Easton is using carbon nanotubes - think hi-tech tough - in its 2005 line-up of composite bike parts and many other manufacturers of lightweight, high-value commodities are doing likewise. Now the US investment guru firm is saying Carbon Nanotube Technology could become bigger than a big-thing.

Humourist and Guardian-columnist Guy Browning urges the widespread and daily use of cycle helmets. But not just for cyclists. Stats and studies show that helmet use should be encouraged for all manner of daily routines. Driving? Wear a cycle helmet. Having a bath? Wear a cycle helmet.

The trade sector that would benefit the most from helmet compulsion is against helmet compulsion. Huh? But what about all the juicy profits from selling millions of helmets? For sure there would be an initial rise in helmet sales but at a massive cost: less cyclists in the long-run. Less cycling equals more pollution, more congestion, more kids on sofas and not saddles.

Cycling kids are confident kids, more independent and brainier to boot. Just 15 minutes’ cycling to and from school could make a real difference to your child's fitness, establishing habits of healthy activity that could be life-long.

Specialized's latest Body Geometry saddles are available in three sizes, with bike shops measuring posteriors with the aid of a gel bum-pad. There are many other ways of ensuring cycling is not a pain in the butt. Here's a selection of existing 'comfort' saddles and a potted history of cycling's love-hate relationship with the bicycle/bottom interface. PLUS: the editor of BikeBiz.com has his manhood wired-up in the name of saddle comfort research...

A new Australian study, published yesterday in New Scientist and televised last night on extended programmes in Australia, Canada, France and the UK, has found that steroid injections, even at low doses, increase sporting performance after just three weeks, far quicker than previously thought. But the TV programmes also reported that legal supplements - such as colostrum and creatine - were sometimes as equally beneficial.

The PGGB series of columns has been appearing on cyclingnews.com for a number of years. Think 'Allo 'Allo crossed with Bridget Jones' Diary. Now, Sammarye Lewis, the author, has published a compilation of the best bits. Perhaps even all of the bits. And there's a thong, too.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association now has a chain-link logo, designed by advertising firm Carmichael Lynch. The firm has also created a series of tongue-in-cheek adverts, postulating what MTBers would do if they had no trails to ride on.

Proving that Phil Liggett has pulling power in the UK, the fourth annual staging of the CTC president's first 'Challenge' ride attracted over 1000 riders last weekend in the Peak District. It was Liggett's first bike ride since before the Tour de France but he finished the 'short', 100km ride with energy to spare.

Lance Armstrong is known to favour his iPod Mini for pre-race warm-ups but his sunglass sponsor has given him a new toy to play with, shades with music on tap... UPDATED: And the name for the MP3 shades? Thump.