Newsletter Issue No. 1178

June 19, 2025

Multiple Concussions: Lessons from a Reader

By Richard Randolph

One of our regular RBR readers submitted this article about his recent experience with multiple concussions, one of which resulted in a dangerous brain bleed with stroke-like symptoms. There are also some questions at the bottom of the article for the rest of our readers. Be careful out there! Read more.

Am I Doomed to Be Old, Slow and Disappointed?

QUESTION: Back in the day, I used to pull at the front of just about every group ride I joined. These days, in my 60s, I’m still riding strong — but on the really hard rides, I’m starting to get popped off the back. I’m not racing anymore, but I still want to feel fast. Is there anything I can do to recapture that sensation, or is this just the natural trade-off for staying in the game this long? —Leonard R. Read more.

Seek the Interesting, Stay a Cyclist

By Kevin Kolodziejski

“My motivation comes and goes.”

That’s what the cyclist said in response to me saying I hadn’t seen him on the roads in quite a while. While I don’t know the guy well, I know him well enough to ride aside of him and chat for a bit if we’re both out and about and clearly not going hard. But this guy was always going hard and always motivated years ago when I first rode with and against him on a Sunday morning training ride that every serious trackie and roadie in our area not racing that day seemed to do at that time. Read more.

REVIEW: Pearl Izumi’s 2025 Men’s Expedition PRO Bibs, Pro Mesh Jersey, Transfer Air 7” Socks

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

Just in time for spring and summer riding, Pearl Izumi sent several samples of their 2025 line-up, which I’ve been putting to the test on hotter days and on gravel and road loops since. Temperatures exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit on some of these rides. Read more.

USWE Rush 8L Hydration Pack – Quick Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

I’m writing detailed product reviews on gear that got me through the Unbound Gravel race. One key item was a USWE Rush hydration pack. What sets it apart from other hydration packs? The No Dancing Monkey (NDM) design. The team behind USWE (pronounced you-swii) grew up riding off-road motorcycles in the Swedish countryside. They design packs with zero movement even when the rider bounces around on rough terrain or running. Read more.

How Do Cyclists Deal with Dogs?

QUESTION: How do cyclists deal with dogs? I live in a rural area where some people let their dogs run loose. Some dogs have charged me when I’ve ridden past their houses. I already avoid certain routes because of aggressive dogs. Got any advice?

RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: That’s a good question. You’re not the only rider who avoids routes with troublesome dogs. Read more.

Question of the Week

Have you hit your head in a cycling crash?

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Newsletter Issue No. 1178

Multiple Concussions: Lessons from a Reader