CLICK here to view the 2016 Greek Triathlon Calendar

CLICK here to view the 2016
Brevets (long distance) Road Bike Events in Greece

The Motivation: If not now, then when? Life is too short to stay inactive.
The Challenge: If you are not willing to suffer, then you shouldn't be racing
The Dream: Staying fit and feeling younger day by day!




Showing posts with label road. Show all posts
Showing posts with label road. Show all posts

08 March 2016

2016 Brevets (long distance) Road Bike Events in Greece

Brevets 2016


09-01 200 km "Tour Evros - Rodopi" - Alexandroupolis (Ble Cycling Club)

 24-01 200km Elefsina - Xylokastro - Elefsina (AO Aeolus) 
30-01 200km Elefsina - Nemea - Elefsina (P.E.P.A.) 
07-02 200km "Chios ... easy" (Ble Cycling Club) 
21-02 300km 'Atalanta' '- Agios Stefanos (Ble Cycling Club) 
27-02 300km Elefsina - Lake Glory - Elefsina (AO Aeolus) 
05-03 300km "Tour of Evros" - Alexandroupolis (Ble Cycling Club) 
19-03 400km 'Leonidio' '- Elefsina (Ble Cycling Club) 
26-03 200km South Evoikos (P.E.P.A.) 
01-04 400km Elefsina - Patras - Elefsina (AO Aeolus) 
15-04 600km Elefsina - Katakolon - Elefsina (AO Aeolus) 
16-04 200km Thermo (Thermo LE.M.A.)

12 May 2015

Road bike tire review: Bontrager R3 700x25 clincher (but, is it really 25mm wide?!)

I recently purchased a Bontrager R3 700x25 tire, moving up in width from Bontrager R3 700x23. The main reason was that I was looking for more comfort, for my 100kg weight. The 23mm width felt too sensitive to shocks and road vibrations, so much, that I was feeling as if I was slowing down instead of going faster. The 25mm width seemed logical to compensate this problem.

I have been using the R3 700x23 for about 18 months, with only 1 puncture (rear tire) and that was due to my fault hitting hard inside a road hole. Compared to R2, the R3, feels 'softer', faster, more responsive. I wanted a 25mm wide tire though, to give me some extra comfort.

I normally inflate the front R3 with 105-108psi and the rear R3 with 112-115. Sometimes, I might take 2-3 psi away from both tires to boost comfort, but I can observe a noticable reduction in top speed and acceleration.

On my new R3 700x25 setup, I did this test: Front wheel remained at 700x23, rear R3 wheel now gone from 700x23 to 700x25. Upon inflating both tires at the same pressure (115psi) for testing purposes: To measure tire width in order to double check manufacturers specifications. I noticed something weird, which I didn't see before in any tire: To my surprise my findings were the following:
Front tire width: 23.6mm (instead of 23mm)
Rear tire width: 24.3mm (instead of 25mm)


BIKE SETUP FOR MEASUREMENT:

30 September 2014

Epidavrus (Επίδαυρος) Road Bike and Triathlon Race (27-28 Sept. 2014)


λογοτυπο

If there is one word that can describe this event that would be 'magnificent'!
Epidavrus is an ancient historic region located on the east side of Pelloponissus. It was the first time that a major bike and triathlon sports event took place there. Not for one day, but for two. Saturday found athletes with 2 road bike events (35km and 70km), while for Sunday, a sprint Triathlon event (750m-30km-5km) was scheduled both for adults and kids. 400 athletes registered throughout the weekend for these events, which is a large number for the Greek athletic community.

The organizers, municipality of Epidavrus and Smart Solutions Company, did a perfect job with nearly 200 (!) volunteers laid down on the race course to support and secure the event during the weekend. The landscape during the races was just top class - no better place to compete and enjoy a race.
χορηγοι
I registered both for the 35km road bike race and the triathlon. It was the first time I had 2 races on my diary within an 18 hours time frame, but I was excited for it!! I hadn't really prepared myself for anything good, but I always enjoy participating in big sports events. And Epidavrus is popular for its world class ancient attractions - that kept busy both me and my friends who came with me as spectators to support me.

 (prior to the start of the Saturday's road bike race)

22 August 2014

Fulcrum Racing 5 Road Bike Wheels (2014): TWO broken spokes within 8 months of purchase.

