Spring is officially here, Muckers! While the weather in Bolton might still be throwing us the occasional curveball, the global cycling season has officially hit high gear. This weekend gave us the longest race of the year, the muddiest race of the year, and some gradients that make our Sunday Hill Climbs look like a gentle spin.

Here is what’s going on in the world of cycling and why we love it.

1. The 300km Mindset

Yesterday was Milan-San Remo, the first Monument of the 2026 season. At nearly 300 kilometers long, it is a race of pure attrition. You sit in the saddle for six and a half hours, waiting for the final 10 minutes where the entire race explodes on the Poggio climb.

For a community that loves an endurance challenge (we are still in awe of Radim’s 500km epic last month), Milan-San Remo is the ultimate test of patience. The sprinters managed to hang on over the climbs this year to contest a massive finish on the Via Roma. It’s a great reminder for our Thursday Championship races: sometimes the smartest tactic isn’t to attack early, but to save your matches, shelter in the draft, and wait for the perfect moment to strike.

2. The Mid South & The “Mud Clearance” Wars

If you rode outside in the UK this weekend, you probably brought half the countryside home on your frame. We aren’t the only ones suffering. The infamous Mid South gravel race in the US turned into an absolute mud-fest.

The thick, red clay ripped off derailleurs and forced riders to run with their bikes for miles. It’s sparked a huge debate online this week about modern bike design. Are gravel bikes getting too “aero” and losing the massive tire and mud clearance we actually need? For those of us who hate spending Sunday afternoon scraping muck out of our forks, the answer is a resounding yes. Give us clearance over aerodynamics any day of the week!

3. Catalunya Climbing

While the gravel riders were sinking into the mud, the WorldTour climbers were touching the sky at the Volta a Catalunya. The Pyrenees stages this week have been brutal, featuring back-to-back summit finishes with gradients kicking up well past 15%.

It’s the kind of elevation that makes your legs burn just watching it on the TV. If you need some motivation for the next Muckers Sunday Hill Climb, go watch the highlights. The pros might make it look a bit smoother than we do on Rouvy, but gravity hurts everyone the same.

Mucker’s Takeaway: Whether you are braving the spring mud outdoors or grinding up a virtual mountain in your pain cave, keep that Mucker spirit alive. Clean your drivetrains, save your matches for the sprint, and we will see you on the start line this Tuesday!

Ride on!