Table of contents for July 2021 in Cycling Plus

Cycling Plus’s annual bike testing behemoth that is Bike of the Year is consistently a massive undertaking for the whole team. And with a backdrop of the pandemic, the 2021 edition has been the logistical jigsaw to end them all; a maze of trade routes and tracking numbers, bike shortages and socially-distanced shoots, with even the stranded Ever Given ship playing a role. As you’ll see from page 25, however, it’s been worth the sleepless nights, with an unparalleled mix of insight from tech editor Warren, inspirational imagery and some glorious bikes on display. I owe the team a cold drink or two. Enjoy the issue… SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & COMPETITIONS AS PART OF OUR SUBSCRIBER CLUB! SUBSCRIBE! NEW SUBSCRIBERS TO CYCLING PLUS CAN GET A…

300% THE GEAR PROGRESSION OF THE 10-30 CASSETTE; IT’S 255% FOR AN 11-28 1550g WEIGHT OF THE ALEX RXD3S-VERY LIGHT FOR ALLOY RIMMED WHEELS The SLR is stable at high speeds but with a steering response quick enough to keep things exciting when pushing your limits Boardman Bikes may only be in its teenage years but, since its 2007 birth, its British-designed bikes have gained a massive popularity for riders of all disciplines and at every price point. Nicole Cooke powered a Boardman bike to Olympic victory in 2008 and Boardman-riding cyclists have racked up numerous titles on the road, off-road and in triathlons. As with many of its rivals, the SLR 9.4 was designed to provide genuine aerodynamic advantages – but it’s also an endurance bike in the manner…

It’s swift enough to hustle along at pace without becoming nervy over rough surfaces GR stands for ‘cross, gravel and race’ but I like to think that Ribble’s titanium CGR brings a bit more refinement beyond the CGR’s usual jack-of-all-trades aspirations. And Ribble has clearly put a great deal of attention into this titanium frame, with rack mounts and a dynamo-ready carbon fork with mudguard fittings. The CGR’s combination of titanium, Ultegra Di2 and carbon wheels is an impressive achievement at this price. The frame geometry sits between road endurance and gravel without drifting too far into either or becoming too sedate. The handling is neutral – swift enough for you to hustle along at pace or swing through dry singletrack without ever becoming nervy over rough surfaces. The 40mm…

The gravel genre has captured the imagination of the adventurous cyclist. What started out as a niche has become a genuine trend and a platform for freedom, allowing you to step out of your front door and straight into an adventure, regardless of terrain. Of the many gravel bikes that have been put through their paces by Cycling Plus in the past year, the four on test here represent the whole spectrum. The Boardman ADV 9.0 (£1800) comes with a lean carbon frame and relatively affordable price tag, while the stylish and sleek Cinelli King Zydeco (£2849) is pitched at gravel (and road) speed. Taking things up a notch in both price and spec is the Pearson Off Grid (£4000) from the celebrated Brit brand, which again has a roadinfluenced…

On the road the Caledonia feels just like a Cervélo, the rigid feel of the frame making it as responsive as an S-Series bike Canada’s Cervélo is a company that has focused on racing and been committed to aerodynamics from its inception. Its S-Series designs defined aerodynamic race bikes and inspired the likes of both Trek’s Madone and Cannondale’s SystemSix. Cervélo’s R-Series bikes were built for Grand Tours and combined low weights with aerodynamic frame profiles, and even Cervélo’s Aspero gravel bike is an aerodynamic, lightweight race-focused machine. Which makes the Caledonia a big departure for the company. The primary goal behind the Caledonia was to create a bike for a much wider cycling audience – an endurance machine designed to compete against the likes of Giant’s Defy, Cannondale’s Synapse,…

