VCG in 2015...

A blog post I did over on Vulpine, and a piece written by the wonderful Lauren Laverne in Glamour Magazine this month has given me food for thought on this entry. A round-up of my year on the saddle isn't an unusual post for me to do, but this time I'm going to be a bit more honest about what some of these things really meant to me and why it's cool to celebrate those achievements.

PUSHING BOUNDARIES

On the bike: As much as I've dabbled in different kinds of cycling, my "big one" on two wheels was taking on Eroica Britannia and L'Eroica in Tuscany. Although they were not quite back to back rides, doing Bakewell would usually have been "enough" for me as a big ride of the year. The opportunity to take on the Tuscan hills came up, and I took it. I'd never cycled across terrain like that before, and as that write-up will tell you, there were moments where I thought this could have been a huge mistake. That ride has now propelled me to take on more rides like that, and get riding on my Aprire without feeling like I'm not good enough for road cycling. 

Off the bike: I blog about cycling. Of course I talk about my love of cycling a lot - but in public? To an audience of real live people? Oh no, I didn't do that... until this year. Twice. Wanna know something? The idea of public speaking bloody terrifies me (it's true) but when I was asked by the brilliant Naomi of Hackney St Cloud to give a talk at her launch party, I actually said yes. I gave a talk on my journey into cycling and the evolution of cycle-style... and then had an impromptu Q&A session after. My heart was in my throat the moment I stepped up in front of a full LMNH to speak, but I did it. Then a couple of weeks later, I did another talk as part of a powerhouse female cycling panel at London Bike Kitchen's first ever WAGFEST. Alongside Chris Garrison and Lois May-Miller, I was discussing Urban Riding / Commuting and how to get more under-represented groups cycling. There is some more public speaking in the pipeline for 2020 thanks to this summer's events.

HAVING A LAUGH

Being serious all the time in cycling is no fun - I see too many people tearing chunks out of each other on social media about it from time to time... I switch off from that to be honest, and focus on the good stuff! This includes having a laugh on two wheels, which I did in serious style in 2015. The Tweed Run will always have a place in my heart for the sheer joy and spectre of dressing up for the day alongside 500 other riders. This one was extra special due to being the inspiration for the poster this year. The fun to be had with that? Bringing the outfit Eliza Southwood created to life for the ride. More dressing up and getting immersed in the romance of cycling came in the form of the Pashley Picnic Ride. Doing this for the first time was incredible amounts of fun (even in the drizzle) - and being a guest of Pashley and spending time riding with Adrian Williams was marvellous. Laughter is GOOD!

DOING MORE TV AND MEDIA STUFF

I was back on the tellybox this year with The Cycle Show. It was a very short series this time round, but I was over the moon to be back with the team again, filming two out of the four episodes. One saw me over in Bristol doing a feature on the Bristol Bike Project, and the other was right on my doorstep, covering the debut of the Red Hook Criterium over at the O2. Other media came in the form of being featured in Bicycling Magazine - something I never expected to happen, nor for the piece to be as big as it was. It means a lot to me to work on the show, and be involved in any kind of media relating to cycling... especially as a woman. I recognise what comes with this, and what can come of it. More representation and hopefully inspiring more women to get into cycling means the world to me. So keep your eyes peeled in 2020 for a bit more. 

SOCIAL MEDIA, THE REAL WORLD AND LIFE

I've become friends with some amazing cycling people via social media, but the one thing I was not doing enough of was stepping beyond a tweet or a like on Instagram and actually MEETING these people! Another thing you'll learn about me now - I'm actually quite introverted and shyness can often stop me dead in my tracks. Stepping out, and meeting some of the fantastic people who I can now call friends was another big move for me. I'll now be bugging you for rides next year.... so be warned. 

I'd told myself I wasn't going to focus on some of the bad stuff that's happened this year, but I can't deny its existence... and how some of it sent me hurtling toward my Depression (that's the first time I've said it out loud on my blog - big step again) being woken up again. Getting out on a bike more has been good for me. It's given me more time to think, and to start putting a lot of things into perspective. Being around positive people and good vibes, discovering new things about myself (and channelling my inner #GIRLBOSS) has been a huge achievement for me... and long may that feeling continue.

So, that was my slightly different take on rounding up the year. I hope you all had a fantastic 2015, and that 2020 brings you plenty of cycling fuelled fun. See you on the other side! 

