Ladies Cycling – pedalnorth

GripGrab Women’s PACR Summer Cycling Kit

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:24:49 +0000

Women's Cycling Kit
Summer 2026

Kristi Kuldkepp

GripGrab PACR Spring/Summer 2026

Review by Kristi Kuldkepp

Premium Cycling Apparel That Truly Stands Out

Over the years, I’ve tested cycling clothing from many different brands. Most products are good, some are very good, but every now and then you come across something that immediately feels special. That was my experience with the GripGrab PACR Short Sleeve Jersey and PACR Bib Shorts from the Spring/Summer 2026 collection.

From the first ride, it was clear that GripGrab has put a lot of attention to detail into both comfort and performance. The fit is close and sporty, without it feeling tight or restrictive, making the kit super comfortable for both hard training sessions and long days on the bike. Clothing should wrap you like a second skin, and that’s the feeling I get wearing the new PACR collection from GripGrab. Leet’s take a brief look then…

GripGrab PACR ss Women’s Jersey

The PACR Short Sleeve Jersey is made from technical, lightweight and highly breathable materials. The design has been thought out too, with the material choice and thickness varying across the jersey and under the arms. Even on warmer rides, it helps keep you comfortable and prevents that heavy and overheated feeling that some jerseys can create. The fit wraps you perfectly, due to the multi-directional stretch and feels fast and aerodynamic, but most importantly, it just feels nice and really natural to wear.

I love the colours too, especially the purple jersey and its feminine styling.

The jersey features raglan sleeves, and has no underarm seam, a lower collar, and strong silicone grippers at the sleeve hem and the bottom hem, ensuring that it stays in place and allows great freedom of movement and ergonomic comfort. Additionally, the jersey includes three top-entry pockets and a secured zip pocket, allowing for convenient storage. For enhanced visibility, all logos are reflective. The lighter mesh style weave on the side panels is also great for helping you to stay cool and allow air to flow.

GripGrab describe the jersey as being one that ‘you can pick for race days or whenever you feel ready to turn up the pace during epic summer rides!’ For me, I simply love wearing it anytime.

PACR Women’s Bib Shorts

Bib shorts are always a tricky choice for women, for a variety of reasons. Thankfully though, the PACR Bib Shorts are equally impressive. The fabric is top quality and has the right weight and strength, providing good support and compression while still allowing complete freedom of movement. During longer rides, the bibs stay comfortably in place and continue to feel supportive hour after hour. They have UPF50+ sun protection, which is also a nice bonus for cyclists who spend a lot of time outdoors, on long summer rides.

What impressed me the most, however, was the quality of the materials. This is actually the hardest part of the review to describe. You can talk about breathability, compression, comfort, and performance, but the truth is that some things simply need to be experienced. The fabrics used in the PACR collection feel incredibly premium against the skin. They are soft, comfortable, and high quality in a way that is difficult to explain with words alone. It’s one of those products where you immediately notice the difference the moment you put it on. The only way to convey this is to say, ‘You must try them yourself, because they feel really nice!’ Simple, but true!

I also appreciate the direction GripGrab is taking as a company. They continue to improve their products while working towards more responsible manufacturing and material choices. Rather than making big promises, they focus on continuous improvement, which feels both honest and realistic.

After spending time riding in the PACR jersey and bib shorts, I came away feeling genuinely impressed. Everything feels carefully designed with cyclists in mind, from the fit and comfort to the quality of the materials.

Final Verdict

The GripGrab PACR Short Sleeve Jersey and PACR Bib Shorts are excellent choices for cyclists looking for premium comfort, performance, and quality. The fit is excellent, the fabrics feel fantastic, and the overall riding experience is exactly what you would expect from high-end cycling apparel.

Comfort – Excellent.
Performance – Ready for any ride.
Material quality – Something you really need to experience for yourself, in a positive way!
Style – Feminine, modern, sporty and stylish!

Many cycling brands talk about premium materials. GripGrab has created a kit where you can actually feel the difference. And, it also looks great too!

