Tiny rides of 2023
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a.twiddler
Veteran
Tiny Ride Today
22/10/24
The Grasshopper as a Shopper
I’ve done 4 weeks now with no strenuous activity. I’ve not been inspected by anyone or given the “all clear” but having served my sentence it doesn’t feel as if there will be any harm in gradually increasing the mileage.
I feel as if I’ve become a flaccid blob over this time so I thought I’d introduce the Grasshopper to some local amenities so I could compare it to the other bikes’ handling. I bunged the Arkel RT40 panniers on the rack for some carrying capacity.
Turning right out of the back gate I saw immediately that having two Marathon Greenguards had made the bike feel much more planted, at least at the low speeds I’d had to compare with so far.
I headed to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights, going straight on. There was a lot of traffic about as it was nearing afternoon school run time. An annoyance compared with the USS on the Linear was that I couldn’t see what position the gear changers were in, but a bit of forward planning minimised that inconvenience. I’d converted the Linear to bar end levers for that reason, but being used to the SRAM Dual Drive grip shifters on the Spirit helped with the orientation to the same set up on this Grasshopper.
Soon I was approaching the A54 roundabout but a gap in the traffic allowed me to go round non stop to turn right downhill and pedal in high gear until I was slowed by traffic at the first set of lights. I stopped, then got going with the traffic again and blagged my way into the right hand lane to filter right at the next set of lights. Perhaps I’m trading too much on the weirdness factor of recumbent riding, but nine times out of ten, if you indicate that you want to change lane, following traffic will let you in. You just have to watch out for the other one in ten.
Right at the lights, right at the next mini roundabout, right at the next one into a supermarket car park to lock up at a barrier.
As I stepped away the noise level increased and a crocodile of primary school kids and their teachers came by, probably on their way back to school from the nearby leisure centre and swimming pool. I don’t know if this is just a local phenomenon, but it seems to be a regular occurrence.
I was soon out again, with my tiny bit of shopping, unlocked and away down the pavement downhill to the road. I can virtually do trackstands with my LWB bikes but I’m not there yet with this one and am doing unnecessary stops where I will probably ride through in future once I’ve got to grips with its idiosyncracies. I turned right on to a roadside cycle track then went right at the next T junction and on to the road towards the town centre traffic lights. I stopped at the back of a queue of traffic until the lights changed then pedalled furiously across to Grange Lane.
I continued straight on to the sports complex, across a car park and along the path between the playing fields to the exit A frame barrier into a steep lane. It was littered with leaves and I wondered if there would be enough traction to get up it.
I stopped at the barrier for a photo then pressed on.
The rear wheel lost traction a few times but I was able to get up there without stopping. I realised that I was actually in my lowest gear, which is fair enough as the actual climbing felt easy enough. I’m sure there are places where I might be glad of something lower.
Since I haven’t climbed anything for about a month I was puffing a bit by the time I reached the top. I stopped for a breather then turned right uphill. The slope eased, and I came to a T junction at Delamere St., where I turned left.
Despite the traffic I was able to get into top and roll along at a decent speed on this undulating stretch of road. I soon reached the A54 roundabout and after a cautious approach, was able to roll straight across without stopping. There was a queue of traffic at the Townfields Road lights so I stopped and went with the flow when the lights turned green.
I steamed downhill then rolled uphill along Swanlow Lane and after a mile or so turned off and wended my way through various estate roads, paths and pavements to my back gate. I unloaded my shopping and had a cold drink.
Distance 5.7 miles. Max speed 25.2 mph. Average 7.5mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 147 ft. According to Bikehike.
22/10/24
The Grasshopper as a Shopper
I’ve done 4 weeks now with no strenuous activity. I’ve not been inspected by anyone or given the “all clear” but having served my sentence it doesn’t feel as if there will be any harm in gradually increasing the mileage.
I feel as if I’ve become a flaccid blob over this time so I thought I’d introduce the Grasshopper to some local amenities so I could compare it to the other bikes’ handling. I bunged the Arkel RT40 panniers on the rack for some carrying capacity.
Turning right out of the back gate I saw immediately that having two Marathon Greenguards had made the bike feel much more planted, at least at the low speeds I’d had to compare with so far.
I headed to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights, going straight on. There was a lot of traffic about as it was nearing afternoon school run time. An annoyance compared with the USS on the Linear was that I couldn’t see what position the gear changers were in, but a bit of forward planning minimised that inconvenience. I’d converted the Linear to bar end levers for that reason, but being used to the SRAM Dual Drive grip shifters on the Spirit helped with the orientation to the same set up on this Grasshopper.
