Cold weather riding

The right clothing is key to facing the elements with confidence. Knowing that you’ll remain dry and warm whatever the weather gives you the boost you need to get out riding. When you nail your winter armoury – when you work out the combination of kit that works for you: the right gloves, overshoes, base layer/jersey/jacket, headgear – it can help you to retreat into a mental space that’s completely detached from the elements. In extreme conditions, tiny details can make all the difference. Knowing you can adjust a jacket to fit just right around your neck, that your glasses will stop your eyes from watering without getting uncomfortable, that your base layer will keep you warm without overheating you…these are the things that can give you the edge. And how do you figure out what works for you, both physically and mentally? Through trial and error, of course. There’s no substitute for hours in the saddle. Knowing you’ve earned your foul weather comfort with pain and suffering and numb fingers and streaming eyes and frozen toes makes it all the more satisfying.

Caffeine culture

The ever-growing popularity of cycling has generated a proliferation of cafés dedicated to cyclists and cycling culture. Recently we went to the official opening of one of the latest examples: Brighton’s brand new Velo Café. We also visited the Spin London & London Coffee Festival Christmas Fair in Shoreditch last week for cycling and coffee related festive shopping ideas (and hog roast…and lager). Coffee culture predates cycling by a long way, but these days the two enjoy a strong relationship. And there’s a lot more to it than simply jump-starting your rides with a hit of caffeine. We’ll be exploring this relationship more in issue four but in the meantime if you're heading down to the south coast you could do worse than check out the latest incarnation of cycle café culture on The Level in Brighton.

An Italian legend

Northern Italy is known as the country's manufacturing heartland. Places like Turin and Milan have always been famous for their elegant industrial design. So you can imagine our intrigue when we were asked to cover an exclusive story in that part of the world. We felt privileged to be in a region so steeped in cycling's glorious heritage. Although our stay was a short one we were exposed to some amazing history, both of road cycling and of Italy itself. We can't give too much away for the time being as we're sworn to secrecy, but all will be revealed in issue 4. We managed to get a few miles in, savouring some glorious Italian roads and hills on bikes bearing a legendary name. We also found the time to savour some delicious local foods and wines. Even the shortest of breaks can be stimulating and relaxing in the right company, more to follow...

Reliving the past

You know what's it like, that feeling of half recognising someone from your past when you're out but not seizing the opportunity to go and confirm things for yourself. In issue 2 we showed a golden 10-year Puch guarantee card, the sole remnant of my first road bike, an Austro-Daimler. It was my 14th birthday present, I can remember, even now the clicking sound as my dad wheeled it in through the house to my bedroom, as I lay in bed. Needless to say through the years it got loaned out and then was lost. I wish I still had it, I'd love to do a retro ride on it although I'm sure it's not going to be as good as I remember it being. A few weeks ago I saw this bike pictured here - apart from the frame size (mine was a 21-inch) it was identical! I had to take as many images as I could to soak up the joy and delight of seeing virtually my old 'racer'. Maybe it gives me a degree of hope that my bike is still being ridden around somewhere. If you do know of or have seen a bike matching the one in these pictures, a 21-inch version, I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch via info@simpsonmagazine.cc if you think you can help.

Mudguards and turbos

The darker evenings are upon us and the weather is clearly on the change with temperatures slowly getting colder. As every seasoned cyclist knows, this is the time to start focusing on the season ahead. Target those events that you've always wanted to ride, get some dates in the diary and round up your bike buddies to get a group together. At Simpson we've had a mixed season, missing a few key rides we had targeted, through injury, family commitments and just life in general getting in the way! Now is the time to invest in long steady miles and weekly turbo sessions. Keeping the legs ticking over. We hate fair weather cyclists who pitch up to events with all the kit, with minimal mileage clocked up and not much in the tank. In our books you have to earn summer fitness right here in the winter months. The 2014 season sees us anticipating a greater presence on rides and sportives through out the year. We're at the planning stage right now, putting together some like minded riders to make next year's rides the most enjoyable yet, more details to follow ...