More than six decades after the launch of the first Moulton Bicycle, the English heritage brand continues to make special bikes, with special prices

Back in February 2024 the guys at The Cycle Studio in Redditch, Worcestershire (my local bike shop) said they wanted to organise a social ride day from the shop and would I be able to sort out a suitable route or two for the event. Of course I said yes, feeling flattered that they would ask me. I thought, how hard could it be? Afterall I pretty much know the local area like the proverbial back of my hand. It would be a cinch! Spoiler alert, turns out it wasnt as straight forward as I expected it to be.They asked for two routes, a shorter one of around 20 miles (32ish Km) and 30 miles (38ish Km) with a mixture of quiet tarmac lanes, bridleways and cycle paths. What I came back with was 4 routes, the shortest 25 miles, the extra longest 45 miles with LOTS of climbing. Hmm, turns out this route planning lark is hard when you are not just taking your own fitness, technical riding ability and the scenery for granted. I needed to cater for everyone but I think I also wanted to showcase the best of everything in one hit. I wanted it to feature the entertaining descents, the challenging climbs but with that came the thought that riders might find it boring which constantly nagged at the back of my mind. Its not exactly prime gravel/XC riding territory around here so a bit of route anxiety had taken hold.Luckily Alex and Pasq at the shop had more sensible heads on and chose 2 of the routes to base the final decision on. We also did a recce of the long course too. Unfortunately on that day we suffered through rain, hail and winds gusting to 46mph! one of the disgarded routesWhat this did highlight though was to make the route rideable even if the end of April turned out as wet as it was at the beginning. So a few diversions to avoid the potential worst sections were made and well, we crossed our fingers that riders would still find it interesting and enough of a challenge to tell their friends about it and spread the word.The ride was advertised as a social ride and although it was free to enter we asked riders to book so we could guage how many were likely to turn up. In the end 75 people booked a spot!This really was where my involvement stopped, but I can tell you there was a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes from Alex, Pasq and Rob. For a small fee food could be pre-ordered and Chef Chris took on the catering role. Gavin from No3a events brought his H-Wagon bar for post ride refreshments, extra seating, tables, cakes and the ever tasty cycle Studio coffee was topped up. Even a tea-urn appeared (insert your own dad joke here). Finally after much sharing of weather forecast app predictions via whatsapp the day finally arrived and everything was set.I got to the shop early to help set up gazebos and layout the seating and riders where already there enjoying a warm drink because disappointingly the weather was not good. Over night rain turned into intermittent showers and temperatures of not much more than 8 degrees. I can tell you this made my pre-event nerves even worse, would anymore than a handful of riders turn up.would i have to eat all the chocolate brownies myself?I shouldnt have worried, over 50 people turned up on a range of different bikes, wed recommended minimum 35mm knobbly tyres, there were MTBs, emtbs, gravel bikes with curly and flat bars, old school hardtails and one guy on a canti-rim braked road bike with slick tyres. Knowing the route I did fear for him! Id been asked to say a few words to everyone before the ride began, whats known as a rider briefing, suddenly it was all official and real. I stood up and delivered what became known as the gospel of gravel.actually I told them where the major obstacles were, to not forget to take spares, to not worry if they had to walk a section and to have fun!And then they were off, all the planning, organising and hard work had worked and 50 odd riders were now going to judge the route for themselves..oh blimey, the worry was not over! Having ridden the route so many times I didnt ride with everyone, best to let them try it for themselves. i decided to short cut to spots I thought would be good for photos, most of the ones you see on this page now. It was a huge relief to see smiles on faces and comments of great course, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The greatest thrill for me though was seeing little groups of riders forming, most of who had not met until this ride, chatting and sharing the experience. This was what i hoped would happen when I first agreed to help out. Thinking about it now writing this a day after still gives me goosebumps. slicks and cantiscomplimentary signsWhen I made it back to the Cycle Studio riders were tucking into a fantastic chilli (i test tasted it before riding, gotta have some perks!) and beers of the alcoholic and non alcoholic variety whilst listening to Gav from No3as impressive sound system. People were chatting, sharing little adventures theyd had and saying how the routes were a great mix of surfaces and that it all flowed together with minimal road sections. Even the guy on slick tyres made it around the long route without incident!its a sign..Im sureeven the game changing gilet from my April youtube video made an appearanceOut of the Ditch 24 was a great success, thanks to everyone who came, pedalled the courses, smiled, didnt take themselves too seriously and met lots of other like minded people and maybe found new trails and made new friends to ride them with.Massive thanks to Alex, Pasq and Rob at The Cycle Studio for all the real hard work organising the event and for asking me to help out. I know those guys were pretty tired at the end of the day after cleaning up and putting everything away, hopefully this event and the pictures and comments on social media will raise more awareness for the shop and maybe a few of those 50 riders who dont already use The Cycle Studio for servicing or buying their next bike will now do so or tell their riding buddies to check tham out.check out The Cycle Studios website and their socials here facebook and instagramSo guys, when are we doing another event?

