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Join the new Revolution & Be Inspired

Award winning blogs, by Robert, Nadia, Larisa & the team

Since 2012, our writing team here at Pedalnorth have been creating award winning content, riding, racing and winning cycle races all over the globe. Their blogs are created in order to provide world leading informative content, about all manner of cycling subjects, and to inspire you on your own cycling journey. Here’s the full collection for you to browse through and read. If you have any suggestions for subjects, then simply click here and let us know.

We’ve been promoting and leading the way for ladies cycling since we began, and we continue to drive forward in empowering women to express themselves and to be able to ride as equals within the cycling world. That also means having the best information for women’s cycling kit, training tps, lifestyle and skincare tips too. As a former international triathlete and model, Nadezhda has all the tips you need to be the best possible  version of yourself, on 2-wheels.

Working closely with the leading brands within the world of cycling, our writers know what makes cyclists tick, what motivates you and what looks stylish to0. We’ll tell you the very places places for cycling travel and how to look after your bike along the way. Nadezhda and Robert have a wealth of experience and expertise to share with you, so why not take a look below and join the new cycling revolution – at Pedalnorth!

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Elite Nero Rollers Introduction

Larisa is currently testing the Elite Nero interactive rollers and by all accounts they're awesome. Read her first thoughts on riding these high end technology packed rollers from this leading Italian brand.
January 24, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Elastic Interface Ladies Chamois Pad

Did you know that women have a greater spectrum of bottom shapes and structures than men, it’s true. Elastic Interface have researched this, partnering with the Department of Biomedical Science at the University of Padua, Italy. After developing their First Ladies specific pads, Elastic Interface listened to the feedback and wanted to improve things, and so looked towards the scientists in order to better understand female cyclists bottoms.
January 16, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Rudy Von Berg Triathlete Interview

Rudy Von Berg is one of the best triathletes in the world. Triathletes know that adding something special to training can you give you an edge, and so Diane takes Rudy on a Yoga journey and interviews him about his triathlon life.
January 16, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Indoor Cycling – Not Hibernating

Indoor cycling isn't about hibernation. Instead, it's all about developing your performance to be better equipped to tackle those hills outside, bringing you more smiles when the snow and ice thaws. Elite provide the very products and apps to help you to make the most of indoor cycling.
January 14, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Rotor Q Rings on MTB And Gravel Bike

Rotor Q Rings can be a great addition and upgrade for mountain bikers and for Gravel Bike users, helping those with knee pain issues in particular. The technology and science behind them is constantly developing. Time then for us to take a detailed lookat them with Scott Cornish.
January 13, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Suito Interactive Trainer Introduction

The Elite Suito Smart Trainer is described as an “out of the box” solution, and it really is. For all the technology and science that has clearly gone into developing this high performance indoor cycling trainer, it’s simply itself in setting up. When the parcels arrived from Italy, I was eager to get started, making room for the myriad of trainers and accessories and planning the cycle area in the bike store.
January 7, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Tuo Interactive Indoor Trainer

I've owned the same turbo trainer since I met Noah in the harbour one day. A huge piece of analogue iron with steel roller and a cable attached to a gearing mechanism to provide a little change in resistance. The future I thought to myself and to be honest, back then, it probably was. It has done me proud over the years but along came my Editor one day recently, lugging a heavy box from Elite Cycling. Time for an upgrade he told me and indoor cycling life has not been the same since!
January 4, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Diane Vilarem – Anjaneyasana Yoga Pose

As part of our series on 'Yoga for Cyclists', a second pose I encourage you to try is Anjaneyasana which is a low lunge pose bringing many benefits such as stretching the psoas muscle, tight quads, hamstrings, groin and hips. It is also very good for opening the chest. This pose is excellent for athletes such as cyclists or runners. I suggest you practice it after every workout.
January 4, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Indoor Cycling Trainers

Indoor cycle trainers should help you to improve your enjoyment of cycling outdoors. Here's our initial thoughts on the latest indoor trainers from Italy in Italy.
January 3, 2021/by Pedalnorth Website

Why should Cyclists do Yoga

So, why should cyclists do yoga?

