Pannier bags: The good, the bad and the ugly

Paul McWilliams    Cycling     cycletour, cycling, cycling gear, cycling trip, Ortlieb, Pannier Bags, Road Cycling, RTW cycling

There’s an old adage that in life, you get what you pay for. Us cycling enthusiasts know that better than most. It only takes a couple of major breakdowns due to poor quality parts for you to realise that it’s always worth paying for quality.

Longer Trips demand bigger bags, but which are any good?. Image: Flickr/ saborcesar

But while planning and purchasing equipment for a major upcoming bike trip, this lesson has been hammered home in even more emphatic fashion.

Around this time last year, I set off from Brno in the Czech Republic on a cycling trip heading down to Vienna to join the mighty Danube. Following its course, I made it as far as the Romanian border before time constraints forced me to turn back.

And along the way I learned a thing or two about panniers:

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Cycling in Ravenna and the call of the Gran Fondo

Mark Pawlak    ash, Cycling     cycle tours in Italy, Cycling Holidays, Cycling tours in Italy, Emilia Romagna, Evolving Cyclist, Italy, Ravenna, Road Cycling

If you’ve recently taken to cycling and want more than the British summer can offer, in Ravenna there’s a ride waiting for you…

Riders in last year's Gran Fondo

In January I started the Evolving Cyclist Project to see what an average commuter could do with some support in a season spent training for one event.

The event was to be a Gran Fondo (classic long distance Italian race) and the location Emilia Romagna.

Well, after earthquakes shook the northern Italian region to its core and ‘Le Tour’ took centre stage, it looked like the dream had ended.

And then I got the email…

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Riding the London 2 Brighton Bike Ride: 5 Tips

Mark Pawlak    Cycling     Carrera Virago, charity cycle, cycling, cycling nutrition, London 2 Brighton, Road Cycling

Cyclists of all standards love riding the London 2 Brighton bike ride. As well as being perhaps the UK’s best-known charity ride, it’s a challenging fun sportive in its own right – a celebration of cycling, all the way from the capital to the coast.

L2B: it's not a race so enjoy! Pic: Flickr/ Elsie esq

And more fool you if you think it’s going to be easy: If your training rides have yet to pass 35 miles, trust me, you’ll be pushed on this one.

Now with the preparation over, the team T-shirts in a box in your hallway and some nerves creeping in, here’s 5 tips to help you on your way on the day.

(Don’t forget  a camera and some cash, the pictures will be priceless and you’ll want a pint and a pile of chips at the end)

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Italian Bike Tours: Powered by Pasta

Mark Pawlak    ash     bike tours, cycling, Cycling Holidays, Cycling Tours, Italy, Road Cycling

Italy is a nation that loves its cycling, and cyclists everywhere love their food – especially pasta. So it’s no surprise that Italian bike tours are proving a top attraction for serious riders and food lovers.

Italian bike tour takes on the Sella Ronda. Pic. Flickr/Jussarian

The country that produced several of the all-time greatest cyclists (Bartali, Coppi, Pantani) also serves up the finest balsamic vinegars, tastiest hard cheeses and wines.

From the floor of the Po Valley to the classic peaks of the Dolomites, you don’t have to be a pro rider to enjoy. But you do need to embrace Italian food – not just for the carbs to help you on those climbs, but also for the pure pleasure of it!

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British Cycling: The Sunday Ride

Mark Pawlak    Cycling     buying a road bike, cycling, Evolving Cyclist Project, Halfords, hybrid, Road Cycling, scott

In British cycling, the Sunday ride really is an institution: Clubs meet outside coffee houses for an early start, weekend lycra lovers dust off their road bikes and families set out in mini bike trains.

Why Sunday? Well, for the cyclists who need to get the miles in, it’s often the day of choice.

Before 9 a.m. most town centres are empty. And other than the walk of shame’rs and road cleaners, you’ve pretty much got the streets to yourself.

British weather is ‘changeable’ but year round you get great cycling conditions. Spring and Autumn serve up crisp, clear mornings and even through winter there’s plenty of glorious days.

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Buying a road bike and living with it

Mark Pawlak    Cycling     buying a road bike, Carrera Virago, cycling gear, Cycling Holidays, Evolving Cyclist Project, road bikes, Road Cycling

With a little over a month of the Evolving Cyclist Project gone there’s been much learned, lots eaten, no weight lost but a great start made. Last month I made a plan: Ignore training plans – and so far it’s worked well! For March, I decided all I needed to do was get out more, get the miles going and enjoy every minute.

It’s an approach I’d strongly recommend to anyone buying a road bike or starting to take their cycling more seriously.

But at some point if you’re aiming to get fit, you’ve got to get on it and get riding further and faster – and that’s what’s happening this month.

So here’s 10 things I’ve learned that should help cyclists who are thinking about buying their first road bike.

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Buying bike lights and using them in the day

Mark Pawlak    Cycling     Bike lights, cycling, Cycling Holidays, Evolving Cyclist Project, Road Cycling, Safety tips for cycling

Cyclists who don’t fit lights to their bikes are idiots. Buying bike lights is easy: they are cheap, easy to fit and – if you didn’t know – a legal requirement. Of my 5 cycle safety tips for commuters, being seen is arguably the most important.

Light up every night, no excuse. Photo: Flickr/ CJ Isherwood

Personally, I think we should use daylights. But while many cyclists I’ve spoken to agree, others pass me and say, in a patronizing voice, “you’ve got your lights on”.

Ask yourself: why do motorcyclists have lights on during the day? Well, it’s because they are vulnerable in traffic and it gets them seen.

So why don’t cyclists do it? I’d say we are more vunerable as we end up in and out of the traffic flow. So what lights are out there, and which are best for your type of cycling?

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