Victoria Bowskill

In this edition of Interview with the Vamper, we’re welcoming Lucy Bairner to the hot seat. Lucy founded urban cycling brand LUMO with her husband and business partner Doug and in a very short time the pair have made a big splash in the world of urban bike clothing.

LUMO clothing and accessories are designed for supreme functionality on the bike, with nifty detailing to keep you safe and comfortable like LED lights and temperature regulating fabrics. They’re not only designed to be functional, though – LUMO kit is seriously smart off the bike, too, with classic British styling and a healthy dose of urban cool.

1. Lucy, what inspired you to move into the world of cycling apparel with LUMO?

Both Doug and I (my husband and co-founder) love cycling in all its forms: whether that’s commuting, exploring or racing – we’re happiest getting from A to B on two wheels. The sense of freedom I get from cycling in a city is a feeling that’s hard to beat: it reminds me of being a kid riding around with my friends, discovering places without a care in the world. Moving our careers into something we are genuinely passionate about and love doing was an easy decision.

We design for cycling as a part of everyday life, so our LUMO range needed to reflect that. Having cycled to work for years, we knew the problems commuters faced when choosing what to wear. The tipping point was when Doug got knocked off his bike for the second time on his commute by a driver who hadn’t seen him, and realised that his vanity was coming before his safety in that he still could’t bring himself to wear hi-viz clothing. We set out to create a brand that combined style, visibility and function – on and off a bike.

We worked hard to design jackets and bags that first and foremost look great but have hidden functionality like the LED lights or the stretch shoulder panels that make cycling more comfortable. Our creative brief was always ‘could I step off a bike and walk into a bar to meet my mates wearing this?’

If the answer was no, we went back to the drawing board.

2. What sort of cycling makes you happy? Where do you like to go?

I have two cycling mentalities: the ‘cruise about town, happily exploring’, and the ‘I’m going to go as fast as I can up this hill’.
For the more subdued rides, I love Bermondsey in South East London. Bermondsey Street itself has such a good vibe with lots of quirky little cafés, restaurants and proper British pubs, like the Woolpack and The Rose. Nearby Maltby Street market is an absolute hidden gem on a Sunday too for browsing and grabbing brunch.

For the longer weekend rides the South Downs around my hometown of Chichester has some stunning routes. My favourite rest spot in the world is looking out over Goodwood Racecourse at the top of Kennel Hill. It’s a bit of a hidden gem and I’m currently the proud owner of the QOM on Strava too! Heading back from there, the beer garden at the Earl of March pub is a favourite refuel stop. The hymn Jerusalem was written from there in the nineteenth century by William Blake, the view apparently inspiring the line about “England’s green and pleasant land”, so I’m obviously not the only one who thinks it’s beautiful.

3. If you could go for a bike ride with anyone at all, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I’d love to get my sister Georgie into cycling. She’s resisted it until now for no apparent reason. I keep trying to convince her, so hopefully soon she’ll succumb to the inevitable and realise that she actually quite likes it. Failing that, it would be any one of the amazing Olympic cyclists that made me so proud to be British watching them in Rio.

4. What is the best thing about being involved in the cycling industry in 2016?

In the UK, more people are getting out on bikes. The growth of cycling as a sport but also as culture and a way of life is really encouraging.
The results of Team GB in Rio has once again put cycling into the public limelight and will surely have a positive effect in inspiring the nation to get out on their bikes.

On a business level, the ability after one year of trading to be shipping product to over 40 countries around the world is mind boggling. I love the thought of people in New York, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo and Sydney wearing our gear. That’s growing everyday thanks to the internet and while I personally wished we had stayed in the EU, the weakening of the Pound since Brexit has definitely help us to grow internationally in the short term.

5. What cycling trends do you think will be big in the next 12 months?

If the trade shows we attend are anything to go by, it’s e-bikes. I don’t understand the ‘purist’ cyclists out there who turn their noses up at the thought of them, I think they are fantastic and open up cycling to even more people. My uncle has had multiple heart surgeries and is now able to go mountain biking with his mates at the weekend because of his e-bike. Granted, he gets a ton of abuse as he cruises past them uphill without breaking into a sweat, but at least he’s out there with them and on a bike. On a personal level, every time I’ve ridden one it’s put a smile on my face. I’ll stick with self propelled bikes for now but can definitely see a time when I’ll get an e-bike.

6. What song is guaranteed to get you in the mood for a ride, no matter what time you went to bed?

It has to be KDA ft. Tinie Tempah and Katy B – Turn the Music Louder

7. What has been your cycling highlight of 2016 so far?

Personally, it was joining a cycling club and competing in my first race, something I never thought I would do. Despite coming last I loved it!  For LUMO, 2016 has been a year of establishing ourselves in the urban cycling apparel market, which if our growth, media reviews and customer testimonials are anything to go by I think we have certainly done. We are so excited about the next few months for the brand and think the highlight of 2016 is yet to come. That’s two highlights plus one that hasn’t happened yet, sorry!

8. And finally: what’s in store for Lumo? What can we expect to see from you in the coming year?

We are have been working hard to develop some new products which we are really proud of and excited about sharing on Kickstarter from 13th September. You can expect more of the same classic understated British styles, visibility and cycling function, all at a more mainstream price point.