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Scicon Aerostorm Sunglasses Review

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:38:46 +0000

Scicon Aerostorm
Sports Sunglasses

Review by Kristi Kuldkepp

Scicon Aerostorm Sunglasses Review

Performance Eyewear Built for Speed

By Kristi Kuldkepp, Senior Editor, Reviews

Having recently had the opportunity to test out the Scicon Aerocomfort bike bag, and having used their products for years, I was pleasantly smiling when I was asked to test out their latest eyewear ranges too. And, if the Aerocomfort 3.1 demonstrates Scicon’s expertise in bike travel, the Aerostorm sunglasses showcase the brand’s commitment to on-bike performance – a key element for any serious cyclist.

Modern cyclists expect more than simple sun protection. Today’s eyewear must combine aerodynamic efficiency, optical clarity, comfort, and reliability across everything from race-day efforts to long and tough endurance rides. The Aerostorm enters this competitive category with confidence—and delivers impressively.

At first glance, the Aerostorm stands out with its aggressive race-inspired design. The large single-lens construction provides excellent coverage and an exceptionally wide field of view, helping riders stay focused on the road ahead whether descending at speed, cornering, or riding in a group. Optical performance is one of its strongest features. The lens offers sharp contrast and effective light management, improving visibility in changing conditions while controlling glare without overly darkening the surroundings.

Comfort & Performance

Comfort is equally impressive. Despite its large size, the Aerostorm feels lightweight and secure, remaining stable even on rough roads and long rides. I’m always conscious of sunglasses being too big a fit on my quite petit face, and then slipping down during races. These sunnies were just about right, and had a small adjustment pad on the nose too. Ventilation is also excellent, with airflow channels helping to reduce fogging during hard efforts and warmer conditions. Perhaps the Aerostorm’s greatest strength is its versatility. While clearly designed with racing in mind, it performs just as well during everyday training rides. It successfully balances high-performance features with all-day usability.

Of course, riders who prefer smaller, more traditional eyewear may find the oversized shield design too bold. The AeroStorm also sits firmly in the premium price category. However, both are expected trade-offs in a product aimed at performance-focused cyclists. The attention to detail reflects Scicon’s close connection to professional cycling. Every aspect of the AeroStorm feels developed with real-world riding experience in mind. They look well made and feel like a quality pair of sunglasses out to feel.

Final Verdict

The Scicon Aerostorm successfully combines aerodynamics, comfort, optical clarity, and modern styling in a premium package. Whether you’re racing, training, or simply looking for high-performance eyewear, it is a product well worth considering.

Stylish? Absolutely. Performance-focused? Without question.

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Cycling at the beginning of the season

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

The Beginning of a Cycling Season

Building Form, Racing Early, and Trusting Your Bike

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

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

And then, the first races arrive.

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

Racing early season in Spain

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

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

And then there is Rat Penat.

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

Confidence in the TIME Scylon

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

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

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

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

GripGrab spring warmth cycling clothing for women

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:46:34 +0000

Spring warmth with GripGrab

Kristi Kuldkepp

GripGrab Winter Testing Review

Early Season Performance in Nordic Conditions

by Kristi Kuldkepp, Women’s Cycling Editor

Early season training in Northern Europe is always a challenge. Cold temperatures, wind, and constantly changing conditions demand cycling gear that is not only comfortable, but reliable over long hours on the bike.Too often brands forget this, working simply towards aero products, whilst not appreciating that comfort and movement equals performance.

Over the past weeks, I’ve been testing several pieces from the GripGrab PACR collection in real training conditions in Estonia – temperatures around +2 to +8°C, strong winds and typical early spring variability. Yes, cold for early spring, but ideal for testing women’s cycling clothing! The focus of this review is on functionality, performance and comfort during structured training (10–14 hours per week), rather than just first impressions. For me, as a semi-pro racer, clothing has first to perform, and that means that it has to be functional – style is an added benefit.
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Tested Equipment

• Women’s PACR Long Sleeve Jersey
• Women’s PACR Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey
• Women’s PACR Insulated Midlayer Vest
• Women’s PACR Thermal Bib Shorts
• Waterproof Knitted Winter Gloves
• Ride Thermal Leg Warmers
________________________________________

Images by Diane Unt Photography

First Impression – Clean Design, Functional Fit

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.

