If you like being outside and exploring in nature, we know the state for you: Arkansas. We sent the Arkansas Field Team on a mission to explore the best of The Natural State. Mission accomplished. Check out Devil’s Den State Park, and see what you can discover where adventure never ends.

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism protects and promotes the state鈥檚 natural, cultural, and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. The Division of Arkansas Tourism strives to expand the economic impact of travel and tourism in the state and enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans. The division manages 14 Arkansas Welcome Centers and employs more than 60 staff members across the Natural State. Learn more at听.

The post The Arkansas 国产吃瓜黑料 Series: Devil’s Den State Park appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Our gear editors and contributors have one of the best jobs in the world (we think). We get to be the first to try the latest and greatest in outdoor equipment and apparel, and our bosses don鈥檛 bat an eye when we set our Slack status to 鈥渙ut for a run鈥� or 鈥済one camping鈥� and disappear for a while to go test gear in the field.

As rad as this gear testing gig is, it can also be overwhelming. On any given day, we have boxes of shoes, backpacks, camp cookware, technical apparel, and more (much, much more) stacking up on our desks and in our closets. Not all the gear we test is worth writing about. But every few weeks, there are at least a handful of gadgets and toys that truly surprise and delight our experienced and discerning testers. From running and bike shoes to travel luggage to apparel every outdoor enthusiast should own, here鈥檚 the best gear we tested this month.

Gear We Tested and Love – June

Arc’teryx Granville 25

To hike a coastal trail in Japan this June, I needed a pack that would look discreet on planes and public transit but could perform in wet and humid conditions. (I could only bring a carry-on and personal item, and I didn’t want to look like a dork in Tokyo.) The Arc’teryx Granville 25 ended up being the perfect companion.

My Japanese guide approved of the sleek aesthetics. Functionally, the top flap kept everything contained and streamlined鈥攑erfect for sliding under an airplane seat or tucking between my knees on a train. I kept my wallet and passport hidden but still easily accessible in the water-tight outer pocket that secures under the lid. The exterior is made from a highly durable nylon ripstop that didn’t snag on branches in the forest and was easy to wipe clean when I accidentally squashed a couple bugs. It only sprinkled on us once during our 10 days on the train, but I never worried that my stuff would get wet.

Even though it’s quite heavy for a daypack (30.5 ounces) and I weighed it down further with a bento box full of convenience store candies and too many layers, the padded shoulder straps didn’t dig in and the AeroForm backpanel kept my back cool despite 70-degree temps and high humidity. A guy in the Seattle airport lounge said the pack made me look fancy. Little did he know that I had sweat all over it. I won’t be taking it on day hikes in the Pacific Northwest this summer because it’s a little too streetwear forward, but for trips that take me into urban and forested environments, it’ll be my first pick. 鈥擜melia Arvesen, 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor

Teva Aventrail

I鈥檝e been putting in a lot of miles on the trail this summer, and the Aventrail has become my favorite pair of trail runners. Teva is all in on max cushion right now, and the Aventrail is plush, while still being springy. I really liked the Velcro-strap tensioning system, and the mesh upper breathes well and dries fast.

The shoe has a lot of cushion underfoot, which is off-putting to some, but I鈥檝e felt perfectly stable while running over some really technical rock and root gardens. Need more proof? Pro runner Michael Wardian wore this shoe while thru-running the Appalachian Trail last fall, and that path is known for its technical terrain. One thing to note: the Aventrail has a relatively narrow toe box compared to many modern trail runners. It doesn鈥檛 bother me, but I know some have grown accustomed to more spacious kicks. 鈥擥raham Averill, gear and travel columnist

Yeti Rambler One Gallon Jug听

As a gear editor, I’m drowning in fancy vacuum-insulated vessels these days. Truly, I didn’t think I’d ever get excited about seeing a glorified Thermos ever again. The Ramble One Gallon Jug has proven to be an impressive party trick, however. It’s got all the same ruggedness and temperature retention as the brand’s other products, just supersized with some clever design. It was big enough to hold enough coffee to caffeinate a group of 16 on a recent early-morning birding adventure. It’s also handy if you want to prepare stew or chili for a crowd before heading to a campground without ever lighting the camp stove. The magnetic screw cap is a smart move for someone prone to losing small pieces of gear, and the overengineered handle makes hauling a gallon of fluids surprisingly painless. 鈥擝enjamin Tepler, senior gear editor

Related: Get Yeti gear on sale during REI’s 4th of July deals

The North Face Wawona 6 Tent

My husband and I did something brave this month: We took our 2-year-old and 9-month old camping for the first time. We survived this first family car camping trip mostly thanks to the Wawona 6-person tent. The 86-square-foot tent proved big enough to fit our Exped Megamat sleeping pad, another single sleeping pad for our toddler, and a regular-sized pack-n-play for our baby. The massive 45-square-foot front vestibule fit a family鈥檚 worth of gear鈥攁 backpack carrier, two duffels, and a camp chair鈥攁nd served as our little lounge during an evening rain storm.

Besides the generous interior (and 76-inch peak height that let us walk and stand freely within the tent), my favorite feature of this tent was all the interior pockets, especially those integrated on the rear door. These were so handy for keeping diapers, wipes, extra pacifiers, and kid books handy but out of the way. Make no mistake, this tent is huge, so you need a good-size campspot for it and two people to pitch it efficiently. But it鈥檚 an amazing tent for families who head out into the wild even when you鈥檝e got two under two and there鈥檚 rain in the forecast. 鈥�Jenny Wiegand, 国产吃瓜黑料 associate gear director听

Altra Experience Flow 2 Running Shoes

Turns out I鈥檝e been running wrong my entire life. My stride was too far forward so I was using my legs to pull me along the dirt or pavement. That killed my hip flexors and shins and left me sidelined for weeks. But with input from my local physical therapist I鈥檓 in the process of correcting things and have found that the Flow 2 are a useful tool. Thanks to a low 4mm heel drop and slight rocker, the shoes are perfectly designed to help me toe-off on each stride, which is the motion I need in order to push (instead of pull) through each step. The extra-wide toe box that the company is known for adds extra comfort in this push-off motion and also helps me feel more balanced as I land in my mid-foot area. The Flow 2s aren鈥檛 the cushiest shoes on the market but they鈥檙e still a solid all-around training shoe and stable enough for speed work. 鈥擩akob Schiller, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear tester and contributor

Yeti 14-Liter Tote Bag

Sometimes a cooler is overkill, but a paper bag isn鈥檛 enough, which is why Yeti launched this insulated tote bag. At 14 liters it鈥檒l hold enough lunch, snacks, and drinks for a full family picnic and has a light layer of insulation that keeps things cold for at least five or six hours. My wife recently took this as the snack bag for a road trip with her friends, and then a week later I packed it with ice and used it to keep drinks cold during an outdoor track meet. Like all things Yeti, the details all line up. A magnet in the lid ensures the top snaps closed, it鈥檚 made from indestructible nylon, and the Yeti ice blocks fit perfectly inside.

No Reception Club The Sidekick

I鈥檓 a huge fan of cross-body bags over purses and totes for daily errands and for traveling. I used to wear a minimalist, 1-liter bag that was just big enough to fit my keys, wallet, and cell phone. But that was before I had two kids. Now I need something bigger, but I still like to travel light. Enter The Sidekick. This 3-liter cross-body bag is big enough to fit all of my essentials plus emergency snacks, a spare diaper for each of my kids, and hand sanitizer. It also comes with a sleek, foldable changing mat that also fits snugly in the main zippered compartment. My favorite feature, though, is the separate back pocket with a magnetic closure specifically designed to store a pack of wipes. It makes cleaning up messes and sticky hands on the go so easy. Ten out of ten would recommend to all parents (and even non-parents). 鈥擩.奥.

686 Everywhere Hybrid Short

Warmer temps, including a few heat waves, have had me wearing primarily shorts and this pair from 686 is my go-to. The cut, stretch, and durable material make them great for just about any activity outside鈥擨鈥檝e hiked, biked, climbed, paddled, and done marathon yardwork sessions in these. They shrug off light precipitation while handling abrasive rock scooting and bushwacking through scrub oak as if made of kevlar.

Not only are they great for playing outdoors, they easily double as urban wear thanks to rear zip and side leg pockets (all RFID blocking), and a design aimed at organizing all of your EDC essentials. Between activities, simply brush the shorts off, or do a quick wipe with a wet cloth, and it鈥檒l look like you just put on a fresh pair. 鈥�Adam Trenkamp, 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab Test Editor

Giro Gritter Mountain Bike Shoes听

Gear We Tested and Loved – May

Rab Cubit Stretch Down Jacket

听

This is the puffy I have been looking for my whole life. I started testing it out in February, and it quickly became my go-to spring skiing layer. Warm and wind-resistant, it鈥檚 the perfect piece to wear听on a breezy summit, yet it鈥檚 packable enough to live in my pack for the rest of the day.

Now it’s become the perfect layer for shoulder season. I’ve worn it on chilly evenings camping in the Tetons, dinner dates in Chamonix, and thrown it on while pedaling to the market for groceries. This puffy is not a seasonal layer鈥攊t will be living at the front of my closet all year long. 鈥擫ily Ritter, 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor听

Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine听

Real espresso heads will probably laugh at me for owning this machine since it鈥檚 totally automated. Like all bespoke things, I鈥檓 assuming that if you want top-shelf espresso, you have to be more involved. However, I know what a good cappuccino, flat white, or cortado tastes like after sampling these drinks across the world for the past several decades, and the Touch Impress delivers brews that are 90 percent as good as the best I鈥檝e tried. In fact, the coffee I can make with this machine is so good I鈥檝e given up on going to coffee shops in favor of just making my own espresso drinks. We buy high-quality beans and make sure the water is filtered, but otherwise, the machine does all the work. 鈥擩akob Schiller, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear columnist

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller听& Convertible Travel Bag 40L听

Before using these two Topo Designs bags, I was a disheveled traveler. But with this matching backpack and roller set, you’ll never again find me rifling through my bags in the middle of the terminal. The soft-sided roller has one large compartment that fits even the most overstuffed , a zippered panel serves as a dirty laundry deposit, and two mesh pockets organize socks and undies. A bar between the wheels makes it easy to grab听from the overhead bins without bonking anyone.

I use the backpack as overflow, stowing extra layers and travel mementos that don’t fit in the carry-on. The laptop sleeve is inconspicuous but easy to access, and the numerous internal and external pockets keep my essentials鈥攚allet, Airpods, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and snacks鈥攆rom sinking to the bottom. Straps secure the backpack to the roller bag’s handle, giving my shoulders a break while waiting in long airport lines. One ding: The roller exceeds some international luggage dimensions; I was asked to check it on a flight to Qu茅bec. 鈥擜melia Arvesen, 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor听

Early Rider Super Velio Bike

On the eve of my son’s second birthday, I bought him a used Strider bike from our local second-hand gear store. I was so excited to get him on a bike this summer I was crushed when I realized he was still too little to use it. The Strider proved too big, heavy, and unwieldy for his still-developing motor skills. Then this thing showed up on my doorstep for testing. The Early Rider Super Velio looks like something straight out of Tron, which is probably one reason why my son instantly gravitated towards it. But the main reason he likes it is because he can actually use it鈥攂y himself.

