In our latest video, Neil catches up with Ulrich Bartholmoes, the 2023 Tour Divide Winner and runner-up in this year's edition. Neil and Ulrich sat down after a ride to talk about his quitting the Colorado Trail Race and success on the Tour Divide, mental fatigue, the worldwide ultra-endurance community, and more. Watch it here...The post Accepting Failure: Ulrich Bartholmoes Reflects on Quitting the CTR and Mental Fatigue appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Belgian takes first win since returning from injury

CyclistBest gravel bike shoes 2024 reviewed by our expertsTheres a dizzying array of gravel shoes on the market today, but which are best for you? Designed to blend on-bike efficiency and comfort with off-bike walkability, theres a model of gravel shoe for everyone from the all-day wilderness explorers to the fast-paced gravel racers.Will you opt for a Boa dial, laces or Velcro, for stiff soles or a little more flex, and how do you find the best fitting shoes for you?All of these questions and more are answered in our buying advice, which youll find below, after our recommendations of the best gravel shoes weve tried and tested here at Cyclist.Reviews of the best gravel shoesFizik Vento Ferox Carbon: 229.99 read our full reviewFizik Vento Proxy: 229.99 read our full reviewLake MX238: 295 read our full reviewQuoc Gran Tourer II: 190 read our full reviewShimano RX6: 159.99 read our full reviewShimano RX8: 229 read our full reviewSpecialized Recon 3.0: 210 read our full reviewUdog Distanza: 153 read our full reviewRead on for a review summary for each pair and our gravel shoe buying advice to help you choose the best shoes for you. Related Posts Best tubeless sealant for road and gravel bike tyres Gravel groupsets reviewed: Shimano vs SRAM vs Campagnolo The best gravel bikes 2024 reviewed Best cycling shoes 2024 Watch: How to fit and adjust cleats for cycling shoes How do we test gravel shoes and why trust our advice?San VoadenEveryones idea of gravel riding is different, which is why weve made sure that these gravel shoes have really been put through their paces across a range of off-road terrain and riding styles.From speedy local loops to multi-day bikepacking trips with a healthy dose of hike-a-bike, each pair of clipless gravel cycling shoes has been tested in a variety of conditions so you can trust our conclusions will relate to the flavour of riding that you enjoy too.Reviewer Katherine Moore is a gravel riding expert with vast experience riding gravel, writing about gravel, talking about gravel, guiding gravel rides and creating gravel cycling routes. Check out all her reviews for Cyclist here, and follow her adventures on Instagram at @katherinebikes.Best gravel shoes reviewedFizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoesRRP: 299.99 / $299.99 / 299Fiziks top-end gravel racing shoe with velcro closure plus a Boa dial for the midfootToe stud ports for cyclocross compatibilityDurable materials used that are easy to keep clean tooOffering ultimate comfort, the Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon shoes are a durable high quality option designed to meet the demands of gravel racing. A velcro closure ensures that you can keep going even if you take a tumble, while the bi-directional Boa Li2 dial on the midfoot allows for fine tuning the fit.The upper is tough yet easy to keep clean, and the shoes are available in a range of eye-catching colours as well as all black. The carbon fibre sole offers good power transfer without compromising on comfort.While the performance was good, the shoe doesnt offer the same value as some comparable models, with a hefty pricetag of nearly 300.Read our full Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon gravel cycling shoe reviewFizik Vento Proxy shoeRRP: 229.99 / $249.99 / 229Highly ventilated summer shoe for riding and racingToe stud ports for cyclocross compatibilityComfortable fit adjusted by a single Boa Li2 dialA step cheaper than the brands range-topping Vento Ferox Carbon shoe, the Vento Proxy offers better value for money with a highly ventilated shoe thats ideal for summer riding in hot conditions.Not only do they offer great breathability, but theyre also quick-drying, which is good for multi-day rides and river crossings.The bi-directional Boa Li2 dial closure offers a good and easily adjustable fit, complemented by the well padded heel cup for a really comfortable fit. These are also available in half sizes for the most popular sizes.At 229.99, theyre at the top of the mid-budget range, but the performance certainly means you get great value for money.Read our full Fizik Vento Proxy gravel cycling shoe reviewLake MX238 gravel shoesRRP: 295 / $349.99 / 319Ecco Fullgrain suede leather and mesh upper give stylish brush-clean lookFull carbon sole from front to back gives stiff constructionRubberised gum sole with angular tread blocksThe Lake MX238 shoes are not cheap, though they do offer impressive performance on the bike with efficient power transfer thanks to the full carbon sole. The