If anyone fancy's like doing a similar trip let me know... Richard@saltdogcycling.com

Limar Helmets

Italy Bike Hotel

This is the fantastic Italy bike hotel where we stayed..

Bike Best Western Soave Hotel *** - San Bonifacio (VR) Euganean Hills & Venice

NRG4

Coffee Stop in Verona.

Richard - Salt Dog Cycling Online Store Manager

Amazing Friday afternoon ride

Soave Vineyard

Cycling out of Verona.

Great Evening Ride Wednesday 18th April 2018 Around Northamptonshire

I don't think I showed quite how muddy it was!

Governors and parents at the school organised a sponsored bicycle ride for the children to promote cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle and encouraging children who may be novice cyclists to cycle regularly, as well as spur on Mums and Dads and other family members to support their children and have a go themselves!

Kiddimoto Red Goggles Helmet

Tumble and Fall Red Eye 100 Lumen Rear Light | USB Rechargeable

Weldtite Airtite Puncture Repair Kit

CLICK HERE FOR A GREAT RANGE OF KIDS CYCLING GEAR

Catlike Helmets

The Catlike Rapid Tri Helmet looked awesome in Orange and Yellow Fluor New colours for 2017

NOW AVAILABLE CLICK HERE

The clever Catlike Cloud 352 interchangeable shells allows it to adapt to different condition's while still gaining superior aerodynamics without sacrificing excellent ventilation. 

New gloss finish of the classic Catlike Whisper Helmet for 2017

CLICK HERE

Lake Cycling Shoes

Lake Cycling shoes in 2017 continue to create the highest quality cycling shoes. We have some exciting news coming soon for wide fitting road shoes watch this space or if you would like to find out more give us a call on +44 (0)116 318 3511 or email info@saltdogcycling.com

DeFeet

There was no way we could walk by the classic DeFeet gloves and arm warmer's

We are going to stock more DeFeet socks in 2017

Deuter Backpacks

Deuter's range of backpacks are really well thought out with lots of features that just work when your out and about. Perfect for cycling adventures.

Stunning De Rosa 2017 Protos

Great Saturday Afternoon Ride around Northamptonshire

Ride Fast.. Ride Slow.. Just Ride..

HEAD

Modern helmets are incredibly well ventilated, this is perfect to keep you cool in the summer but does mean that your head is exposed to the elements in the winter months. A traditional cycling cap is easily slipped under a helmet and will provide a surprising level of insulation on the nippy days. A peaked cap will also help keep the rain and low sun out of your eyes. They are lightweight and therefore are easily stowed in a jersey pocket when not in use.

Glasses should be used all year round to protect your eyes from the onslaught of debris and insects, however, they are also a must in the winter months to protect from the wind, low sun, or low light.

View our Cycling Caps and Hats > 

UPPER BODY

The aim of a wind proof jacket is to protect from the cold winter chill which is essential in the cooler months.

Lightweight Jackets have minimal features and designed to be easily packed away. They tend to concentrate on windproofing only and usually don’t insulate, relying on other layers to provide the warmth.

There are some softshells available that will provide insulation and also have wind resistant panels – they are basically a long sleeved jersey and wind proof jacket rolled into one. They are good for riding on colder days but do lack the versatility of a jacket.

A good quality cycling jacket is breathable and can be waterproof, windproof or both and, unlike synthetic materials such as nylon, quality materials stop the rain getting in and let the perspiration out. You’ll also want to look out for taped seams, often a weak point in cheaper jackets, that can let water in.

View our Cycling Jackets > 

HANDS

Good gloves are a winter essential with the main objective of keeping your hands warm – they should therefore protect from the cold and wet. Windproof gloves provide protection against winter temperatures and are ideal for cold and dry days – they will also have an element of water proofing so can be used for riding in light rain.

They tend to have a windproof membrane which will keep the worst of the windchill off your hands whilst being thin enough to allow for maximum dexterity and grip.

Thicker gloves will keep you warmer and should be used in sub zero temperatures; the trade off, however, would be the loss of a little of the dexterity.

Neoprene gloves are great when things turn drizzly, with Neoprene soaking up water to create a insulating warm layer.

View our Cycling Gloves >

LOWER BODY

Keeping your legs insulated is essential if you want to stay comfortable and warm when cycling in winter. A pair of bib tights will keep your legs warm – bib tights have either straps that loop over your shoulders or a waist band.

They can also include a padded insert which is provides extra warmth and comfort. Most tights are made from Lycra however some use thicker more insulating fabrics such as Roubaix and Super Roubaix fabric which can be fleece-lined, to add more warmth for the winter months. Adding a double layer of fabric at the knees also provides additional insulation where is needed most. Some tights are also made with windproof panels to keep out the wind chill.

Over trousers can be both wind and waterproof – as the name suggests, you wear them over your usual cycling trousers to protect from the elements.

View our Bib Tights >

FEET

Protecting your extremities from the wind and cold is key to keeping warm and comfortable during the winter months. During cycling, your feet don’t have to work hard and the body can very quickly divert blood away from your toes to other parts of your body that need it more.

Overshoes are worn over cycling shoes and tend to be both wind and waterproof; they will therefore keep your feet warm and dry. It is essential they fit well – the fewer openings on the shoe and around the back,the less cold air that can sneak in. Reflective strips can help with visibility in low light and at night.

View our Cycling Overshoes > 

This bombproof phone case is housed is a tough plastic material keeping your essentials safe and dry.