In exciting women’s cycling news, we’re pleased to report that the formation of the first all-African women’s UCI team has been announced. Team Africa Rising will race professionally for the 2017 season and will also sustain a rider development program across the continent.

Team Rwanda Cycling has been working across the African continent for almost 10 years and its main project has been the development of the highly successful Team Rwanda men’s national cycling team. In a relatively short space of time, Team Rwanda has become a respected name in road cycling and delivered several riders into the pro peloton.

There were only three women from Africa and not one woman of color in Rio and we are dedicated to getting nearer ten on the start-line in Tokyo! It’s time to literally change the face of world cycling.

Through their work in Africa, Team Rwanda Cycling have been aware of the rising tide of female cycling talent on the continent.

Sporting Director, Team Africa Rising Kimberly Coats said: “When I watched the Olympic women’s road race a few weeks ago and saw so few women from Africa, I knew it was time. Our goal at Team Africa Rising has always been to raise the level of cycling in Africa for men and women and when I saw how great the women were at our recent training camp, I knew we should now put a marker down and start getting African female talent into the same world.”

The focus isn’t only on winning: it is also to inspire women all over the world, women of colour, women from wide ranging cultural backgrounds, that they can be involved in sport and can achieve great things.

“We firmly believe these women can begin to race against the best talent in the US, Europe and Asia to demonstrate the potential of African cycling. We have seen with Team Rwanda how a dedicated, well-run program can flourish on this continent to allow riders to then go to the international scene and compete with pride.”

Team Africa Rising will consist of women from Rwanda, Eritrea and Ethiopia with several cyclists from other countries in consideration. The total squad will employ 10-12 cyclists and be coached by ex-US pro rider Sterling Magnell, who has been working with these riders and the Team Rwanda peloton in recent years.

The team will be based in the US for the first half of 2017, giving them access to additional coaches, bike technology and sports medicine through a partnership with Mission Sports Group.

The focus isn’t only on winning: it is also to inspire women all over the world, women of colour, women from wide ranging cultural backgrounds, that they can be involved in sport and can achieve great things.

Kimberly finished by saying: “The sport of cycling for women is growing rapidly and hopefully sponsors will see the long term potential for supporting women’s cycling. The women from these countries in Africa will bring a whole new dynamic to the sport. We must help these women improve their opportunities and thereby their lives. There were only three women from Africa and not one woman of color in Rio and we are dedicated to getting nearer ten on the start-line in Tokyo! It’s time to literally change the face of world cycling.”

Team Rwanda Cycling are actively looking for a lead sponsor for the team and several other opportunities exist to work with Team Africa Rising in terms of equipment and support of the team. Please contact Kimberly on africarisingwomen@gmail.com for more details.

September is almost upon us. It’s that time of year: summer is drawing to a close and it’s time to think about your uniform for the year ahead. The Vamper.cc school rules are simple where cycling caps are concerned: wear the coolest one you can find. Cycling caps are brilliant: they keep your head warm when the mercury drops, and they soak up the sweat when the temperature’s high. They conceal helmet hair at coffee stops, and they add a little extra pizzazz to your cycling garb. We ❤️ cycling caps.

To help you put together a cool look for the new cycling term, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite cycling caps. Here goes, in no particular order:

PEdAL ED TCR4 Cycling Cap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Special Limited Edition cotton cycling cap designed to celebrate the Transcontinental Race, we think this understated PEdAL ED cap is properly sharp. It costs £14 from PedalEd.

Chimpeur Cotton Cycling Cap (Pre Order)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The excellent new cycling cap from Victory Chimp will ship in early September. Just in time for school. Who wouldn’t want to be a chimpeur? It costs £12.00.

 

Isadore Apparel Climbers Cap, Fuji

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love this elegant oriental print from Isadore Apparel. It makes us think of Mt Fuji and cherry blossom. Gorgeous. It costs €19.00.

 

Look Mum No Hands! Mechanics Greaseproof Cycling Cap

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look, you know we like some bold cycling kit. But sometimes, stealth is where it’s at. And this Mechanics Greaseproof Cycling Cap from East London’s Look Mum No Hands! is cool AF. It costs £10.00.

 

Tokyo Fixed Arrows Cycling Cap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It feels like we have a bit of a Japanese theme running through this post. Here’s another smart, monochrome cycling cap, this time from Tokyo Fixed. It costs £15.00.

 

The Pedla Head Case / Core Cycling Cap – Yellow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the first five were a bit sombre for your liking, how about this sunshine offering from Down Under? It’s gloriously bananas and sure to brighten even the gloomiest autumn day. A reminder of summer on your head at all times. It’s from The Pedla and costs AUD $45.

 

Seen some good caps that we should know about? Tell us in the comments, or head to Twitter…

On Sunday morning, we went out for a ride with friends: early morning laps of Richmond Park, followed by an excellent brunch at the Dynamo cycle café in Putney. Sure, it was a bit blustery and cool; and sure, it was a bit tiresome to slog up Sawyer’s Hill with a strong headwind and sideways gusts. But it was a good morning: cycling, friends, coffee and breakfast is a great way to start the day. So why did I get so blue as we set off home?

How is it possible to end up so depressed on the bike ride you’ve been looking forward to all week?

