The road ahead

In and among the massive uptake in road cycling and mass participation events, it would seem that us roadies are starting to diversify our two wheeled interests. We’re still snapping up the fastest and lightest  machines, but the manufacturers have also been  looking for ways to appeal to those wanting more.  GT realised it with their well-reviewed Grade models, BMC with their GF series. Both of these companies have released machines to satisfy those looking for more than high speed on perfect tarmac. Tyre clearances allow for muguards and bigger, bouncier tyres whilst brazings cater for touring accessories, the geometry allowing riders to cruise all day and still be fresh the next morning. Heck, you could even enjoy a spot of cyclo-cross if that’s what floats your boat.

Previously we looked at the Kinesis ATR, a sublime ride for on and off road adventuring. However, lovely though it was, it was also out of my budget, so once x+1 time came around again I went to see our friends at Harrogate’s Specialized Concept Store and bought the Diverge Smartweld, their go-anywhere gravel muncher that utilises Shimano’s hydraulic disc braking system, 30 mm Roubaix tyres and the zertz dampener system to provide a silky smooth ride day after day.

Diverge Smart Weld 2015 packed and ready for action.

For readers of this blog, the idea of cycle touring might seem rather off-putting, and having spent time touring on an MTB with a trailer I can understand the thinking. Traditional panniers and trailers can make for an experience that is either ridiculously leisurely or hopelessly unwieldy depending on your point of view. Either way, when your riding style has slipped in to the head-down category, you’ll be wanting to at least be able to retain some of that speed regardless of any desire to look up and smell the flowers.

Thankfully, ever at the forefront of technological development, MTB land has been undergoing a quiet bikepacking revolution (spearheaded in the UK by Apidura and Alpkit) and is providing on bike storage solutions that offer a far more streamlined and efficient experience. Kit can be stashed under the bars, inside the frame, under the saddle… Basically all the places that won’t cause you to clip your heels or wobble uncontrollably at speed, and the road world is starting to sit up and listen.

Of course, this assumes you’ll be traveling really light, and since this is Yorkshire (and because sleeping under just a tarp has never appealed), for my latest adventure I went for a compromise. There was still no way the panniers were coming back, but the rack provided somewhere for the 2 man tent and sleeping bag to sit, whilst the lightweight clothing, sleeping mat and wash kit got jammed in to the regular Saddle Pack that Apidura kindly lent me to play with for a few months.  An old bar bag got pressed back in to action up front alongside a very useful little handlebar smart phone mount that Liddle had on offer for the princely sum of £9 a few weeks before.

A massive recommendation needs to go to Strava for its Live service that, when coupled with a suitably long lasting phone, could almost be a Garmin killer.  Using a utilitarian Motorola Moto E, I got a fifty-mile route with live mapping  on the go and after four hours of leisurely riding and refreshments had still only munched half the battery life. Not bad eh? Actually, it’s not all great – the route planning with heat map sourcing on Strava is doubtless fine if you’re new in town and want a local circuit, but for the purposes of this trip I used Google Maps to plan my journey, taking advantage of its integration with Sustrans’ National Cycle Network to plot a route that typically hovered between idyllic and sublime and all the while plotting a pretty direct course.

Harvest time – stunning.

This weekend I was heading out to Chop Gate in the North Yorkshire Moors with the purpose of joining up with some friends that were overnighting as part of a two-day trail race. The bike, fully loaded though it was, performed superbly on the flats heading out towards Thirsk.  With a slight tail wind and my head down I was comfortably overtaking more leisurely cyclists; the nicely streamlined kit making the ride, if not effortless, certainly pretty acceptable. I’d gone across the Vale of York and across to the foot of the notorious White Horse Bank climb before I knew it.

Now White Horse was always going to be the most challenging part of the day, and I was hugely grateful for the Diverge’s wide span of gears that allowed me to stay seated most of the way up.  Although the Saddle Pack did itself proud on the trip, they are recommended only for putting the lighter items in to since there is no avoiding a tendency for the back end to fish-tail when you’re stood up and attacking switch-backs that hit 20-25% in places.  Machismo went out the window as I found the ice cream van parked in the car park two thirds of the way up, and I happily forfeited the kudos of doing the whole thing at once for the regenerative properties of an ice-cream and a can of lemonade.

