Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Cycling Plus

As I write this, the UK has just entered a lockdown situation to try to slow the spread of coronavirus. At the moment we can still cycle, solo, once a day, but for how much longer we don’t know, and whether it is responsible to do so is another question. It has certainly made producing this issue an interesting experience, and I don’t imagine things are about to get easier. Hopefully we can provide you with the escapism we all need at this time, and keep you thinking about what adventures await when restrictions eventually lift… until then, stay safe everyone. SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & COMPETITIONS AS PART OF OUR SUBSCRIBER CLUB!…

£6195 Mason’s new titanium Bokeh There are loads of striking details, and a lot more going on than is the case with most titanium frames Mason’s aluminium Bokeh is a long-time favourite at Cycling Plus, even getting a hen’s-teeth-rare five-star rating when we tested it three years ago. We appreciated it for its superb detailing, quick ride on tarmac and its ability to hit the trails confidently. The only negative was that its unique frame detailing contributed to a £3100 price. At first glance, it looks like it could be more of the same for 2020’s titanium Bokeh – at more than twice the price in our build and a frameset that’s yours for £3450. Just as with Mason’s aluminium Bokeh there are loads of striking details, and a lot…

Newcastle’s riverside path with showcase bridges of various vintages is a thrilling finish – or start – for cyclists doing the C2C [coast to coast, or sea to sea], Britain’s most popular long-distance leisure route. Or, indeed, another coast-to-coast, Hadrian’s Cycleway, which parallels it at this end. Eight miles’ ride downriver at Jarrow (the Metro takes bikes off-peak if you’re rushed) is the Tyne Tunnel, recently reopened after a refurb, offering the unusual experience of a cycleway under the river. Just beyond that, at the coast, you can follow NCN1 to Dover or Shetland. The splendid Gateshead Millennium Bridge is one of those central bridges, and just two minutes’ trundle along the river is The Hub, one of Britain’s most celebrated cycle cafes. At almost any time it can be…

The Fuji may be an entry-level machine but it’s ready for touring straight out of the box. And while it’s a steel frame and fork these are accompanied by cable-actuated disc brakes, so it’s not all retro. The frame is made from Reynolds 520 steel (1), which is essentially the replacement for Reynolds’ long-standing 531. The latter is a manganese-molybdenum steel, while 520 is chrome-molybdenum – but their mechanical properties are very similar. The advantage that 520 has is that it can be TIG-welded, rather than lugged (with socket-like sleeves); lugged frames these days are now pretty much the preserve of bespoke bike builders. Reynolds 525 and 520 are mechanically identical except that 520 is made in Taiwan under licence rather than in Birmingham. Bar-end shifters (2) are rarely seen…

With its aluminium frame, hydraulic discs and thru-axles (1), it’s fair to say that the striking-looking Trek 920’s frameset is the outlier here. But it’s not only the frame and fork that are ploughing a unique furrow. Touring bikes are the last hangout of the triple chainset but Trek’s 920 has a double with small chainrings emphasising the importance of lower gears. But don’t be fooled: this Trek is every inch the full-on tourer that’s designed to carry you and nearly 40 kilos of your kit – with a hefty overall weight limit of bike, rider and cargo. In all my tours I’ve never carried anything like 40kg. An aluminium frame when all the rest have steel? One of the oft-repeated arguments in favour of steel is that if the…

At a mud-caked cyclocross race in the Dutch village of Hoogerheide, thumping Europop is blasting across the gloopy, windswept fields and thousands of boisterous spectators in fancy dress are gobbling boxes of chips and drinking jars of gold-tinted beer. In the middle of this raucous cycling spectacle, a diminutive 5ft 2in rider from Leeds is trying to weave his way through the crowds and the puddles after his warm-up ride, as wide-eyed children and fans point, shout and stop him for selfies and autographs. This is the world of Tom Pidcock, one of the most outrageously gifted and exciting young cyclists for generations. The 20-year-old crowd-pleaser, who likes to celebrate victories by pulling wheelies or lying across his saddle in a soaring Superman pose, has been dubbed a “mini-Sagan” by…

