On the 22nd of April the women's peloton takes on La Flche Wallonne Femmes, one of the most difficult one-day races in the calendar which finishes atop the iconic Mur de Huy, one of the steepest final climbs of the World Tour calendar, which marks the Belgian classic. We take a look at its startlis...

Irish Rail has released images showing progress on the redevelopment of Galways main train station, Ceannt Station, after the new platforms 3 and 4 entered service late last week.The semi-State company said that half of the stations footprint is now reopened to the public, with what it calls an improved passenger experience and more streamlined service for local rail users.Irish Rail said: Following successful completion of work on the curved glazed roof and the new platform 5 in late 2025, customers can now utilise the two additional platforms as well as the new southern entrance, new concourse and waiting room, new toilets and new ticket validators. The northern side of the station and Platform 1 will now close for redevelopment works. Works on platform 2 continue and are expected to be complete over the coming months alongside the launch of an improved retail offering in the station.The work is funded by the Department of Housings Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and the National Transport Authority.Ceannt Station, Galway (Photos: Andrew Downes, xposure for Irish Rail)

Available on OE bikes and through aftermarket channels, SRAM has quietly consolidated its signature Eagle series under a new system: Eagle S-Series. For more on how these changes could affect you, read on below...The post The New SRAM Eagle S-Series Consolidates an Expansive Groupset Lineup appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Oli Stockwell was part of a day-long outing on stage 2

At the Tour of Flanders there was a lot of criticism towards Mathieu van der Poel for willfully collaborating equally with Tadej Pogacar despite that harming his chances of taking the win. At Amstel Gold Race, albeit not as strongly, the same is being pointed towards Mattias Skjelmose. The Dutch cl...

