TOBM: CYCLING IN WALES | AN EFFORT UP THE TUMBLE | WAS THAT A STICKY BOTTLE?

In this video we travel from Bucks to Swansea, over to Newport, into the Welsh Mountains and over to Cardiff to see the Tour of Britain Men for the final two Welsh stages.
It’s my first time riding the iconic climb: The Tumble, so I have a little (disrupted) dig, catch the pro’s and a sticky bottle in action…. hahahah and see G four times throughout the day. Unreal. We then travel to Cardiff to see the finish and see he send off for an absolute cycling legend.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted consistently on here, so I have a little natter at the end about things. Really appreciate all the support.

Thanks ever so much for watching! Really appreciate any likes, comments and most importantly subscribes.

Few extra bits for you:

I won’t ever push links over here, but as we all love a bit of a bargain, some discount codes from some super lovely partners:

£25 off LAKA bike insurance: https://my.laka.co/WEJ30
20% off Pelotan using PELOHUN20 – stay safe in the sun
10% off all SIROKO cycling kit using PELOHUN10 at checkout – men and women – tuck in!
10% off WEARESUNGOD glasses – these are the brand I’ve worn from day1 – absolutely love them and they super kindly gave me 10% off for you using KATEJONES10.

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A little about me
Thanks for dropping by.
I’m your classic runner turned newbie cyclist.

For years I feared riding a bike – I was afraid of traffic, clipping in, couldn’t get my head around lycra, chamois cream and clambering up hills on a bike.

I didn’t believe that riding a bike would give me the same de-stress, mental download or sense of freedom that life as a long distance runner had given me before my knees ground to dust.

Fast forward to 2021 and picking up a second hand CAAD10 changed my life for the better. Not just physically and mentally. But also providing a sense of community and belonging – which is magic. The cycling community is just magic.

So I’m here. To hopefully inspire others to not fear the bike – the lycra, the clipping in. And come share the passion, freedom and indescribable joy that comes from being on the bike. I truly believe that the bike life is the best life and everyone should be able to enjoy it.

Come with me on some adventures.

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#cycling #cycle #cyclingvlog #womenscycling #femalecyclist #bikes #biketravel #bikelover #bikelife #women #cyclinginspiration #cyclinglife #cyclingforhealthandfitness #cycles #ukcycling #womenscycling #bikeride #vloggerlife #vlog #roadbikelove #roadbikegirl #roadbike #tobm #tourofbritain #thetumble #welshriding #walescycling #wales

