Bike Racing Without Mercy
Bike Racing Without Mercy
The channel is devoted to living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and improving my cycling fitness - for outdoor climbing events such as La Marmotte and The Fred Whitton, the occasional crit race (I'm a Cat 3) plus indoor e-racing on Zwift. I started cycling indoors in August 2018, and through my love of Zwift discovered the even greater pleasure of cycling outside. And over the last 2 years, I have been lucky to meet and ride out with many people from the cycling community, and I love to document our adventures together, exploring the beautiful countryside, and many of the best climbs the UK and Europe have to offer.
I’m a 47 year old father of 2 and work in an office. So this all takes place whilst balancing work, family and friends - from my home in central London and whilst on my travels.
Пікірлер
I climbed Wrynose and straight into Hardknott on my Ribble 653 steely with Shimano 600 tri colour…8speed cassette….I’ll take the R5 next time.. Subbed 👍
@@gedrooney9305 wow! Talk about making a tough climb even harder Ged !! Yep …. R5 with a 34 on the rear next time may be more enjoyable ! Cheers for the sub 🙏
it's the guys throwing up at the side of the road that scares me.. gonna enter for 2025 I think
Just make you have the right gearing (34 on the rear) and with sufficient training all will be good !
What time of year was this with the temperature so cold coming back down? Well done on that climb though 💪
Hi Paul - this was Feb. Can be variable at the top of Teide that time of year.
Hallo, Wir warten auf neue Videos von Dir. Grüße aus Deutschland.
Schön, von dir zu hören! Ich habe viele Videos gedreht, war aber bei der Arbeit auch sehr arbeitsintensiv, sodass ich keine Zeit habe, sie zu bearbeiten. Ich werde ab Mitte September eine Reihe von Videoveröffentlichungen starten. Ich hoffe, Sie genießen den Sommer!
We are riding from Headingley to Whitehaven via Hardknock Pass in 2 weeks..the steepest hill I’ve climbed is still Sutton Bank..
Make sure you have good gearing - a 28 or 30 on the rear cassette will be far too hard. Try and fit a 32 or 34 if your rear derailleur is long enough . Enjoy 👍
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy I’m riding on my 90’s Ribble steely 653 frame rather than my R5…no mercy! ;)
With the coming spiritual awakening people will discover what Mallorca really is and they will faint because of it =).Having an open mind is vital and a blessing.We are in the age of aquarius which is when the truth/real history would be revealed cos we werent taught the truth/ral history in school.Its a glorious time to be alive.Rejoice cos freedom is coming.
Wow great results way to go 🎉
Cheers Spingirl 🙏🙏. Super kind of you !
Brilliant video one day I will do hardnott pass even if I have to walk up it pushing the bike lol
Cheers Gavin 🙏 - super kind of you! Make sure you have a 34cassette on the rear - and pace it well
Great video! My Kickr trainer came with a 11-28 tooth rear cassette. But to simulate maybe a 30 or 32 ring at the back could I maybe reduce it to 80 or 90 percent to replicate a bigger gear at the back??
Hi Dino - thanks ever so much. I reckon reduce to 75% and see if you can turn a cadence of 80-85rpm on a climb with a gradient where you would be able to spin the same cadence in real life on your bike with a 32 on the rear. In my experience 75%-80% represented a 32. But will differ from trainer to trainer
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy thank you! I’m so glad I now understand this option. I really thought it was just a handicap advantage thing. On second thought I realised I ride in real life with the same rear cassette ratio so I might leave it at max where I’ve had it since the start and see what happens when I finally am able to upgrade my bike and wheels from the default one you start with 😂 I think that might be another reason the gears feel a bit off or heavy in general. Thanks again
@@dinoaustralia7752 pleasure
I think I’ve watched this before, but I’ll say again… YOU ARE INSANE! I’m extremely jealous of this video!
Thanks Earl 🙏 - too too kind Sir ! Colwyd remains the toughest climb I’ve ever done !
