Review: Maloja Women’s SilsM sleeveless jersey

VERDICT: An attractive, comfortable and nicely fitting summer jersey that’s almost good enough to wear as a ‘normal’ top

The cut and pattern are nicely feminine without
being pink.

I bought this top in an attempt to even out my cyclist tan lines. Being out on the bike so much during summer inevitably means getting a tan, and my short-sleeved jerseys meant I had a very defined tan/white line across the tops of my arms.

Most sleeveless or strappy cycling jerseys seem to have integral bras, which are no good for me. Anything that fits around the waist is way too small in the bra area, while if the bra fits the top will be hugely baggy everywhere else. Also, I have really good sports bras, so why would I want a top with an integral bra that simply won’t offer the same support?

A trawl through all of Wiggle’s short-sleeved women’s jerseys turned up just a couple that were both sleeveless and didn’t have internal support. Maloja’s SilsM jersey was one. I instantly liked the design: very pretty without being at all pink. I like pink, a lot, but I don’t want everything I wear to be that colour. At £54 it’s a bit more costly than I usually pay, but I really did like it so decided to treat myself (although as of today, 30 July, it’s in Wiggle’s sale for just £42.66).

The fit is more relaxed than my usual race look, but that’s probably a good thing in the heat and no doubt contributed to what is a very comfortable to wear top

I tested the jersey on a 30-mile ride through the Essex countryside on a hot and sunny day. The fit is more relaxed than my usual race look, but that’s probably a good thing in the heat and no doubt contributed to what is a very comfortable to wear top. Moisture wicking was pretty efficient and even after a few uses in the sun there was no telltale sweaty aroma. The manmade fabric is light and smooth against the skin.

There are two generously sized pockets, but no zipped pocket for valuables. I tend to use a saddlebag for keys and cash so this isn’t a problem for me, but it’s something of an oversight that could be easily remedied. There’s also no zip on the front so it can’t be adjusted for extra airflow, and there are only two, rather dark, colour options. But these really are the only criticisms I can make. On the whole, this is a nice looking, well fitting and comfortable jersey from which I expect to get lots of miles. I’ll certainly be buying more Maloja clothing in the future.

Not a great photo, but kind of shows what it looks like on.

The Dragon is slain!

We did it! We completed our first-ever Wiggle Dragon Ride. And it was fantastic

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The Wiggle Dragon Ride was, quite frankly, one of the best things I’ve ever done, as well as one of the hardest. Here’s how the weekend panned out.

Despite staying up till 4am drinking wine and vodka (not in the same glass) on Friday night/Saturday morning, I was up on time Saturday, having already packed the night before. The taxi arrived, I said goodbye to The Chap and set off, arriving at Paddington with a good 20 minutes to pick up tickets and find the train.

After securing Florence in the bike carriage, I found my seat, got out my Kindle and settled down for three hours of reading. I got to Swansea feeling rested and not at all hungover – result! And my bike was still safe in its carriage. Unfortunately, however, Biking Buddy Claire had also been up late drinking and wasn’t faring so well as me. She was running a couple of hours late. So I installed myself in the station Costa with some food and a massive latte and settled in to more reading.

Me on the Dragon Ride. I really was that happy. I've bought this photo and ordered a print. 

Claire finally arrived and we secured my bike to the rack and drove off to the airbnb. I really didn’t know what to expect for this, having never stayed in one before. But it was lovely. The house was gorgeous, the people so friendly and welcoming and the position fantastic, right on the Gower. It would be a beautiful place to stay for several days, just enjoying the beach and doing lots of walking.

We walked to a local pub for dinner, treating ourselves to carb-heavy pasta and garlic bread dishes. And then back to the house for an early night.

Race day
I was terrified by this point – convinced I wouldn’t make it all the way round and that the mountains would defeat me. It just all seemed too much. Then inspiration hit: instead of thinking of it as one massive 100-mile ride, break it down. There are two feeding stations and the finish line, so logically the stopping points should be around 30-35 mile distance. So it made much more sense to think of it as three 30-35 mile rides. And we agreed that if either one of us got to a station and felt like we couldn’t go on we’d both stop.

This made me feel much better – 35 miles is absolutely manageable and knowing that I could bail out if I needed to meant the pressure was off. As it turned out, I had nothing to worry about. Once I got on my bike all my concerns disappeared and I just started cycling. This always happens when I’m on the bike. I love it so much it just makes me happy.

The ride was amazing. It was also very challenging, of course, but at no point did I feel it was too much. We did get off and walk for one hill, known as the Devil’s Elbow. It was incredibly steep and long, and lots of riders had dismounted. One chap opined “I’m getting overtaken even when walking!” as we went past him. Other than that we managed all the inclines and had huge fun free-wheeling down the declines.

