Box Hill is one of Britain’s most iconic climbs. The statistics don’t look particularly impressive – 2.5 km with an average gradient of 5%, for a mere 129m height gain. If Box hill was located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, it would barely mention a footnote. But, given it’s accessibility and closeness to London, it has become a popular test for every type of cyclist from the Olympic road race to beginner sportive riders. It is a challenging climb, but also manageable enough for just about everyone to ‘enjoy’ going up Box hill – even if you’re on a Brompton foldup.
It also offers great views of the surrounding countryside. Box hill is also known as ‘Zig Zag’ hill for the couple of hairpins which really give it an Alpine feel – just for a short time whilst climbing Box Hill, you can imagine yourself away from London and cycling up a ‘proper’ climb.
Box Hill – Sum of Marc
The Olympic road race was a once in a lifetime event, but fortunately it has left a lasting legacy. The Prudential London-Surrey Classic is becoming an important road race and it includes Box hill amongst other climbs. In 2014, Adam Blythe won a thrilling race. Also, the Olympics has made the climb even more popular, featuring in innumerable sportives and becoming one of the most popular Strava segments in Europe.
I visited Box Hill just before the Olympic road race in July 2012. It was a couple of days before the Olympic road race and I thoroughly enjoyed going up Box Hill 9 times. I’ve never been back, even though it is tempting.
Last week, I was complaining about motorists who would pass too close. Unfortunately, there are plenty of other reasons to complain when you get on to British roads. This is a shame because cycling should be an enjoyable activity – get on two wheels and pedal happily off into the sunset. But, it seems the world of a cyclist is squashed between the impatience of taxi drivers and complaints about the dangers of the road. If you’re not careful, you can get sucked into a ‘political world of cycling’ that is negative and endless arguments of who is right and wrong.
The internet has not particularly helped. There is something about the nature of the internet which encourages outrage, strong opinions, a tribal mentality of ‘us and ‘them. These issues of sharing the road were always around, but the internet gives it greater currency and force – feeding antagonism in a way that I’m not sure existed when you had to send a letter by pigeon post or go down to the local post office to send a telegram.
CAR PASSED TOO CLOSE! – STOP – HAD TO COME TO EMERGENCY STOP! – STOP
By the time you had Morse Coded your feelings, most of your anger had long since dissipated anyway. A more modern telegram service like Twitter lacks this natural delay of several weeks as you wait for the boat from India to come into dock.
What did minor-celebrities do before having twitter spats and outraging some or another constituents of the easily outraged? I’m sure if you read the Cycling Weekly letters from the 1950s, you would find letters of complaint. But, at least in the 1950s you could read a newspaper, without, on every article, getting sucked into reading comments from 335 outraged internet trolls, who don’t have anything better to do, but get disgusted with cyclists / motorists / pigeons / and the latest reality TV show on Channel 5.
Of course, it may just be we are just looking through tinted rays of ‘The golden age of cycling’ – this mythical utopia of cycling in the 1950s, where you could cycle 100 miles on quiet roads through British lanes to enjoy warm beer and sandwiches on the village green, with nothing more than a Bobby on his bike giving you a friendly wave.
60 years later and this mythical golden age of cycling utopia has been replaced by pitched battles between Uber fuelled tax drivers who equate cyclists to ISIS and the relentless finger pointing about who is the absolutely the worst person on the roads. The only thing we agree on is that it is always someone else’s fault!
Yet, all is not lost. If you go cycling on British roads, it is not as traumatic as you might believe from the comment sections of the Daily Mail. It is still possible to really enjoy cycling – whether it’s cycling up Hardknott Pass or even, dare I say it commuting into the centre of London.
A good cycling friend – Andy Sherwood has set up a new business – Sherwood Cycles It is aimed at offering mobile bike repairs throughout Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.
Andy Sherwood – experienced bike mechanic
I’ve known Andy for quite few years, we did a few hill climbs together back in 2004/05. Sherwood is not a bad cyclist himself, and did two 24 hour time trials, reaching 400 miles plus in both.
