BIKE Magazine – August/September 2019

Health – Bike Reviews – Products – Holidays – European Cycling – Scotland

UK’S WORLDWIDE LEISURE CYCLING AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE

AUGUST/SEPT 2019

VINTAGE CYCLING

FESTIVAL BEWITCHED IN THE HARZ MOUNTAINS REDSPOKES

ADVENTURE TOURS

RIDE SOCIAL

GLASGOW TO FALKIRK AUGUST/SEPT 2019

page 24

MADE IN THE UK

2 BIKE MAGAZINE

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BIKE MAGAZINE 3

CONTENTS

INSIDE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

06 Tools of the trade Surrey Bike project and Surrey Choices have initiated a bicycle work experience course. > Help

08 Vintage cycling festival

28 GLASGOW TO FALKIRK

L’ Eroica Britannia is a vintage cycling festival in Bakewell now in its second year. The first event was a huge success with over 30,000 people travelling from all over the World to make the event truly wonderful > Festival

24 redspokes Adventure Tours A specialist adventure travel company, takes small groups of cyclists to spectacular and remote areas of the world. > Cycling Holidays

44 42 BEWITCHED IN THE HARZ MOUNTAINS

Lessons From the 91-Year-Old Carl At 91 years old, Carl Grove of Bristol, Indiana, has accomplished more in the last 10 years than most people ever will in a lifetime. But for him, it’s just business—or rather, life—as usual. > Health

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BIKE MAGAZINE 5

WELCOME

Welcome to the August/September issue I would like to introduce myself as the new editor of BIKE. My vision is to maintain our focus on leisure, sportives, commuting and tourism; covering riding in both the UK and abroad. I also want to extend our coverage of endurance riding and other disciplines such as cyclocross and mountain biking. In short I intend the magazine to do what it says on the cover: to look at the whole world of cycling including bikes, accessories, films, books, cafés – anything bike related the team are interested.

Something that is very important to me is communication with our readers, so I am starting a Letter Page. Do write and email with thoughts, comments, ideas and insights; there will be a prize for letter of the month.

work by bike and ride club runs and time trials. Previously I have worked for Sustrans, the Sustainable Transport Charity.

I am a British Cycling Coach and committee member for my local club, Thanet Road Club established in 1947.

This month’s issue looks forward to important events; nationally the Cycle Show in Birmingham and internationally the La Veulta a España, with a feature on Spanish training camps. We also look back on successful events: L’Eroica Britannia Festival and the legacy of the Tour de France in Utrecht. Of course, as ever, great rides are featured to encourage you to get out on your bike, be it Scotland, Taiwan or Sweden.

I hope you enjoy this issue. > Nick Branxton - Editor

A bit about my backgroundI’ve been riding a two-wheeled bike since I was 6 years old and presently commute to

Magazine Team

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UK’S WORLDWIDE LEISURE CYCLING AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE

AUGUST/SEPT 2019

VINTAGE CYCLING

FESTIVAL BEWITCHED IN THE HARZ MOUNTAINS REDSPOKES

ADVENTURE TOURS

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Sales Executive: Alexander Jameson T. +44 (0)20 7097 5177

Publisher 59 Jodane Street, London

GLASGOW TO FALKIRK AUGUST/SEPT 2019 MADE IN THE UK

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RIDE SOCIAL

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BIKE PROJECT

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Surrey Bike Project Helps People With Work Skills

Through the project individuals will learn the mechanics of a bike, how to fix them, and the basics of running a shop, including ways to keep customers happy. Each participant will be able to keep the bike that they’ve been working on at the end of the project, experiencing the accomplishment of working for their very own bike. Bikes are also sold to members of the local community at an affordable price, providing a healthy transport option.

BIKE MAGAZINE 7

BIKE PROJECT

The work experience course is designed for people over the age of 18, in the Westborough area. David O’Connor, Surrey Choices Employment Support Officer said: Surrey Bike project and Surrey Choices bicycle “It’s have greatinitiated to be aable to welcome work experience course. back this fantastic project, giving Surrey Choices EmployAbility service has teamed up with people the opportunities to gain Guildford Bike Project to offer 12-week work experiences valuable life skills as well as recyplaces, to support disadvantaged or disabled customers to cling oldThe bikes in the area. As our get ready for work or full-time volunteering.

Guildford Bike thirdbicycles project at the Guildford I’m sure project takes in donations of unwanted from local community, which are then up-cycled, whilst it will beproviding anothertraining, phenomenal valuable life skills and work experience. success. Over the past projects,

Through the project individuals will learn the mechanics of a bike, how to fix them,2015 and the basics of running a shop, Cycling World August including ways to keep customers happy. Each participant will be able to keep the bike that they’ve been working on at the end of the project, experiencing the accomplishment of dd 14 working for their very own bike. Bikes are also sold to members of the local community at an affordable price, providing a healthy transport option.

The work experience course is designed for people over the age of 18, in the Westborough area. David O’Connor, Surrey Choices Employment Support Officer said: “It’s great to be able to welcome back this fantastic project, giving people the opportunities to gain valuable life skills as well as recycling old bikes in the area. As our third project at Guildford I’m sure it will be another phenomenal success. Over the past projects, the results have been outstanding and I hope we can continue to make a difference to many more of our customers’ lives.”

Surrey Choices supports a range of people to find the best care, activities and services for their needs across Surrey.

EmployAbility is a dedicated service that helps to find work placements, training, volunteer opportunities and paid work.

Surrey Choices Employbility also runs a job club, which supports individuals to find employment in the future, including helping to write their CVs, setting up email accounts, giving them basic IT skills, interview tips and help with finding a job.

Bicycles from the Guildford Bike Project can be purchased from The Bike Shop at 35 Dartmouth Avenue, Sheerwater, Woking, GU21 5PE. To find out how you could get involved, contact David O’Connor, Surrey Choices Employment Support on 07713 479590 or email david.oconnor@surreychoices.com

Summary 18/08/2015 11:15

In summary, we take in donations of unwanted bicycles from the general public and fix them up with the help of volunteers, NEETs and jobseekers, whilst at the same time providing training, life skills and work-based experience. We then sell the refurbished bikes to members of the local community for an affordable price, providing a healthy transport option. In addition, the income from sales of the bikes makes the project sustainable.

The enterprise will use refurbishment of donated bicycles to promote self-reliance and self-confidence by giving young people and jobseekers the opportunity to learn, acquire new skills and gain work experience. Each participant in the project will also experience the accomplishment of having earned a bike through their own work.

The learning and skills developed through the project will range from office and business skills to bike maintenance skills leading to accreditation. Two volunteers to the project are being trained to become tutors in the Lifelong Learning sector. Over time it may be possible for those who have developed in confidence and acquired bicycle maintenance qualifications to progress to courses offered by the local college in areas such as motor vehicle or plumbing.

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VINTAGE CYCLING FESTIVAL

BIKE MAGAZINE 9

VINTAGE

L’ Eroica Britannia is a vintage cycling festival in Bakewell now in its second year. The first event was a huge success with over 30,000 people travelling from all over the World to make the event truly wonderful; the big question was would the follow-up event live up to the billing of the first one ...

The event was started by Giancarlo Brocci in 1997 who had a desire to preserve cycling history and the Strada Bianche (white gravel roads synonymous with the Giro stages) in his native Tuscany. Since then the event has grown beyond all expectations and the concept has travelled far and wide with Eroica Events now held in the USA, UK, Japan and Spain as well of course, the starting point Italy.

Rick Perkins rick@force5marketing.co.uk

The event is a mixture of both festival, food, music, vintage dress, entertainment; including the family and cycling. To participate entrants are expected to ride a pre-1987 bicycle that conforms to the following rules: Plus some other minor requirements … however, these rules are not enforced so the whole situation is left to the discretion of the riders and on the whole people followed the spirit of the event and rode on period bikes. The bikes are only the start though … for many the dressing up is just as much a part of the event as the bikes and there were some very fine examples of vintage dress; and facial hair.

Given the success of last year it was a tough act to follow. Word travelled quickly amongst cycling heroes and the 2015 event sold out with almost double the amount of riders registered. This year the festival goers were charged an entrance fee which obviously gave the organisers a much bigger budget to work with.

This resulted in the vast improvement of the facilities in terms or toilets and showers which seemed to be the only gripe from the previous year.

Unfortunately you can’t buy good weather.

The event starts for riders on the Friday afternoon as we arrived after lunch in our VW Camper and were quickly camped up in the “home fields” and made our way to rider registration. Registration was simple and the musette of goodies

was handed over, with yet again an impressive contents including: Thornbridge Eroica exclusive beer, Hendrick’s gin, Fentiman’s lemonade, Lush cosmetics, Yorkshire tea and a traditional Bakewell Pudding plus rider numbers, rider card and maps.

