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Clothes maketh the team: behind the scenes at WorldTour kit supplier Gobik

From Cyclist.co.uk

As kit supplier to Ineos Grenadiers, Gobik has to meet some very exacting demands. Cyclist peeks inside its hi-tech Spanish factory

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Stepping into arrivals at Alicante airport, it’s evident this is cycling territory. Elite athletes in team-branded casualwear pull executive-style luggage through the corridors. Towering bike boxes roll along in step, policed by support staff.

But Cyclist isn’t heading to the weaving climbs of the Costa Blanca or the sun loungers of Benidorm. Our destination is the town of Yecla, about an hour’s drive inland, which is home to the headquarters of Gobik, one of Spain’s fastest-growing cycling brands and kit supplier to WorldTour teams Ineos Grenadiers, Movistar and FDJ-Suez.

Established in 2010 out of the embers of the previous decade’s financial crisis, Gobik is the brainchild of an architect and a motorbike helmet designer, who between them have built a global company on the foundations of a custom kit business.

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Study shows why bike lane projects are controversial and what cities can do to make it easier

From MomentumMag.com

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Build safe and separated bike lane projects and people will flock to it like bees to honey, according to a new study that once again provides cities with actual data needed to build-out bona fide bicycle networks. The recent study sheds light on the effectiveness of cycling infrastructure in reshaping public opinion and promoting active […]

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The World’s Fittest Cyclists Don’t Use FTP. Should You?

For years, Functional Threshold Power (FTP) has been the go-to measure for cycling performance. But with pro cyclists and top coaches moving away from it, Conor attempted to hold his most recent FTP test result for an hour. Is the result accurate? And if not, is it something cyclists should pay attention to today?

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People Who Cycle to Work Take Fewer Sick Days. But Why?

From ScienceAlert.com

By DAVID NIELD

Here’s one more reason to think about cycling to work: a new study has found people who commute by bicycle tend to have fewer days off sick and a reduced risk of long-term absences due to illness.

The study, led by a team from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, analyzed self-reported data from 28,485 local government workers across the course of a year, with most of the participants followed up for a second year too.

Compared to passive commuting – by car or by public transport – cycling 61 kilometers (38 miles) or more per week was linked to 8-12 percent less risk of taking days off ill and 18 percent lower chance of being absent for at least 10 days due to sickness. On average, the most active commuters had 4.5 fewer sick days than passive commuters, and one fewer long sickness period per decade

Photo by Tomek Baginski on Unsplash

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The U.S. Bicycle Route System Added 3,568 Miles to Its Network

From TravelandLeisure.com

By Evie Carrick

Let’s face it: Americans are obsessed with cars and road trips. Who can resist the call of the wide-open road? But one cyclist organization is imagining a different way to see the country — and it just made a huge addition to its network.

Established in 1978, the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) aims to build the largest bike network in the world, connecting rural and urban American communities across state and county lines with a variety of cycling paths, from off-road tracks to long-distance interstate routes. In January, the nonprofit Adventure Cycling Association (which has partnered with USBRS since 2003), shared with Travel + Leisure it added four new routes in three states, bringing the system’s total mileage to 23,186. It’s the largest addition ever and collectively brings it nearly halfway to its final goal of 50,000 miles.

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Coast To Coast: 300km Winter Fastpacking Epic Across Wales

We’re spending 2 days bike-packing 300 kilometres across the heart of Wales in the depths of Winter… what could go wrong?! Be prepared for mountain passes, winter storms, minus temperatures and some stunning scenery as Conor and Ollie get the first epic ride of the year under their belts. At least there’s a hotel stop and a nice warm fire halfway!

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From the Peloton to the Boardroom: The Businesses of Cycling Legends

From WeLoveCycling.com

By Monica Buck

For many professional cyclists, retirement doesn’t mean stepping away from the sport entirely. Instead, some of the biggest names in cycling have turned their experience into successful business ventures. From bicycle manufacturing to wine production, these ex-champions have found new ways to make an impact. Here’s a look at what some of the most famous former cyclists are doing today.

Eddy Merckx – The Cannibal’s bicycle empire

Eddy Merckx, often regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, wasted no time in building his post-racing career. In 1980, shortly after retiring, he launched Eddy Merckx Cycles, a premium bicycle brand based in Belgium. The company became synonymous with high-performance road bikes and was used by professional teams. Though Merckx later sold the company, his name remains one of the most respected in the cycling industry.

 

Image courtesy of EddyMerckx.com

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Here are 33 Reasons to Start Bike Commuting Right Now

From MomentumMag.com

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Photo by weston m on Unsplash

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We Had A Bike Stolen And This Is What Happened Next

Bike theft has been on the rise in recent years, valuing several billions of dollars and can be very frustrating. Si attempts to intentionally have a bait bike stolen, fitted with hidden devices to see if recovery is possible. He also shares a story of just how far some cyclists will go to retrieve their stolen bikes and takes a small dive into the underground world of stolen bike trade. Will the trackers work?

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Hit the road with the best bike panniers and handlebar bags

From TheGuardian.com

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How many ways have you tried to carry things on a bike? If hooking bags on the handlebars is your go-to, or you’ve attempted to fashion some sort of bungee-cord contraption, it may be time to rethink your strategy.

I once cycled five miles with a vacuum cleaner in a pannier during a house move – so I’m as guilty as anyone for improvising. But as someone who’s been writing about cycling for more than a decade, and pedalling around London and farther afield in all weathers for even longer, I really should – and now do – know better.

Rucksacks work for light loads and short trips, but your body will thank you for investing in something that attaches to your bike if you’re carrying more for longer.

Image courtesy of Brompton 

 

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