FROM THE EDITOR ...

As cyclists we are drawn to the mountains. When races hit them, we make sure we tune in, and when we get the chance we flock to these ancient playgrounds to test ourselves. Only those living in the Alps or Pyrenees are doing that at the moment, and international travel is perhaps about to change for good, but the lure is strong and we’ll all be pulled back eventually.

In the meantime, on page 80, we investigate just how the great ranges became the epicentres of our cycling universe… it’s a long and interesting story.