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Ok I’ll bite and probably
Ok I’ll bite and probably regret it…Suppose 1 in 100,000 parachutes fails in some way normally, so the one you’re offering me has 1 in 2,500 risk of ksi.
If I go on your parachute jump and start fat, depressed, worried about climate change doom, and atherosclerotic, but then by the time I land I have a new heart and lungs, a sensible weight, have done something about my carbon footprint, and feel a million dollars, does that change my thinking?
And if I also think that I can probably skew the odds a bit because I know a bit more than some about how to do it safely, willing to invest some time and money in being safer etc?
And if I also think that the danger comes mostly from a specific group of other sky users who have never parachuted and should try it, and I also feel very strongly that I have a right to this jump and hence want to do it despite a bit of extra risk, and if only lots of other people could be shown that this is normal, and people who do it are normal (apart from being on average a bit lovelier than those who don’t), and if more people did it they’d also be happier and doing a little bit about the really big crisis facing everyone.
So yeah. I’ll do it. Helmet for me (usually) but totally get why people don’t and fully support the right to choose.
Flame away, as we used to say on Usenet in the 20th century…
We get the trade deal when
We get the trade deal when the DFS sale ends. So do not hold your breath.I tried that but couldn’t
I tried that but couldn’t remember the line after the one about the fascist regime. So only a short wash, sadly.I find a good loud parp on
I find a good loud parp on the hunting horn does the job very nicely. Any pedestrians having issues with this policy can be swatted away by my grooms SocratiCyclist and BOOBOOJMOOJ using rolled up copies of the Daily Mail.I mostly delegate my actual cycling to those two anyway.
I’ve been wfh since early
I’ve been wfh since early March and yes, coffee spending is up – real coffee, natch, none of your instant nonsense. But I can get a lot of coffee for my bus fares.What I don’t understand is why the CBI DG, who presumably believes in free markets, commercial Darwinism etc, thinks that those businesses that depend on wfo should be kept afloat by the rest working less efficiently and perhaps risking spread of the virus. Surely the market has spoken and the labour and capital used in dry cleaning could be better used in production of something we actually need.
I hope the increase in wfh is permanent, saving emissions and making the roads safer for cycling. I never want to get anything dry cleaned again, thanks.
Does anyone else see signs
Does anyone else see signs for “Drivethru” fast food joints and think “Great, can I borrow a Challenger tank and do the job properly?”ISMs turn up on eBay
ISMs turn up on eBay frequently, fetching £30-40 or so – and also copies for about £12 (not fakes as such, but certainly flattering through imitation). Might be another way to try the concept. If you do try the, er, homages, please let us know how you get on.The reviews of the Bontrager Aeolus are very positive and as IanEdward says, that’s another viable cheaper option.
It is in his opinion… Given
It is in his opinion… Given that you can still buy quill stems and square taper cranks, I don’t think you need worry about rim brake obsolescence.I did like the look of the Triban until I read the buyer reviews of the wheels. Looks as if you should budget for replacement – which would be a nice upgrade anyway, but it’s good to have a choice about that rather than have to because the OEM wheels are not robust enough.
Imo Tiagra is nothing to worry about. I have both 105 (admittedly older 5800, still 11 speed but an iteration behind) and Tiagra on different bikes. Are they different? Yes. Is 105 nicer? Yes. Does it make much difference on the road? For me, not really.
Without knowing what is wrong
Without knowing what is wrong, it’s hard to find the right fix. For me (probably Morton’s neuroma, thanks a bunch Morton, you can have it back now) without a podiatrist in lockdown, I had to try a few things on a probability and cost basis, and it has got quite a bit better.If doing it again I would start with shoes (given cleats well positioned and insoles in good nick) – are they wide enough? You can find wide ones on eBay that give you a cheap way to test – Lake, Bont and the wide-fitting Shimanos are a good place to start. I think narrow shoes caused my issue.
Then head for the specifics. For me, ball of foot cushions spread my metatarsals and that helps a lot. £8 for a pack on Amazon. Aimed at high heel wearers, about 50 mm across. Test alignment carefully as they can cause more pain if wrong. But this is where the podiatrist is probably worth the fee.
I have a friend, very newly
I have a friend, very newly returned to cycling, who does the same. But he’s relying on training from Cycling Proficiency in about 1947. I am trying to coach him to move forward from the saddle into a low standing position (ie still clipped in but lower than if standing up to climb a hill), then unclip and come to a halt. I think this skill is easier than remembering to lower a dropper post.I certainly can’t comfortably put a foot down and remain seated when the saddle is set correctly for efficient riding.
Record everything is my
Record everything is my choice. It’s all distance and I don’t do enough. It also helps to check lifetime of consumables as I tend to note a new chain etc.Not sure about the local legends though. People who commute through the worst weather will do a segment once a day and they’re worthy of respect. So there will be a few 65-65 draws (assuming 5 day weeks) on a lot of segments plus a few enthusiasts who game the system and ride around in small loops until the novelty wears off.
I do get it for rural climbs though. One of my friends is already LL on a hilly road I often avoid, so chapeau to her. And when club rides restart I’ll be getting dropped on climbs even more often.
Going fast downhill from
Going fast downhill from Hardknott isn’t that much fun unless you have nerves of steel – preferably Reynolds 531. And very good brakes and tyres – the roads are steep and narrow, and the run offs are not attractive.Cassette change is the best thing you can do. I switched to an 11-34 on a CAAD Optimo Tiagra for my go at Hardknott (so 34-34 ratio) and still stopped – I just couldn’t wind my lard up the 30% bit. I think on 105 you can go pretty big if you have the medium length derailleur – even up to 40t.
But my son at half the weight powered away on 34-27 (Campag). So weight loss is also good (if you have any to lose).
Enjoy it (perhaps in hindsight) and try some of the other roads in the Lakes – there’s a huge playground and some surprisingly remote places. Lovely.
Have the freewheel pawls
Have the freewheel pawls broken? This has happened to me on two separate wheels: one Fulcrum Racing Sport db (came with bike) and one Alex Rims / Chosen hub cheapy that got me through the long wait for Fulcrum parts.
It’s quite surprising that OEM wheels are so awful, even on quite spendy bikes (mine is a Ridley X-Trail Carbon; i didn’t pay anything like it but RRP was north of £2k).
I’m not exactly powerful either, and would like to know if there’s a reasonably priced rear wheel for disc brakes with a robust hub.
I agree, though personally
I agree, though personally use ridewithgps for planning (free, and easily exports .fit files for my Garmin). Most of my interesting rides though have begun with a paper OS map, looking for roads I’ve not used before and interesting stuff.I do rate a GPS over a phone on the bars, for battery life and waterproofing especially. I was lucky to buy a used Edge 810 from a friend for a bit of a bargain price.
Totally agree on the early
Totally agree on the early rides – sets you up for the day. I’ve had a few down days while working from home, but a couple of them have been followed by waking early and deciding a ride makes sense. Only an hour or so, and both have been in coastal mist on roads I know well to towns that are not that attractive, but the benefits include better work, motivation, reduced snacking, and that inner smugness that is surely what people mean by “well-being”.
Hopefully all this will still happen when commuting by bike when my office re-opens, though I suspect stop-start city riding and trying to grab a time when the work shower is free may not help…
I’m still a bit fatter than pre-lockdown but working on it.
