I’ve only ever met one “celebrity” in my life. The guy from Maroon 5. If I ever mention this to someone I normally shrug nonchalantly. However, if I met the author behind the popular Bike Snob NYC blog, things would be a little different.

Embarrassingly different.

You see, I’m a bit of a fan boy of his dry humour. The likes of which you mostly find in British comedy.

As such, I’d probably gush out far too much praise and come across as quite creepy.

Fortunately, the odds of bumping into each other are slim and thus I can deliver a more dignified review of his new book via my blog now.

“Omg!! It’s so unbelievably awesome!! Most hilarious thing I’ve read in my life!!”

I’m pretty sure that was dignified.

The Enlightened Cyclist is one of the best introductions to cycling culture you can read. Which is quite a statement, considering the sheer number of books released recently vying for the attention of cyclists.

It starts off with a brilliant description of a short bike ride around New York. The experience will have all cyclists nodding along, as we recognise everything described. For example, the race by car drivers to overtake you, only to catch up with them at the next set of red lights. The beauty of the authors writing, is in capturing these often mundane daily cycling experience and turning them into writing that will have you sniggering to yourself every few pages. I believe anyone that has the ability to do that, is worthy of your attention.

However, the authors hilarious writing is only half of what I’m enjoying so much about this book. The light hearted writing is also interweaved with interesting insights into how things got to where they are today. There’s plenty in The Enlightened Cyclist that makes you stop and think for a moment. An example of this, is the personal story of the authors experiences of 9/11. Also, an interesting take on why drivers have such anger for cyclists.

Whilst I’m thoroughly enjoying the book (I’m 70% of the way through by my book estimation skills), not everything is gripping me and I have found myself skipping a paragraph here and there. However, I’m an impatient reader and I generally read to unwind at the end of the day, so my concentration levels are not the best.

If you are looking for a light hearted read on the sheer hilarity of cycle commuting and the culture around it then I’d recommend picking up a copy when it lands in the UK. You can also pre-order from Amazon now.

Once you’ve read it – leave a comment with any parts of the book that stood out for you below! (Think of it as a mini book club).

If you are the type of person who likes to read things then I’d also recommend our list of cycling books for the kindle and 10 books for a cyclist at Christmas.

• Money in the pocket: In the UK our train fares are up to 10 times higher than many of our European counterparts such as Italy and Greece. Season tickets can cost up to £4000. A high end bike plus accessories will set you back around £1000. The rest you can spend on anything you want.
• Stay healthy: Cycling is a good way of getting in your daily exercise.
• Feeling great: Cycling wakes you up in the morning giving you better alertness throughout the day to perform better. It also connects you with the world around you making you feel alive.
• Beating the crowds: Using overcrowded public transport systems doesn’t have to be your daily reality. The bike is one way to beat it.
• Embracing the inner tree hugger: Less emissions make everyone happier.
• More time in bed: You can often save time by going by bike. This means more time in bed!
• Started, loved it: During the last London underground strikes many people who took to their bikes, loved it and kept going. The same thing has been reported to me repeatedly by my friends who are just taking up cycling. It is a quiet revolution that is happening and you are welcome to join!

2. Your new bike (how to save 50% or more)

I’m not sure if anyone has told you this but you are going to need a bike. There is no shortage of different types of bikes: road bikes, hybrid, cross bikes, Dutch style bikes, electric, single speed, recumbent bikes, folding, touring bikes… the list goes on.

Your local bike shop will be able to advise on which will be most suitable to you.

If you cycle commute is fairly long (8+ miles) and road based then you’ll probably want to use a road bike. They are quick, efficient and comfortable over medium to long distances.

If your route involves a lot of urban cycling then an upright bike such as a hybrid may be more suitable. It has a more relaxed riding position and gives you better visibility on the road.

The one bike type I would avoid for most commutes is a mountain bike. They tend to be heavier with thick tyres and suspension. They are meant for off-road riding and will cause you to exert yourself more than is necessary.

