Category: Adult Bike Riding

Finding the Time to Make Time

Adult Bike Riding

(I recorded** the following while out on a ride)….. I know it’s hard for everyone to get riding – to get out and do something they enjoy, we know we enjoy it, but life, work commitments, and laziness get in the way, and sometimes it is easy to stay in. what’s really important is that we make time for making time. Running my own small business I’m constantly battling between needing work and needing to live; what I have found of late, what I’ve noticed quite a lots, is that my joy of riding can slip away; I’m rarely available…

The A-B-C-D-E Bike Check

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A is for AIR  Are the tyres pumped to correct pressure—stamped onto side wall of tyre Adult Bikes: Hybrid Bikes 40-70PSI, Knobbly Mountain Bike tyres: 50-80 PSI Road Bike tyres: 90-110PSI Kids bikes: Little kids 30-40PSI, Pre teens: 40-60PSI Also check the tyres for signs of wear in the tread or crack on the side walls B is for BRAKES Do both brakes stop the bike when applied, yet leave a gap at handlebar Are the brakes allowing the bike wheel to roll freely (not rubbing) C is for CHAIN Is the chain able to spin backwards freely—if not check…

The Journey that Started it all – Three years ago

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In 2011 Ride-a-Bike Right came to life as the AustCycle provider for SA’s Healthy Communities Initiative program; working with local councils to deliver courses to adults to increase fitness and activity rates amongst the population. Initially working with Playford Council delivering cycling skills to adults and the disability sector to get people back onto the bike (then expanding into Onkaparinga, Holdfast Bay, Marion and Renmark-Paringa Councils when they started HCI) we have since delivered over 60 programs to groups of adults. Moving into the children’s cycling domain we have been delivering our school as well as community programs to over…

Getting Back on the Bike

Adult Bike Riding

When you think of a cyclist, you may imagine groups riding expensive bikes with thin tyres. So if you haven’t ridden a bike for years, the thought of it may be daunting at best. But no one is asking you to join the lycra-brigade – although there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what you want to do! Getting back on the bike is the 1st step Going for a weekend ride with the kids, your partner or friends is a great reason to start riding again, spending quality time outdoors and rekindling the joy of riding a bike and…

Preventing the Magpie Swoop – The Shiny Side from Above

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Spring has arrived and with the lovely, sunny, warm days come nesting Magpies. If you’re a seasoned rider you will be familiar with these very protective, feathered parents and heard the many ways to avoid the dreaded swoop from above. Here is a video of a swooping Magpie There are numerous ideas on how to deter the swoop, or limit its ability to get near your head/face. And I bet you’ve seen people riding with long cable ties attached to the top of the helmet; this has been used for many years as a deterrent but does it actually work?…

Recreational Riding in the Adelaide Hills – The Amy Gillett Bike Way

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Over the weekend my partner and I decided to get out of Adelaide and go for a ride – it was a lovely winter’s day so we headed up to the Woodside to ride the Amy Gillett Bikeway. Starting at Charlseton (playground and amenities available) we headed south along the pristine path – there were a few couples/families also out on that afternoon as well, but most of the time it was a un populated path to ride along.    About 3.5kms into the trip there was a required detour to sample some of the Hills famous food produce –…

Cycling and Sun Safety

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While it may be the official end of Summer in 2 days, here in Adelaide the sun is hotter than ever and the UV index  is still very high to extreme. Many people want to keep themselves protected from the sun and will SLAP on a hat under their helmet as they head off for a ride… but this isn’t best practise. My opinion, as a professional cycling teacher is that a hat under your helmet is not the best way to protect yourself while cycling. 1) Helmets are designed with holes to aid air flow and cool the body…

Effecting Change to One Person’s Life

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Sometimes we are unaware of the impact that we have on others we interact with. I know that through my teaching of cycling skills with Ride-a-Bike Right I really do make a difference in confidence and safety in the general cycling population, whether by teaching the fundamental cycling skills so an 8 year old can be equal with his/her peers and ride a bike, or opening up a new fitness possibilities for adults who’ve not been active in a while – all these changes in my clients lives are lovely to be part of. Last week I heard of a…