A shuttle bus on the bridge under construction between Waterford City Centre and the citys North Quays development has been ruled out by a feasibility study conducted by the National Transport Authority. A number of local councillors have sought for the shuttle bus idea to be revived, but the Waterford Bridge Shuttle Bus Feasibility Study outlines how such a shuttle bus would duplicate a higher standard bus connection already planned under BusConnects Waterford, and would need an annual subsidy of around 1.852.16 million.Originally, the concept was to operate a small electric shuttle bus running around 300 metres between the end of the bridge on the city centre side and the new train station on the North Quays side.It was planned to use a shared surface on the new bridge, which will still accommodate pedestrian and cycling access. The shuttle concept, however, was not progressed under the approved plan. The authority added that it would be happy to continue engaging constructively as a stakeholder if Waterford City and County Council wishes to explore an alternatively funded bus service in future or consider an innovation-focused autonomous vehicle trial when the regulatory environment allows.The feasibility study report states: The feasibility study has examined the operational, infrastructural, regulatory and financial implications of introducing a publicly funded shuttle bus service across the Sustainable Transport Bridge. There has been an understandable desire to secure a bus connection across the river. The original shuttle concept reflected aspects of the earlier SDZ Planning Scheme, and while intended to be privately funded, did offer a level of connectivity at a time when no alternative public bus link was planned.However, the context in which that idea first emerged has changed significantly. While future phases of development may deliver additional commercial floorspace, the scale and nature of development on the North Quays is very different from the earlier retail-led scheme, where a privately funded courtesy shuttle was envisaged to serve retail customers, the report said.The NTA said that the shuttle was never intended to operate as a public transport service integrated with the wider bus network, and predates the development of the BusConnects plans for the city, which will.There are now effective alternatives planned for public buses connecting the railway station and the city centre. BusConnects Waterford, a large-scale investment programme, will deliver a doubling of bus services in the city, including multiple high-frequency, fully accessible routes that will link Ferrybank to the relocated station and onwards to the South Quays and city centre, the report said.The report said that the BusConnects plans will offer journey times broadly comparable. While the BusConnects route will take a longer route, the shuttle was planned to operate at just 10km/h and have a lower capacity than a normal bus. The report said: In this context, a standalone shuttle would duplicate a higher standard bus connection already planned.The NTA said that there would be substantial ongoing costs operating a region of 1.852.16 million. This level of commitment would be difficult to justify when set against competing investment priorities, including the expansion of city bus services under BusConnects.The NTA remains committed to supporting sustainable transport in Waterford and has already invested more than 84 million in the new bridge and the wider North Quays infrastructure. Alongside the planned doubling of city bus services, the NTA is focused on delivering high-quality, high-capacity, integrated sustainable transport connections across the city, the NTA said.In a statement, a spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council said: Waterford City and County Council acknowledged the findings of the NTA report, which is extremely thorough and makes its recommendations based on a myriad of critical factors.While the report raises concerns regarding the viability of a publicly funded shuttle bus, the Council welcomes the fact that BusConnects will deliver a doubling of bus services to the city centre from the relocated transport hub to the South Quays via Rice Bridge. This will not only significantly increase passenger capacity, but it will offer journey times broadly comparable to those of a shuttle bus operating at 10km/h, the council said.The council said: The technological and regulatory conditions for autonomous transport continues to evolve and the Council welcomes the NTAs offer that it would be happy to continue engaging constructively as a stakeholder should Waterford City and County Council wish to explore an alternatively funded bus service in future or consider an innovation-focused autonomous vehicle trial.

