Category Archive: cycling book launch

1. Book Cover Shot….it can’t be that difficult, can it?

   March 13, 2013 1:35 pm 1 Comment

   I had planned to get a cover photograph last weekend but the weather forecasts were so shocking that we just didn’t bother. Today’s forecast was better so we decided to give it a go.

   One good thing about this whole project is the resurrection of old friendships from my school days. During last years ride, Wayne May put me up at his house in Cornwall and Penny Mumford made the effort to feed and water me at Ludlow train station to name two. Today I hooked up with David Clements, he still lives and works locally and hasn’t really changed that much since 1988. We played a lot of school rugby together but, as we left school to pursue their own lives, friendships went on hold for a bit. David is a keen photographer so I pitched the idea of getting a cover shot for the book.

   Thinking myself just a bit clever for checking the forecast on Sunday and deciding that tonight would be bright and sunny, we planned to meet at 5pm on Chain Hill, just south of Wantage on the Newbury road. I had prepped my bike at the weekend with things like racks and bar bags; the panniers were stuffed to make them look full and my summer gear was neatly piled up ready to go. The brief for the picture was ‘long, winding and undulating road, solitary cyclist struggling with kit on a sunny day’…no problem with the struggling bit as I am still trying to shake off a liberal dose of fatal man flu; the weather changed it’s mind around 3pm which buggered up the simulated summers day a treat.

   Not to be beaten, we decided that the shot would be a moody weather scene instead. I cycled off down the hill for a few hundred yards, turned around and selected a big gear to add to the effect of struggling up a hill. So far, so good, no cars in the shot and the rolling hills appeared in the background. The cold was making itself know by the pain in my fingers; despite wearing gloves, David still struggled to operate the camera. Having got the first run of pictures out of the way, we did another couple of run throughs and seemed to get some nice shots. By this time, it was getting very unpleasant and I was relieved to get back to the car.

   The beauty of this picture revolves around the fact that I am in it but my face will not be visible, always a bonus when you are trying to get people interested with a photograph. The cover shot should make people pick up the book and read a little further (hopefully turn it over and read the blurb). If I could have ordered up the weather, I would have gone for blue sky, sunshine and fluffy white clouds but this was not to be. A more threatening sky and landscape with a lone cyclist would fit in nicely with how I felt at the end of Day 9 near Dalwhinnie in the Highlands. It was cold, damp and windy with a definite sense of being the middle of nowehere.

   I’m looking forward to seeing the results once David has worked some magic on the raw pictures, I can then move onto the next stage of getting the cover designed. Thanks for your help mate, another debt of gratitude to be repaid in the bar!

2. Point North & Pedal launch update.

   March 8, 2013 9:25 am 1 Comment

   The April launch is still looking good but there may be a short delay due to a lack of optimum photographic conditions this weekend (I think it’s due to rain!).

   I had a cover photograph planned which requires the right light, a bright sky and no cars in the shot – I don’t think I am asking for much but the weather may think otherwise. This picture would complete all the media needed to produce the book cover; a quick trip up to Scotland to the graphic designer followed by an initial print run of 100 books would complete the process.

   Once all of this has been sorted, the e-book will be uploaded so both the print and digital versions are available at the same time. Being realistic, this will probably happen towards the end of April. In the meantime, I am continuing to develop this website with the expert help of March Crone at www.clearwatertraditionalmarketing.co.uk. Mark’s knowledge and eye for detail have produced a really good looking, functional site.

   Fingers crossed for a patch of decent weather this weekend.

3. Lunchtime ride; an alternative to the gym.

   March 5, 2013 8:55 pm Leave a Comment

   Given all the usual pressure on time, I had planned a few laps of the local roads near work with a colleague, Simon. He is training for a number of events this year, the next one being a run-bike-run near Newbury.  His main thing is running but he is no slouch on a bike; having recently bought a Specialized Allez he has used it to good effect in various triathlons and an iron man. I wasn’t sure what to expect pitting my mountain bike against his road bike, I knew it would be uncomfortable but this turned out to be an understatement!

