Although they won the Giro d'Italia as the first of their objectives for Tadej Pogacar's potential double, UAE Team Emirates is aware of their status as favorites for a Tour de France that is undeniably the Emirati team's ultimate aspiration this season. Decisions such as the one just taken with Jua...

In this story, Frances Hacker looks back on a moment during the final stretch of the 2023 Colorado Trail Race when they were forced to reckon with a dying battery and the significance of their purple dot on the map. Read about Frances's race experience and how registering for the CTR as a non-binary rider was a monumental decisionThe post A Reflection on Gender and Ultra-Endurance Bikepacking appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

There is still much rending of garments over congestion pricing interruptus, though at this point obviously the big question is, What does Garrison Keillor think about all this?Well, heres what he has to say on the subject of congestion pricing:Its certainly as astute an analysis as Ive seen anywhere.Meanwhile, others are taking the governors suspension of congestion pricing as a call to arms and are encouraging civil disobedience:The time for civil disobedience has come.Though ~75% of Manhattan residents dont drive, they must endure unrelenting costs, arrogance of space and noise from suburban motorists. They are compelled to breath particles from their tires, brakes and tailpipes and bury their kids. https://t.co/xIJmil31fw Bella Chu (@bellachu10) June 6, 2024No doubt Id feel just as strongly if I lived in a place directly affected by this policy such asRedwood City, CA?I note she identifies as a YIMBY. If youre unfamiliar with urbanist slang, heres a little cheat sheet:NIMBY: A pejorative acronym meaning Not In My Backyard, which refers to uptight people who oppose development, street redesigns, etc. and think bike lanes represent the end of civilization. NIMBYs preface every statement by telling you how many years theyve lived in the neighborhood and that they pay taxes.YIMBY: A smug acronym meaning Yes In My Backyard for people who define themselves in direct opposition to NIMBYs and love density and think the entire world should be one giant moderately-sized European city. Ironically, while wanting stuff in their backyards, most YIMBYs hate backyards and think they represent the end of civilization.Basically, these are the main categories, but now that were in the age of social media and there are no residency requirements when it comes to giving your opinion on how others should live their lives I think we need another one:YIYBY: An acronym meaning Yes In Your Backyard for people who live in wealthy low-density areas yet fetishize densely populated urban areas. Theyd totally live in those overpriced urban hellholes too, if only it werent for reasons.Speaking of running afoul of the law, Laurens ten Dam and Thomas Dekker were apparently the victims of rampant and unbridled homophobia prior to Unbound Gravel and spent the night in an Oklahoma jail:Their crime? Spraying each other with water bottles in a gay fashion:Heres a somewhat drier account of this wet-hot story:Okay, so they needed to change their clothes after a training ride but their usual spot blew away in a tornadoa likely story:So instead they just get naked and start pouring water over each other in the parking lot:This lands them in jail for inappropriate behavior in public spaces:Now, Im not a lawyer, but heres a bit of free legal advice: if youre caught naked in a parking lot behind a car door being doused with cold water, dont tell the arresting officers you just wanted to freshen up for the Mexican, unless you want a prostitution charge on top of everything else.And yes, perhaps one day well all be free to frolic and bathe naked in parking lots from coast to coast, but until then, best to just get changed inside the car and use wet wipes.Finally, Earl Blumenauer wants to bring back domestic bike manufacturing:Will Congress pass The Domestic Bicycle Production Act?I dont know, but I read 10-year tariff suspension on component imports as 10-year tariff on suspension component imports and got so excited I had to douse myself with cold water.Fortunately I didnt do it while naked in a parking lot.

