Quite interesting article, especially if you use Strava and have worked very hard to win an elusive KOM (King of the Mountain). Whilst riding isn't all about Strava (or other fitness apps) the top ten tables and competition for KOM's is a great training tool and something that helps solo training. Could all that be ruined by the new breed of power assisted E-Bikes?

There has already been accusations of high level races being won by use of motors within bike frames offering similar 'power assistance' to that described in this article. Can see that developing into as big an issue as EPO/Drugs in cycling.

Worth a read if you have a few minutes spare:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/late...21jk905.01

Gonna play cricket with the work team tonight (well, in about 30 mins). See if I can keep up my average...

By average I do mean average 4 f**k ups per game... I'm hoping to get called up for England with a good average like that

What's everyone else doing for mid-week fun?

**Note, This review is now in my Internationally acclaimed blog ( ) , with more product reviews to follow. Either read on, or check the review out in the blog : 

http://www.theangrybiker.co.uk

Thanks. **



As the title says - I've been asked to test and review a Mio Cylco 315 GPS/ Sat Nav by my local bike shop - High Peak Cycles in Glossop. (Website: http://highpeakcycles.co.uk/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/37040599968/ )

I use a Garmin Edge 200 and a TomTom Cardio Runner watch. My intention is to run all three devices together and compare them as they are all different price points with different pro's and con's. This will hopefully give a reasonable insight into what the Mio is capable of and whether or not that is worth considering.



I picked the unit up on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday I unpacked everything and hooked the Mio upto my laptop.



It runs full mapping, so I knew if it needed an update it may want a while to download. It did (o/s and mapping) so I left it to it.



Just so you get an idea of the size of the Mio unit, this is the small Garmin, a standard train ticket and the Mio. The Mio is a good size. Not too big, but large enough for the Sat Nav element to work very well.



Whilst the maps were being downloaded I went to the Mioshare website and created an account. It only took a couple of minutes. There is a feature here where you can click to link to online accounts like Strava. I clicked this and authorised linking to Strava, so future rides would be uploaded automatically. Nice.

There is also a help section where you can find a FULL and very detailed USER MANUAL*. Take a few seconds to look at this as it covers EVERYTHING and you will be amazed with features the Mio has which you would never find otherwise!
*To get to the manual - When looking at the MioShare webpage click on your username. From the Drop Down Menu choose 'HELP' and then Click on the picture of your Cyclo 310/315. A very detailed PDF User Manual will now load for you to read.  

Once the mio had updated I was ready to go.

I registered the maps/unit and linked it to my Mioshare Account.

The software works just like Garmin software.
It has 'CycloAgent' which is the same as 'Garmin Express'. That is what links to the Mio unit when you plug in via USB.
It then syncs and uploads data immediatelly to Mioshare and with a small delay to Strava. (Just as Garmin Express does to Garmin Connect and Strava).
So, if you have used other GPS units you will be familiar with the set up. If not, it's simple and much of a muchness.

So, all of ^^ that done and I was left to play with the unit itself and set up a user profile. It is quite intuitive and easy to navigate. I set up my 'Kingy' profile and altered units from metric to imperial and other little changes just by pressing buttons which bodes well.



The Mio unit feels solid in hand. The USB connection (on the back) is strong and well fitting with a very good cover that it easy to open close (and not fiddly like the Garmin Edge 200).



I also had a play with the cadence equipment. Unfortunately the bike I want to use this with (Canondale Synapse Carbon 105) has recessed pedal cranks and multi surface spokes - so won't suit any off the shelf cadence kit. I did get everything but the spoke magnet fitted though, so if I get chance I'll pop into the bike shop and see if they have one to suit as I'd like to try that if I get chance.

There is also a chest strap for heart rate. I will try that at one point just to see how it fits and the recorded stats. My TomTom Cardio watch uses a laser system to measure heart rate without a strap so if I get chance I can see if they both agree.



I fitted the extended bracket to my bars (one allen key bolt) and locked the Mio inplace. I'd recommend the extended bracket as it puts the Mio at an ideal viewing point when following its directions.

Playtime over and come Tuesday I got to use the Mio for the first time. First run was a standard ride into work. The unit got GPS lock quickly and I just hit record before I set off and stop when I was at work. Simple. It recorded the route perfectly and stats were almost identical to the Garmin once uploaded (side by side) to Strava to compare. So, no problem just recording rides and uploading.
You can also choose to hold your activities on the unit if you want to look over them. These are details from our 'High Peak Cycles Mio Wednesday night ride' over  The Woodhead Pass /Strines Road and Snake Pass which was a good challenge.  













Tuesday night and I decided to try out a very cool feature on the Mio. I often decide to go for a ride but then deliberate about where to ride as I'm fed up with the same old routes. The Mio has a 'Surprise me' option. You can use it based on time or distance and within loops, using points of interest, points on the map, addresses or favourites.



I kept it simple and chose to do a 'Workout' of 22 miles with an average speed of 14 mph. Yes, a very steady one after a long day at work! The Mio calculated two routes (18 miles or 36 miles) and asked if I wanted to do either one. I chose the 18 mile route which it gave an estimated time of 1 hour 34 mins.

I hit 'GO' and we were off.

... I was going for a bike ride my Mio Sat Nav had arranged and was now guiding me! Madness!



It took a couple of miles to get used to the big, clear display and then it was very easy to follow. It gave countdown to turns so you could see the distance reducing and also backlit and zoomed out for junctions so you were fully aware of where you needed to go. I found that as I had no idea (other than the next mile or so) where I was going I relaxed more than normal and just enjoyed the ride. A definite benefit!



The route it chose ended up being a nice little challenge and used some great quiet country roads. Final stats were:
20.3 miles (longer as I rode home and not back to my start point)
1 hour 20 mins (Shorter as I averaged 15.3 mph)
2,060 feet of elevation - So some nice climbs on route.

I got back, fired up the laptop, connected the Mio (no delay now as its all set up). It uploaded to Mioshare and showed me routes and stats, then a few minutes later it had auto uploaded to Strava. Nice and simple.

This is the MioShare page with some basic route details:



You also have lot's of data on the Mio unit itself. You can see stats for the day/ week/ month etc. This is the summary of my first week using the Mio which combines five rides (Tues to Thurs) ...



This is the Mio chosen Charlesworth route on Strava for anyone interested: https://www.strava.com/activities/351062642

And this is the view over Charlesworth on the way back when I stopped to take the pics of the Mio on the bars ...



I've been saying for a while that sometimes it is good to just sit back and enjoy the ride and this 'Surprise Me' feature is a great way of doing that.

--------------------------------------------------

Thoughts so far ...


Cons (may as well get them out of the way as there is nothing significant to complain about)

The set up information with the unit is poor. There is a quick start guide, but Mio would have been better served to just put an 'idiot proof' thick piece of glossy card in telling you the detailed user manual is online and to just go straight there.

First time you connect the Mio to register the maps and unit it will need to download a lot of data to bring the unit uptodate. I'm on 70mb Fibre broadband and it took about 45/50 minutes. I don't personally see this as a 'con' as it's necessary and good the unit mapping and o/s are updated, but it's worth mentioning as it has been moaned about in other reviews.

Whilst this is likely the same with any unit you buy, so maybe a harsh critisism, I was a little disappointed that the Cadence kit wasn't a simple 'fit and go'. I accept that manufacturers have to aim their kit at the general market and my bike (Canondale Synapse Carbon) with recessed pedal cranks and edged spokes (not flat or round) mean it is outside that general market, but it was a little disappointing all the same. That said, I did get everything but the 'spoke sensor' fitted with some velcro inplace of zip ties for the pedal sensor so with a little bit of thought and ingenuety it can be fitted to the more 'awkward' bike designs like mine.


Pro's

The 'Surprise Me' Feature. Very simple and works well. Great for local rides when you can't decide where to go, but can see it being invaluable if in an area you don't know and you want to go for a ride. Just input distance or time, approx mph (Eg 14 or 15) and it will sort you a few routes to choose from with approx. times required and elevation.

You can go onto the MioShare website and click on 'Explore'. This allows you to create routes for your Mio easily, but, more importantly lets you zoom in on areas and see what routes are available. Find one you like, click on it, choose 'Save to Tracks' and use it.

Comprehensive display and stats on the Mio unit. You don't have to wait until you get home to see detailed stats. The unit holds plenty to keep you upto speed during your ride or at a cafe stop - including elevation graphs. Along with the size and feel, this gives the Mio the feel of a premium unit which is as it should be at this price point.

