cycle THE MAGAZINE OF CYCLING UK
On test
ARCC MOULTON TSR CARGO BIB SHORTS REDSHIFT SEATPOST PIRELLI TYRES & MORE
APRIL/MAY 2021
MISSING LINKS Joining the dots for off-road access
£1K ROAD BIKES Spa Cycles Aubisque Ribble Endurance AL Disc
CAIRNGORM TRAILS Highland bikepacking after lockdown
POWER UP!
BUYER’S GUIDE TO ELECTRIC BIKES Page 36
P lu s RIDING BRITAIN’S HIGHEST ROAD HOW TO BEAT BIKE THIEVES WEST COUNTRY RIDE GUIDE AND MUCH MORE
MEMBERSHIP FROM JUST £3.88 A MONTH!*
CONTENTS Features
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30 Great Dun Fell Riding Britain’s highest tarmac road
Welcome
36 Power up! Switch on to e-bikes with our buyer’s guide
47 Missing links Help us join the dots on off-road access
52 Cairngorm trails Highland bikepacking after lockdown
Products 16 Shop Window Previews of new products
18 Gear up Components, accessories, and books
60 Four-season road bikes Spa Cycles Aubisque and Ribble Endurance AL Disc compared
66 ARCC Moulton TSR
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An of-the-peg e-bike conversion
69 Lycra cargo shorts Bib-shorts with practical pockets
Regulars 04 Freewheeling Bits and pieces from the bike world
07 This is Cycling UK
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27 Letters Your feedback on Cycle and cycling
50 Weekender Idling through Dorset on easy trails
On the cover
Coronavirus
DAN JOYCE Cycle Editor
For updated advice regarding the Covid-19 outbreak, visit: cyclinguk.org/ coronavirus
Bike lane backlash fight goes to court, World’s Biggest Bike Ride, 2021’s election targets, and more
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E-bike rider in Clitheroe town centre (when the road was closed to motor traffic). By Joolze Dymond
56 Cyclopedia Questions answered, topics explained
73 Travellers’ Tales Cycling UK members’ ride reports
CYCLING UK: Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, GU2 9JX E: cycling@cyclinguk.org W: cyclinguk.org T: 01483 238300. Cycle promotes the work of Cycling UK. Cycle’s circulation is approx. 51,000. Cycling UK is one of the UK’s largest cycling membership organisations, with approx. 70,500 members and affiliates Patron: Her Majesty the Queen President: Jon Snow Chief Executive: Sarah Mitchell. Cyclists’ Touring Club, a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England No 25185, registered as a charity in England and Wales Charity No 1147607 and in Scotland No SC042541. Registered office: Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, GU2 9JX. CYCLE MAGAZINE: Editor: Dan Joyce E: editor@cyclinguk.org Head of Design: Simon Goddard Advertising: Harvey Falshaw T: 020 3198 3092 E: harvey.falshaw@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk Publisher: James Houston. Cycle is published six times per year on behalf of Cycling UK by James Pembroke Media, 90 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG. T: 01225 337777. Cycle is copyright Cycling UK, James Pembroke Media, and individual contributors. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from Cycling UK and James Pembroke Media is forbidden. Views expressed in the magazine are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the policies of Cycling UK. Advertising bookings are subject to availability, the terms and conditions of James Pembroke Media, and final approval by Cycling UK. Printed by: William Gibbons & Sons Ltd, 26 Planetary Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3XB T: 01902 730011 F: 01902 865835 Founded in 1878
Top to bottom: Joolze Dymond, Ribble, Richard Ingham, Sam Jones
The first e-bike I rode in the 1990s didn’t leave a good impression on me, although it did in the lawn when it fell over. It was absurdly heavy – hernia-inducing to lift, horrible to ride. The battery was like a breeze block. The bike was a BSO, the motor just powerful enough to offset its mass. How things have changed. You can now buy an entry-level e-road bike or e-hybrid weighing under 14kg. Heath Robinson contraptions have been replaced by stealth e-bikes that look much like ordinary bikes. They’re reliable. Power delivery is smooth. And that power! Some say 250 Watts isn’t enough, that we need legislation for faster, more powerful e-bikes. Outside of e-cargo bikes and trikes, I’m not convinced: 250 Watts is a lot. Try a Wattbike at a gym (when they re-open) and see how long you can sustain 250W. If it’s more than five minutes, you should try racing. If you ever feel ambivalent about e-bikes – as I do when I see apparently able riders in their 30s and 40s tearing around on electric MTBs – it’s worth remembering that, as lifelong cyclists, we’re not the target market. Not yet, at least. For most people, e-bikes aren’t so much an alternative to cycling as they are an alternative to not cycling. They’re enabling people to cycle who otherwise wouldn’t. And they’re keeping hardcore cyclists like us from having to hang up our wheels as we age. What’s not to like?