With seven bikes, I’m a big customer of bike repair services. My training and commuting bikes need fairly regular simple maintenance (cables/ cassettes / chains) My racing bikes are also a real pain – regularly needing tricky servicing. This is especially true since my latest Trek Speed Concept is now Dura Ace Di2 11 speed. I have 8sp, 9sp, 10sp and 11sp bikes. Wonderful compatibility problems. Especially, when you are trying to fit a Quark Power meter.
Rollers are good fun, the minutes fly by and it’s a great way to improve your cycling fitness and cycling skills from the comfort of your own garage. (However, for reasons which may become apparent later – don’t use rollers in your greenhouse…)
With a set of rollers you don’t have to worry about the weather or going out in the dark. There’s always some way to keep yourself ticking over.
Reasons to get some rollers
1. Look outside at the weather
You can practise high cadence pedalling. Consistently pedalling 100rpm takes considerable concentration. There are different opinions about optimum cadence, but it’s a good skill to have the ability to cycle higher cadence and a nice fluid pedalling style.
You can try to maintain a straight line on the rollers. This is almost impossible to do, but you can spend hours trying to do it.
If you ever ride the track, rollers make excellent practise in terms of both bike handling and high cadence pedalling.
It’s marginally more fun than a turbo. This is probably the main reason I bought a set of rollers. I though I might be marginally more likely to do indoor training sessions with rollers than a turbo. When I just had a turbo, I used to max out at about 30 minutes. Last winter I did a couple of two hour sessions on my rollers – including one at threshold pace on TT bike. I’m not sure how I managed that though.
You can practise trying to take off a jacket whilst still pedalling on the rollers. This is much more tricky than it may sounds. But, if you’ve ever used rollers, you will know it is no easy task of changing clothes whilst still pedalling away. So far I have only fallen off my rollers three times – twice because my discarded jacket got caught in my rollers.
Do you need rollers and a turbo?
If you want to do all your training indoor, you probably do. Turbo for high intensity, big gear efforts. Rollers for developing smoother pedalling style and helping indoor hours pass quicker.
Tips on Using Cycle Rollers
If you’ve never used cycle rollers before, it’s a bit like learning to ride a bike all over again. When you first get on – you can become nervous about letting go. It seems really difficult – as if you are cycling on ice. But, when you finally let go and cycle normally, you wonder what all the fuss was about in the first place. Before you know it you are riding with one hand and seamlessly shifting all over the rollers.
In cycling, it is good to know where to spend your money. For example, with – Shimano 105 v Shimano Dura Ace – there is very little difference in quality, but a huge difference in price.
But, when it comes to cheap cycling shorts vs good cycling shorts – there is a huge difference in quality of the product, the enjoyment of your ride and even can affect how many saddle sores you get. (see: tips for avoiding saddle sores)
Make sure you have a good pair of shorts
It is ironic that I often end up buying the most uncomfortable looking saddle (69gram sheet of carbon fibre) and then rely on a good pair of padded cycling shorts to make the ride bearable.
– Throw away the cheap cycling shorts. Last November I mentioned how I made myself throw away several pair of cheap cycling shorts. They are not worth using because they gave saddle sores.
A good padded cycling short is one of the most essential ways to get a more comfortable ride, especially for anything over two hours.
Over the years I’ve tried quite a few cycling shorts. For quite a few years, I’ve ridden some Impsport custom made ones for my cycling teams like Oxonians and Sri Chinmoy CT. Unfortunately, Impsport do not make the best cycling shorts. They are not as bad as they were (and they may continue to get better). But some of the earlier models were virtually unrideable with the chamois inadequate, and in the wrong place leading to chaffing. Unfortunately, this wasn’t just my experience, but also that of a team-mate. I haven’t tested other types of custom made team kit. I’ve heard people speak relatively highly of Endura. But, it is always a little bit of a gamble ordering custom made shorts, when you can’t test them until it is too late.
