We have all seen the amazing concept bikes that have wheels that are sporting the clean lines of spokelessness - they look amazing - floating - and in theory they should work, but could they in the real world. I certainly have not seen any of these super stylish rims at my local bike shop yet - but...
... As the video below proves, they can work - and they look even cooler when on an actual bike that is moving down the road!
Monday, 30 July 2012
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Cyclisme quote of the weel (7)
The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.
~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green
~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green
Cycle commuter slang - 1
Captain Dashboard: Cyclist who has grown a forest of doodads on his handlebars. Bells, lights, mirrors, brackets that go to gizmos that are now broken. See also, Handle Bar Ent.
Bike Ninja: This is the guy who sneaks up on you at night because he has not one iota of reflective gear and his bike is void of lights and reflectors. These people frequently appear out of nowhere and scare the bejesus out of me.
More at http://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2010/03/dictionary-of-bike-commuter-slang.html
Bike Ninja: This is the guy who sneaks up on you at night because he has not one iota of reflective gear and his bike is void of lights and reflectors. These people frequently appear out of nowhere and scare the bejesus out of me.
More at http://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2010/03/dictionary-of-bike-commuter-slang.html
How fast have you ever been?
Speed, its exhilarating and as a species we crave to experience it, get addicted to it and some have given their lives in pursuit of its ever increasing thrill!
Speed on a bike is like nothing else, probably the closest thing we can get to that other elusive obsession of flying.
The fastest I have ever traveled on a bike (that I know of) was last week. Using the map my ride app on my phone I recorded a top speed of 47mph (thats 75kph for all you cycle purists out there). To achieve this momentum I required a very long very steep hill (and I think the colossal weight of my bikes frame (and some of my own) may have helped!)
It was great fun and a little terrifying. I was surprised that I had managed this speed - especially as I have rather wide off road tyres on the machine, but the app has been very accurate so far, so I am going to go with it!
I was rather chuffed that I had managed this speed, but it made me wonder what is the fastest that a human has traveled using pedal power alone.
A quick scan of the net informed me of the following:
World speed record for a bicycle on a flat road
That is on a flat road (there is a video that shows the kind of custom machines used for this below).I
Stay safe out there speed freaks!
Speed on a bike is like nothing else, probably the closest thing we can get to that other elusive obsession of flying.
The fastest I have ever traveled on a bike (that I know of) was last week. Using the map my ride app on my phone I recorded a top speed of 47mph (thats 75kph for all you cycle purists out there). To achieve this momentum I required a very long very steep hill (and I think the colossal weight of my bikes frame (and some of my own) may have helped!)
It was great fun and a little terrifying. I was surprised that I had managed this speed - especially as I have rather wide off road tyres on the machine, but the app has been very accurate so far, so I am going to go with it!
I was rather chuffed that I had managed this speed, but it made me wonder what is the fastest that a human has traveled using pedal power alone.
A quick scan of the net informed me of the following:
World speed record for a bicycle on a flat road
| Sam Whittingham | 2009 | 133 km/h (83 mph) | Flat surface, unpaced[1] |
| Barbara Buatois | 2010 | 121 km/h (75 mph) | Flat surface, unpaced (woman)[1 |
That is on a flat road (there is a video that shows the kind of custom machines used for this below).I
f you want to go gravity assisted like I did then you are talking about over 130 mph. Terrifying stuff - a reminder of just how terrifying in the video below!
Stay safe out there speed freaks!
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Close roads to open opportunities for cyclists
A health expert from the University of Tennesse has made a recomendation that roads in UK city centers should be closed to traffic on sunday mornings to promote cycling, walking and other health activities.
The idea seems to have worked in other places in the world - but would uk drivers be ready for such a plan?
There is a very interesting article about the subject that appeared on The Times website the other day, to read the full details click here.
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Olympic cycling and what it takes
There was a documentary about Victoria Pendleton - the worlds greatest female track cyclist - played on the BBC the other day.
It follows British cycle racer Victoria as she prepares for the up-coming Olympics in London (2012), her final competition before she retires from an astonishing career in track racing.
The program gives a glimpse of what it takes to compete at this level, both physically and even more importantly the mental state that an athlete must be in to even take part.
In the documentary she talks very openly about the career that she has almost accidentally fallen into, its fascinating and well worth a watch.
To watch it on the BBC iPlayer please click here - but hurry, the program will not be there for ever!
It follows British cycle racer Victoria as she prepares for the up-coming Olympics in London (2012), her final competition before she retires from an astonishing career in track racing.
The program gives a glimpse of what it takes to compete at this level, both physically and even more importantly the mental state that an athlete must be in to even take part.
In the documentary she talks very openly about the career that she has almost accidentally fallen into, its fascinating and well worth a watch.
To watch it on the BBC iPlayer please click here - but hurry, the program will not be there for ever!
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Friday, 20 July 2012
Cyclisme quote of the week "6"
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
- John F. Kennedy
- John F. Kennedy
A memory that I could have happily forgotten
One of the unpleasant sides of cycling was restored vividly back into my memory today.
I dont mind riding in the rain, wind is normally fairly bearable - but today I experienced something that I had forgotten about. The scourge that is the 'Thunder bug swarm' (or Thrips as I think they are technically known). Under every tree along my route home was a small buzzing hail storm in insect form.
What amazes me about these swarms, is they seem to be perfectly spaced along the route as to ensure that even when trying to hold your breath to avoid ingesting this tiny menace, you are sure to get a face full at some point. Fortunately these tiny bugs only seem to come out on the odd occasion when the weather is just right, so lets hope that I don't encounter them too often when out and about on the pedals - either that or I will have to trust in the bandit look bug protection that a buff and sun glasses can offer!
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
The technological march
The other day I did something rather silly. I went for a proper off-road ride with other people (not got to the silly part yet!). We had a great ride up and down the muddy trails, soaking in the views (and the summer rain that just seems to keep oncoming). All good things come to an end, and we got back to the point that we would all part company at the end of the ride, and this is where I made my mistake. While bikes were being packed into various transportation devices, while great care not to spread the liberal coating of countryside that still remained on them across the interior space was being taken, the error came. "Can I just have a quick spin on you bike".
At this point remember that I have just successfully navigated my 20 year old steel framed ride across everything they had - so somewhere in the back of my mind I thought that the difference would not be that dramatic. I had struggled to keep up on the steep and bumpys when the speed got greater, and at the bottom of the longest gravity assisted section, I will admit that there was a hint of steam cascading from the front cantilevered brake blocks.
Now I had ridden a few full suspension bikes in the last few years, but never any distance - and more the obligatory - "yes it's very light, yes it rides well, oo aren't the gears smooth" tight circles ridden to show approval of a mates new investment than any actual bike riding.
I knew that my steed was not a lightweight machine - I knew that the modern machines have surprised me when little effort is needed to free them from terraferma - but I will be honest it was even more shocking when swapping from one bike directly to another.
The bike in question was a Marin full suspension - somehow Marin had managed to squeeze a much more robust looking frame, front and rear suspension, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes and several more gears into a larger but hugely lighter machine than mine.
The riding of this machine was also a bit of a revelation (although I did not go far!). The first error I made was to pull the break lever with the same enthusiasm required to pull up the old Saracen. This resulted in me almost going directly over the handlebars as the bike stopped dead. The second realisation was that with such a large level of travel in the suspension, you really don't have to do anything to assist it over large bumps, curbs etc - just hit them and the bike will sort it out for you.
This very short experience has made me hanker for one of these technological marvels, and on closer inspection of the technology on offer, you can begin to understand why these bikes have price tags that you could buy a perfectly respectable car for! And this is my current problem - I am both nostalgic about my old school machine and love riding it - and a bit skint!
My saving grace, is the guy who I borrowed the Marin from also had a go on my steed - and in his words "how the *@!^ did you ride all of that on this thing - it's bloody terrifying".
So my new theory is, no suspension and breaks that don't really work when mud is in the equation means more fun while heading for and into and around the hills - and I shall repeat this mantra to myself over and over just as long as until I have the readies to invest in a new machine.
At this point remember that I have just successfully navigated my 20 year old steel framed ride across everything they had - so somewhere in the back of my mind I thought that the difference would not be that dramatic. I had struggled to keep up on the steep and bumpys when the speed got greater, and at the bottom of the longest gravity assisted section, I will admit that there was a hint of steam cascading from the front cantilevered brake blocks.
Now I had ridden a few full suspension bikes in the last few years, but never any distance - and more the obligatory - "yes it's very light, yes it rides well, oo aren't the gears smooth" tight circles ridden to show approval of a mates new investment than any actual bike riding.
I knew that my steed was not a lightweight machine - I knew that the modern machines have surprised me when little effort is needed to free them from terraferma - but I will be honest it was even more shocking when swapping from one bike directly to another.
The bike in question was a Marin full suspension - somehow Marin had managed to squeeze a much more robust looking frame, front and rear suspension, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes and several more gears into a larger but hugely lighter machine than mine.
The riding of this machine was also a bit of a revelation (although I did not go far!). The first error I made was to pull the break lever with the same enthusiasm required to pull up the old Saracen. This resulted in me almost going directly over the handlebars as the bike stopped dead. The second realisation was that with such a large level of travel in the suspension, you really don't have to do anything to assist it over large bumps, curbs etc - just hit them and the bike will sort it out for you.
This very short experience has made me hanker for one of these technological marvels, and on closer inspection of the technology on offer, you can begin to understand why these bikes have price tags that you could buy a perfectly respectable car for! And this is my current problem - I am both nostalgic about my old school machine and love riding it - and a bit skint!
My saving grace, is the guy who I borrowed the Marin from also had a go on my steed - and in his words "how the *@!^ did you ride all of that on this thing - it's bloody terrifying".
So my new theory is, no suspension and breaks that don't really work when mud is in the equation means more fun while heading for and into and around the hills - and I shall repeat this mantra to myself over and over just as long as until I have the readies to invest in a new machine.
