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100 Articles

WELCOME… As someone who once captained a Sunday football team to a 13-month losing streak, the non-competitive element of sportives certainly appeals to my languid sporting mindset. And yet there’s something about actual racing, against humans or clocks, that always brings a heightened thrill, from squeezing into that aero jersey to the starting-line tension and mid-ride tactics. This month Mark Bailey discovers the very best advice for anyone wanting to take on hill climbs, time trials, road racing or track events this autumn and beyond. Just don’t forget the safety pins… matthew.baird@ourmedia.co.uk Your experts Warren Rossiter Senior tech editor Is there more to life than carbon-framed bikes? Our reviews expert Warren thinks so, testing a quartet of options boasting magnesium, steel, alloy and titanium From p34 John Whitney Deputy editor Long-serving CP staffer John’s been busy this summer, riding…

Rouleur the world The Rouleur Live cycling show (3-5 November) attracts heavy hitters from the cycling world and it’ll no doubt be the same in 2022 in its new venue, at The Truman Brewery on London’s Brick Lane. rouleur.cc/pages/rouleur-live Mountain man Breaking the Cycle, a new film by Red Bull, follows Bora-Hansgrohe Anton Palzer, who in 2021 swapped a career as a top ski mountaineer for life as a domestique in pro cycling. Watch here: tinyurl.com/palzer High demand The 2023 Haute Route mountain sportive series has been unveiled. It opens with the 3-day Crans-Montana on 9-11 June, with the flagship 7-day Alps event from 20-26 August Biggest ride RideLondon, which partnered with Essex for the first time this year, has announced a return for 2023, on Sunday 28 May. Routes and entry details for the sportive will…

WELCOME… As someone who once captained a Sunday football team to a 13-month losing streak, the non-competitive element of sportives certainly appeals to my languid sporting mindset. And yet there’s something about actual racing, against humans or clocks, that always brings a heightened thrill, from squeezing into that aero jersey to the starting-line tension and mid-ride tactics. This month Mark Bailey discovers the very best advice for anyone wanting to take on hill climbs, time trials, road racing or track events this autumn and beyond. Just don’t forget the safety pins… matthew.baird@ourmedia.co.uk Your experts Warren Rossiter Senior tech editor Is there more to life than carbon-framed bikes? Our reviews expert Warren thinks so, testing a quartet of options boasting magnesium, steel, alloy and titanium From p34 John Whitney Deputy editor Long-serving…

I had no idea what to expect from the Tour de France Femmes. Nobody really did. Well, it had been 33 years since the last official race… Many people are wary of women’s racing simply replicating the men’s calendar and some argue that the likes of ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), the organiser, is merely jumping on a growing bandwagon. I would counter that the adage “better late than never” applies: although ASO could have pulled their finger out sooner, that they have done so now is still something to celebrate. Being on the ground at the race, I realised the unparalleled scale and reach that the Tour de France brand has and how significant it is for the women to finally be able to share in that. In Paris, at the start,…

Cogito, ergo sum, posited Descartes, the great cyclist: ‘I think, therefore I am’. Now we have a different philosophy: ‘If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen’. The computer platform for sharing workout data was launched in 2009 by high-achieving Harvard sporties Mark Gainey and Michael Horvath, named after the Swedish sträva (‘stray-var’), meaning ‘strive’. Around 100 million people worldwide now use it to spread their activity data from fitness devices. The dozens of activities include alpine skiing, canoeing, rock climbing, swimming… even zombie treadmills (A to Z, then). But most are cyclists. No wonder. A bike is a two-wheeled metrics generator: speed, power, location, weather, altitude, attitude. For training obsessives it’s, well, obsessive: two-thirds of Tour de France cyclists are Strava devotees. Socialites Recently Strava has developed its social side. Not all users…

Flamme Rouge, Bedford History • Opened in 2015, partnering with Trek, as a specialist road-bike shop and club. Online presence soon developed and is increasingly important. What makes it special? • ‘We’re customer-service led’, says owner Jamie Quiggin, ‘and we want to encourage as many people into cycling as possible. In lockdown we launched a white-glove delivery service – it’s proved so successful we’ve expanded, and now deliver bikes for 15 other bike shops nationally.’ What’s in store? • ‘People come for chat and advice as much as they do bikes and parts. Recently we added Cervélo to our brands and it’s proved really popular. We’re also key partners with Cycle Exchange in Kingston, so we can offer part-exchange when buying a bike, both online and in the shop.’ A club feel • ‘We run rides three times…

Rouleur the world The Rouleur Live cycling show (3-5 November) attracts heavy hitters from the cycling world and it’ll no doubt be the same in 2022 in its new venue, at The Truman Brewery on London’s Brick Lane. rouleur.cc/pages/rouleur-live Mountain man Breaking the Cycle, a new film by Red Bull, follows Bora-Hansgrohe Anton Palzer, who in 2021 swapped a career as a top ski mountaineer for life as a domestique in pro cycling. Watch here: tinyurl.com/palzer High demand The 2023 Haute Route mountain sportive series has been unveiled. It opens with the 3-day Crans-Montana on 9-11 June, with the flagship 7-day Alps event from 20-26 August Biggest ride RideLondon, which partnered with Essex for the first time this year, has announced a return for 2023, on Sunday 28 May. Routes…

This latest iteration of the S5 has already triumphed at the Tour de France, with both overall winner Jonas Vingegaard and green-jersey winner Wout van Aert riding it at times. It is, according to Cervélo, “simpler, faster and easier to live with” than the previous version. 01 Aero gains The new bike shaves off around 8.45 watts at 48kmh/30mph, largely thanks to the new 52/63 wheelset (see below), which saves around five watts over its predecessor, the 50/65. New UCI technical regs have also allowed a “deeper head-tube and bottom-bracket area and more aggressive shaping on the trailing edges of the tubes” and the area above the front wheel on the S5 has a more pointed, extended leading edge to create a bigger aerofoil. 02 Ease of use Because there’s no traditional steerer tube,…

Access all areas

“What about disabled people?”, is the cry we often hear when discussing cycling-friendly changes to the streetscape. It’s long overdue that we asked this – but it’s also easy to assume we know the answers without talking to disabled people. The assumption, when people think about things like Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), is that they automatically disadvantage those who need a wheelchair and/or a vehicle to get about. Our streets are already unequal places. Research shows people with disabilities benefit most from low-traffic streets free of speeding drivers cutting through, and from pavements unbroken and unblocked by pavement parking. People with visual impairments, physical disabilities or mobility issues – something many of us experience as we age – are statistically at greater risk from traffic danger and so, when you remove that…

Access all areas

The sparse, rolling, rugged lands of the far northeast offer very distinctive cycling experiences. The Coast and Castles route is a touring favourite, being as flat(-ish) and scenic as the title suggests, and includes the remarkable causeway crossing to Lindisfarne that’s submerged by the tide twice a day. (The mainland entrance as the waters come in is the place for amazing, but safe, Instagram shots of ‘cycling on water’.) And Northumberland has the best bits of the Hadrian’s Cycleway too, another easy-ish touring route through robustly characterful towns past the most photogenic stretches of the wall. It’s farther inland, though, amid the glowering humps of the Cheviots, where the biking action really starts. Head west from Alnwick to Rothbury and then to the head of the Coquet Valley, an underhyped gem.…

CARBON FIBRE BIKES arrived in the early 1980s, featuring carbon tubes bonded into aluminium lugs. These were followed in 1986 by the Kestrel 4000, the first all-carbon production bike. Since then, carbon production has steadily become the material of choice for modern performance bikes. But great things can be done with metals too… 01 Steel life The most venerable of materials for making bikes is steel. It’s represented here by Cotic’s Escapade, which boasts an asymmetrically butted down-tube. The Ovalform top-tube is double-butted, the seat-tube is bulge-butted and there are custom butted and curved tubes for the chain-stays and the brand’s signature wishbone seat-stays. Next year there’ll be a limited-edition version made from premium Reynolds 853 steel, which has the strength-to-weight ratio of titanium and gets stronger when it cools after welding. This…

I had no idea what to expect from the Tour de France Femmes. Nobody really did. Well, it had been 33 years since the last official race… Many people are wary of women’s racing simply replicating the men’s calendar and some argue that the likes of ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), the organiser, is merely jumping on a growing bandwagon. I would counter that the adage “better late than never” applies: although ASO could have pulled their finger out sooner, that they have done so now is still something to celebrate. Being on the ground at the race, I realised the unparalleled scale and reach that the Tour de France brand has and how significant it is for the women to finally be able to share in that. In Paris, at…

Bike tech explained

Reach • The horizontal distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the centre of the head tube. A longer reach lowers your ride position, a shorter reach means you sit more upright. Stack • The vertical distance from the top of the head-tube to the centre of the bottom bracket. A taller stack means a more upright ride position; lower stack means a lower – racier – position. Butted tubing • Butted tubes have a constant outside diameter but the wall thickness varies within that. On a double-butted tube the ends of the tube are thicker – usually 0.8mm compared to 0.5mm in the middle of the tube. This helps make stronger joints while reducing weight in the centre. Bulge butted means the tube’s reinforced on the outside. 4130 Cr-Mo steel • 4130 Cr-Mo –…

