5

Taking Advantage Of The Spanish Sun

Last week I went to Southern Spain for a family Holiday. I decided to get my Kiron Scandium posted out there so that I could take advantage of the warm weather. When my bike arrived the kind folks at Wiggle had added some of the new Me2 components for me to test. As I assembled the bike it certainly looked the part.

The new saddle, stem and bars were all white and gave the bike a distinctly “European” look. I was soon out in the Andalucía hills putting the Scandium through its paces. Actually the truth is that the Andalucía hills were putting me through my paces. I had travelled to the area before, but had never had a bike to explore. 5 minutes away from the apartment and I was in the 39/23 and I wouldn’t be getting out of it for half an hour. I was beginning to regret my slack attitude towards my diet that had set in post Etape.

As I climbed higher and higher above sea level the views were spectacular and the Kiron was a joy to ride. It had been a comfortable bike throughout last winter, but with the new stem, bars and, surprisingly, saddle it was a joy. I’m usually very particular about my seat and use a brand that had stood me in good comfort for a few years now. However the Me2 performed just as well, causing no discomfort after 2 hours serious climbing. I could have ridden all day. That would’ve upset Mrs Carter and the rest of the family though so I restricted myself to a couple of hours each day. I’m really looking forward to trying the 2010 Kiron range. They look good and I know they’re going to be so comfortable to ride.

One thing that was extremely noticeable was the attitude of the Spanish car drivers towards cyclists. They are a lot more sympathetic. As I approached roundabouts, drivers would stop a let me ride round, before moving. They also wait behind you as you approach junctions rather than overtake you then jam their brakes on as they do in Britain. It makes for a lot more enjoyable riding.

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Here’s an update from Nathan Freke, 2009 Ginetta G50 Champion and how he’s getting on with his training schedule and Kiron MTL Road bike.

Since I took delivery of the Kiron a few weeks back I have been finding any excuse to get out on it… I’m sure my girlfriend is suspicious of me having an affair!

After a few short rides getting used to clip in pedals and the bike I managed to find the longest route possible from my house to my work – 10.1 miles .. some 9.5 mile detour from my normal route! I plan to ride this route to and from work every day possible and have already got it down from 40 mins to a record 32.3mins so far but I’m pretty sure its not going to keep dropping that dramatically!

With the season at an end its the perfect opportunity to get myself into shape for the 2010 season where I’m hoping to be competing in either the BTCC or the Porsche Carrera Cup where fitness levels will need to be a lot higher than mine are at the minute and I’m looking for my cycle training to get me to the fitness level needed.

As a racing driver its essential to have good stamina. With the races long, extreme heat and the car being extremely physical to drive you can’t afford to be unfit as it soon shows in the early stages of the race becoming erratic and making mistakes. Cycling is very popular amongst racing drivers as its a change from running and is great for building stamina over long rides, it also keeps you alert when watching out for some of the suspect British drivers!

I’ve never really been a gym person and love getting out and about so I see the cycling as a great way to get me in shape and having some fun, although with the winter nights well and truly upon us I’m going to have to upgrade from the shorts and t-shirt I’ve been using so far and get something substantial they’ll keep me from freezing :)

Regards,

Nathan

4

My thoughts continued

My decision to visit the cycle show in London last weekend turned out to be a good one. Although many of the exhibitors looked tired from shows in Germany and Las Vegas, much of the product on show looked fresh and exciting. Appearances from Alberto Contador. Eddy Merckx and Magnus Backstead added to the excitement on the day that I visited. The current Tour de France champion looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights, surrounded by a large crowd of media and members of the public all trying to get a “piece” of the diminutive Spaniard. By comparison the 5 times tour winner Merckx looked to be taking it all in his stride. I do end up feeling sorry for these poor guys paraded by sponsors like performing animals. Obviously they are entitled to their “moneys worth” of publicity, but there has to be a better way I think.

