Indice dei contenuti per June 2022 in Cycling Plus

The eagle-eyed of you will already have noticed that we’ve been busy giving Cycling Plus an upgrade this month, revamping some pages, servicing others and replacing older parts. Highlights include a completely new ‘The Hub’ section to kick off this edition, an array of fresh expert contributors and gear reviewers, and our new ‘The Big Read’ feature slot on page 60, which this month looks into the supply-chain crisis. I hope you’ll agree that it’s a cleaner and classier publication that captures the many joys of the cycling world. As always, let me know what you think. Enjoy! Your experts John Whitney Deputy editor The Hub finds Cycling Plus’s long-standing oracle of cycling offering his cycling highlights of the month and celebrating the history of the Giro d’Italia’s Maglia Rosa…

George Bennett, 31, is a New Zealand road cyclist who rides for UAE Team Emirates, after moving from Jumbo-Visma for 2022 I can’t speak for the readers of this magazine in the UK, but if you’re anything like those riders in Australia, or us New Zealanders, you’re actually quite scared to ride your bike on the open roads. There just seems so much animosity towards cyclists that manifests itself in people doing stupid shit to prove a point. Too many drivers will pass far closer than they need to and seemingly don’t realise it’s so dangerous. I’ve never understood the psychology of this but, when you’re in a car, you get very angry, and you completely forget that you’re playing with somebody’s life. I think it’s a huge issue and,…

Weight 7.87kg Frameset Carbon HUS with liquid crystal polymer Gears Campagnolo Ekar 9-42t cassette, 40t crankset Brakes Campagnolo Ekar Wheels Campagnolo Shamal Carbon C21 Finishing kit Vilier J-bar bar and stem, Rave SLR custom seatpost, Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres THE WILIER RAVE SLR is a race-focused gravel bike that doubles up as a convincingly competent road bike. This is reflected in the available builds for the Rave, which cover both road and gravel riding, with groupsets and wheels to suit. I tested the Campagnolo Ekar build, which is paired with Campagnolo Shamal Carbon C21 wheels and Wilier finishing kit. Where the Crux and Checkpoint sit respectively further into the adventurous end of the gravel bike spectrum, the Rave is the most road-like on paper and while riding. The handling is…

Jacques Anquetil was the master of it in the ’50s and ’60s. Miguel Indurain made it look natural in the ’90s. And Bradley Wiggins turned it into an art form in more recent years. The special quality that all of these riders shared was their uniquely elegant pedal stroke. Exuding poise, rhythm and control, they looked less like they were engaged in brutal physical exercise and more like they were gracefully playing a musical instrument. To a coach or sports scientist, a smooth pedal stroke is all about power and efficiency. But to the cycling cognoscenti, it’s also a question of style. This hard-to-define aesthetic quality is known in France as ‘souplesse’ – a poetic word that perfectly evokes the blend of suppleness and finesse that characterises a sublime pedal…

How has Covid impacted your business, both in the workshop and the shop element? ● I was forced to take time off to look after and home school my children during the first lockdown, but when schools reopened I could work full-time again. By then, there was an influx of new customers. The solid core of regulars were riding more, too, as a lot were working from home, which seemed to involve a three-hour ride every other day! Also, the boom in Zwift helped the business as I offer smart-trainer servicing. As for the shop, Covid has played a massive role in the shortage of parts. A surge in people riding during lockdown, combined with factories closing and being short staffed in Asia, left a massive hole in the inventories…

THE 36s AREN’T built like traditional wheels. They feature carbon-fibre spokes with alloy spoke ends ‘cooked’ or cured onto the carbon. This means the ends of the spokes aren’t bonded directly onto the wheels (as normally happens with all-carbon versions), making home servicing possible as these dual-material spokes can be adjusted in the same way as a traditional one. The spokes are also aerodynamically shaped, which Cadex claims will save you up to 2 watts over a standard spoked wheel. All this makes these spokes a massive 45 per cent lighter than steel-only spokes, with a pair of wheels tipping the scales (with tubeless valves, lockrings, and tapes in place) at 1322g (rear 731g, front 591g). It’s easy to set up tyres on the 22.4mm internal-width hookless rim, and the…

