Gear & Grit Daily: December 04, 2025
Today's cycling news: Phone driver who was unaware he killed cyclist jailed for nine years – after previously avoiding driving ban for phone use due to “risk...
Welcome back to Gear & Grit. While you're planning your off-season training, today's lineup tackles a question that haunts every cyclist: how much fitness are you actually losing when life gets in the way?
From the science of muscle glycogen mysteries to managing performance through perimenopause, we're diving deep into what happens inside your body when the pedals stop turning—and how to bounce back stronger. Plus, a sobering reminder about road safety and an exciting look at how virtual racing is opening doors for African cyclists. Let's roll.
⚡ Quick Hits
- Bikepacking Roots BIPOC Bike Adventure Grant applications are Due December 15th!: Bikepacking Roots launches 4th BIPOC Bike Adventure Grant cycle with December 15th deadline.
- Women’s ridership grows sharply at RBC GranFondo Whistler: RBC GranFondo Whistler reports sharp growth in women's participation through Project 30by30 diversity initiative.
- Why You Need a Coach—Even When You’re Not Training for a Race: Coaching guidance benefits cyclists year-round, maintaining fitness and health beyond race seasons.
- [UPDATE] Who is Gravel's MVP in 2025? Vote on the 2025 All Gravel Awards now.: Community voting on 2025 gravel season's most impactful riders, teams, and events.
- Strava's Year in Sport report has one very revealing statistic: Strava's Year in Sport report reveals key metrics as platform prepares for public market debut.
- Cube issues urgent recall for Agree road bikes over risk of fork failure: Cube recalls entire Agree road bike range due to fork failure risk.
- Park Tool opens application window for Community Grants: Park Tool opens 2026 Community Grants program, awarding $1,600+ tool packages to 10 nonprofits.
- Pro cyclist fined €100 by Spanish police for riding with earphones: Pro cyclist fined for wearing earphones while training in Spain; raises advocacy and safety regulation questions.
📊 By The Numbers
- 200 metres: Distance cyclist should have been visible with hi-vis and lights
- 9 years: Jail sentence for phone driver who killed cyclist
- $100,000: Total awarded in BIPOC Bike Adventure Grants since 2020
📰 Today's Big Stories
[UPDATE] Phone driver who was unaware he killed cyclist jailed for nine years – after previously avoiding driving ban for phone use due to “risk of hardship”
Phone Driver Jailed Nine Years After Killing Cyclist
Van driver Matthew Marston has been sentenced to nine years for killing cyclist Aran Potkin while using his phone. Marston was on his device for a "significant amount" of time before the fatal collision, despite Potkin being visible for up to 200 meters in hi-vis clothing with lights. Disturbingly, Marston had previously avoided a driving ban for phone use by claiming it would cause "hardship."
This case exposes a critical flaw in how courts treat distracted driving. The "hardship" defense allowed a repeat offender to stay on the road until he killed someone. For cyclists, it's a stark reminder that visibility and following the rules aren't enough when drivers aren't watching the road—and that justice systems often fail to prevent tragedy until it's too late.
Highlights of 2025 – Part I
## Milan-Sanremo 2025: Pogačar's Monument Mystery Continues
The 2025 Milan-Sanremo delivered drama with an audacious Cipressa attack that turned the race's finale into what observers called a "fever dream." Despite the fireworks, Tadej Pogačar's Monument curse persists—he finished outside the podium positions for the fifth consecutive attempt at La Primavera, never placing better than third.
Why it matters: Pogačar's Milan-Sanremo struggles highlight cycling's beautiful unpredictability. Even the sport's most dominant rider can't crack every code. The Slovenian has conquered Tours, Monuments, and Worlds elsewhere, but Sanremo's unique 300km equation—positioning, timing, and that crucial Via Roma sprint—remains unsolved. For fans, it's a reminder that in cycling, being the best doesn't guarantee winning everything. Some races just don't suit certain riders, no matter their palmares.
Beyond the road: Why virtual racing could be the key to Africa’s cycling future
Virtual Racing Opens Doors for African Cycling Talent
Team Africa Rising is leveraging virtual performance centers and Zwift to identify and develop the next generation of African professional cyclists. The program uses indoor smart trainers and online racing platforms to scout talent across the continent, bypassing traditional barriers like limited road infrastructure, safety concerns, and geographic isolation that have historically hindered African cyclists' development.
Why it matters: This could fundamentally reshape pro cycling's talent pipeline. Virtual racing eliminates the need for expensive travel to European racing circuits and provides data-driven performance metrics that help coaches spot raw talent early. For a continent with massive untapped potential but limited access to traditional development pathways, platforms like Zwift aren't just training tools—they're democratizing access to the professional peloton. Expect to see more African riders making the jump to WorldTour teams through digital discovery.
How the (Team) Race Was Won: Burning Matches in Glasgow
# How the (Team) Race Was Won: Burning Matches in Glasgow
A tactical breakdown of a grueling team race in Glasgow reveals the brutal reality of track cycling: success requires calculated suffering. The piece dissects how riders strategically "burned matches"—cycling parlance for explosive efforts that drain energy reserves—to position their team for victory despite knowing the pain was inevitable.
Why it matters: This analysis offers valuable lessons for any cyclist managing effort in races or hard group rides. Understanding when to spend energy and when to conserve is crucial whether you're contesting a local crit or just trying to survive the weekly hammerfest. The "it was going to hurt no matter what" mindset reframes suffering not as something to avoid, but as a resource to deploy strategically—a mental shift that separates finishers from winners.
[UPDATE] Inaugural GFNY San Luis Potosí closes 15th GFNY season
## GFNY Expands to Mexico with San Luis Potosí Debut
The Gran Fondo New York (GFNY) series wraps its 15th season this Sunday with a new event in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The inaugural race brings the global cycling series to another international destination, attracting riders from multiple countries.
Why it matters: GFNY's expansion into central Mexico opens up a fresh gran fondo destination for riders seeking new challenges beyond the traditional European and North American circuits. The addition demonstrates the continued growth of organized mass-participation cycling events globally, giving amateur cyclists more opportunities to test themselves on international courses. With 15 years under its belt, GFNY has become one of the most recognizable gran fondo brands worldwide, and each new location adds to the series' appeal for cyclists chasing stamps in their racing passports.
🎙️ Fresh Ears
- HOW CYCLISTS LOSE FITNESS (WITHOUT KNOWING IT) | Hannah Otto | Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast 562: Pro cyclist Hannah Otto discusses fitness loss through inadequate recovery and training periodization mistakes.
- Watts Doc #59: A Muscle Glycogen Paradox: Research study reveals muscle glycogen recovery paradox affecting high intensity interval performance in trained cyclists.
- Making the Most of the Off-Season: Habits, Strength, and Mindset: Elite coach Matt Dixon discusses off-season training strategies, habits, and mindset for long-term athletic success.
