BIKE Magazine - March 2019

Bike safety - Europe adventure cycling - Training - Nutrition - Bike review

UK’S LEISURE CYCLING AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE

MARCH 2019

CYCLING IN ANDALUCÍA

LONDON TO PARIS BIKE SAFETY

CYCLING MIRRORS & CHILD CYCLING

Cycling

THE LAKE DISTRICT £5.95 / €6.59

PRINTED IN THE UK

MARCH 2019

2 BIKE MAGAZINE

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BIKE MAGAZINE 3

CONTENTS

INSIDE MARCH 2019

6 The Lake District By Bicycle How to handle the Tour of Britain (with stops of brew and touring) > Toruing

18 Cycling in Andalucía

56 Cycling For Women’s Rights

Growing up reading about the history of the Mediterranean and thanks to my love of Flamenco music, a visit to Spain has always been at the back of my mind. > Spain

24 London to Paris

48 HSBC UK GO-RIDE

For amateurs like my wife Jacqueline and I, the nearest thing to riding like a pro for a number of days can be found in one of the many London to Paris challenges now available. > Touring

40 Cognac: Child-friendly For the past fourteen years I have taken over 300 families on week-long holidays. > France

4 BIKE MAGAZINE

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BIKE MAGAZINE 5

WELCOME

Welcome

to the March issue BOOSTING YOUR BIKING DESIRE We at BIKE understand that you can’t beat discovering new beautiful places when on the saddle, whether it be for a good cause or just for fun.

With the March issue touching upon The Lake District’s Tour of Britain (p.6) and the most useful bike company in the South of the region (p.10); a trip of a lifetime from Blackpool to Fleetwood, where stopping points for taking in the scenery of the Irish Sea to North Wales can be found (p.12); a couples experience travelling from Helsinki to Singapore to raise money for two bicycle related associations (p.14); what it’s like to bike through Andalucia’s small agricultural villages up to the steepest hill climbs (p.18), and various events taking place in France, including Bloodwise’s blood cancer charity bike trip set to enter its ninth year (p.24) in Paris and Montblanc’s one day competition soon taking place (p.30), we are certain that at least one of our exciting locations and events featured will tickle your fancy, giving you a sense of adventure and wanderlust you won’t be able to resist.

Nonetheless, with too many horror stories in the press regarding bike accidents, we want to ensure you get the most out of your ride, the safest possible way. Thanks to the inventor Carlo Dando and his Spintech mirrors which can “save your life”, you can now navigate the roads hassle-free without having to look over your shoulders (p.36).

We are also aware that it isn’t just us adults who want to gain the most out of cycling. With children of all ages enjoying the sport and it being a fantastic way to get your offspring’s away from computers and gadgets, this issue also consists of the best ways you and your children can get the most out of cycling.

Be sure to check out www.bike-mag.com for more information! > Leah Alger - Editor

Magazine Team

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Bike safety - Europe adventure cycling - Training - Nutrition - Bike review

UK’S LEISURE CYCLING AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE

MARCH 2019

CYCLING ANDALUCÍA

LONDON TO PARIS BIKE SAFETY

CYCLING MIRRORS & CHILD CYCLING

E. chris.smith@bike-mag.com Publisher

Cycling in

Webify Media Ltd

THE LAKE DISTRICT

59 Jodane Street, London £5.95 / €6.59

PRINTED IN THE UK

MARCH 2019

6 BIKE MAGAZINE

LAKE DISTRICT

Written by Alison Jacobs

BIKE MAGAZINE 7

LAKE DISTRICT

THE LAKE DISTRICT

BY BICYCLE How to handle the Tour of Britain (with stops for brew and touring)

Proceeding with our arrangement on handling the course of the 2018 Tour of Britain - at an all the more restful pace - Simon Parker offers a manual for the precarious inclines of the Lake District.

The adventure This is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most ostensibly astonishing of all the visit’s stages this year, starting in Furness, adjoining Morecambe Sound and, 105 miles later on, the edges of Keswick at Whinlatter Pass. The race is depended upon to last barely short of four hours. Nonetheless, most learners should allow double the time -- there’s too much scene worth stopping to appreciate.

The best stop Keeping the messy stack of Morecambe Bay on your right shoulder, you’ll wind north towards the neighborhood of Ulverston, before the course scrambles toward the lakes by methods for undulating farmland on every horizon. An irritating summer heatwave couldn’t dry this rich, clearing scene - and you’ll wind up cycling adjoining soaked, lichen-settled slopes and lazy feeding pens, mistook for dry stone dividers. In case you’ve anytime done “thumps and dashes” at a flipping around class then this region is the veritable frame - a substantial bit of a mile up, an expansive segment of a mile down.

You’ll take after the A593 that runs neighboring the five mile long, a vast part of a mile wide, Coniston Water - the District Lake’s third greatest lake, before

continued

8 BIKE MAGAZINE

LAKE DISTRICT

accomplishing the town of Coniston at the northern tip, where you’ll find a bank, a little broad store and a couple of bistros. Starting there, the course brushes the north side of Windermere, before moving to in excess of 600 feet at Dunmail Raise, just south of Thirlmere. North of Ambleside there’s a remarkable cycle way that will save you the issue of cycling on the A591 twofold carriageway, taking you on the west side of Thirlmere, neighboring congested banks and rising above pine trees looking like bigger than common Christmas trees. Finally the course slides into Keswick where you can either whole a further 40-mile hover to Cockermouth and Workington, or (like me) save it to the next morning when your legs quit.

Rest and refuel Convent House Hotel (01229 838282; abbeyhousehotel. com) is only a mile from the focal point of Barrow-inFurness and the suites are gigantic, with baths and showers, couches and chimneys. The eatery, Oscar’s, has healthy plates of mixed greens, nearby frankfurters and steaks. Breakfast is served from 0645am, which is ideal for a solid start, and there are Manx kippers from the Isle of Man, right over the Irish Sea. Duplicates from £70.

Around five miles from the finish of the race, west of Keswick, The Cottage in the Wood (01768 778409; thecottageinthewood.co.uk) is a brilliantly comfortable spot and situated appropriately next to the course. The nourishment is excellent and has progressed toward becoming something of a nearby foodie journey as of

late. There’s Morecambe Bay crab, privately raised pork emblems and scrounged woods nourishments where conceivable. The fried eggs with smoked bacon and chanterelle mushrooms are scrumptious. Duplicates from £130.

Backup ways to go On the off chance that you’re getting the plane from Lancaster then you should need to get off at Ulverston and join the course there, instead of taking care of business to Wheelbarrel in-Furness. This will shave off the flattish 11-mile segment toward the start of the stage that skirts Morecambe Bay. How to arrive?

By means of set up this is decidedly a pinch of schlep from most corners of the UK, yet it’s legitimized, in spite of all the inconvenience. A limited toll from London to Cart in-Furness changes some place in the scope of £47 and £109 and it takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes.

There’s no get ready station in Keswick, so you’ll need to either ride a further 17 miles to Penrith or take a taxi.

Confirmations from Penrith to London start at £44.

Rundown Spectacularly awesome distance - this stage displays the most sweeping sees and minimum people. In case I could ride one stage over and over, it would be this one.

BIKE MAGAZINE 9

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10 BIKE MAGAZINE

LAKE DISTRICT

THE LAKE DISTRICT

BRITAIN’S BEST RIDE With the Lake District not only being home to the iconic Lake Poets, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin, but also England’s rarest wildlife; deepest and largest lakes; tallest woodland and the highest mountain Scafell Pike (978m), it’s no wonder the stunning county of Cumbria is such a popular holiday destination, attracting around 15.8 million visitors per year.

The Lake District is the go-to place for anyone who enjoys adventure and fascinating history, with the South of the Lake District being one of the most attractive areas within the region.

Nonetheless, tourists typically find themselves not having enough time to tick everything off their bucket lists – there’s just too much to do and not enough hours in the day (let alone walking energy!). So, why not cover all distances and add some adrenaline to your journey by hiring a bike before you find yourself stuck back in the office and thinking ‘I wonder what… was like?’

Luckily, more and more cycling routes have been created throughout the county, making cyclists journeys easier and more enjoyable as a whole. Whether

you’re looking to explore Morecambe Bay with its spider web of local quiet lanes, or the stunning lakes of Coniston Water and Windermere Lake, all are home to Britain's best cycling routes and idyllic scenery.

With the South of the Lake District having various high-end Trek and Enigma Titanium road bikes on hire via the company Lake District Bikes, all of which have been selected for your enjoyment, specially geared and perfectly designed for what the region has to offer, there’s simply no excuse not to jump on the saddle and partake in a trip of a lifetime.

Nonetheless, if you are slacking when it comes to personal fitness or feel like your fellow friend or family member who you’re going away with needs a little assistance, don’t fear! Lake District Bikes can supply you with E-Bikes for as little as £36, helping to cycle longer and faster while still reaping the benefits of riding a bike. They are also great vehicles for those with aches and pains whom don’t want to miss out on the adventure, especially those a little older in age (told you there’s not excuse!).

Whatever your cycling needs, the bike company will happily help you find a bike individually catered not only to your fitness level but also your personal desire. Better still, they can arrange for your bikes to be delivered to your accommodation; supply you with information about group rides if you’re looking to meet new people with common ground; give you in-depth knowledge on the area to make sure you don’t get lost and the most out of your vacation; offer you bike tours so you’re sure to visit the most stunning areas; ensure you have on route repairs should you have a puncture (any parts/ inner tubes used will be charged for), and can take holiday bookings consisting of the finest holiday lodges, which are more than accommodating for if you need somewhere comfortable and sophisticated to rest your bones – you can also bring your own bike!

