Given the bicycle had yet to be invented, it's unlikely that Scots poet Robert Burns was thinking of place-to-place record rides when he wrote "The best laid schemes of mice and men", but he may as well have been. 'The most careful plans can go awry' is the sentiment, and record rider Kim Barfoot-Brace experienced this aphorism in motion at the weekend when, apparently against all the odds, she set a new provisional mark for the women's 'Side to Side'. Her 16hr 38min 20sec took 13min 36sec off Marina Bloom's 22-year-old previous best.Run off under the auspices of the Road Records Association (RRA), the Side to Side takes riders across the 'waist' of Britain, from Pembroke in Wales to Great Yarmouth on the Norfolk coast a distance, in theory, of 349 miles by road. Barfoot-Brace, an established time triallist with national age-group honours at both 100 and 12-hour distances, had been thinking about the Side to Side record, which runs close to her Bath home, for three years.When Cycling Weekly caught up with the 45-year-old she was still recovering from the endeavour both mentally and physically. Her support crew, she said, had also suffered a "huge toll". Considerable previous experience with 12-hour time trialling had not prepared any of them for the challenges they would face."As much as you can plan your route and you've got this detailed schedule that you do for the RRA, there are so many things that crop up that you don't plan for," she said. "Within a 12-hour race, you're going round in a circuit. You've got your support crew. You've got loads of other people around. If things go wrong, you can get it fixed really quickly."(Image credit: Kim Barfoot-Brace)On the record ride though, on-the-go fixes became a real mental test. "Not just for me, but my support crew as well, and my husband. He's supported me so many times in the National 12, and he said this was next level. And I could tell that for the three of them, including the timekeeper, it had taken a huge toll," said Barfoot-Brace.The hurdles the team had to face began even before the attempt began, with a road closure early on the route that forced a diversion. But that was the easy part. More difficult to deal with was her bike computer going into meltdown after five hours after she took a wrong turn. The spare bike with her husband's spare computer didn't help either. It had the same problem."I basically had no navigation on my bike computer from Abergavenny," she said. Neither did she have her power, or heart rate in front of her.It meant she had to rely on the crew guiding her through the various cities along the way Cheltenham, Oxford, Cambridge as well as the other, unexpected, road closures they came across.Having crossed into England and navigated Cheltenham with the crew's help, she said, "I just felt so disheartened. I was like, 'What is going on?' I already felt tired then."Eventually her husband saved the day by editing the GPX file on his laptop so it worked, but more computer woes were still to come later, including an accidental switch to indoor mode that saw her bike computer lose all useful parameters, as well as indicate that she had fallen way down on schedule. It was the last straw, she said."Bear in mind that by this point, it was 10 hours in, something like that. So I just lost the plot," says Barfoot-Brace. "I was really confused, and I stopped, and I was crying and crying. I got the crew to stop behind me. And I was like, 'What am I doing? Am I completely wasting my time? I'm going backwards'. "And they were like, 'No, no, it's still possible. It's still possible'," she says. "And while I wasted some time in that panic and talking to them about it, it was kind of good because I was like, 'Right, like, I've had enough technology. I just, I'm not looking at anything.'"There was one more complex and unexpected detour to come, plus, she says, "a bit of a panic attack" after losing the crew on a particularly scary junction of duel carriageways around Cambridge. ("Some of those roads are terrifying," she says). But once through the eastern university city, Great Yarmouth was almost near enough for the aroma of fish and chips to carry on the wind."I just thought, right, I know where I'm going now, that's it, head down. And I just absolutely nailed it the last few hours," says Barfoot-Brace. "I had moments, like, oh god, my saddle sores, and then my feet, and whatever. But I was just so focused. I thought, I cannot not get this record."Despite all the difficult moments, there were good ones, too. There was support from family, from old teammates, and also fellow RRA record breakers Chris Murray, and Lee Williams, who holds the men's Side to Side mark at 14hr 00min 40sec. "Every time I saw them I was in tears," she says.Barfoot-Brace describes the record ride as "against the odds", and very different to the picture she had in her head beforehand of being "blown from one side of the country to the other" on a 23mph average. In the end she averaged just under 21.43mph (34.5kph) for a ride that included an extra seven-and-a-half miles thanks to all the deviations required.Given it didn't go half as smoothly as it could have done, you could forgive Barfoot-Brace for feeling as though there is unfinished business with the Side to Side. Indeed, she says, if she were to make another place-to-place attempt, it would probably be to repeat this one. She feels, she says, a lot of affinity with the course. For now though, after thinking about doing it for three years, she is happy just to have done it."I didn't really think it would happen this year after some of the other things that popped up," she says. "It feels really good actually and I'm sure my family agree that I've got it done, and I'm not going to talk about it anymore."

