A 'cool not cold' clothing system is a low-insulation setup by design. It relies on your metabolic output to stay viable. But what happens when that output drops to zero during a mechanical? I define the three pillars of a true stop layer - Accessibility, Structural Integrity, and Moisture Resilience - and explain why Climashield Apex is the superior choice for the 'recovery-to-dry' transition.

Winter cycling comfort isn't about 'having the right jacket'; it's about the dynamic management of heat-loss pathways. From the 'Boiler Phase' of moisture accumulation to the 'Convective Failure' of a porous sleeve, I map out a field framework to help riders identify thermoregulation boundaries. Learn to diagnose your system’s failure modes in real-time and restore continuity before the 'flash chill' sets in.

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.

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.

Cold feet prevent sleep. It doesn’t matter how warm the rest of your system is—if your feet are cold, you don’t relax. You toss, you turn, and you hope the sun comes up faster than it will.

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.

One weekend, two dirt races. BORCA’s Spring Chicken Enduro MTB race, and OBC’s Almonte Paris-Roubaix are the perfect pairing for weekend of racing bikes on dirt.

Do I really need to care how many people go into the first mud-chute? No, I don't. The final climb isn't my forte, but the preceding mud chutes and trail are, so my best strategy is to arrive at the entry to the first chute as fresh as possible and drill it from there.

The crushed gravel under my tires replaced hardened steel and creosote-marinated wood years ago. Today's remnant of an artery once vital to eastern Canada's transportation network recedes into the horizon ahead, cool, yet infernal wind pushing against every leeward, straining square millimeter of my body. This is bike racing. This is why I'm here. This hurts. I want to stop.

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

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.

It’s Monday morning, and I’m a wee bit hobbled. Yesterday was HARD; I’m wondering whether it was my hardest ride of 2021. I’ll go with yes, and feel tempted to say it was ‘epic,’ because I wasn’t sure I was going to make it home without calling a life-line until I was 10km from home.