Innehållsförteckning för January 2020 från Cycling Plus

I distinctly remember an old episode of Blackadder in which Lord Percy sought to make gold from lead in order to save his friend’s behind from the wrath of the baby-eating Bishop of Bath & Wells. Alas, all he managed to fashion was a “splat” of what “if it has a name” was “some green”. The secret of alchemy, it transpires, has eluded the world’s greatest minds for good reason. It seems that making a cycling jacket that is both waterproof and breathable is its own kind of alchemy. Are we edging closer to this holy grail? Our feature on p90 looks at the latest science… SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & COMPETITIONS AS PART OF OUR SUBSCRIBER CLUB! SUBSCRIBE! NEW SUBSCRIBERS TO CYCLING PLUS CAN GET AN…

Vitus ZX-1 CRS Aero Disc This disc-optimised model combines a very race-orientated design with some value packed specifications £2799.99 As used by the Vitus Pro Cycling team Back in Vitus’s early 1990s heyday, it launched the original ZX-1. It was an organically shaped, curvy carbon masterpiece and Vitus claimed it to be the first commercially available carbon monocoque race bike. Since then, the Vitus name has changed hands and the French brand is now based in Northern Ireland under the ownership of Chain Reaction Cycles. Since its revival, Vitus has been closely involved in racing with a long association with Irish sprint legend Sean Kelly’s An Post, and more recently with the Vitus Brother pro continental team and riders. The ZX-1 CRS Aero is the chassis chosen by the team…

York Minster may be the tourist-selfie sweet spot, but the Millennium Bridge is the city’s cycling kilometre zero. A vital local pedestrian/bike link across the Ouse, it’s right on major long-haul leisure routes (Way of the Roses, Trans Pennine Trail, NCN65/66). The historic centre is five minutes’ ride on pleasant riverside cycleways, while nearby York Uni has a velodrome and 1km cycle circuit. The nearest hilly stuff is the underrated gem of the Wolds sitting a dozen miles east; the stunning Dales or Moors are each 40 minutes’ train journey. And one minute away is Cycle Heaven, a huge-but-friendly bike emporium with an equally clean-lined, light, classy and inclusive cycle cafe. It’s a popular rendezvous and hangout for parents with toddlers and newspaper-reading brunchers, but also plenty of about-town cyclists…

CANNONDALE SYNAPSE AL DISC TIAGRA £1034.98 The second spec level of Cannondale’s enduring endurance bike is still very reasonably priced at just over a grand. The aluminium frame is UCI-approved, should you fancy some top-level racing. It boasts an all-carbon fork and Shimano Tiagra gearing and mudguards don’t hurt its fine looks, making this a good candidate for our wintry rides round up. THE LIGHT BLUE ROBINSON V2 £1184.99 With a slim-tubed Reynolds steel frame and steel fork, the Robinson V2 continues The Light Blue’s habit of building modern frames with undeniably retro roots. Its Shimano Sora groupset, boxy rims and chunky tyres continue the theme, but does it feel current? We put it to the test against some of the UK’s finest autumnal weather. TREK CHECKPOINT AL4 £1289.99 Second…

The second rung on Trek’s Checkpoint ladder is this AL 4, which shares an entry-level Alpha 200 aluminium frame with the lesser-specced AL 3. Up front is a carbon fork with tapered alloy steerer. Can a gravel bike really pass muster as an all-weather, all-season machine? We think so. With a frameset built to take a pounding, heaps of tyre clearance and mounts for almost anything, the Checkpoint is well-featured; when appropriately configured, it should be versatile enough to take you almost anywhere. As well as the obvious full mudguard mounts, there’s a third bottle cage mount beneath the down tube (1), which is useful for a spare bottle on long rides. The two cage mounts within the main triangle each offer high or low fitting positions, allowing for rider…