The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the festival stalls that were retailing and/or promoting. There was a mixture of big name corporate sponsors promoting their goods but the vast majority of the vendors were small artisan outfits that were very much in keeping with the theme of the festival. In the background there was constant entertainment on the main stage and other tents. The brass band deserve a special mention as they played outstandingly and the sound drifting across the festival grounds really did set the whole event off. There was also a fine selection of quality food outlets and of course a substantial beer tent.

The Best Bike competition started with the various contenders with a vast array of machines parading around the show ring as the judges selected a number of bikes for a “short list”. These bikes were then placed in stands in the Parade Ring where they could be admired and critiqued by the festival goers and judges alike. My Pinarello Montello made the short list with a lot of interest from fellow cyclists, but did not make the final 10 … a travesty … although this later turned out to be a blessing as the finals overran and would have interfered with our dinner arrangements! The Best Bike was won by a chap called Macca who had a very nicely restored Raleigh Panasonic Replica. There were so many nice bikes on show spanning over 100 years of bicycle production the judges didn’t have an easy job.

Whilst the Best Bike category was popular and hotly-contested the other categories had been approached with equal dedication with some impressive outfits and facial hair on show. In the evening we had booked a meal with Seven Mile; a mobile event caterers. The three course dinner was very tasty with carefully selected wines per course if desired.

It was nice to meet other festival goers over dinner and chat about the anticipated ride the next day.

The alarm went off at 5:30 and after a hurried breakfast I set off through

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VINTAGE

a sleepy camp ground towards the start in the centre of Bakewell. As I had entered the 100 mile ride my starting slot was between 6am and 7:15am.I did feel particularly sorry for the chap I saw fixing a puncture watched by his mates; they hadn’t even got to the start and they had problems; but it was all in hand. At the start you get your card stamped; gather up and you are set off in waves of about 10 -20 riders. You are soon out of Bakewell and after a few miles you are directed off the tarmac roads and onto the Monsal Trail. This is a wonderful trail that takes you through a number of tunnels in which it is of course compulsory to shout and whoop for the echoes … not long after that you hit the first food stop … or should that be feast stop.

merged just before this stop with the 100 & 55 milers all riding together so there were a lot of bikes on the road now and more company. As seemed to be the pattern, a hill followed all feed stops; so cautious dining was recommended. After 60 miles the routes split again and only the 100 milers were treated to a fine visit to the Ilam country house for another feast stop, card stamp and cool towels to freshen up provided by Volvo. Then onwards again to Carsington Water where the routes once again merged to make the run into Chatsworth House a busy affair … the route has the privilege of using paths through the Chatsworth Estate to arrive at the final feast stop on the lawns of Chatsworth House where an impressive range of food and beverages were on offer … then off again for the final few miles.

The Eroica Britannia ride is not a race and it is certainly unlike a Sportive; it is a fun ride with so many fine food stops that I suspect it is the only 100 mile event where the majority of riders finish heavier than when they start. The feast stops are not stocked with sugary, sticky processed energy products but with bacon and sausage baps, rolls, scones, cakes, ice creams, beer, cider, champagne and water … it has to be seen to be believed. All this fine fare is served by wonderful willing supporters and volunteers and you really get the feeling that the people manning these stops in the various villages are enjoying the event as much as the riders.

The organisers had the last laugh routing the riders over one more final tough climb before we rolled into the show ground.

The atmosphere in the show ground was great with the final route section being lined with hay bales and supporters cheering and applauding riders home as their names where announced over the tannoy by the event ringmaster who must have vocal chords of steel given his stamina on the microphone. After the finish it was off for a shower and change then back to applaud home the other riders. Watching the finish was well worth it to see all the incredible bikes and outfits that the participants had ridden in. It was great to see so many old bikes lovingly preserved and still ridden. It was a real mark of the spirit of the event that the final 10 riders to arrive were all held back whilst the ring master whipped the crowd up into a frenzy of applause to welcome the last 10 home at 7pm.

Then it was finally time to celebrate with music, food, festival beer, wine and of course a great British downpour of rain.

Leaving the first food stop took us out onto the Peaks; the weather deteriorated a little and I endured a number of showers and some quite high winds although it never really got cold. The toughest climb of the route was Mam Nic Tor. Last year I tackled this alone but this year given the increased numbers there was plenty of company … much of it walking with their bikes. Vintage bikes come with vintage gears and with my smallest of 42x24 it was some effort to keep moving but, keep moving I did and made it over the whole route without walking.

The next feast stop was at a sailing club at Goyt Valley then on to get your card stamped at Hartington; the routes had

It really was a heroic event. Everyone who attended got into the spirit of the festival. It was clear many had made a huge effort prior to the event with some impressive bikes, outfits and moustaches on show. Cycling World will certainly be back riding next year. Congratulations to all those who took part and contributed to the successful running of the event. Chapeau!

BIKE MAGAZINE 11

Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat.

It’s good to get away and see somewhere new. And when you’ve finished a long ride, exploring new places, it’s good to have a little bit of comfort; a cold drink, a hot drink, a microwave, gas hobs, running water, a sofa, double beds with mattresses. The things we take for granted in our own homes. The 6-berth OPUS® Camper Trailer can offer you all of those comforts, plus a whole lot more, including the ability to carry up to 6 cycles on it’s roof. OPUS® takes care of the simple things, leaving you more time to concentrate on your routes.

Start planning your next route today with OPUS®

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12 BIKE MAGAZINE

RIDE SOCIAL

RIDE SOCIAL Chris Burns visits Sky at the Manchester Cycle Centre and is surprised by how many of us are riding together

BIKE MAGAZINE 13

RIDE SOCIAL

It happens to all of us: every once in a while, something which you thought you knew a fair bit about surprises you. Maybe, like me, you’re the kind of cyclist who just gets on a bike, texts a friend or two, or commutes regularly. Maybe you’re a regular club rider or have a group of buddies like well-thumbed phone book entries for your excursions. Either way, like me, you might not have even heard of RideSocial. Yet, right now, there are over 60,000 members using this unique networking tool, designed especially for cyclists the country over. Like all social networks, people are the key and the driving force to RideSocial – and, like many other success stories, it took the foresight of just a few to get the ball rolling, but the enthusiasm of many more to keep it rolling. I was invited to an exclusive event at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester – a chance to meet the brains behind it and, perhaps more importantly, talk to (and ride with!) the everyday cyclists who organise, promote and encourage social riding.

“Cycling today reminds me of going out playing in the fields as a kid and returning hungry” Branches Grow from Olympic Routes

To find out how RideSocial began, I spoke to Stewart Kellett, Director of Recreation and Partnerships at British Cycling.

Beginning with the UK’s successes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the nation’s renewed interest was a massive boost to the sport. As his title suggests, though, Stewart was more interested in using that momentum to drive real change in everyday cycling.

“It wasn’t just about racing. It was about creating normal cycling opportunities, the outdoors, meeting people and, most of all, fun”.

From that mind-set came a series of new ventures between Sky and British Cycling, including Sky Rides, organised group events led by trained ride leaders. It seemed that balance between popping down to the pub with your mates and turning up at a slightly intimidating club ride totally green had been struck. Participants wanted more: people started swapping numbers and organising their own group rides. The riders were already building a social network but what they needed was a tool to organise it. Kellett and his team were right on it – the reach of online social networking was readily apparent.

Facebook passed 200 million users in early 2009 and the internet began to burst with people’s hopes, heartbreaks and pictures of cute cats. RideSocial had just one altogether

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RIDE SOCIAL

healthier aim, however: to get people together riding bikes.

Bums off the sofa and on the saddle How do you get people back on a bike, or on it for the first time? The RideSocial platform is centred around accessibility, friendliness and choice, so that riders feel comfortable with whatever ride they choose. Members (or ‘Buddies’) are encouraged to share a little about their cycling experience and the kind of riding they like, as well as their availability. Anyone can start a ride, posting the distance, duration, pace and number of stops, so people can search for the kind of ride they feel good about joining.

It’s such a fluid and people-centred approach that members quickly meet others with similar aims or abilities, as well as fears or hang ups, which, luckily, are easily quashed by the encouraging atmosphere RideSocial promotes.

As if to distil this kind of attitude in one person, we had the pleasure of meeting Sean Conway as special guest, a passionate adventurer and the only man to have cycled, run and swum the length of the British Isles.

With his bushy beard and history of outlandish journeys, he might not have seemed like a man who sympathised with those taking their first pedal strokes back into cycling, but his first big bike trip was just that: the classic Land’s End to John O’Groats, with no deadline and a £300 second-hand bike from eBay, which was much too big. Like many of us who ride today, he then gave up riding completely for years, until the realisation of an unfit body and an unmotivated mind led him to try for a round the world trip. In spite of the grandness of that attempt, his message was clear and to the point: it doesn’t matter how small the achievement, it’s a journey towards better health and social interaction. In his own words: “If cycling gets bums off the sofa, it has to be a great thing, surely?”

The main presentation, of some very smart and unique RideSocial jerseys, was to those who had organised the most rides or started the most groups, motivating others to achieve similar goals. The statistics were amazing.

