SQ Lab – pedalnorth

SQLab Saddles for Prostate Problems and Back Pain

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 16:29:46 +0000

SQlab Cycling Technology – Saddles for special circumstances

The SQlab active-saddle technology

by Robert Thorpe & Til Drobisch (SQLab)

Now that we’ve got you sitting relatively comfortably on your new SQLab step saddle, we want to talk with you about those medical issues which some cyclists unfortunately have, and which can benefit from even more detailed technical thinking from those clever people at SQlab. Their ‘active saddle’ technology was designed to aid cyclists with back pain caused from spinal issues and other factors. The technology enables a physiologically correct co-movement of the pelvis and thus prevents discomfort in the lower back.

It’s worth understanding that, in addition to 24 cranial nerves, humans have 62 other spinal nerves. More than half of all spinal nerves pass through or past the pelvis. This can bring on those significant pain issues that we mentioned in our earlier saddles blog with SQlab. However, all these nerves within the spinal area can after trauma, or simply due to our lifestyle, cause us back pain that is debilitating. Add to this the movement of a bike, and you’ve got a serious pain problem that needs a solution. With Tobias’ own history of spinal injury, this has always been an issue that SQlab wanted to look at and to find a solution to help riders.

In essence, the solution was a new way of constructing a saddle so that it became more than simply a support system for sit bones. After lots of research and testing, the ‘active saddle’ technology was borne.

SQlab’s ‘active saddle’ technology enables the pelvis to move laterally while riding, reducing strain on the lower spine, pelvis, and hips, and relieving the discs and facet joints. This added movement, whilst controlling the stability of the sit bones, makes cycling more comfortable and helps prevent back pain. Let’s look briefly at this in detail.

The active – Technology

The active saddle concept incorporates a unique technology that allows the saddle to tilt and move slightly as the rider shifts their weight, and it moves in just the right way to compensate for that rider motion. This movement helps to reduce pressure on sensitive areas, improve stability, and promote a more natural riding posture. Movement is important for the spinal column, as it allows the spine to flex naturally. The metabolism of the intervertebral discs within the spinal column functions via movement (loading and unloading) – for example when walking… or cycling. On the other hand, constant one-sided pressure, such as that caused by sitting motionless for long periods, has a disruptive effect. That disruptive effect is felt as pain and it can be severe. Importantly, as you’ve already measured yourself and now have the right width of SQlab saddle and are benefitting from their step-saddle design, you have the correct stable base for your own unique sit bones, meaning that ‘active saddle’ technology is one more element to help your now correctly fitted saddle to give you the ultimate in cycling comfort.

Preventing Back Pain

By allowing this gentle and controlled movement, whilst maintaining the stability of your sit bones, the saddle promotes a more ergonomic posture, which can help alleviate tension and pain in the lower back. The dynamic motion also supports the natural curvature of the spine, reducing the risk of strain during rides. It relieves those important spinal discs, as the slight movement of the saddle helps to distribute pressure evenly across the sitting bones and minimizes stress on the spinal discs. This relief can be crucial during longer commutes, longer rides and general cycling. Since its development in 2010, SQlab have introduced this technology across their range of saddles.

Active saddle technology can help sporty cyclists too. In terms of these performance-orientated riders, the active saddle technology helps to reduce back pain on those longer and arduous days on the bike, riding into the hills.

The active system works, because the rails are attached to the centre of the saddle shell, allowing the base of the saddle to flex, when pressure (coming from the body weight) is applied. The flex in the sportive models can be altered by using elastomers with different damping properties (white: soft, grey: medium-soft, black: hard), so depending on body weight you can use the elastomer that allows the correct amount of flex.

The comfort saddles don´t have an elastomer, they have a switch function, which allows even more movement if the switch is turned 90°, but they already come with more flex, because they are focused more on comfort and pain reduction, than the sporty models.

