Back on the saddle...
Discussion
A new addition to the bike for last night and this mornings run...
...I fitted an old rack from the deepest darkest corner of my shed. Had to move my lower rear light on to the mudguard above the rear hoop so it doesn't fall off and gave both rims a light dust of...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171406832761?_trksid=p20...
...I'm not 100% on this but thought it would make an alternative to the usual technicolor rim tapes.
...I fitted an old rack from the deepest darkest corner of my shed. Had to move my lower rear light on to the mudguard above the rear hoop so it doesn't fall off and gave both rims a light dust of...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171406832761?_trksid=p20...
...I'm not 100% on this but thought it would make an alternative to the usual technicolor rim tapes.
So....
...I have no idea how to fit these pannier bags. It's as if they are missing straps or clips to fit securely. No instructions included just a couple of hooks for the side bags and a top bag that's a foot wider than the rack.
I think I'm going to have to get my grinder and welder out.
...I have no idea how to fit these pannier bags. It's as if they are missing straps or clips to fit securely. No instructions included just a couple of hooks for the side bags and a top bag that's a foot wider than the rack.
I think I'm going to have to get my grinder and welder out.
Either my new bags are missing something or I am.
The side bags come with little plastic hooks that...
...clip on to the top bar of the rack.
The top bag (laptop section) zips to the side bags...
...but the only straps on all three bags...
...go over the top of the top bag. I assume for extra stuff to go on top that won't fit in the side bags.
This to me is ridiculous. There is no way of securing any of the bags to the rack at all. Even if I get a load of bungee chords as the top of the rack is completely covered its inaccessible.
So either the bags are missing supplementary straps to secure the side bags at the bottom of the rack and the top straps are supposed to go underneath somehow or this is a really pi$$ poor design that relies on little more than gravity to hold it in place.
I'm also not happy with the idea of my laptop going in there. How much more general vibration and potholing I feel from the hybrid compared to the dual suspension mountain bike I had before suggests I'll have bits of laptop in the bag after a hundred yards even if I pack it in Polystyrene.
So the bag and rack are headed towards the bin and I'll look at a trailer with suspension.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/One-wheel-Single-Wheel-C...
The side bags come with little plastic hooks that...
...clip on to the top bar of the rack.
The top bag (laptop section) zips to the side bags...
...but the only straps on all three bags...
...go over the top of the top bag. I assume for extra stuff to go on top that won't fit in the side bags.
This to me is ridiculous. There is no way of securing any of the bags to the rack at all. Even if I get a load of bungee chords as the top of the rack is completely covered its inaccessible.
So either the bags are missing supplementary straps to secure the side bags at the bottom of the rack and the top straps are supposed to go underneath somehow or this is a really pi$$ poor design that relies on little more than gravity to hold it in place.
I'm also not happy with the idea of my laptop going in there. How much more general vibration and potholing I feel from the hybrid compared to the dual suspension mountain bike I had before suggests I'll have bits of laptop in the bag after a hundred yards even if I pack it in Polystyrene.
So the bag and rack are headed towards the bin and I'll look at a trailer with suspension.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/One-wheel-Single-Wheel-C...
I do enjoy it most days. But those little people in tin boxes who don't have a care in the world let alone give a flying f
k about anyone else on the road in front of them; turn what was a pleasure into a chore and a near life experience.
It's hard to enjoy something after enduring nine months of recovery following one of these people deciding to turn left without indicating, braking or checking they had overtaken me properly, smashing my bike, dislocating my shoulder, separating my ribs from my sternum pulling all my intercostal muscles so I spent the first six months feeling like I had someone standing on my chest. For an active person being inactive is worse than any physical discomfort.
