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Using Your Bike’s Gears; Twelve Tips

12 Tips & Tricks for Using Your Bike’s Gears Learn What Your Gears Actually Do Your gears make pedalling easier or harder. Lower gears help you climb hills, while higher gears help you travel faster on flatter or downhill sections. Change Gear Before You Need To If you can see a hill ahead, change to an easier gear before the climb gets steep. Changing early is much easier than trying to change while struggling. Use an Easy Gear to Start When setting off, especially from a junction or traffic light, use a relatively easy gear. It makes getting moving smoother and puts less strain on your legs. Don’t Wait Until Your Legs Are Struggling If your legs are turning slowly and you are pushing hard on the pedals, you probably need an easier gear. Change down before you become exhausted. Spinning Is Better Than Grinding Try to keep your pedals turning at a comfortable, fairly quick rhythm rather than pushing very hard with each pedal stroke. This is easier on your legs and knees...
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How to fit tyres

With the introduction of tubeless tyres- and the popularity of very puncture resistant tyres - there is a trend towards a tighter tyre fit which is causing some people difficulty.  Let's not talk about the special tools that have been created to respond to this trend but get to the basics of tyre fitting. Some of the tips and steps may be new to you. If this doesn't work it's time to consider a different rim/tyre combination and your bike shop will be able to advise you. This may mean buying new wheels or - if you have expensive hubs - just buying new rims and having your wheel rebuilt around those valuable hubs. In a new fun game we are playing "Spot the deliberate AI mistake"! 1. Practice, practice, practice  Not all of the steps will be achievable on a ride but may offer some solace if you are struggling in the cold at the side of the road. Practice at home so you are confident out on the road. 2. Relax If you have just brought a new folding tyre ho...
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Ride Catalogue

🚲 Find a Ride Search the Harrow Cycle Ride Catalogue. Loading the current ride catalogue... Distance Any distance Less than 10 miles 6–15 miles — Improver 10–25 miles 25–40 miles Above 40 miles Ride Level Any level Easygoing Steady Challenging Mountain Bike Start Any start Collection / Tag Any collection / tag Family Friendly Any Yes No Race Bike Any Yes No Find Rides Reset
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Rides Programme: Mission, Challenges and Roadmap

Rides Programme: Mission, Challenges and Roadmap Introduction  This Rides Programme - though tailored to Harrow - would be applicable to any organisation wishing to develop a rides programme. If the stages appear over complicated then view the text items as a "to do" list easily ticked off. Though described as challenges, most of the "to do" list is in hand and becomes a check list to ensure we are on track. In no way should a Ride Programme try to dictate all ride schedules as that will be determined naturally by ride leader availability and their knowledge of rider preferences; Beginner Bike Rides and mass events are the exceptions. In no way should the text be interpreted as "we don't think this is happening" read it as a checklist and prompts for improvement.  1. Our Mission Our mission is to develop a confident, supported and sustainable team of volunteer ride leaders who can provide a welcoming, safe and varied programme of cycling op...
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Day out: Brighton

This destination ride takes us to Brighton.  Ride type: Guided Ride  Ride suitability: Local Rides Challenging Ride title: Day out: Brighton  Start Postcode: CR5 3EA Elevation: GPX references: Farringdon station to London Bridge station Komoot Route   GPX File   South Coulsdon to Brighton  Komoot route GPX File   Introduce your route: This long ride includes significant hills with over 900m of elevation. It is recommended that you have ridden similar distances and elevations. If you have questions or concerns  contact  the ride leader. We ask that you read the full details of the ride including the distance and terrain to ensure the ride will be enjoyable for you.  Kind of roads you'll be riding: We will use a mix of roads and cycle paths on this hilly route which does have short sections of main road with fast moving traffic.  Stops on the way: We will stop for drinks and snacks along the way though - subject to...
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Bike Skills – Twelve Tips

Bike Skills – Twelve Tips Here are some basic bike skills you probably knew but may have forgotten. If the tips don't have enough information then use a search engine to explore. These twelve items represent the areas other cyclists ask about. 1. Learn to Ride in a Straight Line Being able to ride smoothly and predictably is one of the most useful cycling skills. Look ahead rather than constantly watching your front wheel, relax your shoulders and keep a light grip on the handlebars. Try to maintain a steady line while pedalling smoothly. Avoid sudden movements unless you need to avoid a hazard. Practising on a quiet, flat road or traffic-free path can help you build confidence. Once you are comfortable riding straight, many other cycling skills become much easier. 2. Learn How to Use Your Brakes Good braking is about being smooth and controlled rather than simply grabbing the levers. Use both brakes together, applying pressure progressively. The fro...
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Bike Ride Etiquette – Twelve Tips

Bike Ride Etiquette – Twelve Tips 1. Read and Follow the Ride Instructions Every organised ride is likely to have some instructions about the route, meeting point, distance, speed, facilities and what to bring. Please take a few minutes to read them before setting off. They are there to help you decide whether the ride is suitable for you and to help the leader organise the day. If something isn't clear, ask beforehand rather than trying to sort it out as the ride begins. A little preparation makes things easier for everyone. 2. Arrive Early and Ready to Ride Please arrive at the advertised meeting time rather than the advertised ride start time. Allowing 10–15 minutes gives everyone time for introductions, signing in, bike checks and the ride briefing. It also gives you a chance to settle in and meet other riders. The ride leader may have a lot to organise before setting off, so arriving on time helps the whole group get away smoothly. Nobody minds waiting for a ge...
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