Stupid New Years Resolution!
Discussion
96 miles.
Stupid doctors, telling me to rest for two months so I can heal properly. I'm half a stone heavier and nine minutes slower getting to work. Add to that my nephews being off school for Jesus's birthday and Greg or Ian's idea of when New Year should be and I've picked up a bug from those walking petri dishes. Not to mention the warmest December for nearly a hundred years means I have either a gale force headwind or a gale force headwind with driving rain. Grrrr!
On a lighter note. One of my less stupid New Years resolutions this year was to be more positive.
That lasted two miles into my maiden voyage as I was clipped by an overtakers mirror knocked into a pothole and jarred my back. Every single bump in the road from that point on ranged from sticking my tongue on a battery to defibrillating by lower back. Discomfort for a change. I must be getting old.
Obviously he couldn't see me so I need to make room for more rear lights.
The cable tie and spare light bracket I used to support my mud guard is being replaced by...
...Q-Bond filler...
...superb stuff. Now I need a light. Considering how good the cheap Chinese Solar LED light is I thought a more reputable company like Cateye could do even better.
I was wrong on every level.
This...
...is crap in comparison. Single LED (with no lens to defuse the light at wider angles), single function (half second flash so it can only be used as an auxiliary light at best) and the clamp is perpendicular to the seat post and narrow so it can only be mounted on the rear triangle. This maybe okay on a road bike but for a cross country dual suspension bike with slicks; it's next to useless.
1.5/10 because it works and that's about it.
The cheap Chinese one has two LEDs behind a defuser, three functions strobe, sequential flash or constant and a proper seat post clamp; all for a fraction of the price of the Cateye version.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Powered-LED-Rear-F...
9/10 for value for money, versatility and battery savings.
Stupid doctors, telling me to rest for two months so I can heal properly. I'm half a stone heavier and nine minutes slower getting to work. Add to that my nephews being off school for Jesus's birthday and Greg or Ian's idea of when New Year should be and I've picked up a bug from those walking petri dishes. Not to mention the warmest December for nearly a hundred years means I have either a gale force headwind or a gale force headwind with driving rain. Grrrr!
On a lighter note. One of my less stupid New Years resolutions this year was to be more positive.
That lasted two miles into my maiden voyage as I was clipped by an overtakers mirror knocked into a pothole and jarred my back. Every single bump in the road from that point on ranged from sticking my tongue on a battery to defibrillating by lower back. Discomfort for a change. I must be getting old.
Obviously he couldn't see me so I need to make room for more rear lights.
The cable tie and spare light bracket I used to support my mud guard is being replaced by...
...Q-Bond filler...
...superb stuff. Now I need a light. Considering how good the cheap Chinese Solar LED light is I thought a more reputable company like Cateye could do even better.
I was wrong on every level.
This...
...is crap in comparison. Single LED (with no lens to defuse the light at wider angles), single function (half second flash so it can only be used as an auxiliary light at best) and the clamp is perpendicular to the seat post and narrow so it can only be mounted on the rear triangle. This maybe okay on a road bike but for a cross country dual suspension bike with slicks; it's next to useless.
1.5/10 because it works and that's about it.
The cheap Chinese one has two LEDs behind a defuser, three functions strobe, sequential flash or constant and a proper seat post clamp; all for a fraction of the price of the Cateye version.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Powered-LED-Rear-F...
9/10 for value for money, versatility and battery savings.
124 miles.
First night shift of the year and the rain was perfect. I arrived at work for half six and the rain fell from eight to roughly three o'clock. The roads were dry apart from a few puddles by the time I left at half six this morning.
A nice relaxing ride home as I'd been up since ten yesterday morning was on the cards but it was a tailwind so I caned it.
How stiff my legs are now are well worth the smile I had earlier.
First night shift of the year and the rain was perfect. I arrived at work for half six and the rain fell from eight to roughly three o'clock. The roads were dry apart from a few puddles by the time I left at half six this morning.
A nice relaxing ride home as I'd been up since ten yesterday morning was on the cards but it was a tailwind so I caned it.
How stiff my legs are now are well worth the smile I had earlier.
126 miles. Grrrrr!
