Non Professional Cyclists Wearing Team Jerseys- Yes or No?

As cycling has become more popular more and more amateur cyclists are wearing team kit. I have a Wiggle Honda team jersey myself, I brought the jersey because I wanted to help the team out by buying the kit (in the hope that maybe a couple of pounds may go towards the female cyclists) but also because I wanted to look a little like Laura Trott! shh don't tell anyone!

I also have a pair of black Team Great Britain cycling gloves which I brought from a bike sale at the Manchester Velodrome and are fantastic.

I have seen amateur men wear Team Sky and Omega Pharmacy - QuickStep among other team kits and on Twitter there is the ever growing conversation whether amateurs should be wearing kit because they have not earned it. Here is my take on the topic.

Is it time to hang up my Wiggle Honda jersey for good?

Yes-

1, Go with the status quo.
If football fan's can wear team kit why cannot cycling fans? The more team kit amateur riders wear will only enhance the profile of the team in question. That can only be seen as a good thing in my eyes because it could ignite an interest in someone to learn more about a cycling team or take an interest in cycling.   

2, It look's good.

Team kit does look good. As I said above I like Wiggle Honda's offering of the orange and black- very striking. I also like the kit that the domestic team Epic Scott Woman's Race Team wear which is purple, black and white offering from SMS Santini. I thought the Shamano Argos and the new Liv Shamano kit look smart as well. I find at times that non pro kit look boring and uninspiring or for females just pink and purple with some stupid graphic like a hearts or cats. 

3, It makes you think you are a pro cyclist for about five minutes.

Not everyone can be a pro cyclist. I am not one myself so I would like my five minutes to dream! 

No-

1, Jerseys need to be earned.

Being a pro cyclist takes a lot of talent, guts and determination.and dedication. I do find it cringey when someone is cycling in national gear or the rainbow jersey when they have not earned it. It sets yourself up for a lot of stick. 

2, All the gear and NO idea...
There is nothing worse than a cyclist overtaking someone in pro kit.

3, You are a moving advert.
Some people I have been reading argue that the sponsors get enough money therefore why give them free advertising. At the end of the day its your choice if you want to wear a jersey with a logo on.

So here is my verdict.

I don't have a problem with cyclists wearing pro kit. The benefits far outweigh the negatives and there are plenty of non team kit alternatives available.

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Muc Off- 8 in 1 Bicycle Cleaning Kit Review

*Disclaimer- the pictures are not the best on this post. These are my opinions only. 
I got the Muc-Off 8 in 1 Bicycle Cleaning Kit as a Christmas present last year. I have used the set a few times this year so feel I have tested the kit enough to warrant a review.

First up is the Muc- Off fast action bike cleaner

What does the cleaner promise?
The cleaner promises to 'get straight to work on your dirty grubby bike' with its nano tech formula (no I didn't know what that meant either, I had to Google it!) claiming to penetrate grime quick. You spray the pink liquid, leave for 3-5 minutes and get to work scrubbing the dirt away.

Does the spray deliver?
To be honest I didn't really see much difference in getting muck off the bike using the cleaner than using different bike cleaners. The muck did come off quickly. What I do like is that you can buy refills pouchers that are cheaper than the bottle itself so you can reuse the bottle. The liquid also claims to not be made of nasty chemicals which since I am conscious about the environment ticks another box .

Muc- Off Detailing Brush

What does this brush promise?
This dinky brush promises to remove dirt from hard to reach areas and to be very hard wearing.

Does the brush deliver?
I use the brush around the brake area of my bike and the frame on the side of my bike chain. I do agree that it certainly gets on those hard to reach areas effectively. However if it wasn't part of the set I proberly would have not brought this brush because I find a normal kitchen sponge would do the trick.

Muc- Off Soft Washing Brush

What does this brush promise?
This brush (shown on the left hand side of the image) is designed to get rid of dirt on the bike frame, spokes and components.

Does the brush deliver?
My favorite brush of the lot, it certainly works. You can lift a lot of dirt down off from the bike and the nylon bristles do not damage the bike either. This brush retails for £8.00 individually and I think that it is very good value for money. This rubber grip on this brush (like the other brushes) make sure the brush does not slip out of your hand.

Muc- Off Two Prong Brush

What does this brush promise?
Again like the others this brush promises to remove tough grime from hard to reach areas. This brush is for the spokes, discs, shocks pedals, linkages and footrests.

Does the brush deliver?
This brush is used on my frame technically speaking the seat and chain stays and is a good size for this. I don't think that the brush is big enough for the top and down tube and for the spokes I prefer the Washing Brush.

Muc- Off Claw Brush

What does the brush promise?
Promises to clean the chain and sprockets

Does the brush deliver
This brush does get the muck out of hard the chain alright.

