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The post Late May Cycling Discounts from Wiggle appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

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The post Rutland Cycling May Bank Holiday Discounts appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

Wilmslow Road as we know is a very busy commuter route and many cyclists ride road and hybrid bikes that have thin tyres.  I have tested out my fears and a road bike wheel can get lodged in the drain causing a cyclist to fall off on a very busy main road.

I have witnessed on a couple of occasions cyclists being caught out by these drains because they appear without warning  not long after the end of a cycle lane.  Luckily both incidents did not result in a dismount but they should be a warning to other cyclists.

There is allot of talk about the investment that is going to be ploughed in to cycling facilities and routes in Manchester which I am very excited about but they also need to look at the simple things.  Simple things such as drain covers could make a world of difference to cyclists on Wilmslow Road.

Removing dangers such as this will be another tick in the box on the way to making Manchester a cycle friendly city.  Dangerous drains are not the only hazard to cycling on Wilmslow Road, these combined with the very poor road surface that is littered with potholes and poor repairs make it a challenge to ride.  The photo shows that the dangerous drains do not pose a risk to mountain bike riders only those with thin wheels.

Dangerous Drains on Wilmslow Road could easily dismount a cyclist on a road bike

The post Dangerous Drains on Wilmslow Road appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

Not knowing this area I was not familiar with the route but I have heard of Blaze Hill and now I have conquered it.  The hill starts on the edge of Bollington and heads up towards the B5470.  It is not for the faint hearted and it is an ideal hill to test both your endurance and your hill climbing skills.

I found it hard going but rewarding when I finally reached the top although the heavens did open half way up the climb which made it a rather wet and miserable ride.  Another thing that put a dampener on the climb was a  slight mix up with my clipless pedals, Blaze hill is steep and I lost momentum only to find myself in a heap, thankfully only my pride was hurt.

After Blaze Hill I continued my climb up in to the East Cheshire hills on Pike Road which again tested my hill climbing ability.  Despite the rain and steep climb the views at the top are spectacular and well worth the push upwards

Blaze Hill is on the Eastern part of the Cheshire Cycleway which is route number 70.  The Cheshire cycleway is a cycle route that takes in most of Cheshire on country roads.  This signposted route stretches almost 176 miles and offers a varied mix of terrain.

I would recommend a ride to Blaze Hill to test your hill climbing ability and maybe to pit your wits against your cycling chums in a race to the top.

Why not let Enjoy Cycling know how your ride up Blaze Hill goes and remember what goes up must come down so enjoy the downhill you have earn it.

The post Blaze Hill appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

The flash mob was organised by the Coffee Cranks Cooperative to raise awareness of Manchester Councils Oxford Road consultation that is taking place.

The flash mob was attended by a swarm of cyclists of all ages that took over the busy Oxford Road close to Manchester University.  Cycles were held aloft blocking the road in which was a tremendous show of support for safer cycling in Manchester and along the busy and often dangerous Oxford Road corridor.

Oxfords Road is one of the busiest public transport routes in Europe with very high traffic and bus flows and this combined with cyclists is often a dangerous mix.  The proposals being put forward include a cycle/bus only section between Grosvenor Street and Hathersage Road.  This will incorporate a segregated cycle lane on the road.  For more information on the consultation see the TFGM website.

The post Manchester Cycle Flash Mob appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

Forget the hot milky drinks or counting sheep jumping over a fence and don’t even consider the desperate and fairly dangerous last resort of hitting yourself on the head with a mallet. If you want a much easier and far better way of dropping off for a long, deep sleep then jumping on a bike and going for a ride is one of the best there is. Of course, you don’t do this cycling just before you go to bed, or that would boost you energy level and simply wake you up anyway. And besides, riding your bike in your sleep shorts, pajamas or nightie is not a good idea.

Sleep is good for every body

Before we get into why cycling can help you beat sleeplessness, let’s just consider why we need lots of sleep in the first place. Well, first of all we’d be very tired if we didn’t, but there’s more to it than that. Sleep refreshes us, revitalises us, and helps us to be ready physically and mentally for the day ahead. Without it, we can feel weak, and dull and generally not up for anything much, which let’s face it is not the ideal way to turn up for work, or even spend the weekend.

Even more importantly, getting plenty of sleep is one of the best things our bodies can do to reduce the risk of strokes or heart disease.

You need deep sleep, not the tossing and turning type

It’s not just quantity of sleep that matters, it’s quality too. A restless night, where you’re grabbing half an hour’s kip every now and then in between long periods of staring up at the ceiling just won’t do the trick. You need true sleep and total rest for it to work its magic.

