Towards the latter part of 2018 a germ of an idea crept into the thinking of a group of intrepid Ribblers. A whisper was heard in the office, the whisper of; what if we tested the new CGR range on an epic ride? You know like the Dirty Reiver? Foolishly it was decided to enter the 200km distance, a distance they would come to regret during the event and one that not all would achieve. This would surely be the ultimate test of the new range…. and of the riders mettle.
We recently introduced Beau as one of our sponsored athletes for 2019. A talented triathlete he has already displayed his talents in only his 2nd race of 2019. Against a competitive field he took victory in the Stockton Duathlon. And this being even more remarkable for the fact that he does not employ a coach so all the training and race preparation is all his own work!
Alison is one of our Sponsored riders and for the 2019 season will be competing upon the brand new Ribble Eliminator AL track bike. Back in March we uploaded a blog for International Women’s Day in which Alison shared her amazing story. The interest the story generated was so impressive that we thought it would be a good idea to post regular progress updates. With the UK Track Masters National Championships just around the corner we thought we would ask Alison to provide an update on how training is progressing . Here then is the blog written by Alison titled, Alison Salthouse – The Pre- Season Update.
Spring is here and hopefully this Easter we will enjoy some nice weather for cycling. If you are about to dust off the summer bike and head out this Easter Bank holiday weekend, we thoroughly advise that you treat it to a little TLC. Our basic bike maintenance guide has you covered.
We are delighted to introduce to Team Ribble our sponsored athlete, Beau Smith. Beau is a great talent and we are delighted to sponsor him throughout the 2019 season. He will be competing throughout the 2019 race season on a Ribble Aero 883 and Ultra Tri. We wish Beau all the best for this upcoming season and look forward to seeing his progress and regular updates over the coming few months.
My Road to Triathlon
I am a 25 year old triathlete living and training in Lancashire, and am very grateful to now be supported by Ribble Cycles. I first tried a kids’ triathlon as my parents attempted to tire out a highly energetic nine year old and I’ve never really looked back! I’ve grown up competing in a wide range of sports and then around the age of 14 I focused my energy on triathlon and the three disciplines involved.
Easter is almost upon us and the first long weekend of the year is a great opportunity to dust off the summer bike and get some miles under the belt. For those seeking a new challenge this Easter or simply a change from your normal routes why not get out, explore and conquer one of these iconic climbs?
When you purchase a Ribble electric bike you are not just purchasing one of the best looking and lightest ebikes on the market. The ebikemotion X35 smart propulsion system that our ebikes utilise is more than just smart tech. Alongside this intelligent system there is also an easy to use ebikemotion for ebikes app that can be downloaded to your smartphone.
Cyclocross vs Gravel bikes is a popular topic of late due to the similarities between the two types of bike. So, what are the differences between the two and how does this affect how they perform? To help highlight the difference between the bikes we compare the features of bikes from the new Ribble 2019 range, the Ribble CX and CGR.
Gruffudd Lewis from Ribble Pro Cycling takes you through the features of his 2019 race bike. The Endurance SL R Series is new for 2019 and is to date the lightest and most aerodynamic road bike we have ever produced.
Shortly before Ribble Pro Cycling’s training camp in Calpe, the team were issued with their 2019 race bikes. In the video of Dan Bigham’s customised team bike Dan himself takes you through the parts he has personally custom fitted. The Endurance SL R Series, upon which he will compete at home and abroad in 2019 is our lightest ever frameset. With an impressive aerodynamic efficiency of 28.5% over our previous race frame the R872. Such impressive aerodynamic performance and super low weight should enable them to enjoy the same great success as they did throughout 2018.
Dionne Allen – International Triathlete and Aspiring Ironwoman
To celebrate International Womens Day we asked 3 of our sponsored riders to share their stories of what inspired them to take up cycling, what motivates them and what their goals are for 2019 and moving forward.
Velo Birmingham & Midlands is a closed-road sportive event covering over 100 miles of iconic rural highways and byways in the midlands. To date 17000+ riders have signed up to take advantage of the closed-to-traffic roads. This year the course takes you from Birmingham to Coventry city centres via the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Ribble are once again delighted to be the official cycle partner for this event on Sunday May 12th.
Jamie Burrow is our head of Design here at Ribble Cycles, he and his team of bike experts are responsible for the brand new for 2019 range of stunning Ribble bikes that you now see on our website. Being a former World Number 1 at under 23 level and having ridden as a professional for the US Postal Team cycling team he has a lot of experience to bring to the table.
Jamie was asked to use his in depth experience of training in all weathers and throughout the seasons to offer you his top tips and advice on how to train for such an endurance event and just as importantly how to stay safe whilst doing so.
Jamie showcases one of the stunning new for 2019 range, the Endurance SL at our Birningham showroom.
