Cycling UK Forum

At the east end of Liverpool Street station something wonderful has appeared for cyclists. It is a repair post. It is strong and has two cantilevered arms to support a bike from its top tube. There are a number of tools that hang from security cables that can be extended. Behind it is a stainless steel track pump. I'd post a picture but even after resizing and saving down it is too large to post.

I have voted to rescind the incredible Cukup and reinstate the CTC or Cyclist's Touring Club; I mind not which.
I look forward to the result.

Oh, I just got stuck into the Guardian comments with a like mini rant that was focussed on the appearance of the grim faced mamils on the Dunwich Dynamo. I cheer up when they saddle up for the return leg and leave the beach to everyone else. However as I am content on my own on a bike I rarely encounter them. I will give them a cheery wave if I see them which is rarely reciprocated but then such incivility is a bit of a commonplace. I will admit to being a utility cyclist living in the centre of our dear capital during the week with a mere 15 minute commute and a mardy old tourer at weekends in E. Anglia.

I have been an enthusiastic single/ dual pannierist ever since I bought a bike. Rucksacks are fine things in the right place; astride a bicycle isn't one of them in my world.
Balancing a lightly loaded pannier on a rack is easy - just mount the lock on t'other side of the rack. Works very well for me and two panniers work fine with it when shopping or touring. A quick release saddle bag almost works but is an awkward load for a pedestrian.

Most of all I try to avoid carrying anything additional to tools, pump, lights (all dynamo) which all live on the bike - secure parking at both ends of commute and the phone, wallet, keys, work access card and glasses are all carried on my person - easy in winter, difficult in summer. Bike faff is something I have never grown used to over the last 48 years.

This is an oft used route for me - every Monday and in reverse on Fridays - the rest of the week I am quartered elsewhere in Central London. If you want a companion to ride you through the quiet route possibilities just let me know. I usually start at LST at about 8.40 am with a view to getting to Pimlico about half an hour later. The time is dictated by traffic lights. I don't use popular/busy routes except in places - the worst being the Strand.

You are unlikely to regret it as a means of getting to work.

All the best,

Abu.

nirakaro wrote:It's getting on for sixty years since I learnt to ride a bike, and I've never been able to ride no hands. Old enough to know better I know, but it really annoys me. What's the trick?

It is about 55 years since I learned to ride and I still enjoy riding no-hands on a daily basis on my way to work through quieter roads in Central London (that includes past the Masonic Hall in Covent Garden, Whitehall - especially past the nest of bluebottles at that end of Downing St and Smith square - fun steering ones way around that in the mornings! I am old enough to know better but then I am the sort of person who likes to ride by the full moon with no lights deep in the countryside. Unsurprisingly I don't wear a helmet either.

However, it is true that bikes vary considerably. My commuter and tourer are easy to ride N-H but my fast audax bike is not. My racing trike is almost impossible to ride this way and I would not dare on either of our tandems.

The trick? It has been said upthread; confidence, keep pedalling at all times, sit upright and slightly back and lean very gently into bends. Practice somewhere with a lot of space first.

The method you have described is exactly what I have used on a tandem freewheel after giving up on vice based approach. Park tool held up though. I was impressed at the efficacy of the breaker bar/half inch socket combination.

After years of roofracks and storing in various cars I have gone for the Atera Strada 2 bike on a removeable towball. No end of fun fitting towball, wiring and rack myself over the Easter weekend - then promptly broke my ankle 3 days later. Back on my bike today at last with physiotherapist's advice. Back to towball racks. The Atera seems to address everything. Easy to put on and holds itself in position until it is tightened. No tools required so v. quick. Slides away from boot allowing easy access with bikes loaded. Good integral lighting board and wiring. Lighter than many similar racks. Bike spacing is tight but no difficulty to achieve. Straps and security is easy to use but will need supplementary locks in some circumstances. It is not cheap but it is a very effective rack and good value for what it is. As I am early in my 7th decade I appreciate not having to hoist a tourer overhead and insert the front fork ends delicately onto a roofrack. It also allows the use of a roof box on our very limited capacity roofrack. I bought on the basis of recommendations from colleagues and the web.

Personally, I would favour the Dunwich Dynamo over L To B any day and I have done both; the former once and the latter about a dozen times. Excellent advice otherwise from others.

I've not given up on any of mine yet and they date from as far back as 1978. The most recent is 12 years old. All of 'em are steel. Obviously there are parts that get replaced frequently and consumables but the frames just keep on going and having them properly repaired and resprayed is always a pleasure. The only thing that will stop me is non availability of good quality NOS spares; but then I quite enjoy the hunt.

FarOeuf wrote:

TonyR wrote:I would go Victoria St, round Parliament Square and up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, along The Strand to Aldwych and then up Southampton Row all the way to Euston.

I'd probably do that route too. I'd also suggest breaking down the route into sections, eg. to Parliament Sq, to Trafalgar Sq, to Aldwych (Bush House), to Southampton Row, Euston. If you need to ask people 'how to get to Euston' you'll either get 'dunno' or bogged down in lots of directions. Section by section makes it easier for people to help you (generally cyclists at traffic lights will), and you can also refer to the road signs (which won't show Euston till you're there).

cheers,

Thirded as it is most of my daily commute. I have no idea how to get out of Victoria with so much work going on around it at the moment (except to follow the buses) which is why I would scrub the Buckingham Gate / Mall routeing for the present.

I meant to say '...the key is...',NOT '...the yet is...'

evans4190 wrote:Hi everyone just thought i'd introduce myself as I've just got into cycling and bought my first road bike.
It's a btwin triban 3 from decathlon. Was it a good move?

My first ride on it was great. I live in London and feels dangerous ( but very enjoyable )

Is there anybody else from london? (East) ??
If anybody could give me some good tips on cycling in London, that would be great

Thanks

I have lived in the centre of London and cycled in Central London (all inner postal districts) on a daily basis since 1983 and occasionally before that right back to childhood in the 1960s.

London is a fantastic city to cycle in the centre of and now more so than ever. I am not keen on the arterial routes as they are noisy, crowded and full of people who conduct themselves disagreeably. Good tips already on this thread. I would underscore a comment from, I think, Rob Van Der Plas (sp?) that getting used to cycling in London takes about 6 weeks - the yet is to fall in with the rythm and pace of the traffic and learn to be part of it. Give all trucks a wide berth and look for alternative, quieter, routes and you will find a city of real delight. Get a good lock and always use it properly. Fit dynamo lights and you will save endless faffing about when commuting.

I have been car doored twice, once quite badly and knocked off once. as a pedestrian I have been mugged once and banged over the head with a plastic bread crate. I have also fallen off a few times but then I may have been less than fully capable on those occasions.

Learn to look after your bike fully (as I have done) or find a bike shop who are polite and helpful - not all of them are.

For the record, I don't wear a helmet. I have tried them and can't get on with them.

See you around and keep your eyes on the road.

All the best,

AM

If that was the one about young humans considered as suitably nourishing for feeding the poor of Ireland then I seem to recall that was by Jonathan Swift http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1080. Well worth a read.

I note that Defoe did write a similarly titled Proposal but as I am unable to find it on the web I can't comment on its mordancy compared to Dean Swift's.

I might have a suitable 650B wheel for you if it would be of interest.

Regards,

Another Charlotte's Tandems keeper