4ucycling

Spring is in the air and along with it are the thousands of men and women, girls and boys who have waited through the long, cold winter to get back on their bikes. They are ready to say good-by to those long months of too much television viewing and too little exercising. No doubt extra pounds have found their way to many waistlines and muscles are likely much less defined than they were at the end of last fall after a nice long season of regular workouts. Now is the time to change all of that. It's time to turn off the remote, get off the couch and regroup. The cumbersome boots and heavy winter coats can now be stored and out can come the warm weather t-shirts, cycling shorts and fitted cycling jerseys. Hallelujah! This season has not arrived one minute too soon. A good many of us must feel exactly the same way because the streets are becoming crowded with cycling enthusiasts traveling in pairs, in groups and solo. The bright colors of their jerseys are a most welcome sight and co...

Nowadays, cycling has becoming more popular in our country recently for a number of reasons. One of those reasons, however, must be the three gold medals won by the cyclists at the Olympic Games. In fact, cycling is not just a sport though, and a friend of mine called Jim is just one of the many people who like to cycle long distances because they want to enjoy the natural beauty of the country. He belongs to an organization. Jim has been riding some routes for a few years now, along with his local friends. They do it to raise money for charity, but also because they enjoy the views across the country's scenic landscapes and like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lily is a campaigner who is always doing some charity rides and generally enjoying cycling, Lily runs a local group and helps organize the 'critical commute'- where cyclists gather every last Friday of the month and cycle into work together. For Lily, cycling is about saving the planet- a cost-e...

The inspiring story of Lance Armstrong's determined struggle against cancer and his triumphant return to professional cycling has touched hundreds of thousands of people across the world. His seven straight wins in the world's greatest cycling race, the Tour de France, has surely helped cycling's profile. But what is it about the sport of cycling that is so attractive? In part, the partnership of man and machine has a distinct attraction. The modern-day bicycle, with cranks and pedals, was invented in the 1860s with the first bicycle race thought to have been conducted at the Parc de Saint-Cloud in Paris in 1868. Man's desire to cross a variety of terrain and desire to ride faster has driven the evolution of bicycles. The predecessors of the sleek, light-weight carbon bikes used in modern professional racing are steel-framed, welded and by comparison unwieldy machines. For professional cyclists the difference between winning and losing a race may be a matter of ...

Everybody knows that cleaning a bike is nowhere near as fun as riding one. But ignore this at your peril, as maintenance is crucial to keeping bikes in as good a condition as possible. This is especially the case when it comes to matt finish and unlacquered carbon fibre frames, which are increasingly popular among bike brands and cyclists alike. While there are numerous bike cleaning products on the market, maintaining such frames isn’t the same as looking after shiny and glossy ones. Thankfully, Essex-based company Crankalicious has developed a line of products capable of cleaning and protecting matt frames. Founded in 2016, Crankalicious aims to produce the most technically-proficient cycle care products on the market. All of the company’s products are made by hand in small batches on site at their HQ in Elsenham, Essex, using the highest quality ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging. What is a matt frame? Whereas standard ‘shiny’ frames have a flat surface that...

Experienced riders will likely have several, but for those just setting out on their cycling adventure – it pays to know what you’re looking for. Battling with the wrong bike for your needs isn’t just tiring, it’s a waste of hard-earned cash. Think about where you are planning to go with it the majority of the time and who with? Is it training, commuting, family fun, trail riding or are you even considering getting into racing? To help you figure all this out, we recommend visiting one of our stores to speak to an expert colleague and where you could start test-riding a few options. It may also be reassuring to know that every bike bought at Evans Cycles comes with our Right Bike Guarantee, a 30 day, no quibble exchange policy. To start narrowing it down a little, we’ve outlined 4 very common types of bikes and the functions that define each. Hopefully, you’ll identify yourself with one before further exploring our online treasure trove. You need a Road Bike if… …you’ll be riding...

