Sometimes bikes come through our warehouse and pick up a  little scratch on the way, or they go out to be test-ridden for a magazine and get slightly muddy tyres or the white handlebars get a bit grubby. We can’t sell these at full price, but they’re still awesome bikes from really big brands, like Specialized, Trek, Jamis and Mongoose.

We’ll have 120 cut price bikes that have seen a little wear and tear on their journey from factory to store ready for customers to take home from Friday 24 May. The sale will be continuing until Saturday 1 June, or until all the bikes are gone – whichever comes first.

There will be a huge selection of not-quite-perfect bikes ready on shop floor for customers to browse and we’ll have reductions across the range and we’ve also got nutrition taster packs from cycling-food-know-it-all’s High5 to give away to our first 500 customers.

These are one-off deals, and once they’re gone, they won’t be repeated – so it’s best to get to the store early for the best offers. Key deals to look out for include a Trek 4300 mountain bike with 51% off at £245, a Pinnacle Lithium 2 Hybrid reduced by over £100 at £245 and a Mongoose Logo at just £79.99.

Just like our normal range, there will be tons of choice, whatever sort of riding your planning to be doing this summer. We’ve got mountain bikes if you’re taking to the trails, road bikes for the speedsters, kids and BMX bikes for the youngsters as well as a fantastic range of hybrid bikes that can suit your commute as well as leisure riding. There will be great deals for children, adults and teens, so if you’re feeling generous you could even pick up a whole fleet for your brood.

Staff will be on hand to advise you and explain why the bike is reduced, and give you the option of a test ride so you can check you’ve found the set of wheels for you. On top of fitting advice and guidance on picking the best bike for your needs, they’ll also be able to talk you through the wide range of saddles, pedals and other accessories you might want to update your ride with.

These amazing deals won’t stay in-store for long, and we won’t be able to reserve anything, so we really recommend you get to the store early. We’re open 9am to 6pm every day, except Thursday when we’re open til 8pm, and Sunday when we’ll be ready to serve you from 10am to 5pm (we finish a bit early and squeeze a ride in.) You’ll find the store here.

If you have any questions, give the store a call on 01293 543 880 – our manager Simon is bouncing off the walls and looking forward to meeting you.

There were several photographers this weekend so take a look here:;-

Friday Hill Climb and MTB

Sportive

Rider Times

A great weekend and hopefully the first of many trips for the Ride It team to the Muckle Toon Adventure Festival. Well done to everyone who completed one of our rides and congratulations to the prize winners of the timed MTB challenge. You can now download all the rider times using the links below -

MTB Timed Hill Climb Challenge

MTB Rider Times Full Courses

Sportive Rider Times

The times are sorted by rider number except for the MTB Hill Climb Challenge which is sorted by your finishing position.

Update 16/05/13

Stunning. That’s how I think I’ll describe my day on the bike today. I got to set out the final long loop and the finishing section of both the Long and Medium routes. There’s loads of quiet roads, views that go on for miles and beautiful countryside. And a final pair of hills. I’ll get to that on the Sportive section……

Food – The event centre will be selling bacon rolls, tea, coffee etc from 7.30 – 11am. From then on there will be hot food available in the event village – I’m personally looking forward to the “Haggis Van”……

PLEASE BRING YOUR HELMET TO REGISTRATION. You will not be able to register without it and you’ll have to go back to your car to retrieve it.

PARKING

Please follow the parking signs and the marshals.

Registration

This is in the main Hall, follow signs to registration.

MTB

We will be putting out the MTB routes tomorrow so I can’t give to current conditions, but the routes vary from fire trails to rough tracks to single track. All in the rugged Scottish countryside!

Start times – Pease try and be away by 10am. There is a run in the afternoon that uses some of our route and we need to be clear for them.

Timed section – You will be handed a white number to put on your handle bars, please make this as easy to see as possible. After the first off road climb you will ride a bit of tarmac. At the top will be a van on the right, pull over here and await a start time ( we’ll just start you a few seconds after the previous rider, no long waits) The climb is appox 900 mtrs so keep an eye on the monument which is the finish line. Hopefully when you get back we’ll have the times and the winners!!

Long Loop – due to nesting Hen Harriers we have had to change our original long loop a bit which brings it down from 25 to 23 miles. I don’t think you are going to mind too much….

