Introducing Rob Lee

Hello everyone and welcome to my first blog entry for Cyclist No.1. Hopefully I'll be able deliver something interesting and give some insight into the world of an endurance mountain biker. It may well turn up a few things you are not expecting; I know from experience that the general perception people have, and the reality of my life are often two very different things. We will see!

I thought I'd kick off by getting straight down to business and writing about my latest project, the last few weeks, and a few of the things I'm looking forward to this season, so here goes.

The most demanding thing looming on my calendar is a big old ride that I've set myself that will take place in mid-April. The West Highland Way is Scotland's premier long distance offroad route and runs 95 miles from the outskirts of the Glasgow, to Fort William at the base of Ben Nevis. I've set myself the challenge of riding the entire route, in both directions, in one hit!

Rob Lee West Highland Way

I've just come home from a 6 day trip that included 3 days checking out the route and planning the ride. It's going to be an epic adventure and one hell of a ride. The route is a bit of a killer, goes through some BIG terrain, and will take me well outside my comfort zone to complete. I'm looking at my pace notes, and realistically, 30 hours would be a good time! I should be nervous but I'm just way too excited about it. Wierd.

Less than 3 weeks to go and I've still got way too many things to prepare and take care of. This season the main project I'm involved with is a film about endurance mountain biking. This ride is going to be filmed as part of the project so there are helmet-cam riders to find, boats to charter, aerial film crew to brief, support crew for the film crew, etc, etc... and all that before I even start to sort out all my kit, lights, bikes and nutrition! Thankfully Mark from Reset Films is taking care of lots of stuff, and a couple of my team mates and sponsors are also mucking in. Now I know why I trained so hard all Winter - so I'd be tough enough to handle the prep!

Rob Lee West Highland Way

Talking of Reset Films, last week also involved a night shoot, and a following dawn shoot, on the Newcastleton 7Stanes trail. Mark had been commissioned by Exposure Lights to produce a course and event preview for the 24 Hours of Exposure National Solo Championships to be held there in May this year. As I've been involved with the event becoming a qualifier for the 24 Hours of Adrenalin Solo World Championships, and as Rory from Exposure knew I'd be filming in Scotland with Mark and my team mates that week, we were given the job of riding the course for the filming.

It was good fun, albiet very cold on the early morning shoot, and the venue is spot on for a solo 24. The racing should be really exciting and I've already booked time off work so I can get up there and watch. I hung up my race wheels in '08 because I'd reached a point where I was happy with my accomplishments and wanted a new direction and a bit of adventure. I'm still a big race fan at heart though and with the next generation coming through - talented youngsters like Josh Ibbett, Matt Page and Ian Leitch - solo racing in the UK looks set to reach a new level of competition and excitement. I can't wait to see that race unfold.

Don't think it's all about those fast guys though as this event really is a celebration of soloing. Think about it, this is a SOLO ONLY event: no random, fresh, one-lap heroes blasting past and knocking you flying. It boasts neutral support for every competitor, possibly the most weather friendly course a 24 has ever had in this country, plenty of good riding, plenty of safe overtaking, plenty of singletrack. Heck! Maybe I'll race instead of watching! Seriously though this has to be a solo dream and if you want to try a solo 24 there has never been a better opportunity [Ed. Oh god, I've not even done my first one yet and I'm already planning on this for 2011]. There is even a jersey for the best finishing first-time soloist.

So, West Highland Way in April, 24 Champs in May, but before I can get on with any of that I've got the Howies show in Bristol to contend with, and that starts this week! Somehow, and I'm really not sure how, I've been convinced that it'll be a good idea to give a talk on the closing night of the show. Not entirely sure what I'm going to say but it'll probably be about the Seven Deadly Spins and the various days I've suffered on a bike! If that's your thing why not come along? Tickets will be available shortly and proceeds will go to charity.

I better stop writing for you and go think of something good to say! So, until next time, remember: cycling is simple, push one pedal down and the other comes up! Enjoy.

Rob

Howies A Beautiful Machine

Rob Lee - Technical Editor

Rob Lee is a Bristol-based endurance cyclist who specialises in 24-hour mountain bike events and challenges. He was the first UK racer to return victorious from the 24 hours of adrenalin Solo World Championships (in 2005), and the first rider ever to break the South Downs Double record unsupported (2008).

Rob has won most of the top UK endurance events at one time or another and has coached several other athletes to do the same. He is the owner and Manager of the UK's number 1 endurance race team - Team Syncros Endurance - and the founder of the Seven Deadly Spins; a collection of ultra-endurance challenges based in the UK countryside.