I may, in the spring, once my knee of gubbage is back to normal, cycle to my yoga class of an evening. Just need to figure out stowage of the yoga mat! My single wheel trailer would be a bit overkill though..... ;D
Wait, does this mean we're going to have to come up with a new name for the geesey cut-through at the end of Raddlebarn Farm Drive?
Wait, does this mean we're going to have to come up with a new name for the geesey cut-through at the end of Raddlebarn Farm Drive?
You mean the one that used to be pretty much my drive?
(I used to live in one of the maisonettes at the very end of Raddlebarn Farm Drive and backed onto the canal.
Roll it up and strap it horizontally across the rack? Should get you loads of overtaking room (just watch out for anti-cyclist bollards).
....... However, I am reduced to reporting "utility" rides.
Wait, does this mean we're going to have to come up with a new name for the geesey cut-through at the end of Raddlebarn Farm Drive?
You mean the one that used to be pretty much my drive?
(I used to live in one of the maisonettes at the very end of Raddlebarn Farm Drive and backed onto the canal.
That's the one. Known in this house as "Basil's Commute", on account of being the shortest route between, well, you can probably guess...
I'll just leave this here: http://chasingmailboxes.com/2016/02/25/the-errandonnee-ride-or-run-and-get-stuff-done/
Personal Care
Personal Business
You carried WHAT on your bike (or back)?! (Thanks to Rachel C. for this suggestion!)
Arts and Entertainment
Non-Store Errand
Social Call (includes restaurants, coffee, and other social activities)
Work or Volunteering
Store (includes bike shop, running store, grocery store, etc. You know, a store.)
Wild Card (surprise me!)
I'll just leave this here: http://chasingmailboxes.com/2016/02/25/the-errandonnee-ride-or-run-and-get-stuff-done/
I have a problem with the "controls" listed:
QuotePersonal Care
Personal Business
You carried WHAT on your bike (or back)?! (Thanks to Rachel C. for this suggestion!)
Arts and Entertainment
Non-Store Errand
Social Call (includes restaurants, coffee, and other social activities)
Work or Volunteering
Store (includes bike shop, running store, grocery store, etc. You know, a store.)
Wild Card (surprise me!)
My life isn't that exciting!
I did a utility trip to Church and back wivva floot anna music Stan on Sunday. Does that count?
Less than a mile in total, I should think.
@Oscar's Dad: cool bike, cool pics. Despite sticking mega-capacity panniers on my mirror toting tourer, you've way outgunned me on the utility stakes.
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l160/stevenr_01/Mobile%20Uploads/FullSizeRender_zpsk104mmvm.jpg)
The conference call I'm listening into is well dull so here are some photos from my recent utilitarian adventures ...
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l160/stevenr_01/Mobile%20Uploads/FullSizeRender_zps5icj7vi0.jpg)
[img width=480
Does going to the postbox count?
second ride of the morning, fatbike this time on 1" of snow :P
In January I bought a bike specifically for utility cycling, here is Penelope the Pashley Pronto (eBay - £135 :thumbsup: ) ...
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l160/stevenr_01/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-01/A238B632-3FA8-4795-AC05-4858141F37BA_zps2fabgnad.jpg)
You need to contact fruitcake for some of those wonderful trouser straps. Far better than clips IME.
Does going to the postbox count?
second ride of the morning, fatbike this time on 1" of snow :P
Snow! I'm so jealous.
My usual Tuesday trip to twins club in the bakfiets - really felt my lack of miles in the legs, and had to stop for a breather at the top of a couple of climbs.
Back wheel definitely wrong. I think I need to get my trueing spanner out again and try and fix the bodge I obviously managed last time :( It's not wonky (ie pringley) or lumpy (ie fifty pence coin) but I think the rim is shifted left in it's entirety. I know how to fix this. In theory. Maybe a job for tomorrow.
Bicycle Maintenance Tip: before you dismantle your bike and stared wielding spoke keys, check that the apparent misalignment isn't, in fact, due to a shifted mudguard probably knocked about by your Great Big Utility Cycling Panniers. :thumbsup:
Everything works now.
Just need to remove bike, tools, dirt, and oily marks from thekitchenindoor heated workshop before anyone gets home ;D
A run to Roehampton to drop a package off. Managed to include a lap of Richmond Park. It's nice out there, and no numpties.Ooo yes. And this was preceded by a run to the dentist to accompany mini-h there.
Into Wimbledon to buy a combination lock for the MiL.
Into Wimbledon to buy a combination lock for the MiL.
Nah, I'd get a decent shackle - she'll guess the combination eventually.
Does it count as utility if you're going out to chatter, eat biscuits and drink tea/coffee/beer with cycling bods, but there's no actual social riding involved?
Buying beer counts as shopping, right? Wetherspoons is a supermarket chain, isn't it? :)
*cowers meekly*
*in a utilitarian fashion*
Man, those murals are good. And terribly sad. Schoolkids, eh? Amazing. Hope the local Mayor gives them a good star or something.
BTW, cycling to the pub or other social event defo qualifies IMO. It would only be non utility of you then went for a ride together. And wearing civvies is essential to remove any doubt.
... And I was def in civvies.
I was going to say I bet your daft woolly hat isn't as daft as mine, but then I remembered I was addressing the custodian of the Musky Reindeer Pelt of Destiny... :D
Wow, that looks like Borneo or something. I thought you lived in Hampshire!
