Reviews of bikes, accessories, books and cycling accommodation

Product review: Sena R1 Smart Helmets

Richard Peace reviews the Sena R1 'smart helmet', which uses Bluetooth technology to allow you to speak with other riders or listen to music on your bike. • Oct 02, 2018

Bike review: Haibike SDURO Trekking 4.0 electric bike (2018)

Our e-bike expert Richard Peace reviews the 2018 model SDURO Trekking 4.0 from German manufacturer Haibike. • Oct 01, 2018

Product review: Vaude Karakorum panniers

Richard Peace reviews the Vaude Karakorum three-pannier set for cycle touring. • Sep 27, 2018

Book review: The Good Mountain Biking Guide

Richard Peace reviews the second edition of The Good Mountain Biking Guide for England and Wales. • Aug 14, 2018

Product review: Mission Workshop Axis Beltbag

Beltbags can provide extra carrying space on cycle tours. We review Mission Workshop's Axis Beltbag. • Aug 09, 2018

Electric bike review: Raleigh Motus Grand Tour

We review the Raleigh Motus Grand Tour, a fast, smooth-riding ebike featuring a new motor from Bosch that can conquer long bike tours. • Jul 30, 2018

Guidebook review: Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland

We occasionally run book reviews for the other side of the Channel. Bob Zeller reviews the Cicerone guidebook for Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland. • Jul 23, 2018

Guidebook review: Cycling the Way of the Roses

With so many of our readers based in the UK, we occasionally run book reviews for the other side of the Channel. Here, Julia Murfin reviews the Cicerone guidebook for cycling the Way of the Roses. • Jun 15, 2018

Cycling accommodation review: Clos du Magnolia, Orb river valley

Clos du Magnolia is a gem of a B&B. It's run by cyclists near the Orb River, just 20km north of Beziers. • May 23, 2018

Cycling hotel review: Hôtel de France et de Russie, Thiviers

We stayed at Hôtel de France et de Russie in Thiviers at the end of our Flow Velo bike ride from the Atlantic Coast. Here's what we thought. • May 07, 2018

Cycling hotel review: Les Chambres de l’Abbaye, Saintes

Les Chambres de l’Abbaye in Saintes is a living, breathing piece of history – and you can be part of it. • Apr 30, 2018

Cycling hotel review: Inter-Hotel Confluence, Damazan

Britta Sorensen reviews the Inter-Hotel Confluence in Damazan on the Canal de Garonne. • Apr 26, 2018

Cycling hotel review: Lafayette Hotel, Rochefort

We review the Hotel Lafayette in Rochefort - ideal for the Flow Velo cycle route from Ile d’Aix to Thiviers. • Apr 25, 2018

E-bikes - Spring 2018 model reviews

Electric bike use is on the rise – we are hearing from more readers bringing their e-bikes to France, or hiring them while here. We review some of the latest e-bikes on the market. • Apr 04, 2018

Book review: The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes Cycling Book

We take a step back in time to an age when getting something from Amazon probably meant a relative was visiting South America. Bob Zeller reviews an old cycle touring classic, the The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes Cycling Book. • Mar 29, 2018

Book review: V4: A Brittany Cycle Route guidebook

If you're cycling the northern French coast between Roscoff and Mont St Michel, then the V4: A Brittany Cycle Route could be the guidebook for your pannier. Review by Richard Peace. • Mar 16, 2018

Book review: Gravel Cycling - The complete guide to gravel racing and adventure bikepacking

Whether you already love the feel of gravel under your tyres or want to learn more, Bob Zeller says Gravel Cycling by Nick Legan is for you. • Jan 22, 2018

Cycling hotel review: Hôtel La Jetée, Ile-de-Ré

We stayed at the Hotel La Jetée in Saint-Martin-de-Ré on Ile-de-Ré during a recent cycling holiday. • Nov 04, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Grand Hotel d'Orange, Orange

We stayed at Grand Hotel d'Orange when we stopped in Orange to check out the amazing ancient theatre there. Here's what we liked about the hotel. • Oct 02, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Chateau de Mazan (for Ventoux)

We stayed at the elegant Chateau de Mazan hotel on a recent trip to Provence. It's an ideal base for an assault on the mighty Ventoux. • Oct 02, 2017

Cycling accommodation review: Vélo Gîte Valence

Vélo Gîte Valence offers budget cycling accommodation on the ViaRhona. Here's our review. • Sep 30, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Grand Hotel, Avignon

I stayed at the Grand Hotel in Avignon at the start of a cycling trip in the Vaucluse. Here's our review. • Sep 27, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Hotel Campanile Paris 19

Richard Peace stayed at Hotel Campanile Paris 19 while cycling in Paris. • Aug 02, 2017

Cycling accommodation review: La Maison 19 (for Calais)

We review La Maison 19, a cycling B&B with self-catering accommodation within reach of the port of Calais. • Jul 06, 2017

Cycling B&B review: La Vie en Rose, Charente

Jacqui Brown cycled in the Charente and arrived at La Vie en Rose B&B after a lovely day in the saddle. Here she shares her thoughts on the warm welcome she received. • Jun 13, 2017

