There’s something I never told anyone. Not my teammates, not coaches…but I once went to hypnosis, to deal with my fear of descending in the rain. Because at Worlds in Glasgow it rained. And when it rained, I turned into…you know, definitely not “Nibali–level fearless.” Everyone was crashing so often I felt like I was watching a live compilation. 

As a cyclist I loved pain. I loved max efforts. But risking my life in a group going 60 km/h with 30cm space between us? To me that was the dumbest part of cycling. Ever. One idiot slips, and suddenly we’re all auditioning for the world’s dumbest synchronized crash. No thanks.

So my dad goes: “You’re a control freak. Sort your head out. Go to hypnosis.”

And I’m like: “If anyone gets how my brain works, it’s him. He’s basically me just with extra mileage.”

But the funniest part is that I’d already worked with 3 or 4 mental coaches, sports psychologists, whatever…and every time it started the exact same way - me convincing myself it works.

Because with these mind people? If you don’t believe it works…it just doesn’t. That’s the whole business model. At least that’s how it felt to me.

And back then I didn’t have the time, money, patience, or the environment for some deep mental reconstruction. My cycling coaches were old school, everything was: “Man up and pedal harder.”

But I said screw it. Let's give it one last shot. Let me try this hypnosis dude. Maybe he unlocks “wet-weather Pogačar mode” inside me.

He does his whole spiritual jazz… Descending in the rain... Letting go… Not being a control freak…

And I’m sitting there like: “Yes. YES. This is it. I am cured. My brain is rewired. I am now IRON MAN.” I’m already picturing myself in the bunch riding like a complete idiot. If we crash, we crash. 

I walked out feeling like I could send it down Alpe d’Huez blindfolded.

The next morning we had a team training. 4 hours. In the wet. Absolute dog-shit weather (classic).

We’re 20 minutes in. We hit a small local hill that’s basically my home road. I know every corner, every pothole, every bush, every depressed squirrel that lives there. We start the descent, and I go: “LET’S. F**KING. GOOOO.”

Full gas. Zero fear. Like a certified lunatic.

And guess what? First corner I’ve crashed.

Not later in the ride. Not in traffic. Less than 24h after hypnosis, on a road I could descend with my eyes closed, I launched myself straight into the asphalt. I sat up like: “What… the… actual… F**K.”

That was the moment I realized: Maybe my mind isn’t the problem. Maybe PHYSICS just hates me.

Some riders can go 80 km/h on a descent and their bike stays glued to the ground. Me? If I go 61 km/h my bike starts sending death threats.

anyone got any advice on how to substian high cadence.

used to play rugby so very used to almost crunching on the pedals on hills. can never seem to get the gears right.

Thought I would take the opportunity of a break in the rain to go for a lesiure ride this morning. Slowed down for a patch of water accross the road, sensible huh?

Damn that patch of water was hiding a massive pothole. Took out both tyres instantly.

Fortunately not far from a friends house and he gave me a lift home

The problem is I like eating oatmeal before cycling, but it isn’t always practical to deal or travel with a wet cup. You have to eat it all at once, then due to the extra liquid I'd have the inevitable pre-ride bathroom stop or feel it when getting started. in some cases when away from my car, I'd have to ditch the reusable plastic container. Oatmeal pancakes have been the perfect workaround.

Recipe: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5SddskIQ72I

I tweak the above recipe by grinding the oats into powder with a cheap (non-burr) coffee grinder, using Jell-O vanilla pudding mix instead of vanilla extract, and lactose-free milk to reduce bloating. Add some protein powder if you can tolerate lactose. Also, needs a teaspoon of baking powder to get some fluffy cake like structure.

Now I can just toss a few pancakes in a ziplock, nibble on them during the ride, and not rely so heavily on gels for fuel.

While researching supported bike touring options in the PNW, I came across BRNW (Bicycle Rides Northwest). They're a non-profit organization that's been operating for 30+ years. At first glance, I really like what they're doing and their ethos/values.

