Ladies and gentlemen, cycle sport has left the building. Rest assured that one day it’ll be back, centre stage, thrilling and entertaining us with what is likely to be the renewed vigour of one reborn. But for now, there are no races in Britain, not even group rides, while the UCI has cancelled all racing under its remit.
For Britain, the turning point was last Monday (16 March) when the government stated that it wanted everyone to cease non-essential socialising and travel. By the next morning both British Cycling and Cycling Time Trials had called off all affiliated racing – BC until 30 April and CTT until the end of May.
That left hundreds of cyclists who have spent their winters fastidiously following [and paying for] coaching plans in order to reach race fitness come the start of the season now wondering what on earth all it was for. While race organisers who have dedicated their free time to the careful planning of early-season events now stand to see hard work – and a certain amount of money – go to waste.
Despite all this, nobody at club level that Cycling Weekly spoke to had any problem with the cancellations and neither, they reported, did the riders who found themselves without an event. The cycling community, it seems, has adopted a slightly embellished take on that famous Second World War slogan: “Keep calm, carry on, and don’t moan.”
Early season non-starters
One of the key early-season road race dates each year is the Wally Gimber Trophy, promoted by Dulwich CC and due to have been held last Sunday in Kent, 22 March. It lays claim to being the UK’s longest running road race, having run every year since 1960. Last Sunday would have been its 61st edition.
This story is from the March 26, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 26, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Giant TCR Composite Gold
If this bike looks opulent, over the top and über-bling now, imagine the reaction of the bike-buying public 22 years ago when it was unveiled as a special limited edition made with real gold plate and costing the unthinkable sum of $10,000.
WATT WORKS FOR ME Kasia Niewiadoma
The Tour of Flanders runner-up talks lost bikes, altitude training and strength workouts
BREWING A BOOST
Coffee and cycling may be inextricably linked, but does the black stuff really improve our performance on the bike? Lexie Williamson investigates
Soto Helix Coffee Maker - £21.95
I really love the minimalism of this coffee brewer. It's a pour over stripped to its bare essentials: a conical spring that can hold a paper filter, and then compresses nearly flat when not in use.
Stanley Classic Perfect-Brew Pour Over
The Stanley Perfect-Brew Pour Over is the second simplest coffee maker on test, beaten only by the incredibly minimalist Soto Helix.
GSI Mini Espresso Set 1 Cup - £51.50
Starting off with the coffee makers that require a heat source, we have the GSI Outdoors Mini Espresso Set 1 Cup.
How do I up my coffee game?
How does the average Joe make the perfect mug of Joe? We sent Joe Baker to find out
THE HUB
All the news you might have missed from the last seven days
GOING FULL BEANS
Most cyclists enjoy a decent coffee, but some take it a step further. CW meets five self-declared obsessives who have pushed their twin passions, bikes and beans, to the nth degree
A love affair
Coffee connoisseur Adam Becket delves into the storied yet mysterious relationship between cycling and the original energy drink