Cycling News – pedalnorth

Is Ekoi the listening brand in world cycling

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

The listening brand in world cycling

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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What is the best carbon road bike in the world

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

Is this the best
carbon road bike
in the world?

Time to find out...

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

Is this the best gravel bike brand in the world

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:09:37 +0000

Riding into Adventure

Which is the best gravel bike

Is this the world’s best gravel bike brand

Ride into adventure

Over recent years, the gravel biking scene has exploded all over Europe and North America… and beyond! Some of the most popular races are now gravel bike events, with former pro peloton riders such as Nico Roche participating and winning UCI World titles in the Masters racing. There’s even been pro peloton UCI gravel bike world championships, with Kasia Niewiadoma becoming the first ever women’s UCI World Gravel Bike Champion. This year, Mathieu van der Poel took the men’s title, whilst all over the world, the number of mass participation gravel bike races has literally exploded: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, South Africa.

Cyclists no longer want to simply explore off-road tracks and trails and fascinating places; no, there’s a thirst for going fast too, with a professional gravel biking scene in its infancy and growing yearly. Here in the U.K., former British Cycling Education Lead, Neil Atkinson and team at Focal Events are creating epic weekend gravel bike festivals such as Dirty Reiver in Northumberland, that are already becoming legendary ‘must ride’ gravel races for all-comers.

Gravel biking is changing, innovating and evolving, in the same manner that mountian biking did some 30+ years ago, when the separation between XC and downhill became so pronounced, and more recently when Enduro entered the scene. Yes, there are already defined sub-cultures evolving within gravel biking, with trail riding, bike packing, technical gravel bikes and fast or aero gravel bikes. The gravel bike space is ripe for development for those brands that identify the direction that they want to head in, and brands such as 3T in Italy, and TIME Bikes based in Slovakia are both leading the way in frame technologies and designs – in different areas of this developing tapestry of cycle sport. TIME in particular, are renowned for their innovative engineering and quality of their carbon framesets. Using their innovative ‘Braided Carbon Structures’, their frames are industry leading – and, whilst equal to any brand in the world, their area of concentration is for the growing number of gravel leisure riders rather than the 3T orientated gravel adventure focus.

What is the best gravel bike in the world

All of this then brings us to the question: ‘what is the best gravel bike brand in the world?’ Yes, we know about Kasia and Matthieu and Nico and all those top riders. However, in terms of the mass participation gravel bike races, and the already iconic gravel bike races such as Unbound Gravel XL in America, the Grinduro Race Series for gravel bikes in Europe and North America, Dirty Reiver and of course, Badlands unsupported gravel bike race, taking in 800km of European desert in the Sierra Nevada of Spain, there’s one particular bike that frequently finds itself on the podium – and it isn’t one of the larger brand names. It’s a brand that has a deep understanding and focus on the hardcore gravel scene of adventure seekers, and which has innovation and excellence built into its fabric and dna.

3T have set out their stall as the go to brand in this adventure sector, whilst the gravel race and ‘road to gravel’ sub-culture is still developing, with brands such as Orbea and iconic TIME Bikes making waves and catching the eyes of the speed orientated gravel grinding adventure seekers. This new sub-culture within cycling is seemingly looking for something different, and these iconic brands have found the recipe for success – alongside their renowned engineering excellence.

Ultimately though, as the varying subcultures develop further, it’s interesting to see who will come out top. For now though, the geography is owned by 3T – but the likes of TIME are closing in with their innovative designs and technology, alongside a heritage that brings them worthy recognition.

These images by Ben Thorpe, EuroBike 2024

Yes, 3T Bikes from the north of Italy in particular – that artisan led, specialist bike brand since 1962 – are the most prominent brand that keeps producing some of the very best gravel adventure bikes in the world, as riders excel in these events when riding a 3T gravel bike. Interestingly too, this small but high-quality, highly engineered and beautifully designed bike brand from Italy, were also the first gravel bike brand in the world to look at how a specialist gravel bike could be made more aero for racing. The 3T Exploro was the original fast and furious gravel bike and is still one of the very best choices in the world for off-road racing snakes. The Exploro model pioneered aerodynamics for gravel bikes, including even mud-covered knobby tire wind tunnel testing (much to the chagrin of the wind tunnel staff). The race-proven 3T Exploro range gives you the speed you’re used to on asphalt and an additional advantage on wind-swept gravel tracks.

Others are of course beginning to catch them up and indeed, to overtake them with innovative ways of weaving carbon, and mixing their frames with the best components available. The gravel biking scene is developing fast, at some point, yes, 3T will be caught and maybe left with the gravel adventure sector, whilst brands such as TIME take the lead in gravel leisure. For now though, the 3T products are continuing to catch the eye of the growing community of gravel bike riders. Will this still be the same in 2 years time – who knows. Time will tell

Freedom for all – fast freedom

The 3T philosophy is built on innovation and excellence, and the spirit of adventure for all cyclists who seek freedom in the great outdoors. It’s in the Italian blood; remember the white roads of Strade Bianche – modern day cycling classic. Long before gravel riding became popular, 3T decided that they wanted to ride faster and farther on any terrain than anyone else. The resulting 3T Exploro was the first gravel bike in the cycling world to combine road speed and mountain toughness, so that you, the ordinary adventure loving gravel bike rider, can race through the smooth sections and crush the rough and technical stuff. Total freedom had arrived at last, and some of the very best gravel bikes in the world had arrived on the trails, wrapped in the Italian flag!

The latest 3T PRIMO gravel bikes maintains their badge of exquisitely engineered excellence, and rightly continues the growing status of 3t gravel bikes. The current 3T PRIMO gravel bikes all use the latest generation of the original Exploro gravel bike frame. It’s a great choice for a high-end, highly-versatile gravel bike at an affordable price, and it’s a gravel bike that is suitable for riders at all levels, and for all adventures – weekend trips or epic multi-day gravel bike adventures.

3T Race Max and Race Max Italia

The 3T RACEMAX and RACEMAX ITALIA are renowned across the cycling world as being some of the fastest gravel bikes possible, with an aero optimized frame for 35-42mm WAM (Width as Measured) tires, ready to take on the most technical and toughest of rides, or long trips, as the frame even fits up to 61mm tires. The 3T ULTRA and the EXTREMA ITALIA are designed to go fast on the worst possible terrain, aero optimized for 55-61mm tires (but of course you can spec a narrower tire too). These technical tubes of Italian engineering excellence also combine an aero seat-tube with a round seat-post, so you can use any 27.2 round, dropper or suspension post and add to rider comfort.

