Helen Smeaton's Blog
Posted by Helen Smeaton
I'm a wine lover. A glass a day keeps the doctor away in my book and, living in Cyprus, there is a surprisingly good array of wines to enjoy at very affordable prices including grape varieties like Zynisteri and Maratheftiko, unique to the island.
I once had the pleasure of tasting a gorgeous fine wine from Bordeaux. It was honestly like an elixir, it slipped down the throat so smoothly. While my budget certainly doesn't stretch to sipping fine wine on a regular basis, I do have a small investment in French fine wine which is doing very well and, one day, I'm going to sample a bottle or two!
In the meantime, I watch my investment grow and like to write about wine from time to time. If you are looking for a different low to medium risk way to invest some money. then take a look at the articles below:
Fine Wine Gifts make a Good Long Term Investment
How to Make a Low risk Fine Wine Investment
How to Invest in Fine Wine from Bordeaux
or if looking for wine gifts or cheap wine:
And a little about wines of Cyprus:
Why Cyprus Wines Deserve to be Recognized
Posted by Helen Smeaton
Looking for some original unique gift ideas for Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries? Gift planning can be a real chore, especially if you have no idea what to buy for someone and even though the internet has made things seem less stressful, hour after hour in front of a PC can take its toll. Then you find that perfect item you have found has just sold out!
I've been looking for some unique alternative gifts this year whether personalized, amusing or something that will benefit other people like a charitable donation. Take a look at the following articles to find some great ideas:
Unique Christmas Gift ideas for Men
Unique Christmas Gift ideas for Women
Cool Cycling Gifts, Latest Gadgets
Unique Corporate Christmas Gift Ideas
Charitable Donations for Christmas
Give a Charitable Gift to Chnage Lives
Corporate Client Gift Ideas
Cheap Christmas Gifts for Cyclists
Personalized Gift Ideas for Men and Women
Personalized Photo Calendars, the Perfect Gift
Unique Photo Gifts for Cyclists
Make a Photo Book as a Great Family Gift
Personalized Pens make Great Office Gifts
How to Make a Personalized Cat Calendar
Posted by Helen Smeaton
The scary season is almost upon us and those who are organized are busy planning their pumpkin carving and making homemade Halloween costumes.
If, like me, you leave everything to the last minute then check out these articles on making easy adult or kids costumes for Halloween, plus find out how safe it is to wear one of the latest fashion trends - cosmetic contact lenses - the ones that make your eyes look like a vampire, a were wolf or just plain bloodshot!
Cheap Halloween Costumes for Adults or Kids
Ideas for Scary Halloween Party Decorations
Coloured Contact Lenses for Halloween Eyes
Health Risks of Wearing Halloween Contact Lenses without a Prescription
Wild Eyes Contact Lenses from Ciba Vision
Crazy Eyes Contact Lenses from Cooper Vision
Coloured Contact Lenses are Top Beauty Products
Sclera Crazy Contact Lenses for Halloween
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Posted by Helen Smeaton
It's August and it's hot here in Cyprus so it's early morning starts and only a few hours a day on the bike.
But I have more time to spend writing and earning some extra cash from my websites.
Whilst adverts bring in a fair amount of income, selling other people's products is another great way to earn extra income. This can be done on a website or blog using what is called an affiliate scheme; basically a partnership with a merchant whereby you promote their product, they sell it and you get a commission when a customer you have referred buys something.
Sounds easy right? Well it's a bit more complicated than that and there are lots of things you need to learn about running an affiliate program successfully. So I've written a bunch of articles which should help anyone trying to make more cash from their affiliate merchants. Here they are:
How to Make Money from Affiliate Programs
Pay Per Click Affiliate Programs
Reputable Affiliate Programs for Websites
Tips to Earn more Money from Affiliate Programs
There are also tips on how to start a website with no previous experience and you can read my story on how I built my own websites, knowing nothing about html or how to get my site top ranking on Google and other search engines.
Posted by Helen Smeaton
I just love being outdoors on my bike, hiking or playing about on the water. But that's not so easy for parents with young children. Children love to cycle but get tired easily so can't manage more than an hour or so on a bike and if a hill gets in the way...well!
And what about tiny tots? If you have a newborn or a tiny infant, aren't you simply tied to holding onto the baby while one of you gets some exercise? It's hardly a way to spend quality time with each other let alone with the kids.
But help is at hand. I've been doing lots of research on what is out there for active parents who don't want to become couch potatoes just because they can't get out and ride with the kids. And there are LOTS of products available from child baby seats to child carriers which can even double as pet carriers. Heck there are even buggies you can pull behind you to go skiing using a conversion kit for your child bike trailer!
Take a look at the following articles for lots of ideas on cycling with the kids. And for those you who already have one of these products, see the notes at the bottom which answer some of the questions asked in the comments section of each article.
Trailer Bikes for Children with Special Needs
Accessories for Child Trailers and Trailer Bikes
Which Type of Bike for Cycling with Children?
