When a nagging saddle sore, triggered during my ride in Africa on an unusual bike, threatened to reflare and derail intentions for a 100-mile gravel race, I knew I needed to make a change — and fast. Enter the Ergon SMS Sport, a saddle that’s designed for a mountain bike, but that also promises to […]

eTrashMike’s review of Castelli’s latest jacket, the Perfetto RoS 3, intended for a climate-changing world, and for just about any cyclist riding in reasonably foul conditions. If you know Castelli — which I do, very well, having ridden on teams sponsored by the Italian icon; I probably have 25 scorpioned items in my closet — […]

VIDEO: If you’re ready for another Italian bike hotel review, here’s a good one. This time, I traded the rolling hills and Strade Bianche of inland Tuscany for something unexpectedly different – the Tuscan Riviera and the Hotel Residence Esplanade in Viareggio. Yes — Tuscany has a Riviera. And it’s stunning. Watch my video review […]

As another turbulent week in global sport underscores, the forces shaping professional cycling extend far beyond the peloton. From the spiraling costs and increasing fragmentation of sports broadcasting, to shifting financial models, evolving talent pipelines, and the fast-rising profile of women’s athletics, the sport sits at a crossroads where economics, media, and culture collide. This […]

Over the past decade, wearables have become the trendiest thing in health technology, promising personalized health monitoring and deep insight into your unique physiology. How accurate and reliable are they when it comes to tracking your sleep quantity and quality? Wearables have exploded in popularity. Besides heart rate monitors or GPS being used to simply […]

Special photo gallery: Photographer John Thomson has an enormous file of top pics from 2025, so here is part three of his ‘Season Review Photo Gallery’. As always, an eclectic choice from John for your enjoyment. *** ‘Part 1’ HERE, ‘Part 2’ HERE and you can see more of John Thomson’s photo galleries HERE. *** […]

Our cycling news summary, leading off with a checkin on a cyclocross season that practically serves up a new winner every weekend. Plus: La Vuelta plants 1,000 trees in Navarre, Red Bull-BORA pioneers PIV aerodynamic testing, Chris Froome departs Israel-Premier Tech, Greg Van Avermaet wins Ironman 70.3 worlds, and Pinarello becomes Q36.5’s title sponsor with […]

On December 15, framebuilder Richard Sachs will open his order book for 2026.  Since 2018 he has limited his build queue to twelve months and when those 40 frames coming up on offer are spoken for that will be it for the year.  One of the deans of American framebuilding, Mr. Sachs has more than […]

Rider Interview: If you had any interest in professional bike racing in the 70’s and 80’s you must remember a certain hard rider from the Flemish Ardennes’ village of Deftinge. If the race was tough, then Ferdi Van Den Haute was at the front. After a chance meeting at the Gent 6 Days in 2022, […]

Hey, Pez Fans, it’s almost mid-November. Folks in the United States are gearing up for Thanksgiving. And, we are hurtling toward the largest, most shameless consumer event everywhere capitalism is practiced: Black Friday. To help you get ready for it, we have a special Gear Break New Bike Day for you. In addition to the […]

Cycling has long captivated audiences with a unique blend of physical endurance, strategic thinking, and cultural resonance. From weekend rides along scenic trails to professional races covering hundreds of kilometers, the sport has always celebrated human stamina and tactical intelligence. Over the past century, cycling has evolved far beyond recreation or local competition. The marquee […]

The latest cycling news roundup covers cyclocross’s potential Winter Olympics debut (and the resistance that movement is facing) — plus even more cyclocross: Laurens Sweeck’s thrilling sprint victory at Niel. Back on the road, Gent-Wevelgem will move to Middelkerke starting in 2026, the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix announced its roster, Rwanda’s wants to host […]

The 2025 pro cycling off-season has already delivered more drama than many races did all year. From the surprise withdrawal of Premier Tech’s sponsorship of Israel–Premier Tech, to the growing financial strain on mid-tier WorldTour teams, to the evolving battle between Strava and Garmin ahead of a major IPO, the business and governance side of […]

Protein is everywhere — from protein-packed Pop-Tarts to cold brew lattes — but the hype doesn’t always match what athletes really need. While headlines emphasize protein as a performance and weight-loss magic bullet, actual research shows that optimal intake depends on your activity level, training type, and goals. For endurance and strength athletes alike, protein […]

VIDEO: I didn’t really understand the weight of the First World War until I visited Ypres in Belgium, and stood beneath the Menin Gate in Ypres as the bugles sound the Last Post.Every evening at exactly 8:00 p.m., the town stops — traffic halts, conversation fades, and the crowd turns inward under the great white […]

Santini Unico Cool Weather Kit: The winter is knocking at the door north of the equator, but our man, Alastair Hamilton is braving the cooler temperatures on the east cost of Spain. Don’t worry, he has some new kit from Santini to help him through those 20ºC days and he tries out the UNICO windproof […]

Our cycling news roundup, where we round up the European pros who have made their way to the U.S. in the last month. Plus the cyclocross coverage you asked for — and a Tour de France update from…Japan? TOP STORY:  What’s with all these WorldTour Riders in the U.S.? RACE NEWS Aerts Pips Nys in […]

First came the new category of “gravel” bikes; then, of course, there had to be gravel racing.  This is a discipline that has seen explosive growth in less than a decade.  An excellent new video from Pas Normal Studios showcases the PAS Racing team at one of Europe’s toughest gravel races, the Traka. The video […]

Spectacular Hour Failures: The World Hour record is the true test of a champion. Riders have needed to be lifted off their machine at the finish, and the great Eddy Merckx said it shortened his career, but they will never stop trying. Ed Hood takes a look at the top men who failed in the […]

This week’s Gear Break is not just our regular “Tech ’n Spec.” In addition to some exciting equipment, we’ve also got a couple of fun and useful Christmas stocking stuffers (quit laughing over there in the UK!) for your favorite rider…if you can make ‘em fit! We lead out with Campagnolo’s new halo gravel groupset […]

In this cycling news roundup, we dive deep into the 2026 plans for one of our favorite riders, Wout van Aert. And with no races to cover until this weekend’s ‘cross, we cast a wide net over transfers, signings, and even — *sigh* — a doping suspension. Plus: Thibau Nys’ IG suggests no shortage of […]

If you’re planning a cycling trip to Italy, don’t overlook the Adriatic Coast. I first visited what many credit as the world’s first “bike hotel” — Hotel Dory in Riccione — more than a decade ago, but only for one night while chasing the Giro d’Italia. This year, I finally returned for a proper stay: […]

Ordering prescription cycling sunglasses online can feel risky — will they fit, will the lenses match your prescription, and will they actually perform on the bike? I had those same questions before trying Tifosi’s prescription sunglasses. But from the at-home try-on kit to the easy online ordering and surprisingly quick delivery, the process was smooth […]

As the weather turns colder, daylight fades earlier, and frost starts to appear on morning rides, I’ve found myself actually looking forward to indoor training this year – something I couldn’t have imagined saying a few seasons ago. For the past few winters, riding indoors felt like a necessary evil: long, steady base miles on […]

As the 2025 season draws to a close, The Outer Line takes a step back to examine the shifting dynamics shaping professional cycling — and how they reflect broader trends across the global sports industry. In this week’s edition of AIRmail: Analysis, Insight, and Reflections, we explore key developments that will define the road ahead: […]