Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2019 i Cycling Plus

£1750 The scales-shirking weight The experts tell us that aero trumps low weight. However, little beats lightness when it comes to flash and you can’t feel an aerodynamic benefit with the same immediacy as you can lifting a bike. This Merlin is light for a bike at this price, which is what happens when the Nitro’s frame is the UCI-approved former Ridley Helium SL with a 750g weight and previously the climbers’ bike of the Lotto-Soudal team. The quality groupset and kit Braking is excellent and shifting is as good as it gets with Shimano Ultegra. There’s no cost-cutting anywhere else with a Deda cockpit, Fizik saddle and quality padded Fizik bar tape working well. Top-notch Continental Grand Prix 4000 II tyres are paired with Fulcrum’s tough and durable all-Quattro…

SPECIFICATION Weight 9.72kg (M) Frame doublebutted 6061 aluminium Fork carbon fork, alloy steerer Gears Shimano 105, 50/34 ProWheel Ounce, 11-30 Brakes Tektro R315 Wheels Alloy double wall Finishing kit Pinnacle stem, bar, 27.2mm seatpost and Men’s saddle, 25mm Continental Ultra Sport tyres SPECIFICATION Weight 9.73kg (56cm) Frame E5 Premium butted aluminium Fork full-carbon tapered Gears Shimano Claris 50/34, 11-32 Brakes Tektro Wheels Axis Sport Finishing kit Specialized stem, bar, 27.2mm, Body Geometry Toupé Sport saddle, 25mm Specialized Espoir Sport tyres…

1 Quality tools for a quality job With ever more bikes now featuring integration we’re seeing lots of brands opting for smaller hex bolts for aero-covers, stem clamps and seat binders, with the likes of Pinarello, Canyon, Giant and Cervélo all using smaller bolts. The last thing you want to do is damage said bolts with cheap and nasty hex keys. This is where the reliable people at Park Tool have stepped in with its latest DHD line. 2 A professional choice The hex drivers are carved to exact standards with a 60601 aluminium knurled handle that’s perfectly balanced with the CNC-machined tool. 3 Go long The screwdriver shape and long shaft is a godsend when adjusting the latest mechs. With the bike in a workstand you can reach the…

Proving the adage that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, the SuperSix Evo continues to deliver Looking for a bargain of a first race bike? Get down to your Cannondale dealer The SuperSix Evo has been Cannondale’s core road race bike for a while, and shows no sign of slowing down. Education First’s Alberto Bettiol won the 2019 Tour of Flanders on his rather more highly specced Evo. Although our test criteria don’t stretch to the heady heights of World Tour machinery, the Evo’s abilities can be experienced for far less. Based on the standard £1799 SuperSix Evo 105, this bike gains Cannondale’s Hollowgram Si carbon clinchers insead of its usual aluminium Fulcrum Racing Sports. While you won’t find this exact combination on Cannondale’s website, it is available at…

Faster and much more comfortable than expected, the Aria has great race potential A fun ride with the potential worthy of Bianchi’s name The paint scheme seems to owe more to Cipollini bikes than Bianchi’s muchlauded heritage. Its shiny black and silver finish glints in the sun, and only has tiny flashes of Celeste to maintain the family ties. If that’s too bold for you, there is still a full Celeste option. Lining up behind the rangetopping Specialissima then the conventionally profiled, but heavily aero-shaped Oltre XR4 and Oltre XR3, the Aria and Aria Disc sit firmly midrange as proven by their components, which top out with Ultegra Di2 and Campagnolo Potenza. Our test model has an all-105 groupset, from its dual pivot rim brakes to the drivetrain, and the…

ABUS’ LATEST COLLABORATION WITH THE Movistar team has resulted in the development of this new lightweight and airy lid designed for riding in hot conditions. The Italian-made helmet uses special tooling, with a unique ‘slider’ construction that only a few helmet manufacturers have access to. As the material is introduced into the mould, the internal shape is slid into position. Having the external shape as the constant and manipulating the internal shape increases channel depth. And the Airbreaker has some seriously deep channelling – 28.3mm – and it benefits from a huge reduction in overall mass. Our test helmet (L) weighs just 228.9g. Abus tells us that the Airbreaker is based on tech learned from its aerospecial GameChanger, and while there are similarities in the exhaust ports on the rear…

DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE Shimano-sponsored pro teams, the Pro range of components has forged a reputation for great quality, and the Stealth saddle is a case in point. Tested by Team Giant-Alpecin a few seasons ago, it follows the trend for shorter saddles and is aimed squarely at road riders who prefer an aggressive ride position, and even time triallers. The saddle’s short in length but it has a very wide channel and a broad, padded nose. The beauty of this shape is that you can get down into the drops and really push hard without any discomfort or intrusion. The padding is pretty substantial and super compliant, so even when you’re not hammering along riding on the rivet (up on the nose of the saddle), it’s a comfortable…

1 NATURAL RIDING REMEDY Cyclists pride themselves on managing and defeating pain. And if they don’t, well, there’s always a painkiller such as Ibuprofen. (To all pros out there, not Tramadol, of course, as since March this year it’s been banned in competition.) The problem is, long-term use of drugs such as Ibuprofen can threaten bone health, worsen respiratory conditions and even raise the risk of cardiac issues. That’s why you should turn to a medicinal plant. “When I was working with Katusha, one of my proudest achievements was finishing a Grand Tour with a full pack of riders,” says performance biochemist Dr Rob Child, who’s also worked with Dimension Data. “And that was heavily down to favouring garlic over painkillers. Why is down to its anti-inflammatory nature, rather than…

Weight 30g Lens Hiper silver mirror lens, clear Extras Hard case, soft cleaning bag, 2 x nose pieces Prescription option No 100% has been in eye protection for some time, but mainly for moto-x and winter sports. The brand’s masterstroke was signing Peter Sagan. The Speedcraft made popular by Sagan are a great pair of glasses, but their oversized design doesn’t suit everyone, which is why 100% launched the S2. It follows the same retro-inspired modern design cues but the corners of the lenses on the S2 are capped and the dimensions have slimmed down (56mm at its deepest). The quality of the mirrored Hiper lens is up with the best. Vented slots cut into the edges to keep fogging at bay. Stiff frames with proper hinges are good to…

Weight 34.3g Lens ImpactX Photochromic 2 Laser black Extras Hard case, soft cleaning bag, cleaning cloth Prescription option RX Optical insert The Defender is a big glass, with a onepiece shield lens that’s 50mm at its deepest. The quality of the optics is about the best you’ll find. The clarity is excellent and the venting across the brow and the vented arms mean these were the glasses that fogged up least on test. The boxy frame design makes them tight fitting so they don’t bounce. Combine that with grippy temple tips and an adjustable nose bridge and these are seriously great performers. The Defenders are amongst the best shades we’ve ever tested, but that price tag makes them a serious investment. KOO OPEN3 £174.99 Weight 33.7g Lens Red chrome mirror,…

The first thing to say about e-bikes is that you don’t get everything for free: these are pedal-assist machines not mopeds. With road e-bikes, the electric motor only engages when you pedal and it will stop assisting at 15.5mph according to the current law (the EU allows a 10 per cent margin). We think of the e-road bike as the great equaliser: a way to keep up with fitter, faster riding buddies. You’ll still be putting in the effort but you get a hand when you need it on those big climbs. You could also see it as a range extender: you can get about 100km (62 miles) out of a good e-bike’s battery capacity. So, has the e-bike evolved into a machine for sport? Cannondale Synapse NEO SE Cannondale’s…

Derailleurs The mechanisms that move the chain from one gear to the next. The front derailleur does the front chainrings, while the rear derailleur does it for the cassette; both are controlled by the shifters. Cassette The cluster of sprockets mounted on the rear wheel. The more sprockets, the more ‘speeds’ the groupset is said to have. So nine sprockets means a nine-speed groupset Bottom bracket Contains the bearings on which the crankset spins, and fit into your frame. Road bike groupsets are either press fit or threaded. Chain The more sprockets on your cassette, the narrower the chain will be. WEIGHT A lighter bike will always accelerate and climb better than a heavier one, but without giving up strength, something has to give. Whether you’re looking at groupsets, wheels…

PACE YOUR TRAINING “I did the Haute Route Oman after a year and a half off the bike. My training wasn’t ideal, just 80km a week, and then I threw in 450km the week before the event!” !KEEPING IT SOCIAL “In triathlon, we do the other bits because we have to but the cycling is the best bit. I cycle because it’s a great way to meet and talk to people. Plus, I’m really into my coffee. I go searching for good coffee shops around my home in LA. My favourite ride is up Malibu Canyon that has a really good climb of just under an hour.” !BIKE HI"TECH AS IMPRESSIVE AS F1 “I ride a Factor 02 with the new SRAM 12-speed gearing. I had a 37-33 lowest gear…

