Stupid New Years Resolution!
Discussion
Good to hear. The back in the sadle bit not the public nudity. I haven't done that for a while. Funny story but not for a family orientated forum. 
Weird ride home, it felt damp, warm but there was still ice on the untreated roads. I don't know what the deal is with the Curio tyres but I could feel the bike moving about with enough time to have a cup of tea before I needed to do anything about it. With nobblies on ice as soon as you feel the bike start to move it's too late.
Weird ride home, it felt damp, warm but there was still ice on the untreated roads. I don't know what the deal is with the Curio tyres but I could feel the bike moving about with enough time to have a cup of tea before I needed to do anything about it. With nobblies on ice as soon as you feel the bike start to move it's too late.
Good going, that is a fair chunk of miles!
As another poster says it quickly becomes routine, I've got into the routine just about, but there are days that really make me want the train, but the money saving I make keeps me motivated.
I'll tick over the 500 mile mark for year to date on the way home.
As another poster says it quickly becomes routine, I've got into the routine just about, but there are days that really make me want the train, but the money saving I make keeps me motivated.
I'll tick over the 500 mile mark for year to date on the way home.
Showing signs of chaffing. The middle bits are fine, a shower and alovera solves that; the bit between the top of my thigh and bum is the problem area I need a solution for. Probably just some fine seat adjustment is required. I'm not the lycra type (and it's been between -1 and -5 this week) and I'm certainly not a POB. I think I'm a DOB Driver on Bike, I do have some very sexy high-viz waterproof trousers to go with my jacket when the weather turns tomorrow and Thursday.
I kept my ears warm with my Joker mask today as well.
I kept my ears warm with my Joker mask today as well.
Liquid Knight said:
I hadn't counted on gale force winds, falling trees and driving rain until April.
The other week it was raining like I had never seen before so decided to take the bus. Checked my wallet before I left my house and didn't have a penny, let alone the king's ransom needed for a dayrider, so had to cycle. I was soaked through before I made it to the bus stop anyway. I am quite happy with it being cold now. It doesn't take long to warm up and cars leave more room as they assume you are crazy. Only reason I won't be riding this year is if the bike or me is broken, illness doesn't count. Hoping to cover about 3000 miles this year, 13 miles per day may need some weekend mileage to make it.
I made a resolution to cycle to work on average once a week. It's 20 km each way (Surrey to City of London).
Week 1 - nothing
Week 2 - nothing
Week 3 - did it on Monday on my single-speed (knackered!)
- also did it today on my new Revolution Cross (also knackered!)
But my little Garmin Edge says it's using 990 calories each way, so I'm off for a bacon roll
Week 1 - nothing
Week 2 - nothing
Week 3 - did it on Monday on my single-speed (knackered!)
- also did it today on my new Revolution Cross (also knackered!)
But my little Garmin Edge says it's using 990 calories each way, so I'm off for a bacon roll
okgo said:
As another poster says it quickly becomes routine, I've got into the routine just about, but there are days that really make me want the train, but the money saving I make keeps me motivated.
I commuted by bike a lot last year, but there was always a day or two where the weather was bad or a small hang over or a light cold that made me drive. But I said to myself this year there would be no excuse for not riding. So far the routine of that has really helped - no longer do I look out the window to see the weather when I get up, only when I'm getting dressed (to know how much to put on 
).It certainly helps - it's "always" rather than only sometimes.
Liquid Knight said:
Showing signs of chaffing. The middle bits are fine, a shower and alovera solves that; the bit between the top of my thigh and bum is the problem area I need a solution for. Probably just some fine seat adjustment is required. I'm not the lycra type (and it's been between -1 and -5 this week) and I'm certainly not a POB. I think I'm a DOB Driver on Bike, I do have some very sexy high-viz waterproof trousers to go with my jacket when the weather turns tomorrow and Thursday.
I assume you have padded boxer shorts of some sort? For my longer weekend rides I find vaseline pretty good, just in the areas where you know it's going to chafe. Lots of it. Plus, it feels nice after 
Following Thursdays flat I now have some leeches and my pump in my bag.
