Setting yourself a big challenge is a great way to motivate yourself to increased fitness, becoming a better cyclist and a huge sense of euphoria and pride.

But this year I'm focusing on something more subtle. And it needs a little imagination and sparkle.

This is a turbulent time for cycling, for retail, for politics. Actually, for our world as a whole.

These are our year end thoughts - things are not nearly as downbeat as you might think!

"Well I went for my walk with little success. I only managed 0.9 miles before I had to give up go home and build a jigsaw instead. Sorry it's not going to be a light and fluffy read today."

Read more about how Elaine rebuilt through the support that only cycling can offer.

Maria David is in love with Milan and Lake Como - both the chic urban living and, of course, the cycling. Let her show you around some of her favourite places and routes... 

They're our most popular product bar none. They're made in Latvia. People keep coming back to buy more. And they attract rave reviews. So just why do us female cyclists love them so much?

When it comes to presents, sometimes a cleverly considered combo can add so much more to the occasion - especially if you get to save as a result.

Presents for cyclists aren't easy at the best of times. Whether you're the giver or the lucky recipient there's just so much choice! Here are Juliet Elliott's top festive picks.

Some firms spend millions on expensive ad agencies for their Christmas campaign. We spend £2 on mince pies and head out into the rain to see what happens...

It's been all change for former World Road Race Champion, and Yorkshire's finest, Lizzie Deignan. She recently became a mum to little Orla, is back on the bike already - and has even found time to designing cycling kit...

They're the most antipated cycling leggings of the year. You can be the first to find out about them - or even WIN a pair.

When most people try GORE's clothing, they're won over immediately. But sometimes technically awesome gear needs some explaining. Let us guide you around...

Let’s be honest, bums and bits weren’t made for saddles. If you're suffering, you're not alone. After 10 years of looking for solutions, here are Juliet's Top 10 Tips...

None of us have ever experienced saddle soreness... have we now?! What better people to tell you about how to improve an often unmentionable problem than GB Cycling's experts...

The Gabba's lightweight and wind/rain resistant design is second to none and it's fully breathable too! So why should you own one? Watch the video review to find out...

When it comes to the most insane adventures on a bike, cycling to the South Pole would have to be right up there. Especially to be the first human being to do it. Maria Leijerstam was that person. Let her tell you more...

How do you get a riveted packed house on the edge of their seats at the Cycle Show? Why, you put a microphone in the hands of two extraordinary ultracyclists, Naomi Freireich and Philippa Battye, and ask them to tell some tales...

There are few women who have dominated their sport like Shanaze Reade has with BMX. Anna Glowinski chats to her about how she learnt her trade on tracks lit by car headlights and by the age of 11 was travelling to the World Championships in the US on her own...

We all know that exercise benefits our physical health but what about our mental health? Recent research has shown that two-thirds of people spend less than an hour per day outside during autumn and winter. There's never been a better time to get out on your bike!

Last year when on a cycling trip to Paris I stumbled across a triathlon in the elegant town of Chantilly. It looked a pretty big event, with the town, which is normally famous for horse-racing, filled with triathletes. It was a glorious day, and in fact I enjoyed the vibe so much that I got waylaid over there and arrived in Paris quite late that evening.

I decided at that moment that I would take part in that triathlon. 

Managing work, family, chores and time on the bike is a fine juggling act.

When life gets busy, stress levels ramp up or time is short it can be easy for exercise and recreation to slip down our list of priorities. Juliet Elliott should know...

How my ride went with Dame Kelly Holmes; clue: I wasn’t first up the climb, and I didn’t win the sprint to the café!

I had the privilege of going on a women's bike ride with Kelly Holmes last month. Yes, Kelly Holmes, the double gold medallist from track and field. Recently she's got into cycling...

Juliet offer you ten inspiring, fun-filled cycling activities and goals that will make these summer months the best you’ve ever experienced.

It may seem counterintuitive adding another layer into your summer kit mix, but, believe it or not, it can actually help keep you cooler. Find out how...

Get them right, and padded cycling shorts are the gateway to a smooth, comfortable ride. Find out how to wear and care for yours correctly to enjoy miles upon miles of pain-free, efficient cycling.

Let's face it, the UK's not famous for blazing heat. When the mercury passes 20c we're prone to flapping about as though we're living in the Dubai desert. Fans and paddling pools sell out, and public fountains are gridlocked. But it can, and most years it does at some point...

