As temperatures begin to drop and the weather gets wetter, autumn and winter can bring new challenges for cyclists. However, with the right bike maintenance, you can keep your ride in top condition and enjoy cycling all year round. Here are our top tips to help your bike run smoothly during the colder, wetter times of the year.

How to Keep your Bike Running Smoothly During the Colder Months:

1. Keep Your Bike Clean and Dry

As you know, autumn and winter bring more rain and mud, so you’ll likely be familiar with the messy rides. Dirt can quickly break down the components, so that’s where a more frequent cleaning routine will come in useful. Wash your bike gently with soap and water, and apply a lubricant to your chain and any moving parts after each wash to prevent rust, and keep your bike running smoothly.

2. Check and Clean Your Brakes

Wet, muddy weather wears down your brake pads much faster. Make sure to check them more often – if you notice they are thinning, it’s likely time to replace them. Brake and gear cables will also need regular maintenance, as exposure to moisture can cause cables to corrode, leading to poor braking or shifting performance. If you are unsure about your brakes, visit your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles store. Our friendly staff are on hand to check and repair your brakes for you, ensuring your bike is ready for the roads.

3. Replace Your Lighting

With the darker mornings and earlier evenings, effective lighting is essential. Ensure you check your bike lights and reflectors before setting off for a journey, especially if it’s already dark outside. You can browse our array of bike lighting online here: https://www.cycleking.co.uk/lighting/instock

4. Adjust Tyre Pressure

Lowering your tyre pressure slightly can improve grip on slippery or wet roads. However, you must not allow your tyre pressure to drop too low as this could make your bike more susceptible to punctures. A puncture repair kit is always handy to carry with you on bike trips. You can shop these online here: https://www.cycleking.co.uk/components/puncture-repair/instock.

5. Use Mudguards to Protect Yourself and Your Bike

Mudguards are great for winter riding and they protect your bike’s components (and your back!) from mud and water splashes. They can also prevent dirt from reaching your chain and drivetrain, which helps reduce wear and keep your bike cleaner between rides. Browse our range of mudguards here: https://www.cycleking.co.uk/mudguards/instock.

Our Top Pick Accessories for Safe Cycling in the Autumn and Winter

Weldtite Airtite Puncture Repair Kit with Tools – NOW £6.99

Your all-in-one solution for quick bike repairs on the go. This compact kit includes a 5g rubber solution, three sturdy tire levers, a versatile flat multi-tool spanner, six durable patches, chalk, a wax crayon and sandpaper. It’s a convenient and reliable tool for all cyclists.

Raleigh Crown Bell Chrome Silver – NOW £4.99

The Raleigh Crown bell adds a classic touch to any bike. Featuring a polished chrome finish with an elegant crown emblem on top, this bell is both stylish and functional. It easily fits onto 22.2mm handlebars – perfect for rides looking to combine timeless style with practicality on the road.

By following these maintenance tips, you can enjoy a much safer and more enjoyable ride on your bike, no matter the weather. A little extra care for your bike can save you from costly repairs and keep you cycling smoothly through autumn and winter. Browse our cycling accessories and maintenance tools online or visit your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store where our expert staff are ready to help.

Top 4 family cycling spots in the UK:

The Forest of Dean is a fantastic family day out, offering a range of cycling trails through a beautiful woodland environment, perfect for all skill levels. The forest features adventure play areas, natural play spaces, safe off-road family cycling, as well as lots of outdoor space to create dens. They’re currently celebrating the 25th birthday of the Gruffalo with a brand new ‘Gruffalo Party trail’, which may be of interest for families with  younger children.

2. The Tissington Trail, Peak District

Based on a former railway line, the Tissington Trail offers a 13-mile gentle and mostly flat terrain suitable for younger cyclists. This trail is full of history, with former station platforms and the old signal box to discover, providing plenty of opportunities to discover and learn something new!

3. Richmond Park, London

One of London’s eight Royal Parks, Richmond Park offers a slice of the countryside in the centre of London. Enjoy spotting deers roaming freely around the park, admire the distant views of St Paul’s Cathedral, or explore the ancient woods and Natural Nature Reserve. It’s an excellent spot for a family picnic and a leisurely bike ride.

4. Rendlesham forest, Woodbridge

There’s something for everyone at Rendlesham Forest! Discover the UFO trail and learn more about the famous UFO sightings. Enjoy the various cycle trails, sculptures, and children’s play areas. It’s an exciting mix of nature and mystery that can capture the imagination of both children and adults.

Our bike recommendations:

Adult Bikes

The Ammaco pathway series are the perfect choice for commuting or leisure. The pathway X1 offers a comfortable and easy to mount step through frame, 21-speed rapid fire shimano gears and puncture-resistant tyres – for added durability and reliability on every ride.

Kids Bikes

The Salcano wolf packs some serious power into its cool BMX style frame. With wolf-themed graphics, powerful v-brakes and lightweight alloy frame, this bike will make any young rider feel unstoppable!