Teaching your body to burn more fat on your rides will do more than just slash a few kilos of unwanted weight – it’s also the secret to boosting your stamina and performance. That’s why pro riders from Vincenzo Nibali to Geraint Thomas now complete some of their training rides after eating hardly any breakfast. The idea is that by avoiding carb-dense bread or cereals for breakfast, and then performing low- or medium-intensity exercise, they condition their bodies to burn more fat for fuel instead. “Low-carb training teaches the body to become more efficient at burning fat as a fuel source, as opposed to just using the readily available glycogen (stored energy) in the muscles,” explains four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome. “There are two benefits. One is obviously…

PRICE (APPROX) £2700 UPGRADES BONTRAGER AEOLUS PRO 3V TUBELESS CARBON £549.99 (F) AND £649.99 (R), 2 x HUTCHINSON OVERRIDE HARDSKIN TUBELESS £28.99 EACH, TACX MUDGUARD RACE £24.99 MILES RIDDEN 567 “The GRX shifters are wonderful and I never tire of the hidden button remote Bluetooth”WARREN ROSSITER The GT Grade continues to impress me in its 650b guise, although I’m still looking for a better set of tyres for winter conditions and maybe a wheel upgrade too. In the meantime, I’ve been intrigued to try the updated Grade in 700c guise. For this I borrowed the brilliant Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheelset that I have been running on my Rondo HVRT CF0. The Aeolus are quite a shallow profile but with a very wide rim profile, which makes the most of…

Route One 67 miles A fine day out, in and around Deeside Deeside is a natural attraction for cyclists and access to it is easy, thanks to the Deeside Way(NCN195), which will get you traffic-free to Milltimber Brae. Rise above the valley for some glorious mid-level road riding to Aboyne. Make sure you don’t overdo your lunch though because the homeward leg really is much hillier… Route Two 47 miles This ride goes hither and thither in a concerted bid to keep off the A90 but it does show you some wide open Aberdeenshire coast. From Stonehaven, Slug Road is a popular local crossing off the Mounth range that’s not too demanding. You can then round off the day with a rolling run back. Route Three 36 miles or a…

Route One 78 miles Rivers, reservoirs, racy roads You’ll ride some A-road miles, but they’re mostly quiet. Head west along the Tweed Valley through Innerleithen and Peebles (stop at the last cafe for 50 miles!). After a stiff climb between the thrillingly raw Talla and Megget Reservoirs, it’s down with the prevailing wind past St Mary’s Loch to Selkirk for tea. Route Two 69 miles Could this be one of Scotland’s best day trips? Enjoy the remote-feeling landscapes with gentle steady climbs and descents, and vehicles a rarity. There are only a few cafes too – Stow, Innerleithen and Selkirk are your options. In dodgy weather, seeking sanctuary at Tushielaw Inn (mile 47) is a day-saver. Route Three 28 miles This is a gentle day of beautiful Tweed Valley views,…

Route One 75 miles Scenic day in the North Yorks hills Ride into the Howardian Hills, past majestic Castle Howard under the grand arch. After lovely Hovingham, it’s handsome Helmsley (stop for coffee) and Rievaulx Abbey on to hilly Hawnby amid the Moors. Whoosh down Sutton Bank and past the White Horse. Take lunch in Easingwold then head home via Aldwark’s quirky bridge. Route Two 78 miles Ride Strensall’s heath, then enjoy the tiny lanes through the curious chalk dry valleys of Thixendale and around. Take in some more mild hills and stunning geography with a coffee stop at Pocklington/Market Weighton, then it’s flat, quiet roads through villages and farms to the express railtrail back. Route Three 27 miles You can experience the very best that York has to offer…

Route One 62 miles Plenty of fresh air on tap Heading deep into Brontë sister country, the steep climbs begin as soon as you start this ride. Cross the valleys to Hawarth, where you can make a loop or cut to the main challenge – the climb onto Oxenhope Moor. There’s another hard shunt out of Mytholmroyd to take you around the head of the Ryburn Valley. Route Two 36 miles In search of some of the most evil climbs in the area, this ride takes you the hardest way from valley to moor. From Sowerby’s Croft Lane to the cobbled 17 per cent of Old Ripponden Bank and Luddenden’s entry into 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, Halifax Lane (No 44), you might wish you’d never got involved. Route Three 27…

