The most well known cycling race of them all, winning the Tour de France can be career defining for a rider and can ensure he will never be forgotten in the annals of cycling history.Since the end of World War Two, there have been 77 different editions of the Tour de France to date and ahead of the...

Bradley Wiggins has said he is now happier in my skin than he has ever been, with his remarks coming after a week of reports stating he has been declared bankrupt and when his lawyer saying he had lost most of his money and was now sofa-surfing. Wiggins has seen his finances and business dealings []The post Wiggins happy in my skin despite reports of bankruptcy and sofa-surfing appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Even if the Government meets its electric car targets, e-bikes will still contribute more to carbon savings.Research into the six-month trial of 12 ESB-electric bicycle hubs located in suburban areas around Dublin has found that a wider number of factors influence the success of such hubs, including the locations of the stations and the quality or existence of cycle routes.The location of a small number of hubs, including in a park without all-day passive survival, was linked to vandalism, which resulted in the stations being closed for a significant percentage of the trial. The Trinity College Dublin research was conducted using six months of real-world GPS data, with the majority of trips made during the day. The researchers looked at what was called the eco-efficiency evaluation of the network, basically the environmental effectiveness of such hubs.The authors said: The studied system comprises 12 eHUBs placed around a congested motorway, aimed at encouraging both residents and commuters from satellite towns to switch from private vehicles to e-bikes for their city centre commutes. The analysis of the carbon-saving potential and usage patterns of these eHUBs provided insights into their effectiveness in promoting the shift from private vehicles to shared e-bikes.The hubs were located in areas dotted around the M50, such as Dun Laoghaire, Finglas, Malhude, Sandtford and Park West. The bikes were operated by a mix of Bleeper and Moby, two bike share companies. In their conclusion, the authors said: Importantly, the returns-to-scale analysis provides insights into the systems scalability, determining the potential for the capacity growth while maintaining efficient operations and service quality, and the profitability prospects of both the entire network and individual stations. As a result, this study offers service providers essential information to make informed decisions regarding the improvement and expanding their services.The researchers analysis of the e-bike sharing system finds that it is highly scalable, and the evidence strongly suggests that expanding the system, alongside improvements in surrounding infrastructure, would significantly enhance overall performance.Essentially, any investment directed towards system expansion or infrastructural development, such as additional bike lanes, is likely to yield benefits surpassing the initial expenditure, contributing positively to the surrounding community, the researchers said.The research highlighted the link between the adoption of shared e-bikes and the presence of nearby bike lanes. Because of this, the authors said that to increase e-bike usage, Dublin needs to focus on improving cycling infrastructure. The existing fragmented bike lanes and lack of dedicated paths and separate cycleways can deter potential users.According to spatial analysis, there was lower shared e-bike usage in less affluent areas despite lower car ownership rates in these regions. The researchers said that affordability or a lack of awareness of mobility sharing could be a factor The researchers evaluated three scenarios for CO2 savings that demonstrate significant potential for e-bikes.For a comprehensive view of the decarbonisation profile of the e-bike sharing system, three scenarios were evaluated: full replacement of car journeys with e-bike trips, a more conservative estimate derived from the meta-analysis by Bigazzi and Wong (2020), and a sensitivity analysis scenario based on the projected higher adoption of EVs in the private car fleet and cleaner electricity generation.The paper said: The outcomes of the third scenario indicate that even if the government successfully meets its ambitious target of one-third penetration of EVs in the 2030 fleet, e-bikes will still contribute more to carbon savings than EVs. When combined with other benefits, such as reducing traffic congestion and enhancing well-being through increased physical activity, e-bikes should be given a more significant role in future transport policy formulations.The authors added: The challenges to this transition are diverse, spanning from inadequate cycling infrastructure to deeply rooted social norms favouring private car usage. Governmental action plays a crucial role in facilitating this shift through the implementation of policies promoting and incentivising sustainable travel.The research is being published in open-access format in the August edition of the Transportation Research Journal by Keyvan Hosseini, Tushar Pramod Choudhari, Agnieszka Stefaniec, Margaret OMahony, Brian Caulfield at the Centre for Transport Research, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

