Well over a year in the making, we're excited to finally share details on a promising new minimal rear rack designed specifically for bikes without rack mounts. Read on to find Miles' Mica Rack review after testing several prototypes, plus the development story and some thoughts on why seat packs might be a thing of the pastThe post Mica Rack Review: The End of the Seat Pack? appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Science doesnt support slowing down on climate action, and loud but minority voices shouldnt slow down progress even towards the end of the Governments life in office.Comment & Analysis: Minister for Transport and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said yesterday that he wouldnt be contesting the next election.Following the announcement, some of his critics berated him, while others and his supporters praised him for his life in politics and his impact on environmental issues both nationally and internationally.Some of the comments online and in the media from a small number of opponents yesterday were uncalled for, and others had no basis in reality, such as him thinking a whole village would share just a few cars between them. Ive seen people who are usually reasonable lap up this distortion of what he said, but as someone covering transport for too many years, please trust me when I say this is a regular distortion when making alternative transport options available.If a town or village has access to shared cars means nobody has their own cars, why has car sharing not replaced all cars where it operates? Its just nonsense repeated so many times it sounds plausible. Another classic one is people thinking someone is saying they personally should cycle journies that are unrealistic to cycle and that nobody expects them to cycle. And, of course, an extension of that is that pub bores and trolls repeatedly asked, Did he cycle there? regardless of where he went. Some people really seem to struggle with the idea of using the right tool for the job at hand.Minister Ryan also suffers from a perception of him as being arrogant when he can be firm, but almost nobody who has spoken to him for any length of time can relate to a fictional persona dreamt up by some talking heads and trolls. People should be able to have different views without making up nonsense about others. The progress on sustainable transport under his tenure as Minister for Transport is clearly there a shift to spending more on both active travel and public transport, a reduction in fares on public service obligation routes, the rollout of bus services to towns with a population of over 10k, a huge increase in rural bus routes and an increase in frequency and operating times on existing routes, and the results are shown in an increase in bus passengers at least across some urban centre and clearly on rural routes as well as intercity rail.Theres also more progress on the way, including intercity carriages currently being brought into service, new Dart trains to allow for an expanded system using hybrid trains to arrive next year with electrification following, progress on a rail network for Cork, and improvements in Limerick and Galway.On a system-level, those achievements are still progress even if progress isnt linear, evenly spread, or too slow. The spread includes both service provision and cost.Not everything can be done at once, but its not in line with climate justice, for example, not having a clear plan to fix the difference between travelling in Dublin with the 90-minute fare vs the cost when you live just outside the Leap zone, or when travelling from village and a town down the country, or the difference between having a discount on Irish Rail services, but not on commercial bus services which some people have no choice to rely on.There are solid reasons why free fares are not a good idea, mainly that funding is not unlimited and would be better spent on extra services and that the capacity isnt there to support them on most routes. But not quickly addressing the inequalities and nonsensical pricing structures, as well as the ability to pay by other methods such as tapping your phone, the demand for free public transport will only grow faster.That can be seen as progress even if, as the headline of this article outlines, Ryans largest flaw as Minister for Transport is he didnt act fast enough to provide for a shift to sustainable transport.The truth is theres no political party at the national level that looks more credible than the Greens.There are some individual politicians, especially at the local level, who are as supportive (or even in a few cases more supportive than the average Green politician). But this doesnt translate at the party level.There are political parties on both the left and right of the Greens that say they support climate action but continuously delay action or have to be convinced of the merits of relatively simple fundamental measures again and again because some residents or businesses are resistant to change.This brings me to one of my favourite quotes on sustainable transport projects on streets and roads. Simon Munk, the London Cycling Campaigns campaigns manager, said, within a wider Twitter discussion: It is IMO stark and revealing that politicians, officers, and campaigners who have successfully delivered and kept in schemes talk about weathering the storm, while folks who have little direct experience talk about rebranding or more engagement, etc. More engagement is valuable but not the main issue.The above is set in more context of some of whats happening in Ireland in an article published last year. That article also includes quotes from Brian Deegan, a design engineer at