How do you carry those essentials for cycling?  Do you put them in your jersey pockets?  Do you have a tool holder that looks like a bottle and sits in one of your bottle cages?  Or do you use a saddle bag?

My choice is a saddle bag.  I do have a tool holder but for longer rides I would prefer to use the bottle cages to carry two bottles and I would rather not have everything stuffed in my jersey pockets though so admit to putting food in my pockets because well snacks!

So my bike set up for a normal ride would/could include the following depending on distance:

• 1 or 2 bottles in the cages
• saddle bag
• top tube bag for longer rides for easy access to nutrition for fuelling

I used to use an Ortlieb saddle bag but have since moved that to my winter/commute bike and my summer bike now has a Lezyne saddle bag as below:

• Ortleib Micro – fastens with a roll top end and stretchy cords, waterproof and not too big but definitely not the smallest either, can fit a spare inner tube, levers, tool, canister and adaptor and more (can find this bag for £23.99 here)
• Lezyne M – fastens with a zip, waterproof and pouch on the outside to fit the Lezyne multi tool, very compact though fits a spare inner tube, levers, tool, canister and adaptor, this bag also has a small reflective strip on the bag too (can find this bag for £19.49 here)

Both of the above bags fit by a mounting system that attaches to the saddle rails with an attachment on the bag to slide and secure on the fitting as below:

So what do I put in my saddle bag?  Knowing many cyclists I see the different things people take with them on rides – sometimes not enough and sometimes way more than necessary (in my opinion).  Here is what I carry in mine:

• Spare inner tube – if I can fit it in the bag in the box I do, so that if I am unlucky and have an issue with my tyre (especially the side wall as I have seen this happen to others before) I can use some of the cardboard to line the tyre to get me to the end of my ride, some people take a small piece from an old tyre.  Also remember if you have different bikes to ensure you have the correct inner tube as they come in different sizes with different valve lengths, for example I have a winter bike with normal rims and a summer bike with deep rims and so I couldn’t use the same inner tubes for both.  I ended up having separate saddle bags for each bike for ease and not having to swap items out or try and remember to do so, which is too easy to forget.
• CO2 gas canister – not a must for everyone as some people carry a small hand pump but I don’t, and for ease always opt for the gas, just be careful when you use it or keep your gloves on as they get super cold!  Again if you have different bikes (more road versus MTB then make sure you pack the right ones – I use 16 gram for my road bike).  Just remember if you do use a gas canister that when you get home to deflate your tyre and pump up again with a track pump as the gas will lose pretty quickly with at least half the inflated PSI overnight!
• CO2 gas canister adaptor/inflator – I have a small adaptor that screws on to the top of the canister. I know others that have a CO2 inflator and the benefit of this is not getting frozen fingers and also being able to release as much or as little has you want/need.
• Tyre levers – I have always opted for plastic rather than metal so I don’t damage my wheels.
• Multi tool – just in case as you never know when you might need it.  Some people carry more like a chain breaker though I admit I don’t.
• Depending on the length of the ride I may also add a spare individual sachet of chamois cream .
• Disposable gloves – I often forget to replace these but if I remember I have a pair also just in case so I am not covered in lube/grease/wax if I have a mechanical or chain slip.
• Pre-glued patches – I don’t personally carry these in my saddle bag but do know others that do and you can use these if you puncture more than once and for minor tyre repairs too.

I have not yet tried my hand at bike packing so the bags and use I reference are based on the sort of road riding I do and there are a whole other range of bags for other types of riding!

Happy cycling!

This is an oldie but it’s that time of year when it can come in handy so I dig it out and refresh it.

Despite the fact that we are now entering the cooler months that doesn’t need to be a reason to put your bike away.  They say there is no such thing as bad weather but more bad clothing choices and this is very true.