I like the challenge and timing myself sometimes is just a way of demonstrating to myself more than anyone that I'm doing my best. For my sake. I like to do my best in everything that I do and if setting a new record time makes for dull reading I apologise but it means I'm fit and my last off hasn't stopped me. Basically each time I set and log on this blog is a middle digit to the hit and run from last year. (by the way in case I haven't mentioned it the hit and run driver was caught, he lived two hundred yards from where he hit me. Got six points for Careless Driving, six points for leaving the scene of a collision, was banned for a year and ordered to pay a fine and court costs totaling £1,350)
There isn't a great deal of point pootling along in the dark as there is little to see and hear apart from the occasional Bat, Barn Owl, Foxes and Deer. During the Summer I back down a bit; forty three minute runs instead of aiming at thirty three and by my standards that's taking it easy. Riding into the sunset, breathing the fresh air; for the three days a year it is fresh and not a sea breeze or tainted by muck spreading, crop spraying, dust or pollen.
I have suggested before how different perspectives effect your emotional reaction to situations. As a driver you see things on the road and shrug your shoulders or roll your eyes and think "Pillock" but on a bike when there isn't a Faraday cage of airbags, crumple zones and drivers aids between you and the aforementioned "Pillock" your reaction is aimed more at the concept of self preservation. For example: That guy who had a letter box of frost cleared of his windscreen this morning is deliberately out to kill someone. Pure and simple.
Some drivers; especially ones like that should have their licenses and vehicles shredded in front of them; then be forced to drive pink G-Wizz's for a minimum of five years after they pass an extended test. Vote for me if I stand for election and I will do my best to make it happen.
Okay got a bit side tracked there. Sorry if this blog has been a bit ranty. I'm not angry with the world; just most of it.
k about anyone else on the road in front of them; turn what was a pleasure into a chore and a near life experience. It's hard to enjoy something after enduring nine months of recovery following one of these people deciding to turn left without indicating, braking or checking they had overtaken me properly, smashing my bike, dislocating my shoulder, separating my ribs from my sternum pulling all my intercostal muscles so I spent the first six months feeling like I had someone standing on my chest. For an active person being inactive is worse than any physical discomfort.
I like the challenge and timing myself sometimes is just a way of demonstrating to myself more than anyone that I'm doing my best. For my sake. I like to do my best in everything that I do and if setting a new record time makes for dull reading I apologise but it means I'm fit and my last off hasn't stopped me. Basically each time I set and log on this blog is a middle digit to the hit and run
from last year. (by the way in case I haven't mentioned it the hit and run driver was caught, he lived two hundred yards from where he hit me. Got six points for Careless Driving, six points for leaving the scene of a collision, was banned for a year and ordered to pay a fine and court costs totaling £1,350)There isn't a great deal of point pootling along in the dark as there is little to see and hear apart from the occasional Bat, Barn Owl, Foxes and Deer. During the Summer I back down a bit; forty three minute runs instead of aiming at thirty three and by my standards that's taking it easy. Riding into the sunset, breathing the fresh air; for the three days a year it is fresh and not a sea breeze or tainted by muck spreading, crop spraying, dust or pollen.
I have suggested before how different perspectives effect your emotional reaction to situations. As a driver you see things on the road and shrug your shoulders or roll your eyes and think "Pillock" but on a bike when there isn't a Faraday cage of airbags, crumple zones and drivers aids between you and the aforementioned "Pillock" your reaction is aimed more at the concept of self preservation. For example: That guy who had a letter box of frost cleared of his windscreen this morning is deliberately out to kill someone. Pure and simple.
Some drivers; especially ones like that should have their licenses and vehicles shredded in front of them; then be forced to drive pink G-Wizz's for a minimum of five years after they pass an extended test. Vote for me if I stand for election and I will do my best to make it happen.
Okay got a bit side tracked there. Sorry if this blog has been a bit ranty. I'm not angry with the world; just most of it.
bigdom said:
1. Backup work
2. Ortlieb panniers
I stick laptop in panniers all the time, you just better panniers.
Impressive.2. Ortlieb panniers
I stick laptop in panniers all the time, you just better panniers.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_tr...
Thank you.
I didn't cycle in last night as the forecast was for "I couldn't be arsed" with sporadic showers of laziness and cake.
Sorry I've been a bit of a grump. I do recall trying not to turn this blog into an elongated rant but I hadn't banked on how I'd feel about my little gauntlet.
