Author: Andy Henderson

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Health benefits of cycling

We’ve known for years that regular exercise from cycling increases your lifespan by up to 2 years, but much more important is your HEALTHspan – being fit enough to really enjoy life. And cycling can give you an extra 10 years of HEALTHspan, i.e. making you feel as healthy as someone 10 years younger.

Yes, there really is scientific evidence to support it, which you can see below, and in more detail at cyclehelmets.org/1015.html . And the most surprising thing (to me at least), was that all those annoying road jolts turn out to exercise our muscles, tendons and ligaments all over our body, improving our core strength. Especially supporting the spine, for those of us that suffer back pain. (But we still need smooth cycle paths!).

<<< To be completed!!! >>>

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Funding cuts

At last, we have a £700,000 plan to restore the Billy Trail to it’s full destiny, but that’s only the first stretch. We will need much more to finish the job.

But this disastrous government has suddenly slashed active travel funding by two-thirds with no warning, against all their strategies for active travel and health. How can councils plan like that? Continue reading “Funding cuts”

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Helmets

We think cycle helmets are a good idea, but only if they fit and are adjusted properly. We help you adjust yours, or choose a new one below.

The best help adjusting a bike helmet we’ve seen is here.

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CycleBus

What’s a Cycle Bus or a Bike Bus??? It’s primary school children cycling to school in a bus-like formation, protected from traffic by their parents cycling on the outside, so they get there safely, healthily, and sociably. It’s about community involvement – it’s organised by parents, grandparents, teachers, and volunteers.

Here’s a great BBC Video of how they’re spreading – everywhere ….

And this a great video of how they got started in Belfast!

But we’ve now got one of the first regular ones in England just a few miles away, organised by parents at Twyford.

Cyclists emerge from Church Lane, Twyford, as part of the Cycle Bus

And we’ve run a couple of trial runs on Hayling too! Help cut pollution and traffic congestion around schools, and create a safe and healthy environment. Help empower children to become responsible and active and give them freedom, self-reliance and a lifelong love of cycling.

Bike Worcester even has this map of local CycleBuses! (And there are a lot, and many of them only ride one day a week). Watch their YouTube talk about it on Active Travel Cafe.

Find out how Cycle Buses work, and how to organise one!

And if you’re really adventurous, this is how the Dutch do Cycle Buses!

Come on parents and grandparents – it’s time for Hayling’s Bike Bus!!!!

If you’d like your kids (or grandkids) to ride to school, join our Hayling BikeBus WhatsApp group to get started! Just contact us with your name, mobile number, school and your street address, so we can start working on a route.

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Saddles

Sore bottoms come in all shapes and sizes – and so do saddles – don’t be saddled with an uncomfortable one! Soft is not always best, the right shape for you and saddle adjustment are far more important. We have loads of help below.

A suitable saddle shouldn’t cause any discomfort at all: no numbness, pain, chafing or pinching. Like a new pair of walking boots, we say a new saddle might need a bit of breaking in – but in practice, it’s our bottoms that need a little bit of breaking in, so don’t give up after the first ride or two.

Touring cyclists in the saddle for several days know all about saddle comfort! So some of the best advice comes via Cycling UK, previously CTC, the Cyclists Touring Club, and parent of Havant-based Portsmouth CTC. Some of this advice is aimed to help women – but men, don’t be put off – many saddle problems are the same.

Different types of cyclists have different needs. Sporting cyclists will look more towards light weight and low air resistance, whereas day to day, commuting or leisure cyclists might prioritise comfort and practicality. You don’t need to spend a huge amount, but if a badly fitting saddle spoils your riding, it’s not good value. We’ve tried £10 saddles which seem good on Amazon reviews, but never yet found anything as good or long lasting as more reputable makes like Selle Italia, or even at the lower end, Madison.

More great saddle advice and reviews:

So, saddle up and ride in comfort!