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Self-taught photographer, cyclist and a very tedious person.
Ask me anything
March 2, 2012
January 29, 2012
Perhaps we had it all too easy nowadays, with variable gears, mechanical brakes that actually work, pneumatic clincher tyres, GPS, better road surface, padded short, windbreaker, lightweight bicycle, changable component, clipless pedals, helmet, etc.
Those men in the photo rode up Europe’s steepest and twistiest roads on fixed wheel bicycles.
And they did it while wearing ties.
January 4, 2012
When it come to ascending the mountain on a bicycle, I’m not sure how to described it, all I can says it’s probably one of those age old male trait of getting it done, needing to complete it, an ego booster, or simply climbing for the sake of climbing, in fact I really don’t know why I liked doing it, perhaps it’s the pain cave? the achievement or lack thereof? or the challenge?
Then I remember George Mallory’s comment when asked why he climbed Everest, and his respond is simply;
“Because it’s there”
I reckon that summed it up perfectly, simply because it’s there was enough reason for me to ride the passes, humanity has always been trying to reach out, to leap before you look, to take risk, having says that, it’s not exactly a risk climbing Hardknott, it was as 48 hours prior to arriving in Cumbria, Hardknott was impassible covered in snow and black ices, I knew this but pressed on out of sheer stupidly (or braveness they’re in all honestly the same, you can’t have just the one).
December 27, 2011
Won’t be long before I embark in similar journey across the Andes.
Just need to figure out whether I should stick with the Thorn, or get a Pugsley, feeling the Pugsley love already…
December 6, 2011
November 23, 2011
Not only I love the bicycle (I owned similar), but the wooden mudguard is the best I’ve seen with it’s beautiful red underside.
November 15, 2011
1 hour, 4 minutes and 50 second.
That the overall time of the 3 laps challenge at Richmond Park covering a smug over 20 miles.
The challenge is very much an unofficial challenge mated by the fact that’s apparently illegal for even bicyclists to go over the 20mph limit (such rules are applied to motorised vehicles), it’s a popular time trial challenge in London with a good distance, right amount of ascent/descent, some long flat and of course the cafe by the roundabout make a good checkpoint.
There’s a reason to why I’ve done that on the most unacceptable bicycle to do the challenge in; simply as a challenge, the Brompton is a folding bicycle designed for.. well, transportation, it flex like a mother, the tribar made it even more unstable until I pass the 15mph barrier, the saddle is too low as the seatpost as it’s maximum insertation point, and of course the gearing is pretty high married by the small wheel which make climbing not quite a joy to work on.
I am the sort of person whom strongly believe it all to be in my mind, not my body, Jill Homer, a personal heroine of me, described it perfectly in her recent blog;
…I started to wonder if I had dug a hole I wouldn’t be able to crawl out of before Nepal, but in the same breath, I wasn’t really that concerned. There was no acute strain, and no pain — just peaceful, almost blissful fatigue. Evolution gave us all the ability to walk for five days straight, and modern culture gave us the ability to choose not to. The more I experiment with endurance sports, the more I believe endurance is a matter of choices more than physical abilities or exceptional talent.
I rode the Brompton knowing it won’t be as comfortable, easy or even trustworthy as my old 12 speed road bike, but it made me push harder to overcome that limitation, my estimation was 1 hour, 10 minutes, and I managed to shave 5 minutes off that time.
I correlation the data of my stopwatch and the phone gps tracker that give me the time, let see how I flare on a normal bicycle next time.
October 26, 2011
Bike Rules
As written by Lawrence Brown
I’m not a member of the “roadie” sub-culture, nor do I particularly wish to be (some of the rules are funny, some are sage, many are totally ridiculous), but it made me realize that I have formed my own set of rules after several years of cycling in London. Some of my own, some are adapted from the advice of others and some are stolen. Here are the ones that spring immediately to mind:
- The daily commute is not a race. If I overtake you it’s not a challenge, it’s because I’m faster than you, so don’t feel compelled to start mashing your pedals furiously, wheezing and causing havoc in my general area. Likewise, if I’m riding slowly it’s because I’m enjoying the lazy pace or I’ve had a heavy one the night before. Looking over your shoulder with a shit eating grin as you “leave me for dust” just confirms that to me that your partner and ambitions are unfulfilled and you make up for it by pedaling furiously to a job you hate. The other possibility is that you’re an abject wanker.
- The only vehicles that have any place on a pavement are children’s bikes and mobility scooters. If you’re riding a bicycle on the pavement and you’re older than twelve you should contemplate the series of unfortunate events that have led you to behave like a water-brained sociopath and might even consider seeking professional help.
- It is good to have a slow friendly bike with paniers and a bell to keep you from taking the business of cycling too seriously. The bell should be loud, clear and desperately cheerful so people are inclined to hop out of your path with a smile and a wave. However, when you are taking the sleek and speedy road bike, fixed gear or single speed (none of which should have a bell) this all changes. As zombie commuters step blindly into your path without warning, a short and sharp – but inoffensive – vocal command should be issued to remind them that not everyone inhabits a vacuously swirling world of Starbucks muffins and smart phones filled to bursting point with anodyne bullshit.
- Hero worship is for spods and nonce-cakes. Fantasizing about licking Bradley Wiggins’ rippling calves is fine if that’s your thing, but don’t confuse those feelings with the joy of riding for the thrill of it.
- It’s not shameful to wait in a queue of traffic if the only other option is ending up as a streak of tarmac jam. If you are unable to anticipate the likely outcome of coasting between busses or carving up criminally negligent nose-pickers in Porsche Cayennes then you should consider cycle training or trading in your bike for a Super-Deluxe Platinum Oyster card.
- Everyone in or on a motorised vehicle is a fuckhead unless proven otherwise. So are most pedestrians and cyclists. However, those who drive, cycle or walk with care, skill and grace should be met with an appreciative smile and a nod. And a reacharound if you have the time.
As written by Lawrence Brown
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