In the UK, we love to go away for the summer. And naturally for cyclists, our favourite travel companions are on two wheels. One of the main perks of cycle touring is that it’s cheaper than your standard getaway. It’s also a great way to meet new ...
How to transport your bike around London and the UK
Taking your bike on the coach or train isn’t always the easiest of feats. But you might need to use public transport for a number of reasons: you want to do a bike trip that’s too far to cycle to, you have a puncture, you don’t feel well or you’ve ...
5 cycling masks to fight against air pollution – are they any good?
Anti-pollution cycling masks are a fairly common sight in London. It’s perfectly understandable – air pollution is a well-documented issue here, causing respiratory problems and preventable deaths. A sizeable 9,500 people die in the capital ...
Rucksack vs panniers: which is best for commuting?
Recently, I switched from a rucksack to a rack and panniers in a bid to solve the mystery of my back pain. This meant replacing my 18-litre rucksack with a 34-litre double pannier. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so different. In fact, things ...
How to stop bike parts going to landfill
Cycling boasts tons of environmental benefits, leaving behind a very small carbon footprint. But there are some things we burn through at an incomparable rate – namely parts and kit. As 2018 is the year we become more aware of our plastic use ...
Travel the world by bike: 7 of the best books for international cycle trips
Travelling by bike is arguably one of the best ways to see the world. You’re much more connected with your senses: smelling the bakery as you pass, feeling the breeze on your face and watching the waddle of some adorable dogs. It’s all the ...
Cycling routes around the UK and Ireland: 10 books to help you plan your next ride
All cyclists have their regular routes – the one to work, the one to your mate’s house, the one to the bike shop. But these can become tiresome day after day as you mentally move away from your surroundings and set your body to autopilot. An ...
Winter cycling: how do I find the right shoes for flat pedals?
If you do a web search, cycling enthusiasts will praise the virtues of cycling shoes. They keep your feet in place on the pedals, the stiff soles give you more support and put less strain on your muscles. But what if you’re riding a Santander ...
15 thoughts every London cyclist has
Every cyclist is different, from the bike they ride right down to their choice of socks. However, there are common experiences that bring us together – the kind that make you nod with an excitement that you get when you’re sharing stories with ...
Goodordering: a new cycling accessories shop for commuters
A new cycling accessories shop has opened in Hackney, specialising in bags for style-conscious commuters and families. The Goodordering range was created by Aussie expat Jacqui Ma, who has designed bags for Puma, Virgin Atlantic, Microsoft and ...
9 tips to help you cycle faster
One of the joys of cycling is freewheeling down a hill and feeling the wind on your face. Unfortunately, it’s a distant dream in London. Some things you just can’t control, like the heavy traffic or that insect that’s flown straight into your ...
Challenge yourself to cycle 4 of London’s toughest hills
When you think of cycling in London, you don’t tend to imagine killer hills. But if you’re training for an event or you just want to keep fit over the colder months, these short bursts are an easy way to score a high intensity workout. I’ve ...
What kind of cyclist indicator are you?
Cyclists are encouraged to indicate when they’re about to turn or change lanes so that other motorists know what they’re doing and to keep traffic flowing smoothly. However, we generally don’t have lights or blinkers so we have to go with a more ...
Bike service: should you take your cycle to an independent or chain shop?
Taking your bike for a service is something that many of us put off for a whole raft of reasons. You might not know where to take it, particularly if you’re newer to cycling. In this instance, the first question to ask yourself is what you ...
Why I went on a night cycle across London
Cycling at any time of the day is wonderful, but in London a serene night ride tops peak-hour pedalling for me. And as the days are getting shorter and our cycle shorts are getting longer, this seems like a fitting opportunity to write about ...