Nadezhda Lifestyle – pedalnorth

Tour de France 2026 – history made and cycling dreams in Barcelona

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:41:51 +0000

Tour de France 2026

Barcelona Makes History while Pogačar Wins Hearts

For the first time in Tour de France history, the world’s biggest cycling race started in Barcelona, Spain — and what a way to begin the 2026 edition. For three unforgettable days, the vibrant and culturally rich Catalan capital became the centre of the cycling world, welcoming riders and fans with incredible energy, packed streets and a backdrop unlike anywhere else on the Tour calendar. Catalonia lit up the scene, and the greatest cycling event in the world became a festival of sport and Catalan culture.

Celebrations began with the official team presentation in front of the iconic Gaudi Cathedral of Sagrada Família, before the peloton rolled out for an exciting opening weekend that showcased Barcelona at its very best. Being in the heart of this activity was exciting, nerve racking and emotional, all rolled into one – an experience of a lifetime that will stay will me forever. And, as the cycling began, riders passed some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, from the Mediterranean waterfront and Passeig de Gràcia to Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, before tackling the legendary climb to Montjuïc.

Yes, the combination of world-class racing, historic scenery and passionate fans created an atmosphere that felt more like a festival than the opening of a three-week cycling Grand Tour.

A Catalonia cycling festival in Barcelona

With only three days to capture as much as I could, I set about maximising my time – which included leading out the Q36.5 team and Tom Pidcock! Then, the opening team time trial immediately delivered drama. Team Visma | Lease a Bike executed a near-perfect ride, placing Jonas Vingegaard into the first yellow jersey of the race. A marker had been placed early, and I was there to capture it all. The new team time trial format, where riders received individual times depending on when they crossed the finish line, added another tactical dimension and rewarded both teamwork and individual strength. It was an exciting way to launch the Tour and set the tone for what would ultimately become another memorable edition.

But while Barcelona provided the perfect stage, the real story of this Tour was once again Tadej Pogačar. We’ve become used to watching the Slovenian do extraordinary things on a bike. His accelerations in the mountains almost seem effortless, his descending is fearless, and his race instinct is second to none. Yet what stood out even more this July wasn’t simply another overall victory — it was the way he raced. His whole attitude, demeanour and activity.

One of the defining moments came on Stage 2. Isaac Del Toro, UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s young Mexican star, attacked on the final climb to Montjuïc with Pogačar glued to his wheel. Most riders chasing a fifth Tour title would instinctively sprint for every possible victory. This time, Pogačar did the opposite. He sat up, celebrated with his teammate and allowed Del Toro to take the biggest win of his young career. After all, winning a Grand Tour requires teamwork, and Del Toro would repay this in spades as the tour progressed towards Paris.

And, that single moment perfectly summed up why Pogačar has become one of the most respected riders in professional cycling. He wins often, yes; but he never forgets the people around him – about the team. Throughout the Tour he consistently praised his teammates, acknowledged the work they did to protect him and made it clear that success belongs to the entire team — not simply to the rider wearing yellow.

Stage by stage,history is written

Later in the race, when Del Toro was battling illness while fighting for the white jersey and a podium place, Pogačar again put the team first. Rather than chasing another stage victory for himself, he helped his young teammate defend his position. Those gestures rarely appear in the final results sheet, but they say far more about a champion than another statistic ever could. Watching this close up, I was able to see the bonds that riders had and how teams interacted – it was enlightening and yes, kind of emotional. For three weeks they are a close-knit family, sharing raw emotions. In Barcelona, the smiles were of course evident. However, once the racing began, we can never see all that takes place behind the scenes pre-race and post-race. We can only watch in awe and soak it all up… and I did.

Of course, the racing itself delivered everything fans could hope for. The battle between Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard looked set to produce another thrilling chapter before Vingegaard’s Tour dramatically and unfortunately ended prematurely, following a crash. Remco Evenepoel then stepped up and into the void, to become Pogačar’s closest challenger, while the mountains once again belonged to the Slovenian. His breathtaking climbing performances — including a record ascent of Alpe d’Huez — underlined exactly why he continues to set the standard in modern cycling.

By the time the peloton reached Paris, with thousands of kilometres in the legs and hearts filled with emotions, Pogačar had secured his fifth Tour de France title, further cementing his place among the greatest riders the sport has ever seen. But statistics alone don’t explain why this Tour felt so special.

Celebrating cycling and its global family

The 2026 edition reminded us what makes cycling unique. It delivered unforgettable racing, stunning scenery and incredible crowds from Barcelona to Paris, but it also highlighted the values that make the sport so compelling: teamwork, respect and humility. Yes, I had witness history, and I had been fortunate to be at Barcelona and at Paris. I had been a part of events at Barcelona close-up, and I had talked with riders, with their support crews and with others. I had immersed myself totally in this unique and quite wonderful race, and I had loved every moment of it.

Barcelona had made history, by hosting the Tour de France for the first time, giving global cycling fans an opening weekend they will remember for years to come. And Pogačar had reminded us that the greatest champions are defined not only by how often they win, but by how they treat the people around them. Sometimes you see, the biggest victory isn’t crossing the finish line first. Sometimes, it’s earning the respect of the entire peloton — and in that regard, Tadej Pogačar may already be in a league of his own. Is he the greatest of all time – who can say. He is up there now, with the likes of Hinault, Induráin and Merckx. He has beaten times set by the great climbers such as Pantani, and he continues to ride into our hearts, challenging everything set before him.

The 2026 Tour de France may be concluded, but it still lives. It built on that unmistakeable global cycling community feeling and camaraderie that is cycling, and it showed me why cycling is so special. As Pogačar and Van der Poel raced through the cobbled streets of Montmartre, they weren’t just riding through the suburb of artists, they were painting history itself, and it was magical in its brilliance!

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ALÉ Women’s Summer Cycling Kit – 2026

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:20:36 +0000

ALÉ women’s summer cycling kit 2026

Cycling in the testing summer heat of Barcelona

By Nadezhda Pavlova | Pedalnorth

All over Europe there’s been a heat wave this summer, and it’s been critical that cyclists get the kit choices right. In many respects Barcelona in the middle of summer is one of the best places to test cycling apparel. Hot climbs, humid mornings and long hours in the saddle quickly reveal whether a kit truly performs or not. The sun in northern Spain does not take prisoners. It burns down on you, and the fabrics have to be protective in many ways – especially with UV protection and the ability to let air flow. Over the past few weeks, I have been testing the latest offerings for women cyclists from stylish Italian brand, ALÉ. Based in Verona in the north of Italy, ALÉ supply kit at World Tour level, and so have the right environment for knowing how well their kit works. I tested the ALÉ Sprinter 2.0 jersey, ALE Voltage bib shorts, and the ALE Focus Tri Suit. Here are my thoughts.