Riding in whatever the weather gods throw at you is hard enough, but the R1 is a very capable and rewarding place to be With the incessant rain and quantity of tractor-borne mud on our local roads throughout October, never was there a better demonstration of the worth of mudguard-equipped bikes. Of our five models, The Light Blue’s Robinson was always going to plough its own furrow, struggling to match the outright performance of the others, but bringing its own calm ride quality to proceedings. Its beautiful frame and competent spec have their appeal, but will fare better on flatter terrain. Next up, we have a three-way tie between the Trek Checkpoint AL 4, Ribble CGR AL and Cannondale Synapse AL. They’re separated on paper by almost £600, but on…

£134.99 Race-optimised short saddle Fizik has been known for a long time as an innovator in saddle design so it’s surprising that it’s taken so long for the company to enter the short saddle market. The Vento is designed with racers in mind (it also offers the Tempo aimed more at endurance/sportive riders). The length is short at 265mm and is available in two widths: 140mm or 150mm (our test saddle is 150mm). The shortened shape still retains a fairly curved design front to back that, like its full size Aliante, holds you in position very well. The swooping shape is complemented by a nose-to-tail channel to relieve pressure to your more sensitive areas. On the bike, the Vento is a wonderfully comfortable place to spend a few hours. The shaping…

As the sun sets on your sportive season, motivation nestled at the crest of the hill, thoughts inevitably turn to a new year. ‘In 2020, I’ll shed weight, build muscle, boost power and climb the results listings,’ you tell yourself. ‘The only alcohol that’ll touch my lips will be a successful splash of Dom Pérignon.’ Reality soon bites, of course. Family and work life, a drop in daylight, temperatures and immunity, plus a rise in mucus production, soon send you off track. Thankfully, with some periodised planning – dividing your training year into blocks of time – your cycling dreams can come true. But if optimum fitness seems a world away at this time of year, don’t be too hard on yourself. A study undertaken by Professor Aldo Sassi of…

The cycling climatologists amongst you will know this already, but the average UK temperature during the winter of 2018/2019 nestled at 5.2°C, 1.4°C above the 1981-2010 average. Rainfall measured 256mm, a whopping 77 per cent above the 1981-2010 average. So mild and wet, making the apparel industry’s Holy Grail of a fully waterproof, fully breathable jacket that much tougher. ‘What,’ you might exclaim? ‘According to the marketing gumph, my jacket’s already achieved both.’ In reality, we’re far from a dry, warm and airy nirvana. But it’s not all overcast gloom. Material technology and greater awareness of fit is such that the fabled boil in the bag jackets are a thing of the past, as long as you know what to look for. Which is where we come in… Damp Ratings…

Turbo trainers and indoor sessions are great for maintaining fitness levels over the winter but venturing out into the cold for regular road rides still has its merits. Pro coach Liam Holohan insists that riding in the cold not only builds physical stamina and mental resilience, but also equips the rider with a greater range of road-handling skills, and a true appreciation of getting out on the road more often when the good weather returns. Group rides in the winter help build bonds and iron out strategy ahead of the new season, too. There are plenty of plus points, but to fine-tune your frosty condition skillset, try these pro tips… 01 SURFACE LAYERS It’s an oldie but it’s true. You want to layer up rather than rely on one big…

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE RIDE LEEDS, YORKSHIRE 3RD MAY 2020 Ride the same roads as the professionals just hours before them and sprint across the same finish line in central Leeds. Three expertly designed courses wind through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales including large sections of the official Tour route so you can soak up the atmosphere. Ride like a pro and take on the Tour De Yorkshire Ride 2020. https://letour.yorkshire.com/tour-de-yorkshire-ride DRAGON RIDE MAGRAM PARK, NEWPORT 7TH JUNE 2020 The Dragon Ride, set in the Brecon Beacons challenges riders to the best alpine like climbing in the UK. Featuring the Dragon Devil the toughest sportive in the UK, at 300km and nearly 5000m of climbing. Whether you are looking for a new challenge or coming back for more the Dragon Ride will…