Riding through Sheen, I could have cried. You know that feeling, when it seems as though a dark cloud has just parked itself directly over your head? Every gust of wind made me crosser and sadder still, until I pulled over and told Matt I wanted to catch the train home from Richmond.

He looked at me, and said nothing.

I felt pretty pathetic. It was only 10 miles home – why did it seem like such a huge struggle? I knew that I needed to just suck it up and get pedalling, but there was absolutely zero enjoyment. I felt really anxious about the crosswinds with my new deeper rims, and I felt worn out by the headwind. I just desperately wanted to be at home with a cup of coffee. How is it possible to end up so depressed on the bike ride you’ve been looking forward to all week?

Had Matt agreed with me that it was a shitty ride and we should just call it a day, I would have been only too glad to head down to the station and catch the train home. But he stayed quiet and I knew that I was being a wuss, and that it was probably hormones on the rampage and that my mood would probably improve.

Bottom lip trembling, I clipped in and pushed off again. For the next three miles I just wanted to cry.

So, bottom lip trembling, I clipped in and pushed off again. For the next three miles I just wanted to cry, despite knowing that I was only a few miles from home on a route I know like the back of my hand. Then, suddenly, the clouds parted – both literally and metaphorically – and, simultaneously, my mood lifted. At the next set of traffic lights, I apologised to Matt for being utterly tragic, and resolved to not grumble the rest of the way home. We stopped off in Bushy Park and sat on a bench in the sunshine, and chatted about how state of mind can really get in the way of cycling. Whether it’s a case of hormones going mental (which in my case, I think it often is), or a touch of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or a horrid headwind making it an uphill struggle, or the stresses of the week that lies ahead – there are so many things that can get in the way of just enjoying the ride. It’s my number one reason to cycle with other people. Left to my own devices I find it really hard to push on through those gloomy periods.

What are your tactics for dealing with demons when you’re out riding? What keeps you moving when you’ve just had enough and want to go home? And – am I the only one whose mood instantaneously brightens as the sun comes out from behind a cloud, and darkens the second it goes away?

Clothes maketh the man, and socks maketh the cyclist. There’s no point having the coolest cycling kit on your back if it all goes to pot at your feet, so we’ve rounded up our pick of the six best cycling socks out there.

In case you need a reminder of The Vamper.cc Sock Rules, here they are:

1. Thou shalt not wear those ghastly concealed socks, which poke out around the ankle in an embarrassed, undignified fashion. Have the courage to wear your socks long, loud and proud.
2. Thou shalt take pride in one’s sock game and coordinate one’s ankles with the rest of one’s kit.

Now, to the socks…

This is Cambridge create bold and beautiful cycling apparel. The British brand’s range of socks are super technical as well as super stylish: the Hors catégorie sock features Meryl Skinlife® which is a high performance yarn containing antibacterial properties to maintain the natural balance of the skin, thereby reducing unwelcome odours. And style-wise, they feature a generous 15cm cuff, making them an ideal sock choice for cyclists who want to make a statement in the saddle. They are currently priced at £10.80 (reduced from £13.50).

 

The Victory Chimp Hill Repeat socks in Celeste are some of our favourites. With a wavy stripe design inspired by undulating training roads and the uniform profiles of sets of intervals, the Hill Repeats cycling sock is particularly sharp, as well as being wicking, lightweight and breathable. They feature a 6″ cuff, too, so there is plenty of pattern on show. Buy them from Victory Chimp for £10.00.

Morvelo is known for its ballsy prints and bold cycling kit, and that fondness for bright colours and eye catching designs extends to the brand’s socks. Lightweight and highly breathable, the Morvelo Never Rest socks wick moisture away rapidly with an anti-bacterial yarn to reduce odours. We love the snugness of these socks which wash well, retain their elasticity and look sharp. They are priced at £10.00.

MAAP design some of the coolest cycling kits out there. This cycling brand from Down Under goes in for super cool detailing and super high performance. The Dot Sock is made in Australia from a cotton/nylon blend, and features an open mesh on the top of the foot for added breathability. British summers might not always mean that’s a priority, but it’s always good to know your feet won’t overheat in the rare event of a hot day… They are priced at AUD $30.00, or you can buy them from Sigma Sport for £20.00.

 

Café du Cycliste brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the cycling wardrobe with this chic pair of Breton-striped cycling socks. The Cafe du Cycliste Breton Sock features a fine gauge merino-rich blend combining elastane for stretch, synthetic fibres for durability and anti-blister yarn for comfort. The thermoregulating nature of merino helps to keep your feet cosy on cool rides and cool on hot days. Mon dieu! What’s more, the fibre’s natural antibacterial properties will keep your tootsies fragrant. The socks are available from Velovixen for £16.00.

Aussie cycling brand Attaquer shares our sock philosophy: no cycling kit should ever been subjected to a pair of puny ankle socks. If you’re going to wear cool kit, it needs to be cool from head to toe and that means the 18cm length of this natty pair is spot on. They’re not just super long and cool looking: these socks also feature silver yarn technology to provide natural anti-bacterial protection, moisture management, extra comfort and odour elimination. You can buy them from G!ro Cycles for £14.95.

Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club celebrated its first women’s charity sportive on 14 August with over 300 riders joining organisers Kate Horsfall of Wetherby,  Judith Worrall of Thirsk and Ali Tiffin of Leeds in an event which has raised around £11,000 for women’s cancer charities.

