http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: A novice writes.... en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:05:40 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21331 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:51:04 +0000 chdot 21331@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Query well and truly resolved!'</p> <p>But do come back and tell us how you get on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21329 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:39:21 +0000 Its_Me_Knees 21329@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks again everyone. The thread seems to have morphed a little but to tidy up some loose ends:</p> <p>Panniers: yep, I've got a sort of all-in-one thing that I picked up in a sale. It drapes across the rear rack and fastens with plastic buckles. Pockets to left and right, and a top compartment linking them across the rack. It's not a perfect fit and I doubt it's seriously waterproof, but it'll do for now. Once it wears out I'll get something pukka. Given my (ahem) round-ish body shape, I'm sure rucksacks, backpacks or courier bags would end up dangling between my chin and the crossbar shortly after lift off.</p> <p>@Dave and @chdot : I was all set to try the silverknowes - roseburn - harrison gardens - canal path - riccarton route one Sunday in December but the weather intervened. Will do it asap though, as I think it'll be my preferred route (don't mind the length, if the whole experience is quieter). </p> <p>@cb : I note your alternative to Maybury road ...I'll see how I go with the canal route first, but it may be a good option.</p> <p>Thanks to you all once again.</p> <p>Query well and truly resolved! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21268 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:35:54 +0000 SRD 21268@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"small) danger of stuff jumping out unless restrained - especially in the days of secret potholes."</p> <p>The basket I recommended <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=300">here</a> has a drawstring top which works very nicely to keep stuff inside. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21267 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:31:58 +0000 ruggtomcat 21267@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>when i was a courier i <em>still</em> used panniers, with the deuter rackpack fittings they were literally instant on/off. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21262 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:18:25 +0000 kaputnik 21262@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>an large Ortlieb handlebar bag </em></p> <p>get 2 bits of blue tac also to press into the buttons for mounting the map case - otherwise the rattle will drive you demented. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21261 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:16:30 +0000 Dave 21261@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Of course, one advantage of the traditional single right pannier is it makes you more a danger to car paintwork, and hence perhaps more likely to get some space (<a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=979">discussed here previously</a>). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21251 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:04:38 +0000 Smudge 21251@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ Kim, all the benefits of a pannier but where you can see it and not waterproof then ;-)</p> <p>Joking aside, once I sort out alternate position/s for my front lights my bike is getting an large Ortlieb handlebar bag for exactly the reason you specify! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21249 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:01:55 +0000 chdot 21249@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"a basket is becoming so popular"</p> <p>Yes, (small) danger of stuff jumping out unless restrained - especially in the days of <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1841&amp;page=2#post-21232">secret potholes</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21247 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:57:25 +0000 Kim 21247@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looking at the above discussion make me realise why the bicycle with a basket is becoming so popular for transport cycling, it is just practical... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21243 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:52:10 +0000 kaputnik 21243@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Do messenger-style bags exist which are so securely fastened that they require no re-positioning? </em></p> <p>My Schwalbe recycled tyre one would fall into this category. There's not a huge amount of room in it though. I think it basically moulds to the shape of your back and the knobbles on the tyre hold it in place.</p> <p><em>This thread is mentioned in The sport-games Daily - an Edinburgh 'feed aggregation' (or something) web site.</em></p> <p>Always read carefully. I skim-read this as</p> <p><em>This thread is mentioned in The Sport and Daily Mail as an Edinburgh "feeds aggresion" web site.</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21240 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:46:53 +0000 wingpig 21240@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Do messenger-style bags exist which are so securely fastened that they require no re-positioning? I generally find that my riding position causes any shoulder bag to work its way around so that it's between chest and knees. I briefly had a camera bag with a stabilising strap but it still shuffled round and required pushing back with a hand every now and then, and whilst it meant a slightly less sweaty back the criss-crossing straps at the front just displaced the sweatiness to the chest. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21237 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:42:15 +0000 chdot 21237@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This thread is mentioned in The sport-games Daily - an Edinburgh '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggregator">feed aggregation</a>' (or something) web site.