Prostate saddles by SQlab

One other area of bike saddles that we wanted to explore, due in no small part to my own health related issues, is cycling with prostate issues. We won’t suffer you with the details of this potentially serious condition, suffice to say that thankfully, SQlab have researched this and created a specific saddle to help to alleviate discomfort for riders with prostate issues. The prostate sits at the area of the pubic arch, and when enlarged can adversely affect cyclists who are using an incorrectly fitted saddles. Many cyclists have significant issues due to saddle problems and an enlarged prostate. It can lead to you needing medical consultation, and so we’d always recommend speaking to your doctor if you believe that you fall into this category.

Thankfully though, with the correct medical intervention and support, and the right saddle – from SQlab in this case – you can ride pain free and without your enlarged prostate being an issue. Fundamentally, it is essential to reduce the pressure on the prostate to a maximum, and the prostate specific saddle from SQlab does just this!

Removing the pressure and creating comfort

After a prostate operation or in the case of frequent prostate inflammations, it is crucial that the saddle does not exert pressure on the sensitive perineal area. The SQlab saddle models 621 M-D active, 602 M-D active and 610 M-D active provide the best possible relief in the perineal area and are recommended after prostate surgery. Instead of the trademark double-step shape, they only have one higher elevated step, which leads to higher pressure relief on the saddle nose and the perineal area, which includes the prostate.

The SQlab M-D Line stands for maximum relief of sensitive areas and so the 602 M-D® active 2.1 offers the optimal pressure distribution according to medical criteria for trekking and touring bikes. The relief of the perineal area is with 80% very large and usually also sufficient for an age-related, enlarged prostate.

The 602 M-D active 2.1 also gets an improved, lighter saddle shell, an increased adjustment range and the completely newly developed technology for the Comfort active system, which is now adjustable via a switch function. New models from SQlab are also integrated threads for the connection of bags. The new 602 M-D offers more comfort with the same relief and a slightly narrower saddle nose, meaning that every aspect of your medical needs is catered for, leaving you to ride in comfort.

In the next blog, Til and I will be talking about the next contact point for cyclists – handlebars – and the associated issues that need to be overcome. For now, though, we’ve hopefully given you a better understanding of the importance of getting a correctly fitted saddle, and, how using a well-researched and well-engineered brand such as SQlab can benefit your general health as well as your cycling lifestyle.

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Gravel Bike Routes in the Chilterns and South Downs

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:12:52 +0000

Gravel Biking in the Chilterns & South Downs

The Chiltern Hills and the South Downs are two quite spectacular areas for exploration on 2-wheels – especially gravel bikes. With a seemingly endless number of gravel biking trails on terrain that is just technical enough to be testing, but friendly in every other way, the Chilterns and South Downs provide a gravel biking area par excellence for all who venture onto the trails.

With easy access for London based gravel bikers, alongside access to the urban areas of the Home Counties and Surrey Hills, the Chilterns in particular should be at the top of the list for gravel bikers from London and South East, lying just north of the capital and being filled with expansive hills.

Add to this area, the magnificent rolling gravel biking hills of the South Downs to the south of London and it’s a geographical gravel paradise – which is why we’ll be exploring it.

The best Gravel Biking routes

Throughout 2026 and beyond, we’ll be building up our database of the very best gravel biking routes in the Chilterns and the South Downs, all tried and tested and accompanied by free downloadable GPX files, alongside Ordnance Survey Maps and Google maps. All we ask of you is a sense of adventure!

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Gravel Bike Routes in the Chilterns and South Downs

Through 2026, we'll be creating a selection of the very best gravel biking routes in the Chiltern Hills and the South Downs. Keep checking in as the routes get mapped out, and we give you free GPX files to find your next adventure on glorious gravel

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Choosing the best road and offroad cycling shoes

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:06:22 +0000

What are the world’s best cycling shoes

It’s time to ask the question about wrapping your feet in excellence

By Robert Thorpe, with images by Robert Thorpe & Diane Vilarem

As cyclists, comfort is important to us, whatever bike we’re riding. Whether it’s a commute to work, a road ride for leisure, a club ride, or an off-road adventure by gravel bike or mountain bike, we want to be as comfortable as possible – from head to toe. That includes are main contact points: the feet, our bum and of course our hands and across the arms and shoulders. If we can get these three elements correct, then we’re usually onto a winner in achieving that golden trilogy of cycling – comfort, performance and style. When we feel good and we also look good, we can take on the world. Bikefitting now allows us to achieve this without the old-fashioned trial and error technique. People like those very clever scientists at SQLab in Bavaria have been developing systems to analysis the hell out of cyclists, and in doing so, helping thousands of them to ride in comfort and increasing their cycling performance. As for the style – well, that’s up to you and your own choices .

