Quick Laundering

Quick Laundering

Don't be gross! Riding in dirty cycling shorts can increase your chances of developing saddle sores. So, if you've got no time or Laundromat nearby, here's a great way to wash your cycling shorts:

Wash them thoroughly in the sinkRoll them up in a towel and wring them as hard as you can to get out excess water Repeat wringing them dry several times using different towels and they'll dry in minutes

The Benefits of Cycling Clothes

The Benefits of Cycling Clothes

Do you know what your clothes do? Clothes made specifically for cycling serve some very specific and beneficial purposes to both the novice and experienced cyclist. Here's a guide to your cycling clothing:

• Bright jerseys keep you visible, and the fabric keeps moisture away while letting your skin breathe

• Cycling shorts provide great comfort from seams and chafing (especially if you're riding a long distance)

• Gloves provide traction on the handlebars and warmth in cooler weather

• Glasses protect your eyes from sun, and small objects that get thrown up from the trail or road.

Dressing in Layers

Dressing in Layers

Wearing layers is the best way to prepare yourself for almost any kind of weather. Layers have many uses. Here are some tips for proper utilization of layers:

Keep something that wicks away moisture well closest to your bodyA middle layer is good for adding warmth, An outer layer that is windproof, yet breathable is ideal

- If you get an outer layer that is light enough, it can fold down to fit in your seat pack.

Cycling Shorts

Cycling Shorts

Who needs underwear? If you've been wearing underwear under your bike shorts, you could be defeating the whole purpose of bike shorts in the first place. Bike shorts come with pads inside to take the place of underwear, so you can have a seam-free ride.

- If you still experience pain even without the underwear, try wearing two pairs of bike shorts for double the padding

Cycling Jacket

Cycling Jacket

A very lightweight piece of cycling gear that folds and can slip into any jersey pocket is a lightweight shell jacket. If the weather turns chilly or it begins to rain, you'll be ever so grateful to have a one at hand.

- Buy a cycling jacket in a bright color so you'll be visible through the rain and fog.

Looking Good When You Get Off The Bike

Looking Good When You Get Off The Bike

The trouble with riding in sunny weather with your short sleeve cycling jersey is that farmer's tan you'll inevitably end up walking around with well into the fall months. Try buying a sleeveless jersey instead. You'll stay cool and fashionable at the same time. Many companies (like Fox Clothing) make excellent racing & performance gear as well as sportswear.

- Ladies, if you'd like to quickly put on a dressier look over your cycling clothes, find a wrap around skirt make of stretch materials (a dance shop will have one). You can pack it up and take it along (it won't wrinkle).

Test Drive A Cycle

Test Drive A Cycle

Do more than just kick the tires on that potential bicycle purchase! Many people don't know this, but most serious bike shops will let you test drive a bike. When you're making a serious investment in a bicycle, a test drive will give you extra confidence in your buying decision.

*Even though you can usually only ride each bike for about 15 minutes, there's no better way to get a feel for a bike (don't forget to ask the salesperson to adjust the seat and handlebars for fit first).

Cycling Supplies

Cycling Supplies

A cycling outing can quickly and easily turn into a bad day when things go wrong and you're unprepared. A well-supplied seat pack is one way to be prepared for the unexpected. Fill your pack with:

• A patch kit
• Fresh glue
• Tire removal levers
• A spare inner tube
• Identification
• A couple of energy bars
• A cell phone • Sun screen
• Lip balm• Baby wipes
• A chain tool

Remember that it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. A lot can happen out there on the road or trails so be ready!

Cycling To Win

Cycling To Win

If your love for cycling is leading you toward racing, here's the best way to start.

• Join a club (that way, your club mates can offer valuable support)
• Pick a race • Plan out a training program and stick to it
• Get a training buddy from your club (this helps provide motivation)
• Go out and get riding*Remember that it's not the results that count—it's that you tried.

If you get less that perfect results in your first race keep in mind that IT'S YOUR FIRST RACE. Stick with your training and you'll be breezing over those finish lines in no time.

Benefits of Cycling

Benefits of Cycling

More and more people, including families, are catching the cycling bug. It's such a satisfying way to improve your fitness while taking in the scenery and getting fresh air.

Biking as a family can help you teach your children about the importance of exercise while allowing them to have fun at the same time (not to mention the fact that it will allow you to get that exercise in that you've been trying to find the time for).

*You can keep the activity interesting for them by changing routes, taking in different types of scenery, and exploring different types of terrain.

Cycling Log

Cycling Log

If you're cycling with any degree of seriousness, it's a good idea to keep a cycling log to help you track your progress. You can then enter your:

• Progress
• Speed
• Distance

Over time, you will be able to monitor yourself and pinpoint strengths and weaknesses (and, as you make changes and adjustments on your bike or in process, you won't have to rely on memory to figure out what you did). Keeping a cycling log is the key to improving your overall performance.

Cycling on Trails

Cycling on Trails

Don't be a trail hog! When riding on trails, it's important to keep in mind that most trails aren't just made for cycling. They're multi-use trails.

Trails aren't only made for you—they are also for hikers, dogs on leashes, strollers, kids, skaters, and more. So, even though you want to let go and relax to your beautiful surroundings, you still have to keep your wits about you. There are just as many distractions on a trail as there are on the road. Stay alert and respect other users.

