The video lookbook follows the same lines, so we kind of love it, and kind of hate it. But we’ll definitely be rocking the socks this summer, rain or shine.

Incorporating craft elements inspired by Juliet’s travels, the Coven Cycling kit combines a brightly patterned motif with a hand drawn logo, a nod to our DIY aesthetic. The pattern was created after browsing rugs and textiles in a market – the triangles of the pattern she created remind us of peaks climbed by bicycle and descended on a snowboard.

Jerseys will be shipped worldwide. To keep things simple, we have two shipping prices – UK, and the rest of the world. Take a look at the Milltag store for a list of sizes.

When? At the end of March beginning of April

Where? All the interesting parts of Tokyo we could squeeze in in 2 weeks.

Who? Myself and Reece Douglas met some awesome people who really made our trip amazing, Chihiro Uchida, Lee Jun Woo, Ja young Park,Tsukasa Kawaguchi, Mari Toyo, Yohichi Yamazaki.

We first got out of our taxi from the airport and arrived in Mita in the centre of Tokyo at our hotel. There were tower blocks everywhere and the city was very busy

Reece at the NEC building just by our hotel. It is the biggest building I have ever seen and we skated the banks in the background almost every day but pretty much got asked to leave straight away every time. I got too chicken in the end to skate it but Reece still did and took a telling off from the security guard.

We went to Tokyo Disney for my birthday…it was very, very rainy, but amazing. You can tell it rains a lot in Tokyo by the fact that all the people have designer umbrellas.

Disney Princess Castle. Obviously worth a pap.

Beautiful trees and lovely ledges

We travelled to a skate bowl I’d read about in a British fashion Magazine, no one knew where it was and our GPS sent us to the middle of a children’s play park. We managed to find a friendly Japanese lady who walked us for about 15 minites and we finally found it. In the article they had made out like there was a café there and it was a business but it ended up being a bowl in the guy’s garden. He was super cool and let us skate all morning.

I remember taking this photo and praying that it would come out like it looked at the time. It did! On our way to Kamazawa skatepark with our new Japanese and Korean friends.

Reece Douglas, Back Smith, Kamazawa Skatepark

Chihiro ‘Chihirock’ Uchida, 50-50 Kamazawa Miniramp

Papping each other, Korean Guy and Ja Young Park at Kamazawa skatepark.

Reece having some water, somehow managed to cut his head out of the photo, getting used to the new analogue camera.

The Details?

In japan you cannot enter a swimming pool, public bath or waterpark if you are in any way tattooed.

Lots of people sleep in public places and especially on the metro.

It is illegal to skate on the streets.

There are a lot of different foods other than sushi. All of them are all really nice.

Japan has the nicest patisseries I have ever been to in my entire life! – sorry Paris!

Take a look inside and enjoy, but make sure you head to one of our stockists to grab your own beautiful paper copy for FREE from Wednesday. And hurry, these things fly off the shelves quickly!

View Online here. Can’t make it to one of our stockists? Buy/Subscribe

Action, Art and Adventure for women. Issue 4. Spring 2013
Snowboarder – Jess Kimura
Olympic BMX racer – Shanaze Reade
Olympic Track Cyclist – Laura Trott
Skateboarder – Lizzie Armanto
Photographer – Emily Maye
Action Sports Photographer – Mirja Geh
Artists – Tin Can Forest
GPS Cycle Computers
Moutain Biking, Split Skiing, Triathlon, Yoga, Art, Fashion, Design, Travel, Health.

The Undercroft’s place in UK skateboarding history is unrivalled. It is pretty much regarded as the heart of British Skateboarding. The area, which runs alongside the River Thames, is an enclosed space that has been used by skaters since the 70’s and whilst over the years the size of space has been dramatically reduced, the energy of the skaters still lives on. With an ever growing commercial face to the river front, the skaters provide a somewhat welcome relief and offer a far more livelier and interesting and different type of distraction for the millions of tourists who visit the area every year – instead of being met with just yet another bland and faceless eatery or coffee shop.

Although there have been whispers about the remnants of The Undercroft closing for many years, it wasn’t until recently when The Southbank Centre made public their plans for the ‘Festival Wing’, for those whispers to become real. The proposed changes will see users of The Undercroft being relocated to Hungerford Bridge, a site The Southbank Centre say that they are willing to offer permanent infrastructure investment for. The new spot would not be a purpose built skate park but a found space with obstacles and clearer separation from pedestrians, and integration into the wider arts offered by The Southbank Centre.