Our feet are the most critical of the three contact elements, as they’re in more contact with the bike than any other. They not only provide some stability, but they also generate all-important forward motion. They’re connected – hopefully – to our legs and to our hips and upwards, meaning that how our feet operate on the bike can also affect lots of other aspects of our bodies, and ultimately our cycling comfort and performance. The question arises then: what are the best cycling shoes in the world? Is their one answer, or are there several options… in truth, I don’t know. However, I have my own thoughts. Even then, though, we have to break it down; what are the best road cycling shoes, the best gravel biking shoes, the best triathlon shoes and the best mountain biking shoes. We ride so many different styles of bike these days. Add to all of this that we’re all built differently, and we each have our own unique feet – wow! It’s probably a question that has a a different answer for each of us.

Finding the best cycling shoes for road cyclists

Okay then, so on a positive note, we’ve already noticed that if you have N+1 bikes and for different styles of riding, you now need N+1 to work for your cycling shoes too. Yes, your feet operate in different ways and on different terrains for each of the three styles given, meaning that you need at least three new pairs of cycling shoes – result! Pause first, however, as it gets even more complicated. The trouble with trying to find which are the best road cycling shoes in the world – or indeed the world’s best gravel biking shoes – is that brands don’t often want to tell you how good their cycling shoes are. It’s a bit like the Heineken advert: “probably the best lager in the world!” In short, they can only usually say that they’re probably the best cycling shoes in the world – even though, in your eyes, they definitely are. Brands are rightly cautious of making claims, and rely on the consumer – you and I – to tell them how good their cycling shoes are.

How we measure the quality is also variable too, depending on personal preference. However, one element that is standard in reference, is comfort – and it’s probably the most important aspect too. If you can find the most comfortable cycling shoes in the world, then you’re onto a winner. Once you have comfort on your side, then hopefully performance will follow – style is then down to the designer and to how you mix and match things.

The best road cycling shoes will need to fit you in length, width and volume, hold your heel neatly and comfortably in place, allowing you to maximise power transfer. The shoes will need a stiff and strong carbon sole to create that power transfer, and the lateral movement will need to be curtailed, as the upper wraps itself around your strangely shaped feet. That’s a whole lot to ask of a cycling shoes; but if you can achieve it, then you’re on your way to finding the world’s best road cycling shoe… for your own unique feet! Yes, remember, as we said before, we all have feet that are different in shape, size, volume etc, which is why brands like Lake cycling shoes make probably – that all-important word – the best selection of road cycling shoe size options in the world. Their road cycling shoes are built on a variety of shoe ‘lasts’, giving different shape coverage, and then they have different width fittings, alongside a whole spectrum of sizes for length. They also measure your feet properly too, looking at volume, which when taken with a full bike fit from somebody such as SQLab, will then bring in custom insoles to refine that fit and give your feet some much needed foot love.

The issues with finding the best gravel biking shoes

Gravel biking is a tricky one – it’s created to cause a number of problems. After all, mountain biking has developed to make riding the technical trails more comfortable. Suspension, wider wheels, dropper posts, better grips, all work together to increase the flow and to take away the ‘shake, rattle and roll!’ However, gravel biking brings it all back, as you take your drop handlebar steed back onto the dusty trails and ride as fast as hell, without the refined tech that now adorns the best mountain bikes. Finding the best gravel biking shoes is also a tough one, as you first need to decide whether you’re a micro-adventurer, bikepacking your way across the land and hiking and biking at various points; or, are you a need for speed racing snake, who needs a gravel biking shoe that’s not too dissimilar from a good road cycling shoe, but which has better ventilation and a rubber sole on top of the necessary carbon, giving that all-important power transfer, whilst also providing maximum grip when you have to put your feet down. Security on the pedal is crucial too, when the terrain gets loose and technical. The clip needs to be firm, allowing your feet to hep in controlling the rear of the bike in motion.

