After Tadej Pogacar's thunderous victory at the recent Giro d'Italia, some of those who'll be the UAE Team Emirates' leader's key teammates at the upcoming Tour de France are set to test their legs at the 2024 Critrium du Dauphin.Leading the line for UAE Team Emirates at the pre-Tour de France war...

This week's Reader's Rig comes from Jorrit Spoelstra of Munro Wheels in Berlin, who offers an in-depth look at his lovingly built prototype titanium Stridsland Beachcomber. Meet Jorrit and read the story of his journey through the cycling world and how he ended up with this unique do-it-all bike here...The post Readers Rig: Jorrits Titanium Stridsland Beachcomber appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Mechanic and dream builder Glen Whittington lifts the lid on the best bang for buck ways to spend your cash

CyclistIn the Drops: Oakley glasses, Maap kit, Chrome pannier, Alan Murchison cookbook, Demon CopperheadIts almost here, the Tour de France! But wait, not yet. Because if there is the Tour there must be the Dauphin first, the warm-up act that will tell you precisely who will win the Tour (well, its sometimes right). And here is our brilliant Critrium du Dauphin guide, by Ewan, telling you all you need to know about the route, where to watch it and why it matters. But the racing doesnt stop there, as we look ahead to the womens Tour of Britain 2024, including a rundown of where to watch, and theres also one of my favourite photo galleries of all time for the opening shot alone from the Giro dItalia 2024, taken by pro snapper Chris Auld. Then bikes, because we love bikes, and I think I may have just found my new window-nose-pressing favourite, the Enve Fray. It looks like a wicked bike, all-road is the fashion of the time, halfway between the road Enve Melee and the gravel Enve Mog, which I reviewed a few months ago in Cyclist magazine and loved (subscribe here, its as if cyclist.co.uk got painted out by Renaissance Masters then written up by a room full of Shakespeares infinitely typing on monkeys).Then finally, the Cyclist Magazine Podcast, my biased pick of the week (Will and I host it). Our hot-off-the-mic episode 106 features British gravel champ Danni Shrosbree, who finished fourth in the womens Unbound Gravel 2023, fourth at Traka 2024 in Girona, and this weekend hopes to go even better at Unbound Gravel 2024. Tune in for tales of mud-scraping, mechanicals and race-wrecking storms.So thats the week and here comes the weekend, which can only mean one thing: time for In the Drops. Related Posts Canyon Aeroad vs Ultimate vs Endurace: The best Canyon road bike in 2024 10 essential foods for cyclists In The Drops: Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres, Fjllrven Specialized backpack, Rudy Project sunglasses and The Swimmer (1968) film The 13 (+1) best books about cycling Mens Tour de France 2024 route announced: What will riders face on the road from Florence to Nice? Oakley Sphaera sunglassesOakleys back at it again with its new Sphaera sunnies, which are a kind of one-style-fits-all pair of sunglasses in that theyve been designed not just for cycling, gravel and mountain biking but also running, track and field, rowing, golf, sailing, possibly even fencing. Point being they are super lightweight this pair weighs a mere 34g have the widest field of vision Oakley thinks possible and come in a host of Prizm lens choices designed to augment vision for specific sports. For example, the Prizm lens boosts the contrast around greys for road cycling and around greens and browns for off-road riding, to better help riders pick out detail at speed. The Sphaeras will be ubiquitous at this summers Olympics in Paris, not least as Oakley personally sent some 3,000 pairs out to competing athletes, whether Oakley-sponsored or not. I, for one, would appreciate it if either Shreddies, Pip n Nut peanut butter or H&Ms white T-shirt department did the same for cycling journalists, sponsored or not. But until such time, all I can say is the Sphaeras deliver on their promise to be forgettable on your face, sitting lightly and unobtrusively, and gripping superbly thanks to a ribbed version of Oakleys patented Unobtainium silicone grippers running the full length of the arms, which is said to get grippier when sweating.The overall effect and comfort reminds me of Oakley Radars from back in the day. Like the Radars, the Sphaeras arent in the absolutely massive lens category like so may cycling sunglasses these days, meaning you can wear them without a helmet and not look like Robocop went to the beach.Chrome Industries Holman pannier bagThis is a 15-litre pannier guaranteed for life, which sounds about Chrome. That is to say expensive but very well made, which it is. Its got the classic pannier hallmarks, roll top closure and universal fit, with the latter coming in the form of two Velcro straps and a third clipped tether, which fit basically any pannier rack out there, with struts up to 2 in diameter. Inside is a padded laptop/organiser sleeve, a nice addition given it often ends up being impossible to find anything in traditional pannier, aka a bottomless black sack of my crap. Theres also a clip-on shoulder strap for taking the Holman with you and to side pockets for water bottles and extra securing straps. The Holman pannier