Lael Wilcox is one of the best known names in womens cycling. She has won or set records on countless ultra endurance routes over the last ten years.I was so honored to get to sit down with Lael to chat about her plans for a 2024 Around The World record attempt, her womens rallies, what its like being the recipient of so much criticism online, and much more. Listen To The InterviewOr Watch On YouTubeStuff We Discuss In This EpisodeLaels plan for attempting a cycling record around the world, including route planning and challenges.Her experiences with online criticism and its effect on her.Thoughts on being a female role model in cycling and encouraging more women to participate.Tips and advice for women interested in starting bikepacking or racing.How shes developed mental toughness and dealing with discomfort in races.Discussion on avoiding burnout and addressing health issues like sleep deprivation in long races.Why Lael prefers bib shorts and what she does with the chamois. Connect With Lael Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/laelwilcox Website:https://www.laelwilcox.net/More Episodes You Might EnjoyBikepacking For Beginners With Laura HeinerA Bikepacking Adventure Thru Pakistan, India, and Nepal With Eliza SampeyAdventure Cycling & Cartooning With Tegan PhillipsAbout The HostKristen Bonkoski is the founder and owner of Femme Cyclist.An avid cyclist for a few decades now, she took to cycling during her late teen years a time when she needed something to help boost her self-esteem and confidence.Mission accomplished, the sport has become an important part of her life. Kristens favorite disciplines are mountain biking andbike commuting, although youcan also find her crankingout a century on her road bike and touring with her husband and son. If it has to do with two wheels, she enjoys doing it.Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, and she runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.IG:@kristenlbonkoskiFull Interview TranscriptTranscript has been edited for clarity.Kristen: Lael, its great to have you here today. Many of our listeners probably know who you are, but for those who dont or are new to cycling, could you introduce yourself?Lael: Absolutely, Kristen. Im Lael Wilcox, originally from Anchorage, Alaska, now living in Tucson, Arizona. Im an ultra-endurance cyclist, participating in races across countries and soon, around the world. My races are typically self-supported, involving days or weeks of continuous riding while managing my own food and lodging needs.Kristen: Youve mentioned your big plan for 2024. Could you share more about that?Lael: Im thrilled to share that Im aiming for the around-the-world cycling record. Its a massive undertaking, requiring a self-planned route of at least 18,000 miles, heading either east or west, and crossing two antipodal points for me, that will be New Zealand and Spain. My wife recently got me a couple of globes to help visualize this dream. The journey involves commercial flights between continents. Its a dream Ive had since my cross-US race in 2016. With a wide-open schedule next summer and a passion for cycling every day, Ive decided to go for it, starting this May in Chicago.Kristen: Will this being the longest race youve ever done change your logistics or daily routine?Lael: Definitely. My longest race before this was 18 days across the US, sleeping about five hours a night. For this race, I plan to sleep five to six hours a night with more frequent maintenance stops. Theres more planning involved, like scheduling bike services, booking plane tickets in advance, and staying in hotels every few nights for charging and rest. My goal is 110 days, averaging 163 miles a day. This gives me some leeway for unexpected events. The current womens record is 124 days, and I aim to beat that by at least two weeks. Its about setting lofty goals, striving for them, and understanding whats possible.Kristen: Are there any areas or sections of your journey that make you nervous?Lael: Not really nervous, more so excited, especially about exploring new places. Im looking forward to riding across Turkey to Georgia. Georgia fascinates me with its high mountains, unique alphabet, and cultural origins of bread and wine. Southeast Asia is also on the list, like riding from Bangkok to Singapore. The logistical aspects, like ensuring my bike arrives safely and dealing with potential breakdowns, can be a bit worrisome. But these challenges are just part of the adventure.Kristen: Will you carry more spare parts than usual?Lael: Not really, but I need to be aware of where the nearest bike shops are, especially in remote areas. The key is to keep riding, even if the bike is not in perfect condition, until I can get it fixed. Worrying about every possible problem isnt helpful, but being prepared is essential.Kristen: And your wife will be accompanying you, right?Lael: Yes, shell be traveling by car to document my ride. In Europe and Asia, shell likely have someone to drive while she focuses on filming. In places like Australia, New Zealand, and North America, the roads are more straightforward, so she might manage on her own.Kristen: Youre well-known in the ultra-endurance cycling community. What sets you apart?Lael: I think its been a combination of factors. Ive been in this sport for almost a decade, and being a woman who has won significant races like the TransAmerica has certainly helped. Making videos about my rides has also connected me with people. They see someone of average height and size accomplishing these feats and think, If she can, maybe I can too. Its about encouraging others to face their fears and try new challenges. I want to inspire, especially women, to believe in their strength and capability. Its not about suffering or being miserable; its about exploring whats possible and not being afraid to try. Seeing women participate and grow in confidence through these experiences is incredibly rewarding. I believe in being kind and tough simultaneously, and I think that resonates with people both in and outside of cycling. Its about taking this mindset into all aspects of life, giving yourself the chance to try new things, and being okay with the uncertainty of the outcome.Kristen: Youve been a lightning rod for criticism and mean comments. Has this affected your joy in biking or pursuing your goals?Lael: While it hasnt taken away my joy in biking, it definitely hurts. Its tough being the subject of unfounded accusations and rumors. The online space has grown with people quick to criticize without face-to-face interaction, which feels cowardly. My approach has been to focus on the positive and avoid negative spaces. Despite many uplifting comments, its human nature to dwell on the negative ones. But, Ive learned to let it go. The more exposure you get, the more criticism follows, and I understand that not everyone will be happy.Kristen: Do you think some criticism, particularly from men, is due to gatekeeping in the ultra-endurance community?Lael: Yes, a lot of it feels extremely sexist. Whats more hurtful is when it comes from women in the community. Its disheartening when were already few in number. I see men in similar roles not facing the same scrutiny. I believe in sharing stories rather than tearing others down, but the inconsistency in treatment is evident. The goal of my videos is to encourage more people, especially women, to try these challenges. When women in the sport get attacked, it sends a discouraging message, but I dont believe adding more negativity is the solution.Kristen: Have there been women who have lifted you up in this journey?Lael: Absolutely! There are many women who have inspired me, like moms who balance family and their passion for cycling. Direct human interactions, like going on rides or bikepacking trips, truly change lives and culture. I organize womens bikepacking rallies to foster this community spirit. Its about transforming individual lives and empowering them to become leaders in their communities.Kristen: Could you tell us a bit about the womens bikepacking rallies you organize?Lael: Sure! We organize rallies where we cover about four hundred miles over eight days, primarily in mountainous regions. Weve hosted five in Europe and one in Tucson. The rallies attract 50 to 70 women of all ages, ranging from 19 to 70 years old. We provide a route, a start time, a pre-ride dinner, and a finishers party. The participants choose their daily distance, sleeping spots, and riding companions. The rallies are non-competitive and focus on the experience of being out there. The growth has been tremendous, from 21 participants in the first year to over 1600 applicants for a rally in Slovenia. We keep the groups small, especially as the routes often pass through remote towns. The presence of a large group of women cyclists is still a rare and exciting sight in many of these places.Kristen: Thats incredible. In my experience with a womens bikepacking group in Idaho, weve seen similar reactions in small towns. Its quite a sight for the locals!Lael: Exactly, its an exhilarating experience for everyone involved. Seeing a group of women cyclists is still unusual and its exciting for people we meet along