TIMEOUT TUESDAY

This week Cycle Surgery are offering up to 40% off all SealSkinz gloves, which is apposite given the icy conditions we've been enduring in the UK recently.


I was out over the weekend, picking a line between icy patches, crossing my fingers I would stay upright. 


I did stay upright, but boy those fingers I had crossed were getting cold, and there's little worse on a bike than numb fingers.

So, perhaps it's time to upgrade to a pair of SealSkinz Thermal Gloves, down from £49.99 to £29.99. What price warm hands?


The full range of gloves are discounted for today only, so let your fingers do the walking, right over to the Cycle Surgery website. 

TIMEOUT TUESDAY

The last of the snow is just starting to clear out this way, and not before time.


With sub-zero temperatures deep freezing this part of the world, turning innocuous looking damp roads into treacherous expanses of black ice, I have returned to my trusty, if someone tired, turbo trainer.


To ease the pain, or perhaps as it turned out to increase it, I sought out some DVD inspiration and thanks to Cycling Weekly grabbed some copies of the new 3LC training sessions.


So I have been training with the Manx, for these DVDs hail from the Isle of the three legs - Mark Cavendish even features on the sprint DVD - and feeling the pain. Oh boy did I feel the pain.


But I have to say it has been great fun so far - much better than training on my own, and much better than taking a tumble out on the glacé roads. And having Peter Kennaugh Snr tell me what to do and when, and even having him congratulate me when I finish, albeit generically, gives me a bit of a boost...


So it is with interest that today I see Timeout Tuesday at Cycle Surgery are offering up to 40% off their indoor trainers and accessories.


I am tempted to upgrade my rather knackered trainer and like the look of the Tacx Trainer Flow, reduced from £409.99 to £279.99. Not a bad discount for such a nice piece of kit.


Accessories are reduced too, so a front wheel riser from Kinetic is down to £10.79 from £17.99 and a Tacx Sweat Cover down to £15,59 from £25.99. 


Maybe one day I will treat myself to the king of indoor trainers, the Tacx Trainer Fortius and feel the burn as I ride up the Alpe in the comfort of my own home. But even after a 40% discount, £731.49 is an investment too far...

WINTER TRAINING by RAPHA

My Rapha winter kit generally keeps me on the road regardless of the weather.


Take today for example. The mercury was dipping well below zero, yet as the roads were dry and there was little ice around I took the chance to head out for a quick 20 miles.


Snow is heading this way overnight tonight so this was my last chance for a few days.


So, on went my Rapha winter jersey atop a merino baselayer and I was cosy enough to hit the road. 


The arrival of this seriously cold weather has prompted Rapha to revisit their winter training feature by Joe Hall. And it makes for an interesting read second time around too...

BARGAIN HUNT 34

A couple of bargains to tempt us out on to our icy roads came through to me today. I don't know about you, but I love getting out on the road at this time of year regardless of what the weather throws at me.

At the moment we are faced with icy roads round here. Now I'm uneasy about riding on sketchy roads, given I bust my hip a couple of years back, so I like to take it nice and easy, but when the skies are clear blue and the sun burns bright and low, I find it very cathartic to get out and have my cobwebs blown away. I come back refreshed and buzzing with the knowledge that these winter miles should mean summer smiles...

Anyway, I have digressed somewhat from the topic of this blog entry. Today I found a couple of bargains to make getting out on these wintry highways more appealing. 

Evans Cycles are offering a splendid 50% off Specialized inner tubes - and let's face it we can't head out with too many of these rammed in our jersey pockets at this time of year. Time to stock up methinks. Head over to the Evans website and just enter code 50TUBE at checkout. Alternatively you can download a voucher to print and hand-in if you are lucky enough to live or work within striking distance a store.

Offer ends Friday 3rd February.

If inner tubes simply lack that luxury edge you crave, then perhaps this offer from Rapha will get your heart pumping a little faster. My favourite brand of top-end cycling kit are offering a generous 20% off their classic Rapha softshell jacket. Having owned one of these for years I can vouch for their quality and longevity. I simply love my softshell jacket and it keeps me toasty warm and dry no matter what the English winter throws at me. It really is a fine piece of kit.

To take advantage of this offer, get along to the Rapha website, add a softshell jacket in the colour and size of your choice, and enter NEWZIP12 as the code at checkout. Be quick though, as this offer expires at midnight GMT on Sunday 5th February. 

BARGAIN HUNT - 31

Just a quick bargain hunter update.


Wiggle are gearing up nicely for Christmas with some impressive offers. £100 off baskets of £1000 or more - good if you are in the market for a new bike obviously. 


