The RockStar Challenge is a 250-ish mile race from Rocktown (Harrisonburg) to the Star City (Roanoke) with three route options to choose from. This year, both Caitrin Maloney and Britt Mason set new course records on the trail and gravel routes, and they put together a pair of short ride reflections. Read their stories here...The post 2024 Rockstar Challenge: Queens of the Rock appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

After his Tour of the Alps win, Juan Pedro Lopez had high hopes of a podium finish at the Giro d'Italia and the Lidl-Trek leader had started brightly. Sadly though, he has been involved in a crash on stage 6.Coming just prior to the final gravel sector, stress was high within the bunch and sadly for...

Dyed in the Wool just added two new options to their range of handmade bike bags, both with a small flap opening with a magnetic closure instead of a zipper. Check out the Dyed in the Wool Snap Mini Wedge and Snap Bar Roll here...The post New Dyed in the Wool Snap Mini Wedge and Snap Bar Roll appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Luke Plapp and Julian Alaphilippe were beaten in the final 500m by the Spaniard, on a day where nothing changed on GC, despite the gravel

From the 8th to the 12th of May the riders tackle the Tour de Hongrie. The small central-European country hosts opportunities for several types of riders and presents a few stars on it's startlist to fight for the sprint victories. We preview the stage ahead.The queen stage? It could be... It is th...

Release of correspondence between State bodies would be contrary to the public interest, RSA claims.Officials at the Road Safety Authority have been accused of doubling down against transparency and a cooperative approach because they will not release correspondence between the authority and the Data Protection Commissioner.The comments were made by Dublin-based Cllr Janet Horner (Green Party) after the authority rejected an appeal to release correspondence between it and the Data Protection Commissioner on the release of road collision data.The RSA said that the release of records of contact between the two State bodies would be contrary to the public interest and would interfere with the current deliberative process.Cllr Horner said: I would have hoped that all the extra scrutiny recently would make them realise that they need to take a more open, transparent and cooperative approach to issues of road safety, and it is very disappointing that they appear to be doubling down on their refusal to work with public representatives and campaigning groups, who do ultimately share the aims and ambitions they are supposed to be working towards.In rejection of the appeal for the release of information, Michael Rowland, director of research, standards and assurance at the RSA, said: In arriving at my decision I have had regard to the original request, the records concerned and the appeal submitted in this regard. In reviewing the matter I find that circumstanceshave not changed in respect of the information sought.As explained in the decision dated 13 March 2024, access to correspondence or any records of contact between the Road Safety Authority and the Data Protection Commissioner is being refused as per Sections 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b) of the FOI Act because this body of work, which began in late 2022, is still underway, he said.As part of the process, a consultation, being led by the Department of Transport, with the Data Protection Commissioner is taking place and the Road Safety Authority is also participating in this consultation. The records fall under the deliberative process, and releasing such records would, in the opinion of the Road Safety Authority, be detrimental to the consultations currently taking place and, therefore, would be contrary to the public interest. At present we do not have a date for completion of this body of work.On April 3rd, IrishCycle.com reported how the RSA hadnt shared crash data with councils for eight years. This was followed by the airing of a Prime Time special on road safety, which included the issue.Following the Prime Time programme, Daragh O Brien, a data protection expert who is managing director of Castlebridge, a data protection company, said, Hiding (incorrectly) behind the GDPR is moral cowardice in the face of a road safety calamity.He also pointed to the Data Protection Commission statement to RTs Prime Time Investigates that said: GDPR should not prevent the proportionate publication of crash location details, particularly where any personal data element is largely anonymised/limited in detail.He wrote: What should be done now is that the RSA and LGMA [Local Government Management Agency] should stop hiding behind the apron strings of the Data Protection Commission. They should publish their Data Protection Impact Assessment and the legal advice that started all this so that it can be considered. The best way to do that is if they were to publish it as part of the process of entering in to an approved data sharing agreement under the Data Sharing and Governance Act.Or they should step back, look at the data that needs to be shared to help Local Authorities address road safety, exclude unnecessary personal data from that dataset and apply some policy safeguards to prevent reidentification of individuals from the data, he said.O Brien added: But what they really need to do is stop stalling and bullshitting and make a decision to share or not to share.

