Rory McAllister
Managing Editor at BikeTips and UESCA Cycling Coach
As a UESCA-certified cycling coach, Rory loves cycling in all its forms, but is a road cyclist at heart. He clocked early on that he had much more of a talent for coaching and writing about bikes than he ever did racing them.
In recent years, the focus of Rory’s love affair with cycling has shifted to bikepacking – a discipline he found well-suited to his “enthusiasm-over-talent” approach.
Rory’s latest articles:
Category Climbs In Cycling: What Are The 5 Tour de France Climbing Categories?
The 5 categories of climbs in cycling designate the difficulty of the climb, based on length, gradient, and (depending on who is doing the categorizing) a range of other objective or subjective factors such as where the climb falls in a race. In some professional races such as the Tour de France, the categories also dictate the number of points awarded for the Mountains Classification.
Red Bull sets targets on road cycling with BORA-hansgrohe takeover
Red Bull appears to be targeting road cycling as its next major sporting conquest after reports the company has acquired a controlling 51% stake in the BORA-hansgrohe team were confirmed by Austria’s Federal Competition Authority (FCA). The move will come as a surprise to few cycling insiders following the energy drinks company’s reported involvement in the move that brought Slovenian superstar Primož Roglič to BORA-hansgrohe on a multi-year deal at the close of the 2023 season.
Parts Of A Bicycle Explained: Comprehensive Guide To Your Bike
Discovering a love for cycling but struggling to get to grips with the jargon? Or …
How To Put A Bike Chain Back On In 4 Easy Steps [With Video]
Having your bike chain fall off is a nuisance all cyclists will experience at some point. Besides being irritating, it can also be dangerous – you could slip off the pedals if the chain comes off while you’re standing out of the saddle, or the sudden loss of power could leave you stranded in the middle of a busy junction! It’s therefore vital to learn how to put a bike chain back on quickly and easily so you can get back in the saddle with minimal fuss.
UCI to introduce ‘High Temperature Protocol’ for 2024 in response to climate change
Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, has announced new measures to protect riders from the effects of extreme heat. The new ‘High Temperature Protocol’ grants powers to a safety panel to take action to protect riders in the event of high temperatures or humidity.
Tadej Pogačar confirmed for historic Giro-Tour double attempt in 2024
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) will race the Giro d’Italia for the first time in 2024, race organizers RCS have announced. The Slovenian’s decision all but guarantees he will attempt to become the first man since Marco Pantani (1998) to win cycling’s two most prestigious Grand Tours – the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia – in the same season.
Tour de France 2024 route revealed: “The most difficult I’ve ever seen”
The Tour de France 2024 route was revealed in Paris on Wednesday morning – and it looks absolutely monstrous. There are many unique features to the 2024 edition that make it stand out from the pack and have cycling fans smacking their lips.
HumanForest Vs TIER Vs Lime: Which London Electric Bike Is Best? (Updated October 2023)
London’s electric bike revolution has transformed the way we get about the capital. And with car ownership declining and the ULEZ expanding again to cover the entire city as of August 2023, London’s electric bike hire schemes are becoming increasingly vital. All of which begs the question: Which of the London electric bike services is the best?
Primož Roglič completes seismic BORA-hansgrohe transfer
Primož Roglič has officially signed for BORA-hansgrohe on a two-year deal, ending speculation over his future following confirmation of his decision to leave Jumbo-Visma earlier this week.
“One more year”: Mark Cavendish confirms retirement U-turn to chase Tour de France record
Mark Cavendish will return to the Tour de France one final time, having confirmed he is reversing his decision to retire at the end of this season. The 38-year-old from the Isle of Man will sign a one-year contract extension with Astana-Qazaqstan to compete in the 2024 cycling season. The decision provides Cavendish with a final opportunity to break the all-time record of 34 Tour de France stage wins, which he currently shares with Eddy Merckx.
Vuelta a España 2023: Breathless Breakaway Victory for Groves As Kuss Secures Red Jersey in Stage 21 Finale
Kaden Groves delivered a breathtaking victory in an astonishing finale to the 2023 Vuelta a España, as Sepp Kuss finished safely in the peloton to secure his first Grand Tour win.
