Search found 157 matches

by londonbikerider
2 Aug 2019, 7:58am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Deliveroo
Replies: 67
Views: 22278

Re: Deliveroo

PH wrote:
londonbikerider wrote:Not sure has been said already, but in London it seems that to apply as a "cyclist" for Deliveroo you must have a very low quality bike that's not serviced and borderline rideable, plus not having lights (or the dimmest ones possible), and not care about the rules on the road.
I understand it's a prt-time job that is very helpful for many, but that's not a granted way out for a selfish behaviour?

You should be grateful they’re not driving.
But there’s no must to it, you probably only notice those who fit your image and not the many who don’t.


I appreciate the first part of you sentence. In fact, that's what we have laws and police for.
As as "they fit my image" I'm afraid you're quite wrong there: it is a real fact that they do ride on bicycles that nont only look, but especially sound very inefficient. And a dim light is not an opinion.
Seriously, if someone cannot be bothered to spend one minute to put some oil onto the chain of his bicycle, do you think that squaeling brakes are because of a wrong pad compound? More likely, the latter has never been looked after.

I do know some old-school couriers, the good ones they ride bikes that look terrible, but won't leave them to rot or with a rusty chain. Those guys know the bike it's their working tool, so will have a minimum of care done to.
by londonbikerider
31 Jul 2019, 2:24pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Heading into the London smoke from Tilbury. Route advice.
Replies: 3
Views: 2715

Re: Heading into the London smoke from Tilbury. Route advice.

I'm afraid I can't help you, never been in that side of town!
by londonbikerider
31 Jul 2019, 2:23pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Deliveroo
Replies: 67
Views: 22278

Re: Deliveroo

Not sure has been said already, but in London it seems that to apply as a "cyclist" for Deliveroo you must have a very low quality bike that's not serviced and borderline rideable, plus not having lights (or the dimmest ones possible), and not care about the rules on the road.
I understand it's a prt-time job that is very helpful for many, but that's not a granted way out for a selfish behaviour?
by londonbikerider
28 Jun 2019, 8:07am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Bike locking
Replies: 4
Views: 3308

Re: Bike locking

Is this regarding bike security when on the road, or to lock the bike when home? The latter, has the problem that a well-prepared criminal may come with power tools, and with some time they can get through every lock.
by londonbikerider
28 Jun 2019, 8:01am
Forum: On the road
Topic: NCR12 / Great North Way
Replies: 5
Views: 2705

Re: NCR12 / Great North Way

adamedwardsteather wrote:North of the subway NCN12 is on tarmac cycle paths or roads to Sherrardspark Wood in Welwyn Garden City. Tarmac again from Shot Green to north end of Stevenage. Rough surface sections south and north of Letchworth then tarmac to Arlesley. All rideable unless on very thin racing tyres.

What I'm looking forward to is the much postponed Hadley Wood to Chase Farm Enfield extension as this would create a circular route in mid Herts via Hatfield Hertford Ware Enfield and Hadley Wood.

Also note that just north of the M25 subway there is access to South Mimms services which is a stop for European Bike Express.

More info in the Cycle streets.net Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City area pages which I look after.


Good info here, thanks a lot! It's likely I'll give it a go this weekend if I'm not down in Kent.
by londonbikerider
28 Jun 2019, 8:00am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Something really odd happened this morning.
Replies: 19
Views: 4532

Re: Something really odd happened this morning.

Tyre carcass failing?
by londonbikerider
28 Jun 2019, 7:58am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Well I never...the hipsters steed!
Replies: 54
Views: 2512

Re: Well I never...the hipsters steed!

As a rule of thumb, I stay away from what's on the frontpage of a magazine.
Does anyone else have the feeling that several of those "single-speed" bikes are actually overpriced? I remember that with the same money you could buy a less fashionable, but well-woreking and frankly honest, Ridgeback/Dawes/Genesis/the likes that would have a full set of gears and better finishing kit.
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 6:07pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: I was hit............... really
Replies: 6
Views: 3228

Re: I was hit............... really

skyhawk wrote:
londonbikerider wrote:Sorry to hear that, there should be no excuse for such behaviour, intimidating or assaulting another road user.
Hopefully you can get help and witnesses, and report this moron to the Police!



