Bridget ([info]bugshaw) wrote,
2005-07-23 12:55:00
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I have one now and hope the wheels don't fall off

I have a bicycle! Jessica Rabbit and [info]groliffe took me round the bike shops of Mill Road, and we discussed frames and panniers and strength and tyres and the like. Having picked a design that would suit, we discovered it only came down to an 18" frame - I could just about get on it but it was very big and unwieldy. A ladies' bike in a 16" was much easier to mount, and comfy, and a slightly dorky pale blue so less nickable. And only twice the price, which is the cost of being freakishly short.

Picture of shiny bicycle.

They are giving it a quick service, and I pick it up at 3:30 today! JR & G enjoyed spending my money - I also have lights, a lock, a helmet, bungee cord, and several types of pannier to consider.

I also got taught lots of newbie things like how gears work and what they are for, how to mount a bicycle, when one might like to stand on the pedals, the point of different tyres, panniers vs baskets, which bits to oil and which to keep clean, etc... I have a steep learning curve ahead of me but luckily no hills (this being Cambridge).

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  • 20 comments

[info]ladymoonray

July 23 2005, 12:21:47 UTC 6 years ago

Well done! The bike looks lovely; I'm thinking about getting one when I can afford it. The last few I've had have been mountain bikes, which I find very difficult. I much prefer the classic style of the one you're having.

Good luck with it :)

[info]bugshaw

July 23 2005, 12:40:54 UTC 6 years ago

It's a bit scary. I can't quite believe they'll let me on the roads with this without a licence or test or anything.

[info]del_c

July 23 2005, 14:51:07 UTC 6 years ago

Hey, snap! I got a Claud Butler Classic too, or would have done if they'd had one, but as they didn't they knocked a bit off the price of the Odyssey, the next model up, for me.

(not the Ladies model, obviously)

[info]ladymoonray

July 23 2005, 23:06:18 UTC 6 years ago

We did have to do the National Cycling Proficiency test when I was in primary school. I remember that I passed the test, but I was told to practice lots more before going on the road on a bike.

My cycling skills have sadly never improved since then. So I try to keep off the roads as much as I can. That would have to change if I bought a bike now. I wonder if there's a course one can do?

[info]purpletigron

July 24 2005, 07:25:43 UTC 6 years ago

There are definitely cycling 'improver' courses around. Check your local cycle shops, and any local cycling group newsletters, and the Web! Cycling as road transport is a wonderful thing :-)

[info]ang_grrr

July 23 2005, 12:25:17 UTC 6 years ago

SHINY!

[info]mr_tom

July 23 2005, 13:54:21 UTC 6 years ago

Top tip: Put a little bit of paper between the inner tube and the tyre with your name and address and "This bike is stolen: reward offered" written on it. Thieves don't change tubes, but people who buy second-hand bikes do.

[info]sneerpout

July 23 2005, 14:00:13 UTC 6 years ago

Congratulations! Bicycling is one of the best things ever :o)

[info]hawkida

July 23 2005, 14:09:03 UTC 6 years ago

Cool!

What was the advice about standing on pedals?

[info]bugshaw

July 23 2005, 14:15:45 UTC 6 years ago

When you ride over a bump you might like to stand on the pedals and thus absorb the shock in your elbows and knees instead of directly up the spine.

For the moment I suspect I will ride over bumps whilst hanging on grimly.

[info]frandowdsofa

July 23 2005, 14:15:07 UTC 6 years ago

And I hope they also taught you about not riding on the pavement, stopping for red lights, and other bits of the Highway Code that apply to you ...

[info]bugshaw

July 23 2005, 14:16:37 UTC 6 years ago

Oh, I have had the fear of Caro put into me.

[info]timill

July 23 2005, 14:36:52 UTC 6 years ago

And wearing reflectors and having lights at night.

The number of cyclists in Cambridge I've only spotted because they occluded street lights...

[info]del_c

July 23 2005, 14:47:14 UTC 6 years ago

And a helmet.

[info]bugshaw

July 23 2005, 15:07:52 UTC 6 years ago

I have a helmet. For a moment I wondered why the receipt had a charge for a "Giro Transfer" when I'd paid by credit card, until I realised that was the name of the helmet. ;-)

I don't know how much I'll use it. They seem to be good protection for some sorts of accidents, but an additional hazard for others (making your head larger and heavier). I'll see what sort of accident I think is most likely...

[info]purpletigron

July 24 2005, 07:26:46 UTC 6 years ago

Only strictly necessary until you are a competent adult cyclist, at which point, cycling helmets become almost redundant.

[info]bugshaw

July 23 2005, 15:05:27 UTC 6 years ago

Reflectors: check.
Lights: check.

[info]ang_grrr

July 23 2005, 14:51:04 UTC 6 years ago

I was coming out of a car park today and scared the living daylights out of a young girl haring along the pavement. Luckily I'd seen her before she hadn't seen me, if you see what I mean.

[info]sneerpout

July 23 2005, 16:03:26 UTC 6 years ago

I find the best way to deal with ill-mannered idiots like that is to shout, "OI! THE ROAD IS THAT BIG WIDE THING OVER THERE WITH THE DOTTED WHITE LINE DOWN THE MIDDLE!"

[info]watervole

July 23 2005, 17:32:26 UTC 6 years ago

THe best kind of reflector is either a yellow reflective vest, or a 'stripe' that you can wear over a jacket. They reflect car headlights fantastically and you can be seen from much further away.

Congrats on getting the bike.
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