A Very Velo Christmas - Gift Guide...

It’s really not that long until Christmas, and some of you might still be on the look out for pressies for that special cyclist in your life (or just yourself, which is totally cool and you deserve it). If you’re having a last minute moment, here are some gifts you can still get in time for the 25th… OR enjoy over the holiday season and beyond…




Tatty Devine x Design Museum Bicycle Necklace - £40:

Team Tatty have created these necklaces to celebrate Cycle Revolution at the Design Museum. The wheels move, it’s got “Tatty Devine” hand-inked on the down tube, and if you like TD & Cycling then you’re basically going to love this.

Timing: Both their Brick Lane & Covent Garden stores are open until Christmas Eve. Order online using express delivery by 23rd December to get it for Christmas day. 


Vulpine Cycling Prints - £30 for a single / £50 for a set:

Round up some of the best names in cycling & graphic design, ask them to create some wonderful artwork and what do you get? A selection of beautiful prints to pop on your wall that will inspire you to ride. Get some Rebecca J Kay, Ben Scruton or US to brighten those four walls.

Timing: Free UK Express Shipping is being offered from 21st - 23rd December... bargain! 

Brooks B15 Swallow Chrome Saddle - Approx £170

Getting more miles in over the festive period and New Year will be on the agenda for quite a few of us, so why not on a spanking brand new butt carrier? I’ve had the pleasure of riding on one of these and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the B15 actually is. A timeless design and certainly a treat, this will last the distance.

Timing: Their Covent Garden store is open until Christmas Eve... that's also a nice excuse to get down there and get lost in the beauty of B1866.


Cycle Revolution at The Design Museum - £13.65 Adult (see site for further prices) 

Who says that gifts have to fit under the tree? One of the best exhibitions on the beauty of cycling is on at Shad Thames, and I urge all the bike lovers out there to go see it. Almost every kind of bike is covered in the show, along a bike builders workshop, interactive films from some of the greatest cyclists out there and an awesome gift shop if you really need to take something away from the day.

Timing: Post Christmas Day as closed then and on Boxing Day (or one for the New Year to look forward too) - Open daily 10:00 – 17:45. Last admission is 17:15. 


Wool and The Gang Brady Basket: - £43

I’m looking at these as alternative handbag to pop into your bike basket when on the move. Seriously - how much fun would it be to make you own Brady Basket and stow it away in your wicker carrier when out on a ride? You can buy them ready made, but if you or the person you’re thinking of has a crafty streak, get the kit to make your own. Choose from 15 yarn colours, sit in front of the festive TV, and get your crochet on!

Timing: Order online by 21st December to get it for Xmas - express delivery is being applied at the Checkout at the moment too.


London Bike Kitchen’s Level A Introduction to Maintenance: - £70

Learning the basics of bike maintenance is a good place to start if you’re about to get into cycling, or want to brush up on your existing knowledge. LBK are one of the friendliest places in London to do this - they even provide a bike to work on in the classes if you don’t have one. The cost of the course also includes a year’s membership to LBK… BONUS.

Timing: One for the new year, as the next Intro Level A courses are 19th & 20th January 2020.

Cycle Revolution at The Design Museum...

If you live, breathe and love all things two-wheeled, the exhibition of your dreams has arrived at the Design Museum… and you HAVE to go see it.

I’d been looking forward to Cycle Revolution since meeting the show’s curator Donna Loveday back in July, and talk of what was planned had me buzzing with excitement - especially knowing the exhibition would be taking over the whole Museum. Founder Sir Terence Conran first had the idea of creating an exhibition about bicycles, and with this being the final show at the site before it moves to Kensington next year, his wish has been fulfilled and Shad Thames is going out in serious cycle-style.

Every kind of rider is catered for in the exhibition, with four ‘tribes’ of cycling represented: High Performers, Thrill Seekers, Urban Riders and Cargo Bikers. There are 77 frames adorning the walls in the gallery and almost every kind of bicycle you can imagine is on display: from an 1880’s safety bike to the Hour Record steeds of Merckx and Moser and prototype Moulton's and Brompton's - it’s practically all there. Cycle Revolution doesn’t just cover bikes - you can expect to see vintage cycling jerseys (a lot of which come from Paul Smith’s incredibly impressive private collection), modern cycling clothing and gorgeous cycling photography from masters of the art, including Juan Trujillo Andrados (the breathtaking image that greets you at the entrance is his work).

