Good morning and hello

[Vincealot]

Hello everyone.

I'd like to introduce myself to the forums. My names Vince I'm 29 years old, I work as a security guard and I'm from Coventry. Hah that sounded like a Blind Date intro......."

Right I'm gonna try and make this as short and sweet as possible. Here's my cycle story.

I started a new job back in August 09. I don't drive. The bus service to my new workplace wasn't the best so I decided to cycle to work. I didn't have a bike but my kind old dad said I could use his. It was a BSO he won in some competition. An 18 geared vehicle of doom. My journey is around 6 miles each way and there's a few hills I struggle on.

I wont lie, the 1st week literally killed me. I hadn't ridden a bike since I was in my mid teens. I'd also not long given up smoking so my chest was still crap. Being 15 stone of lard didnt help either and nor did the BSO.

In the 1st two months the chain snapped, bottom bracket bust, left pedal and the bit it connects to broke, the saddle kept coming loose no matter how much I tightened it, the handle bars kept coming loose, the gears broke, the chain kept falling off, I had several punctures, the back wheel buckled slightly, until one rainy morning it decided to fall off half way through my journey. The wheel falling off was the last straw. I had some spare cash and bought this http://www.daycockscycles.co.uk/product/LIBERTY_21"_1G0786# from my LBS. It's not the best bike in the world but its reliable and is a better ride then the last. Cycling was now enjoyable. My confidence grew and I no longer mounted the pavement at traffic lights or roundabouts out of fear.

I was really getting into it and lost just over a stone and a half in weight. My journey now took me 25 mins instead of 40 mins. I was loving it. Then one sunday evening in November I broke the 5th metatarsal in my right foot while playing football for my 5 aside team.

The weight went straight back on not being able to get on my bike for 8 weeks was horrbile. I started back at work in January and got straight back on my bike (even tho my right leg had muscle wastage and was still sore).
I'm struggling again with the fitness and my journey time has increased slightly but hopefully wont take much longer to get back into the swing of things. I've started to look at buying a road bike, like a boardman, trek or giant. Hopefully I can get my employers to take part in the cycle to work scheme so something like the fore mentioned become affordable. The Mrs hates the idea of me splashing some cash on a new bike. She wants me to pass my driving test and get a car. But meh driving has never appealed to me. Not sure why.

Anyway sorry for the wall of text and thank you reading it. Oh yeh before I forget is anyone here from Coventry? Does anyone here ride from Coventry to Nuneaton or Bedworth?

Thank you reading and sorry for the wall of text. Its my little story . Right best get back to watching CCTV. Maybe today I'll catch someone in the act of stealing

 

[colly]

Welcome Vincealot.

Sorry to hear about the broken bone but it sounds like you are back on track again.

 

[summerdays]

Welcome .. even if you wife doesn't like you spending the money on the bike, presumably she is enjoying your new fitness? And could you justify it based on how much you would be spending on fuel for your commute? (Cyclists always need another bike .. what if something goes wrong - you need that spare sitting there ready to use).

 

[Paulus]

Welcome VincealotThe three makes you have mentioned are good,. Take your time and find the right bike for you. In time you will find that you can never have enough bikes. Be prepared to buy a new shed/garage to store the steeds and spare wheels and bits, and a new wardrobe for your cycling kit. It can become addictive. Never go into a bike shop on a whim with a credit card, it could get expensive

 

[Vincealot]

Unfortunately the Mrs isnt enjoying my new found fitness as much as I'd like

Good point about needing a second bike. Being able to to jump on another instead of mending a just discovered flat Tyre first thing in the morning would be beneficial.
Until recently I didn't realise how expensive cycling can be (regarding clothing, lights, locks, helmets etc). I thought £200 was a lot for a bike I never knew an average road bike could cost in excess of £500! I've even seen some bikes costing over £8,000!.

