BIKE Magazine - December 2019

ebikes – bike reviews – winter touring – news – fitness – winter products

UK’S LEISURE CYCLING AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2019

WINTER CYCLING PRODUCTS REVIEWS

8

REASONS WHY

YOU SHOULD BUY A FAT TIRE BIKE

CYCLING THE ALPS DECEMBER 2019 MADE IN THE UK

2 BIKE MAGAZINE

Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat.

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

Start planning your next route today with OPUS®

opuscamper.com 01473 601200

BIKE MAGAZINE 3

CONTENTS

INSIDE DECEMBER 2019

8 Nakto Classic A new step through cruiser ebike from a company looking to take over the entry level market, with bikes such as this their focus seems to be extremely competitive price points matched with a list of features and customer support and a US headquarters for peace of mind

12 Winter cycling hacks It’s January, that time of year when the Arctic wind cuts you to the core and the hard work of getting fit again starts in earnest.

32 Cycling Mirrors Cycling mirrors are one of those subjects that bring on arguments almost as intense as the “Helmet Wars” found on any cycling discussion on the Internet. They come around once every 6 months or so, and usually leave a lot of acrimony hanging in the ether.

46 Riding The Alps One a keen downhill mountain biker, the other is passionate about road riding. So, we decided on a catered chalet in Morzine, in the Alps, which we would share with some friends, their son also being a downhiller and their daughter a somewhat reluctant roadie.

4 BIKE MAGAZINE

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BIKE MAGAZINE 5

WELCOME

Welcome

to the December issue

Winter is officially here!

In this December issue we at BIKE make dreams become a reality by exploring the cycling world and sharing our knowledge with fellow cyclists.

Showing unshakeable commitment towards high-performance and adventure, our December 2019 issue guides you on how to make the most out of cycling these winter months. There’s simply no need to let the coldness get you down. Instead, embrace it!

With numerous, beautiful places ideal for cycling around this season, your bike most certainly shouldn’t be left gathering dust.

Touching upon Snowdonia’s National Park, a delightfully varied landscape of steep river gorges, waterfalls and green valleys.

When you’re next filled with wanderlust and get the urge to stick on your helmet, we can help you reach the finish line or your chosen target with our top of the range cycling products and sturdy winter bikes. Slipping and sliding while wearing

a ridiculous amount of restrictive layers is no longer necessary. We have sourced the right gear to see you through wet and snowy weather on two wheels – coldness no longer has to be a bitter experience.

Nevertheless, apparel and equipment aren’t the only factors that need to be considered. When it comes to bike management and maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration while on the go, cold weather presents unique challenges; hugely impacting your overall performance. Helping you to better plan, prepare and perform, we offer tips on how to keep your bike stable via our winter survival guide, as well as bring health to light to ensure you consume the correct amount of carbohydrates to bolster your immunity and increase your motivation while on the saddle.

So Happy holidays and keep riding!

Get the most out of your ride by contacting us via: www.bike-mag.com/contact-us

> Nick Branxton - Editor

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REASONS WHY

YOU SHOULD BUY A FAT TIRE BIKE

DECEMBER 2019 MADE IN THE UK

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WINTER CYCLING PRODUCTS REVIEWS

6 BIKE MAGAZINE

TRANSALP

NEW TRANSALP ROUTE FOR EXPLORERS The most spectacular European mountain bike stage race for everybody enters the next round from 5th-11th of July 2020, leading from Nauders in Austria to Riva del Garda in Italy. Even the 23rd edition of the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp shows that the spirit of discovery is not yet exhausted. The 2020 course runs on less frequented and rugged paths that originally haven’t been made for mountain bikers. Up to 1000 participants from more than 35 nations take up the challenge of crossing the Alps in seven stages – in teams or solo. The entire race covers 577 kilometres and 18,940 metres of altitude.

BIKE MAGAZINE 7

TRANSALP

Bielefeld, 23rd November 2019. The first BIKE Transalp in 1998 had been a journey into the unknown, an exploring tour across the Alps. 22 years later it is not easy to find unspoiled and less used tracks, but it’s not impossible: „The 2020 Transalp route offers evidence that the discovery spirit in the Alps is still rewarded”, says race manager Marc Schneider about a course that is wild and at the same time wonderful.

From the first metres, the riders are in the middle of the Transalp adventure. From Nauders in Tyrol the route leads through Livigno into the Ortler and Adamello Group. In front of the scenery of the massive mountains and glaciers, the Transalp meanders over adventurous passes, such as the Passo dell’Alpe (2461 m), the Forcella di Montozzo (2613 m) and the Mortirolo (1852 m). Not a bit of smooth trails, but old and rumbled cart paths.

The race continues with three new stage locations in Italy – Santa Caterina Valfurva, Aprica and Peio – and accordingly new sections that have never been part of the BIKE Transalp before. Even the forest trails are getting rougher now. In the valley of Peio in the Stelvio National Park more than half way is done, before the riders move on to Molveno, Valle del Chiese at Lake Idro and finally to Riva del Garda. But although the BIKE Transalp gets closer to the mountain bike Mecca around Lake Garda, there can still be found some less frequented, but not less fantastic tracks.

In short: the 2020 course goes original ways, without giving up on classic dream routes.

Best example is the crowning final of the BIKE Transalp from Passo Tremalzo over Passo Rocchetta, Pregasina and the old Ponale road, down to Riva – a breathtaking last descent before the hard-won finish at Lake Garda.

No matter if you start in a team or solo, if you are a hobby rider or ambitious for the podium, as a father-and-son-duo or with your best mate: For most of the participants the BIKE Transalp is an unforgettable adventure, for which they train hard for months or even years. It is about breaking your limits, fighting your way from stage to stage, suffering together and cheering together, always surrounded by the impressive landscape of the Alps.

The entry fee for the race is 899 euros, including benefits like professional time keeping, roadway support, free catering on the route and at the finish, rescue team, bike wash, technical service, luggage transport and finisher jersey. So for seven days, participants can feel like real pros and just focus on one thing: mountain biking. Riders under 23 pay just 699 euros, including overnight stays in the Transalp Camp.

More information about the route can be found under: https:// bike-transalp.de/en/ Three questions to Camden Gillis (18) from Colorado, first-time BIKE Transalp finisher 2019

Your BIKE Transalp experience in three words: Breathtaking, glorious, unforgettable You started with your teammate and good friend Sam. Is the BIKE Transalp also a challenge for friendship?

I would think it would be a challenge for some, although for Sam and I became much closer friends. I can’t remember a time where I became angry at Sam or he at me or a time where we stopped talking to each other. The entire race Sam and I talked, sang songs, met new people, tried to learn wheelies and at the end of the day always finished in a positive mood.

What brought you all the way from America to the BIKE Transalp in Europe?

The BIKE Transalp had actually been on my mind since 2016 when I watched my dad and his teammate complete the race.

Since then my dad and I have been scheming to come back.

It finally worked out this year and I was able to talk Sam into being my teammate and our tickets turned into our birthday/ graduation presents. Unfortunately, last-minute my dad was unable to come.

8 BIKE MAGAZINE

EBIKE REVIEW

NAKTO CLASSIC EBIKE REVIEW A step through cruiser ebike from a company looking to take over the entry level market, with bikes such as this their focus seems to be extremely competitive price points matched with a list of features and customer support for peace of mind with fenders, rear rack, front basket, and battery integrated headlight for just ÂŁ549

6 speed Shimano Tourney derailleur, 14-18 tooth cassette with a 44 tooth chain ring in the front, rim brake in the front and drum brake in the rear, brakes have better stopping force in the front, complimented with motor inhibitors to cut power to the motor when stopping

BIKE MAGAZINE 9

EBIKE REVIEW

A new step through cruiser ebike from a company looking to take over the entry level market, with bikes such as this their focus seems to be extremely competitive price points matched with a list of features and customer support and a US headquarters for peace of mind As I mentioned, the bike is competitively priced, this one is just $749 and their less expensive model, the Camel is only $649, these are great options for those that want to get into an ebike without spending $3,000-$5,000 which are common sticker prices for many bikes at most dealers Along with that price comes a ton of features for an entry level bike, it is common at this price to maybe see one or two features, but this one has loads like this rear rack, front basket and platform rack, fenders, a front headlight, throttle, pedal assist, and comfort touch points

Everything is quite sturdy with the steel frame, chain guard, fork, rack, handlebars, and stem, this makes things a little heavier, however it saves money and creates some vibration dampening qualities, perfect for a cruiser like this The bike is comes in at 58.7lbs and that weight includes the battery, motor, and everything on the bike ready to ride, if you wanted to shed some weight for carrying it around or loading it on and off a rack, you could always remove the battery and stow it somewhere else Included are a set of Kenda brand name tires, these have a cool white wall for style points and feature a nice and wide efficient road tread pattern with single walled aluminum wheels Swept back handlebars are installed for a really laid back feeling, these are defiantly made for cruising and taking it easy since it bends back quite a bit, I found it quite comfortable

Jumping into those features we see the plastic basket in the front, this has an expandable plastic net cover with a clasp to keep it secure, this is really a handle little option, I put my camera equipment inside and it held well, I also like that you can remove the basket and use the front platform

Along with that, the saddle I found to be also very comfortable, this uses a rubber bumpers underneath for absorption and is great for long cruising rides, even the grips are stitched, ergonomic, and faux leather, so this bike wins in comfort points

