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.

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.

Instability makes riding bikes fun, and fun-riding bikes. The devil is in the details. Let's talk about that.

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.

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.

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.

The context David Foster Wallace sets up describes the incredible ability Roger Federer, possibly the best tennis player ever, has to make seemingly impossible shots. "Matrix-like," Federer's moves defy physics and reason, inspiring awe in those who bear witness. Wallace coins these occasions 'Federer Moments.'

Can an aluminum fat bike actually feel good enough to want to ride it a lot? What would it take to make it rule?

Tire construction influences steering dynamics more ‘strongly’ as volume increases. You WON’T see this jump out from the numbers, and this phenomenon, which has pushed folks away from 650b wheels/tires, is not widely understood.

How often do products actually live up to their name? Meet Castelli’s Unlimited Puffy jacket.

Lake, the first company to build winter cycling boots, remains dedicated to building options that prioritize function, which drives their approach to fit. Lake delivers solutions that enable riders to enjoy their time riding bikes outside, even when they don’t have years of experience riding in the winter.