What!!! I'm going up north next week. You mean I have to take fruit with me? I can't just pluck it from trees?
What!!! I'm going up north next week. You mean I have to take fruit with me? I can't just pluck it from trees?
Depending on where you're going, be advised that some parts of the North, that they have now, worship the aubergine.
I can assure you I won't be getting back on a bike until I'm home in Blighty. It's horribly unpleasant here. I was tricked by the large number of locals I'd seen riding around and reckoned a short utility ride would be just like home (but with a few more falling coconuts to dodge).
Trick with sand is to use somebody else's mountain bike.
With the exception of my foray to foreign parts, my contributions to this thread are turning out to be as dull as I initially feared.I've seen exactly the same in Belgium. In Liege, in fact, which seemed a city I do not want to return to, but my opinion might be jaundiced by our having arrived there at the end of a long day driving and getting completely lost in the city.
Today's report: 1 mile (total) to the village and back. Two fellow utilitarian adventurers (unemployed pub goers, I suspect) and about seven "cyclists".
First ride of the month and some warm Spring sun albeit with a backdrop of dark cloud towering to the West.
Further observations of riding abroad: an awful lot of utility riders. Girls with sun brollies, chaps with kids in tow, and blokes with half a tonne of bananas precariously aboard. Everything rusty and unoiled and a variety of home constructed trailers. Impressed. Also, around the towns, a fair few lycra-d roadies and MTB-ers. I am awed at their ability to do climbs (or the flat, even) in that unbearable heat. I also saw the utility types riding in rush hour (and it is a rush - total whacky races) in darkness - it was unnerving to even watch. The only lights I saw were on a lycra-d, serious looking commuter - and those were both white fore and aft.
Anyway, I'm back in the saddle in the UK and loving both!
Today I need to acquire a cauliflower (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/baked-cauliflower-pizzaiola).If you avoid morning rush hour and the school run, it's a whole new world out there.
I'll be riding the same roads as my old commute but utility riding really is a different kettle of fish. I can choose to miss the traffic. I can decide to wait out the rain. I could even head in the other direction to another cauliflower shop. Or go tomorrow. I sort of miss the "it's 0600 and you're going, come hell or high water" commute discipline. Sort of.
Don't do what I did t'other day though, and and take a Aldi shopping basket out of the door to take your groceries to your panniers.........unless you like the sound of alarm bells going off....
Today I need to acquire a cauliflower (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/baked-cauliflower-pizzaiola).Somewhat disappointed. I always thought of you as the kind of chap who would just walk in to the garden and pick from the vast variety of veg growing there. Or at least pay the deputy under-gardener to do it.
Today I need to acquire a cauliflower (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/baked-cauliflower-pizzaiola).Somewhat disappointed. I always thought of you as the kind of chap who would just walk in to the garden and pick from the vast variety of veg growing there. Or at least pay the deputy under-gardener to do it.
Forget to mention Interesting Sights.
In the hazy distance I saw the French Navy invading Gosport. If my ship recog skills haven't faded too much, their amphibious support vessel, Dixmude and a frigate or two were sending their landing craft ashore. Fortunately, BULWARK and other RN vessels were keeping them company. I think it was an exercise of the UK-French rapid deployment force. They had a good day for it - flat calm and almost sunny.
Forget to mention Interesting Sights.
In the hazy distance I saw the French Navy invading Gosport. If my ship recog skills haven't faded too much, their amphibious support vessel, Dixmude and a frigate or two were sending their landing craft ashore. Fortunately, BULWARK and other RN vessels were keeping them company. I think it was an exercise of the UK-French rapid deployment force. They had a good day for it - flat calm and almost sunny.
My ex served on the previous Bulwark (R08). Somewhere I might have a bit of her decommissioning pennant. Most likely it went in the bin though.
Four mile round trip to drop some forgotten homework off at mini-h's school. When will he learn ??
Very conscious of that effect.Four mile round trip to drop some forgotten homework off at mini-h's school. When will he learn ??
Probably depends how often you bail him out!
Very conscious of that effect.Four mile round trip to drop some forgotten homework off at mini-h's school. When will he learn ??
Probably depends how often you bail him out!
Forget to mention Interesting Sights.
In the hazy distance I saw the French Navy invading Gosport. If my ship recog skills haven't faded too much, their amphibious support vessel, Dixmude and a frigate or two were sending their landing craft ashore. Fortunately, BULWARK and other RN vessels were keeping them company. I think it was an exercise of the UK-French rapid deployment force. They had a good day for it - flat calm and almost sunny.
My ex served on the previous Bulwark (R08). Somewhere I might have a bit of her decommissioning pennant. Most likely it went in the bin though.
I'd not imagined you as Navy wife/girlfriend!
Cycled to the Beach retail centre on Sunday to get some cat food. I was going to drive and pick up some cat litter (not urgent) at the same time but I'm glad I didn't - traffic mayhem :hand: 6.3km :thumbsup:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1451/25705301484_718a70d961_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Fauozb)
IMG_6495_02 (https://flic.kr/p/Fauozb) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
popping home at lunchtime to get some weed
Does popping home at lunchtime to get some weed out of the pond count as commuting or utilitarian?
As for comfort, what's the matter? Is it something that might be solved relatively easily by eg new saddle or playing around with bars?
