Cycling Plus November 2021

Aerodynamic gains. E-gravel bikes. Aluminium racers and penny-farthing racing from an industrial estate near Malmö, Sweden. The broad spectrum, dare I say smorgasbord, of cycling is especially evident in the pages of Cycling Plus this month. And I love that variation in two-wheeled travel, how no ride is ever the same and can be influenced by distances and intensities, surfaces and scenery, the riding company and the choice of bike. And, yes, the weather. Don’t forget to let me know what you’d like to see featured in the magazine. Enjoy the issue… SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & COMPETITIONS AS PART OF OUR SUBSCRIBER CLUB! SUBSCRIBE! NEW SUBSCRIBERS TO CYCLING PLUS CAN CHOOSE ONE OF TWO LEZYNE LIGHTS AND SAVE 30% ON THE MAGAZINE ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? Get access to exclusive content, competitions and…

THE BIG PICTURE NO PLACE LIKE HOME After the blow of a pandemic-enforced postponement in 2020, the AJ Bell Tour of Britain made up for lost time with a scintillating return in September. Good weather played its part, particularly in the early southwest stages, but it was the riders who made the race on a fabulous route, with Brit Ethan Hayter separating superstars Wout van Aert and Julian Alaphilippe on the final podium…

So. Farewell, then, Tour de Yorkshire. It’s been announced that the annual four-day stage race, according to race organiser ASO’s CEO Yann Le Moenner, “will not be organised in 2022”. There was nothing in the statement announcing its cancellation to suggest it would be back in time for 2023, or any subsequent year after that. The race’s lifespan was similar to another British pro race first organised around the same time, the RideLondon-Surrey Classic. Both were born out of whirlwind romances, the TdY in 2015 through the relationship between ASO and tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire following the organisation of the Tour de France start in 2014; and RideLondon building on the momentum generated by the 2012 Olympic Games and first staged in 2013. But both have suffered messy splits, beset…

German brand Fidlock is known for its clever twist-lock magnetic system, which has been used for bag mounts, cageless bottle fittings and smart helmet straps. Now it’s designed an all-new phone mount that combines magnets and a vacuum to make one of the most minimal, adjustable and secure phone mounts we’ve ever seen. The large, 60mm-diameter suction cup has a central 35mm-diameter magnetic disc, which is mirrored on the accompanying phone case (available for iPhone, iPhone Mini, iPhone Max, Samsung S Series and Galaxy Ultra). The mount fitting is inset on the phone case, which is neat and unlike most phone mount cases. This means there are no sticky-out bits or extra bulk. Fidlock offers different mounts – from a standard bar mount to a unit that replaces your bike’s headset cap…

01 LEZYNE HARD BAR CADDY £53 Bar bags are very popular right now, but the hard caddy is a little different to most. Its lightweight, EVAfoam construction makes for a 143g semi-hard case with generous proportions. It has a 2.2-litre capacity and its 26 x 13 x 13cm dimensions make it more than big enough for a multitool, spare tube, pump, wallet, keys, jacket, phone and even a decent-sized compact camera too. The zipped main compartment has an elasticated divider/pocket and externally there are reflective strips and three Velcro straps for a secure fit. 02 WOLF TOOTH SUPPLE LITE BAR TAPE £29 Designed for tougher days in the saddle and gravel roughness, this 2.5mm-thick tape is tacky and textured to the touch, and made from EVA foam. What sets the Supple Lite Tape…

Steady, middle-England Northampton offers pleasant and quick ways in and out the centre, thanks to the River Nene and Grand Union Canal. These modestly delightful circuits have few hills but plenty of gentle variety, making things easy but never boring. The town has all the facilities you’d expect, plus a fantastic cyclists’ pub. ROUTE ONE WESTERN LOOP 62 MILES VILLAGE PEOPLE Easy run through quaint Northants villages. Waterside route out of town, backroads to Daventry Reservoir (cafes in town centre). Pleasant run with side-trips to quaint Badby, Eydon. Towcester Racecourse, Stoke Bruerne’s canal pubs and museum, Salcey Forest. GET THE ROUTE: komoot.com/tour/456405614 ROUTE TWO EASTERN LOOP 48 MILES EASY SIGHTS AND SCENES Light, villagey jaunt. Waterside route east from town and lanes to Castle Ashby (cafe). Quiet run to Harrold-Odell country park (cafe) and easily to Olney…