The sportive was supported by Carlton Lodge Activity Centre in Thirsk and All Terrain Cycles of Wetherby, as well as lots of other companies who contributed to this event, and more than 50 volunteers, many from YLCC and their friends and family, who marshalled and helped out at the sportive.  The event raised funds for Women v Cancer which comprises Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Action.

Female cyclists from as far afield as Ireland and Falkirk travelled to Carlton Lodge Activity Centre in Thirsk to take part in one of the three rides: a 30 mile ‘Cuppa tea and a piece a cake’ ride; a 60 mile ‘Reet Gud Ride’; and a 103 mile ‘By Eck Tha War Ard Ride’ route.

“It was an absolutely fantastic event which was even better than we expected – we filled every place, raised a staggering amount for women’s cancer charities and ate lots of cake!” said organisers Kate Horsfall and Judith Worrall.

“The sportive was everything that we wanted it to be, attracting riders of mixed abilities, but all with a common love of cycling. While we appreciated the many men who helped at the sportive, we felt that the rides really benefitted from being a ladies-only affair.  Our cyclists felt happy to give it a go, even if they hadn’t done a sportive before, and it was an extremely friendly event.

“We’d like to thank everyone who helped to make it such a special day including our riders, volunteers and our many sponsors.  A big thank you to Carlton Lodge Activity Centre and their staff for hosting the event, it really was the perfect venue and to All Terrain Cycles for their ongoing support, from helping us to set up the club 18 months ago to providing equipment and mechanical help on the day and, it wouldn’t have been possible without them both.”

Tony Booth, managing director of All Terrain Cycles, which has bike superstores in Wetherby and Saltaire, says: “Congratulations to Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club for putting on such a magnificent event.  It was great to see so many ladies taking to two wheels in aid of such a good cause and no doubt the sportive will be even bigger and better next year.”

The event was supported by a number of local businesses including Carlton Lodge.  David Sharpe, chief executive of the activity centre agreed to stage the sportive which has also attracted sponsors including Yorkshire Tea Room, Yorkshire Tea, Office Solutions, Heck Sausages, Paynes Dairies, Masham Sausages and Chia Bars which donated cakes, tea, sausages, energy bars, milk and office supplies.

The women’s charity sportive will be held again next year on the 20th August 2017 and details will be released via British Cycling events at the beginning of September.

Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club meets at 10am most Sundays at All Terrain Cycles on Audby Lane, Wetherby.  Anyone interested in joining the club should visit YorkshireLass.cc.

We’ve been indulging in some #sockdoping lately, courtesy of boutique cycling brand Victory Chimp who sent us some of their new Hill Repeat Socks in glorious Celeste.

Call us judgmental, but we believe socks say a lot about a cyclist. While we don’t generally go in for The Rules – nobody likes being dictated to – we do believe that a cyclist’s sock game is important. This is one area of cycling apparel that we’ll get bossy about.

The Vamper.cc Sock Rules are brief but important:

1. Thou shalt not wear those ghastly concealed socks, which poke out around the ankle in an embarrassed, undignified fashion. Have the courage to wear your socks long, loud and proud.
2. Thou shalt take pride in one’s sock game and coordinate one’s ankles with the rest of one’s kit.

The new range of Victory Chimp cycling socks will definitely help you to up your #sockdoping game. With a wavy stripe design inspired by undulating training roads and the uniform profiles of sets of intervals, the Hill Repeats cycling sock is particularly sharp, as well as being wicking, lightweight and breathable. It has a 6″ cuff, too, so there is plenty of pattern on show.

They’re really soft, with a breathable mesh upper and a super comfy padded footbed. When you pull them on, it feels like your feet are being hugged. It’s a rather nice sensation.

From their first outing, they became our sock of choice. And as they’ve already been washed and worn more than a dozen times, we can attest to the quality, too.

Why did I look so happy cycling up Box Hill? Probably because my feet looked so good…

Victory Chimp cycling socks are available for £10.00.

Our summer holiday was supposed to be a week of cycling in North Yorkshire. Things didn’t go quite according to plan: if you read my previous post about taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, you’ll know that we spent the next four days hobbling around with bad knees, hips, calf muscles and blisters… And, typically, the weather was glorious while we were barely able to put one foot in front of the other, and turned cold, wet and windy the moment our muscles eased up. Holidaying in the UK, eh!

We were determined to fit in at least a couple of rides before we headed home, though, and one route we particularly wanted to try was a short, sharp, circular route close to where I grew up.

About a month after I bought my first road bike in early 2015, Matt and I entered the Petit Depart cycling event in Skipton. The day before the ride, we thought it would be a good idea to have a go at a couple of Yorkshire hills, to acclimatise. (Bear in mind that at this point, I’d only ridden a few miles around London and a lap of Richmond Park…)

Could it really be that hard to get up in one piece?

We decided to do a quick spin around the local area, out through Sutton-in-Craven, over the tops to Cowling (and we actually intended then riding on to Lothersdale). A cursory glance at elevation on the route made us aware that there was a bit of a climb out of Sutton, but we didn’t think too much about it. Well, within 10 minutes of leaving the house, we were on West Lane, attempting to climb out way out of the village. It’s a long pull, averaging 9.5% with a maximum 22.2% gradient, and I was such an inexperienced rider that I didn’t even know how to change from the big cog to the small cog.