The Super Velio is specifically designed for toddlers under two (and even babies as young as 8 months, depending on how tall and coordinated they are) to use before they get on a balance bike like a Strider. Though my kiddo is technically above the recommended age limit, he’s a little guy (2’11”), and the Super Velio is a good size for him. Its magnesium frame is light enough for him to handle, the seat is low to the ground so his short legs can reach comfortably, and the massive, spherical wheels (balls?) increase stability so my timid little guy isn’t afraid of tipping over.

The brand’s ABC (Active Balance Control) steering system also purportedly helps reduce wobbles and actively guides the wheels to help the bike stay upright; this system is adjustable via an allen key above the back wheel鈥攜ou can add tension to the rear wheel to make the bike less responsive to wobbles, or reduce tension to make the bike more responsive once kiddos get better at handling the bike. My son is still figuring this training bike out, and at this point, he prefers sitting on it while I push him via the tiller that attaches to the back. It’s yet to be determined whether the Super Velio will help my kiddo ride independently sooner than a traditional balance bike, but because he’s still too little for a Strider, it’s definitely giving him earlier opportunities to practice on a two-wheeled bike.听鈥擩enny Wiegand, 国产吃瓜黑料 associate gear director

Mountain Hardwear Butter Up Hoody

Breathable and stretchy, this sun hoody has become my go-to for long ski tours, springtime mountain bike rides, and muddy trail runs. The jersey knit fabric feels as soft as my favorite pajamas, and the hood has the perfect amount of stretch鈥擨 can pull it over a helmet while skiing, but it also sits comfortably over a hat while hiking. The scuba hood design adds a little extra protection from the sun, making it ideal for warm days on the water. I typically go for merino base layers (which manage body odor) for multi-day trips, but I was surprised that this one never stunk, even after wearing it for four days in a row on a glacier this spring. 鈥擫.搁.

Topo ST-5 Running Shoes

These are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. The soft, flexible upper hugs my foot from heel to ball like a second skin, while the toe box is roomy and airy, with plenty of space for splay, even when wearing . Underfoot, a half-inch, zero-drop layer of firmly bouncy Zipfoam allows me to feel and interact with the ground without getting bruised by it. The Topo ST-5 has become my default casual shoe, especially when traveling (like I did several times in May); they kept me feeling balanced and nimble while walking for miles on sidewalks and stairs, standing for hours, and running short distances. Their clean styling and subdued colors (I have both a black and a grey pair) let me wear them anywhere, from a run to a restaurant, without feeling out of place. And my podiatrist friends tell me that they are , too. 鈥擩onathan Beverly, 国产吃瓜黑料 senior gear editor

Rab Protium 20L Day Pack

I鈥檝e been testing out a lot of hiking gear recently, which means I鈥檝e been putting a lot of miles on the trail. The Protium is the pack that I keep coming back to for most of my day hikes. It鈥檚 relatively light weight (just over 2 pounds, empty), but is loaded with user-friendly features, like a shoulder harness that can be adjusted to your specific torso, and easy-access stash pockets all over the outside of the pack鈥攖wo on the hips, two for water bottles, and one large expandable mesh pocket on the back. I like to keep my snacks and rain jacket handy, so these pockets have been clutch.

I鈥檓 not a trekking pole devotee, but there鈥檚 an attachment point for those too. The terrain here in the Southern Appalachians is steep, and there are plenty of opportunities for hand-over-hand scrambling. The Protium shines in these situations as it fits snug to my back, eliminating any sway or bounce when I鈥檓 moving fast or handling technical terrain. It even comes with a built-in rain cover, which has proven handy since spring in the Southern Appalachians means daily rain showers. 鈥�Graham Averill, 国产吃瓜黑料 travel and gear columnist听

LIVSN x Gnara Ecotrek Overalls

In general, I’m a huge fan of overalls鈥攖hey’re comfy, practical, and moderately cute, and most have tons of pockets for snacks, drywall nails, gardening shears, and cool rocks. The only thing I don’t like? Having to get basically naked to pee. Enter the which have a hidden central zipper. The product of a collab between outdoor lifestyle brand LIVSN and women’s pants brand Gnara (a pee-zip pioneer), these things have quickly become my daily drivers (in fact, I’m wearing them as I write this.)

The central pee zip goes from front waistband to tailbone, making it easy to squat and go without baring your booty to other trail users. And the durable, water-repellent, quick-dry fabric has thus far shrugged off light snowfall, summer squalls, poison ivy, and even thorny underbrush. I use them for everything from yardwork to setting at my local gym to hiking in the foothills around Boulder, Colorado. They’re a little pricey at $229, but I expect them to outlive me. And if time is money, then just count up the minutes I’ve saved by not having to disrobe entirely for pee breaks and they’ve already paid for themselves. 鈥擟orey Buhay, interim 国产吃瓜黑料 managing editor

Giro Imperial II Road Cycling Shoe

After three consecutive seasons of solely using mountain bike shoes, I’m back to road cycling shoes. The reason? The BOA Li2 closure system has made the lightweight (220 grams) Giro Imperial II road cycling shoes my new go-to bike shoes. The Li2 has solved many of the gripes that I formerly had with BOA’s innovative dial-and-cable closure systems鈥攕pecifically that they could not hold up to my daily use (and abuse). I ride hard, and due to my narrow foot, I tend to crank down my shoe laces or buckles or BOA dials to their maximum for every ride.

After more than a month of daily riding, the Li2 system’s alloy dial and CS1 lace have not slipped or stretched. I am also impressed with the Li2’s dual-direction micro-adjustability, which allows me to wrench down the fit for climbs, and then back off a few clicks for descents. And finally, the low-profile dials don’t get caught on my leg warmers or overshoes, which makes it easy to adjust these layers when riding. You can find BOA鈥檚 new Li2 on a growing number of cycling shoes: Specialized S-Works Ares II, Fizik Vega Carbon 2 and Vento Carbon 2, and Shimano S-Phyre RC902. 鈥擣rederick Dreir, 国产吃瓜黑料 articles editor

Halfdays Ynes Longsleeve Top听

In the eight years that I鈥檝e been testing gear for a living, I鈥檝e only come across a handful of clothing pieces that are true standouts in the wide-reaching and crowded apparel category. The Halfdays Ynes Longsleeve Top is one of these. I鈥檝e worn it at least 20 days this month because it鈥檚 now the most comfortable, versatile, and stylish shirt in my closet. This top, made from 87 percent recycled polyester, 11 percent Tencel, and 2 percent spandex, feels like butter next to skin, is ultra-stretchy, and is so lightweight and breathable that I can comfortably wear it on hikes in 80-degree temps even when I have my built-in furnace attached to me (aka, my 8-month-old daughter).

I鈥檓 also obsessed with ruched fabric and the mock neck cut that provides additional protection from the sun and makes this technical layer stylish enough for a night out on the town. Like other synthetic tops, the Ynes does tend to hold on to odors; but despite the delicate-feeling fabric, it has held up surprisingly well to extensive wear and five machine washes. 鈥擩.奥.听

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The post The Best Gear and Equipment We Tested This Month (June) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Trying to pick a new bike helmet when there are hundreds of options can be a daunting task. And while all bike helmets鈥攊ncluding road, gravel, and mountain biking鈥攈ave to meet the same safety standards, that doesn鈥檛 mean all helmets are created equal. Beyond type, there are multiple factors to consider to determine what your next purchase might look like: fit, ventilation, weight, and comfort are just a few.

Our testers put the latest helmets through the wringer to determine the best options. Whether you’re a roadie, you relish grinding gears in the gravel scene, you eschew those for the lure of single track, or you prefer the thrill of machine-sculpted berms and big air, these are the best bike helmets to protect the delicate gray matter between your ears.

At a Glance

Mountain Bike Helmets

• Best for Protection:听
• Best Three-Quarter Coverage:
• Best Convertible:
• Best Lightweight Full Face:
• Best Carbon Full Face:

Road/Gravel/XC Helmets

• Best Fit:
• Most Stylish:
• Best on a Budget:
• Best High-End Option:
• Buying Advice
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Mountain Bike Helmet for Protection

Specialized Tactic

Weight: 380 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揕

Pros and Cons
鈯� 5-Star Virginia Tech safety rating
鈯� Price
鈯� Struggled to get a tight fit

This is a super affordable lightweight helmet that meets the strictest safety certifications for this category: It has the highest Virginia Tech safety rating (five stars) for half-shell mountain bike helmets. In addition to a fixed visor and eyewear storage, the Specialized Tactic features Mips Evolve, an integrated fit system for precise adjustments.

We did find the fit system (which is designed to accommodate variations in head shape/occipital base) functional, but our tester felt like it was a 鈥渓ooser fit鈥� than they prefer, which they couldn鈥檛 remedy. Overall the helmet was comfortable with good airflow, and if safety is your priority, this is a super solid option to keep you safe while shredding singletrack.

Best听Three-Quarter Coverage Mountain Bike Helmet

Bluegrass Jetro 3/4

Weight: 595 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揕

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extended back head and jaw coverage
鈯� Competitive price tag
鈯� Runs a little small and tight
鈯� Ventilation slightly lacking

The Bluegrass Jetro 戮 mountain bike helmet is a great solution for when you want extra protection without adding a chin guard. This distinctive looking, extended coverage half-shell received a 5-star rating from Virginia Tech and is certified for e-bike use (NTA 8776, the Dutch standard that requires helmets to pass specific impact tests).

The helmet features MIPS-C2 (a more advanced variation of Mips that provides rotational impact protection with a redesigned slip plane to redirect rotational energy away from the head in event of an impact), a Fidlock magnetic buckle, a breakaway visor, an internal adjustable cage for a dialed fit, and 21 vents for increased airflow.

Testers appreciated the range of features and safety components of this helmet, but did note it was a little tight and runs a bit hot when pedaling. All in all, it’s the right choice for those seeking extended coverage without the claustrophobia of a chin bar.

Best Convertible Mountain Bike Helmet

Bell Super DH Spherical

Weight: 878 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揕

Pros and Cons
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 bounce around
鈯� Removable chin bar
鈯� Robust safety features
鈯� Runs a little hot with chinbar affixed
鈯� A tad heavy

Tis convertible helmet is a mighty competitor in a stacked field of high-protection, full face helmets. It utilizes a polycarbonate shell with multiple layers of EPS foam featuring Spherical Technology (a ball-and-socket design that helps redirect impact forces away from the brain), an adjustable visor, a dial adjustment system, and a removable chin bar. The helmet retains the ATSM F-1952 downhill certification (the highest American rating safety certification standard available), and was our testers’ top-pick convertible helmet based on safety and comfort.

While it runs a little hot (it is DH-rated, meaning it offers more robust protection at higher speeds), the ability to remove the chin bar for climbs is an often underrated feature that comes in handy for those of us who like to earn our descents. 鈥淭his is a convertible helmet that inspires confidence on the descents while allowing for comfort on the climbs,鈥� said Oregon-based tester Annick Chalier.

