Planning for the weekend

Posted on June 28, 2011 by admin

Wouldn’t it be nice to plan for a weekend of cycling, with some sort of guarantees about the weather? I guess overseas readers may wonder what I’m talking about here, but we have some problems in this respect in the UK.

It doesn’t just have an impact on cyclists, of course. We do, however, tend to suffer if we’re surprised by wet and cold conditions. A nice weekend ride can quickly turn into something of a nightmare – hardly the type of thing to keep the kids happy.

There are plenty of great cycling websites around (a quick shout out at this point to Sustrans, with their detailed information on the UK cycle networks), but we also need to make use of weather information.

I’ve tended to look to BBC Weather forecasts in the past, but it’s true that they’re not always accurate. They’re not bad, but accuracy levels fall dramatically over time. Want to know what the weather’s going to be like next week? You may as well just have a guess!

I guess that’s a danger associated with all weather forecasts. Is it particularly difficult to get the forecast right in the UK? Maybe our ever-changing weather causes forecasters extra headaches.

If you know of a better, more reliable source for weather news then I’d welcome some feedback on it. I’m pretty tired of having weekend bike rides ruined by sudden downpours!

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Cycling for fun!

Posted on June 24, 2011 by admin

One of our previous blog posts looked at using a bike as a means of getting to work.

There are undoubtedly many advantages to doing so, as was outlined. But we also know that a bicycle should be about being more than simply a method of transport. Sure, it’s handy to get from A to B. But plenty of modes of transport will allow you to do that.

Equally, it’s fair to say that there are environmental advantages to shunning cars and getting the bike out instead. That certainly appeals to many cyclists, but it’s not for everyone.

No – the key reason why many of us love our bikes is because they’re great fun!

They offer so much flexibility in terms of our leisure pursuits. You may have your own favourite rides. There’s nothing quite like heading out, as a family, for a weekend bike ride.

We’ll usually try to explore new bits of countryside, or maybe venture into some smaller towns and villages. Ideally, we’ll have a packed lunch and look for a suitable picnic spot. Sometimes we prefer to look for a route that includes a great pub.

Since we have children, it’s vital to us that any pubs on the route should be child-friendly too! These weekends are nicest during the summer months, when we can really spend time relaxing, without the threat of rain.

But this idea of the perfect weekend may sound dull to you. Your idea of fun may be getting involved in a serious race, taking on other cyclists and competing to see who is the best. There are plenty of dedicated individuals who spend many hours training for such events.

Although they may do so to keep fit, the reality is that the adrenaline rush associated with the race may well be the real aim. Being on a bike, doesn’t mean that you can’t be a speed freak too!

However you like to enjoy yourself, there are plenty of options open to you. Whether you’re looking for a pleasant, scenic ride with the family, or a serious road race, you’ll not be disappointed!

It’s hard to think of another mode of transport that offers such a level of flexibility!

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Using a bike to commute

Posted on March 11, 2011 by admin

Do you use your bicycle to commute to work? There are plenty of us making use of bikes in this way. They can certainly be more than simply a leisure accessory.

It often seems, however, as though the world isn’t quite as cyclist-friendly as it should be. For starters, many of us undoubtedly wish that there were more dedicated cycle lanes available. It often feels like the UK lags behind the likes of the Netherlands and other European countries in this respect.

Why should this be? It could be argued that the population density in this country is no great help for cyclists in this situation. With space at a premium in many of our towns and cities (plus roads packed with cars), it often feels like squeezing cycle lanes into our busy streets and suburbs is more tricky than it should be.

But this is surely no excuse for the consistent pattern of inaction that we’ve seen. Cycling represents an environmentally-friendly option and we would imagine that this is something that should hold sway at this time. There’s a question here about how active cyclists are when it comes to lobbying governments and decision-makers. We may be a victim of our own silence.

So get out there and tell politicians that we have a voice that needs to be heard!

In the absence of cycle lanes, we find ourselves competing with motorised traffic on the roads. This is often dangerous, especially given that many drivers appear to pay precious little attention to those on bikes.

Maybe we’re painting too negative a picture of the situation though! There is light at the end of the tunnel. Many employers are certainly thinking about cycling and how bikes are being used by their employees.

As a result, it’s becoming more common to see interest-free bicycle purchase loans being provided, secure bike facilities and even showers on business premises. All such initiatives are surely to be welcomed and encouraged.

But of course, your journey to work will start from home. This means that it’s important that you look after your bike on your own property. Keep it in a secure location and also ensure that it’s well maintained. If you’re using a bike regularly then you’ll want to make sure that it won’t let you down.

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Wooden bike sheds

Posted on February 21, 2011 by admin

As mentioned previously, we’ve seen a definite rise in the popularity of wooden bike sheds. They look good in the garden, but they also provide the security and protection that you’re probably looking for.

Bike Storage ShedsThose looking for discount prices on wooden bicycle storage sheds will find that the range on Amazon is an excellent starting point.

A number of retailers currently advertise their own sheds on Amazon, as do some manufacturers.

So this means that you’ll quickly be able to compare the options that are available to you, including the prices.

Don’t forget that you’ll need to select a shed that’s the right size. Too small and you may find that you’re struggling to fit your bike (or bikes) into the shed. Too large and it may look out of place in your garden, or be too big for the intended space.

These wooden products do benefit from good maintenance. You can stain the wood and think about adding protection on an annual basis. Staining can also help them to fit in properly with the rest of your outside space.

We’ve also seen some people taking a more creative approach – think “beach huts” if you’re considering doing something that will really stand out. It’s amazing what you can achieve with a lick of paint.

If you’re particularly concerned about security then you may also want to think about buying additional locks. There’s no harm in making sure that you’ve got everything nice and secure.

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Up To 60% Off Bike Sheds Online

Posted on February 21, 2011 by admin

There’s no need to pay more than you need to for a bike shed. The reality is that you can save up to 60% by shopping online.

A simple approach to shopping in this way can quickly pay dividends.

It’s important that you focus on what you really want. You’re not going to end up with a bargain if you select something just because it’s cheap. It will clearly have to be up to the job too.

There are a number of leading retailers – we’ve listed them on the right-hand side of this site – who sell a great variety of sheds that are absolutely perfect for this task. You can compare prices to make sure that you truly are getting a bargain, but always remember that you’re looking for something that will really do the job.

Plastic storage sheds will tend to require the least maintenance, although an increasing number of people seem to prefer the appearance of wooden storage options. Your own choice will probably reflect where you’re choosing to place your bike shed.

Metal options do feel secure, although they can also be heavier than a lightweight plastic alternative.

You’ll undoubtedly have noticed that prices vary considerably. As with so many things in life, you do tend to get what you pay for. Cheaper sheds may be somewhat flimsy and less likely to last for a long period of time.

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Which bike shed?

Posted on February 21, 2011 by admin

Cycling can be a great form of exercise and can also be extremely practical. Many of us like to use our bikes to commute to work, as well as during our leisure time.

But bikes can be quite bulky. This means that they can take up a lot of storage space in the home.

As a result, we may wish to look at storage solutions. This is where bike sheds can come to the rescue. They clearly have a number of advantages, including:

  • Offering secure storage if you want to keep your bike outdoors
  • Weatherproof
  • Tidy options

They come in all shapes and sizes, with a varied array of prices associated with them. Choosing the right bike storage shed is likely to involve a decision that’s based on:

  • Where it is to be used
  • Your budget
  • The size of your bike
  • The number of bikes to be stored
  • The amount of space available
  • Your preferred style
  • The construction material

These will form the basis of your decision.

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