Any cycle commuters...?
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Coming up for a year on September 11th...with only 3 days missed in Jnauary because of the gales ... 20 miles every day Mon- Fri
Been a magic year and wish I'd done it 20 years ago when I started working....
Hope you are well Imlach and good to hear from you...not heard from you on here for ages, Saxo Boy was saying the same recently.
Cheers
You've put in a good shift there SiPie with that. I think once you're conditioned into the commute, it makes it far easier to "just do it". Do it on & off, and it's too easy to jump in the car.
It does become like a drug. Miss a day, and it riles. With LCDs these days, also can't do the old trick of drying your lycra out over the back of the 21" CRT monitors (not that I ever did I may add, but colleagues did - not quite Arran Aromatics, more Ar$ehole Aromatics).
As for my SN usage, do pop in the odd time, but haven't really contributed in any capacity for a while. I'm sure I'm not missed, although I obviously miss the goading of Saxo & his boaby, but it seems I have to pay now to search threads, so can't get to the interesting matter quickly.
Will keep monitoring this thread for any repartee & 'burgh banter.
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If that's the route I think it is, doesn't it have a section where there is a cycle lane, but every so often there is a traffic island placed deliberately to force the cars into the cycle lane (they even make the edge of the cycle lane into a dashed line around these things). In theory this is to slow them down as they should give way to the bikes but in practice I suspect it just means cyclists getting knocked off their bikes from time to time.
Sorry if I'm completely wrong, I'm fairly sure I do that route towards the end of my trips to Edinburgh after a nice fun blat up the A701
Sorry if I'm completely wrong, I'm fairly sure I do that route towards the end of my trips to Edinburgh after a nice fun blat up the A701
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It does become like a drug. Miss a day, and it riles.
With LCDs these days, also can't do the old trick of drying your lycra out over the back of the 21" CRT monitors (not that I ever did I may add, but colleagues did - not quite Arran Aromatics, more Ar$ehole Aromatics).
Good to hear all is well anyway Imlach
If that's the route I think it is, doesn't it have a section where there is a cycle lane, but every so often there is a traffic island placed deliberately to force the cars into the cycle lane (they even make the edge of the cycle lane into a dashed line around these things).
There are a few central reservations that can push cars into the cycle lanes but the cycle lanes are marked red at most of these points and there are yellow signs telling motorists NOT to enter these areas. Most do pay attention.
On the whole, most of the drivers in the area (outside the city centre) are really considerate to cyclists. It's important to keep positive and to try and focus on the 99.5% who do give you a wide birth and don't try to kill you. It's too easy to get wound up by the 0.05% brigade who are just plain dicks
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From: Edinburgh (ish)
I used to do the back roads of Currie & Kirknewton when younger, but not tried them for ages. I notice there is a "recognised" cycle route from Edinburgh to Livi now - think it probably goes (or is route I'd take) through Heriot Watt, along to Kirknewton on the back road, over the level crossing coming out of Kirknewton, across the A71, down into West Calder (?) and then onto some kind of cycle path into just north of yon large shopping centre/pregnant chav meeting area in Livi.
Could go direct on A71, and it does have the white line for the demarcation of cyclists/traffic, but just too vulnerable for me these days (or the same in reverse).
I used to be of the mindset of riding on major trunk roads, but as one gets older, one backs off. I'm all for separate cycle lanes set a few meters off the main road now on these routes.....if only
Do miss these summer mornings with the warm morning sunshine, the spring/autumnal mornings with the nip in the air, albeit quite refreshing. The winter mornings are harder, but worth it for the crispness & beauty of a winter sunrise. Then there's the relaxing summer evening ride home, smelling the BBQs as you ride home......and the autumn rides home for that bonfiry type aroma. Winter rides home are the hardest.......dark, and often miserable, but there's always that hot shower to look forward to.
My only fix right now is the odd jaunt up the Pentlands in the summery evenings for some peace & tranquility away from the hectic city & tourists.
Could go direct on A71, and it does have the white line for the demarcation of cyclists/traffic, but just too vulnerable for me these days (or the same in reverse).
I used to be of the mindset of riding on major trunk roads, but as one gets older, one backs off. I'm all for separate cycle lanes set a few meters off the main road now on these routes.....if only
Do miss these summer mornings with the warm morning sunshine, the spring/autumnal mornings with the nip in the air, albeit quite refreshing. The winter mornings are harder, but worth it for the crispness & beauty of a winter sunrise. Then there's the relaxing summer evening ride home, smelling the BBQs as you ride home......and the autumn rides home for that bonfiry type aroma. Winter rides home are the hardest.......dark, and often miserable, but there's always that hot shower to look forward to.
My only fix right now is the odd jaunt up the Pentlands in the summery evenings for some peace & tranquility away from the hectic city & tourists.
Have a couple of pals (hello Stev & Roj) that, along with me, do mountain bike trips over to Glencorse and Loganlea Reservoirs, up Beech Avenue and then up Maiden's Cleuch. My fave trip on a summer's day is that from Balerno to Ninemileburn and back. Happy days.
regards,
Andy Mc
PS imlach and SiPie, where are you based ? (SiPie - Penicuik ?)