Be sure to book your bike and/or holiday in advance to avoid disappointment and enjoy a stress-free ride and break at a reasonable price – www. lakedistrictbikes.com

BIKE MAGAZINE 11

Lake District Bikes Bike Hire, Cycling Tours, Cycling Holidays We have a great bike ready for you

John Sutcliffe Beck View Lowick Nr Ulverston Cumbria LA12 8DX

Web: lakedistrictbikes.com Tel: 0788 773 1552 Email: jrsutcliffe7@icloud.com

Road Bike Hire

All Terrain Bike Hire

Family Bike Hire

E-Bike Hire

Self catering cottages for Cyclists overlooking the Lake District National park www.coalyeatcottages.co.uk Tel: Emma 07887731553 Come and join me for the ”Enigma Titanium Experience” Hire, demo or buy new Enigma titanium road bikes and Hunt wheels.

12 BIKE MAGAZINE

TRAFFIC-FREE

CYCLE RIDE BLACKPOOL TO

FLEETWOOD TEXT BY BENJAMIN EASTERLEY Distance: 11 miles Start: South Pier, Blackpool Finish: The Esplanade, Fleetwood Train stations: Blackpool North, Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach Grade: Moderate

BIKE MAGAZINE 13

BLACKPOOL

Terrain, gradients and access Flat, wide concrete promenade with a very short and quiet onroad section at Rossall Beach (or dismount to push along this narrower part of the promenade).

Route description The razzmatazz of Britain’s definitive bucket-and-spade destination provides a lively start to this ride, but is quickly superseded by the quiet, natural beauty of the attractive Fylde Coast.

Written by Benjamin Easterley

Start at Blackpool’s South Pier and head north along the wide promenade. It’s a sensory overload in the opening miles, with the clatter of Blackpool trams alongside the route, the sweet candyfloss scent of the kiosks and a million bulbs lighting up the seafront during the famous Blackpool Illuminations each autumn. The adrenalin-fuelled rides of the Pleasure Beach are left behind as you cycle towards one of England’s most iconic landmarks: the unmistakable Blackpool Tower. In the opening miles, attractive and ornate Victorian shelters on the Promenade make great stopping points for taking in the scenery over the Irish Sea to north Wales, before you swoop between the curved, sandy-coloured layers of the promenade at Cleveleys, where the Isle of Man can be seen across the water on a clear day.

Beside the shingly, pebbly banks of Rossall Beach there are great

“Attractive and ornate Victorian shelters on the Promenade make great stopping points for taking in the scenery over the Irish Sea to north Wales”

views of the Lake District’s peaks in the distance. However, the best views are in the final mile from Rossall Point Tower, a futuristicstyle observation station that leans eagerly towards the sea.

Go to the top deck to look over Fleetwood Beach, Morecambe Bay, the Lake District and the Forest of Bowland. From here, roll past Fleetwood’s Marine Hall Gardens and the little pastel-coloured beach huts on the seafront, before ending at the white sandstone Lower Lighthouse on The Esplanade. It’s just a short ride from here to Fleetwood’s ferry point for the 10-minute boat trip over the River Wyre to Knott Endon-Sea. Loops, links and longer rides From Blackpool’s South Pier, NCN 62 follows a mix of On-road and traffic-free route south to Lytham St Annes.

Stay Queens Promenade Hotel, Blackpool (01253) 355449 www.queenspromenadehotel.com Eat and drink There are many places to eat in Blackpool, including ‘Parks’ Art Deco café overlooking the ornamental Italian gardens in Stanley Park, Kwizeen Restaurant or Harry Ramsden’s fish and chips near North Pier. At Fleetwood, try Beachside Café on the waterside, or head into the town for popular Café Royal or the Granada Fish Bar and Restaurant.

Cycle Hire Bike & Go, Blackpool North train station www.bikeandgo.co.uk

14 BIKE MAGAZINE

Aurelie and Marco

HELSINKI

TO SINGAPORE After weeks of eye scratching internet research, we thought we had found THE bike that was going to take us all the way to Singapore

BIKE MAGAZINE 15

HELSINKI TO SINGAPORE

So, we bought bus tickets and travelled 500 kms to a specialised retailer in France, took them for a test drive and realised that we actually hated them.

Luckily Guillaume, the friendliest man ever and a touring bike know-it-all, had a couple of Genesis in stock… and it was love at first sight! Why? Well, let’s see…

Although we are bike travelers, we are also humans, and the first thing that makes you fall in love is undoubtedly looks. Genesis Bikes knows this way too well and has been making beautiful pedal-powered machines which scream handsomeness for a few years now. This is of course also true of their touring bikes; the Tour de Fer Series (hereafter TdF). It does not only have impeccable geometry, but also comes in wicked colours. Again, cyclists, but also humans.

At first sight the TdF might look like a beefed up version of Genesis’ almost legendary Croix de Fer, but it’s in fact so much more than that. Touring bicycles, such as the TdF, are made not just to be resistant and allow for many bag carriers (among other things) to be installed, but are also designed to be comfortable since we tend to spend much more time than the average cyclist on them. Some manufacturers sacrifice performance in order to offer a very comfortable ride but Genesis seems to have found the perfect balance. We have been on our TdF 20 for a year now and not once did we have posture related soreness in limbs, joints or muscles.

In a way that’s hard to describe, one way of knowing that this touring bike does exactly what it says on the tin is the fact that it actually feels better when fully loaded than when riding naked finding the latter a bit nervous around the corners and running out of gears a bit too quickly.

Ok. It rides well and it looks swell.

I suppose these are personal traits which we could argue over for hours so, let’s have a look at some specs; To start with, the frame is constructed using heat-treated Reynolds 725 steel tubing (about as good as it gets for bicycle touring) which is made to go around the world. Steel is easy soldered anywhere on this planet and provides attributes such as durability and vibration absorption – both ideal

attributes when considering a new travel machine. Apart from these, and as far as steel frames go, the stronger structure of the material also allows for smaller tubes which further results to lighter bikes.

Secondly, this bike boasts some pretty good wheels; Sun Ringle Rhyno Lite 36 holes rims are, again, pretty much ideal for a touring bike giving some extra resistance when fully loaded and better shock absorption.

All TdFs come fitted with Schwalbe Marathon Mondial; definitely not an off-road tyre but an excellent road touring one which gave us our first puncture after over 6000 kms.

Eventually we had to change them and decided to fit a slightly more offroad model, the GT365. So far, it has impressed us both on wet tarmac/ mud and on very loose gravel/sand.

Still on the wheels, these come fitted with Shimano Promax mechanical disc brakes; not the best on the market but are easily maintained wherever you are and whose pads are ready available in shops everywhere we’ve been so far. Before we move on, the TdF 20 and 30 come fitted with a top of the range SP PD-8 dynamo which, although it has caused us some problems while on the road, is still a pretty good choice for lighting those powerful B&M Lumotec IQ-X lights (the best dynamo-powered front light I’ve ever had the chance to use on a bicycle) or used with a dynamo charger to power up your devices as you ride.

Aurelie and Marco are cycling from Helsinki to Singapore and fundraising for two bycicle related associations.

To find out more: 421adventure.wordpress.com or @421Adventure on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Another great component is of course the drive train. We firmly believe that Shimano Deore is probably one of the best choices for any bike tourer who

“A couple of issues which might give the guys at Genesis something to lose some sleep over”

16 BIKE MAGAZINE

HELSINKI TO SINGAPORE

is planning to climb up at any point. We had thought about upgrading to a TdF 30 which comes with Shimano Tiagra but, I must admit, that we were worried about our knees suffering way too much on those steep hills. Deore is also durable and easy to maintain which, again, is something that should always be on your mind when considering travelling to places far away.

The last reason why we seriously loved this bike from the very first few strokes is the handlebar. We define ourselves as mountain bikers hence we don’t have too much experience with drop bars, but if you check out any blogs on the subject you will immediately see that this is probably one of the biggest debates when it comes to bike touring. Our only advice on the matter is to go with whatever you find more comfortable and, in our case, it’s flat bars. The TdF 20 comes fitted with a 12 degrees back sweep handlebar which is not just comfortable, also feels very natural while riding - there is plenty of space left-over for whatever gadgets or accessories you want to stick on there. Better still, they also come with some pretty sleek looking ergonomic grips which offer two hand positions and are made with a very resistant material which is still holding up fantastically after a year under the sun, rain and all kind of temperatures.

Apart from these “must haves”, the TdF 20 also comes with a pack of fun little extras, which are always nice, such as a very functional and practical spare spokes holder on the seat stay (life saver); a nice set of pedals (although we love our SPDs so immediately took them off); not one, two, but three bottle holders; back and front tubus carriers and, last but not least, the B&M lights which are just out of this world.

However, nothing is perfect. We have noticed a couple of issues which might give the guys at Genesis something to lose some sleep over. To mention a trivial one; in size XS you’ll find

challenging fitting any bottles beneath the downtube. After entering many shops, we finally found one small enough in Iran!

At the top of the “serious concerns section” there’s the wheel clearance; Genesis has obviously put a lot of effort into making this bike an all-rounder, but for some reason, they decided to go with a pretty slim frame design which gives anyone who is into serious off-road travelling a dead good reason to look elsewhere. Using Schwalbe as a reference, the maximum size is 35C with mudguards and 38C without. Frankly, although we haven’t had the need for wider tires yet, I do dread the day when this will be an issue and, even though we are happy with the current tires, we have run into some problems while on very muddy paths in Russia. In fact, although TdFs come fitted with some great fenders, mud is mud and with the right conditions it builds up in the rear (close to the seat tube) and stops the wheel from turning.

To finish with just a quick note about the saddle provided - it has a nice, soft feel and looks good, but it’s only really suitable for commuting - it will definitely leave you cursing after only a couple of hours. Comically, in the specs, they refer to this as the Genesis Comfort!

Nonetheless, the Tour de Fer 20 is a great out-of-the-box bike which has great perks like its geometry, as well as components which are built to last. Hopefully, in the future, the wheel clearance will be improved. But, meanwhile, we love ours and definitely feel that it’s still a very good buy, whether to take a quick stroll halfway across the globe or cycle twenty miles down the road to work every day.