Pipe lagging from a local DIY shop is handy for protecting the bike and supplements the materials in the bike box. If you’re running discs, it’s vital that the pistons in the caliper can’t move around. Changes in air pressure on the plane, or a nudge of the lever can cause the pads and pistons to push out of position, or worse. A pad retainer, or bleed block should be used to hold them in position, wedging them open. It’s a good idea to take a brake pad spacing tool so you can push them right back before reassembly, but a flat-bladed screwdriver will do the job if you’re careful. If you have a quick link then it’s a good idea to remove the chain – this stops it banging…

Michael Mørkøv, the Danish rouleur who rides for Deceuninck Quick-Step, is an engaging chap. I’ve known him, at least well enough to exchange the odd word with, ever since he bagged himself the temporary custodianship of the King of the Mountains jersey in the 2012 Tour de France after an adventuresome day out in a breakaway somewhere in France. I forget where. “Michael,” I asked him, when we spoke for the first time, amid the hurly burly of the mixed zone. This wasn’t part of the interview I was about to conduct. It was a vital bit of fact-finding before the interview. “Michael,” I asked. “How do I pronounce your name?” “I don’t really care. Just don’t make me sound like a Russian.” “Mørkøv”, I subsequently discovered, is pronounced a…

The Emilia-Romagna region of north east Italy offers many treasures. Its towns are rich in architectural jewels, from the elegant palazzi and city walls of the Renaissance town of Ferrara, to the arches and bridges of the ancient Roman coastal settlement of Rimini. It is the birthplace of the Italian film director Federico Fellini and the tenor Luciano Pavarotti; and the land of Lambrusco wine, prosciutto di Parma, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. It’s also the spiritual home of the iconic cycling gran fondo. Translated literally as ‘big rides’, gran fondos are timed amateur challenges, typically over 120km in length, but with a more race-focused atmosphere than what we’d call sportives. There are now hundreds each year across the world, from the Gran Fondo Quebrantahuesos in Spain to the Gran Fondo New…

Travel We flew from London Stansted to Bologna with Ryanair (ryanair.com) for £155. Ryanair also have flights from Bristol, Luton, Manchester and Edinburgh. EasyJet offer flights from London Gatwick, and British Airways from London Heathrow. Airport transfers can be arranged through Giringiro Autoservizi (giringirorimini. business.site). Hotel We stayed at the 3* Hotel Adlon (adlon.it) in Riccione, which offers bike hire (Specialized and Carrera), airport shuttles, guided cycling itineraries, bike storage, a post-ride buffet and a spa with beach views. Rooms from £78 per night. The hotel is one of 40 members of the Terra Bici chain of cycling-friendly hotels in Emilia-Romagna (terrabici.com). Cycling info For more information on cycling in the region visit the Emilia-Romagna tourism site (emiliaromagnaturismo.it) or their dedicated cycling site (facebook.com/CyclingEmiliaRomagna). Maps of the Nove Colli Gran…

owhere can you find a bigger surge in the mass-participation cycling scene than in gravel riding. You only have to go back a few years to find a sportive calendar almost devoid of any non-tarmac events, besides a couple of extended cyclocross-style rides. There was, of course, the vintage bike celebration Eroica Brittania, in Bakewell, Derbyshire, which set out to imitate the original event that explored the white gravel roads of Tuscany. But the essence of Eroica is spending a leisurely day on the saddle of a very old bike. And while the new breed of gravel events is not all about racing, there’s a definite performance element to many of them – and a route that gives riders a chance to put their high-tech steeds through the wringer. One…

Planning a cycling holiday this summer? Don’t want to risk your bike with airline baggage-hurlers? The UK is an excellent place to cycletour. Here are some suggestions. Surrey Hills: Back lanes amid delightful villages. The narrow sunken lanes are magical, because speeding white vans appear out of nowhere to cut you up. Box Hill is a must, and time seems to stand still at the summit panorama. Especially when you’re queueing for an ice cream. Scottish Highlands: Awesome scenery, and flatter than you’d expect. Sparsely populated, for example when trying to find someone to serve you in a rural pub. Stylish cafes and eateries with local specialities, such as deep-fried haggis, deep-fried pizza or deep-fried Mars Bars. Don’t worry, it’s a zero-sum calorie game: big climbs are never far away.…

