About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

Join the revolution

...The weather is drier (honest!) and the roads are getting quieter; now might be the best time to start cycling to work. It's fun (honestly), cheaper (certainly) and healthy (definitely)

The schools break up for summer imminently and the difference this makes to traffic volume during the rush hour is shocking, it's like the roads are deserted.

Ok, maybe not quite, but it's certainly much nicer. Combine this with the weather (dry and bright obviously!) and there's never been a better time to join the revolution.

To help you along we've put together a short cycle commuting guide to help get you started.

Most importantly, you just have to get on your bike. Any problems you think you'll encounter are either no problem at all when you're riding, or easily overcome with a little bit of advice.

Trail essentials

Sadly some of us give more thought about what to take to the pub than what to carry whilst out on the bike at a trail centre.

What’s listed here is by no means a definitive list but rather a suggested minimum for a couple of hour ride around a trail centre, obviously if you intend to spend 8 hours in the mountains then you would want to supplement this with items like first aid kits, emergency shelter, spare food and clothes etc. But this is a good place to start. Be a hero and be able to help out a rider in need and not one of those people who are always looking to borrow a pump or tube on the trail.

The holidays approach!

The summer holidays will soon be upon us. This doesn't mean much to those of us that don't have children (except quieter roads in the morning), but to those who do then now may be the time when you start to think of activities that will

be fun and involve the whole family, irrespective of age or abilities.

One of the answers is cycling; not convinced, check out our guide to cycling with children for some advice and hopefully inpiration.

How not to get your bike stolen

Obviously this article in the Guardian yesterday has come too late to help poor old Dave Cameron, but for the rest of us there's some decent info on how to prevent getting your bike nicked. Here's the gist:

The right clothing...

I'm trying to convince a female friend of mine to wear more appropriate cycling clothing. Almost every day she cycles in a normal jacket, jeans, no helmet etc. Every day of bad weather she complains about being cold and damp.

She resolutely refuses to wear any of the accessories that I don’t just take for granted but I couldn’t live without. A jacket that isn’t highly visible and waterproof and breathable? Getoutahear!

It’s a pretty hot topic at the moment. Should cyclists just be left to their own devices, making it ‘less intimidating’? Or would better, safer clothing make it more likely to keep the new cyclist cycling?

Being a liberal sort of bike shop we don’t presume to tell any of our customers how to ride their bikes. Since I’m a fully paid orange jacketed, padded short wearing man, I might not be the most convincing voice anyway. I recently found this article by Zoe Williams revealing some important arguments for kitting yourself out appropriately. Being a woman who cycles I'm hoping she'll have more impact than me just repeating myself.

I’ve picked out my favourite quotes below:

Cycling with children

We're not going to bang on about the benefits of cycling for you or your kids (the freedom, the health gains, the exciteme... damn it we can't help ourselves), but we would like to stress how important many families find cycling together. Seeing the world and sharing an adventure collectively is something that both you and your children will treasure.

The range of options is pretty incredible now to help you cycle with your kids. From tag-a-longs to kids bikes to baby seats, no matter what age the child they can get involved. Involved is the right word too, as you'll find even the most restless of kids is happily occupied on a bike.

And when they start overtaking you, you've got the perfect excuse to upgrade your bike...

So, here's our how to cycle with children guide:

Top ten summer cycling tips

Summers here. Yup, inbetween the bouts of rain, wind and Wimbledon, we’ll get some pretty perfect cycling conditions.

Occasionally.

So here’s our top tips to staying cool in the sun and making the most out of the great British summer on your bike.

Bicycle helmet law

We’ve had a few queries recently regarding the specifics of bicycle helmet law. Here’s the basic gist: It’s not compulsory. At the moment neither you nor your kids have to wear a bike helmet by law.

Not law. But a really, really good idea (not a close relation to law).

Bicycle safety

Although we prefer writing our own bike guides, we aren't going to shy away from pointing you in the direction of great advice on other sites. Quickrelease.tv has a fantastic article about bicycle safety, written by Brit cycling guru Carlton Reid. Honest, well written guidance on bike locks and not likely to be bettered by us, or anyone.

We've brazenly robbed some of the article below, but it's well worth reading in it's entirity for the whole picture.

How to attatch an onboard computer

As I mentioned in the last cycling for weight loss post, Gus is having problems with his on board computer, so he'€™s invested in a new Cateye Micro Wireless. A mid range on board computer that has all the features and functions Gus needs to keep tabs on his programme, whilst thanks to its wireless connections its not as susceptible to the omnipresent Welsh rain as his old wired one.
When he told us he was fitting a new computer we insisted on getting some pictures of him showing how simple it is, but the humble bike pro insisted on always staying out of shot whilst he worked. Spoilsport.

Anyhow here's our pictorial account of how to fit an onboard computer.