THIS JERSEY HAS all the hallmarks you’d expect of Rapha kit. The fabric feels delightful, the colour is rich and the details are well thought out. Pro-Team is Rapha’s range of race-focused premium cycling kit that uses the same tech as the brand’s sponsored teams, with lightweight fabrics and a focus on aerodynamics. It’s described as a jersey for cool weather, and the thermal aspect comes from the micro-grid construction that’s designed to wick sweat away and create warm pockets of air. This means the jersey is light, slimline and very breathable. It kept me comfortable during hard efforts in early spring, with sweat drying rapidly. The sleek fit also worked well for wearing under a waterproof in the wet. However, the jersey was very susceptible to the wind. When…

“Very fast drying, it resists odours too, plus it has a reflective strip on the back for increased visibility” AUSTRALIA’S MAAP CLOTHING has a reputation for making some of the most stylish road-bike clothing around. Now it’s branched out into commuter clothing that mixes style and performance for the ride to work. Its Shift Dry long-sleeved tee has a relaxed fit plus a reflective strip on the back for increased visibility. Its Drirelease fabric is silky soft to the touch, ultra-thin and lightweight with it. It’s made with a combination of recycled polyester and organic cotton, is very fast drying and resists odours too. The Motion shirt follows the ‘shacket’ trend and looks office smart while still being technical. The fabric is lightweight with four-way stretch and a DWR (durable…

Weight 24.7kg (57cm/L) Frame 6061 alloy Fork Alloy Gears Shimano Inter 7 Wheels Alloy rims, Nexus 7 rear hub Brakes Shimano hydraulic disc MT200 Ebike motor system Sport Drive gen IV, 418Wh battery Finishing kit Selle Royal Nuvola saddle, CST Otis 37c tyres DUTCH BRAND FRAPPÉ builds all of its bikes in Europe, and the whole line has more than a flavour of the classic Dutch roadster about it. Take this FSD M200: the slender aluminium frame evokes those classic steel roadsters that have remained unchanged for decades. Even its understated matt-black livery gives the FSD a retro air. The ride position is commanding and upright like a classic town bike, which stands out when most of us are used to riding drop-bar bikes, or racier flat-barred commuter machines. I…

Weight 1,871g (including Bontrager TLR strip) 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) Spoke type Bontrager bladed Rim material Carbon Tubeless? Tubeless ready At 50mm deep and 28mm at their widest, the Elite 50’s wide, bluntnosed 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 set-ups – 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,…

Weight 1,620g Rim depth 55mm Spokes 24 (f)/24 (r) FFWD claims the Ryot 55 is ‘the fastest wheel out there’, beating many of its similarly priced competitors in the wind tunnel. But there is a caveat – that test pitched the Ryot against wheels from the likes of Fulcrum and Roval that are no longer top of their respective ranges. Nit-picking, maybe, but it shows how fast the wheel market rolls on. FFWD has developed these wheels with ‘Laminar Airflow Wing’ tech to improve airflow between rim and tyre when using wider tyres, with a big 21mm internal width so your 25mm tyre blows up to over 28mm. Rim tape is included and you can run tubeless or clincher tyres. While not quite as fast to engage as the Deda…

Getting there ● If you’re able to book a spot for your bike, the mainline train to Penzance is the perfect car-free option. The historic port is also a decent base for the West Kernow Way, as is Marazion, Mousehole or Porthleven. 01 Where to stay ● We stayed at the Longboat Inn near the station. We’ll be staying across the road at the Premier Inn next time. 02 Where to eat ● We gorged on fish and chips and, yes, pasties at the 13th century Turks Head in Penzance, the café at Kynance Cove and the Tinners Arms in Zennor. The Little Wonder shack at Cape Cornwall is a mandatory cake stop. More to explore ● Cycling UK has again produced a winning route guide penned by Cycling Plus’s…

01 What do I need to wear? ● Having the correct clothing is essential on a long event. Good quality, worn-in shorts and socks, chamois cream and no underwear will all help reduce the risk of chafing. Also necessary is a cycling top with back pockets, a base layer – even if the weather is good, as it provides an extra layer between your skin and the road should you come off – and packable waterproof jacket. Check the weather forecast and remember lightweight layers are your friend. “GOOD-QUALITY, WORNIN SHORTS AND SOCKS, CHAMOIS CREAM AND NO UNDERWEAR WILL ALL HELP REDUCE CHAFING RISK” 02 What kit do I need? ● In addition to the obvious bike, helmet and shoes, other essentials are: lights, nutrition, water bottles, a phone, inner-tube…

