I Love Bicycling

I Love Bicycling is a website that is geared towards cycling for beginners with road cycling tips, training articles, nutrition tips, weight loss, how to’s and bike repair articles.

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The Best Cycling Caps

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There’s a certain classic look that comes with cycling caps, harkening back to the old days of cycling.

The Best Cycling CapsCycling caps came from the pre-helmet era, but have survived as a both a fashion statement and a functional piece of gear that goes under your helmet. Retro and relatively cheap, they are a great addition to any cycling kit to add your own sense of style.

Beyond looking chic, cycling caps are also functional. They keep sweat, rain, and sun out of your eyes in the heat of summer, and can keep your head cozy on cold, wet rides. They are lightweight and flexible enough to sit under your helmet, and in most cases are one-size-fits-all.

When you stop in at a coffee shop for a mid-ride snack, a cycling cap is a great way to hide your helmet hair and keep you looking sharp. There are also a variety of ways to wear a cycling cap, you can keep the brim down, or you can flip it up and look extra awesome (see photo above). Available in a ton of colors and designs, here are a few of the best out there.

Pearl iZUMi Barrier CYC Cap

The Best Cycling Caps

Price: $20

Made from lightweight polyester, this cap is a great form of wind protection and water resistance. Fitting easily under your helmet, it even has a low profile ponytail port for those of you with long hair.

Giro Classic Cotton Cap

The Best Cycling Caps

Price: $24.95

This classic design lets everyone know that you are a serious cyclist. It can be worn under your helmet, or on its own off your bike. It provides everything you would expect: shade from the sun, cover from wind and rain, and wicks away sweat when you’re pushing through the miles. One size fits all, this cap also comes in a ton a designs, so you can even find one to match your bike.

Hysenm Tour De France Champion Cap

The Best Cycling Caps

Price: $11.99

If you have a less hair than you used to and need to protect your head from the sun, this champion cycling cap will do just that. With an environmentally thermal transfer point, it keeps your head cool and protects your sensitive skin from the harsh sun (you don’t want weird burn lines on your head). The brim flips up and stays up when not in use, and is short enough to still give you the full view of your cycling scenery. It may not get you to the Tour de France, but it can make you look like a pro.

CatEye – Cycling Cap

The Best Cycling Caps

Price: $12.31

A hybrid combination of polyester, nylon, and spandex, this cap wicks moisture away from you and dries incredibly fast. Lightweight and very stretchable, this cap won’t make your head feel claustrophobic in your helmet. There are also reflective strips for visibility if you choose to wear it running or walking as well.

Brooklyn Team Cycling Cap

The Best Cycling Caps

Price: $18.99

A lightweight blend of cotton, this Italian-made cap is classic in both look and feel. It also can be easily stored in a jersey pocket when not in use.

Why You Need to Try Fat Biking

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Do you remember the first time you saw a fat bike? On first impression, it is easy to think they look like some weird fad that will come and go. However, the past few years have proven that this isn’t the case. Gaining in popularity, fat biking has become a category all in its own.

The obvious advantage of a fat bike is the ability to ride in snow and sand more easily that with a regular mountain bike. No matter how funny you think they may look, it’s worth giving a try. Maybe fat really is the new skinny.

Why You Need to Try Fat Biking

What is fat biking?

A fat bike is an off road bicycle designed to accommodate oversized tires, typically 3.8 inches or larger. The first thing you’ll notice, other than the massive tires, is the wide fork build to fit the large tires as well as the low ground pressure. These tires can be run as low as 5 psi to provide the ultimate traction in snow, sand, or mud.

Although the general idea of fatbiking has been around since the early 1900s, they first became commercially popular with Surly Bike’s release of the Pugsley frame in 2005. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why you should try fat biking

It’s a great workoutWhy You Need to Try Fat Biking

Staying fit over the winter in places where it gets cold and snowy is tough. If you love the freedom that cycling brings, it can be hard to find the motivation to go to the gym or hop on a stationary bike. Fatbiking not only allows you to ride outside all winter, but it’s also a great workout. In soft conditions it can be tough going, but you will be expending a ton of energy in a short about of time. You will also be working on your balance and core strength making a great whole body workout. Come spring and hop back on your regular bike, you’ll feel light and fast, and you’ll have maintained a great fitness level.

It gets you outside

No need to mope around the house as soon as there’s snow on the ground. Fat bikes are like the monster trucks of the cycling world – they will get you through just about anything. Getting out in the sunshine and fresh air, even if it’s cold, is the best way to make the most of every season. Research has also shown that the cold can actually raise your metabolism as your body works to keep warm, which means burning extra calories!

Why You Need to Try Fat BikingIt builds your endurance

Fat biking will make you a stronger rider and build your endurance, both physically and mentally. Riding in the elements on a bike that requires constant spinning (there’s pretty much no coasting) will up your overall toughness level. Plus, if you ever hit a race in your regular season that has bad weather, it’ll be nothing compared to your miles put in with the snow and mud.

You can ride a fat bike all year round

There are those that choose to ride a fat bike all year due to the feeling of the bike, particularly the stability and suspension of the fat tires. Many models can also accept multiple wheel sizes, so you can switch out your tires for skinnier ones before hitting the dry single track.

How to choose a fat bike

With the rise in popularity, the variety of fat bikes available has made choosing one a little more complicated. Although we can give you the basic features to look out for, a visit to your local bike shop will help you make a more informed decision. It’s also great to try one out before buying to ensure you enjoy the feel of it.

  • Frame capability – Think about how much “flotation” you want. Generally speaking there are two sizes: those that accommodate 4 inch Why You Need to Try Fat Biking ires, and those for 5 inch or wider tires. If you’re sticking to groomed or somewhat packed down trails, 4 inch tires will be all you need.
  • Rigid frame or suspension – Most fat bikes are a rigid frame as the tires and low pressure make up for the lack of suspension, but many are now also equipped with a suspension fork. Going with a frame with suspension can be a great option for really rough terrain, or if you plan on riding the bike all year round.
  • Frame size – As with any bike, you want to ensure you get the right size for you, and it’s always worth having a proper bike fit to ensure maximum efficiency. Most frames are set up with similar geometry to a mountain bike to remain stable over rough terrain.
  • Tires – As with road and mountain bike, fat bike tires can come in a variety of designs. Most are either clincher or tubeless. You’ll also want to take a look at size. The general size is 4 inches, but there are both smaller and larger tires available depending on the terrain you’ll be riding.
  • Brakes – If you’re planning on riding in the Arctic, or anywhere else that experiences freezing temperatures, then you’ll want to go with the basic mechanical, cable-actuated disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are a great option, but only if you’re sticking to warmer climates as mineral oil can easily freeze.

Check out this list of the top ten best fat bikes for more information.

Fat biking really has become it’s own sport, and with good reason. It’s as much fun as it looks, and there are a ton of events that now incorporate fat bikes to get you through the long cold winters. Additionally, many bikepackers are choosing fat bike frames to widen their adventure possibilities. Check out the video below for some added inspiration to get you going.

The Best Types of Cycling Socks

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The first step to becoming faster is looking good…right? This may be why cyclists have a bit of a sock obsession. Most riders wear the same cycling kit, or with little variety, every day, so changing up the sock game is a fun way to add a little bit of your own personal style. Not only that, but they are a highly functional piece of cycling gear that can make or break a ride. Here are some of the best types of cycling socks to get you looking and feeling good for your next ride.

cycling socks

The Big Players

With so many brands of cycling socks out there, it can difficult to choose the ones that will work best for you. Hopefully these brief descriptions of a few of the larger brands will make the decision easier.

  • Swiftwick socks are made in the USA and focus on comfort and quality. Their socks feature managed compression, chemical-free wicking, and anti-blister and anti-odor technology. These are the four pillars they build each pair of socks to.
  • Defeet International socks are also made in the USA and prioritize operating at a higher level to produce one of the best cycling socks on the market.
  • Pearl Izumi yields not only great cycling socks, but also other clothing to keep you matching from head to toe!
  • Sock Guy is the go to sock company when looking for custom socks, they have a 4-5 week turn around and are manufactured in the USA.