In the rear, you get a rack with a nice and large platform with pannier hangers, I love that this is a bolt on frame rack, so you could take it off if you wanted to as well

This bike has a 25.4mm seat post, so if you were looking to add more comfort to the ride setup, you could get an aftermarket suspension seat post like a Kinekt or SR SunTour NCX seat post to give the ride more

I love that it includes steel fenders in both the front and rear, it is nice that they are color matched to the paint too, so you stay not only dry and debris free, but stylish as well, a nice little touch I love the battery integrated headlight here, safety has always been a priority for myself and other cyclists, so it’s nice to see that more and more companies are including these on ebikes Up in the controls, there is a button for an electric horn that will sound, this is great for getting the attention of pedestrians and is a little more audible than a bell so that could potentially mean even more safe as it can get the attention of whatever you might come across

Driven by a 250 watt rear hubmotor with both a thumb throttle and cadence based pedal assist, features a 36v 10.4ah battery secured via lock and key, and easy to use controls with a battery charge level read out display in the cockpit Some generic parts like battery, motor, and brakes, does poorly in unpaved conditions, keys have to stay in to operate, brake levers switch from what US market is used to, smaller crank arms may be uncomfortable for taller people, and there is no real display of any kind

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EBIKE REVIEW

cushion for longer more sustained rides Nakto also includes a kickstand in the rear, it is nice to have it back there since having it near the crank arm can produce ‘pedal lock’; an annoying occurrence that locks the pedals when you reverse a bike with the kickstand down, luckily, this bike eliminates that by having it positioned further back Mechanically, the bike is operated by a 6 speed Shimano Tourney system with a 44 tooth chain ring in the front and a 14-28 tooth cassette in the rear, the Tourney is on the lower end of Shimano’s component range, however, they have been updating it over the years and it has worked out to be quite a formidable entry level derailleur Stopping the bike is a rim brake in the front and a drum brake in the rear, using that fast acting rim brake in the front is ideal since the brunt of the stopping force on a bike tends to hit the front wheel harder so it’s nice they set it up that way This bike includes motor inhibitors, a motor cut off switch built into the brake handles making stopping easier, simply acetate the brake handle and power will be denied to the motor, this is a great feature for ebikes like this one and helps to make the stopping that much more immediate The display and controls are very minimal as the display only tells you the battery level via 6 LED ticks and has joined just two buttons for horn and lights, some will prefer this nononsense and cost savings approach, especially since there is less essentially to go wrong or have to have serviced or fixed Driven by a descrete and simple hub-motor, this is rated for 250 watts nominal and about a 20mph top speed, not the largest motor, but defiantly does the job and gets you going without the need to pedal, great for those who want less power or safety or are new to ebikes and don’t want the unpredictable jolting feeling Can be engaged either via the mechanical pedal system, or it has cadence based pedal assist, of course there is a throttle here too, so which ever way you want to propel the bike, it has you covered, I personally like to use the throttle to get up to speed then pedal at the higher speeds for fun Powering the bike is a 36v 10.4ah battery, the battery is secured via lock and key, the battery is reachable by lifting the latch underneath the seat, this will allow the seat to tilt up and out of the way to access the battery The fact that Nakto has a service and distribution center here in the United States is awesome, they offer lots of support and that is practically unheard of for bikes at this price point, most competitors in this price range just give you the bike and ditch you, its great to see Nakto take a proactive approach to maintaining their integrity Some things will stand out as odd since it was primarily made for the Chinese market, like the reversal of the brake levers, electric horn, or smaller 152mm crank arms, the crank arms are not the best for pedaling if you are a taller person, but you could override that by just using the throttle, and the brakes did mess me up a bit, but I suppose you could get used to that One of the draw backs to this electrical system is that to operate the bike, the keys must stay in to maintain ignition, this means you could have the keys bounce around if on a key

chain and not only make a lot of annoying noise while you ride, but even worse, they could potentially scratch up the frame, this is something to keep in mind for your operation The Classic has a generic brand battery, motor, and other components, when you take that into consideration with the very basic brakes, I would be interested to see how this bike does over time, but so far we have heard good things from most customers The included fenders here are a welcome addition, but since they are made of steel, they are slightly more vulnerable to rusting, if the paint were to get scratched, or knicked, and the bike was left outside in the rain or got wet, those spots could rust, I have been told that applying touch up paint to the chip can prevent rust if it were to rain The display is minimal, however, it lacks most features you see on other ebike displays like a more accurate battery percentage readout, speedometer, odometer, trip, or anything of any resemblance, simply put, this is a bare bones readout

BIKE MAGAZINE 11

EBIKE REVIEW

and I wouldn’t even call it a display The included front plastic basket is cool, but I do worry how it would hold up over time, if left in the elements, I could see the color fading quite easily, or the plastic could potentially become brittle or snap, if this is an important feature to you, I recommend keeping it inside when not in use The 250 watt hub motor is very small and basic, if you are an avid ebike rider, this will feel slow, much as a 60hp car might, sure it can get up there, but don’t expect it to do it quickly or up very steep hills, this could be good for the right rider though if you are looking for something easy to jump into or something that offers safety in the speed realm As you can see by my test ride in the video, I would recommend riding this in smooth areas, the lack of suspension and efficient road tread on the tires make this great in those conditions, however, once you get to uneven ground, or even a paved road that is bumpy, this thing can rattle and jar a little bit, so do be mindful of that

With the smaller crank arms and limited cassette range, I wouldn’t recommend pedaling this bike for long distances for most people, the gearing options and leg extension just isn’t there for long term riding, I would recommend instead using the throttle as much as you can for enjoyable hassle free riding If you are looking for a creme of the crop brand name bike, this isn’t it, after reviewing 100s of bikes over the years, it is easy to see sometimes what separates the high-end bikes from the entry level, that being said, the value for dollar spent here defiantly shines through and it would be a great addition if you are truly considering it Small gripe here, but on the rear rack, I noticed at the bottom, there are not pannier latching points, so while you could hang them on the top, you wouldn’t be able to secure them at the bottom without getting creative, something to consider if you are looking to carry lots of loads or commute with this application

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WINTER HACKS

WINTER CYCLING HACKS: HOW TO KEEP CYCLING IN COLD WEATHER It’s January, that time of year when the Arctic wind cuts you to the core and the hard work of getting fit again starts in earnest.

What better time to understand how to cheat the cold through a combination of cold weather cycling gear and tips that won’t cost you a penny?

David Law, Product Manager for stolen goat, shares five tried and tested pieces of advice that will help you keep cycling in cold weather this winter:

BIKE MAGAZINE 13

WINTER HACKS

Dress to keep cycling in cold weather (not rain)

Think like a car. Eat more.

Fact: You ride in the cold more often than you think. You ride in continual, unabated heavy rain less often than you think. Dress accordingly: think cold weather cycling clothes not wet weather cycling clothes.

Like a cold car engine, a cold human engine consumes more fuel. You are burning way more calories in cold conditions just to stay warm. If you run out of energy, your power will drop, and your temperature will drop even more because your engine is now generating less heat.

A fully windproof, thermal garment that breathes more easily will be a better choice in deep cold weather than a full waterproof that won’t ever let even the heaviest rain in, but will create its own sub-tropical, micro-climate from the inside.

Of course, the exception is if it really is raining cats and dogs when you leave the house.

But when deciding what to wear cycling in winter ask yourself, how often do you ride in the pouring rain for several hours?

Sure, you remind your mates every weekend about that time you rode through a freezing downpour for four hours, but that was like once in the last year, admit it!

A stolen goat Climb & Conquer jacket is perfect winter cycling wear - fully windproof, thermal, insulated and will keep out most rain without being a plastic bag!

In praise of slippers + radiators Remember that time when you were fine until you got cold, but then once you were cold, the whole ride/event/shopping trip just fell apart? And you got cold because it started in your extremities and then seemed to “permeate” into your core?

Your ears, nose, cheeks, hands and feet all have special blood vessels that control cooling and warming. Given this is the case, why would you walk barefoot around the house before you put your cycling shoes on and leave? Or put your shoes on outside, with exposed hands and just socks covering them?

Never do this!

Slippers on as soon as you are out of bed old boy/old girl, big woolly socks, and in the most extreme cold, warm your feet and hands on the radiator for a couple of minutes before immediately donning your shoes, overshoes and gloves.

Whilst still inside. Obviously, these same items should be kept somewhere warm as well, like the airing cupboard or within proximity of a radiator, prior to the ride.

Trust me, this will keep you warm for a much longer time when you are out there.

Cover your ears As I just mentioned, our ears, nose, cheeks, hands and feet all have special blood vessels that control cooling and warming.

Why then would you put a summer cap, or worse still, nothing, under your helmet when the mercury plummets?

In my experience, a windproof, insulated skull cap (or “Belgian cap”) that pulls down over your ears is a winter cycling essential which will do wonders for your overall enjoyment of the ride. And remember, because you don’t use your mobile phone when you ride (do you?) it’s okay to have ears covered and warm. stolen goat’s Belgian cap is one of my favourite pieces of winter cycling kit. It will cosset your head like an egg under a hen, and get all the admiring glances at the coffee stop.

Make sure you eat more on the bike to compensate for this in the winter.