As recommended by NYC

Refreshed, I finished off the remains of the 175 metre, >11% average road and headed to the National Park Visitors Centre for a bite to eat. Being pitifully low on cash for a weekend adventure, it was with great relief that the guys at Sutton Bank Bikes were kind enough to facilitate a makeshift cash-back facility to get me through the next couple of days. I left with a full stomach (plus a mental note to return on the Diverge to test out their new off-road trails another day) and made my way across to Chop Gate where I pitched my tent for the night and enjoyed a terrific meal at the local.

Rolling home

The next day’s route had not been planned – I figured  if I could make my way towards the market town of Helmsley, get in to the general direction of Ampleforth Abbey and find the terrific Sustrans Route 66 (a glorious tour of the Yorkshire Wolds and Howardian Hills) then it’d be fine, and it was. Like the vast majority of Sustrans routes, it’s aimed at cyclists whose wheels are less than skinny and takes in little-visited bridal paths, single-track farm roads and whatever else is going to give you the best views and the least traffic – awful for bunch riding, stunning for touring. Rolling past freshly harvested fields, ancient abbeys and over the toll bridge at Aldwark and with little of the climbing that day one had involved, it didn’t seem long before Harrogate appeared and my first real foray in to bikepacking was over.  The first, but by no means the last.

Cast your minds back 12 months and Harrogate was host to one of the greatest cycling spectacles this country has ever seen. In fact, many claimed this great small town had perhaps hosted one of the most memorable Grand Depart ever.

Fast forward 12 months and we’ve had a plethora of quotes about creating a cycling legacy from various key folk, however the reality might not quite be so positive. It seems recent action taken by Harrogate Borough Council have taken us from this

to this

The legacy, it seems, might be long forgotten.

The area in question is our beloved Stray that surrounds much of the town.It either provides a direct route or scenic backdrop for the vast majority of commuters. Before we go on, North Yorkshire Cycling wholeheartedly agrees that these paths are 100% not suitable for ‘club runs’ or fast moving riders. They are however absolutely perfect for children and every day commuters.

Without speaking to the Council directly we can only assume the none too subtle reinforcement of restrictions on cycling on the paths around the Stray has followed a number of complaints from pedestrians. But really, is the answer to ban cyclists and push them on to the dangerous and woefully inadequate (from a cycling perspective) public roads? Let us ask you this, if residents complain about cars driving too fast down a road do you ban cars on that road? Of course not as that would be stupid. Just like banning courteous cyclists from certain suitable paths like this is perhaps not the most productive strategy to implement.

A cycle friendly Harrogate?

These hideous painted signs might as well just say ‘not welcome’

There will always be those idiots who link every talk of cycling and cyclists back to  lycra clad weekend warriors and leisure riders, however in 10 years of cycling around Harrogate we cannot ever recall these narrower paths being used by anything other than town commuters and children.

So what does this actually mean? Well take a look at the picture below. We think you will agree this activity is probably not harming anyone.

(note; the chap in the photo only supports children and gentle commuting on these paths and not idiots racing like they are in a one day classic. We agree 100% with him)

Photographed just last night with parent permission, this child was innocently learning to ride a bike on a path marked at both ends ‘no cycling’. The Stray is the place many kids learnt and continue to learn to ride. it provides a safe environment and has no real impact on other path users. How sad this is a scene Harrogate Borough Council are clearly keen to get rid of.

It also means more cyclists on the roads. Is that a bad thing? Well in a town that still has no tolerance for cyclists on the roads then possibly yes, as it will eventually drive those who are less confident to stop altogether and discourage others from starting. There is already a belief in Britain that cycling is an inherently dangerous leisure activity rather than a viable form of urban transport. Harrogate Council do not seem keen to challenge that.

