Cycle Magazine - April/May 2020 Full Version by Cycling UK

cycle THE MAGAZINE OF CYCLING UK

On test

WHYTE GLENCOE SWYTCH E-BIKE KIT OVAL CHAINRING BAR BAGS & MORE

APRIL/MAY 2020 £3 OR FREE TO MEMBERS

BETTER TOGETHER THE JOY OF GROUP RIDING Page 40

P lu s BIG BUDGET GRAVEL BIKES RIDING THE LÔN LAS CYMRU PEDALLING WITH YOUR PET AND MUCH MORE

CONTENTS 40

Features 34 Lôn Las Cymru Coast-to-coast across Wales at Easter

Welcome

40 Better together The joy of group riding

There’s an elephant in the room this issue: the Coronavirus. We’ve hardly mentioned it. Our lead feature is about something that is likely to be proscribed by the time you read this. The reason for the lack of coverage is mostly logistical. Viruses move fast – much faster than a magazine that’s put together over two months. In January I was at a cycle industry trade show. Back then, the Coronavirus was something happening in China. One or two attendees weren’t shaking hands but the alarm bells hadn’t begun to ring. I was at another couple of events in February. It still felt like a remote threat. Even at the start of March, society seemed to be waiting for something the scale of swine ’flu to hit. I wrote an upbeat editorial for this slot about group riding. Then suddenly we were told to avoid workplaces, pubs, clubs, and non-essential travel. Sport was cancelled. Countries across Europe went into lockdown. In Spain, you could be arrested for riding your bike. That hasn’t happened here (as of mid March). The official line is that you can still go outside by yourself for exercise, which includes riding your bike. So I’m hopeful that, as cyclists, we may be able to ride this out. (Just don’t take risks and fall off; the NHS is under enough pressure.) If you are stuck at home, on the other hand, I hope that this issue provides some reprieve from a pummelling news cycle.

49 On the case for cyclists The Cyclists’ Defence Fund explained

52 Space for cycling York’s Solar System cycle route by disability tandem

20 Gear up Components, accessories, petfriendly products, and books

60 High-end all-rounders Expensive gravel bikes from Isen and Vielo

66 Whyte Glencoe An all-roads 650B bike for £1,299

Cycle Editor

68 Bar bags Keep your valuables close at hand

Regulars 04 Freewheeling A short tour around the wonderful world of cycling

07 This is Cycling UK Paul Tuohy bids farewell; what the spring Budget means for cycling; Cycling UK’s progress report; and more

31 Letters Your feedback on Cycle and cycling

On the cover

Calderdale CTC on a cold February day in the Yorkshire Dales. By Joolze Dymond

46 Weekender Off-road on the Imber Perimeter Path

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. 68,000 members and affiliates Patron: Her Majesty the Queen President: Jon Snow Chief Executive: Paul Tuohy. 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: cycle@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk Head of Design: Simon Goddard Designer: Katrina Ravn 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; Kat Young; Jeremy Chandler; Dan Joyce

DAN JOYCE

18 Shop Window Previews of new products

Coronavirus For updated advice regarding the Covid-19 outbreak, visit: cyclinguk.org/ coronavirus-advice

Products

cycle O RLD O F CYCLIN G W L FU ER ND O W E TH D A SH O RT TO UR ARO UN

“I feel I know every inch of the route,” said Helen. “I’ve ridden some of the roads before.”

Shop Window

MORE PREVIEWS ON PAGE 18

Out there

You ride

Helen Langridge: riding the world

ycling UK member Helen Langridge plans to set off from Brussels on 31 May 2020, aiming to complete 18,000 miles in 110 days. That would shave two weeks off the existing women’s roundthe-world record of 124 days, held by another Cycling UK member, Jenny Graham. Helen will be cycling for 15-16 hours each day in order to break the record. She wants to raise awareness about mental health problems, having struggled with depression and anxiety since she was a teenager. She said: “I want to show people that mental ill health doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great things. I want to push my limits and see how fast and far I can go. I’ve been at my lowest, now I need to be at my best.” Helen cycled across 30 countries with her husband from 2017 to 2018. She has been training six days a week and planning her route, alongside her full-time job, for the last year. Her website is: helenlangridge.com

CAKE ÖSA+

e.” ur zero emission rid il and completes yo lar electric du “G ets you to the tra mo ing ok -lo of this we ird its That’s the promise und 37 miles with has a range of aro ich wh le, cyc tor ridecake.com mo 0. ,50 €8 at rt sta s tte ry. Price me diu m (1.5 kW) ba

New tech

$10 power meter

JENNY GRAHAM’S JOURNEY For her recordbreaking trip around the world, Jenny Graham made eight podcasts. You can listen to them at theadventure syndicate. podbean.com

Staring at your stem to see how many Watts you’re producing has long been the preserve of racers ready to spend hundreds of pounds. Now it’s available for under $10. The caveat? That price is for manufacturers, not the public. sensitivus.com/news/

Event 99TH MERIDEN CYCLISTS’ MEMORIAL SERVICE

The cyclists’ memorial service at Meriden, commemorating cyclists who died in war, is due to take place for the 99th time this May. As Cycle went to press – and Coronavirus allowing – it was scheduled for Sunday 17 May, starting at 11am. Wreathes will be laid at the war memorial, followed by refreshments at the village hall. cyclinguk.org/event/meriden-cyclists-memorial-service 4

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Bike tech

Lidl Crivit Bike Bags Budget supermarket Lidl is selling bikepacking bags for less than a tenner each. There’s a 10L bar bag, a 2L frame bag, and a 9L saddlebag (pictured). All have waterproof zips and seams, and the saddlebag and bar bag have waterproof liners. bit.ly/lidl- crivit-9-99

On my bike

Try this

Mike Burrows

MICROVOLUNTEERING Want to help Cycling UK in its mission to get millions more people cycling but only have a little time to spare? Microvolunteering is the answer! Cycling UK staff send out regular, optional tasks via our volunteering platform, Assemble. Tasks include sharing social media

messages, completing surveys, and taking part in national campaigns such as Pothole Watch (p12). They can usually be done by phone or computer whenever convenient, yet they are a vital contribution to our work. Visit: tinyurl.com/ cyclingukmicrovolunteer

Picture this Storms and floods have made #12nights outin1year photo competition a real challenge. Despite the poor weather, loads of you have hit the trails and spent a night out. February’s winner was Callum Christie, who headed to the Scottish Borders. Callum won a Restrap frame bag for his photo. Find out how to win great prizes from Restrap and Ordinance Survey at cyclinguk. org/12-nights-out-in-1year.

BIKE HACKS

QUICKLINK REMOVAL Special pliers aren’t required. Fit the chain on the chainring so the quicklink points up in an inverted V. (It’s fiddler with a narrow-wide chainring, pictured.) Give the chain a sharp tap with a multitool, spanner or rock. To refit, loosely fasten the quicklink, then carefully rotate the cranks so it’s situated in the top run of chain. Apply the rear brake and tread down firmly on the lead pedal.

Cycle designer & carbon fibre pioneer Why do you cycle? I’m an engineer and love efficiency. Cycling is the most efficient way to get from A to B – and to stay fit without having to exercise. How far do you ride each week? 200-250 miles. Which of your bikes is your favourite? The one I’m on most is the 8Freight, because that’s what I ride to work and back. For weekend touring, it’s the Ratcatcher. What do you always take with you when cycling? Puncture outfit, pump, spare innertube. Usually a rain cape just in case. Who mends your punctures? I do! Up to about six per tube before I dump it. It’s raining: bike, public transport, or car? There is only bike – other than going to London, when I jump on the train. Lycra or normal clothes? I’m inclined towards the Lycra. I’ve got a dirty job; I’m a machinist. It makes sense not to go home in my working clothes because the missus wouldn’t want swarf on the sofa. If you had £100 to spend on cycling, what would you get? Some new Assos winter tights, although I’m not sure £100 would buy a pair any more. What’s your favourite cycle journey? Down to Walberswick in Suffolk, an 85-mile round trip. But the nicest I’ve ever done was touring through France. What single thing would most improve matters for UK cyclists? Better bicycle design! It’s Victorian, the Thomas Humber diamond-frame bicycle. The bicycle needs to be seen to be a 21st century solution.

C Y CL I NGUK . O RG

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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

The last word

When the national Budget has nothing for cycling, membership of Cycling UK is more important than ever, says Paul Tuohy

As a result of Coronavirus, we are looking at moving the AGM planned for June to a date to be confirmed in September

Left: Alamy

he recent Budget Dan Howard, announcement showed Chair of the Board that there has never been a of Trustees, said: moment like now to support cycling. “I’d like to thank Paul Whilst I am proud of the changes I for his leadership over the have presided over since my arrival last five years. During that time, in 2014, I cannot stress enough that Paul has worked to support the Cycling UK is needed now more modernisation of the organisation, than ever to hold Government to fostered new relationships with account for its continued lack of government, and helped more Chancellor Rishi Sunak had action on active travel. people discover the joy of cycling nothing for cycling in March It’s beyond belief that the through programmes such as the Chancellor has just announced, in Big Bike Revival. The Board will the recent Budget, that £1bn will be spent on ‘green transport start their search for the next CEO shortly.” solutions’ without a single penny committed to cycling or Stop press: Coronavirus walking. It leaves English councils outside London with no As Cycle magazine went to press, the Government announced earmarked money whatsoever to spend on their local cycling unprecedented measures to prevent the spread of Covidand walking network plans from April. 19 Coronavirus, including asking people to avoid social Instead, he has announced a staggering £27bn road situations. As a result, we took the decision to ask our groups building programme, which will only serve to increase the to cancel group rides and activities to minimise the risk. climate, air pollution, congestion, and inactivity related public By the time you read this, things may have already moved health crises threatening this country. More on page 12. on, but it’s important we play our part keeping our staff, A fond farewell members, volunteers, and the general public safe. That’s why Over the past six years, Cycling UK has built upon its roots as we’ll be continuing to monitor the situation and taking advice a brilliant club organisation into a truly national campaigning from the Government, the NHS, and other partners. and advocacy organisation. We’ve worked with governments It’s an unsettling and worrying time for everyone, with and independently to deliver programmes supporting those the country experiencing containment measures the likes new to cycling. Cycling UK punches well above its weight, of which haven’t been seen since the Second World War. and its influence is growing every year that passes. Hopefully things will improve soon, especially if we all do I feel my role in the transformation is now done. I’ll be our bit. At time of writing, the advice remains that you should stepping down as Chief Executive in the spring, so this will be take regular exercise – and what better way to do that than my last piece for Cycle magazine. It’s been an amazing ride on your bike? It’s a great way to keep fit and healthy, and but it’s time for me climb off for the next chapter to begin. I physical activity boosts your immunity. will begin by renewing my membership! Unfortunately, we’re all going to have to forgo the club run Thank you, and see you out on the bike. and the social side of cycling for a little while longer. But it Paul Tuohy won’t be forever.

Stay connected

facebook.com/CyclingUK

Twitter @wearecyclinguk

www.cyclinguk.org

We’re all going to have to forgo the club run and the social side of cycling for a little while longer

cycling@cyclinguk.org

01483 238301

C Y CL I NGUK . O RG

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£6.1bn

Spent by NHS every year on obesity-related ill-health

Photo: Andy Catlin

Our Play Together on Pedals project in Scotland helped 2,724 children get riding

Strategy

PEDALLING AHEAD Cycling UK’s latest Annual Report is on the website. Adrian Wills highlights some key findings

e’re on a mission to inspire a million more people to cycle by 2023. Two years into our strategy, how are we doing? Spring is when we produce our annual financial report, reflecting on the last 12 months. The good news is that we’re making huge strides. For example, more than 13,000 new cycling trips were made in England through the Big Bike Revival in 2018/19. Over a hundred people received bikes on a long-term loan as part of our Wheelness project in Inverness. A total of 9,108 potholes were reported via the FillThatHole app and website. Our membership grew to more than 68,000. And our website had 4.5 million page views. Our campaign work remained a cornerstone of what we do. More 11,500 actions were completed in our campaign for a drastic governmental increase in spending in cycling; 14,000 people viewed our video promoting the use of the Dutch Reach; and we launched the 800-mile Great North Trail. With recurring funding from the Department of Transport, our Big Bike Revival

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programme saw 7,334 non-regular cyclists increasing their cycling activity. In West Yorkshire, 133 people were introduced to cycling through our Cycle for Health scheme in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combine Authority. Once again we named 100 Women in Cycling, and we put on 115 Women’s Festival of Cycling events. We grew our volunteer network to 8,723, and we set up 18 new community club initiatives in Scotland. Ten businesses signed up to our Cycle Friendly Employers Scheme, reaching 18,575 employees. In Bike Week, 314 events were held across the UK. Chief Executive Paul Tuohy said: “It’s been an exceptional year. We’ve encouraged tens of thousands more people to get in the saddle and made cycling safer for everyone with our vital campaigning work. It’s only been possible with the support of our members. For that, I thank you and hope your support will continue in the exciting years ahead.” The full financial report will be published on the Cycling UK website later this year.

Northern Ireland

FIRST STAFF MEMBER IN N.I. With the Northern Ireland Assembly back up and running, we’re delighted to announce that we have our first staff member based there. Engagement officer Joshua Murray will be writing to local members as we begin engaging supporters, influencing decision makers, and getting more people on bikes. If you’re in Northern Ireland and want to be involved, email campaigns@cyclinguk.org

Cycling development

BIG BIKE REVIVAL IS BACK In 2019, Cycling UK engaged with more than 60,000 people in the Big Bike Revival in England and Scotland, hosting 1,599 events. Many events took place in communities with multiple barriers to starting cycling and have either helped people discover the gift of cycling, or brought them back into the fold. We’re pleased to say the Big Bike Revival will be back for 2020 – find out more at: cyclinguk.org/ bigbikerevival

A Big Bike Revival event in Portsmouth last year

85%

Percentage of women in the UK who say they never cycle Awards

100 WOMEN IN CYCLING Nominations are open for Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2020. It’s a chance to highlight everyday heroines who champion and inspire cycling locally and nationally. Do you know a female cyclist who is improving or increasing cycling, or who ignites your passion for riding a bike? Nominate her today! Voting closes on 10 April. For details, visit cyclinguk. org/100women2020

Bike Week activities will be in September, but we’re also celebrating online in June

Events

TWO BITES OF BIKE WEEK

ike Week is Cycling UK’s annual celebration to showcase cycling. It’s been running for 96 years, and it’s a great opportunity to get bums on bikes. If you ride year round, every week is bike week. So why should you get involved? It’s an exciting and unique opportunity to engage the general public and highlight the positive benefits of cycling. In short: you can help someone else be inspired about riding a bike. Without the support of enthusiasts like you, Bike Week wouldn’t have the power to make a difference. We realise that, in these uncertain times,

helping people to come together to ride may not be possible, so we’re looking to hold Bike Week events and activities later in the year in September; details will be on the website cyclinguk.org/bikeweek. That said, we can keep talking about and sharing our love of riding. We’ll be celebrating cycling online during Bike Week’s traditional dates in the summer. From 6-14 June this year, we’ll capture public imagination with inspiring stories on our website and social media. You can take part through our #7daysofcycling social media challenge and join the conversation.