A letter from David Meza Community Programs CoordinatorFriendThis year, Bike Easy decided to shift our Bike Month challenge to align with the national effort around Bike Month in May. I first started working with our local monthly challenge when I was invited to join the Bike Easy Challenge Planning Committee in 2017. I first took the helm of this effort in 2020, where lots of hard work and planning had to pivot when the COVID 19 pandemic severely limited our capacity to provide programming.The 2020 Bike Easy April Challenge didnt see the number of participants we had seen previously, but the miles surpassed every year when we had previously held it. In addition, we heard from many people how thankful they were to participate and interact with others through the virtual platform.Each year since, weve seen a decline in interest from sponsors and participants. We made the decision this year to pivot to the National Bike Month effort that the League of American Bicyclists supports. Though it was a tough decision, it seems that we chose a great year for it! Love To Ride just launched their new app, which streamlines recording rides and has a big focus on collecting data to advocate for better biking throughout the country (and of course supporting our efforts in the region)!You can read more about the details for the National Bike Month below in their email copy. Including details about their new app, potential prizes, and why you should help #MakeEveryRideCountJoin our upcoming events!Tuesday, April 30th:Join us for our next installment ofBIKE TALKS, where we will be providing materials and more information about the National Bike MonthMay 1 5th:New Riders Week.Lets celebrate new riders and encourage our friends and neighbors to get on a bike!May 6 12th:Get in Gear Week.One week down and tons of rides to go! Did you notice your bike making weird noises? Not shifting no matter how much you make the shifter click? Follow us for maintenance tips, or visit one of our wonderful local bike shops to get expert help.Tuesday, May 7th, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Commuting by Bike Workshop, join us for a in-depth discussion on howto commute by bike. Well cover best practices for safely and comfortably biking to work and to run errands. If youre considering replacing car trips with bike trips, this is a great place to start!Tuesday, May 7th: Give Nola Day! Support our work to make bicycling easy, safe, and fun for everyone in Greater New Orleans by donating that day, and helping us raise 30,000.00!Wednesday, May 8th: Bike Night at NOLA Motorsports 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This year, proceeds of registration for Bike Nights go to Bike Easy! It is an exceptional experience to ride on the tracks and this event is open to people of all ages and skills. Check it out and support our mission at the same time.May 13 19th:Bike to Work Week.Join the national effort to get more people biking to work! Well have different activations throughout the week as well as tips throughout the week on our social media.Sunday, May 19th:OurRide to Rememberis a unique event in partnership with Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery.Well be honoring the people in our community who lost their lives while biking over this past year, leading leisurely paced rides around the beautiful grounds, and providing safety information and materials. This event is for all ages, and a limited numbers of bikes will be made available. Check out the event page for more information.May 20 26th:Where Ya Ridin Week.Lets talk about some of our favorite rides and destinations around the region! Well share some recommended routes to travel to different neighborhoods and hope youll share some of yours.May 27 31st:Bike to a Better Future Week.In this final short week of the National Bike Month, we want to reflect on the riding our community has done and figure out how to best shape and advocate for the future of bike riding in the region.Wednesday, May 29th: Pee Wees Big Adventure screening at the Broadside 7:00 pm.Bike Easy and the Broadside are partnering for a night of celebrating bikes! There will be FREE Bike Valet, and a discounted rate for people who bike to this screening: You will only have to pay 1.00Wednesday, May 29th: Bike Night at NOLA Motorsports 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This year, proceeds of registration for Bike Nights go to Bike Easy! It is an exceptional experience to ride on the tracks and this event is open to people of all ages and skills. Check it out and support our mission at the same time.- email from LoveToRide about Bike Month -Your rides can help make communities better for bikingDo you want to improve the streets and paths you ride on? Well, now you can!This May, in collaboration with theLeague of American Bicyclists, were encouraging riders everywhere to #MakeEveryRideCount.With the new Rate My Routes feature on the Love to Ride app you can share how safe and comfortable you feel on your bike rides. All feedback is 100% anonymous and can help contribute to better, safer infrastructure decisions.Plus, theres a chance to win a prize!Download the app today!A little more about #MakeEveryRideCountAfter youve been for a bike ride youll be able to open the Rate My Routes feature and paint over sections of your trip with your finger. If you enjoyed a section of the ride, paint it green! Or, if you felt uncomfortable/unsafe on a section of your ride, paint it yellow or red.Your anonymous feedback is combined with that of other riders to help pinpoint which areas of your community are in most need of infrastructure improvements.You could play a big part in your local area becoming safer and more enjoyable for bike riding!Whats the benefit of better bike infrastructure?Good bike infrastructure enables more people to feel safe as they ride, and enjoy all the health, environmental and financial benefits that come with it!More people on bikes can also mean fewer people in cars, which results in:A reduction in air and noise pollutionReduced trafficLess road damageImproved health and wellbeing in the communityAny kind of bike ride can make a difference, whether its to work, school, to the store or for fun.Want to get your co-workers competing in the Bike Month Challenge?Find out abouthow we support companiesto gain all the benefits of getting more employees riding and smiling.#MakeEveryRideCount this May!Happy riding,The Love to Ride teamlovetoride.net/usaDavidMeza, Bike EasyCommunity Programs Coordinator

