In recent years, video games aren’t just video games any more. They aren’t just there to have a bit of fun. They can come with all sorts of advantages and serve a variety of purposes in our lives – from winning money online at sites such as casinos.com to training tools.
The Warmshowers website has always been the weak link in the organisation. It never seems to have moved with the times and has been somewhat ‘clunky’ to use. Well, news arrives of an updated website. It looks as though they have started again from scratch rather than tweaking the old website (which is presumably why the site will be unavailable for 24 hours immediately before the new one being launched). Tuesday 5th March is the launch date. Not sure if the app is also changing.
The Cycling Europe Podcast is back and for this first episode of 2024 we have a triple-whammy of cycling-themed chats and stories. The EuroVelo network is now 26 years old but it’s not resting on its laurels. Agathe Daudibon of the European Cyclists’ Federation is the person responsible for looking after the network and developing it further. She talked to the podcast about her background in cycle touring, her role at the ECF and how she sees the future of the pan-European network. Svetlana and Quentin, from Oxford, talk about their experiences of cycling along the coast in Croatia. And Seth provides something that he feels the podcast is missing; how bike tours can “turn into complete disasters”. His certainly have!
The Cycling Europe Podcast is back and for this first episode of 2024 we have a triple-whammy of cycling-themed chats and stories. The EuroVelo network is now 26 years old but it’s not resting on its laurels. Agathe Daudibon of the European Cyclists’ Federation is the person responsible for looking after the network and developing it further. She talked to the podcast about her background in cycle touring, her role at the ECF and how she sees the future of the pan-European network. Svetlana and Quentin, from Oxford, talk about their experiences of cycling along the coast in Croatia. And Seth provides something that he feels the podcast is missing; how bike tours can “turn into complete disasters”. His certainly have!
Cycling is a sport that is all about tradition and endurance. With races such as the Tour De France pushing competitors to their limits, it has witnessed some incredible moments – and incredible champions. However, like many other sports, it has not been immune to controversy. The world of professional cycling has seen many moments that have sparked debates, raised eyebrows, and certainly left a bit of a stain on the sport. Here, we are going to delve into some of the most controversial moments in the world of cycling – look at the impact they had on the cycling community and the impact it has had on the sport.
There was a crazy news item this week – reported by Road.cc – about Ashford Council having reservations about a new factory for Brompton bikes because of lack of, err… parking. Are we ever going to be freed from the shackles of the car with such small-minded thinking? It seems unlikely. Highways England are bleating about the impact that such a factory could have on the local road network. A bicycle factory. A factory making bicycles.
Markus Stitz has been featured several times on this website and here he is again. And when I write ‘here’, I really mean ‘here’. He’s been to Yorkshire with Mark Beaumont and Heather Graham to cycle the length of the Yorkshire coastline. The route the trio followed has been rebranded and relaunched as ‘Route YC’ (Yorkshire coast) and Markus has made another beautiful film to add to his growing collection of stunning cycling films.
June, it seems, is the month for bike shows, certainly in 2024. In the weekly email from Cycling UK there’s mention of the National Cycle Show in Birmingham from the 15th-16th of June. It will be the place to see all the big names of the cycling world (at least that haven’t recently stopped trading…). In contrast, I received an email reminding me of an alternative cycle show last week. It will also be taking place in June over the weekend of the 28th to the 30th and this year is taking place in Manchester. It is Bespoked.
I’ve recently received a few emails regarding The Cycling Europe Podcast. The sentiment of those getting in touch is summarised in one question: where has it gone? The answer is… nowhere. It’s still there, all 76 episodes of the podcast remain available to stream or download from your podcast purveyor of choice. However, no new episodes have been published since October 2023. I have a few excuses. Firstly I’ve not been well. I have been suffering from a winter cold that has been dragging on for quite some time. One thing that has been seriously affected is my voice and it has dissuaded me from recording any new episodes. My other main excuse is the new book about 2022’s cycle around Europe. Recording, editing and then publishing a podcast episode usually takes a full day and, with a teaching job to hold down, most of my weekends during the winter have been spent writing rather than editing.
As e-bikes continue to surge in popularity, blending the convenience of traditional bicycles with the added power of electric motors, understanding the nuances of their design becomes increasingly important. Among these, the suspension system stands out as a critical component that significantly impacts both the bike’s performance and the comfort of the rider. Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of a city or tackling rugged off-road trails, the type of suspension your e-bike is equipped with can make a substantial difference in your riding experience.
Every so often I get an email from someone who has been cycling somewhere interesting and would like to share their story. I’m always happy to oblige. One such email arrived this week, from Canadian cyclist Jennifer. She’s currently in Spain with her husband, bravely cycling through the Spanish winter. I remember being in Andalusia in the run-up to Easter back in 2015 and although we had some lovely warm days on the coast, once I started cycling north and into the mountains, it could get chilly. I would imagine that’s certainly the case in January and February. Jennifer asks a question about cycling from Seville to Cordoba. If you have any information to help her I’m sure she would be delighted to hear from you via her website. Anyway, keep reading. Here’s her story…