Hello can you please suggest me something to improve my ftp and any training plan suggestions on zwift that i can follow or anything specific plan that will increase my ftp? Please reply back if you got my comment I know i am commenting on a 4year olf video but it would be helpful if you can help me🙏
I think focus on the basics, Karen: If from Zwift’s program you do the Gorby once per week and then 2x15mins once per week and 3 days easier (1-1.5hours) plus 2 full rest days (for recovery) you will see progress over 4-6weeks. Key is consistency for me. Gradually add on some extra time in the saddle on the 5 training days over the 4-6 weeks and this will help. I also believe strength training is important - I do this once or twice per week on my easy days . Best of luck 🤞
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercyi forgot to add that i have an tt event after 2to3 months. And i really need to increase my FTP for that and some power so that i can hold that for an hour effort because it is an 42km tt. So please if you can give me any suggestions i would be helpful like for me now i am doing 2x20mins and then gradually increase it by 3x20 then 2x30 so that I will train for an one hour effort. But i don't have anything structured training in between for that so does doing any zwift will help me in increasing my ftp and for time trail event? Please reply back🙏
@@Karan19880 a reasonably flat / undulating 42km iTT on a road bike will take 1hr - 1hr 10mins . You need to do at least a couple of 60min efforts to figure out how to pace and fuel for the iTT . ie make your threshold training err towards the longer efforts - because this is specific to your event . Best of luck 🍀
Great stuff Phil. I have a tendency to drop my water bottles far too regularly!
Cheers Roy 🙏🙏 Very kind of you. I seem to manage at the wrong moment also - previous time was at the Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine - also with too many others on the road to stop!
Where you at, old boy?
Good to hear from you B to THE Beeeeee! Work got very very busy and also took a cycling holiday to the Italian Alpes and Dolomites for the Maratona - and now Tenerife with the family. I’ve been filming a lot, and will make a series of shorter video. Hope you are keeping well !
Wow. “Burn the last of the matches, and the box to boot!” Great video.
Thanks ever so much Andy ! I’ve only cycled in Snowdonia twice - but on both occasions it was very special. And Colwyd remains the hardest climb I’ve ever completed !
Mate, I'm commenting on your videos...but I don't know if you are seeing them 🤔 youtube is messing with me 🤷🏻♂️
Respect BUT I must point out, it's ESPRESSO not EXPRESSO
🤣 indeed it is ☕️! Cheers 🙏
well, I assume you will be where you have once been since some time now... as you had not lost much of your fitness in the first place. I had a break (had to care for my old father and then got injured in a accident on top) for almost three years and my FTP was down to ~50% of what it have been
Really tough break, pardon the pun. Wishing you a good recovery.
Phil you never cease to inspire me. Gotta try Everesting one day. 😅 Any saddle recommendations for such a long ride? I get sore about 4 hours into a ride.
Cheers Jono - and sorry for the delay! Super super kind of you 🙏🙏. I always use my carbon Sella Italia 59 - it has the hole down the middle - and this makes a big difference. Also I do get out the saddle at times to work new muscles. I also changed my jersey and bibs after about 5000m elevation
Hey Phil. I’m trying to psych myself up to do the Gorby tomorrow and watching your video has inspired me. 😊
Still a go to training for me ! Enjoy the 4th and 5th rep !! 🤣
at the very start of the video, which cafe/bistrot are you having breakfast at ? is it in La Grave ?
“On your…” “On my what?!’ Brilliant
🤣Cheers Phil !! Yep - 150km in ….my communication skills were a little ….. rudimentary at that point 🤣
Fantastic Phill what an achievement, you should be really proud of yourself!! Conditions looked challenging which make it all the more an amazing accomplishment. Awesome........
Good to hear from you Wayne ! And I hope you Scorpion has been a good house companion ! I’d never considered doing this - and for sure it was really good to do this with 100 others on a closed road, and the sense of accomplishment upon achieving it was immense ! Hope you and your family are well Sir !