   The weather was perfect, slightly cool but in no way cold and the sun was shining. After a winter of freezing temperatures it was a liberation to ride without a jacket. Having said that, I kept the winter gloves and snood under my lid.

   The loop was about 3.7 miles in length and the plan was to do 4 loops with a leader and a follower. At the end of a lap, I would push my split button on my watch and the leader would become the follower for the next lap. The terrain was flattish but it did have a climb split into 3 individual climbs, in other words a nasty hilly interval. There was a light wind against us on the outward leg, then the climbs, then a fast downhill that flattened out after half a mile or so. Upon reflection, it was a nice mix that got the heart rate going a touch.

   Our gearings are different; uphill was fine for me with plenty of gears to chose from but down hill I simply ran out of gears. At one point I almost lifted off the pedals were turning so fast. With this in mind, my plan was to hang on to Simon’s wheel on the flat bits, take the hill in my stride and then kick just before the top of the hill to ensure a good start down it. That way I should have been able to keep pace.

   The first lap was OK,  Simon led and we made it round in 12:45, not too much damage in the legs or lung department. The second lap was quicker at 12:33 but, by the end of it, I was starting to hurt. Simon kicked for the third lap and opened up a 30 metre gap on the outward leg into the wind. It was as much as I could do to hold that gap. As he approached the turn to the hill, I tried to up my effort and at least catch him on the slope.  I did, but I have a feeling he eased off slightly as he apologised for dropping me at the traffic lights! I was gagging at this point, legs burning and nausea encroaching on my consciousness. Just before the top I tried to kick a little and pulled level, maintaining this until the start of the next lap where it was my turn to lead. Job done in 12:45, pretty consistent. After a slight delay of 20 seconds or so at the traffic light, lap 4 began.

   The final lap was hateful, I knew I had to simply push through the pain in my legs despite the wind hampering things. Drop a gear on my bike and you risk the guy behind ramming you.  There was nothing for it but to mash the pedals until the turn for the hill. As we rounded the corner I stood out of the pedals to relieve my legs a little before the hill started. This is the point where the pain really began, if I was going to put in a best effort I had to get up the hill and over the top in good time. The last section was taken out of the saddle; my legs were on fire and I was desperately trying to drag air in and get that little kick over the top. As the downhill began there was still work to do, gravity helped only so far and then the terrain started to flatten.

   The last 3/4 of a mile saw a small amount of energy come from somewhere as I dodged the speed humps and on-coming cars. I put on a good pace with Simon tucked in behind me to finish strongly. The final lap came in at 12:35, again consistent and nice to do a similar time to lap 2. We stopped for a while before returning to work, my legs were shaking and my lower back was reminding me of my age, rolling out of bed tomorrow would be interesting.

   I know Simon could have gone quicker so I was always trying to squeeze every last bit of speed out of my bike to justify his invite to train with him. We both agreed that doing this run regularly would see some improvements so it’s same time, same place next week. The only issue for me is it knackers my flexi time but you can’t have it all! Gentle recovery ride in tomorrow I think!

   I have posted the results from my watch on FB for those remotely interested!

   www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/shared/exercise.ftl?shareTag=144166cca00889a362092be101f7c7d3#.UTZZ_74Xd6k.facebook

    

    

4. Book update

   February 8, 2013 4:56 pm Leave a Comment

   The writing is done, the printer and e-book seller has been chosen but I am still lacking a cover.

   The problem of design has largely been removed from me as I have a very generous offer from a graphic designer to produce the cover. I have an idea of the design for the back cover, this will mean getting a photograph taken (another generous offer from a professional photographer) but as to the front cover, I have no strong feeling.  The designer told me that the title will drive the design so at this stage, I am not worrying!

   ‘Traditional’ covers designs for this type of book usually show a long, winding road leading into the hills wioth no one else about. Once I have submitted my pictures and ideas I will leave this part of the design up to the designer; maybe ‘Point North & Pedal’ will throw out something different. It will be interesting to see the result.

   I am still on track for a book launch at the back end of March, please keep popping back to www.phil-cox.net for more content and details of how to buy the book once everything has been prepared.

   Now, back to writing website content!