My perfect bike had some exacting requirements to live up to:

• Be suitable for a 30 mile round trip commute
• Be suitable for the train encase I needed to work late or I can’t be bothered to cycle home
• Be my winter training bike

And ideally:

• Carry luggage
• Be small enough to fit in a suitcase to avoid bike carriage

Being a typical male with a good understanding of the Internet I researched the hell out of folding and travel bikes. I quickly came up with a shortlist of contenders:

Zootr Swift

Pros:

• Unbroken top tube
• Uses standar part

Cons:

• Not the most compact fold
• Drops and front derailleur would have to be added at additional expense
• Fugly!

Dahon Speed Pro TT

Pros:

• Good reviews
• Sram dual drive

Cons:

• Difficulty in getting replacement components
• Price

Dahon speed TR

Bid on a couple of these on eBay. Gave up in the end due to reported issues with stem bearing and availability of parts.

Pros:

• Pannier racks
• Inbuilt dynamo hub
• Good fold

Cons:

• Availability of parts
• Reported problems with stem bearings
• Not sporty enough

Airnimal Joey

Pros:

• Built for touring
• Available with Sram dual drive and drops

Cons:

• Non standard 24′ wheels.

Airnimal Chamelion

Now it’s getting interesting!

Pros:

• Drops
• 10 speed
• Suspension
• Rack mounts

Cons:

• Non standard 24′ wheels
• Issues with frame fatigue on early models although new ones seem ok
• Complexity

Dahon Speed Hound

Then I came across Dahon’s range of mini bikes. These feature more traditional frame geometry but on a smaller scale.

Pros:

• Frame geometry
• Looks

Cons:

• Bar end shifters

Dahon Dash x20

This was close to being the one! Unfortunately Dahon don’t distribute ‘mini bikes’ to the UK anymore as there’s not the market for them. From my research it’s all to do with train companies continually refining what they’ll accept as folding bike on a train. Seems like unless it’s a time Brompton, Mezzo, et al it’s out.

Pros:

• Frame geometry
• Drops
• 10 speed
• Looks

Cons:

• Availability and cost of import

Renolds split frame

Then I got thinking about having a folding bike that could also work as a commuter bike. I stumbled upon a couple of designs for full size frames that break apart for travel. Whilst not technically easy to transport it could be a trade off worth having.

Pros:

• 700cc wheels
• Available with rack mount

Cons:

• Hard to find

Surly long haul trucker

Love this bike as it’s a frame that could be adapted over the years for training and touring.

Pros:

• S&S couplers – means frame can split
• Built for touring

Cons:

• Expense
• Bar end shifters

So what did I go for?

For a long time I was set on the Dahon Dash X20 because, being a taller rider, I liked the appeal of triangular geometry, all be it on a smaller scale, over single bar folders.

During the course of my research I came across a company called Pacific Cycles who make a range of innovative folding bikes, some of which featured similar geometry to the X20.

On eBay I narrowly missed out on a Pacific iF mode.

I wasn’t too upset as it didn’t have drops and reviewers were weary of Pacific’s proprietary suspension and rare 451 wheels.

Then eBay threw up Pacific Reach Racing. It had everything I wanted, foldability, drops, 9 speed gears that I could service with my existing road tools. Although not a compact folder I though it could work as a winter bike. I took a gamble and got it for a steal.

The story gets better. I met the seller when I collected the bike and found out he’s won it as part of the Gadget Show’s triathlon special prize. Not only did I get to validate that the show really does dish out the prizes but I got a brand new bike, still in the packaging for a £1000 off list price!

First impressions

S**t, it’s too small for me!

I set it up and the geometry next to my road bike looked spot on bar the saddle didn’t go high enough by about 10 cm. Then came the realisation that the standard post 31.6 x 400mm was pretty much the longest standard MTB post I could easily obtain.

I looked online, tried a couple of local bike shops and was about to give up when a random Google revealed Mezzo offered a 500mm seatpost on it’s Curve range of folders. Even better I found that a local shop could get me one direct from Mezzo.

I got the post and took it out for a 70k weekend ride with a friend and it was fantastic. Yes the small wheels are twitchy but I maintained a normal riding speed and only dropped back slightly on the hills. the suspension is firm to the point where it feels like I’m riding my carbon Madone.

Bigger challenges

I’ve used the Reach now for a couple of weeks, commuting 30 miles round trips to work every few days. Bar the problem of it not actually having anywhere to mount any luggage it’s great. I’m seeing it more as a winter training bike and prefer it being light weight as it keeps the speed.

I’ve debated a beam rack but don’t really want to put more pressure on the seat post. I did fit my Carradice camper saddle bag but the bike felt top heavy and unstable. Riding with a bag is best, if a little uncomfortable after a day at work.

