below its target rate.Turn activity into exercise with Orstad’s techniques for building fitness even on commutes that are bedevilled by traffic lights. But always remember that your safety comes first.Build: AccelerationThe Drill: Go hard after stopping

If you're an experienced cyclist, the bike section of a triathlon holds no fears. But if you haven't cycled since you were a child, a bike can seem a complicated and dangerous machine. Most triathletes start off in the sport with one weakness

Good bike-riding is all about efficiency. If you reduce waste through proper pedalling mechanics, body position, nutrition, gear selection and even breathing, you will improve your overall performance on the road. One aspect of efficiency that

combination of hand signals and voice to indicate hazards."Going the distanceIf you're planning a long run or bike ride, David Tilbury-Davis, a Level III triathlon coach, recommends that you carry a mobile phone in a waterpoof bag - it won't be much use

new routes. However, if you work from home, you've no excuse whatsoever: get on your bike.Think smartChose the safest route, even if it is not necessarily the shortest or fastest one. "The safety factor is massively important," says Steve Lumley (www

that focusing on cycling can provide the biggest improvement in your race times.Although a triathlon involves three sports, the greatest proportion of time during a race is spent on the bike section. During a sprint- or Olympic-distance race you may spend around

're hopping on your bike to prepare for a triathlon or just to diversify your training, you can expect to become a better runner as a result.To reap all the benefits of cycling, however, you first need a bike. Will that old clunky machine in the back