Over the past three weeks I have made some casual observations. There are five types of drivers at half five in the morning.
1/ The "I should have gone to bed two hours earlier" type who drive six feet at a time because the can't concentrate enough to see any further up the road. These will SMIDSY you.
2/ The "I've overslept and now I have twenty minutes to drive a forty minute journey". After three cans of Redbull and four Pro-Plus these guys will take back roads to avoid the authorities but don't use them offen enough to know the road well. Slowing to 20mph for bends and driving up to 100+mph between corners.
3/ The ones who get out of thier boring bed leaving their boring wife (who's probably looking forward to the window cleaner because at least with him the sex isn't as boring), eating a boring breakfast while listening to tiresome FM (Radio 2), only to put on their boring clothes get into their boring car and drive the same boring route every day for the rest of their lives to their boring jobs. All to pay for the children that have been raised so nonchalantly they can hardly be arsed to get up for school let alone have the will or have been encouraged to get a paper round. I call these drivers "Autopilots". They have driven the same route so many times they know if a leaf has moved on the tree outside that house on the corner near the hedge that looks like like a cow. Every bump in the road, every braking point at every corner. They will also SMIDSY you because they're used to you being ten feet further up the road.
4/ The Vigulantees. These drivers get up extra early so they can critcise other drivers. The would have joined the I.A.M if it was free. Would have joined the Police if they didn't have that caution for shoplifting Kylies greatest hits from HMV. They're more than happy to shout at cyclist for holding the world up just before hitting a cue traffic.
5/ Carefull and considerate drivers. Who take the time to overtake safely and actually see cyclist in the first place.
Over the past three weeks I have made some casual observations. There are five types of drivers at half five in the morning.
1/ The "I should have gone to bed two hours earlier" type who drive six feet at a time because the can't concentrate enough to see any further up the road. These will SMIDSY you.
2/ The "I've overslept and now I have twenty minutes to drive a forty minute journey". After three cans of Redbull and four Pro-Plus these guys will take back roads to avoid the authorities but don't use them offen enough to know the road well. Slowing to 20mph for bends and driving up to 100+mph between corners.
3/ The ones who get out of thier boring bed leaving their boring wife (who's probably looking forward to the window cleaner because at least with him the sex isn't as boring), eating a boring breakfast while listening to tiresome FM (Radio 2), only to put on their boring clothes get into their boring car and drive the same boring route every day for the rest of their lives to their boring jobs. All to pay for the children that have been raised so nonchalantly they can hardly be arsed to get up for school let alone have the will or have been encouraged to get a paper round. I call these drivers "Autopilots". They have driven the same route so many times they know if a leaf has moved on the tree outside that house on the corner near the hedge that looks like like a cow. Every bump in the road, every braking point at every corner. They will also SMIDSY you because they're used to you being ten feet further up the road.
4/ The Vigulantees. These drivers get up extra early so they can critcise other drivers. The would have joined the I.A.M if it was free. Would have joined the Police if they didn't have that caution for shoplifting Kylies greatest hits from HMV. They're more than happy to shout at cyclist for holding the world up just before hitting a cue traffic.
5/ Carefull and considerate drivers. Who take the time to overtake safely and actually see cyclist in the first place.
Fun ride home again. I was doing 25ish accordin gto the speedometre in a 30 zone. It was a bit twist and I had a car behind me so I got my head down instead of holding the guy up. When the group of four cyclists (lycra wearing bone shaker riders) were sat on a corner having a breather. One of them shouted "Bloody Hell that's a mountain bike" after I said good evening.
A nice steady 16-18mph for the rest of the way home; until that is I got about half a mile away. Final sprint mode and had just selected top gear when a gritter passed me filling my eyes with crap I couldn't open my eyes or see properly for about five minutes. The forecast is for rain tomorrow so that's another £10,000 load of grit wasted.
A nice steady 16-18mph for the rest of the way home; until that is I got about half a mile away. Final sprint mode and had just selected top gear when a gritter passed me filling my eyes with crap I couldn't open my eyes or see properly for about five minutes. The forecast is for rain tomorrow so that's another £10,000 load of grit wasted.
