Gullible's Travels
Monday, July 21, 2008
London to Paris - Training 04
It is all getting a bite serious this training lark:
Thursday, July 17, 2008: Went over to Raynes Park and picked up my new bike from Bright Cycles. I decided to go for the same as Mary, a Specialized Roubaix Comp. Spent two hours there first trying out the frame size up to make sure I was happy with the 54 cm frame.
Then it was a case of fitting all the bits and bobs - pedals, lights, lock, cyclo-computer, new helmet, gloves, shoes and socks. All the add-ins added another 30 percent on top of the cost of the bike. But hey it is my new "company vehicle" under the "Cycle to Work Scheme" so the company pays (out of pre-tax profit, we reclaim the VAT and it is a tax-free benefit).
Friday, July 18, 2008: Cycled to work and then home via Hammersmith and Barnes(!) in a figure of eight circumnavigating the London Wetland Centre. An hour and a half fast pace ride.
Saturday, July 19, 2008: Cycled to Richmond Park. As soon as we were off public highways and into the park we swapped Mary's pedals for clip-ins so she could get used to them with less danger of being run over by a truck. A circuit of the park and home. An hour and a half hilly ride.
Sunday, July 20, 2008: Cycled to Farnham for lunch with my parents. We took a more direct route than last time - 40 miles - but it still took us a lot longer than we had hoped. Those hills are the problem. Mary had the clip-ins and had three topples over. The bruises are starting to emerge nicely. A *mumble* hour long ride.
Monday, July 21, 2008: An hour down the gym with Mary's personal trainer to get a set of exercises to improve my core stability. I fear the six-pack is some way off :-(
It is all getting a bite serious this training lark:
Thursday, July 17, 2008: Went over to Raynes Park and picked up my new bike from Bright Cycles. I decided to go for the same as Mary, a Specialized Roubaix Comp. Spent two hours there first trying out the frame size up to make sure I was happy with the 54 cm frame.
Then it was a case of fitting all the bits and bobs - pedals, lights, lock, cyclo-computer, new helmet, gloves, shoes and socks. All the add-ins added another 30 percent on top of the cost of the bike. But hey it is my new "company vehicle" under the "Cycle to Work Scheme" so the company pays (out of pre-tax profit, we reclaim the VAT and it is a tax-free benefit).
Friday, July 18, 2008: Cycled to work and then home via Hammersmith and Barnes(!) in a figure of eight circumnavigating the London Wetland Centre. An hour and a half fast pace ride.
Saturday, July 19, 2008: Cycled to Richmond Park. As soon as we were off public highways and into the park we swapped Mary's pedals for clip-ins so she could get used to them with less danger of being run over by a truck. A circuit of the park and home. An hour and a half hilly ride.
Sunday, July 20, 2008: Cycled to Farnham for lunch with my parents. We took a more direct route than last time - 40 miles - but it still took us a lot longer than we had hoped. Those hills are the problem. Mary had the clip-ins and had three topples over. The bruises are starting to emerge nicely. A *mumble* hour long ride.
Monday, July 21, 2008: An hour down the gym with Mary's personal trainer to get a set of exercises to improve my core stability. I fear the six-pack is some way off :-(
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 10:21 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 13, 2008
London to Paris - Training 03
So we have been "off air" for two weeks in Puglia. Does that mean the training has let up? Exsqueeze me!
We have a couple of cheap and cheerful bikes in Italy bought from Conforama at Fasano - the superstore formerly known as Emmezeta. Top of their range which equates approximately to the bottom of any one else's, but they do the job.
We had packed our cycling shorts, we bought ourselves a couple of cycling helmets from the local bike shop and did a number of short runs to the local towns of Locorotondo and Cisternino.
Mark and Mary stand by their bikes in Puglia
Then the training plan suggested a 2 hour run on the flat. Looking around the Murgia hills of Puglia "flat" didn't really look like an option.
So we removed the quick release front wheels, stuffed the bikes into the back of the Fiat Punto and drove down to the coast. We parked up and did a two hour round trip from Savelletri to Monopli and back followed by a seafood pasta lunch at Rosa's with half a litre of white wine, a siesta and a sunbathe.
Somehow training in England won't be quite the same.
So we have been "off air" for two weeks in Puglia. Does that mean the training has let up? Exsqueeze me!
We have a couple of cheap and cheerful bikes in Italy bought from Conforama at Fasano - the superstore formerly known as Emmezeta. Top of their range which equates approximately to the bottom of any one else's, but they do the job.
We had packed our cycling shorts, we bought ourselves a couple of cycling helmets from the local bike shop and did a number of short runs to the local towns of Locorotondo and Cisternino.
Mark and Mary stand by their bikes in Puglia
Then the training plan suggested a 2 hour run on the flat. Looking around the Murgia hills of Puglia "flat" didn't really look like an option.
So we removed the quick release front wheels, stuffed the bikes into the back of the Fiat Punto and drove down to the coast. We parked up and did a two hour round trip from Savelletri to Monopli and back followed by a seafood pasta lunch at Rosa's with half a litre of white wine, a siesta and a sunbathe.
Somehow training in England won't be quite the same.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 9:54 PM 4 comments
Monday, June 23, 2008
London to Paris - Training 02
Sunday morning it was another training ride for the L2P. We cycled over to Richmond Park to meet up with Chris (mrtee) for two and a half circuits of the park and home again.
Only 30 miles but hard work what with the hills and the b******d of a head wind. Still Mary likes to see the positive side "think of it as a thigh strengthening opportunity"!
Chris, Mary and Mark Training in Richmond Park
The park is Cycle City, you could not move for lads in Lycra whizzing round the Park. Personally I dislike Lycra, artificial fibres feels clammy and unpleasant to the skin. The last time I wore nylon shirts was as a geeky schoolboy, never since. Give me natural fibres any day.
Tame Deer in Richmond Park
There is so much human activity that the deer are pretty unfazed by it all, no run-away deer here.
Sunday morning it was another training ride for the L2P. We cycled over to Richmond Park to meet up with Chris (mrtee) for two and a half circuits of the park and home again.
Only 30 miles but hard work what with the hills and the b******d of a head wind. Still Mary likes to see the positive side "think of it as a thigh strengthening opportunity"!
Chris, Mary and Mark Training in Richmond Park
The park is Cycle City, you could not move for lads in Lycra whizzing round the Park. Personally I dislike Lycra, artificial fibres feels clammy and unpleasant to the skin. The last time I wore nylon shirts was as a geeky schoolboy, never since. Give me natural fibres any day.
Tame Deer in Richmond Park
There is so much human activity that the deer are pretty unfazed by it all, no run-away deer here.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 9:34 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
London to Paris - Training 01
A hectic weekend starting with a BBQ for Tim and Sarah on Friday evening.
Saturday morning was a trip to Bright Cycles in Raynes Park to pick up Mary's new bike - a Specialized Roubaix Comp. A shiny toy for the L2P bike ride but not for riding on the road until Mary has had a chance to ride off-road and get used to clip-in pedals.
Then it was off to Richmond for Jeff and Jackie's combined 60th birthdays and 30th wedding anniversary celebrations followed by seafood gumbo at home and an early night.
So Sunday was our first opportunity for a real long training run. Up at 8:00 on Sunday morning we set off to visit my parents. The direct road route is 37 miles but we chose the scenic route <rolls eyes>. Up the River Wandle as far as Carshalton then via Epsom, cross country to Guildford and finally Cycle Route 22 alongside the Hogs Back.
We are not sure quite how far we cycled as the little trip computer stopped working after 17 miles but we reckon easily 50 miles. We arrived knackered and a couple of hours later than anticipated for a light lunch and the train back.
We got to Farnham train station to discover engineering works meant a replacement bus service to Woking and we were told "no bikes on the bus". Arrgh. Mary's legs, especially, were done for and we were looking at locking up the bikes and coming back later with the roof rack. Fortunately the driver was a very nice man and let us put the bikes in the luggage hold.
I can tell you my thigh muscles are getting pretty solid and we still have a lot more trainng to do.
A hectic weekend starting with a BBQ for Tim and Sarah on Friday evening.
Saturday morning was a trip to Bright Cycles in Raynes Park to pick up Mary's new bike - a Specialized Roubaix Comp. A shiny toy for the L2P bike ride but not for riding on the road until Mary has had a chance to ride off-road and get used to clip-in pedals.
Then it was off to Richmond for Jeff and Jackie's combined 60th birthdays and 30th wedding anniversary celebrations followed by seafood gumbo at home and an early night.
So Sunday was our first opportunity for a real long training run. Up at 8:00 on Sunday morning we set off to visit my parents. The direct road route is 37 miles but we chose the scenic route <rolls eyes>. Up the River Wandle as far as Carshalton then via Epsom, cross country to Guildford and finally Cycle Route 22 alongside the Hogs Back.
We are not sure quite how far we cycled as the little trip computer stopped working after 17 miles but we reckon easily 50 miles. We arrived knackered and a couple of hours later than anticipated for a light lunch and the train back.
We got to Farnham train station to discover engineering works meant a replacement bus service to Woking and we were told "no bikes on the bus". Arrgh. Mary's legs, especially, were done for and we were looking at locking up the bikes and coming back later with the roof rack. Fortunately the driver was a very nice man and let us put the bikes in the luggage hold.
I can tell you my thigh muscles are getting pretty solid and we still have a lot more trainng to do.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 11:38 AM 0 comments
Monday, June 16, 2008
London to Paris Bike Ride 2008
Mary, Lynn and I are gearing up for a London to Paris bike ride in September in aid of the Stroke Association. The ride will cover 244 miles in 3 days. This involves 85 miles on the first day to Portsmouth; a ferry ride and 59 miles on the second; and a colossal (for us anyway) 100 miles on the last day!