Features

600 D Nylon pouch with TPU touch screen 19 cm by 11cm (Touch screen window 15 cm by 8 cm) Designed to fit most 5” screen smart phones Inner pouch designed to securely store smaller items like cards, cash or keys Touch screen offers high transparency and excellent abrasion resistance Tethering capability 

£11.99

During a mid-ride cafe break, possibly at one of their favorite stops Cattows Farm, twelve members of Ambleside Velo were sitting around drinking some coffee. One of the riders noticed the group leaned toward the “well-seasoned” side. He added up the total age and found that between all of them they were 720 years old for an average of 60 years each. Even with a fair number of young members, Ambleside is home to some very experienced cyclists who truly enjoy sharing their passion and knowledge with fellow members. Veteran members have much to offer. One of the founding members is a fully qualified British Cycling coach who specialize in cyclocross, time trial racing, and MTB. Another founding member, is an experienced bike mechanic who has worked with National Cycling Teams for many years. And then there’s 75 year old Larry C, who simply crushes the weekly Strava leaderboards.

Don’t get the wrong idea, the veteran members of Ambleside Velo are here to help! If you’re just getting into riding they would be happy to teach you riding basics and group etiquette. If you’re an expert rider but looking for a new home, Ambleside is very welcoming. The club is a social cycling club, and as such, they like to get together off the roads. One of the benefits of operating out of the Ambleside Sports Club is the availability of club facilities, and every month there’s a social event for members at the Club’s location in Nuneaton.

Weekly Events

The main attraction of Ambleside Velo is the Sunday Club Ride. Like any good community cycling club, Ambleside Velo offers a choice of Sunday trips.. Group 1 takes it a little easier. They shoot for a 14 mph pace and cover 40 to 50 miles. This is the perfect choice for beginners, casual riders, or those returning from injury. Group 2 ramps up the difficulty a bit. It aims to maintain a 16+ mph pace with routes ranging 40 to 60 miles. Group 2 would also be your choice if you looking for some friendly competition. Ambleside Velo isn’t short on personalities, friendly boasts can quickly lead to impromptu races as some cyclists sport a healthy competitive nature.

Check out Group 2’s route for this past week.

Looking for more than just a weekly ride? Well good, because Ambleside Velo has so much more to offer! Mid-week rides are every Tuesday and Friday morning. There rides are usually 40 to 60 miles and are ridden at a slightly slower pace of 14 to 16 mph. For those looking for further training, Ambleside Velo holds “Chain Gang” sessions every Thursday evening. These rides help cyclists get more comfortable in pack settings, and provide further opportunity to refine their skills.

Membership interest drives everything the club does. This means each member has a chance to propose and drum up interest for their ideas. Currently the club is looking to further expand their weekly schedule by adding things like evening rides or club run road races. Whatever membership wants!

Other Events

Ambleside Velo is an active club outside of their regular schedule. Many members choose to participate in outside road races, time trials, and distance rides. At most local events you can find some Ambleside Velo black and orange kits in the mix. Charity rides are a regular favorite for the club too. The most recent of which, 21 members joined other local cyclists for a 50 mile ride. The community event was able to raise £650 for local charities.

For Bike week, (June 12-16) Ambleside Velo will be hosting Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday Riding sessions for beginners and newcomers. If you ever wanted to get started in cycling, this would be a great opportunity to learn from a very knowledgable and friendly group of people. You’ll feel right at home, and become a better cyclist in no time!

Final Thoughts

Ambleside Velo is the definition of a social cycling club. Open to beginners, experts, young people, old people, male and female. It has a healthy mix of different people and types of cyclist. However everyone shares a passion for cycling and having fun. The club motto is “no one gets left behind”. You’ll only ever hear words of encouragement on club rides, and any member would be happy to cheer you on when you need it most. This inclusive and supportive mentality is the reason why the club has grown so quickly. Maybe Ambleside Velo has something for you too?

If you're interested in joining Ambleside Velo or want more info check out their Homepage or Facebook. Join them for couple rides at no obligation and see if this is the right club for you.

Weekly Club Rides

The weekly Saturday rides come in three different flavors. If you’re looking for an easier ride, Group A keeps a speed of 14 mph to 16 mph and goes relatively easy on the inclines. Group B is a little bit more difficult, maintaining a pace of 16 mph to 18 mph and tackles longer routes over tougher terrain. The experienced and well-conditioned group rider will find some kindred spirits in Group C. This group’s speed ranges from 19 mph to 21 mph and often travels distances of over 70 miles. Simon, one of Group C’s riders, shared with us last Saturday’s trip on Strava.

Even the most serious riders make sure to take a café break, which for Simon’s latest ride included a visit to the Cottingham and Middleton Village Store and Café before heading back on the road for the final stretch.

The Sunday Social

If you’re looking for more of a leisurely ride, the Sunday Social Club Ride might be the way to go. Meeting at Bulls Head Car Park Sunday, this is an ideal ride for beginners and those looking to build up to the faster paced club rides. Whether or not you can make the whole 25 to 30 miles isn’t important, the goal of this ride is to reach the café and enjoy the company of your fellow cyclists.

Other Events and Junior Rockets

Looking for something more than just weekly rides? The club will be hosting a number of events this summer including 10 and 25 mile time trials, road races, and a 100k Audax. A full schedule can be found here in the New and Events club page.

The Junior Rockets are the youth extension of the LFCC. Monday Evenings 6:15pm to 7:15pm at New College Leicester, British Cycling Accredited Coaches provided by the LFCC help train 5-16 year olds to become the next generation of great cyclists. All that’s required is a £2-£3 fee, a working bike, helmet, and the desire to learn and improve.

Final Thoughts

The Leicester Forest Cycling Club has something for everyone. Although many of the riders take cycling very seriously, always pushing themselves and other club mates to do better, the LFCC does not discriminate against more casual cyclists. 

As quoted from their website “Our conversations are more likely to be about which cafe we will ride to rather than what our resting heart-rate might be.” With regular events to measure improvement, coaching for the younger cyclists, and weekly rides tailored to various skill levels, the LFCC is a very active and well rounded club.

