Robert Thorpe – pedalnorth

Cycling as a middle aged man in lycra

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:00:50 +0000

Thoughts on being a MAMIL

by Robert Thorpe

Standing out from the crowd for the right reasons

In September last year I turned 60 years of age. Some people will say ‘Wow, that’s old!’ In truth it’s not, as I hope to live and to be active for quite a long time. Yes, my hair is grey, and ironically that’s not simply an age issue, it’s genetic. I went grey quite early in life – probably sent grey by the number of idiots I’ve had to put up with throughout my life. I can however still run a cross country course or middle distance track event faster than many people a lot younger than myself. When people look at you as middle aged, they don’t see the person who has entered and won many events as a younger man. They don’t see the free climber and mountaineer. They don’t see the mountain runner, the hiker, or the person who has survived untold elements of the pain barrier that would make most people quit far earlier. There are aspects of what I have done and achieved in life that are private to me and my family, and I remain proud of them and the challenge they gave to me… quietly.

I’ve also shed tears over the loss of young friends; some killed in road traffic accidents whilst teenagers, some dying in their twenties, and too many dying since then. So don’t wince at age, nor mock it, because it’s a privilege that I wish I’d been able to share with some truly wonderful people, including my older brother, whom I am now older than at his death. Yes, hearing those endless ‘age related’ comments does really piss me off, whilst I’m still quietly reassured that I have at least reached 60 in a reasonably healthy state, and I know what I will look like at 60 – and it’s not to shabby. Many of you have still to achieve this milestone, and you have very little idea on how the years will be kind to you – or otherwise. Based on a lot of what I see – good luck with that one! Few have earned my respect.

Age is a privilege

A former colleague bumped into me a while ago and said, ‘Oh, you’re very grey haired now!’ Without going into detail, they didn’t – and have never done so – look the healthiest of people, and were not aesthetically outstanding in any way – except maybe at Halloween. Instead of commenting on the ignorance, their ugliness and many other features that society ought to be protected from, I simply nodded and smiled… and then vowed to ignore them for the many years that I hopefully have left.

You may be asking what this has to do with cycling, and that is a reasonable question. In truth, it’s quite simple: I represent that happy and financially secure demographic who can go out and buy cycling products, buy expensive bikes and travel to far flung places without worrying too much about the costs. After all, according to many of you out there, I’m old and probably smell of cabbage. And so, I may as well spend my money whilst I have the opportunity! However, cycling brands are generally too ignorant to realise that whilst they’ve been declaring bankruptcy faster than Donald Trump can fill a nappy, they’ve also been targeting the wrong demographics – we have money, you dingbats! Stop pissing us off!

It’s my demographic – and my wife – who actually have the means and funds to buy the products that you can’t shift because you’re targeting the wrong audience. Yes, I’m 60 years, but my physiology still says – according to medical experts – that I’m an athlete, albeit older in years. I have my mental faculties and I am still able to walk unaided to the cafe. My hair is grey, but my skin is smooth, as I have hardly ever drunk alcohol, genetics were kind to me, and I have never used soap or layers of makeup to block up my skin pores. My clothing still fits from years ago, and I don’t look like apregnant man about to give birth. So why the heck –I had to press pause and think about which word to use, because ‘why the fuck’ would have been so much more appropriate – do cycling brands too frequently focus on so called influencers who have little in common with me… or in common with anyone within the real world, and who quite frankly only influence me to switch over and ignore them? It’s a simple question, and I am willing to wait whilst you form a reasonable answer. The cycling industry wastes millions chasing a small percentage who have no loyalty and who rarely have the funds to buy the products – and they call it business! I despair at such stupidity.

Looking good in lycra at 60 – the challenge

My wife – God bless her – says that I still look good in lycra, and I ride frequently. If she says otherwise, I will wear something else. There are too many non-athletes abusing other people’s eyes with sports clothing worn in the wrong context. I have been with this amazing women since our teens, and her opinion matters – not marketeers from brands that constantly fail to achieve anything meaningful. Good luck selling through the online clothes horses!

Personally, I know for sure that I can still outrun many people half my age – I did so prior to leaving my previous career in policing. On a 3 mile run for trainees, I was asked if I’d like to join in. I did and came third, and only lacking the sprint I had in my youth for first place! Years ago, I would have rightly been sent out to run it again, had a 51 year old with an office job beaten me aged 25! I still go jogging occasionally with my 25 year old son, and he doesn’t have to wait for me… too long.

Yes, you see, I am a Mamil, and I am grey haired, and I do cycle more slowly now – even though I know that I could train harder and ride harder. However, I now love simply taking to the bike and knowing that I have time to relax and to take in the beautiful scenery of North Yorkshire. I have time to relax and talk with friends, and more importantly I have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone or to myself. I am living a life in honour of those friends who died too young, – who I cycled with, rock climbed with, played badminton and tennis with, and who I hiked to to the top of mountains with. I am living the life that they didn’t get the opportunity to live, so don’t ever treat age as anything other than a celebration of life. Loss over many years and the witnessing of tragedies makes you far more reefelctive on life. These days, I still hike and ride with these friends – quietly in my mind, because I’ve earned the right to say that the world is chaotic, selfish and filled with ignorance and bullshit.

As I write this, I’m looking out of my window at grey skies. However, to me that simply means that I will have a cool and refreshing ride. I don’t need the sun to shine for any images I may take, where I might have to pout, stick my arse out, or stretch my arm out front whilst my head faces down, or try to look serious, staring inanely upwards and end up just looking constipated – and that’s just the men on social media!

I refuse to sell my soul to the devil, and I refuse to buy from brands who are solely focused on a demographic who own nothing but credit card debt and a too large ego. One thing about being a writer is an adherence to truth and honesty – something, along with integrity, that is sadly lacking these days. I refuse to entertain any brand that stops recognising the value of my close friend when she became a mom, even though she is still an exceptional athlete, an exceptional content creator and human being,– more beautifil inside than her outward aesthetic beauty, which is in itself sublime. Why, because as a mom, riding occasionally with her daughter on the bike too, she no longer fitted the image that the brands wanted to portray. Brands seeking to replicate the mannequins that watch down on the Hunger Games, and share the same selfish traits.

I value parenting & self-respect, not Strava segments

I refuse to give airtime or webspace here at Pedalnorth to brands who believe that their bank balance and ability to pay aimless looking statues is more important that the quality of their product, or the quality of their interactions with all cyclists – whatever their age, their gender or their role as a parent, and specifically as a mom.

And on this subject, I’ll leave you with a thought and a few searching questions: What will you be like at 60 and how will your life be defined? What would you be like as a parent? Would you dedicate yourself to your family or continue to be a selfish and self-centered preener, needing surgery as you get older, due to the number and frequency of the utterly ridiculous poses you’ve thrown online as you seek life as a Z lister on some social media channel that continues to ignore the fact that those who actually have a disposable income are completely fed up with how they’re being treated.

