Articles written by Jon Sparks
Showing 45 Articles
|
Action photo techniques
Two specific techniques, pre-focusing and panning, are ideal for getting great photos of bicycle action. They take a little practice but aren't too hard to master.
|
|
Photography for Cyclists: Carrying
Equipment and Technique Advice for bicyclists who take pictures: pros and cons of different ways to carry a camera when cycling.
|
|
Action Photography for Cyclists
Equipment and technique advice for bicyclists who take pictures, looking at the challenges posed by the sheer speed of cycling action, even leisure and touring.
|
|
Cycling with a Camera
General introduction to cycling photography, full of tips and advice on getting memorable pictures of memorable rides.
|
|
Understanding bicycle geometry
A brief overview of bicycle geometry, the complex science underlying the design of frames and forks, which affects every aspect of a bike's ride.
|
|
Bikes for Women: the Frame
The frame is the core of every bike. This article looks at four basic frame designs: the diamond, 'lady's', mixte and compact, focusing on the needs of girls and women.
|
|
Disc Braking Basics
Explains the main types of disc brakes for bicycles and the different fitting systems. Discusses whether you can fit disc brakes to your existing bike.
|
|
Stopping Power: Braking for Bikes
Introducing the main types of brakes for bikes - rim brakes, hub brakes and disc brakes. Explaining pros and cons of each type and which types of bikes they suit.
|
|
Tirolean Trails
Experience of a week's guided mountain biking in the Austrian Tirol, with long climbs and singletrack descents plus stunning scenery and visits to remote mountain huts
|
|
Alpine Mountain Biking
There's fantastic mountain biking in the European Alps, but for maximum fun and satisfaction it's vital to pick the right holiday or destination to suit your skill level.
|
|
The Birth of the Mountain Bike
Mountain biking began little more than a quarter-century ago in Northern California, with fat-tyred 'Klunkerz' a far cry from today's mountain bikes.
|
|
Before Mountain BIkes
Discussion of some of the many ways in which people were riding off-road long before the invention of the mountain bike, from the Tour de France to exploring the wilds
|
|
Quantocks Mountain Biking
The Quantocks are ideal mountain biking territory, with a dense network of superb natural trails and great scenery.
|
|
Types of Mountain Bike
Explaining the three basic categories of mountain bike: Rigid, Hardtail and Full-suspension. Plus some simple suggestions on deciding which is right for you.
|
|
Rough Ride Guides Review
Broadly positive review of two mountain bike guidebooks, in innovative format, covering south-west and south-east England - and link to special offer to buy them
|
|
Bicycle Touring for Beginners
Advice for people planning a first bicycle tour: know your limits, take it easy, travel light, take your own bike if you can
|
|
Cycling the Turku Archipelago
Delightful touring by bike and ferry around the peaceful, idyliic Turku Archipelago off the southwest coast of Finland
|
|
Bike Touring in Finland
General description and recommended routes for cycle-touring in Finland
|
|
The easiest upgrade
Tyres are the contact zone between bike and road. Tyres define the ride. Changing tyres is the quickest, easiest way to adapt a bike to different uses.
|
|
More bicycle categories
Looking beyond the familiar classification of road bike, hybrid, mountain bike to some of the more esoteric varieties of bike available.
|
|
The world's fastest bicycles
The fastest humans are those on bikes; here are some of their amazing records.
|
|
Basic types of bicycle
What is a road bike? What's a mountain bike? What the heck is a hybrid? This article starts to make sense of the mulitiplicty of different types of bicycle.
|
|
More Welsh mountain biking
Exploring the network of top-class dedicated mountain bike centres from Snowdonia to South Wales; forest singletrack, wilderness trails and much more.
|
|
Basics of Hydration for Cycling
Exploring the importance of hydration for recreational cycling as well as racing. Looking at reasons to drink sensibly, and what to drink.
|
|
Hydration systems compared
Guidelines on the pros and cons of different methods of carrying and consuming drinks for road cycling and mountain biking.
|
|
Choosing a hydration back-pack
Guidance on choosing hydration systems for road cycling and mountain biking, including separaet reservoirs and integrated systems.
|
|
More on Hydration for cycling
Further advice on hydration for recreational cycling as well as racing, focusing on when and how much to drink.
|
|
Top Ten Cycling Books
A personal list of books covering bike racing, cycle-touring and travel, but excluding 'how-to' books and ride guides.
|
|
Single Gear Bicycle Basics
Single-geared bikes come in many different forms and a single-gear setup may be chosen for a variety of reasons.
|
|
Clean Your Bicycle
Riding is a lot more pleasant on a well-maintained bike, and keeping a bicycle clean and lubricated is the essence of preventive maintenance.
|
|
Coed-y-Brenin, Pioneer MTB Centre
Coed-y-Brenin in mid-Wales is a great place to go mountain biking and also has a special place in the history of the sport thanks to pioneer trail-builder Dafydd Davis.
|
|
Mountain Biking in Wales
Coed-y-Brenin's special place in the history of mountain biking is underpinned by a great selection of trails which continues to evolve.
|
|
Getting into gear
Explaining why some bikes have thirty gears and others only one, introducing the benefits of gears to cyclists and how best to use them for efficient pedalling
|
|
Cadence for better pedalling
Science and experience shows that the right pedalling rate, or cadence, is vital in making cycling easier and more enjoyable.
|
|
Thirty gears - or not
Bikes are getting more and more gears but is this entirely a good thing? What does it mean to the ordinary cyclist? Can 30 gears all be useable?
|
|
Gearing up - and down
Modern gears, especially derailleur gears, make cycling easy and efficient, especially if riders apply some very simple rules
|
|
Making sense of gear ratios
This article aims to make sense of the sometimes mystifying ways in which gear ratios on bicycles are described and compared
|
|
Finding a velodrome
Track cycling is a great spectator sport and it's also a thrill just to try it. This article points the way to a few top velodromes from hundreds around the world.
|
|
Destinations - Lake District MTB
The English Lake District offers mountain-bikers everything from manmade singletrack to wild trails over high summits and passes, in Earth's most celebrated scenic area.
|
|
Cycling Destinations: the Dordogne
A gentle cycle tour in classic French countryside; picturesque scenery, masses of historic towns and villages and - naturally - excellent food and drink.
|
|
Cycling Destinations: Somerset
A gentle cycle tour in southwest England, ideal for anyone who likes their cycling leisurely and relaxed, with pretty scenery, comfortable places to stop and great pubs
|
|
Scotland Best for Mountain Biking
Scotland, where the bicycle began, is the best place on the planet for mountain biking, and that's official.
|
|
Are Big Bike Wheels Better
Those big 29-inch wheels on mountain bikes - are they a flash in the pan or will we all be riding them in a year or two?
|
|
Bike Fitting - Handlebar Position
Fitting the handlebars on your bike is crucial to riding comfort and efficiency.
|
|
Bike Fitting - Saddle Height
Cycling should be fun, and it doesn't have to be uncomfortable. Getting the fit right is essential for maximum performance but even the most casual rider will benefit.
|