We would advise against lightweight sugary sweets and gels, and take more hearty food: there’s nothing like savoury, salty food to fuel your fire. Favourites include: good quality sausage rolls or pork pie, maybe even a Scotch egg or a ham sandwich wrapped in foil. So much better than a gel, and you deserve it.

You’re a badass, after all, riding in the cold.

Seal the gaps: a poor cuff is not enough If you have a draft whistling up your arm from the wrist because your clothing is either too baggy at the cuff, or not tucked into your gloves, or worst of all, the arms are too short, you will soon regret it.

So, be more like an Arctic explorer: make sure your warm cycling clothes are adjusted properly before you leave.

And have jackets with stretchy double cuffs, that grip your wrist (without having a seam), rather than anything that has loose or non-elasticated cuffs. Everybody needs a good cuff!

See the stolen goat Orkaan jersey as an example of a top with a snug, wide double cuff that won’t funnel air towards your core. I’ve worn one for the last few winters and think it’s one of the best bits of winter cycling gear around.

Final words...

Big thanks to David for his cold weather cycling tips!

If you fancy some new kit, you know we wholeheartedly endorse stolen goat kit which we’ve found unfailingly good quality and beautifully designed (check our reviews here and there’s more information on our relationship with stolen goat, here).

Don’t forget you can get 20% off stolen goat - join our email list for details (sign up boxes above or below) or check out our Instagram.

We don’t publish the code here as bots sweep websites for voucher codes.

Happy riding!

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SNOWDONIA

SNOWDONIA

FAMILY CYCLING There are lots of cycling routes in and around North Wales and there are some really great ones that all the family can enjoy. The disused rail lines are perfect. For a start, they are flat; this is hard to find in North Wales, believe you me, but they are also away from the main roads, which when you have younger ones in tow, it can be little hair raising.

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SNOWDONIA

From lake side and sea views to the depths of beautiful forests, they all offer something different and are long enough to make a real morning or afternoon of it. So for a tantrum free family bike ride in the beautiful landscape of North Wales, here are our best family cycling routes in Snowdonia.

ride through the forest. The trail takes you along open forest roads, passing waterfalls and a disused gold mine. There are a couple of downhill sections, so there is a chance for the kids to practice their speed control, but all in a very safe and car free environment.

The great aspect of Coed Y Brenin is that if you have multiple ages in the mix, there are more challenging trails on offer and at the end of it, you can all meet at the visitor centre for lunch at the cafe or a picnic on the many benches on offer.

Lon Las Ogwen | Bangor | 11 miles If your family are more experienced cyclists or you have older teenagers in the mix, then Lon Las Ogwen might be one you want to try. Taking you from Bangor to Llyn Ogwen, this 17km route is predominantly traffic free with a few sections that are on road / off road in the middle section. Famed for its mountain views, you will be cycling along rivers and an old quarry.

There are inclines (1000ft in total) as you are going into the Snowdonia mountains, but as you will be circumnavigating the famous Penryhn quarry, there are plenty of flats as you follow the disused tram road used to move the slate back in the day.

The final climb before you drop into Llyn Ogwen is said to be well worth that last push when the view of the lake greets you.

There is a cafe that over looks the lake and run by the National Trust offering light lunches and snacks when you finally arrive there.

If you want a more gentle ride, Bangor to Tregarth is 8km and the the incline is only 300ft as it is situated just before the climbs into the mountains.

Mawdacch Trail | Barmouth | 7 miles Running along the stunning Mawdacch Estuary on the disused railway line from Barmouth to Dolgellau the Mawddach Trail has to be included in our list of best family cycling routes in Snowdonia. Totally flat and car free, the full length is 15km with various points that you can come on and off at. A really good run is the slightly shorter route of 11km starting from the iconic Barmouth bridge to the George III pub on the outskirts of Dolgellau. Stop at the pub for lunch or a lemonade and a packet cheese and onion crisps and then back again into Barmouth.

It is run by the Snowdonia National Park and so is well marked out and 3m wide, flat with no traffic so really is a great route, especially if you have smaller ones with you. I would allow 1.5 hours each way.

Yr Afon Trail | Coed Y Brenin | 6 miles This is my favourite route for an all round family bike ride. Part of the Coed Y Brenin centre, it is the green trail. 10.8km which will take approx 3 hours to complete, this really is a beautiful

Lon Las Eifion | Caernarfon | 16km Starting in the historic town of Caernaron, this 16 km route runs along the Welsh Highland Railway south towards the village of

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SNOWDONIA

Brycir on the outskirts of the Llyn Peninsula. It is again traffic free, taking you past Caernarfon Bay, Anglesey and then along an avenue of trees. A tarmac route, it is easy on the wheels and there is a incline of 500ft before you cycle downhill into Bryncir.

There is a garden centre in Bryncir if you want to stop for something to eat before you make your way back or of course, take a picnic and choose a spot along the way to have a breather.

you through villages, the Dingle, boardwalks and reservoirs it is a really great cycle ride offing lots of variety along the way.

You can also head south from Malltreath towards Newborough Forest which is absolutely stunning. Famous for its red squirrel population, it is a haven for cyclists due to its size and beauty.

You can also park up your bike once you have cycled through the forest and head for the beach where you will find the famous Llanddwyn Island.

Lon Las Peris | Llanberis | 1 mile This is the shortest of the cycling routes at only 1.5km. Running from Llanberis, along the shore of Llyn Padarn to the village of Brynrefail, there are great views to be had of Snowdon and of course the beautiful lake itself. It is flat, traffic free and the perfect ride if you are looking for a little excursion or wanting to introduce smaller ones to the world of cycling. A lovely cafe in Brynrefail called the cabin cafe is great to stop for something to eat before you head back to Llanberis.

Lon Las Cefni | Anglesey | 11 miles Starting at the South West corner of the island in Malltraeth, the 17km route takes you along the river Cefni. There are sections that have some traffic, but the most part is traffic free with a mix of straights where you follow railway line. Taking

If you want to make this more of a ride, you can join the road network after the tunnel and cycle through the villages of Cwm Y Glo and Llnrug, following the Seiont river into Caernarfon itself.

Whilst some of these routes may seem long, as they are flat, they are relatively easy but don’t forget there are places along the way that you can come off at to enjoy a picnic before heading back home.

BIKE MAGAZINE 17

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18 BIKE MAGAZINE

WINTER RIDING

CYCLING ESSENTIALS

FOR WINTER RIDING

Wnt to keep pedaling through the cold months ahead? This is the stuff you need.

Riding in the cold can actually be awesome, if you have the proper winter-riding gear. The right thermal bib tights, gloves, shoe covers, and windproof jackets will help you control temps, so you never get too cold or too sweaty when you’re five miles up you’re local Alpe d’Huez.

The best stuff also fits well and reduces puffy insulation. When your coworkers ask what you did over the weekend, you’ll say that you went on a bike ride, they’ll remember how cold it was, and they’ll shake their heads in disbelief. You’ll fully own the sort-of-crazy-but-definitelyimpressive honor of being a cyclist who rides through the winter, not one who shivers at the thought of it.

We’ve spent many cold days—on the road, the trail, in the dark, at the crack of dawn—riding through wind, rain, sleet, and polar vortexes putting these products through their paces.

We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience riding and surviving the worst winter can throw at us to determine the best options for keeping you warm, dry, and safe.

BIKE MAGAZINE 19

WINTER RIDING

THE BLACK BIBS PLUS WINTER SHORTS Black Bibs theblackbibs.com These fleece-lined bib shorts are a must-have for spring and fall riding, when it’s cool enough that a single layer of Lycra doesn’t keep your buns warm enough, but full-length tights are overbearing. Meant to be worn with leg or knee warmers, these shorts offer enough insulation to comfortably ride in the low 30s, yet still feel comfortable on the days when the mercury climbs close to 60 by the end of the ride.

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WINTER RIDING

CROSSPOINT KNIT WATERPROOF GLOVE

PRO MERINO THERMAL JERSEY

Showers Pass

Pearl Izumi

These knit, waterproof gloves could be the best 45 -dollar investment you make to upgrade your winter cycling kit. They have the feel of a mid-weight glove with insulation sufficient for temperatures hovering around freezing. Better yet, when the mercury climbs, your hands won’t feel hot and sweaty. As the name suggest, they’re also waterproof. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like to pass up an opportunity to ride, weather be damned, these gloves will keep your hands from being the weak spot on cold, rainy days.

This mid-weight merino wool jersey is the perfect companion for early winter and spring rides when you need a little extra insulation. A slightly relaxed fit makes it comfortable to wear as a second or third layer, and the sleeves are long enough so you don’t get the dreaded gap between the top of your gloves and the bottom of your sleeves. The high collar keeps cool winds off your neck, and three open pockets in the back are big enough to stuff full of nutrition and extra clothing. Should you want to shed this jersey mid-ride, it folds down small enough to cram into most jersey pockets.

WOMEN’S STOW JACKET Giro The lightweight, windproof Giro Stow Jacket is great for blustery fall days on the bike. As the name suggests, the Stow can be bunched up and stuffed into the Velcro chest pocket, which also has a loop that functions as a keyring attachment when you’re wearing it or as a way to hook it to your backpack with a clip or carabiner when it’s in stow-mode. The collar is lined with a soft, brushed material that adds a little extra cozy factor, as well as an elastic cord at the hem that cinches down to keep the jacket snug against your hips. There’s a Durable Water Repellant (DWR) coating, so it keeps your core dry during light rainfall as well. Rather than rear pockets, there are two front sheath pockets with plenty of room for a phone and wallet, but since they don’t secure shut, your best bet is to put everything in the Velcro interior chest pocket that doubles as the pack sack.