In a nutshell then, a good night’s sleep is a great idea. And the more often we can get one, the better. Which is where cycling regularly really comes into its own.

In recent research undertaken by the Northwestern University, cycling at 75% of your maximum heart rate for twenty minutes, four times a week, was found to be the most effective way of beating sleeplessness, when compared to several other activities.

Even insomniacs can sleep better after cycling

Basically, the actual motion of cycling vigorously, combined with the continuous focus required to stay alert for traffic and other distractions both work together to expend your energy and prepare you for sleep at the end of the day. So although a brisk bike ride early in the morning might make you feel a bit knackered out at the time, it could pay dividends when it comes to getting some quality shut-eye late in the evening

In another research programme, Stanford University School of Medicine

Instructed a group of habitual insomnia sufferers to cycle for 20- 30 minutes every other day. This resulted in the normal time required for the insomniacs to fall asleep being actually reduced by half.

Another endorsement for cycling from the people with big brains comes from Professor Jim Horne from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre: “Exercising outside exposes you to daylight. This helps get your circadian rhythm back in sync, and also rids your body of cortisol, the stress hormone that can prevent, deep, regenerative sleep.”

Two-wheel exercise means countless benefits

Best of all, helping you get to sleep is just one of the many benefits your body can gain from cycling. Riding your bike can also protect your skin from UV radiation, help build the brain cells that are responsible for memory and fight off all sorts of infection. And if you’re looking for further advantages, cycling can even improve your sexlife and help you lose weight by burning more calories. If all that doesn’t steer you towards some two-wheel exercise, then nothing will.

Oh, and one last point, if you haven’t got a bike or you’re simply not a fan of hitting the open road, remember that your local Total Fitness club has plenty of static bikes ready and waiting for you to workout on. They might not be quite as good as the real thing, but 20 minutes a day on one of our statics could go a long way towards helping you sleep better.

The post Get On Your Bike And Improve Your Sleep Cycle appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

Cycling is a passion of mine, I find it challenging, rewarding and a great way to relive stress and get out in to the fresh air.  I look forward to my daily commute in to Manchester city centre, clearing out the cobwebs and waking me up for a day sat at my desk for a day in the world of digital media.  As an easy going person there are few things that annoy me and when it comes to cycling annoyances are the last thing I want.

But there certain things that other road users do that do annoy me and one of these is cyclist jumping red lights.  It winds me up to witness cyclists who think it is totally acceptable to cruise through a red light at speed sometimes dodging cars and pedestrians as if its a natural thing to do on the road.

Cyclists Jumping Red Lights really annoys me

I am a firm believer that when it comes to road safety everyone should play a part in making them a better place to be and this includes cyclists.  I am sick of hearing about the rivalry between car drivers and cyclists and who should and should not be using the roads.  In truth everyone has a right to use the highway and everyone should stick to the rules.

Cyclists (including me) are the first to complain and get annoyed when a car drives to close, cuts you up or pulls out in front of you but this work both ways.  How do you think other road users and pedestrians feel when they are nearly taken out by cyclists jumping red lights.

On my daily commute I have been observing the behaviour of cyclists and I have to say I am shocked at the number of cyclist that show no regard for road safety and ignore all stop signals as if they do not exist.  I see it time and time again by the same cyclists morning and night which does frustrate me.  I have seen a number of near misses which are all caused by cyclists thug giving us a bad name on the city streets.

I ask the cycling world and those who jump red lights on a  regular basis to think about the consequences of an accident when jumping a red light.  Being knocked off your bike or knocking over a pedestrian and causing injury to you and and another person is not a nice thought.  The cyclist will be 100% to blame and this is the dame cyclist who complains when other road users annoy he/she.

Cyclist that jump red lights come in all shapes and sizes, some are experienced cyclists with the best equipment and others are foolish people who do not wear a helmet yet seek danger and possible injury by jumping red lights in to oncoming traffic.  I have made a note of the extant of the problem and I witness cyclists jumping red lights on every commute which is shocking.

Police Tackling Cyclists Jumping Red Lights

One thing that has brought a smile to my face is the fact that Manchester Police have started to tackle cyclists that ignore the highway code.  On a number of evenings when returning home I have witnessed Police stopping cyclists heading down Oxford Road who jump red rights.  This has caused me much amusement when a cyclist makes a break through a crowded pedestrian crossing only to be stopped a few meters  later by the law.  I for one welcome that fact that GMP recognise the problem cyclists jumping red lights and are doing something about it.

