About Us

Meet the team

Pedalnorth is a website and emagazine built for cyclists by cyclists, that has become a global cycling network and information portal, with the very best information. It is a simple idea that will always do its best to retain a sense of independence, whilst striving to be among the best resources for cyclists of all ages and abilities, anywhere globally! We’re simply a group of like-minded friends and cyclists, contributors, writers and photographers all over the world, who love bikes and cycling.

JOIN THE CYCLING REVOLUTION

Our writers are drawn from within the global cycling industry and community. Robert and Nadezhda head up the Pedalnorth team, and are supported by Larisa and numerous occasional contributors, all volunteers at Pedalnorth, sharing their knowledge and expertise to promote cycling and cycle tourism, partnering with others to develop our sport and access to cycling. This way we can ensure that our information is unbiased and honest and trustworthy. Our routes, the maps and gpx files are among the best and all free to access and download. Why, because like riding your bike, it should always be fun and as free as the wind. Over recent years, due to the exceptional writing of people like Ndezhda and Larisa in particular, the website has become one of the leading independent cycling websites in the world.

Pedalnorth means simply heading in that direction – north of anywhere using 2 wheels, as we continue to expand around the globe, promoting cycling and where to ride and what to ride and wear while having fun! 🙂

Click on their name to link to and access more information about them, and to visit their own blogs, websites and social media profiles.

Editorial Team

Robert Thorpe

Editor in Chief

A former middle distance track runner and cross country runner to a high level in his youth, Robert found time for cycling between training and races. He spent many years as a climbing instructor and mountain runner, and has lived his life in the outdoors.

Having a climber father and cyclist mother, two wheels were always on the horizon, once the mountains had exhausted him.

Robert is a former member of the government Cycle Training Standards Board and a British Cycling Ride Leader. He lives in the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and whilst also writing freelance, Robert studied literature at university, he is a published poet and is still writing that unfinished novel.

Nadezhda Pavlova

Editor in Chief (designate)

Nadezhda has a Masters of Sports, specialising in triathlon, also competing at a high level: -1 place in age group full distance Ironman Russia (rating Tristats.ru), -1 place Russia, 33 Global Rank women age group distance 70.3 and full distance Ironman 2016 from countries all over the world (Rating ETU European Triathlon Union).

Currently living in Barcelona, this talented athlete achieved 11th place World Championship Ironman 70.3 championships at Australia 2016.

Nadezhda is also an artist, designer, business executive and model. When not doing one of these mulitple activities, Nadezhda is a certified triathlon coach, leading on triathlon & lifestyle for the team at Pedalnorth.

PEDALNORTH.COM

The cyclists website

PEDALNORTH EDITORS (SUBJECT FOCUSED)

Join the cycling revolution

Our subject focused editors are all experts in their own areas, and also ride bikes in their daily lives. We’re not an office-based publication, who occasionally travel out to the hills – we live and breathe cycling. Our photographers work closely with some of the world’s leading brands, and people such as Steve Smales work closely within international cycling administration, bringing their knowledge and expertise here for you to benefit from.

Ben Thorpe

Senior Photographer, Photography Editor & Writer

Ben studied photography at university in London, and has worked with leading brands, as well as creating his own images of urban architecture and life scenes. He’s also a cyclist himself, riding all manner of bikes, from fixed gear, mtb to road and TT.

Ben recently moved back to North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales National Park, having lived and worked in London since university.

Steve Smales

Editor at Large

Steve is a multi-talented cyclist, riding mtb, cyclocross and time trial in his riding career. He’s also a graduate photographer, as well as a talented writer, and so is well equipped to write about all forms of cycling.

Steve is also a cyciling administrator, with experience working at world level. In his spare time - he rides bikes too, at home in the Yorkshire Dales with his family!

Contributors & Writers

Our bloggers and writers come from a wide variety of disciplines in cycling the fitness world. They’re all experts in their field and their advice is here to help you in your own cycling and fitness lifestyle. For instance, nobody knows mountain bikes like Guy Kesteven, which is why we link directly in to his own YouTube channel for video reviews. We’re also going to be publishing lots of fantastic history rides by Guy, as he develops a new series of rides for everyone to enjoy. We’re able to do this, as we’re an independent group of writers, who come together like artisans, to produce something different and real.