 

 

I slogged my way up the first bend, and then, convinced I was just going to topple off if I didn’t dismount, staggered off the bike. I huffed, and puffed, and sighed, and wondered what on earth I was doing, trying to cycle anywhere in Yorkshire. I had another attempt to go a bit further, but my legs couldn’t stand it. Within a few metres, I’d decided there was nothing for it but to get off and push.

I pushed my bike all the way up West Lane.

When we arrived home, I looked at Strava, and was amazed to see that I had a trophy for West Lane. What?!

Well, it turned out that only nine women had been foolish enough to attempt it, and I was the slowest. (By a very long way).

Realising that other female cyclists had actually managed to ride the whole thing made me want to try it again at some point in the future.

Fast forward 15 months, and we decided to have another crack at it. I’m a much more experienced cyclist now, with a lot more hill work under my belt. Could it really be that hard to get up in one piece?

Well, yes, as it turns out.

It’s really easy to kid yourself that you’re a decent cyclist around London.

Even taking it slow and steady, I didn’t make it to the top in one go. In fact, I stopped three times to catch my breath. Three times! But, the big difference this time was that I did actually succeed in pedaling to the top. It might have taken me a while, but it felt like an achievement to get up there nevertheless.

The next time we head up to Yorkshire (which is never as frequently as we would like), I’m going to have another crack. Before the end of the year I want to be able to make it up there with just one stop. This time next year, I intend to ride all the way to the top without stopping at all! (I might need a different gear ratio. A poor workman blames his tools, I know, but the fact that I was riding on 11-28 this time, rather than my old 11-32, didn’t make it any easier. I love my new bike, but for comparative purposes it would have been interesting to have ridden it on my old steed. I missed my granny gear!)

It’s really easy to kid yourself that you’re a decent cyclist around London. It’s only when you head out to some real hills that you realise you’re not anywhere near as strong as you need to be. I’m still last on the list for that segment: 16^th out of 16. Before 2016 is over, my cycling goal is to improve on that. And next year, I’m making it in to the top ten!

When I can scale West Lane, I’ll feel like a real cyclist. #CyclingGoals

Sometimes, I let myself be roped into things without really thinking them through.

At the start of the year, my father suggested that Matt and I should hike the Yorkshire Three Peaks with him in aid of Macmillan Cancer Research. It’s a charity which is particularly close to our hearts – I lost my big sister to cancer five years ago, and we’ll never forget the kindness and support that Macmillan gave us. The work they do is so vitally important. It doesn’t take too much to twist my arm to fundraise on their behalf.

That said, had I but realised the hike was only six days after our Prudential RideLondon 100 mile bike ride, I might have thought twice. But in my head, the Prudential was at the end of August… So, I merrily signed us up to the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.

“How bad can it be?” I thought.

25 miles, walking? Fine! We’re fit. Our legs are really strong. It’ll be a breeze.

How wrong I was.

On Saturday 30^th July, we woke up at the ungodly time of 04:45 to set off to the starting point in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. It was a beautiful morning; the atmosphere was wonderful; and the first peak, a doddle! Boy, oh boy, I thought – why haven’t I hiked more? My legs felt so strong, clambering to the peak of Pen-y-ghent. The sun was shining. It wasn’t yet 9am, and we’d scaled a mountain. We felt great.

It’s a long descent from Pen-y-ghent. My dad had told my mum, who was meeting us at the Ribblehead Viaduct with elevenses, that we might be there any time from 9am.

9am, Dad?

It was 11.30am by the time we arrived.

More than four hours of walking, and we still had two peaks ahead of us. Matt’s hope that we might complete the challenge in nine hours was clearly ridiculous. My hope that we might complete it in under 12 wasn’t looking too good, either. Matt already had sore feet. My hips were already aching badly, and, inexplicably, my ankles felt bruised despite the soft leather of my well fitting hiking boots.

Not to worry. We were enjoying ourselves, and keen to press on, even if it was going to take us longer than we’d imagined.

It was 11.30am by the time we arrived. More than four hours of walking, and we still had two peaks ahead of us.

Full of sausage rolls and cups of tea, we set off towards Whernside. A long slog to the top was rewarded with staggering views all the way to Morecambe Bay, and it was breathtaking. Tired, I still had the energy to appreciate the vistas.

A couple of miles in to the final ascent, my left knee went. Bollocks.

That was when the enormity of the challenge began to sink in.

If you have hiked Whernside, you’ll know what a tough descent it is. The joy of cycling is that a tough uphill climb is rewarded by a glorious, exhilarating descent. Walking has none of the upside: the descents are far worse than the climbs. By the time I finally reached the bottom of the hill, my hips and legs were in a lot of pain. But, I thought – the worst is over!

The worst wasn’t over.

I didn’t really know anything about Ingleborough. I set off feeling reasonably well after another rest stop, a pint of cold orange squash, and a wonderful ham sandwich supplied by my mum. The final peak! Homeward bound!

A couple of miles in to the final ascent, my left knee went. Bollocks.

