Right here’s a spherical up of my high bikes, biking package, initiatives, rides and occasional stops of this 12 months!
First up now we have…
Century Gravel Trip
Essentially the most ‘epic’ day trip on a motorbike of 2023 was my first 100 mile Gravel Bike journey. I’d been doing numerous lengthy distance operating occasions within the Spring and fancied an extended journey to place my bike legs to the check.
I fuelled up with loads of carbs and electrolytes for breakfast, with lots extra on the prepared in my two 750ml Torq bottles. I then met Andy on the entrance to the Leeds to Liverpool Canal round 6.45am and we headed off on our gravel enterprise. Again in June, the climate and path circumstances had been ideally suited.
As soon as we reached Wigan we made our approach off the canal and thru loads of gravel tracks until we arrived at Carr Mill Dam then pedalled on to Speke in Liverpool alongside the Trans Pennine Path. We stopped for a a lot wanted espresso and chunk to eat round noon. Then it was again on to canal tracks until we reached Eccleston and into Preston to Avenham park by way of the quiet nation lanes and tracks.
The journey was an incredible day trip and I’m positive I’ll be making an attempt a couple of extra lengthy distance gravel rides in 2024!
Visiting Ridley Bikes
An unbelievable manufacturing unit with pleasant faces and beautiful gravel tracks…
My go to to Ridley Bikes in October was a improbable journey. We got a heat welcome upon arrival and loved a scrumptious cup of espresso of their ‘handlebar’. Then it was into the manufacturing unit to see how their skilled craftsmanship processes happen from begin to end. The eye to element was clear to see and I’ve to confess I do slightly fancy buying a Ridley someday sooner or later…
We additionally loved the gravel tracks and trails close by. I had the pleasure of testing out the beautiful Kanzo Journey Gravel Bike. The expertise of biking in Belgium was very nice and I used to be amazed simply what number of cycle paths and lanes there have been!
What a sport changer! One in all my finest purchases this 12 months has been these top quality, open ear headphones.
Shokz headphones have allowed me to journey to my favorite music while nonetheless being conscious of my environment. They’re helpful to simply throw on earlier than a journey and the easy button controls imply I can pause my tracks with out having to cease and attain for my cellphone. I’ve additionally tried these headphones within the fitness center and pool and so they have been good. Simply word, solely the OpenSwim ones are absolutely waterproof for swimming…
My Merlin Malt G2X Gravel Bike
A improbable all rounder bike for gravel, commutes and winter using…
The Merlin Malt G2X has been an unbelievable winter bike for 2023. It’s remained dependable for all my rides and my go-to bike for this time of 12 months. I like the actual fact it holds up so effectively on all terrains, permitting me to hop on and off the highway at my need. I feel an alloy gravel bike reminiscent of this one makes a super winter bike and saves put on and tear in your ‘finest bike’.
Espresso Stops
No lengthy weekend journey is full with no espresso cease…
Making time for a espresso cease pre, mid or put up journey is an effective way to meet up with a buddy or calm down by yourself. I’ve discovered espresso stops an effective way to interrupt up a journey and guarantee I’ve sufficient gasoline in my system to get me residence. It’s additionally been a pleasant approach of chatting to new folks you meet out on a journey. Should you don’t already you would possibly need to think about including a espresso cease the odd longer journey. And naturally, in case you don’t like espresso there’s at all times tea! My favorite cease this 12 months was alongside the Trans Pennine Path at Dunham Apples and The Apple Barn!
From their tasty flapjacks to power packed gels, Torq has been with me on each journey of 2023!
I’ve discovered Torq‘s vitamin merchandise to at all times give the increase I want. I’ve positively tried and examined them this 12 months… For each operating 100 miles at Chester 100 Extremely Race and Biking 100 on the gravel bike, they haven’t let me down! They’ll proceed to be my go-to gasoline selection for any endurance occasion I’ve on my calendar.
Canal Towpaths
I appear to have spent quite a lot of time using on canals this 12 months…
Maybe one of many good locations for enjoyable journey. Offered you time the circumstances and enterprise proper… I’ve had loads of nice rides alongside the canal this 12 months. Simply be certain the route is dry sufficient and never a slip and slide! Using alongside the water may be very enjoyable, particularly throughout a sundown!
Snug, non fogging, smooth and classy!?
I’ve been utilizing a pair of Oakleys all through 2023 and so they have ticked all of the containers in the case of a good pair of biking sun shades. They’ve remained tremendous cozy for all-day rides and in contrast to another manufacturers they don’t fog up in any respect if you make a fast cease. I’ve little doubt they may see me by a few years of biking as they’re constructed to final!
What a beast!
This 12 months I did all my spring and summer time highway rides on the Orro Venturi. Having beforehand been on a gravel or mountain bike for many of my rides, the Venturi was an incredible swap. I put many miles in on this lovely bike and it was only a pleasure to journey. I’d advocate an Orro to anybody, they’ve the trusty 105 spec all the best way as much as Dura Ace Di2!
The bike was good straight out of the field, with no changes or upgrades wanted for me. Even a few my mates determined to choose up one and so they weren’t disillusioned! One in all my favorite rides on the Venturi was an early summer time morning ‘pre-work’ one round Eccleston and Tarleton’s nation lanes with a buddy of mine (ending with a espresso and large breakfast in fact).
Giving the great previous 26er some upgrades…
I had a blast upgrading this Merlin Malt 2 26″ Hardtail bike!
This ‘weekend cruiser/commuter’ bike was sat in my storage needing some love and TLC. First up I made a decision to get it serviced after which give it a ‘Spring Refresh’. With new bars, grips, 1X Chainring, Billy Bonkers Tyres and a bling high cap it was able to roll! It’s change into my weekend cruiser bike in the intervening time and is ideal for a pleasant ‘chill journey’ with a mate. I’d advocate anybody to provide their previous 26er a brand new lease of life slightly than it sitting gathering mud. For more information on this mission click on right here.
In order that rounds up my favorite Biking bits of 2023! Tell us what a few of your favorite bikes, rides, initiatives or package has been this 12 months within the feedback!