After 3 months I no longer need to make my order as Pancho brings my pint of chilled beer immediately with a bowl of crisps and some olives.
What really amuses me about that is the idea of "an aero tuck" on a Bakfiets!
50km of heavily loaded touring to deliver some brake blocks. That counts, right? ;)
Again managed not to acquire any extra bikes.Is this a common problem? Its not one I have been warned (up to now) to watch out for.
I need better legs, a more resilient bum, and stronger wrists.My wife kicked me in the fork when I said that to her!
Return from abandoning the car in Eccles since some **** has cross threaded the wheel nut >:(
Return from abandoning the car in Eccles since some **** has cross threaded the wheel nut >:(
Do you always carry a bike, lifeboat-style?
I'm not sure it counts as strictly utilitarian when you clearly took the trailer purely for the LOLs.
Does this count? I got a lift into town yesterday to collect my commute/cross thingy from the LBS. Store owner absolutely loved it, raved about it the whole time I was there and has ordered a frame to build one for himself. Blimey.
London riding was wonderful. The most benign and courteous drivers I've experienced in years of riding. I suppose they're just used to cyclists - whereas round here, when drivers see a bike on the road they think "What the fuck's that on the road? Is it dangerous? Hell, I'll run it over just to be on the safe side".Curiously, a couple of days ago I was in a "community cycling cafe/workshop" in Bristol and got into conversation with someone who'd just moved to Bristol from London and was saying (in addition to the fact that a single-speed worked fine in London but is not so good for Bristol) that the drivers were much more considerate in central London. My only experience of cycling in London is a short time early on a Saturday morning, so probably not particularly representative even if it were long enough to form an opinion.
London riding was wonderful. The most benign and courteous drivers I've experienced in years of riding. I suppose they're just used to cyclists - whereas round here, when drivers see a bike on the road they think "What the fuck's that on the road? Is it dangerous? Hell, I'll run it over just to be on the safe side".Curiously, a couple of days ago I was in a "community cycling cafe/workshop" in Bristol and got into conversation with someone who'd just moved to Bristol from London and was saying (in addition to the fact that a single-speed worked fine in London but is not so good for Bristol) that the drivers were much more considerate in central London. My only experience of cycling in London is a short time early on a Saturday morning, so probably not particularly representative even if it were long enough to form an opinion.
London riding was wonderful. The most benign and courteous drivers I've experienced in years of riding. I suppose they're just used to cyclists - whereas round here, when drivers see a bike on the road they think "What the fuck's that on the road? Is it dangerous? Hell, I'll run it over just to be on the safe side".Curiously, a couple of days ago I was in a "community cycling cafe/workshop" in Bristol and got into conversation with someone who'd just moved to Bristol from London and was saying (in addition to the fact that a single-speed worked fine in London but is not so good for Bristol) that the drivers were much more considerate in central London. My only experience of cycling in London is a short time early on a Saturday morning, so probably not particularly representative even if it were long enough to form an opinion.
I wouldn't say they're more considerate, just more accepting.
(and had a nap while I was grinding up the hills, the ingrates...)
Parked up (on double yellows[1]) directly outside the butcher. Who quizzed me about my Brooks saddle, Caradice panniers, and butterfly bars. I'd never had him down as a bikie before but he seemed pretty knowledgeable about such things. I'll ask him next time I'm there.The butcher knows about Brooks saddles because they are made of beef!
Took the trailer to Mr Sainsbury's emporium of toothy comestibles. Loaded it up with fruit juice, tins, jars, rice and other ballast. Noticed the trailer tyres now looking rather BSOish. Dug out the Cyclaire and started groping about for something to extract the thingy for conversion to Poxy Schrader Valve mode. Found a CO2 inflator lurking in the bag from the last MTB ride. Used that instead. Got laughed at by fellow cyclist for still being there when he returned from the shops. "You might as well have used the car." he said. "Yeahbut I can park this in my front room, rather than halfway up the street and have to carry everything." said I.
40-50 kilos strikes me as a lot. But, I've never actually thought about it before.
As I don't usually fill the trailer with low density bog roll but do usually fill it, I suppose I can't be far off. Particularly as the cheap Chinese gaspipe trailer itself weighs 17kg (well, that's what Amazon said - but, now I type it, it can't be true; can it?). Maybe I shouldn't be too disappointed that I'm wearing myself out despite lack of hills.
I'm hoping to get some touring in soon and will be pulling the trailer around. As the South Downs lie between me and, well, everywhere, I need to get some load lugging in my legs you see.
"Keep the receipt, it might look like a Snap On but it's not."
Sustrans work
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160630/8aa9be27474176eddd8549ded8f20344.jpg)
Which Sustrans path is that, by the way?
Either way, it has an engine and the exhaust is pointing in the right direction (psst I think he's cheating)
Welcome to the forum HC!
Rig the mower sideways and fall off :o ;D, or will you fit stabilisers :)
Scrumpy? :)
I've heard of that one too. Seems like a lot of hard work and late hours unless it's a decent bike and your fence can handle bike bling.It was a very ordinary hybrid but almost brand new – thought I wouldn't have spotted that if she hadn't said so. But that's just the type of bike that's easy to dispose of through Gumtree or Cash Converters. >:(
But then I'm a fine upstanding pillar of the communitySplortle!
The posts from my Farewell thread should've been in here. I'll post my utilitarian rides here.
