Cycling for Women: Benefits for PCOS and How to Maximise Them Cycling for Women Though public awareness fluctuates, one fact remains true: over 1 in every 10 women in the UK have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is thought to be genetic in nature and causes hormonal imbalances that result in irregular periods, increased male hormone production, and enlarged ovaries. PCOS can also cause insulin resistance, making you more likely to become overweight or obese. Due to these effects, PCOS can eventually lead to health-threatening conditions like type 2 diabetes. That’s why the NHS recommends that it be managed through proper diet and exercise. When working to regulate hormones and manage weight, aerobic activities are thought to be best for women with PCOS. If you have the disease and are searching for a fun yet effective way to manage it through exercise, look no further than cycling. How cycling helps with PCOS  It boosts your metabolism  Cycling strengthens your heart, lungs, and muscles to improve oxygen circulation and overall endurance. As your muscles grow stronger, they’ll require more energy to maintain. Your body will have to leverage more fat and glucose from storage to fuel them, increasing your metabolic rate and burning more calories. Aside from helping you manage your weight if you’re overweight or obese on PCOS, this will also aid in improving your insulin sensitivity and lower your chances of developing further complications like diabetes. It improves sleep quality  Your ovarian follicles have lower melatonin concentrations than women without PCOS. Since melatonin regulates your body clock, you’re more likely to develop sleep disorders like insomnia. Low-quality sleep can also exacerbate PCOS by further unbalancing your hormones. Cycling helps by requiring focus on the road and physical exertion. By naturally tiring your mind and body, it can help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling more rested without worsening PCOS symptoms. It’s fun Exercise is crucial for addressing multiple impacts of PCOS on your health and well-being, including your metabolism, insulin sensitivity, hormone levels, and increased vulnerability to mental health issues like anxiety. However, sticking to a regular workout routine is often challenging if you view it as a chore. That’s why it’s ideal to do physical activities you actually enjoy. Cycling is a great candidate for the job for a simple reason: it’s fun! You’ll spend more time outdoors exploring new roads and trails—and after just 30 minutes, it can relieve stress, improve your mood, and ultimately encourage you to bike more for regular exercise. How to maximise the benefits of cycling for PCOS  Start slow If you’re just picking up cycling now to manage PCOS, remember that slow and steady wins the race. Start with shorter rides to build your confidence and endurance. For example, you can take a quick ride to the nearest shop to buy snacks. From here, extend your cycling sessions. Explore your area’s quieter bike lanes, or start commuting to work by cycling. You can then start to tailor longer workouts, depending on your preferences. Biking at your own pace for two hours or more is a fun way to exercise on casual occasions like weekend rides with friends, while short but higher-intensity sessions can help you fully maximise the activity’s fat-burning abilities. These steps ensure you can establish a cycling habit for long-term PCOS management. Eat right Fueling your body with the right nutrients will enhance cycling’s benefits for managing PCOS symptoms. Carbs will be your primary energy source, so eat whole grains that burn slowly while preventing spikes in blood sugar. To improve your performance, manage your weight, and control your hormones, eat foods with healthy fats like fish rich in Omega-3. Finally, eat the rainbow in fruits and veg—from green spinach and red beets to blueberries and oranges—to get crucial nutrients like vitamins B and D that can energise your cycling sessions, promote regular periods, and improve your mood. Take the necessary medications If you’re one of the many women with PCOS who are already overweight or obese, it’s important to note that the insulin resistance and inflammation the condition causes can make it harder for you to manage your weight and improve your symptoms. That’s why you may want to consider supplementing the lifestyle changes you’re making through cycling and eating better. Consult a clinician to see if you’re eligible to take PCOS weight loss medication. Prescriptions for drugs like Metformin can improve your insulin sensitivity. With just that little bit of additional support, you can prevent your biology from negating cycling’s benefits for PCOS management. If you’re looking for a fun and effective way to manage PCOS, try cycling. Follow these tips to maximise its benefits—and don’t forget to keep up with our news pieces for more on the latest in cycling!

