Tudor Pro Cycling Team are heading for their first Vuelta a Espaa. They do not have the sounding names such as Julian Alaphilippe, Michael Storer and Marc Hirschi present, but the Swiss team will have a lineup with interesting weapons to chase a stage win throughout the three weeks. The team has h...

Bleeper, an Irish bicycle-share and related services company, is adding 750 new pedal-assisted bicycles to its on-street fleet in Dublin. The new Segway-branded bicycles are distinctive, with smaller-than-standard 20-inch wheels and a low-step frame that allows easy access. They have a battery range of 50km and like all legal e-bikes their motor cuts out assisting at 25km/h. Like the existing Bleeper bikes, the new bicycles are hybrid stationless bicycles but must be locked to public bicycle stands. The company said it will roll out the new bikes throughout August, bringing its shared fleet to 1,500 bicycles. With the doubling of bikes, Bleeper said it has had to expand its maintenance and operations staffing levels to support the move.Bleeper said Payzone, its public bikes sponsor until at least 2027, supports the expansion, and its brand will also appear on the new bicycles. The new pedal-assisted e-bikes will use Pay-As-You-Go pricing, with a 1 unlock fee and a 0.29 per-minute trip fee, with subscription options also available. That is compared to the same unlock fee and a 0.05 per-minute trip fee for their non-electric bicycles. Generally, Bleeper, for both electric and non-electric bikes, has moved to a system where bicycles can only be locked at designated public bicycle stands, with its app detecting whether a bicycle is locked in the correct place. This means that in some suburbs in its operational zone, those parking spaces remain in hub-like clusters, so its best to check before making a trip.Bleeper said that the new bicycles have a series of built-in safety features, including a Reduced Speed mode which automatically slows the bike when a user enters a geo-fenced Slow Zone , although none of these are currently shown on the companys app. Bleeper said: There will also be No-Entry Zones in which the e-bike will stop and lock itself if a user fails to turn around when prompted to do so.Cycling outside their operational zone (pictured below) is not allowed, and the companys app notes that pushing beyond the secondary boundary incurs a 20 fine. IMAGE: Current spread of electric bicycles in Dublin within Bleepers operation zone in Dublin. Hugh Cooney, founder and CEO of Bleeper, said: We have watched e-bikes evolve from a niche mode of transport into a vital part of urban mobility. This expansion of our fleet reflects the incredible appetite Dubliners have shown for cycling and sustainable transport.We invested significant time and effort in identifying the right shared e-bike for Dublin, says Cooney, and I firmly believe this Segway model will be a huge success with our customers, he said in a press release on the new bicycles.Cooney added: Since 2017, we have worked closely with the four Dublin local authorities to help establish the city as a leading example of how a commercially funded bike-sharing service can be successfully delivered. These new e-bikes build on that success and represent the next step in the evolution of bike-sharing in Dublin.

For our readers planning to attend the 2026 MADE bike show in Portland this weekend, wed love to photograph you and your bike! Well be shooting attendee bike portraits on Saturday morning for one hour and hope youll pop by. Find details hereThe post 2026 MADE Bike Show Attendee Bike Portrait Photoshoot appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

When it launched two years ago, Continental DT Swiss & Swiss Side dubbed their Aero 111 road racing tire the worlds fastest. But in an era of ever wider tires being raced on the road to lower rolling resistance, the 26 & 29mm widths of the original were just too skinny. So Conti et al. have scaled up the Aero 11 and its win-cheating little square cutouts to build a 32mm wide aerodynamic road front tire.Continental Aero 111 aerodynamic road tire in 32mm width(All photos/Continental)Just because you run wider tires for enhanced grip and better comfort on rough roads doesnt mean you need to give up incremental aero gains. Now, with the Continental Aero 111 front tire available in a 32mm width, you can combine race-proven aerodynamics with all-day, all-road comfort. The bigger volume Aero 111 32mm features those same 48 patented box cutout dimples in its tread. They generate vortices as the tire spins to smooth airflow over the tire & wheel combo, reducing drag and enhancing sailing effect at all yaw angles.We first spotted the dimpled tire patent back in 2023. Conti developed it as a wheel+tire collaboration with DT Swiss, plus aerodynamics optimized by the