There are many ways to save money when buying a new bike. You may be eligible for a cycle to work scheme whereby you only pay 50% of the cost of a new bike. Ask around at work if such a scheme is available to employees.

Another option is to buy second hand. The discounts on second hand bikes are steep and it can be a good way to get a bike that would normally be out of your price range. You can also buy your bike online. Larger retailers such as Evans Cycles can price match any offers online so it is worth looking around.

Assembling a flat pack bike is actually a very simple process but the advantage of being able to take your bike back to the local bike shop may be worth the higher price.

I’d highly recommend having a test ride on your new bike before buying. This will help you judge the bike sizing.

3. What accessories will I need? (The bare essentials)

Put these accessories on your “to buy” list:

• Two bike locks: So that you can lock all of your components and beat the thieves.
• Bike lights: If it is winter or you’ll be riding home late.
• Repair kit: pump, spare inner tube, multi-tool, tyre levers.
• Mudguards

Many cyclists also choose to wear a bike helmet.

A worthy upgrade I’d recommend are puncture proof tyres. They should mean less time spent off the bike, fixing punctures and getting your hands oily. The bike shop should be able to throw a pair of these in for you.

4. Planning your route into work (The importance of the test ride)

The first day I cycled into work I ended up on Oxford Circus and completely lost. It turned out I was around 2 miles away from where I should be. I now advise my friends to do a test ride into work before their first cycle.

To plan your route there are some excellent tools such as Cycle Streets and RideTheCity. They can help you plan a route that utilises local cycling facilities.

The route you choose will depend on personal preferences. At first you may wish to use quieter back roads. As your confidence increases you may be just as happy on busy main roads.

5. Riding safely (Avoid these common errors)

There are three quick things you can change about your cycling technique that can make a big difference to your safety.

The first is avoiding heavy goods vehicles at all costs. When you see one, alarm bells should be ringing in your mind and reminding you they have very large blind spots. Choose to either stay behind a HGV or overtake on the right (in the same way a motorbike would).

The second is road positioning. Many people try this, but then give up on it because one day a driver gets annoyed at them. The rule is: A car will give you as much room as you give yourself on the left. Therefore, don’t cling to the pavement if you want cars screaming past you with inches to spare. Instead, ride further out which gives you an opportunity to move in if there is a danger. This also makes you far more visible.

The final one I’ll mention in this post, is to establish eye contact with drivers behind you. It’s a  little hard for me to explain why this works so instead I suggest you try it and see what happens. When you establish eye contact they’ll realise it is a person on that bike not just another “bloody cyclist” and they’ll give you more room.

These tips are great if you manage to implement them. However, there’s no substitute for doing a cycle training course. These are 2 hour, one-on-one sessions that can cost as little as £2 as they are subsidised by the government. Just search Google for cycle training UK.

6. Keeping your bike safe (Out the hands of thieves)

Do you want to know how to get your bike stolen? Use one, cheap, £20 lock and only lock it around the front wheel. The thief will walk up to your bike, undo the quick release in 5 seconds and walk away with the rest of your bike.

You should always use two locks and follow the correct locking technique:

• Never lock your bike to an object where the bike can be lifted over (this includes sign posts that could be unscrewed)
• Never leave your bike unattended even for “just one minute”
• Ideally lock the two wheels and the frame to the object
• Use two different types of lock as the thief is likely to only be equipped to attack one type
• Register your bike with Bike Shepherd (or equivalent service)

7. Looking after your bike (Losing your tyre puncture virginity..)

The are three things you need to know:

1. How to remove your wheel and repair a puncture – by far the most likely repair you’ll have to do.
2. How to clean your bike – this will save you a ton of money as dirt in your expensive components wears them out prematurely.
3. How to adjust and replace your brake pads – these will eventually wear out and it’s good to not rely on the bike shop to repair them.

The Bike Doctor app can show you how to do all of the above wherever you are.

8. Keeping your resolution (Burn your travel card!)

As anyone who’s tried to lose weight, learn Spanish or stop letting their cat into the house whenever it wants to – we know new habits are hard to keep. The 30 day rule is a good start.