I took a shortcut yesterday that involves going over a concrete bridge. This bridge is covered in moss and because it was sleet and raining at the time my front tyre slipped over the edge pulling my shoulder out as the bike dropped. No damage to my bike as I got my foot down and my shoulder popped back in without issue but I had to drive in last night and do a lot of exercises to stop my arm from stiffening up.
Back on the saddle today with any luck.
I took a shortcut yesterday that involves going over a concrete bridge. This bridge is covered in moss and because it was sleet and raining at the time my front tyre slipped over the edge pulling my shoulder out as the bike dropped. No damage to my bike as I got my foot down and my shoulder popped back in without issue but I had to drive in last night and do a lot of exercises to stop my arm from stiffening up.
Back on the saddle today with any luck.
Still 126 miles. 
Dr's orders again.
Let my shoulder heal at least a week before venturing out. The week is up tomorrow and it's freezing fog. Oh well at least I have a van big enough take bikes to the trails.
I'm the second owner, the van has covered 134,000 miles and serviced up to 128,000.
£148 well spent.
Dr's orders again.
Let my shoulder heal at least a week before venturing out. The week is up tomorrow and it's freezing fog. Oh well at least I have a van big enough take bikes to the trails.
I'm the second owner, the van has covered 134,000 miles and serviced up to 128,000.
£148 well spent.
Liquid Knight said:
Still 126 miles.
Dr's orders again.
Let my shoulder heal at least a week before venturing out. The week is up tomorrow and it's freezing fog. Oh well at least I have a van big enough take bikes to the trails.
I'm the second owner, the van has covered 134,000 miles and serviced up to 128,000.
£148 well spent.
And a strong candidate for the bad parking thread as well!Dr's orders again.
Let my shoulder heal at least a week before venturing out. The week is up tomorrow and it's freezing fog. Oh well at least I have a van big enough take bikes to the trails.
I'm the second owner, the van has covered 134,000 miles and serviced up to 128,000.
£148 well spent.
yellowjack said:
Liquid Knight said:
Still 126 miles.
Dr's orders again.
Let my shoulder heal at least a week before venturing out. The week is up tomorrow and it's freezing fog. Oh well at least I have a van big enough take bikes to the trails.
I'm the second owner, the van has covered 134,000 miles and serviced up to 128,000.
£148 well spent.
And a strong candidate for the bad parking thread as well!Dr's orders again.
Let my shoulder heal at least a week before venturing out. The week is up tomorrow and it's freezing fog. Oh well at least I have a van big enough take bikes to the trails.
I'm the second owner, the van has covered 134,000 miles and serviced up to 128,000.
£148 well spent.
212 miles.
Got a bit of catching up to do. I let my injuries heal properly this time. Waited for the rain to stop and I'm going to commute again as it's almost day light when I leave home and work. I'll still have my lights and hi-viz so I shouldn't get knocked off.
The bike has had a full Winter service including brake pads...
...fairly safe to say they were due. New springs as well but the front brake has been a bit noisy in a "cling, cling, cling" kind of way so I think the disc may be warped.
As usual I'm giving serious thoughts towards selling the Camber and getting something quicker. I'd like to break my best time but I know I can't due to gearing and wheel size. There's little I can do about either apart from getting a different bike.
Maybe retire the Camber, put the knobblies back on and use the old girl for weekend muddyness that she was originally designed for.
I'll keep an eye on this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Camber-Comp-...
...and see what kind of budget I can have if I sell mine or get a cheaper roadie.
Back in the saddle tonight. I've done a hundred or so social miles to get back into the swing of things and build my confidence for the commute ahead.
Warning to all drivers between King's Lynn and Wisbech. I'm at full fitness and on a hair trigger so if you don't want your car shoved up your arse look out for cyclist. One of them could be me.
On a lighter note...
...doesn't the bike look odd not covered in road much and blood?
She needs new bar grips. What do we think of these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-Multibar-Butterfly-T...
Better aerodynamics could give me a few seconds this season.
Got a bit of catching up to do. I let my injuries heal properly this time. Waited for the rain to stop and I'm going to commute again as it's almost day light when I leave home and work. I'll still have my lights and hi-viz so I shouldn't get knocked off.
