There are two types of bike shops. Those owned and operated by cyclists and those that are just commercial ventures. No prizes for guessing which will give you the best experience. Many of those owner operated shops do a lot more than just sell bikes. Many are a treasure trove of good advice whilst some…
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change ! This morning when I awoke at 5 am to the sound of rain beating against the window my first thought was - Good! .......... or it should have been........ In fact it was something more along the lines of…
This night next week, on Thursday June 20th a very special free event is taking place in Ryan Motor Power Clonmel. A panel of guest speakers are going to give an insight into what it takes to be successful at every level of your life, all of which will revolve around a sporting theme. The…
Shortly after seeing Sean Kelly in the Nissan Classic as a spotty teenager I decided that I wanted a piece of the action, so realising that I better start doing a few local races first, before the Tour de France, I was invited along by Joe Lonergan to a training spin with his son Bernard.…
Today was new bike day. Normally, whenever I get a new bike I prefer to do the first spin solo with just a set of allen keys and a torque key for company, in case any adjustments are needed. The latest addition to the stable is a Giant Contend SL1 Disc. On paper a basic,…
Have you ever lacked the motivation to get out on your bike on a cold or rainy day? Have you ever sat on the couch watching TV when deep down you knew you should be doing something else? Have you ever been afraid to step onto a weighing scales? Have you ever been frustrated with…
Unless you are a pro riding the Tour de France this is all that you need to know about climbing hills on a bicycle. It is not about weight. It is not about watts. It is not about age, size or shape. To get up and over any climb the most important things are heart…
I like iPhones. I tried switching to a Samsung last year and it lasted about 3 weeks before I went back to an iPhone. Some things you just get used to and there is no getting away from it. Bike computers are like mobile phones and since I got my first Garmin 500 I have…
This morning as I stood outside a hotel waiting for my lift to the airport I watched the people passing by. Many were on their way to work, some were going shopping, but two really caught my eye. An old man slowly made his way carefully along the cobblestoned footpath. His eyes flicked from looking…
Cycling a bike downhill fast is an experience close to flying. With the wind rushing again you, whilst you push your machine and your abilities close to their limits all senses are heightened. You learn to go fast by pushing beyond your comfort zone. You also learn by making mistakes. Sometimes you might overcook it…
As today's final stage of the 2017 Vuelta blasted up the finishing straight I was reminded of a conversation that I had one day with Martin O'Loughlin. Froome had just won the overall race title, following on from another Tour de France victory. Everyone expected him to roll across the line with his hands in the…
I was chatting to a friend one day about cars and he remarked that whenever he sees a Skoda estate on the road he immediately thinks that it must be a cyclist behind the wheel, and much of the time he is right. Skoda is now the number one choice amongst professional teams when they…
At a time when cycling wristwatches are becoming more and more like laptops combined with mobile tracking and health monitoring devices it can be nice to get back to basics and to have something on your wrist the just tells the time and that you like the look of. This watch from the Camden watch…
At a guess I would estimate that I have probably changed over 10,000 tubes at this stage so have managed to get quicker at doing it over time. Here is an example : https://youtu.be/ykFbbLm3pow Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
How to deal with pain Pain in your feet : Your shoe straps are too tight. Your cleats are too far forward. Slide them back 2mm or less at a time. You may need orthotics. Pain in your achilles tendon : Your saddle is too low and your heel is dropping too much putting extra strain…
Just like most cyclists I have a range of rucksacks and gear bags. Some are souvenirs from events, others were purchased with a special purpose in mind that became soon forgotten, but I still usually find myself with one over my shoulder. Recently I was sent a Knomo Cromwell bag to try out and…
This morning was a great morning to be out with the Carrick Dole gang. The Dole gang gained their title during the recession when jobs were scarce in Carrick, but whilst the name remains, most members are now gainfully employed once again. Some now work shifts whilst others work Saturdays in order to have their…
I remember a few years ago on a winter training spin one of the lads in the group mentioning that he had punctured 23 times so far that winter, and it was only December. He had changed tyres and tubes and even wheels at that stage. Two weeks later I was reminded of the conversation…
There has never been so many people cycling bicycles over the age of eighteen in Ireland as there are now. They come in all shapes and sizes. From those who wear oilskins, even in the height of summer, to cycle to work all year round, to those who having discovered the sport in the past…
The alarm clock bleating at 5am on a cold and frosty morning in early January is not often greeted pleasantly, but when it means a trip to Dublin airport to board one of Micky Ryans' Aerobuses to the Spanish sunshine, it's not so bad having an early start. Bike racks abound in the red car…
