Cycle magazine April/May 2024 LITE

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TRAFFIC-FREE TOURING

FAMILY CYCLING ON AUSTRIAN CYCLE PATHS

Page 50

OFF ROAD ACROSS SE ENGLAND BIKEPACKING THE PRESELI HILLS CYCLING WITH BABIES & TODDLERS AND MUCH MORE

CARRADICE BAR RACK BIKEPACKING SEATPACKS

£30 VAN RYSEL GILET CLEAT ADAPTERS & MORE

APRIL/MAY 2024

KIDICAL MASS

RIDING FOR CHILD- AND CYCLE-FRIENDLY CITIES

STEEL TOURERS

Sonder Santiago Surly Disc Trucker

LEAD THE WAY

How to organise great group rides

MEMBERSHIP FRO M JUST

£3. 88 A MONTH!*

Welcome

Closed. Ah! Not the best café stop, then. We’d arrived with great expectations of warmth and hot drinks. It was a cold, grey Sunday in February, with a breeze that bit and roads awash with muddy puddles. The café, we knew, had good coffee and a great selection of home-made cakes. When it was open. Which it wasn’t.

As ride leader, this was my fault.

You’re supposed to know. The rides I’ve led over the years have generally gone pretty well. People have been happy. I’ve never lost anyone. I’m a decent roadside mechanic, an outdoor first aider (lapsed, come to think of it) and a qualified Trail Leader. My local route knowledge is good enough. If I need to improvise, I’ve got navigation apps on my phone.

Improvisation was called for. “Sorry. There’s another café five miles away. We’ll go there.” Only that wasn’t merely closed: it had shut down some time over the winter. For good.

“There’s another just over a mile away,” I said, less confidently. But it was open. It was warm. We could relax.

The moral of the story? Don’t assume. That goes for everyone on a group ride, of course, because we depend on each other to have good time. Don’t carelessly assume you brought your phone/water bottle/energy bar/rain jacket/correct shoes. All this is simply more important if you’re the ride leader.

I don’t want to make ride leading sound like a military campaign. It’s not. It’s good fun. But it’s definitely worth knowing not just where the café is but whether it will, in fact, be open…

CONTENTS

32

38

FEATURES

32 Bikepacking beginners

An easygoing off-road tour of southern England

38 Lead the way

The role of the leader in running great group rides

46 Kidical Mass

Demonstrating demand for childfriendly, cycle-friendly cities

50 Traffic-free touring

A family holiday on Austria’s Drau Cycle Path

PRODUCTS

18 Shop Window

A cross-section of new products

20 Gear up

Components, accessories, and books

62 Steel tourers

Sonder Santiago and Surly Disc Trucker on test

69 Bikepacking seatpacks

DAN JOYCE

Editor

Four big bags you can strap to your saddle

REGULARS

04 Freewheeling

Bits and pieces from the bike world

07 This is Cycling UK

73

Cycling UK’s new strategy; nominations time for 100 Women in Cycling 2024; new think-tank report on cycling; and more

16 You are Cycling UK

Cycling UK member John Bedford

29 Letters

Your feedback on Cycle and cycling

44 Weekender

Bikepacking in Pembrokeshire’s Preseli Hills

56 Cyclopedia

Questions answered, topics explained

73 Travellers’ Tales

Cycling UK members’ ride reports

Top to bottom: Steve Behr, Robert Tomlin, Beatrice Searle, Andy Taylor

CYCLING UK: Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, GU2 9JX E: cycling@cyclinguk.org W: cyclinguk.org T: 01483 238300. Cycle promotes the work of Cycling UK. Cycle’s circulation is approx. 51,000. Cycling UK is one of the UK’s largest cycling membership organisations, with approx. 70,500 members and affiliates.