The bike has had a full Winter service including brake pads...
...fairly safe to say they were due. New springs as well but the front brake has been a bit noisy in a "cling, cling, cling" kind of way so I think the disc may be warped.
As usual I'm giving serious thoughts towards selling the Camber and getting something quicker. I'd like to break my best time but I know I can't due to gearing and wheel size. There's little I can do about either apart from getting a different bike.
Maybe retire the Camber, put the knobblies back on and use the old girl for weekend muddyness that she was originally designed for.
I'll keep an eye on this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Camber-Comp-...
...and see what kind of budget I can have if I sell mine or get a cheaper roadie.
Back in the saddle tonight. I've done a hundred or so social miles to get back into the swing of things and build my confidence for the commute ahead.
Warning to all drivers between King's Lynn and Wisbech. I'm at full fitness and on a hair trigger so if you don't want your car shoved up your arse look out for cyclist. One of them could be me.
On a lighter note...
...doesn't the bike look odd not covered in road much and blood?
She needs new bar grips. What do we think of these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-Multibar-Butterfly-T...
Better aerodynamics could give me a few seconds this season.
Liquid Knight said:
£148 well spent.
Just in case I digress again. I'm back on my bike tonight.
237 miles.
I had forgotten just how many
-witts there are on a Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
I've decided to go for something faster so here is an opportunity to own a piece of internet history.
If the winning bidder is a fellow Pistonhead by all means continue the thread.
I had forgotten just how many
-witts there are on a Monday evening and Tuesday morning. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
I've decided to go for something faster so here is an opportunity to own a piece of internet history.
If the winning bidder is a fellow Pistonhead by all means continue the thread.
261 miles.
Now the bike has a bid on it I can't risk it being smashed to pieces on the commute. So I've decided to drive to work tonight.
This morning was eventful. It's now light enough when I pass for the shed cows to stare at me again as I go past. Every time I see this it looks like their planning something.
So what's next? I'm looking at tricross and cyclocross style bikes with interest at the moment. I'd like another recumbent but gawping drivers who have either never seen one or have to take a photo' as they try to overtake is worse than wearing a mask to get attention. Tricross and Cyclocross bikes are tough enough for the potholes and I don't have to wear Lycra to ride one. Best of both worlds when you think about it.
Now the bike has a bid on it I can't risk it being smashed to pieces on the commute. So I've decided to drive to work tonight.
This morning was eventful. It's now light enough when I pass for the shed cows to stare at me again as I go past. Every time I see this it looks like their planning something.
So what's next? I'm looking at tricross and cyclocross style bikes with interest at the moment. I'd like another recumbent but gawping drivers who have either never seen one or have to take a photo' as they try to overtake is worse than wearing a mask to get attention. Tricross and Cyclocross bikes are tough enough for the potholes and I don't have to wear Lycra to ride one. Best of both worlds when you think about it.
342 miles.
Went for a ride out today.
These grips are pretty damn good. Because my hands are flat my arms are more relaxed and I did a few more miles than usual without really noticing.
The bloody wind was a pain though. It felt like a ten degree difference from sheltered to exposed parts of the road.
The auction has warmed up a bit with a couple of new bidders at least.
Went for a ride out today.
These grips are pretty damn good. Because my hands are flat my arms are more relaxed and I did a few more miles than usual without really noticing.
The bloody wind was a pain though. It felt like a ten degree difference from sheltered to exposed parts of the road.
The auction has warmed up a bit with a couple of new bidders at least.
gazza285 said:
What next then LK? I'd go for a Kinesis Crosslight Pro 6, It's got discs, rack mounts and mudguard eyes. It's light, you can get some fat tyres (for 700c anyway) on it, and it comes in bright colours.
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/1174817/products/kinesis-crosslight-pro6-2013-cyclocross-bike---green.aspx?origin=pla?kwd=&gclid=CK7OiIPYpL0CFafKtAodzC0A8g
Nice.
I'm thinking of reducing the budget this time...
1/ Parts will be cheaper.
2/ I won't mind cars hitting me as much.
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