rubber sole is also plenty grippy enough for hike-a-bike sections.Youll need to spend some time getting the fit right though, as Lake offers a more involved fit system than other brands, yet the shoes still size up a little too roomy on test, which can result in toe overlap issues. The standard shoes are fairly wide, and are also offered in a wide fit too.The MX238 shoes are heavy, at 850g per pair (EU45), where comfort and durability is clearly a priority over minimising weight.Read our full Lake MX238 gravel shoes reviewQuoc Gran Tourer II gravel shoesEmma ColeRRP: 190 / $265 / 255Proprietary lace and dial closure shoes that are great for wide feetNylon-composite midsole with rubberised treadStylish range of colours availableThe second generation in the British brands off-road shoe, replacing laces with a single dial and lace closure, the Quoc Gran Tourer II are stylish shoes that have proved to be both comfortable and grippy on hike-a-bike sections.Though comfortable, thanks to the wide fit and roomy toe box, the Gran Tourer II shoes are heavy at 710g per pair (EU43).The Nylon-composite midsole used is reported to offer better value than the inclusion of a carbon fibre sole, without compromising too much on stiffness and hence pedalling efficiency.However, they are durable and easy to wipe clean, standing up well to hundreds of test miles.Read our full Quoc Gran Tourer II gravel shoes reviewBuy the Gran Tourer II from Quoc (190)Shimano RX6 gravel shoesRRP: 159.99 / $180 / 177Roomy wide fit with generous toe boxComposite sole with Shimano stiffness rating of 8Lightweight shoe at 536g per pair (EU 40)The more budget-friendly option in Shimanos gravel shoe range, the RX6 blends design cues from the premium RX8 option below with a few cost-saving measures.The shoes are still impressively lightweight at 536g per pair, and similarly comfortable, though the single-direction Boa dial is a little cheaper than the premium model used in the more expensive shoes.With a stiffness rating of 8/10 from Shimano, the RX6 gravel shoes arent quite as responsive when it comes to power delivery through the pedals as the RX8, with a composite rather than carbon sole.Choose from some funky colours with the unusual inkjet-printed camo finish, or the all black option for something more subtle. There are also womens fit shoes available in addition to the standard sizing.Read our full Shimano RX6 gravel cycling shoes reviewShimano RX8 gravel shoesKatherine MooreRRP: 229 / $275 / 230Wide fit as standardVery lightweight shoe at 518g per pair (EU 40)Stiff carbon fibre sole for optimal power transferTopping out Shimanos range of gravel-specific shoes, the RX8 combines a slightly wider than standard fit with a stiff sole and lightweight construction for a five star package.The shoes are wonderfully comfortable with a roomy toe box and well padded heel cup, and despite being stripped back to the bare minimum, they boast an impressively lightweight construction at 518g per pair.The shoes feel very sporty thanks to the carbon fibre sole, which Shimano has awarded a 10/10 on its stiffness scale, giving a very direct response when pedalling.There are some really jazzy inkjet-printed colours to choose from, as well as a more understated black finish, and the shoes are available in a wide range of sizes in both a standard and womens fit.Read our full Shimano RX8 gravel shoe reviewSpecialized Recon 3.0 gravel & mountain bike shoeRRP: 210 / $250 / 250Easily adjustable fit with two premium Boa Li2 dialsGrippy outsole and flex great for hike-a-bikeHigh heel cup wont suit all foot shapesQuick-drying and designed for hike-a-bike as well as on-the-bike action, the Specialized Recon 3.0 shoes are a great shout for gravel riders who love to explore. The level of flex in the shoe plus a soft grippy rubber outsole make walking easier than some gravel shoes, though the high heel cup to keep them in place wont be suitable for all foot shapes.The shoes feature two Boa Li2 dials, which makes them easily adjustable across the upper. Specialized has added other features from its Body Geometry research, including a metatarsal button, longitudinal arch support and a 1.5mm varus wedge incorporated into the insole and sole.Sitting just below the S-Works model in the range, the Recon 3 offers great value for money at 210, with features easily rivalling more expensive options from other brands.Read our full Specialized Recon 3.0 Gravel & Mountain Bike Shoe reviewUdog Distanza gravel shoeRRP: 180 / approx 153 / approx $195Knit construction upper for comfort and breathabilityRubber outsole tread wraps around toeLace closure with garage and Tension Wrap System designProving to be very comfortable on test, the Udog Distanza gravel shoes are a great choice for riders who love day-long and multi-day riding. The shoes arent too narrow, though the lace closure does take a little getting used to and to get the tension right, and is a little more fiddly than a quick dial and lace system.The aesthetics of the Distanza wont be to everyones taste, though, with