Route One 80 miles To the mystic east (Cleethorpes) Head out through quiet villages along NCN1 and NCN110 (stopping at Market Rasen for coffee) to Cleethorpes’s rideable promenade, where bucket and spade stalls sit alongside Prosecco bars. Take a selfie at the meridian marker and then ride back along the scenic B1203, taking tea at pretty Tealby or Market Rasen. Route Two 70 miles Ride quiet lanes, where you’ll see more tractors than cars, to handsome Louth for lunch. Enjoy views with rolling hills and a Lincolnshire rarity: a three-mile descent into Horncastle. Enjoy the railtrail to genteel Victorian delight Woodhall Spa and use the Water Rail Way trail back to Lincoln. Route Three 46 miles Ride NCN64 along the River Witham and then past silent villages and farms to…

Route One 87 miles A thorough tour of the hills, vales & villages Leaving town to the south, it isn’t long before the road turns skywards, on Leckhampton Hill, with its 14 per cent gradient at the start. The next 15 miles take you across the range to Farmington. Turn north for the climb to the ride’s highest point at 1050ft. Enjoy the descent and low-level meandering before the winch out of Winchcombe. Route Two 48 miles There’s a certain amount of up-and-down to keep you off the busy roads around Bishops Cleeve, then a run via Ashton Under Hill to Pershore. The return route takes you via Tewkesbury, a fine town worth exploring. From here, it’s a scarcely noticeable climb back out of the Severn Valley. Route Three 33…

Route One 75 miles Long Man, narrow lanes Take the decent, fast track alongside the A27 to handsome Lewes, then enjoy the quiet lanes past Glyndebourne Opera House up to Ashdown Forest where you can stop for a picnic or visit a cafe. Admire the Long Man of Wilmington and Cuckmere, detour to the viewpoint over Seven Sisters, then take the rolling seaside path back to Brighton. Route Two 55 miles Enjoy the stunning views from Devil’s Dyke, before riding along the pleasant rural lanes around to Arts & Crafts Ditchling, where you can stop for cake. The Beacon’s climb, which is notorious among charity riders, will be routine for you. There are sweeping views from the top, and the bonus is that it’s all downhill back! Route Three 32…

Route One 76 miles High on the Weald Pedal inland from Eastbourne and you’ll find some tough climbs. There’s a long grind to reach the High Weald, then mile after mile of wooded hills, oast houses and quiet lanes. Several times the route drops down almost to sea level, but it climbs up again and passes close to the site of the Battle of Hastings. Then it’s back to Eastbourne with views out to sea. Route Two 56 miles This ride climbs out of town up Upper Dukes Drive and on to Beachy Head – Britain’s highest chalk cliff and one of the most visited spots in the South Downs National Park. Then it’s downhill to Birling Gap before looping inland to the hills of Sussex, finishing with a gentle…

Ragley Trig Adventure £1499.99 WHO'S BEEN FRAMED? Ragley’s Trig pairs a dropper-post-ready 4130 steel frame and a carbon fork, both of which can take different wheel sizes and tyres up to 2.1in wide. It’s thru-axles, of course, and in addition to rear rack mounts, there are fittings on the fork for bidons and bikepacking bags. Its geometry is long and slack for more stable off-road riding. WHO'S GOT THE BEST KIT? SRAM’s single 40t Apex chainring is paired with an 11-42 cassette for low, gravel-friendly gearing, with SRAM’s APX hydraulic discs modulated and powerful. It has smaller 650b wheels and wider tyres than the Ribble. EASY RIDER? This is as comfortable as the Ribble on tarmac and though its weight makes it a slower climber, the Trig’s lower bottom gear…

£9.99 to £44.99 Secure magnetic attraction If you’ve ever used a helmet strap with a magnetic fastener, it will have almost certainly been a Fidlock product. This German company has produced over 10 million of them and is now using its neodymium magnetic technology to offer an alternative to conventionally attached bicycle accessories. The Twist bottle is available in 450ml or 600ml sizes and replaces a standard cage and bottle setup with a bike base and proprietary bottle. The bike base bolts on to the frame in the usual place and the twin magnetic and mechanical mounting system built in to the bottle grabs the base when the two come in to close proximity, engaging with an audible click. It holds securely on all terrain and is released with a…