consultancy Urban Movement who was at Transport for London when the city really started to transform for cycling.He joked at a conference held in Dublin that: I never really feel like Im doing my job properly unless I end up in court thats when I know Im changing things and getting something done thats worth it.He highlighted how The opposition is increasing and getting more and more sophisticated as well and said that talking to the community was key, but that it was needed sometimes to tell people its happening and ask whats the best way to make the least worse situation for everybody.Why am I mentioning these again in an article about Minister Ryan? Because the above mentioned factors are hard lessons to accept, but its the counter views to some of those who are key to holding progress back.The idea that more consultation will fix much when the issue is that some of the loudest voices just dont want any change doesnt hold any water. And its worth saying that the loud voices are apparent usually when the majority of people are supportive of making streets not just more environmentally friendly but also more people-focused, safer and more accessible. That can be hard to figure out when a councillor is getting barrage of emails from a committed group of individuals.Too many politicians including some in the Greens just dont seem to be getting this. Too many councillors and TDs who seem to want progress are continuing to be oblivious to the above and are taking all feedback as if it is in good faith when bad fate actions as said above are getting more and more sophisticated. So, when a large chunk of Ryans critics again, both on the left and right sound like Tories or at least the UK media, parroting nearly every transport fallacy going and another chunk of them are afraid to upset the loud voices, the slow progress is not just Ryans fault.While the above concerns street-level changes, some of the lessons can also be applied to large-scale projects such as MetroLink, where bad-faith actors make claims about a lack of consultation or say things that just dont make sense.As Minister, he has tried with different levels of success to streamline some processes and push on key projects such as the Pathfinder ones.But maybe one of Ryans largest failures was continuing the infrastructure element of BusConnects without seriously reviewing it, as it is currently not compatible with climate action targets.In Dublin, the plans for BusConnects are still far too much centred on expanding road space, and the quality of provision for walking, cycling and bus priority is just not up to scratch, while in Cork, much of the same can be said with routes also being watered down far more. It seems like aThis is an example of where Ryan still has an opportunity to change things faster. Now that the planning process has accepted the modal filters and bus gates wont have an undue impact, these measures should be trialled alongside the rollout of increased bus frequency.The same approach can still be made on cycling without starting from scratch theres plenty of quicker-build projects that progressed enough that they could be fast-tracked further ratherCoupled with keeping the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan on track, these measures could have a significant impact and spur on further changes around the country by showing progress can be made faster.The policy is there to do this, as are the legal mechanisms and the overriding reasoning, including a planet that is baking, with record average temperatures being broken monthly, increased road deaths, and an inactivity crisis.The question is, would there be support from councillors and TDs who seem to be supportive of climate action?

For 2024, the Builders for Builders Fundraiser is back to benefit the Sierra Butte Trail Stewardship (SBTS). So far the Builders for Builders program has raised over $100,000 to date. The proceeds from the fundraising campaign go back to the Stewardship to support more trails in the Lost Sierra.Between now and July 2nd, for every donation made of at least $10, there is a chance to win a custom frame handcrafted by one of the following frame builders.The 2024 BuildersCaletti Cycles(Photos/Souphorse)SyCip BicyclesMosaic CyclesNeuHaus Metal WorksThe winner will select the fabricator of their choice for the frame, choosing from the list above. That frame will then get custom painted. After which it will then get built with high-end componentry from Paul Components, White Industries, and WTB.Connected CommunitiesThe funds will specifically support Connected Communities, SBTS plan to connect 15 mountain towns via a 564-mile multi-use singletrack trail. Once completed, these sections of singletrack can be linked with a vast network of existing paved and gravel doubletrack to create a plethora of gravel-bike-friendly bikepacking routes in the Lost Sierra, that dip in and out of local towns for resupply, restaurant, and lodging options.We recently released the 68-page Trails Master Plan for the project, which outlines the proposed trail, dubbed The Lost Sierra Route, as well as plans to incorporate building techniques to create Fire Hardened Trails to manage vegetation for wildfire mitigation. Connected Communities trail projects are already in the works, but completing the entire project will require a heavy financial lift. Dollars raised through fundraisers such as Builders for Builders are vital, as they bring in unrestricted funds or funds that dont require a costly match or significant staff resources to manage, as is customary with government grants.The post 2024 Builders for Builders Fundraiser to Support More Trials in Lost Sierra appeared first on Bikerumor.