I know these answers and I’m proud of who I am, who I’ve been, of my moral and ethical compass and of my health and fitness. And, I’m proud of the the people I now live my life in memory of. I’m proud too of my cycling friend in Flanders, who dedicates herself to parenthod of two children now. And, likewise I’m proud of my numerous middle aged and parenting friends living on the Cote D’Azure, who I believe have achieved so much in life as human beings with good altruistic hearts. Their absence from cycling media is a loss that brands will never understand as long as the arses of ignorant marketing people point south! Yes, I’m a MAMIL, and I’m generally a quietly spoken person; but never confuse that quietness or politeness with ignorance or weakness.

Try thinking that I and those like me have been already journeyed through those painful epochs of life and have survived intact. Yes, I am a middle aged man/ person in lycra and I am so fucking proud to be able to say that!

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GripGrab Mens PACR Spring and Summer Cycle Kit

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:06:13 +0000

GripGrab Men’s PACR Kit Review

Mid-Season & Summer Performance

by Robert Thorpe

Mid-season and even summer can be a challenge in North Yorkshire. Yes, I know all about heatwaves and water shortages. I also know that in the higher hills, the temperatures can dip to around 10 degrees or colder in summer, and especially so in autumn. And, with autumn now on the horizon, You need the right cycle clothing to prepare you.

I’ve been a fan of GripGrab for many years. Here at Pedalnorth, we were probably one of the first publications to spot what they were doing, with their world-leading accessories. Then we watched as the guys turned their expertise to cycling jerseys, jackets and bibs with the same level of care and detail. Their latest kit is testament to their quality and both stylish and functional in just the right way.
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Tested Equipment

• PACR Long Sleeve Jersey
• PACR Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey
• PACR Windproof Lightweight Vest
• PACR Bib Shorts
• Ride Arm & Leg Warmers

First Impression – Clean Design, Functional Fit

The people at GripGrab don’t go for unnecessary design and gimmicks. GripGrab follows a very clean and minimal design approach, but what stands out more is the fit. All pieces feel purpose-built for riding, with no unnecessary bulk or distractions. They use a body mapping process, meaning that the fit is performance-oriented but not overly aggressive, which makes it suitable for long endurance sessions without compromising comfort.

Fabric quality makes for fun rides

How did I find it: unbelievably comfortable, with the PACR long sleeved jersey soon becoming my go-to colder ride choice in spring and on those colder summer days. It fits exactly as it should and has easy movement, with the excellent multi-directional stretch fabrics. It’s not too thick or too warm – it’s actually just right and feels soft against the skin. As my colleague and fellow tester, Kristi says: ‘Ultimately, if it’s comfortable and functional, then I feel better and I’ll perform better. Do GripGrab achieve this – yes, I think that they do.’

Small points matter and GripGrab do these very well. They use high-quality, high-performance fabrics and they finish things off with a quality that is second to none. The wide and comfortable straps on the bib shorts simply sit nicely against the legs and the compression feels about right. If I had one point to make, I’d probably like a bit more weight to the bib shorts fabric, but that’s just a personal choice. The fit is excellent and the pad is high-quality too. And, my pet hate – the bib straps – are as good as you’ll find elsewhere at this level.

Overall, GripGrab have used their experience working with world tour riders, and the latest PACR products use a variety of technical fabrics in the right areas, all with the aim of keeping you comfortable all ride long.

Jackets and Jerseys deigned for rider comfort

On the long sleeved and the short-sleeved jackets, the zips work well and are strong, and the pockets are strong and easy to reach, with a good quality zip on the security pocket. Small points matter with cycling kit, far more than loud aesthetics. What was really impressive was the mesh sleeves and fabric used for the arms and the side panels on the PACR short sleeved jersey. This makes a world of difference to comfort on warm days. And, like its long -sleeved sibling, the PACR short sleeved jersey is body mapped and fits like a second skin. Both jerseys also benefit from high-quality hems at the waist – which for me is another area than too many brands get wrong with an after-thought approach. Not so for GribGrab.

One particular favourite for me has been the GripGrab PACR Windproof Lightweight Vest. Ironically, it’s an item of kit that I don’t usually use or find that comfortable. However, this one from GripGrab has not only changed my perspective, it’s become a regular go-to choice of cycling clothing for me.

Featuring a windproof front panel made from premium Japanese windproof fabric, this vest genuinely works in providing that necessary shield from those cold winds and icy descending on cool windy days. The fabric is also treated with a PFC-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment – so it will shrug off light showers and front wheel spray. And, living here in the Yorkshire Dales, this has been tested several times – all thankfully positive! The open mesh back panel on the gilet allows moisture and heat to escape from within – so even as you work hard, you don’t build up a chill-inducing sweat. An elasticated lower hem with silicone gripper dots on the back of the gilet keeps everything securely in place as you battle into those headwinds.

I really do like the two-way YKK® Vision zip on the front of the gilet, which allows you to unzip from the top and allow airflow through your layers, or unzip from the bottom to allow for easier access to your jersey pockets beneath. It’s a small but important point, and one that makes this GripGrab Gilet stand out from the crowd.

Fabric quality makes for fun rides

Jackets and Jerseys deigned for rider comfort

Men’s PACR Bib Shorts

Bib shorts can so often be a poor example of a brands attitude towards cyclists. They often relfect last minute choices, and are simply not well thought out or comfortable. These PACR shorts from GripGrab however, have several points that I look for and they do it well:

strong mesh uppers to keep you cool and that sit well against the body
high quality and strong, wide staps that sit flat and softly,and importantly don’t move or show poorly under a jersey
laser cut legs with wide silicon gripping that sits against the leg and keeps things in place
multi panel body-mapped design to ensure a good fit
multi -directional and strong fabrics that move with your body
high-quality pad that performs on intermediate and hilly routes and keeps you comfortable – and dry in summer!

The PACR Bib Shorts combined with cool summer days leg warmers also provided a surprisingly versatile setup. They offer enough warmth for cold starts, while still feeling lighter and more flexible than full winter tights. Best of all, the compression and cut means that they stay firm and stable when I ride – like a second skin, allowing you to focus on the ride, without that annoying slippage that often happens with other brands. One area I will mention though, is that on the leg panels themselves, I’d prefer a heavier compression material – but that’s just a personal choice. The multi-panel design ensures a soft second-skin fit that feels comfortable all day long.

On the Bike – Comfort and Stability

During longer rides (2–4 hours), the key factors for me were:

• Stability of the fit – no shifting or adjustment needed
• Breathability – no excessive overheating even during harder efforts
• Freedom of movement – unbelievable, and like a second skin feel, without being too close.

GribGrab work closely with World Tour riders, and this becomes evident in the comfort of their clothing. The fabric choices, the technicity and the design and fit is all superb.

Gloves – Simple, well-made and comfortable

Gloves are often an overlooked but critical element of our cycling kit. GripGrab made their name with gloves, and they still stand out today. I tested their RIDE padded fingerless gloves, with the white material. Incidentally, I liked that when I put my hand out to signal, drivers were more likely to see my hands. The GripGrab RIDE short finger cycling gloves are the successors to the ProGel gloves, and offer superior cushioning, breathability, and grip with a recycled microsuede palm and flexible back panel. How do they work in practice – well, very good actually and the palms are just about right.