When I spoke to the 1UP USA crew at the Sea Otter Classic this last April, we talked about racks, bikes, and even off-roading. For those that like to go off-roading and take their mountain bikes with them, new 2 Super Duty is perfectly suited to the task. It was built for extreme off-roading from the drawing board, and it has some new features that are worth checking out. (Photos/Ron Frazelle)First ImpressionsMy immediate impression when I saw the Super Duty up close was that it was very beefy. But, its rated for extreme off-roading, so naturally, it is beefed up where it needs to be. I dont rock crawl in my Jeep, but the way the Super Duty is built, it looks like it could take it without a problem.The rack is constructed from corrosion-resistant aluminum, which is used for the entirety of the build. I didnt see any plastic being used. As usual, the rack supports bicycles without any contact with the frame or fork, using the load arms on the bike tires. The new Super Duty has an adjustable tray length for bikes with a wheelbase up to 58. It also has more spacing between the trays which adds extra room for wide downtubes and flat pedals.Neat New FeaturesOptional Wheel ChockOne of my pet peeves with some tray-style racks is the continuous movement of the front wheel through the steerer tube, even when the bike is locked and loaded. This phenomenon worsens as the bike gets heavier or the road gets rougher. These instances are where the Wheel Chock comes in.Glide for the Wheel ChockThe Wheel Chock was designed to reduce the amount of steerer tube rotation you get making the bike more stable while on the rack. 1UP states that the wheel chocks are required for bikes over 75lbs, or intense off-roading. However, anyone can use them under any circumstance if theyd prefer a more stable bike connection. There are two different sizes of the Wheel Chock, Standard (fits tires up to 3 wide) and Fat Tire (fits tires from 3 to 5). They are all aluminum and are sold separately for $110 each. That means if you have a two bike rack and wanted Wheel Chocks on both, it would be $220. Also, the Chocks are specific to wheel size so if you want to run both standard and fat bikes on the same rack with Chocks, youd need to buy two sets. True One-Handed OperationPress the button to operate the load armsA welcome addition to the 2024 SD Rack is the addition of true one-handed operation of the rack. there are two ways to actuate the arms of the rack. If you want to use two hands to open the rack, just press the red button, lift the arm, load the bike, and adjust it to familiar ratcheting as you close the arms onto your tires. Button housing up = One handed operationButton housing down = ready to ratchetIf youd like to use one hand on the rack and one to hold your bike, simply press the red button while lifting the button housing. This eliminates the ratcheting aspect and you can move the arm in any direction you see fit. Freeing one hand to do whatever. To re-engage the ratcheting, simply press the button housing back down. Additional OptionsWheel LockIm sure most of us lock our bikes to the rack when stopping for a pre-ride Cliff bar, or post-ride brew. And some integrated locks are better than others. I would say that the 1Up USA Wheel Lock 1/4 Turn (long), is more of a deterrent than a full-blown lock. I like that it doesnt come in contact with the bike in any way if you have a bike rack with an integrated cable lock, its not a good idea to drive with it locked since it can rub through the paint on your bikes (or worse). But, when I stop for longer periods with my bike on the Jeep, I usually have it in sight. So, Im very comfortable with this level of defense. 1UP USA states that most users run one lock per bike, though in higher crime areas, two isnt a bad idea. The locks are $24 each, but if you buy more than one, youll get a 15% discount. For additional protection, 1UP USA does offer higher levels of security with the Chain Lock and Cable Lock.EZ Pull HandleThis option is a must for any 1UP USA owner. The EZ Pull Handle is a simple addition that keeps you from having to reach under the rack to lift or lower the rack to access the rear of your vehicle. Compared to previous generations, the handle has a better design without the ability to pinch your fingers. The EZ Pull comes in sizes for 2,3, or 4-bike capacity racks and is an additional $99. InstallationThe assembly of the rack was very easy, and straightforward. It can be done without even reading the directions, although complete and easy-to-follow directions are included.I have a Jeep Wrangler and I need a swing adapter of some sort to be able to access the rear of the vehicle. For that, I am using the Rigd Supply RambleSwing, you may have read my review of that here. Its an outstanding product and blends perfectly with the Super Duty Rack.One of the highlights of using 1UP Racks is their proprietary, integrated anti-wobble corner expander ball. The simplicity of it and the ease of use and installation make it better than most systems Ive tried. It comes with two proprietary security wrenches, one I keep in my shop, and one in the Jeep. Also, the actual hitch bar has a 3 long slot machined into the side of it. This means that you have up to three inches of fore and aft adjustability when using the included hitch bar lock. In UseAs tested, the 1UP USA Super Duty two bike rack with all the accessories would run $1,259.80 with free ground shipping the rack starts at $900 for the two bike version. This is a premium rack, with a price to match. Ive been up and down the mountain with it since installing the Super Duty two weeks ago. Its easy to use, and the new features are a very welcome addition to the rack. I have yet to take it off-road but will be doing so soon. When driving with a bike on the rack, even in sstrong wind, the bike didnt move. The Wheel Chock makes a huge and very noticeable difference to the front wheel movement. When using the chock, front wheel movement was not even noticeable from the driver seat. Its just unfortunate that its a $220 option for a two bike rack. (Photos/Ron Frazelle)So far, mountain bikes load on and off with ease, and the Wheel Chock is the perfect size to hold 2.6 tires. I will be mounting the Salsa Moraine eMTB for a trip. That bike weighs in the neighborhood of 53lbs. But, with the Super Dutys tray weight capacity at 100 lbs per tray, this shouldnt be an issue.Looking forward to reporting back in a few months with my opinion after putting some serious mileage on the rack. Stay tuned here for the details. 1up-USA.comThe post First Look: New and Improved 1UP USA 2024 Super Duty Double Hitch Rack appeared first on Bikerumor.