I should have, I was wrong not to.


I completely understand, when those things happen isn't always automatic to do the most rational thing. Been there more than once, sadly.
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 6:06pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: NCR12 / Great North Way
Replies: 5
Views: 2705

Re: NCR12 / Great North Way

Norman H wrote:You can easily avoid that underpass and the approach to it by turning right from Dancers Hill Rd into Baker St. This will take you under the Motorway and towards Potters Bar. It's probably simplest to continue to the traffic lights at the end before turning left on the B556 but you could turn left earlier and join the B556 lower down. After a couple of miles there's a turning on the right from the B556 which takes you down to Route 12. Incidentally that section of route I2 alongside the A1M uses a cycle track but I'm quite happy to use the road there.

Another alternative would be to use the train to Potters bar or beyond.


I'll have look at the map, thanks!
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 2:05pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Trousers and commuting
Replies: 15
Views: 4524

Re: Trousers and commuting

I've a pair of M&S chinos that don't crease that easy. When I travel I simply fold them along a rectangular piece of cardboard, its ends are folded twice to make them bigger, this avoids a sharp crease on the fabric.
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 2:03pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Regents Canal not suitable for cycling??
Replies: 13
Views: 3315

Re: Regents Canal not suitable for cycling??

Another thing to consider: yobs!
Several clubmates and people I know have narrowly escaped being mugged, while other people had to surrender thir bike/phone or been beaten up.

Apparently it happens around the Hackney area, or just nort/south of it, and most often at dusk or night.
My advice: avoid.
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 2:00pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: I was hit............... really
Replies: 6
Views: 3228

Re: I was hit............... really

Sorry to hear that, there should be no excuse for such behaviour, intimidating or assaulting another road user.
Hopefully you can get help and witnesses, and report this moron to the Police!
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 8:04am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: the art of bicycle folding/packing for transport; modifications for rinko etc.
Replies: 77
Views: 6133

Re: the art of bicycle folding/packing for transport; modifications for rinko etc.

I would removed the rear derailleur from the hanger, I've seen too many clubmates riding in misery due to a bent mech hanger. Unfortunately, most modern bikes have some rather undersized sections there, no more than a couple of mm at best.
It ought to be the reason why my Audax bike is steel and has got forged dropouts, yes, they can ben too, but it takes a lot more to create a real problem.
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 8:01am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Premium Valve Cores
Replies: 6
Views: 508

Re: Premium Valve Cores

I don't carry that, but I do carry the other little tool for the PResta valve cores. I'll probably start carrying one for the Schrader valves too, it's incredible how useful can be such a small thing.
by londonbikerider
18 Jun 2019, 7:58am
Forum: On the road
Topic: NCR12 / Great North Way
Replies: 5
Views: 2705

NCR12 / Great North Way

Hello.
Bit of advice needed here, about the conditions of the route (oralternatives to) NCR12.

Last weekend I've followed some mates on a route I had not done before, using the NCR12 to avoid the busiest roads for getting North, out of London.
I had not done the route 12 before, and I wasn't impressed by some of the sections. Surely, been allowed to cycle away from cars it seems a godsend, but in my opinion more needs to be done.
For example, the underpass on the M25 is useful but tricky to get to: you can see there's a tight switchback with the canal right in front of you... you really need to be confident in what you're doing. Some warning signs could be a good start.
Image

I was also not impressed by the short bit that leads to this, I think was just after Dancer's Hill Lane. It was a bit damp, and I can see that part been partially flooded in case of rain.

What does people think about it, and if there are alternatives for going North. I usually start from the Camden/Holloway area and would like a quiet route to Hatfield/Stevenage.

Tahnks in advance.