I’ve been fortunate enough to be riding the new Ridgeback Cerium as my Commuting machine, and it’s likely to be doing some serious mileage throughout the year, as the days I ride to work are either a 45 or a 60 mile round trip.

If I’m really lucky then I’ll be dragging my laptop & various work attire along for the ride too… So aside from its standard specification the only items I’ve added are a Pannier rack and some Shimano SPD pedals. For the Rack I’ve opted for an M:Part Ridge , a disc brake specific Rack with ample clearance of the Calliper, and Mudguard. Happily the M:Part rack is available in stealth Matt Black to match the looks of the bike.

Being all too conscious of the nights now drawing in lights are a must. I always run 2 on the rear, purely as a precaution. The main light being the Light and Motion Vis180 which at 35 lumens, is roughly 10x the light from a run of the mill 2xAA powered rear light!! I also have a Blackburn Flea clipped to me or the bike as a 2nd light, the flea is a great light in its own right, and sits charging from the laptop during the day so there’s no need to worry about replacing batteries in either unit.

The much criticised condition of our Road surfaces seems to be less of an issue on the Cerium than it does on most other 700C wheeled bikes, the 28C Continental Contacts simply soak up uneven, cut-up, worn out surfaces. Admittedly you compromise some top end speed, but I’m no longer being bounced all over the bike, or more importantly bounced all over the road!.

Although I’m a Road Cyclist, with a bizarre attraction to Time Trials, my priorities have changed when it comes to Commuting to work; where once I would snub the idea of riding a Compact let alone a 32t cassette, I’m now appreciative of having a Do-it-all bike, that has enough gears for those days where the energy and enthusiasm has been worn off, allowing you simply twiddle your way up any hill in your path, with a load onboard.

As for the SKS full length guards that come as standard, I can guarantee I’ll be grateful of those in the coming months.

Chris

For the more able and adventurous of youngsters 2012 will see the introduction of 12″ Boys and Girls bikes. The 12″ bike will give an alternative to our Scoot range of Balance Bikes. A light Aluminium Frame that allows the child to lift and handle their bike with ease, Fitted with Stabiliers and Front/Rear Brakes enabling the child to take control. The perfect start to riding a bike.

A peek at whats to come ….. 29″ wheels will make a return to the Ridgeback range for 2012.

Audax, light touring or commuting. The Cerium is a new rugged disc brake version of the Radium & ideal for all weather commuting. The Proto-type has been tested out on our very finest pot-holed roads. With the welcome addition of disc brakes adding increased performance particularly in wet conditions, and a mounting solution devised for mounting its full length guards without interferance.

Reza Pakravan and his Ridgeback Panorama touring bike have completed a world record attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World Record for the fastest crossing of the Sahara Desert by bike.

The 36-year-old Market Security Analyst from London picked the Ridgeback Panorama for its stability, comfort and reliability as a touring bike to cross the world’s biggest desert.
Reza said goodbye to his home comforts on March 2 and embarked on a the gruelling 1200 mile desert crossing, facing extreme heat, sandstorms, accusations of terrorism from border officials and living of survival rations in testing conditions.

On Thursday 17 March Reza completed the crossing after 14 days, starting in Algeria and finishing in Sudan.
“It is an amazing feeling to have cycled across the biggest desert in the world,” Reza said. “I celebrated by going to get a shower as I smelt disgusting and then went to get a good night sleep without having to worry.”

Reza had spent six months prior to the challenge planning the logistics of the trip and ensuring the route was valid, according to the Guinness World Record official requirements. He revealed there were times when he thought the trip wouldn’t happen.

“Unfortunately these days Sahara desert has become one of the most dangerous places in the world. On the west of Sahara, border areas between Mali, Niger and Algeria is becoming one of the most hostile areas in the world. Then there has been the current situation in Libya.”

After battles with immigration offices over visas and much two-ing and fro-ing with Guinness World Record officials to get his route validated, he was ready to embark on the Sahara crossing.

