Touring or audaxing? Rob Ainsley enjoys some surprising new research on the benefits of getting on your bike.
![Life Cycle High Minded](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5195/205031/58ac166a444bd/Life-Cycle-High-Minded.jpg)
It may be winter, but there are still plenty of reasons to ride. Recently I went to my mum’s for the weekend. It’s 60 flat kilometres from York to Hull, and it was a fine day, so of course I cycled it.
The same day, one of my cycling chums did similar, except he’s in Cambridge and his mum’s in Derby, 170km away. Obviously that’s not a suitable distance for a day ride. He’s an Audax rider [participants attempt to ride long distances within a pre-defined time] – a keen member of Audax UK, the long distance cycling association – so he expanded it to 200km. That way he could register it as a self-made Audax, to add to his season’s day trips of 200s, 400s and 600s.
There was a difference upon our respective arrivals, too. He ate en route, little and often, to ensure the 7000 calories he burned were constantly topped up, to be greeted with a well-earned sandwich and a glass of wine. I made sure I arrived hungry. Let’s see – 2000 calories used, against a bottle of wine (600 calories), shepherd’s pie (350 calories per ladle), apple crumble with custard (500 calories). Better go steady on the pie then.
Bu hikaye Cycling Plus dergisinin March 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Cycling Plus dergisinin March 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
![No limits](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/p7mtePl2R1725356332615/NO-LIMITS.jpg)
No limits
Not every adventure needs to be that epic, says bikepacking Scotland founder Markus Stitz
![UNBOUND UNLEASHED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/UiF45cw8u1725356063620/UNBOUND-UNLEASHED.jpg)
UNBOUND UNLEASHED
Josh Patterson was one of 34 starters for the inaugural edition of Unbound in 2006. Now, with more than 5,000 riders taking part in today's event, he charts the rise of the most important race in gravel
![FOREST COMMISSION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/ERii7gGxA1725355756193/FOREST-COMMISSION.jpg)
FOREST COMMISSION
Looking for a goal race in 2025 that'll stimulate the synapses and live long in the memory? You'd struggle to do better than ENID CRV in Finland
![15 OF THE BEST ADVENTURES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/awW4WMdRO1725355343502/15-OF-THE-BEST-ADVENTURES.jpg)
15 OF THE BEST ADVENTURES
Featuring Yorkshire, the USA, Sri Lanka and more, here are our picks of the world's greatest gravel races and routes
![The stuff of dreams](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/Jd4h6tW571725355271681/THE-STUFF-OF-DREAMS.jpg)
The stuff of dreams
Ned sings the praises of the Paris Olympics road-race course
!["I rode 3,000 miles around Britain on a bamboo bike to highlight our climate crisis"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/nhOyE9_eL1725355124930/I-RODE-3000-MILES-AROUND-BRITAIN-ON-A-BAMBOO-BIKE-TO-HIGHLIGHT-OUR-CLIMATE-CRISIS.jpg)
"I rode 3,000 miles around Britain on a bamboo bike to highlight our climate crisis"
Recordbreaking cyclist and triathlete Kate Strong, 45, took to the road to raise awareness of environmental issues
![FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/3gAWzekvJ1725354782767/FORTRESS-OF-SOLITUDE.jpg)
FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE
We venture into the hidden gem of the glorious Creuse, one of France's least populated regions
![STAR TREK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/8f9f4gefd1725354413019/STAR-TREK.jpg)
STAR TREK
New tube shapes and carbon lay-up makes the eighth generation of Trek's legendary Madone an aero and climbing bike all rolled into one
![GOLD RUSH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/bH21c2ElZ1725354245364/GOLD-RUSH.jpg)
GOLD RUSH
With conflict around the world, Paris 2024 was a ray of light. Here are our highs of a mighty Olympics
![HIGHER CALLING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5195/1814841/JPBYEdfaP1725353747739/HIGHER-CALLING.jpg)
HIGHER CALLING
Pro cycling commentary is a formidable skill that Ned Boulting and Matt Stephens make look easy. Andy McGrath drops in on their booth at this year's Giro d'Italia to learn their secrets