About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

Genesis bikes 2010

We've started getting a trickle of Genesis bikes through for customers, and felt compelled to write about 'em.

Genesis bikes have created a role for themselves that just didn't exist before in the bike market. Strong visual identity, cracking frames and a set of components that always seems to be slightly higher spec than everything else at the price range... They all contribute to make some of the most desirable bikes around.

Yup. We want one. So to share our lust, we've created our 5 most wanted 2010 Genesis bikes.

Spot the typo Comp finishes - WINNER DRAWN!

Our 'Spot the Typo' competition has finished! You're too late to enter if you haven't already. We're going to put all the correct entrants names into a hat and draw the winner on Monday. 

If you entered stay tuned, although we got a lot of entries, we didn't get that many correct ones, so you've got a great chance of winning the Eggbeater C's...

Whether your entry was flat out wrong, or you were one of the professional copywriters who have probably dented our self-confidence for ever, thanks for entering!

UPDATE 

Winner Drawn!

Stan Crumpler was the first name pulled out of the hat. He correctly noticed a few errors, out of a selection of possible mistakes...

Thanks to Stan and to the rest of the correct entries for drawing attention to our shoddy spelling! 

Why cycle to work?

If you do it already, you probably don't need any more convincing. If you don't maybe a little eloquence might help (these stubby oil stained fingers weren't built fer writin!).

Bike Geek, our newest, favouritest bike blogger has just hit the 2000 mile mark on his bike. He started off cycling to work for the health benefits, but he goes on to list what else he's gained from it. Inspirational stuff, whether you already ride to work or need a kick up the behind to get going:

My primary reason for bicycle commuting, as I’ve said on more than one occasion, is to maintain and improve my physical fitness.  Bicycle commuting has truly made that happen.  It ensures I get between 4-6 hours of cardiovascular exercise every week – exercise that’s almost never monotonous.  I’ve lost about 9lbs this year and am working hard to continue that trend (with a little help by reducing my obsession with sweet tea).

While physical fitness may be my primary motivator, I simply can’t ignore the additional benefits that come from using my bicycle to commute to work 2-3 times a week:

    * Lower auto insurance premiums since I’m driving fewer miles in my pickup truck.

    * Leaving my Ford F-150 in the garage for 2,000 miles has saved me from purchasing about 154 gallons of gasoline.

    * Using an average gasoline price of $2.30, that’s about $350 that never left my wallet. 

    * I’ve prevented about 1.4 tons of vehicle emissions out of the atmosphere.

These benefits are a testament to the bicycle’s efficiency as a truly viable means of transportation.  Consider going on your own two-wheeled adventure to work, the grocery store, a movie, etc. - there’s a darn good chance that if you do it once, you might just find that two-wheeled, human-powered transportation becomes a healthy addiction! 

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Free your bike

Want to ride, but just not sure where you can?

Sustrans (the sustainable transport charity), has launched a scheme called Free your bike to help make people aware of where they can ride, safely, in their region.

It's particularly aimed at showing how getting out on your bike (or just out), can improve your mood during what is traditionally seen as the bleakest time of the year.

No excuses now. 75% of us live within two miles of their cycling network (12,000 miles of traffic-free, quiet lanes and on-road walking and cycling routes around the UK). Find out how you can cycle to work in safety then kick back with a relaxed ride on the weekend.

Dirty weekend, this weekend

Men's Fitness 'Dirty Weekend' event is taking place this weekend. The races include an off-road duathlon, a 50k mountain bike enduro, a 10k run and a 5k run. 

We're more than a bit interested in this event. First, we're locals. Half of us grew up mountain biking around Margam. It's a great place to ride, easy to get to and after the weather we've had recently, we can confirm it will certainly live up to it's name. In fact stinking weekend might be more accurate.

Second, our sponsored rider Ryan Evans designed the course. The perfect candidate, Ryan is an Xterra triathlete and knows Margam as well as anyone. He's set himself the task of making the course both accessible and tough enough to test experienced competitors. 

Whether you're into off road running, mountain biking or both, you'll love this event. All the necessary info can be found here.

 

Race across the sky

Browsing this weekend and came across this. Simply awesome footage of one of the more famous mountain bike races (particularly thanks to celeb racers like Lance Armstrong), Leadville 100. Will be trying desperately to get DVD of the film...

 

Win Crankbrothers Eggbeater pedals!

You've got a week left to enter our 'spot the typo' competition.

Entries so far veer from the very wrong, to the professionally employed copywriters telling us the entire flyer is essentially a mistake.

We don't need to be told all of the mistakes in the flyer (seriously, please stop sending through lists of mistakes - it's upsetting our boss), just one good one will get you entry into our prize draw to win some top drawer Crankbrothers Eggbeater C pedals.

Entries close the 27th of November, at which point we'll put all the correct entries into a hat...

Nationals and worlds - the word from Jody Cundy

A little while since we heard from Jody Cundy than he floors us with this awesome report. When he says it took him: at least 20mins to be able to walk and talk properly... After his Kilo at the world's, you know it was a supreme effort. 

In the process he beat his nearest competitor (by about 5 seconds) and his Beijing time by 0.52. 

We are his biggest fans. He never fails to amaze us with his efforts and his accomplishments on the track (although his Bruce Forsythe impression needs a little work). His report is essential reading...

Breo Roam sports watch

Enter the Breo Roam sports watch. I had a pretty similar thing as a surf watch but it only cost £2, and lasted ten minutes in the sea before never admitting another passage of time again. It's about time there was a well made, but still relatively cheap water resistant sports watch.

The Roam ticks all the boxes. Very water resistant, funky colours, feels nice to the touch, natural detoxification of the body...

Yup wearing this watch may also have the following beneficial health effects: 

• Increased concentration
• Natural detoxifaction of the body
• Improved sleep, relaxation and meditation
• Improved vitality and movement

Improved vitality? At £8.95? Bargain! 

How to choose a turbo trainer

UPDATED FOR WINTER 2010 - Also, checkout our post where we find out just how loud turbo trainers really are...

Before choosing a Turbo Trainer, it might be a good idea to explain just why you need one.

You can train all year round. Whether you’re training for a specific purpose, or just want to stay in shape, having a trainer means you can put in some hard miles – whatever the weather. You're not wet and cold, your bike doesn't get covered in all the joys of winter (otherwise know as salt, grime and grit).

Half the appeal of cycling, being able to have a great view of what you’re cycling past, is lost in winter. Sitting inside with a trainer, a DVD or your favourite turbo music (here’s a list to get you started!), and no weather constraints to worry about – you can train and push your self to your hearts content. A pure and simple workout.

In some aspects, training indoors has actually got more training benefits than riding outdoors. Firstly you’ve got complete control over your workout. Hard or soft, short and intense or long and measured, your regime can be exactly tailored, unimpeded by weather, daylight or traffic. With a heart rate monitor you can put in some serious intervals and actually emerge a stronger cyclist in the new year. Second, with no breeze you’ll sweat more than you ever thought possible on a bike, there’s a reason why the bike thong becomes necessary for the bike when it’s sat inside. Turbo training is a great way to lose weight as a result.

Once you’ve decided to buy a trainer, the sheer choice open to you can be a little daunting.

In truth it’s pretty easy to pick a trainer, as the central features you’re looking for – and price, will dictate which is the one for you. The brands we’ve hand picked to sell are leaders in their field, with Cycleops, Elite, TacX and Blackburn making (in our humble opinion) the best turbo trainers you can buy.

Below we’ve created a small guide to our favourite turbo trainers, to help you choose the trainer that would suit you best: