Sommaire pour Ride Fit 2023 de Ride Fit

Thanks to digitally-connected smart trainers and online racing platforms such as Zwift, indoor racing can inject a winning dose of camaraderie and competition into dark winter days. You’ll get to swap dull turbo rides for exhilarating races and turn bleak winter nights into fun group rides. Eric Schlange of the Zwift Insider community website (zwiftinsider.com) reveals how to join the party. * Choose the right category “Most Zwift races have multiple category options, which requires knowing your functional threshold power (FTP) in watts/kg, so do a quick FTP test before signing up,” advises Schlange. Zwift offers several built-in FTP tests, including a simple high-power 20-minute effort. * Know the rules “Read the event description so you know how the race is set up,” says Schlange. “Is it a points race…

SWEET POTATO VS REGULAR FRIES Although both are root vegetables and share similar macronutrient properties, sweet potatoes and white potatoes come with different micronutrient properties. Sweet potato fries are higher in vitamin A, which is important in maintaining immune function, healthy skin and eyes, and can protect again certain cancers. There’s also a high fibre content for digestion and gut health. Yet the main difference between them is that sweet potato has a lower glycemic index, meaning that the rate at which your blood sugar is raised is more gradual. VERDICT Sweet potato wins!…

Workout 01 Cadence switches Time 45 minutes The benefits High-cadence efforts train you to spin faster on climbs, which is more energy-efficient than grinding uphill in a big gear. Low-cadence efforts prepare you for steeper ascents when your cadence will be slow. “Spending time at both lower and higher cadences (rpm, revolutions per minute) helps you adapt to changes in gradients without endlessly flicking your gears to give a more consistent pace,” says Phil Paterson. Kit suggestion You can do cadence switches outside but a smart turbo trainer with a programmable function will make it easier to focus on your cadence, suggests Paterson. Nutrition Fuel up with a banana 15mins before your workout. Warm-up 8mins @40-70% FTP/40-70% HR 2mins @55% FTP/55% HR Main sets Block 1 2mins @80% FTP/70% HR/65rpm…

01 Core Values In a bid to gain a greater understanding of how core body temperature can impact on cycling, a number of pro teams are trialling new tech to monitor each rider’s thermoregulation. Quick-Step is among the teams leading the trials and it tested the waters with a CORE system during the 2020 Giro d’Italia. The CORE tracker is the first device of its kind. It’s a wearable gadget that continuously measures core body temperature during endurance performance, and it is now commercially available to all cyclists (£197.95). Previously, athletes were required to swallow a small electronic unit that measured temperature from the inside and transmitted the data back to a machine. Thankfully, body temperature metrics are now taken and relayed via a non-invasive clip-on unit fixed to the…

Cycling is experiencing a surge in popularity similar to the post-2012 Olympics boom. Many of us enjoyed the freedom and safety of the empty roads in the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. There was a thrill for newer cyclists of reaching further distances, higher elevations and rides of longer duration. For the experienced cyclist, there were extra opportunities to spend increasing FTP (functional threshold power; roughly your average power for an hour) on an indoor trainer or head out in the light evenings and rack up miles without normal life commitments getting in the way. With all these on-bike gains plus a post-pandemic urge to take on new challenges and explore new scenery, sportives are a perfect way to combine these dynamics. In a sportive – a mass-participation, non-competitive event…

MILK CHOCOLATE VS DARK CHOCOLATE Milk chocolate contains anywhere between 10-50% cocoa solids and is often diluted with milk, sugar and cream, which can increase the calorie, carbohydrate and fat content while reducing the nutrient density. Dark chocolate, meanwhile, can contain anywhere between 50-90% cocoa solids that increases the nutrient density. Cocoa is a fantastic source of flavonoids, which are a particular type of antioxidant. These have been shown to reduce inflammation, improve vascular function and assist in lowering blood pressure. Both are things to eat in moderation! VERDICT Dark Choc wins!…

The sun is shining, trees are coming into leaf and birdsong is providing the soundtrack to every ride. Isn’t cycling pure unadulterated joy? Mostly. But not always. In fact, sometimes it’s a torturous place that can affect everyone. The Hell of the North, South, East and West, to pilfer Paris-Roubaix parlance. Thankfully, whether it’s losing the two-wheeled love or a screamingly sore undercarriage, there are solutions to rekindle your training flame… Problem #1 “I can hardly sit down” SOLUTION Saddle sores are the pin pricks of the devil and, despite the evolution of saddles, will afflict many of us over our cycling lifetimes. So deep can the pain dig that the legend Sean Kelly came within a few days of winning the 1987 Vuelta a España before pulling out with excruciating…

