During a special gathering with Pope Leo XIV, and the College of Cardinals, the man behind Italy’s most famous bicycle brand was anointed a cardinal last weekend.  

For his new role as a cardinalate of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Ernesto Colnago has taken the name Fanculo-Fanabla I, and will oversee the archdiocese of Madonna di Figlio di Puttana in Sardinia, reported the Vatican City newspaper L’Osservatore Romano.

Colnago’s appointment comes as no surprise, as the master framebuilder has always kept a close relationship with the Vatican over the decades, and as some insiders say, has always harbored a deep desire to ascend within the ranks of the church himself.

In an interview with the Italian ecclesiastical newspaper, Santo di Guano, Colnago said he hasn’t felt this close to Pappa since Columbus ELOS tubing.

Fanculo-Fanabla I, will be given a special eBike, similar to past Popes, to make his way around the Holy See, albeit with downtube shifters compliments of Campagnolo.

Meanwhile, the Italian marque will continue to produce its legendary bikes under the Colnago name, with Fanculo-Fanabla I scheduled to appear at this year’s slew of European bike shows with a Papal Bull forbidding any catholic from riding a non-Italian bike. 

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Prologo is creating some big waves in the saddle segment with the launch of its radical new AQUAFLOW SYSTEM, which turns its focus on the benefits of fluidity instead of just support.

“After years spent studying pressure distribution, innovative materials, and cutting-edge technologies, Prologo has discovered that the key to true comfort is not support, but fluidity. Water is one of the most precious essential elements on our planet; we started from this simple concept to make your rides comfortable beyond all limits, in every weather condition and on every surface Saddles equipped with the new Aquaflow System technology, designed to perfectly adapt to every rider, use an internal hydrodynamic system that evenly distributes weight, transforming every ride into a surprisingly smooth experience. Thanks to the AquaFlow system, every cyclist can experience the sensation of floating above their bike, while keeping a delicate area like the saddle region constantly hydrated,” explains Prologo. 

In fact, Prologo’s technology is so advanced that Jacques Cousteau himself is rumored to have surfaced from the depths to place the first order.

Oh, and it’s important to note that no marine life was harmed in the making of this saddle. 

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article by Richard Stephens

A few years ago my good friend Mark Foulks occupied the rear seat of a tandem on a sponsored long distance cycle ride from Berkshire to Barcelona. His pithily entitled JustGiving website “Berks2Barca”, is typical Mark and no doubt contributed to him raising more than £10,000 towards a mobile chemotherapy unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

But it wasn’t easy – accessing Barcelona by road from the north involves crossing the Pyrenees by cycling uphill for long stretches of time. He told me that one strategy that evolved spontaneously during these difficult moments was swearing loudly. But could it really be that shouting profanities in any way helped him get up that hill? If so, why? As a psychologist interested in understanding swearing I decided to find out.

My research has previously shown that swearing helps people to better tolerate pain, apparently because swearing triggers the body’s acute stress response. Indeed, this research demonstrate that repeating a swear word during an ice water challenge produces an increase in heart rate, consistent with an aroused autonomic nervous system as seen during moments of acute stress.

This same phenomenon is sometimes talked about as the “fight or flight” response and is well known to incorporate a range of elevated bodily responses. One example is the release of endorphins, which contributes to a phenomenon known as stress-induced analgesia – potentially explaining why swearing reduces pain.

But one feature of the fight or flight response is the release of adrenaline, which can lead to increased physical performance. This raises the intriguing question as to whether swearing while performing a physical challenge might improve performance by triggering the fight or flight response in similar fashion to what happened in our swearing and pain research.

‘Hell on Wheels’ Experiment

To find out, my colleague David K Spierer and I asked volunteers to ride a stationary bicycle in what is known as the Wingate Test. After warming up, the rider is asked gradually to build up to top speed, at which moment a switch is flipped adding huge resistance so that the next 30 seconds of exertion resembles hell on wheels. It’s a tough challenge to push very hard under these circumstances and vomiting is not uncommon during or shortly afterwards.