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WINTER RIDING

C5 SHAKEDRY Gore Wear This jacket has a previously impossible combination of warmth, water resistance, windproofing, breathability, low weight, and high comfort. It feels like a spring windbreaker but protects you like a ski parka. The magic comes from two sources: Gore’s excellent Shakedry, which is lighter and more breathable than standard GoreTex fabrics, and a thin layer of Polartec’s Alpha insulation, which is incredibly warm for how light it is. With just a baselayer, you can wear the jacket down to freezing temps, and it is just loose enough that you can add another layer if needed. It keeps you amazingly dry when it’s 34 degrees F and raining, but it’s so breathable that you’ll want to wear it even on dry winter days.

FUSION LONG SLEEVE JERSEY Giordana This long-sleeve top is the perfect piece for winter riding because it can work well as a top layer or underneath a jacket. With three rear pockets, one zipper pocket, and a rear reflective strip, this microfiber polyester and spandex top is versatile and practical.

ACTIVE SKULL HAT Craft Soft and lightweight with just enough elasticity for a snug fit, the Craft Active Skull Hat fits comfortably underneath a helmet. Gore Windstopper fabric keeps bone-chilling wind out, and the hat is thin enough that you won’t overheat when the temp jumps.

BELGIAN CYCLING CAP SealSkinz If you’re old-school and sometimes ride without a helmet, the fleece-lined knit Belgian Cycling Cap is probably the winter cap for you. It has everything to keep you warm, dry, and visible—windand waterproof construction, an extra long ear band with reflective stripes on the back, and a short brim to keep rain and sun out of your eyes. Plus, it’s machine washable.

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C3 THERMO WOMEN’S BIB TIGHTS+

CHIC WOMEN’S BIB TIGHT

Gore Wear

Castelli

The C3 is packed with features.

Starting at the top, the bib straps use a hook closure at the front to create a comfortable, X-shaped upper that stays put during rides. At the waist, a two-zipper design lets you drop tail for midride pee breaks without having to strip layers. Continuing the trend, the C3 uses Gore’s women-specific chamois as well as its Windstopper Cup technology, a preformed windproof front crotch. Articulated knees improve fit, reflective details increase visibility, mesh on the back of the tights prevents overheating, and a fleece liner feels soft against the skin and is doubled up at the knees.

Castelli uses its fleece-lined Thermoflex material throughout these tights to warm your legs and wick sweat. Plus, an additional layer of material around the knees means double warmth when you’re pedaling against cold wind.

LUMINA OLED 1200 BOOST LIGHT NiteRider This headlight is a legit option for commuting, mountain biking, and gravel riding in the dark. At full power it blasts out 1,200 lumens in a widespread beam that does a great job of illuminating the road or trail up to 20 yards ahead. It offers five light levels and four daylight flash modes (from 275 to 1,200 lumens) and has an OLED screen that shows remaining battery life for whichever setting you are on. When battery life reaches a critical level, the Lumina automatically shifts down to the lowest setting to save juice. In testing, we found the battery indicator to be pretty accurate, and in twilight/post-sunset riding conditions were able to get almost two hours of life by making good use of the various settings to save power. The Lumina charges via USB and uses Intellicharge to reduce charge time in half.

ION 200 RT/FLARE RT LIGHT SET Bontrager Another tough thing about winter riding is that it gets dark earlier, making it more likely that you’ll end up riding when the sun is hiding. The Bontrager Ion 200 RT/Flare light set is a possible solution to this problem, but it is also a great option for daytime riding. That versatility, ease-of-use, affordable price, and simple design earned it a 2018 Gear of the Year award.

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NTS MICRO 150 GAITER SmartWool This 87 percent merino wool neck gaiter is a remarkably versatile piece. Wear it around your neck to keep the chill from sneaking down your collar, or pull it up over your face to prevent cold wind from freezing your nose and cheeks. And if you forget your hat, slip it over your head and ears. It’s super-thin, too, so not only does it fit under a helmet and its straps, but it can also be tucked into a pocket if you get too warm—or stashed there ahead of time for emergencies.

NTS CROSSPOINT WATERPROOF CREW SOCKS Showers Pass Getting wet and cold feet mere minutes into a ride sucks. Enter Showers Pass and its line of waterproof socks. Yes, you read that right: socks that are actually waterproof. So even if you don’t have cash to burn on pricey waterproof cycling shoes or booties, your toes can stay wrinkle-free when you pedal through rain puddles. They stood up to extensive testing on our end—from rain showers to actual showers—and kept our feet impressively dry.

PRO BARRIER WXB SHOE COVER Pearl Izumi These windproof shoe covers are as hardcore as you will be riding this winter. Waterproof, taped seams keep your feet dry, and a fleece interior increases warmth. Plus, they’re easy to adjust and take off with An adjustable hook-and-loop closure system makes putting them on and taking them off an easy affair.

CROSSPOINT SOFTSHELL WP GLOVE Showers Pass The soft padding helps absorb road noise to keep vibration to a minimum and acts as a cushion for your hands. The gloves are reinforced along the areas that see the most use and have plenty of flex at the fingers so you can keep a tight grip on your bar. The Outdry waterproof membrane keeps the wind and rain out, and all seams are sealed so no water can get through the stitching.

The silicone gripper fingertips are touchscreen compatible so you don’t have to remove your gloves to check Strava. And reflective accents help make you more visible to motorists.

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WINTER RIDING

TEMPO GLOVE

PROSECCO LONG-SLEEVE BASELAYER

Castelli

Castelli

Windproof and water resistant, these women’s gloves will let you ride at tempo with a firm grip and warm hands. Gore Windstopper material on the outer shell creates the protection from the cold and a silicone grip keeps you in control of your ride.

A base layer is key for rides in any temp. On warm days, it wicks sweat from your skin to keep you cool and dry; on cold ones, it prevents that sweat from getting trapped beneath your jersey so you don’t freeze on a fast descent. It can also prevent chafing from bib straps and seams. This mid-weight, 100 percent polyester, formfitting piece is the first step toward a consistent core temperature.

Micro-fiber panels along the sides increase the Prosecco’s breathability.

COFFEE TRAVEL MUG Hydro Flask

C3 WINDSTOPPER THERMO JACKET Gore A cold wind is tough to ride through. This Gore jacket uses a fleece interior and a layer of Gore’s Windstopper material to keep you warm, but it also breathes well to get rid of excess heat once you’re no longer cold.

We selected this as one of the best travel coffee mugs because it keeps your drinks warm, is super tough, and comes in a ton of colors and sizes. The double-walled, vacuum-insulated mug has an insulated, snap-shut lid that prevents spills if you’re riding with it, or just sipping out of it on your way to a ’cross race.

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8 When people indulge themselves into having a hobby, they always find it interesting to be witnesses of the evolution of trends related to it. But just as it happens to anything in life, trends tend to attract both acceptance and rejection.

Bike riding is no exception.

One good example of such a trend is fat tire bikes. When they were first launched on the market, some embraced them, even if out of curiosity, while some looked at them as though they were alien life forms.

As time passed and people understood their utility, fat bikes gained more and more adepts. Still, many remain reluctant to the idea, but those who tried riding fat tire bikes understood what the fuss was all about and became fat bike advocates.

Some even sold their old bikes and kept a fat tire bike for an all-purpose mean of transportation.

Are fat tire bikes for you?

It depends, so here are 8 reasons you should consider buying a fat tire bike.

REASONS WHY

YOU SHOULD BUY A FAT TIRE BIKE

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TIRES

1 – It takes you places you’ve never biked before

rubber helps absorb shocks, increasing comfort.

Fat bikes are extremely appealing to cycling addicts that do not allow anything to confine them to indoor activity. Fat tire bikes provide improved grip and traction on the most troublesome terrain. Regardless if it’s wet stone, muddy paths or snowy hills, these bikes will take you anywhere.

4 – Little maintenance required

Leaving your bike tied to a tree and going the rest of the way on foot to prevent pedaling your way out of a hole is now history. Thanks to the extra grip the wide tires provide, no surface will be a match for the wheels.

Fat tires are designed to decrease the cumulated pressure of the bike and biker by adding extra contact surface. This is why fat tires will make a good impression even when the ground is covered in snow.

Fat tires are suitable for riding on the mellowest sandy beaches, something regular MTBs cannot provide. Fat tires will not slip on wet ground and will not crack when in contact with icy corners.

2 – You can bike regardless of weather Some people are really into sports and no weather scares them away from completing their training routine. Fat tire bikes are likely to adjust to any kind of weather. They will not slip on wet stone or asphalt. Neither will they sink in mud or snow, making them the perfect mean of transportation to get from one point to another, especially when public transportation is not running. Also, since they weigh more than a regular MTB, fat tire bikes are very likely to resist strong winds, without endangering the rider.

3 – Increased comfort during the ride Fat tires don’t need to be inflated very much, as they provide high comfort standards at lower tire pressure. The pressure fat tires can support can go as low as 15 or 10 psi, maybe even lower.