Distances

Short 14miles

Long 23 miles

It’s not a race!

Please give way to other trail users, walkers, horse riders etc. If you come across a Horse, please let the rider know you are there in plenty of time and follow their instructions. Remember, if you spook the horse it might hurt you or other people and you are responsible for you actions and the consequences!! Please also close all gates you might come across.

SPORTIVE

Long, dragging climbs are the order of the day, nothing too steep, just long…..The last 8 miles from Newcastleton to Langholm is basically 2 hills and two descent. Just remember as you’re climbing that there are about 4 miles in this section where you are going down hill and don’t need to pedal at all!!

The roads are in ok condition but, like the rest of the country, they are prone to pot holes. Please keep your eye out for them and if you are travelling in a group, please shout out warnings to those behind. We also use small lanes, so keep your speed down and be aware that there might be cars around that bend. On larger roads please keep to single file unless it’s safe to do so.

Distances are approx.

Short -30miles  Elevation 3000ft

Medium -59miles Elevation 5600ft

Long -90miles Elevation 8200ft

Drink stations are approximately at:-

Short, – 20miles

Medium – 20 and 35 miles

Long – 28, 50 and 81miles

Long loop cut off 1.45pm

Event centre closes at 5pm

This is not a race!!

Please obey the highway code, stop at junctions and only ride two abreast where it is safe to do so – not on main roads or winding country lanes where cars travelling at speed will not be able to see you and stop!!!! If you cause and accident, you are responsible for the consequences and any costs.

Maps

I’ll try and post these up on Friday after we have put out the courses. These will be for info only and are not down loadable, you will get a hard copy at registration.

GPX files

Everyone who has pre-entered will receive a pre-event mail on Thursday afternoon around 6pm that has links to the GPX files and a guide to show you have to view them interactively. If you have not received this by 7pm tonight please check you junk folder, old accounts, your partners email if they booked and make sure you check the address you booked with! These are all common causes for not getting the mail. If you still don’t have them then email me on dean.stacey@evanscycles.com I’ll check your entry and send you a copy.

See you all there!

Dean

We just about to head up to Langholm to start preping for the event, and we are all excited!

There’s a lot going on over the weekend, from two long distance off road runs, guided walks, childrens activities and, of course, our two days of biking.

Some details for the weekend.

Food – The event centre will be selling bacon rolls, tea, coffee etc from 7.30 – 11am. From then on there will be hot food available in the event village – I’m personally looking forward to the “Haggis Van”……

MTB Timed Section. When you leave the event centre there is a climb to start with ( Oh good I hear you all cry) At the top of this will be the start of the timed section. This is a gently sloping climb on a fire track up to the top of Whita Hill, about 900mtrs long. You will be stopped at the start and then released individually every minute or so to do the climb. Keep focused on that monument in the distance as it gives you an indication of the finish line. To welcome you in there will also be a bagpiper!! We will hopefully have all the results available by the time you come back so check to see if you have won that Gore Bike Wear Phantom top, or the Osprey Rucksac.

I’ll update over the coming days, so keep an eye here.

Ta

Dean

This is the place to come for all your last minute info on the event. I’ll be updating this over the next week with info about the event and systems for the timed sections etc.

More info for the Festival can be found here:-

http://www.muckletoonadventurefestival.co.uk/

Cheers

Dean

We left our hotel in Kortrijk mid-morning and jumped on one of the Team Sky team buses, which was a very interesting and it was interesting to see where the team spends the transfers before and after stages. We arrived at Deinze shortly and we rolled up to a nondescript warehouse – from the outside, there was no sign that would have given away Team Sky’s presence.

I spotted a ‘Team Columbia’ sign near the road, it later turned out that when the HTC-Slipstream team folded in 2011, Team Sky took over their warehouse. The previous service course used to be north of Brussels but the traffic had been so busy on the ring around Brussels that it made life unnecessarily hard for everybody and that was when they decided to move to Deinze, which has great transport links but less traffic.

We were shown around, you can find below a few of the most exciting things during our tour.

Edvald Boasson Hagen's bikes.

A lizard-like saddle surface covered few of the time trial saddles, apparently, for better traction.