Well, I wasn’t turning back. Better to hobble the final six miles and complete the challenge that to hobble two miles back to the main road to give up. But man alive, I’ve never pushed myself so far. Scrambling up the steep rockface of Ingleborough with a screwed up left knee and a sore right hip, it struck me that the other downside to walking is that, unless something has gone seriously, life-threateningly wrong, you just have to deal with it. Not like road cycling, where if you’re in pain or weary you can at least phone a friend to pick you up…

Completing a challenge which hurt comes with a particular level of satisfaction.

Finally, we reached the summit of the final peak, and began the long, downhill slog back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. It took an hour longer than it should have done as I limped along like Hopalong Cassidy, unable to bend my leg. But limping across the finishing line to collect our medals felt like one of the greatest achievements of my life. Completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks in severe pain comes with a particular level of satisfaction.

Four days later, and we had just about stopped hobbling around like a pair of particularly decrepit 90 year olds. The pain had worn off, and all that was left was a warm glow of pride at completing a challenge which was much bigger than we ever expected.

It’s made me realise that I can push my body further than I thought, and it’s made me realise that I’m stronger than I ever knew. My dad (who suffered far less than I did, despite being in his late sixties) sent me a picture for the mantelpiece which reads, life begins when you step out of your comfort zone. And it’s so true.

It’s made me realise that I can push my body further than I thought, and it’s made me realise that I’m stronger than I ever knew.

With that in mind, I’ve decided it’s time to leap right out of mine and to enter a triathlon. I can’t do front crawl and I can’t run, but less than two years ago I couldn’t ride a road bike – and I learned how to do that. It’s time for the next challenge: I’m planning to enter the Windsor Triathlon next June, in aid of Macmillan once again.

(But not before I see a sports physio about my knees…)

I’ve been trying out the Löffler Windstopper FZ women’s cycling jersey. The jersey features a Gore 1beats2 Windstopper membrane, making it windproof, water-repellent and breathable. It’s been such a mixed summer in the UK – particularly in the north – that a windproof jersey has been surprisingly welcome, despite it being August.

The Gore 1beats2 Windstopper laminate is designed to work best at temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees, so for less-than-perfect British summer days and early autumn, it’s ideal. It was developed to help protect cyclists against the cold and the wind, without having to add extra layers. Windstopper jerseys are designed to keep riders comfortable from dawn to dusk on the bike without the need for adding jackets and gilets. They’re said to provide the same thermal insulation as the combination of a regular jersey plus breathable windbreaker jacket while weighing up to 35% less than the two together.

Löffler is not a well known brand in the UK cycling market but this Austrian cycle wear company makes serious, sensible bike kit. It might not set your heart racing, but it performs solidly.

I can’t say that I have been all that interested in short-sleeved windproof jerseys before. I was of the opinion that if it was cold enough to need a windproof garment, it would probably need long sleeves. Testing this has actually made me realise that there is a place for short-sleeved windproof jerseys, after all. We’ve had a lot of windy weather this summer and – to get all up close and personal – does anyone else find that cycling on windy days causes really sore nipples? It doesn’t have to be a cold day for me to be in some serious discomfort if the wind is up. So, for that reason alone, I take back what I said. Short-sleeved windproof jerseys might have a place in my cycling wardrobe after all.

I’d be lying if I said the Löffler Windstopper jersey excited me; it’s a very functional-looking piece of kit. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the photographs: I actually think it’s quite flattering, and it was very comfortable. I like the stand-up collar – again, good for keeping draughts out – and the fabric feels nice. As autumn approaches, it will be useful paired with arm warmers (more on those later).

However, it’s a bit lacking in design features. It only has one pocket, a rear pocket which zips. It’s generous enough to fit my enormous Sony Xperia Z5, but there isn’t enough storage for inner tubes, bananas and the like. I would also expect a bit more reflective detailing on a very functional garment.

It’s a fast drying jersey which is remarkably breathable considering how robust the fabric feels. Wind is blocked really effectively, and sweat is wicked away nicely. The jersey is stretchier than I expected, though a little bit short in the body and prone to riding up. Another inch in length and a stickier silicone grip strip on the hem would be useful.

If you’re looking for a good quality, windproof jersey for commuting, the Löffler Windstopper jersey is a decent buy with excellent windproofing thanks to the Gore 1beats2 Windstopper technology. However, future iterations would benefit from additional pockets and reflective details.

A word of warning – sizing is quite small. I usually wear size medium jerseys but this one is pretty snug, and I would be more comfortable in a size large. (I’m 172cm and weigh 69kg).

I have also been testing the Löffler Windstopper Softshell Light Arm Warmers, when I can wrestle them off Matt who is particularly taken with them. In the summer it’s unusual for me to reach for arm warmers as I’m quite a hot blooded sort – but Matt’s clearly spent too long in the south of England and feels the need for warmth on early morning rides, no matter what time of year!

The Löffler Windstopper Softshell arm warmers are really nice to wear. They are lined with Thermo-Velour for warmth and it is really soft and cosy – lovely against the skin. They stay put, and they are very lightweight and flexible – no bunching inside the elbows.

The reflective logo on the left arm is really bright, but it’s a shame it isn’t on both arms. We’re not huge fans of hi-vis cycling kit, but as bike commuters we are very big fans of reflective detailing.

Well, Prudential RideLondon 2016 has come to an end. All those months of preparation and anticipation, and it always seems to be over in the blink of an eye.