Make it your aim to cycle into work daily without a break for 30 days. Use the website iDoneThis which will email you and ask what you’ve done today. Try not to break the chain!

In combination with this tell one or more friends about what you are doing and ask them to check in with you daily to see how you are doing. The pressure to not fail should help keep you on the straight and narrow.

You can also make it harder for you to cheat. Burn your Oyster card or, more sensibly, give it to a friend and tell them to not give it back to you until after the 30 days are up.

9. Taking things to the next level

I’d like to help you get started and keep cycling in London or wherever you are. Join the newsletter below for free and I’ll send you weekly tips on everything from getting a great deal on a new bike to overcoming the most common problems people face when getting started with cycling. I’ll also check in with you and see how you are coming along.

Enter your first name and email address in the box above and hit subscribe.

In case you haven’t noticed by the early Christmas light decorations going up around Oxford Circus (did you know they sneak them in 5 hours earlier each year? – made up fact), Christmas is around the corner. Luckily, cyclists are an easy bunch to buy a gift for, so here are 10 great books most wouldn’t mind receiving.

Quick note: Amazon tweaks the prices of their books pretty often so I’m sure these prices will be out of date before I even press the publish button!

1. The Urban Biking Handbook

The Urban Biking Handbook is an all round guide to cycling. It discusses everything from cycling safely to how to maintain your bike. Although readers in England may be a little put off by the American tone. None the less I was impressed with the depth of the maintenance section.

Available for £14.44

2. Bicycle by Helen Pidd

This expertly written guide by Guardian journalist Helen Pidd is a perfect introduction to cycling. In touches on subjects such as cycling gear, maintenance and customising your bike. It’s a great book to just pickup and refer to as a new cyclist or as a cyclist still learning. Truly a great gift.

Available for £10.49

3. The Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Maintenance

For £8.99 this is an excellently illustrated and easy to follow guide to bicycle maintenance. For those planning a new years resolution to look after their bike more it’s a great stocking filler.

Available from Amazon for £8.99

4. It’s not about the bike

Let’s be honest, would any bike book list be complete without Lance Armstrong’s book? A great read on the challenges Lance Armstrong has overcome with plenty of cycling goodness thrown in.

Available for £5.39

5. The Rider

Tim Krabbes short book is a thrilling read about the world of professional road racing. You step into the shoes of a competing road cyclist and go through all the emotions and inner thoughts of a challenging race.

Available for £5.48

6. Moods of Future Joys: Around the World by Bike

Al Humphreys excellent read is about his cycling adventure around the world. His tight budget, the extreme conditions and occasionally dangerous situations faced make for a fascinating tale of perseverance.

Available for £5.77

7. Cycling Britain

For those looking for longer rides throughout the UK the Lonely Planet Cycling Britain guidebook will appeal. Unfortunately, the book isn’t without its annoyances. The information is becoming out of date faster than it can be updated and the route directions need much improvement. However, it should point you in the right direction to discovering some beautiful parts of England.

Available for £11.19

8. Tomorrow, we ride

A book that will really appeal to those interested in the golden era of cycle racing.

Available for £10.82

9. Escape Routes

An excellent guide to short (2 – 7 mile) rides around England. Great for those cyclists who are less about the miles covered and more about the cake stops along the way!

Available for £11.04

10. 35 London Cycle Routes

The list wouldn’t be complete without recommending my own eBook! Containing 35 of the best bike rides in London, this downloadable book is a great last minute gift for any London Cyclist! If I say so myself..

Instantly available for £7.95 here.

Photo courtesy of Chris Beckett Flickr

Electric bikes don’t appear to have received a very warm reception in London. In a previous poll only 1.19% of you said you’d like to buy one! I’m interested to find out more about everyone’s thoughts so I’ve put together the below survey that should take two minutes and 15 seconds to complete!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dC13NEFoVTVkZWhhQVgzcFJRSFBLUUE6MQ#gid=0

I’ll post up the results here on the blog (all is anonymous of course!)

