Notes from a cycle commuter, three months in

1) Adjust brake cable length the very moment a slight difference is noted,
*not* during the rain, going fast behind a nervous driver.
2) Thin T-Shirt and baggy shorts are not suitable attire for such weather.
Rain's cold.
3) Even if you are overtaken by a BMW driver that is unable to contemplate a
cyclist requiring any space whatsoever on the road, do not make a w*nker
sign in his rear-view mirror - several drivers behind you will take
exception to this, especially if they're driving the poxiest vauxhall
imaginable.
4) London taxi drivers are pure evil.
5) London bus drivers are pure evil, but are worried about their career
prospects.
6) Drunk cycling is fine, as long as you have a five minute stretch to get
used to the delicate art of balencing.
7) Should you fall from a stationary start (wooyay clipless pedals), even in
a city as unfriendly as London, *every* passenger on the bus opposite will
wave their hands back upon your recovery.
8) Lights mounted on the saddle post will scrape against your legs on every
occaision, yet more irritatingly so than sandpaper.
9) Local bike shops are evil. Upon taking your bike in because the bearings
are shot, even though it's a new bike barely two months old, they will
demand someone has a test ride. You bugger off to work, come back the next
day only to discover the saddle's to blame and yet the bearings have
miraculously recovered...
10) I *really* hate Hyde Park Corner.

Thomas.

I too have just started commuting into town from Richmond and am
loving it.

We will see how my mettle holds out when the lights go out and it starts
raining again.

That having been said I forced myself onto the saddle to cycle home on
Thursday - in the rain - got home to find that the tube had been closed
by a power cut and everyone trapped or stuck in Town.

Now I know that I should feel for my brother workers but - I have to say
as I peeled off my sopping kit - I just laughed my head off.

last one to Parliament square is a big girls blouse.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

TooSore wrote:

We will see how my mettle holds out when the lights go out and it
starts raining again.

The key to this is to begin commuting in late autumn like I did last year.
That way, the first summer is even more of a delight and you get the added
benefit of not dreading the winter, because it's not that bad really. Get a
decent jacket, a pair of gloves, leggings and once you're moving you soon
warm up (if your commute is long enough).

Simonb

Gotta keep going all year round (4000 miles/year in commuting alone)

ps, just got myself a pair of neoprene overshoes

"Simonb" sbennettatwiderworlddotcodotuk wrote in message
. ..
TooSore wrote:

We will see how my mettle holds out when the lights go out and it
starts raining again.

The key to this is to begin commuting in late autumn like I did last year.
That way, the first summer is even more of a delight and you get the added
benefit of not dreading the winter, because it's not that bad really. Get
a
decent jacket, a pair of gloves, leggings and once you're moving you soon
warm up (if your commute is long enough).

Simonb



Must admit that I am dreading Winter - although it was a bit cooler these
past few days - i wore leggings to work this AM and found it better - just
need a long sleeved shirt to wear now - any suggestions.

I REALLY want to keep the commute up - I dont want to let myself down by
wimping out in the winter.....

Are balaclava's worth investing in? My arms were ok this morning with a
normal T Shirt but my face was a bit chilly!

James Hodson wrote in message . ..
On Sat, 30 Aug 2003 00:55:31 +0100, "Thomas" La de la de la wrote:

8) Lights mounted on the saddle post will scrape against your legs on every
occaision, yet more irritatingly so than sandpaper.

Hi Thomas.

The above is not necessarily true. But I'm buggered if I can find the
spot on the saddle post where the rear light doesn't rub - there used
to be such a position.

Get a Trek "Disco Inferno", small enough not to rub, and bright enough
to interfer with air traffic.

Must admit that I am dreading Winter - although it was a bit cooler
these past few days - i wore leggings to work this AM and found it
better - just need a long sleeved shirt to wear now - any suggestions.


Helly Hansen thermal long sleeve top - wicking material, stripes down
the arm great stuff - no good in wind or rain but a good base layer.

Considering a neoprene face mask to keep the chill off but not sure
about that - will ask Susannah and Trinny and get back to you.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

Yes to 4 and 5.
Hyde Park Corner is fine in the AM but a bit of a pain in the PM. I'm lucky
that I cycle up Constitution Hill and use the cycle/horse crossing to get
over onto the roundabout type thing.
BTW if you use the roundabout to get to Hyde Park there is a handy 'horse
crossing button' about 8ft high up on the post which not only puts those
nasty traffic lights to red but also magically opens the gates directly
opposite.


"Thomas" La de la de la wrote in message
...
4) London taxi drivers are pure evil.
5) London bus drivers are pure evil, but are worried about their career
prospects.
10) I *really* hate Hyde Park Corner.

"Neil" wrote in message
...

There are times in winter when wimping out is the sensible option - when
black ice is about is a good one. When luck plays too great a part in your
safe arrival it's better to get a train or bus.


Or a trike ;-)

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.com

Thomas wrote:
1) Adjust brake cable length the very moment a slight difference is
noted, *not* during the rain, going fast behind a nervous driver.

Hydraulic disc brakes...

3) Even if you are overtaken by a BMW driver that is unable to
contemplate a cyclist requiring any space whatsoever on the road, do
not make a w*nker sign in his rear-view mirror - several drivers
behind you will take exception to this, especially if they're driving
the poxiest vauxhall imaginable.

Watch out for a **** in a dark Renault Clio around Tottenham. How I larfed
this am when all his attempts to zoom up the bus lane were thwarted by a
parked truck delivering to a building site and lots of unhelpful drivers who
wouldn't let him out again. Not to mention the driver of the Saab 9000
whose attempts to headbutt a bus resulted in the closure of the A10 to motor
vehicles.

4) London taxi drivers are pure evil.

Don't have a problem with them.

5) London bus drivers are pure evil, but are worried about their
career prospects.

Nonse. They are scum who need badly to be replaced by machines.

10) I *really* hate Hyde Park Corner.

Yep, they spoiled it when they put the traffic lights in...

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
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