Newsletter Issue No. 1225
May 21, 2026
A Demonstration of the Key Feature That Let The Wright Brothers’ Fly First
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Most people know that brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright were the first to invent an airplane that worked, changing the world in the process by revolutionizing transportation. What some people don’t know is that, before they developed their airplane they were passionate about the current transportation craze of the time, bicycling. The 1880s and 90s were the original bike boom, when the two-wheeler swept the world and ruled the roads. To give you an idea of its popularity, at the peak of the craze, in America alone there were over 2,000 manufacturers of bicycles! Read more.
Readers, Have You Got a Flat Tire Approach That Works Well For You?
By Lars Hundley
I got a flat last week, and it did not go well. It was my rear wheel, and I was only two or three miles from home at the end of a 30-plus mile ride. I pulled over, got off the bike, and stood there doing the mental math. Read more.
There’s No Need to Weigh Yourself: Not If You ‘Weigh’ Your Foods Choices
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Who are you while you’re on the bicycle?
It’s a rather existential question, one you probably don’t expect to be asked on a cycling website. Yet it’s one I’ll ask you to contemplate because of what I read on this cycling website two weeks ago. Read more.
New Tailfin 22L Pannier Bags and Sneak Peak at the Journey Rack – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
I’ve been a huge fan of Tailfin gear since I discovered the brand at Sea Otter Classic 2025. The company makes affordable, high-quality, durable, and functional racks and bags for bikepacking, touring, racing, and commuting. Each item is well-engineered, guaranteed to give you years of service, no matter what the adventure. Read more
This Hack Solved my Lezyne Radar Mount Problem
By Stan Purdum
Thank you to the many readers who responded to my recent article “Readers, how can I mount my Lezyne rear radar unit when seat post space is not available?”
The problem was that unlike all the other rear radar units out there, Lezyne’s is deliberately designed so that the only way it will mount is by attachment to a bike’s seat post by means of a stretchy strap. Read more.
Other Cool Things to Read
CyclingNews: Why nutrition is the new frontier in the performance of pro cyclists
CycleCoach: You’re not slowing down because of age — you’re slowing down because of this
Road.cc: From bum massage boards to backrests — check out cycling’s weirdest saddles
Canadian Cycling: PhD candidate Haley Smith on the psychology of riding better
Rene Herse Cycles: Scientific guide to choosing gravel tires, 2026 edition
Question of the Week
Do you ride with your phone mounted on your bars, in a jersey pocket or something else?
Most Clicked Last Week
A Simple Tip that Can Prevent a Crash
End Notes
