Cyclists

Most of us don't run reds or ride 3 abreast. The vast majority of cyclists are invisible to car drivers and cycle following the road code. Most of us have lights when out at night, (although often drivers moan that our lights are "too bright" - you can't win). We obey the laws of the road.

But by god if one breaks the law then we are all the devil incarnate.

I see car drivers doing all sorts of crazy, dangerous sh*t, that far far out ways anything I've ever seen a cyclist do. I've seen several road traffic accidents and seen some someone die and other people get messed up badly - cars can cause utter carnage something cyclists just physically cannot do. Do you get Frankie moaning about the amount of people dying in RTA's? Of course not.

You get 2 cyclists riding side by side however and to the cyclist haters it's like the cyclist has just sh*t on their lawns. I never understand why some people get so wound up by the little things that cyclists do. Get a life people.

Like any minority cyclists are different and therefore something to be viewed with suspicion and therefore bullied by the herd.

Oh yeah Frankie, I'm cool with your trolling on this thread but lay off going on about running over cyclists? 

We are a small community and I've known a few fellow cyclists who have been killed whilst out cycling.  A friends mum was killed when a van driver feel asleep at the wheel and ran into her and her husband. It devastated her and her family.

I did the Taupo 320km last year with a guy who was killed cycling in Wellington shortly afterwards. I also did the tribute ride for Frank Van Kampen a few years back killed by a drunk driver whilst he was cycling home from work in the afternoon. 

I was hit myself when I was cycling perfectly legally, (yeah amazing that I was obeying the road rules), by a guy who accelerated out of a junction without looking and was lucky to come out with 2 broken rides and a bit of PTSD.

Cycling is pretty safe compared to other forms of transport but we are a small family so when someone is killed it effects us all.

I think if you read my post I did state that it's the minority that cause most of the issues. Same tih drivers, not all drivers are out to run down every cyclist they see. Sure there are some close calls some times - personally I think both parties are generally in the wrong.

Was biking the other day. Side of the road as the law states.  Some idiot starts beeping his horn at me then tries to run me off te road.  You guys have it lucky there.  In japan people dont look anywhere.  

seems that the driver vs cyclist relationship is pretty much the same.

Where was that?

Don't take this as meaning I'm lying (would be a pathetic thing to lie about). But I genuinely can't remember. Its been pissing me off trying to remember where exactly it was. It definitely happened though as we had to drive on the other side of the road to avoid. 

I wasnt meaning I see it happen all the time either, far from it. Though do quite often see them near enough to the middle of the road, and not using the cycle lanes. Also quite often see cyclists cutting across lanes on the motorway at the petone turnoff. Some real near misses there. 

But yeah, just found it funny that you asked that question after I had just seen one a few days earlier. That was the first time in ages I'd seen it though. 

See it every day on Tamaki drive in Auckland.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9122264/No-lycra-in-my-cafe

Lycra ban in cafe.

I think my mates at Spokes could have handled this better.

Basically if I'm doing a distance ride and I want to stop off at a cafe, then I usually carry a lightweight pair of shorts to put on as I think it's only fair. Same when I'm commuting to and from work it's a pair of MTB shorts as I don't think it's a professional look having everything on display. Wearing shorts over 150km can get really uncomfortable though and cause more sweating. That's why people wear lycra.

During Taupo I was behind this guy who was pretty fat to be fair and he was wearing a white lycra bib which became transparent and gave everyone an uninhibited view of hot sweaty arse. Not nice, most folk picked up the pace to pass him rather than having that to look at.

Also the only time I'll be in a cafe is to order/grab a menu and pay. I never sit inside if I'm cycling. It's common manners.

So basically with bibs it black or dark blue only. Never ever white. Also shower before going on a ride not just after and use eco-friendly washing powder, it seems to remove the smell more effectively.

You've reminded me to pack an extra layer or two before I sit on the dentist chair this avo...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9182469/Wellington-worst-place-in-NZ-to-ride

Not spoken to Patrick (CAN guy), for ages but I might after this as although there is certainly danger to cycling,  the benefits, (living from 3-7 years depending on the research papers you read), out way from the minus's.

I guess I'm glad that it focuses on Welly rather than a sweeping statement of the country as a whole.