Soon I was approaching the A54 roundabout but a gap in the traffic allowed me to go round non stop to turn right downhill and pedal in high gear until I was slowed by traffic at the first set of lights. I stopped, then got going with the traffic again and blagged my way into the right hand lane to filter right at the next set of lights. Perhaps I’m trading too much on the weirdness factor of recumbent riding, but nine times out of ten, if you indicate that you want to change lane, following traffic will let you in. You just have to watch out for the other one in ten.
Right at the lights, right at the next mini roundabout, right at the next one into a supermarket car park to lock up at a barrier.
As I stepped away the noise level increased and a crocodile of primary school kids and their teachers came by, probably on their way back to school from the nearby leisure centre and swimming pool. I don’t know if this is just a local phenomenon, but it seems to be a regular occurrence.
I was soon out again, with my tiny bit of shopping, unlocked and away down the pavement downhill to the road. I can virtually do trackstands with my LWB bikes but I’m not there yet with this one and am doing unnecessary stops where I will probably ride through in future once I’ve got to grips with its idiosyncracies. I turned right on to a roadside cycle track then went right at the next T junction and on to the road towards the town centre traffic lights. I stopped at the back of a queue of traffic until the lights changed then pedalled furiously across to Grange Lane.
I continued straight on to the sports complex, across a car park and along the path between the playing fields to the exit A frame barrier into a steep lane. It was littered with leaves and I wondered if there would be enough traction to get up it.
I stopped at the barrier for a photo then pressed on.
The rear wheel lost traction a few times but I was able to get up there without stopping. I realised that I was actually in my lowest gear, which is fair enough as the actual climbing felt easy enough. I’m sure there are places where I might be glad of something lower.
Since I haven’t climbed anything for about a month I was puffing a bit by the time I reached the top. I stopped for a breather then turned right uphill. The slope eased, and I came to a T junction at Delamere St., where I turned left.
Despite the traffic I was able to get into top and roll along at a decent speed on this undulating stretch of road. I soon reached the A54 roundabout and after a cautious approach, was able to roll straight across without stopping. There was a queue of traffic at the Townfields Road lights so I stopped and went with the flow when the lights turned green.
I steamed downhill then rolled uphill along Swanlow Lane and after a mile or so turned off and wended my way through various estate roads, paths and pavements to my back gate. I unloaded my shopping and had a cold drink.
Distance 5.7 miles. Max speed 25.2 mph. Average 7.5mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 147 ft. According to Bikehike.
Last edited:
My family set off on their half term break a day earlier than me as I'd a few places to go and things to do on Saturday pm / Sunday am.
After lunch on Sunday the rain came on heavy but I was committed... 9 very wet miles from home to the train station to board the Antrim to Castlerock train. It's £10 anywhere on a train on a Sunday in NI, not bad value I thought. A lot of water on the road which had me fairly soaked, even with good mudguards on. A fairly enjoyable ride nonetheless. I was 20 minutes early for the train so treated myself to a ribena, bag of mini chips and a star bar for the train ride.
Once on the train, the leg warmers came off, as did the wet socks, coat and relatively wet mid layer. Dry clothes on, snacks down the hatch, free wifi to then find out Larne were beaten by Portadown (happy days) and an hour later stepped off the train to ride a further 1.7 miles to our holiday home - this time with no rain. A pleasant little trip that went without a blip.
After lunch on Sunday the rain came on heavy but I was committed... 9 very wet miles from home to the train station to board the Antrim to Castlerock train. It's £10 anywhere on a train on a Sunday in NI, not bad value I thought. A lot of water on the road which had me fairly soaked, even with good mudguards on. A fairly enjoyable ride nonetheless. I was 20 minutes early for the train so treated myself to a ribena, bag of mini chips and a star bar for the train ride.
Once on the train, the leg warmers came off, as did the wet socks, coat and relatively wet mid layer. Dry clothes on, snacks down the hatch, free wifi to then find out Larne were beaten by Portadown (happy days) and an hour later stepped off the train to ride a further 1.7 miles to our holiday home - this time with no rain. A pleasant little trip that went without a blip.
a.twiddler
Veteran
2/11/24
Tiny Ride Today
Library and shopping on the Grasshopper.