this is
Stay in touch CYCLECLIPS: free weekly email newsletter. Sign up at cyclinguk.org/subscribe CAMPAIGN NEWS: monthly campaigns bulletin. Sign up at cyclinguk.org/subscribe-tocycle-campaign-news
Bikelash legal battle Popular pop-up cycle lanes are being arbitrarily removed. Sarah Mitchell outlines what Cycling UK is doing to try to reinstate them
Main photo: Shoreham-By-Cycle
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ampaigning is in the lifeblood of Cycling UK. It is thanks to our campaigns that cyclists’ rights to use the roads were confirmed in 1888, and ever since then we have fought for cycling to be safer and more accessible for both our members and future generations of cyclists. Last year we were bowled over by the impact that quieter roads had on the numbers of people cycling. When government funding enabled local authorities to create temporary cycle lanes, it was fantastic to see so many more families and newer cyclists getting about by bike in many of our towns and cities. I for one was delighted that so many friends, neighbours and colleagues suddenly started to understand why we at Cycling UK are such passionate advocates for cycling. It’s been disappointing to see some of those cycle routes dismantled, at the same time as traffic increased on our roads. That’s why Cycling UK decided to take a stand by taking West Sussex County Council to court for the removal of a popular cycle lane in Shoreham. Used more than 30,000 times in its short life, this cycle lane connected schools and nurseries and was also popular with commuters. Our campaign to reinstate the cycle lane is important not just for Shoreham residents, but we also hope to create a precedent that will deter other councils from ripping out publicly funded cycle lanes without evaluating their effectiveness. The pressure to remove cycle lanes in Shoreham and elsewhere has come from a vocal minority. We are keen to amplify the voices of those who support cycling at a local level to ensure that all views are heard. The upcoming
Stay connected
facebook.com/CyclingUK
elections are a great opportunity for Cycling UK members to help. This year is a bumper year of elections, with voting underway in May in Scotland, Wales, and regionally and locally across England. Cycling UK’s campaigns team has been working hard on resources to help you campaign locally and to assess the commitments of your local candidates. Don’t forget there are also opportunities to join our Campaign Advocacy Network (CAN) volunteers across the nations and regions, and you can also help support legal challenges such as the Shoreham case by donating to our dedicated Cyclists’ Defence Fund. Beyond local campaigning, I am really looking forward to the biggest event in our upcoming cycling calendar: Bike Week. After the speedy transition to a virtual event last year, we are hoping that this year’s event will be a welcome opportunity for us all to get back out on our bikes for some social rides. This year we really want to capture everyone’s imagination and enthusiasm for cycling, which we’ve seen grow significantly through the pandemic. The week runs from Sunday 30 May to Saturday 5 June, kicking off with our second World’s Biggest Bike Ride on the Sunday. We’ll also be asking you to get involved in our #7daysofcycling challenge, suggesting ways to reunite with friends and family and enjoy some great rides together. However you celebrate the week, the most important thing is showing support for cycling and reminding the UK how life-changing riding a bike can be.
Twitter @wearecyclinguk
www.cyclinguk.org
May 30 World’s Biggest Bike Ride takes place on this Sunday. Save the date
We hope to create a precedent that will deter councils from ripping out cycle lanes without evaluating their effectiveness
cycling@cyclinguk.org
01483 238301
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P roduct News
SHOP WINDOW New products you can inspect without your glasses steaming up from your face mask. Dan Joyce selects
Teething troubles?