So, you wake up, draw back the curtains and everything is thick white snow outside. Does this mean the bike stays cuddled up next to the warm radiator? It should signal the chance to get out there and challenge convention and in some people’s eyes, wisdom! We always err in favour of a challenge, it’s the way we’re programmed. Stay loose Whatever style of bike you have, the over-riding thing which will help you get the most from riding in the snow this winter is to relax. Nothing unsettles the bike like tension in the riders body. It transmits right through the bike and into the tyres. It pays to be loose and limber when riding in the snow, from the finger tips in your gloves to the toes in your shoes and everywhere in between. The same is true for all mountain biking, but when the conditions are as sketchy as they often are when snow is on the ground, it’s even more important. Road bikes Snow is usually partnered by its sidekick, ice. Ice and the typically narrow, high-pres...

This year, why not dust off your bike, get back on the saddle and fall in love with cycling all over again! Here are our top tips for getting back into cycling: Get your bike checked over – there are a number of great bike shops in York who'll be more than happy to get your bike in tip-top working order ready for hitting the road again. You can also see our handy bike maintenance tips. Need a new bike? Your local bike shop will be happy to advise on the right bike and accessories for you, or pick up a bargain reconditioned bike. Haven't cycled for a while? Take a leisure ride and explore York – we've several easy to ride, scenic leisure route maps to get you riding again – with café stops to top up energy levels and toilet facilities all marked en route! Feeling a bit rusty on two wheels? Build your confidence on the road and brush up on your cycle skills with our superb one-to-one, personalised urban cycle skills training sessions. We come to you at a time to suit. ...

If you're pretty sure your bicycle fits properly, any hand discomfort you experience may be related to how you ride and your equipment. Remember the most important rule of hand comfort: change hand positions often. Even if your bike is equipped with flat bars it's possible to move your hands around to grip different parts of the bar. Also, consider adding bar ends to provide additional spots to hang on. Dropped Handlebars These are the bars found on many touring and all road-racing bicycles. As shown on the right, there are many places to rest your hands, which means you can change grips regularly to prevent any pain or numbness. Most riders use the positions they like best. For example, the top illustrations depict extreme  positions designed for fighting headwinds or racing because they place you in an aerodynamic and powerful "tuck." The middle illustrations show higher holds excellent for climbing when standing (fingers wrapped around the brake hoods) and when...

Catherine, you prefer a bike as your means of transport. Why? A bike is a fast and inexpensive way of getting around. And it does me good to get a bit of exercise after uni, for example. I save on going to the gym and it’s fun. What do you like most about cycling? What I like best about cycling in the city is getting from A to B quickly. There’s no waiting, unlike with public transport. With the bike, I don’t have to worry how many minutes I have to wait for the tram. I just ride off. And when I go cycling at home (I’m actually from the countryside), it’s a great contrast. Especially in summer, when I want to ride to the lake or along the river. And if you had a choice, which city would be your favourite for cycling? Hmm … maybe somewhere in Iceland. I think Iceland’s great. Where I wouldn’t feel safe as a cyclist would be in Los Angeles or Barcelona. LA isn’t for cyclists who want to get to their destination in less than three hours. The promenade along the beach in Santa Monica ...

When the dark first comes it’s a shock. I love cycling, and I especially love riding with my young kids. But it takes an extra adjustment, a mindshift even, when nursery and school runs, and then commutes to and from work, must suddenly be ridden with no light from the sky. I blink into the blackness. It always takes a few days for my eyes to accept to this utterly predictable yet still constantly surprising shift in seasons. At first the streets seem less knowable. The cars louder and more predatory, their lights shining like violence. And my kids who all summer refused to leave the house without their bikes suddenly take coaxing, especially the youngest who conquered his first pedal bike this summer. It would be so easy to stop now. Take the bikes out of their cosy corner of the living room and lock them in the shed for winter. As a child I rarely rode through the dead of winter, lights were rubbish and expensive then and my school days lasted as long as the cycle of the sun. And ...

