March 2023

8 Perfect Ways To Enjoy Oceanside, California By Bike

From TravelAwaits.com

By Tom and Kristi Flick Manus

Oceanside is more than picture-perfect sunsets. Palm tree-lined streets, beach vibes, and blue skies draw visitors looking for a relaxing break. So Oceanside should top your list if you’re dreaming about a perfect warm-weather getaway that happens to include jaw-dropping sunsets. And it happens to be a great place to bike, too.

Exploring Oceanside by any kind of bike (e-bike, hybrid, fat-tire, and beyond) is a fantastic way to experience SoCal’s laid-back vibe. The League of American Bicyclists distinguishes Oceanside as a bike-friendly community.

Located in northern San Diego County near the California border of Mexico, Oceanside’s average temperatures are 67 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months and 74 in the summer months — ideal weather to “tan your hide in Oceanside,” according to Oceanside’s 1960 tourism slogan.

Photo by Mark Neal on Unsplash

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Cyclists and other mobility device users reminded to be visible and predictable

From PSU.edu

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With the start of spring and warmer weather around the corner, many Penn State students, faculty, and staff will more regularly use bicycles and other personal mobility devices to get to, from, and around campus.

Transportation Services and University Police and Public Safety are sharing the following safety reminders based on recommendations from The League of America Bicyclists to help riders reduce the risk of accidents and injuries:

Be Visible

  • Be aware of blind spots and ride where people can see you.
  • Wear bright clothing.
  • Use a front white light, red rear light, and reflectors.
  • Make eye contact with others.

Be Predictable

  • Obey traffic signals and stop at stop signs.
  • Travel with traffic and use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.
  • Ride in a straight line.
  • Yield to pedestrians.
  • Signal turns and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.

 

Photo by Jack Alexander on Unsplash

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How To Complete Your First 100 Mile Bike Ride!

100 miles (roughly 160 kilometres if you don’t do imperial!) is an important milestone for many cyclists. It can feel daunting or difficult, whether you’re targeting a sportive, a charity challenge or just wanting to break that magic century mark on a weekend ride. Luckily for you, Hank knows a thing or two about long distance cycling, so here are his top tips to smash your first 100-mile ride!

 

Mountain Biker Shares 3 Things That Kill People’s Confidence on Trails

From BikeMag.com

By

Do you feel like you need a confidence boost when you’re on your mountain bike? One TikToker (@fifeandflow) is breaking down all the tips and tricks to feeling self-assured the next time you hit a trail.

In the clip, she covers three main points to get your mojo back when you’re behind your handlebars. Check out the clip below to see if any of the tips could benefit your riding.

First, she points out something you may be doing but has no idea you’re doing despite it being relatively simple. For example, as she describes, some mountain bikers make it a bad habit of looking down while riding. This can make you react to the trail instead of looking ahead to plan. Instead, she recommends shifting your eyes farther down the trail, which could make a huge impact.

Secondly, she wants riders to be mindful of their tires. For instance, bald tires or inappropriate pressures may hold you back on your ride. In addition, she points out that it’s essential to have enough tread on your tires as well as the proper support to set yourself up for success. Getting the right grip could make or break your ride.

Photo by Axel Brunst on Unsplash

 

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The 10 Best Road Bikes of 2023

From MensJournal.com

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist looking for your next race bike or you’re just getting started, these are the road bikes to know this year.

By

If you want to ride on pavement, whether that’s roads or bike paths, a road bike is the most efficient tool for the job. Within the realm of pavement pedaling, road bikes are ideal for a broad spectrum of pursuits, from getting fit to winning races.

Features to Consider When Shopping for Road Bikes

Road bikes come with carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, or steel frames and forks, and they’re usually spec’d with stable and speedy 700C wheels with relatively skinny tires. That wheel and tire combo offers reduced rolling resistance and less drag than the chunkier tires found on mountain bikes and some gravel

Gearing: If your last road bike was an old ten-speed, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the range of gearing available on modern road bikes. While some have a single chainring and others have two, today’s models typically deliver a wider spread of gearing options for powering up hills and hitting top speed on flat pavement.