Carbon-fibre, aero-optimised speed machines dominate these pages, but there is still demand for the humble touring bike. Steel predominates in our quintet but Trek’s aluminium 920 drags the tourer kicking into the 21st century. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a decent touring bike: even our least expensive tourer is kitted out for continent-traversing duties. Steel is used because you don’t need to pare weight to the bone as strength, comfort and durability are everything. Triple chainsets and mountain-bike gearing are present on four of our five for another step back in cycling’s time machine. Fuji’s Touring Disc is our entry-level tourer: traditionalist in its barend shifters and Reynolds steel frame, yet modern in its cable-actuated disc brakes. Cinelli, on its Hobootleg, has cocked a snook at modernism,…

Italy’s Cinelli may be best known for its stylish road bikes and high-end components but the company also makes a few different models of its Hobootleg tourer – which has quite a heritage of its own. The Hobootleg has entered the Guinness Book of Records for traversing the world by bike and has been ridden over all seven of the world’s highest mountain passes. This is why Cinelli can describe the Hobootleg – which it has been fine-tuning for the last five years and more than a million kilometres – as tried, tested and ultra-reliable. The Hobootleg has all the familiar features of a modern touring bike – a butted chromoly steel frame, triple chainset with wide-ranging gears and three sets of bottle bosses. It’s also got a few extras,…

Long-time purveyor of steel bicycles to the touring cognoscenti, St John Street Cycles’ Thorn brand has supplied our final steel offering – the newest incarnation of its Club Tour, Thorn’s own take on a traditional touring bike. You can have it with flat bar or drops, rim or disc brakes, or what Robin Thorn describes as the: “Highly recommended front rim and rear disc” brake option. The frame is the now-familiar Reynolds 725 chromoly steel with a fork made from 853, which has increased dent- and impact-resistance. Mine was in a somewhat muted Gunmetal Grey, though Green, Thorn Blue and Blood Red are available for the more extroverted cycle-tourist. If you do want front and rear discs, Thorn says: “a disc fork is always heavier and less comfortable than a…

01 CARRADICE CARRADURA MINI £11 WEIGHT 97g A dinky little 0.5L bag with a small opening that will just about take the essential tube, tool, tyre levers and CO2 – but nowt more! The polyester material is tough, the zip is waterproofed and there are reflective details in addition to the reflective rear light loop. Carradice has also managed a couple of wide elastic straps to secure a mini-pump. A well-priced, fully featured saddlepack if you’re travelling light. 02 BIRZMAN ZYKLOP GIKE £13.99 WEIGHT 66g It’s secure on the bike, light and small and one for the more minimalist rider – but even with just 0.5L capacity there is still room for a road inner tube, a couple of tyre levers and a CO2 cannister. It’s the usual three Velcro…

We’re led to believe that the more we ride, the faster and longer we’ll go. But what if training efforts are no longer paying off? What if our motivation is waning, we’re succumbing to illness more often and riding our bikes feels more of a chore than a pleasure? Training improvement isn’t always a linear process, but when overtraining syndrome (OTS) strikes, performance can fall off a cliff. OTS is tricky to diagnose and has sparked debate among performance specialists as to its definition before they even get started on the symptoms, causes and potential cures. “Overtraining syndrome is commonly reported to occur in around 10 to 20 per cent of elite endurance athletes and affects up to 65 per cent of long-distance cyclists at some point during their athletic…

PLUS ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & COMPETITIONS AS PART OF OUR SUBSCRIBER CLUB! GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE Receive a Cateye Padrone Computer worth £50 Save 30% off the UK shop price – pay just £54.49 every 13 issues by Direct Debit Every issue delivered straight to your door Never miss an action-packed issue or supplement again ORDER ONLINE OR BY PHONE buysubscriptions.com/CPP366 03330 162 142 quote code CPP366 Lines are open 8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays. Overseas orders please call +44 1604 973 751 or visit buysubscriptions.com FEATURES • Total distance • Trip distance • Current/average/maximum speed • Elapsed time • Clock/stopwatch TERMS & CONDITIONS: *Offer open to new UK customers subscribing to the print edition only. Full details of the Direct Debit Guarantee will be provided and are available…