01 Le Col Pro Seamless Cycling Bra £60 ● Comfortable and supportive, albeit not for the bigger-breasted woman, it’s flexible so works when you're on the hoods or drops. 02 Van Rysel RR900 Ultralight Jacket £39.99 ● Great for drizzle up to moderate showers but, understandably at this price, won’t withstand a downpour. Ultralight, breathable and packs well. 03 Fat Lad At The Back Kit £99.99 (bib shorts); £64.99 (jersey) ● As the name suggests, this is gear designed for the larger rider (but not just lads). Comfy, durable, looks good and great quality. 04 Triban GRVL 500 Shoes £49.99 ● As you’d expect from Decathlon, these are feature-packed at a great price. Power transfer’s good, thanks to the nylon outsole, and the quality's impressive. 05 Tacx Flow Smart Turbo…

● New gear Buyer’s Guide: Summer kit Plus! Women’s-specific saddles test ● Also inside… Long and Winding Road The rise of the mega sportive… and how to smash them Bikepacking Masterclass Head off the beaten track with confidence Bump in the Road Return from a crash stronger than ever New Rider’s Guide Indulge your burgeoning hobby with our 28-page special On sale 12 May 2022…

Axe to grind Forget the Tour de France’s yellow jersey: it’s surely the Maglia Rosa – the pink leader’s jersey of Italy’s national race, the Giro d’Italia, since 1931 – that’s the coolest of its kind. Try telling that, however, to Italy’s fascist dictator of the time, Benito Mussolini. According to Herbie Sykes, author of Maglia Rosa, a book on the history of the race, Benito Mussolini – in the characteristically insecure fashion of the strongman – thought pink was for girls. Pink, however, was the natural choice, given it was colour of the pages of newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, creators of the race. If it had to be pink, then his Fascist Party’s symbol – rods bound to an axe – would be stitched into its centre. It…

Each issue, with her ear to the world of UK cycling infrastructure, Laura will report on the setbacks our community faces – and how we’re fighting back On the face of it, it was any politician’s dream: changing a busy, congested street for the better, allowing all kinds of people to cycle for the first time in safety, increasing road capacity, and all with a few relatively cheap plastic bollards. It didn’t even negatively impact car journey times. The pop-up cycle lane on Upper Shoreham Road, installed rapidly in response to Covid-related transport pressures, did all of these things in a matter of weeks. It may not have been perfect in design, but its impact was undeniable. However, those who came to love and use the lane in its first…

Bottom bracket ● The bottom bracket connects the chainset (aka crankset) to the bike. It sits inside the frame at the junction of the down tube and seat tube and contains bearings that allow the crank arms to spin freely. There are many types, including threaded and press-fit, and sizes of BB depending on the brand. Cockpit ● Here, the writer’s referring to the stem and handlebar. The stem attaches the handlebar to the steerer tube of the bike’s fork. Disc brakes ● Disc brakes work by pistons pushing a pair of brake pads against a disc rotor attached to the wheel hub. Systems can be either mechanical (cable actuated) or hydraulic for maximum power and control. Groupset ● All the parts of the bike involved in braking, changing gear…

Weight 7.3kg Frame S-Works FACT 12r carbon Gears SRAM RED AXS XPLR 10-44t cassette, 40t power meter cranks Brakes SRAM RED eTap AXS hydraulic disc Wheels Roval Terra CLX Finishing kit Roval Terra bar, S-Works SL stem, Roval Alpinist seatpost, Specialized Pathfinder Pro THE SPECIALIZED CRUX is claimed to be the world’s lightest gravel bike, boasting a stated 725g frame for the 56cm size. Despite its stunningly low overall weight of 7.3kg, the Crux is a real joy to ride and makes no serious concessions to practicality in pursuit of feathery figures. My top model on test will set you back a whopping £11,300. This is not unheard of, but it’s still hard to stomach. The S-Works frameset gets Specialized’s lightest and stiffest 12r carbon-fibre layup. The bike is built…

● “Cycling is popular but I don’t feel the rate of growth can be maintained, so what will happen? Take some of the smaller customers, the custom-builders who we deal with. They might deal with 100 sets a year but are having to order way ahead of normal, so they’re asking for, say, 50 sets of steel tubing far ahead of selling the bike. That’s a lot of capital for them to find. It could be a risk. Then again, there’s a benefit to smaller companies who are agile and forge an array of supply lines. That’ll be a good foundation on which to grow. “For us, it’s a real change in behaviour that some customers are placing orders for 2023 when, in the past, we rarely had orders three…

