Why Balance Bikes are a Good Start to Cycling Did you know the first bike was actually a push bike? That it simply had two wheels, no pedals? Karl Drais designed it in Germany in 1817. And while the bike has evolved quite a bit in the last 201 years, an argument could be made that the essence of the bike is the same today as it was two centuries ago: two wheels and a seat. At least, that’s the argument that one of the first developers of balance bikes, Ryan McFarland likes to make. If you have a kid, or just live on planet earth near kids, you’ve seen a balance bike. It’s the super-fun looking ..read more

Change of seasons, change of habits It is the season of transition that can often frustrate cyclists - and perhaps cause them to abandon their bikes altogether until the summer sun returns. However, with a few changes you can cycle well into the autumn season. The key is knowing what changes to adopt in your clothing, accessories and bike gear. Read on to learn how to transition to fall cycling. Change your Clothing Cycling during the fall (and early spring) is all about the addition of lightweight, removable pieces. During the seasons you may start a ride feeling frigid, but end quite warm ..read more

What is a recovery ride? Recovery rides are rides devoted to just taking it easy and spinning your legs to get the blood flowing. This increase of blood flow goes a long way in helping you recover more quickly from hard training days. Recovery rides are simple to do and – when done correctly – they can speed you up on your more intense rides. However, you need to do your recovery rides right in order not to inhibit your recovery and make your next long ride slower. If you are training hard and/or racing on a regular basis, recovery is an absolute must. Change and adaptation does not happen wi ..read more

Teaching kids the love of cycling You love cycling and hope very much your child will share that love. However, the thought of balancing on two wheels may make your kid extremely nervous. If you're honest, you may be quite nervous as well. We know falls happen when on a bike, and we hate to see our kids get hurt - even if it's a minor scrape. If you have an anxious kid, we have a few tips for teaching him or her how to ride a bike. Tip #1 - Be Realistic Don't start out your cycling lessons by telling your kid riding a bike is easy. It's important to establish realistic expectations. "Bike rid ..read more

Organize your bike storage You've invested a lot of money into your bicycle. The last thing you want is your bike leaning precariously along the garage wall - or worse, the hallway of your home. Regardless of where you store your bike, we recommend that it is inside and not exposed to the elements. However, there are many creative solutions for storing your bike no matter what kind of space you have available. Read on to find the best ways to store your bike in your home or garage. Bike Hoist This is one of the more complicated ways to store a bike, but it does utilize a storage area that is ..read more

The Golden Rule You grab your bike and head to the trail for a little peace and serenity. However, there are probably at least a few other people who have the same idea. Consequently, it's just as important to know the rules of the trail as it is to know the rules of the road when you hop in your car. A disregard or unfamiliarity with trail rules can lead to damage to trails, as well as injury to yourself and/or others. Adhering to the proper etiquette not only ensures the safety of others, but it also makes sure bikers are still permitted on the trails. Bad behavior can result in bad consequ ..read more

Expand your possibilities Whether it's to avoid the extreme heat of the day in the summer, a demanding work schedule, or the shorter days of fall, chances are you're going to end up riding in the dark if you're a dedicated cyclist. Whether you're on the brightly lit city streets, dimly lit back roads, or unlit trails, there are necessary steps and precautions to take to make sure you stay safe riding at night. Read on for tips on how you can expand your riding time to ride confidently and safely at night. Choose the right lights When choosing an appropriate light for nighttime riding, you nee ..read more

Get your kids outside this summer Are you hoping to pry your kids away from the screens and into the great outdoors this summer? Biking is the perfect activity! However, we know that a simple suggestion to just "go ride your bike" may not be enough to get kids outside. That's why we've come up with a list of bike activities that will have kids begging to put down their devices and head outdoors. Build a bike car wash Especially for your youngest riders, this activity is a sure way to become the hit of the neighborhood. Using simple materials like PVC pipe and pool noodles, you can build your ..read more

Make the most of summer training Summer is here and with it the most ideal period for training. Make the most of this summer with developing a clear plan for your training. You may be able to get pretty fit just by winging your training, but following a few simple training tips will help you take your cycling to a whole new level. #1 Create a Plan We've all heard the saying, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Unfortunately, this old adage proves true when it comes to cycling training. With a plan in hand you will be able to achieve some pretty remarkable milestones. At the start of your s ..read more

Get started commuting If you're just beginning, the thought of commuting through the morning gridlock can be quite overwhelming. Transitioning from casual rides on a calm bike path to commuting in city streets can definitely be a shock to the system. If you're wanting to master the transition, stick to the following tips to confidently commute. Tip #1: Ride predictably (in a straight line) To stay safe out on the road, it's important to "hold your line." To prevent swerving, make sure you're looking straight ahead. Looking where you want to go will help you navigate any obstacles in front of ..read more