Engineering excellence and innovation

Ultimately then and considering the support that 3T put into gravel biking, with their already renowned, annual Jeroboam gravel bike event, 3T are towards the top in the gravel bike league table. The Jeroboam Gravel Series is a gravel cycling event series organized by 3T, and includes a variety of routes and locations, with the original edition taking place in Franciacorta, Italy. Gravel bike riders attend from all over the world, and 3T are always showing the strength of their own bikes as riders cross the line, as they continue to engage with the grassroots cycling community at numerous locations across the globe.

Above images from TIME Bicycles, Europe

TIME for change

However – and it is a very big ‘however’ – as we mentioned earlier in this piece, the landscape of gravel is changing rapidly. Clear sub-cultures are evolving and they’ll be difficult for the smaller brands to keep pace with, unless they define which route they want to take: adventure or high-performance. For me there are 3 clear areas for the future:

Gravel adventure
Gravel leisure
Gravel race

The road to gravel is key for every brand aiming to capture something from the growing community – especially as that growth is beginning to slow with cyclists pausing to reflect and think about their own direction. Brands such as TIME have some success with their TIME ADHX 45 ‘full on’ gravel bike, which kind of slotted between the gravel adventure and gravel leisure categories, whilst wanting to reach out to the grabel race category too. TIME are a brand that has never stood still – pardon the pun – and they’ll no doubt be looking to develop further in one of these categories, making it their own and giving 3T some interesting competion in the gravel race arena as the colors evolve on the gravel biking tapestry.

What does this mean for you as a gravel biker; well, you now need to take that pause and ask youself ‘which of the new gravel sub-cultures do I wnat to fit into?’ N+1 has a whole new meaning these dyas, and consumers want more from each bike. The Road to Gravel is an interesting concept, and this small phrase may well fit most people’s ideal ride. Who takes it on will be interesting.

And so, as the global cycling community heads back onto the rocky and dust-strewn and technical trails, seeking their own new challenges on gravel bikes, the answer to the question: ‘which is the best gravel bike brand in the world’ has a dual answer.

As it stands, entering 2026, 3T will likely still be leading the global off-road gravel adventure peloton, by continuing to design and to create some of the best technical and tough gravel bikes in the world – at the home of gravel biking, along the dusty white roads of Tuscany and Italy… whilst TIME and others focus elsewhere and aim their sights on capturing the evolving gravel leisure area – where comfort, companionship and responsiveness is key, and where speed is your friend.

Ultimately I guess, only TIME will tell – so, let’s wait and see

Gravel Bike Routes

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Women in Cycling – Interview with Celine Vandenbroucke

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:27:04 +0000

Celebrating a
passion for life

An interview with
Celine Vandenbroucke

Women in Cycling: Celine Vandenbroucke

Celebrating a passion for life

Celine Vandenbroucke comes from a cycling dynasty. Her father and first cousin were world-renowned, and her late brother was also well-established within cycling. There we go; let’s get this point out of the way, because it does not – nor ever should – define this inspirational human being and woman, playing a leading role within the world cycling industry. For whilst her family were well-known for their cycling exploits and careers; in her own way, Celine has used her own inner strength of spirit, her determination, her intelligence and her natural ability to communicate with people, to rise to the top of the cycling industry on merit, as the head of Public Relations and Events (Global) for world-leading French brand, Ekoi.

As a woman in a still male-dominated sport and industry, Celine has seen the changes; from a time when riders such as Marion Rouse – despite being world class athletes – had to curtail racing careers due to money, like so many other female cyclists. Yes, even at the very top level of women’s cycling, it’s only now that times are changing in a positive way.

As Celine and I talk and her face lights up with the passion and force that drives this inspirational leader forward, she proudly tells me that the recent Tour de France Femme event saw a 4x increase in the global TV audience from previous events – finally showing the cycling world that there is an audience out there for women cyclists and top-level racing. Salaries are now improving, as are the race schedules and respect for women in teams. The wind of change is here, and Celine and other women involved in cycling, can feel it on the faces as they run into an exciting future!

Battling the aesthetics that existed

Chatting with Celine, her face is animated and alive, and her eyes illuminate and smile as she recounts the changes, from a time of feminine aesthetics to now, where women are beginning to be recognised more for their ability. We talk about a particular team manager, who only 5 years ago tried to take a famous social media influencer into a team; then dropping a talented rider to make way for the female influencer who couldn’t ride well – purely to increase the popularity of the team! In Celine’s eyes, ‘the problem was with the manager, not with the girl!’

And yes, she’s right; men have in the past, too frequently exploited the aesthetics of women within sport, and failed to prioritise and to accept the athlete over the image. Listening to this, it resonates with me, as our own women writers at Pedalnorth regularly have to suffer social media abuse, with too many people still unable to accept their athletic process over their individual aesthetics. However, Celine has had to both witness and experience such attitudes close to hand, and her determination has helped her to overcome all obstacles.

Running into the wind and celebrating life

As we chat, Celine tells me how she loved running as a child but was not as well supported as it could have been, due to her families obvious cycling position. Giving up running, and indeed, deliberately avoiding the cycling industry for 5 years, she sought to find herself and her own identity; it was taking up running and marathons – then aged 33 – that helped her to feel alive and to feel free to be herself, and to use that inner strength that distance runners all have, to drive forward with her career. She is a fearless woman, with a feminine strength that others would be well not to misjudge. Her abilities as a communicator are only matched by her ability to identify solutions to the myriads of problems that she has expertly managed and resolved on her journey to top of our industry.

With 20 marathons behind her and numerous successes, running is now a natural therapy for Celine and a way to relax; having developed from being a place where she sought to challenge those who failed to understand who she really was and is today – a strong, determined and spirited woman, leading one of the world’s top cycling brands into an exciting future. Talking in such an open and relaxed way, it’s easy to see why Ekoi chose Celine to head their public relations. ‘Running has a positive effect on my brain, helping me to breath and to relax and to think more openly. It allows me to be who I am. I run to be free and to feel alive!’

Creating a future for cycling

Her current role opens up a whole future where she works closely with people such as legendary French rider, Marion Rouse, and other global brand ambassadors, to bring the Ekoi way of thinking to more and more members of the global cycling community. Women’s cycling in particular is one of the key growth areas in our sport, and people such as Celine and Marion are leading this revolution, with the refreshing wind of change blowing gently as they celebrate cycling and life as women!