BIKE MAGAZINE 17

www.myklops.com Buy a genuine Myklops® Bicycle Rear View Mirror from the website or from Amazon Prime for just £19.99, with free UK postage!

FEATURES  Multi-position convex rear view mirror worn on the wrist to reduce vibration  Two internal extending arms with 360° rotating base unit for multi positioning  Can be worn on either wrist and is easily configured for use with 'straight' or 'drop' handle bars  Fully adjustable strap that can be made larger to fit over winter clothes and can be removed for cleaning  Made from strong, light-weight, Nylon composite, the Myklops closes shut for easy storage  Ideal for cycle touring ensuring your panniers or trailer are still in good condition whilst on the move  Great tool for keeping an eye on your cycling partner ensuring they are safe and still behind you

The Myklops has been designed to wear comfortably on your wrist, just like a watch. It’s so light you won’t even notice you are wearing one. By making small movements of your wrist or elbow, without taking your hand off the handlebar, you can achieve a greater field of vision.

It has been developed for safety, practicality and convenience. No need to have a mirror for each of your bikes, perfect for all road users, great for commuting or recreational cycling, whether you use a ‘city bike’ scheme or perhaps renting bikes on holiday. If you use a folding bike, then the best place for a mirror is on your wrist!

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Instructional videos are available on the website to show you how to get the most from your new Myklops

18 BIKE MAGAZINE

SPAIN

CYCLING IN ANDALUCÍA

Written by Nadiah Aziz

BIKE MAGAZINE 19

SPAIN

Growing up reading about the history of the Mediterranean and thanks to my love of Flamenco music, a visit to Spain has always been at the back of my mind. After our trip to Japan last year, we were longing to venture back into the open roads, and the remaining question was about where to go.

After plenty of research and Nadiah’s mental prodding for me to go explore Europe, the idea of Spain came into the picture almost immediately! Not only will I get to visit the birthplace of Flamenco, but the idea of immersing ourselves in the culturally and historically rich setting of Andalucía while on a cycling tour piqued the senses.

When we arrived, we made friends with the wonderful folks at Cycling Country (special thanks to Geoff and Maggi who are awesome) who provided an excellent itinerary for us to explore the pueblo blancos of Al-Andalus – The White Villages of Andalucía.

Our journey began in Granada, nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and home to the Alhambra, the crown jewel of Spanish Andalucía antiquity. We explored the many beautiful views of old Granada from the Albaycin, and even had a little adventure into the Sierra Nevada.

The actual cycling tour was not lengthy in terms of days, but the amount of elevation we experienced was enough to give us an appreciation of the beautiful countryside. For this trip, I opted to go with the Change Bike with 700c wheels to cover the distances faster, which also helped when overcoming long climbs..

The first stage of our journey began at the doorstep of Hotel Los Angeles in Granada, where we woke up to blue skies and a healthy does of sunshine to keep us warm back in November.

Stage 1 - Granada to Alhama Start Granada Finish Alhama Distance 58km Climbing 930m Grade Medium/Hard Dean, from Cycling County, greeted us at our hotel and made sure that we had all the information we needed to start our self guided tour. We had maps and cue sheets ready, and after a quick pressure check of our tyres, we were ready to jump on the saddle!

Out from the hotel, we made our way westwards, weaving between the smaller urban roads and footpaths until we found ourselves at the urban border of Granada.

From there, we followed the bike path that runs alongside the Rio Genil as we rode out of

the southern region in sunny Spain.

At the end of the bike path, we continued onwards to small country roads, traveling through the many small agricultural villages that make up the landscape of the Genil Valley. We passed through the small village of Vegas de Genil and stopped there for a late lunch right before the Spanish siesta.

After an extremely pleasant lunch of calamari and pollo, we continued our travels along the quiet roads and admired the lush farmlands around us – olives, wheat and corn. There were plenty of rolling hills that gave us quite a workout as we continued with several slow and steady climbs.

We cycled past the villages of La Malaha and Escuzar and bid farewell to the Sierra Nevada mountains behind us. From this point

“We were easy prey.

Two tired cyclists all alone in the dark” onwards, the roads and landscape started getting more hilly and we found ourselves slowly transitioning to our climbing gears and keeping them there.

We traveled through many more small farming villages, and after riding through Ventas de Huelma, we continued again into the open countryside – and even more hills! The downhill parts were extremely enjoyable as we soaked in the scenery and the breeze and, of course, this gave our legs a break before we mentally prepared ourselves for the next climb.

We managed to catch the final rays of sunlight from the fading golden hour and tried our best to keep our pace while continuing onwards through many more hill climbs. With every view by every minute on the saddle, an Instagram cyclist

20 BIKE MAGAZINE

SPAIN

could pretty much hashtag #roadslikethese and #lightbro for everything.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the temperature started to drop rapidly and my fingerless cycling gloves didn’t cut it anymore. We arrived at the shores of Lake Bermajales right at the start of nightfall and stopped to enjoy the view (and our freezing hands with Merino wool liners!). From the lake, we were able to see the beautiful coastal mountains – the Sierra de Almijara, Tejeda and Alhama.

The bridge going through the Embalse de Los Bermejales would be the last temporary bit of flat riding that we’d experience for the evening. As we approached the end of the bridge and out of the lake, the sunlight had disappeared completely as darkness fell.

The only lights we had were the ones on our bikes, and a tiny bit of moonlight illuminating the landscape around us. When we first continued into the farmland areas and left the lake behind us, it was nice and quiet. We thought it would be a very peaceful ride.

Unfortunately, that tranquility did not last for long.

The climbs became steeper as we moved away from the lake. The coastal mountain range that we saw earlier from the shores of the lake should have served as a strong hint. Both mental and physical fatigue started to creep in, and I believe it was that combination that more or less gave our presence away to the many shepherd guard dogs patrolling the empty farmlands.

We were easy prey. Two tired cyclists all alone in the dark - Nadiah was already frightened and mentally fatigued, so she pretty much had a bullseye painted all over. I had to put in effort for bravado right when one of the bigger shepherd dogs came at me from behind and I had to exert a bit of the alpha status to keep them at bay. All this while climbing through MANY rolling hills. The dogs continued to track and hunt while we continued to cycle as fast as we could through the hilly farmlands. Whenever we stopped to try to make an emergency phone call, we couldn’t get signal, further hearing the tracker dogs catch up from behind us.

Adrenaline was pretty much the only thing that kept us moving!

Right when we thought our legs couldn’t keep going any longer, we felt the gradient of the road slope downwards and we were thankfully gaining speed! At last, we made it through the edge of the hills and enjoyed our victorious swooping descent. We could see the lights of Alhama up ahead – civilization at last!

When we finally reached the base of the hill, we stopped nearby the old Roman bridge which served as the welcoming entrance into Alhama de Granada and, of course, there was a hill climb on the other side into the village. At this point, Nadiah was exhausted beyond belief and we opted to ring up Cycling Country. Geoff came to the rescue and ferried us for the last 1 kilometer of the evening up into our lovely accommodation.

We enjoyed a beautiful evening at La Seguiriya; a rustic and charming place with wonderful food and people.

We opened our eyes the next morning and wished we could enjoy La Seguiriya for a bit longer, but the journey ahead of us beckoned and wanted to make sure we finished before nightfall after last night’s lesson. We had the terrace overlooking the valley below all to ourselves

BIKE MAGAZINE 21

SPAIN

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SPAIN

for the morning before we once again embarked on our tour.

We stopped by Cycling Country’s shop around the corner from La Seguiriya and met both Geoff and Maggi there. We had a good debrief session about the previous day’s ride, and based on the distances and climbs that we’d be doing for the next few days, we all thought it’d be easier if Nadiah switched to 700c wheels. All the routes that we’d be doing are ideal for road cyclists with 700c wheels, but it would be a bit of a struggle for those riding 20-inch wheels to keep up.

I was doing quite well so far with my Change folding bike with 25mm tyres rolling on 700c wheels. At the shop, there just happened to be a beautiful Orbea carbon road bike that was the perfect size for Nadiah, so she opted to go with that steed for the remainder of our tour. From there, we get a short lift from Geoff in the Cycling Country van to skip past the initial steep hill climb out of the village. We then bid our farewells and began the second stage of our journey.

We had a blast riding down the winding descents of the Sierra de Alhama and arrived at the fertile plains of Zafarraya below. The Zafarraya plains are home to three villages, with the one we cycled through being Ventas de Zafarraya. The Spanish “Ventas” refers to the small inns in the area. Back in the old days, this small village was where traders would often stay and refreshed themselves and their caravan before continuing on their journey.

Beautiful limestone rock formations adorn the landscape surrounding the small village, and we felt a little bit like Frodo and Samwise from Lord of the Rings passing through a hidden passage amidst such epic and majestic mountains.

At the edge of the village lies the Boquete rock formation, which is the first and last known place for European Neanderthal to have lived.

In 1979, this area was recognised as the Cueva del Boquete de Zafarraya, home to the best preserved remains of a 30,000 year old Neanderthal found in Western Europe.

The natural break through this coastal range served as an important trade route during the Moorish Nasrid era in the 10th century where caravans were able to travel back and forth between North Africa and the Iberian peninsula. In fact, on a really clear day, it is possible to see the coastline of Northern Africa and the Straits of Gibraltar from this side of the mountain.

In more recent history, this area was a strategic point where the Republicans fought the Nationalists for control during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The coastline of Malaga was bombarded by Franco’s troops and thousands were massacred along this coastal route from aerial and mortar attacks. In 1937, the exodus of Malaga saw 150,000 civilians escape to the east to Almeria.

From Zafarraya, we head southwards into the Axarquia and ride through the natural parks of the Malaga mountains.

These mountains have also been witness to many battles and relentless bloodshed between the Muslim and Christian empires as both sides fought for control of Malaga in the 15th century.

As the Christian monarchs won the final battles, the scales tipped in their favour and the Muslim armies were conquered, resulting in the fall of Granada in 1492.