Whether you love core workouts or loathe them, strong abdominal and lower back muscles are essential if you want to maintain a comfortable position on your bike and maximise the power output of your pedal stroke. But many standard core exercises suggested by personal trainers, such as sit-ups, aren’t the best choice for road cyclists. That’s because riding a bike involves some major body imbalances (each pedal stroke sees one leg extended downwards while the other is bent and raised upwards) and some unique challenges (such as maintaining a still upper body on climbs while your legs are pedalling frantically), so you need much more functional core exercises. “It is much better to focus on asymmetrical exercises, which mirror the challenges of riding a bike,” insists Robby Ketchell, a former…

Getting stomach issues while riding, especially on long rides, can be quite common, but what are the main factors that could contribute to this? CARB OVERLOAD We can only absorb so much carbohydrate. A basic rule of thumb is 90g of carbs per hour, but we’re all different – some people can only manage 70g while others can take in up to 120g. Just find the level that’s best for you. FRUCTOSE Lots of fructose from fruit (fresh or dried) or honey can cause gastrointestinal distress (GI), mostly down to the fact that fructose is broken down half as slowly as glucose. So, if you’re piling in bananas and dates, you could be backing yourself up. DAIRY Just as fructose can take a while to digest, taking on large amounts…

PRICE £2709 UPGRADES SADDLE MILES RIDDEN 426 The last few months haven’t involved as much riding on my Ribble Endurance SL as I would have liked due a slight medical emergency – a detached retina. However, I’m now cured, able to ride again and can claim a small victory – I managed to carry out an incredibly simple bike maintenance task without breaking anything. I swapped one saddle for another and the world kept turning. Pathetic, I know, but in the past two years I’ve managed to dethread a set of seat tube bolts during another saddle replacement job, split an aluminium stem in two and, the best one, crush a carbon steerer tube. I can’t see that there’ll be much that I’ll be able to throw at the Ribble…

Pinnacle Dolomite LTD Edition £1300 WHAT'S THE STORY? Evans’ award-winning road bike is marketed as a sportive-cum-performance-cum-training bike. It comes without mudguards but there are fittings for ’guards and clearance for 25mm tyres. The butted aluminium semi-compact frame with full internal cable routing looks neat and is paired with a thru-axled, full-carbon fork. ALL THE GEAR? The Dolomite scores very highly with a Shimano 105 hydraulic groupset apart from the non-series RS510 compact chainset. The 34x30 bottom gear’s a bit higher than the Tifosi’s. Rear rack mounts add versatility. WHAT'S THE RIDE LIKE? A smooth, slightly upright ride that veers towards the neutral, rather than the dynamic – just what you want for all-round road riding and commutes. The endurance geometry makes it a steady and controlled descender. THE VERDICT…

£149.95 Safe sounds for riding we’re big fans of AfterShokz headphones and it has continued to refine its patent pending tech over the years with the Aeropex, the latest model to deliver quality sounds using bone-conduction technology. This means that rather than sitting in, or over, your ears like traditional headphones they sit on your cheekbones, which still allows you to hear what’s going on around you when riding. The PremiumPitch 2.0 sound standard means you get in-ear headphone quality sound from the cheekbone vibrating tech. They fit around the nape of your neck and up over your ears and even though they are a flyweight 26g, they’re highly secure thanks to the sprung titanium band that holds them in place. The Aeropex uses a magnetic charging port so it’s…

JOHN WHITNEY: We’re heading into that time of year where pro teams reveal their colours for the new season and it got me thinking about the best-ever jerseys. They’ve changed so much over time, both in their materials and design - simple, clean designs have been consumed by sponsors fighting for supremacy on the jersey, while wool is long gone in favour of super-technical fibres. Are we able to pick a favourite between retro and modern? TREVOR WARD: Retro sports kit – not just cycling, but football and other sports – is a beautiful thing. Yes, it lacks the functionality of today’s drip-dry, high-wicking, kitten-friendly, caffeine-compliant, computer-designed textiles, but it looks gorgeous. And surely for us amateurs and dreamers, looking good is just as important as riding fast? PAUL ROBSON:…