I’ve been getting withdrawal symptoms with various jobs to do while the bikes languished unridden in the garage. Today was mild and dry, though threateningly cloudy. I got my stuff together and went out of the back gate. I hadn’t done any actual rides since fitting a.twiddler’s remote kickstand extension contraption Mk 2 so this was the first opportunity to use it in earnest.
Out through the back gate, and the first thing to do was re adjust the mirror after previously fitting a height spacer to the bar end. Then, away towards Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights. I felt that the seat wasn’t quite right but after a hundred yards or so I’d settled slightly and it felt better.
Since a recent episode of road works with temporary traffic lights I’d noticed that the timings had changed here and sure enough, the lights changed to red as I crossed the line, leaving me to pedal furiously to the other side while being overtaken by a SUV.
Without doing any real riding for the last month or so I felt seriously de tuned. At least I hope it was me, not the bike. It went well enough on the flat and I have a suspicion that it’s got a better speed potential compared to my more upright recumbents but it’s hard to compare like with like, as I had a bit more get up and go back in August when I did an 80 miler in fairly adverse conditions on the Linear.
I trundled onwards to the A54 roundabout at the end of Swanlow Lane and stopped with the rest of the waiting traffic. The lights changed, a gap opened up and I followed the road round to the right, downhill on the dual carriageway.
I experimentally pedalled downhill wondering what speed I might reach before having to ease off. I felt my cap peak flutter, pulled it down a bit, it fluttered again and before I could grab it, it flew off. I got to test the brakes, which are pretty good, before turning left on to a lowered pavement. I was going to walk it back up the hill, but it was surprisingly far back so I rode up the broad pavement, flipped the stand down and dived into a gap in the traffic to retrieve it. Considering it had been run over a couple of times it had survived well. It had just added to its disreputable appearance. I adjusted the strap, crammed it on my head and got back on. Why had it flown off? I’d come down this hill before on this bike and it had stayed on, so it’s not the seat angle. Just got to make sure it’s done up tight. I flipped the stand up and rejoined the traffic.
There was a lull in the traffic so I freewheeled downhill and worked my way to the filter lane for turning right at the lights. I stopped behind a queue of traffic waiting for the green, then once we got going, turned left at a lowered kerb. There was an old couple waiting to cross, so I gave them plenty of room before turning in.
I pedalled on along the broad pavement. Walking slowly ahead was the mandatory oblivious young fellow with headphones on. I slowed right down to let him increase the distance. He went straight on while I turned right to a new paved area where the town war memorials now are, outside the Library. There is a row of bike stands, but they are on the edge of a car park, some way from the Library. I locked the bike to a light pole just outside the Library.
I went in, conducted my business and came out. I paused to take some photos outside the library,
and in front of the memorials,
then trundled off to my usual supermarket. I gingerly navigated through the crowds then locked up to my usual barrier and went in. Out again, took a photo
and was getting ready to go when a couple of middle aged chaps stopped.
One said, “Never seen a bike like that before”. I thought that maybe he ought to get out more, but then realized that neither had I until I bought this one, though I’ve seen pictures and videos. The other chap said, “It’s a recumbent bike!” I wondered if they were together. The first one said, “do you have trouble steering it? I moved the bars and the front wheel moved. “Oh!” he said. “Is it comfortable?” “Well, if you compare it with a conventional bike where all the weight on your behind is concentrated on a small saddle, then on one of these you have a seat that spreads the weight out, yes, it’s comfortable!” I then gratuitously bounced up and down a couple of times. “It’s got suspension, too!” I’d been watching the path alongside the car park during all this, and as it was now clear, set off without more ado.
Downhill towards the road, right along a pavement cycle path, right at the next T junction then right along the road towards the town centre traffic lights. Left onto a leaf strewn pavement, uphill alongside the dual carriageway. I expected some wheelspin or slippage on the wet leaves but I reached the top of the hill without any drama.
Left on to Swanlow Lane, through the lights at Townfields Road then downhill to get speed up for my uphill turn off. I went past my back gate and came back via various leaf strewn paths to get a bit more feel for the tyres. Surprisingly, there was no slippage and it tracked fine. Now if only I’d got a few more miles in. Maybe next time. The remote sidestand extension thingy worked fine, and didn't need any attention. I’d found that the boom could benefit from being further out so I adjusted it by 1 cm when I got home.
Distance 4.27 miles. Max 23.7 mph. Average 6mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 126 ft. According to Bikehike
Tiny Ride Today
Library and shopping on the Grasshopper.
