First post - hello fellow commuters

puncturemagnet

Hi folks, as the title says this is my first post on bikeradar.com and as I'm a convert to commuting by pushbike I thought it should be in this forum.

I've been lurking since I started commuting and have found the advice on the boards very helpful and thought it was about time I introduced myself.

My name is Craig, I'm 39-years-old going on mid teens according to my long-suffering wife and have been commuting by pushbike three times a week for the past 5 weeks. On the days that I'm not using the pushbike I stick to two wheels but with an engine...makes it so much easier (though less rewarding).

I live in Dumbarton, Scotland and work in Glasgow so my commute, according to mapometer.co.uk is just over 30 miles in and out which is getting easier...at last!

Thanks again for all the information and hopefully I'll be able to make some positive contributions myself.

Cheers

Craig

phillipjohnson

Welcome to the forum :-)

30 miles is a decent commute distance! 3 days a week would be enough for me at that distance.

kelsen

Welcome Craig. Now pop over to Commuting Chat where there's alcohol, live music and girls to pick up. Commuting General is like the wicker section at an Arts & Craft fair during mid-week.

jeremyrundle

puncturemagnet wrote:

My name is Craig, I'm 39-years-old going on mid teens according to my long-suffering wife and have been commuting by pushbike three times a week
Craig

You "push your bike" (pushbike) most ride theirs, why do people call bikes / bicycles PUSHbikes these days :!:

jonny_trousers

Welcome Craig and don't worry about Jeremy's grumpiness; it's his time-of-the-month.

ThatBikeGuy

Hey Craig, welcome to the forum! What bike are you riding? 8)

puncturemagnet

Hi guys, thanks for the warm welcome

I'm finding that 3 times a week is enough, I'd love to do more but my legs aren't up to it at the moment.

The pushbike I'm commuting on is an old Specialized Hardrock, something like this one but with a road biased compact chainset, road bike Shimano front derailleur and rear mech and road biased tyres.

To be honest it's a bit of a shed, in fact if it were a shed it would probably be torn down on health and safety grounds but it goes and stops well and the money I'm saving on petrol will buy me something much more bling...

That's the plan anyway

t4tomo

Jeremy get a life you miserable sod. We always used to refer to them a Pushbikes as kids. It recognises the historical origins of the humble bicycle.

Twostage

For an old bike its got very shiny spokes. Looks well looked after.

The Rookie

I thought "something like this one" implied that wasn't a pic of his.

Jeremy you OF, you were probably brought up calling them Pushbikes pre-war, you don't fool us!

Simon

Initialised

t4tomo wrote:

Jeremy get a life you miserable sod. We always used to refer to them a Pushbikes as kids. It recognises the historical origins of the humble bicycle.

I called them BMX, Racer and Chopper as a kid. We didn't all grow up in a historical context!

greg66_tri_v2.0

kelsen wrote:

Welcome Craig. Now pop over to Commuting Chat where there's alcohol, live music and girls to pick up. Commuting General is like the wicker section at an Arts & Craft fair during mid-week.

This.

Just mind the tumbleweed on the way outta here...

Tonymufc

You commute 30 miles a day on that thing. :?

A big mug of respect to you sir. Now go get something that will make the 30 miles a little easier. Oh and welcome to the forum.

whitestar1

Welcom to the club mate. That set of wheels does look "shiny! Dont worry about the legs - they will catch up in time. Agree with Tonymufc - best to work on getting an upgrade at some time

puncturemagnet

Hi folks and thanks again for the words of welcome, just thought I'd post up a couple of pics of my bike as the one I posted earlier in the thread was one I'd found online via Google images.

As you'll see from the photos my own bike has been 'upgraded' though I use the term loosely The chainset and rear mech are bits I had bought for a road bike I had about 25 years ago which is no longer in one piece.

The best and probably cheapest upgrade I have so far bought for the bike is the fantastic, classic car horn which I got from a junk shop in Chesterfield, cost me about £2 (I was ripped off) and the amount of grief it has saved me on cycle paths in amazing, people just don't hear bells do they!

[/img]
Looking good after a clean.


Off my old road bike...


and another.


This too off my road bike.


Me so horny... cost a couple of quid and has saved me untold grief with dog walkers.