In a previous article, we delved into the intricacies of packing for a bikepacking tour. However, as they say, practice makes perfect. So, what better way to illustrate my advice than to guide you through the process of packing for my own adventure on the renowned E3 route in Bulgaria, a journey that spans 10 to 12 days. Trip characteristics If you remember, before we start packing, we should consider seven factors that will determine our provisions. So, let’s go with the list: How long will the trip be? – It’s 606 km (+ another 60 to the train station to get back home). Depending on the weath ..read more

More than a month ago, we put out a call for all die-hard cycling fans: show your love for cycling and what cycling fandom means to you and get creative with it. The prize for the best Instagram post was a 3-day experience at the recent Liège–Bastogne–Liège race with the UCI WorldTeam Alpecin–Deceuninck for the winner and one guest, with all expenses covered.  And, whew, did you deliver! Jan Zlatnik, a 21-year-old student at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, is a living proof. In the winning Instagram post, Jan mentioned: “As a die-har ..read more

As the weather warms and cyclists eagerly return outdoors, there are several mistakes they tend to make every spring. Let’s take a look at the most common five so you can avoid them and enjoy riding in the sun without compromising the rest of your season. 1. Increasing training intensity and volume too fast We are all excited to get out there as soon as it gets warmer. After enduring months of cold, it’s tempting to maximise the outdoor riding time. However, a rapid increase in both your weekly training hours and intensity can actually cause issues. It’s better to focus on one or the other. If ..read more

Those born earlier are often surprised that members of the younger generation do things differently. Young people are thought to see the world differently, to behave differently, to have different priorities and interests. Various surveys show that they have different attitudes to travel, food, shopping and relationships in general. Recently released data from Strava sheds light on Generation Z’s relationship with cycling. Are young people cycling more or less? Should we be worried that cycling is on the wane? Surveys can be misleading and should not be interpreted with confidence but they do ..read more

Processed meat, fizzy drinks, cereals, packaged snacks, and pre-made meals all belong under the umbrella term ultra-processed foods. We know these can promote overeating and weight gain because they are rich in calories and very pleasurable to eat. However, new research shows that these foods pose yet another unique challenge for people. Let’s take a look at what it is and what should we do about it. Are ultra-processed foods the new silent killer? Just like high blood pressure and diabetes, ultra-processed food may have to be added to the list of silent killers. The evidence is mounting that ..read more

It’s Earth Day today and we think it’s a good time to reflect on sustainability and environmental friendliness in relation to our cycling habits. Cycling has long been recognised as an environmentally responsible mode of transportation. Still, in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the need to adopt more comprehensive eco-conscious practices within the cycling industry and community. Today, we’d like to focus on what you can do (in big ways and small) to ensure that the time you spend in the saddle contributes to a greener future for all of us. The intersection of cycling and cl ..read more

Tadej Pogačar’s victory in Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège was as inevitable as, say, Mathieu van der Poel winning Paris-Roubaix – even though the Alpecin-Deceunick superstar was at the Liège start line. All other things being equal, with its 4,500 m of climbing, the last of the spring Classics has always favoured the better climber, and Pogačar is one of the best in the world. So it was fitting that the two-time Tour de France winner made his winning attack near the bottom of the iconic Côte de la Redoute (1.6 km % 9.4%, with ramps of 15%) with 34.4 km to go in the 254.4 km race, quickly ..read more

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, Australian cyclist Grace Brown outpaced everyone to clinch her first victory at this prestigious event. Brown, who previously secured two second-place finishes at La Doyenne, demonstrated remarkable tenacity and strategic prowess in the final moments of the race. The pivotal moment unfolded after an early move initiated by Elise Chabbey on the Côte de Stockeu. This attack drew a select group, including Brown, ahead of the peloton. The dynamics continued to evolve as the race progressed, with key attacks on the Côte de la Redou ..read more

Sunday’s prestigious Monument, the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, is the last of the season’s Ardennes Classics and the oldest of them all as it will be celebrating its 110th birthday this year. So it’s only right that it will pit arguably the two best road racers on the planet against each other. Both Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) have shown in past seasons, and especially this spring, that they are both capable of long, unsurpassable solo rides of 50 km and more. The Slovenian two-time Tour de France winner took this year’s Strade Bianche with an ..read more

The legendary Liège–Bastogne–Liège, also known as La Doyenne, “The Old Lady”, is right around the corner, coming up on April 21, 2024. The oldest of the five Monuments is run in the Ardennes region of Belgium famous for its hilly profile – which means killer climbs and a lot of fun-to-watch racing. However, while the riders will always stay the most visible aspect of any race, we wanted to touch base with those involved in the background processes surrounding pro teams at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. We had the pleasure of speaking to Jonas de Win who has been the Logistics Manager of UCI WorldTeam A ..read more