See also:

• The eBike that makes people go wow!

It’s true to say, there’s a certain romance surrounding building your own bike. Knowing that the bike you are riding is the result of hard work, sweat and many trials and even more errors. More through the power of perseverance, as opposed to extensive knowledge, I recently completed my single speed project. Here is what I learnt in the process, for anyone else considering the same endeavour.

Getting everything you need

The first thing I needed was a frame. I spotted a great looking Raleigh Team Ti frame circa 1979 at Cloud 9 Cycles and quickly snapped it up for £100.

Next up was the components. As opposed to buying each bit individually I took the quick route of acquiring another bike that I would then transfer the parts over from. This solved two problems. The first was not knowing what parts would be suitable. The second was the time it would take to source all these bits from various locations. I also reasoned that by selling the old frame at the end I’d be able to recover some of the cost.

Fortunately, after a quick look on LFGSS forums I spotted a great looking fixed gear complete bike for £250. This also gave me a chance to ride around London fixed gear for the first time.

After another trip to Cloud 9 Cycles I bought myself a Halo rear wheel with flip flop hub. This meant I could switch between fixed and single speed. This cost around £40.

Strip it and rebuild it

Then it was time to get my hands dirty. It took me around 3 hours to strip apart the old bike. I managed it by referring in part to my Bike Doctor app, where my memory was fuzzy, and my good old friend Google. This helped me make sure I was not turning things in the wrong direction which had the potential of causing irreversible damage to the frame.

As I lack a vice and only have a basic set of tools it took a lot of strength to remove components that hadn’t been touched in a while. This inevitably resulted in lots of swearing and alcohol drinking to calm the nerves. Both I’ve concluded, are essential components to a good bike build.

With the parts removed I went about giving them a good scrub and re-greasing them. Then it was time to mount them to the new bike.

Starting with the bottom bracket, then the cranks, pedals, handlebars and saddle. The wheels went on and then finally, after a couple of hours, the brakes. Here I realised I was in trouble. Cursing under my breath I went to bed and promised to deal with it in the morning.

The problem was the length of the bolt on the brakes was too short. This is a common problem in a build on an old frame. I wheeled my bike down to Cloud 9 Cycles and picked up a new set of brakes, levers, cables and housing. A larger hole was drilled in the front forks and I asked them to fit the front brake for me so I could ride home.

They also tightened up the bottom bracket. Which I hadn’t managed to tighten all the way. Finally, a problem was spotted with the old crank being too worn so this too had to replaced at a cost of around £10.

Cost:

• £250 – initial bike (LFGSS forum)
• £100 – Raleigh frame (Cloud 9 Cycles)
• £40 – new rear wheel (freewheel) and levers (Cloud 9 Cycles)
• £60 – brakes, front brake installation and new crank (Cloud 9 Cycles)

Sold:

• Made £100 by selling frame and spare fixed rear wheel.

Total spend: £350

Not bad, for a first attempt

Overall, I’m happy with how the build has gone. Admittedly my budget was around £250 as opposed to £350 and I wished I hadn’t relied on a bike shop at all but you live and you learn. The bike looks great, it rides well and weighs a lot less than I thought it would.

Building it wasn’t easy but nor was it an impossible task that should remain only in the realm of enthusiasts. There’s plenty of gaps in my knowledge but these were plugged by searching online and asking Kris at Cloud 9 Cycles.

If you’ve ever entertained the idea of building your own bike then I’d thoroughly recommend it. However, do prepare yourself for hiccups along the way.

Therefore, out came the Voodoo Canzo. A £999 mountain bike which performs well above its pay grade. Compared to my road bike, the Canzo is a sumo of the cycling world – ready to take on the meanest opponents with ease.

For such a beast of a mountain bike, only the best would do. Therefore, it was time to head towards what has been voted Britain’s Best Mountain Bike Trail.

Oh yes, it was time for the Voodoo Canzo to meet Swinley Forest.