Would you like to join the LFCC? Want to know more about their upcoming events? Check out their Homepage or Facebook. Maybe you’ve just found your new cycling family.

If you want your cycling club featured in Salt Dog Cycling’s club of the week, email us at info@saltdogcycling.com

With the Buzzy Bee 4 you won’t have annoying straps and attachments on your car, and you won’t lose any boot space, keeping your car clean and allowing you to drive safely in the knowledge your bikes in good hands

The Buzzy Bee 4 has padding in all the right places to keep your pride and joy safe and secure, including high density frame holders, straps and those excellent padded arms.

This Buzzy Bee 4 is TUV approved to the ISO standard 15263-4, is secure, strong, durable and long lasting, this is excellent value for money.

Reviews

“I bought this rack 4 months ago and am very pleased with it. We’ve just used it on our summer holiday to Wales, and it coped brilliantly with the 4+ hour journey each way, as well as the ups and downs of the Welsh country roads. Have had 2 adult plus 2 children’s bike on it, and it is robust and secure. Just make sure that the combined weight of all your bikes is less than the max 60kg, and that the total of the bikes and the rack (18kg) doesn’t exceed your cars max nose weight.”

– Gareth

“An excellent product from an excellent supplier. It looked a bit complicated when I opened the box but it was so easy to assemble it took me 25mins. Fitting it onto the ball was slightly tricky until I got the hang of it. Service and delivery from the supplier was excellent and the cheapest on the web.”

– Jim Aitken

“Great service and delivery of Buzzy Bee 4”

– Harry

“What I really like is the rubberised covers on all the points that will touch the bike ensuring that your bike remains undamaged. “

– Brian W

Features

• Fitting The patented conical tow ball clamp fits all ISO 50mm diameter tow balls. Extremely simple to fit using pull down lever no tools required Comes pre assembled with secure lock to tow ball feature.
• Adjustable Wheel Holders Durable plastic holders which adjust to fit any wheelbase, with straps to hold your bike firmly in place.
• Padded Support Arms Stops your frame being damaged whilst in transit, straps included to secure your bikes to the arms.
• Lighting Board Licence plate holder and 3 function lighting cluster with 7 pin plug supplied.
• Frame holders have high density protection foams, used in conjunction with straps to hold the bike frames in place.
• Folds flat for easier storage and transportation.
• This bike carrier proves excellent value for money. It is secure, strong, durable and long lasting. TUV approved to the ISO standard 15263-4.

Details

More Details

The cooler weather means that is important you have different accessories to wear over your summer clothing that will protect you from the wind and rain when needed.

VESTS (ALSO KNOWN AS GILETS)

A vest is perhaps one of the most important items of clothing for riders adapting to the weather and best used as a windproof layer on those blustery days.

They go over your jersey and work well in mild but changeable conditions, effectively keeping the wind and occasional rain shower out while leaving your arms exposed to help keep your overall temperature down. They are not necessarily a solution for long, wet rides however they are perfectly placed for short showers.

Vests are lightweight and compact meaning that they can easily be packed away in a Jersey pocket or backpack. They are typically made from windproof / shower proof fabric (with ventilation on the back).

View Northwave Wind Vest

ARM WARMERS

These are an essential clothing accessory for the cooler months when it’s too warm to wear a long sleeved jersey but you still need something to take the chill off your arms. They can easily be rolled down and removed mid ride when you’re too warm.

The best arm warmers have an anatomic cut to reflect the shape of your arm and articulate at the elbow. One thing to look for is an elasticated top to ensure they’re snug and don’t fall down.

Arm warmers are typically made from either merino wool or Roubaix fabric. Roubaix is a close fitting, thermal stretch fabric, with a soft brushed lining – it is extremely warm, and its high wicking properties help to maintain a comfortable microclimate close to the body.

LEG WARMERS

As with arm warmers, these are an essential part of your winter clothing ensemble. You can either have a knee warmer or a full leg warmer. These are not as easy to remove mid ride as arm warmers but effectively do the same job.

The best knee and leg warmers are shaped to your leg and bend at the knee, thus increasing comfort and making for a much better fit. Reflective tabs for visibility are also an added bonus.

Leg warmers are typically made from either merino wool or Roubaix fabric.

View our Arm & Leg Warmers

OVERSHOES

The small air vents on your riding shoes that are extremely welcome in the warm summer months can become problematic as the cold and rain sets in. For insulation in really cold weather, you want to keep the soles of your shoes covered as a lot of heat can escape there.

Waterproof overshoes are worn over cycling shoes in order to keep your feet warm and dry. A good pair of overshoes can help protect your feet from the bitter winter chill and the wet – they should be snug and are secured by zips or Velcro. Reflective strips can help with visibility in low light and at night.

Overshoes are typically made from neoprene, nylon and polyurethane. Neoprene is a popular material for waterproof overshoes, and has the advantage that, when water does finally breach them, your feet don’t freeze.

View our Cycling Overshoes

CAPS

Modern helmets are incredibly well ventilated, this is perfect to keep you cool in the summer but does mean that your head is exposed to the elements in the winter months. A traditional cycling cap is easily slipped under a helmet and will provide a surprising level of insulation on the nippy days. A peaked cap will help keep the rain and low sun out of your eyes. They are lightweight and therefore are easily stowed in a jersey pocket when not in use.

The cycling cap is usually made from cotton or a lightweight wool. There are specific winter cycling hats available that are designed to keep both your head and ears warm.