But why the changes now? Lucie Russell part of the Undercroft team from Central Saint Martins explains – The Southbank Centre report that of the spaces among and between the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room and the Hayward Gallery, currently about 31% are used for back-of-house and less than 25% of interior space hosted by these venues is open for public uses/access. The Undercroft space used by skaters is well used but there are many other exterior spaces are significantly under-used. The Southbank Centre ambition is to reconfigure the buildings to allow more spaces and facilities to be accessible to everyone within a wider range of cultural and learning resources. They have now secured approximately one fifth of the funding they would require the from the Arts Council and need to supplement that with funds from other sources to realise the proposed changes.

On the surface this seems understandable – The Southbank Centre needs to expand and in order to do so it will need to use the current Undercroft space. However, one particular bugbear for the proposed changes is that a percentage of the ‘new created space’ will have to be given over to retailers in order to supplement the Arts Council funding for the new rooms. Put simply, on the new plans the current Undercroft skate area would be turned purely into shops and cafes (not the new user rooms which will be found elsewhere in the building) for the changes to become viable.

Yes, admittedly the Undercroft site does feel tired but is the only option for the rejuvenation of the area to be turned over to commercialism; occupied by yet more cafes and shops with no ounce of regard for cultural history, especially when such an exciting opportunity at Hungerford Bridge is on offer? There is something unexplainable about the Undercroft site and it’s meaning – perhaps the closest thing it can be equated to is the old Wembley Stadium. Although a grand stadium has been built in its wake, that unexplained magical feeling of walking through the twin towers was lost the moment they were pulled down. That draw and appeal and the fond regard that was felt throughout the world for the iconic structure regarded as ‘the home of football’ ceased once the new insipid stadium was built in its place. There were hopes that the new stadium would become as iconic as the old but all that has been left is yet ‘another’ stadium that doesn’t really represent anything.

It’s looking like a fun packed day for both competitors and spectators alike – Rubicon will be putting up a £200 cash prize for the sponsored comp and Nikita will be cooking up a BBQ feast – catering for meaties, veggies and vegans alike plus Coven contributor, Neon Stash will be organising some tie dye tee-shirt action with a pop up dye session.

The day will start with a 2 hour jam for all ladies with a board – this time is especially for those who are not into competing but want the chance to have a roll around the park with everyone else with no pressure. The jam will be followed by the Under 18′s comp, the Over 18′s comp and Miniramp jam. The day will be rounded off as always with the Sponsored comp.

.All proceeds from the day will go to Pioneer Skatepark. Check out of the Facebook event page for more info.

How would you best describe Saddle and Spoke?

I’d describe Saddle & Spoke as an online emporium providing the very best in new, exciting and stylish cycling accessories from up and coming labels around the world.

What is it about cycling and bikes that appeals?

Being outdoors, being in control and having the freedom to go whereever you want at your own pace. I love how bikes and cycling play a massive part in so many cultures around the world. From the streets of London, to the streets of Amsterdam, Berlin, Tokyo, San Francisco and New York, to the wide-open spaces of our country roads and cycling routes all around the world. Getting on a bike is the best way to explore!

Who is behind saddle and spoke – is it just you or do you have any partners?

I am essentially Saddle & Spoke at the moment and the key decision maker, but I do have a small group of people who assist me with various elements of the business and people who have contributed. I really value their knowledge, expertise, advice or just a second opinion.

How has your first year been?

The site launched in November 2012 and six months in it’s going very well. We’ve had good sales, lots of great press coverage and more and more potential suppliers are contacting me wanting to be part of the S&S offer and product range. Clearly we’re doing something right. 

Where are you based?

I’m based in South London in a lovely Georgian square in Borough. I love it, it’s very central being in zone 1, but surprisingly very peaceful and calm.

How long were you planning Saddle and Spoke before launching?

Four months, not very long really. I thought of the idea in August last year, mulled it over a little bit, did quite a bit of research then just went for it. And I’m glad I did!

What are your favourite products?

That’s a hard one to answer, they are all fantastic products. But I do love the Crane Suzu Copper Bike Bell from Osaka, Japan. It’s a simple, beautiful design, yet so functional and the quality of craftsmanship and sound it makes is amazing.

What’s your criteria for selecting products?  

Every product is reviewed on its design merits, materials, aesthetic quality, efficiency and functionality. The products at Saddle & Spoke are tailored towards the urban cyclist who places a lot of emphasis on style and views their bike and accessories as an extension of their personality. There are so many new labels out there that are being launched every week by cycling and design enthusiasts. Saddle & Spoke’s aim is to elevate these brands and products and create a site that’s the first port of call for urban cyclists looking for something new.

What’s the one product you couldn’t live without?

