Bicycling SA

Bicycling is the top cycling magazine in South Africa, catering to both road and mountain bike fans. Since its launch in February 2003, it has been published 10 times a year, focusing on the rapidly expanding and affluent cycling community that includes young people, adults, professionals, and casual riders. The magazine offers a rich mix of international and local content, covering various aspects of a cyclist's life, including training tips, fitness advice, inspiring stories, event updates, nutrition, and motivation. Additionally, Bicycling stands out as the leading authority on bike and gear testing in South Africa, dedicating over 30% of each monthly issue to the latest reviews, helping readers make informed choices.

National

English

Magazine

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Global

#2064509

South Africa

#57167

Sports/Cycling and Biking

#102

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Articles

Experience Grit, Gravel, and Glory at the Inaugural Garden Route Giro

2 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

Entries for the inaugural Garden Route Giro open on 17 June 2025 at 12:00, giving riders a chance to take part in a six-day, 684km journey through mountain passes, forest trails, and coastal roads from 13 to 18 April 2026. Whether racing for stage wins or chasing adventure, this is the gravel experience South Africa has been waiting for.
What to Know About Lactic Acid and Lactate Threshold Training

2 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

You might have heard the terms ‘lactic acid’ and ‘lactate threshold’ tossed around in cycling circles. Often, a rider talking about the feeling of lactic acid build-up refers to that heavy sense of muscular fatigue, or a ‘burning’ sensation in the legs. Here’s what you need to know. Lactic acid is a common misnomer that tends to be used interchangeably with lactate, but they’re not quite the same.
What I Learned When I Lost It on a Mountain Bike

2 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

I stood at the trailhead, trying to look like a mountain biker. My husband and I were on our first holiday without children in nearly two decades, and we reckoned I could make it through the trail. Its ‘least difficult’ ranking was marked by a little green dot on the map. I knew our ride would get more challenging on later trails marked with ‘more difficult’ blue squares, but I decided the beauty of the scenery and the freedom from teenagers could inspire me through anything.
Caroline Matsimela’s Mission to Empower Women Cyclists

2 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

Caroline Matsimela’s day job is HR Manager for UK-based e-commerce firm RedCloud Technologies. After hours – like all true superheroes – she slips into her yellow-themed disguise as the driving force behind the Matismela Ladies Clinic, an initiative she started in 2020 with the simple aim of inspiring more women to spend time outdoors. Matsimela started the clinic, which caters to all levels of riders, with two friends.
Ride Joburg Moves to New Date for 2025, MTB Races Cancelled

2 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

Ride Joburg has announced a change in date for the 2025 edition of its iconic road race. The event will now take place on Sunday, 26 October 2025, moving forward from its original date of 16 November 2025. This necessary adjustment comes in response to the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit, which is scheduled for November. With global heads of state gathering at Nasrec, international security protocols require the complete sterilisation of the surrounding precincts well in advance of the summit.
5 Signs You’ve Graduated From Beginner Cyclist Status

3 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

“When did you first realize you weren’t a beginner anymore?”It’s a question I posed to my coworkers at Bicycling, many of whom have been riding and racing for multiple decades, at elite levels, across staggering distances, possibly uphill both ways in the snow. I expected my inbox to be flooded with inspiring anecdotes; tales of triumph and woe; or at the very least, smug hot takes on when it’s OK to start caring about insider stuff like embro and VO2 Max. But such was not the case.
How To Avoid Getting a Flat Tyre on Your Next Ride

3 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to your tyres and their lifespan. Unfortunately, flat tyres are part of riding and bound to happen to every cyclist at some point—but there are precautions you can take to reduce their likelihood. Here are nine expert tips to prevent a flat tyre from slowing you down on your next ride. Use Baby PowderLiberally dusting a new inner tube with baby powder before installation reduces chafing on the tube’s rubber surface.
Your Guide to Preride Nutrition

3 weeks ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

Whether it’s a long ride with friends, a race, or a strenuous interval session, fueling up correctly before a bike ride is key to keeping energy high and maintaining stable blood sugar levels. However, not all rides call for the same nutrition strategy; distance and intended intensity both factor into what you should eat before hopping on the saddle.
Reviewed: Trek Checkpoint SL5 AXS

1 month ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

While Trek’s Checkmate goes all in on racing, the Checkpoint is free to become a gravel bike built for adventure. And multiple updates for 2025 express that. “Puts you in a more relaxed upright riding position”Comfort is a big theme. A great deal of that comfort is due to the revised geometry that Trek says “puts you in a more relaxed upright riding position” and allows more riders to get a good fit on the bike.
Loubser Shatters the 36ONE MTB Challenge Course Record

1 month ago | bicycling.co.za | Michael Finch

Dan Loubser not only won the 2025 36ONE MTB Challenge on Saturday, 24 May, but also shattered the course record and the 13-hour mark in the process. The Freewheel Cycology man’s time for the 356 kilometre course was 42 minutes and 20 seconds faster than Drikus Coetzee’s 2022 benchmark, as well as 25 minutes and 3 seconds quicker than the 13-hour goal. This ensured that he would take home a performance bonus to top up his winner’s prize purse to R36 100.