Best Lightweight Full Face

Fox Proframe RS

Weight: 836 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揕

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent ventilation and air flow
鈯� Super adjustable fit and stability when riding
鈯� Compatibility with variety of eyewear
鈯� Expensive

This lightweight, breathable, full-coverage helmet checks all the boxes when it comes to protection and versatility. Featuring Mips Integra Split (a variation of Mips that offers the same rotational protection technology, placed between an EPS and EPP foam) for low- and high-speed impact protection, an adjustable visor, a BOA fit system for tightening, and generous venting, the Proframe RS is our testers鈥� top-pick enduro racing helmet on the market.

While it is slightly heavier than similar options, it offers outstanding ventilation with a more protective and secure feel when going warp ten, thanks to the BOA fit system that includes an internal adjustable cradle. That cradle allows the rider to adjust the helmet to fit higher or lower on the head, as well as a BOA dial to fine-tune adjust once on. The Proframe RS is not inexpensive, but it鈥檚 worth the hefty price tag to keep your noggin safe on those rowdy single-track trails.

Best Carbon Full Face

Sweet Protection Fixer 2Vi Carbon

Weight: 1104 g
Size Range: 齿厂鈥揦尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Snug but spacious fit
鈯� Wide field of vision
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Runs a little small

The recently released Sweet Protection Fixer 2Vi is our choice for your most extreme mountain bike riding where more robust materials and a more secure fit are key. It鈥檚 鈥渇ixed鈥� with a two-layer safety system developed in conjunction with Mips for increased performance and comfort, multi-density EPS impact shields, break away visor, ample venting, double D-ring buckle, and the appropriate safety certifications.

This helmet comes in five sizes to offer a tailored fit, along with a very roomy goggle port for a less claustrophobic feel. While I normally wear a size small in most helmet brands, I tested the size medium Fixer 2Vi and it was still a snug fit. I would recommend sizing up if you are unable to try the helmet on.

The Fixer 2Vi is slightly lighter than competitors thanks to use of a carbon shell, but that comes with a higher price point. If you are looking for solid protection and comfort, and money is no object, this helmet is worth a go.

Best Fit Road/Gravel Helmet

Smith Triad Mips

Weight: 290 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揦尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfortable, deep profile fit
鈯� Competitively priced
鈯� Available with Aleck Crash Sensor
鈯� Integrates best with Smith brand eyewear
鈯� Best for round heads

The Smith Triad is my go-to helmet for solo gravel adventures. Some of its standout features are a combination of Mips technology and for energy-absorbing impact and rotational forces protection, 19 fixed vents, dial fit adjustment, and the option of purchasing with or without a crash sensor. The fit of this helmet was superb thanks to the VaporFit system, which allows for micro adjustments (the tester with a more round, less oval-shaped head preferred the Triad).

Testers liked that its high level of comfort and the added safety of the Aleck Crash Detection Sensor, which is a worthwhile add-on () that sends alerts to emergency contacts in the event of a crash. It sets up and connects via Bluetooth to the Aleck phone app. The helmet is lightweight and airy with ample ventilation for hot days, and the deep profile fit gave it an edge up in rider confidence in more challenging terrain.

Most Stylish Road/Gravel Helmet

POC Ventral Air Mips

Weight: 260 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揕

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent ventilation
鈯� Super lightweight
鈯� Unique and stylish
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Shallow fit

The POC Ventral Air Mips is a boldly designed lightweight riding helmet that provides a highly adjustable 360-degree fit system. Testers found the fit was suitable for a variety of head shapes. The helmet features Mips Integra, a fully wrapped unibody polycarbonate shell with EPS liner, an 鈥渆ye garage鈥� to securely store sunglasses, and precisely placed ventilation ports with internal channels to control air intake and release. Fancy, huh?

While this helmet is expensive, it does come in a wide range of colors and options such as wide fit (for rounder shaped heads) and comes with Near Field Communication (NFC), a medical ID device designed to communicate with other devices or systems. This helmet excels on hot days, offers the protection you need, and will have your friends hankering.

Best Road/Gravel Helmet on a Budget

Lazer Strada Kineticore

Weight: 290 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揦尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Affordable
鈯� Optional LED easily affixes to helmet
鈯� 5-Star Virginia Tech safety rating
鈯� Adjustment system can be finicky

This budget pick cycling helmet hits all the marks in comfort and performance, including that coveted 5-star Virginia Tech safety rating, without a heft price tag. The helmet offers a variation of Mips style rotational impact protection called Kineticore, along with Lazer鈥檚 ScrollSys fit adjustment system, ample venting, and an optional ULED light that affixes to the back.

The ScrollSys provides a solid and secure fit, although it is unique and a little finicky, as it utilizes a dial on the top of the helmet, unlike the clickwheels located on the nape of the neck of most helmets. Testers agreed this is a very reasonably priced helmet with decent performance and top-notch safety features鈥攁 lightweight, stylish, safety-oriented helmet that will not break the bank.

Best High-End Road/Gravel Helmet

Kask Protone Icon

Weight: 230 g
Size Range: 厂鈥揕

Pros and Cons
鈯� Aerodynamic look and feel
鈯� Excellent air flow in all conditions
鈯� Internal adjustment system loosened up on rides
鈯� Helmet padding felt a little scratchy

The “Made in Italy” label is synonymous with quality craftsmanship and luxurious design, which is no better exemplified in the helmet world than by Kask. And if Tom Pidcock can win an Olympic gold in a Kask helmet, then maybe you can, too?

The Protone Icon is a longstanding favorite among roadies. This is a high-end aero helmet equipped with a rubber dial adjuster to tighten the fit, Rotational Impact WG11 Tested (an effective alternative to Mips), CoolMax quick-drying internal liner (made of polyester fibers and designed to be moisture-wicking), and ample venting.

While it’s a pretty hefty investment, the helmet lives up to the hype and excels in lightness, breathability, and safety. The only issues testers ran into were with the fit system, which loosened up on bumpy descents, and the interior fabric, which was a bit scratchy for some, but overall we’re content with the comfort鈥攁nd its truly excellent its air flow.

Bike Helmet Buying Advice

Buy New

Rule number one when buying a new bike helmet? Don鈥檛 buy used, no matter how 鈥渓ightly-used鈥� the previous owner is claiming it to be. You just never know if one minor crash or hit to the pavement compromised the helmet to the point where it鈥檚 not safe to wear anymore.

Consider Use Case and Features

Consider the type of terrain you鈥檒l be biking on to help you prioritize which features you need. Will you be doing a lot of uphill? Make sure your helmet of choice has enough ventilation; one trend we’re fans of is the use of internal channeling to promote airflow. Other premium features to look for: a compatible spot to hold your eyewear when not in use, and a magnetic buckle. If you鈥檙e planning to bomb laps at the bike park, you might want to opt for a full-face helmet. If you鈥檙e still not sure which type and fit is the best for you, head to your local bike shop and they鈥檒l point you in the right direction.

Full-face helmets are ideal for bike parks or more technical riding and racing with higher riding speeds鈥攚hich mean more severe consequences if you crash and land on your face. A full-face includes a built-in chin bar that offers protection to your nose and mouth (teeth) that 戮 and half-shell helmets do not. A 戮 helmet is like a full-face helmet but without the chin guard. It covers 戮 of the head and offers added protection around the head and jaw as compared to a half-shell design. The 戮 design is beneficial for anyone who wants a little added protection with a wide field of view thanks to the open-face. Half-shell helmets are the most popular style for mountain biking, and the only helmet type you will see in road and gravel cycling.

Budget vs. Safety Considerations

How much is your head worth? At first glance, a two-hundred-dollar price tag might seem excessive, but once you’re riding regularly, you鈥檒l realize a quality helmet is worth every penny.

Across all categories (road, gravel, and mountain biking), we primarily considered fully-featured helmets that come with industry-leading protection technology, such as Mips. Many modern helmets use a rotational impact reduction system like Mips to dissipate the forces applied to the rider鈥檚 head during a crash. We believe that helmets featuring Mips or comparable impact protection, while pricier, are a worthy investment because they tend to offer better protection in the event of a crash.

If you see a Virginia Tech rating, that’s a reference to Virginia Tech鈥檚 state-of-the-art, independent testing lab. They have been testing helmets since 2011 using a consistent testing protocol to produce a single score (i.e. safety rating) that is proportional to overall risk of concussion during cycling.

What Are Aerodynamic (Aka 鈥淎ero鈥�) Helmets?

Modern cycling helmets come in two general categories: traditional multi-vent designs and more optimized aerodynamic options. Traditional shells provide many vents to promote heat dissipation and a low weight. Aero helmets emphasize aerodynamic properties, often with minimal ventilation. While the aero designs are becoming more mainstream, they still remain a subcategory to lightweight, breathable, high-performance lids.

Sizing and Fit

Consider your head shape when looking for a helmet and try before you buy. Most helmets are designed with either an oval or a round shell. Your local bike shop will have a selection available and a knowledgeable staff to help point you in the right direction.

How We Test

• Number of products tested: 9
• Number of Testers: 3

Helmets were selected with input from Pinkbike staff, three testers, and industry colleagues. Testing was mostly done in the vicinity of Hood River, Oregon, from late summer through the fall months of 2024, with some long-term testing input pulled from Pinkbike staff feedback. All the testers are accomplished mountain bikers who spend a lot of time in the saddle riding, coaching, or racing.

The main trails where we tested helmets in Hood River were located in the iconic Post Canyon network, just on the outskirts of town. Post Canyon offers a vast network of forested trails that drop 3,000 vertical feet from top to bottom, with a mix of jumps, drops, berms, and rocks. We also tested on the 44 Trails system, located on the flanks of Mount Hood some 45 minutes south of town as well as in the infamous Gifford Pinchot National Forest (which hosted multiple editions of the Transcascadia Enduro race) just across the Columbia River and an hour north.

Fall is the perfect time for testing in the Pacific Northwest, as the dry summer heat fades away and the fall rain makes for some epic trail conditions. We encountered a variety of temperatures, from below freezing to uncomfortably sunny and hot.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Nikki Rohan has been mountain biking for close to 20 years, and testing mountain biking gear for Pinkbike for almost a decade. She resides in Hood River, Oregon, with her husband, three kids, two dogs, and a grumpy cat. She spent a chunk of time competing in the pro women category in enduro races in the PNW, as well as events like Trans BC, Trans Provence, Downieville Classic, Grinduro and the occasional CX or gravel race. When she is not working, cooking, or parenting, you will find her on the local trails or exploring the endless forest roads.

is a longtime Pacific Northwesterner. She has a passion for all things cycling and has been a mountain bike coach, raced road bikes professionally, raced cyclocross and dabbled in some endurance mountain bike racing. Through the years of training for racing, mountain biking always remained the counterbalance to the structured intervals, a way to be creative and connect with nature, dance down the trail hootin鈥� and hollerin鈥� with friends and find distance from the outside world by being focused on the moment with the bike.