The weather forecast lied to me again last night. 
The rain wasn't predicted to start until nine. Luckilly it was snow just after six and the rain hit just after I started work.
If we get any proper snow (never by my standards but enough for England to grind to a halt) I'll put my knobbles back on and leave ten minutes earlier.
The rain wasn't predicted to start until nine. Luckilly it was snow just after six and the rain hit just after I started work.
If we get any proper snow (never by my standards but enough for England to grind to a halt) I'll put my knobbles back on and leave ten minutes earlier.
Drizzle. Grrrr! It's not proper rain but you still get wet.
Okay having had a crack at drivers here are the the five types of cyclist you get on the roads...
1/ PoB "Pedestrians on Bikes". No lights, reflective gear, helmets or any road sence whatsoever. Ropey, neglected bikes that if there were a pedal powered M.O.T would fail on at least a dozen different things. These are a menace to any other road user even other cyclists. The will turn into traffic without looking or incapable of looking due to wearing a hooded jacket, deliberately wobble when you overtake and if you do hit one they have injury shysters for you on speed-dial.
2/ Ecocyclementalists. Ever stopped at a red light and a tramp looking hippy type on an old basket bike (probably nicked from the nearest Post Office) taps on your window and asked you...
"Why don't you cycle to work? Your car puts out the same amount of Carbon into the atmosphere every day as burning down a football field of trees".
...if so then you have met an ecocyclementalist (or Rob Newman). If you say anything other than...
"Really? How interesting; I'll look into that, or didn't you used to be the funny one in the Mary Whithouse Experience? How is David Bladybum?".
...they will wobble in front of you for the next half an hour at a steady three to five miles an hour. If you manage to overtake, you will be bombarded with abuse. "You've just killed another tree you
sideways with a cabbage!"
Whatever you do, never point out the Carbon footprint of making a bicycle.
3/ DoB's "Drivers on Bikes" or BaC's "Born again Cyclist". New Years Resolutionists, midlife crisies and people who can't afford Petrol anymore. As drivers they are well aware of the hazards both the road and cyclist present. Wear more hi-viz than is strictly necessary and are lit up like Blackpool pleasure beach. One problem with DoB's is whatever little things that annoy you in a car with be the most irritating thing in the world when you cycle. I think it's because in a car you're traveling several time the speed you are on a bike so when you see something in a car you barely have enough time to roll your eyes, on a bike you can dwell a little too much about it. Weapon of choice for DoB's (like me) is dual suspension (due to the potholes) mountain bike with slicks or a Hybrid. BaC's are in for a shock. Probably haven't been on the saddle for twenty years and the shock of doing exercise, not being in their nice warm cars and bikes never used to chaife when they were younger. Means for the first couple of weeks they'll be covered in sweat and walking around like a George Michael fan. Needless to say after three weeks they'll be back in their cars waiting for fair weather or the bike will be on eBay.
4/ Lycralists. Usually hunt in packs and ride three or four abreast on country lanes. Several thousand Pounds worth of metal under them. Looking over their shoulders often, not for hazards or traffic but for the imaginary Mario Chipolini, Lance Armstrong, that Scotish bloke who sells Wheatabix (Mark Have-a-dish?) chasing them (other cerials are available and some even taste better than the box). Single L.E.D lights to save as much weight as possible when it gets dark so SMIDSY's waiting to happen and it's never their fault. In towns and cities Lycrlists will not use cycle lanes as they are for lesser cyclists and treat the road like their own private overtaking lane.
5/ Cycle-antees also known as Cycyoutube-ists, Basically a bunch of aholes with cameras strapped to their bikes (front and rear views) or their helmets. If you drive with the tinyest lack of consideration expect your numberplate to appear on a Youtube search with "cut me up, tailgated me, left hook, failed to this, failed to that"...