Offies are so damned hard to find.
Now, now, Jock - you've neglected to mention the objective of the trip. To qualify as a Utilitarian Adventure rather than a Frivolous Jolly, you need to have ridden on some humble errand or to have done something of great import along the way. We're fairly forgiving, however - a pint in the pub en route would probably do. Provided, of course, that any enjoyment whilst cycling was merely incidental and not sole purpose of outing!
Went into New Malden to buy a cheap toilet seat from the DIY place there. Awkard fun carrying it back.
Went into New Malden to buy a cheap toilet seat from the DIY place there. Awkard fun carrying it back.
I'm going to check the "I carried this on my bicycle" thread, and if there isn't a photo of you riding a bike with a toilet seat round your neck I'm going to be bitterly disappointed...
It was alright. I just carried it under my arm. Quicker than going by car. It was light, cheap and temporary as we're rebuilding bath next month.
It was alright. I just carried it under my arm. Quicker than going by car. It was light, cheap and temporary as we're rebuilding bath next month.
Wot? The whole city?
Our pootle on Saturday turned into a visit to the cheese shop after a spectacular p*nc**re fairy visit.
Yesterday I cycled two miles to Evans in Kingston to buy a new set of chainring bolts. Shop wasn't sure if the only set they had ins tock were the right size and asked me to bring a knackered one in for them to double-check. I said I would do this today.??? :o
I cycled the long way 928 miles) back home via the Thames towpath and Richmond Park.
It was spitting but warm.
Yesterday I cycled two miles to Evans in Kingston to buy a new set of chainring bolts. Shop wasn't sure if the only set they had ins tock were the right size and asked me to bring a knackered one in for them to double-check. I said I would do this today.??? :o
I cycled the long way 928 miles) back home via the Thames towpath and Richmond Park.
It was spitting but warm.
To village. Still 1 mile total. Posted socks to Darkest Peru.
It's an exchange of essentials. Pancho sends socks, knitted by his own fair hands out of Good English Sheep's Wool, and receives marmalade, made out of Good Peruvian Oranges by Wowbagger's Aunt Lucy.
To village. Still 1 mile total. Posted socks to Darkest Peru.
Do they not have socks in Peru?
The habit of making and eating marmalade in Peru was started by Wowbagger's Great Aunt Lucy who emigrated there for reasons which it's still not done to discuss (especially in the hearing of officers of the law, the inland revenue or the clergy) at a date so long ago it is lost in the mists of time.It's an exchange of essentials. Pancho sends socks, knitted by his own fair hands out of Good English Sheep's Wool, and receives marmalade, made out of Good Peruvian Oranges by Wowbagger's Aunt Lucy.
Which brings to mind a problem I always had with Paddington (the bear not the railway station). How did he get a taste for marmalade in Peru? As far as I am aware marmalade is only found in Britain and possibly countries that used to be part of the British Empire.
A short, slow trundle near the university in Ratchaburi to check out the start of tomorrow's 300 brevet, to see the monkeys in the local park, check out the local market and to get a roadside dinner.
Those panniers are very pretty.
You live in a fairy tale, Pancho. Who can compete with that?
I was.
A few days off, spent in Whitstable.
Boarding the train in London (Bromley) is ok - but by the time train had gone through the Medway towns it was rammed to the gunnels / standing room only - so anyone with a full size bike, push chair, windbreak etc was persona non grata.
Also on weekends like the one just gone, the main road through Whitstable is mostly a car park - so a bike makes a lot of sense - even to Whitstable residents, like my friend Clare, who has seen the value of having a serviceable bike to get around her car encumbered small town (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=99186.msg2072866#msg2072866).
I declined a lift from another friend's house to their beach hut while I was there - a distance of just over a mile. I took the keys to the hut, and was there on my own for about 45 minutes while they sat in their car - their 6yo son couldn't understand why anyone would want to cycle when they were being offered a lift in a car :(
Does going to a bbq count? If so three bikes and the Burley trailer with team member number four in it did the about mile to mates bbc. Weather took a turn for worse so borrowed mates jacket and squeezed eldest into Burley bee ignored weight limit and appreciated tail wind and downhil.l
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8491/29708591136_b59b606ef1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Mgfi7y)What colour?
IMG_7515_01 (https://flic.kr/p/Mgfi7y) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8491/29708591136_b59b606ef1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Mgfi7y)What colour?
IMG_7515_01 (https://flic.kr/p/Mgfi7y) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Scrap that, I was thinking it was paint. :facepalm:
I don't think I need a deep purple shed door.
I don't think I need a deep purple shed door.
I don't think I need a deep purple shed door.
<Drums fingers waiting for someone to post an image of a shed door with Deep Purple album cover artwork on it>
I do like that purple handlebar tape, very fetching!
Purple bar tape is the One True Way. :thumbsup:
Purplebar tapeeverything is the One True Way. :thumbsup:
Cycled into Cambridge to pick up new spectacles and reminded myself just how pants the route is for cycles from Trumpington to the too-small bike park at the Grand Arcade. Consoled myself by imagining the running commentary of my bell.
