Life In The Saddle

Seriously considering taking up XC again...

Last week I was in Provence testing the new Enduro range of tyres from French brand Hutchinson. The photographer at the camp was Dave Trumpore, these are a few of the fantastic shots he captured: Getting ready to ride The big drops... The French hospitality... The great company The stunning Provence Gite The dry trails The views! The rock gardens Sik Mik Hannah doing his stuff Hitting it fast! Awesome test bikes! The "Sand Pit" Tracey Hannah kicks up the dust! I need one of these bikes...

If you commute by bike, travel a lot, or just like to keep your gadgets with you, a good quality rucksack is a must. Thule are known for their fantastic roofracks and bike carriers, but the Swedish company also produce some superb bike luggage too, and as an introduction to the range, this review features the largest of their daypacks, the Enroute Escort. The Escort is a 29 litre pack made to carry kit, laptop, tablet and more; making it ideal for a riding commute, and for general travelling.  I'm a bit of a bag geek, and love it when you find a good pack; the Enroute Escort is definitely in that category, and I'm using it as my primary kit carrier at the moment.  A good place to start is the pocketing, as that was a significant reason for me choosing this bag. Closest to the back is the electronics pocket, housing a well padded sleeve for both an iPad and a 15 inch laptop (or 17 inch MacBook). The Swedish quality shows through even on details like this; the soft...

Cycling is a diverse sport, and there is no excuse to ever get " bored " of riding a bike.  One week you could be flying round a race circuit at 50Kph, the next you could be camped half way up an Alp with a Primus stove on the boil, after 100 miles of self-sufficient touring. It never fails to surprise me how much a bicycle has to offer... This summer I'm embarking on my second major touring trip of the last three years; it will be 1000 miles up the backbone of the Pyrenees, then up the Bordeaux Coast to St. Malo. I can't wait. Two weeks with great friends and a constant feeling of adventure. Should you give cycle touring a go?  Definitely, everyone can and should; there is nothing quite like it. The early morning wake ups with the dawn, the kick-start coffee stops for brioche and croissants, the empty continental roads. The laughs, the lunch stops with baguette and cold meat accompanied with fresh figs, the afternoon sun, the evening pizza and beer....