Pack the essentials and plan a route because the 2024 Restrap Solstice Century Challenge is coming up soon! This year, they're giving riders a little extra time to complete a 100-mile ride in exchange for a free finishers' patch. Learn more and get signed up here...The post Its Nearly Time for the Restrap Solstice Century 2024 appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The brilliant Bruno Armirail has had his heartbroken in a thrilling finale to stage 2 at the Criterium du Dauphine as Frenchman's breakaway escapades were ended with just 200m to go as Magnus Cort Nielsen took the win.Five men got themselves into the day's breakaway.Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R...

The SRAM x BESPOKED Inclusivity Scholarship aims to increase diversity in the world of framebuilding by supporting rising builders from underrepresented communities. Applications for the 2024 program are now open, and four winners will receive full support from SRAM to exhibit at BESPOKED Dresden 2024. Learn more and help spread the word here...The post Announcing the SRAM x BESPOKED Inclusivity Scholarship 2024 appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Desperate chase by the peloton nets the Dane the stage win and yellow jersey at Col de la Loge

A versatile and comfortable e-bike, but very heavy 8/10

CyclistWin a three-night B&B stay and Cafe du Cycliste kit with VisitAberdeenshireCyclisthas teamed up with VisitAberdeenshire to give you a chance to win a three-night stay on a Bed & Breakfast basis, for two people at The Boat Inn, Aboyne in Royal Deeside worth over 600. Not only will you be able to sample the beautiful food and coffee, theres also a large, fortified bike storage area with washing and tool facilities. From The Boat Inn, you can ride through Royal Deeside to theCairngorms National Parkand take on the challenge of the UKs highest pass at theGlenshee ski centre or turn right atBallatertowardsThe Lechtand test yourself on what is recognised as one of the toughest, and most spectacular, road climbs in the country. Plus, Cafe du Cycliste is including a Waterproof Frame Bag and a Waterproof Top Tube Bag worth over 175 to make your pedalling easy.ENTER HERE to win this prize package worth over 775! The legal bit:Open to UK residents only, entries must be received by 23:59 on 7th July 2024.This competition is being sponsored byVisitAberdeenshire. The winner will be selected at random and notified by email by the 17th of July, if you dont respond by the 27th of July your prize will be forfeited and another correct entrant will be drawn at random and contacted. Note we do not sell, rent or share your data with third parties without your consent. Metropolis respects the privacy of every person for whom we have personal data. The group privacy and cookies policy can be viewedhere. Should you consent to being contacted by VisitAberdeenshire you agree your data can be provided to them at which time VisitAberdeenshire will contact you to confirm. Their privacy notice can be viewedhere. Booking subject to availability No cash alternative 48-hour cancellation policy applies Related Posts Why Aberdeenshire is the UKs best secret cycling destination The post Win a three-night B&B stay and Cafe du Cycliste kit with VisitAberdeenshire appeared first on Cyclist.

Stage 2 of the Criterium du Dauphine 2024 saw the first real test of the race for the GC riders. In the end, it was Magnus Cort Nielsen who emerged through the fog and mist at the finish line to take the victory ahead of Primoz Roglic and Matteo Jorgenson.Thus, the Uno-X Mobility rider is the new le...

In April, Tristan Bogaard pedaled a weeklong loop around Spain's empty interior, and he created this understated video documenting his solo experience in the captivating region. Watch his 23-minute video and read some backstory here...The post Solo Bikepacking Spanish Lapland (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

