In Australia and other countries it is mandatory to wear a bicycle helmet, with the retention straps fastened, while riding on roads or paths. It is also highly recommended when using mountain bike trails. This rule applies not only to the rider, but also to children sitting on a carrier seat or being towed in a trailer. Riding with the helmet on the handlebars or attached to your backpack does not do your head any good in an accident, neither does an ill-fitting helmet!

After a recent session with Jason Nichols from Inspired Orthotic Solutions (IOS) I got an inkling into the importance and life expectancy of the humble seat. Jason who provides orthotic work to the VIS (and has worked with some of the best cyclists that Australia has produced) considers the seat to be one of the most neglected parts of the bicycle. The humble seat is responsible for supporting your body on the bike and is one of the critical components for assisting with the development of power. Checking my trusty training bike Jason was quick to point out that my seat was bent sideways! What’s more interesting is that this is a fairly common theme with seats older than a year. They take a thrashing, supporting your weight while bouncing through a tough road race, a criterium circuit, the potholed riddled commuting/ training ride or the descent down a hill at 10 million km’s per hour. This puts the life of a seat at around the same time as a good set of training tires! For the pros Jason says it is worst. Sitting at about two months tops for these demanding riders. So what happens? They sag and bend out of alignment. This makes for a unstable support from which to develop all that much need power for leaping across breaks and going hard in races. Old seats can also contribute to sore knees and other biomechanical related injuries. Often left on the bike for its entire life or worst, recycled from bike to bike the humble seat is something to consider checking to see if it's still straight when you go to fit your next set of tires.

Jason can be contacted on 9596 8573 or found at 144 Martin Street Brighton, VIC.

Steve Hogg discusses how to choose the right type of cycling equipment to help you climb hills faster. This article covers specific equipment and things to look for when purchasing for your special hill climbing bike.

So, perhaps you are in the market for new road shoes and pedals. What are the priorities when choosing between the multitude of brands and models out there? Steve Hogg provides his advice on the matter. This article covers proper shoe fit, what to look for in construction and design, when you should position your cleat, shoe compatibility with pedals and what sort of features are best. 

Travelling with your Bicycle

Sometimes your enjoyment of bicycle riding takes you well beyond just riding locally. These are the times when you'll be travelling with your bicycle to races or cycling events via plane or car. In these cases you'll need to make a decision as to how you appropriately package your bike to ensure it arrives safely. Here are some simple guidelines to help you select whether you use a box, bag or bike travel case when you are travelling with your bicycle. Covers local, national and international tips.