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!!!

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CyclingMikey

Stay safe!




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Cyclist safety: BBC NEWS

This story was on BBC Breakfasts last week, kindly uploaded for me by my friend James Vertigan.

Well worth a watch cyclist or motorist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jn2hgY1FcM