CyclistClsica Jan Paraso Interior 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start listIts finally time for the first Monument of the 2026 season OK maybe not but there are plenty who rate the Clsica Jan Paraso Interior as one of the most undervalued races on the pro calendar.The race takes place on Monday 16th February and circles through the olive groves of Andalusia, with six gravel sectors to tackle along the hilly parcours, which leads to an uphill finish back where it started in beda. Its essentially the Spanish non-WorldTour Strade Bianche, but always delivers good racing, scenic backdrops and a giant metal olive for the victor.Past winners include Tadej Pogaar and Micha Kwiatkowski who beat Isaac del Toro last year, though in 2026 the start list is headlined by Tom Pidcock, Tim Wellens and Maxim Van Gils.Clsica Jan key informationLuis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgencyDate: 16th February 2026Start and finish: beda, Andalusia, SpainDistance: 154kmElevation: 2,400kmOlive grove gravel sectors: Six, 25.1km2025 winner: Micha Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers)Live TV coverage: TNT Sports, Discovery+Clsica Jan 2026 route and gravel sectorsClsica Jan has had to slightly adapt its route through Andalusias olive groves in 2026 due to a series of storms in the region. The result is one of the gravel olive grove sectors has been removed, but the organisers have replaced it with a second feature of another sector, which will also lead to a new, uphill run to the finish.Starting and finishing in the town of beda in the Jan province unsurprisingly the race takes riders through a series of gravel paths through the local olive groves, making it Spains answer to Strade Bianche. There are six gravel sectors, with the longest, Mar de Olivos, the one to be ridden twice before the climb back to beda.Sector 1: VandelviraThe first olive grove sector comes after 79.9km and its the easiest of the lot at just 1.2km with only 38m of elevation and a max gradient of 4.4%.Sector 2: Mar de OlivosRiders will first take on the 7.3km Mar de Olivos sector after 97km. As well as being the longest it features the hardest climbing, with a gradient going up to 9.5%, racking up 198m of elevation. This leg will be a good splitter of the bunch and should give the favourites a nice recon of the final sector.Sector 3: JuancaballoAbout 15km later the peloton will face the 3.7km Juancaballo sector, which is the easiest of the lot in terms of climbing.Sector 4: Santa EulaliaThe fourth sector is in the village of Saint Eulalia, which incidentally is named after the patron saint of inclement weather. That probably explains why this sector wasnt too badly affected by this years storms. This sector is only 2.3km long but the gradient goes up to 7.9%.Sector 5: San BartolomThe penultimate sector at San Bartolom is 3.3km long with a max gradient of 5.1%. If were comparing saints, as one of the apostles Saint Bartholomew is a patron saint of absolutely loads of things, including, but not limited to: Armenia, butchers, dermatology, plasterers and twitching.Sector 6: Mar de OlivosTo finish off, its another run through Mar de Olivos, which takes the race right back to the foot of beda. Related Posts Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list Strade Bianche vs Palio: A tale of two races Gravel Big Ride: Beyond and back in Andalusia, Spain Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide Clsica Jan 2026 favouritesRafa Gomez/SprintCyclingAgencyTheres been a little shake-up of the teams in 2026. While the number of WorldTour representatives has increased from four to five, though Ineos and Visma-Lease a Bike wont be lining up this year, and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Bahrain Victorious and Soudal-QuickStep come in instead.Theres still set to be a few big names looking to get an early one-day win as well as a bit of practice for Strade Bianche.Cyclists ratings: Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5), Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG): Matej Mohori (Bahrain Victorious), Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe): Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Roger Adri (Movistar), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious): Benot Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): Luk Kubi (Unibet-Rose Rockets), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Ivn Romeo (Movistar), Viktor Soenens (Soudal-QuickStep)How to watch Clsica Jan Paraso Interior 2026Luis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgencyEven among the Winter Olympics and the start of the UAE Tour, TNT Sports has found a spot to broadcast Clsica Jan this year, with coverage kicking off on TNT Sports 1 and on Discovery+ at 14:30 and scheduled to finish at 16:45 (both GMT).Elsewhere it will be shown on Eurosport 2 in Europe; FloBikes in Canada, Australia and New Zealand; Canal Sur locally; Teledeporte in the rest of Spain; HBO Max; VTM in Belgium; and Eurosport in Asia and Pacific territories.Clsica Jan 2026 start listData powered by FirstCycling.comClsica Jan 2025 highlightsThe post Clsica Jan Paraso Interior 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list appeared first on Cyclist.

The winds blew very hard today at the Vuelta a Murcia and a stage that featured only a few small climbs completely destroyed the peloton and has proved to be decisive for the overall classification. Marc Soler took the stage win and race lead after UAE Team Emirates - XRG mastered the chaotic race s...