a chunky tongue when the laces are stowed in their elasticated pocket, and while theres also a black colour option, those retail at 250 with the added cost due to a carbon fibre sole.Read our full Udog Distanza gravel shoe reviewHow to choose the best gravel cycling shoes for youThats our selection of the best gravel shoes weve tested here at Cyclist, but which are best for you? Here we answer a few of your most common questions to help you work out what style of shoe will work best.Why do I need gravel-specific shoes?While you dont necessarily need gravel-specific shoes and could potentially ride in flats, they do offer a whole host of benefits for riders heading onto the rough stuff.Firstly, the two-bolt MTB-style metal SPD cleat offers a greater pedalling efficiency than flat shoes and pedals, but is more durable and clears mud and stones more effectively than plastic SPD-SL style road cleats.Recessed into the shoe, this also means that you can walk more easily in this style of shoe compared to road cycling shoes, which comes in very handy for hike-a-bike sections, such as summiting a hill or mountain, linking trails or setting up camp.Speaking of hike-a-bike, some gravel shoes are designed to be flexible to allow for more comfortable hiking, while still remaining stiff when pedalling for greater efficiency. Grippy rubber soles are also used to make time spent off the bike easier. High, rubber or silicone-backed heel cups also help to keep the shoes in place while hiking.Gravel shoes tend to be a little lighter and less chunky than XC MTB shoes, with slightly less protective rubber elements though they are often pretty similar.Whats best, dials, velcro or laces for gravel shoes?The best closure method comes down to personal preference, each having its own pros and cons. Boa dials (or similar) tend to give the most easily adjustable fit and are very popular, but can cause issues if you break one (despite often coming with good replacement options).Laces are preferred by some riders, but are less easily adjustable, take longer to put on, and can get easily clogged with mud or wear out.Velcro is often used in budget gravel shoes or top end racing gravel shoes. Velcro is very hard to break, so its interesting to see that its made its way into the top-end racing options.How do I get the best fitting gravel shoes for me?Different gravel shoe models tend to give different fits. For example, I find that Giro give a narrow fit, and am better suited to Fizik or Shimano shoes. The best way to find out which suit you best is to visit your local bike shop and try on a few different pairs from different brands and models.If you know that you have particularly wide feet, look out for the larger brands such as Shimano which offer their shoes in a wider fit option.Can you use road shoes for gravel riding?You might have seen some of the gravel pros using road shoes for gravel racing, and this is for the optimum power transfer. These racers are unlikely to put a foot down during a race, let alone face any hike-a-bike, so road shoes arent a problem.However, for general use and everyday riders, road shoes arent recommended. Plastic three-bolt cleats dont stand up for long to use on off-road trails.Can you use mountain biking shoes for gravel riding?You certainly can use mountain biking shoes for gravel riding. Clipless shoes will offer greater pedalling efficiency than flats, but arent for everyone. Theres also an argument for running flats in the winter to combat muddier and more technical trails, as they are less likely to get clogged up with mud.The benefit of gravel shoes here is that they tend to be a little lighter and more streamlined. Some shoes will easily cover gravel, XC mountain biking and cyclocross, but its worth avoiding chunkier, more enduro and downhill-focussed models as they will be heavier and use more unnecessary reinforcement.Do I need toe studs in my gravel shoes?Unless you plan on doing some very mucky winter riding, toe studs are generally reserved for cyclocross and some XC MTB use, so they shouldnt be on the wish list for most gravel riders. Youll sometimes find them incorporated into the soles of gravel shoes, perhaps to make them more versatile, or perhaps because the shoe uses the same sole as a cyclocross-oriented model.What do the most expensive gravel shoes offer?If you spend more on premium gravel shoes, you can expect a stiffer sole for enhanced power transfer, higher quality closure methods (for example the use of premium dual-direction Boa Li2 dials), more adjustable fits such as interchangeable insole arch support, and the use of lightweight materials.Looking for more gravel cycling buying advice and news? Check out our gravel cycling hub here. Related Posts Best tubeless sealant for road and gravel bike tyres Gravel groupsets reviewed: Shimano vs SRAM vs Campagnolo The best gravel bikes 2024 reviewed Best cycling shoes 2024 Watch: How to fit and adjust cleats for cycling shoes The post Best gravel bike shoes 2024 reviewed by our experts appeared first on Cyclist.