This is far more serious than anything we have ever done before and we are hoping to raise substantial amounts of money as a result.
Stroke is the 3rd biggest killer in the UK. By sponsoring our participation in this event you will be helping the charity to provide the services stroke survivors and their families so desperately need. The Stroke Association (http://www.stroke.org.uk) provides help through community or information services, funding pioneering research campaigning or providing welfare grants to help improve the quality of stroke survivors lives, and relies upon donations from supporters to help fund these activities.
You can sponsor us at
"http://www.justgiving.com/marymgalashan",
"http://www.justgiving.com/markmclellan" and
"http://www.justgiving.com/lynnh3" or by cheque made payable to the Stroke Association sent to our home address.
Thanks for your support
Mark & Mary
And these are the bikes Mary and I will be doing it on:
Mark's 30 year old Claud Butler
Mary's brand new Specialized Roubaix Comp
Mary, Lynn and I are gearing up for a London to Paris bike ride in September in aid of the Stroke Association. The ride will cover 244 miles in 3 days. This involves 85 miles on the first day to Portsmouth; a ferry ride and 59 miles on the second; and a colossal (for us anyway) 100 miles on the last day!
This is far more serious than anything we have ever done before and we are hoping to raise substantial amounts of money as a result.
Stroke is the 3rd biggest killer in the UK. By sponsoring our participation in this event you will be helping the charity to provide the services stroke survivors and their families so desperately need. The Stroke Association (http://www.stroke.org.uk) provides help through community or information services, funding pioneering research campaigning or providing welfare grants to help improve the quality of stroke survivors lives, and relies upon donations from supporters to help fund these activities.
You can sponsor us at
"http://www.justgiving.com/marymgalashan",
"http://www.justgiving.com/markmclellan" and
"http://www.justgiving.com/lynnh3" or by cheque made payable to the Stroke Association sent to our home address.
Thanks for your support
Mark & Mary
And these are the bikes Mary and I will be doing it on:
Mark's 30 year old Claud Butler
Mary's brand new Specialized Roubaix Comp
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 9:33 PM 1 comments
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2008
Fourteen bridges, 33 miles in aid of The Stroke Association along with 2000+ other riders.
As I wrote earlier ("Cash Rich, Time Poor") for Mum's 83rd birthday "We took our bikes with us on the train and on the way back we cycled 30 miles but that is another story..." So here is the story:
Instead of catching the train back we donned our cycling gear and pedalled off. The first part of the journey was along the new national cycle route 22. This took us along a delightful valley running parallel with the Hog's Back as far as Guildford.
There we picked up the River Wey Navigation. It started off with a proper tow path but as we got into open country it degenerated into meadow. Cycling over tussocks is hard work and our average speed plummeted. By the time we reached Weybridge we had covered 30 miles and it was starting to get dusk. So we hopped on a train for the rest of the homeward journey. That had always been the plan we just weren't sure which station.
Then Friday just gone Mary said "Let's not cycle home for gym and yoga followed by a fish supper. Let's cycle past Wandsworth and keep going to Kingston!" So that is what we did.
A very pleasant 20 mile commute along the Thames Path arriving knackered at KOT about 8 o'clock. We dined at Frere Jacques, looking a little put of place in our cycling gear, then caught the train home.
Sunday was what all this training was for. Up at our normal weekday time along with our friend Lynn to cycle up to Clapham Junction, train to Waterloo and cycle to the start line. We were on the very first batch over the line unfortunately we only got as far as the first bridge, Tower, when Mary's bike took a puncture :-( that lost us some time but we were soon on our way.
After that is was the same routine as previous years: cycle, pit stop, cycle, pit stop, finish and go to the Bell for lunch and a well deserved pint (or two), then train home. All in all we did over 40 miles.
Thames Bridges 2007
Thames Bridges 2006
Fourteen bridges, 33 miles in aid of The Stroke Association along with 2000+ other riders.
As I wrote earlier ("Cash Rich, Time Poor") for Mum's 83rd birthday "We took our bikes with us on the train and on the way back we cycled 30 miles but that is another story..." So here is the story:
Instead of catching the train back we donned our cycling gear and pedalled off. The first part of the journey was along the new national cycle route 22. This took us along a delightful valley running parallel with the Hog's Back as far as Guildford.
There we picked up the River Wey Navigation. It started off with a proper tow path but as we got into open country it degenerated into meadow. Cycling over tussocks is hard work and our average speed plummeted. By the time we reached Weybridge we had covered 30 miles and it was starting to get dusk. So we hopped on a train for the rest of the homeward journey. That had always been the plan we just weren't sure which station.
Then Friday just gone Mary said "Let's not cycle home for gym and yoga followed by a fish supper. Let's cycle past Wandsworth and keep going to Kingston!" So that is what we did.
A very pleasant 20 mile commute along the Thames Path arriving knackered at KOT about 8 o'clock. We dined at Frere Jacques, looking a little put of place in our cycling gear, then caught the train home.
Sunday was what all this training was for. Up at our normal weekday time along with our friend Lynn to cycle up to Clapham Junction, train to Waterloo and cycle to the start line. We were on the very first batch over the line unfortunately we only got as far as the first bridge, Tower, when Mary's bike took a puncture :-( that lost us some time but we were soon on our way.
After that is was the same routine as previous years: cycle, pit stop, cycle, pit stop, finish and go to the Bell for lunch and a well deserved pint (or two), then train home. All in all we did over 40 miles.
Clapham Junction at 07:15
At the start
Puncture at Tower Bridge
Richmond Park
Rest stop
Over the finish line
Helmet hair style
See http://www.flickr.com/photos/8179454@N02/sets/72157605025427055/ for a fuller set of larger images.
Thames Bridges 2007
Thames Bridges 2006
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:34 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat
You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers *
I am back on the bike after two weeks dental recovery. Last week I bought myself a new heart rate monitor and the first cycle into work took 41:00 minutes at an average of 155 bpm. At one point I looked down at the wrist monitor and it was showing 169; who needs to go to the gym for a workout.
Sunday we watched a DVD of "The Queen" starring Helen Mirren where a key theme is the relationship between Blair and HRH. This week Horse Guards Road is closed for the Trooping of the Colour so my route has had to change. In a piece of elegant symmetry my route in takes me up Whitehall past Downing Street and my route home takes me down the Mall past Buck House.
Sunday I pulled the unicycle out of the bike shed known as "Arthur", pumped up the tyres and took it for a wobble round the patio. I have to say it is *not* like riding a bike. I will need more practice even to get back to my previous dubious level of proficiency.
* "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" by Sparks
You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers *
I am back on the bike after two weeks dental recovery. Last week I bought myself a new heart rate monitor and the first cycle into work took 41:00 minutes at an average of 155 bpm. At one point I looked down at the wrist monitor and it was showing 169; who needs to go to the gym for a workout.
Sunday we watched a DVD of "The Queen" starring Helen Mirren where a key theme is the relationship between Blair and HRH. This week Horse Guards Road is closed for the Trooping of the Colour so my route has had to change. In a piece of elegant symmetry my route in takes me up Whitehall past Downing Street and my route home takes me down the Mall past Buck House.
Sunday I pulled the unicycle out of the bike shed known as "Arthur", pumped up the tyres and took it for a wobble round the patio. I have to say it is *not* like riding a bike. I will need more practice even to get back to my previous dubious level of proficiency.
* "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" by Sparks
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 12:56 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Charity Double Header
Sunday was all a bit hectic as we had signed up for the Stroke Association's Thames Bridges Bike Ride* and then Oddbins announced their annual wine fair** (all proceeds to charity) for the same weekend! What to do? Forget the bike ride? Start and wimp out halfway through? In the end Mary had a stroke of logistical genius: activate the Emergency Drinking Trousers (pat pending). So this it how it went:
Thames Bridges Bike Ride: Sunday morning we got up early so we could cycle to Clapham, got the train to Waterloo and cycled to the start line at Tower Bridge in order to be first away over the line at 8 o'clock. We were in the very first batch. We then cycled 32 miles over 16 bridges in 3 hours dead arriving at Hampton Court at 11:00.
Intermission: We then caught the 11:35 to Waterloo where we chained up our bikes on platform 16 and changed into our day clothes in the public loos. Lunch was a sandwich on the train. Hopped into a taxi and off to the Design Centre, Islington.
Oddbin's Wine Fair: As usual we started with champagnes; tasted about 17 and the Billecart-Salmon was this year's NV winner with an honourable mention for the Charles Lafitte. I cannot find my notes so cannot recall which was the vintage winner - ah found them - the Veuve Clicquot.
We then attended a master class on New Zealand Pinot Noir. Very educational and the best of the bunch was the Murdoch James "Fraser" Martinborough 2004. The rest of the afternoon tasting at will until it was time to stagger home with out friend John. Though, truth to tell, he was staggering more then we were!
* Previously:
Got the T-shirt
In Training for Charity Bike Ride 2
In Training for Charity Bike Ride
** Previously:
"Oddbin's Wine Fair 2006"
"Drinking for charity - It's a dirty job but..." (2004)
"Amethystos (under the counter)" (2005). ¶ Permanent link: 8:37 AM 0 comments
Sunday was all a bit hectic as we had signed up for the Stroke Association's Thames Bridges Bike Ride* and then Oddbins announced their annual wine fair** (all proceeds to charity) for the same weekend! What to do? Forget the bike ride? Start and wimp out halfway through? In the end Mary had a stroke of logistical genius: activate the Emergency Drinking Trousers (pat pending). So this it how it went:
Thames Bridges Bike Ride: Sunday morning we got up early so we could cycle to Clapham, got the train to Waterloo and cycled to the start line at Tower Bridge in order to be first away over the line at 8 o'clock. We were in the very first batch. We then cycled 32 miles over 16 bridges in 3 hours dead arriving at Hampton Court at 11:00.