Vuelta a España 2023, Stage 17: Angliru Delivers High Drama as Kuss Clings to Red Jersey by a Thread
Sepp Kuss clawed his way back to defend his red jersey by seconds after being dropped by Jumbo-Visma teammates Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič on the savage gradients and swirling fog of the Altu de L’Angliru.
Vuelta a España 2023: Rui Costa Clinches Cagey Stage 15 Breakaway Victory
Rui Costa (Intermarché–Circus–Wanty) clinched a cagey victory from the breakaway on a tense Stage 15 of the Vuelta a España 2023. It was a wiley ride from the Portuguese former world champion, who used all his experience to outfox breakaway companions Lennard Kämna (BORA-hansgrohe) and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) and sprint to victory.
How To Choose Road Bike Wheels: 4 Most Important Factors
Upgrading your road bike wheels is one of the best bang-for-buck improvements you can make to boost your bike’s performance. Road bike wheels have a huge impact on speed, comfort, and control. Whether you’re a speed demon, a long-distance enthusiast, or a casual rider, selecting the right road bike wheels can make a world of difference to your cycling experience.
The Greatest Ever: 10 Best Cyclists of All Time
Few sports revere the heroes of their past quite like cycling. Join us as we embark on a journey through cycling history to settle on our list of the 10 Best Cyclists of All Time – as chosen by the BikeTips team.
Vuelta a España 2023: Groves Doubles Down With Stage 5 Victory
Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) cemented his position as the foremost sprinter of the 2023 Vuelta with a second consecutive win on yet another crash-strewn stage.
Vuelta a España 2023: Kaden Groves Wins Scintillating Stage 4 Sprint
Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) overhauled Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates) at the death in a scintillating sprint as Stage 4 of the 2023 Vuelta a España arrived in Tarragona.
Vuelta a España 2023 Route, Stage by Stage: Where The Red Jersey Will Be Won And Lost
The Vuelta has long established a reputation as the “Climber’s Tour”, with a penchant for savage climbs and punchy uphill finishes – and the Vuelta a España 2023 route is no exception.
Vuelta a España Favorites: Who Will Win the Red Jersey in 2023?
With the Vuelta a España 2023 just weeks away, attention is inevitably turning to the red-hot favorites for the maillot rojo (red jersey). The Vuelta may be considered the least prestigious of the cycling calendar’s three Grand Tours, but there’s a whispered sense among cycling insiders that it’s set to shrug off that position to be the most thrilling General Classification battle of the season.
Vuelta a España Winners: The Complete Guide
Looking to brush up on your Vuelta a España winners’ history before the 2023 edition kicks off in Barcelona on August 26th? We’ve got you covered!
Tour de France 2023: The Story of the Race, Stage by Stage
With Jonas Vingegaard’s second Tour de France victory confirmed, it’s time to look back on the drama provided by three weeks of scarcely-believable action in the great race’s 110th edition. Join us as we run back through all the action, sub-plots, and headline-making drama of the 2023 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2023: Wout Poels Takes Superb Stage 15 Victory as Vingegaard Foils Pogačar
Wout Poels claimed a superb first Tour de France win on Stage 15 in Saint-Gervais …
Tour de France 2023: Vingegaard and Pogačar Fireworks End In Stalemate as Rodriguez Poaches Stage 14 Victory
Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) claimed a brilliant victory on Stage 14 with a nerveless descent into Morzine as the electrifying duel between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard ultimately ended in a stalemate. The final climb up the hors catégorie Col de Joux Plane delivered high drama as anticipated, but neither Pogačar nor Vingegaard could land a knockout blow in what became a cagey, tactical contest.
Tour de France 2023: Ion Izagirre Claims Brilliant Solo Win On Stage 12
Ion Izagirre took a brilliant solo breakaway victory on Stage 11 of the Tour de France with arguably the greatest ride of his storied career. A select chasing group contained threats such as Thibaut Pinot and Matteo Jorgensen, but never had the legs or organization to seriously challenge the outstanding Izagirre who sustained a comfortable gap to the finish.