Product review: Muc-Off Luxury Shaving Cream

Bike cleaner and lubricant manufacturer Muc-Off has branched out to help keep the boys feeling nice after a ride. We review their shaving cream. • May 15, 2017

Book review: Avenue Verte London to Paris guidebook

The official Avenue Verte London to Paris guidebook has been published by Sustrans • May 09, 2017

Book review: Brompton Bicycle

With the folding Brompton bike as popular as ever, Bob Zeller reviews the story of the struggle to make the original concept a reality. • May 02, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Le RexHotel, Tarbes

If you're looking for a base near the Pyrenees, Jacqui Brown says Le RexHotel in Tarbes could be a good option. • May 01, 2017

Cycling accommodation review: Gites Au Marcassin and Au Cocorico self-catered gites

Jacqui Brown stayed at the Gites Au Marcassin and Au Cocorico, self-catered gites that welcome cyclists in the Deux-Sèvres. • Apr 06, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Hotel de La Porte Dorée, Paris

Looking for a Paris hotel whose staff won't blink an eyelid if you drag your bike and panniers through the door? The Hotel de La Porte Dorée is for you. • Mar 30, 2017

Cycling hotel review: easyHotel, Luton

We review the easyHotel in Luton – a budget hotel option for cyclists flying to and from France from Luton Airport in the UK. • Mar 29, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Pierre & Vacances Haguna, Biarritz

We stayed at the Pierre & Vacances Haguna apartment-hotel during a recent visit to Biarritz. Here’s what we found when we arrived. • Mar 28, 2017

Product review: Velospeeder Brompton electrical assist kit

Electric bikes can help take the worry out of the hills and get you where you need to go faster. We review Velogical's Velospeeder electrical asset kit for Bromptons. • Mar 21, 2017

Book review: Cycling Southern France by Richard Peace

The south of France is among the most popular leisure cycling areas in the world. Bob Zeller reviews the Cycling Southern France guidebook. • Mar 20, 2017

Cycling hotel review: Hotel Aguado, Dieppe

Richard Peace reviews the Hotel Aguado in Dieppe, a hotel near both the Avenue Verte London to Paris cycle route and the Euro Velo 4 Central European route. • Nov 25, 2016

Cycling hotel review: Hotel Le Saint Aubin, Avenue Verte London-Paris bike route

Richard Peace reviews the Hotel Le Saint Aubin at Gournay-en-Bray on the Normandy section of the Avenue Verte London to Paris bike route. • Nov 24, 2016

Cycling hotel review: Hotel de Normandie, Avenue Verte London to Paris bike route

Richard Peace stayed at the Hotel de Normandie in Gournay-en-Bray while cycling the Avenue Verte, the London to Paris bike route. Here's his review. • Nov 23, 2016

Cycling B&B review: Au Relais de Chaussy, Avenue Verte London-Paris bike route

We review the Au Relais de Chaussy, a B&B on the Avenue Verte London to Paris cycle route. • Nov 21, 2016

Product review: BionX D-Series Electric Power Assist Kit

Richard Peace reviews an electric assistance kit that can upgrade your current bike to an electric to give it a little boost. • Nov 03, 2016

Folding bikes review: Tern Verge Tour, Bickerton Argent 1909 and Tern Vektron

Richard Peace reviews three folding bikes: a fully-fledged folding tourer, a town bike, and a new electric folder. • Oct 10, 2016

Product review: Akuma Women's Bib Shorts and Jersey

We road-tested Akuma Cycling's women's bib shorts and jersey during a rainy, windy week in Normandy. • Oct 02, 2016

Cycling hotel review - Le Saint James hotel, Bordeaux

I headed to Le Saint James hotel in Bordeaux to catch up with an old friend who was arriving with her bike. Here's what we found. • Sep 25, 2016

Review self-catered house for cyclists: La Poste des Gardes, south-west France

Jacqui Brown reviews La Poste des Gardes, a historic cyclist friendly house on the River Vienne in south-west France. • Sep 16, 2016

Book review: The Science of the Tour de France: Training secrets of the world’s best cyclists

Mark Stickland learns how performances are achieved at the Tour de France today, and how this can help you improve your road cycling • Sep 14, 2016

Book review: The End of the Road – The Festina Affair and the Tour that Almost Wrecked Cycling

Julia Stagg journeys back to the Festina Affair with a copy of The End of the Road by Alasdair Fotheringham. • Sep 05, 2016

Cycling cottage review: Longère Louise, south-west France

Need a cycling base in south-west France? Jacqui Brown checked out Longère Louise, a self-catering cottage east of Poitiers. • Sep 02, 2016

Guidebook review: Cycling in the Lake District

Mark Stickland heads off into the hills with a copy of Cycling in the Lake District by Richard Barrett in his jersey pocket. • Sep 01, 2016

Cycling B&B review: La Maison du Canal, Nantes-Brest Canal

Gerry and Janet stayed at La Maison du Canal on a recent Nantes-Brest Canal cycling holiday. Here's their review. • Aug 25, 2016

Product review: Showerspass Refuge Pant

Richard Peace heads out into the rain to road-test a pair of Showers Pass cycle trousers for us. • Aug 16, 2016

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