• hands stayed comfortable and gloves felt a part of me
• tough and well-made of strong fabrics
• grip remained secure in both dry and damp conditions
• no loss of control or dexterity during braking and shifting

As Kristi quite rightly says in her own review: gloves should never be a secondary thought, and these from GribGrab are a good option for early spring, summer and autumn. They feel well made, from quality fabrics and are tough, and should last a long time.

Breathability vs Protection

One of the most important aspects of early and mid-season gear is balancing insulation with breathability and the changing conditions. GripGrab manages this well:

• the fabrics protect against wind and cold without being oppressive
• technical fabrics still allow moisture to escape during effort, especially the mesh fabric on the PACR ss arms and sides
• the bibs are light and functional, and have superb uppers with a minimalist approach and high-quality straps that say seated.

Good, high-quality technical fabric choices and well mapped out designs help to reduce fluctuations in temperature and comfort. The latest PACR kit from GripGrab is stylishly simple, extremely functional and offers that protection from the elements without sacrificing breathability. Mid-season and cold summer days are always a difficult choice.
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Who This Setup Is For

This kit is especially well suited for riders who:

• cycles consistently in variable conditions
• prioritize functionality over aesthetics
• need reliable gear for long endurance rides

It’s priced in the right area to make it accessible for most riders, and will give you a comfortable ride – and ultimately, that is always a key focus. GripGrab design and produce cycling clothing and accessories that work. The kit is also stylish, in a cool and modern way, which I like. It’s not loud or garish – it simply works on the bike and fits my purpose, whilst adding that modern styling.

Both Kristi and I were impressed by the PACR range from GripGrab, and the brand have obviously taken time to create kit that works as well as looking good.
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Conclusion

GripGrab may not position itself as the most visible premium brand, but it delivers where it matters most: performance, reliability and functionality in real training conditions. And for a rider, that’s exactly what counts. Kristi and I both enjoyed testing their latest kit, and it does actually work. They’re a brand that doesn’t go for unnecessary headlines. Instead, they focus on function and fit, which is what all cyclists want, isn’t it.

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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 in Greece – History in every pedal stroke

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:38:56 +0000

Cycling in Greece – History in every pedal stroke

Introducing the 2026 UCI ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas

In terms of the sporting world, Greece needs no introduction – after all, they gave us the Olympics. Remember, that unrivalled gathering of athletes that brought us an epic road race in Paris in 2024, and which subsequently gave a new and more exciting format to the final stage of the Tour de France. However, Greece isn’t just historically influential in global sport; it also hosts an epic annual UCI stage race – the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas – which in May 2026 will be leading some of the world’s top cycling teams and riders around the unique landscapes and unparalleled history and culture of this foundational cradle of Western civilization.

Yes, Greece is a place where sports and culture have woven a tapestry of excellence for thousands of years, and which ought to be on the bucket list of every cycling fan and cycling tourist. The 2026 ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas is your opportunity to take some of the world’s finest scenes of ancient history, as the riders sweep through timeless landscapes in pursuit of their own epic palmares.

Why Tour of the Hellas

If you haven’t heard of the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas, then you need a brief guide and focus on the history of Greece – for Hellas in simple terms is the native terms for Greece. It was originally used to refer to all lands inhabited by the Hellenes (Greeks) – those people descended from the mythological figure Hellenas. The ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas is your opportunity to join us here and to explore a wealth of Greek history and culture, over 5 days of action and some of world’s best cycle racing, between 6th and 10th May 2026.

No other global cycling event takes in surroundings with such a wealth of historical sights, as the best cyclists in the pro peloton race between stages such as Karpenissi to Larissa, the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region in Greece and known as the coffee capital of Greece. We all know that coffee and cycling go together like Greece and history, and so we’d love to share our cafe culture with you, in Larissa at the end of stage 2!

Larissa is a place which gave us Achilles and Hippocrates – the father of medicine – and which on the 7th May, 2026 will give us the opening sprint finish to our epic cycle race, as the peloton climb the Pindus Mountains before dropping onto the lush green plains of mainland Greece, surrounded by historical sights and scenes at every twist and turn in the road.

This opening stage of the 2026 ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas is a cycling tourism dream too, and route that many will want to return to and ride themselves. And yet, this is simply the opener of a world class UCI cycling stage race, filled with some of the most beautiful cycling landscapes in Europe, as the riders challenge themselves over 5 epic days of world-class racing, towards Athens.

Hellas Tour history

As well as having a greater wealth of history than any other western civilisation – being permanently fixed at the top of the history Premier League, to coin a sporting phrase – the history of this constantly developing UCI stage race is inspiring. It began life in 1968, inspired by leading world cycling events elsewhere, and was titled as being the ‘Tour of Ancient Monuments’, beginning in Athens and taking riders – as it does today – on a literal tour of the cultural heritage of the country.

It became a part of the UCI Europe Tour event in 2005, elevating its status, and a hiatus between 2012 and 2022, the Tour was started up once more, in 2022 under its current format, as a UCI 2:1 race, the ‘ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas’, drawing on its unrivalled history and landscapes to attract the top teams in Europe and elsewhere.

Cycling sport in Greece and cycle tourism

For a mainland European nation, Greece is more accessible than many people think, and it’s cycling tourism potential is vast. It has the infrastructure, the roads, the world-leading experience of hosting tourists from across the globe, and some of the most iconic historic monuments in the world, such as the Parthenon, on Athens’ Acropolis, and temples elsewhere such as the first ancient theatre of Larissa, constructed at the beginning of the 3rd century BC, and which will be a feature at the end of stage 2 on the 2026 ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas.

Yes, with its unrivalled cultural heritage and history, alongside being a top European destination for tourism, Greece is waiting to welcome cycle tourists, before, during and after the racing in early May. You can ride on the same roads as the world’s top teams and take in the sights and hospitality of Hellas and the Hellenes people.

Enjoy a festival of cycling and culture at the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas

Ιt’s always good to have something special to plan for and to look forward to. Travelling and exploring go hand in hand with cycling, and the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas aims to promote all that Greece has to offer as a destination for everyone.

During the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas in May 2026, they will be creating events in the cities that will be hosting the stages, introducing and promoting the sport of cycling among the communities and creating a cycling legacy. Furthermore, several key activities will take place before, after and during the race to promote the values of the International ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas, the wider and inclusive culture of cycling, and the same spirit of fair play that the Greek forefathers gave to the world through the Olympic Games.

Accept an invitation to Hellas cycling in 2026

Ancient Greece and Athens gave the world the meaning of democracy, while also fostering strong communities (polis) through shared culture, language, and a shared purpose. And, in doing so, Hellas created a lasting and timeless legacy of collective action and fraternity that has shaped the spirit of belonging around the world.

The people at the Hellas Tour would like to welcome you to join us and the international cycling community in May 2026 for the UCI ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas, and let them share the history, culture, hospitality and this world-class cycling event with you! And, who knows – you may want to come back afterwards for a ride through world history!

