Advice

There are always ways to make your bike riding more comfortable, more enjoyable, and allow you to ride further and faster than ever before.

On this page, you will find useful hints, tips and advice on various areas of the sport:




Bikepacking and Endurance Cycle Touring






Cycle Training and Personal Care


Tim Wiggins Mountain Bike Endurance Racing




Sports Nutrition and Recipes





Cycle Clothing Advice






Equipment and Home Workshop Bicycle Maintenance





Isle of Wight Routes and Local Cycling Knowledge


Tim Wiggins Isle of Wight




Gift Ideas for Cyclists





Popular posts from this blog

Review – Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Lube Dry Chain Lubricant

Image
The Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Lube Dry Chain Lubricant is the latest bicycle chain lube released by the UK-based brand Muc-Off—the pioneering experts in bike lubes and cleaners. I have become a complete convert to using dry chain lubes for road and off-road bicycles—all year round. A dry wax-based lubricant offers lubrication for your bike's chain without the risk of contaminants sticking to the lubricated chain's surface and creating a damaging grinding paste—as is the case with 'wet' oil-based lubricants. The Ceramic C3 Dry Chain Lube from Muc-Off is an innovative new dry chain lubricant that utilises ceramic nanoparticles and synthetic polymers to create a super durable low-friction coating for your chain. The key with any dry chain lubricant is the application. It is vital that you strip the chain of all previous dirt, grease, and oil before applying a dry chain lube; if you do not, then the chain lube will simply slide off the oily surface and will not dry onto the...
Keep reading

Review – Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 TSA Road Bike Bag

Image
The best-selling Scicon Aerocomfort Bike Bag has received some significant design updates. With thru-axle compatibility, added protection, and an overall lighter weight—the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0  is even more of a market-leader than before. Back in 2013, I reviewed the Scicon Aerocomfort 2.0 ( read the review here ). That bag has had some significant use: for transporting bikes on planes, trains, and even yachts. With many of my bikes  now having thru-axle designs though, the Aerocomfort 2.0 had required some questionable 'bodging' on my part to make it usable. I was therefore relieved when the new 3.0 was released—this new design is much improved. Thru-Axle Compatibility One of the biggest differences with the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Bike Bag is that it will accommodate 12 mm thru axles on the front and rear of the patented suspension frame system. To fit thru-axles, you simply remove the QR inserts in the suspension frame, then use your bike's existing axles t...
Keep reading

Review – Otterbox Defender iPhone 11 Phone Case

Image
A phone is an essential piece of equipment for a bike ride. Cyclists use their phones for staying connected, calling in emergencies, and documenting their adventures. A good phone case is a well justified accessory though, as the life of a smartphone can be a tough one in a cyclist’s jersey pocket. The Otterbox Defender Case is a quality modular bumper phone case, which supplies superb drop protection and functionality for your iPhone. I am familiar with the Otterbox brand, having used their Defender case on an iPad for several years. That case has saved the iPad from many drops, knocks, and spills; even when the device has been carried to work in a pannier on a daily cycle commute. It was with this familiarity and reliability in mind that I selected the Otterbox Defender as my choice for a robust phone case to keep my smartphone safe on cycling adventures. The latest Otterbox Defender case features several great upgrades, as well as keeping all the winning qualities of the old...
Keep reading

Review: Adidas Adizero Short Sleeve Jersey

Image
It's not very often that I weigh a piece of clothing. In fact, I don't remember ever doing it before... It was the first thing that I did with the new adidas adizero jersey though; because to be blunt, it's ludicrously light. Adidas claim that the jersey weighs in at a minuscule 65 grams; my medium sample actually came in at 62 grams on my scales, so it is indeed a serious featherweight! The thinking behind this record breaking design, is simple: lighter is faster, thinner materials are more comfortable in the heat, and a lower profile style is more aero. In recent years, we've seen Grand Tour contenders such as Chris Froome wear skimpy (and see-through) jerseys and skin-suits on Alpine stages; the adizero jersey comes from the same school of thought, and pushes the boundaries in terms of ventilation and minimalism. Shrouded in tissue paper, the jersey arrives like a precious piece of art. When you unwrap it, you can see why; this is a piece of apparel made of ...
Keep reading

Review – Hutchinson Tires Tubeless Touareg Gravel Tyres

Image
Hutchinson bicycle tyres have taken me across continents, to the podiums of mountain bike races in the Italian Dolomites, and now it seems they are set to conquer the gravel scene… " Touareg " means ' free folk '—it is the name of a nomadic tribe in the Sahara Desert. The French brand Hutchinson Tires selected that name for this tubeless gravel tyre because of its special ability on rugged (mostly dry) off-road trails. This is a gravel bike tyre for back-of-beyond adventures. Hutchinson Tires maintain a build quality level that from my experience is second-to-none. They were one of the pioneers of tubeless bicycle tyre technology, way before it became mainstream; over the years they have perfected the balance of protection, weight, grip and immaculate fit that is sought after in all tubeless set-ups. The Touareg tyres are a mixed-surface gravel tyre, intended to be used primarily on dry and loose terrain. The tread pattern is a file-style arrow pattern that strikes...
Keep reading