The fully supported cycling challenge will be led by world-famous endurance athlete Sean Conway, and see riders take on the iconic 874-mile (1,407km) Lands End to John O’Groats journey in a rapid seven days. Cycling travel experts, Sportive Breaks promote bespoke premium travel packages for cyclists looking to take part in the world’s most prestigious grand tours, cycling classics and weekenders. The team leaves no stone unturned in the packages they offer, which are specially curated using their many decades of experience in the industry. Land’s End to John O’Groats is a popular challenge for cyclists, often regarded as the “ultimate UK endurance test”. The route covers approximately 874 miles (1,407 km) and takes riders from the southwestern tip (Lands End) of England to the north eastern tip (John O’Groats) of Scotland. It’s a challenging but rewarding journey that provides cyclists with a unique opportunity to explore the length and breadth of Great Britain on two wheels. And there is no better ride leader than record-breaking British endurance adventurer Sean Conway, who himself has unrivalled experience of LEJOG, having cycled, run, swam, sailed and driven the course seven times in recent years. Sean says ‘LEJOG holds a very special place in my heart, and is an endurance challenge which sits among the most memorable of my career. We live on one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and this ride offers the perfect opportunity to really enjoy it.” The iconic ride begins on 7th September at Lands End, and concludes seven days later on 14th September at John O’Groats in Scotland. “This makes this a proper challenge” says Sean, “covering approximately 125 miles a day makes this no easy feat, these are long days in the saddle, but it is the perfect opportunity for the keen cyclist seeking a challenge, whilst enjoying the very best in support and guidance.” And the support riders will receive throughout is nothing short of unrivaled; with mobile professional mechanics, ride captains and food/support stations on hand to help. Sean will lead, and provide insight, banter and moral support, and two support vehicles will follow the ride, allowing access to all accompanying equipment at all times. A typical day will start between 6:30 and 7am and finish between 4:30 and 5:30pm, leaving plenty of time for riders to recuperate and refuel in anticipation of the following day on the road.  LEJOG with Sean Conway 2024 Stages Day 0 – Saturday 7 September – Pre-LEJOG in Penzance Day 1 – Sunday 8 September – Penzance to Exeter – 204.17km and 3,321m of ascent Day 2 – Monday 9 September – Exeter to Hereford – 210km and 2695m of ascent Day 3 – Tuesday 10 September – Hereford to Wigan – 202km and 1896m of ascent Day 4 – Wednesday 11 September – Wigan to Gretna Green – 195km and 2163m of ascent Day 5 – Thursday 12 September – Gretna Green to Perth – 203km and 2285m of ascent Day 6 – Friday 13 September – Perth to Dingwall/Evanton – 214km and 1850m of ascent Day 7 – Saturday 14 September – Dingwall/Evanton to John O’Groats – 215km and 2125m of ascent Alex De Waard Director of Sportive Breaks says, “This is an incredibly exciting addition to the Sportive Breaks portfolio, and we’re really looking forward to working with Sean, and to giving a small group of riders a week they will remember for the rest of their lives. LEJOG is as much of a logistical challenge, as it is an endurance one and this package means that all riders need to think about is getting themselves to the start. Being a fully supported event, you can simply enjoy riding your bike and taking in everything each stage has to offer.” Sean concludes, “If LEJOG has been on your bucket list for a while, this really is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. It truly is one of the best endurance cycling experiences in the world, and I’m honoured to be in a position to help others discover it for themselves. See you in Lands End this September!”

Jan Tratnik had absolutely superb form throughout February and had a superb win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to seal that off. On paper, he will be a secondary card for Team Visma | Lease a Bike throughout the upcoming cobbled classics; but he can certainly ride to another triumph this spring. "After a...

Having started out as something of an experimental unit before the last Olympics, and undergone some personnel changes since then, the Irish women’s team pursuiters have come the longest way of most Irish athletes who will be at the Olympic Games this year. Though the qualification process is not yet officially over, the new UCI […] The post Irish team pursuiters road to Olympics | “We were all hitting PBs in the gym” appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

2024 Lacey Cup Route – Race – Prize Details Link to Enter Race Details The post 2024 Lacey Cup Route – Race – Prize Details 👇 appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.

News in brief: The national Active Travel Collision Tracker at Collisiontracker.ie, launched 15 days ago and has received over 600 entries. The entries by users include older collisions, mainly involving deaths, dating back as far as 2001. The tracker entries include everything from those fatal collisions to close passes and risks like potholes. The idea of mapping out incidents and issues is that patterns will form, which will allow IrishCycle.com, Dublin Inquirer, and Tripe + Drisheen — three reader-funded media outlets — will to be able to report on such problem areas. Correction: This article originally said the tracker was online for longer, apologies for any confusion.

