Cycling Thread - All Peddlers and Pedallers welcome.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Have started a new thread as the other one is very nearly full.

Hi ElaClaw I'm looking for one for occasional, short-distance use, ideally that doesn't require me having a tow-bar put on or buying a light-board as well!

Randomly I parked beside a car today and it had a Saris Bones rack on. Looked good. You could try searching on bike forums (like bikeradar) for suggestions :)

Hi Blue

I have one like this fairly basic one from Halfords. It is easy enough to use and does the job, but it does mean that you can't get into the boot once it is on.

Hi Thistle as it's only for occasional use, getting into the boot probably isn't a huge issue - thanks.

I've got a Saris Bones and its amazing, really easy o use.

I can have it ready to put bikes on within 30 secs. Putting the bikes on takes another minute max. Mine is a saris bones 3 and dh can put 3 bikes on it ok. I've only ever needed to put 2 on it and not sure I might struggle squeezing three on it.

Sounds good. Mine is easy to put on but getting the bikes on is a bit of a bugger.

I know a few of you like to bike around the Aviemore area. Can anyone recommend a short (less than five miles ) and fairly flat and easy bike ride to do with the kids. Fairly Smooth paths are best for the three year old.

It's hard because seven year old ds likes technical single track and gets a bit bored with what ds3 can manage.

In the end we went from Glenmore to the Green Lochan. Dh decided to come too and he has no bike at the moment so we walked and the two little boys cycled.

It was lovely :)

That's a great ad Viva - will look into both - thank you, both.

Viva, does the Saris Bones work OK with drop-frame bikes? I've heard it's no good for those and you either need some kind of adaptor bar or it's just unstable.

Ela your walk/cycle sounds great.

DD got her bike this weekend. She was not really in the mood for it, more interested in the party after (in hindsight, it probably wasn't such a good idea to do both things on the same day). I think we'll have to go gently about it, as she is moving straight from her balance bike to a 20inch bike.
I must look into rotating the handlebar so it's closer to her. The shop didn't think it was a good idea, but the manufacturer's site says it can be done if needed.

Meanwhile, I still haven't had a chance to test mine, will you believe?!

Dd has a drop frame bike and it worked ok kind of, was at a funny angle. But secure enough. I did buy the special beam for the bike which is very easy to fit, think saris sell it direct. Cost me £20.

sticky, whch bike did you get your dd again?

Thanks Viva, I think that's the one I'll go for.

Ela, DD has a Frog bike.

Frog bikes sounds like a good choice (I do remember now!) :)

Hi all, London Cycling Campaign are offering free bike lights for the first 20 members who sign up today. It's just been put on Twitter

I got a new bike :D:D My lovely dh had been squirreling away money and got me the Scott Contessa Scale 720. It is awesome :D

Oops meant and possibly even

I want to go out and ride my bike! Unfortunately dh is back to work tomorrow so away for two weeks, so will only be able to ride with the kids.

Congrats on the new bike, hope you get to ride it soon.

I did 5 miles on my trike on Xmas day, still kills me....its such hard work.

Then did 18 miles yesterday on my normal bike. Was out with friends and we hit a patch of black ice. Guy infront of me went down hard. I managed to clip out and jump off as my bike started going down. Was just over the brow of a blind bridge and we were skidding about on the road as I panicked that a car was coming! So be careful out there!

Luckily no injuries to people or bikes.....apart from a sore arse!

Hoping to get out tomorrow on the trike.

Yikes, sounds scary! Hope you're out doing more miles on the trike. Went out for a wee ride with the youngest kids (7 &3). Just went for a short while in the woods and found a nice bit of single track and pushed up and zoomed down several times...

Got 8 miles done on the trike today. Can't wait for better weather as the forecast for the next few days looks pants.

Well done. We have beautiful weather today :) Even better dh unexpectedly back, his trip is delayed til after new year

Taking to boys to a localish bike skills park today

New bike sounds great ella. Black ice very scary viva
I nearly skidded off my bike on ice yesterday at 11am. I thought it all be melted by then as bike computer was reading 7c was extra scary as had my toddler on back in bike seat! Made me nervous for a couple miles after. My dh was tagging our eldest DD, luckily I shouted out to slow down so they were ok. Was nice to have a good family ride in the sunshine we did 9miles In total. The toddler was asleep dead weight for last mile it was enough for her :)
I hope we get a few more dry low wind, days before kids go back to school and we can get some more rides in.

Thistledew how are you getting on with the turbo trainer ive just been looking at that model on wiggle and debating ordering it.

Did anyone see that programme on the TV the other night about setting the cycling speed record. Think he did 110mph.

Bloke was on a turbo trainer with Laura Trott advising him as part of his training. She said you need to go flat out on a turbo trainer for 20secs, slow it down for 20secs and repeat x6. She reckons it improves/builds fast twitch muscles. That's less than five mins of training. I'm tempted to drag my trainer out from under the sofa.

Guy Martin programme was awesome. 5 minutes of training sounds about right ;)