Click the link below to read more about this excting and special UCI stage race, and maybe take yourself on a ride through history at the same time!

Visit the Tour of Hellas website

Is Ekoi the listening brand in world cycling

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 10:26:02 +0000

Is Ekoi the listening brand in global cycling?

Jean-Christophe: Bucking the trend in the cycling industry since 2008

Before we start to talk about Ekoi, let’s focus on the cycling industry per se. It’s broken and a minor repair will no longer fix the issue. You can pour as much sealant into the punctures as you like – but, unless you start listening to the consumer… really listening, then you are not going to resolve the issues that are facing the industry. A simple tyre change also won’t help. Instead, pressing pause and engaging with the consumer will possibly begin in educating the industry on where the problems lie – and at heart, they’re fundamentally simple. Stop, look, listen, engage and then deliver.

However, whilst all of this has been going on – and indeed, long before it all started – there has been a company based in the south of France, quietly changing the way in which they (and indeed cycling) operates in that important space between consumer, pro cycling and brand. Yes, Ekoi, started by the passionate French cyclist and businessman, Jean Christophe in 2001, has been a burning beacon of hope for the cycling industry, and for kit-hungry cyclists around the world looking for comfort, performance, quality, style and price-point all operating in perfect harmony. Unfortunately, the coordination of those 5 simple elements have been as rare as a rocking horse winning the Prix de d’Arc de Triomphe. Unless of course, you look deeply at Ekoi and begin to break down how Jean Christophe has been thinking and operating his brand for nearly 20 years – which is when he introduced their revolutionary B2C model, in 2008, and began to change the cycle clothing and accessories industry forever, in a visionary and positive way.

Feeding the cycling child within us all

At heart, we are all that small child still inside of us – and Jean Christophe understands this as a cyclist himself. Do you remember, walking to school and stopping by the bike shop window to look at that blue Peugeot, road bike in the window and dreaming of it for Christmas. We still do this today, if we can admit to it – we frequently buy with our eyes. We watch the pro peloton and dream of our own cycling glory as choose our kit: the same helmets, the same sunglasses, jerseys and cycling shoes – and, if possible, the same bikes. We want to ride in groups with our friends, and to form our own team and pelotons.

What stops us in our tracks however is the price point; and why – well, because so many elements are now involved in the process of getting that simple cycling jersey to you. And they are all adding their own slice of the cake – meaning that the price of that jersey is usually beyond reach. Yes, the average cyclist still dreams and wants to wear a great jersey, of the type worn by the leading riders; but they also have to feed their families, and the dog and the cat – and the kids need those new training shoes for school…. and the list of impact factors goes on, whilst the main protagonists within the cycling industry continue to try to sell their over-priced offerings to 5% of the top egos on 2-wheels! Then, when their limiting strategy fails to deliver results, they wonder where it all went wrong. Conversely, Ekoi have always thought differently – which is why they resonate with me and with team here at Pedalnorth.

Delivering with passion creates proactivity

It was in 2008 that Jean Christophe developed and moved the young Ekoi brand forward, with his visionary direct to consumer, web business model and product strategy. It was still the infant days of online and in particular, online sales. However, in its first year of operation it achieved a 50K Euro turnover, with cycling sunglasses being the predominant product at that time. By cutting out the largely unnecessary and oft irrelevant links of distributors, outside marketing, and retail margins, Ekoi were able to design, make, market and sell the products themselves; and through their direct engagement strategy, they could also understand exactly what the cyclist was looking for – rapidly converting this into new product development which met the needs of the kit hungry cycling consumer.

Let’s not forget two critical aspects of those 5 key elements we mentioned earlier: style and price point. As a French company, Ekoi has style within its DNA. It’s as French as red wine and cheese. Personally, wherever I’m travelling to, a Bordeaux is always first choice of wine for me with dinner – nobody does style like the French. Then, price point; as mentioned, Jean Christophe had by 2008 been operating for 7 years and had learnt a lot about the heavy baggage that frequently attaches itself to the cycling industry. And so, he cut it away and developed Ekoi.com as the portal where his infant brand could grow alongside the cycling consumer, producing the products that they actually wanted, at the right price and at the right time. As cycling grew globally, so did Ekoi; by engaging closely with clubs and cyclists and designing and delivering the right products – products that consumers were directly asking them for.

Helmets came on board, then jerseys, bibs and socks, and the cycling clubs of France and elsewhere ate it all up, knowing the performance and quality of the product as they rode against the weather, seeing the ‘Côte blanc des feuilles’ and knowing that their reasonably priced Ekoi cycling jersey would weather the coming storm – and it has, quite literally!

With many in the world tour pro peloton now clothed in Ekoi products – sunglasses, helmets, clothing, cycling shoes – this visionary French brand continues to innovate and excel as they seek new areas and new ways to create the products being asked for by the growing global cycling community. And at their heart, working under the same principles that Jean Christophe laid down, are engineers, artisans, designers, former and current world-leading riders, all working together to create cycling dreams for everyone who feels inspired to ride a bike! Ekoi translated should mean ‘passion’, as it is this that flows outwardly from their base on the Cote D’Azur, and into the cycling clubs and cafes across Europe and beyond – and which has done since those early online days of September 2008, when their story began to emerge within the e-commerce space, way ahead of its time.

Re-inventing the B2C model

Having been active within the grassroots cycling community from their beginnings, Ekoi still operates closely on engagement. It’s that seemingly simple, but often difficult to get right, principle of observation and analysis. If done correctly, it should determine your strategy; and for Ekoi and Jean Christophe, it led in 2010 to a more defined and wholly web-focused approach, where Ekoi would be the B in the B2C model; designing, creating and delivering products based on the continual feedback from consumers, and by that all-important engagement with cyclists, clubs and a growing VIP client list. Aggressive pricing was based around them cutting away unnecessary retail margins, and it supported realistic club discounts and led to product expansion that was based solely on customer demand – a demand that was arrived at through two-way communication, and not meaningless marketing forums.

Add to this, the advent of Ekoi on the World Tour scene, where sunglasses were the first product taken on board on tested by the world’s best cyclists. Those dreaming club riders could now share the same products – as I did myself – as Ekoi catered for every cyclist in the pyramid of hierarchy, not simply the top 5% at the elite end. However, and it is a very big however, so take a breath please…

Ekoi products are engineered and designed in France, and that process involves input and testing by many of the best riders in the world; so that you can be sure when you pull on a Marion Rousse jersey by Ekoi, that Marion would wear it herself – because she does, and she helped to design the full range. No, Ekoi isn’t a lower level of expectation and quality; it’s quite the opposite – it’s the very best in terms of those key elements: comfort, performance, quality, style, all at the right price point.

Innovation & excellence for a brighter future

Talking with Jean Christophe – and Céline Vandenbroucke, their lead on PR, press, pro cycling and partnerships – they tell me about recent developments, alongside plans for the future. In 2025, Ekoi released their own cycling shoe and pedal development – the pW8 – which increases the shoe platform and power transfer opportunities, by re-inventing the contact area between shoe and pedal. Tested by members of the pro peloton, it delivers the performance gains and allows the foot to remain stable in rotation.