Taking on the challenges of the current global cycling industry, Celine now develops new social networks and event opportunities; identifying those partners who share the Ekoi vison and passion for doing things differently.

Ekoi is still a relatively young brand and yet is also firmly embedded at world tour level. Starting out in 2001, the brand soon saw that the future lay in a B2C model online, working directly to the consumer; developing this model in 2008 and going from strength to strength, as cyclists recognised the quality, styling and value of the brand. Joining Ekoi in 2016, Celine had grown up within the small global cycling family and was a recognised face to many. The brand was by then working with AG2R as a sponsor, and with Quick Step and Julian Alaphilippe for glasses and eyewear. She took on the tricky task of the Benelux countries, having to manage numerous issues and frequently challenging others who on occasions could seem jealous of her position, due to the family name.

Strength is a personal quality – alongside determination

And yet, despite being given such a tough assignment, over 5 years, Celine improved turnover and streamlined sales issues, managing out the previous problems. Her reward was to be promoted to the brand HQ at Frejus in the south of France, where her strength carries her forward. Her spirit and love for her role shines out, from the light in her eyes and the radiating warmth of her face as she speaks, telling me that ‘I see things and I fight for them. It has been my strength, all my life. I can see a problem and I will deal with it, not avoid it. I talk to people, and I listen, and we work through things.’

Yes, she recognises that her family name has helped; as has her life, lived within the small global family of cycling, where she recalls also handing out the podium flowers at an earlier age. Now, it is Celine who is receiving the awards, as a women leading a world-class team at one of the world’s top cycling brands and showing that the glass ceiling should never have existed.

As we continue our conversation, we talk about her new role in excited tones, with the pride illuminating her words:

‘From this year, I have to manage and create big global contracts, and to travel a lot. Now, I am doing what I dreamed all my life. It’s something special that I like, with people who I like. A moment ago, recently, I realised that yes, I am here. I no longer see the sport in the same way as I once did. I have developed as a person and a leader and as a woman! Now, I run to feel good, not to prove myself!’

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Women’s cycling – levelling the road to success

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:18:31 +0000

Levelling the road
to success

Women's Cycling

By Robert Thorpe & Kristi Kuldkepp

How women’s cycling teams are fighting for parity

By Robert Thorpe & Kristi Kuldkepp

A few years ago, I was contacted by a group who’d been trying to put together a Crit race event in the local district. They asked if I’d be willing to take the lead, due my apparent organisational skills. However, on questioning them, once I’d seen their initial plan, I asked why they weren’t looking to put on a women’s elite race too, as part of the programme. They responded by simply saying that ‘we don’t believe that there’s sufficient interest.’ I responded by saying that the issue probably lay in their failure to correctly identify how to market the event idea to women’s cycling clubs and others. Accordingly, I turned down the request to help them. No races subsequently took place… of any kind.

Am I sad that the result was no racing at all? No, I’m not. I’m glad that I took a stand in support of women’s sport and the necessity of a level playing field. My older sister was a county champion runner and national standard. Far better than me, and yet I grew up with more opportunities to keep running after school. It has stayed with me into adulthood and through life, that women deserve better and that they deserve to get parity with men in sport – at all levels.

Let’s be clear, whilst we can send rockets into orbit and bring them back; and, we have smart phones that can control household devices from afar, we’ve only just managed to get women’s grand tour races that look something like the men’s equivalent. If we consider that this is at World Tour level, imagine then, how difficult it is as women cyclists try to climb the pro cycling ladder, from local and regional teams and onwards to Continental and Pro team levels, as they develop riders for the future women’s world tour peloton.

UCI changes and team financing

It was only in recent years that the UCI took steps to develop women’s cycling progression, through a new tiered system: Continental, Pro and World Tour level team structure. Their development plan also gave advice on creating events and supporting women’s teams. Consider that, for many at even Pro team level, the wages are such that they must work elsewhere, simply to be able to live. This is while men’s Pro level teams have wages that could support several women’s teams. Interestingly, this cost increase within men’s cycling has benefitted the women’s tour, as sponsors are slowly realising the financial benefits of supporting a women’s team, as a viable alternative to trying to keep up with the utterly ridiculous funding that is now required at men’s Pro team level.

Going Continental – the Baloise Minimax WB Ladies team

The Baloise Minimax WB Ladies team is a women’s cycling team from Belgium, competing at the club level for the past 5 years. Thankfully, after years of trying, through seeking sponsorship, brand support and their own hard work, they’ve just been accepted at UCI Women’s Continental team level; meaning that, instead of racing club and district events, from 2026, this inspiring young team filled with talented athletes will be travelling further afield and taking their bikes onto the long road towards pro level riding.

We wanted to follow their amazing progression, and to highlight their achievement, as a means of highlighting the wider issues still being faced by women’s cycling, as it continues to race towards greater parity with the men’s scene. Part of that journey is now possible, due to UCI changes that encourage more women’s races, and more women’s team invites in ‘next level’ races. This seemingly small change that occurred in 2023, will give the new Baloise Minimax WB Ladies Continental team, the opportunity to race in some international Pro level events from 2026, alongside their new Continental calendar. Founded in 2021, the team is the first all-female team in the cycling-mad region of Wallonia and is fast becoming an inspirational beacon to young women cyclists.

Their stated mission is to promote women’s cycling, by offering riders professional coaching and the opportunity to participate in numerous national and international competitions. Their organization’s goal is also to train young women, with the aim of taking them to the highest level – to the pro peloton. It’s time then to take a closer look at the team structure, the names and faces behind this exciting journey, and how they’ve achieved so much in a short space of time. They’re an example of what can be achieved and an inspirational group of professionals, dedicated to levelling the field, so that women athletes can have the same goals as men within cycling. It’s not about breaking the glass ceiling – the women of the Baloise Minimax WB Ladies team have set out to smash it into tiny fragments!

The journey so far

Originally, Baloise Minimax WB Ladies team focused on coaching athletes in the U23/elite categories; whilst over the years, with hard work and constant focus on the future, a clear and robust development-oriented structure has taken shape. In 2022, the junior (U19) category was added to the project, closely followed by the cadet (U17) team in 2023. In just five short years, the team has created a unique development pathway for young female cyclists, from the U17 category all the way to UCI Continental level, with the opportunity for riders to perform on wider platform.

