š§Stage 77: A race defining fizzy drink
another custom Colnago gravel bike and a heart-melting race celebration
This weekās newsletter includes how womenās sport is going through a seismic change, a guide to adventuring in Snowdonia, tips on how to warm up properly and the story of how coke can almost lose one guy in the Transcontinental Race win. We also have the ultimate custom bike for the rough stuff and a podcast with a road brand looking to get into gravel. Enjoy!
Hello hello,
Just a quick note, we had some issues sending the newsletter out last week, so if you missed us, thatās why! This is the newsletter that was supposed to go out seven days ago. See you again next week.
Welcome to this weekās newsletter, from sunny Girona. I hope youāve had a good week out on the bike.
There hasnāt been too much happening since the last newsletter, cycling seems to be just resurrecting from its post-Tour de France hangover. This is the phenomenon when the whole industry, both racing and media, seems to slow down for a week after the Tour.
I have another couple of weeks in town before heading to my next race in Belgium, so thereās plenty of training on the cards. Iām planning on heading out on my favourite Catalonian loop this week, Oix-Beget. At 170km long, itās not a small day in the saddle, but itās most definitely worth it.
Happy Pedalling,
Joe
Feel free to emailĀ meĀ at joe@nplus1.cc if you have any questions, or feel Iāve missed something that is worth putting in the Newsletter.
N+Read š
Change for Good
Womenās cycling has been fighting for equality forever, and it seems like weāre finally on the right track. The Tour de France Femmes was a glaring success with fans, riders, sponsors and media all happy with the reach the race got.
In England, the 31st of July was a landmark day for womenās sport with the Lionesses winning the football European Championships. On the same day, the final stage of the TDFF took place. It marked the end of a week that changed womenās sport forever.
ā± 5-minute readć ¤
The Deadly Can of Coke?
The Transcontinental Race is exactly what it says. A 4,000km race from one side of the continent to the other, Belgium to Bulgaria to be exact. It crosses famous climbs such as the Passo di Gavia and was won in a total time of 9 days and 14 hours.
ā± 5-minute read
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The Spirit of Gravel
āThe Spirit of Gravelā is a phrase that is often banded around the ever-growing gravel scene, but nobody can put their finger on quite what that spirit is. It is often presumed that in gravel racing, it is every person for themselves. No outside help, and no teamwork. But, Haas questions whether thereās an inevitable rise in gravel team work?
ā± 10-minute read
Snowdonia Adventure (no, itās not always āļø)
Snowdonia National Park in Wales may not be guaranteed good weather all year round, but when the skies are clear, the scenery is unrivalled. This article takes us to the southern, less popular part of Snowdonia. There may be fewer famous hills, but that doesnāt mean theyāre any less tough.
Stunning scenery, cute little countryside towns and lung-busting roads. Snowdonia National Park is one of those where you wonāt be disappointed by the riding. Just be sure to pack a raincape, whatever the time of year.
ā± 5-minute read
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Custom Colnago Gravelling
Five bikes with five different liveries, Nathan Haas is having quite the year getting a new bike every couple of months. After a decade in the World Tour on the road, Haas made the switch to Gravel this year and is becoming one of the leading names in the sport. And yes, he appears twice in this weekās newsletter.
This latest creation, Purple Rain, is truly unique. Colnago like it so much, that theyāve hinted there could be more coming, āIt gave us an idea that is soon to be revealed, but... stay tuned!".
ā± 4-minute read
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Should I warm up?
A warm-up is one of those things that you just do. Since your first sport lessons in school, youāve been taught to warm up. Itās simple. However, what is the actual point of a warm-up, and does it actually make a difference?
This article takes you into the science and gives you advice based off your discipline. Take it from someone (me) who tried to do intervals this morning without warming up - a good warm-up is important.
ā± 4-minute read
N+Tweet š²
When your Dad dominates all disciplines of cycling at the Commonwealth Games, you get to have a bit of fun. The Kiwi Aaron Gate destroyed his competitors on the velodrome, and then melted everyoneās heart with his son.
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N+Listen š§
Long known on the road and time-trial scene, HED has been a pioneer in carbon wheels and aerodynamic carbon components for a long time. What will surprise you, is just how long the American company have had their eye on the gravel market.
ā± 39-minute listen
N+Watch š
Back in April, the Cycling Tips crew set out to build the ultimate Roubaix bike for the cobbles. Built by their (conveniently injured) tech expert, they sent the editor-in-chief out to the Arenberg Forest. A freshly built bike, a skilled amateur and the hardest cobbled sector in the world - can he break his personal record?
ā± 10-minute watch
N+1 Introducing šš»
In this part of the Newsletter, each week we introduce one of the brands we work with at N+1.
This week we are introducingā¦ See.Sense
See.Sense help make every cycling journey seen. Whether thatās with their reactive and daylight visible bike lights or their unique GPS Bike Tracker if your bike has been stolen.
Be sure toĀ download our appĀ and browse their products!