Comment & Analysis: It feels like Ger Hyland, the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, is up for a fight, even where theres no need for one. This time, before his deflection, the topic was councillors saying that only trucks with better visibility of people walking and cycling should be allowed in Dublin City Centre.On RTE Radio Ones Today Show yesterday, Hyland managed to push a discussion on an element of systematic safety into being mainly about individual behaviour. Systematic safety looks to fix the underlying organisational, design, and procedural causes of risk designing out and reducing risk before we get too focused on behaviour alone.Systematic safety does not make for entertaining radio listening. Theres likely fewer listener text messages anyway. Hyland said: A lot of our members and a lot of the transport community have invested in camera systems on their trucks. We have audible warnings when vehicles are turning left. We have sensors on the passenger side at the front corner of our trucks in a lot of cases that will tell us when somebody comes into the periphery of that vehicle.So we have as an industry which has invested heavily in safety and safety features, and I have to say here that nobody gets up this morning, goes out and decides theyre going to be involved in an accident, but in fairness, then you know safety begins first and foremost with oneself, he said before going on about cyclists as if they do get up in the morning looking to get involved in a collision. But before looking at what he says about cyclists, lets stick to the topic a bit first. Lets not entertain his deflection tactics as much as radio hosts are willing to (even broadcasters who cycle).The direct vision standard aims for the best possible vision between the driver and any possible person walking or cycling around them. Layered on top of that is the Progressive Safe System better mirrors, cameras, and sensors that cover blind spots, along with other measures such as audio warnings and side guardrails on trucks to prevent people from being dragged under them. Blind spots are areas where drivers cannot see, and they can be very large on trucks. Its so bad on some trucks that cars beside a truck on a motorway might be invisible to drivers.Ideally, streets should be designed so that large trucks and people cycling do not meet. Traffic signals can offer whats called segregation in time, where turning trucks do not have a green light at the same time as cyclists going ahead. But on compact city and town centre streets, where trucks are often needed, the next best thing to designing safer streets is designing safer trucks.There are two legal systems at play Londons Direct Vision Standard and the EUs General Safety Regulations. The former is ahead of the latter in its rollout, while the latter seems to have delayed the actual direct vision aspect of truck design until 2029 or later. So, there are now some other differences in whats required to be compliant with both, whether with direct vision or with complementary or compensating measures, such as those in the Progressive Safe System.In English: If there is no direct line of sight from the drivers seat to around their cab, then additional cameras or alert systems need to be retrofitted. The EU system is weak on retrofitting measures for existing trucks, leaving it to member states, while the London system already demands it.So, the kind of measures Hyland says the industry has invested in is essentially whats required, and most are now standard on all new trucks sold in the EU. And Hyland adds: A lot of us would have retrofitted stuff such as cameras, audible warnings, sensors on the left-hand side of our truck that will tell us when somebody comes into the vicinity of that truck.So, what was Hyland on about on the radio yesterday here? It seems hes trying to avoid having the retrofitting of safety measures proven effective in London become mandatory anywhere in Ireland. Otherwise, whats he on about?Added to that, he managed to distract with some of his usual tropes about cyclists, even after those involved with supporting better visibility on trucks made it clear that they were concerned with systems change rather than blaming individual truck drivers. The designs and features we are talking about allow drivers to see people in what would otherwise be blind spots and give warnings to people outside the trucks. On air with him, Colm Ryder of the Dublin Cycling Campaign even tried to make the point that the group had worked with truck fleet owners to improve safety. But Hyland instead repeatedly focuses on the benvor of cyclists, including people cycling up inside a truck with its indicators on to turn left. Generally speaking, if youre cycling, you really should avoid doing this, especially if youre unsure whether theres an advanced green light for cycling. Its better to hold back than to risk it.Hyland seems to generalise that truck drivers are good and cyclists are bad; the reality is that both groups are just flawed humans. A noteworthy difference is that one is in command of a vehicle weighing 3-15+ tons unloaded, which is involved with a disproportionate amount of deaths per year, and the other uses a vehicle involved with 1-2 deaths a decade.Its worth saying that improving vision standards isnt just about cyclists. It would also help with the number of pedestrians killed each year, especially elderly people who cannot move fast at crossings and can get caught in the blind spots at the front of trucks.The idea that truck drivers are waiting at traffic lights and cyclists pile in beside the truck about to turn is an often-repeated story from truck drivers; its also been shown to be a generalisation sometimes it also happens the other way around. One or more cyclists are waiting, and a truck driver pulls up to the stop line. Sadly, its been proven that the person on a bicycle was there first in situations where they have ended up seriously injured or killed. And often there are other issues too, including defective mirrors and sometimes driver impairment. And Ive seen cyclists wait behind truckloads of time, even when Lemmings kept going. When was the last time you saw a truck driver hold back because theres a cyclist ahead of them in a cycle lane or just to the edge of the road? Both groups will always make mistakes, and thats why a safer systems approach is better than focusing mainly on behaviour. Hyland focuses instead on individual behaviour, as if truck drivers are superhuman and only cyclists are ever in the wrong, and then, at the end of the item, tries again to flog the dead horse that is high-vis and helmets for all cyclists. The political reaction to the idea was so strong that there was a lightning-fast U-turn, but the media keeps lapping it up because it riles people up, and the format of most radio shows means were unable to have anything more than a surface-deep conversation about it.When it comes to trucks, helmets are unlikely to help with most impacts, and high-vis cannot improve a blind spot; most visibility issues on the side of a bicycle would be fixed by enforcing the current rules on lights. I am writing all of the above with the knowledge that some of the best driving I encounter while cycling comes from truck drivers, and I always try to give extra space to HGV drivers (even to the point of being abused by clueless motorists behind me on more than one occasion). The measures proposed for Dublin would only help truck drivers do their jobs.

Part five of our Sea Otter Classic coverage zeroes in on smarter bag systems, adaptable cockpit parts, and a few thoughtful component updates. Along the way, Neil checks out Old Man Mountain and Robert Axle Project, more 32-inch suspension developments from SR Suntour and KS, and Tout Terrains new Catalina prototype. Watch it here...The post Video: Fresh Finds at Sea Otter 2026 (Part 5) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The young Italian left Ineos Grenadiers rivals in his wake to score the second win of his career

Canada's Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) has created a complete backcountry sleep system that weighs less than 2 kilograms (4.5 pounds). Complete with a sleeping pad, four-season bag, shelter, and backpack, it's an impressively light setup that could function as a bikepacking system. Read on for more on this new sleep kit...The post The MEC 2Kilo Project is a Complete Ultralight System appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

