Back in the saddle

[markharry66]

Recently started a new job in Abbeywood fed up with traffic and cost of petrol also put on a load of weight during pandemic. Went and purchased a clapped out btwin 520 flat bar road bike. Ten miles in and ten miles back at age of 49 never thought I would be able to cycle that far straight from the off.

Somethings havent changed in last ten years glass in cycle lanes and close passes.

 

[alicat]

Out of curiosity, where is Abbeywood?

 

[vickster]

Out of curiosity, where is Abbeywood?

SE London near Greenwich/Woolwich (end of Elizabeth line these days).

Good luck with the cycling... Reckon now there are far more idiots on mopeds, illegal e-bikes to keep a very close eye out for as well as in four wheeled vehicles than 10 years ago.
Maybe consider a passpixi sign on you/the bike as a deterrent for close passes...actual camera optional!

 

[Hover Fly]

Maybe consider a passpixi sign on you/the bike as a deterrent for close passes...actual camera optional!

Came out of a cafe and saw a couple of blokes looking closely at the back of my bike, disappeared when they saw me coming, I’m pretty sure they were looking for the (mythical) camera, as advertised by passpixi.

 

[Cycleops]

Good for you. Is the Btwin still clapped out or has it had some TLC?

 

[ianrauk]

Welcome back to the commute Mark

 

[HLaB]

Recently started a new job in Abbeywood fed up with traffic and cost of petrol also put on a load of weight during pandemic. Went and purchased a clapped out btwin 520 flat bar road bike. Ten miles in and ten miles back at age of 49 never thought I would be able to cycle that far straight from the off.

Somethings havent changed in last ten years glass in cycle lanes and close passes.

Good stuff. I wouldn't cycle on road without my Garmin Varia these days. Close passes don't feel as close when you know they are there and the majority of drivers react well to its variation when it detects them and don't pass close anyway.

PS I used to commute 12-15ish miles on a dropped bar btwin 500 in my early to late 40s they are great bikes :-)

 

[markharry66]

Good for you. Is the Btwin still clapped out or has it had some TLC?

has had a new front wheel, new tyres, all gears indexed by me so all in working order, just the engine that drives it is a bit clapped out.

 

[markharry66]

Out of curiosity, where is Abbeywood?

Other side of Erith no the nicest place in the world.

 

[alicat]

Other side of Erith no the nicest place in the world.

Thanks, not heard of Erith either but sounds like I haven't missed much! Good luck fine-tuning the engine

 

[spen666]

Good stuff. I wouldn't cycle on road without my Garmin Varia these days. Close passes don't feel as close when you know they are there and the majority of drivers react well to its variation when it detects them and don't pass close anyway.

PS I used to commute 12-15ish miles on a dropped bar btwin 500 in my early to late 40s they are great bikes :-)

What variation is this you refer to? I have a Varia myself, a recent purchase and would be interested in what this is

 

[HLaB]

What variation is this you refer to? I have a Varia myself, a recent purchase and would be interested in what this is

It changes its flashing as a car approaches (the last column below) from its default flashing behaviour (third column).

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/web...UID-4587F7D3-DEE0-422D-9450-D125E15C4EA0.html

 

[lazybloke]

Ten miles in and ten miles back at age of 49 never thought I would be able to cycle that far straight from the off.

Many people of that age have given up on exercise and wouldn't be capable of that distance. Use it or lose it! Keep up the good work.

A bike commute should also great for reducing stress.

 

[markharry66]

Many people of that age have given up on exercise and wouldn't be capable of that distance. Use it or lose it! Keep up the good work.

A bike commute should also great for reducing stress.

yeah my zimmer frame is specially adapted

 

[spen666]

It changes its flashing as a car approaches (the last column below) from its default flashing behaviour (third column).

View attachment 740290 https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/web...UID-4587F7D3-DEE0-422D-9450-D125E15C4EA0.html

I have the 715 will have to check if it does this