windtunnel experts at Swiss Side. By manipulating airflow around the front wheel to delay separation, the unique Aero 111 tread recesses layout achieves optimal efficiency at all yaw angles, significantly reducing drag while amplifying the sailing effect to propel riders forward with less effort. With the addition of the 32mm width, we truly are offering aero performance from every angle. Developing the Aero 111 alongside Swiss Side has allowed us to build a tire like no other, one that performs across even the most demanding conditions. The Aero 111 has already proven the benefits of advanced airflow management but this additional width allows us to bring those same aerodynamic gains and crosswind-taming technologies to the modern road cyclist who refuses to compromise on comfort.-Hannah Ferle, Continental, Road Cycling Product ManagerTech detailsaerodynamic front-only road bike tire with dimpled tread designed with Swiss Sidenow available in700c x 26, 29 & 32mm widthsclaimed weights: 250g in 26mm, 280g in 29mm & 310g in new 32mmBlackChili compound rubberVectran Breaker anti-flat protectionTR tubeless-readyHooked AND Hookless compatiblemade in GermanyContinental Aero 111 tires Pricing, options & availabilityThe new 32mm version of the Continental Aero 111 joins the original 26mm and 29mm widths. All three retail for the same price, $141 / 129, and are available now, only in all-black. Even though a wider version is now available, the Aero 111 is still designed to be a front-specific tire, with limited benefit to riding the dimpled tire in the rear. Continental recommends pairing an Aero 111 front to a rear GP 5000S for everyday racing. Or, a GP 5000 TT for race-day-only use. Either way, with the same size or slightly larger out back for more comfort & grip.Continental-tires.com/bicycle

UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider Kevin Vermaeke thinks that being able to tell his children and grandchildren that he raced alongside Tadej Pogacar makes supporting him in Grand Tours worth the hard work. The American rider has enjoyed multiple opportunities at his new team and is set to take to the st...

The Kegety is Quirk Cycles first production gravel bike. It offers 50mm tire clearance, a 1x-specific design, and is handmade in England from high-quality steel tubing and 3D-printed components. Learn more about the new Quirk Cycles Kegety hereThe post Quirk Cycles Kegety is a London-Made Production Gravel Bike appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

32-inch wheels have been showing up in the gravel world since this past spring. But many of the bikes built around that wheel size have felt like works in progress. Some brands are even using existing frames that are modified to fit bigger wheels. Mosaic Cycles new GT i55 32 takes a different approach.(Photos / Mosaic Cycles)Rather than retrofitting an existing platform, the Colorado-based builder started from scratch with a handmade titanium frame, geometry, and even a purpose-built fork, all developed specifically around the 32-inch wheel format.The basic appeal of a bike with a bigger wheel boils down to how it interacts with the trail/road you ride. Compared to a standard 700c wheel with the same size tire, proponents of the size claim that a 32-inch wheel will hit obstacles like rocks, ruts, and washboard at a shallower angle. This should help carry your momentum across those rough surfaces more efficiently.The 32 Wheel Design ChallengeThe challenge comes when designing the 32 wheeled bike. A larger wheel affects almost every aspect of how a bike is designed. For instance, it will raise the front end, create toe overlap, and stretch the chainstays in ways that make a bike feel slow and cumbersome rather than fast. Mosaics solution to these design challenges involved using 440-445mm chainstays, an offset seat tube, and a 3D-printed titanium yoke for rear wheel and drivetrain clearance. Plus, they used a custom-designed Zero Components fork with a 445mm axle-to-crown height and 60mm offset. Zero Components is Mosaics new component line that is starting with All Road, Gravel, Road, and yes, a 32 gravel fork. More on that in another post. The result is a bike that keeps the larger wheels tucked close to the rider while maintaining standard gravel drivetrain compatibility. And this includes clearance for up to a 46T chainring without requiring a mountain bike crank.Another concern that rears its ugly head when designing a bike with 32 wheels is the fit for smaller riders, where stack height and toe overlap can quickly make a big-wheeled format impractical. Mosaic addressed this through the fork offset, compact rear triangle, and offset seat tube. All these elements work together to broaden the range of rider sizes the 32 wheel platform can accommodate. Since the GT i55 32 is available through Mosaics Made-to-Order program, geometry can also be tailored to each rider rather than relying on a one-size-fits-most approach. Mosaic GT-1 i55 32 Retail & DetailRetail: $8,250Head Tube: IS52Bottom Bracket: T47Fully internal brake routingRider-Specific Custom GeometryChoice of Mosaic standard paint layoutMosaic GT-2 i55 32 Retail & DetailRetail: $5,000Heat Tube: IS52Bottom Bracket: T68Semi-integrated brake routing via Cane Creek HCRRide-Specific Custom GeometryTitanium Ghost FinishWe will be seeing the new GT i55 32 up close and personal at this years MADE Show, as it will debut there. The Mosaic GT i55 32 is available to order now, with a Batch Built option planned for later.MosaicCycles.com