I’ve been getting withdrawal symptoms with various jobs to do while the bikes languished unridden in the garage. Today was mild and dry, though threateningly cloudy. I got my stuff together and went out of the back gate. I hadn’t done any actual rides since fitting a.twiddler’s remote kickstand extension contraption Mk 2 so this was the first opportunity to use it in earnest.
Out through the back gate, and the first thing to do was re adjust the mirror after previously fitting a height spacer to the bar end. Then, away towards Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights. I felt that the seat wasn’t quite right but after a hundred yards or so I’d settled slightly and it felt better.
Since a recent episode of road works with temporary traffic lights I’d noticed that the timings had changed here and sure enough, the lights changed to red as I crossed the line, leaving me to pedal furiously to the other side while being overtaken by a SUV.
Without doing any real riding for the last month or so I felt seriously de tuned. At least I hope it was me, not the bike. It went well enough on the flat and I have a suspicion that it’s got a better speed potential compared to my more upright recumbents but it’s hard to compare like with like, as I had a bit more get up and go back in August when I did an 80 miler in fairly adverse conditions on the Linear.
I trundled onwards to the A54 roundabout at the end of Swanlow Lane and stopped with the rest of the waiting traffic. The lights changed, a gap opened up and I followed the road round to the right, downhill on the dual carriageway.
I experimentally pedalled downhill wondering what speed I might reach before having to ease off. I felt my cap peak flutter, pulled it down a bit, it fluttered again and before I could grab it, it flew off. I got to test the brakes, which are pretty good, before turning left on to a lowered pavement. I was going to walk it back up the hill, but it was surprisingly far back so I rode up the broad pavement, flipped the stand down and dived into a gap in the traffic to retrieve it. Considering it had been run over a couple of times it had survived well. It had just added to its disreputable appearance. I adjusted the strap, crammed it on my head and got back on. Why had it flown off? I’d come down this hill before on this bike and it had stayed on, so it’s not the seat angle. Just got to make sure it’s done up tight. I flipped the stand up and rejoined the traffic.
There was a lull in the traffic so I freewheeled downhill and worked my way to the filter lane for turning right at the lights. I stopped behind a queue of traffic waiting for the green, then once we got going, turned left at a lowered kerb. There was an old couple waiting to cross, so I gave them plenty of room before turning in.
I pedalled on along the broad pavement. Walking slowly ahead was the mandatory oblivious young fellow with headphones on. I slowed right down to let him increase the distance. He went straight on while I turned right to a new paved area where the town war memorials now are, outside the Library. There is a row of bike stands, but they are on the edge of a car park, some way from the Library. I locked the bike to a light pole just outside the Library.
I went in, conducted my business and came out. I paused to take some photos outside the library,
and in front of the memorials,
then trundled off to my usual supermarket. I gingerly navigated through the crowds then locked up to my usual barrier and went in. Out again, took a photo
and was getting ready to go when a couple of middle aged chaps stopped.
One said, “Never seen a bike like that before”. I thought that maybe he ought to get out more, but then realized that neither had I until I bought this one, though I’ve seen pictures and videos. The other chap said, “It’s a recumbent bike!” I wondered if they were together. The first one said, “do you have trouble steering it? I moved the bars and the front wheel moved. “Oh!” he said. “Is it comfortable?” “Well, if you compare it with a conventional bike where all the weight on your behind is concentrated on a small saddle, then on one of these you have a seat that spreads the weight out, yes, it’s comfortable!” I then gratuitously bounced up and down a couple of times. “It’s got suspension, too!” I’d been watching the path alongside the car park during all this, and as it was now clear, set off without more ado.
Downhill towards the road, right along a pavement cycle path, right at the next T junction then right along the road towards the town centre traffic lights. Left onto a leaf strewn pavement, uphill alongside the dual carriageway. I expected some wheelspin or slippage on the wet leaves but I reached the top of the hill without any drama.
Left on to Swanlow Lane, through the lights at Townfields Road then downhill to get speed up for my uphill turn off. I went past my back gate and came back via various leaf strewn paths to get a bit more feel for the tyres. Surprisingly, there was no slippage and it tracked fine. Now if only I’d got a few more miles in. Maybe next time. The remote sidestand extension thingy worked fine, and didn't need any attention. I’d found that the boom could benefit from being further out so I adjusted it by 1 cm when I got home.
Distance 4.27 miles. Max 23.7 mph. Average 6mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 126 ft. According to Bikehike
a.twiddler
Veteran
Tiny Ride today
13/11/24
After my last ride I decided to do something about the excessive seat recline of the Grasshopper.