Racing Socks

Racing cycling socks are designed with performance in mind, so they offer breathable material and an attention to performance over style. The Swiftwick Aspire socks have a thin cushion bed, and offer compression to different anchor points in the foot. The Louis Garneau Men’s Coni Cycling Socks are made from Coolmax fiber, and are supposed to wick moisture and increase the speed they dry out. Pearl Izumi’s Elite Socks feature the ELITE Transfer material to also dry out quickly, and have “compression for a performance fit.” All of these racing style cycling socks have two things in common. One, they are super good at drying out quickly to keep your feet cool while competing. Secondly, most of these socks come up one-quarter of your calf to give you that pro look.

Wool Cycling Socks

Wool socks can be a real lifesaver in the winter months, keeping your feet warm and dry. DeFeet makes some of the most popular wool cycling socks on the market. They are called the Woolie Boolie sock. They are durable and provide a great deal of warmth as they are made out of almost 50% American Merino Wool. These socks come up six inches to provide you with a great deal of warmth. The Sockguy wool cycling sock is twelve inches high and features a mesh upper panel above your foot to allow for ventilation. Giro also makes a six-inch sock out of merino material in a ton of patterns and colors.

Compression Cycling Socks

Compression socks are nothing new in the world of endurance sports, but finding the right pair may not be so easy. They are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), the larger the number the more compressed the socks will feel. The Swiftwick Twelve is 15-20mmHg and features their anti-odor technology and will help to reduce swelling during recovery. The Louis Garneau R-Compression cycling socks decrease recovery time between workouts and have “stretch zones at the heel and toe.” The Mojo Coolmax recovery cycling socks offer 20-30mmHg, a bit more compression than competitors, although more is not always better with compression.

The Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers

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It’s coming up to that time of year, and last minute gifts can be tough (cut to me wandering around a crowded mall like a lost puppy), so why not go with something that is both fun and useful? If you have a road cyclist on your list, check out our Top 10 Gifts for Cyclists, but for the mountain bikers, it may look a little different. Mountain bikers are hard on their gear, between beating it up on the trail, then scrubbing the dirt out of everything afterwards, which makes upgrades and replacements the perfect gift. Here’s some of the best gifts for mountain bikers.

10 Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers

Dynaplug Racer

Punctures are a part of the sport, so fixing them is a necessary evil. The Dynaplug Racer is the newest repair tool for tubeless bike tires. All you have to do is locate the hole, asses the size, and then use either the Megaplug end, or the standard plug for smaller punctures. It leaves behind a sticky rubber substance to give the sealant something to weld to. It’s quick, easy, and a great gift for any tubeless rider.

Park Tool IB-3 I-Beam Multi-Tool

The best thing short of a mobile mechanic, the Park Tool IB-3 has everything you need for most trailside emergencies. Eight hex wrenches, a T25 Torx driver, flat-blade screwdriver, chain tool compatible up to 12 speed, tire lever, box wrench and spoke wrenches.

Granite Rockband Carrier Strap

A lot of mountain bikers are ditching hydration packs in favor of water bottles and on-bike storage. The Granite Rockband Carrier Strap is pretty self explanatory, as it is a great alternative for those who want to have a multi-tool and spare tubes on hand, but don’t want to ride with a backpack.

Rylo 360 Video Camera

Rylo is a powerful little 360° camera that allows anybody to create stunning videos. This camera captures everything around you in 5.8K resolution with breakthrough stabilization- perfect for capturing some beautiful single track. When they’re done shooting, they can connect to the app and edit the video right there on their smartphone.

Race Face Aeffect Bike Pedal

The Race Face AEffect Pedals are strong, light and offer the best of both looks and performance. The chromyl axle and bottom loading hex traction pins can take a beating, making them perfect for trail and downhill riders alike.

Cycling Socks (Yes, socks)

Socks may seem like a lame gift, but the mountain biker on your list will be stoked! Check out some Swiftwick socks to keep their feet comfortable and dry no matter what the conditions.

Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair

Save them some money with this great resource. The Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair addresses the most advanced materials and technologies used in today’s bicycles. Each job is carefully explained in a way that makes sense to a novice mechanic. Each repair or maintenance project has easy to follow steps, complete with photographs, examples and helpful tips.

Custom stem cap

Bring some style to their bike with a custom stem cap. You could get something made just for them, or choose from one of the many fun ones available on Amazon.

100% Brisker Gloves

Perfect for those cooler days, the 100% Brisker Glove has an insulated top layer with a thin synthetic leather palm. This keeps the hands nice and warm, while not compromising grip and hand function while riding.

Osprey Raptor (Men’s) and Raven (Women’s) Hydration Packs

Made for rugged single track, Osprey hydration packs are known for their bio stretch harness and comfortable connection to the body. The design reduces liquid movement so you’re not sloshing your way down the trail. There’s plenty of room for snacks, tools, and a helmet carry system when you’re off your bike.

 

The Best Flat Mountain Bike Pedals

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If you’re a dedicated road cyclist branching out into some mountain biking, you may choose to go directly to clipless mountain bike pedals. Although there are plenty of advantages to riding with the clipless system, starting out on flat mountain bike pedals will help build your technical foundation. Riding on flat pedals keeps you from cheating, and will teach you to move your body and your bike efficiently. It may be frightening to take a break from obsessive wattage and tracking and instead work on some basic skills, but it’s worth it in the long run!

Flat Mountain Bike Pedals
It happens to the best of us.

The Balancing Act

When you’re first starting out, it’s common to balance by shifting your weight too far back. Although this is great to keep you from going over the handlebars, it can make it difficult to maneuver. Riding flat pedals encourages you to shift the weight by dropping your heels, keeping the bike steady and giving you a great platform to stand on.

While being clipped in can be great for forcing you to stay on your bike on technical trails, it can also be intimating when you’re first starting out. Flat pedals give you the peace of mind and confidence to tackle some tough trails knowing that you can easily drop a foot and aren’t at risk of the slow tip-over.

The Best Flat Mountain Bike Pedals

Spank Oozy Trail Platform Pedals

 

 

 

Price: $119

Extremely lightweight, the Spank Oozy Trail Platform Pedals have more than just great looks and a fun name. At just 12mm thin, they offer incredible ground clearance when pedaling in rough terrain. This exceptional thinness also improves stability and pedaling efficiency by bringing your foot almost flush with the pedal axle, drastically reducing dreaded “pedal flip.” Available in four colours, they all have the chamfered edges to keep the pedals from getting that trached look that most colored pedals get after a couple rides.  

 

Crank Brother’s 50/50

Price: $54

The CrankBrother 5050 their classic platform pedal for adventures of any type. Ten adjustable pins per side deliver a degree of grip and customization sure to keep your feet exactly where you want them. The medium-sized platform and thin profile that make them all-around performers, and the huge openings keep the mud-compacting to a minimum.

Race Face Aeffect Bike Pedal

Price: $100

The Race Face AEffect Pedals are strong, light and offer the best of both looks and performance. The chromyl axle and bottom loading hex traction pins can take a beating, making them perfect for trail and downhill riders alike.

Shimano PD-MX80 Saint Pedals

Price: $65

Developed and dedicated to downhill riding, the Shimano Saint MX80 have a unique shape and concave platform for better control and efficiency. The previous MX30s were popular for their durable, smooth rotating axle, and the MX80 carry this over with some added features. They are now slightly wider and lower, allowing for responsive levels of acceleration and deceleration.

Fyxation Gates Slim Platform Pedal

Price: $29

If you’re looking for an entry level flat pedal, then the Fyxation Gates Pedal is a great option. Designed as a BMX pedal, it is made of durable nylon and will work on the trails with ease. Thin bodied with loose ball bearings they can work great for casual mountain bikers and urban riders.

 

The Best Waterproof Bike Covers

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A bike cover is one of the most simple and effective ways to protect your bike. A bike can be considered an investment, so it’s worth doing what you can to protect that investment and make it last as long as possible. A quality waterproof bike cover can protect your bike from the elements and ensure it lasts for years to come.

Ideally you want to keep your bike inside, but depending on your living situation this is not always possible. If bringing one more bike into the house is going to be the last straw for your significant other, then you need to take advantage of other options.

Leaving your bike open to the elements will speed up the aging process. The sun, water and dirt will end up causing damage to your bike and cost you in repairs. If you’re in a humid climate, rust on certain metal components can also develop quicker.