ALE Voltage Bib Shorts

The ALÉ Voltage bib shorts were probably the biggest surprise. The first thing I noticed was the raw-cut leg finish. They stay securely in place without digging into your thighs, so there’s none of that uncomfortable “sausage leg” effect that some bib shorts create. It seems a small point, but it’s not. raw-cut legs are super fitting and super comfortable on bibs – if brands get it right. The material also has to be strong and high-quality multi-directional too, so that it wraps you properly and stays in place.

Thankfully, ALÉ know all of this, and the Voltage bib shorts are made from high-quality fabrics, providing excellent supportive compression without feeling restrictive, while the lightweight bib straps and upper almost disappear once you’re riding. Bib straps are a key point and often overlooked. High-performance brands will use strong and flat elasticated weave straps that sit flat and stay unobtrusive and comfortable across the shoulders – as these bibs do.

They’re also designed with minimal seams, for an anatomically optimized fit, and that all-important sun protection too. The new Air Fix Snake fabric applied between the legs by ALÉ also ensures better adherence to the saddle for consistent power, whilst also looking kind of stylish. For me though, the chamois deserves special mention. I tested it on five-hour rides, including Barcelona’s fast 4 Chillies group ride, and it remained comfortable from start to finish. That’s no mean feat in the Barcelona heat on climbs. No pressure points, no discomfort—exactly what you want when spending hours in the saddle.

White bib shorts aren’t just stylish—they’re practical for summer too, reflecting the sun better than darker colours. Combined with the refined and anatomical fit, they quickly became my favourite bibs for hot days. It’s a thumbs up for the ALÉ Voltage bibs!

ALÉ Sprinter 2.0 Jersey

The new ALÉ Sprinter 2.0 jersey quickly became my go-to jersey for Barcelona’s summer heat. Alongside the Voltage bibs, I wore it on long rides – both solo and in fast group rides – and it handled the heat exceptionally well. Even during numerous long climbs, it stayed breathable and dried quickly, so I never felt weighed down by sweat.

The cut and fit, and the multidirectional fabrics used, feels like a true second skin without being restrictive. One of my favourite details is the ribbed aero fabric on the sleeves, which gives the jersey a premium race-inspired look while adding a subtle aerodynamic touch. The raw-cut sleeves are stylish and extremely well thought out and finished, and sit comfortably against the arms without squeezing, while the mesh style fabric side panels provide good extra ventilation.

The dropped rear hem keeps the jersey perfectly in place, and the three rear pockets easily carry everything needed for longer rides – viola. All on point so far.
In terms of the styling and colour, the berry colour is one of my favourite parts of the jersey. It’s bright, fresh and highly visible on the road, while pairing beautifully with the white bib shorts for a clean summer look. The finish and quality of fabrics and zips from ALÉ is always good, and this jersey proved that again to me. Overall, it has that unmistakable Italian class. Premium fabrics, elegant tailoring and thoughtful details remind you that Italians know fashion just as well as they know cycling.

ALÉ Focus Tri Suit (used as a cycling skinsuit)

Although the ALÉ Focus is designed as a triathlon suit, I chose to wear it as a cycling skinsuit for fast group rides. It makes sense at my level of riding, and is comfortable on those testing rides.

The moment I zipped it up, it gave me that race-day feeling. The fit is close and supportive without feeling restrictive, and the lightweight fabric remained comfortable even in Barcelona’s summer temperatures. The ribbed sleeve fabric adds to the aerodynamic feel, while the raw-cut sleeves stay perfectly in place throughout the ride.

Because it’s a tri suit, the chamois is naturally thinner than a dedicated cycling bib, but for high-intensity rides that’s exactly what you’d expect. The full-length front zipper also makes it easy to adjust ventilation, while the rear pockets comfortably carry ride essentials. I received several compliments while wearing it on fast group rides – and that’s always a good sign when testing clothing. Beyond the performance, it simply looks fast – fast and stylish, what we want. Every time I put it on, I felt like I was lining up for a race.

Verdict

What impressed me most with the ALÉ women’s summer kit options has been the balance between performance, comfort and style. The Sprinter 2.0 jersey and Voltage bib shorts proved themselves on the most testing rides – those long, hot summer rides. And, the ALÉ Focus Tri Suit became my ‘go to’ choice of cycle clothing whenever I wanted a more aerodynamic, race-focused feel. There is no higher recommendation, I guess.

Once again, ALÉ has managed to combine premium technical fabrics with unmistakable Italian style, giving all cyclists the same level of quality and performance afforded to their supported world tour teams. The result is women’s cycling apparel that performs on the bike while looking elegant off it — a combination that’s harder to find than you might think.

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Chasing a Rainbow through Serbia – Grand Fondo Worlds

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:38:16 +0000

Chasing a Rainbow Through Serbia

My Road to Gran Fondo Novi Sad

The decision was made during a training ride in the hills above Barcelona. I had been putting in long hours on the bike and accumulating kilometres week after week. But something was missing. I wanted a goal. Something to look forward to. Something that would push me beyond simply training for the sake of training. It had been several years since I had lined up for a major international race, and I wanted to test myself again. More importantly, I wanted the chance to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

That evening at home, doing that internet search that we cyclists frequently explore, and with me still thinking about the ride, I found myself scrolling through the UCI Gran Fondo World Series calendar. One event caught my attention: Novi Sad, Serbia. Yes, I know that it still conjures up particular images for many people – and those events were so real that it’s understandable – but this country in the heart of Central Europe and the Balkans has a longer history than those events of the late 20th century, and Serbia had been on my travel bucket list for years.

Like many people, when I thought about the country, I thought about Belgrade—the capital, the history, the culture and the energy that these days draws visitors from across Europe for the right reasons. Novi Sad, however, was a place I knew almost nothing about. I had never visited, never researched it, and honestly hadn’t given it much thought before seeing its name on the race calendar. However, only a few clicks late and I was registered.

The attraction of challenging yourself

The attraction wasn’t just another Gran Fondo. It was the possibility of something bigger. Like every event in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, Novi Sad offered qualification for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Finish in the top 25% of your age group and the reward isn’t a medal or a T-shirt — it’s a ticket to race for a rainbow jersey. For amateur cyclists, that’s as close as most of us will ever get to feeling like a professional. And so, only a few weeks later, I arrived in Serbia with my bike and plenty of curiosity about what awaited me and the hope that my training had been enough.