Giant’s ability to build amazingly good-value bikes tailored to the needs of almost every rider hasn’t changed A bike to look after you in the rough and tumble of an ever-surging bunch Here at CP, the TCR has proved a serial winner from its very first aluminium incarnation, to today’s Advanced Grade Composite offerings. Sitting firmly low to midrange in the extensive TCR model lineup, this Advanced Pro 2 is barely distinguishable from its more costly siblings until you look much closer. The usual TCR features are present, beginning with that composite frameset, plus matching aero seatpost and Overdrive 2 steerer, topped with a similarly oversized stem. It’s all tried, trusted and, along with the compact frame design, the cornerstone of the bike’s performance. The compact frame’s geometry has barely…

The cheapest Izalco Max Disc generates speed for fun, but it also generates a nearconstant whistle Easy speed, composed ride and gradient crushing abilities are excellent The angular lines of Focus’s Izalco Max look like they’ve come directly from a concept drawing. Costing more than any other bike on test, does the specification justify the extra outlay? Well, there’s the minimalist Izalco Max frameset with truncated aerofoil tube profiles, dropped seatstays, asymmetric chainstays and a super-slim aero fork crown, which is part recessed in to the bottom of a very short 125mm head tube. A complete Shimano 105 groupset with hydraulic discs provides the stop and go, and it rolls on a pair of 45mm deep carbon rims. Initial feel is very good, the broad, sculpted 105 levers offering even…

MOST GRAVEL SHOES FALL INTO one of two camps: a toughened-up road shoe with a more flexible sole and plenty of grip bonded to an SPD-compatible sole; or a mountain bike XC race shoe with little to differentiate it from the shoes worn by elite mountain bike or cyclo-cross riders. As Bont is very much a racing shoe company, you won’t be surprised to find that the Vaypor Gs fall into the latter camp. Like every Bont we’ve tested, the G features the firm’s unique bathtubshaped carbon sole, and both that and the shoe’s upper are heat mouldable. The shoe feels incredibly stable and stiff when pedalling, thanks in no small measure to the carbon heel cup and super-secure retention and adjustment afforded by the twin BOA dials. The sole…

Chpt3 is the result of former pro David Millar’s collaboration with designer Richard Pearce and Castelli. In contrast to his years as a sponsored rider, the range has an understated aesthetic. Jersey These Girona items are part of a small collection featuring abstract patterns inspired by the city’s red painted Eiffel Bridge. The short sleeve jersey is made with micro pique fabric, consisting of 92 per cent polyester and a little elastane. Described as race weight, it’s light and semitransparent, with a fairly tall lined collar that’s slightly scalloped at the rear for a perfectly snug fit when you’re all zipped up and in a racing tuck. You’re protected from the full-length YKK zip by an equally full-length internal flap, and there are three elasticated rear drop pockets, with an…

Weight 32g Lens Phantom Vermillion Gun Extras Hard case, soft cleaning bag Prescription option Yes Bollé’s Shifter follows the trend for single-shield lenses. The sweep lens is very well vented and the combination of a robust frame that grips your head well and a pliable nosepiece means these stay put on the bumpy stuff. The arms are kinked at the temple, which angles the glass downwards. On the road you can see plenty of frame in your peripheral vision but it’s not obtrusive. The red-tinted Vermillion Gun lens uses Bollé’s Phantom tech, which includes an anti-fogging treatment and NXT material that is much more impact resistant than a regular lens. Not the most expensive shades on test but they feel premium and you get decent accessories. ENDURA FS260 PRO £77.99…

Triple cranksets An older type with a wide range of gears, but at a weight penalty: 50t outer ring, a 39t middle ring and inner ring of 30 teeth. Single cranksets Just one chainring. To compensate for the loss of the inner ring they are matched with a wider range cassette. Road bike shifters Modern road bikes use dual-action shifters that incorporate the gear levers into the brake levers. Shimano road groupset shifting (STI) Brake levers split in two, with a paddle behind the brake lever. The right brake lever/paddle controls the rear derailleur, and left controls the front one. ENTRY LEVEL SRAM: APEX The Apex is a 10-speed group that features SRAM’s WiFli system. WiFli offers a wide gear range – between 11 and 32 teeth – for the…

