New Cyclist and the City

Long time no see

2014-11-19T22:22:00.001+00:00

It has been a while I did not post new articles on this blog and several things happned during this "hibernation".

First, my folding bike was stolen at Abbey Wood station in southeast London. No, not that Brompton one. It was my b'Twin bike which is now gone.

How did it happen? Well, it was my fault. I use a cheap lock as I thought the area was safe. Cheap locks are very easy to break or cut.

Lesson has been learnt.

Secondly, I got another folding bike, again I bought it from Decathlon. I haven't had proper time to ride but I will post a review in due course.

Until then enjoy the blog. Thank you.

I lost my neck warmer...

2012-10-06T11:40:00.000+01:00

The temperature has dropped since the end of September. Well, to be honest, since when we get a proper and hot summer? The thing is, I lost my neck warmer, which I find is so important during the last winter.

As a result, I cycle with bare neck and the chilled wind, especially during the morning journey, goes into my neck freely.

This morning I managed to beat the wind with my traditional scarf. I plan to buy a new neck warmer but I do not have time yet. Until then my scarf will accompany me in the morning and in the afternoon...

Brompton S2L The Review

2012-09-17T12:27:00.005+01:00

Why did you sell your road bike and change to a Brompton? You sold your soul.

Sorry, mate. It's beyond my control. My office moved which means it will take about the whole an hour and 45 minutes to cycle door-to-door. I do not want to spent 3,5 hours daily on the road to be honest. However I still love to cycle. It keeps me fit and the pleasure of cycling is second to none. With a Brompton I am still able to cycle on parts of my journey to the office.

Why Brompton? There are lots of other folding bikes out there...

It's pretty small when you fold it. You can tuck it nicely next to your seat in a train or tube. I have another folding bike and it is still BIG even when folded. But the killer feature is how quick it is to fold the bike. Less than 30 seconds. Yes, you hear me right. Less than 30 seconds so you have no reasons to miss your train.

Okay. I got it. But don't you think the wheels are too small?

I have the same opinions until I try to ride it. The wheels are small but it doesn't affect ride quality. I used to ride a road bike and do not have difficulties whatsoever in switching to a Brompton. It feels smooth and natural for me, which is rather very comforting. The first time I ride it I know I take the right decision.

It is expensive, right?

Yes and that's why I make use of this brilliant scheme. I do not know exactly how it works but I do know I will save some money in the process.

I am interested now. Why do you choose S type instead of M? And two speeds?

I choose S simply because it is better in term of handling. With flat bar the bike feels much more responsive. And the two speeds I think it is more than enough for me. I do not have complicated routes: a rather hilly road near my house and fully flat from Charing Cross to Bond Street.

Back to blog

2012-09-17T11:09:00.002+01:00

What? Four months? I know. It has been quite a while I do not write any posts. Sorry for that.

Well, I am OK. I do not want to make any excuses however since 9 April (that was the last time I posted a picture that I am sure now you get an idea about the bike that I ride) there have been changes in my daily live. For a start I get a new member of the family, my office moved to another site, then we had Euro 2012, Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics.

What a busy summer!

Now the busy period is over I can blog on cycling in London. Welcome back folks...

Welcome to the fold

2012-04-09T18:25:00.001+01:00

Bicycle by Helen Pidd

2012-03-09T11:19:00.000+00:00

I do want to have a bike but I do not know which one is best for me, you may ask.

Well, no worries. Helen Pidd answers all of your questions in a single marvellous book entitled Bicycle.

You should buy this book before you purchase your first bike.

However, it is absolutely OK even if you already have one, just like me, who bought the book a couple of week after getting my road bike.

Pidd cleverly layouts from the basic aspects of choosing a bike to important issues while you are out and about with your bike.

For example, is it legal to cycle on the pavement. Or is it OK to jump the red light. You probably raise the question as you notice that more and more cyclists do that.

Generally speaking the book ticks all the right boxes so I would recommend this one. Happy reading, folks.

Relocation, relocation, relocation

2012-03-06T15:14:00.001+00:00

Office jobs and other commitments made February a very busy month. Please forgive me for not posting any updates.

Well, no news is good news, as the saying goes. Talking about news, my office is in the process of relocating to another site, which is further west.