My bike setup: Time Scylon aero bike, fitted with Particle Hyperlight 45/52 wheels, a Selle Italia saddle, and Pirelli P Zero Race SL-R tyres. It’s a setup I know intimately and trust completely when the road turns uphill, the pace rises, and every watt counts. However, I wanted to balance lightness with the necessary handling and responsiveness, and to get these elements working in harmony.

On arrival Novi Sad immediately felt different; most Gran Fondo’s are hosted in places already famous for cycling. Think Girona. Mallorca. The Dolomites. Novi Sad doesn’t need cycling to justify its existence. The city sits on the banks of the Danube between the river and the slopes of Fruška Gora National Park. It feels like a fascinating crossroads where Central Europe meets the Balkans. It’s already a tourism hotspot in this area of Europe, filled with history and culture. The evening before the race, the city centre was packed with cafés and restaurants. Nobody seemed particularly interested in watts, FTP or aero socks. It was refreshing and relaxing.

Getting ready to ride

Then race morning arrived. Suddenly the streets belonged to cyclists. The start line sits directly in front of the Provincial Government building in the heart of the city. Hundreds of riders from across Europe rolled into the start pens carrying the same nervous energy. Some were chasing qualification. Others were chasing personal goals. A few looked like they could have ridden straight into a professional peloton – and had probably recently left the pro and semi-pro ranks. There are a wealth of cyclists now sitting within this new grey area of being amateur and yet spending 24/7-365 as a cycling competitor on some form. I knew this was going to be a tough day riding.

The Gran Fondo Novi Sad route covers 107 kilometres with approximately 1,800 metres of elevation gain. Three key climbs define the race and shape the final result. As the neutralised start rolled out through the city, I found myself wondering whether I’d underestimated the race. The answer arrived 11 kilometres later. That’s where the first major climb begins. Groups exploded. Riders were dropped. The race settled into that familiar Gran Fondo rhythm: full gas, brief recovery, then full gas again. The strongest riders used the climbs to create gaps. Everyone else was trying to limit losses.

I remember looking down at my computer and seeing numbers I would have preferred not to see. I also remember looking up. Beautiful forests lined much of the course, providing welcome shade on a warm day. At other moments the road opened into wide fields and rolling countryside, with views stretching across the landscape. For a few moments I forgot I was racing. That’s rare. Most races become a blur of suffering and statistics. Novi Sad managed to remain a journey.

The second climb came around kilometre 50. Then comes the final climb and the rolling roads across the ridge of Fruška Gora, where every acceleration matters and every weakness is exposed. Then, the final kilometres back toward the city were fast and demanding. Before I could pause, it was suddenly all over. Months of training reduced to a number on a results sheet. Thankfully though, this time, the answer was a good one and I crossed the finish line as the second overall female rider and secured qualification for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships – the rainbow jersey dream would continue.

Post-race reflections

In truth, the race itself went surprisingly smoothly. The only real problem of the weekend came after the finish line – the trophy. It was enormous. Getting it back to the hotel while managing a bike and all my equipment turned out to be more complicated than any of the three climbs! Thankfully, one of the race photographers came to the rescue and helped me. The adventure continued at the airport, where I discovered the trophy was far too big for my bike bag; and so, while the bike travelled in its case, the trophy travelled with me as hand luggage.

Did I qualify for the World Championships? Absolutely, yes! But the result wasn’t the only thing I that brought home from Serbia, because the real discovery wasn’t only that I had earned a place at the Worlds, it was discovering a side of Serbia I never expected to find and which was refreshing. Everyone talks about Belgrade. Everyone talks about Girona. Everyone talks about Mallorca. Few people talk about Novi Sad. For me, after one weekend in Serbia, I suspect that this won’t remain true for long. Serbia is different these days, and it’s focusing on its culture and sublime scenery to attract cultural and sports tourists for the right reasons to this amazing place in the heart of Europe.

With roads, facilities and landscapes to rival most venues elsewhere, I believe that Novi Sad will soon be a destination choice for cyclists from all over the world. All able to share in the relaxed and warm welcome that I’d been lucky enough to experience myself, on my journey to the end of the rainbow. Where to next – who knows. What I do know though, is that there’ll be a challenge involved!

Note: We are conscious of certain concerns that still exist around the politics of this region. As such, this blog reflects the visit of an individual; whilst, as an organisation, Pedalnorth is against any form of opppression or violence against any cultural or ethnic group, and cannot ever condone the recent behaviour of celebration in Serbia, concerning the life of those who were rightly convicted and imprisoned for crimes against humanity.

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The best womens cycling clothing

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:37:03 +0000

Women’s Cycling Clothing

Tips for choosing the right clothing for you

by Nadezhda, Diane & Kristi

Some time ago, we examined the issue of finding the best cycling clothing for women. In an arena where women’s cycle clothing brands are still in their infancy, it’s not always easy. After all, the cycle clothing market has been sexist for too many years, and this won’t change overnight. We still get too mant brands failing to understand the specific cycle clothing needs of women: shape, fit, style and performance. Walk into any large cycling retailer and you’ll see the main issue. It’s as though women aren’t supposed to shop for cycling clothing. In many respects, western culture is still overtly sexist in too many ways – especially in sports.

Whilst getting the right bike is critical, so is getting the right cycling shoes to aleviate painful feet, and getting the very best cycle clothing for men and for women. With women however, it has to be specific clothing that fits your body curves and unique shape, is comfortable in all areas,and which allows you to ove freely on the bike. Yes, women have different but similar needs for cycling clothing – especially with cycling jerseys for women, which does not need explaining!

And so, choosing women’s cycling clothing is difficult at times. There are a few things to think about if you want comfortable cycling jerseys and bib shorts that perform well and allow you to focus on the ride. We need womens specific cycling clothing that is actually designed for our needs, and and not an afterthought from the pink it and shrink it days bygone. Ultimateky, we deserve it and shouldn’t still have to remind brands – but we do.

Ultimately, high-performance and stylish women’s cycling clothing needs to be made with high-quality materials, made to perform at a high level, be highly stylish and super comfortable in all areas, as it wraps our beautiful feminine bodies in elegant and stylish cycling comfort.

Nadezhda wearing Jelenew

What to look for

Starting with the best women’s cycling jerseys, here are a few things to look for.

Race Cut Style

Even if you don’t race, you want a women’s cycling jersey that looks good and fits well as you ride. A race cut jersey has a longer back and a contoured fit that is both supportive and flexible. It needs to wrap you properly where it touches, like a second skin, and to move freely with you. That means support and comfort on the bike, with no issues of the back, riding up as you lean forwards; and, having the compression that keeps your muscles supported to prevent early fatigue on long rides. The best women’s cycling jerseys have been designed with all of this in mind. Brands like Alé, Jelenew, Sigr, GripGrab, DS Pro and Nice-based couture brand G$ Dimension all take the time to research their fabrics and how they wrap the contoured and sleek forms of the female cyclists body.