Cogito, ergo sum, posited Descartes, the great cyclist: ‘I think, therefore I am’. Now we have a different philosophy: ‘If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen’. The computer platform for sharing workout data was launched in 2009 by high-achieving Harvard sporties Mark Gainey and Michael Horvath, named after the Swedish sträva (‘stray-var’), meaning ‘strive’. Around 100 million people worldwide now use it to spread their activity data from fitness devices. The dozens of activities include alpine skiing, canoeing, rock climbing, swimming… even zombie treadmills (A to Z, then). But most are cyclists. No wonder. A bike is a two-wheeled metrics generator: speed, power, location, weather, altitude, attitude. For training obsessives it’s, well, obsessive: two-thirds of Tour de France cyclists are Strava devotees. Socialites Recently Strava has developed its social…

Basso Tera Gravel Apex

Weight 10.7kg (L) Frame Aluminium/carbon Fork Carbon Gears SRAM Apex 1 x 11 (42, 11-42) Brakes SRAM Apex hydraulic disc Wheels Microtech MX25 Finishing kit Microtech XL Gravel bar, Basso stem and seatpost, Selle San Marco GND saddle, Maxxis Rambler TR 45c tyres BASSO BIKES DOESN’T HAVE the brand recognition in the UK of fellow Italian brands Pinarello, Colnago, Bianchi and Wilier. But the 45-year-old company has always taken pride in its made-in-Italy foundations, from the time Alcide Basso started making steel bikes in the 1970s to today’s handmade-in-Italy carbon creations. The Tera features a beautifully finished aluminium front triangle that uses manipulated tube shapes, from a slender, round seat-tube to a tapering hexagonal-to-ovalised down-tube and a kinked, flattening top-tube, which is finished off with an oversized machined head-tube. This metal front end…

Basso Tera Gravel Apex

Flamme Rouge, Bedford History • Opened in 2015, partnering with Trek, as a specialist road-bike shop and club. Online presence soon developed and is increasingly important. What makes it special? • ‘We’re customer-service led’, says owner Jamie Quiggin, ‘and we want to encourage as many people into cycling as possible. In lockdown we launched a white-glove delivery service – it’s proved so successful we’ve expanded, and now deliver bikes for 15 other bike shops nationally.’ What’s in store? • ‘People come for chat and advice as much as they do bikes and parts. Recently we added Cervélo to our brands and it’s proved really popular. We’re also key partners with Cycle Exchange in Kingston, so we can offer part-exchange when buying a bike, both online and in the shop.’ A…

Vaast R/1 Ultegra

Weight 8.37kg (XL) Frame Super-Magnesium Fork Carbon Gears Shimano Ultegra (50/34 Praxis Zyante, 11-30) Brakes Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc Wheels Vaast Aero 30mm alloy tubeless ready Finishing kit VAAST Aero carbon bar and seatpost, Vaast Pro 3D forged stem, ProLogo Scratch M5 PAS saddle, Vittoria Rubino Pro 25mm tyres EVEN THOUGH US BRAND VAAST has only been around since 2019, it has produced a wide range of bikes. It aims to make its products environmentally friendlier by shipping them in plastic-free packaging and by making its frames from magnesium. The ‘Super-Magnesium’ alloy it uses, originally designed for the defence and aviation industries, comes from the US company Alite. Vaast and Alite claim Super-Magnesium is lighter than aluminium, steel and titanium, as well as being stronger than steel and aluminium and more resistant…

Vaast R/1 Ultegra

Dolan ADX Titanium 105 Di2

Weight 9.3kg (58.5cm) Frame 3Al/2.5V titanium Fork Alpina ADX carbon Gears Shimano 105 Di2 (50/34, 11-34) Wheels Mavic Cosmic SL 32 Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic disc Finishing kit Deda Zero bar and stem, Selle Italia Novus saddle, Alpina Ti seatpost, Continental GP5000 28c tyres LIVERPOOL-BASED DOLAN HAS been designing its own-brand bikes under founder Terry Dolan since 1977. With close ties to British cycling and track racing, its range covers everything from road and time-trial machines to gravel, tandem and ebikes. Dolan’s ADX Titanium is the brand’s take on the classic endurance bike, with a smart, brushed-finish 3Al/2.5V tubeset built into a semi-sloping frame. Proper mudguard mounts and provision for rear racks make it a truly year-round machine, adding commuting and light touring to the ADX’s endurance credentials. The ADX is available from…

Dolan ADX Titanium 105 Di2

This latest iteration of the S5 has already triumphed at the Tour de France, with both overall winner Jonas Vingegaard and green-jersey winner Wout van Aert riding it at times. It is, according to Cervélo, “simpler, faster and easier to live with” than the previous version. 01 Aero gains The new bike shaves off around 8.45 watts at 48kmh/30mph, largely thanks to the new 52/63 wheelset (see below), which saves around five watts over its predecessor, the 50/65. New UCI technical regs have also allowed a “deeper head-tube and bottom-bracket area and more aggressive shaping on the trailing edges of the tubes” and the area above the front wheel on the S5 has a more pointed, extended leading edge to create a bigger aerofoil. 02 Ease of use Because there’s…

Access all areas

“What about disabled people?”, is the cry we often hear when discussing cycling-friendly changes to the streetscape. It’s long overdue that we asked this – but it’s also easy to assume we know the answers without talking to disabled people. The assumption, when people think about things like Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), is that they automatically disadvantage those who need a wheelchair and/or a vehicle to get about. Our streets are already unequal places. Research shows people with disabilities benefit most from low-traffic streets free of speeding drivers cutting through, and from pavements unbroken and unblocked by pavement parking. People with visual impairments, physical disabilities or mobility issues – something many of us experience as we age – are statistically at greater risk from traffic danger and so, when you…

Access all areas

Cotic Escapade Road Plus Platinum

Weight 9.93kg (L) Frame Custom 4130 multi-butted steel Fork Carbon Gears Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed (38, 9-42) Brakes Campagnolo Ekar hydraulic disc Wheels Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 DB 2WF Finishing kit Cotic bar, stem and saddle, CC Alloy seatpost, WTB Horizon Road plus 47c Skinwall TCS tyres THE PEAK DISTRICT-BASED British steel specialist Cotic has an enviable reputation among mountain bike aficionados, thanks to its forward-thinking design and love of all things steel. But while best known for its off-road bikes, Cotic has been designing interesting drop-bar bikes since its earliest days in the early noughties. The Escapade is Cotic’s go-anywhere, no-limits road bike. When launched in 2015 it featured horizontal dropouts that enabled it to be run with hub or derailleur gears or as a single-speed. On our fourth-generation Escapade, it’s thru-axles…

Cotic Escapade Road Plus Platinum

The winner is… Dolan ADX Titanium Shimano 105 Di2

EACH OF OUR BIKES shows beyond doubt that Carbon isn’t the only material out there when it comes to serious performance bikes. The Basso Tera’s clever design not only stands out from the crowd but the bike’s quick handling and smooth ride challenges gravel bikes at twice the price. With a lighter, quicker set of wheels it’d be a true giant killer. “This month’s winner is a smart hybrid of endurance-bike comfort and sportsbike handling with a price-busting spec” Vaast’s R/1 brings carbon-like lightness to an alloy road bike, and the magnesium frame feels lively yet forgiving over poor surfaces. The build is great value, and the bike should excel on well-kept tarmac, but the old-school skinny rims and tyres may suffer a little on rougher surfaces. With a more modern wheel and…

The winner is… Dolan ADX Titanium Shimano 105 Di2

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

01 TRY TAKING KETONES? Ketones continue to flirt with road cycling thanks to the likes of Jumbo-Visma reportedly using them at the Tour de France. Then again, any team who’s signed up to the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC), which includes Lotto-Soudal, Team DSM and EF Education Easy-Post, is prohibited from using them due to their side-effects, including vomiting and stomach distress, and uncertainty over any longterm effects. But what are they? They’re chemicals produced naturally by your body when it’s run out of carbs for fuel and switches to breaking down fat. They’re not banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) so you, the recreational cyclist, can doff a cupful to your heart’s content – though you might not want to as their taste is, shall we say, ‘unique’. But would…

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

The sparse, rolling, rugged lands of the far northeast offer very distinctive cycling experiences. The Coast and Castles route is a touring favourite, being as flat(-ish) and scenic as the title suggests, and includes the remarkable causeway crossing to Lindisfarne that’s submerged by the tide twice a day. (The mainland entrance as the waters come in is the place for amazing, but safe, Instagram shots of ‘cycling on water’.) And Northumberland has the best bits of the Hadrian’s Cycleway too, another easy-ish touring route through robustly characterful towns past the most photogenic stretches of the wall. It’s farther inland, though, amid the glowering humps of the Cheviots, where the biking action really starts. Head west from Alnwick to Rothbury and then to the head of the Coquet Valley, an underhyped…

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

I already knew how special a ride this had been, but what was happening right now hammered it home. We were riding in a 350-rider convoy making a 50km beeline for Paris from the town of Menucourt; this was a closed-road peloton with motorbike outriders speeding ahead to close all junctions for us, to keep us safe and, theoretically at least, in constant movement deep into the French capital. It’s how Hotchillee, the Surrey-based cycling events company, always ends its London-Paris ride, bringing together several groups separated by speed and ability into one for a memorable mass finish under the Eiffel Tower. One of these groups, with whom I had pedalled, hadn’t even made the journey to Menucourt, via Folkstone and Calais, on tarmac, instead taking a totally different, more direct…

