Another update from Justin Packshaw sent to us on 20/3/12
Where do the months go! I cannot believe that it is three months since I lasted scribbled a few words on my love affair with my new Whyte Montpellier stealth steed. What a joy it is getting anywhere on this thoroughbred. Quick, agile, lean and yet, oh so comfortable. Like anything that is made with precision, care and a fair dose of design innovation, when you are using them they somehow make you feel better, almost superhuman, certainly, unusually cool.
I have nearly racked up 3000 miles now. Pretty much just commuting to work and then using the bike when I need to cut through the London traffic to get to a meeting. Butter and hot knife spring to mind.
As I mentioned in my last download I am co-leading an expedition later in the year to Antarctica to ski to the Geographic South Pole with four incredibly inspirational wounded soldiers from my old Army Regiment, The Royal Dragoon Guards. The expedition is called ‘In the Footsteps of Legends’ and ties in with the 100th anniversary of Captain Scott’s mammoth race to conquer the South Pole. Interestingly, one of his final team members was Captain Lawrence Oates and by chance he used to be in my old Regiment so it is very fitting that these four remarkable soldiers are re-tracing his epic journey.
(David Hempleman-Adams, four inspirational wounded teammates and Justin Packshaw)
We will have a website up and running soon so I will keep you informed on it all and our progress with our training. Suffice to say, the legs are getting stronger and I try and keep in the lowest gears possible as I clip around. I would like to sign off by thanking Richard and John as well as the team at Cycles UK in Harrods for all their continued help in supporting me and the charities. Onwards and upwards …..
Justin Packshaw - Mount Everest Climb
This is Justin Packshaws report on a Everest climb he did in 2011.
The Ultimate Ride
What a year it has been! I spent two months away in the Himalaya’s climbing Mount Everest from the Tibetan side along the infamous North Ridge – what a trip. It was full of everything one could possibly associate with trying to summit this majestic wonder of the world – drama, sweat, danger, frustration, fear, trust, exhaustion and exhilaration. Fortunately four of us made the summit but more importantly all ten of our team made it down safely, no mean feat on those big mountains. If you’d like to read more about it go to www.deroemereverest.com.
As an ex-soldier we were raising money for various military charities (Walking with the Wounded and The Warrior Program) and on returning I started scheming as to my next trip and means to raise some more money for our brave service personal. It did not take too long to come up with a plan. Next year is the 100th anniversary of Scott and Amundsen’s race to conquer the South Pole and so in conjunction with ‘Walking with the Wounded’ we will be taking several injured soldiers to Antarctica to ski to the Geographic South Pole. It will be an amazing trip and I cannot wait to spend time with these amazing individuals.
Once I had sorted this out I realised that I needed to keep my fitness levels up so I started looking at how I could do that around living and working in London. My wife and I own and run the fashion label De Roemer (www.deroemer.com). I decided that I would start cycling into and back from work a round trip of 15 miles. I mentioned this to one of the Directors of my company who is also involved with Harrods and he suggested that I talk to Cycles UK in Harrods. This I did and ended up talking to the very charming John Malcolm who liked what I was trying to do and very kindly talked to Richard Schofield, the Managing Director of Cycles UK, who agreed to provide me with a Whyte Montpellier Urban bike.
I have had a few fabulous pieces of mechanical excellence in my time and this bike has got to be one of them. It is quite exceptional and rightly deserves the tag, the ultimate stealth bike. It weighs a staggering 8kg even though it has a full set of gears, disc brakes and all the other important trimmings one requires when roaring around any busy city. It is so beautifully made and designed one wonders why it is not in the Design Museum.
As you might have guessed I am thrilled with it and have already done over 700 miles on it. As part of my training for next year’s jaunt down south we are scheming to cycle from London to Paris with a relay swim across the Channel to keep us up with our cold training.
I would like to sign off by thanking Richard and John as well as the team at Cycles UK in Harrods for all their help and supporting me and the charities. I shall report back as my training continues. Happy New Year.
Pier Pressure Event
The Cycle Southend Pier Pressure event took place on Sunday 11th December where we entered our own team.
The Event was sponsored by Bontrager Cycle Accessories and SRAM Components.
There was a wide variety of bikes taking place in the event ranging from a penny farthing to single speed sprint bikes.
Cycles UK had a van down there with some of our Leigh Branch staff on hand to help with any problems people might come across.
