A few years back when I decided to go clip less, I search for something that was easy to clip into and easy to learn to use. I don’t like the “proper cycling” shoes as you can’t just jump off your bicycle and have a walk as you please, so I was looking for MTB style cycling shoes.

Yesterday I had a grand day out with a handful of leather nuts to the Brooks saddle factory in Birmingham, UK. We were split into 2 groups and had a tour on the factory floor. Where we could see, hear and smell the production of these beautiful leather saddles. The whole production is done in true industrial style, e.g big and noisy with oil and steam (ok just added that last bit for effect).
I do have a weak spot for old industrial craftsmanship, ok CNC, robots are great but each …

After a little clicking around on the Brooks website I think I figured out that they are a B66 and a Team Pro.

Alastair Humphreys: I will be on the top floor of the Iron Duke pub in Victoria station, London at 6.30pm on Tuesday March 9th until about 9pm.

Today is the sad anniversary of the departure of Sheldon Brown two years ago.
I have never met Sheldon but I have heavily used his website and learned a lot from reading it. If I’m asked where is a good place to learn about bicycles and how to maintain a bicycle, I always send them to Sheldon Browns website.
We are all alive just so long as someone remembers us.
The above quote I totally agree with and I will use and will pass on Sheldon great work to others, thank …

I finally had the chance to cycle in the snow with my Surly Long Haul Trucker. What can I say, it is sooo easy.
I have done my fair share of cycling in the snow and snow storms where I couldn’t see further than 50 metres ahead. Quite often I had to stop to remove the snow out of the wheels and away from the brakes. The most “fun” to ride on is when there is one layer of snow that have plenty of tracks from people moving about on bicycles …

It is amazing that you can post on the forum the night before and six others comes along for a cold ride.
The weather was just brilliant, sunny (though a bit low a times) and nice and fresh (which some would have called blooming freezing) and six wonderful people out for a ride with you.
The plan was to head straight to the pub but the consensus quickly turned to tea and cake, it is a yacf ride after all. A stop in Hampton Court coffee room with hot chocolate …

Last year took us to Scotland (Grand tour of Edinburgh) , Wales (3 wet days loop), Surrey Hills (3 days tour with TEA), Isle of Wight (one small wet ride), Pyrenees (more up hills than you can shake a stick at) and Denmark (flatter than flat rides) and a few more day trips and pootles here and there.

25 miles ride in solid drizzle with a heavy shower thrown in for good measure. What can I say it did what it said on the tin, e.g it was waterproof.

Well we didn’t see any boxing but there was plenty of natter, drinking and eating cake. Only 16 miles on the bicycles but it was done in very good company and lots of laughs.
We arrived at the starting check point (read : Pub) and enjoyed the view before we went in enjoyed beer and tea. We then jumped on our bicycles for our planned few laps of Richmond Park. But after queuing for half the way around the park we bailed out. Since the park was full of cars …