When you are choosing a bike cover, first thing to look at is what material it is made from. You want to ensure that it is, in fact, waterproof and that it will not snag when you’re taking it on and off. Next you will want to try it on your bike to make sure it fits and covers the entirety of the bike, including the wheels.

Here are some of the best waterproof bike covers to ensure you do all you can to protect your bike.

5 Of the Best Waterproof Bike Covers

Pro Bike Tool Cover

Price: $30 – $40

The Pro Bike Tool Cover is on the more pricey end of the the spectrum, but it does offer high performance protection. Made from Ripstop Oxford Fabric and with heat sealed seams, it really does keep out the snow, ice, wind, dust, sun, and pretty much anything else you throw at it. With a variety of sizes, you can get one to fit over your road bike, mountain bike (even with 29ers), or multiple bikes.

MayBron Gear Bike Cover

Price: $27

This heavy duty MayBron Gear bike cover is also made from durable Oxford fabric, which is not only heavy-duty but also relatively lightweight. Be sure to measure your bike before purchasing as there isn’t much wiggle room when it comes to the cover fitting snugly over your tires. This cinching bottom works great, and it includes holes for your bike lock.

YardStash Bicycle Cover

Price: $30

The YardStash bike cover is designed to offer ground up coverage, made from durable 210D Polyester. It has an elastic bottom, and also includes a middle buckle making it a good choice if it will be exposed to a lot of wind. There are two vents in the front of the cover that aim to eliminate condensation and corrosion if you live in a humid environment.

COVRIR Ultra-Tech Waterproof Bike Cover

Price: $20

The COVRIR Ultra-Tech bike cover was designed to offer lasting quality at a affordable price in an attempt to eliminate waste created by replacing a bike cover every year. Using a three strap system, this cover is “hurricane proof” while made from breathable fabric to prevent condensation. It also comes with a lock and cable, although you may want to invest in a secondary lock to ensure your bike’s security.

Kotivie Waterproof Sun Protective Bike Cover

Price: $26

The Kotivie bike cover is double sided, so black on one side and reflective on the other for UV protection. It is made from durable Polyester Oxford fabric, with a Silver PU coating to keep it from breaking down in extended sunlight. It is large enough to fit 1-3 bikes, with straps to pull it snug.

Best Waterproof Cycling Pants

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Sometimes when it rains, it pours. There’s nothing worse than getting caught in the rain on your ride or your morning commute to work, and arriving with sopping wet clothes. Regular wind breaking pants may hold up in a light shower, but when it really starts coming down you need a little something more. First of all, keeping your torso warm and dry with a waterproof cycling jacket or rain cape is your first line of defence, but your legs are also important. Waterproof cycling pants will keep all the water running off your jacket from soaking into the tops of your legs.

Features to look for

Material / Waterproofing – The word “waterproof” is thrown around a lot, but the truly waterproof gear will most likely come with a higher price tag. The top of the line will be products made from Gore-Tex, but other materials such as polyester or nylon can also be used with a waterproofing top layer.

Comfort – It should be said right now that waterproof pants are never going to look cool, so you might as well focus on comfort and functionality right off the bat. They are not fitted like regular cycling pants, as you need to be able to pull them overtop of whatever you’r wearing at the time. They will most likely have an elastic waist, with wide enough legs that you can pull them over your shoes, but with some sort of system to clip in the right pant leg so it doesn’t get caught in your gears.

The Best Waterproof Cycling Pants

Showers Pass Storm Pant 

Price: $52 

The Showers Pass Storm Pant is waterproof and rugged, made with a 3-layer waterproof breathable Artex material. Ankle zippers help these rain pants slide on and off over shoes easily. They also include a mesh stuff sack for pants storage during bike commute hours. This style runs small, so size up if you are layering over other clothes.

Helly Hansen Voss Rain Pant

Price: $26 – $64

With the lowest price point, these pants are super light and flexible, but the cost of their waterproofing is a lack of breathability. So, these are a great option for the commuter who needs something to throw on overtop of their work pants, but for the more avid cyclist they leave something to be desired.