Material

Look for multi-directional stretch material that gives good compression, but that does not restrict movement. This provides you with great support while remaining comfortable even on long rides. In addition, take time to look at the materials used for the best womens cycle clothing brands, and find out more about that material itself and how it performs. Look for material that wicks moisture away from the skin and helps to control body temperature, while giving that all-important sun protection, too.

Cooling

Cycle clothing that controlling body temperature is essential, and here women’s cycling kit has a variety of features to look for. The most obvious is a long zip that allows adjustable ventilation. However, vented areas elsewhere, such as under the arms and on the back, including the use of breathable materials can keep you cool all day long. The best women’s cycling jerseys will be more expensive, but will use more technical and high-quality fabrics, and ensure a far more comfortable and enjoyable ride for you.

Diane wearing SIGR

Bib shorts for women cyclists

The other crucial item in every cycling kit choice are women’s cycling bibs – and again, there are several things to look for. Not least of which are the cycling bib straps that go over or around the women’s chest area. This is a sensitive and important part of our bodies and the cycling bib shorts we choose, needs to take account of this. Soft, wide straps that sit comfortably, or straps that cross over and avoid going directly over the breasts are avaialble and worth looking for.

Shaped Fit

For women’s cycling bibs, a women specific cut is critical, as we are quite different in how we are designed! Our hips, our waist and our legs are unique and the best women’s cycling bib shorts will take account of all of these aspects, along with well-placed seams to avoid chafing, and a tight, but unrestrictive fit to provide the compression support needed. We simply want clothing that fits to form, and fits our female body shape like a second skin. It needs to move with us and be a part of us too. Multi-directional fabrics are best for this, and high-quality fabrics with some compression in the right places.

Brands like DS Pro also do a shorter leg version of women’s cycling bib shorts, allowing you to get that all-important sun tan for when you’re not cycling, whilst retaining the necessary high-performance and high quality required.

Wicking Material

Material matters for all women’s cycling kit, but especially for the bib. Wicking material draws moisture away from the skin to allow it to evaporate, this helps prevent chaffing and keeps you comfortable for longer by assisting with temperature control. Women’s cycling bibs should feature wicking materials for optimum performance – especially with the pad.

Nadezhda wearing DS Pro

Padding & Comfort

You need a selection of pads for your body type and for the riding you’ll be doing. The pad also needs to be layered correctly, to stay stylish, and to take away the moisture created on the ride.

Top brands use high-quality pads from companies such as Elastic Interface and others; or spend a huge amount of time and expense themselves on researching the right pad. The best women’s specific cycle clothing brands like Alé, GripGrab, Jelenew and DS Pro can be relied upon to have been designed and tested by top women cyclists. For health and comfort, good padding in the right place is essential when cycling. The best women’s bib shorts depend on your own riding style, distances and your body type. There is no ‘one size fits all’ option. Take time when choosing women’s cycling bib shorts.

For long distance riding, thicker pads with excellent moisture wicking abilities are the best option. For road riding at shorter distances, a thinner pad provides all the protection needed while reducing weight and increasing mobility. Think about your ride style and choose an appropriate chamois type.

Kristi wearing GripGrab

There is finally a recognition that women deserve recognition for who they are, and that they have fundamentally different cycle clothing needs from men. The best women’s cycling kit and cycling clothing has advanced considerably in the last few years, with technical fabrics specifically designed and developed for women, and also tested tested thoroughly with the very best riders. Whether you’re looking to find the best women’s cycling jersey or high performance women’s cycling bib shorts, there is thankfully a huge range to choose from. Whatever your style and choice of riding, you can now find high-quality, feature rich women’s cycling kit to fit your own specific needs and which wraps your unique body like a second skin – whilst also allowing you to be super stylish!

There is a women’s cycling revolution taking place,and we are the fastest and strongest growing group within global cycling. The result of this is that you can now find the right cycling clothing – if you know where to look. It is possible to choose women’s cycle clothing that is developed and designed with you in mind, your form and fit and different physiology, and it’s possible to be an ultra-comfortable and stylish cyclist, whilst showing the style that makes you a woman!

Just press pause when choosing, insist on clothing that meets your needs and only accept the very best!

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Carbon road bikes created in the heart of Europe

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:42:40 +0000

Carbon Bikes created in the heart of Europe – by TIME

by Robert Thorpe & Nadezhda Pavlova

For those of you that haven’t noticed, carbon bike frame production in Europe is not only alive and kicking; they’re still leading the way in innovation and engineering excellence. Yes, tucked away between Vienna in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia, the small town of Gajary is home to the legendary carbon manufacturer, TIME Bicycles – the brand of former champions such as Paulo Bettini and Tom Boonen. And, TIME has been extremely busy since the Cardinal Cycling Group bought the brand only a few years ago with a seemingly endless drive to innovate and create new bikes to feed the global cycling communities’ thirst for quality and performance.

Leading the way on carbon bike engineering

TIME has always been at the forefront of carbon bike innovation. They’re one of those brands that cyclists aspire to ride. When somebody asks you what you’re riding, you simply say, ‘It’s a TIME’ and they know immediately that you’re riding one of the best carbon bikes in the world.

Their bikes are produced in-house at every stage. They weave the various threads themselves, using their proprietary Braided Carbon Structures (BCS) process, and their in-house Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), which in short, creates possibly the best carbon bike frames in the world. If you click the link at the foot of this article, you can read more about these processes on their own website.

And so, under the guidance of CEO, Tony Karklins, an industry veteran from the USA, but with deep European cycling industry connections, TIME is once again moving forward – pardon the pun – with a number of new bike models, all had crafted and hand painted by their artisans in Gajary, in the heart of Europe.

TIME Scylon

World-leading aero bike made in Europe

These days, too many bike brands use the phrase ‘designed in Europe’ or ‘assembled in Europe’, to hide the fact that many of the engineering processes are carried out elsewhere. Not so at TIME, who are legendary for their industry-leading carbon bike frame expertise. Their latest race offering, the TIME Scylon is testament to this, and is the ultimate expression of what a modern, high-performance road bike should be.

It embraces all the learning from nearly 40 years of carbon fibre expertise, to create a road bike engineered for aerodynamics, speed, and precision handling. Yes, the all new Scylon features their advanced carbon fiber technology, full cable integration, ultra-efficient power transfer, and clearance for 32c tires without sacrificing that legendary ride quality and durability that a TIME frameset has. It’s a bike with no gimmicks and unnecessary elements – pure speed wrapped into a work of cycling art. TIME engineers, under the leadership of Tony Karklins and his team, spent almost 2 years agonizing over every detail of the new Scylon, before releasing it is mid-2025, because balancing aerodynamics, weight, and stiffness is challenging. They increased tube sizes, which can add weight, and narrowed the frontal areas which can affect performance and ride quality – all risky changes, but for TIME, challenges worth exploring.

