#rideprimal

Autumn has always been my favourite season for riding a bike. The roads are littered with multi-coloured leaves. The trails are often still dry and dusty, from a long summer of sunshine. The weather brings cold crisp mornings, and surprising seasonal storms. Autumn is a season of change - a transition from the easy riding conditions of summer, to the challenging miles of winter. 

Yet, autumn is often viewed as a mediocre season by cyclists… at best it is viewed as a time of layering up, and dark evenings; at worst it is a season when riders lock up their bikes, for an 'off-season' break. Not me. I love autumn. 

I think the main reason that riders view the transition season in a less than favourable light, is because they don't have the right kit. By its nature, the changeable season demands versatile and adaptable kit and components. You need wind-proofs, three-quarter lengths, gilets, packable jackets, lights, high visibility kit, gloves and skullcaps. Perhaps it isn't until you've experienced an autumn with the right kit, that you really begin to embrace it, as a great time of year to ride a bike. 

What kit would I recommend? Three-quarter length bib knickers are a great asset. These 'halfway house' bottoms provide fleece-lined comfort, and a higher cut protective bib than on bib shorts. They also obviously perform the vital job of keeping your vulnerable knee joints warm and supple. The Primal Onyx Bib Knickers are a great example. I would also recommend a packable jacket, like the Primal HiViz Rain Jacket. 

This is a great insurance policy against autumn storms and downpours; and it can be easily stashed away in a jersey pocket, when the temperature rises. Lastly, I would definitely invest in a good windproof gilet. The Onyx wind vest is a super example; the three rear pockets on this gilet mean that you can wear it over the top of a long sleeve jersey, all ride long; without having to constantly lift up the layer to access jersey pockets beneath. Investing in some good autumn riding kit, as well as lights, overshoes, gloves and headwear, will make autumn an enjoyable season to ride in. Wrap up, and soak up those amazing colours and conditions that the season has to offer!

Don’t even know where to begin on the whirlwind that was the Miss Intercontinental world finals! I took part in my first ever beauty pageant, miss Carmarthenshire back in 2008 and despite the fact that I came nowhere close to winning I know from that moment that I loved pagentry and it became my mission to make it onto an international stage!

This October my dream became a reality when I competed as Miss Wales in the Miss Intercontinental competition held in Sri Lanka. It was hectic few weeks filled with various trips, experiences, party’s and of course rehearsals. The final show was filmed live at the Stein studios and it was a huge honour to be able to grace the stage and represent my country. 

I will of course continue to make the most of my welsh title that I will now have until next summer when the new winner will be crowned.

However now that I feel that I have fulfilled my goal of the last 8 years of competing internationally I am feeling a little lost with nothing to aim for.

Time to set a new goal!

As much as I would love to say that my goal is to finish an ironman, the ongoing issues I have with my ankle makes me feel that this is unrealistic ….. For now.

However now that I am not preparing for a bikini round I no longer have to worry about those dreded tan lines that I usually spend all summer trying to avoid ….. With various levels of success.

So with this in mind my goal for the year ahead is definitely one going to be set on two wheels! Generally I am a social rider and the majority of the rides  I do (if not all) will involve a coffee shop mid ride! So I have decided to TRY and give fast a go! Try being the word.

I have decided to take part in time trails next year……. My reasons firstly I am still planning to take part in sprint triathlons (I can just about manage a 5k plod) and the time will definitely help during the bike section of these, I am aiming to be able to better my time in the Llanelli and Swansea sprint triathlon! Secondly one of the main reasons I love the gym so much is that it’s very easy to track my progress….. Lifting heavier weights and always pushing for a personal best, I will also be able to do this with time trails…… Nothing like abit of compertion with yourself.

I have had an amazing year working with primal Europe and would love to continue to do so for the year ahead. The summer kit for next year is amazing with some super bright designs and I can’t wait to get my hands on some of their new seriously cool active wear leggings that I got a sneak peak of during the shoot this summer!

Late Season Touring

September has always been the traditional month for bike touring; the roads are quieter, and the racing season is all but over; and yet the summer heat remains. This September, I promised myself that I would go touring again – it's such a great way to see a country, and to experience a real mix of roads to ride on.

My tour this September was the 'Coasts and Cols' - a 1,900km epic, starting from Santander on the coast of northern Spain; from here I traversed east to the Pyrenees, through the Sierra Nevada; then down the length of the mountain range to a rest day in The Corbieres. 

After refuelling and recouping for a day in the South of France, I then rode back northwards - through Bordeaux, Loire and Brittany, to the ferry home from St. Malo.

The trip totalled:

94 hrs. 20 min Total Riding Time

1933 kilometres Total Distance Ridden

28,629 metres Total Elevation Climbed

Check out the daily blog series here: http://bit.ly/CoastsandCols

The tour presented challenges to mind, body and kit. The Pyrenees wasn't so summer-like in its weather blessings - with the conditions at the top of the Tourmalet a chilling 5 degrees Celsius, and snowing! I did have 27 degrees and sunshine coming back up through France though, so I can't really complain…

Kit choices were a key part of comfort and enjoyment on the trip, and I took with me a selection of items from Primal Europe. For the casual days, and evenings, I took the Aire Span Tech Tee. For protection on those cold mountain mornings, I took the Onyx Wind Vest. I wish I had taken some Primal Bib Shorts in retrospect - the pad would have been great for the 12-hour days in the saddle.

The 'Coasts and Cols' tour was a fantastic experience and challenge. It has got me planning for some more similar adventures in 2017.