The team has gone through several major and difficult moments – for example, in 2023, one of the team’s strongest riders, Nathalie Säfsten, was involved in a serious car accident during a training camp in Spain. She was in a coma for quite some time and has since lost her ability to walk. She is true fighter and has not given up. Every day, Nathalie works hard with the hope of one day getting back on the bike. She is officially a member of the Baloise Minimax WB Ladies team and entire team is fighting for Nathalie! #fightlikenathalie . Her spirit and strength are an inspiration, and her determination to beat her current circumstances, typifies the fighting spirit and willpower of many women athletes, seeking to show that women’s cycling at pro level, can and will succeed.

Adapting to a new challenge

The transition to a higher level of racing and the international scene, opens the door to Baloise Minimax WB Ladies to a more demanding race calendar, an increased international presence and greater visibility for the team partners. The team will take part in more high-level competitions, several of which will be broadcast on television – providing significant media exposure for the sponsors both in Belgium and internationally. Thankfully, women’s cycling is finally getting the media exposure that it deserves and is proving popular with fans across the cycling world. The team already draws in riders from across Europe, such as Nathalie (Sweden), and me – Kristi (Estonian) – alongside many others. And, importantly, behind the scenes, we have a terrific support team, ensuring that we race as one – a leading lady cycling team, ready to take on the world!

Meet the team

Leading the management element of the team is the inspirational figure, Luc Mayne – the project’s original founder, who remains the chairman of the board to this day. He is a well-known figure in Wallonia cycling races, and has superb connections, that continue to benefit the team. Although he was quite a good athlete in his youth, he came to cycling somewhat by chance. He started as a volunteer rider at Velo Club d’Ottignies and later became the general manager of the renowned semi-professional men’s team Veran Classic-Ago, before starting the current women’s team project.

The Baloise Minimax WB Ladies director is Ludivine Henrion; again, a well-respected member of the Belgium cycling community. Ludivine is a Belgian road cyclist and 2 times Belgium road race champion in 2007 and 2009. She also won the bronze medal in the road race at the 2006 World University Cycling Championships, finishing behind Ellen van Dijk and Eva Lutz. She competed in the women’s road race at 2012 Summer Olympics and brings an invaluable wealth of experience to the young riders.

At the sharp end of the management process, the Sports Directors are Eleonore Maeck and Yuri Feijtel, assisted by Robin Ernst as a team coach. Of course, we can’t forget our invaluable mechanics (Adrien Eloy, Loris Michel, Jean-Pierre Trisman) and soigneurs (Stephane Decamp and Roland Lefevre), without whom this team wouldn’t be what is it today – a cycling team that’s taking huge steps forward and being noticed for the right reasons.

The Baloise Minimax WB Ladies team is a very international group of riders, with members from a whole range of cycling nations: Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, France, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Ukraine and Norway. Myself, as mentioned earlier; I’m from the Baltic nation of Estonia, regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world – something I’m proud of.

An exciting future for women’s cycling

Women’s professional cycling is entering a transformative era – one marked by rapid growth, increased visibility and long-overdue investments. With the introduction of tiered team structures by the UCI (Continental, Pro and World Tour) creating a realistic pathway for aspiring female cyclists that hadn’t existed before. The future has never been clearer or more promising, and these are exciting times for us as women within cycle sport! These structural changes not only provide a framework for talent development but also greater professionalism across all levels of the sport.

There’s a significant shift occurring in race calendars too. Women’s events are gaining prominence alongside their male counterparts, with major races such as the Tour de France Femmes, Paris Roubaix Femmes and Strade Bianche Donne receiving global broadcast coverage and large audiences – at the race and on tv. This increased visibility is attracting new sponsors, fans and media attention – all of which are critical to building a sustainable future for women’s cycling. It’s been a long road, with too many hills to climb! However, we’re finally showing that we women have a right for parity in the pro peloton ranks.

Riding a women’s cycling revolution

At the team level, growing support means more equitable salaries, access to professional coaching, nutrition and medical support – essentials long taken for granted in the men’s peloton. While disparities still exist, momentum is clearly building and it’s exciting to be a part of this. In many regions, grassroots initiatives and clubs are now focusing specifically on developing female talent from junior levels upwards, creating a stronger pipeline for the next generation of champions. Crucially, the narrative around women’s cycling is changing too. No longer treated as an afterthought, it is increasingly being recognised as a vibrant, competitive and commercially viable arm of the sport.

With more elite-level opportunities, improved race coverage and an expanding global fan base, the future of women’s cycling looks not only exciting – but unstoppable. I’ll be going along for the ride – so join me and the women of Baloise Minimax WB Ladies team, as we help to create the women’s cycling revolution!

Click here to visit the team website

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Elite Avanti Smart Trainer first look

Pedalnorth Website — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:11:29 +0000

Getting back to training

with Alex Sabin

ELITE AVANTI – SMART TRAINER
First look at this new Smart Trainer from Italy

by Alex Sabin

I remember the first more “serious” year of training on the bike. It was the end of 2019 and after a summer in which I participated in a few mountain biking competitions here in Romania, the “bug” was already starting to catch me. I was not a naturally competitive person, as I always liked to pedal to explore, to visit new places, and to get there by my own strength. I was born in the hills that lie at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, and so exploring the vast and beautiful landscapes was a part of me – of who I am. Cycling was for me a means to find my way about the world and to find adventure!

However, after only a few initial mountain bike competitions, I started to like this feeling as well. I begin to think ‘hey, this is kind of cool, too!’ Yes, the feeling of fighting with yourself, challenging yourself and adapting to the various conditions and to the mountains and… to train for your dream – the dream of winning! Yes, training is essential and because winter was coming too, it was important for me to continue my training. So, my coach, George, gave me his trainer – my very first. An Elite FORCE, which I found again in recent days, after 6 years. When I look at what has happened and what I’ve achieved in those 6 years, it was kind of nice.

Now, 6 years later, and after many km, both outside on the roads and trails and in the virtual world of interactive trainers, I can already look back at many places on the podium. After more or less pleasant moments, there’s only one thing that has remained constant for me – indoor and Elite training. Yes, Elite is a brand that means something to me. It’s been with me at various times along my short journey to date.

Getting ‘smart’ with Elite interactivity

Thankfully, starting this year, I have the chance to test and train again on Elite devices, and I’m more than excited about it. Yes, as a writer and editor here at Pedalnorth, and as a recognized mountain bike racer here in Romania, I’ve been sent a new Elite indoor cycling set-up to try out long term and to see how their latest AVANTI smart trainer can benefit a cyclist and mountain bike racer like me.