3yr old learning to ride a bike – No Cycling

Mother riding with a toddler on her bike – No Cycling

Every day folk gently commuting away from busy traffic – No Cycling

It’s a sad day indeed when we discourage youngsters to ride a bike by removing the safe places for them to do so. Perhaps this is the legacy the Council really meant? We don’t  believe they did, but it’s time for Harrogate Borough Council to put its money where its mouth is and start embracing cycling. It must stop giving in to bitter folk that have nothing better to do than scowl at and complain about people having fun or trying to live a healthier life.

Now in an attempt to see both side of the coin, we appreciate that in some places it’s hard for cyclists and pedestrians to commute together in harmony, and in some cases cyclists don’t exactly conduct themselves in a sensible manner, but is it really that hard to come to a better solution than ‘No Cycling’? Give us a call HBC, we have plenty of much better ideas to help make Harrogate safer for both cyclists and pedestrians.

“but they have provided cycle lanes so why don’t you use them?” was a recent comment. Take a look at this picture taken last night

We’re not sure how cyclists are supposed to use this lane.

This happens pretty much every night and the Council does nothing to stop it. You give us cycling lanes and then let motorists park in them! Hardly the actions of a Council embracing cycling. Come on guys is this really the Harrogate you want? We hope not.

Think on, if they do nothing what will be next? As a regular runner (and quite a slow one at that) I frequently overtake cyclists on these paths – does that mean running will also soon be banned? The other day a pedestrian moaned at me at because my 1 month old baby boy’s pram was in their way – will walking with prams also soon be banned?

We are not saying the problem can be fixed overnight, but banning cycling on paths that should encourage cycling is not a step forward, it’s a massive step back and confirms one thing – Harrogate is not, currently, cycling friendly. And when you consider that the district reportedly benefited by visitor spending in excess of £19m over the 3 days of the Tour De France last year, that is really embarrassing. This post will likely be viewed by over 10,000 people, so let’s hope that includes those who can make changes happen.

Yorkshire’s longest established cycle retailer All Terrain Cycles is offering the chance to ‘test drive’ one of the newest trends in cycling – electric bikes!

Customers visiting All Terrain’s Wetherby store can go for a spin on one of the new fleet of full suspension electric demonstration bicycles available from German manufacturer, Cube.  Also known as e-bikes, they have a small, integrated electric motor to assist the rider’s pedal power and use rechargeable batteries that are charged at a normal mains socket and last for about 20 miles.  With a maximum uphill speed of 15mph, they have the added advantage of no road tax or licence being needed.

Tony Booth, managing director of All Terrain Cycles, explained: “With the resurgence of cycling nationally, and the legacy of the Tour de France, electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular – people want the fun of being on two wheels, without the gruel of getting fit.  E-bikes can be ridden anywhere that push bikes can be ridden, they’re really easy to use and persuade even ‘non-cyclists’ to get pedalling.

“There is still an element of exercise involved as you have to pedal in order for the motor to run, and by law it has to cut out at about 15mph, so you’re back to pedalling again. They’re ideal for people who want to get around without getting sweaty or those who have an injury that prevents them from using a conventional bike. That extra boost of power saves the slog, particularly up hills!”

The family owned, independent retailer has one of the region’s largest selections of electric bikes and is offering free trials and advice to people interested in owning one.

Tony adds: “Electric bicycles are proving particularly popular in China where they are replacing fossil fuel powered mopeds.  They have also really taken off in Europe, especially in the northern countries which have strong cycling traditions, such as Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Be warned though, wrap up warm as it can get chilly with the reduced physical exertion!”

As with normal bikes, prices range significantly. An entry level electric bike can be bought for as little as £500 going up to as much as £5,000 for a high performance mountain bike with carbon frame.

Mr Booth concluded: “Electric bike rental schemes have been tried across the country, including in the Lake District, Peak District, South Downs and Devon. And Boris Johnson has also spoken of trialling them as a hire scheme in parts of London next year. But whatever your pedal preference – manual or electric – more people on bikes, can only be a good thing.”

