How to store a bicycle over the winter
Short text on how to prepare a bicycle for storage over the winter – and how to get it ready in the spring. First guest post on bikegremlin.
Riding
Cycling – lights, braking, shifting, locking, riding in traffic…
Bicycle braking technique on long descends
Updated: 08/11/2018. One of the nicer parts of cycling, at least for the author of this text, is riding down hills – the longer and faster, the better, whether on paved roads, or through forests. 🙂 This post will explain good bicycle braking on long descends techniques, that allow for safe and fun cycling down … Read more Bicycle braking technique on long descends
Fast bicyle cornering – on paved roads
Updated: 08/11/2018. This post will explain how to quickly and smoothly ride through (tight) corners on a bicycle. This is especially important when riding fast downhill, but it is also useful for improving riding skills in any other situation. First, instinctive survival reactions and (their affect on) bicycle controlling will be explained, followed by explanations … Read more Fast bicyle cornering – on paved roads
Countersteering – bicycle steering
Updated: 11/11/2018. In this post I will explain how to precisely, efficiently and quickly steer a bicycle. Steering a bicycle might sound obvious to any (experienced) cyclist, but some concepts and techniques that come intuitively, especially “countersteering”, are better used when one knows about them and tries consciously to practice and improve them. As a … Read more Countersteering – bicycle steering
Cycling in traffic [03] Typical risky situations
Updated: 16/11/2018. This post will explain some typical risky traffic situations for cyclists in traffic and how to avoid them, how to stay safe when cycling on public roads, with other motor vehicles. Each risky situation will be explained separately, with advice how to minimize the risk of an accident. Before explaining typical situations, list … Read more Cycling in traffic [03] Typical risky situations
Cycling in traffic [02] Lane positioning
Updated: 06/01/2020. This post explains safe bicycle lane positioning and riding in traffic. With a bit of caution, bicycle can be ridden on public roads quite safely, even in heavy traffic. Post that explains basic things about human attention and noticing bicycles in traffic is here: Sorry, I didn’t see you – cyclist traffic safety. … Read more Cycling in traffic [02] Lane positioning
Cycling in traffic [01] “Sorry, I didn’t see you!”
Updated: 16/11/2018. This post explains imperfections of human perception in terms of cyclist traffic safety. For explanation of difference between being seen and being noticed, read this post: Bicycle lights – Difference between “seeing” and “noticing”. A large percentage of cyclists have experienced situations where drivers didn’t see them – resulting in shock and hard braking, … Read more Cycling in traffic [01] “Sorry, I didn’t see you!”
Bicycle braking technique
Updated: 08/11/2018. This post explains a proper braking technique on a bicycle. How to stop in the shortest possible distance, how to use front and rear brake correctly. Contents: 1. What are the brakes used for on a bicycle? 2. Braking weight transfer and tyre traction 3. Using brakes to control a bicycle 4. Hard … Read more Bicycle braking technique
Riding a bicycle in the snow
Updated: 23/08/2019. This post explains how to prepare oneself and the bicycle for safe and pleasand snow cycling. Yes, it is possible. 🙂 Is it wise to cycle in the snow? When I started cycling in the winter, especially in the snow, friends were worried and usually asked these questions: Is it cold? Is it … Read more Riding a bicycle in the snow
How to dress for winter cycling?
Updated: 09/11/2018. Cycling in the winter can be quite comfortable. It is said: “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing”. How to dress for winter cycling? What are the challenges of riding in the coldest part of the year? All this will be explained in this post. Separate posts explain bicycle snow riding technique … Read more How to dress for winter cycling?
Bicycle winter tyres
Updated: 16/11/2018. Cycling in the winter, even on snow and ice can be nice. 🙂 Having good bicycle winter tyres helps a lot in that! This post will explain basics of tyre traction. Then types of snow and winter surfaces usually encountered. Afterwards it will tell most about studded bicycle tyres and their attributes. Finally, … Read more Bicycle winter tyres
How to lock a bicycle
Updated: 23/08/2019. This post explains how to lock a bicycle – so that it is safe when left outside, unattended. What to look out for, how to do it properly. 1. Bicycle thefts Often people get put off using bicycles as a means of transport by bicycle thefts. Bicycle safety is like an anecdote of … Read more How to lock a bicycle
Bicycle locks explained
Updated: 16/11/2018. This post explains bicycle lock types, construction, how to choose a good one for locking a bicycle. For instructions on “locking techniques”, i.e. how to properly lock a bicycle, read this post: Locking a bicycle. Contents: 1. What makes a good bicycle lock? …1.1. Lock cylinder …1.2. Locking mechanism …1.3. Lock body 2. … Read more Bicycle locks explained
Bicycle lights
Updated: 16/11/2018. Is it necessary to use bicycle lights at night? How to be properly lit, safe and visible when cycling at night? What kind of lights are the best for a bicycle? Contents: 1. Why reflectors DON’T do the job 2. Difference between “seeing” and “noticing” (consciously) 3. Bicycle lights 4. Common mistakes …4.1. … Read more Bicycle lights