Classic Commuting bike painted Dutch Orange. I saw this bike parked by Queens Lane Coffee Shop. It is made by Gazelle a dutch company specialising in commuting bikes. It looks pretty comfortable to ride and the distinctive one colour orange sets it out from the rest of the bikes in Oxford. Cycling in Amsterdam

Away from ultra light carbon fibre bikes, I enjoy the aesthetic beauty of an old fashioned traditional bike. Typically, they are one colour (the modern mountain bike often  seems to be garishly painted) These bikes are solid, reliable and built for comfort rather than speed. You see quite a lot around Oxford. I think this […]

A cheap alternative to the car. Cycling may do well in a recession. As well as being a cyclist, I also work as a part time Economics teacher.   I write an Economics Blog for anyone who might be interested. Talking to some friends who work in local bikes shops, the economic downturn seems not […]

Waiting for the Off. The racers in suits, get ready. You don’t start on your bike, but have to run to your bike and unfold it. It reminds of the old GP races when you had to run to your car. UPDATE: Robert Heras (the former Tour de France rider) finished 2nd!. I think he […]

I wanted to make a short video, to introduce myself to readers, and also show how to put a new tyre on a wheel. I was trying to show a technique to make it easier to roll a tyre on by squeezing it down and then pushing it on. Trying to concentrate on this and […]

Be wary of 2nd hand bikes There is a temptation to buy a bike second hand because it could save you a lot of money. However, it is also more risky as the bike will come without guarantees. Another concern is whether the bike is stolen. If you do decide to buy second hand these […]

If you do choose clipless pedals, especially Look or Time, it is important that you fix the cleats to your shoe, so that you get the correct position for cyclist. If the angle of your pedal stroke is wrong you can easily become injured – especially around the knees. What I would suggest is this. […]

For a town bike a bell is an essential accessory. Although, I’m not keen on cycling bells being made a legal requirement for all bikes. I think any commuter should look upon a bell as an indispensable part of commuting. Benefits of Bells. Pedestrians get used to hearing car noise. They forget that cyclists may […]