Cannondale’s Synapse has long been an endurance bike favourite. One of the first bikes to offer features that now define a modern endurance machine, the Synapse expands the versatility and potential of a road bike with little difference in speed. Here we have the £999.99 Synapse AL Disc, with its price mildly elevated by some classic SKS mudguards. It’s quite the bargain on paper. Apart from the round seat tube, all of its SmartForm C2 alloy frame tubes (1) are specifically shaped to counteract stress, add stiffness, or increase comfort. The extensive SAVE flattened portions of the seat and chainstays provide the latter, while still allowing easy clearance for the 28mm tyres, and the SAVE fork is all carbon, which is impressive at the price. It’s neatly finished with a…

The new Kinesis R1 is designed as a versatile road bike that’s optimised for a single-ring drivetrain. Among its useful fixtures and fittings is internal routing and an external cable stop for a front derailleur, just in case you feel the need. If you do, the very low seat tube-mounted bottle cage might need a little spacing away from the frame to allow for the mech’s clamping band. It’s an elegant frame with a tapered head tube leading to pleasingly round main tubes and seatstays (1). The chainstays are subtly ovalised vertically and crimped for chainring clearance. The seatstays are crimped for tyre clearance below their bridge and for 160mm disc rotor clearance too. All of the tubes are straight with no S-shaped waviness and it gives an attractive, no-nonsense…

“Let me start by telling you some reasons NOT to apply for Team Alpecin. Don’t apply for the team if you want to turn pro, or if you want to go it alone. Equally, don’t apply for Alpecin if you want a few freebies that will make you fast for free. That’s not what the programme is designed for. “So why should you apply? Well, if you are interested to know what your body could be capable of with the right support. If you’re willing to listen to a coach who will test your limits, or to adapt your nutrition to keep you healthy and climbing uphill faster than ever before. Or if you want to know what it’s like to have pro support, even though you are unlikely ever…

The Roadmachine 01 One from Switzerland is every inch the all-round road bike. It’s a checklist of up-to-date tech, taking in a sub-1kg disc-braked frame with a claimed 25 per cent more vertical compliance than the previous model, 20 per cent greater torsional stiffness, a five per cent stiffer bottom bracket and clearance for 33mm tyres. Further refinements include an Integrated Cockpit System and BMC’s TCC – Tuned Concept Compliance – Endurance. Or as BMC puts it: “the ultimate balance between comfort and performance”. The ‘iconic’ radically dropped seatstays, a long-time BMC favourite, are present and correct. As are the now-inevitable front and rear thru-axles, with asymmetric fork legs to cope with the extra force generated by the disc brakes. The BMC’s ICS – Integrated Cockpit System – is also…

While they still have a few detractors, disc brakes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the yearly ranges from most brands, with some eschewing rim brakes altogether. Regardless, there are the products of all years ‘before discs’ (BD) still in circulation, not to mention those new bikes still available with rim brakes. Will rim brakes ever disappear completely? Probably not. Those brands unwilling to stoop to sufficiently low-quality callipers to shoe-horn disc brakes into the spec of their most entry-level models will stick with rim brakes for at least those bikes. It’s a widely held opinion that the one component worth upgrading if you want to go faster is the brakes. That might seem contrary, but the more confidence you have in your stoppers, the less worried you’ll be about pushing…

WHEN DID YOU START CYCLING? “I took up cycling after retiring as a vicar 20 years ago. I remember cycling and camping as a teenager but it’s only now that I get to spend a good amount of time on the bike.” WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO KEEP ON CYCLING? “I’ve experienced some of the UK’s most breathtaking landscapes by bike, and I enjoy being out in the fresh air, but the health benefit that come with riding a bike is one of my top motivators.” HOW DOES CYCLING HELP YOU KEEP FIT? “My physiotherapist suggested I started cycling because, unlike other activities, it doesn’t put too much pressure on your joints and helps to strengthen the muscles, which support your knees. That’s not to say it cures arthritis. But, for…

