Yesterday was Thursday, tomorrow is Saturday, so I guess that makes today Friday and time for In The Drops once again. I’d like to say a big ‘hello’ and thank you to everyone for welcoming me into the Cyclist family as the newest Tech Writer.
Did you know that Fridays are an unlucky day to start a journey in the maritime community? Well, that’s not the case here at Cyclist as we take a deep dive into all the exciting things that happened this week.
Photo: Mike Massaro
All guns blazing, Will Strickson had such a great timing testing the new Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Di2 that it got a glowing 5-star review, and has been dubbed ‘the people’s Aeroad’.
We also got a well-needed motivational boost from Robyn Davidson as she quizzed a host of coaching experts on how to train in winter. Spoiler alert: you don’t have to run yourself into the ground to build up your base fitness.
Whilst some of us are thinking ahead to those long road rides, Emma Cole has come up with the goods for those with their commuter hats (or should I say helmets) on, with an update to our comprehensive Brompton folding bike guide.
Speaking of slightly unusual bikes, we also got the chance to interview The Campag Kid all about his 70’s-inspired, drillium time-trial build and the history behind it. It has 300 holes in the rear derailleur. Yes, three hundred.
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Nopinz Subzero suit + cooling packs
I don’t know about you, but I really struggle with over-heating when I’m on the turbo so the Nopinz Subzero suit felt like a no-brainer.
The Subzero suit was made with e-racing in mind and has two pockets designed to fit Nopinz’ own-brand cooling packs, which sit between the shoulder blades and at the base of the back.
As an indoor-specific suit, the fabric is incredibly lightweight, and the chamois pad has been custom-made for this type of riding.
As someone who finds even the slightest label maddeningly itchy, I was really pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the suit was with the cooling packs in, and overall found my turbo experience much more bearable than usual.
Buy the Nopinz bundle (suit, 4 gel packs, cooling bag + turbo towel): ?154.99
Shokz OpenRunPro minis
Shokz is one of the names in bone-conduction headphones and the brand recently launched its newest product, the OpenRun Pro Mini.
Using the same internal technology as their standard OpenRun Pro, the Mini features a 21mm shorter head band , which Shokz says helps reduce movement whilst exercising and create a more snug fit.
The headphones use small vibrations that are conducted through the cheekbones, which Shokz says allow the sound to bypass the eardrum and go straight to the inner ear.
The OpenRun Pros already received a 4-star review from none other than our esteemed web editor, Matthew Loveridge, and this adapted model should be just as capable.
Topeak RaceRocket mini pump
We are well into puncture season so having a decent on-the-bike pump is probably a good idea, right?
The Topeak RaceRocket is a no-nonsense mini hand-pump that weighs 94g and is designed to hit a maximum pressure of 120psi. It comes with a frame mount bracket, and is available in several colours (like blue and red and gold, i.e. nice colours, not just the slightly dull black one we have here).
The RaceRocket’s clever head works with both Presta and Schrader valves, and when not in use the hose is concealed within the main body of the pump.
At 18cm long, it should be small enough to fit in a jersey pocket whilst still being user-friendly as a pump to get you out of a sticky situation.
Buy now from Halfords (?28.19)
What we’re into this week: UCI Track Champions League
Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
I am a self-proclaimed track cycling nut, and the introduction of the UCI Track Champions League last year almost popped my over-enthusiastic brain.
For those of you unfamiliar with track cycling, major events tend to take place over several days, with riders rarely doing more than one event per day.
In a bid to make the discipline more audience-friendly, and to welcome more people into the wonderful world of riding round in the circles, the UCI created a whole new format.
Each round takes place in the space of one evening, with riders competing in shorter, more explosive racing several times throughout the night.
Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
The events also feature some spectacular light displays, interviews with riders and expert commentary.
The 2022 series started off in Mallorca on 12th November, and we’ll be seeing the final two rounds take place in London on the 2nd and 3rd December (ie, tonight and tomorrow).
There are still some tickets available, so get them while you can and immerse yourself in a night of pure magic. You can watch live or on demand over at GCN+ and Eurosport.
Buy tickets now from UCI Track Champions League
Watch live or on demand at GCN+ and Eurosport
