Albania's cycling seasons, month by month: spring and autumn are the prime windows, summer is hot but rideable with early starts, and winter suits only the hardy. The guide's verdict: book April–June or September–October for the best weather and quietest roads.

An honest answer to the question every cyclist asks before booking: yes, Albania is safe for cyclists, with normal rural precautions. Quiet roads, good surfaces and warm hospitality — and one real nuisance, free-roaming village dogs, handled with the right approach.

The complete guide to Llogara Pass, Albania's marquee climb: a 1,043-meter summit reached by switchbacks from Vlorë, best ridden north to south for the great descent to the Riviera. Numbers, direction, gearing, fuel, descent and when to ride.

The second part of the top 10 tools to travel with your bike. It covers the remaining tools you need to fix your bike if something goes wrong while traveling.

Why the Col de la Madeleine, climbed from the north out of Feissons-sur-Isère, is the author's pick for the best mountain pass in the world. Low traffic, long bike-path approaches, varied terrain and a hard but forgiving climb make the case.

The first part of the top 10 tools to travel with your bike, covering the first five tools. These are the necessary tools to assemble your bike and keep it maintained on vacation.

What to carry on every bike ride, and how to carry it so you are not walking home or riding in misery. The list starts with a patch kit and spare tubes for flats.

An expert guide to winter bib tights for deep-winter cycling. It explains what winter bib tights are, how fleeced Roubaix material adds warmth without bulk, and their main benefits.

The first part of a guide to winter cycling gear, covering what to wear and ride in early spring and fall and in mid-fall and early winter. It covers apparel, equipment, lights and winter bikes for colder, darker conditions.

The second part of the winter cycling gear guide, turning to deep winter. It covers riding in deep snow, ice and bitter conditions, with the apparel and approach for short, hard rides close to home.

Celebrating Albania's Independence Day on November 28: the 1912 declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in Vlorë, the nationalist roots behind it, and a legacy of resilience — plus an invitation to experience that history on a Vlora Cycling Camp tour.

How to rank bike upgrades to get the most speed for your money. It starts with contact points, then wheels and tires, and picks a power meter as the best investment for serious cyclists.

Gjirokastër Castle, perched above the town in southern Albania: a fortress first built in the 14th century, transformed under the Ottomans, later the residence of Ali Pasha Tepelena, and today a museum complex showcasing the region's history and traditions.

Answers to common questions about what to wear cycling, from padded shorts and bibs to jerseys, fit, visibility and gloves. It explains how cycling clothing improves comfort, dryness and aerodynamics.

Why rural hostels are the best for cyclists, with less traffic, indoor bike storage and room to work on your bike. The author makes the case with a former monastery hostel outside Florence.

Annecy, France, is the author's pick for the best town for cyclists to stay in the French Alps. It sits on Lac Annecy, with lake bike trails and famous climbs nearby, and is close to Geneva, Switzerland.

Whether to bring your own bike to Europe or rent one, and how to travel with it once there. It covers packing a bike in a bag and taking it on trains, buses and flights.

A short post on telling your story in your own voice: don't worry about sounding professional, be clear and confident, and don't overthink it — the story, and the site, will keep evolving.