Robert Thorpe Cycling Blogs

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EDITOR IN CHIEFROBERT
THORPE

Words on Paper

Blogs and Reviews by Robert Thorpe

It’s always fascinating how cycling is constantly evolving, and how we as cyclists interact with the cycling industry. In truth, we’re not just one, but several linked sub-cultures. Cyclists take their riding quite seriously – even if we won’t admit it! With this in mind, I thought that it would be kind of interesting to share a few editorial thoughts, across a range of cycling related subjects. Off you go then, and have a read – and thanks! Your support for our website is really and genuinely appreciated, by all of us.

Words on Paper

Editorial blogs by Robert

Rudy Project and Bahrain Victorious – Thinking Ahead

Italian safety wear specialists, Rudy Project have just announced the continuation of their partnership with World Tour team, Bahrain Victorious. Time then to take a look at what Rudy Project will be bringing to the 2024 peloton.
January 16, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Indoor cycling for life

None of us can be motivated all of the time. We all go through periods in life, when we simply can't be bothered - admit it. Thankfully, cycling indoors can help to reinvigorate us and create some much needed positivity. Life, after all, should be cherished; and, trying to stay healthy is always a good idea
December 20, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Getting Interactive with Elite

The Elite Justo and new Rizer indoor interactive cycle set-up brings a whole new level of realism to cycling at home. Time to take a look as winter hits hard outside
November 13, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Indoor Cycling Inspiration – Ben Ralston

Indoor cycling isn't just for elite athletes and keen amateur riders. When you consider the technology these days and what it can replicate from the real roads, then it's also a way in which ordinary and some quite extraordinary people can stay cycling. As we begin another autumn season of indoor cycling blogs, read the account of Ben Ralston and how having access to an indoor interactive training allowed this inspiring man to keep turning the pedals in his last few months of his battle with cancer
October 25, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Pirelli Scorpion XC RC Mountain Bike Tyre

we decided to put a set of latest Pirelli race ready Scorpion tyres on our test bikes this year. Not only did we choose their super fast and flighty, Scorpion XC RC, but we then went for the 2.2 widths - just to add a bit more spice. True to form, the Orbea Oiz XC bike that we ran these tyres on, became an unleashed trail beast that required careful handling, and harping back to those halcyon days where flat pedals on a hard tail taught you the necessary skills of foot control.
October 24, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Pirelli PZero Race 4S All Weather Tyre for cycling

Once in a while you test a tyre that seems to have it all. I'm quite fussy with my road tyres too, as I live and ride in the Yorkshire Dales, where the gravel edged roads are tight and twisty and take no prisoners. I want to feel safe, and it's not always possible when you're testing tyres. However, these new Pirelli all-weather tyres in the 26 mm size are the cycle tyre equivalent of having Belgium Chocolate Cake from Jervaulx Abbey - they're simply irresistible.
October 24, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Designing Cycle Shoes for Women

In case you haven’t noticed it, women are built differently from men – it’s a fact. All too often, historically, brands have simply produced downsized products for women, and have failed either deliberately or otherwise, to recognise the physiological differences. Yes, the cycling world simply used a ‘Pink it & Shrink it’ mentally, failing to understand the specific needs of women as athletes.
September 19, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Our Favourite Coffee Stops – Lumos Cafe in Sibiu

As far of Coffee shops and cafes go, Lumos sets the bar very high indeed, as we start to share our own list of favourite cafes for cyclists with you. I don't know if it can be matched...
August 30, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Hill and Ellis Saddle Bag

Stylishly modern vintage

There's a whole new movement of cyclists, all over Europe, who love vintage bikes of all genres, especially fxed wheels. Add to this, the cyclists on Brompton's and other more modern city bike for cool commuters, then this high-quality leather saddle bag from Hill & Ellis is the perfect gift.
August 8, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Cycling to Paltinis and the city of Sibiu

It’s a year now, since I was cycling upwards, in the hills close to the historic city of Sibiu, deep in Transylvania. I returned again in winter, visiting people I regard as family, and the wonderful Sibiu Christmas market. It’s a city that’s easy to fall in love with, filled with amazing architecture, a warm ambience and some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe.
June 19, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Pink it and shrink it – a male perspective on sexism in cycling

Working in the cycling industry as a man, I was shocked when I first heard the phrase ‘we simply used to pink it and shrink it’, in relation to ladies cycling clothing. Seriously! Yes, women who wanted cycling clothing etc, were expected to buy and wear smaller versions of a men’s design - just in pink.
June 1, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Countdown to Adventure – Transfăgărășan Challenge 2023

