Good public transport frequency on paper can obscure major problems.Comment & Analysis: The combined public transport connections between Mayos largest towns, Ballina and Castlebar, offer reasonably good frequency. So, why is it mainly used by people with free travel or no other options?Its around 35-39km between the two towns, depending on the route, and its about a 35-40 minute drive. The longest direct public transport option has buffer time built in, but even with that, its only scheduled to be 10 minutes longer. In Dublin, nearly all public transport in Zone 1 is covered by the TFI 90 fare that includes from Rush and Lusk to Dun Laoghaire. A distance close enough to 35km without looking at the maximum possible distance in the zone. These are the prices for any combination of public service bus, Luas, and train in the zone within 90 minutes using a Leap card:Adult: 2.00Young Adult/Student: 1.00Child: 0.65Daily and weekly capping also applies when you spend over the caps, all further trips are free: The areas outside of Zone 1 arent as good value, but you can still buy an all zones daily ticket for 16.80 for adults, 8.40 for young adults and students, and 5.50 for children. And those give you unlimited travel within all zones for the day.Meanwhile, the bus tickets I bought this morning to get from Ballina to Castlebar were 36 one-way for myself and two children on the private operator Citylink (route 430).To be clear: I ended up buying it off the driver rather than online, and thats my own fault, but why penalise people like that for off-peak trips on a part of the route that will nearly always have space? The online tickets show up as 31.50 for a single and 50.40 for a return.The train would have been a fraction of that at 10.35 for the three of us. We would have even accepted the extra wait on the 9.35am service for the connecting service, but the train station in Castlebar isnt central, and its too far away from where we needed to be at 11am. So it wasnt an option today.The return by train is just over 20 online, and the family day return (including another adult) from the ticket machine is 19.50, so even better value.Where there is a timely connection, rail is both good value and reasonably fast, if the station isnt too far from your destination, and theres also the issue of some very long waits for some of the return options.In some cases, the Ballina shuttle train could leave Manulla Junction, go to Castlebar, and return without interfering with mainline services, but there really isnt a focus on making rail trips within Mayo attractive. That should change and would not cost much more to run the service. Theres also Route 52, Bus ireanns Expressway route, which is the State-owned public transport companys fully commercial run route. It does not get public money. Their onlineprice is slightly cheaper than Citylink, but none suited us this morning.Bus ireann claims (and Im not really surprised) that the Expressway service to Galway via Castlebar isnt commercially viable, and its apparently to be replaced by a public service obligation route (a route funded and more closely controlled by the National Transport Authority).There are two other bus routes connecting the two towns. Route 420, which is the current direct public service obligation route that only runs three times a day from Ballina to Castlebar, and the Ballina to Castlebar Local Link service, which is very indirect via Crossmolina and is scheduled to take 1.5 hours at the best of timesThe fare finder on Bus ireanns website shows paying for singles on Leap seems to be the cheapest way Leap Child Single is 3.36, and Leap Adult Single is 6.72. The return amounts to just under 27 for the three of us.Bus ireanns fare finder nearly makes the TFI Live app look good, nearly. But on a phone, it took me somewhere between five and ten minutes to find the following fare matrix for the Local Link service basically, itd be 20 return for the three of us. Much better value but a huge time penalty, and none of the three departures per day suited us.Besides the price, you have to look up different websites for the timelines too. The much-hated TFI Live app and website service has yet to be improved, and when I looked it up, it showed the Citylink service we used listed a departure time 10 minutes later than the time listed on the operators website. The Citylink website lists it as departing 10 minutes earlier, and Im nearly sure it departed just after 10.00am.IMAGE: Public transport apps often love to exaggerate the walking time from their stops to the centre of towns, etc, when it would be better to leave walking time up to individuals, depending not just on their speed, but where they are going and how they are getting there. So, while theres reasonably good frequency between the two towns, its split between four different services with four websites and fares, and 2-3 different departure points.The replacement bus for the Expressway could address many of these issues; others will require more systematic changes at the national level, including a single fare system (which has no national delivery timeline). I just hope the existence of the private Citylink service or the indirect services isnt used as a reason to implement a proper public service between Ballina and Galway via Castlebar. In the meantime, isnt it any wonder that public transport in most places outside our cities is mainly for students, people with free travel, and others with no access to a car?