Arriving recently and being quickly unboxed, the first thing I notice is the simplicity of the device and how intuitive it is to install. Simple and efficient; things that are increasingly rare lately in other devices. It’s a good start and a big “well done” to Elite. We’d all rather be riding than struggling with instructions!

The AVANTI trainer from Elite comes with all the necessary adapters too, and you can mount both your road racing bike or your mountain bike. Hey, one bike is never enough – remember that! In my case, I chose to install my mountain bike, because my main event is the mountain bike marathon and I prefer to get used to the position and feeling on the mountain bike. Being able to do so and to work on many aspects of my training is vital, and thankfully the AVANTI trainer from Elite is spot on.

Indoor training for outdoor results

Indoor training for me was also the best way to recover from my opponents in the competition. There are 5-6 years difference between me and the rest. It took a lot of drive and determination, discipline and passion. I had some catching up to do. Indoor training is very beneficial, and not just for me, because everything happens in a controlled environment. The pedalling is constant and training plans can go very smoothly. I can focus on small details such as pedal action, watts and stamina, and the AVANTI replicates the hills for me, up to 18% and it has a built-in power meter too. Everything I need to replicate the riding in the nearby hills! In addition to this, at least in the winter period, safety also intervenes. On snow, wet roads, on those tricky winter days of rain and snow, it’s not that much fun. Add to this the dangers and the indoor trainer is a vital tool for me. In addition, if you ever have the feeling that time passes too quickly…. Try cycling for at least an hour indoors – you’ll soon know what I mean!

Indoor workouts have gained more and more popularity and so have virtual tour apps. There are so many options to choose from, and thankfully the Elite AVANTI smart trainer works with them all – the choice is up to you. Through these applications you connect with blue-tooth to your chosen Elite devices and you can have an outdoor experience in a virtual environment – voila! The AVANTI works with Zwift, Trainer Road and a host of other applications, as well as their own My E-Training by Elite, which has some great videos of well-known road climbs and other routes.

I’ll be honest, though. I wasn’t a fan of virtual tour apps initially. They are for me, more old-fashioned. I just prefer to listen to music, podcast or watch something light while pedalling away! However, thankfully the Elite AVANTI set-up came with some additional devices that I think bode well. In this case, the Elite STERZO SMART, which is a front wheel lock that allows you to steer the front wheel left and right, thus imitating pedalling outside and adding some interest to proceedings.

Elite by name, Elite by nature!

Yes, Elite as a world-leading indoor interactive trainer brand comes to the rescue with a complete setup to make indoor training just right, at a very high level. Whether you are a simple amateur or a professional rider, the AVANTI and the STERZO is a great indoor cycling option for you. ELITE ZONA is also part of the Elite ecosystem and came for me to test, alongside the AVANTI. Elite ZONA is a controller that gives you full control over your workout and training plan, without using apps or software. You get control over a bunch of modes; workouts based on power zones, w/kg, mechanical resistance and pre-programmed settings. It’s also easily installed anywhere on the handlebars or bicycle frame. I’ll be writing about the Elite ZONA in more detail, in a future blog.

For now though, there are no more excuses – it’s time to ride!

You recall how I was telling you at the beginning, that one of the things I really love about the Elite Avanti smart trainer is its manoeuvrability. For a person who travels quite often, divided between several places; a lightweight, manoeuvrable and simple to carry device is essential for me. I can also take it to races in the car, using it for warm-up and post-race. Yes, in a short space of time, I have discovered that the new Elite Avanti is my best friend. Very easy to pack and to store, and easy to setup and control my training with. Again, there are no more excuses. Regardless of whether you are away or not, the Avanti makes cycling and training easy. The smart trainer is your friend for life

I’ll be writing more about training on the Elite system, how easy I find out through the racing season and how it helps me develop my performance. For now, though, thank you Elite and Pedalnorth.com for the opportunity to work with such an awesome brand. It feels incredible to return to the Elite ecosystem, and to see how it can help me to develop as pro mountain bike racer, at home and abroad, racing my mountain bike in the epic mountains of Romania!

Visit the Elite website

Click Here

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Cycling accident alert systems – crash sensors and locator devices

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 11:45:00 +0000

Cycling Safety

Crash sensors & location devices

Critical Moments in our Cycling Lives

Dealing with the worst when it happens

In a previous life, I worked as what was termed a ‘Critical Incident Commander’ within U.K. policing. In effect, it’s the ‘shit has hit the fan’ guy, and the one that gets the call and asked to take control and work out what needs to be done. I’m no expert at the individual aspects that ultimately save the day. However, I am experienced and hopefully quite skilled at knowing who the necessary experts are, when to call them and when to listen and to take their advice. My wife has always said that I’m good in a crisis, which is ultimately the most important skill – staying calm and staying focused, and ensuring that if a life can be save – we save it.

Add to this that I’m a cyclist and I’ve been hit by a car and treated by paramedics – in Nice, France – and that I’ve been riding with a friend, who I unfortunately witnessed being hit by a Land Rover and trailer as they rode in front of me; then having to take control, help them and arrange for the air ambulance, whilst I tried to remain calm, treat my friend and to positively use those people who came by to see what had happened. I’ve had to try and find people lost in the hills, coordinating search and rescue and other agencies, whilst always working against a ticking clock that directed our hopes of successfully locating them; and, following the 2014 TdF in Yorkshire, when serious cycling accidents seemed to increase within the Dales National Park, I was given the task of putting together a group of experts to look at the detailed reasons behind the increased accidents.

Critical Management of Unforeseen Events

Yes, in life I have both seen and had to deal with too much tragedy, but have worked alongside colleagues: police, paramedics, doctors, search and rescue, who have seen far more, as I simply conducted the orchestra. So, why is this important, you may well ask? Quite simply, because I wanted to talk briefly with you about the use of technology in cycling and how it is now able to make the job of finding cyclists involved in accidents in remote areas, so much easier.

Another role I had historically, was in the development of computer tech in the early 2000s. I worked alongside brands such as Cisco, BT, Microsoft, Intel and others at a national level. It was obvious at that time that technology would one day be where it is now; and so, it’s been inevitable that cycling would one day benefit from it. Look at mobile phones; we’re already tracked, as we are with fitness devices from brands such as Polar and Garmin, to name but two. When necessary, you can be tracked to within a metre quite easily. It may be that ‘big brother is watching you’, but when cycling on your own, or hiking in the wilderness, that can be beneficial.