I have previously published a post about winter cycling kit that you can read here.  But I thought I would update that with the following:

Over the past weeks the temperature has definitely dropped and this has called for additional layers as well as it being darker in the morning and evening too – gone are those sunset evening rides for sure!  Here are my top kit picks for winter:

Gillet – I have a gilet from BioRacer and it is one of my most favourite pieces of my cycling kit.  Great as an extra layer especially when it is not cold enough for a winter jacket but as an addition to a jersey.  My gilet is custom through my cycling club kit orders but are available on the BioRacer website also.

Base layer – I am a fan of the Craft FuseKnit top, which I reviewed for Healthy Living London and you can read here.  I was gifted the top but have since purchased a second one.  Really versatile item not just specific to cycling and I have used for running and hiking also.  

Arm Warmers – again mine are custom through my cycling club kit orders but are available on the BioRacer website also.  Another great piece for layering that are easy to put on and remove.  The technology from BioRacer means that water beads off these. They are priced at £25 per pair.  I also have these arm warmers by Pinnacle from Evans, which are great and in the half priced sale at the moment for £15.

Gloves – these tend to be very personal preference but I like the Endura Nemo glove (£29.99) though do wear glove liners as you can get sweaty and if I am honest sweaty hands can be stinky!  But they do stay warm, which is the biggest thing – nothing worse than not feeling your fingertips when on the bike.  These gloves by Pinnacle from Evans, I have I do not wear liners with, they have a wider cuff with velcro strap and this makes it super easy to get on and off too, and they are in the sale for £25.

Headband – my ears are always the first thing to feel cold and so when the chill sets in I make sure my ears are covered.  I wear a cycling cap usually and tend to move first to a headband and like the Endura thermal headband which is priced at £20 .  I also have some from Decathlon who have a huge range starting from £1.99 that can be found here.

Hat – going back to cold ears, if I find a headband doesn’t cut it then a warm cycling hat it is and although not cheap at £60, I have a Rapha ‘deep winter’ hat that is just amazing but sadly no longer sold although I have seen a very similar one from BioRacer that is £45!

Buff – can get these everywhere now and can be worn so many ways!  I tend to use as a neck warmer though have used as a head band also and pulled over to cover my head and neck when really cold.  This buff by Pinnacle from Evans also has reflective accents so good for visibility too and in the sale at £7.50.

Overshoes – again mine are custom through my cycling club kit orders but are available on the BioRacer website also.  Much like the arm warmers the technology from BioRacer means that water beads off these. There are many types of overshoes and I have toe covers from Castelli and have previously tried the more rubber type covers though found these easy to rip and tear.  A new addition to my kit are these overshoes by Pinnacle from Evans and they have been great especially in recent weeks – even if it is dry sometimes the roads are wet so good overshoes are super valuable, currently in the sale for £20 and if you prefer toe covers then they also have those in the sale for £10 and I have used these on both my MTB shoes and road shoes and fit perfectly on both.

Bib tights – cover up those legs or expect cold pins!  My favourites are again from BioRacer and like a lot of my kit I have custom through my cycling club for club kit but as they are just so brilliant I got a further pair.  They are the tempest range and as noted above same as the arm warmers and overshoes the material means that water beads off.  They are also thermal lined so cosy too!  I have written a blog post reviewing some bib tights that you can read here.

Jacket – another item that is custom through my cycling club kit orders but are available on the BioRacer website also.  I was recently gifted an updated version of a tempest BioRacer jacket that costs £175.  These jackets are fine during winter months with just a base layer underneath.  They also have some reflective parts which are a really nice touch.

I also have a rain jacket from BioRacer that is very lightweight, packs down small and I can attach above my saddle bag so it is there if I get caught out whilst I am cycling.

Hi-vis – I am a firm believer in staying safe and staying seen.  I was recently gifted a jacket from Pro Viz who are known for their super reflective fabrics.  When the light shines on the material it literally lights up.  The jacket I have is £89.99 and can be found here.  I also have a bag cover in this too, which is £29.99.  For commuting especially these are brilliant as an extra safety measure so I am visible on the road and cycle paths.  

