Featured
New Bontrager handlebar grips
I’ve had the same handlebar grips on my Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike since I bought it in 2009. They’ve gradually become more and more worn and the rubber has started to perish. So, I’ve just been to the local Evans Cycles shop and bought a new pair of Bontrager Rhythm Lock-On Grips which were a bargain price at £11.99.
Routes
Cycle Ride in the New Forest
Last weekend, a few friends and I cycled a 72 mile circular route in the New Forest. It was a great cycle ride through some stunning countryside
Cycling the Devon Coast-to-Coast Route
I’ve cycled the Devon Coast-to-Coast route from Ilfracombe to Plymouth twice now. It’s a great cycling route that winds its way through some stunning and varied scenery, via country lanes, leisure cycling and walking trails, and with a few bridleways thrown in for good measure.
Cycling Near Horsham, South and West
Here’s a route that I cycled last weekend. It’s a big loop south and west of Horsham using some bridleways and country lanes. There are several pubs on the route including the Blue Ship at The Haven.
Cycling loop around Horsham
The other weekend, I cycled a circular route round Horsham. It was a nice mixture of off-road and road riding. Mostly easy bridleways and country lanes. What’s not to like! Here’s the route…
More Cycling in Kent: From Canterbury to the Coast
Last year, some friends and I cycled a couple of routes in southern Kent over a weekend. It was an enjoyable two days so this year we returned to Kent for a one-day cycle trip starting in Canterbury.
Cycling from Horsham to Partridge Green (and back)
This is one of my regular cycle routes because it’s a nice figure-of-eight ride along country lanes and some of the Downs Link bridleway from Horsham to Partridge Green and back.
Cycling in Dorset from Blandford Forum
Last week, I travelled to Blandford Forum in Dorset for a two day cycling holiday with friends. We cycled a circular route each day, which included the Dorset hills to the west of Blandford and the New Forest to the east.
Merstham to Chichester 100 Mile Cycle Ride
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been training for a 100 mile all-day cycle ride and last weekend was the big day! We cycled from Merstham in Surrey to Chichester in Sussex.
Horsham to Wineham Cycle Ride
This is a cycle ride along quiet country lanes in West Sussex. It’s a regular ride for me and it ends at a delightful pub, the Royal Oak in Wineham.
Cycling in Kent: Coast, Castles, and Country Lanes
Recently, some friends and I cycled two circular routes from Hythe in southern Kent over a weekend. Here’s my report.
Books
South West Mountain Biking – Quantocks, Exmoor, Dartmoor
South West Mountain Biking is a brilliant little book that describes 26 mountain bike rides, between 10 km and 30 km, in Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Quantock Hills
Cycling Days Out: South East England
This is an attractively designed and well thought-out book with a wealth of information about leisure cycling routes in the south east of England, including Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
South East Mountain Biking: North & South Downs
A compact and nicely designed guide to some of the best off-road mountain biking routes in the South East of England.
Surrey and West Sussex Cycle Tours
Surrey and West Sussex Cycle Tours is one of the successors to the original Cycle Tours series and it contains 20 cycle rides directions and Ordnance Survey Landranger mapping.
Cycling in Sussex: Off-Road Trails and Quiet Lanes
This is a very high quality book that will give you loads of ideas for cycling and exploring quiet country lanes and bridleways in Sussex.
Equipment
New Bontrager handlebar grips
I’ve had the same handlebar grips on my Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike since I bought it in 2009. They’ve gradually become more and more worn and the rubber has started to perish. So, I’ve just been to the local Evans Cycles shop and bought a new pair of Bontrager Rhythm Lock-On Grips which were a bargain price at £11.99.
Standing your bike anywhere
I’ve been wanting a floor stand for my mountain bike for a while now. Just something that will stand the bike in an upright position and can be moved from room to room.
How to Clean Your Bike Chain
You know that cleaning your bike chain should be a regular thing, right? Using a chain cleaner kit makes it quick and easy and gives great results! Here’s how it works.
ViewRanger GPS for Cycling
Over recent months, I have been using ViewRanger GPS on my Nokia E71 mobile phone whilst out cycling. Here’s my review and a few tips for using ViewRanger based on my experiences so far.
Personal
Training for a Weekend Cycling Trip
It’s summer (so they say) and I have a long weekend cycling trip coming up in July. The trip is the Devon Coast-to Coast route from Ilfracombe to Plymouth. That’s 200 miles cycling over three days. In preparation for this, I’ve been training over the last month or so. Here’s what I have been doing; I’m not a fitness instructor but this is what works for me.
Five Tips for Winter Cycling
I’ve resolved to continue cycling over the winter to maintain a basic fitness level. Here are my tips and advice for winter cycling.
