Articles written by Jon Sparks

Two specific techniques, pre-focusing and panning, are ideal for getting great photos of bicycle action. They take a little practice but aren't too hard to master.

Nov 6, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Equipment and Technique Advice for bicyclists who take pictures: pros and cons of different ways to carry a camera when cycling.

Nov 1, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Equipment and technique advice for bicyclists who take pictures, looking at the challenges posed by the sheer speed of cycling action, even leisure and touring.

Oct 31, 2007 - Jon Sparks

A brief overview of bicycle geometry, the complex science underlying the design of frames and forks, which affects every aspect of a bike's ride.

Oct 25, 2007 - Jon Sparks

The frame is the core of every bike. This article looks at four basic frame designs: the diamond, 'lady's', mixte and compact, focusing on the needs of girls and women.

Oct 10, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Explains the main types of disc brakes for bicycles and the different fitting systems. Discusses whether you can fit disc brakes to your existing bike.

Oct 5, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Experience of a week's guided mountain biking in the Austrian Tirol, with long climbs and singletrack descents plus stunning scenery and visits to remote mountain huts

Sep 17, 2007 - Jon Sparks

There's fantastic mountain biking in the European Alps, but for maximum fun and satisfaction it's vital to pick the right holiday or destination to suit your skill level.

Sep 13, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Mountain biking began little more than a quarter-century ago in Northern California, with fat-tyred 'Klunkerz' a far cry from today's mountain bikes.

Jul 17, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Discussion of some of the many ways in which people were riding off-road long before the invention of the mountain bike, from the Tour de France to exploring the wilds

Jul 13, 2007 - Jon Sparks

The Quantocks are ideal mountain biking territory, with a dense network of superb natural trails and great scenery.

Jun 13, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Explaining the three basic categories of mountain bike: Rigid, Hardtail and Full-suspension. Plus some simple suggestions on deciding which is right for you.

Jun 13, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Broadly positive review of two mountain bike guidebooks, in innovative format, covering south-west and south-east England - and link to special offer to buy them

Jun 4, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Delightful touring by bike and ferry around the peaceful, idyliic Turku Archipelago off the southwest coast of Finland

May 29, 2007 - Jon Sparks

General description and recommended routes for cycle-touring in Finland

May 29, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Tyres are the contact zone between bike and road. Tyres define the ride. Changing tyres is the quickest, easiest way to adapt a bike to different uses.

Apr 24, 2007 - Jon Sparks

The fastest humans are those on bikes; here are some of their amazing records.

Apr 13, 2007 - Jon Sparks

What is a road bike? What's a mountain bike? What the heck is a hybrid? This article starts to make sense of the mulitiplicty of different types of bicycle.

Apr 13, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Exploring the network of top-class dedicated mountain bike centres from Snowdonia to South Wales; forest singletrack, wilderness trails and much more.

Apr 13, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Exploring the importance of hydration for recreational cycling as well as racing. Looking at reasons to drink sensibly, and what to drink.

Mar 23, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Guidelines on the pros and cons of different methods of carrying and consuming drinks for road cycling and mountain biking.

Mar 23, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Further advice on hydration for recreational cycling as well as racing, focusing on when and how much to drink.

Mar 23, 2007 - Jon Sparks

A personal list of books covering bike racing, cycle-touring and travel, but excluding 'how-to' books and ride guides.

Mar 14, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Single-geared bikes come in many different forms and a single-gear setup may be chosen for a variety of reasons.

Mar 7, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Riding is a lot more pleasant on a well-maintained bike, and keeping a bicycle clean and lubricated is the essence of preventive maintenance.

Mar 7, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Coed-y-Brenin in mid-Wales is a great place to go mountain biking and also has a special place in the history of the sport thanks to pioneer trail-builder Dafydd Davis.

Feb 23, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Coed-y-Brenin's special place in the history of mountain biking is underpinned by a great selection of trails which continues to evolve.

Feb 23, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Explaining why some bikes have thirty gears and others only one, introducing the benefits of gears to cyclists and how best to use them for efficient pedalling

Feb 2, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Science and experience shows that the right pedalling rate, or cadence, is vital in making cycling easier and more enjoyable.

Feb 2, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Bikes are getting more and more gears but is this entirely a good thing? What does it mean to the ordinary cyclist? Can 30 gears all be useable?

Feb 2, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Modern gears, especially derailleur gears, make cycling easy and efficient, especially if riders apply some very simple rules

Feb 2, 2007 - Jon Sparks

This article aims to make sense of the sometimes mystifying ways in which gear ratios on bicycles are described and compared

Feb 2, 2007 - Jon Sparks

The English Lake District offers mountain-bikers everything from manmade singletrack to wild trails over high summits and passes, in Earth's most celebrated scenic area.

Jan 11, 2007 - Jon Sparks

A gentle cycle tour in classic French countryside; picturesque scenery, masses of historic towns and villages and - naturally - excellent food and drink.

Jan 4, 2007 - Jon Sparks

A gentle cycle tour in southwest England, ideal for anyone who likes their cycling leisurely and relaxed, with pretty scenery, comfortable places to stop and great pubs

Jan 4, 2007 - Jon Sparks

Scotland, where the bicycle began, is the best place on the planet for mountain biking, and that's official.

Dec 21, 2006 - Jon Sparks

Those big 29-inch wheels on mountain bikes - are they a flash in the pan or will we all be riding them in a year or two?

Dec 20, 2006 - Jon Sparks

Fitting the handlebars on your bike is crucial to riding comfort and efficiency.

Dec 7, 2006 - Jon Sparks