Bicycle Frames: Alloy 6061, Titanium, Wood And… Grass?
Wanda’s frame is made out of, err… an alloy! Sexy 6061. According to Wikipedia, “… is a precipitation-hardened aluminium alloy, containing magnesium and silicon as its major alloying elements. Originally called “Alloy 61S”, it was developed in 1935. It has good mechanical properties, exhibits good weldability, and is very commonly extruded (second in popularity only to 6063). It is one of the most common alloys of aluminium for general-purpose use.” So there you go. (I now need to work out what ‘extruded’ means in this context but moving on…).
Coming Soon: Wanda Reviewed!
Wanda, my Koga WorldTraveller Signature bike, purchased in 2019, is currently back at the bike shop for a service; new tyres (Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour to replace the Schwalbe Almotion tyres she came with), new bottom bracket, brake pads, Rohloff oil change… that kind of thing. But since purchasing the bike back in 2019, I’ve never formally reviewed it. So, after 20 months of riding the Koga, I thought it was about time I did. I’m off to Tadcaster later in the week to pick her up and cycle her back to Pennine Yorkshire at which point I’ll crack on with a review – probably posted to YouTube although I’ll no doubt write something here as well. It won’t come as a spoiler to say that my comments will be overwhelmingly positive, but there are few things that are worth pointing out should you be thinking of investing in one of bikes yourself…
The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 029 – Markus Stitz / Bikepacking The World
Markus Stitz is a German-born, Edinburgh-based cyclist, writer and filmmaker. In 2015 he set off to cycle the world on a single-speed bicycle, travelling 34,000km through 26 countries. Since his return to the UK, he has been involved in a series of Scottish-based projects promoting both on- and off-road riding. However, in the autumn of 2020 he returned to his roots and embarked upon a 700km cycle along the strip of land that, until the fall of the Berlin Wall, was home to the border fence between East and West German. He talks about all his journeys, near and far…
Episode 029: Markus Stitz / Bikepacking The World
Markus Stitz is a German-born, Edinburgh-based cyclist, writer and filmmaker. In 2015 he set off to cycle the world on a single-speed bicycle, travelling 34,000km through 26 countries. Since his return to the UK, he has been involved in a series of Scottish-based projects promoting both on- and off-road riding. However, in the autumn of 2020 he returned to his roots and embarked upon a 700km cycle along the strip of land that, until the fall of the Berlin Wall, was home to the border fence between East and West German. He talks about all his journeys, near and far…
Cycling Flanders: Limburg, Knooppunts And The UCI World Championships 2021
In the summer of 2015 as I cycled from Tarifa to Nordkapp (and as subsequently recounted in the book Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie) there is one evening that stands out as being almost perfect. It was the day I cycled through the fruit orchards of Limburg in Belgium. The sun was out, the terrain not too challenging and the countryside around me a delight. Such was my mood that I treated myself to a rather nice B&B that evening in the town of Borgloon.
Cycling Germany: The Mosel / Langeoog
In for a pfennig, in for a deutschmark… That joke no longer works obviously but after having just posted about Lithuania based upon a press release that arrived in my inbox earlier, here’s part of another one that has also just arrived. The German Tourist Office is trying to encourage us to #DiscoverGermanyFromHome and they have suggested a few ways of doing so. I have picked out the two that mention cycling; if you’d like to browse the full list, visit the webpage of Germany.Travel. I’ve also replaced the supplied video with one that I made when I visited the Mosel back in 2019.
Cycling Lithuania: Short Routes, Long Routes (And A Very Long Route)
I’m not usually in the habit of publishing verbatim a press release that has been sent in my direction but I’m going to make an exception. I’ve received an email from Lithuania Travel with some suggested cycling routes in Lithuania and the seven-point list is below. The furthest I’ve travelled in that direction on the bike is Copenhagen or, off the bike, Berlin, Czechia and Slovakia. I’ve never visited Poland or any of the countries to the east but clicking on the links in the list below, I am seduced by the landscape. More reminiscent of Scandinavia than anything ‘eastern bloc’.
Online Games That Are Harnessing The Power Of Two Wheels
Historically, cycling has not featured too much in the world of online gaming, mainly due to it being quite difficult to recreate the thrills and spills of road racing or long distance touring on PC or console. However, as that begins to change thanks to more immersive experiences and virtual reality apps, we thought it was time to take a look at the online games that are really beginning to harness the passion people have for two-wheeled pursuits. Here are some of the games out there in the online ether which are on trend and have decided to put cycling in the spotlight.
Markus Stitz: The World, Germany, Scotland… And The Cycling Europe Podcast
A few days ago I had the opportunity of hosting Markus’ talk at The Cycle Touring Festival. Following his presentation, I asked him if I could interview him for The Cycling Europe Podcast and I’m delighted to report that he said ‘yes’ and this afternoon I did just that…
Dan Joyce: How To Adapt Any Bike For Cycle Touring
Earlier today I had the privilege of introducing and later questioning the editor of Cycling UK’s Cycle Magazine, Dan Joyce, at the Cycle Touring Festival. Dan gave a talk about touring bikes. You can actually watch the presentation and question-answer session on the Cycle Touring Festival Facebook page (although you’ll need to sign in to Facebook and be a member of the Cycle Touring Festival group). Some of those attending the session asked if we could make the presentation that Dan used available as it contained a wealth of information. Well, here it is, as a video. You may need to pause the video to read all the slides. Each slide appears for 10 seconds. Enjoy! (Again…)
Cycling Films At The Cycle Touring Festival
The virtual Cycle Touring Festival has got off to a good start – perhaps you have already ‘attended’ some of the events – and the programme continues throughout this week. There’s a full run-down of the live events in this post on CyclingEurope.org in which I made a passing reference to the ‘other events’ that form part of the festival. One of those is a programme of films and I’m slowly making my way through the listings. So far I’ve watched the following three films, each of which are very different in their style.
