The second annual Golden Horseshoe Race took off this weekend, with about a dozen riders taking on a 1,650-kilometer bikepacking route through Ontarios backcountry. In this report, organizer Theo Verdecchia shares a mid-race update on the riders and how the event is unfolding. Find that and photos from the route here...The post A Mid-Race Update from the 2026 Golden Horseshoe Race appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

For the CRAFTED bike show, Cane Creek commissioned a local artist to hand-paint a dozen Helm MKII Forks. Continuing their Artist Series, these suspension forks arent just static works but moving canvases. Learn more about the unique pieces belowThe post Check out the Hand-Painted Artist Series Helm MKII Forks appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The Spiny 2 is the 2nd generation of Spiny EV Solutions SLs e-bike conversion kit. With updates based on real-world feedback, the Spiny 2 aims to improve upon the performance, compatibility, and user-friendliness of its predecessor. Like similar conversion systems, the Spiny 2 is intended to convert the bicycle you already own into an e-bike. It is designed around broad bicycle compatibility with easy installation and removal as one of its highlighted selling points.Cyclists shouldnt have to choose between the bike they already love and the convenience of electric assistance. We built Spiny 2 to make that choice unnecessary giving riders real electric power when they want it, without turning their bike into a permanent e-bike. -Marco Cocchiarella, co-founder of Spiny.According to the brand, after the initial mounting and sensor setup, the Spiny 2 can be attached to the bike in as little as 3 seconds. The compact friction-drive system can deliver peak output of up to 750W, 35Nm of torque, and up to 90 km of range, and comes in several configurations to meet varying market requirements. It is easily removable and reportedly weighs just 2.2 kg. It launches on Kickstarter today. Lets check it out.Spiny 2 DetailsThe Spiny 2 is an e-bike conversion kit that the brand says can turn any bike into an e-bike in 3 seconds after the initial mounting and sensor setup. The system attaches via a mounting bracket on the bikes frame and delivers assistance with a roller contacting and driving the rear tire. As such, it does not require the replacement of the rear wheel, hub, or any other components.Quick and easy attachment and removal of the Spiny 2 is one of its key features. After the mounting and sensor setup, the Spiny 2 just clicks on and off the mounting bracket, with no power cables to reconnect or motorized wheels to reinstall. The claimed weight of the motor and battery unit is just 2.2 kg (4.9 lbs), making it easy to remove and take with you when your bike is parked.Power SpecsSpiny says this compact little friction-drive system is capable of some impressive power output. For the U.S. market, it is rated at 250W nominal, with peak power output up to 750W for a top pedal-assisted speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). In Canada, peak output is limited to 500W, and the versions for most other markets are rated at 250W, topping out at 25 km/h (15.5 mph).SensorsSpiny says the Spiny 2 uses speed and cadence sensors to monitor rider input. When the system detects pedaling, the motor engages the rear tire in 0.25 seconds, delivering assistance based on the selected PAS level (1 to 5). When pedaling stops, the motor is designed to lift off the tire while coasting.Assist LevelsThe Spiny 2 offers five levels of assistance ranging from light support to a stronger boost for tackling hills or riding at higher speeds. They say that riders can change assistance levels through the Spiny app or an optional Bluetooth remote. On that note, the Spiny app also provides information on battery level, speed, and other metrics.Battery and RangeThe Spiny 2 is powered by a 266Wh battery which provides a claimed assisted range of up to 90 km 956 miles) under ideal test conditions. Of course, that number sounds entirely unrealistic, because it is. Actual range will likely be significantly less than that, and vary based on terrain, road surface conditions, rider weight, assist level, and more.The Spiny 2 is rated IP65 for weather resistance. Additionally, the brand says the interchangeable dual-compound tire-friction pad is engineered to maintain consistent contact between the drive roller and tire in changing riding conditions.CompatibilityThe Spiny folks say the Spiny 2 was designed around broad bicycle compatibility. Since it does not require a specific hub, wheel, or drivetrain standard, it is compatible with most road, city, hybrid, and touring bikes, as well as both rim and disc brakes. The main requirement is adequate clearance for the mounting system between the frame and rear wheel, and they have a downloadable measurement guide so prospective buyers can check before ordering.Additionally, Spiny makes an optional Sport Adapter, which repositions the system to fit on bicycles with tighter frame clearance. Theyve also created a Brompton Adapter to make it compatible with folding bikes.Bikes with rear suspension are not compatible with the Spiny 2. The brand also says that bikes equipped with rear fenders or mudguards may require slight modifications where the motor contacts the tire.Spiny 2 SpecsWeight: 2.2 kg (4.9 lb)Dimensions: 225 200 90 mm (8.9 7.9 3.5 in)U.S. Power: 250W nominal / 750W peakCanada Power: 250W nominal / 500W peakMost Other Markets: 250WMaximum Assisted Speed: 25 km/h (15.5 mph) in most markets; 32 km/h (20 mph) in the U.S. and CanadaMaximum Torque: 35 NmBattery: 266Wh, 25VBattery Life: 800+ charge cyclesRange: Up to 90 km (56 miles) under ideal test conditionsCharging: USB Type-C PD, approximately 04 hoursAssistance Levels: 5Activation Time: Approximately 0.25 secondsConnectivity: Bluetooth Low EnergyWeather Rating: IP65Brake Compatibility: Rim and discWarranty: 12 monthsIn the Box1 Spiny 2 motor and battery unit2 Speed and cadence sensors1 Frame mount/positioner4 Frame adapters1 Allen key2 Wrenches6 Sensor rubber ringsOptional accessories include a Bluetooth Remote Controller, Sport Adapter, Brompton Adapter, Second Bike Kit, Quick Charger, Carrying Bag, Spare Battery Pack, replacement Tire Friction Pad, Anti-Theft Lock, and Mudguard.AvailabilitySpiny 2 will be available via Kickstarter starting today, September 30, 2026. Early backers can reserve the device at a special Super Early Bird price.Worldwide delivery is currently estimated for April 2027, approximately five months after the campaign closes. Final shipping costs will vary by destination.For campaign updates, pricing, and special offers, visit the official campaign page.

