Cycling: issues/noticeboard

[oilworker]

p.s. forgot to give a plug for Discount Bicycles in W dulwich:

Discount Bicycles Limited

Unit B1 Park Hall Trading Estate

Park Hall Road

London SE21 8EN

Telephone:0845 166 8284

Sales:020 8761 8562

Customer Service:020 8761 2959 . They offer a very friendly service and are cheaper than most bike shops as they operate from an Industrial Estate. They have always been able to sort me out with the rubbishy little bits and pieces needed to keep my kids' bikes on the raod which is the hallmark of a good bike shop rather than the sort of place which stocks the latest "fixies" and skid-lids...

[Laddy Muck]

intexasatthe moment Wrote:

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> On a different note - Lidls have the reflective

> spoke thingys back in from Thursday 19 May .

> ?3.99 for 36 .

ooooooh how exciting! Do you know whether this includes the Peckham, Brixton and Sydenham branches? Only, last time, it didn't:(.

[Guest]

Can't see a post on this already so apologies if I'm duplicating.

Normally I avoid cycling into the centre of London as it feels like dicing with death and I'm wheezing by the end from all I've inhaled on the way, but while doing Southwark's free cycle training recently (which was excellent; thank you, Marilyn and Southwark) I was taken on a route from Dulwich to the S Bank which avoided most of the major roads and was told that you can order London cycle maps, also free, from the TFL website. Last Sunday I cycled to Hyde Park for the first time using Map 14 and it was great - only took 45 minutes coming back and no wheezing (though very dirty legs). Just wanted to pass it on to any other softy cyclists like me who may be interested in doing a bit more.

[Applespider]

I'd been told that often when you change chain, you need to change ring since otherwise it may jump. Since I spend mist of time in the middle ring, they are a lot more worn down.

Reason for new bike wasn't just shininess but by the time I bought the new bits and paid for fitting, it might be only slightly cheaper than getting the new C2W bike. I might go for a wander to some bike shops and try a few road bikes. If I find something I like then great. If not, I'll just keep my current one. Since getting cleats, the bike feels less right which is the other reason for considering a change - I don't really have room for 2 bikes :-(

Ms B - had the same experience with cycle instructors. Such a confidence boost. I find using the cycle maps in conjunction with Google Streetview works well for spotting route turns visually.

[oilworker]

When you change sprockets you normally need to renew the chain since the chain will have meshed itself with the worn sprockets. It is not normal to change chain rings when changing chain/sprockets as chain rings last much longer (with the possible exception of alloy granny (inside) rings on Mountain Bikes which have had serious amounts of climbing done on them)

[intexasatthe moment]

Ladymuck - I picked up the leaflet advertising them from the Peckham branch ...so I guess the Peckham branch will have them .

If I get the chance I'll pop in on Thurs and let you know .

[Applespider]

Ah... perhaps it's just my dodgy terminology - sprockets... gotcha!

[Laddy Muck]

@ Ms B:

Re. wheezing. I used to wheeze/cough horribly when undertaking my daily commute to Pimlico - especially in the summer. Doctor said it was asthma. Then I bought a cyclist's mask/filter. No more wheezing/coughing.

[Applespider]

How do you find the mask when you are riding? I've thought about them but wondered if they'd feel really hot or restrictive.

[Laddy Muck]

To be honest, I'd rather ride without it. But then, I'd prefer not to bother with a helmet, high viz clothing, bike clips etc. It is not so much restrictive, but it does get hot, damp and smelly! It's actually worse in the winter (condensation?), especially as runny noses are more prevalent at that time of year! The trick is to wash the filter regularly (I do mine weekly) and to replace it every so often. Sounds yukky doesn't it? It can be, but I think that's preferable to being ill with asthma. Bet you are glad you asked!?:))

I should say, I only use the mask when riding in cities. When cycling in the countryside or by the sea, I don't bother. Fortunately, for me, the need isn't there on those occasions.

[Guest]

Laddy Muck Wrote:

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> @ Ms B:

>

> Re. wheezing. I used to wheeze/cough horribly

> when undertaking my daily commute to Pimlico -

> especially in the summer. Doctor said it was

> asthma. Then I bought a cyclist's mask/filter.

> No more wheezing/coughing.

Thanks for the tip. I do get asthma occasionally but this feels completely different so you're probably right. Particularly bad recently with all the extra plant bits in the air.