The icy water drips slowly off the peak of my Gore-Tex cap. Normally, I’d hope to cover about five metres in the time each drop takes to form and detach but right now it feels like a metre per drip is a major win. The pass of Bealach na Bà (to give it its Gaelic name) rises from sea level to just over 2000 feet to create the steepest average gradient of any mountain pass in the UK. The towering rock buttresses and sharp summit hairpins that we saw as we rounded the first long sweepers into this amazing natural amphitheatre have now been sucked into a wall of cloud and freezing rain that’s advancing down faster than we’re going up. That was the last thing my guide for the…

HEAVIEST 100kg (15st) NOW 81kg (12st) HOW WAS LIFE BEFORE THE BIKE? “I was overweight and living a sedentary life in a middle management position with a company car. At school I’d been a runner and played competitive sport. But I got lazy; life got in the way. Then, after having a looking-in-the-mirror moment at a corporate event, I was horrified at my bloated reflection.” HOW DID CYCLING CHANGE YOUR LIFE? “I bought an entry-level hybrid bike and decided to commute to work and back along my local canal towpath, about eight miles one way. I started doing that six times per week and it transformed my health, fitness and my mental health.” HOW OFTEN DO YOU RIDE AND WHERE DO YOU GO? “Six out of seven days a week,…

PRICE £1499 UPGRADES NONE MILES RIDDEN 173 Gravel bikes were initially developed in the USA to tackle the country’s thousands of miles of unsurfaced roads. So why are they so popular now in a country that doesn’thave that network? Because they’re great fun and superbly versatile, and if you flick back to p22 you’ll see our review of this Ragley Trig Adventure. I liked it so much I wanted to keep hold of it for a year. What’s not to love about the combination of steel frame, minimalist single-ring setup and fantastic brakes? If nothing else, gravel bikes have helped roadies accept the inevitable: that hydraulic discs are the future. The Ragley’s SRAM stoppers are first rate, light acting but powerful at the rotor, and the wheel and tyre pairing…

Route One 87 miles Not for the faint of heart A route profile resembling a heartbeat will test your limits, so don’t spend all your energy on the hills of Glentarkie and Falkland. After the challenging Path of Condie and Findo Gask, stop in Dunning for a breather and a bite to eat. Once north of Crieff, the route back through Glen Almond continues to test the legs before a downhill run into Perth. Route Two 49 miles Follow the Tay north on local cycle routes and NCN 77 towards Little Glenshee, fording the Shochie Burn. You’ll need your legs as it’s mostly above 400 feet. If you like venturing off road, look for the Fowlis Wetser standing stone and stone circles. The Pitcairngreen Inn offers country fare and a…

Route One 67 miles The big mid-Wales experience Test yourself on steep climbs and descents, then enjoy the scenic glens, and brunch in Llanrhaeadr. A long steady climb up beautiful Tanat Valley means fab views at the top followed by a thrilling descent. Do a flat circuit of Bala Lake, which you can cut if time is short followed by long, lovely, quiet singletrack Dee Valley lanes back. Route Two 55 miles Super climbs and glorious descents. Ride Horseshoe Pass (No 90) to pretty Ruthin’s square and grab a coffee; then take The Shelf (No 86) to Llandegla for lunch, followed by moortop thrills to World’s End, a slippery ford so take care, then ride Panorama Road to Pontcysyllte for tea. Route Three 22 miles Canal showpieces (all car-free if…

Route One 69 miles Super cycling in quiet dry valleys Prepare for a day of light climbs and descents, surprisingly sweeping views, and tranquil back roads through postcard villages. Beautiful Thixendale and Millington are the highlights. Enjoy tea in Market Weighton, once home of Britain’s tallest man and then take advantage of the prevailing wind back to Beverley. Route Two 45 miles Yorkshire isn’t all gritty moors and dales. Take time on this all-pleasure, cakes-and-ale route that feels more like Sunday-ride Sussex. There are numerous, quietly thrilling views and teashop villages; picnic at Hotham Hall, take tea at Market Weighton before a whizzy run back. Route Three 33 miles A mixed-ability day out for sturdy bikes. Take NCN1 down to the astounding Humber Bridge, and fly over the waters to…

Route One 69 miles 7200ft of climbing should be enough for the toughest Cycling Plus riders Right from the start, this is a demanding ride as you leave Buxton via Axe Edge. Other tough challenges include Larkstone Lane near Grindon, the haul from Hartington to the A515 and the gradient out of Ashford-in-the-Water. There are options to trim the ride if you’re fading towards the end. Route Two 46 miles In essence, a day trip to Bakewell, the roads match the destination’s genteel nature. Heading out, Tideswell is a tidy village, and Eyam’s church has an excellent Saxon cross. From Bakewell, it’s up-and-over to Hartington; then again from Hulme End via Axe Edge, with a fast flee to the finish. Route Three 32 miles The Manifold’s winding vale feels surprisingly…