Professional Cycling Photographer Geoff Waugh was at the event taking photos which can be viewed at his website and purchased for your own use. http://www.waughphotos.com
Helping to raise awareness of bicycle security
Cycles UK are teaming up with the local police and Essex County Council to help raise awareness of bicycle security in the Chelmsford area.
Staff will be on hand down Chelmsford High street to answer technical questions regarding Bicycle safety and security, this includes locks, lights and helmets.
The Police will also be there to answer questions regarding bicycle theft and the council are promoting general bicycle awareness.
There are basic items of security and safety to purchase at special prices on the day.
The event runs from 9am to 4pm on Thursday 15th and Saturday 17th December.
Southend Pier Pressure - Sun 11th Dec (12:00 - 16:00)
Organised by Cycle Southend, Pier Pressure consists of a heroic climb up Pier Hill, Southend, with a mixture of timed races, team sprints, but most of all: fun.
It all kicks off at Midday where we will be entering our own Cycles UK Team, so keep an eye out for our team kit and cheer them on.
We will also have our bike doctor team down there from our Leigh-on-sea store making sure your bikes are in good working order and to help diagnose any problems you might have.
I have just purchased a Trek fuel EX 9 which is not a budget bike and received the BEST experience i have ever had in buying anything. The guys at the store were not only friendly but offered me so much info which you would not expect from any sale….. I would recommend buying anything from these guys as they are customer focused and DO ride bikes outside work. I will always go back for any service or advise…. 10/10 lads great experience.
A customers thank you to the Watford staff
A message from one of Cycles UK Watford’s customers.
This year i purchased a cube LTD race from the Watford store, being a roadie for 28 years i didn’t know what i really needed for off-road. I live in chesham so had plenty of the countryside right on my doorstep. Lucky for me the staff helped me decide on which bike would suit my needs.
The team at Watford were very knowledgeable with all there products & were real friendly & helpful.
So a big thanks to Cycles UK @ Watford
Mark
Cycles UK take part in Harrods Sports Floor re-launch
The world famous Harrods of Knightsbridge played host to the re-launch of it’s Sports Floor on Thursday which included our very own Cycles UK department. All the departments on the Sports Floor have undergone refurbishment and all looked fantastic.
As with Bluewater everyone was keen to put in a time on our Tacx trainer including our special guests Tour de France winner Oscar Pereiro, Pro Cyclist Yanto Barker and the Dare2B team whose clothing range is a big part of our Harrods department.
Above: The new look Cycles UK department on the Sports floor at Harrods.
Above: A Harrods customer puts in a time in our speed test challenge.
Above: Tour de France winner Oscar Pereiro sets his time on our Tacx trainer.
Above: Pro cyclist and cycle clothing designer Yanto sets the fastest time of the evening.
Above: The teams from Cycles UK and Dare2B
Cycles UK Road Show rides into Bluewater
The Cycles UK Road Show team were at the Bluewater shopping mall on Friday to show why they have the best bike shops in the South East!
The main event of the day was a highly competitive speed test challenge. Bluewater visitors used our Tacx trainer to set a time over 0.5km.
In this video we see Cycles UK Orpington Manager Danny Cole putting his time in. He originally said he was going to break 40 seconds but when it came to saying it on camera he wisely changed his mind…
Even so he posted the fastest time of the day with 44 seconds. Being a member of staff he didn’t qualify to win the prize of a complete set of Cycles UK kit (and he has one anyway!).
Here’s a few photos of a great day out at Bluewater…
The 6th Paul Davies Memorial Cycling Challenge - 9 October 2011
October 9th sees the 6th running of the Paul Davies Memorial in support of the Cardio Myopathy Association
This is a no frills ride of 115km based on Billericay, Essex around quiet lanes between Billericay, Willingale and Little Baddow and includes two climbs up to Danbury as well as up to Galleywood.
Although there are no luxuries like feed stops and timing the route is signed throughout and there will be refreshments at the finish. The route has been complimented as a serious end-of season challenge.
There is also a 25km for the novice and young riders as well as a 60Km routes for those looking for a less-demanding ride.
The Event HQ is Hannakins Farm, Billericay CM12 0SY and the start is from 8:30am. Entry is £10 and all finishers will receive an award.
All proceeds for this event go to the Cardiomyopathy Association in memory of Paul Davies who died aged 28 in 2005. Paul although not a cyclist himself was the consummate sports fan and besides his passion for football and boxing could speak with knowledge about most sports.
This is one of a series of events in his memory to raise money to increase our knowledge of this young persons’ heart disease, a condition which weakens the heart muscles and is the commonest cause of sudden death for people under 30 in the UK.
