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COUNTDOWN - TO YOUR FIRST CRIT

ONE INTREPID MEMBER, ONE WORLDCLASS COACH, ONE INCREDIBLE BIKE-THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME.

THE ALCHE MISTS

They led a cycling revolution in Afghanistan where women were forbidden to ride. When the Taliban returned to power, their only hope was a harrowing escape to an uncertain future.

TWICE AS GOOD

WHY A DISCO-BALLINSPIRED DOUBLE UNICYCLE MIGHT BE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BIKES OF THE YEAR

THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM

\"PERFECTION IS ACHIEVED, NOT WHEN there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.\"

GETTING A FLAT CAN MAKE YOUR RIDE BETTER

ON A BEAUTIFUL LATE-SUMMER RIDE UNDER a cerulean blue sky, I got my second flat in three days.

THE CASE AGAINST STRAVA

I'LL BEGIN BY SINGING SOME PRAISES: Without Strava, I'm not sure I'd have re-engaged with cycling at the level I did. Coming from just occasionally messing around on mountain bikes as a teenager to trying my best to race at an elite level, Strava has played a role in pushing me to PR, hunt KOMS, and ride faster and harder than ever before.

BIKE PACKING AMERICA'S LONGEST MULTIUSE TRAIL NETWORK

Even the slightest rain can sound thunderous inside a tent--and this was not slight rain. It came down in buckets, just as my partner Maggie and I were settling into our sleeping bags.

UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF CYCLING'S SUPER AGERS

MEET THE SWEDISH SENIORS WHO PROVE YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO RIDE HARD.

THE UPSIDE OF GETTING YOUR CAR STOLEN

AFTER I PARKED AT THE LAFAYETTE COLLEGE track for my workout, I did what I always do: I put my phone and wallet in the center console of my car and took the car key off the ring so I could fit it into the tiny pocket inside my running shorts.

LOOKING FOR CYCLING'S CAITLIN CLARK

WOMEN'S PRO CYCLING MUST FOSTER A COMMUNITY THAT WILL FEEL INVESTED IN THE SPORT FOR YEARS TO COME.

MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER OFTHEYEAR ZACH VINCEJ, MODESTO

Zach Vincej led Modesto to back-to-back California League championships with teams brimming with top Mariners talent

MINOR LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS

The low-payroll Guardians rely on homegrown talent to fuel MLB success. Midwest League-champion Lake County provides optimism for the future.

MLB EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MATT ARNOLD, BREWERS

Continuity is the Brewers’ secret weapon. Matt Arnold made sure the 2024 club met expectations

MLB MANAGER OF THE YEAR DAVE ROBERTS, DODGERS

The Dodgers’ Dave Roberts has done things few managers have ever done. Now, he’s finally getting his due.

INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS

Adam Fogel sets the Pioneer League home run record in a season to remember

MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS

Hartford GM Mike Abramson’s tireless dedication has made the Yard Goats one of the best tickets in the minor leagues

FREITAS AWARD: CLASS A COLUMBIA FIREFLIES

The Columbia Fireflies light the way for a community redevelopment project that benefits an entire city

TRAILBLAZER OF THE YEAR CORY HAHN, DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs executive Cory Hahn inspires those with spinal cord injuries to accept failure, but never give up’

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR SAN DIEGO PADRES

Late Padres chairman Peter Seidler and head of baseball operations A.J. Preller redefine what is possible in small-market San Diego

TONY GWYNN AWARD ISMAEL CRUZ

In his four decades in the game, Dodgers international director Ismael Cruz has done things the right way. His legacy lives on not only via scouts in his family, but also the myriad protégés in key roles in the industry.

FREITAS AWARD: TRIPLE-A SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS

Key initiatives and facility upgrades make Sacramento a top minor league attraction and also a natural fit as the Athletics’ home in 2025

MLB COACH OF THE YEAR CHRIS FETTER, TIGERS

Chris Fetter applies all the right touches to a Tigers pitching staff that clawed its way toward the top

FREITAS AWARD: DOUBLE-A SOMERSET PATRIOTS

From indy ball to affiliated, Somerset continues its tradition of excellence in fruitful partnership with the Yankees

RUN RIGHT PAST IMPOSTOR SYNDROME

GROWING UP, I played basketball, softball, and lacrosse, even dabbled in fencing, but always stayed away from running. Other kids were faster than me, so I left running to them. When I moved to New York in my early 30s, I discovered the joy of a 5K, and started to lace up regularly.

COULD YOU TEACH YOUR CAT TO RUN?

**EYE OF THE TIGER' was written for you, Fiona!\" I cry, pointing at our one-eyed, 4-year-old black cat resting on our carpet. Hearing her name, she rolls onto her back, offering her stomach for a belly rub. But this is no time for pampering. I need to tell her my master plan.

He Was One of the Best Ultrarunners in the World. THEN RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE

Before his deployment to the frontlines, multitime Ukrainian champion Andrii Tkachuk had never run better. Would he race again?

BEST NEW SHOES YOU CAN BUY NOW

Anta. Rabbit. Nnormal. Mount to Coast. There are so many new running shoe companies that you may have trouble determining which, if any, might be right for you. That's where our wear-test team comes in. More than 200 runners logged thousands of miles in 74 different models of shoes-from not only new companies but also those established decades ago― to help find out how each performs best. Here are the trainers, racers, and trail shoes that stood out.

SHE HAS NO COACH, NO TRAINING PLAN, AND SEEMINGLY NO LIMITS

INSIDE THE CANDY-CHOMPING, PAIN-FUELED, INFECTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC WORLD OF COURTNEY DAUWALTER

WHICH RUNNING GEAR IS-AND ISN'T-WORTH YOUR MONEY

RUNNING, AT ITS Core, is a relatively low-gear sport, but people love to bemoan that it's increasingly expensive. I agree-paying $120 for a long-sleeve T-shirt or shelling out hundreds for compression boots seems bonkers to me.

HOW TO FIND CREATE YOUR PACES

IT WAS A hot summer afternoon on Cold Soil Road, and I had just finished the \"First Speed Run,\" a guided run in the Nike Run Club app.