In this study participants performed the Wingate Test twice – on one occasion repeating a swear word during that 30 seconds of high intensity, and on another occasion repeating a neutral word. Interestingly, volunteers produced a 4.6% increase in peak power (power exerted during the first five seconds) and a 2.8% boost in average power when swearing.

However, there were no biological signs of the fight or flight response, which we had anticipated would underlie these performance increases. Indeed, several measures of heart rate showed no difference across the swearing and non-swearing conditions. This was a puzzle – we had an effect but no explanation for it.

Thinking that perhaps the enormous exertion required during the Wingate Test may have obscured meaningful heart-rate data, we ran a second study using the more sedate physical challenge of a hand-grip task. But this study showed the same pattern of results. Now we found an 8.2% increase in grip strength when participants swore while undertaking the task. However, once again, there were no physiological signs of the fight or flight response.

The results of both studies are to be presented on May 5 at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference, and have been submitted to Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

Psychological Explanation

We feel fairly sure that whatever is causing this effect of swearing on physical performance is not related to fight or flight mechanisms. But if the effect isn’t physical, it’s intriguing to try and work out what psychology may be at play.

It may be that our studies are simply detecting the effects of “letting go” – where any concerns that overexertion may cause injury or embarrassment become more easily put aside. This would be thanks to an “I don’t care” mindset brought about by swearing. If true then swearing might also be expected to improve performance of non-strength based physical tasks such as balancing, and perhaps even cognitive performance. Watch this space.

What our new studies do show, without explaining it, is that repeating a swear word enables higher degrees of physical exertion compared with repeating a non-swear word.

So, at least for now, it seems that science was indeed on the side of my friend Mark during his difficult times in the Pyrenees.

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Not sure how the #MeToo movement and other cancel culture proxies would feel about this, but a new study finds male cyclists to be the “most attractive” athletes by women.

According to the study, male cyclists are more attractive to the opposite sex, fitting with the theory that women have an evolved preference for more athletic men who in past times were better able to provide for their families.

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AC Milan, Papal Swiss Guard or modern jail house, no wait Ronald McDonald, which is Castelli’s new kit more emblematic of? Either way, it’s about as hideous as a set of cycling togs can get. 

In any case, Castelli says the kit represents the merging of Milanese to launch a premium cycling collection that celebrates their deep-rooted heritage, shared values, and commitment to pushing boundaries in sport and style.

The collaboration marks the Rossoneri’s first-ever official cycling apparel line, designed in partnership with Castelli, resulting in “a bold fusion of football heritage and cycling innovation that’s rooted in Italian craftsmanship and a passion for movement.”

“More than just a collaboration, this collection brings together two brands connected by a shared Milanese heritage and a commitment to sporting innovation. Their histories intersect through the renowned tailor Vittore Gianni, whose atelier crafted some of AC Milan’s kits between the late 1960s and early 1970s, while also laying the foundation for the sportswear brand that would later bear the name Castelli. This common thread, rooted in craftsmanship and creativity, is now reimagined in a contemporary collaboration that celebrates tradition, style, and excellence,” says Castelli. 

“This collaboration with Castelli came together naturally – a meeting of two iconic brands with deep roots and a shared Milanese spirit. This is a collection that speaks to a broader lifestyle, in line with the interests of our fans – who not only love football, and our Club in particular, but also have an active passion for other sports and expressions of performance. It is a creative fusion of style and function, and part of a wider journey for the Club as we continue to explore new ways to connect with people through creativity and culture,” says AC Milan Ecommerce, Retail & Licensing Director Valerio Rocchetti.

“This collaboration is a true testament to the enduring bond between Castelli and AC Milan, stretching back to Vittore Gianni’s original craftsmanship. We have poured that shared history into this collection, combining iconic AC Milan style with Castelli’s pro-level performance to create something truly special for fans and riders alike,” adds Castelli Global Brand Manager Steve Smith .

