classic car forum header
Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 
Register     Posting Photographs     Privacy     F/book OCC Facebook     OCC on Patreon

I've re-joined the dark side after 29 yrs
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration. Forum Index -> General Motoring & Collectables (inc Classic Caravans)
Author Message
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 7:46 am    Post subject: I've re-joined the dark side after 29 yrs Reply with quote

Morning all,

After 29 years out of the saddle, I've bought a bicycle, in a vague attempt to implement some form of exercise into my weekly routines. I won't be wearing lycra, nor will I be joining cycle clubs in a bid to help clutter up our roads, riding three abreast everywhere Smile

Are there any other cyclists in these parts?

The plan is to build up the length of my trips, but for now I'm just in the process of re-awakening muscles that have done very little for many a year.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MikeEdwards



Joined: 25 May 2011
Posts: 2463
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 10:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used to cycle for exercise, 10-15 miles per day as long as it wasn't raining, but I must admit I've let it drop for the last few years and the only time I cycle now is to my monthly classic car club meeting. For exercise I use a racing-style bike (but just a second-hand Raleigh bought years ago), for the car club meetings I bought a mountain bike so it could deal better with potholes, as it's after dark I can't always see them in order to avoid them. My only mistake was to use the supplied knobbly tyres, which make it much harder work to pedal. I'll replace them with road tyres when they wear out.

I did have to modify my route to take into account motorists and their selfish ways, though. Originally I'd cycle from Shavington, past the football ground to Crewe, along Nantwich Road towards Nantwich, and then either round the town and back along Newcastle Road, or cut along the by-pass to cut the town out. But the busy roundabout at the bottom of that section once the dual carriageway opened made me think twice - so many people with no idea of what lane to be in, and trying to control the bike while making appropriate hand signals to these people became quite a challenge.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've been back on my bike the last 3½ years. Try to do at least 100 miles a week though not always possible. Done quite a few centuries without any problems, not fast but certainly not the last one to finish, just need to pace properly from the start. My toughest ride was probably a sportive called the 3 Pistes, start at Pitlochry and cycle over Glenshee then over the Lecht and finish in the Cairngorms, 102 miles and 9500 feet of elevation which was easy enough but the weather was snow, gales, rain, sleet and plenty headwinds...Not a day I would like to do again.

Don't rule out the lycra, it's designed for a purpose and makes a world of difference when on the bike. A few miles every day and increase the mileage every week and you'll soon be signing up for TDF...
_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

100 miles a week!!!! it'll be a while before I get to that level of action, although in my own defence I doubt that I'd find time to do it either right now. Regular outings will do for the timebeing.

So what cycle(s) do you ride? I bought something called a hybrid (not one of the electric-powered machines), a lightweight aluminium frame job, with road rather than off-road in mind which suits me fine.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

5 years ago my daughter bought me a hybrid in an attempt to get me back into cycling. Coming from road bike background and with my advancing years I thought the hybrid would be perfect for me, but I hated everything about it. The bike felt heavy, slow, low geared and the sit up straight position just didn't work for me, so the hybrid languished in my garage and covered a total of about 20 miles in 18 months. Then my daughter said she had signed up for 112 mile sportive in the Highlands and I dug out my old steel Peugeot road bike and went out with her on a number of occasions to give her some advice and encouragement...That was what I needed and I was hooked once again on being a 'roadie'

All my bikes are drop handlebar road bikes or track style fixed for the velodrome.
I've still got an original steel Peugeot which I bough new in the 80s, it's done about 15000 miles and still runs like a dream. Only problem with it nowadays is due to my flexibility the downtube shifters are a bit of a struggle to get to so it doesn't get used very often. I also have a 1980 ALAN Super Record, an Italian aluminium state of the art frame in its day and almost as fast as my modern carbon framed bikes. During the winter months geared bikes are tucked away and I ride single speed which I thoroughly enjoy, there's something about the simplicity and not having to/being able to change gear that appeals to me and when a steep climb comes up I just have to get out the saddle and stomp on the pedals. To this day I've never had to get off and walk up any hills so must be doing ok. The others are mostly carbon modern bikes with the exception of one stainless steel bike and one Reynolds 853 bike and a couple of track fixed wheel bikes for the velodrome.

This is the ALAN








_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You need to sign up to www.strava.com (free) then using an app on your phone you can keep track of your rides. It's a great way of monitoring your progress
_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

47p2 wrote:
You need to sign up to www.strava.com (free) then using an app on your phone you can keep track of your rides. It's a great way of monitoring your progress


I'll bear that in mind when/if I upgrade my phone, ta for the link.

Might go out for a pedal this evening actually.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 6:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I needed a part for the Mercedes today from the dealership in Glasgow so did todays cycle collecting the part.

I did a nice ride last week with some mates

Train from Glasgow to Wemyss Bay where I met up with the rest of the guys. Ferry to Rothesay, cycle to Rhubodach, ferry to Colintraive, cycle to Portavadie, ferry to Tarbert, cycle to Claonaig, ferry to Lochranza, cycle to Brodick, ferry to Ardrossan. Train back to Glasgow and the rest of the guys rode back to Wemyss Bay to collect their cars. By the time the train arrived in Glasgow it was raining so I had a wet 6 miles cycle from Glasgow to my house.














Enjoy your cycle tonight...
_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A gentle 40 minute ride (including a couple of stops) was achieved this evening, a piffling 7 miles covered but enough to get my systems energised Smile Your rides out sound more entertaining!

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a Bickerton for a few years.

I think mine was an early prototype. It was very light if a bit flexible. Eventually the saddle post broke whilst I was pedalling up a hill. I landed squarely on my backside and fortunately wasn't run over by following traffic.
After that I donated it to a local museum.

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rick wrote:
Your rides out sound more entertaining!

RJ



Sometimes they can be fun, other days it's hard work. Today was hard work doing 20 miles on my 17 year old steel bike


_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My ride out today - after voting - came to a halt after 2 miles, on discovering a punctured rear tyre. Cue a leisurely walk home again Smile

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I never go out without a spare tube and puncture repair kit, easier to fix it at the side of the road than walk home
_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 5:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

47p2 wrote:
I never go out without a spare tube and puncture repair kit, easier to fix it at the side of the road than walk home


I'm coming around to that opinion also Smile

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get a small seat pack, it will carry spare tube, multi-tool puncture repair kit and a couple of other items.


_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration. Forum Index -> General Motoring & Collectables (inc Classic Caravans) All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
OCC Merch link
Forum T&C


php BB powered © php BB Grp.