Cairde Rs Tailteann is delighted to announce one of our visiting teams for the 2026 event: APS Pro Cycling from the USA, who make their debut in this years race.APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery is a new team out of Dallas, Texas. It is built around a small group of riders and backed by an organisation with considerable knowledge and experience.Ahead of the race, the team is coming off a strong block of racing in the USA, including the Redlands Cycling Classic and the Tour of the Gila. While this will be the teams first appearance at Rs Tailteann, APS Pro Cycling is expected to arrive with a number of experienced riders looking to make their mark on the race.Among those expected to feature is Adam Lewis, who enjoyed an excellent Rs Tailteann in 2025, winning the KOM jersey and finishing in the top ten overall. Conn McDunphy, a Rs stage winner and second overall in 2025, is also likely to be part of the APS team. The squad is expected to have a strong Irish influence for this race, with the Junior Tour of Ireland champion, Matthew Walls, also likely to feature in the line-up.The 2026 route will make for tough racing but APS Pro Cycling should be well prepared for the challenge ahead. Several of the riders have spent countless hours on the roads of Wicklow and will know the road to Baltinglass very well.Welcoming APS Pro Cycling to the event, Race Director Ger Campbell said: We are delighted to welcome APS Pro Cycling to Rs Tailteann for the first time in 2026. They bring plenty of strength and experience with them, and with riders who know Irish roads well, they will be a very interesting addition to this years race.

Dublin councillors have agreed to support a motion seeking to allow only trucks with direct vision in Dublin City Centre. After a senior official said that there would be limitations with the idea, the issue will be referred to the councils mobility committee.The motion follows the death of 27-year-old Johnny Santos Xavier De Abreu, who was killed on April 1st after only three weeks in the country. The Brazilian student was cycling an electric bike at the corner of Middle Abbey Street and OConnell Street when a driver of a cement mixer was turning left.A disproportionatelylarge number of fatal left-hook turns involve trucks, and with that in mind, the direct vision standard aims to eliminate such collisions by adding improved mirrors, cameras, and, sometimes, glass in the lower part of truck doors. The screens for cameras with wider or lower views are placed in the line of sight of the passenger-side mirrors, and alert systems are also sometimes used.But a senior council official pointed out that the motion would only cover longer trucks. He said the council wants to make sure that the trucks that are using our city are as safe as possible, but that the suggestion, as written in the motion, would only affect a small proportion of trucks. A high number of collisions involving drivers of trucks turning left and people on bicycles in recent years has been with trucks with four or fewer axles, such as dumper trucks, bin trucks, and cement mixers.Cllr Ray Cunningham (Green Party), who proposed the motion, said: The most dangerous vehicles on our streets are heavy goods vehicles often drivers of these vehicles cannot see the pedestrians and cyclists around them.He pointed to other cities around, such as London, which have required the direct vision safety standards for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) with a start rating. Since October 2024, vehicles with three or more stars for visibility automatically receive permission once a permit is applied for, but other vehicles must be retrofitted with improved mirrors and cameras to obtain a permit to enter most of Greater London. In Dublin City, we already require permits for HGVs to drive in the core city and in other parts of the city. So we can roll this star rating into that permitting system immediately. What Im proposing is that, from 2027, we require every vehicle to have at least a one-star rating, from 2028 a two-star rating and so on, said Cllr Cunningham.He said it would have an effect throughout the city, as companies that own HGVs would switch to trucks capable of delivering to the city centre, which would also cover wider routes.Cllr Janet Horner (Green Party) said: The reason I pushed this a few years ago, as I said at the time, was a friend of mine was knocked down on the quays by a truck when it went to court, the driver was found not to be a fault because the driver could not see her on a bicycle immediately within the turning zone of that vehicle. She suffers lifelong injuries as a result and will never be able to fully walk without pain again.For a driver, there is no capability. The culpability is in the design, and unless we design out the flaw, other people will lose not just their lives, but also they will suffer lifelong consequences. It is urgent that we deal with it, she said.In a statement today, Cllr Horner said that, with the collision on Bachelors Walk, her friends road positioning was correct and legal, but the driver still couldnt see her. She said: The fault was not with the driver, not with the cyclist, but with the design.She called on the Minister for Transport to act on the issue. At the council meeting last night, Cllr Horner added: I hope that this week, when we see someone losing their lives in the streets again, we will not be found wanting when it comes to the opportunity to actually improve safety for everybody.Brendan OBrien, head of the councils transport department, said he welcomed the motion, but said that using the permit system for larger HGVs to drive into the city centre would limit the direct vision requirement to 5-axle trucks, and only in little more than the city centre, compared to the London system that applies to most of Greater London.He said the council wants to make sure that the trucks that are using our city are as safe as possible, but that the suggestion, as written in the motion, would only affect a small proportion of trucks. OBrien is suggesting referring the issue to the councils mobility committee to look at options.OBrien also suggested that we could look at EU standards. The EUs General Safety Regulationrequires direct vision measures for trucks sold after 2024, but additional regulations, such as those put in place in London, would be needed to ban non-compliant trucks from certain areas.Similar to the issue of extending the 5-axle permit system to 4-axle trucks, the council relies on the national Government to bring in regulations that it can then use. Cllr Feljin Jose (Green Party) asked that the council also write to the Minister for Transport to look at improving legal provisions that the councils can use to implement a permit system, which the Lord Mayor, CllrRayMcAdam (Fine Gael), said he would do.On the day when Johnny Santos Xavier De Abreu died, the Lord Mayor said: My thoughts are with all those involved and with the emergency services at the scene.We must continue to do all we can to improve road safety across Dublin. Our city belongs to everyone, and we all need to look out for one another.A letter from his sister, Isabela, was posted on social media. She said [translated]: April 1, 2026, was the day of the worst nightmare for our family. I write this letter with tears in my eyes. Brother, you couldnt imagine how much you were loved. Your departure left a huge hole in our hearts. Our family is in mourning.Mom is completely distraught by your departure. You know how much you were always Moms baby. Dad is also very shaken. Grandma Isabel is devastated. You were so loved by all of us, my brother. I ask God to receive you with open arms. I will always love you from here to eternity, she wrote.She added: Thank you for everything you did for our family and me, especially for Liz. Today, you are no longer here on this earth, but I know that, from above, you are watching over all of us. We love you very much. Your time here on Earth was beautiful. Rest beside the Lord and continue to watch over us. My little star, my guardian angel. With love, your sister, Isabela.

