Índex per August 2024 a Cycling Plus

Canyon has expanded its range of e-gravel bikes by electrifying the Grizl to create the Grizl:ON. With a carbon frame, a gravel suspension fork across the range, integrated lights and the latest, compact Bosch Performance Line SX motor with 55Nm of torque, the Grizl:On takes a different approach to gravel compared to the brand’s existing Grail:ON gravel bike. There are four models, with UK prices ranging from £4,799 for the Grizl:ON CF 7 up to £7,649 for the Grizl:ON CF Trail. 01 Faster and lighter While the Grail:ON comes with a chunky Bosch Performance Line CX motor with 85Nm torque and 250W power output, the new Grizl:ON’s Performance Line SX motor provides a lower 55Nm peak torque for those who prefer to use their own power a bit more. The…

Professional bike riders are a lucky sort. While they might not be able to choose the bike they ride, owing to sponsor restrictions, they do get to pick their favoured model from the brand’s range, plus contact points and sizes – within the range offered by the sponsoring brand, of course (or sometimes some judiciously applied blackout tape comes into play if necessary). These are three of the latest and greatest race bikes, all of which will feature at the 2024 Tour de France (minus a few trimmings, of course). 01 Racy frames The bikes tested here feature the brand’s lightest carbon lay-ups with pro-bike levels of stiffness. The geometries are all aggressive, while brands must always strike a balance between aerodynamics, weight, stiffness and compliance, so you’ll see that…

Picking a winner from the three test bikes was harder than it might seem. Given that there’s little to choose between the top-spec builds, and value becomes relative at these stratospheric price points, the decision largely comes down to the bike’s overall character. The ENVE Melee is the easiest handling of the three, and packs in the most compliance by some margin. That’s not to say it’s slow – it isn’t, but its genial manners make it feel slightly less visceral than either the Cannondale Supersix Evo Lab71 or BMC Teammachine R. And it’s that ‘speed at all costs’ design that a racer after the fastest-feeling bike may covet. In the Melee’s favour, though, is the ability to customise the spec to suit you and your fit, which may help…

Endura Pro SL Race jersey £99.99 Sizes XS-XXL Weight 102g Colours Ink blue; Teal; Mustard; Pomegranate Women’s version? Yes This sub-£100 Pro SL jersey from Endura punches well above its fiscal weight. The dimpled, laser-cut sleeves sit securely on the arms, while the bonded inner seams add further aerodynamic promise (and also minimise chafing). The lean combo of fabrics felt breathable on hilly summer rides and there’s a close-fitting but flexible feel. There are recycled fabrics in the mix (an impressive 80%), and the frontal panel of this Ink Blue version isn’t a touch see-through like the mustard colourway. Three nicely sized and easy-to-access rear pockets are included, but sadly a zipped compartment for valuables is absent. A zipper garage is also missing, but the finishing of the zipper meant…

Mont Ventoux, Alpe d’Huez, the Stelvio. There are many joys to cycling in the mountains, from following in the fabled draft of your cycling heroes to the achievement of reaching a summit and drinking in the spectacular vistas from the top of the world. Yet cycling at altitude can be challenging and it’s important to be prepared before you tackle the legendary European cols this summer and beyond. Here our cast of experts unlock the secrets to not only surviving, but positively thriving, amidst all of the high-altitude majesty. 01 THE EFFECTS OF HIGH ALTITUDE “Air is thinner at altitude,” explains James Barber of the Altitude Centre in London. “This means that the molecules of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide that air consists of are further apart. On each breath, there…

GFNY UPPSALA STATS LOCATION Uppsala, Sweden NEXT DATE 24 August 2024 DISTANCES 79km, 134km PRICE From £101 • GFNY Uppsala, part of the GFNY World Series, takes you through the picturesque region of Uppsala, Sweden, just north of Stockholm. Known for its rich history (Vikings, ancient burial mounds, biologist Carl Linnaeus) and innovation (science research, Uppsala University), Uppsala offers a unique blend of urban and rural experiences. GFNY Uppsala has become a favourite for both local and international riders, showcasing the best of Scandinavian cycling and acting as the GFNY European Championship in 2024. Pre-ride prep To prepare for GFNY Uppsala, mimic the course’s varied terrain by incorporating both flat and hilly routes in your training. Work on your endurance and pacing to handle the distance. Simulate the gran fondo…

From Chris Boardman’s dazzling dash to gold on his futuristic Lotus track bike at Barcelona 1992 to Sir Bradley Wiggins’ crowd-pleasing pose on a golden throne after winning the London 2012 Time Trial, every British cyclist heading to Paris knows that an Olympic triumph can deliver sporting immortality. “We are getting to the sharp end,” admits British Cycling performance director Stephen Park. “Everyone feels the excitement rising as we go to an Olympic Games, especially one close to a home Games, with the same time zone, and families and the public able to follow… Against the backdrop of Paris’s Eiffel Tower, there will be a massive amphitheatre of excitement and a sense of athletes making history.” Dating back to Athens 1896, Britain has won 100 Olympic cycling medals, including 38…

