tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65857329564158641042024-03-13T04:38:54.516+00:00Beds CyclistBMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.comBlogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-22833562963027993172017-11-30T14:33:00.003+00:002017-11-30T14:33:51.846+00:00Gone visualA picture is worth a thousand words.<br />
I've gone to the dark side and just posted photographs and snippets on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mcclebri/<br />
<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-29102495307730881192014-12-10T12:41:00.002+00:002014-12-10T12:41:52.422+00:00Just for the fun of itI started looking at some of my cycling related achievements this year - top 7 finishes in local LVRC races, the Time Megeve Mont Blanc, club time trials, local club STRAVA challenges... but nothing on my Brompton.<br />
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I didn't race at the Nocturne or the BWC this year, so I will need to make amends in 2015. The big question is what to wear? I will need to decide on a new sartorial elegant costume.<br />
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2012 BWC photographs taken by Vulpine:<br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-23813633679961392772014-11-11T16:08:00.002+00:002014-11-11T16:08:37.365+00:00Track accreditationWishful thinking, but I would really like to go track racing. Of course it would require a new bike so the question is what UCI legal track bike would you buy?<br />
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I'm liking the Basso Pista (a lot)...<br />
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I am also liking the Shand Hoy bike (steel is real!), but I'd have to swap the bar stem...</div>
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-55706888823051977482014-09-16T11:04:00.002+01:002014-09-16T11:24:14.589+01:00TherapyAccording to <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11035146/Brits-spend-142-during-drunken-online-shopping-sprees-and-buy-lobster-pots.html" target="_blank">a recent newspaper article</a> a significant amount of online shopping goes on when people get drunk. I don't recall clicking buy-it-now whilst imbibing too many glasses of red wine, however I admit that the majority of my spending occurs whilst working from home (during my lunch break of course).<br />
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My Brompton has been the recipient of a work from home spending spree. I needed a new rear mudguard as the original had begun to crack and obstructed dropping the seatpost. I figured that this was due to too much weight being placed on the mudguard when the bike has been folded. I don't recall when it happened but it was evident because the mount for the mudguard stay had also started to rub on the tyre.<br />
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I replaced both the front and rear mudguard blades with the new black versions which I think match the Turkish Green-Black frame colours better than the original silver ones.<br />
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The rear wheel had been causing me issues so I also decided to replace it with a new one. The issues being that for the last 6 months or so I had been trying to resolve bearing problems with the BWR hub. I routinely grease the bearing hubs but had omitted to also do the freehub bearings and I started to feel drag on the freewheel when coasting. I replaced all of the bearings in the hub but it never felt as good as new, so I tolerated it for a while and then stripped the hub again, replaced the bearings (again) and unfortunately over-greased the internals with the result of clogging up the gear selection. I tried repeatedly to resolve it and whilst searching the internet for advice I spotted an advertisement for a new wheel built with the Sturmey Archer 5-speed hub, offering 10 gears. This got me thinking whether to buy a new wheel and justify it as an upgrade. I continued my searching and found a retail outlet selling the standard BWR wheel at a reduced price which put me in a dilema - fix/replace/replace with something different? I flipped a coin and went with the new BWR wheel keeping it as a 6-speed.<br />
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The new parts arrived swiftly and I installed them quickly whilst giving the bike a thorough clean. Riding a clean bike with new bits all working perfectly gives me a morale boost and the following day I tootled into work down the CS3 with a smile on my face... until I got rear-ended!<br />
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I had stopped behind two other cyclists waiting at a road junction on the CS3 and first I heard the apology and then the crash-bump as a cyclist hit me from behind. The other cyclist claimed he wasn't concentrating and was taking a drink so he hadn't seen that everyone in front of him had come to a stop. I couldn't see his bidon or any drink so I suspected he was riding no-handed but I couldn't see any damage to my bike and I felt ok so I (politely) told the other cyclist to watch where he was going in future and I continued my ride to work.<br />
