Cycling, these days, is often said to be all about the numbers. Rides and days are measured in kilometres ridden, vertical metres gained, seconds, minutes and hours passed, watts expended, pulses monitored, grams of carbohydrate ingested, and KoM segments conquered. The sport has been quantified, mirroring the measurement and tracking of daily life. How many hours of deep sleep did you get last night? How many steps did you take?

Rouleur 131: The Numbers Edition explores cycling’s deep connection with numbers and science. It counts race wins, examines the software used by one of the sport’s most forward-thinking teams to manage logistics, training, and performance, and speaks to riders who excel at using data to enhance their cycling.

What emerges is the confirmation that numbers are not separate from the stories, essence, emotion, and passion of cycling—they are the very foundation of these things. Training diaries, race broadcasts, and personal rides may be measured and documented, but they are more than just statistics—they hold meaning and tell the stories of cycling lives.