Cycled into Cambridge to pick up new spectacles and reminded myself just how pants the route is for cycles from Trumpington to the too-small bike park at the Grand Arcade. Consoled myself by imagining the running commentary of my bell.
what??? the guided bus way to the railway station then backroads across mill road through to norfolk street, stop for a coffee at the deli (hot numbers' coffee seems to have taken a turn for the worse) then wiggle through to the bike racks outside the unspeakable cath kid5on shop. Do the shopping then get 250 grams of bliss from the coffee man, a bunch of flowers from the stall beside him then head home via hobsons conduit and the much better cycleway out of town to trumpton. Lovely adventure.
Cycled into Cambridge to pick up new spectacles and reminded myself just how pants the route is for cycles from Trumpington to the too-small bike park at the Grand Arcade. Consoled myself by imagining the running commentary of my bell.
what??? the guided bus way to the railway station then backroads across mill road through to norfolk street, stop for a coffee at the deli (hot numbers' coffee seems to have taken a turn for the worse) then wiggle through to the bike racks outside the unspeakable cath kid5on shop. Do the shopping then get 250 grams of bliss from the coffee man, a bunch of flowers from the stall beside him then head home via hobsons conduit and the much better cycleway out of town to trumpton. Lovely adventure.
+1 to deli and coffee man at the market, but the route in is a disaster IMO...
Come over the M11 on the new cycleway - all fine. This dumps you out at the entry to park and ride. Cycleway signs to Shelfords and Addenbrooke's, no signs for City Centre. Take the bus road through the Park and Ride car park, use local knowledge to navigate roundabout (mainly used by coaches) to entry to guided busway (note: total absense of signage from new traffic lights with regards to how to get to station/city centre on bike). Or follow the cycle path (well, foothpath with token blue sign) up over the staggered ped/cycle crossings at the new development (maximum cycle inconvenience), past Waitrose (again, you either mix it with the traffic on the roads or spend ages waiting for pedestrians on the pavements), fight past the Shell garage until you finally get to the decent stretch of cycle way which does whisk you into town.
You're right that the guided busway to the station and then up across Parker's Piece is the better option though - I had been avoiding that because of the chaos at the station. What gets my goat is that the P&R,new housing and Guided Busway are all new developments and could/should have been planned to maximise cycle/pedestrian flowthrough; instead we have maximum inconveinence (staggered crossings so you have to wait for two sets of lights to cross a road, one for each lane), no signage and non-obvious routes.
On a totally unrelated note, do you know how the coffee is at Relevant Records?
All my shopping and stuff for the whole of September came to a grand total of... 61km! omigodhoweverdoistandthearduosityWhereas 50km in one week now, just cos of a few trips to ye pubbe and some different shoppes. Moste randome.
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5719/30593538212_8d74944180_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NBrT3L)
It's from Ikea, so bulky but light.
The pictures are only there to give a false sense of security to logical thinkers. It's actually a DIY ABBA kit. It's a lucky dip: you never know whether you're going to get Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn or Anni-Frid. In fact, this one turned out to be the drummer from Ace of Bass.
An 18-pack of toilet rolls will just about fit into a Super C pannier. Next time I'll try to remember the bungees.
1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161111/8ed70ec28ebbc83d8946389b27e45913.jpg)
More importantly, what's the bike's cruising speed if you use the thing as a thruster?
1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161111/8ed70ec28ebbc83d8946389b27e45913.jpg)
Is that cycle route 24?
1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161111/8ed70ec28ebbc83d8946389b27e45913.jpg)
Is that cycle route 24?
Superior observational skills 100% correct. Between the bridge at Black Batch and the little slope up to Paglinch Farm.
1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161111/8ed70ec28ebbc83d8946389b27e45913.jpg)
Is that cycle route 24?
Superior observational skills 100% correct. Between the bridge at Black Batch and the little slope up to Paglinch Farm.
Not super observation skills. Last Friday I rode past someone blowing the leaves with just your setup when riding to the Audax UK reunion in Taunton. Saw your post and thought what are the chances? I had a big red saddlebag on the bike and green bar tape.
Delivered turkey for host to cook for thanksgiving. Was mighty glad to get that out rucksack!
Went to buy some beer this morning. Offie only a 100 metres awayDefinitely utility
but route took me on a 31 mile detour via Thames towpath and Richmond Park....and adventure! :D
Many bags of christmas rubbish to the municipal tip, plus junk from clearing some boxes. Felt smug and sorry for the people queuing in cars for the tip; there is a special bit for bike/pedestrians, although they don't mean it for people with trailers like mine. I filled an entire bin with waste, then half a bin with electrical waste, then there was the cardboard . . .
I nipped into town for the Scouts' St George's Day parade, and thought of Pancho and his utilitarian adventures. Then I realised I was riding my bendy bike that I bought off Jogler and thought of him too.It is my sister's 60th tomorrow and amongst the cake and bubbles today we were trying to figure out why the Polak scouts always did a big thing on Big G's day - I reckoned it was because of patron saint-ness - it looks like I was right - and also I get to celebrate as Polaks generally do name days rather than birthdays and my name translates as..... George.
I nipped into town for the Scouts' St George's Day parade, and thought of Pancho and his utilitarian adventures. Then I realised I was riding my bendy bike that I bought off Jogler and thought of him too.It is my sister's 60th tomorrow and amongst the cake and bubbles today we were trying to figure out why the Polak scouts always did a big thing on Big G's day - I reckoned it was because of patron saint-ness - it looks like I was right - and also I get to celebrate as Polaks generally do name days rather than birthdays and my name translates as..... George.
