Domus
Guru
- Location
- Sunny Radcliffe
So having just had my Fifty Eleventh birthday in May and coming back from a motoring holiday in Germany some of us were taken with the idea of joining our friend, who the DVLA say cannot drive any more, on two wheels now and again and possibly for a group cycle down the Rhine next year. (See my first post in the welcome section)
One of the cars on holiday developed a leaking shocker and I offered to replace them if the driver would look at my old bike in the shed. He is a proper old school cyclist and owns half a dozen bikes of various types and vintage, he raced as a youth and raced a tandem with his wife in later years. He gave the Trek the once over and after washing 15 years of shed dirt and grime off pronounced it safe but somewhat limited for touring Europe in it's present state.
The tyres held 75 psi, the wheels spin true, the brakes stop it and the gears change quite well. New batteries were fitted to the wireless Cat Eye computer, some water put in a new water bottle and I was ready. So the next day I had to go to the bank so off I went on two wheels for the first time in 15 years. (15 years ago the bike was bought on a whim and I think I only rode it back from the shop and round the estate a couple of times) 5 miles later I was back home and on the phone to my friends. A joint ride out was planned for a few days hence where we would pootle around the local area before joining our wives for afternoon tea at a local garden centre.
Friday came along and it was a beautiful day and we did 10 miles to the garden centre. Sitting in the tea room was VERY uncomfortable and so I Googled "Padded Underwear" on my phone. (Warning - DO NOT Google Padded Underwear unless you are broadminded) I eventually found some padded boxers on Amazon Prime and ordered them whilst eating my afternoon tea. The two miles back home were done mainly out of the saddle. That was July 10th I am now up to 114 miles and the bike has been treated to dry chain lube, front and rear lights, a rear rack, two Marathon Plus tyres, two new tubes (and a spare) front and rear mud guards and a handlebar bag. On the list are some SPD shoes and pedals, each time I set of from the lights or junction my left foot lands on a different part of the pedal which I find somewhat disconcerting.
I'm still very much a petrol head and will always be so but I intend to do some touring of some sort on two wheels as well as four from now on. Thats enough for now I don't want you dozing off.
One of the cars on holiday developed a leaking shocker and I offered to replace them if the driver would look at my old bike in the shed. He is a proper old school cyclist and owns half a dozen bikes of various types and vintage, he raced as a youth and raced a tandem with his wife in later years. He gave the Trek the once over and after washing 15 years of shed dirt and grime off pronounced it safe but somewhat limited for touring Europe in it's present state.
The tyres held 75 psi, the wheels spin true, the brakes stop it and the gears change quite well. New batteries were fitted to the wireless Cat Eye computer, some water put in a new water bottle and I was ready. So the next day I had to go to the bank so off I went on two wheels for the first time in 15 years. (15 years ago the bike was bought on a whim and I think I only rode it back from the shop and round the estate a couple of times) 5 miles later I was back home and on the phone to my friends. A joint ride out was planned for a few days hence where we would pootle around the local area before joining our wives for afternoon tea at a local garden centre.
Friday came along and it was a beautiful day and we did 10 miles to the garden centre. Sitting in the tea room was VERY uncomfortable and so I Googled "Padded Underwear" on my phone. (Warning - DO NOT Google Padded Underwear unless you are broadminded) I eventually found some padded boxers on Amazon Prime and ordered them whilst eating my afternoon tea. The two miles back home were done mainly out of the saddle. That was July 10th I am now up to 114 miles and the bike has been treated to dry chain lube, front and rear lights, a rear rack, two Marathon Plus tyres, two new tubes (and a spare) front and rear mud guards and a handlebar bag. On the list are some SPD shoes and pedals, each time I set of from the lights or junction my left foot lands on a different part of the pedal which I find somewhat disconcerting.
I'm still very much a petrol head and will always be so but I intend to do some touring of some sort on two wheels as well as four from now on. Thats enough for now I don't want you dozing off.
so added a couple of items, a kickstand and rear mirror both ordered from Amazon yesterday evening and arrived at lunchtime 
Very impressed with my mirror much better than trying to look over my shoulder and going all wobbley. 
