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Cyclisme quote of the week '3'

Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race. 
- H.G. Wells

Good luck to Bristol (UK)

The city of Bristol will soon find out if it has been able to become the 'Green Capitol of Europe'.

Bristol is one of the three cities still in the running, of the 18 that originally applied to contend for the official title of 'Green Capitol of Europe in 2014'. Bristol does not have it easy being the smallest of the three remaining contenders, with stiff competition expected from Copenhagen & Frankfurt.

The award comes with no cash prize, but it has been predicted that winning the award could see the city on the top spot benefit from a increase of potential employment in various environmental & green industry job roles.

Now anyone who knows Bristol, will also know that they currently do have a few issues with traffic congestion, public transport etc - but the award is not just about the here and now - it is also about the future, and what the contenders are planning to do to become green. With this taken into account, Bristol actually took the top spot in the first scored round of judging for air quality, noise pollution and climate change.

As well as Bristol being the home for institutions such as Sustrans, The Soil Association, ethical bank Triodos and the Environment Agency, it is also the UK's first and currently only official 'Cycling City'. This means that investment in cycling in and around Bristol is good and will be maintained and that has to be a good thing! (more info here)

Good luck to Bristol in its bid.

Now where was I

My first confrontation

As I mentioned in my last post, on the way back from a off-road ride the other day I was badly cut up by a car - for no reason that I can understand. There were two lanes for traffic going in the same direction, and the car decided that instead of changing into the empty lane it was better to drive past me with only a few inches to spare going considerably faster than I was while going round a bend. This caused me to have to dive into the deep puddles at the side of the road to avoid being taken out.

Now I am not saying that this was a deliberate move rather than complete incompetence - but the driver of said car was obviously spoiling for an argument. At the next set of lights I had caught the car up. I decided to move into the other empty lane. I will admit I did take a rather long, slightly angry look over at the driver as I stopped, but no sooner had shed my momentum, the guys window came down and a shout of 'what' emanated from the dry and comfortable interior and out into the cold and rain.

Since he asked, I thought I would enlighten him on the errors of his ways (as I saw them). He in turn professed that I should not 'hog' the road. I retorted by pointing out that I was only a metre from the curb, and directly to the inside of me was a temporary river caused by the current precipitation, and it would not be safe or pleasant to ride through it as I would not see any pot holes and would more than likely fall off directly in front of him.

I also mentioned that there was a lane completely bereft of traffic that he had been free to utilise at any point for the last half mile or so - and maybe should use the mirrors that Fiat had kindly fashioned him with, as they had done this for use in situations both similar too and indeed exactly like this one.

His only answer to this, "I should have got out of his way"

And then it came - I knew it would at some point, but so soon?, not on the first altercation surely?.

"Well mate, you don't pay road tax, so you have to get out of my way".

Now, I have had a driving license for many years. Since I was old enough to get one. I have had several cars and a motor bike, I am a keen driver and I have loved driving every one of these machines across this country and others and have always seen the ability to do so as a privilege.

Yet in all of that time I have never paid "road tax". Not one penny of "road tax". Never. Nor had he. Nor have you (if you drive in the United Kingdom and are under the grand old age of 92).
Any link between the tax that you pay to use a vehicle and the maintenance of the road network was severed in 1937 - in a process that was started by Sir Winston Churchill. Road tax in no way entitles you to use of the road. The payment to use a car on the road has no direct relation to maintaining the road network, the roads are maintained from funds raised by general taxation at a national and local level. The duty paid for the disc you display is based on the emissions of a vehicle, engine size and age - nothing else.

There are plenty of cars that pay zero, nil nothing in road tax per year due to green credentials - so even if a bike had to display a disc - it would still be free.

Have you ever reported a pothole or other hazard to the DVLA? - or was it the local council that you called?

This kind of attitude is a big problem - there are thousands of references to the same issue all over the internet - so I will not try to fit anymore into this post - but will hopefully come back to it after a little more research.

While I can understand the frustrations of drivers with bikes (there is some shocking and down right dangerous riding going on out there), the idea that a car has more right to be there than a bike is ridiculous and wrong.

I would just like to mention to the driver that cut me up and used this line of defence with me, that I drive a car with a considerably larger engine than the one he was driving - so using his logic - is it ok if I cut him up when I am in it - after all the tax on my sports car is more than his Fiat by a margin - so should I not be getting value for money by ignoring his presence on the road. Equally - would he feel comfortable forcing a VW golf blue motion off the road, or maybe accusing the next BMW 1 series 1.6D driver of having no right to be on his road (both of which pay zero tax per year - click here for more examples - there are lots).