Two Bikes Chattanooga hosted the second edition of Bike Camp over the weekend, a community-focused event highlighting more than just bikes. Having covered the inaugural event, Nic returned for year two. Find his report from Bike Camp 2026 hereThe post Bike Camp 2026: Come Together appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Specialized is back with the latest version of their popular trail helmet, the Ambush 3. The helmet addresses common rider complaints about all helmets, not just Specialized: heat buildup, poor ventilation, and integration issues with accessories. In order to allow for larger vent openings without compromising safety standards, the helmet incorporates AirCage, which is an internal roll cage to support structural loads across the helmet. This isnt the first time internal roll cages have been used in helmets for good reason the internal supports allows designers to add massive vents without the EPS just exploding upon impact. Specialized Ambush 3 (L), Ambush 2 (R)Taking advantage of that structure, the helmet features a 4D Cooling system that includes a widened mouth port for air intake, longitudinal vents with deep internal channels for airflow acceleration, and rear exhaust ports for heat release. The system works in conjunction with the AirCage to move air from front to back through the helmet. Compared to the previous Ambush 2, the Ambush 3 has more vents, specifically right across the forehead area. It also has an adjustable visor now (more on that below), and a cleaner profile.Another big change is the addition of the BOA Fit System with FS1 technology (their name for the helmet dial), and Mips Air Node Pro impact protection. The combination is good for a Virginia Tech 5-Star safety rating. Just as importantly, BOA and Specialized seem to have cracked the code here for implementing the BOA system in a comfortable way. One of my complaints about existing BOA helmets has been that the cord was allowed to dig into your temple, which is made worse if you dont have much hair. Here, the cord is captured in a guide that is tucked under the padding. The result is a snug but comfortable fit that doesnt leave you with deep lines embedded in your temples after you ride.As mentioned, the helmet now includes a 4-way adjustable breakaway visor. To allow for light and camera mounting, the visor itself has a flat spot on the top that is the perfect size for an adhesive GoPro mount or similar. However, if you want to run a light or camera on your visor, youll ned to use the Visor Lock tab, which pops into the visor adjustment slot and prevents it from moving. Realistically, this tab is so small, youre going to have to try really hard not to lose it, but it does have a small hole that could be used to tie it to your camera/light bag. Our sample helmet has a bit of play in the visor adjustment system, which causes a bit of a rattle, but were hoping to get it swapped out to confirm it as an isolated issue. Additionally, youll find hidden sunglass storage, adjustable (fore/aft) TriFix ear splitters, and a FIDLOCK magnetic buckle system. The fit is quite good, and seems to match the claims from Specialized that the compact shell sits closer to your head. Construction: AirCage internal roll cage; 4D Cooling airflow system.Safety: Mips Air Node Pro system; Virginia Tech 5Star Rating.Fit System: The BOA Fit System featuring FS1 helmet solution delivers a micro-adjustable, multi-directional, and 360 precision fit. BOA is engineered and guaranteed to perform in the toughest conditions (from our partners at BOA); TriFix straps; refined yoke and brow band.Features: 4way adjustable visor; camera & light mount compatibility; sunglass storage; FIDLOCK buckle.Weight: CPSC / CE ~380g, size medium. CN ~410g (actual weight, 397g), size medium.The Ambush 3 targets trail riders, XC and down-country cyclists, and recreational riders, and weve been told that it is e-bike certified. Priced at $250, the helmet is available starting today. specialized.comThe post Specialized Ambush 3 Helmet Does BOA Fit Right, Adds Adjustable Visor appeared first on Bikerumor.

