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Showing posts with the label Spokesman

LONG HAUL ROAD CYCLING – HOW TO CONSERVE YOUR ENERGY

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The most successful road cyclists are incredibly skilled when it comes to conserving their energy. Whether it’s riding mastering a riding position or wearing the correct clothing, they know that every calorie counts. When it comes to cycling, it’s all about burning slowly and efficiently using your energy throughout the ride so that you can use your extra energy when it’s needed. Below are a few tips we have for getting the most out of your energy when road-cycling long distance . 1. RIDING POSTURE It may sound simple but sitting on your bike correctly conserves energy. If you’re sat too far forward or you’re too high up, it can lead to poor energy transfer and sometimes can result in injury. Protection cycling shorts are always a good way of making yourself comfortable. The padding is designed to support your body and fit you right when you’re in a cycling position. Our shorts have been designed with this in mind.  CLICK HERE  Perfect posture is ...

HERE ARE THE TOP 5 PIECES OF KIT THAT EVERY BEGINNER WILL NEED

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ARE YOU JOINING THE CYCLING WORLD? HERE ARE THE TOP 5 PIECES OF KIT THAT EVERY BEGINNER WILL NEED: The benefits of cycling are never-ending, from the cycle commute to work, to the adventure trail trekking weekends. The freedom it gives you and the release of happy endorphins are endless, but there is nothing worse than feeling ill-equipped. Whether you are new to the world of cycling or still figuring out exactly what your cycling kit essentials should be, we aim to share informative advice to get you out on the road. THE HELMET It seems like stating the obvious, but a helmet is first and foremost the most important piece of kit that you need. It can often be rather confusing when choosing the right one. Most brands now offer three somewhat distinct types of road helmets: fully vented traditional, aerodynamic, and the newer semi aero design. Helmets are commonly constructed from expanded polystyrene foam, which is protected with a thin layer of polycarbonate to h...

SPOKESMAN’S DALES CAFÉ ROUND-UP

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No ride is complete without the cafe stop, and the Yorkshire Dales are blessed with the finest hosts and cake-makers in the land. Jonathan Brownlee is reported to have said the  Wharfe View  at Burnsall was a cornerstone of his training programme, and Tom Pidcock mentioned the  Cavendish  at Bolton Abbey when interviewed as part of ITV’s  Tour De France  coverage. So what makes a great cycling cafe? A hungry set of Alba Rosa riders recently set out the criteria for success that amounted to value for money, on-site bike locks, food, speedy s ervice and location. They’re a demanding bunch. Zarina’s Tearoom Café  in Kettlewell is 55km from Leeds and a good stopover before either heading home or pushing upwards into the more adventurous territory of Park Rash, Fleet Moss or Kidstones. The owner of the café, Zarina Belk, explained to  Spokesman  how cycling was an important part of her business. ‘70% of it (the business) is dependent...

RIDER ON THE STORM

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Developed in Italy our Stormrider 1 and Stormrider 2 membrane has revolutionised the waterproof breathable category, by creating a ‘dry system’ which instantly vents the moisture that typically builds up inside your garments as you sweat. The lightweight jerseys are windproof and four way stretch, which creates a second skin feeling. COLD BLACK SUN REFLECTOR Dark colours are known to heat up in direct sunlight more than light colours because they absorb both the visible and invisible elements of the sun’s rays. We treat our dark coloured jerseys with Coldblack® which guarantees a minimum UV protection of UPF 30. GLASS PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY For protection we use a perforated stretch, reflective material which is coated with thousands of glass microspheres which are highly reflective New Zealand merino sport wool™, the fabric has a polyester facing for durability but a merino inner layer for thermoregulation it is a soft and comfortable fabric which is also highly. Blo...

ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?

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Are you sitting comfortably? A question that makes every cyclist cross their fingers as they set out in a new pair of shorts. While the pad may not be the flashiest or most interesting part of a garment, it is what makes the difference between a good, bad or great cycling short . One ride in a bad pair of shorts and you’ll be grimacing for hours, desperate for an ice pack. We know that at the heart of a great pair of shorts is the perfect pad, and so with that in mind, we teamed up with the company that invented the anatomically shaped pad – CyTech. BEHIND CYTECH Founded in 2000 in San Vendemiano, Italy, Stefano Coccia and Marino De Marchi set about to revolutionise the protection pad sector with their brand Elastic Interface®. Now market leaders in their field, Elastic Interface® pads can be found in nearly all major European cycling brands and it’s no surprise why. The amount of scientific research and hi-tech development behind these pads is staggering, with the company ...

WHY YOU NEED TO GO OFF-ROAD THIS WINTER

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I suspect I find you in a difficult situation, where the nights are drawing to a close just too soon, the weather is way too cold and the pleasure of riding your road bike has become, well, less pleasurable. However, despair not, I’m here to tell you about a form of cycling that will save your fitness over these harsh winter months. I think you know what I’m talking about, and no I’m not asking you to trade in your fashionable lycra* and high tech carbon roadie for soft suspension and baggie shorts. I am however going to persuade you why you need to consider it and have a go at ‘the dark side’ of cycling this winter . *Disclaimer: You will remain fashionable in the Spokesman Cross Jersey, no baggies required. So here are the four big reasons why you need to hang up your slicks and head out on that trail this winter. IT’S A WHOLE BODY EXPERIENCE It’s the truth, when you go out on the trails for the first time you’ll wake up the next day with jelly arms. Those long road m...