Cycling travel tips, resources and product reviews
How tall should cycling socks be: an investigation into optimum sock height and its effect on peak cycling performance. Isn’t cycling a funny old sport? The whims and whimsies of each individual are divergent, many-varied and ever on display, often in an overt display much like a male peacock’s routine. And it’s funny how quickly […]
Ah, the Atlantic Pyrenees: perfect for cycling. I can still remember the buzz of cicadas in the warm, balmy summer air; long, long days; epic Atlantic Pyrenees cycling routes and amazing atmosphere. I remember delicious dinners, cold beers or local wines, going to sleep late and waking up to another warm day of exploring the […]
All Etape participants need an Etape du Tour medical certificate. The Etape du Tour medical certificate must be filled out in a precise manner, or else you can be denied entry to Etape when you register in the days prior. In 2011, I saw an Italian guy being denied a start place as his Etape […]
I get lots of traffic to the site for people looking for a cycling nutrition. And those people are smart, because they’re looking for a way to lose weight by controlling their diet. Let me tell you a little story. My weight’s been a yo-yo since I was little. Chubby kid with problems with asthma. […]
I get lots of traffic to the site for people looking for a cycling meal plan for weight loss. And those people are smart, because they’re looking for a way to lose weight by controlling their diet. Let me tell you a little story. My weight’s been a yo-yo since I was little. Chubby kid […]
We now sell prepaid SIMs for France and the EU. You can get a data-only SIM or a SIM for calls, text and data. Get them from our store. If you’re cycling through France, at some point you’re likely going to find yourself needing to make a phone call or wanting to use the Internet. […]
As I rode to work today, I passed the local Uniting Church, which had a small yet poignant plot of white crosses signifying a remembrance field in preparation for Anzac Day. For those of you outside Australia, NZ, the UK and even Turkey, Anzac Day holds a special regard in our hearts. Its origins—slaughter at […]
“If I could turn back time” is a famous song. I’m sure you’ve heard it. I don’t regret much in life, but there are only 3 things I wish I could turn back time on. Two of them are: Riding the black diamond International DH trail at Mt Buller on an Avanti rim brake XC […]
Have you thought of everything? And I mean everything? With European Gran Fondo season soon upon us, it’s now a good time to start making sure you’ve covered off everything. Gran Fondo Tips list Your last minute Gran Fondo tips list includes: Training (commence, now)* Clean bike and Mechanical checks Nutrition Gearing Equipment housekeeping Plan of […]
You have to admit it. Riding faster with less effort: it sounds awesome, right? *Nod* Turns out this is easy and cheap. Simple equipment change, that won’t break the bank. (Or require dipping into that secret slush fund. “What secret slush fund?” Of course, of course, there isn’t any secret slush fund. *wink wink*) But […]
The Almost Complete Lowdown on Road Disc Brakes: cycling has a proud history of innovation and technical advancement: mountain bike disc brakes, power meters and electronic shifting are good examples. Some advancements are quite substantial—disc brakes on mountain bikes for example—and some are incremental, but still worthy, improvements (shifting, brake calipers etc). At their core […]
Interesting question from reader Allie. “What snacks for long haul flights should I pack?” Let’s be honest: long haul flights are pretty fun. Free drinks (to clarify: I mean free gin, Jack Daniels and Bacardi…not OJ), free food and movies. Initially, some people might think: “Awesome. I can’t wait to get stuck into those long […]
Ever thought of Cycling in Maui, Hawai’i? Until February 2010, I certainly hadn’t. In February 2010, Kate and I headed over to Hawai’i for a quick holiday. It was mainly for a proper relaxing type of holiday as we’d never had one plus we’d snaffled 2-for-1 flights from Jetstar. I’d never given much thought to […]
“What time?” was Kate’s incredulous response to the, I thought, innocuous question of what time we’d have to be up to head to Kingscliff from our place, for a 7AM start of Wiggle’s Speed in the Tweed. “You’ll be right, luv, I’ll bundle you in to the car with a mocha.” So, off we set, […]
Heading overseas on a cycling holiday is a big deal for all but the most seasoned travellers: here are my Top Cycling Holiday Tips to make your planning easier. There’s a litany of things to remember and cross off your list. It’s often the case that you work out pitfalls and things to watch out […]
Regular readers of VeloNomad know I’m a big advocate of doing sportifs like Etape du Tour. They’re a great way to challenge oneself as well as explore new areas. And not only do I advocate overseas adventures: local cycling adventures can be just as fun. Since I moved to the Northern Rivers of NSW, one […]
Whether it’s the Tour de France, Giro, Paris-Roubaix, Tour Down Under or some other event, one thing is clear: when spectating at a big cycling event you must plan! For example, watching a Tour de France stage isn’t a case of just turning up; there is a lot of planning involved to make sure you […]
Is a Self Tour or Tour Group for Cycling Holidays better? This is the question a lot of people start with for their overseas cycling trip. And it’s a fair question, especially if you’ve never organised a cycling trip before or are heading to an overseas country that is not English speaking (which is a […]
In this Best overseas prepaid SIM for mobile internet comparison, you’ll find out the best deals for overseas prepaid mobile internet, as well as where and how to get them. First, you’ll be able to compare the best deals for getting prepaid mobile internet, with pros and cons for each. Then, you’ll find out where […]
Day 7 Moss Vale-> Sydney: 168km, 1763m, 6h Ride Director Tim made a very insightful point at the last night’s speeches where he said that after an event like this it was easy to feel down upon returning to the real world. Whilst I’m sure everyone was excited to be with family and in their […]
2013 Chain Reaction Charity Ride Day 6 Canberra -> Moss Vale: 183km, 1468m ascent, 6h40m. Wow. What a day. Canberra is collllld on departure (a common theme on this trip. Cold. Not Canberra). One thing I am really enjoying about this trip is learning a lot about the country we live in. Below is a […]
Ahhhh-brrrrrrrr. What a cold morning! And hectic! We are late, again, despite us arising at 5.30am. We head off into bracing high-plains air with my Strava KOM from the night before safe (always wait for the group to go through before uploading it! ;p ), and roll through endless hills until we reach the Monaro […]
Day 4 – Corryong to Adaminaby WOW. Central Vic and the Snowy Mountains truly are (probably) God’s country. Forget “The Shire”, this is -real-. There is no plasticity, no materialism. It is man, and nature. (Best personified in The Man from Snowy River.) Man’s footprint is minimal. What footprint there is is one of almost […]
2013 Chain Reaction Charity Ride Day 3 arrives with some quietly ominous looking clouds. And it is BRISK. Best breakfast of the trip, with croissants close to being as good as French ones (maybe with 70%, which is about as good as it gets in Australia). The riders head off from Milawa toward delightful Beechworth. […]
Click here for day 1. A semi-civilised 7AM start, 5.45AM alarm. Less that perfect sleep due to an attack from a squadron of persistent mosquitos. Quick breakfast and we assemble for the start. An ethereal light creeps across the hill tops, casting the dry, slightly yellowing countryside with a slight purplish hue that is quite […]