This week in e-bikes: Andy Burnham wants action against illegal e-bikes and conversion kits; Pashley and J. Laverack add motors to their bikes; Vanmoof users get in-app navigation

Arnaud de Lie is one of the most talented classics riders in the peloton, but a rider who often suffers from inconsistencies, injuries and illnesses. The latter, specially, hampered him in 2026 - a year where he's struggled deeply, and is looking to put it behind him. In 2024, De Lie was diagnosed...

The Netcompany-Ineos pro cycling team has announced Pirelli will provide the teams tyres, with its swap from Continental having already begun at the start of November in a three-year deal.Netcompany-Ineos announcement describes Pirelli as the teams new tyre and performance partner and suggests the tyre maker will not only supply the teams tyres from next season, but also co-develop new tyres with it, with the objective of producing increasingly advanced road cycling tyres.Netcompany-Ineos says its decision to change tyre providers from Continental was based on its technical evaluation of the P Zero Race SL-R tyre, which Pirelli launched in March this year and the team's continuing search for marginal gains in performance. Pirelli claims the P Zero Race SL-R is the fastest road bike tyre in the world. Pirelli claimed when it launched the P Zero Race SL-R that its testing showed it was the fastest road tyre in the world, and up to 15 watts faster than the P Zero Race RS, thanks in part to its patented spoiler moulded into the tyres lower sidewall.The older P Zero Race RS also formed part of Netcompany-Ineos' evaluation, with the announcement highlighting its balance of rolling efficiency, grip, protection and predictable cornering behaviour, suggesting this will be the teams preferred tyre for the early-season races. The team will also use the Pirelli P Zero Race RS tyre, which may be more suited to early-season races. Pirelli Commenting on the partnership, Geraint Thomas, now director of racing at Netcompany-Ineos, said: Pirelli bring a huge amount of technical expertise and a real commitment to innovation, so it's exciting to have them working closely with our riders and performance team."It's not just about the equipment we race on, but how we can work together to keep developing, so we're really looking forward to building that relationship and seeing what we can achieve together. Continental isn't short of riders on its tyres, including Tadej Pogaar. Continental had been the teams tyre provider since its founding as Team Sky, back in 2010, so the change is a significant development. Conti is far from short of WorldTour teams riding its tyres, though. It is still tyre provider to eight mens teams, including UAE Team Emirates-XRG, which went the other way, switching from Pirelli to Continental tyres in 2023.

Julian Alaphilippe had another season left on his contract with Tudor Pro Cycling Team when he retired at 34. At a French Cycling Federation tribute in Paris on Thursday, the two-time world champion spoke publicly for the first time since August about why he was happy to walk away. I always wanted...