President: Jon Snow Chief executive: Sarah Mitchell. Cyclists’ Touring Club, a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England No 25185, registered as a charity in England and Wales Charity No 1147607 and in Scotland No SC042541. Registered

Member benefit

TAKE A LOAD OFF

Gear up for your next family adventure with a discount offer from Bike Trailer Hire. Cycling UK members can enjoy 10% off a selection of Bike Trailer Hire trailers – perfect for safely transporting your little ones or furry friends on your upcoming cycling holidays, whether you’re planning to explore scenic trails or simply running errands around picture-postcard villages. cyclinguk.org/ member-benefits/biketrailer-hire

Membership benefit PERFORM YOUR BEST OUTDOORS

Adventure awaits with Snow+Rock clothing and accessories. Enjoy an exclusive 12.5% discount on a selection of gear designed to elevate your outdoor experiences, ranging from durable outerwear to essential accessories. Whether you’re cycling rugged trails, camping or simply enjoying the great outdoors, don’t miss this opportunity to stock up before your next holiday. cyclinguk.org/memberbenefits/snow-and-rock

Cycling UK members enjoy 10% off kids’ bikes from Frog. cyclinguk.org/ frogbikes

YHA discounts

EASTER GETAWAYS FOR FAMILIES

As spring blooms, many parents are eager to escape the indoors and make the most of family time during the upcoming school breaks. What better way to bond and explore together than a family-friendly cycling holiday?

Cycling holidays are an ideal choice for families seeking an active getaway. Whether pedalling through picturesque countryside, along scenic coastal routes or amidst tranquil forests, families can enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors while exploring new destinations and creating lasting memories together.

The UK is blessed with a multitude of cycle routes that are suitable for families, regardless of age or fitness level. Cycling UK’s ‘50 family-friendly cycle routes’ page is a great resource for those looking for inspiration – visit cyclinguk.org/article/50family-friendly-cycle-routes-uk

Cornwall is a particularly popular spring destination as it boasts charming and wellequipped YHA hostels along well-travelled cycle routes that allow intrepid adventurers the chance to relax and recharge. The Camel Trail in Cornwall is a beautiful, largely trafficfree route through woodland and coastal

scenery. You can follow as much as you want: Padstow to Wadebridge is 5.5 miles, Wadebridge to Bodmin is 5.75 miles and Bodmin to Wenfordbridge is 6.25 miles.

Younger children can enjoy shorter rides or tag along in trailers or child seats, while older kids and teens can tackle longer distances and more adventurous terrain. Families can explore at their own pace, stopping to admire breathtaking views, explore charming villages, or indulge in delicious local cuisine along the way.

Cycling holidays can also be a more cost-effective alternative to traditional halfterm holidays, and this is especially true for Cycling UK members who receive a 50% discount on YHA membership. Membership also entitles you to a 10% discount off accommodation and any pre-booked meals. If there are any under 26-year-olds included in the booking, you’ll receive an additional 5% discount.

A cycling holiday promises an unforgettable journey filled with joy, discovery and togetherness for the whole family. Saddle up, pedal away, and embark on a springtime adventure like no other. cyclinguk.org/member-benefits/yha

Hebden Bridge: YHA Haworth is just 7 miles away

Left: Joolze Dymond

you are

Legacy leaver

JOHN BEDFORD

Now in his late 80s, John is still busy repairing bikes at his shop. He spoke to Emma Morris about his cycling life and the legacy he’s leaving Cycling UK

At 87 years old, John Bedford has no plans to stop riding or fixing bikes anytime soon. Cycling has been a central part of his life since he was 13, when he bought his first bike from Curries. More than seven decades later he is still busy with bikes, spending six days a week fixing them at his shop, Park Cycles.

John joined CTC, now Cycling UK, back in 1952. At the age of 14 he embarked on his first tour abroad, cycling 200 miles overnight from Loughborough to Dover to catch the ferry to tour in Europe. He remembers he didn’t know anybody who had been abroad, and he was caught riding down a Belgian motorway as he hadn’t seen one before! That first trip through France, Belgium and the Netherlands sparked a passion for touring adventures.

Alongside becoming a trained engineer and working in education, John began fixing bikes from home as a side business, using his passion for cycling and his engineering mind. He moved around for work but always joined the local CTC group, where he enjoyed making new cycling friends. He led rides and walking tours for YHA, too.

When John settled in the Midlands, he met his late wife, Beryl. John taught Beryl to ride a bike, and she quickly caught the cycling bug. The couple immersed themselves in North

Birmingham CTC – John as secretary for 21 years and Beryl as treasurer. John said: “We threw ourselves into the club and cycling. Every weekend we’d be exploring somewhere new. Beryl just loved it.”