20 May 2024 Gravel cyclists tackle a bend in Coed y Brenin forest in Eryri/Snowdonia National Park. The forest has a big reputation in the mountain biking community, but thanks to funding from Natural Resources Wales, gravel enthusiasts now have a treasure trove of waymarked, mostly traffic-free trails to delve into, from 9km to 36km, and aimed at riders of all abilities. beicsbrenin.co.uk…

This mass-participation cycling event may not have invented the genre, but thanks to its association with the Tour de France, it certainly has the most clout, with a crossover name recognition that other cycling events can but dream of. Its concept is simple. Amateurs mimic a mountain stage of that summer’s Tour de France, these days on a closed-road route. The most recent event (which, at time of writing, was last summer), saw 11,500 finishers from 16,000 registrations and 92 nationalities represented, riding through the Alps from Annemasse to Morzine. If you wind back to the first L’Étape du Tour in 1993, however, you’ll find a modest event of 1,705 riders on a cold, misty morning in the Pyrenees. The 190km route from Tarbes to Pau crossed giants including the Tourmalet…

Somewhere in a small town in Somerset, tucked behind the council offices, is a diminutive path with a huge impact. It may only be 275m long, but this new route, ducking under a handsome stone bridge carrying a busy A-road, has seen 104,000 cycling and walking trips in its first 12 months. Considering that small town, Shepton Mallet, has just 10,000 inhabitants, that’s impressive. An unlikely chain of events, key to the path’s success, involved a change of heart by a large Government-owned organisation, whose hand was forced in turn by a small group of committed, vocal campaigners in Yorkshire. For years, a branch of National Highways infilled its historic railway bridges, just like the one in Shepton, under the guise of health and safety, and cost savings. NH’s Historic…

MEET THE CHEF Hannah Grant is an experienced Danish chef who has cooked for pro cycling teams including Team Saxo-Tinkoff and Team Jumbo-Visma, and at Grand Tours like the Tour de France. These recipes are from Hannah’s The New Grand Tour Cookbook, £29.99 (hannahgrant.com) RACE-WINNING DINNER Salmon Fish Cakes with Red Coleslaw Time 35mins Serves 4 People Ingredients FISH CAKES • 400g salmon fillet• 1 tsp salt• 2 eggs• 2 tbsp wheat flour or oat flour• 2 spring onions• ½ tsp freshly grated ginger• Zest of 1 lime• Oil for frying• Salt and pepper to taste RED COLESLAW • ¼ head red cabbage• 1 red pepper• 1 apple• ¼ bunch mint• 25g pistachios• 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup• Juice and zest of 1 lemon• 1 tbsp olive oil• Salt and pepper…

Trek RSL Knit £399.99 A stable shoe for hot, hard days Sizes EU 36-48 Colours White/Silver, Black/Gold Trek’s RSL Knit is designed for fast, hightemperature summer riding. The outsole of this now-wider shoe is Trek’s super-stiff, goldpainted OCLV carbon (their strongest and lightest) with large, mesh toe and midfoot vents. The sock-like upper is highly elastic and blends multiple weaves to maximise breathability, while the heel cup is large, semi rigid and the tallest I’ve tried at the rear. Secure fit The heel cup is lined with a very grippy, cat’s tongue-like material and the fit is adjusted by twin Li2 Boa dials attached to MetNet support straps. The insole is made from a bio-based EVA foam-style material with a slight rise through the arch and a retaining edge around…

01 SHOULD WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS BE USED BY CYCLISTS? Over 15% loss in bodyweight, slashing heart attacks by 20% and Walmart attributing a drop in food sales to its market rollout. A new generation of weight-loss drugs, of which Ozempic and Wegovy are the two highest profile, have many labelling this a societal ‘gamechanger’. You can see why, as the World Health Organisation says 2.5billion adults are overweight (a BMI of 25 or over) or obese (BMI over 30) with this figure predicted to tip to over 50% of the world’s population by 2035. “Both Ozempic and Wegovy are produced by Danish company Novo Nordisk, and whose active ingredient is ‘semaglutide’,” says David Stensel, professor of exercise metabolism at Loughborough University. “Ozempic’s prescribed for diabetes, while Wegovy is a higher dose and…

