Cycling two abreast

If you're reading this you are probably a cyclist...Possibly not! If you are a cyclist you have probably ridden two abreast on the road, and received short shrift from motorists?!

Maybe you are a motorist? (Or should I say non cyclist as it's a known fact that most cyclists, myself included also drive...) and you're thinking damn cyclists holding me up, it's not legal to ride two abreast....

Here is a link to an awesome blog I came across and it illustrates (quite literally) why cyclists often cycle two abreast and why it is  safe (and legal)

Read it and please pass it on by sharing below! :)

This is why - Great illustration courtesy of ukcyclelaws.blogspot.com

Clicky here - It's a great read!

New URL!!

The address has changed but I think blogger is clever enough to redirect you!! If not update your bookmarks!! http://onanoldpeugeot.blogspot.com

I changed the name of the blog too as "mont blanc and me" doesn't really lend itself to a general cycling blog! 

Subscribe :)

Stay safe!

The pug still going strong!!

I'm happy to say that now the pug has a few miles under it's belt and doing fine! I had to make a few modernization modifications... I found the old bars where not very comfortable on the road and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find a brake position that offered up comfort when on the hoods and lever reach on the drops so new FSA Gossemar bars and modern ahead stem where the way forward. I had to fit a "quill stem to A-Head set adapter" which worked very well and allows me to use more modern bars and stem. This bar shape is so comfortable all round and gives a great (and reassuring) lever reach in all positions.

The drive train however has been a pain in the arse! The rear mech (if you look back) you'll remember I had to JB weld on to the frame.....this made positioning it a nightmare..although I moves through all the sprockets smoothly there is a little noise when sat in the middle sprockets which is a little worry..It's one of those noises where if you give it some tater (sorry, northern for pressing hard on the pedals ha ha) you feel like somethings going to slip and leave your balls wrapped around the top tube!! One other annoyance is that the chain set is slightly buckled so when in top unless I get the shift lever in the right position i get a nice "ting ting ting ting ting" with every revolution!

I would also be nice to not have the shifters on the down tube as when your flying down a hil and need to change up its a bit nerve wracking to take your hand off the drops...especially on out pot-holed filled UK roads!!

As you will have read we are taking on the mammoth Lands End to John O'Groats ride this time next year. Although I will need a new ride for that I will be putting lots of training in on the pug...Hopefully it will last!!!

Will try not to leave it so long between posts this time! Why not subscribe now...that way I know you are there and ill update more often ;)

Stay safe!!

900 Miles for Epilepsy Bereaved

So, I re-built a classic! We will no RIDE a classic!!! Yes ladies and Jelly-spoons Myself and a few other blokes are cycling 900 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats for a charity close to our hearts: Epilepsy Bereaved!

Ok, so this has been done a couple of times....The challenge however is the fact that we are...er....chubbs....and unfit!!! Follow us on our journey from Chubb to Uber-Chubb!!!

Have a look at our blog, Chubbs Cycle Challenge and show your support!

CBR Corsa budget Road bike review

Firstly it's important to note that this isn't a "oooh buy my bikes" type review! Rather an " I'm really surprised at how good these bikes are for the price"

When I opened the shop I came to the decision that I wouldn't sell road bikes. We are a family shop and our bikes are mainly MTB, Hybrid, Ladies and kids. With a couple of shoppers thrown in. Our most expensive MTB is £425. I was of the opinion that a road bike within this price range would be pretty pants. Since opening however every other customer has been asking me for road bikes. I then had an email from my main Supplier "Claud Butler" with a good offer on a budget road bike. The spec was, in fact not bad and for the price of £360rrp it looked quite smart. I bought two.

They came today and I have to say that I was completely blown away! Opening the box and taking off all the protective stuff the first thing that struck me was the awesome colour scheme! It's all Olympic GB colours! RED/BLUE/WHITE/BLACK with nice corked white bar tape. Really very pretty indeed.

CBR Corsa

   So spec then. Well, first thing to be noted that this bike is fitted with shimano light action shifters. If you are unfamiliar with these, unlike Sti shifters that are operated by flicking the brake lever/paddle to one side these have a more traditional shifter mounted on the top of the bars. I have only seen these in the magazines and prior to hopping on this bike was unimpressed. But you know what? They are great!

They are really easy to get too. FAR EASIER THAN DOWN TUBE SHIFTERS and have the added benefit over Sti shifters that under heavy breaking you'll never end up inadvertently changing gear! Also, they are not just a lever, they are very ergonomic and feel very natural to change. Maybe that's because I rode MTB's for years. The only downside is that you can't change gear in from the drops without taking a hand off the bars (and crucially away from the brakes), and although beautiful to operate they could be a little prettier. Whatever, they really are great  & just work!

Rear much is very much a budget mech, although at first glance looks more hi spec than it is. That said, it shifts and does it's job in a "Hey I'm not compag but I'm changing, I'm pretty quiet...what...you want me to make a brew?" sort of a way!

