EltonFrog
Legendary Member
Another nice bike, I like that a lot.
Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
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Another nice bike, I like that a lot.
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
Aaaaarrrrggghhh My Eyes, What a pair of NODADS* they are!
*No DAD! Don't make me where them.
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
Finally I got to take out the Dawes Kingpin on a proper ride today. I say proper ride, I mean a ride for which the bike was intended as opposed to test rides etc.. The new Brooks B17 is ace, the bike is fun to ride, strange at first but I soon got used to it, I really enjoy its simplicity, though you do have to make an appointment with the brakes about two days in advance if you want to stop in plenty of time.
I rode the bike to the bank a proper utility ride, just in my jeans and sweatshirt with a coat and gloves, no special shoes, no helmet, no Lycra, no Garmin. Just what these bikes were made for, a quick trip down to the shops, about 6 miles. It was a very sunny day a bit taters out but dry and clear, I really enjoyed the comfortable ride, the Kingpin put a big smile on face.
Along the cycle path on the old railway line.
When I was thirteen I used to ride the Dawes after school to my job delivering meat for a local butcher, I used to ride the bike exactly like the one outside the butchers shops I found today.
There are quite few wooden sculptures and furniture along this route.
From the cockpit.
Off the path and long the short rough track, nothing fell off.
The park in my village has a "pump track" for the kids to pump their bike around. As there was no one there when I passed I thought I'd give it a go. Is there anything more daft than a fifty seven year old bloke trying to pump a forty five year old bike round a track? No. I got 3/4 round without peddling. If these things existed when I was a kid I would have been all over that on the Kingpin!
The rules.
I rode the bike to the bank a proper utility ride, just in my jeans and sweatshirt with a coat and gloves, no special shoes, no helmet, no Lycra, no Garmin. Just what these bikes were made for, a quick trip down to the shops, about 6 miles. It was a very sunny day a bit taters out but dry and clear, I really enjoyed the comfortable ride, the Kingpin put a big smile on face.
Along the cycle path on the old railway line.
When I was thirteen I used to ride the Dawes after school to my job delivering meat for a local butcher, I used to ride the bike exactly like the one outside the butchers shops I found today.
There are quite few wooden sculptures and furniture along this route.
From the cockpit.
Off the path and long the short rough track, nothing fell off.
The park in my village has a "pump track" for the kids to pump their bike around. As there was no one there when I passed I thought I'd give it a go. Is there anything more daft than a fifty seven year old bloke trying to pump a forty five year old bike round a track? No. I got 3/4 round without peddling. If these things existed when I was a kid I would have been all over that on the Kingpin!
The rules.
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I wouldn't want to ride that bike for fun (preferring to ride more sporty machines), but I agree that it would be ideal for shopping trips!
I live close enough to my local shops that walking is the best bet, but if I had another mile or so to walk, a Kingpin shopping ride would be ideal.
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
It's approx 6 mile round trip to town/bank, so to just jump on a bike without the faff of getting into bike gear its ideal. I of course could do that with all my bikes, but it doesn't feel right somehow.
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Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
Due to wwww cancellations (I'd like more than 2 hours people) I played a bit of guitar and gave the dogs an extra long walk, for them. They got an hour down the Marriotts Way towards the city and then looped back to meet Hubster about a mile or so from where we live and a lift home. I was so impressed with the walk that I decided that a bike ride might be in order and Hubster got Mr Spesh, the MTB out for me. He's heavy and I can't lift him safely with my stupid wrist.
I finally got around to taking off the bike computer gubbins from the previous owner, and put on the mount for my Garmin and off I went.
It was clear from the word go that I was not really up for a ride, it was bloody cold even though I had a tee shirt, a sailing sweater and my council orange Night Vision jacket on, as well as longs and not thick enough socks. I had a buff, my lid and my cosy Sealskinz gloves (cat sick yellow ones).
I rode down the hill having got over the never changing traffic lights and decided to go left on the Marriotts Way, away from the city and thought that I'd ride to Drayton. Only about 4 miles each way from home and I do need to shift some lard and it would be a start to getting back into the riding habit again. Especially as I'm feeling a bit down at the moment (blame S.A.D.). By the time I had ridden to Drayton, I had warmed up and decided to push on a bit to where one of my dog walking customers used to live. Off I went again, up the horribly gravelly hill, over the road near the brilliant Drayton bakers (closed by then) and along the next short section. I say short, it's about 400 metres so it really is a short bit. From there I headed to Thorpe Marriott and managed to lose count of the junctions. Before I knew it, I was at Freelands Corner, the highest point of the Marriotts Way. It must be about 12 feet above sea level there, maybe more. I was a bit worried as I was riding with oxygen assistance or a sherpa.