Dating back to 1907, All Terrain Cycles is the oldest cycling business in Yorkshire.  It plays an active part in supporting the region’s cycling fraternity, sponsoring a number of cycling and charity events as well as having its own race team.  Building on the success of its 10,000sq ft retail outlet at Salts Mill, Saltaire in Shipley, and its thriving online business http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk it opened a second 10,000sq ft cycling superstore this year in Wetherby.  Selling many of the leading brands such as Trek and Cannondale, both stores stock over 1,000 mountain, road and BMX bikes, plus clothing and accessories as well as offering repairs and servicing.

With everything bike increasing in popularity, it’s inevitable that more and more of us will at some stage need to post a bike. Whether it’s an eBay sale or sending it off to the manufacturer, safely preparing and packing the bike for postage is going to be important.

Here is some information we received from ParcelHero that might be of interest to you;

http://www.parcelhero.com/blog/general/how-to-pack-a-bike-for-shipping

One of our very favourite restaurants, Bed (in Harrogate) is opening its doors during the day at weekends to accommodate us pesky cycling folk that demand good food at either a mid ride cafe stop, pre ride fuel up or post ride recover. Owner Dave Burns not only makes some of the very best local food, he also turns a mighty fine pedal both on and off road so you’ll be hard pressed to find a better host.

News of this is very welcomed by us here at North Yorkshire Cycling and we can’t wait to give the cycling focussed menu a go as soon as it opens on the 3rd May 2015. If you have any sense you will do the same next time you’re passing through and enjoy the excellent hospitality that was good enough for many pro cyclists both past and present at the 2014 Grand Depart!!!

Check out his letter to us below and visit his website for more info - http://www.bed.ltd.uk/

Bike Eat Drink is the cycling bit of Burnsey Eat Drink, a Harrogate restaurant called Bed, run and owned by a rider just like you since 2002.

I’ve been a bike freak from the age of 10yrs, and I’m the photoshoot and bike swap wingman of Cycling Plus and Tri Plus and Bikeradar pro tester Guy Kesteven. In fact if you Google “Sufferfest tattoo” you’ll find a picture of my leg.

We’ve always championed cycling at BED and we were even chosen by Gary Verity from Welcome to Yorkshire to host Christian Prudhomme, Bernard Hinault and the rest of the 2014 Tour de France team on their first night in the UK ahead of the ‘Grandest Depart’ ever. We’re lucky enough to have David Harmon, Keith Bontrager, Brian Robinson, the UK and European Trek, SRAM, Giro, Zyro and Bianchi staff as guests and friends and French MTB madman Cedric Garcia once nearly set our kitchen on fire.

That meant creating a specific BikeEatDrink element to our busy, bikey little business the obvious move for this summer.

Our first stage plan is create a friendly refuelling spot for any riders heading for Harrogate to enjoy the superb, TDF approved cycling in the surrounding area. Our food will be made on site here at BED like it has been for 12? years. Proper proudly homemade and locally sourced Yorkshire grub cooked up by a chef with a sports science degree. That means whether you go for a full meal or our own energy bars you’ll fly home in Strava blitzing style rather than bonking with 20k to go.

Our bike themed cafe and licensed bar is stuffed with random riding memorabilia, we’ll have a few essential spares to keep your bike going too and we’ll always be ready for a good natter about all things bikes and the best places to ride them locally. There’s a courtyard for bike parking and we’re literally a few hundred metres from the 2014 Stage 1 finish. Perfect for meeting significant others you’ve let loose around Harrogate’s fantastic shopping but still only minutes away from deserted, delicious Dales riding.

To start with, from Sunday may 3^rd, opening times will be 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays but we’ve got stacks of other ideas and we’d love to hear yours too. The BED restaurant will be open with it’s usual Trip Advisor topping menu and legendarily warm welcome on an evening too, be it for proper din dins or if you’re just out for an evening ride and fancy a beer and a bite.