I have asked other cyclists and friends and some have come up with some interesting arguments.  One person does not agree with me and thinks its perfectly acceptable to jump red lights.  His argument  is that if he waits for a green light and sets off with the traffic he puts himself in danger of being knocked off but I do no agree.

What ever your thoughts about cyclists jumping red lights Enjoy Cycling would like to hear your opinion, is it right or wrong to do so?

The post Cyclists Jumping Red Lights appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

Personalised Cycle Jerseys

There are a range of cycling jerseys on the market ranging from plain colours to others displaying well known brands such as Heinz Baked Beans and even Marmite.  A cycle jersey can form a sense of togetherness when out with club riders if everyone has  the personalised club colours on.

Personalised Water Bottles

Personalised cycle gear such as a water bottle can add a nice splash of colour to you cycling attire and also add a bit of fun.  As part of the cycle club that I am a part of we all have branded personalised water bottles displaying the club logo and  colours.  I have found this adds to the sense of team spirit and togetherness when all members can be seen out on the roads with matching cycling gear.

There are a number of companies online that offer promo products or personalisation of cycle gear like Quality logo products that make you stand out while cycling.Such water bottles and cycling jerseys can be purchased for cycling clubs making you feel as part of a team.

The post Personalised Cycle Gear appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

The Specialized Secteur is another great bike from the well known American brand that will not disappoint.  With the growing popularity of cycling in the UK many people are taking the first steps in to the world of road cycling and choosing a bike can be a dilemma.  There are many road bikes on the market offering many different specifications.  For many the cycling position on a traditional road bike may be uncomfortable with the head down bottom up position not suiting everyone and this is where the Specialized Secteur comes in to play.

Specialized Secteur 2013 Review by Enjoy Cycling. I put this quality machine through its paces on the streets of Manchester and I am impressed, a comfortable and stable ride. A bike to be considered when choosing a road bike.

It is marketed as an endurance road bike and my Specialized Secteur review has found out why and I have to say I agree.  I have ridden many bikes in my time and I like the 2013 version of the Secteur.  It offers a more relaxed seating position compared to its sibling the Specialized Allez which is an entry level pure race bike.  Due to the unique geometry of the Secteur the rider has a more upright position and I have found it is more comfortable for longer rides and for those looking for a road bike to enjoy.

I was lucky enough to get my hands one and here is my Enjoy Cycling Specialized Secteur 2013 Review.

The bike comes in a striking red and black paint job that looks the part.  Its unique frame shape with curved crossbar certainly makes this bike stand out.  I have not seen any of these on the roads of Manchester and I have to wonder why. It is a stunning machine that is no ugly duckling and is a pleasure to ride.

The frame is made of aluminium so it is light weight, it also comes with carbon forks as standard which adds to the comfortable ride taking the sting out of the bumpy Manchester roads.  The unique frame contours offer the rider a  more upright seating position but it does not take anything away from what is a quality road bike.  It may be branded as an endurance road bike but during my Specialized Secteur 2013 review I covered over 60 mile on a group ride and the bike held its own with more expensive pure race bikes.

The Specialized Secteur is very similar to the Allez in many ways but it offers a little more in some areas.

Frame

The frame is made from lightweight aluminium with the added bonus of a carbon fibre fork.  The frame is an unusual shape that gives it distinctive looks and a sleek appearance.  The frame is designed to offer comfort and stability on long rides.  The lightweight carbon forks make for a comfortable ride and offer precise smooth steering control at high speed.  I have ridden the bike for a week and the bike has to be one of the most comfortable road bikes I have tested.

Wheels and Tyres

The wheels have been upgraded for the 2013 model to Axis Classic which are hard wearing and solid wheels.  They are by no means light but guess these can be upgraded when needed.  The tyres wire beaded Specialized Espoir Sport with double blackbelt protection meaning they are puncture resistant and ideal for commuters.  There is nothing worse than getting a puncture while on a long ride or your morning commute so the extra protection is always welcome.

Gearing

The Specialized Sectuer 2013 comes complete with Shimano 2300 STI shifters which are the base models in the Shimano range.  I have found these gears to be sharp and easy to use.  It has a triple chain ring so it can tackle any climb.

Specialized Secteur 2013 Review Conclusion

I have always been a fan of the Specialized Allez but I now have another favorite. After a week riding the Specialized Secteur I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for first road bike.  The comfortable seating position combined with its looks make it a very good road bike.  Some people will see this as a pure race bike and they may be right but it did not stop me keeping up bikes far more expensive than this.