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At work I realised that the cyclist's handlebars must have collided with my coccyx as I was finding it uncomfortable and painful to sit upright on my office chair and now, several (working from home and online shopping therapy) days later it is only just beginning to feel better. Retrospectively I should have taken the other cyclist's details so that if I needed physio therapy or had to repair my Brompton I could have made a claim for compensation.<br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-15677136047650346132014-06-19T10:05:00.001+01:002014-06-19T10:16:05.775+01:00Rule #8 - matching the bar tapeWhilst building up my new Cento 1SR race bike I decided upon the new <a href="http://www.condorcycles.com/Saddles/22641-Fizik-Arione-R3/flypage.tpl.html?pop=0" target="_blank">Rapha Condor JLT team edition Arione saddle</a> and hoped to find the matching Cinelli black perforated pink bar tape that was available at some Rapha cafes. Sadly it is like hen's teeth, but I found a close match made by Merida.<br />
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The pink was the wrong shade but I went with it to celebrate the Giro d'Italia.<br />
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The bar tape was a bit sticky and slightly grubby after riding the Time Megeve Mont Blanc the previous weekend so I decided on a change. I still can't find any of the Cinelli tape so went with the dual colour Lizard Skin in black and white to match the frame.</div>
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The new tape is okay but I prefer the (1.8mm) Lizard Skin DSP Race tape and I didn't do a perfect job in lining up the colour transition behind the hoods so we shall see how long it stays on for.</div>
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If I can't find the Cinelli tape then I may get some leather tape made up...<a href="http://busymanbicycles.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Busyman</a></div>
<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-73765079292157437242014-05-15T08:53:00.000+01:002014-05-15T08:53:18.153+01:00Thanks to...The new race bike is on the scene and scored a 5th place in its first outing around the MK Bowl so only fair to say thank you to the following...<br />
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ATB Sales - the UK importer for Wilier who demonstrated excellent customer service, sympathised with my previous issues and offered me a deal I couldn't refuse.<br />
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John Poyzer and Stripes bicycle shop, Woburn Sands - for advice, components, tools and for cutting 2cm off the integrated seat tube. <br />
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Cycleworx Flitwick - thank you to Tom for fitting the fork crown race<br />
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Dave Atkinson at road.cc - for his help in getting my money back from a fraudster advertising on his classifieds forum.<br />
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My son - for his advice and help in the build up, especially wrapping the bar tape 'perfectly' according to the Condor blog - <a href="http://www.condorcycles.com/latest-blog/how-to-wrap-bar-tape-perfectly.html">http://www.condorcycles.com/latest-blog/how-to-wrap-bar-tape-perfectly.html</a><br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-9113628323300145242014-05-13T14:36:00.000+01:002014-05-13T14:36:37.721+01:00Warning - bike pornMy new Wilier Cento 1SR!<br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-23940730542913543352014-04-14T15:38:00.001+01:002014-04-14T15:40:42.714+01:00Chrome!I haven't been able to resolve my blog posting issues using IE but Chrome is fine.<br />
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Happy belated birthday wishes to me...<br />
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The most amazing birthday cake created for me by Aunty Nelly's Cakes<br />
Auntynellyscakes@gmail.com for infoBMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-26222367802741796232014-03-06T09:22:00.002+00:002014-04-14T15:27:30.132+01:00Absence I think there is a Dutch saying about things in life are like a rectangle with the sides representing the day to day tasks. If you spend more time on one thing the net result is the stretching of the corresponding length of the rectangle but the shrinking of the width.<br />
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Clearly my life rectangle in respect of this blog has been pencil thin during the last couple of months. I haven't had the time to write nor fix the picture uploading issue due to other long-sided activities.<br />
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As a reminder to myself I need to fix the picture issue and write about the following:<br />
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<li>My fixed wheel bike, upgrades and rides</li>
<li>The new Giant in the bike family</li>
<li>The new frameset on its way from Italy</li>
<li>Resolving the issues on my Brompton BWR hub</li>
<li>Tyres</li>
<li>Chain lube</li>
<li>A running report on my RS81 C35 wheelset</li>
<li>Winter achievements</li>
<li>Bike fit</li>
<li>Free stuff that my son has been given to evaluate</li>
<li>2014 targets</li>
