"To be fully prepared for all the challenges - both in front of the television and from the saddle - we at Feltet.dk have teamed up with Søren Koch from the Danish cycling brand Twelvesixteen.dk and asked him to serve up a couple of his favorites when the spring classics are on the menu."

"Søren Koch also has a favorite classic that many Danes share with him." 

"Flanders is undoubtedly the hardest and wildest race of them all - an iconic race - the ultimate test of all cycling sport's parameters: cold, wind, gusts, the wild cobblestones, technique, tactics, and the small steep climbs. That race requires courage, strength, and faith. My great fondness for this race also means that I have participated in the amateur version twice myself," explains Søren Koch at Twelvesixteen's office.

"Relive Kasper Asgreen's victory in the Tour of Flanders"

"I love the spring classics, my TV season really starts with Strade Bianche, Paris Nice, Milano Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold Race, Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Oh my..., how I've missed spring!"

"Are you missing the clothes for the spring classics?"

"So join a guided tour and get equipped for all running occasions with the still relatively new and by now well-established Danish cycling brand Twelvesixteen.dk."     

"We've talked to Søren Koch about the perfect wardrobe for the spring's big one-day races, both when it comes to cycling clothes. Depending on your own attitude and effort, here are Søren's best suggestions for some obvious favorites."

"It's by no means rocket science. Still, there are quite a few amateurs who don't think about it at all. The clothes! But together with the position on the bike, the clothes are actually the focus area where you can gain the biggest margins," says Søren Koch.

"If you have the right clothing that fits well and snugly without being bothersome, and where you can breathe while keeping wind and water out - yes, then you are comfortable. And then you simply ride faster and perform better."

"Cycling clothing of proper quality naturally costs a bit, but it's really not worse than that. That money is quickly earned back in good experiences, and that's basically what we want to sell the most. At Twelvesixteen.dk, we believe that cycling should be for everyone. Therefore, we have both jerseys and bibs in our Pro line in a uncompromising race fit and the slightly lower-priced Unik collection, which also with its slightly more forgiving cut appeals a bit broader," adds Søren Koch, eagerly and enthusiastically showcasing the clothing.

Undershirt

"If you're heading out on one of those beautiful spring days, then first and foremost put on a good baselayer in thin merino wool, which is both breathable and warm. The season is of course full of surprises, but you should be able to manage with either a long jersey and on the best days perhaps settle for a short-sleeved one along with loose arms."

"Feel the freedom in a pair of short bibs - perhaps complemented with a pair of loose legs. For me, the short bibs are definitely the first choice to provide a good experience on the bike. Remember, the more watts you are pushing, the greater the demands on the pad." 

"The connection between watts and the pad may require a bit more explanation. If you want to ride really fast, you need a pad where you can get down without much hassle - full aero!"

"It takes strong forearms to maintain the right position. For the first many kilometers, you will surely feel the burn in your arms, and you can probably also feel it quite distinctly in your lower back, unless you have spent the entire winter doing planks and training your core. But hang in there, suddenly it will be there. Then it shouldn't be your bibs-shorts that set the limits." 

"It required a bit longer explanation, but it's good that it's cycling clothing that you find most of at Twelvesixteen.dk."

Watch a video with former professional cyclist Bekim Christensen, who guides you to the optimal and fastest position on the bike.

"Well, it's not exactly summer in Girona like in the video above. No, it's spring in Denmark at least for most of us. We all probably know the feeling of heading out on a bike ride with our friends in lovely weather only to be caught by rain and wind an hour later."

"This is where you become extra happy for the wind vest or rain jacket that you have in your back pocket. A cycling vest takes up minimal space in your back pocket and is therefore ideal if the temperature is in double digits. There isn't much fabric in a wind vest, but the fantastic thing is that it protects exactly where it needs to. Therefore, it is worth its weight in gold and can make a huge difference."

"The windproof front ensures that you don't freeze on your chest, while the mesh material on the back simultaneously means that you can release body heat. For the slightly colder spring rides with more uncertain weather forecasts, the wind jacket or rain jacket is your faithful companion." 

At Twelvesixteen, they have several models that all take up minimal space and weight. Still, Twelvesixteen has what it takes to keep you warm and prevent your ride from being ruined if misfortune strikes, points out Søren Koch.

You will find some of the most popular cycling jackets below.

Unik Micro

Unik Micro is extremely versatile and perfect for changing weather conditions, as it handles most showers. At the same time, the jacket is made of microfiber fabric that is breathable and dries quickly once the rain has passed. 

See all Unik Micro models

Unik Pro

With Unik Pro, you step up a level and get a jacket that keeps you warm on bike rides even under unfavorable weather conditions with longer intervals between stops, while the unique membrane ensures breathability that allows you to release heat when you ride fast. 

See all Unik Pro models

Edro

If you are the type who doesn't miss a workout, no matter how much it rains, then Edro is the perfect choice for you. The jacket is 100% waterproof and designed specifically for really wet and windy weather conditions.

It is ultra-light and comes with a patented dry system technology called Direct Venting™, which allows sweat to evaporate immediately through millions of microscopic holes in the membrane, so you avoid overheating, even when you are doing the hardest intervals in the rain.

See all Edro models

Such a 'no-matter-how-much-it-rains training type' is our 12.16 ambassador Bekim Christensen. In addition to telling you how to sit most aero when cycling, he is also a true master of a wide range of tips and tricks on the bike from his time in the professional field.

Check for yourself how you can practice putting on your jacket while rolling. Or how to take off the loose legs while maintaining your speed here. Most will probably need to practice a bit. 

Treat for the watt nerds

We conclude with a treat for the watt nerds - you are indeed becoming more and more.

Bekim Christensen has made another little video. This one shows how big the difference is in speed up a 7-9% incline. He starts with two watts per kg and ends with 8 watts per kg. So when Jonas Vingegaard pushes for 10 minutes at 7-8 watts per kg - well, it goes quickly....

Here you go! Now there are servings for both the sofa and the saddle. Twelvesixteen.dk is ready to enjoy spring classics at all levels.

Are you coming?