So whether you’re here for the weekend or just passing through are it would be great to see ya and swap a story or two

Chapeau and all that

Dave Burns

Owner of Bed Restaurant and self confessed bike addict, Harrogate

Podcasts can be a little like blogs – they kick off with great intentions but rapidly fall victim to a lack of time, commitment or resources.  Like blogs, some stand the test of time and become go-to places for information, entertainment and analysis (Inner Ring we’re looking at you).  Here are some cycling podcasts to take a listen to.  You’ll typically be able to find them via iTunes or Soundcloud.  Dedicated Android access can be less consistent.

The Cycling Podcast

Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Bernie are without a doubt the holy trinity of road race podcasting, especially now that they’ve got over the terrible production values that plagued them in the past.  Their weekly insider access to the biggest names in cycling coupled with unrivaled reporting experience make them our first choice listen and we wait with baited breath to see what their weekly output brings.  They also report daily during grand tours and have ‘Friends of the Podcast’ specials that thus far have included Team Sky and The Classics.  These are only available to premium members but are well worth forking out the £6 yearly subscription fee for. http://thecyclingpodcast.com/

Velocast

The one time Eurosport podcast is now wholly under the control of its production team and is available in various paid for forms including a £7.99 a month subscription package that includes a weekly news show, one off interviews and ‘This Week in Cycling History’ – a meticulously researched essay about great moments from days gone by.  They also provide daily content from all of the major tours.  Whilst its presenters do not have the insider privileges that the Cycling Podcast guys possess, nor are they limited by the obligations in tact and diplomacy these necessitate so some great opinion and insight. There’s also a free daily show and the occasional sample. http://velocast.cc/

SBS Cycling Central

If your frustration with British podcasts includes a tendency to focus on Dave B’s gang then fear not – SBS Cycling Central from our friends on the other side of the world take time to dwell on Orica Green Edge as well (unless Richie Porte is on a roll, in which case they’re as Sky focused as the rest of them).  Sitting somewhere between the last two entries, there’s a mixture of journalistic insight and blunt antipodean assessment for 45 minutes or so every Thursday https://soundcloud.com/cycling-central

Others (may be active, may activate later in the season, may never come back)

Real Peloton “Cycling banter at its best with Matthew Rendell and Ned Boulting”. Hasn’t appeared for a while and may well not now that Ned’s increasingly popping up on the cycling podcast.  Production values are terrible (it sounds like it’s recorded on an iphone that may or may not still be in the producer’s pocket) but when it’s Matt and Ned you know it’s worth listening to anyway. We’d give you the address but part of the fun is finding it.

Team Sky Podcast “Team Sky bring you the inside track throughout the season from the professional cycling team.”. Yes, it’s the Sky PR machine on full tilt but the production values are good and you get to hear about the one team most of us know more than two riders in.https://www.mixcloud.com/teamsky/

BeSpoke BBC Radio 5 Live’s monthly cycling magazine show – a great place for beginners to start and  unrivaled access to the biggest names. Rob Hayles pops up a fair bit too and that’s never a bad thing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/bespoke

Rouleur Everyone’s favourite lifestyle cycling mag has its own podcast.  Worth taking a listen if you enjoy the aesthetics of life as a MAMIL. http://rouleur.cc/journal/Podcasts

Want us to add more? Tweet us a link to @yorkshirecyclin (yes, the g’s missing) and we’ll take a listen.

One of the region’s only all-female cycling clubs has been launched in Wetherby by three Yorkshire lasses with 68 women signing up to join in just a week!

Kate Horsfall of Wetherby, Judith Worrall of Thirsk and Sarah Cave of Harrogate decided to form their own club, supported by All Terrain Cycles, in response to the growing popularity of women’s cycling.

“Judith, Sarah and I are all keen cyclists but we’re not hugely competitive, while we have our own personal goals, ultimately we cycle for our own enjoyment and we just want to ride with like-minded women who enjoy the sport,” explains Kate.  “Having been members of a few other local cycling clubs which had ladies’ groups, we found that it was not always possible to ride in a ladies-only group and when the groups become mixed, the level of cycling tends to become more advanced.  Unfortunately, this more serious approach puts off many less experienced female cyclists and inevitably women end up cycling alone, in small groups or not at all.

