It’s 2015, and a new year means New Year resolutions! How are you doing with yours? Maybe you’ve set a weekly mileage goal, or vowed to nail a particularly tough hill climb. Perhaps you’ve decided 2015 will be the year you clean that gnar bit of trail you always sneak a dab on!
Even with the best of intentions, we know how easy it is to let grand promises made in the boozy flush of cut-price Cava fall by the wayside. A realistic resolution is far easier to keep and – better still – make one with some outside back-up. With a little support, you might just turn your big ideas into reality!
Here’s a few ideas to help you kick-off 2015 as you mean to go on:
Learn how to look after your bike
Are you one of the many cyclists whose knees turn to jelly at the thought of a little bike maintenance?
If you still don’t know your bottom bracket from your drop-out, or your stem from your spoke tool, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, research shows 41% of people admit to a lack of basic bike maintenance knowledge.
With that in mind we’ve put together a series of classes aiming to demystify the dark art of bicycle maintenance, running this month and starting on Saturday! Each two-hour tutorial (10am-12pm) costs £28, or book the full course for £75. Kids aged 14-16 pay half price. Call us on 01497 822419 to book.
Course dates are: 10th, 17th and 24th January 2015.
Join a cycling club
It can be tough to muster the enthusiasm for a solo night ride in the depths of winter, but a bit of club support and like-minded company turns a drab ride into a social occasion – with the added bonus of keeping you fit.
Luckily for you, Hay has its very own cycling club – Velo Hay – with regular road and leisure rides from the shop on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings, occasional mountain bike excursions on Wednesdays and, coming soon, indoor turbo training sessions on Thursday nights.
Annual membership costs a mere £10 and member benefits include 10% discount on parts and accessories at the Drover shop, and 20% off team kit. Check out the club Facebook page or call in the shop for more info.
Try riding to work
Cycle commuting saves on fuel bills, keeps you fit and means you arrive at work fresh and ready to seize the day!
What’s more, buying a bike through the Cycle to Work scheme can save you as much as 40% off the cost of a new bike – with the bill spread over as many as 18 months. We’re scheme-accredited – ask us or your employer for more info.
We know riding to work is sometimes easier said than done when you live in a rural area, but Hereford County Council operate a great park and share scheme – make part of your journey by car, park for free and ride from there. You can find out more about the scheme here, and check out the folding bikes in our winter sale if you’re looking for a ride that you can pop in the boot of your car.
Get road safe – for free!
Cycling confidently on roads and in traffic opens up a world of pedal-powered possibility. But if the last time you had any cycle training was in the school playground circa 1979, venturing out on the open road can be more than a little daunting.
That’s where Powys Council’s road Safety Unit come in. Their ‘On Your Bike’ adult cycle training scheme offers a free session with a National Standards Cycle Instructor to help you improve your awareness when cycling or just to build your confidence on the road. Find out more here.
Maintain cycle fitness through winter
It’s easy to let things slip when work days are book-ended by rain and dark, but with the proper kit you can keep pedaling right through winter and avoid that spring time ‘starting again’ feeling. Invest in some decent lights so you can see and be seen (ours start at £12.99 for a front and rear set) and suit up in some waterproof togs and cold weather gear – check out the half price clothing bargains in our winter sale.
If you really can’t face cycling outdoors in winter, consider investing in a turbo trainer (we have them from £160) and munch miles in the comfort of your home, or stay tuned for news of turbo trainer sessions coming soon through Velo Hay.