New Pinarello Dogma 65.1 bikes with 11 speed mechanical Dura Ace groupsets. This bike is one of Ian Stannard's many bikes, wearing the Union Jack proudly on the seat stay.

Luke Rowe's bikes are waiting to be ridden.

Each rider has got an allocated place where they can leave gear that needs to be washed, cleaned or replaced.

Crates of Gatorade.

Prototype Shimano deep-section wheels, that were being prepped for the Giro d'Italia.

I loved these very clever bags. Every rider had his own bag, with his name on it and all clothing accessories had a dedicated little pocket. So when, say, Chris Sutton drops back to the team car and wants his waterproof jacket, the support staff can find his bag easily and give him what he wants straight away.

Deep-section wheels for every occasions

Ian Stannard's podium bag.

There was a whole room with big boxes of Rapha kit, in every size and colour

One of the team's Jaguars

Nothing is left to chance: after a bike was serviced, another mechanic checks the bike all over, to make sure that everything is in perfect working order. There is an elaborate system in place that records every data about the bikes, so they can track the age of each component on a bike. When someone makes a change on one of a rider's bikes, they also have to make sure that the change is implemented on every other bike.

Dozens of tubular tyres are waiting to be glued on wheels. As most tyres need a certain amount of ageing, a fair amount of forward planning is necessary. This meant that by the time of our visit (just weeks after the 2013 Paris-Roubaix), the tyres for the 2014 Paris-Roubaix have already arrived.

A team mechanic builds up a new bike.

Clean and well-organised workshop bench.

Nutrition options for the riders. Team Sky looked around on the market and they approached CNP to be their nutritional partner as they were convinced that CNP's products are the best

They even have their own olive oil

What you see here is a few hundred thousand calories worth of CNP gels and bars

The room with the bike components: every conceivable size and variant

You can see the wall of pride in the background, a pretty cool jersey collection, don't you think?

View all CNP products >>>
View the Rapha Team Sky collection >>>

Cars, buses, pedestrians crossing on red lights… Commuting in London can be a real challenge and it’s even more risky if your bike is in bad condition. In order to make your journey safer, Evans Cycles has organised its first Pit Stop event for Friday, 17th May.

Located on Kennington Park Road, just in front of Kennington tube station, our highly qualified mechanics will look over your bike and advise you on any necessary maintenance. From 7:00am till 10:00am, stop by our stand and get your free assessment.

Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police Service Cycle Task Force will join us on the day and carry out free bike marking. Registering your bike helps police identify and verify the legitimate owner of bikes that have been stolen.

On the day, our partner Muc-Off will also provide you with a free clean and lube and ensure your bike runs smoothly. High5 will also be there with free samples of their new nutrition products and drinks.

We’re also organising a challenging turbo competition with our partner Hiplok, giving you the opportunity to win one of their new wearable locks. Are you fast enough?

Don’t miss out, leave early and stop by our stand on Kennington Park Road for a free check-up, clean and lube and your free goody bag!

Pit Stop details
7:00am-10:00am Friday 17th May
62 Kennington Park Road, London
(in front of Kennington tube station)

The British Heart Foundation London to Brighton ride is a sell-out every year. This 54-mile route takes riders from the bustling capital, through beautiful country lanes, up the iconic Ditchling Beacon climb, and lands them on the seafront in Brighton.

The ride is completed by people of all ages and abilities, and it’s an opportunity to be part of a huge but very varied group of cyclists, all riding for one aim – to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.  

As always , this year’s ride is fully booked-  but we’ve got five places we can give away to five very lucky riders.

To win a money-can’t-buy pass for the 2013 London the Brighton ride, simply follow @evanscycles on twitter, and re-tweet our tweet:

‘I want to ride from London to Brighton with @TheBHF and @EvansCycles on Sunday 16^th June http://bit.ly/18WNGSV‘

We’ll be picking winners this evening (Thursday 16^th May) and we’ll need to provide their details to the BHF on Friday so that they can get you booked on to the ride.

