Bookings are now live for our Big Demo Day at Hamsterley Forest
WHEELBASE BIG DEMO DAY Sat. 21st March 2020 Hamsterley Forest, County Durham, DL13 3NL
Book now at http://www.bigdemonortheast.co.uk/
We are bringing our Big Demo event to the North East. Based at Hamsterley Forest, we’ll have bikes from some of the world’s best brands – Cube, Specialized, Cannondale, Nukeproof, Mondraker, Yeti, Focus and Merida. On offer will be a selection of full-suspension, hardtail and electric mountain bikes to test out on a choice of two courses around the stunning Hamsterley Forest trails. The event will be run from the Visitor Centre, see map for location.
Your £5 booking fee will be donated to Hamsterley Trailblazers who do a fantastic job of maintaining and developing the trails of Hamsterley Forest, making it a centre of excellence for mountain biking in the UK.
Saturday 21st March 2020
We will have five rides running throughout the day which will follow a choice of two signposted trails.
Ride times:
LOOKING FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY? THEN LOOK NO FURTHER THAN A COMPANY THAT IS GOING PLACES.
WHEELBASE is the UK’s largest cycle store and we have been at the forefront of the industry for the last 25 years. We live and breathe bikes and have built up our business in the Lake District National Park with some of the UK’s best mountain and road rides right outside our HQ. We opened our second store WHEELBASE North East in 2016 and our third store WHEELBASE Yorkshire in 2018. We have ambitious plans for further expansion of our retail and ecommerce divisions.
SALES LEDGER /ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT – FULL AND PART-TIME
We are looking for a Sales Ledger / Accounts Assistant to join our accounts team. This is a great opportunity to work for a business that has grown significantly over recent years.
Key duties and responsibilities would be
– Reconciliation of all income sources.
– Ensuring processes and procedures for information are followed efficiently.
– Key data into company accounting system.
– Check all financial transactions for accuracy.
– Resolve queries in a prompt and timely manner.
– Work closely with stock manager to ensure accurate stock and sales data.
– Preparing monthly reports for the Finance Director.
– Other general accountancy and administrative support to the Finance Director.
What we are looking for from you
– Experience/knowledge of bookkeeping practices is essential.
– Basic Microsoft Excel/Word skills.
– An understanding of accounting systems.
– Ability to communicate with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
– Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team.
– Working with spreadsheets, sales ledgers and journals.
Location
Wheelbase HQ, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9LR UK. Only 15mins from the M6 motorway and 10mins from Lake Windermere. 5mins walk to Staveley train station.
Salary
We offer a competitive salary, dependent on experience.
Hours
Hours and days of work negotiable.
How to apply
Please send your CV along with a covering letter to jobs@wheelbase.co.uk
The Challenge is a timed mountain bike ride starting and finishing at our Wheelbase Lake District store in Staveley. The ride takes in the Longsleddale, Kentmere & Troutbeck Valleys as well as taking in the famous Garburn Pass. It is organised in memory of Sam Houghton, a keen mountain biker who sadly lost his battle against cancer and died aged only 22 in May 2006. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Cancer Research UK.
There will be no on-the-day entries and there are a maximum of 500 places so get your place secured now to avoid disappointment! Book your place online now.
Our men’s elite road race team left storms Dennis and Jorge behind and headed for the sunnier climes of Calpe in Southern Spain for a pre-season training camp.
Blue skies and long, tough days in the saddle were the order of business for the duration of the trip as the lads looked to boost fitness and team morale ahead of the 2020 season.
Calpe is a mecca for road cyclists and a host of World Tour teams spend much of the winter period training on the quiet, smooth mountain roads around the Costa Blanca town. Many of the climbs in the area are regularly visited by the Vuelta a Espana during late August including the Coll de Rates and Val de Ebo, both excellent for testing form ahead of the upcoming races.
The road racing season starts in earnest in March before the British Cycling Elite series kicks off in April. We’re heading into our twelfth season on the road as one of the top domestic elite British teams. Watch this space as the season progresses and the racing gets going.
The team would like to express a huge thank you to each of our sponsors as we gear up to do battle on the road once again this season.
Two great routes to choose from which take you thought scenic roads with beautiful views of Howgills, Dent and Barbon. Both routes head generally south eastwards through Cumbria taking some very quiet valleys that you may be unaware of (unless you’ve done this sportive before of course!) as well as a few tasty climbs and some seriously quick descents.
