When cycling historian, Claude B Dawes, is summoned by Dr Moeller of the M7 Institute in the Netherlands he is quickly drawn into a web of intrigue that could affect the entire future of human powered transport. Last issue we published a key moment in this pedal-powered page turner. Due to popular demand and lack of legal action we can now reveal more.

Here’s what those that have had a sneak preview thought.

“ A damned derivative read. Anyone that’s read Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons is going to have read most of this already but without the gratutitous mention of bikes.” Alan Taylor, Sunday Herald “ I think my lawyers are going to enjoy this.” Dan Brown “ A rattling good bike tale. AIRNIMALS and DAHONS blends genuine excitement and relentless product placement, in one high speed, sensibly priced package with upgrades possible at any moment.” Cycling Plus “ With AIRNIMALS and DAHONS we may have just seen the birth of a new genre - the 21st century’s first pedal-powered, semi-historical, sci-fi novel. Recommended reading for the serious cyclist. Basic spelling and plot errors just add to the flavour.” Amie de l’Autor

A hundred yards ahead on the road that stretched up Mount Ventoux, a young woman laughed and called down to him. ‘Claudeeieee, hurry up honey! I knew I should have married a younger man with a lighter bike!’ Her smile was magic.

He struggled to keep up but his legs felt like stone. ‘Wait,’ he begged. ‘Please.... if I can just shift the bike down to the smaller ring... Damn! The chain’s come off again.’ As he rolled to a stop his vision began to blur. There was a thundering in his ears and the prospect of yet more oil on his hands. I must reach her! But when he looked up again, the woman had disappeared....

Professor Claude B Dawes awoke with a start from his nightmare. The phone beside his bed was ringing. Dazed, he picked up the reciever. ‘Hello?’

‘I’m looking for Claude Dawes,’ a man’s voice said.

‘This ... is Claude Dawes.’ He squinted at his bike themed, twin dial, Pedersen Tandem alarm clock. It was 5.18 am in London and 6.18 am in København.

‘Who is this?’

‘My name is Rudolf Moeller. I’m a human and alternative powered vehicle specialist.’

‘Alternative? I know someone that once used a large German Shepherd to pull his Windcheetah trike up the hill to his work. A useful way to combine dog walking and commuting, I thought.’