“Every type of endurance ride requires its own strategies in how to maximise fuelling” As you know, fuelling your rides is key to your performance. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how you should do it and what’s best but, in my experience, it’s seldom correct. A key thing to note is that the science behind fuelling your performance shows you typically run depleted of your glycogen stores within 90 minutes of riding if you’re going at a moderate intensity. This means that, if you’re doing any ride over this duration, you need to be considering your fuelling on the bike. And a key point to remember is that you need to be consuming carbohydrate on the bike in relation to the duration and intensity of your ride so…

£599.99 Type Direct drive Maximum power 1500W Maximum simulated gradient 10% Weight 23.6kg Cassette included No Noise 60dB If you’re looking for a direct-drive smart trainer, but can’t face the prices of some of the higher-end models, the Flux S might be the one for you. It’s easy to set up, simply requiring you to attach the legs with the supplied Allen key, but there’s no cassette in the box. With its 6.7kg flywheel, it has a good ride feel, but there is a ceiling of 1,500W power and just 10 per cent simulated gradients, which might occasionally be limiting for stronger riders in comparison to other trainers. The only other niggle is that it doesn’t fold up for easy storage as the legs are fixed in place with bolts.…

We all want to improve our riding, especially when it comes to fitness, which can come from riding with friends or clubs – although being outgunned by fitter riders every time you head out on your bike can be demotivating. But the very best motivation comes from actually seeing improvements in your performance. Yes, you’ll feel you’re getting better when you’re besting a climb or railing a corner, but seeing proven data is the real spark to push harder and put in that extra effort in for the final few miles. Fitting a bike computer, GPS or even a smart mount and your own phone allows you to track every mile of riding you do. When you factor in membership of cycling- or running-tracking websites, such as Strava or Garmin…

Riding a bike is all about overcoming resistance. This comes in the form of aerodynamics – how easily you move through the air – and overcoming friction in the system (more on that later). Then there’s gravity, where weight comes into the equation. And you’ve also got rolling resistance, which can be reduced by using good tyres at the right pressure. Yet, even if you run the fastest rolling tyres, if you use them with cheap, heavy inner tubes you’ll negate the best qualities of the tyres you’ve just invested in. Inner tubes come in many forms from cheap, thick butyl tubes that won’t puncture easily but also won’t roll that well, through to gossamer-thin latex tubes that reduce rolling resistance to a minimum but can be very fragile. It’s…

The easiest and best improvement you can make to a bike is upgrading its tyres. In over 20 years testing bikes, from steel, aluminium, titanium and carbon, and from the most aggressive race bikes to comfortable endurance machines – the one unifying factor is better tyres make a better ride. So, before you think to upgrade and search out the lightest, fanciest, most aero components, look to your bike’s rubber. You wouldn’t fit budget rubber on a Ferrari, so don’t skimp on your bike tyres. The only real question is, tubeless or clincher? Clincher tyres with their simple inner tubes are the system we all grew up with, and with some teams’ riders in this year’s Tour de France using clincher wheels and tyres, they’re still one of the best…

SMASH THAT WINTER CENTURY ➞ 100-mile rides count for much more in the colder months and leave you doubly satisfied CONQUERING A CHILLY ‘winter century’ (a 100-mile ride) will give you a soul-warming surge of satisfaction. While other riders are binge-watching Netflix in their pyjamas, you are the rosy-cheeked adventurer enjoying a glorious spin beneath electric blue winter skies. And when you get home for a hot bath, you can relax in the knowledge that your fitness is sky-high long before Big Ben has even chimed in the arrival of 2022. “It can be difficult to stay motivated as the warm weather becomes a distant memory and sportives wind down, so setting yourself a big winter challenge really helps,” says Phil Paterson, coach at Athlete Lab (athletelablondon.com). “A 100-mile ride is…

