Is the gravel bike truly the one bike that can do it all? They’re amazing, no doubt! But even still, the big question everyone wants answered is: how much slower is a gravel bike compared to a road bike? And importantly, will you be able to keep up with your mates on road bikes?
From USNews.com
Finding a bike is challenging no matter your gender or sex. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to fit, saddle, frame geometry, components, and more. Julie Gabay, owner of Pacific Cycling & Triathlon in Stamford, Connecticut tells U.S. News 360 Reviews that “most brands have shifted away from women’s specific bikes, focusing instead on creating unisex models that accommodate a wider range of riders and promote inclusivity. Manufacturers are prioritizing bike fit over gender-specific designs.”
Ideally, the right bike will fit well from the start, but don’t be afraid to modify your bike with handlebars or a seat that better suits your anatomy. As a female cyclist and triathlete, I have plenty of experience looking for the perfect fit, but for this article, I’ve also consulted competitive and recreational cyclists, as well as accomplished cycling coaches, to help determine exactly what women should look for in a bike.
We invite you to our first Safety Spotlight Tour. In honor of Clean Air Day, we want to take you on a ride to showcase a few cool improvements that were installed this year that make our streets safer.
But first, join us for a social coffee hour at 9 a.m. at Adams Square Mini Park across the street from Kafn, a cool and hip coffee shop with fantastic drinks! Dont forget your reusable mug. During social hour, we will be giving away FREE bike lights, and reflective straps and stickers (while supplies last) to help you navigate the streets of Glendale safer.
At 10 am, we will roll out for what will be about 7 miles round trip that includes stopping at 3-4 destinations along the way and we anticipate being back at Kafn around noon. Here is where we are headed:
1. Adams Square Mini Park intersection improvements
2. N. Brand Demonstration Project
3. Pelanconi & Kellogg intersection improvements
4. San Fernando Road new bike lane
5. (optional TBD) Glendale Narrows Riverwalk
What are the absolute must-haves and top tips for traveling with your bike? Between Ollie & Alex, they’ve racked up over 30 years of experience flying, building, and riding bikes around the world, and today they’re sharing their advice! This week in HOT tech: an oversized pulley wheel system that requires proof your bike is good enough for it, an even more expensive 20th-anniversary CeramicSpeed OSPW, titanium mudguards, and a more affordable titanium all-road bike. Plus, some chat about the UCI World Championships time trial!
The best bike lights fall into one of two categories. The first help other road users (cars, primarily) see you. They’re usually run at night but increasingly riders are opting to run them as daytime running lights on every ride for added visibility. Both front and rear options fall into this category, and the majority of the best budget bike lights fall here too.
Secondly, you have lights that help you see where you are going when riding in the dark. These naturally also serve to make you more visible too, but are larger and brighter, and only front lights fall into this category. A lot of riders bolster their ‘seeing’ front light with a ‘be seen’ auxiliary one too.
From LBBonline.com
We’ve just had a summer of cycling. Worldwide, billions watched the Olympics, the Tour de France, and Tour de France Femmes. Many will be inspired to jump on two wheels and reap cycling’s health benefits. Cycling has increased in England by 46% from 2016 to 2023 (Statistica). If it continues, the UK cycling industry will be worth £1.5 billion by 2028 (Mintel).
Yet, the cycling industry is suffering. UK bike sales slumped to a 39-year low this year (Bicycle Association). Major bike manufacturer Giant reported a 38% loss in profits in the first quarter of 2024. The reasons are complex but, in short, prices have skyrocketed during a cost-of-living crisis. The same bike in 2019 cost you £1,000 in 2019 but £1,400 in 2022, a rise of 26% (Bicycle Association).
Cycling is notoriously expensive and elitist. Brands have prioritised pushing high-end gear to affluent buyers, pricing many out of a sport that should be open to all. BHS Extras recently found that almost half (49%) of Brits can’t afford a bike outright. Bike brands are in danger of losing the next generation of cyclists and this could have a wider knock-on effect; from makers of energy bars, to coffee shops, masseuses, and even the NHS.
Photo by Munbaik Cycling Clothing on Unsplash
No matter how much we love all kinds of cycling, like gravel and mountain biking, we can’t help but always come back to the humble road bike. For us, road bikes will always be boss …and this is why!
From LA.Streetsblog.org
By Joe Linton
A couple of readers have reported that Santa Monica’s new extension of its Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway, “MANGo,” is now open.
The 1/8-mile-long facility includes two short stretches of bike/walk path and a block of two-way protected bike lanes. These connect the neighborhood greenway across the 10 Freeway to within easy bike/walk distance of Crossroads schools and the Metro E Line 26th Street/Bergamot Station.
Find more MANGo extension project details at SBLA coverage last Novemberand in April.
A steep hillside stretch of Reseda Boulevard appears poised to receive the first stretch of new bike lanes triggered by Measure HLA. The Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) resurfacing project there was done when Streetsblog visited the site a week ago, but the new bike lanes were still pending.
Photo by Dário Gomes on Unsplash
In this week’s GCN Racing News Show, Dan takes us through the latest form guide ahead of the UCI World Champs. We’ll recap the European Championships, the GPs of Quebec and Montreal, and more! But is the World Champs course as challenging as everyone says? Dan has some doubts – find out why!