is bulletproof (albeit its water-resistant, not waterproof), but I do have two gripes. First, Id prefer the closures to be the snap-on clasp kind as opposed to velcro and fabric, its a quicker on/off design and long-term more reliable, Id wager. Velcro just gets cruddy over time and stops sticking so well, which isnt the best thing for such critical, repeatedly used straps. Second, I like the way the bag has structure but is still somewhat pliable, meaning it can be carried comfortably on its shoulder strap (unlike many panniers that have a hard plastic back). But because of this I feel Chrome has missed a trick by not incorporating rucksack straps to turn the Holman into a backpack off the bike.All in, though, the Chrome Holman is a mighty solid pannier with some useful extra features not found elsewhere.Maap Team Bib Evo Cargo bib shorts and Evade Pro 2.0 jersey Mike MassaroIve long been a fan of Maaps Team bibs (three iterations on my bum and counting), and this latest incarnation keeps its end up. The Evo Cargo bib shorts are very comfortable, stretchy but compressive with a pad just the ride side of thin, so as to be cosseting but not bulky. However, now Maap has gone one better by adding cargo pockets to either thigh. Its not exactly rocket science, sticking pockets to your best bibs, but hey, it works and yet so few brands do it for road gear. And why does it work? Mike MassaroEver been on a ride where you want to keep taking pics on your phone? Put it in your pocket. Ever sat on your turbo in just bibs with no-where to put your phone? Put it in your pocket. Ever wanted to stash an extra gel, or all the wrappers from the gels youve eaten? You get the idea. Pockets are useful. For what, depends on you, but theres a reason we invented them. Mike MassaroRounding off the bibs upstairs is the Evade Pro 2.0 jersey, made from Bluesign-approved fabric, like the bibs. Bluesign is an independent body whose mark means a garment is produced in a resource-saving way, ie, it goes a long way to designating this Maap kit as sustainable. That fabric does a lovely job of being stretchy, lightweight and breathable all the things I look for in a summer jersey. As such Id definitely save the Evade 2.0 jersey for warmer days Maap recommends anything from 18-35C and were told those days are coming.The Cycling Chef On the Go cookbook, by Alan MurchisonThe self-styled Performance Chef is back with his third recipe book expressly aimed at cyclists. And if you wonder what gives Alan Murchison the audacity to think he can write cookbooks for riders, Murchison is a former Michelin-starred chef, top-level rider and chef-cum-food coach for all manner of pro riders, including Team GB and Alex Dowsett. The Cycling Chef On the Go (published by Bloomsbury) focusses on portable food for cyclists; that is, food for the jersey pocket, the car, the train, the hotel room without a fridge or the quick what can I eat right now Im broken rider. Its sports-science based recipes but done by a Michelin chef, so think healthy, endurance-focussed ingredients brought together with finesse but without being finnicky. On the Go is also filled with general nutrition tips and some lovely old black and white race pictures, rounding out this easy to engage with, easy to cook from and highly readable cookbook. Oh, an if you fancy it, we had Alan on episode 70 of the Cyclist Magazine Podcast, and its good one, check it out (thats a browser link but CMP is also on Spotify, Apple and all the usual places). Ad featureViViTO is the natural home for clubs with built in club management tools, rides, challenges and more.ViViTO takes the pain out of the administration of the club, makes it easy to arrange club rides with ride leaders, club challenges and multi-dimensional leader boards by week, month and YTD. ViViTO is available as a web app or on Android &iOS.FIND OUT MOREAd feature endsWhat were doing this week: Reading Demon Copperhead Another book, soz. Only Im not, because I promise promise promise you, Demon Coppperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is amazing. Its basically Charles Dickens David Copperfield, set in the Appalachian Mountains (where Dolly Parton is from) and set to a backdrop of Big Pharma getting the US hooked on pain-killing opioids like oxycontin. What follows is beautifully written, achingly sad tale as Demon tries to navigate death, addiction, foster homes, meth labs, high school and the pressures of being a second-class citizen in America. As you can see Im not a literary critic, but Demon Copperhead won the Pulitzer Prize last year so it must be good. Plus I am the worlds slowest reader and this is a tome (like 548 pages or something), but I whizzed through it because its just that good. Charlie would be proud. Related Posts Canyon Aeroad vs Ultimate vs Endurace: The best Canyon road bike in 2024 10 essential foods for cyclists In The Drops: Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres, Fjllrven Specialized backpack, Rudy Project sunglasses and The Swimmer (1968) film The 13 (+1) best books about cycling Mens Tour de France 2024 route announced: What will riders face on the road from Florence to Nice? The post In the Drops: Oakley glasses, Maap kit, Chrome pannier, Alan Murchison cookbook, Demon Copperhead appeared first on Cyclist.

