Sense of Achievement

[leedsmick]

Well today marks a new day in the progress of my new hobby. After covering 300 miles on the MTB i decided to swap the nobbly tyres for a pair of Schwalbe Big Ben's. I'd say I've been mainly doing 90% road riding so the old tyres were not really suited and these new ones seem to suggest they will manage the off road stuff I was doing OK as its mainly canal paths etc.

With the help of YouTube I worked out how to do it, but not how to not get covered in oil. I'm actually surprised I did it this easily, I did puncture one inner tube, good job I ordered spare. Swapping the back wheel looked daunting but really wasn't.

I had a courtisone injection in my shoulder yesterday and have been told to not ride for a week but I don't think I'll be able to stay off it tomorrow as I want to see how it rides differently.

 

[MiK1138]

Nice one, and if your not manky with oil your not doing it right IMHO

 

[leedsmick]

I really am. My 'grey' hands will look impressive next week as I'm in London for 2 days with work. Had my best jeans on too

 

[Tin Pot]

Gloves, latex.

The same kind you use in the hospital or dungeon.

 

[leedsmick]

Dungeon you say !

 

[annedonnelly]

Wash you hands with a mixture of fairy liquid & a spoonful of sugar. The sugar is abrasive and scrubs the muck off.

Well done on replacing the tyres. I bet you notice a big difference.

 

[mjr]

Swarfega Orange works similarly to soap and sugar... but my skin remains grey. My dad was the same and he was a mechanic!

 

[mybike]

Barrier cream helps.

 

[leedsmick]

Swarfega hasn't worked on them. Will have to try the sugar option! Shoulder still too sore to ride so giving it another 24 hrs

 

[leedsmick]

Just a follow up. Hands still grey. Had the test run on the new tyres yesterday, loved it. Average speed upped by 1mph, not a lot on paper but I felt it at and I broke 22 new records on my 1 hour mixed regular route. Away with work so craving my bike right now

 

[RichardB]

I have never found Swarfega very effective. The best hand cleaner I know is made by Comma, called Manista (Halfords do it). It's got little polystyrene chips in it that scrub the dirt away, and it smells nice and lemony. Similar to the sugar, but I imagine they last longer and don't dissolve while you are using it.

 

[leedsmick]

Cheers, I'll try some of that