Many riders adopt a relaxed upright position on long winter rides then struggle to alter their set-up when they strive to pick up the pace in spring. So train your stamina and silhouette at the same time. Dov Tate, founder of aero wheel experts Parcours (parcours.cc), reveals how to sharpen your shape this winter. Lower your head When riding in winter winds you’ll quickly notice the effect your head position has on your aerodynamics. “By holding your head in line with your shoulders, you will immediately reduce your frontal area,” says Tate. “Removing any spacers under the stem can also help to lower the front end of your bike.” “By holding your head in line with your shoulders, you will immediately reduce your frontal area” Tuck your elbows in Casually…

Top sports nutritionist Will Girling (willgirling.com) reveals how to spice up your cycling cuisine this winter. Breakfast “Adding blueberries, raspberries and strawberries to your porridge will add antioxidants and vitamin C to keep you healthy over winter,” says Girling. “Just warm up some frozen berries to turn them into a compote. Add flaxseed, which is high in Omega 3s, or chia seeds to thicken it. A banana or some nuts will add extra carbs before a long ride. And pomegranate seeds will add antioxidants and vitamins.” Ride snack “I make flapjacks with a 2:1 ratio of glucose and fructose to get slow-release energy for long winter rides,” says Girling. “Adding orange zest aids saliva production to prevent dry mouth, which is an issue when training in cold air.” Ingredients: 180g…

Whether you want to power up the steep slopes of the Lake District on the Fred Whitton or conquer the snaking bends of Alpe d’Huez on a weekend getaway, climbing is the most exciting, painful and rewarding part of cycling. But to climb like Slovenian pro Tadej Pogačar – who won the GC, young rider classification and King of the Mountains jersey at the Tour in 2020 – you first need to think like a pro. That doesn’t mean you need to do brutal seven-hour training sessions, simply that you should commit to refining every single component of your climbing skill set, from your power output to your kit choices, in pursuit of progress. With the help of an elite team of experts, we’ve created a blueprint to help you…

Col du Tourmalet Alpe d’Huez hogs the headlines and Mont Ventoux draws the crowds, but the 2115m Tourmalet is a Tour classic and one of the highest mountain passes in the French Pyrenees. Hardknott Pass Potentially the toughest climb in the UK, boasting sections with 30 per cent gradients on both its western and eastern approaches, Hardknott Pass is a cruel but beautiful Cumbrian delight. Cheddar Gorge A stunning climb through the famous limestone gorge in Somerset, the road curls around snaking corners with gradients of up to 16 per cent, and the views from the top are spectacular.…

Chocolate, chia and sweet potato brownies These bars are packed with great sources of vitamin A and, by using sweet potato over white potato, we’re almost doubling our dietary fibre. Further nutritional benefits come from the inclusion of chia seeds, dark chocolate and honey. The ingredients here should make 20 good-sized brownies. Ingredients (20 Servings) • 1 tbsp coconut oil• 450g diced sweet potato• 2 tsp ground cinnamon• Salt and pepper• 50g honey• 180g unsalted butter, diced• 200g melted dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids)• 50g brown sugar• 1 tsp baking powder• 1 tbsp cocoa powder• 100g walnuts• 1 tbsp chia seeds Method 01 Heat oil in a non-stick pan and cook the sweet potato, cinnamon and seasoning over a medium heat until the potatoes begin to soften (6-10 mins).…

Indoor-cycling workouts are good for fitness, but by adding a few functional-strength drills into your at-home routine, you can transform your turbo trainer into a gym on wheels. From leg strength and core stability to explosive power and speed endurance, road cyclists need a broad spectrum of physical strengths. But not all of these strengths are addressed by traditional indoor-bike workouts. What you need are some dedicated on-bike strength sessions. You can build your glute strength with big-gear intervals, boost your hamstring power with high-cadence work and crank up your fast-twitch muscle fibres with acceleration efforts. Sprinkle a few cycling-specific core and upper-body drills into your indoor rides and you can train your balance and control too, without going near a gym. “Bringing some training indoors to work on specific…

Training indoors has never been so entertaining. You can take your pick from a Sufferfest session, a TrainerRoad workout or a virtual ride around Zwift’s land of Watopia, without cold freezing your fingers or dirt sullying your bike. And with smart trainers becoming more affordable, more cyclists stand to benefit from tailored winter workouts and precise measurement of their training efforts. Gone are the days of sitting on a turbo trainer in boredom, numbly pushing the pedals as you stare at the wall. Does that mean, though, that gone with it is the incentive to actually get out and ride? Can summer smiles now be achieved without winter miles, or is there still some logic in the ‘old-time religion’ of the outdoors approach to winter training? Rise of Zwift Launched…

