Training in public - with Pudsey

Banners up, spinning bikes borrowed, surprise bake sale - and Pudsey in attendance. We launched the Ultimate Commute today in B&Q House, catching colleagues as they made their way to the canteen at lunch time.

Lots of interest, questions about our training, the route and the ride - and about chafing!

It's all about me!!!

David Griffin's team surprised him by bringing in a selection of home made cakes for sale - with all proceeds going towards our sponsorship target.  The chocolate refrigerator cake was particularly appreciated by David!  He did his best to burn off the calories when with Julia, he took on an hour stint on the spinning bikes.

Sarah, Pudsey & Vicky

Sharon and Ben took over the bikes at 12:30, Gin and Victoria at 1, with Sarah and Vicky picking up the final shift at 1:15.
Sarah & Victoria are in the support team on the actual ride - so it was great that they had the chance to do a little cycling!

Ben, Pudsey & Sharon

Smarter Travel in Action

Rather than jumping into cabs to get between design shows, the B&Q lighting team tried out boris bikes in London this week - great to see imaginative business travel!

Surviving London on a bike!

So, the trip is looming and I promised to pen some thoughts about cycling in London based on my 2 years as a London cyclist.

There's probably a few key principles:

• Be assertive
• Get to the front and utilise the cyclist boxes
• Use the cycle lanes when they're available
• Make eye contact with drivers 

Nearly every junction in London has a big green box at the front, dedicated to cyclists. This is the safest place to be when waiting at traffic lights as you get out ahead of the cars / buses behind you.

As you approach a red light, aim to get to the cyclist box and be ready to pull out as soon as the lights change. If you're not sure if you'll get to the box in time, hang back and give yourself some breathing space from the vehicle in front of you.

If you're waiting at a box in poor light, I try and make eye contact with the drivers behind me to make sure they've seen me.

Watch out for doors opening from taxis etc, especially if they've pulled over.

Be assertive and make sure you've clearly indicated to change lanes.

Watch out for any vehicle turning left. If in doubt, hang back and give yourself some space at junctions.

Otherwise, it's just like any other cycling but a lot busier!

Lille, here we come.

Vic

Meet the support team - part 1

It sounds so simple - get on bikes and ride to Lille - but the closer we get to 28th September, the harder our tour manager Victoria is having to work!  Victoria's an events manager with a wealth of experience that includes sports events.  From negotiating train tickets for the return journey to persuading Tracey from B&Q House's gym to come along and advise on training, she's already busy with planning the challenge.

You may not recognise Victoria on the day we leave as she is also odds on favourite to be donning the Pudsey outfit!

Roy's also pictured here - he is going to be driving our support van - so here he's getting in some practise with heaving bike baggage around.

Roy and Victoria are to be joined by Sarah (as a driver) and Tracey (our challenge's fitness guru).

Did you know - cycling and walking can help with weight control

30 minutes of leisurely cycling will burn about 300 calories* - depening on your age, gender, weight and speed.  5 times a week, that'd be 1500 calories.  And assuming you do this 40 weeks a year, that's 60,000 calories - enough to lose 17lb of weight.**

30 minutes of walking at 3.5mph will burn about 140 calories.  Again, this will vary depending on your age, gender and weight.  5 times a week, that's 700 calories.  Assuming you do this 40 weeks a year, that's 28,000 calories - enough to lose 8lb of weight.**

Of course, these estimates assume that you don't eat any more calories!

* Source: World Cancer Research Fund
** Based on 3,500 calories to lose 1lb

Did you know - your journey may not be necessary

The quickest way to get to a meeting is reaching it from your desk!  Many of us already use telephone conference calls when a face-to-face meeting isn't possible.

Webinars are a simple way to take a group of people through a presentation.  Participants see the slides as the host talks and they can ask questions through audio or text chat based systems. 

But you can get get the benefit of face-to-face meetings virtually too.  Many businesses now have facilities for a huge range of video conferencing options ranging from Skype and similar desk based technologies all the way through to virtual telepresence meeting rooms.  Video conferencing allows participants to see body language and feel more involved in the meeting process.

Less time travelling, less cost of travelling - and it can be easier to get everyone you need together if you meet virtually.

Find out what your company can do to help you to cut back on business travel.

Did you know - flying might become 30% of UK's carbon footprint

If trends continue, flying may account for up to 30% of the UK's carbon footprint in the future.*

If everyone in England who takes three or more flights to Europe cut one return flight we would save enough carbon dioxide to take 200,000 cars off the road for a year.*

Take the train instead - the award winning  Man in Seat 61 website has a wealth of helpful advice on travelling by train in the UK and across Europe.  Get the details on how to take a sleeper to Edinburgh for example and learn how to get cheaper tickets.

* Source: Energy Saving Trust