As a former Category 3 road racer (thats only two down from Category 1!) I should probably know this, but what is a Zone 2 ride, and why would you want to wreck it?Also, as a former Category 3 road racer (thats only three down from PROFESSIONAL!) I knew that S-Works was Specializedsesess (thats an awkward word to make possessive) top-of-the-line race bike, but I had no idea they had wedged another tier in under that called S-Level:The $10,500 S-Level offers the top-of-the-line SRAM Red groupset and integrated cockpit, just like the $14,000 S-Works. But the frameset, wheelset, and saddle differ. The major difference is the frame: the S-Level gets the same carbon-fiber FACT 10r frame as the Expert and Comp. At 822 g for a 56 cm frame, the FACT 10r is 135 g heavier than the FACT 12r used on the S-Works. Despite the weight difference, Specialized says the FACT 10r offers the same stiffness and comfort characteristics as its lighter sibling. Along with the frame, different wheelsets and saddles make the S-Level 500 g heavier than the S-Works. With bottle cages, a Garmin mount, and my preferred Shimano XTR XC PD-M9200 MTB pedals, the S-Level I tested weighed in at 7.98 kg. By way of comparison, my own road bikea Gen 8 Trek Madoneweighs in at 7.71 kg.I had trouble following that, so I fed it through an AI text-to-speech thingy, and this is what I heard:Sounds about right. The S-Level thing is clever though, because first you shock-and-awe customers with the insanely high S-Works price, then you hit them with the merely staggeringly high S-Level price, then you do a little gram-counting three-card monte, and magically it becomes a bargain.But what really sets this bike apart from previous iterations of the Tramac is the Win Fin, and hold on to your chamois because its a real game-changer!But the most visually striking change is the Win Fin. As the seat tube rises from the bottom bracket, it deviates from the vertical to follow the curve of the wheel as it approaches the seat stays. When riding with just a single water bottle on the downtubecommon in pro races where a full bottle is just a team car awaySpecialized claims Win Fin saves riders half a watt.Half a watt?!?Did I really just read that?I guess this is so middle-aged dudes with empty nests and disposable incomes can get home a fraction of a second faster:There are a few nits to pick. The reach to the brakes in the drops felt excessive on my first couple of rides, and I had to adjust them slightly to brake easily on descents. Also, I would prefer shorter cranks on the Tarmac. The trend among professional riders has been toward shorter cranks because it makes holding an aero position easier and reduces hip and knee flexion. To its credit, Specialized reduced the crank length from 172.5 mm on the 56 cm SL8 to 170 mm on the same-sized SL9, but I run 165 mm cranks on my road bikes and noticed the difference on the S-Level. One demographic that buys expensive road bikes is middle-aged dudes with empty nests and disposable incomes, and they are the ones most likely to appreciate shorter cranks.Hey, wait a minute: if shorter cranks is the trend among professional riders then why are middle-aged dudes with empty nests and disposable incomes the ones most likely to appreciate it?Oh, wait, I think I know the answer: because they want to copy the pros, right? By the way, Im not impugning MADWENADI (thats middle-aged dudes with empty nests and disposable incomes) in any way. In fact, I very much aspire to be a member of that demographic, and Ive already achieved one (1) out of the three (3) qualifiers. (I expect to hit the second and third when my kids move out, get rich, and start supporting me.) So if you want to ride around on a $10,500 S-Level then you absolutely should, because by golly youve earned iteven though the S-Level really isnt as good as the S-Works, the reviewers rationalization notwithstanding, which I feel compelled to mention because Im bitter and spiteful and I know that it will constantly prey on the middle-aged S-Level riders mind.[The prompt was A middle-aged Specialized S-Level rider trying to convince his skeptical road riding buddies that his bike is just as good as an S-Works.]Sure, you can keep telling yourself its just as good as the S-Works, but deep down you know that if youd only spent the extra $3,500 youd have saved 135 grams.Also, as a middle-aged dude with empty nest and disposable income, I too ride around on way more bike than I need, and I too emulate the proseven if theyre the pros of 25 years ago:Though as a middle-aged dude with empty nest and disposable income I do gain a lot more from the triple than I would from a Win Fin.Speaking of getting old, I was watching one of Terry Barentsens latest videos, and say what you will about urban fixed-gear riding but at least the bikes remain as simple as ever:I mean sure, theres plenty of accessorizing, but the riders tend to reserve it for their own bodies:[When the alt bike is you.]However it all serves a practical purpose. For example, the lip ring is so his moustache doesnt fall off:Fixed-gear videography has also come a long way since the aughts:You may remember this as the one where they ride haplessly around the city and touch buses for some reason:It was truly the Citizen Kane of bus-touching movies:Mama mia, so much bus-touching!Nobody knows where this rider is now, but some say that shortly after the film he spent time in prison after being caught at a bus depot with his pants around his ankles.Hey, AI says its a thing:Mechanophilia was poorly understood in those days, but acceptance is increasing, and one day they may finally be able to marry the bus of their choice.Meanwhile, other members of the cast simply vanished, or else went on to fabricate completely new identities for themselves:Which is completely understandable when you took part in a movie in which the highlight was terrorizing a street fair as they were breaking it down:[Fixie bro shredding under a chuppah]Of course I didnt participate in any of that, because I was too busy trying to make urban cyclocross happen:Let the record reflect that when New York was in the grip of Fixie Insanity I was riding around on a bike with full fenders and cantilever brakes.Okay, and a Fixie, but at least it was grotesquely practicaland also had cantilever brakes:Yet despite my urban cycling bona fides youre all upset with me because I commuted on an e-bike one measly time! And thats fine. But how come nobody got upset when I tested an e-bikefrom Specialized no less?!?Was it because I at least rode a Platypus there?Still, that Specialized media orgy was easily the second-sleaziest thing I did after testing the Rock Shox Flight Attendant:Come to think of it I rode the Platypus to that too:In retrospect my choice of bike was obviously a physical manifestation of my guilty conscience.Still, in my defense, I did show those industry types real mountain biking, Forbidding Trails Behind The Mall-style:In retrospect, I believe both of those tests happened within like a couple of months of each other, and I believe they also represent the last time anyone in the mainstream bike industry reached out to me as though I were a legitimate media outlet.Oh well