Ian Cameron, the top “creator,” had organised over 200 rides. It was clear

the success of their rides was down to approachability, inclusiveness and fun. I asked Colin Goodman, another creator, to explain some of the ways he achieved this. His mantra was “everybody starts and finishes together”. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

But with mixed abilities and bikes, on public roads, it’s a testament to the patience, communication and skill of the leaders. Colin even rides a bike that works but looks like a piece of junk – there’s little more intimidating to a novice than your leader arriving on the latest carbon aero race bike in team lycra! Joy Lummis, with 40 rides to her credit, summed up her motivation in the best way possible: “Cycling today reminds me of going out playing in the fields as a kid and returning hungry.”

At this point, I started to notice that lots of people were itching for their outdoors time today. When it was time to get riding, there was definitely something of a scrum to the bikes, when everyone had decided which of the three rides to take part in. There was a steady road ride, a longer ride with some gravel tracks; I chose the MTB route through the purpose-built Clayton Vale trails, led by some of the guys responsible for building them.

As we stopped frequently to keep the group together, it was great to see grins from ear to ear, particularly Elaine and Janine, two ladies whose laughs became the soundtrack to the next hour, in spite of (or perhaps because of!) their inexperience on winding trails. Those who looked a little nervous were gently encouraged by the leaders and others, but never pressured. Soon they were having almost as much fun as the guy riding his vintage Bianchi tourer, who tackled everything with a smile and a healthy ambivalence towards his headset bearings. I was a convert – social riding, whatever the terrain, speed or distance, is essential to getting people on bikes. If riders can start in a safe and encouraging environment, they’re more likely to start thinking of a bike as regular transport as well. British Cycling has ambitious targets, including 1 million more women on bikes by 2020, so if you know any friends who haven’t ridden for a while or are thinking of it, there’s a great way to get them started. Ride Socially!

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RIDE SOCIAL

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2

Cycling World August 2015

BIKE MAGAZINE 17

August 2015 Cycling World

1

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CYCLETTA

BIKE MAGAZINE 19

CYCLETTA

AGE NO OBSTACLE

Macmillan Cycletta’s 150km cyclist Macmillan Cycletta, the UK’s leading series of women-only cycling events, was Heather’s first big ride, just before a significant birthday.

After the massive success of our British athletes in cycling across the world, more and more people up and down the country are getting on their bikes and powering those pedals for many reasons, from feeling the fresh air on their face to livening up their daily commute to work. But, what kind of person signs up to take part in a 150km distance event?

Meet Heather McCormack. A woman who, with a landmark birthday on the horizon, didn’t let age be a barrier to enjoying herself and seizing the day, while getting a rather large spot of exercise, of course.

Heather was the first person to ever sign up for the brand new distance at Macmillan Cycletta, the UK’s leading series of women only bike rides and tackled the 150km on Sunday 19th July at Scone Palace, Perth.

“I decided to take part in Macmillan Cycletta for various reasons, but the main one is that 2019 is a significant year for me as I will be turning 65”

To mark this landmark distance for the event which takes place up and down the country through the year, the team at Human Race, Macmillan Cycletta event organisers, decided to track Heather to find out her story.

No stranger to a physical challenge, Heather was looking for an event that suits her personally in this extra special year.

“I decided to take part in Macmillan Cycletta for various reasons, but the main one is that 2019 is a significant year for me as I will be turning 65.

“Over the years I’ve done running and half marathons. I even completed the London Marathon in 2012, which was a lifelong ambition of mine. I was the tortoise rather than the hare, but loved every minute of it. I was looking for new inspiration since and found it in an event like Macmillan Cycletta”

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CYCLETTA

Based in Edinburgh, Heather rediscovered cycling after her work relocated and the commute was a bit too far to walk.

“I’ve cycled all my life, but stopped when I had my family. I started again more recently when my work moved further away. It ended up being my incentive to get back in the saddle. My partner and I went to Yorkshire to see the Tour De France last year too which was really inspiring. There was such a fantastic atmosphere and it was really sociable, so it got me thinking about finding a cycling event that suited me.

“I considered cycling groups locally but they seemed a bit more family orientated which didn’t suit me as well since my son is all grown up. I felt I needed something to build my confidence. “ Heather’s search for an event was over last December when she received an email from Human Race about Macmillan Cycletta and saw that they ran events all over the country. She then signed up for the Scottish event, taking place at Scone Palace, Perth this year.

“I had signed up for these emails when my partner and I took part in a Human Race event, combining it with a visit to my son in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

When I read about Cycletta, I knew it was right for me and just went for it. It was very spur of the moment.

“I was attracted to Cycletta because it is a women only event. The idea of a Sportive felt a bit too intimidating – especially as this was my first cycling event. I wanted something less pressured and more fun and sociable.

Even the name, Cycletta, has a more friendly feel.”

So, as well as birthday celebrations to plan, Heather had to think about fitting in some all-important training.

“I found a training schedule online.

I never follow training programmes religiously though. I usually wiggle it a bit to suit my circumstances. I’m not really that competitive. It’s not about that for me; it’s more about the personal challenge. I know it sounds crazy, but training doesn’t faze me – I’m quite happy doing it.”

Heather’s ride was a huge success; her time for the 150k was: 7:42:15 - meaning her average speed was an impressive 19.47 km/h in challenging weather conditions. Her thoughts post ride reveal her sense of joy: “I had a great time at Macmillan Cycletta Scotland. The weather might have been awful but it didn’t detract from the experience. The event was extremely well organised and the team and marshals coped admirably with the appalling conditions leading up to and during the event. The marshals out on

the course, and those manning the fuel stops, couldn’t have been more helpful or encouraging and I never felt like giving up. I even managed it in a quicker time than I thought I would, given the rotten weather, so all in all a really great experience!”

In the year of her 60th birthday, Heather has some very wise advice for any ladies out their looking for a challenge.

“Just give it a go. It doesn’t have to be competitive and you meet like-minded people. Unless you experience it, you don’t know how friendly, fun, relaxed and social these sorts of events are.

“I know it seems like a huge distance to cycle, but people often underestimate themselves. Believe me, I’ve thought I was going to be at the very back whenever I’ve taken part in events, but I’ve never been last yet. Also you always get just as much of a cheer if you’re at the tail end as you would if you were at the front. The Cycletta is the same and doesn’t have that competitive edge – winning isn’t the be all and end all.”

BIKE MAGAZINE 21

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22 BIKE MAGAZINE

CYCLING MIRROR

THE MIRROR

THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE Jamais Contente (Never Happy): the name of the car that, way back in 1899, was the first to go at 100 km/h. This name could also describe Carlo Dondo (1942): he is never entirely satisfied with his creations; his first thoughts are how he can improve them and simultaneously invent something new and useful

Being an inventor is not a job, but a state of mind.

It’s a kind of virus that gets into your bloodstream as a child, one that Carlo soon learned to recognise and take advantage of amid the one thousand and one necessities and surprises of everyday life. Finding in Switzerland a more receptive and productive base than in Italy, he left when he was just sixteen years old.

The idea of the drop bar mirrors came from a traumatic experience of Carlo Dondo, after two serious accidents on his custom made racing bike. Two accidents that could have been avoided if only he hadn’t had to turn around to check the traffic behind him. His innate passion for cycling urged him to find a solution suitable for all road bike enthusiasts.

N SAVE YOUR LIFE

ack in ribe ons; sly

hat d to one a hen

ce of ing

The license plate device Carlo invented in 1984, for which he won his first Silver and Gold medals in Geneva and Brussels, was already a consolidated business at the end of the last Millennium. So much so that a few years’ much so that a few years after selling his business to a third party he started to focus on and improve every aspect of the product range that embodies his entrepreneurial philosophy: the Sprintech® Racing drop bar mirror for racing bicycles and the Sprintech® City for MTB were born. Just as had happened for the license plate device, when the drop bar mirrors were presented at the Innovation Exhibition in Martigny in Switzerland in 1996 they won the second prize for Innovation and in

s all

n his first Silver and Gold medals in Geneva and ast millennium, so much so that a few years

2012 the Gold Medal at the International Invention Exhibitions in Brussels and Geneva.

Today, the Sprintech® mirrors have earned the reputation among cyclists as the best in the industry. When other brands rattle and spin out of position, Sprintech® mirrors hold true. Riders value the superior quality of these products thanks to their sleek design and ease of fitting. They are unobtrusive, adjustable and secure positioning when riding over cobbles or bumps. Once used, you will wonder how you navigated the roads without them!

SEEING WELL is only the first half of safety. The second is BEING SEEN. Carlo understood this early on and, between one ride and another, he began to reflect on this. Something that would ALWAYS be visible while riding, especially for the biggest threat to cyclists: the car behind them.

As a result, SPRINTECH® VISION 360° was created, uniting reflective power and movement.