Amy and Kyle Hudson targeted round the world cycling record with Santini backingBritish pair Amy and Kyle Hudson set out to break the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle as a couple, with Santini supplying the kit for their huge endurance challenge.Amy and Kyle Hudson had taken on one of the boldest projects in endurance cycling, aiming to ride around the world in a record-breaking time while raising money for the mental health charity Shout. Supported by Italian clothing brand Santini, the British couple had planned to beat the existing benchmark of 204 days and hoped to complete their journey in between 150 and 170 days.Their attempt had been about far more than numbers on a stopwatch. The ride had also carried a strong charitable purpose, with the pair using the challenge to support Shout, a service that offered 24/7 help to people experiencing mental health difficulties. It had been the latest chapter in a story that had already resonated with many riders, particularly through Amys openness about how cycling had helped her through difficult periods in life.The roots of the project had stretched back to lockdown, when Kyle had bought Amy a bike during a particularly hard time. That simple act had proved transformative. As Amy spent more time riding, she had rebuilt her confidence and found renewed balance, eventually developing a large following online through her cycling content and her message about sport as a tool for self-care. On Instagram, where she had built an audience of more than 100,000 followers, Amy had become a well-known voice for accessible, inspiring cycling adventures.The round the world record attempt had grown naturally from the couples shared love of long-distance riding. Amy had said the first spark came during a cycling trip from Venice to Derby, but the idea had truly taken shape in August 2025 after she completed her remarkable Tour de France Challenge. During that ride, she had covered 6,556km in 29 days, tackling all 21 Tour de France stages as well as the transfers between them, and had raised 93,000 for Shout in the process.That performance had already marked Amy out as a rider capable of handling huge back to back distances, but the global challenge represented a different level altogether. The scale of the undertaking had demanded serious preparation, especially for Kyle, who had balanced training around his full-time work as a builder. Their build-up had included two to three high-intensity turbo sessions each week, long weekend rides and a UK bikepacking trip designed to test their bikes, luggage and overall set-up.Kit choice had also played a central role, and Santinis support had been a major part of the couples preparations. With the route set to take them across a huge range of climates and conditions, they had needed clothing that was compact, versatile and reliable enough to cope with months on the road. Amy had already worked with Santini during her Tour de France Challenge and had said the brands ability to provide high-performance kit for varied conditions made it the right partner for another ultra-endurance effort.There had also been a personal touch in the custom jersey Santini created for the pair. Its design had been inspired by shooting stars, a symbol that had carried deep meaning for Amy and Kyle since Paris-Brest-Paris in 2023, their first major endurance event together. During the closing stages of that ride, when Amy had been struggling badly with saddle sores, the pair had spotted a shooting star. The moment had given them a lift and helped drive them on to the finish. Since then, the image had stood for hope, resilience and the determination to keep moving forward when things became difficult.The route itself had underlined the ambition of the record attempt. The couple had planned to start in France before riding through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Turkey. From there, the journey had continued through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, before moving on to Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, the United States, Portugal and Spain.For Amy and Kyle, the challenge had represented a shared test of endurance, partnership and purpose. They had wanted not only to set a new record, but also to show what could be achieved through determination, support and a willingness to embrace the unknown. In doing so, they had set up a ride that promised to be one of the most inspiring ultra-cycling stories of the year.

