What's made your cycling easier?

[kishin]

What developments over the past few years have made your cycling experience better?
One of the best for me is the availability of the cree lights you can get these days - when I think back to the ever ready lights which were powered by a house brick size battery but only threw light about 5ft ahead that I was using just a few years ago, these new lights seem light years away, if you'll pardon the pun and make night time riding a pleasure.
Another is the advent of youtube and the ability to look up the solution to almost any maintenance/repair issue at the click of a mouse.
Is there anything else that's appeared in recent times that I've missed that could improve my riding?

 

[Crackle]

Brifters: Comprehensively changed my riding technique.

 

[Sittingduck]

Somebody is going to mention it at some point...

Strava!


edit: Yes, I do realise it doesn't make it any easier but does make it better, imho!

 

[gaz]

Hardwork.

 

[Spartak]

GPS, is a good back up to route following on an Audax !

Not that I've ever taken a wrong turn

 

[Dayvo]

Buying a bike.

Losing excess weight and maintaining a sensible diet.

 

[ianrauk]

Mrs Ian being very accommodating to my cycling needs.

 

[compo]

My bus pass.

 

[MattHB]

Friends that push me

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Cycle chat's advice on tap

 

[Coatesy1985]

the turbo trainer. even when its raining cats and dogs and blowing a gale you can still spin the legs.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Ergo shifters, clipless pedals and rim brakes that work OK in the wet.

Also, tyres that seem less inclined to puncture as soon as they smell a thorn.

 

[Shadow]

Being fit.

Sadly, that has disappeared rapidly over the last few months but intend to rectify that quicker than last year!

 

[Alan Frame]

P*ncture resistant tyres.

 

[Cycleops]

In one word, the Internet. There for advice, buying spares, bikes, contacting fellow addicts, videos, forums, equipment reviews, 'how to' stuff plus loads more. Where would we be without it?