Good looking glasses that perform well, but lack versatility

Lidl-Trek have recently confirmed the signing of Felix Gall and Gregor Mhlberger, further boosting a mountain block that was already crowded to begin with. It's uncertain how so many leaders would fit together, but reportedly, they may not. Giulio Ciccone is said to be potentially leaving the Germa...

Today, Castelli announced the latest iteration of its iconic Castelli Gabba, alongside newly released Perfetto 4 and Perfetto Pro jackets. Only, the press release kind of reminded me of that horrendous Yorkie advert: not for girls (or, women).The new Gabba Pro sees the brand which supplies kit to the Soudal Quick-Step and AG Insurance-Soudal teams integrate its AirCore tech into the garment that has set the benchmark for wet weather racing apparel since its inception in 2009. This reimagined Gabba promises "complete waterproof coverage" for riding in "torrential rain", alongside the jacket-meets-jersey's legendary breathability and flexible fit, that was challenged by the ban on PFAS-based chemicals used in the original.The Gabba received a divisive redesign in 2024 with the Castelli Gabba R, but the new Gabba Pro looks to take the holy grail of cycling kit back to its roots. The Castelli Gabba R is still available in men's and women's fits on the brand's website, with its unique selling points a combination of weather protection and aerodynamics. Castelli is making its Perfetto 4 which is "designed for everyday riders", in the words of Castellis press release in a womens fit. The Perfetto Pro, designed for cooler conditions, suitable for light showers, and in a race fit, is being released only for men. Castelli's Global Brand Manager Steve Smith notes in the brand's press release: [The Gabba Pro], and the Perfetto Pro, are jackets you want to wear when you need breathability, mobility and a competitive edge, while the Perfetto 4 is everything you loved about our previous Perfettos, but taken to the next level.Its far from the first time a top-level piece of cycling equipment has been made only for the majority market. And, its possible at time of writing, Castelli has not responded to my questions regarding the choice that the expectation is that female racers will be suitably catered for with the 'mens fit jackets, similar to Santinis move to providing unisex jerseys. However, I cant help but feel disappointed in this leading garment seemingly shutting the door on its top-level gear to female customers. It may be that sales figures show fewer female riders gravitate towards the Gabba and its wet-weather credentials. But, there's got to be an argument for a lack of kit availability creating a self-perpetuating cycle.Plus, the Gabba has been available to both genders since 2015, so a walkback feels like another case of reducing women's specific kit in the pursuit of reduced manufacturing cost. Still, if youre the majority, perhaps you just want the tech specs so, here we go.Castelli Gabba Pro(Image credit: Castelli)The Gabba Pro now uses the AirCore tech that Castelli designed in conjunction with Polartec. This move was made necessary by a ban on the use of PFAS-based chemicals. The fabrics aim is to create a "tight membrane that shuts out the elements while still allowing air to permeate it", e.g., providing water and wind resistance without creating that boil in a bag experience no one wants. Castelli says AirCore is "essentially windproof as it lets in a very small, imperceptible amount of air that delivers air permeability of 0.7 cubic feet per minute (CFM)", and "essentially waterproof", due to its "achieving a hydrostatic pressure test score of 5,000mm, which means normal rain would have to fall with 6.25 times more force than it usually does to permeate it."The jacket provides a "close to body" race fit, with short sleeves designed to be paired with arm warmers when required. Its also, interestingly, an online exclusive which may be an unpopular decision with local dealers. Smith states: "All three jackets provide excellent warmth, breathability and protection against intermittent showers but if torrential rain is forecast, wed recommend the Gabba R for complete waterproof coverage."Sizes are available from XS to 3XL and the quoted weight is 196g. RRPs are 260/$320/230.Castelli Perfetto 4(Image credit: Castelli)The Castelli Perfetto 4 is designed for "everyday riders", it offers a "tailored" performance fit thats not as close as a race fit. Despite the everyday remit, it is still the jacket the Soudal Quick-Step team have been using over the last season. The Perfetto 4 is suited to "cool conditions" between 4-12C / 39/53F "with a possibility of light showers".Taping at the shoulders, previously silver, has been swapped out for a transparent "chameleon tape", reportedly creating a "revitalized look and feel".Sizes for men range from XS to 34XL, women's sizes from XS to XL, with weights a claimed 286g and 239g respectivey. The RRP is 260/$330/280. Castelli Perfetto Pro(Image credit: Castelli )Finally, the Perfetto Pro mirros the Perfetto 4 in many ways, but provides protection for cooler conditions, its "sweet spot" a reported 6-14C /42-57F.Here, the transparent shoulder tape was reportedly introduced to "reinforce the shoulder seams for targeted rain protection without added bulk". The floating pocket and splash tail construction created for the Gabba R have made their way to this garment, too. The fit is 'race' tailored, with the men's only option available from XS to 3XL and weighing a reported 226g, prices are 280/$350/300.Cycling Weekly will call in some kit to put to the test. We'll update this story if Castelli provides more information about the male only approach in two of the three jackets.