A volunteer led website such as ours relies on good content being offered by our friends occasionally. Without this, we simply couldn’t offer the range of articles that make Pedalnorth so unique. These friends are talented athletes and industry experts, and their infrequent blogs are gratefully received. For 2024, we’re welcoming back a former colleague and great writer, Susan Barraza.

Susan is still heavily involved within the cycling industry in South America, and previously helped Pedalnorth to become the leading women’s cycling website, and we’re excited at her return. return.

Click the name under each image to link to their own social media profiles to follow them online.

Scott Cornish

Editor-at-Large

Bikepacking & Adventure Cycling

Susan Barazza

Editor, South America & Women’s Cycling

Tudor Oprea

European MTB Advisor to Pedalnorth

Editor-at-Large MTB Global

TRIADA MTB WEBSITE

Jody Hamilton

Friend & Awesome Editor-at-Large MTB

Mountain Bike Guide at Ride Czech Holidays

Fiona-May Aylward

Ladies Cycling Consultant Editor

Alex Sabin Husariu

Partner MTB Tour Guide – Transylvania

Stefano La Mastra

Editor: Italy Cycling Lifestyle

Visit Stefano on Instagram

Guy Kesteven

Friend & Awesome Freelance Editor/ Reviewer

GuyTV on YouTube

Sam Huby

Editor at Large – Bikepacking

Callum Robinson

Partner Photographer & Videographer

Read Award Winning Blogs

Previous Editors & Contributors

Over the years, we’ve had some superbly talented cyclists and writers on the editorial team here at Pedalnorth. Their contributions to our website should not be underestimated, and we’re extremely grateful for their time, commitment and content, and their work in making Pedalnorth the best independent cycling lifestyle website. As volunteers however, they have busy lives to lead, and often need to take a break for other responsibilities.

You’ll find a wealth of cycling routes, reviews and lifestyle blogs by some of the best writers in the cycling world, such as Larisa Chinces, Diane Vilarem, Susan Barazza, Hannah Shell, Maria Wilke and Jostein, here on the Pedalnorth website. These are some of the most talented bloggers and cyclists that you’ll ever encounter, and have helped our website to become the best independent cycling website in the world – especially so with Larisa, who’s been a key part of Pedalnorth since 2016, and who has helped it to become the best independent cycling website in the world.

Larisa in PN Kit at Piata Huitt on bench

Larisa Chinces

Managing Editor & Reviews Lead (2016-2023)

Diane Vilarem

France, Lifestyle Editor at Large

Hannah Shell

USA Lifestyle, Gravel & MTB Race Blogger

Mary Wilke

Blogger, European Road & Endurance Racing

Jostein Borresen

Editor, Northern Europe

If you’d like to create great written content about your own cycling lifestyle, and blog for our award winning website, drop us a line with your details, along with a 500 word example blog 🙂

CHECK OUT OUR ROUTES

FEATURES

A selection of our favourite blogs

Bilboa Cycling
by Nadezhda

Take a cycling trip to Bilboa and the northern coast of Spain, with Nadezhda Pavlova

TRILOGY OF THE TRAILS
with Tudor Oprea

The TRILOGY OF THE TRAILS could quickly become an epic event – find out why

Women on Wheels
by Nadezhda

Women’s cycling has developed so much in recent years – Nadezhda exams its roots

Elite Indoor Trainers
by Robert

The latest indoors trainers from Elite are game-changing – time to see why

Meet the team

JOIN THE CYCLING REVOLUTION

Editorial Team

Robert Thorpe

Nadezhda Pavlova

PEDALNORTH EDITORS (SUBJECT FOCUSED)

Join the cycling revolution

Ben Thorpe

Steve Smales

Contributors & Writers

Previous Editors & Contributors

FEATURES

A selection of our favourite blogs

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