It means I have to cycle further as I live in the southeast. I reckon it will take about at least 1.45 door to door from my house to the new site in Oxford Circus.

I still want to cycle however the distance is killing me.

So, I come up with this plan: cycle to Abbey Wood, catch a train to Charing Cross and then cycle again to Oxford Circus.

The flaw with this plan is I can not get my road bike into the train during the rush hour. Southeast Train does not allow me to do so. Folding bike is OK but not road bike, it says.

I do have a folding bike. However, it is still relatively big even when it is folded.

So, shall I get a Brompton?

Bike theft

2012-01-12T21:32:00.001+00:00

Very nice piece of writing by Andrew Gimson whose bike was nicked. I share his feeling although what I experienced was nothing compared to his.

I do believe now that a bike is not just a bike. For most of us a bike is like a faithful friend. It is with us come shine or rain, day in day out.

So when 'your faithful friend' is no longer there, it seems like half of yourself has gone. No? Just ask Andrew...

Warm winter

2012-01-12T21:20:00.003+00:00

Yes, I am still alive. Sorry for not posting in the last couple of weeks. I was rather busy with office stuff during the festive period. Oh, happy new year by the way. Hope you all have a more prosperous year.

Probably you notice, and I believe you do, that this winter is warm. Very warm indeed. We have double digits temperature at the end December and at the first half of January. I am not complaining though as it is good time for cycling. Yes, it is cold in the morning but not as cold as I thought.

Just don't forget to wrap up yourself. Happy winter cycling...

Roundabout

2011-12-20T18:16:00.003+00:00

For the second time in the last two days I have faced with drivers who seem to ignore the golden rule that they must give priority to traffic from their immediate right.

They sped up and went into the roundabout despite the fact that I had the priority.

Needles to say, we as cyclists, must stay alert and expect those kind of motorists, especially at the roundabout.

b'Twin folding bike: a rather comprehensive review

2011-12-20T17:34:00.001+00:00

I posted my initial impression of the b'Twin folding bike I have been riding in the last month or so.

Now I want to share with you my overall opinion.

First of all, the bike has seven speed with 20 inch tyre. Having 20 inch means I don't have problems after riding a road bike.

The bike feels normal just like any other bikes. Two other people who tried the bike drew the same conclusion.

It is solid, comfortable and can handle any type of roads with ease.

I like the flat handlebar which makes the bike feels more sporty.

I have to say the ride quality is spot on. In fact I do not expect to be that good.

As I said before you need a little bit of practice to fold the bike. It takes about a minute to fold so not that good compared to Bromptons where you can fold them in less than 20 seconds.

It is also quite large once you fold it. Again, do not compare with the Bromptons.

As you can see from the picture, the folded bike still occupy almost the whole part of the boot.

At about 14.7 kg it is also relatively heavy. I am not sure whether it is practical to fold, carry, and unfold it for your journey in daily basis.

If you don't need to fold and unfold the bike that often, it is obviously a sensible choice. At £200 it is absolutely a good value for money.

Note: my green b'Twin folding bike is unfortunately no longer on sale. Decathlon now offers almost the same specs at £400. The different is the new model has better handle bars and seat.

The best Christmas gifts for cyclists - in pictures

2011-12-06T19:57:00.001+00:00

Some Christmas best-buys for your cycling-mad friend, brother, sister, dad or mum, selected by The Guardian. It covers gifts for budget concious people (like me) or for people who think money is not the issue.

Click here to read further...

More cyclists in town?

2011-12-04T08:03:00.001+00:00

When the weather is not that friendly I sometimes leave my bike at home or just cycle to the station and catch a train central London. I noticed the other day I couldn't find a parking spot for my bike. It was still 06.40 in the morning however all the spots were taken. I wonder if more people in my area now prefer pedalling to driving to the station. And it is winter. It could be much more difficult to find parking spot in spring or summer...

Buy cheap, buy twice

2011-11-29T20:00:00.001+00:00

You probably knew that someone stole my rear light the other day.

I did not have time to buy a proper replacement so while browsing in my local Poundland to buy a toy sword for my daughter (she needs it for her Christmas play) I could not resist myself not to go the bike section.