And, in true TIME style, this iconic bike brand overcame these challenges – in line with their motto, Le Defi – and they produced a lightweight, sleek and aero race bike that responds with precision and rides like a dream. Just ask our editor in chief, Nadezhda, who’s been riding and racing the Scylon since its launch!

TIME can also be fluid

The new TIME Fluidity endurance bike

In May of this year, TIME deliberately flew under the radar, releasing their latest endurance bike, as they set out to capture a proportion of the growing endurance cycling scene. With a focus on all-day comfort, the TIME Fluidity raises the bar on performance and quality – literally! Yes, the Fluidity has a higher stack height and is completely re-developed to meet the needs of the modern performance-orientated endurance cyclist.

Fluidity’s endurance geometry places the rider in a more upright position compared to a pure race bike – shoulders back, breathing freely, sustainable over 200-kilometre days. This they say is not a softer ride. It is, however, a more relaxed position, and one that supports those all-day epic rides. The performance characteristics are equal to those of the previous TIME Alpe D’Huez, but the difference is in how you feel after four hours. As TIME themselves say, cycling is about effortless pedaling that is driven by emotions, and a natural synergy between bike and rider – a passion for exploration. The new TIME Fluidity takes you on a journey into what TIME believes is the future of endurance bikes, whilst keeping one eye on the road taken to arrive at this point. It’s a seamless marriage between performance and comfort – an aspect of cycling that TIME is legendary at creating.

Within their new carbon frameset, they use DYNEEMA woven into their BCS frames in way that others don’t, taking a lead from the aero industry. This technical fibre dissipates high-frequency road vibration, reducing fatigue over long distances. It’s lighter than carbon at the equivalent strength, and it also has superior toughness, improving durability and confidence. It ensures that the new TIME Fluidity retains their legendary handling and performance, whilst being as light and strong as possible. It’s a bike for the future, not just for one ride.

The new TIME NXR

Everything you want from a carbon road bike

Finally, then, those busy engineers at TIME and their European factory have just released another world-leading carbon road bike to join their range – the new, 2026 TIME NXR. It’s not just a high-performance and high-quality road bike; the paint finish on the NXR is designed to show off their unrivalled braided carbon structures, with every strand of the weave on display and beautifully reflected in a modern styling. Yes, the NXR is literally ‘art on 2-wheels.’

Built on a proven platform, by using their proven BCS carbon, it comes with a new Scylon-inspired fork, to deliver the signature ride quality that TIME bikes have held and refined for decades. The geometry is built for taking on challenges and responds instantly to your input – it has 32mm tyre clearance for the roads you actually ride. This pure road design of the NXR positions the rider in a balanced, classic road posture — neither the extreme reach of an all-out race bike, nor the taller stack of an endurance frame. It’s the road position most riders actually want – powerful, comfortable for hours, and ready to attack the moment the road turns skyward. Yes, the NXR draws on the tried and tested and legendary design from the TIME Alp D’Huez, when it comes to climbing, whilst bringing in subtle new elements to continually innovate in their pursuit of the ultimate ride.

And so, yes, TIME definitely hasn’t stood still for this iconic brand, who still have more bikes up their sleeve and in development. Whilst many brands seem confused about their own current positioning and the influx of bikes from China, TIME are tackling things head on, in the only way they know how – through their unrivalled innovation and excellence in pursuit of the best possible ride. For me, TIME isn’t simply a world-leading aspirational brand; it’s achievable, and it’s ready and waiting for you to join their legendary cycling family, still proudly based in the beating heart of European cycling.

Visit the TIME website – Click Here

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Cycling at the beginning of the season

Pedalnorth Website — Sun, 03 May 2026 14:51:22 +0000

The Beginning of a Cycling Season

Building Form, Racing Early, and Trusting Your Bike

The beginning of a season is never just about racing. It’s about building — form, confidence, and trust in every detail. Spring brings that shift: longer days, higher volume, and the first real tests of where you stand. The legs are not yet at their peak, but the work is already there — in the kilometers, in the climbs, and in the consistency of each week.

This year started with exactly that approach. Big training blocks, over 400 kilometers a week and more than 5,000 meters of elevation, combining endurance with sustained climbing efforts. These early weeks are not about perfection — they are about creating a foundation strong enough to carry you through the months ahead.

And then, the first races arrive.

Granfondo Colnago Lake Garda was one of those early-season benchmarks. A fast start, a strong field, and a course that demanded both control and endurance. The kind of race where you don’t yet feel at your absolute best, but you have enough to fight. Finishing in the Top 10 overall women was not just a result — it was a signal. The training was working, and the form was already there, even this early in the season.

Racing early season in Spain

Soon after came Gran Fondo Lloret de Mar — a completely different challenge. Familiar roads, but never an easy race. Constant changes in rhythm, short climbs, technical sections. It’s a race that rewards efficiency and precision. That day, everything aligned, and I took 1st place in the long distance category. Not because the season had peaked, but because the base was solid enough to perform. But what defines this part of the season even more than racing is the terrain you train on. In Catalonia, climbs are not just part of the ride — they are the ride.

Col de Fòrmic and Santa Fe del Montseny stretch close to 20 kilometers each, long and steady. Climbs where you settle into your effort and stay there, minute after minute. These are the efforts that build real strength — not explosive, but controlled and repeatable.

And then there is Rat Penat.

Short, brutal, and unforgiving. Ramps reaching up to 28%, demanding everything at once — power, balance, and control. There is no easing into a climb like this. It’s immediate, intense, and very real. And in these moments, you feel exactly how your body and your bike respond under stress. Across all of this — long endurance rides, early-season races, steep gradients — one thing has remained constant: the feeling of confidence on the bike.

Confidence in the TIME Scylon

The TIME Scylon has been there in every scenario, adapting naturally from race intensity to long training days. It’s not something you think about while riding — and that’s exactly the point. Whether accelerating in a group, holding speed on a descent, or maintaining efficiency deep into a multi-hour ride, the bike responds without hesitation. For me,now that I have spent a year getting it right; a bike fit, adjustments, different wheel variations – it’s become a part of me and we ride as one unit. A new season does however bring new challanges, and I need to dial it in again – to get those final elements in tune.

At the beginning of a season, nothing is fully defined yet. Form is still developing, goals are still ahead, and the biggest challenges are still to come. But this is where everything starts to take shape.