All the information on this ride, and others run by the British Heart Foundation, is here: http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/bike-rides/london-to-brighton.aspx

If you’ve got the sportive bug, and want more opportunities to ride at organised events, you can also check out our RideIt! events here: http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it

You can download rider times for the Hatfield Ride It event using the links below -

MTB Rider Times

Sportive Rider Times

Update 09/05/13

Another good, if windy, day on the bike! I’ve been putting the long road loop out today, and it’s a blast through the English countryside. Nothing too steep and fields of yellow Rapeseed bordering the road. Looking ahead to the weekend it looks as though we are going to be mainly rain free, which will be nice…….. So, here’s the details for the weekend.

Firstly, just a reminder that the Sunday Sportive is sold out – please do not come to the event hoping for cancellations, we won’t be accepting on the day entries.

PLEASE BRING YOUR HELMET TO REGISTRATION. You will not be able to register without it and you’ll have to go back to your car to retrieve it.

PARKING

We have plenty of parking on site. Those early enough will get onto the hard standing, those a bit later will be on the school field. I had a walk around today and it’s very dry and hard, so shouldn’t be a problem. Please follow the parking signs and the marshals.

Registration

This is in the main Hall, follow signs to registration.

MTB

I have not been out and the course is not due to be put up until tomorrow, but looking at the trails as I have ridden past today, they seem to be dry!! UPDATE: Word is the trails are hard and dusty………. Let’s hope it stays that way

Distances

Short 15miles

Medium 26 miles

Long 32 miles

It’s not a race!

Please give way to other trail users, walkers, horse riders etc. If you come across a Horse, please let the rider know you are there in plenty of time and follow their instructions. Remember, if you spook the horse it might hurt you or other people and you are responsible for you actions and the consequences!! Please also close all gates you might come across.

SPORTIVE

I hope you all have the day we did today, if a bit less windy! The roads are in ok condition but, like the rest of the country, they are prone to pot holes. Please keep your eye out for them and if you are travelling in a group, please shout out warnings to those behind. We also use small lanes, so keep your speed down and be aware that there might be cars around that bend. On larger roads please keep to single file unless it’s safe to do so.

Distances are approx.

Short -28miles  Elevation 1800ft

Medium -55miles Elevation 3400ft

Long -86miles Elevation 5100ft

Drink stations are approximately at:-

Short, – 13miles

Medium – 28 and 40 miles

Long – 28, 59 and 71miles

Long loop cut off 12am – it’s 28 miles in so the last riders have 2 & 1/4 hours to reach it.

Event centre closes at 5pm – Hot food will finish at 4pm.

This is not a race!!

Please obey the highway code, stop at junctions and only ride two abreast where it is safe to do so – not on main roads or winding country lanes where cars travelling at speed will not be able to see you and stop!!!! If you cause and accident, you are responsible for the consequences and any costs.

Maps

I’ll post these up on Friday after we have put out the courses. These will be for info only and are not down loadable, you will get a hard copy at registration.

GPX files

Everyone who has pre-entered will receive a pre-event mail on Thursday afternoon around 6pm that has links to the GPX files and a guide to show you have to view them interactively. If you have not received this by 7pm tonight please check you junk folder, old accounts, your partners email if they booked and make sure you check the address you booked with! These are all common causes for not getting the mail. If you still don’t have them then email me on dean.stacey@evanscycles.com I’ll check your entry and send you a copy.

See you all there!

Dean

Hi All

This will be the place to come for all the last minute info on this weekends Watlington Ride It

First off, the Sportive is closed for pre-entry and on the day entries. It is sold out, so please do not come along on the off chance of an entry as we do not have the room!!

I will up date during the week.

Ta

Dean

Hi All.

This is the place to come for all the last minute info on the Hatfield ride this weekend.

First thing to note is that the Sportive is SOLD OUT, there are no on the day entries availabale so please do not show up hoping for a place.

Thanks

Dean

Many women get into cycling in their twenties, and in the case of my mum, late thirties. It opens up a whole new world of freedom, activity and sociability. I was lucky enough to have grown up in such a world, with my parents throwing me into my first bike race aged 5, I can’t remember when cycling wasn’t as natural to me as walking, or eating.

Cycling wasn’t as cool when I was growing up as it is now, I fell in and out of love with the sport depending on who I was friends with at the time and what was happening in my non-cycling life. But it’s so much a part of me that I couldn’t keep away for long. I followed the normal path, went to uni, got a degree, planned a gap-year, but then cycling forced its way back in and it’s shaped my career, my social-life and everything inbetween, for better or worse!

