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Always Riding's good friend Kevin 'Blackhound' Cunniffe is taking part in the epic 'Tour Divide' race through America this year, and here, the intrepid adventurer talks Peak District rides, a first foray into camping, snow and much more...

As I write this it is now 5 weeks until the Tour Divide starts in Banff, Canada. Training is generally going well since my trip to Majorca in March. Before that I was struggling and not going very far, very fast. My rides have got longer and I am certainly riding a lot better. I am riding climbs and in bigger gears than I was a few years ago and achieving times on some local loops I was doing 10 years ago.

In April I comfortably finished a 300km audax with the first 100km passing by in under 4 hours including a cafe stop. The following weekend I rode in a group, including Pete from http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk, up to the Cat & Fiddle in beautiful spring weather in direct contrast to last years cold and wet outing. I was feeling OK on the climbs and recovering quickly once over the climbs.

Last weekend three of us cycled up into the Peak and camped overnight before returning on Sunday. One of the downsides of the dry weather we have had recently is I have not had a chance to test my equipment in the wet. Last weekend gave me that opportunity. It rained all morning but was dry all afternoon and evening and we arrived at camp with dry kit. Just after our evening meal it started to rain heavily keeping me awake for hours. I had not pitched the tent before and it was getting dark and I did not pitch it as well as I might, combined with super-light pegs the inner and outer tent were touching after pegs came out allowing some wetness inside. I will substitute some decent pegs and with a bit more practice I believe the tent will be ideal. The Western Mountaineering sleeping bag was warm enough as well.  At times it was uncomfortable but the kit was capable and I coped fine and felt good on the Sunday despite a sleepless night.

I have also been pouring over the maps, particularly the first 250 miles through Canada, looking at potential overnight stops. There are towns at Elkford after 110 miles and Sparwood at 140 miles before reaching the border at 245 miles. This is bear country and and in between the towns it will be a risk to camp. I am not confident of reaching Elkford on the first night and hope to stay at primitive campsites between 70-80 miles and on the second night I will camp wild in the Flathead valley. I am not going to make specific plans because a number of factors will dictate how I get on. Weather, mechanical issues, and how I am feeling will all play a part. I am determined not to ride to hard over the first week to 10 days and ease myself into the race. The race in the past has a 50% failure rate, the vast majority of these early on before leaving Montana.  If I can get myself past say. Lima Montana, in good condition then my prospects of finishing are good.

This year there has been a lot more snow then usual in The Rockies. By now it would usually be receding but snow is still falling in places and this may lead to a harder race than usual. I am confident of my ability to ride all day but I am less confident of my ability if it is mile after mile of pushing, carrying and dragging my bike.

This is a race though and so I need to get myself into race mode quickly on June 10th. I have been racing for over 40 years but never with any real success, I am just not good enough. I do enjoy racing against my peers down the field at my level though and obtaining personal bests. One of my first recollections is of Ian Stewart winning the 5,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games in 1970 and his competitiveness. I am not at his level but I want to race just as hard as he did  - and in black and white will do just fine.

Always Riding's good friend Kevin 'Blackhound' Cunniffe is taking part in the epic 'Great Divide' race through America this year, and here, the intrepid adventurer trawls through some of the more legal, and alternative nutrition options for the cyclist in search of much needed speed.

As well as plenty of riding in preparation for my Tour Divide adventure I am looking at ways to enhance my performance without resorting to illegal stimulants such as EPO, Belgian mix or blood doping (that IS cranberry juice in my fridge!)

Some or all of the following may be complete nonsense and I am not recommending anybody else to try them out but I have been adding some of these to my regime.

Spinach - a recent study suggested that the nitrates found in spinach, beets and other leafy vegetables can increase the oxygen efficiency of muscles.  For the last month or so I have eating far more spinach, often in sandwiches for lunch or as part of a salad.

Protein - I have read in a couple of places that as you get older your ability to process protein becomes harder.  So as you get older you should be increasing your intake, especially after hard work outs.  To this end I have bought some protein powder and add it to a banana and chocolate milk-shake after rides.  If I have a long ride I will use the Torq recovery drink, a Zipvit bar or a For Goodness Shakes drink.

Milk thistle - its benefits are said to be to detoxify the liver.  I have thought about taking a batch on the Tour Divide as my diet is going to be strange.  I will be living out of convenience stores, fast food joints and ‘gas’ stations.

B complex vitamins - the benefits are said to be to aid the proper functioning of almost every process in the body including energy production.  Another supplement to possibly take on the TD.

Clove oil - Amongst many claims is that it can relieve toothache (try putting a drop onto your gum and wait a couple of minutes), use as an antiseptic and for warding off mosquito’s. 

Compression wear - Athletes have been using compression clothing for a while. I did pick up a cheap pair once which I have worn occasionally, but they keep falling down. http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk are providing me with a pair by Craft to try and I do plan to wear these in the Tour Divide.  Anything that will potentially help day to day recovery will be useful.

Citricidal - This is grapefruit seed extract.  It’s benefits are anti bacterial and as a disinfectant.  I can use it for cleaning stuff, adding to water that I may have to take from a dubious source and even to help with dandruff!

Probiotics - This is something I have recently started to use, based mostly on advice from previous Tour Divide racers.  The idea is that the stomach needs to be in good condition before the race as a lot will be expected of it for the following weeks. Eating and drinking vast amounts of not always the most nutritious of foods. I did pick up a bottle from Holland & Barratt in a sale that contains 1 billion active cultures.  I think it has made me more  ‘regular’, (Pete the Editor: Crikey Blackhound!), and will consider taking a batch to the race.

Viagra - there was something in the cycling press a year or so ago about the benefits of viagra in low doses based on blood flowing more freely.  I suspect I may leave this one at home, viagra and Exteondo daily bib-shorts may not be a good look!

Honey - Something I use most days anyway on bread, porridge or milk shakes.  Honey is supposed to be good head to toe for curing ailments from conjunctivitus to athlete’s foot.