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Features • USB-rechargeable (no cable needed) • Versatile mounting options • 40 Lumens (front), 20 lumens (rear) • Charge in four hours • Weigh just 18g each Hurry! Offer ends 28 October 2022 Why subscribe? • Receive two Knog Plus lights worth £34.99 • Save 30% off the UK shop price - pay just £54.49 every 13 issues by Direct Debit • Every issue sent to your door or device 1 PRINT 13 issues of print & two Knog Plus bike lights for just £54.49! 2 DIGITAL 13 issues of digital & two Knog Plus bike lights for just £54.49! PLUS! Access to exclusive offers and competitions as part of our Subscriber Club! buysubscriptions.com/CPP398 03330 162 142 quote code CPP398 Or scan the QR code to subscribe Lines are open 8am-6pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays. Overseas orders please call +44 1604 973 751 or visit buysubscriptions.com Terms & conditions *Offer open…

CARBON FIBRE BIKES arrived in the early 1980s, featuring carbon tubes bonded into aluminium lugs. These were followed in 1986 by the Kestrel 4000, the first all-carbon production bike. Since then, carbon production has steadily become the material of choice for modern performance bikes. But great things can be done with metals too… 01 Steel life The most venerable of materials for making bikes is steel. It’s represented here by Cotic’s Escapade, which boasts an asymmetrically butted down-tube. The Ovalform top-tube is double-butted, the seat-tube is bulge-butted and there are custom butted and curved tubes for the chain-stays and the brand’s signature wishbone seat-stays. Next year there’ll be a limited-edition version made from premium Reynolds 853 steel, which has the strength-to-weight ratio of titanium and gets stronger when it cools…

Orro Gold Evo 105

Weight 9.34kg (XL) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears Shimano 105 (50/34, 11-30) Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic Wheels Fulcrum Racing 800 Finishing kit Deda Zero 1 stem and bar, Prologo Kappa RS saddle, Orro alloy seatpost, Continental Grand Sport 28mm tyres ORRO BIKES HAS a fine reputation for building good value bikes, all made to order at its facility in the heart of the South Downs, in the shadow of the legendary Ditchling Beacon. This milelong climb, with an average gradient approaching 10% and peaking at 16%, is a mecca for local riders to test their mettle. The Gold Evo is the brand’s take on an endurance bike and comes in this full Shimano 105 spec, or a cheaper 105/FSA mix with mechanical disc brakes for £1,799.99. The claimed frame and fork…

Orro Gold Evo 105

Bike tech explained

Reach • The horizontal distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the centre of the head tube. A longer reach lowers your ride position, a shorter reach means you sit more upright. Stack • The vertical distance from the top of the head-tube to the centre of the bottom bracket. A taller stack means a more upright ride position; lower stack means a lower – racier – position. Butted tubing • Butted tubes have a constant outside diameter but the wall thickness varies within that. On a double-butted tube the ends of the tube are thicker – usually 0.8mm compared to 0.5mm in the middle of the tube. This helps make stronger joints while reducing weight in the centre. Bulge butted means the tube’s reinforced on the outside.…

Specialized S-Works Prevail 3

“T he extra-large vents enable air to easily flow from the front intakes, over the head and out the rear” THE FIRST THING you’ll notice about the Prevail 3 is the gaping vents, created by replacing the traditional EPS foam bridges with aramid (a supertough material used in body armour) ’cables’, known as an ‘Air Cage’. The Air Cage is said to be as strong as an EPS design, while leaving a whopping 24.5% more space for air to penetrate compared to the Prevail II Vent. This system is also said to be better at absorbing impacts, borne out by the helmet’s 5-star Virginia Tech safety rating. Also helping with that safety rating is the MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) within the helmet’s padding, which has also been stripped back to save weight…

Specialized S-Works Prevail 3

Basso Tera Gravel Apex

Weight 10.7kg (L) Frame Aluminium/carbon Fork Carbon Gears SRAM Apex 1 x 11 (42, 11-42) Brakes SRAM Apex hydraulic disc Wheels Microtech MX25 Finishing kit Microtech XL Gravel bar, Basso stem and seatpost, Selle San Marco GND saddle, Maxxis Rambler TR 45c tyres BASSO BIKES DOESN’T HAVE the brand recognition in the UK of fellow Italian brands Pinarello, Colnago, Bianchi and Wilier. But the 45-year-old company has always taken pride in its made-in-Italy foundations, from the time Alcide Basso started making steel bikes in the 1970s to today’s handmade-in-Italy carbon creations. The Tera features a beautifully finished aluminium front triangle that uses manipulated tube shapes, from a slender, round seat-tube to a tapering hexagonal-to-ovalised down-tube and a kinked, flattening top-tube, which is finished off with an oversized machined head-tube. This…

Basso Tera Gravel Apex

Knog Pwr Solar 10W

AUSTRALIAN DESIGNER KNOG is known for making quirky and interesting bike accessories, from lights to locks to low-profile bells, and the Pwr Solar is a smart addition to a bikepackers’ luggage. Its four solar panels have been made using high-quality, mono-crystalline cells encased in a tough, rubberised outer that’s water, dirt, salt, and oil resistant. This charger certainly has a premium feel to it: it’s built to last and comes with a two-year warranty. Knog recommends having its PWR bank battery (£79.99), which also powers its high-performance lights, camping lanterns and even Bluetooth speaker, to store the energy for later if you’re not using it to directly charge your devices. Perhaps a newer USB-C port would have been preferable and may arrive on the next version. I have plenty of USB-A…

Knog Pwr Solar 10W

ITALIAN SHOE BRAND Udog’s debut shoe, the Tensione (£135; issue 395), impressed us with its clever close fit, comfort and value aimed at everyday riders. The brand’s second design, the Cima, is made for climbing, with a very stiff sole plus a woven upper offering targeted support, comfort and breathability. The full-carbon outsole has built-in rubberised toe and heel bumpers and features a single forward-facing vent in front of the footplate with an exhaust port in the midfoot. Moulded-in cleat markers are a great touch and the unidirectional carbon finish looks premium. The outsole is exceptionally stiff and very well shaped and manages to work harmoniously with the comfortable upper. The star of the show, however, is the light, woven and very well thought-out upper. The generous toe box uses a highly…

Vaast R/1 Ultegra

Weight 8.37kg (XL) Frame Super-Magnesium Fork Carbon Gears Shimano Ultegra (50/34 Praxis Zyante, 11-30) Brakes Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc Wheels Vaast Aero 30mm alloy tubeless ready Finishing kit VAAST Aero carbon bar and seatpost, Vaast Pro 3D forged stem, ProLogo Scratch M5 PAS saddle, Vittoria Rubino Pro 25mm tyres EVEN THOUGH US BRAND VAAST has only been around since 2019, it has produced a wide range of bikes. It aims to make its products environmentally friendlier by shipping them in plastic-free packaging and by making its frames from magnesium. The ‘Super-Magnesium’ alloy it uses, originally designed for the defence and aviation industries, comes from the US company Alite. Vaast and Alite claim Super-Magnesium is lighter than aluminium, steel and titanium, as well as being stronger than steel and aluminium and…

Vaast R/1 Ultegra

Sidi MTB Gravel

SIDI’S ORIGINAL ENTRANT into the gravel-shoe world, the Jarin, was an impressive stripped-down mountain bike race shoe. The new Sidi MTB Gravel has taken things a step further. By removing the heavyweight features of protection and race stiffness and replacing them with a stripped-down sole, its clever tension system and new synthetic suede, Sidi has upped comfort and reduced the price. The Tecno-3 tensioning system was the original dial adjuster, with its flip-up dial and spring-loaded release. It may lack the simple two-way micro-adjust of the latest BOAs, but it offers easy adjustment and holds firm. The upper is what sets the Sidis apart from the competition, though. The new Politex material has a supple, suede-like brushed outer, a stretchy midlayer and a light, knit-like liner. It’s made from recycled materials…

Sidi MTB Gravel

Dolan ADX Titanium 105 Di2

Weight 9.3kg (58.5cm) Frame 3Al/2.5V titanium Fork Alpina ADX carbon Gears Shimano 105 Di2 (50/34, 11-34) Wheels Mavic Cosmic SL 32 Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic disc Finishing kit Deda Zero bar and stem, Selle Italia Novus saddle, Alpina Ti seatpost, Continental GP5000 28c tyres LIVERPOOL-BASED DOLAN HAS been designing its own-brand bikes under founder Terry Dolan since 1977. With close ties to British cycling and track racing, its range covers everything from road and time-trial machines to gravel, tandem and ebikes. Dolan’s ADX Titanium is the brand’s take on the classic endurance bike, with a smart, brushed-finish 3Al/2.5V tubeset built into a semi-sloping frame. Proper mudguard mounts and provision for rear racks make it a truly year-round machine, adding commuting and light touring to the ADX’s endurance credentials. The ADX…