Justin Fernandes has been riding mountain bikes since the mid 1990s, racing Enduro and downhill since the early 2000s.听 He loves riding alpine backcountry in the fall, building free ride lines in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, and doing ride trips with family and friends. He calls Hood River home where he works as a senior software engineer and resides with his wife, two kids, and rescue dog.

The post The Absolute Best Bike Helmets for Every Type of Ride appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Back when , I prepared myself to answer the same question whenever I encountered a fellow American bike nerd.

What’s your favorite bike race?

Most people assumed that I’d say the Tour de France. But my answer was always the same: the .

That’s right, Belgium’s Tour of Flanders, which will commence this Sunday, April 6, is cycling’s best race. It’s my favorite race to watch on TV and to attend in person.

Unlike the three-week Tour de France, the Tour of Flanders is just one day. It is one of the sport’s five so-called Monument races, which is a title reserved for road cycling’s oldest and hardest one-day events. These events鈥擬ilano-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and Il Lombardia鈥攁ll boast courses that are 150 miles or longer.

The racing at the Tour of Flanders is breakneck and aggressive for 167 miles. The route is laden with razor-sharp cobblestones and steep, punishing climbs. And almost every year, the race produces drama all the way to the finish line. Once the Tour of Flanders starts, you don’t want to look away from the livestream.

As awesome as the Tour of Flanders is to watch on TV, it’s even cooler to check out in person. And anyone who loves traveling to bike races should put the Tour of Flanders atop your bucket list. Here’s why:

In Flanders, Belgium’s northern Flemish-speaking region, the race is equal parts patriotic celebration, day-long party, and professional sporting event. It’s like combining the Super Bowl with a Fourth of July parade, and adding gallons of heavy Trappist ale. Millions of Flemish people leave their homes to stand alongside the roads and party. People wave the yellow Lion of Flanders flag and generally goes bananas whenever the cyclists ride by. The whole scene absolutely slaps.

My affection for the Tour of Flanders starts with the racecourse. The route zigzags its way across the Flemish countryside before completing two laps on a hilly circuit outside the town of Oudenaarde. The circuitous route is way more spectator-friendly than the Tour de France course. While fans at the Tour de France wait by the roadside for hours to see the peloton buzz by in a flash, at Flanders, you can see the riders speed by multiple times on race day.

There’s a men’s and a women’s pro races both tackle the same approximate route on the same day. Fans who attend get to see cyclists whizz by all day long.

I also love the race’s topography. Make no mistake: there are no soaring Alpine or Pyrenean ascents in Flanders. Instead, the pastoral countryside is dotted with short but punchy hills. The roads up these mounds are steep, no wider than a sidewalk, and are made of cobblestones. Riding a stiff carbon听bicycle over a European cobblestone street is extremely painful and jarring.

When the pro peloton hits these narrow and uncomfortably bumpy lanes, chaos ensues, and cyclists jostle for position while generating eye-popping amounts of power. When it rains, the cobblestones become extremely slippery, and riders must sometimes dismount and walk.

Il existe un Koppenberg 脿 Zurich ?

鈥� ntoine VAYER (@festinaboy)

I cannot stress how important these tiny hillsides are to the Flemish, who revere them much like Americans love Mount Rainier or Denali. Seemingly innocuous hillsides like the Koppenberg, Paterberg, or Oude Kwaremont are steeped in the race’s 112-year history, and have been the site of legendary battles for generations.

The third reason I love the Tour of Flanders is the way these climbs fuel the action.听The race’s ebb-and-flow is must-watch TV for any fan of bike racing. Since it’s a one-day race, and not a stage race like the Tour de France, the cyclists are racing for that day’s victory only. Each hill breaks the peloton into smaller groups, but the gaps between these groups are small, which creates a constant cat-and-mouse dynamic as the action unfolds.

The very best racers wait until the final 40 miles or so to attack, and drama always ensues when the top riders square off on the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. Oftentimes, the crux of the race occurs when one cyclist can generate just a few more watts than his or her foe on one of these short climbs. He or she who wins Flanders is equal parts brains and brawn.

脡 amanh茫! Tour de Flandres!

鈥� BikeBlz (@BikeBlz)

And the cyclists who excel at the Tour of Flanders are鈥攂y and large鈥攂uilt differently from those who win the Tour. Grand Tours cater to spindly, ultralight cyclists who can ascend 3,000-foot mountain passes for days on end. At Flanders, the peloton’s big and brawny racers like Flemish hero Wout van Aert or Dutch racer Mathieu van der Poel get to shine.

But here’s perhaps the best reason to check out Flanders in person: you get to ride your own bike on the course. On the day before the professional race, organizers stage a mass-participant cyclosportive called We Ride Flanders on the same route. You can choose your own distance ride. Organizers position feed zones along the route where you can chow down on waffles and local chocolate.

Every year, approximately 16,000 cyclists head onto the narrow lanes crisscrossing Flanders and race each other up the Koppenberg, Paterberg, and other climbs. I’ve done We Ride Flanders on four separate occasions times, I can attest that it is chaotic and bonkers and unquestionably fun. You get to experience just how steep and painful the climbs are, which gives you an added appreciation when you see the peloton rumble up them a day later. You don’t get to do that at the Tour de France.

Plus, when you’re done with the amateur event, you can check out the in downtown Oudenaarde. You can also drink plenty of local beer and eat chocolate and cheese until you pass out.

I always tell cyclists to make the Tour of Flanders the focal point of a week-long or ten-day trip to Belgium. The weekend prior to Flanders is another major cobblestone race, called Gent-Wevelgem, which has its own amateur event. There’s a smaller race on the Wednesday between the two events, called Dwars Door Vlaanderen, which is always a compelling event to watch as well. And if you have oodles of vacation time to burn, you can then stick around another week and view in nearby France.

I obviously understand the appeal of the experiencing the Tour de France, with its soaring Alps, picturesque towns, and summer sunshine. But take my word for it: the Tour of Flanders is better.

The post The Tour of Flanders Is Better than the Tour de France. Here鈥檚 Why. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

A听听of this article originally appeared on听Pinkbike.听

It’s easy to become part of an echo chamber. Pinkbike often gets lost in the finer points of mountain bike technology, from suspension platforms to frame flex. But what kind of questions are people asking about mountain biking outside the platform? For one, what are the best mountain bikes for beginners? Below, Pinkbike’s editors offer concise answers to the ten most common mountain bike-related questions on search engines, social media, and online forums.

1. What Is the Best Mountain Bike for Beginners?

One you can afford. Don’t let the average mountain biker’s obsession with technology make you think you need all the latest features to have fun.

If you’re new to the sport, getting advice and after-sales support from a local shop can be invaluable. On the other hand, if you’re happy to take more risk and willing to do your own research, second-hand or direct sales bikes offer less daunting prices.

You may hear that you simply have to start mountain biking on a hardtail because it teaches you better skills. The truth is it teaches different skills. Hardtails are the way to go for those on a tight budget (under around $1,500 if buying new) as the cheapest full-suspension bikes are usually too compromised to be worth recommending.

If you’ve got a bigger budget, a solid trail bike with 130-160 millimeters of suspension travel and modern geometry should help build confidence (and with it, skill) faster and more painlessly than the sketchy hardtails many of us learned to ride on. Get a bike that’s appropriate for the trails you want to ride most often, but has the potential to tackle more challenging terrain as your skills improve.

2. How Much Does a Good Mountain Bike Cost?

You certainly don’t need to splash out for a top-end bike to get something that performs just as well. For a bare-bones entry-level hardtail, budget around $1,500 for one that will allow you to get stuck into some serious riding. But if you want a full-suspension bike that’s going to satisfy a keen mountain biker, the best bang-for-buck is usually around $3,000 if buying new. The more you can afford up to that amount, the better the bike you can get, but above that, the benefits soon start to plateau.

The good news is that it’s a buyer’s market right now so there are lots of good deals if you shop around.

3. How Do I Maintain my Mountain Bike?

1. Wash it when it’s dirty.
2. Clean and lubricate the chain after every ride. After washing the bike, run it through a rag to wipe off dirt and water, then lubricate it with mountain-bike-specific chain lube.
3. Check the tire pressures before every ride (see question eight).
4. Regularly do an “M-check,” inspecting for loose bolts, play, or worn parts. Starting at the rear wheel, check the brake, tire, axle and derailleur, then move on to the saddle and seatpost, then the cranks, bottom bracket and pedals, then the cockpit and headset, and finally the front wheel and brake. These five locations make a capital “M” shape, which makes it easy to remember.
5. Have the suspension serviced and brakes bled at least once per year.

4. What Are the Benefits of Full Suspension Versus a Hardtail?

The obvious benefit to a full suspension bike is that it cushions the impacts on rough terrain, making it easier to ride fast without getting bounced off-line or having your teeth rattled loose. They also offer more grip because the wheels are more consistently pressed into the ground. Most serious riders and racers use full-suspension bikes for every discipline these days, from downhill to cross country. Even gravel bikes sometimes have suspension now.

On the other hand, hardtails are usually much less expensive鈥攐r offer better parts and frame quality for the same price鈥攎aking them the go-to option for those on a tight budget. There’s less to go wrong and no pivots or rear shock to service, too. Apples-to-apples, hardtails are usually lighter and transmit slightly more of your pedal power to the ground, making them fractionally faster on smooth climbs (this is why hardtails still get used occasionally for smoother cross-country courses). Also, some (strange) people just prefer the challenge of riding without rear suspension.

5. How Do You Choose the Right Frame Size?

These days, most manufacturers provide a size guide on the geometry tab of their website; this is a reliable indicator for most people. There’s often a range of rider heights that overlap between two sizes. In this case, size down if you want more agile handling or size up if you want more stability for fast terrain.

For more on this, see our guide to modern bike sizing. If possible, try and arrange a test ride or talk to the manufacturer for a personalised recommendation.

6. What Are the Best Upgrades for My Mountain Bike?

It depends on what components your bike has, but common upgrades that make a big difference without costing the earth include comfy grips and a saddle that fit your body better; tubeless tires that are appropriate to the riding you usually do, and a dropper post if you don’t already have one. Better brakes can massively improve confidence too, but you don’t always have to spring for a whole set – bigger rotors (larger diameter or thicker) and fresh brake pads (sintered for wet weather) can boost power and consistency.

7. What鈥檚 the Difference Between Cross-Country, Trail, Enduro, and Downhill Bikes?

Cross country (XC) races are usually won or lost on the climbs, so XC bikes are designed to excel when going uphill, with minimum weight and efficient suspension. Modern examples have 100-120 millimeters of suspension travel and can weigh as little as 24 pounds. Descending is still important, especially in modern cross country, so XC bikes often have dropper posts and slack head angles, but the geometry is still less confidence-inspiring than trail bikes. Also, the handlebars are typically much lower. Almost all modern XC bikes have 29-inch wheels.

“Trail” isn’t a racing discipline, so trail bikes are designed to be fun. They should be light enough to enjoy rather than endure climbs but usually with a stronger emphasis on descending capability. They typically have 130-150 millimeters of suspension travel which makes them pretty capable when the trail gets hectic but not so much that they feel lethargic in flowy terrain. Most have 29-inch wheels, though recently many have a 27.5-inch wheel at the back or the option to run either.