My ‘tour of friends’ this summer was partly about riding my bike more, and partly about reconnecting with friends and family, and it’s been a fantastic experience, like no other. My goal was to visit the people that I felt like I’d neglected over the past two years as work got in the way. No more excuses of trains being too expensive to travel on – it’s just been me and my bike and a whole load of adventure. Since picking up my Triban bike from Decathlon earlier in the year, I’ve managed to explore a lot more of the country than I was expecting! I have loved having the freedom to stick to the road, or switching it up and going off-road for a chunk of my ride, and…

High in the Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado, a ribbon of tarmac coils upwards in a series of twists and turns that rise ever higher until eventually the road seemingly disappears into the sky, heading for the heavens. It’s here, on the slopes of Mount Evans, that I find myself being sucked deeper into my own personal hell, every laboured breath leaving me feeling as if my lungs are being forcibly crushed. Every metre climbed is another test of my mental strength to somehow keep pedalling. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, but then again I’ve never ridden my bike at 4000m altitude before. Taking on the Goliath The Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb is up there with the most masochistic of races. At ‘only’ 28 miles…

£11,100 Super-light 6.5kg disc-braked road bike Wilier’s SLR Zero tallies up all the tech watchwords for today’s toproad bikes in one incredibly classy-looking package. At this year’s launches greater integration, asymmetry, aero features, low weight and disc-brakes were all the rage. And the SLR Zero certainly cuts a stylish swathe, Wilier describing it as ‘the first ultralightweight racing bike with disc brakes and fully integrated cables’. The high-modulus carbon frame incorporates a liquid crystal polymer within the resin, which Wilier says improves frame damping. As you’d quite rightly hope for from a pro-quality bike that was debuted by the Total Direct Energie team at this year’s Tour de France, the handling is razor sharp with direction changes from the integrated one-piece cockpit virtually instantaneous and the ride is never less…

A NEW HOPE If we’re going with Star Wars-related headlines, some would argue the all-dominating British Cycling is probably closer to the Empire than the Rebel Alliance. Yet it was hard to resist when their striking 2020 Olympic bike was unveiled in late October, given the involvement of Lancashire’s Hope Technology. The bike, named HB.T, was also developed by Lotus Engineering, whose last Olympic partnership with the federation famously helped Chris Boardman win gold at Barcelona 1992.…

01 FACOM KEY SETS £58.40 (TORX), £16.54 (HEX) French tool maker Facom has a big reputation when it comes to automotive tools but there’s plenty in the catalogue for the simpler mechanics of the bicycle. The 89.JM torx key sleeve comes with T25, T20, T15, T10, T8, T27, T30 and T40 bits all made to the highest standards and contained within a large 14cm package with 9cm long bits that are ideal for hard-to-reach bolts. The hex key sleeve comes with 1.5,2,2.5,3,4,5 and 6mm bits in a similarly chunky holder and long tools: both make bike maintenance that little bit easier (2.5 to 10mm range also available). 02 ACCU-GAGE £27.50 The analogue Accu-Gage comes in pressure ranges of 0 to 15, 30, 60 or 160psi, for Presta, plus two Schraeder…

Cycling is, in our biased opinion, the finest, most intricately nuanced sport; very sociable, environmentally responsible and a thoroughly practical means of daily transport. But there’s a problem. Unless you’re a track rider, ours is an outdoor pastime, and we’re blessed in the UK with a maritime climate. It’s often been said that the weather is the most common subject of conversation in the UK, and for good reason. The one thing we can rely on is that it will always be different, and often quite wet. How we deal with the vagaries of our weather varies. The maxim that there’s no such thing as poor weather, only poor clothing is generally true, but why not tip the odds more in your favour? Instead of counting on your cycling clothing…