View our Cycling Caps

LIGHTWEIGHT WATERPROOF JACKET

Waterproof jackets (or hard shells as they are also known) are the final protective layer; the most important aspects are that they are waterproof, breathable, lightweight and packable (fitting easily in your jersey back pocket). Most can be divided into the following categories, depending on the materials they are made of:

Coated Fabrics: the fabric used for water resistant jackets is treated with a Durable Water Repellency coating, or a similar water repellent coating. A water repellent coating will allow water to bead up on the surface of the fabric and run off. This is also a great way to test that the water repellent coating hasn’t worn off. The biggest advantage of water resistant jackets is price, they tend to be cheaper than fully waterproof styles. However, they won’t usually be breathable and are often less durable needing reproofing more regularly than a waterproof jacket.

Waterproof Membrane: this is a thin layer that has lots of microscopic pores which are big enough to allow sweat to escape but small enough to stop water getting in.

The membrane is also what makes a jacket breathable.

The most common material for a lightweight jacket is nylon; heavier jackets tend to be made from hydrophobic materials that draw moisture away from the body and through the fabric.

A good quality cycling jacket is breathable and can be waterproof, windproof or both and, unlike synthetic materials such as nylon, quality materials stop the rain getting in and let the perspiration out. You’ll also want to look out for taped seams, often a weak point in cheaper jackets, that can let water in.

View our Cycling Jackets

GLASSES

Glasses should be used all year round to protect your eyes from the onslaught of debris and insects, however, they are also a must in the winter months to protect from the low sun or low light. The glasses need to be comfortable but versatility is also important – there are a wide range of lenses to choose from, such as:

Interchangeable Coloured Lenses – allow you to choose the best lens for the specific ride. Yellow / orange lenses are better for low light as they filter out more of the blue wavelengths of light, allowing you to see contrast better. This tint guarantees cyclists better vision with less light; in other words, in darker light conditions with less sunshine.

Prescription Lenses – allows those of us with not so perfect vision to protect our eyes while riding with the added bonus of being able to see!

Photochromic Lenses – give a clear view indoors, and darken automatically when exposed to sunlight.

Polycarbonate Lenses – have impact resistance and extraordinary lightness: polycarbonate lenses also have a low refraction index and are solvent and scratch resistant.

Water Repellent Lenses – ensure perfect visibility even when it’s raining or the lenses are wet – drops of water simply slide off, leaving the surface dry and free from water prisms.

Off-center Lenses – the axis of the focal centre is aligned with the focal centre of the eye so your eyes don’t get tired and the curvature, which provides essential protection from sunlight and insects, won’t cause any image distortion.

Hydrophobic Coating – repel dust and help to maintain a smudge resistant barrier against skin oils, lotions and fingerprints while preventing water from leaving streaks and sheens.

View our Cycling Glasses

GLOVES

Good gloves are a winter essential; they should protect from the cold and wet whilst retaining the warmth within. They generally fall into three categories, lightweight (ideal for dry and milder winter days), windproof (provides protection against winter temperatures and are ideal for cold and dry days – they will also have an element of water proofing so can be used for riding in light rain) and waterproof (essential in prolonged heavy rain to keep your hands both dry and warm).

Thicker gloves will keep you warmer however the compromise is the lack of feeling on the handlebars. Sometimes thicker, more insulated gloves are needed – you just need to watch they don’t get too warm and sweat. A good grip on the palm and fingertips of the glove will allow for plenty of control over the brakes.

Cycling gloves are made from the usual range of wind- and waterproof fabric such as hydrophobic or nylon. They often have reinforced areas of heavier-duty fabric at key points – between thumb and forefinger, on the palm, at the fingertips. On the inside of the glove you will find some form of synthetic insulating fabric or natural materials such as Merino wool and silk. In wet weather, neoprene is good.

View our Cycling Gloves

For all intents and purposes, Strava does exactly what it says on the label: It’s a fitness social network app that tracks your progress. Using GPS, Strava maps your route each day. If you run up a mountain, it will show you that you ran up a mountain. If you cycle around Richmond Park, it will show you that you cycled around Richmond Park. Each time you stop to catch your breath or take a short walk, Strava stops mapping.

Strava also tells you how many km you’ve ran or cycled and it also tells you how many calories you’ve managed to burn. Not just this, but Strava comes with a really a neat feature that automatically takes photos during your cycle before uploading them to your Instagram account. It can also check your heart rate which many athletes find super useful.

Strava works as the quintessential social fitness tool. You can create your very own community and invite your buddies to join. This means you get to compare your times, which serves as a sort of accountability tool that motivates each of you to do better next time. Today, perhaps you cycled faster and so your friend wants to out­cycle you tomorrow. And so on. And when someone does really well, you can give them the thumbs up which further encourages everyone to keep on performing and improving.

So, this is how most people use Strava.

Artist Stephen Lund, uses Strava in a cooler way than could have possibly been imagined.

Who Is Stephen Lund?

Stephen Lund is a Canadian cyclist who uses Strava to hold himself accountable, to track his progress, compare his performance with others, analyse his own times, and to update others with how he’s doing. His recent achievements on Strava include coming 8th on the Inverness cycle to Savannah, and 7th on Bumpity Bump Bump! His average monthly distances covered is 1,500km, and he has so far logged 29,791.3 km on his Strava app.

He uploads photos to his account so that his 2,365 followers can live vicariously through him and use him as an their own inspiration to keep pushing themselves to do better.

Sounds Awesome! But What Is He Doing Differently?

Stephen Lund is clearly an athlete with an artistic mind, and he uses his Strava app to create drawings on GPS. The idea first came to him last January when he cycled around Victoria on New Years Day and wrote a Happy 2015 message.

By his own admission, it was crude and rudimentary ­ but it also hinted at what art could be created using GPS and Strava, which traces a thin red line on every route you take.

His bike was no longer just a bike anymore ­ it was a paintbrush. “The city became my canvas,” he said.