 

Pearl iZUMi Select Barrier Wxb Pant

Price: $86 – $130

This waterproof and breathable full-length pant is engineered to provide optimal freedom of movement on the bike, while keeping you warm and dry. What makes them unique is their matte finish and unique feel. None of that shiny look that comes with most waterproof clothing, and they are noiseless when you walk around.

Craft Men’s X-Over Waterproof Bike Pants

Price: $127

With the higher price point comes a very bike-specific design. These pants are probably overkill for the commuter, but for cyclists who train outside no matter the weather, they are worth it. They are highly functional, combining elastic fabrics with advanced body mapping and ergonomic design ensuring body-temperature management, body control, aerodynamics, and a comfortable riding position fit.

GORE BIKE WEAR Element -Tex Active Pants

Price: $106- $255

Gore-Tex technology is proven to be top of the line when it comes to being waterproof, windproof, and breathable. The Element Series was specially developed for the recreational cyclist to account for unaccountable weather on and off the road. The pants combines high versatility, contemporary design geared to road cycling or mountain biking, and a close and comfortable fit.

 

How To Use Strava for Cycling

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If you’re new to the cycling world, then you may not have heard of Strava. The website and mobile app is based around using satellite navigation to track an athlete’s activity. Known as the social network for runners and cyclists, it is a great way to stay motivated, track your improvement, and get connected with the athletic community.

Like a lot of things with cycling, getting started can be intimidating. The app itself has a ton of features that many users don’t know about, or use to their fullest advantage, so here’s a breakdown for you.

Why you should use StravaHow To Use Strava for Cycling

  1. Everyone is doing it – Okay, so maybe peer pressure isn’t the best reason to use Strava, but it’s true. Most cyclists are using Strava, so don’t miss out on the party. You can keep tabs on your friends (and competition) as well as see where you stack up against the pros. It’s the perfect source of motivation with a side of humble pie.
  2. It’s free – There is a Premium version, but the free version includes some great features that are enough for a lot of cyclists. With zero commitment, you have nothing to lose.
  3. That community feeling – One of the most amazing things about cycling is the community that comes with it. Community is what helps you improve as a cyclist by learning from others and pushing yourself harder than you would by yourself. On Strava, you can create private groups for you and your crew. So, even if you’re not out riding together, you can stay in touch and even try to beat their time on a route. Through the comments, you can encourage each other and give kudos on a great ride.
  4. Track your progress – There’s nothing better than feeling stronger and faster than when you started. With Strava you can track your progress over time through a variety of features. If you want to get technical, there is a training calendar for comparing your milage month to month to your heart rate and power data. You can also simply look at your heart rate over a ride that will show up as a “suffer score.” This score is based on your heart rate throughout the ride in comparison to your max heart rate. Using heart rate zones, this is great indication to how hard you were working (only available with Premium).
  5. Motivation – Every month there are great challenges to join to motivate yourself to get out, no matter what the weather or how you’re feeling. You can compare yourself to the leaderboards, and even make it a goal to get on the board yourself.
  6. Safety – Strava isn’t just a great app for cyclists, but for their friends and family as well. If you’re heading out on a long ride, you can use the beacon to share your location with someone. They can then track your progress and know exactly where you are if anything were to happen.

How to speak Strava

Segment

Probably the most popular feature of Strava, a segment is a section of trail or road that users create and name. Other users can then “race” for the best time for that particular segment. Climb segments are rated from easiest to hardest as 4,3,2,1 or HC.

KOM / QOM

The “King of the Mountain” or “Queen of the Mountain” is the fastest rider on a particular segment. It doesn’t have to be a climb, but could also be a flat or a descent. The rider with the fastest time will remain the KOM or QOM until someone gets a faster time and dethrones them. As fun as it is to ride for these titles, just remember that it’s not worth risking injury.

AchievementHow To Use Strava for Cycling

Achievements are presented in the form of trophies, medals or KOMs/QOMs. When you upload your ride to Strava, it will be compared to other users. Tropies are for top ten placements on a segment, and medals are your best three times for a specific segment.

Flyby

The Flyby feature allows users to see if they crossed paths or road close to other Strava users. Depending on security settings, you may only be able to see athletes you follow. It can help you connect with cyclists riding similar distances in your area, and see where you stack up.

