Feature Article
The Heartbeat Of Cycling: Why Independent Bike Shops Still Matter
There is a sound that belongs to a real bike shop: a freehub ticking down after a wheel leaves the truing stand; an air compressor snapping to life; a chain turning quietly beneath a mechanic’s hand. Add the smell of rubber, coffee, and fresh degreaser, and many cyclists are instantly transported. It may be the place where you bought your first serious bike, walked in embarrassed by a recurring creak, or lingered long after a ... Read more
Boarderlands Gravel Transcends The Line On A Map Where 2 Countries Meet
By: Sean Benesh, Contributing Author The Arizona borderlands is a geographic and cultural region on the northern side of the Arizona-Mexico border. To talk about the borderlands area as a whole transcends the line on the map and is where the two countries meet. While the topic of the border has been hotly contested in the political theater of this election cycle, the history of the border shows it’s not only been complicated, but the ... Read more
Can Rural Communities Build a Trail-Based Economy?
By Sean Benesh Every time we cut a new trail through the woods, not only are we changing the landscape, but we’re also changing the future of the communities that surround it. Most of us don’t show up to a dig day thinking about hotel occupancy rates, tax revenue, or rural economic development. We’re thinking about drainage, sightlines, sustainable grades, rockwork, and building the best trail we can. And that’s exactly how it should be. ... Read more
Tour de France 2026 Final Week: The Stages, Storylines, and U.S. Riders to Watch
As the peloton winds its way through the picturesque French countryside, anticipation builds for the Tour de France 2026 final week. This climactic period promises to deliver unparalleled drama, showcasing the grit, strategy, and sheer athleticism that define cycling’s most prestigious race. With the yellow jersey still fiercely contested and several stages poised to shake up the general classification, fans worldwide are gearing up for an unforgettable conclusion. AvidCyclist.com is here to break down what ... Read more
The Finish Line is Just a Suggestion: Béa and Damien Complete Their 5,000-Mile Journey
By Gary Robinson, AvidCyclist.com When I first spotted Béa and Damien Bertaux descending Wolfensberger Road in Castle Rock, Colorado, their heavily loaded touring bikes and the small “France” license plate dangling from the rear rack told me they were on a serious adventure. They were riding from Cancún, Mexico, to Calgary, Canada—a five-month journey delayed by a pandemic, postponed by a broken bone, and ultimately ridden in reverse. In our last update, the French couple ... Read more
Why Cascadia Super Gravel Is One of the Pacific Northwest’s Most Unique Gravel Races
I’ve been a part of more gravel races than I can count. Most of the time, my role is that of a photographer, capturing the moment. On some levels, that sounds exhilarating. While it is a blast, most of my time is spent waiting, watching … and thinking. Recently, I shot photos at Cascadia Super Gravel outside of Olympia, Washington. It was my first time there. While I’ll circle back around to more details of ... Read more
Do You Think Motorists Hate Cyclists? Well, Bill Bee of “The Daily Bee” Takes Hate To A Whole New Level
By: Gary Robinson / July 7, 2026 Over the past several years, I have written about and covered terrible motor vehicle/cyclist crashes, many ending in deaths. I have also witnessed and written articles the horrific social media outrage that comes out after a man or woman riding a bike has his or her life take from them, blaming the victim. I thought I had seen the height of ignorance fueled hatred, which I call Cyclist ... Read more
The Language of Dehumanization: How the Media Fails Cyclists in Fatal Crashes
By Gary Robinson / AvidCyclist.com Every time a cyclist is killed on American roads, a tragic script plays out in the local news. The headlines almost universally follow a rigid, passive formula: “Cyclist dies after being struck by vehicle.” The victim is reduced to a role, the driver is vanished from the sentence, and the multi-ton vehicle is treated as an autonomous actor. Yet, when a motorist or passenger is killed, the narrative shifts entirely. ... Read more
The Value of A Cyclist’s Life: Why Killing a Cyclist is Still Just a Traffic Ticket
By Gary Robinson, AvidCyclist.com It was a clear September day in Morrison, Colorado, when 60-year-old Gerald Missel, a father of four, veteran, and avid cyclist, set out for a ride. He was traveling eastbound on his bicycle when a driver heading the opposite direction made a left turn, colliding with Missel and causing fatal injuries . Missel’s family spent six agonizing days by his side in the ICU before he was declared brain dead. When ... Read more
Your Bike Is a Time Machine: The Science of How Cycling Adds Years to Your Life — and Life to Your Years
If you are looking for the fountain of youth, you might want to stop looking in the supplement aisle and start looking in your garage. For years, we have known that regular cycling provides immense health benefits, from weight management to improved joint health. But a massive wave of new scientific research published in 2025 and 2026 has revealed something far more profound: cycling does not just keep you fit. It fundamentally alters the way ... Read more