</p> <p><a href="http://paper.li/HowToEnjoyEDIN/sport-games" rel="nofollow">http://paper.li/HowToEnjoyEDIN/sport-games</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21235 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:26:18 +0000 chdot 21235@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I'm obsessive about rattles"</p> <p>"A well maintained bike should move smoothly without rattling"</p> <p><a href="http://bikebase.wordpress.com/basic-basics/beginners-guide-to-living-with-a-bike" rel="nofollow">http://bikebase.wordpress.com/basic-basics/beginners-guide-to-living-with-a-bike</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21230 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:12:18 +0000 Smudge 21230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you are returning to cycling and doing what, 8 miles? Panniers without a shadow of doubt imho.<br /> Less sweaty, less weight carried on your person, less distracting as you get used to the extra/different exercise traffic etc.<br /> I now really dislike carrying weight/bulk on my person when I know I'd probably not even notice it in pannier/s.</p> <p>Used to have EBC nylon type panniers (from the late eighties / early nineties!) but they wore out, I use and love Ortlieb "front" roller panniers, but used on the back rack (as I don't need massive load capacity for normal running around), 100% waterproof, removed in one movement (and put back on nearly as fast), very well made and robust and you can clean them with a sponge and some soapy water. The only downsides I've found so far are the initial cost (but if they last as long as it looks like they will then it will work out in the long run) and I had to wrap some black nasty round the pannier in places to stop the mounting frame making a quiet rattle (I'm obsessive about rattles lol)<br /> They are clearly better than the cheaper alternatices I've used (on both powered and unpowered two wheelers) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21224 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:02:52 +0000 steveo 21224@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>+1 for dry bags, alpkit do ones you can just lash to your rack if needed to. I never bothered before, just put stuff in a tesco bag in my backpack, one really wet day through the "summer" i got so drowned my shirt was soaking, ordered a dry bag that day.</p> <p>Though i've now converted to a carradice saddle bag water proof by default. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=3#post-21220 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:01:11 +0000 chdot 21220@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I'm a flicker too"</p> <p>I'm a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/">Flickrer</a> too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21216 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:59:05 +0000 cb 21216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>An alternative to a waterproof outer cover is to put things you need to keep dry into <a href="http://www.nevisport.com/catdetail-4-catdetail1_id-78-catdetail2_id-597-product_id-462910">dry bags</a>.</p> <p>""That's why they invented the chest strap"</p> <p>Never actually used one, prefer the extra freedom, don't mind the occasional 're-positioning flick'."</p> <p>I'm a flicker too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21211 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:53:30 +0000 kaputnik 21211@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>had a problem with them getting wet, even without putting the little orange covers over.</em></p> <p>Perhaps they're made from waterproof fabric then :P </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21204 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:46:26 +0000 Stepdoh 21204@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I do a similar route sometimes from Leith if I want to see the river (and have a slice roll from the van at Granton sq). My route would be just to go over the Maybury hill, it's not actually, or it doesn't feel like a constant incline, there's just a short sharp bit before the roundbout and you have the unrestrained joy of going past all the cars on the way down. </p> <p>I just use the western side pavement on this route, as it's wide and pretty much a de-facto bike path, from there you just pootle through the gyle and embra park and hermi gate and do the wiggly bit at the end. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21203 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:46:17 +0000 chdot 21203@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"That's why they invented the chest strap"</p> <p>Never actually used one, prefer the extra freedom, don't mind the occasional 're-positioning flick'.</p> <p>The one I got with my new bag doesn't fit.</p> <p>I'm not <em>that</em> big... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21202 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:44:15 +0000 SRD 21202@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm obviously in the mood to disagree with Kaputnik today :) <em>"I recommend that you buy one made of waterproof fabric - rather than one that you have to put a waterproof cover over"</em></p> <p>We got a pair of panniers from EBC 2.5 years ago, and while their fittings proved a real weak point, we have both used them regularly to commute -- including a full week's worth of food, clothes etc -- and take books, exam scripts etc to work, and never had a problem with them getting wet, even without putting the little orange covers over. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21198 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:31:49 +0000 kaputnik 21198@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>but the idea os something slung somewhat insecurely over my shoulder doesn't appeal</em></p> <p>That's why they invented the chest strap :)</p> <p>I can speak in favour of both panniers and courier bags as I use both, basically dependent on how much stuff I've got to carry as my courier back is quite small (but perfectly sufficient for a shirt, tie, change of frillies, room for wallet/phone/keys/survival tools and my all important lunch(es)). Some people (e.g. couriers!) carry epic quantities in their courier bags.</p> <p>However can strongly speak in disfavour of a rucksack. Not only for sweaty-back-syndrome, I find that it interfered with looking over the shoulder and with certain riding positions it interefered with the helmet (that may have had something to do with the particular make of bag, an EBC/Vaude one). </p> <p>It was also nigh-on impossible to get anything out of the bag without stopping and taking the bag off. With a courier bag you can undo the chest strap and swing it round (this may not be too important for commuting). </p> <p>I also didn't like carrying so much weight high up.