Cycling: That time of year again

[Airspeed]

Hi Eric,
Thanks for those pix.
Your Union Canal reminded me of the Grand Union where I often played down South, watching barges chug past.
Always made me think of "The Wind In The Willows"
Great excitement to see them going through locks!
I can see why you're a fair weather rider - no mudguards.
Must admit, though I bought a pair of guards from the tip, I haven't fitted them yet, lazy b###.
i don't know how the makers get away with it. We used to get a pump, leather tool bag and tools, mudguards and a rear reflector as standard.
Now there's not even a clip to put the pump on.

[Tomliner]

Here are three pics taken today during a ride through Edinburgh.The first two are in St Andrews Square and the marquees are part of the 'Spa in the City' event which is to promote/sell health and beauty products.I made enquiries and was told that they had never seen a body and face quite like mine.How kind of them.
The third pic was taken at Edinburgh Quay at the end of the Union canal.



It's nice to receive a compliment isn't it? EricT

[Garry Russell]

Re the pump etc

A bike pump is no good

You can get maybe 12 psi with a bike pump, you need 40-80 in an ATB tyre depending on the type and use.

Has to be a foot pump or powered unit

Most ATB are sold non road legal...as they don't have a bell as standard

[VEGAS]

In relation to pumps.

That used to be the case Garry but times have changed.

Many small micro pumps have a lock-on valve feature that ensures air doesn't escape.

100psi can be pumped in easily.

In addition to a bell, bike shops by law must fit reflectors to any new cycle.

No matter how expensive or ridiculous they look.

[thehappyotter]

Having not been out for weeks and weeks, I dusted off by baby today.



Rode ten miles or so around the local tracks and woods to my favorite secluded little beach where I sat for 20 minutes and watched the world go by.



A most relaxing Sunday.

Now where's my aftersun!

[Garry Russell]

Hi Eddie

Reflectors are always fitted as standard so they are road legal in that sense, just no bell.

Re the pumps...are you saying you can get 80PSI with a hand bicycle pump now?...the problems not air escaping but the ability to pump air in against the built up pressure Certainly never seen anything locally. I always use a car foot pump and that can be hard going over 60

[VEGAS]

Hi matey,

It used to make me laugh when I visited bike shops and see some top end Mountain Bikes that have a bell and reflectors on.

The shops must comply with the law when at the point of sale.

The owner can throw them in the skip (and usually do!) the second they leave the shop.

As for the pump, There are rafts of posh ones out there that pump up to 200psi into the tyres.

This is similar to what I have. Easily copes with 100psi.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... Googlebase

[Garry Russell]

Thanks for that link...interesting

Re reflector the local law says there must be a rear reflector and they will book you if you don't have one or a bell

The wheel reflectors I take off straight away.

The bell I have if low profile and gives a ding I can barely hear, but it is legally compliant

Some commonly sold items like the lights that flash or have green front lights are illegal

[speedbird591]

That's mighty pretty, Eddie. Nice to see it out again - and it looks like you had a very pleasant ride. (XTR gearset? How much do they pay you? ) I see you've got the same tyres as me - Kenda Nevegals

FYI Garry, these big folding tyres (mine are 2.35 wide) have a recommended pressure range of 30-55 psi. I only run them at 50 if the ground is very hard - if I'm in the woods where it never dries out I'm usually at 30 front and 40 rear for better grip. My front one has a sticky compound and there's so much grip I have to pedal downhill

Like Eddie, I've got one of those tiny high-tech hand-pumps which clips under the bottle holder on the down tube. I get a puncture about every other ride so it pays for itself.

Street legal is not a consideration for me as I spend 99% of my time off road. If I was unlucky enough to get caught on the odd time I take a short cut, I'd pay the fine! If you buy a bike from a bike shop then they have to fit reflectors and a bell by law but I bought mine direct from the factory in Germany and the reflectors are supplied in a plastic bag for convenient disposal! I do have a subtle little dinger, for when I go on the towpath - it makes the pedestrians jump out of the way.

Some more nice pictures, Eric. Thanks for posting those. I'm glad that they've recognised that your body might be useful to medical science.

Ian

[Garry Russell]

There is no real off road here so I have slicks...with my medical condition I can barely ride it and not at all with thick off road tyres

The ones I have are 65 where as the ones I did have were 40 and just off road tyres... I used to have combies which were 65 off road and 80 on road to get up onto the narrow centre bead and reduce drag..it's marked on the tyre for the optimum and can vary quite a bit for the various makes and styles

The slicks I have have about double the rolling distance but care needs to be taken in the wet on drain covers and certain road markings paint

I see people struggling to ride and when coming out with us in the past I'd find about 8-10 in the tyres. Pump them up, lubricate the rusty chain and set the saddle to the right height and the went whizzing off in amazement