Intermission: We then caught the 11:35 to Waterloo where we chained up our bikes on platform 16 and changed into our day clothes in the public loos. Lunch was a sandwich on the train. Hopped into a taxi and off to the Design Centre, Islington.
Oddbin's Wine Fair: As usual we started with champagnes; tasted about 17 and the Billecart-Salmon was this year's NV winner with an honourable mention for the Charles Lafitte. I cannot find my notes so cannot recall which was the vintage winner - ah found them - the Veuve Clicquot.
We then attended a master class on New Zealand Pinot Noir. Very educational and the best of the bunch was the Murdoch James "Fraser" Martinborough 2004. The rest of the afternoon tasting at will until it was time to stagger home with out friend John. Though, truth to tell, he was staggering more then we were!
* Previously:
Got the T-shirt
In Training for Charity Bike Ride 2
In Training for Charity Bike Ride
** Previously:
"Oddbin's Wine Fair 2006"
"Drinking for charity - It's a dirty job but..." (2004)
"Amethystos (under the counter)" (2005). ¶ Permanent link: 8:37 AM 0 comments
Friday, March 16, 2007
Street Life (Non Verbal Communication)
I love how much can be conveyed with just the raise of an eyebrow or the lift of a finger.
On the North side of Waterloo Bridge there is a cycle path that crosses the pavement much to the startlement of many an unsuspecting pedestrian. As a cyclist I know it's there and cast a quick glance over my right shoulder. A cyclist is approaching so I pause mid-stride. We make eye contact, he give the slightest of nods ("thank you"), I echo back a nod ("you're welcome"), he whizzes by and on I go. Courtesies exchanged to complement the morning sunshine.
I love how much can be conveyed with just the raise of an eyebrow or the lift of a finger.
On the North side of Waterloo Bridge there is a cycle path that crosses the pavement much to the startlement of many an unsuspecting pedestrian. As a cyclist I know it's there and cast a quick glance over my right shoulder. A cyclist is approaching so I pause mid-stride. We make eye contact, he give the slightest of nods ("thank you"), I echo back a nod ("you're welcome"), he whizzes by and on I go. Courtesies exchanged to complement the morning sunshine.
Labels: cycling, street life
¶ Permanent link: 8:21 AM 0 comments
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Back in the saddle
What with visits to the dentists, various meetings, trips and evening events I have not cycled to work for over two weeks. So it was good this week to get back in the saddle and cycle to work with Mary on her new "company vehicle".
Under the government's "Cycle to Work Scheme" the company can buy a bike and loan it to the employee. So we can not only reclaim the VAT but also pay for it out of pre-tax profits *and* it is not treated as a "benefit in kind" for personal tax purposes. A triple result.
Mary's previous bike's hub gear was starting to malfunction so we went and got her a shiny new Specialised bike complete with all the gear. The nice thing about the scheme is that the company can also provide all the extras as well: shoes, helmet, clothing, lights and lock. Those easily came to 300 GBP on top of the cost of the bike.
So I cycled Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday was an off-site meeting in the afternoon so cycling was not possible. Today I woke to the sound of rain lashing against the window and thought "S*d that for a game of soldiers" and caught the train.
What with visits to the dentists, various meetings, trips and evening events I have not cycled to work for over two weeks. So it was good this week to get back in the saddle and cycle to work with Mary on her new "company vehicle".
Under the government's "Cycle to Work Scheme" the company can buy a bike and loan it to the employee. So we can not only reclaim the VAT but also pay for it out of pre-tax profits *and* it is not treated as a "benefit in kind" for personal tax purposes. A triple result.
Mary's previous bike's hub gear was starting to malfunction so we went and got her a shiny new Specialised bike complete with all the gear. The nice thing about the scheme is that the company can also provide all the extras as well: shoes, helmet, clothing, lights and lock. Those easily came to 300 GBP on top of the cost of the bike.
So I cycled Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday was an off-site meeting in the afternoon so cycling was not possible. Today I woke to the sound of rain lashing against the window and thought "S*d that for a game of soldiers" and caught the train.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 8:26 AM 6 comments
Monday, October 23, 2006
My old Claud Butler
A while back Rosa asked about my trusty steed - an old Claud Butler (no "e" in Claud). Well she asked...
I bought it second-hand off Penny (Dave's first wife) sometime around 1984 (give or take a year). It is obviously a man's frame. It makes more sense for a woman to buy a male frame as they are stronger (or lighter for the equivalent strength). The saddle tube had snapped so I had to get that extracted and bought myself the classic Brooke's leather saddle it still has to this day.
Claud Butler frame
Over the years almost every part has been replaced apart from the frame, forks and handle bars. The seat post, saddle, wheels, chain rings, rear block, mudguards, panniers, crank arms, pedals have all been replaced at some point. I even had the frame stripped and repainted its current metallic blue colour. The guys who did it welded a crack near the headset and kindly preserved the CB badge. The model is unknown but I know the frame is 501 tubing.
Claud Butler badge
When I worked in London I used to cycle the 9.25 miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square in the City (of London) for four years from the beginning of April to the end of November clocking up over 10,000 miles. Plus various other excursions means that saddle and my bum have been through a lot together. Then I changed job, started working out of London and the bike no longer got the same usage until this current contract back in London.
Claud Butler saddle
For the full story of urban cycling this time round go to Like a Fish Needs a Bicycle and work your way forward.
A while back Rosa asked about my trusty steed - an old Claud Butler (no "e" in Claud). Well she asked...
I bought it second-hand off Penny (Dave's first wife) sometime around 1984 (give or take a year). It is obviously a man's frame. It makes more sense for a woman to buy a male frame as they are stronger (or lighter for the equivalent strength). The saddle tube had snapped so I had to get that extracted and bought myself the classic Brooke's leather saddle it still has to this day.
Claud Butler frame
Over the years almost every part has been replaced apart from the frame, forks and handle bars. The seat post, saddle, wheels, chain rings, rear block, mudguards, panniers, crank arms, pedals have all been replaced at some point. I even had the frame stripped and repainted its current metallic blue colour. The guys who did it welded a crack near the headset and kindly preserved the CB badge. The model is unknown but I know the frame is 501 tubing.
Claud Butler badge
When I worked in London I used to cycle the 9.25 miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square in the City (of London) for four years from the beginning of April to the end of November clocking up over 10,000 miles. Plus various other excursions means that saddle and my bum have been through a lot together. Then I changed job, started working out of London and the bike no longer got the same usage until this current contract back in London.
Claud Butler saddle
For the full story of urban cycling this time round go to Like a Fish Needs a Bicycle and work your way forward.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 11:25 AM 1 comments
Thursday, August 10, 2006
My Rig May Be Old
But That Don't Mean She's Slow *
Two weekends ago when we were down at the cottage I brought my old Claude Butler back up to London. I bought it 28 years ago and it was second hand then. And yet again I chopped a chunk off my commute time. The 6.8 miles (10.9km) normally takes 38 minutes but twice this last fortnight I have done it in 29 minutes.
I think the Specialised Crossroads Comp may be going out to Italy as a holiday bike.
* Six Days on the Road by Taj Mahal
But That Don't Mean She's Slow *
Two weekends ago when we were down at the cottage I brought my old Claude Butler back up to London. I bought it 28 years ago and it was second hand then. And yet again I chopped a chunk off my commute time. The 6.8 miles (10.9km) normally takes 38 minutes but twice this last fortnight I have done it in 29 minutes.
I think the Specialised Crossroads Comp may be going out to Italy as a holiday bike.
* Six Days on the Road by Taj Mahal
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 12:52 PM 2 comments
Monday, July 31, 2006
Family dining (2)
This weekend we fitted in a double dose of family dining. On our way back from the cottage we called in to Farnham for lunch with my parents. In the evening we went round to Ian&Sarah's along with Jane&Pete for another evening of family dining. An excellent evening; my brother has a wicked wit and had me creased up with a tale of him and youngest son doing "boy looking" in the video store.
Sunday was a bike ride round Battersea Park and Wandsworth Common plus work on the Shed Called Jackson. It was like a Tom and Jerry cupboard - you know - open the door and everything falls out. Now it has a shelf for bits and bobs, a tool rack and several hooks for hanging the paella burner, strimmer cable and such like. So much more ruly. ¶ Permanent link: 10:21 AM 1 comments
This weekend we fitted in a double dose of family dining. On our way back from the cottage we called in to Farnham for lunch with my parents. In the evening we went round to Ian&Sarah's along with Jane&Pete for another evening of family dining. An excellent evening; my brother has a wicked wit and had me creased up with a tale of him and youngest son doing "boy looking" in the video store.
Sunday was a bike ride round Battersea Park and Wandsworth Common plus work on the Shed Called Jackson. It was like a Tom and Jerry cupboard - you know - open the door and everything falls out. Now it has a shelf for bits and bobs, a tool rack and several hooks for hanging the paella burner, strimmer cable and such like. So much more ruly. ¶ Permanent link: 10:21 AM 1 comments
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Hampton Court to Hove 2006
As well as catching up on the saga of the holiday, this week Mary and I have been in training for today's 60 mile (96km) bike ride (http://www.capitaltocoast.org.uk/). As well as cycling to work and back four days this week we went for training rides on Tuesday and Thursday evening of 22 and 25 miles respectively. Very pleasant along the Thames path as far as Ham and back through Richmond Park.
Today we were up at 6am to drive over to Hampton for registration and set off by 7:30. We were joined by Kate&Ian who put us on to this ride in the first place (see Ian's previous mention in "Always wear a helmet")
Ian shot off and left the three of us to make our way to Hove in our own time - which turned out to be 7hr 20 min which I was happy with considering the hills, the blazing sunshine and the frequent rest stops. Ian, having thighs of steel, did it in under 3½ hours.
