Tour de Bog 2010

What started twenty years ago, with Rhouri Quinn TD, Barry Smith and Robin Simpson with their family cycling just for fun on their bikes from Roundstone to Ballyconneely and then along the Bog Road back to Roundstone, hence the name Tour de Bog, as it grew over the years it become too much of a responsibility for the welfare of the other riders who joined them.

This year we had an accurate account of riders of 392. The hardest part has been to find sponsors for the T- Shirts, however as luck would have it in 2009 Derry Shaw approached me on behalf of his nephew Brian McDermott to sponsor the T-Shirts for the 2009 Bike ride, with the idea to promote the new bike shop in Sandymount, Dublin 4. This was a successful event, we ran out of shirts with 330 riders.

This year Brian himself and his colleagues said that on behalf of their company www.2wheels.ie would sponsor the ride for the year 2010 as it was the 20th Anniversary Roundstone Tour de Bog with an increase of T- shirts with our logo and theirs, this year colour was green. During the ride the boys were dishing out bananas to all the riders, who certainly did not go hungry. Brian and gang now have two bike shops in Dublin.

Brian McDermott on behalf of the company has confirmed verbally that they would consider sponsoring again for the year 2011. For Roundstone this event has become a very important one as a fund raiser to be put back into the community, we are truly thankful to them. We must also thank the visitors who took care of the water stops, Ted Sherwood as MC and to all those that helped out on the day.

PHOTOS

Well done to all and their familys for the massive effort at this years 20th Tour De Bog. You can view photos from the event by clicking here

If you would like to purchase some of the pictures please contact 

The pics will only be up for 2 weeks. All images are 8X6 inches and will be framed glassed and mounted in a  10X8 frame. Photos will be ready within 2 weeks from when the order is placed. Please quote image number(s) when placing your order.

What is a BSO?

In essence it is a very low price and poor quality bicycle. Expect prices to be around €100 – €199, although plenty will cost even less.

Generally these bikes are supplied in flat-pack boxes to be assembled by the owner, or taken to a “proper bike shop” to be built-up. You will find them in supermarkets, catalogues, the back of the newspaper, toy shops. Basically everywhere other than in a reputable specialist cycle shop.

Why should you avoid a BSO?

1. Safety – buying a bike flat-pack in a box means taking responsibility for ensuring it is safely assembled. Unfortunately BSO’s are particularly hard to assemble to a safe standard, even where this has been done for you. The tools supplied – and often they are not – are cheap and not sufficient for the job.

The parts to be assembled are poor quality which means they may be hard to fit correctly. Instructions are often not complete or sometimes missing, which means ensuring parts are fitted correctly and safely – such as brakes and pedals – can be particularly difficult.

Plus of course the owner themselves may have little or no experience of bicycle maintenance or correct use of tools.

For example, many BSO’s are spotted with the front forks facing the wrong way because the owner did not know they had to be changed when removed from the box. This will mean the bicycle will not steer correctly and the brakes will not work properly.

2. Poor quality parts – to keep the price low the parts and components on a BSO will be of particularly low specification and poor quality. That means they are really only able to cope with very light use, and will be prone to mechanical problems which are difficult to fix because of the quality.

Features such as suspension or disc brakes will be of very poor design and quality, meaning they won’t be able to do a proper job. Plus of course there’s the weight of your BSO, which will almost certainly make getting around much harder work.

3. Value for money – poor quality parts and components will almost certainly not survive regular use which means they will need to be replaced or repaired regularly. In fact on some BSO’s they may never work properly in the first place. Ultimately this could mean spending more than you originally paid for the bike itself, just to keep it working, or to replace it sooner than expect.

We generally recommend spending about €350 on a bike. In most cases a bike at this price will be of considerably better quality – and therefore value – than a bike that cost €100 – €199. Which means the “bargain” you picked up whilst at the supermarket really won’t be such a good deal afterall.

4. Bad cycling experience - perhaps one of the main reasons to avoid a BSO is because it will not offer you a particularly enjoyable cycling experience. Mechanical problems or safety issues – and the costs associated with fixing them – ultimately spoil the simple pleasure of riding your bike.

Gears that don’t work properly, brakes that give-up at the first sign of a descent, uncomfortable saddles, and constant unseen rattles and shakes; will lead to a very frustrating time on your bike.

Speak to an expert

To the untrained eye its not always easy to spot the BSO’s from the better quality bicycles. Obviously getting a bike in a box from anything other than a specialist will almost certainly mean it is a BSO, and could mean you are in for problems.

If in doubt always speak to a specialist cycle retailer and get an expert opinion on the best bike for you plus the peace-of-mind that it has been assembled correctly.

First of all it’s important to understand what type of bike you want, as choosing the right bike is just as important as how much you spend. Once you know what you want always try and spend as much as you can afford, as you really will get what you pay for.

Generally we don’t recommend spending less than €200.

This is because your bike will be of particularly poor quality in terms of parts and components and as such will require regular maintenance which ultimately will end up costing you as much if not more, than the price you paid for your bike. The more you use your bike the more you should invest in it.