Lights – it is surprising how dark it is early in the morning and how quickly it gets dark in the evenings so good lights are key.  There are many lights on the market though I got this light from Bontrager last year and although the price tag is £99 it is really bright and the battery is fab.  As I commute and take part in events that go through the night a good light for me is a wise investment.

Glasses – don’t forget the glasses as well.  You may find some of the lenses in your glasses used during summer can be changed to yellow or clear lenses.  The yellow lens is great for low light or overcast conditions and clear are perfect for night riding, although I opt for the clear for the majority of my winter riding.

Don’t forget your skin!  I use this Premax Weather Defence cream and it can be a lifesaver – I find the winter wind chill can really leave my skin feeling sore and this cream really helps stop that.

Lock – my winter riding is either on my gravel or MTB.  They are heavier, pace is slower, but that doesn’t mean there is no cafe stop.  I’ve found this compact lock from Hiplok to be great and can be stored in a jacket pocket or bike bag.

Tyres – there will be a million different opinions on this but it stands to reason to choose appropriate for the weather.  The fact is that the wet washes more flint, stones and everything else on the road and this causes punctures.  I ride Continental 4 Seasons all year round and find them great.  My new bike came with S-Works tyres and I replaced with the Continental 5000 as recommended by a friend and had a very positive review on Cycling Weekly here.

Chains – one that may get forgotten but your bike and its components will get dirtier in the winter months given the change in weather and if you have not looked at it before I can’t recommend NRG Chains enough.  Waxed chains that will see an improvement in performance and stay cleaner too.  I would note this company is run my good friends of mine but I happily pay for their services and would highly recommend.

Bike – if you are fortunate enough to have different summer and winter bikes you will find this time of year is when you check the forecast and make a judgement as to which bike you want to be using and over coming months it is more than likely the summer bike will be hung up for a while.

Happy winter cycling!

Some of the items noted in this post were gifted but all opinions are my own.

Following on from my post yesterday about cycling abroad, some of the questions I received were around what sort of kit you should take when travelling to cycle abroad.

It is a good question and again I know I harp on about personal experience but it really can be invaluable and so I have put together a checklist that may be of help to people but would caveat that I am a road cyclist and so depending on the type of cycling you are doing ie if off road then this would need to be adapted accordingly:

1. Bike – if you are taking your own then yes this is pretty key.  If not then research local bike hire companies and arrange in advance – I have been to training camp in Lanzarote a couple of times now when it is busy and people assume there will be bikes available but they are all booked up.
2. Bike shoes – I ride with cleats and if you do too then shoes are essential.  Again if you are hiring a bike I would always take my own pedals and shoes.  If you wear trainers then pack those!
3. Saddle – if you are taking your own bike then this is a given and should be packed with your bike when transporting but if you are hiring this is another thing you can take and put on a hire bike.  Saddles are personal and for comfort, especially if you are doing long rides, taking your own can make a huge difference.
4. Saddle bag – in my saddle bag I would always carry two spare inner tubes, two gas canisters, gas canister attachment, tyre leavers, multi-tool, disposable gloves and spare sachet of chamois cream.  That sounds like a lot but it isn’t and packs down in a relatively compact saddle bag that I have from Lezyne.
5. Kit – plan your kit for your days riding.  I don’t like to wear bib shorts more than once so take as many sets as days I am cycling – alternatively take travel wash and re-use.  In addition to bib shorts, jerseys, gloves and socks, I also pack a gillet, arm warmers, base layer, rain jacket and potentially a buff (these things are so versatile).  I have learned that a sunny climate doesn’t always mean it will be dry or warm especially if climbing and being cold at the start can be hard to then warm up and make a long uncomfortable ride so plan accordingly and the additional kit I mention is easy to pack away in a jersey pocket if not needed.
6. Helmet – I never ride without one.  If I was hiring a bike I would also opt to take my own helmet.
7. Chamois cream – not something used by everyone but I do use this and wouldn’t go on a cycling trip without it!
8. P20 – I am super pale and burn so easily so my sun cream is often the centre of jokes as I tend to go for a factor that you would put on a baby.  Being out on the bike on long rides in the sun you do of course get sweaty and so I tend to use P20 so I apply before I leave and I am sorted for the day.  I don’t really want to be carrying more than what I need including sun cream lotion!
9. Watter bottles – again judge the climate you are in and the distance you are riding and take what you need.  I tend to take two bottles with me so I know I will hydrate properly and can refill on route if necessary.
10. Sunglasses – I need these when cycling for sure especially in the sun.
11. Nutrition – I always take mine and whilst I am sure you can buy on arrival I like to use the nutrition I train with at home.  The one slight difference may be certain bars that might melt in the sun compared to in the UK but otherwise I stick to what I know.  I also put my gels in the bottles in the bike box so if there is an explosion it is contained in the bottle and doesn’t go over the bike or any clothing.  I always use electrolytes but if I was doing a short ride at home I may just use water though when abroad in the heat I always use electrolytes – just because a ride is shorter doesn’t mean it won’t be super hot or a much higher elevation so important to replace the salts.
12. Wahoo Bolt – or whatever bike computer you use, with the mount and any chargers.
13. ID bracelet – I have a band from One Life ID, which I use at home but also make sure I take with me when travelling too – can never be too careful!  This has all my in case of emergency details on it.
14. Track pump – this is another thing we pack in our bike box.  If you are going somewhere like a training camp they will have these there but we tend to pack ours as a matter of course.
15. Chargers – I have Di2 electric gearing on my bike and my husband as SRAM Red so whilst we charge everything before a trip we often pack the chargers just in case.
16. Tools – this is personal but my husband always packs certain tools not just for rebuilding and packing the bikes but as a just in case of mechanicals etc.  Now this is weight dependent as it can get heavy quickly and once again if on a training camp there should be facilities for this to be used if needed (though not intentionally there for bike builds necessarily) but we pack as a back up.
17. Phone case – I ride with a phone wallet at home but make sure I have this in my kit list too so I have my phone with me whilst cycling and it is protected from the rain etc in my jersey pocket.

I have only included cycling kit in the above list and left off anything obvious like passports etc and anything you may pack for days off the bike.

I hope that helps!  Happy cycling!

Have you ever cycled abroad?  Interested to do so?  Not sure where to start?  I have seen many posts recently about cycling holidays and training camps and ended up in a discussion with some on Instagram about a recent trip I had to Sweden and got on to the subject of other countries I had been to, which prompted this post.

My husband does triathlon and this often means travel abroad with bikes.  There is a lot involved with a trip for something like this so with registration, race briefing, practice swim, shake out run I often take my bike and use the time to cycle.  So I thought I would do a round up of where I have been.

• Dubai – very busy main roads in the city centre itself near the Jumeirah beach area (with some places actually illegal to cycle) we got a cab about 30 minutes out to visit the Al Qudra Cycle Track.  I didn’t actually take my bike on this trip but at the start of the track there is a Trek hire bike shop so a quick stop and we were on our way though advance booking of 72 hours is recommended.  The track is 86km in total though you can do just part of it and don’t have to ride the whole thing – there are options of a 50km loop from the Trek store, you can add a 20-30km extension or do a 16km out and back.  We were there in January and it was hot, as expected, but there are sporadic shelter stops – not cafes but areas that you can stop should you need to.  Some of the track is like a false flat but otherwise it is flat. The scenery is pretty much just desert but the dedicated track is such an awesome thing to have and is popular with many cyclists and you may even see some camels as you ride, which is not uncommon!

• Austria – we drove (I won’t be doing that again – was very long!) as this was for my husbands IronMan in Klagenfurt near Lake Worthersee that is pretty much not that close to any one airport.  Although people think this is flat (I have heard many comments on this) bear in mind there are a lot of ski resorts which means hills and sometimes mountains.  It is absolutely stunning though, jaw droppingly beautiful and somewhere I would return in an instant.