I fitted a slotted spacer and attached some other bits from my bits box to the seat back mounting.
Today I went out for a test ride to see if it made a difference.
It certainly made a difference when I sat on it. I gathered my stuff together and went out through the back gate. I wheeled it to the road and set off to the left, downhill. Being more upright made the reach to the bars fractionally shorter and the bike had a different feel to it. After the easy downhill the road flattened then began the steady climb up Moors Lane. I continued the mile or so to where it meets Swanlow Lane. A little short of the junction I did a u turn, noticing the different feel and turning a little wide. I had to stop and paddle round the last bit. Hmm. Going to have to practice that.
Then I set off downhill, hoping to get up a bit more speed than the 15 mph I usually reach here. All went well until I saw a parked car on the other side of the road. The driver of a silver SUV coming the other way stopped and patiently waited, then as I drew near decided to pull out and pass it, causing me to brake. Pillock. Due to this, the freewheel test was a bit inconclusive.
A little further on I turned into an estate road leading to one of the paths I’d become acquainted with during my spell of doing “gentle walks on wheels”. After getting over various nadgery pavements I got on the path, soon being enclosed by the canyon walls of tall garden fencing. I came to a road with a lowered pavement on my side, went across, bumped carefully up a low kerb and on to another path. More tall fencing, a couple of dog walkers, then I came across an access to an estate road on the left. I passed through a barrier, paddling through, though in hindsight I could have ridden through, bumped down a kerb then on to a road where I turned right. Left at the next junction, then a bit further on right into a road that led to my drive. I got on to my drive and rode up to my side gate. A few days ago I’d confirmed that the Grasshopper would go through my side gate. I’d unlocked it before I went out and so I was able to ride up to it, turn the handle and push the bike in.
While I was in the mood, I adjusted the handlebars fractionally. The boom could have benefited from being another cm out but adjusting that is a bit more involved, needing to unship the chain from the front sprocket and making sure that the BB spindle stays horizontal when tightening up. I would do that when I had a bit more time.
Distance 2.04 miles. Max speed 17.4 mph. Average 6.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 47 ft Though it always feels like more, here. According to Bikehike.
13/11/24
After my last ride I decided to do something about the excessive seat recline of the Grasshopper.
I fitted a slotted spacer and attached some other bits from my bits box to the seat back mounting.
Today I went out for a test ride to see if it made a difference.
It certainly made a difference when I sat on it. I gathered my stuff together and went out through the back gate. I wheeled it to the road and set off to the left, downhill. Being more upright made the reach to the bars fractionally shorter and the bike had a different feel to it. After the easy downhill the road flattened then began the steady climb up Moors Lane. I continued the mile or so to where it meets Swanlow Lane. A little short of the junction I did a u turn, noticing the different feel and turning a little wide. I had to stop and paddle round the last bit. Hmm. Going to have to practice that.
Then I set off downhill, hoping to get up a bit more speed than the 15 mph I usually reach here. All went well until I saw a parked car on the other side of the road. The driver of a silver SUV coming the other way stopped and patiently waited, then as I drew near decided to pull out and pass it, causing me to brake. Pillock. Due to this, the freewheel test was a bit inconclusive.
A little further on I turned into an estate road leading to one of the paths I’d become acquainted with during my spell of doing “gentle walks on wheels”. After getting over various nadgery pavements I got on the path, soon being enclosed by the canyon walls of tall garden fencing. I came to a road with a lowered pavement on my side, went across, bumped carefully up a low kerb and on to another path. More tall fencing, a couple of dog walkers, then I came across an access to an estate road on the left. I passed through a barrier, paddling through, though in hindsight I could have ridden through, bumped down a kerb then on to a road where I turned right. Left at the next junction, then a bit further on right into a road that led to my drive. I got on to my drive and rode up to my side gate. A few days ago I’d confirmed that the Grasshopper would go through my side gate. I’d unlocked it before I went out and so I was able to ride up to it, turn the handle and push the bike in.
While I was in the mood, I adjusted the handlebars fractionally. The boom could have benefited from being another cm out but adjusting that is a bit more involved, needing to unship the chain from the front sprocket and making sure that the BB spindle stays horizontal when tightening up. I would do that when I had a bit more time.
Distance 2.04 miles. Max speed 17.4 mph. Average 6.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 47 ft Though it always feels like more, here. According to Bikehike.
a.twiddler
Veteran
Tiny Ride Today
Doughnut Run on the Grasshopper.