CyclistMaking the dream work: Behind the scenes at Van RyselJust about everyone knows Decathlon, in fact its a pretty safe bet that most people reading this have used one of its products at some point in their lives. The French company, founded in 1976, is the largest sporting goods retailer in the world.When it comes to cycling, Decathlon has become best known in the UK for its affordable entry-level bikes and kit under the BTwin and Triban banners. That changed in 2019, however, when Decathlon launched Van Rysel, a brand dedicated to high-end, high-performance bikes and equipment. And so began a journey for its newly established team to establish a premium range of products to compete with brands that in most cases have been in the game for decades longer than Van Rysel, some of them even pre-dating the Tour de France.Five years later, Van Rysel has introduced the RCR, as used on the WorldTour by the Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale pro team, and its safe to say the brands introduction to the top level of cycling could hardly have gone any better.Van RyselTo understand just how and why Van Rysel has been able to rise to the top so quickly, Cyclist visited the teams headquarters just outside of Lille, where the dream began and the dream continues.In theoryDecathlon was famous for catering to all types of athletes, but the truth is that at some point consumers who were really into road cycling needed to go somewhere else, says Maxime Delabre, Van Rysels chief marketing officer. We decided we wanted not only to teach them how to ride but to get alongside them until the end of their experience.That is why Van Rysel is here to address the very demanding cyclists interests as well. We want to develop the best-in-class products for each different level: bikes, clothing, accessories, electronics and home trainers covering road, cyclocross, gravel and indoor cycling. That makes us the only global cycling brand covering all these categories.A key cog in the Van Rysel machine is Yann Le Fraillec, head of product development, who has been with the brand since the beginning and is the man behind the RCR line.Van RyselWe are not rookies in the bike industry, Le Fraillec points out. Weve been making carbon bikes for over 30 years, and we know how to make carbon frames very well. Its just that we were away from the high end of the market for a while in terms of aerodynamics and integration. So I thought to myself OK, I need to find a wind-tunnel, I need to find engineers, I need to find a lot of people. Just across the street you can even see the building from my desk is a company called Onera, and someone told me that it has a wind-tunnel.I thought it was strange that there was a wind-tunnel 900 metres from my office and I didnt know, but it turns out Onera works for the army making weapons, rockets, submarines, that kind of stuff. Not bikes, of course, but at least they knew something about aerodynamics.I called them and said I wanted to make a bike with them. They were unsure at first because they normally work with testing at much higher speeds, but they agreed to help. It turned out to be a hugely popular project that many of the guys on the Onera team wanted to work on because of how passionate they are about bikes. So when we were developing the RCR we 3D printed ten iterations of the bike, walked them across the street, along with some of our competitors bikes, and took them straight into the wind-tunnel.The results were unbelievably good. From there we selected one of the designs, worked to refine the weight, stiffness and address any mechanical issues, and thats the story of the Van Rysel RCR.Van RyselOnera wasnt the only outside collaborator Van Rysel enlisted. From the start, Le Fraillec was open to working with other brands within cycling and took on partnerships with Deda to produce the RCRs cockpit and SwissSide for its wheels, relationships that will continue for future projects. In fact, Le Fraillec reveals there are eight new racing and endurance bikes due in the next two years spanning both road and gravel.Taking on the worldWhen it comes to pro racing, we are always working in the same way and thats using data; were really a data-driven brand, Le Fraillec says. Some people will love us, some people will hate us, perhaps because they are afraid or because they dont like the name. But in the end we trust that we have done something specific, and something special. Thats what motivates me and the team. When we say well design a racing bike, its to win a race.So how do you make a WorldTour bike? The Van Rysel team comprises 60 people working at the brands main office, further staff members in commercial roles outside of France, as well as the greater ranks of staff working across development and production in the factory at the companys BTwin Village headquarters. Situated just outside Lille in northeast France Van Rysel being Flemish for from Lille the facility is a hub of activity dedicated to a