Nonetheless, the days days of battle and bloodshed have been long gone, and it is now a very tranquil region of farmlands and natural parks. Thankfully, today’s route was mostly downhill as we spent the majority of yesterday climbing.

We enjoyed the fast and panoramic descents through the Axarquia and make a pitstop in the small village of Periana for lunch before continuing onwards through fields of wheat and barley before approaching the village of Rio Gordo.

We enjoyed the tranquility of Rio Gordo as we cycled past the quaint pueblo blancos and witnessed a big herd of goats and sheep making their way

through the small canal in the village.

The residents of Rio Gordo enjoy the slow and plentiful life to the fullest extent, with an official “Snail Day” celebration dedicated to this lifestyle.

As we kept going, we certainly felt like snails when climbing out of the valley from Rio Gordo. At this point, we’ve completed all the downhill parts of our journey and it is time to start our ascent again into the mountains. After climbing out of the valley through Rio Gordo, we at last make our way to our final destination of the day – Colmenar.

Nestled within the surrounding mountain ranges that can be seen in the distance, Colmenar is known to the locals as the capital of the mountains! Colmenar is a small agricultural town that is also home to numerous beehives, its name derived from the word colmena which means beehive in Spanish. We made our final ascent and settled in a small family-run inn at the edge of town for the evening.

Luckily, this time, we managed to make it just before sunset!

Although we spent most of the day riding down beautiful descents, the final part of the day was spent climbing back up hills and mountains. As for the next stage heading towards Antequera, this would be one of the most challenging rides to date.

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BIKE MAGAZINE 23

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24 BIKE MAGAZINE

LONDON - PARIS

LONDON TO PARIS Four days, 500 kilometres, 250 riders, one goal Multi-day cycling events are becoming increasingly popular amongst leisure riders.

The pros have Le Grand Boucle, not to mention the tours of Spain and Italy, to satisfy their need to don lycra every morning and cycle ludicrous distances for weeks on end

For amateurs like my wife Jacqueline and I, the nearest thing to riding like a pro for a number of days can be found in one of the many London to Paris challenges now available.

The Bloodwise blood cancer charity’s bike trip, set to enter its ninth year in 2019, is reputedly one of the best. Ride captain Tom Morton singles this event out as “not just another long distance ride.” It is he says, “… special in so many ways. There are over 140 London to Paris rides every year, only a few, four or five, are in the top league.”

The Bloodwise ride mimics a pro event in many aspects. It has a ‘broom’ wagon (albeit a hop-on, hop off version!); motorcycle outriders; medics; rolling road closures on the French side, all the way to the Eiffel Tower; mechanics offering instant roadside wheel changes; an army of physios to untangle stiff, twisted muscles; a TV crew careering around the peloton on motorbikes; a road book for every rider, and even a crowd of raucous supporters (friends and family) at the Arc de Triomphe.

And just like some professionals of not so long ago - if not currently (but who honestly knows?) - this ride is all about the drugs! Unlike those secretive pros, it’s a fact the organisers are not ashamed to flaunt. That’s because the substances in question are neither testosterone nor EPO. Instead, the drug therapies Bloodwise are there to better understand, treat and beat all 137 different types of blood cancer as part of their research.

While getting to Paris under your own steam is inspirational enough, doing so in aid of such a cause, in the company of an extraordinary group of fellow cyclists, elevates this endeavour to a wholly different plane. It is truly special as Tom Morton asserts and for most, deeply emotionally. In the end, what leaves the biggest lasting impression are not the miles covered, but the people in whose company are covered.

DAY ONE, GREENWICH TO CALAIS – 126.9km - 1,164m The adventure starts in London’s Greenwich Park early on a

BIKE MAGAZINE 25

LONDON - PARIS

Thursday morning. 250 jittery riders, including my wife and I, prepare our bikes, attach numbers, fiddle with timing chips, make last-minute kit choices and gulp down a final strong coffee. After a farewell talk from Cathy Gilman, Bloodwise Chief Executive, we all ride off en masse, heading for Folkestone some 126km away. At first, getting out of London feels a little like we’re commuting to work in rush hour. While there are no rolling road closures on this first UK leg, the moto riders still help us along.

Once in the Kent countryside the vibe changes. Approaching Lympne Hill, the surroundings are positively bucolic. But the serene inner calm induced by the gentle scenery comes before a storm all of its own. There are soon the leg-crunching ramps of ‘The Hill’ to contend with. Less than a kilometre of climbing may seem paltry but you gain 94m in that distance , with Lympne Hill, according to Veloviewer, having a maximum grade of 24% alone.

“For Anil Pindoria the rain is a minor consideration”

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LONDON - PARIS

It’s a timed hill climb, recorded by DB Max, so us riders are at liberty to put our heads down and compete– with most heads being down by the summit as riders gasp painfully for breath. By the summit as riders gasp painfully for breath. Thankfully, the remaining run into the bus park is flat and short. We queue to load our bikes onto the lorries which will transport them through the Channel Tunnel before we hop onto the coaches and follow their path.

another challenge to be tackled and overcome. To the many pedallers in the group who have lived through, or are living with, extreme blood conditions, a September shower is nothing. Eighteenyear-old rider Joe Smale, for instance, was diagnosed with leukaemia for the third time just four years ago – then had a bone marrow transplant. Steve Mitchell, doing the ride for the second time, is preparing to meet the donor who saved his life once he reaches Paris.

DAY TWO, CALAIS TO ABBEVILLE – 136.7km – 1,179m

For Anil Pindoria the rain is a minor consideration. He joined the group at Greenwich after having already just ridden there from Paris. He covered the reverse of our journey unsupported, carrying his own luggage. He suffered one puncture and rode our days three and four in one go.

Day two is the longest and hilliest portion of the ride and will soon turn out to be the soggiest. We are now split into our speed groups - fast, medium and social (never ‘slow’). Rolling out of Calais you immediately feel the benefit of being on an effectively closed road event. We are cruising along inside a motoristfree pocket created by the lead car, the van at the rear and the moto riders constantly buzzing ahead to block off road junctions.

Early on, I suffer a pinch flat in my back tyre and have to stop. Luckily, mechanics are there in a flash. Ride captain Tom Morton whips off my rear wheel. I’m given a spare and deposited back in the group. Just like the Tour, apart from the short, cheeky, lift in the van. If only getting punctures on the commute to work could be resolved like this.

My own wheel has my number stuck to it and the service wheel has a distinctive yellow-striped tyre, making it easy for the mechanics eventually to reunite repaired wheels with their owners. It’s a system which will be tested to the limit later in the day when the heavens open and the puncture count starts rocketing.

After a lunchtime baguette we are cycling along in double file when the rain hits. Quick as a flash, my riding companion observes that this two abreast, or “two by two” configuration, as he expresses it, is very apt given the Biblical nature of the downpour which has started.

The deluge keeps up all afternoon leaving those of us wearing waterproof socks to curse our choice. They are so effectively waterproof that the rain, which has run down our legs, past our overshoes and INSIDE the socks, does not drain out. We pedal along with our feet in ‘bags’ of cold water, where they slosh around like goldfish won at a fairground.

Neither the rain, nor the unrelenting headwind, does anything to dampen our spirits. In fact, some relish the wet conditions seeing them as merely

We are nevertheless happy to reach Abbeville and squelch to our hotels. The day’s elevation in our road books looks like the angry, jagged, teeth of a rusty old saw. Everyone is tired. Even the hardas-nails ride captains admit to feeling ravenous after their exertions.

DAY THREE, ABBEVILLE TO BEAUVAIS – 115.3KM – 786m No rain, fewer hills, shorter distance.

Day three offers the first real chance to take in the French countryside and relax – as far as that is possible. We pass sleepy villages, gently rolling fields, the odd war cemetery and hear, rather than necessarily see, a succession of agitated dogs who bark lustily from behind garden fences as they sense our alien presence from the massed swishing of tyres.

When we do encounter people, they are unstintingly encouraging. ‘Allez!’ yells a man caught short outside his front door in nothing but a dressing gown. An elderly lady clasping fresh baguettes under her arm nods approvingly as we whizz along. Most people wave and offer a cheery ‘Salut’ or ‘Bonjour’. Children invariably wave, while same extend a hand in expectation of a high-five.

Riding in a group, there’s ample opportunity to strike up conversations.

Pro riders spotted whispering to each other are normally cobbling together some – possibly nefarious - tactical deal which could influence the outcome of their race. Bloodwise riders chewing the cud as they pedal, are doing just that chatting. It may be impossible for the committed speedsters in the fast group to indulge in idle chit chat, but the social group was not given its name lightly.

I ride for a while with one cyclist who asks how I’ve been sleeping. I mention that an attack of cramp woke me in the

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LONDON - PARIS

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BIKE MAGAZINE 29

middle of the night. No sooner said, he reaches behind to his jersey pocket and produces a slender metal cylinder.

“Try that as soon as you feel it starting,” he says. Ridiculous as it may sound, I quickly feel like a secret doper. I palm the tube and stuff it in my own back pocket.

Apparently, Liquid Magnesium is the way forward when it comes to dealing with cramp. I thank him but protest, “Surely you need this for yourself, don’t you?” But he shakes his head as we freewheel past scenes of rustic charm, “I have eight more of those,” he tells me.

Dubious substance passed from one cyclist to the other? Again, we’re just like the pros (or the ones who cheat, at least).

While we have motorcycle outriders smoothing our way, the French drivers we do encounter are refreshingly accommodating. Many salute us cheerily even although they’ve been held up at a junction for long minutes while our charity peloton trickles through. All of which adds up to an incredibly positive cycling experience.

The other very special thing about the ride into Beauvais is the warm reception we receive from the town. Our bike storage area for the night is the local fire station. We are greeted amongst the fire engines and utilitarian concrete buildings by an official delegation.

There are even waiters in ties proffering glasses of wine and orange juice.