Over in the magazine this month, professional cyclist Jon Mould talks about how he took to cycling because he loves to race - the training is merely the means to that thrilling end. If the same applies to you, then this Summer of Cycling special, packed full with the best events on the 2019 calendar, is for you. No bike ride goes to waste, of course, but adding a training element adds purpose and pinning on a number at the end of it all gives you the chance to quantify all those tough days in the saddle and unwanted alarm calls at the crack of dawn. If you’ve still not signed up to a 2019 event, we’ve pulled together some of the best rides at home and abroad this summer.…

Cannondale calls the SE the ‘full-day, fullgas performance’ Synapse, and it comes with wider tyres and lower gearing than the standard 105 Disc as well as being a claimed 500g lighter. It looks super-smart in its ‘Vulcan’ green paintwork and gumwall tyres, has a full-carbon thruaxle fork and Cannondale’s ‘SAVE’ micro-suspension in its rear triangle and fork. In fact, this Synapse features a lot of distinctive Cannondale-ware, including the company’s own svelte 25.4mm seatpost and super-compact 48/32 chainset. The latter is rarely seen but a real boon on an adventure bike, pairing with the wide-range 11-34 cassette for a lovely and low bottom gear that allows you – well, our tester, anyway – to stay seated for longer on tough climbs and gnarlier stuff. The comfort-boosting touches work well, as…

POWER HOUR Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Soudal) smashed Sir Bradley Wiggins’ Hour Record, riding 55.089km in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The Belgian likely benefited from the 1,800m altitude, though there are aerobic trade-offs to riding so high. PHIL YOUR BOOTS Philippe Gilbert’s Paris-Roubaix win made him the first rider since Ireland’s Sean Kelly in 1992 to win four of cyclings five ‘Monuments’ - the sport’s biggest one-day races. Only Milan-Sanremo remains elusive. WORTH THE WEIGHT On The Jonathan Ross Show, Jeremy Clarkson put his weight loss down to cycling during an extended holiday in Southeast Asia. “It’s not a good thing to do, I’m all broken as a result of it but I did lose a lot of weight.” DOWN THE TUBE Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) put his dismal Paris-Roubaix performance down…

A comfortable, highly specced and easy-to-ride bike that fits within most riders’ budgets Like many of you, I let our expert test team – Warren, Simon and Robin – put in thousands of hard miles during the wettest and coldest months of their year and then pick my next bike from our massive Bike of the Year test. Of course, I do have a slight advantage in that I can make a quick call to the brand whose bike most tickles my fancy and ask them if I can hang on to it for a bit.! This year I’ve opted to keep hold of a bike that a) re"ects what I could actually - just about - stretch to if I were to take advantage of interest free #nance and…

The Allez Sprint Comp Disc offers peerless handling and enormous speed potential With more than a hint of aggression in its hydroformed E5 aluminium frame, the Allez Sprint Comp Disc looks like a coiled spring, waiting to unleash its energy on demand. The raw beauty of the D’Aluisio Smartweld frame is laid bare by its stunning brushed finish, with a clear lacquer coat protecting its decals from abrasion and sweat adding an attractive gloss. The eponymous Smartweld design shifts the traditional welding areas of tube junctions, creating simpler, stronger welds that can’t weaken adjoining tubes or the crucial head tube and bottom bracket areas. Rather than mitring and welding the main triangle tubes on to a round head-tube or bottom bracket shell, these instead include the roots of each tube,…

It’s well-specced, fast and single-minded, but not the most comfortable place to spend a long day Quick and superbly specced for the money with great race potential Boardman’s aero road bike has a bold profile, with deep, slim tubes that recall the early days of aero road bikes, before we’d heard of Kamm Tails or truncated aerofoils. A modern aero bike without dropped seatstays is a novelty, but the flattened stays join in a wishbone, and the chainstays are, in typical Boardman fashion, perfectly straight and symmetrical. The fork legs look svelte alongside the down-tube and extensive head-tube area, but from in front, the AIR offers minimal frame structure to the onrushing wind. But the round alloy handlebar and conventional stem let the aero side down a little on this…

THE TORCH 2.0 SITS IN the middle of the Torch range of cycling shoes and has been designed to offer performance, but not at the expense of comfort. The construction is a mix of 100 per cent mesh and TPU, which Specialized says allows for more space in the toe box and a less constrictive feel. The shoes are also available in black and green, but we tested the all-white version in a size UK 4.75 / Euro 38. The shoes have a carbon sole with a rubber heel and toe and measure 7.0 on the Stiffness Index — compared to 6.0 for the 1.0 Torch and 8.5 on the higher-end 3.0 Women’s Torch. The Boa dial and Velcro strap are easy to adjust while you’re out and about and…