Enduro bikes may look like trail bikes, but they’re designed with much more bias towards descending. In enduro racing, it’s only the descents that are timed, so climbing performance takes a back seat (although some enduro bikes climb surprisingly well). They have 160-180 millimeters of travel, tough tires, big brakes and burly components. Many enduro bikes weigh well over of 35 pounds. Some have 29-inch wheels front and rear and some have a 27.5-inch wheel at the back. Many can accept either rear wheel size.

Downhill bikes are not designed to be pedaled uphill at all. They have 200 millimeters of suspension travel or more, stiff dual-crown forks, and close-ratio gearing. Because they do not need a dropper post or wide-range cassette, they are often no heavier than enduro bikes. In recent years, most have moved to mixed wheels (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear) though some can still accept 29-inch wheels at both ends.

Mountain bike disciplines are more of a spectrum than distinct categories; it’s perfectly possible to take your trail bike on a cross-country ride and visa-versa. There are also tongue-in-cheek sub-categories that seek to split the difference even further, such as “downcountry” (a compromise between trail and XC) or “all-mountain,” which fits in between trail and enduro.

8. What Tire Pressure Should I Run on My Mountain Bike?

This varies depending on rider weight, tire construction, terrain, and riding style. But a good place to start is to ignore the pressures printed on the tire sidewall鈥攖hey’re usually a maximum rather than a recommendation. Most riders should start at pressures between 20 psi and 30 psi. Go towards the lower end of that range if you’re lighter, less confident, or riding slippy terrain. Go higher if you’re heavier, riding hard, or the trails are rocky. It’s usually a good idea to run about 3 psi more pressure in the back tire than the front, as it takes more weight.

Use a pressure gauge to measure tire pressures before each ride and experiment to find what works for you. It doesn’t have to be a fancy gauge, but ideally, it should be the same one every time. Usually, you’re looking for the lowest pressure you can get away with before the tire starts to collapse in corners or when you start to feel the tire hitting the rim when riding over rocks.

Tubeless repair plugs can be surprisingly effective. (Photo: Richard Cunningham)

9. How Do I Repair a Puncture on a Trail?

Option 1: If it’s a tubeless tire, find the hole and push a puncture repair plug into it. Afterwards, trim the excess. When you get home, you may want to stick a puncture repair patch to the inside of the tire. This will help long term, but just be sure to do so after cleaning the tire.

Option 2: If option 1 fails or the tire isn’t tubeless, insert an inner tube to get you home. When you get home you can patch the tire or the tube with a puncture repair kit.

Option 3: If you haven’t got a spare tube, remove the tube and locate the puncture. You can do this by inflating the tube with a pump. Fix the puncture with a patch kit.

Option 4: Borrow an inner tube from a friend in exchange for future beers.

Option 5: Give up. Cry. Walk home. Get back late. Cry more.

10. How Do I Improve My Technical Mountain-Biking Skills?

• Ride more.
• Book a coaching course.
• Regularly practice a short section of trail several times.
• Get your friends to film your riding so you can see where to improve.
• Watch Pinkbike’s .
• Ride more.

The post The Internet鈥檚 Most Common Mountain-Bike Tech Questions Answered appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you asked me to name the best bike brand, it would be impossible. Dozens of brands make top-shelf bikes that are an absolute pleasure to ride and full of creative technologies. However, naming the best bike rack brand is easy: 1UP. Several other brands make totally competent racks, but none are as unique, well made, thoroughly designed, or beautiful as what 1UP constantly pumps out.

Case in point is 1UP鈥檚 new Super Duty bike rack. I鈥檝e been testing it for the past several months on the back of my 2024 Toyota Tundra and there is not one thing I can find wrong with the design.

1UP racks have long had a cult-like following because they鈥檙e the best rack out there for safely transporting your expensive bike. Their design uses two arms that secure your wheels by reaching over them and putting downward pressure on your tires to keep the bike locked in place on a metal tray. By locking on the tires, the arms never touch your frame and therefore won鈥檛 rub the paint or damage the bike, while still keeping it completely planted and safe.

This design also has the added benefit of a super clean aesthetic. The two arms sit nicely on the wheels, creating a symmetrical design, and everything is made from polished or simple black aluminum. When folded up and not in use, all the 1UP bike racks tuck against the back of your car more cleanly and efficiently than any other rack out there, almost blending into the car or the tailgate.

Testing the 1UP Super Duty

The version I tested is an upgrade over the standard 1UP rack in several important ways. The biggest talking point is that each tray can now hold up to 100 pounds (compared to 50 pounds per tray on their standard rack), and each tray and lock-down arm is wider so you can now safely carry the heaviest e-bikes or even a wide-tired electric dirt bike like those made by Super 73.

The electric dirt bike capability is a big deal because lots of overlanders are buying these adventure bikes as add-ons for their rigs. They鈥檒l find a remote camping spot, set up their truck with all its accessories, and then jump on their Super 73 to explore, or even run back into town for groceries. Without something like the 1UP rack, overlanders have had to stuff their adventure bikes into vans and truck beds, or build custom racks.

Additionally, the Super Duty is compatible with what 1UP calls a wheel chock, a v-shaped device that slots into the tray and holds the front wheel of your bike as a third point of contact. I loved this because during my testing I carried expensive carbon bikes up a series of gnarly, off-grid roads that had my truck bouncing around to the point where my family threatened to get out and walk. The normal arms kept my bikes in place, but the wheel chock was a nice piece of insurance. I like knowing that no matter how much time I spend bouncing on a dirt road, it鈥檚 almost impossible for my bike to fall off.

Another smaller but important update is the one-handed arm adjustment feature. Other 1UP racks require two hands to open the arms on the tray, but the Super Duty allows you to open the arms one handed so you can keep your other hand on your bike.

Like all 1UP bike racks, the Super Duty was effortless to install. It slid into my two-inch hitch, I decided how far I wanted it to sit from my tailgate, and I tightened it down with a couple of twists of the included wrench. Over several thousand miles of driving, including several hundred miles of dirt roads, the hitch is still as secure as when I installed it and there isn鈥檛 a milliliter of wobble. I鈥檝e tested many other bike racks from big-name brands, and all of them have eventually come loose, so it鈥檚 an absolute pleasure to not ever have to worry about the 1UP.

As you might guess, the Super Duty is not cheap. My double trays cost a hearty $900, and the single comes in at $600. But the saying 鈥渂uy once, cry once鈥� is as true as it comes here because this will be the last bike rack you鈥檒l need for years, if not decades, and will only become obsolete if bikes change in some crazy way. Knowing how good the Super Duty is at protecting your bike also takes the pain away as you drive around confident that your $4,000鈥攐r $14,000鈥攚hip is totally locked down and safe.

The post 1UP鈥檚 Super Duty Bike Rack Is a Marvel of Engineering听 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Golf gets a bad rap. The sport has a reputation for being too expensive and too resource-intensive, which are true in some cases. There are private clubs so expensive you need to be a billionaire to join, and courses where the landscape was bulldozed to make way for overwatered and overfertilized fairways.

But not every golf course is that way.

A movement is afoot to make golf more accessible and sustainable. How do I know? I鈥檓 an avid golfer. I play twice a week, mostly on public courses that are cheap and built over repurposed farmland. Affordable golf is actually easy to find, but better yet is the sustainability movement that鈥檚 creeping into destination courses.

鈥淭he golf industry has made tremendous strides in the area of sustainability over the past 20 to 30 years,鈥� says Frank LaVardera, director of environmental programs in golf for , which operates America鈥檚 first and most comprehensive green-golf-course certification program. 鈥淭raditional courses use a significant amount of water and chemicals, but many courses are reducing their amount of managed turf鈥濃�攖he manicured lawns that require so much water and fertilizer鈥斺�渁nd creating native areas that require less water, while enhancing wildlife habitat.鈥�

What an Eco-Conscious Golf Course Means

Audubon International鈥檚 certification process can take years, and requires evaluation of a course鈥檚 impact on wildlife habitat, water quality and conservation, pest management, and energy efficiency. In turn, eco-minded course managers reduce the amount of turf, use recycled gray water to irrigate, emphasize walking over use of gas-powered carts, and create wildlife habitats with natural grasses and trees that attract birds, bees, and even the occasional bear. Since 2001, when the program was introduced, Audubon鈥檚 Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf has grown to include more than 2,000 certified courses in the U.S. and beyond.

The timing of this sustainability movement couldn鈥檛 be better, as America has rediscovered its love of golf. According to the (NGF), 3.4 million new people played golf in America last year. Each of the past 10 years saw more than 2 million beginners, with the past four topping 3 million.

Golf’s Changing Demographics

The that since the pandemic era, women and people of color have been flocking to the game; the biggest demographic jump has come from traditionally under-represented populations, with the number of Asian, Black and Hispanic golfers rising by 43 percent in the last five years. Of the 26 million people who play golf recreationally, 23 percent are people of color and 26 percent are women.

The demographic makeup of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) is still skewed (80 percent of pro golfers are white), but the game is changing from the ground up as recreational players trend toward being younger and more diverse. The most sought-after clothing brands in the sport, like Malbon and Eastside Golf, bring streetwear aesthetics to the golf industry, while many prolific and successful golfers on social media are women and people of color. If you鈥檙e not following on Instagram, you should be.

Part of the issue with diversifying the outdoors is access. There were 480 ski resorts in operation last year, with most of them located in remote, mountainous regions. Compare that to the 16,000+ golf courses scattered all over the country. I live in a southeastern mountain town that is not known for its golf, but I can play on any of 10 courses situated within half an hour of my home. There are three courses within three miles of downtown, and I play on two of them for under $20 a round. A program called enables members aged 18 and under to play any of its 2,133 enrolled courses across the U.S. for just $5 a round.

My 15-year-old son is a YOC member, and able to play half a dozen courses within 10 miles of our home. He and I can walk nine holes of golf for $20 combined, $35 if we want to play 18.

Why I Love Golf

As for the argument that golf shouldn鈥檛 be considered an outdoor sport because of its environmental impact, most things we do leave footprints. I鈥檝e been a dedicated skier since age 12, and I don鈥檛 love the fact that the ski industry has gotten cartoonishly expensive and is resource-intensive, especially in water use. But I do love skiing. I have the same relationship with golf. It鈥檚 not perfect, but I love it.

This surprises people because I make a living writing about adventure sports, and I have the scars and expensive-gear habit to prove it. People assume golf and surfing or mountain biking are a world apart, but look closely in my garage and you鈥檒l see a set of golf clubs tucked between my mountain bike and longboard.

When I play, I always walk, carry my bag, and try not to focus too much on my score. It鈥檚 a slow, meditative walk in the woods. I like the challenge of golf as well. I recently picked the sport up again after a 20-year-hiatus, and I鈥檓 consumed with the pursuit of getting better, but I also know that I鈥檒l never master golf. No matter how good I get at hitting a little white ball in the air, there will always be room for improvement.

