J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I just think that if I do one day a week, thats a 20% saving, 2 days 40%.

Trouble is, so many people are not able to for so many valid reasons, distance, dropping kids off, no showers, bad route etc but its worth giving a go if able.

As for the moral highground, there is an element of that in the hardcore non driving cyclist fraternity but I do both so I try to let drivers pass when on my bike and give cyclists room when in my car, what I hate is people that make a point of hoofing their diesel car past because they have had to wait a nanosecond leaving me in a plume of diesel smoke, cheers, thanks for that, perhaps they need to spend some time outside their 2.5 tonne lounge on wheels ?

People on phones are the worst, when cycling or driving, its so selfish, huy in a 911 this morning, texting by the look of it, 70 grand car he is prepapred to crash to send a SMS ?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I have to add, I am in the car today, got drenched on the way home last night , sent to a school do with no tea when I got in, listened to 3 hours of waffle I heard last year just waiting for the buffet, I hadnt eaten since noon (sandwiches, lunchtime meeting, crap, but free) and didnt get to the buffet until 9, nine hours since not much food with a moderatly challenging ride in between, suffuce to say I was hungry and ready to pass out.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

i keep a drawer of snack bar thingys (nut cluster type things) and eat one 30-45 minutes before going home. I find that they carry me through to tea at home

If I am going straight out then I have instant noodle packs available which take 2 mins to prepare. Sainsburys do the basics and they're about 18p each.

Oh and I got drenched as well It wasn't so bad at the start, but just got gradually worse the nearer I got to home. My wife said she was expecting a phone call asking to be picked up

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I neglected to mention the Nature Valley bar I had but was running on empty anyway by nine pm.

I would just say, dont annoy a cyclist when its raining, they arent very happy creatures, rain water running down your bum crack doesnt improve your mood.

SiPie

Quite enjoy cucling in the rain, find it really relaxing for some strange reason, not keen when mixed with strong winds though

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Or a headwind on its own, that causes swear words to be uttered.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Well - it would if you had any breath to spare. At that point all you usually get out of me is "hooofff.... huuuuuffff.... hhoo... wiiiiinnnddddd"

Which translates to "I do wish this wind would lessen so I am able to get home more quickly"

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Incidentally - I've twice been given plenty of time and space by Scooby drivers in Derby while cycling and both times at the same place

So if anyone here was driving in a Scooby at the top end of Slack Lane / Cheviot St in Derby on tuesday / thursday (evening about 6:30) this week - thanks!!!

moneys

iTrader: (5)

whats this?


i have just started again, its a 5.5 mile trip to work an the same back, i am doing it in 22 minutes and ive got to say im loving it. i'm working my way up to the full 5 days but at the moment im just doing 2 days. totally agree with the feeling awake when you get to work scenario, i am on a buzz all day when i ride in.

im combining this with going the gym every other day so im hoping the fitness (not really bothered about weight loss) will shoot up. i take the dog out with me a lot on my bike and he loves running along side me, ive also just bought a seat for my 15 month old son and he loved it that much he fell asleep.

good thread this, i have a feeling i may get a lot of tips of here

moneys

iTrader: (5)

where can i get a set of these for the front of my bike? i really need a good front light for the country lane i go down at 11pm

moneys

iTrader: (5)

the people who insist on hanging out of there car window shouting at you trying to scare you really puzzle me? whats that all about?

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

cycle to work: Get a tax free bike for work | CYCLESCHEME

Quick summary - your company buys the bike and 'leases' it to you for a period. At the end of this period you pay a nominal sum and it's yours

The GOOD bit is how much you save

If you buy a £1000 of bike equipment you end up paying about £580. This is because the company claim back the VAT and you have your payment for the bike deducted BEFORE tax and NI, so you pay less tax / ni each month.

Go look at the site linked above and have a read, there'll be others more knowledgeable about the lights than me as I'm looking for a set myself soon

PG

Those lights aren't the prettiest for a little form and great function : Lights designed for mountain-biking... Ay-Up!

And for those annoying drivers : Samui Air Zound Horn - Bells - 17.99 GBP - Free P & P to UK & Ireland, Cheap International Rates. Next day delivery from Europes Largest Online Bikeshop.

moneys

iTrader: (5)

well i work in jaguar so i will make some enquries about this

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

they're the ones - thanks!

moneys

iTrader: (5)

sorry but if i spent £150 on a set of lights i would recieve my divorce papers, i was looking at around the 30 mark really, is this possible

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Yeah - you can get LED sets for that much.