 Sorry mate - but the tax issue is a non starter. There are other issues with cyclist that do have more legs - but not this one - and if you want to pay nothing for fuel and nothing for "road tax" or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED*), you know the one you have to pay to use a car on the road - why not try riding a bike for a bit!


                                 


* "Known formally as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or Graduated VED, the amount of car tax you pay depends on the car's engine size or official CO2 emissions and the date of first registration."
The AA

Cyclisme quote of the week '2'

It never gets easier, you just go faster
- Greg LeMond, bicycle racer & multiple Tour de France winner

A week of firsts (or seconds)

This week has seen a few firsts, or seconds if you count my first cycle of riding all those years ago.

The first - err, first, was my first proper off road ride since I got back in the saddle. I have had a few dalliances with 'off road' - across parks, a few small trails in said parks etc etc - but nothing that would allow me to call my self a mountain biker again.

I had planned to go with a few friends who still have bikes - but as the heavens opened and the rain flowed, throughout the day one by one the number of willing participants declined - and when my brother had to cancel due to an old injury making an improptue re-appearance it was down to just me, myself and I.

I decided to go out anyway - but just be a little less adventurous than I would have been with others there to help if the bike, or myself broke down! This is where the app that I have been using and the gps on my phone are a nice backup. As long as I have some semblance of signal, someone can find out where I am with close enough accuracy, that I know I would not be lost for long if I did not check in at the pre-arranged time - err that I had pre-arranged.

I headed out into the countryside, away from the traffic and up a hill. A hill that, I am totally confident is technically steeper than the last time I went up it on a bike - and possibly even the last time I drove up said remnant of ancient tectonic activity. Still - red faced and gently steaming I reached the summit and turned off the road and into the mud!

I had about and hour and a half of peddling around in the rain soaked wilderness, and it was stunning. The rain caused that beautiful mist like effect through the trees - with the gentle burble of water all around me. It was excellent, and reminded me why I loved biking into the unknown in the first place.

Apart from a few other friendly bikers that I stopped to have a chat with about the best routes in the area I saw no one the whole time I was there. I got back to the road in a soaked and thoroughly mud splattered state with a big smile on my face and a feeling of total relaxation (although still with a gentle steaming look).

It's a shame then, that my second first, happened on the way back from this idilic ride.

Almost as soon as I had got back into the traffic, a guy decided to completely cut me up for no reason.

He overtook me while going round a bend - on a two lane traffic system with no one in the other lane. After a quick swerve curb-ward into the deep water, hidden potholes and floating nicities I had managed to avoid serious implications both vehicular and from the pedestrians scurrying from the elements.

What concerned me more was what happened next! - my first confrontation ... but more of that next time.

Bike helmets

Yesterday I had my first near miss. It was my fault and no one else was involved. It appears that doing big wheelies is not as easy as it used to be - and I had to partake in an emergency bail out off the back of the bike before I got inverted.

I had forgotten the ominous feeling when you know that your skill has run out and you are going to part company with your machine.

Despite what the boys say in the (not very serious) video below - I was glad I was wearing a helmet, but it reminded me that I had seen this a few weeks ago while looking to buy one. It appealed to the more child like side of my sense of humour - but I did laugh a lot watching it.

Hope you enjoy!

A history of exploring by bicycle

The bicycle has, since its earliest incarnations, been of critical importance in getting the populous out and about, seeing the world and feeling the freedoms that brings.

I found this great little documentary that covers the history of cycling and how it has grown up to be what it is today.

There are some great looking old machines in it, including the Dursley Pederson - that featured a hammock for a saddle! (and I was thinking my bike was old school).

At a run time of almost 30 minutes, it does take a little concentration and free time to get through, but I really enjoyed watching it.

EXPLORATION

One of the best things about getting back on a bike is the ability to explore! Of course this is true of the car, but it is a different kind of exploration - Local.

There is a road not far from where I live, I have always wondered where it goes - I have never found out - that is until I rode past the other day and thought, lets see. This is the true beauty of the bicycle. Exploring parts of the area that you live, that you just would not investigate on foot or by car. Those little interesting places that you can get to quickly, that are just a little too far to walk to on the off chance!

I have found a cycle route that can take me almost the whole way to work. It is quiet, tree lined and has made my daily commute a real pleasure. I always knew it was there, but it was always faster to take the direct route while on foot.