£50 off baskets of £500 or more, £25 off baskets of £250, an odd £16 off baskets of £100 and £6 off baskets of £50.


The offer codes are UK100, UK50, UK25, UK16 and UK-6 - just add them to the magic box at checkout.


These offers expire on Monday so get shopping.


Incidentally, Wiggle are also offering up to 25% off all dhb merino base-layers. As someone who owns both short-sleeved and long-sleeved flavours of these I can highly recommend them. Supremely comfortable, high-wicking and terrific value all round.

BARGAIN HUNT - 30

Quite a few deals to take a look at this weekend as the bargains ramp up again ahead of the Christmas rush.


First up are Ribble Cycles, who are offering a mighty 25% off winter clothing for this weekend only. I know the temperatures are holding up at the moment, as I discovered on my ride home from work this evening, but we all know that at some point soon we will be suffering in the teeth of those lazy northerly and easterly winds that blow relentlessly chilling us to the bone.


Proper winter kit will keep us on the road in comfort and Ribble have some great deals. 25% off jackets, bib-tights, overshoes, head wear, socks, arm warmers, leg warmers and base layers. You name it they have it on sale. My pick of the bunch? Well, that would be all the Castelli kit - an uber-stylish way to stay toasty warm on the bike this winter...


Always Riding are offering £20 off baskets of £150 or more until 15th November. Just use the code FWXX222 at checkout to get the saving. 


After some Sidi cycling shoes? Maybe you fancy cooking up a pair like messrs Basso and Nibali on that really annoying eurosport ad? Well now's your chance as Merlin Cycles are offering 20% off their already competitive prices on any pair of Sidis. Just use SIDI20 at checkout to take advantage of this one. This brings the rather excellent Genius 5 Pros down to £134.95...


Fancy some free energy chews? Well, I say 'free' but of course there's a catch. But if you fancy spending a not unsubstantial £50 on the ZipVit website they will throw in a case of short dated stock energy chews, worth £30. Just use the code ZV10 at checkout. Not sure your dentist will thank you mind...

Finally, and I surely have left the best 'til last? Do you run a Garmin sat-nav? Maybe you have the team kit, you know all the riders' names, you’ve even thought about learning a second language to prove you are a cycling superfan! Well here is your chance to take the next step in argyle fandom – download Garmin’s newest GPS voice from the Garmin Garage later this month and let the unpredictable Dave Zabriskie act as your copilot. This free voice for your navigator is Garmin's way of saying thank you for your support!

BARGAIN HUNT - 28

It's Timeout Tuesday over at Cycle Surgery again and today they have some great deals on Assos kit - up to 50% off.


Simply use TT111 at checkout to get the discount and you can pick up a Stinger Winter hat for £15.46 down from £30.99, a Mille Short Sleeve jersey for £66.49 down from £132.99 or maybe some Fi Mille S5 bib-shorts for £84.99, reduced from £169.99.


You can also pick up an excellent Assos winter jacket for £124.49 reduced from £248.99. Just the ticket as the weather turns against us...

BARGAIN HUNT - 27

Planet X have some terrific deals on Giro kit at the moment, so if you need new shoes or a new helmet, check out their website first.


I love the Giro Factor shoes with their piano black gloss finish, and you can pick up a pair for £157.49 reduced from £224.99. Stock levels are pretty good right now too.


The Giro Trans offer good value too and these are down from £159.99 to £109.99. That's a lot of shoe for the money.

The range topping Giro Ionos helmet, a perennial favourite, is reduced from £169.99 to £99.99 and includes the Livestrong special edition.


The Atmos helmet is down to £77.95 from £129.99 and this looks to be exceptional value as it's a great helmet.


Even at the budget end there are good savings to be made; the Monza helmet, normally retailing at £74.99 is reduced to a very tempting £49.99. Well worth checking out.


Finally, as the temperatures promise to fall away - well, it is November after all so it was going to happen, there are worse ways to keep your head warm than with the Giro Merino Winter Cap. This is almost Rapha-esque in appearance, but is available for £19.99 after a price drop from £27.99.

All told there are some excellent savings to be made on all Giro kit at Planet X. Grab it whilst it lasts...

DHB AUTUMN/WINTER RANGE

This might seem odd at first, but alongside Rapha, my favourite cycle kit brand is DHB. The quality of Wiggle’s in-house DHB range has improved year on year and is now set to launch as a brand in it's own right outside of Wiggle. Proof indeed that this is a brand going from strength to strength.