Like the sport itself, cyclists are a hugely diverse bunch. Much as those in the anti-bike brigade like to think it, we’re actually not all the same. We are everyone. Inciting wars between road users and slagging off everyone who likes riding a bike shouldn’t be the last acceptable form of bigotry.

Have faith in your padded cycling shorts and find out how ditching your knickers can lead to a comfier ride.

The 2018 OVO Women's Tour is on! June 13-17th sees the world's finest female road racers battle it out across the UK. Here's Maria David's exclusive insider's guide to the stages... with some surprising insights.

Triathlon athlete and World Champ Simone Mitchell reveals six of her key training exercises to improve strength, both on and off the bike.

Sunday June 3rd marks the very first official United Nations World Bicycle Day. This is a big day in the history of the bicycle. For the UN to bestow an 'International Day' tag on anything is quite a moment. In this case it's especially significant.

Do you Strava? The fact that we use 'Strava' as a verb proves - if proof were needed - that the most popular cycling app of all time has come of age.

We're really excited to invite you to our VeloVixen Strava Club - a great way to bring together our amazing community of female cyclists. So why should you join us?

So, you’ve taken the plunge and finally signed up to a cycling event. Kirsty shares her top tips on what to wear during your first organised ride.

On the first weekend of May, the top names in cycling - men's and women's - battled it out across Yorkshire in front of 2 million spectators. Maria David went to try some of what they did for herself...

At VeloVixen, we like to keep a careful ear out for the latest in cycling kit technology. And sometimes the news is just too exciting to keep to ourselves.

We can't reveal the brand in question, but we can exclusively reveal that secret testing is currently taking place in the central mountains of Colombia on a hot new range of cycling kit.

And when we say it's for a hot new range, we really mean it.

There's no denying that road racing is really hard.

If you want to do yourself justice you're going to have to deal with nerves, physical pain, perhaps some fear and potentially some risk. These are all things I choose to accept.

That doesn't make me a badass, it just makes me a bike racer. I'd like to tell you about my first race.

Use our guide to create a versatile ensemble that will keep you cycling in comfort as we emerge from the depths of winter into the unpredictable Great British springtime.

Just why were we so blown away by Castelli's new chammy pad? Watch and find out - whilst witnessing Fran and Liz 'shimmy in their chammy'...

As partners with Women V Cancer Ride the Night, the UK's biggest women-only charity night cycle ride, we share our 8 top tips to keep you cycling safely after dark.

Read our guide on how to stay safe while cycling past the hours of daylight - we think you may be surprised by some of what's included!

Q. What do a 19th century Italian tailor, a designer for the Milan Ballet and the first ever lycra cycling shorts have in common?

A. They are all part of a rich 140 year history that's led to today's most recognised brand in cycling: Castelli.

Throw in a heart attack on a famous Italian climb, family feuds, Olympic gold medals and controversy in the pro peloton and it begins to sound more like a Sicilian soap opera than the backdrop to a cycling brand. But then again Castelli is no ordinary brand.

It's been the harshest of late winters, but we've taken the opportunity to welcome new faces into the warm heart of the VeloVixen den! Well, maybe not so new...

Endura - you see a lot of it around, don't you? Were you guilty of assuming it's a bit... generic? It's time to think again.

Turns out nothing could be further from the truth, especially with a depth of female design talent in their ranks and a massive new name on their books for 2018!

For many years, ASSOS of Switzerland was one of the most respected names in cycling. The only catch, from a female cycling perspective, was their notoriously... how would you say?... 'traditional' approach to marketing their women's kit.

Then in 2016, everything changed.

If you’re looking to upgrade your old bike or make the very most out of a new investment these are the best value bike upgrades that make give the biggest increase in cycling performance

I've been organising Spring cycling holidays in southern Spain, and speaking to a lot of potential participants. It's been really revealing. Why are so many worried about letting others down, when they're perfectly capable?

I want to see women taking ownership of their enjoyed sport, I want to see them unapologetic for wanting to be somewhere and looking for reassurance from nobody but themselves.

Simone Mitchell became 2017 AG World Champion in 70.3 Ironman. She's a triathlon superstar, but equally great at getting the best out of 'normal' people.

In this 2nd video, Simone shares another brilliant 6-part training circuit suitable for beginners right up to the elite. You don't even need equipment!