John would ensure a welcoming cuppa was waiting for Beryl at the top of difficult, hilly climbs. He prided himself on riding ahead to pop the camping kettle on, ready for Beryl’s breather.

They took more than 90 cycling holidays abroad together, including trips to Czechoslovakia while under communist rule and 20 trips to the USA, where they were very fond of the bike racks on the front of buses, which made it easy to get around.

When John was made redundant at 55, he and Beryl turned their bike shop into a full-time venture – John fixing and Beryl running retail. Park Cycles became even more of a beloved community hub, and their new lifestyle meant they could shut up shop when it suited them for cycling adventures.

At 87, John is still at the shop six days a week, inspiring newcomers to explore local trails and eager to keep learning new skills. He has seen cycling change a lot over the years, and he’s had to learn new things to keep up – for example, how to fix new BMX models and the latest e-bikes, which he really enjoys.

Now John wants to give back after a lifetime of riding. On seeing an advert for legacy giving in Cycle magazine, John realised it was the perfect way to help and inspire the next generation of cyclists and to protect cycling for the future.

After providing for his family, John wanted to continue encouraging riders just as he has always tried to do as a ride leader, club secretary and at Park Cycles. He said: “Cycling has always been a big part of my life. It has given me so many friends, new experiences and great tales to tell. This is my way to continue inspiring people to cycle.”

Your cycling legacy

Will you join John in kindly leaving a legacy? Over a lifetime of riding, you’ve seen the joy, freedom and friendships cycling can bring. Now is your chance to be remembered as you inspire the next generation to discover the joy of cycling. To learn more on how to leave Cycling UK a gift in your will, please visit cyclinguk.org/ giftinwills. Or for a confidential chat speak to Emma Morris on 07584 345489 or email legacy@cyclinguk.org

Below: Touring in the Rocky Mountains with Beryl. They made 20 trips to the USA

John still spends six days a week at his shop, Park Cycles

Below left: Late wife Beryl during one of their winter tours

LEAD

THE WAY

WHEN IT’S A GROUP RIDE, CYCLING IS A SOCIAL EVENT. JULIE RAND LOOKS AT THE ROLE OF THE RIDE LEADER AND GETS TIPS FROM SEVERAL OF CYCLING UK’S FINEST

JULIE RAND Cycling UK’s volunteer communications officer

You’re sitting in a really nice café, one that welcomes cyclists, and chatting with your fellow riders while you sip a well-deserved coffee. You might be discussing the route, the scenery or the latest hack for keeping your bike on the road. But there’s more than likely someone there a bit less animated than the rest, someone who’s only half-listening because they’re also thinking about the route home, the amount of daylight left, those looming clouds on the horizon and the possible bailout options if what was forecast as light drizzle turns into a torrential downpour – as well as whether or not that new rider is having a good time.

That person is somebody many of us who take part in group rides take for granted: the ride leader. Without them there’d quite possibly be no quiet, interesting route to follow, no cycle-friendly coffee stop and nobody else to share the joys of a great ride with.

Nowadays it’s possible to download routes from an app and go out on your own without getting lost. Yet it’s so much more motivating if somebody else has taken the time to plan a ride, so that all you have to do is turn up at the meeting point at the allotted time with a functional bike and kit.

Although you alone are responsible for making sure you’re prepared for a group ride, many leaders will have a wealth of experience in keeping groups together to make sure everyone enjoys themselves and gets home safely. Some may also be able to help with things like minor mechanicals or spare clothing. At the very least, you will have someone to ride with who wants you to enjoy cycling in the local area as much as they do.

LEADING LIGHTS

Group rides have always been a central part of Cycling UK’s history, offering members the opportunity to cycle in

Left: Robert Tomlin

Great Rides

TRAFFIC-FREE TOURING

The Drau Cycle Path through Austria is ideal for family cyclists, as Beatrice Searle discovered on a week-long, multi-generational tour

Beatrice

“

Keep right!” I shout to my nine-year-old daughter cycling up ahead. “I am right!”, she insists. “Your other right!” I yell. She and her bike veer over to the right of the cycle path as we encounter a group of extremely athletic looking people roller-skiing uphill towards us.