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PS imlach and SiPie, where are you based ? (SiPie - Penicuik ?)
Normally up the Pentlands most Saturday mornings, if I'm short for time, although it's Glentress tomorrow
Happy to meet you up there any time you may be kicking about
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i cycle approx 9 miles each way from hamilton to tollcross ,glasgow.some steep hills on way home.i ride an electric bike called a giant lafree.cost £1000.i like gadgets.this bike has hub brakes and dynamo.it has a NIMH BATTERY which is neatly stored in the frame.on a level road is capable of 20 miles at 15mph.going uphill against a headwind is like pedaling on the flat.gets me to work without sweating therefore i dont need a shower.great invention although expensive.no longer made.considered to be the best ever electric assisted bicycle.recently upgraded to swalbe marathon tyres as someone else suggested.i love the idea of paying the government **** all in taxes ,fuel etc.although i still have a suzuki drz 400 super moto and a daihatsu charade gtti when the weather is bad.
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Have a couple of pals (hello Stev & Roj) that, along with me, do mountain bike trips over to Glencorse and Loganlea Reservoirs, up Beech Avenue and then up Maiden's Cleuch. My fave trip on a summer's day is that from Balerno to Ninemileburn and back. Happy days.
regards,
Andy Mc
PS imlach and SiPie, where are you based ? (SiPie - Penicuik ?)
regards,
Andy Mc
PS imlach and SiPie, where are you based ? (SiPie - Penicuik ?)
I'm based in south west Edinburgh.
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Ah...the lang **** - yes, love that road (A70 from Edinburgh to Carnwath). So good with a westerly wind to cruise back into Edinburgh through Balerno & Currie. A good road route is Edinburgh -> West Linton -> Carlops (I think) -> Carnwath -> Lang **** -> Edinburgh. Basically the route does a complete circle of the pentlands (by road).
Yes....the Pentlands is my backyard, so know all the routes. Nice from Balerno to Glencorse cos seems very quick - only because you're going DIRECT over the hill rather than around on the roads.
I'm based in south west Edinburgh.
Yes....the Pentlands is my backyard, so know all the routes. Nice from Balerno to Glencorse cos seems very quick - only because you're going DIRECT over the hill rather than around on the roads.
I'm based in south west Edinburgh.
My typical road bike route is 26 miles, the furthest I've done without stopping is 38 miles. Mountain bike runs are usu 10 to 15 miles, although it makes more sense to compare time on the bike than distance when one involves steep hills, rough ground etc. Generally I go as hard and fast as my 13st 9lB, 6'2" frame will let me !
Andy Mc
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From: Edinburgh (ish)
Andy
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I've only been to Glentress a few times, not that I don't like it ! I'm not the most skilled of mountain bikers (didn't ride much as a kid !), but the main problem is having a crap rack that seems to slide down against the low level spoiler on my Scoob - how do you get round this ?
Andy
Andy
Used to do Ed->Peebles->Ed quite often - only 17 miles each way. Yeah, make it a long day, but you'll feel the burn & feel better
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That sounds like a route for somebody more energetic than me.
My typical road bike route is 26 miles, the furthest I've done without stopping is 38 miles. Mountain bike runs are usu 10 to 15 miles, although it makes more sense to compare time on the bike than distance when one involves steep hills, rough ground etc. Generally I go as hard and fast as my 13st 9lB, 6'2" frame will let me !
Andy Mc
My typical road bike route is 26 miles, the furthest I've done without stopping is 38 miles. Mountain bike runs are usu 10 to 15 miles, although it makes more sense to compare time on the bike than distance when one involves steep hills, rough ground etc. Generally I go as hard and fast as my 13st 9lB, 6'2" frame will let me !
Andy Mc
My benchmark for an evening run was always 30 miles. Nights like tonight are perfect, but alas no time
How about we all do Glasgow -> Edinburgh challenge in Sept.
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You'd be able to step up that distance no probs if you ever wanted to - my problem, perhaps same as yours I dunno, is finding the time to do long runs these days with kids etc. Wasn't a problem when younger, as could easily spend 7 hours in the saddle on a Sat/Sun.
My benchmark for an evening run was always 30 miles. Nights like tonight are perfect, but alas no time
How about we all do Glasgow -> Edinburgh challenge in Sept.
My benchmark for an evening run was always 30 miles. Nights like tonight are perfect, but alas no time
How about we all do Glasgow -> Edinburgh challenge in Sept.
Did Glasgow to Edinburgh for Guide Dogs for the Blind 2 months ago or so. Had a had a George Michael **** by the end of it ! (and yes, I only like lasses !)
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Subevo, what route do you take from Hamilton to the east end? Down Bothwell Road and through Uddingston?
I work in Easterhouse and was trying to think of the best route to get there from Hamilton.
Imlach, is there a cycle route that runs from Glasgow straight through to Edinburgh? Would right fancy that if there was.
I work in Easterhouse and was trying to think of the best route to get there from Hamilton.