Specialized’s eye-wateringly expensive Aethos stands out from today’s cutting-edge frames in all sorts of ways. There’s no mention of aerodynamics, kammtail tubes or dropped seatstays… there’s no Future Shock suspension or Hover bar. This is not what we’d expect from Specialized’s design team, which usually seems determined to be as forwardthinking as possible. No, Specialized’s new S-Works Aethos is all about purity and delivering a super-lightweight performance with price clearly not one of its considerations. The claimed frame weight is just 585g for a 56cm model and the overall weight of our 58cm test bike is a scant 6.39kg, seriously featherweight for a bike with disc brakes. Remarkably, there’s also an even lighter and more exclusive ‘Founder’s Edition’ Aethos. Limited to just 300 bikes worldwide, this weighs just 6kg but…

From seeing spoke-thin Tour de France professionals to overhearing talk about power-to-weight ratios, road cycling can seem like an intimidating sport for heavier riders. But as cycling is non-weight-bearing, it’s actually the ideal pursuit for overweight riders, tall riders, heavy ex-rugby players or former cyclists who have piled on the pounds in middle age. “Cycling is an inclusive sport,” says Bianca Broadbent (@thecyclephysio), specialist sport physio at Spire Healthcare. “There are a multitude of specialisms, from road to gravel, each with options to adopt a position that works best for your confidence, capability and shape. Cycling is also low impact, meaning that you place less strain through your soft tissue.” Cycling physio Nic Roberts (velophysio.co.uk) concurs that cycling is a smart choice for overweight athletes. “Cycling is a great exercise…

WE SAY… The Airstep is a neat, solid, space-saving design that works well and is easy to use £64.99 Step on it and inflate with ease We cyclists spend a lot of time pedalling our bikes primarily with the largest muscle groups in the body, but inflate our tyres with the use of comparatively spindly arms and lower back. The Airstep’s modern take on the classic foot pump seeks to rectify this with a design approved by SQlab who majors in performance-based ergonomics. Unlike the skinny, metal-framed, Schraderonly car-foot pumps that inhabited so many parents’ garages, the Airstep has a wide, chunky plastic base with small rubber feet to stop it from creeping along the ground during use. Its sprung step is aluminium with raised SKS logos providing anti-slip sole…

Cycling shoes are one of your main points of contact with your bike and a pair of ill-fitting or poorly-shaped cycling shoes can seriously reduce your cycling fun and cause health issues, including numb feet, hot spots, foot fatigue, knee and back pain as well as discomfort in the saddle. Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned cyclist, it’s never too late to measure your feet to ensure you have the correct-fitting riding shoes. Top cycling shoe makers, Lake, has launched a new campaign called Find Your Fit in its bid to make sure that cyclists are being correctly measured up. Head to lakecycling.co.uk to find your local Lake shoe fitter or to use the at-home measurement tool that’ll guide you to choosing the right model and size for your…

WE SAY… If you’re a svelte rider these are some of the most comfortable warm-wea ther bibs you can buy £165 High-end bibs designed for long, hot rides COLOUR Black SIZE XS-XXXL WEIGHT 182g The superlative Mille GT bibs from Assos are aimed at the racer who demands top performance for long days in the saddle. They are the second generation of Mille and, according to the Swiss brand, are an all-new bib short featuring a new double-layer pad insert, fatigue-reducing compressive textile, along with a redesigned fit. Svelte racers will love the elasticated ‘Xbib’ straps that do away with mesh uppers, making them more like shorts with straps than bibs. They don’t help to hold the midriff pulled in if you’re carrying extra. Assos uses its GTS C2 summer…

THE WINNING TIP! WOBBLE BOARD Trek-Segafredo’s American rider Tayler Wiles hones her balance on the bike with the help of a balance board. “I love dynamic workouts so I use my balance board for fun,” she explains. “You can do squats or lunges or even just dance on it.” You can pick up a balance board (BeElite balance board, wiggle.co.uk, £25) and wobble your way to balletic balance on the bike. MEET THE AUTHOR A sportswriter and fourtime Haute Route finisher, Mark regularly interviews pro cyclists and experts to explore the latest health insights In most cyclists’ quest for selfimprovement, balance rarely receives much attention, yet it’s a vital foundation for your overall performance. Good balance – your ability to maintain your posture and centre of gravity as you ride…

