Cycling Thread - pleasure peddlers to serious cyclists sign in here!

[Thistledew]

Hi All

I thought I would start a cycling thread. It would be great if we could make it all inclusive, so whether you currently just enjoy bike rides but are interested in taking it further, or already train seriously, please post what you are up to and what your aims are. By sharing knowledge and experiences, hopefully we can spur each other on.

If you want to, please post a quick biog of how long you have been cycling, how much you currently cycle, and what your goals are.

And for those who wish to engage in a bit of bike porn, please feel free to post what sort of bike you ride!

Happy peddling!

Oooh hello fellow cyclists, I've only just discovered this thread (relative MN newbie).

We're a car-free family so use bikes as our primary means of transport. We have DS (2y3m) and I am 36 weeks with DC2. I cycle to work (12 miles a day), as does DH, we do the nursery run by bike and we cycle all trips under about 10 miles.

Neither of us are particularly accomplished or fast cyclists, and certainly not into racing etc, but do enjoy longer leisure rides at the weekends.

I've just treated myself to a new Trek T10 Navigator and really enjoying it so far. DH has a Marin hybrid.

DS is mostly in a front mounted Bobike mini seat which I can't recommend highly enough. It slots from DH's bike to mine, or gets taken off, in seconds, and it affects the handling much less than a rear mounted seat. I love having him up front. We also have a second hand Croozer trailer for day trips and travelling at nap time, and have just bought a rear Hamax sear for when I am transporting two at a time!

Have cycled throughout both pregnancies and still going now, I find it the most comfortable way of getting around. Did 17 miles yesterday and 5 so far today (with toddler on board).

Off to read about everyone else's peddling habits...

Ivykaty, you'll have no problems on a Breeze ride! Why not try a shorter one for starters, then go for the longer rides?

VivaLeBeaver, there are nicer trails than the TPT! I live quite close, and occasionally ride on short stretches. It can get very muddy in places, and runs through some rough areas. It also has stupid A-frame barriers, which are difficult to get through with panniers. We once met a very annoyed German cyclist, who couldn't believe he'd travelled so far to ride such a rubbish trail.

Mmmm, I've been reading a few reviews about mud and broken glass. It's handy to get to and flat(ish)!

Any other tour recommendations of a similar length?

I'd thought about bath to reading on the Avon canal. I fancy the idea of the one down through mid Wales ....Los Lomos Cymru or something? But that might be a bit tough for a first tour, I need breaking in gently!

ladymud - I can do about 40 miles at present (did 43 about 4 weeks ago) but would struggle at present to do much more, so think shorter rides will be the way to go.

I went out yesterday and today as the weather is so lovely - hopefully will be out again tomorrow so building up some miles.

I am of to france in July and planning to cycle in the Loire

Ivykaty, don't under-estimate your own ability, or over-estimate others! (99% of women do this, but we really ought to stop it). Breeze was set up to get non-riders to drag their dusty bikes out of the shed, and increase the number of women cycling. British Cycling need to do this, to get loads of £££ from the funding bodies.

A typical Breeze ride is 2 miles along a towpath to a tea-shop, for cake and chat, then 2 miles back again. Some established groups are now riding further for their cake, and also on roads. It's worth checking the description carefully.

Try a couple of Breeze rides, but I'm sure you'll soon be doing Skyrides instead.

(I used to be a Breeze Champion, but stopped leading rides for various personal reasons)

ladymud - thanks for the links, I have had a look at the sky rides and there are a couple there that would be good.

VivaLeBeaver, a canal ride might be good for your first trip, as they are flat and you'd struggle to get lost! However, it might be a bit monotonous. The Cheshire Ring is popular with cyclists, walkers and, of course, boaters.

If you prefer tarmac, some friends recently did the 176 mile Cheshire Cycleway, which you could shorten using the canals.

I have found a ride in two weeks of 35 miles so that is looking good thanks ladymud

Hii Vinegar you sound very committed and a bit scary! I try to ride my bike to work but wimp out if it is raining or cold and I only have to go a mile!