the way.Kristen: What advice would you give to a woman interested in bikepacking or bikepack racing?Lael: For beginners, I recommend starting with an overnight trip. Choose a destination, pack your bike, navigate, sleep out, and return. This helps build confidence and familiarizes you with the essentials. For those with more experience, choose a route that truly inspires you. The desire to explore and experience beauty is crucial, as it keeps you motivated during challenging moments. Its important to pick something that matches your effort and enthusiasm.Kristen: Do you think mental toughness is natural for you, or have you developed it over time?Lael: I believe Ive become mentally tougher over time. Dealing with discomfort, like extreme cold, becomes more manageable with experience. Ive learned to be less reactive to pain and discomfort, recognizing these as familiar challenges. Ive always been driven, but now Im less hard on myself, even though I might put myself in tougher situations.Kristen: How do you manage to ride so many miles without getting burnt out?Lael: Ive definitely experienced burnout, but my tolerance has increased. I keep coming back to it because I love being outdoors, exploring beautiful places, and creating rich memories. Theres a kind of selective memory for the pain, similar to forgetting how bad it is to be swarmed by mosquitoes once youre away from it.Kristen: What about the health aspects, like sleep deprivation and extreme physical exertion?Lael: Being outdoors and cycling is healthy, but pushing your body to extreme limits isnt. Sleep deprivation, especially in races where you go days without proper rest, is probably the worst aspect. Ive realized that races that take a week or more are better because they necessitate sleep. Lack of sleep affects decision-making and physical well-being, so even a short rest can be beneficial for performance.Kristen: One common concern among women is discomfort from sitting on a bike for extended periods. Any advice on that?Lael: It varies from person to person, but I dont use a chamois and have a comfortable saddle. Standing up frequently and moving around on the bike helps. Its important to keep trying different shorts, saddles, and positions until you find what works. Gradually increasing riding time before a big event also helps in building tolerance.Kristen: I read that you cut the chamois out of your shorts. Do you still do that?Lael: Yes, I still do. I prefer bibs with shoulder straps rather than a waist strap, so I just cut the chamois out.Kristen: Your approach inspired me to try that as well. Ive never liked riding with chamois, and cutting it out was a revelation.Lael: Its especially useful for bikepacking. When youre out day after day, a dirty chamois that cant be washed and dried properly becomes a problem. Cutting it out simplifies things a lot.Kristen: Absolutely. Before I ask my final questions, where can people follow your journey? And do you have any sponsors youd like to mention?Lael: You can find a bunch of my videos on YouTube by searching my name, and Im also on Instagram. Im fortunate to do this as a job and have been sponsored since 2018. Im currently sponsored by Specialized, Wahoo, and Rapha. For my around-the-world trip, Ill have a tracking page up, and I hope people will join me for parts of the ride. My route in North America is set, so it would be great to have folks ride along with me.Kristen: That sounds fantastic. What bike or bikes are you currently riding?Lael: Im heading to Alaska next week for the Iditarod, so Ill be on a fat bike, a Corvus, an Alaskan brand, to acclimate for the race. Ive been in sunny Arizona, so I need to adjust to the cold and snow. Besides that, I mostly ride specialized road and mountain bikes. I enjoy mixing it up long rides, trail riding, and road cycling. No downhill stuff for me, though.Kristen: Whats your favorite place to ride?Lael: There are so many incredible places. Alaska, my home state, is always special because of its unique beauty. Last year, we had a rally in the Canary Islands, which was like being in Jurassic Park. The islands are so diverse some volcanic, some lush and green. Connecting the islands by ferry was fantastic. I also love riding in places with mountains, like Switzerland and Italy, for both the stunning scenery and the delicious food. Kyrgyzstan was another standout for its breathtaking Alpine views. Essentially, Im happiest anywhere with expansive, mountainous vistas.Kristen: Your answer might change after your around-the-world trip next year!Lael: Absolutely, Im sure it will!Kristen: Finally, what do you love most about riding your bike?Lael: The most thrilling part is the start that first pedal stroke, moving from indoors to outdoors, or rolling out of the tent. Its exhilarating to feel the wind as you begin a journey. Riding during the most beautiful times, like sunrise or sunset, is extraordinary. These moments feel like stolen time, when the world is typically asleep or busy, and youre there to witness something magical. Those experiences are truly special.Are You Listening To The Femme Cyclist Podcast?!?A podcast for women who love bicycles! We we celebrate all forms of riding and all forms of women, so whether youre a road cyclist, mountain biker, or bike commuter, youll find your community here. Each week well week bring you interviews from inspiring women, and offer tips and tricks to help you thrive on the bike.The post Lael Wilcox Interview: Biking Around The World appeared first on Femme Cyclist.

Embed from Getty ImagesHes on form, hes on home soil and hes a past winner but Mathieu van der Poel wont have it easy here as the hilly terrain and a long list of challengers should make things harder.The Route: unchanged from last year, 253.6km and all in Limburg, the hilly part of the low country. Its relative as the race rarely gets beyond 200 metres altitude but there are 3,200 metres of vertical gain spread across 33 marked climbs.One difficulty you dont see from the profile nor map is the mix of narrow roads and tight corners. Those at the front get to chose their line while anyone beyond, say, 20th wheel is stuck in a cycle of braking and sprinting. This whiplash effect is huge, its probably the defining feature of the race and being able to save energy by staying up front helps build the win. Local knowledge and a couple of strong team mates help here, arguably more than the Ronde and Lige.The climbs are bunched towards the end of the race. The Eyserbosweg with 38km to go is where Tadej Pogaar forced a selection last year, the Keutenberg with 29km left is where he went solo.The Finish: The finishing circuit is not so technical, a wider road and well-known. Its via the Keutenberg and then the Cauberg to cross the finish line. Then its out into the apple orchards and and the Bemelerberg climb, a soft gradient but sometimes just enough to split the field. Over the top its via Mathieu van der Poel Alle and to the finish on a big wide road.The ContendersEmbed from Getty ImagesMathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) is on a roll after wins in the Ronde and Roubaix. A past winner here, he seems the obvious pick but the hilly terrain doesnt suit. Its hard to see him take a flyer with 40km to go he might try and his advantage over others is his sprint. Also while his team have been very solid thats because they are solid types, this time theyll struggle to boss rival squads.UAE come with six riders who could win, and Sjoerd Bax who is going to be busy fetching food and drink for them all. Juan Ayuso is the form pick and while his lean build makes him look like a pure climber hes won time trial and sprints (pictured winning the Faun Ardche Classic). Marc Hirschi is a Flche Wallonne winner but from 2020 and if hes had plenty of wins since, nothing in the World Tour so far. Many teams will look to UAE to control the race.Embed from Getty ImagesEF Education-Eastpost bring a very strong team. Richard Carapaz is form unknown but building up. Second here last year, Ben Healy was remarkable in the recent Pays de Loire stage race, doing the work of three riders as he towed Marijn van den Berg to the win. Their problem is how to combine their strengths, with Healy not suited to the flat sprint so hell have to try and go solo whileVan den Berg is on the limit with all the climbing.Tom Pidcock (Ineos) is back to a race where he was less photogenic than Wout van Aert who beat him to the line and were Tadej Pogaar beat him last year, two podiums in three goes. Previous winner Micha Kwiatkowski has got the race craft and could surprise, if not hell be there to guide Pidcock.Visma-Lease a Bike have a home race and have Tiesj Benoot and Matteo Jorgenson as leaders, both on terrain to suit but at risk of being picked off by rivals in case of a sprint.Max Schachmann (Bora-hansgrohe) looked himself again in the Basque Country after two seasons of illness and injury, a lot of lows and few highs. Matteo Sobrero should be worth watching too.Embed from Getty ImagesBenot Cosnefroy (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale) is in form having just won the Brabantse Pijl and with ease, floating across to the breakaway before out-sprinting them. A runner-up here before this showed his challenge as hes great on short hills but in a flatter sprint things are harder. Basque stage winner Paul Lapeira is in form too and could try a flyer.Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Romain Grgoire give Groupama-FDJ two good chances, Madouas bravely stated he was all in for the Ronde but never featured while Grgoire looks custom-built for the Ardennes races.Embed from Getty ImagesLotto-Dstny bring Andreas Kron and Maxim Van Gils. Kron is one of those assassin-type riders with one bullet to fire but hes capable of a surprise. Van Gils can keep firing, hes not finished outside the top-10 this season except for Catalunya where it was feared a crash caused a broken wrist.DSM Firmenich-PostNL race on home soil. Their motto is keep challenging only theyre being challenged by a tough start to the season. Warren Barguil brings experience, Kevin Vermaerke has quietly had a good season so far but Oscar Onley looks their best bet, the Scot is climbing with the best.A hilly race for a punchy Dutch climber? Bauke Mollema (Lidl-Trek) can make a crowd-pleaser move but how to stay away? Mattias Skjelmose has made the Ardennes his goal for the first half of the year but he might prefer Lige next Sunday with more climbing. Andrea Bagioli is one to watch too.Michael Matthews (Jayco) can get over the climbs and packs a sprint of course but how to convert previous top-10 places into a win? Hes going to struggle to match the best climbers so hell have to hope they mark each other out.Astana have had a dire start to the season but Alexey Lutsenko supplied some cheer this week winning in Abruzzo. Hes resting but the squad looks decent on paper with Samuele Battistella due a big win and backed by Christian Scaroni, Ide Schelling and Anthon Charmig.IPT have Dylan Teuns and Stephen Williams for the climbs and maybe Corbin Strong as a sprint card to play although if he is there for the finish, so is Van der Poel.Uno-X bring Tobias Halland Johannessen and new signing Andreas Leknessund, outsiders again.Soudal-Quickstep are orphans without leader Remco Evenepoel but William Junior Lecerf is promising although converting that into a win on a trick course like this is tough. Mauri Vansevenant can feature, he is always easy to spot thanks to his pecking chicken styleVan der PoelAyuso, Cosnefroy, HealyVan Gils, Pidcock, Williams, Hirschi, Bilbao, McNultyBattistella, Grgoire, Matthews, Van den Berg, Schachmann, KronWeather: cloudy and 15C.TV: the race starts at 10.45am and the finish is for 4.50pm CEST. Its on NOS locally and Eurosport for most other territories.Ardennes? we often label the Amstel an Ardennes classic because its hilly, not far from the Ardennes and on at the same time as the real Ardennes races. Its a heuristic but its a wrong one. The Ardennes are a western part of the larger Eifel mountain range and are to be found far to the south of this race, think Lige of Limburg. The hills this weekend are mere clay and sand deposits rather than part of a genuine mountain range.Flanders Gold: this is the last edition of the race as an independent event as the race will be taken over by Flanders Classics next year, although still with Amstel Gold title sponsorship.Embed from Getty ImagesWomens Amstel: this starts at 10.15 CEST and finishes around 2.20pm with TV coverage from midday onwards. Itll be a climbing test for Lotte Kopecky and team mate Demi Vollering, they got the 1-2 last year but this week Vollering was dropped by Elisa Longo Borghini in the Brabantse Pijl to make the Italian the form pick with Marianne Vos the local hero. For a good preview, see procyclinguk.coms Amstel picksThe post Amstel Gold Race Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Canyon has entered the lightweight eMTB market with the new Neuron:ONfly its lightest electric mountain bike yet, with claimed weights starting at 19.1kg. The Neuron:ONfly is powered by Boschs Performance Line SX motor, with 600W of peak power and 55Nm of torque. A 400Wh battery can be partnered with Boschs 250Wh PowerMore range extender (sold separately).Canyon claims the Neuron:ONfly rides like a non-assisted mountain bike, but has the power of a full electric mountain bike. In the brands words, it offers the best of both worlds.Like the non-assisted Neuron and full-power Neuron:ON, the new lightweight electric mountain bike is designed to be a trail bike through and through, packing 140mm of suspension travel, 29-inch wheels front and rear, and progressive geometry.Four models are available, from the base CF7 (4,649 / 4,849 / $5,499) through to the range-topping CF LTD (7,649 / 7,999) in five sizes from extra-small to extra-large. Only the CF7 will be available in the US.We had the chance to ride the Neuron:ONfly at the bikes launch, on the trails it was developed on in Koblenz, Germany. You can check out our initial impressions in our Canyon Neuron:ONfly first ride review.Five things you need to know about the Canyon Neuron:ONflyCanyons first lightweight eMTBPowered by Bosch Performance Line SX motor and 400Wh batteryFeatures progressive geometry and 140mm of travel front and rear. XS size has less travel front and rear (130mm) to allow room for 29in wheels Battery life can be extended with 250Wh PowerMore range extender (sold separately)Only available with a carbon frameFour models to choose from, with claimed weights ranging from 19.1-20.4kgNot all torque and no trousersBosch's powerful Performance Line SX motor is hidden behind a protective cover. - Karin Pasterer / CanyonThe centrepiece of the Neuron:ONfly is Boschs lightweight Performance Line SX electric bike motor. This weighs approximately 2kg and puts out a maximum 600W of assistance and 55Nm of torque.Allied to this is a 400Wh CompactTube battery that's integrated into the bike's down tube. While it can be removed, youll also need to take out the motor to do so.It can be supplemented with a PowerMore 250Wh range extender, which is sold separately, for a total battery size of 650Wh. If the 400Wh CompactTube doesn't provide enough range for you, a 250Wh PowerMore range extender can be added. - Karin Pasterer / CanyonThis takes the place of the bottle cage in the frame, so youll have to choose between the range extender or a water bottle; you cant run both simultaneously.Controlling it all is Boschs System Controller and Mini Remote. This reduces the functions to the bare essentials. Different colours indicate the riding mode and show the state of the battery charge.It can also connect wirelessly to the eBike Flow App via Bluetooth and use smart functions such as eBike Lock and eBike Alarm.Frame and geometry detailsThe bike has an aggressive stance, with modern geometry and clean lines. - Karin Pasterer / CanyonThe CF carbon frameset is shared across all four models on offer. Both front and rear triangles are constructed from carbon fibre.All models run on 29in wheels front and rear, and are not compatible with a mullet wheel setup.To help smaller riders fit the larger wheels, the XS size has reduced suspension travel front and rear. This is down to 130mm from 140mm on all other sizes.The rear-suspension design is similar to the non-assisted Neuron and heavier, full-power Neuron:ON. - Karin Pasterer / CanyonThe rear suspension is a Horst-link design, with the bike sharing a similar silhouette to the heavier, full-power Neuron:ON. A rocker link with a shock yoke drives the shock mounted under the top tube.This should give easy access to the rear shock's pedal platform adjustment and leave enough room for a large water bottle or the PowerMore range extender.The bike's geometry is on the slack side for a trail bike, with a 64.5-degree head angle and 76.5-degree seat angle. Reach on a size large is 485mm and the chainstays on all sizes are 450mm long.Bosch's wireless Mini Remote controls the mode selection. - Karin Pasterer / CanyonSeat tube and post-insertion lengths are short and deep enough to enable the use of long-travel dropper posts on all sizes.The bottom bracket sits 340mm from the ground. The geometry is fixed with no built-in adjustment.As is becoming common, the cables are all routed through the headset.SRAMs Universal Derailleur Hanger interface features at the end of the dropouts and a chain guide is fitted, along with extensive chainstay protection, to help keep chain movement and noise in check.Canyon Neuron:ONfly specs and pricingThe Neuron:ONfly uses Bosch's Performance Line SX motor, with up to 600W of peak power and 55Nm of torque. - Roo Fowler / CanyonCanyon Neuron:ONfly CF LTDThe range-topping CF LTD cuts few corners, but it'll cost you. - CanyonFrame: Carbon fibre, 140mm travel (size S-XL), 130mm travel (size XS)Shock: Fox Float Factory, 210x55mm (size S-XL), 210x50mm (size XS)Fork: Fox 34 Factory FIT4, 140mm (size S-XL), 130mm (size XS)Motor/battery/display: Bosch Performance Line SX 50Nm, 600W/Bosch Compact PowerTube 400/Bosch Connect ModuleDrivetrain: SRAM XX AXS TransmissionBrakes: SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth, 200mm rotorsWheels: Reynolds Trail 329 Blacklabel Expert 29erTyres: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Super Trail Addix Soft 29x2.35in (front) and Schwalbe Nobby Nic