Not only do we spend more and more time sitting (working on a computer, watching TV, driving, etc.) but, as cyclists, we tend to adopt a posture that pushes us to arch over our handlebars and move in a forward direction. This creates neck pain, shoulder and back strain and especially tight hip flexors. In addition, sitting for hours on a saddle leads to a shorter and underdeveloped psoas muscle (if you don’t know what or where your psoas muscle is located have a look at this).
December 25, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Yoga with Diane Vilarem

We want to bring you the very best cycling wellness and lifestyle advice for your sporting lifestyle. Say hi to Diane, our Yoga Instructor and cyclist from France. Develop your all around physical and mental well-being with Yoga and Diane, as we show you the benefits of yoga for cyclists.

Embracing a Positive Mindset in the Pandemic

In an ongoing global pandemic, many athletes feel frustrated, angry and overwhelmed. This is because they had greater goals for 2020, only for news of race postponement or cancellation to hit home.

Instead of looming on despair due to the compensations we had to adjust, it would be essential to have a positive mindset to keep us going in the trials of this plagued year. Read through to see how to keep alive a positive mindset.
December 21, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Foot and Ankle Strengthening For Runners

There is the idea that a person who includes running as part of their workout also helps the feet to exercise in the process. This is a wrong assumption. In daily routines, a runner should exclusively set time for strength exercises for the foot, knee and ankle.

Strengthening exercises helps one to maintain endurance throughout the miles that they plan to run.
December 16, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Real World Video

Wouldn't it be good to be able to bring the outdoors indoors - not like Zwift, good as it is, but to be able to ride interactively to real world video. Welcome to Elite Real World Video, where there's a great selection of routes already uploaded, plus the ability to film your own interactive rides too.
December 14, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Common Newbie Running Mistakes

Often, the most common mistake beginner runners make is too much mileage, too fast and too soon. They go from nothing to relatively high-volume training in a short period of time. They get so excited and enthused about their running that they mistakenly think more is better. The results are injuries, loss of interest, and burn-out too quickly.
December 11, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Elastic Interface Palm Technology

You’ve got to hand it to Elastic Interface, literally - you really have to. This dynamic and forward thinking Italian technological fabric solution brand have done it again. I mean, how do you reinvent a cycling glove? After all, it’s just a glove isn’t it; with bits of fabric stitched together in the shape of a hand and then pads sewn into the fabric. Well, as the saying goes: ‘the past is another country - they do things differently there!’
December 8, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

DS Pro Blue Floral Cycling Jersey

Designed for greatness, both in performance and how you look and feel,this long sleeve cycling jersey is for women only and it’s a technical performance orientated garment that will give you everything you ever want and more from a cycling jersey.
December 1, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Taking a break from training

It’s lockdown again, although due to circumstances I didn’t really leave it earlier. With a wife working at the hospital, elderly parents-in-law and kids at university I had to stay safe, to semi-isolate. Thankfully I’m a solitary person, but at times it’s been demotivating. I need to refocus and the rollers are an excellent way to achieve this.
November 17, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website
Nadezhda Pavlova triathlete

Nadezhda Pavlova Lifestyle

Having Nadezhda on the team allows us to bring the very best traithlon training advice and fitness training tips to you, using her internationally recognised triathlon coaching skills and her wealth of knowledge as a competing triathlete.

Tim Don Road to Outlaw X

'The Road to Outlaw' provides a looking glass insight into the life of an elite athlete during the Covid 19 pandemic. The ups and downs, cancelled races, complications of lockdown home life and how Tim managed to stay focused to build up to the famous 70.3 distance triathlon at Outlaw X.
November 4, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Elite Indoor Cycle Training

I like a challenge - I’m still a competitor at heart. But the distance involved in travelling to practice and, the onset of colder weather means my training has to be adapted. Yes, I can go out into the smaller hills in my local National Park, the Dales. They’re truly beautiful, but the winter is coming. Yesterday we had snow! My wife’s parents sent a picture of it.