Here is a quick guide to pricing guidelines for adult bikes:

Under €200

Bikes at this price level will likely be heavy, rust-prone and require constant maintenance if you want a pleasurable ride. If that’s all you’ve got to spend then keep it simple – cheap extras (suspension, fancy disc brakes etc.) will only ensure that the quality of the basic components is compromised to achieve the low price.

€200 to €450

For this price range, you can get some great recreation bikes, some comfortable commuters but only very basic, entry-level road and mountain bikes. Keeping it simple is still a good idea – any extras will only compromise the quality of the basic components.

€450 to €700

Commuters and recreation bikes in this price range will be good quality, reliable and fast. Mountain bikes will still be basic but usually strong enough to bash about on rough trails. Road bikes will still be on the entry-level side.

€700 to 1300

Expect to pay in this range for top-of-the-range commuters, reliable hardtail mountain bikes and entry-level full suspension mountain bikes. Some road bikes at this level will be light and fast.

Over €1300

All bikes over €1300 should be light, fast and come with good quality components.

Hybrid

An increasingly popular style and a great all-rounder for leisure and commuting riders, and so-named for combining the best elements of mountain bikes and road bikes. Offers lightweight components, an easy riding position, often includes mudguards and slick or semi-slick tyres for riding on tarmac or cycle / forest paths.

Mountain Bike

Still a very popular choice for many people who want a bike that can do-it-all, although very few actually ever see a mountain. Frame design, materials and components are designed for heavier use off-road, hence the knobbly tyres. Most will have front-suspension to improve comfort and stability, although more and more models now have suspension front and rear.

Racing Bike

The traditional drop-handlebar race bike – or road bike – designed for racing or fitness riders who have the need for speed. Lightweight construction and components designed specifically for use on tarmac roads.

Folding Bike

Great for riders who don’t have much storage space at home or are commuting / travelling part-way by car / train or bus. Designed for use on the road they generally come with mudguards and luggage racks as standard. The smaller wheels are primarily better suited to shorter journeys.

Dutch Bike

If you have been to Holland you’ll know what we mean. If you have not then we are referring to bikes with a very upright riding position, designed for comfort not speed. This style usually features a basket at the front plus mudguards, luggage rack at the rear and enclosed chain and gears for low-maintenance riding. Not as popular as they should be for everyday cycling, but we think that will be changing. Check out our exclusive range of Gazelle’s.

BMX

This bike is designed for maximum fun. With no gears and various styles adapted for racing, ramps or jumping this bike is as much about lifestyle as transport. Smaller versions are also popular as children’s bikes.

Your local cycle shop is the best source of advice and information to assist you in making the right decision, and of course nothing can substitute sitting on a bike and giving it a test ride to decide if its right for you before you buy.

Here is some useful information to help you get started.

A couple of questions you need to answer:

• “What type of cycling will I be doing?” - to get the most out of your bike and enjoyment when you are using it think about what type of cycling you will be doing most of. Cycling for transport – such as to work or the shops. Cycling for leisure – such as along local cycle paths, forest routes or mountain biking. Cycling for competition – such as road or off-road racing.
• “How often will I cycle?”– the value you will get from your bike depends how often it will be used. If you will use the bike five days a week or take a long spin on it every weekend, then it’s probably worth paying a bit more for a bike that you will enjoy riding. If, however, you will only use the bike a couple of times a month, you will need to consider your budget so that you do not end up with an expensive bike that is rarely used.
• “What’s my budget?”- you get what you pay for and never more so that when it comes to buying a bicycle. Try and get the best you can afford because it will ultimately be a better investment in terms of quality components, features and durability. We generally suggest that a budget of around €350 is really the starting point for a good quality adult bicycle for general leisure / transport use.

Planning your Tour de Picnic training

To complete the Tour de Picnic is your ultimate goal.  Your training program represents a series of smaller steps that lead up to the event. I believe that about 6 weeks of training is sufficient to get almost anybody to the level required for the Tour de Picnic. While this training program is designed for everyone, it especially caters for the people that are not already cycling regularly. If you are not cycling at all yet, you need to get on your bike! The Tour de Picnic is not a competitive cycle but your level of preparation will decide how you feel when you complete the cycle. Do you want to be glad it’s over so you can rest or elated that you have completed your goal and ready for a great weekend?

The Training Plan 6 weeks total

Your training will also be affected by your personal goals. Do you want to THRIVE or SURVIVE. Your preparation will decide this for you. This training program will include 3 different phases;

Weeks 1 – 3: Base Phase – Where your body gets used to being on a bike regularly

Weeks 4 – 5: Endurance Phase – Where you are able to comfortably cover longer distances

Week 6: Taper Phase – Where you get some rest before the big day

Weeks 1 – 3 : July 23^rd – August ^12th

When you are getting started it is about little steps. Basically use your bike as much as you can. You should aim to get on your bike 2 or 3 days this week. You should be using any excuse to use the bike no matter how short the journey. It’s about getting comfortable on your bike, familiar with how it handles and making any adjustments necessary sooner rather than later.

