always riding's cycling blog

Accelerace Challenge Cycling Video

Ross and Chris of the Accelerace Challenge, a truly awe inspiring multi sport charity event supported by Always Riding apparel, were kind enough to make a nice video showing the cycling highlights of their trip.

Well done chaps, 200 miles a day? You are Always Riding.

Visit Accelerace on Facebook >

Posted by alwaysriding

The Vuelta is here! A post to celebrate Spanish cycle clothing brands at Always Riding

With the 2011 edition of la Vuelta a España upon us, we thought that it would be a good time to write about the Spanish bicycle apparel brands we have in our fold at Always Riding.

Whilst writing this article, we realised just how strong the Spanish cycling apparel market truly is, and more so, the rich history many of the brands have. Whilst Italy and France might be able to claim a greater combined breadth of cycling history, we would argue that Spain can more than hold its own. Oh yes, and the food is way better than anywhere else in the world. Ok, we're biased, one half of Always Riding is Basque! Now, let's begin...

Hailing from Igualada, near Barcelona in Catalonia, Buff Headgear is one of Spain's biggest sportswear brands, and this popular product in all of its multitude of guises, can be found in regular use around the world for just as many different activities.

Ideally suited to cycling, the Buff Wool, with its beautifully soft merino wool finish, is a firm cycling favourite for commuters, right through to mountain bikers and road riders.

see the Buff range >

Based in Yecla not too far from Alicante, Catlike is one of the top cycling helmet brands in the world. They also do a rather nice line in glasses, but it is their helmets that Catlike is most known for amongst the cycling community. Taking the standard cycling helmet design and putting their own spin on it is what Catlike do best, and the most representative model from their range that attests to this unique design approach is the Whisper Plus helmet.

see the Catlike range >

For arguments sake, let's call Etxeondo a Spanish brand, but to anyone in the town of Irura where this renowned cycle clothing brand calls home, a stone's throw from the coastal city of San Sebastian, they are Basque through and through.

Etxeondo have a rich history in the cycling world, having clothed such greats as Miguel Indurain, Perico Delgado and hardman Sean Kelly during their illustrious history. Today, Etxeondo remains at the forefront of the road cycling apparel market, and still proudly manufactures its collections in the Basque Country. Truly an Always Riding favourite, Etxeondo apparel is quite simply a revelation on the bike.

see the Etxeondo range >

The newest kid on the block, Muxu hail from the Catalan city of Barcelona, and are charged with creating a small but growing line of extremely practical and stylish urban cycling apparel. Muxu's attention to detail and design led approach is typical of the Barcelona manufacturing tradition, and with their products, is bringing the city a deserved place in the cycling community.

see the Muxu range >

Another Basque brand, but this time from the lively town of Llodio near Bilbao, Spiuk was founded over 20 years ago, and since then, has developed impressive collections of both cycling shoes, biycle apparel, and cycling glasses. Often spotted in the pro peloton, most recently as the headgear, shoe and glasses sponsor to members of the Ag2R-La Mondiale Team, Spiuk is a great choice for both well priced and functional apparel and accessories.

see the Spiuk range >

If you have ever been to Girona, you probably know it as a place for culture, architecture, and a mecca for cyclists the world over. Situated just 40kms from the Pyrenees, it is here and for this reason that during his career, Lance Armstrong lived and trained in the Catalan city.

With such an illustrious history, you would expect Girona to have produced a cycling sportswear brand, and whilst it might have taken some time, the cycling world can now say hello to Sumattory.

A completely new brand, (and one that has its offices in Lance Armstrong's old appartment building), Sumattory was co-developed by UCI Mountain Bike World Champion José Hermida. Featuring bold colours, high end fabrics, all finished off with a Made in Italy tag, Sumattory is a high end brand for riders looking for a World Champion's approved ride.

see the Sumattory range >

Links:

http://www.lavuelta.com/

Posted by alwaysriding

Tour Divide: Finished!