The trade of is that I’ve been able to pack away my Madone for winter and take the Reach on training rides. Last weekend I climbed from the base of the Malvern hills all the way up the road and paths to the beacon. I’ve done this many times on the Madone and found the Reach to be a capable, if slightly slower, climber.

The Reach at the top of the Malvern hills

The Etape Cymru promised to be a great end to my 2011 sportive season. It’s only the second UK sportive to be held on closed roads and the route offered up a good mix of climbs and scenery. What I got was an intense, challenging and scary experience.

Just getting to the start was fun. For once we set off with enough time but couldn’t find access to the car parks and ended up parking on a verge next to some marshals. We ended up missing the start and weaving our way through a mass of oncoming riders to get to where we could join in.

Having missed the masses we had clear roads until we caught the field that had been slowed by narrow lanes and the first few steep pitches. Having not studied the route in detail I wan’t quite expecting the onslaught of short sharp climbs that made the first part of the race the toughest. At times it felt more like I was in Cornwall than Wales.

The first 50 miles of the ride were tough, due to the climbs, narrow roads and technical descents. I felt like I was having to concentrate more than normal, which is a bit of a shame given the scenery. The second half of the race took a turn for the worse though.

It all started when I began finding bunches of riders a junctions. Initially we thought we’d missed signs but after back tracking found none. As we continued the situation got worse and a large bunch of us towards the end found our way back by backtracking against the outgoing signage.

The big problem with going of route was the uneasy feeling of not knowing if you were on a closed road. Although later on it became apparent that traffic was ignoring signs. At one point 30 or so of us came face to face with a Transit in the middle of the lane. I have no idea how someone wasn’t run down.

Post ride I found much criticism of the event but thought that the following quote was fair and apt:

Riding on roads in the expectation that they are closed to cars is more dangerous than riding on open roads with the knowledge that cars are present.

From: cyclingweekly.co.uk

Thankfully the end of the ride was less intense and I caught up with a few riders. I got chatting to one guy, Mark, and enjoy good conversation through to the finish. That’s what I love about sportives – you never know what you’re going to get or who you’re going to meet.

I really enjoyed the final few miles. Mark rode strong and I pushed to keep with him. Near the end we bunched up with a couple of people and I ended up leading a bunch in. One guy, on a nice set of wheels, took of on the final half mile. I was going to let him go but my after doing several sprint finished on Kenilworth Wheeler’s bash rides I knew I had more in me. Gritting my teeth I took to the drops for a last time, got out the saddle and drove with all I had. I overtook the bunch, crossed the line doing 55+ kph and nearly took out the girls tasked with removing timing chips. Brilliant!

I don’t want to dwell on the negative but I did feel a sense of relief when I finished. I feel that the organisers had good intentions and I repeat them for trying to put on an event of this type. I hope they learn from this year and go on to realise the potential of an awesome route.

I was joined at the start by the usual suspects, a few friends and a couple of people I knew from the athletics club. In tour style we started behind an escort and hundreds of riders quickly filled the main road into town.

Turning into the lanes there was a relaxed, friendly spirit as riders of all levels began to find their place. The majority of thinning out happened on the first sharp climb out of Wellesbourne. From then on it was time to find a bunch and get on with it.

Sandy, Mark and I were joined by a club ride who seemed keen to share the workload. This got us to the first food stop in no time.

Normally I don’t hang around at food stops or write about them but on this ride they’re worth the mention. The spread of food, service and atmosphere provided by the organisers is superb. I thought last year’s spread would be a one off but no, the same array of sandwiches and cakes was there again.

Following a tummy full the route split. Mark left Sandy and I to return on the 100k route as he was still feeling unwell. From the map I thought the 100 miler looked ok and didn’t expect it to take much time.

Now what followed wasn’t quite what I expected. Last year I did the 100k and bar a couple of sharp climbs there was nothing of significance to report. Well this year I can say that the event billed as “tough(ish)” held the meat of the challenge in the extra miles.

We were hit by one leg sapping sharp climb after another. It felt like a cross between riding the rolling roads of Northumbria and the saw tooth profiles of North Cornwall.

I can never remember where I’ve cycled through but the hill leading up to Sudeley Hill Farm stuck in my head as it’s not often I have to zigzag up a hill. Definitely one I’ll be adding to the training routes.

After Sudeley and a few others I thought that was enough but then we headed into familiar territory of Broadway. I thought to myself “we can’t be going up to the tower”. But then we turned the corner and onto the familiar lead up to Snowshill. Sandy’s legs were already burning by this time so I just told him to just keep pedalling.