My return to riding is also rekindling another of my old interests - photography. I plan to start taking the camera out more, with the bike allowing me to go in search of some interesting subject matter. I have added a 'Rides' page to the site, and will be placing pictures from my adventures as I take them.

Here's to exploring!

Rain, rain and just for good measure a little more rain

Well it seems the UK summer is over before it really began (as per usual). From the sun and soaring temperatures of a few weeks ago now we just seem to have water falling from the sky in a fairly constant flow - with a uncanny ability to increase in intensity as soon as I good anywhere near the bike.

This is not all bad though - I actually enjoy riding in the rain, always have. The only downside is when you get where you are going and you are soggy. That I do not enjoy.

There seems to be a art in looking cool on a bike while staying dry and warm - and that art is to not care what you look like.

That is why I have been sporting a lovely pair of silver (yes silver) water proof trousers that I had picked up a few years back at the '24 Hours of Le Mans' motor race, when there was no other option available for enjoying the racing while open to the elements, with nothing other than a few beers for insulation.

While I may look like I have come down with a bad case of the 'Buck Rogers' while I shimmer my way down the road (Urban Cycle Chic they are definitely not!) - I have managed to keep my legs dry and protected from the delightful UK summer.  It's a shame I cannot say the same for the top half of me.

When I saw the giant sprinkler system that was the sky this morning I decided that I should dig out my faithful skiing jacket. Its made up of two parts (waterproof outer and removable warm inner jacket) so would hopefully not cook me, while in theory keeping me safe and dry. The theory unfortunately did not become practice - and I can safely say that the jacket has been faithful for a little too long - and now displays more traits common to a sieve than a elemental protection device.

All of this meant a thoroughly unpleasant morning at the office while I returned to an acceptable level of humidity, and yet another trip to a cycle shop in my lunch break.

On the plus side, now I have the water proofs sorted, it will more than likely be sunny for a while!

Cyclisme quote of the week

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving 
~ Albert Einstein

There's an app for that

While perusing a copy of a cycling magazine the other day I noticed a review of a gps cycling system and it got me thinking.

I am a bit of an Apple purist (have been for a long time - even pre ipod) - so I headed over to the app store to take a look at what is available for the tech savvy cyclist.

There are loads of cycling apps - some great - some odd and some definite time wasters!

I found lots of different apps - I have downloaded some and hope to take about them later, but first I thought it would be cool to start tracking the use I am getting out of the bike after spending all this cash getting it going again - so was looking for something that would do this as the main feature.  

After looking through several options that all looked fairly good - I opted for the cheap skate option and went for the free version of 'Map My Ride'.

The app is great - really easy to set up - and once you have plumed in the details of the kind of riding you are doing and a few facts about yourself (to allow it to calculate the energy that you are burning) it is simply a case of hitting the record button - shoving it in a pocket, and let it record the trip you are making.

 

Once you are done it will show you a map of the ride (which is very accurate), how long you have been riding for, your average and max speed and the approximate calories that you have burned in the saddle. 

The last ten rides are recorded on the app itself - and older rides can be accessed on the main website. 

Another nice feature for me (getting back into riding) is the ability to search other users routes in the local area. It will show you the route as well as the key details for it. You can then follow the same route that someone else has done, so its a great way to find places to ride - and being able to choose how long you want to be out for.

There are lots of other features that I have not used yet, including a nutrition calculation system and sharing options to upload routes and times to various places on the web (I may do this when my times/distances get a little less embarrassing!). It also looks like you can add times to a leader board if you are the competitive type!(same as above).

As I use the app I will try to get into these additional features - but for now I am finding it fascinating just to be able to track where I have been over the course of a week, and I have been very suprised to find that in the few days I have been using it I have clocked up over 50 miles without really even trying. 

If you want to find out more take a look at http://www.mapmyride.com

 

Cycle pins

I planned to have a page of bikes that I liked on this site - but it turns out there is a better way!

I have started a Pinterest board, and plan to share the best of the bike related images that I like on it.

I will be adding pictures of bikes I like, as well as random bikes that I have found that deserve a mention. I will also be adding images that I find that express how I feel about riding. I hope you like them.

To have a look at the images I have collected so far have a look at http://pinterest.com/secondcycle/cool-bikes-riders

Ideas to promote cycling

I found this interesting publication on the web. There are lots of ideas about the best way to more successfully integrate cycling into the modern world - with a focus on cycling and traffic. Some great info and ideas and a very good read.

Open publication - Free publishing - More city planning


There are several more cycle focused publications from this ISSUU user - take a look at CYCLINGEMBASSY for more info. 

