Asgard MD cycles from Northern France to Spanish Boarder

Posted on May 18, 2013 by tarahamilton

Asgard doesn’t just sell bike storage units, the staff have a passion for cycling too, which may explain why their bike storage units are so good!

Staff from the Asgard offices have previously taken part in charity bike rides and weekends away spent cycling up mountain tops, but the Asgard Managing Director, Nick Hewitt, has taken it to the next level!

Who needs a Sat Nav?

Who needs a Sat Nav?

Along with a group of friends, he attempted to cycle from the northern tip of France to the Spanish boarder in just 9 days. This would be a mighty challenge for a lot of people and I’m sure I would have given up after the first few days, but Nick and the team managed to beat their target, completing the 848 mile journey in 8 and a half days after spending 54 hours on their bikes. But it wasn’t all work and no play, they managed to fit in some fun along the way at various vineyards and enjoying some lovely French cuisine.

They made it!

They made it!

The trip didn’t go without its hiccups though, with Sat Navs broken on the first day, wrong turns and flooding. But thankfully they all made it back in one piece!  They call themselves ‘The Yorkshire Terries’, a fitting name I think. The ‘Yorkshire Terriers’  team is made up of Nick Hewitt, Garry Ogden, Rupert Pearson, Oliver Garside, Robin Litten, Matt Milbourn and Andy Mullins. Take a look at the highlights of their journey here.

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How to protect your bike from theft at home

Posted on May 12, 2013 by tarahamilton

You may think that your wooden garden shed is substantial enough to keep your bike protected from the prying eyes and quick fingers of thieves, but you’d be wrong! A large amount of bike thefts take place at home and the majority of those bikes are stolen from wooden garden sheds or garages and these type of thefts will be on the increase as we head into summer.

Recently, a shed in Westhoughton has fallen victim to this crime and the unlucky owner of the shed has lost 3 bikes of great value totalling  £9,000.  It didn’t take long for the thieves to make their way into the garden and force their way into the shed, in the early hours of the morning, to steal the bikes. With an earlier sunrise, there are more opportunities for bike thieves to work in good light conditions, without risking being caught.

Protect your bike from theft

Protect your bike from theft

Neighbours of the victim said:

“I am really surprised as it’s a quiet street. Nothing like that usually happens. I hope they manage to find the thieves and bikes.” 

“I am a light sleeper and I didn’t hear a thing.”

Stories like this show that you can never be too careful when it comes to keeping your bikes safe at home.

One of the best ways to protect your bike from theft, is by investing in an Asgard bike storage unit. These metal bike sheds are made from tough weatherproof steel and have been designed to give you the best protection for your bikes. Asgard bike sheds are fitted with pick resistant euro cylinder locks and have integral metal bases for the best security.

Asgard best selling bike storage

Asgard best selling bike storage

“Excellent product. Delivery service was great. Product heavy weight and very sturdy. Easy to follow instructions. Easy access to contents. Very secure.Very happy with purchase” Revive

View the full range of Asgard bike storage on the Asgard website.

Filed under: asgard, Bicycle Security, bike shed, Bike storage, bike theft, cycling, Metal sheds | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Cycling on the pavement- what’s the law?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by tarahamilton

While commuting, I have noticed a number of cyclists riding on the pavements, which in the UK is illegal. However many cyclists choose to use pavements during  busy periods of fast moving traffic, through fear and wanting to keep themselves protected.  Some would argue that if you don’t feel totally comfortable cycling on the road, no matter what the conditions, then you should leave your bike at home.

Cycling on the pavement is seen as inconsiderate and can cause fear for pedestrians. Cycling on the pavement, especially at speed can result in serious injury or worse unassuming pedestrians, however this is very rare and cyclists could argue that the situation is worse for them, when being faced by lanes of rush hour traffic.

cycle safe

For those caught cycling on the pavement, there is a £30 fine or a fine of £60 if caught in London. However back in 2012, David Arnold a Cambridge cyclist refused to pay the fine when he was caught cycling along a footpath as there were no signage to indicate bikes weren’t permitted. Because of his refusal to pay the fine, Mr Arnold now holds a criminal record for his actions.

Even with signs in place, there will always be people cycling on pavements until better cycle paths and cycle lanes are put into place. An effective cycling infrastructure needs to be put into place that creates a safe cycling environment for those who choose to commute by bike, as the main cause of cyclists using pavements illegally is that they feel pushed off of the road.

However you choose to ride your bike, make sure you cycle safely, respecting the safety of those around you.

Read more on cycling law in the UK.

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Investment into UK Cycling

Posted on April 27, 2013 by tarahamilton

Cycling MP’s in the UK are calling for more than £1bn a year to invest in cycling. This is just one of the many recommendations outlined in the ‘Get Britain Cycling Summary Report’ published by the APPCG (All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group).