The new Turbulence Windproof Jacket, £44.99, comes in both men's and women's options and is a slimline shell made from breathable nylon designed as a top layer for cool, dry rides. It includes a low-cut back, mesh armpits, reflective details and a rear zip pocket. As with all DHB clothing, sizing is very much UK, unlike some mainland Europe brands.

The Teflon coated EQ2.5 Waterproof Cycling Jacket, £69.99, is one for when the conditions turn distinctly wet, and is available in black, grey or red, with contrasting full-length zip. It's described as 'medium fitted' and isn't as bulky as some rain jackets. Pit zips should prevent any overheating, and two inside chest pockets should keep those valuables dry. This and the fleece lined collar are nice touches.


A mid-weight long-sleeve jersey like the fleece lined Momentum, £53.99, available in black, red or blue, is an essential piece of winter gear for any cyclist. On those crisp, dry days, providing you're wearing a base layer, a jersey like this will normally be enough. It has a performance fit, so there won't be any excess bits flapping in the wind, and plenty of reflective detailing, enhancing its outer layer credentials. Features include three rear pockets, including one with Velcro and a small zipped pocket on the side for your valuables. 


Next up are a bunch of base layers made from 100 percent merino wool, which is increasingly popular because of its wicking and anti-odour properties. The Merino Longsleeve Zip-neck baselayer is close fitting and comfortable, and available in two levels of thickness –150gsm for £40.99 and 190gsm for £46.99 – depending on how chilly it is outside. I have been using one of the 190gsm base-layers for over a year now, and it saw me through the whole of last winter plus spring and now autumn this year. It was comfortable and cosy warm and washes perfectly in the machine. Even with 12 months use it is still looking as good as new.


There is also a zipless, round necked Merino Longsleeve Round-neck baselayer available in 150gsm for £37.99 and 190gsm for £44.99, as well as a short-sleeved 150gsm option for £35.99. All come in blue, grey and grey marl. 


Finally we have the Extreme Winter Gloves, available for £26.99. These promise to be an excellent winter glove, fully insulated for the worst the winter weather can throw at us, they have an integrated waterproof membrane that'll hopefully keep the rain out too. The palm has a silicone grip to cap off what is on paper the only glove we will need this winter. 

BARGAIN HUNT - 24

Oh dear - where does the time go? Last time I looked it was Tuesday and now it's Friday evening... Still, at least it's the weekend!


Bargains are still coming at me thick and fast, so a quick update. Planet X are offering deals on Mavic Road wheelsets - Cosmic Elites are £279.99 down from £354.99 and the excellent Ksyrium Elites are £389.99 from £485.99. Ksyrium Equipes are £269.99 for black or £279.99 for white both down from £339.99. Why a tenner more for the white set I wonder? They do look rather nice mind...


Ribble cycles are running one of their many stock-take discounts - those boys really like to keep on top of their kit don't they? So, on top of their existing 20% off they are offering an additional 10% discount off all products (*not bikes or groupsets) - simply add SALE10 as the code at checkout.


Merlin Cycles are also offering 10% all their kit - this time the code is WINTER10 at checkout. Merlin's prices are always some of the keenest, to another 10% off their prices should make for some tempting purchases.


Tredz have got some good deals on their website at the moment - there are some pretty impressive discounts. There are savings of at least 30% on a lot of their kit...


Finally I will leave you with another Planet X special as they really know how to put an offer together. This time they would apparently have a job lot of LOOK 596 team replicas they need to dispose of, as they are offering this handsome machine not at it's RRP of £6,199 but for an mouth watering £3,799. That is a lot of bike for what is still a lot of money, but not nearly as much as it should be.


The catch, as of writing this blog they only had 6 available. So be quick.


If I had £3,799 I would be tempted. But I don't, so that's one offer I will leave for someone else to snap up...

BARGAIN HUNT - 23

The bargains are still coming thick and fast, which is just as well as I am struggling to keep my motivation going as the days get shorter, the temperatures cooler and the winds stronger.


I was out on the road yesterday morning after a weekend away and boy was it a struggle. Into a strong headwind for the better part of 30 miles, it was the first run along one of my usual winter routes since last year. I was even tempted to stop off and check for brake rub so leg-numbingly difficult was I finding it. I wish...


So, maybe a little retain therapy will ease the pain? Always Riding are offering 10% off for orders in excess of £100, not bad if you have a blue chip purchase planned. Simpy use OCTOBEROFFER at checkout before October 23. 


Wiggle, bless 'em, are also offering an extra 10% off site prices - use code EXT10-SPECIALS at checkout. They also have massive discounts on a whole bunch of kit they want to clear, including bikes. The never ending sale continues...