Great minds eh?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Howies-rucksack-with-ref...
I'm not sure that a sign on a black bag would be as effective but it's the same principle.
Anyway the blog is as neglected as my bike this week. No I'm not sulking due to the backlash, I've popped my ribs again doing some heavy bag work with my nephews.
At last the weather's turning. Should be cold enough for some quick times soon.
There is a section of my route that is under two inches of mud again. The lack of mud last year compared to this demonstrates tradition crop rotation is alive and well in modern agriculture. Fields that had rape and wheat last year are having sugar beet harvested now. Hopefully this weekends rain will take care of that for next week where I'll be back on the saddle once more.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Howies-rucksack-with-ref...
I'm not sure that a sign on a black bag would be as effective but it's the same principle.
Anyway the blog is as neglected as my bike this week. No I'm not sulking due to the backlash, I've popped my ribs again doing some heavy bag work with my nephews.
At last the weather's turning. Should be cold enough for some quick times soon.
There is a section of my route that is under two inches of mud again. The lack of mud last year compared to this demonstrates tradition crop rotation is alive and well in modern agriculture. Fields that had rape and wheat last year are having sugar beet harvested now. Hopefully this weekends rain will take care of that for next week where I'll be back on the saddle once more.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1502827996635...
That's all my retro BMX stuff is going on eBay. I'll never be that good.
1965? Wow!
That's all my retro BMX stuff is going on eBay. I'll never be that good.
1965? Wow!
Fog...
...followed by freezing fog...
...with rain later.
So that's...
Suicide...
...followed by suicide...
...with I can't be arsed later.
This morning on my drive home there were half a dozen cars driving with main beams up in fifty meters visibility, several with only one fog light up front, even more with only one headlight and a few with the letter box of ice cleared from the windscreen and side windows open a bit.
My new front light arrived yesterday. 1,800 lumen isn't enough for some I now have 5,200 "just in case".
...followed by freezing fog...
...with rain later.
So that's...
Suicide...
...followed by suicide...
...with I can't be arsed later.
This morning on my drive home there were half a dozen cars driving with main beams up in fifty meters visibility, several with only one fog light up front, even more with only one headlight and a few with the letter box of ice cleared from the windscreen and side windows open a bit.
My new front light arrived yesterday. 1,800 lumen isn't enough for some I now have 5,200 "just in case".
Okay I've neglected this thread for a while and it's because I've neglected my bike. The weather has been crap, the roads still covered in mud and way half the people with cars driver round here I'd have them arrested for attempted murder.
Also I managed to pop my ribs again and have an Alfa GTV at my disposal so my bike isn't exactly appealing.
This month I have a new mask, new gloves on the way and the only thing that has been bugging me about my bike apart from the lack of suspension are the pedals. I'm after a set of DMR V8's or similar that are as wide as my foot and strong enough not to flex.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Cycling-Bicycle-Ped...
Also I managed to pop my ribs again and have an Alfa GTV at my disposal so my bike isn't exactly appealing.
This month I have a new mask, new gloves on the way and the only thing that has been bugging me about my bike apart from the lack of suspension are the pedals. I'm after a set of DMR V8's or similar that are as wide as my foot and strong enough not to flex.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Cycling-Bicycle-Ped...
AndyWoodall said:
Can't beat a pair of V8s.
I never rated V12's either. For double the price you didn't get much in the way of a difference. These...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400809782906?_trksid=p20...
...are a little (less than a stamp) cheaper than V8's (on eBay at least) 122mm x 950mm x 26mm.
The V8's do come with service kits and better colours but one of my resolutions this year was to stop living in the past and try new things. Cycling to work when it isn't foggy wasn't one of my resolutions obviously as I'm not doing it yet.
Quick vote before I buy a set these...
...or these?
It's more luck than anything I've narrowed it down to two (another resolution was to be less indecisive).
Are those the ones with the plastic centers?
How about this for a little bit of motivation...
https://www.bhf.org.uk/L2B2015
...doable?
How about this for a little bit of motivation...
https://www.bhf.org.uk/L2B2015
...doable?
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