There’s a heartfelt speech by one of the deputy mayors, Francois Bramard, welcoming us and praising the important work Bloodwise does in tackling blood cancer. Madame Bramard gamely translates her own speech into English while Mark Wilson, from Bloodwise, has his address translated by colleague Dan Henchman. Proceedings are rounded off with the presentation to the deputy mayor of a Bloodwise London to Paris medal.

DAY FOUR, BEAUVAIS TO PARIS – 102km – 948m This is the big day. The relatively short ride into the French capital where many of us have friends and family waiting to cheer us across the finish line.

It starts with a series of hills. None is too challenging but Tom Morton and the other ride captains are kept busy planting “the hand of God” on the small of struggling cyclists’ backs and pushing them up the inclines. Tom explains that those who stop pedalling completely at this point quickly receive some, “polite constructive feedback” from him. He says propelling another cyclist upwards may be hard, but he also gets a “buzz out of overtaking other riders whilst pushing someone up a hill.” Plus, it means there’s

never a shortage of people willing to buy him a drink in the evenings.

Top level, amateur competitive cyclist, Nic Baxter, is able to perform this task with both hands. Tapping out a rhythm just behind him, I watch as he deftly propels a gasping rider up using his left hand. In one movement Nic lets go of rider number one, switches grip on his handlebars, and starts supporting flagging rider number two with his right hand. “Chapeau”, doesn’t really cover it.

Nic and Torq Fitness founder, Matt Hart, also put in long shifts wielding a long stick as they pedal which they use to help the phenomenal handbike athlete, former Paralympian and leukemia survivor, Dr. William Tan, make it over some of the bumps. The camaraderie between these three is infectious and aptly symbolises the spirit of the entire ride.

Speed groups are dropped after lunch and we ride into Paris as one massive peloton. Timing the traffic-free passage of so many riders past the Arc de Triomphe and across the Seine under the curious collective gaze of the tourists on top of the Eiffel Tower is quite an art.

Our pace therefore is dictated to us by the moto riders who have a very limited window to work with. This may make for something of ‘slow, stop, slow,’ kind of ride, but clattering over the Parisian cobbles is exhilarating and smiles spread across faces as we start recognising parts of the French capital. It ends in a flash when we turn off the main road and into a sports centre to cross the official finish line, right next to the Eiffel Tower.

Beer is thrust into our hands immediately and we’re given our medals by roaming members of the Bloodwise crew in a charmingly informal manner. There are tears and reunions. Almost everyone vows to do it all again “next year”. It’s the best cycling event I’ve been part of. And it’s an occasion when drugs, in the sense of those used to fight blood cancer, go together with cycling perfectly. Not something to hide, but to be immensely proud of.

About Bloodwise: Up until it’s rebranding earlier this year Bloodwise was known as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. The riders on their 2018 London to Paris event raised £600,000 for the charity. Bloodwise’s research is targeted at understanding more about blood cancer, finding causes, improving diagnosis and running groundbreaking clinical trials to improve access to new drug treatments for all patients. For more go to https:// bloodwise.org.uk/

30 BIKE MAGAZINE

FRANCE

BIKE MAGAZINE 31

FRANCE

MONTBLANC The World’s Toughest One Day Bike Event It’s quarter to five in the morning and a veil of darkness hangs over Les Saisies. A feeling of nervous excitement fills the night sky as the 422 entrants for the 2018 Tour du Mont Blanc count down the final minutes until the start of ‘the world’s toughest one day bike event’

I wait patiently, with a calm exterior hiding my true feelings of fear and anxiety. The excitement I had experienced in the final few days leading up to the event had been dispelled the night before at the Velocamp Performance Cycling pre-ride briefing. I always knew it was going to be tough: 330km with 8000m of ascent on a route that makes its way through three countries speaks for itself, but hearing detailed descriptions of each of the eight climbs brought a sense of worry. And now, with moments to go until the start, I struggled to contain those feelings.

‘Cinq, quatre, trois, deux, un, balade’. As the MC counted down those final five seconds my feelings shifted from nervousness and fear into excitement and adrenalin.

Suddenly, the tension I had felt for the past twelve hours melted away as I clipped my shoes into the pedals of my

continued

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FRANCE

bike and rolled across the start line. There was no more waiting, no more time to wonder ‘what if’, just an open road ahead and one question to answer, a question that has been going through my head for days on end: ‘can I do it?’

Given I had only been cycling seriously for six months, this was a very valid question. It’s a question that has been a part of my life for many years’, it’s the question that drives me to find challenges that will push me to, and past, my limits. The next eighteen hours of cycling, if I kept to my planned timings, would certainly push me to my limits – giving me the definitive answer.

For a ride that boasts 8000m of ascent, the opening stages are deceptively easy, lulling you into a false sense of security with 40 kilometres of predominately downhill riding.

I soon realised that the reason for this is so that the ride can then end with one final climb.

However, any thoughts of that were a long way off, with three hors category and three first category climbs to negotiate first; more than enough to keep my mind occupied for the foreseeable future.

As a long snake of riders stretched out across the Chamonix valley, Mont Blanc came into view for the first time, dominating an impressive skyline of jagged peaks with its sheer size. It would remain the backdrop to much of the day’s riding, a constant reminder of the scale of the landscape we were in. Climbs of the Vaudagne, Col des Montets and Col des Forclaz would, in normal circumstances, be deemed fairly challenging.

Yet these were not normal circumstances and they were simply the prelude to far greater climbs.

It was on the slopes of the Champex, against a backdrop of incessant rain, that the serious climbing began. A touch over 12km long, and gaining over 1000m in height, it’s a brute of a climb that winds its way up through thick forest towards a beautiful alpine lake. What the climb lacks in length is far more than what makes up for its steepness, with several sections rearing up to 11% gradient. My sole focus was keeping a steady rhythm going, knowing that this was only the first of several big climbs.

The Champex was tough, but it was nothing compared to the Grand St Bernard, a climb that most certainly lives up to its name. From the moment the road begins to increase in gradient at the foot of the valley, climb doesn’t relent for a full thirty kilometres. And what’s more, just as you think you have broken the back of it, emerging from the avalanche tunnel with seven kilometres to go, it ramps up to 9% as the final seven kilometres push you to the limit. I stole a glance towards the summit,

BIKE MAGAZINE 33

FRANCE

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FRANCE

high up in the distance, trying to work out where the road went. It soon became clear as I noticed a series of vicious switchbacks that picked their way through the rocky mountain.

Ever since I first saw the Tour de France as a young boy, I had wanted to know what it was like to take on such epic climbs. Now here, I was finally getting my chance. Riding out of the saddle I simply focused on making each corner, breaking the goal down into smaller sections, focusing on every turn of the pedals as I edged my way closer to the summit. A massive sense of relief washed over me as I crested the top of the climb, soon to be replaced by the sobering thought that I was not even half way, in terms of distance or ascent.

I consoled myself with the thought of the forty kilometres of descent that lay ahead, but not before a much needed refuel of sandwiches and brioche buns.

Following an exhilarating descent came a long, hot slog through the Aosta valley, all the while knowing that another hors category climb lay in wait. This time it was the Petit St Bernard, which was anything but petit. At the final feed station, before taking on the climb, I made a few quick calculations and realised I would have to up my speed in order to make it down to Bourg St Maurice before the final cut-off time.

Taking on a 23km hors category climb at a steady pace is tough enough, especially off the back off Grand St Bernard. But, to do so, pushing to make

up time makes it brutal to say the least.

I hit the bottom of the climb as fast as I could, knowing that a support car was waiting 10km up the road. It was all or nothing from now on. The road snaked up the mountain in a seemingly neverending series of short switchbacks. A lone rider in the distance became my target as I fought to maintain a speed of 15km/h.

I began to play a game in my head to take my mind off the pain in my legs, counting down the metres until I would reach La Thuile and a moment’s respite before pushing on to the summit. This was it, it was all down to making it over this climb. I was in the zone and knew I had to keep my assault on the mountain going. The difference being that the gradient was now beginning to increase even more as the road cut high up into the mountain.

The next thirteen kilometres were sheer hell. My legs burnt as the lactic acid started to sting my muscles, with my body screaming at me to slow down. But my mind took over, urging me to keep going and not relent, while my heart pounding in my chest. I kept thinking every corner would be the last, but the road kept on going, pushing me closer and closer to my limit. I cursed the mountain, and in return it kept getting steeper. I was at my limit, close to quitting when I finally saw the summit and the support cars waiting for me. As exhausted as I felt, I knew there were two more big climbs to go before the finish line, the first of which was a third

consecutive hors category effort. For the first time since setting off from Les Saisies, my mind began to question if my body could follow where it would lead.

Arriving in Bourg St Maurice, my body was at its limit, and my eyes welled with tears at the thought that I might not have the energy to keep going. I had poured my heart and soul into this and, for the first time since setting out on this journey, it dawned on me that it might not finish how I had always pictured. I slumped into a chair, scoffing biscuits and chocolate, desperately trying to boost my energy levels as an almighty thunderstorm broke out, lightening flashing across the skyline. Truth be told I felt utterly spent, but I had come too far to not keep going. I climbed back on to my bike, my mind defying what my body felt, and set off once more.

The road leading out of Bourg St Maurice and onto the Cormet de Roselend wasn’t that steep, but within a hundred metres I knew that it was over - my legs simply couldn’t turn the pedals anymore. I turned around and rolled back to where the support cars were, tears rolling down my face as it began to hit me that wasn’t going to achieve my goal. Not this time anyway. Whilst I never took it for granted that I would finish, I also didn’t for one minute imagine it would end as it did, on the side of a nondescript road in Bourg St Maurice with a thunder storm raging overhead.

‘Marcus rode the Tour du Mont Blanc with Velocamp Performance Touring.’

BIKE MAGAZINE 35

Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat.

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36 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

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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.

The SPRINTECH® products are made in Switzerland. More information can be found on www.sprintech.eu

BIKE BIKE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 37 21

BICYCLE SAFETY ACCESSORIES

WWW.SJSCYCLES.COM When it comes to safety and dependability, there is one choice that has proven to stand out above the rest, SPRINTECH, made in Switzerland. Easy to install and instinctive to use. Unobtrusive, adjustable and light, only 28grams including the mounting plug.