Our focus at CAN was to use cycling to promote it's healthy benefits , (you live longer are fitter, sexier etc),  but also as a way of improving communities by influencing transport design. The idea being that slowing/removing cars from certain areas have had a proven benefit in improving communities by encouraging people to walk and cycle to their local shops rather than zipping off in the car to the local mega store. Basically trying to re-establish communities. You had the knock on effect that businesses would appear to cater for these "new" people walking and cycling - It's a fact it does happen.

I don't like the focus on danger. You are much more likely to live longer if you cycle than if you don't.

It's tricky as I've spoken of the dangers of cycling myself and I know it's impossible to be upbeat all the time.

As with most "groups" it's the few that give a bad name to the many... most cyclers are fine... unfortunately, the odd arrogant antagonistic two-wheeled cockwad like the guy merging with the Petone m/way onramp in front of me yesterday morning is one of the visible few and gives the rest a bad name.

Undoubtedly the same applies in reverse.

Here is an example of an absolute pack of twunts on bikes that should just be mowed over by someone in a Hummer

There are a few fuckwits in every crowd.

It is as true of cyclists as it is of the YF Forum.

I'm gonna get some wheels now I'm in Petone again... will be good for my recovery too I s'pose.

Are those cheapo things at the Warehouse any good?... just for (mostly) riding on roads and the odd riverbank, etc?

If ya can't runthefuckersover ya may as well join 'em!

cycling isn't that healthy your spine and balls suffer

that cat-back position is shit for the spine, and most people over 30 have shitty spines already from sitting all day

According to a recent study in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, if your back’s trouble-free you’re in a clear minority. California State University researchers questioned 518 recreational cyclists and found a staggering 85 percent of them harboured at least one recurrent injury.

Clocking an average of 75 miles a week, 79.1 percent reported neck or back problems, almost twice those hobbling with knee issues (41.7 percent), while 36.1 percent harboured groin and buttocks strains, and 31.1 percent wrist and hand pain. Perhaps the most worrying ?nding was that just 36 per cent sought any professional help to ease the pain.

“Most cyclists think you can just jump on a bike and go, when that’s far from the case,” explains Dr Michael Lanning, a Harley Street chiropractor who specialises in cycling-related joint and spine injuries. The back, he says, or more properly the abdomen, is by far the weakest link for the majority of riders.

“Cyclists have huge leg muscles but don’t have the torso strength to support and resist the tremendous forces which the legs can generate,” he explains. If the torso is weak, he says, that force doesn’t go into the pedals but is dissipated in ?exing of the abdomen. “Look at tired riders – every stroke generates an ‘S’ curve in the back, causing fatigue and muscle spasm.”

I wouldn't Warehouse.  Go and see AvantiPlus or CycleScience in Lower Hutt when they have a sale on - my Mountain bike was down about $500.  Also, try Trade Me.  You can get some very good buys on there.

that is because they are all wankers

No Bike Shaped Objects from the Warehouse are horrible, often dangerous and heavy. They usually put people off. I'll post more later on about getting back into cycling.

That's why we do core exercises.  Like any activity there will be physical issues but  I've read enough to suggest that overall because the bike's frame supports the skeleton it is much better exercise than say jogging.

Also a professional bike fit goes a long way to eliminate these issues, basically I can say my back is absolutely fine and I've never spoken to anyone who cycles who has reported a back issue from just cycling itself - obviously getting an impact from cars, etc is different.

 My hip plays up but then I was stupid one day trying to drop a guy whilst carrying 12 kg of shopping on my back  standing in the pedals on a steep hill.

When I am very fit from cycling I can tell you I am a million miles healthier than when I not.

Finally if  the several 60 - 75 year old's that managed to cycle 320km at Taupo are anything to go then I'll risk back/wrist pain if I can be anywhere near the condition they are. F*cking jaw-dropping believe me. .

As I walk to work down Courtenay Place I now abuse them as they run RED lights on the Xings.

Most look like licensed MV users.  

Best was cyclist pulls in front of police car at RED light. He waits till way is clear then runs the light. I point at him, the Officers look at each other. On goes the lights and siren.  lol 

 

Pretty much sums things up.

Warehouse bikes are kit bikes which are heavy and prone to falling to bits. If you don't assemble it yourself some 16 year old will be doing it at the shop without a clue. It's false economy anyhow as the parts wear out really quickly.

Trademe is good but often overpriced. When looking at 2nd hand bike  look for dings and cracks in the frame make sure you look at the bottom bracket. If you find any dings or cracks don't buy it.

