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Hi Everyone,

Well so much has happened since I last emailed out. The economy is bouncing back, the sun seems to be bouncing away and the Tour has come and gone. Lance proved himself yet again and rumour has it he is now scheduling in Spinning to ensure a win next year. Pedal Studio sadly never got any theme rides in, as you have gathered the new web site has been sucking up almost all our time but I am proud to say Pedal Studio has an all new web site. It is with a huge thanks to Simon and Andrea – they are just stars. So real time booking and cancellations as promised!

Boat Party

Boat cruise

The big news is of course the Pedal Studio Boat Cruise. What a party! We even had a hens party – congrats Sasha and we had Kate’s 21st birthday party. It was rocking. Who would ever have thought 130 people would have fitted into my flat/garden. We shot through 20 bottles of champagne, boarded the boat and the party rocked on. There was some serious dic-sco dancing. The pictures are up on our FaceBook page and will be up on the Pedal Studio web site shortly ! Please email us with any good ones you have and load them to FB too.

Next party I will definitely be booking for 200 people so everyone can get on board.

UK Iron Man – Bolton 2 August 2009

So from my side I can tell you I finally clocked the UK Iron Man (full I might add). Having never competed in a triathlon of any shape or form, nor run a marathon and probably never swum further than 1km (why would I ever want to?) This was a hell of a scene, in fact what a hectic 3 months of solid training. I can highly recommend it and it is within your grasps if you really want it. I was finishing my run as I watched slower runners turn to head for their final 16 mile loop knowing they would be back when it was very dark and that they would be knocking on the 17hr mark. I felt immense respect for them. The longer you out there the tougher you are and we all got the same Iron Man medal at the end of the day.

I cramped 10 min into the swim as about 1000 people casually swam over me – it was great fun! I tried to straighten my legs out to get rid of the cramp and spectators must have had a chuckle – what a hell of an experience – I looked like a log flopping from side to side. I came out the water at about no 1000 but made up 500 places on the bike only to loose 200 on the run – it was my first marathon and having never run further than 32 km before , I think I will focus a little more on the running next time. Yes – there will be a next time, my time was well above what I wanted and like you I have a competitive nature as did the 73 yr old man who also took part – amazing ! But watch the blog on the new web, I will be writing more shortly.

Events

Please folks, we want your picture and event for our web site! Come on....Are you competing in races or charity events?  If so please do email in with what you are doing and pics, we really want to get these up on our web site photo album, so please email Andrea (andrea.robertson@pedalstudio.co.uk) with them and the details.

Meet Anna

I just wanted to let you know that I've really enjoyed the sessions I've attended so far at Pedal Studio and I'm starting to feel an improvement on the road as well.

On 28th June I took part in the Capital to Coast bike ride, raising funds for the Down's Syndrome Association. 60 miles from London to Hove. It was really great - for once I didn't have to worry about the traffic, the route had some amazing views (and a few hills too!), organisation was great and the road not too crowded, pure enjoyment.

This was probably the most I've ever done on my bike, so I was a bit worried at first, but I  managed 4 hours, including some breaks, at a comfortable pace and average heart rate in the green zone. Yes, once you get used to them zones, you can't do without them! 

Anna

Spin classes have really helped me in achieving that, not only getting fitter but also learning how to control my pace. Setting the goal in turn motivated me to keep going regularly, great combination.

And thanks again for the recommendations - I did a session with Pat Leahy and had a chat with him about training. While I'm not sure if I'll be able to train with them regularly, I'm thinking about doing the Vo2max test to finally know for sure where the different zones really are, really interesting stuff.

Cheers
Anna

ps. I really recommend this ride -  registrations for 2010 are already open: http://www.capitaltocoast.org.uk

Laureus Bike Ride – Daley Thompson

laureus group

On this note Startrac recently invited me to join a charity ride and I had the privilege of riding with Daley Thompson to support his campaign against knife crime. The man is still a phenomenal athlete and is a real ambassador for sport. I also met up with a fellow old boy from my high school in South Africa – Butch James.
breaking the cycle of knife crime

group1 group 2

The Anthony Maynard Sportive - Theresa Maynard

Anthony Maynard Theresa Maynard

New Pedal Studio member Theresa Maynard rode a sportive on July 19th in memory of her brother Anthony who tragically lost his life in July 2008 when struck by a vehicle as he was cycling on an evening club ride.

Organised by his club mates from Reading Cycling Club, the Anthony Maynard Sportive was run on a not for profit basis, with all proceeds being distributed to charities that reflected Anthony’s interests. Anthony was only 25 when he died, a popular young man, and a keen and talented Sportive rider.

The day saw riders covering the challenging 190km and 105km routes through the Berkshire and Wiltshire Downs. Although a cyclist herself, Theresa had never cycled an event like this! She decided to train in preparation, and along with her rides outside, she found the Pedal Studio to be a great way to get in shape, and fast!