Alan’s athletic drive and laser focus helped him win world titles in duathlon In the opening salvo to the recently released, second instalment of his The Cycling Chef recipe series, Alan Murchison writes: “What I love about cycling is probably exactly what you love about cycling. It’s going full gas and burying myself.” It was a line that had spooked me for some time heading into this Big Ride on Alan’s Winchester stomping ground, which I hoped would provide some context for its creation. Because, I’ll admit, ‘burying myself’ is something I certainly don’t love. In truth, I already knew of Alan’s reputation as a ferociously competitive trainer and competitor. He’s collaborated with Cycling Plus in the past, writing recipes and performance nutrition advice, and those that have ridden with…

Put simply, 2021 is a massive year for the future of sportives in the UK. Event organisers have been floored by the impact of a locked-down nation, with the heavily curtailed 2020 season leading to plenty of outgoings, but little in return once deferrals and refunds have been factored in. It’s true that virtual events and indoor Zwift sessions have slightly filled the racing void. But there’s nothing that beats the experience of a real-world outdoor event for enjoyment, scenery, camaraderie and finish-line satisfaction, whether it’s your first 50km sportive or your 14th Fred Whitton. From performance tips to recommended kit and a sportive training plan, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and guidance here to power your next big ride. I seem to have signed up for many of the…

Being seen is an absolute priority when you’re riding at night or in low light conditions. Regular bike lights provide visibility from ahead and behind, but they’re much less helpful for being seen from the side at junctions, crossroads and roundabouts. Which is where British brand LittyKitty comes in with its products. LittyKitty’s 360-degree Bicycle Spoke Lights consist of units for front and rear wheels, each comprising a soft plastic tube containing 20 super-bright LEDs. Fitting is simple. You just thread the tubes between the spokes inside the rim and mount the control box securely to the spokes using the included zip ties, which does take a little care. Three standard AA batteries provide more than 48 hours of illumination on constant, and significantly longer in flash mode. The units…

Neat features add to its versatility and practicality, and it majors on aesthetics too At this price, you’re not going to get the ground-breaking IsoSpeed decouplers of Trek’s carbon Domanes – the comfort of this more modestly priced aluminium Domane comes from its geometry and largevolume tyres. But it’s a great-looking bike, tidily welded and with a metallic orange finish that’s stunning in the sunlight. The Domane’s sportive/endurance geometry creates a riding position that’s comfortable enough for day-long cruising, and is complemented by the well-shaped bar, padded bar tape and Bontrager saddle. The 32mm tyres also nicely damp road vibrations and smooth out ruts, potholes and bumps. The components are well-chosen, based around wide-ranging Shimano 105 gears and hydraulic brakes. The Bontrager Affinity TLR wheels may only be a higher-entry-level…

The contenders BOARDMAN SLR 9.4 AXS DISC CARBON £2700 CANNONDALE SUPERSIX EVO CARBON DISC ULTEGRA £3950 GIANT TCR ADVANCED PRO 1 £4199 RONDO HVRT CF1 ULTEGRA £4699 Thousands of miles ridden on roads and gravel tracks. Some 21 bikes tested (not to mention the countless models that didn’t make the final cut). And £101,185 of the greatest drop-bar bikes all in one place. The 2021 Bike of the Year has, once again, been gruelling but rewarding, intense but inspiring. And plenty of fun. The 2021 edition has also been far from normal with a backdrop of a global pandemic, unprecedented shortages and pricing pressures from a combination of global factors and political decisions. My usual collaborative efforts when it comes to whittling down to the winning bikes have also been…

Question #1 What bike should I buy? → If you’re a heavier rider, choose comfort over performance to start with. “This may be a bike that puts you in a more upright position, to allow space for the hips to move freely without compression of soft tissues,” suggests physio Nic Roberts. “This could be a hybrid bike or an endurance road bike with a more relaxed geometry.” Don’t rule out an ebike either: “The best bike is the one that allows you to achieve your goals at any given point in time – and ebikes open up a new world for beginners,” adds physio Bianca Broadbent. Whatever you choose, make sure you get a good fit. “It’s imperative that your position is functional so you can put your foot down…