Splatter

I have discovered that I need to invest in a few more items before I can use the bike on a daily basis. The first thing on the list is a decent set of mud guards. With the recent good weather turning to rain I have been reminded of something I had forgotten - off road tyres find every tiny piece of debris on the road and chuck it at you! I turned up to work looking like I had been off-roading it in that morning, and that was just a few large puddles (admittedly I do have a slightly child like attitude to riding through them).

Luckily my boss (a keen mountain biker himself) was understanding and I got away with it once!. By the end of my lunch break a set of guards had been purchased and fitted - hopefully they will see of the worst of the grime, and accompanied by a quick mental note that it is not fun or clever to hit the big puddles at speed while on the way to work, and they will still be there when I am on my own time later - I should be able to remain professional.

Self riding bike

Saw this, the bike was obviously made to race, - thought it would be good to share

New Vs Re-build challenge

Noting has fallen off of broken for a few days now - so I am going to go out on a limb and say that the bike is operational again.

So have a managed to repair my old steed for less than the price of a new bike from Halfords? Er no.

What needed to be fitted:

• New left hand crank
• New brake and gear cables
• New front and rear brake blocks 
• New rear cassette
• New chain
• New pedals
• Two nearly new wheels (free! - borrowed!) 
• Lots of bike grease and WD40!

Grand Total: UK£110.94
UK£40.95 over the price of a new bike.

Of course that does not include the price of the tools I have to buy in order to get the old parts off and the new parts on.

• Bottom bracket tool
• Crank puller
• Rear Cassete remover
• Chain whip

Another UK£35.96

So there you have it - I could have had a completely new bike for almost £80 less than fixing my old one. It just goes to show the amazing value you get when buying a bike now! Indeed I could have got two new bikes for the same money!


Do I regret the decision to re-build? Not really - I may have laid out more cash than I had too - invest time and get covered in old oil, but its great to have an old traveling companion back on the road with me - and lets face it, with the cost of fuel today, it will not be long until I have made the entire amount back by switching from car to bike on more of the short journeys that I do.

Now I just need to get out and ride!

Lock down

The bike moves - the next thing I have to make sure of is that I am the only one who is moving it. I knew I needed a lock - but a quick search for reviews on the web through up some interesting a fairly frightening statistics and facts about bicycle theft in the UK.

Over 100,000 bicycles are officially stolen in the UK every year, and this does not include the figure for the ones that are not reported (estimates suggest that it could be 5 times this number in reality!). I thought that the £9.99 lock that I picked up while getting some other parts would be ok - it looked relatively tough - that is until I watched a video that showed a similar one being cut with a pair of garden pruning shears in under 10 seconds!

Bike theft is a growing industry, and after watching "Gone in 60 Seconds - The Bike Crime Wave", a film about bike crime in London, you can understand why. A lot of locks can be cut through in seconds, people stand and watch as bikes are taken, and bikes are very hard to trace back to owners if they are ever recovered.

Locks

Although my ride is not that desirable these days, I would be totally gutted if it were to go missing - so have decided to invest in a decent 'D lock'. I will keep the other cable lock to make sure the front wheel can be locked, as well as the back and frame with the 'D lock'.

Wheels

While parking the bike up I have noticed that loads of people lock only the wheels of a bike, or only the frame. I have also seen a few lone wheels in bike racks!
I have quick release mechs on my wheels (and they are the most expensive looking parts on the bike). So not only do I lock through both the front and back wheel, I have also zip tied the quick releases just to make it a little more frustrating for anyone who attempts to liberate them.

Register and post-coding

My bike had a postcode stamped into the frame may years ago, and this process is still used now. The local police force have days that you can ride up and get your bike stamped with a registration number to help identify it if it does go missing and is found again. This service is usually free of charge, but you would have to check with your local Police Station to see what they can offer.

I have also seen sites like bikeregister.com that offer a comprehensive solution to give you the best chance of retrieving a bike if it is stolen. It seems like a good system, that would not only help to identify a bike - but with the visible stickers on the frame may make a bike thief beside to move on to the next one!

How to lock a bike properly

I found some great films on YouTube about how to lock a bike effectively - but there was one series of videos that stood out above the rest from "Legendary bike mechanic from Bike Habitat New York - Hal Ruzal". In the first video Hal shows how to lock a bike correctly, and in the second he heads onto the streets (of the UK) to rate the how well people are locking their rides up.








More info can be found at http://www.halgradesyourlocks.com