In February 2015 he set out on an early morning cycle in Victoria as he always did. But this time he decided that he would do another ­ better ­ GPS doodle, just for creative kicks maybe and to upload to his blog that averaged 59 users a day. He wanted to test the potential of GPS for doodling.

So he did just that. He planned his journey so that his route would look like a giraffe when Strava converted the data, and he uploaded his 11km GPS­doodled giraffe to Reddit.

Within a matter of hours the giraffe had gone viral. Page views for his blog went from scraps to thousands.

A single doodle changed his life.

In his own words, “the year between then and now has been a wild ride indeed.”

He was invited to give a TEDx talk at TEDxVictoria, where he admitted that his claim to fame was that he “drew a giraffe.”

Of course he ­ and many others ­ know that it was much more than that. His giraffe gave him a moment of clarity, and showed him that Strava has made exercise more fun than it ever was. No longer just a dull, tedious act of repetition, it became pure creative expression.

“GPS doodling changes everything,” says Lund.

“3 hours on a bike is no longer something you do just for a healthy heart. Three hours on a bike is this, this and this.”

For Lund, GPS doodling has reignited his passion for cycling. Subsequently, it has served as motivation to stay fitter and to keep improving. For a cyclist who rarely broke 10 km in a single season over 30 years as a serious cyclist, the distances he is now covering is incredible.

He shares his doodles with fellow members of the Stava community and invites them to share theirs, too. In this way, a thirst for new forms of creative expression is motivating others to exercise and to stay healthy and fit.

And in a fantastic twist, cycling can be just as solitary a process as art itself. A new wave of tortured artistic geniuses cycling through cities, sweating blood in the pouring rain for their art?

Yes, we like the sound of that!

________________________________________________________________________________

All of Stephen’s Artwork can be seen on his website: gpsdoodles.com

Here are some of our favorites:

The Elephant:

The Raccoon:

Orca:

The Birzman Travel Tool Box is a selection of the best and most used tools from Birzman’s professional product range. Birzmans Mantra is to “be boundless” and with the confidence of the travel tool box you can feel confident you can handle any fixes and repairs on the road.

The heavy duty PE plastic case is constructed with a blow moulded tool pallet to protect and organize the tools and has received rave reviews for it’s quality construction.

Click Here to Buy Online

Tools Specification

1. Torx® Key Set T10/ T15/ T20/ T25/ T27/ T30/ T40/ T45/ T50
2. Hex Key Set 1.5/2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8/10mm
3. Chain Wear Indicator 0.75% to 1%
4. Patch Kit
5. Tire Lever Set
6. Shimano® Cartridge B.B. Tool
7. Shimano® HG Cassette
8. Shimano® MF Freewheel
9. Universal Crank Puller For ISIS® Drive and Octalink® crank arms
10. Cable Cutter
11. Hollowtech® II B.B. Tool
12. Socket Wrench For 1/2″ drive hex bit sockets
13. Crank Arm Installation Tool
14. Spoke Wrench 12G/13G/14G/15G /Shimano® 4.3/4.4
15. Chain Rivet Extractor 1/8″ 3/32″ 910 and 11 speed
16. Pedal Wrench 15mm pedal wrench
17. Chain Whip 8/9/10/11 speed
18. Flathead 5.5
19. Crosshead #2
20. Combination Wrench 8/10mm

Reviews

“I’d throw it in the back of my van when heading out for a weekend adventure, with it being slim enough to fit behind my seat and go unnoticed until someone needed to use it”

“The hex keys have ball-ends on one side, which is nice for spinning bolts into those hard to reach places, and the tire levers are nice enough that I found myself putting them in my pocket instead of the old ones that I had been using for years.”

“It’s also worth mentioning that most of the tools have a hole or loop on them that lets you hang them on a tool board if you wanted to do so.”

“consider that the $243 USD price tag works out to each tool costing just over $12 (assuming the hex and torx kits count as one tool each), the Travel Tool Box looks to make a lot of sense for anyone who wants an on-the-go tool solution.”

Mike Levy – Pinkbike

“my oddball collection got things done, but I never realized how much needless frustration or fumbling I was experiencing. Just like how high-end suspension can drastically improve how your bike rides, good tools can drastically improve your wrenching experience.”

“Two months in and the tools are proving to be durable even against my ham-fisted, “never tight enough” wrenching technique. Edges are still sharp where they should be and handles are still securely attached. Many of them look brand new despite quite a bit of use.”

“The kit contains just about everything you could need to build or maintain a bike, whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or new to the game. Some tools you’ll use infrequently, but you’ll be stoked to have the right tool for the job when the need arises.”

Brandon Turman

Lightweight cycling jackets have minimal features and are designed to be easily packed away. They tend to concentrate on windproofing only and usually don’t insulate, relying on other layers to provide the warmth.

There are some softshells available that will provide insulation and also have wind resistant panels – they are basically a long sleeved jersey and wind proof jacket rolled into one. They are good for riding on colder days and are packable, so offer high versatility as they fit into your jersey pockets.

A good quality cycling jacket is breathable and can be waterproof, windproof or both and, unlike synthetic materials such as nylon, quality materials stop the rain getting in and let the perspiration out. You’ll also want to look out for taped seams, often a weak point in cheaper jackets, that can let water in.

3 cycling jackets that keep the wind out:

NORTHWAVE NORTH WIND JACKET

The Northwave North Wind Jacket is ideal for your Autumn/Winter season, packable to fit into your jersey pocket, with a highly technical membrane that protects you from the wind. The Northwave jacket has highly impressive ventilation and offers great value for money.