Bicycling is an amazing way to get fit and healthy, but you may find yourself getting tired of the same old routes. That’s understandable – anyone who rides every day will likely have found themselves uninspired at some point! But that’s not an excuse to give up! All you need to do is look for exciting, challenging new ways to make cycling even more fun. By doing so, you’ll not only be more enthusiastic towards riding your bike, but you’ll also be even more motivated to take care of your body by cycling as much as possible! Here are twelve easy, accessible ways to make cycling even more fun. 1. Download a cycling app and track your stats. By downloading a cycling app, you’ll be able to keep track of your speeds, distances and more. Not only will you be able to monitor these and the effects they’re having on your progress, but you’ll also be able to have fun challenging yourself to beat your own scores on your bamboo bicycle! 2. Get your friends involved. Everything is mo...

Not progressing your training As you get closer and closer to the first events of the season, whether it’s a sportive or road race, then your training needs to adapt. If you carry on doing what you have for the last two months then you won’t be stretching yourself in training. As you approach the season your rides need to become more and more specific. For example, if you are a sportive rider targeting a major European event then you should start to incorporate more sweetspot work into your training order to replicate the effort required on climbs. Doing too much, too soon The principles of training are simple: train hard, recover to allow your body to adapt to that training, and then train hard again. The key is to allow your body to recover in between hard blocks of training and then make the next block slightly harder than the one you have just completed in order to encourage consistent and sustainable progression. Not getting enough recovery Without adequate recovery, your...

“A rider who has good handling skills will be a safer rider,” says Stu Auckland. “If they’re confident and comfortable in handling their bike, in tune with its handling, braking and accelerating characteristics, they can also then put more energy into their riding.” Auckland says a better bike handler often has more time to make decisions when encountering hazards, because less conscious thought is put into reacting to them on the road – everything becomes more instinctive, with fewer knee-jerk reactions made because the rider is experienced and able to deal with a given situation. This takes on extra importance when riding in a group. “You want your actions to be fast and fluid, not jerky and haphazard, especially if riding with others or within a large group” he says. “Last-minute swerving, heavy braking or constant changes in pace because you’re a ‘jerky’ rider will filter throughout the group meaning those behind will be expelling unnecessary energy slowing and speeding up, pl...

What can I do to improve my bike handling skills? So you want to improve your bike handling skills? Here are six tips to make you feel more comfortable and controlled when out on the bike. 1. Practice makes perfect Needless to say, one of the best ways to improve bike handling is to actually get out and ride your bike – the more often you do, the more natural it will become. However, if bike handling is a particular issue for you then having a quiet space to practice troublesome skills on your own is a great way to do improve your skill on the bike. 2. Think ahead The key to being able to react to obstacles and hazards in good time is to think – and look – ahead. It’s so easy to ‘chew your stem’ when working hard at the front of a group or grinding up a climb and miss important and potentially dangerous hazards. 3. Watch others They say one of the best ways to learn is by watching others. Not just anyone, however – you need to watch those who are well-versed in goo...

Take it easy The faster and harder you ride in hot weather, the harder on your body it’s going to be. Obviously such riding can’t be avoided in a race but if you’re out in the country on an all-day ride, keep the pace steady and try to keep your energy expenditure low. Take it slow, don’t charge up all the hills. Regular breaks in the shade (or pub/café if you prefer) are a good tip too. Wear lightweight clothing to help keep cool – and don’t go charging up every hill Wear lightweight clothing Wear technical clothing with high sweat wicking properties and which offer plenty of ventilation; mesh panels (don’t forget to apply sunscreen underneath…) full-length zips and the like, so you can get as much cooling air over your body as possible. A wicking base layer will also help remove sweat and keep you drier. Don’t neglect your feet either; thin socks and well vented shoes will keep your toes from getting clammy. Some brands now offer clothing which is super-light (and sometimes wit...