After a minute or two I found what I wanted: a rear light! It looked OK and was only £1.

I heard many of my friends found a good stuff in this store. Today could be my lucky day.

However it turned out soon that my luck was short-lived. I tried many times to open the battery compartment but I failed miserably. On the fifth or sixth attempts I snapped the holder.

Until now I still don't know how to put battery on to this light. Poor me...

Neck warmer, do you really need one?

2011-11-27T12:00:00.001+00:00

Winter is on the air and the temperature is getting colder. If you decide to continue cycling, one of the thing that you will notice is the chill wind (especially in the morning) getting into your neck. To cover your neck with a scarf is obviously a sensible solution.

So, while wandering in a Decathlon store in Surrey Quays on a Saturday morning I can't resist myself not to buy and try a neck warmer.

There are a couple of models and I choose the cheapest one: a warmer made of fleece which set you back £3.99.

The next morning, when the day is wet and cold (which is perfect for a try out) I give it a go. Surprisingly, the little warmer is comfortable and covers my neck nicely.

I bet this little warmer will be my best friend until the winter is over...

Review: Blackburn and b'Twin hand pump

2011-11-20T18:21:00.001+00:00

Blackburn hand pump (left) and b'Twin counterpart (right)

Hand pump is one of those tools that you should bring with you when cycling. It can come handy when you suddenly realise that your tyre needs some air. It happened to me in a number of occasions.

But which pump that should attached to your bike or inside your back pack all the time?

I have two. A Blackburn and a b'Twin.

The first one is very pretty and comes in several colours. It is so light and small you barely notice it is in your bag. The design is spot on. It looks like it comes out from the Apple design room in Cupertino.

However when comes to function it fails miserably. You need a lot of push just to inject air to a tyre. I try many times but the result is disappointing. I come to a conclusion that this pump does not live the expectation.

B'Twin pump, on the other hand is ugly. It only comes in black. Size wise, the pump is a bit longer than the Blackburn.

The design is straightforward. When comes to pumping air to your flat tyre, this beast obviously has the upper hand. The process is effortless. It really does what it says on the tin. At £4.99 it is also cheaper that the Blackburn.

The b'Twin hand pump definitely a cheap and cheerful choice.

Someone nicked my light

2011-11-18T11:49:00.001+00:00

I was gutted when collecting my bike at the station and the back light was gone. I was sure nobody would be interested in taking it and that was why I always left it attached to the seat post. But I was wrong, very wrong.

Surely, my back light was attractive enough. Anyway, my message for you is always take with you the front and the back light. Now I know how it feels loosing a bike. Loosing a light is hurtful enough, let alone the whole bike...

Btwin folding bike. Is it any good?

2011-11-16T18:52:00.001+00:00

My folding bike on a train from Greenwich to London Bridge.

For the last two weeks I have pedalled a folding bike. No, not that Brompton bike. Well, that cute bike is beyond my budget. At least for now. I plan to have one though and it means I have to start saving.

The one that I ride is Btwin, a brand by Decathlon. I got it last July for £200 after the store slashed the price from £300. It said the green colour bike that I purchased was no longer in production.

Right, enough the introduction. The ride is surprisingly reassuring. I do not have complaints because it feels right. Just do not forget to adjust your seat post and the handle bar.

Now come to one of the most important thing of a folding bike, the folding process. I have to tell you I need some time to master how to fold the bike. (Even the staff at Decathlon looks puzzled when he showed me how to fold...)

When you are familiar with the process it takes about a minute to fold. Yes I know, it is far cry from the Bromptons which require only 20 seconds to fold.

The bike also a little bit heavy, I think it is about 12 kg or so.

But it is still smaller than a road bike and you can bring with you on the train even on the rush hour.

So to wrap it up, I think it is fair enough to say that the bike is good if you are in tight budget and want to bike in some parts of your journey.

Rain 1 me 0

2011-11-13T19:47:00.001+00:00

The autumn has come, the days are short. Bright and hot sunny days have long gone, which mean I have to be ready cycling in not-so-friendly weather or leaving my bike at home.

It happened a couple of days ago. It rained so hard that I had to take bus and train to central London.

