Author: John Dodgin

 

A question that we’re often asked at Wheelbase HQ is ‘how do you carry all of your stuff?’ Now, what I consider carrying on a daily ride doesn’t usually contain everything including the kitchen sink but it usually consists of a multi-tool, inner-tube, pump, tyre levers, tyre boot patches, a quick link, energy gels and/or bars and either a gilet or a lightweight waterproof jacket. This is what I’d consider as my necessities to get me out of trouble with Mother Nature and the inevitable flat tyre here in the Lake District where weather conditions can change very quickly, particularly when we’re riding at elevation.

A hip pack is ideal for all of the small essentials you need to access quickly.

 

Where to carry all of this kit is the question that quickly follows and my usual response is a hip pack! So why choose a hip pack, bum bag or ‘fanny pack’ as the Americans call it? It’s a great choice when you just need a little bit more carrying capacity but don’t want to commit to wearing a bulky backpack. Recently, our good friends down at Apidura have developed their very own hip pack as part of their Backcountry series and passed one on to us prior to its commercial release to allow us to put it through a long-term test in the challenging conditions of the Lake District.

A hip pack makes a great alternative to a heavier, more bulky backpack.

 

When I first laid eyes on the Apidura Backcountry 2.5 Litre Hip Pack it was immediately obvious that this was one of the most intricate and well thought out pieces of kit I’ve ever had the privilege of using. Starting off with the technical details here’s some defining features – the Backcountry Hip Pack is made from nylon ripstop; a rugged fabric made to Apidura’s own exacting specifications for durability and waterproofing. Designed specifically for the demands of off-road riding, this Apidura fabric is light weight, low stretch, with high resistance to abrasion and tearing. With waterproofing being a no-compromise requirement the Apidura Backcountry Hip Pack features taped seams to create a watertight seal helping ensure that the hip pack remains completely waterproof. Other key features include…

• Fully waterproof two-way one finger zipper providing convenient and easy access on the go
• Adaptive fit for waist sizes ranging from 70cm to 115cm (28 inches to 45 inches)
• Chain link zipper puller stores a spare chain link for emergency trailside repairs
• Endurance on-bike anatomic fit provides all-day comfort on tough terrain
• Flexible and secure waist strap creates a secure but comfortable fit
• External zippered pocket for quick access for mid-ride essentials
• External mesh pocket provides flexible, easy access on the go
• Internal zippered pocket for secure storage of valuables
• Integrated light attachment point for increased visibility
• High-contrast reflective graphics to enhance visibility
• Padded structure for added comfort and protection
• Internal mesh pocket
• Interior key hook

Every Apidura product is slowly developed during endless hours of riding so that each factor has been considered and refined.

 

The Apidura Backcountry Hip Pack may just be the perfect piece to the puzzle that everyone is looking for. My main appreciation for this hip pack during some truly epic rides over the past few months came down to just how tough and waterproof it proved itself to be. I managed to get caught out in really unpleasant weather on numerous occasions during my time testing the Apidura Hip Pack and I’m pleased to report that everything inside the pack remained dry and protected; as I ended more than one ride feeling a little like a drowned rat it was nice to find bits like my Buff neck gator and my car keys not swimming in a puddle! I also really appreciated the internal zippered storage pocket which helped ensure my  wallet didn’t go walk about and the clever quick link storage within the zip which stays where it’s supposed to be until you need it.

A recent addition to the Apidura Backcountry range, the 2.5L hip pack is a really welcome addition.

 

To conclude, the Apidura Backcountry Hip Pack is now very much a must have in my kit line-up; whether it’s commuting to work, adding extra room on a Bikepacking trip or simply taking all the necessities on a regular mountain bike ride Apidura have me covered with the well-engineered do-it-all hip pack from Apidura.

Apidura Backcountry Hip Pack 2.5L £76.00

 

Written by Andrew Barlow

Photos by Andrew Barlow

 

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Our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team are ready to race the British Cycling National Road Championships over the coming few days on what could be considered by almost all of the riders as a ‘home race’, with the team’s largely Scottish contingent getting set to race on the demanding open roads of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.

Our young squad are relishing the chance of racing against an international field on their home roads of Scotland. Photo credit: Joe Cotterill

 

The Elite National Championship will see titles being crowned in the Time Trials, Circuit Races and the main event, the Elite Road Race Championships with National Championship jerseys being the prize that all riders will be aiming for. Every year the National Road Championships sees the very best riders coming together to fight for the title, with a considerable amount of professional racers returning to the UK having already raced in the toughest one day classics and stage races. This year’s lineup includes defending champion Ben Swift, Mark Cavendish, Ethan Hayter and many more with both the men’s and women’s field stacked with international-level talent. Our young team will have their work cut out to make their mark over the coming days, however we have some exciting prospects, particularly in the Under 23 National Time Trial Championships taking place on Thursday the 23^rd of June…

The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team will be guided through the weekend of racing by Directeur Sportif Stu Reid. Photo credit: Warren Davies

 

Our young under 23 racers Callum Thornley, Logan Maclean and Matti Dobbins are ready to race the testing 44.2KM course held at the Crichton in Dumfries and it’s fair to say that they’re all coming into the race on good form. A slight lull in the road racing calendar has played into the lad’s hands, giving them plenty of time to train specifically for the time trial; there’s been plenty of testing going with body positions being refined and plenty of speed work in the run up to the race.

Logan Maclean has good form going into the National Road Championships, held on his home roads of Scotland. Photo credit: Warren Davies

 

Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli have got particularly high hopes for local lad Callum Thornley; he’s had some really impressive time trial results in the run up to the National Championships and only a couple of weeks ago set an amazing time of 18 minutes 38 seconds for a local 10 mile time trial, coming close to the Scottish record of 18 minutes and 12 seconds set by John Archibald in 2021.

We’ve got high hopes for Callum, Matti and Logan in the U23 Time Trial. Race photo credit: Warren Davies

 

Friday will be all about fast & frenetic racing with the National Circuit Championships taking place in the quaint harbour town of Kirkcudbright. A tight circuit will see elbow-to-elbow racing from the starting gun in men’s and women’s races that boast star-studded lineups; we’ve fielded six of our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli squad in the men’s race and look forward to seeing what they can do in this unpredictable circuit race.