I read Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" some years ago. As an angsty teenager, I explored the existentialist works of Sartre, Camus, and Nietzsche, trying to make sense of life. I might have pretended to understand these ideas fully at the time. But it was only as I grew older and gained more personal experiences I began recognising these themes in the world around me. In Kundera's novel, I came across the idea of "Einmal ist Keinmal," an old German saying, "Once is never." Kundera writes about the nature of our existence: "The heaviest of burdens crushes us, we sink beneath it, it pins us to the ground... The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become. Conversely, the absolute absence of burden causes man to be lighter than air, to soar into heights, take leave of the earth and his earthly being, and become only half real, his movements as free as they are insignificant. What then shall we choose? Weight or lightness?This idea of weight versus lightness gets me thinking, especially when cycling. If you stare at the road before you for five to six hours, your mind can take you to places, even if you don't want it to. Well, for me, it does. Every pedal stroke reflects this dilemma and makes the concept quite understandable.I am considering ways to incorporate these themes into cycling and training. "Einmal ist Keinmal" is a reminder that every training session has the potential for improvement. Like life's unique moments, every ride offers the opportunity to improve your skills and build endurance. However, progress is not determined solely by individual training sessions. Sometimes, skipping a training session in favour of rest and recovery is part of a larger, more balanced training plan.In the past, I was often told that the sole purpose of entering a race is to win. This belief ingrained a mindset where victory was the only measure of success. Admittedly, failing to win led to intense disappointment. Over time, I've learned that it's foolish to think every race is winnable or that victory is guaranteed. Even if we can't win every race, we can make the most of every racing opportunity by setting specific goals. These could be improving our position in the field, learning to read the race better, or attempting a breakaway. Therefore, every race can bring something to us, even if our form dictates otherwise. By setting smaller, achievable goals, each race contributes to our growth as cyclists. In this way, we can remove the burden of unrealistic expectations and embrace the "Einmail ist Keinmal" as a philosophy to focus on race as an experience and opportunity for growth rather than just the pursuit of victory."Einmal ist Keinmal" can allow racing cyclists to live in the here and now. Instead of worrying about past failures or future uncertainties, focus on the here and now. Give yourself entirely to your training sessions and give it your all on race day, knowing that this moment is unique and irreplaceable. Kundera's novel suggests that we must give meaning to life when it inherently has no meaning. In cycling, that means finding meaning in every pedal stroke, every race and every challenge. It's shaping your own narrative and defining your purpose through personal development, the joy of competition, or the high of the ride itself.

Chamber of Commerce frustrated that central focus of our village will remain in Its current state for the foreseeable future.Funding set aside by Fingal County Council to implement a redesign of Malahides New Street to suit its pedestrianisation will be used to defend a legal challenge to the project and funding from the National Transport Authority is at risk, according to an update given by Malahide Chamber of Commerce to its members.As reported by The Irish Times in April, the case is being taken by Nicola Byrne, a company director who lives on Old Street, Malahide. The businesswoman unsuccessfully ran for the Progressive Democrats.As previously reported, 22 councillors voted for the full redesign of the street, with nine against and another five abstaining.The Malahide Chamber of Commerce update to its members was posted by Save Malahide Village, a group set up to oppose the pedestrianisation.The Malahide Chamber of Commerce update said: The meeting [with Fingal County Council officials] was very positive and there are lot of projects we can collaborate on and we can work together to help our business community and Malahide as a whole.Listed as one of the issues discussed was: New Street Pedestrianisation The Chamber asked FCC what was the situation regarding New Street and what could works be carried out in the short term to improve the current look of the street FCC updated the Chamber that since a judicial review is now in progress regarding the pedestrianisation of New Street, that no or limited works will be able to be carried out on New Street but that new planters had been put on the street.The Chamber said: They noted that due to the judicial review, they had lost the grant secured to develop New Street. In addition, the funds set aside in their budget for the street development would now be spent defending the review. They estimated that the review could take 2-3 years and that during this time. New Street will remain as it currently is. It is unclear if FCC [Fingal County Council] will then secure a new grant should they successfully defend the Judicial review and whether the street will be able to be finished as originally envisaged should works commence.The Chamber expressed frustration that the street which is the central focus of our village will remain in its current state for the foreseeable future but understood that FCC would legally be unable to progress with plans for the street. The Chamber will continue to engage the FCC and hope that In the short term the street can look as well as possible until the matter is resolved, the Chamber said.

