Reasons to go to this year’s Cycle Show

New bikes, big name riders, demo rides and more are on offer over three days at Alexandra Palace in north London this weekend. Kicking off on Friday (April 21) The Cycle Show once again brings all things cycling under one roof. 

From road bikes to e-cargo bikes, pump tracks to hill climbs, here are just a few reasons to visit.

1. Chris Froome is the big name rider taking to the stage on Saturday, just days out from heading to Switzerland for his next race in his Tour de France build up, the Tour of Romandie. Froome has recently returned from Rwanda where we went to speak to him about his first race in Africa since 2009, his legacy, future, and the current crop of Grand Tour winners (opens in new tab)

2. Viola Brand. You might never have watched any artistic cycling before, but with the world championships taking place in Glasgow as part of this summer’s UCI Super Worlds, you might want to learn a little more. Viola Brand is one of the sport’s biggest names with a huge YouTube following and will be appearing on stage across all three days. As well as riding round Las Vegas and New York on her rear wheel, sat on her handlebars, her videos include a behind the scenes look at the time she taught Danny MacAskill how to do tricks on a bike. And there are not many people who can say they’ve done that.  

3. Alex Dowsett might have retired from the pro peloton after 13 years, but he’s planning to race in the UK this year, and if you fancy pitting yourself against him in a TT now is your chance to find out where he’ll be riding. Although before he gets back in a skinsuit, he does have the small matter of running the London Marathon this coming weekend. We’ve also interviewed him for the April 20 issue of Cycling Weekly magazine (opens in new tab), where you can read about the fitness wisdom learnt from all his years of racing. 

Alex Dowsett Cycling Weekly magazine fitness feature

(Image credit: Future)

4. Zoe Backstedt, Shanaze Reade and Beth Shreiver are another three names to be appearing on stage, and there are many more. All riders will be interviewed over the three days by hosts Rebecca Charlton and Matt Stephens.

5. Cav’s bike. Or at least a version of. Wilier will be at the show with their Italian bikes ridden by a Manxman on a Kazakh team. Is this pearlescent blue Filante going to be the bike that makes history at the Tour de France this summer as the sprinter bids for 35th Tour de France stage win? 

Wilier Filante Astana team bike

(Image credit: Wilier)

6. Swiss bike manufacturer BMC will be at the show with a range of road, hybrid and gravel bikes, including the Kaius, which, rumour has it, will be included in our upcoming Gravel Bike of the Year test. Watch this space. And if gravel or adventure riding is your thing, head to the dedicated stage for Q&As on all things exploration and bike packing.

BMC Kaius gravel bike

(Image credit: BMC)

7. Trials skills sessions. If you’ve ever watched the kids riding at the local skate park and thought “I fancy a go at that” then this could be your chance. A former world, European and multiple national champion, Scott Wilson will be running two coaching sessions each day and doing demonstrations. Sign up, and next time your group is about to clatter through an enormous pothole, you can amaze your club mates by deftly bunny hopping over it.

Indoor training

(Image credit: Future)

8. Test your fitness. Anyone who rides our weekly club tt on Zwift each Wednesday night will know all too well the feeling of nausea and dripping sweat that can only be brought on by an all out effort on a turbo. FulGaz have created a digital version of the leg sapping hill that Ally Pally sits on top of, and you can race up it. If you register on Fulgaz you can even have a practice at home first

9. British brand Orro do everything from bar tape to bikes, and will be displaying their latest range at Ally Pally from their i-ride tt bike to range topping Ventura aero road bike. 

Orro bike i-ride TT bike

(Image credit: Orro bikes)

There’s also street food vendors so you don’t go hungry, safe bike parking, an outdoor demo track and more. Tickets start at £7 (opens in new tab)

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/what-to-look-out-for-at-the-cycle-show-this-week

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