Indoor cycling app Rouvy, which lets users ride realistic virtual routes when training indoors, has announced a new 'Ride for Ukraine' challenge. The Czech company said its nation has twice experienced similar aggression during its history and "unhesitatingly decided to express support" for Ukraine.
For each rider who completes the 10km Ride for Ukraine route, €1 will be donated to Ukraine's cause. "Our goal is to unite people in the belief of liberty, democracy and simple fair play," the brand says.
"We just could not stand by and simply watch how a sovereign European country is undergoing a large-scale rocket and military attack," CEO Petr Samek said.
Tadej Pogačar is the new face of Feel Slovenia's promo campaign, and he's doing a decent job of making us want to go climbing in his homeland...
Registration is now open for Bike Bath 2022 supported by Bath Recreation Limited, the 10th anniversary year. Starting in 2012 with the aim of encouraging healthy lifestyles and active transport through cycling, it has seen over 12,000 riders take part, raising over £250,000 for 30 different charities.
Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome to take on one of the 25, 50 or 75-mile routes and raise funds for more local charities. This year the event is once again supporting Dorothy House Hospice Care.
You can take a peek at the routes collection on komoot...
"The idea behind Bike Bath has always been to provide something for everyone," event director Jacko Jackson said. "The 25-mile short route was designed with families, new cyclists and new cycle-commuters in mind.
"For regular cyclists or those looking for something more adventurous, we have designed longer routes to take in some of the more challenging lanes across the Somerset and Wiltshire countryside."
If I'm ever asked to appear on Mastermind, my subject will be “Predicting the movement of white vans which aren’t signalling.” pic.twitter.com/0Ft23tbogu
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 28, 2022
Of course he does. Volodymyr Zelensky rides a bicycle. pic.twitter.com/CAPcDhDIzX
— Peter Flax (@Pflax1) February 27, 2022
He was also the voice of Paddington Bear when the film was released in Ukraine...no, really...
Kyiv is understandably a bit quiet on Strava at the minute. Although a quick look at some of the more popular segments, filtered by activities today, found a few brave souls getting their training in...and nabbing a top-ten...
Here's the link to the second activity (mainly for kudos-giving purposes)...
@dailyecho@wave105radio music on bikes on Southampton High street this afternoon pic.twitter.com/6g9w3ha624
— David McIntyre (@DaveLacMac) February 27, 2022
Drum & Bass On The Bike turned one year old this weekend with Dom Whiting hosting a celebratory first anniversary ride in Southampton. The Daily Echo was on-site to see the 26-year-old DJ "waved off by members of his family" before being given a police escort as the mobile set made its way around the city.
> Drum & race: DJ takes drum and bass on bicycle tour
"I've ridden in every type of weather, including rain and snow. When it's wet I put a cover over the decks, which seems to do the trick. Bright sunshine is a problem because I can't see the screen," he said.
"I haven't had any accidents but I've had a few close shaves, usually involving lampposts or gates I'm trying to get through. I was cycling down a hill in Bristol and when I put my put on the brake it pulled me over to the kerb. That was a very close call."
The most impressive example of our "riding my bike like every bastard's out to kill me" mindset. https://t.co/fHpwFhd9y4
— Dan M (@SirArthurIndeed) February 28, 2022
We're all in admiration for the Kyiv cyclist spotted dodging tanks while training...there's not even been a middle of the road/road tax comment...that makes a nice change, doesn't it?
Not wearing Hi-Viz or having any lights, there is absolutely no chance of him being seen by any tank gunner, obviously.
— 🚴♂️🚙Carlton💙🐩🚶♂️ (@carlton1512) February 28, 2022
On Facebook, Slav Iljasov has the current top comment with, "Ride bikes, not tanks!" Can't be long before that pops up on a t-shirt.
Man, I don’t think there is a more resilient individual than a road cyclist.
— Higor (@zaminnl) February 28, 2022
Richard Pearson speculated it's probably still safer than riding in traffic...while Danny Reardon has been left feeling a little bit soft..."And there's me complaining when it's a little bit cold n damp outside."
Rule 5 ay
— Jwb62 (@jwb62) February 28, 2022
Paul Cole promised to never complain about potholes again, although some were left slightly envious by the state of that Kyiv surface...
Less potholes than we got.....
— Sam (@arsenicsam123) February 28, 2022
Legend @FabioJakobsenpic.twitter.com/ALzB2A9srv
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) February 27, 2022
He's a good lad is Fabio...
Restrap has added the all-new Rear Top Tube Bag (£34.99) which mounts against the seatpost to its Carry Everything range.
“The Rear Top Tube Bag is the perfect add-on to maximise storage on the bike when frame space is limited, all other attachment points have been used or you want to organise tools, spares, food or other accessories into a separate compartment,” says Restrap.
