Keep Moving Lazy Bones

Here is a 3-day cycle tour from Hackney to Ipswich (or Norwich) staying overnight in Sudbury and Dunwich. Just add a start date and book your hotels. Specific timings assume a Monday to Wednesday tour in 2027 so your own train times may be different. If the first two days look like a Dunwich Dynamo route then that is deliberate so even though this ride to Dunwich is spread over 2 days it is still 112 miles and over 1,000m of ascent with an additional third day of nearly 50 miles to navigate. The third day is either north to Norwich on NCN 1 or southwest to Ipswich.  Days 1 & 2 Day 3 Ipswich Option Start Point: London Fields, Hackney  Finish Point: Ipswich Station (Greater Anglia) Meetup Time: 08:00 Start Time: 08:15 Route: Dunwich Utility Route Route (Days 1 & 2): Dunwich Dynamo 2026 Route (Day 3):   Dunwich to Ipswich   Route (Day 3): Dunwich to Norwich   GPX File (Utility Route) GPX File (Days 1 & 2) GPX File Ipswich (D...

  Ride type: Guided Ride Ride suitability: Challenging Ride title: Croxley Green to Bea's Cafe  Start Postcode: WD3 3DY Elevation: GPX reference: Komoot Route GPX File Introduce your route: This ride is suitable for experienced riders who can maintain an overall average speed of 10 mph over undulating terrain. We have a policy of leaving no rider behind so if anyone is struggling we will adjust the speed and take rest stops if necessary. If you have questions or concerns speak to the Ride Leader or contact them before the ride. 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. With a 10:15 start you could be back for 15:15 if stops are limited and you maintain a 10 mph average.  Kind of roads you'll be riding: We will use roads on this route with hills and short sections of main road with fast moving traffic. Stops on the way: We stop for drinks and snacks at Bea's Cafe on...

If you are looking to improve your cycling skills here are Twelve Tips. As improving will mean different things to different people this is an eclectic list of resources to explore.  1. Explore different resources  One explanation of puncture repair may not be 100% clear to you so look at a few to get the full picture 2. Search engines If you have problems such as the rear wheel popping up when you stop suddenly do a web search and explore braking 3. Ask your cycle group buddies If you have questions or problems ask at the group ride coffee stop as people will be happy to help though bare in mind you will get many answers to the same question  4. Transport for London (TfL)  The TfL website is suitable for those wanting to get out on the road with online learning and videos plus links to other guides such as puncture repair https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycle-skills 5. Cycling UK Cycling UK have a great website you can use to build your cycling knowledg...

Cycling in Harrow 🚲 Can't ride and looking for lessons? Harrow Cycle Hub offer lessons. Find out more at:  https://www.harrowcyclehub.org/ 🚲 Haven't cycled in a while? Can you pedal, balance and brake, but are a bit nervous about going out on the road? Or perhaps you’ve had a break and are a bit rusty. There are Beginner Bike Rides just for you. They usually start from Kenton Recreation Ground each Saturday at 2pm. To book your place use the Let's Ride website. 🚲 Looking to cycle in a group? There are lots of organised rides available on the Let's Ride website. They are all led by a qualified ride leader. 🚲 What is Let's Ride? To be the first to know what rides are available: Sign up to Let's Ride https://www.letsride.co.uk/ Join the Breeze Harrow group (women only) https://www.letsride.co.uk/groups/breeze-harrow-1 Join the Harrow Cycle Hub group (mixed) https://www.letsride.co.uk/groups/harrow-cycle-hub 🚲 Need Help? Email:  rides@harrowcyclehub.org   ...

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...

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...