The new Strada Italia completes 3Ts made-in-Italy collection and is claimed to be an aero road bike comfortable enough for everyday riding.The original 3T Strada caused a stir with its 1x drivetrain and unusual frame shape. The last 3T Strada ICR was arguably a more conventional design, embracing 2x drivetrains and 30mm tyres, and moving to fully integrated cable routing.The 3T Strada Italia shares much in common with the previous version, continuing to balance comfort and performance. But its geometry has been tweaked and it's optimised for tyres up to 35mm wide. It has also adopted SRAMs Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) system.Made in Italy for reactivity, handling and comfortThe bike is manufactured in 3T's Bergamo factory. - 3TThe 3T Strada Italia is manufactured in the same Bergamo factory as 3Ts Racemax Italia and Extrema Italia gravel bikes.3T says the new aero road bike shares the same filament winding and Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) technology as the other bikes, which has allowed 3T to bring much of its production back to Italy.The RTM technologies enable 3Ts engineers to have complete control over the carbon layup process", according to the brand.3T claims this enhances your riding experience in three ways: reactivity, handling and comfort.3T says the Strada Italia's head tube compliance helps maximise cornering precision. - 3TIn terms of reactivity, 3T says its in-house engineering means the bikes frame gives you the energy return you look for whenever you want to up the pace. 3T also says the short 408mm chainstays offer the feel of a race bike.The torsional stiffness-to-compliance at the Strada Italias head tube is said to help maximise the bikes precision when cornering, which 3T says aids confidence, especially on challenging descents.The cut-out seat tube is one of the Strada's most distinctive features. - 3TDespite the reactivity and handling, 3T says the layup of the seat tube has been refined for comfort. This presumably contributes to the brands claim that the bike is suitable for professional racers and comfortable enough for everyday riders.3T says the most significant change to increase comfort is in the shape of the curved aero cut-out seat tube, which is said to give the bike vertical compliance without compromising energy transfer.Updated geometry and aerodynamics for real ridersThe Italia's head angle is slacker than the Strada ICR. - 3TLike the previous Strada ICR, 3T claims the Strada Italia is unique thanks to its comfort and aerodynamic efficiency.3T says its carbon technology contributes to the bikes aero and comfort balancing act. But it also says the bikes geometry ensures you can find your optimal aerodynamic position while maximising performance.3T specs the bike with a two-piece cockpit. - 3T3T hasnt gone into great detail here. But comparing the 3T Strada ICR and Strada Italias geometry charts shows the new bikes reach has decreased by 5mm and its stack has increased by 9mm for a size-56cm frame. This should put you in a slightly less stretched-out and more upright position.Meanwhile, the head tube angle is slightly slacker, which could translate to a more stable ride.While a more relaxed position may seem at odds with aerodynamics, 3T says an aerodynamic bike is useless if the rider cannot stay in an aerodynamic position.The broad down tube shields water bottles. - 3TBecause of this, 3T says cockpit choice and adjustability play an important role. To that end, the brand specs its complete bikes with its bar and stem for flexibility, while concealing hydraulic hoses and eschewing one-piece cockpits.Elsewhere, 3T has capitalised on the adjustments to UCI regulations, with a deep-yet-narrow head tube said to maximise aerodynamic efficiency. The down tube shields water bottles as well.3T Strada Italia geometry 51cm54cm56cm58cm Seat angle (degrees)72.572.572.572.5 Head angle (degrees)7172.772.772.7 Rear centre (mm)408408408407 Seat tube (mm)496520537555 Top tube (mm)537555569583 Head tube (mm)143159179203 Bottom bracket drop (mm)7572.572.570 Stack (mm)532554574594 Reach (mm)369380388396 