User's Blogs


Introduction to Road Cycling Competitions

The spirit of competing has always presented itself in mankind since our prehistoric ancestors started to walk upright millions of years ago. It was much simpler then, they competed for food, shelter and territory. As in any other sports, cycling has its fair share of events, testing and pushing the limits of the cyclist to outdo and outperform each other for sake of glory and victory. Cycling competition started towards the end of the 19th Century and has been continuously growing ever since. The first recorded cycling event actually happened about 140 years ago on May 31st, 1868 held in Paris, at the 'Parc de Saint-Cloud' (famous for its beautiful gardens) which was won by a British rider named James Moore. Road cycling was also included in the first Olympic Games back in 1896. With the introduction of different designs of bicycles and cycling discipline, the sport grew even faster, such as Track, Mountain Bike and in 2008, BMX being the latest addition cycling sporting event to the prestigious games.

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How to Choose Bicycle Lights by Brand

How to Choose Bicycle Lights by Brand

Bicycle lighting is about two things: being seen by other motorists and seeing what's ahead of you, especially in the night.

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Tour de Force 2015 Launches

Tour de Force 2015 Launches

As an organiser of the Tour de Force, I love November! It's the month that we open sales and sit (usually on a Wednesday morning) waiting for the clock to turn to 9am when we hit 'the red button' to open sales - then sit back and watch the riders come rolling in!

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Foundation Rides 2014

Foundation Rides 2014

The Foundation Rides are the Up and Under Foundation's (www.upandunderfoundation.org) main annual fund raising event and it is hoped that each rider will pledge to raise at least £25 for the charity. In addition to money raised through sponsorship (and there will be a trophy for the person raising the most money), all profits from the event go to the Foundation. These funds enable us to support local youngsters on scout camps and school trips to the Conway Centre (among other things) and, hopefully, to 'change lives through adventure'.

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Cycling the French Alps - Anatomy of a Road Climb

Cycling the French Alps - Anatomy of a Road Climb

Elevators do it half the time.  Space rockets do it most of the time. Prices, it seems are always doing it.  And recently so am I.  What on earth are you babbling on about I hear you ask?  Going 'Up' of course.  But is it just as simple as getting on your bike and riding up a mountain?  Well, probably. Okay it is, but that wouldn't make for a very interesting blog post would it? So I've analysed it to death. Made a cup of tea and analysed it a bit more, watched a bit of TV, made dinner, gave up on my analysis and made something up instead.

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The Horse Rangers Association team up with 2Boats events to celebrate their 60th Anniversary with a uniqu cycling event The Horse rangers 60th Anniversary Charity Cycle starting from Hampton Court Palace

The Horse Rangers Association team up with 2Boats events to celebrate their 60th Anniversary with a uniqu cycling event The Horse rangers 60th Anniversary Charity Cycle starting from Hampton Court Palace

The aim of the even is to celebrat The Horse Rangers 60th Anniversary and to raise some funds to ensure that the Horse Rangers can keep goin going with their amazing work while completing a great challenge and getting involved.

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Are you a keen cyclist looking for a challenge greater than January's Dryathalon?

Are you a keen cyclist looking for a challenge greater than January's Dryathalon?

Fancy casually traversing two countries, perched  on a bicycle with nothing but the great outdoors, 250 miles in 48 hrs of hard burn ahead of you ? Want to get your business behind this fantastic local cause, while casually bragging about your bum of steal. Then cast your eyes on the halow projects latest adventure, The halow 250.

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Everything You Need To Know About Beach Bike Sports Cruisers!

Everything You Need To Know About Beach Bike Sports Cruisers!

A popular favorite from the 50s is on its way back, and man is it ever becoming popular again with the whole family! The beach bike sports cruiser is definitely one of the world's most comfortable bikes to ride, no matter if you are a novice, or a bike riding fanatic. Sleek and stylish, it is perfect for twilight rides on the beach, or as a commuter bike for the eco-conscious, these retro honeys are definitely the way to ride today!

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Cheshire Cat Sportive 2013

Cheshire Cat Sportive 2013

The 2013 Cheshire Cat Sportive was held on Sunday 7th July. It was originally planned to take place in March, but was postponed due to heavy snow conditions at the time. This went from one extreme to another, as Sunday was exceedingly hot with temperatures rising into the early 30s. Obviously, heat like this is a hindrance, so a special well done to all that took part.

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RETRO RONDE VAN VLANDEREN

RETRO RONDE VAN VLANDEREN

It was two o'clock on a Friday afternoon I had just turned up at Neil`s house with a large bag packed with everything I needed for a weekend cycling trip, we were off to do the Retro Ronde in Oudenaarde Belgium.

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Riding the Tour de Pembrokeshire 2013

Pembrokeshire is a destination.  A nice drive, but on the way to nowhere and not a place you can get to in a hurry.  Although just a big village, St David's has a cathedral, several decent pubs and cafes, boutiques, and far too many art galleries to keep the locals stocked with pictures.  I'd met up the night before with Jim in the cosy Bishops Inn. We're co-veterans of a few sportives now, and he was helping with the organisation of the ToP.  Whale and chips and a couple of pints isn't quite the nutrition choice of the pros, but it was irresistible and comforting.

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Top Five Hybrid Bike Paths in the UK

For those aficionados of road cycling out there, the National Cycle Network is brilliant for getting around. Built and maintained with the aid of nearly £50 million of National Lottery money, it makes road cycling in the UK really easy. There are even paths that form part of the larger Euro Velo Network, with large stretches of the 1, 2 and 12 routes traversing the UK, funded by the EU.

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Peak Epic - The Ultimate Sportive Challenge

It is the ultimate road biking/cyclosportive challenge; the toughest Peak District sportive ever! The route weaves it's way across the length and breadth of the Peak District on small country lanes passing over 14 categorised climbs (over 20 actual climbs) including Longstone Edge, Higger Tor, the infamous Winnats Pass at Castleton plus the Cat and Fiddle via Goyt Valley. Once the riders reach the finish they will have ascended 4000 metres in just 162km (100 miles). The equivalent of 3 times up Ben Nevis!!

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