The work is done in the background — in the long climbs, the heavy weeks, the early races where you test yourself before you’re fully ready. And through all of it, you begin to build something more important than peak performance. You build trust.

Trust in your preparation. Trust in your progression; and trust in the bike beneath you — ride after ride, climb after climb — as the season begins to unfold.

Lake Garda Gran Fondo 2026: Climbs Corners and Italian Cycling Magic

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:00:40 +0000

Cycling at Lake Garda – The Italian Lakes & Mountains

The Route: Fast Flats and Sharp Turns

The 2026 Lake Garda Gran Fondo course was a beautiful loop totalling 140 km with 2,010 m of climbing. Despite the chilly start to the day —a crisp morning that had us all shivering in our gilets — the pace was scorching from the start. People were ready to race, and the riders were taking no prisoners – this was a race, and I needed to be ready and focused.

The First 40 km: This section was almost entirely flat and fast. We flew along the lake front in a massive peloton, tucked in to save every possible watt for the vertical work ahead. It worked as it should, with people moving to take turns and keeping the pace. It was an electric feeling, with the sublime scenery of the lake and mountains all around me. Cycling adventures are days like these and I loved it. Italy is always a special place to ride. However, it’s not a flat country, and there were climbs lying ahead!

The Climbs: Breaking the Spirit

This area of Italy is known as the Lakes and Mountains region for a reason –it has climbs and some of them are tough, yet magnificent. AS cyclists we seek these challenges, and we relish in the pain and suffering and emotions of succeeding. Lake Garda is like this, sitting in a basin of peaks, surrounded by epic scenery and with ribbons of roads that weave their way up and down, twisting into corners and shapes that keep you thinking all day long.

Riding at home, close to Barcelona I am used to climbs, but these add that little Italian magic, and you have to be ready. I knew that I had trained and I was fit. However, the pace of the day adds something, and the mental challenge is equal to the physical.

The course featured four distinct ascents that defined the day’s difficulty:

1. Ascent of Navazzo

The wake-up call came at km 40 in Gargnano. At 7.16 km long with a 6.4% mean slope, it immediately shattered the peloton. Rising to an altitude of 471 m, it provided the first real test for my heavy legs.

2. Ascent of Capovalle

Just as the recovery from Navazzo began, we hit Capovalle at km 56. This 5.8 km climb took us up to the highest point of the day at 900 m altitude. While the average gradient remained a steady 6.4%, the fatigue from my 400 km training week started to settle in deep here.

3. Ascent of Preseglie

A shorter, punchier effort at km 89. Stretching over 2.15 km with a 4.7% slope, it served as a brutal “stinger” to keep the heart rate pinned before the final major push.

4. Ascent of Coste (S. Eusebio)

The final hurdle arrived at km 93. This 6.62 km climb, averaging 4.1%, was a battle of attrition. By this point, the views of the valley were spectacular, but my focus was entirely on the wheel in front of me.

Pure Italian Magic

Despite starting the day deep in a recovery hole, the sheer quality of the organization and the safety measures on the course allowed me to just race. Yes, I was exhausted, but it had been exhilerating and filled with life and passion and emotions. One of those days cycling that we want to remember always. Swooping into corners, the pain of the climbs and the thrill of the descents. Everything had come together and my bike had stayed the course, carrying me through.

I crossed the line exhausted, but thrilled to have managed 10th place in the Female overall and 7th in the 18–39 age group. Finishing in the top ten after such a massive volume of training is a testament to what the body can do when fuelled by Italian passion and world-class scenery.

If you’re looking for a race that combines professional-level organization with some of the most beautiful views in the world, put the Lake Garda Gran Fondo on your 2027 bucket list. Just maybe take a rest day before the start! Will I be back to ride in Italy again, soon? Absolutely I will – and maybe I will see you out on your bike among these sublime mountains and lakes!

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TIME Scylon – the most comfortable high-performance road bike in the world

Pedalnorth Website — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Breaking the Myth

Why my race bike is also my most comfortable bike

by Nadezhda Pavlova, Editor in Chief

Former international and world-class triathlete, Nadezhda Pavlova knows about performance bikes. After all, she is also a UCI AG rainbow jersey winner in the Gran Fondo TT arena. Riding the TIME Scylon for nearly a year now, it’s been a revelation in how it blends performance with comfort.

For a long time, I believed the same thing most riders do: race bikes are fast, aggressive… and uncomfortable. Yes, they’re perfect for short races, but not for long mountain days or gran Fondo days out in the mountains. Days on the bike that I love to ride and challenge myself on. That changed when I started riding my Scylon frame. I hadn’t expected it to be exactly as it was – I hadn’t ridden a TIME before, so it was all new experiences for me, on every ride and on every climb.

After more than 6,000 kilometers on the same bike — across numerous alpine passes in Switzerland France and Italy; on rough roads, and long endurance rides, I’m thankfully able to say this with all honesty and a sense of personal delight: performance and comfort don’t have to be opposites. Trust me, riding up the Tourmalet isn’t something that you want to experience on a uncomfortable bike! Speed may be your friend – but comfort is paramount to performance!

TIME know this, which is why they spend so much time – pardon the pun – researching and engineering their unrivalled carbon bike frames. Yes, deep in the heart of Europe, this iconic brand have been busy, innovating with and creating unique frames that remain strong and light and responsive. Bike frames that allow comfort and performance in equal measure – but with unrivaled quality.

Feeling ‘at one’ with your bike

Ultimately, for me personally, I wanted a bike that could handle everything I do: the long climbs, fast descents, extensive travel, content creation, and yes, some racing. From the first rides, what surprised me most about the new Scylon wasn’t the speed, but the ride feel. The bike felt stable and precise, yet smooth over imperfect asphalt. It moved with me and allowed me to ride it, rather than the bike dictating. After five or six hours in the saddle, I wasn’t fighting the bike — I still felt in control and confident. That’s when the “race bikes are uncomfortable” myth started to fall apart for me.

A big part of that feeling comes from how TIME build their frames. Instead of traditional carbon layups, they uses a Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. In simple terms, this means that their specially woven carbon fibre socks are formed into a frame, then placed into a mold, heated to phenomenal temperatures and resin is injected under pressure, creating very consistent layers with fewer air gaps. The result isn’t just a lighter frame — it’s a more predictable one, and a lighter and stronger frameset. You feel it on the road as a balanced mix of stiffness and vibration control. On long climbs, the bike responds immediately when you push. On rough descents, it stays calm and planted instead of nervous or harsh. And, in the alps, there are lots of rough descents!

Yes, after 6,000 km, this difference becomes even clearer. The frame still feels as stiff and precise as it did on day one. No strange noises, no loss of confidence, no “tired” feeling in the structure. I’ve taken it on mountain passes like Tourmalet and Furka, flown with it multiple times, packed it into bike box, and ridden it in very different climates. That durability gives a special kind of freedom: you stop worrying about the bike and start focusing on the ride.

