Thank the lord for peole like him – my curiosity is now sated. (I did contemplate trying this myself until I realised that unless I got rid of the beer belly,it was pointless having porn star privates).
I am still contemplating rying it on my head though ❓

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi is a damn fine SF novel. IMO.

My commute is 33 miles each way. I break that up by cycling part way and catching the train the rest on most days.

What I’ve found helps is varying the route and distances and not been too rigid on riding every day (I don’t have the option of driving but can walk to local train station) .

My weeks vary a great deal – I have weeks where I may never be in the office and others where I’m there everyday.This creates a bit of variety and means I’m usually quite keen to get the bike out on a morning. In a previous job I was at a fixed location and had to cycle in everyday as there was no public transport and I didn’t have a car – on the whole it was fine but to be honest on somedays I could have thrown the bike in the canal and probably jumped in after. In my experience there is a big difference between wanting to cycle to work and having to cycleto work.

I have three routes I do on a morning varying from 8 -15 miles from home to main train station. On the way home I either do the mornings route in reverse which gives me 3 options,or I get off at a different station each with two route otions home or if I can get away at good time and I’m feeling that way out (not as often as I’d like TBH :oops:) I’ll ride the full distance home which is another 3 options varying from 33-45 miles. – in total I have 10 different routes I can use and also the option to catch the train almost all the way home.
I use a touring bike to commute (Kona Sutra) that way I can stick a rack and panniers on if need be, it can also, with the right tyres, handle a fair bit of off road riding too , which adds to the variety of the riding.

Having a shower at work is a big + to any level of commuting. I’d also suggest having a few changes of clothes at work including cycling kit.

As for food, you’ll always be hungry . I tend to stock up on things like rice cakes, cereal and peanut butter at work, and generally have a couple of cereal bars in the saddle bag. In the winter I have a small flask of coffee for on the train. Lunch varies from a really healthy sandwich to pork pie, fish and chips etc. Usually grab a banana either just before I set off or on the train on the way home and I try to drink plenty of water/diluted fruit juice throughout the day.

By the time I’ve got home had a bath and something to eat I’m usually knackered which can p##s the other half off at times.

32 miles each way 5 days a week is very hardcore – it’s a big commitment and while the sun is shining and the breeze is gentle it’ll be fun more times than it isn’t , but when it’s p####ing it down with rain and blowing a gale it’ll be a totally different story.- You’ll be wanting a warm shower at work on those days.

The Fat Chance Yo Eddy – mmmmmmmmm!
Etto helmets – green for the win!
All day epic rides using maps and local knowledge
Getting lost
Original Clockwork (still got mine from ’93)
OriginalOrange team kit
John Tomac,Ned Overend,Tim Gould etc

You’ve done it now – i’moff out on my Clockwork

Think it depends if you’ve always cycled – in which case it’ll be anything from niche such as fat bike, monster cross etc.to a touring bike (and all the rack, panniers ,camping gear etc. :oops:) or really nice road bike

But I think the most amusing are the proper mid-life crisis ‘I’m gonna be a mountain biker.’ types. Havn’t been on a bike since they learnt to drive, but allof a sudden

‘mountain biking’smy life’

. Usually a full suss accompanied by the knee and elbow pads with full face helmet for a pootle round the local woods. They also seem to be really into getting there ‘weapons’ serviced on a regular basis -just find it all a bit amusing

48-36-24 upfront with a Suntour XC Pro front mech 11-28 on the back with a deore DX short cage mech (thats still working fine on one of the hack bikes) and thumbshifters – same (rigid) bike for XC/downhill/commuting/touring -ahhhh, the memories.

But in answer to the OP – it’ll work fine , I’d have a look at a gear chart though as you may want to consider your chainring sizes (46-34-22 ??) to give better spread of gears

Where do you live ?
see if there something like this – York Cycle Hub[/url] – I took a few bits in a while back , they were most greatful, and let me park my bike for free.

Give something back to something that you get great pleasure from- spread the love !

“Weapon”- 😯 really ?

You need to find a local engineering firm. Someone at the local garage may also be ableto assist or put you in touch with a decent engineer.