Dolan ADX Titanium 105 Di2

Shootout – Bags

Mission Workshop Speedwell £305 A durable, do-it-all pack that’s ready for adventure THIS 20L PACK is made from a combination of X-Pac and MultiCam Cordura making it both tough and weatherproof. It will swallow up a bladder (in a separate compartment), a laptop (up to 16” MacBook Pro), two water bottles in the exterior mesh pockets, and it also has a key fob in the smaller front pocket. Harnessing comfort The careful design and combination of pockets makes this pack hugely versatile. We’ve used it on a daily commute, day-long gravel rides, hiking and for trips to the beach. It’s never found wanting in terms of packing space, ease of use or comfort. That comfort comes courtesy of a floating harness that provides airflow but keeps the pack stable. Both chest and waist belt can…

Shootout – Bags

Cotic Escapade Road Plus Platinum

Weight 9.93kg (L) Frame Custom 4130 multi-butted steel Fork Carbon Gears Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed (38, 9-42) Brakes Campagnolo Ekar hydraulic disc Wheels Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 DB 2WF Finishing kit Cotic bar, stem and saddle, CC Alloy seatpost, WTB Horizon Road plus 47c Skinwall TCS tyres THE PEAK DISTRICT-BASED British steel specialist Cotic has an enviable reputation among mountain bike aficionados, thanks to its forward-thinking design and love of all things steel. But while best known for its off-road bikes, Cotic has been designing interesting drop-bar bikes since its earliest days in the early noughties. The Escapade is Cotic’s go-anywhere, no-limits road bike. When launched in 2015 it featured horizontal dropouts that enabled it to be run with hub or derailleur gears or as a single-speed. On our fourth-generation Escapade,…

Cotic Escapade Road Plus Platinum

Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR

WHILE ORTLIEB’S SEATPACK range has previously used Velcro straps and buckles to attach to the seatpost and saddle rails, this new one uses a quick-release rigid composite attachment, as the bag’s name indicates. It takes a short while to fit the hooked rail in the optimum position according to your seatpost and saddle-rail angles, but once that’s done, fitting and removing the seatpack from the bike is quick and easy. The clamp also keeps the bag in a very secure position with absolutely no swaying. Depending on your saddle rail-to-seatpost angle and the hook position, the 13Lcapacity bag will hold a maximum of 3 or 5kg. On all the bikes I tested it with, I could only get 3kg capacity – you’ll likely need a layback seatpost to unlock the…

Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR

The winner is… Dolan ADX Titanium Shimano 105 Di2

EACH OF OUR BIKES shows beyond doubt that Carbon isn’t the only material out there when it comes to serious performance bikes. The Basso Tera’s clever design not only stands out from the crowd but the bike’s quick handling and smooth ride challenges gravel bikes at twice the price. With a lighter, quicker set of wheels it’d be a true giant killer. “This month’s winner is a smart hybrid of endurance-bike comfort and sportsbike handling with a price-busting spec” Vaast’s R/1 brings carbon-like lightness to an alloy road bike, and the magnesium frame feels lively yet forgiving over poor surfaces. The build is great value, and the bike should excel on well-kept tarmac, but the old-school skinny rims and tyres may suffer a little on rougher surfaces. With a more…

The winner is… Dolan ADX Titanium Shimano 105 Di2

Campagnolo Indio jersey and Neon bib shorts

DRIVETRAIN INNOVATOR Campagnolo is a legend of Italian engineering. It has also been quietly producing quality riding kit for years now, covering everything from lightweight racewear to tough gravel kit and casual wear for men and women. The Indio jersey is where classic style and technical fabrics meet, using a combination of a closely woven yet highly breathable and fast-wicking torso and lightweight, close-fitting mesh sleeves. This is set off nicely with a full-length zip and classic silver steel Campagnolo shield logo zip pull. The fit is close on the arms and a little more generous in the body, with sizing true to UK norms. Three generous pockets on the rear and a slightly dropped tail complete what is a beautifully made, good-looking, high-performing jersey. Men’s and women’s versions come in a…

Campagnolo Indio jersey and Neon bib shorts

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

01 TRY TAKING KETONES? Ketones continue to flirt with road cycling thanks to the likes of Jumbo-Visma reportedly using them at the Tour de France. Then again, any team who’s signed up to the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC), which includes Lotto-Soudal, Team DSM and EF Education Easy-Post, is prohibited from using them due to their side-effects, including vomiting and stomach distress, and uncertainty over any longterm effects. But what are they? They’re chemicals produced naturally by your body when it’s run out of carbs for fuel and switches to breaking down fat. They’re not banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) so you, the recreational cyclist, can doff a cupful to your heart’s content – though you might not want to as their taste is, shall we say, ‘unique’. But…

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

How to … Beat the weather

The clothing you wear will make a massive difference to your ride experience this autumn and winter, so you need to choose the right clothes for the job. That includes well-chosen layering, windproofing garments, proven picks for keeping your extremities protected and products that offer breathability but also water resistance. Easy, right? Not really. Which is why we’ve partnered with leading British cycling apparel brand Lusso to offer you our guide to staying warm, dry and happy this winter… Autumn options 01. Baselayer A baselayer is a breathable layer that’s worn next to the skin under a jersey or jacket. On warmer days, a thin version will help wick sweat away from your body, and when worn on cooler rides, a thicker one will help keep warmth in. 02. Mid layers Jersey choice depends on…

How to … Beat the weather

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

I already knew how special a ride this had been, but what was happening right now hammered it home. We were riding in a 350-rider convoy making a 50km beeline for Paris from the town of Menucourt; this was a closed-road peloton with motorbike outriders speeding ahead to close all junctions for us, to keep us safe and, theoretically at least, in constant movement deep into the French capital. It’s how Hotchillee, the Surrey-based cycling events company, always ends its London-Paris ride, bringing together several groups separated by speed and ability into one for a memorable mass finish under the Eiffel Tower. One of these groups, with whom I had pedalled, hadn’t even made the journey to Menucourt, via Folkstone and Calais, on tarmac, instead taking a totally different, more…

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

01 Torq Performance £29.25 for 15 Serving size 591ml Carbohydrate 28g THIS NEW GEL hits the textural sweetspot: not so loose that it flows like fluid, not so thick that it resembles tar. Its consistency is apt for its delicious caramel taste. Carbs make up 28g (112kcals) per 45g serving from both maltodextrin and fructose sources. This sugary blend has been shown to absorb into the bloodstream via different intestinal pathways, helping to prevent gastro issues while raising the potential to consume greater quantities of carbs. There’s an 89mg caffeine hit from guarana, too. 02 High5 Electrolyte £6.99 for 5 Serving size 60g Carbohydrate 23g THIS GEL IS a delightful-enough raspberry flavour that glides down smoothly, but its consistency is very loose, meaning you don’t enjoy that perceptual hit of consuming a more solid dose…

Features • USB-rechargeable (no cable needed) • Versatile mounting options • 40 Lumens (front), 20 lumens (rear) • Charge in four hours • Weigh just 18g each Hurry! Offer ends 28 October 2022 Why subscribe? • Receive two Knog Plus lights worth £34.99 • Save 30% off the UK shop price - pay just £54.49 every 13 issues by Direct Debit • Every issue sent to your door or device 1 PRINT 13 issues of print & two Knog Plus bike lights for just £54.49! 2 DIGITAL 13 issues of digital & two Knog Plus bike lights for just £54.49! PLUS! Access to exclusive offers and competitions as part of our Subscriber Club! buysubscriptions.com/CPP398 03330 162 142 quote code CPP398 Or scan the QR code to subscribe Lines are open…

Canyon Grail:ON CF 7

Weight 16.66kg (L) Frameset Carbon Gears Shimano GRX (44, 11-42) Wheels DT Swiss Brakes Shimano GRX E-bike system: Bosch 250W/85Nm motor and 500Wh battery Finishing kit Canyon bar, stem and post, Fizik saddle, Schwalbe G-One Bite 50mm tyres CANYON’S RADICAL GRAIL design, with its angular frame and unique ‘biplane’ cockpit, was divisive when it launched as a gravel bike. The electrified Grail:ON version, however, looks like a much more complete machine. The sculpted frame and integrated cockpit balance well with the oversized downtube that hides the 500Wh battery, while the oversized bottom bracket with its Gen 4 Bosch motor makes for a muscular-looking futuristic bike well suited to e-power. This CF 7 build is very well thought-out. Aside from the hugely powerful motor, you get Fizik’s excellent Argo saddle sitting atop the…

Canyon Grail:ON CF 7

The Testers Warren Rossiter Senior tech editor Warren is one of the UK’s most experienced bike journalists and tech reviewers Russell Burton Cycle photographer Photographer and rider Russell is used to testing kit to the max on long, tough days Katherine Moore Bikepacking expert Experienced rider Katherine is passionate about gravel riding and bikepacking Tom Marvin Technical editor Gravel bike and MTB fanatic Tom has been testing bikes for nearly a decade…

BARGAIN KIT SPECIAL

We generally like to keep Cycling Plus as an outlet of escapism from worldwide strife, but there’s no denying that the political situation in 2022 is having an impact on pretty much every household’s finances. The squeeze on bank accounts in the UK and beyond means that it’s especially important right now to find the best cycling clobber that you can buy without stretching or breaking a limited budget, which is why we’ve produced this round-up of some of the best bike tech bargains of 2022… and the odd new product that may edge closer to a false economy purchase than cycling steal. Taking some of our favourite products from recent Cycling Plus tests and adding some fresh reviews, we’ve collated what we think is the best-value clothing that’ll cover you from…