The 2026 Arizona Trail Race starts tomorrow morning from the US/Mexico border, with just over 40 riders split between the full 853-mile route and the shorter 300-mile option. In this preview, we look at what's to come, including this year's route and a few riders to watch...The post 2026 Arizona Trail Race Course Preview and Who To Follow appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Demi Vollering produced one of the biggest victories of her career in Montreal, finally becoming elite road world champion after a dramatic finale against Kasia Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini. Back home in the Netherlands, however, the way that triumph was shown on television quickly became a s...

In our latest Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) tutorial, Mireille Kidd shares a step-by-step guide to sewing a handy tool roll for organizing all your bits and bobs, complete with multiple pockets and a simple closure. Find Mireilles how-to and explore our wide-ranging archive of other DIY projects hereThe post Make Your Own Tool Roll appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Starling Cycles in the UK is celebrating 10 years in business with a trip down memory lane, complete with a feature-length video and some of founder Joe McEwan's favorite photos. Watch it here...The post 10 Years of Starling Cycles (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The departure of Remco Evenepoel from Soudal - Quick-Step to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe after seven years of collaboration have left some bitter emotions, but it was perhaps to the best for both parties. Evenepoel finally gets the deserved level of support at the German team backed by Austrian beve...

Our Policy & Design Committee has been hard at work showing up, digging into city projects and budgets, and advocating for better, safer streets across New Orleans. We wanted to share a few updates and some opportunities for you to get involved.Bike Streets Scavenger HuntThank you to everyone who participated in the Bike Streets bike rack scavenger hunt! We believe Bike Streets is an amazing piece of digital infrastructure, and weve seen firsthand how much easier it can make navigating the city by bike. If you havent checked out the map or app yet, we highly encourage you to do so.Bike Streets New Orleans is a grassroots effort that relies on community suggestions to identify quiet streets and protected infrastructure, as well as construction, closures and other disruptions that arent always formally communicated. If youre interested in the methodology behind Bike Streets, you can also check out Avis book.Downtown Bikeway NetworkOne piece of good news is that the City has begun planning a new Downtown Bikeway Network. Well be keeping a close eye on this project and have already provided feedback on the design.Get Involved in the City BudgetThe Citys budget is one of the biggest opportunities we have to advocate for the infrastructure and services we want to see in New Orleans. City Council budget hearings are happening now, and many of the Departments we work with are presenting their plans. The hearings are open to the public, and residents can attend and provide comment. We highly encourage you to do so.This schedule is open to change so click here to check the most up to date infoIf, like us, you find the City budget a little intimidating, there are some great resources to help make sense of it. Here are some handy links:Committee for a Better New Orleans budget guide Budget hearing scheduleStream of initial Budget Presentation from September 22nd. Remember: you can catch previous Livestreams in the City Councils Youtube channel. Committee for Better New Orleans Webinar: Residents Guide to the new Citys Budget Dashboard and other resources that can help you understand where money is going and how to participate.We especially encourage folks interested in biking, walking, transit and infrastructure to pay attention to these conversations. Budgets are statements of priorities, and showing up during the process is one way we can make sure safe, connected transportation is part of that conversation.Other Ways to Weigh InComment on changes to North Broad Street by October 2DOTD is planning to resurface US 90 from Lafitte Avenue to France Road. The project includes some welcome pedestrian improvements, but also changes to the existing bike lane, medians and turning movements. At the recent public meeting, we learned that portions of the existing buffered bike lane will lose buffer space to accommodate vehicle turning movements, while the bike lane itself would remain paint-only. If you bike, walk, live or travel along Broad Street, please take a few minutes to review the proposal and share your thoughts with DOTD.Submit a comment hereComment on the regions Transportation Improvement Program by October 12The Regional Planning Commissions Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lays out transportation projects expected to receive federal funding over the next four years. You dont need to review the entire document. If theres a project, dangerous crossing or missing connection you know well, tell the RPC about it. Wed particularly like to highlight the St. Claude Avenue corridor study and encourage the RPC to prioritize and expedite that work.Review the TIP and commentHelp shape the regions long-term transportation plan by October 12The RPC is also accepting comments on its Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2056, which sets transportation priorities for the Greater New Orleans region over the coming decades. This is a good place to share your broader experience: What would make it easier and safer to walk, bike or