Route One 70 miles Flying in the Fens Heading north, this route leads deep into the fens to take in the long, straight roads typical of the area. Not the most exciting riding, but if you get a tailwind you’ll feel like Peter Sagan gobbling up the miles with ease. Save some energy for the second half, though, where the hills around Stamford and the nearby Burghley House liven up proceedings. Route Two 50 miles This time heading south into the fens, this route takes you through Houghton with its picturesque water mill. A lovely traffic-free path crosses the meadows, before the hustle and bustle of Huntingdon. Leaving the traffic behind again, the route heads into more rolling terrain and a succession of gorgeous villages. Route Three 42 miles Starting…

Route One 77 miles A rolling ride through classic English chalk landscapes The rounded hills may never threaten the 1000ft contour but this ride still fits in over 4500ft of climbing. Pewsey Down offers marvellous views; detour from the route’s highest point to enjoy the outlook from Combe Gibbet, scene of a double execution in the 17th century. Route Two 41 miles If you want to take your cyclocross (CX) bike for a gallop across the downs, this ride’s for you. There’s a huge 900 miles of bike-legal off-road tracks in the AONB. The chalky tracks of the Ridgeway and adjoining byways are perfect CX territory, though after wet weather they are likely to be very slippery. Route Three 27 miles Just outside Burbage, halfway around this loop, is where…

THE ONLY BIKE BUYING ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST… We take our testing very seriously at Cycling Plus. For more than 25 years – an age when disc brakes, Di2 and super-wide 1x gearing weren't even a glint in a designer’s eye – we have been putting road cycling products through their paces. Our test team, led by senior technical editor Warren Rossiter, has nearly a century of riding experience between them in just about every discipline. They can separate the great from the also-rans when it comes to bikes, clothing, accessories – and more. If it gets our seal of approval you can be sure that you’ll be bagging a great buy! THE TECH TEAM PREVIEW THEIR ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS… WARREN ROSSITER SENIOR TECHNICAL EDITOR SENIOR TECHNICAL EDITOR This issue I’ve…

£1790 Minimalist urban ride This understated, urban e-bike is certainly attractive with its stealthy matt black looks and a singlespeed belt-drive, disc brakes, flat bar, integrated lights front and rear (which also works as a brake light); the Cowboy also features a rather clever app. Battery level is represented by five LEDs on the top tube. Aside from this the Cowboy has no head unit or switches, rather, it’s controlled by the Cowboy app (iOS, Android). Connecting via Bluetooth, the app is a digital key to the bike, which means that only the bike/phone owner can operate it. The dashboard shows speed, duration, distance, battery level and estimated range left, it can operate the lights as well as full map navigation. It also has a ‘find my bike’ function with…

NICE TO SEE YOU… In normal times Paris-Nice serves as a starting pistol on the European stage racing season, but in 2020 was it the final race of the year? That was the unpalatable but very real prospect, as the cycling season juddered to a halt amid the coronavirus crisis engulfing Europe. Should it have even gone ahead? Debate raged throughout as the peloton charged towards Nice. What was clear, however, was that the riders put on a real show, racing as if this was the end of the road.…

01 LEZYNE CLASSIC SHALLOW BRASS BELL £13 A rather smart bell made from high-polished brass that is mounted onto a machined aluminium base. A simple O-ring attaches the bell to any size and type of bike handlebar and the low profile design should complement most styles of bike. If you ride on any shared use byways or paths then a bell is pretty much an essential for courteous riders. Or as Lezyne puts it on its website: “The brass striker politely and effectively alerts others with a sharp, definitively loud ring.” 02 BONTRAGER ADVENTURE FRAME BAG £79.99 Available in 2-, 2.7- or this 3-litre volume, Bontrager’s Adventure frame bag offers convenient kit carrying. The straps are rubber-coated and the water-resistant bag has one small and one large compartment with internal…