Lots of adults never learned to ride a bike. Maybe there wasn't a bike at home, maybe there was nowhere safe to ride, or maybe it just never happened. Whatever the reason, it's never too late, and adults usually learn faster than they expect.How adults learn to rideThe old way was a parent running behind holding the saddle. The way that works far better, for adults and children, is to learn balance first and pedalling second.Balance. With the saddle low enough to put both feet flat on the ground, you scoot along and glide. Once you can glide for a few seconds, the hardest part is done.Steering and stopping. Gentle turns, looking where you want to go, and using the brakes smoothly.Pedalling. Starting from a push-off, getting your feet onto the pedals and keeping going.Confidence. Starting and stopping on demand, riding one-handed for a moment, looking behind you, riding slowly in control.What a first session looks likeSomewhere flat, quiet and off-road, such as a park path or an empty car park. A bike that fits, with the saddle lowered. A helmet, comfortable clothes and flat shoes. No pressure and no audience. Most people are gliding within the first session, and many are pedalling by the end of it.Learning with usWe teach adults and children to ride from scratch, one to one and off-road, from first balance to riding with confidence. Our coaches are British Cycling qualified, DBS checked and insured, and patient. Read more about our skills sessions, or message us to ask about learning to ride.Riding on the roadOnce you can ride confidently, the next step is riding in traffic. We don't cover that, and you don't need to pay for it: Transport for London and most London boroughs fund free cycle training for adults, including one-to-one sessions on local roads. Search your council's website for "cycle training".Tips for getting startedBorrow or hire before you buy. Many boroughs and charities lend bikes.Choose a bike you can stand over comfortably, with the saddle low at first.Practise little and often: 30 minutes, three times a week, beats one long session.Celebrate the small wins. The first glide is a big one.Saddle up.

Guitars and bikes have more in common that you might think, say Scott and Dangerholm

After a bad race, Ben Wiggins can talk it through with his dad, going over what he might have done differently. Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France winner, spoke about those conversations when they shared a stage at Rouleur Live in London on 12 November, less than a month after Team Jayco AlUla...