BARGAIN KIT SPECIAL

Triban GRVL 500

Weight 315g (Size 42) Sizes 40-47 Colours Black; grey/navy blue; Bordeaux/charcoal; lime/black THE TRIBAN GRVL 500 cycling shoes (previously the RC500) come at a super-budget price, and boast a lace-up design and a two-bolt-only SPD-specific design that’s aimed at the leisure, commuting and gravel rider. And since Triban’s a Decathlon brand, the RC500s are a lot of shoe for the money. They don’t shout ‘bike’ when you’re with your non-cycling friends – though they’re more lairy in their fluoro orange and yellow finishes. The deep rubber sole means that the metal SPD cleat is entirely recessed and the deep heel ensures they’re okay for walking shortish distances. The fibreglass-reinforced nylon sole is reasonably stiff and can’t compete with carbon soles for all-out efficiency but there’s not that much give, which makes them…

Triban GRVL 500

Orro Gold Evo 105

Weight 9.34kg (XL) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears Shimano 105 (50/34, 11-30) Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic Wheels Fulcrum Racing 800 Finishing kit Deda Zero 1 stem and bar, Prologo Kappa RS saddle, Orro alloy seatpost, Continental Grand Sport 28mm tyres ORRO BIKES HAS a fine reputation for building good value bikes, all made to order at its facility in the heart of the South Downs, in the shadow of the legendary Ditchling Beacon. This milelong climb, with an average gradient approaching 10% and peaking at 16%, is a mecca for local riders to test their mettle. The Gold Evo is the brand’s take on an endurance bike and comes in this full Shimano 105 spec, or a cheaper 105/FSA mix with mechanical disc brakes for £1,799.99. The claimed frame and…

Orro Gold Evo 105

Specialized S-Works Prevail 3

“T he extra-large vents enable air to easily flow from the front intakes, over the head and out the rear” THE FIRST THING you’ll notice about the Prevail 3 is the gaping vents, created by replacing the traditional EPS foam bridges with aramid (a supertough material used in body armour) ’cables’, known as an ‘Air Cage’. The Air Cage is said to be as strong as an EPS design, while leaving a whopping 24.5% more space for air to penetrate compared to the Prevail II Vent. This system is also said to be better at absorbing impacts, borne out by the helmet’s 5-star Virginia Tech safety rating. Also helping with that safety rating is the MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) within the helmet’s padding, which has also been stripped back…

Specialized S-Works Prevail 3

Giant Relay MIPS

Weight 348g (M) Colours Fluro yellow; black; grey Sizes S/M, M/L THE RELAY MIPS is Giant’s new sub-£50 lid and already has a 5-star score from the influential safety-rating institute at Virginia Tech in America. That score will have been enhanced by the addition of MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System), which aims to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain from angled impacts to the head, and largely dominates the top spots in Virginia’s safety rankings. In terms of its weight, performance and price, the Relay MIPS sits close to the Specialized Align II (also £45 and boasting MIPS), the 17 ventilation channels offering reasonable cooling in the summer heatwave with the decent TransTextura internal padding helping to mop up sweat. The basic retention ratchet is a touch clunky, but it’s effective…

Giant Relay MIPS

Van Rysel RoadR 900

Weight 32.9g Colours Snow white; Black Lenses Two Extras Cleaning bag, zipped hard case VAN RYSEL IS MAJOR retailer and kit producer Decathlon’s premium offering for road bikes and components, but that doesn’t mean a premium price. The RoadR 900 is based around a chunky pair of arms that flow neatly into a brow-only frame. A shield lens fixes into this via a smart lock-in system. The RoadR 900 frame’s arms are coated with a sticky rubber that provides a secure fit to grip when riding in the rough and rain. The nosepiece is non-adjustable but made from the same sticky rubber as the temple tips on the arms, so they stay secure. The main lens meets ISO standards and is rated as Cat3 to filter 88% of sunlight – ideal for…

Van Rysel RoadR 900

Knog Pwr Solar 10W

AUSTRALIAN DESIGNER KNOG is known for making quirky and interesting bike accessories, from lights to locks to low-profile bells, and the Pwr Solar is a smart addition to a bikepackers’ luggage. Its four solar panels have been made using high-quality, mono-crystalline cells encased in a tough, rubberised outer that’s water, dirt, salt, and oil resistant. This charger certainly has a premium feel to it: it’s built to last and comes with a two-year warranty. Knog recommends having its PWR bank battery (£79.99), which also powers its high-performance lights, camping lanterns and even Bluetooth speaker, to store the energy for later if you’re not using it to directly charge your devices. Perhaps a newer USB-C port would have been preferable and may arrive on the next version. I have plenty of…

Knog Pwr Solar 10W

Fabric Line S Elite Flat

Weight 240g Length 237mm Width 142mm Sizes 142, 155mm THE LINE S ELITE Flat from Fabric is the short-nosed version of the celebrated British brand’s highly rated full-length Line saddle. Aided by its compact proportions, the unisex Line S Elite Flat is very light for a saddle at this price but, if you’re desperate to shave off a few more grammes, you could go for the Line S Race with its titanium rails. Apart from its size, the Line S’s pressure-relief channel is the saddle’s most notable feature. This measures around 50mm at the rear, narrowing to 15mm at the front, and it’s around a centimetre deep for its entire length. For quite a racy saddle, the Line S Elite Flat has deep and fairly soft padding. It’s neatly done, however, with…

Fabric Line S Elite Flat

Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50

Weight 1,871g Wheel size 700c Freehub options Shimano/SRAM Road 9/10/11-speed Rim depth 49.9mm Rim internal width 19.1mm Spoke count 24 (f)/24 (r) Tubeless? Tubeless ready AT 50MM DEEP and 28mm at their widest, the Elite 50’s wide, blunt-nosed shape is designed to balance aerodynamics and stability. An internal width of 19mm ensures the tyre forms part of the aero profile of the rim while giving a wide stance for increased grip and comfort due to the larger-than-average air cushion. The TLR Rim Strip – Bontrager’s removable system for sealing the rim for tubeless setups – reduces the effective depth of the rim to 8.5mm, or around the usual depth. As well as the TLR Rim Strips and tubeless valves, you’re given regular rim tape in case you’d prefer a clincher set-up with…

Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50

ITALIAN SHOE BRAND Udog’s debut shoe, the Tensione (£135; issue 395), impressed us with its clever close fit, comfort and value aimed at everyday riders. The brand’s second design, the Cima, is made for climbing, with a very stiff sole plus a woven upper offering targeted support, comfort and breathability. The full-carbon outsole has built-in rubberised toe and heel bumpers and features a single forward-facing vent in front of the footplate with an exhaust port in the midfoot. Moulded-in cleat markers are a great touch and the unidirectional carbon finish looks premium. The outsole is exceptionally stiff and very well shaped and manages to work harmoniously with the comfortable upper. The star of the show, however, is the light, woven and very well thought-out upper. The generous toe box uses…

Jersey colours Black Orion Grey; Agave Green Black; Danger Red Black; Snorkel Blue Teton Blue; Stellar Blue Orion Grey; Neon Spring Orion Grey DANGER RED BLACK! Snorkel Blue Teton Blue! Neon Spring Onion (sorry, Orion) Grey! The snappily-titled Protraction II Recycled Lightweight Jersey from British brand Dare 2B comes in a host of colours, including the more conversative Black Orion Grey seen here. The best bit for a jersey of this price (and it’s currently reduced to £24.45) is that the material construction is sustainably made using polyester recycled from plastic bottles. So, good for the planet, but what about its performance on the road? The fabric is fairly loose, with our size small certainly floaty rather than formfitting in the body and sleeves so I’d suggest sizing down (six sizes are available).…

Sidi MTB Gravel

SIDI’S ORIGINAL ENTRANT into the gravel-shoe world, the Jarin, was an impressive stripped-down mountain bike race shoe. The new Sidi MTB Gravel has taken things a step further. By removing the heavyweight features of protection and race stiffness and replacing them with a stripped-down sole, its clever tension system and new synthetic suede, Sidi has upped comfort and reduced the price. The Tecno-3 tensioning system was the original dial adjuster, with its flip-up dial and spring-loaded release. It may lack the simple two-way micro-adjust of the latest BOAs, but it offers easy adjustment and holds firm. The upper is what sets the Sidis apart from the competition, though. The new Politex material has a supple, suede-like brushed outer, a stretchy midlayer and a light, knit-like liner. It’s made from recycled…

Sidi MTB Gravel

Icelandic Warrior

I’d left England basking in some early spring sunshine, but Iceland’s international airport, Keflavik, was sitting under a heavy blanket of slush as the plane touched down. Snow was blowing in from the north, and as I waited for the final journalist to arrive for the press trip, I was glad I’d packed my winter boots and thick, windproof clothing. As I waited, there was time to grab a bite of the country’s unofficial national dish – the hotdog – as well as a few chocolate-milk-based calories, before we made a quick dash to a jacked-up 4x4, built to tackle the very roads we’d be riding on Lauf’s new bike the next day… Havin’ a Lauf Iceland may not be known as a hotbed of the cycling industry, but Lauf has been ploughing…