Also, fat tire bikes are rigid and are not equipped with any kind of suspension system. They don’t really need any suspension as it is “integrated” into the tires. That’s right, fat tires become squishier at lower pressure values and the elasticity of the

Considering fat tire bikes are rigid, the manufacturers didn’t put a lot of work into the frame of the bike. This means that there are not many parts that can get damaged and need to be replaced.

Even if it may seem somewhat pricey, when purchasing a fat bike, you don’t need to worry about constant maintenance.

Look at it as an investment.

5 – You’re in for a real challenge Just because fat bikes are ideal to ride on snow or soft surface does not mean that riding them is a flinch. Many fat tire bikes have only one speed and you need plenty of muscle power to move forward.

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Furthermore, since the fat tires increase the overall weight of the bike, they also move slower and are more difficult to handle. That being said, rest assured that you will get the exercise you were looking for both your lower and upper body.

6 – Better balance for beginners Since the contact surface is wider, fat tires also translate into better balance. That is why fat tire bikes are perfect for those learning how to ride a bike.

With some practice, even the most inexperienced rider can get the hang of it in no time. And since they won’t go very fast, unless the rider has some serious muscle power, beginners are less likely to get injured.

7 – A new way of having fun The unique look and features of fat bikes simply make riding them fun. Getting a fat bike is simply a way to ride local trails, while getting a different perspective.

Also the efficient semi-suspension the tires provide helps riders to explore more of the local area that might be rideable only with a bike equipped with wider rubber.

On the other hand, fat bikes are a good excuse to socialize. Some experienced bike owners need something to slow them down in order for their friends and dear ones to keep up with them.

The comical proportions of fat tire bikes will make riders stand out. But riding such a bike is the only way to understand why everybody is talking about it. Riding a fat tire bike is not about speed, it’s about enjoying the outdoor at a slower and comfortable pace.

8 – You can take part in unique competitions Since fat tire bikes are slower than MTBs or race bikes, some would assume they can’t participate in bike competitions. Well, they couldn’t be more wrong. Since fat tire bikes are becoming increasingly popular, many sports association saw this as an opportunity to create events meant for people owning fat tire bikes.

While this might seem a bit exclusivist, it is also a good chance for fat bike owners to show off with their biking skills and have lots of fun at the same time. And if you don’t own one, who says you can’t borrow or rent it just for the competition? Such events are a good excuse for sports addicts to buy a fat bike, but don’t have snow or sand nearby.

Comparing products: MTBs, cruisers and Fat tire bikes Casual bikers often don’t know what to choose when it

comes to buying a recreational ride. Should they go for a fat tire bike, cruiser or a sports bike? In terms of durability, it seems that both beach cruisers and fat tire bikes are basically indestructible. Cruiser bikes also come equipped with wide tires.

Still, even if their tires are rather wide, cruiser bike riders are often limited to boardwalks and streets, as the tires are not wide enough to float on sand. A fat bike allows users to travel across sand covered surfaces, without having any trouble.

While fat tire bikes seem out of this world, cruisers have been designed to be stylish while having an expressive vintage look.

Both fat tire bikes and cruisers are often one-speed bikes meaning they don’t require complicated maintenance. Still, being very heavy also makes them slow and maneuvering them is highly soliciting. But that is not very important to casual riders; as such bikes are only ridden for pure enjoyment.

Handling fat bikes seems to be smooth as well, but maybe not as easy as handling a sport bike is. Sport bikes are equipped with a shorter wheelbase and are built of lighter materials.

Because they come with smaller wheelbase, the turning radius is smaller.

And the less it weighs, the better the control is while leaning or counter-steering. Sport bikes are suitable to those with little upper body strength, meaning that a fat bike will provide a better workout in this sense.

BIKE MAGAZINE 29

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TIRES

Where the weather is concerned, sport bikes are likely to slip on wet terrain. That isn’t the case with fat bikes and cruisers as both the width of the tire and the weigh contribute to increasing control on wet surfaces, but their construction makes them slower and the turns need to be wider.

While cruisers tend to occupy more space, the only thing big about fat bikes are the tires. Just like when riding a sport bike, fat bike riders have to sit in a forward leaning position.

When riding a cruiser, the sitting position is upright or slightly leaned on the back. This difference should make us think that fat bikes are genuinely faster than cruiser bikes because the sitting position would make one more aerodynamic than the other.

In terms of safety, it wouldn’t be too far off to assume that fat bike riders have little chances of getting injured in traffic accidents. This is typically attributed to the riding style, as fat bikes are not capable of being a fast mean of transportation.

Since riding fat bikes implies inferior speed, crashes that don’t involve another vehicle are less likely to happen.

Personal Assessments I asked people owning a fat tire bike and I wasn’t surprised to hear that some considered it to be the best ride they ever had, especially when the tires were inflated at lower pressure values.

Some believe that since two-wheeled motorized vehicles imply lots of maintenance fat tire bikes are the future. However, even if their features are basic, it seems that not all fat bikes are not exactly affordable. Still, the basic versions are available at decent prices.

Some bike owners converted to fat tire bikes completely.

Those people used to own full-suspension bikes and sold them in order to purchase a fat bike. Why you may ask? The reason could be to keep up with friends or dear ones.

Others mention they relived their childhood, when riding a

bike was just for fun. Most fat tire bike owners admitted they enjoyed their ride because it made traveling on gravel paths possible and more fun.

Still, others mentioned that they were not ready to give up their full-suspension MTBs just yet, as they noticed it is a better choice when facing a more technical trail.

Also, riding a heavy bike is tiring if the trail you chose involves a lot of climbing and accelerating frequently. But still, riding a fat tire bike is an experience like no other. And above all, it’s fun.

Conclusions Fat bike tires are enjoyable means of transportation. They provide a good grip on uneven terrain and allow sport lovers to get a good workout even when the ground is covered with snow. Since they are not widely spread in some areas, riding a fat bike is bound to make an impression on friends and family members.

The unique traits of fat tire bike earned the right to at least be tried on by sport addicts, if not purchased from the store.

Since they don’t require very much care, fat tire bikes make an ideal choice for the average biker that needs a bike for basic transportation needs.

Fat tire bikes are rather safer than bikes, providing more contact surface. Since they are heavier, they won’t be blown away by wind and they won’t slip on moisty or soft surfaces.

But should regular bike owners give up a daily bike for a fat bike? No, they don’t have to. They don’t even have to purchase one to understand what it is all about.

But they should at least try it. If they don’t like it, it’s another crossed out experience in the “must do” notebook. Sometimes riders need to forget about weight, speed, rolling resistance or time for that matter. Riding a fat bike is not about improving performance. It’s about indulging yourself to a simple pleasure.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CYCLING MIRRORS

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BIKE SAFETY

Cycling mirrors are one of those subjects that bring on arguments almost as intense as the “Helmet Wars” found on any cycling discussion on the Internet. They come around once every 6 months or so, and usually leave a lot of acrimony hanging in the ether.

There are basically 4 different varieties of cycling mirrors, all of which are in-expensive, usually under $20, most under $10.

Each type has different characteristics of clarity, mounting, vibration sensitivity, and susceptibility to frost/fog in winter conditions.

Roadies think they are too sexy to use mirrors, mountain bikers don’t need them and break them too often anyway, but bicycle commuters and recumbent riders seem to gravitate toward mirrors sooner or later.

Handle Bar Mirrors

So if you are not disposed to reading the ranting of a mirror advocate it is time to surf to some area of agreement. This page is for mirror users or those investigating various types of mirrors in anticipation of a purchase.

Handle bar mirrorHandle bar mirrors are designed to fit on the end of your handle bars and stick out further than the widest part of the rider. There are various attachment methods, some simply replace the end-plug of your mountain bike bars, other come with swing-away hinges etc.

“Every helmet or eyeglass mirror wearer I have ever met remarks that they become so use to the mirror being there that they will glance toward the upper left when they hear foot steps behind them while walking down the street.”

Pictured is a Rhode Gear mirror that mounts with Velcro. These are appreciated by cyclists who ride the same bike all the time, and/or those who do not wear eyeglasses or helmets suitable for other types of mirrors.

When you are all bundled up with a balaclava or a hood, it is somewhat more difficult to turn your head to see what is approaching from behind.

You can also walk into a store without appearing like a “paranoid dentist”. They may ice up if you leave your bike out in the cold, but you can usually warm them with your hand.

Further, if you wear eyeglasses, depending on your prescription, you may have to turn your head farther than other cyclists in order to look out of the lens rather than beside it.

This is especially true of near sighted cyclists as the image presented when peeking out beside the lens is often useless.

Although most roadies avoid mirrors, Rhode Gear makes one that fits the hood covers of drop bars. It is probably one of best for the full tucked position, in that your sight line is often blocked by your shoulders with other mirror types.

In heavy traffic conditions, where lane changes are required, knowledge of traffic conditions to the rear is usually essential.

At other times you just want to monitor the motorists behind you to get a little advanced warning about passing cars, turning cars, and bow wave blasts of wind from trucks.

There have been many days, usually in heavy snow, that I feel far more comfortable keeping my eyes on the road and determining when it was safe to move left with the mirror than taking a risk of hitting a snow rut while trying to do a proper head turn in winter clothing.

The draw backs with handle bar mirrors are that you generally have to buy one for each bike you ride, the do not transfer easily.