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In the meantime I have decided to make a small effort to sell my Basso Viper:<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Size 59cm<br /> Fitted with...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;"> * Shimano 6600 Ultegra triple levers, (175mm) chainset, front & rear derailleurs, (Italian) BB and SPD-SL pedals<br /> * Shimano Dura Ace brake callipers with green Swissstop pads.<br /> * FSA finishing kit - Headset, SL-K carbon seatpost, SL-K 120mm stem and (44cm) K-wing bars <br /> * KMC X10-EL chain<br /> * Giant branded wheelset and tyres (from a new TCR 2)<br /> * Fizik Arione saddle with Fizik blinker rear light<br /> * Jagwire racer cable set<br /> * Lizardskin DSP Race bar tape<br /> * Carbon bottle cages<br /><br /> I currently have a Crud rear mudguard fitted (with helicopter tape to protect the paint) and can include in the sale with the front if required.<br /><br /> If you have followed my blog posts you will have read that the frame is a Basso Racinglight steel, handmade in Italy in 2000. I purchased it NOS 2 years ago, built it up and have ridden it for 504 miles. The matching Basso fork is carbon with a 1" steel steerer. <br /><br /> The frame always receives compliments and Condor cycles believe that the handbuilt, fillet brazed frame is as light as their latest Super Acciao. I looked at a new Pegoretti frame at the London Bike Show recently and in my opinion the quality of weld and paint on my Basso is better.<br /><br /> If anyone is interested then I would be prepared to sell it for £700</span></span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show"></span>If you are interested then leave a comment.<br />
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BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-10162782698163717832014-01-13T10:18:00.001+00:002014-01-13T10:18:22.141+00:00LayersThe weather is turning from wet and windy to icy and wind chilled, with standing water now frozen over so my cycling journeys are now conducted with a lot more caution and preparation.<br />
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Before Christmas I bought myself a <a href="http://www.rapha.cc/merino-base-layers" target="_blank">Rapha Merino wool base layer</a> and wore it once and found it too hot, but this morning it was the perfect choice under my jersey and softshell jacket.<br />
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I love merino wool clothing for cycling and, today, this was my favourite piece of clothing.<br />
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<em>Photo to follow.</em><br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-5165056774162636442013-12-31T16:04:00.000+00:002013-12-31T16:04:09.626+00:00The coolest dudeIf you get a chance I urge you to go and see the Paul Smith show at the <a href="http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2013/paul-smith" target="_blank">London Design Museum</a>. The show runs until 9-March-2014.<br />
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Mr Bedscyclist likes product design, all things bicycles, quality and a bit of individuality so I admire Paul Smith's designs and products immensely.<br />
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<em>The exhibition features several rooms recreating his design studio</em></div>
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<em>and many of the collaborations including his Rapha jersey from the 2007 Tour de France grand depart</em></div>
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Of course, there is a striped mini on display and an entire room full of framed paintings, drawings and photographs...</div>
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And there is a very special Pinarello Dogma 2 customised with a few subtle stripes, an autograph and a little doodle.<br />
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I want one!<br />
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BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-43614115581591245692013-12-20T13:30:00.003+00:002013-12-20T13:30:44.928+00:00Christmas greetingsMy favourite cards and compilations for Christmas...<br />
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<a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/95e6301bd0dbf75f5f86b9c4b/images/Brompton_Christmas_Greeting_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/95e6301bd0dbf75f5f86b9c4b/images/Brompton_Christmas_Greeting_13.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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<em>My Christmas e-card from Brompton</em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CwvdJ2HMY8/UrRGSXwg9yI/AAAAAAAABh8/7EInsYRedzc/s1600/Specialized+Xmas+sprockets.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CwvdJ2HMY8/UrRGSXwg9yI/AAAAAAAABh8/7EInsYRedzc/s400/Specialized+Xmas+sprockets.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.specialized.com/bc/microsite/holiday/" target="_blank">http://www.specialized.com/bc/microsite/holiday/</a> is an amazing compilation by Specialized using bicycle parts as instruments</div>
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BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-61599504212203912882013-12-13T20:35:00.001+00:002013-12-14T00:14:59.579+00:00No longer as wet as an otter's pocketFor those with a dirty mac or waterproof jackets that are no longer...<br />
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I wear a waterproof, high-viz jacket on my Brompton commute all year round, so four days per week, 45 weeks per year. I'm on my second yellow Altura Night Vision Evo jacket in three years and it gets washed every week with the full waterproofing lasting for only about 6 months.<br />
