Draft Kings

31/12/2023

To all friends of Draft Kings here's wishing you a very Happy New Year 2024.
Since Inthanon, Adam has been the only rider racing. Adam had some massive rides and results in ultra events in the UK, Norway and the Canary islands.
We hope you all had some fun on 2 wheels this year and will have even more over the next 12 months.
Be happy, healthy and chill!

14/02/2023

Inthanon #14
The pain and suffering quickly fade but at the time it feels like it's never going to end.
This year I (Gary) didn't have any expectations of beating any PB's (the training rides were all consistently slower), on Strava a week before, I said I'd be happy with 3.30 and that's exactly what I got. It struck me as interesting that it really didn't matter, I was still in a battle with all of the other 3.30 riders and of course with my brain and legs which were keen on stopping.
One killer this year was the strong headwind at the viewpoint with 7km to go. As we rounded the 22% (one in five) hairpin corner, it hit us right in the face, something we could have done without.
Once again, it felt like a great achievement, and big congratulations to all of those who started the battle, especially if they made it to the top.
Back to me. 150th overall, 5th age group, 12th non-Thai rider. Not a bad day in the office but I feel like I can do better. Roll on 2024!
photos cr action.in.th (Look at my face!)

12/02/2023

An early update from Gary @ Doi Inthanon. 150th overall and 5th age group. On the down side, 30 minutes slower than 2019.

03/02/2023

Meanwhile in the present. Adam is in Morocco at the Atlas Mountain race. Proper!

A bikepacking race in the Moroccan Atlas

03/02/2023

8 years ago today, I (Gary) rode with this legend* at the Probike event. *Jens Voigt
Photo cr. Probike

06/12/2022

It's been 3 years since Gary rode competitively and boy does it show on the waistline.

Yesterday, he finally got back to the peloton and took part in L'Etape Pitsanulok.

166 km on a closed road course. The race really kicked off when we hit the first of 2 KOM climbs, and then was smashed to bits on the second one.

Gary was in the second group of the 1st wave (The pros went in wave 0) where about 7 riders pulled, in turn, to keep a good pace on the undulating part of the course.

Hot foot did it for Gary and he pulled over at the 115 km feed station for refreshments where the locals treated him like a star (photos, interviews +++).

About 15 minutes later he set off and rode solo for 20 km when another group caught him. The race was over by then and luckily a tailwind pushed them toward the finish.

Overall, Gary was 85th with a time of 5.15 including the stop.
A great day was had by all, it was just a shame he was the only Draft King.

26/11/2022

Time to climb

22/08/2022

A sad day!
The machine has sadly left his Draft Kings friends and family.
RIP Mr. Raymond Hughes, father, friend, and above all cycling hero. May your KOMs be carved in stone and your legend live always. Think of Ray when you next clip in. In our hearts and minds always x

06/04/2022

Race Around Rwanda in 74 hours and 7th Place! Adam completed the 1000km 17,000km route around Rwanda. The race started through the Akagera National Park then eventually ending Day 1 in Gorilla territory up at 2000m. He finished Day 1 at 0230 and got a short sleep of 2 hours.

Day 2 was set to be brutal heading up to 2800m and with some rough gravel made the 200km to CP3 hard going. It was made easier riding with fellow racer Fuzil who is a local athlete. Many stories shared. Adam slept for another 2 hours heading off at midnight.

Day 3 was the final day but a big one indeed. Riding through the first of two nights the last big gravel sector awaited, climbing 1500m over the tea plantations at sunrise. Beautiful! Arriving at CP4 at sunset but no more sleep was planned. It was 180km left to the finish. At 2am a nap was needed so 20min lying down on the pavement gave the last bit of needed energy to ride to the finish. Adam finished in 7th which was right on plan and a amazing for his 2nd only ultra race.

16/03/2022

Breaking news!

At least one Draft King has been spotted participating at an event!
(Actually, it hasn't started yet but Adam's in Rwanda - details below and a full report to follow).

12/12/2021

The Draft Kings Winter Trip this year was from Phitsanulok up to the Laos border in Loei province and then circling back to Phitsanulok.
Ray and Gary tackled the 400+ Kms in 2 days. There were some fairly big climbs with over 5000m of ascent.
Up around the border near Phu Soi Dao National Park, there's little in the way of the convenience we're accustomed to and finding breakfast was part of the fun. Life sure is different for those folk but on arrival back to big city Phitsanulok, we weren't sure who has the best lives.
With Ray having ridden over 30,000 km this year accompanied by his machine like ability and Gary showing the signs of no competition (and too much Chang) on the scales, Ray led the way with Gary doing things at a slower pace.
All good things must come to an end but we're thankful for the memories of some new roads and new country.
Where's my map, it's time to start planning.

06/12/2021

Adam recently took part in his first ultra distance bikepacking race in Spain. Badlands is a 750km 15000metre gravel race across and through the deserts in southern Spain. It starts in Granada and took Adam 4 days. Sleeping 1-3 hours night Adam tackled high temperatures and big elevations. He unfortunately over slept on the 3rd night but made it up by riding through the 4th night to finish just after sunrise. An amazing experience and one he hopes to have again next year!