Touring

SUSTAINABLE CYCLE TOURISM Cycling UK is one of 14 partners collaborating on the EU-funded project, EXPERIENCE. Over the next three years we will work together to deliver innovative and sustainable off-season tourism experiences in six pilot regions in England and France, with initial focus in Cornwall, Kent and Norfolk. To find out more, head to: cyclinguk.org/ experience

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Access

DON’T LOSE YOUR WAYS Thousands of miles of trails across England and Wales could be lost forever unless we make an effort to put them on the map. Our rights of way network is one of our most precious assets, so we’ve teamed up with Ramblers and the British Horse Society to help people discover lost rights of way before the 2026 deadline. Ramblers’ new tool makes it easy to compare historic and current maps to find what’s missing. Make sure the routes you ride are protected for future generations. cyclinguk.org/2026

Some rights of way are well mapped and signed. Many aren’t

Left: Marcus Ahmed Far left: Gaudenz Danuser Below: Joolze Dymond

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CTC SW London Midweek Wayfarers celebrate their 40th

7mph

Chancellor Rishi Sunak splurged billions on transport but couldn’t find a single penny for cycling

Funding

BUDGET COMES UP SHORT

HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES CTC South West London Midweek Wayfarers celebrated their 40th anniversary with a ride and lunch on 4 March. The group organises rides for all abilities, mostly setting off from North Cheam. Cycling UK Lincolnshire is marking its 90th birthday with a lunch on Sunday 24 May. Anybody with a connection to the group is welcome to attend. Visit cyclinguk.org/event/90thanniversary for updates.

Budget statements in Holyrood and Westminster were miles apart on active travel. Duncan Dollimore was unimpressed

Infrastructure

Cycling UK’s second annual Pothole Watch, which ran from 16-20 March, highlighted how only one-in-ten local authorities is meeting its own target times to fix potholes and road defects. Potholes are a real menace to cyclists, which is why we created Fill That Hole: to give everyone a tool to report dangerous road defects and get them fixed. fillthathole.org.uk

n recent weeks we’ve seen national budgets agreed in both Edinburgh and London, and when it came to money for cycling and walking the contrast was stark. Plagiarising Dickens’ opening lines from A Tale of Two Cities: in Scotland, for active travel, it was the age of wisdom, the epoch of belief, and the spring of hope; in England it was the age of foolishness, the epoch of incredulity, and the winter of despair. Admittedly the political realities are different in Scotland; the Scottish National Party needed support to get its budget through parliament. After announcing a modest £5.5million increase to the active travel budget, it had to add a further £15million to secure Scottish Green Party votes, taking the total investment next year to £100million. Now that’s still not enough, but funding for cycling and walking per person in Scotland already exceeded levels in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Rishi Sunak’s first Westminster budget spectacularly failed to include a single penny for active travel, leaving English councils outside London with no earmarked money

Member Groups

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whatsoever to spend on local cycling and walking network plans from next month. With funding falling off a cliff, money needed to be allocated in the budget. Instead it was ‘jam tomorrow’ and a promise of a huge increase in infrastructure investment, with details to follow at the end of the re-launched spending review. Budget day in Westminster was undoubtedly a day of despair, with a clear message about priorities. The Chancellor chose to park short- and long-term funding decisions on active travel, pending a spending review, whilst announcing a staggering £27billion road building programme. A green light for infrastructure spending that compounds the climate, air pollution, congestion, and inactivity-related public health crises we face. A red light for investment in active travel, which presents the cheapest, quickest and effective solutions. But campaigning success often comes after initial defeats. So watch out for how you can help as we ramp up our funding campaign during the spending review, and ask Boris Johnson: “Why won’t you get cycling done?”

POTHOLE WATCH

Hardly model behaviour: most repairs are delayed

Left: Rob Spanring

average speed by car in London and Edinburgh

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Top: Roy (fourth from left) in Prestatyn with Merseyside CTC Left: On the Lôn Las Menai cycleway, near Caernarfon

ROY SPILSBURY Cycling UK’s volunteer of the year for 2006 is still campaigning aged 85. He spoke to Dan Joyce about making waves and embracing change

hen you’ve got about three days to spare, Dan, I’ll tell you the rest,” Roy signs off cheerfully at the end of our telephone interview. He’s a torrent of information, rattling off arguments and anecdotes in the conversational equivalent of copper plate handwriting. His diction is polite and precise, belying, I suspect, a terrierlike disposition; his long history of cycle campaigning has chalked up some notable successes. “The one that attracts most attention is the seven-year battle to get cycling onto Llandudno promenade as part of National Cycle Route 5,” he says. “I kept pecking away at that. Every time the council mentioned the promenade, up I would pop with a letter.” Other campaigns he fought and won include the establishment of a nature reserve in Prestatyn, and the opening up of an old railway line between Prestatyn and Dyserth. (Roy lives in North Wales and rides with Chester & North Wales CTC.) But he’s keen to stress that cycle campaigning “isn’t just about pedalling on designated off-road paths. It’s also making inroads into the culture of the roads. An initiative within my local cluster here in North Wales, where I think we’re a market leader, is Operation SNAP, which involves the use of head cameras for pursuing prosecutions.” Roy does a lot of letter writing to win support for his arguments. “I’ve always believed in getting into the media,”

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Paris disagreement “It was me that triggered off, through the CTC Forum in 2007, the complaint against Matthew Paris. The year before, four of my chums in Rhyll Cycling Club were killed by a motorist. And a year later, Matthew Paris is writing in The Times about decapitating cyclists. It became the biggest ever complaint to the Press Complaints Council.”

he says, “getting into the newspapers, making points.” The ‘local rag’, however, is just the tip of the iceberg. He has his own website, Cycling in North Wales, which has racked up around four million hits. “I use social media as well, and I do YouTubes – although I’m still a student in that area. Whenever cycling comes up in the media, I respond on social media, sending a hyperlink to the YouTube video I’ve done. I put the words ‘Cycling UK’ on the video.” Roy has embraced the change from CTC to Cycling UK. “I have little patience with those who bemoan the fact that CTC is not a club,” he says. “I’m delighted by the change of its name to Cycling UK. Nobody’s got more fondness for the old CTC and the Winged Wheel than me; I’ve written articles on it. But the switch to the new title and logo has given me much greater impact in contacts with the media and the local community. Moving to a charity, I have no problem with. There’s an awful lot of work going into campaigning and so on which is charitable delivery. So I’m fully supportive. “Cycling UK is an institution. It’s responded to the times as times have changed. It’s hit its lows but it’s never been confronted with the challenges that we have now, because the world has changed. Our physical playground has changed. It has never been more important to have Cycling UK than now. I’ve been a rights rep for years and I’ve always been conscious of the fact that I’m not primarily working for Cycling UK, I’m working for society. Cycling UK is my tool.” Unusually, perhaps, for someone who is 85, Roy’s eye seems firmly fixed on the future. “Like many organisations – and I think this is a problem that Cycling UK is trying to confront at the moment – there’s the issue of the ageing population of the membership. What I would like to see is an associate membership or something of that ilk, where people could perhaps receive the magazine or some form of regular update but not the third-party insurance. A phrase went through my head this morning, a sort of sales pitch for a potential associate membership: “What price your grandchild’s future?”

More info Cycling in North Wales, Roy’s website, is: cyclingnorthwales.uk

More about operation SNAP: https://gosafesnap.wales

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that I had lost my confidence to ride safely on two wheels. That’s when I decided to try three wheels instead.

Three wheels good

Above: Peter picked up his new trike in person Bottom: The triangular bag gave the Stingray its name

PETER IRVING Despite limited use of his right hand and issues riding a bicycle, Cycling UK member Peter is back on the road thanks to a Sven Cycles trike

hanging gear has always been a challenge for me. Since birth, I’ve had limited dexterity in my right hand. On my first ‘proper’ bike – a Moulton Mini with a Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub gear – I mounted the gear lever back to front on the left side of the handlebar. When I progressed to a bigger bike with a 5-speed derailleur and a down tube lever, I simply reached through the frame with my left hand to change gear. The same approach worked with subsequent bikes with double and triple chainrings, so long as they had down tube levers. When brake and gear levers became integrated, it actually became more difficult and unsafe for me to change gear while riding. Then I discovered that a left-hand shifter was available for the Rohloff Speedhub. Perfect! I was deciding what bike to equip with this when I started to get pain in my hip. This culminated in a hip replacement. The consultant said I should consider giving up cycling on the road in favour of pedalling on a static bike, in order to avoid the risk of damage to my replacement hip due to falling or being knocked off. The prospect of not getting out on the road in the fresh air did not appeal to me at all. Yet when I did try and ride a bike on the road after the operation, I found

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Tech Spec

SVEN CYCLES STINGRAY Frame: custom made from Reynolds 853, 631 tandem tubing, and stainless steel. Low step-over and ‘narrow enough to fit through my gate’. Wheels: Rene Herse tyres, Phil Wood front hubs, Rohloff rear. Gearing: Rohloff Speedhub with lefthand shifter, 14 ratios. Brakes: Hope hydraulic twin front brakes operated from one lever. Cable disc parking brake. Steering: Racing go-kart control rods. Ergon grips.

svencycles.com

There’s a couple of ways to fit a Rohloff hub to a tricycle. A delta trike with two wheels at the rear could have its transmission modified to use a Rohloff hub instead of a standard derailleur system. On a tadpole trike, with two wheels at the front, a standard Rohloff setup would work. I decided on the latter, as the transmission would be simpler and it would, I thought, give a more stable platform for touring. The next setback came when I approached first one and then another frame builder. Despite them both making trikes, neither gave me a positive response. Getting back on the road was starting to look like a distant dream. Before giving up, I thought I’d give it one more try. Instead of searching for tricycle builders, I looked for frame builders who were experienced in making bikes with Rohloff gearing. This search turned up, among others, Sven Cycles. I sent them an email. Within a day, I received a response from Darron at Sven saying that he and his team were interested. Two weeks later, I was sitting down with them discussing my requirements. I received a quote, which I agreed to, and then it was over to Darron, Mog, and Steve at Sven to design and manufacture the trike. It became known as the Stingray due to the shape of the sailcloth bag between the front wheels, which doubles as a splash guard. I couldn’t be happier with the trike. Peter’s Stingray won a Cycling UK rosette at Bespoked 2019 (cyclinguk.org/article/cycling-uks-bestbespoked-2019). Bespoked 2020 has been postponed until 16-18 October. See bespoked.cc for details.

P roduct News

SHOP WINDOW A cross-section of products that Dan Joyce spotted at winter trade shows – before the Coronavirus swept in

Shows off

The London Bike Show (thelondonbikeshow. co.uk) is now scheduled for 3-5 July. Bespoked (bespoked.cc) is now on 16-18 Oct.

Kinesis Range Adventure E-bike

Vango F10 Project Hydrogen £600

With a trail weight of just 680g, this is the world’s lightest two-skin tent. It uses ‘Airbeam technology’ instead of poles; it inflates via a Schrader valve. Pack size is tiny: just one litre! vango.co.uk/gb/

Genetic Driser 4 handlebar £44.99

Head tube too short? Genetic’s 20mm-rise drop bar will sit you up a little. It’s an alternative (or addition) to a steeper-angled stem. Width: 38-44cm. geneticbikes.com

Box Four 8S Wide Groupset $154.99

Big cassettes for 1× drivetrains aren’t limited to doubledigit-ratio groupsets. Like Microshift, Box Components caters for 9-speed (with a groupset called Prime 9) and now 8-speed. UK price TBC. boxcomponents.com

£3,500 An electric-assist gravel bike, the Range Adventure looks like a capable tourer and commuter too. It’s powered by a Fazua Evation motor that disengages at 15.5mph and doesn’t add drag. Weight: 15kg. kinesisbikes.co.uk

Wolf Tooth B-RAD Bottle Shift £21.00

It can be difficult fitting a water bottle and minipump to a small frame or one with a rear shock. A side-loading bottle cage helps. So does shifting the mounts off centre with this. wolftoothcomponents.com

BZ Optics PHO Bi-focal Photochromic Glasses £99.99

Leave your reading glasses at home: the magnification (+1.50, +2.00, or +2.50) moulded into the bottom of these lenses will let you read maps, etc. bzoptics.com

Green Oil Graphinity £TBC

Green Oil’s collection of biodegradable lubricants hasn’t had a direct competitor to slippery, non-stick PTFE – until now. green-oil.net

7 6

Online reviews

For more reviews of bikes, kit and components, as well as how-to guides, visit… cyclinguk.org/cycling-advice

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Gear up

( ( Put to the test

Is there a product that you think needs reviewing?

Write to: Cycle, PO Box 313, Scarborough, YO12 6WZ

COMPONENTS, KIT, AND MEDIA SELECTED AND REVIEWED BY BIKE JOURNALISTS AND CYCLING UK STAFF

cycle@jamespembroke media.co.uk

Other options

NANO ELECTRIC £785+ (KIT ONLY)

One of the most versatile Brompton retrofit systems (throttle plus pedal and pedelec options), with a long track record of reliable conversions.

Swytch

nanoelectricbikes. co.uk

Electric Assist Kit for Brompton Turn your Brompton into an electricassist one for less than a grand £999 (£500 if pre-ordered) swytchbike.com

rompton’s own Electric model appeared in 2017 but there are still many retrofit options out there, like this one from Swytch. It consists of: a replacement front wheel with a hub motor; a battery pack (power controls are on top of the battery and integral front light); a battery mount (frame or handlebar options); a pedal sensor; and an extended handlebar stem peg to allow folding with the handlebar battery mount in place. “Installation typically takes ten minutes,” Swytch say. It took me longer but was simple enough:

Pros & cons

in after a second or so of pedalling; this is a motion sensor system, without the immediate response of torque sensing systems. However, it’s one of the better ones I’ve tried, without much delay or run-on, often a problem on poorly programmed kits. It zipped up the Pennine foothills emitting only a moderate hum. Range from the 252Wh battery was at least 20 miles, sometimes quite a bit more, despite being ridden mainly on power level four out of five. My only quibble was the lack of a handlebar control; the buttons are on the battery. The kit is fairly lightweight, adding 3.4kg. Of that, 1.78kg is the battery, which is removable at the push of a button. Richard Peace

+ Easy to fit + Effective assistance uphill – Full price is rather steep

fit a tyre and swap over the wheels; mount the pedal sensor and cable-tie the lead; attach the battery mount (a large, strong clamp); plug in the cables; then swap over the handlebar catch. As easy as that? Yes – with a couple of caveats. I used the optional, Brompton-specific pedal sensor, which costs a bit extra and requires removal of the crank arm to fit. But it’s neater and less prone to damage on a folder than the larger sensor. Secondly, the motor’s cable run requires careful setup to avoid restricting steering. When riding, the power kicks

Cycle’s test promise 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. 20

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ARCC INNOVATIONS BROMPTON WITH E2-POD £1,799+ (FITTED, KIT ONLY)

A high-tech ‘RollsRoyce’ system designed and made at Arcc’s plant in Cambridge.

arccinnovations.com

Verdict

A neat, light retrofit kit that gives a great performance boost. As with the ‘official’ Brompton Electric, a wireless handlebar control would make it even better.