Suffer Score

Your “suffer score” is based on your heart rate throughout the ride in comparison to your max heart rate. Using heart rate zones, this is great indication to how hard you were working (only available with Premium).

Stravasshole

You know who they are. This refers to anyone who puts a segment goal or KOM/QOM before the fun and safety of those around them. Don’t get us wrong, Strava is fun to use and challenge yourself with, but it’s not the be all end all.

How to make the most of Strava

Try a new route

Using the heatmap feature, you can plot where you typically ride and how many times you’ve ridden it. Take a look at all the areas you’re not riding and start taking in some new scenery. You can also check out other user’s heatmaps in your area. Using the Route Builder, you can piece together a new route from some popular roads and segments mapped by cyclists in your area.

How To Use Strava for CyclingGet creative

With the ability to add photos, you can really document your ride and make it as personal and inspiring as you want. There is also the infamous “Strava Art” that is a ton of fun. There is a thin red line that shows your route, so think of yourself as the tip of the pencil and get drawing on the canvas of your city. Check out some of the best strava art here.

Join a community

As mentioned previously, joining a community of cyclists (whether physically or virtually) is one of the fastest ways to improve–and it’s also a lot more fun!

Adjust your privacy settings

When you’re uploading your routes anywhere online, you will want to adjust your privacy settings so other users can’t see exactly where you live. If you don’t, this could make you a target for bike theft. In your Strava privacy settings you can create a 1 mile radius privacy zone around your house so users can’t see exactly where you start and finish.

Track your commute

Keep your commuter miles separate from your regular rides to track your overall distance without affecting your other stats. When you’re heading to the office, you probably won’t be pushing for that KOM. The commute feature also helps build a database of where people are riding and even where more infrastructure may be needed.

The Best Mudguards to Get You Through Winter Riding

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Many cyclists think slapping mudguards on a carbon fiber bike is a little daft, but once you try them you will realize just how useful they can be. Unless it’s pouring rain, it’s the spray from the wheels that most often get you wet, so mudguards are your first line of defence. Not only do they keep spray from flying into your face and going up your back, but they are also a common courtesy on group rides.

Winter riding can be a ton of fun, but it also makes for some tough riding conditions. Between the sudden changes in weather and wet roads with muddy shoulders, mudguards can make all the difference. For commuters, fenders are a no brainer, but for cyclists heading out on training rides, they also have the advantage of keeping your feet and legs from getting soaked and chilled. That means you’ll be able to ride longer (also a no brainer).

Best Mudguards

Types of Mudguards

Full Length

Full length, bolted mudguards are most commonly seen on touring bikes. These obviously provide the best coverage and protect the rider behind you, but they do have limited clearance and won’t fit all bikes. Some have a large rubber flap on the end of the front of the mudguard as well. The longer the front mudguard, the better chance that you feet will stay dry as they are in the firing line for water kicked up from the front wheel. For a bike to accommodate full length mudguards, you’ll want to make sure you have enough clearance under the brakes and behind the seat tube. You also want to make sure it has mudguard mounts.

Plastic Clip-On Guards

Plastic clip-on guards will attach to most road bikes. Clip-on guards are great for bikes without mudguard eyelets, but they typically provide less coverage.

Mountain Bike Style

Mountain bike style mudguards attach to the downtube and seatpost. These will fit on almost any bike, and provide a ton of clearance, but provide the least amount of coverage.

The Best Mudguards

Full Length: Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders

Price: $118

Made of anodized aluminum and adorned with laser graphics and an embossed alloy head badge, the Full Metal Fenders look great. They provide full-wrap coverage, even shielding your shoes and riders on your rear wheel thanks to sturdy rubber mudflaps. Safety release tabs ensure your wheels keep turning even if debris gets lodged between the fender and tire. The mounting system has a creative workaround for forks that do not have a center mounting hole through the use of zip ties. They have two sizes: “The Road” and “The City” that cater to road or commuter bikes.

Full Length: SKS Chromoplastic

Price: $115

The SKS Chromoplastic are a great full length option that have stood the test of time. Made by sandwiching aluminum strips inside plastic housing, they are durable and provide great coverage. They feature stainless steel stays and hardware, with a front fork crown fitting and secu-clip to lock it in place. The Chromoplastic also include a mudflap on the front and a reflector on the rear. They’re available in a variety of sized to fit tires from 20 – 45mm.