Completely self absorbed and with an air of smuggness that makes the Ecocyclementalists look easy going. Preaching the gospal of the "Road Traffic Act" to every single driver they come across who puts a foot wrong and then posting videos of themselves doing between 5 and 10mph over the speed limit in other clips. With the excuse "Section eighty-something of the RTA 1988 says "Motor Vehicles" and cycles don't have engines so we are above the Law" dispite the fact you are on the road you are Traffic and since the Road Traffic Act was reviced in 2006 to include all Traffic something else you can thank the G-Wizz for. Criticising drivers on one video whilst showing a disregard for the same set of laws in another in my book makes them tts of the highest order. Some even stop and have a go at drivers only to edit the video in such a way the number plate will appear later with "road rage cycle hater" in the title. A classic case of something that started out as a good idea, posting videos to help raise awareness; that has sadly become a battle to get Youtube views and Twitter followers, tuning their commute into a popularity contest for the wrong reasons.
Okay having had a crack at drivers here are the the five types of cyclist you get on the roads...
1/ PoB "Pedestrians on Bikes". No lights, reflective gear, helmets or any road sence whatsoever. Ropey, neglected bikes that if there were a pedal powered M.O.T would fail on at least a dozen different things. These are a menace to any other road user even other cyclists. The will turn into traffic without looking or incapable of looking due to wearing a hooded jacket, deliberately wobble when you overtake and if you do hit one they have injury shysters for you on speed-dial.
2/ Ecocyclementalists. Ever stopped at a red light and a tramp looking hippy type on an old basket bike (probably nicked from the nearest Post Office) taps on your window and asked you...
"Why don't you cycle to work? Your car puts out the same amount of Carbon into the atmosphere every day as burning down a football field of trees".
...if so then you have met an ecocyclementalist (or Rob Newman). If you say anything other than...
"Really? How interesting; I'll look into that, or didn't you used to be the funny one in the Mary Whithouse Experience? How is David Bladybum?".
...they will wobble in front of you for the next half an hour at a steady three to five miles an hour. If you manage to overtake, you will be bombarded with abuse. "You've just killed another tree you
sideways with a cabbage!"Whatever you do, never point out the Carbon footprint of making a bicycle.
3/ DoB's "Drivers on Bikes" or BaC's "Born again Cyclist". New Years Resolutionists, midlife crisies and people who can't afford Petrol anymore. As drivers they are well aware of the hazards both the road and cyclist present. Wear more hi-viz than is strictly necessary and are lit up like Blackpool pleasure beach. One problem with DoB's is whatever little things that annoy you in a car with be the most irritating thing in the world when you cycle. I think it's because in a car you're traveling several time the speed you are on a bike so when you see something in a car you barely have enough time to roll your eyes, on a bike you can dwell a little too much about it. Weapon of choice for DoB's (like me) is dual suspension (due to the potholes) mountain bike with slicks or a Hybrid. BaC's are in for a shock. Probably haven't been on the saddle for twenty years and the shock of doing exercise, not being in their nice warm cars and bikes never used to chaife when they were younger. Means for the first couple of weeks they'll be covered in sweat and walking around like a George Michael fan. Needless to say after three weeks they'll be back in their cars waiting for fair weather or the bike will be on eBay.
4/ Lycralists. Usually hunt in packs and ride three or four abreast on country lanes. Several thousand Pounds worth of metal under them. Looking over their shoulders often, not for hazards or traffic but for the imaginary Mario Chipolini, Lance Armstrong, that Scotish bloke who sells Wheatabix (Mark Have-a-dish?) chasing them (other cerials are available and some even taste better than the box). Single L.E.D lights to save as much weight as possible when it gets dark so SMIDSY's waiting to happen and it's never their fault. In towns and cities Lycrlists will not use cycle lanes as they are for lesser cyclists and treat the road like their own private overtaking lane.
