Tech Tips

The back of beyond is a long way from workshop tools and spare parts. So when big crap happens, you'll need to make like de Bono and dredge up some lateral thinking to limp home.

It's a bummer but your mountain bike needs care, love and attention (just like the family cat).

Tricks to avoid walking home when crap happens.

You need to carry enough tools and bits so you can hobble home on your wounded bike but not be laden down like a US Marine.

The essentials of cycle touring.

For two or three day mountain bike trips the trick is to take the least amount of stuff that you can safely get away with. This invariably means omitting a few comforts but is a worthy sacrifice... tackling wonderful singletrack while being loaded like a packhorse is not a good time.

According to legend, Jack Kerouac wrote his seminal road trip novel 'On the Road' in just three weeks, on a continuous 36 metre scroll of paper that he cut to size and taped together.

Buying a second-hand mountain bike should save you a wad of cash over a new one- but just like when scouting for a used car you'll want to keep your wits about you so you don't end up with an expensive lemon.

Holidaying with your bike can present challenges to even the seasoned traveller, but as always there are tricks to avoid too much grief when heading to places far-away.

Along with a masochistic yoga session, a pint of beetroot juice and a fresh goat - the consumption of large quantities of food is one of Ernie's favourite things (whoops - that sounds dangerously like Julie Andrews).

Secrets to tackle very technical trails.

Launching obstacles rather than rolling off them lets you maintain momentum and flow on a sweet trail, helps avoid gnashing your big ring and makes you feel like a demi-god.