A Giant May bank holiday weekend

May is a great month; the weather starts to improve, and there are two bank holidays.

The last bank holiday I was alone for the three rides. It was the first of three lone weekends, Matt was away for work.

At last it was back to normal, I meet Matt at the green and we cycled to the bus stop.

Later in the day I went to the bike shed custom motorcycle show. It's a long time since I had a motorbike, plenty of ideas if I ever get another.

Sunday's route was via the church yard, as I have said before, one of my favourite places to ride to. If it was a bit further from the road it would be perfect.

Today however Matt wasn't available so I was alone again. It did mean I could take out my new bike. When I say new, I mean new to me. It's a two year old Giant Defy 3.

Why did I buy a new bike? There are a few reasons; the Carrera was in need of a major service, tyres brakes and head bearings were some of the replacements needed. I have said for a while how harsh the ride is, the last seven lone rides had cemented my decision.

The Giant has a frame designed to flex in the right places to absorb road shock, without compromising power transfer. The fork is made from carbon fibre, so it's lighter and can be made to be flexible in a way an alloy one can't.

So how was it?

The steering is quicker, a steeper head angle I think. It took a little getting use to, but it wasn't the big change I felt when I first rode the Carrera after the Kona.

When I got to the rough roads there was a welcome improvement. It wasn't mountain bike soft, but the harshness was gone. I could feel the flexing, I stopped to check for a puncture at one point. The pedaling power wasn't reduced but I anticipate longer rides being much less tiring without the constant jarring. On really poor roads it was faster, I didn't feel like my hands would be vibrated off the handlebars, and my vision wasn't blurred. I felt in control.

Things I would change;
The seat. The shape is a real problem. The sides slope away too quickly for me leaving a lot of weight on the centre of my, seating area. It will have to go.

The brakes. I know I'm spoiled by the hydraulic disks on the Kona, and they are similar to the Carrera's, but they don't have any bite. I slow down, but there isn't any urgency. Improving them might be expensive so I'll have to think about it.

That's it for the weekend. Only four more days until it's here again.

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The Bike shed

I visited the Bike Shed show 2019. The description was for custom bikes displayed without ropes, so nothing to get in the way of photography.

Tobacco Dock is a great venue, the event was very busy but it rarely felt crowded. There were many glass walled areas of various sizes. Each had a theme or housed a shop. The walkways between them showed off bikes. There was a band and an outside area, you could get your hair cut or have a tattoo. Not your average bike show, that's for sure.

The whole place had a feeling of a relaxed bike club meet, plenty of comfy couches allowed people to sit and chat.

It covered the whole spectrum; companies who would build you a bike, or sell custom parts and bikes built in a shed. One of the bigger areas was dedicated to self builds.

I talked to Alec about his Yamaha. 

The major parts were stock, he had modified the rear of the frame and built his own exhaust.

He had grafted on the front end from a fireblade. Another benefit of choosing the parts that fit you is that the bike can be tailored to your needs. I had a Ducati with low standard clip-ons. They were okay for a short time in traffic, after that it just became more and more painful. Even on the motorway three hours was the most I could do before the pain set in. Previous bike accidents may have caused some lasting damage the riding position couldn't accommodate.

Bigger companies also showed what they could do. Debolex Engineering from Croydon, not far from me were there. I have a soft spot for Ducati, so this was a must see.

Old Barnstomer Motorcycles had a unique take on exhausts, I took the first picture and after taking the side view was handed a card as a prize for not just walking away with one shot. There was much more to the bike than the backend.

The barista from Mainhattan Choppers was next to it. 

Both bikes demonstrated incredible metal work and attention to detail, as well as creativity.

There were plenty of biles from my era, Kawasakis and Suzukis I lusted over, but couldn't afford when I was young. Both given a modern twist.

Competition bikes with their own particular requirements, and what must have been very loud exhausts took my fancy.

Then there was, what I can only describe as, bikes that show just how far you can go.

V8 power anyone.

Big bike manufacturers had stands, showing their appreciation for the custom genre.

It wasn't just two wheels,

Two more of my favourites.

The event was very relaxed as I have said, more than that the people running it and exhibiting were friendly and approachable. And the other visitors were easy going and a pleasure to be around.

I'll be back next year.

I photographed a more informal event from last year hosted by a bike builder.

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Are a few seconds really worth so much?

This weekend has been maybe the worst for cycling safety.

So many close and/or dangerous overtakes have occurred it is depressing.

I like to take photographs of my cycling, but today I just wanted to get home safely and as soon as possible.

I have posted before about the inconsiderate and downright dangerous  behaviour of some other road user. But this weekend was ridiculous.

This is from yesterday.

Just a pause of a few seconds was all the driver needed to make. Instead the car was driven over the raised round about and I was forced to brake to avoid the car or the curb.

I have reported the driver to the police, but I doubt anything will be done.

Today was worse.

An oncoming car didn't slow the Seat. My life, the people in the other car and the Seat's drivers life all put at risk to save a few seconds.

Here again the driver drove on the wrong side of the road towards a right hand bend with no way to know if anyone was coming the other way.