REVIEWS

GEAR UP

Pros & cons

+ Can improve pedalling efficiency + Low-cadence traction – Reduced clearance to chainstay

Absolute Black

MTB Oval chainring 104bcd 32t No, it’s not Biopace. Yes, it’s worth trying to see if you like it absoluteblack.cc £59.99

Other options

rom 1893 to 1983 oval chainrings came in and out of fashion, usually every other decade. Unfortunately, Shimano’s Biopace didn’t get its marketing right – or the product – and it’s taken 30 years to wipe the slate clean. The recent renaissance took hold thanks to the marginal gains philosophy, advances in design and machining, and an explosion in new riders who haven’t learned the smooth-pedalling ‘souplesse’ of more experienced cyclists. Whether on road or off, these new generation oval chainrings smooth out the 12 o’clock deadspot known as top dead centre (TDC) by reducing the effort to push past this point. As the power phase begins on the down stroke, the ovality evens this out, resulting in a little bit of souplesse for the masses. It’s arguably kinder on the

HOPE OVAL RETAINER RING 104PCD £40 This ring has 12% ovality and 113º clocking (rotational position). It weighs 48g (32t). Six colours. hopetech.com

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knees as the gear is effectively lowered where the stroke is weakest. My experience was positive. There’s a short period of acclimatisation when pedalling feels ‘gooey’ but this soon fades. The benefit when climbing hills is noticeable. It’s easier and smoother. It’s also particularly suited to 1× gear systems, as a single ring means no risk of a dropped chain during front shifting. You can test the ‘smoothing out’ theory by riding a knobbly tyre on flat tarmac with a round chainring. If you lack souplesse, you’ll probably hear a rhythmic buzz as the torque changes through the 360 degrees of the pedal stroke. Fit an oval ring and this ‘bouncing’ should disappear. A smoother delivery of power

ROTOR 1× QRING 110×4 £68 Rotor makes lots of oval rings, including some with adjustable clocking. But this one (right) is a simple 12.5% ovality ring.

rotorbike.com

will logically reduce wheel spin and increase traction, especially on technical climbs. Just bear in mind that this is only one piece in the puzzle. Having the appropriate crank length, saddle position and shoe/pedal combination are all influencing factors in performance and comfort. Absolute Black have done their research, as evidenced on their website. They offer a wide range of both oval and round chainrings compatible with most quality chainsets designed for mountain, road, gravel, and cyclocross bikes. I tested a red anodised 32-tooth chainring (104mm bolt circle diameter) intended for 1×10/11/12 or singlespeed applications. Weight: 41g. Liz Colebrook

Verdict

Worth trying on hilly terrain to ease the knees, improve traction off-road, and keep your pedalling strokes smooth and efficient as they deliver power.

REVIEWS

GEAR UP

Tailfin

X Three Rack & Bag Set Quick-release luggage for bikes that don’t always carry bags

Pros & cons

tailfin.cc £519

Other options

ailfin’s unusual, futuristic looking rack enables you to carry panniers and a trunk bag on a bike without frame fittings. It’s designed for Tailfin’s own luggage but will carry other bags with Tailfin’s ‘third-party pannier adapters’. The rack itself is made up of a one-piece, ‘aero’ cross-section, rear arch, which passes over the rear wheel and is connected to the seatpost by a twin-prong top stay with a quick-release strap system. It is impressively rigid once installed. The X Series rack is offered in three versions, using different combinations of aluminium and carbon-fibre for the arch and top strut. (There’s also an S Series, which will carry only a top bag.) The arch, which leans backwards once installed, sports a pair of spigots on each side at roughly tyre tread height. These provide

the mounting points for Tailfin’s panniers – or for the third-party pannier adapters. The top strut can be dispensed with if the trunk bag is fitted, as that has its own internal frame and seatpost strap. The rack can be attached to frame eyelets at the dropouts but is primarily designed to clip onto Tailfin’s proprietary extended quick release skewer or 12mm thru-axle. The waterproof, foldtop panniers (light and heavyduty versions available) clip immovably to the arch spigots via lever-and-cam-operated claws, while the top strut or trunk bag is attached to the rear arch with spring-loaded pins. Rack, panniers and trunk bag can be installed or removed in a few seconds. The quick-release wheel skewer can be swapped between machines almost as quickly. It’s all very neat and ingenious. On the downside, assembly is

TOPEAK MTX TRUNKBAG DXP £85

ORTLIEB & TUBUS

Trunk bag with expandable side panniers. Fits Topeak’s Super Tourist DX rack (which costs another £40). topeak.com

Tubus Cargo Classic rear rack fitted with Ortlieb Back Roller Classic panniers and an Ortlieb Trunk Bag RC. tubus.

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£277 APPROX

com, ortlieb.com

a bit of a faff, not least because there are lots of small screws, and their matching female threads are made to very tight tolerances. Instructions are available online; I’d like to see printed examples in the box. Performance-wise, the system is sturdy and the panniers, trunk bag, and their various pockets are weatherproof. The capacious but narrow panniers give plenty of heel clearance. It’s not the lightest rear luggage, at around 3.3kg for the set tested, and it’s certainly not the most affordable. Yet its versatility, ease of use and, yes, high-performance aesthetic give Tailfin’s system a real edge over the opposition. The X Three rack costs £169 by itself, with the trunk bag costing £159 and the panniers £109 each. (There’s a discount for buying them as a set.) Richard Hallett

+ Quality manufacture + Tool-free installation/ removal - Fiddly assembly - Expensive

Verdict

Tailfin’s modular cycle luggage system is well thought-out and versatile, while being suitable for rapid, tool-free attachment to almost any bike.

C u l t u re

DOGGY PEDALLING MAKE WALKIES MORE BIKE FRIENDLY

GoPro Fetch Dog Harness Mount £34.36

Enliven that seen-it-all-before footage of singletrack riding with dog ears, undergrowth, startled squirrels, and possibly other dogs’ bums. You’ll need a GoPro, of course. The harness is not listed on GoPro’s website, oddly, but is on amazon.co.uk.

( ( Not your best friend?

Here’s some advice from the RSPCA about dealing with any aggressive mutts you might meet: bit.ly/rspcaaggressive-dogs

Babboe Dog-E £2,399

An electric-assist cargo trike specifically for dog owners, the Dog-E is “suitable for multiple dogs and/or 1-2 children”. It has rings inside for leads to stop them jumping out (dogs, not children), plus a ramp. babboe.co.uk

Basil Pluto XL £99.99 A front-fitting wicker basket for (Basil say) “animals”, this looks better suited to a Jack Russell or small terrier than, say, a cat or a guinea pig. Includes a dog cushion; the wire top is extra. basil.com

Rex Specs Dog Goggles

$79.95+ Protect your pet’s eyes from UV, windblown debris, mud, or grass seeds whether they’re sticking their head out of a cycle trailer at speed or racing trails on foot. rexspecs.com

Burley Tail Wagon ~£450

There are quite a few dog trailers these days. Burley were among the first and the Tail Wagon is one of the best. It’s lightweight, folds flat for storage, and has a removable floor for cleaning. burley.com

Bikejor Starter Kit with NonStop Line Harness £89.99

Bikejoring is riding a bike with a dog pulling you. Yes, I can see how this could go very wrong, but it really is a thing. There are even competitions. innerwolf.co.uk

A GPS that fits to a collar, this works as an activity monitor and a live tracker, so you’ll always know where your pet is. Monthly sub (from £3.33) required. tractive.com/en

Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs £44.99

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Books

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SIT BACK AND TURN THE PAGES INSTEAD OF THE PEDALS

Cycle doesn’t feature all books received. Reviewers pick the ones they think you need to know about from the Editor’s shortlist. Send review copies to: Cycle, PO Box 313, Scarborough, YO12 6WZ

100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of Italy LIKE HIS PREVIOUS books, this is another

catalogue of Simon Warren’s favourite climbs, this time in Italy. All have detailed descriptions and use a useful grading system. The hundred climbs feature not just

Details

By: Simon Warren Publisher: Little Brown Price: £12.99 ISBN: 978-1472143044

mountain passes made household names by the Giro d’Italia but also others that he’s discovered and has included due to their severity or scenery. While Warren’s passion for Italy and the Giro come over well, this guide is mostly a practical planning tool. Nik Hart

The Hub of the Universe THIS IS NOT a coffee table book; it’s a bible of all things Sturmey Archer, a company famous for over a century for its internal hub gearing. First published in 1987, The Hub of the Universe charts the company’s history and documents the products it produced. The book plunges headfirst into a comprehensive narrative of the workings Details of internal hub gearing, the journey of By: Tony Hadland & the company itself, and the advancement Alan Clarke into further product lines, notably drum Publisher: Pinkerton brakes, coaster brakes, and gear shifters. Press As an antidote to the at times technical Price: £47 inc P&P aspect of the text, there are over 400 (£43.50 for V-CC superb images, many in colour. They range members) ISBN:978-1999342920 from advertising to fantastic exploded diagrams of internal gearing. If you’re an aficionado of cycling history, have an interest in hub gearing, a passion for mechanical engineering, or simply want to increase your knowledge of a British cycling institution that revolutionised the cycle industry, read this book. At over £40 posted, even if you’re eligible for the VeteranCycle Club discount, this isn’t cheap. But it’s physically well put together (it’s a sturdy hardback) and, in terms of the content on this specific subject, it is unparalleled. Ross Adams

Not in shops? To order this book, contact V-CC c/o James Cooper, 75 Sherbourne Ave, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 8BB, tel: 0117 969 7757, email: jameshfcooper@gmail.com

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The Secret Cyclist

Details

By: It’s a secret! Publisher: Yellow

Jersey Press Price: £14.99 ISBN: 978-1787290211

THIS IS AN ENGAGING, behind-thescenes look at the what life is like in the professional peloton. It’s anonymous because the writer is still racing – and it strays so far from any PR-approved script that he’d otherwise probably get coldshouldered at best or sacked at worst. It’s refreshingly honest. Never trust a kit endorsement from a professional cyclist, the author says; they’re paid to sing its praises. He tells us what the peloton really thinks about Team Sky/Ineos, what the culture is around doping, and much more.

Dan Joyce

Yorkshire Dales Mountain Biking: Classic Pennine Trails THIS GUIDE DETAILS 26 old-school mountain

bike routes in the Dales. Instead of sinuous forestry trails, these are wide stony and By: Nick Cotton Publisher: Vertebrate

Publishing Price: £16.95 ISBN: 978-1912560066

grassy tracks, often with expansive views and uncompromising climbs. Fit your biggest cassette; Fremington Edge, for example, takes no prisoners. There’s a good mix of routes, and the maps are excellent. The only thing missing is an associated website with downloadable GPX files. Dan Joyce

O p inio n

Letters

Get in touch

THIS MONTH CYCLING TO SCHOOL, ROHLOFF GEAR RATIOS, FLIGHT SHAME, PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES, AND MORE

LETTERS are edited for space, clarity and, if necessary, legality. The Editor reads and acknowledges all letters to Cycle but publishes only a selection and doesn’t enter into correspondence. Feedback for the next issue must arrive by 30 April. WRITE TO: Cycle, PO Box 313, Scarborough, YO12 6WZ or email cycle@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

The original article is online at: cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/ bike-week-why-life-better-bike

Photo: Josie Dew

Cycling on Tiree

th Letter of the mon

SCHOOL RUN SMILES

wo years ago, I read Josie Dew’s article in the magazine on cycling her children to school. At the time I had one child and was expecting a second. I was determined to follow in her footsteps. Fast forward two years and I have just completed my daughter’s first term at preschool entirely by bike. It’s a 5.4 mile round trip, morning and night, and little brother comes too. I began looking two years ago for a Burley D’lite secondhand, and this is how we arrive at school. The only reason we are late is due to my disorganisation, never the traffic – unlike my neighbour, who can be up to 30 minutes late due to stationary traffic. Many have questioned why I do it. Several said that I wouldn’t survive the winter weather. Others said that I was pushing myself too hard, towing 40kg with both children and no electric assist. The winter has been rather wet but often the commute is the best part of my day. There’s the exhilaration of being outside on unwelcoming days, plus fresh air, endorphins, and the amazing feeling of being much more independent. I’m in charge of my own speed, direction and route. Keep up the inspiring stories, Cycling UK, and I’ll keep up my riding! Jenny Shouler

Stay connected

facebook.com/CyclingUK

Win a Lezyne Macro Plus GPS worth £100 The letter of the month wins a Lezyne Macro Plus GPS, courtesy of Upgrade Bikes. It pairs with your phone and offers turnby-turn navigation, Strava Live Segments, training integration, optional horizontal orientation, a best-in-class run-time of 28 hours, and more. For details about this and other Lezyne GPS computers, or to find your local stockist, visit upgradebikes.co.uk

Twitter @wearecyclinguk

Until recently, I was Tiree’s GP. The antipathy towards cyclists apparently began after World War II. With the building of an airbase for Halifaxes to patrol the Atlantic convoys, roads were built for the military. Their vehicles had priority and other users, mainly cyclists, had to give way. This view has persisted to the present day, partly because of the leaflets and posters produced by the island’s Community Council. These were finally removed last year. Dr Keith Slater

West to east

I enjoyed Neil Wheadon’s article on his west to east ride in the December/ January issue. I promote ‘east to west or vice versa’ as a ride for Audax UK. If you go to aukweb.net and click on ‘permanents’ on the home page, it will give general information. If you want the details for my event, you should enter ‘JT01’ in the search box. Or you can contact me directly. Email johntommo6@btinternet.com or send me an A5 stamped envelope. My address is 136 Dell Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, NR33 9NT. John Thompson

cycling@cyclinguk.org

cycle@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk C Y CL I NGUK . O RG

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LETTERS

YOUR FEEDBACK

How low you can go

Richard Hallett’s informative article on using really low gears includes a piece of misinformation. The lowest gear sanctioned by Rohloff – on a solo bike, for riders under 100kg – is actually 1.9:1 not 2.38:1, and this input ratio can be used on any size wheel A 1.9:1 ration can be achieved with a 40t chainring and a 21t sprocket, which on my Thorn Mercury, with 700×40C tyres, gives a range from 14.6" to 76.9". In top gear this equates to 22.9 mph at 100rpm, or 18.3mph at 80rpm. My 14.6" bottom gear equates to 2.18mph at 50rpm. With such gears and a moderate touring load: if they can tarmac it, I can ride up it. Andy Blance

Flight shame

Having just read the latest email newsletter’s appeal for the Government to do more for the environment by promoting cycling, I have to say I find it hypocritical to say the least that the magazine promotes quite heavily the idea of cycling abroad, in places that can only be reached by air. I suggest that the climate emergency would be much better served by cutting out these carbon guzzling flights than if everybody in this country started cycling! By all means promote foreign flights (well, don’t actually!) but if you do so then you should stop claiming that you are part of an effort to avert the climate emergency. Martin Greig You will be able to vote on a motion on just this subject at Cycling UK’s AGM. That’s now been delayed until September by the Coronavirus.

