Bonus blog, saddle bag or not?

So rule #29 of velominati is that saddle bags have no place on road bikes. I've personally broken that rule a lot and more recently I've adhered to it. You'll see from this link that not even the velominati creator actually sticks to it. http://www.velominati.com/accessories-and-gear/breaking-the-rules-29/

So what's the issue? Bags are not cool. They spoil the beautiful lines of our bikes. They also rattle, or at least the bits in them do. We like our bikes to look good and we also like them to sound good. Like the Evans advert says, we're a weird bunch (local bike shops are available.)

Here's my very simple solution. It's one of Chris and Andy's little bags. The pictures tell you all you need to know. Now you'd think Andy would approve, as another back pocket man but apparently not. "What's that?" He said in a disgusted tone. Then Claire said it would give me a sweat rash to which Andy added "we're only thinking of you!"

Free jersey pack provided by my local bike shop

Nice pocket size, 50p added for scale

You can buy an official cycling jersey caddy sack for about a tenner. They're £6.84 in both Halfords and Wiggle so I guess two of the big three are playing price matching games. It's PVC so frankly it's just as sweaty as my carrier bag so they don't care about Andy and Claire's rash paranoia either!

Ooh caddy sack

Big Steve has a surprisingly elegant solution as he bought a pencil case from wilkos for £4.99. It's like the one below except it's more Everton blue like our C&DCYCLES jerseys. Andy was impressed with this and joked that they shoulda get a job lot and have C&DCYCLES embroidered on next door, then sell them for a tenner. If you think that's steep check out the Rapha link below!

Big Steve's solution

Perhaps putting this ridiculous argument to be we should turn to our most athletic rider, Phil 'the beast' Broxton. The beast is without doubt our most accomplished endurance rider. His specialism is Audax and he's been smashing the miles all year on monster rides. Have you seen the size of his saddlebag? It's as huge as his stamina.

Not Phil's actual bike or bag but it's like it and he also has a Brooks saddle

Not content with what goes on at our club I did some googling (other search engines are available but then I also Hoover with a Dyson so who cares.) The  very first link I followed was one about carrying your gun on a bike! I also found out how to carry a suit on a bike. Very important in that London apparently. There were arguments about what you should carry and the whole 'should you,' 'shouldn't you,' debate. There's a link to a Rapha pack more expensive than my tyres and some other bits and bobs. Have a click and see for yourself. 

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/08/eric-nelson/the-truth-about-bicycle-carry/

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/how-to-carry-a-suit-on-your-bike/

http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/bike-maintenance/what-do-you-carry-in-your-saddle-bag/

http://bikingtolive.com/the-bicycle-seat-bag-what-should-you-carry-in-it/

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t/488333/how-do-you-carry-your-spare-tube-and-tools-on-a-long-club-ride

http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/essentials-case/product/ECS01

http://www.bogear.com.au/packs/bike-gear/jersey-pocket-pouch

http://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Pod-Cycle-Bag-Small/dp/B006XP69QK

http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/424377-jersey-pocket-bag.html

Right well I hope I haven't bored you all into thinking Grease II (currently infecting my telly,) is entertainment rather than a not so subtle form of torture. I'm sticking to my trusty placky bag and for rides where I want more stuff I'm going to use a saddle bag.

Happy pedalling.

Ps surely that was enough mentions Andy?

C&DCYCLES CC first ever club ride

My dear old things, the magnificent ladies and gents of C&DCYCLES cycling club looked simply resplendent this morning in their smart new jerseys of Everton blue. Sorry I've been listening to too much Test Match Special, have you seen the cricket score? Enough of that. This is a cycling blog.

I knew I was up for a good ride today because I was singing as I rode in. I've had some very bizarre cycling ear worms recently. On Thursday it was:"miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick..." Today I alternated between Elbow's beautiful day and Let's go fly a kite from Mary Poppins. I even started changing the words to 'let's go ride a bike!' I really do worry about me at times.

