Ribble Reynolds 525 bike review: ‘Happily, the Ribble is a trooper, even if I am not’

It also looks a delight and is clearly aimed at the fashionable retro market

It was one of those days when we had jumped the gun putting Lycra on. We sat in the front room in our cycling shorts looking out at the rain, willing the other to suggest hibernation instead. Neither did, so when the deluge had dulled to a drizzle, out we went. There was a bicycle to be tested, after all.

The Peak District lanes were wet, but it didn't really matter to me. The Ribble had excellent mudguards; my bottom would stay dry. The same could not be said for my face. My cycling companion that day was not only a mudguard refusenik but also far faster than me, which meant an afternoon chasing him down, sucking his wheel and drinking puddle water until the sun came out. He is also a mountain biker, which meant a few ill-advised "shall we just see where this one goes?" diversions. One, past the Derbyshire village of Wash, involved pedalling up a gravelly stream and almost an early bath.