The collection includes three high-performance jerseys, premium cycling shorts, gloves, socks, and a neck warmer – all echoing the spirit of the Club and Castelli’s technical excellence:

• The Home Jersey channels the legendary red and black stripes worn by Rossoneri greats.
• The Away Jersey is inspired by the Club’s magical European nights.
• The Special Edition Jersey pays homage to AC Milan’s recent 125th anniversary, a striking symbol of pride and tradition.

All pieces are based on Castelli’s Competizione model, designed for top-tier performance with advanced fabrics, aerodynamic cuts, and breathable comfort – delivering the perfect balance of function and flair for both amateur riders and cycling purists.

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While cigarettes are nothing new to the peloton, as many European teams were oddly sponsored by tobacco brands during the 1960’s, this strange animation called Velodrool, depicts a bizarre and disturbing relationship between track racers, nicotine addiction and a seemingly gruesome crowd of tifosi.  

Call it a bizarre case of the peloton meets the Yellow Submarine. 

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photo credits @ Vedran Misic http://vedranart.com

Bicycle Day is an international holiday that commemorates the date that Dr. Albert Hofmann first tripped on LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-25), while cycling home from his lab in Basel, Switzerland on April 19, 1943.

Hofmann had synthesized several derivatives of ergot, a fungus found on rye, in the process of searching for new pharmaceuticals for Sandoz Laboratories. Hoffman first synthesized LSD-25 in 1938 but did not become aware of its psychedelic properties until April 16th, 1943 when he absorbed a small amount of the compound accidentally either through his fingertips or by ingesting it. Curious about the psychoactive effects, three days later he performed a self-experiment to determine the true effects of LSD, intentionally ingesting 250 micrograms, an amount he predicted to be a threshold dose (an actual threshold dose is 20 micrograms) on April 19th, 1943. He started to feel the effects and asked his laboratory assistant to escort him home. During the bicycle ride home, he experienced the psychedelic effects of LSD, making this the date of the first acid trip in history, propelling the West into the Psychedelic Age.

In his notes, he went on to describe the hallucinogenic trip that would go on to inspire a countercultural revolution and, decades later, a generation of scientists looking to harness LSD’s powers to treat mental health issues:

… affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After about two hours this condition faded away.

While the stigma leftover from the 1960s remains hard to shake, but LSD has slowly been undergoing a rebrand in recent years that is much more in line with Hofmann’s original vision: Using it as a treatment for psychiatric ailments.

Just this year, scientists applied cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques to find out what exactly LSD does to the human brain, in hopes that research on the drug will regain credence in the scientific community that Hofmann himself proudly represented.

The celebration of Bicycle Day originated in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1985, when Thomas B. Roberts, then a Professor at Northern Illinois University, invented the name “Bicycle Day” when he founded the first Bicycle Day celebration at his home. Several years later, he sent an announcement made by one of his students to friends and Internet lists, thus propagating the idea and the celebration. His original intent was to commemorate Hofmann’s original, accidental exposure on April 16, but that date fell midweek and was not a good time for the party, so he chose the 19th to honor Hofmann’s first intentional exposure.

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Either this is an April Fools’ prank, or Prologo has decided to channel Liberace with the launch of an 18-karat gold version of its Dimension R2 saddle, or both. But, whatever the case may be, the Italian brand is showcasing the lavish saddle on its website with the caption, “It’s an absolute masterpiece of design and elegance, a refined and distinctive choice to make your own high-end bike even more precious.”

Reading further, Prologo goes on to say, “The new Prologo Dimension 18K will be available in a limited edition at Prologo’s best jewelry stores, exclusively on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with the price to be determined at the time of purchase, based on daily gold quotations”, which definitely smacks of a ruse.  

I guess the only way to find out is to contact Prologo directly and inquire. Who knows, maybe Liberace himself might respond from the Hereafter with a quote. Or, maybe one should just wait until tomorrow and see if the golden-adorned saddle has suddenly disappeared from the site.

After all, the golden rails do look a bit photoshopped.

