Health and Fitness
Information and resources for leading a healthy, active lifestyle!
How to get a fast, informative Health Check
I turned 45 recently, so was looking forward to getting a comprehensive health-check done via my NHS GP surgery. COVID-19 restrictions put paid to that, however, and as of July 2020 there is no idea about when these tests will be up and running ... (more)
£50 bike voucher scheme launched in England!
The UK Government has launched a "Fix Your Bike" voucher scheme for England residents. The voucher can be used by anyone who has an unused bicycle in need of a repair. There are two vouchers maximum allowed per household, but the Government ... (more)
Cycling Performance Programme
Performance Programme Lockdowns notwithstanding, my plan and diary for cycling in 2021 will continue to focus on long-distance rides throughout the year, hopefully spiced up with audax, time trialling and sportive events. 2021 targets ... (more)
A Social Feed
This is a feed of everything I'm interested in, filtered and categorised according to my choices. Channels: Twitter (multiple accounts) Facebook groups Facebook pages Google+ LinkedIn Flickr Youtube Website RSS Webpage updates ... (more)
John Swindells
John Swindells I am a career professional in software development, becoming proficient in various systems and languages since 1992. In recent years I have been especially active in web and mobile app projects. I stepped down in April ... (more)
Crivit products
The Crivit® product range If you're looking for outdoors clothing or accessories, you could do worse than to browse the Crivit® range. Crivit® is a brand of German supermarket Lidl's, so it's most convenient for UK customers to head down ... (more)
Terms
Terms of Use These terms of use govern your use of our site. Please read these terms in full before you use this Website. If you do not accept these terms of use, please do not use this Website. Your continued use of this site confirms your ... (more)
Summer delivery of logs
This was their standard trailer-load (a 10 x 5 foot trailer) and came out at 23 barrow-loads when shifted into storage. It cost us £150, but for current prices please see their website. (more)
Cycliq FLY-6 long-term review
The Cycliq FLY6 is a solid piece of kit that straps onto your seat tube, and is designed as a "turn on and leave it" device that continuously records video footage of the view behind. The footage is wide-angle to capture lots of the periphery ... (more)
Strava keyword cloud
Here's what the current mood is on Strava! It's based on the titles of activities uploaded to swinny.net, and highlights trending phrases over the last few days. Here are some previous keyword clouds of note: March 2020: Lockdown ... (more)
Replacing push-fit bottom brackets
I'd always been nervous about replacing the push-fit bearings myself. I'd always been used to the screw-on variety, and when I bought a Specialized Crux with BB30 push-fit bearings I just left it as a job for my LBS when the dreaded creak ... (more)
Silly Suffolk Audax 2020
Only a dozen or so riders made it out for the 200km edition of the Silly Suffolk that was organised by John Thompson of VC Baracchi. Iceni Velo managed a group of three, and we set off just before 7:30 on back roads that were very wet from ... (more)
Dawn 'til Dusk ride 2020
I've had a "longest ride in daylight" challenge in my bucket-list for a long time, but there have always been other events getting in the way. The lack of competitive events in 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) gave me the opportunity and ... (more)
Preparing for an all-day cycle ride
Background Over the years I've ridden quite a few long rides, but it wasn't until my early 40's that I gradually started increasing my time in the saddle from a few hours to six or more. I distinctly recall my first 200km ride as a bit of ... (more)