Niall O'Riordan UBS

United Biking Society

Strength Training Off the Bike – Building a Stronger Mountain Biker

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There’s a moment on a long, rough descent that most mountain bikers will recognise. The first few minutes feel great. Then your forearms start to burn, your grip loosens, your core stops holding you quite where you want to be, and suddenly the bike is steering you rather than the other way round. It’s rarely a fitness problem in the sense of lungs and legs. It’s a strength problem, and no amount of extra time in the saddle quite fixes it.

Bike Security 101 – Protecting Your Ride From Theft

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Nobody forgets the first time they come back to a locked bike and find a cut cable and an empty rack. It’s a horrible, hollow feeling, and it’s one that far too many cyclists in the UK know. The bike itself is only part of it. It’s the commute you can no longer do, the weekend rides you were looking forward to, and the nagging sense that someone has taken something that was a bit of your routine, not just a bit of kit.

Cadence and Pedalling Technique – Riding Smarter, Not Harder

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For my first couple of years of proper riding, I treated every hill like an argument I had to win. Big gear, slow legs, knees screaming, and a firm belief that grinding harder was the same thing as getting fitter. It wasn’t. It was just a quick way to arrive at the top with nothing left in the tank, and a dull ache around the kneecap that I put down to getting older.

Clipless vs Flat Pedals – Which Is Right for Your Riding Style

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I switched to clipless pedals years ago after getting tired of my foot skating off the pedal on a wet descent, and I switched back to flats on my mountain bike about eighteen months ago after one too many awkward, can’t-unclip-in-time moments at a junction. Neither decision was wrong. That’s really the whole answer to this question, but it’s not a very satisfying one on its own, so let’s actually get into it.

Teaching Your Kids to Ride – A Parent’s Guide

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I still remember the exact stretch of pavement where my own confidence clicked into place as a kid — a slight downhill outside my nan’s house, someone’s hand letting go of the saddle without me noticing, and that first wobbly, glorious realisation that I was doing it on my own. Every parent I’ve ever talked to about teaching their child to cycle has a version of that same story waiting for them. It just takes the right approach to get there without a summer of tears, skinned knees, and a garage full of abandoned stabilisers.

The Wild Atlantic Way by Bike – An Irish Coastal Route Guide

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There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles over you on the Wild Atlantic Way — somewhere between a headwind on an exposed headland and the smell of turf smoke drifting from a cottage chimney. I’ve ridden plenty of coastlines, but nothing quite matches the feeling of tracing Ireland’s western edge on two wheels, with the Atlantic doing its best to remind you who’s really in charge out there.

Cycling Safety Tips – Staying Safe on Every Ride

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Whether you’re tackling steep mountain trails or cruising down paved roads, safety should always be your top priority. As someone who’s spent countless hours in the saddle exploring both terrains, I’ve learned that proper preparation and awareness can make the difference between an amazing ride and a dangerous situation. Here are my essential cycling safety tips to keep you protected on every adventure.

10 Essential Maintenance Tips Every Cyclist Should Know

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Whether you’re crushing mountain trails or logging miles on scenic road routes, proper bike maintenance is crucial for performance, safety, and longevity. As someone who’s spent countless hours in the saddle exploring everything from rocky singletracks to smooth coastal highways, I’ve learned that a little preventive care goes a long way. Here are ten essential maintenance tips that every cyclist should master.

Cycling Across Continents – Planning Epic Adventures

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There’s something profoundly magical about the idea of cycling across continents—the unparalleled freedom of the open road, the ever-changing landscapes that unfold before you, and the deep sense of accomplishment that comes with pedalling thousands of miles under your own power. Whether you’re dreaming of crossing the diverse terrains of Europe, traversing the vast expanses of the Americas, tackling the cultural richness of Asia, or exploring the rugged beauty of Africa, planning an epic cycling adventure requires meticulous preparation, mental fortitude, flexibility, and an insatiable sense of wanderlust. This guide will help you transform that dream into reality.