Flo K's blog

A couple of weeks ago I rode the Bath 100 Sportive in association with Action Medical Research. Starting and finishing at Bath racecourse up on the downs I knew I was in for a lumpy ride and I wasn't disappointed. The rolling terrain offered some great views of the Somerset and Wiltshire countryside...100Km of mostly country lanes and picturesque villages punctuated with some significant hills and landmarks. I was riding alone but quickly joined a group of like minded (similar paced) guys and gals as we set off in -4 crisp and brilliantly bright conditions.

So I rode the Lionheart Sportive at Longleat last weekend for the second time and I have to say the event was as great as year one.

It always amazes me how many miles you can rack up in the city. Last week I had a 32 mile commute between meetings from Chiswick to Islington, back to Twickernam and finishing in the West End. 30 miles of stop start, exhilarating riding through traffic and hug variety, whether you are riding in one of the parks or dodging cabs in Soho. Singlespeed all the way as my bike of choice, fast, simple, clean, robust and light weight with bolt through axles for ease of locking. The SS is fast on pick up when track standing at lights and the 44/16 gearing is big enough for hammering fast.

-5 degrees on Saturday morning in the rolling Shropshire hills. A 30 miler on a collection of old, pub and loaner bikes with family and friends, it felt like the "old days".

"It's not about what you are riding but about how much fun you are having." - Was that Gary Fisher?

Arguably you can have a better ride on the best kit money can buy, but equally you can have an awesome ride on the bike that is left at the back of the in-laws garage.

Any way, I digress. 

Everyone needs a "pub bike", over the years mine have taken many forms but usually / always a SS; low maintenance issues, less pinchable and simply direct for town.

I recently fitted 32's to my Alu, v-braked bike for extra Tow Path and pot-hole protection and my 1st impressions have been good, fast enough, robust and comfortable. Next stop the BMX track!

Clearance is an issue, with maybe 2mm on either side at the rear, it's enough right?

I live in a bike theft hot spot alas (it should be like horse theft in the Old West), so I thought I would share with you some of the musts for bike security.

I wish this were unnecessary...

1. Get a good lock or lock combo if you are running qr wheels.

2. Consider the bolt through axles of a SS if you are commuting regularly in the city.

My CX bike is the ultimate escape bike. Trail, road, park, tow path or tarmac is there a better go to bike when you wish to escape?

Grab one bike and go out the door...

If I had to get rid of them all (heaven forbid) and keep one, would it be the CX?

I think it would, for commuting, fitness and just "space finding". It's my deer chasing forest friend.

Flo K

I have been deliberating for a while now whether to take off my mudguards on the road bike? They have never really come off since last year (which says a lot about riding this summer), yes they are practical and useful for commuting but they do spoil the lines and are (in my opinion) a faff to fit and maintain on a conventional 700c road bike. I have just got back from a lunch time spin for an hour and while I appreciate not having a wet arse, they did rub on the entire ride especially when out of the saddle, so off they have come!

Still loving these, yes they take the space of one poor unfortunate car but they offer the potential of 25 less cars on the road. 

Looking cool, space for 25 bikes (ish) and in practical positions.

With the large number of bike thefts in my area recently I have been taking security even more seriously (If that is possible...is my paranoia protecting me or inhibiting me?).

These are the measures I take and it's sad that I have to...

Never leave an expensive bike unattended anywhere.

Tape over logo's etc on my commuting bike, make it look like a "loaner"!

When possible use a bike with bolt through axles, bolted seat collar and no qr's anywhere...make the thieves bring tools!

Buy the best lock you can!