14/11/24
A slightly longer ride with some uphills to see what difference the seat adjustment makes. I grabbed my gear, went out through the gate, crossed the road and set off to the right.
It’s a curious thing, this starting off on a USS recumbent bike. There’s always a certain amount of pre launch tension, but having decided to go, it’s an almost instantaneous transition from not-rolling to rolling in most situations, even if not in the ideal gear for starting off. All you can see ahead are your feet going round, your knees going up and down, and parts of your legs as they move, with no stem or bars to impede your view. Then you get up some speed (never enough, it seems), and work up to a gear in which you can pedal comfortably.
It was uphill in this direction, until I reached the downhill to Swanlow Lane. I came to the uphill traffic lights and took the right hand lane. By the time I got near the lights they’d been green for a while and I expected them to change any second so as there was no traffic about I went for a lowered pavement on the right and followed it round the junction. When the road was clear I crossed over and became part of the traffic again. Left and downhill, negotiating the chicanes caused by lazy parkers leaving their cars on the left hand side of the road when they have driveways. Nevertheless, despite oncoming traffic I was able to let it roll freely downhill without even having to brake for a mini roundabout, though I covered the levers just in case.
Then it was through some lights on green, turned into an entrance to the right, across a car park. Past the new location of the war memorials, then along a path between some hoardings and barriers. Two girls were walking along here. One said, “Is that a bike?” “Yes”, I replied. I got off and walked with it to the nearby Greggs inside the precinct and locked it to a barrier. There are screened off areas due to continuing work inside the precinct, and the walkways are narrow.
My mission today was to collect a particular type of sugared doughnut from Greggs for Mrs T to take with her while child minding our grandson. He’s been ill recently and it is one of the few things he’ll eat at the moment. There was a long queue but I got to the counter in the end. I collected a box of doughnuts and thought I could justify having one of their sausage rolls since I’d cycled.
Out again, I unlocked the bike and turned it round in the doorway of the vacant shop next door. I looked up and saw that it was the old Wilko’s, with the sign still in place, which made me feel rather sad.
I wheeled the bike out into the open air. There were some memorial benches near the war memorials so I headed for them. Unfortunately they were wet with recent rain. I’d got off by this time, and I’d noticed that the stand had rotated a little as I leaned the bike on it. I’d wondered how long it would withstand the fairly linear pull of the cable mechanism. Fortunately I had a cunning plan in hand. There are two bolt sized lightening holes in the stand plate, one each side of the fixing bolt hole. I will just need to mark the stand to match one of them, then drill and tap for a suitable bolt to stop it turning in future. I straightened the stand alignment, folded it, then sat on the bike to eat my sausage roll. It was surprisingly comfortable sitting there in the low seat.
A former work colleague walked by with two dogs. One of them spotted the sausage roll and began to howl pitifully. I gave a wave and she came over. The dog fixed my sausage roll with a stare, still whimpering, while the other one took no notice. “I didn’t recognise you there” she said. “Not many people do”, I said, “They’re usually too busy looking at the bike”. I thought that unless I was actually on the road, they probably thought it was some sort of mobility aid. Which it actually is. I can get a lot further on a bike than I could if I was walking. While my former work colleague was regaling me with news about other former work colleagues, and some I’d never met, I finished my sausage roll and the dog started howling again. “Oh, never mind him, he gets plenty to eat at home” she said. We said our goodbyes, and she went on her way.
I took a couple of photos
then set off on my way home. Between the two memorials, across the car park, to the main road where I turned right. I headed for the town centre lights, then just before them turned left to ride up the long leafy path to the top of the hill.
I still can’t say whether it’s me or the bike but it was slow, though not difficult, progress up the hill, and there was no slipping or sliding. There were some road works signs taking up a good part of the pavement near the top of the hill and one of them caused me to get uncomfortably close to the busy traffic on the road, but I got through the gap easily enough.
I followed the path round at the top of the hill and got on to Swanlow Lane. I’d hoped that after the experience of the front mudguard rubbing the tyre and holding me back on the last ride I’d fly along here, but it felt like riding through treacle. Maybe I’m just out of condition. Need to get out and do some proper trips.
Anyhoo, I reached the lights on Townfields Road, sailed through on green, and pedalled furiously to get some speed up for my uphill turn off. Unfortunately a driver was dawdling across the junction and I had to slow down and trundle up in low gear. I got home, got through my back gate and put the bike away. Mission accomplished, doughnuts duly delivered.