A few general comments about cycling shorts
Bibbed shorts are more comfortable than non-bibbed. It is much easier to keep them up without the feeling of elastic around the waist. They also seem to stay in position much more easily. I do have a few non-bibbed shorts, but, when getting in and out of the saddle, they tend to move around, which is mildly irritating.
All shorts become more comfortable when you are used to cycling. Getting used to spending hours in the saddle is like anything else, you develop tolerance over time. If you’re new to cycling, even spending £200 on some shorts may still leave you feeling pretty sore after a seven hour sportive. If you’re used to spending hours in the saddle, you will find all shorts more comfortable.
Keep Clean. I’m sure this doesn’t really need saying, but, you want to wash shorts after every ride. Try to avoid hanging around in sweaty shorts after a ride too. On tour, you can handwash shorts pretty easily. (Some pros used to insist on hand washing so they could be sure it didn’t get mixed up with other laundry which could potentially pass on germs)
Don’t Wash at Too High Temperature. On one holiday in US, I took my laundry to a US washomat. After washing at presumably very high temperature, the lycra was stretched to almost indecent proportions. I had to throw away the see-through shorts before getting into trouble. Don’t ruin a good pair of lycra by washing in very hot water!
Some Chamois cream can help keep the insert padding soft. Useful for long rides, though most synthetic chamois are pretty good at staying soft.
Shorts I can recommend
Assos T607
This is a cold weather range of shorts. It is suitable for many months of UK weather – apart from hot days, and very cold.
Assos have a reputation for producing the best, (whatever the cost). These shorts certainly looked intriguing with their dimpled padding. The padding is quite substantial and feels very soft when put on. It does feel different to other shorts because of the air flow and space in between dimples. This helps to wick away sweat which is one of top ways of creating friction and discomfort. The short fits on the body very easily, it smooths away pressure and there is no feeling of tightness or discomfort. Also, I never felt any seems which I often do on other shorts. For long rides, it is substantially more comfortable and does make a real difference.
It comes with a warning that the material is more delicate. It is not bullet proof and may not last. It suggests careful use, hand-washing – it even gives instructions on how to pee whilst wearing the shorts. However, I’ve had them for two years and after considerable use, there is little discernible sign of use. There is a little fraying in the padding, but it is not a problem. I will be fairly confident of getting a substantial amount of wear to justify the cost.
Overall, these are a very good short. Excellent comfort and design. A good investment for those who do longer rides. See: full review of Assos T607 F1 Mile
I also bought some Assos Uno for £110. These are a cheaper version to the T607, but still offer great comfort. They are ironically, the ‘starter’ version of Assos premium short range. Again, I’ve used for over two years without any obvious sign of wear and tear.
I recently reviewed the shorts here. Half the price of Assos, they offer a good comfortable use. I’ve used for the past couple of months and it has been comfortable. The only thing I have noticed is the lyrca which comes into contact with the saddle has begun to ‘bobble’. But, they fit well and offer a good degree of padding and support. There is a noticeable difference with the Assos. But, at £60, they are good value.
DHB classic shorts RRP £49.99
For a mid-range shorts which still gives a good riding experience. The DHB shorts offer good value. You might be able to pick up for less than £30. There is no cost of buying a ‘branded’ name, which can add extra on to the final price. The classic shorts are thin lycra, they also do the DHB Vaeon Roubaix padded shorts for extra insulation and riding in cold weather. Overall a no fussy, comfortable pair of shorts.
I received these a couple of months ago, and have been wearing on training rides – up to four hours on time trial bike. I am pretty impressed with the comfort of the shorts. The padding looks relatively thin, but after four hours everything feels pretty good, no discomfort at all (I use dash saddle) The product description says it has high density foam with good air ventilation.