A simple zip closure is said to allow for easy, one-handed access, while an internal stiffening structure inside the bag should keep the bag upright and secure.
Hypalon MOLLE accents on the base and rear of the bag each provide two placements for the double sided velcro straps, Restrap explains. This is said to help riders tailor the bag for the perfect fit.
Handmade in Restrap’s Yorkshire workshop from 100% waterproof textured nylon, the bag also features an orange nylon lining to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Mous has launched its Intralock bike mounting system which it claims provides "unrivalled Mous-grade protection". Mous is the brand that’s responsible for some of the most daring phone case testing - yes, throwing new iPhone/Android devices off 45ft cranes and helicopters.
The Evolution Case (£49.99) contains the brand’s signature AiroShock technology to protect against extreme drop damage. As well as being compatible with Mous’ IntraLock accessories, the Evolution case has 38 magnets built-in for pairing with everyday MagSafe compatible accessories including a charging stand and wallet.
The IntraLock Bike Mount (£49.99) has patented hinged teeth which are designed to protrude and contract around the Evolution case, Mous explains, to ensure a tight grip with no additional bulk. Compatible with all standard handlebars, you can also swap between landscape or portrait viewing while your phone is still mounted.
This is what cycling 🚴♂️ means to my country. Upgrade @tour_du_Rwanda to world tour 🤓#TdRwanda22pic.twitter.com/pZ2sNRLxur
— Athan Tashobya (@AthanTashobya) February 26, 2022
HUGE crowds in Rwanda once again for the country's cycling tour. Get the 2025 UCI Road Cycling World Championships in your diary...it's heading to the African country, the first time in the event's history it will have been hosted on the continent...
A bit closer to home it was all about Opening Weekend — the double-header of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussells-Kuurne. Annemiek van Vleuten did what Annemiek van Vleuten does, and Wout van Aert did what Wout van Aert does, both winning Omloop crowns in stunning fashion. Can anyone beat them?
There was only a men's edition of Kuurne, won by Fabio Jakobsen, who broke the escapees' hearts, powering past Christophe Laporte, Taco van der Hoorn and Jhonatan Narváez in th final metres.
Caleb Ewan was second, and sent a warning message to his Milan-San Remo rivals, saying he felt "really comfortable on all the climbs".
Dutch sprinter Jakobsen gave his sympathy to the people of Ukraine following his win: "My mind and my prayers are with the people in Ukraine and the east of Europe.
"Here, it's 25-year-old guys fighting on a bike for a win and there, it's the 25-year-old guys like me fighting for freedom and their life. It's not a nice time over there and here we enjoy this, but my mind is over there and that puts things in perspective."
Ukranian rider Mark Padun took a popular win on the time trial stage of Gran Camiño, a race eventually won by Alejandro Valverde.
In the virtual world, Jay Vine and Loes Adegeest were crowned eSports world champions, winning their digital rainbow jerseys on Zwift.
Aaaand breathe...
Aside from the marathon bike racing schedule this weekend (which we'll pick out some reaction from in a bit) there was plenty of other stuff on the site these past two days...
The angle grinder thief videos are back...this one ended well though as a gang of thieves attempting to steal a bike were thwarted by passing locals on a busy Edinburgh street...
Meanwhile, UAE Team Emirates pro Matteo Trentin addressed the TT bike debate during an interview in Belgium. Trentin said the big danger for cyclists is cars (and their drivers), not time trial bikes...
On the tech side of things, Hunt's 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc Wheelset got rave reviews from our tester Stu, find out why...
On our sister site eBikeTips, we brought you the news that e-bikes have been banned from the Houses of Parliament due to fire risk, with one Labour peer saying he believes the decision is based on a misinterpretation of advice from Transport for London.
Here's a screenshot of an incredible piece of news footage shot by CNN Portugal in Kyiv over the weekend. A cyclist, unfazed by the military vehicles blocking their path, continues training as normal...
> Ineos Grenadiers’ Russian pro Pavel Sivakov denounces invasion of Ukraine
The snap was shared in the aptly-named 'interesting as f***' subreddit with plenty of admiration for the rider's resolve. Others shared anecdotes of other examples of the Ukranian people's endless spirit in the face of such danger.
One comment said: "Silly people with their silly politics. Nobody stops me from my 40km routine." Another, comparing the situation to...
CNN's video comes four days after shocking CCTV footage from Uman, just over 100 miles south of the capital Kyiv, appeared to show a person being thrown from their bike by an explosive orange flash of light, crawling away from the wreckage, before lying still. Various media outlets have since claimed the rider was hit by a missile.