The exception is the Rhode Gear pictured above which attaches with Velcro and is easy for you (or a thief) to move to another bike. Further, when the bike tips over and impacts the ground the handle bar mirror usually hits first. Some have swing away mounting, most just have “break away” mounting.

Since it is mounted on the handle bars it is subject to vibration.

This can make the image useless unless the mounting system has some built in damping. You may have to move your head

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or body to see what is behind you, and in extreme cases, you will have to steer the bike to maneuver the mirror.

Finally they require that you take your eyes away from the road ahead to see what is behind, although this can be done quicker than a head turn.

so be sure your order it in the country where you will use it. The ones sold in the USA are made for riding on the right side of the road.

The down side of helmet mounts is that you must be careful when setting your helmet down. It is sometimes difficult to get a good mirror placement because of inconsistent helmet position or because the mirror is too high due to the fit or shape of the helmet body. If your helmet moves around even a little on you head your mirror will be out of position part of the time. There tends to be more vibration in these mirrors than those below.

Eyeglass Mirrors Eyeglass mounted mirrors attach to the temple or bow of your eyeglasses or cycling glasses. They typically use a three point mount along the left bow (or right side for those who drive on the left).

These generally position the mirror either at the same level as the eye (or slightly above) and just far enough to the side to clear your helmet and balaclava. When riding with a hood on, it is occasionally necessary to adjust the mirror and turn the head slightly more to accommodate the extra bulk Again, a simple 10 to 20 degree turn of the head allows a full sweep of what is behind you, 45 degree head turns let you see what is on your right. Eyeglass mounted mirrors tend to suffer less vibration than other models, you can often read the license plate of the car about to pass you. The positioning of the mirror is the best of all models.

Helmet Mirrors Helmet mirrorHelmet mirrors come in two basic types which differ predominantly in the mounting system. One system mounts on the hard shell, usually with a screw clamp arrangement. The other mounting system (which can be used on almost all helmets) is a glue patch.

The mirror is positioned via a stalk above and to the left or right of your eye. Pictured below are mirrors by Nashbar.

The helmet mirror sits well outside your hood, balaclava, and helmet and usually the only view obstruction will be your shoulder or “big hair”.

A simple 10 to 20 degree turn of the head allows a full sweep of what is behind you.

These are cheap and easy to attach, and are always with you regardless of which bike you ride – as long as you wear your helmet. If you have two helmets, avoid glue mounts. Those that screw-clamp mount on the helmet shell may not be reversible,

Third Eye Third Eye cycling mirrorsThe company Third Eye is making eyeglass mirrors. Third Eye uses plastic mounts, and the part that attaches to your eyeglasses bow is rather weak.

I have had several pair fail while trying to attach or remove them, most often in freezing weather.

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The adjacent picture shows the most common failure mode, where one of the three-point-attachment legs breaks off rendering the mirror useless. This is part of the design, it is intended that the mirror break away here in the the event of a crash rather than in front of your eye.

The mirror, being plastic can be scratched with rough handling, but it survives drops well.

Third Eye will honor the warranty, just mail the broken parts back to them. I sent in a couple broken mirrors and they sent me several extra of the three-point-attachment parts which can be snapped together with the shaft and mirror.

Cycle Aware cycle mirrorCycle Aware is a relatively new manufacturer of cycling mirrors and they offer a product in each of the categories on this page, handle-bar, helmet, eyeglass and on-lens.

Cycle Aware

We tested the eyeglass model and found a new twist. Twist, Bend, and Adjust, but no break. The main stem of these mirrors is made up of a bendable plastic that is supposed to retain its shape after being bent to fit your glasses and to position the mirror. Being a little timid about bending plastic parts we approached the task carefully.

Sure enough, we found we could accomplish quite a bit of adjustment without breakage. The stem did tend to retain its bend for some time, although after many days it tended to need adjustment. We haven’t tried this adjustment in freezing conditions, it seemed wiser to do it indoors.

Take A Look Take A Look cycling mirrorManufactured by Bicycle Peddler of Greeley Colorado, these are the finest bike mirrors I have run into. Impervious to the cold, all of the critical parts are metal.

The three point mount is a single piece of metal and is designed to be bent at specific places to accommodate wide or narrow glasses bows.

The mirror can be rotated on three axis, and the entire assembly can be flipped upside down and mounted on a helmet shell. The un-framed mirror is acrylic. They are unconditionally guaranteed by the manufacturer.

The fingers that hold the mirror to your glasses were beefy and have a non-slip pad built in that does not come off and get lost like some others. These are very strong and you can bend the main shaft between the fingers to achieve a tight fit.

Note that the mirror is an OVAL shape, and is more vertically oriented than others such as the Take A Look. We think this is a mistake and the mounting stud on rim of the mirror should (in our opinion) be positioned half way between the end of the mirror (where it is now) and side of the oval so that you could position the mirror in a more horizontal orientation and thereby achieve a wider viewing angle. Other than that we found the mirror stable and the mounting sturdy.

These are very clear, with hardly any vibration, and far more adjustable than other eyeglass mirrors I have run into. They provide a larger field of view than most other helmet or eyeglass mirrors, and require less head movement than any other mirror I have tried.

On lens mirrors On lens cycling mirrorThe final category of cycling mirror are the on-lens mirrors. These are very high quality mirrors that attach directly to the inside of your eyeglasses. They are very

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BIKE SAFETY

small, and have an adjustable swivel base.

blare of a horn from another motorist lurking in the “blind spot”.

Several companies make these, including Third Eye.

However, with a helmet or eyeglass mirror, THERE ARE NO BLINDSPOTS. A simple, quick 10 to 20 degree turn of the head provides a full rearward scan, curb to curb with no place for a car or even another bike to hide.

These mirrors, although meant for eyeglass wearers, will not work if you need the correction supplied by your prescription lenses, as the image in the mirror does not come through your prescription. They are best used by cyclists wearing sunglasses or who do not need correction for distance vision. They will not work with wrap-around sunglasses.

Since these sit inside your glasses your rearward vision is blocked by your own head, and you will have to turn your head considerably further to scan traffic to your rear than you would with a helmet mirror or eyeglass mirror. But they are hardly visible behind a pair of sunglasses. Great for the aging roadies who does not want to be seen wearing a mirror, but finds the head turns more difficult with each passing year.

Using cycling mirrors Loss of eye fears One reason that non-wearers frequently give for not wearing helmet or eyeglass mirrors is the fear of losing an eye in a crash. I have no statistics on this, nor have I ever heard of an incident of this happening, but I would bet that somewhere in the world it has happened. There is no history of litigation on this matter, so it must be extremely rare.

Eyeglass wearers are somewhat protected by their prescription lenses (you ARE wearing plastic, NOT glass lenses aren’t you?) so one would imagine this danger would pertain more to helmet mounted mirrors, if it exists at all.

In the one serious crash and several minor ones that I have experienced, my eyeglass mirror was never damaged or even dislodged. Yet, I have managed to drop one onto the only rock in an otherwise well manicured lawn, and broke the mirror. Go Figure!

You have to head turn The other reason frequently given for not wearing an cycling mirror is the need to do a “head turn” to be absolutely sure nothing is behind you. Generally good advice, nothing wrong with being safe. I do it myself most of the time.

The problem is, this bit of advice is is often put forth with self righteous vehemence based on superstition and habits formed from driving automobiles, and always by someone who does not wear a mirror, and probably never tried one.

Most drivers have had an experience of peeking in the mirror, and starting a merge into the left lane only to hear the irate

Distraction You will occasionally hear people rail against mirrors because (they claim) the mirror distracts you from watching the road ahead, and you spend too much time looking behind you.

Right! Yet they are required by law on every motor vehicle and even jet fighter aircraft use them! This argument is often put forth by the same people who insist you have to do a head turn. The fact that a head turn is far more distracting than a peek in the mirror never even occurs to them.

If they spend too much time looking behind it is because they have never tried a mirror long enough for the novelty to wear off. In a sense, this argument is essentially that mirrors work TOO well, so well that you will not be able to concentrate on where you are going.

As stated above, after wearing one for a week, you will find it so natural, and so convenient, that you will wonder how you ever got along without them. You will feel positively naked without your mirror while in traffic. You will even catch yourself peeking to your upper left while walking down the street.

Loss of communication Finally, there is the turn your head to “communicate” with motorists argument, that says your head turn will tell the blue haired lady in the Suburban exactly that you intend to turn, and she will instantly understand and grant your wish, even though she hasn’t been on a bike since the 6th grade.

Non cyclists have no idea why you turn your head, other than to believe that you turned and obviously you saw them and are therefore responsible to avoid them. If you wanted to turn, you would have signaled! That’s the law. That’s what they expect.

So the mirror lets you see, your signal lets them know, and your head turn satisfies your fears and superstitions regarding ghost cars that don’t show up in mirrors. Uncharitable characterization? Perhaps, but no less so than those used by the anti mirror crowd, one of whom writes “Cyclists who have developed their worries more than their skills are strong advocates of rear view mirrors…”.

38 BIKE MAGAZINE

CYCLING MIRROR

THE MIRROR

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

Being an inventor is not a job, but a state of mind. It’s a kind of virus that gets into your bloodstream as a child, one that Carlo soon learned to recognise and take advantage of amid the one thousand and one necessities and surprises of everyday life. Finding in Switzerland a more receptive and productive base than in Italy, he left when he was just sixteen years old.