If you fancy glamming your bike up for winter on a budget, new bar tape is an easy and effective way. PBK are offering 50% off Deda tape at the moment - use DEDA50 at checkout.


Bikes You Like are offering 50% off Altura Night Vision gloves, both yellow and black, bringing them down to £19.99.


Finally, Parkers International are offloading Michelin Pro Race 3 tyres for a oh-so-tempting £20.95 - that's a saving of 38% off the usual £33.99.


Grab 'em whilst you can...

BARGAIN HUNT - 22

Would you believe it? I go away for a weekend and the cycling retail world goes bargain crazy!


Where to start? Well, in the words of Julie Andrews the beginning is a very good place usually.


ChainReactionCycles are offering 25% off Mavic wheels - the pick of the bunch, in my eyes anyway, are the Ksyrium Elites in silver at a tyre popping £165 - that's £55 off the usual retail price. And a very nice wheel - too good for winter really. Note, this is not for a set - no, CRC aren't that crazy - this is per wheel i.e. front and back...


There's also 25% off a load of Mavic cyclo-cross wheels too, if that's your winter thing...


Moving on... Primera are offering 15% off anything and everything for one week only, excluding existing offers. Just use NL-OCT-15 as the code at checkout.


Those crazy guys over at Merlin cycles are offering VAT free bikes this weekend only - so be quick. Use the code NOVAT at checkout to get a 17% discount. Merlin obviously missed the memo putting VAT up to 20%, but hey let's not be too picky...


On top of this Merlin are also offering 10% off all Cateye computers and lights - it's the not-so-cryptic CATEYE10 as the checkout code this time.


Fancy spending £50 with Always Riding? If so, take a fiver off courtesy of the code SUB5LOYAL at checkout.


Tredz are offering 20% off Altura kit - especially useful for us cycle commuters. Ends Sunday night though, so again - be light on your feet for this one.


ProBikeKit are offering 15% off turbos - hate the things since using one for my broken hip rehab, but each to their own. After weeks of one-legged training sessions I vowed NEVER AGAIN!


And finally, cue drum-roll... PBK are also offering up to 60% - yes 60% people - off cycle clothing. Craft and Gore kit appear to have the best savings on offer, but there are lots of bargains hidden away on the site. 


I'll finish with a link to the Evans cycles competition to win a set of Exposure lights. How cool would that be? Top prize is a set of Exposure Six Pack with enough illumination to burn out your retina, plus 10 sets of the uber-cool Exposure Flash and Flare lights.


Good luck! But not too much...

BARGAIN HUNT - 20

Evans Cycles are offering 15% off all mudguards at the moment. Simply pick the set you like and use the code SOWMUD (no, me neither) at checkout to get your discount applied. Evans aren't always the most competitive, but with 15% off this brings them to the table.


With wet weather returning with a vengeance this week - today I got a real soaking in both directions commuting to work - I cannot put of my mudguards purchase for much longer.


Actually, my riding buddies are sick of me not having mudguards on the Sunday run too, so this is one upgrade that is long overdue. They make me ride at the back when the weather's really bad. Hang on, thinking about it...


So, what else? Parker International are offering 10% off Campagnolo components and clothing. Again, pick what you want, add it to your basket and applythe code  44C4B577-0F6 at checkout. Nice of Parker's to use a straightforward easy to remember code this time - no chance of typing that one in wrong...


Fancy adding some lurid colour to your winter wardrobe? Planet-X are offering Pissei Cuore Italiano Roubaix bib-tights for just £49.99. These remind me of the Mapei kit of the 80s, and if you fancy yourself as Marco Pantani then these could be for you. If hiding in the back of the bunch is more your thing however, then you might want to give these a miss!


Finally, Planet-X are also offering some eye-watering offers on seat posts right now. My favourite is the FSA SL-K carbon pin at a tempting £29.99, down from £75. Great stuff. 


Or maybe you'd like the FSA SL-240 carbon post for £19.99 - down from £70.

All in all, a great excuse to upgrade and not ride up grades...

BARGAIN HUNT - 19

It's Timeout Tuesday at Cycle Surgery again today. This week they have 40% off a small selection of wheels.


Fulcrum Racing 7s are down to £111 which is a bargain for a solid winter training wheel. I have a pair of these, and although not the lightest by any means, they are robust enough to take whatever the lanes of North Norfolk can throw at them through the winter.


An alternative is a set of Charge Dish wheels, about which I confess to knowing very little, but reduced from £200 to at a penny under £120 they would appear to be another set worth investigating for winter. The reviews certainly suggest this is another solid wheelset.


