Arwen Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 So I sort of bought a mountain bike at the weekend. I had been looking to get a bike for a while, but because I am so short and didn't want to pay full price for a new one, it has taken me this long! Bike is a Ghost Lanao 3, it is an exhire one, so some scuffs and scrapes, but nothing major and they gave it a good going over and service before I took it. (very nice chap at http://www.progressionbikesscotland.com/ ) Does anyone else cycle? Any tips on getting back into cycling less painful? I forgot how sore it is getting back in the saddle! I'm looking for recommendations on lights mostly. My aim is to eventually cycle the 7 miles to and from work 2 or 3 times a week (motorbike the other days) but the commute will take me through a mostly unlit park. The problem I now see is that I may have issues with the rear light being visible as I have the saddle so low. Any suggestions on overcoming this? Quote
Paul-Kent Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 I have a red light on my rucksack as well as on the bicycleRiding through parks can be a challenge all f their own, especially when owners don't keep their dogs under control [emoji6]Maybe get a gel seat until your backside tones up a bitThis is my commuterhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160118/686bdda42899bff069007424fb388830.jpg Quote
cockercas Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 Just started cycling. I ride the country back roads and the lights you get from asda and the like are shit.I got some of ebay with a cree led and there awsome.http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 27&alt=web Light up the whole road.Low setting gives about 30 bright meters and high about 90m Quote
cockercas Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 Get some lycra padded shorts to.Makes loads of diffrence.I wear mine under trackies Quote
Arwen Posted January 18, 2016 Author Posted January 18, 2016 Lol I have the nappy like shorts now . Also spent a while adjusting the saddle forward, back, tilting up then down... Finally got it to where it is least painful. Going to go with that for a while before I end up looking for a new saddle ! Those lights look kinda cool, do they have a wire running from the front one to the rear one though? I've stumbled across the Fiber Flare, which to me looks really cool. Going to try and check them out at the bike shop at the weekend. Quote
cockercas Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 The lights have a wire that mounts to a battery pack.The rear just takes two AAA ones. Quote
JRH Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 If you are going to wear a cycle helmet I have seen lights which attach to the top of these. They are bright marker lamps though an would be in addition to the main running lights. They do make yo noticeable though and if you are worrying about rear lights theses would help.Like thishttp://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-HeadLux- ... oCaTzw_wcB Quote
XmisterIS Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 I seriously need to get back into cycling for my health! The trouble is, there's no contest between a 1/4 brake horsepower engine capable of 30mph (only just, when I'm fit, and not for long even then) and a 140bhp engine capable of warp factor 9! Quote
Paul-Kent Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 Horses for courses I suppose.I love cycling to work as I enjoy the country side and enjoy listening to the birdsong and watching the seasons change at a slower pace. Quote
Six30 Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 I bought one a couple of years back.... When I got it home I suddenly came to my senses, I chucked it into the shed , pad locked and bolted the door , not been in shed since and every time I walk past it I get a shiver . Quote
Six30 Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 I'll give ya a quid for it[emoji6] I'd be in profit Quote
Arwen Posted January 20, 2016 Author Posted January 20, 2016 Lol I did wonder when the dislike for bicycles would show up I used to love going out on my push bike before it got nicked. Now I'm feeling rather unfit and really not enjoying the local gym, so finally get to cancel that membership and get out in the fresh air now There are quite a few forest and countryside tracks within a short cycle from my house. So a mountain bike seems ideal. Rather looking forward to my helmet arriving and getting some lights for it so I can go out properly after work. Quote
Gin Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Anything off the road with bicycles, I love! I spent most holidays with family when I was a kid on bikes round Rutland water and the like.. Even around the London area I grew up I was on a bike with my best mate but always on the pavements.. I can't imagine Ever getting on a pedal bike on the main roads *Shudder* Quote
Arwen Posted January 20, 2016 Author Posted January 20, 2016 I'm the same, I will be spending as little time as possible on the road with this bike. When I was down in Plymouth over new year I actually saw the no bicycle sign up on the slip roads going onto the A38. I find it terrifying that some cyclists would even contemplate cycling on a dual carriageway! Quote
Hoggs Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I find it terrifying that some cyclists would even contemplate cycling on a dual carriageway! Occassionally I see them merrily going along the North Circular! Always fun when people panic when they catch them up and just wildly swerve into the middle lane.... Quote
Gin Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I find it terrifying that some cyclists would even contemplate cycling on a dual carriageway! Occassionally I see them merrily going along the North Circular! Always fun when people panic when they catch them up and just wildly swerve into the middle lane.... This is one of my other big problems with cycling, the fact that British roads and highways in town and countryside have not been built with them in mind. So it's dangerous for the cyclist to try and get by on them, idiot drivers either get way too close and clip them with a wing mirror or fly away from them in a panic; getting in the way of other road users. Trucks and coaches don't really have the room to manoeuvrer as it is, never mind trying to avoid something that is Tiny in comparison to them.. If we had infrastructure more like the Scandinavian countries, then fine but the UK is just not good for this sort of thing! And I feel awful for anyone who has to take a horse on main roads for the same reasons.. I'll stick to my powered wheels and protective gear thanks Quote
Six30 Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 The amount of money the government spends on cycle lanes etc for the Lycra clad gang they should be paying road tax, and be insured. Quote
Joeman Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Denmark Sucks . they basically superimposed a cycle network ontop of a road network and gave cyclists right now way under all circumstances. So when you're at a junction in your car turning right, cyclists will happily ride up the inside, and as a car driver you have to wait for them!!How is that sensible?? Quote
Paul-Kent Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I'm fortunate in the point that I have a 2 mile stretch of country lane then a footpath then into a park for my ride to work. I only have to cross one main high street then it's cycle track [emoji41]Also it takes about the same amount of time whether it be driving or riding. Quote
Gin Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 According to google it would double my time and be uphill on the way home.. So.. Not likely any time soon! Quote
Algray Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Not a road rider at all but love mountain biking. I have a ghost we 3000 hardtail. I normally use purpose built trails around the 7 Staines usually mabie, ae or newcastleton. Sometimes just go and explore what the younger braver lads have built. Can be quite hairy sometimes tho Quote
Arwen Posted January 20, 2016 Author Posted January 20, 2016 According to Google it will take me an extra 10min or so to cycle to work. The vast majority of it is off road, only road bits are in the housing estate and a short stretch through the village where my work is - Personally I am cycling for enjoyment and fitness rather than quickness. Quote
Hoggs Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Mine looks like a tour de france stage. I'll pass! Quote
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