Stratford Bike Hire

Stratford Bike Hire
What better way to see Stratford..by bike!

Sunday, 21 December 2008

Merry Christmas

If anyone is reading this .....Have a great Christmas and good running/cycling or whatever in 2009!!!!

Sunday, 16 November 2008

Sunday Cycling a civilised society

The Athletic Club have started doing a series of Sunday group rides aimed at some of us who are not comfortable group cycling and also want to improve their cycling endurance. I went on my first one this morning and have discovered a wonderful new world. I usually only ride in small groups but found the miles just soared by as we chatted away (once various bike problems and punctures were sorted out). I have always been a bit wary of joining a cycle club but after this I'm sorely tempted.

One important thing I learned today - good kit is a lifesaver. I just bought a Winter bib and jacket from SPUIK and I cant believe how much more comfortable (and dry) I am!!

Vic

Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Mud, Mayhem & Winter Nights

The 1st Wedgnock Winter Series Race last weekend was fantastic. I managed 8th place so was really pleased (as well as being wet and muddy!). Next one is 27th December, I dread to think how cold and muddy that will be!

Winter night are now truly upon us. The Simply Run group are doing well and its great motivation to get me out on a Tuesday evening, as I would never drag myself out otherwise.

As well as Winter nights, cold dark mornings are also not pleasant. Other than a few weeks of reprieve since the clocks went back its grim getting on the bike early in the morning. Still its all for the best!

Roll on the spring

Thursday, 30 October 2008

November!!!

How on earth could Winter be upon us.?

I managed the Vitruvian in 5hrs 02mins so really pleased. That was back at the beginning of Sept so now all focus is on Frankfurt for next year. Hours of dark, damp, cold cycling ahead.

Cross Country season has already started with a bang. Stratford AC has held the Welcombe Wobbler and Birmingham XC leauge is already underway. Congrats to all the Stratford AC mob who turned out at Sennelys Park last weekend - we had 22 runners in the mens race best ever!

One thing to look out for over the Winter is the Adventure Sports / Run Stratford winter race series at Wedgnock (nr Warwick). The summer series was great and I imagine the Winter XC course will be fantastic.

Click on link below for more detail of the Winter Race Series

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

August Bank Holiday

Busy Busy....at long last a couple of days of decent (welll almost!) weather. I have never seen the Stratford Greenway so busy. Great weekend to get out running or cycling, but as it was so busy I managed neither.

Only a week and a half to the Vitruvian triathlon. Need to get a decent open water swim in this weekend.

Vic
also you can click on the link to find decent accommodation in Stratford upon Avon.

Wednesday, 13 August 2008

Simply Run Running Programme

Only 3 weeks to Vitruvian 1/2 distance triathlon. I have been increasing my training to make sure I'm ready for it. I have been open water swimming over at Worcester. The lake is at TopBarnFarm near Omberdsley and website is http://www.runaroundsports.co.uk/

I run with Stratford Athletic Club and also take part in running sessions with Simply Run which is a running store in Stratford as well as one of the foremost online running stores. The shop runs running training sessions which are great for people who want to start running and want to build up a bit of confidence or people who want to improve their running but need a bit of a push. I rteally enjoy the sessions on a Tuesday night.

The cycling is going pretty well and I am managing to get out into the Cotswolds a lot to puch the hills. Click the link for more details to Hire a bike in the Midlands. If you are coming to stratford I have a useful link for Accommodation in Stratford

Vic

Thursday, 24 July 2008

Summer at Last

How time flies by. I cant believe we are a week into the summer hols already. Kids already driving us mad. At least weather is good so they spend their time outside.

If you are in Birmingham or any of the surrounding towns, why not come into Stratford and spend the day cycling. You can cycle around the town or the Shakespeare houses or head out along the Greenway. The kids will love it, its green and it will help keep them fit. What more can you ask for!!

If you haven't got a bike or ant way of transporting your own click on the link below for details of how to get one from me.
Cycle Hire Birmingham

Monday, 23 June 2008

Cycling in the Cotswolds

There is a fantastic route out from Stratford that heads out to Broadway then across to Chipping Campden before heading around Mickleton and back to Stratford. Its one of my favourite training rides as it manages to take in a few nice hills.

I have started delivering a few bikes out to people staying in farms and cottages over past Mickleton and keep thinking to myself it must be a fantastic place to spend a week. Loads of cycling and perfectly placed to take in Stratford as well as the Cotwolds. If you are thinking of heading that way I would thoroughly recommend one place called Lowerfield Farm to anyone!

Dont forget to call and hire bikes before you set off though!!!!