“I’ve enjoyed mountain biking with my family over the last three years or so.  I only got a road bike last September, but I have been hooked by the sport and have achieved far more than I ever could have imagined I would this time last year.  Like many women, I want the fun of cycling with other people without feeling under pressure to ride further or faster or to have the latest bike or gear.”

Kate continues: “Our new club, Yorkshire Lass CC, aims to offer something a bit different and be an all-inclusive women-only club whose main objective is to encourage female riders of all abilities to enjoy cycling.  We’ll meet at the All Terrain Cycles Wetherby store most Sunday mornings and ride at a steady pace. The routes will change in distance and type, anything from 10 to 15 miles mountain biking to 20 miles plus road cycling. There will be plenty of time for a chat along the way and we’ll even have a cafe stop to refuel with tea and cakes!”

Wetherby’s newest cycle group is being supported by the region’s oldest cycling business, All Terrain Cycles, which has superstores in Wetherby and Saltaire and is committed to promoting cycling in Yorkshire.  The company has funded the new club’s affiliation to the British Cycling association, it’s also having exclusive club kit manufactured and members will be able to enjoy a discount in-store.

“One of the legacy’s of last year’s Tour is the emergence of more women in Yorkshire taking to two wheels,” comments Tony Booth, managing director of All Terrain Cycles.  “Since last summer, we’ve further extended our range of ladies cycling gear in response to the marked increase in the number of female enthusiasts visiting our stores.

“We’re happy to support this new ladies club which we hope will inspire even more women to give the sport a try –it’s great exercise and if you join a friendly group like this, it’s also sociable and fun.”

Co-founder of Yorkshire Lass CC Judith Worrall adds: “Since taking up cycling four years ago, I’ve really been bitten by the bug; I’ve taken part in charity cycle rides in India and Cuba, so far raising £8,000 for Women V Cancer.  In October, I’m doing a 400k ride in Tanzania and next year I’ll be doing a ride in Vietnam and Cambodia.  Kate and I will also be taking part in this year’s Ride the Night in London, cycling 100k through the night to raise money for charity.  All this after struggling to ride just 5k when I started cycling in 2011!  It really is a great sport, whatever level you’re at, so give it a go and come and join us.”

The club embarked on its first ride on 1 March with 20 ladies taking part, despite the windy conditions.  If you’d like to join, just sign up on the Yorkshire Lass Cycle Club Facebook page where you can find details of scheduled rides.  The rides will start at All Terrain Cycles on Audby Lane at 10am on a Sunday morning.

Dating back to 1907, All Terrain Cycles is the oldest cycling business in Yorkshire. Having supported the sport of cycling since 1997 with its shop team, All Terrain Cycles is committed to playing an active part in the region’s cycling fraternity, sponsoring a number of cycling and charity events in the region every year such as the Bronte Sportive, the Lord Mayor’s Cycle Ride and the Ripley Castle Cyclocross.

Building on the success of its 10,000sq ft retail outlet at Salts Mill, Saltaire in Shipley, and its thriving online business http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk it opened a second 10,000sq ft cycling superstore last year in Wetherby.  Selling many of the leading brands such as Trek and Cannondale, both stores stock over 1,000 mountain, road and BMX bikes, plus clothing and accessories as well as offering repairs and servicing.

Whilst the Tour may have been and gone from our region in 2014 there are no signs of the cycling buzz slowing down (here at least). As result there are more and more cycling themed cafes opening up, places where it’s acceptable to be sat in lycra and where piling your bikes up outside isn’t treated with the sort of contempt usually saved for vandalism!

Saturday’s ride with a mixed group from the Cappuccino Cycling Club saw us head out over to Thirsk to visit a relatively new cycling cafe called Yorks of Thirsk. Whilst the route out was assisted by a welcome tailwind on more or less pan flat country lanes, a cafe stop rarely comes too soon and is always greeted with a smile.