B Y

Sprintech® Racing and Sprintech® City mirrors have AWARD W earned the reputation among cyclists as the best in the industry. When other brands rattle and spin out SPRINTECH® R ® bar mirror for r of position, Sprintech mirrors holdRACING true.

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and SPRINTEC city bikes and invented and p the Innovation invented andfrom presented at the Innovation The idea of the drop bar mirrors came two in Martigny, S traumatic experiencesExhibition of Carlo Dondo.

Two in 1996 where in Martigny, Switzerland serious accidents on his tailor made racing bike. the prize for I in have 1996 where they won the prize for and in 2012 at t Two accidents that could been avoided if only he hadn’t had to Innovation turn his head to check and in 2012 at the BrusselsInternational E the traffic behind him. His innate passion for Belgium wher International Exhibition in Belgium where the gold m bicycles urges him to find a solution suitable for all racing bicycle enthusiasts him.the gold medal. they like won

for racing bikes and SPRINTECH®

SPRINTECH® RACING and SPRINTECH® CITY are made in Europe.

CITYoffor city bikes and74MTB were They are all original creations Carlo Dondo, cyclist, years old.

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38 BIKE MAGAZINE

STEREO HYBRID 140 HPA SL 500

MOVE MOUNTAINS , RIDE CUBE

STEREO HYBRID 120 HPA SL 500

BIKE MAGAZINE 39

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40 BIKE MAGAZINE

FRANCE

COGNAC CHILD-FRIENDLY FRENCH TOURING Text and photos by Christopher McDonell

BIKE MAGAZINE 41

FRANCE

‘Let’s go for a bike ride, children?’ Thoughts of sunny days winding through country lanes with smiling faces go through your mind as you pump the tyres up and chivvy everyone out of the front door. The thing is, that it doesn’t always work out like this. Adults and children will cycle at a different pace, parents are constantly having to watch over their offspring, and what seems like a grand family adventure can turn into a trip to the local park rather than further afield.

For the past fourteen years I have taken over 300 families on week-long holidays. They started with a week on a campsite, but latterly I have been hiring châteaux all over Europe, with the following account being a wonderful week in the Charente Maritime Department of France.

Owned and run by an English couple, Château Clerbise started life as the main house for a Cognac estate, but has been lovingly restored to provide accommodation for forty-two people - the ideal size for eleven families to enjoy a week in the sun. We arrived on Saturday and immediately the children dispersed, mostly into one of the three swimming pools provided, leaving the adults to settle into the place, open a bottle of wine and catch up on life.

The formula to these holidays is simple but very effective. I provide maps, route sheets and gpx files. In return, everyone gathers at 9.30am with their bikes, ready to explore the local area. On Sunday, we headed north to cycle the lanes around Pons. All around were sunflower and maize fields as we headed through Avy and onto Perignac. Nearly all of the families had been on one of these holidays before and so were comfortable in each other’s company but, equally, veryone was welcoming to anyone new. Forty-two on the road sounds a lot but we quickly spread out along the quiet French lanes. Groups formed, mostly children of similar ages and abilities, teenagers at the front and younger ones behind, all under the watchful eye of parents. To me this is the real joy of these holidays. At home children will pedal quite slowly and require encouragement, here even the pre-teens keep up a pace that’s suitable for adults and children alike and can easily cover 30 miles in a day. We lunched by the church at Berneuil, before arriving at Pons and its magnificent Donjon and equally impressive ice creams at the café. Back at the château, the pool filled with children whilst the adults got ready for dinner. Although we could self cater, for a treat we’d hired a cook, so Peter the Danish chef prepared a French meal in the château. Salad, followed by steak and potatoes topped off by a creamy dessert: all very delicious.

Monday took us to Cognac. More sunflower fields and I’m sure the teenagers were even faster than yesterday. Surely the hours on pool inflatables was wearing them out, even slightly? But years of training had taught them to wait at junctions, allowing us to stay together. Cognac was accessed via a quiet route from the west and having taken an off-road track along the river we split for a few hours to explore the town. The trick now was to be the first to spot a good café and order a coffee, as very soon fellow cyclists would converge from all directions. Then back through Ars with its Roman church and inevitable photo opportunity for Facebook, everyone headed back at their own pace to the château for a BBQ and a bit more snooker, as yes, there was a full-sized table.

The coast was close but not quite close enough to allow us to get there and back easily. So on Tuesday we loaded the bikes onto cars planning to start at Epargnes so we could get to the beach. A short drive later with the bikes unloaded, we descended towards the Gironde and the coast. Talmont has

Chateau de Chaumont The fortress of Chaumont-sur-Loire was built around the year 1000 to keep watch over the border between the counties of Blois and Anjou.

It was owned by the Amboise family for a good 500 years, and it was Charles II d’Amboise who turned it into an ornamental château in the Renaissance style, with sculpted decoration becoming the major feature of its outer façades.

Aquired by the Centre-Val de Loire Region in 2007, The Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire has become an unmissable site within the spheres of art and gardens. The triple identity of the Domaine : Heritage, art and gardens make for a unique visit within the circuit of the Loire Valley castles To learn more go to http://www.domaine-chaumont.fr TEL :+33 (0) 2 54 20 99 22

42 BIKE MAGAZINE

FRANCE

a great ice cream stop. Much like Castle Coombe in Wiltshire, it is a village where tourists mingle around restaurants and gift shops. However, the church by the headland with its graves appearing out of the dirt was a memorable sight.

France is developing a West Coast cycleway and we picked this up heading northwest as it followed the coast along a dedicated hard-packed cycleway. Sheds of stilts with fishing nets littered the coast after which we headed back inland at Meschers, but not for too long as we dived left and down to Suzac Plage where we spent two hours enjoying the sea and sand.

Cutting through the woods and a sandy track, we headed back to Epargnes passing yet more fields of sunflowers with expansive views. Back at the château the adults relaxed on the terrace, wine in hand.

After three days on the bike we rested. Wednesday brought trips to the beach or Decathlon; the mother of all sports shops, but it was the château environs that held most as we relaxed in the sun. I’ve found over the years’, that for family holidays, a day like this is necessary. Not because the children are more tired out, but because they look forward to hanging out with friends. Away go the computer games and out come the footballs as they rediscover childhood pleasures.

Jarnac lies to the east of Cognac with the Charente River flowing through it. We headed here on Thursday with bikes strapped to the cars. From the brightly coloured Town Hall we pedalled east along the northern bank, passing through many small settlements.

Chateauneuf arrived and we dived into its cafés, sending the teenagers out in search of a boulangerie. Coffee and patisseries consumed, we noticed the ideal group shot opportunity, so we lined the steps of the town hall, waved and cameras clicked to record another year passed.

Chateauneuf is a river crossing, so it was close to the southern bank that we now went. Arriving

at the riverbank a jetty presented the perfect picnic spot, so as folk ate their picnics, a number of us tested the water, along with the eels and small fish munching bits of bread. We continued along the riverbank, with its white, hard surface. It was glorious and ended with a push through a field which seemed a fitting end with comedic comments about the Rough Stuff Fellowship ringing in my ears.

Back at Chateauneuf we headed west climbing out of town before a lovely descent back to the valley floor and back to Jarnac. In the evening, washed and scrubbed up, we headed to Pons for a meal at the Café du Donjon where a long table groaned under duck salad, salmon or beef, in the shadow of the enormous floodlit Donjon.

Our last full day and we were finding out that even this far south, Western Europe in August can be a damp place. There was no chance of a cycle ride for some, while seven hardy parents braved the horizontal road – partaking on the route to the coast and loving every minute of it. The children, figuring that the pool was dryer than outside, splashed about with the inflatables whilst the rest played games indoors.

Our final evening arrived. So many cyclists and a snooker table, a competition was inevitable. The snooker tournament neared the end and the semi-finals were a tense affair as randomly selected couples booked themselves into the final for the honour to win a tin of local biscuits for the journey home.

Another holiday soon finished, with all of us wanting to come back next year (these holidays are like that!). Initially they bring together a group of strangers with a common theme. Within a few days that roll into years, friendships are made. The most amazing thing I have noticed is that with a wide range of ages, older children learn to be caring with smaller ones and by their late teens turn into well rounded individuals with the help of these holidays. It’s not just about the bike.

BIKE MAGAZINE 43

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44 BIKE MAGAZINE

CHILD CYCLING

CHILD CYCLING REVOLUTION Text by Sophia Thomson

Tuesday night’s dramatic Brexit debate and vote were not enough to deter an influential panel of MPs and officials from discussing “Fit & Healthy Childhood” in a well-attended meeting in Westminster.

The event, focused on cycling for children and the Bicycle Association, provided key input both ahead of and during the event. The outcome was a forceful recommendation for measures which, if implemented in full, could revolutionise child cycling.

The meeting was chaired by Jim FitzPatrick MP, who heads the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fit and Healthy Childhood. In attendance were Minister for Transport Jesse Norman, numerous MPs as well as representatives from Public Health England, Transport for London, senior officials from the Department for Transport and others.

The meeting’s agenda was focused on getting more children cycling, with a key element in the Bicycle Association recently revealing advocacy strategy.

As well as working with the meeting chair Jim FitzPatrick to encourage MPs, decision-makers and influencers to attend, the Bicycle Association provided background research, policy suggestions and also the economic case for ensuring that children – and hence a future adult generation – have the opportunity to cycle at an early age.

Delivering the opening address at the meeting, the Bicycle Association’s Executive Director Steve Garidis set out just how vital getting children cycling is for the health and well-being of young people across the UK. It’s essential to tackle obesity, pollution and congestion – and to foster transport independence and a lifelong active travel habit.