Cycle exports from the UK to the EU fell by 60% in value and 32% in volume in January (source: the Bicycle Association)
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£44.99 Cycling jerseys don’t have to make you look like a pro peloton escapee. Altura’s top has stud fastening at the neck, restrained colours, mesh underarm and back panels, and a zipped pocket. altura.co.uk
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Trek District 4 Equipped £1,500
Practical, high-end city bikes are a rare breed in the anglophone world. Kudos to Trek for this one, which has belt-drive Alfine 8 gearing, dynohub lighting, guards, rack, stand, and lock. trekbikes.com
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Velo Orange Crazy Bars £tbc
Chrome Urban EX Handlebar Bag 2.0
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Barkbusters MTB Handguards
£33.33+VAT Mountain bike not moto enough? These plastic guards will fix that, as well as protecting your knuckles from thorns, scrapes, and the worst of the weather. rg-racing.com
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£80 A waterproof bag that attaches with Velcro-style bar straps and a shock cord around the head tube. There’s a shoulder strap so it doubles as a handbag/ manbag. 3L capacity. chromeindustries.com
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Continental Urban Taraxagum £59.95
Continental’s made-fromdandelions eco tyre is now available, so far only in this 35-622 size for hybrids. It's expensive but it is made (and grown!) in Germany. conti-tyres.co.uk
Less crazy than Idiosyncratic; I’ve used inboard ‘bar ends’ in a similar way. The revamped Crazy Bars have 110mm ‘horns’, while the main bar is 780mm. Due in June. velo-orange.com
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Altura All Roads Classic SS Jersey
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Lezyne Dual Insert Kit £60-75
Tools that hide in your handlebar. The tubeless kit has a reamer and five plugs. The multitool (three sizes) has five, eight, or 11 functions; all have 4, 5, and 10mm Allen, T25 Torx, and a Phillips head. lezyne.com
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More online Check out our in-depth reviews of the latest bikes and gear online at: cyclinguk.org/cycling-advice
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APR I L/ M AY 2021
Details Where: Cumbria & North Yorkshire Start/finish: Nottinghamshire Distance: 250 miles approx Pictures: Ben Harris & Alamy
This photo: The road up Great Dun Fell has gradients of 20% in places Right: On the way down
G R E AT D U N F E L L
G R E AT R I D E S
BEN HARRIS Ben is a Cycling UK member who enjoys hilly and mountainous rides
Great Rides
GREAT DUN FELL In search of domestic adventure, Ben Harris and two friends headed for Cumbria to take on Britain’s highest tarmac road
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he pandemic put our foreign touring plans on hold. Normally the three of us would be anticipating Alpine cols or mountainous islands. Last summer a short staycation was the only option. Lockdown had eased and we could cycle together. The question was: where? In the search for ideas, card game Pro Cycling Trumps Climbs Edition came up, as it were, trumps: Great Dun Fell. At 848m it’s the highest tarmac road in the UK. We plotted a route that looped through the Yorkshire Dales before arriving at the foot of the climb to the Cumbrian radar station that’s the reason for the road. We planned to ride from our own front doors and meet en route – a change from airports and train stations, and a thoroughly lowcarbon experience. “Are you packing waterproof trousers?” I asked the others. “I think it’s a good idea. It is England.”
THE WARM UP On day one it was 20ºC by 8am. I had waterproofs in my bag. Perhaps I’d overpacked? I was pleased, however, that I’d added a third bottle cage. As I made my way along familiar north Nottinghamshire roads, I began thinking where I might find water throughout the day. Bradford and Skipton rolled by. At Gargrave I passed a stone marker indicating the Yorkshire Dales National Park. I was on schedule for a 4pm rendezvous with Mike in
‘Are you packing waterproof trousers?’ I asked the others. ‘I think it’s a good idea. It is England’
Settle. Then the bike started to feel sluggish. “Not a puncture?” I thought. I looked down at the front tyre – a big drop of sweat splashing onto the top tube – and then the rear. Both looked in good shape. The problem was the road: the tar on the country lane was melting so badly that I was leaving a small furrow on it. The first significant climb came after the village of Airton. By the top of Scosthrop Moor, I had empty water bottles and almost empty legs. I didn’t really take in the sweeping views across Yorkshire as I was now anxious about how late I was going to be. I need not have worried: a 20% descent, cobbled in places, launched me into Settle at blistering speed. I spotted Mike across the square as I was finishing a celebratory ice cream. We greeted each other with an elbow tap. It was five past four. More melting roads took us to Ingleton, where we picked up Gordon – and large amounts of various drinks. The heat finally eased a little.
