Toward the end of last year I splashed a bit of cash on revamping my Kona Kula Supreme hardtail MTB. Apart from an occasional off-road foray the poor thing had mostly been used for commuting and it was showing (visual and vocal) signs of service. It creaked and it clicked, the suspension forks had not a bit of boing left in them and changing gear was a lottery at which I usually lost. Continue reading “Zen and the art of Bicycle Maintenance”
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| Not my problem |
Towards the end of last year I headed to Google in search something to replace a recently ripped zip-lock sandwich bag. Perhaps some cling film or a nice piece of Tupperware, you say? Well, no. I was in search of something in which to stow my phone when out riding.
Continue reading “Review – Showers Pass Cloud Cover Smartphone Case”
The weather for bike riding has been resolutely manky of late — no great surprises: it’s Scotland, in winter.
My cycling revelation has come in the form of comfortably warm hands. Continue reading “Review – Sealskinz Extra Cold Winter Cycle Glove”
When you think ‘package holiday’ sand, sangria and sunloungers spring to mind. To the list you can now add sports drinks, saddles and shaved legs.
Jet2’s new cycling range not only provides a family holiday with a spot (or five) of riding, it also caters for the dedicated lycra type seeking some quality time alone with their bike.
From the choice of locations I’d picked Majorca. Year-round the island buzzes bright with cyclists but peak biking season tends to be during the cooler months. It’s comparative, of course. The January average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius makes Majorca the go-to destination for Brits seeking some quality winter riding.
I’d arrived in summer season and camped at the Iberostar Playa de Muro, a four-star whose cycling facilities have been modelled on those offered to skiers at top European winter resorts. Continue reading “Majorca Made Easy”
The SNP – I’ve been a member since the 80s – are the brave party (not Bravehearts, that’s a nonsense slur opponents without a clue throw our way), prepared to make bold political decisions in order to force change for the better.
Last weekend I attended my first party conference. I was buoyed by the bold and positive talk — Scotland can and will be changed for the better. We just have to work hard to make it happen.
Then came the debate on cycling:
Today’s road ride went a bit ‘Goonies do cyclocross’. A leisurely ride around the lanes of East Lothian got blown off course by a road closure at Longniddry.
“Just turn left here,” I said with zero authority, “and we’ll soon be back on the right road.”
We weren’t.
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| On Culfoldie |
Last weekend I was back home and managed to sneak a bike ride in between various family ‘duties’.
Back home for me is rural Moray in the north-east of Scotland. I was lucky to have grown up in such a spot but didn’t think my location fortuitous at the time (the adolescent me craved the bright lights, attractions and fellow indie kids I imagined the city held within).
Going home avec velo and I realise how great a place it was, and still is. Continue reading “Riding Home”
I love finding nuggets of cycling wisdom in unexpected places.
Neil M. Gunn was an a highly influential Scottish author. Born and bred in the far north of Scotland, his work was heavily influenced by the landscape that surrounded his Dunbeath home.
Caithness is a windswept part of the world, as any member of the Caithness C.C. will surely testify. Judging by his novel Highland River (which was based on the author’s childhood) Gunn clearly knew a thing or two about the habits of wild salmon. The short extract below shows he also knew a thing or two about a cyclist’s relationship with the wind: Continue reading “Raging at the wind”
From stages of the Tour of Britain, the Seven Stanes mountain bike trails, to the hugely successful TweedLove festival, there’s a regular reason for a two-wheeled Borders pilgrimage.
Next up is the Endura Tour o’ the Borders, which starts and finishes in Peebles on Sunday 10th of August. Heading into its third year, this cyclo-sportive is on the up (quite literally, more of which later): 2014 will be the first running on roads closed to cars.
Last year’s edition was epic. Less than clement conditions resulted in semi-submerged roads and riders at risk of hypothermia. Moving from late spring to the height of summer might make heatstroke more of an issue. Whatever the weather, participants have two route options: 55 or 77 miles.
Rolf Rae-Hansen 