Author: Jane Sandwood

Jane Sandwood has been a freelance writer and editor for over 10 years. Her main interest is exploring how people can improve their health and wellbeing in their everyday life. When she isn't writing, Jane can often be found with her nose in a good book, at the gym, or just spending quality time with her family.

Training and Nutrition

5 Cross-Training Sports to Make You a Better Cyclist

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date June 1, 2020
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Cross-Training Sports for cyclists - swimming — Cross-Training Sports for cyclists: Swimming is an important life skill that is both fun and safe to do, offering several health benefits.: Photo by Serena Repice Lentini on Unsplash

Cycling is rising in popularity among all age demographics, and it is even hailed as the ‘new golf’ as more people and professionals are exchanging their clubs for the two-wheeler. Bicycle riding is a fun way to stay outdoors and exercise offering many health benefits. It builds muscles, improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens bones, and decreases stress levels. For many riders, becoming a better and fitter cyclist is a goal, and engaging in cross-training sports enhances endurance, reduces the risks of injury, and improves performance.

Bicycles and Equipment

Cycling to Recycling: Spray-Painting an Old Bike

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date May 27, 2020
2 Comments on Cycling to Recycling: Spray-Painting an Old Bike

Spray-painted bike — You might be surprised at how beautiful a DIY spray-painted bike can be. Image: Glory Cycles on Flickr CC BY 2.0

The world is undergoing a paradigm shift with the COVID-19 crisis, and if sustainability was already making a major impact on the consumer market prior to the pandemic, it will undoubtedly hold even greater importance in the future. Across the globe, experts in sustainability are lamenting the ‘throwaway culture’ that is leading not only to environmental disaster but also to a missed opportunity to give many old objects new life. If you love cycling and have family members who would love to take up the sport, why not repaint an old bike and give them a personalized gift they won’t forget?

Cycling Tips

How To Film Your Ride To Improve Cycling Performance And Speed

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date March 2, 2020
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Why film your ride? Studies have found that professional cyclists have a superior pedaling technique to elite cyclists. This is perhaps no surprise, given the level of training and dedication required at a professional level. But in order to improve speed and reduce the risk of injury, leisure cyclists can learn from the pros. By studying your own practice, you can improve your technique without investing in formal training. One of the best ways to do this, particularly if your focus is speed, is to film your ride.

Races

Spring Cleaning For Your Bike: How to Prepare & Revive Your Wheels

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date February 21, 2020
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My LOOK 565 with Vittoria Zaffiro 700x23c Clincher Road Tires

Roughly 100 million Americans are regular cyclists in the United States, the New York Times reports. Whether you’ve spent the past winter cycling regularly or are planning to get back on the saddle this spring, it’s important to get your bike in tip-top shape for the new season. While it’s always a smart idea to get your bike checked over at a reputable bike shop, there are also a number of simple steps you can take at home to get your bike ready to ride this spring.

Cycling Tips

Simple Ways Cyclists Can Avoid Common Injuries

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date January 14, 2020
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Cycling, like all sports, comes with its fair share of injuries. In fact, 94% of cyclists experience some kind of overuse injury in the span of one year – 45% being injuries to the lower back and 23% being an injury to the knees, a Norwegian study found. Fortunately, there’s a number of ways cyclists can prevent common injuries, such as delayed onset muscle soreness, saddle sores, and lower back pain.

E-bikes Bicycles and Equipment Cycling Tips

The E-Bike Cleaning Hacks You Need To Be Doing

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date January 13, 2020
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Electric bikes (e-bikes) are growing in popularity across America, with sales in 2019 up by almost 25% compared to 2018. As any bike rider will know, it’s crucial that you regularly clean your bicycle to keep it looking great and working well, but with an e-bike, routine cleaning is even more essential as it helps to protect all the electrical components that make your bike function. But just how do you effectively and safely keep your e-bike looking pristine?

Cycling Climbs

Is Your Beard Slowing You Down?

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date November 28, 2019
1 Comment on Is Your Beard Slowing You Down?

Around 33% of Americans have facial hair, as well as many cycling legends like Bradley Wiggins and Dan Craven. However, there is a widespread belief that any body hair at all negatively impacts aerodynamics, which could actually slow you down as you ride. It may only make the tiniest difference, but over long distances, it could add up and cost a cyclist first place in a competition. If you are a passionate cycler but love your facial hair, then you are probably wondering if there is an effect at all and, if so, how big that effect is. A beard is a great way to stay warm during winter cycling, but is it having an effect on your time?

Cycling Tips

Feeling Nauseous While Cycling? Here’s How To Kick Motion Sickness To The Curb

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date November 26, 2019
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Motion sickness and cycling — 1 in 3 people are likely to experience motion sickness at some point in their lives. Image: Clem Onojeghuo it can be prevented, if you take precautions and look after your health before and after riding. If you feel nauseous while cycling or after your ride, here's how you can kick motion sickness to the curb.

Motion sickness is a common condition, and 1 in 3 people are likely to experience it at some point in their lives. While this condition is often associated with car travel, some people may also experience dizziness or nausea while riding a bike. However, it’s important to know that feeling nauseous while cycling isn’t caused by the same factors that contribute to motion sickness while riding in vehicles. Moreover, it can be prevented, if you take precautions and look after your health before and after riding. If you feel nauseous while cycling or after your ride, here’s how you can kick motion sickness to the curb.

Cycling Tips

Getting Creative To Beat The Winter Chill

Post author By Jane Sandwood
Post date November 21, 2019
No Comments on Getting Creative To Beat The Winter Chill

Two cyclists in winter — It's never too cold to cycle if you're wearing the right clobber. Cold weather forces your body to work much harder to heat up and burn calories. The contrast of warm air to freezing air in the lungs couldn't be more shocking for many enthusiasts, and this is especially felt at speed when on a bike. Image: Lynn Bye

The onset of ice and snow is no reason to leave the bike at home, but it is undeniable that cold weather brings greater risks to cyclists. According to one October 2018 study published in the Safety Science journal and primarily geared towards testing the effectiveness of yellow vests, there is a 10% increased risk of accidents during winter.