 

[summerdays]

But cars are more expensive ... just think of all the other things that go with the car: tax, insurance, MOT, servicing, fuel. Once you get a certain minimum ... lights, possibly waterproofs, etc you don't have to keep on spending.

 

[Paulus]

But cars are more expensive ... just think of all the other things that go with the car: tax, insurance, MOT, servicing, fuel. Once you get a certain minimum ... lights, possibly waterproofs, etc you don't have to keep on spending.

Seconded, once you have your bike of choice and the associated kit to go with it, the running costs are next to nothing, especially if you can do your own servicing. It is really easy and there is lots of help on this forum.

 

[gouldina]

Unfortunately the Mrs isnt enjoying my new found fitness as much as I'd like

Good point about needing a second bike. Being able to to jump on another instead of mending a just discovered flat Tyre first thing in the morning would be beneficial.
Until recently I didn't realise how expensive cycling can be (regarding clothing, lights, locks, helmets etc). I thought £200 was a lot for a bike I never knew an average road bike could cost in excess of £500! I've even seen some bikes costing over £8,000!.

Hi Vincealot. I wouldn't bother with a second bike personally. Just get one you really like and keep spare inners etc and some tools handy. You get quite quick at fixing stuff over time. As others have said, once you've got lights, jackets, pumps etc the ongoing expense is pretty light and even more so if you do some of the maintenance yourself. Enjoy.

 

[mossy]

Welcome
Hope you find a bike you love .
Compared to fishing cycling is cheap!!!
Good luck with the fitness.

 

[jig-sore]

hello and welcome.

I'm from rugby, and sometimes ride in the Coventry direction.

I'm also hoping to get a boardman on the cycle to work scheme

 

[Vincealot]

So far I've got the following.

1. 2 front and 2 rear lights
2. A helmet
3. Hi Viz Polaris coat (not waterproof)
4. Cycling shorts
5. Pannier bag for my rack
6. Hi Viz vest with the strips on
7. Puncture repair kit
8. Computer

I need some new waterproof trousers because I split my other ones 2 days ago lol! I need a good waterproof jacket, Some jerseys, leggings, shoes, tools, spare inner tubes, and some chain oil. I've only really used my local Halfords for the equipment because my LBS seems a little expensive.
Can anyone recommend a good online site for bike equipment?

I think I'm gonna keep this cheap hybrid for my commute and buy a nice road bike for the summer. B then I will be fitter and will look and feel more the part ha ha.

 

[jig-sore]

i use chain-reaction cycles on the web. good prices and free postage, not had any problems with them so far.

i have a cheap hybrid for commuting and a slightly less cheap road bike for leisure cycling. it has soon become clear that the hybrid is doing far more miles than the road bike, and now i wish I'd spent more money on a better bike, so i want to get the boardman for leisure use and use the current road bike for the commute and winter riding

 

[Paulus]

So far I've got the following.

1. 2 front and 2 rear lights
2. A helmet
3. Hi Viz Polaris coat (not waterproof)
4. Cycling shorts
5. Pannier bag for my rack
6. Hi Viz vest with the strips on
7. Puncture repair kit
8. Computer

I need some new waterproof trousers because I split my other ones 2 days ago lol! I need a good waterproof jacket, Some jerseys, leggings, shoes, tools, spare inner tubes, and some chain oil. I've only really used my local Halfords for the equipment because my LBS seems a little expensive.
Can anyone recommend a good online site for bike equipment?I think I'm gonna keep this cheap hybrid for my commute and buy a nice road bike for the summer. B then I will be fitter and will look and feel more the part ha ha.

Have a look at Wiggle, http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Bags_-_Saddle/ I have good service from them over the years and the orders usually turn up very quickly, others may disagree.

 

[BrumJim]

Hello everyone.

I'd like to introduce myself to the forums. My names Vince I'm 29 years old, I work as a security guard and I'm from Coventry.

My name is Jim, I'm 38. I make sure trains are safe and I'm from Birmingham. Ooops, that sounds like a come-on, but I'm happily married!