Super Trail Addix SpeedGrip 29x2.4inBar: Canyon HB0056-01 AL 780mm (size L-XL), 760mm (size S-M), 740mm (size XS)Stem: Canyon ST0031-01 AL 45mmGrips: CanyonSeatpost: Canyon SP0070-01Saddle: Fizik Terra AidonPrice: 7,649 / 7,999Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 9The CF9 packs a SRAM GX AXS Transmission and DT Swiss wheels. - CanyonFrame: Carbon fibre, 140mm travel (size S-XL), 130mm travel (size XS)Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+, 210x55mm (size S-XL), 210x50mm (size XS)Fork: RockShox Pike Ultimate, 140mm (size S-XL), 130mm (size XS)Motor/battery/display: Bosch Performance Line SX 50Nm, 600W/Bosch Compact PowerTube 400/Bosch Connect ModuleDrivetrain: SRAM GX AXS TransmissionBrakes: SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 200mm rotorsWheels: DT Swiss HX1700 LS 29erTyres: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Super Trail Addix Soft 29x2.35in (front) and Schwalbe Nobby Nic Super Trail Addix SpeedGrip 29x2.4inBar: Canyon HB0056-01 AL 780mm (size L-XL), 760mm (size S-M), 740mm (size XS)Stem: Canyon ST0031-01 AL 45mmGrips: CanyonSeatpost: Canyon SP0070-01Saddle: Fizik Terra AidonPrice: 6,699 / 6,999Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 8The CF8 features Shimano's Deore XT drivetrain and brakes. - CanyonFrame: Carbon fibre, 140mm travel (size S-XL), 130mm travel (size XS)Shock: Fox Float Performance, 210x55mm (size S-XL), 210x50mm (size XS)Fork: Fox 34 Performance 140mm (size S-XL), 130mm (size XS)Motor/battery/display: Bosch Performance Line SX 50Nm, 600W/Bosch Compact PowerTube 400/Bosch Connect ModuleDrivetrain: Shimano Deore XT 12-speedBrakes: Shimano Deore XT M8120, 200mm rotorsWheels: Sun Ringle 329 Expert 29erTyres: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Super Trail Addix Soft 29x2.35in (front) and Schwalbe Nobby Nic Super Trail Addix SpeedGrip 29x2.4inBar: Canyon HB0056-01 AL 780mm (size L-XL), 760mm (size S-M), 740mm (size XS)Stem: Canyon ST0031-01 AL 45mmGrips: CanyonSeatpost: Canyon SP0070-01Saddle: Fizik Terra AidonPrice: 5,349 / 5,599Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 7The CF7 is the only model available in the US. - CanyonFrame: Carbon fibre, 140mm travel (size S-XL), 130mm travel (size XS)Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+, 210x55mm (size S-XL), 210x50mm (size XS)Fork: RockShox Pike Base 140mm (size S-XL), 130mm (size XS)Motor/battery/display: Bosch Performance Line SX 50Nm, 600W/Bosch Compact PowerTube 400/Bosch Connect ModuleDrivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-speedBrakes: SRAM Code R, 200mm rotorsWheels: Rodi TRYP30 EvoTyres: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Super Trail Addix Soft 29x2.35in (front) and Schwalbe Nobby Nic Super Trail Addix SpeedGrip 29x2.4inBar: Canyon HB0056-01 AL 780mm (size L-XL), 760mm (size S-M), 740mm (size XS)Stem: Canyon ST0031-01 AL 45mmGrips: CanyonSeatpost: Canyon SP0070-01Saddle: Fizik Terra AidonPrice: 4,649 / 4,849 / $5,499

With that nasty crash at Itzulia Basque Country ruining his Classics campaign this year, Remco Evenepoel now has more desire than ever to star in the spring next year according to his team manager, Patrick Lefevere.If you know someone at the level of Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar or Wout van...

If youre anything like me, you LOVE getting out on the bike but maybe you dont like strength training quite as much. But the unfortunate truth is that we NEED to be doing strength training in addition to riding our bikes.In this podcast interview, I chat with Bekah Rottenberg about why strength training needs to be a non-negotiable part of our routine. Bekah, who is a mountain bike skills coach and strength training coach, likes to say you cant be strong on the bike until you get strong off the bike. She shares the different types of movements we should be doing, common myths around strength training, and how it can improve our confidence, coordination, and mind-body connection. Listen To The InterviewOr Watch On YouTubeStuff We Discuss In This EpisodeThe importance of strength training for mountain bikers, including its impact on improving performance and preventing injuries.Discussion on muscle imbalances common in mountain bikers, such as tightness in hips, hamstrings, and upper back, and ways to address these issues.The significance of the mind-muscle connection in mountain biking and how strength training enhances this connection.How strength training builds confidence and coordination, and its role in developing mental and physical strength.Differentiation between strength training routines for various cycling disciplines, such as mountain biking, road cycling, and gravel riding.Explaining what constitutes the core muscles and the importance of core strength in cycling.Debunking common myths about strength training, including fears of bulking up and the necessity of soreness for a good workout.Strategies for incorporating strength training into busy schedules and overcoming mental barriers.Differentiating between circuit training and strength training, emphasizing the importance of focusing on building muscle.Connect With Bekah Instagram:@brave.endeavors Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bekah.rottenberg/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmk3DFlDFhRvK5aSWwRVNlw Website:www.bravendeavors.comMore Episodes You Might EnjoyStrength Training For Cyclists With Dara RichmanHow To Get The Most Out Of Your Winter Training With Jen KatesHow To Develop Your Mountain Bike Skills & Confidence With Joanna YatesAbout The HostKristen Bonkoski is the founder and owner of Femme Cyclist.An avid cyclist for a few decades now, she took to cycling during her late teen years a time when she needed something to help boost her self-esteem and confidence.Mission accomplished, the sport has become an important part of her life. Kristens favorite disciplines are mountain biking andbike commuting, although youcan also find her crankingout a century on her road bike and touring with her husband and son. If it has to do with two wheels, she enjoys doing it.Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, and she runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.IG:@kristenlbonkoskiFull Interview TranscriptTranscript has been edited for clarity.Kristen: Bekah, thank you so much for being here. Today we are going to discuss strength training, which I think is a great topic for this time of year. Before we dive into that, can you tell us a bit about yourself?Bekah: Hi, thank you for having me. My name is Bekah Rottenberg. I run Brave Endeavors Mountain Bike Skills and Strength Training. I coach kids and adults on the bike, and Im also a personal trainer. I work with people in person, but I also have an online strength training program specifically for mountain bikers. Its called Build class. You can participate live on Zoom or use the on-demand recorded version, Build Solo.Kristen: As a mountain biker, why is strength training important to you, and why are you trying to get other women into strength training as well?Bekah: Oh my goodness, yes. I need to go back to when I was mainly a mountain biker. I started racing mountain bikes in 2009, aiming to get faster by riding more. I worked my way up into the pro field and did pretty well at the local level. One day, at the Oregon Super Enduro, I was exhausted at the end of the race and couldnt have gone any faster, yet others outperformed me. The following year, I started strength training, joining a gym, which was transformative. Ive found, and this is from working with hundreds of women, that we get stuck in a cycle of doing more of the same thing. But often, if we shift focus and strengthen our bodies, it improves our riding.Kristen: You mentioned earlier imbalances that most mountain bikers have. Could you elaborate on that?Bekah: Sure. There are two main types of imbalances. First is muscle tightness, particularly in the hips, hamstrings, and upper back, leading to rounded shoulders. People often address this through stretching or yoga, which is good but limited. Tight muscles are often weak muscles. Strengthening these muscles can help them elongate and feel less tight. For example, sitting all day at work and then on the bike can lead to tight hips. Another issue is more of a disconnection than an imbalance. Were often focused on our hands and brain, but mountain biking starts from the feet up. I teach balancing the weight on the feet and maintaining level pedals. In my strength classes, we focus on creating an even pressure through the feet and building a mind-muscle connection, translating to improved performance on the bike.Kristen: Thats interesting, especially the mind-body connection. We often associate that with practices like yoga, but not necessarily strength training.Bekah: Absolutely. The mind-body connection is crucial. You cant strengthen a muscle until you connect with it. For instance, being able to activate your glutes while sitting or standing is essential before trying to use them while biking. Were often quad-dominant, but its hard to use your glutes while biking if you cant do it off the bike. I always emphasize being strong in your body first, then