Built around a durable aluminum body with replaceable composite bashguards and fully serviceable internals, the new Crankbrothers Stamp Evo Pedals have some nifty features. Take a closer look here...The post Crankbrothers Stamp Evo Pedals Have Replaceable Bashguards appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Today, Reserve introduces two new wheelsets. Well, technically, one new wheel offering with two options: the 30|XC and 30|XC SL.While Reserve gives a lot of credit to the 28|XC platform and draws much inspiration from it, they also recognize the need for change. Namely, XC riding and racing of yesterday doesnt stand up to the technically demanding courses of today.With this in mind, Reserve built a beefier wheel with the same intentions and DNA: Win at the World Cup level.Reserve 30|XC WheelsOn this newest wheelset, Reserve bumps up the width to what seems to be the standard for mountain bikes: 30mm. This is also due, in part, to the wider tires that most XC racers are now choosing for added support and traction. A 30mm internal width pairs better with a wider tire.Reserve also opts for 28 spokes on the new 30|XC wheelup from 24 spokes on the 28|XC. While more spokes add weight, the new rim provides greater strength while saving weight, making the extra spokes a wash.Those 28 spokes are laced to a DT Swiss 350 hub. DT offers these as high-engagement Deg 90 hubs along with the Degrees of Freedom ratchet installed. Reserve sets the ratchet position at 0, but it can be swapped for riders wanting to reduce pedal kickback.For even more weight savings, the 30|XC SL wheels use a special carbon layup. The layup uses a greater amount of high modulus fiber to create a rim that is as strong, but lighter, than the 28|XC. Vonoa carbon spokes are also used, which are 30% lighter than steel spokes. They are also significantly stiffer, delivering a responsive ride.The result is the stiffest and lightest mountain bike wheels Reserve makes, at 1,304g for the pair.Reserve swaps out the heavier 350 hub for DT Swisss 180 hub. Weve seen this on other superlight wheels wanting to keep weight down but performance high.DetailsSize: 29Rim width: 30mm (internal)Hub: DT Swiss 350 DEG DF / DT Swiss 180Spokes: Sapim D-Light / Vanoa CarbonRotor mount: DT 350-6 bolt / DT 180-CenterlockWeight: 30|XC-1,515g / 30|XC SL-1,304gPricing30|XC: $1,59930|XC SL: $2,499reservewheels.comThe post The New Reserve 30|XC SL Wheels are the Stiffest & Lightest the Brand Makes appeared first on Bikerumor.

Cardiff City Council's annual storage cost is twice as expensive as most London boroughs

CyclistFaveros Assioma PRO RL power meter pedals are second to noneFavero, the Italian leader in power meter technology renowned for designing the most accurate pedal-based power meters on the market, has just launched the new Assioma PRO RL pedals, which complete the brands well-known Assioma PRO range with a Look-compatible system.The Favero Assioma PRO RL follows the PRO MX off-road power pedals and PRO RS SPD SL-compatible power pedals to create a rounded range that caters for both road and gravel cyclists.Not only that though, the PRO RL comes in with a host of stand-out features including its 130g per pedal total weight, which makes it the lightest adjustable Look-compatible power meter on the market.The pedals are priced at 389 for the Assioma PRO RL-UP, 399 for the Assioma PRO RL-1 and 649 for the top-end Assioma PRO RL-2.Key featuresThe lightest adjustable Look-compatible power meter 130g per pedalEasy maintenance and replacement of pedal body with all electronics in the patented spindleUp to 160 hours battery life on a single charge the longest of all power meter pedals+/-1% accuracy53mm Q-factorWide contact surfaceAdjustable release tension rangeFavero cleats provide 30% more grip and come in various floating degreesPedal body made from technopolymer reinforced with carbon fibreAdvanced metrics such as: PCO, which detects how force is distributed across the pedal stroke; PP, which shows which part of the pedal stroke generates torque; plus rider position, pedal smoothness and torque effectivenessHow it worksOne of Faveros biggest wins is that it houses not only the rechargeable batteries and electronic components but also force sensors in its patented stainless steel spindle, which is hermetically sealed. That protects the technology, strain gauges and rechargeable battery from dirt, dust, mud, moisture and water (as the pedals have an IP67 protection rating), and also ensures that the pedal body is free from electronics. This design makes it incredibly easy for users to maintain and