There's little worse than suffering from cold extremities once the mercury dips. Riding a bike with cold hands or feet is not fun at all, so it is nice to see Rutland Cycles are offering 20% off winter gloves and overshoes.


There are some particularly good deals to be had on Seal Skinz kit which is guaranteed to keep you warm and dry regardless of how cold it gets this winter...

PROVIZ LAUNCH

PROVIZ Cycling was launched last year but it has just launched it's brand new website.


Now you can buy their light-emitting cycling clothing and accessories directly through the website.


By-the-by, they have also launched a running range, combining their light-emitting technology with colourful designs to ensure that runners can now also be bright and seen as the winter nights draw in! My better half will be pleased, as will any cyclists looking to do some cross-training through the winter.


To celebrate the new website and their latest ranges, they are offering 15% off any PROVIZ products.  Simply browse the products you would like on the website and insert the code proviz100 into the relevant box on checkout. 


Some of their products are not yet in stock but they assure me they will be very shortly and the discount code will still be valid.

BARGAIN HUNT - 18

I've been looking for some winter SPD shoes for my cycle commute to work, a cool 30+ miles round trip.


I confess to using some (very) cheap shoes I bought from Lidl and they are fine for a short ride, but they weigh as much as moon boots and after a few miles turning the pedals is like a weights work-out in itself. Not much fun.

So I am looking for an upgrade... Planet-X might have the answer as they are offering some rather nice Shimano AM51s for £80, down from £120. They are an ankle boot style and look perfect for winter.


Or maybe I should opt for the cheaper AM31s for £58 down from £80. Same kind of styling, but a slightly heavier boot.


Both are a very nice looking shoe and would be perfect to see me through the winter commute...


PBK are offering up to 40% off Vittoria tyres and tubes, although sadly the 40% discount seems to apply to the tubs variety rather than the clincher flavour I use. Still, there's 20% discount off most clinchers from the budget Zaffiros to the more princely Open Paves. 


Winter of course is harsh on components and kit so it's even more important than ever to make sure everything is protected. PBK have a handy 30% of bike lubrication including the ever dependable Finish Line range.


Generous application should make sure everything runs smoothly regardless of how much Belgian toothpaste is on the road. 

BARGAIN HUNT - 17

Evans Cycles are offering a mighty 50% off some of their end of season kit. They have split the offers into clothing and accessories  and there are some good deals to be had.


There is an odd collection of stuff in there - real bargain bin stuff - but take a look. There might be something you want...


My favourite? The Charge Oven gloves for under a tenner. That's an impressive 70% off RRP...

BARGAIN HUNT - 16

Wiggle have some additional discounts available online at the moment which could be useful for those with come cash burning a hole in their pockets.

Spend £100 and you will get £10 off by using EXTRA10-100 at the checkout. Not bad if you have a blue chip purchase to make.

If it's energy goodies you're after, there is an extra 10% off if you enter EXTRA10-NUTRI at the checkout.

On top of these codes Wiggle have also got some pretty impressive discounts on autumn and winter essentials so it's worth checking out before you buy elsewhere... My pick is 25% off the already good value dhb Aeron bibshorts, down to a wallet friendly £29.99.

BARGAIN HUNT - 15

Another Timeout Tuesday from Cycle Surgery, and this one ties in rather nicely with my post about new tyres yesterday.


Even with spanking new tyres we are all likely to p*ncture at some point, especially in the winter. Having a decent pump packed makes getting back on the road that little bit easier - just swap out the tube, pump and go.


So, it's apposite that Cycle Surgery should be offering 40% off selected pumps. This is for today only, so you'd better hot-click it over to their website pronto if you want to take advantage of this one.


Pick the pump you want and simply enter TT106 at the checkout.

BARGAIN HUNT - 14

Time for new tyres? Winter is approaching, no really it is. I know the temperatures have been reaching record highs this week, but mark my words - the crappy weather will be with us before the month is out.


So, it might be time to invest in some new tyres. Getting a puncture is rough at the best of times, but getting one on a cold, wet, dark winter ride is really nasty...


ProBikeKit are offering up to 30% off Continental tyres right now and I think the pick of the bunch is the Conti GP4000 available in all colours for a touch under £30. Not cheap, but worth it if you're after an all-rounder for winter.


PBK are also offering big discounts on LOOK pedals, pretty much 25% across the LOOK board, plus up to 25% off saddle packs, another useful winter accessory.


Gotta keep those discounted Conti tubes somewhere...