</p> <p>Whatever you choose, can I recommend that you buy one made of waterproof fabric - rather than one that you have to put a waterproof cover over. There's no cover that doesn't need to have apertures to let straps / clips / fittings poke out of it that will let the rain and muck in. Wateproof fabrics are wipe clean and if it suddenly starts to rain, you don't need to worry about stopping and putting a cover on only to find out that you've forgotten it... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21197 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:30:02 +0000 Dave 21197@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On nice days, riding in the Roseburn path and out the canal might be quite nice, but it will be very slow compared with the direct route, and your chance of puncturing is much higher.</p> <p>Depends what you're looking for really - as a keep fit option that's definitely what I'd recommend.</p> <p>If I had that commute, I'd either ride the 'red' route from the link below, or the 'balanced' one except I'd ride the red version at Quality St junction. Depends what Calder road is like VS the slowness of access to/from the canal - but everyone's preference is different.</p> <p>Do you work ordinary hours? I wonder if we could find a CCE'er to accompany you at some point.</p> <p><a href="http://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net/journey/419720" rel="nofollow">http://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net/journey/419720</a></p> <p>PS. when you look at cyclestreets, you should note that 'hostile' is not a valid measurement of traffic density. Traffic on the A90, for example, is far more tolerant of cyclists than on a smaller, "safer" road where people actually can't overtake. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21196 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:27:13 +0000 chdot 21196@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"i suppose i should try a courier bag first"</p> <p>Not really. </p> <p>You are contrasting something on your back with something on your bike and have made the decision that suits you. </p> <p>Your childseat passenger will be glad you have panniers..</p> <p>As cb says a sweaty back can be another side effect. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21195 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:19:00 +0000 cb 21195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"For commuting it depends on distance, weight (and to some extent bulk)."</p> <p>And also depends on if you cycle in your work clothes. A rucksack and, to a lesser extent, a courier back will help to contribute to a sweaty back.</p> <p>I cycled to school then uni with my bag on my back but ever since then have always used panniers. But when I started doing a regular short ride to Haymarket I got a courier bag: ride is so short that over heating is not an issue; locking the bike and heading into the station is a few seconds faster without panniers - those seconds count.<br /> I'd agree with chdot on the other convenience points of a courier bag. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21194 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:18:41 +0000 SRD 21194@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>hmmmm....i suppose i should try a courier bag first, but the idea os something slung somewhat insecurely over my shoulder doesn't appeal. but remember, i do most of my cycling with a child as well, so don't need anything to distract me. hence pref for basket, pannier and rucksack. i also tend to transport stacks of books, for which panniers particularly good. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21191 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:10:38 +0000 chdot 21191@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"can I speak strongly in favour of panniers? The difference is amazing"</p> <p>This is an interesting one - I'm not disagreeing. </p> <p>I have panniers, they get used occasionally, but for daily use I mostly use courier bags. </p> <p>There's no doubt that for long trips you don't want to carry stuff on your back. </p> <p>But for shorter journeys especially ones involving (for instance) local shopping a bag on the back is more practical. </p> <p>For commuting it depends on distance, weight (and to some extent bulk). </p> <p>Also if you carry tools, spare tubes etc that are not for use at work leaving them in a pannier, or even a saddlebag, would be good - if security is reassuring enough. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21190 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:55:41 +0000 SRD 21190@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Don't think we've discussed bags? As someone who blithely used a bike to get to school and uni for years, as well as shopping, day-trips etc, all using a backpack, can I speak strongly in favour of panniers? The difference is amazing, and they are well worth the investment. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21189 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:54:52 +0000 cb 21189@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You can get from Barnton junction / north end of Drum Brae to South Gyle almost traffic free if you are looking for a quieter route.</p> <p>Cyclestreets doesn't seem to want to use it but there is a path that roughly follows a line to the east of the Maybury Road. Have a look at the mapping on Cyclestreets (zoomed quite far in) and you'll see lots the path marked as a dotted red line.</p> <p>This brings you out onto Craigs Road. The next bit isn't mapped but you can cut down the side of Craigmount High School onto North Glye Loan, although there are a few steps to go down.<br /> Not sure of the legality of this route for cycling or the practicality when school kids are about. I've taken a group of scouts this way with no problems.</p> <p>It's possible to get from North Gyle, to South Gyle and Edinburgh Park pretty much traffic free, but it's not the shortest route in the world (the route on the south side of the railway has been discussed on these pages several times). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2007&page=2#post-21186 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:56:27 +0000 chdot 21186@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Thoughts"</p> <p>Longer but flatter, probably good choice. </p> <p>RR to HG probably a bit clogged at 'rush' hour, but you'll probably beat the traffic - of you can get down the side of it. </p> <p>Watch for buses on Dalry Road - narrow with bus stop 'in' bike lane. </p> <p>Try route(s) on a Sunday so you can check junctions etc. without so much traffic to look out for. </p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=678#post-5982" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=678#post-5982</a> </p>