“Those bloomin’ cyclists, in their silly outfits. They should be paying road tax if they want to use our roads!” It’s a caricature for sure, but it certainly rings familiar. And frustrated motorists have a point, don’t they? After all,...
A transformation is underway in towns and cities. A policy shift by those in positions of power influences the ergonomics of a road layout. Social responsibility is sought via programmes of active travel. Governments are seeking ways to get more...
Cycling, whether it be for your daily commute or for pleasure, is a simple form of urban mobility. That being said, does your bike need to have a bell when you are riding? Is it a legal requirement? Knowing your...
For many generations, the Cycling Proficiency Test was a right of passage through childhood. But it’s not something you seem to hear about any more. So, what actually happened to the Cycling Proficiency Test? Do kids still have any formal...
You may have seen cyclists riding side-by-side on country roads or in towns, and wondered if they’re legally allowed to. Not only is the issue fraught with misconceptions, but it’s also a frequent source of tension between drivers and cyclists....
Sciatica. Sounds unpleasant doesn’t it? Well it won’t surprise you to know that it’s a dispassionate term from the medical world that accurately describes one of life’s many ‘pains in the rear’ (literally!) and sadly, does not relate to the...
You might get away with leaving your bike out in the rain for a few days, but it’s best if you avoid it. We know the feeling — skidding through puddles of water and riding in the rain might make...
Every year, the UK and Ireland typically experiences between 200,000 and 300,000 lightning counts, with 10,000 per day quite normal during a particularly bad storm. But despite being a relatively common weather phenomenon, there are plenty of myths surrounding lightning....
You jump out of bed, looking forward to that bike ride, throw back the curtains and… the sky is grey, rain pattering the windows. But, that isn’t going to put you off, right? After all, there is no such thing...
Cycling to work is a positive lifestyle change which can yield of litany of benefits – not only for your physical and mental health, but for the environment, too. It’s also fun – who would rather be caught in a...
For many cyclists, electric bikes have been the perfect invention: they require less pedal power yet still improve your fitness, are an environmentally friendly alternative to cars or motor vehicles, and generally look pretty slick, too. Which is always important....
By running Discerning Cyclist, I regularly get offered the chance to review cycling gear. At first it was a real novelty to get “free stuff” in exchange for an honest written review about it. But after nearly nine (!) years...
Slowly but surely the number of people – both men and women – riding bikes to get around is increasing. Hurrah. But did you know that cycling was actually one of the most popular methods of transport around the turn...
You’ll know full well that the health benefits to cycling are as plentiful as they are varied: for starters, it burns calories, which will help if you’re trying to lose weight, it can lower your risk of cancer, and can...
Typically, when I commute, I need to carry my laptop with me. That means I normally need a decent sized backpack (which at the moment is Chrome’s Mazer Vigil Pack). But sometimes, particularly on an exploratory weekend ride, I don’t...
Whether you’re a cycling fanatic or novice, music or comedy lover, or just want a much-needed sense of normality about life again after COVID-19 has deprived us all of it for more than a year by now, a wonderfully unique...
I’ve made no secret that I’m a big fan of Resolute Bay over the years. They even ranked among my top 5 urban cycling brands despite still being a largely one-man operation (kudos, Chris Taylor). And that’s because they make...
When asked to think of what “a cyclist” looks like, many people will conjure up an image of a MAMIL (middle-aged man in Lycra). At Discerning Cyclist, though, we’re on a mission to prove that you can cycle in style...
If you take your bike out for a spin and end up venturing into the unknown, embrace it. Not only because you might find your new favourite cycling route, but because as long as you’ve got signal on your smart...
Last month Apple revealed their latest product last week: the AirTags. Basically, they’re designed to be used for things like helping find your keys, but many have been wandering if they can be used as a tracker. So, can you...
During the peak of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I dusted off my bike and running shoes and lost a good amount of weight, which you can read about here. Of course, when I was cycling...
There’s something quintessentially British about riding a bicycle. That idea may not be something that is perpetuated by the media, but many people in Britain enjoyed rediscovering their bikes during the lockdown. For many of these new cyclists, it wasn’t...
In a way, perhaps they’re the Apple of cycling. Formed in 2004 after founder Simon Mottram spotted a gap in the market for stylish cycling attire, Rapha are renowned for making beautiful, cutting-edge, high-quality gear. But many remain deterred by...
I’d like to tell you that if you want to get the best bike for cycling to work, you should get the [INSERT PERFECT BICYCLE HERE]. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all answer to this question. Skip Ahead:...
If the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 left us all mentally, emotionally drained, it felt almost impossible to find any silver lining in these dark clouds. But there was at least one positive from a cycling perspective: it...
When you’re “surfing” the web, sometimes you come across something simply beautiful. And that’s what happened to me last week when I discovered Adidas’ reinvention of the classic Samba shoe, reimagined for urban cyclists: the Adidas Velosamba. Behold: At the...
History recounts numerous colossal errors by individuals: Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in winter, the Captain of the Titanic’s hubris and David Beckham’s 2003 haircut. While not of quite the same magnitude as these men, I must add my name to...
When cycling, if you prefer the old-fashioned method of arm-waving to indicator rather than buying state-of-the-art LEDs, that’s fine. But just remember: keeping it simple with bike turning signals is best. Sure, there are lots of more complex cyclist signals,...
Pants. If you’re commuting by bike, they’re probably the most important clothing consideration you make. Wear a pair of heavy jeans and chances are your journey will be a hotter and more “chafey” than it needs to be. That’s why...
Like almost everything we do in life, cycling – to a certain extent – contains an element of risk. Even if you choose to sit “safely” on the sofa and avoid all danger, you’re actually taking the biggest risk. After...
1. 🧥Rapha Lightweight Commuter Jacket
Stylish, waterproof and easy to throw in a bag.
2. 📍Sherlock Anti-Theft GPS Bike Tracker
Get alerted if your bike moves without you.
3. 👖DUER All-Weather Denim
Waterproof cycling jeans - need I say more?
4. 🪖LIVALL BH60SE Smart Bike Helmet
A helmet with lights that plays music.
5. 🥾Chrome Storm 415 Workboot
Waterproof shoes. No more soggy feet.