It won’t be published for another week after we’ve finished speaking, but Phil Cavell still can’t quite bring himself to look at the book he’s just finished writing, let alone field the long list of questions we’ve got for him. Many answers are prefaced with defensive disclaimers – “maybe I came across a bit too anti-this” or “perhaps I was a bit preachy about that” – the typical self-doubt of the first-time author. But as anyone will know who’s ever committed anything to print, let alone a 100,000-word book, is that there comes a period in the process where you’d rather it’d simply disappear into the ether, never to be clapped eyes on by anyone ever again. “I’m at that fatal stage where I can’t even look at it,” Cavell…

01. Go for glycogen Before starting a morning ride, you should replenish the liver glycogen stores that were used overnight to maintain blood-glucose levels. The amount of carbohydrate needed will depend on the magnitude of the ride. This ranges from 0.8-1g per kg of bodyweight (BW) for short, intense rides to 2.4g/kg/BW for those big days out. Why? Liver glycogen has a direct relationship with maintaining blood-glucose levels and, if it’s left empty, you’ll find yourself struggling early in the ride. 02. Pre-ride fuel Working out what to eat before riding first thing is particularly tough. Planning a hard early morning ride? Then consuming carbohydrate is recommended (as highlighted in tip 1), 15-30 minutes before your ride. High-glycaemic-index (GI) carbohydrate will be digested more quickly and is less likely to…

Flavoured milk This is a cheap complete-protein source that will help replenish glycogen stores. It’s a solid choice if part of a balanced diet. A piece of fruit will add some micronutrients. Eggs Whether hard boiled from the supermarket or in an omelette, eggs offer an optimal protein choice with the highest protein digestibility score. Peanut butter Good-quality peanut butter boasts 8g of protein in a two-tablespoon serving, and can easily be added into smoothies. Look for the natural stuff without added sugar or oil.…

01 Indoor gains Most of us will probably admit we don’t enjoy getting wet or cold. Furthermore, if you live in a busy part of the world, training indoors can be much safer. If you’re doing hard intervals to exhaustion or training in a time-trial position on the open roads, you need to be particularly careful. Riding indoors can save you from all of that, plus, it can be extremely time-efficient if you’re following a Zwift training plan or something similar on another platform. Virtual riding is now so popular that there are organised online group rides and Zwift races, so you can indulge your competitive urges at any hour to make it more fun. 02 Weight and packability Trainers come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and weights.…

£429.99 Type Wheel-on Maximum power 1500W Maximum simulated gradient 15% Weight 9kg Cassette included N/A Noise 75dB The Saris M2 is a relatively affordable, wheel-on smart turbo trainer. The classic A-frame design weighs only 9kg, making it easy to move, and it folds up neatly for convenient storage. For a wheel-on trainer, the Saris M2 is noticeably quiet. It can’t quite compete with the better direct-drive trainers, but it’s not far off. Ride feel is good, if not spectacular – largely due to the fact that it only has a 1.2kg flywheel, meaning it struggles to compete against dearer units – and we also found the power accuracy to be better than the claimed +/-5 per cent, once properly calibrated. Verdict Affordable, quiet and with good road feel for a…

When most of us buy a bike, it comes with some element of compromise. Do I buy the best frameset I can find? Should I prepare to take a downgrade when it comes to groupset and wheels? Or do I opt for a bike with a great spec but a so-so chassis? I’d always recommend getting the best you can when it comes to the core of your bike, and not to be swayed by things that wear out. Mechs, chains and cassettes all wear out eventually and as long as a groupset performs, more spend here usually just means ensuring less weight. “Parts all wear out eventually and as long as a groupset performs, more spend here usually just means less weight” Upgrading your bike always used to be…

Ultra-endurance cyclist Chris Hall, who has cycled everywhere from Romania to the Atlas Mountains, insists winter is the best time for fresh experiences. Here Hall, an ambassador for route-planning app Komoot (komoot.com), reveals how to enjoy more winter adventures. Start putting the ‘train’ into training On shorter winter days, it’s okay to cheat. “Try riding to a city you have never visited, then get the train home,” says Hall. “It’s a great way to see somewhere new, sample local cakes or a hot meal, then enjoy the train journey home.” Set off later “This is my big winter tip, especially when the temperatures have plummeted,” insists Hall. “Setting off an hour later, when it’s lighter and warmer, will allow more black ice to thaw and give you time for an…

