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- ARTICLES
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- Practical Information
- Body Matters
- Women
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Practical Information
A selection of how-to articles. Practical advice and background information on as many aspects of cycling as we could think of.
Get into Cycling!
Cycling is a very special activity: too special and too useful for it to be sidelined as just a sport or just a cheap way of getting about. We all need to change the way we think about personal transport, about freedom and leisure: muscle power is something to be proud of, and rarely is it such good fun to help change the world for the better in such an effective and visible way.
The fundamentals of fit.
By far The Most Important Thing to get right when purchasing a bike is the fit. You might have all the finest carbon fiber or titanium frame and components but you’ll be going nowhere fast if your bike doesn’t fit you properly. By MICK ALLAN
Helmets or not: research findings turn up the heat
Englishman COLIN CLARKE was working in Australia when compulsory helmet laws were introduced. This prompted him to study the worldwide research on the subject, with some surprising results.
Safer Cycling
Cycling is fun, healthy, practical and sustainable. These benefits far outweigh any fears that you may have of sharing the road with other traffic. Figures show that you are far more likely to live a long, active and healthy life if you begin cycling regularly, than if you take no such exercise. Here's how to maximise your safety on the road.
A quick return: go faster with the right clothing
Cycling fashion says that to ride like the wind you need only open your wallet. Cycling science shakes its head and suggests that the rider has a rather more important role to play.
Spokes
Truing your wheel or replacing spokes is well within the capabilities of any home mechanic. Bike designer GEOFF APPS shows you how to do it
Confounding the Canines
JOHN NAYLOR discusses new ways and old for the cyclist to avoid becoming a dog's dinner
Cycling in Older Age
Recent research shows that regular cyclists have, on average, the health of someone ten years younger. .
Parts and accessories
We don't believe a component has to be expensive to be perfectly good or even exceptional.
Family and Children's Cycles
Take the whole family with you when you cycle. The range of good quality bikes and equipment expands every year and there has never been more awareness of the need to establish good healthy habits at an early age. But whatever your motivation, saving money or saving the planet, your kids will have a blast. What better reason to get them on a bike?
Foiling the flat (or Preventing the Puncture)
FRANK BERTO, a leading American cycle engineer and technical writer, surveys the latest ‘solutions’ and shares his experiences after thirty years of pedaling.
Cycle Commuting
It has long been known that for urban trips up to five miles the bicycle is usually the cheapest, fastest and always the most convenient ‘door to door’ mode of transport.
Touring into trouble
JOSIE DEW is a keen cycle tourist. Here she explains how she deals with the kind of harassment and problems experienced by many women cyclists
The energy trap
Cyclists have a term for it - the Bonk -that sudden loss of energy and mental awareness. Doctor TONY MATTHEWS explains why it happens and how to tackle it
Cycling for Women
Right body, wrong bike? Most mass-market bikes are essentially designed for a man’s physique, since historically it is mainly men that cycle. Although men cycle, on average, three times further than women (UK figures), there is a steady rise in the number of women cycling.
Children’s Cycles
For children, cycling is freedom and adventure. They feel good on their bikes, gain in confidence with every turn of the pedals and soon develop the physical and mental skills needed to make safe decisions when they are on the road.
Graceful riding
By improving your pedalling technique you can ride further and faster with less effort. Here, in an extract from his book, 'Cycling for Fitness', JOHN SCHUBERT explains how it can be done
Lubrication
In this extract from his book, Bicycle Design, MIKE BURROWS looks at how we lubricate our bikes
Avoiding the Pregnant Pause.
Can you cycle when pregnant, and is it a good idea? ANNA SEMLYEN (pictured) discusses the issues with mothers who did it.
Saddle height adjustment
If your saddle isn't set right it's impossible to pedal properly. MICK ALLAN looks at the ins and outs of saddle adjustment.
Your own home workshop
GEOFF APPS and MICK ALLAN look at the nuts and bolts of setting up a home workshop
A Beginner's Guide to Cycle Commuting 1: Choosing the Right Bike, Sizing and Adjustment
The world of cycling can be a confusing and bewildering place. For newcomers who want to get to the heart of the matter here's the important information a beginner needs to know. Distilled by MICK ALLAN. The first of a five-part series.
A Beginner's Guide to Cycle Commuting 2: Safety Wear and Other Equipment
MICK ALLAN delves into the murky world of bicycle safety...
A Beginner's Guide to Cycle Commuting 3: Cycle Security
MICK ALLAN lectures on good practice for cycle security
A Beginner's Guide to Cycle Commuting 4: Maintenance and Roadside Repairs
The thoughts of MICK ALLAN on having the right tools for emergency repairs...
A Beginner's Guide to Cycle Commuting 5: Adjusting to Life with your New Bike
MICK ALLAN concludes this five part series by detailing some of the physical changes that take place within new riders.
Get Cycling holiday
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Irritability means too much on your mind and not enough bike riding
Car sticker
Cartoons
From Phil Somerville
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