When it comes to the ultimate fit and how the gravel biking shoe wraps your feet, then there are of course, various options. Some brands use straps, laces or BOA dials to bring the upper around the shape of the foot. Ultimately, laces are the most adjustable, and on a gravel bike, will ensure that you don’t get any dials clogged with dirt – although, if you maintain and clean your cycling shoes properly, this won’t be an issue. Again, it’s down to personal preference, and adjustability on the ride too. Lake cycling shoes already design and create gravel biking specific cycling shoes, such as their MX20G, which has the laces, alongside a mesh style upper for ventilation, and the robustness of a mountain bike shoe, with added protection in key areas.

Yes, finding the world’s best gravel biking shoes isn’t an easy task, because of those variables. However, once again, getting a professional bike fitting session will help you on your way, and allow specialists such as SQLab to be able to fit your feet to how you ride, and to add those all-important custom insoles. All that you then need to do, is to ride into adventure, hopefully having found your own version of the world’s best gravel biking shoes!

Mark Hanson, Paceline Cycles (Retailer), shoe fitting

Foot love for cyclists – on and off-road

finding the world’s best mountain biking shoes is even more problematic. Do you ride cross country, enduro, downhill, urban downhill. Then, add to this that brands feel unable to shout out, “hey there, our cycling shoes are the best in the world”, for fear of being challenged, then it can simply be a case of trial and error. Maybe we ought to allow cycling shoe brands some room, and let them say – as Heineken do in the lager stakes – ‘probably the best cycling shoes in the world!’ We’d all at least have a starting point then.

We’ve talked about fitting and form and use of cycling shoes, and maybe we should touch on the quality of the finish, and how much work and research goes into producing some of the best cycling shoes in the world. Did you know for instance, that pro cyclists have feet that are generally narrower than the average cyclist. Yes, having spent much of their formative years on bikes, they haven’t been weight bearing as much on their feet, and so shoes designed for the pro peloton are likely to not fit you properly in terms of width. We’re now deep into that personal preference and unique feet area again.

The quality of the leather, or the fabrics used in the uppers is also important. Leather is more expensive generally, but which sort? Kangaroo leather is lighter and still has that ability stretch and form a fit around your feet in time. Clarino is hard wearing, and the new mesh weave uppers by brands such as Lake, allow for air – and water – to move in and out of the upper, keeping your feet comfortable on the trail, all ride long. Ultimately though, whether you’re looking for the best road cycling shoes in the world, or the best gravel biking shoes, or the best trail shoes for mountain biking, it’s truly up to you. You have unique feet and your own unique style.

What you can do to help you to make the right choice, is to get a professional bike fit and have your feet properly measured too. Then, look around at the brands that specialise in comfort and performance, and who can add that final touch of style. Only then will your feet love you, and you’ll start to benefit from wrapping your feet in the your own choice of the world’s best cycling shoes.

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Road Cycling and Gravel Bike Routes in Austria and Switzerland

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:31:06 +0000

Road Cycling and Gravel Bike Routes in Austria & Switzerland

Cycling in the Alps

Austria, Switzerland and the European Alps are a magical area for outdoor adventure, whether it’s hiking or biking. With epic scenery and spectacular roads and mountain passes, it’s a place that all cyclists ought to visit and ride, once in their lifetime. Cycling in the Swiss Alps can be amazing, with epic Swiss Alps routes over into the Italian mountains, such as the St Bernard Pass, taking you from the Swiss lakes and mountains, over the alps and into the Aosta valley.

Around the Bernese Oberland and Grindelwald is a magical place too, with rides on and off road for those seeking adventure. Working alongside regional torusim partners, and using the expertise of people such as Maria Wilke and Kolja, we’ll be bringing you some epic cycling in the Swiss Alps and Austria, finding adventures on 2-wheels.

