I've been looking at other bikes.
There, I've said it. Roger may not fulfil my needs in the future and I've been looking around. The new Ride to Work scheme has started and you can't just buy accessories with the voucher so I've decided to get another bike.
They warned me when I bought Roger that he wasn't built for the kinds of distances I now do so I've decided to get another one for if and when the time comes and so I'm not taken off road every time Roger's unwell or in the shop.
I haven't told him yet and I'm worried that he'll be upset. I am, of course, projecting my own feelings onto my bike. I've never been able to drive and couldn't afford a car anyway so Roger is my equivalent. That bike has helped me take control of my arthritis and has been instrumental in me losing about a stone in flab. I just love him to bits and am dreading replacing him. Sigh.
Anyhoo, on the subject of love, when did 'birting'* become socially acceptable?
We've all been there, trapped at the lights with a counterpart of the opposite gender eyeing up your framework. "So, how far do you go?" or "What kind of bike is that?" opens the conversation and suddenly you're being birted with. Having said which, I find it quite comforting that anyone finds me attractive when sweaty and in flourescent yellow and lycra. I'm obviously a fox.
*Flirting on a bike with a fellow cyclist.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Beer plus cycling... hmmmmmmm
I didn't blog yesterday, shocking!
To be honest it's partly because I feel that the fall into the canal can't be topped as a topic but I'll try anyway.
Last night I had a pint before getting on Roger and cycling home. I was offered a second (the boss was paying) and I was sorely tempted, but I decided against because I just think it's a bit silly to cycle while squiffy.
I friend, let's call him Bust-up, is legendary in his particular social circle for coming into work looking like he'd been in a war zone, because he'd cycled home worse for wear after a leaving do and come off. No cars were involved, but a pavement hit him at high speed.
He's not the only person I know who cycles when squiffy but I just can't do it. Not only am I a bit of a lightweight but if I can fall into a canal sober I dread to think of what I'd do if pissed. However, I have to admit that last night's cycle was pleasant and I got home in record time. I have two massive hills to climb on my way home and I often walk up at least part of the second, but last night I sailed up both. I was still exhausted when I got home, but I can't help wondering if beer is the secret cycling super fuel.
Worth experimenting with I feel.......
To be honest it's partly because I feel that the fall into the canal can't be topped as a topic but I'll try anyway.
Last night I had a pint before getting on Roger and cycling home. I was offered a second (the boss was paying) and I was sorely tempted, but I decided against because I just think it's a bit silly to cycle while squiffy.
I friend, let's call him Bust-up, is legendary in his particular social circle for coming into work looking like he'd been in a war zone, because he'd cycled home worse for wear after a leaving do and come off. No cars were involved, but a pavement hit him at high speed.
He's not the only person I know who cycles when squiffy but I just can't do it. Not only am I a bit of a lightweight but if I can fall into a canal sober I dread to think of what I'd do if pissed. However, I have to admit that last night's cycle was pleasant and I got home in record time. I have two massive hills to climb on my way home and I often walk up at least part of the second, but last night I sailed up both. I was still exhausted when I got home, but I can't help wondering if beer is the secret cycling super fuel.
Worth experimenting with I feel.......
Friday, 3 April 2009
Debating red lights in the sunshine
It's not been a great week so I hadn't even noticed that for the first time in months it's actually a bit warm and sunny.
And the clocks changing mean that I cycle home in broad daylight instead of the deadly gloom of dusk.
Still suffering the effects of my fall this week and a visit to the dentist after work led me to leave Roger halfway at a station this morning and I feel quite guilty. He'll be aching to ride in the sunshine but instead he'll only get to go halfway and via the A40.
We did, however, get shouted at by a woman on our way to said station though and I wish I'd stopped and debated the point with her.
The argument centred around a red light, that I may have gone through. Now, I already hear the mob gathering pitchforks, but allow me to argue the key points:
But I'm afraid that until you've cycled regularly on main roads in London you're not entitled to swear at me for going through a red. Nor should you stand in the road to berate me as it's a danger to you and other traffic. In fact, you're not even entitled to an opinion on whether you'd do it yourself because it's like the question of eating human flesh, until you're in the situation you just don't know.
And the clocks changing mean that I cycle home in broad daylight instead of the deadly gloom of dusk.
Still suffering the effects of my fall this week and a visit to the dentist after work led me to leave Roger halfway at a station this morning and I feel quite guilty. He'll be aching to ride in the sunshine but instead he'll only get to go halfway and via the A40.
We did, however, get shouted at by a woman on our way to said station though and I wish I'd stopped and debated the point with her.
The argument centred around a red light, that I may have gone through. Now, I already hear the mob gathering pitchforks, but allow me to argue the key points:
- The lights are there solely for pedestrians and it's not a junction so there was no risk of other cars coming my way.
- The cycle lane stops a few yards before the crossing and restarts a few yards afterwards meaning there are cars attempting to climb up your bottom whenever you stop there.
- I had a clear view of the crossing and all pedestrians had stepped off the crossing before I proceeded.