FUJI TOURING DISC £1099.99 Our least expensive long-hauler in this test boasts a Reynolds 520 chromoly steel frame, a 3x10-speed groupset based around Shimano Deore with Microshift’s bar-end shifters. Braking comes courtesy of TRP Spyre mechanical discs and the 36-spoke wheels are paired with 35mm Vittoria Randonneur tyres. CINELLI HOBOOTLEG EASY TRAVEL £1399.99 The Italian company’s tourer comes in three different builds. The frame and fork are chromoly steel from Cinelli’s partner company Columbus. The groupset is Shimano’s 3x 9-speed Sora and the wheels pair Alex rims with WTB’s 37mm Riddler tyres. (Very) old-school cantilever brakes make a rare appearance in the pages of Cycling Plus. RIDGEBACK PANORAMA £1399.99 The neat Reynolds 725 frame is paired with a chromoly steel fork and, as with the Cinelli, it’s a triple chainring…

The Ridgeback has a lot in common with Fuji’s less expensive Touring Disc. It has a Reynolds steel frame and chromoly steel fork, a triple Shimano chainset and Shimano gears but there are a few differences. The Ridgeback’s frame material is a step up the Reynolds steel hierarchy. The higher the number on a Reynolds steel frame, the more expensive it is, and more ‘exotic’. The Ridgeback’s Reynolds 725 and the Fuji’s 520 actually share the same chemistry but the 725 (1) has been heat-treated and has a higher ultimate tensile strength as a result. Frankly, this isn’t something you’re likely to notice when it comes to the ride. Unlike the Fuji’s bar-end shifters, Ridgeback has gone down the same route as Cinelli and specced Shimano’s familiar Sora STI levers,…

The 920 is a go-anywhere adventure touring bike that straddles the tourer-bikepacking divide Five bikes, one task: to ride the world. And all would do that job well. Fuji’s steel Touring Disc is a heavyweight but it’s light on your wallet and I’d happily ride this anywhere. It’s tough, comfortable and is ready to tour out of the box, complete with rear rack, triple bottle mounts, low-rider fittings, a pump peg and a spangly XT rear mech. More importantly, it has durable wheels, the lowest bottom gear here and decent disc brakes. Spend a little more and much is the same with Cinelli’s Hobootleg. All the fixtures and fittings, front and rear racks, plus there’s bags of long-distance comfort. But the bottom gear is a little higher and the choice…

MIKE DENNISON CYCLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AT SUSTRANS SCOTLAND “Carefully chosen accessories can transform any bike from an occasional leisure vehicle into a valuable year-round mode of transport. For a safe and enjoyable ride, lights are a must-have accessory, even on a bright sunny day. Go for rechargeable lights with a lithiumion battery. My personal favourite rear light is the Flare, made by Exposure Lights. I never set off without it. “TUCK A £10 NOTE IN YOUR HANDLEBAR… THAT WAY YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE EMERGENCY CASH” “A spare inner tube, compact pump, patches and tyre levers are also must-have items. Another essential accessory to keep you rolling is a good multi-tool. It combines a range of individual items such as Allen keys, a screwdriver, spoke spanner and ‘chain-breaker’. A good example is…

It’s the first Wednesday in March and the beaches and fishing villages of Northumbria have a celebratory air about them. Groups of walkers are enjoying the sunshine and bracing breeze from the North Sea, while cafes are doing a roaring trade in coffee and cakes. Britain has been battered by a succession of named storms and lesser weather fronts for the previous month, and it feels as if the nation has collectively donned its big winter coat and raced outside to enjoy what feels like the first taste of spring. None of us know it yet, but our celebrations are wildly premature… At the breakfast buffet of our hotel in Amble, I am accosted amiably by a bearded figure wearing a bushwhacker hat and carrying a walking stick. “Cycling, eh?…

Route One 77 miles If it was good enough for Robert Millar… On the rivet from the beginning with Tak Ma Doon, followed by The Crow Road out of Lennoxtown - two roads used by Robert Millar to harden his legs in preparation for his 1984 Tour de France. A fast northerly descent is followed by the climb up to The Top of the World. Later on, the Duke’s Pass is sure to test your tiring legs. Route Two 47 miles A leg-sapping ride north through Dunblane towards Gleneagles and on towards the exposed climb up Glen Devon. A drop down towards Yetts, and you’re at the same elevation as the Wallace Monument. On towards Dollar, you can stop for a coffee or snack before the final sting of the…