HILLS AND DALES We headed north from Ingleton, looking for a place to bivvy. It didn’t take long to find a secluded area of grass on a ridge overlooking the stark grey slopes of Ingleborough. After setting up camp – leaving nothing but flattened grass – we toasted our trip and our bivvy spot, then enjoyed a dry night under the tarps. Our heads were hazy the following morning. Thankfully, so was the sky. We
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Feature
POWER UP! EXTRA ENERGY CAN TRANSFORM CYCLING FOR ALL KINDS OF RIDERS. SWITCH ON TO E-BIKES WITH DAVE ATKINSON’S GUIDE
DAVE ATKINSON Cycling journalist Dave is the editor of the website ebiketips (ebiketips.road.cc) and has tested lots of e-bikes and e-bike kits.
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-bike sales in the UK are booming, to such an extent that many models can be hard to find right now. And the UK is a late adopter: on the continent, e-bike sales have been growing at an accelerating rate for many years. Today in the Netherlands one bike in every three sold is an e-bike, and assisted bicycles make up more than half the total bike market in terms of value. Electric bikes have many advantages. They can increase the range you can cycle or make a long daily commute less arduous. They can allow you to keep up with fitter friends or family members on group rides. If you only do the climbs for the fun of the downhills, they can make the climbs fun too! But isn’t it cheating? Well, that depends. If you’re pinning a number on your back to race, and e-bikes aren’t allowed, then yes, it’s cheating. If you’re chasing KOMs on Strava and pretending you did it all under your own steam, then yes, that’s cheating. But you can’t cheat at going to work or the shops. And you can’t cheat at having fun! And as anyone that’s spent any time on e-bikes will tell you, there’s a lot of fun to be had.
WHAT IS AN E-BIKE?
ave a motor with a continuously rated h power of 250W or less; be assisted only when the rider is turning the pedals; and have a maximum assisted speed of 25km/h (15.5mph). Any bike that meets these criteria is regarded as a pedal bicycle in the eyes of the law and enjoys the same privileges.
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Main photo: Joolze Dymond
Most of the e-bikes you’ll find for sale in the UK are EU-legal pedelecs. The UK actually has its own e-bike law but has mostly fallen into line with the EU over the past decade. The EN15194 regulations for pedelec bicycles are pretty dense but the main headlines are that, to be legal, an e-bike must:
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F E ATU R E
Feature
ACCESS
This hollow way near Devil’s Punch Bowl, Surrey, is centuries old
M ISSING LINKS
Our off-road cycling network is riven by dead ends and tarmac diversions. It’s time to join the dots, says Sophie Gordon
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ecently I found myself riding along an ancient hollow way, a sunken lane slowly etched into existence by people walking to church, taking animals to market, or riding to town. It was a reminder that the paths and tracks that crisscross Britain have evolved over time to match the journeys people wanted to make. Some have fallen into disuse and become overgrown; others have grown in importance and become roads. The growth of traffic on rural roads nowadays means that we value our off-road routes even more. But all too often it can be difficult to link them up. That’s why Cycling UK wants to create a vision for what a connected off-road network could look like, by identifying the missing links on the map and seeking to connect them so our off-road paths can serve the needs of people today.
Above: pannier.cc
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Just 22% of England’s rights of way network is open to cyclists and horse riders, and 85% of respondents to our Rides of Way survey said this makes it hard to put together routes. Cycling UK member Dan Smith from Chippenham describes why having more off-road routes available
SOPHIE GORDON Cycling UK campaigns officer Sophie is happiest getting lost discovering new routes while cycling or trail running
means so much to him: “I’m 62 years old and recently retired. Unfortunately I have arthritis in my knees, which limits me to walking a maximum of five miles on the flat. Fortunately I can ride all day off-road without discomfort, and that allows me access to the countryside I love. “It’s therefore frustrating that in England it is strictly limited where I can go. Even where there is bridleway access to an area of countryside, there is rarely a complete, circular route available, as often part of the route is designated as footpath only.” Our missing links map reveals so many more stories: the old railway line from Whitchurch to Chester, which would avoid intimidating hills; a footpath that connects three dead-end bridleways in the North Pennines; a forest track outside Bristol that would enable families to cycle to nearby parkland. Our network of paths, tracks and trails has huge potential for traffic-free cycling, both to connect towns and villages and for exploring further afield.