The challenge is on

In the right corner we have Swinley Forest. Miles and miles of muddy goodness situated in a woodland area an hours train ride from central London.

In the left corner is the Voodoo Canzo. A full suspension mountain bike, packing high end components, beefy 26 inch wheels and at the same time remaining nimble enough to fight its way around the trail.

I wanted to discover if the Canzo would be able to take on hair raising steep drops, challenging deep muddy sections as well as uphill struggles.

Getting a feel for the Canzo

The ride started off gently as I prepped myself for what was ahead by getting a feel for the Canzo. The first few bumps over tree trunks were handled with ease. The Rockshox Ario R rear suspension making light work of obstacles and keeping me riding comfortably.

Picking up some speed and navigating around I noticed the steering felt good. The bike was obeying my moves and I felt comfortable to move on to bigger challenges. Soon the first big challenge presented itself.

A steep drop with a fairly tight line. The margin for error was minimal. As I gulped at the prospect ahead, I cowardly edged myself forward, the bike took over and despite the adrenaline raising speed everything went smoothly. The wheels combined with the suspension gripped perfectly and I was able to steer my way to the bottom. As I came to a firm halt, courtesy of the disk brakes, I surveyed the section I’d just completed. I didn’t know whether to pat myself on the back or give the bike a gentle pat on the frame.

I decided that would be weird so I set self-congratulating aside and pedalled onwards.

Stepping things up a little

I also wanted to take on a few jumps and really fun sections of the trail. Again the bike performed beautifully. With excellent grip and tight control. Only on one particularly large jump did the suspension travel the full way, where you hear that horrible clonk sound. Although, this isn’t an issue and to be expected in all mountain bikes.

What about heading uphill?

Heading on to the next part of Swinley Forest, an uphill section presented itself. I’d already tried lifting the bike and was impressed with the weight for a mountain bike. All signs pointed towards another great performance by the Voodoo Canzo. Unfortunately, I really had to put a lot of strength into the climb. Considering the relatively dry ground, the strength required seemed disproportionate.

I’m still trying to put my finger on why this is and have yet to decide if the disk brakes need some tweaking. Another theory is perhaps as someone who comes from a road cycling perspective, I’m unaccustomed to the muscle required to hill climbing on a mountain bike. Maybe a more experienced mountain biker could bestow me with some of their knowledge on this?

Time for some quick reaction tight cornering

Despite the small disappointment over hill climbing I ploughed on and came across an excellent downhill section. This required some very tight cornering. The Canzo really shined through and it felt completely natural taking on tight bends at high speeds.

Voodoo Canzo Initial Review

Overall, it is safe to say the Voodoo Canzo took on Swinley Forest and emerged victorious. It outperformed my expectations and the only thing seemingly holding things back was the riders ability. This makes me think perhaps the Voodoo Canzo is a mountain bike a little too good for someone who’s still learning the ropes. However, herein lies another strength. At the end of the 10 mile ride I was taken aback with how good I felt. My arms, wrists and hands certainly didn’t feel like they’d taken on some seriously rough terrain. This means I’d be comfortable to head out again on another ride tomorrow.

Over the coming months I’ll be trying out more trails and report back with a full review on the Canzo. However, if you are already convinced and want to take it for a spin yourself then it is worth mention that there’s currently 10% off via this page.

See also:

• Where to go mountain biking in London?

Bicycle storage is traditionally a fairly ugly affair. But what if you could have a bike stand that could fit in nicely in a modern home or trendy office? That’s what London design studio Quarterre have come up with.

I caught up with the team at Look Mum No Hands to hear about their first three products.

The first is called the Shadow. It is a beautifully simple piece of furniture that holds your bike upright. The Shadow is finished with a leather stitched trim to provide an area to hang a bicycle helmet.

If you are looking for more storage then the Branchline is designed for two bikes. It can be placed against a wall and has adjustable arms to accommodate for different bikes. The Brooks saddle-like leather finish on the contact points provides protection for the bicycle frame.