If your confident you could DIY destructions here

TBH I’d probably pay and get it done proper. I used to work in a machine shop and its much easier with experience and the correct tools

Once it’s dried out give the underside a good blathering (technical term) in proofide but don’t polish it off. Give the topside a smearing of proofide – leave it overnight and then buff with a nice clean cloth (your lasses old pants will work best).
SADDLE CARE BASICS
Don’t be too eager to apply proofide all the time, a quick wipe over prior to a wet ride will be more than enough
Brooks saddle covers are not overly expensive, look far better than a Tesco bag (not sure if they do a better job) and fold up small enough to take on most rides

+1 for zip , add to that metal tipped laces on cranks, necklace on camlebak strap, keys in pocket ,glasses on helmet, retard on saddle

just short of 10 miles each way(with options to do more including the odd 40 mile run when the mood takes me) – home to station/station to work – not always in the office so depends on work load as to how many times (4 days this week 😀 but only one next 🙁 )
If you need to carry stuff like clothes and/or paper work on a regular basis panniers are definately your best option.
In my opinion (based on many many years commuing to work) the best bags for commuting are the courier style from Crumpler or Chrome . They sit nice on your back and are easier to get access to than a ruck sack. I’m also a big fan of the Carradice barley saddle bag – looks good (imo) and carries far more than you would expect. (last night = pair of brogues, A5 hard back notebook, paperback, half packet of fig biscuits, phone , ipod,gillet and a beanie in main bag with spares/tools in side pockets)
bike for the job ??? depends if your buying something specific or converting wha you’ve got – rigid with slicks is the base line.

I’d definately be looking to replace at first opportunity for all reasons above – but the best bodge has to be a folded tenner between tube and tyre

one sunday in hell

should imagine it would be OK – but why would you want to ?

these are cheap anddo exactly what says on the tin, plus you can swap ’em between pants and whip ’em off in a jiff if you need an emergency catapult

Plenty of water and give them boiled rice and nowt else for a couple of days.

if you are camping don’t make the mistake I did – take a therma rest. I was bloody freezing for two nights in Scotland last year. wasn’t particularly cold outside more the damp and cold creeping up through the floor. I even lined bottom of tent with all my clothes etc in plastic bags and it made little to no difference.
Couple of weekends later I used an self inflating sleepmat andit made a hell of a difference.
as for panniers vs trailer – panniers would always win for me.Lot easier to sling your panniers off the bike andup and over gates/onto trains/pick up trucks etc.

Hull.

Quick wipe round the houses with surgical spirit, liberal powdering of Johnsons baby powder and a squirt of your prefered deodarant (to mask the scent of baby). Smoothest, stick free balls in town. 😀 sorted

Or are the thousands of 27.2 frames going to be outcast in a throw away world like 25.4cm bars for no real reason

Bit like all the hardtails were made obselete wih the advent of full suspension.

My seatpost is 27.2 – think I’ve only felt the need to lower it once in the past 6 years (descending the rangers path on Snowdon) and that was more to do with my shorts catching the nose of my saddle than anything else. Can’t remember what size post was on the previous bikes but other than a Hite Rite back in the day (which was more of a must buy cos everyone has one rather than I really need this) can’t recall ever thinking I need to lower/raise my post while I’m riding.
Maybe its a full suss thing ? Maybe I’m not gnarly enough ?

Genuine question – How can a hub be 29er specific ?

XT rear hub with 6 bolt disc mounting is only £3 dearer than SLX

Cycle Heaven (both at the station or Bishopthorpe Rd) nice friendly and knowledgable staff
Bob Trotters are worth a look (now a Giant store)
and York Cycle Works too
all good in their own way , and while your at it pop into bike rescue project[/url]for a cuppa. You’re never too busy for a cuppa.

b r – sorry ,I stand corrected , thereare indeed

I had exactly what you are describing happen with mine over the NewYear period.
It was the outer bearing in the freehub body that had gone – there are four in total but it was just the outer one that was shot – my good friend Al at Garage bikes [/url] fixed it in next to no time – if you’ve got the bearings to hand its quite possible you can do the job at home

All you need to know is just a click away.

If you get stuck just pop back here and we’ll sort it for ya !

Oh a I forgot to add – it might be worth using a ‘punch’ to give the drill some guidance prior to drilling – otherwise you could end up with the worlds most ridiculous signature on your frame 😉

7mm is a bit big for a drain hole in my opinion. I’d say 3 – 4mm was more appropriate. Other than that +1 for what Paul said.