Distance 3.01 miles. Max speed 19.6 mph. Average speed 6.1 mph. According to Garmin.
104 ft. According to Bikehike.
Doughnut Run on the Grasshopper.
14/11/24
A slightly longer ride with some uphills to see what difference the seat adjustment makes. I grabbed my gear, went out through the gate, crossed the road and set off to the right.
It’s a curious thing, this starting off on a USS recumbent bike. There’s always a certain amount of pre launch tension, but having decided to go, it’s an almost instantaneous transition from not-rolling to rolling in most situations, even if not in the ideal gear for starting off. All you can see ahead are your feet going round, your knees going up and down, and parts of your legs as they move, with no stem or bars to impede your view. Then you get up some speed (never enough, it seems), and work up to a gear in which you can pedal comfortably.
It was uphill in this direction, until I reached the downhill to Swanlow Lane. I came to the uphill traffic lights and took the right hand lane. By the time I got near the lights they’d been green for a while and I expected them to change any second so as there was no traffic about I went for a lowered pavement on the right and followed it round the junction. When the road was clear I crossed over and became part of the traffic again. Left and downhill, negotiating the chicanes caused by lazy parkers leaving their cars on the left hand side of the road when they have driveways. Nevertheless, despite oncoming traffic I was able to let it roll freely downhill without even having to brake for a mini roundabout, though I covered the levers just in case.
Then it was through some lights on green, turned into an entrance to the right, across a car park. Past the new location of the war memorials, then along a path between some hoardings and barriers. Two girls were walking along here. One said, “Is that a bike?” “Yes”, I replied. I got off and walked with it to the nearby Greggs inside the precinct and locked it to a barrier. There are screened off areas due to continuing work inside the precinct, and the walkways are narrow.
My mission today was to collect a particular type of sugared doughnut from Greggs for Mrs T to take with her while child minding our grandson. He’s been ill recently and it is one of the few things he’ll eat at the moment. There was a long queue but I got to the counter in the end. I collected a box of doughnuts and thought I could justify having one of their sausage rolls since I’d cycled.
Out again, I unlocked the bike and turned it round in the doorway of the vacant shop next door. I looked up and saw that it was the old Wilko’s, with the sign still in place, which made me feel rather sad.
I wheeled the bike out into the open air. There were some memorial benches near the war memorials so I headed for them. Unfortunately they were wet with recent rain. I’d got off by this time, and I’d noticed that the stand had rotated a little as I leaned the bike on it. I’d wondered how long it would withstand the fairly linear pull of the cable mechanism. Fortunately I had a cunning plan in hand. There are two bolt sized lightening holes in the stand plate, one each side of the fixing bolt hole. I will just need to mark the stand to match one of them, then drill and tap for a suitable bolt to stop it turning in future. I straightened the stand alignment, folded it, then sat on the bike to eat my sausage roll. It was surprisingly comfortable sitting there in the low seat.
A former work colleague walked by with two dogs. One of them spotted the sausage roll and began to howl pitifully. I gave a wave and she came over. The dog fixed my sausage roll with a stare, still whimpering, while the other one took no notice. “I didn’t recognise you there” she said. “Not many people do”, I said, “They’re usually too busy looking at the bike”. I thought that unless I was actually on the road, they probably thought it was some sort of mobility aid. Which it actually is. I can get a lot further on a bike than I could if I was walking. While my former work colleague was regaling me with news about other former work colleagues, and some I’d never met, I finished my sausage roll and the dog started howling again. “Oh, never mind him, he gets plenty to eat at home” she said. We said our goodbyes, and she went on her way.
I took a couple of photos
I still can’t say whether it’s me or the bike but it was slow, though not difficult, progress up the hill, and there was no slipping or sliding. There were some road works signs taking up a good part of the pavement near the top of the hill and one of them caused me to get uncomfortably close to the busy traffic on the road, but I got through the gap easily enough.
I followed the path round at the top of the hill and got on to Swanlow Lane. I’d hoped that after the experience of the front mudguard rubbing the tyre and holding me back on the last ride I’d fly along here, but it felt like riding through treacle. Maybe I’m just out of condition. Need to get out and do some proper trips.
Anyhoo, I reached the lights on Townfields Road, sailed through on green, and pedalled furiously to get some speed up for my uphill turn off. Unfortunately a driver was dawdling across the junction and I had to slow down and trundle up in low gear. I got home, got through my back gate and put the bike away. Mission accomplished, doughnuts duly delivered.