Cannock Chase Gravel X 12th October 2024 | Rugeley Long Route 79km | 1250m Medium Route 49km | 800m BOOK NOW Ride Overview As the leaves fall and the 2024 gravel season comes to an end, join us in the beautiful Cannock Chase for this glorious 79km & 49km  gravel sportive. Taking in a mix of gravel trails through the forest and quiet backroads, this season ending ride is suitable for riders of all abilities and is a lovely route with a mix of flat, fast sections, some exciting bits and a few climbs to give you one last big ride in 2024. Highlights Stunning off:road forest sections through Cannock Chase. Free camping available on the Friday night at the lovely Tackeroo Campsite.A nice early season mix of flat, some exciting sections & a few climbs to get you ready for bigger rides ahead in the gravel season. Included in Entry Fully Signed Route Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride. Checkpoints with Proper Food An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30 - 35km Accurate GPX Files A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs. Mechanics Available At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more . Rider Support Vans We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away. Beer at Finish Line You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders. Event Program 10th October: GPX files and pre ride briefing sent by email to each rider. 12th October – 8.15am: Ride village at Tackeroo campsite opens. Collecting your ride number takes approx 10 mins. 12th October – 8.30am to 9.30am: Ride start. We will give you a short ride briefing and set you off in small groups. 12th October – 5.30pm: Rider village closes 12th October – 7pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email Long Route The route starts with a few kms of great meandering trails in the forest before gaining momentum on some quiet back lanes on the way to the first feed stop.After the first feed stop, the route takes more back lanes and farm tracks before climbing back into Cannock Chase.The second feed stop provides a chance to refuel before tackling some more classic Cannock forest trails and gravel roads. Feed well as the second half of the ride has a few climbs along the way! Percentage of Route Off Road: 65% Distance: 79km Elevation: 1250m Difficulty:  3.5/5 Medium Route The medium route follows the long route but chops off the final lumpy 30km. This makes the medium a great option for new gravel riders or those looking for a quick route to do in the morning. But be warned, all the climbing is at the end of the route! Percentage of Route Off Road: 65% Distance: 49km Elevation: 800m Difficulty:  2.5/5 Short Route The short route follows the medium for the majority of the day but cuts off a section in the middle and near the end to make this nearly 20km shorter. With some nice variety on the off road sections & very little climbing, this is ideal for riders of all abilities.Percentage of Route Off Road: 55% Distance: 47km Elevation: 350m Difficulty:  1/5 Bike Selection & Packing List Bike Choice: With some longer sections on back roads and most of the off road on smooth forest trails, this ride is ideal for gravel bikes. Mountain bikes will be fine but slower, road bikes are not allowed. E-bikes are allowed on all of our rides.  Tyre Choice: We will send an update on conditions closer to the ride. The terrain holds up well to rain so a fast rolling or all rounder 35mm to 40mm tyre should be ideal. Packing List: Bring equipment to be self sufficient on the route (inner tubes, sealant, multi-tool, pump or CO2 etc). We recommend a bell to warn walkers / runners of your presence. Clothing: Likely to be fresh at this time of the year so layer up accordingly (arm & leg / knee warmers, gilet, waterproof jacket etc). Helmets are mandatory, you will not be able to ride without one. FAQs Where does the ride start / finish? The ride starts and finishes at Tackeroo Campsite. There is free parking onsite as well as toilets & refreshments. We will send the ride village address by email.  Are E Bikes Allowed? Yes, e-bikes are allowed on all Glorious Gravel ride. These must comply with UK law. What Happens if I have a mechanical / accident? We have first aiders & mechanics at the feed stops. There will be a phone number on the back of your ride number – call this if you need collecting. Can I Start with my friends? Yes, we start between 8.30am and 9.30am and set people off in small groups so the off road sections are not too busy. Please come to the start line with anyone you want to ride with, we will give a short ride briefing and set you off. The post Cannock Chase Autumn X appeared first on Glorious Gravel.