5/ Cycle-antees also known as Cycyoutube-ists, Basically a bunch of a
holes with cameras strapped to their bikes (front and rear views) or their helmets. If you drive with the tinyest lack of consideration expect your numberplate to appear on a Youtube search with "cut me up, tailgated me, left hook, failed to this, failed to that"... Completely self absorbed and with an air of smuggness that makes the Ecocyclementalists look easy going. Preaching the gospal of the "Road Traffic Act" to every single driver they come across who puts a foot wrong and then posting videos of themselves doing between 5 and 10mph over the speed limit in other clips. With the excuse "Section eighty-something of the RTA 1988 says "Motor Vehicles" and cycles don't have engines so we are above the Law" dispite the fact you are on the road you are Traffic and since the Road Traffic Act was reviced in 2006 to include all Traffic something else you can thank the G-Wizz for. Criticising drivers on one video whilst showing a disregard for the same set of laws in another in my book makes them t
ts of the highest order. Some even stop and have a go at drivers only to edit the video in such a way the number plate will appear later with "road rage cycle hater" in the title. A classic case of something that started out as a good idea, posting videos to help raise awareness; that has sadly become a battle to get Youtube views and Twitter followers, tuning their commute into a popularity contest for the wrong reasons. Edited by Liquid Knight on Wednesday 25th January 10:59
Grrrr! Three miles in and this happens...
...two problems with Leeches. 1/ They don't work if the tube's wet and 2/ They're not big enough to cover Inch long side wall splits.
Bloody salty roads.
Needless to say I had to run home and drive in today. On the plus side I do have my first Petrol Station sausage rolls of the year.
The cyclists I pass every day were sat at the side of the road last night so I stopped to have a chat. They're a team of five commuters who mostly ride fixies. Not my cup of tea but a nice bunch of lads. They's stopped for a puncture as well.
...two problems with Leeches. 1/ They don't work if the tube's wet and 2/ They're not big enough to cover Inch long side wall splits.
Bloody salty roads.
Needless to say I had to run home and drive in today.
On the plus side I do have my first Petrol Station sausage rolls of the year. The cyclists I pass every day were sat at the side of the road last night so I stopped to have a chat. They're a team of five commuters who mostly ride fixies. Not my cup of tea but a nice bunch of lads. They's stopped for a puncture as well.
Felt rough this morning and the return of the headwind didn't help. Feels like someone's trying to pull my left eye out of its socket with a sink plunger. Bleaugh! 
Borrowed the tyres off Catsarse II...
...look smaller than the red ones but are just as good.
Tailwind home and straight to bed if I don't feel any better.
Borrowed the tyres off Catsarse II...
...look smaller than the red ones but are just as good.
Tailwind home and straight to bed if I don't feel any better.
Good morning to the....
2/ The "I've overslept and now I have twenty minutes to drive a forty minute journey". After three cans of Redbull and four Pro-Plus these guys will take back roads to avoid the authorities but don't use them offen enough to know the road well. Slowing to 20mph for bends and driving up to 100+mph between corners.
...driver of the dark blue Merc' 200 with stupid Aluminium plates who decided to try to kill me this morning. If my lap top wasn't working right now you'd be reported as a hit and run driver and I'll be hammering at your door after work this evening for your insurance details.
If he had stopped it wouldn't have been a problem, but because he did I lost my temper, took it out on my pedals and got to work twenty minutes early. Grrrrr!
Getting to work early on a Saturday?
Yes I'm more pissed off at being early for work than the "Sorry mate I didn't see an LED lit, flouressent yellow, power ranger, with a reflected green helmet and Joker mask"!
...and breathe out.
2/ The "I've overslept and now I have twenty minutes to drive a forty minute journey". After three cans of Redbull and four Pro-Plus these guys will take back roads to avoid the authorities but don't use them offen enough to know the road well. Slowing to 20mph for bends and driving up to 100+mph between corners.
...driver of the dark blue Merc' 200 with stupid Aluminium plates who decided to try to kill me this morning. If my lap top wasn't working right now you'd be reported as a hit and run driver and I'll be hammering at your door after work this evening for your insurance details.
If he had stopped it wouldn't have been a problem, but because he did I lost my temper, took it out on my pedals and got to work twenty minutes early. Grrrrr!
Getting to work early on a Saturday?
Yes I'm more pissed off at being early for work than the "Sorry mate I didn't see an LED lit, flouressent yellow, power ranger, with a reflected green helmet and Joker mask"!
...and breathe out.
Edited to add "hit and run" is accurate as my handle bar clipped his mirror and I had to put the bike down in the grass verge.
Edited by Liquid Knight on Saturday 28th January 08:29
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff