Post a tip

Nov 5, 03:18 pm

Have you enjoyed the book? Was it useful? Peter Andrews (that’s me!) the author of Bike Easy really values your feedback. I’d love to hear about your cycling experiences especially if you’re a new cyclist or someone retuning to it after a gap of some years.

Bike Easy contains 105 top tips for better biking, but I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface. Maybe you have learnt a few tricks or techniques for making cycling easier, safer or more enjoyable? Don’t be shy! Share your ideas with the world!


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— Sam Norgate

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Your Tips

  1. Hi
    As a returning cyclist I’d just like to emphasise the importance of sticking with it and taking things easy. I stopped cycling back in the 1960s and only got back into it last year. It all felt so hard and stressful at first. Now though, I cycle almost everyday and love it! I feel like I have recaptured my youth!

    — Josie Thwaite · Feb 11, 04:35 pm · #

  2. Fit a bell! Very useful on cycle tracks to warn walkers of your approach. Doesn’t work on dogs though!
    (Very impressed with the book Bike Easy by the way. Lots of very useful, practical advice and it’s a joy to read).
    Jackie

    — Jackie Turing · Feb 13, 12:01 pm · #

  3. Keep your tires pumped up hard and you get less puncture.

    — Bruce · Mar 23, 07:38 pm · #

  4. Your quite right about cable-ties. Very useful. Use them to fix a busted saddle or even to mend a supposedly unmendable puncture – you fasten one either side of the gash and pull them really tight. The tube becomes a sausage, but can be pumped up and will hold air enough to get you home.

    — Britonabike · Mar 30, 11:35 am · #

  5. Dribble melted candle wax over the various allen bolts and screw heads on your bike. It stops them collecting rainwater and going rusty! The wax chips off really easily if you need to adjust things.

    — Cheretta Slee · Apr 17, 11:46 am · #

  6. Avoid mountain bikes, unless you are actually going to ride on bumpy dirt trails, and avoid any department store bikes. I recommend buying a used one from a bike shop, that way it’s not too expensive but it will be tuned up and they’ll do minor adjustments for free for a time also. Then as you ride the bike figure out what you like and don’t like about it. Try different seats and handlebars and stuff like that. I would get used to riding for at least 6 months before laying down serious money on a more serious bike, or just upgrade the used one especially if you’re in a high crime area and don’t want to attract attention with a fancy bike.

    — gryreweert · Apr 28, 03:16 pm · #

  7. It’s important where on the road you position yourself. You should ride far enough out into traffic that a car door flung open can’t clip you. Also, expect the unexpected and keep your brakes in good shape.

    — Frank Mann · Jun 17, 01:24 pm · #

  8. If you are planning to carry a hefty load by bike (it could be luggage, or a child in a child seat) then check your tire pressures first. You will probably need some extra air to support that extra weight. Load the bike, sit on it and look at your tires. Soft and flattish? Pump ‘em up!

    — Frank Mann · Jun 22, 08:07 am · #

  9. Just to say thanks for a readable book about cycling!!!

    — Polly Stevens · Jun 22, 08:14 am · #