Wout Van Aert is one of the biggest wildcards for the 2026 World Championships. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider is not in peak form as usual as some of his rivals, but has shown to be growing into it during the Vuelta a Espaa. Within Visma, there is the belief that he may bring out his best thi...

Last September, Castelli announced a new revolutionary fabric that was said to tick every box for performance while being free of PFAs-based chemicals.Developed in collaboration with Polartec, the fabric that is made from recycled polyester yarns debuted on the Castelli Perfetto 3 jacket. It replaced the Gore-Tex Infinium fabric that contained the forever chemicals, which dont break down naturally.Now, Castelli has updated the Perfetto, following consumer feedback, and brought the Aircore fabric to its Gabba jacket.New Castelli Perfetto 4 and Pro The Castelli Perfetto 4 jacket uses a heavier version of the Aircore fabric. Castelli Castelli says it designed the new Perfetto 4 from scratch to be the benchmark for all-condition performance.The cycling jacket continues to use the highly breathable, windproof and water repellent Aircore fabric. However, Castellis global manager Steve Smith says the company increased the fabrics weight from 150g per square metre.Were incredibly proud of the Perfetto RoS 3; it truly is a groundbreaking jacket that raised the bar for all-condition performance. The feedback we kept on hearing from customers, though, was that it was lighter weight than previous Perfettos, and that they wanted more warmth, Smith says.Thats why, with the Perfetto 4, weve listened to that feedback and introduced a new 219g Aircore fabric to this jacket which has more loft and provides added insulation.This means while the Perfetto 3 had a recommended temperature range of 414C, the Perfetto 4 has a recommended range of 412C.If you were a fan of the previous, lighter Perfetto, Castelli has also announced the Perfetto Pro. This version of the jacket is described as a sleek, minimal race piece and uses a 150g Aircore fabric for temperatures from 614C. The Perfetto Pro is a sleek, minimal race piece. The jackets have metal drainage holes, in homage to the original Gabba. Castelli Both the Perfetto 4 and Pro keep the jackets recognisable shoulder tape, but this is now made from a transparent material.They also have metal drainage holes in the rear pockets, which is a reference to the very first Gabba jacket, which spurred Castellis range of wet-weather cycling kit.The Castelli Perfetto 4 costs 280 / $330 / 260 and the Perfetto Pro costs 300 / $350 / 280.Castelli Gabba Pro The Castelli Gabba Pro is a short-sleeve version of the Perfetto Pro. Castelli Although the Perfetto dropped Gore-Tex Infinium last September, Castelli removed it from the Gabba back in 2024. Instead of Gore-Tex, the Gabba R used a fabric with a Japanese-made membrane and a hydrophobic treatment.But now Castelli has released the Gabba Pro, a new version of the jacket, which uses Aircore.Castelli says: The jacket takes the same technology, 150g fabric and close-to-body fit thats been applied to the Perfetto Pro jersey and makes it available in a short-sleeved option.Smith says: Its always an exciting moment introducing a new Gabba into the range as its a jacket that revolutionised the cycling apparel market in the same way Aircore transformed how modern cyclists dress for colder conditions.This, and the Perfetto Pro, are jackets you want to wear when you need breathability, mobility and a competitive edge." The new jackets have two-way zips for ventilation. Castelli When Aircore was revealed, Castelli said the fabrics focus on breathability was partly a result of cyclists spending less time riding in the rain due to the increase in indoor cycling, and climate change.But Smith says that if torrential rain is forecast for your ride, Castelli would recommend the Gabba R for complete waterproof coverage.The Gabba Pro costs 230 / $320 / 260. You may like: Santini's creative director says cycling clothing has "got a little bit lost" but its jersey of the future could be an antidote