April 23rd marks the beginning of our Give Nola Day Fundraiser:one of our most significant fundraising campaigns to date, with an ambitious goal of raising $30,000 by May 7th!This past year has been exceptionally busy, with a strong focus on our Advocacy efforts. Weve organized Safety Sunday Clean Ups in every District, hosted engaging BIKE Talks series, and launched impactful campaigns like Count Dat and Purple Way, all of which have deeply involved and connected the biking community. Our Education initiatives have expanded, with growing Bike Clucbs, the inclusion of RTA and School bus drivers in our People Friendly Driving program, and an ongoing effort to broaden our network of partners. Additionally, our Community work has flourished, boasting more Bike Valet events, an exhilarating Bicycle Second Line in the works for October 19, and a fresh approach to celebrating Bike Month in May (Stay tuned for exciting details!)As our work continues to evolve, we invite you to participate in Give Nolas early giving andmake your donation today.As a valued member of our community, you know that positive change begins with small actions that ripple outward. Here is how you can contribute to this years campaign:Donate: Every dollar counts! your generous donation will directly fund Bike Easys impactful programs, from advocating for safer biking infrastructure to providing educational resources for people of all ages and abilities biking in Greater New Orleans.Click here to donateSpread the Word:Share our campaign with your friends, families, and colleagues. Together we can amplify our impact and inspire others to contribute.Join our Events:And learn more about our work by participating in ourupcoming events.Your support is instrumental in driving positive change within our community. Thank you for considering a contribution to our Give Nola Fundraiser during early giving.

The off-season is a golden hiatus from the regular cycling routine, offering a prime opportunity to recharge and lay a robust foundation for the forthcoming season. At Saddle Up, we underscore the significance of strength training during this pivotal time to craft more powerful and more resilient cyclists, whether racers, enthusiasts seeking to elevate their speed, or individuals aiming to ride further.Beyond the BicycleAs the racing calendar pauses, the off-season unveils a precious opportunity to divert focus from cycling-specific skills to a broader realm of physical conditioning. A well-rounded strength training programme during this phase is vital. It augments overall muscular strength, boosts power, and enhances endurance, attributes instrumental for a cyclist's performance, regardless of their cycling ambitions. Beyond the physical gains, a dedicated strength training routine also cultivates mental resilience, prepping cyclists to meet the rigorous demands of the sport with a fortified mindset.Strength training in cycling transcends the conventional focus on leg strength. It's about nurturing a balanced physique, fortifying the core, and advancing stability and coordination. Incorporating exercises that target a diverse range of muscle groups contributes to improved cycling posture, aids in injury prevention, and bolsters overall body strength. At Saddle Up, our holistic approach encompasses exercises designed to challenge various muscle groups, ensuring balanced development that resonates with the diverse demands of cycling.Here at Saddle Up, we can design tailored off-season strength training programmes, marrying traditional strength training methods with cycling-centric exercises. This balanced strategy ensures athletes are growing stronger while evolving to become more adept and resilient cyclists. We challenge our athletes through meticulously designed training schedules, nurturing a growth-centric environment that encourages physical and mental advancement.Spotlight on Key Off-Season ExercisesHere are a few exercises that can be pivotal in a cyclist's off-season strength training routine, along with the muscles they target and their benefits:Squats:Muscles Worked: Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.Reason: Enhances lower body strength and power, crucial for pedalling efficiency and climbing.Deadlifts:Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, glutes, lower and upper back, and core.Reason: Builds overall body strength, improves posture, and prevents injury.Planks:Muscles Worked: Core, shoulders, and glutes.Reason: Strengthens the core, essential for maintaining a solid cycling posture and reducing lower back pain.Lunges:Muscles Worked: Quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes.Reason: Improves balance, coordination, and unilateral strength, which is beneficial for pedalling efficiency.Shoulder Press:Muscles Worked: Shoulders, triceps, and upper back.Reason: Enhances upper body strength, essential for bike handling, especially during long rides or races.The Best Time To Start Is Now!As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing your cycling journey, we are excited to introduce cycling-specific circuit training classes at Saddle Up this winter. Scheduled fortnightly, each one-hour session is meticulously designed to provide a balanced workout that caters to the unique demands of cycling. These classes aim to bolster your strength, endurance, and cycling efficiency in a vibrant, group setting, making the off-season a productive and enjoyable phase of your training year. For more details and to register, explore our Circuit Training Classes Page.For a comprehensive list of exercises along with detailed workout plans, you can visit our Workouts Page.Embracing off-season strength training is a strategic move towards achieving long-term cycling success. As you saddle up post-off-season, the road ahead appears less daunting, with each pedal stroke propelled by a robust physique and a resilient mindset. At Saddle Up, we're committed to guiding you through this transformative journey, ensuring the off-season is a stepping stone to realising your cycling aspirations, whether racing, riding faster, or covering longer distances quickly.