75 years a member

I read with interest the article about Jean Ashton in the February/March issue. Not many can claim lifelong membership but I can: I am 75 and have been a member for 75 years. My husband and I worked for our section, DA, and cycling in general I had never heard of a Fumpa (last for over 40 years. We also rode issue) and neither had anyone at the regularly until two years ago, when local bike shop, but I gather that it he sadly passed away while we inflates your tyres. When I reach the were out cycling. So my cycling is stage that I can no longer blow up my now confined to the trainer. tyres manually, then it’s time to give I also tried my legs at racing but up cycling. And if I ever reach there was one lovely lady, the the stage of not having a one and only Beryl Burton, friend who could help to who was at her peak, Obituaries blow up the tyres for me, and I knew there was Are published then it’s time to give up no way I was going to online at cyclinguk. living. beat her. org/obituaries. Bob Forster Hazel Gibson Contact publicity@

Fumpa grump

cyclinguk.org 32

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th Photo of the mon

Enjoy the view

After 40 years of racing bikes and painting landscapes, I decided to bring the two together, to try and marry the atmosphere of road riding with the landscapes where I both ride and paint. It took two years armed variously with a GoPro, a folding stool, my watercolours, and my carbon Cinelli Estrada Pro to get down to the final eight, now on display with The Bicycle Works and Marchmont Gallery in Edinburgh. Oliver Brooks

CYCLING UK FORUM

Get immediate feedback from other members on the Cycling UK forum: forum.cyclinguk. org. Here’s an abridged extract from a popular thread: cyclinguk.org/prescription-sunglasses PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES Hudson1984: Not after £300 Oakleys or anything like that. My current sunglasses aren’t going to stay on on the bike, so I want something more cycling specific. I don’t need day-to-day ones. roubaixtuesday: Got mine from optilabs.com. Very happy with them, but might not be as cheap as you want. ratherbeintobago: Advice from my friendly CX-racing optician is that contacts plus normal bike sunnies is the way to go, but if you can’t or won’t do that, could you get by with normal sunnies and one of those elasticated straps? CyclingGuy: I bought some from Boots where I get my regular prescription glasses. They were £60, including single vision lenses, and came with five different

sets of lenses from clear through to polarising and mirrored. 100%JR: Optilabs. Been using them for 10+ years. I now need varifocals and I got mine on offer for £199 IIRC (photochromic/ varifocal). I would not even consider wearing my day specs on the bike as they were over £600! Ray: Like others, I don’t wear my expensive varifocals on the bike. Everyday glasses don’t have the wraparound or toughness you need while cycling. These days I wear cheap safety specs equipped with bifocal magnification, and haven’t paid more than £15, often a lot less. fastpedaller: I don’t think anyone’s mentioned Asda Opticians yet? That’s correct, in the supermarket (or at least some of them). If you buy their frames, they do ANY lenses. Mine cost £38.

Details Where: Wales, south to north Start/finish: Cardiff to Holyhead Distance: 380km Pictures: Kat Young and Jo Lankester

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G R E AT R I D E S

KAT YOUNG & JO LANKESTER Cycle tourers

Great Rides

Kat is a cyclist, walker, and blogger. Her website is attitude-overability.com. Jo is her friend

LÔN LAS CYMRU Last Easter, laden with chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, Kat Young and friend Jo Lankester rode coast to coast across Wales

ey, Jo… You know that big climb we were worried about yesterday?” I called out behind me as I slowly pedalled up another steep hill. “Yeah?” “I think we were worried about the wrong hill.” Breathing raggedly, I came to a stop at the roadside, contemplating the rising tarmac ahead. Time for another mini-egg break!

CARDIFF TO GLASBURY Jo and I were cycling the Lôn Las Cymru over the long Easter weekend, across Wales from Cardiff to Holyhead. We had been expecting a lot of rain as it was April, and Wales, so were staying in B&Bs rather than camping. Theoretically this meant we were lighter up the Welsh hills, but my bike still felt pretty sluggish. That may or may not have had something to do with the quantity of mini-eggs and hot cross buns that I had stashed in various bags. From Cardiff seafront, the start of the route followed the Taff Trail, a mixed cycling and walking path along the Taff river valley. It was a beautiful morning and the trail was busy with dog walkers and runners. It was lovely to be away from vehicles but there were a lot of barriers that we had to stop for. We continued to climb up the valley and into the Brecon Beacons, grinning in anticipation. The switchbacks near Pontsticill were our first proper taster of how steep the

We had been expecting a lot of rain as it was April, and Wales, so we were staying in B&Bs rather than camping

roads can be in Wales. I secretly wondered if my legs would be up to the challenge, before stopping halfway up the pass at a car park area. “Just taking in the view!” I called to Jo as she came past. The second half wasn’t so bad, and the views from the shoulder of Craig y Fan Ddu were glorious in the sun. Having caught our breath, we almost missed the turn for our descent – a balcony gravel track above Talybont reservoir. I’m a nervous descender at the best of times, but our bikes (coincidentally matching Genesis Croix de Fers) were really stable on the mixed terrain we encountered. Halfway down the gravel, Jo got a puncture so we pulled over. I helped out by taking photos of the pretty view whilst Jo got to work fixing the flat. The disadvantage of bikepacking bags, in vogue though they may be, is that whatever item you want will invariably be buried at the bottom and so you have to unpack nearly all of the bag’s contents to find it. Guess where the innertubes and tyre boot were? We nearly rode straight past Talybont on Usk but circled back and found the café, along with my dad who had ridden out to meet us. The café was attached to a bike shop, which provided a new tyre and spare tube for Jo. The last 25km was lumpier than we had thought but gave beautiful views back to Pen y Fan and across to the Black Mountains. We were on narrow lanes until Talgarth, and pulled into Glasbury B&B at about 6pm.

C YC L I NGUK . O RG

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G R E AT R I D E S

Do it yourself

Lôn Las Cymru

Top: Kat on the descent to Talybont on Usk Below right: Harlech beach

Nicky and Alistair were the perfect hosts, greeting us with: “Tea? Hot cross buns?”

Off-road alternative

Prefer mountain biking? Try this: cyclinguk.org/ watching-wales

GLASBURY TO MACHYNLLETH This was our longest day. As our average speed was leisurely, we set off early, enjoying nearly empty roads all morning. We stopped to take photos of bluebell woods in full bloom and prancing little lambs. It was nice riding next to each other; it had mostly been single file on the Taff Trail. From Builth Wells, we had a meandering road to ourselves as all the vehicles were on the nearby A-road. We later joined this and rode it to Rhayader, rather than following the cycle route at Llanwrthwl as the guidance advised it was a pretty rough track. The A470 had been resurfaced and was super smooth. We glided along it in our big chainrings. Lunch stop number one was in Rhayader. A gang of elderly folks were sat at the table next to us and seemed to know everyone in the village that walked past. Refreshed, we continued north on a single track road of mixed surface on the other side of the River Wye from the A-road. It felt like we had the valley to ourselves. We paused at a bridge over the Wye and got chatting to two cycle tourers for a while. They were the third group of people to recommend the Great Oak Café in Llanidloes. It was a little off the route, but who were we to say no to highly recommended cake? The climb out of Llangurig was lung-busting. We undulated over some more beautiful hills before crossing a baby River Severn, where we diverted down into Llanidloes. The Great Oak Café was

being used as a control point for an audax, and a few folk from our cycling club, the Cowley Road Condors, were riding it today. Just as we were tucking into our second lunch, they turned up! It was great to see them. They were still looking pretty strong, although their tales of the climb that we were about to do did little to lessen our apprehension. It was now hot in the spring sunshine. My minieggs melted together. After the road turned away from the River Severn, I stopped for a break in the shade to cool down whilst regrouping with Jo. We’d reached the first peak of the climb, then the road opened up onto a flatter plain. The audax route must have been different from ours; there had been nothing outrageously steep. We did, however, have a more industrial view of the reservoir than they would have. The climbing soon began again. But what a view from the top! The road surface on the descent was immaculate. The hills were hazy in the afternoon sun and we drank it all in, enjoying the swooping freewheeling. We pulled into Machynlleth and tucked our bikes away in the hotel barn before collapsing onto our beds. “Today was ace,” Jo said. “Fancy doing it again tomorrow?”

Jo and I took trains from Oxford to the start at Cardiff, then back from Holyhead. We used a ticketsplitting app to save on cost. Bikes must be booked on all of the main routes, and it’s worth asking station staff where the bike storage will be if it’s not marked, so you can be standing in the right place on the platform. Holyhead is the starting point for a mainline service so the train will be standing there for at least 20 minutes before departure, which makes loading the bikes less stressful. We booked accommodation in advance to make sure they accepted bikes and had somewhere secure to store them. There are plenty of campsites around the route if you’d rather camp.

MACHYNLLETH TO CRICCIETH We’d been so worried about the big climb yesterday we didn’t register how hard today’s was until we were halfway up it. We would later read that the climb out of Aberllefenni was one of

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cycle

G R E AT R I D E S

There and back again?

LÔ N L A S C Y M RU

Ride the Lôn Las Cymru one way and return via cyclinguk. org/cycle/dragon’sbackbone

Top: Jo rolling through the Wye Valley Bottom: Another steep climb

the toughest on the National Cycle Network. We stopped several times. One particularly steep ramp near the top made me cry out in effort. We got our breath back by the gate near the top, and chatted to two men cycling the Lôn Las Cymru going south and a woman cycling to Dolgellau. We stopped for a snack break halfway down the descent on the other side, taking in the views on another glorious day in Wales. Leaving Dolgellau somewhat later than planned, we followed the Afon Mawddach on a pleasant flat gravel track. The waters widened until we crossed over on the wooden Barmouth Bridge and hit full beach traffic in Barmouth. Ice-cream time! After a nice stretch along the promenade, it was a steep climb to rejoin the road. A driver who had mostly blocked the path with his van (but held the gate open for us) commented on how steep it was. I thanked him but internally shrugged it off – he should see what we’d already climbed! Fifteen seconds later, I was pushing the bike up the slope. Back in your box, ego. We got chatting to a cycle tourer taking photos over Harlech beach and dunes. He had already ridden our route to Holyhead and was now riding back to Cardiff. He gave a useful tip for Harlech – to take the road through the village instead of around it, and we were rewarded with a nearly empty road on the long descent afterwards. We checked into our lovely B&B in Criccieth, which had great views over the water and the mountains of Snowdonia.

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CRICCIETH TO HOLYHEAD A lot of today was on separate mixed-use cycle paths with surprisingly good surfaces. We could ride next to each other again, delighting at how pretty everything was. A fourth day of blue skies and sunshine, with little wind: it was not what we’d expected when planning an Easter trip to Wales. I was glad it wasn’t windy over the Menai Bridge onto Anglesey, and the climb afterwards gave impressive views back to the mainland. One of my mudguard bolts had come loose but the screw was still there. A quick tighten and all was well. We were on a fairly busy road until Pentre Berw, where we turned off onto a cycle track through flat marshy fields. This turned into small country lanes, and it felt like we were in Devon or Cornwall. In the past, I’ve been up mountains in Snowdonia in the rain and seen a little patch of sun over Anglesey. It was nice now to be riding in just such a patch of sunlight. Rolling through Holyhead’s suburbs, we reached the harbour front and took some celebratory photos, before stocking up with provisions for the train ride home. Diolch, Cymru!

More Info To download a GPX file of the route, visit: cycle.travel/route/ lon_las_cymru

Fact file

Lôn Las Cymru Distance: approx 380km over four days, climbing around 1,000m per day. Route: Cardiff to Holyhead on the Lôn Las Cymru (NCN Route 8), through the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains, and around the edge of Snowdonia. Conditions: Nearly perfect. Sun, a light breeze, and plenty of ice-cream opportunities. Mixed riding surface varying from smooth tarmac to rough gravel. Accommodation: Cardiff Future Hotel, Glasbury B&B, The Wynnstay in Machynlleth, Moranedd B&B in Criccieth. Bikes: I rode a Genesis Croix de Fer 10, Jo a Genesis Croix de Fer 20. Both had 28mm tyres. I’m glad I had: Jo! I enjoy touring by myself but it was great to share the highs and lows with a friend. Next time I would: Consider cycling to the start rather than getting the train. Probably fit slightly larger tyres to help with the rougher sections.

Feature

BETTER

RIDING WITH A GROUP TURNS CYCLING INTO A SOCIAL OCCASION.

TOGETHER

hen you ride by yourself, it’s easy to end up in a rut by sticking with what you know. Same well-worn routes. No one to help you out if you have trouble with your bike. No one to lighten your mood if you’re having a hard day. A coffee stop becomes perfunctory: drink coffee; fill bidon; leave. There is an alternative, one that Cycling UK was pretty much built upon: the club ride. Joining a cycling group expands your horizons. You

discover new loops on country lanes or sections of singletrack that you never new existed. You meet new people. You’re less inclined to abandon rides because, hey, that ride is happening and your clubmates are waiting. Perhaps most importantly of all, each ride becomes a social event, a chance to kick back and chat in an environment where the pressures of work and life don’t apply. Over the next several pages, a cross-section of cyclists explain what group riding means for them.

Main photos: Joolze Dymond

AND THERE’S MORE, AS CYCLING UK MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES EXPLAIN…

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BLACKBURN & DISTRICT CTC Stewart Clark joined his local Cycling UK Member Group five years ago

Every cyclist has ridden on their own, nipping to the shops, riding to and from work, or maybe even on a multi-week tour. But what about riding with a local club or Member Group? You might feel a bit apprehensive before your first group ride. Will you be able to keep up? Will you fit in with them? Don’t worry. All you need to do is ask to find out what speed your chosen group rides at. As for fitting in, by their very nature cycling clubs are full of gregarious people. I ride a tandem with my wife, and we joined our local Cycling UK group, Blackburn & District CTC, five years ago. There are many reasons to ride in a group. One of the best ones is the sharing. Clubmates might take you to new café that has recently opened or on a slight deviation from the usual route, showing you something new in your own cycling backyard. Setting out for a club ride, you’ll never

YOU MIGHT FEEL A BIT APPREHENSIVE. WILL YOU BE ABLE TO KEEP UP? WILL YOU FIT IN WITH THEM? DON’T WORRY

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Top left: Liquorice Allsorts silage bales near Simonstone Above: At the coffee stop on a club ride to Lancaster Left: Heading home, with Glasson Dock and Morecambe Bay in the background

be sure who is going to turn up, and the planned route may go completely out of the window, resulting in a different day from the one you imagined. Knowing that others are likely to be out gives you that extra incentive to join them, even if the weather is poor. Recently we set off out on a frosty morning with the thermometer nudging minus 6ºC at one point. Some of the minor roads and tracks were a bit slippery in places but it was a ride of contrasts: clear blue skies on the tops; freezing fog down by the River Ribble. The two new riders that day were amazed at the route, as it was totally new to them despite being local. Cycling clubs are always full of interesting characters, who very often brighten what otherwise might have been a bit of a dull day. It can be quite a surprise to a novice club rider how much further you can get in a group without

feeling worn out. The miles pass easily beneath your tyres as the group sets a steady pace. You’re likely to be deep in conversation with a clubmate, having a chat and a laugh as you ride along, helping to maintain mental health as well as physical health.