A shop tune-up costs $40 to $60. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, here are five quick safety tests recommended by Calvin Jones, a bike mechanic for more than 30 years and author of The Big Blue Book of Bike Repair (Park Tool Co.). Grab Each Wheel. Pull back and forth to test whether they're loose in the frame. Spin the wheels to check that they're not touching brake pads. Ensure a Secure Seat. Hold the frame with one hand and the saddle with the other, then try to twist the saddle. Tighten, if needed. Look for Rust. A little surface rust is okay, but if the frame has rusted through or if the chain has rusted so much that it's stiff, it may be unsafe. While you're eyeballing the chain, lubricate it with one drop of bicycle-specific chain lube per roller. Check for Tire Cracks. If the tire sidewalls look like fishnet, they're too old and worn to be ridden. Dig Your Thumbnail into the Brake Pads. If the pads are too hard to allow you to press your thumbnail int...

As Ann Barnes casually pedals next to her 7-year-old daughter, Jacquelyn, on the bike trail at White Rock Lake Park in Dallas, birds float above the lake, buoyed on a steady breeze, much like Ann's mood every time she rides. After being off the bike for years, she rediscovered cycling as a way to spend time with her daughter and start exercising again. Their 20-minute rides, which often include a picnic or playground break, rejuvenate the 48-year-old computer software analyst. "Getting out, being active, and breathing the fresh air makes us both feel happy," Ann says. "Riding again has given rise to my spirits, so I'm also working out at the gym at lunch. The bike's more fun, though." Like Ann, you probably have a bike stowed in your garage or basement. Brush off the cobwebs, start riding regularly, and you'll feel an energy boost and shed some pounds. Even if you haven't broken a sweat in years, cycling is an excellent way to ease back into ...

If you don't want to cut out solo riding entirely, joining a cycling club is good way to improve your skills on the bike and take your fitness to the next level. Use this guide to find out how joining a cycling club benefits you as a cyclist and where to find a like-minded cycling group near you. 1. LEARN BETTER BIKE-HANDLING Whether you’re interested in racing or not, improving your bike-handling makes you a safer cyclist on the road. By joining a cycling group and getting involved in weekend club rides, you’ll learn useful skills you might not be exposed to riding solo. Drafting, bike control, hand signals and pacing are just a few of the basics you’ll grow accustomed to when you practice riding in close proximity to others. READ MORE > 10 CYCLING HAND SIGNALS YOU NEED TO KNOW 2. DEVELOP CAMARADERIE If you ride lots of miles alone, motivation can become an issue. Joining a cycling club with other like-minded cyclists helps you mix up your training regimen and have m...

Most of the same reasons why bicyclists will drive towards the center of a lane are good reasons for leaving the bike lane. Even in states with mandatory bike lane use, the law allows cyclists the same exceptions as it does to keeping right in general. Here are just a few reasons: Bike lanes collect the debris and glass that is swept off the road. Sometimes you can see it because it’s big, like tree branches, but sometimes only we can see it. A small shard of glass can cause a flat tire. (How many tires did you change on your way to work today?) Many bike lanes are designed poorly or just plain dangerous. Bike lanes next to parked cars are often entirely within a hazard area we call “the door zone.” A suddenly-opened door can kill a cyclist. When approaching intersections, or in areas with lots of driveways, a bike lane puts us in a conflict zone (shown in the above animation). Bike lanes increase our risk for all of the common crossing and turning crashes. It may not be a bike l...

It is no minimum age limit for the issuing of fines in the traffic regulation by the police. Bicycle riders who break the road rules will be given the same fines as motorists, but will not accumulate demerit points. Offences common to both bicycle riders and motorists include: failing to stop at a red traffic light disobeying a 'no U-turn' sign at an intersection failing to stop at a 'stop' sign at an intersection using a mobile phone exceeding the speed limit in a speed zone by less than 13km/h. Common offences specific to bicycle riders include: carrying more passengers than a bicycle is designed for failing to give way to pedestrians on a footpath or shared path failing to display a light at night or in hazardous weather conditions failing to wear an approved helmet. Motorised bicycles Legal motorised bicycles You can ride a motorised bicycle on all roads and paths, except where bicycles are prohibited. There are two types of legal motorised bicycl...