A resolution sponsored by members of Congress would throw out the management plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah, threatening natural resources and recreation in the area, including one of our bikepacking routes. Learn more and find a link to take action here...The post Public Land Action Alert: Congress Could Discard Protections for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The duel between Mads Pedersen and Mathieu van der Poel returns to the E3 Saxo Classic after last years showdown. Back then, the Dane fought for the win until he cracked on the iconic Oude Kwaremont, where the Dutchman launched the decisive move that carried him solo to the line. Pedersen had to se...

Ltape Italy 2026 off to a flying start as Piemonte and Mondov draw more than 1,600 entriesThe official Tour de France amateur series is already building real momentum in Piedmont, with strong early registration numbers for both Ltape Piemonte and Ltape Mondov and a programme designed to appeal to racers, leisure riders and travelling cycling fans alike.Ltape Italy 2026 has made an impressive early statement, with more than 1,600 riders from Italy and abroad already signed up for its two headline events just over a month after entries opened. For an amateur cycling scene that thrives on prestige, scenery and serious climbing, that is a strong signal that the Tour de France branded format continues to carry major appeal.At the heart of the project are two events in the province of Cuneo, each with its own character but both rooted in the cycling culture of Piedmont. Organisers are positioning the series as more than a pair of sportives, describing it as a broader model that combines racing, tourism and regional promotion. That ambition already seems to be resonating, with international interest helping to put Ltape Italy among the more eye catching fixtures on the 2026 granfondo calendar.What makes the concept particularly interesting is its attempt to widen the appeal beyond the sharp end of the field. Alongside the granfondo routes, both weekends also include cycling tours aimed at riders who want the atmosphere and organisation of a major event without the pressure of the stopwatch. Families, groups of friends and younger riders are all part of that picture, giving the series a broader festival feel rather than framing it purely as a race day experience.From a riders point of view, the entry package looks competitive. Registration for either granfondo costs 50 and includes the official Ltape Italy jersey, feed stations, technical support and the traditional post ride pasta party. Cycling tour entry is set at 25 and carries the same core benefits. There are also team packages available through collective registration, with added visibility and organisational support for larger groups, while teams taking part in both 2026 events are promised special recognition.Those looking for a more premium experience can add the VIP option, which includes a place in the VIP start grid, entry to the gala dinner, reserved parking, access to VIP areas within the Expo village and the official event jersey. It is a package clearly aimed at riders who want a smoother event experience around the main ride itself.The first date in the diary is Ltape Piemonte on 31 May 2026, based in Entracque and set against the backdrop of the Gesso, Stura and Vermenagna valleys. The route options are built around authentic mountain roads, alpine villages and demanding ascents. The signature climb is Madonna del Colletto, a road with Giro dItalia pedigree that features once in the mediofondo and twice in the granfondo, tackled from both sides in the longer route. Riders will also face the new Colle delle Goderie, a 5km climb averaging 11 per cent and finishing on an unpaved section, where the polka dot jersey will be awarded.In pure numbers, Piemonte offers a stern day out. The granfondo measures 144.8km with 2,894m of climbing, while the mediofondo comes in at 114.7km with 2,184m of ascent. The cycling tour covers 50.8km with 795m of elevation gain, making it a more accessible way to experience the same landscape and event atmosphere.Later in the season, Ltape Mondov on 20 September 2026 promises a different but no less demanding test. The route heads through Monregalese and Alta Langa, with rolling terrain, repeated climbs and what sounds like the sort of relentless up and down profile that can be far tougher than the headline figures first suggest. New climbs at Sbaranzo and Oberti will add extra bite, with the polka dot jersey decided on a 1,800 metre ascent that packs in 160 metres of elevation gain. Riders will also pass through Murazzano, where the feed stop will showcase typical produce from the Langhe.Mondovs granfondo covers 110.5km with 2,271m of climbing, while the cycling tour spans 60.3km and 1,104m of ascent. In other words, even the shorter option still looks like a properly rewarding day on the bike.Flavio Borgna of organising company EPT said the early numbers reflect both the strength of the Ltape Italy project and the credibility it is building with riders and within the region. The aim, he said, is to grow in a structured way, attract more participants from Italy and overseas, and leave a lasting positive impact on the territories that host the events. On current evidence, that vision is already gathering pace.

Matteo Trentin is back in Belgium. For the fifteenth time as a professional, the Italian tackles the Northern Classics campaign after travelling from Munich, where temperatures hovered around 20 degrees, to a very different scene in Harelbeke, with forecasts of just 11 degrees for the E3 Saxo Classi...