A MIX OF EVENTS Cycling is sometimes a male dominated pastime but Blackburn & District CTC is a diverse club, with quite a few ladies. Ours isn’t the only tandem either, proving that solos and tandems can mix. Our club rides vary from 35 to 80 miles each Sunday, but we also have hostelling weekends and occasional longer tours. Another aspect of life with Blackburn & District CTC is the social evenings held each week through autumn and winter. Here we have a wide variety of cyclerelated picture shows, with tea and cakes provided by our own fabulous bakers.

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CTC FYLDE BICYCLE BELLES Karen Hope is Club Secretary for the women-only CTC Fylde Bicycle Belles

I joined the Fylde Bicycle Belles a decade ago. Before that my Sunday morning ride was basically a ten-mile circular route on my own. With the Belles, I quickly learned there was a whole new world of cycling routes and cafés on my doorstep and further afield. Cycling with a group of likeminded people takes me back to being a young girl and knocking on a friend’s door and saying: “Fancy coming out to play?” Riding with a group helps to boost your confidence and have adventures you might never have thought about. As well as weekly rides, we arrange cycling trips. Everyone in the group is welcomed and we always stick together on rides; no one is left behind. If people are struggling, the ride leader will adjust the route. I asked some of the other club members for their opinions on group riding. Kate Whitaker (who featured in Cycle’s April/ May 2019 issue) said: “When I have Harriet

WITH THE BELLES, I QUICKLY LEARNED THERE WAS A NEW WORLD OF CYCLING ROUTES AND CAFÉS ON MY DOORSTEP

Top left: Did you say cake? Harriet (centre) loves her lunch stops Above: Another hill in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales Left: Jerseys galore! First outing for the new team jerseys on the Millennium Way at Lancaster

with me, there’s always extra pairs of hands and eyes to help me. Besides that, riding in a group gets you out on a day with dismal weather. On your own you might chicken out, but you don’t want to let others down when you’ve agreed to meet. “If you’re not the leader, you don’t have to think too much about the route; you can just enjoy the riding and company. An important aspect is the social side. I’ve discovered great tea stops I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.”

SOCIABLE CYCLING Linda Simpson said: “I joined our cycling group several years ago with some trepidation, but it has been one of my best decisions. We are a very welcoming group, supporting new riders as they come along for friendship, fun, freedom, fresh air and fitness. I’m no spring chicken but have gone from puffing at five miles to comfortable at 50-plus. All down to group

motivation and some inspirational rider leaders. It’s very satisfying getting from A to B under your own steam. Heather Edmundson said: “Group cycling is very sociable. Everyone is so supportive and friendly, and new members are made to feel welcome. It’s not cliquey at all. There are friends to cycle with on different days. I’m not confident about punctures, but there is usually someone who is happy to help. I definitely couldn’t ride as far on my own, and it’s more fun with company. My fitness has improved. It’s nice to get out and blow the cobwebs away.” Founder and chair Sarah Crozier said: “As a ride leader, it’s wonderful to show others a network of roads and country lanes on their doorstep and open up new cycling territory. There’s also the pleasure of seeing people’s confidence growing and friendships blossom. Riding all year, we notice the seasons change. Being close to nature makes for a great ride.”

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BERKS ON BIKES Brennan Peyton rekindled his love of mountain biking with this Cycling UK affiliated club in Berkshire I had ridden mountain bikes a lot in my twenties, even raced a little. I had cycled in Europe and in the jungles of Asia. Yet like so many, ten years later and with three kids and a busy life, things had lapsed and I had fallen out of love with riding.

FINDING A CLUB After a little research, I decided to join Berks on Bikes Mountain Bike Club. I was approaching 40 and had not ridden a bike for a few years. Riding with others meant that I quickly fell back into the swing of things. Bikes had changed a bit – suspension worked much better and bars had grown a lot wider – but the thrill of heading out into the woods and riding was just the same. What made a huge difference was being part of a club. Now, whenever we went out, my son eagerly wanted to ride with the adults despite his age, and there was someone who knew all the

NOW THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO KNEW ALL THE COOL TRAILS AND COULD ANSWER QUERIES ABOUT NEW BIKE TECH

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Top left: BOB trip to Morzine in France Above: Club members at the top of Dunkery Beacon in Exmoor on the annual away ride

cool trails and could answer questions about new bike tech.

EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME Someone asked me, “Why ride with a club when you can download the route or follow a marked one?” The simple answer is, like the bar in the sitcom Cheers, when you turn up for one of the five or so weekly regular rides, there is always someone to ride and chat with – someone who knows your name. Similarly, when you are out riding it does not matter what people do for a job or the type of bike they have; it is simply about having fun with people with a common interest. I have made some fantastic friends and improved my fitness over the years, and I strongly believe getting out in the forest and mountains is great for your mental as well as physical wellbeing.

With more than 100 members, the club is going strong. Members are interested in a diverse range of mountain bike disciplines: downhill, enduro, gravel biking, bike bivvying, and fat bikes. The club also organises a number of ‘away’ rides to destinations as far flung as Scotland, the Alps, and Finland (in winter!). Closer to home, we’ve ridden in the Peak District, Exmoor, Shropshire, the Cotswolds, Wales, the Surrey Hills, and more locally in Swinley Forest. Over the years my riding has improved a little and my son’s a lot. He has progressed to racing in the Expert category – he terrifies me on downhills – although he still loves to lead club rides for all abilities. We believe it is all about getting out and riding. It doesn’t matter what pace, as long as you finish the ride with a smile on your face.

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HANDSWORTH & HAMSTEAD PAVILION CCC Sam Sahdra is a ride leader and instructor with this Community Cycling Club in Birmingham Handsworth & Hamstead Pavilion CCC has leisure-focused led-rides every Wednesday and Sunday. Some of our members come with us to be more active, others to socialise. The common denominator is that they probably wouldn’t go out cycling on their own. Most of them are new learners, ranging from children to pensioners. The atmosphere is welcoming and friendly, so they keep coming back. The rides we take them on give them a feel for cycling on the road with traffic. It instills confidence as they learn about positioning – how and where to ride on the roads – and about observing their surroundings. There’s no pressure on anyone who comes along because they’re riding with a small group of cyclists who are at their own level. No one gets left behind. To stay together, we have the slow riders at the front and the fast riders at the back, and there’s no overtaking. I think that’s why our group is popular:

I LOVE CYCLING AND I LOVE TAKING PEOPLE RIDING. YOU CAN SEE HOW IT CHANGES LIVES FOR THE BETTER

Above: Wednesday ride to Aston House in Birmingham Left: Sunday ride to Cadbury World at Christmas

because we cater for beginners and improvers alike.

BEING BEGINNER FRIENDLY When someone arrives, we check their clothes, helmet, and bike before we set off. We don’t want to put them off cycling by requiring lycra; participants can wear whatever they want as long as they feel comfortable and safe cycling in it. After our members have been on the road with us for a few weeks, they can do their National Standards Level 2 training. That all takes place on the road. So with that training and qualification under their belt, they should feel more confident riding in traffic by themselves. Our group is not just about cycling. We ride for an hour then have a break at a café, so we can have a chat and get to know each other and make friends. People can share their knowledge about riding and exchange cycling tips with one another.

I love cycling and I love taking people riding. You can see how it changes lives for the better. I want to give back to the community the things I’ve learned in the last three-and-a-half years with Handsworth & Hamstead Pavilion CCC. We’ve got one lady who comes across from Coventry every Saturday to join us. She’s 64 and is learning to ride. Hopefully she’ll be riding in a group soon. That’s what I want to see: more people on bikes.

Join the club For more about any of the groups featured, plus information about setting up and running your own cycling group, visit: cyclinguk.org/local-groups

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Main: The route is nontechnical but tiring in winter Below: It’s rare to be able to ride like this on Salisbury Plain; much of it is off-limits

Weekender

Imber Perimeter Path Thanks in part to Cycling UK, there’s a new 30-mile off-road circular route on Salisbury Plain. Sophie Gordon rode it with colleagues

B SOPHIE GORDON Campaigns Officer Sophie has just got a new mountain bike and is enjoying riding one that doesn’t gradually fall apart.

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lustery wind blew hard over the wide open landscape of Salisbury Plain. Fortunately we were riding a circular route. After a while it was at our backs as we breezed along rutted gravel tracks, skirting (mostly!) around the deep puddles. We were testing a new 30-mile loop around the perimeter of the Ministry of Defence’s Imber Off-road Range. Until now, this was only for walkers. updates Over several years, Cycling UK and the British Sign up for our quarterly newsletter: Horse Society have worked with the MoD to cyclinguk.org/ develop a rideable route. The Imber Perimeter offroadupdate Path allows uninterrupted access around this beautiful landscape, while keeping users safe from military training – including live firing and tactical movement by large vehicles. As the MoD’s James Nevitt told us: “Keep to the path for your safety”. Surfaces vary from tarmac and gravel tracks to grassy (muddy!) byways. It’s hard work in winter, but in summer it’ll be a great gravel bike route full of fascinating archaeological landmarks, with views stretching for miles.

SALISBURY PLAIN

WEEKENDER

Weekend ride

IMBER PERIMETER PATH Start/finish: Elm Hill, Warminster, BA12 0AU (close to train station). OS grid ref: ST 87858 45852. Maps: OS Landrangers 184 & 183. Ride length: 50 km (30 miles). Climbing: 657m. Bike type: MTB, gravel bike. Ride level: Regular GPX download: cyclinguk.org/imber-gpx

Iron Age hill forts Battlesbury Hill and Scratchbury Hill are both crowned by Iron Age hill forts. Luckily, the route goes around rather than over these steepsided lumps.

Tilshead There aren’t many refreshment stops close to the route, but the Rose and Crown in Tilshead is very nice (despite its lack of crisps).

Danger area! Imber Range is used for military training, including live firing and large vehicle manoeuvres. But if you stick to the marked perimeter path, you’ll be fine.

COPEHILL DOWN VILLAGE This replica village was built during the Cold War for military training, and has an eerie ghost town feel as you ride past.

Kidnapper’s Hole As you head back into Warminster you’ll pass a dramatic steep slope down to the marvellously-named ‘Kidnapper’s Hole’ – there’s definitely a story behind that!

WESTBURY WHITE HORSE A lovely viewpoint on a sunny day. From the top of the hill, you can’t see the 55-metre horse on the slopes very well, but you can explore the Iron Age hill fort of Bratton Camp.

6 Start

King Alfred’s Way This summer, Cycling UK is launching a 220-mile largely off-road loop through historic Wessex, taking in the Salisbury Plain. Cycle will feature this route later in the year. cyclinguk.org/kingalfredsway

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Left: Press Association

Feature

ON THE CASE FOR CYCLISTS

The Cyclists’ Defence Fund stands up for cycling and cyclists in precedentsetting legal cases. Sam Jones looks at how it operates

ith ailing high streets and rural businesses struggling, you’d expect councils to be falling over themselves to keep small enterprises going. Yet in the Berkshire village of Warren Row last year, a storm was brewing as cycling café Velolife faced closure if cyclists continued to gather there for cake and coffee. Following combined action by Cycling UK, British Cycling, and solicitors Leigh Day, the council realised the error of its ways and abandoned its ban. If it had persisted, however, the Cyclists’ Defence Fund (CDF) would have stepped in – just as it has been doing on behalf of the cycling community for the past 19 years. The CDF was set up in 2001 in response to the case of Darren Coombes, a nine-year-old cyclist who suffered brain damage from a collision with a motorist. The driver’s insurers claimed that Darren was partly to blame for his injuries because he wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, and that compensation should be reduced because of his contributory negligence.

SAM JONES Communications Manager

CTC (as Cycling UK was then known) rose to the challenge, thanks to donations from members. We hired a team of legal experts and defeated the contributory negligence counter-claim. To help other cyclists in precedent-setting cases like this, we subsequently set up the Cyclists’ Defence Fund. In the two decades since, CDF has stood up for individuals and the wider cycling community, making a difference in ways that might not always be apparent.

STANDING UP FOR CYCLING In 2007, Cycling UK member Daniel Cadden was stopped and charged by the police for inconsiderate cycling. His offence? Choosing to ride on the road rather than the inconvenient cycle track alongside. CDF took up the case and managed to get the charge overturned. It was an important victory. In 2007 the Highway Code was undergoing a review consultation that threatened to place a legal obligation on cyclists to use all available cycle facilities, no matter how bad, inconvenient, or even dangerous they were.

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CDF IS A CHAMPION NOT JUST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL BUT FOR THE CYCLING COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE

The cyclists’ champion

Above: Justice for cyclists has to be fought for – which is why CDF exists Right: Mick Mason died after being hit by a driver on a clear, straight road

Top left: Alamy

In helping Daniel, CDF set a precedent which was reflected in the subsequent revision to the Highway Code. The advice now reads: “Use of these facilities is not compulsory.” So we can all continue to enjoy our right to cycle on the road. The role of CDF as a champion not just for the individual but the cycling community as a whole is one also held by Martin Porter QC, Head of Chambers at 2TG. “In many cases of profound importance to cyclists, it is quite impossible for an individual cyclist to take a stand,” he said. “The Cyclists’ Defence Fund is the only organisation willing to support and take on the fight for such individuals. Its contribution to securing widespread and safe cycling in the UK is vital.”

