Using a Boris bike tomorrow......

[y2blade]

Is there an idiots guide please?
I assume I can pay for it on the day at the docking station?

Cheers all.
Chris

[Steve Evil]

Not done it myself, but looks pretty straightforward:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15155.aspx

[Gizmoish]

Steve Evil said:

Not done it myself, but looks pretty straightforward:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15155.aspx

That's a good guide and exactly how it works. I have the keyfob myself but hired one for Mrs G in Hyde Park a while back.

Tip: before entering your pin code on a dock, if you have a choice of steeds select a 'good' one. Lean sideways on the rear tyre to check it's well pumped up; lift the bike by the saddle and use your foot to flick the tyre and check the rear wheel spins freely (should run for at least 30 secs - I've ridden some that stop more or less instantly). Grab the brake levers and check the pressure feels OK and they resist (they're hydraulic). Have fun

[Accelebrate]

The keypads that you use to enter your pay at the docking station code to release the bike are rubbish and have mostly worn out. Using the end of a biro to squidge them can help.

[sidaorb]

Used them last summer, great laugh, only problem we found was trying to find docking space on the return and unfortunately could only dock one where we ended and I had to ride around for 20 mins before I found somewhere, which obviously cost me a few quid more

[paranoid airbag]

Four things:

-They're VERY low geared. So get used to spinning
-It might be just me but the handling is a little odd - they seemed to want to go any direction but the one I wanted them to go. May be just a short reach but I did miss road bike handling after a bit.
-There might be an app by now to check local docking stations? As the poster above me mentioned, the only real concern is finding a dock full/borked and racking up charges searching for the next one.
-They are (IMO) enormous fun - no special clothing, no clipless pedals, no Strava PBs (I hope...), no concern about theft after you've locked it. Just larking about on a bike, in London of all places

[Gizmoish]

paranoid airbag said:

Four things:

-They're VERY low geared. So get used to spinning
-It might be just me but the handling is a little odd - they seemed to want to go any direction but the one I wanted them to go. May be just a short reach but I did miss road bike handling after a bit.
-There might be an app by now to check local docking stations? As the poster above me mentioned, the only real concern is finding a dock full/borked and racking up charges searching for the next one.
-They are (IMO) enormous fun - no special clothing, no clipless pedals, no Strava PBs (I hope...), no concern about theft after you've locked it. Just larking about on a bike, in London of all places

There are lots of apps. I use one called London Cycle.

If you reach a station and it's full, prod the screen and it'll tell you where the nearest space is, and give you five extra free minutes to get there.

[Heff]

When the chaps bring them back from wherever they service them they always leave the saddle all the way down and the gear as 2.

Often times these are the better ones.

[y2blade]

Thanks chaps.

Have installed barcalysbikes, london cycle and citymapper.

Should be a hoot, fingers crossed the weather forecast is better in the morning or i might just stay in bed.

[Mr Will]

sidaorb said:

Used them last summer, great laugh, only problem we found was trying to find docking space on the return and unfortunately could only dock one where we ended and I had to ride around for 20 mins before I found somewhere, which obviously cost me a few quid more

If there are no spaces at a docking station you can press a button on the screen and it will tell you where the nearest spaces are and give you an extra 15 mins free to get there.

[anonymous-user]

I have always found entering the release code requires fingers of steel, and then undocking them to requires enormous effort. Then they suddenly release resulting in a pedal slamming into your shin.

As every man knows, shin injuries, along with standing on a plug, are a lot more painful than childbirth.

[jamiebae]

They are literally the heaviest bike in the world, I think the frames are made from a combination of concrete, mercury and depleted uranium.

As others have said, they're great fun and the best way to get around London.

[Mr Will]

Greg66 said:

I have always found entering the release code requires fingers of steel, and then undocking them to requires enormous effort. Then they suddenly release resulting in a pedal slamming into your shin.

As every man knows, shin injuries, along with standing on a plug, are a lot more painful than childbirth.

Get one of the keys if you possibly can, cuts down on the hassle massively - no faffing with the screen or typing in codes. Using them any other way is like buying single tickets for your tube journeys!

As for undocking, there is a trick to that. Hold the back of the saddle and lift the back of the bike until it's about 6 inches off the ground then drop it. It will pop cleanly out of the docking station and you're ready to roll :-)

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Max points for catching and dropping people on road bikes wearing replica kit.

[y2blade]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

Max points for catching and dropping people on road bikes wearing replica kit.

I did ^^^^^ whist "dring dring dring'ing" the bell (I have got to get a bell on my Roadbike) as I passed with legs going like the clappers

First things first, found a nice cafe for a cuppa:


Then selected My stead for the day, gave it a check over before punching-in the release code (yes the keypad was rubbish):


I Have been to London a good few times but have yet to visit Tower Bridge, so that was my first destination:


After a short and pleasant pedal in the right direction:




I Even got to see it raise to let a boat through:




Bit of an anticlimax when we saw what it had opened-up for:



More to follow.

[y2blade]

Then up to Bodean's for lunch (have been to the one in Soho before but not this one) on Tower Hill.







Pulled Pork Sandwich and a shandy..went down a treat.



More to follow.

[silverthorn2151]

I love using the Boris Bikes.

Ot: is that the restaurant that used to be a branch of Foxtrot Oscars just opposite the Tower?

I have had a bad hip for a while but looking forwards to getting back on one of those industrial bikes.

[Stedman]

My hero