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<a href="http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/fcd/779/c91/99334/product_page/altura-night-vision-evo-2013-jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/fcd/779/c91/99334/product_page/altura-night-vision-evo-2013-jacket.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started looking at alternative jackets, some considerably more expensive than the Altura and the waterproofing qualities explained for each are probably comparable to the Night Vision. However, one vendor recommended a regular treatment using their branded re-proofer followed by a tumble dry. I don't own a tumble dryer so I searched for an alternative water re-proofer and found...</div>
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<a href="http://www.iceandrock.co.uk/product-images/large/ice_Grangers_XT_proofer.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.iceandrock.co.uk/product-images/large/ice_Grangers_XT_proofer.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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You spray it on the jacket after washing and whilst the jacket is still damp, then just leave it to dry.<br />
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The weather today was slightly inclement and the rain was beading on my jacket. I am pleased with the result and plan to continue treating the jacket on a regular basis.<br />
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I wonder how many hits this blog post will get ;-)BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-61888774873784986312013-11-28T16:39:00.000+00:002013-11-28T16:39:55.650+00:00Metric Century ChallengeA big pat on the back for me. I completed the metric century challenge this year!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWS0gwVk3_8/UpdxlbKEkAI/AAAAAAAABhs/yHXu6ZPqxQE/s1600/100km+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWS0gwVk3_8/UpdxlbKEkAI/AAAAAAAABhs/yHXu6ZPqxQE/s1600/100km+sign.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #7f6000;">You must ride one metric century (100 km, 62.18 miles) in every month to successfully complete the full challenge. Only single continuous rides of at least 100km qualify, not a daily or weekly total of several shorter rides that exceed 100km. Tea stops are allowed, nay encouraged.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I rode over 20 metric centuries throughout this year, with the Prudential Ride 100 counting as two because I rode from my hotel in Gants Hill to the start, did the 102 miles to the finish and then cycled back to Gants Hill to collect my car.</span><br />
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BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-69574033371589129712013-11-28T09:50:00.001+00:002013-11-28T11:20:59.152+00:00Ride like you're wearing dirty underwearThe tragic deaths of cyclists in London is topical news and worrying since I'm also a London cycle commuter. My journeys are now whilst it is dark or (worse?) with the sun low in the sky and quite blinding. To mitigate the risks of becoming one of the statistics, I have re-considered my routes.<br />
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Whenever possible I used to cycle (considerately) along the Thames Path but signs have been erected to say that cycling is prohibited and the once bridle towpath has been renamed the Thames Walkway. The 'no cycling' signs do appear to be rather amateur, the sort you can buy from B&Q and I'm not aware of any local bylaws imposing the ban on cycling, however there is the possibility of a £50 on the spot fine if they are genuine.<br />
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My favourite route is to traverse the bridge at St Katherine's Dock and cycle over the cobbled roads through Wapping. It is not always easy to get into the right hand lane at the traffic lights on Tower Hill and the ASL is always full of mopeds and motorcycles. Once across, the right hand filter lane for the Tower Bridge has traffic lights which don't work until there is at least a couple of taxis waiting in line to trigger the sensor.<br />
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Alternative routes?<br />
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I have tried The Highway route out to Canary Wharf and, in the morning with rush hour traffic, I have witnessed a few incidents. On one occasion a tipper truck swerved to overtake a cyclist ahead of me whilst another tipper truck was in the outside lane of the dual carriageway. The wing mirrors of the lorries collided clearly demonstrating that the carriageway is not wide enough for two lanes of traffic and cyclists. The drain covers on the road are also treacherous as many of them have collapsed due to the weight of the trucks going over them. The authorities attempt to fix them overnight, sometimes temporarily by covering them roughly in tarmac but for cyclists it is an obstacle course. To cap it all, there is a cement works near the entrance to the Rotherhithe Tunnel and their trucks spill rocks and cement along the road, sometimes in mounds as big as mole hills.<br />
