Robert Thorpe Editorial Thoughts

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The under-represented MamilStill Smiling, but greyRead More by robert

Thinking Out Loud

A few thoughts on cycling from a middle aged rider

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

TRIADA and the Trilogy of the Trails

Transylvania has been described as Europe's last and most beautiful wilderness. It's also home to the inspiring mtb racer, Tudor Oprea, and he's got an all-new epic for you ride. Welcome to the 'TRILOGY OF THE TRAILS', the future of off-road adventures. This epic new off-road biking festival takes on gravel bikes, XC & trail mountain bikes, and e-mountain biking, over 3 epic weekend festivals in the Carpathian Mountains. Read here to find out more...
March 12, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Indoor Cycling – Training Through Injury

One understated benefit of interactive indoor cycle trainers, is how useful that they are when you're training through imjury. You need to ensure that you stay within performance parameters, and the data that you get from the 'My E-Training' app allows you to focus and to work at the right level. Robert writes about how Elite are helping him through such a period of injury.
February 20, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

Officine Mattio Bikes partner with BePInk Cycle Team

Specialist and high-quality Italian bike brand, Officine Mattio has signed its first ever technical partnership agreement with the UCI Continental BePink women's team, for 2024. The Cuneo based cycle brand will provide the team riders with its top range Lemma RT model. Read more about the new partnership here
January 17, 2024/by Pedalnorth Website

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Settle to Carlisle Cycling Route

One of the most famous rail journeys in the U.K., the Settle Carlisle road cycling route takes you from the historic Yorkshire Dales market town of Settle, all the way through the magnificent Dales National Park, to historic Carlisle and it's wealth of Roman and medieval history.
January 23, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Rosti – Italian by Design

Rosti are renowned for their excellence and performance, and for their unique design culture. We decided that it was time to look behind this family firm from Italy and its beating heart.
January 22, 2022/by Pedalnorth Website

Deuter Flyt 14 Mountain Bike Pack

Any mountain biking pack needs to first of all perform as a pack on the hills. After all, it’s pointless carrying anything on a bike that doesn’t perform in its basic function. Thankfully, the Deuter Flyt 14 backpack performs superbly in its base function as a mountain bacpack or for adventure days on a gravel bike.
December 29, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Spirit of the Hills

Some people seem to have a special bond with the mountains.It's like an addiction, they're drawn to these wild places. Robert comes from a mountaineering background, and Larisa too, also being a mountain ski tourer. Our 2 intrepid editors write about this spiritual bond with wild nature.
December 21, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Rolling The Gap

I love exercise and training - it’s part of who I am. I wasn’t unduly concerned at having a break; it’s probably done me some good in a way, but I knew that I needed to get back to daily training. Going for the odd short ride or a long walk just doesn’t cut it for me. I need to sweat and to ache and know that my heart has been pushed.
December 20, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website
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Ride Romania with TRIADA

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