#Italy

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Mental Detours Part One: Bike Touring the Italy Divide(ish)

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Mental Detours Part One: Bike Touring the Italy Divide(ish)

Travel is routinely romanticized. And it is romantic—how could having the privilege of “checking out” of the daily drum of work, family, bills, etc., and the attendant stress in favor of experiencing a new place not be? The word vacation is, of course, derived from the verb “to vacate,” and while going on vacation is about the act of leaving, it’s also about finding. Finding new culture, new landscapes, new experiences, but maybe just as importantly it’s about finding new perspective on what it is you’ve placed on hold.

After two weeks spent bike touring in Italy in October, Hailey Moore reflects on what she found while away and the paradox of trying to experience more than the Trip Advisor-version of a place without missing the five-star sights. Read on for part one of her Italy Divide reflections while riding from Trento to Florence.

Readers’ Rides: Andrea from Cicli Barco’s Piovan Primitiva Kintsugi Gravel Bike

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Readers’ Rides: Andrea from Cicli Barco’s Piovan Primitiva Kintsugi Gravel Bike

One of the reasons we love metal bikes is how they can get damaged in a wreck or even get hit by a car and be repaired. That’s what happened to Andrea from Cicli Barco. After a car hit him on a ride, resulting in a folded in the front end of his Piovan gravel bike, he decided to take a KINTSUGI approach to the repair. The final product is stunning, and we thought y’all would enjoy this one!

E-Bikepacking the Dolomites: A First Time for Everything

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E-Bikepacking the Dolomites: A First Time for Everything

Belén Castelló and Tristan Bogaard have made a life bikepacking around the world. On a trip to Italy last fall Belén’s brother, Horacio, decided to join the couple on a tour through the Dolomites. On the cusp of turning 40 and with little-to-no cycling experience, Horacio was looking for an experience that would shake him up, and wake him up from his normal routine. He found that while riding an e-bike for back-to-back days in the Dolomite Mountains. Read on for Belén’s recounting of the trip and why choosing e-bikes felt like the best choice for their ride.

The Radavist’s Top Ten Stories of 2022

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The Radavist’s Top Ten Stories of 2022

Radical Atavism is about sharing stories from the road, knocking the dust off your bike, and reflecting on an experience. These thoughtful reflections, penned by autodidactic raconteurs, are just one of the feathers we’ll proudly peacock in our caps. Looking back at the past twelve months, we’ve got a list of ten articles that stood out from the rest. Included are stories from the birthplace of mountain biking in the US, of FKTs, CKTs, events, and more. Don’t miss out on this nostalgic trip through The Radavist’s Top Ten Stories of 2022!

Eating and Riding Italy’s TranSardinia Trail

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Eating and Riding Italy’s TranSardinia Trail

During the final weeks of October 2021, Bec and I teamed up with new friends, Tristan and Belén to ride Europe’s longest off-road mountain bike route: The TranSardinia Trail.

A lesser-known, 450-kilometre trail starting at Olbia (Italy) in the north and flowing south, the TranSardinia follows a crocheted masterpiece of natural forest trails, dusty shepherd tracks, and jagged mountain passes – eventually finishing in the city of Cagliari. With 13,000 metres of total climbing, stunning camp cooking, a broken derailleur, and some pretty gnarly descents down baby-head strewn trails, the TranSardinia Trail kicked all our asses… in the best possible way!

The Kory York K2 Tracklocross Frame is a Throwback

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The Kory York K2 Tracklocross Frame is a Throwback

Rimini, Italy-based Kory York manufacturers its frames in Italy offers a unique frame the readers of The Radavist might enjoy. These K2 Tracklocross frames are inspired by the old Cannondale track frames and have all the right details. With five sizes and eight color options this frame would build up a treat. As with all its frames, the K2 is available as a custom geometry as well.

Specs:
100% Handmade
High Quality 7000-series T6 Aluminum Alloy
Handcrafted Smooth Welding
Straight Geometry
Size* : XS | S | M | L | XL (custom geo available on request)
Bottom Bracket Threading : BSA BB 68mm (English)
Seatpost Diameter* : Ø 27,2 mm by Dedacciai® (Ø 31,6 mm available on request)
Head tube* :External 1-1/8″ (Headset on request + 39€) Note: 1″ Classic by Columbus® available on request)
Weight: 1660g (S)

See more at Kory York.

Albion’s Ultralight Insulated Jacket

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Albion’s Ultralight Insulated Jacket

Albion is known for its minimally-branded performance cyclewear. The latest update from the brand is a new color in the Ultralight Insulated Jacket. This jacket weighs just 99 grams (size small), utilizes Clo’s Eco Vivo breathable recycled insulation concept in externally baffled panels to supply ample breathability, and comes with its own stuff sack to pack it away in a handlebar bag or jersey pocket.

Features:
Engineered fit – insulated and lightweight panels combined to optimise warmth and breathability
Ultralightweight, breathable micro ripstop fabric with C0 Durable Water Repellency (DWR) coating
Clo™ Eco Vivo recycled insulation
YKK Vislon 2-way zip with cord pullers
Stuff sack for high packability
Weight – 99 grams (size S)
Adjustable draw-cord hem with internal rear gripper
On bike fit – shorter front and dropped rear
Reflective logo trim at the rear
Fabric – 100% bluesign® approved recycled nylon
Made in Italy
Retail – $183

See more at Albion.

Photographic Observations While Bicycle Touring Along the Tuscany Trail

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Photographic Observations While Bicycle Touring Along the Tuscany Trail

I don’t consider myself an avid bikepacker. Yet, neither I think nor talk about riding my enduro bike (which I don’t have). Terminology in general has lost meaning for me in the past years in the bike world. I guess at the same time as many of us, I got overwhelmed with all the new kinds of everything, and the speed of development and diversity the market has achieved in such a short time. I tried to back off a little and find a short of safe place from where I can observe it all. And at the same time, the kind of biking I try to practice more is also quite determined by the act of observing.

Alba Optics: Delta Ultra Sunglasses

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Alba Optics: Delta Ultra Sunglasses

Alba Optics, an eyewear company based in Italy, began when its founders looked for an original mold for sports shades from the 80s. Once they found it, they began producing sunglasses in Italy, starting with the Delta. A little while later, they took the Delta and refined it, offering wider, 360º panoramic views. This new lens is called the U-Lens and it offers a more streamlined silhouette. The frames are made from a material called Tr90, a hybrid material fabricated from nylon and carbon fiber, organically compatible and safe to the skin, even after prolonged use. It is 20% lighter than other conventional materials and it offers more protection against crashes.

So what are the Delta Ultra sunglasses for? Gravel? Road? MTB? Whatever you want. The Delta Ultra sunglasses come with a carrying pouch, retention straps, and retail for €179,00 with free shipping to the USA. See more at Alba Optics.