Golf is cerebral and thought-provoking in a way that the other fast-paced sports I love are not. The game is 99.99 percent mental, allowing me to see how my thoughts impact my actions. Golf is a chance to clear your head and be outside.

Fortunately, there are certain destinations where golf and adventure go hand in hand. Some of the most sustainable golf courses in America are located in places that could be on any adventure-traveler鈥檚 radar, so you can play 18 holes one afternoon and go mountain biking or surfing the next morning.

Here are nine of the wildest, most sustainable golf courses in the world, each paired with a local adventure to round out the perfect weekend.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

1. Bear Trace, Harrison, Tennessee

Fee: Starting at $41 for 18 holes

Even if you鈥檙e not a golfer, you know the name of Jack Nicklaus, one of the game鈥檚 most famous professionals. Not only was Nicklaus a legendary golfer, he was also a designer, creating courses all over the country, including this 18-hole masterpiece sits in the 1200-acre Harrison Bay State Park, 20 miles outside of Chattanooga. In the last two decades, managers have addressed every aspect of the course to minimize its impact, converting the greens from bentgrass to a less-thirsty Bermudagrass, removing 50 acres of turf to cede that area to natural grasses, and eliminating irrigation beyond the greens. The place has also purchased all-electric maintenance equipment, and installed mallard nesting tubes, wood duck boxes, and feeders for bluebirds and wild turkey.

As a result, as of 2008, Bear Trace is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and restored the wildlife habitat to the point where the course was home to a pair of nesting bald eagles for a decade.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: Paddling on in Harrison Bay State Park makes for a fun afternoon (paddle boards are $8 an hour through the park). If you鈥檙e looking for something more adventurous, , 45 miles west of the state park, offers trips (from $50 per person) on class III-IV whitewater full of play spots and wave trains that formed the 1996 Olympic whitewater course.

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2. Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Missouri

Fees: 听Starting from $80 for the 13-hole short course

OK, is a behemoth. The brainchild of Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, the 4,600-acre retreat features five distinct public golf courses, all set amid a dramatic Ozark Mountains backdrop, with routing that regularly nears ancient limestone cliffs. In recent years, Big Cedar Lodge has become one of the country鈥檚 top golf destinations, regarded as the best public golf in the Midwest.

Big Cedar Lodge was the first golf resort in the world to receive Audubon International鈥檚 highest certification, the Signature Sanctuary status, given for all five of its courses. Water conservation and improving wildlife habitat are priorities, with more than 75 percent organic fertilizer used, while chemical runoff and water use are addressed through a water-recycling program with reclamation ponds, as well as moisture meters embedded in the ground to help minimize watering in general.

One of Johnny Morris鈥� founding principles is the notion of connecting people and the outdoors. On several holes his courses put the golfer between towering limestone cliffs, and, extra cool, those who play Big Cedar Lodge鈥檚 Buffalo Ridge course can spy herds of bison that roam and feed on the natural-grass prairies surrounding the fairways.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: You could spend your entire weekend playing different courses at Big Cedar Lodge, but bring your mountain bike, too. The resort is on the edge of , which has 11 miles of cross-country trails in a stacked-loop system that hugs the shoreline of Table Rock Lake. Or you could hit the gravity-minded , which has 10 trails and a pump track and skills area. The place has something for everyone, from the kid who鈥檚 just learning how to brake, to the adult who thinks he鈥檚 a kid sending gaps (day passes start at $45).

3. Streamsong Golf Resort, Bowling Green, Florida

Fees: Starting at $249 for 18 holes

This massive golf retreat 60 miles east of Tampa wins my vote for best use of scarred land. built its courses on 16,000 acres of land that was previously used for a phosphate strip mine. After the mining ended, sand dunes took over, and course designers used all of that bumpy elevation to create a whimsical playground where fairways wind through grassy mounds and small ponds.

Course designers used compost in the soil before grassing to reduce the need for fertilization, and limited the acreage of maintained turf, opting instead for natural grasses and dunes beyond the fairways. The resort has a water-treatment facility that captures rainwater, and reuses it for irrigation. Streamsong features three 18-hole courses, and a short course, called The Chain, that has no set tee boxes or suggested pars. This short course is a 鈥渃hoose your own adventure鈥� sort of experience.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: You can keep the reclaimed land theme rolling by driving 25 miles west to , 7,714 acres of surprisingly hilly terrain on a former phosphate mine, with more than 20 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails through a forest and alongside lakes and the banks of the Alafia River. Streamsong wasn鈥檛 impacted much by Hurricane Milton when it hit October 9, both because the courses were designed to manage water and the place had few trees for high winds to damage. But much of this area of Florida was devastated by the storm, so check with surrounding businesses and parks before exploring the area.

4. Chambers Bay, University Place, Washington

Fees: Starting at $85 for 18 holes

This 18-hole course is links-style, meaning that like Scotland’s St. Andrews, believed to be the oldest course in the world, it has little to no manipulation of the land, resulting in rugged terrain, with many dunes covered in tall grasses. Similarly set on a craggy shoreline of Washington, it might also be the pinnacle of sustainable design. was built on reclaimed mine land, turning a former gravel pit into a championship course that now enhances the landscape. Designers shaped the course with native plants and wildflowers like douglas iris, and sodded with drought-resistant fescue grass species.

The fairways are irrigated with recycled gray water and fertilized with treated bio-waste from the county鈥檚 wastewater plant. Chambers Bay doesn鈥檛 have golf carts; it鈥檚 a walking-only facility. (Some courses in the U.S. require golfers to use carts on weekends to maintain a quick pace of play.) Maybe the best part is that Chambers Bay is a municipal course, with affordable fees. It鈥檚 also located within a county park with trails adjacent to the links and coast, so you don鈥檛 have to play golf to enjoy the scenery.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: Chambers Creek Regional Park, which is home to the golf course, is a 930-acre preserve with two miles of shoreline and more than five miles of paved trails with views of Puget Sound. You should also drive 50 miles east to Mount Rainier National Park, where you can hike the 5.5-mile loop on , bagging copious views of the eponymous 14,411-foot active volcano in all its glaciated glory.

5. Black Desert Resort, Ivins, Utah

Fees: Starting at $300 for 18 holes

A 19-hole course that opened in May 2023, was built from the ground up with the surrounding environment in mind. The entire property is only 600 acres, with just 75 acres of turf, all irrigated with non-potable gray water, and the fairways are made from a drought-tolerant bentgrass species that needs less maintenance and fertilizer than many other common turf grasses. Almost 70 percent of the grounds are dedicated as protected open space, and sustainability was a factor throughout the property鈥檚 design, from having a low-voltage power infrastructure for the resort to using an irrigation system in a grid, where each section can be adjusted individually.

The coolest aspect of the course is that it鈥檚 become a haven for endangered fish species. The property managers partnered with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to relocate 400 Virgin River Chub, a kind of rare minnow, to the lakes on the golf course, so they can live and breed in a stable environment. The course itself is gorgeous, running through fields of black lava rocks with views of the surrounding red cliffs.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: Long-term plans for Black Desert include building several miles of hiking trails. Moreover, the resort sits nine miles north of St. George, just an hour (48 miles) west of Zion National Park. If it鈥檚 your first time to Zion, snag a ($3 plus a $6 registration fee) and hike , a 5.5-mile out-and-back that involves a bit of scrambling and ridgeline traversing and might just lead to one of the most iconic photo sites in our national-park system.

To dig deeper into the park, consider trekking through , a slot canyon where the walls of Zion Canyon rise 1,000 feet up while pinching to 30 feet wide at certain points. You鈥檒l be hiking through the river, so be prepared to get wet. The shortest route is a 9.5-mile out and back from the Temple of Sinawava, a red-walled natural amphitheater, to Big Spring, which is as far as you can go without a permit, but hits some of the skinniest portions of the gorge. Just don鈥檛 attempt it when there鈥檚 rain in the as flash floods are common and fatalities have occurred. Save it for a stellar day.

6. The Mountain Course at Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont

Fees: Starting at $165 for 18, and you need to stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak to play (rooms start at $249).

Surrounded by 2,000 acres of preserved land, the rambles along the flank of the mountain it is named for, with views of the adjacent Mount Mansfield, Vermont鈥檚 tallest peak, to boot. Spruce Peak, which sits at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, was designed with the environment in mind, input from Audubon International, and a focus on preserving local black-bear populations by routing around their preferred habitat of beech trees. Designers also created buffers around streams and ponds to protect water quality, and planted a mix of native flowers and grasses, like milkweed and false sunflower, around tee boxes.

Peregrine Lake serves as a water feature for golfers to admire and avoid, but also a reservoir capturing rainwater that is used to feed snowmaking operations at Stowe Mountain Resort. Course management hosts an annual field trip to teach a local fifth-grade class about the elements of water quality.

The course fits into the greater ecosystem of the Spruce Peak community, a resort and residential property at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort that was built around eco-sensitive principles like a property-wide composting program and a renewable energy program that provides more than 50 percent of its power.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: You鈥檙e close to Stowe, a town renowned for its ski culture (and beer). Sadly, ski season and golf season don鈥檛 overlap. But don鈥檛 fret; during the warmer months, there is plenty of hiking, fly fishing, and climbing nearby. Do it on your own or if you want a guide, Spruce Peak Resort offers hiking and fly fishing adventures. If you鈥檙e into climbing, runs trips on the granite walls around the Stowe area, from top-roping routes suitable for beginners to multi-pitch cliffs that will please experienced trad climbers (from $250 per person).

Check flights to Stowe, Vermont

7. Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Oregon

Fees: From $50 for the par 3 courses

has become one of the most coveted golf destinations in America, with seven public courses spread throughout the 2,525-acre coastal resort. All seven courses have earned Audubon International Sanctuary status, too, as the designers have kept Oregon鈥檚 coastal beauty and environmental harmony in mind throughout the process, from construction to management.

The course looks wild, thanks largely to the use of native plants and grasses, including the threatened silver phacelia, outside of the fairways, while for the turf on those mowed areas Bandon Dunes uses fescue, a type of grass that requires less fertilizer than others. And when fertilizer is applied, it鈥檚 organic and used sparingly. Roughly 85 percent of the resort鈥檚 energy is supplied by renewable resources, with more solar panels still to be installed throughout the property. The maintenance department has moved to electric-powered equipment.

Most of the resort鈥檚 landscape holds native plants that require no irrigation, but with six courses, roughly 600 acres that need to be watered. The resort鈥檚 own wastewater-management system supplies non-potable gray water for the job, recycling roughly 50,000 gallons of water daily.

One of the courses, Bandon Preserve, puts net proceeds directly to local conservation projects in Oregon鈥檚 southern coast through a , which has helped restore salmon fisheries and funded mountain bike trails. Bandon Dunes is working towards the lofty goal of becoming a completely carbon neutral resort.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: Bandon Dunes sits on Oregon鈥檚 southern coast, which is a multi-sport adventurer鈥檚 dream, with miles of singletrack and wild beaches punctuated by dramatic sea stacks. Go for a trail run at , where several miles of trail wind through a pine forest and access five miles of hard-packed beach.

