I had a pleasureable ride home as I often do. Its dry, slightly cloudy and part of my route is waterside. Water is so calming.
On the street near home I found my flatmate by the roadside, seemingly surprised. Apparently I shone like a motorbike its impossible to see who or what is behind my lights. My good not so old Ay Ups.
I still wish they have an additional setting to flash maybe just 1 light instead of both at the same time. I just feel using the normal flashing lights at sunset is an overkill, I mean it can save me mounting another smaller flashing thing, right? I just dont have any more space on the handlebars. Its also blinding to pedestrians so I usually dont use them on shared paths unless its too dark.
And I also think the lights are so bright no one can see my right hand sticking out to turn right. I even had lumi bands on my wrist once and the car at the roundabout just kept going.
And I am annoyed how the coating got scratched off by the brick wall when my bike fell down.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The girlfriend guide to riding in the rain
Sydney's rain is a smattering compared to what we get in Singapore. While one can go "bah!" at it as a cyclist, it is not fun at all. Today half my ride home was under drizzle.
Wear the right gear
I wasn't too miserable nor cold. I like wearing a scarf under my helmet because it keeps the head warm. I've been using one of those stretchy hippy cotton headbands. They say to get the most expensive waterproof thing you can afford if you intend to commute. I had a shell which managed to keep me from getting drenched but only because it only drizzled. I also wear more than the average person because I hate being cold. I'd rather be hot than cold. A singlet, thermal and a shell. I was also wearing jeans which I think will be awful had it rained heavily. Jeans is just convenient and actually protects you when you fall.
Be seen
On a dark cloudy day riding at sunset I was wearing a grey outer shell. No good. I usually have a luminous water resistant jacket in my bag and gloves. But not today. I think I thought my lumi snap bands were good enough. No. Not when its overcast and late. Also I was too lazy to take my lights out till later which is a poor excuse for stupidity.
I thought the snap bands on my wrist will help drivers see my arm direction when I turn right on a roundabout if I have me Ayup lights on (very bright). They never seem to stop for me. Not even today with my snap bands. So if anything take your time at roundabouts; slow enough to make sure the car has stopped for you.
Go slow
I went slower. Not just because I was afraid of slipping in the wet. Falling off the bike the same afternoon at lunch and having a recent puncture didnt help. I took 15 min longer. I got off the bike whenever there is a sharp corner. I dont care if it looks silly in front of drivers at traffic lights. Being safe is better than being actually silly.
I also held on to my brakes a bit more downhill. And I avoided white lines like plague. There are numerous bicycle markings on the roads and I have always wondered if cyclists have ever slid off them.
When the ground is wet you also get dirty especially if you dont have mud guards. I also have to remember to stop smiling/grimacing with my mouth open because water splashes at the face from the tyres. So besides my dirty jeans and jacket I also have to wash my back pack.
All throughout my journey I felt uncomfortable because of the wet ground. It is not a good feeling to have and i remember distinctly telling myself next time its wet like this I will take the train home. And I will hold on the car still.
Wear the right gear
I wasn't too miserable nor cold. I like wearing a scarf under my helmet because it keeps the head warm. I've been using one of those stretchy hippy cotton headbands. They say to get the most expensive waterproof thing you can afford if you intend to commute. I had a shell which managed to keep me from getting drenched but only because it only drizzled. I also wear more than the average person because I hate being cold. I'd rather be hot than cold. A singlet, thermal and a shell. I was also wearing jeans which I think will be awful had it rained heavily. Jeans is just convenient and actually protects you when you fall.
Be seen
On a dark cloudy day riding at sunset I was wearing a grey outer shell. No good. I usually have a luminous water resistant jacket in my bag and gloves. But not today. I think I thought my lumi snap bands were good enough. No. Not when its overcast and late. Also I was too lazy to take my lights out till later which is a poor excuse for stupidity.
I thought the snap bands on my wrist will help drivers see my arm direction when I turn right on a roundabout if I have me Ayup lights on (very bright). They never seem to stop for me. Not even today with my snap bands. So if anything take your time at roundabouts; slow enough to make sure the car has stopped for you.
Go slow
I went slower. Not just because I was afraid of slipping in the wet. Falling off the bike the same afternoon at lunch and having a recent puncture didnt help. I took 15 min longer. I got off the bike whenever there is a sharp corner. I dont care if it looks silly in front of drivers at traffic lights. Being safe is better than being actually silly.
I also held on to my brakes a bit more downhill. And I avoided white lines like plague. There are numerous bicycle markings on the roads and I have always wondered if cyclists have ever slid off them.
When the ground is wet you also get dirty especially if you dont have mud guards. I also have to remember to stop smiling/grimacing with my mouth open because water splashes at the face from the tyres. So besides my dirty jeans and jacket I also have to wash my back pack.