Gravel riding and gravel bikes have started to split into two distinct segments – gravel racing, and gravel adventure. ROSE have embraced this with the new BACKROAD FF, adding a dedicated gravel race bike to their line-up. Read our test debut to find out whether Fast Forward is only in the name or if it also applies on the racetrack. ROSE BACKROAD FF | 8.3 kg in size M | € 4,999 | Manufacturer’s website The name suggests that the BACKROAD FF is just a slightly more aggressive ROSE BACKROAD, but that doesn’t do it justice! ROSE’s new gravel race bike has been developed from the ground up, and it has more in common with the ROSE XLITE road bike than it has with its gravel namesake. Completing the package is a new one-piece gravel race cockpit, new gravel-specific aero wheels, and in-house aero frame bags with magnetic FIDLOCK brackets. Long time readers who have checked out our gravel race bike group test will know: gravel racing ≠ gravel racing. The wide range of increasingly popular gravel race formats can place extremely different demands on both the riders and their bikes. The ROSE BACKROAD FF promises to deliver both in longer gravel races like UNBOUND Gravel or The Traka, as well as in shorter UCI Gravel World Series races. Will the 8.3 kg gravel race bike make it onto the podium, and how much performance can ROSE deliver for € 4,999? We got to test the new BACKROAD FF extensively and were quite surprised when we uploaded our test rides to Strava. The ROSE BACKROAD FF in detail “Uh! What bike is that?” The black splatter on matt pink finish and lack of branding on the down tube make for a striking look, and a talking point for anyone who sees the bike for the first time. Moreover, the new ROSE BACKROAD FF makes no secret of its high-speed ambitions! The 50 mm deep profile ROSE GC50 carbon wheels, dropped seat stays, monocoque carbon cockpit, and aero details on the frame and fork ensure an aggressive look. The stringy splatter finish doesn’t just look interesting, but also provides an interesting texture. The aero details on the frame are reminiscent of the ROSE XLITE. The frame of the ROSE BACKROAD FF was inspired by that of the ROSE XLITE road bike. This is especially evident when looking at the rear triangle, with its dropped seat stays and low bottom bracket, as well as the transition from the fork to the head tube. For a gravel race bike, the frame offers a generous 45 mm tire clearance, which – crucially – is in line with UCI regulations Like a certain other German direct to consumer brand: ROSE’s latest bike also features the new FIDLOCK QuickLoad frame bag mounts. Accordingly, ROSE offer tailor made frame bags for the BACKROAD FF, which sit flush with the frame and simply click into place. The sizing is new too. ROSE are introducing an intermediate M/L size with the BACKROAD FF, thereby shifting the sizing spectrum upwards. In total, there are now six different sizes to choose from, catering to riders from 1.57 to 2 m tall. ROSE have cleared the BACKROAD FF for a maximum gross weight of 120 kg. That should accommodate those who haven’t yet reached their race form Gravel races keep getting faster, which is why ROSE are also introducing a new, aerodynamically optimised gravel wheelset together with the BACKROAD FF. According to ROSE, the 50 mm deep GC50 wheelset weighs 1,550 g without tubeless tape, and is optimised for 40 mm tires. Therefore, the front rim, which is aerodynamically more significant, is 40 mm wide to sit flush with the tire, whereas the rear rim measures just 32 mm in width to save weight. With an internal rim width of 27 mm, the wheels should provide an optimal fit for 40 mm wide gravel tires run at low pressures. However, the aero-optimisation doesn’t stop at the rims. The internal spoke nipples and slender hubs are also designed to reduce drag. According to ROSE’s wind tunnel tests, the new GC50 wheelset is 7–9% more aerodynamic than its predecessor, the GC40. The 50 mm profile rims are designed to reduce drag at high speeds… … but they look fast regardless. ROSE’s new one-piece gravel race cockpit also debuts with the BACKROAD FF, promising to offer a lot of comfort as well as aero gains. Mysterious: The 20 mm rise on the handlebar… … is mostly negated by the -10 degree stem. The latest regulations at UCI races, UNBOUND etc. prohibit both time trial bars and the puppy paws position. To conform to this, the new one-piece gravel race cockpit is shaped in such a way that you can ride as comfortably as possible with your forearms on the tops while gripping the hoods, Tim Wellens style. The semi-integrated cable routing on the cockpit is aero, clean-looking, and easy to maintain. Furthermore, the 15-degree flare of the drops is intended to give riders more control on technical descents. The dimensions of the one-piece cockpit are frame size dependent. However, you can also opt for sportier versions with a longer stem and narrower handlebar. Currently, the bike is exclusively available with 1x SRAM Force AXS and Rival AXS groupsets, but other builds are in the making and should be available soon. The Wolftooth chain guide, which has been specially adapted for the bike, bolts onto the front derailleur mount, and should keep the chain firmly in place. However, the chain guide limits the maximum chainring size to 46 t. As standard, the bike comes with a 42 t chainring fitted. Both the € 4,999 build with a SRAM Force AXS