PRICE

RRP £49.99

FIND OUT

FEATURES

• Main Fabric: 100% extra light polyester with mesh
• Zip: Reversed zip with garage
• Vent Inserts: Mesh inserts under arms
• Reflex Points: Front and rear reflective printing, rear reflective piping, extra safety left arm printing
• Tech: Internal wind coating
• Packaging: Packable on the rear pocket banana pouch

Theres also a vest version of the Northwave Wind Jacket, which is the best of both worlds, having your arms out to keep cool.

NORTHWAVE NORTH WIND VEST

The Northwave North Wind Vest is ideal for conditions when the wind is blowing – but you still want to keep cool, so by having your arms free this wind protecting vest is the best of both worlds.

With a highly technical membrane, the Northwave Vest is labelled as ‘Windshield Plus’ – it is a pack away gilet and is a great option for when the weather turns. It folds up small enough to fit in your jersey pocket and like many Northwave products; offers exceptional value for money.

PRICE

RRP £39.99

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FEATURES

• 100% extra light polyester with mesh
• Reversed zip with garage
• Mesh inserts on back
• Front and rear reflective printing, rear reflective piping
• Internal wind coating
• Packable on the rear pocket – Banana pouch

RIDE PROTECTOR JACKET

The Ride Protector jacket offers great value for money and is ideal when you hit some rain or wind mid-ride. It fits over your jersey to protect from the wind and is small enough to fit in one of your jersey pockets. The high visibility neon yellow is certainly an attention grabber, ideal for foggy conditions.

PRICE

RRP £99.99

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FEATURES

• Italian designed and hand-made
• Available in neon yellow for higher visibility
• Elasticated waist band for extra protection from wind and rain
• Through-jacket jersey pocket access and vent
• Large reflective logo and strips on back and sides
• Waterproof lining
• Full Zip Material: 100% Polyester
• Wind and showerproof

NORTHWAVE ACQUA PRO RAINSHIELD JACKET

The Northwave Acqua Pro Rainshield Jacket features an internal breathable membrane making this jacket both water and windproof, ideal to defend against the downpours over the colder seasons. Featuring Northwaves Rainshield Hi Plus fabric together with a fully seam taped inner amounts to a truly lightweight and highly foldable protective layer.

PRICE

RRP £99.99

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FEATURES

• Main Fabric: 100% polyester tricot with internal breathable membrane
• Protection Rating: 5000 mm waterproof & windproof
• Zip: Reversed custom zip with camlock puller
• Vent Inserts: Rear panel
• Pockets: Rear pocket
• Reflectivity: Front and rear reflective piping and print, extra safety left arm printing
• Fully seam taped inner
• Ergonomic Sleeves
• Extended rear panel
• Water control elastic cuff

If the 2014 range of Catlike Helmets wasn’t cool enough while giving the best level of protection, they are introducing some new colours for 2015.

Here is a glimpse of the top of the range Mixino Helmet new colours in Matt finish Graphene 200 times more resistant than steel yet extremely light.

They are also introducing a clever Rain Covers which fit over their helmet range great for commuting in the rain and guaranteed to give maximum visibility in low light conditions.

Happy came across the Secret Training stand. Secret Training is a new personal care brand for cycling which take on the idea that if you’re not feeling your best you won’t perform to your best.

A lot of local club road race, sportives and TT events take place in rural areas away from showers and wash room facilities with this in mind they have put together a clever range of products to make sure you look after yourself so you’re on top form and ready to give it your best.

• Chamois Cream  £7.98
• Start Oil £7.98
  
• Post Race Wash  £5.98
• Pins in a Tin (For your race numbers)
• Micro Fibre Body Cloths   £4.98
• Sun Screen   £5.98
• Hand Sanitiser
• Hygiene Wipes
• Lip Balm

More highlights coming over the next few weeks….

It looks great but if you use your usual polish and cleaner your beautiful Matt finish bike will eventually become glossy and not quite the bike you fell in love with.

Red Ant make bike cleaners for Matt Finished Bikes as well as titanium and carbon fibre bikes

The founder created the range of products after not finding anything on the market suitable to clean a matt finish frame, so set about creating his own. The range comprises of cleaners and a protectors.

All of the cleaners are PH Neutral which Red Ant claim helps the cleaner cut through road grime and other mud and oily deposits on the frame, especially riding on UK roads at this time of year. It’s safe to use on all carbon fibre frames, chains, plastic and rubber, even wheels. To use, it’s simply a matter of liberally spraying on the frame, leaving for 3-5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

There is a Great Review to check out here: 

Ron Cycling – “Pleasantly surprised by the performance of this bike cleaning product. Probably the best I’ve tried”

Available to Buy At Salt Dog Cycling with Free UK Delivery

Matt Finish Bikes

Red Ant Matt Finish Bicycle Frame Cleaner 500ml £9.99

Red Ant Matt Finish Bicycle Frame Protector 250ml £9.99

Carbon Fibre Bikes (Gloss Finish)

Red Ant Carbon Fibre Bicycle Frame Cleaner 500ml £9.99

Red Ant Carbon Fibre Bicycle Frame Protector 250ml £9.99

Titanium Bikes

Red Ant Titanium Bicycle Frame Cleaner 500ml £9.99

Red Ant Titanium Bicycle Frame Protector 250ml £9.99 

PRICE

RRP £99.99

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REVIEWS

Road CC – “Elasticated cuffs and waistband keeping the draughts out and a neat opening in the back to allow access to your jersey pockets underneath. A full zip makes getting it on and off a breeze and it easily scrunches down to jersey pocket size.

The yellow that we’ve got here on test is certainly an attention grabber which makes it ideal if conditions deteriorate quickly mid ride like a heavy thunder shower or if its foggy. Both the black and yellow versions carry reflective strips on the rear for use in the dark, ideal for year round use.

Overall its a handy jacket to keep in your bag or pocket on inclement days to keep the worst of the rain off.