Doubtless they'll have been doing their own ting, antisocial lot ;)I nipped into town for the Scouts' St George's Day parade, and thought of Pancho and his utilitarian adventures. Then I realised I was riding my bendy bike that I bought off Jogler and thought of him too.It is my sister's 60th tomorrow and amongst the cake and bubbles today we were trying to figure out why the Polak scouts always did a big thing on Big G's day - I reckoned it was because of patron saint-ness - it looks like I was right - and also I get to celebrate as Polaks generally do name days rather than birthdays and my name translates as..... George.
Ooh, that reminds me. We've got a Polish troop in our town, but they're run separately to the regular scouts. Didn't see them at today's do, perhaps they cooked Polish sausages over their own fire.
Excellent. Let's hope this is the start of lifelong trend for small, talkative menthel – even when he's big, taciturn menthel! :D
Excellent. Let's hope this is the start of lifelong trend for small, talkative menthel – even when he's big, taciturn menthel! :D
He thinks of himself as a cyclist, always has- even before he could ride a bike! But then he was carried on Mrs menthel's bike from a very young age. And to be fair to him he managed the 12km each way to Barnes wetlands centre at the weekend, including some tricky (as in scared the hell out of me having to look after him!) road sections. I think he will do alright on his bike. ;)
Mile and a bit each way to the post office, with the boy in the seat. Took a bit of convincing to get him on after he pulled the bike on top of him whilst I was getting ready :-[
Excellent. Let's hope this is the start of lifelong trend for small, talkative menthel – even when he's big, taciturn menthel! :D
He thinks of himself as a cyclist, always has- even before he could ride a bike! But then he was carried on Mrs menthel's bike from a very young age. And to be fair to him he managed the 12km each way to Barnes wetlands centre at the weekend, including some tricky (as in scared the hell out of me having to look after him!) road sections. I think he will do alright on his bike. ;)
Indeed! They have done it again a few times now. I also scoped out a potential route for when we move (hopefully!) so that he will have to go twice as far!
Cool. :thumbsup:
Inspection of what? Were you inspecting or being inspected?Inspecting a local construction site - my job.
Rode a Sadiq Cycle from Waterloo to King's Cross this afternoon. Not very economical as my rail ticket already included the tube, much more satisfying though.I did the same journey on Tuesday and the reverse on Wednesday also with a perfectly good drain ticket in my pocket. I was on a folder which is merely quite heavy and flexible rather than the depleted uranium hire option. Enjoyed it on the way north, encountered a couple of minor league MMs on the way south but still enjoyed it.
That was eventful then! I hope your bruises are minimal and heal quickly. I'm glad I'm not the only person with calendar confusion on occcasion.
List of things that don't work properly in the cold:I'll add one to that list:
- Fingers
- Lungs
- Elastomer trailer hitches
- Phaart rear lights with dubious vintage 7dayshop NiMH cells
- Photochromic glasses
And I'll add another after yesterday:List of things that don't work properly in the cold:I'll add one to that list:
- Fingers
- Lungs
- Elastomer trailer hitches
- Phaart rear lights with dubious vintage 7dayshop NiMH cells
- Photochromic glasses
- Brain.
But that might be a personal one.
Yes. I am, as you will have realised, the epitome of fashion and sartorial elegance.
A horse made from saws? That's never going to work. First sight of a plastic bag flapping in a hedge and it's Texas Chainsaw Massacre time... :D
Half a mile up the road to the local bread man for a loaf of sourdough, some Chelsea buns, and a pot of local honey. Windy and blooming freezing, though I dodged the rain.One of the best possible utilitarian adventures.
And original goggles were found 20 minutes laterBut of course !
.You live in a castle?
All had to be dragged out of the loft & carried down 8 flights of stairs.
.You live in a castle?
All had to be dragged out of the loft & carried down 8 flights of stairs.
The wife and kids were out for afternoon and the wife is going out afterwards so a lovely 25km amble to get the girls and the car. Added in a visit to the local zero waste store to get our washing liquid refilled. I try to cycle there or make sure its included in a route someone else as the irony of burning diesel/petrol to save a bit of packing isn't lost on me.
Where is this "local zero waste store" of which you speak???
The one I went to is at Tiptree. Google reco Tiptree. Apparently there is also one in Maldon
Quaxinghttps://road.cc/content/news/269499-live-blog-freeman-lawyer-loses-attempt-have-case-thrown-out-quaxing-work-starts
For those who don’t know, ‘to quax’ means to shop by means of walking, cycling or public transit.
The word comes from the spectacularly-named Dick Quax, who won a silver medal for New Zealand in the 5,000m at the 1976 Olympics and who later became a politician.
In January 2015, Quax tweeted his disbelief that anyone in the Western world would go shopping by means of "walking, cycling, or public transit."
It was a hastag on the twitterwebs for a while. Many pleasing photos of bikes carrying Stuff.Oh wow. I haven't read this thread for ages, and I come back to find this:
Cor, it's still going: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23quaxing
Digging that saddle! :thumbsup:
Just had a short ride in the teeth of a gale to the local tip with a load of tree clippings. When I 'phoned yesterday to ask if it was ok to come by bike, they were a bit bolshy, but today, all very friendly and helpful. They seemed amazed to see someone on a bike with a car load of rubbish on a trailer! Oh, the excitement we find in small things after two months of lockdown!