Simple link to external sites like Strava for auto sync. Lets face it - as good as the MioShare site and software are most people have a favourite site to upload activities. In the UK that site is generally Strava. From your 'account' in the MioShare site you just click on the Strava widget and authorise connection. That's it. Job done. So far it's been a solid sync, uploading automatically within about three minutes. My Garmin which has been flakey at times by comparison which is why I'm pleased that the Mio seems reliably solid.

Battery life. I do charge the unit after each use, so it goes into a ride with a full battery. That said, I did a 49 mile ride after work which had the unit 'on' for 3 hours 14 minutes with a moving time of 3 hours. The battery was showing over half full so I don't think my rides/ training will encounter any battery issues.


-------------------------------------
High Peak Cycles ...
Website: http://highpeakcycles.co.uk/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/37040599968/

10 green hand grenades sitting on the wall,
10 green hand grenades sitting on the wall,
if one green hand grenade
should accidental fall,
there'll be no green hand grenades
and no fecking wall.

Sat my theory test this morning for the motorbike - what a farce it is as well.

Firstly, the majority of questions were identical to those for the car test - a test I already passed 6.5 years ago. Secondly, the hazard perception test was shown from the point of view of a car driver, looking for car type hazards without consideration that motorbikes face more hazards being as vulnerable as we are.

But the test has changed massively since I last took it for the hazard perception part. When I last took it, the clips were filmed from a car using a dash-cam or similar to produce clips which contained hazards. However, this time, it was all simulated. Each clip was a simulation of driving and something happening BUT looked so realistic, it wasn't until the 3rd clip that I realised the difference. I thought it was just the computer but nope, hazard perceptions are now simulated.

But all of that's by-the-by now as I won't be sitting it again as I managed to pass the test. I'd have been very upset if I hadn't, given how close it was to the car test I already passed. I haven't looked at my car theory results yet though (I went straight to work after the test) but I think the hazard perception score is higher - which is what you'd expect I guess after 6 years of driving experience.

Now to find time to complete the practical test!

Bike got MOTed today, which made me realise I've had it just under a year and by the end of this month it'll have been a year since I did my CBT.

Time to go do the test I think. The only reason I haven't yet was I wanted to get used to the bike and the roads last year, then it became winter so I decided to wait then I ended up at uni 2 days a week during spring so didn't have time. Now I have the time but not the money but that's what credit cards are for mwa ha ha ha.

Anyhow, any tips for the tests (if any of you old'uns can remember that far back (which probably rules out Kingy ))?

Heads up for anyone in the market for a new phone. The Nexus 6 is six months old and Google have dropped the price for the 32GB by nearly 40% from £499 to £303.

Whilst I've always thought the phone itself is too big, that price for the spec is bloody brilliant. I'd been hanging on for the new Nexus (Oct / Nov this year) but have grabbed a blue one at this price. For those that can, if you get rid of the VAT through your books it's just over £250 for a hell of a good phone. No brainer.

Google only drop their Nexus phone prices once to ensure they clear stock and up their sales in advance of the new model. It won't go any cheaper, so if you want or need a phone its well worth considering.

https://store.google.com/product/nexus_6

Just a heads up. I got a new laptop which has windows 8.1 and is touchscreen. I'm quite liking the touchscreen element so hit the explorer tile and loaded the forum. Logged in, got the confirmation I was logged in but then got bumped back to the 'log in' screen.
Tried again through Chrome and it loaded and logged in fine.

So, for those using Microsoft Internet Explorer - You will have an issue and will not be able to log in.

Been a busy few days recently, was up at Three Sisters on Sunday for PDMCC, then at a conference in Loughborough Monday and Tuesday. Conference was good, but not everything was useful (as it usually the way I guess). Got given tips on how to network, guy was not impressed when I said "I don't network because I don't like people." but he persevered anyway.

Then, during yesterday, I find that a couple of people in Norway are aiming to break my world record for longest Chess Marathon. In good spirit, me, my opponent and our ops. guy have already begun planning our come-back should it be necessary!

I downloaded this app a couple of weeks ago knowing I was getting the fitbit HR for fathers day, even before using the tracker itself I was fairly impressed. Like Argus you can log food intake. You can set a carlorie goal input food from a vast list in the search bar or input your own if you know the carlorie content. It will then tell you how many calories you've burn't how many you've eaten and deduct and tell you how many calories you can consume to keep on target.

With the tracker itself it counts carlories for you based on heart rate, step climbs, miliage and works with android or ios I have set up on my iphone and android.