FastFreddy2 Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 I'm trying to get back into cycling. Bought a bike I wasn't scared to use (not too expensive) only to find my riding shorts were so old they (almost literally) fell apart. The trauma of replacing them -thank you Halfords for resolving my embarrassment- meant a substantial delay in getting some use out of the bike. That hurdle passed, I started to get some miles in. Bursting with (over) confidence, I decided to go up a particularly muddy hill, only to find I didn't have enough momentum to beat the sucking ability of the wet mud. Deciding the top of the initial mound was further than me and my thin wheels could get past, I managed to turn the bike, but not far enough before gravity and terra firma reclaimed contact with my feet. I had to jump over the handlebars, to avoid the somersault alternative. Fortunately, there were no witnesses to the incident. Once recovered, the gears didn't want to work at first, but by the time I got home they had righted themselves. Not so the front disc. Don't know how I managed it, but the disc got clonked, and hindsight suggests the bend wasn't anywhere it could be straightened. More delay, while I acquired a third disc. Then more delay while I sourced some suitable threadlock. An item most places used to keep, not so in these throw-away days.... Anyway, I have both now. Preparing to install the replacement disc, I find the spokes on my otherwise new wheels, are rusty. How the heck this is possible I struggle to understand. These are obviously budget wheels supplied with the bike, but going rusty before seeing any wet weather? A like-for-like pair of replacement wheels with stainless spokes will set me back £150, so I've sent out an email enquiry about having mine upgraded to rustless spokes. The weather is getting nasty, meaning wet (and worse), windy. It's also getting dark fairly early, and we are some 2½ months away from that improving. If I don't get out and get into the 'habit' of cycling soon, I'm going to miss another year. And I'm not getting any younger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinx Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I started running/jogging 5 to 6 weeks ago, did it for 3 weeks and then my right knee started hurt so bad I had to quit. I will try again after knee is OK again, and if it starts to hurt again I will check with my doctor what is the issue. I'm looking for another outdoor activity that could be better for my knees, cross country skiing might be good alternative for the winter time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted October 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I'm looking for another outdoor activity that could be better for my knees, cross country skiing might be good alternative for the winter time. Joint stress can be a sign of muscle weakness (you are not fit enough yet ~ too much too soon) or long term wear, indicating your knee is never going to like 'impact' style exercise. Cycling might be just the thing, if it weren't for the snow and ice. I've often fancied cross country skiing but don't know why. I've never skied in my life! Maybe I've watched too many films with glamorous women wearing ski's? Most famously one with the line from Elke Sommer; "Do you want to marry me, or bother me?" Reply from the leading man; "Both, in that order!" (It's the final scene from a film I can't place. ) Isn't broken leg(s) or ankle(s) almost mandatory with skiing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinx Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Joint stress can be a sign of muscle weakness (you are not fit enough yet ~ too much too soon) or long term wear, indicating your knee is never going to like 'impact' style exercise. Cycling might be just the thing, if it weren't for the snow and ice. Yes, that is what doctor said when he examined my knee, it could be that impact style of sports is just not for me. I still need to wait couple of weeks to try again, if it was just starter pain or something more which involves doctors etc. "the athlete does not see healthy days" Isn't broken leg(s) or ankle(s) almost mandatory with skiing? I don't know for cross country skiing, it is actually quite safe sports. If you have had for example knee injury, cross country skiing is usually one of the rare sports you can still perform to exercise your knee and leg muscles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted October 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I don't know for cross country skiing, it is actually quite safe sports. Only if the bears and the wolves don't get you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted November 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2013 10 days ago I took my bike wheels with rusty spokes to a specialist to have them all replaced with black stainless spokes. A mix up with pricing (by specialist) means I'm getting re-spoked wheels at a stunningly cheap price. Sort of. He doesn't like the hubs I supplied (though used for less than 100 miles) so I've sprung for new hubs at £35. The bargain wheels are not so bargain priced now, but will still be cheaper than other hand built wheels. The price will be about the same as a new machine built wheel, but handbuilt ones are generally considered to be stronger. I hope to get them back on Saturday. Getting a bit fed up seeing my bike sitting on the saddle and bars, looking like a dead bug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted December 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Collected