They’ve also been hard at work investing in engineering within French manufacturing, talking with cyclists about carbon wheels that were previously out of reach of the average cyclist. These locally assembled high-performance carbon wheels are a result of countless hours of research and testing, drawing on the expertise that already lay within French cycle wheel manufacturing – and included close liaison with their current and former pro peloton riders. In-house testing is important to Jean Christophe, as is having the position as the leading French brand within cycling – which they now are and which has been hard earned.

In-house testing listens and learns and adapts as the product develops, and it ensures that changes match needs; that the end-product is world-class, whilst remaining an affordable purchase for the majority, and not simply the minority.

Products are looked at, researched and developed alongside their support for some of the world’s best cycling teams. Currently, Ekoi equip and work with: Lotto-Intermarche; Astana; and also, NSN at World Tour level, allowing the brand to continue to call upon the expertise of the best riders in the world, before sharing the results with everyday cyclists as world-leading products.
Getting ahead takes technology & passion in equal measure

Their latest aero road helmet is one of the lightest and most efficient on the market, tried and tested by some of the world’s best riders. The EKOÏ Racing R-AERO helmet is a gamechanger in the aero helmet world because it perfectly combines speed, ventilation, and comfort. Developed with CFD technology, its profile was optimized in a wind tunnel with the clear goal of minimizing aerodynamic drag. An in-depth study in a simulated thermal environment, showed a heat transfer coefficient (ability to shed heat) higher than many ultra-vented helmets designed for climbing. The result: maximum versatility and optimal efficiency, whether in fast races, triathlon, or on mid- and high-mountain rides, even in scorching heat. It’s the helmet that was worn by Ekoi sponsored teams at the 2025 Tour de France, and the R-AERO stands out as the helmet built to win at high speed and at altitude.

Yes, from humble beginnings, Ekoi is a world-leader in so many areas, and yet still focuses on listening, looking and engaging with ordinary cyclists alongside the pro peloton, so that the products they develop meet the actual needs of the cycling community – at every level.

The future’s bright – so wear some Ekoi sunglasses!

With a bright future ahead and even more products in development, Ekoi’s list of collaborations reads like a ‘who’s who’ of world cycling: Fabio Aru, Julian Absalon, Phillipe Gilbert, Marion Rousse, Rudy Von Berg, Nicholas Roche and others. Riders across all forms of cycle sport continue to add to the palmares for this now iconic French brand, sharing the same passion that Jean Christophe used to develop Ekoi into one of the top cycling brands in the world. Innovation and excellence are often talked about in cycling; however, when this is merged with drive, intelligence and freedom of thought, and it is fuelled by passion and a healthy dose of French flair, then it is simply unstoppable.

Ultimately, none of us know what the future holds, but we can help to direct it and to meet the needs of those riding in that direction. Ekoi have been doing this since 2001, and their continued success within the world of cycling is a testament to the people behind the brand and their adherence to being different; to being the best, and in helping and encouraging others to be their best versions, too.

Talking with Celine and Jean Christophe has been exciting and yes, inspiring for me, as we shared our joint passion for cycle sport and for doing things differently – for doing things right! Ekoi won’t add sealant to the puncture that the cycling industry is currently suffering from. No, they’ll literally re-invent the wheel – and I can’t wait to be there when they do!

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Schattwald and the Tannheim Valley gravel ride – in the Austrian Tyrol

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:18:48 +0000

Tobias Arweiler

Schattwald & the Tannheim Valley

Gravel adventure in the Austrian Tyrol

This tough but beautiful ride of 54 km takes you through magnificent scenery in the Austrian Tyrol, exloring the gravel tracks in the Tannheim Valley of the Austrian mountains. The route takes you up past the Haldensee (lake) and climbs the epic Krinnenspitze for amazing mountain views.

Forests and alpine meadows mix with 14% climbs and descents on this Tyrolean gravel route, requiring good fitness and bike skills. Yet, the rewards are well worth the effort, as yu explore the beauty of the Tannheim Valley and alpine scenery.

Above image by Tobias Arwieler on Unsplash

Route Information

Stats: 54 km 1,675 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay: The Tanheim Valley has numerous options for accommodation at all price points. Likewise, places to eat are easy to locate and the food choices are excellent.

Character: Tough and steep, with a technical descents. Some bike-hiking might be found on the steeper climbs, but take the climbs as a challenge. The trails are excellent gravel. Do not tackle if your actual fitness and skill level is not up to this. However, if you’re ready for the adventure, it is an epic ride!

Route

The route – albeit seeming reasonable in length, is a tough but rewarding day in the mountains of the Tyrol. Excellent fitness is required, as is the ability to carry out trailside repairs for yourself.

Starting off from Schattwald, the route climbs initially, before dropping you down towards Tannheim.
Haledensee is soon reached, as you skirt this picturesque lake in the mountains.
Then, after 17.9km – at Nesselwangle – a steep series of switchbacks lead you upwards for 4.5 km, before more descending and riding through the trees on excellent tracks that rise and fall randomly.
At 43km you reach the quaint village of Berg, and its wealth of tradiational chalets and farms. The climbing begins once more, as the road takes you into the hills and trees. Tracks wind there way around the valley, before dropping you back onto the valley road at Schattwald where refreshments can be taken if needed, whilst you enjoy the epic views across the valley.

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Ladies Cycling Blog – and The Development of ladies Cycling

Pedalnorth Website — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:42:11 +0000

The Growth & Development of Women’s Cycling

Why women’s cycling is the fastest growth area globally

To the best of our knowledge, the population of most countries is a 50:50 split; and yet, when you go into most bike shops, you see one or two rails for women… if you are lucky, and endless rails of men’s clothing. In terms of the pro peloton, many women’s teams still struggle with financing and support; and worse still, talented women cyclists are abused, insulted and sexually attacked online, simply because they choose to look stylish, fit and good on a bike. Yes, how on earth can a woman who also happens to be aesthetically beautiful – as all people are in some way – ride up the Tourmalet 2 days running and still smile – that’s despite the fact that the female athlete in this case was a world-class triathlete in her sporting career. Unfortunately though, she chose to look, well… feminine and stylish. By all accounts this attracts unnecessary and sexist comments from too many men online, who quite frankly need to check the mirror first of all… and possibly their search history. Male arrogance and sexism isn’t a cycling skill, I’m afraid; and nor will wives and partners thank you for bullying women athletes online, simply for looking good.

Here at Pedalnorth, we’ve also witness so-called respected members of the cycling industry make sexist remarks about women athletes, simply because they chose to wear pink cycling shorts on a climb in Spain. The woman concerned was depicted simply riding up an alpine pass and concentrating on the climb. It was summer and the temperatures in the valley were hot – hence the shorts. After all, women deserve to tan their legs whilst they cycle, don’t they?

Now please, with the greatest of respect – actually, with no respect to such comments – how can this sort of behaviour and failure to recognise and support women as athletes still be acceptable in 2026? It simply shouldn’t be acceptable, and men now need to wake up and smell the coffee, and then realise that if you want your partner to look good when you go to dinner, to the cinema, to the theatre or elsewhere, they reserve the right to also look good when cycling.

