The Butterfly Effect

I have spent the summer as a social butterfly not social media (you’ll have noticed!) just hanging with friends social- the fun hasn’t stopped… boats, regattas, polo, BBQ, bicycles, it goes on and on. Good news is I have one more summer road trip before I head into the last summer and the beckoning of autumnal leaves.

Me and my girlfriends are heading to Devon where we’re gonna pack us and everything else into one beaten VW and head to the beach to camp, surf and do yoga whilst chilling wine in the sea and listening to balmy tunes.

I am also hoping to try out a little paddle board action, I haven’t tried it, all I know is that it looks awesome and the serenity of yoga whilst afloat sounds like my kind of perfect equilibrium just breathing with the rolls of tides…

Xx

For a Piste of the action this weekend….

Head to Scotland where all the big 5 ski centres are expecting to be open – infact some are even open today, one of their earliest starts to the snowsport season!

1. CairnGorm
2. Glencoe
3. Glenshee
4. Lecht
5. NevisRange

Glencoe reported this morning 6-8inches of fresh snow with some runs better than others (!) and Nevis Range is expected to open for all experienced skiers to get a little pre-Christmas practice in later!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great vintage travel poster by British Railways! (Less of a carbon footprint if you are flying to the Alps and lovely whisky warmers for after!)

For a full snow condition report on all 5 go to Ski Scotland via the link below…

http://ski.visitscotland.com/conditions/

Happy ploughing….

Xx

Ski Sunday with the Swedish Ski Mafia and Mr Twin Tips

What … the Adventure Haglöfs Snowsports Session

Where … The Kendal Mountain Festival

Who … Andreas Fransson, Bjarne Sahlén & Mike Douglas

The session was presented by Haglöfs, the Swedish outstanding outdoor equipment manufacturer and supported by Whitedot Skis.

The ‘Godfather of Free-skiing’ – Mike Douglas a.k.a Mr Twin Tip, from Whistler Blackcomb presented the European première of his new film ‘Tempting Fear’ which is pretty awesome, I mean the skiing is almost as good as mine…. the scenery is super impressive and the story nicely inspiring. It will make you want to hit the slopes so freeze the plastic before watching!

Star of the film is Andreas Fransson (read his blog!) who despite launching himself off some seriously steep mountains seems really rather balanced and even quoted John Keats http://andreasfransson.blogspot.co.uk/

Skier producer is Bjarne Sahlén it’s really important to note here that Bjarne has to keep up with Andreas and is not bad at skiing(!), together with Andreas, Bjarne has endured some serious adventures that have taken him all over the world – well anywhere they can find snow! Thus this duo makes up my Swedish Ski Mafia.

The story behind the film is that of Andreas ‘the boldest extreme skier in a generation’. Over the past 3 years he’s logged first descents in a half-dozen countries, battled back to life from an accident that nearly killed him, and become the most talked about skier in the epicentre of all things extreme – Chamonix, France so watch the trailer…

It was great to listen to the guys discussing the stunts and adventures, they should seriously consider hooking up with a ski holiday group to start taking a fee as it only took about three hours for us to decide that the best idea in life would be to book a ski holiday. Unfortunately our funds would not support a trip to Whistler unless Mike has space for a few of us and our ‘cough’ many accessories (?) so to Tignes it is… woo hoo!

If you need any more convincing regards hitting the slopes just watch the video or check out any of these links

http://www.salomonfreeski.com/others/minisites/tempting-fear/

http://www.switchbackentertainment.com/

The Kendal Mountain Festival whoop…

Hey all so next weekend me and an elite team will be geading to the fells and lakes for Kendals awesome Mountain Festival I can almost feel the fresh air now…. this is what we are gonna be getting up too!

I will most definately be reporting back, so watch this space…

For more information…. www.mountainfest.co.uk

Xx

The Butterfly Effect…

Please oh please let this be mass produced…

I love riding my bike around town and I simply love this idea below to help avoid those pedestrians who just walk out onto the road without looking – just how awesome would this be to have and use(!), add the Revolights as blogged by Lomaxbike (see below post link) and we are really getting somewhere with pimp my pedal-ride!

For more details on this highly visible, hard to forget speed reducer check out…

http://www.bikebutterfly.com

We’re all going on a summer holiday….

Ok so its been a while since Cliff hit the chart with that tune but a good summer vaca is damn important especially when your working the rest of the year.

It a precious time where you can sit back, reflect and relax just dont take the work mobile!!

Last year we hit Cornwalls coast and smuggly popped up our tent, while others were battling with old schools poles we were cracking open the dry white vino and deck chairs. Kenneggy Cove was a dream location right on the coastal path we were able to do some great walks and had access to some very private beaches i.e. no carpark for miles! We also had amazing bacon sarny from the campsite kitchen one morning to set us up for the day. I very much recommend a google of the below, http://www.kenneggycove.co.uk

…. a view from the wilderness… once upon a wild camp…

This year I have stumbled upon another great website for camping in some of our fab National Parks, with some beautiful scenery and great trails these are some awesome locations for camping , walking and biking check out the below link for some summer inspiration!

http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/visiting/camping.htm

Not only are there real bargin campsites of good standard on this site but it also promotes WILD camping … I know awesome! The main considerations are being responsible and respectful to your surroundings especially when it come to fires… stick to the code of the country and the worlds your oyster, to a degree!!

