Dublin Cycling Campaign has presented Dublin City Councils Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, with the 1,000th bicycle to be upcycled by the Bike Hub, a social enterprise.The tradition of the campaign group donating bicycles to the mayors of the four Dublin councils started a number of years ago, partly in response to when mayors were being given sponsored cars by car dealers.Today, a spokesperson for the Dublin Cycling Campaign said: Every year we donate a bike to all four Lord Mayors of Dublin. Yesterday, we were at the Mansion House visiting Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam and giving him a very special bike.Its the 1,000th bike rebuilt by the awesome crew on the Bike Hub UpCyclers programme. Volunteer Gary officially presented the bike. The Bike Hub is a social enterprise running community bike workshops, bike maintenance training courses, and much more, creating social good through bikes, the campaign said.The group added: We thanked Ray for his support for active travel and for building better bike lanes around town. Big ups to Ray for braving the rain to take a quick spin!While posting the photos of the event on LinkedIn, the Bike Hub said: Our number 1 volunteer, Gary [pictured below in the blue with the Lord Mayor], today at the handover of Upcyclers bike number 1,000 to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam, at the Mansion House. Thank you to Dublin Cycling Campaign for organising this annual event.IMAGE: The Bike Hub.

Weve seen a few bicyclist airbags over the years, but Aerobag aims to take rider safety to the next level of performance with their ultralight, compact airbag system that will be incorporated into the straps of your favorite bib straps. The core idea is that pro road cyclists, especially, careen down mountain roads at incredibly high speeds, with EPS foam helmets the only real element of safety equipment protecting them in a crash. And while airbag technology redefined safety in automobiles since they became widespread in the 1990s, theyve never really taken hold in cycling due mainly to their size, weight, and the complexity of correctly deploying them. But the technology has progressed rapidly in the last few years, and this Aerobag looks like it could be the one to make airbags feasible for high-performance cyclingAerobag is a light, unobtrusive airbag for performance cyclistsThe cycling airbag concept is straightforward, even if its practical execution is exceptionally complex. A rapidly-inflating airbag could expand in an instant to protect the most vulnerable parts of a cyclists body beyond their head, like the neck, spine, and chest. Just like happens in your car in a crash, that cyclist airbag could cushion the rider in a severe impact, greatly reducing the chance of serious or fatal injuries. The first trick is that the cyclist has to somehow wear a deflated airbag without impeding their ability to ride a bike, especially an issue at to top-tier of the sport. The other real issue is to get it to inflate every time theres a real crash, but never go off accidentally when you are JRA just riding along.Existing cycling applications include the bulky EVOC Commuter AIR Pro, a big backpack with an airbag built in. Or there are the lighter, slimmer Mase Airding backpacks that dial it down to the size of a small hydration pack. Neither is suitable for high-intensity road cycling efforts, though. Notable additions might be the head-only protection of Hvding airbag helmet, but that is a case-study in the failure to perform consistently enough for a consumer-level safety product. Or look to the teased Dainese D-Air DH airbag prototype incorporated into a wrap-around chest & back protector for gravity riders based on their motorcycle airbags, but theyve yet to make it reliable even for the narrow focus of downhill racing.How did a pro cyclist airbag project come about?(All photos/Aerobag)With the amount of hours and kilometers that professional cyclists ride and race, those high-speed crashes happen rather frequently. In fact, it was the fatal accident of Bjorg Lambrecht in 2019 that really sparked the development of the Aerobag project. Aerobag CEO & co-founder Bert Celis, who also had co-founded the cycling-specific BikeValley aero performance lab, worked with many pro teams to help them go faster. But he had also worked with Lambrecht in their wind tunnel just a few months before his accident. So his death felt very personal, spurring Celis to refocus his engineering expertise on rider safety instead of all-out speed. That was the impetus for the airbag project.Having also worked through BikeValley on the Cold2Gold project with clothing maker BioRacer ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Celis also really appreciated the importance of rider comfort and thermoregulation in sport.What makes the Aerobag airbag unique?The 3 biggest differences between the Aerobag and previous cycling airbags seem to be: size, weight, and attachment system. The Aerobag is much smaller than anything similar that weve seen yet, integrating into the straps of seemingly normal bibshorts, with just a small bulge on the mid-back that looks about the size of the smallest (maybe <1L?) hydration bladder weve seen. It is claimed to have only minimal. Interestingly, Aerobag describes it as almost invisible while riding, but it looks curiously like the small humpback bladders some riders tried to skirt UCI rules to improve their aerodynamic efficiency.The other thing is it is claimed to weigh just 500g. Thats less than half the lightest weight cycling airbag weve held in our hands, making it lighter than having a water bottle in your jersey pocket. The trick to making it lighter really is that, the Aerobag does not need a backpack to carry it, leading to the final point.The attachment system is just a series of mesh pouches integrated into the shoulder straps of existing cycling bib straps. Aerobag is working with several premium cycling kit makers, who will sew the necessary attachment points directly into their products, so you wont have to ride Aerobag shorts. Instead, youll be able to ride your favorite bib shorts (and importantly, your fav chamois), just a model with the mesh pockets to slip an airbag into them. The idea of course, is to not try to reinvent premium bib shorts. But also, this keeps the complete system lighter, ensures the best possible breathability, and for pros it will keep their clothing sponsors happy!What happens when you crash?Performance-wise, the latest big step in progress on the Aerobag airbag is smarter controls and sensor integration. Nine sensors monitor body movements at 200Hz (200 x per second) to detect a potential impact. Smart AI-powered algorithms filter out regular movement from real crash indicators. And the high-power CO2 cartridge can then inflate the airbag within 100 milliseconds once it determines you are crashing.Immediately after the impact, the airbag itself will deflate in a short period of time. And Aerobag assures that it is designed to be easily folded back into place, so the recently crashed rider can continue the race if they werent otherwise injured.A key enabler of Aerobags breakthrough is artificial intelligence. AI allows the system to accurately recognize crash scenarios in real time, something that has been refined for decades in the automotive industry but only recently became feasible for cycling due to advances in computing power, algorithms, and miniaturization.Aerobag: Coming soon, into your favorite bib shorts!The first target market for this cyclist airbag is clearly professional road racing cyclists. Aerobag has already worked with Nalini, clothing supplier to Team Picnic PostNL to integrate the first generation of their airbag tech. That means Picnic PostNL will most likely be the first pro cyclists to ride test the Aerobag airbag in training, scheduled already for Q2 in 2026. If everything keeps progressing according to plan and they are now backed by Fundracer, ensuring much more operational capital they may even be able to race in Aerobags in the 2027 season. Regarding other clothing brands, Aerobag says they are already collaborating with several other premium cycling kit makers, and assure us that those will follow soon. As for real-world consumer products, weve been told availability is depending on the test results but possibly later this year suggesting its not far off until we can cycle with an airbag, too. I already crash-tested a mountain bike helmet last summer. Im not sure if Im ready to crash-test an airbag!Aerobag.euThe post The Aerobag Zips An Airbag into the Bib Shorts of Pro Cyclists for Increased Rider Safety appeared first on Bikerumor.