I recently had the good fortune to be part of a “sponsors” ride. I had a ball riding in my local area alongside professional cyclists. The problem was that most of the 100 or so lucky riders and media taking part wanted to talk to one particular individual. I couldn’t blame him for looking a bit “grumpy” and harassed. He’s a professional athlete not a dancing bear. Again, there has to be a better way!

Back at the show, I had a great time chatting with the guys on the Wiggle stand about the exciting year ahead as part of Team Kiron. I also managed to catch up with Lou Lousadi who’s the superb organiser of the now titled KironDragon ride. I’m really looking forward to a duel with the Rhigos on my Rhigos in June.
In the pro peleton it’s been a fantastic 7 days for Silence Lotto’s Phillipe Gilbert. After victories in Paris-Tours and Giro Lombardia, the Belgian has really turned a season round for a team that couldn’t “buy” a victory in the spring. Now they have 2 classics wins and the Rainbow Jersey. I’m particularly pleased for Gilbert.

He appears to be a really nice guy and his attacking style is always entertaining. Now that all the racing is over for the 2009 season, the teams for 2010 will start to take shape. There’s a couple of new teams in the pro tour next year. Team RadioShack and Lance Armstrong will definitely cause the biggest “stir”. I’ve mentioned Team Sky before, but it will be great to have a British based team to follow next year.

Autumn is well and truly here. Fortunately the weather has not been too bad. I’ve learned a couple of valuable lessons this week though. Firstly, the importance of performing a pre-ride check of your bike. The lack of which came back to haunt a friend of mine whilst we were out riding last weekend. After 2 hours of riding he looked very fatigued. I had begun to worry about his ability to make it home and offered to swap his steel frame winter hack bike for my carbon steed. As I took his bike to carry on I could barely roll it. It turned out that his rear brake had been rubbing against the rim most of the way! No wonder the poor guy was struggling.

The second lesson learned was the importance of having good lights whilst riding in the dark. I’ve started going out for a regular evening ride and having the Exposure Maxx Joystick has been a “god send”. It’s nice to get onto the quiet roads of the New Forest to avoid the traffic, but with the quieter roads comes other hazards. Lack of street lighting coupled with the Forest wildlife certainly keeps you “on your toes”. Mrs Carter is a tad apprehensive about me riding in the dark. With a good friendly, even paced group though it’s been really enjoyable.

Next week I’ll be returning to see my nutritionist. I’ve mixed emotions about it as I know that I’ve neglected some of the good habits I had established earlier this year and slipped back into some of the bad ones. On a positive note I know that with regular visits to see her I can get back on track. I find it hard, especially at this time of year to adhere to a sensible diet. Mrs Carter’s cooking is legendary and with plenty of cracking looking cakes and biscuits around the house temptation is never far away. The trouble will be trying to haul those muffins up the Bwlch, Rhigos, Glandon, Telegraphe and Alpe D’Huez next year. Moderation is apparently the key! I’ll let you know how I get on.

This weekend some of you may of caught the BTTC (British Touring Car Championships) on ITV4. The race series involves some of the best British car racing on television and incorporates a wide range of support races such as the exciting Ginetta G50 Cup Championship.

We are very excited to be sponsoring the Ginetta G50 Championship winner Nathan Freke and his racing team Century Motorsport. Nathan will be using a Kiron MTL blade

supplied by Wiggle throughout next season to assist him with his exceptionally tough training plan.

Nathan will be updating the blog on a monthly basis keeping us posted on his training and experiences with cycling in relationship to car racing.

A little Info on Nathan Freke
Nathan Freke, who currently lives in Kidderminster, was the 2006 British Formula Ford Champion. Nathan has held four British Kart Racing Championship Titles and in 2005 became the only driver ever to win an FIA/CIK Superkart Race in a Division 2 Kart against Division 1 Karts, (50% power differential).

British Formula Ford Champion. On the way to the title Nathan won 10 races, 17 podiums, 18 front row starts, 13 poles and 6 lap records. Nathan was one of the 2006 Mclaren – BRDC – Autosport Young Driver of the Year Finalists in his first full year of car racing.

