taximan
senex crepitu iuvenis cordi esse
- Location
- Whitby North Yorkshire.
Almost a year ago I deciced to take the plunge and buy myself a bike even though I had not been in the saddle since about 1970.
Here are a couple of my thoughts.
In the last 11 monthes I have covered about 1200 miles and so far I have enjoyed myself immensly. I have hit the pain barrier on a couple of occaisions but it has been well worth while.
My only regret is that I should have bought a better bike. As finances were and still are limited I settled for a Barrossa Monaco from the bargain basement end of the market. The type of bike (trekking)is ideal for me so I have no problems there, however, some of the parts seem to have worn out extremely quickly. I have covered just over 1000 miles (about 20% off road in usually, Muddy conditions) and have had to replace two chains, two freewheels & three pairs of pedals. When I was cycling in the 60s about the only things I remember having to replace were tyres & brake blocks. This makes me think that parts are not the same quality as I remember. Have I simply been unlucky or is it because all my cycling is in hilly country or ankle deep in mud.
My next thought is not intended to offend anybody and if it do'es I apologise here and now.
As a group, I do not think cyclists are as sociable as they could be. For many years I have been a rambler and if I met people out on the moors or anywhere else, we would stop chat for a few moments. I realise that the very nature of cycling means that a chat is normally out of the question but a simple acknowledgment need not be difficult. I alway make a point of doing this and in about 50% of cases I am simply ignored. perhaps this is because I do not look the part in my old denims, fleece jacket and wooly hat, I probably look like a bloke on his way to work.
I feel that I am getting more fit than I was , my usual rides are of about 20 miles and if I decide to make a day of it I manage about 50 without too much trouble. Considering the terrain , I am content with this. Next year I am hoping to do the C2C.
I noticed the first time I used my LBS the owner seemed a little bemused, probably because most of his customers are a little younger than I am. however I have used the shop on a number of occasions now and he has given me some good advice on different things. He is very fair with his prices too.
My one regret is that there is not a group of older cyclists in the area although a couple of lads did try to get one started. (The W.M.L.C.C, or the Whitby mid life crisis cycling club) unfortunately it did not get of the ground. we only managed two runs, both to a pub in Robin Hoods Bay.
I have started a (very amaturish) web site www.bootsbikesandbeer.weebly.com This is mainly for my own amusement but if anybody would like to have a look at what I get up to, please do.
Here are a couple of my thoughts.
In the last 11 monthes I have covered about 1200 miles and so far I have enjoyed myself immensly. I have hit the pain barrier on a couple of occaisions but it has been well worth while.
My only regret is that I should have bought a better bike. As finances were and still are limited I settled for a Barrossa Monaco from the bargain basement end of the market. The type of bike (trekking)is ideal for me so I have no problems there, however, some of the parts seem to have worn out extremely quickly. I have covered just over 1000 miles (about 20% off road in usually, Muddy conditions) and have had to replace two chains, two freewheels & three pairs of pedals. When I was cycling in the 60s about the only things I remember having to replace were tyres & brake blocks. This makes me think that parts are not the same quality as I remember. Have I simply been unlucky or is it because all my cycling is in hilly country or ankle deep in mud.
My next thought is not intended to offend anybody and if it do'es I apologise here and now.
As a group, I do not think cyclists are as sociable as they could be. For many years I have been a rambler and if I met people out on the moors or anywhere else, we would stop chat for a few moments. I realise that the very nature of cycling means that a chat is normally out of the question but a simple acknowledgment need not be difficult. I alway make a point of doing this and in about 50% of cases I am simply ignored. perhaps this is because I do not look the part in my old denims, fleece jacket and wooly hat, I probably look like a bloke on his way to work.
I feel that I am getting more fit than I was , my usual rides are of about 20 miles and if I decide to make a day of it I manage about 50 without too much trouble. Considering the terrain , I am content with this. Next year I am hoping to do the C2C.
I noticed the first time I used my LBS the owner seemed a little bemused, probably because most of his customers are a little younger than I am. however I have used the shop on a number of occasions now and he has given me some good advice on different things. He is very fair with his prices too.
My one regret is that there is not a group of older cyclists in the area although a couple of lads did try to get one started. (The W.M.L.C.C, or the Whitby mid life crisis cycling club) unfortunately it did not get of the ground. we only managed two runs, both to a pub in Robin Hoods Bay.
I have started a (very amaturish) web site www.bootsbikesandbeer.weebly.com This is mainly for my own amusement but if anybody would like to have a look at what I get up to, please do.
) In fact Scotland is my holiday destination of choice. Beautifull country, nice people too. I remember passing through the Caladonian canal many years ago and we spent the night at Fort Augustus. we were tied up with some maintainance work on the evening and as the boy of the crew, I was sent to the local pub to ask when they closed. The reply was "next October" Like I said, Nice people.
. It looks like you've got yourself a nice starter bike, its similar to my old Atlanta Black Diamond. My components lasted longer but not as long as my newer better specced stuff but I also don't ride in Mud 
. Kidding. I've only just started biking and I've found that most cyclists do let on which is a pleasant change because I've got friends and work colleagues that don't let on to me. 
. As for me, I let on to everyone on a bike including cross-eyed boneheads on BMX's, old fella's with black donkey jackets on mountain bikes, kids with stabilisers.........