Route One 82 miles No pain, no gain This route sets its stall out early with the climb of Malham Cove. In common with the rest of the route it starts tough and gets tougher. Park Rash, Oxnop and Buttertubs (the hard way) follow on. By the time you hit Fleet Moss – the highest road in Yorkshire – your legs will be screaming for mercy. Route Two 45 miles Climbing over to Settle, this route explores the locations of the Three Peaks Cyclocross race. It may not feature that event’s intense, off-road climbs, but there are many leg-burning moments. The Ribblehead Viaduct makes an appearance and Langcliffe Scar then provides the sting in the tail. Route Three 40 miles Less challenging than Routes One and Two, this ride still…

Route One 57 miles Enjoy the full-on West Yorks experience A valley-floor start is followed by a moortop workout before heading back to the valley on main roads, followed by three super minor roads over thrilling, wuthering heights. Stop for lunch at the home of the Brontë sisters, Haworth, and a post-cobbles tea/beer in Hebden Bridge. You’ll have earned it. Route Two 47 miles Enjoy climbs, moor tops and the final treat of Cragg Vale, England’s longest continuous downhill (965ft in 5.5 miles). Take in some of Britain’s most awesome canal towpaths (or smoother parallel main road), a lovely manor house, astronomical observatory, and Singing Ringing Tree sculpture! Route Three 14/28 miles Scenic flat towpath trundle to Halifax for all the family. The surface is mixed so a hybrid, mountain…

Route One 53 miles Best of the Staffordshire Peaks This route provides you with a great day of climbs, ridgetop undulations and long descents on quiet lanes with stunning scenery wherever you look. Take in Morridge; the National Trust’s Ilam Park for a cafe stop; a taste of the Manifold Trail; Flash, the United Kingdom’s highest village; the awe-inspiring rocky ridge of Roaches and Tittesworth Lake. Route Two 46 miles There’s only one stiff climb on this route, which comes at the start. Scoot down to the beautiful Manifold Trail (flat, tarmac but bumpy; cafes). You can then enjoy mild hills, ethereal views and fairytale Dorset-like sunken lanes back to Leek. Stop at Dimmingdale for an appreciated snack. Route Three 30 miles This ride is over 80 per cent flat…

Route One 65 miles Heart of England countryside Sample a morning coffee at Salcey Forest, then follow the quiet country roads through canal-side villages. Ride through the gently rolling hills to join NCN50 to pass Stowe’s grand arch to Buckingham, where you’ll find a choice of pubs and cafes. Tiny back lanes and the characterful old Watling Street see you return to Milton Keynes. Route Two 58 miles The ride starts with a climb up to Aspley Heath to take in the views followed by easy country roads through pretty villages. Stop in Quainton for lunch (picnic on the green or visit a pub/cafe) then enjoy more of the same. Plenty of places to stop for tea in Winslow before returning to Milton Keynes. Route Three 33 miles This route…

Route One 53 miles Survey the Surrey Hills This may not be an especially long ride, but it makes up for that by progressively ticking off many of Surrey’s best climbs. The route takes in Box Hill, which considering it’s the most famous of Surrey’s climbs is quite gentle. Then it’s on to Ranmore, Barhatch Lane, Leith Hill and more, with a route profile that looks like the inside of a shark’s mouth. Route Two 35 miles From the county town of Guildford, the route winds south. It’s easy riding to Godalming, where your legs will get their first proper test. The ride skirts the edge of the Dunsfold Aerodrome, where Top Gear is filmed. The most demanding riding comes in the second half, which crosses the Surrey Hills. Route…

Route One 57 miles A who’s who of the North Downs’ finest Kent may not be the first county that springs to mind when you think of great British climbs, but there are plenty of tough ascents in west Kent. This route packs in some of the best, including Bayley’s Hill, Ide Hill and Star Hill. The third quarter of the ride rolls more gently, but Toys Hill will be waiting to finish off complacent legs. Route Two 35 miles With such good riding to the west of Sevenoaks it’s easy to forget there are some tough climbs and scenic lanes if you cycle the other way. Heading south then east, the early miles skirt around 600-year-old Knole House. The difficulty ramps up after crossing the M20 with the vertiginous…