Tour de France 2023: Pello Bilbao Snatches Emotional Breakaway Victory on Stage 10
Spain’s Pello Bilbao claimed a long-awaited Tour de France stage victory with a tactically astute …
Tour de France 2023: Mads Pedersen Claims Stage 8 Sprint Victory After Cavendish Crashes Out
Denmark’s Mads Pedersen overpowered the pack to sprint to victory on Stage 8 in Limoges, denying Jasper Philipsen a fourth stage win of the 2023 Tour de France. The stage was marred by the crash suffered by Mark Cavendish 60 km from the finish, which forced him to abandon his final Tour de France – and his bid for a record 35th stage victory – with a suspected broken collarbone.
Mark Cavendish Forced To Abandon Tour de France After Stage 8 Crash
Mark Cavendish has been forced to abandon the 2023 Tour de France with a suspected collarbone after crashing on Stage 8. The episode marks the end of the 38-year-old Manxman’s legendary Tour de France career given his planned retirement at the end of this season, robbing him of the opportunity to surpass Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins.
Tour de France 2023: Pogačar Delivers Devastating Response With Statement Stage 6 Victory
Tadej Pogačar delivered the perfect response to his Stage 5 struggles with a destructive late attack to drop Jonas Vingegaard and claim an epic victory on Stage 6 of the 2023 Tour de France. Even more important than the psychological victory of decisively dropping Vingegaard for the first time in his career – just a day after many were questioning his chances of recovering any kind of title push – was the 28 seconds Pogačar took out of his Danish rival, reducing the GC deficit by half.
Tour de France 2023: Britain’s Adam Yates Thwarts Twin Brother Simon In Thrilling Stage 1 Victory
Adam Yates dropped his twin brother Simon in the final kilometer to power to victory at Stage 1 of the 2023 Tour de France. The pair pushed clear of the field with 9 km to go, managing to keep a group containing yellow jersey favorites Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard at arm’s length all the way to the line to contest a sprint finish between themselves.
Tour de France Trivia: 30 Awesome Pub Quiz Questions To Dazzle Your Domestiques
The Tour de France 2023 is fast approaching, and the hype machine is beginning to tick into overdrive. For us, that means one thing above all: It’s BikeTips Tour de France Pub Quiz time!
Riding On The Edge: The 5 Greatest Controversies in Tour de France History
Scandal is at the heart of the mythology of Le Tour that feeds the cycling fanatics and whips the sporting world into a frenzy for one month every summer a century later. With this year’s edition fast approaching, we’re looking back at the 5 most controversial moments in Tour de France history.
Tour de France Favorites: Who Will Win the Yellow Jersey in 2023?
With the Tour de France 2023 just one month away, attention is inevitably turning to the red-hot favorites for the yellow jersey.
From Bonking to Broom Wagons: The Essential Tour de France Glossary
For the uninitiated, Tour de France lingo can be pretty impenetrable. It can take some time to understand the structured chaos of a Tour de France stage at the best of times, and new cycling fans aren’t helped by the sea of jargon surrounding the sport’s most famous race.
Lance Armstrong’s Trek Butterfly Madone: The Story of the Most Expensive Bike Ever Sold
Lance Armstrong’s Trek Butterfly Madone was astonishing, extravagant, and controversial in equal measure – not unlike the disgraced American’s career. The one-off creation – essentially an artwork on two wheels, created by the idiosyncratic British artist Damien Hirst – would go on to become the most expensive bike ever sold at auction, fetching a jaw-dropping $500,000 for charity.
Why Are Bikes So Expensive?
With every passing year, it seems as though bike prices are pushing further into the stratosphere, and it’s left cyclists wondering: Why are bikes so expensive these days?
Beginner Road Biking: Everything You Need To Get Started
For a beginner road cyclist, road cycling can sometimes seem like an intimidating hobby to get started in. In reality, beginner road biking is one of the most accessible, independent, and worthwhile sports around – and has the huge added benefit of combining exercise and transport into one neat package.
