I don't know what my plans are for my lower half. I don't mind it on the way home but if I got soaked on the way to uni I'd be a bit pissed-off. I already take a spare pair of shoes and socks in but I think I'm going to start wearing some fast-drying three-quarter length trousers and putting my jeans in my bag.
I'm a permanent mudguards user since a couple of years ago and the practicality easily trumps any aesthetic concerns. If you want to ride in Glasgow with any regularity, what with its continuously glorious weather, then I think they're a must.
As well as helping to keep you dry(er), there's also big benefits in keeping a large amount of spray and muck off your bike, helping to ease wear etc.
P.S. I went out anyway yesterday, though I'm not sure whether my 3 hour afternoon ride was actually fun or not. But maybe that's beside the point (masochist).
[quote][cite] Cuppa T:[/cite]drubnk
Right-on brother!
The weather today!
I had the winter winter bike out today.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0tHo8vhKc[/url]
Whilst out on a club run on Saturday my real wheel's spokes lost all integrity and collapsed. I hit a pothole which was the final straw. It was behind Kilmacolm on the B road to Greenock. The howling gale and snow made me want to cry.
Had to call the cavalry in the shape of the brother in law. Took it to Dooley's bike shop in Paisley who rebuilt it allowing me to make it home, fantastic service from them. Great shop first time I have been in it, they got me out a hole.
Back out today, the back roads of Ayrshire my stomping grounds, snow and wind great stuff. Makes you appreciate the summer more.:)
[quote][cite] Cuppa T:[/cite]is this your bike or just a random video off youtube?
That's my bike and my boy. Should probably say it's my boy and his bike. That vid was up the Campsies this morning. It's an abandoned bike which I adopted and a pair of freecycle skis. It cost £0.00 to build and is great fun to ride.
Here is me on it too.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VDJLhEP1SYs
It sure was bitterly cold on Saturday, really painful. Didn't feel quite so bad when I was out this morning, even a few nice periods of sunshine. Lovely morning, at least till the rain came through.
Do you know what the problem was with your wheel Merak? What was it that caused it to give in (not meaning the pot hole)? Sounds like excellent service from Dooley's, another potentially classic Glasgow bike shop I've never been to (along with Willy Bain's).
[quote][cite] krakow:[/cite]It sure was bitterly cold on Saturday, really painful. Didn't feel quite so bad when I was out this morning, even a few nice periods of sunshine. Lovely morning, at least till the rain came through.
Do you know what the problem was with your wheel Merak? What was it that caused it to give in (not meaning the pot hole)? Sounds like excellent service from Dooley's, another potentially classic Glasgow bike shop I've never been to (along with Willy Bain's).
The boy at Dooley's said the nipples weren't tight enough when it was built.He said wheels should have loctite on the nipples, they have now! I had thought they were a bit slack tbh. They gradually loosened off during the ride.
It started with a light rub on the rim from the brake block. By the end the wheel was clattering of the chain stay and eventually un-ridable.
I fancy going to the wheel building course at Edinburgh bicycle co. Maybe other folk on here would like to do it too?
as long as you're dressed for it, it's fine. i actually quite like it.
euan - i've got of the DHB Amberly gloves from wiggle and no matter how cold it is, my hands are sweating. They're seriously good for the money.
[quote][cite] Merak:[/cite]
I fancy going to the wheel building course at Edinburgh bicycle co. Maybe other folk on here would like to do it too?
+1 i'd like to have a go.
No ice trouble this morning thankfully, but it was so cold that the water froze in my bottles as I rode! It made for a teeth-achingly testing drink & piss stop halfway round. Impressive.
I've got one of those wireless temperature gauge things, and I've finally got round to putting one of its sensors outside. Now watching the readings plummet. Currently at -2.2 in my back close and falling.
[quote][cite] Cuppa T:[/cite]too bloody cold to ride today, i need to invest in some gloves!
I'm using some £3 Thinsulate gloves at the moment. Seem to be doing the job quite well. A bit too thick for using my digits on anything but the breaks but as long as it is dry they do the job.
jeans? oh no. what you need is something like this:
Well after I managed to split my winter gloves at the palm when I came off on ice on Tuesday morning, I've been riding in an old pair of leather winter motorbike gloves the last two days. Seem to be doing ok, even in the torrential rain AND freezing temperatures of the ride in today.
This morning I thought the ice had thawed due to the rain so I had the audacity to try a cycle track shortcut again (all roads normally when it's icey). Two bike lengths and I was off again. Two offs in three days!
And as if that wasn't enough, I got a puncture going home on Tuesday night. Not happy. As soon as the kids have fucked off we're moving to somewhere on the mediterranean!
[quote][cite] rusty:[/cite]Girona. That's where you want to go. Excellent climbing on your doorstep.
As long as it doesn't rain 300 days a year and has more than 3 hours of daylight per day in winter then it's fine by me! Not too bothered about climbing any more (been a few years) but somewhere with good hillwalking and sailing are a must. Oh and good cheap wine would help too!
On reflection, Scotland would be perfect if it wasn't for the bloody weather. I can even put up with the midgies!
[quote][cite] euan:[/cite]I had no real problems in the show yesterday. Good test for the GP4000 I've got on the rear now as well.
I only had confidence problems really. I was cycling out to my parents house which is a bit further out than I usually go. Their road had only one set of tyre marks on it when I got there.
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