About Me

My photo
Whether it's five miles or five hundred miles, riding a bicycle is more fun than anyone ever told me! My New Year's Resolution to cycle 10 miles a day or 40 minutes on a spin bike has meant that by the end of May I have cycled 2,600 miles! Because of my cycling wardrobe the weather has not stopped me from cycling (unless it really is -5 degrees or with wind gusts of 25 mph). Cycling in style and in comfort is really important to me as I don't really want to be covered in logos looking like a Ninja as I buy groceries or attend meetings. I have found some things that work for me but am always looking for new pieces. For me, Evans Cycles and Cycle Surgery for the basics. My two favourite brands for my wardrobe are www.velorution.com and www.velovixen.com but I am always looking for new pieces. I would love to know what works for you and why. Happy cycling!

Thursday 14 March 2013

Mice Log Star Date 73 14th March



Mice goes to Greenwich! 15.5 miles, top speed 16.1 on the Brommie

An appointment with Sustrans in Greenwich with the best Bike It Officer I have ever known (otherwise known as Georgie).  Sustrans (Sustainable Transport) is a UK based charity focussing on cycling, scooting and walking. I hate the name Sustrans as it sounds like an underground pipeway system. Dull. Dull. Dull.  The complete opposite of riding a bike. However what they do is very positive and today was a day with Sustrans!

On the way to Greenwich I was a bit startled to see how much traffic moves into the cycling lane. Not just this chap:

I was also absolutely horrified by the number of drain covers there were in CS8 it should be renamed CD8 (Cycling Drainway 8).  Are we supposed to cycle over them? Do drivers know that cyclists don't cycle over them, I wonder?

The air was cold but the sky was bright.  The view from Lambeth Bridge was lovely.
 
 
I met up with Georgie, Roxanne and Chris (another volunteer who I have had the pleasure of doing some bicycle rides to the coast with)
 
and we started our cycling lesson for Year 4 and 5.  Georgie (on the right) set up the bicycles and soon we had five of six children who didn't even have their own bikes, cycling round a course of cones!  Brillo Pads! Georgie tested they all worked first though:
 
I met Georgie nearly two years ago when she was looking for a volunteer to help her run the Sustrans Active Travel Champion programme in Greenwich.
Her main mandate is to bring cycling and walking to school at 12 of the primary schools in the borough.  This means anything from Dr Bike days, Stabilisers Off days, Games on Wheels days, Bring your Scooter to School days - and in the winter we'd make smoothies by pedal-power and hold assemblies demonstrating the importance of being seen on a bicycle. 

The Oooos and Ahhhhs filled the assembly hall as windows were blacked out by kind caretakers so that we could stand on stage, turn the lights out and use bicycle lights, reflective strips and clothes to show how reflective things work was hilarious. 

Occasionally we had a few minutes left over at which point Georgie would stand there and say "Now hands up who'd like to see Mice give a demonstration of folding her very special bicycle?"!  What? Me? Ooo! So with a splutter I would run a Q/A session running through the names of the basic parts of the bike and of course caused more Ooos and Ahhs once the folding a la Brompton started! 

Working as one of Georgies volunteers, I have taught non-riders to ride for the very first time, fixed punctures, replaced brake systems, led bicycle games  and set up mini bicycle assault courses.  In fact last year I was elevated to Sustrans Gold Star Volunteer status as my hours totalled more than 140!  All this is entirely down to Georgie.  

The enthusiasm and sensitivity she shows to pupils, teachers, parents - everybody, her never-ending and bounding energy to bring cycling, scooting and walking to all her schools has been an absolute privilege to see. 

Sadly for Sustrans, Georgie leaves this week to take some time out, cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats (again!) and move into pastures new.  She has many strings to her bow and whatever avenue she follows she will without doubt be a roaring success.  I am very happy to say that she is a good friend and will remain so even after Sustrans. If you look up Georgie in the Dictionary it will say:  One of life's gems.

On my way home I cycled down roads I don't know and caught sight of The Shard.  
 
On to the South Bank where I saw this.  I'd say this was progress - rubbish collecting by bicycle.
  The South Bank is an ever changing art environment.


I reached Westminster Bridge as the sun was going down - wondering what on earth was going on in this building.  
 
 
 A great day in the City! And a big thank you to Georgie - you have been a star!
 

Mice Log Star Date 72 - Hail Hail Hail



15 Miles including hailstones. 19.6 mph max and on the Brommie.  In just two days have I become a hardened commuter?  No, me thinks not! But despite yesterdays arctic conditions I was a bit stunned to find myself out on the bike in freezing conditions again in the rush hour. 
 Looking for a coffee in Islington I found the perfect cappuccino answer in the Holloway Road. I will be back! But I was distracted.

My wardrobe featured Merino, Goretex and Ultura jacket along with a Max Mara skirt and padded jacket which were perfect apart from one small (actually not small at all) problem. 
Because it was so cold, I had pedalled like billio and by the time I reached Islington I was sweating like a sweating-something.  Remembering a tip from a friend, once at my destination I bolted into the Ladies and removed my two Merino tops, used one to dry my torso and arms and then put the rest of my tops back on but not the Merinos.  My legs were fine. 

Bleurkkk!! Had I fallen into the office commuter trap?  Is this the real world of speedy commuting without shower facilities?  Is this one of the fundamental issues that puts people off cycling to work?  Well it would certainly be one of them if I had to work in an office all day after arriving in a sweaty mess.

My solution, however, is to keep the ride as a pootle (a gentle amble) and not pedal like a speedster (or attempted speedster in my case).  This means it is still possible to have all the benefits of cycling but not turn into a smelly, (the word manky comes to mind) stale-sweaty employee.   Yuk!!
Feeling a bit more presentable and with a meeting over I headed to Look Mum No Hands in Old Street.  It was a bit warmer outside so I didn't need to pedal too fast.

  
Then on to Marylebone.  In hail! Yes hail - big nasty hailstones.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  This later changed to snow and sleet.  What is going on??