Arnaud Demare was supposed to be leading the charge forArka - B&B Hotels at the upcoming race this weekend. Sadly for the experienced French sprinter, he will no longer be able to take part due to injury."An X-ray check carried out on Arnaud Demare has shown that a fracture in the fifth finger of...

Hudski is still a fairly young company in the world of bikes, but their category-defying Doggler left a lasting impression since my last ride at Camp Strava. The Doggler is about having fun on a bike first, and doesnt worry about fitting into a specific category of bike design. It looks like Hudski is taking that ethos to the next level with their new Dualist that was teased back at Sea Otter. Compared to the Doggler, the bike has a number of updates mainly to increase tire clearance and add SRAM UDH capability. Now running Boost 148mm rear spacing, the frame has a two-piece forged BB thats welded down the middle to allow for bigger tire clearance. The rear axle also has two positions, one at 435mm and the other at 450mm chainstay lengths ( a feat while maintaining UDH compatibility). Depending on the setting, you can run up to 29 x 2.5 tires out back, or a chunky 27.5 x 2.8. Up front, the carbon fork also has two axle positions with 44 or 54mm fork offset. Otherwise, the Dualist looks fairly similar to the Doggler, and will continue to challenge perceptions about what a gravel or mountain bike could/should be. Were told that the Dualist will officially be launched in June with delivery expected in July. Dont care about bigger tire clearance or UDH? Today is the last day of a big sale on the Hudski Doggler, with complete bike prices as low as $1,120!hudskibikes.comThe post Hudski Teases New Dualist Do-It-All Bike with Increased Tire Clearance appeared first on Bikerumor.

