We have a rule about hard climbs on our weekly long ride. If the legs are feeling great, we hit those climbs. If our mental batteries are feeling low, we hit those climbs. This week the legs were feeling a bit tired out, but so was our sense of inspiration. So, we suffered up our local lung-busting, leg-breaking hill to lay our bodies down in a sacrificial manner at the climb’s dead-end. As our body went into almost immediate recovery mode and began to shut down unnecessary function, our mind was left to its own devices, to wander around the landscape and to wonder at the smaller details in our peripheral. We studied a sign posting local trespassing ordinances (we were on the correct side of the gate). We watched a couple of chipmunks scamper about. We really enjoyed the water in our bidon. We were rewarded with a moment of solitude, renewed spirit, and a nice view. Our conclusion in the moment was that riding our bike was so nice.

wheels we’re following

kit we’re eyeing

where we’re riding

café-stop reading

We sometimes forget that, for the majority of the people who ride bicycles, it is a practical machine. Most people who ride bikes do not do so while wearing lycra or while tracking w/kg. Most people do not race up mountains or wish they could be racing up mountains. Nevertheless, for many people, the bicycle remains a powerful agent of change and central to daily existence. Read this review from The Atlantic of Jody Rosen’s book on the history and the future of the bicycle to learn how bikes have featured in the modern world’s past and could save its future.

off the back of the newsletter

The 2024 Giro d’Italia route has been unveiled. Will we see Pogačar or even Wout van Aert at the Giro? The Giro Donne is becoming the Giro d’Italia Women. We have to wait a few more days for the Tour de France route, but we do know some of the TDF mountain-top finishes already. New developments in the Shimano Recall. Watch this beautiful short video on going the distance by Rapha Films. Have you all listened to Cycling Fashion Week yet? This t-shirt is a metaphor for the final days of road racing for the season.

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