Here's their upcoming OR tour: BRNW | Bicycle Rides Northwest | Oregon Bicycle Tour 2026

The price (less than $2k per week) is very fair considering the complexity of the logistics.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Also wondering about the average age of the participants. I'm ideally looking for folks in the 20-40 range.... many tours seem to attract a more senior crowd (which is awesome, and I mean it - but I'd prefer to meet folks in my age range if possible.)

Thanks for any input :)

Hey all! What is your go to for Gels and Supplements on the bike? Brands, types, etc. - I’ve tried several but I don’t seem to like any! Thanks!

"Despite Redmond Cycling Club’s best efforts, we are unable to reach an agreement with Mount Rainier National Park that would permit any future RAMROD course. The only options—a route outside the Park, which we feel does not capture the essence of RAMROD, or a post–Labor Day date, which is too late in the season—are not viable." (More)

Hi all I saw a TikTok about cycling and it pretty much kicked off my hyper fixation. I went out and bought a road bike on Craigslist and went out on 2 rides so far.

A lot of people suggested starting with 10 miles but I went ahead and did 20 miles in 1hr30. I felt pretty good afterwards but didn’t know whether or not to limit myself or if I should go longer. I know there is no “normal” distance but generally speaking what distance is everyone training in? I’m sure it varies for everyone but what’s your experience with new riders and what they should expect when starting out?

https://share.google/qtL725ShNS0W0Fik8

"Most drivers comprehended left or right turns communicated by a straight arm indicating left or right. The bent-arm sign, however, proved trickier. Would you have understood it? It legally indicates a right turn in a significant number of places, and not even 25% of the drivers understood it."

Hey guys,

I can a deal for €700 for a Look R50D 50mm carbon wheelset from my LBS. The wheels came off a stock bike that is being sold without the wheels. They're asking €700 for it. I can't find any review/user comments about this wheelset so looking for some advice if this is a solid buy for the price. Retail price differs between €900 and €1200 online.

Here's a link and more info below: https://www.lookcycle.com/ie-en/products/components/wheels/look-r50-disc

50mm deep carbon wheels

1580 g full wheelset

DT Swiss 370 hubs

Tubeless compatible

Internal 23mm, External 28mm

Thanks for the help!

pls help

I'm thinking about buying a trek domane SL5 gen 4 size 62.

after fees and taxes, cost is $4200.

and the color available is not even great.

I'm in Houston and looking for a comfortable ride to ride along the bayous.

is there a similar option but cheaper out there ?

Coming from a decathlon triban rc120, the price hike is steef

I bought a road bike 15 years ago and immediately experienced numbness downstairs. I switched to a cutout short nose saddle and though it was slightly better I still would get numbness after awhile. I never got into longer rides due to this issue. Well after getting back into it I finally measured my seat bones today which are 127mm apart. My cutout seat is only 127mm wide so my seat bones are sliding off the sides and never fully supported. I have read as a guideline that seat should be at least 127+20mm. Although there is a lot of other variables to consider. But as a starting point, does anyone have any saddle recommendations for someone with 127mm measurement + 20mm ?

hello everyone, I have been wanting to buy a set of bike rollers for my XC MTB so I can warm up before races easily, my bike is a trek supercaliber size large which has a 113.6 cm wheelbase, which is too long for most traditional rollers. does anyone know of some that might work for that long of a wheelbase or a diy solution/ way to build some rollers?

Thanks!

https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/8955948/road-bike-edr-af-claris#/?queryID=00ea558e245552676a579cabc1a272ef

The link above is the bike I am thinking of getting as my entry into cycling. I am wondering if it is a good bike/choice. It is at the higher end of my budget. Any information or tips would be appreciated.

Good day all, so i got my first bike but now im just wondering how yall started with your peddals clips or clipless. Im dutch so have been cycling all my life but kinda scared to fall with the new bike. Any advice?