We ride the second generation Megamo Reason with the new Avinox M2S motor and a host of revisions to the specification, including a beefier fork and tougher casing tyres. This content was produced in association with Megamo. The Megamo Reason still has the 800Wh Avinox battery hidden inside the Continue reading

This summer, intrepid cyclist and award-winning storyteller Laura Killingbeck will ride over 1,000 miles across Michigan to advocate for womens safety and autonomy, documenting the journey through writing and interviews. Learn more hereThe post Choose the Bear Tour: A Ride for Womens Safety and Autonomy appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

This all-new Panaracer Gravel King ZX tire was built to maximize speed for intense gravel racing. Developed to go as fast as possible on the straights with essentially the low-rolling resistance of a road slick, it then still offers predictable handling as you lean into loose corners thanks to a smooth transition to grippy shoulder knobs. Panaracer explains that the variability of most modern gravel riding was the driver behind their development of the all-new tread. We like to ride as much as possible on quiet gravel roads, but often spend lots of time on hardpack dirt and classic tarmac, too. That makes full knobby treads overkill for much of the ride, slowing you down and making you work harder. (All photos/Cory Benson)My first impressions suggest this might just be the tire to make me reconsider a good semi-slick for everyday groad riding and the occasional gravel race. Ive only just got a set of the new tires in to test, but my first rides have already been really positive.All-new Panaracer GravelKing ZX smart semi-slick gravel tirePanaracer describes the new semi-slick GravelKing ZX as their fastest-ever one-tire solution for mixed terrain, outperforming the already fast (and most aero) GravelKing X1 introduced two years ago. That tire really boosted the overall performance of Panaracers gravel tires with more supple construction, a new fast but grippy rubber compound, better tubeless fit with wider rims and even wider tire sizes, and three levels of protection to choose from. And now, the new GravelKing ZX takes it a step further with a faster-rolling tread design that doesnt sacrifice cornering grip.Tech detailsall-new do-it-all semi-slick gravel tread designsame sticky ZSG Gravel single compound rubber as debuted on the X1TuffTex high thread count casing backed with woven puncture protectionBeadLock tubeless-ready bead compatible with hooked & hookless rims700c x 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, 50mm & 55mmthree protection levels, all with the same rubber: ZX is the best-selling all-rounder with bead-to-bead puncture protection ZX+ adds dual bead-to-bead TuffTex for extra protection against the sharpest gravel ZX R is the lightest race version, with TuffTex protection only under the treadclaimed ZX weights of 560g (45mm) & 640g (50mm)530g actual weight GravelKing ZX 700c x 45mm claimed ZX+ weights of 600g (45mm) & 690g (50mm)claimed ZX R weights of 510g (45mm) & 600g (50mm)What makes the ZX semi-slick tread unique?The all-new ZX features a special 3-zone tread design with a slick center, a transition zone with small relief arrows, and two rows of progressively taller shoulder knobs that taper smoothly into the center of the tire. That sounds like a pretty normal description of a semi-slick design. But a closer look reveals small steps from one zone to the next really make this tire handle much better than I had anticipated over variable hard and loose road surfaces.First Riding ImpressionsWhile Im sometimes hesitant of the typical on/off nature of a lot of semi-slick designs, my first rides on the new GravelKing ZX suggest this could be a great all-rounder. Panaracer doesnt want gravel riders to feel the need to swap tires back and forth to get the best performance for each ride. And the ZX looks like it could be a solid compromise, mixing road tire speed and gravel tire cornering grip.What seems to me to make the tire work well in my opinion is the fact that the center slick section is raised by ~2mm, which is then matched by the height of the shoulder knobs. The small transition zone is then only slightly lower. That makes for a smooth curved profile across the top of all of the tread from shoulder to shoulder, which makes for a smooth feel as you lean the tire over and find grip in the corners. Many semi-slicks dont make the transition so smoothly, cornering from road to hardpack dirt to gravel. And you can truly feel the difference, with the GravelKing ZX being really confident, even in loose gravel.Panaracer GravelKing ZX Pricing, options & availabilityThe all-new Panaracer GravelKing ZX is available in 700c only, in five sizes from 35-55mm, and in all-black or with a natural tan sidewall. It comes in three different performance/casing suppleness levels. The standard ZX, like Ive been riding, will sell for $65 / 60 per tire, and is the first to be available. You can already get 45 & 50mm GravelKing ZX tires today, with 40 & 55mm versions coming in July and 35mm by September 2026.The next tier ZX+ tires are a bit more at $70 / 75 a piece, and the top ZX R spec will sell for $80 / curiously also 75. These ZX+ & ZX R tires will first be available in May in 45 & 50mm widths, then 40 & 55mm by August, and lastly the 35mm versions later in October 2026.Panaracer.comThe post Panaracers New GravelKing ZX is a Semi-Slick Gravel Tire Blending Speed & Grip: First Rides appeared first on Bikerumor.

