Adam Bowden finishes 3rd at Dun Laoghaire
Sunday August the 25th 2019 saw the Ironman 70.3 series visit the idyllic seaside town of Dun Laoghaire on the outskirts of Dublin. With the Ironman 70.3 world championships in Nice, France only 2 weeks away it provided vital preparation for a number of athletes ahead of the big one on the 7/8th September. One athlete in particular was Ribble's very own sponsored athlete Adam Bowden, despite a strong field Adam performed magnificently to finish on the podium in third place. Read on for Adams race report;
The swim
Adam and Alistair discuss conditions / tactics whilst awaiting the run to the water. / Photo Credit: One2One Physio
The swim went very well. It was a beach run in and I got off to a great start, breaking clear of the majority of the field within the first 20-30 metres. Once I had settled into my rhythm I looked over to my left and found feet, and settled into the race. After about 400m I looked behind me and noticed that other athletes had dropped off the pace, with just myself, Alistair Brownlee and Chris Mintern together at the front of the race, which remained this way to the finish and exit into T1.
The athletes enter the water for the swim leg. / Photo Credit: One2One Physio
Bike Leg
Getting the position right for the start of the bike leg. / Photo Credit: One2One Physio
After a relatively smooth transition I managed to get out onto the bike, and looked forward to tackling the tough course into the Wicklow mountains, which is just what the legs needed heading into the World Championships in 2 weeks. Heading out of T2 I experienced a technical issue with the bike which unfortunately cost me time in the latter stages of the bike leg.
I initially decided to sit behind Chris on the bike, but gradually I noticed a gap starting to develop out front in between Chris and Alistair. I thought this would close by the time I decided to make my pass into second place, however by the time I decided to make my pass Alistair had pushed on up the course. I focused on trying to get nutrition in and holding power on the climbs and descents. With the issues out of T2, this made the latter part of the bike course difficult, and I started to lose some ground towards the final stages on the bike, slipping into 7th.
Heading out on the bike leg. / Photo Credit: One2One Physio
The Run for the Line
Straight off the bike, I decided to use my gels early on to get some much needed fuel in the tank, and I managed to get into my stride, closing in fast on the athletes in front. I pushed hard and on the final lap closed the gap to run myself onto the podium and finish in third.
Post race
I was pleased to finish in third considering the nutrition problems faced in this race. At times out on the course I didn’t think it would happen, so it’s good to get back on the podium again. What a spectacular course, and the support from volunteers and spectators throughout the race was fantastic.
It was great to experience the challenging course ahead the world championships. All preparations now turn to Nice as I look forward to my second outing at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships!
The post race interview for the podium finisher! / Photo Credit: One2One Physio
Ribble Across Africa: 3,200km. Four Countries. One Bike.
From Namibia’s deep sand and relentless corrugations to 210km days across Botswana and the steep, muddy climbs of Eswatini, Phil Freeman put his ALLGRIT TI-X titanium gravel bike through 3,200km of some of Africa’s toughest terrain. One bike, 23 days and not a single puncture.
Gravel Bikes - Which frame material is right for you?
More cyclists than ever are seizing the opportunity to take their rides off-piste in search of freedom and adventure. But to do so, you need the right tool for the job - a gravel bike. The Ribble gravel range consists of four frame materials. Each of these offers something a little different in terms of ride quality, longevity and performance characteristics. So how do you decide which frame material is right for you?
Titanium Bike Buying Guide: How to Choose
Compare Ribble's titanium road, gravel and CGR bikes. Learn the differences between each model and find the right titanium bike for your riding style.
Built For Badlands: Metheven Bond’s Ribble ULTRA-GRIT
Metheven Bond’s Badlands bike: the Ribble ULTRA-GRIT that carried him to sixth place across 817km of demanding terrain. Explore his setup, from tyres and gearing to comfort and carrying essentials, and discover how the details behind his ride can help shape your own gravel adventures, wherever they take you.
The Mechanics Choice - Ste Kane
When you spend every day building bikes, you start looking at them differently. So, when someone who knows the Ribble range inside out chooses a bike for himself, it’s worth asking why.
Autumn Cycling Tips
5 Autumn Cycling Tips Every Rider Should Know. Nights are creeping in. Roads are slicker. The kit that saw you through summer might not cut it now. But autumn doesn’t have to mean fewer miles. With a few smart changes, you can keep the pedals turning right through to winter.
A Solo Win in Wales and a Season Closed Out in the Ardennes
The Ribble Outliers delivered another standout weekend of gravel racing across Wales and Belgium. Jenson Young claimed an unforgettable solo victory at UCI Gravel Cymru, with Abi Smith taking second and Ben Thomas completing the podium in third. Meanwhile, Sophie Wright closed out her Gravel Earth Series campaign in the Ardennes, securing seventh overall after a season of victories, podiums and a national title. Every result was earned aboard the Ribble ULTRA-GRIT.
43 hours in Andalusia - Metheven Bond Rides to 6th at Badlands
817km, 14,420m of climbing, two nights without sleep and barely an hour off the bike. Metheven Bond's Badlands is one of the rides of our season.
We Came, We Saw, We Conquered.
All four elite national jerseys, a medal for every rider, and a comeback story six weeks in the making. This is how the first ever official British Gravel Championships went for the Ribble Outliers.
Back From Altitude
Jenson Young has spent the biggest training block of his season on his own in the Sierra Nevada. He flies home on Monday with Nationals and the Europeans to come.
Leila Gschwentner solos to victory
Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team rider Leila Gschwentner delivered a brilliant solo victory at the 2026 Arlberg Giro Criterium in Austria.
Jenson Young Takes on the London Orbital Gravel Route
His goal? Chase down the 2 GCN presenters Si Richardson and Alex Paton who started the same route with a 90-minute head start.