Cycling Cadence

Cycling Cadence

Don't slip into high gear! One of the biggest mistakes made by beginning cyclists is using too high of a gear (using too high of a gear makes pedaling harder, and can lead to fatigue). Lower gears make it easier to pedal.

The most important goal is to try and keep a steady cadence (the rhythm of your pedaling), even when going up and down hills. A good rhythm, between 80 and 100 revolutions per minute (rpm), is optimum. Don't push yourself too hard right off the bat. Instead, work your way up to those higher gears.

Custom Bicycles

Custom Bicycles

Do you know the difference? Many people mistake a custom made bicycle with a customized bike. Take note of the differences:

• Customized bikes are bought with components and accessories then added to
• Custom bikes are built for the owner, made to fit specific body specs and usage

If you are really hooked on cycling, the investment of a custom bike might be well worth your while. Often you can spend just as much on an expensive off-the-shelf bike as you can on the custom one (especially if you're going to change and accessorize it anyway).

Buying the Right Kind of Bicycle

Buying the Right Kind of Bicycle

If you've made a trip to a serious bicycle shop lately, you've probably noticed that bicycles have gotten a lot more complicated. It's hard to know what to buy without first thinking about how you will be riding. Ask yourself these questions before making a selection:

• Will you use the bike on paved roads or on trails?

• Will you be traveling long distances?

• Is comfort or performance most important?

Once you know the answer to these questions, the pros in the bike shop can lead you to the type of bicycle for you. Over time, and once the bug has caught you, you can buy another bike that fulfills what the first bike doesn't (that is, if you weren't completely satisfied).

Investing in a Custom Bike

Investing in a Custom Bike

For the novice rider, a custom bike isn't necessarily worth the investment (mostly because they are not yet to a point where they know exactly what they want and need). For the experienced cyclist, however, there's nothing cooler than a custom bike, made to fit one rider (and built to certain aesthetics as well).

- Before you invest in one of these bikes know that they tend to be both pricey and timely—don't be surprised if your bike takes a few months to build.

Buying a Bike for your Child

Buying a Bike for your Child

Go on, get your kid a bike! When buying a bike for your child, however, don't be tempted to follow the same rule of thumb as when buying clothes. Buying a bike that's too big and hoping they'll grow into is just not a good idea. Riding a bike that is too large is dangerous, uncomfortable, and difficult. To make sure that you choose a bike that is the right size for your child:

• Have your child straddle the bike (standing over the crossbar) with his or her feet on the ground

• If the bike is of a light or medium weight, allow a minimum of 2cm between your child's crotch and the crossbar

• If the bike is heavy, there should be at least 5cm between your child's crotch and the crossbar

The Time It Takes to Build A Custom Bike

The Time It Takes to Build A Custom Bike

Don't underestimate the effort put into a custom bike! For the amount of hours it takes to build a custom bike from the ground up, the investment is really quite reasonable. Custom bikes take as much as four times the man-hours of most production bikes. A basic custom frameset can take as many as thirty hours to produce.

- You can really make your bike suit you. Did you know that highly customized models can include intricately carved or polished lugs and wild paint jobs?

Recumbent Bicycles

Recumbent Bicycles

Want to ride, ride, ride, without ending up with a sore back and booty? You might want to try the strangest bicycle on the road today—the recumbent bicycle (the word ‘recumbent' refers to its chair-shaped seat position, with the pedals out in front of the rider).

- These vehicles have been around since before the turn of the century and they're actually a very ergonomic way to ride – no sore backs or butts. It makes them very good for extended rides

Custom Bicycle Builders

Custom Bicycle Builders

A quality full spectrum custom frame calls for a frame builder who has the expertise and skill to pick and choose each and every piece of metal to fit your specifications. In order to best learn what the client's needs are, the frame builder will interview the rider and conduct fit sessions that will uncover the right direction to go for that particular client.

- To find the right frame builder for you, you should conduct some interviews of your own to find the bike-building partner that feels best to you.

Custom Adjusted Framesets

Custom Adjusted Framesets

One step below a full spectrum custom bicycle are custom adjusted frame sets with custom bike parts. A custom adjusted frameset is one in which the dealer can give you the ability to choose from a number of frame options (like short or long top tubes, and extra stiff bottom bracket or custom braze-ons).

- The benefit of a custom adjusted frameset is that it can improve the fit and feel of a bicycle at a lesser cost than the fully custom built frame.

Women's Bikes

Women's Bikes

Historically, women have had a tougher time fitting themselves for a quality bike. And shorter women often find it even more difficult. The main problem is that even though most women are smaller than men, they often have longer legs. Shorter women will find that a frame with an appropriate seat tube length will leave them unable to reach the handlebars. Many good manufacturers are making women's bikes to accommodate body differences. Just keep on testing bikes until you find the right fit. And don't only limit yourself to women's bikes either. Try everything. Being overstretched on a ride will cause stress to your arms, back and shoulders.

A Properly Fitted Bike

A Properly Fitted Bike

Make sure your bike fits! To get both the best performance and enjoyment from cycling, regardless of whether you're riding for fun or to win, a properly fitted bike is a must. So, how do you fit a bike?

A properly sized bike allows you to extend your leg as far as possible without completely straightening your knee - if saddle is too low, you won't be able to achieve this optimum leg extension. And, you should be able to straddle the frame with both feet flat and still have a bit of clearance.