Cycling topic anyone?

[SophiePendragon]

I'm looking for somewhere to post about bicycles and can't find the appropriate topic.

There is a weights topic. An Unexplained topic.

Is there a bikes one?

[CoolWheelsPan]

There's a vast spectrum of biking that people do, and a big barrier to get going is lack of knowledge - and there's lots of posters spread around the site who can help with most problems.
It's really important to get kids riding, so it's def. a 'family issue'.

[DollyMcDolly]

I would like one as well. Went to Halfords yesterday and bought a basic mountain bike just to get started. I have been googling questions ever since so a topic would've been very helpful.

[LadySharrowOfGolter]

Thank you UniS

[geogteach]

Another vote for a cycling thread here. DS and I do 40 miles most Saturday mornings, go past the bottom of Box Hill most weeks but scared of hills and never been up, DS is seriously unimpressed, he's been up and can't see the problem

[DramaAlpaca]

Adding my vote as well

[SophiePendragon]

Actually has anyone got any suggestions while we're here, about transporting an 8yo child on a bike?

I'm Ok with the 2yo but the Bakfiets is too heavy to use a lot and I'm selling it. So have bought a lovely Dutch work bike but am struggling with the configuration of seats - does anyone use a Leco top tube seat on a woman's bike?

[UniS]

Geogteach- if you can handle a 40 miler, you can handle box hill ( maybe as part if a 20/30 miler. I rode it for the 1st time this spring ( on a brompton) and it's a pussy cat. Get in a low gear and twiddle, its not relentlessly steep, just quite long. The 9 yr old romped up much faster than I did.

[prettybird]

I agree about just dropping down lots of gears and going up hills really slowly. I can get up most hills, just not very fast at all . Ds, on the other hand, dances up them. I get my revenge on the downhills where my greater mass means I can go faster

Re an 8 year old: if they (or you) are not confident enough on a bike on their own, then what about a tagalong? You can either get one that is a tagalong in its own right (so just a single wheel) or you can buy tagalong attachments which connect to an ordinary child's bike. It means that if they want to cycle on their own, they can, but if they get tired, they can connect to your bike and you "share" the effort.

[SophiePendragon]

Good idea Prettybird. The thing is I have to have a child seat on the back for the toddler too and I'm not sure if you can get a tagalong that is compatible with a child seat on the rack?

My ideal bike is a Workcycles FR8 with the child seat on the frame, but I can't really afford one (unless the Bak sells quickly!) so am trying to think outside the box as it were

[MarvinKMooney]

Ooh I'd join you all if we had a cycling topic.

I'm by no means a 'serious' cyclist, but I do enjoy commuting to work on my old faithful hybrid, and dragging the kids out at the weekend.

Count me in!

[prettybird]

Sophie - you might get some ideas from this discussion on BikeRadar

[SophiePendragon]

Oh brill, thanks very much!!

[prettybird]

UniS - is your 9 year old still enjoying his Islabike?

[geogteach]

UniS I know its all in my head, cycled to Paris and up Leith Hill last summer, I just get there, see how many people are going up and imagine them all overtaking me and chicken out!

[UniS]

Hello prettybird, the beinn 24 has just been outgrown ( he is ALL legs) and is about to move on to his cousin. New playing out and riding to school bike is a frog. Also has a Luath for racing now.

[prettybird]

Ds' Luath 26" has now been sold by the people I sold it to after 2 years - for the same price I sold it! Islabikes hold their value so well

Ds has just outgrown his Caad8 it was supposed to last him more than 2 years and I've had to buy him a new racing bike - a Focus Cayo. His grandfather has gone halves with the cost (ie the significant difference between the cost of the Focus and the 2nd hand value of the Cannondale) as an early birthday present.

[CoolWheelsPan]

Another thing as well is that a lot of biking forums are quite male dominated and 'serious', whereas there would another dimension to a MN topic - serious if you wish to be but full of tips and experiences for those interested in getting out and spinning in the fresh air with no 'competitive' purpose, just doing something that elevates health and well-being, and balances the 'obesity' thing that we are all told is engulfing us.

[CoolWheelsPan]

And the Breeze network, aimed specifically at women bikists, would be profiled better.

[MarvinKMooney]

"No competitive purpose" ... That's me!!

[PacificDogwood]

Yes please to cycling topic

[CoolWheelsPan]

Yes Pacific (und wie gehts du?).

People in the UK who argue against a bike friendly city oft say "but we're not like Copenhagen or Amsterdam!". Well, neither were Copenhagen or Amsterdam until they made deliberate choices to change.

[PacificDogwood]

Comme ci, comme ça , but thanks for asking.
As the song goes, I'm still standing and MNing

I've started commenting to work (well, it's not as impressive as it sounds: 1 mile, all long a lovely cycle path away from roads with one road to cross). I have a hybrid bike with a stand and a parcel shelf and people are amazed that I cycle with normal clothes on AND shoes with heels
I do get wet. This is Scotland after all.

[CoolWheelsPan]

The important thing is to just keep spinning n'est-ce pas, and all will be worth it!

[prettybird]

Did you see the item on the Cycling Show about Holland/Utrecht? They spent something like £28/head/per annum for 30 years to get to the point that they had the "right" infrastructure. Contrast that with our measly £2/head