It’s time then for us to share a few of our favourite routes with you, and to help you to plan your own road cycling or gravel biking trip to Austria, or an epic adventure vacation in the unique and sublime Swiss Alps.

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VOTEC Gravel Fondo Route – Heidelberg Germany

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 19:15:38 +0000

VOTEC Gravel Fondo Heidelberg Germany

A ride into history, and the wine area of southern Germany

Heidelberg is well-known across the world for its historic centre; especially the 14th century university – the oldest in Germany. Being alongside the beautiful Neckar River in southwestern Germany, Heidelberg is a wealth of culture and history, with the venerable Heidelberg University, founded in the 14th century, the Gothic Heiliggeistkirche church, which towers over the cafe-lined Marktplatz, a town square in the Altstadt (Old Town). The red-sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a noted example of Renaissance architecture, stand sentinel over Heidelberg, on Königstuhl hill.

It’s a town to stay for a few days in, to stand on the historical stone bridge and to see the town lit up at night, as you enjoy a mini cycling break, with culture for after the gravel trails.

For more information, visit the local tourism website for Heidelberg by clicking here

Route Information

Stats 77 km 1,869 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Heidelberg has been welcoming visitors for centuries and has ample choices for refreshments and places to stay. The Fresko Cafe & Bar is a good place to get great coffee from, and can be found at Sofienstraße 29, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.

Character

The tracks and trails are all reasonable for experienced riders. The Heidelberg area is famed for its history and culture, and the magnificent university. The ride heads out of the town and rolls around the forested hills on tracks and comfortable trails, and has ample opportunity to extend the ride in places, if you want a longer challenge. Ruined castles are all over this area, and it’s a history lovers paradise.

Route

This route requires you to follow the GPX file.
Cross over the bridge from the old town of Heidelberg and turn right towards the trees and parkland that winds towards the Philosophers” Way – Philosophen Weg on Google Maps.
The GPX route guides you along tracks and trails, surrounded by the trees, as you climb and fall, and pass several small monuments.
Once the initial climbing and descending is done, at the 37 km point, an 8 km steady climb takes you to a high point, after which a series of rolling climbs leads you forward, traversing the tree-lined hillsides above Heidelberg.
The final climb begins some 15 km from Heidelberg, alongside the Neckar River at the small but amazing, four-castle town of Neckarsteinach. Once this final climb is done, it’s a fast descent back into Heidelberg and refreshments.

Click below for GPX file & Accommodation

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Regensburg to Kelheim Gravel Ride

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:38:07 +0000

Regensburg to Kelheim Gravel Ride

A ride into history

This reasonably short adventure gravel ride takes on the culture and history of this wine loving area of Germany and Bavaria. From the majestic history of the 12th-century stone bridge in Regensburg, you follow the river, before heading into the forests near to historic Kelheim – famed for spectacular caves and castles, before riding back to Regensburg via the river.

It’s a ride to combine with a weekend in Regensburg, taking in the history and culture of this spectacular part of Bavaria. Next to Regensburg Cathedral, the Stone Bridge is Regensburg’s most important landmark and a UNESCO site. With the start of construction in 1135, the Stone Bridge is considered a masterpiece of medieval architecture and is the oldest preserved bridge in Germany and a great place to start and finish a ride into adventure from.

For more information about visiting Regensburg, visit their tourism website HERE

Route Information

Stats 70 km 1,003 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Regensburg has ample choices, such as the great burger restaurant at Adolf-Schmetzer-Straße 5. Once you get into the forests near Kelheim, a slight detour allows you to enjoy the cafe in the trees at Restaurant Frauenhäusl, which is marked on our Google map.