Have you ever fumbled and struggled with remounting a saddle bag after a trail-side repair? Or, while getting ready to do said trail-side repair, had to completely empty it to get to the item you need? I know, first world problems, right? Well, youll suffer no more with Redshift Sports new Quickdraw Saddle Bag.(Photos / Ron Frazelle)The new Quickdraw Saddle Bag is built around solving exactly those types of problems. The bags biggest selling point for me is the magnetic mounting system. Its paired with a single strap that stays attached to your saddle rails.This system lets you detach or reattach the bag with one hand while the other holds your bike. No more unthreading straps or wrestling with buckles on the side of the road.Not Discipline-SpecificThat header was kind of a joke kind of. The bag will work great across road, gravel, mountain, and commuter bikes. And, since it mounts to the saddle rails rather than the seatpost, its fully compatible with dropper posts and suspension seatposts. Dont fret if you ride multiple bikes; a second strap ($19.99 USD) is the ticket. The second strap will let you swap the same bag between your bikes without any fitment or reattachment hassle.The Inside of the Bag is My FavoriteMy typical saddlebag contents: I carry a small pump on the bike.Inside, the bag opens like a suitcase. I actually find this very refreshing. This means your tools and tubes stay where theyre supposed to and dont tumble out when you unzip it. The high-visibility interior lining helps you spot your gear quickly (seriously, every black bag should have a non-black interior). I run mine with a tire plug kit, a multi-tool, an electric inflator, and a chain plier/tire lever tool, and sometimes, an occasional Clif Bar,All cinched up and ready to close upWith my snack inside.And a convenient, dedicated neoprene pocket keeps your multitool or other small items. Keeping things organized and separate is kinda my jam when it comes to bags like this. And this one is well done!The small size weight and, my Ornot saddlebag weight. Although not apples-to-apples, I thought you might like to know. What Size Will Fit What? The biggest difference between the two sizes is the thickness. Youll find that the smaller size is a little too thin for some inner tubes, and other bulky items. The picture above shows the small bag with a Tubolito S Gravel tube rolled up (which RedShift says should fit) you could make it fit rolled up like this, but it wouldnt be ideal. In order to make it fit better, youd have to unroll it and fold it to better fit the shape of the bag. The specifications below are from the Redshift website:Small:Internal Dimensions: 120mm x 80mm x 50mm (.48 Liters)Weight: 106gCapacity: road and narrow tire gravel, specific examples include:700 x 43 TPU tube, electric pump, mini tool, tire levers/tire plug tool700 x 50 TPU tube, mini tool, tire levers29 x 2.4 TPU tube, mini tool, compact tire levers700 x 43 Butyl tube, mini tool, compact tire levers700 x 50 Butyl tube, compact tire leversMedium:Internal Dimensions: 120mm x 80mm x 65mm (.66 Liters)Weight: 114gCapacity: MTB and wider tire gravel, specific examples include:29 x 2.4 TPU tube, mini tool, 2 x CO2, compact tire levers29 x 2.4 TPU tube, mini tool, electric pump700 x 50 Butyl tube, mini tool and tire levers OR 2 x CO2s29 x 2.4 Butyl tube, mini toolMedium size weight without strapFirst ImpressionsZach and I have had these bags for a month or so. And we both agree, its one of our new favorite small saddle bags. Ive used it mostly on my gravel bike, but have run it on my MTB occasionally as well. While on my MTB, the dropper worked like a charm; I dont have the bag loaded down with nonsense, but still, the dropper ran as it normally does.On my gravel bike, it effortlessly stores the few things I would normally shove in a saddlebag. The size of the small bag was a little misleading. It looks really small, but holds a surprizing amount of bike bits. Just to test the limits of the bags storage capacity, I did try to shove some winter gloves in there with my normal gear. I was not successful. Installation, Step 1 