Entries
Velo Birmingham 2017
Unfortunately entries for the Vélo Birmingham & Midlands 100 miler are now closed. However, there are a limited number of spaces available through the lead charity partners. These include; the Alzheimer’s Society, Cure Leukaemia, NSPCC and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity Birmingham. Entries are still possible through the Vélo Birmingham & Midlands CBRE Business 100, which allows companies to enter teams of four riders to unlock VIP training and networking opportunities.
If 100 miles sounds a little too daunting then there is also the recently unveiled 42 mile closed-road cycle taking place on the same day. Places are still available for this event which takes in the countryside between Birmingham and Coventry city centres.
Currently more than 17000 cyclists will be taking on the magic 100-miler and this means plenty of training and preparation will be required. Below Jamie takes you through some of his pro tips and advice on how to motivate yourself when the hours of daylight are short and before the longer days of spring arrive.
The route for Velo Birmingham 2019
Motivation
Jamie was a former under 23’s World Number 1 and US Postal rider.
“Although cycling in the dark can seem off-putting, finding motivation at this time of year is key to your coming season and sporting goals,” explains Jamie.
” It is currently a trend to keep your winter miles wrapped up in the warm comforts of your own home using home trainers. Just remember that starting at this time of year, things can only get better. You will notice your form increasing along with the longer brighter days tempting you to go that bit further and faster. “
Staying Dry
Team Ribble at Velo Brimigham 2017
“Keeping dry means staying comfortable and healthy. One of my biggest issues whilst racing as a professional was getting sick easily. The fitter we are, the more it makes us prone to a silly illness as our immune system struggles to keep up. I would always recommend having a rain jacket in your back pocket even if the forecast looks good.”
“With typical UK weather it is so easy to get caught in a shower even just for a few minutes. It’s not even the getting wet that is the issue. It’s staying wet and subsequently getting cold that causes the problem. “
Some of the top tips Jamie recommends are;
Take a lightweight rain jacket or gilet on every ride, they can then be rolled up and stashed in a back pocket or saddlebag.
If you stop mid-ride for a cafe stop or refreshment break put on a dry jacket to retain body heat when in wet clothing.
Good gloves, hat and overshoes are relatively cheap items that can really save your day if the weather turns bad. Although your body usually keeps warm from the heat generated during exercise, hands and feet don’t receive the same amount of circulation. They are directly in the path of cold winds, freezing hands and feet can be one of the worst experiences on a bike.
Take in the stunning scenery and enjoy make new friends along the way.
Staying Safe
Hi Viz is best for daytime rides and reflective for after dark. We also recommend daytime running rear lights .
” With many of us having to fit our winter riding into our daily commute or even after work or school rides we are often forced to take on the traffic as well as the darkness. Staying safe in these circumstances is crucial. Obviously fitting lights to your bike is compulsory but there are a whole host of gadgets, gizmos and accessories to help you be seen and keep you safe.”
Reflective clothing: Night vision technology is now a common theme in clothing with select panels or even entire garments made from 360 degree, fully reflective fabrics that are activated by car head lights. I’ve been using one of these for three years now and wouldn’t ride without it during my commute.
Bicycle lights have come on a long way since I started riding, with the now classic but not so powerful Ever-Ready battery-operated lamps being the only real option. We are now looking at USB chargeable, super powerful lights that could easily take on any car headlight with the level of brightness they offer. The best lights available are now graded by lumens, with around 200 lumens an acceptable output for a front light although some manufacturers offer over 2,000 lumens, which is ideal for off-road riding.
Reflective handlebar tape: Often an overlooked accessory, but good quality bar tape can offer superb grip in wet conditions whilst featuring reflective properties.
Bike Maintenance
A bundle such as the one above contains most of the essentials oyu need whilst out on the bike and for basic pre- ride maintenance.
” This can be the least favourite time of year for your beloved bicycle. Rain, snow, salty roads, hidden pot holes are just a few of the elements your bike has to cope with during the dark season. Taking care of your machine will prolong its life span and generally keep it in fit working order like yourself.”
Check your tyres regularly for cuts and debris, this will significantly reduce the number of punctures you will encounter.
Run slightly less pressure in the tyres than you would in the summer. On the sidewall of the tyres it will specify a minimum and maximum tyre pressure. In the wet it is beneficial to run them towards the lower end of the range for increased grip and traction.
Use 3in1 sprays on moving parts such as gears and chain after wet weather rides. (Ideally wash your bike with clean water after all wet rides and then apply 3in1 spray)
Keep your chain well oiled. This will keep your gears running smoothly especially in wet conditions and reduce the wear on the components.
Keep an eye on brake pad consumption as wet gritty roads will wear your brakes down faster than dry conditions.
It’s worthwhile investing in a simple DIY maintenance kit to keep the bike running smoothly and prevent any annoying clicks or creaks.
Sign up for the Vélo Birmingham & Midlands 42-mile sportive, or find out how you can take on the 100-mile event for charity at www.velobirmingham.com