translating that strength to the bike.Kristen: That makes sense. You also mentioned improved confidence and coordination. Can you talk about those?Bekah: Sure. I focus a lot on building confidence with the athletes I work with, both kids and adults. Confidence builds when you do what you say youre going to do, like committing to a workout routine. This helps build confidence nuggets that you can draw upon in other areas of your life. Challenging yourself physically and mentally in strength training, recognizing your strength and power during difficult exercises, shifts your inner dialogue positively, impacting not just your performance on the trail but also in everyday life.Kristen: Its important to challenge ourselves in new ways, like strength training, especially if weve already found confidence on the bike.Bekah: Definitely. Regarding coordination, consider a wheel lift on the bike, where timing and upper body movement are key. Off the bike, I incorporate coordination challenges in a safe environment to enhance body awareness. This helps in translating movements like a hip hinge and explosive pedal stroke to biking. Exercises like the bear swing through, where youre on opposite hand and foot, improve brain-body connections in ways we dont typically engage in.Kristen: What should strength training for mountain bikers entail?Bekah: Strength training should focus on five fundamental movements: squats, hinges, upper body pushes and pulls, and core work. This includes linear and anti-rotational core exercises. The balance of reps, sets, and intensity is scientific, while choosing specific movements and keeping the routine interesting is more of an art.Kristen: How often and how long should mountain bikers train?Bekah: A minimum of two hours a week is ideal. This is based on the Super compensation curve, where the body initially weakens post-exercise, then strengthens in response. One hour a week maintains strength, while three hours a week leads to gains. However, exceeding three hours without ample recovery can lead to marginal gains or even a decline in performance.Kristen: Should we focus on strength training for biking or general life? Is there a difference?Bekah: My approach targets both. Getting stronger generally improves mountain biking and overall life quality. Mountain biking is a full-body sport, and strength training helps in various daily tasks like lifting heavy objects. The five movements I mentioned are comprehensive, catering to both biking-specific and general strength needs.Kristen: For our listeners who are road cyclists or involved in other cycling disciplines, is there a difference in strength training routines?Bekah: Good question. Regardless of the cycling discipline, any form of strength training is beneficial. Its about moving your body intentionally, under time and load, to improve muscle strength. This is different from the cardiovascular work on the bike. For gravel, triathlon, or road cyclists, any strength training will help, though a mountain bike program might include more upper body work. A specific road or gravel program would still incorporate upper body movements for balance and core strength, which is vital for power production and preventing issues like upper back pain.Kristen: Youve mentioned the importance of core strength. Can you define what the core is?Bekah: Absolutely. The core isnt just about the abdominals or having a six-pack. It includes all the muscles between our knees and shoulders, attaching to the spine and pelvis. Their main function is to stabilize our torso, preventing back pain. These muscles help us use our major muscles like the lats, glutes, quads, and hamstrings effectively. Core strength isnt just about doing planks and crunches. Exercises like squats, deadlifts, and hip thrusts also provide tremendous core benefits.Ive edited the provided section of the podcast transcript to clean it up, removing filler words and repetitions while preserving the original conversation. Heres the revised version:Kristen: What are some common myths or misunderstandings about strength training?Bekah: One big myth is the fear of bulking up, especially among women. This is unlikely because extensive cardio sends a signal to the body to be energy-efficient and not add bulk. Also, bulking up requires eating in a caloric surplus, which many people dont do. Everyones genetics are different, so some might gain muscle faster, but its important to celebrate those gains as they power you through your rides. Another myth is the belief that soreness is a sign of a good workout. Soreness is just a response to a new stimulus and doesnt necessarily indicate workout quality. Regular workouts shouldnt leave you excessively sore. Lastly, theres a misconception that you must go to the gym for a good workout, but effective workouts can be done at home with minimal equipment.Kristen: So, the idea that strength training will make you too sore for cycling is a myth?Bekah: Exactly. Another misconception is that stretching or doing more mobility work is always the solution. Often, a tight muscle is a weak muscle. Strength training, like sinking into squats or working on shoulder mobility, can improve flexibility and mobility, negating the need for separate mobility sessions.Kristen: What advice would you give to women who struggle to find time for strength training or dont enjoy it?Bekah: Its common to prefer being outdoors or find strength training boring. Its about understanding the rewarding outcomes, like a clean mouth from brushing teeth or savings for a fun trip. If someone says they dont have time, it often reflects a need to prioritize themselves. We tend to invest in others before ourselves, but investing in your own well-being is crucial. Strength training is more time-efficient than cycling prep, and in the long run, it saves time and enhances performance.Kristen: Yes, strength training can be more efficient than prepping for a bike ride.Bekah: Absolutely. And regarding the notion that its not fun, I understand that feeling. As a former collegiate athlete, I grew tired of gym workouts. But its about consistent effort, like brushing teeth or saving money. Once you start seeing the results and feeling stronger, it becomes motivating and satisfying. Consistency in workouts leads to noticeable improvements, which in turn makes the process more enjoyable.Kristen: Ive found that once you start a routine like strength training, it becomes easier and more enjoyable to maintain.Bekah: Absolutely. Consistency is key in enjoying and benefiting from strength training.Kristen: Is there anything else you think women should know about strength training?Bekah: Its never too late to start strength training. Its important to differentiate between circuit training and genuine strength training. Dr. Stacey Sims emphasizes lifting heavy with long rest periods to signal muscle building. Circuit training often becomes more cardio-focused, while strength training should challenge your muscles to the point where you cant do a few more reps, focusing on muscle fatigue rather than cardio exhaustion.Kristen: Does Dr. Sims suggest incorporating exercises like burpees or plyometrics?Bekah: Yes, she does. However, for cyclists who already get high-intensity work on the bike, its important to separate strength work from plyometric or high-intensity exercises. Cyclists can fulfill their high-intensity needs through cycling, while plyometrics can be included in gym sessions or through specific biking drills.Kristen: Before our final questions, could you remind listeners where they can connect with you and the services you offer?Bekah: Sure! You can find me at ridingbrave.com and on Instagram at braveendeavors. I have videos on YouTube for mountain biking and strength training. My main strength training offering is the Build class, accessible via my website or Instagram. Its a live Zoom class on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-7am Pacific time. In January, Im offering a free promotion to start the year strong. I also offer skills clinics and programs for kids in Hood River.Kristen: What bikes do you ride?Bekah: I ride Trek bikes. I have the Fuel EX, an all-mountain bike, the Top Fuel for coaching, the Rail e-bike, and the Checkpoint gravel bike. I love them all and advocate for e-bikes to get more people cycling.Kristen: Wheres your favorite place to ride?Bekah: My favorite place is Squamish and Whistler. The terrain there is endlessly interesting, fun, and challenging.Kristen: What do you love most about riding your bike?Bekah: There are two aspects: the social element of meeting new people and the adventure of exploring new places and pushing limits. Mountain biking has been an incredible way to make friends and experience adventures.Are You Listening To The Femme Cyclist Podcast?!?A podcast for women who love bicycles! We we celebrate all forms of riding and all forms of women, so whether youre a road cyclist, mountain biker, or bike commuter, youll find your community here. Each week well week bring you interviews from inspiring women, and offer tips and tricks to help you thrive on the bike.The post Why Strength Training Is A Must With Bekah Rottenberg appeared first on Femme Cyclist.