The scenery was fantastic. We rode through the Brecon Beacons National Park and it was truly stunning. I didn’t have a camera with me, preferring to travel as light as possible, but this really is beautiful part of the country and worth visiting. I may well go back next year for holiday.

The ride was so well organised. Free food and water were provided at each stop. The salted potatoes were amazing – one lady described them as “magic potatoes”, and she wasn’t wrong. Flapjacks, jelly babies, crisps, bananas and pasties were all provided and we took full advantage.

Our time. Top one is me, bottom is Claire.

By the time we got to each feed station I was most definitely ready for some sustenance and a bit of time out of the saddle. Which would imply that the stops were in exactly the right positions. At the very end of the ride we were back on the same roads as we set out on, and it was something of a relief to start recognising landmarks and realise that we were very much on the home run.

There was free pasta or noodles for participants at the end of the ride, as well as a massage area (which you had pay for). I didn’t indulge in a massage, but the food was very welcome.

The ride was amazing. It was also very challenging, of course, but at no point did I feel it was too much

My only complaint is the lack of transport. The last train back to London left Swansea at 1955, which didn’t give much time to get there. Luckily it stopped at Port Talbot Parkway at 2014, which is much closer and meant Claire could drop me off with plenty of time to get the train. However, many people were still finishing as we left, so I guess they either drove or were staying over. This wasn’t an option for me and missing that last train would have had serious work repercussions.

Obviously train times are nothing to do with the event organisers, but maybe they could talk to the train company to get a couple of later trains put on. Also, transport from Margam Park to the station would have been very useful.

What next?
So we slayed the Dragon and rode 96 miles in mountains. What will be the next challenge? There are longer rides and I’d like to do one. I wasn’t dead on my legs after this one and I did feel that I could go on.

And, of course, this ride wasn’t quite 100 miles. It was close enough, but I can’t in all honesty say I’ve done the century. So Claire and I have both signed up for the Epic ride in The Only Way, a 100-mile ride through the Essex countryside. After conquering my fear of mountains, this largely flat sportive mostly sounds like a lot of fun. We did the Dragon Ride in 8 hours 27 minutes including stops – I wonder how much quicker we’ll be on much flatter ground?

Elsewhere, some friends did the Tour of Cambridgeshire on the same weekend as the Dragon and if that runs again next year I definitely want to take part. This is a 100-mile closed-road gran fondo through Cambridgeshire.

Slaying the Dragon

I’m taking part in the infamous Wiggle Dragon Ride this Sunday, and I’m scared

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After last year’s 60-mile London to Cambridge I really wanted to do something longer and more challenging. A 100-mile ride was the obvious choice. I applied for the London 100, but unfortunately didn’t get in. It’s a hugely popular ride with many thousands more applying than can be accepted.

So when my bike buddy Claire said she’d signed up for the Wiggle Dragon Ride, I decided I’d give it a go too. I left it late to sign up so had to apply via the official charity, Macmillan Cancer Support. This meant I had to raise a minimum of £200 in order to take part. The generosity of my fabulous friends and family means I’ve actually raised more than this.

There are four main options in the ride: Corto, which is 43km; Medio Fondo, 153km; Gran Fondo, 226km; and Dragon Devil, a whopping 302km. There’s also a women’s only Cycletta of 43km. Claire and I have gone for the Medio. I’d love to do something like the Devil, but I’m not sure I could manage it in a day. Maybe that’s something to work up to …

There’s also a three-day Dragon Tour, which takes places over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday involves riding 102km, Saturday 96km, then on Sunday riders choose one of the distances above. So the really intrepid could do a total of 500km in three days. Wow.

I have to admit I’m really quite nervous. In fact I’m nervous about pretty much all of it! Going to Wales on my own (I’ve never been to Wales), getting my bike to Paddington (I’ve never taken my bike on public transport in London), even using airbnb for the first time (I didn’t even know what to do about breakfast!).

It’s hard to train for hills in London – we simply don’t have any

So I’ve been breaking it all down into more manageable chunks. My train tickets are booked and I’ve got a bike space. The airbnb is booked and I emailed about the breakfast – she puts out some cereals, bread, eggs, fruit and so on and we just make our own. I’m probably going to take a taxi to Paddington. So all my fears are being conquered one by one.

Which just leaves the ride itself. And it’s terrifying. It’s not so much the distance I’m worried about. I’ve not ridden 153km before, but my longest solo ride was 101km. It’s easier to do it in a group with support, so I’m pretty confident I can do the full 153.

What I don’t feel prepared for, though, is the hills. It’s hard to train for hills in London. We simply don’t have any. Not proper ones. I’ve changed my routes into and from work to incorporate a few up-and-down bits and I’ve been trying to take these faster and in higher gears to strengthen my legs, but there’s really no substitute for the real thing. And let’s face it, up-and-down bits in London are nothing like the hills I’ll encounter in Wales. My rides out into the Essex countryside have also included some hilly parts, but again not Welsh-style hilly parts.

