During a recent visit to Portland, in the north-western state of Oregon, I was invited to tour one of America’s most famous bicycle component manufacturers.

Since 1976, Chris King has steadily built a reputation for making headsets, hubs and bottom brackets that will last for decades.

If you think that maybe you cut some corners with your base training over the past few months then just stick at it a little bit longer, then begin the next phase of your training when you know you’re ready. Don’t beat yourself up about it either – it’s just a few weeks or months, and it’s summer outside! Get out there and enjoy being on your bike.

OK, base training under control? All set to get faster? Right, here we go…

Paris-Roubaix, France’s great cycling anachronism, was once a symbol of modernity. Herbie Sykes examines the origins of the Hell of the North.

In June 2011, Specialized launched their improved S-Works Amira road bike. After a week of riding the pre-production model through the hills of Bilbao, Spain, I was offered the opportunity to put this machine to a long-term test. With eager anticipation I awaited its arrival. The model ridden at the media launch was not fully spec’d and although it certainly left a good impression, I was keen to test the bike as it would appear on the showroom floor.

Has Azzurri cut corners to sell a complete Di2 bike for $2600?

If there’s one piece of financial advice that’s stuck in my head from years of reinforcement, it’s that if something looks to good to be true, it usually is. And when you examine the specifications of Azzurri’s full carbon Forza Pro Ultegra Di2-eqipped bike, it’s almost too hard to believe that it can be had for less than $2600.