The APPCG has also recommended in this report that;

  • There should be rules to make sure cyclist and pedestrian needs are considered early on in new planning schemes.
  • Better driver training for lorry drivers is needed and HGV’s should have their movements restricted on busy streets during rush hour.
  • It is recommended that cycle training is provided at all primary and secondary schools.
Time to get Britain cycling

Time to get Britain cycling

The recommendations made in this report will help to improve public health and make roads, towns and cities a safer environment. However in order for all of the recommendations  to take action, 10 times the investment will be needed. The investment should be increased from £2 per head to £10 and this should be increased again, to £20, as cycling’s popularity begins to increase.

Norman Baker, a local transport minister stated “we are grateful to the APPCG for raising the profile of cycling and will respond to the report shortly”.

View the full Get Britain Cycling Report.

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Top cycling apps for your phone

Posted on March 29, 2013 by tarahamilton

If technology and cycling is your thing, you’ll be on the lookout for the best cycling apps for your smartphone. In this list you’ll find something for your every cycling need!

Bike Doctor 2

This app features 29 of the most common bike repairs, with step by step guides to help you get your bike moving again. Great for those cycling emergencies and for those who are bike repair novices.

Bike Hub

Bike Hub is a free app that allows you to get from A to B on the best cycling route. Depending on your mood and confidence, you can choose between a fast route, a quiet route or something in between.

Cyclemeter

The Cyclemeter app tracks your cycling while utilising your phones GPS. You’ll be able to see statistics such as speed and distance and all of the information can be transferred to a computer.

Get the best cycling apps for your phone

Get the best cycling apps for your phone

Strava

This app revolves around a community and provides a competitive element to your cycling routine. With this app you are able to track ‘segments’ of road and compete with riders who have used also ridden the same ‘segment’ to see who can do the fastest time.  This is a great app to unleash your competitive side.

Garmin Fit

Garmin Fit turns your smartphone into a training tool and is useful for all kinds of sports including cycling. Once you have finished your session,the data is uploaded to Garmin Connect, allowing you to track your training progress.

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Hackney is the cycling capital of London

Posted on March 6, 2013 by tarahamilton

Census data has shown that in Hackney more people commute by bike than car and the London borough has the highest bike rider-ship in the capital.

Statistics taken from the census showed that 1 in 7 Hackney residents use their bike as their main method of getting to work. This is the highest in London, at 14.6%, with Islington coming in second at 9.6%.

There are many factors that are thought to have encouraged the popularity of cycling in Hackney;

  • The borough is flat and within good distance to areas of employment.
  • The population has risen by 44,000 over the last 10 years.
  • The population of Hackney is largely the young and fashionable.

One of the biggest factors has been the council’s willingness to redesign junctions and one way streets to include cycle lanes.

Copenhagen cycle lane

Overall cycling in London has increased by 109% since 2001. Statistics have shown that the City of London is the only other London borough where more people cycle than drive to work.

With such positive figures for cycling in Hackney, hopefully more boroughs will follow suit to encourage cycling, making it safer and more accessible for people to get on their bikes.

Information provided by Standard 

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Is cyclist discrimination a crime?

Posted on March 3, 2013 by tarahamilton

Campaigners are calling for discrimination against cyclists to be treated as a crime.  The campaign which has been launched in Cambridge is calling for a clampdown on abuse towards bike riders including comments posted on social networking sites and websites.

The number of people cycling in  Cambridge on a regular basis is higher than the rest of the UK, with 52% of residents riding their bike at least once a week.

Time for a better cycling infrastructure

The Cambridge cycling campaign told the Get Britain Cycling inquiry that being labelled a ‘cyclist’ was one of the biggest reasons why people choose not to use bikes. The Campaign has said that cyclists should be treated in the same way as ethnic minorities.

Cambridge’s MP, Julian Huppert, has welcomed the campaign “Hatred of cyclists is not just extremely unpleasant and unnecessary it is dangerous because it causes conflict which can cause accidents.”

However Eddie Stadnik, chief officer of the Cambridge Ethnic community forum, said that he was not convinced that this was something that could be protected against discrimination.

This campaign is calling for more investment to increase the level of cycling paths and reduce speed limits to a default of 20mph in urban areas.

Information provided by the Cambridge News.

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23 months before your bike is stolen, the clock is ticking!

Posted on January 12, 2013 by tarahamilton

A recent survey carried out by insurer LV found that on average, a person’s bike is stolen just 23 months into ownership. If you and your beloved bike are heading towards this milestone you will want to up your bike security.

This survey found that 1 in 5 bike owners have their bikes stolen after just 6 months. Most of the people surveyed expect to keep their bikes for 10 years, but with the rate of bike thefts rising this simply isn’t the case.