Scrambled tomato eggs A protein-rich breakfast that’s perfect for recovery after a long heavy ride the previous day. Simple and quick to put together, this is a perfect option if you’re short on time but want to keep your nutrition and fuelling on point. Ingredients (Serves 4) • 5 whole eggs• ½ tsp sesame oil• 1 tbsp mirin• 1 tsp cornflower• 1 tsp sugar• 2 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste• 400g can chopped tomatoes• 2 tbsp olive oil• 5 spring onions, sliced• 1 tsp root ginger, grated• Half a cup of cooked white rice (optional) Method 01 Beat the eggs, sesame oil, mirin and 1 teaspoon of salt in a medium size bowl. In a small bowl, combine the cornflower with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then add in the…

01. Gear up To glide up climbs like a pro, you first need the right gear ratios. “A 28-tooth lower gear should see you up most climbs,” advises performance coach Phil Paterson. But even some pros use 30-tooth sprockets on mountain stages, so don’t be shy about going large. “Also consider switching to a compact or semi-compact front chainring for more generous climbing ratios,” adds Paterson. A standard ring has 39 teeth, but a compact has 34 and a semi has 36, making it much easier to spin the pedals when you’re tackling steep climbs. 02. Consume low-fibre fuel Nutritionist Will Girling (willgirling.com) suggests a low-fibre breakfast – such as a banana and almond butter on toast or a bowl of white rice and eggs – to replenish your glycogen…

01 Specialized S-Works Prevail II helmet £240 At just 227g, this is Specialized’s premium lightweight climbing helmet, with the added bonus of vented channels and a Gutter Action System to divert sweat away from your eyes. 02 Selle Italia Flite Boost TM Superflow saddle £133 Climbing can put pressure on the perineum (the sensitive area between your genitals and backside) but this pro saddle features a special cut-out to minimise nerve damage. 03 dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight jersey £90 Made from a mesh of three premium fabrics, this wafer-thin climbing jersey is strikingly light, and the low neckline enhances comfort when you’re hunched over on steep climbs.…

MAYO VS KETCHUP Ketchup is richer in nutrients such as copper, iron, phosphorus and vitamin B6, which support immune function and metabolism. However, what gives ketchup its sweetness is the high amount of added sugar, but per 100g it only contains 20 kcals. Mayo is richer in protein due to its egg content. However, it contains limited micronutrients and contains a large proportion of fat. As a result, per 100g it holds just under 100 kcals, which all adds up if you’re looking to drop body fat/weight. If you can’t resist it, try switching to a low fat mayo option. VERDICT Ketchup wins!…

These smoothie recipes provide you with a fast, refreshing and nutrient-dense option to consume as either a pre- or post-workout recovery. Each recipe is packed with protein to help promote muscle repair and recovery, while giving you adequate amounts of carbohydrates to either fuel you for your workout or to replenish those depleted muscle glycogen stores following a training session. The beauty of smoothies is that you can add additional ingredients, such as coconut flakes for an additional hit of omega 3 fats, or a scoop of whey protein to increase your protein consumption. Plus, they’re super-fast to make, ensuring they’re a perfect option for the time-poor athlete. Chococado Recovery Smoothie This is a great ‘thick’ smoothie option that’s packed full of healthy fats to support immunity and cognitive function,…

Many pro cyclists are suffering in silence with eating disorders – and a worrying number of amateur riders are too. We examine cycling’s hidden health crisis - and explain how to protect yourself from danger Former Slovenian pro Jani Brajkovič raced at the Tour de France, the Vuelta and the Giro, but in private he was battling a series of harrowing eating disorders. As a bulimic, Brajkovič would routinely make himself sick after eating. He also suffered with orthorexia – an obsession with healthy food – which meant he couldn’t permit himself even a crumb of cake. But Brajkovic is not alone: a recent study in the Journal of Eating Disorders found that a significant 17.1 per cent of cyclists experience disordered eating. “It might sound unreal, but during my…