replace the pedal bodies, with only basic tools required.The patented spindle is identical to the one used in the PRO MX and PRO RS pedals, which allows for easy interchangeability between pedal bodies in just a few minutes.Favero uses the IAV Power System, which stands for Instant Angular Velocity; it calculates power based on the real instantaneous angular velocity using a three-axis gyroscope, which detects the trend of the angular velocity with all its variations, and factors that into power calculation. This increases the overall accuracy to +/-1% and guarantees the same precision in real-world pedalling conditions.Why is that data essential?Pedalling is never regular or homogeneous think about sprinting, climbing etc IAV takes that into account, detecting all pedalling variations and factors it into the power calculation. Thats where Favero stands out from most power meters, which calculate power on the basis of the average angular speed per pedalling revolution, working on the false assumption that pedalling is always regular and uniform.The most important contributions that Faveros data provides goes way beyond riders just chasing power metrics, its series of metrics will contribute to gains in technique and even bike fit too. Platform Center Offset (PCO) tells the rider how their force is distributed across the pedal body to identify inefficiency and highlight both incorrect cleat positioning and muscle imbalances. Thats an essential data point for regular riders to adjust their setups as well as their pedalling technique to make their riding more comfortable, more efficient and pain- and injury-free.Other metrics include Power Phase (PP), which tells riders which parts of the pedal stroke are generating positive torque (another way to help technique), Rider Position (RP) can tell the time spent seated and standing, and Pedal Smoothness (PS) and Torque Effectiveness (TE) show left/right imbalances, which again will alert riders to possible technique and fit improvements.Lightweight, adjustable, comfortable, efficientBeyond the electronics, Faveros spindle technology allows the Italian company to improve the pedals themselves.The headline of the Assioma PRO RL may be its market-leading weight, but a closer look reveals its impressive 755mm2 wide contact surface area, enhancing stability, comfort and power transfer efficiency. Along with that, a reduced stack height of just 10.5mm further supports pedalling efficiency and power output. And despite housing so much advanced technology within the spindle, it maintains a standard 53mm Q-factor.On top of that, the body itself is made from a technopolymer reinforced with carbon fibre, to keep weight low and to strengthen the pedals, boosting resistance to cracking and deformation.The eagle-eyed will also noticed Faveros inclusion of the term adjustable in the Assioma PRO RLs selling points. That comes from its pedal design that includes an adjustable release tension range, making the Look system more personalised for the riders preference, and the pedal also come with Look-compatible Favero cleats, which have 30% more grip than other options and come in different degrees of float to help each rider tune their fit and feel even more.Finally, its also worth noting that the USB-C rechargeable battery charges fast, adding 15 hours with just a 15-minute charge, and the total life is up to a whopping 160 hours from just one full charge thats unmatched among power meter pedals.The optionsFavero sells the Assioma PRO RL in two models, dual-sided power pedals (Favero Assioma PRO RL-2) for 640, and single-sided power pedals (Favero Assioma PRO RL-1) for 399. Both models provide the same benefits, with the only difference being that the single-sided version collects data from the left pedal only. However, the only data omitted is the left/right balance. If you want to move from single- to dual-sided, Favero does provide an upgrade (Favero Assioma PRO RL-UP) for 389.To buy yours or to find out more, visit cycling.favero.com Related Posts Favero Assioma PRO RS power pedals: One for the road Favero Assioma Pro RS SPD-SL power-equipped pedals: First look Discover Faveros game-changing Assioma Pro MX power meter pedal system The post Faveros Assioma PRO RL power meter pedals are second to none appeared first on Cyclist.

Tim Merlier answered questions over his form in emphatic fashion at Scheldeprijs 2026, sprinting to a third consecutive victory in Schoten on just his second race day of the season after a disrupted start to his campaign. It hasnt been the easiest period, and you do start to have doubts: Will I s...

