Stories

Need to have - tools

7/6/2025

So here’s a list of what tools you really do need. Like not the nice to have the actual need to have.

First things first, as a general concept, the longer the tool is, the better – as they say… – no but for real, the bigger the tool is, the easier it will be to use (more power!). Okay, I don’t know if that sounded better, but you get the point…

I’m writing this to you, who might not own a tool, but started cycling and doesn’t know where to start. All the screws on your bike will be either be Torx or Allen keys in a few different sizes. Allen keys can also be called Hex, referring to the 6 sides. As I’m an ambassador for the Tool (and bike-packing) brand Topeak, all my recommendations will be from this brand.

So, while we are still on the topic of big tools, let’s start there.  . I would recommend that you get some big allen keys in size 6 and 8. Why? Because these two sizes will often be used for you pedals and crank. Maybe you will never try to take out your crank – but to take off the pedals is quite useful (and they get stuck so easily). Could be these, strong and a good handle:
www.topeak.com/global/en/product/555-DUOHEX-TOOL-6---8---10-MM

The Torx, which is looking more like a star, can be used at your handlebar, the stem, brakes and also often the seatpost. It differs from bike to bike, so check yours. But you need a Torx set whatsoever, it’s a must. A set will have different sizes, could be this: www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1810-TORX-WRENCH-SET-DX

Alongside the Torx set, you could also purchase an Allen key set, which can also replace the big single ones (6,8,10). An idea could be to start with the key set from 1,5 to 10, and see if you need bigger handles, for a couple of sizes. I personally like to have the extra ones. A set could be: www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1811-DUOHEX-WRENCH-SET-DX

Next up: A multi-tool. A multi-tool is a tool which has multiple functions, as the name kind of reveals. This is a must, because it’s something you will also bring with you when you ride. It could be stored in a saddlebag together with a spare tube and tire levers. I like this one: www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1627-BURRITO-PACK-slim. It’s kind of cute in the burrito style. For a mulit-tool the Tubi 18 is a good option.
www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1343-TUBI-18 , quite doable. But there is so many good choices, just make sure that one of the tools can take off your wheel! Uh, reminds me you also need pumps.

A to-go pump for your rides you can have in your pocket, or fix on your bike together with one of your bottle cages. I like this one:
www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1446-GRAVEL-2STAGE
and there is also mount included, so your pockets can be empty. With a pump and your saddle bag with all the stuff – you will be unstoppable ;-)
But for your home, you need a floor pump. The small pump can do, buuuuut a proper big pump will change your life, haha. A floor pump is so good, I got this one;

www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1562-JOEBLOW-MOUNTAIN-EX

Now, when we are in the tire area, two bigger tire levers are nice to have, if you don’t have so much finger strength and you like your nails, two big ones can be quite powerful to have at home, for tire changes and so on (https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1620-SHUTTLE-LEVER-PRO)

This I’m not sure the name of, but it’s useful. Actually, there are two, maybe even three types. It’s kind of sizers, but not. https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1807-6%22-DIAGONAL-CUTTING-PLIERS + https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1806-6%22-LONG-NOSE-PLIERS

These are the tools I use the most. You can always get more, of course, but these I feel are essential. You can make your own little toolbox or get a premade one.

Hope this was helpful!

All the best
Malene

0 Comments

GRAVL: traka 2025

5/6/2025

0 Comments

It’s been a bucket-list type of race. The kind I had to try at one point. The biggest Gravel event in Europe - TRAKA. With 4 different races and distances over the course of 4 days, it seemed more like a little bike festival than anything else. I decided to do the 200km race on Saturday, which seemed to be the most competitive in the not-ultra-long gravel scene. I mean, the longest distance you could sign up for was 560?! Mama Mia. And also the 200 was a distance that for me would be challenging, but achievable, while still feeling kind of ultra…

I arrived to Girona the Wednesday before the race, and G town was already buzzing with gravel cyclists. The energy was through the roof.
I was there with my clothing sponsor, GripGrab, who had rented a big country house outside town. Incredibly beautiful and with a Catalan charm. It was a mix of other GripGrab ambassadors and people from the office. It was so cool to get to know the people behind the brand even better.
The crew there also raced either the 200 or 100, but was mostly there to embrace the GG brand, connect, share,

and ride their bikes. But for me I had a little goal in the back of my mind. It was actually great for me to stay in a easy-going, non-performance-focused environment, it made me relax, because inside of me the little competitive bike racer was starting to fire up.
I had no idea what to expect, as I hadn’t raced on the world stage of gravel, and I had never done 200km in my life. But nevertheless, I still expected myself to be able to race well out there, because I’m a bike racer after all.

I had no idea what to expect, as I hadn’t raced on the world stage of gravel, and I had never done 200km in my life. But nevertheless, I still expected myself to be able to race well out there, because I’m a bike racer after all.

