š¦ Stage 83: Gravel in the New York Times
E-bike packing and Australia puts on a show for the World Championships
This week we have all the coverage from the World Championships. From stories at the highest end of performance to the more human cycling stories. We have e-bike adventures around Mexican mountains, a custom Eritrean road bike and some dinosaurs, too!
Hello,
Welcome to another newsletter from Girona. Weāre having a very slow morning in the apartment today thanks to yesterdayās epic ride. We covered 195 km and 3,500 m of elevation in just shy of seven hours.
It was the most epic route Iāve ever done in Catalonia. We headed out towards Olot, and tackled Collfred first - itās easily one of the most brutal roads Iāve ridden in my life. From there, we dropped down an epic descent until we reached the foot of Bellmunt which of course, we raced up. At the top, we braved the concrete road to the monastery, before another epic descent.
One final climb to go, the (thankfully) easier side of Bracons before a fast final 70 km through the valley. It was one for the scrapbook, an absolute epic, but I think Iāll take a couple of days off now.
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
World Championships
It was Remco Evenepoel and Annemiek van Vleuten who left Australia victorious in the elite road races. Evenepoel won by over two minutes in extraordinary fashion and van Vleuteun took her title while racing with a fractured elbow!
The championships werenāt without controversy either. The big favourite in the menās race, Mathieu van der Poel was arrested the night before the race due to a noise dispute. Although he took to the start line, he withdrew after less than an hour.
ā± 9-minute readć ¤
E-bike packing in Mexico
Coffee, bikes and jaw-dropping scenery - whatās not to like? This Mexican adventure around Hierve el Agua is incredible, but with an e-bike twist. E-bikes are quite the contentious topic and the writer of this piece takes one on a favoured route of his.
Are e-bikes as immersive, and honest as their non-assist cousins? Do you feel less at one with nature? Personally, I think riding a bike is good. If an e-bike allows you to do more cool stuff, then why not?
ā± 5-minute readć ¤
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Custom Eritrean Bike
For the past twelve months, Biniam Girmay has been setting the cycling world alight while inspiring a nation. The 22-year-old is not only one of the most exciting talents in the sport but the impact heās having on his home nation of Eritrea will be seen for years to come.
As a celebration, Cube custom painted him a Litening Air C:68X for the World Champs.
ā± 2-minute read
When your bike is more famous than you
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to compete in the World Championships? Lining up against the worldās biggest stars, thousands of fans cheering you on, and it is being streamed across the world.
After two Ukrainian riders arrived with lost baggage, two members of the Aussie cycling industry came very close to that very Worlds dream. Aaron Keeffe and Mark Eedle have never ridden Worlds, but their bikes have.
ā± 3-minute read
Gravel is going mainstream
When the New York Times writes an article about something, you know itās a big deal. Weāve all known that gravel has been the darling of the cycling industry for a while, but what does the mainstream media think?
ā± 5-minute read
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How can I go pro?
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between yourself and the pros? Is it purely genetic? Is it psychological? Is it a lifestyle? There are so many factors to becoming a pro-cyclist, and this article talks to pros and amateurs to get their perspectives.
Full disclosure, this is one of my own articles!
ā± 6-minute read
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A dinosaur, a banana and a cowboy? Just a normal day at the office for those riding the World Championships!
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N+Listen š§
Alex Richardson traded being a stockbroker for a pro-cyclist and never looked back. The Brit is one of the strongest riders on the UK scene and admits that an obsession with cycling took over his life.
ā± 67-minute read
N+Watch š
Cycling seems to be getting more expensive every year and āCan I still ride on a budget?ā is a very reasonable question. In this video, they aim to build a classic bike for Ā£500. While it wonāt win any awards for being light or aero, itās certainly cool.
ā± 12-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¦ Alba Optics
Alba Optics believe itās time for a new type of eyewear, one that speaks ofĀ performance and results, but also of quality of life.Ā Made in Italy, and inspired by iconic shapes of the past, they combine retro design with modern technology.
Be sure toĀ download our appĀ and browse their products!