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Genesis Equilibrium ‘on tour’
Genesis Equilibrium ‘on tour’ in France (Tarn region). Cannondale H700 touring in the Trossachs, Scotland. Giant Anthem taking a break in the Chilterns.Schwalbe Marathon Plus,
Schwalbe Marathon Plus, although recently wore a set out and slipped (and fell) on day 2 with the new ones! Might need a bit of wearing in. Currently trying the lower pressure/ride less aggressively approach for winter/wet conditions. Pretty ‘bomb proof’ but if you do get a flat, they’re a real b#tch to get off and on again.I increased my mileage over
I increased my mileage over the summer and agree with all the comments above. When I’ve got the ‘munchies’ I do try and stick to healthy/low fat alternatives, rather than head straight for a custard slice. I was initially slightly worried about the quantities I was eating but my weight still dropped. Just shows the benefit of cycling; my riding was predominantly commuting (an hour each way) and trying to maintain a 17-18 mph average. With other work commitments I was only managing this twice a week, but it still made a big difference.Looks like some sort of Ann
Looks like some sort of Ann Summers role play kit. Lets play cyclists and….(?)!I call them the ‘getting away
I call them the ‘getting away with its’. Road safety, tax, law, benefits etc; there’s always someone getting away with it. Numerous cars drive past you and you wonder how they passed an MOT. Unless the authorities ‘grow some b#ll#cks’ it won’t change; all under the ‘far too difficult’ category.
I was pulled over in the USA (Georgia) a few years ago for going slightly over the speed limit. The policeman scrutinised my licence and picked up on the fact that I had 3 speeding points that had long since expired. Ticked me off for not getting my licence updated. I was slightly speechless and promised to sort it out on my return to the UK. Mind you, a friend of mines over there for a few years and won’t go out road cycling as the general opinion is that cyclists don’t pay road tax and shouldn’t be there. Nowhere’s perfect.50 Bikes That Changed The
50 Bikes That Changed The World book – seems pretty good so far, and a Ted Baker hip flask with bicycles on it. Not bad when I’m accused of having every bike accessory under the sun.If you’re going to encounter
If you’re going to encounter pedestrians then fit a bell; it’s just polite and, if they’re not listening, at least you’ve made an effort to warn them. Not sure why one of the oldest cycling accessories is seen as a bit ‘uncool’? Rapha! – make a bell; it’ll be on every road bike in the country before you know it!CO2 Inflator and a pump with
CO2 Inflator and a pump with a hose as backup (Lezeyne or Topeak Race Rocket are pretty good – check the max psi). Top tip though; sacrifice a CO2 canister and have a practice at home. I was on a great 60 mile solo route round the Tarn in France and punctured. CO2 Inflator failed and I had to phone my wife for a rescue. Gutted that I’d not completed the route and didn’t have a backup pump. LBS replaced it and checked the new one worked; as well as giving me some free CO2 cannisters.farrell wrote:Royal Mail
Royal Mail drivers are contractually obliged to drive like the are huffing paint thinners and smoking amphetamines.It’s nothing personal.
They are ‘mental’; way more dangerous than taxis, white van man or 4×4 school run mum. Was on foot the other day and saw a RM driver who had to slow up while the car in front let another car turn into a road. The RM driver was red faced with his eyes popping out as he screamed obscenities that you could hear through a closed window!
Brand new Schwalbe Marathon
Brand new Schwalbe Marathon Plus (700×32) don’t help. I’m still sore a week later.Above 10 degrees(ish) in the
Above 10 degrees(ish) in the winter (commuting on a hybrid) I’m normally OK in shorts (baggy shorts over cycle shorts in non-‘roadie’ mode), Icebreaker merino top (150 or 200) and a waterproof top – Altura night-vision. I can vouch for its durability over 4 years and I recently slid down the road in it after coming off. I’d quite like the more pricey Gore Bike Wear versions but the Altura just won’t die! The only places that I need really ‘toasty’ kit are fingers and toes (just use thick hiking socks). Sub 10 degrees and I chuck some tights over the padded shorts. On the road bike I just ditch the baggy shorts and if I think I might get a bit warm, I just layer up (baselayer, cycle top, gilet, arm warmers) and keep a lightweight ‘tea bag’ style waterproof in one of my pockets). Snag I find with some of the waterproof tops is they don’t roll up very small if you want to shed them.Ok it’s not a road bike, but
Ok it’s not a road bike, but I’ve just put some of these on a 2000 Cannondale H700 Hybrid (prev had steel forks with hydraulic rim brakes). The headset had gone and the LBS said the stem/fork was siezed. I decided it was an opportunity for an upgrade to carbon forks and front disc brakes. I left it up to the LBS and set a budget of around £300; they chose the Kinesis forks and put some Shimano disc brakes on. Anyway the bikes back and, while it feels a bit different than before, the handling etc is fine. The rake had changed and with a new stem etc there were quite a few changes in position although the LBS tried to keep things broadly in the same position as before. The best thing it did was knock some weight off which I really noticed.Very slippy at the moment;
Very slippy at the moment; went down on a bend commuting home yesterday (Bath) that I’ve been round hundreds of times. Probably caught a bit of smooth tarmac at the wrong angle. I was a bit miffed as I’ve just switched back to my Hybrid (road bike was just getting too dicey) and put some new tyres (Schwalbe Marathon + 32; old ones were 35) on to be on the safe side. Perhaps they need a few miles to scuff them up a bit. Phenominal hip bruise; bike was fine because I cushioned its fall! I can also recommend Altura Night Vision Jackets and Vaude Pannier/Rucksack bags; no rips at all. Another cyclist and car witnessed it all. Many thanks to the cyclist for helping me up and checking I was OK. The motorist just drove off; hope he/she has a miserable Xmas!I’m going to dig out my
I’m going to dig out my Chiropractor stretches chart, which I normally only use for occasional lower back pain, and concentrate on the neck exercises. Ref a pro bike fitting. I’ve never had one but thought it might be a good thing for the road bike; possibly a good Xmas present from someone! A work mate had one and he ended up with a reasonable bill for new bits to adjust his position. At £40ish per trip to the Chiro, having to pay for the odd component change isn’t that much of an issue.I put a fibreflare across the
I put a fibreflare across the back of my vents; tie-wrapped on as I leave the helmet locked to the bike when out and about. Plenty of ‘that’s a good idea comments’ from other cyclists. I had an old Cateye front light with a broken catch that I tie-wrapped on the front of the helmet. Quite like the front flashing helmet light for commuting in traffic, although I think if the light’s too bright it’s a bit ‘counter-productive’.