The second bunch sprint of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana and Wout van Aert has finally returned to winning ways after a powerful performance in the Red Jersey on stage 3, edging out stage 2 winner Kaden Groves.Four riders managed to get themselves up the road early on, all from the invited Spanish teams...

Comment & Analysis: The idea not very many people live in Dublin City Centre is the myth that wont die.Dublin City Centre is defined as what is commonly called the area between the canals. Really it is the inner section of the canals connected on the north-west side by the North and South Circular Roads. Many people think of the city centre as much smaller, but there are many good reasons for the defined area to be within the canals its, for the most part, a clear visual boundary. It includes not just the main shopping and nightlife areas but also most of the central office area, the transport hubs, and institutions such as the central hospitals. More than 130,000 people live within Dublin City Centre using that within the canals perspective (Data: CSO Census 2022). Thats more than the population of all of the urban areas of Limerick or Galway. Or even Cork City before the boundary expansion.For arguments sake, lets say the city centre is less than half the size of the area within the canals as above say, bound by the Four Courts to Christchurch to St Particks down to around Camdon Street along the Grand Canal in the south-east office area, the north Docklands only inside the Royal Canal and across to the Matter Hospital. That area still has over 70,200 people in other words, 82% of Galway Citys population is 17% of the area, or 131% of the population of Waterford City is less than 1/4 of the area.Even if we go one step further and reduce the city centre to the areas around Connelly Station (not even including the station area), Pearse Street Station, Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Street to the east; the areas around Capel Street, Dublin Castle and Camden Street to the west; the area around Parnell Square to the north and around end of Harcourt St to the south.So, including Dublins more central parks, the main shopping and nightlife street, Dublin Castle, and the central train stations, but not even half of medieval Dublin.Were still left with over 40k people, which is more thanNavan, Ennis, Carlow, Kilkenny, Naas, Tralee, Newbridge, Balbriggan, Portlaoise, Athlone, etc etc. The only towns larger than this population are Swords, Dundalk, and Drogheda.Youre talking about an area of around 9km2 the likes of Naas or Sword get to similar or larger populations in around twice the area. Thats quite something when you consider that this area of Dublin is highly populated with the likes of shops, offices, parks, museums, and institutional lands like government buildings.This article does not suggest that there is anything wrong with planning to increase the number of people living in the city centre. The Dublin City Development Plans objective is to densify the city centre, and that process has been actively happening for decades.Some people who call for high density get a bit too focused on the lower-rise houses (which mostly arent going anywhere fast) and living above shops. Unlike many other cities across Europe, there is still a relatively high number of sites in the central area of Dublin that have the potential for development both unused or underused sites.While there is more than one surface bus depot, a number of large surface area council depots and large unused or underused sites, focusing on already-built housing in a housing crisis is misguided.Many low-level houses in central parts of Dublin are so small and without any or significant gardens that they have a higher density than people think. Cities with far higher central density also retain some low-rise housing. And, of course, as hinted at above, fewer people live in some sections of the city centre where, for example, there is a high concentration of shops, offices, institutional buildings, museums, etc. Thats indisputable. And youll find the same in a lot of cities, especially those which are both a shopping etc hub and their countrys national Governments administrative centre.The central south side gap in housing density is stark (shown below in the pink squares beside the yellow ones). That area has a high density of shops and offices, Trinity College Dublin, Houses of the Oireachtas, Government and Department buildings, etc.