Muc- Off Bike Spray

What does the spray promise?
The spay promises to protect, preserve and freshen the bike.

Does the spray deliver?
In all honesty I don't see a real difference with the bike with or without the spray. I use the spay because it is there so I may as well but I would not buy again. I see the spray as more of a 'filler' item.

To add a big sponge was included in the kit. I do not own the sponge anymore because it got old and dirty. However since a sponge is a sponge, I do not feel the need to review that item.

So would I buy the box again?
I certainly think this box is perfect for the cycle mad friend or partner however I wouldn't buy the box again but would buy the individual items instead. I would buy the claw, washing and two prong brush but give the others a miss.
To finally add I like that on the site there are videos about how to use the products. The black bucket that that set arrived in also doubles up as a wash bucket.

You can visit the Muc- Off site here

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Mental Block- The Ability To Keep Going

Recently I have been thinking about my mental ability on long rides. I have always had the tendency to give up easier than most other people and this has included cycling.

I still cycle regularly- at least once a week but often more than that. On long rides if there is a part I know I am going to struggle (mainly hills) then I tend to break the route up into chunks. For example my first target will be to reach the lamp post then once the lamp post has been reached I will then try and cycle without stopping to the next tree.

I will eventually get up the hill- it will just be slow. However my partner is able just to visualise the very end point and will not stop until he gets there no matter how tough the route gets or at how rubbish he feels. For me on long steep slopes to have no interest in getting to the very end and I think this is down to there being no consequence of me stopping before the finish. I think, 'so what if I do not reach the top, nobody is going to shout at me.' One could argue that I am cheating myself, however in an odd twist of fate the next time I try the same route I want to beat my previous time.

So long, where is the finishing line...

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My experience with cleats

As I am gradually getting more serious with cycling I decided that I wanted to try out cleats.

Not wanting to spend too much money in equipment I may not use again if I didn't like. I brought a pair of cycle shoes off eBay for around fifteen pounds and brought the pedals for about a tenner. After going to the bike shop to get the pedals on (they had completely seized up and I didn't have a spanner big enough to get them off!) I felt ready to try them out.

Firstly it went awful I clipped myself in and just completely fell sideways. it was awful and I had really hurt my shoulder. Next I went to a quiet car park with my boyfriend and just practiced cycling around and clipping and unclipping them. 

I certainly feel confident in them now and feel I have more control of the bike and can get power to the pedals. I certainly will continue using them. I am not quite ready to use them on hills and slopes yet. Again however I will just practice and take it slow. 

The cycle shoes I use are by specialised 

The pedals are keo. 

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My Experience At The Velodrome

Before the Olympics I don't think I had ever even seen a Velodrome. Let alone cycle on one.

Therefore this year I decided it was time to try one out.

I went to my nearest one which is Manchester. but there are others in Glasgow, Newport, London and the recently opened Derby Velodrome.

I went along to the starter session where complete novices can go on.  I paid for a one hour session, bike hire and cycle shoes.  The instructor tells you the rules at the beginning such as to keep peddling and not taking drinks near the boards. Then you cycle around the blue part 'Cote D'Azure' and gradually go up the banking depending on your skill and bravery!

My first session was completely booked which I reckon owes more to the legacy of the Olympics. What I did not appreciate until I rode the track was you have to be constantly going at a fast pace to be able to go round the corners therefore if you are not used to it you are knackered after an hour.

Also without the brakes on the bike you have to be able to stop using your legs which I did not know being a complete beginner! Additionally I struggled with clipping my bike shoes in and out as I am not used to using clipless shoes.

I enjoyed my session.  An hour for me was enough and I felt that I had a good workout.  I was nervous about the bends of the track therefore I chickened out of moving up passed the red line. What I did enjoy was that you could cycle on a smooth track and not have to contend with pot holes and worn roads. I didn't realise how used I was to be cycling through and around pot holes!

I went to the velodrome for the second time a few months later.  By then I had been going to my local outdoor track every week.  I was lucky this time round because we managed to get a Sunday session as another group had cancelled.  Therefore it was myself, my partner and another person there.

My cycling had improved considerably from the first time on the track.  I easily cycled above the black line and didn't fear cycling around the bends any more.  It was almost a disappointment that I conquered my fear so soon! It was nice not to have so many people around me so I wasn't worried about people over or under taking me!

As a bonus whilst I was at the track I spotted female Boardman road bike for sale on the noticeboard. A few weeks later the Boardman was dismantled in my car on its way to my home. I am very pleased with the bike and the price I paid for it.

Cycling sessions at the velodrome are so popular that there is a six month waiting list for beginner sessions so I will not be going anytime soon.

Want to have a try? Book here.

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