On Friday myself and Penelope the Pashley Pronto were dispatched to Morrisons for polenta, flowers and other lockdown staples. Whilst queuing to get into the shop I noticed they had some nice looking plants so I telephoned The Current Mrs R to describe what was available and seek advice on what to buy. TCMR furnished me with her views but then said "But you can't buy any plants cos we don't have any compost and you're on your bike."I'll raise you:
I inwardly bristled and had Penelope heard she'd of been outraged as well >:( From memory we came home with the following (NB I only had one Ortlieb Back Roller pannier with me):
2 x 4 pints of milk
2 x pack of sausages
1 x pack ready made polenta (I should have purchased the unready made stuff ::-) )
1 x bunch of flowers
1 x pack of grapes
6 x teaspoons
4 x plants (some multi plug trays)
1 x bag of compost
Potentially a few other small items I can't recall
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49883004567_412abf864d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iZZrmT)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49883004527_3f7815f2da_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iZZrmc)
Smug we were ;D
Just had a short ride in the teeth of a gale to the local tip with a load of tree clippings. When I 'phoned yesterday to ask if it was ok to come by bike, they were a bit bolshy, but today, all very friendly and helpful. They seemed amazed to see someone on a bike with a car load of rubbish on a trailer! Oh, the excitement we find in small things after two months of lockdown!
Always better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.
Well done for a trip to the local tip being a 'short ride'. Mine would be audax duration, if not distance.
Lifford lane are now booking time slots. Might even be worth it.
Well done for a trip to the local tip being a 'short ride'. Mine would be audax duration, if not distance.
The wife tonight. It's the excitement of our weekly shop and she had an after dinner baileys so hitched the burley bee onto her bike and she took the very short ride to lidl. Probably takes as long to get bike out through the strange shared access to our garden with the added width of the trailer then it did to actually cycle there but too much to carry in panniers or walking
The wife tonight. It's the excitement of our weekly shop and she had an after dinner baileys so hitched the burley bee onto her bike and she took the very short ride to lidl. Probably takes as long to get bike out through the strange shared access to our garden with the added width of the trailer then it did to actually cycle there but too much to carry in panniers or walking
Due to lack of space and lack of use I'm considering selling Penelope the Pashley Pronto so potentially no more utility cycling for me :'(
Due to lack of space and lack of use I'm considering selling Penelope the Pashley Pronto so potentially no more utility cycling for me :'(
I've sold the cream chariot that was my bakfiets, as my girls have outgrown it, so I've been considering a pint-sized shopping replacement...
..... pump positioning; it's under the top tube at the moment, which is fine while riding but a pain when lifting the bike, for instance to spin the front wheel ....Also has to be removed when the bike goes on the stand (e.g. for fitting mudguards) leading to me leaving it at home, only realised after 200kms, 70 to go and shops now shut, so no acquiring alternative..... luckily I got away with it.
Due to lack of space and lack of use I'm considering selling Penelope the Pashley Pronto so potentially no more utility cycling for me :'(
Due to lack of space and lack of use I'm considering selling Penelope the Pashley Pronto so potentially no more utility cycling for me :'(
You can go to the supermarket on any bike. My record is 31kg shopping on my Thorn. Its luggage carrying capacity is rated to (IIRC) 12kg on the back, 5kg on the front. Oh, and a rider of not more than 100kg.
*I think I'm getting towards the capacity limit of my Junior saddlebag (Barley without side pockets): lunch box, large thermos flask, two(!!) maps, tools, headtorch, and one of those folding foam mats for sitting on wet grass and mud. A larger lunch box (it was dal) would require the Cadet.And today I exceeded the capacity of one Super C pannier in a visit to Lidl. Had to strap the bread (I hate supermarket bread but the boy likes it for toast) and one or two other items on top of the rack. £20, 16kg, "Lidl is the best" he said (he rates their "ChocoNussa" brand above Nutella). Traffic on the Gloucester Rd on the way back was such that literally nothing with more than two wheels was moving, which was its own brand of satisfying.
Did shopping on the fixed yesterday. Pretty sure my lungs will just give up, submit to my iron will, and start working properly again if I keep forcing the issue. Hauling two panniers full of ice cream and various other sundries back home into a headwind will do me the world of good, I'm sure.Last time I had two panniers of shopping on the fixed the rear brake decided that ... no, that's it, f- you. With the start/stop and messing about with pedal orientation I never fixed the rear rack.
Today, discretion proved the better part of valour, so I walked the 2 and change miles to the farm shop and back.
I have to say Lidl bread is several leagues ahead of any other supermarket bread I've ever had. Yes, that includes Waitrose and M&S. Even the sliced stuff is edible.*I think I'm getting towards the capacity limit of my Junior saddlebag (Barley without side pockets): lunch box, large thermos flask, two(!!) maps, tools, headtorch, and one of those folding foam mats for sitting on wet grass and mud. A larger lunch box (it was dal) would require the Cadet.And today I exceeded the capacity of one Super C pannier in a visit to Lidl. Had to strap the bread (I hate supermarket bread but the boy likes it for toast) and one or two other items on top of the rack. £20, 16kg, "Lidl is the best" he said (he rates their "ChocoNussa" brand above Nutella). Traffic on the Gloucester Rd on the way back was such that literally nothing with more than two wheels was moving, which was its own brand of satisfying.