Yes, I’ll be back onto the rollers again I guess, spinning away and wiping away the sweat, as I try to retain my legs in readiness for spring or a crisp winter day. It won’t give me the strength though, just the stamina, which as a former distance athlete God or my parents already gave me.
October 28, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Capoliveri Legend Cup

Yesterday’s journey to my first crack at a UCI Marathon Series started about fifteen years ago, after seeing Miguel Martinez solo to a marathon win on Eurosport, having ditched his punctured back tyre and ‘rimming it’ from about 5km out. I’d been an armchair fan of Cape Epic and loved the footage of the dust covered athletes racing MTB’s in dramatic landscapes. I’m in my fifties. I still want to be that man. Tragic I know.
October 15, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Voom Energy Bars

Portable, easy to eat and chew, sweet but non sticky and suuuper tasty - these are the perfect characteristics that every energy bar should have. Food is fuel. The right energy bar under the right circumstances can be crucial in a race or ride. The Voom bars are designed to provide quick energy burst during exercise, that’s why they are high in carbohydrates, which are easily digested and absorbed quickly into the bloodstream - this can be good if you are on a 3-hour bike ride or racing, and out in the mountains here in Transylvania.
October 8, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Bike Handling Skills

A pro cyclist and former Tour de France rider once told our editor, Robert that riding in the peloton was a dangerous place, needing good peripheral vision and confident handling skills. Riding cross-disciplines can help you develop your skills on the road, as both cyclocross and mountain bike will test you out. However, I wanted to give you a few simple drills that will give you confidence and make you safer when riding in your own groups with friends. It'll also help you as you as develop as a triathlete, as cycling may not be your natural discipline.
September 27, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Identifying Cycling Pain

Many of you are asking me about different pain issues you experience after riding a bike, such as neck pain, back pain, knee pain, hand numbness, etc. It’s hard to suggest something without seeing you, and I’m not a doctor. It may be down to an ill-fitting bike, as too often, people simply buy an off-the-peg bike and don’t have it properly sized for them. This article by Nadezhda looks at some common cycle pain issues and gives you some advice on how to avoid it.
September 27, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Red Chilli Bikes

For some time, the team here at Pedalnorth have been looking for key brands to work in partnership with to promote cycling. Our editorial team has a wealth of talented writers and athletes, many of who still compete across Europe, the USA and elsewhere. It is important for us that the brands we work closely with share our ethos of excellence and independence in cycling and in life.
September 25, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Exercise Hydration

Sodium is a main electrolyte found in sweat and plays an important role in fluid balance in the body and in athletes' performance. Sodium loss can vary a lot between individuals and is also pretty stable within an individual too. How do you determine if you are a salty sweater and how much sodium should you consume to keep hydration levels optimized? One thing is certain, and that is the issue of correct hydration and fluid replacement for athletes, so let's examine this.
September 23, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Voom Nutrition Bars

During the spring and summer of 2020 I’ve been using and testing the Voom Nutrition energy bars and their super tasty “Recovery Fudge” protein bar. Best of all, they’re more than a replacement for the Mars Bars and I’ve seen my power levels maintained on both long rides and shorter but harder rides. How can they benefit your own cycling?
September 22, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Costa Blanca MTB Stage Race

Over the last thirty five years of cycle racing, I’ve often considered my peers and their contentment at riding the same disciplines, indeed the same races, year in year out. Each to their own and all that, but it’s not for me. It’s probably a Myers-Briggs personality thing. Firstly, I like new experiences; secondly, as a very average amateur athlete, I have never really found a discipline that has offered fame and fortune. Riding the same races over and over again holds little appeal.
September 20, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Pirelli PZero Race TLR 28

Pirelli returned to road cycling just a few ago, going back to their heritage and using their knowledge and skills developed in a formula 1 to great effect. Now sponsoring UCI World teams at both road and mtb disciplines, their latest tyre ranges take things to a whole new level, like the new 28mm TLR road tyre.
September 11, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Factor Bikes Harrogate

Factor Bikes are all about performance and technolological excellence.This young cycling brand aim high and achieve their goals, so it's no surprise that they've opened a showroom in Harrogate - the cycling centre of the UK. And, The 'Cold Bath Clubhouse' is already establishing itself as the bike place to be in town - with great coffee too!
September 2, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

DL Killer Cycling Shoes

To be a good cyclist, you need good shoes. This ensures that you are comfortable and able to utilize maximum power when on the bike. There are specially designed shoes to bring out the best in you!
August 25, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Triathlon Final Sprint

Need a final boost in your triathlon race/at the foot of a big climb/ at the end of a run or ride? We all do at times,it's perfectly normal. You seem to have done everything, but for some reason you just feel under power. You've followed your nutrition plan, yes - but that doesn't help at this moment; so what can you do?
August 24, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Altos de Letras Colombia