Distance 3.01 miles. Max speed 19.6 mph. Average speed 6.1 mph. According to Garmin.
104 ft. According to Bikehike.
Conrad_K
unindicted co-conspirator
- Location
- Little Rock, Arkansas
On both my recumbents, I've found that tiny adjustments of the handlebars have disproportionally large effects on comfort and rideability. Well, the trike has tillers, but it works the same as the LWB recumbent.
Conrad_K
unindicted co-conspirator
- Location
- Little Rock, Arkansas
I made a run to the pharmacy to pick up some prescriptions for myself and the wife. I took the Re-Bike CLWB recumbent.
It was 60F and sunny, still T-shirt and shorts weather. This time I remembered to write down the mileage on the odometer. I took a meandering route to the pharmacy, and a more direct route back. I'm still a bit wobbly on the bike, but getting better every ride. Someone suggested that the "tiller effect" of the swept-back handlebars basically reverses the automatic steering inputs you learned riding a conventional bicycle. I think there's some truth to that. I know that when I get the wobblies, dropping one hand to my lap will often straighten things out.
No close calls from cars. Another woman called out that she liked the bike. Someone's Jack Russell terrier was loose and had a fine time following me and barking, but he didn't try to bite, so that was fine. The odometer said 6 miles. I just noticed it only reads in whole miles. Well, it only cost $8. I did notice I'm moving a lot faster than when I first started, even though I'm spending more time in the lower gears.
Over time I'm developing some specific habits to deal with the local roads. As I've mentioned before, despite the massive cycle infrastructure a few towns over, bicycles really aren't a thing where I live, so not only are roads not laid out with cycling in mind, most motorists are unfamiliar with seeing bicycles on or near the road. Particularly weird ones like I ride. Plus the city's road works people must do some serious drugs in their idle moments when not digging holes in the street. Intersections are their particular specialty, where, among other things, they like to tie more than two roads together into a knot where it's very hard to determine which lanes signs or lights refer to, apparently for the benefit of some of the local tow truck companies. There are three of those between my house and the gym. The gym is three miles away. The safe detour adds another two miles, but it's well worth the extra time; not just much lower traffic, but about half of it is brand new, much-wider sidewalk to ride on.
A few other intersections aren't bad enough to make long detours around, but I've begun riding a dozen car-lengths or so down the cross street, "jaywalking" the bike to the other side, and then doubling back and continuing in the direction I started. That way I only have to deal with cars from two directions, that I can easily see, as opposed to having drivers making sudden unsignaled turns into me at the intersections.
Anyway, just a pleasant ride.
It was 60F and sunny, still T-shirt and shorts weather. This time I remembered to write down the mileage on the odometer. I took a meandering route to the pharmacy, and a more direct route back. I'm still a bit wobbly on the bike, but getting better every ride. Someone suggested that the "tiller effect" of the swept-back handlebars basically reverses the automatic steering inputs you learned riding a conventional bicycle. I think there's some truth to that. I know that when I get the wobblies, dropping one hand to my lap will often straighten things out.
No close calls from cars. Another woman called out that she liked the bike. Someone's Jack Russell terrier was loose and had a fine time following me and barking, but he didn't try to bite, so that was fine. The odometer said 6 miles. I just noticed it only reads in whole miles. Well, it only cost $8. I did notice I'm moving a lot faster than when I first started, even though I'm spending more time in the lower gears.
Over time I'm developing some specific habits to deal with the local roads. As I've mentioned before, despite the massive cycle infrastructure a few towns over, bicycles really aren't a thing where I live, so not only are roads not laid out with cycling in mind, most motorists are unfamiliar with seeing bicycles on or near the road. Particularly weird ones like I ride. Plus the city's road works people must do some serious drugs in their idle moments when not digging holes in the street. Intersections are their particular specialty, where, among other things, they like to tie more than two roads together into a knot where it's very hard to determine which lanes signs or lights refer to, apparently for the benefit of some of the local tow truck companies. There are three of those between my house and the gym. The gym is three miles away. The safe detour adds another two miles, but it's well worth the extra time; not just much lower traffic, but about half of it is brand new, much-wider sidewalk to ride on.
A few other intersections aren't bad enough to make long detours around, but I've begun riding a dozen car-lengths or so down the cross street, "jaywalking" the bike to the other side, and then doubling back and continuing in the direction I started. That way I only have to deal with cars from two directions, that I can easily see, as opposed to having drivers making sudden unsignaled turns into me at the intersections.
Anyway, just a pleasant ride.