Character

The tracks and trails are all reasonable for experienced riders. The Regensburg area is famed for its history and culture, and wine – and this ride follows the river, before heading into the forests and exploring the trails between Regensburg and historic Kelheim, famed for caves and ruined castles

Route

This route requires you to follow the GPX file.
Follow the track from Regensburg along the south side of the Danube, then crossing the river to the hamlet of Riegling after 6.5 km.
Ride via Sinzing onto the riverside track on the north side of the Danube, to the hamlet of Gundelshausen, then turning right and riding to Kapfelburg, and climbing into the forested hills towards Wallner Kapelle at 32 km.
Descend towards Kelheim and then ride to a point where you cross over the earlier ascending track, this time climbing rolling tracks and skirting the hamlet of Saxberg, then passing the chapel at Zuylenkapelle. The track rolls you towards Alte Eich, a photo opportunity spot, before descending steeply and shortly back to the riverside paths that return you to Regensburg.

Click below for GPX file & Accommodation

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Munich to Starnberger See Gravel Ride

Pedalnorth Website — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 13:07:51 +0000

Munich to Starnberger See Gravel Ride

Glorious gravel biking from Bayern Grevet

This epic gravel bike route from Munich is taken from a recent Bayern-Grevet series of gravel biking events. It takes you on either a long, one day excursion, or better still, a two-day trip into the amazing German countryside of Bavaria. Lake Starnbeger is one of the largest lakes in Germany, and is a popular trip for people from Munich, and so makes the ideal gravel biking adventure from Munich.

Route Information

Stats 154 km 1,352 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Starnberger Lake is a tourism hotspot and so has all that you need for accommodation options and places to stop off for refreshments. Likewise, once back at Munich, there are ample options.

Character

The tracks and trails are all reasonable for experienced riders. Fitness is key though, and so don’t overstretch yourself. There is one section of this route, for approximately 0.4km where you will need to dismount and walk, as cycling on that section is forbidden, and as such we support this requirement. Let’s cycle sensibly and stick to the rules please. It’s a long and flowing route, with the majority of the ride on gravel tracks or cycling trails. Over 110 km of the route is on paths or gravel trails, with 4 km of singletrack in the forests. Make sure that you are fit enough to complete this ride, and take sufficient tools and equipment with you.

If you are taking a 2-day ride, then consider using a Tailfin cycling pannier for lightness and ease of use.

Route

* Part of this route requires you to dismount and walk for 0.37 km. Please do so and cycle sensibly for all of us.

This route requires you to follow the GPX file, as it is long and complex. The ride starts in the wooded parkland at Tischler Strasse, before heading around the town of Gauting, and continuing on the gravel trails to Starnberg itself.
From here, a series of twists and turns take you into the countryside, with views over the lake itself, before arriving, after 100 km at the southern edge of the lake, where we suggest an overnight stay.
Once rested and refreshed, load up the bike and head back into the forests and rolling trails, all the way back to Munich. The return journey skirts several hamlets and villages, where you can detour for refreshments.

Click below for GPX file & Accommodation

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Buying a bike that fits you properly

Pedalnorth Website — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 19:16:44 +0000

Get with the programme

Buying a bike that fits you properly

By Robert Thorpe, with images by Fiona May-Aylward & SQLab

When you first get into a car – especially a new car – you set the seat so that it’s in the perfect position for you. These days, that includes lumber support, and the height of the seat, as well as the distance. The steering wheel is adjusted upwards or downwards, as well as distance-wise, ensuring that you’re comfortable and better able to control the car. The seat-belt is also adjustable, and the mirrors allow your own personal perspective on the world around you – so, why do people simply walk into a bike shop and choose a bike off the shelf, without looking more closely at the necessary refinements for their own unique body?

Yes, all too frequently cyclists will pay large sums of money for bike and then, not have it fitted correctly for them. In time of course, they may change the stem, the handlebar width, the saddle and even in rare cases, they’ll the saddle position fore and aft. And yet, all too often cyclists will come back from a ride with aches and pains all over the body and put it down to having had a hard ride, when in truth, it may simply be down to the fact that in too many ways their bike simply doesn’t fit them properly. It may look shiny and stylish, and yes, it may have been ridden in the Tour de France by some well-known pro rider. However, if you haven’t had a professional bike fit, and you’ve spent a few thousand pounds on the bike – well, to some extent you may not have bought wisely, I’m sorry to say.