Four weeks before the spring classics begin, Wout van Aert has offered his clearest picture yet of how his recovery from an ankle fracture is progressing, speaking on the Live Slow Ride Fast podcast. Van Aert broke his ankle in a crash at the Zilvermeercross in Mol in early January, a setback that a...

The route of the Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes has been unveiled and its actually a much better Dauphin route than weve had in recent years with a real start in the heart of the ancient Dauphin province. So the name change will need a while to sink in.Heres a stage-by-stage look followed by some notes on the wildcard invites, TV schedules and possible contenders.Stage 1 Sunday 7 JuneA start in Vizille and the race tours the outskirts of the city of Grenoble taking in climbs on the Vercors, the Chartreuse and the Belledone mountains. The penultimate climb of the Col de Vence has featured in the Dauphin and Tour before, the Cte de Quaix en Chartreuse is better known as most of the Col de Palaquit to locals. The final climb is new to the race and steep at 8.7% and followed by a matching descent.Stage 2 Monday 8 JuneA stage that stars in the Rhone valley and then climbs into the Ardche, rugged terrain, via the Col Robert Marchand, named after the cyclist who, at the age of 102 set an hour record of 24.251km and did a lot more too, especially to promote cycling in this area. More climbs and lumpy roads await before a finish in Le Puy. With this race here and Paris-Nice dipping a toe in the Ardche and the womens Tourhaving a full stage its setting things up for the mens Tour to visit soon too.Stage 3 Tuesday 9 JuneA team time trial and itll be run under Paris-Nice rules on roads just to the east of Roanne as the team wins the stage but times are taken on the first rider from each squad to cross the line and they all get the time they cross the line with for the overall. Its a dress rehearsal for the Tour de Frances opening stage in Barcelona with a rolling course where teams will have to manage their riders over the first half of the course to better keep their rouleurs for the final 10km back to Perreux. Its all on relatively small back roads too.Stage 4 Wednesday 10 JuneA stage for the sprinters? Possibly in the modern era for riders who can get over a succession of mountain passes and then deploy their teams to ride down any breakaways in the last 50km.Stage 5 Thursday 11 JuneTrue story: hulk sprinter Alexander Kristoff started the Dauphin a few years ago and didnt realise there wasnt a single sprint stage to suit until he was in his hotel on the eve of the race and flicking through the race roadbook. This stage ought to be for the sprinters on condition enough are on the startline for their teams to set this one up for them. The start is tricky before the route flattens out and finishes in the wetland area of Les Dombes.Stage 6 Friday 12 JuneSome dj vu as the race goes back to the Col du Granier via Les Echelles, the geo-located scene of Bernard Hinaults urination featured in this race two years ago, and in the womens Tour last summer. Then its a dash up the valley to Albertville and to new roads. The Tour was supposed to go to Ugine, Hry and Crest-Voland last summer on Stage 19 but a bovine disease outbreak and farmers protest saw the route diverted. As the Tours preview should have said then the climb to Hry is much steeper and more irregular than the profile says. After a brief descent the climb to Crest-Voland is half of the Col des Saisies and back to dj vu as its where Georg Zimmerman won a stage of the Dauphin in 2023.Stage 7 Saturday 13 JuneA tough stage with plenty packed into 133km. The opening roads feature some small passes on the old roads of Mandrin, who was either a brigand and smuggler in the 18th century, or Frances version of Robin Hood according the accounts you pick. Or both. Then its around the Grand Colombier and its sister climb the Col de Richemond, both part of the Jura mountains and more importantly both very hard. Especially the Grand Colombier from Virieu. 