I did not want to moan however I just could not stand waiting literally 12 minute for a bus to take to the station. And the waiting game repeated again in the afternoon. How I miss the independence of travelling by bike...

Carrera TDF road bike: one month on

2011-10-06T22:33:00.000+01:00

I have used a Carrera TDF road bike for one month now. I have to admit that I like it. It is light and quick.

For £299 I can not complain. It serves me well navigating traffic to central London without any problems.

Some owners do complain about the pedals.

Yes they look cheap and horrible. But it is not a big issue. All you need is an allen key and take off the strapping. Problem solved!

Or if you have additional budget, you can replace them with better pedals. But, to be honest I will choose the first option. It is far cheaper.

In short, it is an ideal first road bike. This black and yellow bike exceeds my expectation.

Verdict: keep it or sell it? Definitely keep it.

White van man

2011-10-06T08:16:00.000+01:00

I did not have problems with men in white van. Well, until two days ago. I was at a roundabout, ready to enter the second exit on my left. After passing the first exit, I saw a man in white van approaching the roundabout in relatively high speed.

As he was on my left, logically speaking I assumed he would give way for me. But that was not the case. He entered the roundabout and only hit his brake when he was about two metres away from me.

I made eye contact with him and showed my face expression that I was totally not happy with his manner.

I was OK and could continue my journey home but this reminds me to expect the unexpected while on the road.

Just remember we do not live in a perfect world and there are motorists who lacks respect to other road users. What a shame...

I just don't want to cycle today...

2011-09-27T21:42:00.000+01:00

There are times when I feel so tired that I don't want to cycle. I have to admit, it puts me off sometimes thinking about pedalling 18 miles to the office and another 18 miles back home, negotiating traffics all the way from Woolwich, Greenwich, Surrey Quays, London Bridge and Holborn.

So sometimes I go back to my old routine and take train (sorry....) and leave my bike at home.

Taking train means I have a luxury to read and I always bring bicycle magazines in my bag. As a cyclist convert I like to read various articles on shiny new bikes (which will set you back hundreds of pound in case you want one) and on cycling.

And you know what, just by reading those magazines, my desire to cycle to work is suddenly increased dramatically. And it will be multiplied when I walk along Strand and seeing so many people cycle.

So when I feel tired and bored of cycling I know exactly what to do. As long as I get magazines (or books or cycling blogs) I am ready to cycle again...

Ready, cycle, pray

2011-09-23T11:35:00.000+01:00

"So you cycle to work now?" a good friend of mine said to me the other day. I nodded. "Why did you ask?" I said.

"Well, just be very, very careful. I saw a cyclist knocked down by a bus in front of Waldorf Hotel this morning," she said.

"I don't know how bad the injury is. But I saw a pool of blood. It doesn't look good," she added.

It is not the first time I hear this kind of sad story: another cyclist knocked down on London roads.
Our safety doesn't depend entirely on our own hands.

There are reckless and mindless motorists out there. So, to be aware of road situation is a must. Look well ahead, glance to the right and to the left from time to time and always be ready to brake at anytime. Oh, one more thing. Don't forget to pray...

Help, my body aches!

2011-09-22T22:06:00.000+01:00

Ok, I have a confession to make. I rarely exercise. Well, sometimes I swim on Saturday morning, but I do it once in three months or so.

That is why I get muscle sore all over my body in the first days of cycling to work. I tell myself, "Take a break for a day or two. Give your body time to adjust your new routine."

So I stop cycling for two days and take train to work.

The thing is, I sort of miss my bike. I miss the roads and the refreshing feeling after taking shower at the office.

On the third day, I cycle again. And you know what, I don't get muscle sore anymore. Great!!!

Cycling to work, how to get started

2011-09-22T21:47:00.000+01:00

You might have planned it. You probably already have a bike in the landing, but then you do not know how to start pedalling all the way to the office.

What I would do if I were you is to start cycling a couple of miles for a start. Let's say from your home to the nearest station, then go further until you manage to get to the office entirely by bike.

That was what I did. I cycled about three miles on Monday, six miles, nine miles and by Friday morning, to my surprise I ended up doing 18 miles from Southeast London to Holborn.

I could not believe I finally did it...