Whether you’re an avid cycler, or just starting out, there are plenty of great stories, people, and ideas written in books that are sure to change the way you think of cycling. To many people, riding your bike is just an activity, or a method of transportation – but to others, it is a lifestyle or an adventure.

We’ve compiled some of the best books all about cycling – where to do it, how to train, incredible human feats, the history of the sport, and more.  Reading these will surely teach you, surprise you, and even inspire you to ride further.

1. The Man Who Cycled the World by Mark Beaumont

This is the story of how Mark Beaumont set the Guinness World Record of cycling the 18,000 miles around the world in 194 days and 17 hours.He tells stories of how he managed to beat the previous record while sharing some stories of his youth, and riding across Italy for charity.

2. Where There’s a Will: Hope, Grief and Endurance in a Cycle Race Across a Continent by Emily Chappell

This book shares the harrowing story of Emily Chappell, who pushed herself to the limits in trying to cycle across Europe unassisted.  She takes you through her journey of climbing and overcoming mountains, both literally and figuratively. 

3. Epic Bike Rides of the World by Lonely Planet

For those who are world travellers and adventurers, this book might inspire your next cycling trip. Lonely Planet offers 200 of the most amazing and scenic bike routes the world has to offer.

4. The Official History of the Tour de France by Serge Laget

If you’re a fan of the Tour de France or races in general, this insightful book gives you all the details of this incredible event and how it all started, from its early days to now.It also doubles as a great coffee table book with its plethora of photographs.

5. The Cycling Chef: Recipes for Performance and Pleasure by Alan Murchison

Any good cycler will tell you food and diet are imperative to good performance. Alan is a Michelin-starred chef who cooks for British Cycling athletes - he also happens to be a champion athlete himself. You’ll find 65 great recipes for tasty meals fit for the professionals.   

Here are some more if you are interested from bikeradar.com.

Happy reading and biking!

Cycling has been proven to not only improve your physical well-being – but also your mental health. Whether biking indoors or outdoors, we consistently see positive effects on your brain and body.  There are multitudes of benefits that can affect all parts of your life.

Exposure to the outdoors has often been prescribed to combat mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Cycling outdoors is no different!  Your brain positively reacts to the influx of blood flow and nutrients and enables greater performance.  Meaning, consistent cycling in your day-to-day life keeps your brain healthy and young in your later years.

Studies conducted on cycling have shown these are just some of the mental health benefits people experience:

-Decreases in depression and anxiety

-Greater well-being and relaxation

-Enhanced creative thinking

-Improved memory

-Improved moods

-Better sleep

Additionally, you can reap the social perks of this hobby by meeting like-minded people who also greatly enjoy cycling.  There are endless ways to connect to these groups: many are on social media like Facebook and Instagram, or even on cycling apps like Zwift and Strava.      

It is often recommended to cycle for about 30-60 minutes at a steady pace three to five times a week to enjoy those benefits.  This can be done on your way to work, around your neighbourhood, or anywhere else you like to bike. During the winter months, this can be especially challenging, but even getting on a stationary bike helps with your well-being and mental health.

So, next time you’re thinking of commuting to work or wanting to get outside, grab your bike (and helmet) and see the benefits for yourself!

Go to Google and search e-bike reviews and one of the first sites that comes up is the well done ElectricBikeReview.com, or EBR.

This information source provides unbiased reviews of all sorts of electric bikes available on the market. It is run by Vancouverite Court Rye.

Court is an energetic and knowledgeable e-bike reviewer who has a genuine interest in the environment, health and his community. His background was that he was in product management and did a lot of cycling to and from work. However, he had some previous skiing and surfing injuries, and found the summer heat made it difficult to get to work and still look fresh. That is how he discovered e-bikes.

He bought his first e-bike online, not knowing anything about the technology, weight distribution or power sources. He loved that bike, but it was still heavy and awkward for his needs. He transferred his interest from the corporate world to the e-bike world.

Court now operates his website out of Vancouver, BC. He told me he “loves the local biking community” and enjoys the diversity of British Columbia. He independently reviews all sorts of e-bikes through a detailed summary, photo album and video. He offers viewers tips on best affordable e-bikes, best electric fat bikes, best electric mountain bikes and several other categories.

If you want to learn more about e-bikes, and especially if you are looking to get into one given the advanced technology now available, EBR is for you. Check out the excellent reviews and information.

Written by Lonny Balbi. 

With the increase of cycling during the pandemic as one of the only ways to exercise, there are significantly more cyclists, runners, and walkers out and about.

 

Here is a refresher on cycling ettiquette:

 

Don’t use the wrong side of the path or walk in the middle of the path.

This is an unspoken rule but a lot of people do not stick to the right side of the path.  If you don’t stick to an edge, another cyclist might clip you as they pass you because they didn’t leave you enough room.

 

Don’t stop in the middle of the path.

This is especially important if you are in a group. Move as close to the edge or off the path if it is safe to do so. Not only is this important for social distancing, it is also saves people from having to go around you. The other week when I was out running, I saw a group of young cyclists stop and lay their bikes right on the path and then run into the trees to take a picture. This is incredibly unsafe and disrespectful.

 

Be aware of those who are around you.

It is important to be conscious of who is in front of you and who is behind you. When you need to pass someone, should check to make sure no one is behind you trying to pass and be aware of who is coming towards you as there might be someone coming the other direction.

 

Alert someone before you pass them.

Using you bell or calling out as you are passing someone will prevent them being startled by you.

 

Don’t pass everyone like you’re trying to win the Tour de France.

Slow your roll. I understand the love to go fast but it is also alarming to be passed by someone zooming by you.

 

Travel single file.

Share the space.

 

Be safe. Share the space. Happy (distant) cycling!

Photo by Tiffany Nutt on Unsplash

With the uncertainty of COVID-19, life is looking different at the moment. Cycling is a great form of exercise and a viable form of transportation. As long as you are following the social and physical distancing protocals in place, it is safe for you to get outside and ride your bicycle.

The temperature is getting up to 18 degrees on Monday and Tuesday (FINALLY). It is an excellent time to take your bicycle in to get a spring tune up. Many people don’t cycle in the winter (but they should, like our founder, Lonny) so your bike sits all winter. Because of this, some parts might not work as well as they should be. Many bike shops are open by appointment only and are doing contactless drop off and pick up.

Some of the bike shops that are open are:

The Bike Shop

BikeBike Inc.

Ridley’s Cycle

Calgary Cycle

Bike & Brew

Bow Cycle

B & P Cycle and Sports

Power in Motion

Each shop has different policies in place. Please contact them directly for more information!

We are living in a strange time but one positive of the quarantine is that there are less cars on the road. This makes it easier and safer for cyclists to get around the city. Calgary has over 600km of paths and bike paths around the city!

With the beautiful weather coming this weekend, now is a great time to dust off your bicycle and get outside.

Happy (distant) cycling!

 

For information on Calgary’s pathways: https://maps.calgary.ca/PathwaysandBikeways/

Photo by Gints Gailis on Unsplash