The longest road climb in the world is in the majestic hills of Colombia. Quite appropriate really, when you consider that this is where the best climbers come from. Let’s take a look at this amazing route and maybe inspire you to take it on.
August 21, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

The Mature Athlete and The Vicious Circle

Over the last thirty years I’ve raced and trained consistently. From consistent top ten finishes in the CTT British Best All-Rounder competition, through cyclocross and MTB Cross Country. Twenty to thirty starts a year on average. Under normal circumstances, I love my sport and drive home just as euphorically happy after turning myself inside out to hang onto a group in a cross race as I did to score the occasional win against the watch fifteen years ago.
August 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Voom Nutrition for Cyclists

VOOM is a young and vibrant brand from the U.K. and it’s one that has its base firmly in endurance sports, with triathlon, fell running and cycling being sports that the brands key people participate in at a high level. There’s also some good science behind what they do, with their own scientist within the brand team. All sounds good so far then.
August 10, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

London Fixed Gear

I’d better open up by saying that I wasn’t on a drug crazed trip in our capital city. No, I’d simply gone down to London to spend time with our son, a photographic artist who lives in the south of the city. Yes, a man after my own heart, whose apartment is filled with bikes and bike parts, all fixed gear machines, including a folding one! He has other bikes... numerous at the family home, but London is for riding real - and that means fixed gear.
August 1, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Ladies Bike Saddles Review

A bike saddle is the most personal part of your bike, and it can make all the difference in the world. That’s why getting the right saddle for road cyclists and triathletes is so important. While a good saddle is barely noticeable, the uncomfortable one will make you beyond miserable. Unless you want to make your best friend’s thigh chaff and lower parts numb, you need to find the right saddle. But what exactly does that mean?
Well, to put it simply, women-specific saddles usually have a cut-out to relieve soft tissue pressure. The use of a wider saddle helps to accommodate a woman's wider-spaced sit bones. Sit bones are the bones that make up the area in your buttocks that are the most likely to feel pressured during a ride.
July 30, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Voom Hydration Powder

The Voom electrolyte mix aims to match what we sweat out, to replace those lost salts and to prevent cramp. A hypotonic drink with a small amount of glucose as ‘co-transport’ means faster hydration is possible when consuming both electrolytes and glucose rather than water and electrolytes or water alone. Simply drinking plain water won’t do what you need. Yes, it replaces fluid, but not the vital electrolytes.
July 28, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Ladies Bike Saddles

Whether you’re viewing the rolling greens of the countryside, conquering the mountains or planning a cycle across the bustling streets, the bottom line is – your bottom is in the line. No matter what the scenery might offer, without the right saddle and perfect padding for your tush it isn’t fun and you won't be able to push as much power as possible. There’s no reason to tolerate aching muscles and pressure points when you can find a seat that goes the extra mile.
Know your body
July 23, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Cormet de Roselend France

Sitting at an altitude of 1968m the Cormet de Roselend connects Beaufort(744m) in the Beaufortain valley in the west and Bourg-Saint-Maurice(840m) in the Tarentaise Valley to the east. The climb has a rich TDF history. It was first featured in the 1979 Tour de France and ten times since. In 2019 the climb was cut from the tour as a mudslide rendered the climb impassable. It returns in 2020 for stage 18 and just happens to follow our preferred route over the Cormet!
July 21, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Aeropress Coffee

I used to be a bit of a philistine when it came to coffee, coffee was just coffee and instant tasted okay. That was until I started drinking freshly ground and freshly made coffee. What a revelation and how bad instant now tastes. Far from being any kind of connoisseur, but I can now appreciate the subtle undertones of flavours in different coffees, although this has created a bit of hole for myself, demanding good coffee wherever I travel, even bikepacking.
July 19, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Vitamin D Deficiency In Sport

Vitamin D is vital for growth and maintenance of the bone and in regulation of electrolyte metabolism, protein synthesis, gene expression, and immune function - lots of important things for athletes. These vital functions are essential for all individuals, and they're especially so for the elite and recreational athlete.
July 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