Liv first launched the Embolden in 2016 as an entry-level option, and it has remained in that position for the last decade. Its smaller-size options and a price tag hovering around $2,000 (sometimes less) made it a solid choice for ladies looking to get into the sport.And, it still is, especially with Liv announcing an update to the Embolden today. Well, more than an update, but an all-new frame design that bring the trail bike into the modern era.Liv Embolden UpdatesBefore I mention what is new, let me start with what is staying the same. Liv will continue to use an aluminum frame, a FlexPoint suspension system, and a price tag of around $2,000.Other than that, quite a bit has changed. Liv said that the Embolden was first developed to help new riders build confidence on the trail. While that remains a cornerstone of the Embolden, the updates are geared toward helping riders take their skills to the next level on more challenging terrain.Confidence changes the way people ride, Ludi Scholz, Liv Off-Road Category Manager, said. The Embolden has always been about giving riders a trail bike they can trust from the start. With this new generation, we expanded what the platform can handle, so it keeps up as riders ride further, try new lines, and spend more time on the trail.Liv accomplished this by making some significant changes to the Embolden platform. Some are fairly obvious, while others are not.Obvious ChangesPerhaps the most noticeable change is a new shock location. Rather than the vertically mounted shock we saw on previous iterations of the Embolden, the new bike has a semi-integrated rear shock mounted beneath the toptube.Old Embolden (left) / New Embolden (right)To be clear, while the suspension layout is new, the Embolden still uses the FlexPoint suspension system. Liv says the new shock layout serves a few purposes. First, it increases frame stiffness. It also helps centralize mass within the frame, which improves stability and handling. Lastly, the new design is more protected from debris and has a cleaner aesthetic.Along with a new suspension layout that is easy to spot, you might also notice bigger wheels. On the previous generation of Emboldens, Liv used dual 27.5 wheels on the smallest (SX & S) frames, and dual 29 on the larger frames, including an option of dual 29 on size S.Moving forward, the smaller sizes will receive a mixed-wheel setup, while the larger sizes (M & L) will continue to roll on dual 29ers. The larger front wheel improves rollover and front-end stability, while the smaller rear maintains maneuverability. Having a 27.5 rear wheel also helps with standover clearance for smaller riders.More Subtle ChangesLiv uses hydroformed ALUXX-grade aluminum for the Emolden frame. The frame has been redesigned, with hydroforming allowing engineers to optimize tube shapes. This means added strength and stiffness where it is needed.An OverDrive headtube (usually a 1 1/8 Top and 1.5 lower headset bearing, though this head tube looks straight with a larger upper bearing cover) and a PowerCore bottom bracket (92mm wide press fit) further stiffen the Embolden frame. These not only enhance pedaling efficiency but also create a stiffer front end and frame for more precise and confident handling.And, during this frame redesign, Liv also adopted the Universal Derailleur Hanger standard.Suspension travel also increases from the older iteration of the Embolden. The new Embolden now delivers 130mm rear travel paired with a 140mm fork. More travel is helpful when the trail gets a bit spicier, and doesnt hinder the pedaling performance of the FlexPoint platform.Perhaps the most significant change the Embolden has undergone is to its geometry. Overall, the bike follows the industry trends of longer, lower, and slacker, albeit a few years behind.But better late than never.And the changes are pretty significant. Reaches have grown by nearly 10mm, seattubes are steeper by 3, headtubes are slacker by 2, and the wheelbase has grown by nearly 30mm. The chainstays also grew and are size-specific, at 440mm (XS & S) and 442mm (M & L).One interesting note: the chainstays are longer than the reach on the new XS, S, and M Embolden.Embolden DetailsLiv prices the updated Embolden at $2,300. One build and two color options (Red Clay and Pale Moss) are available.Fork: Giant STL 34 Dual Air, 140mmShock: Crest Flo Trac Elite TR, 2-position lockout, 130mmDrivetrain: Shimano CUES 110Brakes: Tektro HD-M5141, 180mm rotors (F/R)Wheels: Giant AM 30Tires: Maxxis Dissector (F) / DHR II (R)Touchpoints: Giant / Livliv-cycling.comThe post All New Liv Embolden Gets All the Right Updates for an Affordable Modern Trail appeared first on Bikerumor.

