Words on PaperRobert Thorpe

Words on Paper

Lifestyle Blogs & 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 thoughts across a range of cycling related subjects. I like to think that here at Pedalnorth, I work alongside some of the world’s best cycling lifestyle and culture writers. And, so, it seems only right that I also try to inspire others with a few words scattered radomly on paper.

You may or may not agree with my take on things, and that’s fine – cycling is a varied tapestry of people and thoughts. My writing will always be truthful and laced with integrity, though – a rare commodity in the modern world. My aim: to hopefully show that pausing and reflecting is better than knee jerk reactions. That kindness and altruism can inspire others more than narcissism and arrogance. I believe in helping others, smiling, sharing time as the most important gift – and I believe in seeking adventure.

I’ll share my favourite places to ride, the kit I like to use myself, and the people who inspire me. Ultimately, we have one life and we need to live it well. Riding a bike to explore the world, and to explore ourselves is a good way to live – or, at least I think so.  Off you go then, and have a read – and thanks! Your support for our website is really and genuinely appreciated, by all of us, but especially by me – thank you 🙂

Cycling Lifestyle Blogs

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

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

SIGR RIKSVÄG 92 Bib Shorts

These bib shorts from Swedish brand SIGR are pro level, and yet come without the price tag. Super comfortable and with loads of compression, they're ideal for long days on the bike
June 18, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Sigr Fjällbäck Jersey

SIGR is a brand that’s quickly establishing itself as a quality brand with unique designs. Their latest short sleeved jersey, the Fjällbäck is typical of the brands messages within their designs, of being close to and adherence to principles that support the natural world.
June 16, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Cycle Trainers for Performance in Spring

Yes, my best fitness days are behind me and things tend to break or creak more easily, requiring repair. And so, as a consequence of this, getting out for long winter rides isn’t always a great idea or possible, meaning that when spring comes along, on occasions I’m playing catch up on the hills, as I battle to get that early season fitness that we dream of.
June 9, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Gravel Bike Coast to Coast Moors Section

Ride through the North Yorks Moors on some of the best gravel bike trails in the U.K., as you take on our Gravel Bike Coast to Coast route, with Voom Nutrition
June 6, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Morning Ride Motivation

It's not always great weather for riding. However, as cycling writers, we don't always get a choice - motivation and the weather may be against us, requiring extra personal strength just to get onto the bike...
May 11, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

ROSTI Gera Mens and Ladies Freeride Mountainbike Jersey

Rosti are renowned for the stylish designs on the road. We took a look at their latest mountain jersey, to see if it took their high performance and style from the road to trails.
May 5, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Gravel Bike Coast To Coast Lakes Section

Our U.K. Gravel Bike Coast to Coast route starts at the beautiful coastal hamlet of Ravenglass, before entering Eskdale and the Lake District. This technical section brings epic views and a mixture of easy gravel riding and more technical terrain, as you ride your gravel bike towards Sedbergh and the Dales.
May 2, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Rosti Hypno Jersey Bibs and Socks

ROSTI are a design orientated cycling wear brand, but they also excel in performance. Here's their latest mens kit, just in time for sprimg and summer. The HYpno jersey is both unique and stylish.
April 20, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Yakima Front Loader Bike Carrier

Yakima make carriers all kinds of bikes, and their Front Loader is probably one of the most secure and well fitting bike carrier on the market. We tested it both in Romania and in the U.K.
April 10, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Waiting for spring

Waiting for the end of winter can be mentally tough. The first warm days can be simply a test of our mental strength, as the thermometer rises towards 20 degrees, only to be plunged towards 0 again soon, with snow showers and freezing rain. Robert writes about his own thoughts while waiting for spring.
April 5, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Rosti – Designing in Style

Cycling isn’t simply a sport, it’s a way of life and yes, even a subculture. And, as with all subcultures and their members and followers, cycling has its specific cool icons that through no reason other than their uniqueness and quality sit at the very top and radiate their emblematic presence to others. ROSTI is one such iconic brand within cycling and its subculture, and their designs are works of art in themselves.
March 28, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Pirelli PZero Velo 4S

If you’re after a tyre for colder and wetter conditions, then the Pirelli PZero Velo 4S is probably an ideal choice. We’ve been using it in the harsh conditions of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and it’s proved itself to be a fast rolling, grippy and hard wearing tyre for all conditions.
March 3, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Elastic Interface Triathlon Chamois Pad

Triathlon cycling element is an aggressive position, where the rider is usually at their limit and trying to create as much performance as is possible. Add to this that the suit worn by the triathlete has two other elements to content with, then it’s a difficult decision to make in terms of what the chamois pad should be like and how technical it needs to be.
March 1, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Gravel Bike Coast to Coast Dales Section

Ride through the Yorkshire Dales on some of the best gravel bike trails in the U.K., as you take on our Gravel Bike Coast to Coast route, with Voom Nutrition
March 1, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Mountain Bike Tour of Brucegi and Strunga – Romania

Romania and the area of Transylvania have some of the most beautiful forested areas and awesome mountains in Europe - if not the world. This two-day mountain bike trip takes in the mountain area of Brucegi and the Omu Peak, a famous Romanian summit.
February 25, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Into 2022 with the Elite Tuo

In a world filled with indoor interactive cycling trainers, many people will be surprised to see that the good old ‘wheel on’ trainer, or ‘turbo trainer’ as it was once familiarly known, still has a place. Indeed, the Tuo Interactive Wheel On trainer by Italian brand Elite, is more than capable of holding its own
February 20, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Gravel Bike Coast to Coast Route

From inspiring Eskdale in the west, through to the historic Roman Cam Road in the Dales and Wensleydale and the magnificent beauty of Jervaulx Abbey,onto Rosedale in the North Yorks Moors, this Gravel Bike Coast to Coast route has something for everyone. It's also the very first U.K. Gravel Bike C2C - and we think that it'll be the best too 😉
January 24, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

It’s Time to Ride – with Time Bikes!

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