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy the scorpion is doing well Phill, still munching crickets! Desperately trying to re-kindle my love for cycling....
I would totally give this a crack if there was other people doing it.
Hi JFomo - fear not of missing out ! For Velo 29 have already got the date set in June ‘25 for another of these 💯💪. So give it a go - you won’t regret it
could you share the strava route ? going to there in Jul
My dear friend Phillip. Again, I watched an excellent video and an excellent bicycle race. Congratulations my friend. I also congratulate the entire team. Everest challenge is a very difficult race, I am very glad you succeeded. See you in new videos. By the way, greetings to my sister Jane and London. #bikeracingwithoutmercy
Greetings Atakan ! And Jayne sends you her best wishes 💯. This is a very good challenge - and as a very accomplished endurance athlete I think you should give it a go 💯. Stay strong Sir 💪
Hi, Du bist mein Vorbild. Kein Unfall der Welt kann Dich aufhalten. 😊 Liebe Grüße
Das ist unglaublich großzügig von Ihnen! und sehr motivierend!! Es war ein langer Weg von der Verletzung - und ich bin immer noch nicht so stark wie vor dem Unfall - aber ich genieße den Trainingsprozess und den Lebensstil! Bleiben Sie stark, mein Herr!!
Brutal! take my hat off to you
Thanks JK - that’s very kind of you🙏! Brutal but somehow very satisfying 💯
Great work there. Looks a miserable day and you kept smiling🍾
Thanks Shane 🙏🙏. Very kind of you . And without doubt being able to complete this with a load of others on a closed road, was the difference between enjoying the challenge and a wet and cold day … and going home at 5000m !
I told u it would be a challenge- a good challenge. The dark place was felt by many including myself but mastered & boy it feels good to complete the challenge & watch you complete yours. Told ya you love it 😂
I think I underestimated just how tough it would be … 6000-7500 was for sure the Everest death zone . But cheers for cajoling me into it - felt a huge sense of accomplishment for completing it with you
Nice one Philip, great ride & 👌 video. Why did we do it 😂 . Like u said "never again" once is plenty enough for me too. Onwards to the Italian Alps yaaaaaaa 😎
Cheers Tony - onwards… and hopefully my cold and cough disappear
Absolutely incredible effort, Phil! 👏Congrats on the massive achievement and thanks for sharing your journey! 🚴♂💪🌟 Also, it sounds like you might have caught a cold-your voice seemed a bit off. If so, I hope you recover quickly! 🍵🛌
Hi Volha - that’s lovely of you to say so 🙏 Was a proper tough … proper proper tough .. day out ! And indeed you are correct, I got a bad cough and cold after the event, only just getting through it now 🤞
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy It's no surprise after such a grueling challenge-you really pushed the limits!😅 Take good care of yourself and make sure you get plenty of rest. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures once you're fully back on track👌
Amazing achievement well done. And outside in the weather too 👍👊
Thanks ever so much Alan 🙏 - thats massively kind of you to say so! Grim weather…. BUT tailwind ….
I bet you won't be doing that climb anytime soon again :) Well done Phil and TC. It's a massive accomplishment to complete this, especially in that horrible weather.
Hi Marco - and thanks ever so much 🙏 … yep 67x was more than sufficient … and Top Cat had recced it twice for multiple ascents before the event 🤯🤣
Pulling through in that weather is next level resolve. Massive kudos! And indeed, a big shout-out to all the helpers.
Cheers Jonas 🙏 - thats beyond generous of you to say so ! Was much harder than I envisaged - but more rewarding also 💯 Agreed - cheers to Allison and Jayne and the Velo 29 Crew - was properly cold at the top of that hill ….
To;effort Phil. You can see that vacant look in your eyes at the end. Shows you really put a shift in to finish it. That medal deserves a prime spot on your trophy wall. 👏👏👏👍
Cheers Paul 🙏 - and for sure I was properly tired at 6000m - and again by the end of the…… And the vacant look in the eyes turned into a big old cold and cough - so I agree with your kind assessment, the medal is well earned !
