The number of UK based sportives has exploded in the last couple of years, giving amateur cyclists a huge choice of opportunities to experience well-organised, semi-competitive, supported rides in our beautiful countryside. The only downside is our unpredictable climate – who can forget the wash out that was Ride 100 in 2014? In August! So it is that many of us have started to look further afield and beyond our shores and dark satanic mills for our next cycling challenge.
Read MoreThe Japanese Odyssey: An Epic Cycling Adventure
Done the Etape, the Marmotte, the Tour of Flanders sportive? What next? If you’re looking for an original cycling challenge that’s going to test you further, something truly epic where you’re going to discover something about yourself and experience a real adventure, you should think about taking on The Japanese Odyssey.
Read MoreRide Velo on tour: Barcelona
Barceloneta Bikes has one of the most enviable locations in the world: not only is it in one of the greatest cities on the planet: (Barcelona) but, as its name suggests, it’s also positioned in the heart of Barceloneta, one of the cooler, trendier and edgier barrios of this wonderful, vibrant and bustling metropolis.
Fixie heaven...
First impressions are that this is fixie heaven, with brightly coloured wheels hanging from the ceiling; chain and crank sets displayed against pine-clad walls. You can tell these guys know their stuff when you admire their display of customised bikes with Cinelli, Bianchi and Langster frames, to name but a few, that hark back to the fixie bike roots of the track. No knocked off cheap frames imported in bulk from Taiwan here.
Barceloneta Bikes' Club jersey: cool!
The apparel is quality too: T-shirts with great designs including Barceloneta Bikes’ own logo, natty socks and beautiful Eroica wool jerseys. There are sharp cycling shoes as well as retro leather ones, and some stylish urban helmets.
Crank it up Spanish Stlyleee
El Jefe, Tony (courtesy of A&E TV)
But Tony Valcarel, who set the shop up four years ago, says there’s more to BBikes than just fixies or single speeds. He got into cycling as a mountain biker originally, then moved into road then track racing. What he loves best is to customize any bike to your needs; whether it’s an urban, mountain or road bike. He even works with frame builders in the city to help you achieve the perfect geometry, fit and feel for you. No wonder then that the shop is now the subject of a real life documentary called ‘Be-Bike’, produced by A&E productions in the USA.
Demon wheels
Ok, so you’re probably not going to order your bike from here while on your summer holiday, but if you want something a little sharper to spin round the streets of the city on your visit than the rather heavy city bikes on offer elsewhere, you could do worse than heading down to Barceloneta Bikes to rent one for the day or longer. You’ll be sure of a warm and friendly welcome, and all the guys speak excellent English.
Does my bum look big on this?
They even invited us out on one of their weekly night-time rides out to the airport and back. And if you’re like us, and just love to drool over some great bikes and kit, this offers an alternative to Barcelona’s other attractions.
Saint Crispin's Day Nightride
"This day is called the feast of Crispin: He that outlives this day and comes safe home will stand a-tiptoe when this day is named," Henry V.
Commemorating the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, the St Crispin’s Day Night Ride set off from Chiswick in the early hours of Sunday morning, 24th October. This is the third year that this event has been run, and is a jolly 100 mile jaunt out of West London to one of England’s leading vineyards, Stanlake Park, whereupon every rider is presented with an exclusive bottle of St Crispin’s Day wine.
Read MoreGlorious Autumn Sportive
Over 300 riders set out from the historic Herne Hill Velodrome for South London’s end of season sportive, The Ride of the Falling Leaves this Sunday. Blessed by and bathed in beautiful autumnal sunshine, there was a choice of either an 80 or 100 km route stretching across the gorgeous North Downs and Kent countryside with a maximum of 1500m of climbing for the hardier souls.
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