The path we’re cycling on is part of the Drauradweg (Drau Cycle Path). Like the river it’s named after, it starts in the Italian Dolomites near the border with Austria, crosses the border to run through southern Austria, then eventually heads into Slovenia and ends in northern Croatia.

We – my husband and I, and our kids aged nine and 11 – are cycling a 100-mile section of this route, starting near the River Drau’s source in Toblach, Italy (Dobbiaco in Italian) and ending in Villach, Austria’s most southern city. On the way, we’re picking up my parents, aged 74 and 75, ditching the bikes in a hotel’s bike storage room for a few days for a detour to do a three-day Alpine hut-to-hut hike. And we’ll be adding in plenty of rest time for lake swimming, castle visiting, highropes courses, roller coasters and good food and drink.

FAMILY PLANNING

We have planned our tour so that we’re riding only 20-35km per day. This means that the kids don’t

complain at all about the riding (in fact they usually want more), and that we have lots of time to enjoy all the other entertainments that the mountains in Austria have to offer. We are surrounded by majestic mountains on this bike tour, although you wouldn’t know it from the riding because the bike path takes us gently downhill as we follow the river on its winding course along the valley floor.

This makes riding this route with kids, or even with babies or toddlers in a bike seat or a trailer, very achievable. The other thing that makes this cycle route so accessible for families is that the vast majority of the route is segregated from traffic, and the bits that do have traffic are extremely sparsely used. There is usually a bigger road on the other side of the valley that all the through-traffic uses, so the roads the cycle route takes are only used for access (and by bike riders!). As a result, there are few motor vehicles, and most are slow moving and accustomed to cyclists. These small roads link tiny Austrian villages, full of wooden farmhouses with geraniums on every balcony, old barns and the occasional gasthaus (a traditional bar/ restaurant).

We rent bikes in Toblach and plan to drop them off at the end of our journey. Italian company Papin Sports offers this service, and also has

No racks on the children’s bikes

BEATRICE SEARLE

is a Cycling UK member who blogs intermittently about her trips at wildbeeoutdoors. co.uk

Left to right: Three generations riding near Pobersach. The cycle path is never far from the train line and in some places runs alongside. Further down the valley it runs through woodland and then pastureland

Bike finder

Which bike should I buy? Ask us at cyclinguk.org/bikefinder

Lightweight winter trainer

For: David Skirrow, aged 72, from Bamford, Derbyshire. Bike needs: A road bike with up-to-date features to act as a winter trainer on road or smooth trails. Must have: Hydraulic disc brakes, a drivetrain with integrated shifters (10, 11 or 12-speed), a good top gear (50/11) and low bottom (34/32). Take mudguards with tyres of up to 28 or 32mm. No more than 10kg bike weight. A degree of comfort. Must not have: Geometry that is too relaxed and unresponsive. Electronic gears. Wheels and tyres that are more heavy duty than I need; I’m only 65kg. Budget: £2,000-£3,000.

Guy Kesteven

Bikes like this, that are practical in all weathers and seasons but still enjoyable to ride fast, aren’t as common as you’d hope. I’ve picked two options that tick your boxes in very different ways.

My first is Boardman’s ADV 9.0 R , which sits right at the start of your budget at £2,000 (not including your Halfords discount as a Cycling UK member). The 71.5º head angle might make it a bit slower handling than a ‘pure race bike’. However, it’s the same geometry that Nicole Cooke won an Olympic Gold with in Beijing in 2008 in absolutely atrocious conditions, so don’t judge everything just on the numbers. The carbon frame weighs under a kilo and the whole bike is less than 9kg so it’ll be a rocket on your Derbyshire climbs. It has clearance for 42mm tyres (it comes with Vittoria Corsa N.EXT 32mm all weather tyres as standard) and has hidden mudguard mounts. A 12-speed Shimano 105 groupset with a 50-34 chainset and 11-36 cassette gives you plenty of Peak-District-friendly gear ratios.