“I had my fair share of problems before I’d even started cycling,” Reza revealed. “First I had problems in Algiers Airport because they thought my CO2 cartridge could be used to detonate a bomb! I spent two hours explaining and finally managed to save them from being taken away from me. Then just before the start I had problem with my GPS and the bike computer and then two flat tyres in one day!”

Reza cycled distances of more than 100miles a day, taking him through remote tribal villages and through vast open desert land.

“In north of the Sahara it was very cold, even during the day,” he revealed. “As I progress towards the south got warmer and warmer. In Sudan it was really hot and I had to cycle in desert tracks and sand which was really tough.”

Although Reza had spent months training for the trip, preparing for the heat and the miles of monotonous cycling, he admits nothing prepared him for being caught in a sandstorm.

“It was tough. I was pedalling into wall of air and sand coming towards me. I spent five hours on the bike and made 10 miles progress! My camera got destroyed, sand left mark on my glasses and on me! I had never seen anything like that. I tried really hard not to stop but couldn’t – nature forced me to stop!”
Reza was having to consume 6,000 calories a day and was drinking seven litres of water boosted his calorie intake from his locally sourced meals with army-issue ration packs.
“I had a local guide with a support car carrying water and equipment as it is prohibited for tourists to travel without a local guide in Algeria, and also it was impossible to carry enough water for the trip with me,” he said.

“I was mainly desert camping but would sometimes be invited to stay at Touareg tribes’ homes or Nomad’s tents in Algeria. In Sudan, I mainly relied on local hospitality as all the doors were open to me. At the end I stayed with a Korean family who are living in the Sahara. It was an amazing experience. My Ridgeback Panorama was fantastic for this trip. It was reliable and comfortable and survived a pretty arduous trip, which is testament to the bike.”

Reza now has few weeks wait for his challenge to be checked by Guinness World Record officials and approved before he is crowned as the fastest person to have crossed the Sahara Desert by bike.

Reza’s challenge was to raise money for a school building charity raising funds for schools to be built in poverty stricken Madagascar by the NGO Azafady – a UK registered charity that helps disadvantaged communities to alleviate extreme poverty.
For more information visit: www.bmycharity.com/schoolproject

For more information on Ridgeback Panorama bikes visit: www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/panorama.

This is a sensible & worthwhile cause.

From cyclelifestyle.co.uk …

Why the ‘London Cycle Map Campaign petition’ was created … We believe there should be a single ‘London Cycle Map’ that’s clear and easy to use and corresponds to a unified network of signed cycle routes throughout Greater London: the cycling equivalent of the London Underground Map.

London Cycle Map Campaign petition

Madison, Ridgeback’s distributor in the UK, will be taking fourteen booths at the inaugural London Bike Show at London’s ExCel this January, which promises to be THE consumer show for bike and outdoor enthusiasts. Eleven of the booths are brand specific, with a further three representing the remainder of Madison’s product portfolio, the very best in leisure, commuting and adventure cycling products.

The show, which will be held from the 13th – 16th January, will offer a three-for-one all-encompassing event for adventure enthusiasts, with tickets admitting entrance to The London Bike Show, The Outdoors Show and The Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show.

Ridgeback along with Cervélo, Genesis, Commencal and Saracen will be among the bike brands on show, with Pearl Izumi, Madison Clothing, Shimano, OGIO and Elite also having their own stands.

The Ridgeback team looks forward to seeing you there. We’ll show you the bikes in person and if you’re already a Ridgeback rider, we’d love to get your feedback.

For all the latest information visit www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk

Given the general growth in cycling, we’ve become aware of increasing demand for different types of junior bikes. You might say a more serious type of bike. One that enables a child to ride longer and in more comfort … be it to school or on family holiday rides.

We’re currently working on a 24” wheel Flight series model. The picture shows our first prototype and before you let us know, the fork length is incorrect and the saddle is too large, however we’d really like to hear your thoughts as to the bike’s viability as well as any specific points you might have, especially about tyre type and width.

A Flight 24 is a high quality bike for a committed younger rider. Target retail £450.

Spec summary

Frame and fork: 6061 aluminium
Seat tube: 350mm / just under 14”
Horizontal top tube: 410mm / 16”
Standover: 605mm / 24”
Transmission: 11-32 8spd