The Light Blue build bikes that hark back to more simple times with classical looks and conventional style but modern sensibilities. The Robinson has a neat, tig welded, double-butted Reynolds 725 steel frame with a straight-bladed Chromoly steel fork and a very classy-looking paint job. The top tube is subtly ovalised in the vertical plane, as is the down tube where it joins the head tube, but it’s oriented horizontally at the bottom bracket shell to counteract stress (1). The seatstays taper at each end and kink before the dropouts, while the wavy chainstays ovalise vertically before the bottom bracket and are crimped for tyre clearance. The seat tube and generously tall head tube are round with a diameter almost matched by the chunky, mildly tapered fork legs with a…

CGR stands for ‘cross, gravel, road’, and alludes to the numerous ways that the steel, aluminium, titanium or carbon CGR framesets can be built. Versatility is a good thing, so long as a bike does master the majority of its proposed uses. Available with a wide range of single and double chainring groupsets, 700c and 650B wheelsets, plus tyres and tyre clearance, the CGR has the potential to fulfil many riders’ everyday needs. Our model was upgraded from the standard £1399 build and came equipped with a Shimano 105 groupset, including hydraulic disc brakes with Tektro rotors and Mavic’s Allroad wheelset with some fetching Continental tyres, plus mudguards. The finishing kit consists of Ribble’s own Level 1 alloy bar and stem, plus 27.2mm carbon seatpost, topped with a Prologo Kappa…

NEW GEAR WE SAY… If you want to add comfort and flair with some flare, Ritchey’s Comp Butano bar is a brilliant choice PRO DISCOVER GRAVEL BAR £44.99 Construction PRO’s new Discover gravel bar comes in carbon fibre, or this more affordable 6066 alloy version. Available in widths from 40-44cm, our 42cm example weighs 276g and is measured between the points where the top edges of the lever hoods meet the bar. Its 12-degree flare makes it 47cm across the bar ends. Ergonomics The bar has a 75mm reach and 110mm drop with a smooth, ergonomic bend, an ideal match for the lever and hood design of Shimano’s new GRX gravel groupsets. It also works well with SRAM’s 1x levers, providing comfortable hand holds and easy lever reach from the…

£69.99 Well-priced SPD-ready shoes from Decathlon Hardcore roadies may use Looks but a lot of commuters and leisure riders prefer SPD pedals – SPD shoes’ recessed cleats allow you to walk comfortably and safely. Decathlon’s 520s look like an attractive option and there are also cheaper-still Triban 500s with faux-leather uppers. There’s little cutting-edge technology on display here but these are a tough pair of road shoes with enough grip from the treads for walking on lighter gravel – though not deep mud or seriously gnarly surfaces. The five-eyelet lacing and a ratcheted strap offer good security and adjustability, the strap stopping the laces flapping. We had to do them up pretty tightly to stop the heel rising slightly when walking, but they were comfortable enough to wear all day –…

FROM THE EDITOR… As if the chance to save 36 per cent and having every issue of Cycling Plus delivered direct to your door wasn’t enough of an incentive, we’re also giving new subscribers a gift of an Altura Airstream jacket worth £45. So, as the mercury plummets this winter, this Altura jacket’s thermal fabric will keep your core warm, while windproof front, side and arm panels make sure the chill is kept on the outside. Breathable and high-wicking it will deal with any sweat you work up, too. Paul Robson, Editor PLUS ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & COMPETITIONS AS PART OF OUR SUBSCRIBER CLUB! HURRY OFFER ENDS 31 DECEMBER 2019 WORTH £45 FEATURES • Multi-panel long sleeve jersey with cycle-specific cut • Breathable, high-wicking thermal fabric • 3 rear…