ENGLAND LAGS BEHIND If the Government and councils in England are serious about creating a ‘golden age’ for cycling, making better use of existing off-road routes is a solution that mustn’t be overlooked.
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Biketest
Road bikes needn’t be racers. Guy Kesteven reviews a Spa Aubisque and a Ribble Endurance AL Disc Tiagra, two practical mile-eaters designed in Britain
S GUY KESTEVEN Cycling journalist Guy has been a bike tester for nearly 25 years. He’s a freelance technical editor for paper and online media and talks to himself while riding bikes. YouTube/ GuyKesTV
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pa Cycles and Ribble are in some ways similar. They’re both northern based, ‘mail’ order driven but shop-based bike brands. Both have deep roots and a reputation for value. Yet in the past few years, Ribble has seen massive venture capital investment lead to a totally new range of bikes sold through a state-of-the-art, video-loaded website and mainstream-targeted ‘pop up’ shops. Spa has continued on a more traditional path with super knowledgeable staff selling an eclectic range of touring-focused equipment and steel- or titaniumframed own-brand bikes from a less flashy online and in-store presence. How do their affordable all-rounder road bikes compare? I’ve been riding a Spa Cycles Aubisque 725 105 Triple and Ribble Endurance AL Tiagra around the Yorkshire Dales in all weathers to find out. (Note: our Ribble had a no-longer-offered frame colour. As Ribble wanted to show a current design, we've used manufacturer shots to illustrate it – hence the missing mudguards and the photo, above, that isn't of me.)
The Reynolds 725 steel tubed Spa Aubisque is very much what you’d expect from a traditional brand but brought up to date in terms of braking. Double butted main tubes join to the head tube with a reinforcing gusset, and there’s subtle ovalising at the bottom bracket. Slim rear stays give room for a 32mm tyre even with broad mudguards installed. Cut-away plate dropouts carry the rear disc mount. The frame gets three bottle cages, four-point rack and mudguard mounts, and all cables are routed externally for easy servicing. The curved leg, sloped shoulder steel fork also gets low-rider and mudguard mounts, as well as external routing for the front disc brake. A metal head badge and panelled paintwork create a suitably classic aesthetic, matched by relaxed head and seat tube angles and relatively long chainstays for a surefooted wheelbase. Ribble also has a Reynolds 725 frame in the Endurance range but we’ve tested it previously and the complete bike is £300 more than the Endurance Alloy frame tested here. The alloy tube set is extensively worked, with a slim tapered top tube, big boat-shaped down tube, and an inset headset head tube connected with smoothed welds. It’s only the slightly different hooked shape of the seat stays that stops the Endurance AL looking almost identical to
Photos: Ribble & Guy Kesteven
Four-season road bikes
Frame and fork
4-SEASON ROAD BIKES
BIKE TEST
First look
An all-weather, steel-framed road bike that's equally at home commuting or lightweight touring
The triple chainring gear range makes it easy to keep your pedalling rhythm right where you want it
Tech Spec
SPA CYCLES AUBISQUE 725 105 5700 TRIPLE
their carbon fibre Endurance frame. At under 1,700g for a bare medium frame, it’s not far off the weight of many affordable carbon bikes. The fork is full carbon too. Fixtures are more limited than the Spa, with just two bottle cages, mudguard mounts but no rack mounts. The disc brakes are the latest flat-mount style, though. Tyre room is a 32mm maximum or 25mm with Ribble’s slim mudguards. Geometry is a degree steeper than the Spa in both head and seat angles.