Uno-X Mobility have become the first team to officially confirm their eight man lineup for the 2024 Tour de France. Although notable names such as Magnus Cort Nielsen and Alexander Kristoff are present, Andreas Leknessund has missed out.Probably the biggest absentee from Uno-X Mobility's lineup for...

A new review of road racing, which examines the reasons racing numbers are declining and events have been cancelled, has thrown up some interesting patterns in participation rates over the last decade. It also reveals that one in five racing cyclists in Ireland is aged 40 years or older. The new report sets out some []The post Explainer | Whats going wrong in Irish road racing and why? appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Inthe latest episode of cycling podcast In Het Wiel,Thijs Zonneveldwent in-depth to analyze just-ended Tour de Suisse and what we can take from the Swiss stage race towards the upcoming Tour de France. Besides the dominant UAE Team Emirates, he has also noticed the rise of Egan Bernal who seems t...

Cycling Ireland has set out a 10-point plan which it hopes can halt the decline in racing numbers, and race cancellations, and get the scene back to growth again. The plan has been compiled following a root and branch examination of trends in racing numbers and the reasons why those trends are going the wrong []The post New Cycling Ireland plan aims to get racing through its difficult period appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Justinas Leveika is neck and neck with Mike Halls record dot, Meaghan Hackinen is on fire, the weather is tough, and racers are well into Montana. In our latest 2024 Tour Divide Debrief, we look into whats happening in the race during days 3 and 4. Find it all here.The post 2024 Tour Divide Debrief: Days 3-4 appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Aleksandr Vlasov. Tom Pidcock. Juan Ayuso. The list of former winners of the U23 version of Giro d'Italia (currently called 'Giro Next Gen') is brimming with stars of the professional peloton and Jarno Widar is the latest addition to the exclusive club. At the age of 18! The Belgian won both decisiv...