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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!

Wednesday 10 April 2013

One thing leads to another...



Mice  Log Star Date 100.  12.5 miles, Average speed 7.9, 16.2 max speed in 1hr 33 on the Brommie.

Last Saturdays ride home through Hyde Park with a friend using his Cyo R light really lit up both my mind and the Park in comparison to the ridiculously little battery powered beam I was using.

I have been considering a dynamo hub and light for my road bike so that I can do away with the hassle of recharging lights and batteries - let alone carrying spare lights and batteries on rides at night.  Top of my list are the Busch and Muller Cyo R light 

using either a Son or a Shimano Dh380 dynamo hub Apparently the extra effort involved in having a hub is teency in comparison to carrying the extra back-up batteries and paraphernalia.

The downside of a hub of course means a new wheel.  And if you buy a new wheel for the front do you need one for the back to match?  Bikes with the same amount of spokes in each wheel tend to look better but I shall see!  I am looking at having a rear light as well which isn't that expensive (£20 apparently) and can be powered from the front hub by cable.

This afternoon found me in  Bike Fix in Lambs Conduit Street London WC1.  They are a pretty relaxed sort of place - with a wide range of bicycles - and I say relaxed not least because their specialist subject is recumbent bikes!  

Whilst I was there the guy noticed that my pivot pin was very loose!  My eyes came out on stalks! "Yes, it is - it needs tightening rather urgently" I concurred!  At which point he gathered up some tools, removed the crank and duly tightened the pivot pin.  What excellent service I thought.  I will go back and have it looked at again, apparently it may need replacing.

He told me the owner of the shop had been at a Recumbent Day at Hillingdon on Sunday and had come third!!  Respect!

Later on in the afternoon, I was carrying my Brompton through a department store when I heard something drop and found that three pieces had fallen from my bike!  Not good. I worked out that they were from the front wheel attaching the clip to the frame when folded. As they hadn't fallen from somewhere important I put them in my pocket and carried on with my day.


Once home I put the question as to which order and which way round should they be on Cyclechat - the friendliest and most helpful gang of cyclists I have ever come across.  Within a minute I received reply with the answer.  Excellent!! A few more messages later and I had returned the items to the Brompton and all was well. 


More proof that the cycling fraternity is a very friendly place!  This even includes the comment from a friend of mine who is not just a very strong cyclist but who also taught me the importance of keeping bicycles clean.  Needless to say he noticed that the Brommie needs a clean. And it does!

As a sort of Post Script, seeing as it is Day100 of 2013, I see that I have cycled 1600 miles this year! 1600 miles!! That's 1,600 miles of fun, fun, fun on two wheels. How lucky am I?!

To all the fab peeps or rather friends who have led, laughed, accompanied and encouraged me on rides all over the place - thank you. Big time!  And it's only 10th April!