I’ve put in a lot of training and I rack up a lot of miles over a week. My general fitness is really quite good and my legs are pretty strong. Despite all that, though, those hills really do scare me. This is going to be an incredibly challenging ride, and I hope I’m up to it. Will I slay the Dragon, or will it slay me? I guess there’s only one way to find out!

By the way, you can still sponsor me via my Just Giving page.

Me having finished the London to Cambridge. Look how happy I am!

Review: dhb Flashlight arm warmers

VERDICT: A useful piece of kit that does the job – just be careful with sizing

What’s the point of arm warmers, I thought to myself. Just wear a long-sleeved top. Then April arrived with its chilly mornings and much milder evenings, and suddenly I understood.

I commute by bike at least four days a week and this means bringing in a day’s clothes, food, spare inner tube, mini pump and other bits and pieces. April’s spring weather meant that mornings were still cool enough to require covering up, but the evenings were much warmer and sunnier and I wanted bare arms.

They do exactly what they were intended, keeping my arms warm and covered in the chilly mornings but small and light enough to roll up and put in my rucksack on the way home

I took to bringing in a short-sleeved top for the evening and a long-sleeved one for morning. Adding yet more gear to everything I already need wasn’t ideal. It took a full week of doing this but eventually the penny dropped: this is why people buy arm warmers.

So I invested in the dhb Flashlights. I’ve got various items from the Flashlight range (a long-sleeved jersey, full-length tights, quarter-length unpadded tights and quarter-length padded tights) because I like being seen at night.

The arm warmers work much as you might expect: a tube of stretchy material that you pull on up to your upper arms and under your T-shirt sleeves. There are rubber grippers at both ends to keep the product in place. These are advertised as black, but I would describe them as a very dark slate grey. The Flashlight logo is emblazoned on the lower arm.

They do exactly what they were intended, keeping my arms warm and covered in the chilly mornings but small and light enough to roll up and put in my rucksack on the way home. They’re actually small enough to stuff in my jersey pockets, so if temperatures do rise while I’m wearing them I won’t even even have to go in my bag.

Arm warmer selfie

Length-wise they’re perfect – just long enough to stretch over my gloves and so keep the cold air off my hands and wrists. However, despite me carefully measuring the tops of my arms and concluding I needed a medium, the arm warmers are too loose around the top, so they tend to slide down when I’m riding. This is annoying and definitely lessens the product’s usefulness.

• NB: since writing this I’ve invested in a pair of small arm warmers and they fit perfectly.

Tech spec
• Sizes: small, medium, large (medium tested) • Length: 45.5cm • Colour: black • RRP: £16.99 • Available from Wiggle • I bought this product •

30 Days of Biking: how I fared

Standfirst and dotted line

As the 30 Days of Biking challenge comes to an end, I reflect on a full month in the saddle

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So April has come to an end, and with it the 30 Days of Biking challenge. And how did I do?

Well, if I’m honest, I failed. I knew I would within a few days of registering for the challenge. I was invited on a press trip to Coto Donana in Spain’s Andalucia region. There was no way I was going to explain to my editor that I couldn’t go because I had to cycle every day in April. So that was four days out of the 30 that I couldn’t get on my bike. I did cycle every other day, though. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My aim is to always improve on past records and goals, so I’m going to have to really up my game for May – I can’t wait!

Usually I take a couple of days off the bike every week. Most often these are Wednesdays and Saturdays. I use these days as cross training, so on the former I walk at least 10,000 steps and on the latter I do toning exercises. Not wanting to overdo things, I dropped the cross training for the duration of the challenge; I also did much shorter rides on those two days.

My main concern for the challenge was whether my legs would be up to it. Up to the 16th (which is when I went to Spain), they were fine; more than fine, in fact, they were strong. But on getting back on the bike after my trip I could definitely feel it in my legs. On one day I even cut down my commutes and avoided my hilly routes. I felt better for it and the next day was back to my hilly 10-mile rides.

I am quite disappointed that I didn’t get to complete the challenge. It would have been a different matter if I hadn’t been able to – I would have known I’d given it my best shot. But I simply didn’t have access to a bike. I’m pretty sure I could have completed it, but I don’t know that I could. And that bugs me.

Me on completing my first ride right at the beginning of the challenge.

I really enjoyed taking part in the challenge and I'm definitely going to do it again next year. I’m very pleased with the extra kilometres it’s given me. According to Strava, I’ve cycled 634km this month, which is my highest monthly record ever. My aim is to always improve on past records and goals, so I’m going to have to really up my game for May. This will mean more cycling and extra miles. I can’t wait!

30 days of biking challenge

I’ve pledged to cycle every day in April – have you?