Geometry: If you’re a racer, you’ll want a bike that’s aerodynamic, which means it has the lowest possible wind resistance. It’s also good to opt for a frame with more aggressive geometry: When you’re riding, your torso will be close to the bike’s top tube. Although the bike can feel less stable when you’re descending or cornering, it’ll help you shave seconds off your time.

Planning on touring or doing long-distance rides? Opt for a bike with more relaxed geometry for a more comfortable body positioning and less fatigue after long hours in the saddle. You’ll also want to make sure it has the fittings for racks, bags, and bottles.

Image courtesy of Cannondale.com

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Is This The World’s Best Bike Shop? | Wolfi’s UAE

Manon swings by Wolfi’s in the UAE and she bought us along for the ride! This bike shop has it all, cutting-edge tech, pro bikes from the likes of Tadej Pogačar, and the all-important cyclist’s cafe. It truly is a one-stop shop for all things cycling & it even has a built-in test circuit. Could this be the best bike shop in the world?

road.cc Recommends Spring Special: 27 great new products added from Specialized, Scott, Ribble, Mason + more

From Road.cc

road.cc Recommends is back for 2023, and we’re kicking off with a spring spectacular; a whopping 27 products that we’ve reviewed over the past couple of months have been added this time around. We have bikes from huge brands like Specialized, Scott and Brompton, components and accessories from the likes of Exposure, Apidura and Bontrager, and clothing from Endura, Showers Pass and Altura.

You know all about road.cc Recommends, right? It’s the section of the site devoted to the very best stuff we review. Products get in only if they’re really, really good.

Here’s the full list of everything that’s just been selected, broken down into sections because there’s so much this time around:

Bikes

Photo courtesy of Scott Sports

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How to best see and explore San Francisco by bike

From SfGate.com

Despite its famous hills and sometimes cold, foggy summers, San Francisco’s plentiful bike paths, access to open space and proximity to amazing scenic routes attract cyclists from around the world who want to explore the city and the Bay Area by bike. San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority estimates that on average San Franciscans make 128,000 bike trips each day and 16% ride their bikes multiple times each week.

Fortunately, bike rentals in San Francisco are easy and plentiful. And there are a variety of route options, whether you’re looking for an easy bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge or want to explore a longer scenic route. Keep reading for everything you need to know to get started on your San Francisco bike tour.

Where to find bike rentals in San Francisco

If you’ve moved to the city and don’t have a bike yet, or are just visiting, you’re going to need to rent a bike in San Francisco. Fortunately, there are a number of bike shops and rental options. Nearly all rentals include a helmet and accessories; high-end bikes may even come with choice of pedals. Check what’s included in your rental. And know that most electric bikes rent for a slightly higher fee than regular bikes.

Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash

 

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How To Cycle In A City – 9 Top Tips For Riding On Busy Roads

There are plenty of hazards that may put you off cycling in a city – buses, busy roads, and pedestrians everywhere. But using your bike to commute has lots of benefits! So while Hank is in Berlin, he shares his tips for cycling in built-up areas so you can feel confident, relaxed, and safe on your bike. 🚴

The Best Bike Lights To Help You See And Be Seen On The Road

Cassandra Brooklyn

Forbes Vetted

If you think about it, bike lights are kind of like the Batman of the cycling world: They may not have a distorted past like the Dark Knight, but they do have the power to save lives. Whether you’re navigating busy streets or relishing in a leisurely ride through the countryside, having the proper illumination on your bike can spell the difference between amusement and accident. And so, it’s time to suit up with your own set of the best bike lights and become the hero of your own cycling story.

Bike lights, like a helmet, are essential. Great bike lights promote visibility at all hours of the day, in all types of weather. While we often assume bike lights are designed solely to help us at night, studies also show that the use of bike lights during the day results in a significant reduction in injury rates. And if you live in an urban environment, where nearly three quarters of all bicyclist deaths occur, then it stands to reason that a simple light can significantly amplify your presence on the road.

Whether you want a fancy front light on your handlebars, an affordable yet effective rear light on your seat post or a versatile light that can be clipped on and off, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best bike lights to keep you safe (and seen!) on the streets. And if you’re in the market for other biking essentials, we’ve also pored over the best e-bikes, best bike storage solutions and even the best gear for biking to work.