Cycling Information

General Cycling Information

Hi this is a new page I am creating to help you enjoy your cycling more! I aim to provide useful tips and links to other websites to help you enjoy your cycling more.

Most people get into cycling for the exercise benefits it provides, but most cyclists are very sociable creatures and like making new friends. Cyclists visit Cafe's on their rides out in the countryside, places like The Priory in Scorton nr Lancaster are a haven for Club and regular cyclists alike. You will find them enjoying a brew and usually a round of beans on toast. This is an integral part of club cycling and most club rides are usually to a Cafe and back.

To start cycling you will need a bike !, we can help if you don't have one, or if you need one servicing, its also useful to have a few basic spares on your ride. If am out on a training ride I usually carry a pump, two spare inner tubes, a multi-tool (this is a small foldable tool with allen keys, screw drivers and spanners in it) a rain cape and some food plus usually two water bottles with energy drink in them. The food is usually Energy Bars or Banana's and Energy Gels. Energy Bars are based around fruit and oats and are meant to keep you fuelled for about an hour, Energy Gels are a thick gel containing Carbohydrates and are meant to get you home or for about half an hour. The tools are incase of a breakdown, as we dont have a cycling AA or RAC, useful to have are Allen keys and the right spanners for removal of your wheel if its not quick release, screw drivers for adjustments, and inner tubes, tyre levers and a pump for the inevitable punctures! Cycles are like cars in the fact they need cleaning and maintaining, after a muddy or wet ride its a good idea to wash your bike down with a bucket of soapy water, I usually use car wash and wax. Then a quick dry off with an old cloth or towel, then apply a teflon based chain lube to your chain and cog. Your chain should be kept clean and well lubed as worn and badly maintained chains tend to snap.

Hopefully this is a start to help you get cycling and I will add more as I have time, if you have any questions or suggestions email:info@walliscycles.com

Racing

Once you get involved in cycling you may decide you would like to have a go at racing. There are many different types of cycle racing from track racing, you might want to be the next Bradley Wiggins or Chris Hoy! There is road racing, you could want to be the next Tour de France rider! Mountain Bike and Cyclo-Cross racing, if you like being in the Mud, Time Trialing, racing from place to place against the watch, and BMX racing, usually around a small circuit. To enter most races you will need a cycle to suit the racing you are planning to do, etc Mountain Bike racing a Mountain Bike, and I some cases Membership of British Cycling. BMX, Cyclo-Cross, Mountain Bike and Time Trial Races usually hold starter events and you can turn up and have a go!

It is usually a good idea to achieve a resonable level of fitness before entering a race, as most events can be quite challenging, but you will always improve with more traning and experience. It is also a good idea to approach a local cycling club before you start racing. There is usually a wealth of experience in local clubs, and most will be able to help with advice on training and where events take place.

Useful Links

These are a few web addresses that you might find useful, first there are quite a few local cycling clubs in the area and below are the four nearest to the shop, the first is the club I'm in, Ribble Valley.

Ribble Valley CRC

This club caters for road racing, time trialists and pleasure cyclists. They also have a junior club. They are based in and around the Preston Area and meet at Brownedge Rd Catholic Social Club on Brownedge Rd, Bamber Bridge at 8.30pm on Monday Nights. They also have organised runs from the Prison in Preston on Sunday at 9.00am

Ribble Valley CRC Racing

This is the RVCRC racing pages

Red Rose Olympic

This club also caters for road racers, cyclo-cross racers, time trialers and pleasure cyclists, and also includes a junior section. They also run an excellent training session at Preston Sports Arena on Tom Benson Way in Preston for all Abilities on Tuesday nights at 6.00pm onwards.

Preston Wheelers

This club mainly caters for social cyclists and Time Trial Racing and meet on Friday at Fulwood Our Lady St Edwards Social Marlborough Dr at 8.00pm

Preston Cycling Club

This club caters for mainly road racing and time trial racing cyclists. They meet at the Bar in Fulwood Lesiure Centre the first Wednesday in the Month at 8.00pm.

Other links you may find useful are to cycling organisations and racing bodies.

Cycling Development North West

This is a local organisation which help organise and promote cycling in th North West, they run a race league and have just started a cyclo-cross series with the help of recycling.co.uk

British Cycling

This is the main cycling organisation which provides 3rd Party insurance and runs most road races and the Olympic team.

Cycling Time Trials

This is the main cycling organisation which runs all Time Trial Races in the UK

Cycling Tourists Club

This organisation is run by cyclists for cyclists and caters for tourists and also provides 3rd party insurance.

North West Cyclo-Cross Association

This is a Cyclo-Cross race league with events in the north west.

Sustrans

This organisation is set up with funding from the government and Cycle Retailers like me! and Wholesalers to encourage the use of cycles and set up a national cycle path network.

Association of British Cycling Coaches

This website offers help with coaching and a way of finding a local coach if you need one.

Lakes and Lancs Spoco

This is a Timetrial Race League organised by Myself and Linda Rodgers with over 50 Clubs as Members

Petts Evening 10 League

This is a Timetrial Race League organised by Keith Hoyles, with 4 Clubs as Members, the start is opposite the Boars Head Pub on the A6 North of Preston. Events are on Tuesdays, all welcome, first rider off at 7.00pm.

Arborwood TT Forum

This is a Time Trial Forum where you can talk to other cyclists!

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