UK cycling retailer Sigma Sports has returned to profit following three years of losses amounting to 8m. The London-based business posted a pre-tax profit of 171,268 in its latest accounts, which were published on Companies House last week and cover the year to 31 December 2025. The results follow three years in the red, with pre-tax losses of over 1m in 2024, 3m in 2023 and 4m in 2022. On publishing the deep losses of 2022, Sigma Sports chief financial officer Oliver Lawson cited the cost-of-living crisis, rising interest rates, and the global economic impact of Russias invasion of Ukraine, all of which contributed to a decline in consumer confidence. The companys latest accounts point to a recovery in the industry, which lulled after the boom in popularity during the Covid pandemic. 2025 was a positive year for Sigma Sports, with the business maintaining its position as the leading premium retailer in the sector, Lawson wrote in the accounts published last week. Growth was driven by both online and physical retail channels, reinforcing the importance of an omnichannel approach.Sigma Sports, whose original store was founded in Hampton Wick, London, in 1992, expanded its high street presence in 2025 by opening its third store, this time in Letchworth Garden City, just north of the capital. The opening exceeded expectations, Lawson wrote, generating revenues of 2m from April to December, and encouraging the directors to open a fourth store in Wilmslow, in the north west of England, earlier this year. The company also grew its head count in 2025, up from 106 full-time employees to 128. Sigma Sports most profitable years came during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when demand for sports equipment ballooned. Across the two years, the company posted pre-tax profits of more than 14m, but experienced difficulty in the subsequent years, like many retailers in the UK, as the cost-of-living crisis deepened. In late 2023, one of Sigma Sports main competitors in the UK market, Wiggle Chain Reaction Cycles, entered administration. Sigma Sports went on to experience an acceleration of performance following Wiggle's demise, and gained market share, Lawson notes in the 2024 accounts. The businesss latest results give no indication of performance in 2026. Sigma Sports relies on the UK market for 97% of its trade. Cycling Weekly has heard from other sources in the industry that this year has generally been a positive one for retailers. Data from the Bicycle Association has shown month-on-month growth through the year, and August was one of the highest grossing months, said Mike Rice of Balfes Bikes. I think the cycle industry is returning to a growth mode and its in a healthier position than it has been for years in the post-Covid era.

Set on Canadas remote Canol Trail through the Yukon and Northwest Territories, this time-traveling piece weaves the past and present with memories of the late Iohan Gueorguiev. In it, author Brad Roach shares glimpses of Iohans legend and later retraces a path they once shared to spread some of his ashes. Read it hereThe post Chasing Windrider: Memories of Iohan Gueorguiev appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Not too long ago I gave this bike a tune-up:Which elicited the following comment:I dont know how you do it, but youve managed to take that beautiful Homer frame and build it with the scabbiest collection of parts bin detritus that it is so fugly it must be completely theft proof.To be absolutely clear, I am not highlighting this comment because I am any way bothered or offended. On the contrary, I quite enjoy a little good-natured ribbing from a regular reader and commentatoratorand even if it hadnt been good-natured and someone was actually trying to hurt my feelings it would be kind of sad if they succeeded in doing so by saying they didnt like the way my bicycle looked. Calling someones bicycle ugly is a lot different than calling an actual person uglythough Ill try not to dwell too much on the fact that, like dogs, bicycles do tend to resemble their owners, and I suppose I too am often clad in a scabby collection of parts bin detritus.But no, I enjoyed the comment, and Ive certainly acknowledged the fact that the more time a bike spends with me the uglier it gets. In fact, thats exactly why Im highlighting itbecause bicycle appearance and our collective obsession with it is an entertaining subject, and I take pride in what I choose to consider a practical approach to cycling, even if the truth is its probably less about practicality and more about my suffering from some sort of mild cognitive defect when it comes to aesthetics and bicycles. Like, this is me trying my absolute hardest:I mean I think it looks fantastic. In fact, I tried so hard I even managed not to leave a gap behind the brake levers when I wrapped the bars, and