Identifying our uniqueness

Bike fitting isn’t some mumbo jumbo nonsense like reading the tea leaves, or playing with tarot cards. It’s a whole new science that’s based on evidence and how the human body performs. Thankfully, we’re all built differently and unique. Imagine a world filled with people like Donald Trump – God forbid! No, we all have our own idiosyncrasies. His uniqueness is in painting his face orange like the ‘You’ve been tangoed’ man from the old adverts, and mine – well, I walk on the outside edges of my feet, which affects the insoles I use in my running shoes. Yes, for many years, runners have known that they perform better by having a properly carried out analysis of their running style. Me, I’m an over-procrastinator!

No, in all seriousness, as cyclists, we need to take the same level of care as runners do when buying our sporting equipment – bikes, cycling shoes and even the clothing we wear. Lake Cycling Shoes from the Netherlands and the USA, have probably the widest range of cycling shoes available in the industry, with ranges designed on various shoe ‘Lasts’ – the bedrock of every shoe footplate. They’ve got over 390options of sizes for cyclists, a work closely with their retail partners and bike fitters across the world, to measure your had-working cycling feet properly. Comfort and performance is an investment for them – as is their innovation and excellence.

Finding your perfect fit

Other brands such as SQLab from Bavaria in Germany, have developed software to properly analyse each and every cyclist, in every aspect, including the pressure points when seated on the saddle. They then point you towards the right products for your own bike, such as saddles, stems, handlebars, and grips. From a clothing perspective, they even measure the width of your hands and provide gloves in width fittings as well as general sizes.

Bike fitting has come along way from the days when an experienced retailer would watch you walk across the shop and then size you accordingly. Brands create gearing and crank lengths to support individual needs, and there’s now a whole range of saddle and handlebar options – all designed to give you that same feeling of comfort and performance that you get when you switch on the heated seats in your extremely comfortable Audi Q5. Yes, a good bike fitter will ensure that you and your bike are ready to take on any adventure on 2-wheels.

Man & machine in harmony

If you’ve been riding for a while and haven’t ever previously considered a professional bike fit, then do so. Those minor aches and pains may not be related to the ride itself – they may be able to be alleviated. Ultimately, once your bike fits you and becomes a part of you – man… or woman, and machine in perfect harmony, you’ll be increasing the smiles on all of those amazing cycling miles. Isn’t that what we all want to achieve.

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Mittenwald-Ehrwald from Garmisch-Partenkirchen Bike Route

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 19:16:25 +0000

Mittenwald-Ehrwald from Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Gravel biking in the Bavarian Alps

Munich needs no introduction, but the countryside around this amazing Bavarian city is also worth exploring. Whilst many people consider a city break to Munich, we believe that it’s time for cyclists to consider a cycling holiday in Bavaria and Munich, too. After all, it’s the gateway to the German mountains and the Alps, and borders with spectacular mountain scenery in Austria and Switzerland too.

This one-day gravel bike route takes you from the centre Garmisch and the Bavarian Alps,

Route Information

Stats 75 km 1,091 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Garmisch is used to catering for tourists and cyclists, so there’s ample choices of biker friendly places to stay.

In terms of food, once again, this is Germany, and you’ll find everything that you need. On the ride however, take plenty of drinks and snacks, as this is a ride into the mountains and you’ll need lots of energy. However, at 52 km you’ll be pleased to reach the village of Ehrwald in the Tyrol, where you can find a good cafe to rest, eat and drink, before the final ride section back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Character

The tracks and trails are all reasonable for experienced riders. Fitness is key though, and so don’t overstretch yourself. There are some steep hills on the ride, and one with an average of 4.7% for over 2.5 km, so make sure that you and your bike is equipped for the adventure.