News from Big Sky Country! Montanas Bedrock Sandals is launching several new products this March to help celebrate 15 years of outdoor footwear. Officially launching on March 3rd, Bedrock will release the Cairn Evo C Pro Sandals.(Photos / Bedrock Sandals)The new sandals feature 20mm of EVA cushioning paired with G-hook-and-heel straps and Vibram Megagrip soles. Abstract Rock Pattern in NavyIn addition to the new Cairn EVO thats launching on March 3rd, there will also be three new colorway options. These will be available across all sandal models. The colors include Cascade Green and Abstract Rock Pattern in navy and brownplus Mountain Clogs in Cascade Green.Mountain Clog in the Cascade Green colorwayAbstract Rock Pattern in brownCascade GreenThe New Rockhound FlipflopCome March 24th, were going to see Bedrocks brand-new, game-changing Rockhound Sandal. Sorry, Ive been told to only share these three teaser photos for now.Teaser Rockhound photoBut, I can say that its a flip-flop that features a 3D+ footbed thats designed to provide stability while maintaining easy slip-on functionality. Its also going to feature a Vibram outsole for traction and a G-hook-and-loop adjustment system for a customizable fit. The new Rockhound sandal will be available in quick-drying webbing and nubuck leather options, targeting users like river guides, van travelers, and fishing enthusiasts who need reliable footwear for varied outdoor activities. Like other Bedrock products, the Rockhound maintains the companys repairable and re-soleable construction approach.The brand is also expanding its retail presence with distribution to 100 additional REI locations, reflecting growth in both local and international markets.Founded in 2011 by geologists Dan Opalacz and Nick Pence, Bedrock maintains membership in 1% for the Planet while focusing on durable, repairable outdoor footwear designed for versatile use.Check out all that Bedrock has to offer at the link below; you wont be sorry. BedrockSandals.comThe post Bedrock Sandals Celebrates 15 Years with New Pro Sandals, Colors & A Game Changing Flip Flop appeared first on Bikerumor.

Scottish mountain bike brand Deviate Cycles is back online after the previous company was forced to liquidate last year. The brand is planning a careful return and has reopened its global online store. Co-founder Ben Jones confirmed Deviate will honour lifetime warranties on bikes that were purchased prior to liquidation. Back on course Deviate has announced that its global online store is open again. James Vincent / Deviate Cycles Deviate explained in a press release that: Over recent months, work has taken place quietly behind the scenes to secure the brand, its designs, and the future of its current platforms. The last period has been incredibly difficult for everyone connected to Deviate our team, our partners, and especially the riders who believed in what we were building, said co-founder Ben Jones. The global web store has stocks of frames, complete bikes and spare parts. Deviate says it will provide technical guidance and support to existing customers. The short-term plan is to ensure availability of existing models while the company finds its feet again. Lifetime warranties honoured Deviate will honour lifetime warranties on bikes bought from the now-liquidated former company. Ian Linton / Our Media Deviate has confirmed that lifetime frame-warranty support (for original owners) is still valid on bikes purchased before the liquidation. It includes cover for all Deviate carbon frames against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. Although legally the warranties issued by the now-liquidated former company did not transfer over to the reborn Deviate Cycles, the relaunched business has chosen to extend equivalent lifetime support to original owners as a voluntary commitment. We wanted to stand behind the riders who have trusted Deviate over the years while building a company that can do that properly for the long term, said Jones. Kurgan on hold Deviate plans to pause the release of the new Kurgan eMTB while the company focuses on rebuilding its operational foundations. James Vincent / Deviate Cycles Deviate is best known for making high-pivot enduro bikes, including the recent release of the Kurgan eMTB. Deviate's statement explained: While the release of the Kurgan remains an exciting part of the brands future, the immediate priority is stability and dependable rider support. Therefore, Deviate plans to pause the bike's release while it focuses on rebuilding its operational foundations. The statement added: Future product innovation remains central to Deviates vision, but development will follow a deliberate, engineering-led pace rather than rapid expansion.

Tom Pidcock made his season debut this afternoon at the Vuelta a Murcia and has shown a very high level right from the start. However, he could only fight for a place on the podium as he and all other teams were outplayed by UAE Team Emirates - XRG. The stage was cut due to the strong winds in the...

Our Reader's Rig of the week comes from Guy in Alberta, Canada, who shares the Slowest Known Time Machine, his custom-built, Pinion-equipped titanium fat bike from RollingDale Cycles. Get to know Guy and explore the details of his one-of-a-kind rig here...The post Readers Rig: Guys RollingDale Cycles Custom appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

