We were reminded this week of the peculiarities of riding in Autumn where we are: it can be quite blustery. Surprised by warmish temperatures and sunshine, we were quick to sneak a ride in before the weekend even started. It felt like “the last of the summer rides”, but it had a distinctly different feel once we were out on the more exposed roads. It was windy, and the wind was full of leaves. It didn’t feel unsafe, but it did force us to be extra attentive in what is a usually routine loop for us. Our conclusion was that the changing seasons add new personality to roads which had grown stale or mundane earlier in the year, and we’ll be revisiting some other well trod lanes in the near future. And if it gets too windy, we’ll grab the MTB.

wheels we’re following

kit we’re eyeing

where we’re riding

café-stop reading

While cycling may be an inherently green activity, bike racing is not. Fleets of vehicles follow the peloton across rural landscapes. Buses leapfrog from starts to finishes. Planes and even helicopters have been employed to transport cyclists across continents and even down mountains. There’s also the heavy use of plastics and wrappers that are discarded by cyclists throughout the race (sometimes in collection zones or to eager fans and sometimes not). There’s much that must be done for the sport to be considered an ecologically conscious sport. Cycling Weekly explain’s the UCI’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2030.

off the back of the newsletter

(Re)watch Badlands 2022: The Film. Listen to Matt Stephens interview Matej Mohoric. Sepp Kuss celebrated his Vuelta win back in Durango. The 2024 World Tour licenses have been announced by the UCI. Wout van Aert is investing in a candle company? Smells like success. This bike can save and reuse your energy. More pros are having heart problems, but Sonny Colbrelli is back at Bahrain Victorious. This t-shirt is for the gravel lovers.

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