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

N SAVE YOUR LIFE

ack in ribe ons; sly

hat d to one a hen

ce of ing

s all

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

plate device,

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

when the drop bar mirrors were presented at the Innovation Exhibition in Martigny in Switzerland in 1996 they won the second prize for Innovation and in 2012 the Gold Medal at the International Invention Exhibitions in Brussels and Geneva.

Today, the Sprintech® mirrors have earned the reputation among cyclists as the best in the industry. When other brands rattle and spin out of position, Sprintech® mirrors hold true. Riders value the superior quality of these products thanks to their sleek design and ease of fitting.

They are unobtrusive, adjustable and secure positioning when riding over cobbles or bumps.

Once used, you will wonder how you navigated the roads without them!

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

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

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

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

BIKE BIKEMAGAZINE MAGAZINE 39 21

BICYCLE SAFETY ACCESSORIES

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

B Y

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

SPRINTECH® drop bar mirror

AWARD WINNING

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

CD PROJECT SARL – C.P. 224 – 3960 SIERRE – SWITZERLAND PHONE +39 338 14 55 199 FAX +41(0)27 455 90 60

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

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

for racing bikes and SPRINTECH®

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

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

WWW.SPRINTECH.EU

INFO@SPRINTECH.EU

40 BIKE MAGAZINE

BIKE REVIEW

FELT DECREE REVIEW

Felt Decree is a trail bike model that promises versatility, responsiveness and low weight. These bikes have FAST suspension setup that makes accelerated climbs less shocking. The model comes with stiffer than average frames as well. The bikes are designed for pros, not beginners.

BIKE MAGAZINE 41

BIKE REVIEW

+PROS:

-CONS:

•

Unique FAST suspension setup

•

•

Lightweight

•

Well designed

•

Responsive

•

Very stiff frame

Felt Decree is a highly anticipated trail bike model from the brand. These bikes are notable for featuring FAST suspension setups. Only other bike model to have this feature is Edict.

We did a review with several trail bike veterans to find out how the model performed.

The FAST system gives these bikes quite unique features. The rear triangles of the bikes are neutrally preloaded in the SAG position because of this. It’s intended to absorb shock.

It makes carbon seat stays flex when the bike is riding for prolonged periods, so that it supports any shock. It also allows for accurate pedaling and highly responsive

Could be more comfortable

suspension. The rear compression design facilitated riding smoothly over small bumps.

Trail riders will really like this feature.

These bikes have Shimano Di2 batteries inside the frames, which allows for easy cable routing. It’s easy to say that the designers have paid attention to the small details when it comes to these bikes. The geometry of the bikes makes them really responsive. Overall, the bikes are very lightweight with powerful abilities to make climbs. It’s easy to accelerate and go over bumps experiencing little bumpiness and shock. The frame is very stiff to support this sort of fast riding. However, the comfort levels are not as good at other similar trail models like Felt Virtue. Still, Decree bikes are very versatile and come with good prices.

THE VERDICT Felt Decree bikes are ideal for trail riders who seek versatility and responsiveness when making those though climbs. These bikes are lightweight and come with a number of unique features. We recommend Decree bikes to riders with experience. If you are a beginner, this model will have little to offer.

42 BIKE MAGAZINE

SNOWDONIA

WELCOME TO SNOWDONIA

By Llinos Angharad The Snowdonia National Park Authority Croeso is the Welsh word for ‘Welcome’, and the Park Authority welcomes all cyclists to Snowdonia. Everyone must see for themselves the splendours and wonders of the National Park.

Snowdonia National Park is a special part of the country where people come to relax and enjoy a wide range of leisure activities in spectacular surroundings. Its landscape is unique.

Nine mountain ranges cover approximately 52% of the Park and include many peaks that are over 3,000 feet (915m).

Apart from the beauty and charm of its high mountains, Snowdonia is a delightfully varied landscape of steep river gorges, waterfalls and green valleys. Oak, ash, rowan and hazel woodlands are found scattered throughout the Park whilst the beautiful Dyfi, Mawddach and Dwyryd estuaries and twenty-three miles of coastline and sandy beaches contribute to the overall diversity of the landscape.

There are more National Nature Reserves in Snowdonia than in any other National Park in Britain, and it is home to a wealth of special habitats and fauna and flora– the Snowdon lily (Lloydia serotina, a rare arctic-alpine plant), found on the slopes of Snowdon and ‘y gwyniad’ (Corgeonus clupeoides

pennantii, a fish that is unique to Llyn Tegid) are just two examples. In addition to conservation work, management work is also essential. The Park works continuously to control the Rhododendron ponticum and Japanese knotweed within the National Park.

Considered as the backbone of Wales, the area has inherited the geological developments of the Ice Age. There are numerous U-shaped valleys, crushed scree on cliff-faces and mountain lakes, all shaped by glaciers. History and culture is everywhere and the Welsh language is the mother tongue of 58.6% of the population. The landscape illustrates the history of the area through Stone Age burial chambers, Roman forts, churches, castles, slate quarries and other industrial works.

Snowdonia National Park was created in 1951 and is the largest in Wales at 823 square miles or 2,176 square kilometres. It is twice the size of Anglesey, a little smaller

BIKE MAGAZINE 43

SNOWDONIA

than Pembrokeshire, making it the third largest National Park in Britain after the Cairngorms and Lake District. It’s the same size as the counties Cardiff, Merthyr, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Newport, Caerphilly and Torfaen put together.

Its English name derives from its highest mountain, Snowdon.

Standing at 1,085m above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Wales; higher than all mountains in England. On a clear day you can see as far as the Lake District and Ireland.

Every year, over 6 million visitor days are spent here and in recent times, Snowdonia has become one of the most popular destinations for outdoor activities in the UK. People visit Snowdonia from all over the world to explore this dramatic and beautiful area. The area is renowned for its walking and climbing but it also has some of the best mountain biking facilities in the world.

“Its English name derives from its highest mountain, Snowdon”

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SNOWDONIA

Lôn Gwyrfai This is a multi-use recreational path created especially for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The path leads through a variety of landscapes offering fantastic views of the surrounding area. The path from Rhyd Ddu to Llyn y Gadair is even and wide and, therefore, is even suitable for wheelchairs.

The remainder of the path has some steep sections. Luckily, there is a footbridge to cross in Beddgelert Forest. If you don’t fancy cycling both ways, you can create a circular route by using the bus service, or the Welsh Highland Railway to bring you back to the start.

Distance: 4½ miles - 7 km Time: Approximately 3 hours

Marin Trail The Marin Trail near Betws y Coed is a proper mountain bike trail in every sense. Big climbs, big descents, brilliant single tracks and truly awesome scenery make this a trail to remember. Most, but not all, of the climbs are on forest roads, giving you time to soak up the views of the mountains of Snowdonia, and all of the descents are on single track.

The single track from very tight, technical and rocky to dark forests and exposed ridge lines.

Distance: 15.5 miles / 25km Time: Approximately 3 hours

Mawddach Trail, Dolgellau This trail is located in the south of Snowdonia National Park and is considered to be one of the best trails in Britain, for cyclists as well as walkers. It follows the beautiful Mawddach estuary, giving visitors the chance to experience some of Snowdonia’s splendid, striking scenery and beautiful wildlife.

The trail stretches for nine miles between Dolgellau and Barmouth and can be joined at several points, including Morfa Mawddach and Penmaenpool. Mawddach trail also follows the track bed of the old railway line from Barmouth to Ruabon.

The line was opened in 1865 and proved to be very popular with visitors; it was also used briefly to carry slate. As cars became more popular, the line became less cost-effective and was closed in 1965.The river Mawddach has been designated a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ and a ‘Special Area of Conservation’ because of the salt marsh and lowland peat habitats there. Distance: 9 miles - 15km (one way)

Beddgelert Forest Enjoy the stunning views along Snowdon and towards the Beddgelert Forest mountain biking trails. There are two loops: Yellow Trail Distance: 6 miles (9.5km) Time: Approximately 1 - 2 hours

Green Trail Distance: 2.5 miles (4km) Time: Approximately 1 - 1.5 hours

BIKE MAGAZINE 45

SNOWDONIA

Penmachno Forest The Penmachno Forest mountain biking trails are challenging with steady climbs and with spectacular views. They are maintained by the local Menter Bro Machno. There are two loops and one trail: Dolen Machno Distance: 19km (11 miles) Time: Approximately 1.5 - 3 hours

Dolen Eryri Distance: 7 miles (11km) Time: Approximately 1 - 2 hours

Penmachno Trail Dolen Machno & Dolen Eryri) Distance: 19 miles (30km) Time: Approximately 2.5 - 5 hours

Coed y Brenin Coed y Brenin, north of Dolgellau, is owned by Natural Resources Wales and is home to a network of fantastic hand-built, all weather, single tracks. Coed y Brenin was the first forest to be developed for the sport of mountain biking and, to this day, retains its reputation a premium location for various sports. Here, there are eight routes suitable for everyone from families and novices to rocky technical trails for expert riders.

Snowdonia Off-road cycling is a relatively new activity which can rise to conflict with landowners and other countryside users alike.

