There is something very different about how OPEN Cycle works as a company. Founded by Gerard Vroomen (co-founder of Cervélo) and Andy Kessler (former CEO of BMC) and lead by a motto ‘working hard to stay small’, it offers a new approach to cycling.

Between 29th August and 4th September we set a challenge to record the most kilometres in our Strava club to win a section of Podia prizes. We also wanted to see the images that you posted on the Instagram hashtag #podiasummersocial.

Since the very beginnings of Podia, we have always had a deep love for bespoke, handmade bicycle frames and it seems our friend Philippe Joie from Belgium also shares this passion. So much so, that he decided to learn how to make his very own frame.

To kick off our time at Berlin Bicycle Week, Podia was invited to a 65km gravel ride called King of Gravus. Organised by ENVE and Strava the ride took in some of the cycling highlights that Berlin has to offer.

Every year in Berlin around the middle to the end of March a festival of cycling takes place. With regular events and parties throughout the week culminating in the Berliner Fahrradschau. This year Podia was there to explore.

There has always been a spiritual link between cycling and coffee and in the modern age, Rocket Espresso are at the forefront of that link. Podia went to meet its owner and cycling enthusiast Andrew Meo at the Rocket factory in Milan, and yes; we made a film about it.

For some people in the world of cycling the Peace Race will mean little, for others it was as important as cycling the grandest of grand tours. Recently, Podia met with two British veterans of the ‘Tour de France of the East’.

Podia was given access to the inner sanctum of the Campagnolo factory in Vicenza, Italy. It is not often that cameras are allowed through security and so we thought that such an opportunity warranted the production of a short film.

In August last year Falko Behr of Dresden, Germany undertook a personal challenge that would have most of us running in fear.

A professional rider usually looks forward to a well-earned break from racing around November. Podia took this opportunity to invite Karol Domagalski on a ride with us one cold, misty Saturday.