What does it actually take to come back from rock bottom? And what does it mean to push your limits when everything is working against you?Kait Boyle knows that better than almost anyone. Shes a 24-hour World Champion and one of the strongest ultra-endurance mountain bikers in the world. But her path here hasnt been a straight line.In this interview, Kait shares the story of her life-threatening car accident in 2018, what it taught her about identity and resilience, and how shes come back stronger (mentally and physically). We also dig into her recent FKT attempt on the Kokopelli Trail, the mental skills that carry her through the hardest days, what it means to build a sport through Bikepacking Roots, and how any of us can get started with bikepacking.Listen To The InterviewOr Watch On YouTubeKey TakeawaysDont want to listen to the full episode? Here are some of the top takeaways from the interview.Your comeback starts with consistency not perfectionKait spent nearly a year in a wheelchair and on crutches after her 2018 car accident, not knowing if shed ever race again. What brought her back wasnt a perfect training plan, it was showing up consistently, day after day, over six years. Shes now riding faster than ever, and she credits simply staying the course more than any single training breakthrough.You dont need a perfect training block, you need to keep goingFitness compounds over time; small improvements add up to big resultsGear improvements (better bikes, smarter equipment) also contribute to progress in ways we underestimateThe mental skills you build on the bike transfer everywhereKait has mantras taped to her handlebars during racesthe same kind she had taped to her external fixator while recovering in the hospital. The mental tools she developed as an ultra racer (acceptance, commitment, staying present) were the exact tools that got her through her recovery.Learning to accept what you cant control is one of the biggest skills in ultra enduranceWhen things go wrong (and they will), the goal is to accept the situation and commit to whats aheadThe longer the effort, the more things will go wrong; that uncertainty is part of the appealDont tie your identity to what your body can doOne of the biggest gifts of Kaits accident was the realization that her value as a person isnt wrapped up in her athletic performance. Its something professional athletes often dont learn until forced to. For all of us, its worth examining.When Kait couldnt move freely for months, she saw the world through a new lens, one that deepened her gratitude for an able bodyShes learned that being her best self doesnt require limiting how she spends her time; skiing, river trips, dog walks, and dinner with friends are all part of itIntentionality matters more than specializationAdventure = uncertainty Kaits FKT attempt on the Kokopelli Trail this spring was on record pace through the first half, until 100 miles of deep sand slowed everything down. She finished 10 minutes faster than her 2020 time (now the second fastest ever on the course) but didnt break the current record. Her take? You cant have adventure without uncertainty.Control the controllables: pacing, nutrition, gear, mental cuesAccept the rest: weather, conditions, the things you simply cant predictSuccess doesnt always look like the time on the clock; sometimes its showing yourself how far youve comeBikepacking is more accessible than you think. Start small.Kaits first bikepacking trip was the Kokopelli Trail with a 50-liter backpack and no smartphone. She cant recommend that setup, but she can recommend starting with whatever you have on a route you already know.Start with a ride youve already done in a day and break it into an overnighterThe goal of your first trip is to get comfortable with the gear not to cover big milesA loaded bike feels different; give yourself space to figure out your system without adding the stress of a big unknown routeBikepacking Roots has over a dozen free webinars covering everything from safety and navigation to how to load a bike and plan foodBikepacking Roots is fighting for the trails we all loveKait co-founded Bikepacking Roots in 2017 with Kurt Refsnider to give the bikepacking community a seat at the table when decisions are made about public land access. With a growing network of community stewards and an ever-more-urgent advocacy landscape, the work has never mattered more.Bikepacking Roots is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a national stewards program and free educational resourcesTheir work is especially critical right now given current threats to public landsFind routes, webinars, and the Bikepackers Guide at bikepackingroots.org Connect With Kait Instagram:@kait.boyle Website:https://www.imkait.com Substack:https://kaitboyle.substack.com/ Bikepacking Roots:https://bikepackingroots.orgOther Episodes Youll EnjoyBikepacking For Beginners With Laura HeinerA Bikepacking Adventure Thru Pakistan, India, and Nepal With Eliza SampeyLael Wilcox Interview: Biking Around The WorldAbout The HostKristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.Shes also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.Shes been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.IG:@femme_cyclistJoin Kristens Weekly Newsletter!The post From World Champ to Wheelchair and Back With Kait Boyle appeared first on Femme Cyclist.