My second pick is from Mason Cycles (masoncycles.cc), a tiny company based in the South Downs and famed for bending over backwards to deliver exactly the bike you desire. Its latest Definition V3 defies any claims that alloy bikes have no soul, and the beautifully-detailed, Italian-made frame comes in three colour options. The Shimano 105 version is close to the top of your budget at £2,900, but you can pick from a range of wheels, tyres up to 35mm, optional mudguards and even Supernova/Sinewave dynamos pre-installed. An Ultegra bottom bracket upgrade as standard and stainless steel bolts throughout are nice touches.

BOARDMAN

ADV 9.0 R

£2,000

Dan Joyce

Now that disc brakes are the norm and tyre and mudguard room isn’t limited by the reach of a sidepull calliper, you’d think mudguard mounts (perhaps concealed) would be a no-brainer for road bikes. As it is, only endurance road bikes tend to have them. Luckily that’s just what you’re describing.

The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 (£2,400, cannondale. com) isn’t as keenly priced as the Boardman but meets all your requirements. The carbon frame and fork are mudguard ready, and there’s room for them above the bike’s 30mm tyres. It's 9.5kg and has the steeper frame angles you want: 73º+ head and seat tubes in all but the two smallest sizes. I don’t know how much you'll notice the “discreet flex zones in the rear triangle, seat tube and seatpost”, but even the aluminium Synapses we’ve tested have been comfortable enough. This model has Shimano Tiagra with the gear ratios and hydraulic discs you've specified.

Or there’s the Sonder Colibri Ti 105 (£2,599, alpkit.com). I tested and subsequently bought a Colibri Al Tiagra two years ago. This is the titanium version, equipped with nicer components. Sonder doesn’t quote a weight for the whole bike but my Al version was under 10kg (as originally specced) so this will be as well. There are mounts and space for mudguards over its 32mm tyres, hydraulic brakes and the gear ratios you want. With a 72º head angle and 73.5º seat angle, the handling should be sufficiently sharp for you but the head tube is tall enough for longer-ride comfort. Its titanium frame is winter-proof and should shrug off accidental knocks better than carbon. SONDER

David Skirrow

Bike test

SIMON WITHERS

Simon has been a cycling journalist for over 25 years

Steel tourers

Today’s touring bikes combine traditional materials and styling with modern standards. Simon Withers tests a Sonder

Santiago and a Surly Disc Trucker

There’s more than one way to build a drop-bar steel tourer, as our two test bikes demonstrate. While disc brakes are now almost ubiquitous, the lack of a touring-specific groupset means that drivetrains often differ. Tyre widths vary, too – and sometimes so do diameters: tourers are one bike type where the 26in wheel isn’t dead.

The Surly Disc Trucker, which evolved from the now-discontinued Long Haul Trucker, comes with either 26in wheels (sizes 42-56cm) or 700C (sizes 56-64cm). Since the test bike is a 54 it has the smaller wheels, which are shod with super-wide rubber for comfort on tarmac and grip and control off road. Its triple chainset provides wide-range gearing, while its maximum load capacity is a massive 136kg (300lb).

The Sonder Santiago has a 2×11 SRAM Rival drivetrain with a sub-compact double chainset (48-32). All frame sizes come with 700C wheels fitted with tyres in a narrower, more traditional touring bike width: 35mm. They’re tubeless

ready, as are those of the Surly, and Sonder will set them up tubeless for an extra £44.99. Both bikes come with rear racks. The Sonder also gets bottle cages and SKS mudguards.

Frame and fork

It’s steel for both bikes, of course. Why wouldn't it be? The Surly Disc Trucker uses 4130 chrome-moly for its frame and fork, while the Sonder Santiago’s frame is made from Reynolds 631, which Reynolds says is 10 per cent stronger than its 531 predecessor. Both framesets are neatly TIG-welded and tidily finished, with the Surly having a rich powdercoated paint job. Cable routing is external, which may make for a slightly cable-heavy look but also makes DIY maintenance easier –a win for me.

Since the framesets are steel, you have the added bonus that, if looked after, these two should last you a lifetime. Steel production also has much less of an environmental impact than titanium, aluminium or carbon and is far

First look Quite sporty for a steel tourer. Well

easier to recycle than those three materials, boosting both long-term value and the bikes’ eco credentials.

