11 ways to that new 'bike day' feeling

(Daniel Gould)

published 2 April 2021

There’s something intoxicating about that first ride on a brand-new bike. Spotless components all fresh and working as they should – it’s bliss on two wheels.

But making a fresh purchase every spring makes neither financial nor environmental sense – and that’s if you could even get hold of the one you wanted right now.

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After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back.

Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third, completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12.

But his favourite rides are multiday bikepacking trips, with all the huge amount of cycling tech and long days spent exploring new roads and trails - as well as histories and cultures. Most recently, he’s spent two weeks riding from Budapest into the mountains of Slovakia.

Height: 177cm

Weight: 67–69kg

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11 ways to that new 'bike day' feeling