Provolution

Selkirk Merida marathon

2008-08-06T15:31:00.005Z

Last year (2007) we missed one of the best mountain bike race in the country: the Merida bikes marathon in Selkirk (Scottish border). Clare and I had a good reason as we were getting married. For our one year anniversary, we celebrated it under the tent and on the saddle. The weather was typical: heavy showers and turning the tracks into mud bath. Both the bikes and the riders suffered… We took our time and enjoyed some of the most wonderful (when clouds lifted) of the borders. Overall.... it was a great anniversary!!

From winter to summer.. in one jump

2008-07-30T11:30:00.007Z

Scotland... a magic place

We are back online and we have a lot of adventures and stories to fill you with. Let's start with winter...

Winter has been very good to us. Good conditions in Scotland and several days of winter climbing.

Clare on the final pitch of SC gully (III)

We also spent a good time in the North West of Scotland (Ullapool) and climbed with Ian and Iona. Easter can be very cold indeed. It was Ian first 'proper' winter climb and I am sure it will stay in his memory for a long time. A long but great day out with a typical Scotish weather from summer to blastering wind and snow.

Ian the 3rd pitch of The Alley (II)

A nice week end ..... around Teesdale

2007-11-26T13:11:00.000Z

A nice, gentle walks in the Teesdale region around Cow Green reservoir and the national nature reserve. Very often ignored to its neighbours Weardale... but as beautiful. The Cauldron Snout is worth a visit. Get in touch if you need more details.....

Isle of Skye....

2007-10-10T04:40:00.000Z

Sgurr an Fheadain

Corrie Lagan

Pike Crag - Groo

2007-09-24T15:28:00.000Z

Clare and I have enjoyed a couple weeks ago a good day out climbing in the Scafell range with the NMC (Northumberland Mountaineering Club). After a failry late start from Wasdale - We climbed Grooved Arete on Pike Crag – at VDiff grade. And then we jumped on Botherill’s slab on Scafell crag. A must do 3 stars at VS, 4c standard – especially for the brilliant 2nd pitch. A fantastic day on one of the most impressive mountain in the lakes.

brasher photoshoot

2007-09-18T15:53:00.000Z

Guess what... Ian is out to our annual photoshoot in the Pyrenees... with a brasher crew. I hope it will not snow!!!

In the mean time... watch this space...

Peel Crag Sunset MS

2007-08-29T16:42:00.000Z

We've been teasing Steven for having lost the title of "mountainman".... Here the proof he is still a tough guy!!

Bank Holiday week end....

2007-08-28T12:15:00.000Z

What a great week end!! The team has been out inventing a new discipline: "garden camping"... After phoning without luck all the campsite around Wasdale on Friday afternoon, Oonagh, Clare, Steven and I ended pup pitching in the Garden of a B&B in StBees... It wasn't enough to stop us to accomplish some climbing in Buckbarrow. Only the wind and low cloud obstructed the day a little bit.

Steven had a chance to test his limits on a VDiff and decided to send Oonagh to finish 1) the pitch and 2) the rest of the route.

The Second day was spent on Scafell and we completed some great scrambling up Scafell via broad stand, then back down and up to Scafell Pike to finish at the pub in Wasdale via the Corridor route..... Our "Mountainman", aka Steven was back.... and his fears gone... Thanks to the great book: "the warrior rock way"!!!

It was a great day that left us with a nice smile and we saved Steven relationship! We were back to Northumberland on Sunday night...

Back from honeymoon

2007-08-20T14:34:00.000Z

We finally tied up the knot.... Clare and I are finally married and we rushed to Pembroke for a well deserved week of climbing and adventure in Wales.....

I had to challenge a snake at the top of Frontline in St Govan's.. I have no idea if it was a nasty one..

Clare enjoying the sun at Craig Caerfei (VS,4b)

Clare at Porth Clais on the classic Arete HS,4b

Otherwise, Pembroke is well worth a visit if you have strong arms and a definite passion for limestone... We also stopped in North Wales to do a big classic on our way back to Northumberland...

More news soon... and some photos from the rat race...

Philippe

Update....

2007-07-31T15:02:00.000Z

We did it... watch this space. I am waiting for some photos.. It was a real challenge with load of incidents for my team.... Here a few photo. I will feed you more details on my return. Sorry I am off getting married!!

Philippe

The correct way.... with Clare!

2007-06-08T10:57:00.001Z

Can you Swim?

2007-05-23T09:49:00.000Z

As usual... Will showing off !!

Magic moments in Scotland

2007-05-21T08:36:00.000Z

The Buachaille

Feb 2007

These photos were all taken in February this year in the Glencoe. Clare and I went up Stob Coire Nan Lochan with the intention to climb Twisting Gully. Conditions were very lean limiting the options. As a result, Clare did her 1st winter lead on Boomerang gully...