The completely revised, third-generation Roval Terra gravel wheels are now split into two different models and include a lot of updates. From carbon spokes to a truncated airfoil shape to upgraded durability and flat protection, Specialized is calling them the fastest gravel wheel family ever.Choose between the Terra Aero CLX, their most aero option, or the Terra CLX III, their lightest-ever gravel wheel, depending on your needs. While the more technical story is the Aero version, well warm up with the Terra CLX III, because were weight weenies at heartRoval Terra CLX IIIWeighing in at just 1,079g for the set, theyre the lightest, most compliant gravel race wheels theyve ever made (because of course they are). And that weight includes tubeless rim tape and valve stems.The compliance part (21.52% improvement over Terra CLX II you know its serious when were getting into two decimal points) comes from a shallower (27mm) rim than the aero model as well as bladed carbon spokes that offer great lateral stiffness, but claim to flex to allow the rim to compress over rocks and ruts.Rims measure 27mm internal, and 38mm external, and are optimized for 45mm tires but are compatible with 35-60mm tires. That huge 11mm difference between inner and outer results from an intentionally designed 4.86mm hooked bead profile that blunts any impacts to prevent pinch flats and maximizes tire compatibility.So, light, comfortable, and tough enough for the roughest courses. MSRP is $3,200 for the pair ($1,400 front, $1,800 rear).Roval Terra Aero CLXThe Terra Aero CLX mixes things up a bit. The rims are deeper and vary from front to back. The front is 50mm deep, the rear is 45mm. They have the same 27mm internal width, but bulge a bit more to 38.5mm external. This extra width spreads the hooked bead profiles to 5.38mm for even better pinch flat protection.They say both wheels pinch flat prevention designs were borrowed from their Roval mountain bike wheels, and that these new shapes take almost twice the energy to cause a flat compared to the CLX II models.But the real story here is the flat-back rim profiles. The 45-50mm deep rims use a truncated airfoil shape that performs like a 70mm deep rim, but without the added weight. And, likely, with much better crosswind stability. Like all Roval wheels, it was designed with CFD and matched with tires and a frame to produce better real world virtual designs that reduce turbulence when paired with popular tires.If youre going for full aero, the new rim shape nearly perfectly matches a mounted 40mm gravel tires width, minimizing the bulge effect that creates drag. They say the combo is 5.84 watts faster than Terra CLX II with a Specialized Tracer 45 tire, which sounds nothing like an apples to apples comparison, but still gains.Regardless, the compound curve and flat tail yielded big gains from 5 to 20 yaw (crosswind angle), which is pretty common in wide open race situations. Its also compatible with 35-60mm tires, but aero optimized for 35-45mm tires, and specifically the Tracer 45mm family.These also get bladed carbon spokes, but theyre upgraded. Made by ARRIS using a proprietary thermoplastic composite and titanium ends, the outer ends are wider and flatter than normal, which saves another 0.3 to 0.5 watts versus round shapes. Theyre also 96.6g lighter than using steel spokes, while being stronger and supposedly more durable.The extra depth and width add up to a 1,340g wheelset. MSRP is $3,400 for the pair ($1,500 front, $1,900 rear).Specialized.comThe post Roval Terra CLX Gravel Wheels Get Lighter or More Aero, Both with Flats to Prevent Flats appeared first on Bikerumor.

Comment & Analysis: Whether on cycle paths, cycle lanes or low-traffic streets, a key to designing for Dutch-like cycling is visualised below:Its, of course, whats referred to as social cycling or side-by-side cycling.A mother cycling home from the shops with her son, two friends cycling with each other, partners cycling holding hands, a father pushing their young child along, three teenagers cycling to school between two urban areas, mothers cycling cargo bikes with each other, parents bringing children to school, an older couple cycling in a town centre, and so many combinations. The width of cycle paths is also important for safety, and to allow overtaking, combined with social cycling, its the reason why Dutch guidance is now recommending:The minimum width needed by two cyclists to cycle side by side safely and comfortably, regardless of intensity. This minimum width is set at 230 centimetres.But I think designs should just as much look at what kind of cycling they are enabling are school children able to cycle side-by-side and talk when cycling to and from school? Are parents able to push their young chidlren along when they get tired? Are

Norwegian rider Tobias Foss has revealed the true extent of the injuries he suffered in a training crash in Valencia, an incident that initially seemed less serious than it has proved to be. According to the rider, the first diagnosis pointed to a fractured scapula. However, subsequent medical tes...

The UCI Rankings (WT) undergoes a real shake-up after an intense week of racing defined by the first Monument of the season, MilanoSanremo, alongside a packed slate of classics and stage races that have redistributed points in style. As of today, Thursday 26.03.2026, the table reflects not only wha...