Friday, May 16, 2008

MBR Cover: July 08

I've got my first cover — should be hitting the shelves just about now. Unfortunately there's a great big bog brush covering up my shot, but it still looks good. And for once, the colours look right — not always the case with our printers...
The shot is from the cover shoot Danny and I did on the South Downs way back in February. Three flashes, one bright sun and my Canon 10-22mm lens were used here.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Battersea Park, last Wednesday evening

London's such a nice place to be when the sun's out. If only the weather was like this all year round...

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Glyncorrwg

Just back from three days at Afan forest in South Wales. We had great weather and rode loads.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Finally, I've finished a race

After a month punctures, lack of fitness and general despondency, I finally finished a race. And not just any old race, Crystal Palace, a circuit that I used to be alright at as a 3rd category rider, but have failed to make any impression on in the E/1/2 category.
It was hard but it always is. And took some time for me to throw caution to the wind and ride the bottom corner without braking. I've realised I'm OK at cornering, but only if I can see the exit. At Palace, you can't, and I'm correspondingly rubbish.
Here's the numbers: we covered 25 laps, or 32.9km, in 49mins 50secs, which makes an average speed of 39.6kph. My maximum speed was 54.7kph. My average heart rate was 171, max was 184, and my average cadence was 90 - quite high considering how much of the time you're not pedalling (cornering etc). According to my Garmin 705, I burnt off 1319Kcals in the race.


Picture © Phil Jones

Monday, May 05, 2008

New lens (not new bike...)

I just picked up a Sigma 30mm F1.4 lens. Pretty good deal: saw a price on camerapricebuster through Jessops, so ordered online, got an online discount price, and picked it up in the Croydon store an hour later. Sweet. Sigma lenses get pretty mixed reviews so I didn't really want to get it online incase I got a soft version and had to return it. This one seems ok so far.
I went and rode Bracknell today. Considering how hot it's been the last few days it's incredibly muddy in the woods. April showers taking their toll. I rode my longtermer (Giant Trance 1) whilst Muldoon broke in a new Specialized Stumpjumper carbon.
Here's where we rode: we spent quite a lot of time playing on the new(ish) jumpy trails, and in the jump gully. I'm getting better at getting my wheels off the ground but I still suck. Must try harder.