The best thing I ever bought for my bike was a set of panniers and pannier bags. Before, I used to cycle everywhere with a rucksack, I used to carry quite a lot – books to work, shopping e.t.c

When I got panniers, the pleasure of the daily commute increased alot. – Literally it was a load off my shoulders. Cycling with a heavy rucksack also makes it more difficult to look over your shoulder and have the flexibility a good town cyclist needs.

Recently, I also got a pannier bag which has a shoulder strap – so is useful for carrying around when off bike.

I prefer back panniers to front panniers.

The Sainsburys carrier bags on handlebar technique.  More difficult to manoeuvre, especially if heavy.

Carrying a bike, on a bike, not really recommended

The front basket is surprisingly popular in Oxford. Fine if you’re slow and don’t mind taking corners more carefully. see: baskets

The Trike solution – solid if slow.

The messengers bag. Useful for times when you are walking as much as cycling.

Some rucksacks are less clumsy than others. This at least looks reasonably balanced.

Related

• Tips for commuting
• Panniers at Wiggle Cycles

But, I could see what was behind me by looking in the mirrors….

So it’s nice to hear this story on BBC, about a small clampdown  on motorists. A quick police operation soon caught many motorists practising various infringements – from driving whilst reading a clipboard to driving with bonnet up! Would be funny if not actually very dangerous. (BBC Link – woman caught with bonnet up)

So with eager anticipation, I look forward to the Oxford police clamping down on motorists who:

• Drive with mobile phones.
• Pass cyclists with no consideration – too close
• Exceed speed limit and drive too fast for circumstances.

£50 fine for every infringement and the crackdown would more than pay for itself. We might even get much better road manners so  people can use roads without too many near death experiences. Well, we can always hope…

I’ve done my fair share of making jokes at short bike paths, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a short bike lane installed and it made a significant  difference to my daily commute.

Basically, this used to be a wall. There was no short cut to avoid the lights ahead. It is a four way light, and often a two minute wait. They created a gap in the wall and a short bike path. This allows you to filter left and avoid the traffic lights.

A simple bike lane, but, of practical use. This junction has a high % of people who used to ride on pavement because of long wait. (I always seem to see drivers on their mobile phone at this junction, but, that’s another post)

Bad Cycle Lanes

Good cycle paths

Today, the World Harmony Run came through Oxford. Some of the runners were staying at my house last night so I went to take a few photos as they ran through Oxford.

The Global Harmony Run  will be completing 56,000 Kilometres during 2010 as it passes through over 100 countries. The European leg, started in Dublin in February and will be finishing in Moscow in later in the year.

It’s quite an achievement to run so many miles, staying somewhere different each night. The Run was founded by peace philosopher Sri Chinmoy in 1987 as a means to promote international friendship and peace.

All Souls and Bikes

Look No Hands

Riding no hands is a good way to tell if your frame is wobbly.

It’s actually easier to ride without hands if you are doing a decent speed. A bike is more stable at higher speeds than very slow speeds.

Once you’ve mastered riding with no hands try take off a waterproof jacket and put in back pocket whilst simultaneously swerving around potholes.

Another view of Radcliffe Camera

I hope when I’m an old man, (in roughly 65 years or so….) I hope that

• I won’t be a grumpy old man
• I’ll still be riding my bike.
• I will still be racing a bike.

Many people who do time trials are ‘Vets’ – people over 40. In fact I know of many riders who don’t start until they are a Vet. It’s often surprising how quick people can still be on bike, even into their 60s and 70s.

Cycling and smoking a pipe. Reminds me of the great Norman Maggs smoking a pipe during a 24 hour time trial

If you’re going to ride for 24 hours, you might as well enjoy it…

I bought this bike before you were born

John Woodburn still racing (aged 73 I think now)

Related

• Cycling into old age

This was a good weekend for cycling. Firstly, the temperature crept into double figures (10 degrees) in the first time for what seems like ages. Double digit temperatures mean racing in shorts, and the annual ritual of shaving the legs the night before.

The course was shortened from 10 miles to about 8 miles after some road works appeared in the middle of Woolhampton. There was a bit of breeze but, after about 10 years of riding over humps, holes and divots, the A4 has finally  been resurfaced. You can’t a lovely smooth bit of fresh tarmac – especially after all the potholes in the road elsewhere. Before my speedometer packed in half way, I was averaging around 29mph. I finished in first place with a time of 17.13. Second place was Steve Golla (Specialised, Sigma) and I think third place was Justyn Cannon (RAF CC) or Jesse Elizinga (Beeline Cycles)

Rebecca Romero on right, riding back after race

First women was Olympic pursuit gold medallist Rebecca Romero. After the UCI decided to scrap the 4KM Pursuit (btw see previous post for what I think on decision to remove individual track pursuit from Olympics) Rebecca is now aiming for the individual Time Trial for London in 2012. Given her athletic pedigree, she has a very good chance. I’d love to see her do well. It’s certainly inspiring to be in same race as Olympic hopefuls.

Cycling over cobbles, but Paris-Roubaix it isn't!

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Three helmeted riders

Warm Ears in style

Also warm ears but can he see where he’s going?

Wrapped up

Taken in Leeds

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At the lights

More Cycling photos

(Why do I do these early season races again?)

Last Sunday morning was my second race of the season – Banbury Star CC 23 mile hard rider event.

The course was undulating with a sharp 16% twisty climb in the middle. On the way out, you descend the rather tricky descent and on the way back you climb the hill (Edgehill) just when your legs are pretty tired anyway.

I took these photos after finish line. – Hence the smile.

I finished second in a time of 54.31. The event was won by James Wall in a very good time of 52.49.

I started my ‘warm up’ 45 mins before start. It was so cold after 15 mins I returned to car and put on a third pair of gloves, turned the engine on and defrosted my feet under the car’s heater. The car thermometer said outside -1. It’s not exactly Siberia. But, it’s not much fun when you have Reynaulds disease (poor circulation in hands and feet). All I can say is I’m glad I didn’t puncture in the middle of no man’s land….

Brave tandem pair

There were plenty of marshalls on the course with red flags warning you of obstacles like the tricky descent and random road furniture that seems to be all the rage these days. I ended up taking the descent quite slowly as I didn’t know it very well.

I was very pleased to come away with £70. – £50 for second and £20 for the fastest time up Edgehill 3.38. Many Thanks to the sponsor Tuffnells and Willoughby Cafe, run by a local Banbury Star CC member, and Banbury Star CC.

Results

Banbury Star CC

A fixed tourer by Nicasso reservoir. Nice shiny silver mudguards. Bike looks in great shape. Obviously, they musn’t have 1 in 5 (20%) climbs in California

A misty California morning