Tests carried out the perception distance at a speed of 50 km/h at dusk/darkness goes from 25 METRES without Vision 360°, to a staggering 150 METRES with two Vision reflectors affixed to the back wheel’s spokes; making cyclists visible 9 seconds earlier. This is more than enough time for car drivers to adjust their speed and avoid any danger to the cyclist. Recognition for the innovation and its usefulness again came from the panel at the Brussels International Exhibition in 2012 where SPRINTECH® VISION 360° won the Gold medal.

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BIKE BIKE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 23 21

BICYCLE SAFETY ACCESSORIES

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BIKE MAGAZINE 27

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28 BIKE MAGAZINE

GLASGOW TO FALKIRK

Gordon Cairns

BIKE MAGAZINE 29

GLASGOW TO FALKIRK

GLASGOW TO FALKIRK Our reporter Gordon Cairns treats us to the delights of canal cycling, recapturing a former world as he goes An off-road cycle across Scotland’s densely populated centre belt from the country’s largest city to its culturally most important may sound implausible, but by following an 18th Century super-highway, it can be done. My bike ride from Glasgow to the Falkirk Wheel along the Forth and Clyde Canal is more or less half way across the centre of the country, yet it gets to be so peaceful as to be almost soporific. The path continues in the same vein across to Edinburgh. The only stressful element about this route is getting to the starting point at Port Dundas in the north of Glasgow as there is no designated cycle path through the city centre, so I have to battle it out with the city’s buses, taxis and jay walking hen parties on a busy Saturday afternoon.

continued

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GLASGOW TO FALKIRK Port Dundas is a platform that looks down onto the north of the city from above the motorway and also offers a view of all of the important towers in the city’s west-end from the University of Glasgow to the Free Church College Tower. On the other side of the canal is Spiers Wharf; originally used to mill and store grain in the 19th Century which had been brought into the city by barge. These imposing buildings were converted into loft spaces in 1989, when being called a yuppie was seen as an insult rather than an aspiration.

The canal was built 200 years before that, connecting Glasgow to the Union Canal coming from Edinburgh and the sea at Grangemouth which allowed goods to be imported from the North Sea countries into the west of Scotland. It was even used by the east coast Forth River fishing fleet to cross the country and fish in the Irish Sea. The introduction of the railway system in the 19th century first acted as a competitor for the canal but then sounded its death knell as trains moved passengers and goods more quickly and cheaper than a system of barges ever could.

For a spell the Forth and Clyde was allowed to become derelict with parts filled in and new bridges built which blocked barges passing through the waterway. However at the turn of the last century, it was decided to regenerate the canal at a cost of £86m with the Falkirk Wheel as its centrepiece as a grand millennium project. Now the income is generated from tourism rather than business, although earlier attempts at opening the canal for leisure weren’t so successful.

I remember a friend working for the canal board a decade before the major regeneration work began when it opened up a section of this long moribund canal in the north of Glasgow and celebrated with a sailing a barge along a stretch of the water, full of local dignitaries drinking champagne and eating canapés. I don’t know if his tale was apocryphal, but he described some local small boys throwing sticks and reeds at the boat as it passed by, like something out of ‘Heart of Darkness’ as the natives see a boat in their own territory for the first time and have to attack it.

Leaving the heart of the city, the canal first heads west, passing behind Partick Thistle’s football ground which sits just in front of the Firhill basin in Maryhill. I get a birds-eye view into the ground, although if the bird is a fan of football it might want to look away when Thistle are at home. Further into Maryhill, the canal splits in two at the Stockingfield Junction, with one section heading further west down to Bowling on the Clyde. In order to continue east to Falkirk, I need to come down from the canal side and then ride underneath it at Lochburn Road before cycling back up the embankment. Following the canal west is also recommended, as it gives you two options; first coming off of the canal just before it passes over the River Kelvin on a grand aqueduct, and then following the river into the city’s west end; full of interesting shops and pleasant bars and cafes.

Alternatively you can ride pass Bowling and follow National Cycle Network Route Seven down to Loch Lomond at the town of Balloch.

The quality of the path I choose is variable from the rough to the very rough and I almost immediately regret choosing to ride on a road bike, as the first stretch at Spiers Wharf is cobblestoned. The next section is gravel, not ideal for road bikes and very noisy and then I traverse across mud, a narrow section of hard-packed earth which makes passing other

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GLASGOW TO FALKIRK riders difficult followed by a stony path where I fondly recall the gravel sections. Perhaps this is because Scottish Canals focused their attention on the water rather than the land. And the water has certainly been open up to different activities, with kayaking, sailing or rowing all on offer at different points along the canal, from Pinkston Basin in Glasgow through to Auchinstarry Marina near Kilsyth.

Despite the poor surface, the flatness of the path and the lack of barriers across it are encouraging me to ride faster, in fact for sections of the ride I feel I could be on a treadmill as I pick up speed without much resistance. I am also enjoying the benefit of the prevailing wind, which tends to blow from west to east in Scotland, and I seem to be having an easier ride than the oncoming cyclists, some of whom are puffing hard. Every so often there are notices reminding us cyclists to control our speed and so I carefully slow down when approaching other tow path users.

Today the sun is high in the early evening sky, casting a strong clear light on the prettified landscape littered with passersby in their garishly luminous sportswear making it difficult to associate the canal with the bleak existential thriller ‘Young Adam’, written by the Scottish beat author Alexander Trocchi, which is set on these waters. Later turned into a movie starring Ewan McGregor and Tilda Swinton, it tells of a disillusioned young man working on a barge in the 1950s who pulls the dead body of a pregnant young woman from the water. It has been described as a Scottish equivalent of ‘The Outsider’ by Albert Camus.

Now the barges are full of tourists on boat cruises from Kirkintilloch and Falkirk enjoying the sun rather than brooding young men with murderous thoughts. The largest group who are engaging with the water are actually standing on the canal banks, fishing. I wonder what the attraction for these men is, and yes it is only men. I see a few of the fish which have been tricked out of the water and I don’t think there would be much eating in them, nor is there much scope for quiet contemplation. Out near the village of Twechar, a great name to get your mouth around, I see a rather jolly looking, red-faced chap casting his line into the water. As I cycle closer he greets me rather cheerily and then I notice the cause of his merriment, a bottle of very strong fortified wine of a type very popular in this part of Scotland, lies next to him. The next few fishermen I pass are also enjoying the same refreshment. I decide that this is what allows them to sit for hours in the pursuit of the inedible; they are in an alcoholic daze.

The canal path at Kirkintilloch comes over the bridge rather than under and I pass a group of charity cyclists stepping out of a pub looking well refreshed. This town is almost the last place to get any type of refreshment before you get to the Falkirk Wheel 14 miles away, so it might be a logical place to stop, although the marina at Auchinstarry does boast Scotland’s first eco-pub. The original sloggers on this canal path were the horses which pulled the barges along, needing stables with hay and board at regular intervals. The imaginatively titled The Stables, was originally built for the horses 200 years ago, but already has a number of bikes parked outside its beer garden as cyclists indulge the hunger, or thirst, they have worked up.

The number of dog walkers and cyclists drop off after Twechar and the canal meanders across what used to be the industrial

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heartland of Scotland through fertile fields of farmland. The canal banks are lined with trees and the raised path I am travelling down gives me a good view of the land below. As I hit a straight stretch and see the water roll on for miles in front of me, I begin to imagine this journey in the past, quietly carried along by the current and a strong horse, although perhaps my image of the 19th Century may be slightly romanticised. I suppose the reality would be an animal used as a machine to support the livelihood of the barge family; the poor beast having been worked very hard.

iconic shape. Its green credentials are impeccable; using Archimedes principle of displacement, each arm of the wheel acts as a counterbalance and so the wheel turns using very little electricity.

The trip on the wheel itself lasts 50 minutes and costs almost £8, perhaps the World’s most expensive Ferris wheel until the arrival of the London Eye. Unfortunately, the wheel is only used for holiday barges as it would take the best part of a week to travel between the two cities.

Although the Falkirk Wheel can be seen for miles, from the canal it is hidden until I turn a corner from what is a quite stretch of waterway into a visitor centre, ice cream vans and at the centre of it all, the aptly-named Wheel - a giant chainlink shape of a wheel. This concrete structure connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, 35m higher and it makes it possible to travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh by boat.

Although the Kelpies, which are described as the two largest equine sculptures in the world are at the end proper of the Forth and Clyde canal at Carron and only a few more miles away, I decide to save the trip for another day and use the landmark of the Falkirk Wheel as the logical place to end my journey and so head for the nearest mainline train station. I ride the slope up to the Union Canal, which stops mid-air above me in a concrete viaduct connected to the wheel.

I can’t feel the local football team, Falkirk, have missed a trick by preferring to keep a steeple of a local landmark on their club badge rather than this

As part of the millennium project to build the wheel, the Rough Castle tunnel, which I at first misread as roughcast, thinking it is a description of the walls,

was dug for the boats to pass through underneath the Antonine Wall, a Roman construction built to mark the Northernmost frontier of the empire, and so save it. Like the Forth and Clyde Canal, the Roman wall stretched across the centre of Scotland like a belt and was at the cutting edge of technology of its time. The tunnel is named after Rough Castle Fort, which is about a 15-minute walk away from the wheel and is described as the best preserved section of the wall. I pass through the tunnel at the same time as a barge, which sails serenely on at 4mph.