Installation, Step 2If overstuffing is a thing you normally do with saddle bags, then the Quickdraw medium size would be better for you. The Quickdraw saddle bag comes in two sizes: small (106g) for road and narrow-tire gravel, and medium (114g) for mountain biking and wider-tire gravel setups.Installation, step 3Magnetic for the WinThe game-changing feature of the Redshift Quicksilver saddle bag is the mounting system. The fact that the strap stays put on your saddle is where the magic happens. The saddle bag itself is very well made and understated in its appearance. It is so easy to attach the bag back under the saddle, and the additional security of the surrounding strap keeps things tight and quiet. I think the micro-engineering that created the rotating rail mounts on the strap is genius. The way they rotate to fit whatever saddle rails youre rocking is really cool, and it makes the strap so easy to use. That rotation is critical due to the differing rail geometries that the bag will encounter. On saddles with longer exposed rails, it will mount to the flat parallel rails along the bottom. On saddles with shorter rails, and/or on seatposts with bulky protrusions (SRAM AXS dropper post batteries, setback posts, etc.), you will have to mount the clips on the vertical, angled sections of the rails. These are usually also angled apart slightly, which means the clips have to angle out as well. Initially, you might find it a bit challenging to get the clips and strap to stay in place on the angled section of the saddle rails, but weve found that after a week or so, the clips develop a bit of memory and it stays in place better to make it a cinch to install or remove the bag. In ConclusionI would recommend this bag system to anyone who rocks a saddle bag on their steed. Its intuitive, unique, and well-crafted. Not to mention its reasonably priced.I would very strongly suggest that you get the extra straps if you have more than one bike that would make swapping a single saddle bag between bikes a 5-second process, instead of a drawn-out ordeal when youre trying to get out the door to ride. Redshift Sports has a reputation for thinking outside the box and designing some really high-quality, innovative, versatile, and unique bike bits. The new Quickdraw Saddlebag system is no different. And for $70, you cant miss.Quickdraw Saddle Bag Retail & DetailRetail: $69.99 (both sizes), $19.99 (extra strap)Weight: 106g and 114gMaterial: abrasion-resistant fabric with reflective elementsDurable weather-proof zipper and constructionBoth saddle bag sizes are backed by a lifetime warranty and a 90-day risk-free trial. So, what are ya waiting for? Get your own, or click the link below for more details.RedShiftSports.com

UPDATED August 18, 2026 BY Michael Coo IN Africa: Ocean to Ocean no comments Cycling ZimbabweOur newest cycling expedition, Africa: Ocean to Ocean, takes riders through seven fascinating Southern African countries. In this post, we take a look at what cyclists can expect on their journey through country number 4, Zimbabwe.BulawayoBulawayo Coat of ArmsThe second largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo is known as the City of Kings. It features very wide streets lined with colourful jacaracanda and red flamboyant trees and some fine examples of colonial architecture. The riders will get a break from the African heat here as it is situated 1350 m above sea level, giving the evenings a nice cool touch. They should be sure not to miss both the fine Natural History Museum and the fascinating Railway Museum.Khami RuinsOn their rest day in Bulawayo, the riders will have the opportunity to visit the 15th century Khami Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 22 kms from the city centre. Built soon after the better known Great Zimbabwe structures, the restored walls reveal intricate and varied patterns of decoration and were the base for terraces upon which huts and other structures were built. It was considered a very spiritual site and was hidden from while settlers until the late 19th centuryMatobo National ParkThe riders will spin south out of Bulawayo and into Matobo National Park, home to one of Africas most distinctive landscapes. The sight of these balancing granite rock formations is truly something unique and a photographers wildest dream. In addition it is home to some incredible Stone Age cave art, being an area continuously inhabited by humans for over 40,000 years. Not enough? There are also significant populations of both black and white rhinos.Cecil Rhodes Grave SiteCecil Rhodes is, to say the least, a very controversial figure in the history of Africa being a vivid symbol of European colonialism. He had a vision of a Cape to Cairo Railway that, although never completed, inspired a trans-continental route that many travellers have