More than 2,000 people contributed to a fighting fund of £80,000 to take the case to court. In April 2017 the CDF launched the UK’s first private prosecution for causing death by careless driving. His Honour Judge Gordon accepted that it was right for a jury to consider the evidence, thanks to the work done by the CDF to find eye-witness accounts. This was something the Met had failed to do at the time. At the trial, the driver was unable to offer any evidence for why she failed to see Mick as he cycled illuminated by his bicycle lights and the surrounding street lights. Despite this, the jury acquitted her. FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE While this trial was lost, it revealed just how One case that made headlines, and which Martin the justice system fails victims of road collisions assisted with, was when the CDF brought the UK’s and their families. It also begged the question of first crowd-funded private prosecution for causing whether the current standards to decide what is death by careless driving. Any fatality on our considered careless or dangerous driving are fit roads is tragic. In the case of teacher Mick Mason, for purpose. who died 19 days after being hit from behind It’s not just about fighting legal battles, but also while cycling on a clear, straight road in London supporting the victims. Anna Tatton-Brown, Mick’s on 25 February 2014, the treatment of the family by daughter, said: “When my dad died after his the Metropolitan Police only added to the tragedy. collision, we were totally at sea, not just from the They refused to refer the case to the Crown natural grief, but also at the injustice of it all. The Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice on whether CDF, with the overwhelming support of the public, to charge the driver with any offence. This goes held our hands through every step of the way, and against CPS guidance in fatal collision cases. allowed us to challenge the injustice of his death. The CDF got involved and the Met revisited their I can’t thank them enough, no matter what the decision: they agreed to refer their investigation verdict was.” to the CPS. Six days later they changed As the CDF goes through some changes to their mind again. The first Mick’s family improve its visibility and governance, it heard of this was via the media. will continue to do what it has always How CDF is Cyclists, including many Cycling done: fight for the cause of cycling changing UK members and clubs, were and be the defence that cyclists Visit the website for incensed by the Met’s volte-face. hope they’ll never need. more information:

cyclinguk.org/ cyclists-defencefund-update

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To make the best use of CDF, its activities and administration have been moved in house, with CDF’s future work being led by Cycling UK’s campaign’s team, fully supported by our communications, fundraising and other teams. The intention is to raise CDF’s profile, continue its charitable work, and help it to grow. “This crucial voice for cyclists’ rights can and will only be louder and clearer now it has the resources of Cycling UK fully behind it,” said Cycling UK Policy Director Roger Geffen MBE, CDF’s longest serving trustee. The spirit of CDF will live on, which is why we’re keeping the CDF name. Existing funds will be utilised in accordance with CDF’s charitable objectives, so that we have a fighting fund to investigate, threaten, and pursue legal cases when needed.

Details Where: York and its outskirts Start/finish: York, North Yorkshire Distance: 31 miles over three days Pictures: Melissa Viney

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YORK

MELISSA VINEY & MARK HENNESSY Melissa is a journalist who lives in London – as does Mark. That’s where they usually cycle together.

G R E AT R I D E S

Great Rides

SPACE FOR CYCLING

A sociable tandem and a route map of the Solar System cycle route helped create a stellar weekend of cycling in York for Melissa Viney and Mark Hennessy

e’re travelling faster than the speed of light, shooting past Mars and Jupiter. Our craft is a side-by-side quadricycle, our velocity scale speed: we’re ‘cycling the solar system’ on the York to Selby cycle track (NCN Route 65). Annotated models of the planets punctuate a 6.4 mile section of what was once the East Coast main line. Since it’s a rail trail, it’s flat. This helps because my co-rider Mark is disabled. A brain injury in 2008 left him unable to walk unassisted. Like many disabled people, Mark finds cycling easier than walking. If only there were more accessible routes! In London, where we both live, he owns a side-by-side tricycle. It’s immensely sociable but easily balked by cycle track barriers, and it’s hard to cart around to ride further afield; neither of us drives. That’s where Get Cycling – just a two-hour train journey away in York – came up trumps for us.

DAY ONE: SPACE FOR CYCLING Get Cycling hires, sells, and adapts all kinds of bicycles, and specialises in disability cycling. When we arrive, founder Jim McGurn gives us a Roam Twinbike and a map of the local cycle routes, and off we go. We both have pedals but the gears and steering are on my side. The sun is out and we’re on our way to Neptune. Almost immediately, we’re flummoxed by a fork in the track. Local cyclist Guy, who campaigns for sustainable

Do it yourself

Inclusive cycling Cycling UK has supported more than 40 Inclusive Cycling Centres across England as part of a Big Lottery funded project. For more information, visit cyclinguk.org/ community-outreach/ inclusive-cyclingnetwork. If you want to try out adaptive bikes in York with Get Cycling, meanwhile, visit getcycling.org. uk. York is easy to get to by train. LNER services will even carry conventional tandems (booked as two bikes).

travel on behalf of Travel York, puts us right and hands us a detailed cycle map of the city. Further along, Mark has to dismount as I manhandle the cumbersome quadricycle through a barrier. We may be figuratively travelling faster than the speed of light but on earth, unlike outer space, there are gates and railings to negotiate. Once through the gate we’re away – flying, so to speak – wind in our hair, sun on our faces, delighted, free. Each of the planets we pass along the route has a nugget of information printed below it. Did you know that a day is longer than a year on Venus? Or that Jupiter has 57 moons? We turn back just before Pluto. Even at a scale of 575,872,239 to 1, our trip across most of the solar system and back will amount to 12 miles. That’s enough for us on our first day. The quadricycle takes some serious pedalling. Next day we’re up early. We’re planning to do the ‘pink route’ on our map. It goes to Beningbrough Hall, nine miles away. The ride starts well: lovely quiet cycling beside the River Ouse, and then over the newly cycle-friendly Scarborough bridge – cycle-friendly, that is, until you get to the other side. I’ll let Mark take up the story…

DAY TWO: TO ME, TO YOU Having crossed Scarborough Bridge, we have to navigate another barrier. I say ‘we’ in the loosest sense, as it involves me holding onto a wall while Melissa and a helpful passer-

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Side by side

Go Dutch

The Netherlands’ vast cycle network is ideal for inclusive cycling: cyclinguk.org/greatrides-netherlands

Main photo: Mark by the River Ouse, near the railway station Bottom: York Minster

by manoeuvre the quadricycle. This looks as awkward as getting a wardrobe down a flight of stairs, but they manage. If you’re a disabled cyclist, it helps if your companion is fit and able and has a gung-ho attitude! We continue alongside the River Ouse. Manicured front gardens give way to flat countryside with wide open horizons. Then a potential argument rears its head: the map suggests we go one way, common sense another. Luckily we get it right. But after negotiating cattle grids and other man-made barriers, we encounter one that the Twinbike can’t pass. The alternative route is via a narrow cycle path on a pavement, with the traffic of the A19 thundering past on one side and thick hedgerows exfoliating my skin on the other. We plough on and come to the garden centre at Skelton. As Melissa takes a well-earned nap, I reflect on the journey that has led me to this point. I decided to buy a side-by-side cycle after hiring one at local park. I love the feeling cycling gives of rapid movement under my own steam. The only downside for me, as a misanthrope, is the extra attention a side-by-side cycle attracts! Back to Melissa…

DAY THREE: CYCLING FOR ALL To make sure we don’t get stuck or lost again, Get Cycling’s Jim McGurn provides us with a guide for our last day. Peter knows that part of the cycle track we’d planned to use is being dug up. So instead we head along quiet roads, through old, almost too-perfect villages. We turn off the road and onto Route 66 (not that one), which takes us through Derwenthorpe, an impressive eco-village development in the village of Osbaldwick, equipped with biomass boilers and fantastic insulation. It was funded by the

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Joseph Rowntree Housting Trust, Joseph Rowntree having been born in York. It’s hot. We stop for lunch in St Nicks Nature Reserve before heading back into central York and to our rendezvous with Jim McGurn. He’s a nice man who clearly cares about cycling, especially accessible cycling. He and his wife should know: of their five grown-up children (both fostered and born to them), three have special needs. McGurn saw that the cost of accessible cycles was a major impediment, so Get Cycling began visiting Holland, buying up used accessible cycles to renovate, making them more affordable for clients. The Get Cycling headquarters is close to the riverside cycle track. While this is convenient, McGurn is aware of the access issues for wide bikes like our Roam Twinbike. He plans to create a map that will show exactly where tricycles and quadricycles can go. He also wants to increase the range of disability cycling holidays in the UK, currently at practically zero. “I think York is missing a trick,” says McGurn. “It should be branding itself as the cycling city. That should be its calling card.” We have a bit of time before our train back to London, so we turn the quadricycle around and return to the river. Fortune smiles on us again: we come across a little ice-cream boat moored by the cycle track. As we sit enjoying our cornets, we feel the autumn sun on our faces. It’s been a wonderful break.

More info Fancy cycling the Solar System yourself? Visit: york.ac.uk/solar/ itravelyork.info/cycling

Distance: 31 miles total, averaging 10 each day. Route: Day 1, Solar System route from York to Naburn. Day 2, Beningbrough Hall route as far as Skelton. Day 3, Osbaldwick route. Conditions: Hot sunshine and, aside from some impenetrable barriers, good cycle tracks. Above all, flat. Accommodation: Airbnb Bike used: Roam Twinbike quadricycle loaned by Get Cycling. Maps/guides: Blue, pink, and orange routes suggested by Get Cycling. Plus Travel York map and Google Maps. To explore further, use Sustrans’ NCN map #28, Yorkshire Wolds, York & The Humber. I’m glad I had… My smartphone, for when we got lost (Melissa). A capable, ablebodied companion to navigate the barriers (Mark). Next time I would… Like a more comprehensive, accessible-cycling map (Melissa). Go in summer to make the most of the daylight (Mark). Further info: Wheels for Wellbeing, wheels forwellbeing.org. uk. Disability resources, ableize. com. Sustrans, sustrans. org.uk.

Advice

CYCLOPEDIA Left: Rob Spanring

Questions answered, subjects explained – Cyclopedia is your bimonthly cycling reference guide

This cycle track in Birmingham is decent but it isn’t obligatory for cyclists to use any facilities

Q & A

Cycling infrastructure

Get off my road!

Your Experts

I am motorist as well as a cyclist, and get annoyed at being held up behind a cyclist when I’m driving and there is a designated cycle path beside the road. Should the law oblige cyclists to use such paths when available? Until then, I tend to use my horn as a gentle reminder of my presence. If a cyclist and driver collided on a road with an adjacent cycle path, is the cyclist’s legal position diminished? Bob Tydeman

Technical DR KATE HATTERSLEY Cycling GP {Health}

Rule 61 of the Highway Code, referring to cycle routes and other facilities, notes that “use of these facilities is not compulsory”. It goes on (Rule 63) to advise that cyclists use on-road cycle lanes “when practicable”. Usage will be dependent on the cyclist’s experience and discretion. One of the most common reasons why cyclists choose not to use a cycle lane is out of concern for their safety. Drivers may fail to check for cyclists before turning, which can have catastrophic consequences. Cyclists are recognised as vulnerable Coronavirus road users – meaning that they are For cyclists' advice awarded all the same rights and regarding the privileges as car drivers, plus some Covid-19 outbreak, additional protections from the visit: cyclinguk.org/ Highway Code to encourage the safety coronavirus-advice

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of cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. It would be highly unusual for a court to increase a cyclist’s liability in a claim for personal injury purely because the cyclist was not in the cycle lane. So long as the cyclist is utilising the road properly and demonstrates reasonable skill and competence, liability on that front should remain unaffected. When the court is determining liability in personal injury claims, it will look at the actions of both parties. An example of where a cyclist would be culpable for an accident in a cycle lane would be the case of Clenshaw v Tanner [2002], where a cyclist in a cycle lane was hit by a breakdown truck turning left. Liability in this case was awarded on a 50/50 basis because the truck driver, despite not looking for cyclists before turning, had been moving slowly and had indicated his turn with ample warning. The court found that the claimant ought to have noticed the truck’s indicators in time to stop or slow down. Richard Gaffney

RICHARD HALLETT Cycle’s Technical Editor {Technical}

RICHARD GAFFNEY Principal Lawyer, Slater + Gordon Lawyers {Legal}

Creak-free BB

I have a BB30 bottom bracket with an FSA crankset. I’ve been told that I can change to a threaded bottom bracket such as GXP. Apart from the adaptor and a new crankset, is there anything else I need? What about a new front derailleur? Mattievrs, via the forum

Adapters are now available from Praxis Design, Token, Rotor, Wheels MFG, and others, allowing the use of a 24mm or similar axle crankset with BB30 and similar bottom brackets. The new crankset’s chainline should be much the same as its replacement, so you should be able to adjust the existing front mech to work well. Richard Hallett

Q&A

Technical

Tracks of my tyres

Carbide-coated rims

Right: Alamy

I have a bottle dynamo. Can you help me to find a 28-622 tyre with a designated dynamo track on the sidewall? Even Michelin World Tour don’t have them now, it seems. John G Hitchcock

Banging your head can lead to a shopping list of side effects for some weeks afterwards

Health

Concussion after a fall

Five weeks ago I took a tumble off a step-ladder and banged my head hard on the ground. After a check-up at the hospital, including a CT scan, I was given the all-clear – just told to rest and take painkillers. I’m still getting headaches, particularly when I ride over a bump in the road, and I sometimes have dizzy spells, although not when cycling. Should I go back to the doctor? 661-Pete, via the Cycling UK forum

What you are describing is Post Concussion Syndrome, which can occur even after quite minor trauma. Symptoms can include nausea, headaches, dizziness, impaired concentration, memory problems, extreme tiredness, and intolerance to light and noise. It can also lead to anxiety and depression. The headaches you are suffering from when you exercise should settle with time. You should pay attention to hydration and use mild analgesia. Be careful not to take too many tablets as these can paradoxically worsen your headache. Like most injuries, the secret of recovery is to work within the limits of pain and fatigue while pushing forward gently at a level that challenges you. Look for smoother roads for a while and consider a bike with better suspension. Before long you will be back enjoying your cycling again. Dr Kate Hattersley

CYCLO PE D IA

Most modern bottle dynamos have a driving wheel that will run happily on a lightweight tyre’s sidewall, although road muck left on the sidewall will cause abrasion. Tyres intended for touring duty generally have a heavier sidewall and will tolerate a bottle dynamo well. If you want a tyre specifically rated for bottle dynamo use, try Schwalbe’s standard Marathon, which comes in a wide range of sizes including 28-622 and has a ribbed track designed to provide traction for the dynamo’s wheel. Richard Hallett

Technical

Drum brake conversion

I’m going to covert my commuting bike from disc brake to Sturmey Archer drum. I may swap the existing carbon fork for a Surly Long Haul Trucker steel fork. I did wonder if it would be feasible (or sensible) to bolt an adapter on to the disc brake mount to take the drum brake’s reaction arm? Phileas, via the Cycling UK forum

You may decide to rig up some sort of adapter to enable use of your carbon fork, but this will be at your own risk. If the drum reaction arm extends past the disc calliper mounts, an adapter is likely to impose on the calliper mounts loads they are not designed for. The Surly fork looks the better option. Richard Hallett

A drum brake’s reaction arm will impose additional loads on the fork

I wondered if you could explain the pros and cons of CSS-coated rims? I am keen to minimise rim wear without sacrificing braking. Mark James

There’s one major pro to CSS-coated rims: they last a very long time even when used in adverse conditions. The coating is created by embedding very hard carbide particles in the relatively soft aluminium of the rim’s braking surfaces. Since the rim surface is now harder than the abrasive grit suspended in road water, it doesn’t get worn away by braking; rim life of more than 20,000km in all conditions is not unusual. Why not make all aluminium rims this way? The coating adds to the cost, although this is offset by extended rim life. More importantly, braking performance in the wet can be compromised, even when using brake blocks specifically formulated to work with the CSS coating, although some users have reported that wet weather braking improves with extended mileage. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, hard rim coatings can cause terrible braking squeal. All of this applies to Mavic’s old ceramic rim coating. It’s worth noting that Kool-Stop Salmon brake blocks (tested in Cycle, December 2018/January 2019) reduce rim wear compared with most manufacturers’ standard products and provide excellent wet weather braking at relatively low cost – although they can squeal in the dry. Richard Hallett

A Rigida Grizzly CSS rim, available from sjscycles. co.uk, among others

Get in touch EMAIL your technical, health, or legal questions to cycle@jamespembrokemedia. co.uk or write to Cyclopedia, Cycle, PO Box 313, Scarborough, YO12 6WZ. We regret that Cycle magazine cannot answer unpublished queries. But don’t forget that Cycling UK operates a free-to-members advice line for personal injury claims, TEL: 0844 736 8452.

