Cycling: issues/noticeboard

[felt-tip]

Just over ?2000...

BUT the savings on rent would be negated (to an extent) on either a season ticket or a shiny new bike.

My inner turmoil on this point is at stratospheric levels. Maybe I should do it a few times on my existing bike and then assess whether I enjoy it enough to want to do it enough to justify forking out on something like this....

http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road/Steel_Club_Racer_/

[intexasatthe moment]

inner turmoil on this point is at stratospheric levels

just so loving this phrase .

Think you should buy the new bike - it's an investment ,will make the ride easier .

[Applespider]

Or whether you hate it on the SS so you would need the new bike to avoid having to buy the more expensive train ticket

[oilworker]

Forget the independent fabrication - if you are say 5'10" - 6'0" ish you want this then build up from there - shd be able to do the whole job for undr GBP 750

[felt-tip]

are you selling that oilworker?

I never considered building my own. Alas, Im a bit too tall. I ride a 61cm frame.

[Ladymuck]

felt-tip Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Just over ?2000...

> BUT the savings on rent would be negated (to an

> extent) on either a season ticket or a shiny new bike

A ?2000+ season ticket would last a year (and its cost would, in all probability, rise further in future years), whereas a new bike would last a great deal longer. You could purchase a new bike and use it in conjunction with your current Vespa. I think, given the horrific cost of public transport etc., that you might just about be justified in buying a new one. Any "negation" in terms of rent savings would only apply for 3 months. How many years would you retain a new bike for, thereby saving how many multiples of ?2,000+ in public transport costs?

If I were so much as half as fit (and willing) as you to undertake such a commute by bike, I would go for the new bike.

[oilworker]

No not selling - but if i didnt already have a surfeit of bikes and associated paraphenalia I would be sorely tempted to put in an offer. In the old days we always used to build up our own bikes - the choice of off the peggers wasnt so big then as it is now. Its not difficult if you have all the right tools (head set spanners, bottom bracket spanners, chain splitter, cable cutters etc etc) if you dont have the right tools then it would obviously be very awkward...

[felt-tip]

Ladymuck - your reasoning is impeccable, my credit card balance is nil, the skies are blue and 'bout now has painted a beautiful picture of the dawn stags on Richmond Park which can only be augmented with the sight of me cruising past on a custom built steel tourer... I will report back.

[Ladymuck]

One does one's best LOL!

['bout now]

And don't forget that a new bike increases your attraction to the opposite sex by +432%.

SOURCE: IBS 2010.

[Ladymuck]

Well there you go then: it's a no brainer!

[Ladymuck]

Sadly, another cyclist died in London (on 4th Feb) after being struck by a lorry.

Two years ago Eilidh Cairns was also killed by a lorry whilst cycling. Her family have since been campaigning to get all HGVs in Europe fitted with sensors and cameras to remove their blind spots. If you want to add your voice to this campaign please spend a few minutes: here..

The whole process took me 5 minutes (includes confirmation of receipt by Harriet Harman).

You only have until 16th February 2011.

[SCSB79]

Ladymuck Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sadly, another cyclist died in London (on 4th Feb)

> after being struck by a lorry.

>

> Two years ago Eilidh Cairns was also killed by a

> lorry whilst cycling. Her family have since been

> campaigning to get all HGVs in Europe fitted with

> sensors and cameras to remove their blind spots.

> If you want to add your voice to this campaign

> please spend a few minutes: here..

>

> The whole process took me 5 minutes (includes

> confirmation of receipt by Harriet Harman).

>

> You only have until 16th February 2011.

Signed up to that as it is a very good idea. All bar one of our local MEP's have already voted, Gerard Batten (UKIP) has not, he is down as "won't vote.

When I sent my "message" I was told that it had already been sent and was being blocked, so not sure how much use I was.

[Ladymuck]

> When I sent my "message" I was told that it had

> already been sent and was being blocked, so not

> sure how much use I was.

Ah! Did you send an exact copy of the standard example letter? It's just that the web-site does say, that you need to write in your own words (or at least change it up a bit) otherwise the system will view the message as having already been sent and block it. A bit daft, I know...

[SCSB79]

I did at first, because to be honest I am lazy! I was going to adjust it slightly to try and get it through but noticed all of our MEP's had already voted bar the one who was down as "won't vote"....so not sure if I needed to???

[Applespider]

Done - thanks for the link.

I've heard about a few nasty ones this month. A friend was passing near the Brixton Road junction near the Oval and saw the aftermath of an accident involving a cyclist, a tanker and a bus. Hope the guy was OK but didn't hear about a death so fingers crossed.

I'm holding off the commute (even though it's warmed up a little) until it gets a little lighter and drivers start being more 'aware'. I swear I had more close shaves in a week in October than I had all summer.

[MrTwirly]

Shouldn't have read this thread.. Have just bought a bike and now scared to use it ;-)

Actually.. I've not used it .. erm.. AT ALL since I bought it (well I rode it home .. all of 3 mins !)

I went to BC Bikes on East Dulwich Rd for the "essentials" OMG!! and here was me thinking the bike was the expensive bit!

So far I have a chain/lock thingie and a reflective doodah for my rucksack. I'm scouting t'interweb for bargains on Lights, panniers and most importantly (and the bit I don't really want to skimp on) a Helmet!!

Have to say though.. are all helmets so ..well.. insubstantial? feels like I'm paying ?70 or ?80 (or upwards) for what amounts to a piece of polystyrene on a chin strap!!

I demand in depth reviews, rigorous testing to destruction.. I want to see helmets that stand up to repeated swings of a sledgehammer before I part with my hard earned and put my precious braincase into something that is supposed to protect it ;-)

Twirly has visions of me cycling to work in full motorcycle/motorcross gear now ;-) (with an extra bubble wrap and cotton wool cloak.. for extra protection) hehe

[Ladymuck]

Funniest post of the day!

PS: Lidl regularly sells bike accessories relatively cheaply. I saw a helmet there for under ?10. But you have to be quick: it's very much here today, gone tomorrow in there. And stocks vary from store to store.

If you are not confident about getting on your bike, why don't you sign up to Southwark's free cycling lessons. Many people have: and rate them highly too.

[felt-tip]

MrTwirly.

I AM disappointed!

Come on, it's lovely outside. Get a-peddaling!

[Ladymuck]

Lovely outside? You can't be in London then. It looks wet, cold, and grey from where I'm sitting.:(

But you are right...Mr. T, having spent a small fortune, should give it a (T)whirl.

PS: have you decided F-T?

[Pearson]

Mr Twirly,

You should not be paying ?70/80 for a helmet?! A good helmet should only cost half that amount.

Anything over is just superlight race stuff...

Best place to purchase cycling gear is on-line.

Try Chainreaction/ Wiggle/ Parkers etc.

If you need something straight away, Evan do a price match promise and are very good at honoring it.

So print off cheap cost from Parkers/Wiggle and present at Evans! Simples and a lot cheaper then BC.

(Sorry BC)

[felt-tip]

I am still umming and aahhhing TBH.

I'm tempted to throw some upgrades on my current steed.

[Applespider]

Mr Twirly - it's not all that bad. Cycle sensibly - being assertive but defensive - and it should help. The Southwark cycle lessons are fabulous for just giving you some confidence in your roadsense. They make you feel that taking primary position is normal rather than you feeling all drivers will hate you. The most important things to remember is not to hug the gutter and not to filter down the side of buses or lorries...

[felt-tip]

Mr Twirly - check out your route on http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11598.aspx as this will show you the quietest routes.

[Ladymuck]

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