Galleria Fotografica "Magyarország"

Buongiorno a tutti,

I have decided to upload just photos from last weekend.So you have something to look while fighting the boredom of the office.

Have a good day.

Don't blame me if you get caught by your boss.

Ciao.

SD.

Tour De Pelso 2015, Hungary

Few months ago I received an email from a courteous gentleman that lives in a town along the “Lake Balathon” in reference to promoting cycling in the area.

After copious amount of emails,I finally travelled two days ago to Hungary to take part at the Tour De Pelso 2015(Balathon Marathon 200KM).

Flew out from London on an early Friday rainy morning to a sunny & scorching Budapest. Picked up the car I drove nearly 2 hours in a South East direction to reach the little touristic town of Balatonboglar.

In the front enjoy the sceneries at 45kmh.

On my arrival at this stunning house less than 100 yard from the lake,I was welcomed by an amazing couple, “The Gentleman” above mentioned and his wife.Laszlo & Sheila. An Hungarian Gentleman with an huge british history, and Sheila ,exquisite Yorkshire Lady.

They let me into their premises and I was embraced by 2 gorgeous Labrador Puppies,  2 young sisters one black and one white that escorted me to my 2 bed apartment.

The bike was reassembled really quick due to my rush to get out and explore the area while 33 degrees Celsius was stomping in our heads.

Lotsi a local rider with an amazing Olmo bike.

A gentle ride was the aim of the day, to regenerate fresh oxygen into my body and an injection of pollution free air into my lungs. It was a short day due to the early start the following day.

A 4am wake up call was needed to have a good breakfast(coffee and bread ) before embracing a long race at fast pace. An high temperature of 34 C plus was forecasted then plenty of fluid inside my body was needed.

The start of the Tour de Pelso 2015 was in Siofok, about 20 miles from my accommodation then a 30 minute journey helped to have an extra bit of rest.

Got to the start line after setting up the bike, and because I was invited and be part of one of the local team I was at the front with the “Big Boys”.

Inflate Tyres Costs as the same as a local glass of wine.

While waiting for the start gun to be fired up,I was wondering why some of the big boys had 5 big waterbottles with them. 2 in the normal standard location plus seat waterbottle holders like for triathlon and a final one inside their Jerseys like hunch backs. I did find out later during the race.

BANG…we started and a neutral zone of 20km was due to the road works. Police escort all the way about 35 motorbikes, leading cars ahead clearing up the road for us at the front. A good pace of  nearly 45km/h was held for the first 90Km with peaks of over 50 KPH.  Temperature was raising and my water was dropping quickly,I needed urgently water. We were at mark 112km and I was expecting a water station but I misjudged the mark on my computer.I was pumping hard and after 3hour 30 minute at the 140km mark I had to find water, I was licking my own sweat to get some salt into me as the computer was showing 34.7 Celsius. Initially I did find pleasure in leaking my sweat but it was just temporary ,my body was in urgent need for H2O. I knew if I stopped I would never be able to rejoin the main peloton I was riding in the top 50 and feeling confident. My aim was finish ,therefore decision was make to stop. Few others along the route dropped out but no one wanted to push any harder. So average dropped down to 34km/h including the lovely head wind to cool us down.

Pasta Party with the sunset by the lake and a great concert.

I was pleased to finish the 203 Km race around the Lake Perimeter in 5 hours and 53 minutes. Finishing in GC in 98th.Still good result out of few thousands.

There was a lovely pasta party with an amazing  concert by the finish line along the lake admiring the sunset.I was even lucky to cool down by jumping into the water for a swim.

Some interesting numbers;

20 kg of cheese 
840 liters of Coca-Cola 
1,008 kg of Bananas
2800 Powerade bottles
6190 pcs Horalky wafer 
6519 liters of H2O 

Crossing the line after 5 hours 53 minutes.203km.

My personal considerations about this stunning Hungarian region are absolutely speechless.

The Cycling is catered for the fast & furious but also for the more relaxed cyclists.

The lake offer all the way around a flat cycling lane on the edge of the water.

This sceneries are completed with delicious restaurants , bars, vineyards and warm and friendly people willing to share part of their lives with you.