My Cleverhood Electric Houndstooth rain cape for cycling on rainy days!

What next for you? what are your plans for 2013? Any plans for a shop or keeping it online? 

There’s a lot coming up this year. We’ll be expanding the product categories in the next few months and adding new labels and products to the range. We’ll be launching a couple of new labels from Portugal and the US soon that are exclusive to Saddle & Spoke in the UK, as well as working on our very first collaboration project. We’re also exhibiting at SPIN London in May, which is the world’s first urban-focused bicycle consumer show and festival. There is a possible pop-up shop happening later this year and who knows what will come after that. I have lots of ideas!

How hard/how much do you work and what do you do to stay sane?

I guess I work as hard as the next person. In some ways I’m always working as I’m constantly on the lookout for new brands, products and any interesting cycling or design-related news. I stay sane with plenty of exercise and running, taking lots of time to explore and travel, and spending time with my lovely family and friends.

What’s the best thing about your life right now?

I honestly can’t pick one thing as there are so many good things. Life is good all round, I’m very lucky.

www.saddleandspoke.co.uk

As the old adage states ‘if we were all the same, it would be boring,’ and with so many kinds of bikes and so many types of rider, there are myriad combinations of kit to choose from.

As a bike obsessed nut case, I have all manner of gear stuffed in my wardrobe, from the sleek black lycra I prefer astride by road bike, through to the baggies I don when heading out on the mountain bike trails. Whilst some may have immaculately photographed pictures of their Manolos carefully pinned to neat rows of shoeboxes and build their outfit around one great accessory, I like to decide which bike I’m riding and take it from there. As I prefer riding to partying, going cycling is my chance to dress up.

In a mission to simplify my life and shorten the time I spend prancing about in my bedroom trying on outfits, I decided to put together a list of essentials for female cyclists, for every kind of riding and taste imaginable. Plus I’ve thrown in a few ‘dream items’ just to motivate myself to work hard and earn them!

This week, a look at the city cyclist’s winter essentials.

Clockwise from top left:

If you’ve ever driven a car at night and spotted (just!) a cyclist without any lights, you’ll know these are essential. If not, just trust us and grab yourself some Knog Blinders.

Coordinate your lock with your outfit with a Kryptonite Mini D-Lock skin. Simply slip over your existing lock and voila!

Need to stock up for dinner or cart your computer to work? This sturdy T-Level backpack in Pendleton fabric has robust, padded straps, a laptop compartment and can hold enough for the weekly shop.

Keep your keys as safe as can be – attach them to your belt loop or bag with a carabiner and you’ll never be stuck rummaging for the key to your lock.

Keep it sporty with these Adidas Orginals x Opening Ceremony shorts. A pair of thick, black wooly tights or Uniqlo’s Heat Tech leggings and you’re good to go.

Keep dirty splashes away from your new outfit with these shiny, hammered metal fenders from Velo Orange at Tokyo Fixed.

A good baselayer to see you through winter is an essential. Yep, Rapha is expensive but it looks good, washes well and lasts a long time.

Like the power of clipless pedals but prefer a more casual look? These Chrome ‘Kursk’ shoes look great with skinnies and are SPD compatible.

And to top it all off, this Race Face Ladies ‘Felony’ Jacket, should keep you snug. It’s windproof, soft and fleecy inside and the drop tail prevents you from flashing your bum at all and sundry!

Well known faces such as Angie Marino, Camila Harambour and Shanice Da Silva were joined by newcomers such as Katya Kruglova and Brits, Ashley Armstrong and Georgia Wheaty on the pro course which included a huge seven foot box which took a fair bit of speed (and guts) to clear.

Angie Marino’s super stylish, flowing lines and back flip over the box were rewarded with second place and sixteen year old Georgia Wheaty’s one footed table and backflip earned her the third spot on the podium. But in the end, it was Chilean rider, Camila Harambour who took the top spot with a run which included a tooth hanger down the rail. We were seriously impressed with Katya’s great street style as well.

Check out what happened in Ride BMX’s video. Unfortunately they’ve titled Shanice’s run with Georgia’s name, but still great to see a video of the ladies.

RESULTS:

1 Camila Harambour CHI 387
2 Angie Marino USA 377
3 Georgia Wheaty GBR 369
4 Katya Kruglova RUS 357
5 Minato Oike JPN 350
6 Shanice Silva Cruz NED 344
7 Rebecca Berg GER 322
8 Ashley Armstrong GBR 319
9 Vanessa Gerner GER 304
10 Dorothea Dähn GER 284
11 Cédrine Tretout FRA 277