Having got there, I was having a really good time so I thought I'll just do another mile. For those who don't know the Marriotts, every mile there is a sculpture type thing made from old railway track with a number on it, the number is the mile marker from the City end. The next mile went quickly, and the next and I crossed another road crossing. I decided to do either one more mile marker or one road crossing, which ever came first. The 9 mile marker came first (I started just before mile marker 2) so I turned there and headed back. It was about then I realised how low the sun was in the sky and that I only had a wee white flasher on the bike. Despite taking off the superfluous gubbins I had failed to put on the much needed gubbins. Natural blonde, please speak very slowly as I am being a bear of very little brain today.
I thought that I had better get a wiggle on so got back to Freelands Corner as fast as I could on my exceedingly heavy Specialized Hardrock, with it's slightly too wide bars for me. I must get these either changed or hacksaw a cm or so off each end. Back at Freelands Corner - the high point remember - and then it's downhill all the way home, it must drop 4 or 5 feet or so over the next 5 miles. Scary stuff as I'm not a good descender on mud and wet leaves. I was back to Drayton bakery nearly before I knew it, still having a good time but my feet were feeling a little chilled now. Remember those not warm enough socks, I was noticing them now. I was also aware of my right wrist aching due to those bars too. Drayton was a good bit again for me, I went down the gravel road bit, over the proper road and up the 'helter skelter' a descending circular bit from the Marriotts to the Hellesdon Road. The locals call it the Helter Skelter. It only rises 10 feet or so. From there It was a really easy and relatively swift ride to the bottom of Marlpit Lane, the big hill that I need to climb to get back home.
I got half way up and needed a breather. Today is a fast day and I was running a bit low of energy. I stopped for a swig of lemon squash and to catch my breath and then up the hill with ease. I did get stopped by the never changing lights at the top, but it gave me a change to get my breathing back to a semblance of normal before the lights finally changed and I was over the lights, turning in to my road and stopping my garmin when it hit 14 miles. Before my house but you never know who's looking. Hubster manhandled Mr Spesh through the flat and put him away. Poor bike, he has worked so hard and now he's shackled to concrete for all his efforts today. I was going to shower him off but all my laundry is in the shower room, drying on racks and it was just too much of an effort to move it all. Anyway I needed a cup of tea and Mr Spesh isn't filthy. I'll bath him tomorrow.
14.01 in 1:18:02 so averaged 10.8mph which is not too bad for my on my MTB on a trail, avoiding dogs, kids running about and whatnot. I am really pleased. I got up to 19mph at one point, must have been down Marlpit Lane as it sure as hell wasn't up it.
I finally got around to taking off the bike computer gubbins from the previous owner, and put on the mount for my Garmin and off I went.
It was clear from the word go that I was not really up for a ride, it was bloody cold even though I had a tee shirt, a sailing sweater and my council orange Night Vision jacket on, as well as longs and not thick enough socks. I had a buff, my lid and my cosy Sealskinz gloves (cat sick yellow ones).
I rode down the hill having got over the never changing traffic lights and decided to go left on the Marriotts Way, away from the city and thought that I'd ride to Drayton. Only about 4 miles each way from home and I do need to shift some lard and it would be a start to getting back into the riding habit again. Especially as I'm feeling a bit down at the moment (blame S.A.D.). By the time I had ridden to Drayton, I had warmed up and decided to push on a bit to where one of my dog walking customers used to live. Off I went again, up the horribly gravelly hill, over the road near the brilliant Drayton bakers (closed by then) and along the next short section. I say short, it's about 400 metres so it really is a short bit. From there I headed to Thorpe Marriott and managed to lose count of the junctions. Before I knew it, I was at Freelands Corner, the highest point of the Marriotts Way. It must be about 12 feet above sea level there, maybe more. I was a bit worried as I was riding with oxygen assistance or a sherpa.
Having got there, I was having a really good time so I thought I'll just do another mile. For those who don't know the Marriotts, every mile there is a sculpture type thing made from old railway track with a number on it, the number is the mile marker from the City end. The next mile went quickly, and the next and I crossed another road crossing. I decided to do either one more mile marker or one road crossing, which ever came first. The 9 mile marker came first (I started just before mile marker 2) so I turned there and headed back. It was about then I realised how low the sun was in the sky and that I only had a wee white flasher on the bike. Despite taking off the superfluous gubbins I had failed to put on the much needed gubbins. Natural blonde, please speak very slowly as I am being a bear of very little brain today.
