Riley Nicholas
Features Writer at BikeTips
Riley’s latest articles:
How to Corner a Road Bike: Technique, Body Position, and Practice Drills
Cornering is the most underrated skill in cycling. A complete guide to body position, line choice, braking, and the drills that build confident cornering.
Cycling Sunglasses Explained: Lens Color, Coverage, and What Actually Matters
Cycling sunglasses are a piece of safety equipment, not a fashion choice. Here is what actually matters when you choose them — lens color, VLT, coverage, and fit.
UCI Finalises 2026 Helmet Rule: Three Vents, No Visor, No Ear Coverage
The UCI has finalised its 2026 road helmet rule: a minimum of three inlet vents, no visor, no ear coverage. Here’s what’s banned, why, and what it means for your next helmet.
Specialized Demo 11 With SRAM HighGear Gearbox: Downhill’s Biggest Leap in a Decade
Specialized’s new S-Works Demo 11 packs a SRAM-co-developed HighGear gearbox, OBB suspension, and 30mm more clearance — a serious shift for downhill design.
Zone 2 Training for Cyclists: The Science-Backed Guide to Building Endurance
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Bikepacking and Gravel Touring: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
E-Bike Industry Wins Tariff Battle: How 1,300 Comments Saved Riders Hundreds of Dollars
The e-bike industry just won its biggest policy battle in years. The White House confirmed …
New Jersey Eliminates E-Bike Classes: What the Reclassification Means for Riders
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
2026 Is the Year Road Bikes and Gravel Bikes Start to Merge — Here’s Why
Something significant is happening in bicycle design, and it’s been building for several years. The …
Life Time Grand Prix 2026: Record $350K Purse as Gravel’s Biggest Series Returns
The Life Time Grand Prix is returning for its fifth season in 2026 with a …
NYC Announces Major Bike Network Upgrade Ahead of FIFA World Cup
New York City’s Department of Transportation has announced a sweeping bike network upgrade spanning from …
Cycling Injury Prevention: A Prehab Guide for Cyclists
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Tour of Flanders 2026: Pogačar, Van der Poel, and Kopecky Chase Cobblestone Glory
The 110th Tour of Flanders rolls out today, April 5, with the men’s peloton covering …
Cycling Recovery Techniques: How to Bounce Back Faster After Hard Rides
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Adaptive Cycling Research Confirms Major Health Gains for All Abilities
New research published in 2026 confirms what adaptive cycling advocates have long argued: cycling with …
Night Riding Gear and Visibility: The Complete Safety Guide
Night riding gear and visibility equipment are absolutely essential for anyone who cycles after dark. …
Best Bikes Under $1,000: Top Picks for Every Riding Style
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Indoor Cycling Training: Complete Guide to Zwift, TrainerRoad, and Smart Trainers
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Smart Cycling Helmets in 2026: Which Features Actually Make You Safer?
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Recovery Techniques for Cyclists: Science-Backed Strategies to Ride Stronger
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Best Bike Locks: Security Ratings & Theft Prevention Guide
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Gent-Wevelgem 2026: Can Mads Pedersen Make History With a Fourth Win?
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Recovery Techniques for Cyclists: Maximizing Performance Between Rides
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Night Riding Gear Guide: How to Stay Visible and Safe After Dark
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
Copenhagen Sprint Sets New Standard With Equal Prize Money for Men and Women
The Copenhagen Sprint has set a new benchmark for professional cycling by offering identical prize …
New Jersey’s Controversial E-Bike Bill Could Require Licenses and Insurance for All Electric Bicycles
A sweeping new bill in New Jersey is threatening to upend the e-bike landscape in …
New E-Bike Battery Regulations and Specialized Recall Signal Industry Reckoning
The e-bike industry is facing its most significant regulatory reckoning yet. New battery safety laws …
Cycling Base Training: How to Build Your Aerobic Engine
This article is fact-checked and edited by the BikeTips editorial team. Learn more about our …
New Jersey Now Requires Licenses and Insurance for All E-Bikes
New Jersey has become the latest — and arguably most aggressive — US state to …
Volta a Catalunya 2026: Godon Edges Evenepoel in Photo Finish as Mountain Showdown Looms
Dorian Godon gave INEOS Grenadiers a perfect start to the Volta a Catalunya on Sunday, …
Cycling Recovery: How to Bounce Back Faster After Hard Rides
You have just finished a punishing ride. Your legs are screaming, your energy is depleted, …
Cycling in the Heat: 10 Tips to Stay Safe and Ride Strong in Hot Weather
Summer cycling is one of the great joys of the sport — long daylight hours, …
Cycling Hydration Guide: How Much Water You Really Need on the Bike
Hydration is one of the simplest yet most frequently mismanaged aspects of cycling performance. Dehydration …
Volta a Catalunya 2026: Godon Edges Evenepoel in Dramatic Stage 1 Photo Finish
The 105th edition of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya burst into life on Monday with …
Bicycle Lifespans: How Long Do Bikes Last (And Do Electric Bikes Die Faster?)