Getting to the Golden Hour

Ultimately, the ‘Golden Hour’ isn’t an hour – let’s get that myth out of the way. If you get to a person at 40 minutes, their condition will be far worse than if you get to them at 20 minutes – it’s obvious. The golden hour is ultimately – and I will bow to Wikipedia here, as it references it well:

‘In emergency medicine, the golden hour is the period of time immediately after a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical and surgical treatment will prevent death. While initially defined as an hour, the exact time period depends on the nature of the injury and can be more than or less than this duration. It is well established that the person’s chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within a short period of time after a severe injury; however, there is no evidence to suggest that survival rates drop off after 60 minutes. Some have come to use the term to refer to the core principle of rapid intervention in trauma cases, rather than the narrow meaning of a critical one-hour time period.’

Wikipedia, accessed 8th Jan 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(medicine)

Let Tech Help Guide Your Solo Riding Safety

Ultimately, people who come of their bike in the hills and hit their head or cause significant trauma to their body – externally or internally – need rapid intervention, and that intervention can only be accessed if we know exactly where that person is. That is where technology can help, and that’s why all cyclists need to consider using it on every ride into places such as the Yorkshire Dales and elsewhere. The longer that a person lies there, alone and in trauma, the more likely it is that they will be more difficult to treat. I know that it’s an old technique, but it requires little technology and always helps – tell someone where you’re going, how long you should be and at what time to be worried. It’s not cool to simply trust things to chance – it’s stupid and selfish.

Let Tech Help Guide Your Solo Riding Safety

Ultimately, people who come off their bike in the hills and hit their head or cause significant trauma to their body – externally or internally – need rapid intervention, and that intervention can only be accessed if we know exactly where that person is. That is where technology can help, and that’s why all cyclists need to consider using it on every ride into places such as the Yorkshire Dales. If that technology can also give us an idea of the type of trauma suffered, then it’s even better. However, the main issue is getting assistance to the cyclist as soon as possible, and that can be difficult, or not happen at all – as I’ve unfortunately witnessed far too often. Technology is obviously an answer to this dilemma and I’ve used it to locate people in the most pressing emergencies – with cell-site data. Having it available on the cycling market is a gift – and may bring the gift of life at the most critical moment.

There’s a wealth of options available today for outdoor people. World-leading brand, Camelbak have developed a backpack that has in-built tracking technology, and so your family and friends can locate you should the need arise, and get that all-important help to you. The fact that it’s by Camelbak also means that you can take the right safety equipment with you – in the backpack! Yes, first aid kits, emergency blanket, whistle and torch. Trust me, having been involved in hands on searching too, hearing a whistle from an injured and lost person helps to locate them just that much quicker. One patch of heather can look like another in darkness.

Locator Devices

Now, the Camelbak system is excellent for bike packers, gravel bike tourers and trail riders, in terms of giving that all-important location, but what is really useful are the devices now available to fit to your cycling helmet – or in some cases already built in – that also indicate a head injury or that the head had moved in a way that likely was a collision with something. We’re into that ‘shit has hit the fan’ moment now. Imagine it; you’ve gone for a lone rode into the hills, descended to quickly and come off, hitting a wall. There you are, lying alone and injured on an isolated and remote road, a long drive from anywhere and with little passing traffic – welcome to some of our best cycling areas in Europe and beyond!

Crash Sensors for Cyclists

One of the sensors now available, and one of the earliest into the market, has been the ALECK TOCSEN sensor, which fits to helmets and comes with an app. It records all the necessary information, tracks you and sends a message to those listed when the need arises. What’s really useful with this system, is that it also creates a network of users, meaning that if your sensor is set to activate to other users and they’re nearby, they’ll get an alert too. I reviewed this some time ago for friends at Chevin Cycles – Harrogate and Otley based leading retailer and close friends of mine. It’s a simple but very effective system, and there’s a link below to the review at Chevin Cycles:

https://www.chevincycles.com/hub/2024/02/17/tocsen-crash-sensor-for-cyclists/

The Tocsen sensor is simple to set up and simple to use. You can even do a test call with the system; and, if you lose signal, it can give people your last location too, and has a time setting option.

nearby users alerted

Ultimately, brands such as Specialized and Garmin have now also just the market place, alongside new entrants such as Quinn Design, who I spoke briefly with at EuroBike last year. For me though, the ALECK TOCSEN sensor is the only one that I’ve tested out in the hills, and so it’s the only one I can speak in depth about and recommend at this time. Cost-wise, it’s a reasonable price, when you then consider that this sensor fitted to your helmet may just save your life, by getting the right resources to you as quickly as possible, should you take a serious tumble on a solo ride into hills.

Stay Riding & Stay Safe

We’ll be testing out the Camelbak system in the spring, and we’re hoping to be able to take a detailed look at Quinn Design too, and how they – in their words – have taken the information available to the next level. For now, though, what experience has taught me is to let others know where you’re riding, and to always ride within your limits and to the conditions. The Yorkshire Dales, North Yorks Moors and the Lake District are difficult areas for cycling – especially descending on the often loose and gritty surfaces of the tight and twisting narrow lanes. Take your time and don’t try to ride like a pro. Let’s all ride home safely. I for one have seen to many serious and fatal accidents, and life is too precious to waste. Let technology help to look after you, and make sure that every adventure on 2-wheels is a safe as it possibly can be – you may not even have an hour if you fall…

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3T Bikes at Cycle Store Zurich 2024 UCI World Championships

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 18:52:25 +0000

Cycle Store
Zurich

Cycle Store Zürich & 2024 UCI Road Championships

A celebration of cycling and of life

Remembering Muriel Furrer

Before we talk about anything concerning the 2024 Road Cycling World Championships and the surrounding cycling festival at Zurich, let us all pause and take a moment to reflect on the life and tragic loss of 18 years of age Swiss rider, Muriel Furrer. At such a young age, and with her whole life ahead of her, Muriel unfortunately crashed during the racing and subsequently lost her life. It is for all of us within the cycling world to pause and to say a prayer for Muriel; and, as we all ride into our own futures, to remember Muriel and all of those young riders so tragically lost in recent time.

Cycling and the World Championships is, and should be about celebrating our sport. It is an opportunity for all cycling fans to come together and to ride in unison, to enjoy a life on 2-wheels and see who rides to the front of the peloton as our champions. Muriel was undoubtably a young woman who would have graced cycling as a leader, and Zurich 2024 – in her home country, Switzerland, should be for her memory. We should all continue to ride, but to do so safely and to celebrate the freedom and adventure and challenges that cycling brings to us.