As tourers, both bikes come with a wide array of fittings, with bottle and luggage bosses everywhere. Down tube and seat tube bosses are complemented by bosses under the down tube, while each has a fork festooned with fittings for racks, bottles or cargo cages for touring and bikepacking. Top tube ‘bento box’ bosses are the only absentee.

Components

Touring kit can come in different forms, and there are as many similarities as there are differences with our pair. The Surly has 26in wheels, a triple chainset – the cycle-tourist's friend – and a drivetrain that mixes an FSA chainset with Shimano's 9-speed Sora and Alivio.

The Sonder comes with 700C wheels, with a lower spoke count than the Surly’s, and an 11-speed SRAM Rival setup with an FSA sub-compact chainset. While Rival nominally sits above Sora and Alivio, my experience is that you'll still

get a lot of mileage out of the more budget-oriented Shimano components.

SRAM's Double Tap levers take a little getting used to after Shimano's STI but after a couple of rides they become second nature: you press the right inner lever to change down, and tap it to change up. Simple, effective and the shifting was crisp and accurate. But while the 11-speed cassette means there are few big gaps on the cassette, I'd have liked a significantly lower bottom gear than 32/32 (27in). A more compact 46-30 chainset and/or an 11-34 cassette would help. Wolf Tooth's nifty derailleur hanger extender would allow for an even bigger cassette.

The Surly's 26t inner chainring pairs with a 34t sprocket for a much lower and more touring-friendly bottom gear. Old school, yes, but thanks to its 20-113in range it would be my choice for any extended tour or even a regular hilly commute.

Braking on both bikes is by cableactuated disc brakes from the Tektro/TRP empire. The Surly gets the higher-level

While the 11-speed cassette means few big gaps on the cassette, I'd have liked a significantly lower bottom gear

Tech spec SONDER SANTIAGO RIVAL 22 GRAND TOURER

Price: £1,799.

Sizes: S, M (tested), L, XL.

Weight: 12.8kg (28.2lb).

Frame & fork: Reynolds 631 steel with thru-axle, rack and mudguard mounts, three pairs of bottle bosses. Straight steel fork with thru-axle, mudguard mounts and triple bosses.

Wheels: 35-622

Goodyear County tubeless-ready tyres, Sonder Nova 700C rims, 28 14g spokes front and rear, Sonder front hub, Sonder Nova rear hub.

Transmission: FSA Vero Pro 48-32 chainset, FSA MegaEvo bottom

bracket, SRAM PC1170 chain, SRAM PG-1130 11-32 cassette. SRAM Rival 22 shifters and front and rear derailleurs. 22 ratios, 27-119in.

Braking: SRAM Rival 22 levers, Tektro MD-C500 cable discs, 160mm rotors. Steering & seating: Grepp bar tape, 400 ×31.8mm

Sonder Spitfire bar, 100mm Sonder Storc stem, FSA Orbit MX headset 1 1/8in. Brooks B17 Standard saddle, 27.2×400mm

Sonder seatpost

Equipment: 45mm SKS mudguards, Sonder Mool 18kg capacity rear rack, two bottle cages. alpkit.com

Top: Budget dual-piston cable disc brakes work fine

Bottom: Brooks B17 saddle looks classy but will divide opinions as to comfort

Grouptest Bikepacking seatpacks

Designed for off-road touring on gravel or mountain bikes, seatpacks can add luggage capacity to almost any bike.

Hannah Collingridge tests four

HANNAH COLLINGRIDGE

Hannah is a keen bikepacker – she’s the author of the Pennine Bridleway guidebook

One big advantage of seatpacks over backpacks is that they take weight off your shoulders, relieving stresses and strains, and also leaving you less sweaty. Compared to panniers, the capacity is lower but they don’t bounce around (or off) as much, and they protrude less. If you and your handlebar will fit through a gap, so will your seatpack-equipped bike.

The most important thing to consider is the clearance between the bag and rear wheel. This is easy to measure if you take your bike to the shop. Smaller frames with big wheels can be a problem, as can fullsuspension bikes with more rear wheel travel. Some seatpacks will fit a bike with a dropper seatpost, but remember to check the space with saddle lowered.

