New (old) guy from Peterborough

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Paddygt

Active Member
Hi folks. Not your typical cyclist as I generally use my bike to ride the massive 1.4 miles (each way though) commute to work. I have been reading a lot of travelogue type books from touring cyclists of late and am becoming a bit twitch about maybe extending to a few more exiting rides than my daily. Having said that, I don't intend doing any long distance or endurance, it would kill me. But, maybe some extended day rides once I get a bit fitter, a lot lighter and maybe, a different bike.

Look forward to reading through the forum and getting to know you better.

Graham (AKA Paddygt)
 

cyberknight

As long as I breathe, I attack.
Welcome !!
Another bike(s) ? sounds like your hooked already and seeing as its xmas its the perfect time to suggest to your significant other /wife / etc that you really need a better bike to full enjoy your rekindled desire for better health which in turn will make you a happier person/live longer etc etc :smile:
 

postman

Squire
Location
,Leeds
Welcome i hope you enjoy yourself,and who knows this time next year a shiny new road bike might just slide down your chimney.
 
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Paddygt

Active Member
Thanks for the welcome guys :smile: Thanks for the link Andrew, interesting to see that there are Peterborough people on here. Peterborough does have some great cycle friendly areas although some of the 'Cycle Ways' are on busy(ish) roads in places, my commute to work is in a white line cycle path which a lot of car drivers seem to resent their presence and mine, I average a near miss at least three times per week, two of which I would say would be taxi drivers who especially hate cyclists in the city. Still, they have not got me yet lol.

Have to agree about the route from the Key Theatre along the river but, just before you get to the Millennium Bridge there is a not so clear turn off which takes you to the superb Bronze Age site of Flag Fen, well worth a detour. Also, turn right at the river instead of left will take you a decent off road cycle path to Ferry Meadows. The flat ground and loads of cycle paths around Peterborough make for easy cycling but it does not prepare you for the hills, the headwind is the fen cyclist hill, trouble is, you never get the freewheel afterwards........ A few years ago, I did a circular that took in the Flag Fen to ferry Meadows route, around 25 mile in total. Only rode it twice but it was an enjoyable route..... Must do it again one day.

Quite fond of Ipswich as we spent nearly two weeks there in Oct being filmed as part of a documentary on respite for disabled people and their families, we have a 19 year old disabled daughter. So we had quite a lot of fun on Jimmy's Farm for the time we were filming as well as sightseeing in the area.

My old Targa Viking DD 24 is starting to look a bit tatty now but I do love it's big boxy ally frame. Not sure if it would work to replace the wheels, and possibly gears, for a more 'Hybrid' look or if I should just go for a Hybrid. A road bike would be no good for me in my state of un-fitness and I prefer the more upright riding position anyway.
 

Andrew_Culture

Internet Marketing bod
My in laws live over by the rowing lake, which oddly enough is under water at the moment!

I live less than a mile from Jimmy's farm :smile:

A quick note on road bikes; in my experience they are a lot less effort to ride than any other bike, and most folk (me included) ride with their hands on the tops of the bars 90% of the time. I have a bad back and would suffer horribly if I rode with my hands in the lowest part of the bars (in the drops).

I plan to bring my mountain bike with me at some point so I can ride the Green Wheel (I think that's what it is called) around Peterbrough.
 
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Paddygt

Active Member
It is indeed the Green Wheel. Often looked at it and have done bits of it but never ventured for the full thing. It does cover some fairly (for the Peterborough area) mixed terrain. If I rode with drops, I would be kneeing myself in the belly all the time lol. I do now have a target though, I have been playing with CycleStreet route finder and have selected a route from Old Hunstanton lighthouse to Cromer Pier. Only 50 miles, a walk in the park for you guys, but if I can build up to doing that by late spring 2013, I will be very happy. I will get my better half to drive there, drop me at Hunstanton and then go off to Cromer for the day where I will get the Paramedics to drop me off for the drive home :blush:
 

Andrew_Culture

Internet Marketing bod
It is indeed the Green Wheel. Often looked at it and have done bits of it but never ventured for the full thing. It does cover some fairly (for the Peterborough area) mixed terrain. If I rode with drops, I would be kneeing myself in the belly all the time lol. I do now have a target though, I have been playing with CycleStreet route finder and have selected a route from Old Hunstanton lighthouse to Cromer Pier. Only 50 miles, a walk in the park for you guys, but if I can build up to doing that by late spring 2013, I will be very happy. I will get my better half to drive there, drop me at Hunstanton and then go off to Cromer for the day where I will get the Paramedics to drop me off for the drive home :blush:

Smart! I am a mere minnow in experience terms but I found it useful to be able to do twenty miles and then have a good think about nutrition. I reckon (or at least I've found with my cranky body) that any ride over 30 miles is as much about nutrition as anything else, assuming you have a base level of fitness.

I tell ya what, ignore my jabbering and head to the beginners forum, I still read it daily!
 

Ern1e

Über Member
Hi Graham welcome to the site and also a MERRY XMAS up here we have lots of pesky hills so would happily swap for some flat rides any time lol.
 
Hiya Graham (Paddygt), I'm back up the road for Christmas but I've been down in Peterborough for the last 6 month (circa 4-5000 miles), from memory I've had two bad pull outs and one extremely close overtake but on the whole its not been a bad commute and touchwood I've had no problems with taxis. Have you heard of a book called 'Cyclecraft' it gives a lot of good positional advice that may help. Ride Safe.
Not a Panacea for hill lovers but the areas to the north and west of the city provides more hills bumps and a wee bit further north is Rutland and hills :becool: .
As to a bike, your finances will probably dictate, if they are tight go for new wheels and slicker tyres on the mtb and lock out the suspension if you can. More gearing is more costly, you are better off with a new bike if you are considering that; it may be better to consider increasing the range of your existing gears (a new cassette) rather than increasing the number.
If you have the cash, new bike, no question ;)
 

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Paddygt i actually commute 1.5 miles 4 times a day so dont do a lot more than yourself but its all worth doing .

90% of my steads are retro steel racers and great fun to ride and own

oh and :welcome: from across the border in Northamptonshire
 

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
Hello, you could actually try out a road bike by buying one secondhand off Ebay or Preloved. You should be able to get decent one for about £150. You will notice it requires a bit less than the MTB. Good Luck.
 
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