Prologo

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AVIIAV is offering the “Mother” of all wheels – “Pearl” that is, handcrafted carbon hoops bedecked in all manner of Mother of Pearl that would even leave Liberace smitten.

Making their debut at this month’s Tapei Bike Show, AVIIAV calls its bejeweled wheels the JAGAE, which is based on the South Korean brand’s premium ALDO2 wheelset, treating each wheel to the hand of artist SeungCheon Kuk who crafts them one by one, resulting in one-off bespoke sets. 

The use of Mother of Pearl in furniture and ornate decorations is steeped in South Korea’s history, a tradition that dates back more than a thousand years.

“The Jagae wheel is a work of art that is handcrafted one by one on the surface of the rim. Just as Aldo2 rims are handcrafted one by one by engineers in Korea, mother-of-pearl is also a handmade piece,” says AVIIAV.

“This work creates new artistic value by combining mother-of-pearl, a traditional Korean decorative technique that has been around for over 1,000 years, and carbon, a modern cutting-edge material,” adds AVIIAV.

Want a set?

Well, it remains to be seen if AVIIAV will actually produce the JAGAE, let alone, if the treatment can can endure the elements.

But, suffice to say, if the wheels do become available to the masses, the price will be higher than any rocket that North Korea has been able to launch thus far. 

AVIIAV

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Most people fart at least 14 times a day, and although it’s a completely natural part of digestion, for many farting can be embarrassing — especially when it happens in public So, for that reason, most people try to hold in their gas. But, according to flatulence experts, passing gas is usually a sign that your body is working as it should. So let it rip!

What Happens in the Body When You Pass Gas?

When you fart, several processes take place in the digestive system to release gas from your intestines.

Gas is produced in your digestive tract by either:

• Swallowing air while eating or drinking
• The breakdown of undigested food by the bacteria in the colon

Some foods, particularly those high in fiber, are harder to digest and produce more gas.

As gas builds up in your intestines, it moves along with the other contents through your digestive tract. The intestines contract in a process known as peristalsis, pushing food and gas along the digestive system.

In the colon, bacteria ferment undigested carbohydrates — a natural part of digestion — producing gasses such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen.

The accumulation of gas creates pressure in the intestines, which signals to your body that it’s time to release gas, either through burping or farting.

When you fart, the gas is expelled through the rectum and anus, and the sound produced is the result of vibration in the anal opening. The odor comes from the sulfur-containing gasses produced by bacteria in the colon.

Is Farting Good for You?

Farting is generally good for you as it’s a natural process that helps your digestive system function properly. Here are some of the benefits of passing gas:

Relieves pressure and discomfort

Gas buildup in the intestines can cause bloating, cramping, and discomfort. Farting helps release this trapped gas, relieving the pressure and preventing pain.

Indicates a healthy gut and maintains digestion

Regular farting can be a sign that your gastrointestinal tract is breaking food down efficiently and that your gut is healthy.

Your gut bacteria play a crucial role in digestion, and farting is a natural result of their activity. It helps to maintain a good balance of bacteria in your gut, which is essential for overall health.

Helps detect food intolerances

Excess gas or unusually foul-smelling farts may signal food intolerances or sensitivities, like lactose intolerance, or difficulties digesting certain carbohydrates. Farting can be a useful indicator that you need to adjust your diet.

Prevents complications

In rare cases, holding in farts can cause serious digestive issues, such as diverticulitis. This is inflammation of the small pouches in the digestive tract.

Should You Hold in Your Farts?

It’s not advisable to hold in farts, as doing so can lead to negative effects on your digestive system, such as:

• A buildup of pressure and discomfort: When you hold in gas, it builds up in your intestines, leading to increased pressure. This can cause bloating, cramping, and abdominal pain.
• Distention: As gas builds up in your intestines, it can cause your abdomen to become distended, making you feel uncomfortably full. This is particularly problematic when you eat gas-producing foods or if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can make you more sensitive to gas buildup.
• Impact on the anal sphincter muscles: Regularly holding in gas can gradually weaken the anal sphincter muscles. Holding in farts repeatedly could affect your body’s ability to control gas naturally, making it harder to manage in the long term.
• Interruption of the natural digestive process: As mentioned earlier, gas is a normal byproduct of digestion, and holding in farts can interfere with the natural process of eliminating waste products from your body. Farting helps your digestive system remain balanced, preventing a buildup of gas that can disrupt its normal function.
• Risk of intestinal issues: While rare, holding in gas could contribute to more serious digestive problems, such as straining the colon and intestines, which aggravates conditions such as diverticulitis and other gastrointestinal issues.

