Outdoor Leadership and Coaching BA (Hons)
Keen cyclist, runner, and outdoor enthusiast.
I have been cycling since I was very young and always had a love for the outdoors. I have completed many long distance events including ultra marathons such as the Chester 100, Berkeley Marathons UK and Gravel Century rides.
Here’s some exciting new products to hit the shelves at merlincycles.com in March 2024! Bike of the Week: Ridley Falcn RS Carbon Road Bike – 2024 Th... Read more.
German company Evoc was founded by a group of outdoor sports enthusiasts who travelled the world with bikes and boards in search of the best trails and powder. ... Read more.
For more than a century, Brooks England have inspired boundless journeys with hand-crafted saddles, bags and cycling accessories carefully built to last. Saddle... Read more.
The Ultegra Groupset components share aesthetics with Dura Ace, the technology has trickled down too, albeit at a more cost effective price point. Let’s t... Read more.
Whether youāre a seasoned rider or just starting out, finding new routes can refresh your cycling routine and bring new challenges. In this blog, weāll expl... Read more.
A TPU inner tube refers to an inner tube made from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). TPU is a type of plastic that features the characteristics of rubber and pl... Read more.
Here are 5 solid options of Road Cycling shoes we have on our shelves at Merlin HQ, all for under Ā£100. But be quick, because these won’t stick around fo... Read more.
This month we have some exciting new bikes, frames and flashy components to hit the shelves at Merlin HQ. Lets check em’ out! Colnago G3-X GRX RX820 2x Ca... Read more.
Gravel riding has gained immense popularity in recent years, and for good reason. It offers a perfect blend of adventure and adaptability. One of the critical c... Read more.
This week we are highlighting a spectacular offering from Ridley bikes: The Noah Fast… The Noah Fast Disc is Ridleyās top-level aero model which has evo... Read more.
Veloforte’s founding belief is that everyone should have access to exceptional quality, delicious, real food to fuel their active lifestyle and endurance ... Read more.
Whether you are a beginner purchasing your first gravel bike or a seasoned cyclist, here’s three worthy contenders (with plenty of 5* reviews)… Merl... Read more.
Orro are known for their focus on performance, innovation, and aesthetics. And when it comes to high-quality road bikes, the Orro Venturi and the Orro Gold stan... Read more.
On Sunday 4 February 2024 Merlin Staff and other local cyclists took on The Annual Preston Wheelers Reliability Ride. Everyone met at 08:50 for a 09:00 start at... Read more.
Keeping your bike in tip top condition will make riding a much more pleasant experience. You’ll likely save money in the long run and get many more good y... Read more.
Here at Merlin Cycles we have plenty of gravel bikes available for under Ā£1500! In this blog I will be highlighting some worthy contenders you may want to cons... Read more.
A decent groupset ensures a smooth and efficient ride. I (along with many other cyclists) have found the Shimano 105 groupset to provide brilliant functionality... Read more.
This month at Merlin Cycles we’ve had some stunning, shiny new road bikes land on our website and shop floor! Here’s our top 5 new bike arrivalsR... Read more.
Many of our customers and staff have opted to upgrade their gravel bikes, including this recent modification to Mike’s Merlin Malt G2X making it a flat ba... Read more.
Our bike of the week at Merlin Cycles is this beautiful Colnago C68-R. The bike stands as the pinnacle of the evolution of Colnago history, it’s where 68 ... Read more.
Paul, our general manager has been braving the cold weather on his winter bike. He’s put together this week’s blog, covering the very best cold weat... Read more.
I’ve been testing the Kask Protone Icon WG11 Helmet for over a year now so thought it was time to put in a review. From road rides to gravel trails, early... Read more.
We recently caught up with one of our ‘up and coming’ supported riders Katie Mathison. She is a local Triathlete who has been competing since an ear... Read more.
Castelli has been making cycling clothing since 1910 and remain at the forefront of cycling clothing tech. Here’s some of our top Womens Castelli Clothing... Read more.
This week on the blog I thought I’d share some of the goodies currently on display in our shop! Experience Innovative Design with Ridley Bikes! On our sho... Read more.
The start of a new year offers a perfect opportunity to set fresh goals and embrace healthy habits. Whether you’re a long time cycling enthusiast or just ... Read more.
Here’s a round up of my top bikes, cycling kit, projects, rides and coffee stops of this year! First up we have… Century Gravel Ride The most ‘... Read more.
As Christmas draws closer, the festive drinks, hearty meals, and cosy gatherings can make it tempting to stay indoors. However, heading out on the bike can be w... Read more.
This week at Merlin Cycles, I decided to ask some our staff which bikes they have on their Christmas wish list! Quite a few of our staff members would love to u... Read more.
December is here and Christmas is fast approaching! In need of a cycling themed gift for a friend or relative? Look no further, here are some goodies sure to pl... Read more.
Rob in our marketing department recently took a weekend trip to Scotland on his new full suspension bike. Recently returning to the world of mountain biking, he... Read more.