[binary_star]

I am wheezing a lot these days as well and I have never suffered from asthma, and not ususally hay fever either. Maybe there is a particularly irritating pollen in the air, or just very high local pollen count? I can't bear face masks though, Applespider you summed up how they feel - hot and restrictive!

[Guest]

I think it's the hot spring weather producing more pollen than usual plus a lack of rain to bring it down to ground level, and when it's windy like it has been some days recently you can easily inhale larger particles than normal. In the same way I find I'm constantly getting bits in my eyes when cycling, even while wearing sunglasses. Hope we get some heavy rain soon; that'll clear it.

[Laddy Muck]

I don't generally suffer with asthma either B_S: only when cycling in cities without a mask or when surrounded by smokers. The mask, as yukky as it is, completely eliminates the asthma associated with cycling. Haven't tried wearing it amongst smokers though!;-)

[Laddy Muck]

Yes, particles in the eyes whilst cycling are a real nuisance - especially when they force you to stop because your vision has suddenly become virtually non-existent in one eye. I too have tried wearing sun glasses, but they often steam up. How do you stop that happening?

[binary_star]

Yep, have had a lot of particles in eyes too - and bloomin greenfly! I wear clear glasses which prevents the bugs, but not the polleny bits. I am worried that I'm damaging my lungs not wearing a mask in the city tbh, but it's just so horrible, I feel like I can't breathe with it on! Anyone know of a good non-restrictive-feeling one?

[Laddy Muck]

Oh Christ yes - I'd forgotten about the bloomin greenfly LOL!

[Applespider]

Go to Decathlon and buy 'skiing' sunglasses - they quite often have an anti-fog coating on the lenses which don't steam up as much.

The other reason for a mask (although I'm even more put off by finding it's hot and restrictive - is to avoid the greenfly. I'm sure I've eaten a few bugs in recent weeks. I don't suffer from asthma or hay fever so would rather avoid the mask if I could although I'm pretty sure the stretch from Stockwell to Vauxhall can't be doing great things for my lungs some days.

[Laddy Muck]

Skiing sunglasses? I never thought of that one. But, given that Decathlon is one of my favourite stores, I could do much worse than take a look. Thanks for the tip Applespider.

Vis a vis the wearing of a mask versus the condition of your lungs, I think that, if you saw the colour of my filters prior to changing, that might be sufficient to convince you to invest in one. Well, that and your inevitable diet of insects! Eeewwwwwwww...

[Guest]

Re alternatives to masks, I sometimes wear a scarf I can pull up over my mouth and nose if I need to, though I dare say I look a bit of an idiot (no change there then).

Urgh, insects. While living in the Netherlands some years ago I learned NEVER to wear lipgloss or balm while cycling. Easy to end up looking like something from a horror film.

I also learned how to pronounce the Dutch 'g' (sounds like 'ch' in 'loch' but wetter) when I cycled through a particularly bad cloud of mosquitoes with my mouth open and one got stuck on the back of my throat. Happy days.

[Applespider]

Ms B Wrote:

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> Urgh, insects. While living in the Netherlands

> some years ago I learned NEVER to wear lipgloss or

> balm while cycling.

But it would be excellent practice for that office challenge to eat a sugar donut without licking your lips...

[Laddy Muck]

*calls out*

INTEXATTTHE MOMENT...YOO HOO...any more info. on the reflective spoke thingy things from Lidls?

[Loz]

Don't know if he'll read this, but...

Are you a male cyclist wearing a blue top that cycled down Dog Kennel Hill, into Edgar Kail Way and into Sainsbury's at about 4.30pm today? You might want to know that cycling past the moving cars on their left in Edgar Kail Way, throwing your right arm out the millimetre you get your nose past them and swinging straight across the middle of the mini-roundabout is not a great idea. You probably don't know this (as you didn't look) but you missed collecting my bonnet by not very much. Not everyone takes that turn into Sainsburys - I normally don't but you were lucky that today was one of the few times I did. Even then it was a very *close* call.

If you do want to keep pulling this move, I suggest you keep your affairs in order - you probably are not going to be around for long.

[binary_star]

Haha, I read the above as: "Are you a male cyclist wearing a blue top hat"

[Loz]

binary_star Wrote:

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> Haha, I read the above as: "Are you a male cyclist

> wearing a blue top hat"

If he was - and he keeps up the way he cycles - it will end up being a flat cap...