Any proud bike owner should be concerned with its health and longevity. A bike’s lifespan …
How To Start Commuting By Bike: 14 Bike To Work Tips
To start bike commuting: pick a route with bike lanes or quiet streets (not your …
WorldTour Cycling Team Kits for 2024 Rated: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
New year, new cycling kits – but not all created equal. In this list, we’ll be rounding up every confirmed new 2024 UCI WorldTour team kit, evaluating the good, the bad, and the ugly.
How To Move A Peloton Bike or Treadmill Safely
Peloton equipment may be awesome for keeping fit at home, but they’re also weighty and have lots of delicate components such as touchscreens – so it’s no surprise that plenty of our readers come to us with questions about how to move a Peloton Bike or Tread safely.
Essential Guide to British Bike Brands (Vintage & Modern)
British bike brands may not have the same name recognition as their continental counterparts, especially those from Italy, but vintage enthusiasts and modern riders know that there are exceptional British bikes to be found across all disciplines. So, here’s our A-Z guide to the best British bike brands. Some of these you’ll know about already, and some are less well-known.
Can You Use Peloton Without A Subscription – And Is There Any Point?
For Peloton users looking to scale back their spending on the app, there’s a burning question that needs answering: Can you use Peloton without a subscription to their costly “All-Access” membership? It’s certainly a question I’ve found myself wondering in my years of using Peloton, and we have no shortage of readers asking us the same thing.
What Is Peloton Roll Call? (And Peloton Roll Call Schedule)
Peloton Roll Call classes are strength-based sessions that used to take place bright and early every morning. However, the class has been tweaked a bit recently, and the daily 7:30 a.m. (ET) class isn’t quite as straightforward as it once was.
Peloton Weight Limits Explained (Bike & Tread): What Are The Weight Limits, And Why Do They Exist?
So you’re thinking about entering the world of Peloton home fitness, but you’re worried about the weight limit for the Bike, Bike+ and Tread. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Our team of qualified cycling coaches have extensive hands-on experience with Peloton equipment, and in this article, we’re going to get into what the Peloton weight limits are, why they exist, and what they mean for you.
Peloton Vs NordicTrack: Bike And Treadmill Comparison
If you’re looking to invest in some home workout apparatus, you may be weighing up Peloton vs NordicTrack, both of which make top-end exercise bikes and treadmills.
Suspension Seatposts Explained: Is Bike Seat Suspension Any Good?
Suspension seatposts are… controversial. Depending on who you ask seatpost suspension can be either a crafty solution for riding comfort or a waste of money which can cause you injury. Why is the humble bike seat suspension system so divisive?
Is Peloton Going Out Of Business?
You may have noticed membership price hikes, seen Peloton Studios close down, read stories about product recalls, or generally got the impression that Peloton is in trouble. Is this a load of hot air, or is Peloton going out of business?
How To Watch Tour de France 2023: Nation-by-Nation
In the era of online streaming, watching Le Tour can be something of a minefield of subscription plans, broadcasting rights, and workarounds. So we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to how to watch Tour de France 2023, so you can spend less time fiddling with the remote, and more time watching.
What To Use On Your Bicycle: Wet Vs Dry Lube
When it comes to lubricating your chain, there’s a regular dilemma cyclists face for their bicycle: wet vs dry lube. Lubrication is essential for the health and longevity of your drivetrain, and with your chain, you want to get it right. Deciding between dry lube vs wet lube for your chain isn’t obvious for the uninitiated.
Bike Steerer Tube Length: Everything You Need To Know
To cut or not to cut – that is often the question when we talk about the bicycle steerer tube. This humble but vital part found at the front of the bike, connecting the fork and the stem and handlebars, can cause some head-scratching. Fear not! We have you covered. We’re going to be getting into everything you need to know about steerer tubes.
The 7 Best Cycling Movies Of All Time
The best cycling movies span documentary, drama, and comedy: A Sunday in Hell (1976, classic …
How Long Does It Take To Bike 5 Miles?
