Save the nod. Don’t be a non-nodder!
Convicts of the road. The fellowship of the wheel. Cycling is a broad church and it is a congregation united by the pleasure, fitness and memories gained aboard our self-powered transport. Racers or tourists, rough stuff riders or commuters we all share the invigorating enjoyment and freedom of the open road or trail. You’ll already know or will have noticed that many cyclists acknowledge each other with a nod or raised arm when they pass each other, but it’s an action that seems to be increasingly neglected or unadopted by some riders. A few years back I was lucky enough to ride in an area populated by numerous World Tour racers, including Giro D’Italia winner Tom Dumoulin, and one misty morning on a climb used in the Amstel Gold race we passed each other and naturally nodded. On roads between the Ribble HQ and home I’ve also had a cheery grin of acknowledgment from one of Britain’s top road racers out on a spin. Yet strangely I can also be out on quiet roads, in pleasant sunny weather and be completely blanked by numerous riders. If the ‘nod count percentage’ from my fellow cyclists drops below 50% I am dismayed, but luckily there are still enough of us nodders out there to maintain my faith in cycle kind. Fair enough if you are doing a training interval but nodding is one of the cycling customs which must not be lost. If you think you’re too pro or cool to nod, then I’m afraid you’re mistaken. Pro riders nod so why don’t you? The year I had to endure a 30-mile commute and could not cycle to work I bought a classic Volkswagen and discovered that Beetle owners raise a hand to each other out on the road. Similarly, motorcyclists often nod to each other and ramblers say hello. So, let’s unite to save the nod. Don’t be a non-nodder! Team Ribble
Thinking of heading to the NEC Cycle Show this September? Save on your tickets with Ribble here...
Not sure on the difference between A Sportive or Endurance bike? See what Ash our Mailbox Store Manager has to say on choosing between the two...
Autumn Cycling Tips
5 Autumn Cycling Tips Every Rider Should Know. Nights are creeping in. Roads are slicker. The kit that saw you through summer might not cut it now. But autumn doesn’t have to mean fewer miles. With a few smart changes, you can keep the pedals turning right through to winter.
A Solo Win in Wales and a Season Closed Out in the Ardennes
The Ribble Outliers delivered another standout weekend of gravel racing across Wales and Belgium. Jenson Young claimed an unforgettable solo victory at UCI Gravel Cymru, with Abi Smith taking second and Ben Thomas completing the podium in third. Meanwhile, Sophie Wright closed out her Gravel Earth Series campaign in the Ardennes, securing seventh overall after a season of victories, podiums and a national title. Every result was earned aboard the Ribble ULTRA-GRIT.
43 hours in Andalusia - Metheven Bond Rides to 6th at Badlands
817km, 14,420m of climbing, two nights without sleep and barely an hour off the bike. Metheven Bond's Badlands is one of the rides of our season.
We Came, We Saw, We Conquered.
All four elite national jerseys, a medal for every rider, and a comeback story six weeks in the making. This is how the first ever official British Gravel Championships went for the Ribble Outliers.
Back From Altitude
Jenson Young has spent the biggest training block of his season on his own in the Sierra Nevada. He flies home on Monday with Nationals and the Europeans to come.
Leila Gschwentner solos to victory
Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team rider Leila Gschwentner delivered a brilliant solo victory at the 2026 Arlberg Giro Criterium in Austria.
Jenson Young Takes on the London Orbital Gravel Route
His goal? Chase down the 2 GCN presenters Si Richardson and Alex Paton who started the same route with a 90-minute head start.
Titanium Bike Buying Guide: How to Choose
Compare Ribble's titanium road, gravel and CGR bikes. Learn the differences between each model and find the right titanium bike for your riding style.
E-Bike Positive - The Industry's New Safety Trust Mark
Can you tell a legal e-bike from an illegal one? Over 80% of people surveyed don't know the difference.
Electric Bike Buying Guide 2026
Not sure which electric bike to choose? This guide compares E-Road, E-Gravel and E-Hybrid bikes to help you decide.
ULTRA-ROAD vs ULTRA-RACE: Which One Is Right For You?
Two bikes, one range, two different kinds of fast. We take a look at the ULTRA-ROAD and ULTRA-RACE to help you decide which is the right bike for you.
Why Your Race Bike Might Be Making You Slower
A longer, lower, more aggressive position means faster right? Not always. We take a look at the reality of performance that's sustainable.