Full Length: Velo Orange Hammered Alloy Fender

Price: $65

These fenders feature a classic hammered pattern and include a hardware kit to work with almost any type of mounting in the same finish as the fenders. Made from aluminum alloy for strength while staying lightweight, they come in a variety of sizes to ensure a good fit. They can be a pain to install, but they are built to last.

Clip On: SKS RaceBlade Pro XL 

Price: $60

These easy to install clip on plastic mudguards are designed for 700c tires up to 32mm in width. They can adapt to the radius of the wheel by adjusting the length of the stays. Each mudguard consists of two parts that join together with steel brackets, held by the brake caliper bolt. They do a great job of keeping both your feet and your bottom dry, and protecting the rider behind you from getting sprayed in the face.

Mountain-Bike Style: Zefal Swan Road

Price: $15

If you don’t have mudguard mounts and are looking for some protection from road spray from your rear wheel, then the Zefal Swam Road is a great option. It includes a simple but sturdy bracket that attaches to the seatpost, making it super easy to take on and off.

Mountain-Bike Style: Crud Catcher

Price: $15

The Crud Catcher fits on your downtube to catch any loose mud being flicked up from your front wheel. Mostly used on mountain bikes, you can use it on your road bike as a means of keeping mud and spray out of your face. It’s easy to mount with the supplied fittings, and gets the job done with little fuss.

Stay Visible: The Best Use of Bike Reflectors

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Riding at night can be a ton of fun, and it’s unavoidable if you commute on your bike early in the morning or later at night. Ensuring that drivers can see you in tough lighting conditions is the first step in staying safe on your rides. This includes bike lights, reflective gear, and making use of bike reflectors.

Bike Reflectors

Bike Reflectors as a Supplement to Lights

First things first, you’ll want to have a front-facing white light and a rear facing red light (one solid and one blinking is best). These are legally required in many places, and are a very good idea. Reflectors can be used to supplement bike lights, not replace them.

Fortunately, new LED lights are both affordable and long-lasting for those longer rides. Drivers have to be able to see you to have enough time to react, so better to have too many lights than not enough.

If you’re planning on heading down any low light or country roads, you’ll want to ensure your front light is bright enough to light your path. Be sure that all your lights are fully charged before heading out with more than enough battery life for the duration of your ride, and it’s a good idea to have an extra backup light as well.

The Best Use of Bike Reflectors

Bike reflectors work to bounce light back in the direction of it’s source, in this case a car’s headlights. Depending on your bike, it may already have some reflectors. Most new bikes come with a set of reflectors, but are rarely installed by the bike shop before sale. The most common places will be on the back of the pedals, the fork, handlebars, seat post, and rear rack if you have one.

Front and Back Reflectors

Front and back reflectors usually have a bracket that fits around the stem or handlebar. These will either snap shut, or have small screws that hold it in place. Back reflectors will go on the stem below the seat, but make sure it isn’t so high that the seat or your jacket will block it. Front reflectors will go right on the handlebars, or the front stem. If you don’t want to attach reflectors on your bike, strips of reflective tape can be used instead.

Pedal Strips

It’s been proven that drivers will notice the up and down movement of pedaling before the smoother movement of the whole bike, so it’s important to get something reflective on your pedals or feet. For pedals that don’t have built-in reflectors, you can get a reflector attachment that will bolt into your pedals. Or you can use strips of reflective tape on your pedals and wear reflective ankle bands to ensure you are visible.

Tire Spoke Reflectors

You may not want to have tire spoke reflectors on your favourite road bike or mountain bike, but they are a great idea. The rotation of the wheel will make sure you are seen from the sides as well as the front and rear. Basic plastic tire reflectors will snap on and off easily, so you could just put them on for those rides at dust or in the dark.

Cycling at night doesn’t have to be dangerous and can open up a whole new world of riding, not to mention the additional time available to actually do it. Be prepared and stay smart and you’ll reap the benefits of cycling at night be it commuting or getting some extra training in.

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