Newsletter Issue No. 1196
October 23, 2025
Attention City Dwellers: Please Share Your Bike Care Tips for Those Living in Small Spaces
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Reader “Nancy M” read last week’s article titled How to Keep Your Bike Clean and asked this excellent question:
“Any tips for those of us who live in the city and don’t have access to a hose and/or driveway? City riding picks up all kinds of nastiness and I’d really like to clean more often. I have a bike stand and clean my bike over a large plastic tarp in my small living room, but a bucket of soapy water is not an option. Thanks!” Read more.
Is Bad Eating Eating Away at Your Memory?
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Going to a time trial with the goal of placing first in my age group and then shocking the hell out of everyone — including myself — by clocking the fastest time overall. I wish I still could do that (boy, do I ever), but I know it’s a never-again occurrence. Read more.
Handlestash Stashquatch Handlebar Bag Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
The Colorado-based company, Handlestash, recently launched its largest handlebar bag to date. With a 5.3L capacity, there’s plenty of room for storing nutrition, valuables, extra clothing layers, and gear. I used the bag on my recent Katy Trail bikepacking trip, loading it with a bike repair kit, snacks, and a vest. Read more.
How do I carry my extra clothing layers I take off during a ride?
QUESTION: I’ve finally graduated from the heavy hybrid bike I started on when I first got into cycling. I now have a lightweight road bike, and I love how it performs. On the hybrid, I had a rear rack with a trunk, which made it easy to store layers of clothing I started chilly days wearing but removed as the day warmed up. But on the road bike, I have only a small under-the-seat bag for a few tools, a spare tube and an e-pump. I don’t want to add the rack and trunk to the road bike as that defeats the purpose of spending all that money to minimize weight. Any suggestions? —Ed R. Read more.
How Can I Go Faster at the End of a Ride?
QUESTION: I got my first road bike three years ago and fell in with a group of racers at work. We’ve been doing fast 30-mile lunchtime rides with a good deal of climbing. I’m improving quickly, but I still get dropped near the finish. My friends say, “The only way to ride at 30 mph is to ride at 30 mph.” How do I get to the next level? — Jeff D. Read more.
Other Cool Things to Read
Cycling Weekly: Want to ride further? Here’s how to build your cycling endurance effectively
Cycling News: Paul Seixas completes massive 323km, 12-hour Alpine ride with 8,000m of elevation
Bike Radar: 10 most controversial changes in road-cycling tech from the last 100 years
Question of the Week
What time of day do you prefer to ride?
Most Clicked Last Week
End Notes