Icelandic Warrior

The evolution of Lauf

One of Iceland’s foremost manufacturing companies is Ossur, a world leader in prosthetics. Benedikt Skúlason’s engineering background, and interest in composites, led him to join this Icelandic company. While working on prosthetic feet and seeing their composite components going through millions of repeated stresses, he wondered why the bicycle industry’s interest in composites only focused on their low weight, rather than their long-fatigue life and flexibility. Being both aware of composites’ utility and having an interest in mountain biking, it wasn’t long until he pitched an idea to friend, industrial designer Gudberg Bjornsson. Prototypes followed, from basic proof of concepts through to near-finished carbon and glass-fibre demonstration pieces. Then, in 2013, the Trail Racer fork was launched and found its way to the top step of the podium in the first race…

The evolution of Lauf

Shootout – Bags

Mission Workshop Speedwell £305 A durable, do-it-all pack that’s ready for adventure THIS 20L PACK is made from a combination of X-Pac and MultiCam Cordura making it both tough and weatherproof. It will swallow up a bladder (in a separate compartment), a laptop (up to 16” MacBook Pro), two water bottles in the exterior mesh pockets, and it also has a key fob in the smaller front pocket. Harnessing comfort The careful design and combination of pockets makes this pack hugely versatile. We’ve used it on a daily commute, day-long gravel rides, hiking and for trips to the beach. It’s never found wanting in terms of packing space, ease of use or comfort. That comfort comes courtesy of a floating harness that provides airflow but keeps the pack stable. Both…

Shootout – Bags

Road bikes Four fantastic flyers for road riding and racing Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap £4,949 Issue 397 This is a superbly specced and surprisingly comfortable aero bike that’s built with more than the pros in mind. Factor Ostro VAM £9,450 Issue 395 You’ll need big pockets, but this is a fast, light and comfortable bike that has a collection of the best spec around. Giant Defy Advanced 0 £2,899 Issue 394 A very special frameset with a superb level of kit and fantastic wireless gearing. The latest Defy is very, very hard to fault. Lapierre Xelius SL 9.0 £6,999 Issue 393 Maximise your speed on this fast-handling and great-value road bike with high-spec kit and distinctive geometry. Gravel bikes This capable quartet will help you head off the tarmac Ribble Gravel AL SRAM Rival 1x £1,999 Issue 396 This Ribble offers a more-than-capable ride that can handle the rough stuff,…

Nobody has ever won the Tour de France, the world’s biggest bike race, by accident. Run over 21 stages, through windy flatlands, over rough cobbles and lung-busting mountains, by the time the race reaches its crescendo in Paris the rider in possession of the yellow jersey is always a deserving winner. The victor of the 2022 race, Denmark and Jumbo-Visma’s Jonas Vingegaard, was no exception. Though hailing from one of the flattest countries on the planet (170m, at its most lofty), he emerged as the finest climber in the race, and part of one of the more formidable teams in the race’s long history, whose battering ram-strength – spearheaded by the remarkable Wout van Aert – played no small part in the fastest Tour ever. It was also no accident that the…

Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR

WHILE ORTLIEB’S SEATPACK range has previously used Velcro straps and buckles to attach to the seatpost and saddle rails, this new one uses a quick-release rigid composite attachment, as the bag’s name indicates. It takes a short while to fit the hooked rail in the optimum position according to your seatpost and saddle-rail angles, but once that’s done, fitting and removing the seatpack from the bike is quick and easy. The clamp also keeps the bag in a very secure position with absolutely no swaying. Depending on your saddle rail-to-seatpost angle and the hook position, the 13Lcapacity bag will hold a maximum of 3 or 5kg. On all the bikes I tested it with, I could only get 3kg capacity – you’ll likely need a layback seatpost to unlock the…

Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Getting there • Direct flights to Copenhagen are available from many UK airports. 01 Where to stay • During the Tour de France, our room at CitizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen (citizenm.com) cost £200 for a basic double room. They allowed bikes into the room with some gentle persuasion. 02 Where to eat • You could check out number 1 in the 2022 The World’s Best Restaurants Awards: Geranium (“Food meets art”). If your spending is more aligned with Cycling Plus’s expenses account, we can recommend Café Wilder in the atmospheric Christianshavn. Bike shop • Your trip to Copenhagen is probably best enjoyed on a city bike. Check out visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/copenhagen-bike-rentals. Find, plan and share adventures with komoot Komoot app lets you find, plan, and share adventures with the easy route planner. Driven by a desire to explore, and powered by the…

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Campagnolo Indio jersey and Neon bib shorts

DRIVETRAIN INNOVATOR Campagnolo is a legend of Italian engineering. It has also been quietly producing quality riding kit for years now, covering everything from lightweight racewear to tough gravel kit and casual wear for men and women. The Indio jersey is where classic style and technical fabrics meet, using a combination of a closely woven yet highly breathable and fast-wicking torso and lightweight, close-fitting mesh sleeves. This is set off nicely with a full-length zip and classic silver steel Campagnolo shield logo zip pull. The fit is close on the arms and a little more generous in the body, with sizing true to UK norms. Three generous pockets on the rear and a slightly dropped tail complete what is a beautifully made, good-looking, high-performing jersey. Men’s and women’s versions come…

Campagnolo Indio jersey and Neon bib shorts

SUBSCRIBE TO MBUK BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING MOUNTAIN BIKING MAGAZINE AND GET YOUR FIRST 3 ISSUES FOR JUST £5!

WHY SUBSCRIBE? • Try your first three copies of Mountain Biking UK for just £5 • Continue to save 30%* on the shop price, paying £24.99 every six issues by Direct Debit • Every magazine will be sent hot off the press and delivered straight to your door • Get access to exclusive offers and competitions with our Subs Zone • You’ll never miss an action-packed issue or supplement again! TO SUBSCRIBE… http://buysubscriptions.com/MBH22 OR call our hotline on 03330 162152, quoting code MBH22 Lines are open 8am to 6pm weekdays, 9am to 1pm Saturdays TERMS & CONDITIONS: Three issues for £5 offer is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. After your first three issues, your subscription will continue at £24.99 every six issues. Mountain…

SUBSCRIBE TO MBUK BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING MOUNTAIN BIKING MAGAZINE AND GET YOUR FIRST 3 ISSUES FOR JUST £5!

How to … Beat the weather

The clothing you wear will make a massive difference to your ride experience this autumn and winter, so you need to choose the right clothes for the job. That includes well-chosen layering, windproofing garments, proven picks for keeping your extremities protected and products that offer breathability but also water resistance. Easy, right? Not really. Which is why we’ve partnered with leading British cycling apparel brand Lusso to offer you our guide to staying warm, dry and happy this winter… Autumn options 01. Baselayer A baselayer is a breathable layer that’s worn next to the skin under a jersey or jacket. On warmer days, a thin version will help wick sweat away from your body, and when worn on cooler rides, a thicker one will help keep warmth in. 02. Mid…

How to … Beat the weather

01 Torq Performance £29.25 for 15 Serving size 591ml Carbohydrate 28g THIS NEW GEL hits the textural sweetspot: not so loose that it flows like fluid, not so thick that it resembles tar. Its consistency is apt for its delicious caramel taste. Carbs make up 28g (112kcals) per 45g serving from both maltodextrin and fructose sources. This sugary blend has been shown to absorb into the bloodstream via different intestinal pathways, helping to prevent gastro issues while raising the potential to consume greater quantities of carbs. There’s an 89mg caffeine hit from guarana, too. 02 High5 Electrolyte £6.99 for 5 Serving size 60g Carbohydrate 23g THIS GEL IS a delightful-enough raspberry flavour that glides down smoothly, but its consistency is very loose, meaning you don’t enjoy that perceptual hit of…

REACH YOUR PEAK

01 Energy-saving lead We all know that drafting preserves energy. Figures of around 30-40% energy savings are mooted, and research from Eindhoven University suggests that riders in the core of a large WorldTour peloton can save up to 95% energy while riding at 54km/hr. In short, nestle behind a largesse rider and enjoy a free ride. But research presented at the 40th International Society of Biomechanics in Sports conference shows the leading cyclist can enjoy a drag-reducing benefit, too. The team from the University of Leon, Spain, had a group of cyclists and triathletes pair up and perform a number of efforts around a velodrome with the two standout set-ups involving: both riders adopting the aero position and pedalling away at 45km/hr; and then the trailing cyclist adopting an upright position while…

REACH YOUR PEAK

As well as being a valuable source of energy, fat can contain the soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, plus essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) that your body can’t make itself. Brain-, joint- and heart-friendly poly-unsaturated omega-3s are found in foods such as nuts, seeds, avocados and oily fish. Eat them regularly and help balance out your omega-6s (good for your brain and growth), which are more abundant in food. Sweet potato and peanut soup (GF, DF, V, Vn Peanuts in this sustaining, filling soup act as a thickener plus add flavour and healthy fats. This soup also provides antioxidants such as immune-strengthening beta-carotene, low-GI (slow-energy-release) carbohydrate and protein. Details • Prep 5mins • Cook 15-20mins • Serves 4 Ingredients • 1 tbsp coconut oil• 1 onion, finely sliced• 1 stick celery, finely chopped• 2 large…