Despite the delays and diversions, Prudential RideLondon 2016 was a cycling event to remember. We feel so lucky to have had the chance to take part twice – when the sun has been shining, no less. Given how hotly contested ballot places are, we’re planning to take a break next year to give other cyclists a chance to take part in the event – riding past such iconic sights on traffic-free roads is something all keen cyclists should have the opportunity to experience at some point.

It was an eventful day which managed to showcase the best – and, unfortunately, the worst – of human nature. Read on for our thoughts on the Prudential RideLondon 2016.

Prudential RideLondon 2016: The Good

The organisation of Prudential RideLondon really is superb. We’d like to say a huge thank you to the event organisers and the fantastic marshals along the route – particularly the ones who made a huge effort to encourage weary cyclists along the way and who made us laugh when our legs were aching. You’re wonderful.

The supporters along the route are flippin’ fantastic. The villagers in Pyrford turning out with jugs of water to refill cyclists’ bottles during the long delay? The woman in Norbiton hollering encouragement, telling us all that we looked every bit as good as elite athletes? The kids cheering us on in Wimbledon, holding their hands out for a high five? Marvellous! The supporters make the Prudential RideLondon100 an event to remember.

I don’t yet know the gender breakdown of participants this year, but there seemed to be a lot more women taking part which is tremendously encouraging for women’s cycling. Everywhere I looked I seemed to be surrounded by fellow female cyclists of all ages which was fantastic.

Prudential RideLondon 2016: The Bad

There is always going to be a huge disparity between cyclists’ abilities and attitudes in an event of this scale. You have the novice riders challenging themselves, often for charity, who may have never ridden in a group before; and you have the arrogant, aggressive male (always male!) club riders yelling abuse at slower riders and barging through gaps where it really isn’t safe to do so. Is the number of participants too high? Running the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic event on the same day means that the push to get all the amateur riders out in three hours is tight; reducing the number of riders on the course might help reduce the crush when something invariably happens to slow things down. Is 27,000 cyclists too many? Does it need to be reviewed?

Cyclists who drop litter should be ashamed of themselves. You carried those gels when they were full – you can carry your empty wrapper home, too. Worried about it making a sticky mess in your pocket? Well, you’re going to put your jersey in the wash, aren’t you? Don’t tarnish the event and its legacy by littering.

Prudential RideLondon 2016: The Ugly

It is terribly sad that there was another fatality this year, and some very serious accidents. To all the miserable sods who were bitching and griping to @RideLondon on Twitter about the fact that they were delayed and not receiving second-by-second updates about when they could start riding again – how about reminding yourself that you’re going to complete the ride safely because the event organisers are taking participants’ safety seriously?

How about forgetting about the fact that you’re not going to beat last year’s time, and actually enjoying the atmosphere and camaraderie with fellow cyclists?

How about forgetting your massive ego?

(And, to the cyclists who tagged on to the back of the ambulance to get to the front of the queue – you really are the scum of the earth. Have a little respect.)

Grumbling aside, all in all, it was a fabulous day. It made me so happy that the enforced delay encouraged strangers to chat and pass the time of day. It was lovely that after two hours of waiting around, cyclists’ spirits were still high enough to do a Mexican Wave to pass the time. RideLondon organisers, we salute you. Thank you for producing a UK cycling event to be proud of.

 

Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Leith Hill, Box Hill – now you can enjoy the iconic sights of London and Surrey from the comfort of your turbo trainer as you experience the routes of one of the world’s greatest cycling festivals, courtesy of Zwift.

The new Prudential RideLondon course on the virtual, social indoor cycling platform will take you from the iconic landmarks of central London into the idyllic lanes of the Surrey Hills and back again. Better still, in the world of Zwift Prudential RideLondon roads will remain traffic-free and open to cyclists year round rather than one day out of 365!

To celebrate the Zwift Prudential RideLondon course, there are some special events lined up to coincide with the real world Prudential RideLondon schedule. Missed out on a ballot place this year? You can join in with the real ride from your home. Challenge yourself to the 100 mile ride through the streets and countryside of London, ending with an iconic finish through the Prudential RideLondon arch on The Mall. Riders will start together as a group with the ride leader setting the pace, but the goal is to finish the ride: if you can’t keep up with the peloton, ride by yourself or with others to the finish. Turn the fans on and fill your water bottles up! If you don’t fancy riding the full 100 mile route, you can take part in the 46 Challenge, too.

The events you can join are as follows:

Saturday, July 30th – Zwift Prudential RideLondon Classique Group Ride

8 am PDT (California) / 11am EDT (New York) / 4 pm BST (London)

Sunday, July 31st – Zwift Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100 Challenge

8 am AEST (Australia) / 8 am BST (London)

Sunday, July 31st – Zwift Prudential RideLondon Surrey 46 Challenge
8 pm AEST (Australia) and 7 pm BST (London)

 

(By the way – Zwift advises users that this is a big update – be sure to give yourself a little extra time before you plan to ride.)

If you’re suffering delusions of grandeur about your climbing abilities from nailing Box Hill in the big ring, it might be time to take a reality check on a cycling weekend with Yorkshire Velo Tours.

Let me be frank.

We’d had a gruelling working week in the day job, finished late at the office on Friday night and had to leave for a conference in Geneva after the weekend. A five-hour drive up the M1 for a hilly Yorkshire ride was, in all honesty, not sounding appealing at 10pm on the motorway somewhere outside Mansfield.