The Anthony Maynard Sportive will be run every year, again on a not for profit basis. So if anyone is interested in giving it a go, here is the link:
http://www.readingcyclingclub.com/anthonymaynardsportive/

Pedal Studio baby - James Edmondson

We have some very exciting Pedal Studio news. We have had our first Pedal Studio Baby ! Congratulations to Gill and her husband. Those of you spinning regularly must have noticed Gill and she kindly wrote a lovely article about being pregnant and spinning in our last news letter. I had to chuckle she was even watching her HR during the delivery – good girl - and had a fantastic delivery.

Hi Andrew,
 
I am pleased to announce the arrival of the first Pedal Studio baby!  James Edmondson arrived on Tuesday morning at 11.25am, weighing 7lbs 3oz after 30 hours labour!!  I think I did 4 Spinning classes last week with my last one on Sunday.  So less than 24 hours after my last Spin class, I started contractions and 48 hours later I was a proud (and tired) Mum.  Baby is perfect in every way and I'm recovering pretty rapidly which I am sure is down to my staying fit.

Thanks to all at the pedal studio for keeping me sane and fit (by the way, my HR never went higher than 68 throughout ardous labour process much to the amazement of the midwives!!).
 
I look forward to getting back on my bike and into the Studio though I think it will be a good few weeks still before I can tolerate a bike saddle!!!
 
Gill

Aileen Anderson – Semi Pro MTB rider writes exclusively for Pedal Studio

Aileen

Aileen has been racing as a competitive Off-road athlete since August 2005. In 2007, she placed 10th in the Absa Cape Epic (7 day international multi-day stage race, averaging 120km a day). Aileen is also an accomplished marathon runner and adventure athlete.

Aileen will be blogging for us at Pedal Studio with interesting articles about her mountain biking experiences. She has recently completed a two week ride through the Dolomite region in Northern Italy. My experience of the Iron Bike race confirm to me that this is some of the toughest riding out there. There will be interesting stories of her experience. She will cover off things like choice of Heart Rate Monitor and fixing an entire wheel with the bare essentials to get to the next stop over.

She is currently living and riding in a little French town called Quillan as she completes her studies. It is packed with single track down hill  riding and I can assure you that you will be hearing much more about this little spot.

Aileen has just been invited to take part in the Xterra Worlds and will be competing in the Xterra France in October too.

Check out Aileen's ride record on the blog www.pedalstudio.blogspot.com

Studio

Please have a read of the massive house keeping mail that I recently sent out to accompany the launch of the new web site.

It may come as a surprise to most of you but you have to create a new profile if you want to book classes, even if you have been spinning with Pedal Studio for some time.  Your ride credits will show up, just give us a little time to get them on the site but you will need to create your profile first.

If you notice any web snags, please let us know so we can iron them out.

Over the next few months we will be adding more and more functionality so keep watching.

Referrals and Feedback

Just a reminder that we would love you to refer us out if you are enjoying the classes. If someone signs up after their  GDP10 4 7 days then we will reward you both with a free ride.

Hi there
I joined today and attended my first class it was brilliant.  I would like to attend another class if possible on Wednesday the 8-9 pm class.  I have registered for it online is that all I need to do?  Thank you....
Jody

 

Btw Carmen almost killed me on Tuesday! Back for more on Friday! Haha!
Mark

 

Hi Andrew
 
I was there on Tuesday and it is much better, those extra posters definitely have made a difference.
 
One other little things, if we can have a few more hooks in the shower area for towels at some point that would be great - I think there is only one for the back left one.
 
Amelia

(Note from Andrew, all done now)

 

Hi Andrew

I just read your newsletter – I would love a Pedal Studio cycling club and outrides (road) as I am training for a sportive next May and need to learn to ride in a bunch. Not quite ready to join the Dynamos!

Cheers

Bryony

 

Andrew, 

Just looked at my print out high calories but no overreaching! Really enjoyed the class - HARD!  Noticed those VMO's of yours being fired up on the standing climbs - scary, see why you are king of the mountains!

Nathan is definitely helping me with a lot of technical issues on the bike.  Pushing up to 35-8kph on the flats Monday (enjoy giving Nathan a run for his money) and getting some real 40 plus speed into the straight downhills, now I just gotta learn to do the curves descending fast, I  have to get my hands off the bloody brakes!

Dave
( Andrew notes – How could I not put that feedback in ? Thanks Dave, and folks don’t forget to check out the good work Nathan is doing - Pedal Studio Out rides with Horizons)

 

Yours in health and I will see you in the ride zone of course!

Andrew
www.pedalstudio.co.uk 
take your body where your mind wants to go

e-mail: andrew.clayton@pedalstudio.co.uk
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