Long gone are the days of sitting on a turbo staring at a wall, Smart trainers are interactive and work with your phone, tablet or computer to show your speed, cadence and power. There are lots of software packages, such as Zwift and TrainerRoad, that allow you to ride in a virtual world. The app or software package will adjust the trainer’s resistance in relation to the terrain you’re riding to simulate the real world. These packages also allow you to ride with other users, take on classic routes and try out race courses. They open a whole new world of riding possibilities. Smart trainers work by communicating with your smartphone, tablet or computer using wireless ANT+ frequency and Bluetooth. While it might sound complicated in most instances this all…

SRAM’s Red eTap AXS groupset doesn’t come cheap, so is it worth choosing a couple of the most cost-effective bike brands to get yourself on board with this 12-speed, wireless, sequential, wide-ratio revolution? We put two fully Red eTap AXS HRD Disc bikes head to head to find out. With identical groupsets right down to the chainring 48/35 and rear cassette sizes 10-33T, the Ribble Endurance SL R Series Disc and Canyon Endurace CF SLX are evenly matched in terms of stop-and-go tech. They’re also the lightest, premium carbon lay-up versions of the two company’s distance-oriented bikes. They both have semi-aero frame designs and are rolling on deep section carbon wheels – DT Swiss ERC1400 on the Canyon and Zipp 302 on the Ribble – for extra speed. The Endurance/Endurace…

ROB WAKEFIELD, LEVEL 3 COACH, PROPELLO.NET “For a newbie cyclist the most important thing is just getting out on the bike frequently, having fun, exploring routes, getting to know your bike and understanding how your body feels when you put in certain levels of effort. Three rides a week is a good place from which you can make progress, gradually increasing the duration of your longest ride each week. Don’t worry about mileage as this will be very dependent on topography. Start with say three times 60-minute rides in a week and build up to two times 90-minutes with one long weekend ride of three hours. Once you have progressed the volume of your riding to four to five hours a week you can then think about increasing intensity by…

If you’re gearing up for many miles spent avoiding the in-laws over the festive season, so you can maintain some fitness until the sun shows its face again, it’s a good idea to give your bike a thorough clean. With so much extra debris on the road, check the condition of your tyres – pick out any detritus and bin it; you don’t want to roll over it and pick up a puncture in your own kitchen. Give your ride kit a thorough check and update it if needed – do you still have your preferred number of tubes and canisters? Has the wet weather corroded your multitool? Or have you spent the emergency tenner you use to stop the canisters rattling against each other? PUT YOUR KIT OUT THE…

PRICE (APPROX) £2700 MILES RIDDEN 428 The GRX has proven itself to be totally reliable and I’m impressed. The best part by far, however, is the GRX 810 STI units he original GT Grade launched back in 2014 and was a groundbreaking machine. My Grade isn’t one you can buy off the shelf. The frameset is the same as the GT Grade Carbon Expert (RRP £1999.99) but whereas that comes with Shimano 105, mine was built for me by Shimano using its gravel-specific GRX 810 Di2 groupset. Gearing-wise I went with the wider option on the rear cassette; 11-42, along with a 40t front ring to give a decent low climbing gear for when things got tough and steep. Other options, such as the satellite shifters mounted on the top…

DISTANCE 45km/28 miles TOTAL ELEVATION 2044m MAXIMUM ALTITUDE 4308m GRADE: Very hard. What this steady but relentless climb lacks in steep gradients it more than makes up for with its immense altitude. GETTING THERE I booked return flights from Heathrow to Denver with United Airlines (united.com), which offers a non-stop daily seasonal service with return economy fares starting at £525 with one checked bag. WHERE TO STAY I stayed half way up the climb in a rental motorhome, but I was reliably informed that both the Silver Lake Lodge and Miners Pick Bed and Breakfast are great options in the town itself. Call in advance as most places get booked up quickly over race weekend. WHERE TO EAT Idaho Springs has a number of restaurants catering for all tastes, but…