Mikel Landa continues to impress and show good climbing legs at the Volta a Catalunya. Although the Soudal - Quick-Step was again considerably bettered by Tadej Pogacar, Landa proved himself best of the rest."Our objective was to gain some time on the other riders in the general classification," the...

Archie Ryan (EF Education-EasyPost) has passed the first test at Coppi e Bartali on a day when more gaps opened that expected and only a very small bunch arrived at the finish to compete for the stage victory. The 22-year-old Irishman now moves into his favoured terrain tomorrow, when stage 2 concludes at the top […] The post Archie Ryan passes first test as gaps open at Coppi e Bartali | Video appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

The 2024 edition of the Rás Tailteann will take place from Wednesday, May 22nd to Sunday, May 26th. This is the 69th edition of the race. This year, the event will kick off from Tullamore, County Offaly in Ireland’s Midlands, where the first stage finish will be in Kilmallock. This will be the first-ever Rás Tailteann stage to finish in the County Limerick town. The 2024 edition will also have finishes in Sneem, County Kerry on the famous ‘Ring of Kerry’, Cahir, County Tipperary which will see the first finish there since 1967 and Kildare Town, County Kildare with the fifth and final stage of the 2024 Rás Tailteann finishing in Bective, County Meath where the race will take in three laps of a 14.1KM spectator-friendly finishing circuit. 784.8KM of Irish roads awaits this year’s entrants with a total of eighteen categorised climbs over the five stages, including two x category one climbs on stages two and four. Ahead of the route launch, Race Director Ger Campbell said: “We are delighted to be able to reveal details of the Rás Tailtean 2024 route. This year’s route is more difficult than the previous two editions, with a welcome return to cycling strongholds such as ‘The Rebel’ and ‘The Kingdom’ counties. There are a series of very tricky climbs along the way southwards and back up the country towards our ultimate finish in Bective on Sunday, May 26th, for what promises to be an extra special day. I would like to thank all the stage start and stage finish towns along with all the stage co-ordinators for their extremely helpful input and dedication to the 2024 route. Entry details will be released here very soon, and there is already huge interest from teams here at home and abroad. Stage 1: Tullamore, County Offaly to Kilmallock, County Limerick (Distance: 148KM) Wednesday, May 22nd 2024 Tullamore – Birr – Borrisokane – Nenagh – Birdhill – Newport – Caherconlish – Bruff – Kilmallock The 2024 edition of the race will depart from Tullamore in the heart of the Irish Midlands on Wednesday, 22nd May 2024. Taking in two x category three climbs en route to a first-ever stage finish in Kilmallock, Co Limerick. On paper, this stage does not appear particularly tough, but the ‘BikePark’ category three climb between Birr and Borrisokane will surely cause some early damage. Later in the stage, there is another category three climb at Birdhill. There are a lot of twisty and undulating roads in the latter part of the stage, which could make the day very interesting. As per tradition, there will be three hot spot sprints along the stage to intensify the fight for the race’s first coveted yellow jersey. Ras Tailteann Stage 2, Ennis- Castlebar 19/5/2023Matthew Fox of the Wheelbase Cabtech team wins todays stage.Pic : Lorraine O’Sullivan Stage 2: Kanturk, County Cork to Sneem, County Kerry (Distance: 187KM) Kanturk – Newmarket – Ballydesmond – Castleisland – Killorglin – Waterville – Caherdaniel – Sneem The race transfers to Kanturk, County Cork, for the start of stage two, which is the hometown of multiple ‘Men of the Rás’ through the years, including our current champion, Dillon Corkery. What can only be described as an epic and arduous 187KM stage awaits the riders with six categorised climbs including early category three’s at both Scartaglen and Milltown. A further category three strikes at Glencar before the infamous challenge of the category 1 over Ballaghasheen Pass. Later in the stage, the Coomikista category two climb awaits on the ring road towards Sneem. Once the race enters the finish town, it will pass through the finish line and complete a further 16KM loop, which includes one final category three climb. Stage two will surely be a telling day in the battle for overall honours. Stage 3: Kenmare, County