- A car was already revving right behind my back wheel in a threatening manner.
- In the year and a bit that I've been using that route I have never hit a pedestrian, not when they step out randomly, nor on a crossing, whereas I've been nudged, bumped and hit with wing-mirrors by impatient cars at junctions around 20 times because I've not got in front of the traffic.
But I'm afraid that until you've cycled regularly on main roads in London you're not entitled to swear at me for going through a red. Nor should you stand in the road to berate me as it's a danger to you and other traffic. In fact, you're not even entitled to an opinion on whether you'd do it yourself because it's like the question of eating human flesh, until you're in the situation you just don't know.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Getting back on the bike
Having survived a water collision I decided that I should get straight back onto Roger this morning (although I did avoid all canals, towpaths and deep-looking puddles).
I gained a renewed appreciation for roads. They go in reasonably straight lines, there are rules for overtaking and which side you're on and, although there are potholes, asphalt tends to have less broken glass, bits of brick and mud than towpaths. In fact, I may never have to go on a towpath ever again. Ever.
Not because I'm frightened, obviously, but because I don't need to. Yes, it's all about necessity. Am definitely not frightened. At all.
I have also gained a renewed appreciation for Roger. He's pretty damn bomb-proof, as evidenced by his ability to take me home and back out following a near catastrophic water landing. I'm actually glad I fell in rather than him. For one thing I float.
Mr Weenie was also very lovely about it all and, although he did start to giggle, when he saw my various scratches he gave me lots of 'That looks sore', 'Do you need some Germoline?' and 'You are a bit silly but I love you anyway'. Thanks is also due to the foxy bird who took me for a beer last night, she was the only person who realised I was actually quite shaken and was only laughing because everyone else was.
In other news, Roger and I are popping to Westfield tonight. with its shiny bike racks everywhere and the Uxbridge Road being so close I'm hoping it'll be a lovely excursion. No canals either. Phew.
I gained a renewed appreciation for roads. They go in reasonably straight lines, there are rules for overtaking and which side you're on and, although there are potholes, asphalt tends to have less broken glass, bits of brick and mud than towpaths. In fact, I may never have to go on a towpath ever again. Ever.
Not because I'm frightened, obviously, but because I don't need to. Yes, it's all about necessity. Am definitely not frightened. At all.
I have also gained a renewed appreciation for Roger. He's pretty damn bomb-proof, as evidenced by his ability to take me home and back out following a near catastrophic water landing. I'm actually glad I fell in rather than him. For one thing I float.
Mr Weenie was also very lovely about it all and, although he did start to giggle, when he saw my various scratches he gave me lots of 'That looks sore', 'Do you need some Germoline?' and 'You are a bit silly but I love you anyway'. Thanks is also due to the foxy bird who took me for a beer last night, she was the only person who realised I was actually quite shaken and was only laughing because everyone else was.
In other news, Roger and I are popping to Westfield tonight. with its shiny bike racks everywhere and the Uxbridge Road being so close I'm hoping it'll be a lovely excursion. No canals either. Phew.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Canal-bike interface
I am officially a loser.
Someone put something across the canal towpath this morning and as a result of the collision I fell in.
On one hand it was spectacular. I was launched into the air, throwing Roger to one side and landed side-on, sinking completely before resurfacing and dramatically dragging myself onto the bank. Roger was saved by my quick-thinking and only got wet on one wheel. Plus it makes an interesting blog topic.
On the other hand, I got drenched in rat-pee water, required a tetanus jab and will spend the rest of my life being laughed at.
What annoys me the most is that I could have recovered from hitting the planking if the canal path was properly maintained. I carried on for some time but the deep and narrow pit left by generations of cyclists meant my already wobbly progress went to pot and in I went.
No one was around and it was only adrenaline and my freakishly strong upper body that allowed me to pull myself onto a bank that was a foot above my head. The water was shoulder-height even when I stood on the accumulated shopping trolleys and debris. I don't know many other people who could have done it and there aren't any jetties nearby.
I think tomorrow I'll just go on the road, there's a much lower risk of drowning.
Someone put something across the canal towpath this morning and as a result of the collision I fell in.
On one hand it was spectacular. I was launched into the air, throwing Roger to one side and landed side-on, sinking completely before resurfacing and dramatically dragging myself onto the bank. Roger was saved by my quick-thinking and only got wet on one wheel. Plus it makes an interesting blog topic.
On the other hand, I got drenched in rat-pee water, required a tetanus jab and will spend the rest of my life being laughed at.
What annoys me the most is that I could have recovered from hitting the planking if the canal path was properly maintained. I carried on for some time but the deep and narrow pit left by generations of cyclists meant my already wobbly progress went to pot and in I went.
No one was around and it was only adrenaline and my freakishly strong upper body that allowed me to pull myself onto a bank that was a foot above my head. The water was shoulder-height even when I stood on the accumulated shopping trolleys and debris. I don't know many other people who could have done it and there aren't any jetties nearby.
I think tomorrow I'll just go on the road, there's a much lower risk of drowning.
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