The timed hill climb of the day takes you up Shacklabank. A tricky little climb which will see the fastest male / female crowned King / Queen of the mountain with a jersey from Wheelbase too.
Choose the long route, head further afield but get a bonus refreshments stop at Sedbergh Peoples Hall before heading back to Staveley for tea, cake and time to drool over the latest carbon fibre beauties in the shop!
If there’s any brand in cycling that would be considered a ‘winter specialist’ it’d have to be Northwave. The Italian brand was the first to use GoreTex® in its shoes and has since developed an extensive range of winter-specific shoes for a variety of conditions and disciplines.
Raptor Arctic GTX
With the Raptor GTX, Northwave developed a windproof and waterproof winter shoe to compliment the increased comfort and freedom of movement created by Northwave’s exclusive Climaflex collar.
The Arctic GTX footbed with a four-layer aluminium and fleece construction works with the membrane to deliver outstanding warmth and insulation.
Raptor TH Winter Shoe
At first glance, Northwave’s Raptor TH seem as though they wouldn’t belong in the winter shoes collection – the low-cut profile may suggest otherwise. However, by using Thinsulate, the famous synthetic microfiber with outstanding thermal isolation and breathability features, has added warmth to Northwave’s exclusive mid-season shoes: low-cut, summer-like light shoes with unique thermal capacity.
The Arctic GTX footbed with a four-layer aluminium and fleece construction works with the membrane to deliver outstanding warmth and insulation.
Flash Thinsulate Winter Shoe
A versatile road shoe designed to deliver comfort, warmth and performance from freezing temperatures to milder settings. Constructed from an insulating Thinsulate membrane, a winter specific material suitable for temperatures from 0 to +15°C, these shoes supply all the warmth and comfort you would expect in these winter conditions.
The shoes provide great thermal insulation, breathability and a snug fit with Northwave’s Biomap Aero overlap. These performance orientated winter shoes produce the same excellent power transfer that Northwave owners have come to expect from their shoes – with a sole stiffness rating of 8 from Northwave.
Shop our full range of Northwave shoes with reductions up to 32% online.
Specialized’s first ever electric drop-bar bike looks to redefine road riding
We were treated to a test ride of the brand-new Turbo Creo recently, taken in some of the lumpy roads near our Darlington store and into the Yorkshire Dales.
Specialized’s have mastered the electric mountain bike market with the hugely popular Turbo Levo and Turbo Kenevo ranges of bikes. They’ve now brought this expertise and innovation to a new range of electric road bikes in the Turbo Creo. Each bike in the Turbo Creo range is designed to flatten climbs and nullify headwinds.
Specialiazed Turbo Creo Key Features
Lightweight Fact 11r carbon fibre frame.
The lightweight SL 1.1 motor doubles your effort with as much as 240 watts of silent and powerful assistance to amplify your ride. The motor’s responsive torque curve delivers power perfectly in-tune with your normal riding cadence and leaves no resistance when riding unassisted.
Battery anxiety? Not on the Creo SL. With up to 80 miles of range from the internal battery, the Creo SL eats up big miles and long days. Our optional range extender provides up to 40 additional miles of mountain-flattening power.
By connecting with our Mission Control App, you’re able to tune the SL 1.1 motor to your riding style, record rides, and monitor the battery. The app can handle battery management automatically too, ensuring the battery will last as long as you need it to. The motor even has a built-in power meter that transmits to any ANT+ head unit.
With the Future Shock 2.0, you’ll feel a reduction in fatigue and an increase in speed, no matter the terrain. The 2.0 iteration gives you more control via a knob atop the stem. This knob adjusts compression from fully-open to stiff, while hydraulically-damped internals control rebound. The new Smooth Boot, top cap, and Future Stem also enhance the aesthetic, so you get a clean transition from head tube to stem.
The Specialized Turbo Creo range is now available to order online with several models in stock and available from our Darlington store.
The all-new Turbo Levo SL from Specialized has rewritten the rules for a trail e-MTB. Weighing in at 17.35kg, the full-suspension trail bike doubles your power output and handles like a nimble trail bike.
The Turbo Levo SL is the lightest e-MTB in its class thanks to its svelte-yet-stiff chassis, superlight motor, and cutting-edge motor and battery system. The advanced motor and lithium-ion batteries give you the speed and range to tackle truly massive rides. And the Mission Control App can automatically handle battery management, so you’ll always have power when you need it. The App allows you to custom-tune the Turbo Levo SL’s power delivery, control your range, record rides, or just climb on and hammer to your heart’s content.