Monday, 16 July 2012
Cyclisme quote of the week - 5
The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.
- Ann Strong from the Minneapolis Tribune, 1895.
- Ann Strong from the Minneapolis Tribune, 1895.
Friday, 6 July 2012
All terrain
I have been trying to arrange a sking trip for when the weather gets colder. Maybe I need to take one of these!
Cyclisme quote of the week "4"
When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
First 500!
The blog has reached it's first milestone (well it feels like it anyway). We have reached the first 500 views - although I must admit that the first 20 ish were probably me, before I figured out it was counting my own visits, and I have to change the settings to stop this!
Just wanted to say a big thank-you to everyone who has taken the time to look at the site (thanks, cheers, Vielen Dank, gracias, merci, Dziękujemy za, takk deg, Благодарю Вас) - I have really enjoyed putting it together & I hope you found something of interest on The SecondCycle!
Just wanted to say a big thank-you to everyone who has taken the time to look at the site (thanks, cheers, Vielen Dank, gracias, merci, Dziękujemy za, takk deg, Благодарю Вас) - I have really enjoyed putting it together & I hope you found something of interest on The SecondCycle!
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Light up your cycling life
Today is a dark day, literally. You would be forgiven for thinking the sun has not come up, but indeed the rain continues to come down. This often seen feature of the lovely British summer season seems to have become a somewhat permanent fixture in 2012.
What we need in these dark and dreary days, as we dream of the summer sun beating down on our backs as we glide through the rolling countryside, is a little light in our cycling lives.
Luckily modern technology has been able to try its hand in this respect - and if its light and fun your after these two bike lighting systems may raise a smile on that rain soaked, mud splattered face.
Interesting ideas!
What we need in these dark and dreary days, as we dream of the summer sun beating down on our backs as we glide through the rolling countryside, is a little light in our cycling lives.
Luckily modern technology has been able to try its hand in this respect - and if its light and fun your after these two bike lighting systems may raise a smile on that rain soaked, mud splattered face.
Interesting ideas!
Monday, 2 July 2012
Think, anticipate, drive
On my way home today I was overtaken by a black Audi. We were only 20 ft from a red light and a queue of cars, but still the driver though it was necessary to over take me (slowing from 15mph ish) and then immediately break hard.
This is annoying, but hey we all mis judge things occasionally so I could have let it go - that is if he had not then drawn to a stop across the cycle lane meaning I had no way past. This actually didn't matter, because the light had been red for a while so I knew was about to change any second, so was happy to stop in line, and let the legs recuperate.
Unfortunately this purveyor of Vorsprung durch Technik was clearly not paying attention or using the not so mystical power of anticipation, as no sooner had he stopped (in the cycle lane) he turned off his engine - at about the same time the lights changed to green (I am pretty sure that the car did not have the automatic engine cut system). He however didn't notice this as he was looking at a phone, not the world around him. It was left to the auto behind me giving a sharp blast on a horn to wake him from his stupor.
This is a prime example of why riding a bicycle on the main roads has it's concerns. This guy is clearly driving around with no idea and no consideration for anyone else, and one day it will end badly.
Saying all of this - I have also been amazed by the amount of cyclists riding around in a busy town centre chatting on phones - not looking around them and wobbling all over the road. Lets hope these two party's manage to avoid one another hey!
This is annoying, but hey we all mis judge things occasionally so I could have let it go - that is if he had not then drawn to a stop across the cycle lane meaning I had no way past. This actually didn't matter, because the light had been red for a while so I knew was about to change any second, so was happy to stop in line, and let the legs recuperate.
Unfortunately this purveyor of Vorsprung durch Technik was clearly not paying attention or using the not so mystical power of anticipation, as no sooner had he stopped (in the cycle lane) he turned off his engine - at about the same time the lights changed to green (I am pretty sure that the car did not have the automatic engine cut system). He however didn't notice this as he was looking at a phone, not the world around him. It was left to the auto behind me giving a sharp blast on a horn to wake him from his stupor.
This is a prime example of why riding a bicycle on the main roads has it's concerns. This guy is clearly driving around with no idea and no consideration for anyone else, and one day it will end badly.
Saying all of this - I have also been amazed by the amount of cyclists riding around in a busy town centre chatting on phones - not looking around them and wobbling all over the road. Lets hope these two party's manage to avoid one another hey!
Le Tour
Well 'Le Tour de France' has rolled out for again for a the two thousand and twelve edition of it's 109 year history.
I have watched bits and pieces of this historic race over the years, but this year (as I am back in the saddle), I have decide to try and follow the 3 week, 2,173 mile test of man and machine.
From the first few days, I have been amazed at the speed and endurance these riders have - with the current average speed at just over 30mph, makes my rides seem very slow and very short!
Below is a video showing this years route.
I have watched bits and pieces of this historic race over the years, but this year (as I am back in the saddle), I have decide to try and follow the 3 week, 2,173 mile test of man and machine.
From the first few days, I have been amazed at the speed and endurance these riders have - with the current average speed at just over 30mph, makes my rides seem very slow and very short!
Below is a video showing this years route.
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