Recovering with a swim in the Lake.

I would like to say thank you to Las & Sheila, Mate’ Group to be part of their team & Tour de Pelso to let me experience this adventure.

If you need advise about in the cycling around the Lake Balaton please do not hesitate to get in touch with us or with info@balatontourism.com .

SDx.

Art IceCream in Budapest..Not mine.

Little Reminders to enjoy your Ride.

Ciao a tutti,

I hope you are all well and enjoying the approaching of the summer.

I am writing to you today consequently due to the last few days while I was out on a bike.Again, to remind you that I am not here to teach you rocket science.Those are vital points for you to enjoy the ride.

Then I start with a kind of shopping list in relation to the condition of your bike:

• make sure all the cable are tight;
• make sure the tyres are completely inflated;
• make sure the seat is in the correct and comfortable position;
• make sure your pedals are fitted properly;
• make sure you have a water bottle cage and it is tight;
• finally check that all the bolts&nuts are securely tight.

Easy,well you might think so,but I can bet that not everyone does check those things.

Serene in Australia in the Leading Peloton.

Next on the list are the following item to have with you:

• Helmet ( not to look cool & the part, but to SAVE YOUR LIFE);
• Portable Pump;
• Spare Inner Tube(Tubes);
• Puncture Repair Kit or just Tyre levers;
• some cash;
• bank card;
• rain or wind gilet/jacket;
• gloves are not essential(my personal opinion);
• mobile phone in case of an emergency(NOT for STRAVA segments);
• WILL POWER & BIG SMILE,you are cycling.

The other important points to enjoy riding is to be confident on the road,Confidence will only grow if you ride,it will not grow on its own.

A comfortable bike is a must, comfortable saddle or seat makes the difference.

Pain from cycling is temporary, Pain from saddle stays with you if you don't deal with it.

Remember also not to point your toes downward in your strokes, if you do that you not discharging correctly the power of your legs into the bike.Therefore try to keep them nearly as parallel to the road.It might be more beneficiary to you.

Remember,it does not matter how far you riding and how long for. But get out & you will definitely ride more of sitting in the sofa.

Have a good day.

BE SAFE,SHARE THE ROAD WITH OTHERS & LOVE EACH OTHERS.

SD.

Sift Cakes our new Best Friend

Cycling & coffee they run together very well, if to those 2 you add cakes it makes the "Ultimate" combination.

A great way to fuel before a ride, during or/and after a long ride is compulsory to have a "Quintessential" cake.

That is why we have teamed up with Sift Cakes. 

Sift Cakes are a result achieved by natural ingredients plus the great passion of Achilleas in making them.

The Mediterranean blood's passion and the London's twisted side of enjoying life make those a must for the daily life.

Sift Cakes are available to try at PaperBack Coffee, Munson's Coffee, Boki, Retreat Cafe .

Whenever you are close by to those places on your rides or not, don't forget to give an amazing succulent pleasure to your palate.

Have a good week.

Be Safe on the Road.

SD.

AFC Bournemouth + Prostate Cancer UK + SaddleDrunk Great Team

10 days ago we presented to AFC Bournemouth the London to Amsterdam Cycling Kit that their representatives will wear during the ride held next month.

Luther Blissett,Rob Mitchell,RIchard Osborne

The ride is organised by Prostate Cancer UK under the #MenUnite logo in collaboration with 50 Football League club to raise money & awareness in favour to the cancer.

The "Cherries" riders are Commercial Director for AFCB Rob Mitchell , VP for AFCB Richard Osborne and the legend Luther Blissett,one of my childhood heroes during his spell at AC Milan. 

We are really honoured to have collaborated with the newly promoted club to design a customised kit. Each rider's kit has its own initials and the "Prostate Cancer UK" logo. 

SaddleDrunk has donated a cycling kit with LB initials and signed by Luther Blissett.

The AFCB will be auctioning the kit to raise money.

SD & Luther Blissett.

We wish to the riders all the best for the ride. A great well done has to be said for taking up this challenge and committing in training hard. 

Be Safe.

SD.