would be in a small stupid. Hi guys. What was that? Good morning. Oh, we look matching in here with our pinks. Just seeing the jacket in your top. We are in Swanners Swansea. We are on our way to uh Oh my god, I just had rainfall. We’re on the way to Newport. It’s early. We only had one coffee. These look like they’re all the way to Newport. I think a lot of people are going to be on their way up the mountains today. Today is stage five of the tour of Britain. Um I think they’re kicking off in Pontyool and we are going to ride up through some of the beautiful Welsh mountains and go and wait and catch some of the race on the tumble. Um which is a 5k climb that I’ve not done before. But you have, haven’t you? Done it a couple of times. I did once on the Velafon way back when. Way back when. I think that was the event that kicked off your road cycle in love. That was when you had you started wearing light gray. I that was when I was riding for Islington CC and I did it in my full Islington kit. Did it on my own and loved it. It was my fastest ever ride at that point. I was absolutely loving it. Closed roads. It was the best. So yeah, that’s what we’re doing. We are obviously here for G’s last race, which is insane. Got our flag. Got our Welsh flag. Got a cheeky little cowbell. Uh, and yeah, this is my first time going up the tumble. So, super excited. I’ve only done a little bit of Welsh road riding. One of our first events together was Dragon Ride Wales, which is was literally like one of my favorite events ever. So amazingly run. Uh, do you remember the potatoes? Yeah, I remember the potatoes. Do you remember the little How could I forget? The little roasted Jersey potatoes covered in salt and fat. Oh, they were just like perfect. Uh there won’t be any of that out today, I don’t think. But loved it. Absolutely loved it. So keen to get back out into the Welsh countryside cuz we’ve not done loads of it together. Considering you live well, you’re from Wales. We’ve not done that much Welsh road riding. So excited. We’re gonna go and pick up and meet Raman um in Newport. And I think we’ve got 80K on the card. So, not too much, but really nice kind of ple out into the hills. Guys decided he’s going to go for a bit of an effort up the tumble. Um, what’s your plan? How you going to attack it? I reckon it’s a solid 20 minute effort. So, judging by my FTP test, I’ll just whack it at 300 and see how long I can stick with it. Work it at 300? Do you mind? I think I’m I don’t know. I think I’m just going to enjoy it. I think I’m just going to enjoy the views. I thought you were going to do an effort. Maybe I’ll see how I feel. Let’s see how the legs feel. But what’s the kgs are similar? So, I reckon we could just ride up together if you want to do an effort potentially. All right. All right. I just don’t know if I can handle you being like, come on. I’m going to be sprinting at the end as well. Oh my god. Jesus Christ. Yeah, we’ll see. We’ll see. But excited for that climb. What else is there that we’re going off? Is there any other It’s literally like we start in Newport, it meanders on the flat for a bit, and then it’s just a big climb and then it’s downhill all the way. Oh. all the way back to Newport. Oh, fab coffee stop. Yeah, there is a coffee stop. Uh I think it’s one that is on some kind of reservoir or lake. My god, amazing. I think it’s called coffee on the lake or something. Of course it is. Just no messing about. No messing about. Uh also, what’s incredible is I think this is so rare. There’s It’s meant to be just sunny all day today. Like it’s September. Well, first week of September. Why you got your rain jacket on? I’ve got me jacket on cuz I’m cold. And also it can change up there. The climates are ever changing, but it’s supposed to be 20° and sunny all day. [Music] Just had the uh funniest start to the morning. and had to put the bikes together in an NCP car park in Newport, which was solid. Loads of space, ideal. Then come out, Newport was starting to bounce already cuz I think there’s football on, which is super cool. Loads of energy at like 10 a.m. Started on the route. Just got in this massive group. Literally, everyone seems to be going to the Tumble. It is going to be electric. Hung on. Was absolutely flying. The group took a wrong turn. Eyes went off and then I stayed with the group with our friend Raman. uh realized Isaac was miles behind. So I dropped out the group and was like headwind solo for a while. Couldn’t see any sign of eyes and he’s gone back on the original route. And so where I’ve stepped back to try and save him, I’m now on my own. But the good news is there’s like one or two roads through Wales. So, it’s I mean, I’m going to say this uh in the hope that it’s true, but I think it it must be pretty hard to get lost in Wales on main roads. So, I’m going to try and find him, meet him in USK, and get back together to go and do the tumble, but I was going to do an effort up the tumble, but I tell you what, I just bent a load of matches trying to get back to the group. But it’s absolutely stunning. And I feel like the atmosphere is going to be unreal today. Everyone’s