If you love the beauty of the build, the Design Museum, along with The Bicycle Academy, has recreated a bike builders workshop. This is incredible bike porn and an education for those who wonder what goes into the design and execution of a custom build. Spread across six stages of building, the workshop features artists including Hartley Cycles (shout out to women STRONG in the game), Donhou Bicycles and Toad Custom Cycles, along with videos of them telling their stories.

There is a lot to see at the exhibition, and I found myself there THREE TIMES this week alone. I strongly urge the bike lover in you to get to this if you can… and there is a glimmer of hope that the Design Museum may tour the show internationally (no announcements on that yet, but fingers crossed). Make sure you do exit through the Gift Shop too - there are some cycling related delights in there which will end up coming home with you.

I’m not going to give too much away about the show, so pedal over to Shad Thames to see it! Cycle Revolution at The Design Museum runs from 18th November 2015 - 30th June 2020.

Girl in Gaiole - L'Eroica 2015

I've taken on the luscious green hills of the Peak District twice and become a hero on home soil. After wondering what it would be like to do it in Tuscany, I got the chance to ride the climbs, descents and Strade Bianchi of Gaiole. It was a very wet and rain soaked Sunday - not the cycling scenario I'd usually be into. But this wasn't hell. Surprisingly to myself, I loved every muddy & exhausting minute of it.

Back in June at Eroica Britannia, me and The Boy were invited by Brooks England to experience L'Eroica in its birthplace. There I was, mentally preparing myself to ride the Peaks again, while an agenda for my next heroic adventure was already being set! The answer was of course "YES!" to doing it; other than it being an AMAZING opportunity to be offered, I'd made a promise to myself to do more challenging rides... and from the stories I'd heard about the Tuscan countryside, this would certainly fit the bill.

Arriving in Pisa on the Friday and being driven to our accommodation up in Gaiole in Chianti, two things struck me immediately:

1. How beautiful the place was.
2. Just how hilly the countryside we were driving though appeared to be.

We were going higher and higher into the hills. With every bend in the road came a new breathtaking view of what was below us before... as well as passing roadsigns that were detailing part of the route of the ride. It was slowly dawning on me exactly how steep a ride L'Eroica would be. Now, don't get me wrong - I LOVE a good descent, but going down these would be a whole new ball game. As I gazed out the van windows, that tiny voice of doubt started to natter away in my mind... but there was no way I was going to listen to it (well, not too much) and miss out on riding that terrain. 

Other than the big day itself, one of the things I was hyped about experiencing at L'Eroica was the vintage bike market, along with the atmosphere of the village over the ride weekend. It's quite the sight to see: pretty much all of Gaiole comes out in celebration of the event. You're immediately welcomed in by all the locals - look up and you'll see banners with messages of encouragement hanging from all the buildings. The small village lends itself almost entirely to the vintage bike market which could cover all bases for your kit for the ride - from old steeds and components to jerseys, banana helmets and shoes, it was all there and was magical to look though. Everyone was in the spirit and the romance of what was to come on Sunday...

For me, there was no need to buy a bike (as tempting as it was) as hire had been covered by Brooks - all I had to do was choose which of the bicycles in the shop would be mine for the day. The shop they were kept in was an Aladdin's cave of cycling - I had to stop myself from checking them all out and just look at the group of bikes that were in my size! After what felt like ages of cooing over frames, I gravitated towards what became my steed: an Andre Bertin road bike...

I joined some of the others in our group in getting our bikes tweaked and having a test ride around the village. I was happy with the fit (and the fact it had no cages on the pedals - I'm still not ready for that yet) and the gearing was great - I'm getting better with shifters over time, so that was a relief. My one concern? The brand new Brooks Swallow saddle the bike came with. It was an absolute beauty, but the thought of breaking in a new saddle on a 46km ride worried me just a little. After being assured by people that this would be a dream to be sat on, I didn't swap it out & hoped that this would be the case throughout the ride.