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The CS3 starts at the Tower Gateway, behind the Royal Mint, so approaching from Upper Thames Street a cyclist has to go around the Minories or dismount and take to the pavement to safely get to the start of the blue route. Once on the CS3 it is superb; it is marked out well, has traffic lights across junctions and has white lines painted to indicate where to give way. The only issue is that it is narrow and cyclist coming from the opposite direction come quite close to you.<br />
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I have used the CS3 route twice this week and I think it is perfect for my tootle in to work. It is a different story for those in a hurry - cyclists overtaking others can be inconsiderate and the curses are frequently colourful and I witnessed an accident between a cyclist and a car on Wednesday morning. A mountain-biker overtook me safely but not paying sufficient attention to the road ahead given his speed. He collided with a car doing a strange manoeuvre, reversing out of one of the side roads. Thankfully no one was hurt but the incident was like watching a slow-motion train crash - predictable.<br />
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My wife asked me what advice I would offer to contribute to a radio phone in discussing cyclist's tips on travelling safely. I did the normal thing trying to think what aspects of experience, common sense and being well equipped I might offer to help reduce the risk of ending up in hospital with a nurse stripping you back to see the injuries, or, worse, the mortician.<br />
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I have given it further thought now. When I was a child my mum told me to always wear clean underwear in case I was involved in an accident and ended up in hospital as it would be a disgrace for a nurse or doctor to see you wearing anything but spotless Y-fronts. So, my tip to cycle commuters - ride assuming your pants are going to be an embarrassment.<br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-76563772647868477782013-11-11T19:27:00.003+00:002013-11-15T21:59:59.858+00:00Lights fantasticWhen you receive compliments from pedestrians and motorcyclists you know you've chosen wisely.<br />
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I returned to work after a half term holiday and the return to GMT which now requires the use of lights on my commute.<br />
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My front lights...Hope Vision 1 and a Blackburn Voyager<br />
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<a href="http://www.tredz.co.uk/prodimg/19885_1_Zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://www.tredz.co.uk/prodimg/19885_1_Zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.biketrax.co.uk/smsimg/43/2502-7438-full-blackburn-voyager-click_5133-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://www.biketrax.co.uk/smsimg/43/2502-7438-full-blackburn-voyager-click_5133-43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Hope light takes four AA batteries and the Blackburn takes two CR2032 batteries<br />
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My rear lights...Lezyne's Femto and Micro Drive. <br />
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<a href="http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/content/images/thumbs/0012266_lezyne_micro_drive_rear_light.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/content/images/thumbs/0012266_lezyne_micro_drive_rear_light.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://195.50.124.171/product_image/image/d7b/0a8/751/80671/product_page/lezyne-femto-drive-led-rear-light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://195.50.124.171/product_image/image/d7b/0a8/751/80671/product_page/lezyne-femto-drive-led-rear-light.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Micro Drive is charged from a USB connector and the Femto takes two CR2032 batteries.</div>
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I carry spare AA and CR2032 batteries to keep my <a href="http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/trip-the-light-fantastic.html" target="_blank">lights fantastic on trips</a>.</div>
<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-85323658347089822962013-10-30T12:55:00.001+00:002013-10-30T12:55:07.970+00:00The passing of the Posties' Pashley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Post-person no longer delivers my post by bicycle in the morning. They now wheel a trolley around the local roads and my post is delivered in the afternoon. <br />
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I think it is a shame, but the Royal Mail must have determined that the <a href="http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/mailstar.html" target="_blank">Mailstar</a> bicycle was no longer effective, apparently due to the <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-mail-bosses-tell-postal-1719096" target="_blank">increasing number of parcels requiring delivery</a>. Rather than look at design solutions on the bicycle they now use trolleys with the Posties ferried to the area by vans.<br />
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Does it make my ex-Postie Pashley trike more collectible?<br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-4501505500125378562013-10-24T19:01:00.004+01:002013-10-24T19:03:44.483+01:00Steel is real...rustyCarbon frames, Titanium frames and Stainless steel frames are beginning to appear with lifetime warranties. This is unquestionably good and I hope the vendors remain in business long enough to support any claims. However, I can't recall seeing any offers of lengthy warranties on steel framed bicycles and I suspect it is due to the risk of "tin worm"/ oxidation/ red rot/ corrosion. <br />