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Always on the lookout for new and exciting challenges to do on my bike, I recently pledged to do 30 days of biking. It’s simple enough, you just ride your bike every day in April. It doesn’t matter how far or where to, as long as you do it, and then share your biking adventures online. The challenge started back in 2010 and now thousands of people worldwide take part.

It’s simple enough, you just ride your bike every day in April

I found the challenge on Twitter (where else?) and thought it sounded fun. I usually have a couple of days off the bike every week so riding every day will be interesting. Will my legs take it? You can follow the fun on the event Twitter account @30daysofbiking or using the hashtag #30daysofbiking on both Twitter and Instagram.

Unfortunately (or not), mere minutes after pledging I was told I was going to Spain for four days for work (I know, it’s a hard life). Which means I can’t actually complete the pledge in April. I will add an extra four days on the end to make up, but I don’t really think that’s the spirit of things. I am slightly disappointed, but explaining to my editor that I can’t go to Spain because I want to ride my bike every day wasn’t going to happen. I will cycle every other day in April. And I will share my adventures as I go.

Today was the first day of the challenge and I cycled to work, as I usually do. This morning’s ride was 9.9 miles taking in Walthamstow Marshes, Springfield Park and Finsbury Park.

A happy me arrives at work on the first day of the 30 days of biking challenge.

Using tech to get healthy

My Fitness Pal is a website and app that helps you keep motivated to get fit and lose weight

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The MFP website. I've burned more than 300 calories today.

I do quite a lot of exercise, so I’m pretty fit and healthy. However, I’m not entirely happy with my weight – or rather my size as it’s the fit of my clothes by which I tend to judge. When it comes to weight loss – as oppose to getting fit or maintaining a healthy weight – it’s 80% about cutting calories rather than upping burning them. So it was time to change my diet.

I haven’t made major changes. More fruit and salads and smaller portions, cutting down on the amount of oil used in cooking, cutting down a bit on carbs. Small changes that are easy to maintain. I don’t believe in denying myself, so instead of cutting out foods like cake and chocolate, I just have them in small pieces. I don’t diet, as such, as I don’t believe it works. This is about retraining my eating habits to be healthier – for good.

It does get rather dispiriting at times, though. Especially when you see someone tucking into a huge piece of cake and can’t help but think ‘Why can’t I just eat whatever I want and not put on any weight?’ Which is why you should never compare yourself to others. Heck, for all I know that person might run straight to loo and throw up everything they’ve just eaten. And that’s certainly not something I want to be doing.

Mr motivator
Staying motivated when these thoughts hit can be challenging. So after a bit of advice from friends I did what I usually do and turned to the internet. My Fitness Pal is a website and app. It’s easy to use and really quite simple – you input your weight, how much you want to lose, the time scale and various other personal data.

The app, showing my healthy
breakfast of porridge and jam!

MFP then generates a daily calorie target and you just log the food you eat and the exercise you do. The number of calories you burn is offset against the number you take in and when you’ve finished your food and exercise diary for the day the software will calculate your weight loss (or gain!) if you ate like this every day.

It’s been an absolute revelation to me. Weight loss advice nearly always includes keeping a food diary, but I’ve never seen the point. I know what I eat during the day, so why would writing it down make a difference, I always thought. How wrong I was. The knowledge that everything you’ve eaten will be there in black and white (or rather pixels) for you and all your MFP friends to see really does make you think about what you’re putting in your mouth. It also turns out that I’m really quite competitive – not so much with other people, but with myself. I really want to ‘win’ at losing weight.

This hasn’t meant that I’ve particularly been denying myself, but I do think more about my caloric intake. I’ll maybe eat a smaller dinner if I want to have cake. I also do an awful lot of exercise to offset those calories.

It also works well with other software I use. I recently invested in a Fitbit to count steps on days off the bike (usually Wednesdays and Saturdays). Your Fitbit account can be linked to your MFP account, so the calories you’ve burned by walking are offset against what you’ve eaten. I’m also a huge fan of Strava, which again can be linked to your MFP account.

I’ve never seen the point of keeping a food diary; how wrong I was

I’ve been seriously impressed at how smoothly all these various things have worked together. All three are both website and app based, and all I’ve had to do is tap the relevant button on the apps to link them up. Then the data is automatically transferred. MFP then tells me how many minutes I’ve exercised and how many calories I’ve burned per day and per week. It’s been really quite eye opening to see just how much I work out these days.

But the real test is whether it’s worked – have I lost weight? Well, yes, I have, though not quite as much I’d hoped. But I have lost size. Those trousers that were a bit tight fit properly again and I’ve gone down a notch on my belt. I suspect the main reason the weight isn’t going down as quickly I wanted is the amount of exercise I do. I’m building muscle tissue and losing fat, which is a good thing. The fact that I pretty much eat my own body weight in crisps whenever I get drunk is probably playing a part too, though.