Summer only cyclists....

gtvlusso

Are all "summer only" cyclists as annoying as the set that I have to overtake, over and over again and then watch jump a red light or hop over pavements when it is clearly dangerous to do so....i.e last night in Bristol on the A38. If your gonna cycle, do it all year and don't wuss out! Never see any of these guys come November/December time.....

And the little git learner on a 125 motorbike, with an "L" plate, that cannot use a round-a-bout - how do you feel about being out accelerated by a bicycle and then left standing......Learn lane discipline or I will keep handing you your arse!!

Arrrggghhh!!!! Rant over!

Parsnip49

Rant 2/10

More souls to crush - get over it.

Nuggs

Parsnip49 wrote:

Rant 2/10

More souls to crush - get over it.

I'd give it 5/10 - the "handing you your arse" comment saved it from mediocrity...

lateralus

I was one of those once. Suspect I'm not the only one.

Clever Pun

Nuggs wrote:

Parsnip49 wrote:

Rant 2/10

More souls to crush - get over it.

I'd give it 5/10 - the "handing you your ars*" comment saved it from mediocrity...

isn't 5/10 the definition of mediocrity?

biondino

If 10% of the summer cyclists turn into year-round cyclists it'll be a minor triumph. The rest of us have to be stoic about it and if we can help them out at all, it's our duty to do so.

< /pious nonsense >

nwallace

Using your argument someone who will take the motorway to the top of Ben Nevis on a nice summers day should also being ice climbing on the north face in a winter snow storm. Get real.

Little git on the 125 intends to do nothing more than CBT every 2 years rather than learn how to ride a proper motorbike.

I for one don't like cycling in freezing rain, gale force winds, snow storms, hail, or below zero temperatures. Hence why winter cycling is limited to Summer like days and a bike with mudguards.

spen666

I have to say there seemed to be a lack of vehicles on roads in East London today, but a huge increase in the number of people on bikes.

gtvlusso

Agreed - it ain't a great soapbox rant! More a whinge....

And, in reluctance, fair play to anyone who has dumped the car in favour of pedal power...I have seen a huge increase of cyclists in Brizzle, so much so, that I changed my route to a more countryfied big ol' bimble rather than picking my way through the great un-helmetted, the queue jumpers and the idiots who cycle on the pavement to get around junctions - just did not realise it was an epidemic until I took a quick route home on Monday. I am also a bit sick of mountain bikes trying to keep up with a road racing bike, it ain't gonna happen...!

Just got to me the other day when the sun was out and watching the loonacy that gives us a bad name and annoys the crap out of you when you have to overtake the same idiot 5 times in a row! Funny that it is raining today and the roads are pretty much cyclist free......a shame as allot of the businesses where I work offer good facilities (appreciate that not every business does this).

Kit is so good now that cold and wet does not really come into it and cycling in wind is pretty commonplace where I am - nice constant South Westerley's in Brizzle, pain in the bum, but you just have to get your head down and get on with it. I am sure the cost of good kit to start with is easily made up by the lack of fuel going in the car or the bus fair...comments?! C2W is a big help too, I am sure.

With the motorcyclist, they made the test harder I think - when I passed my motorbike test (17 years ago!) it was "There's a motorbike, ride it!". Does not seemed to have improved the ability or quality of the rider - I was pretty stoked to outpace him though!! I am gonna move up and try and try and outpace a 2 stroke 125 next!

Mucho respect to you London boys, I don't know how you do it day in and day out - at least I get some little country lanes and fields that are car and cyclist free!!

z000m

why would any1 want to cycle in december? isnt that why they invented trainers?

gtvlusso

To get to work! And for winter triathlon/rowing training! And some muddy mountain biking....

spen666

z000m wrote:

why would any1 want to cycle in december? isnt that why they invented trainers?

I'd rather cycle in the wind & rain than be stuck indoors on a turbo trainer.


also, 60 mins on road bike gets me to work.
60 mins on turbo trainer leaves me no nearer work, so it doesn't actually achieve its purpose for me

pjh

If this is summer .... then you might as well ride all year!!

Got flamin drenched today ... even my socks were wringing :twisted:

Good ride though ... hehe

downfader

I got stuck behind a "summer cyclist" yesterday morning going up the Itchen bridge. Poor guy was struggling, though he should shed a few pounds in the next month Wasnt 'til I passed him that I realised what a peice of s*** his bike was. By god I hope his brakes were working :shock: :?

Message to summer cyclists who may be reading this: make sure your bike is road worthy

idaviesmoore

spen666 wrote:

z000m wrote:

why would any1 want to cycle in december? isnt that why they invented trainers?