Cycling isn’t a sport, nor simply a way of life. It’s a whole sub-culture of like-minded people who exist in a closely knit global community, and Zurich 2024 allowed us all to come together and to celebrate cycling and celebrate life. Having been present in Zurich some months earlier this summer, it is a beautiful, cultured, historic and vibrant place. It is the perfect place to be a fan of life and living.

3T Bikes – Zurich 2024

3T bikes are one of those brands that form the beating heart of our global cycling community. This small brand, whose ethos is based on innovation and excellence, presented themselves and their latest bikes, during the cycling festival that preceded and accompanied the World Championship racing at Zurich. With events based at the partner retailer, Cycle Store Zurich, they and other leading brands hosted several events for the cycling public, mainly with Pas Normal Studios, performance cycle clothing – a like-minded brand, where quality counts. Cycle Store, Zurich is a great place for the best kit and equipment, and 3T were able to showcase the latest bikes, such as the Strada road bike and the Race Max Italia gravel bike.

Paolo Bettini Rides from Cycle Store, Zurich

On Tuesday, 24 September, alongside 3T and Paolo Bettini, Cycle Store Zurich organized three different social rides, to embrace all-comers and to widen participation: one gravel bike, one women’s road ride, and also one men’s road ride. The rides were planned by Phillip from Cycle Store Zurich, who also arranged the necessary guides to take people on the best routes.

Former Olympic and World Champion for Italy, Paolo, known as one of the strongest riders in history, joined the men’s – or better styled, the unisex – road ride, giving ordinary cyclists the opportunity to cycle with one of the all-time greats from our sport. The routes went up into the hills that surround Zurich and the beautiful Lake, before returning to the store, where Paolo spoke with as many people as possible and signed autographs.

The Apre-ride food and drinks were typically Italian, with Paolo himself bringing some amazing Salami and Salsiccia from his home in Tuscany. It was all rounded up with excellent Italian red wine, cheese – of course – and some grapes, to add the necessary fruit! What was evident during the event was how we are all simply cyclists when we gather together – whoever we are and whatever our abilities. We all simply love cycling; it’s just that Paolo is better than us all!

Dani, the owner of Cycle Store hosted everyone superbly in his popular and centrally located store, and we were able to share our love of cycling with Dani and his knowledgeable team, and to show the global cycling community how 3T continues to innovate and design some of the best high-performance cycles in the world, for riders at every level. Ultimately, it’s about celebrating life and adventure when we cycle, and seeking new challenges. Let’s remember this as we ride into the future; and let’s remember Muriel Furrer and the other young riders who have so tragically left us too soon – and let us continue to celebrate cycling in their memory, remembering that every day we cycle is a privilege.

written by Robert Thorpe & Kolja Grischa Keetman

In memory of Murial Furrer

1st July 2006 to 27th September 2024

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Christoph von Freydorf Gravel Bike Ride to Wacken

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 19:11:04 +0000

The Ride to Wacken – a wacky idea, for a great cause!

What is more emotional than Music and Outdoor Sports? The two go straight to our souls and also go perfect together. When we ride, we feel the rhythms of life, and when we here music, our heart dances.

Sometimes you ride your bicycle and your favourite song just plays in your head while you’re in the middle of nature; and you breathe in that fresh air on an amazing gravel, MTB or road bike descent, and the world feels alive, as you hum that song and increase the pace. Yes, music and cycling together, it’s like the best drugs ever. Hey, it’s the only drugs we need – music and adventure in the mountains!

Christoph von Freydorf, lead-singer of the German Metal-Band, Emil Bulls, and my wife Nina Keetman-Strobel, who is a Guitar teacher and musician as well – know each other now since almost 20 years and always had a positive and respectful friendship. They share that love for music, life and free-thinking, and it’s developed into a great friendship.

Sharing the good times – a great cycling and skiing

I met Christoph the first time in 2018, on one of the Emil Bulls gigs; and we’ve had a lot of amazing conversations and great times together since then. Ultimately, we both love cycling, a great glass of wine, snowboarding and music – Now, that’s definitely a great combination, let me tell you! Over the past years Christoph’s passion for Gravel cycling got more and more intense, and I followed his posts on Instagram when he was traveling with his bike to the next gig, from Munich to Dresden or Vienna. It was awesome to see this guy, bringing these aspects of his life into balance and living in a way that suited him and not society. In truth, I guess that’s what gravel biking is all about – the adventurer in us, escaping to a different place, replenishing our soul on each and every ride!

The wacky plan for a Wacken ride!

A few months ago, Christoph and I had been talking after one of his gigs; and he told me about his plan about “The ride to Wacken”. For those who don’t know the Wacken Open Air Festival – it’s the biggest Metal Festival and one of the biggest Rock and Metal Festivals worldwide, with around 90.000 sold tickets, and a lineup of more than 145 bands, such as Amon Amarth, Scorpions, KoRn, Alligathoa, Architects, Behemoth, Flogging Molly and the EMIL BULLS. It’s a truly epic festival, and one that is on every rock fans list of must-go-to events.

The best brands make every ride an adventure worth taking

Thinking about my own career and roles, at the time I knew could help support him with some kit for the ride: bicycle helmets, sunglasses and maybe some parts around it. However, then in February with all our changes of brands and a new setup on our end, everything changed suddenly and I started to organize options for Christop’s Ride to Wacken. Working with many of the world’s leading cycling industry brands in terms of quality and performance, such as 3T, Bivo, Spektrum Sports and Lake Cycling, I was able to arrange for them all to support Christoph’s journey. And, at Eurobike Christoph and I also managed to get SQLab and Tatze as supporters too; with SQ Lab ensuring that Christoph will be sitting comfortably all the way!

Christoph has had Evoc Sports in the loop already for the Gravel bags, and just a few days ago SRAM made contact in social media with him. With that amazing lineup of supporters Christoph is now going into the final weeks of training on a 3T Racemax Italia Bianco 54cm,fitted with Sram Rival AXS 2×12, which he named Fuchur. He will be starting his epic final Ride to Wacken on the 23rd or 24th of July – so quite soon. The Ride to Wacken is a charity ride for the Wacken Foundation, which is supporting newcomers, young band projects, and bands who need support for their tours, CD -productions and more –>

WE SUPPORT METAL

The Wacken Foundation also organizes the Wacken Camp which is a “Metal Camp” for youth bands. Everyone who wants to support Metal and Hard Rock Music can donate to the Wacken Foundation directly via this link:

https://www.wacken-foundation.com/unterstuetzen-spenden

Christoph is an enthusiast in cycling and music, and he’s a perfectionist and just loves what he does. That fits perfectly with our brands, such as 3T, Lake, Evoc, SQ Lab and others; all of whom operate at the highest level of performance. With his support for the Wacken Foundation he will also give new bands and young people the chance to live their passion for music. He also shows how deeply outdoor sports and music are connected to each other.