largely followed, including our own Tour dAfrique Cycling Expedition. The cyclists will make a lunch stop at his grave site View of the World giving them a unique chance to reflect on his impact on Africa.Limpopo RiverOn the last night in Zimbabwe, the riders will camp on the shores of the Mighty Limpopo River. This legendary waterway was made famous in Rudyard Kiplings tale, The Elephants Child, from his 1902 book, Just So Stories. The river contains many large Nile crocodiles (an important part of Kiplings tale), hippos and the occasional Zambezi shark, a species that can tolerate fresh water and can travel far up the Limpopo.Recommended ReadingHeidi Holland Dinner With MugabeDoris Lessing African Laughter: Four Visits To ZimbabweWilson Katiyo Son Of The SoilSiphiwe Gloria Ndlovu City Of Kings TrilogyTerrance Ranger Voices From The Rocks: Nature, Culture & History In The Matopos Hills Of ZimbabweRecommended ViewingMugabe and the White African (2009) Award winning documentary about Robert Mugabes land policies being challenged in international courts.Dont Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight (2025) The final days of the Rhodesian War through the eyes of an eight year old girl.Neria (1991) Drama about a widows life after she loses her husband.Recommended Listening2 Broke Twimbos (2BT)In Conversation With Trevor (YouTube)The Whitewashing of Zimbabwes Ancient History (BBC)RELATEDTOURAfrica: Ocean to Ocean The original way to cross Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean was the maritime Cape Route past the continents southern tip, a perilous... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Cycling Zimbabwe" Cancel reply

For decades, cycling has measured success much like every other professional sport: bigger broadcasts mean bigger audiences, bigger audiences attract bigger sponsors and, ultimately, a healthier sport.The Tour de France draws millions of television viewers. Paris-Roubaix lines its cobbled sectors with spectators six deep. In track cycling and cyclocross, fans even pay to get through the gates.Gravel has never looked like that.At Unbound, the disciplines biggest race, thousands travel across states (and increasingly continents) to be there. Yet remarkably few come simply to spectate. Most are racing, supporting a friend or family member, working for a brand, volunteering at an aid station or imagining themselves riding the same roads one day should the entry lottery be in their favour. The line between participant and fan is almost impossible to separate.And yet the professional side of gravel is growing quickly. Riders can make a legitimate living from the discipline, marquee events require entry lotteries, and organisers are increasingly looking to invest in livestreams and race coverage.That evolution will be on display again this weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska, at (the unofficial but original) Gravel Worlds. The event will livestream its elite racing as professionals tackle roughly 150 miles of Nebraska gravel. Uniquely, the cameras will continue running till the very last amateur crosses the line, too. Because in many ways, gravel has more in common with a marathon running event than the Tour de France. No one judges the health of a marathon by television ratings. The worlds biggest marathons are successful because hundreds of thousands of people want to take part year after year after year. Broadcasts exist, but participation is the engine.Could the same be true for gravel?For Gravel Worlds co-founder Jason Strohbehn, the hierarchy is clear."The success of gravel revolves around the success of the 99%, not the pros. Our event is fully lifted by the 99%. Because of the 99%, we're able to get sponsors that want to cover the pro race."In road cycling, the professional race is the product, and spectators are the audience. In gravel, the participants are the audience, the customer base and much of the economic engine all at once.Do people really want to watch a 200-mile race live?(Image credit: Dan Hughes / Gravel Worlds)The numbers suggest they do.In 2025, the Life Time Grand Prix generated 3.6 million YouTube views, more than 145,000 event attendees and 25.2 million social media impressions.Livestreams of Unbound, Leadville and Big Sugar averaged almost 200,000 views in their first 96 hours online, while Unbound alone attracted more than 337,000. Peak concurrent viewership across the broadcasts reached 17,242.Those figures may not rival the Tour de France, but they are substantial for a discipline whose professional ecosystem barely existed a few years ago.Gravel Worlds has seen a similar appetite. The event began investing seriously in livestreaming two years ago and, according to Stover, has yet to spend money promoting those broadcasts. Viewers have come largely through riders