Away from the day-to-day, and year-to-year grind of the racing circuit, it’s above all the quadrennial aspect of competing in the Olympic Games that makes a gold medal so highly prized. A world champion is made every season but the opportunity to become Olympic or Paralympic champion might only come about once in a career. The stars must align: the rider arriving in their peak years and form, with the course a fit for their skillset. While some of the riders in this list, such as Tom Pidcock and Katie Archibald, are going for gold all over again, others are yet to have their moment. Over the next six pages, we profile 10 riders, across all disciplines, whose performances you shouldn’t miss in Paris, including Lotte Kopecky, the Belgian favourite…

Bicycle Links Norwich History ● Started 2011 in St Mary’s Works, Norwich, before moving into current King St home, expanding to 10 staff. “Our key goal has always been positive social impact for the community through reuse and recycling of parts and bikes”, says Links’ Corrinne Ainsworth. What makes this shop special? ● “We care! We provide a personal service to all types of cyclists and always offer honest advice. We’re a Community Interest company and want to make cycling accessible to everyone,” says Corrinne. “Our volunteer workshop provides skills and opportunities through refurbishing bikes for our social projects, and we work with partner charities. One of our projects is Welcome Wheels, which gives bikes to refugees and asylum seekers.” What’s in store ● “A range of new Gazelle, Raleigh…

A straight but undulating road, characterful of the region, stretches far into the distance. The real treat, however, is how pin-drop calm these tiny roads connecting the rural villages of Rutland and Melton in Leicestershire are. With Birmingham to the west and London less than an hour’s train journey south, in a country as congested as England, geography suggests it should be busier. Yet peace abounds and an abundance of minor roads; gated, cattle-gridded lanes and gravel tracks are a playground for cyclists away from the vast network of A- and B-roads for the four-wheel brigade. Rutland is England’s smallest county, so any ride here may dip into neighbouring territory: Lincolnshire to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Northamptonshire to the south and Leicestershire to the west. During a recent…

ENVE Melee (Dura-Ace Di2 build) £11,965 Optimised for speeds of 32-40kph, the Melee is designed for riding as well as racing. (Ultegra rotors pictured). Cannondale Supersix Evo Lab71 EF Replica £12,500 The American brand’s flagship all-round race bike uses an even lighter, top-spec carbon lay-up than before BMC Teammachine R 01 LTD £14,999 Developed in conjunction with Red Bull, does the BMC indeed have wings to make the top podium position?…

Forty-odd years ago, when they actually paid you to be a student, Interrail was a big thing. It gave a month’s unlimited travel on all Europe’s trains, with a pass costing just a few weeks’ housing benefit. (Students got that in holidays, too.) For a backpacking generation, it was their introduction to foreign travel. Interrail’s still here, and has evolved. It’s now appbased, and offers a huge range of durations, areas and days-in-a-month deals. For the cyclist cherry-picking rides here and there, it offers the chance of whizzing you and bike to and around continental Europe flight-free. The app shows which trains take regular bikes; with a folder you can take any train, and avoid the modest extra charges for bikes. Or, of course, you can swan around with just…

Steaming manhole covers, fleets of yellow taxis, skytickling towers that make London feel like the civil parish of Loddon, Norfolk. New York is surely the world’s most photographed, filmed and iconic city: a metropolis that feels at once familiar and utterly extraordinary. Rarely have I imagined cycling along Seventh Avenue in midtown Manhattan, however, especially at 4:30am on a Sunday morning. The bright lights of Broadway and Elphaba Thropp of Wicked fame will have to wait for another day, though. I have another cast of green characters to chase, namely the pre-dawn secret society of cyclists in their mandatory fluoro-lime GFNY race jerseys descending into the city’s subway stations. Shared with equally weary revellers making their way home from midtown’s remaining dive bars, our eight-mile journey on the subway takes…

“I only learned to ride a bike during the pandemic, thanks to the Bikeability cycling course. Before that I was a runner, but I tore my knee ligaments twice and a consultant said I should cycle instead. I didn’t know how to ride so I borrowed a bike and had my first lesson. I had a bit of a tantrum because I’d never used gears and I couldn’t understand what the instructor, Barry, was on about when he told me to change gears. Thankfully we both persisted and, as I got to grips with cycling, I joined a local group, the Bingley Belles. That boosted my confidence as we mostly did canal rides, steering clear of busy roads. After doing my first six miles for the Belles, I felt like…

Haute Route Alps 2024, 25 August A multi-mountain, high-altitude sportive with several cols over 2,000m, including Col de la Bonette (2,715m) on Stage 6. sportivebreaks.com/sportives/ Alpe d’Huez Weekender, 4 Sept This Sportive Breaks Cycling Weekender is a four-night trip that sees riders tackle the Col du Galibier, Alpe d’Huez and more. sportivebreaks.com/tours-weekenders/ Stelvio GF Santini. 8 June 2025 This gran fondo covers both sides of the Stelvio Passo di Gavia (2,616m) and the mighty Mortirolo (1,852m) in Italy. sportivebreaks.com/sportives/…