Leading the way to a feminine future

Let’s cut to the chase and accept that cycling has been unbalanced for far too long; and yes, that’s a polite way of saying that cycling has been sexist in too many areas, and that women in cycling deserve more acceptance for who they are – women. It’s only in recent years that women’s bikes had their own place within many many world-leading brands. Ladies, or women’s cycling clubs are one of the fastest developing areas within the global cycle industry. Failing to recognise the growth and potential of women’s cycling development is a failure to place your own cycling brand in the best position to maximise growth in the changing global cycling community. ‘Pink it and shrink it’ is no longer acceptable. Yes, women are finally a central part of the global cycling scene, and women’s cycling blogs are taking a hold, as online portals for the very best information for women in cycling.

As a website, we’ve always operated on the premise that the best and hardest working writers will always get the most support and recognition. We’ve constantly championed and promoted women’s cycling blogs, and tried to lead the way in bringing women’s cycling products to the fore, too. Ultimately, cycling is a sport for everyone, and yet it’s only in recent years that any form of equality has been achieved – and there’s still a long way to go.

Here’s a few key stats for around cycling growth for women:

Key Growth Statistics & Participation

Cycling is the sixth most popular sport for women in England, growing at over 9% in the last five years.
Women’s cycling participation has increased by nearly 20% since 2019.
In the UK, female race license holders increased by 72%.
Female membership in Cycling UK grew from 22% to 25% between 2022 and 2025.
Women made up 23% of new Zwift subscribers in 2025, up from 18% in 2022.

TV has a role to play, as the more women’s races that are televised and publicised, the greater the increase of women cyclists will be:

69% of women surveyed said watching the Tour de France Femmes inspired them to ride.
The average Women’s World Tour team budget has doubled since 2022 to approximately €4.67 million.
Tour de France Femmes social media followers reached 2.6 million in 2024, with a 61% rise in video content engagement.

Women’s Cycling Blogs

Women can be stylish when cycling… it’s their right

The demand for women’s community focused cycle events is high, with events like Limitlass and La Femme both selling out rapidly. Women’s cycling requires a different approach in so many ways.

It’s not simply that our women’s cycling jerseys and bib shorts need to be designed and cut differently; or that our cycling shoes need to be designed for women’s feet, taking account for our different build and physiology. It’s not simply that we want and yes need bikes that are designed and built for us. What is is, is the simple fact that women have fought hard for recognition within society; at work, at leisure, within families, and within sport generally. Women in cycling simply want a feminine future that is on a a par with the attention given to men’s cycling.

Did you know that it wasn’t until the year 2000 that women had their first ever world cyclocross champion. Yes, only 26 years ago, despite the history and longevity of the cyclocross discipline. It was Hanka Kupfernagel of Germany who was the first women’s elite cyclocross world champion, winning that inaugural UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship in 2000, held in Sint-Michielsgestel, Netherlands.

In terms of road cycling, it was 1958 and Reims, France, that marked the official introduction of the women’s road race to the UCI championship program – being won by Elsy Jacobs from Luxembourg. The context of this becomes apparent when you consider that the men had a world championship race in 1927 at the Nürburgring in Germany, where Alfredo Binda won.

Strictly female cycling information

Considering all of this, alongside the regular insults thrown at women wearing lycra cycling clothing, it’s time for a change. It’s time for men to accept that women can and do ride bikes. It’s time to accept that women have disposable incomes and want to purchase cycle clothing and bikes designed for them. It’s time for men to realise that the women being insulted , abused, attacked for looking feminine is somebodies daughter, mother, partner – a human being, and deserve respect, not insults. Women who choose to be mothers, deserve respect and decency from the cycling industry; not to be thrown aside as riders, writers, creators, simply because they no longer fit the mold.

Men need challenging by men when they insult or attack women cyclists, and those men with their own pregnant looking builds should realise that it’s not that hard to beat them up a hill on a bike, and that simply fitting a lighter cassette won’t help their own performance. If only they took as much care about themselves, as they do attacking real women athletes, whose only crime is riding, exercising and taking care of themselves.

Ladies, or women’s cycling, whichever way you refer it, is still the fastest growth area within the global cycling community. It’s an area of cycling where performance, style and quality always ride in perfect harmony; and yet is an area where true recognition is still in waiting. For us here at Pedalnorth, led by Nadezhda Pavlova and with talented athletes and writers such as Diane Vilarem, Fatima Berton, Kristi Kuldkepp and Teodora Sabina, this dynamic area of the Pedalnorth website continues to lead the way in showcasing the uniqueness and the lifestyle within women’s cycling, by bringing you the very best women’s cycling blogs in the world – on the world’s best cycling lifestyle and culture website!

Today is the time to join the women’s cycling revolution, and to continue to challenge this long unequal status quo. Women cyclists are already here and we’re riding fast, we’re looking stylish and leading the way across the vast and hopefully growing inclusivity within the varied and interesting global cycling community!

Women’s Cycling Blogs

2026 Spring-Summer Cycle Clothing Collection from ALÉ

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:18:27 +0000

New ALÉ Spring-Summer 2026 Collection

A collection that blends technological innovation, cutting-edge materials and contemporary design, created to experience cycling with freedom, comfort and personal style.

As the cycling seasons begins once more, and we start to look ahead to warmer spring days and short sleeved jerseys, Italian brand Alé has unveiled its new Spring–Summer 2026 cycling apparel collection. This latest range from their world-leading design team, celebrates the warm season with a distinctive balance of technical performance, functionality and modern style. It’s a range for the complete cyclist, bringing the Alé experience to all riders, from professionals to passionate enthusiasts.

Alé’s DNA is rooted in the fusion of functionality, design and textile engineering. Each garment supports the cyclist on a journey that is both physical and emotional, where comfort, innovation and aesthetics coexist in perfect harmony. Clean lines and carefully engineered details, and meticulously selected fabrics define a collection designed for those who experience cycling as a personal and authentic expression.

SS26 Collection – inspirational themes

The Spring–Summer 2026 collection is built around several creative universes and themes:

• Pure Essentialism – Clean, no-frills garments designed for riders who want only what truly matters, with no compromises.

• Cosmic Horizons – Celestial colour palettes and space-inspired textures turn every ride into a visual experience, where each shade evokes a journey toward new sensations.

• Energy & Dynamism – Vibrant tones and bold designs that convey speed, adrenaline and freedom, expressing the most instinctive and passionate side of cycling.

• Urban Style – Metropolitan vibes that merge performance and contemporary aesthetics, created for cyclists who live the city with a sporty, distinctive attitude.

• Reinterpreted Heritage – A tribute to cycling’s history, reimagined through modern fabrics and contemporary cuts, preserving the elegance of tradition without sacrificing functionality.

The five macro clothing collection families for 2026

As always, the Alé SS 2026 collection is structured around five main product lines:

• R-EV1 – The capsule collection representing the pinnacle of Alé innovation: advanced technologies, cutting-edge materials and design developed in the brand’s research center.