France – we got the ferry which meant no dismantling and rebuilding of bikes which was a welcome change.  I cycled in Chantilly and it was relatively flat with some undulating sections.  Gorgeous scenery and so many chateaus that we passed.  A number of streets with cobbled sections, especially in the middle of the road which mean care had to be taken on corners.  I am sure most people head to France for the hills, which I cannot comment on as I have no personal experience but cycling in this area was beautiful.

Sweden –  possibly my favourite so far.  I have done the Vatternrundan, that leaves from Motala, twice now and this year also the Tjejvattern and Halvvattern, which you can read about here.  I also took part in the Ironman Jonkoping 70.3 this year.  Sweden has a huge cycling culture.  Another interesting fact about Sweden is that approximately two thirds of Sweden’s land area is covered by forest and there are so many lakes too so wherever you cycle you are likely to be greeted by gorgeous countryside views and landscapes.  My experience here is mostly flat, some undulating parts and one mountain but that is just my experience.

Lanzarote – my experience here has been training camp at Club La Santa with Havering Tri, which you can read a bit more about here.  It is hilly! And windy – wind like I have never experienced before.  Always tough riding but feel so much stronger when I return home (though tired too).

If you are looking at a cycling holiday I would advise the following:

• What sort of riding are you intending to do; road, mountain biking, touring/bike packing and then plan accordingly as different locations may be better for one or the other.
• Do you need to hire a bike?  If so research local rental shops and book in advance knowing if you need/want to take your own items for example if I was hiring a bike I would take my own pedals and helmet.
• Are you going for an event – this is often easier as the location/date/time/distance etc is set for you.
• What sort of training are you looking to do; routes that are flat or hilly and pick a location accordingly ie I wouldn’t advise Lanzarote if you are looking for flat routes.  You may also wish to change your bike set up if going to a climbing destination for a cassette with an easier gear ratio more suitable for hill work.
• It sounds silly to train for a training camp or cycling holiday but in my opinion, given my experience, if I were to go somewhere hilly I would train on hills in advance to ensure I got the most out of the trip and the routes available.  Also a cycling holiday or training camp more often than not involves long days and back to back days in the saddle that you may not be used to so the more training in advance the more pleasurable your experience will be.
• Research what routes are recommended.  Some rental shops will help with this and there are often routes online or once again from others who recommend or have personally tried them – we have shared our routes in Lanzarote before.  This is especially important if you are cycling self guided and not with a group.  Once you know your routes you can plan your trip accordingly for example you wouldn’t start your cycling trip with the hardest route on the first day.
• Get advice from people who have been to the destination beforehand as personal experience and recommendations are invaluable.
• Insurance is important and you will need to make sure you are covered if you have an accident as cycling abroad can be classified by some providers as an extreme sport and cover needs to be adequate for your needs.
• Kit is key depending on destination.  You don’t want to pack for every occasion but weather can change so being prepared with the essentials will help.  Even when I have been to sunny destinations for cycling I have taken a gillet and arm warmers for example in case it is windy or there is a shower – you’d be surprised how cold you can get after some rain and it can affect the remainder of your ride.
• Nutrition is good to plan – what will you take and what will you buy on arrival.  Is there anywhere to buy nutrition?  If a hot country you wouldn’t necessarily pack something that could melt when having a long day in the saddle.  But do plan especially if you are having long days in the saddle or climbing a hydration and fuelling will be key.

If you travel with your bike like me then investing in a good bike box is key and I love my Bike Box Alan, which although not cheap are worth every penny and if you travel regularly it is worth the cost as it pays for itself after a few trips rather than paying for hiring all the time.  I wrote a blog post on travelling with a bike you can read here.

I welcome any recommendations of places I should add to my list too – nothing better than a personal recommendation to go by!