We are all familiar with the idea of a library. You go, check out a book, read said book, and return the book when you are done. Yes, there is a bit more mixed in there, such as attaining a library card, due dates, and late fees, but Im sure you get the general idea.We all know how libraries work.But libraries arent just for books. You may also get the gear needed (maybe even a bikepacking book) at one of Bikepacking Roots and Old Man Mountains bikepacking gear libraries.Not a Brand New Idea, but Finally Gaining Some TractionPhoto credit: Dusty PerkinsWeve actually covered a similar story with Bikepacking Roots and gear libraries nearly six years ago. Then, Bikepacking Roots teamed up with Blackburn and NICA to provide gear and experiences to student athletes who wanted to give it a go.Why? Simple. Bikepacking is expensive. At least, initially.But even more than that, it can be daunting. Knowing what racks, bags, tents, and other equipment can be pretty far out of even a seasoned mountain bikers periphery. And, even if you do know all of the gear you need, isnt it nice to give it a try before purchasing?These were some of the thoughts behind the first Bikepacking Roots gear library. However, the most significant point on their agenda was getting kids out on the trail.Photo credit: Slow SpokesUnfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, this didnt happen on the scale they hoped. Where they built a traveling inventory of gear to outfit 20 bikepackers, in the end, much smaller groups would be hitting the trail.But, hit the trail they did, and the successful program laid the foundation for what would come.Bikepacking Libraries Around the CountryPhoto credit: Old Man MountainRather than having a traveling library, Bikepacking Roots, with the help of Old Man Mountain, is establishing gear libraries around the country. They recognize that the barrier to entry into bikepacking may be too high for many who are interested.So, they opted to lower that barrier. At the time of writing this post, there are currently 17 gear libraries spread across the country in 14 states. Many of the gear libraries are run by bike shops and connect with riders who want to borrow gear and experience bikepacking for the first time.Or, maybe it isnt a first-timer, but someone who wants to try new equipment.Photo credit: Wild WolfSome gear libraries also focus on serving groups underrepresented in cycling, such as people of color or women. Some gear libraries may also charge a small fee for maintenance and equipment upkeep.You can see all the information and links to the different gear libraries at the Bikepacking Roots Resource Hub. There, you will see an interactive map showing the locations of the gear library. Clicking on one of those locations will provide you with links to view the specific librarys information and how to actually borrow from it.The Resource Hub also has information on how to start your own gear library.Photo credit: Wild WolfI have been volunteering with my local gear library run by Wild Wolf Cycling Collective for the last couple of years, and my favorite part by far is when people arereturning borrowed gear after their bikepacking trip, Bikepacking Roots Community Programs Manager, Danielle Parnes, said.I typically hear stories about how the trip was hard but that they had a lot of fun, how the trip wouldnt be possible without borrowing gear, and then they start asking about what trips they should go on next!The post Bikepacking Roots & Old Man Mountain Make Bikepacking More Accessible with Gear Libraries appeared first on Bikerumor.