Canyon Grail:ON CF 7

Weight 16.66kg (L) Frameset Carbon Gears Shimano GRX (44, 11-42) Wheels DT Swiss Brakes Shimano GRX E-bike system: Bosch 250W/85Nm motor and 500Wh battery Finishing kit Canyon bar, stem and post, Fizik saddle, Schwalbe G-One Bite 50mm tyres CANYON’S RADICAL GRAIL design, with its angular frame and unique ‘biplane’ cockpit, was divisive when it launched as a gravel bike. The electrified Grail:ON version, however, looks like a much more complete machine. The sculpted frame and integrated cockpit balance well with the oversized downtube that hides the 500Wh battery, while the oversized bottom bracket with its Gen 4 Bosch motor makes for a muscular-looking futuristic bike well suited to e-power. This CF 7 build is very well thought-out. Aside from the hugely powerful motor, you get Fizik’s excellent Argo saddle sitting…

Canyon Grail:ON CF 7

BARGAIN KIT SPECIAL

We generally like to keep Cycling Plus as an outlet of escapism from worldwide strife, but there’s no denying that the political situation in 2022 is having an impact on pretty much every household’s finances. The squeeze on bank accounts in the UK and beyond means that it’s especially important right now to find the best cycling clobber that you can buy without stretching or breaking a limited budget, which is why we’ve produced this round-up of some of the best bike tech bargains of 2022… and the odd new product that may edge closer to a false economy purchase than cycling steal. Taking some of our favourite products from recent Cycling Plus tests and adding some fresh reviews, we’ve collated what we think is the best-value clothing that’ll cover…

BARGAIN KIT SPECIAL

• You’ve cut cow’s milk but do you go oaty or nutty? Both are nutritious choices though their profiles are quite different. You may want to choose fortified plant milks for increased nutrient content and we’d advise choosing unsweetened types. Oat milk is high in calcium and potassium, which help to strengthen bones, while potassium also helps to regulate fluid balance. A 250ml serving of oat milk delivers 3g of muscle-repairing protein, so not up there with dairy (at 8g) but higher than almond (1g). It also contains a lot more carbs to fuel training. Almond’s much lower in calories, so it could be good if you want to reduce your weight (unless you choose the sweetened version, which would obviously increase that figure). The nutty milk is high in vitamin E,…

• This brassica (the same family as Brussels sprouts and kale) is ready to harvest in the UK between September and December. High in gut-friendly fibre, it has a peppery taste and satisfying crunch when eaten raw, but becomes softer and sweeter when cooked. Eating it should also provide you with antioxidant anthocyanin, vitamins C and E and carotenoids plus anti-inflammatory phytochemical sulphurophane. Why not eat it raw in a colourful coleslaw, pickle it or lightly braise it with apples? Recipes Kate Percy Photography Chris Harvey, Getty…

Triban GRVL 500

Weight 315g (Size 42) Sizes 40-47 Colours Black; grey/navy blue; Bordeaux/charcoal; lime/black THE TRIBAN GRVL 500 cycling shoes (previously the RC500) come at a super-budget price, and boast a lace-up design and a two-bolt-only SPD-specific design that’s aimed at the leisure, commuting and gravel rider. And since Triban’s a Decathlon brand, the RC500s are a lot of shoe for the money. They don’t shout ‘bike’ when you’re with your non-cycling friends – though they’re more lairy in their fluoro orange and yellow finishes. The deep rubber sole means that the metal SPD cleat is entirely recessed and the deep heel ensures they’re okay for walking shortish distances. The fibreglass-reinforced nylon sole is reasonably stiff and can’t compete with carbon soles for all-out efficiency but there’s not that much give, which…

Triban GRVL 500

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

Norman, 86, is a physiology professor at King’s College London, a former audax champion and author of The Lazarus Strategy: How to Age Well and Wisely Cyclists accept that they are going to come off their bike one way or another, at various times, and in varying degrees of seriousness. I’ve had six such falls in my cycling years, all memorable – and not necessarily for the right reasons. Four I’d like to think were due to bad luck - others might call it plain poor bike riding. The first time involved my front wheel sinking into a load of mud that had been dumped into the road after a storm. The wheel tuned 90? and I suffered varying degrees of bruises. The second I hit a spot of black ice that…

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

Giant Relay MIPS

Weight 348g (M) Colours Fluro yellow; black; grey Sizes S/M, M/L THE RELAY MIPS is Giant’s new sub-£50 lid and already has a 5-star score from the influential safety-rating institute at Virginia Tech in America. That score will have been enhanced by the addition of MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System), which aims to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain from angled impacts to the head, and largely dominates the top spots in Virginia’s safety rankings. In terms of its weight, performance and price, the Relay MIPS sits close to the Specialized Align II (also £45 and boasting MIPS), the 17 ventilation channels offering reasonable cooling in the summer heatwave with the decent TransTextura internal padding helping to mop up sweat. The basic retention ratchet is a touch clunky, but…

Giant Relay MIPS

Van Rysel RoadR 900

Weight 32.9g Colours Snow white; Black Lenses Two Extras Cleaning bag, zipped hard case VAN RYSEL IS MAJOR retailer and kit producer Decathlon’s premium offering for road bikes and components, but that doesn’t mean a premium price. The RoadR 900 is based around a chunky pair of arms that flow neatly into a brow-only frame. A shield lens fixes into this via a smart lock-in system. The RoadR 900 frame’s arms are coated with a sticky rubber that provides a secure fit to grip when riding in the rough and rain. The nosepiece is non-adjustable but made from the same sticky rubber as the temple tips on the arms, so they stay secure. The main lens meets ISO standards and is rated as Cat3 to filter 88% of sunlight –…

Van Rysel RoadR 900

Your complete guide to gravel adventures

FEATURING Gravel bikes for all budgets Essential gear The best places to ride in the UK Bikepacking essentials Skills to tame any terrain www.buysubscriptions.com/Gravel2022 or call 03330 162 138* and quote ‘Gravel 2022 Print 1’ Lines are open 8am-6pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays Overseas please call +44 (0) 1604 973 746 *Prices including postage are: £10.99 for UK residents, £12.99 for Europe and £13.49 for the Rest of the World. UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Lines open weekdays 9am to 5pm. Overseas please call +44 (0)1604 973 746. Price. EUR price £12.49, ROW price £13.49. All prices include P&P. Please allow up to 28 days for…

Your complete guide to gravel adventures

GET INTO RACING

You’ve conquered some tough sportives and beaten your friends in dozens of impromptu races up local hills. What you need now is the buzz of a bona fide bike race. Riding a bike is a pleasure, but racing is an exhilarating thrill. If you like watching races on TV, now’s your chance to turn yourself from an armchair fan into a real-life racer. There are hundreds of bike races open to nervous novices and experienced racers around the UK, including road races, hill climbs, time trials and track events. The racing scene will inspire you to sharpen up your fitness, meet new riders, travel to fresh destinations and learn new skills. And diving into a competitive environment, complete with times and rankings, will ignite extra sparks of motivation and adrenaline. Race listings…

GET INTO RACING

Fabric Line S Elite Flat

Weight 240g Length 237mm Width 142mm Sizes 142, 155mm THE LINE S ELITE Flat from Fabric is the short-nosed version of the celebrated British brand’s highly rated full-length Line saddle. Aided by its compact proportions, the unisex Line S Elite Flat is very light for a saddle at this price but, if you’re desperate to shave off a few more grammes, you could go for the Line S Race with its titanium rails. Apart from its size, the Line S’s pressure-relief channel is the saddle’s most notable feature. This measures around 50mm at the rear, narrowing to 15mm at the front, and it’s around a centimetre deep for its entire length. For quite a racy saddle, the Line S Elite Flat has deep and fairly soft padding. It’s neatly done,…

Fabric Line S Elite Flat

Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50

Weight 1,871g Wheel size 700c Freehub options Shimano/SRAM Road 9/10/11-speed Rim depth 49.9mm Rim internal width 19.1mm Spoke count 24 (f)/24 (r) Tubeless? Tubeless ready AT 50MM DEEP and 28mm at their widest, the Elite 50’s wide, blunt-nosed shape is designed to balance aerodynamics and stability. An internal width of 19mm ensures the tyre forms part of the aero profile of the rim while giving a wide stance for increased grip and comfort due to the larger-than-average air cushion. The TLR Rim Strip – Bontrager’s removable system for sealing the rim for tubeless setups – reduces the effective depth of the rim to 8.5mm, or around the usual depth. As well as the TLR Rim Strips and tubeless valves, you’re given regular rim tape in case you’d prefer a clincher…

Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50

01 Which category? If you want to feel like a Tour de France star, road racing is your scene. British Cycling oversees the main races, which are divided into national A and B events, regional A, B, C or C+ events, male and female categories, and senior, junior and masters groups. Race distances, circuit race times and rankings are adjusted accordingly. Riders are divided into categories, from Cat 4 for beginners to Elites – experienced riders who clock up 300 points in a season. As a beginner, you’ll start as a Cat 4 racer in regional events. Over the season you’ll clock up points for yourself and for your club. 02 Bunch up Whether racing on open roads or closed circuits like airfields, road racing involves riding in a bunch. “Get out on…