A third of bike thefts still go unreported as victims feel that there is a very low chance of ever getting their bike back. This lack of reporting leads people to believe that bike theft isn’t as big of an issue as it is made out to be. However, even with a third of thefts going unreported, bike theft has risen by 7% in the last year.

Don't fall victim to theft

Don’t fall victim to theft

3 in 10 of those questioned said their bike was stolen from their garage or shed and a fifth reported their bike being stolen from their driveway. Fewer precautions seem to be taken when it comes to bike security at the home. However this is just as important as bike security when you are out and about. If your garage or shed is easily accessible, then it won’t take much for a thief to work their way inside and if you own an expensive bike it is possible that a bike thief has spotted you and followed you home for the chance to steal your bike. Reports suggest this is a particular problem in Bristol, with gangs following cyclist’s home and returning to steal their bikes.

If you are concerned about the security of your bike there are a few things you can do to ramp up the security:

  • Always lock your bike and use two locks when you can – a D lock and chain together is a good way to deter a thief.
  • Buy the best lock you can afford.
  • Remove all valuable items from your bike if leaving it in a public place.
  • If your return to find your tyre has been punctured, never leave the bike overnight, walk it home.
  • If using your bike at night, lock it up in a busy and well lit area.
Secure your bike at home

Secure your bike at home

If you want more protection for your bike at home or live in an area that has been targeted by bike thieves, it may be worth investing in secure storage for your bike. Asgard has a range of secure bike storage units designed specifically to house your bike and cycling accessories. Asgard bike storage offers the best in bike security, providing you with peace of mind. These steel bike storage units are made from tough galvanised steel and are fitted with strong locking systems and pick resistant locking mechanisms, designed to keep thieves out!  Check out the full range of secure bike storage on the Asgard website.

Figures and information provided by Road.cc

Filed under: asgard, Bicycle Security, bike chain lock, bike D lock, bike shed, Bike storage, bike theft, cycle theft, cycling | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Stolen bicycles found in polytunnel in New Forest

Posted on December 21, 2012 by nazishs

Stolen bicycles found in polytunnel in New Forest

Bicycles found in Pennington polytunnel

Police said thieves were targeting the most valuable bicycles, leaving others behind

More than 100 bicycles have been discovered in a polytunnel in the New Forest by police investigating a spate of bike thefts.

Hampshire police said at least 50 cycles had been reported stolen in the Lymington, Brockenhurst and New Milton areas since September.

The hoard was discovered in a polythene greenhouse near Pennington.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the investigation. Three men remain on bail.

Officers said 28 top-of-the-range bicycles were stolen in the Lymington area in October, compared with one during the same period in 2011 and three in 2010.

Police said the number of thefts was comparable to Portsmouth, which has a population 14 times larger.

‘Quality D-lock’

Sgt Harry Wilson, of Hampshire Constabulary, said he believed a group of people working together were targeting valuable bikes.

Three men from the New Forest area, aged 20, 23 and 52, have been arrested and bailed, police said.

A 14-year-old has been cautioned in connection with a single bike theft and an 18-year-old man has been reported for summons in connection with a single bike theft.

PC Ian Cross said: “It is notable that almost every single cycle stolen in this series of thefts was secured using a chain or cable lock.

“These will stop the opportunist thief but a good quality D-Lock secured around the frame is by far the best deterrent to a determined criminal.”

Officers are now contacting victims of cycle theft and are urging anyone else who has lost a bicycle to come forward.

Beat bike theft with a Secure Metal Bike Store.

Filed under: bicycle alarm, bicycle cable lock, bike cable lock, bike chain lock, bike D lock, bike locks, Bike locks/security, cycle storage, cycle theft, cycling, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Get on your bike this autumn!

Posted on October 5, 2012 by tarahamilton

The weather may be turning colder and wetter, but cycling isn’t just for the summer months you can still enjoy cycling this autumn,  so don’t be deterred!

Charity cycling events

Even with the weather changing, there are lots of charity cycling events out there to choose from. Doitforcharity.com has loads of charity events to pick from.  If you didn’t get the chance to do anything for charity over the summer, now is your chance! If there are no charity events in your local area before the end of the year, why not pick one for 2013 and start your training now. Not only will you be able to challenge yourself and build your endurance but you will be able to raise money for a good cause.

Cycling trails

Enjoy the autumn scenery and go off road. If you’re not used to off road cycling, you can find trails in your local area on council websites. Going off road is a great way to discover new places and explore new areas and wildlife. Cycling trails are also a good activity to do as a family activity, get the whole family together!

Get off road this autumn

Local cycling events

There are still loads of local cycling events continuing throughout the autumn months.  The road.cc website is full of cycling events, keep checking it out as new ones are constantly added.

Join a cycling social group

If you need a reason, or need pushing to get out on your bike in the colder weather, why not try a cycling social group? Making new friends and cycling with other people is always fun and it’s a great way to encourage you to get out on your bike more, especially when the weather is bad.

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