The Bicycle Association’s key policy suggestions were: 1. Full funding for Bikeability – the national cycle training programme (currently only half of all children can access this programme) 2. Cycling on the national curriculum 3. Government to work with industry on a programme to ensure all children have access to a bicycle 4. Promoting cycling to children actively and nationwide.

Following the debate, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fit and Healthy Childhood will draw up a list of final recommendations for Government, and the BA is optimistic that this will include many of the key elements called for at the meeting.

Steve Garidis, Executive Director of the Bicycle Association, comments: “There is a real recognition now that for the good of our children, and for the long-term health of our whole society, active travel habits must be built into fit and healthy childhood across the country. This won’t happen overnight but this expression of political will from an influential cross-party Parliamentary group should have a real impact on policy development.

We’re delighted that the Bicycle Association was able to play a strong part in making this meeting happen, as we continue to work to secure a pipeline of future cyclists for the sake of a cleaner, healthier Britain. The UK cycle industry is eager to be part of this and to help deliver a healthier, cleaner country while also providing UK jobs and growth: policies which get children cycling are essential to capture this opportunity.”

BIKE MAGAZINE 45

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46 BIKE MAGAZINE

SCOOTING

CYCLING

AND SCOOTING

TO SCHOOL

BIKE MAGAZINE 47

SCOOTING

Every spring, hundreds of thousands of children in the UK conduct a quiet revolution using their bikes and scooters.

Making millions of journeys, their combined efforts see two million car journeys prevented and 94,000 gallons of fuel saved.

Welcome to The Big Pedal, Sustrans’ annual inter-schools challenge that encourages schools to see who can record the greatest number of pupils, staff and parents cycling or scooting to school. The challenge is the flagship in the charity’s on-going work to encourage people to travel in ways that improves their health and reduces pollution. In particular, The Big Pedal focuses on children and parents getting to school.

You may wonder why a charity is needed to encourage children to get to school under their own steam, after all they do that already, don’t they? Sadly, that’s not the case; 44% of primary school children are driven to the school gates and the trend is going up, despite living on average just a twenty-minute bike ride from school. No wonder only 1 in 40 eleven-year-olds achieve the recommended hour a day of physical activity.

The reasons for this are likely to be varied, from parents being concerned about safety along roads, to the time constraints that come from having busy lives that mean dropping the kids off at school just makes life that little easier.

Cat Claxton from Whitechapel in London has a nine-year old son who attends a primary school in the area. For Cat cycling was a mystery, she couldn’t ride a bike herself and was reluctant for her son to cycle, fearing London traffic would be too dangerous. Cat explains: “I saw cycling and London as two things that simply didn’t mix – even more so for children. Then Sustrans started working in my son’s school and he begged me to let him ride in. At first I was completely against it but he wore me down. We went through quiet backstreets which took a little longer, but it was worth it. Now he cycles every day and is gaining in confidence all of the time.”

Following her son’s experience, Cat then started cycling herself and hasn’t looked back. “Cycling is incredibly liberating. In a city the size of London it can be time-consuming, expensive and stressful travelling around. On my bike I feel as though London has opened up, giving me a new way of exploring my city,” she continues.

Over half a million (557,223) children took part in the Big Pedal, with 1,335 schools encouraging their pupils to cycle and scoot. One such school was Washingborough Academy in Lincolnshire. Headteacher Jason O’ Rourke has always cycled himself and after joining the school he saw the potential for cycling and scooting.

“When I first arrived at the school there was a ramshackle, run down bike shed with about two bikes in it. I have always cycled and I commute to work by bike.

I really wanted to teach the children at school the benefits of using a bike as a form of transport. I saw the Big Pedal as a great learning opportunity for the school. We already included cycling in the curriculum and the Big Pedal acted as the perfect catalyst to engage further with the whole community,” comments Jason.

Since working with Sustrans, Jason explains that the school is unrecognisable from before: “We have cycling groups set up here in the school. We give rewards for cycling,

when cycling into Lincoln, and any transition days that we have with local secondary schools, we bike to them.

The whole thing just snowballs into a complete cycling culture within the school.

“We now have three bike sheds which are full with up to 90 bikes a day. We have created a separate bike path in the school grounds and have weekly mountain bike cycling lessons using our own mountain bikes, as well as a community ‘Go-ride club’ which runs every week.”

The Big Pedal won’t change the UK’s culture overnight. We need a joined up cycling and walking strategy from the government, and of course funding, to ensure that bike and walking routes are built and cycle training can be funded. But these types of projects are extremely important for building up the confidence of children and their parents, and creating travel habits that keep people fit for life.

Steve Garidis from the Bike Hub, the levy scheme of UK bike retailers which funds the Big Pedal explains why this is so important: “Bike Hub is a fund created by the cycle industry to encourage more people to cycle, and particularly to give children - the cyclists of the future - more opportunities to enjoy their bikes. That’s why we invest in the Big Pedal; a fantastic event which not only encourages children to cycle to school but is also great fun!”

48 BIKE MAGAZINE

GO-RIDE

HSBC UK GO-RIDE: BRITISH CYCLING GETS KIDS OUT THERE Text by Emily Thornborough

Go-Ride is all about getting children on bikes so they improve their quality of life, get fresh air and exercise; getting them away from computers and gadgets

When you think of cycling you might just think about jumping on your bike. But, these days, there are so many disciplines available for children to try – including road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, cyclocross, BMX and cycle-speedway.

Go-Ride is a British Cycling success story that allows young riders to improve their bike handling skills, from starting as a novice to becoming a competent rider where they can race amongst their peers and go onto more competitive events. The effects of this commitment to young people are starting to show as professional riders like Lizzie Armistead, Ed Clancy, Jason Kenny and Laura Trott have come through the British Cycling Go-Ride scheme. It is about having fun, making new friends and being taught skills that will last a lifetime.

In the UK there are over 300 Go-Ride clubs – these are local cycling clubs who have affiliated themselves to British Cycling and have agreed to run a programme of coaching for young riders, or are set up specifically to offer Go-Ride activities. As a result of this, over 60% of the Great Britain Cycling Team started out in Go-Ride clubs. The clubs are supported by over 6,000 volunteers, from the coaches through to child protection officers. A

large number of people willingly give time to organising and conducting coaching sessions before hosting events that give young people the chance to showcase their skills. For those youngsters who don’t want to race there are other avenues within the sport. Volunteering is a particularly popular area and children can join the Young Volunteers Scheme which enables them to be recognised for any help they offer, with recognition through an award scheme. Many clubs are based in schools or local parks and, although there might not be mountains or a track available, the skills the riders learn are transferable.

At my local Go-Ride Club they have produced some youth riders who have gone on to participate in races at a national level and there are those that just do it for fun.

Coaching takes place on a regular basis and youngsters are taught basic riding skills.

Some of the skills sessions take place on the track at Betteshanger Country Park in East Kent and sometimes they do club rides.

This can involve riding between 25 and 30 miles. Because of their training on the track, riders are well-disciplined and transfer their skills well to the roads. The opportunities for ambitious riders are available: disciplines are varied though the competition is fierce

BIKE MAGAZINE 49

GO-RIDE

HSBC UK GO-RIDE - Clubs for kids - Gives parents peace of mind - Easy to get involved - Creates champions

as more and more children enter the sport. Just head down to a GoRace and see the competitiveness amongst the riders, the desire to succeed, the smiles of success or tears of frustration as they realise they haven’t come in the top three.

It is also great to see more girls coming in to the sport, with Go-Ride actively encouraging them.

I was fortunate to meet Liam Sales trackside and asked him about his work as a Regional Coach for British Cycling.

Emily: So Liam how long have you worked for BC? Liam: Eight years, I joined in August 2010 on the crest of a wave that followed the medal successes of the Beijing Olympics and in good time for the build-up to the amazing home Olympics of 2012. Since 2012, the interest in cycling has grown exponentially along with our membership which has seen an increase in the number of new cycling clubs, many of which are Go-Ride. Rio has seemed to come round very quickly and we are

now gearing up for a programme of work supporting our clubs across the country who will be delivering thousands of Go-Ride Racing Opportunities with a Riobased theme next summer and looking forward to experiencing an increased interest in cycling and club membership.

Emily: When did Go-Ride first start?

Liam: The Go-Ride Programme came into existence in 2002-2003.

It had formulated under a different name for a couple of years before becoming Go-Ride. The programme has continued to develop year on year and now has over 300 clubs run by dedicated volunteers where young people can access structured quality coaching in a safe, friendly, traffic-free environment. Popular initiatives such as Go-Ride Racing, the CAYV course (Cycling Award for Young Volunteers) have added value to the programme and help young people develop confidence as well as valuable life skills, both on and off their bikes.

Emily: What is the role of the Go-

“Quality coaching in a safe, friendly, traffic-free environment” > Liam Sales

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GO-RIDE

“Go-Ride has now extended its work to encompass specific sessions for women and girls” Ride Regional Coach?

Liam: It is a very varied role which is primarily focussed on the development of cycling opportunities for young people in the region. We achieve this through coaching delivery in schools and by linking them to community based GoRide clubs as an exit route for riders to continue their cycling development.

I usually identify a need through club visits and try to support the school to club link. I undertake quite a lot of outreach work at clubs which I really enjoy - for me, it is a great opportunity to meet and support both riders and coaches. This can extend to regional sessions where riders and volunteers come together to work in clusters and further develop along their chosen pathway.

Due to its success as a Development Programme, Go-Ride has now extended its work to encompass specific sessions for women and girls as well as further discipline specific Rider Development sessions for youth and junior riders between the ages of 14-23. I also run Holiday Coaching Activity Programmes which often focus on the slightly younger youth riders and can be an opportunity to trickle down some of the coaching ideas from higher level sessions further along on the rider pathway. In 2014, British Cycling launched their Regionalbased Hubs for Disability Cycling and I now run the South-East Paracycling Hub at Cyclopark in Gravesend which, personally, has been an extremely rewarding piece of work that has encompassed coaching complete novice riders to National Champions - both senior and youth.