Jersey colours Black Orion Grey; Agave Green Black; Danger Red Black; Snorkel Blue Teton Blue; Stellar Blue Orion Grey; Neon Spring Orion Grey DANGER RED BLACK! Snorkel Blue Teton Blue! Neon Spring Onion (sorry, Orion) Grey! The snappily-titled Protraction II Recycled Lightweight Jersey from British brand Dare 2B comes in a host of colours, including the more conversative Black Orion Grey seen here. The best bit for a jersey of this price (and it’s currently reduced to £24.45) is that the material construction is sustainably made using polyester recycled from plastic bottles. So, good for the planet, but what about its performance on the road? The fabric is fairly loose, with our size small certainly floaty rather than formfitting in the body and sleeves so I’d suggest sizing down (six…

01 Get race ready The speed and thrill of track-racing is hard to beat. After trying a few taster sessions at your local indoor or outdoor track, work through the facility’s accreditation system to learn race skills, such as riding at the top of the banking. This accreditation will appear on your British Cycling membership card, leaving you free to race. Explore the British Cycling website for races, which are divided into similar categories and rankings as the road events. Indoor track races mostly run over winter, making them an excellent off-season pursuit. 02 Warm-up plan Think about how you’re going to warm up before a race. “It’s not always possible to warm up on the track if there are lots of events, so you will need to have an option in the…

Icelandic Warrior

I’d left England basking in some early spring sunshine, but Iceland’s international airport, Keflavik, was sitting under a heavy blanket of slush as the plane touched down. Snow was blowing in from the north, and as I waited for the final journalist to arrive for the press trip, I was glad I’d packed my winter boots and thick, windproof clothing. As I waited, there was time to grab a bite of the country’s unofficial national dish – the hotdog – as well as a few chocolate-milk-based calories, before we made a quick dash to a jacked-up 4x4, built to tackle the very roads we’d be riding on Lauf’s new bike the next day… Havin’ a Lauf Iceland may not be known as a hotbed of the cycling industry, but Lauf…

Icelandic Warrior

The evolution of Lauf

One of Iceland’s foremost manufacturing companies is Ossur, a world leader in prosthetics. Benedikt Skúlason’s engineering background, and interest in composites, led him to join this Icelandic company. While working on prosthetic feet and seeing their composite components going through millions of repeated stresses, he wondered why the bicycle industry’s interest in composites only focused on their low weight, rather than their long-fatigue life and flexibility. Being both aware of composites’ utility and having an interest in mountain biking, it wasn’t long until he pitched an idea to friend, industrial designer Gudberg Bjornsson. Prototypes followed, from basic proof of concepts through to near-finished carbon and glass-fibre demonstration pieces. Then, in 2013, the Trail Racer fork was launched and found its way to the top step of the podium in the…

The evolution of Lauf

TIME TRIAL RACING

01 Find your club If you crave the raw speed of time-trial racing, there are around 1,200 open time trial events to choose from every year. These are not managed by British Cycling but by a separate governing body called Cycling Time Trials. There is no individual affiliation option, you just sign up to your affiliated local club and pay an on-the-day race fee. Most races have fixed distances (10, 25, 50 and 100 miles) or fixed times (12 and 24 hours). 02 Get aero early The first thing to do is get your position dialled down. “Spending time refining your aero position should be done as early in the season as possible,” says coach Richard Rollinson of CPT Cycling (cptcycling.co.uk). This will ensure you feel comfortable and confident on race day. “Dial…

TIME TRIAL RACING

Road bikes Four fantastic flyers for road riding and racing Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap £4,949 Issue 397 This is a superbly specced and surprisingly comfortable aero bike that’s built with more than the pros in mind. Factor Ostro VAM £9,450 Issue 395 You’ll need big pockets, but this is a fast, light and comfortable bike that has a collection of the best spec around. Giant Defy Advanced 0 £2,899 Issue 394 A very special frameset with a superb level of kit and fantastic wireless gearing. The latest Defy is very, very hard to fault. Lapierre Xelius SL 9.0 £6,999 Issue 393 Maximise your speed on this fast-handling and great-value road bike with high-spec kit and distinctive geometry. Gravel bikes This capable quartet will help you head off…

HILL CLIMB RACING

01 Get set for autumn Forget muddy walks and ripe apples, autumn is the time for crazy cycling hill climb races! These boisterous end-of-season races are essentially uphill versions of time trials, with most events run by the Cycling Time Trials governing body or affiliated clubs. At races you will find a mix of hardcore hill climbers and novice have-a-go heroes. The UK national hill climb championship on the last Sunday in October marks the end of the season. 02 Absorb the atmosphere Hill climbs are short and sharp slogs – often less than 1km – so you’ll usually have a big crowd cheering you on. Channel this energy all the way uphill. “Hill climb races are horrible and wonderful at the same time: a great challenge with a great atmosphere,” says coach…

HILL CLIMB RACING

Nobody has ever won the Tour de France, the world’s biggest bike race, by accident. Run over 21 stages, through windy flatlands, over rough cobbles and lung-busting mountains, by the time the race reaches its crescendo in Paris the rider in possession of the yellow jersey is always a deserving winner. The victor of the 2022 race, Denmark and Jumbo-Visma’s Jonas Vingegaard, was no exception. Though hailing from one of the flattest countries on the planet (170m, at its most lofty), he emerged as the finest climber in the race, and part of one of the more formidable teams in the race’s long history, whose battering ram-strength – spearheaded by the remarkable Wout van Aert – played no small part in the fastest Tour ever. It was also no accident…

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Getting there • Direct flights to Copenhagen are available from many UK airports. 01 Where to stay • During the Tour de France, our room at CitizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen (citizenm.com) cost £200 for a basic double room. They allowed bikes into the room with some gentle persuasion. 02 Where to eat • You could check out number 1 in the 2022 The World’s Best Restaurants Awards: Geranium (“Food meets art”). If your spending is more aligned with Cycling Plus’s expenses account, we can recommend Café Wilder in the atmospheric Christianshavn. Bike shop • Your trip to Copenhagen is probably best enjoyed on a city bike. Check out visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/copenhagen-bike-rentals. Find, plan and share adventures with komoot Komoot app lets you find, plan, and share adventures with the easy route planner. Driven…

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

SUBSCRIBE TO MBUK BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING MOUNTAIN BIKING MAGAZINE AND GET YOUR FIRST 3 ISSUES FOR JUST £5!

WHY SUBSCRIBE? • Try your first three copies of Mountain Biking UK for just £5 • Continue to save 30%* on the shop price, paying £24.99 every six issues by Direct Debit • Every magazine will be sent hot off the press and delivered straight to your door • Get access to exclusive offers and competitions with our Subs Zone • You’ll never miss an action-packed issue or supplement again! TO SUBSCRIBE… http://buysubscriptions.com/MBH22 OR call our hotline on 03330 162152, quoting code MBH22 Lines are open 8am to 6pm weekdays, 9am to 1pm Saturdays TERMS & CONDITIONS: Three issues for £5 offer is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. After your first three issues, your subscription will continue…

SUBSCRIBE TO MBUK BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING MOUNTAIN BIKING MAGAZINE AND GET YOUR FIRST 3 ISSUES FOR JUST £5!

“I’M THE FIRST ASIAN CYCLIST TO TAKE A RAAM PODIUM SPOT”

“The Race Across America (RAAM) is one of the longest annual endurance events in the world. It’s 4,800km across the USA. It’s also one of the most dangerous races. I first completed it in 2019, in 11 days, 22 hours and 43 minutes.” “After my previous exertions at the RAAM, I had an award named after me in India called the “Kabir Rachure Ultra Award”. I’m also the winner of all three editions of the Great Himalayan Ultra Race (that starts in Leh, Ladakh) – the world’s highest race of its kind, with an average elevation of 3,300m.” “For my second attempt at the RAAM, in 2022, I trained around 8-12 hrs a week on a simulation trainer, doing sweet-spot and VO2 max sessions and hill repeats. I’d do one endurance ride…

“I’M THE FIRST ASIAN CYCLIST TO TAKE A RAAM PODIUM SPOT”

Your Experts James Witts Reach your Peak The Science of the Tour de France author looks at the latest cycling research Kate Percy Fuel your Riding Kate is the author of Go Faster Food and the founder of Go Bites energy balls Norman Lazarus Performance wisdom Norman, 86, is a physiology professor, author and former audax champion Mark Bailey Racing expert Sports writer and four-time Haute Route finisher Mark is our racing expert…

KABIR’S ENDURANCE-RACING TIPS

01 Try visualisation I recreated various scenarios of what could go wrong in different places. When you visualise the worst that will be thrown at you, it doesn’t come as a surprise. But I always ride with a positive mindset. 02 Find your fuel I ate berries to beat the heat and crunchy crisps at night to stay alert. Chewing gum and little fixes of caffeine were a constant. Major meals were grabbed from fast-food options or made by my sister Sapana. 03 Practise racing Next up I’ll be doing the 24-hour World Time Trial Championships in the USA (Borrego Springs) in November 2022 and then I’ll be doing the Race around Austria in August 2023.…

KABIR’S ENDURANCE-RACING TIPS

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