It happens to most cyclists. It might be because you shifted under load, pedalled over rough terrain or rolled over an unexpected bump, but, at some point, your chain will fall off. Dropping a chain can be startling and even quite dangerous if you’re in an unstable position, but it doesn’t have to happen. Chain […]
Hill climbing tips from past and current Canadian Everesting record holders
Hills are hard, and, in the words of Greg Lemond, “It never gets easier, you just get faster.” Despite the struggle, a ride with lots of elevation can be fun and satisfying if you’re able to feel good about your performance on the hills. We got the current Canadian Everesting (climbing 8,848m in one ride) […]
How to get training benefits out of the most casual rides
Going from indoor, structured training to casual outdoor rides in the spring can be a bit of a tough shift for some cyclists. While you definitely want to have a fun chat-and-ride with pals (COVID restrictions allowing), a voice in the back of your head might be telling you that this ride isn’t productive. Perhaps […]
5 tricks to feel safer cycling in the city
You shouldn’t have to feel unsafe cycling anywhere, but, the reality is, riding in a place where cars don’t give you enough space can be a scary experience. Between 2006 and 2017 there was an average of 74 cyclist deaths in Canada per year, a stat that should make anyone (cyclist or not) upset. Ideally, […]
What you need to know about transitioning from spin classes to outdoor riding
Spin classes and indoor spin bikes are a great way to build fitness and, for or many, they’re also a gateway into the world of outdoor cycling. While there are certainly some similarities between indoor and outdoor cycling, there are a few things you should keep in mind when making the transition to the road. […]
Study finds that, even at steep gradients, drafting is still beneficial
A new article from Sports Engineering that looked into the aerodynamics of uphill drafting has found that, even for gradients above 7.2 per cent, drafting can yield substantial benefits. It’s no secret that drafting (riding closely behind another cyclist), will reduce the aerodynamic resistance or drag a cyclist faces. For a lone cyclist on a […]
Explore – 5 Best Family Leisure Cycling Routes Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to explore by bicycle — with traffic-free cycle routes, quiet country lanes, and wonderful places to visit. For family bike rides and leisurely tours, it is tailor-made. In this blog post, I have picked five of my favourite Isle of Wight cycling routes for families and casual […]
How to clean a matte finish bike
Matte finishes can look fantastic. They stick out in a sea of gloss bikes and add character to a frame, but are tricky to clean. Here’s how to clean a matte finish bike. Find that shine: confusion and cleaning matte bikes Matte look great, that is, until they get at all dirty or dusty. If […]
The basics: What you should pack for the first rides of the season
It’s “getting back out there” season and your bike is calling your name. Beyond the standard keys, wallet and phone, here’s a list to jog your memory as you get back into the routine of packing your pockets, saddle bag and (possibly) bar bag. RELATED: Breaking down the saddle bag: What to bring on a […]
Good Reads – ‘The Cyclist Who Went Out in the Cold’ by Tim Moore
The Cold War has always fascinated me. As a historian and a behavioural economist, it presents one of the most turbulent and captivating case studies of human interaction, economic systems, and cultural polarisation. Last year, I read and reviewed Herbie Skyes’ ‘The Race Against The Stasi’ – it was a great read and a real […]
Review – Hutchinson Cycling Tubeless Tyre Fitting and Repair Kit
Hutchinson Tires were a pioneer of tubeless tyre technology—creating some of the first tubeless road and mountain bike tyres in the industry. They have continued the strong brand position with an ongoing range of superb tubeless road, gravel, and MTB tyres. Now, they have branched out into an accompanying range of tubeless kits and accessories—to […]
Explore – 7 Isle of Wight Accommodation Options for Cyclists
In this Explore blog post I consider my lucky seven pick of the top accommodation options for cyclists on the Isle of Wight—from yurts and campsites, to hotels and pubs. These are my seven favourites that will welcome cyclists with open arms and provide you with a great base from which to explore. The lucky […]