Lost hitch? If you have lost the hitch which connects your trailer to the host bike, either get in touch with the retailer who sold the bike trailer or look up the website of your trailer brand; they will list stockists and give details of relevant accessories - a spare hitch is one of the most common parts!
Posted by Helen Smeaton
It's the middle of summer and the cycling season is well underway. For fit cyclists steep gradients are just a challenge but for those of you who are less fit, the heat of summer can just prove too much.
For anyone who has ever wished they could flick a switch to turn an engine on, then there IS a solution - the electric bicycle!
So why not consider an e-bike?
Whilst the rider still has to pedal, the motor does all the hard work on the hills so commuters can arrive at work sweat-free and leisure cyclists can just enjoy the countryside without too much pain. And tests have shown that buyers use their electric bicycles far more than just an ordinary bike which often gets left in the garage to gather dust.
We have a full series of articles on electric bikes to help you decide whether motorized cycling is for you:
How to choose an electric bicycle.
Posted by Helen Smeaton
The cycling season is in full swing and many recreational cyclists are digging their bikes out of the garden shed to go for a ride. Keen mountain bikers are already ripping up the trails and many are booking their cycling holidays for some MTB fun in the sun.
Many less experienced riders are afraid to book a mountain bike holiday. They may feel they are not fit enough or they just can't decide where to go. Or maybe they just don't know what type of terrain or trip grading to go for.
Our set of mountain bike holiday articles should help with decision making:
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Holiday
Trip Gradings for mountain bike holidays
What to Pack for an MTB Holiday
Key Mountain Bike Holiday Destinations in Europe
Taking your own bike? Then read these:
Posted by Helen Smeaton
The cycling season is in full swing and not just for pros like Lance Armstrong. Good weather gets recreational cyclists, keen roadies and die-hard mountain bikers out onto the roads and trails all over the world.
For those of us spending long days in the saddle or even just a few hours, regular stretching is key to keep those under-used muscles like hamstrings nice and flexible. Lower backs need a good workout too especially if you've been clocking up the miles with a heavy water-laden backpack on your shoulders!
I discovered the wonders of yoga a couple of years back and now I'm an addict. You do need a good teacher to show you how to do the various yoga positions correctly but once you realise the benefits, there is nothing better in my opinion. Yoga and cycling seem to be perfect partners in fact!
Check out the following articles for tips on the best yoga positions for cycling nuts plus general everyday stretches to keep those key muscles nice and flexible and riding more comfortable and enjoyable.
Posted by Helen Smeaton
The cycling season is well under way and May is the time of year when most recreational cyclists dust off their bikes and head for the trails.
It's also the time to replace worn out bits of bike gear, invest in some new clothing or upgrade to new shiny parts for your trusty steed. There is so much choice out there in the marketplace it's often difficult to know where to start. Our "how to" articles can help so check them out.
How to Choose Clipless Bike Pedals
How to Cycle with Clipless Pedals
How to Upgrade a Bike for a Better Fit
How to Choose Comfortable Cycling Shorts
How to Build a Single Speed Mountain Bike
How to Choose a Hydration Pack for Cycling
How to Keep Hydration Packs Clean
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Helmet
How to Fit a Cycling Helmet
Posted by Helen Smeaton
I've just finished watching the great mountain bike movie Klunkerz, a film about how the modern day mountain bike was invented.
It tells the story of how a bunch of Marin County hippies literally "reinvented the wheel" just by going out and tearing up the trails on Mount Tamalpais. Their old heavy bikes couldn't cope with off road terrain so they scavanged spare parts to make their bikes stronger. They called these heavy old bikes "klunkers."
This isn't just a movie about mountain bikes, it's a celebration of how fun it is to get out there and just ride. Forget the usual testosterone laden MTB movie with guys jumping off cliffs or showing off doing wheelies. There are WOMEN too in this movie and they played a great part too!
Check it out by reading these articles:
Interview with Klunkerz writer and director Billly Savage (part 1)
Interview with Klunkerz writer and director Billly Savage (part 2)
Interview with Klunkerz writer and director Billly Savage (part 3)
Posted by Helen Smeaton
Spring is here and warmer weather is on the way. Staying hydrated whilst cycling is critical and today's modern hydration packs are a godsend for mountain bikers, hikers and road cyclists alike.
Whilst many road cyclists stick to using water bottles to keep hydrated - they just don't like having a pack on their back to slow them down - mountain bikers really need to use a hydration pack. It's key not just for replenishing water but also to hold all those things you are likely to need on a remote trail like snack bars, extra clothing layers, a waterproof, mini tool kit, spare tube, pump, ipod, camera and the list goes on!
Whether you need a pack just for holding water or a mini suitcase on your back, check out our articles on hydration packs:
How to Choose a Hydration Pack for Cycling
Hydration Packs for All Day Mountain Biking
How to Keep a Hydration Pack Clean
Getting the Most out of Hydration Systems
Review of Camelbak M.U.L.E - mountain bike hydration pack for all day rides
Posted by Helen Smeaton
My first "proper" bicycle was a folder. A heavy clunky thing with 3 gears that I used at university to get to and from my off-campus accommodation. It was hard work on steep hills but my dad could fit it in the boot of the car along with all my other stuff at the start of term so it worked.