EASTON HAS BEEN IN THE tubeless road wheels market longer than many and the latest generation EA90 SL Disc wheelset brings the company’s knowledge and modern thinking together into a beautifully engineered package. Tyre volume is everything these days, and the black anodised aluminium EA90 SL rim has a very generous 19.5mm internal width. It’s 24mm externally and 27mm tall with a rounded aerodynamic profile. The bead is hookless, something that’s been common on mountain bikes for years but for us roadies not seeing a lip on the rim to retain the tyre bead seems something a bit like witchcraft. Easton’s oversized M1 Disc hubs look immensely tough, but aren’t exactly aerodynamic. They have sealed cartridge bearings and are laced with 20 front and 24 rear Sapim double-butted, straight-pull spokes.…

Weight 28g Lens UV400 polarized, Extras soft cleaning bag Prescription option No Until recently, Dutch clothing company AGU was better known for its good value, no-nonsense cycling rainwear – but all that looks set to change with its move into pro racing and its sponsorship of Jumbo-Visma (plenty of Jumbo riders are wearing the Bolds). The Bolds have a squared-off shield design that manages to look, rather cleverly, both retro and modern. The full frame is set slightly back from the lens itself, which means it’s actually well vented, and this combined with an anti-fog coating helped the lenses to stay pretty clear throughout testing. The minimal arms are well sprung and the temple tips sticky and generous in size. Fit is excellent and the Bolds stay put in the…

Weight 42g Lens Blue polarized Extras Hard case, soft cleaning bag, 2 x nose pieces Prescription option Optical insert French online cycling apparel expert Ekoi’s latest collaboration with the Quick-Step team has resulted in these standout glasses. The shape is certainly on trend with its deeply wrapped shield lens and 1980s design cues – but the PE9s have one of the biggest frames we’ve seen, even putting the out there Scott Sportshield’s to shame for in/on-your-face styling. The chunky frame has metal-hinged arms with thick, tacky grips and the frame has big vents so, surprisingly, the 57mm deep lens didn’t suffer from fogging. Lens clarity with the Quickstep is excellent, although the tint is dark so we’d suggest that these work best on sunnier days. The lens is deeply wrapped…

Zwift recently received $120m of outside investment to help it develop in the world of eSports, but Eric Min says there’s much it can do to develop Zwift for the masses. “We’ll continue to cater for the hardcore cycling audience and invest in those sorts of experiences but there’s an opportunity to really gamify Zwift and turn it into more of a Mario Kart,” he explains. “The broader consumer fitness market is going to be more interested in that sort of experience. We need different content to pull in different segments of the market.” When he says Mario Kart, he means more of a traditional videogame. “Make it fun, entertaining fiveminute races with other people. Even visually, it doesn’t have to look like cycling. What Zwift is today looks more…

FOR THE CAR Bike Ensure you test ride your bike at the start of the week. Check the usuals such as tyre pressure and that your brakes are in working order. You can clamp your bike to the car rack or squeeze it into the back of the car the night before, but you might be better off doing it first thing to prevent it being nicked. Pedals If your pedals are interchangeable between bikes, make sure they’re firmly screwed into your race bike. Bike computer, Di2 battery Are they charged and on your bike? Track pump Pack your own. Tools Allen keys, spare inner tubes, tyre levers… BITS FOR BAG Helmet Bike shoes Bikeclothing Change of clothes For after the event (if you’re wearing your bike clothing to the…

Despite the demise of Velothon Wales, British riders remain spoilt for choice when it comes to putting their well-earned fitness to the test this summer. Looming over the entire British sportive calendar, and returning for its seventh edition, is the Prudential RideLondon (3-4 August). The ‘100’ route on the Sunday is the star attraction and with thousands of riders on the rolling course it’s almost certain to be the fastest century you’ll do all year. If you’ve never ridden it, it’s unrivalled fun – you’ll fly through the streets of London without the usual concerns of unsympathetic drivers and domineering HGVs. It’s also, at this point, hard to get an entry if you haven’t already. But if you’re determined to take part in 2019, check out the many charities offering…