Guide to the Nice Cycle Hire Scheme

The folks at Momondo have provided Cycling Shorts with a series of five useful infographics on European city bike schemes. The staff at Momndo put it together in their spare time. So a big thank you goes out the them.

When going on a city break, the best way to explore a city is by bike. You’re plans can be more flexible, it allows to truly experience the city, you can go at your own pace and discover places and streets that one would not see when taking the boring old tours buses. Government sponsored bike schemes make it really easy to do.

The fifth and final city in the series is:

 

Nice
The fifth largest city in France provides you with the perfect scenery for a nice bike ride through the town. The region is breath-taking. Its architecture is Roman-inspired, it has scenic bay views that are just perfect for a few holiday snaps and the fascinating old town is best discovered on a bike rather than on a bus.

 

Public-Bike-Transport-Nice

 

To view the Paris Guide click here.

To view the Berlin Guide click here.

To view the Amsterdam Guide click here.

 
 
 

Guide to the Amsterdam Cycle Hire Scheme

The folks at Momondo have provided Cycling Shorts with a series of five useful infographics on European city bike schemes. The staff at Momndo put it together in their spare time. So a big thank you goes out the them.

When going on a city break, the best way to explore a city is by bike. You’re plans can be more flexible, it allows to truly experience the city, you can go at your own pace and discover places and streets that one would not see when taking the boring old tours buses. Government sponsored bike schemes make it really easy to do.

The fourth city in the series is:

 

Amsterdam
The perfect and probably safest city to explore by bike is Amsterdam. Its bike infrastructure is exceptional. When cycling by the small buildings, intimate streets, canals and squares one can practically feel the historical atmosphere of the city. Amsterdam offers a lot of culture with the highest density of museums in the world.

 

Public-Bike-Transport-Amsterdam

 

To view the Paris Guide click here.

To view the Berlin Guide click here.

 
 
 

Guide to the Berlin Cycle Hire Scheme

The folks at Momondo have provided Cycling Shorts with a series of five useful infographics on European city bike schemes. The staff at Momndo put it together in their spare time. So a big thank you goes out the them.

When going on a city break, the best way to explore a city is by bike. You’re plans can be more flexible, it allows to truly experience the city, you can go at your own pace and discover places and streets that one would not see when taking the boring old tours buses. Government sponsored bike schemes make it really easy to do.

The third city in the series is:

 

Berlin
History is omnipresent in Germany’s capital. When cycling or walking through Berlin, one can find many artefacts of the past, great architecture and beautiful parks. But that’s not all. Berlin is probably one of the most exciting cities in Europe. The city is always on the move and evolving with a creative contemporary scene and a buzzing nightlife.

 
 

Public-Bike-Transport-Berlin

 

To view the Paris Guide click here.

To view the Amsterdam Guide click here.

 
 
 

Guide to the Paris Cycle Hire Scheme

The folks at Momondo have provided Cycling Shorts with a series of five useful infographics on European city bike schemes. The staff at Momndo put it together in their spare time. So a big thank you goes out the them.

When going on a city break, the best way to explore a city is by bike. You’re plans can be more flexible, it allows to truly experience the city, you can go at your own pace and discover places and streets that one would not see when taking the boring old tours buses. Government sponsored bike schemes make it really easy to do.

With the Tour de France in full flow you may be planning to hop over for the final stage in Paris so why not do some sightseeing by bike.

The second city in the series is:

 

Paris
Paris is a culturally rich city with great architecture, fashion, parks and the famous ‘choix de vivre’. The iconic final stage of le Tour passes in front of the Arc de Triomphe. It seems as if the Parisians have more time to relax and enjoy their life, the lovely street cafes are always filled with tres chic locals. Take a ride by the Seine, stop at the Louvre and continue your ride to the cartier du Montmartre and discover little hidden streets and passages.

 

Public-Bike-Transport-Paris

 

To view the London Guide click here.

To view the Berlin Guide click here.

To view the Amsterdam Guide click here.

 
 
 

 

Guide to London Cycle Hire Scheme

The folks at Momondo have provided Cycling Shorts with a series of five useful infographics on European city bike schemes. The staff at Momndo put it together in their spare time. So a big thank you goes out the them.

