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

Morning Ride

It’s time to ride. The air outside is cool and a slight dampness hangs as the sun is still warming the earth. Fixing the bottles into the cages, I clip the pedals and place the gloved palms of my hands onto the bars.
June 21, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Ditchling Beacon

It is possible to find country lane road cycling routes in Sussex and London. The classic Ditchling Beacon road cycling climb is an example, cycling from Balcombe to Brighton.
June 19, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Romania 5 Top Cycling Climbs

There are places in the world that are not only still relatively undiscovered, but that also have road cycling climbs that rank alongside any cycling climbs in the world - welcome to Romania cycling, or to be precise - it's time to be transfixed by Transylvania!
June 7, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

3T Super Ergo Team Comfort Handlebars

3T make excellent cycles and finishing kit; oh, and great wheels too. For the past year we’ve been testing their Superergo Team bars on our bike build series road bike here at Pedalnorth and they’ve been spot on in all aspects.
June 5, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Post Covid Cycling

Where will cycling be at the end of the current covid crises? It’s an interesting question, based on people wanting to be healthier in their lives
May 23, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Alé Nordik Winter Bibtights

Alé Nordik Winter Bib Tights Ooze quality. They’re one of the best cycling bib tights that you can buy. Time to find out why then...
February 15, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Hardtail Heaven

Yes, trails and hills are beginning to look like a retro wonderland as the good old hardtail is back in fashion. You can now drink alongside Homer Simpson with pride as you discuss the merits of a loose and bouncy backend
February 13, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Alé Colour block winter jersey

Simplicity can be stylish and beautiful. Alé from the Italian city of Verona understand this; it’s in their dna and their new winter Colour Block thermal jersey is testament to their dedication
February 11, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Trek Pirelli MTB Team

Pirelli is all geared up to backing Marco Trentin’s prestigious mountain bike team once again, with the announcement of an even greater commitment.
January 8, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Build Your Road Bike 5

Time to finish off the perfect bike build and get ready to ride the Bianchi. Setting up the bike and taping the bars
January 2, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Build Your Road Bike 4

Fitting hydraulic brake systems is no easy task. We guide you through the process on our build
December 27, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

26 mtb wheel

Let’s take a look at wheel sizes and try to convince you to let common sense and your riding style take over, by simply choosing the wheel that suits you and not the one that marketing wants you to ride. 
December 24, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
Larisa Chinces riding Bianchi at Brimham Rock Road

Cycling Nidderdale

Ssh…don’t tell anyone about this place. It’s a real gem and a secret cycling centre of excellence – Nidderdale. With the long and winding ascent – or descent – of Greenhow Hill, coupled with Lofthouse Bank, it has climbs to match anywhere
December 13, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Bike Box Alan

They keep things plain and simple in Yorkshire; nowt is wasted, including unnecessary words or titles. It’s a bike box and guess what ... it’s made by Alan.
December 7, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
Garvia Pass Cycling Route

Gavia Pass and Mortirolo Pass

Both the Gavia and the Mortirolo Passes are full of history and pain, being well known within the Giro. Yes, this is a tough ride, but it will reward you with epic views
November 25, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
ALÉ cycle clothing

ALÉ Speed Fondo Bib Shorts

Let’s talk about bib shorts, comfort and pads. As I once said, a good pad is as important to the cyclist as tuna is to a cat, and to make it international ... as important as winning the TdF is to the French - just saying.

Anyway, these shorts are Italian and that means quality and style. Made by high end brand ALÉ, they certainly haven’t let Italy down
November 17, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
ALÉ cycle clothing

ALÉ Dot Jersey

Every now and then we want to feel like a racer. It’s instinctive, remember when you were a child, speeding along with the wind in your face, riding the race and leading the peloton ... then turn for home and be brought back to reality.
November 16, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
ALÉ cycle clothing

ALÉ Autumn Winter Collections 2019/2020

Those very clever and extremely stylish people at Italian brand ALÉ have come up with something extra special this winter. We thought that you deserved a look and so here's a preview
November 15, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
Nadezhda Pavlova

Nadezhda Pavlova Interview

We're very proud of our team here at Pedalnorth and none more so than triathlon editor and lifestyle senior editor, Nadezhda Pavlova. It's unique for anyone to have such a wide range of world class talents, but thankfully for us, Nadezhda is a unique person
November 14, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Forests and Mountains

For me, Whinlatter was like a playground. I had so much fun on the muddy and rocky trails and riding straight into puddles. The Orange Four bike made it easier for me to enjoy the trails.
October 17, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Build Your Road Bike 3

Getting the right groupset is a tricky choice. We chose Ultegra, as it’s familiar around the world and easy to maintain
September 7, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Build Your Road Bike 2

We chose 3T handlebars and finishing kit, adding style and performance. The best handlebars for any road bike
June 1, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Build Your Road Bike 1

Time to get the Bianchi frame set onto the Feedback stand and make it look like a bike. Fitting the internal cables can be trick, but we show you how
May 28, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

The Advent of the E-Bike

Firstly, video did not kill the radio star – Steve Wright is living proof of the longevity of that format. Secondly, the Kindle did not kill off the book, and finally, and the reason for this blog – the E-bike will not kill off good old fashioned cycling.
April 4, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Touring Lake Balaton Part 3

So it is our last day cycling, and I was both excited and sad at the same time. We had all become great friends during our tour, led by Tamas, with Peter and Laszlo keeping us supplied with water, coke and lots and lots of humour.
March 15, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Touring Lake Balaton Part 2

Setting off from our hotel with a larger peloton, today was to be a day of twisting roads, climbing and history, as we took a long flat road towards the rising countryside of Hungary and the magnificent Balaton area, filled with culture
March 15, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Touring Lake Balaton Part 1

Arriving at the airport, the first thing I saw was a large sign saying #helloHungary. Speaking to Tamas, this is a drive by Hungary to promote tourism, of which cycling is a key part.
March 15, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Lake Shoes & Christian Van Asten

Leading one of the top footwear brands in the industry, Christian values the consumer highly, and so takes time to travel all over the globe visiting shops and consumers
March 14, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Eating Chocolate

A few years ago, scientists carried out an experiment using cyclists and chocolate. They were split into 2 groups and each was given 40g of chocolate a day for 2 weeks.
March 14, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Tailfin Carbon Bike Pannier

The Tailfin pannier makes any bike a great toruing bike, and opens up a world of adventures for those with carbon road bikes. It's possibly the best pannier system in the world.
March 8, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website

Sibiu and Transgarafasan Highway

I've cycled this route now several times, raced up it and sped down it. I've spent time in these mountains and they hold my heart, with their beauty. I know that you'll love this road too - so lets go and climb it!
February 19, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
Maeve Plouffe

Rider Interview: Maeve Plouffe

Beyond talent, Maeve’s passion and positivity for cycling are contagious. Read our interview with Maeve and give her a follow @maeveplouffe on instagram to see her fantastic photos
January 27, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
Shimano bike cassette

Driving Team Vitus

Driving the lead car on open roads for a UCI team on a Tour de Yorkshire recce is certainly interesting; so when my good friend and team DS for Vitus Pro Cycling, Cherie Pridham asked me to help out, I was delighted and excited. After all, at heart I’m just a cycling fan like the rest of us.
January 23, 2019/by Pedalnorth Website
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