This is the reason why we climb. For these unique moment in life....

More photos.... from Rujkan

2007-05-10T14:07:00.000Z

Rujkan

2007-05-09T07:48:00.000Z

After sliding around Oslo airport’s poor relation’s car park at 1am in the morning we were on the road – and Andy had already downed half a bottle of whisky to fuel a 4 hour Gilbert & Sullivan sing-song all the way to Rjukan.
Nothing can prepare you for driving on snow – I spent most of the time enraging locals by driving at 20km/h. And nothing (short of living in Antarctica for a few months) could prepare you for the, well, snow.

We thought we were really clever driving almost all the way into Krokan’s gorges one day – "hey!" We thought: "These walk-ins really are nice and short." After 7 hours of climbing waterfalls (COOL!) our ickle Fiat was somewhat indistinguishable from the hire cars of the other few fools who had driven DOWN a steep hill to park in a dead-end car park - while it was chucking it down with snow. Said Fiat was well and truly buried, and only Phil and his trusty shovel could help us now. (I still can’t believe he packed a shovel – so damn organised.)
Next problem – getting home to our cozy chalet (and food). It was almost dusk and we were some of the last to leave. Laughed at several people who manifestly failed to make it up the slope out and slid back into the car park. "Ha! Stingy buggers didn’t get snow tyres," we thought. But no. You just can’t get enough momentum going around a hair-pin bend to get you up a 40 degree slope. So my driving highlight was reversing 500m across a ropey, narrow old bridge over the gorge, revving it to the max a la Wacky Races and trying to get into 3rd gear before I hit the slope. It was the best fun I’ve had in a car in years (no offence Filou) and I almost forgot to stop for Philippe at the top.

Anyway, the climbing was ace. The others refused to go anywhere easy so I spent most of the week seconding, but I eventually plucked up the courage to lead a Water Ice 3 pitch on the last day. It’s fabulous – even less scarey than sport climbing because you can put your gear in wherever you want!

Up the mountains...

2007-05-09T07:33:00.000Z

Will has been enjoying some good times in the Alps. A load of snow and perfect conditions for ski touring and certainly too much camenbert resulting in some serious hallucination...... Apparently he thinks that he can drag his French mate up a rock climb???? hummmm since when?

He has very nice legs!

2007-04-03T12:26:00.000Z

Name: Will Spencer

Age 31
Sex: male
Location: Chester
Nationality: British
Marital Status: Single
Job: Project Manager

Dream Job: anything in the mountains

Human Skills: team working

Outdoor Skills: climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering, skiing, triathlons

Passion: Mountain sports

Greatest Outdoor memory: ski touring the Haute Route

Worst outdoor memory: first ever Scottish highlands camping trip - very damp and midge hell

I love the most: a fantastic downhill on my mountain bike

I hate the most: midges

One colour: blue
One number: couldn't name one

My key phrase: patagucci

What I am doing for the team:
captain

Something about yourself: I hate to loose

The other girl....

2007-04-03T12:21:00.000Z

Name: Iona Hamilton

Age 31
Sex: Female
Location: Edinburgh
Nationality: Scottish
Marital Status: Single
Job: Physiotherapist

Dream Job: I'm lucky enough to be able to say that I think I'm in it!!

Human Skills: Easy-going

Outdoor Skills: cycling of any kind, hill-walking, climbing.

Passion: Being outdoors on sunny days
Greatest Outdoor memory: Climbing trip in the Alps, though adventures in Skye come a close second.

Worst outdoor memory: Unsuccessfully trying to relocate my boyfriend's dislocated shoulder on a deserted Fijian island, before having to kayak us both back to the island we were staying at - with his shoulder still out!

I love the most: outdoor adventures of any kind with my friends, dips in the sea on deserted West Coast beaches at anytime of year.

I hate the most: noisy campers.

One colour: green
One number: 42
My key phrase: It'll be fine.....

What I am doing for the team:
Encouraging them to pace themselves by making them stick with me!!

Something about yourself:
I have a fantastic talent for knowing nothing about popular film, TV or music, to the extent that my boyfriend wonders which planet I grew up on!

... the rest of the team

2007-04-03T12:15:00.000Z

Name: Thimothy Durant

Age: 30
Sex: Male
Location: Bristol
Nationality: British
Marital Status: Single
Job: Town Planner

Dream Job: Pro Surfer

Human Skills: Letting other people run and cycle faster than me to improve their confidence!

Outdoor skills: Surfing, mountain biking, skiing and climbing.

Passion: Sitting down with the appropriate beverage after a day in the hills or a session in the surf...
Greatest Outdoor Memory: Ski mountaineering trips to the Alps
Worst outdoor memory: A night in a very thin and soaking wet sleeping bag during the KIMM

I love the most: outdoor days with friends
I hate the most: kinked iron cords
One colour: sea green
One number: no particular preference
My key phrase: Goodness gracious

What am I doing for the team: Making sure that being team captain does not go to Will's head

Something about yourself: I lived in Scotland for a few years and look forward to visiting again this summer!