Coming out of the tunnel, I now follow the Union Canal for about two miles before a sign directs towards Falkirk High train station, whose entrance is about 50m away down a grassy slope.

This station is on the main GlasgowEdinburgh line and has spaces for bikes without needing to book in advance.

And so I sit back and swiftly cover the 28 miles I have just cycled along, on the form of transport that made these canals obsolete over a century ago.

BIKE MAGAZINE 35

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36 BIKE MAGAZINE

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38 BIKE MAGAZINE

BIKE REVIEW

Criterium Sport

£750

We’ve highlighted a couple of bikes that our readers should know about Getting into Sportives The £750 Criterium Sport is one of the line-up which Raleigh classify as Endurance Race. An aluminium bike with a geometry and riding position that is slightly more relaxed than the Militis bikes raced

by Team Raleigh GAC , but still capable of being ridden hard and fast. By extending the head tube and having a slighter shorter top tube less stress is placed on the arms neck and lower back allowing you to find a more comfortable riding position. It is suitable for both men and women The size-specific butted alloy frame is 200g lighter than last year’s equivalent bike and is fitted with a carbon bladed fork to take the edge off bumpy British roads. A couple of nice features are the internal cable routing and tapered head tube. By taking the cables inside the frame they are protected from the worst of the weather and help make the bike look very neat.

The tapered headtube spreads the loading on the headset bearings over a greater area

improving wear and making the handling more responsive so you have greater control on high speed descents.

The bike is equipped with Shimano’s new Tiagra groupset. This is a significant upgrade to the existing Tiagra with many of the features from more expensive groupsets finding their way to this price point. The most obvious are the cable routing which now goes under the bar tape, tidying up the look of the bike and the 4 arm chainset which is visually very similar to Ultegra. Less obvious are the new brakes, which Shimano claim have 30% more stopping power, and a new pitch on the derailleurs for “precise and long lasting shifting performance”.

The bike is finished with Raleigh’s in house RSP wheels and components which complete a great looking bike.

Criterium Sport £750 available mid September

Size range: 49,52,54,56,58,60 Weight: 9.7kg Frame: Aluminium Fork: Blend carbon Brakes & Rear Derailleur: Shiumano Tiagra 4700 Freewheel/Cassette: SRAM PG 1030 11-32t Cassette Crankset: Shimano Tiagra 4700 50/34 Wheels: RSP AC2.0

BIKE MAGAZINE 39

BIKE REVIEW

Mustang Comp

£1500

A light tourer for mixed terrain In the recent past British cyclists have been poorly served in their choice of road bikes suitable for the quality of our roads and weather conditions.

Bikes designed for international markets have only taken narrow clip on mudguards and up to 25mm tyres.

Raleigh look set to change this with their much expanded range of Gravel Road bikes for 2019. Following on from the Reynolds steel Mavericks, Raleigh have added 4 aluminium Mustang models and 2 carbon Roker bikes.

Whilst the industry may struggle with how to categorise this style of bike it’s the shear versatility that appeals to us. These bikes are not just designed for use off road but are equally at home on our local potholed roads.

Raleigh have taken advantage of improved disc brakes, wider rims and tyres to develop a bike that meet the needs of an awful lot of UK riders.

Disc brakes allow improved stopping control in all conditions but also greater clearance for wider tyres and mudguards. But these are not just relabelled cyclocross bikes; the whole range has the lower bottom bracket height and comfortable riding position of an endurance bike that you can ride all day.

The Mustang Comp is the top of the aluminium Mustang range at £1500

it has a lightweight double butted frame, a carbon fork and features thru axle hubs front and rear. The thru axle comes from mountain bikes and it allows easy location of the disc in the callipers and larger diameter of the axle stiffens the frame and fork for better handling and power transfer.

The Rival 1 groupset is also a development from SRAM’s mountain bike 1 x 11 proven technology and this is the first time we’ve seen it on a road bike. A single chain ring shifting is a simplification and becomes very intuitive because you just shift up or down to the next gear on one lever.

Raleigh have specified a 44 tooth chainring with a 10-42 cassette giving a very wide range gears, comparable to a compact chainset with an 11-32 cassette. Whilst there are some big steps between some of the gears with the nature of the way this bike will be ridden we don’t see it being an issue as it is not designed for racing.

Weight: 9.6kg Frame: Aluminium Brakes: SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival 1 long cage Freewheel/Cassette: SRAM 10-42 Cassette Crankset: SRAM S350 1X 44T

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HEALTH

LESSONS FROM THE 91-YEAR-OLD CARL At 91 years old, Carl Grove of Bristol, Indiana, has accomplished more in the last 10 years than most people ever will in a lifetime.

But for him, it’s just business—or rather, life—as usual. In August, Grove broke two cycling world records for the 90-94 age group. First, he set the hour world record—or the Best Hour Performance, as it’s called by UCI—at the Colorado Springs Velodrome with a distance of 21.44 miles, breaking the previous mark of 18.9 miles, which was held by French cyclist René Gaillard. (He and his team were able to rent out the velodrome using the proceeds from a GoFundMe page set up by his training partner and U.S. Paralympian Bruce Gordon.) Grove’s record will become official after the results of his drug test come back.

Be aware of the beauty around you Last year, Grove came close to picking up two more official records, but was stripped of those titles after failing a drug test when he tested positive for epitrenbolone and clomiphene. Grove and his team determined— and the United States Anti-Doping Agency acknowledged—that he unknowingly consumed the banned substances through tainted meat (liver, specifically) that he had for dinner one night.

championships, where he won the time trial by over three and a half minutes; in the mountainous 40K road race, Grove placed fourth.

I don’t care what you do, as long as you do something.

Hang out with younger people

At this point, Grove has lost track of how many races he’s won. He gives his medals to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For him, the most important part of continuing to ride and race has been to show others what’s possible, even as they age.

Grove has had a long history with cycling. He started riding at 5 years old and proved to have a knack for it right from the start.

“I really try to show people that are older what they can do, and how they can do it, the attitude and everything,” Grove said.

“My dad bought me a little tiny bicycle, a two-wheeler, for a dollar and a quarter from a neighbor down the road,” Grove told Bicycling.

“I can remember that day like it was yesterday.

I got on it, and I rode it. He gave me a shove, and I went on down the road.”

Grove noted how important it is to stay active and keep busy as you age. It’s what his parents did; his father worked until he was 93 and died when he was 97, while his mother lived to be 105. When asked what he’s setting his sights on next, he isn’t exactly sure.

Just keep pedalling

“I might take a shot at playing the bagpipes again,” Grove said. Apart from staying physically active, keeping your brain active is just as important as you age. And research backs it up—learning new skills will help keep you younger, whether it’s track cycling or bagpipes.

Instead of riding less as he aged, about 10 years ago Grove decided to fully dedicate himself to training.

In 2010, Grove made it to nationals and outrode his competitors. He then went to the Masters World Championships in Austria, where he placed fourth in the time trial. The following year, Grove went back to the world

As for cycling, he thinks he’ll never give it up.

“I’ll probably never stop riding, well, because I don’t want to sit down.”

BIKE MAGAZINE 43

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44 BIKE MAGAZINE

HARZ MOUNTAINS

BEWITCHED IN THE HARZ MOUNTAINS Text and photos by Scot Whitlock Stunning can be an over-used adjective, its impact diluted, however this is not the case with the Harz Mountains. I was only a temporary visitor with a few days in the resort which had been organised by Germany Travel.

The area oozes a dreamlike and mystical power, it is quite simply the land of German fairy tales (märchenhaft), steep-roofed houses with tiny windows and narrow, cobblestone streets, dark forests, rushing streams, grandoise mountains, and plenty of witches. The hedges, ski lifts, houses and shops all hide the gnarled faces as they watch the daily rituals of life. There is something familiar about these little towns tucked away in deep, wooded valleys. It’s no wonder the Brothers Grimm collected their inspirations from the area around Kassel about 40 miles to the west, but the Harz Mountains have long been famous as an important source of German folklore.

I had endured a energy sapping early BA flight from London Heathrow to Hannover and then a collection of bus and train journeys before my arrival in Braunlage. The Harz National Park is now a vast playground dominated by outdoor pursuits whatever the season. The old traffic-free border zone has evolved into a rich wildlife reserve. Lynx have ousted witches as the national park’s emblem.

Deutsche Bahn allow you to explore further than Braunlauge, there are plenty of picturesque places to stop. I had an open ticket from the train company which gave me complete freedom. I did stop briefly in Goslar but the train is without the best way to travel. In hindsight I wish I’d had enough time to explore other towns along my train route, but I was keen to get started.