Ian, Kate, Mary and Mark on Hove sea front.
As well as catching up on the saga of the holiday, this week Mary and I have been in training for today's 60 mile (96km) bike ride (http://www.capitaltocoast.org.uk/). As well as cycling to work and back four days this week we went for training rides on Tuesday and Thursday evening of 22 and 25 miles respectively. Very pleasant along the Thames path as far as Ham and back through Richmond Park.
Today we were up at 6am to drive over to Hampton for registration and set off by 7:30. We were joined by Kate&Ian who put us on to this ride in the first place (see Ian's previous mention in "Always wear a helmet")
Ian shot off and left the three of us to make our way to Hove in our own time - which turned out to be 7hr 20 min which I was happy with considering the hills, the blazing sunshine and the frequent rest stops. Ian, having thighs of steel, did it in under 3½ hours.
Ian, Kate, Mary and Mark on Hove sea front.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 7:12 PM 2 comments
Thursday, June 15, 2006
England swings like a pendulum do
Three times this last week Horse Guards Road has been closed for various events related to QE2's birthday and the ceremony of Beating The Retreat so I have been forced to cycle down the Mall, past "Buck House" and through Victoria.
Along the Mall there were not one, not two but three pairs of 'Bobbies on bicycles, two by two'*. Make no mistake these are not your rose-tinted bobbies but pedal-powered traffic cops. They have words with cyclists who run red lights and, I presume, can pursue pickpockets through crowds where a car chase would be, to say the least, inadvisable.
See http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/news/2002/aug-12-02.html
and
"Flashing Blue Bike"
* England Swings by Roger Miller
Three times this last week Horse Guards Road has been closed for various events related to QE2's birthday and the ceremony of Beating The Retreat so I have been forced to cycle down the Mall, past "Buck House" and through Victoria.
Along the Mall there were not one, not two but three pairs of 'Bobbies on bicycles, two by two'*. Make no mistake these are not your rose-tinted bobbies but pedal-powered traffic cops. They have words with cyclists who run red lights and, I presume, can pursue pickpockets through crowds where a car chase would be, to say the least, inadvisable.
See http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/news/2002/aug-12-02.html
and
"Flashing Blue Bike"
* England Swings by Roger Miller
Labels: cycling, observations, street life
¶ Permanent link: 4:47 PM 0 comments
Thursday, May 25, 2006
I don't want to go to Chelsea
My normal cycle route takes me through Battersea Park and over Chelsea Bridge. This week thay have turned the car parks into overflow parking for the Chelsea Flower Show at only GBP 20 per day.
I know there are keen gardeners the world over but I do think of gardening as a particularly English obsession. At one wedding I went to the Best Man's speech included the quote, "If you want to be happy for a year get a wife. If you want to be happy for ten years get a dog. If you want to be happy for life get a garden". **
* (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea by Elvos Costello.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily the author's.
My normal cycle route takes me through Battersea Park and over Chelsea Bridge. This week thay have turned the car parks into overflow parking for the Chelsea Flower Show at only GBP 20 per day.
I know there are keen gardeners the world over but I do think of gardening as a particularly English obsession. At one wedding I went to the Best Man's speech included the quote, "If you want to be happy for a year get a wife. If you want to be happy for ten years get a dog. If you want to be happy for life get a garden". **
* (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea by Elvos Costello.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily the author's.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 8:38 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Fair weather cyclist
Yesterday morning I opened the kitchen door to let Cleo out into the back garden. She looked at the rain, I looked at the rain, we looked at each other and both thought, "S*d this for a game of soldiers". She went back to her basket and I caught the train to work. If you think I'm cycling in that you're barking.
Yesterday morning I opened the kitchen door to let Cleo out into the back garden. She looked at the rain, I looked at the rain, we looked at each other and both thought, "S*d this for a game of soldiers". She went back to her basket and I caught the train to work. If you think I'm cycling in that you're barking.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:02 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Candles in the Wind
Sunday I remarked to Mary how pretty all the candles on the horse chestnut trees were as we cycled along the Thames path: huge white flowers with little pinks dots.
Monday I was cursing them. Tree pollen is sharp stuff and the light breeze whipped up a continuous mist all the way home. It was like cycling through fine cinder dust. Gritty stuff and my eyes are still sore today. I pity any hay fever sufferers who are allergic to the stuff.
Sunday I remarked to Mary how pretty all the candles on the horse chestnut trees were as we cycled along the Thames path: huge white flowers with little pinks dots.
Monday I was cursing them. Tree pollen is sharp stuff and the light breeze whipped up a continuous mist all the way home. It was like cycling through fine cinder dust. Gritty stuff and my eyes are still sore today. I pity any hay fever sufferers who are allergic to the stuff.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 11:26 AM 0 comments
Monday, May 15, 2006
Got the t-shirt
Yesterday we completed the Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2006 in 3 hours 12 minutes and raised GBP 1,260 for the Stroke Association. Thank you to all our sponsors for their generosity.
Not only did we cycle the 32 miles but we also cycled from Waterloo station to the start, from the finish line to the pub, from the pub back to Hampton Court station and from Earlsfield station back home. Phew!
It was a good day for it weather wise: not raining, not too hot. We were booked for a 9:30 start as the organisers offered staggered start slots. Because of the Sunday train service we were early and scanned through the start gate by 8:30 making our target of The Bell Inn by 1 o'clock easy-peasy.
We normally cycle at around 13 to 15 mph but were hoping for an average 10 allowing for pit stops and clambering over bridges where the bike has to be carried. At one point Mary reached 29.7 mph on a long downhill but had to brake for a gate or she would have been in danger of breaking the speed limit!
The ride itself was uneventful and not too crowded as we were in the with the early riders. The highlights for me were the free Mars bar at the third pit stop and the fish and chips at the pub afterwards. I cannot remember how long it is since I ate either of these "delicacies". Oh, yes and a pint and a half of Old Peculier.
Our sponsors pledged a total of GBP 630 which we matched as promised. Now all we have to do is wait for next year's date to be announced.
Yesterday we completed the Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2006 in 3 hours 12 minutes and raised GBP 1,260 for the Stroke Association. Thank you to all our sponsors for their generosity.
Not only did we cycle the 32 miles but we also cycled from Waterloo station to the start, from the finish line to the pub, from the pub back to Hampton Court station and from Earlsfield station back home. Phew!
It was a good day for it weather wise: not raining, not too hot. We were booked for a 9:30 start as the organisers offered staggered start slots. Because of the Sunday train service we were early and scanned through the start gate by 8:30 making our target of The Bell Inn by 1 o'clock easy-peasy.
We normally cycle at around 13 to 15 mph but were hoping for an average 10 allowing for pit stops and clambering over bridges where the bike has to be carried. At one point Mary reached 29.7 mph on a long downhill but had to brake for a gate or she would have been in danger of breaking the speed limit!
The ride itself was uneventful and not too crowded as we were in the with the early riders. The highlights for me were the free Mars bar at the third pit stop and the fish and chips at the pub afterwards. I cannot remember how long it is since I ate either of these "delicacies". Oh, yes and a pint and a half of Old Peculier.
Our sponsors pledged a total of GBP 630 which we matched as promised. Now all we have to do is wait for next year's date to be announced.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 12:58 PM 1 comments
Friday, May 12, 2006
In training for the charity bike ride (2)
Not content with cycling to work, doing a full day's work and cycling home again Mary decided we needed to squeeze in another training session. So Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock we set off on a 10 mile round trip along the south side of the Thames.
We started off down Smugglers Way, over the Wandle, past the Ferrari workshop and down onto the promenade. Thence through Wandsworth Park, a Grade II listed historic park, and past the "des res" in Deodar Road (*average* price in the last 12 months: GBP 936,000). The Embankment took us past Putney and thence onto the Thameside Path.
This was packed with cyclists, joggers, amblers and dog walkers enjoying a warm evenings perambulation along the banks of the Thames. This tree-lined path takes a very pleasant route past the boathouses, the London Wetland Centre, more playing fields and a nature reserve until we reached Barnes Bridge.
That being five miles we did a U-turn and retraced our route, tight-lipped lest we inhale too many midges. Home for 8 o'clock and rest.
Not content with cycling to work, doing a full day's work and cycling home again Mary decided we needed to squeeze in another training session. So Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock we set off on a 10 mile round trip along the south side of the Thames.
We started off down Smugglers Way, over the Wandle, past the Ferrari workshop and down onto the promenade. Thence through Wandsworth Park, a Grade II listed historic park, and past the "des res" in Deodar Road (*average* price in the last 12 months: GBP 936,000). The Embankment took us past Putney and thence onto the Thameside Path.
This was packed with cyclists, joggers, amblers and dog walkers enjoying a warm evenings perambulation along the banks of the Thames. This tree-lined path takes a very pleasant route past the boathouses, the London Wetland Centre, more playing fields and a nature reserve until we reached Barnes Bridge.
That being five miles we did a U-turn and retraced our route, tight-lipped lest we inhale too many midges. Home for 8 o'clock and rest.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 10:42 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
In training for the charity bike ride
Mary decided that what we needed for a relaxing Sunday afternoon was not a pub lunch with a couple of pints of Youngs Best followed by a siesta but a 20 mile bike ride. This to get in training for next Sunday's Thames Bridges Bike Ride. So off we set...
A short-cut through the centre of the Wandsworth one-way system took us to King George's Park and the River Wandle. The river-side path took us as far as Wimbledon with me singing "Remember you're a Wandle (sic)" with apologies to Mike Batt and anyone within earshot.
