Showered with unprecedented federal government funding, the 134km Tallarook to Mansfield Rail Trail is racing towards its target opening date of Christmas 2011. Arlen Keen takes a look at what’s already on offer. Winter in the foothills of Victoria’s Alpine region, the air chilled and the smell of wood smoke taking over Mansfield’s main street,
Read More…
Rolling hills, misty mornings and country markets: as Karen Graham discovers, the Great Southern Rail Trail can be the perfect winter ride. Planning a social bike ride in the midst of a Victorian winter is a risky proposition, especially when the destination is South Gippsland. It might just be a coincidence, but every time I
Read More…
The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Friday. Local news Aussies pedal for Paralympic gold Cyclist Susan Powell won the women’s CV individual pursuit in the velodrome last night to claim Australia’s first gold. Her success was quickly followed by Kieran Modra, who returned to the sport after breaking his neck
Read More…
Get more intimate with your bike chain and you’ll find your riding easier, and a lot cleaner, finds Stephen Huntley. Like many components on a bike, the chain is a relatively simple but beautifully effective piece of engineering that has hardly required any design improvement in over a hundred years. Despite being exposed to the
Read More…
Our Lights test 2012 ranks the best 28 front and 22 rear bike lights to keep you visible when riding in the dark. Simon Vincett reveals the very human art of selecting the best lighting. The 2013 test results, incorporating and building on these 2012 results, are now online. Meet our lux meter, the newest
Read More…
Want to save a million dollars, or pay off your mortgage 13 years early? Incredibly, those are realistic savings from swapping a car for a bike, find Jon Miller and Stephen Huntley. The fact that using a bike for getting around can save you a few dollars is well established, but what those savings add
Read More…
“The rider of a bicycle must not ride past, or overtake, to the left of a vehicle that is turning left and is giving a left change of direction signal.” Sound simple enough? As Emma Clarkfinds out, it’s not that straightforward. Bike riders have a unique right to overtake on the left of cars in
Read More…
Riding to work and emerging crease-free and presentable at the other end isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Emma Clark explains how you can manage the work clothes load. Does the thought of riding to work invoke fearful images of huddling at your desk looking all crumpled and dishevelled? Or, worse still, thoughts of
Read More…
What does that rattle mean? How do I know if my chain is haddit? Learn the diagnosis techniques of pro mechanics to understand your bike’s state of health. While you might not feel confident to replace the bearings in your bike’s headset, it’s good to know if they are OK or need to be seen
Read More…