I was a qualified cycling instructor during the summer, loving the enthusiasm of kids experiencing the independence of cycling on the roads for the first time, or the trepidation of adults who wanted to learn. It was during this time that I started designing cycle clothing for women and began AnaNichoola. It has been evident my whole life that this was a market that was hugely untapped; women have until recently been marginalised when it comes to product, design and availability.

The thing is, as soon as you start cycling more than a couple of miles, cycling really does demand specialist equipment and clothing. Being out in the elements, moving your body on your vehicle creating friction, sweating, being next to cars, getting caught in the dark…all these things require something to alleviate their outcomes. Getting wet, getting cold, saddle sores, callouses, not being seen, all these things will ruin the time spent on your bike. And time spent on your bike should always and only be a Good Thing!

When I design, I take an outcome as a starting point. So if we look at this season’s Hello Yellow jacket the outcome was to create something bright and visible both at day and night, and water resistant. The perfect commuter jacket. But it needed styling, I wanted the women who wore it to be proud when she got off her bike and walked into the office. I took a blazer shaped top, to keep it smart, and played with the tailoring until the shoulders were comfortable and the sleeves long enough. I added a rear splash guard, shaped in a loosely curved peplum at the hips, creating a flattering and on-trend shape that had a function too.

Ana Nichoola - Hello Yellow Commuter Jacket

Styling is important in the AnaNichoola brand, it’s not about clothes just ticking a box and doing the job, it’s about making a statement and expressing the happiness people feel when riding. Clothes that you would be excited to wear, just because you like it. It’s that simple. But knowing that they work and will improve the quality of your ride, makes your whole cycling experience an all-encompassing Good Thing. If everything associated with your ride makes you smile then my job is done.

Check out selected products from the Ana Nichoola range >>>

The Old Truman Brewery is home to a hive of creative businesses as well as exclusively independent shops, galleries, markets, bars and restaurants. www.trumanbrewery.com

The show promises to be the hottest ticket the city has to offer for enthusiasts and the general public with a host of forward thinking international brands as well as smaller independent makers. To keep you entertained there will be DJ’s playing music live throughout the show as well as cycle-art installations, talks, screenings and satellite events to compliment the show festival experience.

Among a strong-hold of emerging and established UK brands will be Pinnacle. We will be displaying some of our 2013 range as well as showing off some exciting prototypes including an all new disc-brake road bike, and a belt-drive cro-mo city bike, as well as some bold new Pinnacle Neon’s.

Pinnacle bikes are designed in-house by our small product team, utilizing the collective experience of riders, mechanics and store staff to tailor the range to the needs of British riders. Pinnacle Designer James Olsen will be on hand to answer any questions, talk about the bikes and what he’s working on, and all other things cycling.

Tickets are available to pre order for £7 at www.spinldn.com or £10 on the door, so if you want to fit some bicycle fun, with live builds, DJ’s, talks, films, fashion, food, racing, art, and bikes then come along to the Old Truman Brewery this weekend.

View all Pinnacle bikes >>

BMC 2013 Team Presentation. Image by TDW Sport.

In 2012, the team won 21 races, including two stages of the Giro d’Italia and three in the Vuelta a España and placed two riders (van Garderen and Evans) in the top 10 at the Tour de France, with Van Garderen crowned best young rider.

This summer the team is looking to build on their successes of previous years off the back of, to their standards a relatively average Spring Classics season. A strong BMC squad will head to the Giro d’Italia which runs May 4-26, including 2011 Tour winner Cadel Evans. Cadel has previously opted not to ride in the Giro, with many believing two grand tours is one too many for GC contenders.

Unlike Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins, Evans and BMC Racing’s focus remains firmly on the Tour. In a recent interview Cadel explained although there are not many riders who perform better with two Tours in their legs, he needs the competitive miles following the racing he missed last year. His objective for the Giro d’Italia, which runs May 4-26, is simple to get back to his best in a hope to find the kind of form that saw him claim the maillot jaune on the two years ago.

Cadel Evans on the Champs-Élysées, 2011. Image by TDW Sport for BMC Racing

The team will then head to the Tour which rolls out of Porto-Vecchio, Corsica on Saturday 29^th June.

