Morvélo Test Team

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Winter ‏‏‏‏‏

Now that we’re well into January, the FF button on my winter’s training will definitely feel like it’s been pressed (That’s Fast Forward, not Follow Friday for anyone that was wondering), because the racing season has moved from creeping up on us to a very distinct canter.


In general, the last 3 months or so have contributed to what I think may have been my most productive winter yet. With the much appreciated and continued support of the Dave Rayner Fund for 2013, I have been able to concentrate a lot more solely on training, using a few days a week at The Tristore only to subsidise my winter outgoings and to keep my feet on the ground. When it’s not necessary, living outside of the athlete’s bubble is pretty refreshing, so being able to take advantage of that while at home is good for the head, I find.


While we’re on the subject, a colleague at work was generous enough to lend me a Powertap to use over the winter, which is probably the main contributory factor to the improvements in my training that I’ve seen. Being able to plot two values on a graph gives each one a much greater worth, thus enabling progress, a lot easier to track. I find myself looking forward to sessions far more, to find out if I’ve got better, or if I’m tired, or any number of other conclusions. If training with power is a possibility for me at any point in the future, I’m going to have to make it a necessity, that’s for sure.


I was fortunate enough to get out to Majorca for 2 weeks prior to Christmas too. Again, a fair-weather training camp is something that was a new addition to my winter programme, but has rooted itself as another fundamental for future seasons. The physical benefits of training in 20 degrees compared to 5 degrees come in their masses, and likewise for the mental ones. Being able to compartmentalise what is essentially a 4 month training block is pretty essential, and time between the off season and Christmas is usually the hardest time to do this, but a training camp is apparently the perfect remedy.


Looking ahead...is proving to be quite an exciting prospect. Going into what will be my 4th year on the continent, there hath been no love, commitment or enthusiasm lost for the task of trying to become a cog the sport which obsesses us. 


In 2013 I’m going to be riding for Terra Footwear-Bicycle Line, one of the 18 Top Competition sides, and one well trodden by some of my peers, so a set up that I know will be a good one to be involved in. With a calendar made up by the vast majority of “proper” races, it should provide ample opportunities to get involved with the big boys, and hopefully for some single digit placings too.

For my sins, I’m going to be living with two of my housemates from years gone by, in a different location though. Gone is the creepy, dilapidated house we all became attached to, and in is a fresh apartment above my coach’s training centre. It’s a bit further to ride home after parking up for coffee, but the benefits of living in such a place will I hope outweigh such a major con!

I’m still waiting for confirmation, but something else new for this year will be my imminent enrolment on the books of the Open Uni, so the procrastination and idleness that often fill my days in Belgium will hopefully now be put to good use. I’m also continuing my idealistic habit of prioritising interests and enjoyments over ‘proper job’ career prospects in deciding to study the arts. So there, take that one school.


Right now though, I’m on the very fine line between getting quite fit, and getting sick; off the bike I am walking around sniffling, on the bike I am riding around with a jet-pack attached, so after attaching some pictures to this blog I’m off to consume my weight in Vitamin C and demand my family wear surgical masks and gloves at all times.


Tot Ziens, Jonges.

 

Filed under  //   Josh Cunningham  

Local Trails - Harry Steele Edit

Harry Steele - Isle of Wight Fun on Pinkbike

Morvélo Test Team Rider Harry Steele gettting a rare moment between constant rain to rail his local trails. Nice Landy BTW! 

Filed under  //   Harry Steele  
Posted by Morvélo 

The first steps.


Emma from The Kinesis Morvelo Project and Ali prepare for their first ever cross season. Emma showing off our new womens Path Jersey, Skye shorts and Team Issue Arm and Knee warmers. This new womens range is getting some great feedback and lots of comments from men asking if we can do a male version!

Filed under  //   Emma Osenton  
Posted by Morvélo 

Joe Connell's wet winter workout

Joe from the Morvelo Test Team showing us that Junior National Champions don't have off seasons. It's just a better time to practice 'muddin'. But then he is Scottish so he'll be more than used to it. Joe will be one of the test pilots for our new MTB Trail Jerseys coming out in Spring 2013.

Filed under  //   Joe Connell  
Posted by Morvélo 

European Cyclo Cross champs

On Saturday I raced for GB at the European Cyclo Cross champs in Ipswich. It was an incredible experience and I will never forget it. The course was extremely dry and super fast. Id practiced all my lines the day before so I was ready to give it everything i'd got.

I finished 17th which I was very happy with considering it was my first race as an elite women.
The support from the crowd was also amazing, there seemed to be people shouting me the whole way round the course.

Warming up

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The biggest hurdle on the biggest hill ever!

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Nothing left to give at the finish!

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Photos by Paul Douglas

Filed under  //   Hannah Payton  
Posted by Morvélo 

Pinkbike 'Video of the Day' with Harry Steele

Live To Ride: Harry Steele Whistler 2012 on Pinkbike

We've put this up before but thought it deserved another airing now that it's Pinkbikes 'Video of the Day' today. Featuring our DriRelease Tech Tees which are having good reviews in MBUK this month too. New DriRelease designs out in November.