Matti Dobbins (main pic) and his fellow racers are ready to take on the unpredictable circuit race. Race photo credit: Joe Cotterill

 

The main event comes on Sunday the 26^th of June, with all of the major players from the world of professional cycling coming back to the UK to compete against our domestic racers. The Dumfries and Galloway roads are notoriously grippy with plenty of short sharp climbs and exposed roads that can be affected by strong winds. The National Road Race Championships is always particularly grueling with the total distance typically playing a role in grinding riders down until the very strongest rides are left to duke it out for the win. We have three Scots in the race and two additional riders as reserves; Logan Maclean, Tim Shoreman and Matti Dobbins are confirmed to race with Callum Thornley and Tom Merry as reserves. Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli would like to wish all of our racers and team staff the very best of luck for the next few days of racing at the British Cycling National Road Race Championships!

The National Road Race Championships on Sunday will be a huge test for our young team. Main photo credit: Joe Cotterill

 

2022 British Cycling U23 Men National Time Trial Championships

Thursday 23^rd June

• Callum Thornley
• Logan Maclean
• Matti Dobbins

2022 British Cycling Men’s National Circuit Race Championships

Friday 24^th June

• David Duggan
• Fraser Martin
• Tom Merry
• Tim Shoreman
• Callum Thornley
• Matti Dobbins

2022 British Cycling Men’s National Road Race Championships

Sunday 26^th June

• Logan Maclean
• Tim Shoreman
• Matti Dobbins
• Callum Thornley (Reserve)
• Tom Merry (Reserve)

 

You can the follow all the racing action on GCN+, Eurosport and British Cycling YouTube, with highlights on ITV 4. More details HERE

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Rider Portraits by James Vincent

 

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For our latest product feature we’re taking a detailed look at the rather stunning Genesis Croix De Fer Ti gravel, adventure and Bikepacking bike that can boast classic looks combined with a bang up-to-date contemporary specification. Most of you will be way ahead of us here, but for the uninitiated, the Ti in the Croix De Fer’s model name signals this adventure bike’s headlining feature – it’s constructed from one of the finest, most-desirable materials available in frame building – Titanium.

It’s fair to say that nowadays Titanium bikes are pretty niche; a rarity in a sea of cutting-edge carbon fibre frames and sleek hydroformed aluminium bikes. The reasons for this are complex and are mainly down to commercial viability within a very competitive bicycle industry rather than reflection on the material itself. Jump back in time to the late 1990’s and early 2000’s and titanium was a more popular material, particularly within the mountain bike world. This was before aluminium frame manufacturing had become as sophisticated as it is now and predated the clever manipulation of carbon fibre materials which give us such cutting-edge bikes today.

The Genesis Croix De Fer Ti boasts classic looks blended with a contemporary spec.

 

As steel bicycle frames began to fade away as the first choice for mass-produced but high-end, premium bikes Titanium jumped in as the most sought-after material thanks to its magical mix of being light weight and more compliant than steel; giving a more lively, springy feel than the best steel tubing available. Alongside these benefits there was probably one of the most unique elements of this wonder material – one that is today instantly recognised by those in the know, one which is quickly referenced when anyone is extoling the virtues of Titanium – it’s unequalled durability.

Bombproof versatility is the name of the game when it comes to this durable gravel adventure bike.

 

It’s a well-known reference point made almost anywhere in the world during casual conversation – Cockroaches are so indestructible that they’d no-doubt survive a nuclear apocalypse! I did a quick Google fact-check and apparently there’s evidence that most Cockroaches can in fact survive moderate amounts of radiation with 20% even surviving atom-bomb level radiation. Why am I referencing this within a bike review? Because I’d like to make a small addition to this popular folklore; come the nuclear apocalypse not only will there be the surviving Cockroaches, there’ll be a healthy amount of titanium bicycle frames too! They really are that durable; you see, Titanium doesn’t corrode like other frame materials and is particularly hardwearing. That means you don’t have to paint it either and the end result is a frame that will look as good now as it does in a hundred years’ time. Post the apocalypse will the surviving Cockroaches eventually evolve to ride the remaining Titanium bikes? Only time will tell…

Infographic illustrating Johnny’s theory of future evolution.

 

Genesis are famed for their retro-styled steel bikes; a number of years ago they nailed their flag to the mast and committed to producing the majority of their bike models from steel, they famously even fielded a professional road racing team on lightweight steel bikes for a short while before conceding and moving over to carbon frames just like the rest of the peloton. Racing at the highest level aside though, the steel Genesis bikes found a wide fan base for a number of reasons including an appreciation for how the material behaves, with a lively, more compliant feel than a super-stiff alloy alternative and a large cohort of cyclists nostalgically looking back to the dream steel bikes they fawned after in their earlier years.

It’s not until you get up close that you begin to notice all of the special little details that make the Croix de Fer Ti so desirable.

 

Nowadays steel bicycle frame construction is almost exclusively the reserve of custom frame builders, with the finished product coming at a high price thanks to the almost endless hours that go into their creation. Genesis saw a niche and jumped on it; producing desirable steel bicycle frames in the Far East in a more affordable manner to bring classic steel bikes back to the masses. It seemed pretty obvious that after spending some time reinvigorating the steel bike market that Genesis would eventually explore the possibility of producing a Titanium alternative in a similarly more-affordable way to the traditional custom frame building business model.

Subtle Croix De Fer branding is etched into the bare titanium frame.

 

I’m no expert, but over the years I’ve heard a lot of bike brands explain just how difficult Titanium frame construction can be. The welding process has to be free of contamination with the welding environment free of draughts, humidity, dust and what is generally described as ‘atmospheric contamination’. This is what increases the cost of a Titanium frame compared to a frame manufactured from an alternative material; the construction process takes more time and requires greater levels of quality control throughout. It’s testament to Genesis that they have been able to achieve a similar result to their previous endeavours with steel frame construction and bring a Titanium frame, produced in the Far East to a more affordable price-point.

The craftmanship that’s gone into this titanium frame is sublime.