We started at 7.00 in the morning, I had the route downloaded to my Garmin, a bunch of energy with me and one of the guys to hand me fresh bottles at kilometre 119. Did I have enough? Was my stomach going to survive? I had no idea, but you never learn if you never try - so out of the gate we went and up the first climb.

I felt quite strong, but a little scared about the speed they took off with, as I knew the race would be more than 7 hours, so I found myself in the second group just behind the leaders. In this group we stayed together for the first three climbs and more or less also on the long flat section. I felt good and absolutely thought I totally got this long distance thing. But around 4 hours in I made 3 mistakes in a row, that really made me struggle.

First I took a wrong turn with the front of my group and we had to hunt back the lost time and distance. This effort I felt and when I saw a feedzone in the horizon I quickly took of my hydration pack and got ready for the FZ action. Unfortunately it was not the correct feed zone for me and I had to get the bag back on again, lost the group, hunted them down, got to the 'pro' feed zone, didn’t really know how to do a quick shift of two bottles and a hydro-pack so I lost my group’s wheel ones again. .. Oh, how we learn, ey haha, some lessons are more painful than others.

Almost caught them again, and then the biggest climb of the day came as a wall in front of me.
The temperature was rising up to 30 degrees, we were almost 5 hours into the race at this point, and I was having my first proper crisis. Time to find the famous 'panic'-gear (the smallest I had).

After the downhill, there was a longer flat section again, where a group from behind caught me. I did my best to stay with this group, but I really felt how the pain and efforts were creeping up on me. And there were still 60km and 2 climbs left. My mind was questioning everything at this point. I had no more left in me, I felt how my brain started to work more slowly and how the effort made me dizzy. How much longer?

I was in this situation for almost 2,5 hours and when I crossed the finish line I was so empty. Holy moly.

In those hours, I promised myself to never do this again. Now it's Monday, as I’m writing this, and I’m already kind of keen to try something similar again. Haha. How the brain works.

One of the best parts of the day was my equipment to be honest, the bike was so comfortable to ride. Okay, well, on the rocky sections I definitely missed some suspension (but which mountain biker wouldn’t want that??). But the way the Scott Addict gravel is handling the corners, climbs and downhills is so cool. And the gears and brakes, just wow, was an absolute pleasure. For mechanical emergencies, I had a saddlebag with a tube, tools and CO2. Besides this, I also carried a pump and a plug ready to go. I had all my fixing stuff with me from Topeak, which I fortunately didn’t have to use. I was terrified to flat on those little tires tbh.

An overall great experience with a fun group of friends and a challenging yet spectacular race to finish it off!

What now? Maybe it’s time to shift to another bike for the next month? A little change never hurt nobody ;-)

0 Comments

Success is not a limited resource

3/9/2025

6 Comments

Yesterday I watched the race in Albenga and it inspired me write this:

Today, on International Women’s Day, I’m at a mountain bike race on the Italian coast. I’m not racing today, but standing on the other side of the tape, and I’m reminded of something bigger than just racing. I mean today it’s about the women here—racing, supporting, working behind the scenes—each of them contributing to the incredible cycling community.

In racing, the essence of it is to win, to have the best position on the result list when you pass the finish line. This concept contradicts what I want to talk about today, but I think, precisely because of this, it becomes even more relevant and important.

So, the sound of the start gun silence the crowd and the race has begun. Martina Berta and Sofie Heby is power up the climb in front. And I'm thinking...

I think, too often, women are quick to compare, to measure us against each other, to see another woman’s success as a reflection of their own shortcomings. In sports, we obviously measure ourselves up against each other, but I think it is so important to add a perspective to it.

To me, this mindset is not only important in sports, I think it comes across in all corners of life, it can really hold us back or lift us up.

Imagine if, instead of feeling threatened by someone else’s achievements, we saw another woman’s success as proof of what’s possible, as inspiration rather than intimidation.

So in the spirit of Women's International Day, we should lift each other up. Cheer for the woman standing next to you. Support the one who dares to chase big dreams. Recognize the strength in those who push through challenges, on and off the bike.

Success is not a limited resource.

I know today there was only one woman who won, but next weekend is another chance.

So today, I want to shine a light on the women who make this sport what it is. The racers giving their all out there. The racers who celebrate each other on the other side of the finish line. The teammates offering a word of encouragement. The mechanics, coaches, managers, volunteers, sisters, mothers, and fans who show up and make it all possible. You are seen and you are valued.
Let’s keep showing up for each other. Let’s keep pushing boundaries. Let’s keep riding—together.

/Malene

6 Comments

<<Previous

Blog

Need to have - tools

GRAVL: traka 2025

Success is not a limited resource

SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER

Archives

Categories