Out Now! GRAN FONDO Issue #011 – FAST LANE | GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine

Life in the fast lane: The outside lane is as emblematic of Germany’s no speed limit autobahn culture as it is a metaphor for the way in which so many road riders go out on every single ride with a point to prove. It’s a phenomenon that’s as old as time itself but the subject matter still seems pretty pressing. So, why’s that?

We’ve all encountered them: the driver who hustles through rush hour at 240 km/h, oblivious to the fact that they’ll be braking long before reaching the end of the traffic jam; or the riding buddy who has to round off every ride with lactate-flooded legs and a heart rate maxing out at 190, even though all you wanted to do was enjoy the views.

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Imperative marketing slogans encourage us to strive for faster, bigger, better, further. They coax us to ignore the inner voice of reason and aggressively convert those oh-so well-intentioned New Years’ Resolutions into reality. But any initial euphoria that comes from putting down the gas (or pushing down harder on your cleats) is too often followed by disillusionment. After all, that white van you overtook ages ago in the traffic jam has caught you back up and that two-week stint of high-intensity training has ended in total exhaustion and resignation as your hand dives back into the crisp packet from your position on the sofa.

Highlights

The best race bike of 2019 – testing 11 exclusive models
SRAM eTap AXS in-depth review
Suspension on a road bike – the next big thing?
Barcelona Calling – 48h between Gaudí and Tibidabo
GRAN FONDO Cribs – The best roadie apartment in Girona

In the best-case, you acknowledge that the daydreamer trundling along the inside lane arrived just moments after you, clambering contentedly out of their car and brushing down their clothes. And the rider who always gets dropped and can’t hold a wheel reaches the café stop just moments after you with a broad smile on their face, exclaiming over the cherry trees that have burst into bloom on that very field that you just ploughed past.

Your own fast lane is whatever you want to make of it.

As thrilling and awe-inspiring as your stint in the fast lane might feel, it basically comes down to reaffirming your ego – and to be pretty frank, it just doesn’t chime that well with today’s current work-life-balance and yoga-time vibe. Speed is about a brief kick, whereas a sense of community, group dynamics and being aware of your surroundings represent a sustainable source of happiness. So maybe the new fast lane is not the one made for hustling others, but the one in which you consciously pursue your passion, regardless of what others’ expectations may be.

All bikes in this issue:

For us, road riding is not just about best times, but about having the best time on a bike with like-minded people. That’s why, alongside the big group test of race bikes for 2019, this issue also includes two new sections, HYPE THIS and THE LAB, which unveil exciting products that may well step up as potential companions in your very own fast lane. For the tech fans, we’ve extensively tested the brand new SRAM RED eTap AXS and chatted to Specialized’s suspension guru Mike ‘Mick’ McAndrews about the future of the road bike. There’s a mass of travel inspiration to be found inside too, including a 48-hour trip to Barcelona, our Kona Gravel Bike Test in Madeira and Porto Santo, and the GRAN FONDO Cribs story about our time in Girona. All these articles have one thing in common: forget quantity and fast experiences, let’s talk quality and greatness.

Have fun reading this issue and hit up your own fast lane on your next ride!
Cheers, Ben

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Highlights

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