It takes a casual cyclist 25–30 minutes to bike 5 miles (8 km) on flat …
How To Convert A Mountain Bike To A Gravel Bike In 10 Steps
So, you’re looking to do a mountain bike to gravel bike conversion. If you’re looking …
Gravel Bike Vs Road Bike: Essential Differences Explained
Unlike mountain or cyclocross bikes, which are designed quite differently, gravel bikes and road bikes …
Team Sky: A Story Of Cycling Dominance
Team Sky: British Cycling’s all-star supergroup, and the dominant cycling team in the world in …
What Is The Parcours At The Tour de France?
Turn on your TV in July and you’re likely to hear about “the parcours” at …
What Is A Drift Trike – And How Do They Work?
Who said messing around on three-wheelers was just for the kids? Adrenaline-pumping action might not …
What Is The Puppy Paws Cycling Position – And Why Was It Banned?
“Puppy paws” is a cycling term for resting your forearms on the handlebar tops to …
What Is A Switchback In Cycling – And How Should You Ride Them?
A switchback is a sharp 180-degree hairpin turn cut into the side of a steep …
Types Of Bike Tires Explained: Clincher Vs Tubular Vs Tubeless Tires
Clincher tires use an inner tube; tubular tires are sewn around a tube and glued/taped …
What Is A Bottom Bracket On A Bicycle – And How Do I Choose The Right One?
The bottom bracket is a key component in making your bike function. It contains a …
Tour de France: Unchained – Everything We Know So Far About The Netflix Tour de France Documentary
That’s right, the Tour de France is getting the Drive To Survive treatment. Next year we can expect a double bill of the high-octane Netflix documentary on the 2022 Tour, and the real-time action of the 2023 Tour de France. But what do we know so far about the Netflix Tour de France: Unchained documentary? What are we expecting from the show? And when can we see it?
What Is A Duathlon? Everything You Need To Know
A duathlon is a multi-sport race combining running and cycling — a typical sprint duathlon …
Eddy Merckx: The Greatest Cyclist Of All Time
A certain few athletes dominate their sport so fully that they stand apart from their …
Geraint Thomas: Profile of a Tour de France Champion
From country lanes outside Cardiff to Olympic Gold medalist and Tour de France champion, Geraint …
Tour of Flanders: Ultimate Guide To “De Rond”
The Tour Of Flanders is one of cycling’s most ancient races, hurtling over Flemish hills …
Marco Pantani: The Rise and Fall of Cycling’s Greatest Climber
Marco Pantani (1970–2004) was the last cyclist to win both the Tour de France and …
Electronic Bike Shifters: The Complete Guide
Electronic bike shifters use a battery and motors to move the derailleurs instead of cables. …
Milan-San Remo: Ultimate Guide To Cycling’s “Spring Classic”
Known in Italian as La Primavera (“The Spring”), Milan-San Remo is the first major race of the cycling season, …
Ultimate Giro d’Italia Jersey Guide: The Maglia Rosa And More
As the peloton races around the Italian countryside, you’ll notice the riders’ Giro d’Italia jerseys …
What is Madison Cycling? All You Need To Know
Madison cycling is a thrilling test of speed, endurance, teamwork, and racecraft in the velodrome. …
The “Peltzman Effect” In Cycling: Could Helmets Really Encourage Cyclists To Take More Risks?
In February 2022, a London-based bike-taxi service called Pedal Me banned their cyclists from wearing …
Major Taylor: The Story of a Cycling Icon
Major Taylor was the first African American Cycling World Champion, a formidable athlete and gentlemanly …
Cross Country Bike: What Is An XC Mountain Bike?
A cross-country (XC) bike is a lightweight mountain bike built for speed and efficiency on …
Women’s Tour de France: All You Need To Know About Le Tour de France Femmes
After a 33-year absence, the Women’s Tour de France – officially Le Tour de France …
Cycling Cleats Types Explained
The four main cycling cleat types are: Look Keo (3-bolt road, the original road system, …
Beryl Burton: The Greatest Female Cyclist of the 20th Century
Beryl Burton (1937-1996) was the most decorated British cyclist of all time — 7-time world …
How To Make A Bike Seat More Comfortable: 8 Key Steps
To make a bike seat more comfortable, the fastest fixes are: get the saddle height …
Omnium Cycling: The Ultimate Olympians’ Test
Known as the “Decathlon of Track Cycling”, omnium cycling is a thrilling test of endurance …
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