All throughout my journey I felt uncomfortable because of the wet ground. It is not a good feeling to have and i remember distinctly telling myself next time its wet like this I will take the train home. And I will hold on the car still.
Friday, July 9, 2010
How to fix a puncture badly
The first puncture with every bike is always the hardest. Never mind that I have actually gone on a ladies course to fix your own.
Today I got a flat within 2 km of leaving the office at 430 pm when it was growing dark, it was drizzling and I was on a stretch with no lights.
1. Choose a bad spot
I decided to have a go. I stopped on a flat surface next to the path, unfortunately it was flat because it was a manhole. While I didnt drop anything into the grating I suggest not to do delicate operation near things like that because if a nut or other useful items fall in you're screwed.
I was 20 m from a lamp post. Did I make my way there the first time? No. I did that half way when it started getting quite dark and I didnt understand that my back wheels were not moving because I didnt fix it on tightly.
2. Try to take shortcuts
Once, on my previous bike I fixed a puncture without taking the entire tube out. Somehow I managed to patch the tube just by wedging it out from under the tyre. The tires were probably a little more seasoned from previous punctures fixing attempts or maybe it was just fatter.
I tried to do the same on this slightly skinnier wheels. No go. Didnt budge. But once I got into the mindset of removing the entire tyre out of the wheel, the tyres miraculously came out.
3. Use a bit of force
I struggled trying to get the tyres out at first. The snapping sounds of the lever was rather alarming, but thats how you do it. Levers always come in sets of 3s and I only had 2 because it came in a nifty set with patches. I cant really see how 3 would do any better but maybe it might've.
4. Do an exercise at home at least once with a new bike
So finally I took the tyre and tube out, fit the new tubes in and started pumping the tubes up with the hand pump.
Lulu's wheels uses presta valves as opposed to the other type I can remember the name. I have never changed presta valves and forgot to take the nut out before fitting the tube under the tyre and wondered why I couldnt pump up the tube.
By this time it was unseeingly dusk. I decided to call for help.
While waiting for help I managed to wedge out the valve to remove the nut.
Then I put the wheel back on. This is the back wheel and a but tricky because you have to fit the chain back in. When I went for the course they showed you how to do this without even touching the chain. I dont know how that was possible because I slid the wheel in and then found the chains were all wrong.
TAKE 2. And of course all that while I didnt loosen the brakes.
Back home I had a closer look at my workmanship. A piece of the tyre was still wedged outside the wheel frame but otherwise OK. It had stayed pumped up the duration of the car trip home at least.
So there. how to fix a puncture. poorly.
Today I got a flat within 2 km of leaving the office at 430 pm when it was growing dark, it was drizzling and I was on a stretch with no lights.
1. Choose a bad spot
I decided to have a go. I stopped on a flat surface next to the path, unfortunately it was flat because it was a manhole. While I didnt drop anything into the grating I suggest not to do delicate operation near things like that because if a nut or other useful items fall in you're screwed.
I was 20 m from a lamp post. Did I make my way there the first time? No. I did that half way when it started getting quite dark and I didnt understand that my back wheels were not moving because I didnt fix it on tightly.
2. Try to take shortcuts
Once, on my previous bike I fixed a puncture without taking the entire tube out. Somehow I managed to patch the tube just by wedging it out from under the tyre. The tires were probably a little more seasoned from previous punctures fixing attempts or maybe it was just fatter.
I tried to do the same on this slightly skinnier wheels. No go. Didnt budge. But once I got into the mindset of removing the entire tyre out of the wheel, the tyres miraculously came out.
3. Use a bit of force
I struggled trying to get the tyres out at first. The snapping sounds of the lever was rather alarming, but thats how you do it. Levers always come in sets of 3s and I only had 2 because it came in a nifty set with patches. I cant really see how 3 would do any better but maybe it might've.
4. Do an exercise at home at least once with a new bike
So finally I took the tyre and tube out, fit the new tubes in and started pumping the tubes up with the hand pump.
Lulu's wheels uses presta valves as opposed to the other type I can remember the name. I have never changed presta valves and forgot to take the nut out before fitting the tube under the tyre and wondered why I couldnt pump up the tube.
By this time it was unseeingly dusk. I decided to call for help.
While waiting for help I managed to wedge out the valve to remove the nut.
Then I put the wheel back on. This is the back wheel and a but tricky because you have to fit the chain back in. When I went for the course they showed you how to do this without even touching the chain. I dont know how that was possible because I slid the wheel in and then found the chains were all wrong.
TAKE 2. And of course all that while I didnt loosen the brakes.
Back home I had a closer look at my workmanship. A piece of the tyre was still wedged outside the wheel frame but otherwise OK. It had stayed pumped up the duration of the car trip home at least.
So there. how to fix a puncture. poorly.
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