wide spectrum of sports, and comprising both public and private spaces. Its home to several laboratories that help dream up, create, test and refine a huge range of products, and its home to Van Rysels production line too.Among the labs that play a part in Van Rysels story is the ideas hub, known as Booster Inno, where creative minds are allowed to roam free to dream up concepts for all kinds of products, ranging from wrapper-free energy gels to portable badminton nets.Next theres API, a prototype-creation lab where Booster workers are able to produce physical recreations of their ideas, albeitinvariably using more basic materials than the final products will have.Van RyselAnother area that plays a pivotal part in Van Rysels development process is the AddLab, a 3D printing department that produces models for wind-tunnel testing and custom or one-off parts at short notice.The AddLab team played a part in Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale rider Ben OConnors Giro dItalia time-trial setup, for instance, as did the SportsLab, which focusses on the human body and is equipped with a body scanner that creates a virtual replica of the rider, allowing designs and testing to be done without the individual being present handy for an international cycling team. It also contains chambers to recreate weather conditions, useful for testing how much sweat a jersey soaks up, for instance, or how warm a glove is.Finally theres TechOff, a huge department that puts every important detail of an enormous range of products to the test. In Van Rysels case that includes testing on helmets as well as important fatigue and stress testing of bike frames and components, with machines running constantly to replicate and surpass each products outdoor lifecycle.The team at BTwin Village is massive, and the levels of creativity, expertise and precision are the very highest, with no stone left unturned in the quest for the best products. That even extends to scaling up a kids bike to an adult size so the team can actually test the product themselves and provide constructive design feedback. That takes us into the factory, where Van Rysels bikes and all those under the wider Decathlon cycling umbrella, which includes mountain bikes, e-bikes, cargo bikes and even local hire bikes are fully assembled and checked. In the centre of the room is a revolving rail where each day workers build bikes up from frame to finished product, assembling and checking the necessary parts. Staff are hired through community support programmes and go through rigorous training before being allowed near the assembly line.Van RyselWhen something isnt quite right, the bike is pulled from the line and the problem identified and addressed, with the build then finished at a standalone workstand. Bikes are then packaged and stored in the distribution centre next door before being shipped out worldwide.Fit for the prosGiven the lengths involved in making sure every Van Rysel product is up to the required standard of quality, the fact that it provides equipment for use at the sharp end of the WorldTour peloton, having only launched in 2019, is truly remarkable. But that was the deadline that was set.We visited two or three teams before committing to providing bikes to the WorldTour, Le Fraillec says. It wasnt the warmest reception when we said, We are Van Rysel, we are a new brand, do you want to ride our bike? Its just 3D now but youll be able to ride it six months before the new season. But we showed them the data and within 5km of testing the bike in Spain, the AG2R La Mondiale riders were convinced.Counting the costPart of Decathlons success has been built on providing excellent value for money, so its no surprise that the flagship Van Rysel RCR Pros 9,000 pricetag significantly undercuts its direct competitors. So how come is it so cheap?Van RyselIts not cheap, Le Fraillec argues. But it is a good price, and we achieve that because we have a very good business model. We produce all the products a rider needs, so we dont only depend on the bike to make a profit. That way we can propose a fair price, not a cheap price but a fair price, for each product category.While the Decathlon name has come to be associated with the more accessible side of the market and still is with the Van Rysel RCR, depending on how you define accessibility it really should be just as well known for its commitment to passion, dedication and quality. It can afford to be accessible because of a successful business model that is built around doing things the right way, with no corners cut and no avenues left unexplored in pursuit of the goal.As part of that family, Van Rysel is no different. In this instance, though, the goal is winning, and theres no doubt that Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale and their Van Rysel RCR Pro bikes are doing just that. Discover more about Van Rysel BikesThe post Making the dream work: Behind the scenes at Van Rysel appeared first on Cyclist.