Join Christoph and enjoy Christoph’s Ride to Wacken, and follow him and the Wacken Festival on social media. Music is the food for life, and gravel biking adds life to each and every day spent on 2-wheels – music to my ears!

WACKEN FOUNDATION

Learn about WF

SQ Lab Cycling – Maximising Performance & Comfort

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 20:30:11 +0000

Bikefitting

The positive
benefits

SQ Lab Cycling – Maximising Performance & Comfort

Innovation & Excellence in Cycling Science

Words by Robert & Images by Ben Thorpe

None of us are the same – literally none of us. If 2 twins ate the same things, walked in exactly the same footsteps, and grew in the same way, their foot pressure measurements would vary, due to how they actually walked. And yet, we all seem quite happy to walk into a bike shop and take a new bike straight of the stand, accepting that the contact points – the handlebars, the saddle and the cranks are all perfect for us. They’re not, and in truth they very rarely are; which is why the majority of cyclists are riding in discomfort or not able to perform to their maximum.

Visiting Euro Bike this July was enlightening for me, seeing SQ Lab taking centre stage, with their appliance of science, in helping cyclists to find their own perfect fit on the bike. I’ve worked closely with Hutch, from Lake Cycling Shoes for over two years now, and he’s educated me on cyclist’s feet. He’s also pointed out the benefits of a detailed and accurate bike fitting, and I’m sold on it. These were also points that already interested me, and I’ve frequently advised cycling friends that the pain between their shoulders may be down to handlebar width; or that the wrist pain may be a result of incorrect handlebar shape and positioning of the levers.

SQ Lab – Science Quantified for Cyclists

Talking with Nina from the SQ Lab team, we spent a long time being shown through their software and how it analyses the smallest details right across the cyclist’s body. From their normal stance, how they sit, to the width of their hands and how they place them onto handlebars, SQ Lab are interested in every aspect in their quest to deliver the optimal ride for every cyclist.

Their saddles are probably the most scientifically designed in the industry and forgo any unnecessary elements in structure or design. They function purely how you need them to, becoming a part of you and maximising your ride position based on how your body is actually shaped and the correct measurements of your sit bones, including the pressure that they put down being accurately mapped. All of this in turn, informs the bike fitting expert how your feet operate on the pedals and allows them to correctly analyse and adjust this further element. The body is a complex structure that works in unison, and SQ Lab showed the visitors at Euro Bike, the importance of understanding the relationships at each and every point of contact, and how our skeletal structure and individual biometrics operate with the bike.

Are you sitting comfortably

SQ Lab take detailed saddle measurements using width of the sit bones, ensuring that you are properly supported. Failing to have the correct saddle width can lead to numerous problems elsewhere, as well as pain when riding. SQ Lab provide all saddle models in 4 different widths, ensuring that, whatever your own measurements, you’ll be sitting comfortably all ride long. Their ‘step saddle’ concept also creates relief for cyclists in the important and sensitive seat areas of the body for both sexes.

Strong foundations for the perfect ride

Their scientific and quantified processes take extensive measurements of your feet too, looking at base joint positions so that they can accurately assess the correct cleat placement for every rider. Along with other measurements and analysis, they’ll also recommend cranks and crank lengths. In terms of your hands and bike grips and gloves, SQ Lab take detailed measurements here too, and mark out the correct fitting for handlebars, grips and gloves, even providing cycle gloves in various width fittings –something that no other brand matches. Their ergo bars are designed to match how you use your hands and how they grip onto handlebars, optimising comfort and performance.

When looking at the feet and legs, it’s not simply the arch and sole that gets analysed; SQ Lab also measure and analyse your leg structure and natural stance. It’s critical to know whether you have a perfectly straight leg stance, a slight bow at the knee, or knock knees. All of this affects how your pedal action operates. They’ll bring all of this information together and create the perfect cycling shoe insoles for you; ensuring that your comfort and performance is maximised at this critical and hard-working contact point.

Quality counts – because only the best will do

Once SQ Lab have examined you in nearly as much detail as a gloved physician – but not quite – they’ll show you the right products from their industry-leading products of saddles, handlebars, stems, insoles, pedals and lots more, including their range of high-performance, high-quality cycle clothing. Only then can you ride away in comfort, safe in the knowledge that you’ve finally found the perfect fit for your own cycling needs.

It’s too easy to simply walk into a bike shop, or to look online and to purchase what seems like a great offer. Too frequently though, a large percentage of cyclists are riding incorrectly fitting bikes, with issues that are adverse to their fitness, maybe even their health, and most certainly affecting their cycling enjoyment. The contact bikes of the bike are individual to each of us, and we need to take due regard to ensuring that they’re correct for our own biometrics and physiology. SQ Lab are focused on doing this for us, and they’ve developed a quite remarkable system for doing so. Plain and simply, they measure every aspect of you and how you use the bike. Even the cycling kit that the brand produce is kept to necessary designs, with the right amount of compression in the right areas, and the right fabrics in the right place.

In short, SQ Lab typify German excellence in science and technology at its very best, and they’re a brand that all serious cyclists ought to look at when choosing a bike, or upgrading – or simply to ensure that you’re maximising comfort and performance.

Attending shows such as Euro Bike can be daunting, tiring and taxing, as we wander seamlessly between the multitude of stands. However, SQ Labs provided not only a bright, open, well-laid out and professionally looking place to rest a while. They also provided us with new insights and knowledge regarding the contact point comfort science within cycling. Over the next few months, we’ll be speaking in more detail to Nina and the team at their base in Bavaria and seeing how Ben and Nadezhda can benefit fit from the unique SQ Lab appliance of cycling science.

In the interim, why not take a look at the SQ Lab website yourself and find your nearest SQ Lab partner. Isn’t it time that you treated yourself to the perfect ride – with German engineering excellence, in the application of cycling science.

Visit SQ Lab

The Appliance of Cycling Science

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