Well, I finished in a little under 29 days and 12 hours. Some very long days in the saddle and I finished incredibly tired on 4 days. In the North we were derailed by snow and in New Mexico by forest fires. My latest finish was 0200am in cold and rain into Lima.

I thought my time was up in Silver City NM just 125 miles from the finish when I took a wrong turning. I started to ask a woman for directions and two police cars descended on us. Asked if we were ok and had any problems and I told them I was a bit lost. They sent me on my way quickly enough although the guns were a bit off-putting though never drawn. Not exactly certain what the well dressed woman was doing in the scrub.....

A little disappointed with my time as it was a fast year but I tried as hard as I could. I will write up further and post a few pictures once I am back in the UK in August. I had no punctures and no mechanical issue though I did partly change my drive-train and brake pads after 1,500 miles. I also lost my GPS after 81 miles which proved a bit of a loss.

The Canadian and American people we met were incredible. They would engage in conversation at shops, would stop their cars to ask if all was well or did we need any food and water. I was offered a lift on 3 occasions - bit like the Tour De France of 100 years ago.

In the pictures previously posted the beer drinking was in Como after about 1,800 miles in a town with a population of 21 and an English landlord. My fellow riders were Reinhold Mueller from Germany and Will from Scotland. The third show shows me with fellow Derby Mercury riders Martin Wimpenny (left) and Mike Hall (centre). Mike finished 10th and Martin finished on 4th July I believe. Not sure of my final position. I suspect I made a minor error early on and will possibly be disqualified. I also know some in front of me missed a section on the penultimate day so will need to wait and see regarding the official results.

Many thanks to Pete and Leire for the kit for the event supplementing what I had already accumulated. The kit lasted a lot better than I did. I wore mostly Craft and Exteondo clothing with my favourite Ibex arm warmers and club jersey.

Posted

Choosing a Pair of Cycling Bib Shorts

If there is one piece of bicycle apparel that has the potential to strike fear into the heart of every newbie cyclist, (or even some pro cyclists for that matter), it is the bib short. Oddly shaped, (bloody hell, what the heck is that pad doing inside?), and lump flauntingly tight, they are nevertheless, a cycling essential.

Rest assured that if you have ever felt a twinge of unease when caught surreptitiously browsing through sets of bib shorts, then you are not alone. In this, as in all cycle clothing matters, let Always Riding demystify the demystify-able; as we present our Cycling Guide to Cycling Bib Shorts - hurrah.

Lycra is your friend

Almost all cycling bib shorts are made of lycra, or derivations of this wonder, stretchy material. Blended with carbon fibre, merged with cordura, or constructed from plain vanilla lycra, this is the core of a bib short. Your non cycling friends may laugh, and your loved one may have to grapple with the stair rail in hysteric disbelief the first time you stride out of the bedroom ready to ride, but remember, it's all about context. Astride the bike, you are rider, a majestic noble soul tainted by hidden passions for French vernacular. Stand more than ten metres away from the bike however, and you're just a guy in lycra out in the middle of the day scaring passers by.

Strap me in Tommy

The bib straps - designed to hold your bib shorts in place, these often wide and soft edged fabric loops are essential in preventing 'loose botty' during your ride - and believe you me, this is to be avoided at all costs. Do you really want your loved one, having only just recovered from first seeing you in lycra, to start emitting gasping sounds of hilarity as you shuffle into the kitchen with Mr Botty on show?

Some of the very top level bib shorts will make you feel a little hunched over off the bike, as the bib straps try to push you into a sloped back racing position. However, this is intentional, as a road rider will spend 99% of the ride on the bike, with a 1% coffee stop break. Just be aware though, some riders do reverse these percentages.

