Your Anti-Rants here
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Ah, new pedals = almost silent ride. Wonderful. Absolute bliss. I thought loads of the noise was from the chain - turns out that was very wrong indeed!
Just need to stop the front drop out creaking again now.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
Since ppl were talking about frog bikes I will too. Frog 52 (20" wheels) fitted with a new rear rack a week ago and boy does it look like a real bike in miniature now. The boy loves it. I mean he's just out a month and he still just sits there looking at it and touching / moving parts of it.
At the weekend we tried an adult's rack bag on it and a near perfect fit if a little close to the saddle (touching).
The bike shop fitted the rear mudguard so the flicked up end was right on the top of the wheel though so it sticks into the rack a touch. Still I've not seen many kids bikes in the UK with racks.
The only issue I have is that I've heard his class mates at school raving on about how good Jack's bike is and why can't they have one like his. Oh how I felt for the other parents. The kid had not long been bought a new bike (a 16"wheeled bike to learn on) too.
Sometimes having the best bike is a bit awkward. However the way I look at it is we're keen cyclists who ride a lot. We're cycle tourists on summer holidays. A good kids bike is more important for us than for a family that really doesn't cycle much and whose kids only ride around the street at home.
Frog bikes rock though don't they! Bottle cage, rack, rack bag, mini hornet, lights, bell and customised reflective stickers. He's ready for anything!
Are there any small kiddy sized panniers? The front roller ortlieb ones look too big. It might be that only the rack bags with expandable bits by that drop down like panniers might be the only option but they look big and heavy for a small bike / rack.
Basically I've kitted his bike out like a lot of Dutch kids bikes come as standard. Check out n the puky range of young children's bikes. All primary colours, racks, guards, etc. Functional and cheerful.0 -
Tangled Metal wrote:Check out n the puky range of young children's bikes. All primary colours, racks, guards, etc. Functional and cheerful.
Puky balance bike was Little SB's first bike - still got it and hurtles (was going to say rides - but that sounds too sedate) around the garden on it ...
I'm not going to apologise to anyone for making sure Little SB has a decent bike that he's keen to ride - that's more important to us than worrying about what any friends (or at his age - parents of friends) think... yer, sure, we bought a brand new Islabike (couldn't get any s/h ones that small) - but he was awestruck by it (as he was when he got his Puky - got that on video, it's amazing to watch!) - and 6 months on he still loves it.
Will we go Islabike or Frog bike? Dunno - we've got an Islabienn 20 already (through family) - but we may need an interim size - I guess it'll depend on what he wants to ride...0 -
"rescued" a kid on his way to work experience this morning on his mate's dying BSO- crank arm had fallen off.
Unfortunately I didn't have a 15" socket with me (I know, unprepared or what..) but it was 100 yards from the LBS which I've had a couple of chats with the guys who work there, but never bought anything, because they are very "high end" MTB.
Thankfully they were open 15 mins early, and put it back on for him free of charge. Very nice of them.
Hopefully the bike will make the rest of the week, the bottom bracket was completely kaput...
Support your LBS guys & gals.
(or carry a 15mm socket driver)Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
Fresh watermelon from your own garden thats been in the fridge for a few hours, cooling nicely.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
Got assigned an office locker after a 15-month wait. No more clothes overload at my desk. FINALLY!0
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redvee wrote:A bearing set for my Hope rear hub from Evans, asked how long to book it in and was told 2 weeks :shock: and similar for other shops in Bristol. I've got the skills to do it myself but not the tools so happy to pay to have it done.
Booked it in with Jake's Bikes for Tuesday 17th but had Monday 16th off so dropped the wheel off around 3pm. Had a phonecall from them just after 5pm saying they'd had a cancellation so had done my hub already.I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.0 -
Rapha musette *exactly* the right size to hold a M&S wood-fired pizza. #BourgeoisBingoLocation: ciderspace0
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17 mile commute .... not sure I'd make a habit of it, but it was quite nice for a change...
I know the route well enough - although one bit I looked up the road and just couldn't work out where I was - I knew I'd not taken a wrong turning ... took a good 1/2 minute to work it out ...0 -
Something about my Raleigh (Arena) makes each commute enjoyable, particularly the pretty, leafy section. Had the same thing when I owned a Triumph Herald. Just makes an otherwise dull day a bit nicer.0
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Kit drying time .... hopefully dry before I get to ride home in it ...
Why Anti-Rant - it was a nice ride in, didn't push it, but still got a good time despite the rain & wind ...0 -
https://www.petrolprices.com/news/drivi ... eads-fine/
https://mpora.com/action/road-cycling/n ... o-closely/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gove ... cle-safety
Apparently close passing cyclists in vehicles by less than 1.5 metres will result in a fine of £100 and 3 points on your license, since 29th June, if found guilty.
Was I less observant then normal, or was this very quietly announced? Where was the headline on the BikeRadar news page?================
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
NitrousOxide wrote:https://www.petrolprices.com/news/driving-close-cyclist-leads-fine/
https://mpora.com/action/road-cycling/n ... o-closely/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gove ... cle-safety
Apparently close passing cyclists in vehicles by less than 1.5 metres will result in a fine of £100 and 3 points on your license, since 29th June, if found guilty.
Was I less observant then normal, or was this very quietly announced? Where was the headline on the BikeRadar news page?