Weight 11.6kg (M) Frame 6061 aluminium Fork Steel 1 1/8in steerer Gears Shimano Tourney, 50/34 ProWheel chainset, 14-28 Wheels 700c alloy rim, Kenda 700x25c tyres Brakes Tektro R312 calliper rim FOR LESS THAN the price of some high-end cycling shoes, you can buy a real bicycle with 14 gears. Surely there has to be a catch, doesn’t there? Well, while it isn’t perfect, the only model in WiggleCRC’s Brand-X range has the ride of a more expensive bike and I like its minimalist monochrome looks too. The semi-compact frame is made from the same 6061 aluminium seen on most budget road bikes, with bulky fish-scale welds. And while most of the frame tubes are round, the down-tube is ovalised vertically at the head-tube and horizontally at the bottom bracket, to…

THE SIGMA ROX 11.1 Evo has been designed to major on training functionality, complemented by GPS navigation that works in conjunction with Komoot and its own Sigma Ride app. The 1.77 inch display screen is small enough to sit unobtrusively on the bars but still packs in over 150 operations, including an emergency crash-notification feature. There’s no touchscreen, so you control modes via the four buttons. The Evo can pair with compatible ebike and e-gear sensors as well as working on manual bikes and you can set up screens manually or using the app: we would recommend the latter. The format allows you to prioritise key data (speed, distance and `time) on the screen. You can then go a step further by highlighting your most-used stats in up to eight…

THESE HAVE LONG been Le Col’s sole road-bike shoes and, while they’ve had a few updates along the way, the size range could still be a lot better. The luxurious feel of the shoes justifies the fairly high price tag, but the wipeable black colourscheme is a little shiny for us, so we’d go for the white option. Comfort comes Since Le Col’s founder Yanto Barker is a former pro, you might expect a racier shoe, but it’s comfort that’s the abiding feeling here. That snug cycling slipper sensation comes from a lengthy padded tongue that protects the foot from the duo of ATOP dials and wires, plus there’s a supple leather upper, secure heel counter and dense footbed. Despite this plushness, the 520g per pair weight is acceptable and…

Weight 1,558g Wheel size 700c Freehub options Shimano HG/SRAM XDR Rim depth 45.3mm Rim internal width 22.7mm Spoke count 24 (f)/24 (r) Spoke type Sapim bladed Rim material Carbon Tubeless? Yes Aimed at those who wish to hit top speed, such as road racers and time triallists, the 22.7mm internal width and recommended lower tyre pressures on these broaden their appeal to gravel and cyclocross fans, too. As well as being wide, the 303 S weigh a sensible 1,558g per pair. Measuring 45.3mm deep front and rear and with a maximum external width of 27.3mm, the profile tapers, still offering a blunt spoke bed, but not keeping width in the way other brands such as Hunt or Bontrager do. The 24 bladed Sapim spokes per wheel are laced in a…

Weight 1,540g Rim depth 45mm Spokes 24 (f)/24 (r) Ubiquitous Italian component outfit Deda’s Elementi SL45DB carbon wheelset is tubelessready, features wide internal rim beds and has an asymmetric design with 24 spokes front and rear. The 45mm-deep rims are made from high-modulus carbon that combines unidirectional and 3K construction techniques, all of which adds up to a combined weight of 1,540g (Deda recommends a 25mm tyre width). The SL45s feature top-of-the-range-ceramic bearings, which contribute to a smooth and balanced ride on the road. While not offering outrageous rim depth for extreme watt savings, that’s no bad thing as it performs superbly in the wind. And there’s still plenty enough aero advantage over shallower wheels. They’re also impressively stiff and strong, with no flex evident when accelerating or climbing. We’d…

Choose seasonal and local to max out on nutrients while minimising your carbon footprint One of the most nutritionally balanced vegetables, asparagus is in season from mid-April to mid-June in the UK. The word ‘asparagus’ comes from the Greek for ‘shoot’ and it’s thought to have originated over 2000 years ago in Greece, where people believed it would cure toothache and prevent bee stings amongst other things, and was even thought of as an aphrodisiac! The Romans also became fans and brought it to the UK during their conquests. It packs in a whole host of goodness, including folic acid, vitamins A, C, E and K plus potassium and thiamin, not to mention fibre, helping to provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, which could help protect against cancer. You can eat…

