Saffron Walden is a terribly nice market town in Essex, most famous for its yellow cooking ingredient, and more recently Jamie Oliver, who hails from nearby Clavering; but unrelated, other than by food! Hardly surprising then that a new saffron-yellow cafe should open up just off Market Square, in between Starbucks and Costa Coffee. But what's stirred up the residents is that it's a cycle cafe, the inspiration for which was actually the maillot jaune, and not the local crocuses!
Read MoreMark Fairhurst: Cycle Illustrator Extraordinaire
Cycling has always inspired artists and photographers to produce some of the most striking images: the noble heroism of the rider, the stunning landscape of the Tour and the Giro, not to mention the sheer elegance of the bicycle itself. No one has captured the essence of the romance of cycling in recent years better than illustrator Mark Fairhurst, so we asked him about his inspiration and how he has become one of the most sought after cycling artists of today.
Read MoreThe Light Blue; Cambridge's Heritage
Back in September, Ride Velo visited the NEC Cycle Show where there were racks of gorgeous bikes on display. But what surprised us were the huge numbers of admirers gathering round one particular stand for a bike brand we’d never heard of before: The Light Blue. Alongside the carbon Colnagos, Cervelos, Cannondales and Canyons was a retro selection of steel framed bikes – the likes of which we hadn’t seen for 30 years or so. And they, not the pro team bikes, were the ones pulling the crowds.
Read MorePure Passoni
Think of all the great Italian bike brands and their heritage goes back many generations: Bianchi started at the end of the 19th century, Wilier in 1906, Cinelli in 1948 and Colnago in 1952. Passoni only began manufacturing frames in 1989, but its name, amongst those in the know, is spoken in hushed reverent tones, along with tales and rumours of how the likes of Pantani, Chiappucci, Bugno and many others of the late 80’s and early 90’s were in fact winning Alpine stages of Grand Tours on disguised titanium Passonis some 2kg lighter than the steel bikes of their counterparts.
Read MoreLook Mum No Hands! - the cycle cafe that wrote the rulebook
Look Mum No Hands! - an unusual name for a cafe - but, as it turned out, weirdly prophetic. In 2010, three friends who were into cycling, launched LMNH and, unwisely for a new business, had no plan for failure or running at a loss. Just like a small child learning to ride a bike, full of confidence and knowing no fear, the trio "opened the doors, and in they came!" Huge acclaim followed. Ride Velo met with co-founder Lewin Chalkley to discover their recipe for success.
Read MoreSuper Cycling Man Rides the World!
Ever done a sportive to raise money for charity? Sure, most of us have, I expect. If not, I’m sure you’re constantly bombarded by emails from friends and colleagues asking you for money for their cause, and it can be tricky to support them all.
Spare a thought then for Will Hodson, who set off on a 5 year long adventure this April to cycle across all 7 continents of the world (including Antarctica!), a feat never achieved before. This a journey of some 100,000 km and, in the process, he will raise money for The World Cancer Research Fund, Parkinson’s UK, World Bicycle Relief and Sustrans. And all in a Superman costume, and over 5 years!
Read MoreLondon's Hottest New Cycle Cafe
My search to find the perfect cycling cafe continues, as Alan Sugar would say, and this weekend Ride Velo discovered London's hottest new contender for the title at the appropriately named London Velo. Not, as some might expect, in Hoxton, Shoreditch or even Old Street, but in south-east London's Deptford.
Read MoreGood Vibrations from Pavé, Culture Cycliste
Firstly, a little bit of advice before you go, and you must go to this shop if you're ever in Barcelona: fork out the 20 odd Euros to get there by taxi. If you have a hire car, even better. We took a metro, a train and then a bus to get to El Prat de Llobregat which, it turns out, is not on any tourist guide to Barcelona, the reason being that this is part of the industrial heartland of the city surrounding the airport, its main features being large warehouses, factories and lorry depots. Plaça Reial, this ain't.
Read MoreRide Velo on tour: Barcelona
Barceloneta Bikes has one of the most enviable locations in the world: not only is it in one of the greatest cities on the planet: (Barcelona) but, as its name suggests, it’s also positioned in the heart of Barceloneta, one of the cooler, trendier and edgier barrios of this wonderful, vibrant and bustling metropolis.
Fixie heaven...
First impressions are that this is fixie heaven, with brightly coloured wheels hanging from the ceiling; chain and crank sets displayed against pine-clad walls. You can tell these guys know their stuff when you admire their display of customised bikes with Cinelli, Bianchi and Langster frames, to name but a few, that hark back to the fixie bike roots of the track. No knocked off cheap frames imported in bulk from Taiwan here.
Barceloneta Bikes' Club jersey: cool!
The apparel is quality too: T-shirts with great designs including Barceloneta Bikes’ own logo, natty socks and beautiful Eroica wool jerseys. There are sharp cycling shoes as well as retro leather ones, and some stylish urban helmets.
Crank it up Spanish Stlyleee
El Jefe, Tony (courtesy of A&E TV)
But Tony Valcarel, who set the shop up four years ago, says there’s more to BBikes than just fixies or single speeds. He got into cycling as a mountain biker originally, then moved into road then track racing. What he loves best is to customize any bike to your needs; whether it’s an urban, mountain or road bike. He even works with frame builders in the city to help you achieve the perfect geometry, fit and feel for you. No wonder then that the shop is now the subject of a real life documentary called ‘Be-Bike’, produced by A&E productions in the USA.
Demon wheels
Ok, so you’re probably not going to order your bike from here while on your summer holiday, but if you want something a little sharper to spin round the streets of the city on your visit than the rather heavy city bikes on offer elsewhere, you could do worse than heading down to Barceloneta Bikes to rent one for the day or longer. You’ll be sure of a warm and friendly welcome, and all the guys speak excellent English.
Does my bum look big on this?
They even invited us out on one of their weekly night-time rides out to the airport and back. And if you’re like us, and just love to drool over some great bikes and kit, this offers an alternative to Barcelona’s other attractions.
Which Road for Queen of Cycling, Lizzie Armitstead?
World, Commonwealth and National Road Race Champion, Lizzie Armitstead is still only 26 and has the cycling world at her feet. But is she's going to give it all up for marriage and family life?
Read MoreFish Nets to Cycle Tights - Cycling Recycling
Cycling is supposed to be green - right? To be good for us and the environment. But how much attention do we pay to our cycling gear? Ever thought of recycled cycle clothing? Jerseys made from plastic bottles don't sound too comfortable but you'd be surprised!
Read MorePeter Sagan - 2015's been an Amazing Ride!
The 25-year-old Slovakian has the cycling world at his feet; he's one of the the highest paid professional cyclists and arguably the best-loved too. Known as much for his cheeky grin, honest race appraisals and the occasional TV interview photobomb, Sagan was crowned World Champion at Richmond, Virginia last weekend.
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