Seeing so many riders on the ground in Dwars Door Vlaanderen and then the Tour of the Basque Country was grim. The fact that so many star names were involved has invariably given these incidents more prominence; more than the huge crash in the Roue Tourangelle a couple of weeks back. Unjust but if it leads to more debate and eventual safety measures than it might benefit all.Safety improvements have been a regular topic, rightly so. Changes are coming but they cant come soon enough. And they wont solve everything, far from it.There are more rules and regulations on safety than ever but the feeling in the peloton is that races arent getting any safer at all. Roads are more perilous thanks to more street furniture; racing more intense with riders wanting to go into a corner or a climb ahead of others and its not just a variation of the theres no respect these days refrain from senior riders, neo-pros remark on the intensity of a World Tour peloton too, of just how difficult it can be to maintain position in the peloton.Its hard to know if there are more crashes these days but the UCI is now keeping a race incidents database that logs most crashes with accompanying details. It might be where UCI boss David Lappartient got his line last week that 50% of crashes are caused by riders.Instead of UCI rule tweaks here and there from the top down theres a new collective procedure designed to get riders, teams, organisers and the governing body together. This project, presented on the eve of last years Tour de France (pictured), is called SafeR, as in Safe Road cycling. A UCI press release about SaferR says:SafeR will be funded jointly by the organisers, riders, teams and the UCI. The entity will be responsible for: analysing the risks relating to the routes of UCI WorldTour, UCI Womens World and UCI ProSeries races; providing safety advice to stakeholders in professional road cycling, in particular to the UCI; carrying out safety audits on race organisers and teams (including their riders); publishing quarterly safety reports.Analysis, audits, advice, quarterly reports? It sounds like corporate jargon and its for 2025 and beyond while an anxious peloton wants a more urgent response today.SafeR though sounds promising, there are gains to be had from better information and analysis. One idea is never waste an accident, so any crash can be informative and helps to prevent the next one. In some domains, take aviation, and accidents just cant happen. Pro cycling is a difficult arena as risk-taking is part of the competition, we implicitly tolerate a degree of crashes. A brief look into the world of downhill skiing sees similar concerns, and also arguments raging over proposed safety measures. In pro cycling SafeR can help here as it brings together all sides and puts safety on the agenda from the start. But its more a process than a solution.If SafeR is for 2025, were set to see a football-style yellow and red cards this summer. A rider that pulls a bad move will get a warning, do it again and they can be suspended. Bans happen already, you might remember Filip Maciejuks move in the Tour of Flanders last year that got him a one month suspension. Here the idea seems to be to give more warnings for smaller, risky moves that may not cause immediate harm or danger and to make them visible: calling out dumb moves. A bit like the UCIs moves to clamp down on littering, this could cause teething problems if riders are singled out while others act similar but arent sanctioned, and it might take a few months and even suspensions for attitudes to change. The ban of the supertuck position was similar with noise and misapprehension in the moment and now quietly accepted.Part of the plans including making safety more standardised, like adopting the same signage for all races so that visual cues about danger ahead can be processed quickly rather than open to interpretation, also shared standards for crash barriers. The big operators like ASO, RCS and Flanders Classics are cited as examples for other races to follow they are not perfect either but this means having their resources and networks. How to ensure smaller races are as good? Or put simply: who pays? There is a common interest for everyone. Race organisers want a safer sport as a Ronde without Van Aert isnt as good, ditto a Tour sans Vingegaard, Rogli and Evenepoel. Riders have an interest here too, they literally have skin in the game. Coordinating the politics of all this is a delicate mission to put it mildly but there is a collective gain to be had.Speed is one factor blamed for the incidence and severity of accidents. Bikes are faster, true; but they also stop quicker and grip better than ever. This is paradoxically part of the problem as these gains are banked such that if stopping times are shorter you can ride closer to the wheel in front and brake later: there is less precaution. Only theres surely no going back, its hard to make bikes slower for racing in practice; sure it might be safer to supply every rider with one of those Airhubs that increase resistance but would the peloton and public buy in? Bike brands are a teams second source of income after the title sponsors and its hard to tell the industry to back off on marketing faster equipment given the sport functions as a shop window for the industry. Theoretically there could be some you could try to get the peloton to slow down by adding even wider tires. Why not rule a return to jerseys and shorts instead of speedsuits? Marginal, and someone reading this at a clothing company will already be thinking how to make the fastest jersey-shorts outfit. Which again brings the collective dilemma: the peloton might want more safety as a whole but the moment the new rules appear, individually riders are incentivised to arbitrage the rules to get the jump on their rivals.One topic regarding speed is limiting the gears used. Not long ago 5311 was the top gear. Now a 54 chainring is standard and 56T, even 58T are not uncommon. Several riders have mentioned how this is adding to the risks, the peloton can speed through towns littered with street furniture like never before; descents can be raced hard when they were freewheeled before (even if still cornered fast). Philippe Gilbert raised gearing during his tenure on the UCIs Road Commission, active pros have cited it on social media recently too. But where to set the limit, a 54T? This feels an indirect way to address speed, if the incentives to attack on a descent still exist would we not see riders bobbing frantically at 120rpm? Still, it might be worth trying and to see what the feedback from the peloton is.One of the perils here is the responses are some kind of Rohrschach test which reveals preoccupations. If you think race radios are spoiling racing then you might want them banned, in the name of safety. If you think TT-style helmets in road races with riders racing behind visors is making the sport