CyclistMeet the maker: Driss Boucif of Boucif Custom BikesDriss Boucif is a man who lives and breathes bikes. When hes not riding them hes scouring scrap heaps for his next frame to upcycle. And when hes not busy tinkering away in his workshop-cum-skatepark, you can probably find him pulling wheelies through the streets of Leuven, Belgium, with his band of merry youths.Ah yes, Wheelie Wednesday! Its great weve been doing it for about three or four years. Everybody meets up at the workshop, then we eat something and go riding around the city on our back wheels. If any of the youngsters dont have a bike to ride, they can take one from me. Related Posts Meet the maker: Bryce Gracey of No.22 Bicycle Company Meet the maker: Tore Juncher Jrgensen of Starfish Bicycles Meet the maker: Fabio Putzolu of Ichnu Cycles Usually the first stop is the skate shop to say hi to the guys there, then well head to get some drinks for everyone. Its a real nice thing. A lot of great young kids come along from all different backgrounds its cool to see.Boucif occasionally puts his front wheel on the ground too. In fact, when we catch up over the phone, hes currently part way through a transcontinental bikepacking trip from his native Belgium to Bilbao, Spain.Driss Boucif built this bike for the 2023 Bespoked show, and hosting a stall as part Srams Inclusivity Scholarship gave him access to some top-end components. Patrik Lundin / CyclistIts heavy, but were enjoying it, he laughs. We just reached France, which was our goal for the day. But yeah, it was bad rain and we were all a bit sick too. Still, we made it in the end.Boucifs bike of choice for the trip is naturally one of his own creations. He has been building frames since his teenage years after initially studying to fix mopeds. Now he runs a workshop out of Leuvens first indoor skatepark a vision he helped his friends bring to life using his practical skills. Here Boucif makes all manner of bicycles, but its his recycled step-through frames for which he is best known.I found a technique to rework a classic womens frame, Boucif explains. It involves cutting out the top tube, flipping it and welding it back in.Patrik Lundin / CyclistI started working this way rather than building frames from scratch because I really didnt have another option. Framebuilding isnt accessible for a young chap with no money, and this way it doesnt have to be that expensive. Most of the frames I get either from scrap yards or as donations from my clients. Some of them are a good 40 years old, but being plain-gauge steel they age pretty well. I actually appreciate the simplicity of working this way now. Its functional too, because the whole frame basically works like a giant leaf spring.Hump-backed bikeThe bike pictured is perhaps the most polished version of Boucifs signature upcycled step-through frames. Its one he built specially for Bespoked 2023, where he hosted a stall as part of Srams Inclusivity Scholarship. Its an initiative designed to promote diversity at the event, offering participants the opportunity to display their work and a chance to build their show bikes out with top-end componentry.Patrik Lundin / CyclistWe wanted to do something really special as it was a special opportunity, says Boucif. We had a meeting about parts, and at first I just asked for simple stuff like maybe some friction shifters and a seven-speed, but they were like, No, no, no, were going to kit you out properly. They offered me the rainbow-drip chain too, so obviously I took that.We got all these parts and I was envisioning making a bike for racing through the city. I was thinking nice big slick tyres and stuff like that. We ended up going with 35mm at the front and 40mm at the back. I like to do it this way because generally the back tyre takes more weight, and I think it makes things look a little sharper overall. I also wanted to go with nice narrow bars for zipping through tight city streets and alleys.Patrik Lundin / CyclistThen I got looking for a worthy frame. I ended up using a Ludo theyre the old Belgian frames I really like.Usually I leave the finishing pretty rough, but I wanted to do the parts justice so I took the time to get everything right. I even had one of my skater friends engrave the forks for me, stuff like that. The build itself didnt actually take too long, although I did put a lot of time into the finishing. Oh, apart from disc brake flat mounts they were a pain in the ass.Patrik Lundin / CyclistAt first glance, you might assume the frame is powder-coated, but its actually graffiti paint a nod to Boucifs second love: Im a big fan of graffiti. I dont write myself, but Im a graffiti dealer. Its actually really good paint. I mean, its not like powder coat but it does the job well. It goes on easy and when it scratches its very easy to touch up. Its almost easier to touch it up than to clean it.Fancy a frame for yourself? The good news is Boucif likes to keep his rates affordable. It varies from frame to frame, but generally prices are capped at around 1,000. Obviously it will change over time because of inflation, but most frames I sell now are between 550 and 800, with 1,000 as the upper limit. This article originally appeared in issue 152 of Cyclist magazine. Click here to subscribe Related Posts Meet the maker: Bryce Gracey of No.22 Bicycle Company Meet the maker: Tore Juncher Jrgensen of Starfish Bicycles Meet the maker: Fabio Putzolu of Ichnu Cycles The post Meet the maker: Driss Boucif of Boucif Custom Bikes appeared first on Cyclist.

Many would consider Tadej Pogacar the hot favourite to get the third Maillot Jaune of his career at the upcoming Tour de France. According to the Slovenian's UAE Team Emirates boss Joxean Matxin however, that status remains with Jonas Vingegaard.Whether or not the two-time, back-to-back Tour de Fran...

This weeks Debrief features a new PNW dropper lever, a ride to every national park in the US, ATB panniers, UV shirts, a Canadian Tumbleweed dealer, dreams of the Sonoran Desert, two events to follow live, and more. Find it all hereThe post Friday Debrief: Range Lever, Ornot UV Trail Shirts, Tumbleweed at Dismount, and More appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

As the dust settles on the Giro d'Italia, it's the Tour of Norway that grabs our attention