You don’t have to live in Bristol to buy a Bristol, but it certainly keeps things simple. This small, independent and very friendly company makes several models – each named after one of the city’s hills and each designed to get more people cycling, affordably, in Bristol or in fact any city. But this latest model aims to get you moving further afield – and it isn’t named after a hill. It’s a capable, brilliant-value tourer for two-wheeled holidays. Each one is hand-built in the shop and can be set up just as you wish. The frame is sturdy yet lightweight, and the tyres are heavy duty and puncture-proof. It comes very generously equipped with rack, guards and LED lights, and you can choose between hornbar, butterfly or riser handlebars. So, shop local, then ride countrywide (bristolbicycles.co.uk).

Price: £545

Frame: lightweight aluminium, tapered steel fork

Racks: fillet-welded, tubular luggage racks front and rear with 6mm bolts

Mudguards: full-length with mud flaps

Lights: LED hub dynamo front and rear with standlight function

Gears: full Shimano 24-speed gear and brake system

Tyres: heavy-duty with 3mm anti-puncture layer built-in

Wheels: 36 stainless steel spokes, double-walled rims

Saddle: seam-free and waterproof

Built by skilled mechanics in Bristol with hand-finished wheels and hand-greased headset and hub bearings for maximum reliability and longevity





Doing the leg work

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tight fit: 2XU’s compression tights have been shown to aid muscle recovery

As cyclists, there’s much we can learn (or rather pinch) from runners. As cyclists we are also already familiar with the joys of wearing Lycra for its fit, comfort, aero and weather-busting properties. But over the past few years, runners, too, have been getting in on form-fit technical clothing.

But for them there is the added magic ingredient of compression.

The theory is that these tight-fitting clothing items hold muscles firmly in place and improve blood flow to the muscles, thereby boosting athletic performance. This may work for some runners, but my personal experience didn’t back that up. I once owned a pair of Skins calf guards which other than looking pretty cool did very little for me.

However, there is growing evidence that compression really comes into its own as a recovery tool. It is a slightly odd sensation to finish a workout, shower and then pull on more sportswear, but that is what I have been doing over the past month and I have noticed a reduction in muscle soreness and injury niggles. The idea is that a pair of supertight leggings gives greater oxygenation of blood and reduced fatigue through less muscle oscillation.



Who knows, but if you don’t happen to have a soigneur to work over your legs after a long Sunday ride, pulling on a pair of recovery compression tights might just stop your legs aching and could keep you injury free.

I’ve been wearing a pair from the Australian brand 2XU (‘Two Times You’). And so far they seem to be doing the job. Add them on your birthday wishlist…

2XU Recovery Compression Tights, £99 2xu.com



Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter @MartinLove166



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