Handy jacket to keep in your bag or pocket on inclement days to keep the worst of the rain off. The yellow option is great as a visibility aid and the price is competitive”

Cycling Plus Review – “Close fitting, great price”

Cycle Commuter – “Wind and Showerproof jacket well suited for summer use by commuters who cycle to work”

FEATURES

• Italian designed and hand-made
• Available in neon yellow for higher visibility
• Elasticated waist band for extra protection from wind and rain
• Through-jacket jersey pocket access and vent
• Large reflective logo and strips on back and sides
• Waterproof lining
• Full Zip Material: 100% Polyester
• Wind and showerproof

DETAILS

Colours: Black and Flu Yellow

MORE DETAILS

The Catlike Tako is a helmet that combines comfort and style at an affordable price. It’s sporty, yet functional with a compact design and comes with a removable visor.

Click Here to Buy Online

Reviews

“Versatile and stylish everyday helmet”
– Road.cc

“The Catlike Tako helmet gives very good value for the money. It fits well, and it looks nice.”
– Jesper

“ it’s probably the closest I’ve come to a competitive rider’s commuter lid that still looks great with civvies.”
– Road.cc

Generally good build quality, sporty yet chic design, light weight and great fit.
– Road.cc

Tipping my scales at 249g and with twenty-three vents, the Tako could give some race fare a good run for our money.
– Road CC

Features

• CE1078 in mould construction
• “MD/ 54-57cm / 260gr
• LG/ 58-62cm / 290gr
• 23 air intakes
• visor included,

Technologies

• Anti Insects Net
• Detachable Visor
• Wheel Retention System
• 23 Air Intakes

Sizes

• Medium 54cm to 57cm 260grams
• Large 58cm to 62cm  290grams

The Northwave North Wind Vest is ideal for conditions when the winds blowing – but you still want to keep cool, so by having your arms free this wind protecting vest is the best of both worlds.

With a highly technical membrane, the Northwave Vest is labelled as ‘Windshield Plus’ – it is a pack away gilet and is a great option for when the weather turns. It folds up small enough to fit in your jersey pocket and like many Northwave products; offers exceptional value for money.

PRICE

RRP £39.99

FOR THE BEST PRICE CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE

REVIEWS

“Windshield Plus’ It is almost impenetrable. It is a great option for when the weather really turns or if beginning a long descent – when you know you’re going to be getting a wind battering.

Thankfully, the gilet has a neat self-packing feature, so you can take it off and stow away as necessary. It works using a little pouch on the rear, which you roll the gilet up into, creating a pac-a-mac sort of bundle that can fit into a pocket.

All this windproof polyester should make for a sweat trap but a large meshed rear panel section helps to prevent this.

With a gilet like this you want a fairly close fit to prevent any flapping in the wind. Elastic cuffs around the waist and arms hold the gilet on well and a high collar prevents any wind creeping down the neck.

If what you’re looking for is a gilet where protection trumps over all-day comfort; the kind of gilet you pack away again once used, the Northwave Pro Wind Vest could be just for you.

Pack away gilet with excellent wind protection”

– Road CC

“Little in that when not being worn it scrunches down and can fit into your rear jersey pocket with ease. It’s a simple windproof design, with a solid wind blocking front and a mesh rear to get rid of the heat thats normally swept away by the win’.

– Martin Cox

FEATURES

• 100% extra light polyester with mesh
• Reversed zip with garage
• Mesh inserts on back
• Front and rear reflective printing, rear reflective piping
• Internal wind coating
• Packable on the rear pocket – Banana pouch

DETAILS

Colours: Flo Yellow and White.

MORE DETAILS

The beauty of a cycling boot, as any well versed winter rider will know, is that the top of your normal cycling shoe is a hot spot for leaking in water, add in wind and you’ve got a recipe for numb feet, and bad performance. Reduced venting also helps keep the water at bay and stops cold air from running through the boot.

We’re looking at a couple of winter cycling boots worthy of your hard earned money, we want waterproof, windproof, great comfort and great looks.

Here’s a few winter cycling boots we feel fit the bill, each with a great lightweight sole, lot’s of insulation and great build quality:

NORTHWAVE FAHRENHEIT GTX WINTER ROAD CYCLING BOOTS

Northwave can boast the exclusive rights to being the first brand to launch cycling shoes with Gore-Tex® and the Fahrenheit packages this technology into a great boot with great all out water protection and breathability.

The Gore-Tex® membrane provides total protection from water, at the same time giving extreme breathability so as to guarantee optimal comfort during exercise in all weather conditions.

The Fahrenheits also use Northwaves Thermic Insulated Construction (TIC). A new construction system used to provide great performance. This means great emphasis on the upper part of the construction, and where the shoes connects with the pedal.

Amazing value for a high-performing winter boot with Gore-Tex water protection and breathability.

Features

• Thermic insulated construction
• Speed Lace System
• Sierra Membrane Thermal Lining
• Indicative Range -10C/+15C
• Waterproof and Warm
• Upper: Gore Tex
• Jaws Carbon Reinforced Sole
• Speedlace System + Velcro
• Ultra Y Heel
• Special GTX Footbed
• Sole: Nylon filled with fibre glass and enriched with carbon powder that gives the sole greater stiffness than usual. This allows reduced weight and a closer distance between feet and pedal.

Price

RRP £149.99

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NORTHWAVE EXTREME WINTER GTX ROAD CYCLING BOOTS

Northwave Extreme Winter Road Cycling Boots are high end and one of the most stylish winter boots you’ll see on the road, perfect for keeping your feet warm and dry in the winter months.

Like the Fahrenheits the Extreme boasts the Gore-Tex® membrane, providing total protection from water, at the same time giving extreme breathability so as to guarantee optimal comfort during exercise in all weather conditions. The microclimate created inside the shoes allows you to face even the longest trips without your feeting getting cold numb or overheated.

Northwave positively gleam about their “revolutionary” Double Shield Construction (DSC). The overlap of two different uppers, anatomically integrated with each other and designed to work together, ensuring absolute protection against water and the cold. All we know is, it works great.

Great value for a high-performance winter boot that performs and is getting rave reviews.

Features

• Sole: Carbon Light
• Upper: Gore-Tex® Sierra membrane
• Closing system: S.L.W.2 + Power Strap
• Heel: Integrated Heel System
• Footbed: Special G.T.X.

Price

RRP £229.99

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LAKE CX145 WINTER CYCLING BOOTS

The Lake CX145 are of a with sturdy construction and a waterproof waxed canvas, leather and neoprene-like material shrugs off water and maintains foot temperature at a comfortable level, even when it’s icy. The CX145’’s are known for being robust, but a little on the heavy side.

The CX145’s will have you sailing through puddles with confidence and the Mountain race X sole will help you when walking off the bike.

You won’t be disappointed with Lakes build quality and these boots can help you pull off that stealth look, if that’s what you’re going for. The Lakes also come in a mountain biking version, the MX145, the difference being a chunkier sole. There are also women’s-specific sizes and wide fittings.

Features

• Upper Waxed Canvas, Leather with Waterproof membrane for a highly water resistant upper
• Outsole Lake Race Sole with Mountain X non-marking Rubber
• Closure Dual Side mounted BOA Push Pull lacing system with releasable guides

Price

RRP £169.99

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The Northwave Extreme Winter Road Cycling Boots are high end and one of the most stylish winter boots you’ll see on the road, perfect for keeping your feet warm and dry in the winter months.

Northwave can boast the exclusive rights to being the first brand to launch cycling shoes with Gore-Tex®.

The Gore-Tex® membrane provides total protection from water, at the same time giving extreme breathability so as to guarantee optimal comfort during exercise in all weather conditions. The microclimate created inside the shoes allows you to face even the longest trips without your feeting getting cold numb or overheated.

Northwave positively gleam about their "revolutionary” Double Shield Construction (DSC). The overlap of two different uppers, anatomically integrated with each other and designed to work together, ensuring absolute protection against water and the cold. All we know is, it works great.

Great value for a high-performance winter boot that performs and is getting rave reviews.

Price

RRP £229.99

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Reviews

It keeps big drops of water, like rain, on the outside, while letting water vapour (sweat) escape from the inside, so your feet stay dry and don't get clammy.

The cleat screw holes do not go right through to the insole, and so don't let in water from below.

I've used them on some cold, wet rides, and they've certainly kept my feet warmer and dryer than my usual winter options – which include some old-skool mountain bike boots, heavy duty touring shoes or normal cycling shoes with neoprene shoe covers.

Winterproof boots ideal that are comfortable, compact & stylish
Road CC

"I was struggling with my feet getting wet and cold when I went cycles and bought these shoes and have absolutely no issues with them, ideal winter shoe that is comfortable and keeps your feet dry and warm."
Del85

"I suffer from cold feet even on warm days so need a warm boot for the winter months living in Switzerland. Paired with merino winter socks I can feel my toes after a 2-3 hour ride in temps as low as zero - what more could you want?
BGB29

Features

• Sole: Carbon Light
• Upper: Gore-Tex® Sierra membrane
• Closing system: S.L.W.2 + Power Strap
• Heel: Integrated Heel System
• Footbed: Special G.T.X.

The boot has a double Shield Construction, two layers integrate together to ensure protection against water and cold.

The Carbon Sole is light stiff and compatible with Shimano; Look road pedals, as well as Speedplay with the NW Adapter. Direct contact with the sole reduces the distance between the foot and pedal which optimizes performance and saves energy.

Details

More Details

The  Northwave Acqua Pro Rainshield Jacket features an internal breathable membrane making this jacket both water and windproof, ideal to defend against the downpours over the colder seasons. Featuring Northwaves Rainshield Hi Plus fabric together with a fully seam taped inner amounts to a truly lightweight and highly foldable protective layer.

Price

RRP £99.99

Find out

Reviews

“Tried this out for the first time in the driving rain last weekend and I was impressed with the waterproofing. I stayed pretty dry underneath even after 3-4 hours in almost constant rain.”
- ChrisH49

"I've no idea how something that looks so thin and delicate works, but it works. Kept me at a survivable temperature and dry enough during the Amade Radmarathon in Austria (heavy rain all day and snow when we went up to 1200m, ave temp 7.2°C). I was only wearing a long sleeve race jersey and vest underneath. “
- JimmySalzburg

“Overall its an ideal lightweight jacket if you are caught out in a shower or need an extra layer for a spring or early morning ride.”
- N1ck

“Great jacket. Lightweight and waterproof.”
- Coffeeme

“Bought this last minute as suddenly realised that my 200 mile bike ride was going to be mostly in the rain and was surprised at how could protection it gives.”
- Jimmy35

“I've been out over the course of the last month in some horrendous weather and this jacket has held up really well against the elements”
- Altycyclist

“Folds down a treat and so great for long rides with changeable weather.”
- Anonymous

Features

• Main Fabric: 100% polyester tricot with internal breathable membrane
• Protection Rating: 5000 mm waterproof & windproof
• Zip: Reversed custom zip with camlock puller
• Vent Inserts: Rear panel
• Pockets: Rear pocket
• Reflectivity: Front and rear reflective piping and print, extra safety left arm printing
• Fully seam taped inner
• Ergonomic Sleeves
• Extended rear panel
• Water control elastic cuff

Details

Colours: Flo yellow and white.

More Details