Long distance cycling not only helps build strength and endurance, but longer rides also make for rewarding days out—especially if you get lucky with the weather. However, planning is key when it comes to long distance cycling. Countless cyclists have found themselves in trouble, having not fully prepared for the demands of a long ride. If you’re worried this could be you—fear not. We’ve worked with Olympic cyclist and Cycleplan ambassador Lizzie Deignan MBE to provide 6 top tips for long distance cycling. Lizzie tells us what she does before, during, and after a long ride to ensure each one i ..read more

Anyone can get involved with cycle touring, no matter what level you’re currently at. But booking a trip on a whim without planning or preparation isn’t the best idea if you’re new to travelling by bike. We’ve compiled a beginner’s guide to cycle touring, including the types of trips available to cyclists and common mistakes to avoid, so you can hit the ground pedalling on your first tour.   Table of contents: What is cycle touring? The benefits of cycle touring Different types of cycle tours Common cycling tour mistakes How to know if cycle touring is for you   What is cycle touri ..read more

Cycling stretches are important for keeping your muscles flexible and strong, and your performance in top form. Harvard Health says that muscles can shorten and stiffen without stretching, which leads to injury. But where do you start, and what are the best stretches for cyclists? We’ve covered the importance of stretching for cyclists, including expert insights to inspire you to follow a proper stretching routine before and after your sessions.   Table of contents: The importance of stretching for cyclists  Dynamic vs static stretching  The best stretches for cyclists&nbs ..read more

Whether you’re a long-distance cyclist or more of a short-hop, commuter-type, there are several bike essentials you should always have with you when out on a ride. It doesn’t matter if you’re up on the mountain trails or simply nipping to the shops, accidents can happen, and your bike can fault at any time, so you need to be prepared for all possibilities. So saddle up; we’re off for a ride (bike essentials packed, of course)…   7 bike essentials for any distance ride   1. Spare inner tubes As a cyclist, there aren’t many things more annoying than a punctured tyre. However, providin ..read more

As a cyclist, you’ll probably need to know how to true a bike wheel at some point. After all, you understand better than anyone the importance of making sure all your bike’s components are in good condition and working order.   Table of contents 1. How to true a bike wheel with a truing stand 2. How to true a bike wheel without a truing stand   A well-looked-after and maintained bike means you’ll be able to get from A to B smoothly with minimal hiccups. But no matter how well you look after your bike and how careful you are when riding it, sometimes, maintenance time is unavoidable ..read more

Cycling in the springtime usually means longer days and warmer weather—but thanks to the unpredictable UK climate, knowing what to wear when cycling in spring can be tricky. With some mornings starting off bitterly cold and the day potentially developing a heatwave by lunchtime, you’ll need clothing that can adapt to changing temperatures and conditions. There's nothing worse than having thick layers to combat that morning frost but then finding you’re overheated when the sun comes out. Without having the correct clothing, you may hinder your performance. Too cold, and you'll want to head back ..read more

We’ve all gotten our jeans a little too close to our bike during maintenance, or leaned against the chain wearing a new pair of white socks. It’s easily done but knowing how to get bike oil out of your clothes is essential to restore them. Here you’ll find various methods for removing bike grease from your clothes, so you have the best chance of saving them from nasty stains. Whether you’re dealing with synthetic fabrics or delicate materials, there’s a viable solution.   Table of contents The difference between bike oil and grease How to get bike oil out of clothes How to get bike greas ..read more

Though electric bikes (or e-bikes) have been around for a while, they’re still a relatively unknown phenomenon in many ways. That is even despite figures from the Bicycle Association predicting around 165,000 of them were sold in the UK in 2022. With so many cyclists switching to electric, we could probably all do with upping our e-bike knowledge. After all, even if you don’t currently own or even ride an electric bike, it’s highly likely you’ll be sharing the road with one at some point—so knowing the ins and outs is important. So, let’s get started. First of all—how fast do electric bikes go ..read more

Cycleplan ambassador Lizzie Deignan has been awarded an MBE for her services to cycling as part of the 2023 New Year Honours list. We sat down with Lizzie, world champion track and racing cyclist and now mum-of-two, to get her thoughts on what it means to be recognised outside of the cycling industry and why she believes there’s more work to be done for equality in the sport. She also spoke about her career goals over the next five years and gave some poignant advice for the next generation of female cyclists.   How does it feel to be recognised for an MBE for your services to cycling? It ..read more

Finding an affordable electric bike is difficult when facing so many different options. You don’t want to overlook any must-have features, but you also don’t want to overspend.  To make things easy, we’ve covered five of the best budget electric bikes in the UK, including mountain bikes and hybrids.  We’ve also included some guidance on what features to look out for when buying an e-bike, so you can find the model that best suits your needs.    1. Basis Hunter Integrated Electric Mountain Bike, £699.99 (RRP £999.00)  Key features:  700x40 low-pressure CST tyres ..read more