I was staying at the Relexa Hotel Harz-Wald (Karl-Röhrig-Straße 5a, 38700 Braunlage; +49 5520 8070) perfectly located on the outskirts of Braunlage at the foot of Mount Wurmberg, which is the second highest peak in the Harz (971m). My room was spacious, contemporary with stunning views.

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HARZ MOUNTAINS

shooting through the dark green of the firs. The far reaching views were soporific.

Oh my god the descent was a riotous joy, the complete scene of isolation was invigorating, the surface was testing, my tyres groaned against the dirt and debris. I love this time of year, the landscape finally decimating the desolation of winter, replaced by the greens and vibrant colours of spring.

I followed a well-defined track which contoured into the mountain, the going was smooth and remarkably fast. What followed was a thrilling descent on a rather bumpy track and with some heavy braking I arrived at the still bustling ski lift station. My senses filled with the scent of pinewood.

Day Two

The town of Braunlage is a lovely and relaxing place to explore, there are plenty of establishments to eat and drink. The streets adorned with the blossoms of spring and the fate murmur of cascading water. The air is fresh and invigorating, the locals friendly.

Its a great place to spend time, even with presence of folklore around every corner.

Day One After a much needed early night I was rejuvenated and desperate to get on two wheels. A bike had been arranged with (E-) MTB-Verleih & Skischule Harz (Am Brunnen 3, 38700, Braunlage; 05520 9998892) which has two locations for E-MTB and MTB rental in Braunlage and St.Andreasberg. They provide a great service and have a good selection of bikes. My Focus Whistler was a joy to pedal, handled well with proficient braking.

The plan was to explore the Bike Park in the town which provides seven unique downhill tracks on Mount Wurmberg.

With a combined length of 4,500 metres at an altitude of 972 metres at the summit and a downhill drop of 411 metres between mountain and valley, with jumps and racetracks, it will keep all abilities occupied and concentrated.

The weather was glorious, the ski lifts brimming with gleeful visitors on their mechanically ascent to the summit of the Wurmberg. However incomparison my journey was one of ‘simple’ leg power. The bike offers a total of about 18km of bike trails for young and old, beginner or professional and are all

largely natural and use the specific topography of the Wurmberg area.

The climbing was relatively easy, but if you want the adrenalin fuelled descent (cheaters) without the arduous climb then the ski lift (6-person gondola) is on hand. It climbs approximately 400 metres to take riders from the valley to the peak. Near to the top mountain station, there are two start-gate platforms, which give access to the trails. The terrain from the start to the middle station is steep and then flattens out slightly.

As well as the Bike Park, another popular destinations for mountain bikers is the Volksbank Arena. The 74 mountain bike trails covering 2,200 kilometres and 59,000 metres in altitude across three federal states. You can start your tour in 31 villages, making it a paradise for cyclists and all types of outdoor enthusiasts.

The Volksbankarena Harz’s network of cycle routes includes a collection of clearly signposted mountain bike trails in the Lower Saxon districts of Goslar and Osterode and in Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen. Among these, exciting cycle trails such as the Höhenfieber (High Fever) trail or the Wild Man’s Trail await. Families and beginners will also get their money’s worth on the Kleine Wasser-Tour (Little Water Tour) or the Kleine Mönchsrunde (Little Monk’s Circuit). The magnitude of this pedallers paradise is impressive, opening up an area of more than 40 x 40 kilometres.

As I approached the summit I was mesmerised by golden sun-rays

The legendary summit of the Brocken was my destination, and the Brocken for most Germans is no ordinary peak.

Steeped in European folklore, the Harz Mountains’ fabled crown has starred in some of Germany’s greatest literature and art. The setting for one of the most famous scenes in Goethe’s Faust. The devil takes Faust up on the Brocken on Walpurgis Night to tempt him, where he watches a wild night of revelry among the witches and other evil creatures.

“Tonight the mountain’s mad with magic” Fausts words resonate through the gorges.

Once again the weather was behaving, and I set off early in an attempt to miss the crowds. The mountain is popular with hikers with a difficult full day tour with steep climbs on asphalt. The starting point was once again the lower station of the Wurmberg cable car. Until the end of the 1980’s Germany and Europe were actually divided between these two mountains.

From Wurmberg, my riding continued now on a graveled forest trail, once again the isolation was intoxicating, and would even be manageable on a road bike.

As I entered Schierke, the summit became visible. My experience was a tough slog onwards, this is the beginning of the Upper Harz (Hochharz) National Park. I heard but didn’t see rushing water. I began to climb steeply.

Although its elevation of 1,141 metres (3,743 ft) the Brocken is below alpine dimensions, its microclimate resembles that of mountains of about 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Brocken road seemed closed to motorised traffic, the surface is good and at an average gradient of 6%, I

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was making good progress. Suddenly I hit (not literally) a influx of hiking interlopers, I was now closing in on the mesmeric Brocken.

The peak above the tree line tends to have a snow cover from September to May, and mists and fogs shroud it up to 300 days of the year. The mean annual temperature is only 2.9 °C (37.2 °F). It is the easternmost mountain in northern Germany; travelling east in a straight line, the next prominent elevation would be in the Ural Mountains in Russia.

Once again the descent was rousing, with the highlight an uninterrupted 6-7 km plunge. I was travelling at speed, and for no apparent reason, my bike suffered a speed wobble. The only way to rectify the issue was to sit up from my saddle, throw my weight onto the pedals and transfer more weight into my handlebars. Thankfully, it worked and I continued briefly with less confidence.

The trail now rose continuously for just over 10 kilometres. At first it was a gentle incline, but the gradient stiffened and provided a challenge up to Dreieckiger Path. Thankfully this was the last of any significant exertions. A short windswept descent followed as I breezed back to base.

The Harz mountain bike route network is signposted according to a simple principle. It avoids large and unnecessary signs in the forest in the interests of nature and landscape protection.

All of the routes are classified into three levels of difficulty– easy (blue), medium (red) and difficult (black).

You can find the starting point for your MTB tour under “MTB routes ordered by starting point”. At each starting location there is a central starting point with an overview map showing all the routes.

In addition to this, there are some other places where you can easily join the MTB routes, although their actual starting point is somewhere else – for example in Wildemann or Hahnenklee.

These places can also be found under “MTB routes ordered by starting point”.

To identify the towns and villages where the tours start, each route is labelled with a letter and a number. So, for example, G stands for Goslar, where 5 routes begin: G 1 to G 5. In the Upper Harz, Altenau and Clausthal-Zellerfeld are the starting locations for the routes O 1 to O 11.

On all the routes you will find similar direction signs, which are not labelled for each individual route. When you

have decided on a particular route, follow the direction signs to the left, right or straight on.

sailings Harwich/Hook of Holland.

Only where multiple routes run parallel to each other, and it is necessary, will you find direction signs with a label for each of the routes.

The Harz Narrow-Gauge Railway (0049 (0) 3943 5580; www.hsb-wr.de) covers all the highlights of the eastern Harz – principle termini in Quedlinburg and Wernigerode. Day tickets covering the whole network, including the Brocken summit, cost €42/£36 – children half price; family tickets for two adults and three children cost €81/£69. Three- or five-day network passes cost €64/£55 and €99/£85 – children half price. Good bus services from Goslar get you around the western Harz.

At particularly central places along the way, you will find main signs with an overview of the distances: Getting there BA (0844 493 0787; britishairways. com) flies Heathrow to Hannover, Flybe (0871 700 2000; flybe.com) flies from Manchester, Birmingham and Southampton to Hannover; KLM (0871 231 0000; klm.com) has reasonably priced connections from many British airports.

Trains from Hannover airport to Goslar take 90 minutes (www.bahn.com) €40/£34 return.

The Harz is a good region for exploring by car: P&O Ferries (0871 664 2121; poferries.com) has daily overnight sailings Hull/Rotterdam. DFDS Seaways (0871 522 9955; dfdsseaways.co.uk) has daily overnight sailings Newcastle/ Amsterdam. Stena Line (0844 770 7070; stenaline.co.uk) has twice-daily

Getting around

The Harz region is a walkers’ paradise; well-marked forest trails lead from everywhere to everywhere. Longerdistance walks are The Witches Way, 60 miles east to west, and The Old Border Way, which follows the old fence for 50 miles.

When to go From spring green to autumn gold, the region has attractions all year, including winter sports. Gets crowded during German school holidays, mid-July to mid-August and mid-October.

For more information see www. germany.travel or www.harzinfo.de

BIKE MAGAZINE 47

The Original Student Bikes.

From £225

mangobikes.com/students

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AVIAL

Every Avial electric bike is built like an Aeroplane

Startup Avial Bikes presents two working prototypes of electric bicycles, built on the basis of a proprietary patented frame of its own design, one of which is equipped with a mid-drive system, and the second with the rear-wheel motor with 250 or 350W. Each of the prototypes with a mileage of more than 1000km successfully passed all possible load and road tests – from driving along city streets and country back roads, to overcoming rocky sections in the mountain, driving along sandy beaches and mud road. Such a wide range of tests is explained by the fact that many e-bike owners use them in the city on workdays, and on weekends they can go for a drive both to the mountains and along forest paths.