The upside of doing Snowshill was that the route proceeded to go past Broadway Tower, which for all my climbs up there I’ve never been up close to. From then on in I knew the route all the way home. Sandy and I were joined by a small pack, including the club rider from earlier in the day, and we span out the miles.

By all accounts we had a lucky escape from the storm we had seen in the distance. Still, whatever the weather, the BBQ at the end would make anyone feel better.

I felt good all the way round the route with my legs burning only in the last few miles but strangely I got home and was wiped out. I’ve never finished a ride and then just fell asleep in the bath!

To sum up this had been a superb day out and the course is one I won’t take for granted again. I’m not an authority but after having done a few sportives I would classify the long route as a good challenge. A big thank you to the organisers and the wonderful volunteers at the food stations and around the course.

Overall time: 06:38:1o (Bronze)

This years featured a new route that took in a section of coast and looped through the Afan Valley for a dual summiting of Bwlch. These adjustments pushed the total distance to 200k. If it hand’t have been for the JOGLE I think I might have questioned my sanity in entering.

I was joined for the day by Mark, doing his fourth Dragon, and Sandy, doing his first. We were all taken by surprise at the number at the start. We’d arrived early, by our standards, and were greeted with thousands of people queuing behind the start gate. It took a good 50 minutes before our wave hit the road.

The start was the usual flourish of pack chasing, resulting in probably riding far to hard. We eventually found a couple of guys to hang off but just as we were getting going rubbernecking at an incident split up the pack. This left the three of us and a couple of stragglers to take on the windy coast road ourselves. The view made for a good distraction and the first food stop came quickly.

Having hit the coast there can only be one way to go…..up! The route headed from the coast to the Afan valley and the summit of Bwlch. Usually this climb marks the latter stages of the ride but this year it marked the start of the climbs. On the lower slopes we bumped into our friend Emma who seemed to be enjoying her 75 mile outing (not that she’ll admit it). The encounter made for a good distraction as we covered the miles before the gradient picked up. I really like this climb but usually for the fact that it’s the last big effort before the run home. I have a couple of markers in my head where I push and until I hit them it’s heads down and get on with it.

The descent off the other side was made interesting by drizzle and greasy road surface. Still it’s good for a bit of a hoon and makes the climb worth it. Unfortunately the end of the descent marked an almost immediate start to Rhigos, another long climb. Not quite as long but it punished me for putting in effort on Bwlch.

The main loop to the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons features another few inclines but nothing too serious. In was quite surprised when we hit the final feed station as I hadn’t felt like we’d been going for long enough. I think it’s one of those things where the further you travel the less distances feel.

Tucking into another round of bananas the heavens opened. Taking shelter under a gazebo at the food station we opted to wait it out for a while. It wasn’t worth the wait and we set off on the final leg into the rain. Still it wasn’t that cold so can’t complain.

Unfortunately the conditions conspired against Mark who slid out on a wet drin before a sharp corner. I didn’t know about the incident until I saw Mark trudging up the hill with a bent bike and covered in cuts and grazes. Thankfully Mark looked worse than he felt and the bike bent back into shape. The adrenaline certainly seemed to help him as he flew up the start of the second Bwlch climb.

I was joined by Sandy as the gradient kicked in. For a non regular cyclist and someone riding their first sportive he was doing frustratingly well. He only dropped off my wheel when I locked onto a guy who over took us. I used him to pace me to the hairpin then I stomped the pedals for a push to the summit. It’s one of those climbs where the gradient is enough to let you build up a bit of pace if you put the effort in after a hairpin.

The reminder of the route was as per previous year. Pretty much a fast run in, bar one cheeky climb. I used the final 20k or so for a time trial practice and managed a good page on the flats to finish in 07:53:18.

Big congrats to the boys for finishing a tough ride. and a big thanks to the organisers for another well organised and epic event. Special mention to the cooks who were still dishing out tubs of lovely hot pasta well after they were due to go home – thank you!

Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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With JOGLE coming up and the onset of a cold I said to Mark that this was going to be ridden at a slower pace. He didn’t believe me but I meant it. I didn’t want to get swept up in the packs and was determined to do the 100 miler even if it hurt and took all day.

I felt tired on the ride in and a long queue to the start line didn’t help the legs. RF tags had replaced chips for timing, a great idea but the lack of registration meant there was no thinning out of riders wanting to start. Perhaps they’ll have to start bringing in start waves like the larger running events. The wait did give us time to catch up with Robbo, doing her first Cat. Although I don’t think the short option counts as it doesn’t take in Mow Cop

Ollie, Mark and myself set off steadily with plenty of packs to jump between. The profile of the ride remained the same as last year, so Mow Cop and the other big climbs all came early on. It’s not long before Mow Cop comes into site and the memories of the wall come back.