WE SAY… Good value for money, looks great and suitable for long-haired riders £49.99 Fit for purpose The Chameleon is Lazer’s costeffective take on a gravel helmet. With a more rounded shape than the Rudy Project it features huge vents with substantial strips of hardshell covered foam between them. The rigid peak is much more roadie-esque at 25mm deep and gives the Chameleon a cool, urban look, rather than a pseudo mountain-bike style. You wear it well Thick pads sperate the helmet from your head. The rear cradle is well-shaped and uses Lazer’s Roll-Sys adjuster – a barrel mounted on the top of the helmet. This cleans up the rear cradle leaving plenty of space for long-haired riders, so it’s ponytail friendly too. The knurled barrel is easy to use…

WE SAY… It will divide opinion, but there’s something in this wavy rim profile £3199.99 Will you leave others in your Wake? The Wake 6560 wheelset was the first product of this American company. The 6560 in the name relates to the road wheelset’s differential rim height, which undulates between 65mm and 60mm. There are 24 raised lobes per rim, which PCW says reduces drag and the effects of vortex shedding as a result of dynamic cross-section variability. It also claims that the design has mechanical benefits; with each spoke ensuring its surrounding carbon fibres are tensioned, the rim is stronger and requires less material, weighing under 490g each. That all translates into a concept where the rider gains the aerodynamic benefits of a deeper rim profile while also enjoying…

WE SAY… These are excellent all-rounders that come armed with large pockets to store essentials £110 Multi-purpose bibs with useful pockets and a moderate price COLOUR Black, Navy/White SIZE XS-XXL WEIGHT 198g Rapha punts the Core Cargos as a dependable pair of everyday bibs for all types of riding, with the added bonus of pockets. They’re also more affordable than Rapha’s high-end Cargo shorts (£190). Unlike the Cargo shorts they aren’t water-resistant. However, they’re designed as an allrounder with additional pockets, which makes them ideal for endurance and gravel riding while large mesh side pockets allow you to stash everything you normally would in jersey pockets. Rapha uses a midweight, dense-knit fabric for the legs and lower body, with 4cm-wide laser-cut silicone leg grippers. This is combined with high-stretch upper…

MEET THE COACH Ex-pro rider for UCI teams Team Wiggins, Rapha Condor and Madison Genesis. Now coaching in Shrewsbury at Holohan Coaching THE GOLDEN RULE PREVENTION NOT CURE Prevention is always better for performance than cure. Take time to warm up and prepare the body for exertion, and aim to become a healthy, functional human before focusing on cyclingspecific training. For the elite athlete consistency in training is non-negotiable; anything that would cause a disruption to this needs to be dealt with straight away. “I advise athletes to start the season with a medical to check,” says former pro cyclist and coach Liam Holohan. “This should include blood tests and a cardiological examination; if you’re a pro rider this is mandatory with the UCI. It’s an area that was highlighted…

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE BEFORE THE BIKE? “Five years ago, after having had my eighth knee operation, I was told by my surgeon to stop running. When I asked him, ‘For how long?’ my surgeon’s answer was, ‘Permanently.’ I really felt at that moment that my sporting life was completely doomed as I’d regularly competed in triathlons, 10km runs and half-marathons for fun.” HOW DID THE BIKE CHANGE YOUR LIFE? “After my operation, cycling (and swimming) became more than just my impact-free rehabilitation. I decided to buy a new bike, a Trek Madone 2.1, and I started cycling outdoors regularly with a friend, Dave. Doing that really helped me to regain my confidence. It was enough for me to pluck up the courage to enter my first sportive – the…

