The real and often overlooked challenges caused by illegal and inconsiderate parking is the theme of a new video launched by Dn Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, but that applies across the country. In the video, Duncan Byrne, a council staff member who uses a wheelchair, said: Ive encountered situations where a car is parked partially or fully on the path. In those situations, Ive had to backtrack to a safe place to cross where theres either a dip or a pedestrian crossing. If there isnt a dip, I have to push myself off the kerb which can mean I may fall out of the chair onto the road.The council said that the video demonstrates how blocked footpaths, obstructed access points and misuse of disabled parking bays impact people with disabilities, older residents, and parents with prams/buggies.Also featuring in the video, DLR An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Jim Gildea, said: Illegal parking isnt just a nuisance; its a barrier that prevents people from safely using our footpaths and roads. It creates real hazards for other road users, including pedestrians, wheelchair users, cyclists and motorists.We all have a responsibility to park considerately and ensure our public spaces remain accessible for everyone, he added.Frank Curran, chief executive of Dn Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said: By showing consideration for others and making small changes to how and where we park, we can make a big difference. Together, through education, enforcement and collaboration, we are working to make Dn LaoghaireRathdown safer and more accessible for all road and footpath users.Aoife McCoy Moran, member of the councils Disability Consultation Group, explained how vehicles parking too close to or over the hatched lines beside a disabled bay can prevent her from getting her wheelchair out of the car.

The Udog Distanza remains one of my all-time favourite gravel shoes, and the brand appears to have added a new dial-closure shoe to its range spotted on display at the COREbike show. The new, so far unnamed, gravel shoe, has the same knit-mesh upper as the Distanza. It also features that shoe's key detail a super-chunky natural rubber outsole over a stiff carbon plate. The Distanza's rubber tread extends up over the toe, providing great protection and enhanced grip when scrambling up dirt slopes. The new shoe also appears to use the same TWS tension wrap system where the external ribbons wrap underneath your foot, sandwiched between the upper and outsole. Read more: Udog Distanza gravel shoe review Udog's rotary closure features a soft rubber grip and two-way micro adjustment. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia On the lace-up Distanza, the laces thread through these ribbons, creating an even tension and crease-free wrap fit. Here, laces have been supplanted by a dial tensioning system. The knit upper wraps over a reinforced heel cup. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia The dial is Udogs own Twist Tech model, which debuted on 2024s Cento road shoes. With two-way micro adjustment, an ergonomic dial and a soft rubber outer grip, it's a quality alternative to the ubiquitous Boa dial. The natural rubber outsole wraps up and over the toe. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia The pricing is set at 175 in the UK and 199 for mainland Europe, with international pricing to be confirmed. Read more: Best gravel bike shoes 2026 gravel-friendly footwear for adventure riding

Our latest Weekend Snapshot showcases a chilly selection of scenes shared by readers in Kansas, Wales, and Minnesota. Get a peek into their recent adventures on two wheels and share a vignette from one of your rides here...The post Weekend Snapshot appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Titici enters the aero-conversation with the all-new ALFA lineup, the most aero-focused bikes weve seen from the Italian brand. The new platform focuses on Titicis proprietary PAT10 monocoque carbon frame and a super svelte looking design. The Titici ALFA series now offers builds from Shimano 105, all the way to Dura Ace or SRAM Red, all employing the same frame and fork. (All Photos/Titici)The ALFA family takes the core of what makes aero road bikes fast: clean airflow, torsional rigidity, and structural refinement. Though there is no wind-tunnel data to back up this claim, the bike looks fast (except for that saddle tilt). So if youre looking to dip your toes into the aero-pool or youre a windtunnel regular looking to get a bike off the beaten path, the ALFA looks promising.The Platform: One Monocoque, Many InterpretationsAt the heart of the ALFA line is Titicis one-piece PAT10 carbon monocoque frame. Built with an EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) system that Titici says eliminates the internal voids common to bladder-molded carbon. Titicis ALFA frame has all the modern basics. The ALFA frame boasts internal cable routing, tapered seat and down tubes, and maximum tire clearance of 70032 mm.ALFA One Frame A Spectrum of BuildsTitici offers a dedicated ALFA Frame Kit Plus for riders who want to build from the ground up. The frame kit arrives with an ALFA aero seatpost and Vision Metron 5D EVO handlebar for about $5,799 USD.The strength of Titicis approach lies in its ability to scale performance from entry-level builds to outright race rigs. The ALFA lineup now includes six different builds, all using the same frameset (and color palette, minus the team version).Titici ALF Build OptionsALFA 105 Di2: A capable mid-range option that pairs the aero ALFA frame with a Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain, Trimax aero ACR Vision handlebars, and Fulcrum Soniq aluminum wheels for about $6,999 USD ALFA Ultegra Di2: Stepping up the spec ladder, this build features Shimano Ultegra Di2 with Vision Metron 5D EVO cockpit and Metron SC 60 wheels for around $11,339 USD(All Photo/Titici)ALFA Ultegra Di2 Team Edition: The build that really underscores ALFAs racing intent, this is the same color way as the Elite U23 Arvedi Cycling Team from Cremona, Italy. The TE build is a mix or work horse and go fast; Ultegra Di2 shifting, Vision Metron 5D EVO cockpit, and Vision Metron 45 SL wheels. This version retails around $12,159 USD.ALFA Red AXS: If youre more of a SRAM rider and want fewer wires this is your build. The Red AXS build has the same wheels and finishing kit as the Dura-Ace build but with SRAM Red AXS, and goes for around $11,890 USD.ALFA Dura-Ace Di2 Tipping into flagship territory, the ALFA Dura-Ace rolls on Vision Metron 60 SL wheels, with a Vision Metron 5D EVO cockpit, and should retail around $12,590 USD.ALFA Super Record WRL 13s The full Italian, and the top of the range, the ALFA is the Super Record WRL 13s. The name pretty much sums it up. This ALFA version showcases Campagnolos latest 13-speed wireless groupset paired with Bora WTO 45 wheels, and is a full expression of Italian performance and craftsmanship on an aero frame. (about $13,490 USD), Check out the full line and other offerings from Titici at: Titici.com The post Titici Expands Its Aero Arsenal with the ALFA Road appeared first on Bikerumor.