Drive train does it's job in a similar fashion. The CBR Corsa has 14 gears. UP the front the double chainset has a 52/41 set-up whist the screw on free wheel (which is about as heavy as my car) at the rear has a low sprocket of 28 teeth down to the smallest of 14. The low "hill climber" sprocket is very welcome on a road bike of this level as the double chainset may be a little tough of the climbs for a road newbie!

 Wheels are a CBR branded Quando, with hubs to match. Strangely only the front wheel comes equipped with quick release axle. More annoying than anything. Frame is a great hydroformed t4/t6  6061 alloy whist the steel forks absorb a good deal of road judder, although compared to it's carbon fibre cousins adds a lot of weight. The bike weighs a respectable 12kg. Ok ok, elite roadies are sniggering....well....you know what? Lose 5 kilos while riding and you'll have the same effect as riding a full carbon fibre rig!

Braking is taken care of in superb fashion by the Shimano BR-R450 dual pivot calipers, which have far more stopping power than the Tektros on my own bike. Levers are comfy and easy to break with power from the hoods. The hoods are nice and large (which is rare for non Sti levers) The bar, although alloy is a budget bar and too wide for me at 41cm (centre to centre) and probably the first thing I would upgrade, but that is just a personal preference. You might love them!

To summerise: Great ride, very fast, handles well, bloody lovely to look at, forks and freewheel make the bike a little heavier than those price a couple of hundred pounds higher, but at £360.... THis bike is amazing....and I'm going to buy one myself!

Comments, questions? Just ask!

Unfit, cold penis

First ride on the Peugeot last night! Good one Lee, chose a freezing cold night to go! Not just the first ride on the Peugeot either, it was my first ride for about a year... A few observations then:

1. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, but then I only did 7 miles
2. Toe clips are a right pain in the arse to get into & out off so screw them and back on with the SPD's
3. My new lights, although quite budget are amazing! Really, really good front lamp with a large flood not only lit the road well but ensured I would be seen! Very pleased with them! 
4. The bike rides well, is very comfortable in the drops and (my unfit legs, lungs and heart not withstanding) quite fast
5. Down tube shifters are a right pain in the arse too, not only is it annoying to reach them but I keep trying to change gear with the brake levers....
6. Freezing cold weather & muddy fox all season tights = HOLY SHIT WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PENIS!!!!!!!!????!!!!!!!!!

First ride, fitness, and workshop & you tube!

Wow! It's cold in Sunny North Devon this morning! 

First "windscreen scrape" of the winter! I probably shouldn't choose tonight to take the Peugeot out for it's proper maiden voyage! 

But what the hell, I'm young & reckless and it's only cold right? Out comes the winter cycling gear anyway! Base layer, tights, gloves, buff!! It will only be a few miles though as it's a good while since I've ridden and my fitness isn't up to much!

The was, of course to get out days ago but with the weather being so wet and windy I wasn't up for that! I used to ride lots of miles, in all weathers and now need to find the motivation to get off my arse! Well, the motivation is my arse...it's getting bigger you see...And also my Uber sporty big bruv beats me hands down on the fitness thing and that just shouldn't be!!!

Work wise, it's been a quiet week. Lots of people looking, getting advice but not buying...I guess it's that time of the year/month! I did have a mountain bike to service though... Now, I'm not for one minute putting down this chaps wheels. Customer was a thoroughly nice bloke. He explained that the bike once belonged to a lodger, who when moving over seas donated the bike. It's been on a long journey too because he moved to Oz so it spent a long time at sea in a big shipping container.....then spent 4 years un-ridden in an Australian shed..then came all the way back to Blighty again when they returned.... Then day he decided that it might be time to take up cycling so is starting out on this wonderful journey of discovery on this little blue beast.....

Now, as I said earlier...I love that my customer is choosing to take up cycling, and rather than spend lots of money has decided to bring an old and otherwise unloved bike into service....
What amazes me still is that there are SO MANY of these things on the road though as it's a very odd concept really...Suspension is intended to maintain traction over uneven ground allowing the tyre to remain in contact with the ground. That never really happens hear because of the lack of damping....this makes the spring push the bike up after it's been compressed losing traction! And it's just so boingy! TO the point of funny! Any they are so heavy!! They often come with cheap Chinese components, and poor quality bearings..this one was no exception. Aweful bike or not, it looks like this one had been left out in the rain to suffer the British weather (as so many do) so was in a bit of a state. It was, needless to say, not fun to service. The bearings were nearly square too, which is odd as I don't suppose it has had much in the way of heavy riding. I had to condem the forks though as they were knackered, and dangerous and not worth the time to strip and service. Instead I suggested that my customer buy a cheap £10 threaded set from Ebay which I will fit. At least it's another cyclist on the road eh?

Finally, before I log off and do some work, have a look at some of the Helmet camera cyclists I follow on YouTube: There are many more, but these guys are a pleasure to watch and record every commute, For pleasure, but mainly for the simple fact of protecting themselves for the foolish driver element. Lots of interesting cyclist safety info, near misses, crashes, driver education" Serisouly, you really must watch these videos!!!

Magnatom
Traffic Droid 360
CyclingMikey

Stay safe!




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