I concur with CycleScience, they have good bike mechanics.  I find independant bike shops much better than the chains  I have issues with Avantiplus head office so I try and avoid them. Pennyfarthings avoid. CapitalCycles is considered one of the best bike shops in the country and Burkes in Welly are good. Revolution bicycles are quirky and do Surly bikes.

The more you pay at the low end of the market, the better the bike the more likely you will enjoy cycling.  

Find out what you are going to use it for. off road, roads, communiting, a bit of everything.

The much maligned Hybrid, a cross between MTB, (mountain bikes) and Road bikes,  are actually pretty good. Skinny tires but upright position of a MTB. The alternative is to chuck some semi-slicks on a MTB.

If buying MTB don't go full suspension as you'll never need it at the mo, it weighs a lot and makes the bike "boing boing" along.  MTB's are a good choice as they generally have easier gears than road bikes. Easier to pedal that is.

If you walk into a bike shop and some 16 yeard old trys to sell you a mountain bike straight away walk out. You know a good bike shop when the assistant asks what you are going to use the bike for.

Make sure your bike fits you. The better indy bike shops will fit you to the bike if you ask. The guy at Capitalcycles is a magician.

Test drive the bike you are thinking about buying and look at other brands in that price range. Don't just buy the first bike you see.

 Do online research for reviews.

Also post here. Myself and HN and others, know a bit about bikes.

Cheers for the feedback guys; have been keeping an eye on T-me and the prices for the most part seem pretty optimistic... budget is limited (under $500 all up, preferably a little less) and I'm not gonna ride around Taupo any time soon... just keen for SWMBO and i to get of our arses a bit over summer, and also for me it will be good exercise after the rest of my whukt lung is removed - which'll hopefully be soon :-)

Is that.......um..........taking a shit?

Back problem - check

Knee issues - check

Groin strains - check (I do strain my buttocks too, but only last a few minutes each day)

Wrist/hand pain - *embarrased* check

I never knew that I've been a cyclist all these years (although the last pain area might not be cycling related).

Now I know your budget I'll have a look on TM too. How tall are you?

Think that is about what we paid for Junior News Giant Boulder.  Not quite the base model (It has discs) although that was from Vics who no longer exist.  Cycle Science had something decent in that price range when we looked there.

Got Junior a road bike (a loaner) last weekend.  Not sure the weather will let him (us) get out on it this weekend.  He's doing a 13k cycle leg of a triathlon on it next Thursday.

Brilliant. I wonder if the cyclist showed the police officer his copy of the Cyclist's Road Code Written By Cyclists. 

I just replaced my MTB forks for rigid Surly's from Wiggle in the UK. Cost me $120 (I was quoted $200 to get them done in a bikeshop). The difference is amazing for a commuter - much better steering and I zip uphill slow (rather than very slow) now.

Learned about about the inner workings of aheadsets by doing the fork work mysellf was an extra benefit. Coupled with some 1.75 slicks (not too narrow for traffic/kerb jumping) I'm really liking the road commute while my normal track commute is out of action. 

 

Cool stuff. I'm not a major bike mechanic as I get easily frustrated. How difficult was replacing the forks? I'm planning on turning one of the MTB's into a rough weather commuter with a similar set up to yours.

 

I have been working on my brakes on the Surly though as the last time I took it in, (a while ago the brakes have never been great), I don't think Peter did the work on it at Pak n Pedal and they are a mess, to be fair they need new pads too.(Peter is a great bike wrencher and would have sorted them)

 

It's a centre pull cantilver set up but I almost hit a taxi coming off the off ramp in recent wet weather as although the brakes feel solid they have no stopping power or "Mechanical Advantage" as the late great Sheldon Brown called it.  

I'm going to work big time on it on my days off.

http://sheldonbrown.com/

http://www.theguardian.com/andrex-green-living/competition/win-a-bamboo-bike-worth-over-1000?INTCMP=mic_2850

Panda bait?

 

Cool stuff. I'm not a major bike mechanic as I get easily frustrated. How difficult was replacing the forks? I'm planning on turning one of the MTB's into a rough weather commuter with a similar set up to yours.

 

As it happens, replacing the forks was initially a nightmare, as they had totally siezed, and despite some pretty big whacks with a hammer nothing shifted. After 48 hours and lots of lubricant and swearing (sound dodgy?), I gave up and took it into Mud Cycles. Equally bemused at the forks complete inability to move, the hacksaw was eventually brandished to great effect. I took it home, and installing the new the forks is pretty easy as there are tons of great Youtube 'how to' vids. 

Neither actually.