On yer bike
Many thanks for all your supportive messages on my newfound cyclist status, it's good to know there are plenty of other people who've given up relying on public transport to ferry them around, and are taking to their own two wheels. I may have to invest in a new bike sometime soon, as the one I've been given has been sitting in someone's garage for a few years. The front wheel is wobbly, the brakes don't really work and the whole frame's a bit small for me, but I'm having a surprising amount of fun, specially since I discovered that you can cycle round Dorney Lake, which is where the rowing for the Olympics is going to be. It's a brilliant man-made facility full of birdlife and rabbits, and no traffic. It's also measured out for the rowers, so you can log how far you've cycled, if you like doing that sort of thing.
Back to First Great Western News, and I've found the website for last night's Week In Week Out programme, which was all about FGW, with Christian Wolmar travelling from London to Paddington and asking the hard questions we all want answered. You can watch it here for the next six days. Try and ignore that funny woman with the badges, there are some crazy people out there.
5 comments:
Thanks for the plug Helen, I hope you all enjoy the programme.And you were great.Christian
Good on you for taking up cycling! It's great. It is crucial that you do get a bike that runs well and fits you properly. They aren't that expensive and your work may participate in a work cycle scheme. Quick word of advice though, don't go to halfords if you do decide to buy a new one!
That's interesting, what's wrong with Halfords? There are plenty of other cycle shops in Windsor, so I'm happy to take your advice, but am interested to know why.
Halford sell cheap, crap bikes using staff who really don't know what they are talking about. In my experience, though this isn't always the case, your local bike shop has a better selection of bikes, well informed staff, and a friendly approach. In my experience, spending a litte more in the short term on a better quality bike from a decent shop has paid off in the long run in more enjoyable ride, less maintainance and all round better experience. Hope that helps!
If you do buy a new bike and are mainly planning to use it to travel around town (i.e. no off road) then go for a hybrid rather than a mountain bike! The gearing is better suited to your needs and thinner tyres require far less effort than the chunky knobly ones that come on a mountain bike. Also, what ever the bike mudguards are essential.
Many thanks for this helpful advice. There are quite a few cycle tracks I'll be using, some bumpier than others, but your idea of a hybrid sounds like a good one, as I'll also be doing a lot of road cycling. Mud guards essential too, specially if I do any cycling to work, that black stripe of mud up the back is never a good look!
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