Paul O'Donovan, the Olympic and World Champion rower once said that rowing is a very simple sport, A to B as fast as you can go, close the eyes and pull like a dog. Whilst this is a very simplified account of what it takes to succeed in rowing, the same sentiments ring true for…
Most road bikes nowadays have a multitude of gears, and whilst every bike rider knows that their bike has gears, many are not quite sure how to actually use them. There are a few different types of popular gear systems and in terms of ease of use they can be ranked as follows : SRAM…
The key to gear selection is simple. If your legs are under pressure and your breathing feels OK then change into an easier gear and increase your cadence slightly. If your breathing is under pressure but your legs feel OK then you need to change into a harder gear and lower your cadence to settle your breathing.
A little over two years ago the number of people in Ireland who classed themselves as a cyclist (someone who cycles once a week or more for exercise) was 212,000. Recently the study was revisited and the current number of people who cycle a bike each week for exercise is over 500,000. With so many…
You won't find the following in a newspaper supplement, or in very many online resources but for some it might just make the difference between achieving and dreaming when setting your goals for the new year ahead. First, a little background. As I sat on the couch the other evening, sipping a glass of Baileys…
We do not train to avoid pain, we train so that our body and mind learn to tolerate pain. Recently I heard someone say that cycling was meant to be enjoyed, not endured. They were correct, to a point, but the fact is that it is not possible to fully enjoy cycling if you cannot,…
One aspect of cycling that gets taken for granted and is often overlooked is the importance of how you breathe. You do it non stop, hopefully, but most people don't really think about tuning into what this non stop activity can tell you and how you can improve when you pay attention to it. The…
Some days in winter time you arrive home without any feeling in your feet. They are totally numb and sting like hell when you step into the warm water of your shower. Your hands and fingers too may well suffer from the same affliction. However there are ways to help, and avoid these frosty sensations:…
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…
It feels good for the lion or the gorilla but what about poor Tommy or Billy at the back. They feel like an antelope after being savaged by a pride of Lions. It takes a different form of mental strength to keep coming back for more but they always do because they know that their day will come too.
It's Friday and as we all get set for another weekend out on our bikes here are a few tips to help you along your way. Eating Off the bike Eat a good breakfast, preferably porridge and some form of brown unburnt toast with tea or coffee. Stay away form the greasy full Irish.…
One day in Calpe at the An Post ChainReactionCycles early season training camp I was one of a group of five guests who managed to crest the Col De Rates alongside Sean Kelly and face the steep twisting descent on his wheel. Adrian Hedderman, Alastair Irvine, Paul Butler, Johnny Carroll and I were about to…
Own at least one really good pair of cycling shorts Pump your tyres ! Know how to change a tube Wash your bike Wash your bike before bringing it to the bikeshop Wash yourself Wash your helmet and shoes Don't over lubricate your chain Bring home your rubbish Don't fight with cars or trucks, there…
No two days are ever the same, especially on a bike. When surrounded by all sorts of characters form all walks of life, by keeping your ears open you never know what gems of wisdom may be imparted. Some snippets sound like sage advice, and are, whilst other nuggets sound crazy at first but then…
Every cyclist should be able to carry out a few repairs to their own bike themselves. By doing work on the bike yourself you will be more capable to attend to roadside repairs when necessary as you will have a better understanding of how each component works. You will also have more confidence in the…
Every cyclist who ventures further than the end of their road should always carry a minimum amount of tools and spares with them. Some feel that a mobile phone and €20 is all the toolkit that they need. But what happens when you get a mechanical 30k from home in an area with no phone…
