Tips & Tricks

OK, we’ve covered training plans and getting ready for a big ride, so I thought I’d cast a little light over what to eat during the ride, as I regularly see riders eating the wrong things, or the right things at the wrong times! The key to a big ride is fuelling your body well. …

OK, event season is kicking off properly now, so here are a few tips to help settle your nerves and make sure you are well prepared for your big day. Firstly, have a quick read of our 3 Month Training Plan article.  Chances are you may not have that long until your event now but knowing that …

OK, with various events being pimped at the moment and New Years resolutions waning it might be time to start thinking about getting some structure back into your cycling life, which is where the 3 month plan (3MP) comes in. There will probably even be some time to have one last push, to build on …

You need to be made of tough stuff to keep on riding in the UK through the winter months. We all know that these cold, dark winter months will bring rain and turn our fast trails to slow, sticky mud. However, there are some locations that fare better than others, and although you won’t avoid …

We’ve got a super lightweight map holder to save you lots of time on mountain bike rides, folding of maps. It is simply some black correx board, slightly larger than A5 and 3 cable-ties. Just make 3 pairs of holes in the board, where required, and use the cable-ties to attch the board to your stem …

Having the right tyres for the conditions is probably always going to offer the cheapest, easiest and most effective way of improving your riding experience, and there is no more important time than in the winter, when it’s generally wet and muddy. Winter tyres are generally narrower (to cut through the mud) with longer (to …

WHY? Taking all but one of the gears off your bike, or even specially going out and buying a 1-speed machine may seem like an odd thing to do, but it has it’s advantages: low weight, less clutter, fewer mechanical problems, quieter, less affected by mud, cheaper way to build a hack bike, looks cool, …

What makes mountain biking so good is that you can ride just about anywhere and on any surface: grass, leaves, rocks, gravel, hard-pack, sand, water, stones, roots, tarmac and of course mud. Each surface has its’ own properties that require different skills and techniques to master, and tyres make a HUGE difference to speed and …

Pedalling? We know what you’re thinking – what is there to know about? You push your legs down and the pedals go round: simple. However, being aware of ways to maximise your pedalling efficiency will make it a whole lot easier next time you are slogging uphill or trying to keep the rear wheel traction …

Mountain bikes are designed for use on rough trails and can be used in equally rough weather. There is a tendency, therefore, to assume that they’ll happily cope with being neglected and dirty.  While it is possible for a bike to just about keep going provided you oil the chain sometimes and fix punctures when …