Gravel in London?! Surely not! The capital of the UK is one of the world’s biggest cities with a population of over nine million, but can we escape the busy tarmac roads to do an epic urban off-road adventure? Hank and Conor are joined by Amy Perryman from the Tekkerz cycling team for a big city ride with a twist!
Gravel riding is great fun, and if you’re a roadie wanting to make the transition to off-road cycling, this is the video for you! Conor and former road, cyclo-cross and mountain bike pro Oli Beckingsale take you through the basics of gravel cycling, from controlling your speed and managing grip to getting more technical and tackling gravel climbs and descents.
From MensJournal.com
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist looking for your next race bike or you’re just getting started, these are the road bikes to know this year.
By Berne Broudy
If you want to ride on pavement, whether that’s roads or bike paths, a road bike is the most efficient tool for the job. Within the realm of pavement pedaling, road bikes are ideal for a broad spectrum of pursuits, from getting fit to winning races.
Road bikes come with carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, or steel frames and forks, and they’re usually spec’d with stable and speedy 700C wheels with relatively skinny tires. That wheel and tire combo offers reduced rolling resistance and less drag than the chunkier tires found on mountain bikes and some gravel
Gearing: If your last road bike was an old ten-speed, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the range of gearing available on modern road bikes. While some have a single chainring and others have two, today’s models typically deliver a wider spread of gearing options for powering up hills and hitting top speed on flat pavement.
Geometry: If you’re a racer, you’ll want a bike that’s aerodynamic, which means it has the lowest possible wind resistance. It’s also good to opt for a frame with more aggressive geometry: When you’re riding, your torso will be close to the bike’s top tube. Although the bike can feel less stable when you’re descending or cornering, it’ll help you shave seconds off your time.
Planning on touring or doing long-distance rides? Opt for a bike with more relaxed geometry for a more comfortable body positioning and less fatigue after long hours in the saddle. You’ll also want to make sure it has the fittings for racks, bags, and bottles.
Image courtesy of Cannondale.com
Autumn is a great time to ride your bike, its warm, often dry and not to mention the stunning autumnal scenery! Naturally a ride including some gravel is perfect for this time of year, but what we can’t agree on is the bike we should use! Alex and Si right are riding their full gravel bikes, whereas Manon and Ollie are toughing the rough stuff on their road bikes. And Hank, well he’s doing Hank things… Welcome to GCN’s Big Autumn Ride!
