The Velotard Thread.

[Kenny]

Too many fatbergs in the way!!

Hey! They are just people trying to get fit and healthy. Some folk just cannot win

 

[machin05]

:icon_lol:

 

[Keef]

There's a report in today's E&S on the cycle hire bikes(Boris bikes) in Wolverhampton,the reporters hired one from sainsburys and rode into town,said its a nightmare with the traffic,he didn't feel safe doing it due to no cycle lanes,says it's going to get worse with more people hiring them,and then says new infrastructure is going to be a nightmare for drivers!
Fucking idiot,you've just proved the point of new infrastructure being needed

 

[machin05]

Funny how they didn't mention that it the previous article!

Sent from my FIG-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

[Kenny]

https://www.expressandstar.com/news...rent-a-cycle-revolution-to-the-west-midlands/

That article is annoying. It repeats it self and the guy writing it is fucking idiot who I doubt has ever seen a bike before. Some stunning things I learnt from this inc - You have to turn your head to see behind you



and then these 3 quotes

"there has been a slow take-up for nextbike"

"I’m one of the first customers of nextbike, "

"The West Midlands obviously does not have the same tourist pull, but there does seem to be a lot of interest already. "

So not many are interested and he is one of the first people to try them but they are popular. What

 

[machin05]

https://www.expressandstar.com/news...rent-a-cycle-revolution-to-the-west-midlands/

That article is annoying. It repeats it self and the guy writing it is fucking idiot who I doubt has ever seen a bike before. Some stunning things I learnt from this inc - You have to turn your head to see behind you



and then these 3 quotes

"there has been a slow take-up for nextbike"

"I’m one of the first customers of nextbike, "

"The West Midlands obviously does not have the same tourist pull, but there does seem to be a lot of interest already. "

So not many are interested and he is one of the first people to try them but they are popular. What

Just read the same article, although I nearly didn't bother when his opening gambit was:

While the Lycra-wearing, red-light dodging pavement warriors only give responsible cyclists a bad name

As for your 3 quotes, he then goes on to say...

Half of the 10 bikes outside Sainsbury’s were already in use by the time we turned up, and as I returned my bike there were five people looking to try the remaining ones out.

Yet more contradiction to his already contradictory statements!

 

[lemonjelly]

I'm lucky, as my route to work is mainly downhill. There are shower facilities here however, so that would be fine. I'm also extra lucky in that I am allowed to keep my bike in my office!

The journey home is mainly uphill, but getting home is fine, and everything comes off, and obvs can shower there. Also works out fine if it rains. At work I leave a spare pair of trousers for if it rains of a morning.

They are improving the cycle infrastructure, and like Keef says, creating a separate area is much better. However it takes a phenomenal amount of time.

I also cycle in my work clothes.

Have to say that most drivers do give space. I also experience a fair amount of drivers who do move out of the way. Had a similar conversation with a stepdaughter recently, who worries as she thinks "most drivers are dicks". I explained I prefer to look for the best in people, and also that the majority of drivers are starting to be more aware of cyclists. Part of this is undoubtedly as they don't want damage to their precious cars, but the awareness is key.

2 of the biggest risks are people not being aware of what is going on around them, and thus not looking frequently enough. The other, is in heavy congestion, people become impatient, and are also annoyed, and more prone to rash actions/movements, creating its own risks. If we can address these 2 issues, I do feel things will improve.

Obviously there are selfish dicks too, who will cut up a cyclist, deliberately not give room, and generally just be abusive. I saw one the other night, who saw me approaching up a hill towards a roundabout, and deliberately moved across to try to stop me passing on the inside. Fucker was clearly incompetent, as after he and his wife shouted abuse, he tried to pull onto the roundabout, straight in front of a moving vehicle who had right of way (cue loads of horns etc). It then transpired he was in the wrong lane, cue more horns, and him blocking the highway. Meanwhile |I scooted past laughing.

 

[lemonjelly]

we should take lessons from a 9 year old:
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/12/roll-model-meet-amsterdams-nine-year-old-junior-cycle-mayor

 

[machin05]

I generally pass on the outside of queuing traffic now (or in between lanes if on a dual carriageway) as there are far too many vehicles who stop too close to the kerb. I'm sure, like LJ says, some do it on purpose if they know you're there!

I also find it easier to pass on the outside and filter back over once the traffic is moving rather than squeeze between wing mirrors and raised kerbs. Drivers will tend to leave far more room between themselves and another car than they do the pavement. I always make sure give a little wave to acknowledge the car I've gone in front of when filtering back over. This tends to acquiesce them into passing me with enough room!

 

[lemonjelly]

Yep, I have 1 road in particular I cycle down the middle of. The road is usually one long traffic jam, and as machin says there are some who are way too close to the kerb. It can be compounded by the traffic calming measures (lumps in the road) which drivers do swerve side to side to minimise the effect of, but affect cyclists a lot.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Got an issue with my road bike I hope someone could help me out with.

Went out on Sunday for first time this year, bike absolutely fine. However a couple of miles away from home I started noticing a grinding noise as I was pedalling (I had headphones In, but pretty sure it was fine rest of way). I’ve never dismantled and greased any components, so wondered if It was bottom bracket grinding and needs greasing?

 

[Keef]

Take the chain off the front rings,give the pedals a spin,you should be able to hear or feel it grinding.
Bottom bracket removal is fairly easy,(most of the time)but very daunting if you've never done it before,and needs specialised tools to do it,and finally can be a right pain if it's seized in.
Square taper are harder to remove than outboard bearings like hollowtech.
Park tools on YouTube is the best place to see all this

 

[PuntsWolf]

Cheers keef.

However I’ve had a proper look at it tonight and my frame has a “chain suck protection plate”. This plate is now only partially bonded on the frame so has lifted off slightly and is now catching on the chainring.

I’m no mechanic and I’m scared to do anything so I’ll have to take it in some where at the weekend.

 

[Stan Hullis]

I've already had some sterling advice from Machin but if anyone here can recommend a good Gravel/Adventure style road bike then I would be interested in hearing.

Thanks!

 

[MARKakaJIM]

I was looking for something similar previously, was going to do some charity cycling thing with some guys from work and would rather something I could use away from genuine road riding after. The Whyte Glencoe caught my eye to begin with, think a lot of their road bikes would be suitable though from my reading as their MTB background means they're generally a bit more relaxed with geometry and built pretty sturdy apart from the very top end road stuff they do.

 

[machin05]

So, it looks like I'm doing the Velo on Sunday :icon_eek:

 

[lemonjelly]

Howcome mate? The route is terrible, and the company that organise the velo seem to be right arseholes.

 

[machin05]

Howcome mate? The route is terrible, and the company that organise the velo seem to be right arseholes.

A mate of someone I know has had to pull out due to injury. He's got a fast-track entry, which means early start in one of the first pens. yeah, wouldn't have paid the £80 for the general entry, but 100 miles of closed roads isn't to be sniffed at really.

Hope I've got it in my legs! Typical it's coming at the end of a week where I've not done ANY cycling :icon_lol:

 

[machin05]

I think I start at around 6:30am, finish by lunch time. Should be back in time for the football :icon_lol:

 

[lemonjelly]

fair enough!
I missed the aldi cycle sale, was it worthwhile?
I was an interested observer of all the cyclists in london. Johnny would have absolute fits, as around 80% plus of cyclists ignored traffic lights.