Chapter 2 MYTHS EXPLODED
stop pedalling when tired, but forward motion continues. This is called ‘freewheeling’ and rests the muscles in the process. When going downhill the forward motion is totally free, speed without taxing the muscles at all.
“It’s too dark when I go home”
Pack some bike lights. Small LED lights – blinkies – are bright, don’t cost much and stay powered for ages. At the other end of the price scale there are bike lighting rigs which are as bright as car headlights. Want to be battery-free? How about using your legs to generate your light? Dynamo lights are ubiquitous in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands. They power on when you cycle and some can store energy for when you stop. Pedalite pedals translate the kinetic energy of the pedal motion into blinkie-style flashing. The Reelight system from Denmark is a fit-and-forget system where spoke-attached magnets power front and rear LEDs.
“You can’t carry much on a bike”
Yes, you can. A bicycle is a brilliant load-carrying platform. People cycle the world with huge amounts of gear stuffed into their pannier bags so you’d be amazed how much stuff you can carry on a bike. For really heavy loads you could invest in a cycle trailer or a cargo rack such as the extendable Xtracycle. With these you can carry as much as a small auto.
“I can’t, I have to wear a suit”
It’s not necessary to dress for the Tour de France to ride to work. You can do it in a suit. Plenty of people do. For distances of five miles or less it’s perfectly sensible to wear the same togs you’d wear if you were walking or driving. Riding in normal clothes is standard practice in the bike-friendly capitals of the world such as
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