Online cycling coaching (sometimes called remote coaching) means your coach plans and adjusts your training from a distance, using the data from your rides. You ride where you live. Your coach could be anywhere in the UK. Here's what it should include, and what it looks like with us.A plan built around youYour plan starts with a conversation: your goals, your events, the hours you have and what's gone well or badly before. From there your coach builds the season in phases, from base to race, and writes each week's sessions into an app such as TrainingPeaks, where they sync to your bike computer or smart trainer.The plan should fit your life. If you can ride three times in the week and once at the weekend, that's the plan.Weekly changesThe real value of online coaching is in the changes. A fixed 12-week template can't know you had a cold, a late night or a brilliant ride on Sunday. A coach can. Each week the plan is reviewed against what you actually did and how it felt, then adjusted.Feedback on your sessionsEvery key session gets looked at: did you hit the targets, was the pacing right, did your heart rate drift? You get short, useful feedback, so you understand what each session is doing.Regular contactThis is where coaching services differ most. Ask how often you'll actually speak to your coach. With us, there's a 15-minute 1:1 call every week, plus WhatsApp for quick questions in between.Strength and the other bitsGood coaching covers more than intervals. Expect strength work (see our off-season strength guide), fuelling (try the nutrition calculator), pacing for your events and recovery.What you needA bike and somewhere to ride. A power meter or smart trainer helps, but plenty of riders train well with heart rate, or simply how hard a session feels. Read training by feel, heart rate or power.What it costsOnline coaching in the UK varies a lot in price and in how much contact you get. With us, remote coaching is 140 a month: a personalised plan in TrainingPeaks, adjusted every week, a weekly 1:1 call, feedback on every key session, strength work and WhatsApp support. No setup fee, no minimum term. If you're in London and want time on the bike together too, our Bronze, Silver and Gold plans add in-person sessions. See all prices.Is it for you?Online coaching suits riders with a goal and a busy life: a first race, a time trial PB, a big sportive, a return after time away. If that sounds like you, book a free 30-minute call and we'll talk it through. Not sure you need a coach at all? Start with do I need a cycling coach?Saddle up.

UPDATED November 13, 2026 BY Michael Coo IN Olive Route no comments Nioise: Cycling Italy & FranceIn our previous post on the Olive Route Cycling Tour, we looked at what made the Kalamata section of the Olive Route, from Athens to Milan, special. This time, lets move on to the Nioise section.The olive itself, is native to southeastern France. They are small and dark and have a slightly bitter, earthly flavour. Youve probably enjoyed them in their namesake Nioise salad.So what is it about the Nioise section, an 1180 km route from Milan to Bordeaux, that makes it so unique?The AlpsAs soon the cyclists leave the Italian city of Turin, they begin to climb up into the Alps on the way to the French Olympic city of Grenoble. Surrounded by daunting, snowcapped peaks, the riders will cycle through the Col du Lautaret mountain pass at 2,058 metres above sea level, marvelling at the incredible scenery. The first few days in France are some of the most spectacular of the entire route. In 2025, one rider exclaimed, It felt like you were riding through a Game of Thrones set.Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, LyonOn the 2025 Olive Route, Founder Henry Gold wrote that Today in Lyon, I came upon a huge mural. I had no idea who was on the mural, so I took a picture and decided to look him up. And I learned that it was Paul Bocuse, who Wikipedia calls, the pope of gastronomy. The biennial world chef championship, the Bocuse dOr is named after him. If you love good food, and there is plenty of that in Lyon, you will appreciate that Paul Bocuse held a 3-star Michelin Guide rating for 55 years!One of the most popular things to do when you are in the city is to visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. Marketed by Lyons tourist board as the culinary treasure in the heart of Lyon, a name that resonates like a gourmet melody in the ears of food lovers around the world. Nestled in the heart of Lyon, this iconic indoor market is much more than just a place to sell food products; it is a true temple dedicated to gastronomy. And so, I entered and had my lunch.Clermont-FerrandSituated in the beautiful Massif Central region of France, Clermont-Ferrand is one of the countrys oldest cities, has a vibrant student population and is surrounded by extinct volcanoes. Riders should be sure to visit the the 13th-century Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-lAssomption, built from black volcanic lava. It is also home to the fascinating LAventure Michelin, where they will learn that, amongst its many other accomplishments, the company was responsible for the invention of the detachable bicycle tire in 1891.WineAs the section comes to a close, the cyclists will have the opportunity to sample some very fine wines, like a classic Bordeaux blend which combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Cycling through the endless vineyards approaching Bordeaux, riders will note that merlot is the most widely planted varietal (despite the movie Sideways!) and are more than likely to make a stop at at a chateau or two for a guided tour and a relaxed tasting.RELATEDTOUROlive Route The Olive. The food most closely associated with Western European civilization. Olive oil. One of the most important ingredients in European cuisine... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Nioise: Cycling Italy & France" Cancel reply