Finally, the Hood is a folded steel sheet that allows you to hang your bike on the wall. It also has a loop where a bike lock could be placed through it.

The four designers behind the bicycle furniture all agreed something was lacking for anyone who wants to store their bike in their home and not hide it away in the garage. As cyclists themselves they set out to see what they could come up with.

After a strong reception at the Clerkenwell Design Week they decided to launch the products to the public. Purchases are possible through the Quarterre website and also a select few bicycle boutiques in London such as Suka Sports.

For now production is being made in small batches of 15 – 40 at a time and in the UK. Whilst this means the price of the products is high (the Shadow will set you back a cool £399) it does mean they can stay on top of production and maintain close control.

It’s excellent to see bicycle storage working its way into the home in a fashionable manner and I’m excited to see what else the Quarterre team come up with in future.

See also:

• Bicycle storage in a cosy London home
• MiCycle: The Swiss army knife of bike shops

In this weeks comment Friday we’re dreaming of our next bike purchase. Road bike, single speed, mountain bike… what takes your fancy as a potential next bike purchase?

This weeks posts if you missed them:

• Guide to finding a cycling buddy
• Trailer for the new movie Premium Rush – all about messengers and fixie bikes
• It’s time to grab your tickets for the 2011 bicycle film festival

What’s the typical image of a handyman? Someone who tells you they’ll turn up between 10am at 4pm and turn up at 5pm, ums and ahs and then provides you with a highly inflated price which you grudgingly agree to because you need to get the job done.

What if someone turned up on time, on a specially modified cargo bike filled to the brim with tools, was friendly, gave you a fair price and expertly fixed everything quickly whilst not leaving any mess behind?

That’s the sort of London Handyman service Green Work Force is providing, with a strong focus towards being carbon neutral. That gets plenty of nods of agreement from cyclists. Scoring extra points, is the way the company offers reduced rates to UK charities.

To celebrate 3 years of success, Green Work Force has been nice enough to offer London Cyclist readers 10% off. So if shelves need fitting, walls need painting or electrical work needs doing, in the office or at home, then now would be a good time to give them a call on 020 3291 1298. To get 10% off simply quote London Cyclist.

Bit more background to Green Work Force..

• Started in 2008 by William Mobsby a resident of Hackney
• All work comes with a one year guarantee
• Covers central London (click here to see areas covered)
• Employs only the best handymen who take pride in their work

Note: This is a sponsored post

The opening piece explains everything about the exhibition. It is a meticulously hand built dry stone wall. The wall, common throughout British countryside, is built using a single material, it lasts 1000’s of years and has multiple uses. The exhibition is a celebration of such clever use of materials. The pieces inside combine art, making, science and engineering to create beautiful and useful objects.

Sanomagic Mahogany bicycle

Using steam-bent timber and other clever manufacturing techniques more commonly found in boat making, Sueshiro Sano has built a fast and light wooden road bike.

Splinter bike: 100% wood

Built to win a bet and using only different types of wood, the Splinter bike has set speeds of 18 km/h and the makers say in the right conditions it could do far more.

Airbike nylon bicycle

Constructed using laser sintering, nylon powder has been fused into successive solid layers. This is the world’s first workable nylon bicycle.

Swarovski crystal low-rider custom bicycle

With over 110,000 Swarovski crystals the low-ride bike is a glittering sight. The bicycle was inspired by low-rider motorcycles Ben Wilson, the maker, saw on a trip to California.

At the back of the exhibition there is also 30 short films showcasing people totally absorbed in their craft. One of the videos features the guys from Condor cycles building a wheel.

The curator Daniel Charny hopes the exhibition will inspire future makers to learn and teach skills and create new things.

More information on the Exhibition is available from: www.vam.ac.uk/powerofmaking. Keep your eye out for the special talks and workshops. Especially, on Saturday 15th of October there is a bespoke bicycles workshop. It costs £63 and allows you to customise your bike using leather or luxury fabrics. The exhibition itself is free and bicycle parking is available outside.

See also:

• Is this the future of bicycle helmets?