take transit to work, school and everyday destinations?Read the plan and commentFederal transportation fundingCongress is working on the next federal transportation bill, and proposals under discussion in the Senate could restrict where federal funding can be used for bike lanes and other bike-safety projects. The League of American Bicyclists is asking people to contact their members of Congress and urge them to preserve federal funding for biking and walking safety projects. It takes about a minute, and adding a couple of sentences about why safe biking infrastructure matters in your community makes the message more personal.Take ActionJoin Us for St. Claude Trash Bash: October 10 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pmAnd finally, wed love to see some of you out on St. Claude with us! For the St. Claude Trash Bash on October 10, Bike Easy has adopted the first block of St. Claude just off Elysian Fields, an area that has experienced ongoing maintenance and cleanliness issues over the years. We want to use this as more than just a cleanup. Well be out there cleaning up the block, talking with neighbors and people using the corridor, and listening to what people have to say about St. Claude. Its also a great opportunity to talk with folks about our Safer St. Claude work and what wed like to see for the corridor in the future. Were looking for volunteers to help us with the cleanup and community engagement. If you can join us, reply to this email and let us know. The St. Claude Trash Bash is part of a broader community-led effort focused on improving the corridor, including safer streets, better infrastructure, lighting, tree canopy and long-term investment.Thank you for continuing to show up, ask questions, file 311 reports, attend meetings and speak up for safer, more connected streets across New Orleans.Policy work is often slow, but having more people paying attention and showing up makes a real difference.We hope to see you out there!Allene La Spina & Adam DavisCo-Chairs, Bike Easy Policy & Design Committee

Europes cycling industry will need 105,000 more cycle mechanics by 2032, on top of a shortage of 45,000 today, in order to meet demand, according to a new report by the NextGen Mechanics (NGM) initiative.The report says that Europe currently employs around 175,000 mechanics. Factoring in recruitment to replace those who are likely to leave the industry, the number of mechanics must grow to around 247,000 in the next six years an increase of roughly 40%.Launched at the European Cycling Industries (ECI) summit in Brussels on 30 September, the report is said to contain the first estimate of demand for cycle mechanics built from the employment data of cycle retailers themselves. It also draws on what mechanics have reported, alongside feedback from employers and retailers.Changing travel Cycling levels have risen across Europe, but 121 million people experience barriers to cycling due to maintenance. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images The NGM initiative was started by Shimano with invited contributions from the wider cycling ecosystem. It aims to help advance cycling mechanic standards and careers.Its new report draws on Shimanos State of the Nation 2026 report, published in February, that surveyed 25,000 people across Europe and paints an urgent picture of the demands facing the maintenance industry.The survey found 212 million people experience barriers to cycling because of maintenance, and that 121 million cycle less because of them. Of the 121 million, Shimano says 65 million people ride much less and 7.6 million have stopped cycling entirely.Age and geography also impact the results. 60% of young people aged 18 to 34 years old are impacted, compared to 40% of those over 40. A greater proportion of people in eastern European countries suffer from barriers to maintenance.Part of this issue is due to an uptick in cycling. NGM says cycling levels have risen across much of Europe. It highlights how Paris has seen cycling volumes double in a year, and London now has more daily cycling journeys than private motor vehicles.Supply and demandNGM says the supply of skilled mechanics has not matched the growth in cycling.When bikes cannot be repaired, people ride less. NextGen Mechanics respondents link mechanic shortages directly to longer waiting times and increased safety risks from poor maintenance. These effects ripple across the transport system. If a vehicle cannot be relied upon, users shift to other modes, and even short disruptions can break cycling habits for months, the report says.The report adds that survey participants warned that riders frustrated by costs and wait times are turning to alternative micromobility transport, such as electric scooters and out of regulation ebikes. Safety concerns also extend to riders using bikes that are no longer roadworthy.Paul Walsh, CEO of ECI, said a bike that cannot be repaired stops being ridden. Europe's capacity to train and retain qualified cycle mechanics is falling behind demand, with an impact felt by both consumers and businesses. This undermines a fast-growing European industry and limits the return regions and cities see on their cycling infrastructure investments, he said.An informal repair market Respondents raised concerns over the fire risk links to poor battery handling. London Fire Brigade NGM highlights that there is a shortage of accredited bike shops across Europe, while there has been a rapid spread of low-cost and poorly regulated ebikes. This has led to an informal repair market.In many cities with high ebike uptake, unregulated garages and mobile mechanics now fill gaps left by overstretched or unavailable workshops. While some provide competent