Anyway its all food for thought especially with all those Jubilee Bank Holidays coming up this summer thank’s to HRH the Queen!!

Happy camping!

Xx

 

The Fun Theory!

Happy Wednesday!

Check out the video below its a great idea in a bid to get people using stairs rather than escalators! One that I think would be awesome to see rolled out across the UK tube stations here it is courtesy of Volkswagens ‘The Fun Theory’ and the great city of Stockholm!

I love this idea I wonder how many people were late because they were jamm’in on the stairs!

The Fun Theory concept is something we can totally apply to daily life to make it FUN but also get everyone to change their lazy habits aka bad behavior and get moving and doing, remember every journey starts with one small step!!

The great ideas continue check out http://www.thefuntheory.com

Xx

 

 

Two Wheels and Frame would like to meet Large Glacier with GSH!

Big Hi!

Hoping your all feeling toasty on this less than tropical Monday, below is an awesome video which is not to be confused with one of me on my bike in commuter snow, but is in-fact the slightly more daredevil Saas Fee Glacier Bike Downhill… it is amazing and I can only imagine  that the riders are thankful for the fresh powder to fall in if they do actually make it to the sides, their helmets, attitude and the apres glacier!

Check it out… and if you feel up for the challenge the registrations are open for 2012’s Downhill race in March, or you can just watch it and ask the question why, followed by why not life is too short and I own a helmet, but am totally busy that weekend, gutted.

Saas Fee Glacier Bike Downhill 2011

Just remember to keep it steady on the icy roads and always wear a helmet with attitude!

Xx

Wild thing has a Swim

Thursday – wake up, banana, cup of chi and 50 lengths in the pool followed by a boiled egg and pitta = great start to day and got me thinking….wouldn’t it be fun to walk on the wild side and do a little wild swimming…

Wetsuit check.

Attitude and confidence yes for now!

Destination and information, make sure you read the water quality link on the website below…

http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/

Sweet talk a friend and if you cant find a willing accompanist use family they cant say no they are related!

Finally make sure your swimming strength and water confidence are up to scratch if you haven’t swam for a while visit the pool and do some training sessions first, remember depths, undercurrent and obstacles all come into play when wild swimming!

Black Tomato top five destinations

Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland
This is one swim that is sure to wake you up. Moody skies give way to mountains, glacial valleys and crumbling monastic ruins in Glendalough, Wicklow. The waters are beautifully crisp, clear and cold so it’s best to dive right in there – enjoy. Cost: free. Best time to go: September

Lake Constance, Germany
With water good enough to drink, Lake Constance in Germany had to make it onto our list. Swimming in fresh waters is a uniquely freeing experience and non better than in this beautiful lake. Don’t just stop at swimming though. The lake is really popular for sailing, canoeing and windsurfing. Cost: free. Best time to go: July/August

St Nectan’s Kieve, Cornwall, U.K.
A magical spot. Dive down into the natural plunge pool and let the refreshing waterfall wash away the world at this hidden Cornish gorge. Cost: £3. Best time to go: June/July

The Blue Grotto, Italy
Created by a little underwater gap inside the cave, this incredible little cavern in Capri has an extraordinary cobalt-blue light, which bubbles up from below the surface of the sea. A wild swim here is definitely an experience to remember but make it quick: there’s always a queue to get in and you may have to tip the boatmen to wait for you. Cost: approx. €11. Best time to go: July/August but check tides; it’s not always accessible.

Fuentes del Algar, Spain
Dive into Fuentes del Algar and wash away a hot summer’s day in the beautiful, ice-cold river gorge, waterfalls and crystal clear water pools. There’s not a shower in the world quite like it and it makes for great alternative seaside swimming. Cost: free. Best time to go: June/July.

Check out their other adventures at http://www.blacktomato.com

Ski Sunday

Happy Sunday! If your thinking of getting some powder action this season see our little black piste book below… but first a little in-snow-piration!

After a super nasty leg shattering experience last year Chemmy Alcott is looking forward to getting back on the slopes, appearing on Ski Sunday last week she’s been doing some serious training and physio in her effort to becoming Britain’s best World Cup skier. Its a great inspiration when anyone rises after such a great fall… we are definitely on Team Chemmy so cheer her on as she appears on Dancing on Ice!

Get fit for free with ski exercise the film covers 4 solid exercises for pre powder prep.

Little Black Piste Book

For ‘real’ snow lessons before you go…The Snow Centre, Hemel Hamsptead or Xcape at Milton Keynes or Castleford.

To avoid planes try trains, specifically the Eurostar Ski Train direct from London to the French Alps get the 19.38 from St Pancreas and be on the slopes for 9.00am!

Helmets – would you ride your bicycle along a major road without a helmet. NO. So get properly kitted out for the slopes check out Ellis Brighams online store.

Apres ski, enjoy and stay safe don’t drink and plough at altitude it can go straight to your head!