The Spanish rider continues to build his form ahead of the Tour de France with the first general classification win of his career

With a departure from Soudal - Quick-Step widely expected when his contract ends at the conclusion of this season, where Julian Alaphilippe will race in 2025 remains up in the air. According to Groupama - FDJ boss Marc Madiot however, it won't be with his team.We have a guideline and a sporting po...

Photo by Sean RoweAnnalise Murphy Impresses Again While Paul Kennedy Takes Victory In Road National Series Round TwoMurphy takes solo victory to make it two from two in Kay Stratton MemorialKennedy earns solo victory from a breakaway in Donal Crowley MemorialGeorge Peden battles to second place to take overall leaders jerseyCork, Ireland April 28, 2024 The impressive Annalise Murphy and Paul Kennedys daring attack were the headlines from a thrilling day of racing at Round Two of the Road National Series.Blarney Cycling Club played host to the round as riders from all around Ireland competed in the Donal Crowley Memorial (A1/2 & Junior) as well as the Kay Stratton Memorial (Senior & Junior Women) along the roads outside Blarney.Murphy made her decisive move on the Nadd Climb, the biggest climb of the day, soloing to an impressive victory racing the final 35km on her own.Part of the days main breakaway in the Donal Crowley Memorial, Kennedy attacked on the Nadd Climb descent and held off the chase to take victory.Murphy Dominates Kay Stratton MemorialWith the Kay Stratton Memorial race staying together in the opening 50km, it was Murphy who drove the pace up the Nadd Climb.The Sailing Olympic medallist found herself alone over the top of the climb and kept up an infernal pace on the descent and final 35km to build a lead of over three minutes.Mary Corless and Jennifer Neenan completed the podium in second and third respectively, finishing strongest of a group of five chasers that also included junior overall leader Kate Murphy, Nicola Lynch and Abi Conway.Annalise Murphys performance solidifies her lead in the Senior Womens category following her victory in last months Des Hanlon Memorial.As well as defending the jersey, Murphy is looking forward to racing in other disciplines such as Cross-country Mountain Bike and Track in the coming months:A great race today and a great course, really nice to have a tailwind for the final 30km. It was a light womens field, theres lots of women racing in Ireland and we just need to get them doing these races, so Ill definitely be getting more people to get into races. I got away on the climb and ended up doing a near 40km Time Trial on my own which I havent done in a long time! Im feeling good at the moment and Im just trying to enjoy it.Im actually going to do a little mountain biking at the Cross-country National Series. Im looking forward to TT National Championships, Road National Championships and also on the track. I feel like Im doing loads of cycling and probably dont have the time to do it all. Im enjoying it.Hard-fought Donal Crowley Memorial With action from start to finish, the Donal Crowley Memorial proved a difficult race to win as a huge pace saw the field finish in multiple small groups.After an early breakaway of six riders were caught, the attacks came once again as a group of six riders established a strong lead at the front of the race.Kennedy, Cian Keogh, Liam Crowley, Michael Gammell, Willem OConnor and Conor Verbruggen kept the pace high and they were soon joined by George Peden, Killian OBrien and David Gaffney heading inside the final lap.There were splits in the main bunch as the gap drifted between 20 seconds and a minute before Kennedy, Keogh, Crowley, Peden