What do you carry with you?

If you commute to work, what equipment do you carry with you,

As a minimum I always carry:

• Pump
• Puncture kit
• Tyre levers

I usually also carry

• Tube
• Multi-tool

What kind of tools do you carry on your commute? Have you ever been stuck and had to limp to the nearest bike shop or resort to rescue because you didn’t have the right gear?

Cycling in the Rain

Cycling in the Rain

Seeing as it’s meant to be Spring, a few basic but always important points about cycling in the rain....

• Motivation - I always find that, once you’ve started, it’s never as bad as it initially appears through a misty window pane!    
• Visibility is paramount! Just consider what you can and can’t see when you’re in a car with the windows fogged up and the wiper blades leaving streaks of water across the windscreen. 
• Braking may take longer than usual.  Wet braking surfaces take longer to slow you, and you generally want to avoid sudden stops on wet roads. Test your brakes before you have to stop to dry the braking surfaces and brake pads.
• Avoid puddles. They may hide hazards such as deep potholes, large stones etc.  On the other hand, if you don’t care about your bottom bracket too much then flooded streets can be fun to ride through!
• Pavement markings can be very slippery in the rain.  Same goes for anything metal: manhole covers, grids etc.
• A small towel is handy.  I keep a small hand towel/ cloth in an easily accessible pocket to wipe the mist from my glasses so I can always see where I’m going!

10 random tips.

Here are a few quick random tips about different aspects of cycling, some obvious and some not so...

1. Beware of sun glare, a danger if you ride on busy roads early or late in the day. The low sun makes it difficult for motorists to see a cyclist. If you can alter your route in any way to combat this, then do so - obviously this is not a problem most of us will face every day!

2. Posture on a road bike: Keep your elbows bent and relaxed, to absorb shocks and prevent veering if you hit a bump. The more relaxed you are, the more quickly you'll be able to react to hazards.

3. During every ride, work on developing a smooth, round pedal stroke. To eliminate inefficient up and down pedalling with dead spots, pull through the bottom of each stroke like your scraping the mud from the bottom of your shoe.

4. It's best to have two pumps: a 'track' model for home use and a portable one for on-road emergencies.

5. Always carry some money and a credit card in your puncture kit.

6. To prevent your glasses from fogging up, smear both sides of the lenses with a little toothpaste. rinse with cold water; then dry with a towel.

7. Apply a bike wax to preserve the frame's finish and make it easier to clean, but keep wax away from brakes and rims.

8. If your bike has a steel frame and you live in a damp climate, undercoat the inside of the tubes to prevent rust.

9. Make sure your brake pads match your rims. Ceramic-coated or carbon rims require special brake pads.

10. Whatever type of lock you use, don't place it near the ground. In this position, it's easier for a thief to apply leverage with tools or crush it with a hammer.
 

Tax free equipment!

Image from http://www.mtbe.co.uk

None too Taxing

Are you riding a quality bike that was purchased through the HMRC’s tax free Cycle to Work scheme?  Feeling pretty pleased with it?  Well, if you don’t know already, you can now also use the scheme to obtain ‘safety equipment’.  So, if you bought a bike through the scheme last year, then you can save some more cash this year. 

You have to check to see what does and doesn’t qualify in the small print e.g. helmets and lights can be purchased, but computers and clothing that isn’t reflective, doesn’t.  

Any avenue of generosity from the taxman should not be missed!

Quality independent bike shops... There are more around than you think!

So here it is! A comprehensive map of quality independent bike shops in Merseyside.
Now if you find yourself with two flat tyres, a buckled wheel or just in need of a natter with a fellow bike nut, you'll always know where to go.
Also if your favourite shop doesn't appear on here, or if you're a shop owner yourself, drop us a line at ibikemerseyside@gmail.com and we will add you to the map.


View Independent Bike Shops in Merseyside in a larger map

Bike Week 2013

Bike Week is back

Registration is now open for Bike Week 2013, which this year is from 15-23 June. If you’re an event organiser, you can register any events which take place between April and the end of July. The benefits include FREE organisers’ liability insurance, as well as national publicity and promotional materials. If you need inspiration, take a look at some of the activities from last year’s event.

It's Monday, It's Sunny outside... Time to plan routes for the Weekend.

Just seen a group of cyclists go past from my window in work.
After getting over my initial jealousy I decided to look into some cycle routes in and around Liverpool to scratch the itch, seeing as Spring seems to be finally arriving!

I found this collection of route pdfs provided by the Council.  Short and practical, and ideal if you need help getting back into the swing of things.

First on the list is the Everton Park Map...

Sounds like a good place to start.