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CYCLOPEDIA

w o h w o Kn Making sense of commonly misunderstood cycling subjects

SAM JONES Communications Manager

Camping

s Cycle has discussed in the past (cyclinguk.org/article/baggage-checkbikepacking-bags-or-panniers), bikepacking is just stripped-down cycle touring, usually conducted off-road or on mixed terrain, often involving wild camping. There’s rarely a need for pannier racks because bags fit to the bike directly and are smaller. Consequently everything is lighter, as you have to carry less. Bike handling is better. You’re more aerodynamic and, if heading offroad, the undergrowth is much less likely to snag your luggage. The cycle industry will sell you bikepacking specific bikes, bags and gear, yet you don’t need to spend a fortune to give it a go. While lightweight kit usually comes with a premium price, if you’re just spending a night out to try it, use what you have. A lot can be picked up from army surplus stores, and some organisers (e.g. pannier.cc) will hire it for their trips. Tarp or tent is the big question. For me, it’s weather dependent. On a long trip with a risk of bad weather, I take a tent and accept I’ll have less space for other gear. For short trips with a couple of nights out, I prefer a bivi bag

You don't need much equipment to camp out in relative comfort

and/or tarp. Tarps are cheap and lightweight compared to tents. You’ll have change from £20 for a tarp, pegs and guy rope (especially if you take the latter from an old tent). Tarps are quick to set up and take down, and much less obtrusive – perfect for stealth camping. And that’s the beauty of bikepacking: it goes hand in hand with wild camping. With your bivi or tarp, you’re a part of the nightscape. It’s a different experience from the luxury of a tent, where you’re separated from the outside by nylon walls and zips. For your first time out, keep an eye on the weather forecast for a dry night and head somewhere local you have scoped out before, ideally away from popular dog walking spots. It doesn’t need to be an epic adventure. Just get out there and give it a go!

Budget bikepacking Got a bike, luggage, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat? The other essentials needn't be expensive…

Head torch Alpkit Muon, £15.99 alpkit.com

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Pillow Exped Air Pillow M, £26.50 exped.com

Tarp (2.4x1.8m) Mtn Warehouse Groundsheet, £9.99 mountain warehouse.com

Bivi bag Army surplus, ~£30+ britishmilitary surplus.co.uk

Stove & fuel Mini Trangia Stove, £32 cotswoldoutdoor. com

Wild camping Wild camping is legal in Scotland, as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (outdooraccess-scotland. scot). The only other place in the UK you’re allowed to wild camp legally is Dartmoor National Park. Elsewhere it’s possible your wild camping experience might be trespass. That’s a civil offence rather than a criminal one requiring the police – unless you resist being moved on. If the landowner asks you to move, do so. Don’t be antagonistic; it’s their land. A smile and an apology can work wonders – and may lead to a suggestion of a better place to camp! If there are signs saying “No camping” then don’t camp there. For more, visit cyclinguk.org/ wildcamping.

Making camp For a video of Sam showing how to put up a tarp, visit cyclinguk. org/tarp-setup

Left: Rob Spanring

Do I need special kit to try bikepacking?

Biketest

High-end all-rounders When one bike can fill several roles, it’s a little easier to justify the expense. Dan Joyce tests premium-priced gravel bikes from Isen and Vielo

T DAN JOYCE Cycle Editor Dan's multipurpose bike is a Genesis Vagabond. He does like lightweight bikes as well, however

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he ultimate do-everything bike is a chimera because we’ve all got our own definitions of ‘everything’, but if your budget stretches beyond the breathtaking figure of £5k you should, at least, be able to acquire an all-rounder that’s very nice indeed. Isen Workshop produces handbuilt steel bikes in three off-the-peg models (All Season, Mountain GOAT, and Race Ready Road), all with numerous à la carte options. The All Season is “a bicycle for adventure and adrenaline that goes beyond the road”. I tested a prototype with some upgrades. Vielo was founded in 2017 by Ian Hughes and son Trevor, who previously worked with Scott and Storck. Their bikes, the V+1 gravel and R+1 road, are lightweight carbon fibre builds based around 1× drivetrains and wider-than-usual tyres. The V+1 is “engineered for riding on rough British roads plus off-road gravel tracks”.

Frame & fork: Isen Underneath its eye-catching paintwork, the Isen All Season is a neatly assembled collection of quality steel tubing. The test bike also has an ENVE carbon seat tube bonded into steel lugs, a framebuilder’s flourish that costs an extra £449 over a steel tube. While there will be a small weight saving, compliance differences are less than pea-sized – and I’m no princess. To accommodate the fork’s tapered steerer, there’s a 44mm head tube with an external lower bearing. The test bike’s bottom bracket shell is chunkier too because (brace yourself) it’s a new standard: T47. Designed by Chris King and Argonaut Cycles, T47 is a PressFit 30-sized shell with threads for screw-in cups. So it’s like a bigger version of a Hollowtech bottom bracket. Production All Season bikes have 135mm QR or 142mm thru-axle rear dropouts. The test bike’s were 132.5mm, which gives the option of running either 130mm or 135mm hubs. This frame size of All Season is meant to accommodate 700×35C or 640×42B wheels/tyres. It doesn’t – or not with sufficient clearance. There’s scarcely more than millimetre between the seatstays and the tyre. This bike goes

H I G H - E N D A L L- R O U N D E R S

BIKE TEST

First look

The All Season is a good looking bike with a great wheelset, but it feels more road bike than gravel bike

The test bike has an ENVE carbon seat tube bonded into steel lugs, a framebuilder’s flourish that's £449 extra

Tech Spec

ISEN ALL SEASON off-road! Isen did say that different seatstays and chainstays are now being used “for added clearance”. The all-carbon fork is roomier. You could fit a mudguard – there are mounts – over the 35mm tyre. However, a mudguard would exacerbate what is already a serious issue on the All Season: toe overlap. The front centres distance (bottom bracket to front hub) is way too short.

pedal-stompers much stronger or heavier than me. The down tube is 74mm across at its widest. The bottom bracket itself is a BB86/PF86 PressFit. While the V+1’s frame tolerances are surely better than those of cheaper carbon bikes, I would nevertheless install a screw-together bottom bracket such as Hope’s Press-Fit PF41 here. Tyre clearances Top: Toe overlap with a size 42 are good in both frame shoe. This is awkward when steering around stuff off-road Frame & fork: Vielo and fork. You really can at slower speeds This is the more expensive run 700×42C or 650×50B Bottom: Cigarette-paper clearances. Note that the ‘UD’ version of the V+1, tyres. Vielo sent me some 35mm tyre plumps up to signifying that the mudguards, which sat about 38mm on the wide rim frameset’s carbon lay-up is too close to the 42mm UniDirectional. The frame tyres supplied. I’d want weighs a mere 880g (claimed), with the smoother 38mm tyres with mudguards. fork around 400g. That’s high-end racer Gear cable and brake hose routing light! Lose the dropper seatpost and you is internal. This makes the V+1 easy to could easily assemble a sub-8kg V+1. clean but complicates maintenance. I Like all Vielo’s bikes, the V+1 UD is 1× had intended to swap the gorilla-sized only; you can’t fit a front derailleur. Lack 46cm handlebar for a narrower one but of an inner chainring gives room for discovered that the cables and hoses the frame around the bottom bracket to ran through the bar too. Swapping the be enormous. It’s a huge fist of carbon levers over was suddenly not trivial; I fibre, stiff enough, I imagine, to satisfy put up with the wider bar.

Price: £6,499 as tested (framsets from £1,999) Sizes: 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61cm Weight: 8.75kg/19.25lb (53cm, no pedals) Frame & fork: Steel and carbon frame (Dedacciai Zero Uno down tube and chainstays, Columbus Max top tube, Columbus Spirit seatstays, ENVE Carbon seat tube) with fittings for 2 bottles, rear rack, and mudguard. Columbus Futura carbon fork with mudguard mounts. Wheels: 35-622 Schwalbe G-One Speed TLE tyres, Hunt 30 Carbon Gravel Disc wheels with 28×2 bladed Dimensions in millimetres and degrees

645 528 780

700 48

73.6˚

39 effective

500 420

572 72.5˚

spokes, 100x12mm thru-axle front hub, 135mm QR rear. Transmission: 170mm 50-34t Rotor Flow chainset, T47 bottom bracket, KMC X11 EL chain, 11-32 11-speed Ultegra cassette. Ultegra-equivalent (non-series) levers, Dura-Ace derailleurs. 22 ratios, 28-125in. Braking: Shimano Ultegra-equivalent hydraulic levers, 160/140mm discs. Steering & seating: 400×31.8mm Bontrager Race bar, 100mm×6º Zipp alloy stem, Chris King headset. Specialized Toupé saddle, 27.2mm Fizik Cyrano R1 carbon layback post, Thomson clamp. isenworkshop.com

170 285 975

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BIKE TEST

A do-it-all bike could look very different from these. Read: cyclinguk.org/article/can-you-justhave-one-bike-does-everything

First look

A carbon-framed lightweight that's practical as well as performanceoriented, it's good off-road and on

Tech Spec

VIELO V+1 UD FORCE EDITION The geometry of the V+1 is more gravel bike than road bike. The wheelbase is longer – no toe overlap even with 175mm cranks – and the 71º head angle provides more trail.

V+1 has a gravel bike drivetrain: a SRAM 1×11 setup with a 42 chainring and a huge 10-42 cassette. Although the steps between gears are smaller on the All Season, bottom gear is slightly lower on the Components V+1 and the 11 ratios it has Of the two bikes, the All are more evenly spread Season has the better rather than being biased wheel package. Its Hunt towards the top end. 30 Carbon Gravel Disc The V+1 came fitted wheels are a little lighter with a RockShox Reverb than the DT Swiss CR1600 dropper seatpost. It’s Top: The fork has mudguard mounts and is rated for a disc wheels of the V+1 despite operated by the bike’s rotor up to 180mm in size, having four more spokes otherwise unused leftthough this one is 160mm Bottom: No toe overlap each. The weight saving hand shift lever; no despite 175mm cranks. With is surely at the carbon mean feat, since the gear 650B wheels there'd be even (versus aluminium) rim. shifter is mechanical and more room More importantly, the All the dropper hydraulic. Season wheels are shod There’s a converter device, with Schwalbe G-One Speed tyres, exclusive to Vielo, underneath the which are lightweight and fast rolling. bottom of the Reverb. The result is a pair of wheels that feels I didn’t use the Reverb much. A easy to spin up to speed. dropper post is indispensable on a In terms of gearing, the two bikes mountain bike but I don’t ride dropare quite different. The All Season has bar bikes on such demanding terrain. a road bike drivetrain: 50-34 double On the other hand, a dropper does chainset, 11-32 cassette, and (largely enable you to adopt a super aero tuck wasted on me) silky-shifting 11-speed on descents, rather like pro cyclists Dura-Ace derailleurs. By contrast, the perched on their top tubes, except

Price: £5,499 as tested (frameset £2,999) Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL Weight: 8.52kg (M, no pedals) Frame & fork: UD carbon fibre frame, integrated seatpost clamp, 142×12mm thru-axle, and fittings for 3 bottles, top tube bag, and mudguard. UD carbon fork with 100×12mm thru-axle and ’guard fittings. Wheels: 42-622 WTB Resolute tyres, DT Swiss CR1600 wheels with 24×2 bladed straight-pull spokes, aluminium rims and Centerlock hubs. Transmission: 175mm 42t SRAM

Dimensions in millimetres and degrees

645 545 810

73.5˚

423

607 71˚

482

714 48

Force 1× chainset, Token PF30 bottom bracket, KMC DLC 11-speed chain, SRAM X01 XG 1195 10-42 cassette. SRAM Force shifters (left works dropper), SRAM Force 11-speed long-cage derailleur. 11 ratios, 28-118in Braking: SRAM Force levers & callipers, 160/140mm rotors. Steering & seating: 460×31.8mm Vielo carbon handlebar, 100mm×7º Vielo alloy stem. Fabric Scoop Shallow carbon rail saddle, 30.9mm RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper (100mm drop) with adapter. vielo.cc

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BIKE TEST

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Above: 10-42 cassette gives wide range gears Near right: The Isen's 50-34 road double Top right: Carbon seat tube in steel lugs (Isen) Bottom right: Internallyrouted everything (Vielo)

you’re on the lowered saddle instead. The All Season has a 27.2mm rigid post. I’d be happy with that except the seat tube isn’t 27.2mm and requires a shim. And, as it turned out, some carbon assembly paste.

Other options

The ride The All Season felt like a road bike to me, albeit one with bigger tyres. That was fine on tarmac, where it fairly flew along. With tyres 10mm wider and a good deal softer than those of a dedicated road bike, it purred over chipseal and instilled confidence on descents. Off-road its short wheelbase and steeper frame angles worked against it, compromising control and comfort and, as a result, speed. When riding slowly, I frequently hit my feet on the front wheel. The V+1 was noticeably more stable off-road. No surprise: it has longer front

The V+1 was noticeably more stable off-road – and significantly more comfortable

KINESIS TRIPSTER ATR V3 £2 , 200 (FRAMESET)

Titanium-framed, carbonforked all-rounder with 68mm threaded bottom bracket and space for 700×45C or 650×50B tyres.

kinesisbikes.co.uk

MASON INSEARCHOF RIVAL 1X £3,140 Off-roady adventure bike with a nice steel frame and carbon fork. Heavier (~12kg) but takes 27.5×2.8in/29×2.4in tyres.

masoncycles.cc

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centres, a longer wheelbase, and more trail. It was also significantly more comfortable. Partly that’s the larger air pocket in a 42mm tyre versus a 35mm. The geometry makes a difference too: a slacker head angle puts the front wheel further out front, and a longer wheelbase means you’re not sitting right on top of the wheels. It’s possible that there’s more give in the V+1’s carbon frame too. Strava says I was about half a mile an hour faster on average on the V+1 than the All Season, largely due to the off-road section of my test loop.

Verdict

These bikes aren't in my price range, but riding them made me wonder what I could build up in the same vein for around £1,500. The Isen All Season is more road bike than gravel bike. Frame angles, wheelbase, clearances, gears… they all shout ‘road’ to me. With narrower tyres and mudguards, it could be a refined, do-it-all road bike for club rides, commuting, audax, lightweight touring, etc. Even then, I’d want more toe room. The Vielo V+1 is a well-designed gravel bike for British conditions, with room for bigger tyres, mudguards and/or mud. There are some parts I’d change but the frameset is really good. With the right tyres, there’s not much in the realm of ‘sporty drop-bar cycling’ the V+1 won’t do. Chaingang? Sure. Dirty Reiver? Yep. Year-round club runs with the hard-riders? No problem.