Nathan tested in a number of different formula cars such Champ Car Atlantic Series, Formula Three, and Formula BMW, but funding restricted his activities to chassis development for Van Diemen International and Marangoni Tyres. He also competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the Dutch Supercar Challenge.

Nathan has signed for Michael Crawford Motorsports to race in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, the feeder to Indy Car, he passed his rookie test at Nashville Superspeedway, and had his first test on a fast oval at Homestead prior to the first race. He left the team after three races, with a best finish of 8th in the second race at St. Petersburg.

Nathan competed in his first endurance race at the Nurburgring 24 hours on the full Nordschleife circuit, finishing 148th in the Marangoni Tyres backed Fiat 500 R after starting 220th.

Nathan is Now racing in the Ginetta G50 Championship supporting the British Touring Car Championship and is now the Current Ginetta G50 Champion racing with his own Century Motorsport team, with support from EOS Productions and Hows My Driving.

Here are a few pics taken from the championships on ITV4 Sunday 4th Oct.

You don’t have to be a mountain biker to appreciate that Mountain Mayhem is something special. Up until now though you did have to be one if you wanted to enjoy its unique festival atmosphere: not next year though, because the organisers are adding a new 100Km sportive in to the mix.

The Kiron 100Km Sportive will be sponsored by new sportive bike brand, Kiron and it’s a sportive with a difference – for Britain anyway. While it will be a challenge the aim is more to give everyone taking part a good day out on their bike more in the manner of continental sportives and randonees which are about enjoyment rather than trying to break you.

There are no details on the route yet but the location in the Malvern hills is superb and event organiser Pat Adams promises that everybody taking part will get to experience the beautiful countryside in and around the Malvern hills.

Entry to the Kiron Sportive is £22 and online entry opens on the 31st of October. Each competitor gets a goody back, which Pat reckons will have around £21 worth of goodies in it including a top quality t-shirt and refreshments. Pat and his team are providing a special campsite for everybody taking part in the sportive, so you get the best of both worlds: all the facilities that go with a non-stop cycling festival without being kept awake by a 24 hour mountain bike race.

Mountain Mayhem itself is a massive affair attracting thousands of mountain bikers every year, road riders doing the sportive will be able to sample off of the festival’s attractions and atmosphere in the main arena where manufacturers display there latest bikes and there are numerous food and refreshment stalls plus opportunities for a quick massage or to buy yourself some bike bits or enjoy the entertainment on offer on the main stage… you could make a weekend of it without even riding your bike. Bring the family too – that’s what many mountain bikers do – it’s a great opportunity for a weekend away in a great location with excellent camping facilities there’s plenty to do for everyone and all the activities are free too.

So if you’ve always fancied the fun of Mayhem but you don’t want to ride off road, now’s your chance. The KIRON 100 KM Sportive takes place on Sunday 20TH June at 8AM, Mountain Mayhem itself runs from the 19th to the 20th. See you there!

blog.kironbikes.com is now live and features some great information on the new Kiron range of bikes designed in the UK. The site conveys the ethos behind Kiron and the ideas and designs behind this great new brand.

Featured on the Kiron bike blog is news on the exciting Kiron range,

Be sure to take a look and immerse yourself in everything Kiron Bikes which have been born out of a true love and passion for cycling!

Don’t forget you can also follow Kiron bikes via our Kironbikes Twitter page!

Kiron bikes have been born out of a true love and passion for cycling. An ethos we tested in late 2008 with the first Kiron Scandium model achieving great success in the cycling press scoring 10/10 in major tests. Extensive product testing combined with years of design experience have helped us to create a truly unique range of sportive bikes, within the re-launch of Kiron bikes is a range designed here in the UK and aimed at those spending hour after hour in the saddle, where performance and comfort are essential.

The new range is designed to perform beyond a professional level, not only will they look amazing but they will be of the utmost quality, we’re selecting the latest materials on the market, the components are among the best out there and the factories we work with are world class. The attention to detail that we put into each of our models will set Kiron bikes apart from the rest.