8.4km at 10.2% is hard enough and there are two routes up this side but matching the video from the route presentation with the roads and yes this is the sadistic version with aa long section at 15% and apparently reaches 22%. This peak gradient is hard to find and if exists brief but the point is few can tell amid the shaded woodland when the road is already reaching 18%. This is one of the most savage climbs in France and rhymes with Zoncolan.Stage 8 Sunday 14 JuneThe only negative about this stage is the distance, 120km belongs in a junior race. But otherwise its great with the scenic and steep Col du Pr to start and then a more regular descent back to Beaufort. Next comes the tricky Bisanne climb which is parallel to the Col des Saisies and then the picture-postcard Col des Aravis via its steeper side. Then comes a long descent, some of it gentle and the finish to the Plateau de Solaison. This is another Tour de France nod given Stage 15 also finishes on the Solaison, the climb featured in the 2022 Dauphin, Primo Rogli won the GC arm-in-arm with Jonas Vingegaard who was half a wheel ahead to win the stage and extrapolating the body language the Dane went onto win the Tour; before that Jacob Fuglsang won in 2017 too so well see if a non-Danish rider can triumph for a change.SummaryA more compact route, this years edition doesnt have a solo time trial but instead the team time trial offers another pre-Tour test and the Tour looms large in other ways, notably the Solaison finish. Its also a scenic route throughout, if you wanted to take the week off for a bike packing trip this would do nicely but pack light for the Grand Colombier. Theres never an easy version of this race but this is a tough one from the start with the opening day functioning as a tricky mountain stage and only one true sprint stage.NotesThe race has been rebranded because the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region sponsors the race but itll take time to lose the Dauphin labelThe long time Dauphin organiser and cycling journalist Thierry Cazeneuve died this month and was commemorated at the route presentation today, hopefully he gets a fitting tribute during the race this June tooThe Dauphin has usually clashed with the tennis in Rolland Garros and the result is FranceTV as the broadcaster has dedicated resources to the tennis and as a result cycling fans have had to settle for the last 90 minutes a day. But this year the tournament will be done. Well see if coverage can show the earlier action but dont bet on itTudor and Cofidis have taken up their invitations to start, Q36.5 have declined, presumably in order to focus on their home race of the Tour de SuisseWildcards go to Total Energies and intriguingly Caja Rural. No invite to Dutch French team Unibet Rose Rockets despite their flag, promise and local riders Victor Lafay and Colin Savioz. Indeed the usually well-sourced Le Parisien is reporting the French team wont get an invite to the Tour in July either when wildcards are announced tomorrowThe Tour de Suisse has been the June rival but the Swiss event has been amputated to five days making it a more compact event and so less of a pre-Tour testBut both races dont overlap so its possible to finish the Dauphin AuRA Tour and start SuisseRemco Evenepoel, Juan Ayuso, Isaac Del Toro and Cian Uijtdebroeks are the headline names for now. For Evenepoel its a crucial climbing test ahead of the Tour, for Ayuso a chance to grab a big win and for Del Toro to quietly ensure hes more than a protected rider at UAE come JulyThe post Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes Route first appeared on The Inner Ring.

The Trofeo Ses Salines at the Challenge Mallorca delivered one of the most symbolic images of the early season with Stefan Kngs debut for Tudor Pro Cycling Team. After many years flying the Groupama - FDJ colours, the Swiss opened a new chapter of his career in the jersey of the Swiss outfit in a...

Team Jayco AlUla were among the standout performers in the team time trial at the Trofeo Ses Salines, the opening round of the Challenge Mallorca. The Australian squad set the fastest time at the finish for several minutes, initially bettering one of the big favourites, Tudor, before being bumped do...

Richard Carapaz was set to make his 2026 season debut at the Challenge Mallorca however he was forced to withdraw from the races and delay his season start after the passing of his mother. The Ecuadorian rider announced on Wednesday the death of his mother, Ana Luisa Montenegro, in the city of Tul...