Your second link says "gives the police powers to fine drivers who pass cyclists within one and a half metres - roughly one and a half times the height of the average person."0 -
I must be a giant then.KingstonGraham wrote:Your second link says "gives the police powers to fine drivers who pass cyclists within one and a half metres - roughly one and a half times the height of the average person."0 -
Bought a nearly new pair of shoes a week ago and put new cleats on them straight away but only had a chance for a test ride tonight. Somehow managed to flook the placement of the cleats on the shoes, felt spot on during the mile test ride, no faffing trying to find the pedal when starting off though I feel I might have to twist the cleats sightly when I take the shoes on a longer ride.I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.0
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NitrousOxide wrote:https://www.petrolprices.com/news/driving-close-cyclist-leads-fine/
https://mpora.com/action/road-cycling/n ... o-closely/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gove ... cle-safety
Apparently close passing cyclists in vehicles by less than 1.5 metres will result in a fine of £100 and 3 points on your license, since 29th June, if found guilty.
Was I less observant then normal, or was this very quietly announced? Where was the headline on the BikeRadar news page?
Always been the case, just now its being enforced by some police forces, following work by west Midlands police force a few years back.
However, you and I are in Hampshire...Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
Wolfsbane2k wrote:NitrousOxide wrote:https://www.petrolprices.com/news/driving-close-cyclist-leads-fine/
https://mpora.com/action/road-cycling/n ... o-closely/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gove ... cle-safety
Apparently close passing cyclists in vehicles by less than 1.5 metres will result in a fine of £100 and 3 points on your license, since 29th June, if found guilty.
Was I less observant then normal, or was this very quietly announced? Where was the headline on the BikeRadar news page?
Always been the case, just now its being enforced by some police forces, following work by west Midlands police force a few years back.
However, you and I are in Hampshire...
We are indeed and Southampton gave their trial of Operation Close Pass a matter of weeks before scrapping it, despite the traffic chaos especially during the rush hours and how badly some drivers treat cyclists.
I came across these links on another forum and it suggests to me that OCP has very quietly gone from being a trial to law.================
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
NitrousOxide wrote:We are indeed and Southampton gave their trial of Operation Close Pass a matter of weeks before scrapping it, despite the traffic chaos especially during the rush hours and how badly some drivers treat cyclists.
I came across these links on another forum and it suggests to me that OCP has very quietly gone from being a trial to law.
Southampton's Op Close Pass, like all of Hampshire's , are currently on pause, however i understand a few more are due in September....
I think the aim is the highway code to be updated to reflect the 1.5m space; not a specific law, which is what Cycling Uk are pushing for, and Jesse Norman seems to be verbalizing his intent...
https://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/update-h ... ouldnt-you
It's not yet a specific law, however, driving otherwise in accordance with the highway code is.. and that's due care and attention - which is where the £100 fine and 3 points comes from.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
This is an anti-rant?redvee wrote:Bought a nearly new pair of shoes a week ago and put new cleats on them straight away but only had a chance for a test ride tonight. Somehow managed to flook the placement of the cleats on the shoes, felt spot on during the mile test ride, no faffing trying to find the pedal when starting off though I feel I might have to twist the cleats sightly when I take the shoes on a longer ride.0 -
Finally flogged the unneeded bits that came with my 520 plus pack, meaning that to me, taking all the discounts i had into account, I got a premium HRM and 520 plus for less than £70.
Bonus.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
2 farm vehicles overtake me this morning - first one goes for an overtake then pulls back as another vehicle comes the other way ... a bit later the second one comes up behind me and sits - 20 yards back - matching my speed, not forcing anything ... eventually I get over the top of the little climb and disappear faster than he can go ... so I didn't get to wave my thanks ...0
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Totally not cycling related, but I f***ing love my grados.0
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Finding a almost traffic free way to work, inspired by Bushy Park being closed early for the cull.
I essentially pick up Kempton Park, loop though Hanworth park, follow Crane River past Hounslow Heath/Donkey woods until I pick up the Cyclepath up the Parkway.
It’s not really wet weather route, as too much hanging vegetation, but it is fun, it includes raised decking, a tunnel under the railway, and overgrown bridleways. It’s a hoot, not much slower either must be due to lack of junctions etc.0 -
Race bike at mechanic's for three days for service, cable replacement etc. Have been on the Synapse for those three days - lost the will to live. Got her back yesterday, feels like getting a new bikeFat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.0 -
Flat for the first time this year. Which ordinarily would be a rant, but new mini pump (replaced my shitty old Lezyne with a Topeak race rocket) meant I was able to get 90 psi into it with very little bother (about 200 pumps). Wouldn't have even got 70 into it with the other before my arm fell offFat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.0 -
Bump over drugs spam--
Saw a sign on a restaurant that said Breakfast, any time -- so I ordered French Toast in the Renaissance.0 -
"Car servicing". Let me explain, as it's not the servicing that I enjoy, but using it as an excuse to ride 20 km back from the garage, and do another 20 km later today. To make things better, today's chilly morning happened to be very sunny and pleasant, with only a smidge of (tail)wind. So yeah, the anti-rant is about the most lovely 20km I've done in the past month or so.0
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DrHaggis wrote:"Car servicing". Let me explain, as it's not the servicing that I enjoy, but using it as an excuse to ride 20 km back from the garage, and do another 20 km later today. To make things better, today's chilly morning happened to be very sunny and pleasant, with only a smidge of (tail)wind. So yeah, the anti-rant is about the most lovely 20km I've done in the past month or so.
Heh, a colleague of mine "loves" when their car needs a service. It's a very special car, needs very special hands, with special tools or some such thing.
The fact that it costs them a fortune, but they get to drive their beautiful piece of engineering 20km in the wrong direction to the office, and then ride their other beautiful piece of engineering through country roads and back again in the evening makes is apparently all worth it.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
A27 had a 70 + minute delay for a 6 mile section this morning. Usual complete mess of the local roads with rat runners avoiding it, making it absolute hell for others in cars.
Re-enforces exactly why I swapped from car to bike for my journey, even if it did involve an incident of road rage...Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0