CyclistWhy Aberdeenshire is the UKs best secret cycling destinationForget the tired clich of Scotland as a place of wet weather, midges and inhospitable terrain. Aberdeenshire, in the east of the country, is a secret sanctuary for the road cyclist, with stunning routes, top-notch accommodation for all budgets, easy access by major roads from England or elsewhere in Scotland, and heres the clincher summer temperatures in the mid-20s (yep, its definitely shorts and short-sleeved jersey territory). Add to these attractions the fact that the county has much less traffic than more traditional Scottish visitor destinations, is packed with culture and quality eateries, offers routes for all ages and abilities and has far fewer biting insects than the west coast, and the stage is set for a cycling holiday to remember.Cycling heritage and routes to rememberSpeaking of stages, Aberdeenshire hosted the Grand Depart of the 2022 Tour of Britain, proving that its possible to ride from the city of Aberdeen itself to undulating ski resorts in less than a days ride. As you might expect north of the border, the area is replete with epic climbs, stunning views, rolling countryside and wide, open spaces. Here are just a handful of the climbs to put on your Aberdeenshire bucket listGoing up in the worldAberdeenshire boasts at least 10 cracking ascents, ranging from the short and sharp to the lengthy and attritional. And the best thing about them beyond the satisfaction of cresting their summits is its possible to combine them into a few big days in the saddle. The VisitAberdeenshire website has fully mapped routes for each of the following climbs, as well as details of how to string them together into a handful of long days.GairnshielAt 5.12km and an average gradient of 4.4%, this ascent lies near the village of Ballater, within the Cairngorms National Park. It starts easily enough, has a false summit about a third of the way in, then ramps up again. Our tip: get your breath back after the false summit, then prepare to dig in!CabrachEssentially three climbs in one, this ascent starts near the town of Huntly and covers 9.06km at an average of 2.6%. It might sound easy, but its long!CairnwellJust south of Braemar, this climb is a relentless 3.61km at an average 5.2%. Most of it is around 5%, so theres no respite until you reach the ski centre at Glenshee. Treat yourself to a brew at Tea at the Shee before the descent back to Braemar youll have earned it.Cairn oMountA star of the 2021 Tour of Britain, smashing this climb is a pro-level achievement. Its more than 9km at an average of 9.7%. And theres a sting in its tail, with the gradient ramping up in the final third.SuieJust north of Alford (where there are plenty of places to fuel up), this is a 1.87km battle against an average grade of 9%. The current Strava KOM is 5min 47sec, if youre the kind of rider who likes a challengeThe LechtAn exposed 3.2km climb near Corgarff Castle to the Lecht Ski Centre, the Lecht averages 7.6% and can be a major challenge in less than perfect weather. Put it this way, you dont want anything less than a strong southerly wind itll be on your back all the way up!Causey MounthFancy a smash n grab KOM? This ascent is just 0.78km long at an average gradient of 7.9%, rewarded at the top by spectacular views across the city of Aberdeen. Reckon you can beat the current record of 1min 50sec? Stick it in the big ring and consider it sprint trainingQueens ViewNavigate delightful west-to-east farmland on this more palatable climb near Tarland, with a relatively relaxed average grade of 2.6% over its 4.87km length.The Lords ThroatOK, stop laughing at the back Youll start this punchy climb near the Aberdeenshire town of Alford, but if youre going to hit it hard, wed recommend grabbing some food in the town after, not before. The full gas 1.21km slog at an average of 6.5% is best attempted without a full stomachPennan to New AberdourAs much a mini route as a climb, this 6.02km ride takes you from the coastal village of Pennan, up a 151m climb, before deposited you in New Aberdour via a rapid descent. Our tip? Once finished, reverse the route; repeat until exhausted!Fuel up for adventureAberdeenshire has proper all-day-ride potential in the summer, with the sun rising around 5am and setting at 11pm. In short, youll need plenty of fuel! Thankfully, Aberdeenshire is not short of that there are plenty of top-quality coffee stops and cafes. Here are just a fewRide Coffee House, BanchoryThis is a perfect place to stop mid-ride, or ride out to from the city, being situated on the River Dee, around 35km west of Aberdeen itself. Expect quality cakes, breakfast, lunch and brunch, and plenty of good coffee.Tarmachan Cafe, Crathie (near Balmoral)This delightful cafe in the heart of The Cairngorms, just off the A93, offers drinks, cake, hot pies and more.The Highlanders Bakehouse, CrathieAn artisan cafe and bakery offering not only mouth-watering lunches but also the worlds only pastry designed for jersey pockets the sausage roll! You never see them being handed up to pro riders during races, though, do you? Weird.The Old Post Office, Chapel of Garioch (near Inverurie)Fresh, homemade food in relaxing surroundings, and if you want to bask in the sunshine while you refuel theres even outdoor seating and a lawn.Cycling-focused accommodationAberdeenshires many forms of accommodation are well geared up for cyclists, with the region even providing funding via the North East Adventure Tourism Project to assist providers to instal secure bike storage facilities. One such place to stay is The Boat in Aboyne, Royal Deeside besides fortified bike storage, they have bike washing facilities and tools (as well as great food and fabulous coffee). Whether you plan to stay in the city, the countryside or on the coast, there is an abundance of choice here. OK, youve read what the region has to offer, now whats to stop you booking up after all, you dont even need a passport! The best place to start is at the VisitAberdeenshire website.The post Why Aberdeenshire is the UKs best secret cycling destination appeared first on Cyclist.

Having attacked early on to form the breakaway of the day on stage 2 of the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine, the brilliant Bruno Armirail lasted all he way until the final 200 metres before he finally caught by the remainder of the peloton."It came down to 200 metres, maybe 150! So it's obviously a big d...