Bicycle Direct

Dreaming big for the future - Safiya Al-Sayegh's pathway to the Olympic Games

Emirati rider speaks on Paris 2024, her path to pro cycling, and paving the way for others

For Safiya Al-Sayegh (UAE Team ADQ), the 2024 season will mark the highlight of her cycling career so far as she is preparing to race in the Olympic Games road race in Paris.

Cyclingnews sat down with the 22-year-old Emirati to talk about her way into pro cycling, her goals for the future, and the development of women's cycling in the Middle East.

Even though she was not racing the UAE Tour Women herself, having made her season debut in the Australian races in January instead, Al-Sayegh was in high demand by local media and fans as she is the first Emirati women's cyclist to qualify for the Olympics. Sometimes, she has to dampen her compatriots' enthusiasm.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/dreaming-big-for-the-future-safiya-al-sayeghs-pathway-to-the-olympic-games/

UK Met Office issues fresh yellow warnings for southwest and eastern England

Flooding could occur as heavy rain arrives tonight and continues until Sunday afternoon, the Met Office has said. Train and bus services are likely to be delayed as journey times increase.

Large parts of England could face travel disruption and some flooding as heavy rain hits later today, the Met Office has said.

The forecaster has issued a yellow weather warning for rain which covers from Newcastle and its surrounding areas down to East Anglia, along England's east coast. This comes into force at 7pm, when persistent and at times heavy rain is due to begin.

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-weather-met-office-issues-fresh-yellow-warnings-for-southwest-and-eastern-england-13068033

What's your water bottle made of? Stanley tumblers aren't the only water bottles containing lead

We did the research on popular water bottle brands frequently found on cyclists’ bikes so you don’t have to

Although they definitely wouldn’t fit into a standard water bottle cage, the uber-popular Stanley thermoses are hard to miss at your local café or mid-ride watering hole, cradled in the hands of casual coffee shop-goers who are willing to shell out nearly $50 for one.

Cyclists are known to spend a hefty dollar on riding gear, though, so maybe we shouldn’t judge.

What we should judge is the fact that Stanley is now involved in a class-action lawsuit regarding the presence of lead in its famous tumblers.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/bottles-hydration/whats-your-water-bottle-made-of-stanley-tumblers-arent-the-only-water-bottles-containing-lead

Classified widens R36 and R50 wheelset rim widths to fit gravel tyres

Updated wheelsets continue to exclusively support Powershift hub system

Classified has launched updated carbon road wheels, the R36 and R50, to work exclusively with its own Powershift hub drivetrain system.

The wheels have modernised, wider rim profiles, with the outgoing R35 rims deepened by 1mm to make the R36. The R50 rims remain 50mm deep.

The new wheelsets are priced at €1,500 each. The necessary 142mm Powershift hub system must be bought separately, for €1,299.

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/classified-r36-r50-carbon-wheelsets

UK weather:

Maps of Britain turn dark purple as heavy snow set to hit country

Recent days has seen snow and ice hit parts of the UK as temperatures have tumbled below freezing with a Cold Health alert in place for all of England

UK weather maps have plunged dark purple with heavy snow set to hit after a Met Office warning.

With temperatures set to plunge as low as -9C, snow and ice have swept across huge parts of the UK in recent days. Even in parts of southern England snow has been falling, including in the capital, but the country is far from out of the woods.

Maps from WXCharts show that even in coming days and weeks, heavy snowfall could still return to the UK. For January 17, parts of the southwest of England, East Anglia, Midlands, parts of Wales and across the Irish Sea could all see possibly heavy snowfall.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-weather-maps-britain-turn-31840124

Best backpacks for cycling 2023: robust and durable rucksacks for commuting

The best backpacks for cycling help you carry your belongings, whether for commuting or leisure

The best commuter backpacks for cycling will let you carry your luggage when riding, whether you're using your bike to commute to work or for leisure. Whilst there are other choices available - such as bike panniers and handlebar bags - a specific cycling backpack is often the easiest option.

Whereas pannier bags require a specific rack which needs to be fixed to the bike, this simply isn't a consideration for backpacks, which allow you to easily swap between bikes of various designs.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/best-cycling-backpacks-21593

Met Office issues yellow warning for 70mph winds as blustery showers hit the country

More than 200 flood warnings and alerts have been issued for England

THE Met Office has issued a yellow warning for 70mph winds as blustery showers hit the country.

A yellow wind warning will cover Wales, Northern Ireland the Midlands and the south west from 9am until quarter to midnight tomorrow.

Winds of up to 70 mph are likely - with delays expected for road, rail, air and ferry journeys.

A rain warning has also been issued for parts of Northern Ireland from 6am until 7pm tomorrow, and for south west Scotland from 6pm tonight until 9pm tomorrow.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/24985781/uk-weather-britain-met-office/

Katie Archibald clinches Track Champions League title in London

Brits in form on final weekend as Archibald, Dylan Bibic, Harrie Lavreysen and Ellesse Andrews win overall leagues

Katie Archibald secured the overall women’s endurance title at the UCI Track Champions League on Saturday, on another rousing round for the Brits.

Having won every elimination race so far this series, the two-time Olympic gold medallist bowed out third in the event in round five, but still earned the league win by 15 points.

Her overall victory rounded off a commanding double-header weekend for the Brits, in which five different riders prevailed.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/katie-archibald-clinches-track-champions-league-title

Unbound Gravel destroyed my bike; a carbon repair shop gave it a second life

Frame damage isn't necessarily the end of the road for your carbon bike; carbon bike repair is possible

Unbound Gravel is known for its demanding nature. Challenging weather conditions, undulating terrain, a remote location and the infamous flint rocks — it's a true test of strength and endurance for rider and bike alike.

These epic conditions have been building the legend of Unbound for years, and the 2023 edition was no exception. Thunderstorms and downpours led to some horrendously muddy sections. But this wasn't regular mud. It was a sticky clay mixture that clogged bikes almost immediately, ripped off derailleurs, cracked frames and caused all-around carnage. This meant that a significant number of riders never reached the finish line.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/gravel/unbound-gravel-destroyed-my-bike-a-carbon-repair-shop-gave-it-a-second-life

UK Weather: Storm Babet Followed By New Met Office Warnings Of Flooding Risk After Days Of Dangerous Conditions

The Met Office has warned that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could cause a danger to life and that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads.

A new wave of heavy rain could bring flooding and disruption to much of London and southern England, according to a fresh Met Office weather warning.

The yellow alert, which will be in place between 6pm today and 10am tomorrow, urges the public to be aware of the risk of flooding.

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-weather-heavy-rain-to-fall-on-parts-of-the-country-days-after-storm-babet-left-at-least-seven-people-dead-12991389

Polarizing & Plush:

The Fox 32 TC Gravel Suspension Fork Reviewed

Undeniably fun and remarkably comfortable, the Fox 32 TC is a worthy upgrade for gravel cyclists who like to shred or are singletrack-curious
Fox has been making legendary suspension products since 1977.

Its products have been on countless podiums, and the brand is known for pushing the envelope of what is possible on a bicycle. In 2017, Fox released its first dedicated adventure fork, the 32 Step-Cast AX, which shares its DNA with the brand's XC mountain bike offerings.

This 2022-released Fox 32 TC is redesigned from the ground up, and the result is a lighter platform tuned specifically for gravel riding, allowing you the confidence to push your rides further. Plus, that reverse arch and Kashima-coated stanchions look amazing.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/polarizing-and-plush-the-fox-32-tc-gravel-suspension-fork-reviewed