service, others lack access to certified parts, technical data, or appropriate safety training, the report says.NGM adds that evidence suggests more riders are being pushed to these informal repair channels and that respondents raised concerns about the fire risks linked to poor battery handling and electric knowledge.Why is there a shortage of mechanics? The complexity of modern bikes is a contributing factor to the "churn" across the cycle maintenance sector. Russell Burton / Our Media NGM points to a variety of reasons that have led to churn across the sector.72.5% of respondents highlighted low pay or the status of the profession as a reason for the shortage of mechanics.Pay data collected through the NextGen Mechanics survey confirms that cycle mechanics across Europe are underpaid relative to the technical demands of their work. Even in Northern Europe, where job security and benefits tend to be stronger, salaries still sit below the national median for full-time employment, the report says.55% cited the lack of formal qualifications or training and half cited the complexity of modern bikes, including electric bikes and cargo bikes.They also linked the attrition of the workforce to working conditions: physical strain from handling heavy ebikes, lack of ergonomic equipment, pressure to meet unrealistic turnaround times, and limited benefits such as pensions or sick pay.Several noted that even after decades in the trade, they earned less than entry-level roles in unrelated retail or logistics, it adds.There are regional variations behind the cycle mechanic shortage. In Germany, there is still an interest in the profession and there has been an increase in demand, particularly due to the corporate leasing of ebikes. But the expectations around safety and reliability have created a bottleneck in the repair networks.In the Netherlands, employers struggle to attract younger employers because pay has not kept up with living costs, making it difficult to compete with other technical trades.In the UK, shortages are tied to high staff turnover in small shops and the difficulty of replacing experienced mechanics once they leave.NGM also highglights an image problem, with roughly 15% of respondents identifying a lack of professional recognition as the biggest issue holding the sector back.Many point to a cultural gap between the image of a bike shop job and the skill involved in maintaining modern ebikes, hydraulic systems and digital drivetrains, the report says.Growing the workforceSo how can the cycling industry grow its workforce of mechanics by 105,000 in the next six years?NGM says recruitment could target older career-changers, people outside employment who are seeking meaningful and stable work, and those with transferable skills who could retrain quickly.But the report says the same issues that face existing mechanics low pay, limited progression and the increasing technical demands also face potential entrants to the sector. These entrants often have to take informal routes, such as volunteering, to enter the profession.To address this, the report says there should be an identifiable entry process and a basic qualification to become a cycle mechanic that is transferable across Europe. It says the current provision of education and qualifications for cycle mechanics is not sufficient, and the cycling industry should build a sustained, structured relationship with the vocational educational training sector.There should also be a collective strategy for promoting an aspirational approach to the sector, and research conducted into funding streams that are aimed at increasing social mobility, skills shortages or green jobs and could be targeted for cycle mechanics.The report also says the composition of the workforce highlights missed opportunities. While the survey did not directly collect demographic data, qualitative responses consistently indicate that women and younger people are under-represented, it says.Although visibility is improving through community repair hubs and social enterprises, the core professional workforce remains predominantly male and concentrated in the 3050 age group."The report says further research should be commissioned to establish what a more diverse and inclusive mechanic workforce would look like, and to identify the barriers preventing broader participation.A condition of growthNGMs report makes 27 recommendations for the cycling industry across five areas, but it says one issue sits at the heart of the mechanic shortage: the economics of cycle maintenance.Low wages and limited career progression were cited consistently across the evidence base of its report. The skills of mechanics are also said to be frequently undervalued by consumers and fail to generate proportionate revenue.NGM says these factors will have consequences beyond workshops. It says the adoption of new products such as complex ebikes and growth across the cycling sector depend on a locally available, skilled maintenance workforce.It says that without this, the ambitions for cycling growth cant be met: Maintenance capacity is not a downstream concern; it is a condition of growth.NGM concludes: As this report reveals, there is a critical and growing gap between the needs of the cycling industry (and everyday riders) and the service capacity available today. A shortage of bicycle mechanics affects more than just bicycle repairs; it presents a societal challenge that limits local job opportunities, economic growth, and access to active mobility.It adds that the ECI is establishing a dedicated Education Skills Expert Group to address the issues outlined in the report. The group will lead advocacy to establish cycling mechanics as essential technical professionals.