Keep cycling

Vic
Click for Cycle hire in the Cotswolds

Thursday, 22 May 2008

May Bank Holiday

Looks like it is going to be a busy weekend. I have a load of new Trek Hybrid bikes which are great if you want to cycle a little bit further afield. I am getting quite a few people book them for a few days and touring on them and the feedback is that they are great.

For Bike Hire in the midlands just give us a call and we can deliver to you!

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

April Showers

Talk about changeable weather. Saturday was fantastic and everyone who went out cycling had a great time in almost summertime weather! Forecast was due for rain on Sunday so as I expected no one to hire bikes in the rain I ran the Shakespeare 1/2 marathon. Rather than raining it was roasting, good job I didnt run the whole marathon - well done everyone who did!!!

Just as my last customers had cycled off towards the Greenway the heavens opened! Everyone came back soaked!! Hope you all had a good ride anyway!

It would be good to get a good run of nice sunny days in May.

Vic

One thing to mention if you live in the area and need cycle hire in Coventry, Solihull, Redditch give us a call and we can deliver to you.

Sunday, 13 April 2008

London Marathon over for another year!

Great day. I am absolutely shattered and my legs are killing me.

Good news is that my poor preparation and injuries along with a final week preparation consisting of getting completely blotto at the Runners World awards on Thursday night meant I was able to manage a PB today.

Unfortunately I missed my goal of sub 3hrs again by 2'1/2 minutes but a pb is a pb. Looks like I will have to find another event in a few months to get the sub 3.

Congratulations to all at Stratford AC who ran today!! Also congratulations to the Marathon lads (Mick n Phil) who won the Jane Tomlinson award at the Runners world dinner!!

Now to look forward to more swimming and cycling

Vic
Click for Cycle Hire in Stratford upon Avon

Sunday, 6 April 2008

London is Looming and its snowing!

Only one week to go until the London Marathon. A whole group from Stratford AC goes down every year for 26miles of torture. After flogging myself in the Midlands Road Relays yesterday and my last run of any length before next week I am looking forward t it.

I have bought a nice new bike from the Cycle Studio which has got me cycling again. The guys in there are great and have set me up on a nice carbon number! I am just desperately trying to make sure my wife doesnt find out how much it cost!! SO after London the triathlon season looms.

I have been really impressed with just how many people have been brave enough to get out and hire bikes over the last couple of days. JUst get out there and do it.

Vic
Stratford bike hire

Friday, 7 March 2008

Shakespokes cycle rides

Shakespokes is a cycle group in Stratford. The group have guided rides every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. With a range of distances joining the group is a great way to get out and cycle with other people.

The rides will start from the Stratford Greenway Car Park at Seven Meadows Road at 9.30. For more details go the website http://www.shakespokes.org.uk/

Why not give a ride a try

Vic
Click Here for Cycle Hire in Stratford upon Avon

Saturday, 23 February 2008

End of Feb already!!!

How on earth does time pass by so quickly?

I still havent managed to swim or cycle very much but as the weather gets better I am starting to feel the urge.

A weeks skiing in Chamonix has meant a break in the running. I ran in the Xcountry national champs today which showed my lack of fitness!!! Long run in the morning then as London starts to loom. The Rioja I am drinking whilst writing this wont help.

Bookings are streaming in for the months ahead - weather has to be better in 2008!

Vic
www.stratfordbikehire.com

Sunday, 27 January 2008

Another Sunday Evening

Sunday comes around too quickly! I still havent done my long run this week and still no sign of getting on the bike.

Stratford leisure centre has rebranded to Everyone Active. They plan to promote all forms of activity including cycling and walking. I plan to join up with them to run guided cycle fitness sessions this year. What better way to get fit and maybe shed a few pounds!

Hopefully next Sun I will at least have been on the bike!!

www.stratfordbikehire.com

Sunday, 20 January 2008

Blogging - A whole new world

Hi

Having just read a blog from a similar mid 30 something blogger who has decided to get his work life balance right I have convinced my self that I can do it as well (blog that is). Having read blogs of the likes of Chris Evans and (please forgive me for my sins) the Togmeister its not something I ever thought I would do but here goes!!! ....and yes I know Radio2 is for old gits!

Having been a Programme Manger in the car industry for the last 15 years I decided to last year to change my direction a bit and started a cycle hire company. Being a keen cyclist and being lucky enough to live in Stratford upon Avon which is a fantastic place to live and with lots of tourists for some reason I thought there might just be a market. I am about to start my second year and thought I would try to keep a blog of stuff that goes on with the business. You can check me out at www.stratfordbikehire.com.

I am also a keenish triathlete and need a bit of a kick to get some effort put back in my training and hopefully I can remind myself when I am doing well or more likely when I'm not.

Well done to everyone who ran Not the Roman IX today. I was marshalling and had a great time as usual watching everyone race. Even if it meant a 6am start to mark out the course.

Vic