WORKOUT 01 BASELINE TESTING Coach Team EF Coaching Time 4 hours The benefits The focus of this session is to see how many carbs you can take on per hour to find your limit. Kit Bike, cycling kit, nutrition. Nutrition Lay out what you plan to eat during your race to see how much you have. Aim to eat how you would during your event. Don’t force it, so you can see what you currently do. Try to use the brands that will be at the event in training. Warm-up 30-40mins easy pedalling. Main set 3 hours at 70-75% FTP (functional threshold power), or rate of perceived exertion (RPE, out of 10) 3-4. This is a continuous effort, so fuelling is important. In the last 30mins of the third hour, do 2…

Indoor riding used to have a well-earned reputation for being excruciatingly boring. The idea of spending time on a turbo, self-flagellating to pumping music while you stared at a wall, all in pursuit of some intangible fitness gains, seemed like madness. However, thanks to the advent of smart turbo trainers and third-party interactive apps, realising the benefits of indoor cycling has never been easier nor, crucially, more fun. “Thanks to smart turbo trainers, indoor cycling has never been easier” Today’s smart turbo trainers work by communicating with apps on smartphones, tablets and computers using Bluetooth or ANT+. It sounds complicated, but most of these trainers and apps will automatically search for and connect to each other with the click of a button, so it’s usually simple. If you’re looking to…

£749.99 Type Direct drive Maximum power 2000W Maximum simulated gradient 20% Weight 21.3kg Cassette included No Noise 61dB The H3 is top of Saris’s smart trainer range. Reducing noise levels was one of Saris’s top priorities and at just 61dB at 20mph (on an iPhone app), it’s very quiet. Ride feel is good, with the 9kg flywheel contributing to a very realistic experience. At 21.3kg, it’s also a very solid platform, and while this makes it quite hard to move around, Saris has included a handle, which makes things easier. The H3 is capable of 2,000W power and 20 per cent gradients. Power figures were within the claimed +/-2 per cent accuracy, more than enough for most. At £599, it’s also very competitively priced. Verdict Solid, very quiet with a…

The cockpit of your bike is a key area and a quality handlebar mounted to a solid, secure stem can contribute a huge amount to both the feel of your bike and the handling. Plus, it’s one of your three contact points, so think hard about the shape and style of bar you choose. On pretty much every new bike the bar is an average of the width for that size of bike. Though quite a lot of us aren’t ‘average’, to get the ideal width bar, it’s worth using the rule of thumb by measuring the distance between the two bony bits on your shoulders. This is the bump you can feel on the top of your shoulder – AKA the acromioclavicular joint. If this measures 40cm, you’ll be…

It may sound odd that my number seven upgrade doesn’t include any product or shiny object to fit to your bike. Rest assured, however, that a good bike fit can improve your riding experience and performance far more than expensive lightweight carbon bling. Pretty much any bike you buy is built to suit the ‘average’ rider, but not many of us are average. We all have different physiologies, riding styles, injuries and more. Among testers on our team we have ultra-runners, ex-footballers with knee problems, weightlifters, ex-rugby players with post-broken bones everywhere, rowers and BMXers, each with their own concerns. So we all have individual needs when it comes to bike setup, and you’d be surprised just how much small positional changes can reap big rewards. Personally, after a previous…

My best advice when it comes to saddles is to get measured! Each quality saddle brand offers its own saddle measuring system, so one of your better local bike shops should have a version that will accurately measure your sit bones. Matching saddle width along with riding position is the easiest way to find a saddle that’ll suit your riding style. If you’re not getting measured, then you’re guessing whether a saddle will work for you. With some saddles costing over £300, that can be an expensive mistake. If you can’t find a local store, then both WTB and Specialized offer at-home methods online. Aside from saddle width, your ride position is key when choosing a saddle. If you ride in a flat, racy position then a saddle with a…

This is simple, relatively cheap and makes a huge difference to your ride. Over the years I’ve had many a test bike that just doesn’t feel quite as good as it should thanks to cheap or overstretched bar tape. Original bar tape was cloth based, with almost no stretch, so you ended up double- or even triple-wrapping it to add comfort. Modern tapes are so much better, with gel-infused or multi-density padding providing shock-absorbing comfort and outer materials that are tacky to the touch, meaning your most vital contact point to the bike is never compromised, even in the wet. Learning to wrap tape properly is a meditative art and, with some modern tapes now coming without glued-on backs, you can even unwrap tapes to thoroughly clean them – if…