The Pianoman 1,531 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 OK, I am no longer delivering parcels but I was spending £50+ per week on petrol. It is now over 6 weeks since I last went to a petrol station. On top of that I have seen things I wouldn't have otherwise seen and been in areas that I wouldn't otherwise have been. Don't regret buying another bike for one minute. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 When I used to ride a bike around the local lanes it was quiet and peaceful. Now that cycling has become over popularised there's someone dressed up like a trapeze artist around every corner. I refuse to wear silly clothes just to ride a bike. I've still got a pair of cycle clips, quite a rarity! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,094 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 Pianoman, you could always get yourself a butcher/Baker carrier bike with a big basket in the front. Then you could still deliver parcels, but in a more localised area. It could be very exclusive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 9 minutes ago, philmayfield said: When I used to ride a bike around the local lanes it was quiet and peaceful. Now that cycling has become over popularised there's someone dressed up like a trapeze artist around every corner. I refuse to wear silly clothes just to ride a bike. I've still got a pair of cycle clips, quite a rarity! The other cyclists I see on my way to Long Eaton and back on the Erewash Valley Trail between Trowell and the Awsworth bypass are obviously using a bike as a means to get from A to B. (As I am). They are usually 'older' cyclists too. Those dressed up as trapeze artists seem to me to be people going on bike rides for the sake of going on bike rides. They only seem to come out at evenings and weekends. Cycle clips can still be bought in Decathlon. Flourescent lime green things they are Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 I warm to the A to B cyclists. Those in fancy dress never look like they're enjoying themselves! Unfortunately I've got to go to Ikea this week. I'll take a look in Decathlon. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,094 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 At the weekends we get lots of trapeze artistes flying round our roads and lanes. They're all on these time trial races and spread right across the road, 2, 3, 4 and once 5 abreast. Now these new rules have emerged from the highway code, you've no bloody chance of getting by them. If you try, and give a warning toot, you just get lots of verbal. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 They're around here every weekday. Don't people go to work anymore? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MRS B 490 Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 Nothing would inspire me to get a bike again. My balance isn’t good enough, although did have a shopper bike when the kids were in their teens just to pretend I knew how to ride it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,535 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2022 Often seen around our local lanes, a friendly bunch and always ride single file if a car comes behind them, at the other end of the scale we get a lot of lycra louts who refuse point blank to move out of the way of motorists and it's those that give the leisure cyclists a bad name and in a lot of cases put off (new or returning to cycling) people Rog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,893 Posted August 9, 2022 Report Share Posted August 9, 2022 Yes PP there are a lot of inconsiderate cyclists. Here there are many cycling events and as usual there is the odd few that absolutely refuse to go in single file. On some of out narrowest and hilly roads they either get in line or they go in the ditches or send the car rolling down the hill. I think the course here is challanging for them and think while i'm struggling the motorist must get out of the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 9, 2022 Report Share Posted August 9, 2022 Years ago there was an old chap in the village who rode a trike with enormous wheels. He was know as ‘Pedaler Palmer’. He would cycle up to the railway station where the guard would help him lift it onto the train when he went to do his shopping in Newark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,268 Posted August 9, 2022 Report Share Posted August 9, 2022 I used the Elephant Bike to ride up to the club meeting last night. Offered some members a lift home in the front basket but no takers... Cycle clips not needed with chain guard. Straw hat quite safe at my pedestrian speed I get the impression that no one on here likes the more serious cyclist - I've a good mind to don my trapeze artist gear and to visit the Nottingham lanes on my Look carbon road bike just to annoy you all At least the lycra fits - not bad for an octogenarian... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 9, 2022 Report Share Posted August 9, 2022 Do you have to grease yourself to get it on? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,094 Posted August 9, 2022 Report Share Posted August 9, 2022 Wots an Elephant bike PP? I'm afraid I've never heard of them. But then, down here in the sticks, they still ride wooden 'boneshakers '. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,268 Posted August 10, 2022 Report Share Posted August 10, 2022 Bekay - An Elephant bike is a redundant GPO bike that has been refurbished by a charity that sends bikes to Malowi. They are painted sky blue, have a front and rear carrier, 3 speed hub gears and hub brakes. Absolutely bomb proof but heavy. I'll be using it on Sunday for the local fishing match on the canal. 22 hours ago, philmayfield said: Do you have to grease yourself to get it on? No Phil - just seconds to slip the lycra on - very time consuming posing in front of the full length mirror though 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,094 Posted August 10, 2022 Report Share Posted August 10, 2022 Thanks for the explanation Terry. Now I understand. Remember seeing delivery boys in uniform pedalling furiously on them. We have a postman in Lewes who still rides one. Though all posties now wear shorts, regardless of weather or temperature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MRS B 490 Posted August 10, 2022 Report Share Posted August 10, 2022 Apparently there’s a competition between posties as to who wears shorts for the most time. Who would have known it eh? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mary1947 2,071 Posted August 11, 2022 Report Share Posted August 11, 2022 My son and his three friends decided (as one of his freinds mum was a nurse in Haywood House) to do a bike ride for cancer reserch, from Lands End, to John o' grots? (not sure of spelling) when enquiring cost (as some parts they had to travel by rail or the bikes had to go by train) The only train line who offered them free travel when needed was ""Virgin"" I take my hat off to you Mr Branson. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,535 Posted September 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 A couple of classics here, My 1934 Humber ladies sports cycle with child seat and basket and a Humber Imperial motor car from 1965 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,267 Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 When I was a child, my paternal grandparents lived in Humber Road, Beeston (the house was demolished many years ago). It was quite close to the Humber factory, part of which I believe still stands. It has some rather decorative wall plaques on its facade. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
siddha 822 Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 Love the bicycle Plantfit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,535 Posted September 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 Thanks Siddha,here's another of my vintage cycles, 1937 Hercules model T gents three speed with front and rear Sturmey Archer drum brakes 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 Those Humbers were often used by Prime Ministers and 2nd Division royalty as an alternative to big Rovers and Jaguars. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,535 Posted September 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2022 My vintage cycle display in front of a vintage bakers van at last weeks Lineside vintage weekend Swineshead near Boston Lincs Rog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,535 Posted October 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 Last year I thought I would have a ride out on new years eve giving an airing to my vintage bikes around the local lanes, last rides of the year, different bikes different areas 1934 Ladies Humber sports cycle at the side of a wooden sculpture on the local cycle/foot path 1937 Gents Hercules model T with drum brakes the other end of the village 1968 Ladies Swift town bike near the village vicarage Rog 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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