Bit of a selfie in Oundle

So today's plan was a beginner ride led by Andy with me tail gunning and a fast group led by Steve 

with Iain at the back. The fast group left first with the option of anyone wanting to drop down just waiting for us lot. Some new faces, some regulars, some faces we haven't seen for sometime and unfortunately some missing friends. However a very good turnout on a spectacular Summer day. I was particularly pleased to see Mark Nicholls who I suspected had forgotten how to ride a bike on a shiny Red Focus Cayo and lots of others too like John Rice.

The Oundle reverse is an old favourite so it seemed fitting for our first ride as an official British Cycling member club. At Oundle Claire had a brain wave and suggested an alternative route. Well done that lady it was much nicer than our usual route from Oundle to Benefield. Which ever way you go though the Brigstock Bumps beckon, more on that in a bit.

This was the first outing on Clive with the GP 4 season tyres on both wheels. They do feel more spritely so I was determined to test the increased grip. I've sworn by gators for years and these are twice the price so I want some bang for my buck. Bang is very nearly an unfortunate word here. I'd say trying to stick them into a downhill sweeping bend without really building up to it was a bit over confident. I was briefly over the white line in what others described as a 'brown shorts,' moment. Whilst merrily rolling on his (recommended by me,) gators David Tough recalled my error of judgement to Andy (mention,) and I overheard that they need 50 miles before they're up to grip...hmmm someone might have said.

To the bumps and newbie Tom supported by the ever improving Rich McNab started to feel his longest ride in his legs. What surprises me is that despite helping out at the back I got a PR up the bumps! Not as bad as you think then Tom. An even bigger surprise was a puncture for me at the top! Puncture? Andy (mention) who changed my tube with his usual professional ease pointed out that nothing had penetrated the tyre so it had to be a pinch, most likely cause was my fitting skills! Oh well. David Tough (did I mention his new gators,) had another reason to chuckle at these supposedly superior bits of rubber!

Shop selfie - yikes what is Steve doing? Good photo bombing Andy (mention)

Back at the shop today's guest cake was provided by Carla Sharpe. This was in payment for the disgrace of a messy bike that Wayne put into the shop. There's still a shiny bit on his rear hub where I wiped it with my finger and said eurgh! Still good cake and nice to see Wayne back in the saddle.

Claire of the improved route and excellent first aid/crisis management skills was recruiting others to join her and Heather, no not Heather, the other Heather on a few more miles due to her impending Pyrenees Tour trip. I'm proud of Rich McNab for taking on even more miles and joining them as ride London slips into view. Still he should be fine on his shiny new Cayo. So I joined those three, well really I suppose they joined me on my return to Rothwell and then they went off to do a bit extra. We weren't the only ones determined to make the most of this stunning day as we passed Justin and Andy (Brown) coming the other way through Rothwell.

What a great day to be on a bike

Happy Peddaling 

Commute commute commute

Todays lunch bag

I'm enjoying this ride to work malarkey. It's quite an operation though. My work clothes are scattered around the office as are a number of C&DCYCLES drawstring bags. Very handy for carrying my lunch in an not cumbersome like a rucksack. However I keep leaving them behind so today I had to borrow off the kids. Appropriately I had Niamh's bike ability bag. More on that in a minute. The other very helpful thing has been working in the same town as my wife. She's very handy for bringing bits and bobs to me, so I'm very lucky.

Niamh's bag comes from the course that all of her year at school had the opportunity to complete. Better still they did it in school time, so clearly the teachers felt it was important. Kudos to Rothwell Junior, I'm sure all parents would appreciate this opportunity.

Some interesting riding from a fellow cyclist today. In Kettering she just ignored the pedestrian at a crossing and carried on. I stopped, let the lady cross and then caught up with what appeared to be an oblivious woman on a bike. I told her what I thought and she smiled back blankly, so guess that was a waste of time. It annoys me though because those are the cyclists who give us all a bad name.

Then as I was watching traffic cops, a programme where we all get to laugh at the stupidity of motorists this happened...

They went under the police tape!

This bunch of potential Darwin Award nominees ignored road closed due to flood warnings and cycled through. They told the cops "we don't let a bit of rain stop us!" Twits. 

