Welcome to the neutralised zone between Christmas and the new year. A transition stage that ferries us across the badlands spanning from the most anticipated part of the year to the least: the hideousness that goes by the name of January.
It falls on me to muster up some In The Drops content at a time of year when only the hardiest members of our clan will be ploughing through their festive 500 kilometres of sub-zero suffering. If my memory serves me well enough, I think I can claim perhaps three successfully completed Festive 500s – but at this point, I’d be delighted to cover the same distance in the whole of December.
Preparing for festive riding is the name of the game at this time of year, and there’s been an update to our Best Winter Jackets article by hardened coat-wearer Andy Turner and our best road bikes of 2025. There are the dos and don’ts of winter bike maintenance as well as evergreen content in the form of our Giant factory Insider article, which uncovers the inner workings of one of the world’s most advanced bike factories.
I don’t think anyone really goes into pro cycling looking to enjoy long weekends, a relaxed diet, and quality time with their loved ones – but has it gotten a bit silly? Katy Madgwick went to find out.
Unless they’re on strike, some of said pros will be racing the Vuelta next year, and Ewan Wilson unpacks each and every stage, warts y todo, not to mention what to expect from every pro team next year.
We hope you had a good Christmas. If not, who cares – welcome back to the internet.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
Hope road centrelock disc brake rotors
When it comes to road bikes, there's an awful lot of uniformity out there. So it's always nice to see a company offering something ever so slightly different while maintaining performance-leaning attributes. Lancashire-based company Hope produces these steel surfaced disc brake rotors in six different colours, in both centre-locking and bolted arrangements. For this reason, they are very easy to swap between wheelsets and, at 121g per rotor, don't add any weight penalty either.
The lockrings are an additional purchase but they provide another option for personalisation, coming in a range of different colours too. The rotors themselves are laser cut to create a supremely accurate form, and there is a tiny gap between the steel rotor and the inner alloy structure, which allows for some expansion when the rotors heat up. Unfortunately, nothing is hot in December except for my electric blanket, so I'll have to hold my peace on that aspect for now.
- Buy now from Hope Tech (£80)
Fizik Tempo Aliante R1 Adaptive Saddle
Despite sporting what I'd consider a pretty bony posterior, I seem to be pretty blessed in the saddle department. Every saddle review I read talks about 'how personal' a saddle choice is. I can only extend my sympathies. It's extremely rare for me to plonk myself on one and have too many objections. However, once you get into ultra territory, and a saddle might be your intimate friend (or foe) for upwards of 12 hours a day, even the tiniest gripe can be fatal.
The early signs for the Fizik Tempo Aliante Adaptive R1 saddle are good. It's part of the growing 3D printed saddle trend but uses a slightly wider platform to provide additional weight distribution for long rides.
The design uses 'Digital Light Synthesis' technology. According to Fizik, this is 'An additive manufacturing process that uses digital ultraviolet light projection, oxygen-permeable optics and programmable liquid resins to produce parts with excellent mechanical properties, resolution, and surface finish.'
In real terms, Fizik has been able to produce a saddle with a range of support levels despite appearing to use a uniform material. When you press the mesh structure with your hand, every different area has a different amount of give. The central panel is super squidgy, while the wings and the nose are noticeably firmer. The profile is waved, which Fizik says also helps with comfort.
The carbon rails contribute to a low 196g weight in size 145mm, but it's worth noting that this renders it incompatible with a number of seatpost-mounted cargo bags. Something to bear in mind if you're rocking that type of setup.
- Buy now from Fizik (£299)
Circa Magazine
We're all about print at Cyclist Magazine – a subscription is a great gift by the by – and I'm a sucker for any print publication that prioritises great photography, especially if it's exclusively focussed on cycling and mountains.
That's exactly what Circa has done. The first in a series of unspecified number, this edition intersperses written contributions from cycling luminaries like David Millar, as well as renowned ultra cycling photographers and riders, alongside excellent photography.
It's a limited run of just 1,000 copies, so you'll have to move reasonably quickly to grab one.
There isn't a single advert. The entire magazine functions more on a patron-type model, where contributors receive a portion of sales revenue.
This also helps to minimise waste as Circa doesn't print anything it thinks won't sell. If you like a side portion of semi-arbitrary shots of ethereal wildlife and crusty-looking road signs alongside your prime cut of cycling pics then boy are you in for a treat.
- Buy from Circa Editions (£50)
Pas Normal Studios A/W24 T.K.O kit
When I see TKO, I think of technical knockout and that excellent Womack & Womack song.
Not so Karl-Oskar Olsen, design impresario at Pas Normal Studios. Both an on and off-bike range, the TKO range channels a lot of the logo-heavy, nostalgic street hybrid energy that seems to be pouring into cycling culture through a few avenues. (Think bib leggings, gilets and snoods – but also bucket hats, trendy tote bags and hoodies.)
Here we've got the Mechanism Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey and the Essential Thermal Long Bibs. Both enlist M.I.T.I. SuperRoubaix fleece with a DWR treatment to provide punchy insulation and some rain protection, with the material having a certain neopreney-type feel to it. Elsewhere, the jersey is partly made of Swiss wind and water-repellent Schoeller fabrics and boasts two of the sturdiest zipper garages I've ever come across.
Having been caught out by my PNS sizing in the past, I sized up to an XL for a fit that I would consider relaxed without being lazy. I'm an L in every other brand, so make sure you've consulted the sizing chart before pushing the button.
- Buy now from Pas Normal Studios (from £260)
What we're into this week: Killers of the Flower Moon
I haven't been brave enough or time-rich enough to take in Leonardo DiCaprio's film of the same name but a friend gave me the non-fiction book it's based on a few weeks ago and suffice to say I'm pretty hooked.
It covers the birth of the FBI and the scandal that prompted its creation. The Osage Indians, having had the misfortune of being harassed and harried into smaller and smaller areas by white lawmakers and politicians, were eventually restricted to an area of land that just so happened to be drowning in oil. By default, the Osage then became some of the richest people in America.
As you can imagine, then things really kicked off. Having had access to their funds restricted and obscured via a series of absurd rules and webs of red tape, someone then begins murdering members of the Osage. This is the story of why (pretty obvious: rhymes with shmoney) and who (less obvious) – but I'm only halfway so please don't tell me.
It's a ripping good yarn and another useful reminder that the America we know is a relatively recent construct. Now to find some time for the film!
- Buy the book now from Bookshop (from £9.49)