I'd rather cycle in the wind & rain than be stuck indoors on a turbo trainer.


also, 60 mins on road bike gets me to work.
60 mins on turbo trainer leaves me no nearer work, so it doesn't actually achieve its purpose for me

F@*king A :!:

rapid_uphill

when im on the warm bus in december and i look out the window at some wet through cyclist, i often think to myself "there goes my hero".

gtvlusso

rapid_uphill - my arse! Need to train to go rapid_uphill...!

Loads of people at work ponced out this week as it is a bit windy and we have had patchy rain! How wussy is that!!

Your skin is waterproof....

il_principe

Blimming fair weather nonces! I'm all for people getting on their bikes, I just wish that they'd actually improve year on year, or at least stick at it all year round. Only snow will keep me from commuting on the bike.

Parsnip49

jashburnham wrote:

Blimming fair weather nonces! I'm all for people getting on their bikes, I just wish that they'd actually improve year on year, or at least stick at it all year round. Only snow will keep me from commuting on the bike.

Good for you, people cycling who dont like doing it in bad weather? Whatever next?

You clearly are all for people getting on their bikes, your attitude really shows that.

stephenballantyne

Having recently joined the world of road cycling and started commuting through the pot-holed and traffic fume filled streets of London, I'm starting to wonder what I'll do come winter.

I've not missed a day yet since I got my bike. That includes cycling through some stupidly heavy showers, which is actually bloody good fun once you're so wet that you can't possibly get any wetter. It's the cold that gives me the chills though ( ).

I'm thinking of going shopping for some winter gear soon (seems to me that winter clothes would be cheaper in summer?). What are the basic requirements? I imagine some kind of thermal legging affair and a long sleeved jersey would be a good starting point?

I might try and get hold of a cheap full body thermal fishing suit. That should do the job

Parsnip49

In winter i usually wear a long sleeve baselayer with a short or longsleeve jersey over the top and a pair of summer bibs. If its gets colder, add arm and knee warmers and a hat. If it gets colder than that im inside on the turbo.

It depends what works for you, personally i like arm and knee warmers, as they are easy to remove if it warms up and i generally run pretty hot anyway. If its wet, its usually turbo for me - its not the rain that bothers me, its the riding in a paceline on wet salted roads that does...

Tonymufc

jashburnham wrote:

Blimming fair weather nonces! I'm all for people getting on their bikes, I just wish that they'd actually improve year on year, or at least stick at it all year round. Only snow will keep me from commuting on the bike.

Well said that man! I cycle in all weathers.( sometimes I probably shouldn't ). There's no better feeling than riding for months on end in s**te british weather than getting to the summer months as strong as an ox. Invest in some good winter weather clothing and the rest as they say is "childs play".

downfader

The only weather problem i've had issues with here is ice. They dont salt the roads in southampton (atleast not on the ones I ride on ). I slipped on the ice when recovering with a bad back in december. Not fun.

I suppose wet salt on your bike can be dealt with by a quick rinse with the water bottle when you get to your destination.

Mark Alexander

pjh wrote:

If this is summer .... then you might as well ride all year!!

well said.

Littigator

I know we shouldn't complain because the more cyclists the better really, strength in numbers and all that...but some of these summer monkeys really do need a cuff round the back of the (helmetless) head sometimes.

I mean, I passed this guy the other day whose back wheel was so bent out of shape it literally looked more like a banana. So in helpful mode I pointed this out and suggested he get it seen to, cue glaring stare like I'd just suggested he he should ride his mother to work

Tch...some people honestly!

downfader

Littigator wrote:

I know we shouldn't complain because the more cyclists the better really, strength in numbers and all that...but some of these summer monkeys really do need a cuff round the back of the (helmetless) head sometimes.

I mean, I passed this guy the other day whose back wheel was so bent out of shape it literally looked more like a banana. So in helpful mode I pointed this out and suggested he get it seen to, cue glaring stare like I'd just suggested he he should ride his mother to work

Tch...some people honestly!

Was in a similar situation myself, but the guy rocketted off before I hd a chance to say "its easier to ride when the wheel aint buckled"

DavidBelcher

gtvlusso wrote:

To get to work! And for winter triathlon/rowing training! And some muddy mountain biking....

You missed out;

(a) Cyclo-cross
(b) Winter club runs - not many people are training seriously, so things tend to be very sociable rather than folks flogging themselves at near-chaingang pace. And the rotten weather makes you appreciate the cafe stops more!

David