Situated in the centre of Thirsk in the market place, the cafe may not have off street secure storage facilities but they do have locks ready to hand out so you can fix your lift home to something suitably sturdy. With about 7 of us on the ride we all basically locked our bikes together so there was probably more chance of someone steeling the actual cafe!! The only downside of this is you feel very comfortable taking your time to the point that when you do get going again your legs are well in to recovery mode, and with a strong headwind all the way home that’s never a good thing.

Yorks of Thirsk may not be the largest cafe in the world but we have no problem fitting in – in more ways than one. The cycling decor and steady stream of enthusiasts passing through leaves everyone feeling welcome and very importantly – warm!

The usual mix of cakes and bacon sandwiches all washed down with some hot brown came pretty quickly and was excellent. We even had a complimentary espresso to see us on our way which was unexpected but a really nice touch.

All in all there isn’t really anything to say that isn’t positive. Friendly staff, good food and drink, ample room inside and bike locks to keep everything safe. We give Yorks of Thirsk a big thumbs up and recommend you either make it your destination soon or drop in if passing through. Cheers guys.

Yorkshire’s oldest cycle retailer, All Terrain Cycles, has opened a brand new 9,000 sq ft, two storey, state-of-the-art cycling superstore on Audby Lane in Wetherby, stocking over 1,000 mountain, road, hybrid and BMX bikes as well as clothing and accessories.

OK so whilst not technically in North Yorkshire it’s 2 minutes from the NY border and also happens to be one of the retailers many of the North Yorkshire Cycling team visit on a regular basis due to excellent stock, prices and service. Two of us even bought our current high end race bikes from All Terrain!

Originally established in 1907, All Terrain Cycles is now one of the largest cycle retailers in the North of England, due to its growing online business and thriving 12,000 sq ft retail base at Salts Mill in Saltaire, Shipley.

Offering a wide range of leading brands such as Trek and Cannondale, both the Wetherby and Shipley stores feature a high quality workshop staffed by trained technicians able to carry out full repairs and servicing.

Why not visit one of the stores today where Tony and his team will be happy to offer their expert advice on your individual bike requirements, offering you attractive finance options as well as the opportunity to try-before-you-buy!

Alternatively check them out online: http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/ 

STELLAR WOMEN’S CYCLING LINE-UP CONFIRMED FOR VIRGIN MONEY CYCLONE’S CURLEW CUP

Elite racing royalty Dame Sarah Storey and her Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International teammates, Charline Joiner, Gabriella Shaw, Lauren Creamer and Katie Archibald are all confirmed to race the 2014 Curlew Cup when the event returns next month as part of the Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling.

Storey won the inaugural Curlew Cup in 2012 before going on to dominate at London’s Paralympic Games, securing four gold medals and a world record for her performance in the C5 Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit.

According to Team Storey Sport, Storey’s win in the event’s first year cemented her lead in the series, with the rest of the team touted to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational Dame.

On this year’s event, Storey, who is set to compete in support of UK charity Boot Out Breast Cancer, said: “Women’s cycling is riding high on the agenda this summer and I’m excited to be returning to the North East this summer to compete in the Curlew Cup.

“The routes take in some of the UK’s loveliest scenery and the locals are always incredibly friendly and supportive to all the professionals taking part – hopefully the crowds will be out in full force to spur me on to another victory in the race.”

One of the UK’s most respected cycling events, the Virgin Money Cyclone festival plays host to the Curlew Cup as part of the Women’s National Road Race Series on Sunday June 22. The elite women’s event takes place ahead of the UCI Beaumont Trophy and shares much of the same route as the international men’s event.

Now in its eighth year, the Virgin Money Cyclone attracts over 4,000 riders, from Elite level professionals and serious cycling enthusiasts to individuals and groups looking to undertake their first sportive or enjoy a leisure ride. Charity supporters will find the event a fitting platform to raise awareness and funds for the organisation of their choice.

Virgin Money Cyclone takes place from Thursday June 19 to Sunday June 22, 2014. Entries are open now. For more information or to register visit www.virginmoneycyclone.co.uk