groupset, and the € 3,499 SRAM Rival AXS option come with an integrated power meter, which is not to be taken for granted at these prices! Size XS S M ML L XL Top tube 505 mm 527 mm 546 mm 564 mm 58 mm 603 mm Seat tube 450 mm 482 mm 505 mm 525 mm 550 mm 585 mm Head tube 100 mm 118 mm 134 mm 153 mm 171 mm 195 mm Head angle 71,25° 71,75° 72° 72,25° 72,5° 72,5° Seat angle 76,25° 75,1° 74,7° 74,1° 74,1° 74,1° Chainstay 420 mm 420 mm 420 mm 420 mm 420 mm 420 mm BB Drop 75 mm 75 mm 75 mm 75 mm 75 mm 75 mm Wheelbase 993 mm 1005 mm 1016 mm 1030mm 1046 mm 1.067 mm Reach 377 mm 387 mm 396 mm 405 mm 418 mm 432 mm Stack 523 mm 542 mm 558 mm 574 mm 592 mm 616 mm Rose Backroad FF 2024€ 4,999SpecificationsSeatpost ROSE AERO D-Shaped 8 mmBrakes SRAM Force AXS 160/160 mmDrivetrain SRAM Force AXS XPLR 1x12Stem Rose Gravel Race Carbon One-Piece Cockpit 100 mmHandlebar Rose Gravel Race Carbon One-Piece Cockpit 400 mmWheelset Rose GC50 12 x 100/12 x 148 mm Through AxleTires Schwalbe G-One RS 700 x 40cCranks SRAM Force AXS 172.5 mmCassette 10-44 TTechnical DataSize XS S M M/L L XLSpecific FeaturesRose Aero Gravel wheels frame bag with FIDLOCK QuickLoader System Powermeter The geometry of the BACKROAD FF is characterised by a relatively long reach compared to other gravel race bikes, which is paired with a rather low stack height. As such, the bike isn’t very compact, placing you in a rather stretched riding position. This is more like classic road racing geometry than that of many gravel bikes, again showing the influence of the XLITE. ROSE BACKROAD FF | SRAM Force AXS | 8,5 kg (manufacturer’s specification) | € 3,499 The more affordable version of the BACKROAD FF costs € 3,499, relying on a SRAM Rival AXS groupset (incl. power meter), and also featuring ROSE’s new gravel race cockpit. However, it doesn’t come with the new GC50 wheels. The ROSE BACKROAD FF on the race track 3, 2, 1, GO! Despite its aero optimisation, the BACKROAD FF is quick to pull away. While you couldn’t quite call it exhilarating, the rather stiff GC50 wheels, fast Schwalbe G-One RS tires, and laterally stiff frame make for responsive acceleration. It even cuts a fine figure on steep climbs, with a lively feeling and stable handling. Once up to speed, however, the BACKROAD FF plays its trump card. The race geometry is well suited to high speeds and puts you into an efficient riding position. Uncompromising racers might be put off by the 20 mm rise of the handlebar, whereas for others it serves as the optimal compromise, allowing you to stay in the aero position as comfortably and as long as possible. That said, combining a 20 mm rise handlebar with a -10 degree stem doesn’t make sense from our point of view, and probably has more to do with looks than with functionality. The ergonomics of the cockpit, on the other hand, were convincing throughout, providing a secure and comfortable grip whether you’re in the drops, on the tops, or on the hoods. The 15 degree flare of the drops offers plenty of control on technical descents and during sprints. The very stiff fork is particularly noticeable when cornering, ensuring direct and precise steering. In combination with the composed handling, the BACKROAD FF instils you with confidence at high speeds. However, the G-One RS tires reach their limits in the wet, even when running them at low pressures, and you should exchange at least the front tire for something more grippy for winter riding. Although compliance isn’t the top priority on a race bike, the BACKROAD FF noticeably dampens small bumps and vibrations, which is definitely sufficient for the intended use. The wide rims allow you to run the tires at lower pressures, which further increases comfort and grip. Overall, this results in a fast gravel race bike which is comfortable enough to ride for long distances. This feeling was confirmed when we beat some of our personal records on Strava after the test ride on our local gravel loop. So, the BACKROAD FF undoubtedly is a KOM hunter too. Helmet MET Manta | Glasses NAKED Optics The Volt| Jacket Gore C5 Shakedry | Bib Straede Aero Bib Shorts | Shoes S-Works Recon Who is the 2024 ROSE BACKROAD FF for? Clearly, the BACKROAD FF is the right bike for gravel racers, and aspiring gravel racers. Thanks to the comfortable cockpit and wealth of aero details, the BACKROAD FF should also perform well on long-distance races. Off the racetrack, it will deliver on fast jaunts, KOM hunts, and training rides, with the help of the power meter. Our conclusion on the 2024 ROSE BACKROAD FF After a week of race preparation in the Black Forest, some Strava PRs and KOMs, and plenty of home-stretch sprints, the ROSE BACKROAD FF proved to be damn fast. ROSE tick a lot of the right boxes with the BACKROAD FF, and at a significantly lower price than many of the competition. It is an uncompromising gravel race bike in almost all respects, with the build, handling and styling all pointing to high speeds and sprint finishes. Only the 20 mm rise cockpit could put some racers off. Topsvalue for moneyracey lookconvincing aero-conceptFlopsno 2x groupset option as yet Der Beitrag 2024 ROSE BACKROAD FF on test – A gravel race bike gone aero erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Killer value eyewear, the Code Breaker II is £34.99, with massive coverageMadison has a history of making great eyewear at killer prices, so you’ll understand why we’re so excited about the …Continue reading »