National bike week is here and there’s no better time to get out, riding your bike. Cycling is a fun activity for the whole family to get involved in. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or enjoy the more leisurely rides, cycling is a great form of exercise with incredible benefits. In this blog, we’ll help you discover the benefits of cycling to encourage you to get out there and cycle more.

Health Benefits:

Cycling is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy. Cycling just 3 times a week, around 2-4 hours, is enough to improve your general fitness. Here’s some of the health aspects that cycling can improve:

1. Muscle Strength: Cycling uses a lot of our major muscles. It engages our legs, core, and even our upper bodies which helps to improve muscle strength and improve flexibility without putting too much strain on your joints or muscles.

2. Cardiovascular Health: Regular cycling can strengthen your heart, lungs and circulation. It can reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve the overall health of your heart.

3. Stamina: The more you cycle, the more you’ll notice an increase in your stamina and endurance. This means you’ll have more energy for activities and less fatigue.

Impact on Mental Well-Being:

Cycling isn’t just great for your body, it’s also great for your mind and a fantastic way to improve your mental health. Here’s why…

1. Stress reduction: Cycling helps to release endorphins which help to relieve stress. It’s a great way to clear your mind and reduce anxiety and stress levels.
2. Improve mood: The physical activity involved in cycling helps to stimulate the production of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals in our brain that improve our mood and make us feel happier. Our mood can be increased even more by cycling outdoors and enjoying the beauty of nature.
3. Better sleep: Taking part in regular exercise, such as cycling, can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. This can also help to improve our overall health and well-being as we get more rest.

Environmental Impact of Cycling:

Choosing a bike over a car can have significant positive impacts on the environment, helping to reduce air pollution and make our planet a better place to live. Here’s how cycling can contribute to a healthier planet:

1. Less air pollution:  By choosing to cycle rather than drive, you’re helping to reduce air pollution. Approximately 5.2 million car trips would be saved over a year, which would have a massive positive impact on the levels of air pollution.
2. Reduced CO2 levels: Bikes produce zero emissions, unlike cars. By choosing a bike over a car at least once a day, you can help to reduce carbon emissions by 67%! 
3. Less noise pollution: Bikes are a lot quieter than motor vehicles such as cars or motorbikes. Cycling helps to make the environments more peaceful and means there is less disruption for animals and habitats too.

Additional Benefits of Cycling:

1. Cost-effective: Bikes are fairly low maintenance to upkeep. You can save money on fuel, parking and maintenance while investing in your health!
2. Time-efficient: You can save yourself time on the school runs by cutting out the faff of finding a parking spot or sitting in traffic.

Our top bike recommendations:

Ammaco Escape 26 inch Wheel mountain bike – WAS £369.99, NOW £219.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

If you’re looking for a tough and durable mountain bike, that doesn’t cost a fortune, then the Ammaco Escape is the perfect choice.  Mixing comfort with durability, the  Ammaco Escape features front suspension forks, powerful v-brakes, and 21 shimano gears – it’s a great bike for any terrain, whether you’re tackling trails or enjoying a leisurely ride.

Cycling is a great activity for the entire family, helping to improve our health and contributing to a brighter, green planet for all. It’s all about getting outdoors and having fun. You can browse our large selection of adult bikes and kids bikes, either online or at your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store. Our expert staff are on hand to answer any questions you have and help you find the perfect bike, as well as recommend accessories and make any repairs to keep those wheels spinning.

Exploring new places can be fun and exciting, especially when cycling is involved. The Ford Ride London is a traffic-free cycling route throughout Essex, which offers an unforgettable experience, not only to see new places but also to push yourself within a thrilling challenge. This year, the event will take place on Sunday 26th May 2024. How do you plan to take part?

Stages of rides at RideLondon 2024

Ford Ride London – Essex 30: Sunday 26th May – Embankment – South Woodford – Tower Bridge

Ford Ride London – Essex 60: Sunday 26th May – Embankment – Ongar – Tower Bridge

Ford Ride London – Essex 100: Sunday 26th May – Victoria Embankment – Braintree – Tower Bridge

Need some encouragement to take part next year?

Unfortunately, it is now too late to sign up for this year’s RideLondon event. Make sure to keep an eye out for the announcement of RideLondon 2025.

1. Picturesque Views: The ride starts and finishes in London, taking you on a beautiful ride through the picturesque Essex Countryside and in between. You’ll get a glimpse of the quaint villages and stunning greenery,  as well as get a taste for England’s rich history.
2. Take on a challenge: Tackle the challenging terrain, from steep climbs to exhilarating descents. The RideLondon is a huge challenge for any cyclist, no matter how much experience you may have, however, it’s incredibly rewarding! Not only for you to challenge yourself, but also to raise money for incredible causes while doing so.
3. Community: The RideLondon is a great day out for the whole family. Whether you’re taking part in the event, and meeting with some friends before or after, or you’re going to support  a loved one who is taking part – it creates a huge sense of community for everyone. Keep an eye out on our socials (@cyclekinguk) to see what we get up to to support RideLondon – Essex.

Join us in supporting the Ford RideLondon – Essex riders

We’ve partnered with Epping Forest District Council to support RideLondon at the Epping Community Fete. Join us between 8:30am and 12:30 pm on 26th May to take part in an array of fun activities.

Work up a sweat for your very own fruit delight on one of our smoothie bikes, tackle tombola or get some funky face paint. You can also  be in with the chance of winning one of the two bikes we’ve donated for the events, either a kids’ or adults’ bike. It’s an enjoyable day out for the whole family; we hope to see you there.

We’d love to see what you get up to on the day! Make sure to tag us in your photos @cyclekinguk. You can find out more about the Epping Community fete here.

Accessories to jazz up or improve your ride:

Know someone keen to get training for RideLondon 2025? Gift the gift of support with some of our most popular accessories. 

Smart Front Rear 3 LED light set – £14.99 This compact light set is designed to be an affordable yet effective light set, ideal for all cyclists.

  Zefal Magnum Pro 975 ml Bottle Black – £8.99

The large capacity of this bottle makes it perfect for those long bike rides helping you to stay hydrated on your cycle. It’s compatible with most bottle cages.

Electric bikes, also known as e-Bikes, have gained huge popularity in recent years, offering a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transport. While e-bikes offer several further benefits from your regular non-electric bike, this shouldn’t deter from the most important priority when choosing a bike, riding safety. In this blog, we’ll explore some crucial safety tips to ensure safety is at the forefront of every ride, whilst enjoying your e-bike’s full potential.

1. Know your e-bike

Before embarking on your journey, familiarise yourself with your e-bike’s features. Understand how to adjust the pedal assist levels, operate the brakes, and manage the electric motor. Regularly check your e-bike for any signs of wear and tear, and ensure that it’s properly maintained for optimal performance and safety.

2. Be mindful of your speed

While e-bikes offer assistance with pedaling, it’s essential to stay mindful of your speed. Respect speed limits and adjust your riding pace according to road conditions, traffic flow, and your surroundings. Avoid sudden accelerations or decelerations, especially when navigating congested areas or crowded pathways.

3. Stay visible

Enhance your visibility to other road users by using front and rear lights, reflectors, and hi-vis clothing. Some e-bikes come equipped with built-in lights, but if your chosen e-bike doesn’t, check out our wide range of bikes lights by clicking here. We’ve put together some of our top picks for bike lights and hi-vis clothing below:

Reflective Hi-Viz Trouser Clips Pair – WAS £3.99, NOW £1.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

Reduce your wind drag, increase your stability and make yourself more visible on the daily commute or weekend ride. A great choice for any commuter!

4. Always wear protective clothing

Wearing protective gear is essential whether you are on a regular bike, or electric bike. It’s worth investing in a good quality helmet that fits you snug, and will protect your head in the case of an accident. Did you know you should replace your helmet every three years, or sooner, to ensure it effectively  absorbs shock from an accident? Check out our top pick adults helmet below:

Ammaco Venti Shield X Road helmet – WAS £89.99, NOW £79.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

This helmet will elevate your safety with Shield X technology, offering enhanced protection. The Shield X liner allows a sliding motion of approximately 10-15mm which helps reduce the impact to your head. It’s designed for those seeking performance, comfort, and natural cooling from a high-quality stylish road cycling helmet.

5. Follow the traffic laws

This is a particularly important rule to follow when cycling on roads. Always pay attention to traffic lights and make sure to stick to cycle lanes to avoid any accidents. If turning, make sure to signal beforehand to make other drivers aware. Be considerate of other road users and pedestrians.

6. Stay alert to obstacles

Be aware of vehicles, pedestrians and other cyclists to avoid a collision. Stay focused and minimise distractions such as music or using your phone whilst riding. Always consider the conditions of the road and adjust your speed accordingly. Keep an eye out for potholes, mud, puddles, leaf piles and be cautious when approaching.

If you’re looking for an efficient way of getting around then an e-bike is a great choice for you. Whether you’re in need of a leisurely ride around town or planning on commuting to work, we’ve got the perfect e-bike for any requirements. Here are some of our top pick e-bikes:

Emu Roam Crossbar 700c Wheel Electric Bike – WAS £1149.00, NOW £999.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

The Emu Roam Crossbar offers two battery options. One is the 10.4Ah, which offers a 45-mile range in a single charge. The other is 14Ah which offers a 55-mile range in a single charge. It’s both reliable and cost-effective and doesn’t require excessive pedaling to reach your destination. It is also equipped with front and rear mudguards, Tektro brakes, and puncture-resistant CST tyres for increased safety.

We also have a handy e-bike user guide which provides lots of useful information about e-bikes, how to look after the battery and how to maintain the bike itself. You can check it out here.

As e-bikes continue to grow in popularity, prioritising safety should be the main concern for all riders. By following these essential safety tips and exercising caution on the road, you can enjoy the many benefits of electric cycling while minimising the risk of accidents or injuries. You can browse our selection of electric bikes here, or visit your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store today. Find your local store here.