A collection of stories, news and information that we thought you might find interesting and relevant.
- Green space helps people feel less depressed and fatigued, and science is still exploring all the other ways it lifts our spirits. In a global crisis, we could all use more time in nature, but the Ontario Provincial COVID restrictions put in place last Friday are encouraging people to stay inside. Read This is your brain on trees: Why is urban nature so good for our minds, and what happens when a pandemic isolates us from it?
- Mariposa Bicycles’ Dede Barry shares some of her favorite trails in Ontario in the the Toronto Star: An Olympic cyclist’s guide to Ontario’s best bike trails
- Marcus Gee of the Globe and Mail shares The Magic and The Mystery of the Toronto Ravines
- In cities like Toronto where ravines and valleys define the landscape, what we imagine is unspoiled wilderness is being constantly changed by urbanization, non-native species and pollution. Here, a naturalist and an illustrator show you what to look for: A ravine-land who’s who: Take a virtual hike through our urban ecosystems and the threats they face from humans
- James Startt captures the bleak beauty of empty pavé on a winter’s day. View Gallery: Reflections on Paris-Roubaix
- Team Spectra launches gender-balanced, multidisciplinary cycling team with big ambitions. We need more teams like this.
- In Seattle, 43% of bicycle helmet citations since 2017 have gone towards homeless people, while Black cyclists received citations at nearly four times the rate of white cyclists. Read How US helmet laws are used against cyclists of colour and homeless people.
- Rouleur magazine features the toughest women’s stage race in history: The Ore Ida which took place over 17 days in the 1980’s and 90’s.
- AVNTR reviews the Brooks Scape bags.
- The photograph above is Sa Calobra, on the northwest coast of the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca. It is a popular training locale for Northern European professional cyclists. The road was designed by Italian-Spanish engineer Antonio Parietti and opened in 1933. It is a winding road that features many hairpin turns and a 270° spiral bridge. Captured by Michael Blann, it is one of the many beautiful photos in his Mountains: Epic Cycling Climbs book. Although most of us cannot travel yet, with the vaccines now in circulation, it’s looking like Fall travel might be considered safe. Now’s a great time to start building your bucket list of cycling’s iconic climbs with Blann’s book.