Route

Leave Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the E533 road. It’s an excellent road and will allow you to build up time. At Kranzbach, 11.4km leave the road onto the st2542 road, and stay on this until the picturesque village of Mittenwald (16 km
Leave Mittenwald on Leutascher Strasse, and ride along this amazing single track road, over the border and into Austria, with limestone cliffs on one side and trees all around you, and the river close at hand (Leutascher Ache), and with epic views through the trees and into the alpine countryside.
At 25 km, the hamlet of Lochlehn is reached and the scenery opens up. After 33 km, on reaching the village of Klamm, the route steepens sharply.
At the road junction in Klamm, a series of road signs (near to the alpine map), point in a variety of directions. Keep the small white painted building on your right and the alpine map (in the wooden edged glass case) on your left, and climb the narrow road upwards into the tree lined mountains of the Tyrol, with the river, Leutascher Ache, to your left hand side.
By the time you reach the mountain hamlet of Ehrwalder Alm at 46 km, you’ll be on good quality gravel and ready to rest. Stay focused though, as a mere 4 km away, there’s a lots of options to look after you. Thankfully, it’s downhill from here on in, and you’ll be able to make the most of the friendly gradients. It’s a steep downhill, until reaching the large village of Ehrwald.
On reaching the small grassy centre plaza in Ehrwald itself, a road junction is reached. Turn right at this, onto Haupt Strasse, keeping the large ‘Ski for rent’ store to your left. Take time in Ehrwald to rest and replenish energy.
Once you do set off again, you’ll soon be crossing the border and back into Bavaria. It’s a gentle ride back now to Garmisch.

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Munich to Tegernsee with Bad Tölz gravel bike route

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 11:46:43 +0000

Munich to Tegernsee with Bad Tölz

Gravel biking in the Bavarian countryside

This one-day gravel bike route takes you from the centre of Munich, out to the shores of the lake at Tegernsee, surrounded by the forested mountains of Bavaria, and with the Alps in view. We then cycle back via the magical town of Bad Tölz, giving you even more spectacular views of the Bavarian mountains, along with superb forest and riverside riding too. All that’s required from you is a sense of adventure – let’s go exploring Bavaria, by bike!

Route Information

Stats 141 km 855 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

This is a long day on the bike, which can be split into a 2-day gravel bike ride if you choose. That being so, we’d recommend staying at Bad Tolz, amidst the medieval beauty and amazing streets filled with colour and history. Both at Tegernsee and Bad Tolz, there are ample choices for refreshments. However, for a long ride such as this, always take plenty of drinks and snacks along, too.

Character

This ride follows cycleways alongside roads, quiet roads, country lanes and forested tracks too. The surfaces are all good and we recommend using a gravel bike, for gearing and comfort. The route climbs steadily, as you’d expect, heading out into the hills and mountains of Bavaria. However, there’s nothing too steep along the way, and the gradient is in your favour along the ride back into Munich.

Image courtesy of Tegernsee.com

Route

Whilst we’ve suggested Bavaria Park in Munich as the starting point for this ride, you can begin the ride anywhere in the city. Simply head of Munch towards the Isar River, picking up the riverside path.
Once you’ve crossed over the rail line, you’ll soon turn towards the St2072 road. Cross over this into the forests and ride along Grenz Geraumt, to a point where the cycle track then follows the direction of the rail line southwards.
At 12 km, cross the rail line and follow the forest tracks towards Furth, crossing the junction of roads and skirting around the norther edges of the small town of Furth, before heading back into the forest and southwards towards the small town of Sauerlach.
Leave the town along Muhlweg, crossing the rail line once more, and ride south-west, crossing over the autobahn, on Taxen Geraumt, and follow this route until the junction with Markweg at the 30 km point. Turn right and then left, and then 3rd right onto Haupt Geraunt, riding through the Holfoldinger Forest towards Kreuz Strasse (maps) – follow our GPX.
Winding roads and lanes now follow the Mangfall River all the way to the beautiful valley and lake at Tegernsee.
From Tegensee, weave your way westwards via Marienstein, into the forest alongside the Schierlach River, and then alongside the Große Gaißach. Pick up the Isar River and the roads that lead northwards into the town at Bad Bad Tölz. Now could be the perfect time and the perfect place to stay, and to explore this magical little town.
Once rested, either on the day or overnight, simply follow the Isar River bike route all the way back to Munich, taking in the amazing views along the river and in the forests.

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