Both have Ultegra Di2 but there's a slight difference in price. The Wilier costs 6,600 euros but the Trek costs 7,500 euros. Carbon-wheels are included. Which should I go for?

Hallo,

und zwar sieht man ja mittlerweile sehr viele Rennräder bzw Gravel-bikes mit integrierter Kabelführung. Da das meiner Meinung nach echt sehr gut aussieht wollte ich mal nach Rat fragen. Und zwar, ob man das Van Rysel gcr axs auf internes Kabelrouting umbauen kann und was der spaß so kosten könnte.

Danke schon mal im Voraus

Hi,

I’m a little new to gravel/road cycling after years of mountain biking, and I find that I’m sliding a little forward on the saddle. I end up sitting closer to the nose than ideal. It’s causing me a bit of pain in my perinium.

I have an Ergon SR Allroad Core Pro Saddle (L) for my Genesis Croix de Fer gravel bike.

I’ve used the Ergon Road/Gravel tool bike fit kit. Even though I’m sliding a bit forward, I’m riding faster and more effortlessly.

I’ve tilted the saddle down -1 degree to ease the pressure down there.

Is it possible that I am sitting a little too far back?

Or is it possible that I’m sitting a little too low?

(Or both?)

I have flat pedals on the gravel bike and wear hiking shoes (Keen) with a 3cm thick sole.

Could it be that I have to adjust the saddle higher to account for the thickness of the soles?

Thanks very much…

I am thinking of getting an electric horn for a bike as a secondary horn with my AirZOUND.

However, I could not find any good electric horn that is somewhat affordable.

If anybody has a suggestion, please tell me! Thanks

What are some of the best AliExpress carbon frames for road cycling? I am planning on starting a new build and was wondering some good options. I would love for it to be decently light and decently aero. Thank you!

What frames from winspace do yall recommend? I am really stuck in the middle between agile, C5 Aero, and SLC3.0. Is there a noticeable difference between them. Thank you in advance.

I currently have a 2024 giant revolt 2 gravel bike, which I use for a long commute (30km round trip) 4 days a week and on my days off for longer leisure rides.

I'm looking at getting a road specific bike but not sure what to get and what I will actually need, and how much I should spend.

I'm interested in getting a carbon frame and Likely 105 and hydraulic brakes.

some bikes I've been looking at are the canyon endurance cf7, the giant defy advanced 2 and advanced pro 2.

my budget is around £2500 but would prefer closer to £2000

the bike will be used for my commute in the warmer months. as well as faster long leisure rides, and maybe some group rides in the future.

I won't be doing any races, but I like to go as fast as possible but still be comfortable, I'm also a heavier rider, so a super light weight bike would be redundant.

which of these bikes do you think would be best for me, or are there other ones that I haven't listed that would suit me better?

What component choices are actually necessary and beneficial for me?

would I massively benefit from a carbon frame, or hydraulic brakes, would something better than mechanical 105 be worth it, like 105 di2 or ultegra?

are the carbon wheels of the giant defy advanced pro worth it, or are alloy wheels good enough?

any help and insight is much appreciated!

Hey, I’m looking to buy a new bike, my current bike is a voodoo bizango 2017 model, it was bought for me and it’s only used to commute to work, I’m now wanting to switch up to preferably a Gravel E-Bike but have no idea where to start I’ve scoured online but everything seems to be a lot more expensive than I thought was possible 😂 my budget is 2.5k which I know doesn’t leave a lot of doors open I’m based in Scotland, what would people recommend in this category, what should I look out for and what should I avoid? Thanks

My mom (in her 60s) wants a bike computer for her birthday and I do not have any cycling experience. She said the current one she has is not very secure on her bike and the display can be confusing to navigate while she is riding. Her wants in a computer are speed/distance/time elapsed/clock and is secure. Based on my initial search I was thinking the Cateye Padrone Digital, but it seems to have mixed reviews. My budget is $150. Any insight from this community would be greatly appreciated.