The surfing is good too, with beach breaks found throughout this part of the coast. Head north for 25 miles to Coos Bay, where the bluffs of Yoakam Head hang over the breaks, which have something for all levels of surfers. Beginners should head to Bastendorff Beach for a wide, sandy-bottom break with a cool backdrop of rocky headlands. The water temperature is cold year round, but winter brings the most consistent waves, so in that case pack a thick wetsuit.

8. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Fees: Starting at $110 for 18 holes

The a resort five miles south of Colorado Springs, is home to two of the most respected golf courses in the U.S., designed by legends Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones and hosting marquee tournaments like multiple U.S. Amateurs, U.S. Women鈥檚 Opens, and U.S. Senior Opens. At 6,250 feet in elevation, the course was the highest in America when it first opened in 1918, and several holes feature views of Pikes Peak.

The place has become significantly more eco-friendly with age. Managers have replaced more than 50 acres of turf with native grasses and wildflowers, and use gray water to irrigate the fairways and greens. Mulching mowers return grass clippings back to the soil, and the property uses no pesticides Over the years the resort has added bird-nesting boxes and habitats for bees and butterflies. All of the carts are electric, and otherwise the place promotes walking and its caddy program. Resort chefs harvest honey from the property鈥檚 own hives, and source meat from the Wagyu beef raised on the ranch. Even the resort鈥檚 cooking grease is recycled into biodiesel.

The Broadmoor participates in one of the most heartwarming recycling programs I鈥檝e ever heard of: all of their spent tennis balls are donated to local senior-citizen facilities to be used on the ends of walkers and canes.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: Colorado Springs offers so much to do. The 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, with trailheads six miles from town, has to be the most accessible fourteener in the U.S.; you can drive your car or take a train to the summit, but I say earn it by hiking the ($20-$37 parking fee, depending on day of week), a 13-mile one way trek that gains more than 7,000 feet on its way to the top. Don鈥檛 worry, you can take the down from the summit ($30). Or go explore the iconic red sandstone fins that rise from the center of Garden of the Gods Park. operates half and full day trips for all abilities (starting at $221).

9. Rising Sun Golf Course, Emigrant, Montana

Fee: Greens fees are included in the cost of your stay (one week minimum, and you must contact the for pricing).

It鈥檚 hard to beat Rising Sun鈥檚 location. The 18-hole course sits on the 17,000-acre Mountain Sky Ranch, within the aptly named Paradise Valley and with near-constant views of the surrounding Absaroka and Gallatin Mountains. This is the biggest splurge on this list, and for most, a once-in-a-lifetime situation at best, but the rest of us can dream, right?

Rising Sun is not an easy course to play, thanks to its remote location and the fact that tee times go only to guests of the ranch, but you couldn鈥檛 ask for a more beautiful setting, and the Rising Sun was the first course in Montana to be designated an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary. The course was built on a hayfield with an emphasis on maintaining as much natural habitat as possible, converting dry pastures to prairie grass, and maintaining native plant buffers along bodies of water.

Course managers also installed bird-nest boxes to encourage multi-species nesting, and have put in bat houses. They regularly consult with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on issues concerning elk and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Aided by a dry, cold environment, course managers use no pesticides for the turf and greens, and they鈥檝e limited water usage by keeping the irrigated acreage to only 52 acres, almost a third of the average 18 hole course in America. Maintenance crews regularly monitor the quality of water in the course ponds as well as Big Creek.

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: Mountain Sky Ranch is an adventure-minded 鈥渄ude ranch鈥� with a host of activities located on property. The resort also offers guided horseback tours in Yellowstone National Park, with an entrance just 30 miles south. But I say to pair a round of golf here with some fly fishing. If you鈥檙e new to the sport, Mountain Sky has a trout pond where pros can teach you the nuances of casting, but if you can hit the ground running, head to nearby Big Creek, which is loaded with cutthroat and rainbow trout. Or sign up for a of the iconic Yellowstone River, which offers opportunities for long, wide open casts that just might net a cutthroat or brown. (From $595)

Nearby 国产吃瓜黑料: Mountain Sky Ranch is an adventure-minded 鈥渄ude ranch鈥� with a host of activities located on property. The resort also offers guided horseback tours in Yellowstone National Park, with an entrance just 30 miles south. But I say to pair a round of golf here with some fly fishing. If you鈥檙e new to the sport, Mountain Sky has a trout pond where pros can teach you the nuances of casting, but if you can hit the ground running, head to nearby Big Creek, which is loaded with cutthroat and rainbow trout. Or sign up for a of the iconic Yellowstone River, which offers opportunities for long, wide open casts that just might net a cutthroat or brown (from $595).

Check flights to Bozeman, Montana

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist and an avid golfer who is dying to play every course on this list. Follow his golf shenanigans on Instagram at @the_amateur_golf. Graham recently wrote 鈥�This Is What It鈥檚 Like to Live in Asheville After Hurricane Helene鈥� and answered some questions about it while standing in line at FEMA offices. He has also recently written 鈥�9 Most Underrated National Parks for Incredible Fall Foliage,鈥� 鈥�8 Surf Towns Where You Can Learn the Sport and the Culture,鈥� and 鈥�The 9 Most Fun 国产吃瓜黑料 Lodges in North America.鈥�

The post The 9 Wildest Golf Courses in America appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When it comes to bike training, most triathletes are locked into a power zone on their indoor trainer 听or focused on getting to the top of the next hill as quickly as possible. Time-saving details tend to come in the form of gear, like the latest reduced-drag skin suits or . But even though building your aerobic base and finessing your position is always beneficial, you might be surprised just how much free speed 鈥� and time 鈥� you are leaving out on the course by not placing a bit more emphasis on those bike handling skills, particularly when it comes to descending.

One of the best examples of this is the Ironman World Championship course in Nice, France, with its 8,000 feet of elevation in the Maritime Alps. In 2019, we marveled at Rudy Von Berg railing it around the corners on familiar roads in the 70.3 worlds. Last year, we saw fellow Frenchman Sam Laidlow deliver similarly over the full distance as he became the youngest men鈥檚 winner ever. But perhaps the best example is that of British athlete Kat Matthews at the 2024 Ironman World Championship Nice, whose descending in the second part of the bike leg 鈥� much of it in the company of eventual winner Laura Philipp 鈥� meant that by the time the pair reached T2, they were seven minutes ahead of French local Marjolaine Pierre and the rest of the field had splintered in their wake.

To illustrate just how hard Matthews rode, she handily 鈥� and, thankfully, to give even more helpful context, so did many of the pro women she raced against. When we pore over the Strava data at different sections of the descent, we can can really show where the time gaps were created.

How Descending Shaped the Race at the 2024 Ironman World Championship Nice

As you can see from the graphic, the Ironman course in Nice is one loop climbing to a rolling plateau before dropping back to the coast.

We鈥檒l look at each of the notable descents in turn and then put them into the bigger picture of the race.

Descent #1: Route de Grasse Toward Pont du Loup

Just over 20 miles into the ride, there is the first descent before the major climb to Col de L鈥橢cre. At 3.87 miles, the 鈥淩oute de Grasse towards Pont du Loop鈥� segment on Strava drops 618 feet at an average grade of 3%.

It鈥檚 not a particularly technical descent, but we can tell the women are racing it 鈥� and also benefiting from closed roads 鈥� because the top eight times on this segment are set during the race.

Matthews takes the QOM (鈥淨ueen of the Mountain鈥� on Strava) and 13 seconds on Pierre. It鈥檚 worth noting that at this point, other than the descent, Pierre is on the charge, leading the race and putting time into everyone except Philipp (who is further back out of the water). That she loses even a few seconds here is a tell for what might come later.

The post Triathletes, Your Descending Is Hot Trash. Fix It or Bleed Time. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

High-end bikes are staggeringly expensive, but those prices soar even higher when considering the custom paint jobs and high-performance components featured on the mountain bikes at the 2024 Olympics. Money is no object when it comes to a rider鈥檚 career, and a nation鈥檚 pride is on the line.

Unlike most other sports in the Olympics, cycling鈥檚 governing body, the UCI, requires that all bicycles used in competition must be commercially available to the public. This stipulation means that if you鈥檝e got the money, you can buy or build, the exact bike ridden to gold, silver, or bronze. (Your results may vary, of course.) We鈥檝e crunched the numbers and rounded up the details: Below are our price estimates of the fastest mountain bikes at the 2024 Paris Olympics and their production counterparts.

2024 Olympic-Podium Mountain Bike Quick Facts

• Winningest brand: Pinarello with two gold medals
• Winningest model: Specialized鈥檚 S-Works Epic World Cup with two silver medals
• Full suspension mountain bikes: 5
• Hardtails: 1
• Bikes with dropper seatposts: 6
• Bikes with Shimano mechanical drivetrains: 4
• Bikes with SRAM electronic drivetrains: 2
• Bikes with electronic suspension control systems: 2
• Bikes with Berd string spokes: 3

Women鈥檚 Olympics Podium Bikes

Gold: Pauline Ferrand-Pr茅vot’s Dogma XC Hardtail ($12,500)

Pauline Ferrand-Pr茅vot dominated the women鈥檚 cross-country race. The 12-time World Elite Champion attacked on the first lap, breaking away from the field and extending her lead each lap. When she crossed the line seven laps later, the French rider had built up a nearly three-minute lead over the best female riders in the world.

She was one of a handful of women who opted to race a hardtail at this year鈥檚 Olympics. Ferrand-Pr茅vot, who races for INEOS Grenadiers and is sponsored by Pinarello, found success on her Dogma XC hardtail on the fast and relatively tame鈥攂y World Cup standards鈥擯aris course.

Key features of Ferrand-Pr茅vot鈥檚 Dogma XC hardtail include a Suntour Axon 34 Werx Boost EQ suspension fork and a Suntour Vertical helium dropper seatpost with 60 millimeters of travel. She sped away from the pack on a wheelset featuring Princeton Carbonworks P1 Race Tech rims laced with 鈥檚 ultralight polyethylene 鈥渟tring鈥� spokes that weigh considerably less than traditional stainless steel spokes. Continental Race King tires rounded out her wheel set-up. While electronic drivetrains may be all the rage these days, many racers, including the recently crowned women鈥檚 Olympics XC champ, still prefer the lightweight and faster shifting of Shimano鈥檚 XTR drivetrain.

We estimate that, as built, her bike would cost buyers approximately $12,500. While you can鈥檛 buy Ferrand-Pr茅vot鈥檚 gold medal build, you can get close with .

Silver: Haley Batten鈥檚 S-Works Epic World Cup LTD ($16,000)

Haley Batten鈥檚 second-place finish in Paris is a reason to celebrate for Team USA. Americans have struggled in cross-country racing at the Olympics despite inventing the sport. Susan DeMattei finished third in the inaugural mountain bike event at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, as did Georgia Gould in 2012 at the London Games.