If you still don’t know where the Transfăgărășan Highway is, and that it’s described by many as ‘the best road in the world’, then give your head a shake please!
This epic ribbon of tarmac, winds its way chaotically across the mountains, close to the historic city of Sibiu, in Transylvania, Romania – itself a World Heritage Site.
May 25, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Biehler Supreme Mens Jersey

Biehler is one of those cycling brands that are simply reliable. Their clothing range is of the highest quality and made with the very best fabrics, using their vast experience from the pro riders that Biehler work with.
The Supreme jersey is testament to their adherence to design and performance.
April 13, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Ben Ralston – One Last Ride

Ben Ralston, a close friend of editor, Robert, has terminal cancer. Being an adventure seeker, we arranged for Orbea U.K. & Chevin Cycles to give Ben and his son 'One Last Ride' - get the tissues ready for this inspiring man
April 7, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Camelbak Podium Water Bottle Range

It's hotting up outside and it's definitely time to start looking at water bottles. Larisa and Robert take a look at the latest bottles from world leaders in hydration, Camelbak 🙂
April 1, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Cycle Shoe Cleat Maintenance and Replacement

Have you got pain in the knees or feet when cycling? If so, why not visit one of the skilled Lake shoe fitting experts at their retail partners, and getting them to take a close look at your feet and cycling position - give yourself some well-earned foot love! We really believe in getting your cycling shoes properly fitted, and that means Lake Cycling - the best cycling shoes in the world.
March 18, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

ALÉ Cold Weather Cycle Clothing – Wrapped in Warmth & Style

Italian cycle clothing brand, ALÉ, are annoying good at producing cycling performance wear. ‘Why annoying’ you may ask - well, it’s quite simple; they’re so good at what they do, that each year, the kit simply gets better, and I am forced to change my thoughts on my own favourite jacket for days on the bike.
March 16, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

ALÈ Klimatik Guscio Thunderstorm, Waterproof Jacket

Having used some quite excellent jackets before, and some quite terrible waterproof jackets too, this stylishly modern jacket ticks all the right boxes and is most certainly, at the top of the list.
March 14, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Lake Cycling 242 Cycling Shoe

Is the new Lake Cycling 242 shoe, the most comfortable cycling shoe in the world? Our editor, Robert, thinks that it just might be. Read why in this blog
February 25, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Verve Info Crank 2

The Metaverse already exists - especially for cyclists. How many of you guys love Zwift racing, where you meet up online, in avatar format and race against each other… often daily.
January 29, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Transfagarasan Challenge and the Growth of Cycling in Romania

I love Transylvania simply because it’s the polar opposite of the usual U.K. cycling arrogance. Everything is so well planned, well organised, relaxed, friendly and open. It doesn’t matter either if you turn up on a Bianchi or on a Decathlon bike - so long as it’s got 2 wheels and you’ve got the spirit of adventure.
January 27, 2023/by Pedalnorth Website

Orbea Remote Rides – Nidderdale Loop

Coming from a climbing background, I’ll often wrap up in winter and head into the hills; and so, when Lee decided to head up to Yorkshire in late November, then I had just the right ride waiting for him. Remote, wild and truly epic 🙂
December 27, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Prendas Ciclismo Cold Weather Clothing

Prendas Ciclismo are a small but high quality and high performance clothing brand, with an adherence to excellence. We’ve been testing their cold weather clothing in the Yorkshire Dales, and it’s absolutely spot on.
December 14, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Pirelli PZero TLR 26

It’s been cold and damp here in North Yorkshire recently. The leaves are lying on the ground and adding to the autumnal road dangers. Good tyres are critical are this time of the year, as they can compensate just a little for a lack of handling ability, which I’m modest enough to admit to having. Pirelli are a brand that are used to creating tyres for bad weather.
November 30, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

The Best Bike Shops – Paceline

Opened in 2016 by cycling enthusiast Mark Hanson, in a short timeframe Paceline cycles has become one of the ‘go to’ locations for Yorkshire based riders, looking for exceptional service and some of the very best custom bike builds available in the U.K. retail scene.
November 15, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Shutt Velo Rapide Winter Cycling Kit