How did I find it: overall comfortable, and yes, it did have that necessary movement, whilst being quite simply a nice product to wear. 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.

The quality is good, with excellent cut and fabrics, 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.
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Performance in Cold Conditions: Layering System – What Works

GripGrab produce technical fabrics and don’t over-complicate things. Their combination of:

• PACR Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey
• Insulated Midlayer Vest
• Thermal Bib Shorts + Leg Warmers

This proved to be a very effective setup in temperatures between +2 and +8°C. Ultimately, it kept me warm and I felt comfortable. Ultimately, that’s what we want to achieve. It’s unfussy and uncomplicated kit, that allows me the freedom to move on the bike and to relax in the cold temperatures of early spring. The leg warmers stayed firmly fitted and formed a “second-skin” feeling, which is necessary. They didn’t sag and they were comfortable at the upper hem, tucked neatly under the shorts. They were warm without being too warm, and had the right level of moisture beading for light rain. They have superb stretch, due to the quality of the material, which is always a bonus.

Layering and leg warmers are important in early season and races. Would I be happy to take these along to a race – absolutely.

The layering works especially well because:

• the vest adds core warmth without overheating
• the jersey regulates temperature effectively during changing intensity
• the system adapts easily as conditions change during the ride

This is particularly important during longer Zone 2 sessions where body temperature fluctuates over time. Maintaining layers when training in early season can be tricky. Clothes have to work and be comfortable – these are.
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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 – especially noticeable in the upper body

I guess that this is due to the work carried out GripGrab to develop and use the right fabrics. They work closely with world teams such as UNO X, and that feeds down into these jerseys and shorts.

The PACR Thermal Bib Shorts combined with leg warmers 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 me to simply focus on performance.
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Gloves – Critical in Nordic Conditions

Gloves are often an overlooked but critical element of our cycling kit. GripGrab made their name with gloves, and they still stand out today. The Waterproof Knitted Winter Gloves stood out for me during these tests, as one of the most important pieces of kit in these conditions.

In temperatures close to freezing:

• hands stayed warm without overheating
• grip remained secure in both dry and damp conditions
• no loss of control or dexterity during braking and shifting

For Nordic riders, this is a key detail that can make or break a ride. The gloves fitted comfortably, had the necessary stretch and feel to them; and I was able to use my devices screens with them on – always a bonus. Gloves should never be a secondary thought, and these from GribGrab are a good option for early spring. They feel quality and are tough, and should last a long time.
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Breathability vs Protection

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

• the fabrics protect against wind and cold
• but still allow moisture to escape during effort

This reduces the “overheating → cooling down → getting cold again” cycle, which is common in spring riding. The kit is stylishly simple, functional and offers that protection from the elements without sacrificing breathability.
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Who This Setup Is For

This kit is especially well suited for riders who:

• train consistently in cold or 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. Fundamentally though, it allows me to train in early spring, with those cold winds, and it functions on long rides in zone 2.
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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. I’ve 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.

It’s time to ride!

Kristi

It’s time to ride!

with GripGrab

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

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

Can a race bike be the most
comfortable bike too

The TIME SCYLON can... find out why

Nadezhda Pavlova

Breaking the Myth

Why my race bike is also my most comfortable bike

by Nadezhda Pavlova, Editor in Chief

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

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

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

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

Feeling ‘at one’ with your bike

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time Scylon – a bike built for truth

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

Training is time
for truth

Nadezhda Pavlova

let's go home

The TIME Scylon

A High-Performance Carbon Road Bike Built for Truth

Nadezhda Pavlova, Editor in Chief

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

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

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

Consistency Over Peak Power

Cycling culture celebrates peak power numbers and race results

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

More Than Watts – What Performance Really Means

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nadezhda Pavlova Cycling Videos

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:28:57 +0000

Nadezhda Pavlova

Video Channel

To Chillout

Leading a cycling lifestyle!

Nadezhda lives and breathes cycling, from her home in Barcelona, from where she cycles locally and also travels all over mainland Europe in search of cycling adventures. And, as well as competing in numerous events each year, she has a habit of winning and reaching the podium.