Up the hill to Wimbledon Common, down to Robin Hood Gate and into Richmond Park for an almost complete circumnavigation exiting at Roehampton Gate. Cutting through Barnes Common and some urban backroads brought us to the Thames embankment and thence home to Wandsworth.
According to Mary's new bicycle odometer a trip of 20.5 miles. As much of it was through green and pleasant foliage that made for a most enjoyable way to exercise. After which our legs deserved a sit-down and a nice meal at Marco Polo on the River.
Mary decided that what we needed for a relaxing Sunday afternoon was not a pub lunch with a couple of pints of Youngs Best followed by a siesta but a 20 mile bike ride. This to get in training for next Sunday's Thames Bridges Bike Ride. So off we set...
A short-cut through the centre of the Wandsworth one-way system took us to King George's Park and the River Wandle. The river-side path took us as far as Wimbledon with me singing "Remember you're a Wandle (sic)" with apologies to Mike Batt and anyone within earshot.
Up the hill to Wimbledon Common, down to Robin Hood Gate and into Richmond Park for an almost complete circumnavigation exiting at Roehampton Gate. Cutting through Barnes Common and some urban backroads brought us to the Thames embankment and thence home to Wandsworth.
According to Mary's new bicycle odometer a trip of 20.5 miles. As much of it was through green and pleasant foliage that made for a most enjoyable way to exercise. After which our legs deserved a sit-down and a nice meal at Marco Polo on the River.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:06 PM 3 comments
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Mary and Mark enter Sponsored Bike Ride
Mary and I are doing the Thames Bridges Bike ride in aid of The Stroke Association: 14 bridges and 32 miles on Sunday 14-May-06. M & M Enterprises (that is us two for those who didn't know) will match the donations from sponsors (up to a maximum of £500 each).
Sponser Mark at https://secure.justgiving.com/markmclellan
Sponsor Mary at https://secure.justgiving.com/marymgalashan
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Stroke Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So please sponsor us now!
Many thanks for your support.
For more on the Ride see http://www.stroke.org.uk/get_involved/fundraising_events/thames_bridges_8.html
====== Update [28-April-06] =======
For anyone who is in the area we will be having a reviving beer at the Bell inn on Bell Road, East Molesey after the event - probably around 13:00. Hope to see you there.
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/13/1340/Bell/East_Molesey
Mary and I are doing the Thames Bridges Bike ride in aid of The Stroke Association: 14 bridges and 32 miles on Sunday 14-May-06. M & M Enterprises (that is us two for those who didn't know) will match the donations from sponsors (up to a maximum of £500 each).
Sponser Mark at https://secure.justgiving.com/markmclellan
Sponsor Mary at https://secure.justgiving.com/marymgalashan
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Stroke Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So please sponsor us now!
Many thanks for your support.
For more on the Ride see http://www.stroke.org.uk/get_involved/fundraising_events/thames_bridges_8.html
====== Update [28-April-06] =======
For anyone who is in the area we will be having a reviving beer at the Bell inn on Bell Road, East Molesey after the event - probably around 13:00. Hope to see you there.
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/13/1340/Bell/East_Molesey
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:20 PM 0 comments
Monday, April 24, 2006
Bike Rage
I am suffering Blog-lag: this should have been Friday's post but work and an early finish to leave for Italy got in the way.
Twice on Thursday I had to shout at motorists, once on the way in and once on the way home. Both for the exact same manoeuvre: stopped at lights, lights change to green and off they go, *as* they turn the corner they put their indicator on. As a cyclist on their inside this makes for an exciting moment or two.
FLAME ON *
What is the point of that! They are supposed to signal BEFORE the manoeuvre not AFTER. That is why they are called INDICATORS to INDICATE their intention BEFORE they do it so other road users can ANTICIPATE their actions and plan accordingly. Indicating to let people know what you've just done is completely bl**dy pointless. What is wrong with these plonkers?
FLAME OFF
My breathlessness while cycling limits my ability to indulge in a burst of Shavian wit so I confine myself to simple statement of fact. "You're supposed so to signal before you turn not after" I scream at them through the windscreen and cycle off in a cloud of righteous indignation.
* FLAME ON/OFF are rant delimiters are recommended in RFC 1855 Netiquette Guidelines
I am suffering Blog-lag: this should have been Friday's post but work and an early finish to leave for Italy got in the way.
Twice on Thursday I had to shout at motorists, once on the way in and once on the way home. Both for the exact same manoeuvre: stopped at lights, lights change to green and off they go, *as* they turn the corner they put their indicator on. As a cyclist on their inside this makes for an exciting moment or two.
FLAME ON *
What is the point of that! They are supposed to signal BEFORE the manoeuvre not AFTER. That is why they are called INDICATORS to INDICATE their intention BEFORE they do it so other road users can ANTICIPATE their actions and plan accordingly. Indicating to let people know what you've just done is completely bl**dy pointless. What is wrong with these plonkers?
FLAME OFF
My breathlessness while cycling limits my ability to indulge in a burst of Shavian wit so I confine myself to simple statement of fact. "You're supposed so to signal before you turn not after" I scream at them through the windscreen and cycle off in a cloud of righteous indignation.
* FLAME ON/OFF are rant delimiters are recommended in RFC 1855 Netiquette Guidelines
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:18 PM 1 comments
Friday, March 31, 2006
Street Life (Marathon Runners)
This week my cycle route to work has been littered with joggers, hundreds of them; they weren't there last week. You just *know* they have not been on a six-month, progressive training regimen. They all woke up last Sunday morning and went "Oh f**k it's the Marathon in four weeks! I better do some training."
This week my cycle route to work has been littered with joggers, hundreds of them; they weren't there last week. You just *know* they have not been on a six-month, progressive training regimen. They all woke up last Sunday morning and went "Oh f**k it's the Marathon in four weeks! I better do some training."
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 12:41 PM 0 comments
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The Tide Is High
but I'm holding on *
My mental jukebox is normally triggered by word association (see "Light Blue Car" and "Musical Malapropisms") but my cycle ride usually begins with the same two tracks cued by visual images.
It starts as I cycle into Battersea Reach (apartments *from* GBP 279,000) where all the hoardings are plastered with images of beautiful young things smiling, chatting, laughing, drinking wine and generally being nauseatingly trendy cool Yuppies and Dinkies. And off goes the play list starting with "Shiny Happy People" by REM.
Then I pass through the plaza and turn onto the Thames-side path. The first sight that greets me is a small stretch of river bank planted with water side plants. If the tide is out I get a view of a wide expanse of river mud and off goes track two, "The Tide Is High", and Blondie keeps me humming as far as the London Heliport.
* The Tide Is High by Blondie
but I'm holding on *
My mental jukebox is normally triggered by word association (see "Light Blue Car" and "Musical Malapropisms") but my cycle ride usually begins with the same two tracks cued by visual images.
It starts as I cycle into Battersea Reach (apartments *from* GBP 279,000) where all the hoardings are plastered with images of beautiful young things smiling, chatting, laughing, drinking wine and generally being nauseatingly trendy cool Yuppies and Dinkies. And off goes the play list starting with "Shiny Happy People" by REM.
Then I pass through the plaza and turn onto the Thames-side path. The first sight that greets me is a small stretch of river bank planted with water side plants. If the tide is out I get a view of a wide expanse of river mud and off goes track two, "The Tide Is High", and Blondie keeps me humming as far as the London Heliport.
* The Tide Is High by Blondie
Labels: cycling, observations
¶ Permanent link: 8:46 AM 0 comments
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl
but she doesn't have a lot to say *
They say that HM must think the world smells of fresh paint. She must also feel a bit like Moses parting the Red Sea as traffic jams miraculously melt away at her approach.
Yesterday morning as I turned right off Horse Guards Road onto the Mall there was a flurry of Police motor bikes. Heading towards me from Buck House were two sleek and well fed cars.
The front car was, I think, a Bentley discreetly crested and probably contained "Brenda" and "Phil the Greek" but it was hard to tell as she didn't wave to me :-(
The second car was a jet black Daimler with a matrix sign on the back parcel shelf that flashed "Police" ... "Keep" ... "Back". Somehow it did not seem like a request more an order. So I did, not wanting to invoke a sense of humour failure.
Instead of doing their normal leapfrog routine and stopping the side road traffic they took the simple expedient of driving straight through the wrong side of Admiralty arch and *poof* just like that, they were gone.
* Her Majesty by the Beatles
but she doesn't have a lot to say *
They say that HM must think the world smells of fresh paint. She must also feel a bit like Moses parting the Red Sea as traffic jams miraculously melt away at her approach.
Yesterday morning as I turned right off Horse Guards Road onto the Mall there was a flurry of Police motor bikes. Heading towards me from Buck House were two sleek and well fed cars.
The front car was, I think, a Bentley discreetly crested and probably contained "Brenda" and "Phil the Greek" but it was hard to tell as she didn't wave to me :-(
The second car was a jet black Daimler with a matrix sign on the back parcel shelf that flashed "Police" ... "Keep" ... "Back". Somehow it did not seem like a request more an order. So I did, not wanting to invoke a sense of humour failure.
Instead of doing their normal leapfrog routine and stopping the side road traffic they took the simple expedient of driving straight through the wrong side of Admiralty arch and *poof* just like that, they were gone.
* Her Majesty by the Beatles
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 8:14 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
It is the body that's knackered
It's official. We have the results from the Norwegian jury. It has been over two weeks since I bought my new hybrid bike. The journey time has not dropped; the average heart rate has not dropped; I feel just as puffed. So I guess it is time to fess up: it is the body that is old and knackered.
That said there have been some improvements since I started cycling six months ago. The weight has remained the same but the stomach has got smaller and the thighs have got bigger. Also I used to set the shower at work as cold as I could bear it to cool me down so I wouldn't still be sweating when I got out. Now I may not be cucumber-cool but I can enjoy a tepid shower.
