Cycle Rail Awards

Last week I was invited by East Midlands Trains to attend the National Cycle Rail Awards in London. We had been put up for an award with East Midlands Trains, in fact we had been put up for a couple of awards. So off I went down to the big smoke dressed in my finery to the Central Methodist Hall in Westminster, just down the road from Parliament.

Chris Boardman was one of the keynote speakers along with the Minister for Cycling Robert Goodwill MP. Both made speeches about the need to get people cycling and the need for the railways to assist this by providing good quality facilities and secure storage. It had been a massive year for cycling and the rail industry and everyone agreed that events had been successfully managed.

After the speeches came the prize giving and we didn't have to wait long before East Midlands Trains were picking up highly comended awards for their work not only in Sheffield but also Leicester. Station of the Year was presented towards the end of the night and this was our opportunity to shine. We were comended on the quality and 'joined-up' thinking for the new facilities provided here at the station including my shop. So I joined managers from East Midlands Trains with Chris Boardman and Robert Goodwill MP on stage to accept our glass trophy.

Yorkshire featured heavily at the awards Northern Rail winning best customer service and operator of the year for their incredible work during the Tour de France.

So after a few pints at the local tavern it was back to the hotel for a goodnights sleep.

The National Cycle Rail Awards are organised every year by ATOC and are closely linked to the All Party Parliamentry Cycling Group. The awards are designed to highlight excellence in promoting cycling in the rail industry.

Winter cometh......

Its getting cold outside and the snow will probably be coming down soon. So, are you ready for cycling in winter?

It is credible and thousands of fellow cyclists do it every year, its not complicated, but there are a few things you should think about before you take the plunge.

1. Are you warm enough? - You may think that just the act of cycling in the cold will keep you warm but what happens when you stop? All that sweat cools very quickly so make sure you layer up. A thermal base layer with a t-shirt over the top and then a long sleeved jersey will help create a warm barrier use windproof fabrics to keep out the cold and make sure you are wearing warm socks, or two pairs. A cap/woolly hat will keep your head warm and try a buff to stop those chilly winds going down your neck.

2. Is your bicycle ready? - For most bicycles the best thing you can do is give it a service, get the brake pads checked and make sure your batteries in your lights have been replaced. For bicycles with thin tyres you may wish to swap them for a deep tyre with more grip so if you normally ride on 700x23 slicks why not take it up to 700x25 with some grip, it'll slow you down, but you'll be glad of it in slippery conditions. Also take a little air out of the tyres check the Minimum pressure your tyres can run on and drop it down to just above that, this will give you a lot more grip.

3. Lights, lights and more lights. - Its amazing how quickly it gets dark now, so always carry your lights, they may just be needed to get home safely.

4. Are you eating enough? - In winter our bodies burn more calories to keep us warm, its important that you eat enough during these periods especially if you are cycling, your body will always thank you for that mince pie after a ride.

5. Snow is not a barrier. - Yes there may be 4 inches of snow on the roads but as a cyclist you potentially have the best form of transport available to you for those conditions. A chunky tyred hardtail mountain bike will make light work of the snow and if its that bad there will be fewer vehicles on the road. Take it steady and use main roads where you can. You may even enjoy it.

Here at last.....

After a long and anticipated wait I am finally moved in to my new premises at Sheffield Railway Station. Opening for business on Wednesday 13th August I will be open from 7am until 7pm Monday to Friday.

Its been a long slog to get here and the work is just really starting. The fit out is done, the stock is arriving and now I'm ready to welcome your custom.

I will be selling all the things a commuter needs; helmets, locks, lights, inner tubes and tyres. I'm also offering Marin Bikes and Tern Folding bikes perfect for commuting by train.

Hope to see you soon.

Russell

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Sky riding

On Sunday 10th August the inaugural Sky Ride for Sheffield will take place, its free! Its CAR FREE! Sheffield is seen as city that isn't cycling friendly, not due to the people or the organisations managing the city but due to the geography which is something you just can't change but believe me it's not all that bad.

The Sky Ride has been running a number of years and involves closed roads within the city being given over to cyclists and pedestrians alike, these roads aren't huge major arteries which will cause massive problems for drivers but they will allow people and especially children ride their bikes through the city without the worry of traffic. This is not only a great idea it's something I believe Sheffield should adopt as a monthly if not weekly activity. Closing the roads makes the city centre much more pleasent to enjoy your surroundings and not to have the stress of cars. Maybe this event on Sunday could pave the way to changing peoples attitude to a hilly city and make cycling much more accessible to people of all ages.

Why don't you give it a try, if you don't have a bike don't worry I have a number of hire bikes available, go on you may just enjoy it!

www.goskyride.com/sheffieldskyride

Weston Park Hospital Bike Ride

This weekend Matt and Rich from Forde Recruitment will be out riding the Leeds to Liverpool canal on two of our hire bikes, Ruth and Rihanna. I know everyone will wish them all the best and hope the rain keeps off long enough to get them the 80 miles to their first stop. All the best guys.