Well, no equipment is perfect and failures can happen to anyone anytime, regardless of how expensive or cheap is the product.

I had my first broken spoke ever about 3 months ago. I have been into cycling since 2010 and I have changed several wheelsets since then: From Alex Rims, into Shimano, into Pro Lite and then into Fulrcum. I bought my first ever Fulcrum wheels in Dec. 2013, after shop's recommendations and friends' suggestions.

But, about 6 months after purchase a Fulcrum rear wheel spoke broke. At the worst place and time: During a 200km Brevet cycle race with about 50km to go when I also had a good ranking (within top 40 out of about 200 cyclists).

I was left in the middle of nowhere with the sun burning on top of my head at 36+ degrees in a very remote location (50km outside Theva, Greece). I was very lucky to have a race support car picking me up, as it was left to the athletes to deal with their emergencies according to race regulations. It was the first time I realised how a broken spoke sounds.. and the flatness your mind receives when it realizes that you no longer can pedal. My rear wheel lost its symmetry. It went into an 'egg' shape. I tried to open the rear break as much as possible, but still nothing. THAT spoke was fatal. I had to quit the race.

After the repair, the bike shop assumed that these things happen to everyone and it's normal. I accepted this.

4 weeks ago and about 2 months after the first ever spoke breakage on the Racing 5 wheels, another spoke on the same rear wheel broke. Again.


24 December 2013

2014 - Brevet (long distance >200km..) Road Bike Races in Greece

PLEASE, CLICK ON THE TAB AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG (titled:
' 2014 - Brevet (long distance >200km..) Road Bike Race Calendar in Greece  ') FOR THE MOST RECENT UPDATE OF THE BREVET ROAD BIKE RACE CALENDAR.
THE  POST BELOW IS NOT UPDATED ANYMORE AND IT IS ONLY KEPT HERE AS A REFERENCE. THANK YOU!


12 November 2013

Road Wheelset Review: Pro Lite Bracciano A42 Alloy Clincher Wheelset

Hello there! Thanks for visiting my blog.

Ok, reviewing a product is a tiring process, as it requires many things to be carefully explained and have them all well described, so that they are well understood to others. But this time, I felt it was worth going through a review for two main reasons: The first is that I've nearly spent 2 months searching for a new pair of road bike wheels, so this article might save others' time to take a decision or give them a brief guide to wheelset purchase. The second reason is that there are many nice interesting points to be mentioned about this product!

The review, as the title suggests, refers to the Pro Lite Bracciano A42 Alloy Clincher Wheelset (product page: http://www.pro-lite.net/road-wheels/bracciano-a42#page ) . This is Pro-Lite's a new product model on the market. It's a 42mm deep alloy rim (from edge to edge inc. braking surface) and it accommodates clincher type tyres. The comparison below is set against my existing Shimano WH-R500 standard wheels that came with my bike (Orbea's top of the range alloy Aqua T105 road bike). I am also into regular cycling and triathlon training for about 3 years now, so I believe that my experience plays some role too when reviewing this product.


01 May 2013

2013 Triathlon Race Calendar - Greece

Triathlon Races in Greece have exploded in number the last year or so.
Normally, competitors had to pick up races between from a number of 4-5 triathlon yearly races. Now, the sport has received so much attention that many organisers have taken the initiative to setup tri-races in various locations all around Greece (on main-land and islands) and throughout the year (i.e. dualthons).

The races below do not require any subscription with the Greek (or any other) triathlon federation or triathlon team, etc.
From my experience, most organisers are requiring you to bring a medical certificate from cardiologist (issued the last 6 months or earlier) to provide a proof of your ability to race safely and have a declaration form signed up prior to race (each organiser uploads such form/s on his/her website for the race under consideration). I am stating this as a general guidance, for those who might be coming from abroad to Greece to join a race.
Please, contact the organiser to check the essential documents needed every time you want to take part in any race. Everyone speaks English in this country, even if they have never learned it before!

(dates below correct at time of writing: 1 May 2013. Check the link at the end of this page for updates, but I will try to make sure I keep the list below updated too!)

Tri-regards!

2013 Race Calendar Greece

(last update: 3 September 2013)
*Attika: County, with Athens its city.

(sources: http://www.triathlonworld.gr/hellenic-calendar-2013/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/118822331562700/doc/253658668079065/ )

(above: Olympic Distance Triathlon Race, Schinias Bay, Attika)

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