RETURNING CLASSIC After a winter-long hiatus through lockdown, cycling events returned to the UK in April. One of the biggest was UK Cycling Events’ sell-out New Forest Classic at the brilliantly named Gang Warily in Hampshire from 17-18 April. Riders were capped at 600 per day to meet British Cycling’s guidelines for the return of sportive events, with riders ranging from five years old (yes, five) to 78 taking on one of the 17, 53, 92 and 127km routes. Coastal views, woodland stretches and moorland ventures were ticked off in the New Forest, with tandem, town, touring and mountain bikers joining the road-bike contingent.…

1 ALTURA AIRSTREAM MITTS These are our favourite highquality, low-priced mitts. Available in six sizes and multiple colours, they have a comfortable synthetic suede palm without excessive padding, and are wicking and breathable thanks to the perforated palm panels. There’s also a large microfibre sweat wipe, and handy finger pull tabs for easy removal. £17.99 2 FIZIK LIN:K SEAT PACK A saddlebag for your sportive and long rides is a handy purchase for carrying a multi-tool, spare tubes and tyre levers. The medium-size Lin:k only has a half-litre volume but the side opening – with a waterproof zip around most of the length – makes it easy to load. It also means it’ll fit a wide 27.5-inch inner tube, tool, levers and a CO2 cannister. £18.99 3 TOP EAK POCKET…

One of the best ways to keep motivated and stick with your newfound/refound love of riding is to set a goal. One of the simplest things for a cyclist to target is a significant distance. Depending on your fitness, that can be from 30 up to 100 miles, or more – anything you realistically believe you can achieve in a set time. Whether you opt to ride your goal distance on your own (we wouldn’t recommend it), enter a sportive or take part in a charity challenge, one thing’s for sure – you’ll need to train. It’s a good job then that we have a training schedule especially for you. Read our advice and follow our plans to be ready to ride a 40- to 80-mile event in just three…

THE BIG PICTURE FOUR-MIDABLE Maybe it was his return to the team with the Midas touch, Deceuninck Quick-Step, or that he was back riding his favourite Specialized bikes, or that he’s returning to his best form following the Epstein-Barr virus that sabotaged his health for years. It’s probably a bit of all three, but at April’s Tour of Turkey, Mark Cavendish, at 35, was back to winning ways. Here he’s outsprinting Jasper Philipsen for the third of four stage wins, in his most prolific race haul in five years.…

01 100% S3 NEON WITH HIPER RED LENS £179 We highly rated 100%’s classic S3 model as stellar riding glasses, and they now come in this hot-for-summer soft-touch neon orange frame with a brilliant Hiper Red lens. If you find all of this a touch too colour blinding, then you also get a second clear lens included along with optional nose pieces, a soft cleaning bag and a zipfastening hard case. 02 CONDOR MERINO GRAVEL SOCKS £19.99 Condor’s new mid-weight Gravel socks have been specifically designed for riding on the rough stuff with a tall cuff, reinforced heels and padded footbed. They’re woven from 70 per cent Merino wool, which helps regulate temperature, keeping your feet cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s not. They also have antibacterial properties…

When pandemic restrictions closed his entertainment business in March 2020, Bruce Tait was sitting in the premises of his Tyneside yard with business partner, Iain, wondering what on earth they could do. The steady stream of passing cyclists doing National Cycle Route 72, the Hadrian’s Wall trail right alongside, provided the inspiration. Bruce reopened it as a cycling cafe, calling on his previous experience as assistant manager for a coffee shop chain. Now it’s thriving as a cake and coffee stop for riders, particularly coast-tocoasters – it’s only a mile to the popular C2C route’s Newcastle branch, and Gateshead Millennium Bridge is five easy miles away along the flat riverside path. The covered courtyard’s wooden tables are also busy with local mountain bikers (of which Bruce is one) and people…

The Xelius blends a smooth yet exciting ride with swift, accurate handling The Xelius has been a Lapierre mainstay for years, the distinctive triple-triangle bikes being ridden by the Groupama-FDJ team since 2009. The latest generation Xelius SL frameset is both lighter than ever and more comfortable, thanks to the radical frame design’s seatstays that bypass the seat tube junction entirely before joining the top tube. For the 2021 model Lapierre has incorporated aero elements from its other pro-level bike, the Aircode DRS (CP377). The down tube has a kammtail-like profile to reduce drag, an aero aspect shared by a head tube that’s topped with a flush-fitting aero top. The fork also has aeroshaped legs that bow outwards to keep the fork legs away from air that has been disrupted…

