Rob's quintessential bike know-how
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You get bonus points for getting on a bike instead of riding in a car. For a start you have reduced your environmental impact by a huge amount. You are also burning energy that may otherwise be simply stored on your body as fat. Bravo! You'll see more of the world around you, get fit and save money. You'll probably improve your overall health and by being out there on the roads you'll encourage other people to do the same and help to teach other road users how to respect cyclists.

You have a few choices to make in bike type, size and cost. For a start, do you want to do social, commuter or training rides?

• Check out this excellent Australian-based bike association: Bicycle NSW. The 'bike bus' is an interesting way to increase visibility and feel safer on busy roads.
• Local bike shops are a good source of information as well as offering a variety of social or training ride options. Check out Renegade Cycles in Sydney Australia.
• And if you want to get some form and fitness checkout the articles at Cyclingnews.com
• If your aspirations are more top 50 rather than top 10 these training tips in Rob Russell's guide to 'from E grade to A grade and back again' may help
• And Rob's 'part 2' talks racing strategy.

Bike Racing

• When you race you sign up with a global body, the UCI. Locally you join clubs affiliated with UCI-linked bodies like the NSW (Australia) bicycle racing association, Cycling NSW.
• Whether you win or not, you'll check out the bike racing results and info at Cyclingnews.com
• Several Sydney, Australia based clubs race at Heffron Park. This is the Randwick-Botany club.
• Club bike racing is also held at Calga or Ourimbah, near Gosford, NSW.
• If you want to read about race craft try Rob Russell's guide to 'from E grade to A grade and back again'
• And Rob's 'part 2' gets further into the topic.

The Hardware

• A good overview of bike mechanicals can come in handy.
• Sheldon Brown's excellent site - well worth a visit.
• A hardware overview can be found in Rob Russell's guide to 'from E grade to A grade and back again'.
• And of course check out the repair help at Park Tools.

The History

• Interesting US bicycle museum
• The Major Taylor Association

Books and Images

• Images from Heffron Park, Ourimbah and Camperdown velodrome
• The Major Taylor Association