Over recent years, Nadezhda has helped to change the perception of women’s cycling, and continues to lead the way, supporting many initiatives that promote women’s sport. And, as a writer, editor, internationally trained coach and ambassador for several leading brands, we wanted to share Nadezhda’s videos with you, to help inspire your own cycling lifestyle!

Simply click the links below, sit back and relax and view a video of this talented content creator, writer and athlete.

CLICK HERE FOR NADEZHDA’S VIDEOS

CLICK FOR NADEZHDA’S VIDEO SHORTS

Read Our Blogs

Click here for award winning blogs

GripGrab Women’s PACR Summer Cycling Kit

Scicon Aerostorm Sunglasses Review

Cycling at the beginning of the season

GripGrab spring warmth cycling clothing for women

Ladies Cycling Blog – and The Development of ladies Cycling

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

Join the Revolution

Women's Cycling

The Growth & Development of Women’s Cycling

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 beaesthetically 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 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

Winter training on the Elite Avanti Smart Trainer

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:37:09 +0000

Elite Avanti Interactive Trainer

Teodora Sabina

Athlete review by

Winter training on the Elite Avanti Smart Trainer

An all-around athlete perspective

by Teodora Sabina

Working in the mountain sports industry, and being a mountain runner and ski instructor, fitness is key. That means even on the worst of days, I have to find some form of training, to maintain my necessary fitness levels. Cycling is great – yes – but in snowy Transylvania it’s not always possible. Thankfully, Elite sent me a solution – their latest Avanti interactive cycle trainer!

The Elite Avanti smart trainer is an advanced interactive indoor cycling trainer designed to help athletes maintain and improve their physical condition during the winter season, when outdoor riding is often limited by cold temperatures, poor weather, and reduced daylight. By bringing the realism of outdoor cycling indoors, Avanti allows consistent, effective, and motivating training sessions regardless of external conditions. For me, physical activity in winter is totally different, since the days spent on the slopes are numerous, so it takes up a lot of my free time that I normally have to train, in summer days, for example. So, after a day spent in the cold, the trainer is the ideal partner to maintain my shape and continue my aerobic training for the following period.

Accuracy & reliability

One of the key strengths of the Elite Avanti is its high level of accuracy and reliability. It features an integrated Optical Torque Sensor (OTS) power meter with an accuracy of ±1%, enabling precise measurement of power output. This accuracy is essential for structured training, as it allows riders to monitor effort, follow training plans based on power zones, and track performance improvements over time. Such precision makes winter workouts purposeful and comparable to outdoor riding data, ensuring continuity in training progression.

The trainer’s direct-drive design contributes significantly to a realistic riding feel. Avanti is capable of simulating gradients of up to approximately 18%, which recreates the sensation of climbing and variable terrain. This realistic resistance helps maintain cycling-specific muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance throughout the winter months, preventing fitness loss and making the transition back to outdoor riding smoother when the season changes. I can hardly feel the difference between climbing on the trainer and real, outdoor steep climbing in Transylvania!
Another important advantage of the Elite Avanti is its quiet and smooth operation.

Thanks to its balanced flywheel and optimized resistance system, the trainer produces minimal noise, making it ideal for home use, even in apartments or shared living spaces. This allows riders to train early in the morning or late in the evening without disturbance, adding flexibility and convenience to winter training routines. So no more worries about disturbing while you are training.

Connectivity is key

Connectivity is a major highlight of the Avanti trainer. It supports ANT+, Bluetooth FTMS, and Wi-Fi connections, making it fully compatible with popular indoor cycling platforms such as Zwift, Trainer Road, Rouvy, and Elite’s My E-Training app. Through these platforms, riders can access structured workouts, virtual routes, group rides, and races, which significantly increase motivation and engagement during long winter periods. The interactive nature of these applications transforms indoor training from a repetitive task into an immersive and enjoyable experience.

