Last weekend was yet another very busy but productive few day…

This started with a trip to the foot function centre on Friday for a review of my orthotic insoles with Paul the Podiatrist. Initially this involved a catch-up/feedback session followed by a little running on a treadmill using video analysis to check my gait pattern. We then used the RS scan system to see how well the insoles are controlling/correcting my foot placement and reducing stress as I run. Comparing the results with the original tests from few months ago, you can clearly see a major improvement. So all good, but apparently not quite perfect according to Paul who is very thorough in his work. He produced another set of insoles with slight modifications for me to try. Again we re-tested with further improvements shown again! It really is fantastic having this kind of support which will no doubt help prevent injury and improve performance.

On Saturday Jill and myself attended the London Bike Show at the Excel Centre. We were there to support Matrix UK with their launch and took the tandem to display. It was certainly busy with the outdoor and boat shows also running on the same day.

It was great fun seeing peoples reactions when they picked up the tandem and realised just how light it is. Even better were the various guesses regarding how much a frame like this would cost. This ranged from £2,000 to a high of £8,000! People were gtenuinely stunned to be told it costs £1,300 and maybe with good reason!!

Certainly having the tandem there seemed to attract a lot interest, perhaps because it’s not usual to see something like this at such a show or perhaps it’s just becuase it looked rather good with it’s mix of carbon and alloy set up with rear disk and front tri-spoke wheels! Hopefully being their helped to generate some interest in the brand, but the Matrix bike, wheels and other components sell themselves really as they look fantastic!!

Matrix have been really supportive so it was nice to finally meet Owen and the team and I am looking forward to working with this year.

Sunday saw Jill and myself (somewhat bleary eyed after Saturdays efforts!) attend the Christening of Jake De’Ath who we are delighted to be God parents for. Jake is the second child of our friends Bobby (who I ride the tandem with) and Claire. We are already God parents for their other daughter Zoe-Anne who is a real credit to them, although far too clever for a 3 year old!

I have to admit, I didn’t get a lot of training done this weekend with the show and other comitments. I did get to do a tough swim session on Friday and finished the weekend with a rather chilly turbo session in the garage on Sunday night. So, I am rested and ready for this coming week!

Cheers for now.

Iain