just bang up for it, which is it’s going to be amazing. [Applause] Go, go, go. Go, go, go. Just managed to catch some of the race in Osk. uh which we actually hadn’t realized that they were coming through. So that was such a happy accident despite the fact that the three of us went off on our own different mini little TTS getting lost at junctions. Uh turned out so well cuz we were like why is everyone coming out in us and standing by the side of the road. Uh so we just managed to catch the palaton going through and they were absolutely flying. Saw G chilling like a villain in the middle looking fresh. Oh just amazing. So, we’re now on our way to the tumble. We’ve uh g back together again. Going down the most stunning like Welsh lanes. Like honest to god, this cycling’s mint. Absolutely mint. Really need to come back and do more of this. Oh, my view. [Music] Oh, [Music] heat. Hey. Hey. Look at this. You got Yeah. Good. How are you? Yeah. Good. Stay at the top, baby. [Music] Come on your mo. Oh man. Oh man. Traffic. It’s a good time there. I know. You got [Music] Oh, [Music] heat. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hello. [Music] Hey. Hey. Good effort. I didn’t hit my 300, did you not? No. Look at that. That’s where Oh, it’s a beauty. So attempted to do a bit of an effort, but then the uh the Yumbbo coach started well Visma coach started coming up the uh road and it couldn’t get past. So a load of us had to uncip to kind of let it go past and do its thing. Obviously needs to get to the top. Um so that was kind of scuffed but still gave it a nice little dig. So happy with that. Don’t think it’s like a effort effort. I’ve never seen so many Welsh flags. It’s amazing. Keep going. Look at that. Oh, mint. Love it. So, yeah, not quite an effort, but I had a little play. Few people shouting up the climbs, come out, which really made me die. Honestly, such a funny name, but I don’t know if I can change it now. going back. Yeah. [Music] Who do you actually think going to be? One of the one of the young ones. Who do you think is going to be leading? Maybe bringing it back for a sprint. Help. [Music] [Applause] They’re coming up this way. Oh, go go go go go. That was amazing. [Applause] [Music] Oh my god. Hey hey go go go go go go my car go cheeky little ball on the That is sticky. That was so sticky. Gave a little square like Oh my god. Is he coming? Go on. Gy. Oh my god. Amazing. Up on up. Hey to uh the top of the tumble. So we just saw them go past maybe about 200 300 m from the ends and I’ve just nipped up to the top. So this is literally the very very top of the climb which is too busy with fans which is actually amazing to see. So the sun is shining up here feels a little bit more wind shaded cuz we were down on the side of the road uh just absolutely getting blasted. But yeah, it is so good. Here’s the actual finish which is going to be the top of the climb. On today’s stage are actually doing the tumble twice. Um, so they’ve just gone up for the first time and I think we’ve now got about an hour until they’re back again. But so unreal. So good to see G like just just absolutely amazing. Um, and yeah, going to go and camp now. Well, not camp, physically camp, but going to go and sit down, chill, and enjoy the vibe until they’re back again. They started using motorbikes to drop bars. Yeah. [Music] Heat. We are back in the car. Feel like I haven’t really filmed too much today just because we finished watching the race and then our friend Raman had a train to try and try and aim for. So, we were like full gas down the glide down the tumble uh back to Newport. managed to get a request in for a cheeky little garage stop because I lost a bottle in husk and uh I’ve spent the day fueled by just like one rice krispie square and a banana this morning and this this ride today was absolutely amazing. The Welsh roads are phenomenal. Definitely want to come back. Uh but the 80k route has been a journey of like sprinting to stay on our cameraman’s wheel cuz he is super strong. So strong on the flat. So strong on the flat. like unreal. And then eyes was like, “Oh, well, you’ve not you’ve not ridden the tumble before. Why don’t you try and like just put a bit of power down?” So, I did. I don’t know why I listened to like Isaac both times. So, I’ve basically had a ride of like sprinting and hill efforts on minimal minimal uh sustenance, which is just a rookie mistake, but a brilliant ride has been banked in the legs. And we got to see G like three times which is amazing. So yeah, it was three times. Three times. Four times. Came back down four times. Unreal looking time. He was just He just looks so happy like loving life. Like just buzzing up the climb. Uh and then the riders kind of turned around at the top. So we couldn’t actually ride the full tumble route like on the way up. They kind of closed it off for the last like 200 m which is a bit of a shame but totally understand. messed up the straa segment. Totally messed up the straa segment. Be livid. But I think they’ve done like a little VIP area at the top and like the stand was there and stuff. So, it is what it is. Um, but we got a great