Life In The Saddle

Over the years I have tested countless handlebar bags, both for multi-day bikepacking expeditions and for everyday adventures; in that time, I have created a mental five-point checklist of all the things a compact handlebar bag must deliver on and feature: 100% waterproof – it needs to keep its contents safe and dry; otherwise, tools will go rusty, and you will need to take it off the bike every time you wash it or ride in the rain.  Secure Velcro mounting – straps are better than buckles in my experience, causing less damage to handlebars and allowing for maximum versatility.  Below computer mounting – it needs to hang below the horizontal level of the handlebar, so it does not conflict with the computer mount, but not so low that it hits the front wheel.  Durability – it needs to stand the test of time and constant use. This means the materials need to cope with prolonged periods of dampness and the buckles or zips need to last.    Compact size – large eno...

We typically give little thought to the negative effects that the classic plastic cycling 'bidon' might have on the environment, planet, and our personal health. But perhaps we should… A plastic bicycle bottle is found on almost every cyclist's frame. Whilst most amateurs will at least use their water bottle more than once (many professionals treat them as single use!), this plastic vessel is far from a sustainable or healthy option. Let's consider some of the squeezable plastic bottle's downfalls:      1) Non-Recyclable – The majority of (reusable) plastic bicycle bottles are not very easily recycled. Unlike single use PET water bottles, reusable plastic sports bottles can be made of a variety of different plastics, and whether they are recycled depends on how advance your local waste collection service is. You can find out what your bottle is made from by looking at the recyclable symbol on the base; the number inside the triangle indicates what the bott...

The Rapha Men's Core Rain Jacket II is an affordable and lightweight waterproof cycling jacket, designed to set the standard for everyday weather protection. Riding in wet and inclement weather does not have to be miserable; with the right kit, you can still enjoy your weekend ride even if the weather doesn't play ball. The original Rapha Core Rain Jacket was a staple outer layer for many cyclists—offering lightweight but fully waterproof protection. The new Version 2 is an evolved and adapted take on the award-winning original. Made from a lightweight (129 grams for size small) fully-waterproof fabric with taped seams, and featuring a YKK AquaGuard® zipper; this outer shell will hold off downpours that develop during your ride, but without causing you to overheat in mild but wet conditions. Packability is at the heart of the Core Rain Jacket, and the layer is designed to be stowable in a jersey pocket—so that it can be easily whipped out and donned to protect yourself from the...

Cycling sunglasses are unfortunately considered by many to be ‘disposable items’ – in that a pair will last a couple of years before they get broken, damaged, and likely discarded. The Italian brand Vinco is reinventing sports eyewear through minimalist design and renewable material innovation; producing cycling sunglasses that are sustainable to make, and should last a lifetime… Sustainable Materials Vinco frames are manufactured from Lignatura™ – a proprietary renewable material that replaces fossil-fuel-based plastics used in most cycling sunglasses. Lignatura™ is a carbon-neutral ultra-resilient bio-resin, derived from a by-product of paper production. Lignatura™ consists of 98% bio-based content from Fir and Beech wood fibres; the raw materials are PEFC-certified from forests in Finland, using controlled reforestation practices. Flax, Jute and Sisal fibres are combined with the wood fibres to achieve strong and durable frames. In addition, all the packaging used for Vinco...

You have started cycling and have your first proper bike. As with many a new toy though, there are a few niggling problems—such as skipping gears, misaligned handlebars, or annoying punctures. You will need some home bicycle workshop tools—to avoid making a trip to the local bike shop every five minutes. These are your workbench essentials. Before getting on to the tools themselves, it is worth mentioning a good maintenance book—so that you have a reference point before getting to work. I have the Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair —an in-depth tutorial of all the jobs you are likely to attempt, as well as lots of colour photos. Another excellent choice is Leonard Zinn's Art of Road Bike Maintenance and Leonard Zinn's Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance books. Make sure you know what are taking on, before you start work. In this post, I outline my recommendations for a starter bicycle maintenance tool kit. These are the kind of tools that every cyclist should have ...

Christmas and birthday gift ideas for cyclists can be tricky, especially when the two-wheeled fanatic in your life seems to have a wardrobe packed full of cycling kit and more bikes and bike parts than you could possibly imagine necessary. In this post, I look at some alternative gift ideas for cyclists, focussing on the adventure cycling and bikepacking niche. All these products are gadgets and accessories that I have tried and tested on recent adventures, and that I believe would make great gifts for the bike rider in your life. LifeSaver Wayfarer Water Purifier Earlier this year I visited Sri Lanka – a country where even many locals choose not to drink the tap water for fear of contaminants. Purchasing and carrying bottled mineral water with you can be difficult and tiresome though, so a high quality water filter is the easiest (and most environmentally friendly) solution. The Lifesaver Wayfarer Water Purifier is made in Britain and claims to be ' the world's safest ...

Bone conduction headphones are a game-changer for cyclists and runners; allowing you to listen to your tunes or podcast, while still being aware of your surroundings and ambient warning sounds. The technology also allows you to use the headphones for swimming; so you can listen to music underwater as you tackle your pool set or open water swim. I have used a variety of bone conduction headphones over the last ten years, but the Naenka Runner Diver2 offers a unique combination approach: with a Bluetooth connection to your phone and the ability to use the headphones as a standalone MP3 player with 32GB of storage; this is ideal for times when you don’t want to take your phone with you on a run, or when you are swimming and you cannot have your phone nearby. The build quality and presentation of the Naenka Runner Diver2 headphones is instantly impressive; with a soft silicone outer, three-layer waterproof construction, and a neat magnetic transfer/charging cable connection. Battery cre...

The chalk download of the South Coast of the UK is a challenging testing ground for gravel tyres: in the dry, the trails are dusty and strewn with piercing flints; in the wet, the topsoil creates a slimy surface that tests any tyre to find grip. The Vittoria Terreno Mix Graphene 2.0 Tubeless Tyres are one of the few tubeless gravel bike tyres that I have used, abused, and continued to be impressed by – riding in truly varied conditions in this challenging environment. Summer gravel tyres are often semi-slick in profile: offering speed, flow and little rolling resistance. Mud tyres, by contrast, grip well in the slush, but are normally knobbly, noisy, and feel sluggish on any hardpack surface. Can a 'mixed' surface tyres really deliver a good compromise between grip and speed in wet and dry conditions, while also being puncture resistant and robust? Vittoria's Terreno Mix Graphene 2.0 Tyres promise to provide the optimum compromise. The wide-spaced aggressive lugs off...