Cycling: issues/noticeboard

[karter]

Congratulations.

[Ladymuck]

Thank you...

To be fair, there's no competition around at the moment: I'm playing with myself - so to speak!

[karter]

How come, did quids cycle off again?

[Ladymuck]

He should be back soon...any time now, in fact...

[Proj London Health]

Hyde Park tomorrow, 9am Goose Green Texaco Garage.

This is a flat ride, 5.5-miles to Hyde Pk, and 5.5-miles around followed by a coffee!

McC

[regalia]

I used to do that in the sixties as a teenager, out for a Sunday tour, I was with the South Pennine road club back then.

Reading this thread took me right back.

So thanks for that McC,

"dig 'em in" we used to shout this encouragement to the racing lads!

[Alec John Moore]

Got back on my bike today for the first time in ages to cycle to work. It being half term and no school run I can go straight to work and be back in time to collect the kids from the childminder. Traffic wasn't bad either around 8.00. I wonder how much of that is to do with half term. I memorised the relevant section of the free cycle route map courtesy Boris but ended up joining Old Kent Road when I intended to connect at the cycle path on New Kent Road. I'll work it out on the way home this afternoon. It was such an enjoyable experience - for a commute to work. The new bike is nice which makes a lot of difference. Hoping to work out the logistics of the school run so that I can do this more often.

[taper]

"dig 'em in"

Yes, I still shout that at cyclists. Makes no sense these days, but in the day of the rat-trap it did, I suppose.

[aspidistra]

Nasty stuff at Critical Mass in Brazil:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRgiIrHRoHM&feature=player_embedded&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.powerswitch.org.uk%2Fforum%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ft%3D17449&has_verified=1

[Saturn 5]

It's a miracle no one was killed. Another link.

[aspidistra]

And on a lighter note...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtv2_-2mHck

[Applespider]

Just had a phone call from a company doing research for Transport for London. I don't generally take part in telephone surveys but since I do use TFL a lot, I figured it might be worthwhile doing it.

As it turns out, it was mainly about cycle usage in London; both of your own cycle, the CS and the Boris Bikes. Mostly questions about cycle routes, ASLs, parking and general confidence/feeling of safety. The guy asking the questions sounded a little like I was the first person who'd actually said yes to the majority of the questions about using a bike.

Was very generic though; I do feel fairly safe on busy roads except for some very specific locations. I did credit Southwark's cycle training as being the primary reason for my cycling more in the hopes of saving it from any cuts!

[monica]

Hi there

EDNUB are advertising a Cycle maintenance course on the 16th May,on the whats on section. There are also free courses Southwark residents can take, that teaches road safety.

http://www.cyclinginstructor.com/

Local instructor is Marilyn Donahue.

[Applespider]

Is the 16th a mistype? I thought it was Saturday 14th which is one reason that I can't make it.

If anyone else would like to know more about cycle maintenance but can't make the course, it might be worthwhile you PMing mlteenie. He gave me a useful grounding in cycle maintenance while he checked out my bike last year - and has helped me out with a more tricky problem more recently.

[Saturn 5]

Wouter Weylandt has been killed following a crash during the Giro d'Italia. More here.

[intexasatthe moment]

With some pushing my teenage son has resumed bike riding .

He is currently using a standard MET cycle helmet but is hankering after something more ( in his eyes ) stylish - noteably a BMX style skid lid type ( not full face ).

I'm keen to maintain his interest in cycling and helmet wearing but am worried that this may not offer adequate protection .

Can anyone tell me whether a BMX helmet would offer adequate protection in the event of an accident on the road ?

Should I be looking for a particular sticker denoting some standard ?

May sound silly ,but posting in case relevant ,he has very large head and lots of thick hair .

[intexasatthe moment]

Any helmet advice anyone ?

[mynamehere]

Just to say I'm worried because my 16-year-old refuses to wear a helmet and he cycles all the time and has done all the courses and the velodrome and heard people he really respects in cycling insist on the need to wear a helmet

he also has a big head and looks great in a helmet....

any cycle shop will walk you through them ask Bon Velo Herne Hill

[Laddy Muck]

@ intexatthemoment:

A helmet needs to provide a good fit. Otherwise, at best, it could prove a waste of money; at worst, it might cause more harm than good. As per mynamehere, any good cycle shop will talk you through helmets and, more importantly, ensure you obtain the snuggest fit possible. We have our local BC Bikes on East Dulwich Road (which comes recommended on here - though I have never used them). Personally, I can recommend Brixton Cycles for advice/service/range etc. However, the downside with lovely specialist bike shops is that they can sometimes be pricey. Decathlon is less expensive, has a massive range and gives advice too. It is, however, all the way in Canada Water. Having said that, I think the trip is worth the effort.

[Laddy Muck]

@ mynamehere:

Whilst there is currently no legal requirement to wear a helmet, there are two schools of thought on whether they should be worn. You may find this recent article interesting. The helmet debate has been raging for years. If you google "should I wear a cycle helmet", you will find stacks of articles/opinions on the subject.

[intexasatthe moment]

Thanks for information !

On a different note - Lidls have the reflective spoke thingys back in from Thursday 19 May .

?3.99 for 36 .

[Applespider]

ooooh... goodie. I might pick up a fresh batch for winter since last year's are a bit mucky...

Helmet-wise, I think a BMX one will be equally good on the road as on a BMX track. The average 'road' helmet is only designed for impacts up to a few miles per hour. I only wear mine since if I did fall off, I don't want roadrash on my head. I'm mostly unconvinced about how well it would protect me from motor vehicles.

Another bike question for you all. My company runs a Cycle to Work scheme every 18 months or so. I got a hybrid 18 months ago which I ride to work most days from March through to October. The CTS scheme is open until early June and then that's it until late 2012/early 2013. So... do I upgrade my bike now and sell the current one while it's in pretty good nick? Or wait until the next round by which time my current bike will probably need new chainring/tyres etc?

And if I do get a new bike...do I attempt the shift to a road bike or just replace with a slightly better version of what I have?

[John247]

Hybrids are pretty good commuting bikes because of the upright riding position, but at the end of the day, if you don't have the luxury of being able to own more than one bike, I'd go for a road bike. You'll enjoy it more at the weekends if you go for long rides, but get puncture resistant tyres. If you are going to change bikes, I'd do it now to enjoy it over the summer.

[katie1997]

Hi Applespider - sorry to be dim but won't it be cheaper to simply replace whatever needs replacing in around 18 months time (chain and tyres as you say above) rather than buying a whole new bike when the Cycle to Work Scheme comes around? Although its nice to get a nice new shiny bike for a good deal I guess. I reluctantly had to buy a new hybrid last year (not having the benefit of that scheme) and I am hoping I don't have to replace it for a while (although I expect mine doesn't get used nearly half as much as it should) :-$

Hi intexasatthemoment - just wanted to say, if you are in ED (and not texas) ;-) then you can't go wrong by popping into BC Bikes here in ED to ask for their advice, which - in my experience - has always been very helpfully given and with no pressure to buy their products. I have got no clue about bmx stuff btw.

[oilworker]

Whilst a BMX helmet will offer at least the same level of protection as a road helmet (which are designed to absorb a certain level of energy upon impact rather than for a given speed of impact), the former has no ventilation and therefore your head will get very hot and sweaty in warm weather on rides of any distance..also applespider if you are only riding your bike to work in the summer and it is less than 18 months old then there is no way your chain ring should need replacing (they should be good for about 10k miles at least). At the very most all you will need is a new chain (but only if it slips/jumps) and possibly new tyres/ brake blocks...