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AVIAL

What tasks did we set?

Avial Bikes Team set itself the task of creating a not expensive electric bike based on a light and durable frame, which would make it possible, without significant design changes, to choose either mid-drive system or rear-wheel motor offered by different manufacturers, with power 250-350W and with a maximum torque up to 100Nm. In addition, the frame design must withstand loads of up to 140 kg, moreover, in any operating conditions.

That is, in addition to city driving, which may be accompanied by crossing curbs, the owner of our bicycle should have the opportunity to ride over rough terrain, including mountainous ones, with long ascents or descents.

Features of the frame of our development We decided to stop on square profiles made of thin-walled aviation aluminium alloys, which are much stronger than traditional 6061 and 7005 alloys used for the production of bicycle frames, to make a light and durable frame for our e-bikes.

However, it is difficult to weld rolled products from aircraft alloys even in factory conditions, and for small-scale welding production, this becomes a difficult task at all.

Therefore, we decided to use square profiles and special power plates that are connected to the frame of the structure we need with rivets. Such a solution, in addition to the simplicity of production, has another great advantage – in the frame design, we can quickly make all the necessary changes and make it immediately after CAD simulation.

At the same time, unlike welded frames, which have a motor bracket for fixing only a strictly defined model of the middle drive, our patented frame has an original assembly that makes it possible to install either any model of the middle drive or pedals for the option of using rear-wheel drive, saying that on the basis of such a frame you can also assemble an ordinary classic bike without an electric drive.

Another important task facing our team was the comfort and ease of use of the bike. The owner of our bike should be able to move with

complete comfort, which is especially important when operating in an urban environment. To do this, it was decided to install a front fork with a travel of 100 mm on the frame, and for the transmission of an electric bike with a mid-drive system, use the Gearsensor, which provides smooth gear shifting.

What are we planning to do?

Today, the prototypes of our electric bicycles in appearance are associated with the Land Rover Defender of the first years of production. It was not laid in the design at first. However, such a retro design attracts a lot of people – both motorists and cyclists, which we are meets during testing along the same road together. Such interest and the many questions and reviews that we hear have expanded our plans to participate in the international exhibition EUROBIKE 2019, which will be held from September 4 to 7. At our stand UO211 we will present prototypes of our bicycles and, not only on the road, we will be able to discuss with the visitors the advantages and disadvantages of the design of our prototypes, as well as hear suggestions on possible improvements.

The frame used in prototypes weights about 3.5 kg and assembled electric bike weights within 22-23kg along with drives and batteries. This is the standard weight for most models in this price range. However, since the production of our bicycles is planned in Europe, we are conducting experiments to create our own battery with a capacity of 10.514Ah, based on 3500mAh cells, which will be lighter and more compact than a standard battery from Southeast Asia by 20-25%. We also plan to finalize all the components of the frame and get pre-production models in the style of the legendary Defender SUV of the latest generation.

Our goal is to offer all lovers of riding on two wheels, convenient to use and, along with this, multifunctional electric bikes, with the possibility of operation like the analogues of Urban, Touring, and to some extent even MTB, but with a weight of less than 20 kg.

The latest Avial Bikes Team news can be found on our website:https:// avialbikes.com/news/avial/

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ROTTERDAM

ROTTERDAM, IT’S DEFINITELY NOT LIVERPOOL OR ROME Text and photos by Scot Whitlock Mention the City of Rotterdam and I subconsciously start to hum the chorus of the House Martins annoyingly catchy hit. (‘This could be Rotterdam or anywhere, Liverpool or Rome, ’cause Rotterdam is anywhere, anywhere alone…) However, you will be far from ‘alone’ in this energetic metropolis. It’s the unsung hero of the Netherlands and has been in the shadows of Amsterdam for far too long. Rightly recognised as the architectural city of Holland, it seamlessly stimulates innovation and creativity. Its skyline is constantly changing, dominated by the clean gleaming lines of its skyscrapers (uncommon in other Dutch cities) and maritime business.

Officially classed as the Netherland’s ‘second city’, it’s doesn’t appear to be suffering much of a hangover from WWII when the whole city was virtually flattened. Unfortunately, you won’t experience the usual classic medieval Dutch architecture but a more surprising hip, progressive and post-modern arena.

At its highest point the Netherlands rises to just 1,060ft (323 metres) making it ideal for those who prefer pedal power.

The Dutch are obsessed with all things two wheeled, to them it’s simply a way of life. We were here to learn why so many people choose the bicycle as their preferred from of transport and how easy is it to navigate the city by simple bicycle.

The sheer volume of cycling in Rotterdam is staggering, 80% of people own a bicycle, 160,000 (25%) Rotterdammers cycle daily and another 200,000 (32%) cycle on a weekly basis. Every day, 560,000 cycle trips are made in Rotterdam and bicycle use has increased by 60% over the past decade. Those figures are staggering and unsurprisingly matched across the Netherlands I can imagine two of the most popular bike schemes in the city could cause confusion. Gobike – offers electric bikes making cycling through city an absolute breeze. The maximum pedalling speed is 24 km per hour. You simply grab one from the lending station and you deliver them back afterwards. With an annual subscription you can use Gobike for a year then in addition, you pay a fare. For

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ROTTERDAM

overwhelming as well as the humidity. A short pedal away was the Cube Houses (Overblaak 70, 3011 MH Rotterdam; +31 10 414 2285) which were designed asymmetrically to resemble an abstract forest, each triangular roof representing a treetop by Dutch architect Piet Blom.

The residential development dominates the surroundings with its vibrant colour scheme and unusual cubes which are tilted over by 45 degrees. Curious visitors can learn more about these apartments by exploring the show Cube Museum (Kijk-Kubus) for a small fee (3 euros).

more information, visit rotterdam.gobike.nl.

Mobike – Allows you to use an app to find the nearest bike. The bike is equipped with a smart lock that you simply ‘open’ with the phone. After use, you return the bike to any public bicycle parking space. By locking the bicycle you end the rental period. Users pay a deposit in addition to the fare.

More information: mobike.com/en We chose to drive to allow us more freedom to explore at our own pace. The ferry from Harwich to Hoek of Holland with Stena Line is the cheapest, most leisurely and preferred way to travel. I suggest you invest in a cabin regardless if it’s a day or overnight journey. The chance to relax in comfort is a great option. So, after a relaxing journey, including a sublime lunch in the ships Metropolis restaurant, we arrived midafternoon greeted by vibrant sun and blue skies.

It is only a short drive (30km) from the port to the centre of Rotterdam and is easily manageable by bike (even better if you have a favourable wind on your back) following the ‘Nieuwe Waterweg’. In no time we were on the hunt for our accommodation the SS Rotterdam. After several detours we stumbled apprehensively around a corner and suddenly there she was in all her imposing glory! There’s no arguing, the city is dominated by the sea, classed as Europe’s busiest port (and second in the World) and the water influences everything, even our hotel. The SS Rotterdam is moored in the heart of the city where the river Nieuwe Maas divides the northern and southern parts of the city. SS Rotterdam (3e Katendrechtse Hoofd 25, 3072 AM Rotterdam; +31 10 297 3090) is not just a hotel but a sumptuous juxtapose of luxurious comfort entwined tightly with a rich nautical heritage.

The steamship is the largest oceangoing steamer ever built in the Netherlands. After its launch in 1959, it became the flagship of the Holland America Line and sailed to many parts of the world. The ship is now permanently moored in Rotterdam’s Maashaven (Meuse Harbour) near Katendrecht.

After a rapid check-in we went out to explore, our itinerary from Visit Holland was packed as always. First on the list was the Markthal (Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298 3011 GZ Rotterdam; 030 234 6468) which is a residential and office building with a market hall underneath.

You’ll find an indoor market hall in various world-class cities, but the combination with luxury housing makes Rotterdam’s Markthal the first of its kind, and also includes the Tijdtrap: an exhibition of archaeological finds from mediaeval Rotterdam excavated during the building’s construction, now on public display for free. It was Saturday and there was a bustling market taking place in the square outside, the cacophony of noise was

Cycling a section of the Maasparcours (www.rotterdam.nl/nieuwemaasparcours) is a definite must, follow the Nieuwe Maas and it’s impossible to get lost. The weather was glorious as I pedalled as close as possible to the waterfront, and there is great accessibility in both directions.

Designed by the residents the route (Nieuwe Maas Trail) is 28 kilometres along and takes you along the north and south banks, along the Maastunnel in the west to the Van Brienenoord Bridge in the east. The city and the river show their impressive side all along this route. The route passes the which is home to one of the city’s most iconic sights, the Rijnhavenbrug pedestrian and cyclists’ bridge. Opened in 2012, it was immediately nicknamed in a typical Rotterdam fashion the “De Hoerenloper” (“To the hookers”), referring to the former red-light district in Kattendrecht.