Last time I had two panniers of shopping on the fixed the rear brake decided that ... no, that's it, f- you. With the start/stop and messing about with pedal orientation I never fixed the rear rack.
With the wicker basket, it does kind of look like you've got a very small hot air balloon...
I tagged to journey on Strava with the same photo and someone said it looked like the openning scene in an episode of Casualty.
But at least having both panniers provides a more stable platform for the 100-pack* of bog roll lashed to the top of the rack.
*24 actually.
Re your building supplies photo, did you take the clamps with you, or were they a cunning afterthought? Terrific picture!
its slightly mad when people drive (normally big middle class SUV type vehicles) to refill/zero waste shops burning way more unprocessed plastic then they will saveFile under the same logic as those who vote Green Party then drive home in a two ton four-wheel drive then fly to Barbados for a holiday.
lol ;DBut at least having both panniers provides a more stable platform for the 100-pack* of bog roll lashed to the top of the rack.
*24 actually.
Get well soon, Cudzo.
On the trip out yesterday I bought milk, plumbing fittings and 40 litres of Diesel.
Local council made sure that I had a 5 minute punishment delay for keeping out of the car and out of the way of other cars:-
(https://mtrak.co.uk/pictures/accessible.JPG)
On the trip out yesterday I bought milk, plumbing fittings and 40 litres of Diesel.Couldn't get a double pram through there. Probably struggle with a wheelchair too.
Local council made sure that I had a 5 minute punishment delay for keeping out of the car and out of the way of other cars:-
(https://mtrak.co.uk/pictures/accessible.JPG)
Those A-gate barriers are another reason people prefer e-scooters.
I usually bring the panniers into the supermarket in order to have something to pack the shopping into. That said, I do occasionally leave one pannier with nothing in it (well, maybe a couple of bungees and an inner tube) attached to the bike when visiting shops that don't have trolleys, so as not to have my hands full.On Friday, outside Lidl again, I had a conversation with a bod from Bristol City Council about this! Although he was just in the role of fellow cycle-borne shopper (I've no idea what his job is but he had a BCC badge around his neck). He was of the "take panniers into the shop" persuasion, but said this was because he had "other items" in them. I don't exactly what, but he implied it was something more than just tools (laptop? top secret council documents? key to the mayor's personal toilet?)
My tools and pump[1] live in the pannier, so I don't have to worry about them. Dynamo lights mean they stay on the bike. Years ago I realised that the chances of someone nicking a bike computer were vanishingly small compared to the chances of me dropping one while wandering round a shop, so that stays attached too.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5xb1mqXIAU8TXT?format=jpg&name=large)They pictogram second from right: fish or flying bomb?
Riding back from the post office with this was a fun challenge. Amount of movement in the steering was limited. But I managed it. Was only 3km in the end anyway.
J
Trip to kings Norton tip on the Catrike. Recycling tetrapacks, two panniers full and then a full bin bag bungeed to the top of the rack. No worries on the ride and no bag emptying on my head. My one worry was that I had none of the id required (no driving license and all my bills are online paperless, so no proof of address) but they don’t check you when you go to recycling.
I thought that, but asking an employee to use common sense is always risky business.Trip to kings Norton tip on the Catrike. Recycling tetrapacks, two panniers full and then a full bin bag bungeed to the top of the rack. No worries on the ride and no bag emptying on my head. My one worry was that I had none of the id required (no driving license and all my bills are online paperless, so no proof of address) but they don’t check you when you go to recycling.
They've never asked me. Probably no need, because how far can anyone go on a bicycle?
Cycled not very far last night from our Air BnB to a friend's Big Birthday Party at the Science Oxford Centre.OOh! I was responsible for the installation of an exhibition at the SOC a few years ago .
Only a 5 minute cycle, so we only bothered with the bikes because walking that far would have meant I was o/s for the rest of the day.
It was however notable for one reason Mrs hatler used the gift from a recently departed uncle, an as-new Bickerton.
V cool. How long ago ? The sciencey bit of the centre is currently set up as an education centre for local primary schools. Was that you ?Cycled not very far last night from our Air BnB to a friend's Big Birthday Party at the Science Oxford Centre.OOh! I was responsible for the installation of an exhibition at the SOC a few years ago .
Only a 5 minute cycle, so we only bothered with the bikes because walking that far would have meant I was o/s for the rest of the day.
It was however notable for one reason Mrs hatler used the gift from a recently departed uncle, an as-new Bickerton.
It's amazing how the little trips add up. Shame I only tend note.the longer rides :)Bloody lycra louts tearing round Boots for their EPO!
Interestingly the security guard at boots in Slough let me ride the tricon gr around the store this afternoon. Twas rather fun. 😀
Trip to the new-ish local Aldi. Probably heaviest shop load to date. Old panniers a decent size - new lease of life, though they'd probably tell me they preferred cycle touring. Let's see how long they last.Bloody ungrateful cyclists, you install a nice row of bike racks (pretty ones too) and they go and lean their bikes against the wall!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52995821248_d63db04e7f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oK4rj1)PXL_saracen226 (https://flic.kr/p/2oK4rj1) by ao (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145942400@N06/), on Flickr
Sandals with socks :oI'm aiming for the cover of Vogue. I'm not stylish enough for Arrivee.
Sandals with socks :o
I'm not sure what a ring beard is. As I don't have a beard or wear a ring, it probably doesn't apply.