look too remote then you might suggest banning TT-style helmets, for safety of course in order to reduce speeds. Likewise for disc brakes, power meters and GPS devices, even carbon frames have been cited in recent days as blame-worthy.One idea is keeping race radio but with one common channel for the peloton to sharing course info and give urgent updates so that riders tackling a route can be informed of troubles ahead. Only surely this still prompts everyone to get up front and out of trouble? Or if the device becomes less useful riders might save weight and forget it.Last week riders mentioned the use of finish bottles and caffeine, the suggestion that jittery riders are more crash-prone. Pro cycling led the way in banning tramadol because one of the effects its abuse was having was said to be rise in crashes. This was hard to prove and it made sense to ban anyway. A caffeine ban would hard to enforce, how to allow a cup in the morning versus a finish bottle laced with 300mg of caffeine? Here some sort of agreement among teams and riders could work if it was agreed to be a problem.Incidence vs harmSo far, the ideas doing the rounds seem to be about reducing the number of crashes, limiting the incidence rate. There are other angles to explore like reducing the harm and severity of crashes. Some go together, for example if the peloton could be slowed then perhaps the rate of crashes might go down and so would the extent of the injuries.Seeing Richard Carapaz and Enric Mas suffer wrist injuries of the opening day of the Tour last year invited ex post thoughts of why not at least start the hectic opening days of a grand tour with some added body protection? More recently, reading Het Nieuwsblad lately () has seen the use of an airbag suggested, something that is going to be adopted in skiing. Here a rider wears a sort of collar which can suddenly inflate to cushion a fall. You might have seen helmet versions but this is to protect the neck and upper body. Similarly wrist protection, the rigid kind used by beginner skaters could help and other sports use various types of body armour. But in a sport where riders jettison empty gel wrappers to save weight for a summit finish this would probably require regulation and compulsion. Unthinkable? Well youre now thinking about it here. If its a cultural change, helmets were long unthinkable in competition and now the reverse is true.ConclusionReducing the incidences of crashes is one aspect to explore and the sport is trying to do this, there have been many rule changes over the years. The SafeR joint-initiative is the next part of this and offers the possibility of more comprehensive cultural change. Reducing the severity and harm from injuries could be another angle to explore too.Exploring the issues around SafeR and ideas raised by riders in recent days in a blog post is one thing. But having done the walk-through it feels like a sidestep too: were not addressing the root causes. Pro cycling is inherently dangerous and the radical position is to ask how many crashes are acceptable and what level of injuries and worse is tolerable? Its a tough question to ask, and harder to answer even given so much is out of control.The post On Risk and Safety Improvements first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Look says its latest 785 Huez bike is designed to excel for long rides in the mountains.The updated frameset shares a similar silhouette to the previous generation, but incorporates nanotubes into its high-modulus carbon frame.The latest bike also features a T47 threaded bottom bracket, moving away from a press-fit design.The bike is available as a frameset, costing 2,490 / 2,490 / $2,790, and in four complete builds, ranging from 6,490 / 6,490 to 3,390 / 3,390.For the most discerning climbersThe updated Look 785 Huez is the French brand's climbing-oriented bike. - LookIntermixed with high-modulus carbon, Look claims the nanotubes enable Look to produce tubes with thinner walls without compromising stiffness.The French brand says these have been employed in key areas, such as the head tube, chainstays and bottom bracket area. The frames tubes are rounded (as opposed to truncated), which Look says are uniquely shaped for each frame size.In theory, rounded tubes are better suited for load bearing without excess mass Specialized, for example, uses rounded tubes for its Aethos lightweight bike, while Orbea does the same with the Orca.The bike is said to have a performance-focussed frame geometry, with Look claiming its been optimised for climbing, offering a comfortable ride position when seated for long periods.Switching to threadedRounded tubes are said to be optimised with each frame size. - LookThe latest 785 Huez follows a growing trend of bikes moving (back) to a threaded bottom bracket, employing the T47 85.5mm standard.Look hasnt given a specific reason for the switch, but threaded bottom brackets are generally considered to be less prone to creaking and easier to service although, press-fit (which the previous 785 Huez sported) still has its supporters.The brand says that its focussed on making the 785 easier to live with its use of a standard, round 27.2mm seatpost with an external clamp doesnt lock riders into a proprietary system, for example.The bike also uses a two-piece cockpit, with hydraulic hoses routed externally until they enter a port on the underside of the Look LS3 stem, before proceeding through the headset.The frameset is also said to offer clearance for 32mm-wide tyres.The frame is claimed to weigh 980g in a size medium, with the fork adding a further 390g.Look 785 Huez availability and pricesThe Look 785 Huez Pro Team Black, with Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100, is the flagship model. - LookThe Look 785 Huez is available as a frameset, including stem, for 2,490 / 2,490 / $2,790.A Shimano 105 R7100 build serves as entry-level for the range, with alloy Shimano RS171 wheels, priced at 3,390 / 3,390.Above this, a SRAM Rival eTap AXS-equipped bike with Fulcrum Racing 900 DB alloy wheels costs 4,490 / 4,490, while a Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 build with Look R38 carbon wheels is priced at 5,490 / 5,490.The flagship bike is fitted with Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 and the same Look R38 wheelset, and costs 6,490 / 6,490US prices for complete builds are TBC.

The Swiss bike brand had an application for local government to pick up some of the tab for its workers salaries refused, but says this was all hot air and is now hiring again, while also positioning itself as a brand with no entry level bikes

After his remarkable performance in Friday's time trial, Juan Ayuso lost the lead of the Tour de Romandie in the queen stage as he cracked on the climb to Leysin. Carlos Rodrguez took over the race lead into the final day, but the GC is even tighter!Ayuso was dropped in the final kilometers of the...

