Cycling Thread - All Peddlers and Pedallers welcome.

[VivaLeBeaver]

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

Evening cyclists

Quick intro: we're a car-free family and cycle for utility mostly (commuting, shopping, nursery run, visiting family etc), although do some "leisure" rides too. Have DS who is 2.5 and DD who is 10 weeks. I've cycled throughout both pregnancies and been back riding daily for a couple of weeks now. I've clocked up 20 miles so far this week, with the trailer and kids in tow, hoping it'll help get the baby weight shifting.

I ride a cheapish Trek hybrid, with mounts for kid seats both up front (Bobike mini) and rear (Hamax sleepy), and a trailer hitch (Croozer for 2, with an infant insert for DD). So in theory I could transport 4 kids at once, although I haven't tried it yet....! Using the trailer mostly at the mo, as DD is way too little to sit up in a seat.

We live in London (zone 2) and I don't find it a problem at all in traffic, everyone gives you tons of room (although I do mostly back streets so they aren't sitting in the trailer inhaling loads of exhaust fumes).

Merly - I'd definitely go for a trailer - but don't rely on it to improve your balance - the hitch means your bike can tip right over without affecting the trailer. definitely agree with getting the training if possible.

Meant to say, I lust over cargo bikes and Bakfietsen, but practically and financially our current set up makes more sense though I still have an eBay alert set up for Bakfiets

Sorry- I should have phrased it better about what the breeze folks do in my area.
They don't do what I want to do, in a sensible location to me, on the terrain I want at a time which is convenient to me.

The guys I ride with meet a mile from my house, shout at me when I'm being slow and go to the pub after.

I thought that's what you really meant, Gindrinker! Have some LM x

Mmmm post cycling cake!
:)

Thanks to who linked to the breeze rides I've just signed upto one next weekend its 15miles so "steady" but thats bit further than I have been doing in one stint and in an area I've not cycled before. It will be way out of my comfort zone as I don't "do" exercise with other people normally so good to try something new and build my confidence in cycling more on the road instead of paths I normally stick too.

Well I managed to get out for a leisurely 29 miles today. Weather was glorious, but quite fresh.

Myself, DH and the boy did a "Historic Churches Ride n stride" today. visited all 7 churches in our benefice, covering about 40km and 740m of climbing.

Tired boy now.

I'm seriously thinking about getting a road bike after riding my mtn bike with road tyres for the last 18yrs. Can I have a road bike with flat bars set higher than the seat? I need this for my back issues but wasn't sure if it would unbalance a road bike and therefore I'd be better with a hybrid. I've been googling and these bikes are on my short list so far triban 3or5, specialized dolce, giant avil 5 or trek 1.1. Any ladies got one of these? I'm looking to stick under £500 on the cycle to work scheme.

I've just been having a tea-break, and a little browse on an MTB website. Someone posted a photo of a large lady on a bike, presumably expecting others to mock (it's quite a bloke-y forum, but generally more intelligent and educated than similar sites).

Anyway, it's really refreshing to read all the comments praising her for riding. Must admit, I feel a bit sorry for the child though!

ssmile, my friend has a road bike with flat bars, and little pads on the bars too so the heel of her hand doesn't get sore. I will find out what sort she has and let you know.

I got a bike podiatrist to set my bike up for me, as I have a few neck / shoulder issues. He rotated the handlebars up a bit, and raised the bars by turning the stem round, giving me a slightly more upright position.

The other unintended benefit of this riding position is that it doesn't put as much pressure on your fanjo

Dh bought a new bike the other week, a "road bike" with riser bars, so the bars are higher than the seat, except he doesn't like that so swopped his old bars onto new bike.
www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-trailfinder-13?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2fcommuter-hybrid-bikes would something like this suit you?

Hi all,

can anyone recommend shoe covers? I went last winter without any and so spent most of it with cold, wet feet. NOT this year! I've googled a few but it's hard to tell which are actually good and which are just sold well. Anything I should be looking out for in particular?

Guys: it's back!

By way of introduction, I'm mainly London commuter (Brompton, graduated up from Barclaybikes), and can do mountain-y stuff on weekends, but haven't for a bit.

Yay, Viva was spot-on, predicting end of September for Aldi stuff! Thanks for the link, PM.

Pan, I can definitely recommend shoe covers. They make a huge difference to comfort.

As to which ones, well - it depends! Are they for road-riding, with minimal walking? If so, anything will do, so long as they are easy to get on the shoe.

If you are plodding up mountains in them, then something with a robust sole will be necessary.

It's for commuting on a whizzy hybrid with normal pedals and with minimal walking Lady. I got new shoes at the weekend, and want to be properly prepared for winter. I ride about 100 miles per week, from edge of Derbyshire into Manchester centre so there is LOTS of what we know as liquid sunshine.

Bit of cross-thread fertilising - Aldis are having their annual biking gear sale commences 26th Sept

whoops! wrong thread!

I got a soft shell jacket and winter trousers this time last year in Aldi and both are excellent.

Smile - giant do a range called the dash which is marketed as a road bike with flat handle bars.
Might be worth a look?m.tredz.co.uk/Products/66435/dash-4-womens-flat-bar-2014-road-bike

Thanks for bike tips and Aldi heads up will check them out. I need shoe covers too. Plan to cycle to work tom light is on charge is getting SO dark in the morning now :-(

Will put the 26th in my diary for an Aldi trip.

Exciting and nervous day here - I'm going to go out on my bike for the first time since my accident. Just a flat couple of miles to the library and back but its a start. I'll have so much luminous clothing on, not only will every car driver see me but probably the astronauts in the ISS too.

I'm ridiculously excited, I just hope my foot is as healed as I think it is.