One of the highlights was riding through the Maastunnel, which is the oldest traffic tunnel in the Netherlands and connects the two banks of the River ‘Nieuwe Maas’ (New Meuse). It was built from 1937 to 1942 and consists of two adjacent tubes for motor vehicles (2×2 lanes) and next to those there are two stacked tubes. One for pedestrians, on top of which there is one for cyclists.

Motor vehicles reach the tubes via

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ROTTERDAM

He seemed like an average baby when he was born in 1922, but by the time he was three years old, he’d begun to grow at an accelerated rate.

He became disabled after a bicycle accident (I can in some way relate to that) and remained in a wheelchair for the final years of his life. His health deteriorated, and he had to be lifted by a crane to the second floor of the hospital where he died from a pituitary tumour at 36 years old. In June 2011, a life-size bronze statue sculpted by artist Herman Lammers was unveiled in city to keep his legend going strong.

long access roads whilst pedestrians and cyclists enter their tunnel from an entirely different location by escalators.

Therefore, as a cyclist you are oblivious to the fact that there is even a tunnel for motorised traffic. The bicycle tunnel is 585 metres (640 yards) long and the deepest point of the tunnel is 20 metres (66ft) below the surface.

That evening we were treated to a gastronomic indulgence of all our senses at Las Palmas (Wilhelminakade 330 Ingang aan de, Otto Reuchlinweg, 3072 AR Rotterdam; +31 10 234 5122) which is a great, popular spot to eat.

Having encountered a wonderful welcome from the attentive staff, we sat and admired the décor which is a fusion of industry and nature, complimented with delicious dishes (their speciality being seafood) and beautiful matching wines. It’s obvious they are proud of the service they deliver and rightly so.

Next morning after a lazy breakfast we reluctantly jumped back into the car, the plan was to discover the Hoek van Holland Beach and cycle (hopefully dramatically) through the dunes. In the summer there is nothing as refreshing as water and there is plenty of that in Rotterdam! From the Nieuwe Maas River that flows right through the city to the lively city harbours, to the dunes that form a barrier to the sea and protect the land behind it that is often a lot lower than sea level.

Where the sea meets the land, so too do cyclists meet an invigorating experience. In no time at all we were sitting shoeless on the beach. Although Hoek van Holland is located 24 km west of Rotterdam City, it’s an official suburb.

The little village which is translated ‘Corner of the Netherlands’ marks the beginning of the enormous port of Rotterdam.

Sea, beach, dunes, promenade, harbour,

boulders and semi-naked tourists, the Hoek van Holland is a remarkably versatile place. In the summer it’s a pleasant, bustling seaside resort, especially with kite surfers, but this diverse hinterland also attracts visitors throughout the year with great cultural offerings and plenty of maritime traffic breezing in and out of the port. It’s a great place to cycle, with designated paths and plenty of places to relax and refresh. There was a welcoming breeze as I pedalled energetically along the sea wall. The beach is an industrial delight, the horizon dominated by metal structures and installations. The small village of Hoek van Holland village is only a stone’s throw away from the Maeslant Storm Barrier that protects greater Rotterdam from flooding.

Those interested in World War II have the opportunity to cycle along what remains of the Atlantic wall (30 km), the German defence line from the Noordkaap to the Pyrenees, and see the ‘Festung’ (Fortress) Hoek van Holland. The route starts at the Hoek van Holland Fortress and makes use of junctions. A brochure is also available from the Hoek van Holland Tourist Office.

Back in the bustling city we stumbled upon ‘The Giant of Rotterdam’, a statue of the second-tallest Dutchman in history, a statue to the runner-up, it could only happen in the Netherlands.

Regardless Rijnhout required about five times as much food as most men, and his poor family struggled to feed him growing up. Later, to remedy this, he rented some of his free time as a walking billboard for local companies.

The seven-foot, 6.5 inch giant was the second tallest Dutchman ever, after Albert Jan Kramer. He weighed over 500 pounds and wore size 29 shoes.

Rijnhout suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder in the pituitary gland.

After a brief R&R moment, we headed out for the evening. The Witte de Withkwartier is the vibrant heart of the Rotterdam art scene and is known for its dynamic nightlife. Sometimes referred to as Rotterdam’s ‘Axis of Art’, the Witte de Withstraat runs from Museumpark to the Maritime Museum and is lined with an abundance of cultural institutions.

There is also a selection of boutique style shops and galleries open all day, however the focus shifts to cafés and restaurants in the evening. It’s popular with the young and trendy crowd, who spill out on to the pavement from the designer bars to enjoy an alfresco drink.

The morning of our departure we travelled through the past history of the SS Rotterdam with one of the onboard tours available (for a charge). The enthusiastic guide lead us through the decks, nightclub, stylish halls and the authentic bridge, before we descended into the impressive engine room with its shiny chrome control panels and an abundance of green pipework. It was great to be able to see first-hand how much effort is required to get a ship the size of the SS Rotterdam out to sea.

Information The Stena Line ferry to Holland from Harwich to the Hook of Holland is the most direct route to the Netherlands and Germany from the south of England.

Choose from day and overnight sailings on their fantastic Superferries with Fares to Holland starting from £59 single for a car and driver or a Dutchflyer Rail and Sail ticket from £55.

The onboard services provide you with entertainment during your ferry crossing on the route Hook of Holland – Harwich, whether you’re travelling by day or travelling by night. The Superferries feature two restaurants, three bars, a coffee bar, an on-board shop, an internet room and even a cinema. Indulge yourself with an overnight private cabin with shower and toilet and experience luxury whilst at sea.

BIKE MAGAZINE 53

54 BIKE MAGAZINE

SHOWCASE

© National Trust Images. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Pedalcover: Home Insurance reInvented for cyclIsts

The ultimate all in one home & bike insurance

Clouds Hill

A treat for cyclists

cycling

T E Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, loved cycling. When he left the RAF in 1935 he cycled to his Dorset home, Clouds Hill, from Yorkshire. This year we want to encourage visitors to cycle to Clouds Hill, rewarding them with a special Clouds Hill shortbread biscuit. The cottage is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am-4.30pm, until 30 October.

We combine your home and bike insurance under one policy to save you money

01929 405616 nationaltrust.org.uk/clouds-hill

FUNKIER HUEZA GENTS ELITE JERSEY

Cycling on the shores of Loch Rannoch The highlands are a region synonymous with drama and romance, with its sprawling unbridled landscape. The Loch Rannoch Highland Resort incorporates itself within

soaring Munros and beautiful mountain ranges, sat on the banks of the jewel blue of Loch Rannoch surrounded

by emerald forests. Our lodges blend tastefully within this incredible location. We offer self catering lodges that cater up to 8 persons.

Edale House B&B Welcome to Edale House B&B in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Owners Peter and Jane invite you to unwind, make yourself at home and enjoy the delights of this beautiful area.

Book your stay now: Website: https://www.edalehouse.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)1594 562835 Email: edalehouse@gmail.com

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Loch Rannoch Highland Resort The Avenue, Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, PH16 5PR www.lochrannochhighlandclub.com • admin@lochrannochhighlandclub.com • +44(0) 1796 471850

Experience

that perfect ride one more time.

Wi-Fi CYCLE CAMERA

Wi-Fi Bicycle/Motorcycle Camera

With our bike camera, you can watch that trail run you did this morning again and again, and share the excitement with your family and friends. If it was your best ride ever, wouldn’t you want to prove it?

- Records the action while you ride - Wi-fi control through smart phone - Video and snapshot modes - 360° pivot for selfies - Minimal vibration, polished aluminum mounting bracket - 3-7/8” (9.84cm) extra wide angle mirror lens - Colorful LED indicators

Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221 www.ksource.org

Black

White

3-7/8” 9.84 cm Color LED indicators

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Mounts easily to handlebar

Men and women of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines serve their country, often at times of danger. Established in 1922, the RNBT helps non‑commissioned Sailors, Marines and their families (The RNBT Family) throughout their lives.

Your donation will help us to help them.

The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, Castaway House, 311 Twyford Avenue, PoRTsmouTH, Hampshire, Po2 8RN T: 02392 690112 F: 02392 660852 E: rnbt@rnbt.org.uk www.rnbt.org.uk

BIKE MAGAZINE 55

Performance by Nature

™

Biomaxa chamois creams have been scientifically formulated from key natural ingredients to lubricate, soothe and assist in the repair of skin on any length of ride. Our mix of Lanolin, Manuka Oil and active Manuka honey assists in prevention of chafing & saddle sores and helps protect against infection & irritation.

Biomaxa Ultra-Ride™ is for regular use and active conditioning of the skin for all purpose riding (<4hrs) Biomaxa Pro-Ride™ is for riders with sensitive skin or the serious cyclist or professional rider that needs premium performance in harsh conditions (>4hrs)

Available in 100ml and 200ml pots Made with Lanolin from New Zealand

Contains active Manuka Honey for anti-antibacterial effect and assist with skin repair

Contains Manuka Oil - which has a proven antibacterial effect

bicycle chamois creams biomaxa

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56 BIKE MAGAZINE