When I first started cycling, I was completely overwhelmed by all of the companies that made cycling jerseys, and their myriad of choices.Theres short sleeve, long sleeve, sleeveless, warm weather, cold weathernot to mention different types of jerseys for different kinds of ridingits a LOT.I will be honest, I ended up with more than one ill-fitting jersey, and found that even within the same cycling clothing company there were some pretty distinct size and style inconsistencies.Each time I bought a jersey online it felt like a gamble! As a result I definitely purchased many jerseys that for whatever reason just didnt quite workuntil I stumbled across the Terry Long Sleeve Soleil jersey.I wanted a super lightweight long sleeve jersey that I could wear on the warmest of days, and still get sun protection, and the Terry Soleil jersey fit the bill.This was almost four years ago. I am thrilled to say that not only is The Terry Long Sleeve Soleil Jersey the jersey I have gotten the most compliments on ever, but it is ALSO my most often worn jersey. Additionally, it has held up and is still in great shape!Fast forward to today when I had the opportunity to try out a newer version of the Soleil Sun Jersey (for warm weather) as well as the Terry Merino Jersey (for cool weather). Interested in hearing more about the different long-sleeve Terry options? Read on for my in-depth review of the Terry Soleil Sun Jersey and the Terry Merino Jersey!From Left: Terry Merino Jersey, Terry Soleil Long Sleeve Bike Jersey, Terry Soleil Flow Long Sleeve Bike JerseyReview in a NutshellPros:All versions of Terry Long Sleeve Bike Jerseys are buttery softeven the Merino Jersey which is 40% wool!Terry offers both a warm weather long sleeve in the Terry Soleil Sun Jersey AND a cool weather long sleeve in the Merino Bike Jersey.The Soleil Sun Jersey comes in both athletic fit and relaxed fit so you can choose if you want it tight or loose!The cool versions keep you cool and protect your skin from the sun, while the warm merino version keeps you warm in the cold.These jerseys are well made and hold up. I have had one of my Soleil Sun Jerseys for almost four years, and its still going strong.The colors and styling are just SO much fun. No boring black is the only option here!The price of the Soleil jerseys is very reasonable, and I can often find them on sale.Terry clothing is made in the USA in a green energy-certified sewing facility.The Terry Guarantee states if you are unsatisfied with your product you can return it for a refund, credit, or exchange.Cons:I find these jerseys to run a little bit bigger than some other companies. This isnt really a bad thing (for me its great!). Just know that if you really like your jerseys on the tighter side you might want to size down even with the athletic fit version.Speaking of athletic fit vs flow fit, it can be a little confusing to make sure you are getting the fit you want. Terry does a really good job explaining the differences on the website, but if you arent aware that there are multiple options you might end up with a fit thats different from what you are looking for.The price of the Merino jersey is definitely higher than the Soleil. It makes sense because its a thicker, warmer layer, but its still a little bit of sticker shock in comparison to the Soleil.I love the Merino jersey but was hoping it would be just a tad warmer/thicker for cold weather conditions.Price & Where to Buy:Soleil Long Sleeve Jersey (fitted): $109.95Soleil Long Sleeve Top (loose): $94.95Merino Bike Jersey: $159.95Buy at TerryBicycles.comThe Terry Soleil Jersey can be worn in very warm weather AND slightly cool weatherI LOVE a long sleeved jersey for two reasonswhen its really hot, and when its on the cool side. The Terry Soleil Long Sleeve Jersey somehow works in BOTH of these situations.It is very thin, so it offers sun protection on your arms in very warm weather. I dont always feel like lathering up my arms with sunscreen, and I can get away with not doing it with this jersey.When its cooler and you just want a little something on your arms so they arent bare? Its great for this TOO.As a result I find myself reaching for the Soleil Sun Jersey in a lot of different conditions and it is BY FAR my most worn jersey ever.Terrys New Merino Jersey Has a Flattering Fit like the Soleil Jersey in a Warmer OptionSometimes its just too cold outside for a thin layer, and you need something a little more substantial.The new Merino Jersey is great for this! It is definitely significantly warmer, but still fits awesome.I took it out in 45 degree weather, and do have to admit that I wasnt quite warm enough going downhill..at least at first. As my ride winded on, however, I did warm up sufficiently.I will say that I wish it kept me just a tad bit warmer.If you are going to ride in sub-45 degree weather I would suggest a cycling jacket for cold weather over this. It still makes for a great, moisture-wicking base layer due to its breathable use of 40% Merino wool.I will say one thing that is particularly awesome about this jersey is that it drops a bit lower in the back to provide a little extra warmth to your lower back/bum. This was MUCH appreciated in the colder temps.I also should mention that it does have a zippered pocket in the back which makes what you put in your pockets VERY secure, but a little harder to get to than the Soleil options with open back pockets.These Jerseys are SO Attractive/Colorful and Have Lots of Pattern Options!I cannot tell you how many times I have been looking for cycling apparel and it is just so BORING. No one would ever accuse Terry of having boring jersey options!I know that I have mentioned in past reviews that Terry shorts/bottoms tend to be just grey or black, but when you look at all of the jerseys you understand why. Who needs fancy colored bottoms when you have all of these explosive top options to choose from?I receive literally countless compliments over the years on my relaxed fit Soleil Jersey because of the super fun pattern. I mean, its this cool kind of bike illusion pattern that is so fun. The colors are vibrant and the pattern is interesting.Then, when I received my northern lights patterned jersey I was literally blown away. The colors just pop, and the jersey is so beautiful and so much fun. This is great not only because it looks awesome, but it makes me more visible on the road which I really appreciate.Another cool thing is that patterns are constantly being changed and updated every season, so there is always a super pretty and fun new option to choose from!As of now the Merino Jersey does only have two patterns, but they are very attractive. In addition to the grey and blue saori pattern, there is also a lovely orange and peach option called ginkgo gold.I feel like Terry does a really great job with blending feminine and fun.The Soleil Long Sleeve Jersey is Available in Both Relaxed and Athletic FitWhat I really appreciate about the Terry Soleil line is that they have so many variations of the jersey so you can find one that works for you.In addition to having a range of short sleeve, sleeveless, and long sleeve options (some with half zip, some without), the Soleil jersey also comes in both athletic and relaxed fit.The relaxed fit is just that, relaxed. Its not as form-fitting, and it feels a lot more roomy. The Soleil jerseys that have flow in their name are relaxed fit.The athletic fit is definitely more of a close, tight fit in comparison to the Soleil, but its still not what I would call tight.Some jerseys I put on and feel like I am totally squeezing myself and am wondering if the zipper is actually going to make it up. I never feel this way with Terry. In fact I actually tend to size down in Terry jerseys because I do like a somewhat tighter fit.It is all personal preference, and I think its really great that Terry makes both athletic and relaxed fit jerseys available.With options can come a bit of confusion, though, so just make sure that you are ordering the fit that you want when you are on the Terry site or are looking at Terry jerseys elsewhere on the internet! Also be sure to pay close attention to whether or not there is a half zip option if that is a must for you. Some of these jerseys just pull over like a shirt.All Terry Long Sleeve Jerseys Are Well-Made and The Soleil is Very DurableI am always impressed with the quality of Terry cycling clothing. I purchased my Terry Soleil Jersey in 2020, it is my most-worn jersey, and it is still in amazing shape.The seams are not unraveling and the colors are just as vibrant as they were when I first bought the jersey!It is much more relaxed than my half zip Northern Lights patterned Soleil Jersey, so the stuff in the pockets does hang down a bit further. I think this is more because of the different style and the fact that its a larger size than anything related to the wear of the jersey/it stretching out.The Merino Jersey is brand new, so I cant comment on the durability of it, but I can say that it just feels like it is very well-made.This is not really a surprise since all of my Terry clothing is well-made, but I do think its important to note that the quality of the garment is apparent.There Are Pockets!I love the pockets in my Terry jerseys, so I wanted to just make a quick mention of them here.The pockets on the Soleil Jerseys are substantial and DEEP. I have never had anything fall out of any of them! They also have three pockets which I loveI never am happy with only two jersey pockets because of how I like to arrange my items.Do be aware, however, that there IS a version of the Soleil Jersey, not reviewed here, that does NOT have pockets. It is called the free flow.My suggestion is that if you really want back pockets in your jersey to be sure to check all of the photos available to make sure that the Jersey you choose has pockets.Finally, the Merino jersey, it should be noted, has just one zippered pocket in the back. It does not fit as much stuff, but it does keep your stuff VERY secure.Bottom-Line: Terry Makes Exceptional Clothing For WomenTerry is a womens specific cycling company that makes exceptional clothing for women. Each and every single Terry product I have tried over the years has shown evidence of this.Their line of long sleeve jerseys clearly reflects the reputation of Terry. The attention to detail on Terry long sleeve bike jerseys leaves very little to be desired.All of the three jerseys are incredibly comfortable, attractive, flattering, and well-made.I would absolutely recommend any of these Terry Long Sleeve Jerseys to the Femme Cyclist Community.The Soleil line of jerseys and the Merino jersey offer a fantastic range of options for anyone who is looking for a womens specific long sleeve cycling jersey.Get All Of Our Clothing Recommendations!10 Best Womens Padded Bike Shorts (Cycling Shorts)9 Best Womens Cycling Jerseys Youll Love5 Best Womens Cycling Socks (Tested & Reviewed)About The ReviewerStacy Ann Smithis a New England-based cyclist who strives to stay upright on her bike. She is the founder of Sascy Cycling, and her mission is to encourage women to love their body and focus on what it can do, not what it looks like. When Stacys not cycling she is teaching high school history and eating pizza with her husband and son.IG:@sascycyclingThe post Review: Terry Womens Long Sleeve Bike Jerseys appeared first on Femme Cyclist.