Altura Night Vision Hi-Visibility Safety Vest Gilet

Altura Gilets

Altura is a UK brand renowned for manufacturing reliable and functional cycling products at affordable prices. Established in 1997 in North Yorkshire, Altura initially produced a range of bike bags, which has slowly expanded to include clothing and accessories. Whilst less expensive than offerings from Castelli and Santini, Altura Clothing is still highly functional, and offers ranges to cater for recreational cyclists and professionals alike. Constantly striving to improve their ranges, over the years Altura have released ranges incorporating their Dry, Thermo, Shield, NightVision, and Performance Layering Systems technologies, helping to keep you comfortable and safe whatever the conditions. In my experience, I've found Altura products to be consistently hard wearing and offering excellent value for money - especially if you manage to get their gear in a sale!

If you'd like to read more on Altura, check out their history page - or if you wish to browse their product ranges then visit their homepage.

Ribble Cycles - since 1897!

Ribble Cycles are one of the oldest bike shops in the world, starting in 1897 in Preston, Lancashire, and are perhaps best known for their exceptional value own brand road bikes.

In 1987 (just the 90 years after forming!) they started a mail order side to their business, which helped them to expand - and as per the rest of their competition, launched their website in 2001. In order to deal with the increase in business, the company moved to Bamber Bridge, which resulted in the closure of their Watery Lane shop, and eventual upsizing to yet another warehouse in Leach Place.

In terms of actual cycling, Ribble have historically sponsored some of the most iconic riders in UK and world cycling history; Chris Boardman and Bradley Wiggins have both successfully competed on Ribble bikes. Other noted riders include the ladies Barcelona 92 Time trial team, the 1990's RT Italia race team and Steph Forrester at the Sydney Olympics. In short, they like to support the sport that they trade in!

You can read up more on Ribble's history on their website.