Hmmmm. Shiny.

I've been riding my lovely old Mercian a lot recently. Earlier this year I shellaced the bars on it. This was quite popular in days gone by and I was inspired by a few examples I'd seen on various websites. Basically its just blue cloth tape, hemp twine to finish the ends (NOT electrical tape) and about a dozen coats of clear shellac to cover and protect. Bit of a chore to do as you need to let each coat dry for a couple of hours before the next application but I think they look rather spiffy and well worth the effort! It certainly keeps the bars looking pristine and by all accounts they'll stay that way for years.

2 bikes per train?

One of my regular trips to Hull with my bike today. I'd understood that Northern Rail were supposed to be getting stricter with their two bikes per train 'rule'. This didn't seem to be the case on the 7.41am from Sheffield today where four bikes got on. Two in the (completely inadequate) little 'box' where cycles are supposed to go, one in the vestibule next to it and another one somewhere up the other end of the train. No complaints, no problems.

New section of 5WW open

Quick trip out yesterday lunchtime to check out the new section between the Cobweb Bridge and Norfolk Bridge. This section takes you via a restored Bailey Bridge and eliminates the need to cycle along Effingham Street. Its been very well done. I wonder if there is any intention to grow anything over all those arches as they have done further done the walk?

Apparently this phase of the 5WW has cost in the region of £1.6m!

Phew it's hot

And as usual far too nice a day to take the shortest route to work so up out of Sheffield through Graves Park, Greenhill and Holmesfield to Owler Bar. Caught up with a bloke who was riding out to Baslow and Chatsworth and it was very tempting to keep going with him but the day ahead was just too busy and so from Owler Bar bombed back down through Totley and on to Abbeydale Road into the city centre. No more than about 15-16 miles in about 70 mins but a lovely start to the day. Intended to do the same route on the way home but the heat was just too much when I left at 5.00. How The Tour riders managed those 3 huge climbs today in that sort of heat is just beyond me.

Don't forget your breakfast

This morning as I started climbing up through Whirlow and towards Long Line about 5 miles into a bit of an extended commute I began to think to myself "this is harder than it should be". What could it be? Carting too much stuff to work? Possibly but its not that unusual that I carry more than I need. Low tyre pressure? Nope. Brake blocks rubbing on the rims? Not that either. So why so lethargic? Then the thought hit me that I'd been in such a hurry to get out this morning that I'd had nothing to eat or drink. It had to be that. Felt very similar to approaching that point in a longer ride when you know its time to stop and eat something.

Anyway the view of a very sunny Sheffield from the top of Greenhouse Lane near Ringinglow was worth the effort.

Back on the bike

After a couple of weeks off as a result of my ankle injury I decided that I was fed up of not cycling and so saddled up again today. No problems other than trying to unclip (ouch - I'll need to loosen the bindings) and pulling up during the pedal stroke (I can avoid that for a while). Aches a little bit this evening but that might be attributable to the physiotherapy at lunchtime rather than the cycling.

Didn't go far, just an extended commute but it was nice to be riding again. Perhaps it might have been more sensible to go out on a geared bike rather than a fixie but that was the one I got my hands on first and I was in a hurry.

And the weather was fantastically hot. Looking forward to leaving extra early tomorrow morning just to squeeze a few miles in on the way to work!

Most useful cycling accessories

An accessory defined as something that didn't come with the bike, is not essential to forward progress or basic comfort but has been found to be inordinately useful to me as a cyclist. These are in no particular order and I'm still not sure if I've missed something. I'm not including a puncture repair kit and spare inner tubes as I'd consider these essential requirements. Anyway these are 10 of my favourites.

1. Decent framefit pump. Either the Zefal HPX or the Blackburn version.
   
2. Track pump. So easy to ensure tyres are up to pressure. One of the best things I've ever bought.
   
3. Mudguards (and, for the regular winter bike: mudflaps). I don't enjoy dirty clothes or bike. And I think they look right.
   
4. Carradice saddlebags (especially my olive green Barley). OK - I can see you are starting to think 'mudguards AND a Carradice saddlebag! Must have a beard and sandals.' Nope.
   
5. Bagman support for Carradice saddlebags. Keeps it upright so things don't fall out of the side pockets and stops it from chafing the backs of your thighs.
   
6. Cycle computer. I don't have one on all of my bikes but its great to see how far you have gone. Its also depressing to see how slowly you have done it.
   
7. Good lights. No point in skimping on something so essential to safety. However, I'm not in the same league as Ian Loasby when it comes to lighting up half of Sheffield when I'm riding at night.
   
8. Toestraps. Only use toeclips and straps on one bike. All the rest are clipless but they are just so useful for attaching things to racks, saddlebags, panniers, handlebars, frame etc. Don't go anywhere without them. Same goes for cable ties. Always have a few in the saddlebag.
9. Rear rack. Only have one on the touring bike but it makes the bike so versatile.
10. Cycling mitts/gloves. Make a difference on long rides and saves the skin on your palms when you fall.
    

I've tried to differentiate between accessories and developments/ improvements. For example you could say that a clipless pedal system is an accessory based on my definition above but I'd actually class that as an advance in design. I'll get round to listing a few 'best of and worst of' cycling developments soon.

Bit of a hiatus

Blimey, things have been quiet on here. Better kick start this blog again.

Anyway - off the bike for a while owing to a torn ATFL in my right ankle.