Monday 7 November 2011

Adventures In Modern Cycling: Off The Peg.

Between October and February I usually take all my bicycles off the road to service and repair them.
The 'Dobson' is popping spokes at an alarming rate so I intend replacing the horrid  bits of gavanised wire that pass for spokes with lovely stainless steel ones.
The 'Potato' needs a complete re-think and I'd really like to convert it into a tricycle.
The 'Black Tractor' is now the on-going Cyclemotor Project which probably only needs one good day's work to finish it.
I also need to service Linda's bike.
The problem is my current employment is around seven miles away from home and I therefore need transport.
I tried using the Potato but it was really designed for cruising up and down the prom on sunny days not hacking through traffic and along the poorly maintained cycle tracks between me and gainful employment.

I could scour the hedgerows, byways or small ads to find something to ride but I'd end up spending time and money to make it reliable.
So, last month I bit the bullet and visited our local branch of Halfords to get a winter steed.
I shelled out £129.99 for this:
I also got £20's worth of free bits as part of the deal.

I was quite prepared to be bike-snob-sniffy about it but I can't be.
It's a really good bike.
The group set leaves something to be desired with it's nylon brake levers and steel crank set but, in general, it's better equipped than the first mountain bike I owned (Specialised Rockhopper) back it the 1980's.

I have sworn a vow not to modify it in any way and only replace the bits that break or drop off.
Thus far I've had to replace the rear brake when, on trying to balance it, a piece snapped of the tension spring.
(I may change the saddle though. It's a little eye-watering to sit on for any length of time.)

Oh, and to the woman in the black Ford Ka that nearly killed me this morning, I've got your reg number sweetheart and I've informed the local constabulary about your dangerous driving and two-fingered hand gestures.

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