“For when the challenge is distance rather than speed. The Castelli Unlimited Puffy Jacket brings warmth and comfort with looks that are at home on the bi... Read more.
This month I planned a gravel ride on some of my favourite trails. However, on the day, the weather was less than ideal with the forecast showing 90% chance of ... Read more.
From brilliantly crafted bikes to swanky winter boots, here’s the latest products to hit the shelves this month! If you’re quick you may still take ... Read more.
Black Friday Deals have arrived at Merlin Cycles! Here’s some of our top items to consider, you’ll also find our very best Black Friday Bike Deals a... Read more.
Paul, our general manager enjoys riding on the roads and hitting the gravel tracks throughout the autumn and winter. He recently purchased the Castelli Doppio W... Read more.
Today we’ll take a look at the best ways to carry your cycling essentials. Some riders prefer to save weight and only take vital essentials while others l... Read more.
Last week we caught up with World Ranked 6th, Team GB Pro BMX rider Ross Cullen! Let’s take you behind the scenes of our recent interview video (Click Her... Read more.
Here’s a selection of some of our favourite Gravel Bike Trails on offer in the North West! The Guild Wheel The Guild Wheel is a Merlin Cycles local 21-mil... Read more.
Here’s our top picks of quality Castelli kit to see you through the Autumn and Winter. Remember, the best possible gear provides the best possible ride! S... Read more.
Here’s some reasons they may be the weapon missing from your autumn and winter arsenal… An alternative to Winter Boots Don’t have overshoes ye... Read more.
Here’s our current top selling front bike lights to help see you through the darker mornings and gloomy nights, these affordable choices are all great opt... Read more.
As cycling enthusiasts, we’re all familiar with the thrill of riding outdoors, feeling the wind in our hair, and the freedom of exploring new roads. Some ... Read more.
When it comes to riding on a gravel bike, there is mixed opinions on the perfect attire… Casual? Comfortable? Aero? The choice is yours! Some riders swear... Read more.
This month, we visited Ridley Bikes HQ in Belgium to take a look at some of the very best bikes money can buy… Origins of Ridley Ridley was founded in 199... Read more.
The Merlin Malt G2X GRX is our top of the range aluminium gravel bike. Built to handle a wide variety of terrain including muddy trails, gravel tracks and green... Read more.
Over the past few months a few of our staff have put this do-it-all versatile hardtail, all-round adventure bike to the test… I’ll begin by sharing ... Read more.
When it comes to quality gear to take on the trails, Endura quickly comes to mind. They are a brand well sought after for their aesthetically appealing, colour ... Read more.
Gravel bikes continue to spark the interest of existing and new cyclists worldwide, but did you know this about them?! Historical Roots in French Races? While g... Read more.
As the leaves turn shades of red and gold, and the air gets crisper, the autumn and winter riding seasons begin. While the colder months might present some chal... Read more.
Orro Bikes offer an outstanding range covering a vast range of riding disciplines. Here at Merlin we stock Orro’s stunning gravel bikes built for off-road... Read more.
Here are some of the best new items to to land at Merlin Cycles this month… Magicshine: Keeping you safe in the darkness. Since 1999, Magicshine has been ... Read more.
We recently met with Dave Ryding, Pro British Alpine Skier, a local legend in his own right and a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. Dave specializes in t... Read more.
Merlin Staff and friends ventured to the heart of England’s stunning Lake District. Exploring a route around Walna Scar, whilst taking in the breathtaking... Read more.
This month we caught up with keen Lancaster cyclist Gillian Sheath, who is currently undertaking her fourth long distance cycle ride in aid of charity. This tim... Read more.
As the world embraces alternative modes of transportation and sustainable living, commuting by bike has surged in popularity. Whether you’re navigating ci... Read more.
Looking for a new Gravel Bike? Here’s our top affordable picks to get you started with gravel in 2023… Merlin Malt G2P Tiagra Gravel Bike The Merlin... Read more.
Whether you are competitive or just a lover of riding, technology can be a great enhancement to your cycling. From ride data to advanced GPS guidance, there is ... Read more.
Having your favourite playlist on the bike used to be a troublesome task, but no longer! Say goodbye to the days of wired headphones getting in the way… S... Read more.
When it comes to pushing your limits in the world of sport, proper nutrition plays a pivotal role. Whether you’re embarking on an epic weekend ride or fue... Read more.
Some of our staff (myself included), have been reigniting our love for the 26″ Mountain Bike. With most riders now opting for a 29er or Gravel bike for of... Read more.
A Grand Gathering! To commemorate the occasion, on the 11th August we hosted a grand 30th-anniversary gathering at the picturesque Rivington Brewery. We started... Read more.
Troy Lee Designs are well known for their high performance gear for both MTB and Moto. Meaning they only produce quality products made to be durable and withsta... Read more.
Today, we are shining the spotlight on Ibis Bikes – a brand synonymous with cutting-edge design, exceptional race day performance, and a passion for hitti... Read more.
Here at Merlin, we’re committed to providing you with top-notch gear and accessories to keep you and your bike your bike in tip top condition… Hereā... Read more.