Utilitarian Adventures

[Cudzoziemiec]

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.

[Kim]

Humbug.

[HeltorChasca]

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.

Damn. Still laughing a day later.

[Cudzoziemiec]

An 18-pack of toilet rolls will just about fit into a Super C pannier. Next time I'll try to remember the bungees.

[MartinC]

An 18-pack of toilet rolls will just about fit into a Super C pannier. Next time I'll try to remember the bungees.

Goodness! I admire your courage in riding whilst inner turmoil rages to that extent.

[Jakob W]

Have felt slower this week on the nursery run - not sure whether it's been because of headwinds, legs, or drag somewhere on the bike - both the Nexus on the back and the dynohub on the front could do with a service, and I vaguely recall Nexus rollerbrakes can get draggy with time, but I really CBA to take a look right now.

Still haven't figured out clothing for this weather; I run hot and the run to nursery is mostly an uphill drag, so I tend to cook a bit - if not on the way, as soon as I get off the bike and have to herd toddlers inside. So far this week I've tried merino baselayer and old Aldi softshell - nice and warm but clammy (and is now a bit big); merino baselayer and merino zip-front sweater - breathes well but not windproof enough; baselayer, sweater, and windproof gilet - bit clammy; and baselayer, sweater, and windproof jacket - OK so long as it's unzipped on the climb.

[HeltorChasca]

1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.

[tom_e]

  Most excellent.

[SoreTween]

That is so far beyond effing cool it's popped out the other side into a parallel dimension

[Kim]

More importantly, what's the bike's cruising speed if you use the thing as a thruster?

[Phil W]

1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.

Is that cycle route 24?

[HeltorChasca]

More importantly, what's the bike's cruising speed if you use the thing as a thruster?

It does roll you along slightly. I don't think I'll be 'leaf-doping' any of my bikes with it yet. The noise would take the fun out of it.

[HeltorChasca]

1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.

Is that cycle route 24?

Superior observational skills 100% correct. Between the bridge at Black Batch and the little slope up to Paglinch Farm.

[Jakob W]

Weird weather today - 10 degrees warmer than the same time last week. On the drop-off nursery run I had a merino T-shirt and a thin wool jumper; I'd probably have been OK without the jumper. Mizzle and a degree or two cooler on the pick-up meant I kept the jumper, but my specs kept fogging so I took them off. I had a waterproof with me but no point in putting it on as I'd just have cooked instead...

[Phil W]

1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.

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.

[HeltorChasca]

1.5 miles of local NCN leaf clearance today. Note the magical machine that made the shininess happen.

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.

Brilliant! I did clock you. What are the chances? I remember thinking, 'That chap looks grateful and I understands my mission.' I'm sorry we didn't get to chat. I had very nice biscuits on board. This has also made me decide to wrap my down bars on my tourer (and recently a virgin Audax bike) in green. Green goes with burgundy doesn't it? Course it does!

I hope you enjoyed this section of your ride.

[Phil W]

Very much enjoyed the ride along that section. Later I picked up cycle route 3 which led me down to Wells and Glastonbury before Bridgwater then Taunton finish. I was on a DIY 200 to the dinner. I came back a similar way on the Sunday but picked up the Cycleway to Bath and rode through the tunnels before branching back east and north beyond Swindon and the M4.

[mcshroom]

A trip down to church and back this morning in glorious sunshine and still winds. The radio keeps going on about a storm but it's not reached us yet - Was a bit chilly though.

It was the first trip on my hybrid since I messed with the position of of the controls and I think I've finally cracked it. That was the most comfortable it's felt in ages.

[The Family Cyclist]

Delivered turkey for host to cook for thanksgiving. Was mighty glad to get that out rucksack!

[Oscar's dad]

Delivered turkey for host to cook for thanksgiving. Was mighty glad to get that out rucksack!

We celebrate Thanksgiving in Witham, mid-Essex     Who knew?

[The Family Cyclist]

With a real American OD!

[Oscar's dad]

How exotic!

[cycleman]

28 miles to braknell and back for a urology appointment . the gps took me up a muddy bridalway on the outward trip which was interesting on road tires .

[Jakob W]

Had a day of sightseeing and errands in that London. Aren't the hire (aka Ken|Boris|Barclays|Santander) bikes chuffing awesome? Spent £2 for the day, did maybe 15-20 miles, and didn't have to be cooped up in metal tubes along with other sickly people to get from A-B!

[Cudzoziemiec]

This morning's utilitarian adventure involved a discussion of saddles with a randomly met cyclist at the racks outside the stupormarket. As he no longer has a 25 mile commute he's taken the comfy saddle off his bike and replaced it with an old San Marco Regal, which he doesn't like the feel of at all, because its mottled leather aesthetic suits his bike (or him?) better.