Rain! Rain! Go away!

Posted May 08, 2012 in female cyclists, Leigh Robinson, rain, spring, winter

April 2012 has been the second wettest on record say the weathermen. Rivers have burst their banks. Homes and businesses have been flooded. In a city like Worcester, where the River Severn cuts through the heart of the city, traffic congestion is at an all time high due to people dodging the weather, and of course road closures. Yet some parts of the UK are suffering drought and hosepipe bans. The weather has impacted upon of all us in the... read more...

My First Audax

Posted April 27, 2012 in autumn barlow, female cyclists, sportive, training

Unlike Antony Lazarus, my first Audax experience was not in the lush heat of Bali. It was also considerably shorter than his epic 400km – but in my defence, it was entirely vertical. What is an Audax, I hear you cry! It’s like a sportive, only cheaper. It’s the No-Frills version of a cycling event. And, like value brands, you don’t get the added extras. No signposts, no marshals, and definitely no massage at the end. They tend to be longer than sportives, and the emp... read more...

30 Days of Biking

Posted April 03, 2012 in female cyclists, I Cyclist, inspiration, Lauren Jenkins

30 Days of Biking originally started in Minneapolis. The idea was born in March 2010 when friends, Patrick Stephenson and Zachariah Schaa created the idea using social media. The friends promoted the idea throughout March to encourage cyclists to take the pledge in April. The word spread like wildfire on social networks. The initiative aims to connect cyclists through their shared love of cycling using social networks(@30daysofbiking, http://www.facebook.com/30daysofbiking). The... read more...

Cycle touring basics: Packing and Panniers

Posted March 30, 2012 in autumn barlow, Cycling Gear, female cyclists, I Cyclist, inspiration, LEJOG, touring

Cycle touring is basically going on holiday by bike. For some, this might mean trains and cycling – others just cycle. You might take a tent, or you might stop in B&Bs or youth hostels. You might have a plan, or you might wish to horrify your family by having no fixed itinerary at all. But whatever you’re doing, you will need to carry your stuff. “Credit Card Touring” – going from place to place with no more than your Visa card, socks stiff with sweat, and a banana in your pocket – i... read more...

My Facebook log of how I got into cycling

Posted March 06, 2012 in autumn barlow, female cyclists, I Cyclist, inspiration, training

How I got into cycling…as told through the medium of my facebook updates.... 7 Oct 09: aarghhhh car is expensively poorly 7 Oct 09, later: who wants to buy a crappy Matiz with broken alternator, a zillion miles on the clock, and an arse-dent in the boot? Bidding starts at £1.70. 8 Oct 09: now have no car...  9 Oct 09: am sweating in places I didn't know I could, and now understand the wrath of a cyclist finding a car parked in the cycle lane. And I'm really hungry. 10 Oct ... read more...

The World of Downhill Bike Riding

Posted February 23, 2012 in downhill, female cyclists, I Cyclist, inspiration, Lauren Jenkins, mountain biking

I stepped out of my tiny red Ford KA into a packed car park full of estate cars and big vans. I was surrounded by men. Everybody took one look at me and went back to what they were doing, then I suddenly remembered to breathe. Sometimes I wonder what I’ve let myself in for. It was only a few weeks ago that I picked up my new bike. After suffering yet another theft, I decided to upgrade my bike and get; as it’s been called ‘my first big girl bike’. I am now the proud owner of a Norco... read more...

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia - Women! Know Your Weakness!

Posted February 14, 2012 in autumn barlow, female cyclists, health, I Cyclist, training

A Facebook friend commented she was off for a bone density scan recently. It sent me into a flashback of when I was 25, lying on my side in a private nursing home in York, with a foam triangle wedged between my thighs. Not my favourite leisure pursuit, I have to admit. But ladies: this is important. Simply because of our gender, we’re more at risk of lowered bone density. We’ve all heard of osteoporosis, right? It happens to old ladies, right? But we’re cyclists, we’re all sporty and fant... read more...

Domestiques required to join Daily Cycle

Posted February 03, 2012 in Cycling Gear, female cyclists, I Cyclist, inspiration, Nutrition, Pro Tour, racing, reviews, Tim Bland

Are you passionate about cycling? Do you want the world to hear your views, loves, hates, knowledge and emotions induced by this wonderful sport?  "I started writing for Daily Cycle when I wanted to get my name out there, and build up a portfolio. I get to research topics of interest (ie read cycle websites and blogs for hours), test and review products (ie ponce around in shiny new gear) and witter on at length. It must open doors, because I've got two articles forthcoming in Cycli... read more...

The Psychology of Hills

Posted February 05, 2012 in autumn barlow, female cyclists, Hill Climb, I Cyclist, inspiration, training

I live halfway up a 12% hill. This is an excuse I always like to get in early to a conversation. Hills, you see. I would be faster, but…well, you know. Hills. My average speed around these parts (Rossendale, an entirely vertical part of Lancashire) is 12 mph. Why do I need to make excuses for myself? I can slog away at that speed for hours. When I “got into” cycling, I went on an obsessive binge to read everything, everywhere, about it. However I lacked the expe... read more...

Using training diaries for logging progress - online vs paper

Posted January 31, 2012 in autumn barlow, female cyclists, I Cyclist, inspiration, training, winter

When I made that transition from “cycling because I have to get to work” to “cycling to see how far and fast and hard I can go” with occasional “cycling just for the hell of it” moments, I started to log my times and speeds. I signed up to the free part of Map My Ride and became obsessed with numbers. If a weekly distance didn’t match or exceed the previous week’s, I was annoyed. More miles! More miles! From August to December I got steadily better and better. If “better” means I could g... read more...

