WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER ISSUE!

When reading the exciting features that come in every month for the magazine, one thing that always grabs my attention is the kindness of strangers.

Many of our writers spend their time on touring adventures, cycling through the most remote parts of beautiful far-flung countries, and their tales of amazing scenery, delicious, authentic rustic food and the incredible sights, sounds and physical exertions they put themselves through, are always punctuated by narrative tangents where they discuss the amazing people they meet along the way.

Rooms for the night, history tours, lifts, repairs, places to camp, drinking games, hot food and hot showers - all offered up freely by the amazing locals that they meet. And it’s often those with the least to give that are the most generous.

Humanity is an amazing thing and despite the troubles in the world and all the divisions that are increasingly rearing their ugly head - people, at heart and for the most part, are lovely, caring and want to share and look after each other.

Cycling is an amazing way to see the world - totally immersive in the countryside, cultures and customs of foreign places. You are not just passing through, you are, for a time, a part of the lives of the people you meet - and it seems they will often welcome you with more than just open arms!

I hope you enjoy this issue and feel suitably inspired to get out on your bike. If you’ve had any adventures of your own, or have any other cycling related news, views and stories you’d like to share, then please don’t hesitate to contact me at barnaby@bike-mag.com

Get on your bike, have fun, be safe.

Thanks,

Q: I am new to cycling, can you recommend a good all round bike used for cross country my budget is up to £1500?

A: The great thing is there are plenty on the market and if you shop around some of these I have mentioned will come in under that price tag. I have quoted a few here, that are both full suspension and hardtail, so you get a full mix for the type of riding you will do.

Merida Big Trail comes in just over your budget but has budget-friendly forks so a good place to start. Next up the Ribble Hardtail 725. If you like down-hill then this is a good pick to start you off. Specialized of course, always a good choice, and the Chisel sits just under your budget, but still with good quality components as you would expect from these guys. Last couple are the Canyon Grand Canyon, as it has a really good 120mm fork, and the Vitus Mythique 29 VRS, a really good 1 x 29 drivetrain and a good first full-suspension bike with excellent Shimano brakes.

Q: This summer has been very hot do you have any tips to help with cycling in hot weather?

A: First thing is to either ride very early or late in the evening. We have had a few weeks here in Italy this year where it was over 40 degrees, in fact 30C by 9am, so the earlier you start then you can be back home before it gets superhot. Evenings also work, but you tend to still have to deal with the heat that the road has absorbed during the day and it will reflect back up at you. Try to avoid long climbs as there’s less

wind cooling you, you sweat more, more heat reflection off the road – you get hot. In the evening make your drinks and stick them in the freezer, by the morning they will be solid, and you get a cold, iced drink for pretty much your whole ride.

Take a pair of tights, stick ice cubes in the legs then tie this around your neck. As the ice melts it keeps your body cool. The ride on a hot day ‘starts the day before’, so ensure that you start the ride hydrated and drink plenty the day before. Likewise, ensure that you hydrate after the ride more than you normally would. Last one, increase the strength of your electrolytes and add an extra spoon or two so you can compensate for the sweat you will produce.

A: I believe that I can honestly say I have NEVER bought an off-theshelf bike. My first bike I had was maybe when I was 6 or 7 years old. Secondhand, stripped and reconditioned by my dad – I loved it. The next one where I started racing, was a hand-me-down from my brother. That was stripped and the bits added that I wanted. And this vein has pretty much continued throughout my 45+ year cycling ‘career’.

The things you must remember with buying a new bike straight from the shop is that to save money and to give you a good deal, the manufacturer will perhaps put ‘cheaper’ wheels on. Half of one groupset and half of another,