[Archived] Anyone A Cyclist?

[colin]

I'm on one of these

Plus mudguards & back rack. It's serving me well.

I've been knocked off a couple of times by stupid car drivers. Luckilly I'm in a Trade Union that employs legal people to seek recompensation from the insurance of said stupid car-driving people. So some compensation.

[incy wincy little spider]

And that makes a difference how?

If you go over will the pavement be softer? Speed doesn´t matter, a fall is a fall.

Even mild brain trauma can have severe consequences to your daily life. Concentration issues and memory impairments can occur as well as other not very nice things.

Yeah I totally agree. I just feel that i shouldn't get hit by a car so the only accidents I could have would be my own making and compared to other sports I play and the injuries I have had I see cycling to work off the road as less dangerous then other activities where I don't have any protection. I know that reading this won't make much sense or in any way back up my stance. I guess im a do as I say and not as i do type of guy at the moment with this.

I wouldn't go on the A59 without a helmet on though, and i hope no one does!

[whittle blue]

1940 - Tour de France

[JC4LAB]

Ist September is the Blackpool Ride the Lights For cyclists only from Star Gate to Bispham & back..Its really a trial run for the lights before the offical opening on 4th September,but they make it a special day for bikes only ..A lot on it.but lots of kamakazee kids that cut you up

[nellybc]

I was only on a hire bike but just completed the red route at dalby forest. Now thats fun )

[RovertheHill]

Commute into Manchester on my bike - really enjoy it. Also, doing the Manchester 100 (miles) in September with a group from work in aid of Christie's which should be fun

[colin]

Roverthehill

http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/skyride/manchester

You're probably aware of it anyway.

I'll be there. I'll probably be wearing a B & W shirt of some description, so give me a wave.

[JC4LAB]

http://www.bike-events.com/

Any one interested in Charity runs this is the site but we are now mid season with many of the more famous rides already gone..Hope to.do the London to Windsor this year...

[RovertheHill]

Roverthehill

http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/skyride/manchester

You're probably aware of it anyway.

I'll be there. I'll probably be wearing a B & W shirt of some description, so give me a wave.

Yes, me and daughter are going - joining the hub at Heaton park and riding down into Manchester. Not sure about blue and white - depends on the weather lol

[RovertheHill]

Skyride was okay. I don't know if I was being unrealistic but I expected more of Manchester to be car free. Excellent on the bits that were, and superbly marshalled throughout. Velodrome was an anti-climax - expected to have a ride round it and it was just round the middle - not on the track. Have to say that TV doesn't the do the slope on a velodrome justice - it's almost like a wall of death

Saw Victoria Pendleton being interviewd - she's gorgeous

[colin]

Skyride was okay. I don't know if I was being unrealistic but I expected more of Manchester to be car free. Excellent on the bits that were, and superbly marshalled throughout. Velodrome was an anti-climax - expected to have a ride round it and it was just round the middle - not on the track. Have to say that TV doesn't the do the slope on a velodrome justice - it's almost like a wall of death

20,000 turned up apparantly. From lycra-clad speed merchants who were probably intent on doing as many circuits as possible in the six hours, to five year olds on stabilisers.

I thought it was quite wonderful. One of the people I did the ride with said "It was nice to see Manchester with a smile on its face." She was spot on.

Don't think they are going to let the great unwashed go on the real track at the Velodrome at anytime. You can book yourself a session there on a proper track bike if you fancy it. And I agree, it looks like a wall of death.

Cheers

[Majiball]

which is the important thing.

Of course it is the NHS is free , new bikes are not.

[Paul]

I didn't get around to doing the Skyride though I had meant to. Had a lot of fun on Sunday afternoon though. The Ironman Triathlon was based at Rivington and the cycle element (112 miles) passed the top of the road. After watching for a while I realised there were more than a few cyclists joining in!!!! So rushed home, got the bike out and did one circuit of the route (38 miles). Great fun, it's a route I know well but at every junction the police stopped the traffic to allow the riders through unhindered by cars. So we had a ride round Lancashire at full throttle without the need to stop at all.