Shutt Velo are a brand with a growing reputation, and it’s easy to see why. Their latest cold weather clothing is superbly made from top quality fabrics, and looks and feels great on the road. Best of all, it’s reasonably priced too.
November 14, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Forever In Electric Dreams

Why have I so far avoided an E-Bike - I can’t answer that, because there’s no good reason, save for the simple fact that as I head into my late 50s, I want to keep as physically fit as possible. I kind of just thought that, maybe if I had an EBike I’d pedal less! How wrong I was...
October 15, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Retail Therapy for Cycle Shops

There’s a wide spectrum of styles within cycling retailers. From the legendary old school shop that we’ve known since childhood, where they put the coffee on and we simply chat, to the ultra modern and unfortunately sometimes pretentious retailer, where they keep their main showroom locked and only open it for invited customers - no, believe me, these people exist.
October 11, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Pirelli PZero Race TLR SL 26

These Pirelli PZero TLR SL tubeless ready tyres have proved themselves to be impeccable at handling, as well as being a superb rolling tyre, meaning that I really have had some sublime rides on this particular example of 26mm rubber. So much so that it’s going to be difficult for me to replace them, as I move further into the Pirelli range on our tests.
October 6, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Coverdale and Wensleydale with Lake Cycling

This is probably one of the most picturesque rides in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, taking in some superb climbs along its short distance. Starting from the market town of Masham, it takes you on a tour with lots of history, passing abbey's and a castle along the way, before returning to Masham for cake 😉
September 7, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Foot Love

Watching SIDAS and Lake setting up at the Boardman Centre, it was clear that this was going to be an interesting day. True to this, a skeletal foot came out ... interesting.
August 4, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Camelbak Hawg Pro Backpack & Womens Luxe

There are so many options for biking backpacks these days. However, Camelbak have revisited the classic Mule pack, and they've created something rather special. We took a close look at the new Camelbak Hawg Pro and Ladies Luxe pack over spring and early summer.
July 20, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Ice Fly and Nano Fly Water Bottles

It’s the height of summer and it’s getting hotter, so hydration on and off the bike is critical. If you do become dehydrated, then it’s at least 24 hours to recover, which is why drinking off the bike is also important. And, you really do need that fluid to be refreshing, which is why Italian brand, Elite, have taken their award winning Fly bottle to new levels of technology with their latest range of bottles.
July 20, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

My Personal Transfaragarasan Challenge

It’s over a week now since I arrived back from Sibiu in Romania. It’s a place that I love dearly, for its amazing history, the beautiful mountains nearby, and for its people – some of whom are like family. Riding up the Transfaragarasan Highway was one of my life moments – something that I’ll remember forever.
July 15, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Bike Box Alan Premium

When you look at most bike boxes, the design, even of the newest models, often seems to follow the classic design from our own favourite brand - Bike Box Alan. Now, we’re based in Yorkshire too, so let’s get this out of the way immediately; yes, we see BBA as a partner, now and into the future. Why - well, simply because they cannot be beaten in terms of looking after your precious bike.
July 13, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Transfargarasan Challenge and Sibiu Cycling Tour Stage

Described as probably the best road in the world, the Transfargarasan Highway is truly an epic climb. Thankfully you can now ride it as part of a unique closed road event once a year - so we went along 🙂
July 5, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Sibiu Cycling Tour & Transfargarasan Challenge

It's a special place, my beautiful city of Sibiu. It's where I grew up, went to university, and I know so many of the really good places, the best cycling routes, the best views in the city and the best views from the hills overlooking the city. Now, it has a world class cycling tour too, and you can ride the roads of the racers.
July 1, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Cycling Fly Bottles – Ride Routine

Before every ride I do the same things. Albeit that I'm 56 years of age, I seem to be no different from what I was racing track and field years ago, lining up my shoes, with the socks placed across them and a lucky jacket nearby.
June 29, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Schwalbe Pro One TT Tan Wall Tyre

When the schwalbe pro one TT tan wall 25mm arrived here for a test, it was obvious that we needed to hand it onto a speed freak - thankfully Ben fits the bill, having a love of fixed gear urban riding and lo-pro bikes. This tyre however would be going onto his Giant TCR.
June 24, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Pirelli Scorpion XC M 2.2 Mountain Bike Tyre

Yes, I know that many riders set things up with a 2.4 at the rear and 2.2 at the front – and we might try that next- but this test was all about the Scorpion XC M 2.2 and how lively and fun a ride it provides – and boy is this an exciting tyre.
June 18, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website
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