It’s a real joy on sweeping descents and reassuringly surefooted over rougher tarmac BMC launched the Roadmachine in 2017 to replace its award-winning GF01, and while the original Roadmachine wasn’t a gravel bike as such, it was certainly ‘gravel adjacent’. This year’s model has the same sporty riding position but greater tyre clearance – up to 33mm – with improved drivetrain stiffness and extra compliance. All the usual improvements… The bike’s ride quality is genuinely exceptional in spite of its middling 8.27kg weight. It’s stiff and efficient under pedalling but BMC has improved rear-end compliance – aided by the dedicated D-shaped carbon seatpost – and reduced roadborne vibrations through the front. Some of that is down to Vittoria’s graphene-infused tyres, which felt supple, smooth and grippy during some extremely poor…

184g THE WEIGHT OF THE ARC8’S COMFORTABLE CARBON SEATPOST 7.5kg OVERALL WEIGHT. YOU COULD GO LOWER WITH RIM BRAKES OR HIGHER SPEC KIT The ARC8 feels swift. The bottom bracket stiffness is ideal for getting power down and the steering response is fast, not flighty ARC8 is the brainchild of Swiss engineer Jonas Mueller in partnership with long-time friend Serafin Pazdera. While at BMC Mueller was behind bikes such as our 2015 Bike of the Year, GF01. ARC8 presently only sells framesets so you can individualise the specification with your ARC8 dealer. We asked ARC8 to build ours using Ultegra Di2 to keep the price down – compared with Dura-Ace or SRAM Red – while still delivering a superbike performance. Shifting is accurate, and the braking, with its Ice-Tech rotors,…

The S-Works Tarmac is a devastatingly effective, singularly focused ride, and climbing and sprinting on it are a joy Specialized’s Tarmac is a benchmark for race bikes, one that’s crossed finish lines first countless times, including Tour de France and Vuelta victories. Specialized’s all-new S-Works Tarmac SL7 replaces both the previous SL6 and the aerofocused Venge, incorporating features of each into a race bike that’s designed to be both aerodynamic and light. We tested the halo S-Works model with SRAM Red eTap AXS; the SL7 is also available at the same price in a slightly lighter build with Dura-Ace Di2. Stiff, fast and fearsome The SL7 is a fearsomely expensive, fearsomely effective speed machine that will delight go-fast riders with its ultra-stiff frame, sublime handling and engaging ride, but may…

As you’ll have discovered by reading our Bike of the Year 2021 coverage, the Boardman SLR 9.4 AXS Disc is a superbly crafted machine. The all-round performance is stunning, and its component selection and build utilise some of the smartest choices around. It’s taken our ultimate accolade for 2021 by being a bike that balances all aspects incredibly well. It’s comfortable, rapid, smooth and huge fun to ride. And at a more affordable price point of £2700 too. The twin jewels in its Bike of the Year crown, however, are the frame and forks: the heart of any great bike, and an area in which the Britishbased Boardman team focused on to ensure that the new SLR chassis would blend comfort, aerodynamics and performance capabilities. The concept The crew behind…

FROM THE EDITOR… As if the chance to save 25 per cent and to have every issue of Cycling Plus delivered direct to your door wasn’t enough of an incentive, this issue we’re offering readers a free Syncros Matchbox Coupe Bottle Cage worth £39.99. Featuring a 10-function multi-tool hidden discreetly beneath the top-entry cage, this smooth-looking, low profile and easy-to-use multi-purpose bottle cage means you’ll stay prepped to fix any unforeseen mechanicals on the bike. PLUS ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & COMPETITIONS AS PART OF OUR SUBSCRIBER CLUB! WORTH £39.99 HURRY! OFFER ENDS 9 JUNE 2021 FEATURES • 10-function multi-tool • Low-profile design mounts seamlessly to the down tube or seat tube • Integrated storage top-entry bottle cage • Material: nylon + glass fibre GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE Get a…