Another area of work as a Go-Ride Coach is to support our Level One and Two coach education courses across the region, and to help run Cycling for Schools (CfS) coaching courses for teaching staff; helping equip them to run their own Go-Ride sessions in school clubs. Our coaching courses are a great opportunity to meet and support new club coaches. I also deliver and tutor the CAYV (Cycling Award for Young Volunteers) and Racemakers award

which we usually run twice a year; one of which forms part of our annual National Conference season which travels around the country and takes place during March.

As a National Governing Body, and being part of a small regionally-based team, it is important that I am highly-targeted and focussed with the delivery of my activities which are Sport England/ UK Lottery funded. This strategy has been highly successful in terms of opportunities and growth in membership of the organisation and currently a high proportion of our Olympic podium athletes and professional cyclists come from a Go-Ride background. This links in well to the organisation’s ‘Inspiration to Participation’ philosophy which aims to help people to achieve their goals and to become the best that they can.

Emily: Where is most of your time spent?

In schools or working with clubs?

Liam: It is difficult to specify but simply, most of my time is divided between schools, club support, regional

coaching sessions and the many other activities that support the organisation.

The remainder is office time spent on planning sessions, activities and development work but there are also many other strands to what we do, some of which I have already mentioned but many of which are not very glamorous such as cleaning bikes at my storage and making up goody bags for school children. I find myself spending a fair amount of time in my vehicle as I have a large area to cover - Surrey, Sussex and Kent. In terms of membership, we are the biggest British Cycling membership region in the country with more members than Wales and Scotland put together.

Emily: Do you coach all disciplines of the sport?

Liam: Not all! There are six core disciplines and I have undertaken four of those. I regularly coach road, track and MTB and occasionally cyclocross.

So, although I am fortunate to have undertaken my Level Two Discipline specific qualifications in those area, I am yet to undertake my BMX or Cycle Speedway courses but they are on my list to do!

Emily: You sound like a busy man!

Thanks for taking the time to speak to us.

To find out more: https://www. britishcycling.org.uk/go-ride

BIKE MAGAZINE 51

52 BIKE MAGAZINE

BALANCE BIKING

BIKE MAGAZINE 53

BALANCE BIKING

BALANCE BIKING I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t learn to ride a bike until I was eight. My earliest memories are of being pushed down a gentle hill and I survived with only a few scrapes and bruises. When I was trying to teach my four-year-old we seemed to spend days alternating between struggling up and down curbs using a heavy bike with stabilisers or precariously hanging on to the seat to keep her upright when we took them off, and frankly the whole process was not enjoyable for either of us.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, why do balance bikes work?â&#x20AC;?

A trip to America changed all that, when I saw a toddler riding on two wheels with such ease - it was as if the bike was a natural extension of him. On closer inspection the bike had no pedals or stabilisers. A local cycle store explained it was a nopedal bike designed to teach kids balance before they learnt to pedal. I bought two as it would also fit the eighteen-month-old I was carrying around who was too lazy to walk but screamed blue murder at being strapped in a buggy. Moreover, the bikes were light and small enough to put in the suitcase to get home.

The four-year-old took a couple of weeks to balance and the youngest was riding by the age of three. The smiles and looks of amazement I got on the bike path were then followed by strangers asking me what the secret was. I still see some kids struggling on stabilisers today and feel like telling them there is a better way.

So, why do balance bikes work? With feet flat on the floor and nothing complicated to confuse, the rider simply starts walking the bike along. As the bike falls to one side, the rider will automatically bring it back to centre in order to move forwards.

Balance is being taught without even realising it. Stabilisers teach a child to rock from one side to the other whilst introducing the concept of pedalling, which is the quickest and easiest skill to learn. However, when they are removed we see children falling over to one side immediately, as they have no balance having learnt to ride in an off centre position from the start. As the process of riding a balance bike is instinctive, the kids are simply having fun and gaining speed and confidence, without realising they are learning.

When we started distributing Strider balance bikes, there was very little competition. As more people grasped what a brilliant concept they are, the more products appeared on the market.

The choice to parents today is mind-blowing; so how do you choose a balance bike? The secret is to choose one that is as simple in design as possible. With nothing complicated to confuse and a model that is ergonomically designed around the inside leg and weight-handling ability of a toddler, then they can be a new secret weapon in getting your child on two wheels.

54 BIKE MAGAZINE

BALANCE BIKING

Unlike a bike with pedals, feet will be on the floor, so the first decision is size. Ignore wheel and frame size, the bit that matters is whether they can stand over the bike and walk it along. In order to fit an eighteen-month-old the bike needs to have the lowest seat position of 27cm, as that is a below average height for inside legs of a child this age. Always check the inside leg of bikes - don’t rely on age indicators as all kids are different heights - it is not an accurate indicator if your child will be able to use the balance bike. Some brands will market theirs at this age but the seat starts at 34cm upwards so they won’t fit for the youngest kids.

Adjustability needs to be considered. Because of the way they work, the seat needs to be set about 1” lower than the stand over. Choose a bike that will adjust to any increment, to fit your child through their growth spurts. Most metal bikes have the advantage here; wooden bikes rely on three to four pre-drilled positions, so adjustability is poor. Also avoid bikes that don’t tell you the lowest and highest seat positions and make sure handlebars will adjust too - you want this to last for as long as your child needs the bike, rather than when they outgrow it.

The next equally important part of a spec is the weight of the product. If a bike won’t state its weight then something is being hidden. Anything over 3 kg is just too heavy for a child that is only a few kg themselves and when a heavy bike falls over it scares a child and knocks their confidence. One of the biggest problems Strider parents have is finding a superlight pedal bike to transition onto. Those that make the move onto anything too heavy find their kids don’t want to ride it.

Remember simplicity and weight! Tassels, baskets, flags and mudguards all add up.

Then there are balance bikes with front lever brakes. I am not a fan for the under fives. I have seen countless children struggle with a front lever system. They either can’t reach, can’t control the force they use to pull them or worse take their hands off the handlebars to reach them. If your brakes fail on your bike, then instinct tells you to put your feet down. Toddlers and young children will simply stop with their feet. Sure, a four-year-old can cope with a brake, but most Strider kids are pedalling happily by three years. For parents concerned that shoes are wearing out we suggest a rear footbrake system that can be retro fitted, but to be honest here, at Strider HQ, we sell one brake to every 500 bikes, although only few children feel as if they need one.

When the Strider was invented, one clever but frequently not spotted feature was added. The patented footrest. It is discreetly built into the frame, under the seat and exactly where pedals will be on their next bike. As well as teaching balance in the correct position, the child can rest feet up on it to take the knocks and bumps in their legs. If you have ever gone off a curb with your feet dangling, you won’t do it again. It’s the same for advanced balance bike riders without a footrest or with them in a different position.

So, once your researched bike of choice is assembled and ready for the rider, what happens next? The simple method is to just leave the bike lying around so the child can pick up and use it when they wish. Strider puncture proof tyres don’t mark floors, so we started off indoors and with triple ends on grips even the walls survived. The child will know what to do. Try not to hold the bike for them, unless they are really young, as the child will figure it out. We frequently run races and events across the UK and are amazed at how fast toddlers can whizz around on them. The feeling of achievement is evident in the

smiles.

If your child needs encouragement then ride with others. We have set up Strider sessions across the UK that allow parents to take their children to fun sessions and also get lessons from qualified instructors, but kids will also learn from just watching others in the park… or on YouTube.

BIKE MAGAZINE 55

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56 BIKE MAGAZINE

WOMEN CYCLING

BIKE MAGAZINE 57

WOMEN CYCLING

CYCLING

FOR WOMEN’S

RIGHTS I grew up in a world where I was denied my basic human rights. In fact, I did not even know I had rights > Juliana Buhring > www.julianabuhring.com

“Seen as a second class citizen because I was born a woman”

I know what it means to live trapped in an abusive environment, in fear of powerful people controlling your very existence. I know what it’s like to beat the streets begging for enough money to eat that night, of living hand to mouth, from day to day, unable to envision anything else for your future. I was deprived of an education that should be the right of every child. I suffered through every childhood sickness without ever seeing a doctor or receiving medical care. I know what it feels like to be trafficked from country to country, stranger to stranger, without parents to protect me; never knowing where and under whose care I would end up. I know what it is to have no home. To be the “immigrant” in every country because I had no country of my own. I know what it means to be seen as a second class citizen because I was born a woman. To believe my only purpose on this planet was to be a slave to the whims of men. That my sex existed to please the man; to shut up, cook, clean and bear him babies. I know what it means to be silenced for speaking the truth. To be beaten and punished for having my own mind, for wanting to pursue my dreams, for being myself. I know what it is like to grow up in a world without rights, without choices and only a bleak vision of a future without hope or dreams.

Today, I am free to do what I like and go where I please. I have all those rights that once denied me. Millions of women around the world do not. I empathize with those women, because I know their suffering intimately. I am living in freedom, while they are still denied theirs.

Historically, the bicycle has always been a symbol of freedom and emancipation to women. So this year, I am dedicating all my rides and races to my sisters around the world, who are not yet free and continue to live without their basic human rights. Listed below are some of the organisations that are doing much to help these women around the world. If you feel like I do about any of these causes, please donate towards the wonderful work these NGOs are doing. They need all the help we can give them.

58 STYLISH 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

It is not all about the bike, it is what you decide to take with you.

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

We at ACT can supply you and your bike with all the gear you need for your next adventure.

Frame Bags, Pannier Sets, Trailers, Rucksacs, Drybags, Clothing for Riding & Restaurants, Solar Pannels, Lighting & Safty Equipment

up to 8 persons.

SRP £49.99

available in 3 Colours

AdventureCycleTouring.co.uk Exclusive Distributor of Funkier Clothing in the UK

Tel: 01772 459887 Web: www.bob-elliot.co.uk Twitter: www.bob-elliot.co.uk/twitter Facebook: www.bob-elliot.co.uk/facebook

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

Yellow

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 59

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