Tom Pidcock is signed with INEOS Grenadiers all the way into 2027 but there are suspicions that this partnership may not go all the way into that year. This year's Tour de France may be the decisive factor between the Olympic Champion and the British team.Pidcock and INEOS' story began in 2021 as h...

The Bozman, Montana mountain bike apparel company, Curious Creatures launches two new pieces to expand on its mens line. The new Sun Dog Pant and Ramble Scramble Long are ready for action and are built around the companys principles of adventure, exploration, and self-expression.(Photos/Curious Creatures)Mens Ramble Scramble LongRetail: $139Sizes: 22 40The Mens Ramble Scramble Long is a take on the popular and best-selling Ramble Scramble Short. With an 11.5 inseam, this version of the Ramble Scramble is great for those with longer legs, who combine kneepads with their gear, or who just want more coverage. The Ramble Scramble Long features a stretchy, durable 100% polyester body. Its decked out with classic 5-pocket styling, a drop-in side pocket, and a secure phone pocket on the side. There is a subtle tonal color pop on the back pocket maintaining the brands sense of fun and irreverence. The fabric is 100% polyester for moisture management and performance, using a bio-based stretch yarn instead of spandex. Therefore making the shorts recyclable at the end of their life. Originally requested by men, the Ramble Scramble Long comes in standard mens sizing. But, its been tested on both men and women, encouraging any gender to enjoy its longer design. Mens Sun Dog PantRetail: $180Sizes: 22 40The Mens Sun Dog Pant is the mens specific version of the popular and beloved Sun Dog Pant. It sports a low-bulk elastic pull-on waistband for comfort. It also has a faux fly to eliminate bulk when bent over in the riding position. New to this design is the secure zip pocket at the back and two secure pockets on the thighs. The slim cuff has a slim opening to make it easy for those who are taking on and off knee pads. It also has an extra snap to cinch the cuff down tight. The pant has extensive articulation built into the nee panels allowing for ultimate freedom of movement, which helps when pedaling and descending. It also has a reinforcement panel on the right leg for added durability.From The FounderFounder Natasha Woodworth expressed her enthusiasm about the new additions, Expanding our mens line with the Sun Dog Pant and the Ramble Scramble Long reflects our commitment to providing high-quality gear for all creatures regardless of gender. We took our two most beloved styles and thoughtfully reimagined them relying on input from our customers and our community. The biggest constant from rigorous testing from the men has been how comfortable these styles are while still providing a high level of technical functionality.WeAreCuriousCreatures.comThe post Curious Creatures Expands Mens Line with New Sun Dog Pant & Ramble Scramble Long appeared first on Bikerumor.

A gravel ebike that will let you take on pretty much anything, and put a big grin on your face while you're doing it

New video shows the driver sobbing right after the crash which left two dead and eleven injured in Arizona, amidst allegations that he had been Snapchatting while driving

The Tour de Suisse headlined this week's UCI Rankings points update. The likes of Adam Yates and Joo Almeida climbed significantly whilst the loss of last year's edition's points saw Remco Evenepoel and Juan Ayuso tumble down the standings.The rankings continue to be led by Tadej Pogacar (9663 poi...

Twenty-two teams will start this year's Tour de France in Florence. Here are the bikes they'll be riding