Today I tried out a tandem with DP as he is fed up of waiting for me crawling up the hills! We borrowed a Cannondale and went 48 miles in the sunshine. Sitting on the back I could look out for wild flowers and birds and scenery! It was magical and I loved it! Anyone else got one? We are going to try a Thorn Raven this week.

Haha, committed and scary?! No, just cheapskates! I wimp out in bad weather, too! It helps to live in London with excellent public transport. It honestly is the quickest, cheapest, easiest way for us to get around so it has just become second nature. Like I said though, no prizes here for speed or finesse!

I've never tried a tandem, I imagine it being fun but also a good test of your relationship?! Friends have one they use with their (older) kids a lot.

You are all inspiring me with your talk of tours and trails.... Better get this baby out first, though, i guess!

Well I managed to get out agin yesterday with dd2 and we did 39 miles, at a good average of 12 mph. Though cheeky dd2 sat in behind for 4 miles when we were in a head wind and so muggins here did all the work!

Might venture out for a short ride later as the weather is so lovely again

Wow, 39 miles is amazing. Well done.

I've been out and done 8 miles this afternoon. It's just finding time for longer rides!

I'm going to bike to work tomorrow for the first time ever. Unless I totally wimp out.

39 miles, wow! How old is your dd2? Is she on a Trailgator type thing? Or a tandem?

Viva go for it! I love cycling to work, and the weather is perfect for it at the moment. I always arrive at work much more physically and mentally ready for the day, and it gives me the headspace between work and home that I really value (I think from reading previous posts of yours we are in similar jobs).

Dd is 14 and rides a lot, which is one of the reasons I want to improve and get out more, I want to not slow her down so much and just be able to more and more miles with her comfortably.

We spent some time out yesterday chatting about our trip to france so that was good

I need to get a small pump (have one but it is rubbish or actually beyond rubbish) I want a small one to put in my pannier in case of puncture. Anyone got any recommendations?

Oh and a small first aid kit - will take a full first aid in car with tablets and bandages - but any ideas for a basic first aid for pannier? I though anti septic wipes and I have eye drops things )though we both tend to wear glasses in case of flying insects) anything else?

The best little pump I've come across is the Maxgear Micro 100, but it's no longer available under that name. Leisure Lakes sell one which looks absolutely identical (inc same range of lovely colours ), called the Airbone Supernova. The Maxgear is less than 10cm long, but out-performs larger pumps . . . and it looks very pretty!

Well I've got the pannier fitted and packed for tomorrow. Just hoping it won't unbalance the bike too much. Never ridden with a pannier before.

My micro-First Aid kit contains:
2x Ibuprofen and 2x Paracetamol - and 300mg aspirin (very important)
Antihistamine cream and tablets
Insect repellent wipe
Antiseptic wipe
Plasters and safety pins
Impregnated dressing and microporous tape
Small bandage
Tick removal tools
Emergency JellyBelly beans
Foil space blanket
Spare contact lenses (for others)

Although that sounds a lot, it packs up very small. It fits neatly into a little seat pack, along with my micro-pump, spare inner tube, tyre patches, tyre levers, front and rear lights, etc, etc

It's not got loads in it, shoes, a d lock, uniform, my small diary.

Viva, have you checked that your heel clears the pannier? I had problems with my first set, as they were a bit too square. My new Aldi panniers are fine, though.

thanks lady mud, it looks good and 80psi would be ok. Have you ever used one of the gas style pumps for a flat? I know they only have about two uses and then it finished but I wondered what they are like?

Ladymud, no hadn't thought about that at all. Oh well, will find out tomorrow. I've only got size 5 feet though so hopefully ok. I'll do a u turn in the drive in the morning to check it, thanks.

I did it - slightly shorter than what I'd thought as well. 8 miles each way. Took me 39 mins this morning to bike to the bottom of the very steep hill just before work, then 5 mins to push the bike up the hill. Feels good, might do it tomorrow!

that sounds good - how was it cycling home after work? Did you feel relaxed by the time you got home?

Coming home was fine. Yes, its nice to have unwind time.

I'm stressed now though. Just realised one of the pannier clips has fallen off. Looking at the design on the other pannier the long horizontal clip at the bottom can slide off the bag. Paid £60 for the panniers and its the first time I've used them and now one will flap about at the bottom. Stupid bloody design.