spot by the side of the hill next to like the Inos car who were like filming. Um, so yeah, it was like just so much fun. It’s so good. Getting a sticky bottle. We saw Rory Town getting a very sticky bottle and then you shouted at him that looks a bit too sticky. So then he squirted you with his bottle. I was like, “That bottle’s so sticky.” And then uh yeah, got a little squirt, but I was caught it on camera. So that was really good. Um and we Yeah, we just we got to see Remco like obviously Remco like just smashing it around. Unbelievable. Seemed sprint for the win, which was awesome. Yeah, he was so strong up that last climb, wasn’t he? So so strong. It’s just been a incredible day and the crowds were phenomenal. Like absolutely phenomenal. Um so many Welsh flags. Such a good vibe. It’s honestly been the best. I had a very um Welsh cycling moment after we saw them pass first time on the tumble where I tried to clip in. Oh, and then I checked my shoe and it was completely compacted with sheepoo. The plan tomorrow is to go to Cardiff. So, we’ve got a few friends there. Yes, let’s go. Let’s go to Sainsbury’s garage. That’s going to sort me out. I’m honestly not going to lie to you. I am like hanging on by a thread. I’ve got like the skull cap headache. Uh, and definitely need to eat something. But, we are going to get a takeaway tonight, aren’t we, with your dad? So, that’ll be nice. Going to get a nice takeaway. Um, so the plan tomorrow is to go to Cardiff, see the final stage. We do have tickets for the castle, but uh but they don’t let dogs in, which is a little bit of a gutter, but again, fully understand. So, we can’t take Clump in. So, we’re going to have to pass them tickets to someone else, but hopefully still get to see the stage and go for some lunch with some friends cuz we actually both went to uni in Cardiff. So, we’ve uh got some pals here as well as family. So, it’s actually a very nice weekend where we’ve combined bikes, friends, family so far. Doing it all. Doing it all. Right. I’m going to go and get some some score on from Sainsbury’s petrol garage. We’ve made it to Cardiff. The rain has eased off a little bit which is good cuz I saw on everybody’s Instagram stories there was absolutely hammering down. Uh we are late so we were just power walking through uh Cardiff literally where we came to uni. So it’s so nice to see all the old buildings but the roads are all closed ready for the race. Yeah, we’re n to a old pub that we used to go to called the pen and wig. seeing some pals for food and then I’m hoping this rain stays off and we can get to the race without getting absolutely drenched. Uh because we were going to we’ll be soaked and we will stink and this guy will absolutely wreak. So hoping hoping for a break in the rain. The sunglasses on my head are highly optimistic, but I’m channeling it. In fact, one of the first events that I did was the car 10. Uh it’s when he just kind of started cycling in Lyra rather than jeans and uh did that event and I just remember waiting for him on this field. Blast from the past. [Applause] Hello. We are back in Buckingham Share. I was just literally looking through the footage of um the weekend and the Sunday final finished so abruptly. Like I basically got to Cardiff um for the final and I barely I barely filmed. I honestly didn’t really film. Hello cheeky. Sorry, I’m just walking the dog. Uh we met some friends for lunch and they had loads of kids and stuff, you know, like young kids and it was so lovely to chat and spend time with them and you know, we were catching up. Like I literally hadn’t seen one of my friends for about 6 years. Uh which I hadn’t realized it had been that long. So there was no way I was like rushing. Do you know what I mean? It kind of it just changed um yeah the feeling of Sunday. Like I was so excited to get to the race and stuff like that and catch G. But we’d had such a good day the day before and got to see him there. So yeah, Sunday just kind of when I was in the moment, I was like, “Oh, I’m just I’m really enjoying this.” So we meandered over to the final just before G was coming through and finishing. Bumped into Mannon, which was amazing. She got to meet Flump. Um, and yeah, I saw a few people that we knew, which was really nice. Uh, and mainly just watch like G kind of get interviewed on stage and yeah, just see him do his like final little kind of roll down with his son on his bike. Like that was so lovely. And yeah, I didn’t get my camera out at all to be honest with you, just cuz yeah, like I said, we’re with our friends and they had like small kids and stuff. So, I just always like I love this is I don’t know I was going to sound like such a weirdo, but when I’m at races, I love seeing that like kids are on the shoulders of their parents or like family members or friends, whoever, like watching like bike races. I think it’s like so magic. But I think like there was something about filming friends, kids, like I don’t know. I don’t know. I maybe was overthinking it, but I didn’t want to have my camera out basically too much capturing footage of like other people’s children basically. So yeah, I