improvement over rim brakes, particularly in bad weather, and are as close as you’ll get to the feel of a fully hydraulic set without the potential ‘back of beyond’ maintenance issues if you’re touring exotically. If you have the budget, I’d nevertheless suggest investing in a hydraulic brake upgrade for even better feel, power and pad-wear-compensating performance. Top: Plenty of room for Our Aubisque came a 32mm tyre and a wide mudguard in the Spa's steel with Spa’s own handbuilt fork, which also takes a rack wheels, based on Shimano Bottom: Handbuilt wheels are a £120 upgrade. The default hubs with 28 double butted wheels are Shimano RX010 Components spokes up front and 32 in While the Ribble Endurance the rear. The Ribble rolls on 725 comes in at a steeper Mavic Aksium Disc wheels price than the 725-framed Spa Aubisque, as standard. Mavic Ksyrium SL alloy, the alloy frame version of the Ribble Cosmic Carbon, and Zipp 303S carbon Endurance brings things more in line. Both wheels are available as upgrades using bikes get 10-speed Shimano cassettes and Ribble's custom bike builder function. rear derailleurs – Tiagra and a double Our Ribble came with 25mm versions chainset on the Ribble, 105 and a triple (they actually measure 24mm wide) of the on the Spa. (With the Aubisque, you can trusty Continental Ultra Sport tyres to fit also opt for the newer 11-speed 105 with a under the guards but 28mm are standard double chainset for a similar price.) fit. Spa opt for the heavier-duty Schwalbe Both bikes use Tektro cable disc brakes Durano in basic performance spec, and in with two moving pistons. They’re a big a 32mm width that blows up true to size.
Price: from £1,150 Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 57 (tested) and 60cm Weight: 12.33kg (with guards but no pedals) Frame & fork: Reynolds 725 double butted Cro-Mo steel main tube mainframe with QR dropouts, plus 3 bottle cages, 4-point rack, mudguard and IS disc brake mounts. Cro-Mo steel fork with dual rack and guard eyelets on the QR dropouts and low-rider rack mounts. Wheels: 32-622 Schwalbe Durano Performance tyres. Spa handbuilt wheels with Shimano R505 disc hubs, 28 front, 32 rear double butted spokes and Kinlin eyeleted rims. Dimensions in millimetres and degrees
700 575 818
72.5˚
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433
610 72˚
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565
695 45
Transmission: Shimano 105 M5700 STI shifters, derailleurs and 50-39-30T triple chainset. Shimano RS500 bottom bracket, HG500 10 speed 11-32T cassette and KMC X10 chain. 30 ratios, 26-124in. Braking: Shimano 105 M5700 STI levers. TRP Spyre cable disc brakes with 160mm rotors. Steering & seating: Spa Cork bar tape, FSA Wing Compact 420mm bar, FSA Omega OS-168 100mm stem, Tange Terious SRN Aheadset. FSA SL280 seat post with Spa Navigator saddle. Equipment: SKS Chromoplastic mudguards. spacycles.co.uk
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CARGO SHORTS
GROUPTEST
Details
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
1 Grouptest
Cargo bib shorts
Cargo bib shorts combine the comfort of padded lycra with the convenience of pockets. Emma Silversides tests four pairs
C EMMA SILVERSIDES Since retiring from professional road racing, Emma has continued cycling, particularly touring
argo bib shorts are not about top-end performance, aerodynamic fabrics, or muscle compression like race shorts. They’re designed for convenience and functionality, with ample storage, quick-drying fabrics, and a durable seat pad, likely accommodating a more upright position. For some the extra storage might be in addition to the pockets of a cycle jersey, for others a complete replacement. Cargo shorts are a popular choice with gravel riders and adventurers but they aren’t limited to that. The fact that you don’t have to reach round and locate and extract contents from rear pockets is an incentive to use them for any ride – club run, commute, audax, multi-day trip, tour, or an off-road foray. The addition of pockets does push the price up. But the convenience of a leg pocket for quick access to food, wallet, or phone for a quick photo is not to be knocked. They are equally useful for shoving wrappers, gloves or packable shells into while on the move. There are men’s versions of all of these shorts.
Cycle’s test promise
Chamois
wanting that might need to size down. Check the width and design of leg grippers – are they to your liking for long days in the saddle?
Look to the edge of the chamois for neat seams, as well as graduated padding within the chamois itself. Since we are all different, what suits one person won’t always suit the next.
