James our resident bike nerd wants to share his love of cycling with you. We’ve given him a space here to take you through some of his cycling picks to keep you ahead of the pack. We’ve restricted him to 5 because otherwise, this blog would go on forever. Take it from here James… Keep up-to-date with our latest releases and seasonal picks in our top-five roundup. Keep a finger on the pulse of the…
Indoor cycling has grown in popularity due to its cardiovascular fitness benefits. Exercise and spin bikes simulate outdoor riding from the comfort of your own home. While indoor bikes have less resistance than outdoor bikes, they still provide an excellent body workout. The stationary bike industry is continually expanding, indicating that indoor cycling is here to stay. In addition to physical benefits, the spin bike can lead to improved core strength. Working out core muscles…
As a middle-aged man I feel the strains and aches that accompany a long ride, sometimes even on the short ones. I’m not as flexible as I once was and that combined with my sedentary job means that my muscles are all out of whack and what was once a nice relaxing ride can lead to grunting, groaning and generally wondering if this is my life now. Following a conversation with a fellow cyclist which…
Are you 40 and older? Are you worried that your cycling performance is beginning to decline? We’ve got 7 things you can do to keep fit and boost your cycling performance: 1 : Prioritise recovery, as your body may take longer to heal and adapt to the training stress. Make sure you get enough sleep, hydration, nutrition, and rest days. You can also use recovery techniques such as massage, stretching, foam rolling, or compression 2 :…
We inspire our children and they inspire us. This fact has resonated strongly with me recently but perhaps we don’t always realise it? My 11-year-old son swims for a club and last weekend won (smashed!) both his 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle races. I was and still am beaming with pride and reflecting on the fact that it was only a few months ago he was attending his trial sessions for the club, full of nerves…
Believe it or not, indoor cycling is not a modern concept. It has been a winter activity for many years, and while the basic principle remains the same – pedaling on a stationary trainer without movement – technology has significantly improved to enhance comfort, performance, and immersion. In this guide, we’re going to take a closer look at one key element of the modern indoor rider… clothing! Indoor Cycle Clothing… Let’s make sense of it.…
As cyclists, it is natural for us to be target-driven and strive for personal improvement. We often focus on getting faster and fitter, dropping other riders, and winning races. Indoor workouts, such as intervals and ramps, are usually a key aspect of our training, designed to improve our FTP and other key metrics that we track religiously. Indoor cycling can be a fantastic way to relieve stress and improve mental health. Participating in group rides…
Not sure about taking your cycling indoors? Let us help you work it out. The shift to colder and darker weather in October can make outdoor cycling less enticing for many riders. Indoor cycling can be a great alternative during this time of the year, as it allows cyclists to continue their training or exercise routine in the comfort and safety of their own homes or gyms. Indoor cycling also offers the convenience of being…
Our Ambassador Caroline shares her mental health insights and a message of hope on this particularly important day. It is World Mental Health Day this week which for me is pretty apt as, by pure coincidence, there is more potential for me to mentally struggle over the next few days because of the simple reason my routine has had to change. I am not able to get out of the house and train as I…
Morzine-Avoriaz. A place synonymous with mountain bike trails of every variety, and an area steeped in history and mystique from UCI events of yesteryear. To visit there is to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Alpine peaks and explore the expansive Morzine-Avoriaz area, boasting Europe’s largest MTB Park. Our resident mountain bike guru Alex, from our Specialized Chelmsford branch, had been longing for a trip there aboard his brand-new steed. So, make…
