) - 3h03

Road Running Results

2005: Knysna Forest Marathon (6th female) - 03h35:29
2005 : Caltex Foot of Africa (166th overall) - 3h41:23
2003: Vancouver Marathon (6th in age cat; 41st female) - 3h26:33
2002: Vancouver 10km Sun Run - 00h40:16
2001: Vancouver Marathon (4th in age cat; 46th female) - 3h25:53
2001: The Vancouver 10km Sun Run - 00h41:16
2000: Big foot half iron man, Canada (3rd female)
2000: Vancouver Marathon (2nd in age cat, 44th female) - 3h28:04

Pedal Studio goes cruising - 8 August 2009

The First Pedal Studio Boat Cruise was a huge party and next time I will definitely be booking for 200 people so that everyone can get on board




We had loads to celebrate and we even had a hens party – congrats Sasha and we had Kate’s 21st birthday party on board as well. It was rocking. Who would ever have thought 130 people would have fitted into my flat/garden. We shot through 20 bottles of champagne, boarded the boat and the party rocked on. There was some serious dic-sco dancing. There are more pictures up on our FaceBook page and will be up on the Pedal Studio web site shortly ! Please email us with any good ones you have and load them to FB too.



For those that were with us....thanks for joining the fun and for those who couldn't make it, catch you next time.


See you in the ride zone
Andrew

The Race Against Time (TRAT)

Hi,

I’m Iain Houston, partner of Bryony Evens, who is a Pedal Studio regular and has been since the studio first opened.

Bryony is helping me raise funds for The Race Against Time (TRAT) which is a fast, six day ride from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in aid of the Bishop Simeon Trust. The Bishop Simeon Trust do vital work in South Africa dealing with the social and economic effects of the AIDS/HIV pandemic on both adults and children. I would be very grateful for any support that you are able to give me and the charity.

If anyone would like to read more about me, the ride or the charity there is a lot of information on my TRAT blog at: http://theraceagainsttime.wordpress.com/about

If you are able to sponsor me, visit my Just Giving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/iain_houston

I have been impressed by how much Bryony’s cycling has come on since she joined the studio and I’m intending to join her myself after TRAT is over, just to keep ahead of her if nothing else. I’m 40 this year, so I’m starting a programme to get as fit and healthy as I can over the next 12 months and I think that spinning will be a big help as part of that.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Best wishes,

Iain