On the outside they look pretty good. They are close fitting to legs, without having strong grippers which leave marks on the skin. I got size L which is pretty good for 6″ 3′
Only weighs 210g
A lightweight carbon fibre mesh bib construction to keep cool. To be honest, in England I rarely overheat when cycling so haven’t been able to test this out, but I can believe it is very lightweight and cool.
I have ridden quite a few shorts over the years. For short training rides, I tend to ride mid-priced shorts like the Specialized or DHB. For long training rides of 3 hours plus, I ‘treat’ myself with the very comfortable Assos shorts. This is to extend the life of these more delicate shorts. There is also a psychological advantage of having the best shorts reserved for the longest rides.
There are many more types of shorts I haven’t ridden, which might be worth looking at. Fortunately, short technology seems to have improved in the past few years.
The first thing I did on getting back from Croatia was to buy a map of the Pyranees. Cycling in Croatia has given me a taste for long mountain climbs and I’m itching to travel to real mountains in the south of France. I love the climbs of the UK, but a 20 km ascent of the Col du Tormalet is a very different kind of challenge. My physiology is perfectly suited to 20km of uphill. The steeper and longer the better; it seems a shame not to use it.
In Croatia I climbed 28,000 feet (8,500m) and only did about 300 miles. By the end of the ‘Croatia training camp’, I felt I could have climbed those 7% mountain roads all day. I did more climbing in the cold weather of Croatia than I did in summer or training for the national hill climb in October.
In the past I have ridden a couple of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tyre on my my road bike. I had a very good experience using them. This is an updated review which originally appeared on my old blog.
The Ultremo ZX is a slick racing tyre – light, fast, very easy to put on and looks good. Perhaps I had good luck, but I got through 3,000-4,000km without a rear tyre puncture – which is quite unusual for a light racing tyre. But, don’t sue me if you get a few during that distance. I’ve seen them on sale for as low as £20.99 – at that price it is really very good value for an upcoming summer tyre.
The Ultremoz ZX V-Guard has a weight of only 195 grams [same weight as previous Schwalbe ZX version] It also has a low rolling resistance.
Grip in the dry is very good. As you expect from any tyre, it performs less well in the wet; so there is a need to be relatively cautious on wet descents. However, I’ve had no major problem with lack of grip. I was using a 23″ tyre. A 25″ might be my preferred choice now.
I’ve used the tyre on hilly rides across the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Oxfordshire. It performed well on the ascents and descents of Wrynose pass / Hardknott pass – despite roads being wet. Also, these roads were very gritty, rocky and hard work. The tyre was resistant to cuts against these rough road surfaces.
Fitting
I’ve never had a road tyre which fits on so easily. Very easy to work with. The rubber feels quite smooth and supple. Definitely no tyre levers are needed to fit onto the wheel or take off.
Viva Bellissimo bikes are a combination of European classic design with practical features to make an eye catching commuting bike. They are produced by a Danish firm who have tried to make ‘beautiful bikes for discerning bike riders’. I was inspired to write a review of Viva Bellissimo because they are genuinely eye catching and elegant.
The Viva Bellissimo comes in a variety of options. The first is the Single Speed Bellissimo. The one I tried was this 7 speed Viva Bellissimo. This was good fun to ride. Not quick, and a little heavier than what I’m used to. However, the Viva Bellissimo exudes class. It is well built and catches almost perfect aesthetics. The paint work is excellent, there is a real gleam to the way it looks. Everything else has a classic simplicity to it. For example, the wheels especially.
If you’re looking for a classy commuting bike to really appreciate, you will be happy with the Viva Bellissimo either 1 spd or 7 spd. Just don’t expect it to be quickest off from lights… But, it is a head turner. Even people not into cycling will admire this.
Viva Bellissimo Single Speed
Viva Bellissimo 1 speed
Perhaps it is just the dark blue / white which particularly appeals. However, no matter how pleasing the design, there is much more to a bike. The set up is fairly solid. The frame is Cro-Mo Steel. This gives a forgiving and comfortable ride. Nice touches are the integrated mudguards and chain guard; there is a careful attention to detail. Very useful are the Schwalbe 28 inch tyres with extra puncture protection.