The Levo SL shares much of its DNA with the already established Turbo Levo but tips the scale at around 4kg less for overall weight. This is a hefty saving and is largely because of the reduced battery and motor size, reducing the additional power output from 500wh down to 240 watts of motor assistance. The smaller motor retains a natural and smooth pedalling motion as well as reducing the bulk around the bottom bracket area. The technology is also deployed on Specialized’s Turbo Creo electric road bike.
Another cool feature on this 150mm travel trail bike is the integrated SWAT multi-tool hidden in the steerer tube, maintaining the sleek look. The Turbo Levo SL will be in stock and available to order online very soon. For more information give us a call on 01539 821443 or email info@wheelbase.co.uk
Now is the time of year when as cyclists we’re looking ahead and planning our goals and events for the upcoming season. We’ve likely had some time off the bike over the holiday period and will soon be ramping up the miles training for the year ahead. Now is the perfect time to fine tune your position on the bike.
Are the aches and pains just part of cycling?
Can I get more comfortable?
Is my bike set up for maximum efficiency?
Can I improve my power transfer?
Am I getting the best out of my cycling?
If you have asked yourself any or all of these questions then there is one sure-fire way to find the answer, with a precision bike fit. At our Wheelbase Lake District and Wheelbase Yorkshire stores we have a highly experienced team of dedicated professionals who can adjust the setup of your current bike, confirm size and discern your ideal riding position.
We have recently invested in the Selle Italia idmatchsystem which, through a sophisticated algorithm, will offer each individual rider the perfect fit for saddle and cleats based on a few simple body measurements.
How does it work?
What to Wear
You should wear clothing and cycling shoes that you would normally wear on your bike. We have changing facilities available for you to use.
The Interview
The Wheelbase Precision Bike Fit begins with a discussion about your current riding, future aspirations and any issues or injuries you have experienced which helps us determine your perfect riding position.
Physical Assessment
The physical assessment allows us to gauge your flexibility, stability and understand your individual body-mechanics in relation to your bike position.
From The Feet Up
Selle Italia’s idmatch process uses precise foot measurements, biomechanical assessment and sophisticated software to determine optimum cleat position. As a ‘fixed point’ of contact between you and your bike it is essential to get this right first.
The Perfect Position
Once we’re happy with your shoe/pedal setup we use the Precision Fit jig to establish your ideal riding position. Your Precision Fit specialist will go through a series of adjustments to saddle and handlebar position to determine your optimum position.
The Result
Your new position is taken from our jig and using geometry data is applied to your bike. All details of your fit will remain on our database and can be recalled at any time, with the option of a follow up consultation to see how you are getting on.
What our customers say…
“The bike fit has transformed my ride – feels like a new bike!” Steve, Kendal
“It’s like a different bike. Ride was so much more comfortable, ride position is loads better and the new seat has made a massive difference, I can now walk after a 3hr ride instead of hobbling around for the rest of the day!!!” Caroline, Cotswolds
“I figured if I had a new bike I should have a new fit. Having just completed an epic adventure by riding from Preston to London in a day for the last train home, I can honestly say not once during my ride did I feel the previous knee niggles, lower back pain or neck ache I had prior to the bike fit. Considering this was over a non-stop 226 mile journey it can only be testament to the bike fit I had.”Hannah, Cheshire
“..excellent and thorough bike fit..I went out yesterday and ended up doing 86 miles and the bike was perfect.” – Andrew, Sunderland.
Our WHEELBASE CabTech Castelli rider Lewis Craven took the win and the National Champs Jersey at this weekends National CycloCross Championships in the Vet40 class.
The muddy, technical course suited Lewis’s skills very well, he also had a big confidence boost after winning the final round of the National CX Trophy in York just before Christmas. Lewis got a clean start and had moved into the lead on lap 2 of the 7 lap race, and rode confidently and expertly to take the win by a huge margin of 1 minute and 25 seconds.
Big thanks to all our sponsors and supports – it’s a great start to the #WheelbaseCabtechCastelli season – bring it on!
RESULTS: Men veterans 40-44
1. Lewis Craven (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli)
2. Adrian Lansley (Pedalon.co.uk)
3. Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing)
Image from Cadence Images. View the full gallery on our Facebook page.