I started a new job back in August 09. I don't drive. The bus service to my new workplace wasn't the best so I decided to cycle to work. I didn't have a bike but my kind old dad said I could use his. It was a BSO he won in some competition. An 18 geared vehicle of doom. My journey is around 6 miles each way and there's a few hills I struggle on.

I wont lie, the 1st week literally killed me. I hadn't ridden a bike since I was in my mid teens. I'd also not long given up smoking so my chest was still crap. Being 15 stone of lard didnt help either and nor did the BSO.

In the 1st two months the chain snapped, bottom bracket bust, left pedal and the bit it connects to broke, the saddle kept coming loose no matter how much I tightened it, the handle bars kept coming loose, the gears broke, the chain kept falling off, I had several punctures, the back wheel buckled slightly, until one rainy morning it decided to fall off half way through my journey. The wheel falling off was the last straw.

Many people knock the BSO. Others see it as a good starting point. This sounds like a good advert for avoiding them altogether.

I had some spare cash and bought this http://www.daycockscycles.co.uk/product/LIBERTY_21"_1G0786# from my LBS. It's not the best bike in the world but its reliable and is a better ride then the last. Cycling was now enjoyable. My confidence grew and I no longer mounted the pavement at traffic lights or roundabouts out of fear.

Security guard suffering from fear? Surely not in the job description?

I was really getting into it and lost just over a stone and a half in weight. My journey now took me 25 mins instead of 40 mins. I was loving it.

OK, you've given up smoking, lost over 21lbs of weight (9.5 kilos in proper measurements), rode a BSO 6 miles each way into work, and cut your journey time down by 1/3rd. OK, I'm getting genuinely impressed here. Genuinely.

<bad bit deleted>
I've started to look at buying a road bike, like a boardman, trek or giant. Hopefully I can get my employers to take part in the cycle to work scheme so something like the fore mentioned become affordable.

[Homer voice] Mmmm, Road bike......Mmmm [Homer voice]

The Mrs hates the idea of me splashing some cash on a new bike. She wants me to pass my driving test and get a car. But meh driving has never appealed to me. Not sure why.

Bah, the perils of 21st Century woman. 100 years ago she would have been proud of a strong fit husband who could ride 6 miles in 25 minutes and enjoy the exercise. She'd feel confident that she had chosen a good strong man to look after her. Now she wants someone who can drive! And I guess that'll mean you taking her out for meals, and you not being able to enjoy the wine, so will have to watch her finish the bottle off.

Some of us here (me included) enjoy driving, but like I only enjoy walking if there is a mountain/hill to climb, driving my regular commute has no pleasure at all.

Anyway, she should be enjoying the benefits of you cycling - a nice tight arse, firm muscular legs and a diminishing belly. Encourage her to have a grope or two - she's hooked up with a flabby bloke, and has ended up with an Adonis! Lucky her!

Anyway sorry for the wall of text and thank you reading it.

To be honest, I didn't bother. It was too long and rambled on too much.

Oh yeh before I forget is anyone here from Coventry? Does anyone here ride from Coventry to Nuneaton or Bedworth?

Bedworth? I have a friend who was from there. Nothing positive to say about the place.

Thank you reading and sorry for the wall of text. Its my little story . Right best get back to watching CCTV. Maybe today I'll catch someone in the act of stealing

Don't bother - just watched a documentary on security systems - called "Hustle" or something like that. Apparently all security cameras can be rendered useless by a bit of electronics knocked up in the living room of a communal penthouse gathering facility.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Welcome Vincealot and thanks for taking the time to let us know about you.

Regarding waterproofs, I get mine really cheaply from Tesco's. I think I paid £7 in October and they're still going strong. It was just along the sports aisle (although I think they were half price, but £15 is still good).

Enjoy getting back into the swing of things and losing that weight again. You know it'll come off as it did before. Sorry to hear about the injury though.

The initial lay out can be a bit daunting but once you have the essentials the rest is just up to you.