proved the strongest to stay away over the top of the Nadd Climb.It was there that Kennedy made his decisive attack on the long and fast descent, and with teammate Keogh behind, he drove on towards the finish as the chasers spirit began to fade inside the final 20km.Peden attacked inside the final 2km to take second and also grab hold of the Open Overall Leaders Jersey as Keogh took third. Despite not placing in the days top twenty, Phillip OConnor retained his leaders jersey in the Junior category.Kennedy paid tribute to Blarney Cycling Club as he walked through a hard race:It was a hard race at 140km. We got away early enough, Cian (Keogh) my teammate was up the road, so I bridged across to him, we whittled down the group on the last climb and I attacked on the descent, got a gap. The gap just grew and grew, I won it by a minute and a half so Im happy enough. The Crowley family are steeped in history here in Blarney and theres serious history in Blarney Cycling Club. Its a great honour to win this cup.Results Donal Crowley MemorialPaul Kennedy TEAM SKYLINE CadenceGeorge Peden Team PB PerformanceCian Keogh TEAM SKYLINELiam Crowley UCD Cycling ClubJason Kenny UCD Cycling ClubPatrick OLoughlin Panduit Carrick WheelersLuke Smith Moynalty Cycling ClubQuillan Donnelly Team Dan Morrissey Primor by PisseiEoin Clifford Team Dan Morrissey Primor by PisseiPatrick OSullivan Orwell Wheelers*Conor Verbruggen Bray WheelersJack Conroy Bray WheelersWillem OConnor JEGG-DJR Academy*Killian OBrien Veleka Team*Padraig OSullivan Newcastle West CCPadraig Moran Lakeside WheelersJoe-Nathan Matar Orwell WheelersMichael Collins Newcastle West Cycling Club*James Davenport All human/VeloRevolution Racing TeamMilo Donaldson Killarney Cycling ClubKay Stratton MemorialAnnalise Murphy Longcourt Hotel NCW WheelersMary Corless- Challenge CCJennifer Neenan UCD Cycling ClubNicola Lynch Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club (Foreign)Kate Murphy Sliabh Luachra*Abi Conway Westport Covey WheelersEllen Ni Cleirigh Longcourt Hotel NCW WheelersRhiannon Dolan TC Racing*Sophie English TC Racing*The post National Series Round Two2023 appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.

Luke Lamperti made an impressive entrance to the world of professional cycling and as a reward, but also a test of his abilities, the 20-year-old American is now preparing to make a Grand tour debut next Saturday at Giro d'Italia. Soudal - Quick-Step boss Patrick is naturally looking forward to seei...

Tim van Dijke came close to a podium result at this year's Tour de Romandie, but Visma | Lease a Bike rider could not crack it in the opening prologue nor in the sprint of the final hilly stage, where fourth was the 24-year-old Dutchman's maximum."I think a better result was possible," Van Dijke sai...

Lidl-Trek ladies achieved their main goal in the opening team time trial, winning the test against the clock and putting their GC ambition Gaia Realini in the red jersey. Yet not everything was ideal asEllen van Dijk andElynor Backstedt couldn't stay upright in the final section."Its definitely...

Demi Volleringhas signed a personal sponsorship deal with sportswear giant Nike, the Dutchwoman announced on Sunday. Since Lance Armstrongs doping case, Nike has been out of the main action in the cycling world, however they still cooperate with selected athletes such as Mark Cavendish and now als...

After a particularly successful spring, Mathieu van der Poel is currently enjoying a well-deserved holiday in Dubai, where he can mainly be found on the golf course. Yesterday he played a game with professional Belgian golfer Alan De Bondt.The 29-year-old Dutchman hopes to make a bid for an Olympic...