When going on a city break, the best way to explore a city is by bike. You’re plans can be more flexible, it allows to truly experience the city, you can go at your own pace and discover places and streets that one would not see when taking the boring old tours buses. Government sponsored bike schemes make it really easy to do.

The first city in the series is:

 

London
London with its parks and the river Thames offers the perfect scenery for a bike ride. It’s not just about the great music and fashion scene, the city has so much to offer. A lot of the museums have free admission, great street markets and the place oozes history from the grand buildings and royal history that is woven into the fabric of the city. The tube can be very crowded so the bike offers a welcoming alternative to visit all the hidden corners in the city.

 

Public-Bike-Transport-London
 

To view the Paris Guide click here.

To view the Berlin Guide click here.

To view the Amsterdam Guide click here.

 
 
 

A League of Lessons

Track Cycling Reading Velodrome Swarbrick_RTL_20100719_01It’s no secret that one of my goals this year is to start track racing. I bought my #pocketrocket at the beginning of the year and joined Reading Velodrome on a Thursday evening for structured training and accreditation from British Cycling coaches.

Four weeks later, after cycling in circles in some very questionable weather (think snow, ice and -2 wind chills), I was officially ready to race at Reading Track league and officially had my first BC race license in my hand riding under Rollapaluza CC (who else would I become a member of but the kings of spin!!)

This is the moment I’d been waiting for. But I can’t say I wasn’t a little nervous. I’d been able to witness the ‘pros’ (well, that’s what I call them given they’ve been riding and racing for a while) at the structured sessions and had the opportunity to practice with them on a couple of occasions when the coaches clearly wanted to see what I was made of. I was also aware about the lack of women that participate in league, which means the races are limited to a final rather than heats; or if against the men, rather tough.

I’d already identified that my main limitation was of tactical knowledge in each of the different races and if anything this is what was going to hold me back, even down to knowing what was actually required in a Devil v a Keirin! And so, I dragged my Dad along for support, not that he objected given his love for the sport.

The key to racing, as Heather has very rightly written in her previous posts about racing, is preparation. This is where I failed on a number of counts.

Firstly, I managed to pack what I thought was everything I needed. I even did a run down before I left the house – shoes, check! Socks, check! Bibs, check!… But somehow, even though it hangs above the front door, I forgot my helmet. Just as well Dad was with me, on hand to lend me his.

Lesson number 1 – write a pre-race check list and place it somewhere I can check and double check it before leaving.

Second failure of the evening was the warm up. New to the sport, I haven’t yet invested in a set of rollers, let alone tried a pair, nervous that my housemate is likely to come home to find me wedged between a wall and a kitchen cabinet. Aware that I needed to be warm, I did what laps I could on the inner circuit of the track trying to raise my heart rate to a decent race equivalent, but it clearly wasn’t enough. End of the first race and all I can taste is metal and I’m wheezing like a Grampus. Not a great sign! And so, I seek out a set of rollers before the next race and low and behold manage to sit comfortable and spin.

Lesson number 2 – warm up properly!

My #pocketrocket & borrowed helmet

My #pocketrocket & borrowed helmet

I may have already learnt two key lessons, but if anything my evening was a success. The first race was a mixed Omnium. With a nasty headwind on the far straight, the bunch stayed together for the majority of the ride, and I managed to hang on in the middle for most of the race. I got caught on the front of a split half way through the 20 laps, but it soon came back together and I managed to keep my legs spinning, avoid a few close wheel touches to find the extra energy to push through the finish line… and I wasn’t last! Result! The second and final race for me that evening was the ladies Keirin. 3 of the 5 riders have been competing since they were juniors. I stood no chance. My first experience of sprinting off the line for the derny. I had no other objectives but to watch and learn. I now know what I need to do next time round.

Someone had given me wise advice that league is the best place to learn tactics and get to proper grips with racing, and they weren’t wrong. I can’t wait to get back to league next week and build on these lessons. This time with my helmet packed on a set of rollers to hand.

Hayley Davies

Hayley Davies

Writer

Riding since Feb 2011 Hayley is a 30 year old female who loves adventures. If she’s not on one of her many bikes or in the water on a bodyboard/surfboard, then Hayley is probably out looking for something new to keep the adrenaline pumping!
Website: www.hjdonline.co.uk

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