Kerry to Cahir, County Tipperary (Distance: 155KM) Kenmare – Kilgarvan – Glenfesk – Rathmore – Mallow – Doneraile – Mitchelstown – Cahir The race will transfer to Kenmare for the start of stage three. This stage will bring mostly flat and fast roads with three x category three climbs along the way. On paper, it certainly seems like a day for the sprinters as the Rás Tailteann heads for Cahir, which will host a stage finish for the first time since 1967. Stage 4: Horse and Jockey, County Tipperary to Kildare Town, County Kildare (Distance: 139KM) Horse and Jockey – Urlingford – Ballyragget – Castlecomer – Killeshin – Carlow – Stradbally – Kildangan – Monasterevin – Kildare Town After a transfer to Horse and Jockey, the early parts of stage four are on mostly flat and fast roads, yet things are sure to heat up after Ballyragget with two category three climbs in quick concession before and after Castlecomer. The category one Gorteen climb is followed by a further two category two climbs on the roads between Castlecomer and Carlow which are sure to split things up at the head of the race. Once the climbing finishes for the day, there’s a relatively flat 60KM run into the finish in Kildare Town. We will have to wait and see if there’s enough time for riders to regroup after the climbs or if someone can spoil the party ahead of the final stage. Stage 5: Maynooth, County Kildare to Bective, County Meath (Distance: 156KM including three laps of finishing circuit) Maynooth – Dunboyne – Ratoath – Ashbourne – Stamullen – Julianstown – Laytown – Drogheda – Donore – Garlow Cross – Bective Starting from the university town of Maynooth, County Kildare, the final stage mostly passes through the rich pastures of County Meath. The race will make its way from Maynooth across to the East Coast before swinging back inland towards Bective on the banks of the Boyne, where the riders will complete 3 laps of the 14.1KM finishing circuit. There are two category three climbs along the way before a super-fast circuit awaits in Bective for this year’s edition’s final hour of racing, where the 2024 Rás Tailteann winner will get their hands on the famous George Plant trophy. The post Rás Tailteann – 2024 edition appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.

Comment & Analysis: Is now the right time to discuss SUVs? When the issue of SUV danger is mentioned online, we’re often told, “Now is not the time”. But for those people, it never seems to be the right time. It was reported on Monday that the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that 31-year-old Alicia Guilleux and her partner Florian Avril were visiting Ireland on a trip to celebrate a birthday. The couple were crossing the road as Shaun Kelly drove his Ford Ranger out of Fade Street and onto South Great George’s Street. He knocked them down. Alicia was dragged under the pick-up-style SUV. TheJounral. ie reported that “Mr Avril banged on the window of the vehicle shouting at it to stop.” Of course, this sentence itself is car brain. He was looking for the driver, Kelly, to stop. Alicia died in hospital days later. 33-year-old Kelly of Thornhill Gardens, Celbridge, Kildare, was convicted of careless driving causing the death of the French woman. He was given a wholly suspended sentence and only a driving ban for a year. The maximum sentence is imprisonment for up to 2 years or a €10,000 fine, or both. Before I go any further, I want to express my sympathy to Alicia’s partner, family and friends and express my deep sorrow and shame that the Irish justice system hasn’t provided justice for the careless driving that killed her. The judge in this case, Judge Martin Nolan, referred to this as a moment of inattentiveness. He said “It seems to me he was guilty of human failure on the night… he did not… notice the couple crossing the street when he should have.” Nolan, in a moment of shocking ‘car brain‘, absolved the driver of any wrongdoing and sent a strong signal to drivers that you can make mistakes, take lives and carry on — Shur, couldn’t it happen to any of us? This case has utterly failed to comment on the role of the vehicle, and in doing so, it’s just another collective shrug to road safety. It’s like we have these car brain responses on repeat: These things happen. It’s very sad. Nothing could be done. It was a freak accident. How can causing the death of a person be treated so casually? And if a moment of inattentiveness can kill, then we need to have a grown-up conversation about driver