My week long Specialized Secteur 2013 review concludes that it is definitely worth a test ride and a purchase

The post Specialized Secteur 2013 Review appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.

I have been noticing a number of things on my commute along Oxford Road in Manchester some of which are very interesting, some of which are quite startling and others make me curious.  One particular thing that has made me very curious is the increasing amount of red bikes I see when travelling to and from Manchester city centre.

At first glance these red bikes can be mistaken for good old Specialized Allez, a striking red bike that I have always admired.  But on closer inspection it is not an Allez but a Triban 3 which to my amazement looks like a very good bike.  The Triban 3 road bike has all but passed me by.  I have visited Decathlon sports on a number of occasions and not even looked at the bikes.  I have always thought that they would be cheap and nasty and have never given them a second thought until now!

It’s clear to see that Triban 3 is growing in popularity so I decided to take a look at the bike.  The bike is only available at Decathlon Sports so I decided to head down to my local Decathlon Sports in Stockport to take a closer look.  It was clear to see how popular they are as there was a queue of bikes waiting to be checked and picked up from customers.

The Sales assistant admitted that the have sold a large amount of these bikes due to the great reviews that have been published.

First impressions are that I was impressed, so impressed that I have decided to buy one and publish my own Triban 3 review.

I have wanted a winter bike for some time and have been looking for a road bike that will cope with my daily 6 mile each way commute in to Manchester.  I have looked at various bikes all of which were an average of £600.  These bikes included the Trek 1.1 and the Specialized Allez.  A spate of cycle thefts from my work car park has made me reluctant to spend so much on a bike to commute on.  This is where the Triban 3 ticks the first box.  At £299 it looks like a Specialized Allez yet costs 50% less so on cost it seems good value.  A bike that look the part but won’t break the bank and cause sleepless nights and an insurance excess if pinched from my so called secure work car park.

However I am and always will be a firm believer in the saying “you get what you pay for”.  What is the use of a bike that looks good if in reality when ridden is uncomfortable and poorly built.  Poor components on a heavy frame is no use to man or beast.  At only £299 I was not expecting much from the Triban 3 but I have to say that I am impressed and I think that my expectations have been exceeded.  It stands head and shoulders above other racing bikes in its class and in my opinion can match other bikes in the £500 category.

Another tick in the box for the Triban is the frame.  Aluminium frame with carbon forks make it light as a feather and comfortable ride.  The carbon forks offer comfort and light weight which is more than many bikes in its class.  There is not another bike that offers carbon forks for this price so the Triban 3 has broken the rules.

The Triban 3 road bike offers so much for its price. It comes with a lightweight frame and carbon forks that are comfortable and a pleasure to ride.  I find myself eating up the miles and competing with my cycling palls in both speed and looks.  The Shimano gear system is similar to that found on a more expensive bike and it also comes with a triple chain set making it an ideal bike for the hills.

Being realistic the Triban 3 is no world beater but what it does offer is an affordable way in to road cycling.  It is a great commuter bike that eats up the miles.  The frame will last and the bike can be upgraded to match more expensive bikes.  I have test ridden a number of road bikes over the last 3 months and although the Triban 3 was not my favourite (purely due to brand) it cost £300 less than my favourite.

Having ridden the Triban 3 for a number of weeks the only downside I have to point out is the poor quality tyres.  The standard rubber is not good but like all tyres they don’t last forever and when you replace them buy better ones.  The wheels are not as good as other bikes but this is a small price to pay as they do not affect the overall riding experience.

I have had no problems with reliability, so far so good!

Triban 3 Review Summary

If you are looking for a way in to road cycling or looking for winter training bike or just have a small budget then the Triban 3 is the bike for you.

It is not a Trek or a Specialized so will not suit those brand snobs amongst us.  What it will suit is someone looking for a quality bike that offers a great frame and good gear system.  Yes upgrades can be purchased to make it better but in the entire bike bought as it is will suit for hundreds of mikes.

For me the bike has come in very handy for my commute and it serves this purpose well.  I take out for group rides at weekends and in all it’s a great bike that I love.  I could say that it’s cheap and cheerful but it’s more than that! Yes it is cheap but it does not feel cheap, it does not look cheap and overall it rides well! What more can I ask for in a bike! It’s all about the ride and I am happy!

I hope you enjoyed my Triban 3 review, if you did please share and spread the word.

If my Traiban 3 review has inspired you head down to Decathlon Sports to take a test ride.

The post Triban 3 Review appeared first on Enjoy Cycling.