After months and months of hard work, sampling and product testing, It’s about time we shared some of our Kiron ideas and designs. And where better to do that than here in the dedicated Kiron Blog, a place for you to go, to visit and know you’ll be frequently updated on the latest developments in the Kiron range.

The Kiron blog is ready – blog.kironbikes.com

Introducing the long awaited Kiron MTL-Blade

We all are very excited about the latest news on Kiron bikes here at Wiggle. After seeing a sneaky peek of the Kiron MTL Blade during a photo shoot at the Wiggle Enduro 6 event, I knew this was going to be a awesome build.

The Kiron MTL Blade Road Bike is aimed at the enthusiast road rider who is looking for a premium Easton frame finished with top quality components.

Easton is one of the premium alloy and carbon manufacturers in the world and supplies products to many of the Pro tour teams. Easton products are widely seen as the number 1 component brand in the UK.

This new edition to the Kiron brand is individually hand-built and utilizes the benefits of Easton’s UltraLite tubing, the front end is super stiff and lightweight. With unparalleled fatigue strength and superb ride characteristics, UltraLite is the highest performing tube set available for road racing. Perfect for serious performance freaks. Next to Scandium, these are the lightest aluminium tube sets available.

The Kiron MTL Blade has been coupled with the award winning Easton EC70 carbon forks, this means the end user has a superb frame and fork platform perfect for upgrading at any point.

With FSA bars, stem, and seat post you no that their have been no compromises in it’s build. The Kiron MTL Blade is equipped with Shimano’s 105, and FSA components which constantly offer you excellent performance. The final touches are a Selle Italia Saddle, fast rolling Pariba Tyres and Easton handlebar tape. These products have been selected to be hard wearing, lightweight and perfect for any rider. The MTL Blade is available in Compact (50/34) chainset with a 12-25 cassette on the rear giving you a wide range of ratios to suit most road surfaces and routes.

The Kiron MTL Blade is now available on our free 7-day test ride service! Buy the bike upfront, ride it for a week, and if you are not happy you can send it back for a full refund!

We have high hopes for the Kiron MTL Blade based on the success of its counterpart the Kiron Scandium which has proven to be an extremely popular bike with magazines, you the public and all of us at Wiggle, please read the announcements here on our Bloggle and our Kironbikes Twitter page for updates on Kiron products.

Follow the link to find out more about the Kiron Blade MTL or to purchase one of these beauties.

For up to date random spiel about life within the bike trade, make sure you’re following kironbikes on twitter.

Merchandising Director and product development supremo Paul is keeping everyone in the loop of his day to day actions running the UK’s biggest online bike shop while developing, manufacturing and releasing the new range of Kiron bikes!

This week kironbikes has been twittering about riding in Dubai, roaming the team paddock area at the opening stage of the Giro and they’ll be plenty of inside information from his latest destination, Cloppenburg in Germany, visiting Focus to see the Team Milram Tour de France bikes and the 2010 bikes.

Check it out now: http://twitter.com/kironbikes

Those of you at the Wiggle Enduro 6 may have spotted the latest Kiron being whisked off for a ride, the bike some of you spotted was the final pre production sample (albeit missing some of the correct decals but essentially it’s the finished product).

The latest Kiron family member is made with Easton Ultralite Alloy tubing throughout, Easton EC70 Forks, Shimano 105 gearing, FSA Omega bars and stem, Fulcrum R7 wheels and the usual great finishing details such as Selle Italia Filiante saddle and Easton bar tape. The geometry is the same as the Kiron Scandium, which was so loved, the new fork will give an even more balanced ride and in testing has been well liked by riders.

Price wise it will be very competitive for a bike with such an impressive frame, the complete bike will be around the £875 figure which given the plummet in the euro since the original Kiron came still makes it exceptional value for such a responsive performance bike.

You can see a sneaky picture of it here – www.twitpic.com

For more Kiron updates, follow kironbikes on twitter.