Top job Phil and others!
Great to hear from you Guus ! Hope all is well Sir 💯 Much appreciated 🙏
Been well, nearly finished with a bachelor’s degree and racing amateur races in my free time
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. “I decided to skip the aid station with one bottle, not the smartest idea.” Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
🤣 nicely summarised Izmael ! And for sure was not clever to skip the feed station… looked too busy and I thought Winnats was closer…
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy i say chapeau! to remain lucid enough to thank the volunteers and supporters is some feat on such a brutal course. you are a very brave man skipping an aid station with that amount of elevation.👏🏻
Phenomenal achievement Phil. Inspiring. May have to add to my bucket list. Enjoy the videos as always keep going. Rather envious you’re doing Maratona did it last year, you’ll love it. Sub 7 hour…? All the best
Hi David - thanks ever so much for🙏 thats really lovely of you to say so! And for sure give it a go next year with Velo29 - it’s a really …. Really…. Really tough day out - but much more rewarding than I had envisaged ! Would nice to do a big ride in sub 7 hours ….. nice indeed !
That looked brutal Phil, congrats to you and and all the participants. Another fantastic video
Thanks ever so much Claire 🙏 - super kind of you to say so! And for sure much much harder than I’d imagined, but also more rewarding 💯
animals!
🤣 Rothiacc !!! Like Hamsters in a wheel - for 12 hours !!
Well done Phill and Tony and the others. Great effort (and insane) going up and down the same hill. Even bigger effort for Jayne and Allison watching & supporting you going up and down!
Cheers Mick 🙏 - too too kind of you Sir ! Somehow addictive once you get going …. And for sure much much ….. much harder for Jayne and Allison to provide the support 💯
Nice work Phil. There was a local mate from Kirkby Lonsdale there with you on the day. I'm considering an Everesting later in the year too. Good to see Aky there!
Thanks ever so much Scott 🙏 - and for sure given your exploits this would be well up your street 💯 Very best of luck on the dragon ride 🏴
Well done Phil, it was a tough day pleased to have got it done. Great record of the day thanks 💪🏻
Cheers John 🙏 and congrats on getting it done yourself Sir 💪 - proper proper tough day out 😅
Haha big congratulations on the achievement Phil shame about the weather but it looked like a breeze for you 💪. I’m all signed up for next year and who knows we might break a record. We want to see you rocking a ZZ Top on the next one 😂
Cheers Aky 🙏 - was sensational to see, you, the bike and your sensational beard 💪💯. Tail wind helped - offsetting the rain and cold - and for sure I reckon ‘25 will be THE YEAR of the WR 🚀. I’ve once managed to get just past stubble phase….. but the call of the Mr Wilkinson and Gillett were tooo tooo strong !
Kudos to you Phil. Remarkable effort. I only did it in the comfort of my home on Zwift during the pandemic and I said “never again”. Can’t imagine being outdoors with that weather. Congratulations!!
Cheers Carlo 🙏 - thats very kind of you! I would not have the will power to do it inside - so kudos for that ✊ …. Easier outside with other people …
Wow Phil , that’s another savage achievement , massive congratulations. You’re like the Terminator when you get going .
Thanks Sean 🙏 - much appreciated Sir ! Maybe an aging spluttering Terminator .. judging by the cough and cold I got after this 🤣
What an accomplishment Phil you killed it. At one time I had wanted to Everest but damn it’s proper hard ❤ 🔥
Cheers IronDistance 🏋️ 🙏 - veery kind of you. And for sure I’d recommend this event in ‘25 if you want to tick it off 💯
Great achievement in those conditions
Thanks ever so much Ethan 🙏 - super kind of you !
Well done Phil!!! That's still faster than me and a lot of people!
Cheers Chris 🙏 - and nice one for completing this, Sir ! … proper proper tough challenge …..