Monday is Presidents (Presidents? Presidents? Presidence? ) Day. Do you know what that means? Well, for one thing, it means theres never been a better time to finance or lease that new Hyundai youve had your eye on:For another, it means the schools will be closed all week for Midwinter Recess (Recess? Reeses? Mmmm, Reeses ), which means this blog will be closed, too:Yes, thats right, the team here at Tan Tenovo Industries will be off duty for the entirety of the Precedence Day Week Extravaganza, and will return on Monday, February 23rd, with regular updates.So please note the date in your Palm Pilot:Sure, it seems quaint now, but the Palm Pilot was a remarkably successful device in the pre-smartphone era, especially when you consider its name seems like a euphemism for a chronic masturbator.In the meantime, you may be wondering who won the Great Gravel Lube Contest:[The AIs take on a generic graphic for a contest of some kind.]And the answer is that youre gonna keep on wondering, unless you won, in which case you will receive your prize in the mail in the coming days.Oh, sure, I could make a big fuss over the winners, but this contest was about the Spirit of Gravel, and if you truly want to understand what its all about then you must learn the most important lesson of all:Humility.In the meantime, while I may be off next week, rest assured I am not effing off to cycle around the world for four years:As someone with a deep and abiding love for cycling I should find stories like this compelling and inspiringor at the very least I shouldnt find them irritating. And yet I do:In April 2022, Andreas Graf set off on his bike from his home in Norway. His dream was to cycle to India. A week later, having reached Sweden, it was already becoming more of a nightmare. It was pouring with rain and I was lying in my tent in my half-wet sleeping bag and I was like, I could be in my very cosy Oslo apartment, he says. I had this good life, a career, a partner, and I had left everything behind.Why is that? Having solved the whole pesky Spirit of Gravel conundrum, I must now turn and confront this vexing existential question. I mean whats the matter with me? Heres someone who followed his dream in a way that hurt absolutely nobody (apart from himself occasionally), and here I am feeling not merely indifferent but actively annoyed.Oh, sure, you probably think you know the answer: Youre jealous! But thats too easy. Certainly on the surface this makes sense, since heres somebody seemingly able to sashay around the globe for years on end while the rest of us must stay home and tend to our many onerous responsibilities. However, in my case this theory doesnt really hold sealant, for the simple reason that my life is what I believe the British refer to as a doddle. I mean Im not exactly toiling for conflict diamonds here. At worst, sometimes I cant ride for a day or two because Im too busy or the weathers too lousy. Meanwhile this guys crashing his bike in the Andes and getting wrist surgery:He had an accident in Colombia and broke his wrist. I had cycled the length of the Andes, almost 10,000km, and coming down the last mountain I crashed. I came around the corner and there was a pothole and a bit of an oil spill. I just flew over the handlebars. He cycled to the nearest hospital. I had split my radius lengthwise into three different parts. I had surgery and ended up with a titanium plate and eight screws in my hand. He was sanguine about the incident. I was in a very calm state of mind and I was like: Shit happens. Its part of the adventure.No thank you. Ill take my ten thousandth ride up Route 9W over that any day. (Though admittedly that doesnt always go so well, either.)So I must look deeper. Could the reason for my irritation be that the rider is from Norway? Opting out of the rat race and going on a big adventure is not unusual in Norway, he says. I know quite a few people here who took the kids out of school when they were young and went sailing for a year. He thinks the pandemic unleashed a lot of latent wanderlust: Coming out of Covid, people had an excitement for going out into the world.This is another tempting theory, but its also far too convenient. Hey, look, no countrys perfect. Were pushy, Russias handsy, China is both pushy and handsy, and Canada pretends to be all polite whilst being deeply judgmental and exuding an overbearing smugness. So sure, Norway may be a place where people can decide to go sailing for a year because they live in a wealthy petrostate that still allows whaling yet everybody else thinks is green because theyre in Scandinavia and they drive electric cars, but to say I resent Norway or Norwegians is patently unfair, and I reject any and all accusations of anti-Norwegianism. In fact, by way of healing the unfortunate rift between our two great cultures, here is an AI-generated image of Paul Revere shaking hands with a Viking:So could it be that because of my contrarian nature Im inherently skeptical when people experience profound spiritual revelations whilst taking extended vacations?The moment was a turning point. I felt really, really at peace with myself. You can sit in the outback for a whole day lost in your own thoughts. And I think most people would experience this as a sort of purgatory. For me, it was just so blissful. And I didnt know I had it in me, spiritually speaking, to get there. The journey was changing him. Change is a constant companion on the road, right? You dont even realise its there, but its changing you dramatically one way or the other. Now, he says, his priorities have shifted. I used to be someone who was very career-focused, and I think that part of me has disappeared.I suppose there could be something to that. Why is it that people have to go on these long, exotic journeys just to feel at peace with themselves, and why do we have to keep reading about them? Isnt this like an article about someone who went out and bout a $20,000 bicycle so they could discover the profound joy of cycling? What about finding the beauty in your own backyard? What about the profound joy of riding an old bike you fixed up, and the revelation that can come with turning down the road or trail youve ridden past a thousand times and never explored, and all that other seemingly mundane stuff? Isnt every day an adventure? Isnt the so-called rat race this guy supposedly escaped not only a path to enlightenment, but the one thats most accessible to us? Ever hear this one?Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.You dont need to travel to the Australian outback to get lost in your own thoughts. You can do that just as easily on the toilet.This isnt to say I have a problem with traveling to the Australian outback or any other remote location and losing yourself in your thoughts. However, I would humbly ask that if you choose to do so, please dont return with any lessons for the rest of usespecially if that lesson is that humans should stop reproducing because its hot in Vietnam during monsoon season:The climate crisis was also unavoidable. In Vietnam in the monsoon season, it is 45C and humidity is at 95%. And I actually dont know how people live there. They get up super-early in the morning, but then from noon to 5pm you see people lying on the side of the road under a mango tree, sleeping.Now he dwells on the ethics of one day bringing children into such a world. If they wanted to take a similar trip, I wonder if that would still be possible in 20, 30 years from now. The temperatures are already very extreme. There are a lot of places that I think will be uninhabitable in the next few decades.Ironically, after riding around the world he seems not to have missed the most fundamental lesson of all, which is that Vietnams climate is very different from Norways.And with that, I bid you farewellfor now. Ill see you back here on Monday the 23rd, and I promise not to return with any lessons. In fact, if anything Ill be even more thick-headed and contrarian.Love,Tan Tenovo

Scot confirmed for season opener at Volta ao Algarve