BIKE TEST

WHY TE GLENCOE

Dimensions in millimetres and degrees

690 595 74˚

770 38

425

662 70˚

503

686

172.5 277 1077

142 584 47

Tech Spec

WHYTE GLENCOE

Biketest

Whyte Glencoe Whyte’s £1,300 all-roads bike is capable of much more than mere gravel, as Richard Hallett found out

Other options

ike most gravel on the brakes, at the cost brakes, Whyte’s of some uncertainty over Glencoe has the ultimate front wheel grip expected 1× transmission, when cornering on tarmac. disc brakes, and fat Otherwise, riding tyres, in this case smooth impressions are treaded. Yet this road-plus dominated by the 46mm bike offers something a wide top tube and the Above: Old-school cables little different. hydroformed aluminium operate hydraulic pistons in the bulky but effective TRP Steering is… distinctive. frame’s immense rigidity. HyRd disc brake callipers The very long top tube (for The beefy aluminium the frame size) is paired fork backs this up; the with a low-offset fork, unyielding ride is only creating a bike with lots of trail and less partially alleviated by 650×47B tyres weight than usual on the front wheel. (confusingly labeled 47C) when inflated To some extent, the effect of this on to 40/50psi front/rear for road riding. steering is masked by the gargantuan Build quality is impressive, with meaty 500mm-wide handlebar, which provides frame welds, substantial thru-axle rear plenty of leverage, but the overall result ends, and neat detailing. is very light steering and impressive Wheels are sturdy, featuring WTB agility off-road, especially downhill tubeless rims, J-bend spokes, and

RIBBLE CGR ALLOY 105 £1,399

CANNONDALE TOPSTONE AL 105

Shimano 105-equipped aluminium alloy-framed gravel bike riding on Mavic disc wheels and 700×40 tyres.

Aluminium frame and full-carbon fork with regulation gravel spec, including 700×37 tyres.

ribblecycles.co.uk

cannondale.com

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£1,500

Price: £1,299 Sizes: 50, 52, 54 (tested), 56, 58cm Weight: 11.5 kg Frame & fork: TIG-welded 6061 T6 aluminium alloy frame with fittings for mudguards, rear rack, two bottles. Whyte 6061 aluminium alloy fork with tapered steerer. Wheels: 47-584 WTB Horizon tyres, WTB ST i23 rims, aluminium alloy hubs with 12mm thru-axles, 32×3 pg spokes. Transmission: SRAM Apex 1 rear mech and dual control

levers, SRAM 11-speed chain and 11-42 cassette, Whyte crankset, Direct Mount 44t chainring, Shimano SM-BB52 Hollowtech II BB. 11 ratios 28-107". Braking: TRP HyRd cable-actuated hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors. STEERING & SEATING: Whyte Gravel 500mm handlebar. Whyte 8cm×7º stem, FSA No. 42 headset, Whyte 6061 aluminium alloy 30.9mm seatpost. Equipment: Curana mudguards whyte.bike

unflashy hubs, complete with thru-axles needing an Allen key for operation. TRP’s HyRd brakes have a mechanical cable operating the hydraulic calliper via an integral lever arm. The callipers bite on 160mm disc brake rotors to give impressively sensitive, progressive, and fade-free braking, while allowing the use of SRAM Apex mechanical dual control levers. Shifting on the 1× system is accurate if slightly less than crisp and gives a decent range, although 28" may not be quite low enough off-road with the load permitted by the rear rack mounts.

Verdict

At over 11kg (54cm size), the Glencoe is no lightweight but it is a well-designed and well-equipped all-roads machine with serious off-road ability. Think of it as a rigid mountain bike with a drop bar and mudguards.

Details

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

1 Grouptest

Bar bags For items you need close at hand, it’s hard to beat the convenience of a handlebar bag. Technical Editor Richard Hallett tests four

RICHARD HALLETT Technical Editor Richard likes porteur racks for bigger front bags. In fact, he custombuilds them: halletthandbuilt cycles.com/racks. html

esides adding a little extra carrying capacity, a handlebar bag provides convenient, accessible storage for lightweight or valuable items such as a camera or documents. Most bar bags can quickly be removed from the bike, so you can more easily carry these valuables on foot. The drawbacks are minor: such bags prevent the use of handlebar-mounted front lights; and they have some effect on the cycle’s handling. The first can be addressed by using a fork-mounted light or an extension bracket that places the light above or in front of the bag. The latter is alleviated by keeping the weight of the contents to a minimum. Low weight is particularly important when (as with most designs) a quick release bracket holds the bag further away from the handlebar and the steering axis than is ideal. In their favour, bar bags offer ease of installation and low cost compared with a larger ‘randonneur’ bag requiring a porteur-style rack to support it. Limited in capacity they may be, for sheer convenience bar bags are hard to fault.

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Load capacity

The stated limit, usually between 3kg and 5kg, should not be exceeded for both handling and structural reasons. Small, rigid items such as a camera need padding to stop them rattling around.

Water repellence

Stuck right out in the elements and often used to carry delicate items such as a camera or documents, the bag should be highly resistant to water ingress through choice of material and the design of the top flap.

Attachment

Ideally quickrelease. The Rixen & Kaul Klickfix system is so popular that two of the bags featured

use it, while Ortlieb’s own lockable bracket is directly compatible. Both brackets are secure and easy to operate, though Ortlieb’s may not be used with a carbon fibre handlebar.

Weight

Less is, of course, better, not least as it means less effect on handling.

Features

An internal pocket or partition helps keep documents handy. A map case on the top of the bag is useful for an Ordnance Survey map, a large-screen GPS device, or a smartphone. And a removable shoulder strap makes a boxy bar bag easy to carry off the bike.

2 5 4

BAR BAGS

Verdict Placing their weight high and well out in front of the steering axis, handlebar bags are designed for convenience rather than capacity, and must not be used to carry heavy loads. Constrained by this and the space between the handlebar, all three conventional bar bags are much the same size. The Ortlieb bag wins the weight war by some margin thanks to its hi-tech materials. It’s also the easiest to open – and the only one with a lock – but the most fiddly to fit to the bike. Topeak’s Frontloader isn’t competing in the same ballpark but is worth consideration as a way of attaching more stuff to the bike if heading off-road.

Baggage check

For a review of five more bar bags, visit the website: cyclinguk.org/ barbagsreview

GROUPTEST

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Ortlieb 1Altura 2 Dryline 2 Barbag Ultimate 6 Classic 7L

3Carradice Keswick

4Topeak Frontloader 1290

THE DRYLINE 2 is semi-rigid thanks to stiffening panels in the fabric. There are no internal dividers, so secure stowage may require some stuffing with soft items. Although the exterior has stitched seams, the bag uses Altura’s patented Dryline waterproofing system, so no worries on that front. Features include a shoulder strap and a top flap with integral document pouch. It is attached to the handlebar using a Klickfix bracket. A plastic-coated steel wire looped under the stem and clamped by screws inside the bracket prevent it rotating downwards. Weight: 880g. Capacity: 7 litres.

ORTLIEB’S BAG IS hard to fault, with clean lines, flawless fit, and a generous overlap on the top flap designed to ensure the Ultimate is impervious to the elements. The flap closes with a snap thanks to two magnets. The mounting bracket is part of the rear panel’s rim strut. It’s compatible with a regular Klickfix mount but is designed for Ortlieb’s own bracket. This employs a single plastic-coated steel wire wrapped tortuously around bar and stem and then cranked tight – too tight for a carbon fibre handlebar. Weight: 725g. Capacity: 7 litres.

HANDCRAFTED IN THE UK from waterproof waxed cotton duck, the Keswick bar bag is such a feast of leather and chrome that the plastic Klickfix mounting bracket on the back looks inconsistent. Available in black or dark green, this is a fine partner for a classic Carradice saddlebag. It shares the thoughtful design of such bags, with internal pockets for documents and jangly stuff such as keys, plus a capacious map case. The military grade webbing used for the carrying strap should still be going in several decades’ time, just like the bag itself. Weight: 1,230g. Capacity: 5 litres.

THE FRONTLOADER IS handlebar luggage for bikepacking. (We requested a Topeak Tourguide bar bag but none was available.) The flexible mounting plate is secured to the handlebar by straps, and the 8-litre drybag is attached to the plate by more straps. It’s classic bikepacking gear, designed to carry softer items such as a sleeping bag. Convenient it is not. The bag’s contents can’t be extracted without loosening the straps, and fitting is even more timeconsuming. But it’s lightweight and will carry a lot of gear. Weight: 480g. Capacity: 8 litres.

No frills bag that’s waterproof and works fine

Usual Ortlieb build quality and imperviousness to weather

The traditionalist’s choice, made in Britain from tough cotton duck

Big, waterproof bikepacking bag that lacks on-ride convenience

£69.99 zyrofisher.co.uk

£65 ortlieb.com

£78 carradice.co.uk

£50 topeak.com

C Y CL I NGUK . O RG

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harvey.falshaw@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

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TRAVELLERS’ TALES

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Ibrahim made the trip with a full camping load

Europe & Middle East You can join the club at centcols.org/en

London GP Ibrahim Hassan rode to his birthplace in Iraqi Kurdistan

France

Corsican cols Jeremy Chandler spent a week with the Club des Cent Cols on the mountainous Isle of Beauty

s its name suggests, the Club des Cent Cols is a French cycling club for those who love the romance of the high peaks. To join as a full member, you must have climbed at least 100 mountain passes (‘cent cols’). I signed up a for a week’s holiday with the club with some trepidation. Would I be able to keep up with those wiry Frenchmen and women on Corsica’s 10% slopes? And would I be able to understand a word that was going on? I needn’t have worried. There were wonderful days of riding, for the most part in perfect cycling weather. Most days we cycled in small groups, through groves of olives, vines and orange trees. On the climbs, there was a constant fragrance from the Corsican maquis: lavender; sweetsmelling cistus; and the slightly currylike perfume of immortelle flowers. Of course, there were some bad moments too. On the second day I had a silly fall on the flat: a moment’s inattention, one hand off the bars, some gravel under the front wheel, and down I went. I received lots of

Riding to Iraq

tender attention from the other club members. Two days later, we had a monster of a day crossing the Col de Bavella, which is one of the most celebrated in Corsica. On the descent we were buffeted by icy winds, which sent the bike ricocheting across the road. I have rarely, if ever, felt so cold. For the most part, however, it was blissful. There were amazing landscapes with villages perched impossibly over the valleys, some spectacular descents from the high hills down to the sea, and convivial company from the other CCC members, both on the rides and in the evenings.

Bonifacio, on Corsica’s southern tip, overhangs the sea

IT WAS MY dream to cycle from London, where I live, to Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, where I was born. I left our house on 13 July and arrived in Erbil, the capital city of Kurdistan, on 19 September. My route took me via Harwich, the Hook of Holland, and then along the River Rhine through Holland and Germany. I followed the Danube to Serbia, then diverted into Bulgaria and through Turkey until I reached the Iraqi border. Initially, I rode on cycle tracks and country lanes. Later I had to use main roads; in Turkey I used the hard shoulder of A-roads. I enjoyed every minute of the 5,500km journey and never got bored. I met people from all over the world. The most fascinating couple, whom I met twice in Turkey, were from France. They were walking from Paris to Esfahan in Iran, a distance of 7,000km. For every seven days of cycling, I rested a day or two. I was lucky in that I had friends and family in most of the cities where I had my rest days. Navigation was straightforward. I never needed my paper maps, just my Garmin Edge 800 and Google Maps. In Erbil, I saw the prime minister of Kurdistan and his deputy, plus a few political figures. I suggested they create a national cycling day in Kurdistan. My message throughout was to promote cycling culture worldwide – and specifically in Iraq. My bike is now housed in a museum in Erbil to inspire my people.

C YCL I NGUK . O RG

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TRAVELLERS’ TALES

Kent The Mull of Galloway is the southernmost point of Scotland

Bikepacking needn’t be exotic. Eoghan McHugh went to Kent

Dumfries & Galloway

Roadies on tour Former racer Martin Coopland made the most of the empty winter roads in Galloway

y friend Graham and I have been cyclists since our teens. Committed racers, we once looked down on saddlebagcarrying, cape-wearing CTCers. Forty years later, our competitive urges have waned and we appreciate the finer elements of this cycling life. Our most recent trip took us to Dumfries and Galloway on roads we’ve ridden in the Girvan stage race. We left the car in Wigton and set off under grey skies. The roads were ours for the weekend, shared only with a strong south-westerly. We took to riding bit-and-bit to ease the burden. The Port William lifeboat station was supposed to be our coffee stop. It’s the place to be in Port William

With the café shut, lunch was bread rolls on a bench

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APR I L/ MAY 20 2 0

Bivvying in the Garden of England

– except on that January weekend. Lunch was bread rolls on a bench. The skies brightened, the wind freshened, and we continued our work. A miscalculation just before the Mull of Galloway saw us struggling up a muddy farm track, where Graham – Carradice Longflap notwithstanding – secured a Strava KOM! Turning north, we flew windassisted to beautiful Port Logan and the palm-tree-lined driveway of the Logan Botanical Gardens. It was like riding the Promenade Des Anglais at the end of Paris-Nice. Rolling into Portpatrick, the daylight failed and my dynamo started to earn its keep. Morning brought warm winds and bright skies as we climbed out of Portpatrick and cycled the periphery of the North Rhins. Stranraer supplied coffee and cycling magazines in a bright café. No Cycle magazine here, just reviews of £10,000 rocket ships. North into the hills and the scenery changed. The verdant, Beltie-filled fields of the Galloway coast were replaced with open hillsides, sheep, and wind turbines poking into the clouds. From Barrhill, we headed for the finish. There was no tightening of toe straps this time, just good company and endless empty roads.

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TWO DAYS TO spare and nothing planned. I didn’t want to spend much money. I did want to ride my bike. So: a bikepacking adventure in nearby Kent. I left early one morning, setting out from Mid-Sussex to the coast, which I followed over the county line. In Dover, I turned north and climbed hill upon hill, eventually finishing the day’s cycle with a cup of tea at a pub in Sandwich. Outside of Sandwich, I set up camp between two rows of apple trees in an orchard. The next day, I pushed north, following the coast as it wound into Ramsgate. I found Dumpton Gap, descending down it to the esplanade in Broadstairs and the Viking Coastal Trail. Down at sea level, I pootled along on this wide, well-paved walkway with hardly a soul to share it. To my right, beautifully calm sea; above, cloudless summer skies. Herne Bay to Whitstable was buzzing. There were loads of people out and about, and a great atmosphere. That stretch of towns was idyllic. They’re historic, well maintained, and have great looking shops and restaurants. From Whitstable, I turned inland and started the cross-country cycle home. I’d managed quite a bit of Kent, covering 250 miles over the course of the weekend.

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