2007-03-28T10:47:00.000Z

Meet the team members

Name: Ian Feeney

Age: 31
Sex: Male
Location: Edinburgh
Nationality: Scottish
Marital Status: all but married
Dream Job: fighter Pilot (without the going to war and killing people bit)
Human Skills: I’m a thinker

Outdoor Skills: Climbing, mountain biking, hill walking, bit of kayaking,
snowboarding

Passion: Me, passion?

Greatest Outdoor memory: So many. First trip to France with Philippe. It had it all: climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, rafting, getting up at 3 am to start walking, trip to hospital, telling every French person I met they had a nice arse, and walking in on Philippe’s mum sitting on the toilet. Also up there, Five consecutive days climbing in the sun in Glen Coe, and some amazing days on Skye with my lovely girlfriend Iona

Worth outdoor memory: The two times we almost didn’t get down off the Cuillin ridge.

I love the most: Log fires, cooking programmes and Iona (in that order)
I hate the most: Package holidays and Tesco

One colour: brown, the new blue, the new black
One number: googol

My key phrase: I think it’s going to rain.

What I am doing for the team:
Preventing domestics between my other 2 team mates (they’re engaged), knowing where the pubs are, being able to understand the locals in case we need to ask for directions, and looking the best.

Something about yourself: I’ve dislocated my shoulder in 7 different countries. However it’s been surgically repaired and has been firmly in it’s socket for 6 years now.

Achievements: Apart from pulling the lovely Iona, and uni and all that stuff, no real big single achievements (yet!), but quite proud of my ability and performance in climbing, mountaineering and mountain biking, because I built it over time. Would love to climb a big mountain one day, need to wait until a year when my guide Philippe is free.

2007-03-28T10:36:00.000Z

Name: Clare Solomon

Age: The big 3 O this year!

Sex: Female

Location: About equidistant between Carlisle and Newcastle

Nationality: English

Marital Status: About to go insane organizing mine

Job: Research Consultant

Dream Job: Guide dog trainer

Human Skills: Showing my feelings – especially when in pain from too much cycling!

Outdoor Skills: climbing, mountainbiking, mountaineering, skiing, horseriding (depending on the horse), fire poi, shouting… Passion: dogs (as pets – not partners!)

Greatest Outdoor memory: Being proposed to at the top of a cliff – arrrh!

Worst outdoor memory: A week in the Lakes under canvas and torrential rain – in August!

I love the most: Gossiping with old friends

I hate the most: Wasteful consumerism

One colour: Green

One number: F6a

Key phrase: “I’m falling, I’m gonna fall, look out! …oh! I’m not falling!”

What I am doing for the team: Providing decent food i.e. not those disgusting energy/protein bars or masses of wheat and meat!

Something about yourself: Am probably the only girl in history whose boyfriend has agreed to (and followed through) learning salsa with – just to make you all jealous gals!

2007-03-28T09:56:00.000Z

Name:Philippe Galland

Age: 37ish

Sex: Other

Location: Hexham

Nationality: French?

Marital Status: about to get married

Job: footwear category manager for who you know

Dream Job: gear tester for outdoor manufacturer

Human Skills: great lover (of life)

Outdoor Skills: climbing, mountainbiking, mountaineering, ice climbing, skiing and budgeys

Passion: outdoor, outdoor and outdoor in the Lakes or better in Scotland

Greatest Outdoor memory: Climbing in Scotland with Ian and having an orgasm during a climb - despite Ian telling me "it is going to rain!"

Worth outdoor memory: midges are hell! you do need a bazooka to destroy them

I love the most: a great red wine combined with foie gras and black truflle

I hate the most: Camping car and caravan on A road!

One colour: blue

One number: one - the first looser is the second!

My key phrase: 'you're just a bunch of p*ssies'

What I am doing for the team: helping my team captain, Ian, in his decision making - as he needs some?... supporting my other half Clare ... and enjoy all the moment bad or good

Something about yourself: ' being caught by my girlfriend in the shower with my mountain bike, I know it is weird but since then I am no longer allowed to read mountainbike magazine in bed'

A new Start

2007-03-28T09:50:00.000Z

Welcome to the ProVolution Team blogg

Iona, Clare, Will, Ian, Tim, Philippe will be sharing their passion for the outdoor and all their physical/mental preparation for the ultimate rat race in Edinburgh (http://www.ratraceadventure.com/) on 14th of July 2007.

We are actually sponsored by brasher (http://brasher.co.uk) and we will be wearing their new brasher footwear range including ProVolution.

We will be sharing our impression, training plan, all our outdoors activities... and more insights on what's going on on product development side of brasher....

Please get in touch.... with your comments

ProVolution race Team