The best carbon bike frame in the world… I think so!

And so, the key thing is this: what I’ve learned over this season is that comfort isn’t about soft geometry or relaxed performance. It’s about how the frame manages the multitude of forces and impact factors that we throw at it. How it transfers power without beating you up. A truly good race bike doesn’t punish you; instead, it supports you, and that’s exactly what I feel on my Scylon.

So yes, it’s fast. Yes, it’s built for performance. But it’s also the bike I trust for six-hour days, long training blocks, and technical descents. For me, that’s the real definition of a modern race bike: not just something that wins sprints, but something that makes you want to keep riding longer and further. A bike that encourages you to explore your limits, and which matches the criteria that they design engineers looked to achieve when they created the new Scylon model, using techniques more at home in areospace or the motor industry. TIME like to be different though, and their Scylon certainly is. It responds to you and it rides in comfort, allowing you to focus on the ride.

Breaking the myth wasn’t something I planned. It just happened, one mountain pass and one long ride at a time — on a bike that proved that speed and comfort can live in the same frame. A frame that now feels a part of me on those testing alpine climbs, and which will remain as my riding companion – long into the future!

Time Scylon – a bike built for truth

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:41:25 +0000

The TIME Scylon

A High-Performance Carbon Road Bike Built for Truth

Nadezhda Pavlova, Editor in Chief

At heart I’m still an athlete. Whilst I tend to travel and ride mainly for leisure and experiences these days, I still train and I still enter selected events. The right kit is important to me, and that starts with the right bike. I still accept that there’s no hiding place when training – especially on the bike. It’s a battle both physically and mentally, and you need the support that the right bike brings to the game.

Riding the TIME Scylon makes you aware of that truth. This is a precision-engineered carbon road bike. Direct. Honest. Responsive. It doesn’t hide fatigue. It doesn’t soften laziness. When you are strong, it feels alive — sharp, fast, almost impatient. When you are not, it reminds you. It reflects exactly what you bring to it. There is something philosophical in that. The bike doesn’t judge. It simply responds to and amplifies your effort. On powerful days, climbs unfold with rhythm and control. The road feels smooth. The gradient becomes a challenge instead of a threat.

On harder days, when doubt creeps in, every acceleration feels louder. Every change in gradient feels personal. The difference isn’t the bike – it’s the rider. It’s about pressing pause and refocusing, and working in unison with mind, body and bike. It’s about putting in the hidden efforts and keeping your head down and spirits up.

Consistency Over Peak Power

Cycling culture celebrates peak power numbers and race results

However, nobody celebrates the 47th steady endurance ride of the season. Nobody applauds the disciplined recovery spin. Nobody tracks how many times you chose sleep over scrolling, water over wine, long-term growth over short-term comfort. What is where progress lives. Showing up when no one is watching. For me, my Scylon becomes part of that process — not just a machine, but my companion in disciplined training. The hum of high-speed carbon wheels. The stability on technical descents. The precision handling when fatigue sets in. It doesn’t promise comfort. It rewards commitment. It becomes so much a part of me that we talk and we share each moment.

More Than Watts – What Performance Really Means

In racing, the numbers matter. Performance metrics matter. Results are recorded and rankings are published. But elite cycling performance is built long before race day; built on those early morning rides, on those solo climbs, in sessions that felt average but were necessary, and in the decision to try again after a disappointing day. More than watts, cycling builds an identity, and it shows who you are when training is hard. who you are when you ride alone, who you are when improvement feels slow.

Fitness rises and falls across seasons and progress is often haphazard, not linear. Ultimately, life is not linear – but resilience to it is cumulative. Consistency compounds, and riding — again and again — is what ultimately creates strength. Not just in your legs, but also in the mind and in the rider – in me.

Spring has finally arrived and I can now start to relax the mental aspects of winter training and enjoy the riding again, with the sun beating down on me and the views opening up, as I choose the European passes to ride: the Dolomites, the Alps, and maybe the Pyrenees too. All the performance that has been hard won over winter will begin to pay dividends, and I’ll ride in harmony with my Scylon – that friend that stayed with me over the hard early morning rides of winter.

Italy is planned, as is Switzerland and France, riding with friends and making new ones as we cycle into new adventures together. I have events and races in mid-March and into April – and then the obligatory trip and events in Italy in summer – I’ll be bsy and the training will hopefully pay off. It’s harder for women athletes, as we always have to prove ourselves as such –we are constantly judged, misjudged and taken for granted, based on nothing more than ignorance and aesthetic. And so yes, I want to train hard and I want to constantly prove who I am – an athlete… Nadezhda Pavlova , so try to keep up!

I’m looking forward to the travelling and to the races; and I’m enjoying the regular rides into the hills close to home here in Barcelona. Yes, now is the time to create cycling memories, not watts. Training is over, and now is the time to ride!

Nadezhda is a global brand ambassador for Jelenew Women’s Cycle Clothing, and also for TIME Bicycles and for Bryton Electronics. As an internationally qualified triathlon coach and former world-level triathlete, she can also be contacted online training plans, to help you on your own training journey.

Cycling Alicante: heat mountains and desert roads

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:54:32 +0000

RIDING ALICANTE

Finding my cycling soul

Travelling is a part of the cycling culture – ultimately, it’s what our bike was designed for. That simple journey from A to B, to which we add our own personality. We’re all unique – like bikes.

Yes, we may look the same: two legs, two wheels, arms, handlebars, a saddle and… well, you get the picture. However, it’s what we don’t see that matters – on the inside, of us and on the bike.
I started my competitive sporting life as a snowboarder, not a cyclist. An horrific accident and serious injury put paid to that, though; which is I why I then took up triathlon, competing at age-group world-level successfully, before cycling took a hold of me and opened up that spirit of exploration that is a part of who I am. I love using my bike to challenge myself, yes; but, also to explore the world in which we live and to feel the warm breeze on my face and the excitement that pumps through my veins.

I guess that I’m like my TIME Scylon: I look one way, but when you turn the pedal, a whole new personality emerges, and it’s more fun-loving than you imagined, with a strength and toughness that defies the image – and yes, fast, because ultimately, I’m still an athlete who loves performance. If I’d had a bike made for me, it would have been the Scylon. It’s become a part of me now; part of my cycling soul, and we’re off to explore Alicante together.