Imlach, is there a cycle route that runs from Glasgow straight through to Edinburgh? Would right fancy that if there was.
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From: Edinburgh (ish)
Subevo, what route do you take from Hamilton to the east end? Down Bothwell Road and through Uddingston?
I work in Easterhouse and was trying to think of the best route to get there from Hamilton.
Imlach, is there a cycle route that runs from Glasgow straight through to Edinburgh? Would right fancy that if there was.
I work in Easterhouse and was trying to think of the best route to get there from Hamilton.
Imlach, is there a cycle route that runs from Glasgow straight through to Edinburgh? Would right fancy that if there was.
AndytJ
Used to cycle from st awfull to probus and back twice day,thank **** I passed me drving test now the bike can rotin the shed for eternity
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From: Edinburgh (ish)
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From: Sunny Cheshire Xbox Gamertag: Mog Uk
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How is everyone's commute? Go on, admit it, who's spent > £200 on the latest fancy superbright LED lights
Cateye EL530 And LD1100 Light Set for £47.99 | Cateye Lights - Sets | Cycle | Wiggle
However, did treat myself to these and they are the business for days like today
Specialized Defroster MTB Shoes for £79.99 | Specialized Shoes - Cycle Offroad | Cycle | Wiggle
Tiny bit of water ingress on the really wet days but spot on
Hope all is well with you Imlach
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Commute 2 or 3 times per week from Middleton just South of Gorebridge to the Gyle via Bonnyrigg, Loanhead, Hillend, Wester Hailes etc
17.5 miles each way, achievable in an hour on a decent day, extra 5 - 10 mins for the return journey due to height gain.
Using a road bike (GT ZR1 or Dawes Giro) - For a year-round commute mudguards are essential otherwise you and your bike end up filthy.
I try to avoid too many road-rage incidents - the majority of car drivers are ok, a fair number are impatient but ok and others are in so much of a hurry to get to their very important job cleaning toilets or whatever they do for a living that they cannot wait a few seconds for a safer place to pass you so force their way past. I have increasingly tried to 'own the road' when it is necessary to show the driver behind that I need the space instead of trying to ride close to the kerb and allow them to squeeze past - sometimes works, occasionally not and I have had a fair few exchanges of words with drivers.
17.5 miles each way, achievable in an hour on a decent day, extra 5 - 10 mins for the return journey due to height gain.
Using a road bike (GT ZR1 or Dawes Giro) - For a year-round commute mudguards are essential otherwise you and your bike end up filthy.
I try to avoid too many road-rage incidents - the majority of car drivers are ok, a fair number are impatient but ok and others are in so much of a hurry to get to their very important job cleaning toilets or whatever they do for a living that they cannot wait a few seconds for a safer place to pass you so force their way past. I have increasingly tried to 'own the road' when it is necessary to show the driver behind that I need the space instead of trying to ride close to the kerb and allow them to squeeze past - sometimes works, occasionally not and I have had a fair few exchanges of words with drivers.
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Using a road bike (GT ZR1 or Dawes Giro) - For a year-round commute mudguards are essential otherwise you and your bike end up filthy.
Nearly bought a house in Middleton a few years back.....That's quite a tough commute route you have there Andy
You just need to do it 5 days a week now
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I bought myself some overshoes for my road commute and got a pair of Defrosters too (did also look at the Northwave Celsius) but my best purchase was the Ay Up lights I cannot start to tell you how pleased I am with these. FANTASTIC!
Paul.
Paul.
I cycle to work a few ks there and back all year round in all weathers even in the snow which is a laugh.
It´s great - it really sets you up for the day and wakes you up.
With wind chill it was about -10 yesterday (I am near the alps)
And my back brake froze solid whilst going down hill - shat myself for a second!!!
(It when dampness gets between the cable and the cable protector and then freezes and expands say when going down hill and the temps get colder)
Bike or Subaru the only two ways to get about in my book
It´s great - it really sets you up for the day and wakes you up.
With wind chill it was about -10 yesterday (I am near the alps)
And my back brake froze solid whilst going down hill - shat myself for a second!!!
(It when dampness gets between the cable and the cable protector and then freezes and expands say when going down hill and the temps get colder)
Bike or Subaru the only two ways to get about in my book
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Glad to see the green lobby are still active on here
...you have my admiration at this time of year. Working in Livingston now, and the A71 isn't the nicest cycle friendly road, so I don't I know this sounds incredibly gay (and I'd never have said this in my youth!), but if only they'd build cycle paths set off the road on all major trunk routes.
There, I said it.......
PS Don't frequent SN much no more. I'm sure no-one remembers me anyway Will always pop on for a look around, but I like this thread....so will look at it every so often.....
...you have my admiration at this time of year. Working in Livingston now, and the A71 isn't the nicest cycle friendly road, so I don't
I know this sounds incredibly gay (and I'd never have said this in my youth!), but if only they'd build cycle paths set off the road on all major trunk routes.There, I said it.......
PS Don't frequent SN much no more. I'm sure no-one remembers me anyway
Will always pop on for a look around, but I like this thread....so will look at it every so often.....