Impressed by these guys ability. By the time I joined the route they were into the third of three laps of 38 miles and still cruising at 18mph into a headwind. Equally felt very sorry for the 5 men and 1 woman I met going up Winter Hill, they were just starting their third lap when everyone else was finishing the cycle element. They were 38 miles, approximately 3 hours for these competitors, behind the bulk of the field. One rider I spoke to said he'd never ridden 112 miles before and was finding it very tough.

[JC4LAB]

Done the Velodrome taster half a dozen times.but theres a three month wait list nowadays..A taster is 20mins trainng and an ear bashing of the rules which are quite strict..then its 20 mins trial.do as much or little and go as high as you want but you are closelly watched by a prompter to make sure you dont go too slow etc...

[Shevchenko]

I have a question and wonder if any of the resident cyclists could help me out.

I would like to get some leg warmers and arm warmers for the colder days, you know the ones you can take off and fold up and stick in your back pocket when not needed. I see that they are sized differently but can´t really find any size charts.

Any idea how to measure up for the correct size for these things?

[SAS]

Funny this topic comes back up.

I'm after buying a bicycle with the view to possibly doin a triathlon in the future , but don't have a clue about what bike.

Training wise I would like to do 30km + a session.

[JC4LAB]

Worth a Trip to Manchester..,Harry Halls,Bicycle Doctor ,Edinburgh Cycles,Evans etc or in Blackburn,then Ewood Bikes..to see what they say..On the internet recommend forums like Bike Radar. also CTC forum ....Bikeforums..Surprised nowadays how many are just using fixed wheel gearless bikes..See lots of "Specialised" tricross if you are looking for a brand name

[JC4LAB]

Worth a Trip to Manchester..,Harry Halls,Bicycle Doctor ,Edinburgh Cycles,Evans etc or in Blackburn,then Ewood Bikes..to see what they say..On the internet recommend forums like Bike Radar. also CTC forum ....Bikeforums..Surprised nowadays how many are just using fixed wheel gearless bikes..See lots of "Specialised" tricross if you are looking for a brand name

Heres the Bike radar link

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40040

[Paul]

I have a question and wonder if any of the resident cyclists could help me out.

I would like to get some leg warmers and arm warmers for the colder days, you know the ones you can take off and fold up and stick in your back pocket when not needed. I see that they are sized differently but can´t really find any size charts.

Any idea how to measure up for the correct size for these things?

Good question. I haven't a clue how I measured myself for these. My clothes size is generally medium and I have bought medium for both leg and arm warmers, I guess ths is the way I chose them! I really like arm warmers but I'm not sure leg warmers are worth the money. I find the material in lerg warmers bunches up behind my knee and makes for very uncomfortable riding, I bought some bib longs for last winter and found it much more comfortable. I wear my bib shorts underneath and a pair of unpadded bib longs on top.

SAS - try reading the forums at cyclechat.co.uk you'll find lots of friendly people with good advice on there.

[Billinge End Blue]

Not sure how many mountain bikers are out there but just seen and ridden on the new 'gnarly single tracks' constructed in Billinge Woods, Blackburn. Setting off right from the summit platform, these are sharply banked and bermed technical routes with some big stone and wooded platform jumps and drop offs. Not sure if it has an official opening planned but the gritstone is already highly carved with riders bottom brackets, chainsets and pedals! A full face helmet and body armour would not be superfluous, particularly at the bottom near the Billinge End Rd entrance where a massive tree has come down across the path ( just after a very fast steep stretch!).

Highly recommended (ideally in dry conditions).

[thenodrog]

Not sure how many mountain bikers are out there but just seen and ridden on the new 'gnarly single tracks' constructed in Billinge Woods, Blackburn. Setting off right from the summit platform, these are sharply banked and bermed technical routes with some big stone and wooded platform jumps and drop offs. Not sure if it has an official opening planned but the gritstone is already highly carved with riders bottom brackets, chainsets and pedals! A full face helmet and body armour would not be superfluous, particularly at the bottom near the Billinge End Rd entrance where a massive tree has come down across the path ( just after a very fast steep stretch!).

Highly recommended (ideally in dry conditions).

About 40 years too late.