Right I know nothing about the tour today so fingers crossed I can enjoy the tour highlights in peace.

Happy Peddaling 

It's Wednesday it's vroom

Only four amigos for tonight's vroom. Jonesy, the vroom stalwart, injured his ankle being a tour maker. The clumsy clot fell off a kerb. Unlucky mate we've all been there! So he had a good excuse but being committed he still met us at the shop before the ride. So tonight, Andy (no not that one,) Rob (that's a definite confirmed Rob not a David in disguise,) and I were led by the magnificent Major on his Boardman flying machine.

The route was excellent. Very hilly for vroom but also not just standard fayre, which is nice. The only bits I didn't like were the urban bits but you can always avoid towns. With only four of us we didn't really get the benefit of group riding and there was a bit of a wind bringing averages down.

Nice new continental Grand Prix 4 seasons

I decided it really was time to replace that tired old gator so I've upgraded to a Grand Prix 4 seasons. It's a 25mm again so with the relatively new 23mm gator on the back my unintentional mismatch continues. Andy (yes you this time,) at C&DCYCLES will be very proud of me as I managed to fit the tyre without the use of tyre levers, just like the pros do...well apart from it taking twenty minutes! First impressions are good, I think I like this upgrade. I will get a matching back one when the rear gator has had a bit more wear. The benefits are supposed to be the same puncture protection but a lighter tyre with more grip and lower rolling resistance.

Not much else to say apart from I pretty much know about the tour being a wet old affair on the cobbles and Froome dropping out making it the poorest British showing in years. No need to watch the highlights then! Sometimes bike friends can be a disadvantage!

Happy Pedaling 

A tale of two rides

This morning I had a lovely ride to work. Beautiful sunny day. I felt pretty fresh and wham it's a 6th place on a target segment. Looks like Andy was right I can get a top ten! Cycling is awesome.



This afternoon I left work in the rain having forgotten to take my rain jacket, I punctured about half a mile from home and was locked out when I got home! Cycling can suck!


One of the nicest things is I announced my puncture on bike friends chat and straight away people were trying to help or checking I was ok. Andy offered to come and pick me up! Good lads at C&DCYCLES!

I'm disappointed that my front gator has finally failed, I was beginning to think it was impregnable but unfortunately it was beaten by a piece of glass.

The cut gator

The offending piece of glass

Someone once told me that superglue in cuts can prolong the life of tyres. So I've superglued that hole changed the inner tube and re-inflated the tyre. Then I did some reading. It appears there are two schools of thought on the superglue issue. One says it works the other says it doesn't. I guess I'm about to find out. If it doesn't work that gator owes me nothing.

In other news it looks like some of the C&DCYCLES riders have had a great time following the Tour de France. Some good pictures on Facebook and our very own Jonesy is enjoying being a Tour maker. I'm looking forward to the highlights later. I like to record the highlights and watch them over breakfast the next day, well I used to record them but now ITV player works through my telly there's no need. Life really has changed from setting the VHS to record the channel 4 highlights.

For me this stage will always remain my favourite tour memory as Stephen Roche saved his yellow jersey with an epic recovery on L'Alpe d'huez

http://youtu.be/sQojh-wqL04

Happy Peddaling 

Andy's first day of the tour C&DCYCLES shop ride

Today's shop ride was simply splendid. Good route, iffy but bearable weather, good company and exceptional scenery, especially in Pytchley. Some exceptional banter too but this is one time when we really do need to stick to the rule: what goes on the ride to start the tour, stays on the ride to start the tour!

Andy (mention) had planned a slightly longer 36 miler to celebrate the first day of the Tour de France, for me it ended up as 48 miles. I had thought about taking on this month's Fondo and doing 80 miles but a combination of not liking the conditions and forgetting my jelly beans stopped me from doing that. In the end that's a good thing because this was a pretty tough route taking in hills at Naesby, Brixworth and Walgrave which teach your legs a lesson or two!

We were going to do two groups but ended up as one. Everyone in the club is making progress but non more than Rich McNab who a few weeks ago struggled on a much easier ride. If he keeps this up Ride London will be really enjoyable for him.