just kind of kept it kept it to a minimum. So yeah, yesterday we just then basically traveled back from Wales, got back to Buckinghamshire and and yeah, it was just the most amazing weekend like literally so special to be able to see G’s uh final weekend and his final race. We also found some footage of when we’d seen him in um 2018 going up Alaz and that was actually the year that he went on to win the tour. Uh, at the time I was not a cyclist at all. I think I was a big runner. Isaac was trying to get me to cycle a little bit, but his only chance or only opportunity to see uh some of the tour to France that year was persuaded me to get on an ebike with like a picnic bottle of wine uh and promised me a good time up a mountain like I felt to get out of there. And that turned out to be the weekend that one of his Welsh idols uh and a fellow Welshman won the tour of Sword of France. So I think that was like amazing. And that kind of kicked off I suppose like understanding a tiny bit about cycling fan like just the sport and like the fans. Like I I think that was my biggest thing that year was like going up there on an ebike which was an incredible experience and then also thinking what are bike fans actually going to be? We sat on like near Dutch corner and I was like that was in 2018 and I think I was just like this is this is so much fun. Like there is so much more to this than like cleats tight Lyra. Uh and at the time I suppose I thought it was a bit of a middle-aged man’s club like boys club. Um, and yeah, and I think that was the first that kind of experience where I was like, “Oh my god, it’s actually really lively and a load of fun. And if I get past this ick of the clicky shoes and the tight kit, maybe it could be fun.” Oh, and the fear, the massive fear that was surrounding it as well. Um, so yeah, that was unreal. Absolutely unreal. And now we’re back. And I feel like honestly over the weekend, I saw so many people who had followed like my Instagram account and even even like YouTube. I do feel like I need to shout out to one guy who was like, “Please mention me on your channel because I love watching your videos.” Yogi. So yeah, hello. Nice to meet you. Um it yeah there were so many people who were just saying really encouraging things like I love the love the YouTube love your Instagram like so many f really friendly like Welsh people and supporters of the channel and some like I’m not the most consistent on YouTube I’ll be quite honest with you just cuz I prefer I’m like out riding me bike and I yeah I’m not a full-time content creator. I’m literally just a girl who loves riding a bike. Um, and filming it occasionally, so I don’t always film. Oo, bit of a bug. Don’t always film stuff. And if I do, yeah, and sometimes I just want to be like out on my bike like riding, enjoying the bike, like rather than getting the camera out, but I actually do love doing YouTube. I really love it. Um, and I think it gave me a kick at the bum to like get back and yeah, just do it a bit more. Um, so I think I might I think I will I’ll try and be a little bit more consistent because I think that’s the problem. Um, and I’m sitting on so much amazing footage from the summer, but I think time just flew by and if I wasn’t doing something then I was with family, friends, enjoying summer. So yeah, apologies for like the massive gaps there and like yeah, the huge starting off like the tour women’s tour of to France series and then just going like disappearing that in my defense was because um it was a really social event that I was on and so I was constantly like chatting with all the other ladies who were doing the charity event with me. Then we were going for meals. Then we were traveling and honestly most hotels had awful Wi-Fi and the last thing I wanted to do was be excusing myself from social situations to be like, “Oh, just got to go and make a video.” So yeah, I didn’t prioritize it, but I’ve still got loads to get out. So if you’re still listening to me rambling cuz I feel like this video is going to be a very long one. Then yeah, there’s loads of vids still to come and I’m going to I’m going to work through it and there’s some really exciting stuff actually coming up for us. So yeah, looking forward to that. Um and yeah, thanks so much for watching. And I really appreciate any like, comment, subscribe, like, you’ve got no idea. And like hearing the really nice things like to my face while I was like out and about on the weekend. Um, super kind. Yeah, really really love it. I’ve been having a bit of a wobble with like the my name on Instagram and like YouTube cuz it started off as a joke. Uh, and I’m still laughing. I’m still laughing at it, but sometimes I hear like, “Oh, Palhorn.” And I feel like it’s a bit of a mic, isn’t it? It’s just a bit of a mixtape. I think people are like uh and I’m having the laugh cuz I’m literally living my best life from my bike. But yeah, sometimes I think like should I change my name? I don’t know. I don’t think I can. I’m in too deep. So yeah, see you on the next vid. Cheers so much. See you later. Bye. Ride safe. Did I actually just say bye to a YouTube video?