The Pad (or Chamois)

Delightful. As good a word as any for describing the feeling of merrily pedalling along with a comfy chamois between your legs, yet what makes for a good 'un? We've felt literally hundreds of pads, and after much squeezing, we believe it is all done to three things - stretch, material and breathability. Without wishing to distill what is a complex piece of fabric and product engineering into too glib a description, if a brand has got these 3 things right, comfort should follow, take a look:

Stretch - A pedalling motion is complex, and to fully be one with the rider, the pad must ideally stretch in 4 ways to take the two and fro of the cycling position.

Material - Light, dimpled or just plain smooth, a chamois can be constructed from many different layers of material to create the ideal trouser sandwich. Lower end bibs will often house a more rudimentary pad, let's call it a workhorse for shorter rides. Higher end bibs on the other hand, will tote a chamois clever enough to date an Oxford graduate, and offer a level of comfort that nearly always justifies the price.

Breathability - A pad that breathes is your ride Wingman. You may not hear its muffled Americanisms spouting forth from your shorts as you ride, but it's there keeping things on track. On a hot day, you will put out a lot of sweat, and that sweat, along with a whole host of heat, has to travel through your pad if you are to stay comfortable; and that is just what a good bib short pad will allow - breathability.

Give me a leg up

You ride a bike, you rock lycra - you do not wear Hot Pants.

Unless you particular like flaunting your upper thighs to your fellow man, a well proportioned bib short thigh length is what you should be asking from your bib short. As a rule of thumb, the more pro the bib short, the higher that leg will go; to a point that is. In our experience, unless you are really tall, let's say over 6ft 5", and as long as you have bought the correct size, you should always be able to work a good leg length without ever risking hot pant territory. (Stay away from hot pant guy - ah, he's coming over!)

Finishing touches

Like a little salt with a good steak, no bib is complete without the little touches (that doesn't mean you should allow yourself to be fondled by a dwarf - we're talking trims here).

First off is the bottom of the leg inner silicon strip, the essential final flourish to keep the leg in position. Lavishly applied or smartly echoing the brand's logo, you will find the silicon leg grippers at the bottom of every cycling bib short. They may do their thing without much praise, but without, you would be that Hot Pant guy. This might be a good time to point out that bib shorts stay in position a lot better with SHAVED legs, as the gripper loves clean skin contact.

Moving to the exterior, and a nicely produced bib, whether budget or bling, will nowadays sport careful attention to detail. From the brand's logo to the colour stylings, everything should sit well and ideally match with your cycling jersey. In our view, the bib short is an extension of the jersey, so having an eye for style here will pay dividends on the road. No style? Don't worry, just choose a classic black with minimal extras, and then you can match it with anything.

We hope that you have enjoyed our little guide to cycling bib shorts, and if you are now ready to buy a pair, then head on over to the cycling bib shorts page over at Always Riding to browse. Remember, we are on call 24/7, so if you have any questions, from bib choice to bib style, then we would love to help.

Posted by alwaysriding

Etxeondo Autumn Winter Arrivals

Just about anything from San Sebastian is great. The food, the culture, the beaches, and of course, the cycle clothing. Etxeondo take care of that last part, although we're sure they also make a pretty mean Marmitako as well.

This week, we've had some wonderful pieces from the Basque Brand's Autumn / Winter collection hit the floor, and as always with Etxeondo, the level of craftmanship throughout the range is something else. From the streamlined cut of the Brea Overshoes, the anatomic shapes in the Zitan Bib Tight, to the wonderfully detailed Ause Wind Stopper Glove, this is a collection for the rider who takes to the road whilst most are still asleep, only returning in the fading light, exhausted, yet exhilarated from a day's hard riding.

Of particular interest to fans of Pro Cycling will be the Etxeondo Letras Headband, or more informally, the Etxeondo '3 in 1 hat'. A favourite of Alberto Contador in cool training conditions, the Letras can transform from a headband to a hat, and back to a headband again via a neck sleeve. In our opinion the Letras is a cold riding essential, and definitely one accessory you will not want to be without in the coming season.

Take a look at the entire Etxeondo Collection here >