Specialized has unveiled two new radial-casing mountain bike tyres aimed at riders tackling natural, technical terrain who want more grip and comfort without dropping pressures. Separating grip from support has always been the challenge in tyre design, and casing behaviour is a logical place to look for gains. The new Grid Gravity Radial tyres, available in Butcher and Eliminator tread patterns are designed for trail riders prioritising traction and terrain feedback on roots, rocks and off-camber trails. However, Specialized says riders hitting bike parks or favouring a firmer, more supported feel may be better off sticking with Specializeds standard Grid Gravity casing. At the heart of the new tyres is what Specialized calls a 'Sweet Spot Ply' construction. Rather than relying on pressure to tune performance, the brand has altered the casing thread angle to change how the tyre deforms and supports loads on the trail. Read more: Best mountain bike tyres in 2026 top-rated tyres for XC, downcountry, trail and enduro riding Whats new here? Specializeds data suggests its new casing reduces radial stiffness for better ground conformity, while largely maintaining lateral support for cornering stability. Specialized The key change is in the casing, not the tread or compound. Specialized has increased the casing thread angle to around 70 degrees, compared to roughly 4550 degrees on typical mountain bike tyres. Specializeds data claims the shift reduces radial stiffness by around 30 per cent, enabling the tyre to conform better to the ground and track uneven terrain more closely. Crucially, Specialized says lateral stiffness drops by only 7 per cent, so the tyre should still resist folding under cornering loads or hard compressions. Specialized also claims the new construction increases the tyres contact patch by around 30 per cent compared to its standard Grid Gravity casing. In simple terms, its intended to deform more over bumps, while holding shape when pushed hard. Not the first radial MTB tyre Specialized says the Grid Gravity Radial tyres are designed for natural, technical terrain, where grip and ground conformity matter most. Haroozk Specialized isnt alone in exploring radial-style casing behaviour. Brands such as Schwalbe and Vee Tire Co have already developed tyres that move away from traditional bias-ply construction, using a more open casing angle to increase compliance and grip. Specializeds claim here is that it has refined that angle to a more precise 'sweet spot', aiming to balance ground conformity and cornering support more closely A different approach to setup Off-camber trails put a premium on grip and stability, where Specialized says its radial casing can improve traction without sacrificing support. Haroozk The concept is designed to target a familiar problem. Lower tyre pressures can boost grip, but often reduce support and increase the risk of instability or impacts. Specialized says its approach delivers similar gains without needing to rethink tyre pressures. On the trail, the brand claims improved traction on roots and rocks, better vibration damping and increased control on technical terrain. The tyres were developed at Specializeds S-Works tyre factory, where the brand says it tested multiple casing configurations before settling on its final design. Models, sizes and pricing The tread patterns of the new Butcher and Eliminator Grid Gravity Radial tyres. Haroozk The Butcher Grid Gravity Radial T9 TLR is available in 29in and 27.5x2.4in sizes, with a claimed weight of 1,330g (29in) or 1,240g (27.5in). The Eliminator Grid Gravity Radial T7/T9 TLR has 29 and 27.5x2.4in options, with a claimed weight of 1,330g (29in) or 1,240g (27.5in). Pricing is set at 55 / $90 / 69 / AU$130 per tyre. If Specialized has genuinely refined that balance more effectively, this could be a meaningful step forward. But whether riders will notice a clear difference on trail, especially compared to using other radial tyres, adjusting pressures or running inserts, is something well need to test.

The fallout from Paris-Roubaix 2026 has centred heavily on Tadej Pogacar, but not all reactions have pointed in the same direction. Former German professional Jens Voigt offered a more measured assessment in his analysis for Eurosport.de, defending the world champions performance while admitting he...

On his way to the 2026 Sea Otter Classic, Miles swung by The Farm open house in San Francisco to catch up with Outer Shell, Sklar Bikes, Tunitas Creative, Calling in Sick Magazine, and Chris McNally. Find a brief history of "The Farm," photos from his visit, and a quick update on each maker here...The post Pre-Otter 2026: The Farm Open House in San Francisco appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.