The festivities continued into the evening with the "Dinner of The Heroic" - an official meal laid on by L'Eroica the night before the event. In the best possible way it's an overwhelming experience: a huge white marquee hosts table upon table of participants of the ride. Everyone there has a ticket for the evening, to eat the traditional dishes of Gaiole, and drink what feels like copious amounts of Chianti, which flows abundantly throughout the night. Sustenance is KING on this night! Stacks of bread, cured meats, bowls of Ribollita, pasta dishes, grapes and biscotti served with Vin Santo ran as far as the eye could see.

I totally loaded up on the courses... I know what I'm like when it comes to eating the morning of a huge ride (not enough) so I needed those extra calories to spend on Sunday. The dinner is intended to set you up for what the "heroes" will face the following day... so stuffing my face was 100% acceptable. Going crazy on the Chianti was not an option - after having my fill, all I wanted was a clear head and a restful night to take on whatever Sunday had to throw at me.

On the morning of L'Eroica I was a mix of emotions: mainly a bundle of excitement mixed with slight trepidation. Believe it or not, my face below was that of nerves. Rain had been forecast for the day and the early morning sky was brooding. Again that little voice started going off in my mind... "you've never done climbs and descents like this before Jools... and in the rain?!" I listened to it for a moment, but it soon got hushed when me and The Boy set off from the courtyard of Coltibuono and cycled the long and winding road down to the official start line. We gathered with the swathe of other riders setting off for the 75 and 46km courses. The sea of colourful woollen jerseys, vintage bikes and joyful conversations was drowning out any of the reservations that had crept in. Immersing myself in this atmosphere allowed me to think about the ride ahead and to just drink it all in...

We shuffled through, got our 1st checkpoint stamp and that was it - we were off. For the next few hours it would be nothing but stunning open roads, pedalling, fresh air... and rain. The dark clouds gave up the pretty obvious secret they were keeping: that the day would be incredibly wet. God knows what was (or wasn't) going through my mind - I didn't have a single piece of waterproof clothing on me! No packable jacket in my pocket, no water resistant cap stowed away in my musette - it was just the beautiful woollen jersey, padded shorts and a cap that stood between me and the downpour. Usually, there would be a slight tantrum at a small shower dampening my day: this was a full on weather assault. Something inside of me came to life in the rain... I'm still trying to explain it to myself now, but I absolutely loved it.

Being told by lots of seasoned riders of L'Eroica that this was the worst weather they had ever seen at the event didn't put me off in the slightest. A mix of the atmosphere, strangers shouting "Allez, Allez!" as I cycled along, bumping into friends on the ride who were also battling up the climbs and down the descents & the Strade Bianchi essentially becoming mud roads made it for me. 

Through all the wobbles, drenching and tiring cycling, the one thing that was constant was smiles and laughter. Every corner turned revealed a new adventure - be it the brilliant food station, a breathtaking view to stop and take in, more familiar faces on the course, or grapes growing wild providing extra sustenance... there was ALWAYS something new to relish and enjoy. That and feeling bloody amazing with every mile I'd put in...

The relentless rain eventually stopped, but there was still plenty of treacherous terrain to cycle through thanks to the downpour. After many more kilometres of mud, the desire to push on never faded... and eventually the end of the heroic adventure was in sight. Arriving back in Gaiole I was once again immersed in a sea of riders - all bearing the same mucky and muddy splashes all over their bikes and bodies. We were all messy, damp and tired but revelling in the feeling as we crossed the finish line. Celebratory hugs and drinks and dirty bikes were the order of the afternoon in the centre of the village...

And with that, one of the best adventures I'd ever had on two wheels was done.

The sense of euphoria while riding L'Eroica and on completing the course was like nothing I'd ever felt before on a bike. Plenty of doubts had crept into my mind over that weekend, along with fears that finishing would not happen. Somehow I revelled in rain, celebrated the climbs and delved into the descents at full pelt. Believe me, there were moments where I was screaming in the saddle with exhaustion and tiredness, but something kept me going. Finding power in my cycling legs that I never knew existed was a mighty revelation for me, and one that I'm going to hold onto forever. I know that I would love to do this again, along with more challenges on the bike. Being a hero just for one day in the spirit of L'Eroica is a cool feeling, and I'm thankful for that... but I'm going to push this feeling on, which is one of the greatest gifts doing this ride has given me.

Special thanks to:
Brooks England for hosting me and Ian (The Boy) for the weekend.
L'Eroica & Eroica Britannia for basically being amazing.
Ian James for all photography (his full set can be viewed here) & being my ultimate riding bro.