Filed under  //   Harry Steele  
Posted by Morvélo 

When a Race becomes a Ride.

I've not been racing much at all recently. In fact Mountain Mayhem in June was the last time. The horrific conditions didn't put me off racing again, just that life kept on getting in the way. I trot out the usual excuses - young family and too much work but deep inside it wasn't cutting the mustard.

So with the cyclocross season approaching I was eager to get my race face back on again. Herne Hill of the London X League was the chosen venue to renew my racing anger. Or at least a mild tantrum. Waking to see clear blue skies you'd think that this was signed, sealed and delivered but something was holding me back.

I love racing. I love cross racing even more. So I was puzzled as to why my enthusiasm was waning. I dragged my heals enough in faffing and bike fettling that it was going to be tight to make the one and a half hour drive north in time for the race. I think I did it intentionally. My rides at present rarely go over one hour in duration if I'm lucky and I'd had a plan for a Thee Peaks style cross ride around the Downs for sometime now. I ditched the 3 hrs I'd spend in the van getting through South London and instead converted it to much needed riding time.

There are two hilly cross rides I do, both of which contain three big climbs. I've wanted to link them together to see if I could get to the distance and height climbed in the legendary Three Peaks race.

So, heading uphill out of Brighton (this is one of the many other hills on route which I don't count as such) and onto the Downs near Kingston. Drop down some steep sketchy chalk. Hightail it along the road to the first climb. Bit of an easy one this to get the legs warmed up but nice and quiet. Plus it finishes with THE BEST SIGNPOST IN THE WORLD.

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Drop back down the climb, along the road until you see a vertical line drawn directly up the side of the Downs. Climb Two. And it gets super steep right where the cattle grid is. Nice.

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I did spot another potential two climbs to use in between these two as The Six Peaks is coming in at 1000ft and 3 miles under what the Three Peaks is. One to try out again soon.

After scaling what feels like the North Face of the Eiger, bomb along the tops and then backdown so fast and bumpy doubletrack, bunnyhopping the drainage ditches and praying that the damp chalk doesn't let go of the wheels.

Sharp turn at the bottom then back up and even steeper hill which has the added test of trying to find usable traction. Some routes are smooth but chalky. Not great when damp or wet. Others are full of stones and rocks. Lots of traction but fucking hard going. Still I reach the top. Just.

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The first batch of Six Peaks complete and the legs only marginally giving up it's then fast Download downhill all the way to Sussex Uni. Wiggle through the Uni and up and down some steps with a few kerb feebles thrown in, a la Ride Everything.

After the fun and games it's a long gradual off road climb through Stanmer Park (taking in the singletrack if you have the energy) up to Ditchling Beacon. Nail one of the souths finest road bike downhill tests - let the cars have a MASSIVE headstart as they'll need it. Bomb along the bottom of the downs until the wonderful Half Moon pub in Plumpton.

No time for a pint. You've got another vertical wall to climb complete with ridged cement which dates from World War II when they drove tanks up here before the cement had set. You'll be cursing them and the legs almost give way when you reach the gravel and corroded top section of the climb.

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Across the top once more taking in the breathtaking views of the Weald and then down Streat Bostal. Take note as you'll be coming straight back up here. One of my favourite climbs this one. A private road so traffic free, a glorious hairpin and a 25% finishing gradient. What more do you want?

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And just when you've had enough, it's back down some of the bumpiest singletrack to the bottom of Ditchling Beacon where the last Peak begins. It's a classic and well loved. But probably not by me this ride. I could almost hear the tutting of people in the cars behind the pace was so painful.

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Cresting the climb I pat myself on the back for having completed it but can't resist the trip back into Brighton, to not only get home, but to add one last climb in :-)

So with a few tweaks I reckon I can get this to a Three Peaks level of ride time and climbing and next time I'm wearing gloves.

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Filed under  //   The DS  
Posted by Morvélo 

Harry Steele : Nico Turner : Whistler : Awesome edit

Harry is like buses it seems. Not a peep while he's over in Whistler apart from an address where we can send a box load of tees. Then up pops an email with a little taster film he did. Then the next day 'BOOM!' he comes back with an awesome edit like this with the ever talented Nico Turner behind the production. Beautifully shot and Harry showing the reason why we sponsor him. He makes us want to head out and ride.

Filed under  //   Harry Steele  
Posted by Morvélo 

Our DriRelease Tees get the Whistler treatment.

Morvelo Test Team rider Harry Steele put our DriRelease tees to good use in his trip to Whistler this summer. As well as on the street or at home this is their other natural environment. For when you just want a blast around the woods and not look as if you're straight from the race track. T-shirts for riding in.

Here's where you'll find out more about what goes into making them different from your usual tees and to see the range. More due out in October.

Filed under  //   Harry Steele  
Posted by Morvélo