that never happens:Also, as far as the fit and the ride and the way all the parts work together, the bike iswell I dont like to use the word perfect, but whenever I circle back to it I immediately enter into a state of deep contentment:But sure, theres still plenty to nitpick, and a true aesthete would have gone much further. They would have used a classier saddle, and a silver crank. Maybe the tape would even match that classy saddle, and theyd finish it with twine. As for me, I cant really make myself care about that stuff enough to pursue it. If I already have a part and it works Ill go for that first, and if theres a roll of electrical tape handy you can be sure Im using it. My brain is simply not wired for, say, this sort of thing, which I saw on Karl Farbmans Facial Book page:Like, never would it occur to me to get a custom stem so it matched the top of my headset:We asked Rob English to build us a custom stem that allows the front brake cable to enter through the front of the stem, run internally, and exit from the underside directly above the front brake. Besides cleaning everything up considerably, it meant we could eliminate the traditional cable hanger underneath the stem and get the stem lower.We also had Rob build it for a 1 1/8 steerer and used a shim underneath so the outside diameter of the stem would match up much better with the top of the Chris King headset.Its a tiny detail. Its also exactly the kind of detail that can completely change a bike.Oh, sure, Ill read all that, then Ill look at the Farbman of which I am currently custodianand Ill note there are like fifteen different diameters happening:Ill even register that it sort of resembles the neck rings worn in certain parts of the world:[Photo: Steve Evans]But the crucial difference here is that Ill do absolutely nothing about it.And yes, obviously the correct portmanteau for a flat-bar Farbman would be Flarbmanand dont think I havent thought about putting Choco bars on mine:[The Homer, before it met with the ugly stick.]So does my casual disregard for aesthetics coupled with my upright bar flirtation make me an alt cyclist? I turned to an anthropological study of that particular subculture to find out:Well, I certainly have been thoroughly brainwashed by Grant Petersen in many respects:Ask a cyclist about alt-cycling and theyll likely mention all-terrain bikes, plainclothes rides, frame bags, and bikepacking. They may credit former Bridgestone bike designer Grant Petersen, who started the revered Rivendell Bicycle Works (based in Walnut Creek), with popularizing a more laid-back style of riding less about speed than comfort and camaraderie and the bikes that accommodate it. Devotees invoke athletic and financial approachability and an anti-tech nostalgia.Though Ive never ridden from San Francisco to Los Angeles whilst free-bleeding:This loose ethos has spawned a media ecosystem that includes magazines, zines, and the Path Less Pedaled(opens in new tab) YouTube channel, which represents a more accessible vision of riding. Marshalls Low Pressure Zine is punk Groves recalls reading a womans first-person account of riding her bike from San Francisco to L.A. while free-bleeding on her seat the whole time.If youre unfamiliar with free-bleeding, its the brakeless fixed-gear of menstruating.The real question is was she using a Brooks, and if so was it covered?On one hand, this seems counter to what free-bleeding is all about (at least according to my five seconds of research), but on the other youd probably cover your Brooks if it rains so whats the difference, really?And yes, given my genderway I probably shouldnt be opining on the ethos of free-bleeding, but let the record reflect that I was a menstrual cup influencer before it was cool:Even so, I dont think I qualify as an alt cyclist, because theres no way Im cool enough:As we descended back toward the bridge, I considered the implications. If the concept of a fred exists in alt-cycling, is it really more welcoming than conventional cycling? Or does it just have a different set of ways to be cool and corresponding ways to kook it? I never thought Leibow and his friends were judging me they were really nice when I apologized for lagging on the climbs but I felt lost, disoriented.At best I exist in some profoundly uncool and nebulous region somewhere between Fred-dom, Alt-Cycledom, and Lone Wolf-dom.And Im perfectly content here all by myself.I mean Ive got multiple Rivendae and a Farbman, how could I not be?