This week we take a look at the fastest 4-km individual pursuit in history, as well as how to survive a 4,000 km cross-continental race. We’ve also got some of the coolest custom bikes in the world, “surfpacking”, a controversial sponsor and another custom Colnago for Nathan Haas!
Hello,
Welcome to the N+1 newsletter. The cycling season is well and truly winding down now across the board. There are just a couple of road races left in Asia, and then everyone will take a step back before restarting winter training.
Personally, I’ve got another week or so completely off the bike and will be heading to Lisbon with one of my best friends. It’ll be a weekend of exploring and (maybe) a little bit of partying.
I’m now almost three weeks into my off-season and if I’m being honest, I’m not missing the bike too much just yet. It’s lovely taking some time away from two wheels and living a “normal” life. Although it’s not easy trying to squish all of my travel plans into a month!
Happy Pedalling,
Joe
Feel free to email me at joe@nplus1.cc if you have any questions, or feel I’ve missed something that is worth putting in the Newsletter.
N+Read 🗞
Another World Record
Not content with breaking the Hour Record, Filippo Ganna added the 4-km individual pursuit record to his basket this past weekend. The Italian is the best in the world at what he does and broke the magical 4-minute barrier for the first time ever at sea level.
Averaging over 60 kph from a standing start, Ganna covered the distance in 3:59.363.
⏱ 9-minute read
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Bespoked custom bike show
Held in London, Bespoked is the most prominent custom bike show in the world, and each year offers some of the coolest bike designs in the world. We’d all have a custom bike if we could, and here we take a look at five of the most unique offerings available. Gravel, road and commuter, there’s something for everyone.
⏱ 3-minute read
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British Cycling’s environmental problem
British Cycling have just signed a long-term, very lucrative deal with oil and gas company, Shell. The partnership sees the energy company sponsor BC in its efforts to reach net zero and to get more people with disabilities into the sport.
The deal has been seen as hypocritical and faced humongous backlash. It’s not the only greenwashing deal in sports and doesn’t necessarily send the correct message
⏱ 3-minute read
The toughest race in the world?
Ultra-endurance racing is arguably the most mentally challenging type of race in all of sport. The Transcontinental Race is one of the most famous.
The TCR is a 4,000 km unsupported race across Europe and is seen as an ultra-endurance event. Marin de Saint-Exupéry finished fourth this year, taking the “Spirit of the Race” award along the way. In this interview, he talks about the lure, the training and the hardship of the TCR.
⏱ 5-minute read
Surfpacking
You know all about bike-packing, but have you heard of surf-packing? Cycling, surfing and camping, sound like the ultimate outdoor adventure. In Southern California, Evan Christenson attached his surfboard to his bike and headed off to the Gateway to Heaven.
Spending a slow day on the beach got him thinking about our relationship with the environment. Check out his thoughts and the photo gallery here.
⏱ 5-minute read
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Winter is Coming
There is no doubt that winter is well and truly on its way. With the days getting shorter, many of us turn to the turbo trainer to keep the training going. Sitting inside on a stationary bike isn’t why most of us got into the sport, but new technology has made it much easier than it once was.
Here are nine ways to make your indoor training sessions a little more enjoyable.
⏱ 3-minute read
N+Tweet 🎲
On his way to winning the British National Hill Climb Championships, Adam Kenway was supported by a dinosaur. Cycling is a beautifully random sport.
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N+Listen 🎧
Alex Dowsett has just retired from the pro-road peloton. The Brit had some career with Grand Tour stages and an Hour Record to boot. In this podcast with Matt Stephens, the two talk about how to max out your performance, why most people use power meters incorrectly and how to race with your head, not your legs.
⏱ 76-minute listen
N+Watch 👀
Nathan Haas is a World Tour rider turned Gravel Pro. We’ve featured the Aussie a lot this past year thanks to all of the custom Colnago frames he’s been getting. This behind-the-scenes video looks through his new bike and his opinion on gravel as a whole.
⏱ 11-minute watch
N+1 Introducing 👋🏻
In this part of the Newsletter, each week we introduce one of the brands we work with at N+1.
This week we are introducing… 7mesh
No matter the conditions, 7mesh apparel will have your back. Designed and tested in the vast and wild landscape of British Colombia (Canada), 7mesh offers robust alpine bike wear for all disciplines of cycling.
Be sure to download our app and browse their products! N+1 Introducing 👋🏻