http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Glorious successes of a cycle commuter en Wed, 13 May 2026 07:27:52 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-277559 Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:11:47 +0000 Stickman 277559@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This evening colleagues who had left were phoning to warn others that it was taking 20 minutes just to get out of the office car park due to the general mess around Lothian Road. I cruised past the car park queue on my bike and felt quite smug about it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-219394 Tue, 10 May 2016 11:58:57 +0000 Stickman 219394@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>City bound roadworks on Haymarket Terrace (which cyclists can skip round) and a fortuitous light sequence meant that there was no traffic on Haymarket Terrace, West Maitland Street, Torphichen Street and Morrison Street for me this morning. Just me and some other bikes. It was glorious. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-215873 Wed, 06 Apr 2016 12:52:33 +0000 amir 215873@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A rare trip from KB into the east end today to pick up something. Last time I did it by bus and walking, it took about 90 mins. This time 30 mins return. And I claimed on the mileage. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-215399 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:09:27 +0000 chdot 215399@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"and wearing jeans"</p> <p>That's the point - disguises the LEGS. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-215396 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 10:50:56 +0000 Darkerside 215396@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was similarly comprehensively overhauled this morning by someone with *deep* carbon rims, flat pedals, and wearing jeans. Seemed an odd combination, but certainly wasn't slow... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-215395 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 10:32:33 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 215395@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Excellent, that's a result.</p> <p>I was kind of in the mood for some commuter racing this morning, but only really as it fitted in with my 'training'. Working on the power side of riding for cross slogs through mud, which means slight inclines are attacked, but while still seated, and in too big a gear.</p> <p>Found myself catching a chap in front. We got to the top and I eased off a little, but still quick enough to go by, when he glanced over his shoulder, saw me, and put a very very obvious dig in to up the speed. So I sat ten yards behind as we cruised the flat. Slight rise again and this time my maintaining the pace from the flat takes me past him as he slows.</p> <p>Naturally there was pride before a (metaphorical) fall. Get to more flat and I'm taking in the sights at about 17mph in the bus lane, when a chap in full lycra and on tri-bars, but still with guards, rack and pannier, goes past me like I'm standing still. There wasn't even a thought of 'I'll see if I can keep up with him', there was no way whatsoever I was holding that pace. I could only laugh and observe out loud to myself, "There'll always be someone faster."</p> <p>The training continues. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-215388 Wed, 30 Mar 2016 09:41:57 +0000 Darkerside 215388@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Took the newly acquired Urban Arrow on a test run to work this morning to see if a nursery drop-off would be feasible over the 20km-each-way route.</p> <p>Much fun, only 5-15 minutes slower than the MetaBike, and I even managed to squeeze it into the cycle parking at work (ish...).</p> <p>See how it fares on the uphill return, but it looks like a goer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-182346 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:23:37 +0000 wee folding bike 182346@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I arrived at an SQA Advanced Higher meeting today and the sign in desk asked where my bike was.</p> <p>It was folded and bagged at my side. It seems I had mentioned it on my SQA profile. </p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aedan/16522018789" title="requirements by aedan, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16522018789_777051eb20_o.jpg" alt="requirements" /></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-181742 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 15:47:01 +0000 Darkerside 181742@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It does, which work well. It also has poppers to expand at the back, so if I did decide to take a horse to work rather than the bike, I could keep my saddle dry...</p> <p>Apparently I look like "a big brown jobbie" (in the words of my beloved). Personally, I feel like I'm in one of the Fallout games. All I need is a shotgun. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-181734 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:38:35 +0000 gembo 181734@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>good result, does it have the little straps that go round your calves?</p> <p>here is my post from yesterday as I could not remember the word glorious</p> <p>Went from waverley court to royal edinburgh hospital today and once I turned up Guthrie street it was very enjoyable. Was about 3pm so traffic light, when I hit the bike lane to go round past napier's to MMW I skipped tons of traffic jammed and then there was total flow all way down MMW then across and up over the links to bruntsfield then not too bad round and underneath Napier uni, lot of bikes in the quad.</p> <p>So none of this new but just worked today when on other days I would have been stopped at lights etc. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-181726 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:11:44 +0000 Darkerside 181726@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For any readers eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the urban waterproofing condundrum, a long waxed cotton coat similar to the Drizabones recommended by Gembo has come into my possession, and it's grand.</p> <p>Yesterday's return home provided the ideal weather for a full test and I remained almsot completely dry and relatively non-sweaty, despite a particularly unpleasant headwind.</p> <p>Ten points. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316&page=2#post-180918 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 15:21:39 +0000 wingpig 180918@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not wanting to have to hacksaw an additional 2mm off the steerer and not having the opportunity to pop to a shop for an extra spacer, I fortuitously spotted the plastic wheel from a toy wooden pull-along duck sitting on the kitchen windowsill:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wingpig/16510976946/"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/16510976946_33738529f5.jpg"></a><br /> ...with which, after eight weeks and one day, I have a proper bike again. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-180285 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 18:07:48 +0000 cc 180285@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>These days there's often an accordion player at the junction of Middle Meadow Walk and North Meadow Walk. You get a truly impressive doppler effect when cycling past an accordion. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179778 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 10:46:35 +0000 minus six 179778@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Lush commute in from fifeside today</p> <p>Still gambling on slicks, but no ice on the roads</p> <p>Not even around Queen Liz Yards, surprisingly </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179766 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:37:36 +0000 Instography 179766@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Once I'd stopped carrying the wheel truing jig, my tool kit dipped under 3kg. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179737 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:31:01 +0000 gembo 179737@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had one of the greatest commutes of a ten year stint today. Balerno to Musselburgh. Started in the dawn light just before 8am reached the traffic jam at juniper green, caused by CARS. Thought flip it I am away down that WoL path, swung down the road, remembered splash now a house and detour awaiting, big lorry coming up waited on me, hit the path, some icy patches but mostly dry, ambled down to canal towpath, chatted to social worker I know who was photographing the ice. Waved to shuggiet, continued to leamington lift bridge then onto road which had another traffic jam of CARS but hey, I could avoid them as I was on a bike. Round via mini jam at dick vet then down to innocent tunnel and picked up good momentum down the innocent and then over the Bingham and magdalene paths with the dog walkers all having obedient mutts. The sun came out, the world was shiny, came out at Big W took route marked up to Milton road then swung round to Musselburgh grammar via ship inn turning and over the old brig, finally in the back way and round to the front door to find the janny had locked the gate, retraced route back to back gate but noticed tyre tracks on grass so cycled round the school the other way and arrived fifteen minutes early for my meeting.</p> <p>This was a SW to NE commute of edinburgh using tons of excellent path network with nary a bit of glass not errant Ped to contend with. Glorious. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179735 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:58:12 +0000 wee folding bike 179735@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I manage to keep Bromptons rolling with a Bahco shifter, tyre levers, pump, Park multitool for the allen bolts and Swiss Army knife. I don't think it comes close to a kg.</p> <p>In the winter I carry a wee set of self gripping pliers to persuade things to move if they aren't in the mood. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179727 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:40:19 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 179727@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not really 'my' success, but hurrah for Cyclehoops on main routes right outside coffee shops!</p> <p><a href="http://flic.kr/p/qKHpzw"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/16247250668_bf721e7d37.jpg"></a><a href="http://flic.kr/p/qKHpzw"> by -blackpuddinonnabike-</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179725 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 16:59:28 +0000 duncans 179725@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's more than one taking that route! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179724 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 16:52:16 +0000 kaputnik 179724@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Might be the cheery fellow I once crossed paths with on a dark and rainy night in the Pentlands. I was out "for a larf", he was just doing his regular slog up and over. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179722 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 16:41:26 +0000 ARobComp 179722@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@duncans I've spotted that chap commuting over the pentlands when I do my summer commute loop the opposite way. We had the same rucksack! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179720 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:04:29 +0000 kaputnik 179720@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I winnowed my toolkit down from a 3kg bag about the size of two 1.5kg bags of flour down to a &lt;1kg bag about the size of a large packet of digestive biscuits</em></p> <p>Fabulous. Now you have both the space and weight saved to carry a 2kg bag of bisuits with you everywhere you go. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179709 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 14:05:50 +0000 Uberuce 179709@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think that person has featured in the Spotted or Lovely Ride threads...</p> <p>@friskiffla I was going to chide you gently for lack of tools, but I guess with a Brom and £1.50 they're redundant anywhere within the bypass and many places beyond.</p> <p>@Amir, I did however bonk down to the soles of my feet that day, which is perhaps a tribal rite too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179686 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 11:27:27 +0000 duncans 179686@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Totally awesome cycle commute, not by me, sadly.</p> <p>Near daily commute for a friend of mine, even in winter. Especially in winter!</p> <p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/qZVvEC">Awesome commute<br /> <img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/16408043436_c0e295a280_b.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179666 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 09:37:15 +0000 amir 179666@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I used to hate my cape with a vengeance (perhaps because it was always raining when I wore it).</p> <p>@uberuce finally you've undertaken the cyclist initiation ceremony. (It was not that hill out of Pease Bay on your fixie - that's just madness). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179663 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 09:00:01 +0000 friskiffla 179663@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes I was waiting at the lights on my green Brompton. I would have offered help but I don't carry any tools - just a bag for my bike and change for the bus. Plus you looked like you totally knew what you were doing (and I generally don't). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179646 Mon, 02 Feb 2015 22:48:33 +0000 Uberuce 179646@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@friskiffla: Guilty as charged. Were you enbiked at the time?</p> <p>@WFB: Marathons, and I've only been cycling for three years. And there's that demonic pact thing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179641 Mon, 02 Feb 2015 22:30:37 +0000 wee folding bike 179641@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Uberuce. </p> <p>Your <em>first</em> roadside puncture. </p> <p>I was doing that in primary school and had three in as many days when I was in London in October. I'll use Marathon Plus next time… well I might not. Kojaks are more fun. </p> <p>I sort of enjoyed mending the one in St James park. I got to sit outside Brenda's gaff for 10 minutes and didn't look very loyal to the royal. </p> <p>How have you dodged it so long? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179631 Mon, 02 Feb 2015 21:43:24 +0000 Darkerside 179631@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.drizaboneclothing.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">http://www.drizaboneclothing.co.uk/</a></p> <p>Interesting...</p> <p>(chdot: I've just guffawed my way through that thread. The chap recounting how he'd used a cape as a toilet shelter was a particular highlight. Presumably he appeared as a short, dark cone with a head on top.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14316#post-179615 Mon, 02 Feb 2015 20:36:50 +0000 gembo 179615@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@darkerside, if you can still get Drizabone waxed cotton raincoats they will work. They are designed for riding horses in Australia and each half of the coat can be fastened to your leg. Yet outside looks like a long raincoat. I purchased one very cheaply in outdoors shop in Sydney about twenty years ago. </p>