Pendle Wheel Support Bike Rack, £181.70This system requires your full concentration for the initial build but once constructed it's a no-fuss rack that will fit most vehicles with a tow bar. The wheels of your bike sit into D-loops, which are part

© Getty ImagesGoing for gold on the track comes easily to the British cycling team. If their exploits on two wheels have inspired you, try this four-week training plan to compliment your running. The bike sessions will enhance your cardiovascular

Squeaky seatYour peaceful ride is interrupted by a distracting sound coming from somewhere on your saddle - like a broken spring in a mattress. The problemYour seat and seat-post clamp bolts may not be properly lubricated. The solution Remove your saddle from your post and treat...

in your quads.The bike leg is the longest and most strategic part of any triathlon, so it’s crucial to make the most of it. Your bike training should always include a long ride at a slower pace and lower heart rate (just like running, they’re usually done

Easy-as-pie psiTop Dog St Deluxe pump, £46.99Tyre pressure affects your bike's comfort, speed, handling and even your safety. And although your road tyres may have a maximum pressure of 125 psi, that might not be the pressure you should use; most

), and wipe clean with a dry rag. Apply lube when you've finished. Adjust your brakesIf your brake lever reaches the handlebar before it stops your bike, either your pads are worn or your cables are stretched. Worn pads should be replaced - but that's another

squeezing you despite all your reflective strips. In fact, off-road riding offers a chance for you to improve your fitness, bike-handling skills and balance - all relevant skills for the forthcoming road triathlon race season - in a safe environment

. "If you're just starting out in triathlons, a few hundred pounds will get you a basic road bike to take you through your first races," says Cook. "As you improve you can then think about keeping your first bike as a dedicated training bike - and buy a

Packing your bike so you can take it abroad and then unpacking it at the other end are two of the biggest headaches in triathlon. The last thing you'll feel like doing after a long journey is rebuilding your bike. But all the work you've put

.I pulled off my shorts and took a peek: the skin was red and raw. Chafed. I had done long rides before; I'd completed a different, more difficult century; I had ridden 40K perched on my saddle in wet shorts during many triathlons. But never had I felt