I NEED something better as i do a 4-5 mile stretch on a bridlepath and then a 1 mile stretch on unlit straight B-Road - it's a favourite over-taking place

My way of thinking is that I would save the £150 on 3 weeks of cycling

moneys

iTrader: (5)

what type of led's am i looking for then? you see so many different types but dont want to get the wrong one's. im thinking of just getting 2 little lights for the back and stick them on the sides flashing, then ive got a really good one already that will go in the middle below my seat. just the stronger one for the front so i can light up the country lane

PG

Cree LEDs are the ones to have.....or at least they were when I was researching.
You can 'homebrew' LED lights with some basic knowledge of electronics but I just really liked the Ay-Ups. I rode last winter on road with one set (cars were flashing me to dip ) and off road with a bar mounted set and a helmet mount...Fantastic!

moneys

iTrader: (5)

New 200 Lumens CREE LED XR-E P4 Bike Bicycle Light B200 on eBay, also Lights, Cycling Accessories, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 28-Jun-08 21:47:00 BST)

these the lights to have then? if they are i will buy them now

ChrisB

I'm in the process of trying my hand at some homebrew LED Lights.

So far I've got some triple LEDs mounted on a MR11 PCB and optics from Cutter in Oz, bFlexV2B controllers from TaskLED in the US, MR11 housing from LumiCycle and I spent the GDP of a smal African republic in Maplin yesterday on other bits.

Borrowed a mate's homebrew LED set for Mountain Mayhemt last weekend. He'd upgraded a Marwi bar mount with Q series Crees and a helmet mount with R2 LEDs. Talk about daylight!

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

£150 is a lot because its for a bike, how much would you spend on a car ?

How much would you spend to be able to avoid pot holes, branches, glass, hoodies etc, how much to have other vehicles see you ?

It depends on whether you are committed to doing any cycling, if its a case of getting a bike and sticking it in the garage and never using it, then I wouldnt bother, I am still getting used to it and I wont spend it until I decide I need them and I will get the use out of them, buy decent ones, look after them and they will last years.

I suspect there are a lot of very expensive bikes stuck in garages, I tend to find (and I have done this) that people get into the equipment, buy the magazines, learn all about it but cant cope with actually pedaling the thing, there is a guy at work that loves buying bits but only goes out on it very occasionally, fair enough if you get enjoyment out of it but he has spent hundreds, makes £150 for some lights seem good value.

jjones

did a trial run today.

just over 6.5 miles in 30 minutes. didn't think this was too bad as the contraption (it barely makes the grade as a bike) had 4 usuable gears (out of 7) and squared off knobbly tyres front and back.

few hills but nothing too bad, not sure that jeans and a t-shirt were the best apparel though.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Cycle grease and WD40 for the gears and some new road tyres (smoother centre section) and you'll be well off!

Got to decide whether I'm going to go for another road bike or a hybrid (which frankly look a bit gay) or an off-type with road tyres... sigh

The road bike is great for the speed (touched 40 on this one once) but 100+ psi makes for a sore **** and painful arms and hands

You can get shorts that look like shorts which have the padded **** if you want clothes that are more suitable by the way

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

My Homo Hybrid arrives tomorrow, I cant wait for all the Bum fun it will bring

Hanslow

Cleaned my bike off yesterday (and the missus'). Getting more interesting in trying the cycle into work, although it's 12 miles each way, and lots of Derbyshire hills in between which means I'll have hard work at some point. No showers at work though, but private bathroom type affair with sink so hopefully able to use that. Plan to take it easier on the way in, then blat it on the way back (depending on hills and wind).

Not been on it for about 2.5 years Need to work out a decent route away from some of the tight main roads too. The A610 does not look like a good place to be on a bike!

harry007

I have great respect for you riding a bike to work


I'm so lazy I would never bother

Haroon.

Leslie

After a couple on months at that game J4CKO, you will look like a drink of water dressed up!

Les

PG

Hanslow, I do 12 miles each way but the thought of not having a shower after arriving at work would put me off greatly. I take around 35 mins (give or take) with the high point being at the halfway point. 50% of the road has cycle lanes so it's not all bad.

I wouldn't put WD40 near any of my components tbh. Muc Off 'Bike Spray or a Finish Line lube. As with cars though, regular service is the key to a decent life span.

Hanslow

PG, that's *one* of the things that's putting me off. Don't want to sit there being a right minger!!!! Willing to try it at least once, along with a flannel wash at the end. Find it much easier putting in the exercise effort when there's a purpose to the journey, at least to get back into the groove.