 

Needless to say, Genesis have nailed it when it comes to build quality, with every weld bead looking neat and flawless. Then there’s all the little details on the frame that stand out and reflect the craftmanship that has gone into the overall production process. With brand logos subtly etched into the raw Titanium and multiple bolt-on bosses peppered all over the frame as well as nice little details including traditional-looking brass barrel adjusters there’s a magic mix of classic looks blended with bang-up-to-date, contemporary functionality. While the Croix De Fer Ti’s gear cables run externally the rear hydraulic disc brake hose runs internally through the frame and modern thru-axles keep wheels aligned and secure. Upfront the frames’ headset is internal while a compliant full-carbon fork adds comfort and compliance to the ride.

The Croix De Fer Ti frame will not corrode or pick up the kind of typical cosmetic blemishes that a painted frame normally does.

 

Titanium is notoriously hard to work with, with the welding process being particularly complex, but the end result is stunning.

 

Even the Genesis head badge is stripped back and raw.

 

This Titanium gravel bike is made for so much more than just a quick blast around on your local trails. It can do that of course but the Croix De Fer Ti has also been designed to ferry you further afield, encouraging you to head out on multi-day Bikepacking adventures with the minimum of bike luggage or even go for front and rear pannier racks and set off on long bicycle touring expeditions. There’s so many bolt-on bosses throughout the frame and fork so you’ll be able to spend time refining and configuring your preferred Bikepacking set-up; this latest version of the Croix De Fer Ti has seen an increase in tyre clearance too with the option to run tyres up to 45mm on the rear and 50mm on the front.

There’s plenty of clearance between tyre and frame allowing you to run 700x45mm tyres in the rear.

 

The versatile Croix De Fer Ti is more than just a simple gravel bike; it can take multiple bags for cycle touring or Bikepacking adventures.

 

Brass barrel adjusters are stylish and a nice retro touch to this classic looking gravel bike.

 

A compliant carbon fork takes the sting out of the trails and also features multiple bolt-on bosses for Bikepacking luggage.

 

A capable gravel biking and Bikepacking campaigner like the Croix de Fer Ti needs a reliable & durable groupset to handle the continuous demands of riding unpredictable terrain off-road as well as being able to cope with the extra weight of a fully-laden Bikepacking rig. Genesis have spec’d one of Shimano’s brilliant gravel-specific GRX groupsets with the Croix De Fer Ti featuring the top of the range GRX 810 11-speed option (the equivalent of their Ultegra groupset on the road).

Genesis have spec’d the Croix De Fer Ti with a durable and dependable gavel-specific Shimano GRX 11-speed 810 groupset.

 

There’s a two-way split when it comes to bike brands fitting a single or a double chainring on their gravel bikes. A single ring keeps things simple and clutter free, as well as being a little and lighter and easier to maintain thanks to not having to run a front derailleur. The counter argument against this configuration is that gear ratios can be somewhat limited, with the potential that the gear ratios available are too low on faster road sections and too high when you get offroad and are negotiating super-steep inclines. Factor in the extra weight of carrying Bikepacking luggage and it’s easy to find yourself looking for more gears during long days in the saddle. With these factors in mind Genesis have gone for a double chainring setup; with a 46/30T combination upfront and a wide ratio 11-34T cassette outback they’ve given you all the ratios you’ll need to be able to pedal as efficiently as possible in all scenarios – uphill off-road on loose surfaces, on fast, flat tarmac sections and everything in between.

Genesis have gone with a double chainring chainset for a larger spread of gears over a single-ring option.

 

Shimano took their time producing their first gravel-specific groupsets and in the meantime we saw a lot of riders adapting their road-bike-specific Shimano groupsets to do the job, however there was a really good reason for the delay, with the Japanese component manufacturers famously only ever releasing kit when they are absolutely happy with the durability and functionality of the product. The GRX ST-R810 11-Speed shifters are a great example of this ethos with Shimano choosing to design the unit from the ground up rather than just re-badging an existing road bike shifter; the key changes that make all the difference when being used off-road are a taller hood shape to help provide a more secure hand position, an alternative, higher braking pivot on the lever to make braking from the hoods (rather than the drops) more effective and a reshaped, wider brake lever with a clever rubberised finish for enhanced grip in wet riding conditions. The levers are also slightly more angled; tilted laterally to be more in line with a flared gravel bike handlebar as apposed to a conventional road bike handlebar.

Shimano designed the GRX shifter and brake lever units to perfectly suit the unique demands of gravel riding.

 

With a 46/30T double chainring chainset there’s a gear to suit every riding scenario, regardless of whether the bike’s fully-laden or not.

 

As part of this brilliant gravel-specific groupset there’s a pair of direct-mount Shimano GRX BR-RX810 hydraulic disc brake calipers to provide plenty of stopping power in even the most difficult riding conditions. The compact direct-mount brakes sit neatly within the rear triangle meaning that there’s no possibility of them interfering with any of your Bikepacking luggage or being harmed during any of the small tumbles you may have on the bike which inevitably come with regular off-road riding. Shimano’s hydraulic braking technology has slowly evolved over the years, seeing regular improvements when it comes to braking consistency, power modulation and rotor cooling, with all those benefits coming to the fore when the GRX BR-RX810 calipers are faced with the unpredictable conditions of riding off-road on technical terrain.

Neat flat-mount hydraulic disc brake calipers don’t interfere with your Bikepacking luggage while providing  plenty of stopping power.

 

Likewise, upfront the flat-mount GRX brake caliper will scrub off speed quickly and effectively.

 

Genesis have spec’d the Croix De Fer Ti with a durable but lightweight pair of 700c wheels featuring nice wide WTB ST Light i23 TCS 2.0 rims laced to a pair of durable and smooth-rolling Formula hubs. A wide rim profile means that the WTB Raddler gravel tyres benefit from a better sidewall profile and more surface contact with the ground; how so? Because the wide rim means the tyre is less pinched in for a squarer sidewall which is less prone to damage and pinch flats. That square profile means that more of the tread pattern stays in contact with the ground instead of curving away from the ground as you’d get with a narrower rim. More ground contact means more traction and greater control on loose terrain. As we’ve grown to expect, both the rim and tyres are tubeless ready and it’s worth reiterating, there’s plenty of benefits to setting your bike up tubeless, allowing you to run lower trye pressures, avoiding the potential for pinch flats and incurring less punctures from small thorns and the like thanks to the sealant inside your tyres.

The Genesis Croix De Fer Ti comes spec’d with durable WTB  ST Light i23 TCS 2.0 tubeless-ready rims shod with WTB Raddler tyres.

 

The tubeless-ready Raddler gravel tyres roll fast on harder terrain but still provide plenty of grip on softer terrain.

 

The Croix De Fer Ti comes with 40mm wide tyres but can accommodate tyres up to 50mm wide.

 

There’s lot’s of nice little design details on the Croix De Fer Ti including this custom headset top cap.

 

When it comes to finishing kit on the Croix De Fer Ti Genesis haven’t cut any corners; there’s a brilliantly comfortable Brooks saddle which features a modern profile that will suit most riders thanks to its supportive width and fairly short nose. Brooks is a saddle brand with a rich cycling heritage in the UK and its traditional leather saddle complete with iconic rivets is instantly recognisable; it’s clear to see that Brooks have taken inspiration from that original saddle to create the new C15 Cambium All Weather saddle, giving it a modern twist with a weather-proof vulcanised rubber surface providing the sort of durability that’s perfectly suited to the demands of riding off-road. The Croix De Fer Ti’s cockpit is made up of Genesis-labelled alloy components with a conventional stem matched with a gravel-specific flared handlebar; a 16” flair of the drops giving you a feeling of greater control when you’re blasting down hill on technical terrain and helping you lever the bike into tight, loose turns.

The Brooks saddle features a modern profile but includes retro styling with rivets for a classic look.

 

The Brooks C15 Cambium all-weather is durable and grippy with a vulcanised rubber surface.

 

With a bike like the Genesis Croix De Fer Ti it’s very easy to fall into the trap of using clichéd descriptions like a ‘modern classic’ or ‘retro styled with a modern twist’ but that’s exactly what this bike is. The Croix De Fer Ti is a fantastically stylish bike made from one of the most durable and aesthetically pleasing materials available; Titanium doesn’t age, is bombproof and is ready to take on the demands of Bikepacking and gravel riding long into the future. A Titanium frame like this can be seen as an investment; components will come and go, will wear out and become obsolete, however the Croix De Fer Ti frame will stand the test of time. As I’ve already highlighted, Genesis have found a way to produce a Titanium frameset which boasts all of the sort of craftmanship you’d find on a more expensive custom-built frameset crafted by an artisan frame builder and brought it to the masses in a more affordable package. If you’re looking for the ultimate gravel bike that is equal parts exotic as it is practical then this Titanium masterpiece is the perfect bike for you; the Genesis Croix De Fer T is ready to accompany you on adventures for years to come.

This bike is more than a seasonal campaigner; it may well be a life-long cycling companion in one form or another.

 

Genesis Croix De Fer Ti RRP £4,999.99

Full Specification:

• Frame: 3AL-2.5v Double-Butted Titanium
• Fork: Full Carbon
• Headset: PT-1860BC IS42 Upper / IS52 Lower
• Stem: Genesis Alloy 31.8mm -6° 100mm
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG800-11 11-34T 11-Speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX FD-RX810 11-Speed
• Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX FD-RX810
• Shifters: Shimano GRX ST-R810 11 Speed
• Chainset: Shimano GRX FC-RX810-2 46/30T
• Chain: KMX X11
• Brakes: Shimano GRX BR-RX810
• Wheels: WTB ST Light i23 TCS 2.0 Rims, Formula Front – CL-712 / Rear – RXC-142S Hubs
• Tyres: WTB Raddler 700 x 40c Tubeless Ready
• Handlebar: Genesis Alloy, 16 deg flare
• Handlebar Tape: ODI Longneck Slide-On
• Saddle: Brooks C15 Cambium All Weather
• Seatpost: Genesis Alloy 27.2 x 350 mm

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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Our Bike Check feature is back with another beauty from the travelling circus that is the UCI World Cup Downhill. Shot by our brilliant regular freelance photographer James Vincent at Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland; Vincent zoomed in on Austrian Pro Downhiller David Trummer’s great-looking Mondraker Summum Carbon RR downhill race bike to capture all of the important details that help make it such a capable campaigner.

First off, a quick introduction to David Trummer. Hailing from Austria the 27 year old has had some impressive results in his racing career already, including a brilliant Silver medal at the 2020 World Downhill Championships on home ground at Leogang in Austria where he finished second only to Scotland’s Reece Wilson (see his own Bike Check from Fort William HERE). One of the most consistent racers on the circuit, David backed-up his 2020 Worlds silver medal in 2021 with top 15 performances at nearly every round of the UCI World Cup before rounding out the season with another good showing at the 2021 World Championships, where he finished 8th.

David Trummer’s Mondraker Summum Carbon RR is tuned and ready to race.

 

Trummer moved over to the MS Mondraker pro downhill team at the start of 2022 and has very quickly gelled his new Summum race bike. Leading up to the 2022 race season David worked closely with the design and engineering team at Mondraker along with the MS Mondraker team mechanics to fine-tune the ride of his Summum, harvesting precise suspension telemetries to help inform how best to set up the bike to suit the demands of all race tracks. Somewhere along the line of those pre-season testing sessions Mondraker retro-fitted a chain idler to the Summum; you may be aware for the latest trend that has swept through the race pits during the past couple of seasons – the trend for high-pivot suspension configurations? A high-pivot suspension setup moves the bike’s main pivot high above the chainring and the rear wheel axle to encourage and enhanced rearward axle path through the travel of the rear suspension.

Trummer in action on the demanding Fort William World Cup Downhill.

 

One of the potential drawbacks of such a configuration is chain growth and pedal kickback – as the rear axle travels through its suspension the chain tightens and pulls back on the cranks. Now, the bike brands running high-pivot suspension fit an ‘idler’ which is an extra jockey wheel placed above the chainring, eliminating those issues. The Mondraker Summum is somewhat of an enigma when it comes to running an idler as there’s no high-pivot configuration on the Summum, just the idler. The bike is identical to the 2021 version save for this additional idler; I’ll be interested to see what comes next? Perhaps an all-new model with a high-pivot configuration? In the meantime the addition of an idler must have brought some benefits to how the current suspension platform performs, I’d guess eliminating some pedal kickback?

While the Summum isn’t a high-pivot bike, Mondraker have retro-fitted a chain idler to help prevent pedal kick-back.

 

The chain idler on Trummer’s Summum is a new addition for the 2022 season.

 

Carbon frames on the World Cup scene are becoming more of a rarity these days, a reflection on the commercial viability of full-on downhill bikes maybe? We’ve seen big brands like Trek revert back from carbon downhill rigs to alloy as the Enduro bike market boomed and the downhill bike market contracted; in some cases it’s just not cost-effective to tool up for a carbon frame production for a fairly small run of frames. There’s no such scenario with Mondraker – the Spanish brand was founded by a talented former international downhill campaigner and their passion and knowledge of downhill runs deep throughout the organisation; this  keeps them committed to carbon downhill bike production.

The Summum is constructed from Mondraker’s Stealth Air carbon.

 

The Summum’s chassis made from Mondraker Stealth Air Carbon is a thing of beauty and is lightweight too with the frame weighing 2800g (without the shock). At the heart of the Summum is their ZERO dual link suspension design which essentially facilitates a floating shock between the two suspension links, allowing the shock to compress from both ends; the result is rear suspension that is extremely sensitive on small bumps while also being big hit capable. It goes without saying that this Mondraker downhill bike features their ‘Forward Geometry’. Why is that so obvious? Because Mondraker were the absolute pioneers when it came to establishing this geometry concept and it’s perfectly suited to the specific demands of downhill racing. It’s the same design principle that we’ve seen every other bike brand arrive at subsequently, increasing stability at speed, providing better front wheel control and dramatically improving front tyre grip.

Part of the MS Mondraker team Trummer’s Summum carries the appropriate livery. 

 

Forward Geometry is now in its ninth season but the evolution doesn’t stand still. Most recently Mondraker have introduced shorter fork offsets to match their existing Forward Geometry. After extensive testing they have proved that shorter fork offsets give the biggest benefits in combination with the Forward Geometry concept, giving super-responsive and direct steering thanks to a short stem and long reach top tube. This design principle gives the Summum Carbon RR a more playful ride, and a feeling that you can attack harder into the corners.

Pioneers of today’s modern trail geometry, Mondraker label their own design principle as ‘Forward Geometry’.

 

Eagle-eyed readers may have already spotted that David Trummer is running his Summum as a ‘mullet bike’ (business up front, party at the back) consisting of a 27.5” diameter rear wheel and a 29” diameter front wheel which gives him all the advantages of a faster-rolling front wheel with a more agile rear wheel that he can throw around tight turns a little easier. The MS Mondraker Racing Team are supported by Shimano components and Fox suspension, with eThirteen providing the mis-matched mullet wheelset; traction and control is taken care of by Michelin tyres and a Renthal cockpit keeps David in control at race-speed. Scroll through the rest of James Vincent’s photos to see all of the specification details…

Upfront there’s a capable Fox 40 29 Float FIT GRIP2 EVOL Factory Kashima fork, boasting 203mm of travel.

 

A timing chip attached to every racer’s fork ensures finishing times are accurate to the nearest hundredth of a second.

 

The MS Mondraker team runs full-Shimano groupsets on the Summums; their Saint drivetrain more than meets the demands of downhill racing.

 

A compact Shimano Saint 10-speed rear derailleur with clutch mech keeps the Summum’s chain firmly located while providing flawless gear shifts.

 

Shimano XTR brake levers paired with 4-piston hydraulic calipers provide plenty of stopping power.

 

The Mondraker Summum Carbon RR is spec’d with an eThirteen wheelset; there’s a 29″ upfront and a 27.5″ rim out back.

 

The MS Mondraker team are on Michelin tyres; Trummer is running a DH22 upfront and a Wild outback.

 

Tyre choice for Fort William was tricky, with riders trying to strike a balance between speed and grip.

 

With a lower-profiled central tread pattern and larger outer side knobs this Michelin Wild tyre was fast on the rocky upper part of the course but grippy in the woods.

 

The UK’s Oliver Morris, racing for MS Mondraker onboard the same Summum model as Trummer.

 

The stunning Mondraker Summum Carbon RR carried Trummer to an excellent 20th finishing position at the Fort William World Cup.

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Summum Stealth Air full Carbon, Zero Suspension System, 200mm travel, Forward Geometry, Carbon Monoblock upper link, SuperBoost 12x157mm rear axle, 83mm BSA bottom bracket, HHG internal cable routing, MAX. capacity dual raw Enduro bearings, shock mudguard, ISCG 05, custom frame protectors.
• Shock: Fox DHX2 Factory Coil Shock 225x70mm. Settings: high and low-speed compression, high and low-speed rebound, spring preload. Super light steel (SLS) spring. Trunnion top mount, 30x8mm bottom bushing
• Fork: Fox 40 29 Float FIT GRIP2 EVOL Factory Kashima, 203mm, air spring, 1-1/8” steerer tube, 20x110mm axle, offset 56mm. Settings: high and low-speed compression, high and low-speed rebound, air preload
• Cassette: Shimano 10-Speed
• Derailleur: Shimano Saint 10-Speed
• Shifter: Shimano Saint 10-Speed
• Cranks: Shimano Saint Hallowtech II MTB
• Chainring: Shimano Saint 36T
• Chain Device/Idler: Mondraker Prototype
• Brakes: Shimano XTR 4-Piston Caliper
• Brake Levers: Shimano XTR
• Rotors: Bolt-On
• Wheels: eThirteen LG1+ DH Rims – 27.5” Rear/29” Front, eThirteen Hubs – LG1 Race Front/TRS Race Rear Hub
• Tyres: Michelin Wild 27.5” Rear, Michelin DH22 29“ Front
• Stem: Renthal Direct Mount
• Handlebar: Renthal Fatbar35 30mm Rise
• Grips: Renthal Lock-on
• Saddle: SDG i-Beam
• Seatpost: SDG i-Beam
• Pedals: DMR V-Twin Clipless
• Fender: Fox Fork 40 Mud Guard

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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Our multi-discipline cycling star Lucy Bell is back in action for 2022, racing nearly all forms of cycling for Wheelbase alongside Cannondale UK. A regular visitor to our North East store in Darlington, Lucy has tons of energy and an almost unmeasurable passion for nearly all forms of cycling. Already deep into her busy racing season Lucy jumped into her van with her partner Helen Gaskell (the former World Cup Downhill mountain biker) and Travis their adorable trail dog to head north of the border for Round 1 of the EWS (Enduro World Series). We’ll let her take up the story…

I was surprisingly excited during the build up to racing at Round 1 of the EWS at Innerleithen in one of my favourite riding spots – the fabulous Tweed Valley in the Scottish borders. This was a chance to test myself in the demanding EWS 100 Masters race category on a series of stages that promised great riding conditions thanks to an unusually hot and sunny spell of weather, in fact I don’t think I’d ever seen the trails so dry!

We travelled up in the van on Thursday to get a good spot in the pits and get organised for a solid day of course practice on Friday – with the hot riding conditions in mind I made sure I was drinking a lot of water in the run up to the racing which was predicted to take place in really hot conditions. With Helen out of action due to injury I headed up onto the trails with friend and mountain bike pinner Kate Wakely to scout out the very fastest lines; practice went well and I was really pleased with how my Cannondale Jekyll was running on the pristine trails.

Unusually dry weather made for perfect race conditions at round one of the EWS in the Scottish borders.

 

I love to tinker with my bike setup nearly as much as I love to ride! Despite me feeling I had my Jekyll race-ready before our journey north my practice time on the track had encouraged me to re-think a couple of things so I headed to the pits to fine-tune my setup. The guys at Cannondale UK very kindly did a brake bleed to achieve my desired lever pull and I also fitted a new Maxxis DHR tyre on the rear. In a bid to get the very best out of my Enduro whip I also popped into the Fox pits and picked up some valuable fork tuning advice.

Come race day and I got a really late start time of 11.10am with the last riders in my race category setting off at 11.20am; as a result there was a lot of queuing between stages but with such a friendly event it was just a good opportunity to catch up with old friends and acquaintances from the previous race season. Despite the one hour queue for the first stage I was relieved to find that the course was not too blown out even with the large number of shredders riding ahead of me. With such good weather the racing saw more spectator support than normal; as I careened through the trees there were clusters of people dotted all the way down the track making plenty of noise and giving loads of encouragement to every racer.

We raced five stages in total, four at Golfie (one of my favourite places to ride and an area which I’ve spent plenty of time exploring with Helen and Trav in the off-season) and the final at Innerleithen dropping into the main arena on a massive wooden ramp. There was a monster push up to stage four which, when combined with the stifling heat sapped what was left in my legs, but the stage from the top was worth it as we took on the infamous ‘Feed The Pony’ a mile long track with a brilliant whoop section and a big step up at the end. Props to the fast lads clearing that!

I came out with 5th in category and after seven hours out on the hill I was happy with that; time for a beer and a lie down! I really hope the EWS comes back to the Tweed valley next year but with the Mountain Bike World Champs in Scotland next year Im not sure if it will. I can certainly say that most tracks will be feeling quite short after that!

A HUGE thanks to Wheelbase, Wheelbase Northeast, Cannondale Mountain and Helen Gaskell for continuing to look after me!

Of all the cycling disciplines that Lucy does, Enduro is most definitely her firm favourite.

 

Not one to rest on her laurels Lucy ‘turned and burned’ the following weekend, heading north of the border again to take on the Tweedlove Glentress 7 endurance mountain bike race. As the race name suggests this is a seven hour mountain bike race with the option to race as a solo rider, as a pair or as a small team. Lucy paired up with her partner Helen Gaskell who was just starting on the comeback trail after a recent injury to take on the Female Pairs U80 race category and we’re happy to report that Lucy and Helen took the win! This race was a great example of how Lucy can quickly pack away the Enduro bike, pick up her Cannondale Scalpel XC bike, don the lycra and race to win. Chapeau Lucy and Helen!

A week after the EWS Lucy was back in Scotland to take on the Glentress 7 endurance mountain bike race.

 

Lucy and her partner Helen took a brilliant win in the pairs race at the Glentress 7 endurance race.

 

Lucy raced the EWS onboard her Cannondale Jekyll 1. Read a full review of this bike HERE.

 

Written by Lucy Bell

Photos by Jerry Tatton of JWDT Photography

 

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Saturday the 11th June saw the return of the Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge after a brief hiatus due to Covid restrictions. You may be thinking you’ve never heard of this event?! That’s because this popular and well-established charity event here in the south Lake District has had a major name change; what was formally known as the Sam Houghton Challenge has now been renamed as the Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge. The drive behind this friendly mountain bike ride though, remains exactly the same despite the name change; raising money for the Cancer Research UK. To date, before the 2022 edition took place, this brilliant timed mountain bike ride had already raised over £200,000 for charity.

Riders set off from our Wheelbase Lake District store…

 

On the day we were greeted with high winds but dry conditions; starting and finishing at Wheelbase HQ in the Mill Yard in Staveley riders headed out in small groups to the stunning south Lake District taking on some of the challenging terrain that surrounds Wheelbase HQ. Each rider was individually timed on their ride and participants were able to choose between a long route and a shorter route option, with event marshals posted at various checkpoints throughout both routes.

This is a super-friendly, laid-back event.

 

As the event name suggests, the Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge took in the picturesque valleys of Longsleddale, Kentmere & Troutbeck and included the infamous Garburn Pass. With a large gathering of like-minded mountain bikers who had travelled far and wide to participate the atmosphere throughout the day was laidback and friendly; there were some great check-point cakes for all riders and a well-earned party after the challenge had been completed!

This inclusive event caters to all riding categories.

 

It was great to see such a diverse mix of riders taking part with a great mix of genders and age groups being represented. There were some really nice, inclusive categories to participate under including Solo (male or female), Pairs or Team (groups of 3 or 4) and electric mountain bikes were welcome across all categories too. Riders taking on the shorter route included younger riders accompanied by an adult making this a great day on the bikes for all of the family.

The grin-factor was high thanks to such a fun course.

 

The Routes

Riders chose between the short 25km course with 700m of ascent or the long 46km course with 1,400m of ascent.