The Tour de Suisse is one of the most important stage-races in the year. It is the final big test before the Tour de France and a few of the Tour's stars race in Switzerland; an eight-day race that features plenty mountains, time-trials and a few days for the classics specialists. The race takes pla...

Last month, Bike Easy staff and board members attended the National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. March 19-21. The annual summit, organized by the League of American Bicyclists, brings together cycling advocates, industry leaders, policymakers, and enthusiasts to discuss issues related to biking, such as infrastructure, safety, and advocacy. The summit includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, network ing opportunities, as well an opportunity to lobby for better bike infrastructure and education on Capitol Hill. The theme of this years summit was Slow Roads.Key TakeawaysMajor themes of the summit included funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, increased safety for vulnerable road users (VRUs), and encouraging individuals from all walks of life to ride bicycles for transportation. Many priorities overlap within bike advocacy at federal, state and local levels.Bike Easys state level efforts depend heavily on its understanding of federal law and priorities. However, in order to advocate for constructive change in their local neighborhood, people must also be aware of what is going on in Washington, D.C., and Baton Rouge. The majority of advocates are well aware that lasting change requires persistence, patience, and time.Lobby Day AsksThe most significant day of the National Bike Summit is Lobby Day, when attendees meet with senators and congressmen (or their staff) to talk about important federal laws pertaining to infrastructure, safety, and education. In our Lobby Day meetings, the Louisiana delegation pushed for the following goals as led by the League of American Bicyclists.Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act (HR1668 and S3964): this bill highlights the need to fill gaps in biking and walking networks and makes it easier for states and local governments to use Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) dollars as a local match to build safe bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure through HSIP and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).The Complete Streets Act of 2024 (HR7082 and S3670): this bill directs states to set aside five percent (5%) of highway funding to create and implement a Complete Streets grant program, for which local governments will be eligible to apply. It also Requires the Federal Highway Administration to provide guidance to states on creating Complete Streets standards for local projects.Biking Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act (HR7842): this bill specifies in-school, on bicycle education programs in elementary and secondary schools as eligible for Highway Safety Grants targeted to decreasing non-motorized road user fatalities involving motor vehicles. It also directs the Secretary of Transportation to update and disseminate curriculum for in school on bike education.The Louisiana Delegation met with staff of the offices of of Senator Cassidy, Senator Kennedy, and Congressman Troy Carter.Next StepsBike Easy will follow up with the staff members we met with at Lobby Day to continue our sustained asks to co-sponser the important bills we discussed on lobby day. To support these efforts, you can search for your elected officials contact info on the Louisiana Secretary of State website. Call or send an email to voice your concerns and suggestions to improve biking and safety in your community.Bike Easy encourages residents from across New Orleans and Louisiana to contact their elected officials to discuss safety, infrastructure, and education as they relate to bicycling. Were happy to offer our expertise prior to your outreach. We can be reached at info@bikeeasy.org or (504) 861-4022.