I thought that I had better get a wiggle on so got back to Freelands Corner as fast as I could on my exceedingly heavy Specialized Hardrock, with it's slightly too wide bars for me. I must get these either changed or hacksaw a cm or so off each end. Back at Freelands Corner - the high point remember - and then it's downhill all the way home, it must drop 4 or 5 feet or so over the next 5 miles. Scary stuff as I'm not a good descender on mud and wet leaves. I was back to Drayton bakery nearly before I knew it, still having a good time but my feet were feeling a little chilled now. Remember those not warm enough socks, I was noticing them now. I was also aware of my right wrist aching due to those bars too. Drayton was a good bit again for me, I went down the gravel road bit, over the proper road and up the 'helter skelter' a descending circular bit from the Marriotts to the Hellesdon Road. The locals call it the Helter Skelter. It only rises 10 feet or so. From there It was a really easy and relatively swift ride to the bottom of Marlpit Lane, the big hill that I need to climb to get back home.
I got half way up and needed a breather. Today is a fast day and I was running a bit low of energy. I stopped for a swig of lemon squash and to catch my breath and then up the hill with ease. I did get stopped by the never changing lights at the top, but it gave me a change to get my breathing back to a semblance of normal before the lights finally changed and I was over the lights, turning in to my road and stopping my garmin when it hit 14 miles. Before my house but you never know who's looking. Hubster manhandled Mr Spesh through the flat and put him away. Poor bike, he has worked so hard and now he's shackled to concrete for all his efforts today. I was going to shower him off but all my laundry is in the shower room, drying on racks and it was just too much of an effort to move it all. Anyway I needed a cup of tea and Mr Spesh isn't filthy. I'll bath him tomorrow.
14.01 in 1:18:02 so averaged 10.8mph which is not too bad for my on my MTB on a trail, avoiding dogs, kids running about and whatnot. I am really pleased. I got up to 19mph at one point, must have been down Marlpit Lane as it sure as hell wasn't up it.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Also, probably less chance of it getting stolen while you are doing your shopping/banking/whatever, and less of a disaster if it did!
I quite like the idea of a 'semi-disposable' bike - i.e. one that is good enough and safe enough to ride, but cheap to replace.
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
Hmmm, i would be most upset if the Kingpin got nicked, I have spent a lot of time and money on it.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I didn't mean to insult it, but I was thinking more in terms of finding a bike in a skip, or being donated one, and then spending as little time and money as possible on it. If I cared about it, then I wouldn't want to leave it out of my sight!
I know people who leave their bikes just inside the entrances of their local shops and do not even lock them. I had my bike stolen when I was a teenager and don't want to risk that happening again, though I reluctantly leave my bike locked up outside cafes on audaxes and forum rides.
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
No offence taken. I've rescued a bike from a tip, I gave it to a CCer who did it up for student neighbour to smoke about on. Tis a good idea to get a knock about bike. I sometimes take mine into the bank if I can get away with it.
Berties
Fast and careful!
Jon George
Mamil and couldn't care less
- Location
- Suffolk an' Good
So, whose bright idea was it last week to begin a weekday 20 mile fasted virtual commute before breakfast and parking the bum in front of the PC to write? Oh, wait, that was me.
Still, there are compensations.
This on Bucklesham Road.
And this in the hamlet of Falkenham.
Still, there are compensations.
This on Bucklesham Road.
And this in the hamlet of Falkenham.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
standard commute ride today
but Tonight I am off collecting the below pictured Jim Soens bike
It was listed rather poorly on e bay by the seller , which was lucky for me and unlucky for others
I shall enjoy seeing it in the flesh and will enjoy it even more if it’s as clean as it looks in this picture
What shall I do with it I here you all shout
Well the answer is easy I am not sure
Must admit tempted to swap 27” wheels for some 700’s but that will depend if the calipers have enough drop on them to cope and also I can only presume the rear spacing is 126mm but it could be 120mm . The sprung Brooks will go for sure , the butterfly bars not sure about and will depend on what I do re wheels and gears .
Either way better pics and info will be added as time goes on in the "classic and vintage" section
but Tonight I am off collecting the below pictured Jim Soens bike
It was listed rather poorly on e bay by the seller , which was lucky for me and unlucky for others
I shall enjoy seeing it in the flesh and will enjoy it even more if it’s as clean as it looks in this picture
What shall I do with it I here you all shout
Well the answer is easy I am not sure
Must admit tempted to swap 27” wheels for some 700’s but that will depend if the calipers have enough drop on them to cope and also I can only presume the rear spacing is 126mm but it could be 120mm . The sprung Brooks will go for sure , the butterfly bars not sure about and will depend on what I do re wheels and gears .
Either way better pics and info will be added as time goes on in the "classic and vintage" section
Goonerobes
Its okay to be white
- Location
- Wiltshire
I thought I'd better make the most of the calm before the storm so decided on a quick spin around the forest this morning. It wasn't as frosty as Saturday but it felt a lot colder (average temp 0 centigrade according to the Garmin) & despite two pairs of gloves it took my fingers a good 10 miles to stop hurting from the cold!
Only 22 miles but for some reason it felt like more today.
http://www.strava.com/activities/227746257
Only 22 miles but for some reason it felt like more today.
http://www.strava.com/activities/227746257
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