• PR.E – Creativity and performance inspired by the professional peloton. Garments designed for riders who want to combine technical excellence, colour, style and originality on every ride.

• PRAGMA – Essential, comfortable and practical. A range of durable, refined pieces where quality and craftsmanship are guaranteed by Alé’s long-standing expertise.

• OFF-ROAD GRAVEL – Designed for gravel and mountain biking, a robust and functional collection engineered to tackle off-road terrain with comfort and protection.

• TRIATHLON – Built for triathlon challenges. Ultra-high-performance materials, advanced aerodynamics and maximum breathability for every leg: swim, bike and run.

Together, these lines form the Alé Spring–Summer 2026 catalogue, a comprehensive offering for every type of cyclist, from elite athletes to leisure riders.

Garment engineering and technical performance

At the heart of the collection lies Alé’s commitment to seamlessly integrating technology, materials and design to deliver high performance in all riding conditions. Highly breathable, lightweight and elastic fabrics are combined with advanced construction techniques aimed at reducing friction and improving aerodynamics, while seams and hems are optimized to follow the body’s natural movement without interfering with pedalling efficiency.

Bib straps are anatomically shaped and crossed to distribute pressure evenly, ergonomic cam-lock zippers ensure ease of use and safety while riding, and reflective details enhance visibility in low-light conditions. Selected fabrics feature textures and microstructures engineered to increase stability and grip on the saddle, while advanced body-mapping technology allows each garment to adapt to different areas of the body, improving fit and comfort on long rides.

Every element of the collection is designed to maximize performance without compromising style, making the garments suitable for professional cyclists, dedicated amateurs and everyday riders alike, on the road or off-road. The combination of innovative materials, technical construction and attention to detail defines a versatile, high-performance and comfortable collection, engineered to support every ride with confidence and freedom.

It’s all ready and waiting for eager, style-conscious cyclists, and will no doubt light up the tarmac and trails this cycling season. We’ll be testing out a few selected items from this extensive tapestry of cycling style, with detailed reviews coming to our website, soon.

Visit the ALE Website

Who make the best carbon bikes in the world

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 16:11:05 +0000

Who make the best carbon bikes in the world

Road and off-road – where does innovation & excellence come as standard

We recently looked at who makes the best carbon road bike in the world. However, for many cyclists, and especially those addicted to N+1, the wider question is: ‘who makes the best carbon bikes in the world – on road and trail? Is the best bike in the world a road bike, a gravel bike or a mountain bike? That’s a far deeper question, and it relies on us speaking with numerous people, such as Guy Kesteven – the tester man – who knows more about mountain bikes than you can shake a stick. Now, in northern English slang, that’s a whole lot of information.

During 2025, Guy tested many incredible mountain bikes, and one of his favourites was the splendidly engineered race machine from Orbea, the Oiz M-Team. Taking a cue from Guy and adding our own thoughts, the Orbea brand has to be up there, as one of the brands making the best carbon bikes in the world – especially for trail riders. In terms of the Orbea Oiz itself, it’s a lightweight, aggressive geometry and nimble handling trail hugger that wants to fly along the tracks. Add to this the quality of the finishing and the components used by Orbea – along with the size of Guy’s grin factor – and you’ve got a competitor for the best mountain bike. Having used Orbea mountain bikes for many years myself, their quality is renowned; and it’s a brand that has been around for many years, with a rich history of developing high-quality and high-performance mountain bikes (and other bikes) since 1847, when the Orbea brothers opened a small workshop in the heart of the Basque country.

Today, they still design and assemble their frames in this area, whilst their frame manufacturing relies on the expertise in the Far East. Their meticulous attention to detail is legendary, and their latest bikes continue to share this adherence to innovation. The Orbea Oiz is simply a bike that looks quite beautiful, and which rides like an unleashed beast, wanting to devour the trails that you test yourself on.

The Road to Gravel

When we talk about the best gravel bike in the world however, other small artisan brands come to mind. Yes, there’s already a pattern emerging here, as these smaller brands tend to focus on the quality, performance and comfort of their bikes, rather than simply feeding the mass market. And unsurprisingly it’s brands such as 3T and TIME who forge ahead in the context of building the best carbon gravel bikes in the world. Breaking down the gravel biking sector in its constituent parts as it continues to evolve – gravel adventure, gravel leisure and gravel race – it’s around gravel adventure that 3T excel, with bikes such as their 3T Exploro Italia leading the way on innovation, quality and performance. However, when we look closely at the growing gravel leisure sector, we see the TIME ADHX45 taking the lead on the road to gravel arena, as probably the best carbon framed gravel leisure bike in the world.

What both these brands share however, isn’t just an adherence to excellence; it’s innovation and the constant desire to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible in carbon bicycle frame engineering. TIME, based in their European factory near Bratislava have developed and refined the Braided Carbon Structure (BCS) technique of weaving seamless carbon socks that provide the ultimate in lightness and strength, and which are seen by many as being the best carbon bike frames in the world. Utilising internal and external molds to ensure perfect frame composition with their Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), TIME carbon bike frames – on road and gravel – are simply works of engineering art that ride as well as they look.

Gravel adventure requires ultimate engineering

From their own small factory close to the Italian lakes and mountains, 3T have been creating iconic cycling parts and framesets since 1961. Like TIME, their own team of artisans have focused on developing techniques that ensure a 3T carbon frameset is ready for anything. Like the BCS technique, but also different in many ways, 3T use their own technique of Filament Winding (FWT).  Instead of sheets of carbon cut in different shapes and applied on a core, filament winding uses a yarn is spun that is spun onto a core to create a carbon shape. By changing the speeds of the winder, you can change the angle of the yarn on the core. This FWT allows to put each strand of fibre exactly where you want it. Having been at the forefront of the gravel adventure rise, 3T continue to make exceptional carbon framesets such as the 3T Extrema Italia at their home in Italy. And so, we have to rightly ask the question: do they make the best carbon bikes in the world?

Well, in terms of gravel adventure – possibly so. However, it’s time to consider the gravel leisure sector, and that’s a whole new ball game.

Riding the road to innovation & excellence

Going back to TIME and their own industry -leading BCS technique, their forte has always been in designing and creating innovative carbon road bike framesets. Are they the ultimate in carbon bikes for the connoisseur – yes, they very likely are in our humble opinion. When it comes to looking at who makes the best carbon bikes in the world, then TIME must be on the list and towards the top. Every aspect of their process has always been geared towards creating carbon bikes that stand head and shoulders above the rest in quality, performance, comfort and responsiveness. When you buy a TIME carbon frameset, you buy into a lifestyle and culture that exudes excellence. They also allow you to decide on what components your bike should have, so that the TIME bike you ride is your own unique bike.

Ultimately, we all want our own dream bike, and TIME make this possible for everyone. And, whilst they don’t make mountain bikes, as Orbea and the skilled designers and engineers from the Basque region of Spain, TIME do continue to innovate. They never stand still in their pursuit of quality and performance. Launching the TIME SCYLON in 2025, it took the brand to even greater levels of carbon engineering, with TIME testing and using new fibres within their BCS technique, to create an even lighter and stronger carbon road bike. And so I guess, and from a personal perspective ultimately; the best carbon bikes in the world are made by TIME in their factory, tucked away beneath the mountains and rolling hills of Slovakia – and all of us should aspire to ride a TIME machine into our own cycling future.