Learning Mountain Biking Skills via Sacred Rider

Posted January 18, 2012 in autumn barlow, female cyclists, mountain biking, training

This article is going to take a long, long time to type. Who do I blame for my almost-immobile shoulders and stiff, sore arms? Possibly Steve, of Sacredrider.com, who runs mountain biking skills courses in the North West. Or possibly Joy, a local Breeze network champion who organised the day of tuition. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. A bit of background Facebook is brilliant. Not only can you link up with Daily Cycle, there are loads of cycling groups there and it f... read more...

Vive Le Tour

Posted January 11, 2012 in Amy O Halloran, female cyclists, I Cyclist, inspiration, Pro riding, Pro Tour

I know it’s a bit of a weird time to be writing about Le Tour de France but as I’m in the process of booking our 2012 trip, I thought it would be nice to relive last year’s experiences. I went with my best friend Katie and my son Ben and we stayed in a Keycamp resort in Perpignan. We managed to catch two stages, the first being Stage 14 which finished up Plateau de Beille. After speaking to Ned Boulting at the Nationals, we were advised to set off at 3am to avoid traffic and road closu... read more...

Dropped Tubes and Raised Bottoms!

Posted December 20, 2011 in autumn barlow, female cyclists, I Cyclist

It started when I found I could not fit two water bottles to my bike, because of the dropped top tube. “Why do women’s bikes still have this kind of frame?” I asked. I kept getting told that it was so I could wear a skirt. Now, I didn’t buy a chunky hybrid so that I could pootle about town like a Little Britain Laydeee. It made no sense. I decided it was just another way cycling hadn’t moved on. My conclusion was wrong! I had started to link “cycling” and “restrictive to women”, “historical... read more...

Like Pain? Win a free copy of a Sufferfest video

Posted December 20, 2011 in Cycling Gear, cycling gear, female cyclists, Tim Bland, training

If you regularly use an indoor trainer such as a turbo trainer or rollers you probably have some video footage or music that you consume whilst you train to help pass the time. You probably also have some grotty dungeon like bedroom / garage / shed / living room / study etc where you do the training. If so, read on my friend – we have a great competition for you… Head on over to The Suffer Fest. If you’ve not heard of them then you’re in for a treat. Well actually, you’re in for a whole bun... read more...

A medical miracle - Monique Van der Vorst

Posted December 20, 2011 in female cyclists, I Cyclist, rob ellis

It’s often said in sports that the best athletes are those who can overcome the physical pain felt by the body through determination and shear mental grit; “mind overcoming the body” is probably one of the most clichéd phrases within endurance sports. It’s certainly true that the best athletes are mentally strong with a will power that is enviable to say the least. Mark Cavendish is a stellar example of an athlete who, although not physiologically the most gifted of sportsmen, has the will to... read more...

No Pain, No Gain?

Posted December 20, 2011 in female cyclists, training, Vitamin SRC

Ah, that age-old expression... It's been challenged time and time again, but my "if it ain't hurtin', it ain't workin'" mentality has often wondered whether the folk declaring it a load of rubbish were just lazy people trying to make themselves feel better about not pushing themselves to the limit. So who's right? Are aching muscles the sign of a good, progressive workout, or is it a sign that you've pushed it too far? That your body has been left damaged rather than strengthened f... read more...

The Tyranny Of Numbers

Posted December 20, 2011 in autumn barlow, female cyclists

Some time ago, I rather foolishly and publicly declared that I was not interested in cycling fast. I was merely content to use my bike as a leisure tool, pootling easily from town to town. I would leave the competitive comparisons of speed and mileage to serious cyclists. Utter tosh, of course. Who am I kidding? Much is made of targeting women, encouraging them into sport – including cycling – by offering “non-threatening” and “non-competitive” events. Are women less competitive? Many of my... read more...

After the Suffering… Suffragettes!

Posted December 20, 2011 in andy ward, City Cycling, city cycling, female cyclists, I Cyclist

The National Hill Climb not only marked the end of the racing season, but for me marked the beginning of the “all you can eat” season. It’s nice to calm down after the fevered preparation for what was my biggest event of the season. Slow, undemanding rides, lots of cake, beer, biscuits… you get the picture. The change of pace also saw me taking part in a very interesting event in the centre of Leicester. Share the Love After finishing my test of the Scott Foil R1, I ... read more...

Women

Posted December 20, 2011 in autumn barlow, Cycling Gear, cycling gear, female cyclists, I Cyclist

My recent review of the jerseys at Summit Different focussed on the quality and choice, but I did mention the contrast to other websites where the range offered for women is smaller. It was pointed out to me that women just don’t cycle as much. And yes, market forces dictate that there is little point having a heap of stuff with no-one to buy it. (I’m still simmering about what choice there is being mainly pink, though!). Women’s professional cycling is overlooked, though it is improving – I... read more...

My first proper crash

Posted December 20, 2011 in Amy O Halloran, female cyclists, I Cyclist, racing

I used to hate mountain biking, I would ride down the hills at a snails pace usually screaming my head off. I didn’t enjoy it and therefore I haven’t been off road for about 2 years. Then a few weeks ago, a friend of mine told me about Rapha supercross in Huddersfield. At the time I thought, “Oh that sounds good, I might give it a go”. I was ready to let go of my off road demons. So the day of my first cross race drew ever nearer and I realised I was actually going to have to do it. I hadn’... read more...

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