Cletus Van Damme
Previously known as Cheesney Hawks
- Location
- Out in the sticks...
I am pretty pleased with myself to be honest as I was really forced into my commute. I was planning on leaving it until the clocks changed. But my car was in for MOT repairs yesterday and I brought my bike to cycle the 1.5 miles to work from the garage to work. The car was not ready, as it was a nice day I decided to cycle the 10.5 miles back home, so my wife did not have the hassle of picking me up with my very young daughter. I also decided to cycle in to work this morning, so that I could cycle to pick the car up later. This is quite an achievement for me as I had major knee joint rebuilding/leg re-alignment surgery last year. I had not been pushing myself with exercise and as such the recovery has been snail-like. So I got a turbo trainer at xmas and have been trying to really push myself, however I have found out that the turbo is nowhere near as hard work as proper cycling with hills etc. My thigh muscles in my left leg are still pretty wasted, but my physio and I have seen a huge improvement since I decided to get off my arse and have a go. I also kicked fags in a month ago, as I stupidly started again shortly after my operation. The cycling is a huge motivation for packing these in as I felt like I was dying on the turbo when I was smoking, the improvements in lung capacity seem to be apparent pretty quickly. Sorry for all the ramblings. So my questions are.
When I bought my Marin Mill Valley hybrid off my mate it had SKS chromoplastic mudguards on, but I hated the look of them and the front one always seemed to be catching the front wheel. It did not help me putting it in the car and probably twisting it. Anyway I got covered in crap this morning and I definitely need some. I currently just have a cheapo Wilko mountain bike type rear mudguard that goes on the seat post. It is quite effective but I would imagine nowhere near as good as full length close fitting ones. The front is the main problem, I was covered in dirt. I am guessing that the ones that you cable tie to the frame are pretty ineffective. I just wondered are there any full length mudguards maybe in black that do not look to crappy? The bike has 28mm wide tyres, but could go thinner although this will be more cash.
My other problem is that in the wet weather my brakes did not seem as effective. I got the pads off ebay. My bike has V-Brakes fitted, just wondered what pads might work a little better.
Thanks for any advice, I also think I am going to commute as much possible as a 21 mile round trip will more than likely be better than using the turbo and certainly not as boring. Although if it is blowing a gale and raining like it was recently I will give it a miss and use the turbo. I really do enjoy cycling even though hills are hard work at the moment, although I never pushed it once, although I was down to 3 mph at one point lol. I used to be a keen fell walker as I live very close to the lake district, but I have decided to probably pack that in altogether even if I feel as though I can do it as the next step if/and when the osteotomy repairs wear out is a full knee replacement. This is something that I want to avoid or prospone for as long as possible. I guess I will maybe want another bike soon
When I bought my Marin Mill Valley hybrid off my mate it had SKS chromoplastic mudguards on, but I hated the look of them and the front one always seemed to be catching the front wheel. It did not help me putting it in the car and probably twisting it. Anyway I got covered in crap this morning and I definitely need some. I currently just have a cheapo Wilko mountain bike type rear mudguard that goes on the seat post. It is quite effective but I would imagine nowhere near as good as full length close fitting ones. The front is the main problem, I was covered in dirt. I am guessing that the ones that you cable tie to the frame are pretty ineffective. I just wondered are there any full length mudguards maybe in black that do not look to crappy? The bike has 28mm wide tyres, but could go thinner although this will be more cash.
My other problem is that in the wet weather my brakes did not seem as effective. I got the pads off ebay. My bike has V-Brakes fitted, just wondered what pads might work a little better.
Thanks for any advice, I also think I am going to commute as much possible as a 21 mile round trip will more than likely be better than using the turbo and certainly not as boring. Although if it is blowing a gale and raining like it was recently I will give it a miss and use the turbo. I really do enjoy cycling even though hills are hard work at the moment, although I never pushed it once, although I was down to 3 mph at one point lol. I used to be a keen fell walker as I live very close to the lake district, but I have decided to probably pack that in altogether even if I feel as though I can do it as the next step if/and when the osteotomy repairs wear out is a full knee replacement. This is something that I want to avoid or prospone for as long as possible. I guess I will maybe want another bike soon