2013 BMC Racing Squad

Find out more about Team BMC Racing at www.bmcracingteam.com, follow them on Twitter for news and live updates www.twitter.com/BMCProTeam and view their latest pictures www.flickr.com/photos/bmcproteam

Pro Peleton Fact…

Pro Teams use over 200 drink bottles a day during the Giro and Tour.

View all BMC bikes >>

View all team kit >>

Well done to everyone who came and rode with us today, a cold start followed by sunshine, rain and hail all before lunch for the mountain bikers whilst we finally got some dry weather for Sunday’s road ride.

We think we got all the changes but if you have any queries, please email Mark at the address on the top of the times sheets.

You can download rider times using the links below -

MTB Rider Times

Road Sportive Rider Times

Update

Put out the Long road loop today with water in my eyes……..but for a change it was sweat!!! Best day of the year so far for cycling, shorts and T-shirt all the way The weather is supposed to change though so make sure you pack some warmer kit as well. Without further ado, here’s the details:-

Firstly, just a reminder that the Sunday Sportive is sold out – please do not come to the event hoping for cancellations, we won’t be accepting on the day entries.

PLEASE BRING YOUR HELMET TO REGISTRATION. You will not be able to register without it and you’ll have to go back to your car to retrieve it.

PARKING

We have plenty of parking on site. Those early enough will get onto the hard standing, those a bit later will be on the school field. I had a walk around today and it’s very dry and hard, so shouldn’t be a problem. There might be a period where we change from one carpark to another so bear with us if it gets a bit confusing for a minute or two, but just follow the parking signs and the marshals.

Registration

This is in the canteen, follow signs to registration.

MTB

I have not been out and the course is not due to be pt up until tomorrow, but looking at the trails as I have ridden past today, they seem to be dry!! One of the Ride It staff went out on Wednesday night around the area ( not specifically our route) and filmed the tracks so have a look here  It is due to rain a bit though, so be prepared! One other thing, there is a house you pass  with some small dogs. I have spoken to the owners and the dogs bark, but don’t bite! If they run at you, stop and give them a stroke as this is all they want…….

Distances

Short 14miles

Medium 25 miles

Long 31 miles

It’s not a race!

Please give way to other trail users, walkers, horse riders etc. If you come across a Horse, please let the rider know you are there in plenty of time and follow their instructions. Remember, if you spook the horse it might hurt you or other people and you are responsible for you actions and the consequences!! Please also close all gates you might come across.

SPORTIVE

I hope you all have the day we did today! The roads are in ok condition but, like the rest of the country, they are prone to pot holes. Please keep your eye out for them and if you are travelling in a group, please shout out warnings to those behind. We also use small lanes, so keep your speed down and be aware that there might be cars around that bend. On larger roads please keep to single file unless it’s safe to do so.

The Long loop is one big descent, 28miles of flat and a big climb. Here’s the stats from my ride today Garmin Connect

Distances are approx.

Short -32miles  Elevation 1700ft

Medium -56miles Elevation 3600ft

Long -86miles Elevation 4600ft

Drink stations are approximately at:-

Short, – 25miles

Medium – 25 and 51 miles

Long – 25, 51 and 81miles

This is not a race!!

Please obey the highway code, stop at junctions and only ride two abreast where it is safe to do so – not on main roads or winding country lanes where cars travelling at speed will not be able to see you and stop!!!! If you cause and accident, you are responsible for the consequences and any costs.

Maps

I’ll post these up on Friday after we have put out the courses. These will be for info only and are not down loadable, you will get a hard copy at registration.

GPX files

Everyone who has pre-entered will receive a pre-event mail on Thursday afternoon around 6pm that has links to the GPX files and a guide to show you have to view them interactively. If you have not received this by 7pm tonight please check you junk folder, old accounts, your partners email if they booked and make sure you check the address you booked with! These are all common causes for not getting the mail. If you still don’t have them then email me on dean.stacey@evanscycles.com I’ll check your entry and send you a copy.

See you all there!

Dean

Hi All

This will be the place to come for all the last minute info on this weekends Watlington Ride It

First off, the Sportive is closed for pre-entry and on the day entries. It is sold out, so please do not come along on the off chance of an entry as we do not have the room!!

I will up date during the week.

Ta

Dean