cycle forum

matters

you could try http://www.cyclinginsurance.co.uk/ - they have a few bike insurance options

TJ27

I'd be in favour of this but you'd never get me to shut up.

I've done a little bit of bike commuting on and off for a long time but about 18 months ago I started commuting every day and absolutely love it. It's far quicker, cheaper and more convenient than car, bus or train.

I used to have a car that cost me over 22 grand to buy and about four and a half grand a year to run. I currently have no car at all and mostly use a bike which was given to me for nothing. When I sold my car I was able to pay off one third of my remaining mortgage. I've saved a bloody fortune!

I feel massively better. I do about 70 miles per week I suppose but unfortunately I haven't lost any weight either. (I'm considering going on a diet where I don't eat anything beginning with the letter "c": Chips, chocolate, cake, crisps, etc.)

Talking of insurance, I've got public liability cover via the Cyclists Touring Club. In my opinion they're an absolutely brilliant organisation and I would encourage you to have look at their website if you're serious about regular cycling.

exup

Ive really started to get back into cycling to help recover after an achilles injury, but its best to do small distances quite often to start with then build up.

One thing I did when I bought my bike was to ask my cycling "snob" (agrees with my discroption of him) best mate of what to buy as I had seen some deals for a mountainbike at motorworld. I mainly wanted it for road - but also able to do a bit of off road too - nothing too extreme - just the odd bridleway - green lane stuff - his response was

"DONT BUY ANY BIKE FROM MOTORWORLD OR HALFORDS OR ANY OTHER PLACE LIKE IT - the first bump you hit - it will bend. they will weigh a ton anyway. I'll get back to you"

so he did and suggested I get a Giant Rock or if I wanted to spend a bit more Giant Boulder.
The local bikes shops around here didnt sell the Giant make, but had similar machines but all for £200 - the nearest place at York sold the Rock for £160 - but I had to go pick it up . which was about £20 in petrol.

the I found a shop which sold it for £160 and offered free delivery so I went for that. had to fit wheels, and saddle - and tighten up handle bars but its a damned good bike and I blast all over on it.

After a couple months riding about 2 - 3 times a week to work I felt good enough to take in a 80 mile chairty ride to the coast which has given mre more confidence (and fitness once I recovered from the aches)..

I would also recommend searching for Sustrans on the web. as they provide maps for cycleways in the area.
I may be lucky as you can now cycle 80% around my town without actually riding on the road. either on cycle greenways - or canal towpaths (need a permit for towpaths though it is free).

so may be a bit biased - but yes a cycle section may be of great help.
I think I would be a regular user - contributor.. maybe we could get Chris Hoy in too (joking har har)

mountainchrisriver

Halfords are the exclusive sellers of Boardman bikes which seem to do very well in a lot of bike reviews and tests so don't write Halfords off completely!

dmg24

I would like a forum, or possibly just a sub forum, for bras. They cost a fortune, and they are relevant to many more people than cycling!

While we are at it, how about one for tampons and mooncups?

gazza975526570

dmg24 wrote: »

I would like a forum, or possibly just a sub forum, for bras. They cost a fortune, and they are relevant to many more people than cycling!

While we are at it, how about one for tampons and mooncups?

Do i detect a hint of sarcasm there?

exup

mountainchrisriver wrote: »

Halfords are the exclusive sellers of Boardman bikes which seem to do very well in a lot of bike reviews and tests so don't write Halfords off completely!

no i didnt mean to write them off - sorry if I gave that impression - I have taken advantage of their parts - especially their 3 for 2 offers.. it was my extreeeeme biking friend who says their name only with his fingers crossed infront of his chest . . while slinging salt over his shoulder etc etc..
but they like for like they couldnt match the deal I got either in this case

dmg24

gazza975526570 wrote: »

Do i detect a hint of sarcasm there?

Yes and no. My point is that we could have a board for practically everything - where do we draw the line?

TJ27

exup wrote: »

I mainly wanted it for road - but also able to do a bit of off road too - nothing too extreme - just the odd bridleway - green lane stuff

Without a shadow of doubt go for a cyclocross bike if you can. Try not to use knobbly tyres on road. Proper tyres make a massive difference.

Remember that Nicole Cooke is sponsored by Halfords and rides a Boardman. She's done OK with them! (I agree though, my experience of Halfords has been shocking.)

exup

TJ27 wrote: »

Without a shadow of doubt go for a cyclocross bike if you can. Try not to use knobbly tyres on road. Proper tyres make a massive difference.

Remember that Nicole Cooke is sponsored by Halfords and rides a Boardman. She's done OK with them! (I agree though, my experience of Halfords has been shocking.)

yep - my bike snob mate gave me some low rolling resistance tyres and I cut 10 minutes off my time to work the first time I used them - I was a bit sceptical - but also when doing the 80 mile ride I noticed quite a few times on shallow downhill gradients I was catching cyclists up who were pedalling to keep spped constant , quite suprising really