Viva Bellissimo 7 – Women’s (Mixte Damen)
The women’s version has a step through frame for ease of use.
For those who want gears, the Viva Bellissimo 7 offers 7 speed through a convenient hub gear system (Shimano Nexus).
Notes on the Hub System
The hub system is slightly heavier than standard derailluer system.
The hub system is easier to maintain and looks much cleaner on the bike.
It is easier to change. For example, if you are stuck at lights, you can change gears and it changes straight away – you don’t need to worry about pedalling to put chain in new sprocket.
7 Speeds gives much greater range of flexibility. For hilly cities the one speed could be a bit cumbersome when you try to pedal the 12 kg bike up a steep hill. The Viva is designed to be ridden with joy, 7 speed makes this easier to achieve. Also the 7 speed hub system avoids the need for derailleurs and cassette rings, enabling the bike to retain the look of a single speed.
At prices starting from £600 upwards, Viva is not competing on price. But you do get the kind of bike you can become really attached to. It is enjoyable and easy to ride and has great aesthetics to boot. I’m sure this bike would be quite popular on cycle chic photo blogs. Also, Evans sometimes have sales – and if you buy at right time you may get for under £500. Though unfortunately, Evans Cycles don’t seem to be stocking new model.
I think this is pretty good value for the chic end of the hybrid market.
I’ve spent the past few days cycling in Croatia, near Dubrovnik. A couple of days were unpleasantly cold – zero degrees and a biting wind. However, there have also been quite a few mild days. The cycling is a big contrast to England. If you avoid the main coastal trunk road, you end up cycling on very quiet, mountain back-roads. It is incredibly hilly, but the views stunning and very little traffic. I haven’t seen anyone else cycling in this part of the world. I saw one category 2 climb had a total of 4 participants on Strava.
On leaving the hotel, my usual route involves climbing 140 metres in the first mile, including some nasty 20% gradients. So much for a gentle warm up. It’s like starting off every ride with a climb up Pea Royd Lane. It’s not the kind of training I usually do at this time of the year. But, despite tired legs, it is great fun. The other day I did 36 miles and managed 1,500 metres of climbing. It’s hillier than the Bristol South megahilly. As usual I’m left wishing for a compact chainset; it is my New Year Resolution to buy one and stop complaining.
But, apart from being slightly over-geared it is a real joy cycling here in Croatia.
In the end, I did a nice steady 60 miles on Christmas Day. It was a rare December day, when the weather was as good as it gets. The early morning sun made the Wharfe Valley look very attractive. It was a steady ride up the dale, with frequent stops to take photos.
Burnsall bridge
After two hours, I got to the foot of Park Rash. I was in two minds whether to climb up to the top. There may have been a good view from top, but after 50 metres, I did a u-turn. – I got some great presents, but all I really wanted for Christmas was a compact chainset. The 39*25 is too high for this time of the year.
Park Rash looming in the distance- not often I do a u-turn at the bottom of a climb.
If I had strained every sinew in the body I could have hauled the winter tank up to the top. But, I didn’t feel like it. It turns out you don’t have to start training for October hill climbs the previous December.
I went as far as Buckden and then, with a tailwind behind me, I picked up the pace for the return leg. I came across another rider, Matt from Baildon. Matt had started even earlier and had been as far as the top of Fleet Moss – impressive for Christmas Day and also proving – there’s always someone who will have done more training than you. But, the sight of a fellow cyclists, seemed to galvanise me into cycling a bit faster . With the wind behind you, it can be a great ride down the valley from Buckden to Burnsall and to Ilkley. There were only a few cars on the road, and the valley flew by.
60 miles and four hours. So no epic training ride, like the vainglorious promises of a few days ago. But, it was a pretty good ride, and back just in time for Christmas dinner.