You should also aim to go for one training cycle. This is where you need to push yourself a little and see what level you are at. More importantly this will tell you what goals you need to set. Perhaps a 10/15km cycle on a route that you are familiar with?In the second week try to do a 25km cycle. For those who have not done much cycling, you should be aiming to do this in under 90 minutes. It is important to keep pushing yourself to go further. It really will make a huge difference on the day.

Why not join our free training cycle on Tuesdays @ 7pm from our Sandymount store? For more information check out the Bike Club on www.2wheels.ie

If you have any questions relating to your fitness or bike and it’s suitability for the Tour de Picnic please don’t hesitate to ask one of the friendly experts at 2Wheels!

2Wheels Basic Nutrition for Cyclists

One of the best things about riding your bike is that you get a free pass to eat what you want, right? Well, sort of. You can definitely consume more calories, but the right eating plan will give you energy, help you feel better, fuel your body more efficiently and help you lose weight, if that is your goal.

The best eating plan for a cyclist is one that includes plenty of low fat, high carbohydrate foods to provide energy and fluids to offer hydration. While ‘carb’ is a word that will scare many dieters, they are certainly not the diet-wrecking evil food that some people might lead you to believe. Carbs are your body’s preferred source of energy for cycling. Since you are constantly burning carbs to fuel your cycling as well as daily activities, you must regularly replace them with a high carbohydrate diet.

The kind of carbs that give all carbs a bad reputation are those made with simple sugars and refined flours. These offer little nutritional value and should be avoided. Get your fill of carbohydrates through fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grain breads, rice and pasta. Round out your diet with lean protein and a small amount of fat.

When you eat is almost as important as what you eat. About an hour before a ride, fuel up with a high carbohydrate snack or small meal. Some ideas might be fresh fruit and whole grain toast or a half whole wheat bagel with peanut butter.

If your ride is longer than 60 minutes, you’ll need to refuel with more carbs. Researchers recommend about 30 to 40 grams of carbohydrate each 30 minutes you ride beyond the first 60 minutes. This might be a good time to consider a sports drink or energy bar. Eating a high carb snack or meal within 60 minutes after a lengthy ride is important to replenish your body and prepare you for your next ride.

Cyclists must make a conscious effort to drink fluids before, during and after riding to stay hydrated. Becoming dehydrated is one of the worst things that can happen to you and so it is important to be proactive and push lots of fluids, even before you feel thirsty. You’ll want to drink at least 500ml of fluid immediately before a ride, another 300ml every half hour during a ride, and enough when you’re finished to gradually replenish those lost fluids after a ride.

These are basic guidelines that should allow all cyclists get more out of themselves and their bikes. Most of all it will make cycling more enjoyable at every level.

Position: Graduate Programme: Retail Manager & Corporate Consultant, 1 year contract.

Description & Duties: Managing new retail outlet, main emphasis on customer service, sales, corporate road show sales, stock monitoring, cycle events, workshop supervision, staff rosters, 8-12 hour days. 5-6 days per week.

Experience Gained: Extensive sales, inventory management, staff management, start-up outlet, extensive customer service, retail administration, corporate sales and touring logistics.

Person required: Enthusiasm (or budding enthusiasm) for cycling, dynamic thinking with fresh ideas, willingness to learn and adapt constantly, this is an expanding company experiencing constant change.

Remuneration: on application.

2Wheels Cycles
3 Sandymount Green
Dublin 4
+353 1 260 26 11

17A Monkstown Cresent
Co. Dublin
+353 1 284 6245

Join one of the most exciting cycling events in Ireland this year as the Electric Picnic and 2Wheels unveil a ‘Tour de Picnic’ cycling fundraiser to this year’s Picnic.

In participating you will be fundraising for a very worthy charity, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, in return for a free ticket to the festival, as well as remaining true to the eco friendly philosophy of the Picnic. Oh…and did we mention how much fun you’ll have?

The 90km cycle ride will leave Dublin at 10.00am on the morning of Friday 3^rd September, with friendly experts from ‘2Wheels Cycles’ traveling with you all the way to advise and lead the groups on a protected cycle route along the quiet, scenic back roads to Stradbally.

There will be mechanics on hand to help with any problematic bikes and ensure that everyone arrives in Stradbally safely and in time to enjoy the first beats from the main stage at Electric Picnic. Avoid traffic tail backs and enjoy the lovely countryside and fresh air en route to the festival. Your bags and tents for the weekend will be transported for you and will be waiting there for collection when you arrive at the specially constructed and secure bicycle parking site on the Stradbally Estate.

Whether you cycle to work or for fun, or haven’t been on a bike since you were 12…it’s time to get festival fit. Join the thousands of people who have been hooked by the cycling bug. It’s healthy, economic, environmentally friendly and most of all its fun!

Good luck fundraising…and Bon Voyage!