Fundamentally though, if you’re looking for a carbon mountain bike brand that stands tall above the others, then Orbea should most certainly be on your list. And, when it comes to gravel adventure, then using the 3T Extrema Italia is always going to be a good decision. We do however have to narrow down the final point though, and because of their continued adherence to excellence, their innovation and quality of ride, TIME is always going to be a bike to dream about.

Why… well, because we believe that they make the world’s best carbon bikes, with a passion that is reflected in every quite beautiful frameset.

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What is the best carbon road bike in the world

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:13:53 +0000

What is the best carbon road bike frame in the world?

TIME to find out

by Robert Thorpe & Nadezhda Pavlova

It’s a complex question, I know, as there are so many carbon bike frame manufacturers out there in the world. Many of them are based in the Far East, where they’ve become world experts at creating high-performance, high-quality carbon frames using techniques such as monocoque, which involves the layering of pre-peg carbon sheets around a mold and using an inflatable bladder for a seamless structure. However, in truth, that’s a rudimentary, old-fashioned and simplistic way of producing a frame these days. It helps the larger multinational brands to produce in volume, yes; but does it produce the most innovative, strong, light, responsive and performance orientated frameset – probably not.

Some brands use the Holo Core methods, where foam cores are removed after curing framesets. However, in certain corners of Europe, brands such as TIME and 3T are creating woven carbon framesets, using their own developed techniques, such as TIME with its Braided Carbon Structures (BCS) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM).

Braided Carbon Structures

Braided Carbon Structure is a technique that involves the weaving of multiple different fibres into complex bi-directional ‘socks.’ These carbon woven tubes are easy to tune with different materials, dependent on what is required from each individual bike model, and how tests have been carried out to determine which works best. TIME for instance, who have perfected the BCS technique over more than 20 years, currently chose from 16 filaments to perfectly tailor their layups.

Using the Braided Carbon Structure technique, from their artisan factory near Bratislava in eastern Europe, this iconic cycling brand has refined a process that allows something that is unheard of in the cycling world: continuous, unbroken fibres that run the full length of a carbon frameset structure. Think about this for one moment; not layered pieces of carbon cloth, but one long, unbroken and seamless sock of woven fibres. It’s easy to imagine the integrity of many layers of uninterrupted woven fibres running through a steerer tube and being integrated into a fork crown, and even down the fork legs with minimal overlapping joints. Contrast this technique with the industry standard prepreg layup where the edge of every carbon sheet is a potential weakness, and you begin to get the answer to that question posed at the start: what is the best carbon road bike frame in the world?

TIME SCYLON – probably the most beautiful carbon road bike in the world

The answer, for us here at Pedalnorth at least, is easy to determine. When you see a TIME SCYLON frameset being finished by the craftsmen and women in Slovakia, then the answer is this: TIME design and create the best carbon bikes in the world. They produce works of engineering art – not in huge numbers, because that would dilute things. They take their time to ensure that a TIME road bike looks as good as it rides – which is exceptional. The TIME SCYLON -the bike of choice for our editor and colleague, Nadezhda, is probably the most responsive and comfortable high-performance road bike in the world.

TIME engineers spent almost 2 years agonizing over every detail of the 2025 SCYLON release. Producing the best aero bike in the world does literally take TIME… pardon the pun. These artisans and engineering gurus wanted to ensure that the balancing of these key elements: aerodynamics, weight, responsiveness and comfort whilst challenging, was ultimately given the detail required if they were to produce the world’s best bike in its class.

When you are working to increase stiffness and tube sizes, it can also increase weight, whilst narrowing frontal areas for that all-important aero shaping can affect overall performance and ride quality. This needed a detailed focus, with absolutey nothing left on the table 2 years later. The result is a bike that glides along the road and produces the ultimate experience in cycling – a perfect balance between performance and pleasure.

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)

Part of the reason that TIME bikes are so beautifully constructed is how they use Resin Transfer Molding. Having developed molds that are external and internal to the finished frameset, TIME can be sure that the frameset being produced, looks and acts as well on the inside as it does on the outside. It’s also the best way to minimize defects in the composite structure. By injecting resin under high pressure between rigid external and internal molds, air pockets are pushed out, and voids between layers are eliminated. Resin can only flow where the precise molds – internal and external – allow and only assume the shapes that are intended, meaning that the RTM quality is extremely high-tolerance, uniform and consistent yielding a beautiful near-finished product.

The wax inside of each frameset as it is being produced by TIME, which helps to keep the shape and structure so smooth and perfect, is also recycled after each process. Whilst no bike manufacturing process can be totally green, small things count; and this element of recycling and re-use is good to see, whilst also adding to the process that makes a TIME frameset a work of cycling art.

Conversely, brands that use pre-preg bags can suffer from instances where the bags create resin pooling and allow wrinkling of fibre layers inside of the structure. For TIME, taking time to think about how they can produce the world’s most precise carbon road bike frameset is important.

Every TIME bike is an ambassador for the quality and performance that they’ve become renowned for since 1987.

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An adherence to excellence

TIME focuses on an adherence to innovation and excellence. They’re a small but dedicated group of creatives, always seeking out new techniques and testing new weaves, to ensure that a TIME bike frame has the perfect balance between lightness, strength, performance and comfort. The finished carbon weave also looks so good that you can have a TIME frameset that allows the look of the carbon itself to be seen – not hidden away under layers of paint. Yes, of course, they do paint framesets – and they do so quite beautifully. However, when you buy a TIME road bike, you buy into the quality and engineering excellence that has been creating these timeless pieces of cycling art since 1987. And, they continue to look at new ways to increase the strength, lightness and performance of their carbon bikes, by trialing new weaves using Kevlar and Dyneema within the BCS socks. On a weight for weight basis, Dyneema® is 15 times stronger than steel wire. Light Weight: Size for size, a rope made with Dyneema® is 8 times lighter than steel wire rope.Testing how and where to use this within the TIME framesets means that they can create some of the strongest carbon bike frames ever.

Ultimately, for Tony Karklins and his team of artisans, it means that TIME never stands still.

And so, if you’re looking for the ultimate bike for your own cycling lifestyle. One that matches your riding and ambition. A bike that allows you to ride in harmony with the bike itself and feel like one on the road, then maybe you need to take TIME for a new journey of discovery. Look at TIME and their current range of the world’s best carbon road bikes – the SCYLON and the current Alp D’Huez for climbers.

At the end of it all, the simple fact is this: the best carbon road bikes aren’t made in huge multinational factories in the Far East. They’re designed, crafted and created in a small corner of Slovakia – by TIME.

Now, pardon the pun, but isn’t it time that you took a closer look?

Click the link below and take a journey through TIME in 2026!

Visit the TIME website

Robert Thorpe – pedalnorth

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