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With about seven steel bicycles in my collection rust is a bit of a concern, especially on my Brompton, Basso Viper and Condor Tempo which I need to/plan to use when the weather turns foul. My main worry is the inside of the tubes so I began looking into spraying Waxoyl inside the frames, after all it was the thing to do for older cars.<br />
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Technology has advanced since the 90's and I found the latest recommended rust preventative tested on the very good<a href="http://road.cc/content/review/95160-bg-innovations-protecht2-advanced-corrosion-prevention" target="_blank"> Road.cc website</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://road.cc/sites/default/files/imagecache/galleria_1200/images/Products/PROtecht2%20Advanced%20Corrosion%20Prevention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://road.cc/sites/default/files/imagecache/galleria_1200/images/Products/PROtecht2%20Advanced%20Corrosion%20Prevention.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a bit pricey but it should hopefully be sufficient to apply to most of my steel framed bikes and if there is any remaining then I've still got a couple of old classic cars which might also benefit.<br />
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I just need to find some time to do the jobs.BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-1239598593761001112013-10-19T21:32:00.002+01:002013-10-19T21:34:43.257+01:00Early MiB?When I was younger paintings by L.S. Lowry (not the originals) were hung in the family home and in my Grandparents'. I recall scanning the individuals painted in each picture trying to spot unusual hats or something slightly different from any of the other paintings. I also used to count the number of matchstick dogs for some reason.<br />
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I still admire <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._S._Lowry" target="_blank">L.S. Lowry</a>'s work and went to the Tate Britain exhibition today. The exhibit was very popular and it was a little difficult to see all of the paintings in detail but, where I could, I found myself trying to find unusual looking features and I even started to count the number of dogs.<br />
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For the first time ever I spotted a cyclist and I took a cheeky photograph souvenir with my iPhone. Laurence Stephen Lowry painted a picture of a Rapha Condor JLT cyclist...you can definitely make out the white armband on the black jersey:<br />
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<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-34908890896065912912013-10-06T18:37:00.000+01:002013-10-17T08:03:05.168+01:00Born again BassoA new wheelset, new brake callipers and totally re-cabled.<br />
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I procrastinated on a new hand built wheelset, considered a used set of wheels with Chris King classic hubs and finally decided on a pair of Shimano C35 wheels. I couldn't afford the Dura Ace clinchers so decided on the RS81 Ultegra version. The RS81 is the new 11 speed hub, but to fit a 10-speed cassette is straightforward - you fit the normal 1mm spacer ring and a new 1.85mm spacer that comes in the bag of spares with the wheels.<br />
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The old Ultegra callipers had seen better days and a good friend gifted me a pair of 7700 Dura Ace callipers in like new condition complete with Swissstop green brake pads.<br />
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I re-cabled the bike with the new Jagwire road pro kit in a carbon silver outer effect and finished the re-build with black Lizard Skin DSP bar tape.<br />
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It is a beautiful bicycle and I am looking forward to using it again and getting out for a long pedal, however I am toying with the idea of selling it - shock horror.</div>
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BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-41405727338507921522013-09-28T21:27:00.000+01:002013-09-28T23:03:08.969+01:00Cycling fictionJoking aside, I'm struggling to think of any cycling related fiction other than Lance Armstrong's books which notoriously got moved shelves in libraries and book shops.<br />
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I enjoy reading cyclist's autobiographies, doping confessions, anthologies and historical biographies but, I have to say, I loved 'Consumed', the cycling novel by Jonathan Budds.<br />
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The plot is superb, the writing insightful and it is one of those wonderful books that gives you the impetuous to seek out more good literature. If only there were more cycling-related fictional books.<br />
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<a href="http://consumed-novel.com/">http://consumed-novel.com/</a><br />
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...and an odd photograph I took of a big Porkie, thrown in just because ;-)</div>