Short Course

Starting just outside Wheelbase in the Mill Yard riders headed north up the Haw Lane, then took the bridleway to the south of Skeggles Water and down into the Longsleddale valley. They then followed the bridleway along the valley to Till’s Hole joining the road and heading north-west to Checkpoint 1 at Sadgill (Grid Ref: SE 484057). They then took the bridleway south then west over to Brockstones, riding the Low Lane track into Green Quarter and down the road into Kentmere Village to Checkpoint 2 (Grid Ref: SE 457039). Riders followed the road south for a short distance before heading up Green Water to the west of Skeggles Water, onwards to the derelict barn and Checkpoint 5 (Grid Ref: SE 473033), then back to Staveley Head Fell, turning west to descend through HP Plantation. All that was left was to take the road back to the finish point outside Wheelbase at the Mill Yard (Grid Ref: SE 472983)

 

Long Course

Riders completed the same route as the short course until they reached Checkpoint 2 at Kentmere Village. From Checkpoint 2 riders took on the infamous Garburn Pass over into Troutbeck Valley to Checkpoint 3 (Grid Ref: SE 413028). Riders then climbed up Moor Howe road then along the tracks up to High House and over Micklemoss, descending back into Kentmere Village to Checkpoint 4 (Grid Ref: SE 457039). From here riders pedaled over Green Quarter via Checkpoint 5 (Grid Ref: SE 473033) and completed the same run back into Staveley as the short course option to the finish point outside Wheelbase at the Mill Yard (Grid Ref: SE 472983)

 

 

The Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge would like to thank everyone who marshalled, supported or otherwise helped out with the event as well as each and every rider who participated, helping to make the Challenge such a great day in the Lakes while making a massive contribution to the raising of valuable funds for Cancer Research UK.

Check out the full Staveley 3 Valleys Challenge results here…

 

Below are a selection of some great event images from our friends at Sportsunday. Take a look through and hit the link at the bottom of the feature to see plenty more great riding images from the Staveley 3 Valleys Challenge…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out loads more Sportsunday photos of the event here…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Andrew Barlow & David Bradshaw of Sportsunday

 

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Launched this week and in stock now at Wheelbase!

Garmin bring you the Edge 1040 Series available now in two exciting new models. Choose between the Edge 1040 or their innovative Edge 1040 Solar option which harnesses the power of the sun helping to extend battery life further into your next epic ride making it the ideal GPS cycling computer for riders taking on ultra-distance gravel events or multi-day Bikepacking adventures.

The versatile new Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar will help you train more efficiently and navigate further than ever.

 

Both the solar and non-solar Edge 1040 GPS computers feature multi-band GNSS technology for the first time, which gives even better coverage under dense tree-cover or on remote mountain trails. The benefits aren’t limited to your next ride in the wilderness though; that GNSS technology will help to precisely track your every move and record all of your vital stats in even the most built up urban environment.

Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar Key Features:

• GNSS technology
• Simplified & streamlined interface
• Classify your strengths and compare your ability to specific courses
• Manage your efforts with the Power Guide feature, using recommended power targets
• Get stamina insights as you ride, allowing you to gauge how long you can push the pace
• Stay on top of your training with missed workout prompts
• Tap into local knowledge and enjoy ride type-specific maps which highlight the most popular routes
• Connect with your favourite Apps including Strava, Komoot, TrainingPeaks and more

Solar Power

The new Edge 1040 Solar features Garmin’s Power Glass technology which harvests the power of the sun through a cleverly integrated charging lens that helps to extend your 1040’s battery life. The battery efficiency stats are impressive; with the 1040 Solar in battery saver mode you’ll get an extra 100 hours of power. When the 1040 is experiencing the most demand you still get an extra 45 hours of power; during daytime rides the 1040 Solar adds up to 42 minutes per hour in battery saver mode and up to 20 minutes per hour in demanding use cases. There’s a £110.00 difference between the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar and the more conventional Garmin Edge 1040 with all other functionality being the same.

Onboard Coach

The Garmin Edge 1040 is a powerful coaching tool with multiple ways to monitor and improve your riding. It will quickly classify your strengths as a cyclist and compare your own specific abilities to the demands of any cycling route; the Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar behave like your very own coach, riding alongside you while recommending your ideal power targets in relation to the course you’re riding. The Edge 1040 delivers real-time insights for power and stamina as you ride and is packed with useful features like suggested workouts, plus insight that inform how effective your training is.

Another great feature on the Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar is ClimbPro which helps you to gauge your effort on climbs, seeing the remaining distance and grade ahead of you with a quick glance of the display. This is a great advantage if you’re riding a climb that’s totally new to you and will help you ride more efficiently in training or even mid-race when shrewd tactics can make all the difference between winning and losing.

Navigation

With an increased battery capacity and that clever solar technology on the Edge 1040 Solar you’ll be encouraged to ride further into the wilderness than previously. Navigation on the 1040 is easy & intuitive to use and gives you instant ‘local expert’ status regardless of whether you’ve ever set your wheels down in a particular location before. The 1040’s improved maps feature ride type-specific configurations to highlight the most popular routes that are identified as being best-suited to the type of ride you’re doing regardless of whether that’s Road, Mountain Bike or Gravel.

Manage your efforts with real-time recommended power targets.

 

Suggested workouts and missed workout prompts help to keep your training sharp and focused.

 

Gauging your efforts on climbs is easy with the Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar.

 

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar RRP £629.99

Garmin Edge 1040 Bundle RRP £599.99

Garmin Edge 1040 RRP £519.99

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

 

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It’s time for another bike check! Today we’re casting our eyes over Dan Booker’s Nukeproof Dissent downhill bike which he raced at the recent UCI Downhill World Cup in Fort William, Scotland. The young Australian has been with Nukeproof for just over a year now, joining the Enduro and Downhill team after a recommendation from none other than Downhill and Enduro legend Sam Hill. Dan is a pretty versatile rider and is able to move with ease from the Downhill track to the multi-stage format of Enduro through to the bike park where it’s immediately obvious that he’s as comfortable in the air as he is on the ground. It’s no wonder he’s so skilled on the bike; when you delve a little deeper into Dan’s background you find he’s been racing since he was only 8 years old and now spends most of his time away from the racetrack working and riding at the legendary Maydena Bike Park in Tasmania.