Ease of use is another factor that makes the Elite Avanti particularly suitable for winter training. The trainer offers automatic calibration, reducing setup time and eliminating the need for frequent manual adjustments. Its sturdy construction ensures stability during intense efforts, while practical details such as foldable feet and an integrated carrying handle make storage and transport simple when space is limited. In terms of compatibility, the Elite Avanti works with a wide range of bicycles, including road, gravel, and mountain bikes, and supports various axle standards and cassette options. This flexibility allows riders to train on their own bike throughout the winter, maintaining proper riding position and muscle memory – small things, but essential for optimal preparation.

Indoor cycling with an outdoor feeling

Overall, the Elite Avanti smart trainer is an effective and reliable solution for maintaining physical condition during the winter months, for a person with an active lifestyle, as well as a high-performance athlete. By combining precise power measurement, realistic resistance, quiet operation, smart connectivity, and ease of use, it enables consistent, data-driven, and engaging training sessions indoors. As a result, cyclists and athletes in general can preserve their fitness, build strength and endurance, and remain motivated all winter long, ready to return to outdoor training at full potential when conditions improve.

Living in the mountains of Transylvania, it’s not easy to replicate the terrain accurately with an interactive trainer. However, thanks to the Avanti, it is now possible to train on routes from the Carpathian Mountains without leaving the warmth of my apartment. Now, that’s got to be good for winter training! Coffee and a well calibrated and reliably realistic cycling trainer!

Read Our Blogs

Cycling Inspiration for 2026 – with Kristi Kuldkepp

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:49:10 +0000

Kristi Kuldkepp

Cycling into 2026

Kristi Kuldkepp – riding into 2026

Cycling inspiration for the season ahead

While many cyclists take a break over winter, for me the cyclocross season is something too good to miss and something that I love. Yes, it has highs and lows, but it also has challenges to overcome and keeps me focused.

My Cyclocross Season: Highs and Lows

Cyclocross has a funny way of humbling you one weekend and making you feel unstoppable the next. One lap you’re floating over the grass, nailing every remount, feeling like a hero.

The next, you’re knee-deep in mud, heart rate redlined, questioning why you ever thought racing bikes in winter was a good idea. It’s an emotional rollercoaster – simply surviving the cyclocross season, and yet I love it’ Ultimately, this is what the cyclocross season is – a mental and a physical challenge.

The Highs: Why We Keep Coming Back

For me, there’s nothing quite like the first race of the season. Fresh legs, clean kit, and that buzz on the start line and nerves kick in. When things click, cyclocross feels electric. Then it’s all of those things that merge together and make cyclocross such an electric experience:

• Finding your flow: Hitting a perfect line through off-camber corners or gliding through a technical section you’ve practiced all week is deeply satisfying.

• Small wins: Maybe it’s your fastest start ever, your first clean barrier remount, or finally beating that rival who always edges you out. In cyclocross, progress shows up in tiny, meaningful moments.

• The community: Mud-splattered smiles, shared jokes in the pits, and friends cheering even when you’re dead last. Cyclocross crowds and camaraderie are unmatched.

• That post-race glow: Legs destroyed, face frozen, but grinning anyway. You survived. Again.

Yes, cyclocross becomes a rich tapestry of all of these – and the mud, of course!

The Lows: Mud, Mistakes, and Mental Battles

Of course, it’s not all podium dreams and perfect lines. Bad days happen for all of us on the cyclocross start line, and this season has been no different. Missed pedals, dropped chains, blown starts, or that one crash you can’t stop replaying in your head. Cyclocross is unforgiving. My own season has embraced all of these issues and more: weather wars with freezing rain, axle-deep mud, or courses that turn into peanut butter by lap two. Sometimes the conditions win—and that’s okay. I’ll take those for the balance with the wins!

Then of course, there are the fitness reality checks; yes, this most unrelenting of cycle sports exposes everything: power, technique, recovery… all of it, and cakes it in mud for all to see. Some races are just pure survival mode. The mental fatigue of racing hard every weekend while juggling work, life, and training can wear you down faster than expected. Add to this the travelling involved across Europe for the best races – it can be a challenge in itself. You have to be tough, and cyclocross helps you to achieve that – once you decide to stay the course.