Andy (mention) was showing off his new bit of kit, the Garmin 1000. Apart from the fact none of us could access the planned route from the garmin site everything else about this GPS bike computer is very impressive. I'm not sure I'd part with 500 notes for one but I can see the appeal.

The obelisk at the top of Naesby Hill

Quick change of route in Walgrave

When we got back to the shop it was the usual tea and cake. Then we started having a look at Andy's (mention) new bike. Well the bits. First we handled the saddle which weighed less than the packaging, then the handlebars which were light as a feather and then finally the Boardman Elite 9.8 frame which weighed about as much as my shoe. My goodness that's going to be some bike!

The five miles home from the shop were very relaxing and I feel I had a sense of relief I wasn't going for the Fondo today. Nothing for it when I got home though. Clive was filthy after the damp start and puddly roads so a clean was in order. I know Andy (mention) will approve.

That's what I call a good day on the bike, now I'm settling down with a cuppa for the last 20km of the tour first stage.

Happy Pedaling

My commuting experience...

A bad day cycling beats a good day at work, oh hang on that might be fishing, or climbing, or sailing, or golf of 4WD. WHO KNOWS? I do know however that a good ride to work is a thing to be treasured and this week I've had a few of those. I've also achieved my goal of getting into the top 20 on one of my target segments. Also I'm saving loads on petrol. I can't ride everyday because I have to get around the county some days but just three ride to work days per week seems to be reducing my trips to the petrol station considerably. 

My ride starts really nice with the short sharp shock up bunker hill and into open country side. It's a fairly quiet road all the way to the cycle paths on the outskirts of Kettering. At that point the cycling infrastructure is good with wide paths and a smooth surface. It doesn't last. As you get over the A43/A6003 roundabout it all changes. The pedestrian pavement has had cycle path signs put on it and they installed drop downs at the numerous junctions. There's the first problem. If you use the cycle path it's a stop start negotiation of about ten junctions in the space of a mile. Secondly it's not wide and there's no segregated cycle pedestrian space. So I stay on the road. Half way between the old KTFC stadium and the town centre the path ceases to double as a cycle lane and there is a marked lane on the road. It's not well marked though and drivers ignore it, it's as lumpy as a ploughed field, buses have stops on it and people indiscriminately park all over it. It needs resurfacing, painting green and there needs to be enforcement of parking restrictions. As you approach the town centre there is a brief section dedicated green to allow cyclists to go through town on the bus lane at the top of the Newlands centre. That bus lane should just be named 'dodge the pedestrian.' I've always been bewildered by people stepping out across the junction by Iceland and then yesterday I noticed why. The pedestrian crossing goes green at the same time as the traffic lights that allow cyclists across the junction! What oxygen thief dreamed that up? After that it's not too bad but pedestrians remain a hazard because they can't see you they don't look for you. I guess the emphasis is on us the cyclist to be aware and look out for would be jay walkers. Anyone who looks like they're about to cross gets a cheery good morning from me which usually makes them jump out of their skin.

I came home a different way last night. I used Northampton Road, Bowhill, Gypsy Lane, A14 bike path, violet lane and the back to the more familiar Glendon road. It's quicker. There's no pedestrian issues. It's a bit of a dash across the A14 junctions. The A14 path isn't as wide as the newer ones I mentioned earlier but is still ok. Amazingly I have seen cyclists riding on the A14 next to this path. Not clever! With all the lorries it's blustery enough on the path let alone sharing the road with them! Then Violet Lane which traverses the Slade valley meaning it's a down then an up. Because it's quiet you have to watch for cars, you're not expecting them and they're not expecting you, which can be an issue.

I like my commute but it's not perfect. More could be done to the Kettering cycling infrastructure. I'm hoping we get a forum as cyclists to present our thoughts to the local authority.

There's some relevant articles below and a link to this months bespoked podcast.

Happy Pedalling.

aura-trott-ridelondon 2013

laura-trott-changes-her-mind-helmets

Cycling_in_Copenhagen#Economic_impact

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2401456/Get-cycling-cheap-taxmans-help.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b047wnzt#programme-broadcasts