Without being too Clarkson about it, having a top-of-the-range bike is a bit like having a girlfriend who's a model or owning a supercar – it makes you feel like a big man. Not only that, but it makes you feel like a bigger man than other men who don't have any of the above. That is a brilliant feeling, and it’s one of the reasons you need to splash out on a classy cycle.

The others, which are even more important, is that riding will get you massively fit and offers you the chance to hit some of the truly world-class terrain we have here in the UK – whether it’s the winding downhill tracks of Fort William, the snaking roads of London, the Lake District's leg-burning climbs or the scenic coastal pathways of Cornwall.

That’s why we've focused on bikes in the May 2010 issue of Men’s Fitness with a special 17-page section. As well as in-depth expert guides to the best bikes on the market, we've got a performance-enhancing workout from top road racer Christian Vande Velde and a revealing interview with the man who invented the mountain bike, Gary Fisher.

Elsewhere in the issue you'll find our account of a day's training with TNA wrestler Brutus Magnus and tips on how to get more from your personal trainer. We also explain how changing your grip on weights can help you make serious strength gains and what you should eat if you want to lose weight, increase your endurance, pack on muscle or become more powerful.

So get on your bike, pedal your way down to your local newsagent and get your hands on your copy of Men's Fitness. If you want to make sure you never miss a copy again, you can subscribe to MF here.