So I have got fitter and I have saved money.
It's official. We have the results from the Norwegian jury. It has been over two weeks since I bought my new hybrid bike. The journey time has not dropped; the average heart rate has not dropped; I feel just as puffed. So I guess it is time to fess up: it is the body that is old and knackered.
That said there have been some improvements since I started cycling six months ago. The weight has remained the same but the stomach has got smaller and the thighs have got bigger. Also I used to set the shower at work as cold as I could bear it to cool me down so I wouldn't still be sweating when I got out. Now I may not be cucumber-cool but I can enjoy a tepid shower.
So I have got fitter and I have saved money.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:20 PM 1 comments
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Conscious Incompetence
Riding my new bike home on Friday evening and commuting this week put me in mind of the "Conscious Competence" model of learning. Unfortunately I am going backwards round the model. It was like being a learner driver all over again. Crunching the gears *wince*, wobbling round corners, trouble gauging the width of my vehicle.
Having ridden the old bike over 20 years and 10,000 miles I didn't even have to think when and how to change gear and could slalom betwixt taxi and bus with graceful and flowing curves. Now I am back to: approaching lights, change down, front cogs, changer on the left, forward lever, towards me, *clunk*.
Plus I am getting used to the whole style of the bike. Aluminium front forks are far less forgiving than steel over the cobbles of Storey's gate. The switch from dropped handlebars to straight alters the whole upper body posture. It all takes some getting used to. And the jury is still out on the bike vs body question. I must re-do my old route one morning to get a fair comparison.
Riding my new bike home on Friday evening and commuting this week put me in mind of the "Conscious Competence" model of learning. Unfortunately I am going backwards round the model. It was like being a learner driver all over again. Crunching the gears *wince*, wobbling round corners, trouble gauging the width of my vehicle.
Having ridden the old bike over 20 years and 10,000 miles I didn't even have to think when and how to change gear and could slalom betwixt taxi and bus with graceful and flowing curves. Now I am back to: approaching lights, change down, front cogs, changer on the left, forward lever, towards me, *clunk*.
Plus I am getting used to the whole style of the bike. Aluminium front forks are far less forgiving than steel over the cobbles of Storey's gate. The switch from dropped handlebars to straight alters the whole upper body posture. It all takes some getting used to. And the jury is still out on the bike vs body question. I must re-do my old route one morning to get a fair comparison.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 8:25 AM 3 comments
Friday, August 05, 2005
Hybrid or Road bike
Apologies to my regular readers (both of them) for a low blog count this week.
Monday I had thought to write up our wine-tasting from Saturday but didn't have my tasting notes. FYI it was four Chardonnays and four Syrah / Shiraz from the back of the cupboard (i.e. getting on and in need of drinking). Wednesday we had the head honcho from the client doing a tour of inspection - so no lunchtime surfing for all. Now it is Friday and I collect my new bike from Evans just round the corner.
For some time I have been toying with the idea of a new bike. Unable to decide whether it is the bike or the body that is old and knackered, I decided it was worth a try with a new bike. On the theory that I cannot change the body so changing the bike was, at least, worth a try.
Hybrid or Road bike was the next question. However this week's cycling make up my mind for me. Cycling the new off-road, cycle path route that Mary and I have sussed out, I have twice this week slid off on corners due to the smooth nature of the path. The pain, bruising and blood, not to mention the tear in my newly acquired lycra top, means I now want knobbly tyres with good grip.
Also this week hitting a pot hole at speed (swerving under the black cab to avoid the hazard was not really an option) meant having to reset both wheels at the kerbside. A road bike would have been f*****d by such conditions; I need a robust bike.
So, with some help from the charming and helpful Brazilian sales lady, I settled on a Specialized Crossroads Comp 2005. I left it there yesterday so they could fit the various accessories. Tonight I shall know the truth - body or bike!
Apologies to my regular readers (both of them) for a low blog count this week.
Monday I had thought to write up our wine-tasting from Saturday but didn't have my tasting notes. FYI it was four Chardonnays and four Syrah / Shiraz from the back of the cupboard (i.e. getting on and in need of drinking). Wednesday we had the head honcho from the client doing a tour of inspection - so no lunchtime surfing for all. Now it is Friday and I collect my new bike from Evans just round the corner.
For some time I have been toying with the idea of a new bike. Unable to decide whether it is the bike or the body that is old and knackered, I decided it was worth a try with a new bike. On the theory that I cannot change the body so changing the bike was, at least, worth a try.
Hybrid or Road bike was the next question. However this week's cycling make up my mind for me. Cycling the new off-road, cycle path route that Mary and I have sussed out, I have twice this week slid off on corners due to the smooth nature of the path. The pain, bruising and blood, not to mention the tear in my newly acquired lycra top, means I now want knobbly tyres with good grip.
Also this week hitting a pot hole at speed (swerving under the black cab to avoid the hazard was not really an option) meant having to reset both wheels at the kerbside. A road bike would have been f*****d by such conditions; I need a robust bike.
So, with some help from the charming and helpful Brazilian sales lady, I settled on a Specialized Crossroads Comp 2005. I left it there yesterday so they could fit the various accessories. Tonight I shall know the truth - body or bike!
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:31 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Daisy, Daisy
Give me your answer do *
Today Mary and I cycled in to work together most of the way; not on a tandem but in tandem. We brought up Mary's folding bike up from the cottage on the train Monday and today she led me a different route in.
Normally I do no-brainer, shortest distance road route. Mary favours more scenic (and probably safer) cycle routes courtesy of the London Cycling Campaign's cycling map. This led us through Battersea Park and past the Peace Pagoda.
It was, in truth, a pleasanter route and I may well consider adding a few minutes to my journey in exchange for an improved two-wheeled lifestyle.
* Daisy Bell Harry Dacre, 1892
Give me your answer do *
Today Mary and I cycled in to work together most of the way; not on a tandem but in tandem. We brought up Mary's folding bike up from the cottage on the train Monday and today she led me a different route in.
Normally I do no-brainer, shortest distance road route. Mary favours more scenic (and probably safer) cycle routes courtesy of the London Cycling Campaign's cycling map. This led us through Battersea Park and past the Peace Pagoda.
It was, in truth, a pleasanter route and I may well consider adding a few minutes to my journey in exchange for an improved two-wheeled lifestyle.
* Daisy Bell Harry Dacre, 1892
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 8:24 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
It's got a basket
Three bike items:
1) Sunday, on the way back from the cottage, I called in at Ian(&Kate)'s to check out his spare road bike. He is a serious, 100k on a Sunday morning, cyclist and has upgraded from aluminium to titanium! I wanted to know whether it was the (25-year-old) bike that was knackered or the (52-year-old) body ("Cycling shouldn't be this hard!"). Unfortunately I was not able to test ride the bike as it had no pedals! So back again in two weeks.
2) Monday I decided to "treat" myself to some clip-ins to replace the (20-year-old) toe-clip&straps arrangement that I put on my bike shortly after I bought it off Penny and read Richard's Bicycle Book. Shimano I think they are.
3) Tuesday; anyway, my bike has pannier carriers with an old wire basket cable-tied to it. So uncool - no serious road-biker would be seen dead with such a thing. But for me practical as I dump my old shoulder bag into it containing the clean shirt to change into at work, post-shower. This morning Mary and I saw a similar old bike but for a basket he had a wooden Chateau Cissac box attached at the back; now that is style!
So what top growth claret box could I attach to the back of a Ian's road bike? Let me check out the cellar now :-)
Three bike items:
1) Sunday, on the way back from the cottage, I called in at Ian(&Kate)'s to check out his spare road bike. He is a serious, 100k on a Sunday morning, cyclist and has upgraded from aluminium to titanium! I wanted to know whether it was the (25-year-old) bike that was knackered or the (52-year-old) body ("Cycling shouldn't be this hard!"). Unfortunately I was not able to test ride the bike as it had no pedals! So back again in two weeks.
2) Monday I decided to "treat" myself to some clip-ins to replace the (20-year-old) toe-clip&straps arrangement that I put on my bike shortly after I bought it off Penny and read Richard's Bicycle Book. Shimano I think they are.
3) Tuesday; anyway, my bike has pannier carriers with an old wire basket cable-tied to it. So uncool - no serious road-biker would be seen dead with such a thing. But for me practical as I dump my old shoulder bag into it containing the clean shirt to change into at work, post-shower. This morning Mary and I saw a similar old bike but for a basket he had a wooden Chateau Cissac box attached at the back; now that is style!
So what top growth claret box could I attach to the back of a Ian's road bike? Let me check out the cellar now :-)
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 10:41 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Always wear a helmet
Around 70% of the cyclists killed on the road have major head injuries and over half of cyclists injured have head injuries. Source: ROSPA.
I always wear a helmet [see entry "And a trifle uncool"]. So does my mate Ian and it saved him from serious injury, possibly death. Just look what it did to the car:
Don't argue: Just Do It! Wear a helmet!
More stats from ROSPA:
Cyclist Casualties (2003):
• Killed: 114
• Seriously Injured: 2,297
• Slightly Injured: 14,622
• Total: 17,033
Cycling Accidents:
• 90% occur in urban areas
• 75% happen at, or near, a road junction
• 80% occur in daylight
• 80% of cyclist casualties are male
• About one third of the cyclists killed or injured are children
• Around three quarters of cyclists killed have major head injuries.
Another source of info on cycling in the metropolis: London Cycling Campaign
Around 70% of the cyclists killed on the road have major head injuries and over half of cyclists injured have head injuries. Source: ROSPA.