responsibility, road design, and pedestrian priority but also the vehicle type itself, in this case, a Ford Ranger SUV. A week before Alicia was killed, I commented how I noticed an increase in SUVs in the city. This clip below shows the horrifying reality that someone driving one of these could easily run over a pedestrian, even at slow speeds, due to their significant blind spots. If the hood is too tall on your truck to see a 6 foot tall man in a crosswalk, it shouldn't be allowed on the road.A week ago this intersection would have allowed the truck to turn at 4x this speed, and this man would be dead instead of walking away unharmed. pic.twitter.com/W5OqShqJOy— Jed Weeks (@jedweeks) December 3, 2021 And whatever chance you have of being seen, that chance rapidly diminishes the shorter you are. No amount of Hivis will make what’s in the enormous blindspot visible. If you can cause death so easily, then the opportunity for this to happen should be minimised by reducing the number of these vehicles on our roads. And does it even make sense that a regular driving licence covers driving such a vehicle? Whenever there are collisions involving SUVs and vulnerable road users, many people, including myself, wonder out loud when we are to recognise the heightened risk of such vehicles, especially in urban environments. But we are usually told, “Now is not the time”! But when is the right time? If people are asked to consider limitations on such vehicles without the context of the horrific consequences, it’s harder to fully appreciate the problem. SUVs are more deadly to pedestrians, especially children. The problem with SUVs: They are 2-3 times more likely to kill a pedestrian than a regular car.( : @uytaelee's Stories About Here) pic.twitter.com/dVzURmMPoz— CBC Gem (@cbcgem) April 5, 2022 SUV and SUV pickup trucks aren’t just more lethal when they hit pedestrians, but they are also much more likely to hit pedestrians- especially when they are turning. This is due to their larger A-pillars, which create a wider blindspot. Some SUVs have a high NCAP safety rating, some even scoring higher under pedestrian safety than standard vehicles. Well, you might be surprised to find out how utterly flawed the tests are. I posted a Twitter thread on that last year. SUVs are heavier and more powerful, and their potential for destruction is huge. No one knows when they might have a medical emergency when driving, but I do know I wouldn’t want to be driving something like this if it happened.

A cargo bike had been the missing piece in Specialized’s product portfolio. The introduction of the new Porto longtail cargo ebike is ready to fill that gap and complete the Specialized range. During our visit to the Specialized Turbo Unit in the Swiss town of Cham, we had the opportunity to test their latest addition and find out why this cargo ebike is so important to the brand. Nobody refuses an invitation to Specialized’s hallowed halls, the Turbo development centre in Cham, Switzerland. After each meeting, you’re a fair bit more knowledgeable and you get a sneak preview of the upcoming products. Last year, our E-MOUNTAINBIKE crew visited the centre to see what was cooking in the sports sector. This time Specialized’s Product and Category Managers – Dominik, Mattia, Vincent, Christoph and Stephan – took the time to show the DOWNTOWN team every angle of the new Porto cargo ebike. Specialized Porto | Specialized 2.2 Cargo/710 Wh from 39.9 kg in One Size |starting from € 6,500 | Manufacturer’s website From a commercial point of view, the cargo bike segment is of secondary importance to Specialized. The expected sales figures are not particularly promising compared to models such as the Turbo Levo. From a strategic point of view, however, the cargo bike market is crucial for the Turbo Unit in Switzerland: Specialized want to be the brand of choice for all bikers. After a long period of development, the Specialized Porto finally sees the light of day. It is the missing piece in the Specialized mosaic, the final element to fulfil the last remaining dream of die-hard bike fans. Read the full review on DOWNTOWN-Mag.com Der Beitrag First ride review of the new Specialized Porto cargo bike – A cargo bike for all bikers? erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

The new S170 has CNC machined aluminum lugs bonded to alloy tubes Atherton S170Atherton Bikes still seems relatively new, but the brand is already five years old. And, up until now, it’s been …Continue reading »