Articles written during February 2009

Vorsprung durch Technik
There are certain words and phrases throughout language that just sound better in their original form. As used in the title of this blog, Audi have dined out on one of the most famous straplines the world over since the 1970s. OK, that example is quite specific, but that hasn’t stopped the likes of Blur, U2 and perhaps the best … Read the rest…

Sombrio Rogue shorts review
A detailed look at the Rogue short, a baggy MTB short from Sombrio which is stylish and good value.

Cwmcarn and Afan Road Trip
A quick look back at a weekend riding Cwmcarn and Afan in South Wales on a Dialled Bikes Alpine hardtail.

Learning to ride
Matt’s son masters riding his bike. The best invention the world has seen for cheap, reliable mobility.

Dr Sludge or Slime tubes – an alternative to tubeless tyres
What are the pro’s and con’s on using tubeless tyres versus normal inner tubes? And is there a better solution to both in the shape of Dr Sludge or Slime tubes?

Ride Report: Sunday 22 February, Newlands Corner loop
Although today lacked the clear blue skies and comparative warmth of Saturday, there were glimpses on today’s ride that Spring is in the air and not far from taking centre stage across these green and pleasant hills. Today saw bare legs from myself and Andy at least (other Moles have stoically battled through the Winter with shorts it should be … Read the rest…

Embers Merino Evolution long sleeve baselayer review
Embers are a British sports clothing brand specialising in Merino wool based products. Here’s a review from Matt of the Evolution long sleeve baselayer.

Fibre Flare – a versatile red light?
There’s a new rear light on the market which appears to combine genuine flexibility with high output. It’s called the Fibre Flare.

This sounds like us on a good day
What cetegory of rider do you fall into. And by category, I don’t mean competitive cycling, I mean what’s really your niche in the cycling diaspora.

2009 Shimano Deore
Shimano finally get round to replacing the Deore groupset with plenty of trickle down technology from their more expensive kit. Looks promising for 2010.

Ride report: Sunday 15 February – Bookham to Leith Hill
The Moles head en masse to Leith Hill to put Colin’s new Dialled Bikes Alpine through it’s paces, amongst other things…

Ride report: Wednesday 11 Feb – Norbury loop
A short night ride round the ranmore and Norbury area in wet, muddy conditions.

Reigate Hill tea room
A review of the Reigate Hill tea room which sells a limited range of food and drink for walkers, mountain bikers and road riders.

Ride report: Sunday 8 February – Bookham to Reigate Hill
With 13 inches of snow earlier in the week, only the committed were out for a Sunday ride from Bookham to Reigate Hill.

Scream if you want to go faster
What is a decent average speed for a MTB ride? And how much effort is it to average over 10mph?

In the pipeline
A round up of new bikes that the Moles have acquired in the past few weeks.

Is this the end of On-one?
On-one and Brant Richards part company in a surprise move to all those who thought (and still think) they are one and the same. Is there anyone who can fill his On-one chief designer sized shoes?

Ride report: Norbury Park and Box Hill in the snow
It was a blast down the hill with the snow begining to freeze and back down into Fetcham/Bookham. Distance wise it hadn’t been a long ride, exertion wise it had but riding in the snow had been a great experience for us who see it so infrequently. Amazingly we’d had no big offs and the laughs per mile had been very high. It was kids playing in the snow all over again.

Ride report: Sunday 1 February – Ranmore and Leith Hill loop
The start of February sees us heading to Leith Hill from Bookham for a great days riding in the woods. But managing four punctures over a collective 240 miles was a bit of a shame!