And then on a series of bends a pickup truck overtakes the car patiently waiting for a safe overtake  and me to save a few seconds on his trip.

No-one in Surrey seems interested in dealing with this.

The NHS has said they will give bicycles to the obese to get them to lose weight. I don't think most obese people are that way because they can't afford a bike. But suppose some of them do go out for a ride.  It's not likely they will do it for very long once they see how dangerous it is. Another wasted opportunity not to mention money.

The super cycle highways consuming huge sums of money, I don't think they are the complete answer. Are they maybe a partial admission that the law isn't being enforced? They can't be added to most roads, and when constructed; where do the vehicles go that use to park or drive there? Are they built more to make it harder for people to use the roads? It's doomed to fail if that's the case, it is a pipe dream to hope that everyone will walk, cycle or use public transport. It's just not an answer for everyone. Don't get me wrong, everyone should make changes to cut congestion and pollution. But even wishing really hard wont remove all cars and lorries from the road.

Another example of a solution that may not be as successful as it should to justify the cost is the twenty miles per hour limit applied to most minor roads in Croydon. I don't live in Croydon but do use the roads affected. I'm sure it cost a lot of money to put up all the signs. But it wasn't well publicised. Whenever I travel along at twenty, I always have a queue of cars close behind. And then it's like I'm cycling again; they try to overtake no matter the dangers. Bends in the road, or oncoming traffic doesn't stop them.

Both are examples of those that make the decisions thinking if you throw enough money at a problem and wish really hard it will be fixed. At least you can say you are doing something, or you would if you just had some money.

Of course the standard response is cyclists jump red lights, ride on the pavement etc. I don't, so how can you justify subjecting me to dangerous driving?

Then there is cyclists don't pay road tax. No-one does; it's called Vehicle Excise Duty and is based on emissions. So cyclists would be zero rated. Does it also mean any zero rated vehicles shouldn't use the road, or the driver potentially injured or killed?

Registration is a contentious issue, I'm not totally against it. Just not sure if it's not another opportunity to throw a lot of money around without actually changing much. All cars are registered and they still commit offences. And kill and injure more people than bikes.

The media has a terrible record on this too. Always trying to build a conflict between cyclists other road users. But then the media generally has a very poor record on research, and unbiased reporting.

Cyclists aren't just the victims though.

Don't jump red lights or ride on the pavement. If a junction or stretch of road is unsafe, don't make it worse by breaking the law.

Ride at appropriate speed and take into account other road users. Can they see you, can they react in time?

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A performing dog?

It's the second lone ride weekend, Matt is recovering from jet lag and a fraught trip to America.

Today's ride was a new route, a loop past Chartwell.

I took the picture above at the beginning of a very narrow lane. The map I looked at when planning this didn't show just how steep a decent awaited me. I didn't cycle back up it, too tired and it was very poorly surfaced. Potholes, mud and gravel; and a grumpy old man.

I said good morning as I passed him. He shouted after me to watch the dog. I did; but it didn't seem to have a talent worth my interest. No juggling or anything. I don't think you will see it on Britain's Got Talent, unless staring becomes more popular.

On the way home it rained. We are very lucky and miss rain most of the time. It got much harder after I arrived home, so I guess it was still a win.

The forecast for tomorrow is rain, fingers crossed it abaits long enough to allow my ride.

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May Bank Holiday number one

Yesterday's weather was better than it was on Saturday. Colder but less windy, which is easier to deal with.

I'm still on my own; Matt's in Pittsburgh for two weeks on business. It gives me a chance to use the road bike. It's faster but the gearing can make hills a challenge, especially when I'm feeling tired. Which I have been this weekend.

I don't know why, I just have periods where it's a real effort to do anything.

I have to push myself to get out, and the first couple of miles are a chore; hills come close to persuading me the ride may not have been a good idea. By mile three I'm into the ride, and it isn't so bad. I know I'll feel better the further I go. Subsequent hills are climbed without much stress. They are hard but no longer seem insurmountable.

And of course when I get home, all is right with the world.

Today, bank holiday Monday, was the nicest of the three day weekend to cycle. It was chilly rather than cold and the force of the wind was much reduced.

I felt stronger and fitter. Hills were taken a little faster, maybe a gear higher than before. Or I could change up earlier.  I still felt tired but it wasn't the big effort it had been.

When I got to the the crossroads at Tatsfield Church I had four choices. Left was a very hilly loop back to Tatsfield village, straight on lead to the bottom of the hill on the right. And right meant that same hill. The fourth option; back the way I had come.

I went for the last choice and headed home.

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Headwinds and potholes

What is it about headwinds? I nearly always face into them. It seems I could ride in a circle and feel their effect for the whole circuit. How is that possible?

There are other gripes about cycling: potholes and poor road surfaces in general. It's one of the reasons I rarely take out the road bike. Constant jarring and always being alert for potholes is very tiring.

A particularly bad section on my route today eventually had the camera swivel on it's mount.

Another section was the complete opposite. I turned off the main road onto Pilgrims Way and cycling nirvana; trees shielded me from the wind and fresh smooth tarmac was under my wheels. It didn't last very long but it was brilliant, and so relaxing.

Even when it appears smooth, it can be rough going.

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