Cycling
Cycling keeps me fit, sane and very happy!
I loved cycling when I was young. I rode to school every day, and also to Sea Scouts at the weekend. However, it was only a few years back when I rediscovered the joys of being in the saddle. I had gone for a medical check-up. The doctor said that I was OK generally, but about 3 Stone over-weight. My dear Dad and Kim bought me a mountain bike (Spartacus) for my birthday, and there has been no stopping me since then.....
The pictures above show the crest of a long uphill section of the 'Wiltshire Wildcat' in March 2016 (left), and the finish of the Tour of Pembrokeshire (right) with Guy and Rod in April 2016.
I'm very fortunate to be a man of several bicycles. Each has its own purpose, character and name:
'TFW' (The Flying Welshman) is my trusty workhorse, that I use for commuting. TFW is a Specialized Crosstrail Disc, set up with mudguards and a rack. It's a good all-rounder. Perhaps a little on the heavy side, and it could be argued that I don't need suspension for the ride to work, but TFW is robust, reliable and very versatile.
'Ulysses' is my tourer, and probably my favourite. Ulysses is a Revolution Country Traveller. A good steel mid-range touring bike from Edinburgh Cycles. I've done many miles on Ulysses, and thoroughly enjoy the comfortable and relaxed riding position. I've added a lovely Brooks leather saddle and Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tyres, and am now well set up for the long cycle camping trips that I so enjoy with Guy and Rod.
'Spartacus' is my off-road warrior. A Specialized Hardrock disc, that's several years old now, and has seen some reasonable action, and given much pleasure in long remote rides in the wilds.
'Bernoulli' is my road bike. Light, flighty, and the most fragile of them all. Bernoulli is a Cannondale Synapse, from near the bottom of that range, but still the most racy bike that I've ever owned.
'Origami' is my old Falcon fold-up. Now a veteran, in need of some serious TLC, I used Origami for 'train and bike' commuting for a number of years.
I must also mention dear old 'Rocket' (Stephens' Rocket....). Rocket was my first investment in a more sporty bike. A Claud Butler Chinook hybrid. Rocket served me well over many years, and we racked up a total of 3589 miles together. For 3 years, I kept Rocket chained up at Southampton station, and we rode from there to work together several times a week. In April 2017, I was dismayed to discover that some miserable individual had stolen my lovely Rocket. I therefore have to post Rocket as 'missing in action'......
I loved cycling when I was young. I rode to school every day, and also to Sea Scouts at the weekend. However, it was only a few years back when I rediscovered the joys of being in the saddle. I had gone for a medical check-up. The doctor said that I was OK generally, but about 3 Stone over-weight. My dear Dad and Kim bought me a mountain bike (Spartacus) for my birthday, and there has been no stopping me since then.....
The pictures above show the crest of a long uphill section of the 'Wiltshire Wildcat' in March 2016 (left), and the finish of the Tour of Pembrokeshire (right) with Guy and Rod in April 2016.
I'm very fortunate to be a man of several bicycles. Each has its own purpose, character and name:
'TFW' (The Flying Welshman) is my trusty workhorse, that I use for commuting. TFW is a Specialized Crosstrail Disc, set up with mudguards and a rack. It's a good all-rounder. Perhaps a little on the heavy side, and it could be argued that I don't need suspension for the ride to work, but TFW is robust, reliable and very versatile.
'Ulysses' is my tourer, and probably my favourite. Ulysses is a Revolution Country Traveller. A good steel mid-range touring bike from Edinburgh Cycles. I've done many miles on Ulysses, and thoroughly enjoy the comfortable and relaxed riding position. I've added a lovely Brooks leather saddle and Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tyres, and am now well set up for the long cycle camping trips that I so enjoy with Guy and Rod.
'Spartacus' is my off-road warrior. A Specialized Hardrock disc, that's several years old now, and has seen some reasonable action, and given much pleasure in long remote rides in the wilds.
'Bernoulli' is my road bike. Light, flighty, and the most fragile of them all. Bernoulli is a Cannondale Synapse, from near the bottom of that range, but still the most racy bike that I've ever owned.
'Origami' is my old Falcon fold-up. Now a veteran, in need of some serious TLC, I used Origami for 'train and bike' commuting for a number of years.
I must also mention dear old 'Rocket' (Stephens' Rocket....). Rocket was my first investment in a more sporty bike. A Claud Butler Chinook hybrid. Rocket served me well over many years, and we racked up a total of 3589 miles together. For 3 years, I kept Rocket chained up at Southampton station, and we rode from there to work together several times a week. In April 2017, I was dismayed to discover that some miserable individual had stolen my lovely Rocket. I therefore have to post Rocket as 'missing in action'......
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