Looking to save money, boost your physical and mental health, and do your bit to save the environment, all while commuting? Well, Urban Cyclist is the guide for you. Here, you’ll discover the best bikes and gear to maximise your ride to work, plus a whole lot more. This is the must-have for every new or seasoned commuter… ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY www.buysubscriptions.com/urbancyclistss or call 03330 162 138 and quote ‘Urban Cyclist SS ’ Lines are open 8am-6pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays Overseas please call +44 (0) 1604 973 746 *Prices including postage are: £9.99 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…

Workout 01 Hill repetitions – beginners through to experts (2 hours) Coach Adam Duggleby MBE, Double Paralympic Champion and Level 3 British Cycling Coach (adamduggleby.com) Why do it? Sportives are normally hilly, so hill reps are a must to improve your climbing ability. Kit needed Preferably the bike you’ll be doing the sportive on. Nutrition Ideally drink 500ml energy drink per hour. You’re unlikely to need solid food for a 2hr ride. Warm-up 20 to 30min ride out in zone 2 (comfortable talking pace) to a 5min hill that’s roughly 10% or more in gradient. Main set Ride up the hill at 80-90% of maximum effort for 5mins (standing or seated is fine). Ride back down and have a minimum of 5mins rest between the repetitions. Repeat this a total…

Ned is the main commentator for ITV’s Tour de France coverage and editor of The Road Book. He also tours his own one-man show I have just come away from commentating on Milan-San Remo; something I have now had the great good fortune to do on four occasions. It’s a beautiful one-day race, with a unique set of challenges. Not least its almost absurd length. Unlike other Monuments [the biggest one-day races], like Il Lombardia and the Ronde van Vlaanderen, for example, the organisation have no choice about the fact that the race distance must, per force, be close to 300 kilometres, every single year. That’s because, frankly, it’s about 300 kilometres from Milan to San Remo; the race takes pretty much a direct route there. The only other option…

Looped in Cycling UK has added yet another long-distance route to its collection. The Cantii Way, a 145-mile (largely) tarmac loop based from the village of Wye near Ashford in Kent, launches on 26 May. Days of fold Brompton has unveiled ambitious (and approved) plans to move into a L100m factory on stilts in wetlands in Ashford, Kent, complete with museum and visitor centre. The aim is to open by 2027. Stage hunting Cycling Plus columnist Ned Boulting has announced the return of his one-man stage show. The 29-date, Retour de Ned, opens in Plymouth on 8 October. Visit ents24.com for tickets. Netflix & thrill The Tour de France and Netflix are partnering on a documentary for this year's race, according to a report in The Telegraph. Eight teams are…

Weight 9.47kg Frame Carbon Gears SRAM Rival AXS eTap XPLR, 10-44t cassette, 40t crankset Brakes SRAM Paceline hydraulic discs, 160mm rotors Wheels Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 Finishing kit All Bontrager: Elite Gravel bar, Pro stem, carbon seatpost, GR1 Team Issue 40c tyres OF THE THREE bikes in this test, the Trek Checkpoint is far and away the most versatile. It bristles with mounts for all sorts – triple-boss bikepacking bags, mudguards, extra bottle cages, pannier racks and top-tube bento boxes are all invited to the accessory party. In this second-tier SL guise, the Trek isn’t exactly a slouch at 9.47kg, but that’s 2.17kg more than the Crux. However, when you consider it is built up with SRAM Rival AXS XPLR and chunky alloy wheels, you’re not giving up much in…

“It dries out dampness in the pads quickly, before moisture can run from your brow” YOU MAY HAVE heard of the Prevail II (launched in 2020) that used the brilliant MIPS SL system that integrates the MIPS crash-protection system into the helmet’s padding. Instead of the extra insert you usually get with MIPS, the SL system suspends the helmet’s pads on elastomer spars that enable the pads to move independently of the helmet’s shell. This helps reduce rotational forces, just like the traditional version of MIPS is designed to do, but in a neater way. The Prevail has been one of my favourite helmets on warmer days and is well vented, light, comfortable and comes with the ANGi crash sensor that works with an app to send a text to…

PRIME IS THE in-house component brand of online retail giant Wiggle/CRC. Alongside great-value components and carbon wheels, it has added higher-end items too, such as this new saddle. The Primavera Shorty, as the name suggests, is a short saddle, with compact 240mm x 143mm dimensions. The advantage of this now-popular shorter shape is that, when you’re riding in the drops, there’s less saddle nose putting undue pressure where you don’t want it. Plus, if you’re riding more challenging terrain on a gravel bike, there’s less saddle to get in the way as you move around. It’s just a shame this one only comes in one width as using a saddle with the right width can make your rides a lot more comfortable. Prime’s Shorty includes tech usually found on saddles…