and followers sharing the streams themselves."Literally people, before the stream starts or as it starts, are sharing it on their social media and [that's how we're] getting views," he says. "For me, that means there are a lot of people very interested, very organically."Last years broadcast reached viewers in 51 countries. South Africa made the events top-ten markets, something Stover suspects has everything to do with South African off-road powerhouse Matt Beers.But while gravels audience may be sizeable, it does not resemble a conventional sports fanbase, and shouldn't be treated as such. Unlike the Tour de France viewers, gravel watchers are past, current or future participants of the event they're watching. (Image credit: Life Time)Julie Dunkle is a good example. The 59-year-old from Encinitas, California, didnt discover gravel by watching it or reading about it. She raced first."I got into gravel through racing and riding first, and the content followed naturally," she says. "Once I started racing in 2023, I wanted to better understand the scene the key athletes, the big events, the tactics so I began consuming more gravel content."Participation changed what watching meant."Being a participant makes the viewing experience more engaging because you understand how hard the courses are, what the terrain feels like, and what the race dynamics actually mean," she says.Her entry point was social media and podcasts rather than television. Today she also watches livestreams of the biggest races and follows particular riders, drawn more to personalities and racing styles than team allegiances."I tend to follow riders with strong personalities or interesting racing styles, not just results."Oregonian Tucker White, 34, followed a similar path. He was introduced to gravel by his father and took part in gravel grinder events long before paying much attention to professional racing.When he did start to consume content, it was the gear side of things that drew him in. "As a tech and product nerd I am always keeping a keen eye to what is going on in the pro racing ranks when it comes to innovation," he says. "Because gravel has historically been significantly less regulated than road, it is always interesting to see how different riders and teams may approach the same event from a different perspective when it comes to bike setup, or how that setup varies by parcours, weather, sponsor obligations, and so on"Now fully sucked into gravel, White says he tries "to watch or follow as many races as I can, the big ones being Lifetime Grand Prix, Gravel Earth Series and gravel world champs. Itll be interesting to see how things continue to change with more race teams investing in gravel."Dunkle and White may be just two individuals, but their paths are strikingly similar. Neither began as a spectator who later decided to try gravel. They rode first. Riding gave them a reason to care about the athletes, tactics, technology and stories surrounding it.The fan emerged from the participant. And both want more coverage.Dunkle would like stronger season-long narratives, better live data, more pre- and post-race analysis and more consistent coverage of the womens field. White wants races that are easier to find and commentators capable of explaining what viewers are seeing.Gravels participatory audience is not an argument against investing in media, but rather, an argument for thinking differently about who that media is for and what they're looking for. (Image credit: Life Times)Gravel Worlds has made accessibility central to its coverage, distributing it free through YouTube and social media. A partnership with the active lifestyle media company Outside also put the race on the cycling website Velo without a paywall, and onto platforms including Roku and Samsung TV.But the most revealing part of its broadcast may have little to do with the professional race at all.Sofia Gibson, the Assistant Lead Promoter and Outreach Coordinator at Gravel Worlds, says one priority when introducing live coverage was making sure it served the rest of the field, too.We really care about the 99% of participants, she says. That is why Gravel Worlds also created a finish-line livestream: friends and family can estimate when their rider will arrive, tune in and watch them cross the line. Thousands do.It is a small detail, but perhaps the clearest illustration of what makes gravel fandom different. The professional race creates stories, heroes and spectacle. But the heart of gravel still sits much deeper in the field.That may be where gravels media opportunity lies: not in building a vast audience of viewers at home, but in serving the participants who already sustain the sport.The Tour de France needs spectators. Gravel needs participants. Increasingly, when it comes to gravel, they can be the same people.