Riding

Cycling – lights, braking, shifting, locking, riding in traffic…

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Fast bicyle cornering – on paved roads

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Fast (down hill) bicycle 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

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Countersteering – bicycle steering

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Countersteering (counter-steering) - 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

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Cycling in traffic [03] Typical risky situations

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Typical risky situations in traffic for cyclists

Updated: 29/08/2020. 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

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Cycling in traffic [02] Lane positioning

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Cycling in traffic - safety. Safe positioning of a bicycle in a traffic lane

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

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Cycling in traffic [01] “Sorry, I didn’t see you!”

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Sorry mate I didn't see you (SMIDSY) - cyclist safety in traffic

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

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Bicycle braking technique

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Proper cycling braking technique explained

Updated: 05/06/2020. 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. Separate posts explain mechanical brake working principle, and pros and cons of bicycle disc brakes. Contents:1. What are the brakes used for on a bicycle?2. Braking weight … Read more

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Riding a bicycle in the snow

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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

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How to dress for winter cycling?

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How to dress for winter cycling

Updated: 23/12/2020. 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

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Bicycle winter tyres

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Winter bicycle tyres. Which tyres are the best for cycling in winter, snow and ice?

Updated: 10/01/2021. Cycling in the winter, even on snow and ice can be nice. 🙂  Having good bicycle winter tyres helps a lot with that. This post will first explain the basics of tyre traction. Then the types of snow and winter surfaces usually encountered. Afterwards it will explain studded bicycle tyres and their attributes. … Read more

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Bicycle locks explained

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Bicycle locks - what types exist, how to choose a good, safe bicycle lock

Updated: 17/03/2021. This post explains bicycle lock types, construction, and 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 body2. Padlocks – size and … Read more

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Bicycle lights

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Bicycle lights - why they are important for safety, what kind of bicycle lights are the best

Updated: 09/09/2020. 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 job2. Difference between “seeing” and “noticing” (consciously)3. Bicycle lights4. Common mistakes…4.1. Blinking lights…4.2. Lights too bright, … Read more