A few thoughts on bikefitting

Riding a bike seems a simple process. However, it's not until we start to look at the technical aspects, that we can really begin to reap the full benefits. Steve took a reluctant trip for bike fit and came back a changed rider... with lots of bikes to change too 😉
July 9, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Bowland Badass Cycling Route

The Bowland Badass, whilst starting in the quiet village of Garstang, is an epic 167 mile road cycling route in Lancashire and Yorkshire, with a series of epic and tough climbs. It was run as a sportive, and we've included the route here, so that you can ride it yourself at any time, either in a one day adventure, or as a cycle tour over a weekend.
July 1, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Col de Petit St Bernard Cycling Route

One of the classics of the alps and steeped in history, it is believed the Carthaginian general Hannibal used this very route. The road connects Bourg st Maurice on the edge of the Isere in France with the Aosta Valley in Italy via the french resorts of La rosiere and La thuile on the Italian side.
June 26, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Girls Rule Cycling Kit

Designed For Cycling design and produce high technicity and high performance ladies cycling clothing. They also design the most chic and stylish cycling kit for ladies, and their Girls Rule range is typical of this high end ladies cycling kit brand
June 23, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

London to Telegraph Hill

Telegraph Hill in London is a secret viewpoint with one of the very best views over the city. Take a cycle ride from Central London, along the Southbank to this amazing small park.
June 23, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Morning Ride

It’s time to ride. The air outside is cool and a slight dampness hangs as the sun is still warming the earth. Fixing the bottles into the cages, I clip the pedals and place the gloved palms of my hands onto the bars.
June 21, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Ditchling Beacon

It is possible to find country lane road cycling routes in Sussex and London. The classic Ditchling Beacon road cycling climb is an example, cycling from Balcombe to Brighton.
June 19, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Cycling Injuries

Not the first time I went down, but this road rush is definitely the worst one. #shithappens But look at my butt and my @oliverotto_ my bib didn’t even got damaged!!! Amazing.

It’s not only the pros that take falls and suffer road rash, with layers of skin torn. The only difference is that they have a medic leaning out of a car and treating their injury as they continue to ride!
June 17, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Choosing a triathlon bike

There is a lot to think about in triathlon for beginners, three sports to master, the fitness levels needed to finish a race, the mental pressure and so on. However, equipment is also important, and while the right swimwear and running shoes are crucial, the biggest investment for most new to triathlon is the bike.
June 17, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

How to choose a triathlon suit

For triathlon athletes, everything matters and can have a significant impact on overall performance. Not just training and mindset, but equipment too, and an important part of that is the triathlon suit itself, as it is worn throughout the entire event.
June 15, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Cycling Hydration Advice

It's critical as an athlete and as a cyclist to stay hydrated, and also to know what to drink when, if you're to maximise your performance. Cycling hydration can make the difference between winning and losing, or even being able to finish the ride. Nadezhda gives some useful advice to guide you in your training and nutrition plan
June 13, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Colle dell Agnello Cycling Route

The Colle dell'Agnello links Italy and France, and at 2,744 m (9,003 ft), it is the third highest paved road pass of the Alps. This route takes in a hard ascent, with a break in the mountains before the return. Maybe consider an overnight 😉
June 12, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Things Go Wrong In Triathlon

Triathlon training gives you an opportunity to look at the possible things that might go wrong on race day. Nadezhda talks through this for you...
June 11, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Romania 5 Top Cycling Climbs

There are places in the world that are not only still relatively undiscovered, but that also have road cycling climbs that rank alongside any cycling climbs in the world - welcome to Romania cycling, or to be precise - it's time to be transfixed by Transylvania!
June 7, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

If the shoe fits

Looking after your feet as a cyclist is critical. They're attached to the bike and work hard all day.Time to take advice from footwear expert, David Jack from RXM.
June 5, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

3T Super Ergo Team Comfort Handlebars

3T make excellent cycles and finishing kit; oh, and great wheels too. For the past year we’ve been testing their Superergo Team bars on our bike build series road bike here at Pedalnorth and they’ve been spot on in all aspects.
June 5, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website

Col de la Lombarde Cycle Route

Crossing between France and Italy, Col de la Lombarde (or Colle della Lombarda) is a high mountain pass cycle route, above the French ski resort Isola, and above the Italian mountain resort of Vinadio, famous for its historic Forte.
June 5, 2020/by Pedalnorth Website
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