The Cycle Touring Festival: Touring In A Time Of COVID
This weekend sees the start of the 2021 Cycle Touring Festival. It’s virtual once again so you can listen to the speakers and watch the films from the comfort of your own living room. You do need to register however for each of the sessions (delivered via Zoom) and you can full details on how to do that by visiting the Cycle Touring Festival website. My contribution this year will be mainly in the form of a short talk in the first session at 8pm on Friday 12th February. The theme is ‘touring in a time of COVID’ and I’ll be discussing the motivation behind setting off last summer to cycle to the four capital cities of the UK as well as the journey itself. Below are a few screenshots to whet your appetite. Look forward to seeing some of you there.
UCI’s Strict Stance On ‘Super Tuck’ Posture Amidst New Safety Measures
Ahead of the new road racing season, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has announced an extensive and detailed range of new safety measures. This was prompted by a number of high-profile accidents at key events last year and have been met with widespread approval by teams and organisers, although not all are welcomed by professional riders.
Cycling Trip Tips For 2021
Are you the type who isn’t satisfied to simply lay at the beach while on holiday, or lounge around a pool at a large hotel or resort? Do you prefer to be more active, and experience a variety of sights, cultures, and highlights while on holiday? If so, a European cycling trip can be the perfect solution, as you’ll be active each and every day, you’ll have the luxury of setting your own itinerary and pace, and there will never be a dull moment.
Cycling Can Be Very Tyresome
Even after all these years, much of ‘cycling’ remains a mystery, especially the technical side of things. This will come as no surprise to anyone who has read my books. I wouldn’t say that I have a phobia of the mechanics of a bicycle; it’s more of a lack of familiarity that gives me a sinking feeling every time that I know that touching the nuts and bolts cannot be avoided. If I fiddled with my bike on a regular basis, I’d be fine. But I don’t, and the result is that I am scared by all the technical (what I would refer to as) nonsense. (Which isn’t nonsense at all if you are familiar with bikes…)
The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 028 – Simon Parker / Earth Cycle
Simon Parker is a travel writer, broadcaster and newspaper columnist. He has travelled to over 100 countries on reporting assignments for the BBC, The Daily Telegraph and The Independent. He also has a sideline in cycle touring… In 2016 he sailed and cycled from China to London and in 2018 he set off from northern Norway and cycled 3,000km south to the southern tip of Sweden. His 6-week adventure is now the subject of a documentary available on Amazon Prime Video. PLUS: A message from Tim Moss about the Cycle Touring Festival 2021.
Episode 028: Simon Parker / Earth Cycle
Simon Parker is a travel writer, broadcaster and newspaper columnist. He has travelled to over 100 countries on reporting assignments for the BBC, The Daily Telegraph and The Independent. He also has a sideline in cycle touring… In 2016 he sailed and cycled from China to London and in 2018 he set off from northern Norway and cycled 3,000km south to the southern tip of Sweden. His 6-week adventure is now the subject of a documentary available on Amazon Prime Video. PLUS: A message from Tim & Laura Moss about the Cycle Touring Festival 2021.
The Cycle Touring Festival 2021
The Cycle Touring Festival has, for obvious reasons, gone ‘virtual’ once again this year. And it’s earlier in the year than normal, taking place over the week of the half-term holiday in mid-February. The schedule of events – spread out over 10 days – has just been published and the list is below. However… you do need to register for most events (as they will be delivered via Zoom). To do so, visit the Cycle Touring Festival website and follow the instructions.
Helmets: Cracking Open A New Kask
I tread wearily when broaching the subject of cycling helmets as I know what contentious / passionate debates they can provoke. Some hate them and will never wear them; others love them and would never not wear one. I stand somewhere in between; I have one and wear it when it’s appropriate to do so. I accept the argument that if you are run over by a truck whilst cycling, there is little that a bit of plastic and foam is going to do to save you, irrespective of how highly engineered that plastic and foam might be. That’s not why I choose to wear a helmet when I do wear a helmet. I wear a helmet when the conditions would suggest that it is prudent to do so. This is not an exhaustive list but I usually do so when it is raining, when it’s windy, when I am going downhill fast or when I feel the traffic is somewhat intimidating. If I’m on a short journey – usually when I am commuting – I tend to wear the helmet as I don’t want to stop to put it on if I need to. Not doing so also requires you to find somewhere else to put the helmet. Your head, apart from anything else, is a convenient place to store a helmet, even if it’s not needed. And why do I choose to wear a helmet when it’s raining etc…? Because I think that it’s at those times when there is the greatest chance of me skidding off the bike and hitting my head on the floor. In that respect, a helmet might save my life.
A Packing Guide For Cycling In Europe
Cycling through Europe is one of the greatest adventures you can embark on. With your bicycle, passport, and enough motivation, you can make your way down winding roads through German villages and small French towns, finding somewhere new to rest your head each evening. Safety should be a priority when it comes to any type of travel, but especially those that involve high levels of exercise. To ensure you make the most out of your time exploring Europe on two wheels, here is an essential packing guide.