the repaired/renovated/upgraded wheels. The rear one has a problem, and I eventually posted it back to the fella who did the work, trying to save myself another 110 mile round trip via car. He says there's nothing wrong with it, but ...... Listen especially between 9 and 12 seconds. Forget the clack of the pawls. Look at the vibration, and listen for background clonk on every revolution. Mrs Freddy can hear it (in the flesh). The wheel builder can't...... I have to visit after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heels Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 I like my music. Mainly Ska and Raggae Have done the odd scooter rally. I did have a scooter but sold it. Spent more time fixing it then riding it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRAZY KEV Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 get a scooter..or anything with 2 wheels and a engine. nothing like a bit of wind in the face. i'm currently restoring a 1983 Honda C70 Cub. They are fetching really good prices on ebay much like Vespa's and bretta's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shyguy Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 I have a 1976 Kawasaki as one of my other hobbies, summer riding only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted February 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 i'm currently restoring a 1983 Honda C70 Cub. I have a 1976 Kawasaki as one of my other hobbies, summer riding only. Just today, myself and Mrs Freddy were overtaken while driving along a dual carriageway by a motorcyclist. Hadn't rained for 30 hours and the Sun was out, road was dry and it was warm, so nothing unusual about the motorcyclist then? Well, the wide bars and low slung exhaust pipes alluded to a 70's style..... By way of giving my jaws some exercise I mentioned the bike. I said it was in extraordinary condition given its potential age, unless it was one of the 'retro' styles launched 8-10 years ago (with a target market being the likes of you two. ). I also said I'd read a review that ran something like; "frame that won't rust when you turn your back, chrome that won't peel at the first drop of rain, and brakes that work....." I wish you both luck. If we ever go back to getting less than 300 wet days a year, I might buy a 250R Ninja for personal commutes into London. Otherwise, it's 4 enclosed wheels for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Dunno it could be classed as a hobby, but I'm being pushed into finding out about CCTV for a friend. He has a retail outlet I installed a supplied system inside, but he's not happy with the image quality he is getting. [No surprises there really, as you won't get £800 image quality from a £200 system.] I thought I had it worked out with a proposal for a 1080p system at £500-£600. Tonights research brought me to IP cameras, with price tags for cameras starting at £80 (with probably questionable image quality) to more realistic prices from £400 to £2000 for one camera. I don't think the IP camera setup is going to fly, as the cost is a serious budget blower. Word to the wise though ..... If you are looking to install a CCTV system with images good enough to subsequently recognise intruders, expect to spend £500-£1000. Personal experience suggests 700 TVL quality cameras are okay for watching bods walking around, but facial recognition is unlikely. If any readers know differently, PLEASE speak up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Priced up a Kawasaki 300 Ninja ("300" = 2014 model maybe) the other day. Ex-demo (pre-registered for 2013?). Delivery mileage at £4,000. That's quite a discount over the usual £4700-£5300 prices I've seen for straight out the showroom bikes. If only I had time ...... (And a death wish. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shyguy Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 You don't die seven times every time you get on a motorbike, honest. I've not died at all and I've ridden several times. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastFreddy2 Posted March 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 You don't die seven times every time you get on a motorbike, honest. I've not died at all and I've ridden several times. :smile: I've probably mentioned this before but ...... It's not always the being killed that might upset the bike rider. Death after all, provides little room for thoughts on hindsight. (ie. "I wish I hadn't done that move....") While in hospital nursing a double bone fracture that had serious consequences if it was repaired badly, I spent some time with a fella who had a low speed motorbike accident he swore couldn't have been at a speed greater than 8 to 10 mph. Seems he was turning right at a junction, and his bike stalled. The bike went over, and he went over the bike, impaling his torso on the upturned bars. Outcome? He will live, but will always carry two bags with him for his waste products. While the accident was low speed, it would seem the handlebars did for his bladder and his bowel. The thing that really put me off a £4,000 bike, wasn't the price of the bike. If it needed to, that bike would return £3,500 with the sort of miles I might put on it. No, it was the head to toe leather with lumbar/neck/kidney protection, boots, gloves and helmet. Plus the wet weather outfit to cover the leathers. Another £1,500+ almost none of which I would get back if I had a change of mind. I've sold good good cars for less! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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