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Pockets
Consider the top you’ll wear with the shorts. With a traditional jersey, rear pockets on the shorts may be superfluous or awkward to access, so check you have the capacity on the legs that you want. Things can sometimes fall out of pockets when you stop for a call of nature.
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Fit
Cargo shorts aren’t often designed to compress. A road-rider
Fabrics
Manufacturers are beginning to use recycled fabrics. Some offer water repellency, others UV protection. If you are purchasing for bikepacking or touring, look into drying times.
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Bib design
Many shorts have rear zips and halters for easier comfort breaks. Alternatives include traditional straps or a full frontal bib, which can be a bit warm when it’s hot. If bibs aren’t for you, some manufacturers offer waist cargo shorts.
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At Cycle, we are proudly independent. There’s no pressure to please advertisers as we’re funded by your membership. Our product reviews aren’t press releases; they’re written by experienced cyclists after thorough testing. C YCL I NGUK . O RG
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TRAVELLERS’ TALES
Woodhead Reservoir in north Derbyshire
England
Over the Pennines With sun forecast, David Gladman took an impromptu tour
On the beach at St Davids in the August sunshine
Wales
Touring by the book Richard Scrase and his family went exploring Wales’s ‘lost lanes’ last summer
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he moment campsites in Wales re-opened, we were off. I borrowed a friend’s campervan, strapped our bikes on the back, and packed Jack Thurston’s guidebook, Lost Lanes Wales. Our first stop was Llanelli. As we pulled into the campsite, they asked: “Are you self-contained?” The site was open but the facilities were not. As I had not yet bought a bucket, we spent the first night in a hotel. The next day was route 19, ‘Seaside seduction’, a gentle ride on a seaside path from Llanelli and then alongside a tiny canal to the castle at Kidwelly. My four-year-old daughter rode some of this on her Islabike. When she was tired, she sat in her child seat, her bike lashed
Taking a break at Beulah, near Llanwrtyd Wells
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across the panniers of my wife’s bike. Next was St Davids, where we stayed on one of our favourite campsites, and part of the ‘Celtic coast’ route. The weather was glorious so we only rode a few miles of Jack’s route. Mostly we stuck to the beach. Beached and bleached out, we left to camp in Llandovery. In the morning we drove to Llanwrtyd Wells, the start and finish of another 18-mile easy ride (‘Watery Wales’). This was my favourite ride of the holiday: lonely lanes with little traffic, varying views, gentle climbing, then streams and waterfalls on the way downhill. We went through Hay-on-Wye into England and found a tiny riverside campsite on the Wye. The next day the weather was changing, and none of us fancied the slog up to Gospel Pass, part of ‘Around the Black Hill’. Instead we drove to the top and my wife and son freewheeled down while I drove. We stopped at the Half-Moon Hotel to regroup and admire Llanthony Abbey. Later, with the children sleeping and the campsites we had hoped to use still shut, we headed home. We’ll be back to try some of other rides when we can camp without a special bucket!
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ONE OF THE benefits of being retired is the ability to do things at the drop of a hat. In 2019, seeing an Indian summer forecast for late September, my friend and I decided to go for a short, easy-to-organise tour. After a full five minutes of discussion, we settled on five days riding the Trans Pennine Trail from Southport to Hornsea. Our only plan was to get a train to Southport, then work it out as we went. It worked brilliantly. We spent gloriously sunny days crossing the country on mostly flat, traffic-free tracks, trails, and back roads. Our nights were spent in a collection of budget hotels, all within a mile or so of the signed route, and spaced fewer than 50 miles apart. That was the range of the pedelec that one of us was riding. The Trail itself took us through or close by Liverpool, Widnes, Stockport, Penistone, Doncaster, Selby, and Hull. More important than the towns was the fantastic countryside; Longdendale Trail must take first prize for scenery. The terrain was mostly flat, although the Woodhead Pass felt hors categorie to this 70-year-old! We navigated mainly using a Garmin Tour, but the signage was clear. On the downside, we did find a couple of places where bikes had to be cajoled up steps using grooved ramps. The moral of the story? Never miss an opportunity to get out and ride!
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