Why Do Some Foods Cause Gas?

Some foods can cause farting because they contain compounds or nutrients that are harder for the digestive system to break down, resulting in more gas being produced during digestion.

Here are some foods that are difficult for the body to digest:

• Fiber: Soluble fiber – which can be found in beans, oats, and lentils – is not digested in the small intestine like other foods. Instead, it moves into the large intestine, where the gut bacteria ferment it, producing gas as a byproduct.
• Complex sugars: Foods like beans and certain vegetables contain oligosaccharides which are complex sugars that the body lacks enzymes to digest in the small intestine. They pass into the large intestine, where bacteria break them down, producing gas.
• Starches: Some starchy foods, like potatoes, corn, and wheat, produce gas as they’re broken down in the digestive system.
• Sulfur-containing foods: Eating foods containing sulfur, like broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and garlic, can result in foul-smelling gas. When bacteria break down these sulfur-containing compounds in the colon, they release gasses like hydrogen sulfide, which gives gas its unpleasant odor.

How to Prevent Farts

There are certain changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle to prevent excessive intestinal gas and farting.

Try an elimination diet

An elimination diet is a method of identifying food intolerances or sensitivities that may be causing various digestive problems, including excessive gas, bloating, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

This involves removing certain foods from your diet for a period and then gradually reintroducing them to determine which foods are causing your symptoms.

In the elimination phase, you remove foods from your diet that are commonly known to cause digestive problems.

This phase lasts between two to four weeks, and common foods to eliminate include:

• Dairy
• Gluten
• Soy
• Eggs
• Sugar Alcohols
• Certain vegetables like onions, garlic, broccoli, and beans
• Processed foods and artificial additives

The reintroduction phase involves slowly eating the eliminated foods again, one at a time. Each food is typically reintroduced over three to five days while you observe any changes in your symptoms.

For example, if you reintroduce dairy and notice an increase in farting or bloating, it may indicate that you have a lactose intolerance.

Follow a balanced diet

A balanced diet provides your body with the essential nutrients it needs to function properly by including a variety of foods in the right portions. It typically includes:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Healthy fats
• Dairy or dairy alternatives

A balanced diet helps regulate your digestive system and reduces excessive gas by encouraging the intake of easily digestible foods and limiting those that cause bloating and farting.

Take over-the-counter (OTC) medication

OTC medications can help reduce excessive farting by addressing the underlying causes of gas, such as indigestion, food sensitivities, or the inability to break down certain compounds in foods.

These medications work in various ways, including:

• Breaking down gas bubbles
• Aiding digestion
• Reducing gas production

Make lifestyle changes

Aside from adjusting your diet, here are some other changes you can make to your lifestyle that can help reduce farting:

• Eating mindfully: Consume food slowly and chew thoroughly. This helps with digestion and reduces the amount of air you swallow.
• Staying hydrated: Drink enough fluids throughout the day, as this aids digestion by ensuring the smooth movement of food through the intestines, preventing gas buildup. Men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluids daily, while women should drink around 11.5 cups.
• Exercising regularly: Physical activity helps move gas through the digestive system and reduces the likelihood of gas buildup. Regular exercise also improves overall digestion and can prevent constipation, which is a common cause of gas.
• Limiting carbonated beverages: Drinks like soda, sparkling water, and beer contain carbon dioxide, which can lead to excess gas in the stomach.
• Avoid chewing gum: Chewing gum causes you to swallow more air, which can lead to increased gas in the digestive system.

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