Cyclist
In the Drops: The Road Book 2023, Precision Fuel & Hydration Cramper Hamper, Loop Earplugs and Spotify Wrapped
Happy Friday! It’s been a while since I last saw you. It’s always a busy time at Cyclist but more so now in the build-up to Christmas. Catch our gift guide for cyclists while you’re at it.
This week, tech editor Sam Challis has been showing off his flat-bar Specialized Diverge E5, Udog released its first dial-closure shoes with the new Centos. We also updated our guide to the best lightweight bikes.
On the subject of bikes, Enve will supply bikes for the TotalEnergies team from next season.
Features writer Emma Cole also covered the lovely story of the project to rebuild the world’s first pedal bike, which was super-interesting to read.
Now let’s get into the latest edition of In the Drops.
The Road Book 2023
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Back for its sixth edition, The Road Book is the brainchild of Ned Boulting. Each book is a look back at the past year of cycling, combining data for all races with features from professional cyclists such as Lotte Kopecky and Josh Tarling with extensive team profiles and essays from those in cycling.
You’ll enjoy reflecting on the 2023 season, from the Tour de France Femmes to Sepp Kuss beating his Jumbo-Visma teammates at the Vuelta a España. It also features ‘In the Winners’ Words’, a piece by Mark Cavendish about winning the final stage of the Giro d’Italia after a stunning leadout from ex-teammate Geraint Thomas. It’s great reading.
To top it all off, Cyclist readers can get an exclusive 15% off the 2023 edition, simply enter code 23CYCLIST at checkout.
- Buy now from The Road Book (£46.75 with code)
Precision Fuel & Hydration Cramper Hamper
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The festive Cramper Hamper from Precision Fuel & Hydration is back. Ideal for Christmas, the box contains a plethora of carbs and electrolytes delivered in different ways. It includes a tube of PH 1500 electrolyte tabs to drop in water and drink, a PF 90 energy gel, original and mint & lemon energy chews and a 500ml bottle.
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There’s also a cute bobble hat that you can wear out and about while shopping or during a cyclocross race. It’s so cosy. And who doesn’t love a bobble hat?
- RRP: £36.97
- Buy now from Precision Fuel & Hydration (£29.99)
Loop Earplugs Switch
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Loop Earplugs use an acoustic channel and mesh to filter sound waves. Instead of muffling, the sound simply comes through at a lower volume. These Switch versions of the Loop Earplugs combine three of their available noise reduction levels in one. ‘Engage’ is the first option designed for conversation, allowing low and mid frequencies to pass through. Switching to the middle option of ‘experience’ reduces sound or music across all frequencies for a lower volume. The last option is ‘quiet’, which minimises all frequencies and is the one I have been trialling most especially with builders outside my window.
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They can be used for a variety of experiences, whether to help with noise sensitivity, sleeping or protecting ears at concerts. Loop Earplugs says the noise reduction means they can be beneficial to people with autism and ADHD too. I like that the brand takes the time on its website to explain more about this and discusses potential sensory sensitivities such as loud noises and strong smells.
I found them a bit tricky at first (due to my acrylic nails, not the brand) but managed to get the hang of switching out earbud sizes and testing the different settings available. When I go out on the bike I don’t use anything that could limit sounds around me, so on that basis I wouldn’t recommend using them when cycling on busy roads, but in safer environments or on the turbo the ‘Engage’ mode will appeal to many.
- Buy now from Loop Earplugs (£54.95)
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What we’re into this week: Spotify Wrapped
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I love this time of year. Not necessarily for Christmas – I know sorry, put down the pitchforks – but because Spotify Wrapped is released. The video from the streaming service rounds up your year of listening, revealing your top artists, tracks, genres and podcasts. For that last one, I assume the Cyclist Magazine Podcast is in yours. I love it as it’s so intimate, it’s a window into a stranger’s listening tastes – a view into their headphone-covered world.
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After three strong years at the top, Juice WRLD has been dethroned as my most listened to artist (and I know a lot of you just looked around and went, who?). Now, the wonderful SZA sits proudly at the top. Apparently I’m in her top 0.5% of listeners. SZA is followed by Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, Beyoncé and Ariana Grande. For genres, there’s no surprises that rap is at the top, with pop, rock and trap latino behind.
What’s yours? Let me know on Twitter/X at @robynjournalist.
The post In the Drops: The Road Book 2023, Precision Fuel & Hydration Cramper Hamper, Loop Earplugs and Spotify Wrapped appeared first on Cyclist.