Riding Alicante: Heat, Mountains, and Desert Roads

Alicante in Spain is renowned the world over, as a holiday hotspot. However, are you aware how great the road cycling is in this majestic Spanish resort? Probably not, as too often, the focus of cyclists when travelling to Spain is the Islands, or Girona. However, Alicante has everything to offer, including roads that are less filled with other riders, a quieter feeling and sublime views. It’s nestled amongst coastal mountains, with exceptional roads; which is why I took myself on a cycling trip there, recently.

Yes, Alicante is full of surprises. Everyone knows the beaches, of course. Few people, however, expect the wild, open mountains that lie just a short ride inland. Here, away from the coastal crowds, the land feels more like Texas or the rising hills of Africa than Spain — dry terraces, rocky peaks, and a sky that seems endless. As an easily excited cycling tourist, and with my Scylon accompanying me, I set out to test it and to explore the climbs of Tiger Pass, Puerto de Tudons, Puerto del Collao, and Puerto de Benifallim. It turned into one of the most beautiful and most unforgettable rides I’ve ever done. One of those rides that remain unexpected and treasured, at the forefront of our memories for a long time. That causes the blood to flow faster and our bodies to feel lighter, as our eyes open up to the landscape and our heart feeds on the emotions.

I’m unashamedly a spiritual and emotion athlete. Away from cycling, I’m a designer and also a painter, using color to carry forward the images I create. So yes, when I’m cycling, I totally immerse myself in the landscape. For now, though, it’s time to ride, as me and my bike head off into the Alicante mountains, exploring this beautiful corner of mainland Spain. Yes, it’s time to ride!

Route Information

Stats 66.59 km 1,488 metres

• Start/Finish: The ride started from Alcoy heading towards the Puerto de Tudons
• Difficulty: Challenging

Road Surface: Excellent tarmac

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Lots of places along the way

Character

A long but rewarding route, with climbs and mountain views views, and the sun high in the sky. Road surface conditions are superb.

The route combines inland climbs, fast descents, scenic towns, anddeserted roads, too. The sun beats down at time, so wear sun screen and take on board lots of fluids. Whether you’re chasing fitness, a photo-worthy adventure, or pure road cycling pleasure, this ride offers it all.

Route

Puerto de Tudons (1,025 m)

My day started from Alcoy heading towards the Puerto de Tudons. Around 8 km with a 4% average and at a 7-9% maximum steepness – steady, but brutal in the heat. My bottles turn warm within minutes, and every patch of shade feels like a gift. The bike is looking after things though – light and responsive, pushing me to hold a rhythm even when the heat tried to break me. Once I settled into the heat and the climb, it becomes a route to smile on; with the challenge being a positive one, as the Scylon eats up the distance, keeping me comfortable and focused. I have fluids and nutrition and views, and I have a purpose, as the sun beats down on me. I’m renewing my cycling soul, away from the crowds, and the freedom that rushes through my body as the gentle breeze touches my face, reminds me why we ride!

Tiger Pass – Safari Aitana

After this, I it was time to take on Tiger Pass, near Safari Aitana. The landscape here was raw, exposed and bare, with scrubland stretching out like a cycling safari. The roads are well-laid though, as they continually twist upwards under a blazing sun; the kind that makes the tarmac shimmer like a mirage. It felt wild, different, and slightly surreal — not Europe as most people imagine it. Yes, I had taken on enough fluids, and I was not hallucinating! It was a route that needed focus, and set myself – rider and Scylon as one, as the cranks turned and the views opened up. Before too long, it was done, and it was time for another Alicante cycling challenge.

Puerto del Collao (890 m)

This climb was shorter but nastier. The Collao throws itself upwards in ramps of 13–16%, hitting you straight in the face, like walls. The road looks at you and challenges you, as it rises in threatening, jagged steps, but thankfully with some downhill sections on which to relax.

Ultimately though, as I mentioned earlier – I’m an athlete at heart, and have competed across the world. The road and I challenge each other, as I turn the cranks and remain focused and positive – this is my choice and want to see the summit views.

From the summit, the landscape opens wide and I was rewarded, finally. Beneath me were terraced valleys with olive trees and jagged limestone ridges, stretching far into the haze. It all looked magical and timeless – like a movie with a Spanish guitar playing softly and lyrically in the background – and no, once again I am not hallucinating! I’m immersing myself in the cycling experience, as I explore Spain and explore myself and my cycling limits. Spanish. Views and feelings like this, need to be taken slowly and allowed to wash over you; and, after all, I have TIME on my side!

Puerto de Benifallim (1,020 m)

The final challenge for me was Puerto de Benifallim. It’s a short, steadier climb that winds through a pine forest before breaking into rocky open ground above 1,000 m. The altitude brought a whisper of cooler air, but the sun still pressed hard, testing me physically and mentally.

Surviving the Heat

At 40°C, the fountains in the village squares became my salvation. The brutality of the climb was done for a while, and I didn’t just fill my bottles — I soaked myself completely. Yes, jersey, shorts, head, everything.

It was the only way to keep going! Having competed in triathlon all over the world, I know how heat can affect athletes, and this was something that only a fully dipped and watered head can solve! Each time I left a fountain dripping, the cool water evaporating instantly in the dry air, and it felt like a reset button for the next climb – the next challenge.

Descents Like a Bullet

The reward for every ascent, however, were the epic descents to look forward to. The Scylon is designed to be responsive and light, and it came into its own on the descending. I was able to relax and aim the bike, as I moved by tired body around the bike, in harmony with the curving road. Long, sweeping, and fast, cutting turns through a barren landscape, with nothing but the wind in my ears and on my face. The wheels hummed steadily, and the bike felt like a bullet, holding the line and giving me that much-needed confidence in the corners, as the road twisted and turned like a ribbon, loosely strewn across the mountains.

Epic rides of exploration

What makes Alicante special is the contrast. In one ride, you pass through desert scrub, thick pine forests, rocky ridgelines, and timeless stone villages. It feels like riding through an old Western movie set — only, with your bike as the horse, carrying you across the landscape. No, it’s not the Alps nor the Pyrenees. It’s harsher, hotter, and maybe even more rewarding, emotionally.

Alicante is a place where survival, speed, and scenery collide, and it leaves you with memories that burn long after the ride is done. For me, it was special and it tested me and the bike. Yes, Alicante is a place for TIME travellers! It’s a place that should be on every cyclist’s bucket list, as you explore the variety and exceptional terrain that Spain has to offer for cycling. Too often, people head for the obvious Spanish locations, when you can pause time and find one the best places for cycling in Spain, away from the crowds.

I love my bike – it’s like me. TIME like to be different; to show their uniqueness. They look for excellence in everything – like me. Ultimately, we like to explore our limits – because the resultant feeling is unequalled, and it reminds us of one very important thing – that we’re alive!

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Nadezhda Lifestyle – pedalnorth

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