Fast forward to 2022 and Dan, racing his second season for Nukeproof headed to the infamous Fort William Downhill World Cup in the West Highlands of Scotland to take on difficult racing conditions on a track that is famed for being particularly demanding on bike and body. On a course that features a fast, pedally top half with washed-out rocky turns combined with a steeper, more wooded and consequently more muddy lower half of the course good bike setup is key; thankfully for Dan and the Nukeproof race team the Dissent is particularly versatile when it comes to tunning the bike to suit the demands of the course. The Dissent features an adjustable main pivot flip chip giving 4 separate main pivot positions allowing each rider to tune how the suspension works for them. There’s also a 3 position adjustable chainstay dropout with 3 different inserts (435, 440, 445mm) allowing Dan to fine tune the wheelbase of the Dissent by 5-10mm.

Dan’s Nukeproof Dissent 297 features a 29er wheel upfront combined with a smaller-diameter 27.5″ wheel out back.

 

Dan is a pretty tall rider and is running an XL size frame, giving him plenty of room to move around the bike and throw his weight over the bike as the terrain and pitch of slope underneath him continuously changes. Like many seasoned campaigners Dan has chosen to run the dissent in a mullet wheel configuration with a larger diameter 29” wheel up front and a smaller, more compact 27.5” wheel out back, hence the model name Dissent 297. Some riders at the Fort William round of the World Cup had made the change from running their usual mullet setup to a double 29er configuration for the weekend in an effort to carry more speed on the upper half of the course but there was no such adaptation from Dan.

In another slight difference to what the majority of riders were running we noticed that Dan was running an air shock rather than a coil shock like that majority of racers. Being such a versatile rider, who is capable of shifting seamlessly between Downhill, Enduro and Bike Park we get the impression that Dan is able to adapt easily and probably spends less time focusing on bike-setup per course than maybe some of his fellow competitors focused solely on Downhill Racing. Looking at the bike it seems it’s very much a case of ‘run what ya brung’ for Dan.

Dan Booker’s Dissent 297 is ready for World Cup downhill duties.

 

In another nod to his more relaxed approach to riding and his bike park background it’s interesting to see that Booker is running flat pedals rather than clip-in’s. Just like Sam Hill, the fellow Aussie who helped ensure that he got a ride with Nukeproof, Dan is more comfortable riding flats. On a course that really requires you to put the power down at the top of the course and on ‘motorway section’ on the very lower slopes it makes more sense to be clipped in at Fort Bill, but just like Sam Hill did during his entire World Cup Downhill racing career it appears that Dan is sticking to his roots.

Special thanks again to our regular freelance photographer James Vincent for braving the elements during a wet weekend in Scotland and for bringing us back the goods! Check out all of his brilliant photos below…

The Dissent 297 is constructed from Hydroformed 6061-T6 triple-butted aluminium.

 

Big lad Dan Booker rides an XL frame to give him plenty of room to move around the bike.

 

A confidence-inspiring 63° head angle means the Dissent 297 remains stable at speed.

 

In a sea of coil shocks it was unusual to see this RockShox air shock on the Dissent 297 at the Fort Bill World Cup.

 

 

A pair of RockShox Boxxer Ultimate forks handles the unique demands of the Fort William downhill track.

 

The Nukeproof Dissent 297 features a no-nonsense 7-Speed drivetrain, with an MRP chain device keeping the chain safely located.

 

The 7-speed SRAM XO rear derailleur is a firm favourite with the world’s best downhill racers.

 

The positive gear selection of a SRAM XO trigger shifter makes it ideal for Downhill, with no potential for fluffed gear-shifts.

 

With SRAM spec’d through the bike it’s no surprise to see Dan running Code RSC hydraulic brakes.

 

Powerful 4-pot SRAM RSC calipers combined with large-diameter disc rotors means that scrubbing speed off is quick and effective.

 

Standard alloy Nukeproof Horizon rims are built to handle all that’s thrown at them.

 

Smooth-rolling Horizon hubs are durable too, standing up well to all that Scottish rain and mud.

 

Nukeproof have been running Michelin tyres for a good  few seasons now; there’s a 27.5″ Wild on the rear.

 

Tyre choice is tricky for Fort William, with a hard-pack upper track and a more muddy lower track; the Wild coped well with both.

 

Upfront on the larger 29″ wheel there’s a Michelin DH22 providing plenty of grip on loose corners thanks to those aggressive side-knobs.

 

There’s plenty of Nukeproof branded components of Dan’s Dissent; he runs a Horizon direct mount stem and Sam Hill Series riser bars.

 

A pair of Nukeproof Sam Hill Series lock-on grips are well-worn; perhaps Dan likes to run grips that are as slim as possible.

 

It’s rather fitting that someone who was brought to Nukeproof’s attention by Sam Hill would themselves favour flats.

 

Dan Booker airs into the finishing arena at the Fort William World Cup.

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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Last Saturday the 28th of May saw the return of the challenging #JENNRIDE two day Bike Packing event starting near Wheelbase in Staveley.

The #Jennride is a 100 mile off-road bike packing charity event in memory of Jenn Hill organised by Wheelbase’s own local postie and well-known Lake District mountain biker Rich Munro! This brilliant bike packing adventure takes in some of the toughest, most technical and testing parts of Lake District; traditionally the route stays predominantly around the South Lakes however this year’s route saw participants riding some of the most iconic MTB routes in the Lakes such as the Borrowdale Bash (but backwards) and parts of the infamous Fred Whitton Challenge including the fearsome climbs of Hardknott and Wrynose Pass.

Riders carry everything they need for their two day Bikepacking adventure.

 

In memory of Jenn Hill the event was raising money for St Gemma’s Hospice – St. Gemma’s Hospice provides specialist medical and nursing care for people with life threatening illnesses, predominantly cancer, along with support for their families, in the In-Patient Unit, by the community care nurses, in the Day Hospice, or as an Out-Patient.

The #JENNRIDE is a super-social, laidback event.

 

Participants rode a really wide range of adapted mountain bikes, carrying everything they needed to ride and camp for the night. Wheelbase staff member and budding photographer Andrew Barlow was there to capture this super-social event and we’ve put together a collection of images to help reflect on such a successful event; if you took part, then thanks again for your support and participation. If you didn’t take part this year and are inspired by our photos then please do make sure you enter the 2023 edition, it really is a fantastic event!

This year’s route was particularly challenging, taking in some of the best MTB routes in the Lake District.

 

 

Check out the #JENNRIDE 2022 route by clicking the link above.

 

Andrew Barlow’s Photos…