(As a side note, the map below is from 2011. At that stage, there were a good few dark red areas just under the 10k persons per squared km threshold, which have now likely also exceeded the 10k persons per squared km threshold. Today, the map should have more yellow blocks, which would make it more comparable to at least some similar cities, and Dublin is still playing catchup)On the up, but is all density good?The number of people living inside the canal is trending upwards it was at 108,560 in 2011, hit 114,987 in 2016 and then reached 130,057 in 2022.Of course, we can discuss all sorts of demographic issues, but we first have to collectively accept that a significant number of people live in the city centre. Once we do, we can also look at how much of those numbers are made up of bad or undesirable density that can range from too many low-level houses and not enough parks or overcrowding in homes for various reasons from a number of generations in the one home because theres no or no affordable choice or some landlords packing people in or accounting for sheltered accommodation.City life and nightlifeDiscussion about nightlife should also include wider factors, including a discussion on the affordability of housing.For example, if you spend a high percentage of your income on housing, youre less likely to go out as much, or if many younger people are priced out of the city, they are less likely to come back for drinks. Theres a lot of ifs here: If people like students are commuting because they cannot afford to live in the city at all, its less likely they are going to be available to work in restaurants and bars etc, and if theres more working from home theres going to be less socialising after work especially when working from home has enabled people to live further away from the city while the desire for affordability has pushed people towards looking further away.Then we also need to talk about the update of drinking at home (not just pre-drinks), and the various reasons for fewer clubs (hint: Dublin and Ireland had many more at far lower population levels so its not down to population alone). What about other cities?Tom Forths online tool, Population Around A Point, comes with a health warning (that the data is known to be less accurate for small areas, especially where there has been rapid population change), but within its smallest km radius, 3km, it still gives an idea of different populations of cities somewhat comparable to Dublin (in other words, excluding larger cities like Paris or London).For various geographical reasons, Im also not sure the radius tool gives a great idea of whats central to the city centre, but people see it as fairer than other ways.If the data can be somewhat trusted given the health warning on it, Dublin is around the midpoint here but note that many cities with lower levels of the population within a 3km radius in a central area are seen as much better cities than Dublin, with healthier nightlife, etc.There probably could be a whole other article written about how transport features into this Copenhagen, for example, has not just a 24 hour automated metro network in its central area but also a regional rail system that services towns smaller than Dublins commuter towns with frequent services at weekends into the early mornings. Regardless of whatever role density plays in current situations or as a solution to issues, we need to stop denying Dublin has density relative to cities around its size and some larger cities. We also need to stop reaching for simplified answers because there are more complex social, economic, and transport issues at play.

The latest delightfully impractical shoe experiment from Speedland founder Kevin Fallon is a pair of Birkenstocks with dual BOA dials and recessed mounts for SPD cleats. Find photos and a little behind-the-scenes perspective from the maker here...The post These Birkenstocks Have Dual BOA Dials and SPD Cleat Mounts! appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

For the first time since Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne all the way back in February, Wout van Aert was able to celebrate crossing the line first on stage 3 of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, extending his advantage in the general classification of the Spanish Grand Tour as a result.Thanks to the bonus seconds o...

Today's Weekend Snapshot features another three reader submissions from our worldwide bikepacking community. This time, we follow along with folks in Poland, France, and the United Kingdom as they make the most of the summer conditions by pedaling along scenic local trails alone and with friends. See all three and share a shot from one of your recent getaways here...The post Weekend Snapshot appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

On Friday, during the final stage of the Breck Epic, every racers worst fear became reality for Howard Grotts. The 31-year-old Specialized Off-Road racer was leading the 6-day stage race when he apparently lost control and crashed just a mile from the finish line. Thanks to support from fellow racers and the Breck Epic medical team who were on-site quickly, Howard was airlifted to St Anthonys in Denver where the severity of his injuries could be fully evaluated and treated. They are extensive and include damage to his back, spine, ribs, clavicle and scapula.To support Howard, Mike McCormack, the founder of the Breck Epic has organized a gofundme to collect donations for his road to recovery. In a short time, the gofundme has already raised $54,004 of the $80,000 goal a testament to the amazing mountain biking community. If youd like to send some money and positive vibes Howards way, follow the link below. Wishing you a speedy recovery Howard!gofundme.comThe post Breck Epic Organizes Howard Grotts Road to Recovery gofundme after Terrible Crash appeared first on Bikerumor.

The full general classification, along with the latest stage result, and the standings for the other jerseys