But boy oh boy, the long drive, late night and early start was worth the pain. Our weekend outing with Ilkley-based Yorkshire Velo Tours was memorable for all the right reasons.

Yorkshire Velo Tours – CS2, Lancashire & Wharfedale

We awoke on Saturday morning to bright blue sky and glorious sunshine. Our spirits lifted, we loaded the bikes into the car, filled our pockets with snacks and inner tubes, and set off to The Wheatley Arms in Ilkley where we met the ride leader (and founder of Yorkshire Velo Tours) Charles for a pre-ride coffee while mechanic Chris gave our bikes the once over.

Happy that our brakes were sound and tyres pressure good, we coasted out through Ilkley. And within minutes, hit the first steep climb. Ten minutes in and I was already gasping. Had I made a horrible mistake, agreeing to this ride?

But then it was over, and we were crossing Cringles, and spinning out along the hillside to the villages of Kildwick and Farnhill.

We descended to cross the valley, pedalling through the pretty village of Cononley and along a winding, undulating lane to Carleton in the dappled sunlight. Cycling doesn’t get much more picturesque than this. But as I sighed with happiness, feeling relaxed and in control, I heard:

“There’s a bit of a climb ahead…”

A local girl, it dawned on me which hill we were about to climb. Cocking Lane in Carleton.

I girded my loins and dropped down a couple of gears to begin the ascent across to Lothersdale. I dropped down a couple more gears. Into the small cog. Dammit! No gears left. Ok. These legs are just going to have to work…

Finally, we were at the top, and the mechanic’s van pulled ahead of us. We crowded around as Chris opened the back doors to reveal a hoard of flapjacks and bananas. Fully supported rides are awesome.

Energy levels restored, we set off again and the uphill slog was rewarded with a swooping descent I’ve always wanted to make on two wheels. Utterly exhilarating.

We crossed the border into Lancashire and, after a brief dose of urban reality in the town of Colne, we were heading back into the hills via Blacko on our way to the glorious Ribble Valley – birthplace of my dear dad. My heart soared when we rolled into the village of Chatburn which I used to visit as a child, where the ice cream shop Hudson’s – which I thought would have long since closed – still stands on the corner.

Relief: lunch time

38 miles in (and a hell of a lot of elevation), we heaved a sigh of relief when we arrived at Holden Clough Garden Centre for lunch. The Garden Kitchen serves excellent food and to sit outside in the sunshine while we devoured hearty sandwiches and cold drinks revived us for what lay ahead.

Another long climb after lunch was hard work, weighed down by sandwiches. But, as any cyclist knows, a tough climb is always rewarded with an exhilarating descent. And despite a brief shower which saw us all don our waterproof jackets, in no time the sun was out again as we coasted toward Tosside and Hellifield.

Dammit! No gears left. Ok. These legs are just going to have to work…

But I’ll admit it. By this point, my energy levels were waning and I knew there were plenty more climbs ahead. At 60 miles, I waved the white flag and accepted a lift for the final leg in mechanic Chris’s van. As we trundled up the next steep hill behind the rest of the group, it dawned on me how wonderful it was to be on a fully supported ride… Several more hills, including the Cat 4 Burnsall climb, and we were homeward bound. The heavens opened, but with less than 10 miles to go, it didn’t matter. (Certainly not to me, in the comfort of the van!)

Finally, we were back in Ilkley. I’d ridden 60 miles, with 6,000ft of elevation; the rest of the group had managed the full 77 miles with almost 7,000ft of climbing. Gruelling? Yes. Enjoyable? Absolutely! There was just time for a celebratory pint in The Wheatley Arms before we headed off for a warm bath and hearty supper. Lord knows that having burned 3,000 calories apiece we’d earned it…

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About Yorkshire Velo Tours

Yorkshire Velo Tours was launched by Charles Oxtoby, who has been organising cycle tours and trips in the UK and Europe for a decade. Charles was a founding committee member of the Ilkley Cycling Club which was re-established in 2011. A highly experienced cyclist and guide, Charles and has been riding the roads of the Yorkshire dales for decades – there are few people better qualified to escort you around the county on two wheels.

Designed for keen cyclists of all abilities who want to challenge themselves on some of the best roads and climbs in Europe, Yorkshire Velo Tours showcase the beautiful scenery of Yorkshire – the training ground of Lizzie Armitstead and Scott Thwaites. If you want to become a world-class cyclist, you could do worse than train in the county.

Yorkshire Velo Tours rides are fully supported with a back-up vehicle and qualified cycle mechanic, and every route includes a carefully selected cafe stop – we at Vamper.cc never underestimate the importance of a good lunch on a ride! With support and experienced ride leaders, all you have to worry about is getting up those hills.

The tours typically split into 2 or more ride groups of around 8 riders per group, all covering a similar route. Group 1 will be the faster ride and typically average over 15mph. (We know, right? That doesn’t sound very fast! But just you wait until you see the elevation…) Meanwhile the slower groups will average 11-14mph.

And for those labouring under the misapprehension that the weather is always shit in Yorkshire – we enjoyed bright sunshine and 25 degree heat for ¾ of the ride before it finally clouded over and began to rain.

If you haven’t yet cycled in God’s own country, don’t you think it’s time you did?