Folding bike technology has moved on somewhat since then and the best models are super light (as little as 9kg which is around a 3rd less than an average mountain bike) and models like the Brompton have the neatest way of folding imaginable. Just stop, kick the back wheel under, bend and screw lock a few parts and bingo, you have the coolest little transport package you can tuck under your arm and take on the train, boat, car or wherever.
A Brompton will set you back a few pounds/dollars but quality comes at a price. There are many other brands, however, including a huge range from market leader Dahon. Why they produce folding bikes with 26" wheels is debateable but if you have lots of money and can afford to splash out on a bike that you only use for travelling then why not?
Find out why commuters and others love folding bikes and how to choose one with our folding bike articles:
How to Choose a Folding Bike
Posted by Helen Smeaton
If you read my last post and laughed at the thought of taking up unicycling, then perhaps single speed will appeal more.
My husband has just converted an old mountain bike to a single speed and is now hooked. It’s great for fitness as you have to pedal harder uphill and maintain a constant speed on the flat. If you choose to ride a fixed gear bike, you get really efficient as there’s no coasting allowed on a fixie and you have the fun and freedom of taking in the views with no worries about when to change gear.
Add to that a hassle free maintenance regime (no gears to adjust, virtually no bike parts to keep clean etc), a smooth ride and the fact that riding a single speed is just so cool right now, what are you waiting for?
You don’t need to buy a one gear bike even though they are much cheaper than a multi geared bike, just read our article below and build your own from an old bike. Enjoy!
Why Fixed Gear Bikes are so cool
Posted by Helen Smeaton
There are countless ways to workout those abs. Maybe it’s the hard graft down the gym, strenuous yoga sessions or one of those magic pills advertised online.
Keen cyclists know the benefits of a regular cycling workout on the stomach muscles but have you ever thought of taking it one step further?
Unicycling may sound silly (yes it is) and impossible (for many yes it is) not to mention downright dangerous (yes yes it can be) but for those keen to persevere and spend 10-15 hours actually learning to ride a unicycle, the benefits are huge.
- Your balance and concentration will improve tenfold.
- You will feel like superman or superwoman and can impress your mates.
- You can take up Muni-ing (that’s off road unicycling not flashing your private bits in case you weren’t sure) and seriously embarrass your mountain biking buddies by beating them round corners.
- You can have great six pack abs.
Yes really those stomach muscles will get super tight as to stay on a unicycle you need strength in the central core muscles. Going off road or uphill is even harder and requires incredible power. Within weeks, the inches will be dropping off and your abs will be tighter than Sylvester Stallone’s.
Want to learn more? Check out our series of articles on unicycling including lots of lovely pictures to tempt you to have a go:
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Posted by Helen Smeaton
So you hate lycra but need the comfort for all day riding. If so, baggy cycle shorts may be for you.
Personally I wear lycra cycling shorts as I'm short and baggy cycling shorts for women are way too long for me. But for guys, it's actually pretty uncool to wear plain lycra shorts on the trail.
Don't forget that good baggy shorts have an integrated "lycra" liner inside so you get all the comfort without the sniggers down the pub afterwards. Watch out when you're buying them though as many shorts do NOT come with the liner as part of the price. Easy to spot in a store but so easy when buying cycling shorts online.
Check out our Baggy Cycling Shorts article for more details.
Posted by Helen Smeaton
Thinking of taking up cycling but don’t want to splash out on expensive gear?
Or maybe you’re already hooked on the sport and need some new cycling clothing?
Keen roadies almost always wear lycra on a bicycle but for some of us, the thought of wearing skin-tight shorts or leggings is too hideous to imagine. Apart from the obvious smirks you’ll get from your mates down the pub after a ride, men and women alike simply hate the though of showing off their butt at it’s worst. And lycra ain’t a forgiving fabric on the fashion front that’s for sure.
But hey, lycra cycling shorts with a great padded liner are simply the best when it comes to pure comfort and avoiding a sore crotch. And I can tell you, if you spend a lot of time in the saddle you don’t want to get sore down under so to speak. Heck, keen cyclists even resort to using chamois cream when the going gets really tough and their trusty lycra pants haven’t quite done the job.
Mmm, I wonder what Lance does to solve that age-old chafing problem?
Anyway, we’ve got some great cycle clothing articles to help show you what to wear and what not to wear on the bike:
Essential Cycle Clothing for All day Riding
How to Choose Comfortable Cycling Shorts
By the way, my favourite cycle clothing brand right now is from down under in New Zealand. The guys at Ground Effect.co.nz have a great range of mainly MTB wear but also the comfiest cycle shorts I’ve ever worn. And if mountain biking is your thing, head on over there for a thrill of a lifetime to try heli-biking or not-too-scary downhill riding in the famous Skippers Canyon.