I drilled a drainage hole in my old Orange Clockwork well over 10 years ago and it’s still not showing any signs of rust etc. I did coat all internal tubes with ‘duck’ oil too.

I’ve got three – short andlong sleeve base layer and an On One logo jersey. All three are hand washed only (as are all the wool jerseys inour house)Wear them all the time. All three are stillin tip top condition (infact I’ve got the long sleeve base layer on now – mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Merino !!!!!

Not tried it myself as I don’t have an i-phone – but THIS could help – app showing the entire National Cycle Network. Alternatively you can get a map. Not everyones cup of tea but they are quiet routes which is what you askedfor in the original post

Read the book.

Many [female cyclists on cigar box labels] were shown as decidedly masculine, with hair cut short or pulled back, and smoking cigars, then an almost exclusively male pursuit. This portrayal reflected the old fears that women in pants would somehow supplement men as breadwinners and decision-makers.”

Hoorah! for women smoking cigars !!!

and they’re from Yorkshire! 😀

Ok here goes…
road ride = (all fits in one jersey pocket,other two will have a rain cape and something to eat *yes I know its anMTB tube in the pic but you get the idea)

local MTB ride =(all fits in rear pocket of jacket if i don’t take a camelbak)

proper MTb ride = (fits nicely in a camelbak mule, and still leaves space for a jacket a beanie hat, malt loaf, powerbar, tangfastics,chocolate, hip flask, wallet)

The tin contains spare gear cable, tyre boot, chain/power links,pads, patches,a fiver.

Not much really

how could you ever need to take a set of brake pads?

obviously not done much riding in the Peak District when its wet. And considering how much space they take up .

In all my years of riding the following have happened
punctures – many
snapped chain – check
split tyre -check
bent mech hanger – check
snapped gear cable – check
crash requiring re- alignment of brake levers/stem etc. – check
getting hungry – check
getting thirsty – check
weather taking turn for worse- check
going A over T and landing on head – check
been involved in a crash where we had to keep someone comfortable/warm etc. – check(but thankfully only once)
been so unprepared i’ve had to walk home – just the once when I toally trashed my front wheel

No it’s not an extreme sport(although thats debatable when you watch certain riders) – it is, however, about getting out into the country side which can vary from the local park to the scottish Highlands. If I was walking round the local park I’d probably be wearing pumps or brogues jeans and a t-shirt and have two dogs and my grandson(2) with me. If he’s lucky i might have a few sweets in my pocket and the dogs might have brought a ball. If I was doing the Three Peaks i’d leave my grandson at home probably be wearing my Karrimor boots etc. I’d have food for me and the dogs and plenty of other kit in my day bag.
So again – what you take depends on where you are riding.

People who head off in to the hills unprepared with a gung ho ‘I’ve always been alright with a stick of chewing gum and a copy of the Times’ attitude realy p##s me off.

Being self – sufficient has always been one of the key elements of mountain biking. As a result most of the kit is compact and light enough to not take up much room at all.

nowt wrong with travelling light – i.e. pump, spare tube bottle of water. But there is a difference between get you home and carry on with your plan.
To just get you home a pump and tube is probably suffice. But (as I’ve always prefered) to carry on riding you need at least, multi tool, spare chain links/powerlinks, tyre boot, brake pads, cable, patches,some food, plenty of fluids, extra layer/waterproof. For trips into the (real)hills also advisable to carry a small first aid kit, foil blanket and a hat.
All this about we live in the mostly denseley populated areas and your only ever 2 feet from a bus to take you home is cr@p IMO. Lets just say you and your mate decide to ride from Settle over to Arncliffe and back on a Wednesday, as the trails will be quiet etc.Not exactly middle of no where but not exactly Briggate either. Descending Arncliffe Cote one of you hits a chunk of limestone and goes a over t. lands funny and can’t ride – what are you going to do ? Sit there waving your pump and spare tube ? or, make sure he’s comfortable, warm etc.while you wait for the emergency services.

So really it depends on if you ride round the back of Argos or back of Skiddaw.

+1 Sanderson Life

Riding for 8 hours is boring.

erm … no it isn’t !

Jeremy Partridge or Alan Clarkson
tw@