My first day out on the Kharma
DonDaddyD
Posts: 12,689
Diary of an urban commuter
Sat. 16th May.
I set out from my house for the Kharma’s first maiden voyage around Richmond Park. I put on my best cycle clothing. I pack my saddle bag, innertube, levers, multi tool, lights, money, cash card and keys. I set off and immediately the Kharma feels special it is so much different to Donnovan my comuter. Its lively, responsive, the application of speed - its acceleration is unreal, savage, demented. The bike bucks, weaves, wiggles underneath me as though it has yet to be tamed but that hulking head tube is poised and reassuringly controlled. I haven’t even left the end of my road.
I ride around the back of Morrisons, the Odeon cinema and up the little bump by Next heading into Wimbledon Broadway towards Wimbledon Village. Pedestrian and mortorist are looking at me. I feel fast, light, special. They eye up my bike. We feel awesome.
At the lights I hear “pssssstsssstttssss” Yep puncture. I’ve forgot my pump!
I lift my bike and place it on shoulder get to the pavement and walk back home.
Maybe tomorrow....
Sat. 16th May.
I set out from my house for the Kharma’s first maiden voyage around Richmond Park. I put on my best cycle clothing. I pack my saddle bag, innertube, levers, multi tool, lights, money, cash card and keys. I set off and immediately the Kharma feels special it is so much different to Donnovan my comuter. Its lively, responsive, the application of speed - its acceleration is unreal, savage, demented. The bike bucks, weaves, wiggles underneath me as though it has yet to be tamed but that hulking head tube is poised and reassuringly controlled. I haven’t even left the end of my road.
I ride around the back of Morrisons, the Odeon cinema and up the little bump by Next heading into Wimbledon Broadway towards Wimbledon Village. Pedestrian and mortorist are looking at me. I feel fast, light, special. They eye up my bike. We feel awesome.
At the lights I hear “pssssstsssstttssss” Yep puncture. I’ve forgot my pump!
I lift my bike and place it on shoulder get to the pavement and walk back home.
Maybe tomorrow....
Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
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2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
2020 Canyon Inflite SL 7
On the Strand
Crown Stables
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
Normally I wouldn't, but yesterday when I picked up the Kharma I was had to go into work ON MY DAY OFF! :evil: :evil: :evil: (and its not like I'm a doctor, nurse or press officer or something that is crucially important). Then I spent from 6pm till midnight with my Dad (not well
I just took it as a sign that I wasn't meant to ride it today... maybe I have bad kharma, I need to set right before the bike works properly or something.....
Edit: I've got Conti Ultra Sport or Sport Ultra any good? Gonna order a pair of GP4000s come pay day....
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
I'm glad the fairy doesn't visit round my way too often - if I had a rear wheel puncture I'd have no clue how to take it off on a geared bike...
Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
2020 Canyon Inflite SL 7
On the Strand
Crown Stables
as jash says easy to do, arguably easier than on a fixed as quick realease and not need to worry about chain tension when putting back.
p.s nice kharma
Also you will need to carry wads of cotton wool to protect the handlebars, saddle and shifters when the 'upside-bike-by-the-side-of-the-road' moments occur.
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
And cures and healing wells
Doh.....my new fixed is lighter, with guards..... :P ...
Should have forgotten the saddle bag....... Kit is cape, pump, tube and P kit (including a quick link) and maybe a multi tool - that's it......
TBH, only in the last couple of years have I ever taken a quick link or multi tool with me... never used them before, and haven't since..... but might be able to help some bod out one day......
The pump bit is pretty important.....
I think these came with my Scott. Could just be bad luck, but, yes, there are more resistant tyres in the Conti range. That's a bu*gger!
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."
Then limp home to dig the gravel out of my knee and elbow, much to the amusement of my family who didn't expect to see me for the rest of the day.
And that was on my 40th birthday, what a way to start the day :evil:
Don't worry DDD, it just makes the first proper ride that bit more special
Revised FCN - 2
....goes off to check...... errrr......
2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
2011 Trek Madone 4.5
2012 Felt F65X
Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
Surely now you're a fully paid up member of the CSP you'll be wanting to bag your first sportive, how about the aptly named Highclere CommuniCat
www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=7916
50 miles with only one big hill, stunning countryside and wicked descents.
Do it!!!!!
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/3258551288/
Bike 2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] ... otostream/
New Bike
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/3479300346/
this amazed me for ages when i found on my brakes there is a little lever that opens the calipers to get wheel out, genuis lol
Linsen had to tell me where mine was... previously my line of work for getting the front wheel off was more 'huh' *pulls harder*
:oops:
Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
Cerainly not!
One of the UK's most popular long-distance amateur cycle events was brought to a sudden, if temporary, halt today after protesters spread carpet tacks over sections of the course, puncturing hundreds of tyres.
The race was subsequently resumed and most of the 3,700 riders finished, although about 500 received punctures from the tacks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/ma ... ia-protest
B&&$%dy puncture fairy!
Blimey, and I thought linsen was joking! :shock: :evil:
Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."
As for that "protest" about the etape that is a rotten shame! It runs for 1 day a year for christ sake, just chill and stop moaning about lost revenue because I'm sure all the B&Bs and restaurants in the area must hate it when a few thousand cyclist want to descend on the area! As for the road closure i thought it was a rolling road block, so only sections of the course where closed at certain times so it's not even like the whole 81 mile course is closed at once...........
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