Arriving at the level crossing that marks the start of the climb I wasn’t feeling on it. I started climbing and, I think because this was my fourth year, the road didn’t seem as steep or long. Don’t get me wrong it’s steep and it still burnt the legs but it felt manageable. I usually take a site road and recover for the 25% part but this year I pointed the wheel straight up and climbed steadily all the way up.

This theme continued for the rest of the ride, each of the hills didn’t seem quite as bad as I remembered. At the first and second food stops I felt good and in between I enjoyed chatting to Mark and Ollie. A big thanks goes out to two kind riders from Manchester Wheelers who offered to be domestiques for a few miles. They had switched to the medium route so had the energy to help us on the long option.

Past the second food station the profile becomes flatter and rolling. On the lead in I felt good and led a small group of riders. At the route split we left Ollie to finish the medium and cracked on. I felt good and put my head down and let the legs go. Bar Mark having a puncture on the last leg there were no incidents.

We finished in a time of approximately 6.26 with a ride time of approximately 5.50. My legs felt like I’d riden 50 but shortly after my cold kicked in and I felt rotten. The ride did it’s job – proved winter training had not been futile and gave me confidence for JOGLE.

Whilst waiting for friends at the start I bumped into Clive, who Mark and I last saw at the top for the Col d’Aubisque.

The ride itself started on a glorious sunny Sunday morning. I was joined by a mix of new and experienced cyclists from the boat club. We rode the first portion together but a bout of punctures split us up.

A bout turned into a flood and most of the last 40k was spent replacing inner tubes and repairing split tyres. I’ve never known so many tyre walls blow. The surfaces were par for the course when it comes to rural sportives. Some loose stones on the rolling Cotswold roads were probably the main culprit.

The route organisers managed to throw in a few steep hills that I’d not encountered before. I made a mental note to expand the local training routes.

All in all a lovely ride; topped with a fantastic BBQ.

My only quibble was the amount of leaflets and paperwork handed out to entrants. Hopefully next year they can save on the paper and put more details on the website.

We set out and maintained steady speed, moving from group to group but mainly breaking our own wind. It wasn’t until the first major climb that we found a group going at a similar pace. Amongst the crowd was a fellow Ironman Nice competitor. Some shared storied passed the time and the climb quickly.

I knew most of the route from my previous entry and for the bulk of the ride had one of those rare times where you just zone out. Up until the final climb I rode with Mark and Loz but feeling like I had a set of second legs opted to push to the finish alone. I ramped up the speed off a hairpin and finished the last big climb in top cog. At the top I felt good, put my head down and hammered the legs.

I surprised myself, and some people I overtook, at the speed I managed to keep up to the end. I finished feeling like I could run. We’ll have to see if that feeling is good enough to last me through a marathon though.

I put the success of the ride down to riding at pace with Mark and Loz early on and having the tri bars. The tri bars benefited me by providing a stable, and extra, position to rest. I had non of the shoulder or neck ache that I am accustomed to in long rides. Will definitely be keeping them on for Nice.

After my initial apprehension of injuring myself so close to the Ironman I settled back and soaked up the sun and scenery. The Saturday had a chill in the air but nothing like the bitterly cold I remembered after the climbs last time. The reward for a hard days riding was a stunning view of Barmouth estuary from our B&B and steak and ale pie from the George.

Over the weekend we covered most of the routes we’d done previously but this time I preferred the far side, particularity the Tarw route. Unfortunately my bike wasn’t as pleased with the terrain as I was. My chain snapped 4 times and I wore through a set of pads along with continued issues with my Middleburn cranks. Time for a big overhaul before the next time….

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this year’s course as its changed for the third year on the trot. I’ve done Mow Cop at the end, middle and now the beginning of the ride. Think I prefer it in the middle as doing it early loses some of the anticipation. I did enjoy it though. For the first time this year the legs felt locked on.

Joining me on this year’s Cat were Mark, Steve and Loz. For Steve and Loz this was their first sportive and I must admit to feeling a little guilty for talking them into it but seeing their faces after topping Mow Cop reminded me why I got into this.

From the first to second food stations we somehow managed to head up a pack, push too much wind and increase the speed. By the second food stop we had lost Steve, his gearing was making the hills hard going, and caught up with Mark’s friend Rich. I spotted Steve as we left the food station as he rode in with a pack and a smile on his face.

Mark and Rich pushed the pace on as Loz and I debated the 100 or 69 mile route. By the split we opted for the 69 as the four of us were riding strong as a pack. For 10 miles the pace picked up and for the last 2 Rich told me to “put the hammer down”. I surprised myself with the pace and had no regrets for opting to do the shorter route.

In the end I got the mental boost I needed and that was the point of it all.