AFTER A TWO-YEAR development period, these are dhb’s first venture into the world of premium cycling footwear. Its standard Aeron Carbon and Trinity Tri shoes have long impressed me for their comfort and functionality, so my hopes were high for the Aeron Labs. On initial set-up, the cleat holes are fixed and forward facing (unlike the Le Cols, which offer a degree of fore/aft movement) and I struggled to find my perfect cleat placement throughout. Comfort goes Fit is subjective, but I never achieved levels of comfort in the dhbs compared to the Le Cols or my other dhb cycling shoes. The main issue was the short yet significant tongues digging into the front of my ankles, no matter how much tweaking I tried. Other riders have also experienced this…

01 Tubeless or clincher? ● A key question when it comes to wheel is, tubeless or clincher? Clincher tyres, with their simple inner tubes, are the system we grew up with, and they’re still one of the best and fastest options around. Our senior tech editor, Warren, vouches for the tubeless system, however, especially if you run tyres over 28mm wide. Tubeless are better when it comes to puncture resistance and avoiding pinch punctures. This is when the inner tube is ‘pinched’ between tyre and rim (when you hit a pothole at speed, for instance). A well-maintained tubeless set-up will seal small punctures from thorns and flints, as well giving you greater control over tyre pressures as you can run tubeless tyres at lower pressures. The downside is the learning…

Weight 1,524g Rim depth 54mm Spokes 20 (f)/ 24 (r) If you’re after a decent set of wheels that’ll cover you for road racing and tackling the stiffest of hills, plus are designed to perform in changeable conditions (clearly of benefit in the cantankerous United Kingdom), then the 54 Aerodynamicists from the Sussex-hailing Hunt are an impressive contender. These wheels have the same rim profile as Hunt’s premium 54 UD carbon spoke and 48 Limitless wheelsets, the trade-off being steel spokes instead of carbon; that said, all of the benefits of the tunnel-tested wide rims remain. Rim width is 29mm outer and 20mm internal, with Hunt recommending these for 23-50mm tyre widths. They’re remarkably stable in crosswinds considering the 54mm depth and that wider contact patch proficiently smooths out rough…

Weight 1,668g Rim depth 58mm (f)/62mm (r) Spokes 24 (f)/24 (r) For £150 more than Reynolds’ AR 58/62, the premium ARX wheelset comes with 24 Sapim bladed spokes per wheel and the American wheel titan’s all-road hub. They also include rather luxurious brass nipples that should last forever. There are 10° of engagement in the freehub and, if you’re a fan of a ride that’s accompanied by hub noise, then you’ll be pleased with these – they do sound rather intimidating. Rim tape comes already fitted (tubeless valves are also included) and fitting the tyres is stress-free. An internal width of 19mm front/21mm rear means that 25mm is the lowest tyre width you can go for. The pretty significant rim depth guarantees that the ARX 58/62s shine on both the…

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 Last time we spoke I briefly related my experience of riding a London to Brighton sportive at the rear end of last summer. Yes, I can see your lip curl at the back: “London to Brighton – 60 miles or 97 kilometres – is most definitely for wimps. Why doesn't he attempt something worthwhile?” Give me a break. These eighty six years weigh heavy on the bike, let me tell you that right now. Accompanying me on this London-Brighton ride were six of my fellow research workers from King's College and I rode with two of them. The first is a woman (Rider A)…

Etape Caledonia 15 May 2022 ● This sportive’s good for newcomers as it’s closed to traffic. There are 40- and 80-mile options. The terrain’s pretty challenging but you’ll take some comfort from the stunning views offered by the Scottish Highlands. Check the weather forecast beforehand. Tour Of Cambridgeshire 3-5 June 2022 ● This cycle bonanza features numerous ride options including your choice of a time-trial, plus 50-mile, 70-mile and 100-mile routes. As you’d expect from this part of the world, the terrain is pretty flat, but you’ll still need to put in the training hours. London To Brighton Cycle Ride 11 September 2022 ● Once out of the city, this legendary 55-mile effort’s mostly along quiet, flat country lanes passing through Mitcham, Carshalton and Haywards Heath before taking on the…