Prologos new Pressure Map system attaches to your bike saddle and produces a wealth of fit data. The brand's existing saddle-fit system, MyOwn, uses a pressure pad mounted into a stool. It does a great job of mapping pressure points in a fixed position and has proven a great indicator to aid saddle choice. Plenty of competing saddle brands have similar saddle-fit tools, too. Even custom saddle makers such as Posedla rely on fixed pressure-mapping tools. Now Prologo has unveiled a new saddle-fit system called Pressure Map at the COREbike show that it says will attach to any bike saddle. The Pressure Map system records and transmits data as you ride. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia Pressure Map consists of a pressure pad cover, which offers 62 points of data measurement collected by the system's 'brain'. This clips to the underside of your saddle using the rails (much like a saddle pack). It gathers and streams the data via Bluetooth to the Pressure Map software, which records in real time. The portable wireless system means you can ride your bike outdoors as usual and record how you sit on different terrain and surfaces. Prologos brand manager, Salvatore Truglio, says: Weve been developing the system for more than two years in conjunction with the University of Pisa and now its finally ready to roll out. The Pressure Map measures across 62 points on the saddle's surface. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia The system has already been used by two of Prologos major professional team partners. Weve used the system with both Visma and Ineos riders, to see their pressure profiles both in the wind tunnel and out on the roads," says Truglio. "It is proving vital in helping our pro riders make the right choice of saddle on each of their bikes. It also helps optimise rider position alongside aero and efficiency considerations. The system isnt being rolled out to consumers, but will be accessible at Prologo stockists and affiliated bike fitters.

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After years of trying various techniques and packing styles, Neil shares the latest version of his layering system. For an in-depth breakdown of every element of his lightweight, all-weather-oriented kit, watch the video below...The post How I Built My Lightweight Layering System (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The more prevalent eMTBs become, the more specialized the equipment theyll need. An e-MTB-specific saddle might have been crazy a few years ago, but now it totally makes sense. The new Prologo Altius joins the growing Proxim range as a comfort-focused, stability-driven option for e-MTB, urban e-commuting, and traditional bikes alike. If youve spent time on longer, seated climbs aboard a heavier e-bike (constantly sliding backwards), or simply prefer a more planted position in the saddle, this one might be for you.(All Photos/Prologo)Designed Around StabilityAt 255 x 150mm, the Altius sits in that sweet spot of moderate width and manageable length. The profile is round with a distinctive V-shape. The Prologo Altius geometry caters to riders with limited pelvic mobility or anyone prioritizing comfort over aggressive race positioning. Think more upright, not lots of pelvis tilt like on a dropbar fit. The front section is noticeably wide and flattened, designed to improve support during seated efforts and sustained power output. Thats a subtle but important shift from narrower, more performance-oriented saddles that can feel restrictive during long seated climbs.Where the Altius separates itself, though, is in the rear.Rear Rise & Locked InThe defining feature here is what Prologo calls the rear rise, an elevated tail section that almost acts as a backstop.On steep climbs, especially on e-MTBs where torque delivery is instant and sustained, riders often slide rearward or struggle to maintain position. Trust me, you dont wanna slip off and buzz your butt on that tire. The raised rear profile on the Prologo Altius is designed to prevent that sliding sensation and help keep your hips anchored, reducing the need for constant micro-adjustments.In practice, that should mean a more stable climbing posture and fewer distractions when the trail points skyward.Pressure ReliefComfort isnt just about shape. Prologo integrates its Active Base System (ABS) in the new Altius. The ABS features a hole in the saddle base covered by a soft padding layer. The result is a larger support surface and reduced pressure peaks in sensitive areas, while still shielding the cutout from water and mud intrusion.Choose Your RailThe Altius is available in two versions:Tirox rail (light alloy steel) 216g 99Re-Steel rail (recycled steel) 274g 69Both use 7mm round rails and share the same 255 x 150mm platform.The Tirox version trims weight and adds a bit of performance polish, while the Re-Steel model lowers entry cost and leans into sustainability with recycled steel construction.Not Just For e-MTBWhile Prologo markets the Altius squarely at the ebike segment, nothing about the design limits it to just e-MTB riding. Riders tackling climbs, technical trail days, or even endurance road efforts may appreciate the rear rise and supportive, rounded profile.Its not a minimalist race perch. Its a saddle built around stability, seated power, and all-day comfort.For riders seeking added support without sacrificing refinement, the Altius slots neatly into the space between performance and practicality.Check out the full line at Prologo.itThe post Prologo Expands Proxim Line with Altius eBike Saddle appeared first on Bikerumor.