Tour de France 2023 Route: Where The Yellow Jersey Will Be Won And Lost
With just a few months left until the Tour de France 2023 kicks off on June 1, anticipation is hotting up. The inclusion of four summit finishes will have cycling fans’ mouths watering at the prospect of a repeat of 2022’s titanic battle between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar.
The Complete Bikepacking Gear List: 7 Packing Essentials
To help you kickstart your adventure, we’ve assembled a bikepacking gear list so you can separate the don’t-leave-without-it from the probably-won’t-end-up-using-that!
What Is A Dropper Post?
Barely a decade ago, moveable dropper posts for bike seats were a novelty, reserved for a few pioneering riders pressing ahead of the technological curve. For the uninitiated, this leaves us wondering: What is a dropper post, and why are they so popular?
Vintage Peugeot Bikes: Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Peugeot Bike Vintage Models
When it comes to vintage racers, Peugeot bikes are some of the most popular (and …
Ultimate Shimano Groupset Guide: Road Bike Edition
Shimano groupset components are consistently ranked among the best around by cyclists the world over. …
Bike Geometry Explained: A Beginner’s Guide
Bike geometry is one of the defining features of frame design. The geometry of your …
What Is A Musette Bag in Cycling? “Bonk Bags” Explained
If you’ve been following this year’s Tour de France, you might’ve noticed each team’s domestiques …
How Long Is The Tour de France?
The Tour de France is the biggest and most prestigious prize in world cycling. Victory …
Tour de France Winners: The Complete Guide
Looking to brush up on your Tour de France winners history before the 2023 edition’s …
Col Du Tourmalet: Cyclist’s Guide To A Legendary Climb
The Col du Tourmalet is the single most iconic climb in the history of bicycle …
The Bike Drivetrain Explained
If you’re new to cycling, you might’ve overheard more experienced cyclists chatting about replacing or …
Ultimate Tour de France Jerseys Guide: Yellow Jersey, Green Jersey, Polka Dot Jersey And More
Every sports fan with even a passing interest in the Tour de France knows the …
Cycling Monuments: The 5 Monuments of Cycling
If you’re a relatively new cycling fan and you’ve found yourself hooked by the Tour …
Biking Beasts: The World’s Fastest Cyclists
Want to know who the world’s fastest cyclists are? Well, there’s both a short answer …
“Pump It!”: What Is A Pump Track, And What Makes A Good Pump Track Bike?
If you’ve not been keeping your ear to the ground in cycling circles, you might’ve …
Time Trial Bikes: What Is A TT Bike?
If you’ve ever watched a Tour de France time trial stage or seen photos of …
The Complete Guide To Bike Handlebars: 7 Key Handlebar Styles
They might not be the first thing that comes to a cyclist’s mind when getting …
London To Brighton Cycle: Complete Guide To The Race And The London To Brighton Cycle Route
So, you’re interested in riding the London to Brighton Cycle? First off – go for …
Domestique Cycling: Bike Racing’s Ultimate Team Players
Anybody who pays even a little attention to the world of professional road racing and …
The “Fixie”: What Is A Fixie Bike?
Fixed-wheel bikes (better known as “fixies”) are bicycles with no freewheel mechanism, meaning that the …
Keirin Racing: The Fascinating Story Of Cycling’s Wildest Olympic Event
To outsiders, Keirin racing is a curiosity, an odd but feverishly exciting fan-favorite that crops …
Best Strength Training For Cyclists: Boost Your Cycling Game And Bag Personal Bests!
The massive benefits of strength training for cyclists have become one of the biking community’s …
A Beginner’s Guide To Bicycle Touring: Everything You Need To Know To Travel By Bike
Bicycle touring has exploded in popularity over the last few years – and for good …
How To Remove And Replace A Bike Chain In 6 Steps [With Pictures]
Knowing how to remove bike chain and replace it is a vital part of good …
How To Change A Bike Inner Tube In 11 Steps [With Video Guide]
Want to know how to change a bike inner tube? Not only is it the repair your bike will need the most often, it’s also possible to do at home with a bit of expert advice – saving you costly and unnecessary trips to the mechanic.