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BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-38318012793907452102013-09-27T20:04:00.001+01:002013-09-27T20:04:44.278+01:00Goldilocks gearingGearing: sprockets and chainring size is a personal thing. After all, we can't all push a <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-martin-conquers-the-pressure-to-take-a-third-time-trial-world-title" target="_blank">58 like Tony Martin</a>. And, over time and changes in strength and fitness, what might have been just right is no longer ideal for Goldilocks.<br />
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I swapped my 2 speed Brompton for a 6 speed earlier this year and the BWR (Brompton Wide Ratio) hub fitted with the standard 16T and 13T just wasn't right. I have never used the lowest ratio on the 3-speed hub (but I might if I ever decided to ride up Alpe d'Huez on the Brompton); in the middle and on the 16T I pull wheelies accelerating away from traffic lights and the jump from the 13T in the middle to the 16T on the high ratio felt too wide.<br />
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What to do? The new Brompton chainset makes it a simple task to swap chainrings, however replacing the worn chain gave me the cheaper opportunity to replace the rear sprockets with something different. So I decided to try out a 15T with a 12T.<br />
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The 1, 2 and 6 speed Brompton hubs have the same spline fitting as Shimano. Brompton sell a 12T as a replacement for the single speed but I couldn't find a 15 tooth from them (other than for a 3 speed hub fitting). But you can buy individual sprockets to replace worn parts to cassettes, so I purchased a Shimano 9-speed XT 15T sprocket.<br />
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Fitting both sprockets on the hub was straightforward and the gear change with a new (same length) KMC X8 chain is perfect.</div>
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The proof is in the <strike>porridge</strike> pudding. Today's commute with the new gearing was good; Pulling away from traffic lights on the 15T-middle was fine and didn't need the immediate change up as previous. The ratio between the 12T-middle and the 15T-high feels much closer and, I could be wrong, the Silly Commuter Race pace felt quicker.<br />
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Let's see how they wear.BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-45978789565047929092013-09-23T19:38:00.000+01:002013-09-23T20:52:53.988+01:00A (very, very, very, very) special dayYesterday was the final stage of the Tour of Britain and a wonderful opportunity to see the riders close-to.<br />
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Not only do you get to wander about the area where the team buses park and have a close look at the team bikes but the riders pass by at slow speed on the their way to signing on.<br />
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Then you can walk around the route whilst the racers smash around the 10 laps at over 50kmph average. If you are lucky you might manage to get a cast-away bidon (thank you team NetApp Endura).<br />
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Then if you are very privileged and you get an invitation to Rapha's Tour of Britain celebration party after the race (as my son and I did) then you get to hold the trophy, mingle with Ian Stannard, Bernie Eisel, Matt Hayman, David Lopez, Kristian House, Mike Cuming, Richard Handley, John Herety, Will Stephenson and Luke Mellor and many more. Star struck :-)<br />
<br />BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-73825963301192867742013-09-15T17:46:00.002+01:002013-09-17T20:48:59.027+01:00RIP wheelsI have started to give my Basso some TLC. It has been neglected for some while and I shall probably use it throughout the Winter which appears to be approaching rather suddenly.<br />
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The Basso had been cannibalised for parts during the Summer; 1" steerer spacers for my son's bike and the saddle for Brompton racing. Whilst re-assembling it I noticed the rear brake calliper had seized, the rear freehub was in a nasty state and there was an obvious cause of the puncture to the front wheel...<br />
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The rim is so worn the tyre pressure has made it give way and, what with a kaput rear freehub, I have to admit the wheelset is dead.<br />
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They were handbuilt for me by John Poyzer in 2007 and have served me well. I have ridden the cobbles of Flanders on these and up many tour climbs and they have covered thousands of miles. RIP.<br />
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What should I replace them with?BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585732956415864104.post-65758597832611315162013-09-10T19:46:00.002+01:002013-09-10T19:46:30.190+01:00Go Beastie, go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Follow Graeme Obree's progress as he tries to conquer the human-powered land speed record in Battle Mountain, Nevada.<br />
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<a href="http://obree.com/obree-news.html">http://obree.com/obree-news.html</a>BMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13168455222555876517noreply@blogger.com0