Guardian Goes All Bikey

The Guardian’s portfolio of podcasts has a new addition to its ranks. The Bike Podcast will be the first UK-based podcast to cater for “everyday cyclists”. The first edition is available on the brand new Bike Blog on guardian.co.uk

Matt Wells, head of audio for the Guardian, who will also be one of the voices of the Bike Podcast, said: “Like all businesses, the Guardian office is full of staff – including me – who ride their bikes to work, go on cycling holidays or just enjoy cycling in their spare time. Although there are a number of fantastic podcasts out there which do a great job catering for professional and competitive cyclists with high-end knowledge, we began to realise there was nothing aimed at general cyclists.

“Unlike other Guardian podcasts, there will be no single presenter and no studio-based links. Everything will be recorded out and about as we’re testing new bikes, speaking to cyclists and generally having a good time on our bikes, which is what it’s all about.”

A round-up of features on the first edition of the Bike Podcast:

• Triple Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy tells Sean Ingle about his favourite places to cycle and gives him a few tips for improving performances on the bike.

• Matt Wells talks to CTC (the UK’s National Cyclists’ Organisation) Director Kevin Mayne about his new vision for cycling.

• Are fixed-wheel bikes a flash in the pan or here to stay? We ask Fixed Gear London.

• Bike guru Dr Justin Spinney puts three newly released road bikes to the test.

• Susan Greenwood goes on a singletrack mountainbike adventure on the Isle of Skye.

Susan’s trip to Skye will also appear as a full feature in the next issue of Singletrack. And while we’re talking about the Guardian, our Chipps was quoted in their travel section this week on their ‘Ten great places to ride bikes’ featurette. Guardian website

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.