Wheelbase (mm)9919839971,013 Edit Table Future-proof design choices?The bike can fit 35mm tyres. - 3TTwo other design decisions arguably future-proof the new 3T Strada Italia.The bike is optimised for tyres up to 35mm wide. Wide tyres are a growing trend in road bike design, with some of the best aero road bikes accommodating tyres nearly as wide as the 3T Strada Italia. For instance, the Cervlo S5 and Soloist can fit tyres up to 34mm wide.With the bike adopting the SRAM UDH, 3T is arguably placing its bets on where it thinks road bike tech will go. While the SRAM UDH is common on mountain bikes and some gravel bikes, its not commonly seen on road bikes.A window into 3Ts soulThe Strada Italia Project X exposes the frame's carbon weave. - 3T3T says its made-in-Italy bikes have a window into our soul. Or, in other words, a small transparent panel in the 3T logo on the down tube exposes the carbon fibre weave.3T also has a Strada Italia Project X frameset. Project X is a naked finish showing the carbon weave.3T Strada Italia specs and pricingThe 3T Strada Italia is available as a frameset or complete bike.You can buy a standard or Project X frameset, which comes either ready to paint or in the Project X naked finish. All framesets have a 3T Aeroflux LTD handlebar and 3T More Integrale Stem.The complete bikes are available with SRAM Rival AXS, Force AXS or Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 groupsets. Across the standard and Project X builds, all share the same handlebar, stem, saddle and Continental GP500 S TR 700x32c tyres. They are available in red, white or green.Prices for complete builds start at 7,226 / $8,699 / 7,899 / CA$11,699 and rise to 9,604 / $11,599 / 10,499 / CA$15,499.3T Strada Italia framesets3T Strada Italia3T Strada Italia frameset. - 3TPrice: 5,487 / $6,599 / 5,999 / CA$8,8993T Strada Italia Project X3T Strada Italia Project X frameset. - 3TPrice: 6,4993T Strada Italia Ready to Paint (Project X)Price: $5,762 / $6,999 / 6,299 / CA$9,2993T Strada Italia complete bikes3T Strada Italia SRAM Rival AXS3T Strada Italia with SRAM Rival. - 3TGroupset: SRAM Rival AXSWheelset: Zipp 303STyres: Continental GP5000 S TR 700x32cHandlebar: 3T Aeroflux Integrale LTDStem: 3T More IntegraleSaddle: San Marco ShortfitPrice: 7,226 / $8,699 / 7,899 / CA$11,6993T Strada italia Shimano Ultegra Di23T Strada Italia with Shimano Ultegra Di2. - 3TGroupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100Wheelset: 3T Discus 45/32 LTDTyres: Continental GP5000 S TR 700x32cHandlebar: 3T Aeroflux Integrale LTDStem: 3T More IntegraleSaddle: San Marco ShortfitPrice: 8,414 / $10,199 / 9,199 / CA$13,5993T Strada Italia SRAM Force AXS3T Strada Italia with SRAM Force AXS. - 3TGroupset: SRAM Force AXSWheelset: 3T Discus 45/32 LTDTyres: Continental GP5000 S TR 700x32cHandlebar: 3T Aeroflux Integrale LTDStem: 3T More IntegraleSaddle: San Marco ShortfitPrice: 8,414 / $10,599 / 9,199 / CA$13,5993T Strada italia Project X SRAM Force AXS3T Strada Italia Project X with SRAM Force AXS. - 3TGroupset: SRAM Force AXSWheelset: 3T Discus 45/32 LTDTyres: Continental GP5000 S TR 700x32cHandlebar: 3T Aeroflux Integrale LTDStem: 3T More IntegraleSaddle: San Marco ShortfitPrice: 9,604 / $11,599 / 10,499 / CA$15,499

Comments come after Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith tabled a series of amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill calling for stricter penalties for cyclists who kill or injure pedestrians

Another day in pink successfully ticked off for Tadej Pogacar as the Giro d'Italia managed to surf the gravel of the potentially tricky stage 6 without incident. Not surprising perhaps for a two-time Strade Bianche winner."It was a super fast stage, especially in the beginning and we had it under c...

Josh Reid has been busy since we first met him as he bikepacked 15,000 kilometers across Asia and Europe in 2021, and his latest video finds him touring around picturesque Sicily. Experience the charming Italian island by bike in Josh's 20-minute video here...The post Bikepacking Sicily (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.