How big a bag? Most have ways of compressing the load and adjusting the volume so err on the larger size. Compressing a bag also improves its stability. Most seatpacks will move at least a little even when everything is as cinched up tight. It’s whether you notice that movement on the bike that’s crucial.

In the UK, waterproofing of some kind is vital. Some bags are waterproof with welded seams. Some rely on dry-bags within the sack to keep the weather out.

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.

Details WHAT TO LOOK FOR

1 Capacity Bikepacking

seatpacks range from about 3L to 17L or more. How much room do you need? Try packing your kit into a shoe box – men’s are usually about 11L, women’s 6-7L.

2 Attachment

Most have two large straps for the seatpost and another for the saddle rails. Dropper-compatible seatpacks typical use a saddle rail bracket and a clamp around the top of the post, which limits but doesn’t prevent dropper travel.

3 Harness or all in one?

All-in-one, direct-strap designs are the most weight/bulk efficient.

A separate harness/ holster can be left on the bike while the bag goes walkies with you, however.

4 Weather resistance

A seatpack is likely to be sprayed with water and mud so look very closely at what the waterproof/water resistant descriptions actually mean. If in doubt, double bag. Having soggy spare clothes isn’t fun.

5 Durability

Seatpacks are subject to a lot of wear and tear, so abrasion resistance and build quality count for a lot. A manufacturer’s warranty terms are a good indicator of expected use life.

France

100k on the Canal du Midi

To mark his 80th year, Geoffrey Hunt rode a metric century alongside the French canal

We were staying in Cailhau in southern France, close to the Canal du Midi. It seemed an ideal starting point for a cycle challenge to mark my 80th year. Having had a heart by pass 13 years ago, I was thankful for the support of my cardiologist, my partner Hazel and some good friends.

I set off at dawn on 23 July to avoid the later heat. I’d packed plenty of food and water, as well as a copy of the Canal des Deux Mers guidebook. Riding my trusted Ridgeback tourer, I felt well prepared to have an enjoyable if difficult ride.

From Cailhau I rode to Bram, accompanied by the rising sun. It revealed the typical French countryside of sunflowers and grapevines. From Bram, I took the towpath towards Carcassonne, 40km from where I started.

I exchanged friendly words with boat people, walkers and other cyclists. The canal and Carcassonne are both World Heritage sites, Carcassonne being the second-most visited city in the south of France.

Reaching Trebes at the 50km point, a cycling friend appeared on the towpath and gave me an encouraging pat on the back. A tough 25km followed to Le Redort, with some walking due to bridges, cobbles and 15 locks to negotiate. Then it was a final push to La Somail at 95km, followed by my finishing point, Sallèles-d’Aude. Hazel was waiting there to take a photo and give me lots of congratulations. We then headed to the nearest cafe.

My favourite parts of the ride were pedalling through Carcassonne, reaching Trebes at halfway, toughing it out in the 35°C heat, and covering 108km in six hours and 52 minutes. It was a memorable experience and, at 80 years old, my first 100km ride in a day.

Barrie Bentley recalls a 1957 journey to

and from England’s south-western tip Land’s End and back again England

JOHN HOLMES’S ARTICLE about his 1973 tour to and from Land’s End (Sep/Oct issue) brought back fond memories of my own tour with a close pal, David Walker. Why did we make the trip? Well, in 1957 it was affordable and exotic.

If you asked anybody in Selby where they were holidaying it would likely be Filey, Brid(lington) or, if posh, Scarborough. People of a more adventurous turn would say Devon and Cornwall.

We obtained much advice on essential items to carry from members of Selby CC. We didn’t take any advice about gearing. As can be seen from the photo, we did it on 66-inch fixed. There was much walking and cursing. I shudder at the thought now, even though we took only a saddlebag for essential clothes and spares for breakdowns. We stayed at youth hostels and B&Bs.

Our route down from Selby (and back) was on A-roads as traffic density was light in those pre-motorway days. I suppose we must have covered over 800 miles in 14 days. One incident that stands out was a crack developing in my headset. A gentleman at a garage in Salcombe repaired the crack by brazing it and only charged a shilling. He saved my holiday.

I now enjoy my e-cycling in relatively flat East Anglia with a delightful bunch of guys and gals from Diss CTC.

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Right: Carcassonne, by Getty Images