CyclistI dont remember the last time I got my VO2 max tested: Tadej Pogaar Q&ACyclist: Youre not from a cycling background. How did you get involved in the sport when you were younger?Tadej Pogaar: My parents were playing a lot of amateur volleyball, and one of the people they played with each week was the coach at a cycling team for young boys called Radenska. He was great friends with my parents so he recruited my brother first and then I followed.Who were your cycling heroes growing up?I always just wanted to beat my brother. I looked up to everybody in the Tour de France. Id wish that I was on the start line with a cool bike, white bar tape, white shoes, white saddle and Oakleys. It was just this glamorous dream rather than having riders idolised on my bedroom wall. I was dreaming about being on TV, riding a bike.Youve now got four Tour titles under your belt. What would it mean to win a fifth Tour de France and equal the record of great legends before?It would just be another win for me. In my head I reset after every year, so Im always starting from zero mentally. If I win the Tour again, it would be just as good as the other four.How do you celebrate big results like a Grand Tour or Monument victory?The first time I won Flanders I lost three hours to podium ceremonies, doping control and media interviews. When I got back to the bus, half the team was gone. People had flights, went home or were recovering for the next race. We couldnt really celebrate, even though we had just won a Monument, so I got on a flight and went home.We win a lot with UAE Team Emirates-XRG and if we were to party after every race win I dont think we would win as often. So we congratulate each other and live in that moment with the adrenaline. In the last few years I have learned that this is enough.Is it any different after you win a Tour de France, for example?When it comes to the Tour, the celebrations are a little different. Were riding for three weeks, but theres also the staff, sponsors and organisers who want to have a day off after the Tour. We normally have a nice dinner in Paris and celebrate with the sponsors. Its a long night after the podium ceremonies and speeches. Its not like we can just go out and blow off some steam with the boys. Its still a formal celebration. The off-season is the time that we can actually relax and celebrate the season.You mentioned the length of podium ceremonies. If you could change one thing about professional cycling, what would it be?There are too many things. Podium ceremonies are really nice, but if you win you spend a long time talking with the media and getting extra attention. I had to do this so many times at the Tour de France with both the white and yellow jersey, it got really tiring.I cant think too deeply about these kinds of things otherwise I would just be complaining, and I dont want to complain because I have a good life in pro cycling. Related Posts Pro bike: Tadej Pogaar's 2026 Ronde-winning Colnago Y1Rs Opinion: Tadej Pogaars Milan-San Remo victory is his finest win yet We created the anti-Pogaar Tour de France route Tadej Pogaar interview: Light is the crown Many people are calling you the GOAT: the greatest of all time greater than Eddy Merckx. How do you feel about that?Ive stopped paying attention to it. Its getting annoying being compared to somebody who was racing back in the 70s. It just doesnt feel natural to me because I wasnt even alive then.I was born in 1998. It feels nice at first when somebody calls you the greatest of all time, but then again, everybody has their own opinion. There will always be somebody who praises you, and somebody who says youre shit. In the last few years I have started to mind my own business, so my mind isnt thinking about all this nonsense when I race. I try to stay away from social media because its much easier for me when I do that.Whats left for you to win?If I dont win anything else, I would be happy with my palmars. The main thing for me is that I can still enjoy the bike and enjoy racing. I want it to stay like this for the next few years. I think I could achieve these results for many more years, but there is no one particular race I still think I need to win.Who are your favourite riders to race against at the moment?I would say Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel are my two favourite riders to race against, because theyre pure racers. They have such good character on the bike and they ride with so much passion. Thats what I really value. I cant only say them, though. I also like to race against all the sprinters and Classics riders, and Jonas [Vingegaard], of course. I think we have a good bunch right now.Theres so much talk about FTP and VO2 max these days. Do you know your stats?I dont know them. I dont remember the last time I got my VO2 max tested. As for my FTP, I find that a bit bullshit. Every coach and expert will claim it differently. My coach has a good way to assess how hard I should train. I follow that and dont mind about my threshold. Obviously those numbers will be high, but I couldnt tell you what they are.What do you want your legacy to be when you retire?Im not going to get grey hairs worrying about what people think about me after my career. But cycling has given me so much, so I want to give back with my foundation and the Pogi Team, which helps young riders. I hope people will see me as a good guy and not an idiot on the bike. I dont care if they remember what I win or not, I just want them to see me as a good person.The 2027 Tour de France will start in the UK? Are you looking forward to the British Grand Dpart?I havent seen the routes yet, but I think its going to be pretty cool. Ive heard some stories about last time and it sounded awesome. If I race the Tour next year I will be happy to be there.If you werent a pro cyclist, what would you be doing in your life right now?Id probably not be doing much of anything. I dont think Id be very successful at anything else, so Im really lucky to have cycling.How do you pass the time off the bike?Theres more and more coffee in my life. Its getting out of hand. I also really enjoy cars, but theres no time for that at the moment.The post I dont remember the last time I got my VO2 max tested: Tadej Pogaar Q&A appeared first on Cyclist.

Axel Laurance turned a chaotic and setback-filled day into victory on Stage 3 of Itzulia Basque Country 2026, producing a measured and resilient ride to win from a two-man breakaway in Basauri. In a race already shaped by Paul Seixas early dominance, the French momentum continued, but Laurances pe...