What the Season Teaches You

Cyclocross has a way of sharpening more than just bike handling skills. You learn resilience—how to keep pushing when things fall apart. You gain perspective—a bad race doesn’t define your season. And, you build confidence—because if you can race an hour at full gas in the cold and mud, you can handle a lot. As the cyclocross season ends and the road season opens up, you feel ready for the new challenges that await you; you feel fitter and those all-important bike handling skills and peripheral vision are honed for when it gets tights within the peloton.

Rolling Into the Off-Season

When the final race is done and the bike is finally clean (or at least cleaner), there’s a mix of relief and nostalgia. You’ll swear you need a break—but deep down, you’re already thinking about next year: what worked? What didn’t? What do you want to improve?

Those highs and lows are the reason cyclocross sticks with us. It’s chaotic, painful, joyful, and addictive all at once—and somehow, every season leaves us wanting more. I guess it’s like a drug, like that movie we always go back to even though it scares us, because it also excites us.

Why cyclo-cross can help cyclists during winter and in readiness for spring

High-Quality Fitness Without Endless Miles

Winter can be tough for long, steady rides. Cyclocross replaces hours of base riding with short, intense efforts that build aerobic capacity and top-end power fast. Those repeated accelerations, surges out of corners, and full-gas efforts mimic race situations—perfect prep for spring road, gravel, or XC races. You hit the season with strong VO₂ max, punchy power, and race-ready legs.

Bike Handling Skills Level Up
Yes, mud, grass, off-cambers, barriers—cyclocross forces you to be smooth and precise. You learn how to corner confidently on slippery surfaces, how to choose better lines under pressure, and how to brake less and carry more speed. Moving onto the roads in spring, you have improved handling on wet roads, fast descents, tight crit corners, and technical gravel sections.

Mental Toughness Gets Built in the Dark Months
Racing hard in cold, rain, and mud builds serious mental resilience. Cyclocross teaches you how to stay focused when you’re uncomfortable, tired, and things aren’t going perfectly. The spring payoff is easy – when races get hard or when the weather turns bad, you don’t panic. You’ve been here before.

Consistent Motivation Through Winter
Structured training is great, but winter motivation can fade fast. Cyclocross gives you clear goals and race days, keeping training purposeful and fun when daylight is limited.

Spring payoff: You arrive at spring motivated instead of burnt out from months of solo trainer sessions.

Strength Without the Gym (Mostly)
Running with the bike, riding low cadence in mud, and repeated explosive efforts develop functional strength—especially core, upper body, and stabilizing muscles.

Spring payoff: Better control on the bike and improved ability to handle surges, climbs, and rough terrain.

Smooth Transition to Spring Racing
Cyclocross naturally bridges the gap between off-season and race season. You stay race-sharp while still leaving room to shift focus to endurance and specificity later. The spring payoff here is simple – there’s no frantic fitness scramble in March—you’re already ahead.

The Big Picture

Cyclocross isn’t just winter survival—it’s winter advantage. It keeps cycling fun, builds real-world fitness, sharpens skills, and toughens your mindset. When spring arrives, cyclists who’ve raced cross don’t feel like they’re starting over—they feel ready. I feel ready! I love the cut and thrust, the pain the excitement, the anticipation, the challenges – mental and physical. Taking all of this together and weaving it into the bigger picture – cyclocross is a sensible choice for cyclists.

My cycling season goals for 2026

Because the road racing calendar in Estonia is relatively short, the focus for me is on quality racing, consistency and development. I want to make each race count in terms of experience and performance. I plan to include several gravel bike races this season to accumulate more race kilometers and stay competitive throughout the year – on all surfaces. I had a good season and surprised myself by winning a European AG title too – that felt good and has given me a lift for 2026!

Cyclo-cross is about intensity, skills and resilience.

The 2026 season is not just about results though, but about building a stronger foundation as a rider. By combining road, gravel and cyclo-cross racing, I aim to gain more experience, more race kilometers, and more confidence for the years ahead. I love riding bikes and I love challenging myself – I love racing. The feeling can be indescribable and I want that to continue to be a part of who I am.

Ladies Cycling – pedalnorth

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