WINTER

Featured Posts

Polartec Alpha Direct - Unlocking Castelli’s Breathe-first Paradigm

Cycling isn’t a static thermal environment. Heat load swings minute by minute with power and wind, yet most garments are designed around fixed temperature ratings. That mismatch explains why riders overheat on climbs, freeze on descents, and rarely feel “in balance” in winter.

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Castelli and Polartec Launch AirCore — Why It Matters, First Impressions

For decades we’ve equated protection with resistance; AirCore replaces that logic with regulation. The Gabba taught us how to dress for weather. AirCore teaches us how to stay in balance with it.

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Field Notes: The ‘Secret Gravel Stelvio’

This post was inspired by the mismatch between perception of the gravel Stelvio route - also referred to as ‘the fourth way’ - based on a popular summer 2025 GCN video, and the actual experience of riding it. This is at once a cautionary tale and a valorization of the route. The last thing I or anyone would want is for a novice gravel rider to take on the route and fall off a cliff.

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Down, Synthetic, or Both? Building Smarter Sleep Systems for Bikepacking

Don't get trapped by "packing your fears." This article explores the ins and outs of building a versatile bikepacking sleep system. Through a direct comparison of down vs. synthetic quilts, I show why modern synthetics are a legitimate, lightweight, and often more durable option for life on the bike.

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A Year of SQ Lab Testing

I was drawn to SQ Lab because I perceived a commitment to long-lived products and transparent communication of safety standard compliance. These products are not glamorous; my riding buddies have not said, ‘Wow, cool, you have those new SQ Lab bars!’, or anything remotely like that. The products don’t make themselves conspicuous. It’s been conversations about comfort on the bike that have raised topics like bar and saddle geometry, which implicates ‘flex’ and resilience, and thus, safety. Everything is connected.

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The Art of Layering for Cold Weather Cycling with Castelli

Read, listen, or both. I sat down with Castelli to talk about getting the most from their line of cold weather clothing, which dipped into general principles, and numerous tips and tricks riders can use to steepen the learning curve and create great winter cycling experiences. The blog post elaborates on numerous threads within the podcast, and functions as a complementary resource.

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Venice - Verona by Way of Mountains

The second explosion sounds louder than the first, probably because I’m conscious from the go this time. What time? 05:00. What is going on here? I feel fairly certain that was some sort of cannon, and wow, did it ever pack a concussive punch. It didn’t go off in Mals, I’m pretty sure; somewhere else in the valley. An avalanche cannon? If so, why, it’s August. There’s no snow around here.

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LAKE MX 146: EnJoy 3-Season Performance

There’s no one ideal solution for every ride, let alone every rider. Lake’s mission is to create something for everyone when it comes to shoes and boots, but this doesn’t mean that every model is for everyone. I hope what follows guides you toward the option/s that help you get out the door, and wind up glad you did.

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Post Carry Co. Transfer Case: Travel, Flexibly.

If there’s something resembling a common feeling associated with flying with bikes, it has to be anxiety. Maybe it’s a ‘the more you know the more you worry’ thing; maybe not. I spent four weeks travelling in Europe with Post Carry Co.’s Transfer Case in 2022, and put the case’s multimodal transferability to the test. If you’re interested in travelling with your family AND your bike, this is going to be particularly relevant.

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