I always wear a helmet [see entry "And a trifle uncool"]. So does my mate Ian and it saved him from serious injury, possibly death. Just look what it did to the car:
Don't argue: Just Do It! Wear a helmet!
More stats from ROSPA:
Cyclist Casualties (2003):
• Killed: 114
• Seriously Injured: 2,297
• Slightly Injured: 14,622
• Total: 17,033
Cycling Accidents:
• 90% occur in urban areas
• 75% happen at, or near, a road junction
• 80% occur in daylight
• 80% of cyclist casualties are male
• About one third of the cyclists killed or injured are children
• Around three quarters of cyclists killed have major head injuries.
Another source of info on cycling in the metropolis: London Cycling Campaign
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 12:52 PM 5 comments
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Emergency drinking trousers
One challenge with cycling in shorts and changing into a suit when I get to work is managing the logistics. If I go out for a drink after work not many wine bars' dress code extend to lycra shorts and a T-shirt.
Last night I met up with Martin Haswell (old KGS chum as previously blogged [1], [2]). I did not want to go out in the suit otherwise how do I cycle home and how do I get the suit back to work the next day?
The answer is the "Emergency Drinking Trousers" (pat. pending). I keep a pair of trousers in the cupboard at work and change into them (over lycra if cycling home). Then cycle in the next morning with the trousers rolled up in the saddle bag. Problem solved!
One challenge with cycling in shorts and changing into a suit when I get to work is managing the logistics. If I go out for a drink after work not many wine bars' dress code extend to lycra shorts and a T-shirt.
Last night I met up with Martin Haswell (old KGS chum as previously blogged [1], [2]). I did not want to go out in the suit otherwise how do I cycle home and how do I get the suit back to work the next day?
The answer is the "Emergency Drinking Trousers" (pat. pending). I keep a pair of trousers in the cupboard at work and change into them (over lycra if cycling home). Then cycle in the next morning with the trousers rolled up in the saddle bag. Problem solved!
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 8:36 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Faster than Paula Radcliffe
I have previously blogged how Paula can run faster than I can cycle. But today I knocked 6 minutes off the journey time from Wandsworth to Drury Lane. Thus increasing my average speed from 11.3 mph to 14.8 mph beating Paula's 11.5 mph.
I would like to claim it is all the training but I haven't done any, nor have I cycled for a fortnight. No, it was simply that I hit all the lights on green and that made the difference.
PS.
Suddenly decided to recheck my maths and realised I must have had a funny turn. A distance of 6.4 miles in 32 minutes is in fact 12.0 mph, and Paula's speed was 11.4 mph. So I was always faster (on a bike).
PPS.
Mind you, I bet if you put Paula on a bike it wouldn't be me who was the faster.
I have previously blogged how Paula can run faster than I can cycle. But today I knocked 6 minutes off the journey time from Wandsworth to Drury Lane. Thus increasing my average speed from 11.3 mph to 14.8 mph beating Paula's 11.5 mph.
I would like to claim it is all the training but I haven't done any, nor have I cycled for a fortnight. No, it was simply that I hit all the lights on green and that made the difference.
PS.
Suddenly decided to recheck my maths and realised I must have had a funny turn. A distance of 6.4 miles in 32 minutes is in fact 12.0 mph, and Paula's speed was 11.4 mph. So I was always faster (on a bike).
PPS.
Mind you, I bet if you put Paula on a bike it wouldn't be me who was the faster.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:36 PM 1 comments
Monday, April 25, 2005
Me and Paula Radcliffe
Friday I was thinking "Cycling shouldn't be this hard!" and cursing E.W.Evans servicing abilities. I even got off at Battersea to check the back tyre wasn't rubbing. The previous owner of the bike had changed the thin racing tyres for normal road tyres which means the gap between rubber and frame is very narrow. The quick release mechanism sometime slips and then friction occurs.
But not this time, so I puffed and strained the rest of the way to work, 10 minutes slower than usual, swearing I would call Evans and demand some after-service service. When I got to work I did a final QA of the bike and found that a front brake block was loose and I had been cycling with the brakes on. Whoops.
Mind you even at my normal speed it takes me 32 minutes to do the 6.4 miles which is 11.29 mph.
Paula Radcliffe did the 26.22 miles of the marathon in 2 hours 17 minutes which I make 11.48 mph.
So that means she can run for over two hours faster than I can manage on a bike for half an hour. That is fast!
Friday I was thinking "Cycling shouldn't be this hard!" and cursing E.W.Evans servicing abilities. I even got off at Battersea to check the back tyre wasn't rubbing. The previous owner of the bike had changed the thin racing tyres for normal road tyres which means the gap between rubber and frame is very narrow. The quick release mechanism sometime slips and then friction occurs.
But not this time, so I puffed and strained the rest of the way to work, 10 minutes slower than usual, swearing I would call Evans and demand some after-service service. When I got to work I did a final QA of the bike and found that a front brake block was loose and I had been cycling with the brakes on. Whoops.
Mind you even at my normal speed it takes me 32 minutes to do the 6.4 miles which is 11.29 mph.
Paula Radcliffe did the 26.22 miles of the marathon in 2 hours 17 minutes which I make 11.48 mph.
So that means she can run for over two hours faster than I can manage on a bike for half an hour. That is fast!
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 8:25 PM 3 comments
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Cycling "en danseuse"
Many thanks to Stroppy Cow for introducing me to this delightful French expression for cycling standing up. Something I do regularly when I do not change down in time for the lights or find myself going up an incline.
The trouble is I find I need to do it more and more. I don't remember it being so hard when I used to do the 9.25 miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square. Now I am only doing 6 miles from Wandsworth to Drury Lane and it feels like I am on an exercise bike from the gym.
So Wednesday I took the bike to Evans Cycles in Wandsworth for the full service. They dismantle, clean and re-grease all the bearings. Thursday and Friday cycling was no easier so it must be my body that needs the service :-(
Many thanks to Stroppy Cow for introducing me to this delightful French expression for cycling standing up. Something I do regularly when I do not change down in time for the lights or find myself going up an incline.
The trouble is I find I need to do it more and more. I don't remember it being so hard when I used to do the 9.25 miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square. Now I am only doing 6 miles from Wandsworth to Drury Lane and it feels like I am on an exercise bike from the gym.
So Wednesday I took the bike to Evans Cycles in Wandsworth for the full service. They dismantle, clean and re-grease all the bearings. Thursday and Friday cycling was no easier so it must be my body that needs the service :-(
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 3:24 PM 1 comments
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Fail to proceed
As previously mentioned I do not run red lights when on the bike. I use them as an opportunity to a) get my breath back and b) look around me.
London is not one homogenised urban sprawl: it is hundreds of once separate villages that the Victorian explosion agglomerated into a continuous habitation. My six mile cycle passes through a succession of micro-habitats from elegant to squalid and back again. Waiting at one set of lights I was reminded of a doubtless apocryphal tale told me by an ex-colleague...
So he claims the Rolls-Royce user manual used to contain a paragraph along the following sentiments: "The Rolls-Royce does not break down. It may occasionally fail to proceed. Should this occur the owner should contact the service department and await assistance. The owner may wish to avail himself of this opportunity to acquaint himself with his surroundings."
As previously mentioned I do not run red lights when on the bike. I use them as an opportunity to a) get my breath back and b) look around me.
London is not one homogenised urban sprawl: it is hundreds of once separate villages that the Victorian explosion agglomerated into a continuous habitation. My six mile cycle passes through a succession of micro-habitats from elegant to squalid and back again. Waiting at one set of lights I was reminded of a doubtless apocryphal tale told me by an ex-colleague...
So he claims the Rolls-Royce user manual used to contain a paragraph along the following sentiments: "The Rolls-Royce does not break down. It may occasionally fail to proceed. Should this occur the owner should contact the service department and await assistance. The owner may wish to avail himself of this opportunity to acquaint himself with his surroundings."
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 6:10 PM 1 comments
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Yours is no disgrace
Back in the saddle after a week off - evening social engagements and other feeble excuses - and I still get overtaken. This despite have swapped Mary's small wheeled folding bike for my [t]rusty old Claude Butler.
Passing the MI6 building I was, myself, passed by first a guy in yellow lycra, then some lardy-arse bloke, then a young slip of a girl (though the lycra suited her better!). Me puffing to keep up, caught up with them as they, unusually, stopped at the Embankment / Lambeth Bridge lights.
Then I saw that all three had the slick racing tyres and the proper, clip-into-place racing shoes. So they had the gear and, I suspect, had done this before. So no shame then to be overtaken by them and off I went singing to myself "Yours is no disgrace" *
* The Yes Album
Back in the saddle after a week off - evening social engagements and other feeble excuses - and I still get overtaken. This despite have swapped Mary's small wheeled folding bike for my [t]rusty old Claude Butler.
Passing the MI6 building I was, myself, passed by first a guy in yellow lycra, then some lardy-arse bloke, then a young slip of a girl (though the lycra suited her better!). Me puffing to keep up, caught up with them as they, unusually, stopped at the Embankment / Lambeth Bridge lights.
Then I saw that all three had the slick racing tyres and the proper, clip-into-place racing shoes. So they had the gear and, I suspect, had done this before. So no shame then to be overtaken by them and off I went singing to myself "Yours is no disgrace" *
* The Yes Album
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:00 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Brass monkeys on Christmas morn
[Saturday 25 December 2004]
Up at 7:30 am on Christmas morning to cycle the five miles back to Francesca's to pick up the car. Only 1.5°C so the fingers were a bit numb by the time it came to folding up the bike and stuffing on the back seat.
But far better than drink-driving the evening before. I might stretch to 2 glasses over along evening but more than that is dangerous and irresponsible - mind you some might take the zero tolerance stance. Hey, we all make choices.