Like walking and horse riding, it can lead to damage and erosion on fragile upland surfaces, particularly when the ground is wet, or when large numbers of walkers and cyclists are involved.

The following voluntary agreement to remedy the problem has been negotiated between the cycling organisations, the Sports Council for Wales, Gwynedd County Council and Snowdonia National Park.

Authority: 10.00am to 5.00pm from 1st May - 30th May Please do not cycle to or from Snowdon during September.

Full access from October to the end of April.

A pdf map, available from the National Park website, has been produced to help you plan your day with a circular route which can include an ascent of Snowdon before 10.00am or after 5.00pm.

For more information on Snowdonia National Park, please visit the website: www.eryri-npa.gov.uk

RIDING THE ALPS

46 BIKE MAGAZINE

INDUSTRY INSIDE NUTRITION

“we decided on a catered chalet in Morzine, in the Alps, which we would share with some friends”

BIKE MAGAZINE 47

ALPS

I was looking for an alternative destination for our holiday this year that would cater for the activities my boys participate in.

One a keen downhill mountain biker, the other is passionate about road riding. So, we decided on a catered chalet in Morzine, in the Alps, which we would share with some friends, their son also being a downhiller and their daughter a somewhat reluctant roadie.

As the day of departure approached I was a bit apprehensive, after all I was travelling 589 miles with three children and an eighteen-year-old, two of my own and two down-hilling friends of my sons. I had last been to the Alps twenty years ago so I wasn’t sure how I would cope with the driving.

Luckily the French roads were as good as ever and we arrived in Dijon, our just-over-halfway stop, late afternoon. The next day we set off early only to arrive in Morzine to find it was raining and there was low cloud – very disappointing as it wasn’t what we were expecting. We could get this kind of weather at home!

After a wait we were allowed into our chalet and spoke to our hosts. According to them there was a race the next day up the Col de Joux Verte; known as the Grimpee d’Avoriaz. This is an iconic route that was first climbed in the 1975 Tour de France and the record of 33 minutes is still held by Bernard Hinault, 860m for climbing over a distance of 14km. This was all the incentive Jack needed. My youngest son, 12 years old, has not a gram of fat on him and is nicknamed, by his fellow club riders, ‘the whippet’. We headed to the start despite the miserable weather, only to discover we were a week late. He wasn’t going to let me get away with it that easily. We headed to the start in front of the church where there was a line painted across the road.

We set our Garmins and we are off, Jack speeds off like a rocket and is lost from view. I keep thinking will he be alright, the first couple of kilometres pass easily but then, despite signs to Avoriaz, I take a wrong turn. I realise I have made a mistake and turn round. I rediscover the 1km markers and start to count them down. The switchbacks keep coming, the cloud is so dense you can hardly see anything. I feel woefully under prepared – what am I doing? I know I have to keep going though because I have to catch up with Jack. Eventually the last kilometre sign appears - just one to go, it must be 10 degrees colder as it is almost 1800m, a final push and I have made it to the top and there is Jack shivering beside the finishing line. 59 minutes and 41 seconds not bad for a young one. Now we have the descent to contend with. We are cold and our hands are freezing which makes braking quite difficult – we were planning on taking a circular route but instead we take it steadily back the same way and finally we thaw out. Our sense of achievement is huge.

Our next riding adventure is a 30km route that is a warm-up for a longer ride. This time we go with our friends Richard (the Dad) and Emily his daughter. This time we are going to have the luxury of a support car of Claire (the Mum) and their other son Will. Emily hasn’t really done any long rides before so this is a baptism of fire. The cloud is still low so

disappointingly there are no views to begin with. My legs are still hurting from the exertions of the day before so I am taking it steadily. The road out of Morzine towards Les Gets is a busy one, Jack is over taken by a French man and then hops onto his wheel and follows him into Les Gets at speed.

Unfortunately Jack with his limited French can’t understand him when they go their separate ways in Les Gets. We start heading uphill – that is the trouble with The Alps - you can go one of two ways - up or down. We reach a point where Richard says we are at the top – I am slightly sceptical but I am relying on his navigating skills as I can see a road ahead that appears to be going upwards – we are in one valley and I know we need to get to the next. A slight descent and then surprise, surprise it starts going up again – never trust a man and a map. Despite some breaks in the cloud the weather deteriorates again, Emily jumps in the car but I battle on knowing that it cannot be any worse than the day before.

We reach the ‘real’ top which is then followed by a glorious descent – the sun has come out, the cloud in the valley has started to lift and the road is smooth - delightful! It feels like we have ridden much further than twenty miles as that distance at home would feel like a short blast.

It’s now Wednesday and we are half way through our holiday so we plan to do a longer route. The sun is out and it is warmer than it has been. This time we are doing ‘An Excursion en Vallee d’Abondance Tour de Trechauffe’. The first 10 km are a steady descent so a nice easy start to the ride before the uphill. We head for the Col du Corbier. We pass through the village of Le Biot and the 1km marker posts are in evidence – it starts off at 6% but soon progresses to 7%.

The switch backs are in view but we know it is only 7km to the top. With 3 km to go Emily is starting to flag, some words of encouragement and she keeps going, Jack and Richard are already ahead. The last 2 kms appear, but the incline increases to 8% then 9%: it is getting tougher but we know we are so close – a last push from Emily and finally we see the sign Col du Colbier. Her first Col and her first significant climb – girl power! Richard is waiting for us at the top but Jack has already disappeared – he gets cold if he hangs around, “the whippet”.

Emily and Richard decide to take it easy for the remainder of the holiday but Jack has set his heart on climbing the Col De Colombiere. This Col has featured twenty times in The Tour de France, the first in 1960 and most recently in 2010 when Christophe Moreau was the leader at the summit. We start in Cluses, a town in the bottom of the valley. Heads down and we are off, once again Jack quickly disappears from view. I think of all the famous cyclists who have ridden this route before me; the sun is out, The Alps are looking spectacular

48 BIKE MAGAZINE

ALPS

and it feels decidedly warmer than it had the first day we headed out. The gradient is gradual to begin with, the first kilometre sign we came across was sixteen and just 2%; this soon increased to 6% but my legs were feeling good and as yet nobody had passed us. Jack is ahead - a small dot in the distance. The mountains spread out before me, the road is smooth and I am enjoying the ride. I pass through the village of Le Reposoir where a small stream runs through and I contemplate paddling. Then the road changes dramatically and starts to climb steeply, gaining height via some impressive switch backs. I turn the corner and there in front of me is the top. It looks teasingly close and I suddenly increase my speed as I think it is not far to go. My eyes are deceiving me though as I am still only at the 14km marker.

The gradient changes from 9% to 10% and the final kilometre is 11%. I am nearly there, a man comes past and shouts: ‘well done, keep going just 500m’ though it is probably the hardest of them all. At last I am there! The summit and Jack are waiting – it has taken him 1 hour 15 minutes. It took me a little longer. There is a massive smile on his face and a large grin on mine. There was a time when I had to wait for Jack – now that era is almost a distant memory. A few photos at the top and the chance to enjoy the view was needed before we head back down again.

I think sometimes we underestimate what our children can do. Jack and Emily both ride because they want to, not because we as parents make them. They have pure drive and enthusiasm for the sport of road cycling.

Sometimes it is Jack that makes me push my boundaries. I probably wouldn’t have ridden the Col De Colombiere – he wanted to do it because in the past it had been ridden in The Tour de France. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of some of his heroes of the sport.

My boys have always been keen cyclists and have been mountain bikers from a very early age. My husband and I regularly took them to Wales and The Lake District despite living in the furthest south eastern corner of the UK. Sadly my husband was diagnosed with leukaemia and despite intensive treatment he passed away. The boys decided that they wanted to join a cycling club and it was the support of our local clubs that helped us get through this difficult time. Thanet Road Club is a Go Ride Club that encourages children to participate. Through their development programme the boys are steadily becoming very competent riders. It has also pushed me to become both a stronger cyclist and a coach. But more about the Go Ride programme in a future edition, for now we’re basking in Alpine glory.

BIKE MAGAZINE 49

ALPS

50 STYLISH MAGAZINE

SHOWCASE

© National Trust Images. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Pedalcover: Home Insurance reInvented for cyclIsts

The ultimate all in one home & bike insurance

Clouds Hill

A treat for cyclists

cycling

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

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

01929 405616 nationaltrust.org.uk/clouds-hill

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

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

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

Cycling on the shores of Loch Rannoch The highlands are a region synonymous with drama and

The Original Student Bikes.

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Experience

that perfect ride one more time.

Wi-Fi CYCLE CAMERA

Wi-Fi Bicycle/Motorcycle Camera

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

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

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Black

White

3-7/8” 9.84 cm Color LED indicators

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Mounts easily to handlebar

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

Your donation will help us to help them.

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

BIKE MAGAZINE 51

From

day tripper to flotilla

skipper

Turn your dream of life on board into reality with UKSA’s professional courses. You can train to crew a race boat, deliver impeccable service as a yacht steward, or teach others to succeed at sea as a Watersports Instructor with careers that can take you around the world.

As a youth charity based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, we believe in the power of the sea to transform people’s lives for the better.

Our world-class training site offers everything from leisurely pursuits to the opportunity to stay a bit longer and study for new qualifications, and a new career. And as a charity, we have funding available and our courses are suitable for everyone.

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52 BIKE MAGAZINE