Batten鈥檚 race for silver was hard-fought and represents the highest finish (woman or man) of any American in Olympic mountain biking. She caught the chase group attempting to reel in Ferrand-Pr茅vot, but a cracked carbon wheel and flat tire set her back. Undeterred, the 25-year-old from Park City, Utah, was able to swap her rear wheel in the pit zone and rejoin the race.

Batten, who rides for Specialized, had three bikes to choose from: a hardtail, a full suspension, or a hybrid design that鈥檚 nearly as light as a hardtail with just enough rear suspension to improve traction. She opted for option #3, the Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup. This purebred race bike has a scant 75 millimeters of rear suspension that relies on flex in the carbon seatstays, instead of pivots, to save weight. Batten鈥檚 race bike was equipped with SRAM鈥檚 premier XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain as well as the component company鈥檚 electronic suspension control system, known as Flight Attendant. This smart suspension system automatically controls suspension damping to make the bike as efficient and fast as possible. It seems like it worked.

Batten鈥檚 build is around $16,000. It鈥檚 not available as a stock option from Specialized, but the is close at $14,000.

Bronze: Jenny Rissveds鈥檚 Ibis Exie ($12,500)

Sweden鈥檚 Jenny Rissveds took home gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She set her sights on a second gold medal in Paris, but Ferrand-Pr茅vot鈥檚 lead was insurmountable, leaving Rissveds to battle Haley Batten for silver. Rissved actually helped Batten get back into the race, following her unfortunate mechanical, by shouting out to the American鈥檚 mechanics that Batten would be coming through the pit zone with a flat tire, thereby ensuring they鈥檇 be prepared a quick wheel change.

Rissved rode consistently throughout the race, ultimately crossing the line five seconds behind Batten. The Swedish racer finished aboard an Ibis Exie that was handbuilt in California, making it a rarity among carbon mountain bikes, most of which are manufactured in Asia.

Of the three women鈥檚 podium bikes, the Exie features the most suspension, with a 120-millimeter Fox Stepcast suspension fork paired with 100 millimeters of rear wheel travel. Standout components on Rissved鈥檚 Exie include prototype Ibis carbon wheels, an Inpeak power meter, Shimano鈥檚 XTR drivetrain, and a Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost. While we鈥檙e on the subject of droppers, it鈥檚 notable that although each of these three riders opted for bikes with varying amounts of suspension travel, they were all willing to accept the weight penalty that comes with running a dropper seatpost. Dropper seatposts were a rarity in XC racing a few short years ago, but have become essential as many World Cup courses have become more technically demanding.

Rissved鈥檚 Ibis Exie would retail for approximately $12,500. currently offers includes a SRAM XX Eagle drivetrain, rather than Shimano鈥檚 XTR, and will set buyers back $12,200.

Men鈥檚 Olympics Podium Bikes

Gold: Tom Pidcock鈥檚 Dogma XC ($17,000)

Tom Pidcock is one of the world鈥檚 most versatile professional cyclists, having won World Cup championships in cyclocross as well as mountain biking and secured an impressive stage win at the 2022 Tour de France. The British racer, who had to abandon this year鈥檚 Tour de France after contracting COVID in mid-July, still had the fitness necessary to successfully defend his gold medal from the Tokyo Games.

While Pauline Ferrand-Pr茅vot made her race-winning move during the first lap of the women鈥檚 race, Pidcock fought to regain the lead following a puncture on the fourth lap to trade blows with French racer Victor Koretzky.

Pidcock, who also races for INEOS Grenadiers during the regular season, had a Pinarello hardtail and full suspension to choose from. Despite criticizing the Paris course as 鈥渏ust gravel鈥� and 鈥渂land鈥� in a pre-race interview, Pidcock decided to race his Dogma XC full suspension. His race bike featured 100 millimeters of front suspension matched with 100 millimeters of rear travel. To maximize efficiency, the defending gold medalist relied on Suntour鈥檚 electronic , which, like SRAM鈥檚 Flight Attendant, automatically adjusts the firmness of the front and rear suspension to match the terrain.

The rest of Pidcock鈥檚 build closely resembled his INEOS Grenadier teammate Ferrand-Pr茅vot, with a 60-millimeter Suntour Vertical helium dropper seatpost, mechanical Shimano XTR drivetrain, and those ultralight Princeton Carbonworks P1 Race Tech rims, Berd spokes, and Continental Race King tires.

With its electronic suspension control and boutique carbon wheels, Pidcock鈥檚 race bike costs nearly $17,000. will set buyers back a cool $14,000.

Silver: Victor Koretzky鈥檚 S-Works Epic World Cup LTD ($14,000)

French rider Victor Koretzky gave it his all during his battle with Great Britain鈥檚 Tom Pidcock and came away with a silver medal for his efforts. The three-time World Cup winner, who races for Specialized, had the same trio of bikes to choose from as fellow silver medalist Haley Batten. Koretzky and the majority of Specialized athletes felt the S-Works Epic World Cup was the right bike for course.

While Batten鈥檚 Epic World Cup boasted SRAM鈥檚 AI-controlled Flight Attendant suspension system, Koretzky kept things analog, with a cable-actuated lockout system to firm up the 110-millimeter RockShox SID fork and 75 millimeters of rear suspension during sprints and climbs. Specialized鈥檚 lightweight Roval Control SL 29 carbon wheelset wrapped in a fast-rolling combination of an S-Works Renegade front tire paired with an S-Works Captain rear tire helped the French hold off all but one competitor.

With the exception of a 100-millimeter RockShox Reverb AXS dropper seatpost, Koretzky鈥檚 build is nearly identical to the stock version of the LTD edition of the , which retails for $14,000.

Bronze: Alan Hatherly鈥檚 Cannondale Scalpel LAB71 Special Edition ($16,000)

This year鈥檚 Olympics was Alan Hatherly鈥檚 third time representing South Africa at the Olympic Games. The 28-year-old racer finished 28th in 2016, 8th in the 2020 Games, and finally secured a podium finish in Paris. Hatherly chased Victor Koretzky, attempting to match the Frenchman鈥檚 pace before ultimately settling back and holding on to third as Pidcock and Koretzky battled for gold.

Hatherly, sponsored by Cannondale, rode a special edition of the company鈥檚 full-suspension mountain bike, the Scalpel. Cannondale鈥檚 鈥淟AB71鈥� designation denotes limited-production models, constricted from premium materials and featuring premium components.

The eight-time South African mountain bike champion鈥檚 bike featured a custom paint scheme inspired by the nation鈥檚 flag. Build highlights included 120 millimeters of front and rear travel with Cannondale鈥檚 iconic single-sided Lefty Ocho fork at the helm. Shimano鈥檚 XTR group handled shifting and braking duties, while a 100-millimeter Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost allowed the bronze medalist to descend the handful of technical descents confidently. Similarly to gold medalists Ferrand-Pr茅vot and Pidcock, Hatherly employed Berd鈥檚 PolyLight spokes to save precious grams.

With all the custom touches included, Alan Hatherly鈥檚 Cannondale Scalpel LAB71 Special Edition likely comes in around $16,000. is slightly more palatable at $14,000.

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Rolling hills, scenic state parks, river views, and southern cooking. These are only some of the things that Tennessee has to offer cyclists. If you鈥檝e never biked on Tennessee鈥檚 quiet back roads or through its historic small towns, you鈥檙e in for a treat. has created a collection of 52 road cycling routes with the help of Shannon Burke, cycling route developer and owner of Velo View Bike Tours in Chattanooga, to make finding the perfect ride easy. Each route was carefully designed to optimize the cycling experience for safety, fun, and scenery. To learn more, we heard from Burke and Jenni Veal, rural destination development manager at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Here鈥檚 what they had to say.

国产吃瓜黑料: What makes Tennessee a premier cycling destination?听

Shannon Burke: Tennessee has a wealth of low-traffic scenic back roads that are perfect for road cycling adventures. But more than the abundance of great cycling roads, the state has an incredible diversity of landscapes, from massive climbs to rolling hills to flat farm roads, making it an ideal destination for road cyclists of all levels. Tennessee鈥檚 mild climate also makes it possible to ride year-round.

How can cyclists get access to detailed navigation and route information?

Burke: Bike Tennessee makes it easy for cyclists to find safe and scenic road cycling routes across the state. Each route listed on the site connects to a route map and description, which can be downloaded to a bike computer or phone app. The Ride with GPS maps also include the option to print a paper cue sheet with turn-by-turn directions. In addition to the Ride with GPS features, the website includes short descriptions of each route, so you know what to expect on the ride, including distance, elevation, terrain, and points of interest.

As a professional cycling guide, why do you think these routes offer visitors the best Tennessee cycling experience?

Burke: I followed the same approach I use for my guided tours when designing these routes for Bike Tennessee. I made sure we were checking the following boxes for riders:

Is the traffic low enough to permit a safe and enjoyable ride?

Are the roads fun to ride?

Is the landscape scenic?

Are there scenic overlooks, historic markers, or points of interest along the way?

Does the route have amenities for travelers, such as restrooms and food options?

These are only some of the considerations we made while designing routes for Bike Tennessee to offer exceptional road cycling experiences.

What are some of the top attractions featured on the mapped routes?

Jenni Veal: All 52 Bike Tennessee routes travel the state鈥檚 most scenic areas. All together, the routes cross 53 counties, including 14 state parks. Each ride is mapped as a loop or out-and-back to highlight points of interest like quaint downtowns, historic sites, and some of the best food in the South. These are some of my favorite sites to explore:

• The and both utilize the beautiful Memphis River Parks system and cross 鈥淥l鈥� Man River鈥� along the Big River Crossing bridge into West Memphis, Arkansas, and include a trip through Mud Island and Harbor Town.
• The , near historic Greeneville in northeast Tennessee, starts at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, situated along the Nolichucky River. The state park offers river rentals, camping, and interpretive exhibits鈥攁nd you can buy a Davy Crockett鈥搒tyle raccoon hat at the visitor center.
• The , near Mountain City in northeast Tennessee, follows a section of Watauga Lake and ends at two award-winning Tennessee wineries: Watauga Lake Winery and Villa Nove Vineyards.
• The challenge, in middle Tennessee, starts in historic downtown Lynchburg, best known as the home of Jack Daniel鈥檚 Distillery. Cyclists can end their ride with a distillery tour and a meal at any number of famous Lynchburg restaurants.
• The , at Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park in West Tennessee, preserves more than 15 Native American mounds. Some are more than 70 feet high and 2,000 years old.

How can visitors start planning the perfect cycling-inspired adventure in Tennessee?听

Veal: The Bike Tennessee website makes it easy to search for routes on the map or by a nearby city. Once you know what region and route you鈥檒l be exploring, recommendations for other things to do in the area populate at the bottom of the page, making planning a cycling vacation easier than ever. The Ride with GPS Ambassador pages also include photos and points of interest鈥攑laces to eat, restrooms, and attractions鈥攁s well as website links for more localized tourism information. Additionally, you can find a variety of fun happening year-round across the state.

Tennessee offers visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty, and outdoor adventure鈥攁ll centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations 鈥渟ound perfect鈥� in Tennessee. Visit and follow @TNvacation on, , and for travel inspiration.

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