WE SAY… The Novus Boost Evo Kit Carbonio is a light weight premium saddle with comfort in spades £259.99 A shorty from the Italian saddle maker When we tested the Novus Boost Evo Superflow in issue 377 we were impressed with the 245mm long and 145mm wide design. However, that mid-range saddle comes with a firm hull that won’t suit everyone. This premium Kit Carbonio model therefore induced a little apprehension because as saddles get lighter and pricier they also get firmer, which could push the Kit Carbonio into the realms of discomfort. Here the opposite is true. Yes, this is a premium saddle (just take a look at the price) and it’s incredibly light at only 166.1g, but it’s measurably more comfortable than the standard Boost Evo. The carbon…

WE SAY… A multi-purpose bag that’s comfortable and cheap but is lacking in the pocket department £29.99 Affordable commuter bag from Decathlon Is the working-from-home bubble about to burst? Recent research from Microsoft suggests so, with two-thirds of workers “craving” more in-person time with their teams. Zoom’s loss could be cycling commuting kit’s gain, especially with public transport remaining an unattractive prospect to many. Given its affordability and durability, the Elops Speed 100 will certainly be a draw to new cycling commuters, its broad appeal enhanced by being one of Decathlon’s in-store and website brands. The 20L volume of the lean, 635g Speed 100 mirrors the Oxford Aqua V20 (right) but is relatively low compared to the affordable commuter competition from Lomo (Lomo Hi-Viz Dry Bag 30L, £32.99) and DHB…

WE SAY… The overall fit, comfort and construction make these bib shorts great value for the cash £80 Reasonably priced bibs that punch above their price range COLOUR Black, Black/Blue, Black/Red, Black/White, Navy SIZE XS-XXL WEIGHT 184g The Aerons are made from sustainably produced Italian performance fabrics. They boast a quality custom chamois from Elastic Interface, filter-down technologies and features you’d find on more expensive bibs. Elastic Interface’s Paris HP pad is optimised for riding on the hoods and claims to keep you comfortable for seven hours, or more, in the saddle. It features three different densities of foam, with ultra-highdensity inserts beneath the sit bones, plus a gender-specific shallow central channel to relieve pressure and aid blood flow. The Aeron shorts use panels cut from two different technical fabrics:…

1 PACING PERFECTION Is there an ideal pacing template for a sportive? ‘Even pacing’ would initially seem the most effcient. There are no spikes in power to drain your glycogen reserves or burn your muscles. The problem is, in reality it’s the hardest pacing strategy to follow, whether you’re pacing by speed or a physiological parameter (such as power output or heart rate [HR]). You see, if the course features the odd hill or two, no matter the gradient, maintaining an even speed means a power profile packed with spikes; if you’re looking to maintain an even power/HR profile, it necessarily follows your speed will be variable. There’s also ‘negative splitting’, where you start slow and gradually increase speed. This is a possibility on pancake-flat sportives, but on hilly events,…

01 DARTMOOR CLASSIC Newton Abbot, Devon 20 June • 62, 109 or 177km • £43 The Dartmoor Classic began life in 2007 and has since become an essential fixture for UK riders and beyond, regularly attracting some 4000 entrants to the south west. Beginning at Newton Abbot racecourse, the three openroad routes on offer all venture away from the coast and into the rugged and windswept hills of Dartmoor National Park. With 3400m of climbing on the longest route, it’s certainly no picnic, although the famous feed stations, which our features editor likens to a Waitrose deli counter, will certainly ease the pain. dartmoorclassic.co.uk 02 SOUTH DOWNS TOUR Arundel, West Sussex 3 July • 85, 131 or 159km • £25-£40 From the Jurassic Coast to Yorkshire via the Mendips, Chilterns…