What better way to celebrate the launch of our new long sleeve foundation jerseys and adventure bib tights than coffee, bikes, epic scenery, and pizza on the menu?
This was the perfect way to put our new gear to the test while having a blast with like-minded cyclists. Here’s a recap of the day, the gear, and the vibes.
Chilled, Fun, and Full of Energy
We teamed up with The Pizza Peloton because they perfectly embody what cycling should be: inclusive, chilled, and all about having fun while riding through stunning countryside with a great group of people. Plus, there was pizza at the end, which is always a win!
The ride kicked off at 10:30am from South Downs Social, where we split into two groups. Right out of the coffee stop we hit a climb, and @thenotsokeencyclist couldn’t resist cranking out some big watts, causing a bit of a split. The group reformed at the top, which became a bit of a theme with the duo, including @daniele_pirrone_ . It was all good fun though, and the group rode together really well.
After the awesome *cough* weather the UK has experienced recently, parts of the road were quite gravelly, but overall I'd say it's one of the nicest places in the UK I've cycled and I can't wait to get back there and see what it's like in the summer!
Considering the state of the roads at the minute, it was pretty lucky we had just 1 puncture. But, to be honest, I was kind of relieved as I'd dropped back with the second group to snap some photos, then decided it would be a good idea to catch up with the first group. By the time I caught up I was pretty cooked, so when the usually dreaded shout came, the break was welcome!
Despite the light drizzle that began to fall, spirits were high throughout the ride. There was a great atmosphere, and when we finally made it to Pi Pizza in Winchester, Dan the pizza man didn’t disappoint – the pizzas were absolutely banging. 🍕🔥
Teal, Tights, and Pockets That Impress
Our new autumn kit got its first 'outsider' test on this ride, and it passed with flying colours – literally! I was decked out in the teal long sleeve jersey paired with the navy adventure bib tights and a brown insulated gilet that we’re launching soon. It felt incredible all day, unzipping for the climbs, then back up to stay warm on the descents and when the drizzle set in. The gilet, being both wind and water resistant, kept me comfortable without overheating.
@loukew, was sporting the black women’s adventure bib tights and a lightweight windproof gilet over her favourite coloured dissolve long sleeve jersey – and she looked as stylish as ever, almost perfectly matching her pink bike! When I asked her how the kit felt, her immediate response was, "The pockets are amazing!" She added that everyone needs to try the kit, because once they do, it's a no-brainer.
I also handed out some jerseys to the ride leads and organisers as a thank you, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. They loved the fit and the new colour schemes, which was great to hear. It was clear that the AW24 collection was already a hit with the crew.
Pizza's the Size of Bike Wheels!
After 50 miles of rolling hills around Winchester, what could be better than massive pizzas? These 20-inch pizzas were the size of a bike wheel – just what we needed to refuel and celebrate a great ride.
It was all going smoothly until Josh made the rookie mistake of wiping his eyes after eating a spicy nduja pizza topped with habanero chilli sauce. Unfortunately he was the one with the camera so no evidence was taken.
Once the pizza was devoured, I got into the festive spirit a few months early and handed out free socks and ride wallets to all the attendees. The freebies went down almost as well as the pizza.
More Than Just a Ride
At Attacus, community and adventure are at the heart of what we do. This ride perfectly captured that spirit – it wasn’t about going all-out, racing, or taking things too seriously. It was about getting together with a group of people who share a passion for cycling, enjoying the ride, and then kicking back with some good food and drinks afterward.
We’re looking forward to partnering with The Pizza Peloton again in the future and joining more community rides. A big thank you to all the organisers including @biking_maz @the_silent_cyclist and of course the ZF Media duo @joshzfmedia & khoryzfmedia.
Have a group we should ride with? Let us know in the comments or drop us a message – we’d love to come and join the fun!
What’s Next? Get Your Hands on the New AW24 Collection
With stock flying off the shelves, now’s the time to grab your new Autumn jerseys and adventure bib tights before they’re gone! Whether you're hitting the hills, taking on gravel roads, or just out for a social ride with friends, this kit is built to handle it all.
Check out the fresh colours and adventure-ready gear by heading to our AW24 collection. And remember, if you have a community ride that could use a bit of Attacus spirit, let us know – we’re always up for the next adventure.