[Saturday 25 December 2004]
Up at 7:30 am on Christmas morning to cycle the five miles back to Francesca's to pick up the car. Only 1.5°C so the fingers were a bit numb by the time it came to folding up the bike and stuffing on the back seat.
But far better than drink-driving the evening before. I might stretch to 2 glasses over along evening but more than that is dangerous and irresponsible - mind you some might take the zero tolerance stance. Hey, we all make choices.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 6:21 PM 1 comments
Thursday, November 04, 2004
I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like
At the weekend I brought my "proper" bike up to London and on Monday knocked 10 minutes off the commute to work (down to 31 minutes for the 6.5 miles). That bike saddle and my bum have done more than 10,000 miles (16,000 km) together; it fits like, erm, hand in glove. But it is hard to say whether the saddle has moulded to me or the other way round.
This morning I was behind a woman who struggled to take off from the lights when they changed. The reason for this was that she had her mountain bike in top gear. That is true of most men as well, that was not a gender specific comment.
Firstly, I do not remember seeing any mountains on my route along the Thames. These bikes are the pedal-powered equivalent of SUV's.
Secondly, why pay good money for all those gears and not use them? You wouldn't drive your car everywhere in fourth gear, would you, so why do it with a bike?
* Bike by Pink Floyd
At the weekend I brought my "proper" bike up to London and on Monday knocked 10 minutes off the commute to work (down to 31 minutes for the 6.5 miles). That bike saddle and my bum have done more than 10,000 miles (16,000 km) together; it fits like, erm, hand in glove. But it is hard to say whether the saddle has moulded to me or the other way round.
This morning I was behind a woman who struggled to take off from the lights when they changed. The reason for this was that she had her mountain bike in top gear. That is true of most men as well, that was not a gender specific comment.
Firstly, I do not remember seeing any mountains on my route along the Thames. These bikes are the pedal-powered equivalent of SUV's.
Secondly, why pay good money for all those gears and not use them? You wouldn't drive your car everywhere in fourth gear, would you, so why do it with a bike?
* Bike by Pink Floyd
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 1:51 PM 1 comments
Friday, October 08, 2004
Four sigma and falling
For those of you who did not get the reference Six Sigma is a quality management program aiming at fewer than 3.4 defects in one million. Going through a pedestrian crossing red light is an integrity defect, I have fallen short of my own standards.
Today I tried cycling along the embankment. There were a number of other cyclists doing the same but it did not feel right, it is for pedestrians. I will not be doing that again. It is roads and cycle paths for me. But I am not sure that will go any way towards achieving six sigma integrity
On the up side you get views you do not see on a commuter train. Cycling over Southwark Bridge this morning I got a wonderful view of the sunrise over Tower Bridge.
For those of you who did not get the reference Six Sigma is a quality management program aiming at fewer than 3.4 defects in one million. Going through a pedestrian crossing red light is an integrity defect, I have fallen short of my own standards.
Today I tried cycling along the embankment. There were a number of other cyclists doing the same but it did not feel right, it is for pedestrians. I will not be doing that again. It is roads and cycle paths for me. But I am not sure that will go any way towards achieving six sigma integrity
On the up side you get views you do not see on a commuter train. Cycling over Southwark Bridge this morning I got a wonderful view of the sunrise over Tower Bridge.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 6:22 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Berserk cycling (continued)
The connection is the word "sark". The story of Cutty Sark as popularised by Robert Burns introduces us to the words "cutty sark" which is Scottish for "short shirt". The same sark word appears in the origin of berserk from "bera serkr" a "bear shirt" i.e. a shirt made of furry bear pelt.
However an alternative (and possibly spurious) etymology recounted to me by a mycologist was that berserk had its origins in bare [sic] shirt. His theory was that the Norse warriors were so hopped up on Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) that they went into battle bare-chested. And that is how I used to cycle.
In order to arrive at work cool and un-sweaty I would cycle bare-chested the 9.25 miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square, using the wind chill factor to lose the excess heat being generated.
I used to listen to the weather on the radio and if is was above 11°C (52°F) I would cycle bare-chested. If it was below, I would don a T-shirt to keep me comfortable until I warmed up. That was usually the first mile; I would stop at Colliers Wood, strip off and continue my merry way - berserk.
The connection is the word "sark". The story of Cutty Sark as popularised by Robert Burns introduces us to the words "cutty sark" which is Scottish for "short shirt". The same sark word appears in the origin of berserk from "bera serkr" a "bear shirt" i.e. a shirt made of furry bear pelt.
However an alternative (and possibly spurious) etymology recounted to me by a mycologist was that berserk had its origins in bare [sic] shirt. His theory was that the Norse warriors were so hopped up on Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) that they went into battle bare-chested. And that is how I used to cycle.
In order to arrive at work cool and un-sweaty I would cycle bare-chested the 9.25 miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square, using the wind chill factor to lose the excess heat being generated.
I used to listen to the weather on the radio and if is was above 11°C (52°F) I would cycle bare-chested. If it was below, I would don a T-shirt to keep me comfortable until I warmed up. That was usually the first mile; I would stop at Colliers Wood, strip off and continue my merry way - berserk.
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 9:30 PM 1 comments
Friday, September 24, 2004
Red light, green light
speedin' through the dark night *
It amazes me how many cyclists go thorough red lights; like being muscle powered somehow makes them exempt from the laws of the land. It is a PITA stopping at junctions and pedestrian crossings but IHMO it is both legal and sensible. If they get knocked over by a car because they went through a red light they would not get much sympathy from me.
* Gotta see Jane by Golden Earring (although I wanted it to be R Dean Taylor).
speedin' through the dark night *
It amazes me how many cyclists go thorough red lights; like being muscle powered somehow makes them exempt from the laws of the land. It is a PITA stopping at junctions and pedestrian crossings but IHMO it is both legal and sensible. If they get knocked over by a car because they went through a red light they would not get much sympathy from me.
* Gotta see Jane by Golden Earring (although I wanted it to be R Dean Taylor).
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 9:57 AM 1 comments
Thursday, September 23, 2004
And a trifle uncool
For the last two mornings the upstairs neighbours have woken me up around 4:15 am. They can't help it our lives share the void that is the space between floorboard and ceiling. So I had no excuse about having time to get ready and cycle in to work. Seeing as how it is Mary's little folding bike and I am not - yet - at my greyhound racing weight lots of people whizzed by on serious looking machines. I was a little sweaty by the time I got to work but fortunately there are showers there so no danger of me being whifftacular.
At lunchtime I popped down to E.W.Evans in the city to buy a fluorescent jacket, and some lights. The boys and their toys were there with some serious dude bikes on display. The assistant was kind enough not to sneer at mine; it was definately a little uncool.
I popped back after work to treat myself to a new helmet as the current one was v. ancient and the technology has moved on no end. I am very gung-ho about wearing a helmet. It protects my skull which protects my brain, of which I am fond. As Woody Allen said in Sleepers when they told him he was going to have his brain "electronically simplified" he replied "My brain - it's my second favorite organ"
For the last two mornings the upstairs neighbours have woken me up around 4:15 am. They can't help it our lives share the void that is the space between floorboard and ceiling. So I had no excuse about having time to get ready and cycle in to work. Seeing as how it is Mary's little folding bike and I am not - yet - at my greyhound racing weight lots of people whizzed by on serious looking machines. I was a little sweaty by the time I got to work but fortunately there are showers there so no danger of me being whifftacular.
At lunchtime I popped down to E.W.Evans in the city to buy a fluorescent jacket, and some lights. The boys and their toys were there with some serious dude bikes on display. The assistant was kind enough not to sneer at mine; it was definately a little uncool.
I popped back after work to treat myself to a new helmet as the current one was v. ancient and the technology has moved on no end. I am very gung-ho about wearing a helmet. It protects my skull which protects my brain, of which I am fond. As Woody Allen said in Sleepers when they told him he was going to have his brain "electronically simplified" he replied "My brain - it's my second favorite organ"
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 9:14 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Like a fish needs a bicycle
Yesterday I cycled to work - 6½ miles from Wandsworth to Cannon Street. More like a trial run to test out the route. It is over 20 years since I cycled to work on a regular basis; I used to cycle the 9¼ miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square. I would buy a quarterly season to last me from New Year until April Fool's day (how appropriate). Then cycled 92½ miles per week all through the summer and autumn until the Christmas party season kicked in. Then it was back to the Northern Line until the next year. I did that for three years. And you should have felt my thighs!
Now I have a 12 month contract in London I plan to resurrect the cycling regimen. They have a shower at work so now all I need to do is establish a stash of toiletries and clothes in the office and I am all set for my return from my travels in a couple of weeks time.
I could never see the attraction of sport but this is exercise with a purpose, it gets me to work and home again. I get fit and save money - double result!
* Origin of the phrase "Like a fish needs a bicycle"
Yesterday I cycled to work - 6½ miles from Wandsworth to Cannon Street. More like a trial run to test out the route. It is over 20 years since I cycled to work on a regular basis; I used to cycle the 9¼ miles from South Wimbledon to Devonshire Square. I would buy a quarterly season to last me from New Year until April Fool's day (how appropriate). Then cycled 92½ miles per week all through the summer and autumn until the Christmas party season kicked in. Then it was back to the Northern Line until the next year. I did that for three years. And you should have felt my thighs!
Now I have a 12 month contract in London I plan to resurrect the cycling regimen. They have a shower at work so now all I need to do is establish a stash of toiletries and clothes in the office and I am all set for my return from my travels in a couple of weeks time.
I could never see the attraction of sport but this is exercise with a purpose, it gets me to work and home again. I get fit and save money - double result!
* Origin of the phrase "Like a fish needs a bicycle"
Labels: cycling
¶ Permanent link: 9:24 PM 1 comments
