Take a look inside Bike Empire in Bologna. This is far from a typical Local Bike Shop. Max Brusa and his crew showed me around their ‘LBS’ on the day the Tour de France was in town…   – Story of video by Rob Arnold     Situated just around the corner from the site of the stage finish on day two of #TDF2024 were a couple of garage doors that usually don’t open on the weekend. It was a Sunday and with the bike race in town it could easily have flooded with visitors, but it remained closed for much of the day, only opening in the late afternoon because owner Max Brusa enjoys spend ..read more

Before the start of #TDF2024 Michael Rogers was back at a bike race. He no longer races and he recently quit his job at the UCI and is now considering his next step in what has always been a successful life in pro cycling…   – Interview by Rob Arnold     On the eve of the 111th Tour de France start Michael Rogers was in Florence to give a talk at the Becycle expo about ‘Scientific Training, Pioneering, Innovation and Future’ on a panel alongside Uli Schoberer and Rachel Neylan. Beforehand I had a chance to chat with the three-time TT world champion – and winner of stages a the ..read more

While the Tour de France of 2024 is being contested, RIDE Media will be publishing a series of features and videos about the race, the riders, and the bikes that are part of this festival of cycling which began in Florence, Italy last week. In the video below you can find out more about the bike ridden by Tadej Pogačar during the team presentation of the 111th TDF.   – Interview, video and photos by Rob Arnold   The first Bike Gallery from the Tour de France of 2024 features a limited-edition ‘Fleur-de-Lys’ Colnago like the one Tadej Pogačar rode during the team presentation in Flor ..read more

An early start on the eve of the 111th Tour de France offered a chance to walk the streets of Florence without the usual crowds of tourists. As I arrived at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore I stumbled upon an art installation by Karl Kopinski.    – Photos by Rob Arnold   A series of inflatable bubbles – half of which were bold colours, the other half see-through material with portraits of cyclists associated with the Tour de France – lies in wait for the hordes of tourists who are visiting Florence today. The installation by Karl Kopinski is part of the celebrations for I ..read more

Want to see some beautiful bikes and talk to the builders about what makes a handmade frame something special? Visit the ‘MADE Australia’ show in Melbourne (28-29 June 2024). – Words and photos by Andy White It’s only when you are at a bike show that you realise the experience goes beyond the beautiful bikes that are on display. What makes an event like ‘MADE Bike Australia’ special are the people connected with the expo, the conversations and new friendships that grow from the expanding community connected like spokes to a hub, and the chance to see a bit of cycling exotica up close. MADE is ..read more

In the days leading up to the 111th Tour de France – beginning in Florence, Italy on 29 June – teams are announcing their selection of eight riders. So far five Australians have been confirmed as starters and the final tally is likely to be six…   – By Rob Arnold   Last year a record-equalling tally of 12 Australians took part in the Tour de France. In 2024, with five days still to go before the first Grand Départ in Italy, it’s becoming clear that there won’t be nearly as many Aussies on the start line in Florence. By Monday evening (European time) most teams had confirmed their sel ..read more

It’s time to travel again – from Australia to Europe for the start of a bike race, to see new cycling products, visit some companies associated with the bike trade, and to get a taste of what it’s like to ride in Italy… #VisitItaly – Intro to a travel series, by Rob Arnold The departure date was set and a week after finishing the production of the Official Tour de France Guide (2024 Australian edition*) I packed my bags and prepared for a European adventure like I’ve not had before. The catalyst for my first trip to Europe in a while was the launch of a new bike by Pinarello, the Dogma F – th ..read more

The ultimate preview to the 111th Tour de France and the 3rd Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is now available in newsagents across Australia. RIDE Media is proud to present the Official Tour de France Guide (2024 Australian edition). This 212-page magazine includes a giant pull-out poster featuring the route of the 111th Tour de France (29 June to 21 July), from Florence, Italy to Nice in the south of France. This is the 22nd year RIDE Media has produced the Tour Guide and again it includes full details of every stage of the world’s biggest bike race as well as a comprehensive team listing c ..read more

A 47-year-old man has died after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bike on Forest Way in Sydney’s northern suburbs. The 24-year-old driver of the car that caused the crash is on bail after being charged with “negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm) and cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle”. – Comment by Rob Arnold   Nick Sky, a 47-year-old who was riding his bike on Tuesday morning, has sadly passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a crash involving a car driven by a 24-year-old man. Just after 6.10am on 4 June, NSW Police and ambulance p ..read more

This is a story about a day when a Monument of cycling, Milan-Sanremo, was cut short because of the weather. It first appeared on ridemedia.com.au in March 2013, a few days after the race. It’s one of the funniest interviews I have ever done. – Rob Just dressing for the conditions that riders faced for the 2013 edition of Milan-Sanremo was a challenge. Going to the toilet also proved more difficult than usual… Baden Cooke explains how he saw that day when snow interrupted ‘La Primavera’.   – Originally published 22 March 2013 – Updated: 22 May 2024   Three days after an epic ed ..read more